Barry had never envisioned himself as a single dad; had never envisioned a life different than the one he predicted for himself. Hell, then the one everyone had predicted for him. Yet, here he was, three-thirty in the morning, reading the note Iris had left behind before slipping off into the night. It held a simple two words: I'm sorry. Two words that meant nothing to him, but meant everything to his daughter, who would one day ask where her mother was. He couldn't even begin to fathom how that conversation would go.

He knew that, technically, he could use his speed to search the ends of the earth for Iris, noting she probably hadn't even made it to the airport by this point, but something held him back. She didn't want to be in his or Abigail's life; the constant fighting made that clear. Why should he force her to stay, when she so desperately wanted to run away? So, he gritted his teeth, and turned his back on the memories of her; choosing to, instead, focus on his one-year old daughter. She needed him, and he needed her; they needed each other. He knew that raising her as a single parent would be no easy feat, but he was determined to fill the fissures inside Abby's heart that would most likely appear the older she got and the more she understood her mother didn't want her. He just hoped she would realize how much he loved her.

XXXXXXXX

The following year proved to be the toughest year of Barry's life, yet. Raising a child on his own, when he had no idea what to do, was proving to be far more difficult than even he could have imagined. However, when he sat down and thought about it, he realized he wasn't completely alone. Not really. Caitlin, of all people, really had stepped up to the plate for Barry, and helped when he was about ready to throw in the towel and admit defeat.

"Barry, why don't you take Joe up on that offer for a guys' night out?" Caitlin asked softly one evening, when it was just the two of them left at Star Labs. He shook his head tiredly.

"I can't, Abby's been fussy lately, and I need to make sure she sleeps well tonight," he murmured. Caitlin smiled gently.

"Let me watch her, give you a break," she replied softly.

"I thought you had that date with that guy," Barry muttered, and Caitlin shrugged a shoulder.

"Friendships are more important than a guy who wants to get me drunk long enough to get me in bed," she laughed, and Barry felt his hand twitch. While he, was in no way, ready to date again himself, it didn't mean he appreciated when someone was taking advantage of one of his closest friends. He thought over her offer, before quickly nodding.

"It'd be good to see Joe again," he mused. "And, if it meant you didn't have to pretend to laugh at some creep's jokes, then, what's the harm?"

Caitlin smiled. "No harm."

So, that was how Barry found himself an hour later, with Caitlin all but shooing him out of his front door despite his worried protests.

"Remember, she likes to sleep with Binky, her rabbit-"

"I know," Caitlin interrupted with a fond smile.

"And, she likes to have blankey snuggled around her," he added, worried that she'd forget.

"Barry," Caitlin interrupted him for the second time. "How many times have I watched Abby overnight while you worked at the precinct?"

"Quite a few," he conceded.

"And, out of all those times, have I ever forgot what she likes to sleep with?" Caitlin asked with a crooked eyebrow.

"No," Barry admitted sheepishly, scratching the back of his neck embarrassedly.

"So, quit worrying," Caitlin reprimanded him softly. "We'll be fine. Now go, and drink an extra beer for me."

Barry hesitated for a moment longer, before nodding his head, and hugging his friend quickly.

"Thanks, Cait," he murmured, before walking out of the door, and towards his car.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

When Barry got home later that evening, his house was quiet, and he unlocked his door as quietly as he could. Stepping inside, he heard Caitlin humming. Which, admittedly, sounded a hell of a lot better than when she was singing. Shaking his head at the fond memory of Summer Lovin', he walked further inside his house, and spotted Caitlin sitting with Abby, the little girl burrowed inside of her arms.

"Cait?" Barry asked in confusion, and she looked up, making a soft, "shh", as she did so. He walked over to them, and crouched down next to the chair they were in, resting his hand on the back of it.

"Why isn't she in bed?" Barry whispered.

"Abby wasn't feeling well, and didn't want to sleep in bed, so we brought Binky, and Blankey, out here and decided we'd sit in the chair for a bit. I've been alternating between singing and humming to her, to make sure she felt safe," Caitlin murmured, and Barry smiled, touched at his friend's concern.

"What does she have?" Barry asked worriedly, touching his hand to his daughter's forehead; she felt warm.

"She's got a cough and some congestion, nothing a little Vicks won't fix," Caitlin assured him. Just then, Abby started stirring, and looked up through sleepy eyes.

"Daddy?" Abby asked, and Barry smiled down at the toddler.

"Hi, sweetheart," he replied softly, bending down to scoop her out of Caitlin's arms. After she was resting in his arms securely, Barry tightened the blanket around her to fight off a chill.

