Sorry about the long wait guys. Family took priority over this, and I'm still recovering from these past few weeks. But I have some good news though, I finally have this story back on course.

I would love to hear what you all think of this. The next chapter is finished and will be posted later this week. If you have any questions or confusion or anything, let me know and I'll try and clear that up.

I own nothing.

Enjoy!

Snowbarry!

Chapter 22

The loud insistent ringing of a phone broke Barry out of his focus. Smiling he easily pulled the phone out of his pocket.

"Hey Babe."

"Hey, how is Star City?" Her cheery voice resounded throughout his being warming him up inside.

"It's alright. Strange being here without you though. Oh! I ran into Laurel already here. She says 'Hi' by the way."

"Ugh. It sucks being here while you are there with my family. That's so not fair." Caitlin walked down the hallway in STAR Labs making her way to Cisco's workshop.

"Technically, you are in Central City with my family. So, I guess we are even." Barry teased back.

Her easy-going laugh filtered through his phone. "Speaking of, Henry called again."

"Did he say what he wanted?"

"No, just said that you need to call him back soon."

Caitlin could hear the long sigh on the other end of the phone even though he had pulled the phone away from him. "Barr, everything okay?" By now she had stopped walking the hallway, leaning against the wall.

"Yeah, don't worry about it."

There was a pause on Caitlin's end as she gave him some time to talk to her if he needed. "Okay. Anyway, I know I can't ask about the case but I was wonder– Oh! Sorry!"

Caitlin had just turned the corner and bumped into Jay. Her files and phone went flying out of her hands, "Jay! You startled me! I'm sorry I wasn't really paying attention." Barry could hear the conversation, but silently waited for Caitlin to return to their phone call.

"My apologies. Where are you heading for lunch?" Jay insistently added, watching her struggle for the fallen files. Glancing a look up at him, Caitlin quickly pulled the files to her chest. Her dress was modest but still showed her slim frame and cleavage, which Jay was all too welcoming to look at.

Feeling very uncomfortable she rushed out a swift reply. "Cisco's Workshop. We are working through lunch, unfortunately."

"Well then, maybe you would like me to take you out for dinner tonight to make out– ahem, make up for a lack of lunch?" Jay's grin was malicious and unwelcoming.

"No, thank you." She firmly stated, teeth grit and eyes sharp. "Just because Barry is out of town does not mean I will go out to dinner with you. Stop asking!"

Turning around she began to stop down the hall. Jay noticed her phone still on the ground. "Caitlin, you forgot your phone." He smirked as she made her way back to him. "Purposefully forgetting things to return to me?"

She snatched her phone. "You wish." She mumbled pulling the phone up to her ear, "Sorry Babe. Ran into an unwelcomed situation." She vaguely heard Jay growl behind her and she briskly walked down the hall quickly turning down the first corridor she came across.

"Cait? Cait. You okay? What happened?"

"Nothing. Just ran into Jay."

"Cait…"

"Nothing Barry. I'm fine. Just felt uncomfortable for a bit. But I'm heading to Cisco's Workshop now."

Barry opened his mouth to reply but saw Felicity waving her hands trying to get his attention from his peripheral vision. "Listen, I have to go. My superior here is calling for me." Barry rolled his eyes when Felicity pouted, "We will finish this conversation when I call you later. Love you."

"Love you." She mumbled ending the call.

"You okay?" Cisco stepped outside his workshop.

"Yep. C'mon let's finish ordering all this." Holding up the stack of files.

"I really don't like the fact he is still trying things with you Cait. I can talk to him when I get back, if you want?" Barry leaned forward into the screen of his lab top just a bit.

"No. Barry, it's fine. I work with him. So far, it's just talk. He hasn't tried anything and the moment he does I'll report him to Dr. Wells. But we may need him for the PA."

"Hmm." Barry grunted. He was lying on his stomach while skyping her. He was reading through another one of the reports, typing absentmindedly. She took most of his focus.

