Hi, guys! Sorry to keep you waiting. Hee... ^^/
I was a little busy and over the top. Anyway, in this chapter, Alicia will make her decision.
Give it a read and enjoy. - (8/20/2016)

Chapter 16

Alicia was brought to the place to accept visitors. She was confused why because she knew that Hiro would not be meeting her for a while. He had a lot to do was his excuse. Alicia stared at the two men in front of the transparent divider. Her eyes widened in shocked. Her breath became frantic in an instant. The policewoman held her shoulders to calm her down.

"Why are they here?" she growled.

The two men turned to each other. The one on the right turned to her and started an explanation, "We came here as asked by your friend…"

"The Big Hero 6 had asked us to come here and apologized to you," the one on the left said.

"Apologize?! You think that would be enough?!" Alicia shouted angrily, pushing the policewoman away, "You killed my sister!"

"It was an accident! We never knew she could die!" the one on the right defended himself.

"Y-Yeah…" his partner said.

"Apologizing can't bring my sister back!" Alicia screamed.

Her mind started to spin. She held her head, backing away to the walls. The policewoman could only watch her. She suddenly screamed at the top of her lungs. The two men panicked. They were scared that she would kill them.

"Alicia!" Ashley cried out, rushing up to her twin sister.

"Ashley…" Alicia whimpered.

"What a nuisance!" the man who was torturing Alicia shouted, aiming a gun at Ashley.

"No, we can't do that!" the other warned him.

As they were fighting, a few shots were heard. Ashley kept on hugging her sister to ease her. Alicia widened her eyes as five shots hit Ashley. Her twin sister was struggling to stay strong because she didn't want Alicia to worry. Alicia hugged her sister tight as well. She didn't want to let go.

Ashley whispered, "I'm sorry…I failed to protect you…"

She fell onto the ground. Alicia shook her hard, calling out her name. The men stopped fighting. They stared at the two girls. Alicia kept on shaking her twin sister's body. The men panicked. A few minutes later, Alicia fell into silence. She didn't say anything, but her fists were clenched at her side. Ashley's body was laid on the floor. The men backed away.

"You…killed…my…sister," Alicia growled.

"Warrghhhhh!" Alicia screamed.

"What's going on?!" Hiro barged into the room.

He saw Alicia in such a state. The boy rushed to hug her. Alicia abruptly stopped screaming. Hiro hugged her tightly. She fell to her knees and started to cry. Hiro released his hold on her. She grabbed onto him, crying hard. Hiro looked dejectedly at the girl. He caressed her hair as he did. The two men were speechless. Carla came up to them.

"Thanks for making an effort. You guys can go home before she goes out of control again," she said to them.

"Y-Yes!" one of them said.

"Tell her we're really sorry. Our mission was to kidnap them at the time, but one of our members was angry at Ashley for trying to protect. The shots were an accident…" the other one explained.

"I get it. Thanks," Carla forced a smile.

Hans came up to her after that. They both looked at the crying Alicia. Hiro was busy comforting her like always. The policewoman was standing at the door, scared of Alicia. Hans sighed.

"We really need to rehabilitate her..." Hans said.

"It's the only way, huh?" Carla asked.

"Yes. Right now, that is the only thing I could think of," the man explained.

"H-Hiro…" Alicia sobbed, gripping onto him tighter.

"I won't leave your side. I promise…" he whispered to her.

The chief came into the room as well. Hiro stared at him. He observed the crying girl and the boy holding her. Hiro didn't say anything but his eyes were expressing what he wanted to say. The chief sighed.

"Hiro, you may take her back for the time being," he suddenly said.

"What?" Hiro and Alicia exclaimed at the same time.

"I will sort everything out with her parents and Hans," the chief explained.

Alicia and Hiro gazed at each other. They turned to look at the chief who smiled and nodded. He gave them a condition: Alicia can only stay inside the café until they reached a decision for her. The two accepted the condition. Hiro helped Alicia to stand up on her feet. She flashed a small smile at her boyfriend. The boy nodded to her.

"Come to my room to fill in some paperwork, Hiro," the chief said to the two.

"I'll wait with her" Carla volunteered.

Hiro smiled and nodded. "Thanks."

He went ahead to catch up with the chief. Carla stood beside Alicia, observing her. Alicia was staring at the floor, thinking about something. She didn't bother the girl. They went to sit on a bench in the waiting room. Most people there avoided sitting close to them. Alicia didn't feel hurt at all. She knew why they were afraid of her. Carla sighed when some people called for her to stay away from Alicia. The blonde shot a glare before pulling Alicia's head to rest on her shoulder. The younger girl bit her lower lip, trying hard not to cry. She was tired of crying and burdening everyone who wished to help her. She clenched her fists, holding in her sobs.

