by Freya

I was running. I did that a lot going all the back to High School when I wanted to clear my head. If I’m frustrated, or confused by a problem from the lab or from my personal life I ran and it helped me think straight. Sometimes when I ran a solution presented itself and I’d show up at the lab in a sweaty tank top and shorts under my lab coat and start working furiously. It got me teased but they didn’t object because they knew if I was doing that I’d have the answer and couldn’t wait or I might lose it again. It also keeps me in shape which my wife appreciates.

There was a new drug on the streets and it was killing people a lot faster than the old ones. It’s always bad when a new drug hits but this one made people briefly superhuman and then killed them after a few weeks of repeated use. This was in Phoenix, Arizona where I was a Police Chemist named Barry Allen.

We needed a test for it and a complete analysis so we could start the process of getting it made illegal. I was one of the guys working on the analysis. I was having trouble isolating one compound. It was seemingly at the core of the effect and so far any attempt at determining its structure caused it to break up. We knew what element went into it what we needed was the formula and the structure. After wrestling with it for several hours I decided I needed a run. I called home and told Iris I’d be working late. She was unsurprised and understanding, she’s always been the best wife a man could ask for and she had papers to grade for her English class anyway.

“Make sure you eat something Barry. Something that didn’t come from a vending machine,” she said over the phone. I smiled, hiding the Twinkies behind me as if she could see them, “Yes dear.”

I could hear her eyes rolling from here, “I’ll be by after I’m finished with these papers to bring you some food if you’re still there. Are you any closer to the answer?”

“I was just about to go running,” I said shrugging. She’d know what that meant. “Well maybe satori will strike while you are out making your feet flatter,” she replied, humor and affection in her voice. “I’ll see you later dear.”

“I love you Iris.”

“I love you too Barry.”
So I went running and by the time I came back I had an idea to try. I had to let myself in because everyone had gone home. It wasn’t like the precinct which has to be open 24/7; we worked odd hours and all of us with 5 years of seniority or more had keys. I was sort of used to working alone. All it meant to me was that I didn’t have to shower or change out of my running clothes; I could jump right in and try out my idea.

It worked too. Soon I had a flask full of the compound and a folder full of notes on how I did it. I grinned and punched the air, “Take that whoever you are! We’ll get this stuff catalogued and outlawed and then you’ll be in trouble. Nobody starts pushing this shit in my hometown.”

I started taking the flask and the folder to the evidence safe where it would be secure until I could come back and tell everyone. I would normally make photocopies and write up a report but it was 2 a.m. and my energy surge at solving the problem was fast receding. I’d lock everything up and do the rest tomorrow.

As I walked down the corridor from my lab to the safe I stopped and looked out at the night through the wall sized picture window. It was a nasty night out with lots of wind and rain and lightning flashing, I hoped Iris wasn’t worried. She was well familiar with my habits but... I decided to call her as soon as I put everything in the safe. Unfortunately I never made it. I don’t remember anything but bright light and pain but I found out what happened later. Lighting hit the glass as I turned away and then hit me. It should have killed me and would have but I as lay there flopping like a fish out of water the concentrated drug spilled into my blood through the cuts the glass made and together with the lightning it activated my metagene complex and instead of dying I changed. That night the Flash was born.

The Flash - Fastest Woman Alive!
Chapter Two
by Freya

I woke up the next morning and that itself surprised me. I opened my eyes a crack and saw Iris sitting beside the bed holding my hand. I guess some things never change and I’m glad for that. I hurt all over but seeing her made me feel much better. I smiled and she leaned over and hugged me. “Oh Barry, I’m so glad you’re still alive! When I heard that awful explosion I ran up thinking the worst. I couldn’t bear to lose you.”

Her hug felt odd or maybe I felt odd but there was only one reply to that,”I love you Iris,” I croaked out. My voice sounded rusty and odd. I needed some water or something. I started to reach for the pitcher near the bed but I couldn’t, I was restrained. “What?”

“Oh, sorry dear. She put those on to keep you from injuring yourself. You were thrashing pretty good for awhile. Did you want water?” I nodded, and she poured some into a glass and lifted my head a little to drink. “I’ll go see if I can find her to come release you. If you need anything just call out.”

She went out of the room and I looked around, it didn’t look like a normal hospital. Maybe I was in a special ward for lightning victims? No, that would be silly I told myself. I was still looking around when Iris came back in and with her was the girl that had been on the news lately, Jade.

“I restrained you because at first you were jerking and flailing a lot. I’m not sure if it was the drug or the lightning but I was afraid you’d hurt yourself,” she raised her ring and suddenly I was freed. “Thank you,” I said. My voice still sounded odd so I started rubbing my throat. Then I frowned and rubbed harder, something wasn’t right. My eyes flew wide open and I bolted upright, the sheet fell off me and I stared down at myself. I was female! I had really small breasts, less than an A cup it seemed but they were there. I also had unusually large and sensitive nipples that were eraser pink. I touched them; yep, those are mine alright and very sensitive. I threw off the sheet completely and Jade turned away. I looked down and saw vagina, “I’m a woman?”

“Yes, you’re a girl now but you’re alive. I was flying back from Las Vegas when I saw the explosion of the lab. I zoomed down but by the time I got there Iris had found you. She’s a great spouse Barry.”

“I know,” I said smiling.

"She stood over you and said that if I wanted to do anything to you I had to go through her first.” Jade smiled, “After assuring her I was one of the good guys I took you both back to my spaceship for a high tech medical checkout. Once you’re recovered I’ll tell you the results since you might be able to make more sense of them than I can, but for now I’ll just say that you’re female, stable, and biologically adult. The computer estimates you are about 21 or so now. I can create a whole new identity for you or even both of you someplace else but with a little help I think you can go back to your old job once they rebuild the lab. Either way we can use your expertise and your contacts, they may actually be as much help as your powers. We’ve been tracking the same drug you have and while we do have another PhD on our team we could use someone who is used to forensic chemistry. It’s been used elsewhere than Phoenix and the sooner we stop the supply the better. Will you join our league or whatever and give us the benefit of your expertise?”

I blinked, “Well sure, I’d love to go after those scum with real superheroes at my side. Most of the people dying from it are criminals but they don’t deserve the fate that crud deals out and whoever is bringing it in needs to be stopped.” I shrugged uncomfortably aware of the unfamiliar movement on my chest. Apparently even small ones jiggle, who knew?