"Okay that's enough work. Put it away for the evening and I will too." Caitlin huffed pushing her documents on her side table as she changed positions to focus entirely on him. "How is rooming with the boys?"

"Delightful." Barry's deadpan expression resulted in Caitlin giggling. "It's okay. I don't understand why I couldn't just pay for my own hotel room."

"Or stayed with Ollie and Lissy? You know they have the room. Or, even better, crash at Queen Mansion?" Caitlin teased with a smile.

"Yeah, absolutely, but the department doesn't want to be held responsible if anything was to happen to us. So, they stuck us in a small, four bed, hotel room."

"At least you have your own room! Can you imagine if you had to share with everyone?" Caitlin laughed at Barry's obvious dislike of his temporary living arrangement. "How did you manage to get the only room away from others?"

"Eddie, actually. He figures he still owes me. He's trying get back on my good side so he gave me the only room while the other three have to share." Barry grinned, "You should have seen Julian's face when Eddie told him I got the separate bed!"

"Aww poor Julian." She laughed.

"Yeah, but since the others don't really know what happened between Eddie and I, they think it's because I'm in a new relationship."

"What does that mean?" The tilt in her head at the question has Barry smirking at her affectionately.

"It means, we are apparently in our honeymoon phase." Chuckling a bit as he recalled the earlier comment, "The boys said, 'We don't want to be around when you and your girl fool around over the phone.'"

"What?!" She burst into a fit of giggles, falling onto her side on the bed, holding her stomach in pain because of laughing so much. "That's the reason you got the separate room?"

"Yeah," He was still smiling, "but if you're willing to put on a show I wouldn't complain."

"Oh no! That's not something I've done since college and I had to ask a very uncomfortable Lissy to remove it from my lab top. Never doing that again."

"That's not fair." Barry frowned, finally sitting up just so he could cross his arms and pout.

"I'll tell you what, tomorrow night, eight o'clock. I'll wear something nice and we can have dinner via webcam? I'll even pretend you feeding me like the adorable dork you are." She gave him a dazzling smile.

"Something nice or something nice?" Barry wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

"Barry!"

"Alright, alright. I know. I just really miss you."

"I know you do. I miss you too. Now more than ever." She lifted a hand to push some hair behind her ear.

"You're beautiful. You know that, right?"

"You tell me enough."

"I should tell you more."

"I think you are quite handsome yourself." She threw him a wink and he laughed.

In the middle of his laugh, he fought to cover a yawn. Caitlin caught it quickly enough, "Are you tired?"

"Yeah, but I still want to talk to you."

"I know but get some sleep. We can talk tomorrow."

"Mmm. I love you."

"I know. I love you too baby. Now go to sleep."

"Cisco, I'm worried. He hasn't called me since breakfast this morning."

"He is probably just busy."

"Cisco, he would have called to tell me that! You know Barry! He calls for everything!"

Just then her phone rings, but Caitlin didn't recognize the number.

"Hello?"

"Hello. My name is Marnie, I'm a nurse at Star City General Hospital. I'm looking for Caitlin Snow.

Caitlin's heart dropped into her stomach. She trembled a reply, "This is she."

"Bartholomew Allen was found at the corner 4th and Thane with an arrow in his femoral artery. We are monitoring his condition but he lost a lot of blood."

"Is he okay? Is he–" She tried holding back her sobs.

"He's unconscious right now but we are hopeful he will wake up soon."

"Thank you. I'll be there as soon as I can."

"You're welcome." Marnie hung up the phone.

Caitlin fell to her knees in the middle of STAR Labs. Cisco panicked and made his way over to her immediately. "Caitlin? What happened?"

"Barry's been shot!" She rushed trying to get up. "I need to go to Star City!"

"Caitlin! Calm down. You can't go anywhere like this. You'll only get hurt."

"I can't lose him Cisco! Not when we just got together. We were finally happy!" She shovered her face into his shoulder as he pulled her closer.

"I know."

Felicity held her phone, waiting for Caitlin to call like she knew she would. She had hacked the hospital so she could know when they called Caitlin.

