A/N: Hey there! So I wanted to update on Friday like usual, but my Internet pulled a nasty prank on me so I couldn't… And today I managed to have a few minutes of it to update so you didn't have to wait too much, but yeah, it's not fully back… Anyway, thank you all for the great reviews, I'm glad you all seem to like where this story is going! I can't believe it's already chapter 17! But I wouldn't be here if it weren't for all you reading and giving your feedbacks… I love you! So here, enjoy this sweet chapter ;)

I don't own anything ;)

Chapter 17. Rhythm Of Love

"We may only have tonight
But till the morning sun, you're mine
All mine
Play the music low
And sway to the rhythm of love"

"Rhythm Of Love – Plain White T's"

Barry shook the water out his hair as he waited for the front door to open. They had all been surprised by the sudden storm that had covered over Ryker Neve in the early afternoon. It had taken Barry just the time to get from his car to the front door to be completely drenched to the bones.

The door finally opened in front of his eyes and he greeted the woman who had opened it. "Hi Mrs. Snow."

"Please Barry, I told you years ago to call me Evelyn." She chuckled as she stepped aside to let him in.

"Sorry." He grinned back. "How are you doing, Evelyn?"

"Very good, thanks for asking. My daughter is keeping a very attentive eye on my health, so nothing to worry about. Speaking of which, Caitlin is in the kitchen." She informed him cheerfully. "I'll be out of your hair in a second."

"Oh you're leaving?" He asked, surprised by the news.

"Well, yes, I wanted to give you two some alone time." Evelyn explained like it was the most logical thing ever. "I'll just go grab my bag and I'll be gone."

Barry just laughed, bid her goodbye and went towards the kitchen while Evelyn disappeared in the next room.

He stopped in the doorway as he spotted Caitlin, her back to him, bowing forward and staring intently at the microwave. He frowned for a moment, not understanding what was captivating her attention like that. But then he heard a slight 'pop' and then another one and another one. That's when he realised she was actually mesmerised by the popcorns popping up in the microwave and he had to chuckle. He was pretty sure she had seen much more impressive things at S.T.A.R. labs than this simple phenomena.

Caitlin straightened up once she heard his soft laugh and turned to him with an innocent grin on her lips. "Hii…" She trailed off.

Barry's shoulders shook under his laughter. "Hey there. Sorry for disturbing your intense staring contest with those popcorns." He teased with an equal grin on his face.

She rolled her eyes but didn't bother replying.

"I brought ice cream and a classic movie." He informed her as he showed her both items in his hands.

She arched an eyebrow as she recognised the DVD he was holding up. "Grease? Really?"

"Well that movie holds a special place in my heart now." He shrugged.

"Yeah right." She snickered. "I'm not sure what you find so special in some random night I got drunk… in fact I don't remember much about that night."

"That's probably for the best…" He commented and stuck his tongue out as she sent a death glare his way. "Summer lovin'…" Barry began humming as he laid both items on the kitchen counter.

"Oh god that I do remember…" Caitlin groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose between two fingers, making Barry laugh again.

Ever since her mother had invited Barry to dinner about ten days ago and since he had agreed to give Caitlin time while she allowed him to be there for her, both scientists had spent almost every free time they had, together. They weren't a couple. But they weren't really friends either. They were something in-between. They were potentially more than what they were at the moment.

And for the time being, they were both okay with it. It meant the world to them.

Barry simply adored being the guy to make her laugh and let loose while Caitlin loved being challenged by him every single day. He had a certain way of seeing the world around them that was completely different from the by-the-book point of view she had always had. He quite literally opened her eyes on their surroundings and she loosened up in his presence. Together, they did hikes, bike rides, museums visits in the next town, went to see a new movie… She had went to his students' graduation ceremony, had cheered when the valedictorian had mentioned him in her speech, had stood by his side as he talked to parents…

They were practically inseparable these days. One night, they had even ended up in one of the only tolerable bar of Ryker Neve and it had happened to be karaoke night.

They had both ended up pretty wasted – Caitlin a little more than Barry because he wanted to be sure to walk her home safely – and Caitlin had managed to drag him to the microphone and they had both sang "Summer Nights" from Grease. It had been a blast.

They had finished the night with her in her bed after he had helped her out of her clothes and into her pyjama. She had teased him about sneaking a peak at her goods and he had been glad she was too drunk or she would've noticed how red he had turned. His heart had missed a beat when, a moment later, she had mumbled something close to: "It's not as if you haven't seen them before."

He's pretty sure she doesn't remember that particular detail of their karaoke night or she wouldn't be able to look him straight in the eyes ever again.

