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AN:
All of you guys reviews are amazing! Thank you for taking the time. (And ShanouNash, bless you. Good luck on your exams!) And to everyone who favourited or followed, you rock.
This one totally got away from me… But I love the way it's turned out. Hope you like!
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The One Where it's On
Caitlin woke with a completely different reaction than she had woken with the day before. Yesterday morning she had been all giggles and positive energy. Now all she felt was anxious trepidation.
Since yesterday morning after his comment all Barry had done – when not working or being the Flash or having a conversation about either of those things – was stare at her with this smirk. It was a you-are-going-get-it smirk and it was totally messing with her brain.
And other parts but she was not thinking about that effect it had on her.
At first it had started out very innocently, with Barry giving her exaggerated stares whenever Cisco wasn't looking. But throughout the rest of the day it had gotten more intense. He had definitely been using his powers to advantage. She'd swear she was alone and then she'd turn around and see him nearby, leaning against the wall or sitting on a chair and all he was doing was looking at her. With that smirk.
It promised trouble.
So now her she was on the morning of the 15th and she should be going to look for her advent gift for today. But Caitlin was wholly unsure of what to expect.
She got up and got ready, taking her time. The contrast to yesterday's morning was a complete one-eighty.
Caitlin reasoned with herself that it should be fine, that Barry wouldn't go too far. And yet, he'd gone to quite a bit of trouble yesterday to keep up the smirk and pointed stare. It made her think that yes, he would go that far and had spent a lot of time thinking about it, planning.
Cautiously she went to her front door and slowly cracked it open, almost as if she could shield herself from whatever was going to happen by simply having the wood of her door in-between 'it' and herself. As she peered around her impromptu barrier she saw a wooden box on her doormat, the day's number on its lid. Carefully she bent down and picked it up then went into her kitchen.
It felt incredibly light, which immediately raised her suspicions.
Caitlin very slowly placed her fingers on the edge of the box's lid, took a deep breath, and then flipped it open quickly.
It was empty.
Her phone chimed from her handbag. Placing the box inside her apartment she locked her door and then fished out her phone as she headed for the stairs. It was from Barry:
I told you it was on, did you expect to get your gift that easily?
Caitlin immediately looked up and around her, knowing it was fruitless as he could have moved away by the time she'd started to open her door, but the action was reflex. Was he near her now? How did he know to send the text when he did?
Her phone chimed again in her hands.
Maybe you should get to work and check on our Cisco…
Had he brought Cisco into this? Caitlin wasn't sure how she felt about that. On one hand there was no reason why Barry couldn't be giving her gifts, on the other way too much could be read into it. And Cisco would try and vibe the heck out of this.
The feeling of anxiety was now a hard knot in her stomach.
But underneath it was a little frisson of excitement. She always had loved a challenge and Barry was clearly laying down some sort of gauntlet here.
Caitlin quickly got to work and tried to calm herself as she went. It was a contradiction of actions, as she was hurrying herself as quick as she could whilst simultaneously trying to be cool and collected. But she wasn't a multi-taker for nothing and when she walked into the Cortex she thought she looked no different than her usual prepared and ready for the unexpected self.
Cisco was there at the monitors, talking something through with Barry who was on comms.
"Everything alright?" she asked. She hadn't checked the news this morning but no alerts had come through to her phone.
"Yeah," Cisco answered, studiously watching the read-outs on his screen. "We're just doing a suit run-through. I made some adjustments."
"What kind of adjustments?" Caitlin asked suspiciously.
"Just the upgrade kind," he answered with a roll of his eyes. "I didn't add anything new."
Caitlin sighed. "It's your own fault that I have to check."
"Nice going Barry," Cisco said into the mic. "Now can you do a couple of start-stops? I want to just check the traction layout."
"Sure," Barry's voice sounded loud echoing around the room. "Was that Cait you were just talking to?"
"Yeah, she's here."
"Morning Barry," she said.
"Hey. Having a good morning so far?"
Caitlin couldn't help the scowl at how overtly teasing his voice was. And she just knew his face was sporting that smirk.
"So so," she replied. "There's nothing really going on. Nothing worth my while anyways."
"Oh really?"
