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The One With What's Going On

"Ok, what is going on with you?" Cisco's voice startled Caitlin out of her staring.

No observing, she was observing Barry doing weights, not staring. Because a personal physician did need to be aware of her patient's physique…

"What do you mean?" Caitlin asked slowly, angling herself back around to face Cisco.

"You've been doing weird stuff all morning," Cisco said. "You were flashing that little mirror around like every five seconds. And then you were pulling that scarf around you even though it's not that cold in here and, hello, you're an ice meta. To top it all off you're hogging your coffee and chocolates again!"

"Well they are mine so…"

"Yeah but I normally always get away with stealing at least some of your food…"

"And how many times do you steal my food exactly?"

Cisco gave her a level stare. "We can discuss the amount of food I take even though you know I take it and always have taken it and have in fact doubled the order since your discovery of that in preparation of me taking it, or we can both agree that it's just one of those things that happens and we don't really need to talk about it."

"Worst kept secret ever huh?" She replied.

"I can think of a worse one."

Caitlin straightened and looked at Cisco warily. "What do you mean?"

"You know…" Cisco motioned with his head between her and the glass divider, on the opposite side of which was Barry doing a workout.

"Noo," Caitlin replied slowly, anxiety racing down her spine. "I don't know."

"You," Cisco said. "And Barry…"

"Me and Barry what?" Caitlin said in a panic.

What did Cisco know? About the presents? About the time they'd been spending together because of the presents? About the feelings behind the presents….?

Cisco rolled his eyes. "That you like to watch Barry doing his workout, duh."

Caitlin let out a long sigh of relief; it was just that. "Oh, ok."

"Caitlin," Cisco said whilst looking at her with a peering expression. "Is there something else I need to know about you and Barry?"

"No, why would there be?"

"Hmm," he murmured and Caitlin could no longer hold his gaze and turned around to face her computer screen.

Which was why she didn't see the arm that reached out and touched her. She did feel however, when that arm jerked back, and heard when its owner let out a yelp.

"Cisco! Did you just vibe something?" Caitlin asked, then narrowed her eyes. "From touching me? Did you try that on purpose?"

Cisco shook his head as if clearing it but there was a smile on his face when he stopped. "Vibe, yep. I did vibe. I didn't do it intentionally though. I was… I was reaching for you to get your attention! That was all."

"Right." Caitlin said slowly.

Because it was totally believable when he spoke fast like that.

And then he stopped trying to talk to her and just smiled.

Barry came in from the weights room, wiping his neck with a towel and Caitlin was distracted by the sweat marks that were outling his musculature through his t-shirt.

"You guys ok?" he asked.

Cisco just grinned at him and Caitlin felt equal parts paranoia and suspicion.

"Cisco was asking what was going on with me," she said. "But now I'm about to ask him as he's acting all weird."

"Something's going on with you?" Barry asked, staring at Caitlin in concern. "You ok?"

"I'm fine," she assured him. "I was a little distracted and Cisco read too much into it. Now I want to know what is wrong with him."

"Or Barry could ask what it was that distracted you?" Cisco asked sweetly.

Caitlin glared at him even as a horrible feeling spread across the pit of her stomach. Did Cisco know somehow? It wasn't that he couldn't know of course, just there didn't feel like there was anything real to tell him yet. But did he just imply…. And in front of Barry too!

"I feel like I'm getting in the middle of something here," Barry joked, waving his hands between the two of them. "I'm going to go shower and change. I'll see you in a few."

Caitlin felt her glare intensify as Barry left and she focused completely in on Cisco. He must have known he was in for something.

"You tell me why you were doing with all that staring and I'll tell you what I vibed," Cisco said quickly. "Or we can both agree to not say anything and move on."

Caitlin contemplated his offer for a moment but she knew Cisco had her. And by the grin he was valiantly trying to hold back he knew he did too. Just for that fact that he was trying to not be smug about it, Caitlin gave in.

"What are you working on?" She asked.

Cisco's grin finally burst free but he answered normally enough so Caitlin let that go too.

"A new friction proofing element to go in all our suits. In case Barry has to take us into Flashtime ever again we would be better protected and it might help make it easier for him."

"That's a good idea."

"Thank you," Cisco preened.

Caitlin went back to her own work and they passed the next few minutes in companionable silence. Soon enough Barry returned and plonked himself down in the chair next to her.

