Hero's, Criminals, and Soulmates

Ch. 7

"The streak just stopped a robbery!" Adam's heart raced with excitement as he caught sight of The Streak, the city's beloved superhero, foiling a robbery in progress. With lightning-fast reflexes and incredible agility, The Streak effortlessly disarmed the criminals and incapacitated them, ensuring the safety of innocent bystanders. The crowd erupted into cheers and applause, mirroring Adam's delight.

However, not everyone shared Adam's enthusiasm for The Streak's heroic antics. Detective Thawne, a seasoned and somewhat jaded officer, couldn't help but grumble as he made his way to Ayana's desk. There was a deep-rooted skepticism within him, causing him to view The Streak with suspicion. He believed that the vigilante was nothing more than a criminal operating outside the boundaries of the law.

Observing Thawne's disgruntled demeanor, Ayana bit back a smirk, her suspicions about his intention to rant confirmed. She had always sensed that Thawne harbored a dislike for The Streak. However, Ayana, a firm believer in the hero's intentions, was not one to back down easily.

"I hate The Streak," Thawne growled, his frustration evident in his voice. "He's just as much a criminal as the rest."

Ayana raised an eyebrow, maintaining her composure despite the detective's animosity. She chose her words carefully, her tone hinting that she didn't entirely share Thawne's negative perception of the hero. "Everyone has a right to their own opinion, Detective," she replied calmly.

Thawne's glare intensified, and he leaned closer, his voice laced with skepticism. "And your point is?"

Unfazed by his hostility, Ayana met Thawne's gaze directly, her conviction shining through. "I think The Streak is helpful," she stated plainly. "He's dealt with metahumans that we have no clue how to fight or arrest. He just stopped a robbery, and no one died."

Thawne's features softened slightly, his expression betraying a hint of curiosity. Ayana continued, her voice steady and confident. "The Streak fills a void that the police force alone cannot. He goes above and beyond to protect innocent lives, even when we struggle to intervene effectively. He may not always follow the rules, but his intentions are undeniably noble."

Thawne remained silent for a moment, contemplating Ayana's words. He had witnessed The Streak's actions countless times, and deep down, he couldn't deny the positive impact the hero had made on the city. Perhaps it was time for him to reassess his preconceived notions.
Ayana leaned back in her chair, her eyes fixed on Thawne. "We're all working towards the same goal, Detective. The Streak is just taking a different approach. Instead of dismissing him outright, maybe we can find a way to collaborate and make the city safer together."

Before Thawne could respond, Joe burst into the room, excitement on his face. "I've got a tip regarding the suspect," he exclaimed, his voice filled with urgency. "Leonard Snart."

Ayana's heart skipped a beat at the unfamiliar name. She quickly glanced at the open file on Joe's desk, hoping to glimpse the man's face. As her eyes scanned the photograph, a strange sense of recognition washed over her. Snart seemed oddly familiar, yet she was certain they had never crossed paths. His striking blue eyes and the occasional streak of gray in his dark brown hair were etched into her mind.

Just as the puzzle pieces started to form in Ayana's mind, Iris breezed into the precinct, balancing a tray of coffee cups. She offered Joe a cup, which he politely declined, much to Ayana's annoyance. She knew that when Joe refused coffee, it meant he was fully engrossed in a case.

Rolling her eyes playfully, Ayana couldn't help but tease, "Ah, one of those cases, huh? The ones where coffee becomes your arch-nemesis."

Iris chuckled, setting the tray down on a nearby table. "You know him too well," she said, giving Ayana a knowing look. "But trust me, this one's worth it. We're onto something big."
As Ayana's gaze shifted across the bustling precinct, she noticed Barry and Iris standing with a blonde woman she hadn't seen before. Intrigued, she made her way over to them, a smile lighting up her face.

"Hey, Barry!" Ayana greeted her brother, sliding into the seat next to him. "And who might this pretty friend of yours be?"

The blonde woman extended her hand, introducing herself with a warm smile. "I'm Felicity Smoak. I work for Queen Consolidated in Starling City."

Ayana smiled warmly, introducing herself, "Ayana Allen, I'm Barry's sister." Felicity's eyes widened in surprise, clearly taken aback by this newfound information.

"I didn't know you had a sister, Barry," Felicity remarked, her confusion evident as she turned to look at him.

Barry fidgeted uncomfortably, scratching the back of his neck. "It never really came up," he muttered sheepishly, embarrassed for not mentioning his sister sooner.
Before Felicity could delve further into the matter, her phone began to ring, interrupting the conversation. She glanced down at the screen and saw that it was Oliver calling. "Sorry!" she exclaimed apologetically. "It's Oliver. I need to take this."

With that, Felicity excused herself and moved away to take the call, leaving Barry and Ayana alone. 

Barry let out a nervous laugh, feeling caught. "I promise it wasn't intentional, Ayana. It's just that things have been so hectic lately, and with the out-of-town case we worked on right before you came home, it slipped my mind."

Ayana raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "Oh, an out-of-town case? That sounds intriguing. You'll have to fill me in on all the details later."

Barry nodded, relieved that Ayana seemed more amused than upset about the revelation. "Absolutely. I'll make sure to give you a full debrief. But right now, I should probably let Felicity know that you said it was nice to meet her."

Ayana smiled, slipping her jacket on and preparing to leave the station. "Please do. And tell her I have a lunch date with a fiery redhead, so I better not keep her waiting."

Barry chuckled, shaking his head. "Will do, sis. Have a great lunch."