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The One with a Party and a Promise

Caitlin didn't know what she was feeling as she stared down at the 24 box in front of her. For some reason she thought she wouldn't see it this morning, that Barry would have done something different or maybe even given it to her in person. They were all attending the Star Labs Christmas party later after all. But then he would have had to give it to her in front of the others and she wasn't sure about that either.

After all, she had one resent to give to him in front of everyone and a second, much more private gift for him.

Deciding nothing would come of her just standing staring at the flat rectangle box Caitlin bent down and retrieved it, holding it close with hands there were trembling slightly. She opened it up carefully and stared in confusion at what was inside. Her eyes then widened in surprise as comprehension dawned and then she could do nothing but smile.

Trust Barry to continue his theme of the last few days. And gift her something meaningful and personal at the same time.

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It was an hour until the Star Labs Christmas Eve Party and Barry was nervous. He hadn't heard anything substantial from Caitlin all day and although he'd only texted her once to make sure she was definitely coming to Star Labs Christmas party tonight, it was still wracking his nervous system that she'd sent him no other messages other than a simple yes in confirmation.

Did she get the advent gift this morning? Did she like it? Had he gone totally off-base with this one? He'd just wanted to spoil her, let her know how special she was and that she deserved to be treated specially. But Caitlin found that hard to believe about herself; maybe today's gift had pushed it too far?

Barry ran his hand through his hair in consternation then groaned at himself and headed to the mirror to fix it back into some semblance of 'nice'. He was ready ridiculously early but he'd needed something to do to and couldn't think of anything else. The presents were wrapped and already in carrier bags. His food offering – they had decided to do a pot luck this year so who knew what food they'd have – was already in its containers. Everyone else was off doing their own thing and didn't need any help. Besides if he saw anyone else right now he'd have to possibly explain why he was so nervous and that just opened up too big a can of emotion worms for him to deal with right now.

Deciding that although he was early he might as well freak out at Star Labs than here, Barry gathered everything up and headed out.

He arrived in the decorated Cortex and added his presents to the few already there under the tree. He put out the food he'd brought on the designated table and then did little jobs around the room; arranging napkins, adding more tinsel, turning on all the fairy lights. He loved the Cortex on a normal day but when it was all decorated up for Christmas it did add a special, almost magical air to it.

The sound of heels tapping along the corridor caught his attention and he turned in slow motion, almost as if his body subconsciously knew he was about to see something special, something he'd want to savour as he viewed it.

Barry sucked in a breath as Caitlin entered the room and stopped to stare at him with a warm smile.

"What do you think?" She asked, holding her arm up away from herself in a pose and then doing a slow turn. "Do you approve Mr Allen? I think it matches you perquisites."

Barry couldn't speak as he stared at Caitlin. She was indeed dressed in red, the one thing he'd written to go with the gift voucher for a personal shopper experience that had been her advent gift. But he'd half written it in jest as he'd themed as many of the gifts he'd given her as he could around his colours of red and gold and hers of silver and blue. But now she was standing in front of him in a dress that was the exact shade of his flash suit he thought his brain may have short circuited.

The dress was held together by two clips at her shoulders and two at her waist, the material in panels wrapped around her body and so soft looking it begged to be touched. Her hair was pulled up and back in a curly ponytail except for two strands that curled around her face. Her face had a golden glow to it and her lips were a shade of red that was almost a match for her dress. Little flashes of gold twinkled from her eyes and her neck with simple jewellery. Her feet were encased in gold heels that had a strap around the ankle and the toes, where red nail polish could be seen.

"You look incredible," Barry breathed.

"Thank you," she replied, pink tinging her cheeks in a blush. "And thank you for the gift. It was a lovely experience. I had a lot of fun when I gave my instructions to the shopper."

"Oh?" Barry asked, not sure he was capable of saying more than that as his eyes roved over her body.

"Hmm-mm," Caitlin said stepping closer to him. "I told her I wanted an outfit that would honour the Flash."

"I'm not feeling honour right now," Barry blurted out. Then winced as he realised how that sounded. Not that it wasn't the truth...

Caitlin laughed and lifted her hand to trail down his chest, over the new shirt he was wearing, and causing the muscles underneath to ripple in reaction.

"What are you feeling?" she whispered.

"When it comes to you?" he murmured and caught her hand in his tugging her closer. She could never be too close to him. "Too much to try and say."

"Then why don't you show me?"

