A/N: Sorry its late. I had an emergency family situation. But am already working on the next chapter.

Some reviewers have asked and I shall now try to clear up some confusion. The original story idea I had, it had no possible idea of Barry becoming the Flash or Caitlin becoming Killer Frost. They were just ordinary people. But I liked writing in the Arrow gang, and I can't really see them as characters outside of Team Arrow since I have never watched the show thoroughly. But since those original notes for the story ended a good bit ago I decided to just wing it and see where it goes. And that is where I'm at right now. Yay! I already have the end written, just need to get it there. I don't want to spoil the end…. that's no fun. But I will say that they will not have their powers in this story. (I'll leave it at that!)

Any other questions, please PM me. I'm not a huge fan of explaining things over Author Note. I'd still be happy to answer any if I can without ruining the story!

I own nothing.

As always, thank you for reading and let me know what you think!

Enjoy! :)

Chapter 21

"And we are home. Finally!" Caitlin announced opening her apartment door and setting her luggage down. "Ugh. Next time, remind me not to pack so much. I still have all the essentials there."

Barry let out a laugh as he closed the door behind him, throwing his keys back into his pockets. "I will, but you'll still end up packing too much, and I will still end up carrying it most of the way."

"But you love me." She smiled making her way over to him.

"That makes it bearable." He grinned pulling her in for a quick kiss. "I should get going. I need to go home and unpack myself."

"You know, you can stay the night… tonight, if you want. I mean… it's already late and studies show that more accidents are likely to happen to those that drive at night." Caitlin mumbled trying to convince him to stay.

"Hey," He lifted her chin, giving her a gentle smile, "You really don't need to convince me to stay at my girlfriend's place."

"Mmm… I'm beginning to like that word." Pulling him down for a long hard kiss that quickly began to heat up. Her hands slipped under his shirt, caressing the expanse of taut muscles he was always self-conscious to show. Biting just a little harder on his lower lip caused him to groan into her mouth. She easily slipped her tongue inside exploring and tasting all of Barry that she could. They've kissed before, but this felt new. Everything was hotter, more intense.

Barry's hands roamed the familiar curves of her body, swiftly sliding down her hips to her thighs only to lift her into his arms. Her legs wound around his waist as he gently shoved her against the wall in her living room. His tongue battling with hers for a dominance neither one truly wanted over the other. Her hands slid up his torso and into his hair. Scratching his scalp in a comforting and caring way that she knew he loved. Caitlin practically purred in his arms when his hips nudged hers just a bit harder than normal.

When the need for air became too much Barry broke the kiss to simply bask in Caitlin presence for a moment. Her heavy pants a clear indication of his effect on her. He dipped his head down her throat nipping at her chin, jaw, neck before returning to her lips. His kisses were gentle as she mewled in response, arching her back, craving more of him… all of him.

"Bedroom." She moaned into his mouth.

Caitlin wrapped her legs tighter around his waist as he hoisted her into his arms and carried her into her bedroom.

As the bedroom door closed behind them Caitlin quickly managed to remove his shirt while still in his arms. She continued on her way, placing strategic kisses along ever beauty mark she came across until he set her on the bed. Lifting her arms, she helped him remove her top.

Standing up she slipped off her pants in an effort to quicken the pace.

Barry stood there, frozen in the moment, taking in her complete beauty. Lifting his hand to caress her face, his thumb running along her bottom lip releasing it from her teeth's hold. "You are simply amazing."

Leaning his forehead on hers, he rubbed his nose along hers, closing his eyes in bliss. This moment was a dream come true for them. Both able to love each other the way they always wanted. The way they always needed.

Caitlin snaked her hands down to undo his jeans. The unwanted clothes fell to the floor with the other useless materials. With only minimal clothing between them they could easily feel each other's want for one another skyrocket as he pushed Caitlin onto the bed.

Crawling up her body fingertips barely brushing skin she squirmed and giggled. The sexual tension still present between them, was able to be broken by laughs and a simple love caress. Her fingers played with the hair at the back of his neck. Humming quietly as he kissed down the crevice of her chest. Raking her nails down his back in pleasure. With his chin resting on her stomach he looked up at her. "You're so beautiful."

She smiled at the sweet and tenderness he always treated her with. "I know." He kissed his way back up to her neck.

