Slade was the first one to stir. The room was still dark, but based on the sounds of life outside, he knew it wasn't early morning. He felt snug and contented, something he hadn't felt in years. Honestly, he couldn't remember the last time he'd had such a peaceful night's sleep – probably some time before he'd been sent to Lian Yu. After Laurel had woken him, he'd had no more nightmares. In fact, he hadn't any idea what his previous one had even been about. That had never happened before. He always remembered.

Adjusting his head slightly, he was aware of the warm body contained within the circle of his arms. Laurel. Opening his eyes, he could see over the top of her head. His arm was curled around her, resting on her flat stomach. Her hand was covering his, their fingers linked. His body was bowed around hers, her back pressed into his chest, their legs a tangled mess. He couldn't remember anything ever feeling more right than waking up with her in his arms.

The previous night, and early hours of the morning, had been incredible. He'd never known such pleasurable heights existed, or that a woman could be so attuned to his needs and wants, that he could so easily conform to hers. They'd woken up earlier when Laurel's phone had rang. It had been her assistant wondering where she was since she hadn't arrived at work. Having literally just woken up had made her argument that she was feeling ill all the more believable. Thereafter, she'd climbed right back into bed and made love with him again before both of them had fallen into an exhausted slumber.

She moved and his arms tightened around her instinctively. Turning around, she faced him, a sleepy, contended smile on her face. His heart squeezed as he looked into her beautiful face.

"Morning," she mumbled, nuzzling her nose into his neck.

He grinned. "You snore, Miss Lance," came his teasing reply.

She pulled away and looked at him, horrified. "I do not!" Then realising that he was kidding, she swatted him across the arm and laughed. "How are you feeling?" He knew she was referring to his nightmare.

"Better. I don't remember what it was about," he responded truthfully.

She nodded, her hand gently caressing his chest. He liked having her touch him.

"Do you have them often?" There was some hesitation in her voice before she asked the question.

He'd never spoken to anyone about the demons that haunted his dreams mostly because there'd never been anyone to talk to. Coupled with that was his belief that no one would understand. He was surprised by how much he wanted to tell her.

He pulled her closer to him and tucked her head into the crook of his neck, playing with the silky stands of her hair. "Almost every night."

He took a deep breath.

"They started once I was captured and smuggled off the island. Fyers had done a good job in the torture department and no matter how I tried, I couldn't stop the dreams. Sometimes I'd try to stay awake for as long as I could to avoid them before I realised that sleep deprivation only made them worse."

He felt her hand move across his chest to hold him close and he absorbed all the comfort her touch provided.

"They're mostly the same with a few variances here and there. A dark room, whips and chains. Sometimes they feel so real I wake up crying out, as you've already discovered." He kept his voice even despite the fact that talking about it made him want to heave. It wasn't easy.

"There were days when they'd leave me alone without food or water in a completely dark space. It was times like those that I imagined I was going mad. Then just before I'd succumb to that downward mental spiral, they'd bring me back up top and the beatings would resume."

He felt her tears as they dripped into his neck, but she didn't say anything. He was glad for it. In the face of any questions, he didn't know if he'd be able to continue.

"Then I managed to escape with the help of the man I'd been sent there to retrieve. It was a few weeks later that I met Oliver."

Her arms were holding him so tightly, he could barely move. But he didn't mind the feeling. In fact, he welcomed it.

"After being taken prisoner by the ASIS a new wave of intimidation started. They weren't as cruel as Fyers, but at that point it didn't matter anymore. I'd become so used to the neglect and the abuse. I barely noticed when they ceased for a day or two."

She moved then and raised herself onto an elbow to look at him. Her beautiful green eyes were pools of pain. There were also tears clinging to her long lashes.

"I'm so sorry. I wish each of those men burn in hell for what they did to you."

He lifted a hand and wiped a tear from her cheek. "It messed me up, Laurel. I'm-" he struggled to say the words to her. "I'm damaged. I'm broken and I don't think there's any way to put me back together."

