"Iris!" Charlie shouted when the reporter arrived at the labs for some update.

Iris looked around confused, looking at the lab regulars to see if she missed anything.

"This is Charlie, she's from the future," Cisco updated her.

"And," Caitlin added, "your biggest fan!"

Iris chuckled in disbelief. "My, biggest fan?"

Charlie went around the computers to greet her. "Hi," she extended her hand, hoping for a handshake.

Iris politely smiled and shook her hand.

"Oh, my gosh! You shook my hand! That's so cool! Do you want spoilers?" She reached her head in as if asking a secret.

"Sure," Iris leaned in to reply.

"Awesome! You're like, one of the top five journalists of the time! You're probably like second to Lois Lane," Charlie scoffed, "but it's not your fault. Her hero's just a little more super," she winked.

"Hey!" Barry took offense.

"What!" Charlie whined back. "It's true!"

"Any update on the jailbreak?" Iris changed the subject.

"Well, we found organic particulate residuals," Caitlin said, directing their attention to the screen projecting the behavior of the cells. "Even Barry's cells weren't as fast when he first started."

"So... is it another speedster?" Charlie asked. She bit her lip, nervous that it might be the same speedster who had chased her.

"Hey!" Barry pulled her attention. Charlie looked at him and noticed he was looking at her arm. She followed and found her hand frosted to the table. She quickly ripped her hand off the table, massaging it with her other one when it hurt.

"S-sorry, that happens when I'm too busy being nervous to keep it in check."

"So you're a speedster and a frost?" Iris asked.

"Mhmm. Well, we do have a limited social circle," Charlie said, mentioning all their friends already being in one place.

"That, is so depressing," Cisco puffed his cheeks. "We should take a break. Far, far away from each other."

"Well I have to get back to work. Log out my computer and stuff."

"Crazy ask!" Charlie interrupted. "Would you hate it if I hung out with you today?"

Iris looked around for suggestions to answer and Caitlin's smile won her over. "Yeah, sure why not."

"Awesome!" Charlie clapped. "I won't be a bother much. You won't even know I'm there."

Iris chuckled. "That's okay. Come on, we should get going. Bye guys."

"Bye, Iris. Charlie," Caitlin replied as they were leaving.

"Peace out," Cisco clicked his tongue as he grabbed his keys to join them out.

"Later," Barry waved and returned to the computer.

"Mm. That's interesting," Caitlin commented out loud.

"What is?" Barry asked, joining her at the computer screen.

"I was analyzing the particulates that Clay Parker and Shawna Baez left behind. When Clay's cells come into contact with Shawna's, they adopt her properties."

"Hmm," Barry mused as he reviewed her findings. He was going to look at her to respond, but found her disturbed "Something bothering you?"

Caitlin immediately relaxed her lips. "Why would you ask that?"

"You're doing that biting your lower lip thing that you do when something's bothering you," Barry smiled. How had he noticed it so much?

"I'm fine," she cleared her throat.

"Okay," Barry sounded as convincing as her.

"Cisco says I don't have a life," Caitlin pouted.

Barry smirked. "You don't, do you?"

"I do! I cook and I eat and I read and I help you."

"So, what you're saying is, you do everything that has nothing to do with having a life."

Caitlin sighed. "You don't have to be rude about it."

"Hey, I'm not doing any better," Barry chuckled. "My social life consists of running at superhuman speed and Netflix."

"We are quite the pair, Mr. Allen," Caitlin gave a pursed smile.

"Yes we are, Dr. Snow."

The computer chimed just in time to prevent an awkward drop in conversation.

"Looks like our meta human Bonnie and Clyde are bar hopping."

"Wanna go check it out with me?" Barry invited her.

"I don't mind," Caitlin shrugged. "Though I should probably go home and change first."

"Sounds good. I'll drop you off then let you know where to meet up."

"It's a date," Caitlin smiled, offering Barry a handshake.

Barry took her hand and sped her to her apartment on his way to chase down the meta human. He'd booked a table while waiting for Caitlin when his attention turned to the door.

"Hey!" His jaw dropped to the floor as he got up to his feet to greet her.

"What?" Caitlin chuckled when she noticed him stuck standing.

"What?" Barry shook himself back and offered her to sit first. "Nothing. Uh, well, you look really nice."

"Thanks," Caitlin blushed as she sat down. "I don't always dress like a high school principal."

"So, this is where Shawna Baez and Clay Parker used to hang out," Barry asked, looking around.

"It is, according to the files," Caitlin nodded. "I thought we could kill two birds with one stone. Look for them and get ourselves back out there."

They just missed the first bird, so attempted to chase the second.

"What is wrong with us?" Barry whined. "I mean, we're in our 20s. We should be having fun. We should meet people, go on lots of dates."

Caitlin was in full agreement as she picked up her drink. "Well, here's to liquid courage."

Apparently she got too courageous and ran up to the karaoke stage.

