Chapter Two: The new path
It's been three weeks since Alicia Baker had been "reborn", and so far, with Oliver's help, Alicia had finally got her living situation down and now was in the process of finding a job. So far, with every place she's been to, had great job opportunities, but Alicia failed to see what she'd be able to accomplish seeing as how she never worked a day in her life. She expressed these concerns to Oliver, one Friday.
"Well," he said as he stretched in his chair in his office, "Have you ever tried going through a career councilor?"
Alicia thought for a moment and then shrugged, "Well, I did back in High school, but I'm not sure if it's concurrent."
Oliver nodded, "Another foreseeable problem I think may come is that we need to come up with a new name for yourself. After all, with going through the headache which will come with trying to tell people that Alicia Baker is, in fact alive; you'll need to go through the screening process with no bells or whistles going off."
Alicia nodded, she had in fact thought of that and it was one of the things she felt she needed to talk to Oliver about.
Oliver went to his computer and scrolled through a database and came up with a lengthy list of feminine names.
"Well, what do you want to go by from here on in? Ashley, Heather, June, Gloria?"
Alicia laughed, "I don't think I'm a "Gloria". This is going to be a little weird, isn't 't?"
Oliver sighed and turned to her. "You don't have to worry, Alicia. We're just going to find you a name to put on the papers and records. You can still keep your name, you'll just need to use it discreetly." He then turned back to the computer and came up with a name. "Ah, how about "Alice"? It's close enough to your real name that you won't be confused if someone would call you by it, correct?"
Alicia laughed, "Actually, it's funny, because when I was in elementary school, every teacher called me by that. It took several weeks before they called me by my real name."
Oliver smiled, "Then, Alice, it is?"
Alicia nodded. "What about a last name, though?"
Oliver got up and went to a computer with a larger monitor that had a unique metallic surface. He motioned her over. "Right this way, Miss Brewster."
Alicia laughed and walked over to him. "Alice Brewster, huh?"
Oliver nodded and then pointed down to the stainless, featureless, surface. "Place your hands on here, if you will."
Alicia did as she was asked and soon she felt a burning sensation and she cringed as it was becoming unbearable.
"Don't remove your hands till I say so, otherwise we'll have to start all over again." He instructed her.
Alicia nodded and bit on her lower lip as she tried to think of something other than what was happening to her hands.
After a few moments, Oliver then put a hand on her shoulder. "Alright, you can pull your hands back. There's a bag of ice in the fridge, wait right here and I'll get it for you."
Alicia removed her hands and half-expected for them to either be stuck or some parts of her skin to staying attached to the metal surface; to her relief, however, they were just swollen. Oliver soon returned with the bags of ice and had her them in her palms to reduce the swelling. He then pointed at the screen.
"Just so you know, this wasn't to mutilate your hands. I reconfigured the digits and the way your palms are constructed to be genuinely unique."
Alicia chuckled as she slowly put the ice-cold bags on her hands. "Just like in "Men In Black", huh?"
Oliver shrugged, "Yeah but this is real as opposed to a movie blowing a lot on special effects."
Alicia nodded and continued on watching the screen, as it seemed to go through multiple pages, all too fast for her to understand.
"What's it doing now?" She asked.
"Based on the information I've given it, it's now "filling in the blanks". Birth Certificate, family tree, grade school, all the way to high school; it's compiling all the necessary, albeit false, information to make you a person with a history."
Alicia was amazed. Her new life was being constructed within the blink of an eye and all from the push of a button.
"After this, then what?" She asked, turning to Oliver.
Oliver smiled, "Well, Alice Brewster, after this it is going to be up to you to set the new path, for yourself."
Alicia sighed and nodded.
Chloe Sullivan was on the verge of having yet another caffeine-free day, which wasn't a good start. She never asked much of the Daily Planet, only that it give her two things: plenty of work to keep her occupied till the end of the day and coffee, lots of it.
Now, once again, some one "brilliant" forgot to refill the pot, leaving her caffeine-deprived for the remaining portion of the day.
Other than "this", her day was beginning to lag, and after Jimmy had taken that job offer to do freelance work for another paper of the recent floodings in Germany, things around her were becoming, once again, tedious.
Thinking of Jimmy made her sigh, remorsefully. Having told him of her being one of the many "meteor-freaks" she felt as if telling him finally slammed shut what was the, already, complicated bit of their relationship. In a way, she hardly blamed him for bailing. Her not being forth coming about her "extremity", and other things from the beginning of their relationship; had her feeling appreciative for him not leaving sooner. Clark was trying his best to bring her mood about, even despite his own problems with Lana being secretive and their newly, though odd, live-in relationship together.
Chloe sighed; it seemed no one was getting what they really wanted.
