Chapter 11 - Gifts

AN - Consider this one of those show "episodes" focused outside of the Team. Sorry but I needed this one to bring the story full circle!

DISCLAIMER – Still no legal claim to Arrow or any DC comics!

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"There's no choice to make. We go after Darhk and we get Felicity…" Oliver paused to look back at Barbara as he continued. "and your brother back."

"We need a plan—" Rip began but Roy interrupted him.

"Trust me, we'll need a couple of them actually." Roy grinned at Thea before he caught Diggle's smile and Oliver's nod.

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Frowning, Barbara paced the small room before she stopped to stare out the window. Roy had been right about the need for several plans. It had taken another day to reach Damien and gain his agreement for a meeting. He had been charming and a part of her would always respond to him - Barbara cursed herself for that.

However, the plan had fallen apart after that as Damien revealed that he knew she had teamed up with Oliver Queen. He had then proposed a game - they could either follow him or they could save the various citizens of Starling City who were in danger. Oliver had made the call before she could even think about it. He was supposed to have remained hidden but the man had boldly stepped from the restaurant kitchen wearing a business suit as easily as he wore his green leather. His anger when he asked about Felicity had been obvious and even dangerous but Damien had only laughed and said 'one game at a time'. She had thought then that Oliver was going to kill the man.

Shaking her head at the memory, Barbara tried to consider what other options they had. Oliver had become stoic once again after the restaurant but she had noticed that every morning brought a new training dummy into Team Arrow's lair. Diggle, Roy, and Thea made sure that one of them was always with the man even though they were all showing signs of stress.

Diggle and Roy also made sure that everyone trained and Barbara knew that it was those moments that had kept her sane. Each night the electrical storms grew worse as did her nightmares. She still believed they could do it though - they had to do it, the lives of her entire family were on the line.

A harsh gagging sound drew Barbara's attention back to the room and she watched as the brunette struggled to breathe. The woman thrashed violently on the bed as her long thin fingers clawed uselessly to clear her airway. It was difficult to watch but Barbara needed to know if this part of Rip's future predictions were true. She needed this to keep her faith.

The woman issued a strangled scream that rose steadily in pitch and Barbara winced but she didn't look away. The sound disappeared but the woman's mouth remained open. As she watched the breathing tube seemed to shatter into pieces and the brunette took several deep breaths as she fell back onto the hospital bed.

Barbara's eyes widened as Rip's words were proven true - Laurel had gained what would be known as her Canary Cry. The time traveler wouldn't go into specifics only that it was the result of the warehouse explosion which had exposed her to the meteorite chemicals. He had also alluded to the fact that she would learn to do much with it. With a hopeful smile, she stepped forward to speak as Laurel continued to almost pant as she tried to breathe.

"Relax Laurel. You're okay - everything is going to be okay." Barbara knew she was trying to convince them both but she still smiled as Laurel's eyes found hers. She continued speaking in a soft, calming voice.

"There was an explosion while you and Thea were out. Thea is okay but you were too close and you've been in a coma."

Flashes of hazy images jumbled in Laurel's brain and she panicked as she tried to remember details, any details. Her breathing continued to be harsh gasps as she couldn't seem to put the images into order.

"Focus on slowing your breathing. In and out - count the time, slow your breaths."

Laurel focused on the woman more than counting but she was able to slow her breathing. The images came into focus and she started putting the pieces together. The last thing she remembered was moving in to check out a warehouse with Thea. She didn't remember going inside though - she remembered Thea's cocky smile and then nothing but pain and darkness.

"There's a lot to tell you Laurel but the main thing is that you are okay. Oliver and Felicity are back in town...all of Team Arrow is back actually as Roy and Diggle returned as well. They even have a few new friends." Barbara paused to smile as she knew Oliver didn't consider Rip or his team to be friends. She had noticed Oliver watching the younger main suspiciously and she had also noted that Diggle normally wouldn't let Oliver train with him very long. Returning her attention to Laurel, Barbara was pleased to note that her breathing was under her control. Laurel's eyes were narrowed though and she remained silent.

"This is all good news, as is your progress Laurel. There is a bit of an issue though and we could use your help. We may also need your new gift...it was a breathing tube that made it difficult to breathe on your own."

Still feeling disoriented, Laurel hadn't realized what the obstruction had been or why it had disappeared. She looked for it now but only saw small pieces on the floor. Shaking her head, Laurel ignored the returning panic and tried to focus on something, anything.

"Ollie's back in town. Is he okay?"

Laurel's voice sounded more like a croak and Barbara moved forward to pour her some water as she answered. "He's fine - he's Oliver. The problem is that Felicity has been kidnapped by a man named Damien Darhk. That's why we need your help."

Her mouth opened and closed several times as Laurel tried to understand what was happening. Her thoughts were becoming clearer, less frightened but she still couldn't follow the other woman's words. It was then that she realized the woman seemed familiar but that she didn't know who she was.

"Who are you? How do you know all of this? Where's Thea? Ollie?" