A/N: Sorry, I have been super busy. But my schedule is more solid now, so I can get back to writing again. Updates will be more random now though. Let me know what you think. Enjoy! :)

Do not own Flash or characters.

Chapter 12

The two from Star City stayed for a week. They started their vacation with a trip to Caitlin's favorite diner for lunch. Tired from the ride to Central City, Oliver and Felicity turned in early that day. Felicity promised Caitlin a girl's day to go shopping and catch up on missed stories. Towards the end of the night they invited Iris over to Caitlin's for a slumber party. While the girls drank wine, told secrets, and grew just a little bit closer; the boys (Barry, Cisco, and Eddie) took Oliver out for drinks and bowling. It wasn't what Oliver was used to but that's exactly what he needed. Something out of the normal Star City routine. Everyone grew just a little bit closer.

They spent some time doing other things like dinner between just the four of them. They went to Central City Aquarium, where Felicity freaked out every time a fish swam to close to the glass. Jitters held a trivia night and iris convinced everyone to go. Cisco's heart nearly broke when Eddie got a Star Wars question wrong. Oliver and Caitlin got to spend some time walking around central park, an act that had Barry's eye twitch once before Felicity squashed his fear by pulling him in the direction of the nearest Big Belly Burger.

Barry liked Felicity. She was fun and talkative and pretty. What was not to like about her? He had felt jealousy stir in him when they arrived but by the time their last night arrived, he was sad to see them leave. Both of them. Barry had grown to like Oliver. He still felt intimidating. He rarely smiled, but when he did he was less of a grouch and more of a "statue with a smile face drawn on it" as Felicity had put it. Barry could definitely see himself becoming close friends with Caitlin's extended family from Star City.

When the last night of their stay came, the large group decided to go bar hopping after having dinner at the fancy restaurant their close friend Ray Palmer bought out recently. It was nothing like Star City nightlife but it was still a lot of fun. Felicity and Caitlin led the charge as they walked down the main strip in Central City.

"It's so slow compared to Star City!" Felicity complained.

"It's not slow, you're just not used to taking things slow." Caitlin replied after taking a sip of her drink.

"You've already had your limit of drinks here, Felicity." Oliver said easing the shot away from her and downing it with ease.

"You can't take my drink and then drink it yourself! That's hyprecethitcal!" She slurred.

"You mean hypocritical." Barry corrected her.

"Oh shush, Mr. Runner! You've had four drinks here! How can you not be drunk?" She pointed at him.

"I pace myself." He smirked.

The DJ called out for everyone to grab a dance partner for a slow song coming up.

"Ooh! I love this song! Ollie dance with me!" Felicity begged pulling him to the dance floor as soon as the music started.

Barry turned from the Star City couple search for his best friend when a hand landed on his arm. "C'mon Barry. We are dancing!" Iris called out pulling him towards the others.

As they made it to the crowd, Barry not so subtly glanced around the dance floor looking for his favorite doctor. Her hands wound around his neck and ran through his hair at the nape of his neck. It didn't feel right but he smiled at her ignoring the odd feeling inside of him. Because that's what they always did, they pretended and smiled through their problems, they never talked about them. Iris leaned her head on his chest relaxing, stiffly into his body. This allowed him the chance to observe the other couples dancing.

Oliver was having a hard time keeping up with an almost drunk Felicity as she wriggled and moved to a beat he couldn't hear. Barry smiled at their actions before turning to the next couple. His heart froze. He finally found Caitlin already on the dance floor her arms on Eddie's shoulders smiling as they chatted while dancing. Barry's shock made his body stiffen slightly; Iris didn't notice. The two were not as close as him and Iris were but it was still too close for Barry's liking. Eddie's hands were on her waist, a respectable area, not feeling her up in any wrong way, but Barry's still didn't like the idea of him touching her anywhere. Eddie was talking to her, leaning close to her ear so she could hear him. Her arms subconsciously pulling him closer winding up to his neck so she could hear him better. Barry felt a strong surge of jealousy when he saw Caitlin's face break out into a wide smile as she laughed at what Eddie had said.

Barry wasn't sure if he wanted to turn his head away in disgust and never look back at them again or watch them like a hawk to make sure Eddie didn't touch Caitlin in a manner that meant more than friends.

He settled with sending glances every once in a while, which really was once every three seconds.

When the song ended, the group met up back at their table where Cisco had a gotten them all one last shot. After that they all agreed to head home. It was late into the early morning and Caitlin explained that she and Cisco still had work in the morning. Oliver made a comment about going into work with a hangover again and that she should just call off and spend the day in bed. Which caused her to blush before giving out a serious "No." Cisco groaning in misery has he mumbled about calling in sick before bidding everyone goodbye.