Chloe was just finishing up an article about the WGA strike in Hollywood when Susan Porter, the Human Resources secretary stopped by her desk.
"Hey, Chloe, how's it going?" She asked, in a friendly tone.
Chloe, however knew something was up. Susan rarely stopped by unless she had something Pierce Bradley, her boss, wanted from Chloe.
"Frank forgot to fill the pot, again. Other than that, nothing much. What does Pierce want me to do now, Sue?" Chloe said, not looking at her.
Susan grinned, "You always can see right through me, huh? Must be a gift."
"I guess." Chloe said and she finally looked at her. "Well, what is it?"
Susan wet her lips and sat in the chair opposite Chloe's desk. "We have some new people being interviewed and Pierce wants your input on them. He feels you've been here long enough that you have an "eye" for the best."
Chloe was a bit surprised, by this. Normally, Pierce told her to "mind her own damn business" whenever she inquired to the new people who were to be hired. Something was up and Chloe knew it.
"Is there a catch that I should know about, Sue?"
Susan turned away and laughed, "A "catch"? C'mon, Chloe. There's no "catch". He just need your input, that's all."
Chloe wasn't entirely convinced. However, seeing as how she was about done with the meager duties that she being assigned to, lately, she sighed and decided to go along.
"Alright. When does he want me there?" She asked with deep resignation.
Susan's face brightened. "As soon as your ready, actually."
It almost came to a shock for Chloe to see how, still, untidy Pierce Bradley's office still was. Ever since she interned when she was in High School, Chloe had never seen his office change. Stacks of paper towering to almost five feet behind his desk, a collection of dirty coffee mugs sporting various baseball teams, and tossed dress shirts lay piled in the back. Chloe knew that he had some pull, as any reasonable office space would be deemed ill fit and the person using it would be told to leave the premises.
Pierce Bradley was a gruff sort of person. Twice the divorcee and a person most notably known for his dislike of small children and animals; Chloe felt it amazing that she managed to find a job here from this man who hardly has ever said a nice thing to her.
She knocked on his opened door. "Pierce?" She said.
Pierce looked up from his thick glasses, his bearded mouth turned into a scowl as he said, gruffly, "How many times do I have to tell you, Sullivan? It's Mr. Bradley. It always has and always will be."
Gee, and I wonder WHY his wives decided to leave him. He's so "sweet". Chloe thought to herself.
Pierce pointed to a chair beside his desk and handed her a folder with a name as she sat down.
"Here's the newbies we'll be talking to today. However, I'LL be the one talkin'. You sit there and take notes. Once we're done with each one of em', I'll ask your opinion about how they seem to "shape up". Got it?"
Chloe sighed, "Got it, Mr. Bradley."
He nodded. Soon, Susan came in.
"A Mr. Rayner's here for his interview, Mr. Bradley."
Pierce sighed and rubbed his eyes as his other hand waived at her.
"Alright, send him in, Susan."
She nodded and walked out and soon came back in with a man who was wearing a leather Metropolis University sports letterman jacket, stained Levi's, and black cowboy boots. He was eyeing Chloe as he sat down only to change his gaze as Pierce spoke.
"So, Kyle Rayner, is it? It says here that you're interested in our comics division of the paper. Want to tell me what's your interest?"
Kyle put both of his hands behind his neck and slouched down in the seat, giving off a mischievous grin.
"Well, first off, your comics suck."
Pierce looked up and scowled. "Excuse me?"
Kyle nodded. "They do. I feel like I can both bring something fresh to your paper and believe me, it's also much needed."
Pierce opened up Kyle's profile, which also included some examples of both his artwork, and of his craft as a cartoonist. "Despite your attitude, I must say you are one hell of an artist, Mr. Rayner. What do you think you'll be makin' here?"
Kyle looked toward the ceiling and exhaled a deep breath. "Oh, I don't know. How about three-hundred seven fifty a strip?"
Pierce grinned and then he coughed. "Guess again, junior. Get crackin' on your work. You'll report to Art on Monday, got it?"
Kyle nodded.
Pierce looked down to another stack and waived, dismissivly, with his hand. "There's the door."
Kyle shrugged and got up. He then walked over casually to Chloe, dropped a piece of paper in her lap and made a gesture with his hand to resemble a telephone, mouthing, "Call me."
As he was leaving, Chloe looked at the paper and saw that it was a phone number. She gave a grin and shook her head, amused. She then turned to Pierce.
"So, is this how it's going to be? You'll make a decision and won't need my input? If this is the case, then why am I even here?"
Pierce, not looking at her but looking at the next applicant, sighed. "I know his mother and I promised her to get him settled in here, that's all, Sullivan."
Chloe sighed, bitterly as Susan reemerged and announced another name.
