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AN:

I don't know how but by some means I've lost a day…. Sorry everyone! This is 14th's and 15th will be up later as well.

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The One With all the Looks

Caitlin opened her eyes and sat up in bed, stretching herself awake. Then she couldn't help the giggle that burst from her mouth. It had been happening since yesterday evening. She would be doing a normal thing and then a giggle would just spill out.

All because she couldn't get the look on Barry's face, when Cisco had come in with her box, out of her head.

He'd been surprised, horrified, confused and anxious all rolled up in one comical facial expression. And she knew her reaction hadn't been kind or friendly and in no way helped him in the situation but she just couldn't help herself. It was priceless.

Caitlin got up and got ready for her day, hoping it would be another quiet one. Barry was fully healed physically from Siphon's attacks a few days ago but with how hard he'd worked himself yesterday and the day before for the crime lab he really needed a chance just to take it slow. Perhaps if anything did happen today but it was minor he would agree to let Cisco take point on it…

She considered other ways that could help Barry have a calm and restorative day whilst she finished getting ready for the day. It added small delights to her morning routine and her day when she could use her new advent gifts; morning coffee from her new mug, fragrance from her candles as she did her bathroom chores, picking a pair of earrings from her themed collection. And wrapping herself up in her scarf as she prepared to leave for the day.

When she opened her front door ready to go, her eyes glanced down out of habit but not an actual expectation to see something, as Barry had been changing how he was getting the gifts to her over the past few days. But on her mat was a large flat-ish rectangle box with the number 14 on it.

Caitlin stopped in surprise, honestly thinking he wouldn't have gotten it to her in the morning today and that would have been fine. If she was really analysing her feelings there was also a little bit of exasperation too; he was wearing himself too thin lately and did not need to be getting himself up at the crack of dawn, or delaying going to sleep, so he could get a gift to her. She loved the thought, she really did, but he had proven that to her beyond all measure now and frankly she'd much rather he took care of himself first.

She bent over and picked up the box, gently titling it so she could open it up. Inside were nestled four hair ornaments, each brown with silver gems twisted into the material. Caitlin grinned at the delicate looking accessories. They were beautiful.

Quickly she ditched her bag and carefully took of her scarf before getting to the bathroom and re-doing her hair. Her snowflake earrings glistened from her ears in the bathroom light and she carefully twisted the side parting of her hair up and around before sliding the spiral hair accessory in, liking the way the gems in her hair enhanced the crystals in her ears.

Smiling to herself and feeling so incredibly cherished by a certain speedster, Caitlin headed out for Star Labs. It was like she was ready to conquer anything that came her way when she felt like this.

And all because of Barry.

She arrived at work about twenty minutes later and her good mood only increased when she saw the man himself.

"Good morning," she greeted as she walked to her desk.

"Hey Cait," he said softly with a smile.

She couldn't help but tilt her head to the side, letting her hair that was pinned back fall over her shoulders. Barry's eyes glanced quickly to her hair and his smile widened into what could only be called a self-satisfied smirk.

"Lovely hair," he said.

"Thank yo-" she started when she was interrupted by the other occupant of the room. She startled slightly as she hadn't even realised anyone else was there once her eyes had settled on Barry.

"Yeah, nice hair," Cisco chirped - without looking up from the screen in front of him.

Caitlin narrowed her eyes at him. "You like it?"

"Yup," he said eyes still firmly glued on the monitor. "It's great."

"What do you like about it?" she asked.

Cisco looked at her briefly, then his eyes widened comically, as he realised – as Caitlin already knew – there was nothing noticeably different that he could say and he had fallen into the trap of complimenting a female without knowing how to explain himself and therefore potentially cause himself bigger problems.

"Err…"

"Well?" Caitlin asked politely.

Barry made a choking noise that he turned into a cough.

"It's um straight?" Cisco said tentatively.

"No," Caitlin replied slowly, folding her arms over her chest and mock-glaring at him.

"Well it's not curly."

"But what is it that's so great? You called it great."

"Barry called it lovely!" Cisco chirped. "And he said it first so it's only fair he answers first! Hey, look at that, my scan is finished so I'll just go get a print-out…. From the mechanics workshop…"

And with that Cisco scarpered.

Barry burst out laughing. "That was mean Cait."

She shrugged. "Maybe a little."

He grinned at her. "But you do look lovely Dr Snow."

Caitlin looked at him from under her lashes. "How so Mr Allen?"

Barry stood up and walked over to her slowly. Caitlin felt her heartrate pick up as he moved closer to her, stopping just a foot away. He reached out a hand and gently skimmed it down her hair that was pulled back by the advent clip.

"This is so today," he murmured, his voice low and intimate. "Though I do think there's something lovely about you most days."

Caitlin's breath hitched and she realised just how close they were standing, just how deep they were staring into each other's eyes. She felt her heart speed up and her mouth dry. But along with the food of positive feelings came a surge of panic. She needed something to break the moment.

"Only most?"

Barry blinked and his hand fell away. "Um. Yeah?"

"So not all the time?"

"Well, um, see that's not what I meant-" Barry fumbled out.

Caitlin felt bad for causing the sudden worry in his eyes and regretted her knee-jerk reaction as she missed his closeness instantly.

"Relax Barry," she said as softly as she could with a small smile.

Barry frowned at her but then his face morphed into a teasing smile. "Oh it's like that is it Dr Snow?"

It was then Caitlin's turn to frown at him. "Like what?"

Barry just shook his head and continued to grin at her.

"Barry?" she prompted after a minute.

"You want to play it cool," he said. "But no worries, I've got a whole day tomorrow to play with you. Or maybe I should make it eleven whole days…"

Caitlin looked at him quizzically, not at all liking the mischievous glint in his eyes.

Barry leant back towards her and her eyes closed in sudden reflex as his face tilted close to hers. She sucked in a breath and her heartbeat went crazy.

Warm breath fanned over her cheek as Barry whispered in her ear. "I can't wait for tomorrow Cait. It's on."

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