Caitlin laughed at his antics before giving Oliver a hug kissing him briefly on the cheek telling him strictly to take care of his wife. Felicity had huffed before jumping into Caitlin to hug her goodbye.

"I'll see you tomorrow afternoon to see you guys off." Caitlin mumbled hugging Felicity but taking to Oliver since she knew Felicity probably wouldn't remember.

Barry's eyes lingered on Caitlin. Her smile was brighter than usual, but he couldn't determine if it was from Eddie, Oliver and Felicity being in town or something else.

"I'll walk you home, Caitlin." Eddie offered his arm in a gentlemanly fashion.

She smirked at him, "I appreciate the offer Eddie, but I prefer dinner first, then desert." She winked and they laughed like they were sharing an inside joke.

Barry did not approve.

Apparently neither did Oliver.

"No, I'll make sure Caity gets home safely." Oliver commented, although he had to catch a stumbling Felicity who was far too gone after that last shot.

"Ollie, you have Lissy to take care of. I'll be fine! I'm a big girl, I can handle myself." She kissed his cheek again in a familial way.

Oliver sent a withering glare in Eddie's direction. Barry presumed that was Oliver's older brother quality coming out to protect Caitlin.

Oliver shook Barry's hand giving him a sure nod and a half smile. He took Felicity by the hand tugging her in the direction of their hotel while she waved her free harm yelling loud goodbyes to everyone.

Barry felt oddly separated from the discussions going on. Caitlin and Eddie flirting didn't sir right with him. He glanced down at Iris and she had the same expression he could feel on his face.

Eddie had kept true to his word and escorted Caitlin home but not before giving Iris a tight hug goodbye. Caitlin had pulled Barry aside giving him a hug of her own. He tugged her closer, almost bone crushing. He didn't like it. She smelled familiar, but not like Caitlin. She smelled like cologne, a familiar one but he couldn't place it where he had smelt it before. He wanted her to smell like her normal Lavender perfume, not like a male had been close to her, closer than he usually is. She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek too before pulling away and giving Iris a quick hug before taking Eddie arm and they began their walk back to her apartment.

A smile still spread across her face.

…

That night Barry couldn't sleep. Iris had passed out shortly after arriving home, but Barry couldn't sleep. He tossed and turned. He shuffled and flung his covers off and back on his body. He couldn't get the exchange out of his head. Caitlin. Eddie. Cologne. Perfume. Lavender. Dancing. Flirting. Sleeping. Repeat. He couldn't get the familiar smell out of his head. It could have just been the bar. There was a lot of people. Brushing up and rubbing against people was a very normal thing in a crowded place like that. Caitlin could have gotten the smell from any number of guys that night. But still, it ingrained itself into memory. Something familiar but something so new he couldn't quite place it. Barry closed his eyes flipped his pillow over after fluffing it five times before falling into its warmth. His face pressed into his pillow breathing in a deep breath trying to clear his mind.

His last thought before his tired mind found sleep was that his pillow smelled strangely like the cologne on Caitlin tonight. It smelled awfully familiar too.

…

Barry and Caitlin had escorted Felicity and Oliver to the train station. The four had talked while they waited for the train to Star City to begin boarding. Felicity and Caitlin had a hard time letting go of one of another.

"This was not nearly long enough!" Felicity complained.

"I know Lissy. Don't worry I'll come visit for the next holiday. And I'll make some plans to visit for a weekend sometime soon." Caitlin responded.

"Yeah, you'll have to come too, Barry." Oliver supplied.

"I'll be sure to." Barry smiled, but it felt off, fake.

'We will now begin boarding to Star City!'

Felicity hugged Caitlin once more before turning to Barry. She reached up and gave him a hug whispering in his ear a quick, "Take care of Caitlin," before releasing him and heading for the train door. Oliver gave Caitlin a big hug, not wanting to let go.

"Be happy, Caity." She pulled away.

"I am happy." She sniffled, saddened by their departure.

Barry shook Oliver's hand goodbye. "Goodbye, Barry." He nodded in response. "Goodbye, Oliver."

They both watched the train leave the station. They gave a few waves goodbye before the train pulled out of sight. Barry pulled Caitlin closer as they looked in the direction the train had gone.

"It was nice seeing them again. But goodbyes always seem to get harder and harder." Caitlin said solemnly, leaning her head on his shoulder.

"That's why I'm here to make it better." Barry replied.

"Yes," she looked up at him with a small smile. "You do make it better."

He leaned down and kissed her forehead. Her familiar scent of Lavender flowing around her as he encased her in his arms.