A/N: Hey everyone! Thanks for all the responses! I'm sorry this is late, things in life are very hectic for me right now. Family and school come first before this story. But as always I love hearing what you have to say about the story. This one is a little short but I'm working on the next one tonight so that'll be out soon... hopefully!

Enjoy! :)

Chapter 15

Barry and Caitlin spent the morning laughing, eating, and talking about small trivial things. It was an enjoyable, calm moment of peace. One that they would hold on to for a long while because they both knew things were just going to get complicated and difficult from here on out. But at least they had each other.

"So, you wouldn't mind if I came back tonight?" Barry asked standing outside her apartment door as she locked it.

"Barry, you can't keep avoiding your own apartment. But yeah, you can crash at my place for one more night." She walked passed him, heading for the stairs.

He pulled her into a hug, swinging her around once before setting her back down. He laced his fingers into hers, squeezing gently.

"You are the best!" He kissed her cheek before pulling her in the direction of the stairs to get to her car. She laughed at his silly antics. Finally making it to her car she turned to him, smile still wide on her face. She opened her mouth to say something before her eyes focused in on something, or someone, behind Barry.

"Cait?" Barry's smile fell when he noticed Caitlin freeze.

"I thought you hadn't seen Barry?" Iris' voice rang out around them. A hint of anger flowing through her words.

His body stiffened.

"Iris." Caitlin addressed the woman behind Barry. She strategically stepped around Barry coming face to face with Iris and sneaking between the two ex-lovers to protect her best friend. Barry had to acknowledge the fact that Caitlin was always trying to keep him happy. "What brings you here so early in the morning?"

"I knew I heard Barry's voice in your apartment last night!" She accused, "How long has this been going on? You are a fucking hypocrite, Barry, getting mad at me for having sex with Eddie when you are here fucking your 'best friend!'" She gestured her hands between them for emphasis.

"Barry and I haven't slept together at all! It's rude to imply something you have no comprehension of." Caitlin defended.

"Bull shit! That's impossible. You guys have been giving each other googly eyes ever since she got back to Central City."

"We have a history, yes. But we have never acted, physically, upon those feelings. He was in a relationship with you. I would never allow myself or him to ruin a relationship by cheating." Caitlin ground out, her anger boiling over. Iris had her best friend and she would defend him, always.

Barry's hand was on Caitlin's shoulder, instantly calming her. He could sense she was getting angry. And an angry Caitlin is one he would never wish upon anyone. She had ways, so many ways, of using her brilliant mind in the evilest ways possible.

"Cait, you have to get to work. I'll handle this." He looked at her with a small smile, lined with pain and a withheld anger.

"But Bar–"

"I'll see you later tonight. Promise." He pulled her into a hug, kissing her hair briefly. Before opening her driver-side door for her to get in and leave.

Caitlin hesitated for a moment, reluctant to leave Barry. She rolled down her window, once seated and buckled in. "Call me at lunch?"

He leaned onto her car, hunched over to look her in the eye. "I'll stop by." She nodded. Rolling her window back up she gave him one last smile and left the parking lot.

"Seems you two have gotten close." Iris spat out after Caitlin's car was long gone.

"We've always been close." Barry narrowed his eyes and shrugged his shoulders.

"Can we just talk about this?" Iris pleaded trying to calm her anger.

"What is there to talk about?" He glared at her. "You cheated on me, with Eddie! And no, before you say anything, nothing happened between me and Cait. She comforted me, helped me calm down when I was seeing red." Barry tried steadying his breathing.

Iris flinch at his accusations. "Barry, I'm sorry. Things just happened. I was lonely and you haven't been there–"

"Bull shit!" He cut her off. "I came home to you every night! I was faithful!"

"You were faithful? Barry, when was the last time you said you loved me?" She paused taking a breath, "When was the last time you made love to me? When was the last time you even kissed me without thinking of her?" She asked, desperate for an answer.

