A/N: Just want to let you guys know, I WILL be finishing this story. Depending where it ends (and if you guys want) I may even do a sequel! But I'd like to finish this first before attempting to even think about a sequel.

I honestly have no idea how I wrote and updated this story so fast, don't expect it, but appreciate it. Lol

IMPORTANT: Also, I'm not going to be putting warnings unless things get really graphic, which they probably won't. The story is rated T but there WILL be Mature content, (at least talked about) if this makes you uncomfortable let me know and I will change rating to M. But as of right now it is staying T.

Let me know what you guys think!

As always, please enjoy! :)

Chapter 18

A groan startled Barry awake.

"Ow. My head." Caitlin grumbled turning to face Barry. "Baby, my head hurts."

He chuckled quietly. "That happens when you drink too much."

"Why did you let me drink last night? You know what alcohol does to me."

"Yeah makes you that much more irresistible." He smiled, a certain glint in his eye, he turned towards her just a bit more.

"Oh god! What did I do this time?" Caitlin cringed, "I know that look. You only give me that look when I've done something super embarrassing."

"Stripped in front of me and almost fell asleep wearing nothing but your bra and panties." He smiled smugly. "Nothing I haven't seen before."

"I'm sorry. I didn't even realize–"

"Hey, it's okay. Just took that much longer to get to bed."

Caitlin gave him a mock surprised look. "Bartholomew Henry Allen, you didn't take advantage of drunkenness last night, did you?"

"Absolutely. That's why I'm still in jeans and you are almost completely dressed." He rolled his eyes in response. "No, Cait. I want to do this right. Dates and falling in love with you all over again. I didn't want to rush anything." He said sincerely.

"You are making it increasingly difficult to not ravage you right here and now, Mr. Allen." Her eyes darkened with desire.

"Trust me, I've been having to hold myself back from doing just that since you came back to Central City, Dr. Snow."

"Ugh! Don't say things like that, Barr!" She rolled away from him, shuffling to sit up and get out of bed. "It won't end well for you." She headed towards the bathroom but not before glancing back to take in his smug expression. He had crossed his arms behind his head, his bare chest exposed to the world, (abs in full view to her wandering eye) and his waist covered by the blanket. She shivered at the sight. Caitlin was so tempted to just jump back into bed with him, she shook her head at him as she continued to the bathroom. Caitlin needed to get some space between them or she is sure she would do something she'd regret. But not that much.

When she returned from the bathroom, showered and freshened up. She threw on some new clothes before heading towards the kitchen, where she assumed Barry was. She had already noticed his absence from her bed.

"Ugh, I need coffee." She moaned as she reached for a mug in the cabinet. Barry's had was on the cabinet before she could pull it open.

"You need water, Cait." Pushing a glass of water towards her on the counter. She grumbled a bit before chugging the water down completely.

He smirked at this grumpy version of Caitlin.

Caitlin stared at Barry for a moment, her lips forming a small frown. Barry raised an eyebrow at her saddened expression. Her eyes fell to his jaw. She brought her fingers up to brush his jaw where a bruise had formed.

"I'm sorry, Barry."

He gently took her hand in his placing a kiss on her palm. "Don't, Cait." He shook his head. His eyes bore into hers. "It wasn't your fault. And I would gladly fight him again if I had to."

Her frown only deepened. "You shouldn't fight anyone over me."

He gave her one of his most charming smiles, "I'd fight the world for you, Cait." He pulled her to him, encasing her body in his arms. His warmth seeping into her naturally cool body. He nuzzled his face into her neck before whispering in her ear. "You're my girl, Caitlin. Always and forever."

She nodded her head. "Always and forever…" Her lips found his in a searing kiss full of promise. "Unfortunately." She mumbled against his lips. A grin spreading wide across her face as he pulled away.

"For real! Cait, that's just cold! Now I realize why everyone called you Ice Queen back in school." He chuckled.

She slapped his shoulder, laughing. "They did not!"

"I thought you liked the bad boy type? Always getting in fights and all that." He said smirking as he rubbed his jaw. One arms never leaving her waist as he held her close to him.

"I guess you do look good a little roughed up. But try and stay out of fights for me please. I like you so much better in one piece." She sincerely voiced her concern for him. Kissing his cheek, she pried herself away from him to get ready for their lunch date with Felicity and Oliver. Sending a teasing smile over her shoulder as she walked towards her bedroom, she called out, "And as for my type of guy; I've always been attracted to the nerdy, forensic scientist types. Their names start with B and end in Y."