"Maybe we should at least wait for the first date to pass?" Barry barely managed to mumble into her neck. She only dug her nails into his bare back as a response.

"I don't want to wait anymore. I love you." She captured his lips again in a searing kiss, pulling away briefly to look into his eyes. "You love me?"

"I do. I love you. So much." He answered, caressing her face with the pads of his thumbs.

"Then make love to me." Caitlin whispered, her eyes half-lidding but full of passion.

Barry gave her a warm smile as he removed the last bit of clothing between them. And he showed her just how much he loved her.

Caitlin was the first to wake up the next morning. Stretching out with a quiet groan she turned to Barry. His left arm was stretched out above his head, like usual when he slept on his back. His right hand resting on his stomach, fingers splayed out. The blanket covered everything below his waist. Caitlin took a moment to appreciate the peacefulness he had on his face.

He was handsome. He didn't think he was, but Caitlin told him of all the women that looked his way when he walked into the room. He was charming, optimistic, and wore his heart on his sleeve. Caitlin wasn't a jealous person, she was confident and independent. She knew what she wanted, and she knew Barry was hers. She didn't have to worry about him even looking at another woman.

She was his, and he was hers.

It was simple. And it made Caitlin smile as she brushed her fingers across his cheekbones. He twitched his nose as he shuffled closer towards her, mumbling something incoherent.

She couldn't remove the smile from her face even if she wanted to. Leaning over she placed a short chaste kiss on his lips. Lingering over his lips for a second before starting to pull away. His arm was quick to pull her back to him.

A giggle escaped her lips as he pulled her on top of him, kissing her deeper than she had originally intended.

"Barry!"

"That's one way to wake up." He mumbled blinking slowly as sleep left his body and mind.

"It's not really any different than how you normally wake up at my apartment." She pulled away to give him a questioning smile.

"A world of difference, Cait." His voice was still rough with sleep and Caitlin shivered slightly at what it did to her.

Feeling her shiver, Barry pulled her closer to his body and pulled the covers up to cover her, thinking she was cold.

Caitlin let out a short laugh at his sweetness, always thinking of her before himself. She rested her head on his chest as he rubbed her back. "Barry."

"Hmm?"

"I love you."

"I love you too."

Smiling she allowed herself a moment to just bask in his warmth.

"Barry."

"Yes?"

"I need coffee."

Barry let out a loud laugh.

Caitlin frowned briefly when she noticed he didn't let her go. "Barry, I'm being serious."

"I know. That's why I'm laughing. You're adorable in every way."

"Shut up!" She pushed his face down into the pillow. Shuffling off him as he laughed. Caitlin held the sheet to her as she sat up. Barry's hand grazed her back, following every indent in her spine.

"Sure you don't want to stay?" He asked, rolling onto his side to look at her.

"We don't have time to stay. We both have work today. And we have to unpack since someone got a little distracted last night." She teased at him.

"Well if someone wasn't so distracting, I wouldn't have gotten distracted." He teased back.

"C'mon, Barr. Get up. Get through today, then we can come home and cuddle all you want."

"I was actually thinking of inviting you over to my place for dinner." Barry asked finally sitting up.

"I'm not really in the mood for take-out Barr." She winked at him.

"I meant cook you dinner. A celebratory dinner, for us finally being together as a couple, officially." He leaned over to kiss her shoulder, wrapping his arm around her. "Please, Cait?"

"Yes. Sounds good." She leaned over to kiss his lips. "Which gives me even more reason to get up now so I can unpack, shower, get ready for work…" She trailed off kissing him again.

"Why haven't you gotten out of bed yet?" He asked teasing her.

"Because you are being distracting again!" She wined finally throwing her legs off the bed and getting up. "I'm taking a shower."

"I'd offer to come with you but I might be too distracting!" He yelled out after she already closed the door to her bathroom.

"Go make me coffee!" A muffled Caitlin cried back. Barry let out a laugh as he heard the shower being turned on.

He shuffled out of bed, and threw on his pants from the day before knowing he was going to shower next. He made his way to Caitlin's kitchen to fulfil Caitlin's request for coffee.

After a few minutes of brewing the coffee and pouring a mug for her and himself he turned around to see Caitlin in a fluffy white robe quickly tying her messy, wet hair into a bun heading straight for one of the mugs.