Iris smiled, “Back home we used to call those ‘fried eggs sunny side up’ small breasts with large nipples. You make beautiful woman dear.” She hugged me again, “I still consider us married unless you want out?”

“Never! I’ll always love you. But...” I trailed off confused. Iris pulled the sheet back up to my waist, “I thought you knew dear? They didn’t have the L.U.G. pledge when we were in college but if they had I would have taken it. And I would have broken it for you. I’d no intention of romance or marriage until I’d completed my Master’s at least but you changed my mind. I love you Barry Allen regardless of what body you’re in.” She kissed me then and I kissed back. “You can look again Jade,” she called out amused.

Then I remembered Jade said something about going back to my old job. “Jade are you going to change me back with your ring?”

“No, I can’t do that but I can give the illusion of being your old self again. It will hold up to casual touches even. You’ll be able to go back to being a police chemist and continue living in your own home. It’ll be a risk though. So if you’d rather you both disappear and show up elsewhere as a couple let me know and we’ll do it that way. If anyone connects Barry Allen with the new superheroine they may strike at your home or kidnap Iris. You’ll have an excellent disguise but you’ll have to be careful not to be seen leaving the house as your alter ego. However if the A.I in the ring is right,"

She was interrupted by a voice from the ring, “Of course I’m right. Subject’s changes are all of the sort to facilitate great speed of foot and reaction time. She may be the fastest human alive.”

Jade continued, “So assuming that, you should be able to avoid being noticed leaving which will help regardless of what option you take. Once you get the hang of things you won’t even have to worry about being photographed. You’ll be moving faster than any shutter speed.”

My head was spinning with too much new information, “Maybe I can start with breakfast and decide later?”

“Of course! There’s no real hurry. The ring has it set up so that the Phoenix Police have records that you are recuperating in a hospital ICU. No visitors allowed but your wife who is spending all her time there. They even have a recorded phone call from the hospital, or so they think. You can spend the next few days here getting the hang of the new body and when you decide we’ll go from there.”

She created a set of Green sweats with her ring and left while I put them on. I could feel my leg hair brushing the legs of the sweatpants as I put them on. “Wow, I am really hairy.”

Iris giggled, “You should have seen some of the girls back in the dorm. This is at least 3-4 months of non shaving, a winter’s worth in other words. At least you don’t have a mustache or anything. Don’t worry about it, I’ll help you shave later.”

On the way there I walked carefully as I could and still landed on my ass twice. Breakfast was good but messy. Having your reaction times sped up by 10X plays havoc with your muscle memory. Fortunately I’m now a really fast learner so by the end of the meal I was actually getting the hang of things. I managed to get to the shower in Iris’ room without falling once.

Iris grinned, “Do you need help scrubbing anything?”

“Sorry dear, I think I should do it alone until I have better control,” I said then I realized how it sounded. I blushed as she rolled laughing. She started several sex jokes but was laughing too hard to finish them. I took off my sweats and was going to throw them at her but they disappeared as they left my hand, stains and all. The shower was nice and I saw there was a razor so I used it. No cuts so I must be getting better at this body. When I came out of the bathroom Iris stroked my newly shaved thigh, “Are you sure you want to ‘do it alone’?”

“Well I think I’ve got the hang of this body now so ...” Just then Jade knocked and asked if we could meet her outside. “Later dear,” I kissed her and wrapped a towel around my waist. “Come in!” I called out.

Jade sighed, “Don’t you ever wear... Nevermind, not my problem.” She shook her head, “You and Giganta will have a lot in common. Come on we’ve got an appointment to go find out just how fast you can go.”

I grinned, “Once I get a new wardrobe you won’t have to worry about naked women on your spaceship anymore.”

She muttered something I couldn’t catch then said, “First thing is to get you your ring. It won’t be a full ring but it will allow you to communicate with anyone also wearing a ring, will translate for you if necessary, and will allow you to create new clothes for yourself as well as a costume. If you need help designing one GL Zwei can introduce you to someone who designed hers and a few others.” By the time she finished we were in a large room with several pieces of equipment. She walked up to one that looked like a vending machine and put her against the side, out of it came a ring almost like hers but not quite.

She handed it to me and said, “This is the ring I mentioned. Why not try the clothing function now? Unless you want to be known as the Phoenix Flasher?”

I grinned and imagined my old jogging clothes. Suddenly I was wearing a green tank top, green bike shorts and green sneakers. “That’s fine,” she said, “I’ll give you a lift to the testing and pick you up after.” When I walked over to her I noticed I had little traction. When I noticed I started experimenting with different soles but none felt right. I resolved to experiment further on my own. Jade surrounded us both with a green bubble and off we went to some military base in Nevada for testing.

I would like to thank Lynceus for his assistance and contributions!

After testing we had to wait a bit for Jade to come pick us up so we sat there chatting on a bench. “I know this isn’t first on your mind but you need to come up with a good costume. You need to present a heroic image or the press will crucify you. People are scared by the different and scared people get angry easily. Being completely human looking will help, being pretty will help too. We should get you someone to design your costume so it says “sexy hero” and not for example “former man” or “Evil”. That green unitard you created just looks ugly on you and is of masculine cut.”

I changed it to a sweat shirt and yoga pants, still green. She rolled her eyes but said nothing. I nodded, “You’re right. It’s last on my list of things but you’re also right about appearances. Fortunately Jade recommended somebody, I just need to remember who.” After a bit I remembered she said to ask “GL Zwei” so I lifted the ring to my mouth and said, “Ummm, GL Zwei? Can you hear me?”

The ring glowed faintly, and I heard a chuckle. “Sorry, it just amuses me when people call me that. So, who is this?”

My surprise made me hesitate a bit because I hadn’t really expected an answer, then I said, “I’m sorry to bother you but Jade said you’d know someone who could design me a costume? I’m Barry Allen and my wife was just talking about making a good first impression and for once she’s making sense.” I smiled at Iris as Iris whapped my shoulder then stuck her tongue out at me.

Alena Scott, (although I didn’t know her name until later) sounded briefly confused. “Your wife?”

