Part 13
Barry grabbed his bags from the car and was heading in when Joe and Eddie pulled up.
"Hey Barry. Is Caitlin ok?" asked Eddie
"As well as she can be. Alex and Kara are with her. I wanted to make her dinner." Said Barry
"Well you do know women love men that will cook for them." Said Joe
"Cait and I are just friends."
"Barry, hate to tell you. But you are in denial. Let's face facts. You are the only person she lets call her Cait. Anyone else she tells them not to." Said Eddie
"It's true Bare. Iris has known her almost as long as you and she can't call Caitlin, Cait." Said Joe
"I never noticed. So what is going on?"
"We got some news for Caitlin. We thought we would let her know before we head back to the station." Said Joe
"Good news?"
"Yeah good news Bare." Said Eddie
Barry led the way up to Caitlin's apartment and let the two police detectives in. He noticed both Kara and Alex sitting on the couch watching a movie.
"Where's Cait?" asked Barry
"Her bedroom. She wanted to be alone." Said Kara
"I'll go get her. Joe and Eddie have news for her."
Barry placed the bags in the kitchen and went down the hall to the bedroom knocking on the door.
"Cait, it's Barry. Well I guess you know that. Joe and Eddie are here. They have some news to give you. Good news."
The door opened and Caitlin came out. Barry could see her wincing in pain.
"Cait, how much pain are you in?" asked Barry
"Not more than I can handle."
"On a scale of one to ten."
"Maybe eight?"
"Cait, you were given pain medication for a reason. Let's find out what Joe and Eddie have to tell you and get you your medication ok?"
"I don't want to become dependent on the medication."
"That is why I locked them up. Not because I think you will over dose on them."
"Barry, I am not going to kill myself. No matter how much I am hurting. Hunter wins if I am not there to send him to Iron Heights where he belongs."
"That will not be a pleasant place for him. There is a code with criminals believe it or not. If you are a man you don't hurt a kid or woman."
Caitlin just nodded and slowly followed Barry out to the living room using the wall for support. When they reached the living both Joe and Eddie made a move to help her but Barry waved them off. Caitlin looked at the two cops. Both men she trusted with her life.
"I can do it. Joe, Eddie, I know you both want to be gentlemen. But I can't take being touched right now." Said Caitlin
Both men nodded as Caitlin made it to a recliner. Barry passed her a blanket then grabbed a bottle of water and the bottle of pain pills from the lock box on the counter. He took out one pill and then returned the bottle to the box relocking it. He gave both to Caitlin. She took the pill and handed the bottle back to Barry. He placed it on the table before sitting on the floor near Caitlin in case she needed anything.
"So Joe, Eddie what is this news?" asked Caitlin
"We arrested Hunter Zolomon today." Said Joe
"Caitlin, part of your attack was caught on STAR labs security cameras that was enough to get the warrant." Said Eddie
Caitlin didn't say anything. She knew that she would have to go in and identify him. That she would have to relive that nightmare in a courtroom. That she would have to tell a room full of strangers about what had happened to her. That Hunter Zolomon stole something from her that she can never get back.
"Caitlin, are you ok?" asked Kara
"Yeah. I can come in tomorrow to ID him?" asked Caitlin
"Yeah. We can hold him for up to 72 hours without charging him. So tomorrow will be fine." Said Joe
"Besides we already can charge him with violating the restraining order and assault based on the tape." Said Eddie
"Thanks for letting me know." Said Caitlin
"We should get back to the station. You get better ok Caitlin." Said Joe
"Thanks Joe. For everything you ever done for me." Said Caitlin
"Love you sweetheart." Said Joe
Caitlin gave Joe a weak smile. She knew that her friend's father did love her. Alex and Kara also headed out leaving Barry and Caitlin alone.
"Do you want to stay here or go back to your room and lay down until dinner?" asked Barry
"I'll stay here. What are you making me for dinner?"
"Your favorite Lasagna."
"Bare, you know you don't have to do that. Or take care of me."
"I'm your best friend Cait. Of course I got to take care of you. I'll be in the kitchen if you need me."
"Thanks Bare."
Barry headed into the kitchen and got started on dinner while Caitlin used the tv remote to put on an episode of Fuller House on Netflix. It didn't take long before she drifted off to sleep. Barry checked on her and adjusted her blanket and pushed her hair out of her face. He felt her flinch under his gentle touch. But he wasn't hurt by it. He knew that it will take time before she would be comfortable with his touch again.
"I love you Cait."
Barry headed back into the kitchen and Caitlin opened her eyes having woken under his touch. A single tear falling from her eyes. She knew that Barry loved her even without him ever saying it before. The fact was she loved him. She loved him as more than a friend. In fact he was the one that she had saved herself for. The only one she had ever wanted to be with in the most intimate way. But Hunter had to go and ruin that for her. But if she could recover from this then there was a chance that she could have the life she wants with the only man she wants a relationship with.
"I love you Barry Allen." Whispered Caitlin
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There you go they admitted their feelings. Even if it is only to themselves.