"You are simply amazing!" She quickly pulled Barry down into a quick kiss before releasing him and sipping her coffee with a blissful expression spreading across her face.

Barry couldn't help but let out a short laugh at her silliness before heading to shower himself. He opened the drawer he kept things in at her place and found some neatly folded clothes. Pulled out something nice for work and headed forward through his morning routine.

After such an amazing weekend together, the new couple found it hard to separate for work but eventually did. But only after minutes of making out by her car door and many, many promises of seeing each other after work.

It's been around six months since Caitlin moved back to Central City. She was asked to come work at STAR Labs specifically for the Particle Accelerator which was supposed to be operational in a year but they were severely behind schedule. Dr. Wells insisted on doing every possible check he could to make sure everything went according to plan.

So, the date has been pushed back again. They are doing analysis runs which takes up a lot of Caitlin's time while she is at work, but she is told that soon hopefully within the next few months they will begin building the PA.

Caitlin arrived to work, smile spread far across her face and a bounce in her step. She was just so happy.

"Ooooh someone is happy. Wanna tell ol' Cisco why you are in such a good mood on a Monday?" Cisco said from his chair by the computers.

"Well… if you must know, Barry and I are officially a couple!" Caitlin couldn't help but spin as Cisco attacked her with a hug.

"I'm so happy for you guys. This is like… a dream come true! For him and me!" He exclaimed wiping a fake tear from his eye.

Jay and Hartley walked in at that moment bickering about something when they saw the over-joyed friends.

"What's going on?" Jay asked, a bit of sourness in his tone from Hartley's previous discussion. He hadn't really talked with Caitlin since the night at the bar. He still stared at her from across the room and still tried asking her out when he could get her alone. But Caitlin made it strictly a professional relationship between them. Co-workers and nothing more.

"I mean– And they are– Excelente, Hermana!" Cisco squealed far too excited as their mutual best friend.

"In English." Hartley said looking at Caitlin.

She gave him a sweet smile. Hartley may be rotten to everyone but he was civil to Caitlin and she had a sort of soft spot for him over time. "He's happy because Barry and I are finally together, officially."

"That's hardly worth the screaming. But congratulations." Hartley said in his snarky tone, stepping forward to give Caitlin a quick hug.

Jay on the other hand was seething. He grit his teeth and gave her a painfully forced smile. "Yes, congrats."

He swiftly stepped out of the room.

"So, how did it happen?" Cisco rushed to get details, "No, let me guess. Flowers. No. Dinner?"

Caitlin laughed, the smile never leaving her face. "No, Cisco. We were cuddling in bed when he asked me. It was simple and perfect."

"I'm really happy for you guys. Barry used to tell me about how he would ask you out when he saw you again. But now it's real!" Cisco explained his excitement for his friends.

"I'm happy, Cisco. I really am. Barry competes me in ways I didn't know I was incomplete." Caitlin held her hand up to her heart. "He is it for me."

Cisco was their biggest fan. "I totally call dibs as the best man."

Caitlin laughed at her friend. "You do have the title of best friend for a reason."

"Caitlin, you were his friend far before I came into the picture."

"Yes, but Cisco he's my boyfriend." Her smile widened at the word. "I'm pretty sure I can't be both a bride and a best man–woman. Not saying that we are getting married! We just got together! That's still very far off."

"You two are literally meant to be together. I don't think anything could break you up now that you guys are together, officially." Cisco threw his arm around Caitlin's shoulder. "So tell me… have you thought of a color yet?"

"Cisco!"

"Flowers?"

"No!" She let out a melodious laugh.

"C'mon girl! Tell me details. Just imagine it a little."

Shaking her head as he leads her into the STAR Labs hallway, "I like red."

"Red?"

"Barry always looks good in red."

"Hmm. I think I could work with that."

The two were laughing when they passed Jay again in the hallway. He walked towards them peering over them almost threatening. Caitlin took an immediate step back and Cisco slipped a step between the two cover Caitlin from Jay's view slightly.

"Congratulations Caitlin. I hope he treats you well." He gave her a charming smile, ignoring Cisco entirely.

With narrowed eyes, she gave a hesitant thank you.

The trio stared at each other for a minute. Jays eyes leering all over Caitlin's body. Cisco did his best to shield her from him but Jay simply pushed him out of the way with one hand. Caitlin stepped backwards until her back hit the wall and Jay's face appeared before hers.

