Chapter 11
Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Everything belongs to their rightful owners.
AN1: THANK YOU SO MUCH TO Mocking_point who has helped me more than I can put into words.
AN2: Thank you so much for the support. The midseason finale (which I haven't seen though I have watched the ending scene many times) gives me hope for Arrow again, which means I have many, many ideas for this story.
Events of this chapter correspond with episodes 1x03 and 1x04.
"Excuse me?" Laurel asks shocked, "What makes you think I'd ever even consider helping you?" Laurel asks, some anger in her voice.
"You're a good person, you help this city, protect people." Oliver says, "And that's what I'm asking you to do. Help me save lives." He reveals as he knows that he needs help with what his is facing and The Woman in Black is his only option at the moment, and honestly she's his best option.
"What's going on?" Laurel asks, doing so because she knows it must be something big for The Hood to come to her.
"There's a hired killer in town. He shots people with a long ranged gun with bullets dipped in a poison known as curare." Oliver explains, "He goes by the name Deadshot, you can easily verify what I'm saying if you want."
"I will." Laurel assures him, "Do you know what he's planning?" Laurel asks, assuming he does.
"Yes. He's going after the Unidac Industries auction, after the byers." Oliver explains.
"That's tomorrow." Laurel realises.
"I can't protect everyone there and stop him at the same time." Oliver says, "I need help." He says and Laurel doesn't even need to think about it.
"I will help protect the people at the auction." Laurel tells him, "But that does not mean I am okay with your methods. I don't kill people, and I won't condone, or be okay with, you killing."
"Understood." Oliver says, "Do you need the details of the auction?"
"No." Laurel answers.
"Then I'll see you there." Oliver says before firing an arrow and using that to swing of the building.
"This is going to end great." Laurel mutters sarcastically. Being glad that she hasn't been on coms since she made her way to the rooftop, and remembering that Laurel knows that her kids will be worrying so she turns them back on, "You guys there?" Laurel asks.
"Always." Thea responds, there being some worry in her voice.
"Why'd you turn off coms?" Roy asks.
"Long story. I'll explain when I get back." Laurel says, as she doesn't want to say talk about what just happened through coms, "Anything else I can deal with?" Laurel asks curious.
"Drug dealer, three blocks west." Sin informs her.
"I'll take it." Laurel tells her and Sin starts to explain where she has to go.
About an hour later Laurel has climbed in through her window, and after leaving her wig and mask in her room, she is walking into the living area, undoing her jacket as she goes, where Thea, Sin and Roy are.
"Nicely done. You left several nice packages for the police." Roy informs Laurel.
"Yeah, but it never seems like enough." Laurel admits, feeling bad about that.
"You doing something though. That's more than most people can say." Sin comments.
"Yeah, I guess." Laurel says, honestly wanting to do more.
"So, why'd you turn coms off?" Thea asks curious.
"I had a little chat with our friendly hooded killer." Laurel reveals.
"Seriously?" Roy asks, surprised.
"Why'd he even want to talk to you? Your last conversation didn't go to well." Thea comments.
"You've talked before?" Sin asks, sounding surprised.
"Yeah." Laurel confirms, "We talked this time because he wants help."
"Seriously?" Roy once more asks, and Laurel nods, "I didn't think the Hood would be the type to ask for help."
"Honestly, neither did I." Laurel admits, "But he did."
"What does he need help with?" Sin asks curious.
"There's a hired killer in town. The Hood thinks that he's going to attack the Unidac Industries auction." Laurel explains. "He can't protect all the people there, and deal with the killer alone. That's why he came to me." Laurel explains.
"So you're going to work with the Hood?" Thea asks, sounding a little surprised by that as she knows how Laurel feels about The Hood.
"I'm going to protect people, and make sure that no one is caught in the crossfire, at a location where the Hood may just happen to be." Laurel corrects.
"Nice distinction." Sin says with an amused look on her face.
"Thanks." Laurel says, with a smile, "Do we have any ice cream left?" Laurel asks Thea curious.
"That depends, did you pick any up after work?" Thea ask.
"No."
"Then nope." Thea informs her.
"Great." Laurel says, sarcastically, "Okay. I'm going out to get some ice cream. I'll be back soon." Laurel says, standing up.