Oliver paced his way passed Felicity's chair. Guilt fell off him in waves. Barry had been doing him a favor by working the same case with him as the borrowed CSI from CCPD. He had sent Barry to check out the sight of the first crime scene while he and Thea checked the other two.

He didn't think The Archer would be present at the scene. How could Oliver get Barry involved with this? The Archer had used one of his arrows. A green one. He was being framed for shooting a cop. He could deal with the media hating him, the vigilante of Star City, but he couldn't deal with the guilt if Barry didn't make it. It would destroy Caitlin.

His Caitlin. Family, that he refused to get involved with all his hero business but resulted in the love of her life getting hurt.

She might not be able to get over this.

As if his thoughts had summoned her, Felicity's phone began to ring.

The startled blonde fumbled with her phone as it rang obnoxiously. She took a deep breath and exhaled. Pulling her very little acting abilities together she answered the call in a cheery voice.

"Hey, Caity!"

Oliver hurried his way towards his wide and Felicity switched her phone to speaker so Oliver could hear.

"Lissy," She sniffled into the phone, "I'm on a plane heading towards Star City now. Barry's been shot." Her released a shaky breath. "Can– Can you pleased go see how he is?"

"What?! Of course, dear. I'm heading out the door now. Have you called Oliver?" Felicity shot him a look as if to stay quiet.

"Yeah. It went to voicemail." Felicity knew Oliver couldn't face her. He couldn't hear her broken voice before consulting Felicity first. She would calm him down about the situation. He could remember staring at the phone as a picture of a smiling Caitlin clinging to an equally happy Oliver appeared on screen. Oliver had pushed the phone across the table and bowed his head.

"Oh. He… must be at work."

"Maybe. Thank you, Lis. I'll be there soon. I have to go, bye."

Caitlin had hung up before Felicity could respond with their usual 'Love you xoxo!'.

"Bye…" Felicity stood up and heading over to her coat.

"Felicity. I'm sorry." Oliver tried reaching out for her, but she quickly stepped away.

"I know you are. But I told you to leave Barry out of this. He was already too involved with the police and knowing your secret. But asking him to go there was too far Oliver." She shuffled into her jacket and made her way towards the exit of the Arrow Cave.

She stopped before the stairs. "You know what he means to Caity. You know how hurt she will be by all this. Danger or not."

Oliver bowed his head. Once he heard the door close above the staircase, once he knew he was alone, was when he allowed a few tears to fall.

He really messed up.

"Barry Allen." Caitlin rushed up to the counter.

"Name?" The woman replied glancing up at her.

"Caitlin Snow."

"Yes. We were told you would be coming. Your visitors pass is here. Sign this and you can go see him."

Caitlin rushed through her signature with shaky hands and unfocused eyes. For once, she let her doctor's precise and steady persona break away as she became a woman with her significant other in a dire situation.

Once she had the visitors pass clipped on her shirt the woman pointed down the hallway and Caitlin followed the directions quickly making her way to Barry's room. Peering into the room she overheard small talk.

"You need to stop moving." Felicity's voice was clear.

"I'm restless. And this position is uncomfortable." Caitlin could almost imagine the grumble look on Barry's face as he spoke.

"You were shot with an arrow? You think your stay here was going to be comfortable?"

"No. But they could at least give me more pudding."

"You are truly ridiculous, Barry." Felicity let out a short laugh.

"How is Oliver?" Barry asked after a moment's pause. Caitlin had begun getting ready to open the door when she heard Oliver's name.

"He is… coping. He feels guilty for sending you over there to check things out without any protection." She replied hesitantly.

"It's not his fault." Barry nodded in her direction. "He knows that right?"

"It'll take some time."

"And Cait?" Barry was reluctant to ask.

"She's on her way. Should be here soon." Felicity gave him a gentle smile. He couldn't help but smile back.

Caitlin shook her head of all the questions and hurried inside. Both heads snapped up at her entrance.

"Barry." She breathed, happy to see him again.