"I–" Barry couldn't fight her words. "Iris…"

"No! I fell in love with Eddie, Barry. It was wrong to continue this relationship with you while I was with him but I couldn't do that to myself anymore. I couldn't just sit there and pretend everything was okay between us. I couldn't lie to myself anymore." She sounded exhausted.

There were a few moments of silence between them.

"How long?" Barry's voice was thick with emotions as he asked the question burning in his mind.

"Seven months."

He scoffed out a fake laugh. "So, before Caitlin even arrived in Central City?" He shook his head running his fingers through his hair in frustration.

"Look Barry, I know you love her. You said it yourself way back when she first came to town. 'She is to you as Eddie is to me.' Eddie and I have been friends for a while. And I love him, I know I do. And I love you too but I know that this is the right decision. I still want us to be friends."

She stepped forward and pulled something from her pocket. "I've already moved all my stuff. I just need to ask one thing of you. Not a favor for me. I know I don't deserve that. But a favor for her. I know you love her and she loves you too. But please wait. Give it time to settle things between us first. Jumping into something with her right after a break up will be messy and could possibly hurt worse than this." She handed him his apartment key back.

Barry sighed, twisting the key between his fingers. "Maybe someday we can be friends again Iris, but I don't think we should see each other for a while." He gave her a half smile as she nodded and turned to leave. "Goodbye, Iris. I hope he makes you happy."

"Bye, Barry." Tears clogging her throat as she walked away.

Caitlin couldn't focus on anything more than ten minutes at a time without her mind wandering back to Barry and Iris. She rushed around her lab, fidgeting every few minutes, tapping her pen against her desk, sneaking glances at her phone for any word from Barry; all of this drove Cisco insane.

"Enough, Caitlin!" He finally shouted shooting out of his seat and grabbing his coat. "Lunch on me, let's go!"

"What? I can't! Barry is supposed to be stopping by..." Her voices fading into a mumble.

"Just tell him to meet you later. We have to talk, girl!"

"But–"

"Caitlin!" He yelled cutting her off.

She frowned. Sending a quick text to Barry. 'Out to lunch with Cisco. See you tonight.'

Three minutes later, she had just put her coat on when he texted back. 'Ok'

She frowned at his short reply, "Let's go."

"Hey! You guys don't mind if I join you?" Jay asked walking into the Cortex.

Caitlin opened her mouth to reply but Cisco was faster.

"No. Sorry bro, but Caitlin and I need to talk. Privately." He grabbed her wrist and pulle her down the hallway.

She mouthed a quick 'sorry' to him before quickening her pace to match Cisco.

…

"Okay so what is your problem? Is it Barry? Did he do something? What–"

"No! Cisco! Not exactly. He–" She didn't know if she should share this with Cisco. It wasn't her information to share since she wasn't directly involved with the situation. She cared for Barry. She wanted to protect him from the pain of Iris' betrayal. "He broke up with Iris."

Stating facts is always a good a safe route.

"That I knew." Cisco took another bite of his burger. "What happened this time?"

"I don't think that's for me to say..." She trailed off, fumbling with her fries.

"Meh. Barry tells me this stuff anyway. He is my best friend. Well I doubt he will call me over for a night of drunken sorrows when you are back in town." He let out a laugh. "When you were in Star City, I was his best friend. Don't get me wrong, we are still best friends but I know that you both have a more defined history than we do."

"Oh, Cisco! Trust me, there are things he doesn't want to talk to me about, stuff he needs you for. I'm not here to replace you." She replied hastily.

"I know. I like being a mutual friend between you two. Just don't let me get all third wheel when you guys start dating."

She frowned. "Cisco, that's not going to happen. Not right now at least."

"Caitlin," Cisco put his burger down and placed a hand on hers, "He loves you. He needs time, but I know he does."

"I know. I love him too, Cisco. And we already talked about not rushing things. It'll be hard but he is worth it." She squeezed his hand back.

So, very worth it.