"It's not your fault they hate you..." Carla whispered to her.

"Hmm..." the girl nodded.

Whispers about her could be heard. She didn't listen but Carla did. Alicia's sobs subsided when Hiro appeared. The boy was ready to take her back. A man grabbed his shoulder before he could reach her.

"You should stay away from her!" he warned.

"Y-Yeah! She could kill you anytime!" a woman agreed.

A girl nodded and said, "She's scary!"

More voices of protests were heard. Carla wrapped her arms around Alicia, looking at the people surrounding them. She shook her head to Hiro. The boy nodded to her. Carla and Alicia went straight to the exit. Gogo's car was already waiting for them. Hiro ran out of the police station.

"Can't they leave you alone or something?" Carla asked Hiro.

"I'm their hero..." Hiro muttered, sighing.

Alicia didn't say anything. She kept on staring at her hands. Hiro glanced up at his girlfriend. He took her right hand into his left one, grabbing her attention. She flashed a meek smile. Hiro kissed her forehead, pulling her into his arms.

She whispered softly, "I'm sorry…"

Once they arrived at the café, Hiro and Alicia entered through the back door. They went straight to his room. Carla and Gogo went to explain everything to Aunt Cass and the rest of the gang.

"So, she's staying here for the time being?" Honey asked in a whisper.

"Yeah. She seems to calm down around Hiro, so it's convenient," Carla remarked.

"That's actually true. Asch agreed as well," Wasabi spoke, telling them what Asch had asked them to do for Alicia.

Gogo placed her cup on the table and sighed. "Still, with her current state, she may have to go away… Like the first plan," she said.

Silent fell on them. They looked away sadly, thinking of Hiro's reaction if Alicia was to go away. Mr. Koizumi and Hans had already worked out the papers for her to be transferred. They could only hope for the best.

Meanwhile, Hiro took off his hoodie and placed it on his chair. Alicia was taking a shower. Baymax was active under her request. The boy sat in bed, looking straight at a picture of his brother. He sighed. Baymax looked over to the boy.

"Hiro, are you alright?" he asked out of concern.

"Am I doing the right thing, Baymax? Everyone is turning against me because of my decision to protect Alicia," Hiro muttered sadly.

"You did what heart believes is right, Hiro. Alicia is precious to you," Baymax remarked.

"Yes, but the people of San Fransokyo are also precious to me," the boy sighed.

Baymax tilted his head to the side. "Based on the memories of you and Alicia, I believe you are doing the right thing, Hiro," he spoke up his mind.

They didn't know that Alicia had heard everything. She was drying up her body with a towel close to the bathroom door. She didn't mean to hear anything because it was just a coincidence. She bit her lower lip and knocked on the door.

"H-Hiro, I'm coming out…" she said.

Hiro stood up immediately. "O-Okay! The clothes are on the bed. I'll be downstairs if you need me," he replied, running out of the room.

Baymax followed the boy. Alicia came out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel. She reached for the t-shirt and shorts Hiro had placed on the bed for her. It was weird that the clothes were in her size but she shrugged it off. Once she was done, she went to the living room. Hiro was there. He flashed a smile at her.

"Do you want to eat? I'll make something," Hiro asked.

Shaking her head, Alicia said, "Hiro…I've…made up my mind."

"What do you mean?" he asked, confused.

"I think I'll go to that rehabilitation center," she said.

"What? Why? Can't you get cured here?" Hiro asked, shocked at her decision.

He looked away from her. Alicia felt really guilty for having to leave him. She sat beside Hiro on the sofa. Placing a hand on his clenched one, she gazed into his eyes. He was forced to do the same thing. It was as if he could read her mind. A tear trickled down her right cheek. Hiro rested his forehead on hers.

"I'll miss you," he whispered.

Biting her lower lip, she nodded. "Hmm…" she sobbed.

That night, Hiro and Alicia slept side by side. Hiro gazed into her eyes and she did the same thing. He played with her bangs, smiling. Their eyes were swollen. They spent the whole day inside his room, crying most of the hours. Hiro wiped away a tear that was threatening to come out of Alicia's left eye. Alicia kept her hands in front of her chest, clenched together like she was praying. She kept her gaze on Hiro's eyes.

Mr. Koizumi entered the police station early in the morning, ignoring the stares that people were giving him. Hans greeted him. They both made their way to the chief's office. The chief gestured them to sit down on the chairs in front of his desk.

