A/N: Here we go, Friday night for me, a new chapter for you! Thanks again for the awesome support you guys are giving me, it means the world to me :D Hope you enjoy this one!

I don't own anything

Chapter 16. More Than Words

"How easy it would be to show me how you feel
More than words is all you have to do to make it real
Then you wouldn't have to say that you love me
'Cause I'd already know
What would you do if my heart was torn in two
More than words to show you feel
That your love for me is real"

"More Than Words – Extreme"

"So sweetie, you've almost been here two months, how are you doing?" Evelyn asked sweetly as she came to sit next to her daughter in their backyard, handing her a glass of fresh water.

Caitlin shrugged. "I'm doing okay."

Evelyn just chuckled. Her daughter had never been one to share a lot about what was going on inside her head. But as her mother, she had always been really good at reading her. Right now, Evelyn could see that Caitlin had come a long way since she had stepped off that plane a few weeks ago. She knew she had to thank a certain Barry Allen for that, even if Caitlin would never admit it willingly to her.

She could see that the young doctor still had a lot of things on her mind, but it was different than the heart-breaking expression she had worn the first couple of weeks here. Evelyn could tell her daughter was on the right path towards healing and nothing could make her happier. Ever since her husband's death and then Ronnie's death, the older woman had been more than a little worried for her daughter.

"So how's Barry?" Evelyn asked innocently enough.

Caitlin glared at her and raised an eyebrow, seeing right through her faked detached behaviour. "I know what you're doing mom, stop it. He's fine."

Evelyn put her hands up in surrender. "I didn't mean anything specific, I was just asking how he was doing, my dear, nothing more." She defended herself.

"Yeah right." Caitlin grumbled before taking a sip of her water.

She hadn't seen Barry ever since their kiss a few days prior, but she wasn't avoiding him. As the end of the school year was rapidly approaching, Barry was swamped with work and didn't have a lot of free time on his hands. They had exchanged a couple of phone calls in which they had both pretended nothing had happened on the bleachers, but nothing else.

Caitlin didn't want to ignore him, she had come to the conclusion that she actually needed him right now – he was sort of her anchor. She just hoped he wasn't the one avoiding her because she had rejected him, and that he was actually busy.

She was brought out of her thoughts as her mother moved to stand up to go check on some flower she had planted a few of months ago and that were now blooming. But as soon as Evelyn put her hands on the arms of her chair to push herself off it, she stumbled a bit and fell back on the chair, one hand going straight to her forehead.

Caitlin frowned at what she had just witnessed. Her mother sat still in her chair, eyes closed and fingers slightly rubbing her temples. "Mom, are you okay?" Caitlin inquired, leaning forward to take a better look at her

Evelyn pushed her worry aside with her hand. Well at least she tried to.

"Oh stop fussing Caity, I'm fine. Just a bit dizzy." She replied with a somehow firm voice.

Caitlin kinked her brows, put her glass aside and kneeled beside the chair where her mother was sitting. "No but seriously, you look a little pale. Let me take a look." The young doctor insisted.

Evelyn shook her head in protest and weakly pushed herself off her chair into a shaky standing position. "I'm telling you, I'm fine." She replied, sprawling her arms to show her daughter she had managed to stand up without any problems.

Caitlin rolled her eyes at her mother's stubbornness and was about to comment on it when suddenly the older woman seemed to miss the floor with her foot and completely lost her balance. Instantly, Caitlin jumped on her feet and managed to catch her mother in her stretched arms, as she was about to hit the grass of their backyard.

"Mom!" Caitlin shouted once she managed to stabilise her and lay her down. It seemed like all colours had escaped the older woman's face. Her breaths were shallow and her pulse irregular. Caitlin's heart raced as she witnessed her mother's body beginning to shiver.

Evelyn's tired eyes fluttered open and she mumbled "I'm fine" under her breath.

Caitlin shook her head agitatedly. "No you're not." She almost choked on her words, as dread seemed to cloak her throat. "Stay here, I'll be right back."