"Why are you drenched anyway?" Caitlin finally asked as she took in the state he was in.

Barry raised his eyebrows in surprise. "You're kidding right? Have you seen the storm outside?"

"Don't tell me you walked to come here!" She asked almost sternly, even motherly like.

"No no," he reassured her with a chuckle, "but it took only a few steps outside to get me into this state."

Caitlin nodded softly as she seemed to consider something. "You have to get out of those clothes or you'll be sick in the morning… I probably have a T-shirt upstairs that I can lend you." She finally informed him. "I'll be right back."

Barry waited in silence, wondering how she could have something that could fit him. Maybe she would lend him one of Charlie's shirts he probably left here in case of emergency. He would've never imagined that, a few minutes later, she would come in with one of his own old T-shirts.

He stared at it, mouth agape, as she handed it to him. It was his red Clippers T-shirt he had thought he had lost. He had gone crazy a few years back, when he had finally gotten his hands on a couple of tickets to go see his favourite basketball team play in Los Angeles, but hadn't been able to find his T-shirt. It hadn't taken him much to convince himself to buy a different one, but he had still been mad about losing this one.

And all this time, she had been the one to have it.

"Here, I hope it still fits… I mean it probably will… but you know, you're more…" Caitlin hesitated in her ramble and continued with an unsure voice, her hands waggling randomly in front of her. "… Muscular than before… not that I've noticed or anything…" He raised his eyebrows at her in amusement and she blushed furiously. "Anyway, I'm going to stop talking now."

She turned around, took the popcorns out of the microwave and put them in a bowl before heading towards the living room where they would watch the movie, grabbing the DVD on her way there.

Barry shook himself out of his haze. He rapidly unbuttoned the wet button-down shirt he had on and slipped inside his old Clippers T-shirt instead. It still fit perfectly. As for his jeans, they weren't really wet so he didn't need to take them off. He then dried off his hair with a towel she had brought back with her when she had gone for his shirt.

He let out a small chuckle when he realised the t-shirt actually smelled like Caitlin, and then joined her with the ice cream. Caitlin was already sitting comfortable on her couch, the popcorn bowl on her lap, the movie on pause, only waiting for him to start it.

She glanced at him as she threw a single popcorn in her mouth and she arched an eyebrow as she took him in. She had to admit: he looked really good right now, with his untamed wet hair, his shiny green eyes, his tight-fitting jeans and his red Clippers T-shirt. She had kind of stolen that last item during her four days break she had spent with him eight years ago. He always used to lend it to her when she spent the night at his place, and she had wanted to keep something from him before going back to college. She had just never asked for his permission. Though she was pretty sure he would've agreed to it anyway.

Barry took his place next to her and stole popcorns from her bowl as she started the movie.

During almost two hours, they commented the different scenes they already knew. Barry hummed at almost every song, Caitlin blushed and elbowed him as "Summer Nights" came up and he began teasing her about it, Barry inquired if slumber parties really looked like what was portrayed, Caitlin wondered why those guys loved their hair so damn much… and so on…

Without even realising it, after finishing the popcorns and the ice cream, Caitlin had come closer to Barry – or Barry had come closer Caitlin, neither actually knew or cared – and they ended up cuddling together on the couch. He had his arm around her waist and her head was resting against his chest, his feet propped on the coffee table, her legs curled up under her. As the credits rolled down the screen, Barry let out a long sigh of contentment.

He didn't want to move. Not an inch. He felt good.

So that's what he told her.

"I could stay like this forever." He whispered.

He almost instantly regretted saying those words as he felt her tense up against his body. He mentally cursed himself. Why was he always wearing his heart on his sleeves? Couldn't he just enjoy something without blabbing about it and freaking her out?

He was about to apologise for his loose tongue, but she spoke first.

"I'm going back." Caitlin said very quietly, pulling away from him and not meeting his eyes.

Barry's brow furrowed. He had no idea what she was talking about. "What?" He croaked.

Still not looking at him, she turned the TV off. She then cleared her throat and spoke louder. "I'm going back to Central City."

Barry's breath caught in his throat. "Wh… what? Really? Wh… why?" Barry stuttered.

Caitlin finally looked at him, a mix of excitement, fear and pain swimming in her eyes. "Well I think I reached a stage where I'm pretty happy with myself considering everything that happened. I accepted it and made peace with it." She paused for a moment and Barry nodded. He couldn't say he wasn't happy about what she was telling him – she was doing better and that's all he wanted.

