Disclaimer: None of the characters depicted in this story are mine. The Flash belongs to the CW & DC.

Blind Date

"I don't know Cisco…" Caitlin said hesitantly.

Cisco just rolled his eyes at her, yet again, and grabbed her shoulders, "Caitlin it's been two years, I think it's time for you to move on," he finished gently.

She lowered her head, "I know but…"

"I understand, believe me, it hurts me too, but I know he would've wanted you to be happy,"

She looked up with a smile, "You know, I don't necessarily need someone to make me happy,"

Cisco took a step back and also smiled, "I know," he started, "I don't want you to need anyone to make you happy, but knowing you, I really do believe you need someone to teach you how to be happy,"

They shared one last hug and Cisco whispered, "Allow yourself to be happy,"

"Do we have to go over this again," Barry huffed at his phone.

"Come on Bar, one last time, just for me," his friend pleaded.

After a pause, Barry sighed, "It better be the last time Iris,"

On the other end of the phone call his friend of many years squealed in delight. "Awesome! You'll love her! She's of your very rare species of adorable nerds. Meet her at 8, I'll text you the details,"

Life sure had ironic ways of telling him he was never going to get his dream girl.

Iris West had been his best friend for over a decade and over time he had gotten infatuated with the girl more and more. He was enamored with her strength, passion, and of course, her beauty. She was an amazing person and even better friend. He knew it in his gut she was the girl for him. He, who was plain ol' Barry Allen. Barry Allen, the nerd that loved science, the guy that would get bullied for being too lanky and dorky. He believed that, in the future, Iris would also realize that he was the one for her. Though that dream didn't come to fruition.

He never really told Iris how he felt about her, but he was well aware that she either knew or suspected his feelings. Just when he was about ready to take the plunge their senior year of college, he made an appearance with no thoughts of leaving. Him, stupid, perfect (as per Iris), and charismatic: Eddie Thawne. The worst part of it all is that even as Barry tried his hardest to hate him, he couldn't. The guy was pretty cool.

And now that Iris was happily engaged, she dedicated all her free time to finding Barry's significant other. It was irritating, heartbreaking, annoying, and somehow endearing all the same. But Barry was getting tired of it, he just wanted to enjoy life in solitude, was that too much to ask?

This was nerve wrecking. Caitlin had been out of the dating game for years. Even when she was dating Ronnie, he was always the one taking the first step and moving the relationship forward. Now she would have to take initiative...well at least that's what Cisco recommended.

She pulled her dress down ever so slightly and entered the Karaoke bar. "Okay, look for red sweater plaid button up," as she stepped forward and crushed the anxiousness that threatened to take over she did a quick scan of the place and finally found her mystery man. Who slowly turned towards her as she made her way and almost choked on his drink at the sight.

Barry was patiently waiting for his date, not that he was really interested in the idea but figured there was nothing wrong with allowing himself to have fun. Try to move on at least. He heard the doorbells signal the entry of a new customer, he didn't really pay much attention until he saw many men turn their way towards the door. He slowly turned in that direction and did a double take almost choking on his drink. One of the most beautiful creatures on earth was making her way towards him –Iris wasn't kidding, she was perfect.

Caitlin was about to ask if he was okay but noticed he was staring at her strangely, "What?" she asked also eyeing herself. Was there something wrong with her outfit? Maybe it was too much for an outing at a bar.

"Nothing!" he said an octave higher than intended, "It's just...you look…really nice," Nice? Really Barry that's the best you could come up with? He almost beat himself over his choice of words.

"Oh, thank you," she smiled and took a seat next to him. Phew, she was glad she hadn't overdone it. "My name is Caitlin, Caitlin Snow,"

"Barry Allen," he said with a grin.

An awkward silence ensued. Though Barry was determined to make her talk a bit, if nothing else, they could at least be friends, "So, what do you do for a living?"

"Nothing special," she said, "I work at STAR Labs as a lead geneticist,"

Barry chuckled, "If that is nothing special, I don't know what is," he noticed she blushed slightly and found it cute, "I work at CCPD as a forensic scientist,"

At this Caitlin's head tilted in interest, a fellow scientist, that was great news, "That is amazing, science has revolutionized the crime investigation arena," she was always fascinated with anything science related.

