Alicia sat in her desk at the CCPD across from Dick, sipping her second cup of matcha. She knew that Barry was running around Central City playing superhero; he was continuously doing it. She knew that for Barry, saving people was like a drug for him. It was not that Alicia didn't want him to be a hero or to use his gift; she just wanted him to use his powers responsibly. She understood; both she and Barry were twenty-five, nothing more than kids themselves and they were young. Temptation was always there for Alicia to use her abilities how she wanted when she wanted, but she held her restraint from it. Part of that came from her being a police detective, and being in the police required a discipline that Alicia carried with her always. Suddenly, her phone dinged with a text from Caitlin.
Caitlin: Talk to Barry
Alicia: Why?
Caitlin: He just managed to save a bus-load of people from a burning building that was collapsing down and managed not to get buried alive.
Alicia: Okay, I'll speak with him.
Alicia knew that Barry was happy about having powers; it felt good to be good at something. Alicia understood, because Barry was young. He was twenty-five, same age as Alicia. His whole life he wanted nothing more than to help people in any way that he could, and now he had power that allowed him to do that. But he needed to show a little bit of restraint. Alicia watched Barry walk into precinct, but he was confronted by Joe before Alicia could even get up from her desk. Suddenly, she got a phone call.
"Alicia Galloway, special victim's unit of the CCPD," Alicia said into the phone.
"Hi Alicia." It was Massie, her sister.
"Oh hi, Mass," Alicia said around a smile. "How are you, sweetie?"
"I've been good. I-I've just heard that Clyde Mardon is dead; is that true?" asked Massie.
"Yes, one of my co-workers actually shot him," Alicia told her sister.
"Yeah, but I've also been hearing rumors of some red streak going around saving people; and some other person flying around doing similar. Whoever the person is that's flying him or her apparently yanked someone from a car accident," Massie said.
"No I haven't heard anything about that," Alicia said. "Listen, Massie, I've gotta get back to work I have several evidence pieces that I need to give to forensics, plus I am needed in court today. Additionally, I am going to be going to Central City University for an event in like an hour. Good luck at the cheer competition tonight."
"Okay, love you, Licia," Massie said.
"Love you, too, darling." Alicia hung up the phone just as Barry walked up to his lab. Getting up from her desk and grabbing her cup of matcha as well as her tuna salad wrap, she followed Barry up to his lab. "Bar, can I talk to you for a sec?"
"Yeah, what's up?"
"Caitlin just texted me that you were saving people from a burning building today," Alicia said.
"Alicia, I don't want to fight," Barry said.
"Clearly you do, since you've been taking on every little problem that the city has been facing. I mean you've helped Joe stop Clyde Mardon and managed not to get yourself killed. I mean how much more of a hero do you need to be?" Alicia asked as they entered Barry's workspace. She set her tea and lunch down on the desk. "You cannot just be running around this city like a supersonic firefighter. And guess what? My sister is hearing rumors all the way from Starling about a 'red streak' and a 'person who can fly' going around saving Central City! I don't want my baby sister caught up in this!"
"Alicia, why can't I? I-I love the feeling of being able to do this!" Barry said.
"I understand that it feels good but you need to show some restraint, Bar," Alicia told him.
"And you're the one to tell me to not be reckless, considering after you transferred to the CCPD, you ended up in the hospital because you decided to beat up some rapists," Barry told her.
"You promised you would never bring that up again!" Alicia scowled.
That was when Iris walked in. "Come on guys, we have the Simon Stagg event at CCU that we need to attend. It's in an hour."
"Already have my clothes here," Alicia said, going over to Barry's locker where her knee-length red dress was. Pulling her long black hair out of its bun, Alicia proceeded to go find a bathroom to get changed. Barry already had his dress shirt and dress pants ready, as well as a tie.
"Besides, Barry, I have a bone to pick with you," Iris said, glowering at him.
"Why?" Barry asked, hating when Iris got mad.
"Why did you convince me to take journalism?" asked Iris. "You said that journalists get to do all the cool things. Well journalism is boring, I'm bored, and I blame you." Barry was busy staring at her outfit; a tight purple dress that showed off her stunning body and black heals. "What?" she asked him.
"You look really nice," Barry said to her, smiling.
Iris grinned. Even she couldn't stay angry at Barry forever. "Thank you. Now come on get dressed. You said you'd be there to explain all the sciencey things to me for my article for journalism!"
Barry chuckled. "I just agreed to go because Simon Stagg is going to be talking about his work in cellular cloning. I mean the idea that we can replicate DNA! Do you know how much medical advancement that that can bring?" he asked in enthusiasm.
Iris smiled in amusement. "Okay, Bar, go get dressed. We need to go. How fast can you get home and get changed?"