"But I also got really scared when my mother got her vertigo and I know me being lost here is putting a lot of stress on her shoulders. I don't want that. So I decided to check out my options in Central City." She paused to take a deep breath, her eyes running across his face to try to decipher his thoughts. "That's how I got a job offer from Mercury Labs. It's a huge opportunity for me, Barry." She continued. "I can save what is left of my career. I don't have to start all over like I thought I would have to. It'll be good for me, but also for my mother. And I can't really pass that up."

"Why didn't you tell me?" Barry frowned. He had no idea she had felt this way for the past two weeks.

Caitlin slightly shrugged. "I didn't know it would pan out that quickly. I got the offer from Mercury labs this morning... I also didn't want to worry you too..."

They stayed silent for a moment and Barry let his hand mess with his hair to give himself something to do. He was honestly happy for her. He just didn't want her to go. "Damn, I was getting used to having you back here." He sighed, his shoulders slightly slumping down.

"I know… me too…" She whispered, her eyes avoiding his again. "But I warned you this would happen… that I wouldn't be staying here forever."

Barry shook his head, almost annoyed by her comment. "True… but I don't regret one second of it."

"Really?" She raised her eyebrows and her eyes flew back up to meet his. "Not even me ruining your relationship with Patty?"

"Not even that…" He turned slightly on the couch so he could face her completely, folding one leg to sit on it, his arm lying on the back of the couch. "Don't get me wrong, I had real feelings for Patty and we had some pretty great times together! But you coming here made me realise that I never felt with her half of what I felt with you…" He took a deep breath, grabbed the opportunity with both hands and dived head first into his confession. She was leaving and he knew he'd regret it the rest of his life if he didn't share what was on his mind, what was in his heart. It was now or never "… And I realised that, in the end, I never really got over you… You're stuck in my heart, Caitlin Snow."

"Barry…" She croaked, her throat caged up with too many emotions, her eyes gradually welling up at his words.

"No I mean it." He cut her off before she could stop him in his confession. He had things in his heart he simply needed to share with her. And he wouldn't let her fear stop him. "There's not a day passing by when I don't think: what if I hadn't let you go? What if I had really fought for you? What if I had followed you to Central City when you asked me to?"

Caitlin took him in, in all his glory. His eyes were agitated, his heart was galloping – his pulse throbbing against his skin – his hand was fidgeting as if it was itching to reach her… He had always been a passionate person, pretty much like her. And she had always wondered how two passionate people like them could ever make things work. She was convinced that they would one day crash and burn from too much of it.

She shook her head. They had talked about this. He couldn't have followed her to Central City the second time around. "Barry, your mother was sick, you had to stay here."

"But I could've come after…" He almost whined and all she wanted to do was gather him in her arms. "Instead I stayed here and buried myself in a small town without much prospect of a bright future."

Her heart squeezed in pain for him. Tonight wasn't supposed to turn out like that. At first, she hadn't wanted to tell him about her new job right away, but she had quickly realised she couldn't keep that from him after all he'd done for her.

"Your father needed you…" She reminded him softly, trying to ease away the guilt eating him inside. "And you did build a bright life for yourself, don't sell yourself short, Barry."

He shook his head. "It could've been a whole lot more." He sighed, his voice dripping with regrets.

"I know…" She whispered, her heart squeezing for him. "But I guess the love we had for each other wasn't what was missing, life just got in the way."

He slowly nodded at her comment. His fidgety hand that had rested on the back of the couch went back to his hair as he nervously played with it. "I'm really sorry for what happened to Ronnie."

"I know…" Caitlin whispered again. She really appreciated it. He wasn't just saying it for good measure. He was saying it to let her know that, if he had the ability to bring Ronnie back to her, he would do it without a second thought – even if it meant he couldn't have her for himself. It also meant he wasn't taking advantage of her loss to get closer to her.

She turned slightly to mirror his position on the couch, folding a leg under her, her hands falling in her lap, facing him. For a moment, she glanced at the empty spot her engagement ring had left on her finger, before looking back into his green eyes. "Do you know why I really pushed you away when I first came back?" She asked, deciding that if he was so honest with her, she had to do the same. "Well the one reason I didn't tell you."

"No…" Barry frowned.

"Because I felt so guilty…" Caitlin admitted silently, her eyes flitting away for a second. "Guilty that seeing you made me feel so good when I was supposed to be in love with Ronnie – which I really was, by the way. But coming back here brought back all these memories, and those feelings I tried to bury kind of resurfaced." She shrugged. "I realised there were a lot of things I hadn't dealt with when I left Ryker Neve, especially my feelings for you. Changing town didn't make them go away. I guess I never really got over you either… I just pushed my feelings for you away."

She heard his breath catch in his throat and she instantly looked down to watch his Adam's apple bob up and down the column of his throat as he swallowed. She felt her own heart miss a beat at the sight and simply couldn't look away from the hard lines of his throat. How had she never noticed how sexy a throat could be?