Barry smiled and wrapped both his hands around her waist, feeling her warm curves underneath his hands as he pulled her body against his.

"Cait," he breathed, feeling her breath against his lips and knowing they were millimetres away from touching.

She closed her eyes as he tilted his head and Barry thought of all the ways he could show her with a kiss; a soft gentle one for all the times she'd been there for him, a small nips one for all the smiles she'd given him and made him give in return, a long caressing one for the depth of feelings he had inside for her, a hot ragged one for the way she was making him feel dressed in that dress and his colour….

But his thoughts had cost him a precious second and it turned out it wasn't their time.

"Heellloooo? Anybody here yet?"

Cisco's voice echoed around the room form the corridor and the two of them jerked apart just as he entered.

"Hey you two!" he chirped happily as he walked in with an armful of gift bags. "I figured I'd be the first here but guess not. I just got to go get another load. Then we can get this party started."

Barry grinned sheepishly at him but their friend didn't seem to notice he'd walk in on anything and just sauntered off again.

"Cait-" Barry started, so much he wanted to say on the tip of his tongue.

"No, it's alright," she said. "It's about to be the party for everyone, everyone will be here, it won't be just us. I shouldn't have-"

"I wanted you too," Barry said earnestly. "I wanted to."

Caitlin smiled then bit her lip then quickly walked over to the bag she'd dropped by the door. She picked up a wrapped cube present and handed it to him.

"This is for you, but open it later? On your own and a minute after midnight. So it's a proper Christmas present. Seeing as how you've given me a proper Advent calendar."

"O-okay," Barry said feeling the weight in his hands as he took it.

"I have a gift for you to go under the tree and open with everyone else," she said. "But that's just for you."

"Thank you."

"Right you two!" Cisco called out as he entered the room again. "The official party master is here! Why isn't there any music on?"

Caitlin hurried off to help organise the food and Barry went to the computer to load a Christmas playlist. Part of him really, really regretted Cisco's timing but another part understood where Caitlin was coming from. He wanted it to be just them, alone together, when they took the step they both knew they were just waiting to take.

The others arrived quickly and the party was soon in full swing. Barry ate and laughed and chatted with everyone, feeling happy and relaxed in the company of good friends. He danced with Caitlin and although they shared looks he didn't do anything more. He didn't dare hold her too close in case he couldn't stop once he'd started.

The present exchange came soon enough and Barry liked opening all his gifts but couldn't deny when he got to Caitlin's his heart sped up. The shoe box puzzled him but when he opened it up to see limited edition converse with his Flash symbol emblazed on them he couldn't help but laugh. He smiled as she opened her 'How to make your own Killer Frost' Jitters frappe kit from him. And they both smiled at each other knowing these were just little gifts, trinkets almost for what they really meant to each other.

The party went on till past eleven and everyone had a great time. When it started to break up and Cisco offered Caitlin a vibe home Barry couldn't even find himself feeling too disappointed. He was too happy from an evening spent in the company of those nearest and dearest to him, something he needed to make more time for in the coming year.

When he next looked up at the clock it midnight exactly and Barry held himself still as he watched the seconds hand click its way round until it was one minute past. Then he got out his other present from Caitlin.

He took off the wrapping paper gently, revealing a leather box. Inside was nestled a gold watch, with a face made of some iridescent stone that made it look like it was flashing as you moved it. He grinned at the effect that had obviously reminded her of his powers and moved his fingers over it delicately, treasuring the gift already.

He felt bumps on the back and turned it over in confusion, then feeling his heart beat pick up as he read the inscription engraved there;

B, all of mine, C.

Barry grinned as he felt a future of possibilities open up in his mind's eye, all of them involving Caitlin.

As he went to tuck the watch safely away he noticed something white underneath. Pulling at the edge of the white paper he realised it was one of the tickets he'd given Caitlin for the Bazaar. On its back was a yellow sticky note and in Caitlin's handwriting was written tomorrow's date and the time five o'clock with a question mark.

Barry's grin went from happy to full mega-watt dopey in under a millisecond.

"As if you need to ask Cait," he whispered to himself. For her, he would always be there. And tomorrow he would show her just how much he wanted that.

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AN:

Don't kill me! As I said before there will be an epilogue. Look out for it tomorrow!

Thank you so much for everyone's support and love of this story. It has been amazing. Hopefully you have enjoyed Barry and Caitlin's Advent journey as much as I have enjoyed writing it.

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