Part 15
"Barry?"
"Yeah Cait."
"Do you think I am damaged?"
"No. Cait, you aren't damaged. You might be a little lost right now. But you aren't damaged."
"Then why do I feel that I am so broken?"
Barry took a deep breath wishing that he could look at her. But since he was driving he had to keep his eyes on the road.
"Caitlin, what happened to you is horrible. I wish I had the power to go back in time and what happened to you. But I don't have the power to do that. As far as I know no one does. I can't begin to understand how you are feeling. But one thing I do know is you will recover. It will take time, and I promise you I will help you any way I can."
"Will anyone want me if they know what happened?"
"The right man will love you no matter what. It's like I always told you that the right man will be willing to wait until you are ready to give yourself to him. He will wait until the end of time for you to give him your heart."
"What if I give it to the wrong guy and it ends up broken?"
"If a guy breaks your heart then he is a fool."
Caitlin didn't reply. She hoped that Barry wasn't a fool. Because weather he knew it or not he already owned her heart and didn't know it. In fact she herself wasn't so sure when he claimed it. As much as she didn't want to go to this meeting she knew that she wouldn't get better if she didn't. Barry parked the car and then got out to help her. They then walked into the community center and were greeted by a smiling Jay Allen, the twin brother of Barry's father.
"Hey Uncle Jay." Said Barry hugging him.
"Hey Slugger. Well if it isn't the lovely Caitlin." Said Jay
"Hi Mr. Allen." Said Caitlin
"Jay, Cait is here for Aunt Joan's support group." Said Barry softly
Jay nodded. He already knew what had happened to the young woman.
"They are meeting in room four." Said Jay
"Thanks. I will walk her there and then we can talk."
"Meet me in my office."
Jay walked off leaving Barry to take Caitlin to the meeting. Barry led Caitlin down the hall pass the gym where a group of teenage boys were playing basketball. He smiled and hugged his Aunt who was standing outside of room four.
"Aunt Joan, you remember my friend Caitlin right?" asked Barry
"Of course. Caitlin, I am glad you decided to come. If you aren't ready to share your story it's ok. But each of the women here understands what you are going through." Said Joan
"Cait, I'll see you after the meeting ok?" asked Barry
"Yeah. Thanks Bare."
Barry walked off after his Aunt led Caitlin into the room closing the door. He took a deep breath and headed for Jay's office. The fact was he recognized a couple of the women who were at the meeting. He had worked as the CSI on their rape cases. But he didn't say anything. He walked into Jay's office and sat in the chair across from him.
"So tell me how is Caitlin doing?" asked Jay
"Not so well. But she is getting better slowly."
"It's going to take time. But it is a good sign that she is willing to go to this meeting."
"I know. Uncle Jay, I don't know how to help Cait."
"Just being there is helping. Barry, the one thing I know about Caitlin is that she is very strong. She also trusts you."
"I know."
"From what I understand you have hardly left her since you found out she was at the hospital."
"Yeah. Jay, she is my best friend."
"I think she is more than that. Before you say anything, I use to say the same thing about your Aunt Joan. But my heart told me different."
"Let's say I am in love with Cait. I can't tell her that right now."
"Barry, I would be willing to bet that Caitlin is in love with you too. Think about it. Neither of you have ever had a successful relationship. You know her better than anyone. You are the one that brought that shy quiet little girl out of her shell. She is hurting right now. But in time she will heal and it will be because of you."
Barry nodded. He knew that Jay was right. The fact was he had fallen in love with his best friend.
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Kara and Iris sat in front of the computer in the bullpen of CCPN reading over the story they had been working on together.
No Always Means No!
By Kara Danvers & Iris West
In recent years crimes against women have been increasing in not only this city, but around the country. There are men that believe that a woman doesn't have the right to say no. But that is far from the truth. Listen up men. Just because a woman goes on a date with you is not an agreement to have sex. Not only that, if a woman turns you down for a date just accept that she is not interested. No means no. Not she really means yes.
There have been twenty reported rapes in this city in the past two weeks alone. Most have been of the type that the victim at least had met their rapist. The victims come from all walks of life, ranging from teenagers to a couple of elderly women. From waitresses at dive bars to respected scientists. They all had one thing in common they told their attacker no. They have one other thing in common now. They are trying to put their broken lives back together. If you happen to know any of these women. Or even one of the dozens that have gone unreported. Don't push them to talk about what happened but stand by them. Be their family, their friend. It's time to take back the night and not live in fear. Remember that when anyone tells you no. They mean no.
"Let's hope this helps." Said Kara
"Yeah. I mean it is too late for Caitlin."
"But hopefully it will help someone else."
They sent it to their editor and hoped for the best.