Disclaimer: I do not own Arrow or Flash. They are property of Detective Comics and the CW. I gain no profit by writing this fictional story.
Summary: One night in 1984 could have gone a number of ways with far reaching consequences. While time sets most things, the ancestors of time travelers are the ones with true freewill. Poor Eobard Thawne, his ancestors are especially bent on free-will and heroics; if only they'd stop fucking with the timeline he knew. Eobard will just have to wait for a chance to make sure his timeline happens, no matter how free-willed his ancestors were.
A/N: So I foolishly did a culminating project on Arrow, and had to re-watch the series more times than I normally would ever want to. This got my creative gears working because I needed some fun outlet while analyzing it until my brain was mush. The result was originally a Female Oliver x Bruce Wayne story, but I scrapped that because Batman doesn't exist on this Earth. I like my alternative, and thanks to third season Flash, there are so many alternatives that i could play with in one-shots. Anyways, I hoe you enjoy the prologue ~ much love, depressedchildren
Prologue: Thawne Choices
Starling City 1984—Eobard's timeline
Moira Dearden Queen smiled over at her husband as he concluded business with the Eversmiths. He had that twinkle in his eyes that said the gala had been time and money well spent, and now Robert was looking forward to some alone time with her. She smiled and lifted one arm up to welcome Robert into an embrace. The man wrapped an arm around her waist and bent down to kiss her. She tilted her head up to meet the kiss.
Moira sighed as she set her head against Robert's shoulder. She stared out at the assembled guests. People from Gotham to Keystone were present for the gala this year, and it just showed how influential the Queen name was at a national level. Robert swayed with Moira for a moment as they basked in their accomplishments. However, Moira frowned as she mentally ran over the guest lists.
Moira pulled back and looked up at her husband. He was still smiling a bit but eventually understood her expression and sobered. "Yes Moira?" he asked.
"Are you and Mr. Thawne still having a spat?" she questioned. Robert's expression immediately closed off and he looked elsewhere as he raised his glass up to his lips. Moira pursed her lips in displeasure. "Robert," she threatened, but he continued to look elsewhere.
Moira shook her head and took a sip of her champagne. He would tell her when he was ready or he'd keep silent and eventually they would both let the matter lie forgotten. She already had a pattern established with Robert, and they hadn't even been married long.
Moira moved away from her stubborn husband and sought someone out to socialize with. She caught Rebecca Merlyn smiling over at her; Moira put on her practiced smile and walked over to the brunette. The two kissed cheeks and hugged before they settled into an easy conversation. Robert meandered back over to her and set his hand on the small of Moira's back.
"Malcolm and I are planning to have a child," Rebecca confided, and Moira raised her eyebrows in surprise.
"Congratulations then!" she exclaimed. However, Moira felt a moment of jealousy for the other woman. Robert wasn't ready for children yet, apparently. Malcolm chimed in then as he set his hand on Rebecca's back.
"Now, let's not jinx anything, Rebecca," he said. Malcolm gave an easy laugh, and Moira's jealousy settled back down.
Rebecca gave a brief conceding look before her eyes flashed in excitement and she leaned in toward Moira. "I heard Mrs. Thawne went into labor this morning," she gossiped.
"She what?" Robert asked in shock. Rebecca straightened and smiled at Robert.
"Abagail Thawne went into labor this morning. The poor dear is already sixteen hours in," Rebecca lamented sympathetically. Rebecca then shook her head and took a sip of her champagne. "I hope my labor won't last that long."
"I imagine she must be having complications," Malcolm added, and Rebecca nodded her head in agreement. Robert's hand curled slightly around Moira's waist at the statement, and Moira shifted at the sudden tension.
"Poor dear," Moira commented as she glanced over at her husband out of the corner of her eye. His expression was closed off again.
"Complications…" Robert repeated and nodded his head almost numbly.
"Robert? Are you all right?" Malcolm began to ask as he looked at his suddenly stoic friend.
Robert blinked and gave his winning smile before excusing himself. Moira watched her husband leave with her brow furrowed. Why was he acting so oddly about the Thawnes? They had been family friends up until a few months ago. Moira absentmindedly excused herself and followed after her husband.
Why was he heading toward the exit?! Moira picked up her pace without looking like she was running. "Robert!" she hissed; he ignored her. "Robert!" she said more firmly as she began to catch up with him. He turned toward her and raised an eyebrow.
"What are you doing?" she questioned sharply. "Why are you leaving—you're the host."
Robert closed his eyes and ran a hand over his face. They were alone now in the foyer, but he gestured her to come closer. "Moira…I should have told you of my…transgression sooner," he began. Transgression? A sinking feeling began to settle in her stomach. No…no…God please no! She knew Robert had a reputation but please no! He wouldn't…wouldn't cheat on her.
