Chapter 16

When Caitlin got home that night she was a bit annoyed. Being distracted at work had caused her to fall behind. And with STAR Labs unveiling their newest project later this week, she couldn't fail Dr. Wells now. She had ended up staying an extra three hours to help Cisco finish the final adjustments. She chatted with Cisco on her way to her car, about drinks this weekend to celebrate STAR Labs latest success when Jay invited himself to the small get together. She was too polite to tell him no.

Irritated and tired, she returned to her apartment ready to shower and relax. She just unzipped the back of her dress when she heard a knock at her door. Sighing angrily, she growled slightly under her breath. She just wanted to shower, and curl up on the couch with a chick flick and her laptop open with Felicity's face on full screen. She missed her and wanted to vent about everything that's been going on in her crazy, hectic life. Not even bothering to zip her dress back up, she wrenched her door open ready to scold whoever was on the other side.

"Barry!" She gasped, surprised. "I didn't expect you so soon." Opening the door to him.

"It's eight, Cait?" He laughed taking off his jacket and setting down his overnight bag as he stepped through her door. "I told you I'd be here later tonight."

"Sorry, I just got home. Work has been stressful lately." She said walking back towards her bedroom as Barry shut the door. "I might as well get a key made for you."

"That'd be helpful." He smiled as he eyed her back that was visible with her dress zipper still undone.

"Hope you don't mind but I need a shower. Want to start on dinner? I was thinking something Italian!"

"You're always thinking something Italian." He laughed at her when she poked her head out of her bedroom door to stick her tongue out at him.

"Shut up." She teased.

Fifteen minutes later she came out of her room dressed in pajama bottoms and a light gray T-shirt with faded print snug to her form. Her hair still a wet, tangled mess on top of her head. Barry was humming quietly stirring some noodles when she walked into the kitchen.

"Didn't know you still had that shirt?" He asked taking notice of her presence.

"Yeah. It's one of my favorites. My dad bought it for me. I can't exactly part with it. I usually wear it when I have had a particularly stressful day." SH replied quietly taking a seat at the kitchen island.

"Gosh! I'm sorry, Cait. I didn't mean–"

She cut him off kissing his cheek before turning to help with dinner. "I know. It's okay. I'm not sad anymore. Not right now at least. Anyway, what are you doing this weekend? Cisco wanted to celebrate STAR Labs' latest breakthrough in Tachyon enhancement. He wants to get everyone together. And he misses you." She rambled off while waltzing around her kitchen for some last-minute ingredients together. "I was even going to ask Lizzy and Ollie if they wanted to come up for a few days. I miss them. Oh! I talked to Ollie yesterday, I forgot to tell you, he wanted to exchange numbers with you. He said he had something he wanted to ask you. I don't know."

He smiled, she was so cute when she was focus and releasing all her pent-up emotions. But Barry always thought she was cute, no matter what she did.

"Uhh… I should be free. What day did you have in mind?" He headed over to her phone on the coffee table in her living room to get Oliver's number. His smile grew as when his eyes fell on her background. Her and Barry when she first got back, their walk in the park after dinner with their parents. Barry remembered not wanting to let her out of his arms. A feeling he still had trouble with today.

Her phone vibrated in his hand and a message popped up: 'Can't wait for this weekend! Maybe we can go out dinner before we meet up with the others? ;)' from Jay. Barry's eyebrows furrowed as his jealous side grew.

"Jay's coming?" He asked her, raising her phone to signal she just got a message from him.

"Ugh, unfortunately. He basically invited himself! So rude! He obviously can't take a hint. Been asking me out almost every day. I almost don't want to go to work anymore." She laughed, "What'd he say? He's not supposed to text me unless its work related."

Barry's body relaxed enormously as she recounted her experience with Jay. Her disdain very clear. "He asked you to dinner beforehand."

"Can you text him back for me? Tell him I already have dinner plans that night."

"You do?" Barry asked as his fingers stumbled, freezing over the digital letters on her screen. He had to clear his throat before asking, "With who?"