"You're stuck in my heart, Barry Allen." She breathed out without even realising it, the words stumbling down her lips on their own accord.

Suddenly, Barry's hand was on her cheek and his fingers tucked a strand of loose hair behind her ear. The softness in that simple movement made her look up and his gaze locked with hers. His face was immensely close to hers and she hadn't even felt him approach. For an instant, she saw Barry's green eyes fly to her mouth before looking back to her eyes. She couldn't help doing the same. His lips seemed so welcoming that all she wanted, itched to do was kiss him. But she didn't dare. She was terrified.

Yet when Barry came closer, she didn't pull away. And when he finally – finally – pressed his lips against hers, all her fears flew out the window. Everything around her was gone and all she could focus on was his mouth moulded against hers.

One hand automatically went to the back of his neck to press him further against her and the other grabbed at his t-shirt. He let out a groan and she moaned in response.

"Barry, we can't…" Caitlin finally managed to whimper against his lips. He pulled away slightly just to dive to her neck, peppering kisses along the column of her throat, not letting her words discourage him. "This is… a bad…" She tried to speak as he nipped playfully on her pulse point. "Bad." She gasped and he chuckled smugly against her neck, sending a whole new wave of shivers down her spine. "Idea." She finished with a pant.

Barry pulled away and leaned his forehead against hers, brushing his nose with hers. "I know…" He smiled sadly, his darkened eyes meeting her hooded ones.

Her fingers played with the hair at the back of his head, as she seemed to consider her next move for a moment, and she then brought his lips back to hers. The slight stubble tickling her chin was something new. It was the first time she really kissed him unshaven. It brought something new and exhilarating but also reminded her of all the time that had gone by since the last time they had been together like this. "But it feels so good." She mumbled huskily into the kiss.

A throaty laugh coming from Barry broke their connection. "God I missed this." He whispered before kissing her passionately, his tongue entering her mouth as she greedily parted her lips.

When breathing became a necessity again, Caitlin reluctantly pulled away. "But I'm leaving… we shouldn't be doing this…" She said reluctantly, her hands clutching at the back of his neck.

His thumb lovingly stroked her cheek and she got lost in his green eyes, her heart thumping loudly in her chest.

"When?" He asked.

"Huh?" She frowned, mesmerised by his eyes, losing her focus on the conversation.

Barry chuckled – utterly pleased by the effect he seemed to have on her. He hadn't seen that in 8 years and he never wanted to go so long without seeing it again. "When are you leaving?" He repeated patiently.

Caitlin shyly looked away and murmured, "In two weeks."

Barry put two fingers under her chin and turned her face so that she could look at him again. "Then we'll think about it in two weeks. Now can we please stop talking?"

And before she could answer, he crushed their lips together, a surprised moan escaping Caitlin's mouth. On their own accord, Caitlin's legs moved to straddle Barry's legs and he let out a deep groan as she ground her hips against him. Her heart burst at the sound – she didn't think anything was as beautiful as the sounds that came out of his mouth. She got lost in the feel of him against her, his hands travelling under her shirt, his lips travelling down her jaw and then throat, her fingers waving themselves in between his messy hair, her thighs clutching around his lap…

"Wait!" She suddenly protested, cupping his face to keep him away from her skin.

"What now?" Barry groaned not at all pleased by the turning of events.

Caitlin giggled at his sudden lack of patience but she could totally relate to his frustration. And she had to admit it was turning her on even more. "Let's take this to the bedroom." She explained in a husky voice. "We're too old to get caught fooling around on my mother's couch."

Barry had to laugh – she had a good point there.

She didn't need to tell him twice. A mere moment later, Barry picked her up bridal style and made a dash towards the stairs to go up to her bedroom, enjoying the clear laugh that escaped her lips. She made the journey a little harder as she applied kisses in all the area of skin in reach. She had always loved how the skin of Barry's neck was sensitive.

Caitlin could've thought of at least a dozen reasons why they shouldn't be doing this – was she really ready for this? Had they talked enough about their state of minds? What would happen when the time for her to leave comes? And so on... But all of those reasons were irrelevant once Barry delicately laid her down on her bed and looked at her as if she were his whole world. All of those reasons weighed nothing in front of the one argument telling her they should totally go through with it: Barry simply made her feel things she never thought she would ever feel.

So she let all of her worries go and let herself enjoy, body and soul, the feeling of Barry against her.

A/N: So? Any thoughts? By the way, the red Clippers T-shirt is actually an idea I got from Grant's Instagram account, because he's absolutely nuts about that basketball team :)