"Robert?" her voice was shaking.
Robert closed his eyes in pain and said, "I had an affair with Abagail, and—"
"No!" she gasped; her voice cracked. Moira took a step back but her heel slid from under her and she began to twist her ankle. Robert quickly caught her arms and steadied her but she slapped his hands away from her and moved away.
"That baby's mine, Moira, and if there are complications…" Robert trailed off. Moira was shaking her head; her whole world felt like it was crashing down around her. What did their vows mean? What did any of this mean?!
Moira hurried to the stairs and noticed Robert made no additional moves to stop or comfort her. Moira nearly tripped up the stairs, but eventually made it and covered her hand with her mouth as she leaned against the wall. Oh God! Her husband was having a baby, a baby she wasn't carrying. He sullied their marriage, their vows… Was this what her life was going to be like now? Her husband leaving her for other women?
Moira leaned heavily against a wall and tried to keep the tears back. She felt so betrayed, but she should have known better, shouldn't she have? Would she lose her husband? Despite Robert's faults, she did love him, but she didn't want to share him—she shouldn't have to share him. What was she going to do? She had guests to reassure now that their host had left, but she didn't think she could put on her usual smile.
Moira perked up when she heard a car start outside. She moved to the nearest window and saw Robert's car zooming down the driveway. She leaned in toward the cool window pane and closed her eyes. Would she always come second to that woman and their child? How would she be able to keep Robert with her? It was clear their vows meant little.
"I'm surprised to see the host up here," someone commented from behind her. Moira turned around at the sudden voice, and she immediately began to compose herself. She didn't recognize the blonde man in front of her. He had a dimple on his chin and a broad jaw.
"Can I help you?" she asked. Her voice was steadier than she felt.
He smirked and took a casual sip of his champagne. "No Mrs. Queen," he began, "I am here to help you." He moved closer to the window and stared at the retreating headlights from Robert's car as it turned onto the country road outside the manor.
"Oh?" Moira questioned skeptically, and the man flashed another smile at her.
"Yes. You see," he paused to inhale as he shifted his weight forward, "I understand your husband is unfaithful and is off to see a child he's had with another woman." Moira straightened up more and gave the man a cold stare.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Moira defended herself; her tone was even and neutral. The man gave a little laugh.
"You're good at lying Mrs. Queen, but really…" he trailed off in chastisement as he gave her an almost disappointed look. He then sighed and set his empty glass down on a lamp table. "This night can go a number of ways, but you really ought to think about what is best for you and your family."
"What do you care about this? Are you a reporter?" Moira asked brusquely. The man laughed at the suggestion.
"No, no, nothing so crude," he reassured her. He shoved his hands in his pockets casually before continuing. "I have a vested interest in the Thawne family, and I would rather not see them fall apart because of a reckless man." Moira narrowed her gaze at the man, but he just remained where he was at complete ease.
He took her silence as cue to continue speaking, "Now, I suppose you could kick your husband to the metaphorical dog house for a few months, but we both know you won't divorce him." Moira would deny flinching, but the man's smirk said he saw the expression. "So eventually you will accept him back into your bed and try to have a child so he stays with you and not Thawne." The man pulled one hand out of his pocket and began to casually wave it around as he walked back and forth in front of her. "But," the blonde began, "he will have already formed a bond with the new baby and it will be harder to keep him to yourself."
"So you are suggesting I use my child as some sort of blackmail?" Moira asked stiffly. Her stomach fell, and she felt sick for a moment.
"Well, yes," the man admitted. He grinned, and Moira had to look away. "Oh come on!" he practically groaned. "You've thought about it Mrs. Queen. How better to keep that wandering man with you but through a child?" he suggested almost teasingly, seductively.
Moira closed her eyes and her hands clenched into fists at her sides. She wanted this man to go away.
"Now, I can tell you the Thawnes will keep this indiscretion quiet, so quiet their other children won't know, but Robert will still be in that baby's life unless…" the man trailed off, and she knew what he was suggesting.
"So I trap my husband to me through my child or children?" Moira asked. The words tasted bitter on her tongue and she felt sick to her stomach, but a part of her also felt freed. She looked over at the odd blonde, and he gave her another smile.
"Exactly," the man agreed. "Now I suggest you seduce that man the moment he comes home." He paused and smirked. "Make Robert Queen remember whose husband he is."
Moira nodded slowly, and the man flashed her a self-satisfied smile before leaving the hallway.
"Wait. What is your name?" she asked.
The man slowed his walk and looked over his shoulder at Moira. "Eobard," he replied. Moira frowned and narrowed her gaze as the man started to head down the stairs. There had been no Eobard on the guest list.
