A few days later, Felicity came to pick Laurel up from S.T.A.R. Labs with William. "So we'll go to breakfast and then you can go see Jasmin," Felicity said.
"Actually, I'll see Jasmin later. I want to go see Sebastian Blood first" Laurel said.
"Wait, why?" Felicity asked.
"Well, it won't be weird because I work for the D.A. And I have some questions for him. During my downtime at S.T.A.R. Labs, I was looking into the guy that attacked Oliver, … Blood knows him... Cyrus was a frequent visitor to Sebastian at Zandia orphanage" Laurel told her friend.
"Okay, you got something there... I'll fill Oliver in. But Laurel, What're you gonna say to Sebastian?" Felicity asked.
"I'm just going ask him about Cyrus Gold. If he still has any contact with him" Laurel said.
"Okay, Laurel, just be careful. If Blood is Cyrus's friend, Blood could be dangerous, and you're not a hero, you are a mother" Felicity said.
"Felicity, I am not going to get myself into any trouble" Laurel assured. "Plus, at S.T.A.R. Labs, the team discovered that I have a cool new ability. I'll fill you in at breakfast".
"Laurel Lance. Good to see you" Sebastian Blood said as Laurel closed the office door behind her.
"Sebastian. The pleasure is all mine. It always is" Laurel said. "I just swung by because I am working on a case and I am talking to people who may know the suspect. See there are charges being brought up against Cyrus Gold for theft-".
"I don't know Cyrus Gold" Sebastian cut her off.
"Well, you did. I was looking into Gold's past. He used to visit you at Zandia orphanage".
"I had some visitors at the orphanage, yes, I don't particularly recall Cyrus Gold being one of them. Occasionally, I would get a visit from young men who wanted to, ya know, take me under their wing. Boys who grew up in The Glades, like I was. Why is this relevant?" Blood asked.
"Hey, I am here, asking questions to help you, Sebastian. I don't want you to look like you are involved in something you are not. Especially, while you are in the running for leadership of Starling city" Laurel said.
"Gold may have visited me when I was a kid and I am sorry that he got himself into trouble, but I have nothing to do with it. As you know, tonight I am hosting a unity rally to clap back at the attacks a few nights ago. I have to go prepare" Sebastian said.
A member of Sebastian's campaign staff popped their head into the room. "Sebastian, Oliver Queen is here to see you". Sebastian nodded and he left Laurel alone in his office.
"Oliver, good to see you. What brings you here?" Sebastian asked.
"Sebastian, you know that I'm backing you, 100%. But the bomber who attacked your campaign party and set off the other bombs around the city, he is still out there. Maybe, you should call off the unity rally. You know, for people's safety" Oliver suggested.
"Oliver, calling off the unity rally will only show that son of a bitch that we're afraid of him or her. The whole point of the unity rally is to show the bomber that Starling city can't be terrorized" Sebastian said.
"I know, and I agree. I believe in this city, but until we know more about the bomber, I really can't back this decision" Oliver said.
"Okay, well that's fine, Oliver. But the unity rally will be held tonight, regardless" Sebastian walked past Oliver as Laurel came walking out of his office.
"Hey, Laurel," Oliver said. "You wanna pick up William and go see Jasmin?"
"Yeah, I would love too" Laurel replied. "What did you want to talk to Blood about?"
"I was trying to talk him out of holding the unity rally tonight... I want to catch this guy first... your father gave me a lead... Mark Scheffer-calls himself Shrapnel" Oliver said.
"Is Felicity looking into it?" Laurel asked.
"Yeah, as we speak," Oliver said. "She also mentioned that you have a new ability, but she didn't say much else. Mind telling me on the way to the hospital?"
In the car, Laurel explained to Oliver that she now had a sonic scream. "I have to train on how to use my ability, but once I know how, maybe a can go fight for justice, like you".
"Laurel, no. You don't know how to fight. You could get hurt really bad, and think about our children" Oliver said.
"What, and you don't have to think about our children? Oliver, you are not the only one who gets to decide to put your life on the line. I love this city, too" Laurel complained.
"Laurel, no. I mean it" Oliver said.
"And so do I" Laurel snapped and turned her body to face away from Oliver.
Oliver and Laurel rode to the mansion and got William, and Laurel paid no attention to Oliver the entire way to the hospital. When they got there, Laurel lifted Jasmin into her arms and began to sing softly to her. "Blackbird singing in the dead of night. Take these broken wings and learn to fly".
