Thanks for the kind reviews everyone. I realized while typing up this chapter that I want to also do a series of one-shots based on themes for this couple. Let's see how that will work out. I'm thinking I might do the couple in various holiday situations... to be determined.
Also as a reminder, while this takes place after season 2, I will not be writing where he fights every metahuman from the show... That gets boring pretty fast. This is a Barry/Caitlin centered story so I'm intending of keeping it like that. I might throw in king shark or something.
Every fiber in her body was trembling; almost if it was trying to tell her that this person was in fact Barry Allen but her heart remained unconvinced. It stood alone, unwavering because what the body forgets, the heart remembers.
It remembers how it feels to be next to him, their shared connection... that spark that drew them together in the first place. Her eyes detected the familiar electricity surrounding his body and her mind pleaded, telling her that it was enough but her heart needed to hear him say it.
Just once.
After what happened with Hannibal Bates, she needed to be sure.
"Is it really you...?" She softly whispered. "... Barry?" She knew the situation that they were in but in spite of that, she needed to know. Her body unconsciously took a small step forward and then another until her fingers were close enough to gently clutched the black fabric on his back. "Please tell me I'm not dreaming of another dream..."
"I certainly hope not Caitlin..."
Her eyes quickly soften and her lips tugged upward into a smile. She was sure that even though he couldn't see her, he knew that she was smiling. "I knew you would come back." She calmly said, her heart fluttering at the thought. There was no mistake about it, this was her Barry standing here.
"I don't think I can take it if you're just another figment of my imagination Barry." She mumbled as she pressed her forehead against his back. She felt his muscles shaking, which she assumed that he was laughing at her. She pouted and gently swatted him. "Don't you start making fun of me now Mr. Allen."
"I would never dare Dr. Snow but I think we should finish this conversation later." Barry suggested, turning his attention back to the metahuman.
It was a silent promise, one that she know he'll keep so she reluctantly let go. She knew that there would be time later on to catch up. "I'm holding you to that Barry Allen." She muttered, taking a step back to give him some room to work with. "Just be careful okay? This guy is no joke and even with your abilities, I think the smart play is to retreat for now until we know more about his abilities."
He nodded, lightly clenching his fist. He was just lucky that his healing factor kicked in because when he threw that punch earlier, it felt like he was punching steel. Whoever this guy was, he was crazy strong.
Albert rubbed his chin and narrowed his eyes. "You can't be him. I was told that he would be more formidable." He shook his head and started walking over, each step causing the floor to shake. "You got lucky with that first punch Flash. Let's see you do it again."
Barry quickly scanned the area and from the corner of his eye, he saw the metal pipe lying on the ground next to Caitlin. He zipped over and picked it up. His hand then started to vibrate along with the pipe and without warning, he flung it at Albert.
The metahuman laughed at the attempt, standing tall as he growled. "Do you think something like that would -" He never got to finish that sentence when he was sent flying backwards, landing on his back with a loud thump.
Caitlin's eyes widened, unable to contain her surprise. "H-how?" She sputtered. "Bullets and even Cisco's plasma weapons didn't faze him but a metal pipe did the trick?" She shook her head, trying to understand how that just happened but she was rudely interrupted when she felt herself being lifted in the air.
"B-Barry!" She chided, a blush on her face. "What are you doing?"
"Getting us out of here or did you want to stick around?"
She shook her head and then suddenly remembered that she wasn't the only one in here. "Wait, we can't leave. Joe and the others are here as well."
"You first." Barry stated, holding her firmly against his chest. "I promise I'll come back for them but I need to get you out of here. It's not safe."
"And what about you?" She asked, "I know you're the fastest man alive but if he catches you, you'll die Barry."
"Then I guess I won't get caught." He playfully answered, smirking at her. She rolled her eyes and sighed, knowing that this was one battle she wasn't going to win. It was just like when he had his first taste of being a hero, wanting to do more than to take down metahumans. He wanted to become a symbol that saves people.
