Chapter 3 [CCPD Precinct—about 11:30]

Joe stood at the coffee maker and fixed himself a dose of javanated magic. The previous night had exceeded his expectations to say the least. He always enjoyed the special Christmas Eves with Barry and Iris in their home. For one night at least, he had always made sure that magic reigned in the house for those kids. Having the STAR Labs folks over the previous two years had expanded things dramatically drawing others into the private circle. And with the two aforementioned kids now having become adults, having their loved ones over too proved satisfactory as well.

And then there was Wally….the greatest Christmas present he could want…..

He decided to come to me. He understood that it wasn't my fault! He's willing to work toward a relationship! He took a draught from his mug and surveyed the mostly empty bullpen. Except for Patty who worked away on something, they were alone. Glad she and Barr are figuring things out. About time! He poured a second cup. "Patty?"

"Hmmm?" She snapped out of her reverie. While she still typed away on the Martin report for the captain, her mind still ruminated over the Barry/Flash question from earlier. "Sorry, Joe. What is it?"

His paternal second sense kicked into high overdrive. From the distracted and tired look in her eyes, he knew something was eating at her. Damn. She seemed so great last night with us. "Just fixing coffee. I brewed some of the stuff we had last night. What do you take in yours?"

She managed a brief smile. At least he approves of Barry and me. I'd understand given what happened to Detective Thawne. "A little creamer and a couple of sugars. Thanks, Joe. That smells great. What is it?"

"Just a special holiday blend that Iris discovered a couple of years ago. Barry loves it too," he answered. Seeing the eyebrow arch over his adopted son's name, he brought the coffee over to her. "Something up? You two seemed so great last night."

She sipped on her coffee and shook her head. "Nothing earthshattering. Last night was so great. Thank you for letting me be part of that, Joe."

"Least I can do for you, Patty. You're my partner and Barry's girlfriend." He fixed her cup and brought the two coffees to their workspace. "Glad you could be there. I haven't seen him light up like that in a long time. Thank you." He sat down and considered the report. "Still working on that Martin report? I'd be happy to help."

"It's okay, Joe. Thanks. I need to deal with my feelings toward that creep." She sipped deeply from the Styrofoam cup and smiled at the flavors tickling her throat. "That is so good. I need to get that flavor off of you especially since Barry loves it." She smiled. "Is there anything I can do for later? I feel I should."

"We're set for tonight. After shift, if you want to come over, dinner's on me." He knew of course that Barry would be by at any time with his surprise. "I figured we could call out about 12 if you want to."

"That's okay." She pressed save on the report and sipped the coffee yet again. Her need to know about Barry drove her over the safe line so to speak. "Joe?" She looked around to make sure nobody was in earshot.

"Yeah?" Now he knew something was really up. He tried to keep a poker face. What did you do, Barry? He sipped from his mug again.

"Does it seem like Barry keeps a lot of stuff to himself?" She grimaced and set the cup down. "That just came out wrong. Sorry." She rubbed her forehead.

Oh yeah. Looks like the stuff's hit the fan. "He's like a lot of guys. He does keep some stuff to himself but eventually he shares it. I've never had a real problem in that regard. Why?" he answered while dancing around the big speedy white elephant in the corner. "Did he do anything to you?"

"No! Of course not. Barry's great. I know he loves me, Joe. It's just that I get the feeling he's not entirely honest with me. Remember when he was sick a couple of weeks back? Why did he lie about the whole chicken soup thing and his Dad being in town? I wish he could've just told me about Mr. Allen but he's like he had to lie about it. We've talked about that already. It just seems so weird. I mean he went MIA right after that dark speed guy beat the Flash up. I don't know what to think," she explained.

He suppressed a grimace but kept up his end of the conversation for Barry's sake. "It's always been tough on Barry not to have his real Dad around, Patty. I don't know why he didn't want you around when he was laid up. Weird. As for the whole timing thing, a lot of people get hurt or sick every day." He added a shrug while trying to sell the argument.