"You guys busy?" Barry asked.

"Not at all," Caitlin replied whilst typing something in. "We're just working."

Barry chuckled. "Sorry. Let me rephrase. You guys want to leave work for a bit and go out for some lunch?"

"Yes," said Cisco instantly.

Caitlin couldn't help but smile as both of them turned to look at her with the same hopeful expression. "Fine by me," she said.

"Great. Where shall we go?"

"Pizza place?"

"That new Italian on fourth?"

"It's supposed to be a nice day," Caitlin said, thinking of the weather forecast from the morning. "How about we get takeout and go sit in the park?"

"Only if the takeout is Big Belly Burger," Cisco said.

"And we have a winner," Barry answered.

"Cool, I'll vibe me and Caitlin and you go get the food," Cisco said jumping up.

"How about I take Caitlin with me to get the food?" Barry said quickly. "Two lots of hands equals more food. And you know, since you're powers have been a bit off lately it might be safer."

Cisco shrugged. "Fine by me. I'll pick us out the best bench and text you where I'm at."

"Great," said Barry.

"I want the special with a side of onion rings and a massive drink."

"And whatever pastry they have?" Caitlin queried.

"You know me so well," Cisco sighed.

He hurried from the room, muttering under his breath about the apple pie he'd had from there before.

Caitlin turned and frowned at Barry as she got up slowly. "Cisco's powers have been fine lately."

"They have? Oh well, can't take too fine a chance."

"Barry, what are you up to?"

"Well I thought it would be fair…"

"What would?" Caitlin asked as she pulled on her coat.

Barry was suddenly right in front of her and she sucked in a breath. She was startled at how close he was, startled and something a lot less innocent. Whenever Barry got close to her it was like all the electricity in the room radiated from him and she felt this pull, like he was magnetic, towards him.

"That since you were checking me out during my workout I could have you close to me during my run."

And with that Barry's arms snaked out and pulled her closer to him, his fingers blazing trails of heat through her clothes as they grazed their way around her hips to her back, one settling there whilst the other dipped down to the back of her thighs. His breath fanned slowly across her face as their noses bumped whilst he bent and then scooped her into his arms. Caitlin's arms naturally ran up his chest and hooked over his shoulders, her fingers feeling the strong muscles as they bunched under her touch.

She was cradled against his chest and had never felt more aware of the attraction between them. She was hyper aware of every inch of her body that was touching his. Their breaths were laboured and heavy, anticipation thick in the shared air they were breathing.

"Cait," Barry whispered and she could feel his hands tighten on her.

Caitlin lifted one of her hands and wrapped it in the hair at the nape of his neck. "I know," she whispered back.

The sound of both of their phones chiming broke the moment a little and they both smiled ruefully.

"We better go get Cisco's food," Barry said.

"Yeah," she answered.

"After all, I want to show off these muscles of mine that you were watching so closely earlier."

Barry took off and Caitlin hid her face in the crook of his neck. Partly from embarrassment he'd caught her staring and partly just because she could.

They grabbed their food orders and unfortunately couldn't have a hold as close as they had on the way to Big Belly Burger whilst carrying the food but they were still together. The day was crisp but not cold and they met Cisco at the bench he'd selected.

The three had a great lunch, chatting and laughing their way through their meal.

It was over far too soon for Caitlin's liking but duty called and they all had work to be getting back to.

Caitlin went home that evening tired but feeling so happy. It had been a long time since she had felt just happy and she was relishing in it. She knew she'd worry tomorrow that it would catch up with her and she'd pay for it in some way but for tonight she was going to think of her best friend Cisco and Barry and the lovely time they'd had together.

As she got home she fished her keys out of her pocket but they weren't the only thing in there. Frowning at herself as she felt something other than metal, she couldn't help but gasp she she pulled out the foreign object and was met with a small but familiar looking box.

How did he sneak it past her? She thought back over the day and realised that Barry must have put it in her pocket when he ran her. She was so distracted by the feel of his body and being so close to him that she hadn't felt him do it at all.

Carefully she opened the box right there in the hallway and gazed down at a simple silver necklace, a pendant of the initial C with a small snowflake gem attached to it. It took her breath away.

But as she fingered the delicate chain one thought whispered in the back of her head; it was a shame Barry wasn't here to help her put it on…

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