She could hear Barry running after her. And she giggled as he finally caught up with her just as she reached her bedroom. His arms winding around her waist hoisting her up and swinging her around a few times.

These were the fun moments she missed. Them being in love, teasing each other, and being so, so free. They were best friends and so in love.

She could see the happiness returning to him after Iris. Still hard to believe it was such a short time ago and he is almost ready to move on. But he is so worth the wait.

He set her down before kissing her all over her face before landing on her lips. "You are my type too, Cait."

The kiss quickly heated up between them, both smiling into each other's lips.

So, worth the wait.

After kissing and cuddling and a whole lot of touching, Barry and Caitlin finally got ready for the lunch with Felicity and Oliver. After a very teasing remark from Caitlin about any marks on her neck and picturing a very angry Oliver in his head Barry abruptly stopped his affectionate attack on Caitlin and promptly focused on getting ready. Caitlin couldn't stop laughing even as they arrived at the diner.

Barry held Caitlin's hand on the short walk there. Her other hand texting on her phone, Thea was going to be meeting them there as well. As Barry pulled the door to the diner open and held it for Caitlin to walk through, there was an immediate call from Felicity. "Caity!"

"Lissy!" She smiled, letting go of Barry's hand to hug her friend. Oliver wasn't seen sitting at the table. Barry walked up to the girls to give Felicity her own hug but not before she teased the two with a gesture to Caitlin's neck, "Don't let Oliver see those."

Barry immediately blanched and flushed at the same time. Subtly looking around for said man. Barry wouldn't lie. He got along great with Oliver but the man was very protective of Caitlin. He had been happy to hear of Oliver slight approval of him compared to Jay, but that doesn't mean he wouldn't scare Barry a bit.

"Caity, Barry, good to see you guys." Oliver said walking back from the bathroom. Barry slightly panicked until he saw Caitlin adjust her light scarf around her neck with a wide smile across her lips as she winked at Barry. "Ollie!"

The two almost siblings hugged before they all sat down at the table. A waiter stopping by briefly to take their orders for drinks.

"So, how did everything go after we left?" Caitlin started the conversation.

"Ugh, there was these group of girls that came over to flirt with the guys and they were all wearing these coordinated peach dresses, which by itself wasn't an awful color, but jeez as a group was just wayyy too much. Then this blonde comes up to Oliver runs her nails, no joke, her nails down his chest like I'm not even there!"

Caitlin just nods like she has already heard the story before. "Let me guess, Sara?"

Felicity nods fervently, "Comes right up grabs the girl by her face and plants a kiss right on her lips. Heaven bless her, because as much as I'm used to women flirting with him, he is still my husband. I'm the one that has to deal with all the baggage." She smiles taking Oliver's hand, their fingers quickly entwining.

Barry noticed the affection the two had for each other. It was as clear as day. Oliver wasn't very vocal when it came to his love for Felicity, but Barry could see it was in the way he looked at her. Barry wasn't afraid to show his love for Caitlin anywhere, anytime… except maybe in front of Oliver. Though he doubted Oliver didn't notice the subtle way Caitlin leaned further against him than needed, or the way they were almost always touching in some way, shape or form. But the fact Oliver never said anything against it made it that much better.

"Got to love how brave she is. Did they go home together? Sara is very persuasive." Caitlin asked with a little laugh.

"Surprisingly, no. The girl ended up dancing with Cisco the rest of the night."

"Really?" Caitlin's eyes widened slightly.

"Yeah! But Sara did end up going home with one of the girls. Her and Laurel were going shopping today. Thea wanted to join them but she said she missed you so she will be here soon enough." Felicity and Caitlin continued talking as the waiter brought their drinks.

Barry's thumb rubbed soothing circles into Caitlin's hand. "Barry, have you thought about coming to the dinner?" Oliver asked.

"What dinner?" Caitlin looked at Barry.

"Yeah. I don't see why not. It's really up to Caitlin though."

"Oh, you want to meet Mrs. Moira Queen." Felicity said with disdain.

"You do?" Caitlin asked turning to Barry.

"Well I'm told she wants to meet me." He shrugged.

"You know how she is, Caity. She misses you. She wants to see how you are doing." Oliver supplied a valid reason.

"Yeah! If Barry comes, then maybe she won't hate me the most!" Felicity said suddenly excited.

"She doesn't hate you…" He weakly defended.

"Uh, yes, she does." Turning towards Oliver to look him in the eyes.

"She kind of does." Caitlin added. Oliver shot her a glare.

"Who is hating?" Thea asked announcing her presence.