“Yeah,” I said. ‘Oh great,’ I thought. ‘She’s going to tell me I’m a pervert freak and not help me.’ I squared my shoulders, “I’m married to a wonderful woman. She stuck by me when I manifested regardless of the changes made. I’d be lost without her.” I sucked in a deep breath then continued, “So, do you still want to help me?”

“Of course!” She sounded shocked that I had to ask.

I breathed a sigh of relief. “Good we are at an Air Force Base somewhere in Nevada. I just finished testing and Jade was supposed to pick us up but she’s busy. I’m sorry I can’t be more specific. Can you find us through the ring or do you know the place?”

“There’s a homing feature on the ring Jade gave you, I’ll be along shortly.” As the connection closed, I could have sworn I heard her chuckle. “Barry Allen, huh...?”

“I guess I don’t sound much like a Barry anymore,” I said to Iris.

Iris nodded, “More like a Barbara. Sorry hon, you sound like a soprano now.” She giggled, “And I don’t mean the TV show.”

“I’ll have to think of a new name,” I sighed. “I really am a whole new me.”

Iris hugged me, “You’re still the one I love. That hasn’t changed and you are still you. Just in a younger, prettier package.”

“Prettier?” I blinked in surprise.

“Well, I liked the old you quite well but the new you is soooo pretty.” She started kissing me and I lost track of time until I heard a girl clearing her throat.

A green glowing light surrounded a pair of girls; one was dressed in a fairly revealing variation of Jade’s costume,and had dark green hair, the other was a blonde. Other than their hair color, both girls resembled each other so much that they couldn’t be anything but twins.

The Green Lantern touched down. “Sorry it took so long, I only want to go so fast carrying a passenger. This is my sister, Alison.”

Alison grinned. “That’s me, fashion expert to the super stars!”

We broke apart and adjusted our clothing, if I’d still been male I’d have embarrassing evidence to hide even in yoga pants but as it is shortly I was able to stand, smile, and stick out my hand. “Hi! I’m Barry Allen and this is my wife Iris, although I think I may need a new name soon.”

The Green Lantern had been carefully avoiding her eyes, but her sister quickly took Barry’s hand. “You didn’t need to rush on our account, girls.” She winked. “It’s good to see a healthy relationship in action.”

“Ali!” The other girl hissed. “Will you please try not to embarrass these poor people?”

Alison grinned like a maniac. “God, I love tormenting her. So, Barry...hm. Barrie? You know, with an i and an e? That sounds a bit more girlish.”

Iris and I made nearly identical faces, “Ugh! No offense but I’d really rather not.” I thought for a minute, “How does Barbara sound?”

Alison giggled. “Sorry, ok, Babs it is. Now then, um, what is it that you do, if you don’t mind my asking?” She did a slow walk around ‘Barbara’, as if contemplating something.

“Mainly what I do is speed. I was just tested and my reaction time is somewhere between inhuman and ridiculous, I think I broke the landspeed record today although I won’t get in Guiness for it. I can just break the sound barrier. That is really hard on my clothes though.” I felt my face heat as I remembered how I’d had to recreate my outfit after that. “Here let me show you a sample.” I picked her pocket at maximum speed and suddenly I had in my hand a small black book.

Alison’s sister became very interested. “Say, what’s that?”

“Never you mind, Sis!” Alison snatched the book back. “You’re too young!”

“...you’re two minutes older than I am, how old do I need to be?”

“Knowing you? Thirty at least.” She put the book away. “You’ll have to excuse Alena, she was born an old maid.”

Alena muttered something under her breath, glowering at her twin.

“Now then...since I doubt your lovely wife wants anyone else to see you running around naked, I think we should cover as much skin as possible. I mean, it’s an illusion, of course, but we need you to feel less self-conscious, more confident.” Alison stepped behind Barbara, and placed her hands on the older girl’s hips. “Wow, you got some nice hips though.”

Iris said, “Hey! Just remember those hips are mine! She’s still married and you’re too young for her anyway.”

I cleared my throat, “Covering lots of skin sounds very good to me. I’d like to wear something baggy but I learned the hard way that at high speeds the air will grab on to anything that’s not right close to my skin. The docs in there think I may be generating a forcefield a half inch or so from my skin to protect me from the friction and other effects.” I shrugged, “I don’t know about that. I just know that anything that isn’t skintight tends to get ripped off and I’m now unofficially known as The Flasher until I can come up with a codename I like.”

Alena giggled, but her sister frowned. “Nyet, tovarisch, you must be streamlined, da? I’m thinking a bodysuit that looks painted on, at best. Now, being a fairly depressing cup size myself...”

Alena snorted. “You call these depressing?”

“Hush, you, I’m working here. Where was I, oh yes, I understand how to flatter a more pear-shaped body. First step, as odd as it sounds, a good bra. Molded or padded, the idea is to add a bit of volume. Nothing ridiculous, in your case, just something that makes you look like a larger A-cup. Now, as good as you would look in a skirt...and Iris, my advice is that you really consider forcing her to wear them...we have to cut down on wind resistance. Believe or not, the illusions the ring make do have mass.”

She paused a moment. “Solid colors for your lower half, definitely. We want to attract attention to your chest, so some kind of pattern...a symbol, that’s fairly iconic. Something fast...”

“A bolt of lightning?” Alena suggested.

“Genius! There’s hope for you yet, Sis. Yeah, so pick a solid color you like, and think of a lightning bolt over your chest. White or yellow maybe.” Alison folded her arms, awaiting the result.

Barry shrugged and opened his mouth, but Iris immediately said, “Not Green!” He smiled at her, “You pick then. You always bought my clothes for me anyway.” She considered only briefly, “Red, bright scarlet red with a yellow lightning bolt.” Iris stood up and traced a zigzag over Barbara’s chest. “Like this,” she said seemingly ignoring his blush. “Oh and FYI, I don’t find his, I mean her cup size depressing.” She grinned, “Much better than my old saggy C cups, right dear?”

“You are the most beautiful woman anywhere dear and you know very well you don’t sag anywhere.” I lifted her hand off my chest and kissed it, “That’s why your students all have crushes on you.”

“Aww, she’s so sweet! I want one!” Alison mock-pouted.

Alena rolled her eyes. “If it were up to you, you’d collect ‘em like Pokemon cards.”