"Really. Guess there was just too much inferred rather than actually done."
"It's still very early in the day to be making those kind of comments. We'll have to see if you're still saying that by lunchtime."
"What the frack are you two going on about?" Cisco exclaimed staring at Caitlin with wide eyes as she was the only one he could.
Caitlin bit her lip to suppress her smile. Actually talking to Barry had decreased her anxiety and made her get caught up in the idea of whatever he had planned. It probably wasn't best to start outright goading him though. And also not to do it in front of Cisco.
"Barry started it," she said lamely.
"Yeah and I'm going to finish it too," he answered. "What's next Cisco?"
"Oh, you've finished with the start-stops, okay cool. I've got the data here," Cisco answered, distracted by the results and thankfully misunderstanding Barry's words.
Caitlin thought back to her texts from this morning and realised she had better get started herself. Check on Cisco the message had said. Well Cisco was here and fine, doing what he usually did and being his normal self. It couldn't be as simple that. She also really didn't think Barry would actually actively bring Cisco into this. At least not without giving her some say. He'd probably be just as worried as what their friend would read into it as she was, though maybe not for the same reasons.
But the message definitely mentioned Cisco… Or rather 'our' Cisco. That was strange wording to use when Cisco was just Cisco. Glancing back over at him she wondered what Barry could have meant. He was wearing his usual graphic t-shirt, hair down and conditioned, and was happily typing away at his station. She glanced over him again and that's when her eye caught on the photo of the three of them.
Technically that photo frame was a gift from Barry to her, making it 'theirs'. Could that be what he meant…?
Making sure Cisco was occupied she leant over and picked up the frame, a soft smile gracing her face as she saw their grinning younger selves staring back up at her.
Tracing her fingers over the back she felt for the catch and slowly pulled it open. She could feel the photo nestled inside. Along with another piece of paper.
Carefully she pulled out the paper and slipped the photo frame back together, placing it back on its spot. She glanced at Cisco out of the corner of her eye but he was still doing his thing on the computer.
Caitlin headed over to her own console and pushed it on, the paper in her hand making her feel hyperaware. Making sure Cisco was still occupied she unfolded the note and read:
Your gift has been hidden for safekeeping, until you can prove you are worthy of it.
There are fifteen tasks that must be completed to earn your gift today.
When the day is done, I will show you the place to meet and all will be revealed.
Caitlin scanned the rest of the paper, where a list of numbered actions was written, her eyes widening on certain numbers as she comprehended what Barry wanted her to do. It was basically a big treasure hunt for the gift. But the 'treasure' that you would ordinarily have to find was actually actions she had to complete.
The frisson of excitement she felt earlier was now a full thrumming force throughout her entire body. This was definitely a challenge and it put her competitive streak into full swing.
She spent the morning making a plan of action in her head and going through every variation of what she thought the note could mean. The list was self-explanatory and was obviously how she could prove herself 'worthy' of her gift. 'Day is done' must mean the time, and could be either when their work day was finished or perhaps sunset.
But that meant she didn't have a lot of time to get what she needed and rise to Barry's challenge.
"Cisco? Do you think you need me for the rest of the day?" She said as lunchtime approached. "I mean I'll come right back if there's a Flash situation but otherwise do you think it would be ok if I head off early?"
"Don't see why not," Cisco shrugged. "Just make sure your phone is with you so I can ring. I'll put your signal on roaming so it won't send the system into another false alarm."
"Thanks Cisco, you're the best."
"I know," he replied with a grin.
She shook her head but couldn't help grinning back. Gathering her things she set off, her fingers clutching the important note with the list in her pocket. When she reached the privacy of her car she took it out and read it over.
Item 1: a Christmas jumper.
She headed to the mall and her favourite shop, and whilst there were plenty of jumpers on offer it took her awhile to find one she liked. Barry had spent some time planning this so she wanted to give the same consideration as she completed the tasks set.
Next Caitlin went to a department store as there were quite a few things on her list that she could get in one place and it would probably be easiest to get them all at once rather than do it in the numerical order it was written in. She didn't care if that was possibly bending the rules; there was nothing expressly stating that she had to do it in order.