"You might want to get changed first." Roy points out.
"Good point." Laurel says, heading to her room.
"If you're getting ice cream, get skittles too." Thea requests as Laurel heads to her room.
"And Twizzles." Sin adds.
"And energy drinks." Roy requests, causing Laurel to roll her eyes as she heads to her room, mentally coming up with the list in her head.
(line break)
The following evening. Laurel, as the woman in Black, is hiding in the rafters of the building where the auction is going to be taking place.
"I really think this wasn't just a distraction technique." Laurel mutters to herself, watching from her position.
It's been a little while since Laurel started to hide the rafters and even though she has seen no sign of the Hood she isn't overly surprised; he is probably hiding somewhere himself. Watching Laurel recognizes a lot of people at the auction, and she knows that she won't let any of them, or anyone, get hurt.
Just when she starts to become pretty sure that The Hood only asked for her help as a distraction bullets start to come through the window.
Seconds it does Laurel drops down from her hiding place in the rafters to the middle of everything.
"RUN." Laurel says, her voice altered and everyone starts to run away.
Due to the commotion a lot of people are knocked down so Laurel helps them, and makes sure that everyone gets out of the room, just as she is helping a teenager out of the room the spray of bullets stops and Laurel is pretty sure that that would be thanks to The Hood.
Looking around Laurel sees that it looks like everyone has gotten out and she can't help but feel relief. Just as she is about to leave she hears.
"FREEZE." In a voice that she is very familiar with, and she turns to see her father, pointing his gun at her, "You're under arrest." Lance says.
Even though she knew that there was a chance that one day her father would try to arrest her the reality of having her Dad pointing a gun at her is completely different than what she was expecting.
"Raise your hands, slowly." Lance tells his daughter, though he doesn't know it's her.
"I'm sorry." Laurel says, before shooting a grappling hook at the rafters, being very glad that she let Roy talk her into having it as a device on her arm for this event, just in case. Pressing a button before her father can stop her Laurel is projected upwards and once she is in the rafters she uses the same way she got to her hiding place to escape, moving quickly so that she doesn't get hit by the bullets he father is firing at her.
Once she is on the roof of the building Laurel travels by rooftops, purposely going away from her place, but once she is sure she is not being followed Laurel heads back to her apartment and climbs in her window.
Once in her room Laurel leaves her mask, wig and weapons on her bed before heading out into the living room where she isn't at all surprised to find Thea, Roy and Sin waiting.
"Oh, thank god." Thea says, hurrying over to Laurel and throwing her arms around her, "Sin got us into the police scanner so we heard what happened. Are you okay?" she asks worried.
"I'm not hurt." Laurel assures her, as she returns the hug, already feeling better thanks to Thea's hug.
"But you're not okay." Roy realises as Thea and Laurel break apart.
"Dad shot at me tonight." Laurel reveals, as she and Thea walk over to the couch and sit between Roy and Sin, "I mean I know he was shooing at a Vigilante, the Woman in Black, but it was still… difficult." Laurel explains, struggling to find the right word, something which doesn't happen often.
"I'm sorry." Thea tells her, putting her arm around Laurel's shoulders and squeezing.
"Thanks Speedy." Laurel tells her gratefully, "I think you're right." She says, looking at Roy, "I think we do need to operate out of somewhere else. I could have been followed tonight, and that wouldn't have been good." Laurel explains, looking at Roy.
"I think I might have an idea about that." Sin comments and Roy, Laurel and Thea turn to look at her.
"You do?" Laurel asks curious.
"Yeah. Um, but I might need a little bit of time to look into a couple of things. Make sure it is as suitable as I think it is." Sin explains, "I'll prefer not to explain until I'm sure it's as suitable as I think it is."
"Okay, that's fine." Laurel says, giving Sin a supportive smile as she reaches over and squeezes her leg, "So, it's still early so how would you three feel about going to get some dinner?" she asks curious.
"Sounds good." Roy says.
"Not Big Belly Burger." Sin requests.
"Can Ted come?" Thea asks curious.
