A Change of Heart

Chapter 2: A Strange Encounter

After I popped the question, (not that kind of question) Barry's friend here summed up everything nerd style while having to use his drawing board as his main companion. I almost cut it quite close here with the transmogrifier, but thankfully I got it down in time. But before, I could do some sneaking in, there was unfortunately surveillance work that was required.

"Sorry I'm late! I love what you've done with the place." Barry said in the mic. Yet again, the Flash saved the day at Jitters from the supposedly dumb criminal I remember facing back all those years ago. At least Ray had some purpose in the future since thankfully this nanite microphone I put on him was gonna be useful for something. From what I heard in these last couple minutes, he's gonna find Oliver's mask in Lian Yu or something so he'll be out of the way for now.

A Few Hours Later
Whoosh!! When I first heard that a picture is a thousand words, I really didn't believe it back then. But upon quitely entering this mess, I was clearly mistaken since my feet were met with a cold, relaxing sensation of the smooth brown floor. The snowy white sofas, the seemingly innocent staircase, to even the greasy, mucky kitchen utensils, and especially Barry and Iris looking like the world was theirs in that peaceful picture frame. Maybe I was wrong since the apartment was appealing after all this time. But why is he always with her? What even makes her that special that she could have the entire world with their eyes on her? If only I could tell him about how others mattered, about how Caitlin..... Ahhh, he never listens anyways so clearly it was better to show him.

"Barry", she said calmly in the fireplace, "I have to do this. I need to find out about this group, about Black Hole before they try to cause more damage." Phasing before she caught a fleeting glimpse, my feet picked up the pace shortly after. After what seemed like an eternity, the shady Black Hole office loomed in front of me. What I saw next was quite a surprise actually since there was a mirror room and boy oh boy, I had quite a history with them. If there was any perfect opportunity to strike, it was now. Slowly, I went step by step towards her with each step counting more than the last.

"Iris!!! Surprise!" I chuckled.
"Ahhh!!" she screamed.  But she didn't shout because of me. My reverse-flashed hand was even closer than ever to come in contact, and yet sliver, reflective hands managed to claw their way to the surface and pulled her inside.

Caitlin's POV (Flashforwarded a few weeks):
Barry's been acting quite differently lately ever since the Speed Force died and Nash became possessed by Thawne. I understand that he only tried to help me and Frost with Sunshine, but he shouldn't be wasting his time trying to save others when he's in an unstable condition. He could hurt himself anytime, anywhere now that his speed healing is low, but he never listens does he.

"Cait", Barry spoke calmly. The smooth, caring tone of that word seemed to match the kind of personality that he radiates, something that I find quite..... "I'm really sorry for putting you in danger after my behavior out there. Are we gonna be okay?"

"Yeah, don't worry Barry, we are. I forgive you." The grin on his face told me everything that I needed to know; he was fine and it was like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders as soon that cute smile came to view.

"Cute huh, Caity?? You still care about him after all this time?" Frost chimed in my sea of thoughts.

"I guess some things never do change, do they?"

"I'm glad to hear that by the way"

Thinking that he was responding to my remark, I blurted, "What??"

"For you forgiving me of course. Anyways, I'm gonna head back to the apartment. Today was pretty rough considering we just performed an exorcism."

"See ya!" Vroom!!! The car ride back to the apartment was the same as always, decent, boring, monotonous, and quite lonely. "Frost?? Are we gonna Netflix and chill tonight or you just want some shuteye??"

"Barry??"

"What are you talking about?? He's not...

I guess I must've been seeing things because there's no way that Barry would even be standing at my doorstep, leaning against the wall as if he were in fact planning this.

"Hey Caitlin!! I know you're probably wondering why I'm here right now cuz you were expecting me to be at the loft, but I just wanted to tell you something. Something that I think you should know."

"Sure!! What is it?"

"These past few days, me and Iris have been arguing. From simple things like how badly she makes pancakes to complex stuff like the fact that I won't be able to save her due to my speed problems," he sighed.

"But you guys are Barry and Iris! You can solve anything that comes your way!"

"Not this time. Plus, I have feelings for someone else now. They've been buried deep within me for a long time, but now it's become more clear."

"Uhhh," I chuckled, "Who is this new person??"

Moving closer to me, he loomed like a shadow until my back came in contact with the wall. The sensation was quite cold, relaxing, but it seemed to me that it was heating up in here. But something else was about to touch me, something I've wanted for a while. However, I knew that I had to put my big girl shoes on and do the right thing.
"Barry, I.... We can't do this okay. This isn't right since you're still married to Iris."

"Iris can wait, but this," as he stroked my hair, "can't. Not anymore." He pulled me in for another kiss, and from that moment, it felt so wrong, but it was so right. Maybe it was okay to lose control after all.....