“Damn right I would!” Ali grinned again. “Now...for civilian wear, I’d suggest ruffles around the chest area or a peasant top, but for this...we have different criteria. Oh and FYI, Iris, you defnitely do not sag.”

Her sister sighed. “Allison, is there anyone you don’t check out?”

“No, not really. There’s still something missing though. You want to hide your identity I'm guessing. Not a mask or a helmet though, you have a pretty face and very nice hair, got to show that off. Maybe...some kind of visor?”

“I dunno, I really don’t want anyone to recognize me. Would a visor alone change my looks enough? I was thinking a full face mask with eyeholes. Well I could use some goggles or something too." I frowned, “I worry that someone will trace me to Iris and that will put her in danger. That’s why I wanted to cover my whole face and maybe add dark goggles. I mean it worked for Clark Kent but that was only because the writers wanted it that way. “

“Never underestimate Super-Hypnosis and a spit-curl.” Alena winked.

“I understand why you’re worried, but, maybe I can demonstrate. Al, ring me.” Alison held out her hand, and her sister removed a green ring from her right hand, and dropping it in Ali’s palm.

Alison put on the ring, and within seconds, she was wearing an exact copy of Barbara’s costume. And then, slowly, her body began to change shape as well, until she could have been Barbara’s twin!

Alison chuckled. “Am I cool or what?”

“Wow! I didn’t know the ring could do that,” Barbara exclaimed.

Iris winked, “If you weren’t so young I’d make a comment about threesomes but you are so I won’t say a word.” Then she giggled at her wife’s expression.

“I’ll be legal in three years!”

“Alison!” Alena said, shocked.

Ali giggled. “And yes, the rings can disguise your features, although I assure you, this is all me. I come equipped with my own superpowers; I can alter my appearance. Not much good for punching out bad guys, so I don’t do much hero work.” She held up a finger, “Now, observe.”

A tinted visor appeared over her eyes, masking their color. Her hair changed color, becoming ash blonde. Understated red lipstick appeared on her lips as well. “So, am I Barbara Allen?” She placed a hand on one hip, taking on an aggressively feminine pose, thrusting her chest out.

“Let me try that. If it works I’ll just go with a visor.” I concentrated on hair dark as midnight. I felt something change and dragged a lock of my now shoulder length hair into view. It was inky black! “I did it! Now for the eyes,” I concentrated on my eyes and willed them from grey to bright green. “Did that work?”

Alison changed to match Barbara’s appearance. “You tell me.” She grinned. “Now, something everyone ignores when you talk about Clark Kent, is that body language plays a huge role in identifying someone. Take Sis; all she has to hide her face is that domino mask, but I’ve carefully nudged her into being a little more confident when in costume. She’s really a mousey thing, but showing off her legs like that turns her into a lioness.”

Alena blushed. “Uh...really?”

“I wouldn’t steer you wrong, hon. So you should work on that, be more brash and confident in hero mode. Plus, most of the time, you’re zipping around at super speed, so all people are going to see is a flash of light until you stand still....hm...flash of light...”

“That’s actually good advice. I’ll try. Maybe if I add a few flourishes it’ll give me a boost.” I looked down at the skintight red costume. “I’m already showing almost everything, might as well flaunt it right?” I concentrated and added little wings to my boots then created a yellow tinted visor with wings covering the ears. Then the last thing Alison had said registered, “A Flash huh? That’s not a bad name. It beats The Flasher at least.” I nodded, “I’ll go tell them the new name and make it official unless somebody has an objection. Then maybe you can give us a lift home?”

“I think I can manage four people. As long as you’re not in too much of a hurry.” Alena smiled.

“Oh, one last thing. Doris...that is, Giganta, has mentioned some issues with ring-created footwear. She thinks it has to do with the fact her powers somewhat warp reality around her; altering her size and density for example. If your powers cause the same problem, you might want to look into some high-end running shoes, like the ones Olympic runners wear. Uh, Mimura of Japan has these things called wet-grip soles you might want to look into.” Alison advised. “Outside of that, you’re good to go.”

“Oh thanks! I’d noticed that and traction is very important at high speeds. I’ll look the place up and try to order a few.” I went in and took care of the official bits then came back out. “I’m ready,” I said.

Iris grinned, “I’d not normally let myself get picked up by a girl your age but I’ll make an exception this one time.”

“Don’t worry, I’m going to try something different.” Alena held up her real power ring which glowed with bright light. A beam shot out of the ring, and formed the outline of a ‘57 Chevy convertible, all made from green-hued light! “Get in, folks, we’re riding in style!”

Barbara soon learned to her embarrassment that her new ring required some concentration at all times or the illusions it creates will disappear. After the first time she left her hair and eyes as normal, “I think I’ll have to get some normal clothing soon. I can’t show up anywhere naked and I get too easily engrossed in other things and let the illusion slip. Can we head for a clothing store? I can make a normal clothing illusion for long enough to buy real stuff.”

“Oooh! A shopping trip? And we get to dress you in your first girl clothes? Yes, darling!” Alison squealed and poked her sister, “Hey there’s a mall that way let’s go!”

“I was going to take her to the hospital where Barry is supposedly in ICU. It would best if he gets “moved” to another room and sees at a least few people to bolster appearances,” Alena replied.

“Maybe we can do that and then go shopping?” A wheedling tone crept into Alison’s voice.

“What do you two say?” Alena turned to look back at the Allens.

“Well Mrs. Allen, what do you think?” Iris asked.

“Whichever you want is fine by me Mrs. Allen,” Barbara replied and they kissed.

After they broke the kiss they agreed to go shopping after if Alena and Alison were willing to wait.

“Sure! This way we can make sure it all goes smoothly. If we can help you to stay in your old job and still be a superhero then we can use that to help others who want the same thing. So really our staying to help helps us as well.” Alena smiled.

“Thank you!” Barbara suddenly hugged her, “Oh, I’m sorry! I’m not usually that huggy.” She said blushing.

“It’s okay you can blame the hormones for that now. It’s a really useful out and it is possibly even true!” Alison told her grinning. Barbara and Iris laughed at that.

Soon they landed on the roof of a hospital, “This is the hospital. I’ll just get one of us to fudge a few records and you’ll be able to go your room. Then Iris can call someone and say you can now have visitors if they keep it short.” The ring created chevy disappeared and they were left standing on the roof as Alena walked a short distance away and spoke quietly into her ring.

