Episode 9 – Records (Part 1)
AN –This is another long one so I'm posting the first half now and the second half tomorrow! Another special shout out to TheOddManOut for continuing to beta – I very much appreciate your assistance!
AN2 – BTW, I will tell you now that the mystery blond isn't revealed in this episode…sorry but there's another more pressing issue for the Team right now! Also, I do appreciate all who have speculated but I'm maintaining my refusal to confirm or deny any and all guesses! :)
DISCLAIMER – No updates here, I have no legal claim to CW's Arrow but I play w/o profit anyway!
PREVIOUSLY…Team Arrow had discovered Caitlyn Snow was the mastermind behind Brick's attacks but they didn't have a plan to stop her. It did seem that with the revelation of her part though that the attacks on Starling City eased. Brick's gangs were still active but it no longer seemed the city was at war. This gave the Team more time to research, form a plan, and worry about Felicity's mysterious savior over the next week.
While the Team was focused on Brick and Caitlyn, they gladly made time to visit Quentin Lance once they received word he had awakened from his coma. Felicity led the way as soon as visiting hours were over and they could sneak in unnoticed.
"We are so glad you're awake – we've missed you." Felicity smiled widely and even leaned in to gently hug Det. Lance as she spoke for the Team. She stepped back to stand between Oliver and Diggle as Roy stood near the door.
"Thank you...and thank you for the flowers." Lance motioned with his head to the fresh flowers on the bedside table. When he noticed Felicity blushing, he laughed and continued. "The night nurse ratted you out. She actually said they came from Oliver but I knew that meant you."
Diggle and Oliver smiled as Felicity nervously pushed her glasses up on her nose as she mumbled, "You're welcome...so when do you get out of here? I'm sure you are tired of being here, well, you would be if you'd been awake all this time, um, well, you are awake now though and that's all that matters." Felicity ended her nervous rambling with a smile.
"Hopefully soon - they want to run more tests. Um, is there a way you can get word to Sara? Laurel said she hadn't heard from her but I thought you guys might be in touch." Lance knew it was unlikely Sara could visit but he wanted her to know he was okay and that he was thinking of her.
"She confirmed she's in Japan with Nyssa and doing well but that's all we know." It was Felicity who provided that information with an understanding smile. "I'll try to get word to her as I'm sure she would want to be here with you."
"Incoming." Roy gave the warning even as he moved back and all could hear the harsh rapping of high heels on the hospital floor.
As one, Diggle, Felicity, and Oliver stepped away from Lance's bed and watched the door. Roy moved back to them as Laurel followed him in the room with a glare.
"Ollie, we need to talk now." Laurel employed the shortened version of his name like a weapon. She had been angry before she entered the room, but it always annoyed her to see his friends standing so close to him, particularly her. However, this was important and as the Assistant DA she had a job to do.
"Sweetheart, what's going on?" Lance knew his daughter was angry and he could see Felicity was uncomfortable but he couldn't read any emotion on the men's faces.
"John Deleon wants Ollie arrested for embezzlement." Laurel dropped that bomb as she moved to her dad's side and watched for a reaction. As there was no visible response from Ollie, Laurel continued.
"He's provided some documentation for some wire transfers from the City's renovation and rebuilding funds to Queen Family Trust accounts. The DA's office is investigating. This is a serious allegation Ollie."
Laurel watched as Ollie looked first to Felicity then to John and Roy. She waited but after another minute of silence she spoke again.
"Well, what are you going to do? Confront him as the Green Arrow?"
"No." Oliver gave that single word answer as he watched Felicity. He could see her working through the issues in her mind and he wasn't surprised when she pulled out her tablet.
Lance watched the by-play but didn't comment. He had never officially acknowledged that he knew Oliver Queen was the Arrow. Only to himself would Lance admit that he had known the truth well before Slade Wilson. He had tried clinging to his prejudices against Ollie, but eventually the evidence was simply overwhelming – Oliver Queen wasn't the man Lance had thought he was but he was the man behind the mask. A big part of that evidence was the blond by his side even now.
