To think, comparing the foundry to the batcave, would be the same as comparing Starling to Gotham. Less cold, and a little, smaller in size.
"Barbara?" I hear my name from Oliver, coming down the stairs. I was hoping to grab my gear and be gone before anyone got back. Now he can watch me struggle lifting a giant ass, duffle bag out of the foundry. Oh joy. He looks like he's been brooding. Oliver almost rivals Bruce, in that department.
Almost.
"Still walking and talking Oliver. I'll be out of your hair in a bit." If I could only just stuff the small explosives in the bag. WOULDN'T THAT JUST MAKE LIFE EASIER. Why I even keep half of this crap. 'Surprise', thats a new look for him.
"No, I didn't- you can stay." I think he's trying to be nice. That's...nice. Oh GOD, I'm going to have to get used to nice again.
"Well, I'm glad your posistive to the idea. Cause I moved to Starling City last week."
"I'm sorry, what?" As much fun, as it is to watch the brooding Oliver Queen turn into a confused puppy. I should probably explain myself.
"Not to be a hero or anything. I'm just here to go to school. If you need any help with THE HERO THING, your welcome to call me. Just not all the time, I'm not really capable of that right now. Ignoring the bullet wound in my shoulder." Even up close, the confused puppy face is still entertaining. With a shake of his head, I wonder if there will be a scratch behind the ear.
"Ah...okay. Before you walk out of here, I just wanted to say thank you."He wasn't this nice the last time I saw him. I should enjoy it? I guess.
"No need, I'd do it again in a heart beat." Picking up my bag should not be this hard. I wonder how far he'll let me get.
"Barbara." There it is.
"What?"
"THANK YOU."
"YOUR WELCOME."Let me walk out the door please.
"BARBARA." Nope. Fine, don't let me go back to my new apartment and die. Slamming my bag on the table, probably not the best idea. Should it be that loud?
"For the love of GOD, WHAT." Now I'm loud. I used to be nicer. I need sleep.
" Are you okay? I mean, last year the idea of staying in Starling was replusive. Now you've moved here-"
"Year and a half and It's not like your one to talk. Not working off that list of yours anymore, Diggle, Felicity. Your body count has lowered almost to nothing. I might cry for being so proud."
"So, what's changed?"
"I have. Duh. And that's not a big deal. So stop looking at me like I'm a kicked puppy. I'm not running away from anything, no one is after me or anything like that. I'm just..."
"Just what, Babs."Currently thinking that I should get a dog. But that's not what he's asking. I suppose I should give him credit FOR asking. I still used to be nicer. Huh.
"Do we really need to have this conversation right now, especially after what happened today?" That sigh was deep, even for me. Jeez.
"We? Maybe not. But I think you do." True enough. I've been alot more...thought-y since the accident. Not sure thats a good thing-RIGHT. Might as well just tell the truth. I never thought I would be telling it to Oliver Queen. Life's funny that . Not funny. Not funny at all. Bad thoughts, bad thoughts. Telling truth stuff now. Truth-good, and all that.
"I spent the last year, being miserable. I felt alone, DEPRESSED, and I thought I need to stick around to prove something to the people around me. All that did was make me unhappy. So, the moment I was able, I moved here." Wow, way to be cryptic and still tell the truth. I have been around Bruce for WWWAAAYY to long.
"Why here."
"Why not. Starling isn't Gotham and it always helps to have a few friends in a new city."
"Which you have."Good. That actually feels really good. Because I actually believe him and it's been way too damn long since I believed anyone. That's a thought for another day.
"Good. Now drive me home."Gah, I'm tired.
"Why?"Cause your a pain in the ass. Wait. I used to be nice.
"Why drive me home? Saves you from tailing me home later in the week."
"No, why take the bullet." Because I have more respect for you than I do for myself. I would like to keep that respect. It was hard enough to form the first time.
"And let Felicity take the bullet instead? I'm not that stupid. Don't ask why."That last thought should have not been said out loud. Opps.
"Well, thank you, anyways."
"No trouble, I understand how important she is. Probably more than you do."What's with the verbal vomit? Oliver, I'm tired.
"Should I ignore that?"YES. WELL, no. Actually, you should realize how obvious you are.
"It would be a wise desicion. My car is a couple blocks away, east parking lot, off you go."Passing of keys! Yay, I get to go to sleep soon. My back ain't going to be happy tomorrow.
"Should I text you when I bring the car around?"
"I'll text you my new number and I'm leaving my bag here. Small explosives so don't touch without care."Blink. Come on, you can do it Oliver.
"How do you have my number?"Oh, honey.
"I like to network. Now, please go get my car before I fall asleep standing here. Thankyou." Maybe, If I smile nice enough.-Huh, just turned around, put my bag, away in the back and headed out the door.
Wow, I wouldn't have been able to get away with before. With anything that just happen in that conversation. I must be tired. To think Felicity and Diggle have done him good.
Hopefully, they won't mind a stray.
Team "Arrow", huh?