Soon I was in a drafty hospital gown surrounded by an illusion of being Barry and with Iris sitting by the bed looking as if she’d been there all night. After a few people had through they ended visiting hours and I gratefully let the illusion slip. “That’s harder than it looks. I may need to arrange for a contingency in case someone peeks their head in my lab and sees a young blonde at the microscope.” After thinking a bit I got on the hospital and disguising my voice via ring and made a few calls, called in some favors.

“Alright,” I said nodding. “I think that did it. I’m being transferred to a new location. It’s officially because I don’t want to wait for them to rebuild the lab but it also allows me, after a suitable convalescence, to change assistants. I’ve told them I’m bring in a niece of Iris’ who recently graduated.” I looked at Alena, “Hopefully whoever you have creating identities can manage to create one for a ‘Barbara West’? If so then if I slip up I’m covered as long as nobody actually sees the change. Since I work by myself often and a lot of odd hours nobody should be surprised if they don’t see me much. At my speed I should have no trouble keeping up on paperwork either. Actual work might take more time as chemical reactions work on their own schedules but I think I can hack that and superheroing.” I grinned, “I’d better because I don’t want to try and live on a teacher’s salary. Even a full professor’s.”

“Okay then, I guess it’s time we took you shopping!” Iris was grinning. She looked at Alena and Alison, “Where should we go?”

Alena frowned. “Uh...not a clue?”

Alison laughed at her sister. “This is what you get for cheating all the time and using your ring to make clothes. Poor thing doesn’t know anything about being a girl.”

“...well excuse me for being born a guy!” The Green Lantern frowned. Then, realizing what she’d just said, she looked to the older women. “Uh...that is..”

Alison smacked her forehead. “Oh jeez. Did we forget to tell them?”

“Yes, you did but I forgive you. I’m glad I’m not the only one to whom it’s happened.” She smiled at Alena and whispered, “We ex-guys have to stick together.” She shook a finger at Alison as they exited the hospital. “I’m sure Al has been very busy lately and it was just an oversight. Right Iris?”

“I don’t know. I can see Alison’s point.” She grinned and put an arm around Ali’s shoulders, “And we girls have to stick together too. You can’t whisper worth a damn love.” She giggled.

Alena sighed. “I guess I should tell you the story, then. Let’s get something to eat first, I can hear Alison’s stomach growling from here.”

“I am a bit peckish, but that’s not my tummy!”

Alena looked to Barry. “Heh, fast metabolism, huh? I don’t want your grocery bills!”

“Sorry! I guess I burn calories fast too.” Barbara was rather red in the face. “Chinese sound good with everyone?”

“Yum, sounds great!” Alison grinned. “Origin stories are so much better on a full stomach!”

“...but you’ve heard my story already!”

“Mhm, but I know you’re keeping some juicy bit out of it; so maybe you’ll slip up this time!”

Alena looked to Barry and Iris. “You see what I have to put up with?”

“I see! I’m starting to be happy I don’t have a sister.” Barbara stuck her tongue out at Alison then laughed. “Actually you two seem so normal you are making me feel better about things just by example. Thank you.”

“Well, let’s get going then. There is a lovely restaurant not far away.” She points, “In fact it’s visible from here. See the green roof with the dragon out front? There.”

They strolled over in civilian clothing. Once they were seated Iris said, “I want Bar..Babs here to start. I still haven’t gotten a clear answer out of her on what happened.”

Barbara shrugged, “All I know is I was walking with a flask and then there a bright light and a huge boom. The next thing I knew I was on Jade’s ship and I looked like this. Sorry, but there is nothing else I can add.” She paused to order some Lo Mein and Oolong tea.

“Hm, I got a hunch there’s more to that story you might want to look into.” Alena waited for everyone to order and get their drinks before she began. “It all started when we moved to Oregon, to my Grandfather’s old house. He was a big comic book fan, and...”

“Wow, that’s some story!” Barbara and Iris were both amazed at Alena’s story. “Thanks for telling us,” Barbara added.

Alena blushed a little. “You’re welcome. I’m adjusting, but not as fast as some people would like.” She shot her sister a glance.

“You’re doing fine, Sis. I’m only impossible because I love you.” Alison grinned.

After Iris paid the check they all headed for the stores. “Let’s get you dressed from the inside out.” Iris stated and steered them to Victoria’s Secret. She whispered in Barbara’s ear, “You’ve been buying stuff for me from here for years. Now I want the chance to do the same and deck you out in things I want to see on you.”

“Okay, you deserve it,” Barbara kissed her causing a few stares but nothing more.

Alena looked around the store in shock; in fact, she looked a little pale. She turned around and headed for the exit, only to be stopped by her sister. “Woah Al, calm down, it’s only clothes, they can’t hurt you.”

Alena actually made a whimpering noise, but stayed put.

Alison sighed. “Iris, I think I’m going to need your help with her. I really should have let Mom handle this.”

“Maybe you and Babs can sit this out? I’m sure I can buy for her and she can keep you company. You can come in with us another time.” Iris patter her on the shoulder. “You can’t force this Alison, if she needs time give it to her.”

“Yeah, ok. Sis, you stay with Babs, you can do ex-male bonding or whatever. As for me, I see some truly scandalous stuff I want to wear.” Ali walked over to Iris. “Plus I can’t wait to see what you have in mind for poor Barbara.” She grinned.

“Well then come on girl! We’ve got shopping to do!” Iris linked arms with her and they entered the VS store.

Alena sat down outside. “I don’t know why it bothers me so much. I guess this might sound weird, but I’m actually happier this way.” She looked to Barbara.

“Well I’m not sure I’m happier but at least I’m not unhappy. Unless I’m still in shock, which is actually fairly likely. Ask me again in a month or two,” Barbara grinned back.

Alena smiled. “Thanks for at least listening. I have people I can talk to about this, but...it’s hard for me to open up.”

Inside the store Iris whispered to Alison that she was found of the way Babs tended to poke through shirts. “So even though it feels naughty I’m not going to buy her any bras. She doesn’t need them for support and if she wants to buy them them to err keep from showing through she can do that herself.” She giggled and winked, “Since they are being chicken and sitting this one out I think we should be allowed to indulge our whims a little. Don’t you?”