"Well, why not? Are you just going to let him make the accusation or have you actually done something?" Laurel didn't believe Ollie had done anything wrong, but she was letting her anger override her logic. She still hated the distance between them – she hated seeing him as the Mayor and hero of Starling City when she wasn't the one at his side.
"The connection would be too close." Diggle provided that explanation as he looked up to meet not Laurel's eyes but her father's. He saw only calm acceptance and he knew that they could continue to count on Det. Lance for his assistance and discretion. He gave him a brief nod of acknowledgement which Lance returned.
"So we'll find another way. Who is this scumbag anyway?" Roy spoke up quickly as he was again annoyed by Laurel and he still lacked patience.
"What other way? He's the financial consultant who performed the annual audit. Even if the DA's office doesn't pursue charges Deleon will bring this before City Council. The press will know and then there will be yet another Queen family scandal." Laurel continued to watch Ollie even as she answered Roy's question. She couldn't believe they didn't understand the importance of her revelation.
"Felicity, if we provide the proof from Deleon, could you trace it? Figure out what happened and clear Oliver?" Lance spoke up now.
"We have the intel and our IT people are working on it. What else can she do?" Laurel couldn't believe that her own father thought she could help. She refused to consider that Felicity hacking into the FBI database was anything but a fluke.
"She helped me disarm Merlyn's earthquake machine. If anyone can figure out what happened then its Felicity." Lance spoke calmly in his defense of the still quiet IT girl. He could tell Laurel was angry, but he didn't exactly know why. What he did know was that Felicity was not only one of the good guys, she was one of the best.
"Dad, she's a hacker!" Laurel enunciated the words carefully as she needed to make sure her dad understood the truth about Felicity. "She has a record!"
"She did some things when she was young but now, she's..." Lance trailed off as he tried to find the right words.
"Now she just borrows intel." Roy repeated the early Lesson with a quick, encouraging smile at Felicity.
"Yes, she borrows intel. She's helped me...and even you. She was the one who hacked into the SCPD records when you wanted information on Blood." Lance spoke sternly as he wanted his daughter to understand the truth.
"How did you know Felicity had a record?" It was Oliver who asked that question and there was a definite growl in his tone. He had moved even closer to Felicity and had placed one hand at the small of her back.
Felicity leaned slightly into Oliver as she tried to take a couple deep breaths. She hated it when anyone found out about her past even if it was only the hacker chargers – she guarded her past as jealously as Oliver guarded his time on the Island. She had barely even told him or Diggle anything, Roy knew even less, and she really didn't want Laurel to know anything.
"I checked into her." Laurel stubbornly met Ollie's gaze as she answered his question.
"When?" Oliver asked, barely beating Roy to the question as younger man stood bristling with anger at his side.
"I don't see why that matters. You need to focus on clearing your name or yet another Queen will be in court." Laurel sniped. She was trying to do the right thing in warning Ollie, but no one seemed to appreciate that fact. Taking a deep breath, she tried again as the silence lengthened.
"Look, we are all on the same team, right? I am trying to help you out by coming to you now. I will try to help you as much as I can Ollie." Laurel deliberately softened her voice and expression.
"We are a Team." Oliver moved forward to gesture to Diggle and Roy before stepping back and placing his arm around Felicity's waist. "Thank you, we appreciate your help Laurel. Send the intel Deleon provided to us so Felicity can check it out." Oliver's tone was blandly polite as he emphasized the point that Laurel was helping, but that she wasn't a member of the Team. He knew Laurel had repeatedly ignored Felicity's contributions and position in the past so he hoped that she would get the message this time.
"We need to head out. You have early meetings in the morning." Diggle offered the lie easily and wasn't surprised to see both Oliver and Roy nod in agreement. Felicity was still looking very uncomfortable and that meant everyone on their Team was tense and in protective mode. He knew it was best to get them out the door quickly especially as Oliver's words were just now sinking in and Laurel was starting to scowl.
The Team rushed back to the warehouse without any discussion of Laurel's comments. Roy was dying to know about Felicity's record but as she still seemed upset he knew now wasn't the time to tease her. He simply followed Oliver's and Diggle's lead as the Team pushed aside everything to focus on Deleon.