"It's surprising you would give him a chance but you wouldn't give me one. I could satisfy you in ways he can't." Jay's nose grazed her cheek as he spoke in her ear.

Caitlin felt the smallest inkling of fear when she met his eyes. A hungry, predatory look appeared in his eye. She placed a hand on his chest pushing him away from her face.

"Trust me. Barry is far more satisfying than you or anyone else could ever be."

She rushed around him and sped off towards the door to her lab.

Cisco stood there glaring at Jay. "Dude. You need to leave her be. And never touch me like that again. You already piss off Hartley on a daily basis, but piss off Caitlin and me." He scoffed, "You'll be hearing from Dr. Wells real soon. Better watch yourself Garrick." Cisco followed Caitlin's path down the hallway.

Jay seethed. He was officially obsessed with Caitlin. He thought about her all the time. Craved to touch her bare skin. With his obsession over Caitlin came a burning hatred for her lover, Barry Allen.

It only meant danger for Caitlin and Barry.

Barry had walked into work with a wide smile on his face and a skip in his step. He was so excited about his new relationship with Caitlin he wouldn't let anyone ruin his day. His mind was already running around for ideas for the evening. A dinner with Caitlin at his apartment. Sure, they have had dinner at his place plenty of times, and she stayed over frequently afterwards but not nearly as many nights he has stayed at Caitlin's apartment.

Joe registered Barry's broad smile as he walked off the elevator. Making his way over to the young man he couldn't help but adapt the positive vibe Barry was giving off that morning. "Should I ask why you are in such a good mood and on time?"

Barry chuckled before responding. "Caitlin. She is never late for anything. Guess she is rubbing off on me."

"Okay, but that doesn't explain the happy grin plastered on your face. What happened this past weekend?" Joe crossed his arms.

"Cait and I finally made it official. She's my girlfriend." Barry excitedly explained.

"Wow. Barry that's great!" Joe pulled him into a quick hug. "This is a big deal. You've been waiting for her for a long time. And now she's finally yours. Congratulations."

"Thanks Joe–"

"Where is Allen?" Captain Singh yelled from his office.

"Probably should get in there."

"Yeah, but I'm on time. What could he possible need me for?" Barry sighed. "I'll see you later."

Barry made his way into his boss's office. "You wanted to see me?"

"Allen, good. You and Julian are going to be heading over to Star City briefly to help with a case. Should only be gone a few days, a week max."

"Alright. I'm surprised they need both of us." Barry replied trying to not let the news affect his positive day.

"Well their CSI are the problem. Three of them were found dead at a previous crime scene. You'll be investigating the situation." Captain Singh handed Barry a file. "Julian has more information if you need any. You'll leave Wednesday."

Barry nodded in response before making his way towards his lab.

"Hey Julian." Barry greeted absentmindedly looking through the file in his hand.

"Allen. You hear about the Star City case?"

Barry held up the file in hand. "Yeah just received it."

"Didn't you just get back from Star City?"

"Yeah, Cait and I went to visit her family. I got to meet Moira Queen, and she is intimidating."

"How is Caitlin? You haven't brought her by in a while."

"Great actually. We made it official while in Star City."

"Will she be joining us on our little excursion?"

"No. Absolutely not. If we are going inti a dangerous situation, I don't want her anywhere near it."

"But she does know the area. Maybe she could work as a consultant."

"No." Barry tried to reel in the anger and fear that spiked briefly inside him when he thought of Caitlin put in a dangerous situation. "But her family does live there; I'm sure they could help."

Barry hadn't thought much about what he said until Julian had commented on it later that day. He didn't know if Oliver would be willing to help him, in or out of the suit. He was a vigilante and didn't work well with the SCPD, why would he work with Barry and the CCPD? Even if he was now in on their little secret and in a relationship with his sister.

Barry sighed as his day went from amazing to less amazing. He knew he would have to call Oliver sometime soon. That was a conversation he was not looking forward to.

After spending and extra hour and a half of his normal work day struggling through some cases, Barry began shuffling his things together. His phone vibrated on his desk. Smiling a bit at the thought of Caitlin texting him about tonight he eagerly reached for the phone.

Hey man. Some stuff happened at STAR Labs today. Just letting you know Catlin might be a bit off. -Cisco

Confused and worried, Barry rushed a reply, begging for more information.

What happened? -Barry

Jay confronted her about your new relationship. -Cisco

Congrats by the way! :) -Cisco

Anger burned within Barry. He didn't care if Jay messed with him but he wanted– needed to protect Caitlin from anything and everything he could. An obsessed man being one of the things he could protect her from.

Thanks for letting me know. I'll handle it. And thanks! It truly is great to finally be together with her! -Barry

Don't go crazy man. Caitlin won't like you hurt again. -Cisco

Barry shoved his phone into his jacket pocket as he made his way out of his lab. Eagar to be home with Caitlin. Barry made his way down the stairs leading to the elevators when he was stopped by a familiar blonde.

"Barry!" Eddie called for his attention.

Barry felt an anger burning within him already because of Jay and his sick, twisted obsession of Caitlin. He really didn't want to deal with Eddie adding to the flame.

"Eddie."

"Captain wanted me to give you these updates on the Star City case. They just came in." Eddie handed a file over the CSI, "Barr, listen I don't want to be on bad terms with you anymore. Especially if we are both working together on the Star City case."

"You're going too?" His brows rose in surprise. "I thought they just needed CSI?"

"Nope. They are borrowing a few of our officers as well. Thomas, Calvin and I are all going." Eddie replied.

"Mhm." Barry mumbled shuffling through some papers from the file. Glancing up at Eddie through his lashes he tried to keep the bitterness from his voice when he replied. "Okay, well I'll think about it. You did sleep with my girlfriend."

"I know. And I can't apologize enough for it." Eddie sighed, his shoulders slumping. "We are both really sorry. We feel awful about how things went down."

"You should." Barry grumbled, slipping the file into his bag. "But Caitlin's been a big help on getting over that betrayal. Like I said, I will think about it."

He nodded his head in Eddie's direction before heading into the open elevator and making his way back to his apartment. He sighed leaning his head back against the wall of the elevator. This day has been stressful and he needed Caitlin. This day has been too hectic for him to handle.

When Caitlin knocked on his apartment door, Barry opened it with a grin and oven mitts on.

Caitlin immediately began to laugh. "Barry, you look adorable with oven mitts on!"

She eagerly jumped into his open arms. Kissing his cheek, she leaned away to wipe away the lingering lipstick left there.

"That's why I am wearing them." He gave her a cheesy grin before closing the door behind her and making his way back into the kitchen.

"So, what is the special dinner?"

"Nothing too special actually. Plans fell through because of a rough day. Ended up working over so I threw together quick spaghetti. Cliché, I know. But I also have those breadsticks you like."

"Spaghetti is cliché but I love it," She peered over his shoulder as he checked the breadsticks, "and I love you. So, it doesn't really matter what we eat."

"You are buttering me up for something." Barry muttered, "Should I be worried?"

"No! No, of course not." Caitlin rushed trying to find the words to tell him about what happened earlier with Jay. She threw her coat onto the coatrack and sat down at the table. Her elbows were resting on the polished wood as she folded her hands together, resting her chin on top of them.

Barry placed two plates of spaghetti and some breadsticks on the table in front of them before mirroring her position. He stared at her with a blank face for a short while, waiting for her to tell him what happened today.

She sighed, unraveling her hands, "Cisco already told you, didn't he?"

Barry silently nodded his head, moving his hands and lacing one on top of hers. "He told me something happened but didn't tell me what. Are you okay? Did he say something? You can tell me, Cait. That's why I'm here." He rubbed soothing circles into her skin.

"He just said a smart comment about you satisfying me and how he could satisfy me so much better, which is bullshit because nothing could possibly be better than what happened last night." Caitlin explained finally releasing all her pent-up emotions.

"I could think of one thing."

Caitlin's head snapped up at his response. Furrowing her eyebrows, she tilted her head a tiny bit to the right, silently asking for him to elaborate.

"A repeat performance tonight." Barry smiled gently at her, squeezing her hand before digging into his pasta.

Caitlin blinked at him before returning his smile with a mischievous one of her own. "When did you become so suave?"

"Honestly… I have no idea. I suppose when you agreed to be my girlfriend." He let out a laugh before turning serious again. "Cait, don't let him get to you. He is just jealous. If things continue tell me and I will talk to him."

"I will." Caitlin promised.