“Oh definitely. Although I kind of disagree about the bras. Something molded to make her look a little bigger, at least when you want to show her off, or she does the costume thing. But she’s your girl, so...” Ali grinned. “Personally, I’d love to get Alena into something naughty, but she’d faint dead away. Poor deprived child.”

“Well if we find something that supports while not covering...” she blushed. “I can’t believe I’m saying that. Perhaps I should just get normal things.”

“Bite your tongue, Iris! You’re a woman after my own heart, you shouldn’t deny yourself; I can tell you’re really attracted to Babs...not saying you weren’t before, but you can barely keep your eyes off her now. So you might as well get her to look her best. Besides, you have to keep chipping away at her shell; being an attractive young woman is scary for her, and if you don’t keep pushing her, God knows what she’d end up wearing. Baggy shirts and sweatpants or something.” Alison paused. “But..don’t push too hard. I think I went too fast with Alena, and that bothers me. I hope Mom can undo the damage; I care about her, and seeing her paralyzed at the thought of wearing a bikini...” She sighed. “Maybe I shouldn’t be giving anyone advice, I suck at this.”

Iris hugged her, “No, you are good at this. You’re advice has been good so far and recognizing where you made your mistakes is a sign of healthy judgement. If she’s having a crisis I’ll do my best to help. We’re all in this together right?”

“Thanks Iris. You’re the best. You sure we’re not related somehow?” Ali smiled.

“I don’t know but you’re family anyway now.” She hugs Alison again, “Now lets get shopping!”

Iris went and found a set of lacy black panties, “What do you think? Would these look good on Barbara?”

“Barb? Hell, those would look good on me!” Alison grabbed a pair. “Mom would kill me if she knew I was wearing them though.” She held the panties up against Iris. “I think Babs would appreciate these on you as well.”

“Oh, I already have a pair. Barry buys me a lot of stuff from here. Has for years,” She smiled.

“Wait. He buys for you? So he actually knows what to get? Why the heck can’t he buy for himself then?”

“Well he knows what he likes and trial and error got him to the right sizes. But I usually buy his clothes anyway as well as my outerwear since I have better taste and he knows it.” She pauses then continues, “I think he may have bowed out because Alena did, to keep her company. Or maybe because buying sexy stuff for your wife is different than buying it because you need it.” Iris then pointed over to the next table, “Ooh, I see something that should keep the boys off you and still look sexy.” She reaches over to the next table and holds up a lavender pair that have a black skull above crossed bones. “This will make a definite statement, “I’m hot but you can’t touch.” She smiled, “Perfect for you.”

“Please tell me you have a younger sister out there somewhere. Because I think I’m in love!” She fanned herself, then snatched the lingerie in question.

“I do have a niece we call Wally. Her name is really Wilhelmina though. She hates it, of course.”

“Wilhelmina? That’s just cruel! What were her parents thinking!”

“I have no idea. I mean it was our grandmother’s name but it’s a bit obsolete these days.”

“Ya think?” Alison giggled. She picked up an aqua blue v-string. “Ooh, this is nice. And so soft!”

“Ooh! That is nice. Now maybe a few more thongs and maybe a garter belt,” Iris goes searching. She finds a black and red lace garter and some fishnets to with it but nothing is the right size for the very tall Babs. “I don’t suppose you’d wear these? I’m too hippy for them and Babs is too tall but it’s just too darling to let go to waste!”

“Oh those I’d have to save for a special occasion...but definitely!” She giggled. “I’m pretty easy to shop for.”

Shortly they are done and join the other two with bags in hand, “Okay, time for outerwear.”

The mall had pretensions to be upscale so it had a Nieman Marcus instead of Macy's. Barbara’s eyes bugged out when she saw the prices, “Good lord!”

“Well this is a pricey store but overall I think you’ll find that women’s clothes cost more than men’s even if for essentially the same thing.” Iris said then held up a pair of jeans, “Oooh, ultra low rise jeans, you just have to try these on.”

“If you say so dear but I need normal clothes too,” she said as she headed for the changing room. “Professional looking slacks and button down shir, er blouses. Maybe a jacket with patches at the elbows like the professors used to wear at college.”

“Can you believe your ears?” Iris said to Alison.

“I feel sorry for you, you’re going to have to teach her from scratch. No fashion sense whatsoever.

Still, it could be worse, take Alena for example...”“What’s that supposed to mean?!” Alena frowned.

Sadly, the only reply was laughing and giggling from the other two females.

Barbara shared a long suffering look with Alena and went to go try on the clothes.

Eventually the ordeal was over and with much mutual hugging Alena and Alison droped the other two off at home.

The tall blonde woman sits down in the chair, crosses her legs, and sighs, “Another official debrief? I mean your agent was there for this one!”

The man in the black suit adjusts his dark glasses, “We are also curious as to what you were doing for the months since you left the army base and when our agent contacted you with the warning. You were not seen collaborating with any other heroes that we know of. Surely Phoenix couldn’t have been taking all your time?”

“I was still under cover back then and trying to keep my old job as a Forensic Chemist. Between that and heroing I was very busy for months. If I hadn’t had superspeed I never would have made it. I did wonder how the others managed then. Now of course I know that they don’t try to hold down normal jobs. A few like Terra don’t even bother with secret IDs.”

She gets up and helps herself to a cup of coffee and some donuts, “Alright let me start at the beginning and tell it through. Do you have a recorder going because I’m not going to say all this twice. I mean do you have any idea if the number of other things I could get done in the time it takes me …” She shook her head, “Never mind, you probably do. I don’t doubt that someone has calculated out precisely how many iterations I can perform of any given task in a minute and I am grateful for your warning.”

The agent nods, “We are of course recording.” He grins briefly, “I suppose impatience is an understandable or perhaps even mandatory side effect of your abilities Ms. Allen but the sooner you begin the sooner we can all leave and go home to our wives.”

“I didn’t want organized crime getting a foothold in my city and that drug was more of an abomination than most of them so I set up police radios at home and in the lab and had the lab tv always tuned in to the news, CNN if no other news was on.” She slips into the memory easily and her voice goes a little dreamy as she recounts the events.