"Mr. Barry Allen! Come on down!" Caitlin took a look where she was. "Or up."

Barry sliced his neck. "I'm not doing it."

"Come up here with me," Caitlin pleaded against Barry's apprehension.

"Oh, come show 'em what you got. Come on. Barry! Barry!" She riled the crowd into a chant.

Barry chuckled in resignation and went up to the stage.

"Ooh, look at him go. He's so fast!" Caitlin said into the mic as he was jogging up. "Ooh, shh!"

Barry caught her when she leaned into him too much.

"You know I'm not much of a singer," Barry winced, "and you're not much of a drinker."

"We are gonna bring this place down!" Caitlin shouted as summer lovin turned up.

"Okay, just... Good girl," Barry patted her. The moment didn't last two seconds, but it left an impression in her mind which she would recall later.

"You're fast and you can sing?" Caitlin swayed as they walked. "What can't you do?"

"Stop you from drinking, apparently," Barry chuckled as he managed her.

"Are we still running?" Caitlin tried balancing herself against his body.

"No, we are here," Barry told her as they approached her apartment.

"Vodka and super-speed... not a good combination," Caitlin noted as she struggled to unlock her door.

"Come on," she invited him once it finally opened. "So, are you gonna call her?"

"Who?" Barry asked, genuinely curious.

"That girl. The one who gave you her number," she reminded him.

Barry shrugged. "I hadn't really thought about it."

"Yes, you have," she corrected him. "But I know you. You won't. You'll let her slip right through your fingers because you think you don't deserve happiness." Caitlin began trying to get out of her dress, but it was also a challenge with the alcohol in her system. "But what you don't realize is, you need a little saving, too." She gave up when her arms got lost. "Little help, please?"

"Wha?" Barry couldn't believe he was in this position, but he couldn't leave her helpless. "Yeah. Okay," he changed her out of the dress and into pajamas.

"There you go again. Saving me from that evil dress."

The flash chuckled. "Get in bed," Barry carefully led Caitlin to the bed.

"Did you sneak a peek?" Caitlin asked as she settled in. "At my goods?"

"I wouldn't be much of a hero if I did," Barry smirked.

"Yeah, but it's okay if you peeked a little. You deserve a peek for all the good stuff you do."

Caitlin laid down on the bed, her eyes fluttering shut as exhaustion took over. He gently pulled the blanket over her, smoothing it out to make sure she was comfortable. "Drink lots of water."

"Thank you for tonight."

"Any time," Barry got up to leave.

"Hey, Barry? Will you stay with me until I fall asleep?"

"Sure, yeah,"

Just as he sat down, Caitlin's eyes snapped open, and she gasped."My makeup!" she exclaimed, suddenly wide awake. "I need to take it off, or my skin will break out." Without another word, she jumped out of bed and hurried to the bathroom.

Barry watched, concerned but amused by her sudden burst of energy. In the bathroom, Caitlin rummaged around, searching for her routine essentials.

"Where's my headband?" she muttered, looking around the cluttered counter. "Hey, Barry? Can you see if my headband's in the side dresser?"

"I can look."

The dresser drawer slid open and Caitlin's eyes widened in panic. "Wait, no, not... there!"

Barry stood frozen as Caitlin ran out of the bathroom, her face as crimson as his suit. She brushed him aside and slammed the drawer close behind her back.

Barry rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, looking anywhere but at her. "Sorry," he muttered, having obviously seen what she was trying to hide.

An awkward silence hung in the air before Caitlin let out a small laugh, breaking the tension. Barry chuckled nervously along with her. She found her headband on the dresser and slipped it on, avoiding his gaze. "Thanks for trying to help," she said softly.

"Anytime," Barry replied, still blushing but managing a small smile. "I'll, uh, leave you to it."

Caitlin nodded, feeling a mix of embarrassment and gratitude. As Barry walked out, she took a deep breath and focused on removing her makeup, thankful for his understanding.

"So, you're gonna be okay, right?"

"Yes, Flash. I'll be fine. Good night," she couldn't wait for him to get out fast enough.

"Good night, Cait," she heard him say before the door closed.

Caitlin leaned over her sink and sighed. How could she have been so forgetful! That's it, no more drinking for her. She finished her nighttime cleanse and got herself a glass of water before getting in bed. She finished the water and placed the empty cup on the top of the side table, her mind racing back to that moment again.

He wasn't here anymore.

Caitlin opened the drawer and pulled out her little friend. She laid back in bed, already breathless from the memory of the near find. She touched herself up, tracing her wand over her stomach, anywhere but there just yet. She slipped the head of it under her waistband, rubbing it slowly lower. The bumpy purple head dug into her head and she let herself moan.

Good girl.

Caitlin's eyes snapped open at the sound of her phone ringing.

"He...y Caitlin," Barry drawled nervously and she tossed the phone out of her hands. He wasn't even there and she was electrified.

"Barry!" He heard, followed by a sound of falling.

"Are you okay?!"