Item 2: Christmas crackers. Item 3: tinsel. Item 5: lights. Item 8: Christmas game.
The crackers, tinsel and lights she found easily enough and managed to pick out things she'd actually have bought herself, if she was in need of any of these items. But the Christmas game was proving a little tricky. There were lots of board games available but most were not actually that Christmas-y and she knew Barry would want the distinction. Eventually she managed to find one that was tucked away behind board games of TV shows and quiz box sets.
The thought of having an evening in, being all Christmas-y, and playing this game with Barry made little jolts of pleasure skitter up and down her spine. She tried not to think about that too much as she had no idea why Barry really wanted all these things.
For the next things she headed to a pop-up shop she knew about that was located just outside the mall.
Item 6: star ornament. Item 9: snowflake ornament. Item 14: Flash ornament.
The shop had an old-style feel to it and was crammed full of Christmas tree ornaments. She had plenty of choices for the star and snowflake but finding a flash one was a little tricky. She shook her head as she wandered the shop, thinking of Barry thinking up these items. It was obvious the star was for Star Labs, the snowflake was for her and the Flash for him.
At the back corner of the shop she saw an unusual tree ornament, a one-off as it was surrounded by other unique tree decorations, but although it probably wasn't what he wold pick Caitlin knew immediately it was perfect.
Her phone chimed as she left the shop with another bag in hand.
I'm shocked Ms Workaholic, hearing you've taken the day off. Guess I've really got you worried huh? ;)
Caitlin scowled at her phone as she read Barry's message. She could still picture that smirk on his face dammit. She started to type back a reply when she realised that silence might actually get to him more.
Besides, she needed to concentrate on her tasks.
The items left on the list could be grouped into three categories, one was easy but was probably what she should get last, one had the potential to be humiliating and one she had an inkling of an idea about. Looking at the time she realised it was half past four and that meant she had between an hour and two hours before her deadline, if she'd figured that out right from his note. Unfortunately hat meant she had to do the thing she wanted to do least next.
Heading back into the mall she headed for her next destination, hoping against hope it wouldn't be packed with people. But it was December 15th and she knew that was a futile wish.
Item 11: Grotto visit. Item 12: picture with Santa.
She joined the long queue of people outside the mall's Groot entrance and quickly scanned the price list to make sure there was a picture option. She was not going through this twice. There were a lots of families in the line and a few couples too but she was the only person standing by herself.
Eventually the line moved and she paid the entrance fee that included a picture with Santa. The teenage girl manning the till looked so bored she hardly gave Caitlin a second look and that helped settle her nerves.
The Grotto was beautifully done, with green velvet covering the walls and trees in plant pots in front, to give it an air of walking through a forest. As you made your way down the path, white intruded upon the green, giving a feeling of a snow-covered landscape. It turned into a veritable winter wonderland as you came upon the last section, the part where you actually met Santa.
Here the path was split into multiple new paths and Caitlin mused at the logistics of running a Grotto. Obviously there must be a different Santa in each room so that the many people wouldn't be made to wait too long or end up spilling back through the Grotto scenes. She chose the path to the far left as it looked the least busy.
At the end of the path was a wooden structure, designed like a giant gingerbread house. An elf met her at the door with a big smile. "Santa is so excited to see you!" she gushed in what was obviously a much-recited line. "He's waiting for you inside. Go on!"
Caitlin took a deep breath and went in, sure enough greeted by a man in a white beard and red suit.
"Well hello there young lady," he greeted in a voice that was blatantly changed, much deeper than his normal voice would be. It made her think of the voice distortion technology Arrow used and then she had a stray thought of Oliver dressed in a red arrow suit with a white beard and shooting arrows with presents attached into people's houses.
Clearly she should not have skipped lunch today to do this list.
"Why don't you come closer and tell me what you'd like for Christmas?"
Caitlin moved over to the seat next to Santa and sat down. The man peered at her expectantly and she realised that he actually wanted an answer.
"Err," she stumbled. "My friends to be healthy and happy."
"Nothing for yourself?"
"No," Caitlin said softly. "This year I've already had more than I could have ever asked for."
"Hmm, that sounds special."
"He really is," she said then realised her faux pas and quickly corrected. "It really is."