"I hear you're not feeling good, sweet pea," he murmured, and the girl shook her head.

"No, but Taitlin took tare of me," Abby mumbled, and Barry laughed softly. Currently, Abby got her C's and T's mixed up, but it was adorable, so he didn't bother try correcting her just yet.

"So, I can see," he replied, kissing her nose.

"Let's get you in bed, button," he added.

"Will Taitlin be here in the morning?" Abby mumbled, laying her head on his shoulder.

Barry looked at Caitlin briefly, knowing his daughter absolutely adored her, and Caitlin very much the same with Abby. Caitlin nodded.

"We can have pancakes," he replied. "If you're up for it."

Caitlin smiled.

"I never say no to food," she replied quietly, and Barry laughed gently before walking Abby down to the room that was across from his and tucking her in. He made sure to place a warm wash cloth over her forehead, and had a cup of water next to her. Finally, he turned on her nightlight, before giving her one final kiss on the forehead, and then he headed out of her room, cracking the door as he did so.

Once he was back in the living room, he spotted Caitlin wrapping her sweater around her, and smiled at her.

"Thanks for taking care of her tonight, Cait," he murmured, and Caitlin smiled softly.

"Anytime," she replied. "I am a doctor, after all."

Barry shook his head, soft smile tugging at his lips.

"How was Joe?" Caitlin asked a moment later.

"He was good, same as he was last time I saw him," Barry shrugged, and Caitlin nodded her head. She looked around for a moment, before clearing her throat.

"Not that you need me to say this, not really, but you're doing a great job with Abby. She's absolutely smitten with you, Barry," Caitlin murmured.

"She's smitten with you, too, Cait," he murmured. Caitlin stared at him for a long moment, before walking towards him and hesitantly kissing him on the cheek. He looked at her as she pulled back.

"Sleep well, Barry," she said quietly, before heading out and walking towards her car. Barry touched his cheek, still warm from her lips, and smiled as she drove down the road.

"Sleep well, Cait," he murmured, before closing the door quietly and retiring for the evening.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Things changed after that. Caitlin spent all her free time with Barry, and Abby. And when Barry was busy with the precinct, Caitlin would go and spend her time with just Abby. Barry soon found himself looking forward to every Thursday night after Abby went to bed. Caitlin would bring over Chinese, and he'd supply the wine, and they would just unwind from their days. They talked, and laughed gently; they shared stories about their pasts. Barry listened with rapt attention every time Caitlin decided to divulge information about her past. Caitlin, who was always so secretive and guarded of her heart, seemed to see something in Barry, because she was trusting him unconditionally. And he, her.

One night, when it was just them and a couple of cartons of orange chicken and chow mien, Caitlin suddenly lowered her chopsticks and looked at Barry.

"You know you're worthy of love, right?" Caitlin asked, and Barry looked up, shocked.

"What?" Barry asked, dumbfounded. Caitlin smiled.

"I said, you're worthy of love," she repeated. Barry opened his mouth to interrupt, but Caitlin held up a hand, silencing him.

"No, just listen. When Iris walked away a year ago, it really did a number on you. I wasn't sure if you'd ever get out of the depression you found yourself in. But, you did. For Abby. And I've seen you transform into this amazing father, with this amazing heart, and it leaves me breathless with pride. And, I thank you. I thank you for letting me be privy to moments like this. When it's just us, eating Chinese, with Abby sleeping soundly, down the hallway," she murmured. Barry stared at her for a long moment.

"You're worthy of love, too, Cait," he replied earnestly, and she looked at him.

"You're worthy of a guy who sees how good you are; how kind, and gentle you can be. Not these idiots you've been dating on and off for the past year," he remarked, and she laughed, blush kissing her cheeks.

Barry laughed gently, as an idea crossed his mind. Clearing his throat, he looked back at Caitlin.

"I think I fell in love you," he murmured, and she looked at him, before smiling again.

"I think I fell in love with you, too," she replied. Then, he wasn't sure who was moving first, they had put aside their cartons and were kissing each other gently; exploring. They kissed for a long time before the need for air became apparent. Pulling apart, Barry pressed his forehead against hers'.

"Where do we go from here?" Caitlin asked softly.

"For starters, how about a real date, in a real restaurant? Grandpa Joe can look after Abby," Barry replied. Caitlin kissed the corner of his mouth.

"Sounds perfect."

Author's note: Jesse! For you! I have a stand alone one shot called, "Until the end of time". Read and let me know what you guys think, if you so wish to. Also, prompts can be left in the comments. Hope you like, friend! XOXO