"Yeah! Yeah," she answered, breathless. "I just tripped out of bed trying to find my phone. What, what's up?"

"Well, since you're already on the floor, do you see my wallet? I think it might have dropped out at your place."

"I can, I can look. Give me a second," she put the phone on speaker and went searching for the wallet.

"So, what were you doing when I called?"

"Me?"

"Unless I called Cisco?" Barry chuckled.

"Oh, I was.... Brushing my teeth."

"Huh."

"Found it!"

"What?"

"You wallet. Did you wanna come get it?" Caitlin turned off the speaker and held the phone under her ear.

"Yeah, do you mind? I was gonna order food."

"No, let yourself in."

"Thank. I'm... already here," Barry said, standing in her room.

Caitlin dropped the wallet at the sudden intrusion in her room, collapsing on her bed.  "Jesus!"

"Sorry. I'll get it," he squat down to pick up the wallet. He had never meant to, not before, not now. But behind her, he could see her other friend poking out of her ruffled sheets.

Barry smiled as he stayed sitting in front of her. "So how fast does your friend go?"

"Excuse me?" Caitlin asked.

Barry sat up on his thighs, face to face as she was sitting at the edge of the bed. He leaned into her ear.

"You know. Your... toothbrush," the breathy letters splayed against her neck and she reflexively tilted her face, unconsciously allowing him more space.

"I don't know. I don't speed test all my friends, Mr. Allen."

"Oh? So I'm special?" He rested his hands on either side of her, his form drawing into her space.

Caitlin closed her eyes, managing only an "mhmm" in response.

"I'm honored," his hands shift in closer, grazing her hands. Her pinky twitched out to touch him.

"Talk to me, Caitlin. Tell me what you want," he ran his nose up and down her neck, "and I'll listen."

Caitlin chuckled. "Aren't you being a little too fast?"

Barry pulled back to look at her. "I'll go however you want me."

"Prove it," she dared him, eyes dark behind her fluttering lashes.

Barry kissed her at lightning speed, fingers in her hair as he pulled her face closer. Caitlin closed her eyes and challenged his kisses, squirming to find the right position to hold him. She helped him take off his shirt and he continued to kiss her again, laying her back on the bed.

Caitlin's hands stroked over his tank top, feeling him. Obviously she'd done it a million times before, but this was a new situation. Barry's kisses became lighter as he held her hand.

"Don't you think we should switch roles, Dr. Snow? I think you've seen quite a lot more of me than I have of you."

Caitlin nipped his lip and chuckled. "You wanna play doctor, Flash?"

Barry hummed consent in her ear as he mouthed her ear lobe. "I'm gonna give you a full exam," he warned as he rose to peel off his tank top, then kissed her neckline. He undid the buttons down her pajama shirt, kissing and lapping at each exposed spot, her moans going straight down where his blood was heading.

Caitlin yelped when his kisses landed on her bare spot already since she hadn't put her bottoms back on. Barry smiled at her reaction, leaving open mouth kisses at her peak, making sure his lip dipped in just right.

"Barry," Caitlin gasped, clenching at her shirt.

"Caitlin," Barry responded, making sure he flicked the L against her nub. Caitlin's hips rose, and Barry laid one arm across her waist and stroked two fingers of his other hand between her slit.

He was only testing the waters, but Caitlin was ready for more. "Faster," she pleased.

Barry phased his fingers as he rubbed them up and down, then pushed inside. Caitlin swallowed her keen as his fingers felt resistance. Barry gave one last suck and pumped his fingers at normal speed as he kissed back up.

"You're already tight?" He teased her, pushing his fingers against her loosening muscle. "That's not even half of me."

Caitlin grabbed his shoulders, her hands shivering. "I know your size, Barry."

"Do you?" He reached out for the toy, placing it in her hand. "Is this what you think of me?" He tsked. "I don't think you've measured me in such a situation, Dr. Snow," he dropped the toy and grabbed her hand, giving her the opportunity.

Caitlin listened to her doctor's orders and took him in hand. Barry groans as she tested him, giving him a good stroke and squeeze. Her thumb circled his tip, already starting to get wet."I should update my records."

Barry kissed her. "If you can remember straight."

"Muscle memory lasts longer," she winked, spreading her knees to rest against his sides.

Barry looked at her as she let him go, and it fell on her stomach. "Are you sure?" They were friends, and he didn't want to do anything that messed it up.

"Please," Caitlin begged and Barry kissed her again, deeply in case she decided to change her mind. His hand went down to hold himself so he could line up.

As Barry was getting situated, Caitlin drew her hand back and up sucked her thumb into her mouth.

Barry's hips bucked and he kissed her hard, tasting himself. "Fuck, that was so hot."

Caitlin heaved as he thrust into her so suddenly. Barry caressed her side and scooped her leg onto his hip to spread her wider.

"B-Barry," Caitlin moaned his name not for the last time that night as he slipped further inside.

Barry smiled at her. "Good girl."