"I like that song you're singing, I've never heard it," Oliver said.
"I wrote it" Laurel replied, shortly.
"You wrote that, that's really good," Oliver said.
A ghost smile formed on Laurel's lips. "Thank you, it's for Jasmin".
"Mommy, I want to go play," William said.
"Okay, William. Let's go to the play area for a little while" Laurel took William's hand and led him to the play area and Oliver took Jasmin in his arms and carefully rocked his body back and forth. His cell phone vibrated and he answered, shifting Jasmin to be supported by his right arm.
"Felicity?" he answered.
"Shrapnel is planning to attack the unity rally tonight. Any luck talking to Sebastian?" Felicity said.
"No" Oliver grumbled.
"Damn, well you and John will have to suit up. I will be right in your ear, Oliver. Do you think that Roy is ready? Maybe we can introduce Roy to the team..." Felicity said.
"Ya know, I think that I would prefer Roy to attend the rally with Thea and my mother. I will have Diggle drop Laurel and William off at the mansion when were done at the hospital" Oliver said. "Felicity, are you gonna be okay in the foundry alone?"
"Yes, Oliver. This is no different than any other mission" Felicity said.
Oliver ended the call and waited for the end of the hour and then called for Laurel and William. Laurel and William were dropped back at the mansion. Once Laurel got William set up with Raisa, she left the mansion in her own car and she drove to the mental institution that housed Maya Resik. Earlier that day, Laurel had found in Sebastian's office, evidence that he was paying monthly for Maya to stay there.
"I'm here to see Maya Resik," Laurel said.
"You can see her- but she doesn't talk," the orderly said and let Laurel into Maya's room.
An older woman sat in the corner, shaking. "Maya Resik. I'm Laurel Lance. I'm here with the DA's office. I have some questions for you". Maya didn't answer and continued to shake. "Ms. Resik, Sebastian Blood? What is your relationship with him?" Maya visibly tensed up at the mention of Sebastian's name. "Ms. Resik, please, I really need this information".
"Sebastian is the devil," Maya said simply. Laurel didn't know what to say, so she just swallowed. "Sebastian is the devil. Sebastian is my son. Sebastian killed his father and then he put me in here to cover it up. He won't let them release me" Maya began to burst out into shakes and cries.
An orderly stepped in "Ms. Lance, you have to leave" he said. Laurel nodded her head and hurried out.
The unity rally had begun and Oliver and Diggle were in place. Oliver had eyes on the crowd. A bomb erupted in the middle of the crowd angering Oliver. Both Oliver and Diggle sprung into action: Diggle looking for more bombs, and Oliver looking for Shrapnel.
Oliver located Shrapnel and chased him down. Shrapnel was setting up another explosive when Oliver pointed an arrow at his back. "Don't move" he screamed. Shrapnel put down the explosive and he turned slowly, causing Oliver to release the arrow into Shrapnel's hand. Shrapnel went into shock, so Oliver charged forwards and restrained him. He put him in handcuffs. "You are going to be turned in to the SCPD".
Diggle spoke over the comms to Oliver and Felicity. "I disarmed the bombs," he said.
Meanwhile, during the first bomb explosion, a large metal frame tipped over and began to fall. It was going to crush Moira. Roy rushed, pushed Moira out of the way, and the frame fell against his back. "Roy!" Thea called out panicked, but Roy seemed okay. "Roy, oh my gosh, how is that possible?" Roy moved to the side, towards Moira.
"Thea, whatever you thought you saw, didn't happen," he said.
"But Roy, when I came back with the first aid kit the other day, there was not even a scratch. And you don't even seem phased right now" Thea protested.
"Stay with your mother. I have to find a friend" Roy said.
After apprehending Shrapnel, Oliver went to S.T.A.R. Labs to visit Laurel. She was training with the staff. He watched her for a while and then showed his support by applauding her. "That's really good, Laurel," he said.
"Thanks," she said. "What're you doing here?"
"I came with Felicity. She wanted to be near Barry" Oliver said. "Listen, Laurel, I am so sorry I offended you earlier. You gotta understand that you putting yourself in danger makes me extremely worried. I would have to find a way to be able to protect you".
"I am the one who gets to decide if I need anybody's protection, Ollie" Laurel said.
Oliver took a deep breath. "Laurel, I know that if this is what you want, I know I will not be able to stop you. Let me train you. Once you learn how to use your powers, I'll train you to fight".
Laurel smiled. "Starling city has a badass superhero, I just want to be out there with him, supporting him all the way".