Barry looked up as Felicity and Oliver continued to argue a bit. She gave Oliver a sweet sisterly kiss on the cheek. Barry smiled up at her as she snuck around his chair to sit between Felicity and Caitlin. Snagging a quick hug as she passed Caitlin.

"Hey girl. So, what did I miss?" She asked Caitlin.

"Lissy told me last night's story and the usual Queen lunch table conversation." Caitlin supplied.

Nodding her head, "Mom again?"

"As always."

Thea laughed before turning towards Barry. "So, you coming to the dinner. It will be in your best interest to not miss it. She plans one every month. Felicity missed one because of work and Mom never let her hear the end of it. Caity, missed some because she moved back to Central City and Mom was not happy."

"Honestly? I couldn't just drop everything and come to a dinner in a city, 600 miles away."

"You know she can't stay mad at you anyway."

Shaking her head, "Anyway, we should go Barry. If you want? I'd love for you to meet her." Caitlin placed her hand on his cheek smiling so gently, it caused his heart to stutter.

"For you, of course." He responded giving her a chaste kiss on her lips. Even the fear of Oliver is not enough to stop him from kissing her in the moment.

"Aww you guys are so cute!" Felicity gushed jumping away from her small argument with her husband.

Oliver grunted in hope of changing the conversation, but choosing not to comment on the two of them.

Thea laughed before the girls jumped into a light gossip filled conversation. Barry observed Caitlin with a slight smile on his face as he watched her expression glow with happiness as she talked with her extended family.

Suddenly Oliver, Felicity and Thea's phones all rang at the same time. Barry caught a worried, quick glance between Felicity and Oliver. Thea nodded subtly.

"What's that?" Caitlin questioned.

"That was Diggle. He needs us for– uh–" Thea stuttered for a moment.

"For the train tickets! Yeah silly me took all of them. He is leaving today and I left all of them in my room. Oliver can you drive Thea and I back to the hotel?" Felicity jumped in.

He nodded. Standing up throwing on his leather jacket before helping Felicity into hers.

"Why does Thea have to go? She just got here!" Caitlin stood up trying to stop them from leaving. "Ollie can run it to Diggle. Can't he?"

"Sorry, Caity. But this is something we all need to do." Oliver responded already hugging her quickly. Her broken expression crushed them but they had to leave. He pulled his wallet out, throwing some bills onto the table. "That should cover it all."

"It's okay, Cait. We can go get some ice cream." Barry smiled gently, clearly seeing the emergency they needed to attend to. Not to mention the widened eyes of Felicity gesturing for his help.

Caitlin look back at Barry, before nodding slightly. Her frown still present. "Are you leaving?"

"I think so. We need to get back to Star City. I'm really sorry, Caity. I'll video you tonight." Felicity hugged her tightly. Thea following swiftly behind her.

"We will see you at this month's dinner. That's only two weeks away. It'll go by so fast. You'll see! Bye, babe!" Thea squeezed her shoulder before following the two blondes outside.

And just like that, the Queens were gone. Caitlin stood there and stared at the door, her eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"C'mon, I promised you ice cream for lunch." Barry's easy smile and his warm hands as he slid her jacket onto her shoulders made her smile in return.

"Oh, I'm sure you will just love that, wouldn't you?" She pulled her arms through her jacket, adjusting her scarf yet again if only to tease Barry.

"That I would, Dr. Snow." He through his arm around her, allowing her head to lean into him.

"I'm getting the largest size."

"And I will end up eating most of it."

"That is very true, Mr. Allen."

"I'm sorry about earlier." Felicity's voice ran through the speakers of the lap top propped on the counter.

Caitlin walked around the kitchen pulling things out of her cupboards and adding things to the tray of sweets. She was making hot chocolate for her and Barry. The cooler weather of Central City finally getting to them. Not to mention the ice cream Barry forced down their throats earlier today. Caitlin couldn't help but smile as she remembered how they warmed up afterwards. A lot of hand holding, warm embraces, and sweet kisses.

"I know, Lissy. What was the emergency anyway?" She asked stirring the spoon in her mug.

"Something with Queen Consolidated. Nothing to worry about." Felicity added looking away from the screen. Felicity was now home and dressed in comfy clothes, although she had mentioned Oliver had yet to return.

"Understandable. Big corporation and all that fun stuff. He used to run out all the time from family dinners back when I lived there too. It's no big deal, Lissy." She smiled.

"Wow. Barry must be good if he is able to make Miss. Caitlin Snow forgive and forget so easily." Felicity teased sticking her tongue out and winking at Caitlin on the screen.