"I heard what you did," the father started.

"Yes, but I approved, Sir," Hans stood up for the chief.

"I know. I actually wanted to thank you for doing so," Mr. Koizumi said.

"Why is that?" the chief asked.

"I want her to make her own decision," he said, full of determination. "I trust my daughter…"

"I see…" the chief said.

Hans took out a paper which happened to be a contract stating that he would watch over Alicia at the rehabilitation center. Mr. Koizumi nodded and signed it without a second thought. He told Hans to come to his house to get his wife's approval.

"How is she by the way?' Hans asked out of concerned.

"She has been better. She decided to visit Alicia today, with Kate. You can come by in the evening," the father explained.

They discussed further plans about Alicia and about other issues that were a bother as well. The chief jot down some notes that he thought would be useful for his future work. Mr. Koizumi is a well-known man who was said to own a few estates around the city. He is always very resourceful.

Meanwhile, Hiro and Alicia was still sleeping when Kate and Mrs. Koizumi arrived. Aunt Cass didn't think twice before sending the guests to Hiro's bedroom. The sight shocked the mother and she fainted in an instant. Kate was just surprised but also, very angry. Hiro and Alicia were in the same bed. His arms were wrapped around hers. Not to mention, their clothes were scattered on the floor which could only mean one thing. Kate was fuming up.

"Hiro, you pervert!" she shouted, shaking the whole building.

"H-Huh?" the boy woke up, rubbing his eyes sleepily.

He panicked when he saw his girlfriend's mother and sister. His sweat dropped. Kate landed a punch on his stomach. Hiro gasped and cringed. Alicia was still fast asleep, not giving a care for the world.

"I'll give you two minutes to clear things and wake my sister up!" Kate ordered.

"Y-Yes, ma'am!" Hiro obeyed, running around the room.

Kate showed her mother to the living room. She didn't want her to faint again. Hiro reached the living room in five minutes. Alicia practically dragged herself there because she was still sleepy.

"What have you been up to last night, huh?" Kate teased her sister.

"Kate…" Mrs. Koizumi shook her head sternly, looking at Alicia.

Alicia grinned sheepishly. She didn't know how to explain what they did last night. Hiro apologized again. The mother sighed. Alicia made some tea for all of them. They sat at the dining table to talk.

"I'm glad you're doing fine, my dear," Alicia's mother said to her.

"Why, yes. I'm happy to see you all better," she replied with a smile.

Mrs. Koizumi nodded, sipping her tea. "Well, I heard you've made your decision."

Alicia glanced up at Hiro before replying, "Y-Yes. I want to heal myself, forget my past and build a future for myself…"

"Wise choice. I pray that you will be alright," the mother said.

They hugged before Alicia sent them off via the garage. She didn't want Aunt Cass' customers running away because of her. Hiro wrapped his right arm around her waist. She turned to him with a frown.

"What did I do wrong?" Hiro asked.

She sighed. "Nothing. Let's go and make lunch," she said.

"Okay…" Hiro hummed, following behind her.

They made lunch and called for Aunt Cass to eat with them. Hiro's friends helped to look at the café while they ate. After that, Alicia spent some time with the gang and Baymax as well. In the evening, Hiro took Alicia out flying yet again. He had made an armor just for her. She appreciated his efforts and showed her gratitude with a kiss on his cheek. Hiro faintly blushed at his reward.

"Thank you, Hiro…" she mumbled to herself.

That night, they did the same thing, sleeping side by side. The next morning was the day he had to send her off to the port. He wanted to cherish his final hours with her. She was smiling in her sleep. Hiro placed his lips on hers.

"I love you, Alicia…" he whispered.

Alicia snored softly. Hiro pulled her body closer to his, trying hard not to cry. After all, he would see her again. Right?

Alicia stared at the ferry in front of her. She was holding onto her duffel bag full of things she would be needing at the center. She turned around to see her friends and family. They were all smiling at her. Her brother came up to her. He patted her head.

"Get cured and come back, okay?" he said, giving a peck on her head.

"I will…" she replied, pushing him away.

Her parents came up to her. They pulled her into a hug. "We love you," they whispered.

"I love you two," she sobbed.

The gang said their goodbye from where they were standing. Hiro was last to come up to her. His eyes were swollen and his cheeks were puffy. Alicia giggled at the sight. She wrapped her arms around his torso, silencing him.

"We'll see each other again, I promise…" she reassured him.

Wrapping his arms around her waist, he replied, "I believe you…"

"Miss, it's time," Hans called.

Alicia nodded. She gazed into Hiro's eyes. "I love you, Hiro."