He watched as her eyes hardened, anger blazing out of them. "You may be battered and bruised, but they didn't break you, Slade. You're the bravest man I've ever known and you've endured more pain than I can even begin to comprehend. But that makes you strong." Her voice broke. "You're so strong. I'm in awe of you. And the fact that you're here – alive and a little ruff around the edges – is a testament to your incredible will to survive." She cupped his jaw in her hand. "I've seen you at your worst," she smiled slightly as she said it, "and I've seen you at your best. You're not broken to me. You've never been anything but heroic and fearless and courageous and anyone who says or thinks differently, including you, will have to answer to me."

He felt humbled by her belief in him. No one had ever called him a hero. He'd certainly never thought of himself as one.

"Laurel, the things I've-"

She placed a finger over his lips to silence him. "I'm not naïve. I don't believe that you haven't done some things that are pretty extreme. But I don't believe you're a cruel man and I don't believe you're a cold blooded mercenary either. Nothing you say will ever change my mind about that."

He believed her. Past experiences had made him wary of strangers and he didn't trust easily. But he trusted her. Looking into her face, so defiant, he knew her to be sincere.

Reaching for her he kissed her. He could taste the salt of her tears on his lips, but he didn't care. She made him feel things that he was afraid of. She made him want things that he had no right wanting - not in the position he was currently in - and certainly not with the paternal responsibilities that waited for him back home.

The kiss was scorching, intense and emotionally charged. Exactly like it had always been between them.

"Thank you," he whispered when he eventually lifted his lips from hers.

She smiled at him, her face flushed with desire. It would be so easy for him to kiss her again, to pretend that they were the only two people in the world. However, he knew that it was time to face reality once more. He needed to hand himself over to the police and do whatever came afterward to ensure his freedom.

He felt torn. He couldn't deny it. Before he'd come to Starling City, before meeting Laurel, his life had been simple. He would clear his name and get back to Australia to see Joe. Now his heart wouldn't allow him to pretend that things were still that uncomplicated. They weren't. He cared about the woman in his arms – he cared for her more than he'd ever cared for any other female. But there was no future for them.

She must have also realised that the cocoon they'd spent the night in had disintegrated because she sat up, clutching the sheet to her chest as she looked around for her discarded clothing. She looked dishevelled, her body flushed, her lips swollen.

Christ, she's so beautiful.

Getting up as well, he grabbed his pants and shoved his legs into them before standing up. He wasn't even aware that she was behind him until he felt her hands on his back. He froze in place. Her fingers were gentle as they explored the puckered lines that zig zagged across his skin.

"Does it still hurt?" she asked softly before leaning down to press her lips gently to his scared flesh.

He shook his head, unable to speak past the lump that was lodged in the back of his throat. He could feel the softness of her cheek as it rested against him. He'd told her many times that he didn't want her kindness, but in truth, it was that constant barrage of gentleness that was at that very moment healing him from the inside out.

Lifting her cheek she placed one last kiss between his shoulder blades.

Her mouth close to his ear, she breathed, "You're the most virile, sexy and robust man I've ever known. You're beautiful. What they did to you will never change that. You are not defined by the abuse you've suffered, Slade. Be proud of who you are and what you've endured. I am."

She then turned around and collected her scattered clothing before leaving the room. Unknown to her, tears were shimmering in his eyes as the door closed softly behind her.

Later that morning, when Laurel and Slade arrived at Oliver and Felicity's home, she immediately recognised the red Evoque parked in the driveway. Tommy and Thea were back from their honeymoon.

She realised that the pang of loneliness she'd always felt at the thought of her ex boyfriend and his new wife was gone. Instead, there was only the genuine affection she felt for both of them.

About to ask Slade to stay behind while she checked if the coast was clear, she was spared the trouble when Oliver emerged from the front door and waved at them to come inside.

After she'd left Slade's bedroom she'd resolved to keep her emotions in check. After last night, she knew she was more in love with him than ever. But she wouldn't use her feelings as a means of making him feel guilty. He'd been used enough and he had a duty to his son that superseded any connection between them. It was hard, but she'd accepted it. No matter how difficult it would be to say goodbye to him, she would do so, without ever letting him know how her heart would break to watch him walk away from her.

Entering the big house, Laurel smiled as she heard Thea's boisterous voice.

"You're telling me that the Slade is alive and well? Wow. See what happens when you go on honeymoon? People rise from the dead."