"No! I mean, it's not like that! Lissy! Ugh! Stop it or I will close this screen right now!" Caitlin stuttered her cheeks flushing a bright red.

Felicity laughter was heard all throughout the apartment.

All Barry heard walking into Caitlin's apartment holding bags of take-out food was Felicity's laughter and Caitlin's constant command telling her to stop laughing.

"What's so funny?" He asked placing the food on the island counter.

"Barry!" Caitlin nearly yelped, startled, "Absolutely nothing!"

"Barry! Perfect timing!" Felicity cheered.

"Hey, Felic–"

"No, it's not! Lissy, stop please!" Caitlin begged.

"Don't be so embarrassed, Caity!"

"Okay, what's going on?" Barry asked putting his hands on his hips creating some form of authority.

"Caity and I were just talking about how good you must be." Felicity giggled when Caitlin squirmed just a bit more, ducking her head to hide her face in her hands.

"No! Heh. No, we weren't." Caitlin tried to explain.

Barry started laughing along with Felicity.

"Now you guys are ganging up on me! Ugh! Foods here Lissy, bye!" She said storming off taking the food with her into the living room.

"Aww Don't be like that Caity! Caity! Come back!" She laughed some more strainer her neck to see beyond the lap top. "She's gone, isn't she?"

"Goodbye, Felicity. I'm sure she will call you tomorrow when she has regained her thoughts."

"That's Caity for you. Goodbye, Barry!" She gave him a warm smile.

"Bye, Lis." Barry closed the lap top. He grabbed the trap of hot chocolate and carried it out to the coffee table in front of the TV.

Sitting down next to her, he placed a hand on her knee. "Cait?"

"I'm not talking to you."

"You just did."

"Ugh! Now I'm not talking to you. Starting… now."

He smirked, he wrapped his arms around her stomach, pulling her up onto his lap. Her arms still folded over her chest. His face nuzzled into her neck placing gentle, sweet kisses on the marks now open and visible to the both of them.

"I'm sorry." He said it with a smile, not really sorry at all. And she knew that.

"No, you're not."

"You are not very good at not talking to me." He chuckled into her neck.

She stiffened in realization. She huffed. Barry stifled his laugh by kissing her cheek.

"I haven't had a complaint yet."

"What?" Caitlin asked turning to him as he pulled away slightly.

"How good I am. I haven't had a complaint yet." He smirked, "I've actually had a few compliments."

She blushed. Yes, they have talked about sex before. But Barry had this effect on her. He flustered her normally calm and collected mind more than anybody ever has. She's usually composed and controlled but Barry Allen destroys all those barriers around her so quickly and efficiently like they were never there in the first place.

She smirks, gaining her wit back. "That's something I have to see for myself."

He let out a sexy grumble of a laugh. Not yet. It's not the time yet for them. They knew that. The fact that they could joke and tease each other about it already made them so comfortable with one another. "It'll be worth the wait." Barry looked into her deep brown eyes, falling in love all over again.

"I know." Caitlin's gaze matched his. A burning intensity; one they both feared and encouraged simmering deep within them. It would be so easy to just tip the scale and hope for the best. But they couldn't be tempted just yet. Soon, but not just yet.

They turned the movie on and watched while they ate. A few hours later and halfway into their partially ignored second movie, Barry and Caitlin had cuddled into the couch together. Barry's back was to the back of the couch, laying on his right. His arm wrapped around Caitlin's body as she tucked herself into his chest. Her head resting just below his chin. Her right hand was playing with his left. Fingers entwining and untwining in a playful dance. He placed gentle kisses in her hair as his fingers tickled her palm. She'd glance up at his peaceful expression, eyes closed and everything, as her fingers followed the lines on his palm.

Caitlin's eyes followed her fingers as she watched them trace the veins leading up his wrist to the blue 'C' bracelet still on his wrist. It was worn even though she noticed he still took great care in keeping it safe and cherished.

"Barr."

"Hmm." He hummed, not opening his eyes but pressing his face closer to her head, breathing in her scent. He was clearly very comfortable.

"Did you want to exchange bracelets now that we are back together?"

"Why would I?"

"Well the red one was originally yours and if you wanted it, I could–"

"Nah, I like my blue one. It's like I have a part of you wherever I go." He gave her a bright smiled when she turned her attention from the bracelet to him. He entwined their hands again, leaning down to kiss her nose.

"I like my red one too." She kissed his jaw before burrowing herself deeper into his chest.

Yes, life was very good right now.