Santa chuckled. "Well we'll see what I can do for your friends. In the meantime, how about a photo?"
The elf from outside came in and held up a camera and Caitlin smiled at it as best she could.
"Merry Christmas," Santa chortled and then handed her a small wrapped gift.
"Your photo is number 187," the elf said as she showed Caitlin to the door out. "Show your receipt at the photo desk if you've already paid. Have a nice day!"
Caitlin hurried out and went to the desk where she collected her photo. It was framed in a simple cardboard Christmas print and looked very tacky. She supposed if she could ignore the Grotto setting and Santa next to her it wasn't a terrible picture.
Her last stop was the food market.
Item 4: mince pies. Item 7: chocolate yule log. Item 10: turkey sandwiches. Item 13: mulled wine.
She wondered if they would be doing anything significant with the food. But then again it could just be that Barry wanted some food when they met up; he did have to eat a lot after all.
She found the best options of everything that she could and also picked up a few extra bits, like some cream and pigs-in-blankets. She figured Barry wouldn't mind her adding some of her own items to the list as long as she brought the ones he asked for.
As she headed out of the shop she could see through the large windows that the sun was just setting.
Her phone chimed and Caitlin fished it out. A text from Barry waited for her.
Time's up! I hope you're ready. Follow the lightning and come find your gift.
Caitlin bit her lip as she realised she had nothing concrete for the last item. She'd just have to go with her idea she'd had earlier and hope Barry gave her points for effort if she failed in the execution.
Follow the lightning? What could he mean by that? She supposed he meant his lightning, as weather control was definitely not one of his abilities.
Her phone chirped again and Caitlin opened another message from Barry, this time a picture one. The image showed a map with a series of lightning bolts pinned across it, making a trail for her to follow.
I'm on my way, she sent back and then hurried to her car.
Caitlin studiously drove along the route mapped out for her. Eventually she ended up in a small car park at the bottom of a hill on the outskirts of Central City. If it wasn't for Barry being the one sending her the instructions to this place she never would have stopped here, let alone drove in and parked. As she cut the engine her phone chirped again. Opening up her messages she saw another picture message waiting. It was another map dotted with lightning bolts, but this time the directions were for walking.
Well, she'd come this far…
Gathering the bags from today Caitlin headed out of her car and up the darkened hillside. Night had fallen properly now and to say it was creepy was an understatement. The light on her phone helped her find her footing but not much else.
But up ahead she could see the small shine of lights.
Caitlin kept walking, half following her map and half heading towards that light. There was a thick gathering of trees that she had to squeeze through but when she came out the other side she stopped dead.
The ground in front of her was a smooth clearing, right on the edge of the hill and had a beautiful view of the outskirts of Central City. But that wasn't what shocked her.
There was a picnic table and two camp stools, set up with a table cloth and cutlery. A camp light was hung off a nearby tree, directed at the table. A small Christmas tree was standing off to one side.
And standing by all of it was Barry.
"Hi," he said, looking adorably nervous.
"Hi," she replied lamely, still shocked and almost unable to take it all in.
"Glad you made it," he said. "I was a little worried I'd gotten something wrong and you'd be stranded in the middle of nowhere."
"No, I…" Caitlin trailed off, looking over at him. "Barry you…"
He grinned. "Have I made you speechless Cait?"
"This is incredible," she breathed out.
"Well it's only half done, really," he answered. "I hope you have the rest."
Caitlin wordlessly held out the bags of her day's endeavours and Barry took them from her, his warm hands brushing against hers and making her skin hyper-sensitive.
He put all the food in the middle of the table, humming happily at the extras she'd brought along. He arranged a few of the crackers alongside their place settings. He then took the bag over to the tree and decorated it with the tinsel and lights. Caitlin realised she should probably be helping him but she just couldn't move; this was all too much.
"What's this?" Barry asked softly, holding up the third ornament after the other two were proudly on display on the tree.
"Item 14," Caitlin answered, her hands balling into fists out of nervousness.
"This is your Flash ornament?"
Caitlin looked at the golden decoration that was a mini microscope with a vial on one side and a beaker on the other. It would be hung on the tree by the red twine that was attached at the top.