…
May tenth of 1985, Moira Dearden Queen brought a new life into the world. She stared down at her baby boy, her insurance to keep Robert. But this baby was more than that. This baby was a chance for her marriage to come back together; it was a chance for them to be a family. Her little Oliver was going to fix their family and unite them again. Oliver Jonas Queen, her precious baby boy. She loved him more with each passing moment. This was her baby.
Starling City 1984—untampered timeline
Moira watched her husband's car lights speed down the county road. Her fingers curled into fists and she turned on her heel. He was going to make a fool of her and their marriage, and it made this heat build in her chest. She wanted to scream but she had guests; she had to keep up appearances while he left her for another woman—for a child they had. Damn him! Damn him and his infidelity. She was supposed to be his wife; she was supposed to be different!
Her arms began shaking in anger and she knew she could not go back to the ballroom. So she changed directions and began to head toward their bedroom. She slammed the door closed behind her and leaned back against it.
This was her life with Robert. The photos from their wedding and photos of their respective families… Then there were the sheets on their bed…the sight of them made her sick, sicker than even the wedding photo made her feel. She stormed over to the bed and ripped the sheets off the mattress. Screaming as her movements were hindered by the corners of the mattress snagging the bottom sheet.
Damn it! She whirled around as she gave up, but then she saw one of Robert's suits laying out on a chair. Was this a suit he wore with her? Moira grabbed it and threw it on the ground with the sheets before screaming again.
For a moment she stood there, her chest heaving and her face feeling hot. As she caught her breath, the energy left her and she fell down to the ground and sat there numb and in silence for a long moment. What was she doing? Was this what her life had come to?
She didn't know how long it had been, but her thoughts were swirling as she tried to think about what to do. Did she leave Robert? But she had already invested so much into their relationship and it would only confirm what her mother had said about Robert. Could they salvage their marriage? Did she even want to salvage it? She was still so angry yet lost too.
Moira closed her eyes and continued to sit there. The ticking of the clock reached her ears after a moment and she realized too much time had passed since the hosts had left the party. She had better go back down there, but she felt so numb. Still, Moira pulled herself back to her feet. She then moved over to the mirror and looked at her appearance. She had not been crying, so her make-up was still fine. Her dress was a bit disheveled and her hair looked the same. She straightened out what she could and began to head out the room and back to the guests.
The rest of the night she gave practiced smiles and came up with an excuse for Robert's absence. The ease with which she lied made her feel sick and yet numb at the same time. When she was finally alone that night, she sat at the kitchen counter with a glass of wine and an uncorked bottle next to it. She stared a head of her and occasionally took sips until she had to refill the glass—then she repeated the process. All the while, she fiddled with her wedding ring as she stared unseeing at the far wall. So many thoughts were racing through her mind, and yet none could stick. All she had left was a feeling: a hopeless, helpless feeling.
She didn't hear when Robert came in, but the bottle was nearly empty when he entered the kitchen. He had a black eye and he was reaching for the freezer door. Moira looked over at the kitchen clock dazedly—five A.M. Robert leaned against the opposite counter as he set a bag of peas against his eye.
"Moira…" he began but she just picked up her glass and finished the wine in it.
She then stood up and stumbled for a moment. Robert was already hurrying to her side but she held up her hand. "I don't want your help right now Robert," she snapped. Her words were clumsy on her tongue.
"Let me help you to bed," he tried to reason with her as he set the peas on the counter. Moira shook her head.
"I don't want to be in that bed with you ever again," she announced before shoving his hands away from her. She then stumbled a bit away from him. "You made a fool of me and our marriage Robert!" Her voice was rising.
"Don't touch me!" she shouted as he tried to reach out to her again.
"Moira," he began. His expression was almost pitiful but she just hurried past him. "Moira!"
"Don't talk to me Robert." Her voice was beginning to waver. She hurried out of the kitchen and stumbled through the manor to the guest wing.
"Moira…" Robert kept following her, like he was lost or something.
Moira eventually stumbled into the door of one of the guest rooms, and began to turn the doorknob. "Moira, we don't need to separate like this. Let's be reasona—"
"Be reasonable?!" Moira countered. "You have a child—child that isn't mine! Robert, how could you do this to us?!"
He stared at her for a long moment, but she just shook her head. "I don't want to be around you right now Robert," she stated. Her voice as shaking and she could feel the tears starting to build up.
Moira hurried into the guest room and slammed the door shut behind her before locking it. She then fell to her knees and began to cry forward into the floor. She had lied to all of their friends and work associates. Robert had made a liar of her and had made a lie of their marriage. She couldn't forgive him, she couldn't, but she couldn't leave him either. So instead, she cried and screamed and cursed.
