Part 14

Caitlin woke early the next morning wincing in pain as she shifted to climb out of bed. She smiled as she thought about dinner last night. Barry had taken the time to not only make homemade lasagna knowing she hated the frozen kind. But to make home made garlic bread and a fresh Caesar salad. Thanks to the pain medication as well as the antibiotics she was on as a precaution against possible STDs she was tired after eating dinner. Barry tucked her in and sat by her side until she had fallen to sleep. Much like he had done the few times she had gotten drunk. She heard a soft knock on her door knowing it was Barry. He had told her that he was going to spend the night on her couch. Back before this if he spent the night he would have just slept in the bed next to her like they had done dozens of times before. But knowing that she needed the space he slept on the couch.

"You can come in Bare." Said Caitlin

The door opened and Barry poked his head in.

"Joe called me. He has the line up scheduled for ten this morning."

"I guess I should get dressed."

"If you need help I can call my mom or Iris."

"I should be ok. It's not like I am going to wear anything other than jeans and a button up shirt. It hurts to much to pull on a t-shirt right now."

"Uh yeah. Uh what about your bra."

Caitlin shook her head at him. Barry turned bright red.

"I have a couple that hook in front. Are you sure that you aren't trying to get a look at my goods?"

"What?! Of course not! Cait, I would never do something like that!"

"Relax Bare. I was just teasing. You are the one man that I know I can trust. You have never took advantage of me. Not even when I was drunk."

"I could never do that to anyone. Least of all you. Cait, you are my best friend. I am going to go make us some breakfast while you get dressed ok?"

"Ok."

Barry left and Caitlin slowly got dressed. It took her longer then normal having to deal with her cast. But after about ten minutes she was making her way to the kitchen. Barry had made a simple breakfast of scrabbled eggs with cheese, bacon and toast.

"You want just butter or do you want jelly on your toast?" asked Barry

"Just butter is fine Barry."

"Coming right up."

Caitlin watched Barry as she ate. She had to wonder why he wanted to take care of her like this. Sure she had heard his confession the day before. But her experience with people that claim to love her they never stay long. Which is why she never bring herself to give herself to anyone she dated. Barry was the exception. He had been the one person she had always been able to count on since she was ten years old. Even when she started as cold and distant he never gave up on her.

"You ok Cait?"

"Yeah. Just thinking about how lucky I am to have you as my best friend."

"Nothing will make me leave you."

"I know."

After they finished eating Barry cleaned up. They then headed for the police station arriving just before ten. Eddie met them.

"Caitlin, I'll take you into the viewing room in a minute. Zolomon's lawyer will be there as well as Ms. Horton ok?" said Eddie

"Can Barry come in too? Just for moral support." Asked Caitlin

"Of course." Said Eddie

Caitlin took a deep breath as she walked with Barry and Eddie to the room that had the two way mirror. The side the suspects were on was mirrored while the side Caitlin was on was a window. Caitlin felt a chill go down her spine when she met Hunter's lawyer a man named Harvey Dent.

"Remember Caitlin none of the suspects can see you." Said Eddie

Caitlin nodded. The light in the other room was turned on and Caitlin felt her heart start to race as she saw Hunter standing in there staring at the window with his ice cold eyes. There were four other men that had similar looks to him. But none of them scared her half as much as Hunter Zolomon.

"Number three." Said Caitlin firmly

Joe who was closest to the glass knocked on it three times. Cecile grabbed her good hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. Caitlin barely able to hold herself together leaned into Barry and let him hold her. Letting herself feel comfort from her closest friend for the first time since she had been violated.

"Mr. Dent your client has been identified." Said Cecile

"Ms. Horton, I will see you in court." Said Dent

Once the defense lawyer left Joe looked at his girlfriend.

"What is that Gotham scumbag lawyer doing here?" asked Joe

"Zolomon hired him. From what I know about Dent he is a dangerous man." Said Cecile

"I will get in touch with Commissioner Gordon. He and I met a few years ago at a law enforcement conference." Said Joe

Barry had been a little surprised when Caitlin sought comfort in his arms. Not that he wasn't happy about it. In fact he couldn't have been happier that his best friend was willing to let him hold her once again.

"Bare?"

"Yeah Cait."

"Can you take me to that support group at the community center run by your Aunt and Uncle? It meets in about an hour."

"Of course. You can go to the meeting and I will see if I can help Uncle Jay with anything he needs done."

Caitlin just nodded against him and they headed out. Eddie smiled as he watched them leave together. Barry's arm wrapped protectively around Caitlin. Barry helped Caitlin into the car and then headed for the community center. He just hoped that going to this group will help Caitlin gain back some of what Hunter had stolen from her.