Caitlin was up early as usual, Felicity was curled up at the bottom of the bed. Caitlin smiled knowing Felicity ended up falling asleep as she watched over Caitlin, which in her opinion was unnecessary. It took her five minutes to change and walked around her bed so she could wake her sleeping friend. Caitlin tapped Felicitys shoulder, no response. She shook her shoulders gently, Felicity stirred but quickly fell back into her slumber, Caitlin sighed and cleared her throat.
"Felicity" Caitlin whispered, not wanting to startle her friend, she gave her another nudge. "Time to get up"
Felicity groaned but pried her eyes open, seeing Caitlin made her jump a little but she soon remembered what had happened. "Your dressed already?"
"I'm an early bird, now come on, I've done you some breakfast and its getting cold" Caitlin muttered, her voice still hush knowing Felicity hated it when people spoke loud in the morning. Felicity scrambled off the bed as Caitlin left her to change. Caitlin glanced down at her phone, a message popping up from Cisco; he wanted her to bring Felicity to Star Labs today. Caitlin frowned, she was supposed to be in Star City having fun with her friends, not working. Her anger at Barry had simmered down,only because she would've done the same thing. She turned her head to the stairs hearing Felicity walk down them, a smile approaching her friends face as she saw the full breakfast Caitlin had made her on the table.
"Your a great friend" Felicity grinned, pulling Caitlin into one of the shortest hugs of her life before digging into her breakfast. Caitlin spun her phone around in her hand, debating whether to ask if she wanted to go to Star Labs or not mention it and have fun. But she knew if she didn't mention it Barry would end up asking why they didn't show up. She sighed catching Felicitys attention, she left the hashbrown she'd been eating and looked up at her friend. "Whats wrong?"
"Cisco wanted to know if you wanted to go to Star Labs, I just, I think it's stupid, this is supposed to be my time away from Central City" Caitlin said dropping down in the seat beside Felicity, who had returned to her food but Caitlin could tell she was listening.
"Its up to you Caitlin, we still haven't planned the party for Barrys 27th, that is what we originally planned on doing"
"I know, I'm not sure whether to do that party for him now, I mean it's in a week, how are we going to sort everything by then and not raise suspicion?" Caitlin asked, she stressed easily and having to plan this party for him was stressing her out even more. They'd been planning this party for a couple of weeks but, they hadn't gotten a place to have it yet nor food or anything else for that matter. Felicity knew Caitlin was stressing and she placed her hand over Caitlins.
"The party will be ready, its going to be amazing and Barry will love it and I promise if he doesn't I will send him into another training session with Oliver" Felicity assured her, making Caitlin chuckle and nod. "We will go into Star Labs but we'll leave half day to sort out the party and we can let Cisco know about it, so he can help out"
Caitlin was thankful she had Felicity as a friend, her head would be blowing up from the stress if she didn't. Felicity placed her plate in the sink and nodded to Caitlin, indicating she was ready to leave. Caitlin grabbed her purse and headed out the door. Felicity had to wear Caitlins clothes which didn't bother her but she was annoyed at Barry for not getting her a suitcase so she could have extra clothes. Caitlin pulled up in the Star Labs car park, quiet as usual. They strolled into the building as they'd done many times before and headed straight to the cortex where everyone was usually at. Cisco was first to spot them, only because he heard their heels coming down the hall.
"You got my message" He grinned, swiveling around on his chair. "Felicity, I was wondering if you could update the Star Labs system whilst your here?"
"Of course Cisco" Felicity said rolling her eyes playfully at him and slid into a seat beside him. She turned to Caitlin first. "We'll leave at four"
Caitlin nodded in agreement, heading to her lab, jumping back seeing Barry sat in her lab, she'd thought he'd be on the treadmill. Barry looked up hearing her jump and smiled apologetically. "Look Cait, I'm sorr-"
"Its fine, Barry" She interrupted, placing her purse on the tray and grabbing her lab coat. Barry stood knowing she'd want to check his vitals, he sat on the bed as she got her equipment ready. "If you don't mind, me and Felicity are leaving at four...we have to do something important and we can't work whilst doing it" She avoided eye contact as she put on her gloves, cleaning the needle and then Barrys arm, piercing it into his skin, taking a blood sample.
"By important, you mean that man?" Barry muttered miserably, Caitlin glared at him, she hadn't even thought about Caleb today, she was struggling to fight the urge to ask if he was jealous.
"No, not Caleb, it's just business that can't be done if I'm working, there's no time" She answered calmly. She placed the cotton ball on his arm and tapped it down as she usually did and walked out of the lab. Barry was quick behind her tail, he felt hurt she couldn't tell him what it was, she'd always been open with him.
"Cait" He started as they entered the cortex, he reached for her hand, she didn't pull away this time. "You know, I wanted to tell you about her, right?"
"But you didn't" Caitlin mumbled, gazing at their hands. "Barry as long as your happ-"
"I don't want to be with her" He confessed, this was the thing that made Caitlin meet his eyes, she read the truth written in them, she could see he was unhappy and she only ever wanted him happy. "I just...I realised I don't love her, I never did...she was just something to distract me because...because I...look it doesn't matter why she was my distraction, I hate all of you being mad at me, I didn't tell you because I didn't want you all to think that me and Leyla were serious, but Leyla had been going on about meeting you guys but I don't want you to be angry anymore, Cait"
Caitlin wanted to ask what she was a distraction from but knew that he'd already confessed enough. She couldn't pressure him to tell her. Although, she couldn't fight the smile that spread across her face hearing the words that he didn't love Leyla. "I'm not mad Barry, right now...I'm far from it"
"So you forgive me?" Barry said uneasily, he was surprised how Caitlin took this in, he was shocked she hadn't slapped him and told him how horrible it was to lead someone on.
"I forgive you" Caitlin smiled, Barry's face went from unhappy to as happy as a hero after battle as Matthew Prior would say. Barry didn't have the courage to say that Leyla was his distraction from Caitlin, not when he didn't know how she felt towards him...but for now, loving her from a distance was enough. Little did he know Caitlin felt the same way he did...wanting to tell but not having the courage to, not wanting to destroy their friendship. Caitlin gave his hand a little squeeze in assurance, still smiling brightly up at him. Missing moments like these, where the two were just lost in each others gaze.