…
Over the next month, Moira avoided Robert, but he spent more time at home. He gave her flowers and chocolates that she threw out. He tried to talk to her but she would give him a blank look and find some excuse to be away from him. It hurt that he thought he could fix their marriage with gifts and flowers. She felt insulted because where were his promises to never betray her again? Or did he refrain because he knew they would be hollow promises?
When the help was asleep and she had pushed Robert away for the nth time, she'd break down and begin weeping. Why? She didn't know. Perhaps because her marriage felt over even though she would still play her part as his wife when they had company. She hated what she had become; she hated what Robert had made of her. But at the same time she didn't want to leave and part of her wanted to make things work with Robert, but she was just too angry. However, her anger was exhausting.
It had been a full month since Robert admitted to his infidelity and bastard child. Moira had gone to bed early, but now lay in bed staring off to the side. She didn't want her marriage to end. She didn't want to give up on Robert. She didn't want to be alone. Moira felt the tears gathering at the corners of her eyes and then slide down onto her pillow as she stared at the far wall. She was so tired and angry and frustrated, but she loved Robert despite everything. It was all muddled and it hurt her in ways she didn't know she could hurt.
Moira was laying on her side when the door opened. She didn't flinch or move. In her peripherals, she could see it was Robert. He hesitantly entered the room; he was fiddling with some papers. Moira didn't have the energy to sit up properly, so she just continued staring at the far wall.
"Moira," Robert began as if testing the waters. Moira didn't respond and just blinked. He moved closer to the bed and faltered in his steps. He sighed and then moved the rest of the way until he was sitting by her on the bed.
"I wish we could move past this. I-I want us to move past this, but if you can't forgive me and—" he gave a self-depreciating laugh "—Lord knows I wouldn't deserve it anyways, but…" he trailed off and sighed.
The papers moved into her line of sight as Robert held them out to her. "If you want to divorce, I understand," he whispered. His voice cracked. "I'll make sure the assets are split generously—"
"I don't want your money Robert," Moira snapped. Her voice was small. "I've only ever wanted your love, your loyalty—" Her voice cracked on the last word and the tears began to gather again.
"Oh Moira…" he murmured. She heard movement and then Robert was kneeling in front of her. "I do love you. I-I don't know what I was doing with Abagail. I-I…" There was a shine to his eyes and a quivering to his voice—he was close to crying… There was something vindicating in seeing him close to her own condition. "I love you so much Moira. I never meant to hurt you like this."
"But you did Robert," she shot back. Moira's voice was still cracking and her throat felt so tight. The divorce papers were forgotten now on the floor as Robert reached for her hands and held them.
"I never want to hurt you again Moira. I never will. I promise," he stated. He then kissed her fingers, and Moira closed her eyes. Her anger was so exhausting and she still loved Robert so much. "I want to have a family with you," he murmured. "I want to spoil you and our kids. I want to come home to see you smiling; I want my wife and partner back."
Moira's stomach tightened and a fluttering began. This was her Robert. The Robert she fell in love with. "Oh Robert…" she whispered as she raised herself up onto one arm and pulled her other hand out of his hold so she could touch his check. "I love you Robert. I want a family with you too."
He leaned in and kissed Moira; she let him. Soon, she was falling onto the bed with him.
…
May twenty-ninth of 1985, Moira Dearden Queen brought a new life into the world. She stared down at her baby girl with Robert over her shoulder. "She's so beautiful," he whispered, which was probably a lie. Their little girl was still covered in birthing fluids and looked a bit like an alien, but that was expected of a premature baby. The doctors took the baby back for tests but Moira watched them take her daughter away with an expression of longing.
"That's our baby, Robert," she stated. He squeezed her shoulder.
"I know," he murmured before he leaned down and kissed her sweaty temple. "You did amazing—she's perfect."
She was, their baby was perfect. This baby was a chance for their marriage to come back together; it was a chance for them to be a family. Olivia Joan Queen, their precious baby girl. Moira could never imagine loving something more than she did her child, and Robert's expression said he felt the same. Moira leaned back exhausted and kissed the bottom of Robert's chin. He smiled as he turned his head to look down at her. He then pressed a kiss back to her lips, and Moira felt like their relationship was finally back together.
TBC
A/N:
So this fic will follow the "untampered" timeline. For those wondering how Eobard fits into things well…spoilers. I have a logical reason to explain why he's there, and those who watched Legends of Tomorrow second season and Flash third season will probably have a good guess why. Anyways, I will not rehash scenes unless there are different interactions—like really different. The focus of this story is more romance, friendship, and family than adventure or drama. This is also in cross-over because, while it will follow Arrow for a time, the fic will also follow Flash quite a bit ( maybe not as much as Arrow, but...). I will do my best to update in a month, but we'll see ~ with love, depressedchildren