"A Miss Brewster, sir."
Pierce merely nodded this time and Susan went back out.
Chloe was still wondering in her head as to what her presence here was intended for. Apart of her dreading that she was being "tested", she feared that she might end up in here permanently. After all, she was receiving less and less key assignments from the Editor-in-Chief. Now Lois was here and she was being treated exactly the same as Chloe had when she had first arrived on the scene. Chloe didn't blame Lois for her rising to success; hell, she was proud of her for getting this far. Only, Chloe now was feeling bitter at her own situation.
"Pay attention, Sullivan." Pierce grumbled.
Again, Chloe gave out a deep resignated sigh. "Yes, Mr. Bradley." Looking down to her clipboard and jotting down the name "Brewster, Alice R." Chloe then looked to see what position she was applying for and to her immediate surprise it was for her own secretary.
"Is this why I'm here for? They're assigning me a secretary?" She asked Pierce with wide, happy, eyes.
Pierce, once again not looking at her, smiled faintly. "Nothing gets by you does it, Sullivan? Now shut your trap, here she comes."
Chloe looked up and watched as Susan walked in with a woman with long blonde hair in a suede dress skirt and white blouse. Her face was filled with determination and…
Chloe felt her pen leaving her hand as she stared at the woman's face.
No…It…it…couldn't be… Chloe's eyes were wide and she knew she should be mindful and not stare but considering who was now sitting in front of her, or who she extremely looked like; Chloe felt she was somehow entitled.
The woman looked to Chloe and in a sudden second seemed to match the same bewildered look that was on Chloe's. It changed however as it was directed to Pierce as he began speaking.
"So, Miss Brewster, is it? I see on your resume you've listed Queen Enterprises as one of your references, very impressive." Pierce said, looking smugly at the resume.
Queen Enterprises…Oliver's company? Chloe's mind was in a maelstrom of unanswered questions as she continued to gape at Alice Brewster. Still looking at the woman, Pierce's voice droning on and on about how he wished he could work for Oliver Queen's company rather than working at the Daily Planet. Chloe's mind went back to the moment where she was standing at the foot of, not Alice Brewster, but Alicia Baker's grave with Clark.
It went from there to when, how, Alicia had set it up for Chloe to see Clark for who he truly was. How she tricked Chloe into getting into the car with her and then grabbing ahold of her and teleporting them away just to see Clark zooming by and grabbing the jetting car in mid-air. Could this be Alicia? No, it couldn't be. Alicia Baker was dead. Wasn't she?
Chloe's mind was filled to the brim with possibilities. She didn't even hear Pierce ask her a question.
"I'm sorry?" Chloe said, shaking her head.
"Try to pay attention, Sullivan. I was asking you if you had anything you wanted to ask Miss Brewster here."
Where to start? Chloe thought. Instead she smiled and leaned forward.
"When can you start?"
The look on the woman's face was of conflicted happiness.
"Anytime you need me to, I guess." She replied.
Chloe nodded.
After the interview, Alicia made to get out quickly as to not be perused by Chloe, knowing fully well that she'd be after her quickly. Alicia found it to be dumb luck that she happened onto a job that employed a friend of Clark's, something she was hoping she wouldn't have to deal with until she was ready.
Alicia was just about to the elevators when she heard the high footsteps coming her way.
"Wait!"
Turning, and just as she had predicted, Chloe was rushing her way to her.
Alicia sighed. She decided just to let this be the one time, until she was ready. Smiling, she waited as Chloe finally got to her. She panted as she leaned against the side of the building, massaging her ankles.
"These are not meant to run in, no sir." She then looked up at Alicia and, with an exasperated look, asked in a hushed tone, "Alicia?"
Alicia waited for the door of the elevator to open and she then grabbed Chloe and brought her inside, she then nodded in affirmation.
Chloe, with the same bewildered look on her face moved her hands about dramatically.
"How? When? W…"
Alicia sighed, "About almost a month ago. Lex Luthor's people did it."
Chloe looked even more confused than before. "Lex?"
Alicia nodded.
Chloe began pacing but with difficulty due to her sore feet. She sighed and looked to Alicia. "Let me guess. Project 33.1?"
Now it was Alicia's turn to be surprised. "Yes, it was. How do YOU know about it?"
Chloe smiled, "Well, let's just say that Lex's pet projects should be of a public interest."
Alicia nodded, understandingly
As soon as they reached the lobby, Chloe asked her. "Was it Oliver and his friends that rescued you?"
Again, Alicia looked at her, surprised. She nodded again, all the same. As the two walked down the hallway, two men, deep in a raucous conversation, broke away and soon had their attention on the two approaching women. One of them Alicia recognized as one of the others who were waiting outside to be interviewed.
"So, we meet again." He said.