“I was doing pretty well at mopping them up. I destroyed labs and tied up sellers and suchlike before I dropped them off at the nearest police station I always made them tell me from whom they got their stuff or orders. Your agents tell me that I cost them at least 80 million in that three month period. I was doing my flat out best to make them leave and stay out but first it seems all I did was make them decide to try a metahuman solution to their metahuman problem.”

“I first ran into their solution when the First Bank of Phoenix was robbed. I heard about it on the Police Band radio at my house and took off. Alena had helped me build a ‘secret access’ tunnel from our basement to a park nearby and I got into my costume along the way. “

“Once there I saw a woman in a yellow and green costume leaving the bank with a big bag of cash in her hand. Oh, and did I mention she was standing on thin air? Walking on it rather. She was calming walking off as if she was on a sidewalk rather than at treetop level.” Barbara shook her head, “It freaked me out.”

“I ran up until I was under her and looked around for anything that might be supporting her. She stopped walking and just stood there giggling as I searched.”

“Trying to look up my skirt hero?”she said. Her hair was bright red and her skin pale and freckled. She wore a green domino mask and a long tunic over green tights. Or it may have been a sleeveless dress, I’m not sure.

“I’m trying to figure out how you’re doing that,” I answered.

“It’s a trick,” she said grinning. Then she started walking away again.

“Wait!” I called out frustrated that there was no way I could reach her.
“Why?” she said and giggled, “Didn’t get enough of a look?” She lifted the back of the dress/tunic thing and wiggled her ass. Nothing was really showing but I blushed anyway. She laughed aloud then, “You’re fun! What’s your name hero?”

“The Flash,” I replied. “What’s yours?”

“You can call me the Trickster!” she said as she pulled an egg shaped object from her purse. “Don’t try to follow me Flash, or I’ll have to drop this little surprise on you,” she added then she ran away through the sky.

Of course I followed her. I was easily keeping up with her when she said, “Bombs away!” then dropped the egg.

“I batted it out of the air without stopping and it exploded into more marbles then I’ve ever seen. I lost my footing and tried to recover but I couldn’t. I probably looked like the world’s fastest klutz out there. By the time I had my balance back she was gone.”

“Didn’t you try to contact any of the other heroes through your ring?” The agent asked.

“I’d heard Jade was gone and I’d seen Alena leave orbit on tv and they were the only two heroes that I’d actually met. I could have contacted one of the others I suppose but I didn’t know them and more I felt that Phoenix was my city and that I should be able to defend it by myself.”

I shook my head, “It was probably arrogant of me but I was even less of a team player back then. Running is a solitary sort of sport you know? Even if there are people around you they aren’t talking. Each of you is concentrating on where you put your feet and in keeping your breathing even. So I just went home and talked to Iris.”

She told me it was only natural that I’d eventually run into another metahuman. Neither of us knew then that she’d been brought to Phoenix and paid to distract me and take me out if possible. She probably could have killed me that first day but she was having too much fun making me look stupid and stealing extra money to do it right away.

The next morning a federal agent showed up and told me there was good reason to believe there was a hit out on the Flash. I scrutinized her I.D. and decided she was genuine.

“I think it’s another metahuman but I can’t be sure,” she said.

“I ran into one today but she seems much more interested in escape than harming me,” I said then told her about my encounter with the trickster.

“She has worked for Organized Crime before but as far as I know she isn’t a hitman. She might drive you nuts or to leave the city just to get away from her but she doesn’t kill for them.” The agent frowned, “Then again she’s got a rep for doing anything for the right amount of money and I hear you cost them nearly a hundred million dollars so they’d really want you gone.”

I looked at her in astonishment, “How much?”

“Yeah, you’ve been hitting them where it hurts most and they’ve learned thugs can’t stop you so they’ve brought in what they euphemistically call ‘talent’ to take care of you.”

“Let me get Iris,we need to talk about how we’re going to respond to this,” I got up and she grabbed my arm.

“What to do? I’m here to take you to get a new identity that’s what! We’ll work with the witness protection system and get you a new I.D. somewhere else. It would be best if you left Iris for her own safety but if you both insist we can...”

I interrupted angrily, “I’m not going anywhere! If you want to help you are welcome but scum like them are NOT forcing me out of my home! And as for your suggestion of leaving Iris …” I spit to the side, ‘that’s what I think of it. We’ve discussed that thoroughly and I won’t insult her by making that decision for her. She’s as much an adult as I am and I would be lost without her.” I looked at her grip on my arm, “Now are you planning to let go or were you going to kidnap me from my own home?”

She sighed and let go, “Of course not Ms. Allen.”

“Doctor Allen,” I corrected.

She nodded and stood up, “Doctor then, if you are adamant staying I’ll see if we can scare up some help for you.” She handed me a card, “If you need to contact me for any reason, please call this number.”

I walked her to the door, “Thank you for the warning, Agent Smith.”

“You’re welcome Dr. Allen.”

Barbara spent the rest of the day trying to track down more info. She ended up with the most recent link in the chain she’d been following. A renegade chemist who made every kind of illegal stimulant including the one that let people feel like a metahuman, briefly, and at the cost of great stress on their system that eventually killed them. It didn’t give any powers but it did make them stronger and faster for awhile. More violent too but the gangers and thugs didn’t care about that and most weren’t planning on growing old anyway. She’d tracked it to a guy going by the name of Professor Zoom. She’d smashed his lab once and destroyed all his supplies but less than three days later he was back in business. So she went and paid him another visit. He was a tall, rather thin and weedy looking guy and soon she was lifting him off the floor by his labcoat and shaking him, “Come on “Professor Zoom”, I have you dead to rights making illegal stimulants! If you tell me what I need to know and this time I’ll only destroy your lab … again.” She pressed him against the wall of the dingy underground lab, “Do you want to find out what I’ll do if you hold out on me?”

“Please!” he said. “I’ve told you the truth. I don’t who is at the top or what the Trickster’s real name is! You’ve got to believe me!”

“Then tell me who does know!” She shouted and shook him a little more. “Somebody keeps rebuilding your little chemistry set for you and somebody gives you your ingredients. I know all the dealers who buy from you but you can tell who supplies you.”