The young doctor jumped back on her feet and ran inside to the kitchen. She could've sworn she heard her mother mutter "As if I'd go anywhere", and Caitlin would've rolled her eyes if she hadn't been so scared.

She opened the fridge, grabbed the orange juice, went to the cabinet to take a glass and ran back outside.

She kneeled back next to her mother and poured a glass of juice before handing it to Evelyn. "Do you think you can drink this?"

Caitlin saw a twinkle in her mother's eyes, as if she were about to say a smart-ass comment but didn't find the strength to say it, so she simply nodded and accepted the glass.

Caitlin sat back and waited to see if there were any changes. Her heart rate dropped to almost normal, as her mother's cheeks began to gain back some of their initial colour. She let out a relieved breath she hadn't realised she had been keeping in. Even in the urgency of the situation, Caitlin had managed to read the symptoms correctly and she thanked her many years of study for that.

Evelyn finished her drink and sat straighter after a short moment, her eyelids still drooping slightly from the effort. "Told you I was fine." She mumbled.

Caitlin huffed in annoyance. Some days, there were absolutely no doubts concerning the origins of her own stubborn streak and snarky self, she had inherited everything from her mother.

"Maybe you're fine, but had we waited any longer, I'm pretty sure you would've fallen into an hypoglycaemic coma." Caitlin pointed out not really amused by the situation. "So I'm bringing you to the doctor. No 'but' this time!" She added as she recognised the telltale sign of her mother being about to protest. "I'd like a blood test just to be sure, and I can't do that here. You need to see the doctor."

"Fine," her mother mumbled.

Her feet were bouncing up and down as she sat on the uncomfortable chair waiting for her mother to come out of the doctor's office. Evelyn had insisted to go in alone, telling her she was a grown independent woman and didn't need her daughter with her to see the doctor.

Caitlin was happy to see that her mother had gotten her fire back, but she couldn't help but feel anxious while waiting. She couldn't help being worried that there was more to it than just a hypoglycaemic vertigo. Maybe it was the doctor inside of her or maybe it was the girl that had lost her father to cancer, but she couldn't chase away the worry churning at the pit of her stomach. She didn't believe in god – she was a woman of science and believed only things that could be proven – but right now she thought praying could be a good idea. She wasn't sure she would survive losing her mother too.

The waiting room was almost empty and very silent except for the sound her bouncing feet were making. There was a young teenage girl also waiting in the room and she seemed as worried as Caitlin, although probably for completely different reasons.

The front door opened and someone stepped inside, but Caitlin kept staring at her hands.

"Caitlin?"

A soft voice made her look up and she met those green eyes she had never been able to forget. Barry instantly sat next to her, worry plastered all over his face, his hand going to her knee.

"What are you doing here? Is everything okay?" He gently asked, clearly seeing that Caitlin was shaken. "Are you hurt?"

Caitlin's hand automatically reached for his as she felt dread growing inside him and gripping at his heart. "Just a little check up for my mother, nothing life threatening." She replied in a soothing voice, wanting to chase the fear away from his beautiful features. She realised then the calming effect it had on her, to try to reassure him. As if trying to convince him that everything was okay was convincing herself in the process.

Barry let out a relieved puff of air and relaxed under her touch. She let her heart soar in her chest as she could tell he had been worried something was wrong with her or that something had the potential of hurting her.

"What about you?" Caitlin suddenly frowned, realising that Barry being in the doctor's waiting room couldn't be a good sign.

Barry lifted the take-out bag he had left next to his feet and that she hadn't seen. "I have a lunch date with my father." He explained as he nodded towards the office's door.

Caitlin's frown faded away and her lips curled up. In the process of worrying too much about her mother, the fact that she was in Dr. Henry Allen's medical practice had somehow slipped up her mind.

"Oh right." She breathed out, relieved that everything was fine with him too.

She had missed him in the last few days. Seeing his face now had the effect of pulling a huge weigh off her shoulders. His soft smile, his unruly hair, his quirky eyebrows, his shiny green eyes, his cute nose – could a nose even be described as cute? She decided that, yes, his nose was cute. Him being here next to her made her whole body relax, but her heart race in her chest at the same time. It was somehow comforting.