A symbol for hope.
It was a losing battle then and as it was one now. She quickly gave in and wrapped her arms around his neck, her cheeks still red from the close proximity. She let out a little squeak when he shifted her in his arms, bringing her closer to him.
"Are you ready?" He whispered, his eyes staring at her the entire time.
She merely nodded her head, unable to find her voice. She was afraid that if she opened her mouth, she might start rambling like Felicity and the last thing she wanted was for him to discover her feelings for him. Not until she was ready herself to admit that this attraction between them was more than something physical. She then smiled at him, recognizing the electricity flowing through his eyes whenever he was accessing the speed force. "Let's go Barry." She whispered back, resting against his forehead.
In a blink of an eye, they were outside behind Joe's squad car. She took a deep breathe, her senses overwhelmed from the sudden but familiar rush of speed. She thought she would have gotten used it by now but she was wrong. It was a new experience every time, one that she hopes to be experiencing more.
"Stay here okay? I'll be right back." Barry said as he gently put her down. He lingered for another second before disappearing, her body suddenly feeling the lack of warmth from Barry.
It took only a few seconds for him to come back, just enough time for her to quickly run her hand through her hair. With one final touch, she looked up and saw Cisco, Joe and Eddie were standing on the other side of the squad car, each one with a confused look on their face.
"Did anyone else feel like they were torn from the fabric of reality?" Cisco asked, shutting his eyes to keep the room from spinning. "No? Just me? Okay." He turned around and leaned against Eddie, who stood there impassively as he stared at the familiar man standing next to Caitlin.
Joe was the first one to put it all together when he recognized the man standing next to Caitlin. How could he not? He spent the past two decades raising him like his own. "Barry?" He cautiously asked, taking a small step forward. "Barry!" He dropped his plasma gun on the floor and broke into a run, his lips threatening to break out into a huge smile. His arms went around Barry, pulling him into a hug who flinched from the initial contact. Joe didn't notice it but Caitlin saw it clear as day, making a note of his actions. "I thought you were dead son." He held on for a little bit longer, tears in his eyes as he hugged him with everything that he had. "How is this possible?"
"Are you crying Cisco?" Eddie suddenly asked, drawing everyone's attention towards them.
Cisco quickly rubbed his eyes, "Of course not. A stupid bug flew into my eye."
"Both of them?"
"What are you doing man? Can you be cool for once? Please!"
Joe rolled his eyes and lightly clapped Barry on the shoulder. "Why don't we continue this discussion back at S.T.A.R. Labs? We need to regroup anyway and I don't to draw too much attention here." He looked over his shoulder, making sure that Albert wasn't going to pop up any minute.
"Great idea Joe." Cisco answered and turn towards Barry, giving him a quick hug before pulling away. "Race you back Flash?"
Barry rolled his eyes, knowing that he had all the time in the world to beat them back. "Last one buys Big Belly Burger?"
"You're so on!"
He watched as Cisco grabbed the plasma guns and ran towards the van, throwing the weapons in and jumping into the driver seat. He couldn't help but smile. It was just like old times.
"Are you coming Caitlin?" Cisco shouted over the loud hum of the engine. He slapped his free hand against the side of the car door, signaling her to hurry up. "Time's a wasting!"
Caitlin bit the bottom of her lips, torn between leaving with Cisco and staying here with Barry. Her eyes met his, searching to see what he wanted and he smiled in return. "You go on ahead Cisco. Caitlin and I will catch up." He answered for the both of them. He then looked at her who nodded appreciatively.
Cisco shrugged and without warning, stepped on the gas, kicking up a dust storm as he sped off. Joe and Eddie soon joined him and once they were gone, Barry turned to Caitlin, who stood there staring at him. He recognized that look on her face and he smiled. "A dollar for your thoughts Dr. Snow?" He softly asked, breaking the silence between them. When she didn't answer him, he grew worried and reached for her shoulder, gently tapping on it to get her attention. "Talk to me Cait... What's going through that genius mind of yours?"