Opening his arms wide he couldn't help but laugh, "There's my girl!" He winced only slightly when he lifted his shoulder.

She swiftly made her way to him and into his awaiting arms.

Felicity stood up to give them space. Sitting on the side of his bed cautious not to cause him any pain, Caitlin turned to Felicity, "You don't have to go Lissy."

"No. You guys should have some time alone. Besides I've had to pee for the past half hour!" Felicity quickly rushed out.

Shaking her head, Caitlin turned her attention back to Barry. "I was really worried about you."

"I know. C'mere." He pulled her closer, shuffling to the side, wincing slightly. His left shoulder and his right leg the injured areas were all still very tender and it hurt moving but being close to Caitlin made everything better.

"What happened?"

"Just a misstep with the case. You didn't have to come all the way to Star City, Cait. I'll be out in a day or two."

"I had to come see you. Make sure you were taken care of. I'm your girlfriend now, Barr. I'm allowed to be overprotective." She kissed his lips, lingering a second longer. "Why didn't you take Eddie with you?"

"He– ah, didn't know. I went there by myself." Barry tried keeping his answer vague.

"But why? You could have gotten killed. Why would you risk it?"

"I just had to." Barry looked away for a moment trying to compose himself. "Look, I don't want to fight. I'm hurt and I need my doctor to heal me." He nuzzled into her.

"You're a clever jerk, Barry Allen." Pulling him closer to her body, she finally was able to breathe.

He smirked and kissed her shoulder, then rested his head there. Her fingers weaved through his hair calming him. He knew he had to tell her the truth eventually. But right now, he was happy just being in her arms again.

After Barry was released from the hospital the next day, Caitlin demanded that he stay at the Queen Mansion with her. She was worried about him and had vowed to take care of him.

"Barry, you need to rest. Your wounds are still healing." Caitlin reprimanded him as he tried to reach for his forensic kit again.

"C'mon Cait," Barry complained falling back on the bed, "I can still help the police. We still need to catch this guy."

"You can do that tomorrow. Today you are resting." She didn't even look up from her laptop. Her fingers flying furiously across her keyboard. She still had tons of work to get done for Dr. Wells. She barely had time to tell him about Barry being in the hospital before catching the earliest flight to Star City. He had understood, Barry was important to her, he told her she could just email him the analysis report periodically.

She heard Barry let out a loud, exasperated, clearly annoyed sigh.

"Barry…" She turned around in her chair at her desk, "Can you just not complain about being in bed? Some of us still have work to do."

"It would be more comfortable if you were in bed with me." He teased, trying to coax a smile out of her.

He did. She smiled and let out a small giggle when he started wiggling his eyebrows in a supposedly seductive way but ended up looking like a constant twitch from her view.

"Nope. You are still injured. Maybe when you are healed up a bit." She returned to her work, small smile still on her face. Just talking with Barry made her day better and work a little easier.

"How about a quick nap then? You can get back to work after that. Maybe we can even talk Oliver and Felicity into stopping by." He opened his arms wide when she turned around again.

Her bottom lip was being chewed between her teeth as she contemplated the offer. "Okay. Only a quick nap. I do have work to get done."

"YES!" Barry cheered throwing his hands in the air still reaching for her.

Caitlin saved her work and closed her laptop before quickly making her way over to her side of the bed. Curling underneath the covers and into Barry's awaiting arms, Caitlin felt a sense of peace wash over her.

"I'm glad your wounds aren't serious." She whispered into his collarbone.

"I'm fine, Cait."

"I know. But I still worry." She looked up at him, kissing his jaw where stubble had begun to grow. "I will always worry."

"You don't need to though. I'm always going to come back to you." Pulling her into a kiss, both filled with passion and lingering fear, they held each other close. "I'm not going anywhere."

"I love you." Caitlin whispered into his lips.

"I love you too."

