Broken Together

Two

"Caitlin?" the voice echoes in the empty house. "Caitlin, it's me. Sorry, it took me so long, traffic was horrible. Can I come in? "

Caitlin slowly walks to the locked door to reveal for best friend - Cisco. She half-smiles and silently mouthes hey. "Thank you for coming over."

"Of course! You needed me so, here I am." Cisco smiles and walks inside to hug her tightly. "Rough night?"

She scoffs as she pulls away from the hug, "You can say that again."

"So what do you want to do? Want to talk about it or go get ice cream or both?"

She shakes her head, "Honestly, I don't think anything can make me feel any better." Caitlin heads into the living room and Cisco follows.

"Woah. What happened here?"

"Barry. He brought his work home - again." She sighs as she starts gathering papers. "One of the reasons we started fighting -again."

Cisco starts grabbing some files to help clean up, "You guys do seem to be fighting a lot lately. Why's that?"

"Are you my marriage counselor now?"

"Hey! You were the one that came up with that idea when you were with Ronnie, remember? You guys fought at times too."

"Yes but it's different now!" she snaps back. 

"How so?"

Caitlin bites her lip and looks at the papers in her hand. "It just is..."

"Caitlin, that's not an answer -"

"Are you hungry? There's pizza in the kitchen."

"Don't change the subject."

Caitlin walks to the island and places the stack of papers next to the cardboard box. "Barry ordered it but, the smell started to make me sick. You can have some if you want." She grabs a plate and places a slice on it to give to Cisco.

He takes the plate from her and places on the island, "Caitlin, stop changing the subject. You are avoiding. Now, come on out with it."

She bites her bottom lip and sucks in a deep breath, "I'm scared Cisco."

"Of what?"

She looks into his eyes, "That... that I really messed up this time. What if Barry doesn't come back? What if when he does he leaves for good? What if... what if our love is gone?" Her vision became blurry as tears filled her eyes. "I can't... I can't lose him Cisco. It hurts too much to think of life without him."

"Then don't." Cisco places his hands on her shoulders. "Caitlin, you and Barry are my best friends. I know for a fact he loves you as much as you love him. Just because you get into fights doesn't mean your love is gone; it just means you need some couple time." Caitlin gives him a weird look and smiles in amusement. "You need a date night. When was the last time you guys went on a date? And I mean a real date, not night cuddling and stuff."

"Really Cisco?"

"Just answer the question."

"I don't know... maybe two months ago?" She shrugs her shoulders.

Cisco shakes his head, "This is not good. No wonder you are so uptight, my best friends need satisfaction."

"CISCO!" Caitlin lightly pushes him as her face turns red. 

"What? I only speak the truth. Now call that husband of yours and makeup - preferably makeup sex." He shrugs as he grabs the pizza slice and takes a bite.

Caitlin laughs and covers her burning face, "Thank you, Cisco."

"My pleasure! Or should I say Barry's pleasure?"

"That's it you work here is done," Caitlin starts pushing Cisco out the door but, he tries to stop her. "But I haven't finished my pizza yet."

"Take it to go!" She finally got him out the door. "But in all seriousness, thank you," she smiles.

He smiles back, "Anything for you. Well, see you tomorrow." Cisco takes another bite of his pizza slice, "Oh, and I'll be sure to cover for you," he winks, "in case you need to sleep in."

"GOODBYE CISCO!" Caitlin laughs as she begins to close the door.

Cisco laughs too and waves goodbye before getting into his car. Caitlin locks the door then heads to her phone with a smile on her face. She taps to dial Barry's number but, as it begins to ring she hears the familiar tone coming from the living room. She sighs sadly seeing Barry's phone stuck between the couch cushions. A small smile remains as she sees her picture id on his phone - a sweet photo from one of their first dates of Barry kissing her cheek. She smiles at the memory then walks over to the window by the front door - looking for any sign of Barry.

"Come home Barry, I miss you," she whispers leaning against the window, waiting... hoping.

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Thank you all for so much love for this story! So sorry it took me so long to update - life happened. I will try to upload two, if not one, more chapter(s) this week(: You guys are awesome! 

Q&A:

* Do you think Cisco is right or is there another reason for Caitlin's mood?

* What do you think Barry is up to?

* Any predictions?