"It made me think of Barry Allen CSI," she said gently. "And he is the Flash, so yeah, that's my Flash ornament."
Barry's breath audibly caught as he looked back down at the decoration he held. "Thanks Cait."
They both stood in silence as he hung it on the tree, settling it next to the snowflake ornament whilst the star one hung above the two of them. It was ridiculous to read too much into it, Caitlin told herself, but she loved that he hung their two ornaments together.
Barry turned back around and motioned for her to sit at the table. Caitlin did so and Barry rifled through her bag, pulling out her Christmas jumper.
"Very funny," he said on seeing it. It was dark blue with silver sequins on it, arranged to spell out 'Snow Way' with snowflake patterns on the edges of the letters.
"It seemed perfect for me."
"Definitely. I figured it would make a good extra layer if you got cold."
"Very thoughtful of you."
Caitlin couldn't quite stand how polite they were being, as if they were both holding themselves back, waiting to see what the other did. What Barry had done was amazing and it filled her up with such strong emotions. She had to keep them tapered down or she'd lose herself to them.
"Good looking game," Barry muttered, holding up the board game called 'The Very Merry Christmas Game'. And then he moved on the Grotto picture. "Aww look at you, smiling next to Santa."
"This is an incredible gift Barry," Caitlin said after a few minutes of them just sitting there.
"Oh this isn't the gift," Barry said, looking at her with glowing green eyes.
"It's not?"
"Nope. Or rather, it's not entirely it. I guess you could call it part one."
Caitlin stared at him, figuring this time she was speechless.
"But this is too much!" she finally managed to exclaim.
"No it's not."
"Yes it is Barry, it really is."
"Do you remember what I got you last Christmas?" Barry asked suddenly, his voice resonating with some deep emotion. "Or the year before?"
Caitlin bit her lip, not sure how to respond. She did remember actually.
"It was some sort of bath product thing, both years," Barry continued. "Some stupid impersonal gift that I just got. After everything you've done for me, helped me with and been there I-" he broke off and looked away sharply. "I want to do this Cait. I've been so caught up in other things, other people, that I didn't realise what was going on around me and that meant letting those that mattered slide away. Well I'm done with that." He looked back over to her, holding her gaze steady. "I want to make sure those that matter to me know they do. And if I want to do that with Christmas gifts then I will."
"Oh," Caitlin said softly.
They sat in silence, staring at each other with emotion thrumming in the air between them.
A sudden flare of light off to the left caught their attention and they both turned to it.
"Here's part two," Barry said.
Down below them on the edge of Central City a Christmas Market was having a light show.
Caitlin watched mesmerised as lights spun and twirled, rainbows of colour and Christmas icons dancing across the night.
Something brushed against her hand and Caitlin turned sharply to see Barry pressing a red envelope into her fingers.
"The real gift," He said. "You definitely did all the items on the list so you've earned it."
Caitlin opened it up and saw two tickets for the Central City Christmas Bazaar.
"Is that what we're watching?" she asked.
Barry nodded. "Yeah. They put on a show every night."
"This is great," she answered. "When can we go?"
"The tickets are for any day, evening entry, and the Bazaar is open until fifth of January I think."
Caitlin couldn't help but giggle at his obtuseness. "No Barry. When can we go?"
"Oh," he rubbed at his neck as he ducked his head. "You don't have to take me you know. You can go with whoever you want."
"Alright. But my question still stands."
A grin burst over Barry's face. "Yeah?"
"Yes."
Barry opened his mouth to reply but then frowned. "Wait a minute, you haven't done item 15."
Caitlin tilted her head to the side and held out her hands. She tried to clear her mind and focus on Frost, melding the two of them together. A thin mist of ice began to spread from her hands, covering the area adjacent them with white.
"That's ice Caitlin," Barry chided. But she could hear the pride in his voice. She'd come a long way with her powers and Frost personality.
"Item 15: fake snow. You said fake snow Barry," she answered. "Ice could be considered fake snow."
He laughed. "Well played."
He reached out over the table and took her hand. Caitlin's breath caught but it didn't stop her from interlacing her fingers with his. Together they watched the light show below, encased in the clearing with their own little Christmas surrounding them.
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