"Don't worry it won't be Big Belly Burger." Laurel says, looking slightly amused, "If you want Ted to join, call him." She says to Thea, "I've got to have a shower so you three and Ted pick a place for about an hour." She requests.
"Will do." Thea assures her, as Laurel stands up.
"Oh, and thanks. The Grappling Hook came in handy." She informs Roy.
"You're welcome. You know having some more gadgets could be good." Roy informs Laurel.
"I'll think about it." Laurel says before heading to the other room.
After Laurel leaves Thea turns to Roy and Sin,
"So, Ted knows a guy who can make actual costumes with real protection for Laurel." Thea explains, keeping her voice quiet, "I gave him designs for Laurel and I was thinking we could come up with designs for our own and get them made too." Thea says, looking at Roy.
"I like that idea." Roy says.
"I don't need a costume, but I definitely think it's a good idea for you." Sin says to her friends.
"Cool." Thea says, sounding glad, "Can you pass me the phone." She asks and Roy hands it over and she calls Ted.
"Hey D." Ted greats.
"Close, it's Thea."
"Oh, hey Thea." Ted corrects, sounding just as glad to hear from Thea as to when he assumed it was Laurel.
"Hey. Laurel, Roy, Sin and I are going out to dinner, wanna join?" Thea asks curious.
"Sure. Where we going?" Ted asks curious.
"Not sure, yet. We haven't decided. Though Laurel is in the shower so it will be about an hour before we do." Thea admits.
"Well how about I drive up to the apartment and we can drive together once we decide." Ted suggests.
"Sounds good." Thea says, sounding glad.
"Okay, I'll see you soon." Ted reveals.
"Hang on a second Ted. I have a question." Thea says, before he can hang up, "How soon would I have to get you designs for you to be able to get your connection to make costumes for Roy and I that would be finished about the same time as Laurel?" she asks curious.
"Within the next couple of days, at the latest." Ted requests.
"Okay. I'll get you something." Thea promises.
"Good. I'll see you guys soon." Ted says before hanging up.
"Okay, we've got a couple of days." Thea reveals, looking at Roy.
"Will that be long enough? I mean you have to come up with two different designs." Sin points out.
"I don't know if it will be long enough." Thea says, reaching under the couch to grab a sketch pad and pencils that are kept under there, "But it will have to be."
Forty minutes later Laurel is still getting ready while Thea, Roy and Sin, who have all changed into different clothes, are sitting on the couch watching TV while they brainstorm ideas for their new costumes.
"Guys, Laurel is on the news. Or the Woman in Black is at least." Sin reveals and all three of them turn to the TV, Roy turning up the volume as they go.
"LAUREL." Thea yells and Laurel runs out from the other room, only half dressed.
"What's wrong?" Laurel asks worried.
"Look." Sin says and Laurel turns to look at the TV.
"In recent months' rumours have started about a leather clad woman in the Glades who is singlehandedly talking on crime. While the police have dubbed this woman a menace, a vigilantly, it can no longer be denied that she isn't doing a good job." A news reporter says where there is a blurry picture of Laurel as the Woman in Black next to her, "In the six months since The Woman in Black begun her crusade crime in the Glades had decreased fifty percent, which begs the question, should she be allowed to continue? Or she should she be locked up. We'd love to hear your opinions on the matter."
"Pretty good press." Roy comments, looking at Laurel.
"Yeah, it could have been worse." Laurel admits, though the truth is that there is a part of her that is worried that the criminals of the glades and the people they work for will try even harder to come after her, and make her stop, but before anyone can say anything there is a knock on the door.
"That would be Ted." Thea reveals.
"Okay. Tell him I'll be ready in a couple of minutes." Laurel requests before heading back into her bedroom, while Roy head to the door to let in Ted.
Laurel, Thea, Roy, and Sin aren't the only ones who are watching the news report on the Woman in Black. Sitting in his office with a drink Malcolm Merlyn is watching the same report. But, unlike the people at the apartment Merlyn isn't happy about it, rather he is apprehensive as he is worried about what it will do to his plans.
Taking a drink of his drink Merlyn decides to go with the wait and see approach, knowing that sooner rather than later he is going to have to react, he just hasn't decided how yet.