As their options were limited, the Team knew Felicity remained their best weapon. She stepped up easily and even put Roy to work on some simple searches on Deleon while she tackled the financial records of the Queen Family Trust and Starling City. It was tedious work and more than once Roy looked enviously at Oliver and Diggle who trained nearby.
As the tension in the warehouse rose, Oliver exchanged a look with Diggle and then called to Felicity. "Felicity, you need to take a break. Start the programs and then join us on the mats. You too Roy." Oliver gave the order knowing the Team needed to work off some frustration as they couldn't just use their night jobs to confront Deleon and also because Laurel's action again brought tension to their group.
Roy immediately jumped up as he spoke. "I'm done, my searches are running!"
Felicity stuck her tongue out at him for what she saw as his lack of appreciation for the IT wisdom she was imparting so generously. Diggle laughed and Oliver smiled as Roy joined them on the mats.
"Five minutes Felicity." Oliver ordered as he looked back over his shoulder at her.
"I need ten if you want me to continue searching for Brick too." Felicity reminded him.
Felicity did join the guys for a quick training session before they geared up for their nightly patrols. Diggle and Roy made a wider loop around the city while Oliver continued to remain close to the warehouse in case Felicity needed coverage. The patrols were fairly normal with all three men questioning gangs for intel and following Felicity's directions as she monitored the police scanner. Despite Brick's men being active, the Team found no new clues so they returned their focus to Deleon.
It was a long night but the Team was prepared when news of Deleon's accusations hit the papers the next morning. Roy and Felicity travelled to work separately from Oliver and Diggle to avoid the press. Walter was planning to meet them at the office so he could assist in preparing for the press conference Felicity had quickly scheduled for that afternoon.
Felicity met Walter at the door with a cup of tea and a smile. "Good morning Walter. I'm glad you are joining us."
"Good morning Felicity and thank you my dear." Walter accepted the cup and tried to avoid Oliver's eyes as he now had the full story on Felicity's refusal to bring Oliver coffee.
"What? Nothing for me?" Oliver couldn't resist teasing the blond especially as she blushed as she glared at him.
"Of course I have something for you – there are copies of all newspapers running the story of your embezzlement scheme on your desk. Enjoy!" Felicity responded as she walked away.
The men all laughed as they made their way into Oliver's office and Walter was glad for their sense of humor. He knew the accusations were serious, but he also know political machinations when he saw them. Walter wasn't sure why Oliver was being unfairly targeted; however, it was obvious to him that he was.
Oliver nodded to Roy when the younger man joined them, but then silence reigned as both Walter and Oliver picked up papers to read. When Felicity returned, Oliver put down his paper and held out a hand.
"Here are the updated searches – this should clear you as it was a sloppy set-up. However, I think we should wait before providing the evidence." Felicity stood next to Oliver and everyone turned to face her in surprise at her words.
"Why should you wait?" Walter respected Felicity's brilliance but he needed to understand the reasons. He saw her look to Oliver to receive his nod before she responded.
"I think we need to let the authorities find the proof while we track the hacker. I don't think Deleon has the skills to set you up so that means someone else did the dirty work. It won't do us any good to stop this attack if they simply try again, right?" Felicity replied to Walter while still looking at Oliver.
"Good point – so we wait and pursue our own leads while cooperating with the authorities." Diggle agreed with Felicity's assessment. He then looked to Walter as he spoke bluntly. "Can you spin this in some way and buy us some time?"
It was Oliver who jumped in though as he tried to protect his stepfather and keep him at a distance. "You don't need to get involved, Walter, but we would appreciate any advice."
"Of course, I can spin this Mr. Diggle. I have been taking meetings with the QC Board lately and you have support there. There are others who owe me favors. How much time do you need?" Walter smiled broadly and ignored Oliver's words as he was grateful for the opportunity to be included in their plan and to help his stepson.
Everyone turned to Felicity who after nodding at Oliver spoke calmly. "I'll need a week."
AN3 – Again, the second half will pick up right here and it will be posted tomorrow morning so I hope you guys check it out!