Barry smiled at her and grabbed his clothes for the event. Barry wanted to tell Iris so badly about the things that he could do, but he knew he had to keep it all a secret, because like Joe, he didn't want Iris involved in any of this. He knew how Iris was; if she learned about his abilities she'd want to constantly be part of him putting away metahuman criminals. Soon enough, Alicia was changed into her clothes for the event. She had agreed to go to see Stagg receive his award, as she needed to get out of the precinct for just a little bit. All she knew was that if she needed it, she was bringing her gun in her purse as precaution, like she always did, and if security had an issue with it, all she needed to do was whip out her badge.
"Wait, Alicia are you sure you need your gun? You're not going as a detective," Iris said.
"I feel a lot safer knowing that it's on me. Besides, I'm a cop. What cop would I be without my gun?" asked Alicia.
"But you're not going as SVU detective you're going as our friend," Barry told Alicia.
"Sorry Bar I'm not risking anything. Now come on get dressed or else we're gonna be late," Alicia said to him.
Barry, Alicia and Iris found themselves entering Central City University. They knew that today was a big deal because Simon Stagg was going to be receiving a big award for his research. He was a former student of the college, so it made sense for him to be recognized there. Alicia approached a waiter, accepting a flute of Champagne. She didn't always drink; only Tennessee whiskey once and a while, and Champagne on special occasions. Brushing her fingers through her long, silky hair, she found herself looking around the room in amazement.
Barry smiled as he walked in, his arms looped on Alicia and Iris. He remembered having graduated from Central City University early with several different degrees in science. This was where it all had started for him, along with many other geniuses like Simon Stagg himself, whom Barry personally admired for his stem cell research. Fortunately, they walked in just in time to see Stagg give his speech.
"I find it quite remarkable, having once been a timid freshman at Central City University," Stagg was saying, "to be standing before you now at the region's choice for man of the year. While I really appreciate the award, the real honor for me is knowing that my work in organ transference helps give people a second chance at life. Thank you all very much for coming."
A light applause followed and Barry turned towards Iris.
"Okay, Iris, well first things first: Stagg's work in cellular cloning has led to huge advancements in the future of organ replacement. . ." Barry started.
Alicia found herself intrigued by a waiter going around with whiskey.
"Okay, if the two of you are bored already; then wait till I start explaining to you guys about cellular regeneration," Barry joked.
"Pretty sure that even though reporters are not allowed to drink on the job I am," said Alicia, smirking as she grabbed a shot glass containing Tennessee whiskey - her drink of choice and personal favorite because of its strength. The last time she'd had good Tennessee whiskey was her visit to the Verdant in Starling City. She was thankful that the hangout of the Arrow team was underneath a night club, because that meant having good liquor.
"I've missed this so much," Iris said, grinning.
"Yeah, us too. We've just had a few crazy weeks," said Alicia.
"Tell me about it," Barry said, staring up at the ceiling.
"So that's why you two have been avoiding me? I thought it was because of Eddie," Iris said to them.
"No freaking way why would we ignore you because of Eddie?" Alicia asked, feigning looking offended.
Barry laughed at his two best friends bantering back and forth. This felt like the old days, where it was just the three of them laughing and joking around and teasing each other while binge-watching Netflix on Joe's couch.
"Well I know you both probably think it is wrong for me to be dating my dad's partner," said Iris.
"No, no, Iris, we're happy for you. He's smart, he's kind and he's really good at his job," Alicia assured her friend.
Barry smiled at Iris reassuringly. However, he also wanted to tell her about his abilities. "Iris," he said. "There's something I've been wanting to say to you for a bit now," he told her. Alicia shot him a look. Barry could not let Iris know about what they could do.
"What is it? You can tell me anything," Iris said. She made it seem easy, but it was so hard.
"Never mind," said Barry. "It's nothing it's just stupid." He was about to continue with explaining scientific details to Iris when suddenly gun shots went off and multiple men in black were surrounding the room. Iris' jaw dropped.
"Get down Iris," Alicia warned.
"Quiet down all of you!" the man in black shouted.
"What's going on?!" Iris gasped.
Suddenly, a man took the stage. "How considerate; you're all wearing your finest jewelry. It's like you knew I was coming here to rob you!" he said.
Alicia gave Barry a pointed look. Iris cannot know about what we can do she silently told him. She pulled her gun out just in case she needed it. She also had her police badge in her wallet.
"All of you line up!" the man called out.
People started lining up in terror, nervous.
"Alicia we need to do something," hissed Barry.
Alicia shook her head. "No we'll blow our cover, Bar! Follow my lead I'm the cop!"
Soon enough, women were dropping their necklaces into big black bags. When the man approached Iris and Alicia, Alicia was at the ready. Instantly, she pulled her gun out and her police badge, keeping a hard, solid expression on her face.