Half an hour after Laurel, Thea, Roy and Sin watched the news report the four of them and Ted are at a restaurant eating Chinese, and enjoying each other's company very much. For once, they aren't worrying about everything that is going on, they are having fun, spending time together as the makeshift family they have become over the years.
While Laurel, Thea, Roy, Sin and Ted are enjoying themselves Oliver is in his base in a state of misery. Even though he was able to stop Deadshot Oliver's bodyguard Diggle was shot and because of that Oliver had to reveal his identity and he revealed to Diggle that he wants him to join him in fighting, but Diggle quickly rejected him.
Instead of dwelling on his sorrow about that Oliver is once more thinking about, trying to figure out, the two things that are quickly becoming obsessions for him; finding out who the Woman in Black is, and finding out who is hurting Laurel.
The next evening Laurel would very much like to go and join Sin, Thea, and Roy at Ted's but due to the pile of work she has Laurel had to head straight home as she has a pile of work she has to do, and she knows that if she doesn't get it done soon then she won't be able to go out as the Woman in Black.
Thanks to what she has been doing for the past few months Laurel senses something is off the second she walks into her apartment, a suspicion that is confirmed when she can't turn on her light.
Remaining calm thanks to all she has been through Laurel thinks logically and as she does she knows that she cannot risk being unarmed long enough to go to her bedroom to get her Tactical tonfas so instead she goes for the gun that her father insisted she kept in a draw near the door.
Once she has the gun Laurel takes of the safety and walks into her living room,
"Hello, Laurel." The Hood says and as he does Laurel immediately suspects that he has realised her double identity, but until the Hood confirms that she has no intention of giving him any further clues.
"Don't move." Laurel says, in a warning tone of voice and honestly Oliver is very surprised to realise that Laurel doesn't sound afraid.
"I'm not gonna hurt you." Oliver says, even though Laurel doesn't sound afraid, taking a step forward.
"Stay back." Laurel warns, planning on attacking if he gets any closer, "My father's a cop. You are making a huge mistake." Laure warns, it being the first threat she can think off.
"I'm not the person you think I am, and I need your help." Oliver reveals, and after recently working with the hood Laurel knows that it is worth hearing him out, so she relaxes her hold on the gun a little, and lowers it slightly. As he notices that Oliver realises that Laurel is willing to listen, "Peter Declan is gonna be executed in forty-eight hours. I think he's innocent." Oliver reveals, walking over to her though still making sure to hide his face, "Declan's wife was gonna blow the whistle on Jason Brodeur. Brodeur had her murdered."
"There are a thousand lawyers in Starling City. Why me?" Laurel asks, asking the question because it may just help her discover whether The Hood knows who she is.
"We're both trying to help." Oliver reveals.
"What makes you sure I'm gonna help you?" Laurel asks curious as it almost seems like the Hood knows her.
"Because I know you'd do anything to help save the life of an innocent man." Oliver says, reminding Laurel of the words he said to her as The Woman in Black, before dropping a file and disappearing.
After the Hood leaves the lights come back on and Laurel quickly pulls out her phone and dials her number one speed dial.
"Hey Laurel. Did you change your mind about joining us?" Thea asks curious.
"No. Have you been home today?" Laurel asks concerned.
"Not since this morning." Thea answers, and as she does she can hear the worry in her voice, "Everything okay?"
"I got an unexpected visitor. I just wanted to make sure you were okay." Laurel explains.
"I'm fine. What visitor?" Thea asks curious.
"He carries a bow, wears a green hood." Laurel explains.
"Oh my god, are you okay?" Thea asks worried.
"Yeah."
"I'm on my way home now. I'll be there as soon as I can." Thea tells her.
"No, don't." Laurel tells her, "Stay with Ted. I'll call once I've checked to make sure everything is the way we left it." Laurel requests and as she does she hears the sounds of a phone being handed over.
"D? What's going on?" Ted ask worried.
"The Hood paid me a visit, as me." Laurel explains, "I want to make sure he's left nothing behind. Can you make sure Thea, Roy and Sin stay with you until I call." Laurel requests.
"Sure, but how about I drive Thea, Roy and Sin back to yours and we help you check. More eyes are better after all, especially with something like this." Ted suggests, and honestly he wants to see for himself that his best friend is okay.