"Who are these pretty little things, Kyle?" Asked his friend with the short red hair.
Kyle grinned, "Ladies, allow me to introduce my friend Guy Gardner. Pay him no attention should he say something rude. It's just his second nature."
Guy, who was dressed in a black leather coat and torn brown jeans, smirked at his friend.
"Now, why do you have to be like that? I'm perfectly an angel. When I want to be."
Kyle rolled his eyes. He then turned his attention to the women and addressed Chloe.
"By the way, thanks for the good word. I think I'm going to like working here."
Chloe gave an amused look. "Please. You knew you had the job before coming in, didn't you?"
Kyle shrugged.
Guy looked at Alicia, "So, where are you two off to? We thought we'd celebrate little Kyle here getting a job at this fancy paper."
Chloe laughed, "Uh, huh. Well, hate to burst your bubble but A. We don't know you two and B. Just what makes you think we'd go off and celebrate?"
Kyle leaned back and folded his arms. "Ah, so you think you're too good for us then, hub?"
Alicia was feeling a little freaked out by the looks Guy was giving her.
"Come on, we're just talking about getting a bite to eat, nothing special or devious." Kyle said.
"I…I can't. I'm moving into my new apartment and the movers said they'd be there at four." Alicia said, looking to Chloe anxiously for assistance in getting far away from these two.
"Well then, we'll come with you. Every lady needs a strapin' bunch of well-built lads to help her put things away. Now, when it comes to the nighttime-" Guy began only to be cut off by Kyle.
"I think they're not interested, Guy." He then sighed and looked at Chloe. "If you change your mind, we'll be at the Metropolis Hard Rock Café, we should be there for awhile so come if you feel like it." With that Kyle nodded to Guy and the other followed after him, shortly of giving a wink to Alicia. Chloe and Alicia watched as they walked off.
Alicia then looked up and exasperated, "Thank God."
Chloe smirked as she continued watching them leave. "I don't know. Kyle's actually pretty cute."
Alicia looked at her in amusement. "Whatever you say. I'll tell you one thing, I can live without Guy Gardner in my life."
The furniture had came just as the people from the magazine said it would. While Alicia instructed the men on where to put it, Chloe had ordered them pizza and the ate as they watched the men move the furniture around.
"Now see, this is better than hanging out with two guys I barely know and, I'll admit, am a little scared of." Alicia said, wiping away some cheese that drizzled off of the slice and onto her chin.
Chloe nodded, breathing in as she took a big bite from the slice she had. Once the movers had finished, as well as the pizza, the two of them sat down on the new couch of Alicia's and drank bottled water as they looked around the, now furnished, apartment.
"Looks great. Much better than mine." Chloe remarked.
Alicia sighed, happily. "I owe it all to Oliver. I didn't ask for it, but he's really helped put my life back together."
Chloe smiled at her, "Are you two dating?"
Alicia laughed, "It seems like it the way I talk, doesn't it? No, no we aren't. I'm just appreciative of what he's done for me. On top of saving me, and all."
Chloe nodded and then sighed. "Does Clark know you're back yet?"
Alicia looked at the floor. In a way she had been anticipating for this question to be asked earlier than this. She rotated her finger around the cap of her bottle, thinking.
"I haven't. To be honest, I'm not really sure how I'd go around saying it." She looked at Chloe.
Chloe sighed, "Well, you'll have to get around telling him sooner or later. Clark comes by the Daily Planet often, so it's not like you aren't going to be seeing him around."
Alicia nodded. She then looked to Chloe, hopefully. "When he does come by, could you help me talk to him?"
Chloe smiled and nodded. "Sure." She said.
Alicia breathed in deeply, relaxing herself. "How has he been since I've been gone?"
The two spent the remainder of the night with Chloe telling Alicia all that she had missed since she had died up until it got late and Chloe had to go back to her place.
Unknown to either one of them, across the street in a storage building, four men are in a room listening on headsets and writing down notes. Three men are gagged and tied up and their furniture store's company uniforms lay on the floor. One man, watching through a telescope at Alicia as she was slumbering off to a blaring television set; smiled as he jotted down notes.
Dr. Forrest Robards had never seen Alicia Baker look as happy as she did right now.
TO BE CONTINUED…
A/N: Thanks to all that have reviewed. I'm trying my best to be concurrent with the storyline in the new season of Smallville. Again, please tell me where I'm going wrong. A lot of my information is based off of some emails my friend, who has cable, has been sending me.
I hope you like the introduction of the two Green Lantern characters Kyle Rayner and Guy Gardner. You will see more of them as this story progresses. No worries though, as you can tell Alicia and Guy Gardner aren't going to be set up anytime soon.
A/N II: As Always, please read and review.
Q-n-P