The two enjoyed a bit of banter while they finished eating their meal. They talked about their days at work and how their colleagues reacted to their relationship. Caitlin told Barry about Hartley and Dr. Wells' approval and Cisco's over-enthusiastic reaction. Barry laughed at that.

In turn, he told her about Joe's congratulations and Julian's annoying remarks. Caitlin smiled at her boyfriend's expression as he talked about Julian. It was common knowledge that the two CSI didn't get along, until Caitlin started visiting the precinct. Usually dropping him off a coffee, she had grown a sweet friendship with the other CSI. Julian had taken an immediate liking to her, but Barry had made it perfectly clear that she was unavailable and Julian had close to zero chances with Caitlin.

But because of Caitlin's influence the two men had silently agreed to be civil with one another, on her behalf. Barry had even slipped once before and called him a friend, which had resulted in the two CSI staring at each other awkwardly before rushing back to their designated cases.

"He clearly misses you stopping by the precinct."

"I know. Things have just been busy at STAR Labs. We have just started work on building the Particle Accelerator. It's a busy time. Hopefully we plan on having it built in a year. Dr. Wells is confident in his calculations. But we still need to run extra precautions just in case. Things have just been busy at work. Tell him I'm sorry and I'll bring coffee for you two later this week."

This reminded Barry of his out-of-town Star City case he had yet to tell Caitlin about.

"Yeah, so Captain Singh wants me to work on a case out of town. Julian is coming along too. Apparently, some officers and CSI in Star City have been killed and they need a little help to run the case."

"Star City? Laurel didn't say anything about the SCPD being down members. She always used to tell us when her father was having trouble with the department." Caitlin furrowed her brows in thought. They have been hiding an awful lot from me lately.

"I'm sure she has just been busy. She did say her and Tommy have been talking about the next step in their lives." He rubs her hand comforting. He hates lying to her. But he promised Oliver. It is his secret to tell, not Barry's.

"I know. Okay, when do you leave?"

"Two days."

"When do get back?"

"I don't know. Singh said a week maybe more. Shouldn't be too long. But they need our help."

"Alright. Say hi to Oliver and Company if you see any of them." She replied a little sad that he was leaving for so long but he would be back soon.

"I will be back before you know it." Barry picked up their dishes as Caitlin refilled their wine glasses.

Curling up on the couch, Caitlin cuddled into his warm body. "I'm going to miss being able to cuddle into you every night."

His only reply was to pull her closer. He placed a sweet kiss on the side of her head. "Don't worry, I have people in Star City now to watch my back." He added a teasing tone to ease her mind.

"You'll call them if you need any help? Or call me and I'll call them. Lissy is smart maybe she can help you guys?"

"We shouldn't get civilians involved in serious matters. But yes, if I think they can help, I will call them." He gave her a reassuring smile.

"Good." She nodded before kissing his cheek and resting her head back on his chest. Content to just stay there with him for a while.

…

Barry swished the remaining wine in his glass around a few more times before downing the rest of the glass. Caitlin was curled into his lap. She had fallen asleep early into the movie they started. He was content to just hold her as his thoughts swarmed him.

He thought about Eddie's suggestion to put the past behind them. A part of him wanted just that. He was starting a new chapter in his life with Caitlin and he didn't want the past to have any influence on this new relationship. He admits forming a friendship with Eddie was very convenient for work. It gave Barry someone his age to talk to, someone he could talk to about his relationship problems or snag a beer with after work. He liked the friendship he had with Eddie but he wasn't sure he could go back to the way things were before the pain of betrayal.

Barry decided that he would see how things went in Star City before telling Caitlin about Eddie's suggestion to be friends again.

Looking down at the woman in his arms. A smile itched its way onto his face. He could finally love her the way he always wanted. Just thinking about Caitlin during the day made him smile, a warm sensation spreading throughout his body when she smiled at him.

Gently lifting her off the couch, he silently stepped his way through his apartment towards his bedroom. He placed her on his bed, tucking her in with warm sheets. She mumbled incoherently as her fingers curled around his shirt sleeve. He smiled, prying her fingers away from him, he kissed her forehead.

Barry changed into comfy clothes before slipping into the bed next to her.

"Barry."

"I'm here Cait. Go to sleep." He placed little kisses on her cheek, neck, and shoulder as he wrapped his arms around her from behind.