Amused, Laurel walked into the kitchen. Slade was trailing behind her cautiously.

"Laurel!" Thea exclaimed and jumped off her chair at the table. She rushed forward and gave her a warm hug. The younger woman looked radiant in a deep green long sleeved knit dress that ended just above her knees. Her legs were encased in black tights that disappeared into knee length black boots.

Tommy, leaning against the table watched them with a fond smile on his face. Their eyes met over his wife's head and Laurel hoped he knew how genuinely thrilled she was for both of them.

Thea pulled back and glanced over Laurel's shoulder. "Good Lord. Are all my brother's friends this gorgeous?" she asked with a frankness that was unique to her. Laurel was glad to know that she wasn't the only one who'd noticed.

Slade looked at her with a raised eyebrow, clearly not sure how to respond.

"Hey!" Tommy replied jokingly as he moved forward to kiss Laurel's cheek before wrapping his arm around Thea's waist. "I'd prefer it if those descriptions were reserved only for me," he teased.

She rolled her eyes at him, but Laurel could tell that they were deeply in love. She couldn't help the stab of envy.

"Get over yourself, Merlyn," Thea said as she instinctively moved closer to her husband's side.

"You must be the infamous Slade Wilson," Tommy smiled as he held out a hand to the man at Laurel's side.

Slade shook his hand, eyeing the couple suspiciously. Laurel could only imagine what he was thinking. Thea was a bundle of energy and like Felicity, she never stopped talking. Tommy on the other hand was generally easy going and friendly.

"One and the same. You're Oliver's best mate."

Tommy grinned. "That's me. The honorary Queen. Glad to know you're alive and well. Also glad to hear that you've been acquitted," he said genuinely.

Slade cracked a smile. "Almost, but not quite."

"I see you've all met," came Oliver's voice from behind her. He was carrying Robbie who looked cute as a button in a fleecy blue sailor suit.

Laurel couldn't help herself. She plucked the baby out of Oliver's arms. He smelled like shampoo and powder; a sweet combination. Holding him in her arms, his toothy grin directed at her, she couldn't stop the overwhelming desire to have a baby of her own. She'd always known she'd wanted children at some point, but since she hadn't met a man she'd considered having kids with, it had never been an immediate thought. However, since meeting Slade, a lot had changed. It wasn't hard for her to imagine having a little brown-eyed, dark- haired bundle of her own.

As soon as she thought it, a sense of sadness descended upon her. He was leaving.

Felicity stepped into the room. "Oh you're all in here." She moved toward the coffee machine and pulled mugs out of an overhead cupboard.

Laurel turned slightly and noticed Slade looking at her with a strange light in his eyes. Not knowing what it meant, she took a seat at the table and played with the baby. He sat down beside her and Thea and Tommy grabbed the seats opposite them. Felicity and Oliver sat at each head.

"How was your trip?" Laurel asked Thea.

The honeymooners looked relaxed and happy. "Amazing! I wish we could have stayed a while longer, but unfortunately duty called." She pulled a face.

"My head of security at Merlyn Global resigned last week. It's going to be killer trying to replace him. I'm already having nightmares about it." Tommy looked at Oliver. "You don't know anyone, do you?" he asked hopefully.

Oliver shook his head and then looked at Slade. "He'd be my recommendation, but he'll be outta here in a few days."

Laurel's breath hitched at the back of her throat. If only it were that simple. Slade working for Merlyn Global, in his field of expertise, would be perfect. But she knew it wasn't viable.

Tommy looked at Slade and slapped his hand on the table. "Why didn't I think of that? It's brilliant! You'd be a natural!"

"Unfortunately not. I'm headed back to Oz, mate."

Tommy sighed with disappointment.

"Guess this means you'll have to start looking from scratch," Thea said sympathetically, patting his hand.

"Seriously though, if you ever decide to settle over here, give me a call. I could use someone with your skill and proficiency," he continued, not completely put off.

"Thanks," she heard Slade reply. She knew he was merely being polite. There was no way he could stay in the States. He didn't even want to, regardless of Joe.

"You ready to head to the SCPD?" Felicity asked him.

He took a sip of his coffee. "As ready as I'll ever be, I suppose. There is no escaping this final step."