Yes, she needed him. She just didn't know in which way she needed him yet.

The consulting room's door suddenly opened and Evelyn, accompanied by Henry, stepped out of the room. Caitlin hadn't realised her hand was still on Barry's until the opening door made her grip on it like dear life. In response, Barry turned his hand to fit better against hers and squeezed right back to show his support.

Seeing the big smiles Evelyn and Henry were currently wearing, Caitlin felt herself relax on the spot and she stood up, reluctantly dropping Barry's hand. But she didn't need any more probing questions coming from her mother. A secret smile drew itself on her lips anyway, as she felt Barry stand up too and stay very close to her, clearly showing her that he'd be there for her no matter what. If she fell, he'd be here to catch her. If she cried, he'd be the shoulder for her to lean on. If she laughed, he'd be here to make her understand that her being happy was one of the most beautiful things in the world.

Henry's smile widened once he saw Caitlin. "Well well, Caitlin Snow! I knew you were back in town but it sure feels good to see you in person." He cheered before opening his arms for a hug that Caitlin gladly accepted. "Time has been very kind to you." He added when he pulled back to take a better look at his son's ex-girlfriend.

Caitlin blushed furiously, remembering Barry telling her the exact same thing almost two months ago when they had seen each other for the first time after so many years apart. "Well, I can say the same for you, Dr. Allen." She replied softly.

Henry chuckled and pointed her to his son. "I never understood how you could ever let this one slip through your fingers, son." He teased, making Caitlin's cheeks even redder and Barry rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment.

"Dad…" Barry mumbled, his eyes falling to his feet, as if searching for an escape route or a hole in the floor that could potentially swallow him.

Henry's smile widened at his son's embarrassment and then turned back to Evelyn. "It was a pleasure to see you again. Now please, take care of yourself and don't skip any meals, I mean it." He said softly and the older woman smiled bashfully.

"Skipping meals?" Caitlin inquired with a frown.

Henry looked for Evelyn's approval before explaining himself to Caitlin. "I think your mother has been a bit stressed lately and she hasn't been eating well. She admitted skipping a few meals and just eating a few things here and there some days." He said calmly. "This, plus the North Carolina heat that is settling in right now, isn't good for her. Which is the reason why she had that little vertigo. So I'm advising her to rest for a few days, to eat correctly and to drink a lot."

Caitlin nodded, agreeing with his medical expertise. She really wanted to berate her mother for being so reckless, but she couldn't help feeling instantly guilty for not noticing her mother's unbalanced diet and even more when she realised she was probably the source of Evelyn's stress. She perfectly knew how her mother was worried for her – she had just never thought it would take a toll on her health.

She felt a delicate hand rest on the small of her back and her body instantly relaxed under the touch. How could Barry always know how she was feeling and what she needed to feel better? He seemed to read her so well and know that all she needed right now was his support, telling her that she didn't have to feel responsible for what had happened. She was also glad he had chosen to put his hand where her mother and his father wouldn't see – he could've laid his hand on her shoulder, but he hadn't. The small of her back was, in her opinion, the perfect place for his hand to rest right now.

"Well, since I have to eat," Evelyn said sarcastically, "why don't you two come over for dinner tonight?" She suggested towards the two men in the room.

Henry smiled but shook his head. "Oh you don't have to do that, it's okay. Besides I'm volunteering in the paediatric service at the hospital tonight, to keep the kids some company, so I wouldn't be able to make it."

"Oh I know I don't have to, but I want to." Evelyn insisted with a sweet smile. The whole town knew how kind of a man Dr. Henry Allen was. "At least Barry should come."

"Mom!" Caitlin squealed, spotting a mile away what her mother was trying to do. She was setting them up. Except she didn't know about the kiss and that the two of them hadn't really cleared the air about it. Caitlin was just afraid it would be awkward.

"Why not? My fridge's empty anyway." Barry shrugged.

Caitlin's head swirled around to almost glare at him, but the cheeky grin on his lips almost melted away her annoyance. It didn't help that Barry's hand was still spreading warmth at the small of her back.