"Yeah, okay." Laurel tells him.
"Good. I'll bring dinner too." Ted reveals.
"Thanks." Laurel says before hanging up.
Once Laurel hangs up she puts the safety back on the gun, and hides it back in the spot she keeps it. Once she does that Laurel starts to check throughout the entire apartment to make sure it's clear of anything unusual.
Almost an hour has passed since Laurel called Thea and she has cleaned the living room, and her bedroom of any changes and is currently checking the office. As she searches the room Laurel hears the door open.
"It's just us, D. Don't attack." Ted's voice says and Laurel walks to the door as Ted, Thea, Roy and Sin walk in.
"You really okay?" Thea ask, walking over and hugging her.
"Yeah. I'm okay Speedy." Laurel says, returning the hug.
"We brought pizza." Roy reveals.
"Good. I'll grab plates and glasses." Laurel says, heading to the kitchen while the others head to the living room.
A few minutes later Laurel, Ted, Thea, Roy and Sin are all sitting on the floor around the coffee table in the living room eating.
"So, The Hood goes to The Woman in Black for help and now he's going to Laurel Lance for help?" Roy asks.
"Apparently." Laurel answers.
"Do you think he knows? About you?" Thea asks curious, sounding a little concerned.
"I thought so at first, but now I'm not sure." Laurel admits, "I don't think so, though." She admits.
"Are you going to work with him?" Ted asks.
"I'm going to look into the information he gave me, and if Declan really is innocent then I'm going to help him." Laurel explains.
"Isn't that going to be confusing? I mean Laurel Lance doesn't know as much about the Hood as The Woman in Black does. What if you say the wrong thing?" Sin asks concerned, "You could lead The Hood to realising who you are."
"I better be careful then." Laurel comments as they all drift into silence.
Hours later Ted, Thea, Roy and Sin are all in the living room watching movies and having fun while Laurel is in her office working.
"Do you really think working with the Hood, as Laurel, is a good idea?" A voice asks as Laurel works and she looks up to see Ted.
"No, but if Declan is innocent then I have to help him." Laurel tells Ted, "And you know that."
"I do, but Sin's right. Things are going to get complicated, you're going to have to be careful about everything you do, and say, so he doesn't realise that Laurel Lance and The Woman in Black are the same person." Ted tells his best friend as he walks over to her.
"I know." Laurel says, "And I truthfully I don't know if I'm going to pull it off." Laurel admits as for the first time she is going to be working with someone who knows, and has worked with, both her identities, "But I'll do what I always do, I'll close my eyes and jump and figure everything else out as I go along." She reveals, and Ted gives an amused laugh.
"Has that pile gotten any smaller since you began?" Ted asks curious.
"Not by much." Laurel admits, putting down her pen, "I've been focused so much on Being the Woman in Black that I've let my CNRI work suffer." Laurel reveals, guilt in her voice, "People need me and I'm letting them down."
"Hey, listen to me D, you're not letting anyone down." Ted says, moving right into Laurel's line of sight, "Both Laurel Lance and The Woman in Black are saving this city. So many people in this city have given up, but not you. You're dedicating every day, and every night, to saving this city, to making it better, never worry that you're not good enough D, because you are. You're incredible." Ted tells his best friend.
"Thanks Ted." Laurel says, amazed at his words.
"You don't have to thank me for telling the truth." Ted assures her, "Now, you've been working for hours. How about you take a break." He suggests, "I'm pretty sure a food fight is about to break out and you don't want to miss that."
"No, I don't." Laurel says with an amused look on her face, "Lead the way." She says and both she and Ted head back into the living room to join Thea, Roy, and Sin, and just like Ted predicted within ten minutes a food fight breakout between everyone.
After spending all day working to discover whether Declan really is innocent, and within a few hours she became sure that he is, which mean only has a few hours to prove that.
It is getting late and Laurel has been the only one at CNRI for a little while, and because of that she is quite surprised when she hears footsteps.
"Laurel." A voice says and Laurel looks up to see Thea, Roy and Sin, it being Thea who spoke.
"Hey." Laurel greats, "What you three doing here?" Laurel asks curious.