The couple continued to whisper their little confessions of love and promise into each other's skin along with kisses and gentle caresses of hands. Caitlin knew the wounds weren't as serious as they could have been. Barry knew that he had to continue with this case and he knew that it would only get more dangerous. He hoped that he could keep that promise to Caitlin, that he would return to her always.

After their quick nap, Felicity had called asking for Caitlin to go to the mall with her for some girl time. Giving the guys a chance to talk and hang out. Caitlin, unknowing of their ulterior motives, agreed after asking Barry if he would be alright without her for a while.

Both Felicity and Caitlin had spent about two hours walking around the shopping district. Felicity could see the tension leaving Caitlin's shoulders as they talked about trivial things. It's just what the both needed, aimless girl talk.

"So, have you talked to Oliver? About starting a family?" Caitlin asked as she buckled her seat belt in the back of the car. It was always a nice thing being a part of one of the most important families in Star City, they had people drive them places.

Felicity was caught off guard by the question, she honestly hasn't thought about it with all the trouble they have been having with this masked Archer. "No, actually. I haven't had the time, we haven't had the time. Oliver's been… busy."

"Oh. Well are you protected?"

Felicity sputtered at Caitlin question. "Uh… I-I'm married? I don't exactly have to be protected."

"No! No, that's not what I meant, Lissy!" Caitlin laughed as she tried to explain. Felicity's panic shocked faced was just too adorable and funny. "I' meant with this 'Arrow Guy' terrorizing the city. Oliver should have more guards around to keep you safe, just in case."

"Oh. Oh. I was–" Felicity started laughing along with Caitlin. "I was going to say. I don't exactly need to be safe in that department. But I am safe in the life department. Oliver takes really good care of me."

"Good." Caitlin gave her a broad smile. "I'm glad–"

And then the explosion happened. Their car flipped onto its side as it began its tumble down the nearby hillside. Felicity and Caitlin screamed as the car rolled off the road. The windows shattered leaving small cuts on their skin. Felicity hit her head against the door on her side as the car was thrown side to side down the hill. Caitlin's shoulder was bruised and bleeding but she couldn't assess any other damage. The car had landed upright.

Caitlin fumbled to unbuckle her seat belt. Her ears were still ringing and she could barely process Felicity frantically calling her name.

"Caitlin?" Her voice was finally clearing up, breaking through the haze. "Caitlin? You okay?"

"Yeah. I think so." She wasn't too sure herself but she thought she was. "You're bleeding!"

"So are you." Felicity quipped back trying to keep things light. "We have to call Oliver."

Felicity struggled to unbuckle herself. "It's stuck."

Just then the door on Caitlin's side was ripped off and thrown to the side. Caitlin scream startled by the man appearing so close to her. He wore black and had a bow on his back. Caitlin shuffled closer to Felicity and away from the Archer. Felicity gripped her arm tightly.

Easily, the man pulled Caitlin out of the car by her arm. Caitlin screaming in fear as he held her by her throat. His voice was muffled by a mask. "What would hurt him more? The one who knows too much or the one who knows nothing at all?"

"Leave her alone!" Felicity yelled struggling against her restrained seat belt.

"I think I'll take the one who knows nothing." He pulled out a syringe and dug it into Caitlin's neck. She quickly fell limp into his arms. Picking her up he carried her to the car a distance away from the crash. Felicity's distant call for Caitlin heard as the Archer drove away.

"Caity!" Felicity cried, digging her nails into the metal as she heard the familiar sound of a motorcycle heading her way. "Oliver!"

"Felicity! Caity!" Oliver jumped off the bike, his Green Arrow attire already on. Oliver rushed over to the open door.

"Ollie." Felicity reached for him and he quickly cut the seat belt keeping her in place. He pulled her out of the car setting her on the ground with him crouching right next to her. "He took her. He took Caity. I couldn't stop him!" She cried into his shoulder pad.

Oliver pulled her closer to him. His hand rubbed her back comforting. "This isn't your fault. We'll get her back."

Oliver wasn't playing a game anymore. Hurting his city was one thing. Hurting his family was another. Oliver wasn't going to stand for that anymore.