Frozen Flashpoint

Chapter 3: A New Normal

Summary: The new status is a bitter pill for someone and they are not afraid to make it known out loud, causing a big argument in the West house.

Barry couldn't wipe the smile off his face as he held Caitlin Snow, his girlfriend, in his arms. His face was buried in her silk-like brunette hair. His arms, draped over his jacket that she wore around her shoulders, held her tightly, her cheek resting on his chest.

By the little bump on her cheek he could feel through his shirt, Barry guessed she was smiling as well.

After a couple more minutes, Barry felt Caitlin shivering again, which was odd considering that between the jacket and the body warmth they were sharing, she should feel warm.

Nonetheless, Barry pulled back from the hug. Caitlin raised a confused expression and asked teasingly, "Already tired of hugging your girlfriend, Mr. Allen?"

Barry gave her his goofy grin and stood up, extending a hand to her as he said, "Never. But what kind of boyfriend would I be if I let you catch a cold, Dr. Snow?"

Caitlin looked a little worried that he noticed before she covered it with a giggle and took his hand.

Once she was on her feet, Caitlin looked at Barry tenderly and said wistfully, "I wish it could be just the two of us for five more minutes."

Barry shook his head with a chuckle before answering, "Cait, five minutes? I want at least five more months with you alone. But there are people waiting for us inside, and we all should really get to bed soon."

Caitlin had to laugh at the sincerity Barry used when he said five months. But she nodded her head. "Yeah, you're right. I'm dead on my feet. I think I need to go back to my apartment soon. Tomorrow is a workday, after all."

Barry raised his eyebrows mischievously. "I'm sure your boss will understand if you're late tomorrow."

Caitlin returned an amused smile as she asked, "What makes you say that?"

Barry shrugged, or his shoulders were vibrating from repressed laughter. He wasn't sure, but he responded, "I assure you, Dr. Snow, he is very invested in this situation."

Caitlin raised a teasing eyebrow and replied with a sassy, "I think I should complain to HR. I'm not sure my boyfriend will appreciate my boss being so intrusive."

Barry couldn't hold it in anymore and just burst out laughing. Caitlin soon followed him.

Not surprisingly, it was Caitlin who recovered first. She slapped Barry's chest playfully and said in a light tone, "Okay, that was fun, but we need to go back inside now."

Barry just gave her his brightest smile and responded, "Yeah, like always, you're right."

Caitlin pushed him toward the door and affirmed firmly, "And don't you forget it, mister."

Both of them entered the house with smiles on their faces. The smiles stayed in place as they turned from the entrance hallway into the living room and saw Harry and Jessie there too.

Harry was bantering with Cisco, as usual, while Jessie stood next to her father and talked with Wally, both of them smiling with a slight blush on their faces.

Caitlin was the first to interrupt the scene when she called out, "Harry, Jessie, when did you two get here?"

Caitlin drew everyone's attention to them, including Iris. Barry could see her narrowing her eyes at the both of them from the corner of his eye. She probably noticed Caitlin disappearing after him and guessed she went to talk with him. Barry would admit that he was standing closer to Caitlin than he usually did, but he couldn't help himself after avoiding her for over a week. And Iris was a reporter; she was observant and would reach her own conclusion. Barry wasn't sure what she would do once she did.