"Fine." She huffed, trying to hide the part of her that was kind of happy he had accepted her mother's offer. Maybe that kiss wouldn't change everything in their newfound relationship.

"Perfect," Evelyn chirped, "Be there at 7. You know where the house is." She added with a wink.

[10 years ago]

"Barry…"

The name fell down her lips more as a moan than the warning it was initially supposed to be.

A low chuckle vibrated against her skin and she felt all of her good senses fly out the window. She grabbed his face and brought him back to hers to give him a lingering kiss. Make-out session on his bed was one of her favourite activities these days.

"Barry…" She repeated when she pulled away to catch her breath. "We have to stop."

He groaned as he nuzzled her neck. "Why?"

Caitlin rolled her eyes at his whining tone. "Because. Someone is going to walk in on us and I'm not sure you want that."

He pulled away and grinned down at her. "Nobody's going to walk in."

She raised a doubtful eyebrow. "Yeah right. Do I need to remind you we're supposed to be studying for the bio test we have tomorrow?"

"Oh but we are studying, my dear." He replied cheekily before peppering kisses along her jaw. "We have here the mandibular bone… Ain't Anatomy a fascinating subject?"

"You're such a nerd." She swatted him playfully and he chuckled again before dropping a sweet kiss on her lips. But Caitlin deepened it as soon as their lips touched, biology completely forgotten.

"Barry, this came in for you today."

The deep voice of Henry Allen surprised both teenagers. They jumped apart and sat up on the bed, avoiding each other's eyes.

"Oh Caitlin's here." Henry cheered as he stood in the doorway of Barry's room. "Hey there. How are you?"

Cheeks completely flushed, Caitlin tried to straighten her shirt and act composed. Henry chuckled at the flustered teenagers and shook his head before dropping the letter that had come in for Barry on the bed and leaving the room with one last warning. "Please wear protection!"

"Oh god…" Caitlin groaned as she fell back on the bed, hands rising to her face to hide her burning cheeks. "I told you we had to stop… This is so embarrassing…" When Barry didn't comment on her reaction and on what had just happened, Caitlin uncovered her eyes to look at him and rose slightly on her elbows. "Barry?"

He was still sitting on the bed, reading he letter Henry had brought, and after a moment of silence, he answered in a groggy voice. "I got in."

"What are you talking about?" She asked.

"I got in the forensics' program." He simply answered, not looking at her.

Caitlin instantly straightened up to sit next to him. "That's great Barry! I'm so happy for you!" She squealed, throwing her arms around him. "Where?"

Barry finally turned slightly to look at her. "Not in Central City." He whispered in a sad voice even though she could see in his eyes how excited he was about the news. If only it had been in Central City.

Caitlin's joy deflated a bit but her smile didn't falter. "It's okay Barry." She replied in a soothing voice, her hand going straight to his hair. "This is a huge opportunity for you! And we'll get through this, I promise. You won't get rid of me that easily. You're stuck in my heart, Barry Allen."

"So Barry, I'm sorry to hear you're single again."

Caitlin almost choked on the potato she had just put in her mouth. "Mom!" She protested when she finally managed to swallow safely.

"Oh hush Caity, let the young man talk." Evelyn looked sternly at her daughter, but the sneaky smile on her lips told them she wasn't sorry at all that Barry was single. She was just pretending to get some information from him.

Barry glanced sympathetically at Caitlin, handing her the water, before turning back to Evelyn and giving her a shy smile. "That's right. But it's just been a little over three weeks."

"Well, no time like the present to move on," the older woman instantly replied, her grin widening itself, "right Caitlin?" She added, sending a knowing look towards Caitlin.

The young doctor could only roll her eyes and bite the inside of her cheek to keep herself from turning crimson red from the unwanted attention. The fact that Charlie was silently chuckling on his chair didn't help her case at all.

The four of them were sitting around the dinner table in the Snow-household, sharing a meal cooked by Evelyn with perfect care.