"With you, if you aren't busy that is?" She said setting a dish on his side of the table.

He smirked, quickly finishing his message to Jay. "Darn. I already have plans with a beautiful brunette that night. You see, she's a doctor and her schedule is very busy, not sure if I can cancel." He laughed at her pouting expression. His hands found her waist.

Her posture stiff in discontentment.

"Her name is Dr. Caitlin Snow." He whispered in her ear.

"Ha-ha. Very funny, Barry!" She muttered against his shoulder.

"For real though. I'd feel more comfortable if you had dinner with me, than Jay." He pulled away slightly to look her in the eyes.

She huffed, "Even if you were busy before, I wouldn't go to dinner with him. Fancy restaurant be damned. I'd rather go to Big Belly Burger with Cisco."

Barry smiled relived. Placing a quick kiss on her lips. "Thank God." He said pulling away. "C'mon I am starving!"

"Fine. You should probably call Oliver tonight. He doesn't like people brushing him off like an afterthought. I can get away with it because I'm like his sister. And he loves me. But you, you have groveling to do." She smirked when he groaned.

"I thought we got along great?"

"How he acts and what he thinks are two different things. But from what I can tell he doesn't hate you."

"Yay…" Barry mumbled unenthusiastically.

"Barr, he does like you. He just hates the fact the I like you too. He feels… threatened, in a way. It's his big-brother-complex coming out." She reached for his hand across the table.

"I know. And it's worth getting in his good books." He admitted twisting his hand to entwine their fingers together. He gave her a gentle smile.

She stared at their hands for a minute her smile fading to a frown.

"Barry," She whispered afraid to break this serene atmosphere.

"Hmm?" He hummed finishing his food. His hand still holding hers.

"What happened with Iris? After you made me leave… I– What– mmm. Never mind. It's not my business." Her voice fading with each o=word she tried to get out.

"We broke things off. For good. It's over. We need space away from one another." He replied coolly, not even bothered by it anymore.

"Why?" Caitlin asked before she even realized had she said anything. "Why are you acting like it doesn't matter to you?"

He finally looked up to look at her. "Because I don't need her anymore. I have something better to look forward too." He said getting up and taking their dirty dishes to the sink.

"But Barry– We can't–"

"I know. I'm not saying right away. But if you're up for it, I want you to be my future, Cait. I want to give us the chance we never got before. I want you."

"So, nothing serious yet?" Caitlin asked her eyes finding his, and it felt like home.

"Nothing you don't want to happen. I feel that if we both want this then we can commit to one another until we make it official. What do you think of that?"

She leapt into his arms. She kissed him, gentle and sweet. "Absolutely." She said against his lips. "I don't want to rush this either."

Barry couldn't help but fall even more in love with her understanding and gentle kindness. "You are amazing." Adoration and wonder slipping through his words. "I love you Caitlin. I really do."

"I'm amazing? Oh, Barr. If only you could see yourself the way I do."

Barry felt his heart soar at her honest reply. "Take me to bed, Barr. I just want to be with you tonight. She whispered to him.

He knew she didn't mean it in a sexual way. He just wanted to be with her. In any way, she was willing to let him.

He lifted her off her feet and carried her bridal style straight to bed. Caitlin giggled when he threw her onto her bed. They both finished up with their bathroom routines and found comfort in each other's embrace that night.

They enjoyed each other's warmth and company.

Her head nestled in the crook of his neck.

"Hey Cait?" He called her attention.

She murmured a half response he couldn't quite understand.

"So, does this mean that you won't agree to any of Jay's advances."

"Barr, you are the only one I want. The only one I need. There is no reason to be jealous of Jay." She drawled out. Her eyes never opened when she kissed the closest body part to his lips.

He just smiled before leaning down to kiss her hair. "Goodnight, Cait."

"Night, Barr."

A/N: Thank you so much for all your support! It really means a lot to me that people like and read this story! Let me know what you like and dislike. All feedback is welcome! :)