“You can’t go there! They’ll catch you! Even you can’t outrun that many bullets. It’s guarded 24/7 and they have submachine guns. They’ll catch you and trail you to me. Go ahead and beat me up again, destroy my lab again, it’s better than what they’ll do,” Zoom replied.

“They’ll never see me coming,” she told him. She frowned, it was time for lies and intimidation, “You know what it feels like to gets ‘clotheslined’ at Mach 1? Do you want to?”

His eyes widened and he shook his head, “No, but you are a hero yes? You would not do this thing.”

“Somebody has put a hit out on me! All bets are officially off and unless you tell me what I need to know all hell will be out for noon!” She shook him for emphasis, “Do you read me?”

“Yah, I read you loud and clear. I will give you the location,” he gave her a latitude and longitude and told her it was underground. “The tunnel to get there starts in an abandoned warehouse on S street.” She nodded and carried him to the door of his lair, “Run. I’ll keep my promise and won’t chase you tonight but this whole underground lab is going to go boom. You won’t want to be anywhere near.”

He nodded once and started walking unsteadily away.

She bundled all the notes and important looking papers together and placed them by the door then used her chemistry knowledge to create a large amount of an unstable compound that would detonate under any sharp shock. She then walked carefully to the front of the lair and threw the sealed container towards the back wall as hard she could.

Right after that she grabbed the bundle and took off at superspeed. She could hear when the explosion went off and smiled, that was one lab that nobody would be rebuilding. From the sound of it she’d collapsed the whole cavern. Good thing nothing was above it but desert. Once back on the surface she raced back into the city and dropped the bundle off in front of the duty sergeant of the nearest police station before heading for home.

The next morning Iris called the station to tell them Barry was pretty ill and would likely be out for a few days. She said she was the one who called because she was making him get more rest. Actually the Allens were planning on a week of Babs being the Flash 24/7. Iris had agreed, though not without a fight, to leave the city for that week. She’d be staying with her mother in Baja, California until she got the all clear. Babs herself would be staying away from the house and using a hotel room for the few hours she actually slept. Since her change she’d never needed more than 2 hours to feel refreshed the next morning. The rest of the time she was planning on being the Flash.

The tunnel led to the underground maze. Checking it all would require many men or one superfast woman. She brought a big piece of chalk with her and left notes for the police as she zoomed about, it would have to wait until she was sure Iris was safe but she was planning to give them the location later and let them do the clean up. Unfortunately she also found a veritable fortress with only one entrance she could see. It was at the end of a long narrow tunnel and guarded by what looked like a military issue machine gun on a tripod.

She backed away after seeing that, and fast. ‘Where the hell did they get that?’ she muttered to herself. Once back above ground she decided she needed help after all. She called Agent Smith from her hotel room, “Agent Smith? I must apologize for my outburst last time we spoke.”

“I’m willing to forgive and forget Dr. Allen. How may I help you?” Smith replied.

“I’ve found where the ringleaders are but I’m afraid I will need help getting to them,” she explained what she had found and asked if he knew anyone that could and would assist her.

“I believe I know just the person, “ Smith said. “I will call and see if she is available, where can we meet?”

Barbara replied, “Anywhere is fine by me. I’ll be at this number waiting to hear back from you. Bye Smith.”

“Talk to you later doctor,” Smith replied and hung up.

The Flash - Fastest Woman Alive!

Author’s Note: I’m trying to pick up the thread of this story after a long hiatus and write a sort of epilogue to it so it wasn’t just left hanging. Please do comment if you spot grammar or spelling mistakes or plot holes so I can fix them. I mention other heroes in this story. Although I do not have them doing much, if their authors wish I shall remove them.

Chapter 7
Eventually I made it too unprofitable for that drug ring to operate in Phoenix. Professor Zoom decided to retire before I got my hands on him a third time. Without him to create the stuff on site and with distribution stations and warehouses being destroyed all over the city they pulled out rather than lose more money. Green lantern coordinated us in helping to stamp them out everywhere. There were still criminals of course and organized crime sadly but the group that had been producing the enhancement drugs that killed millions were all either dead or in prison. I told Iris it was safe to come back and tried to get back into my old routine.

There were two flies in the ointment however. The first was that the Syndicate had hired other meta-human criminals, not just the Trickster, and they all seemed to have stayed even after their employers left. They were enough to keep me busy even if they were only thieves.

The second thing actually bothered me more. I found that I was only playing at being Barry. It was no longer who I was and that had finally sunk in. I could pretend to be him for short periods but any conversation longer than about a few minutes and people started looking at me funny and asking if everything was alright. I decided that if I kept trying it was all going to explode in my face so I talked to Iris and we decided to take Jade up on her offer of new Identities. With the help of Copycat we showed Barry and the Flash in two different and highly visible locations a few times just to be sure people didn’t connect the two. Then Giganta and her girlfriend transferred some of the money they’d electronically stolen from the bad guys we’d been fighting and made it appear that the Allens had received an inheritance.

We told everyone that we would be taking a cruise around the world as a sort of second honeymoon and that we would get a new house after we returned. This gave us a reason to pack everything we wanted to keep and ship it off. Once we had new identities it would be sent back to us.

Once we’d left the city they drove to a spot out in the desert where we were met by the new Doctor Fate. He used magic to give us new legal identities and changed Iris’ looks so she wouldn’t be recognized and looked a little closer to my apparent age. I don’t think he actually made her younger but I can’t say for sure.

We didn’t want to chance actually moving back to Phoenix but I wasn’t willing to move too far away. I wanted to be able to commute, so to speak, and deal with Trickster and the rest if they caused too much trouble. So we settled in a city within running distance for the Flash and we cultivated a reputation as eccentric recluses so that anything odd we did wouldn’t cause any extra notice. Neither of us had to work with the money Giganta and Lena had given us but Iris volunteered in a local program that helped kids learn to read. Once a teacher, always a teacher I guess.

I became the Flash full time. I made sure I left plenty of time for Iris and wasn’t always out catching bad guys and foiling nefarious plots but I never knew when I might be needed so I didn’t try to hold down even a part time volunteer job.

We got some flak for being an openly gay couple but the most part people accepted us. I noticed the face of the ring change from green lantern to Star Sapphire and worried about Jade but otherwise it had little impact on me. As long as it was able to produce a costume I was happy with it. A lot had changed but I still had Iris, a job that mattered, and I could still run.