Dark Angel ϟ Barry Allen

ix: mercury lab's banquet

"You finally changed the name from the Streak," Melanie muttered over a cup of coffee. "Are you going to credit me somehow when you write your autobiography."

Iris laughed. "If I get that far."

Melanie checked her phone, waiting to get a call from Mercury labs as Tina had called earlier sparing the small details of a banquet they were having in favor of a new release in a genetic study released by one of the researchers, who the brunette hadn't met yet.

Barry sat down in the open chair, causing Melanie's eyes to expand slightly. "You guys are on talking terms again. Good to know." Melanie took a sip of her coffee, clicking the home button on her iphone.

"Why are you so antsy?" Iris asked. Barry looked expectantly at her.

The brunette bit her tongue. "Well, I was going to tell you later, but I'm just so excited." She paused, trying to build up the anticipation. "I got invited to a banquet, and Sydney Brenner is going to be there," Melanie gushed.

Iris was clearly very confused, which was evident with her furrowed brows, but Barry knew exactly who she was talking about. By the way his mouth was open, he was clearly very jealous.

"No way," Barry stated, his green eyes still very wide. "Sydney Brenner--"

"Sorry, but who's Sydney Brenner?" Iris asked.

Barry sat back in his chair. "He essentially created the usefulness of C.Elegans by studying their associative learning ability as well as the genetic code of the worms. He manipulated the worms and provided so much useful information. He is my hero."

Iris laughed and hoped that Melanie would join in with the ridicule, but she didn't. Her eyes just watched Barry as he went on about how he loved the work due by Brenner. His passion was alluring to Melanie.

"You should come!" Melanie invited, her excitement evident. "I was going to stop by STAR Labs and invite Caitlin as she is a geneticist, but I'm sure that I'm able to bring more than one person. Tina and I are like besties."

Barry looked like he was going to fall out of his chair. "Yes, I would love to come," he fired rapidly, scoping out his phone to check his calendar.

Just then her phone rang.

She picked it up, grabbing her coffee and going to exit the room. "I'll talk to you about it later, Barry," Melanie said, excusing herself from the scene. "Hello."

"Melanie, we're going to need you at the lab as soon as possible," Tina said over the line. "We're running through the itinerary, and we're going to have you introduce the lead scientist, Kelsey Caton." Tina continued to explain what was happening, but all the brunette could think about was how she was going to buy a new dress and actually look very professional.

.

The brunette had been proclaimed a scientist as of yesterday. She'd gotten her mother's lab area, which was a rather large one where she'd been planned to do some genetic testing on herself. With this new assortment of technology at her fingertips, Melanie felt like she would have an easier time understanding herself on a genetic level. The only problem with this whole thing was that she wasn't a geneticist. A biologist, yes, but that would only get her so far.

With her light blue dress hanging loosely around her knees, Melanie met up with Barry and Caitlin, who had both been walking around a little nervously. They didn't have any troubles getting, so Melanie figured they both just felt a little out of place.

"I think that's Sydney Brenner over there," Caitlin said, pointing to the man sitting down by a few other people. He was getting older, so Melanie didn't blame him.

Barry rubbed his head. "I think it is, too."

"It is Sydney Brenner," Melanie stated, popping in front of them. "He'd probably even talk to you, too. He's a kind man, but just don't bug him too much. I don't think he even wants to be here, but his daughter is getting the award.

The two looked at her with wide eyes. "How did you get us into this place? I didn't even know you were a scientist, much less affiliated with Mercury Lab," Caitlin said.

Melanie shrugged, not wanting to play the I-pretty-much-own-the-place card. "I have a degree in biology." In fact, Melanie had the degree for six years. When she was sixteen, she started her college career, where she was driven towards biology. It wasn't long until she realized that biology wasn't for her, and she returned back to school. However, she found herself here, at Mercury Labs yet again.

"Melanie, it's time," Tina said, pulling her away from the conversation with Caitlin and Barry. The brunette followed behind her mother's best friend. Kelsey Caton was standing near the stage, waiting for her moment of fame.

Tina walked onto the stage first, capturing the crowd's attention.

"Hello, everyone. Thank you for coming to this banquet celebrating the discovers found by Ms. Kelsey Caton, and before we do that, I would love to introduce you to the founder's daughter, who has decided to return the company. Please welcome, Ms. Melanie Cross."

The room exploded into an applause as Melanie walked up the stairs. She smiled, grabbing the mic from Tina, who gave her a warm hug. Her stomach turned. "Hello, everyone, as you know, I'm Melanie, but I'm not the important one here. Kelsey Caton is..." Melanie said. She continued to explain the Caton's achievement.

When her eyes fell onto Barry and Caitlin, they were both wide-eyed. The surprise almost made Melanie laugh. Of course, she would be shocked if a seemingly normal friend decided to come out with the fact they had two degrees (almost) and was a pretty enforcing figure in a good company like Mercury Labs.

"... without much left to do, I offer Ms. Kelsey Caton with this award for her intense research and time she's spent here." Kelsey walked up the stairs, gave Melanie a small hug, holding onto the plague she'd achieved. The scientist grabbed the mic from her, explaining the story of how she ended up here and with the particular project.

Meanwhile, Melanie exited towards her friends.

"So when were you going to tell us that you're pretty much Mercury Labs royalty?" Barry asked, feeling betrayed. He adjusted his tie, looking at the young brown-haired girl. There was no ill-will in his voice, but the shock was still apparent.

The school teacher shook her head. "My mom died, and I wanted to leave this place. I never thought I'd be back here, and besides I don't want to open my conversations by exposing how much money I could potentially have." She wrung her hands as she pretended to be absorbed by the current speech going on, despite knowing Barry's eyes were on her.

Things seemed to be clicking into his head.

Melanie hoped they weren't about her other identity. He could view her as a sheepish human being who was scared to tell her friends the truth, but she didn't want him to find out the wrong way about who was underneath her mask.

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BACK FROM LA. I saw Leonardo DiCaprio's house, and that's really all you need to know.