Without really knowing why, Caitlin had taken more time than usual to prepare herself for a simple family dinner with one guest. But it wasn't any guest. So she had carefully applied her makeup, chosen one of her favourite elegant blouses and some tight fitting jeans. The extra minutes she had taken to get ready had apparently paid off, as Barry had looked at her dumbfounded as soon as she had opened the door for him.

He had slightly blushed, as she had raised an eyebrow at his staring, and murmured, "Wow, you look amazing Cait," before following her into the house, not missing the blush that had crept up Caitlin's cheeks. He had brought a bottle of wine and her mother had excitedly hugged him.

And then Charlie had come in and the whole atmosphere had turned into a more laid back one. They had taken place at the table and talked about Charlie's job at the Snow Law Firm, about Barry's teaching position and his students' graduation coming up soon, about Evelyn's terrific cooking skills and about Caitlin's day she had spent with Lily a few days before.

Caitlin had really wished the evening would end without her mother making any inappropriate comment on Barry's relationship with her daughter. She should've known that wouldn't happen. She was pretty sure her mother had staged this whole dinner expressly to find more about it.

"Well, it's just that you are both single and we all know you have history but still seem very close and…" Evelyn continued innocently.

"Mom! Would you stop?" Caitlin cut her off one more time; really hoping her mother would stop being so damn stubborn, just for once in her life.

"I'm just saying…" The older woman trailed off and Caitlin rolled her eyes, really not liking where this conversation was going.

"Well, I'm pretty sure Caitlin knows where I'm standing, the ball is currently in her court." Barry replied to her mother to everyone's surprise. "I'm happy with any decision she makes. As long as it's what makes her happy." He added. His eyes flitted to Caitlin's and her cheeks instantly flushed.

How could he be so amazing to her? What had she done to even deserve him? He always seemed to know the right words to say. She knew his statement wasn't completely true because she was pretty sure he wouldn't be happy if she decided to cut him out of her life, but it was the intention that counted.

She gave him a slight nod with a shy smile, letting him know she really appreciated what he had said. She then turned back to her mother. "Can we please talk about something else?" She almost begged.

"Well I'm quite satisfied with the answer I got, sweetie." Evelyn's smile hadn't faltered in the least. "Now, who wants dessert?"

They all nodded eagerly and Charlie helped his mother clean up the table and they both went to the kitchen, leaving Caitlin alone with Barry.

Caitlin nervously fidgeted with her napkin, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear every 30 seconds as a habit. Barry couldn't help but think she looked cute like that.

"Did you mean it?" She finally whispered after a couple of minutes of silence, her eyes shyly rising up to meet his.

"Every single word." He replied as softly, making her heart skip a beat.

She nodded slowly before taking a deep breath. "I want you to know that I'm not trying to push you away, not this time." She explained, her eyes not leaving his. "But I'm sacred…"

Barry frowned at her words. "Scared of what?"

"Of a lot of things. Scared of not being good enough, scared of being hurt, scared of hurting you…" She answered in a whisper. "Scared of losing you…"

"Cait…" He breathed out, his heart breaking for her.

"No Barry, let me finish." She stopped him softly, her eyes never leaving his. "I don't want to rush into anything I'll regret later. I need to be sure of what's going on in my head. I wouldn't forgive myself if I hurt you because I changed my mind at the last minute."

Barry wanted to reach out to put his hand on hers, where it sat on her crumpled napkin. But the dinner table was a bit too wide and he wouldn't be able to reach for her hand without making a total fool of himself and ruining the perfect moment.

So he simply murmured, "take all the time you need to figure it out, just let me be there for you. I'm not going anywhere. You're stuck in my heart, Caitlin Snow."

A shy smile curled her lips up and her eyes were filled with a whole lot of feelings she wasn't quite ready to voice out. But they had never really needed words to communicate. Simple looks were more than enough.

"I'd really like that." She barely breathed out before her brother and her mother came back with the dessert.

They had no idea what had happened between the two old high school sweethearts but they knew there was something more than simple friendship there – if the secret smiles and looks Caitlin and Barry shared for the rest of the evening were anything to go by.

Charlie and Evelyn didn't comment on it. They were just happy to see Caitlin in a better place.

She deserved it.