"Us Barry." Caitlin answered, sighing as she gestured between the two of them. "Don't get me wrong. I am beyond relief that you're not dead but a part of me is still angry at you for doing what you did."
"For what I did?" He asked, puzzled. "Do you mean the singularity?" He nervously chuckled and rubbed the back of his head. "I mean Cait, you know that I had to do it right? It was either me or this city and I did what was best for everyone. I mean, if Ronnie was alive, he would have done the exact same thing."
"You don't get to bring up Ronnie!" She snapped, now glaring at Barry. She stared at him, astonished that he had the nerve to bring him up. "You don't get it do you Barry? Yes, I'm going to be eternally grateful that you made the hard choice but you obviously don't get it. This isn't just the Barry Allen show anymore. You're not in this alone. You have Cisco and myself. We could have found another way. We always find another way."
"There was no time Caitlin!" Barry argued, "If it means keeping everyone that I love safe, I will absolutely do it every single time." He stated, his eyes blazing into hers. "That's what it means to be a hero." His voice trailed off but his eyes never left hers. He was so focused on her that he didn't see that slap coming, a stinging sensation coming from his cheek. "What the hell Cait! Why did you slap me?"
"Because you still don't get it Barry." Caitlin said, her eyes watering. "This isn't just about the Flash. This is about you, Barry Allen, the CSI investigator for CCPD. The man who was in a coma not less than a year ago. That is the man that we wanted to grieve for but we couldn't. We couldn't properly grieve because outside our little circle, no one else knew that we buried an empty casket that day."
She blinked rapidly, trying so hard to stop the tears from falling but they didn't. "It just hurts so much." She sobbed, finally breaking down and falling to her knees. She shook her head, trying to push away those thoughts about both Ronnie and Barry, how she never even once got to say those last words to either of them.
It was only then that Barry started to realize just how much his apparent death affected everyone, Caitlin especially. He felt like an ass and wanted to kick himself but no matter how he looked at it, he was wrong here. He should have been better, smarter, to find a way to save everyone but in that moment... all he wanted to do was to end things.
"I'm so sorry." Barry apologized as he crouched down next to her. "I didn't know..." He could feel the pain radiating from Caitlin and it was a horrible feeling. Just watching those tears coming down from Caitlin's beautiful face made him realize just how much he needed to do to make it up to her. To Everyone. "Please don't cry anymore Cait..." He muttered as he pulled her into his arms, wrapping them tightly around her. He could hear the soft sobs from her as she leaned into his embrace. "I'm so sorry."
They stayed like that for a few minutes, Barry shifting his body a little so that it was a little bit more comfortable for the both of them but his arms never left her side. He continued to hold her close to him, whispering apologies and anything he could think of to make her feel a little bit better. "What if I promise never to do that again?"
Her only response was an elbow to his stomach, which he probably deserved. He shook his head and smiled. "I know that I don't get to just come back and apologize like this. I know it's not that easy and I promise to you Caitlin... that I'm going to do better. To listen to your advice more."
"You better Barry Allen." She murmured, closing her eyes as she enjoyed the warmth and comfort from being in his arms. A yawn soon escaped her lips and she mumbled a halfhearted apology. Barry then realized the time and scooped her up in his arms again, ignoring her protest. "We have to get going or else Cisco might actually think he can beat me in a race."
"Oh right... the race." Caitlin muttered, completely forgotten about their little bet. She tried to hide the disappointment in her voice but when she looked up, she saw Barry smiling back at her. "What's so funny Mr. Allen?"
"I was thinking that we take the long way back into Central City... You know... for when we pick up the burgers from Star City..." His voice trailed off, hoping that she would get the hint.
It took her a second before realizing what Barry was implying and she smiled back. A genuine smile this time. "I think that would be lovely."
Enjoy. Review. Happy Holidays.