"We here to help." Thea says, "You have a ton of work to do, and all this Declan stuff. So, we're here to help." She reveals.
"You don't have to." Laurel tells them, meaning that completely.
"We want to." Roy assures her.
"Okay. I need help proofing documents and research." Laurel reveals.
"Then we're your people." Sin says as the three of them sit down,
"Thank you, so much." Laurel tells them, handing them each work, "I've got to go met The Hood, but I should be back in about an hour." Laurel reveals, "Will you three be okay?"
"Of course." Roy answers and the other two nod.
"Remember, you're Laurel. not the Woman in Black." Thea warns, "You really do need a better name for that."
"I know." Laurel says, standing up, "I'll be back soon." She assures her kids, "And if you all hate the name so much, why don't you come up with some suggestions." Laurel tells them.
"Gladly." Sin responds.
"I look forward to hearing your ideas." Laurel says with an amused look on her face before leaving her kids.
"Okay. New Woman in Black names." Thea says once Laurel leaves, knowing that the only reason that they can have this conversation is because CNRI is practically deserted.
"Justice." Roy suggests, "It's her boxing name after all."
"Which means it's way too obvious, not a good idea." Thea points out.
"Fine, how about, Danger Diva." Roy suggests.
"No!" Sin and Thea together.
"Okay, okay, maybe I should stop suggesting names." Roy comments.
"Maybe this can help us figure something out." Thea says, pulling something out of her bag, "It's a photocopy of the design I gave Ted for Laurel's new suit." She reveals.
"Wow, nice." Sin says with a smile, "How about Yellow Raven. You put yellow trim on the costume."
"That's not bad." Roy admits.
"Yeah, it's not." Thea says, and as she does she remembers a story that Laurel once told her, "But I have a better one." She reveals and both Sin and Roy give her an interested look and she reveals her idea.
While Thea, Sin and Roy are debating new names for her Laurel is arriving at the roof where The Hood said to meet her. Honestly Laurel is perfectly comfortable on roofs, but as she isn't in her Woman in Black costume she feels a little exposed.
"I got your message." Laurel reveals, "Is there a reason we can't do this face to face?" Laurel asks, asking what she would ask if she didn't already know, or at least suspect, the answer.
"You've met with Peter Declan." Oliver comments, avoiding Laurel's question.
"He might be innocent." Laurel says, "Declan said his wife blew the whistle on Brodeur the day she was murdered." Laurel reveals.
"Then we need to get whoever she told about Brodeur to testify." Oliver comments.
"He already has. Matt Istook, Camille's supervisor. Only, he said that she didn't say a word to him." Laurel explains.
"He could be lying." Oliver comments.
"Well, if he is, then he's very convincing. He had the jury and the police believing him." Laurel explains.
"He hasn't been questioned by me." Oliver comments.
"No. I didn't become a lawyer to get people hurt." Laurel reveals, knowing that she is getting close to the line between Laurel Lance and Woman in Black, she just hopes the Hood doesn't notice.
"I do what's necessary, what people like Peter Declan need." Oliver reveals, and honestly those words remind Laurel of herself, of the reasons why she does what she does.
"If you believe in what you're doing so much. If you're so sure that you're doing nothing wrong, then why are you hiding your face with a hood?" Laurel asks, asking what she would ask if she hadn't already had this conversation with the Hood when she was the Woman in Black.
"To protect the ones I care about." Oliver reveals.
"That sounds lonely." Laurel says, knowing that as there are times when she feels lonely too.
"It can be." Oliver says before firing a arrow, "But not today." He says, before disappearing.
"He opened up." Laurel realises as he watches him go.
A little while after Laurel's conversation with The Hood she arrives back at CNRI where Thea, Roy, and Sin are still working.
"Hey, how'd it go?" Thea asks curious.
"Pretty good. I don't think I gave away who I was, and I got a better idea of a couple of things." Laurel reveals.
"That's good, right?" Roy asks.
"Yeah." Laurel confirms, "How were things here?" Laurel asks curious.
"Good." Sin reveals, "We came up with a name." she reveals.
"Oh?" Laurel asks curious.
"Yeah." Thea says with a nod, "How do you like The Black Canary?"