"Whoever you are, my name is Alicia Galloway, CCPD special victim's unit. If I were you I'd put my hands in the air!" Alicia said. "Drop your weapon!"
The unknown man just smirked at her.
"Don't make me do this!" Alicia said threateningly. Suddenly, she swung at him, but it did nothing. "Put your weapon down!"
"You can give me your jewelry or I can shoot you in the head," the man whispered.
"Are you threatening a special victim's unit detective?" Alicia asked her eye brow arching. "If I were you I'd put your weapon down and put your hands in air, sir. Nobody here has to get hurt." Barry stepped forward. "Barry let me," she whispered to him. "Just get Iris out of here I've got this. And call Dick on my cell I've got him on speed dial. You know my phone password go now!"
Barry nodded, taking Iris by the hand before sprinting out of the room like a normal person with Alicia's cell phone in his hand. Unlocking the phone, he instantly called Alicia's partner.
"Iris, stay here, alright?" he asked before calling Dick. "Dick, Dick, there's a situation at Central City University robbery in progress! Tell Joe, tell Eddie tell who you can!"
"Is Alicia okay?" Dick asked.
"Alicia can take care of herself she's got this," Barry said before hanging up. The next thing he knew, he was running at super speed out of the college and shoving away a member of the security team before a bullet could hit him, before he felt himself going into a dizzy spell, and he felt himself blacking out.
Meanwhile, inside the college, Alicia continued to hold her gun on the man. "Put your weapon down," she warned. However, the next thing she knew, six black-clad men were racing out of the college. "Shit," she whispered. She proceeded to race out of the school to find Barry passed out around the corner. "Barry, Barry!" she whispered, slapping his face. "Bar, wake up!"
Barry suddenly roused. "What happened?"
"There were six of them, Bar. They had us all outnumbered. However we need to find Joe, Eddie and Dick. I'm pretty sure that they were here and will be asking questions." Grabbing Barry by the hand, Alicia and Barry walked around the corner to find Joe walking towards them with Dick.
"Are you two okay?" Dick asked the two of them.
"Yeah, we're all right," Barry told Alicia's partner.
"Dick, head back to the CCPD; this isn't your unit," Joe suggested.
"This is my partner," said Dick.
"Fair enough," Alicia told him as she watched Dick walk away.
"Okay, so, start from the beginning what happened?" asked Joe.
"Well, we came and Stagg gave his speech. Next thing you know six men in black were holding everyone at gun point," Barry said.
"I tried holding him back by showing him my gun and badge, but he tried to advance. However I noticed something about him. He and the other five men looked exactly the same, like it was copies of the same exact person. They were all wearing the same clothing, and they were all wearing masks to conceal their identities," Alicia explained.
"You described them as copies?" asked Joe. "So let me guess, metahumans?"
"Yeah. I think we need to get to S.T.A.R Labs and talk to Wells, Cisco and Caitlin," Barry said.
"I agree, but I will fly you out of here. I don't trust you running when you just passed out. Was this the first time?" Alicia asked him.
Barry shook his head.
"Caitlin is gonna be so incredibly pissed at you that you didn't tell her," said Alicia.
"However, did Iris see Barry use his speed?" asked Joe.
"I'm not sure," Barry said.
"Barry Iris is intuitive she's not stupid. You need to conceal what you can do from her or else she's going to find out!" Joe scolded.
"I know, Joe. Okay?" Barry said to his foster dad. He turned to Alicia as Joe walked away to talk to Iris again. "Can we get to S.T.A.R?"
Alicia nodded. "Actually, I don't have super strength we'll go by foot," she said. "It's not too far of a walk from here."
Barry nodded. He knew that once he told Caitlin that he had been passing out that he was going to get her wrath. And boy was he not looking forward to that.
A/N
Next chapter, we will see some more development with Alicia's powers. Next chapter we will be seeing her develop super strength. The theory is that since Alicia's cells in her muscles regenerate so quickly, that her muscles become stronger the more she exercises or the more she used her strength. You will be seeing her use her super strength for the first time in the next chapter, so there is lots to look forward to. Also, Alicia's younger sister, Massie, is catching on to a "person that can fly" who is obviously her sister. What could this potentially mean for Massie?
highlander348- I didn't intentionally design Alicia's suit to look like any character from DC Comics in particular. I was actually partially inspired by the look of the Black Canary suit from the New 52, which is how the Dinah Drake suit looks on Arrow now. Obviously a major difference in the design is the color and the cape as an addition. And yes, as I write, Alicia's super strength will continue to develop. I'm happy to see that you are satisfied with the Angel costume and how I pictured it to look.-
XOXO, Dani