The emphasis wasn't lost on her either. She filed that note in her head for later. What's his deal? "You're right. It's just that a couple of things happened this week that really brought this out for me." She held up a draft of the report. "I had Martin dead to rights, Joe. I really struggled with doing the right thing. The Flash stopped me for doing something stupid. But as he did it, he let that weird speed distortion thing slip. He spoke with his real voice. It was Barry's voice. Then last night when we were in Barry's room, we had this great kiss. As I was looking in his eyes, they did that electric thing that the Flash's do." She sighed deeply. "I know it's really strange to be talking about. I'm not looking to arrest the Flash or anything. I owe him my life at least twice."

He fought the urge to roll his eyes. How many times had he told Barry to be careful? He got caught up in the moment both times! He made a note to talk with the younger man when the chance arose. "Maybe you should just ask Barry what's up?" he proposed before taking another drink from his cup. "It's your relationship. Personally I'm glad you didn't shoot Martin. It means I don't have to break in a third partner in a year. That would really suck, you know?" He managed a chuckle for her benefit.

She had to laugh at that insight. "Yeah I can imagine. Thanks, Joe. Sorry to unload. I just want a great and open relationship with Barry."

"And he wants the same with you, I imagine," he concurred. Barry needs to figure out what he's going to do.

At that moment Barry stuck his head into the bullpen area. "Hey, Guys! How's the yuletide duty going? Everything okay?"

"Now that you're here. This is a surprise!" She considered him in the ugly sweater she'd given him on the previous evening. "Joe and I were just talking and doing reports. Really exciting stuff. Coffee's awesome though!"

"I figured you'd both like some lunch given you're pulling the heavy shift," Barry noted while holding up a Tupperware plastic container and a thermos. "Brought some egg nog." He handed Joe a sandwich. "Think that's some roast beef from last night. I've got that turkey and Swiss for us, Patty." He set down three cups.

"That's so sweet. I really appreciate it!" Despite her issues at the moment, she did treasure the fact that he'd staged such a treat for them. "That merits something." She kissed him quickly. "Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas. I tried to call you earlier but your phone kept going to voice mail," Barry noted.

"Yeah that." She rubbed the back of her neck. "I was thinking on some things. Maybe you can pour Joe a cup of that egg nog? Then we can go to your lab? I hate to do this on the holiday but we should talk."

"Uh okay." Barry stopped cold in his tracks. He looked toward Joe anxiously.

"I'll take that roast beef, Barr. You two better get to it if you know what I mean?" Joe hinted not so subtly while motioning with his eyes toward the elevator. He poured himself a cup of egg nog and put the cover back on the bottle.

While he was prepared to share the truth with her, he worried about what she wanted to say to him. Don't tell me I messed this up already! "Sure. Come on, Patty. Hope this isn't too serious because I did have something I wanted to tell you too. I was going to wait until tomorrow but if it's okay, this is as good a time as any."

Maybe he wants to come out with it on his own? Lord knows this might be for the best! "It's always a great time to talk, Barry. I'd rather be honest no matter what day it is." She brushed his cheek with her lips before taking the thermos in her left hand. "Can you get those sandwiches?"

"Okay," Barry concurred. "Sorry to make you eat by yourself, Joe."

"I can deal with it. You two get this settled. I've got this," Joe affirmed while waving 'shoo' toward him.

"Thanks for understanding," Barry expressed. He mouthed silently toward the older man, "I'm going to tell her." Then he picked up the sandwich caddy, took her hand and led her toward the elevator and his lab above.

"About time," Joe muttered while taking a bite of roast beef and BBQ bliss. He hoped that it worked out so he could really open up with her on things. "Just give each other a chance, okay? Don't mess it up." Not wanting to think about it, he went back to the report he was working on and read between bites of meat and wheat bread.

The air tingled with tension. One could cut it with a knife. One could hope it didn't kill the budding relationship therein…..