Barry's eyes shone with appreciation and interest and they both embarked on a lengthy conversation about the evolution of DNA studies and genetics. Caitlin thought that maybe Cisco was onto something, and for the first time since he came up with the ridiculous idea of a blind date she actually felt something relax within her. Barry wasn't only polite, he was extremely smart, caring, and charismatic. Even though she felt a twinge of guilt, she also recognized she found him handsome.

Meanwhile, Barry was so enthralled in his conversation with Caitlin and would enthusiastically discuss his findings and theories with her. Caitlin was nothing short of fascinating. Any topic that would be brought up she could dissect eternally, and he would be a fool to not see how beautiful the young woman was. Maybe it was time to move on, and while it was too soon to tell, he had a feeling that Caitlin might be just the person to help him through that hurdle.

After an hour of mild drinking and heavy discussion a bartender interrupted, "I noticed you two get along too well. You should give our Karaoke competition a try?"

Barry and Caitlin shared a look, "Uhm," she started, though Barry took the lead.

"We'd love too," he said with a mischievous grin.

"Please don't ever allow me to go up on stage again," she said with a self-deprecating smile.

Barry chuckled, "I thought you were amazing," he said sincerely.

"Amazing? You're too polite," she gave him a funny look, but then softened her gaze, "in all seriousness, you were amazing. You're a great singer Barry,"

Barry just shrugged, he thought that it was a talent that come from his late mother, but he didn't want to dwell on those thoughts that was a story for another time. They had been walking on the path to her apartment and a comfortable silence befell them.

Barry would occasionally glance at Caitlin's profile, noticing the small smile she failed to suppress. He hoped that she had as much fun as he did. It had been a long time since he had a good time with a member of the opposite sex. Caitlin was in her own innocent way funny, extremely smart, and at times too blunt without being rude. He enjoyed watching her and listening to her, she was utterly fascinating and he'd never met anyone that he could talk endlessly about his favorite subject: science. He also noticed that she kept a wall between them to a certain extent, maybe because they were getting to know each other –though he suspected there was more there than what she was comfortable sharing. In any case, she seemed like a great woman, and who knew...maybe…

"Barry," she interrupted his thoughts, "we're here," she said as she stopped in front of him.

"Yes, we are," wow, time sure flew by.

She looked at her apartment and then at him, "I really had a great time," she said with a small smile, and it was nothing but the truth.

"So did I," he said with a full grin, "I really mean that Caitlin,"

"Thank you. It has been a long time since I really just relaxed,"

He nodded in agreement, "I can sympathize with that,"

"Cisco was right about you."

"Cisco?" He didn't really know a Cisco, but didn't think much of it, "Yeah, Iris was right about you too, I'm glad I came,"

Caitlin furrowed her brows, "Iris? Was she a friend of Cisco's maybe?"

They stood there in awkward silence until Caitlin cleared her throat, "I think I should…"

"Yeah, sure, right," he shoved his hands in his pocket and was about to turn on his heel when he felt Caitlin's hand hold his arm and as he turned, he felt her soft lips graze the corners of his lips.

"Goodnight Barry!" she said hurriedly as she ran towards her apartment and locked the door behind her. She was never one to act like that.

As she shut the door behind her, she released a sigh she wasn't aware she had been holding. It had been far too long since she felt this connection with another person. Not for the first time that evening, she thought that Cisco was right, it was time for her to find someone new to be crazy about. Ronnie would've wanted her to be happy, that she was sure of. And Barry...well, it seemed like Barry could be that someone. It was still too soon to tell, they've only been on this one date, maybe he was just being nice...but that twinkle in his eyes made her wonder.

Maybe, just maybe, he saw something in her too.

{-}

Later that night Cisco received a text that interrupted his Star Wars marathon. He was just about to ignore it, but then remembered that Caitlin had just gone on a date in years. He needed to know how that went. What he wasn't expecting, was a text from…

Remind me to never do you a favor Francisco. I got stood up –Hunter

A few miles away as Iris snuggled up to Eddie she felt her phone vibrate.

Your friend was a no-show, but I did meet someone interesting ;) –Linda