"Is everything in place?" Oliver asked, his question directed at Laurel.

She nodded. "I got Slade to sign the papers that legally engages my services as his attorney. I'll be going with him."

"We'll go too," said Felicity. Laurel didn't miss the look of adoration that Oliver cast his wife's way. "Slade is family."

"I don't think that's a good idea," Slade replied.

"Why not?" asked Oliver, frowning.

"Slade's right. It isn't. If you show up there with us, you're basically admitting that you knew he was here all the time." Felicity started to protest, but Laurel held up a hand. The baby was knocking a teaspoon against the table. "Think about your family. Believe me, you don't want to get caught up in the media frenzy that's bound to explode the second the press knows that Slade's turned himself in."

"I don't care about that!" declared Oliver.

"I think Laurel is right," said Tommy. "The last thing you want are journalists camped outside your front gate. Think of Robbie."

Laurel could see that Oliver and Felicity were considering his words.

"What if you went afterward?" asked Thea. All eyes turned in her direction. "If you show up at the precinct after Slade has already been taken into custody, it may just look like an old friend coming to show his support."

Tommy smiled at his wife. "You're a genius. That could totally work."

She grinned back at him. "Flattery will get you everywhere," she quipped before giving him a swift peck on the lips.

Oliver looked at Slade. "You comfortable with that?"

He nodded. "Yeah. I think that would be a better solution. You could still maintain that you didn't know I was around."

"People may not believe that," said Felicity, pushing her spectacles up, her purple nails flashing.

Slade shrugged. "But we'll stick to that story. I don't want you guys implicated in any of this. Are we agreed?"

Oliver didn't look too happy about it, but he nodded. "Alright. We do it your way."

Slade focussed his gaze on Laurel. She was too distracted by Robbie to see how his face softened when he looked at her.

"Let's get this over with."

She nodded and kissed the baby's chubby cheek before handing him over to his mother. She'd drive him over to the police department and assume the role of his legal counsel. She didn't think it likely that they'd keep him for very long, but if anything untoward happened, she'd make damn sure that absolutely no harm came to him. He'd been through more than enough. They'd have to get through her in order to get to him.

Little did they know, she wasn't a cops daughter for nothing.

Slade sat quietly beside Laurel as she parked on the side of the SCPD building. Turning off the engine, she twisted slightly to face him.

"You ready?"

He looked at her and nodded, admiring the way the weak rays of sunshine made the blonde highlights in her hair glow. She was dressed formally in a tailored black suit that made her look every inch the competent lawyer.

Since leaving the Queen house she'd been all professionalism. There had been no personal references and no mention of the intimacy that had passed between them. He should have been grateful, but instead he hated the walls that were now firmly separating them.

He didn't know why he was so hesitant to go inside. He didn't fear what would happen once they stepped into the police station. He trusted Laurel to act on his behalf. He reckoned it was because he knew that once they climbed out of her car, nothing would ever be the same again. The night they'd spent together would be a memory that he would only be able revisit in his dreams - if he was lucky enough - because it would surely never happen again. The sequence of events that they would set in motion once his presence was known would create a distance between them that was probably for the best, but that didn't mean he wouldn't miss the closeness that they'd shared. It was ironic. He'd always thought he never wanted to share that kind of familiarity and affection with anyone and yet all he could do was think about how he was about to lose it.

"Then let's get going," she said as she reached for her bag on the back seat.

He reached for her arm to stall her. "Wait."

She lifted her eyes to meet his and at last he could see her eyes. She wasn't indifferent at all.

"I wanted to tell you-"

She reached across the space between them and captured his hand in hers.

"I know, Slade. You don't have to say anything."

He raised her hand and held it against his cheek, her warmth the only thing that gave him any measure of comfort. There were so many things he wanted to say to her, so many things he wanted to explain. But he knew he couldn't. It wouldn't make any difference.

"About last night..."

She shook her head and he knew this was the worst possible timing, but he needed her to know at least one thing.

"Laurel," he said softly. She looked at him, her eyes liquid emotion. "I have no regrets. I want you to know that."

Her fingers gently brushed against his jaw. "Neither do I."

On that note, she opened the door and climbed out.

With a heavy heart, he followed.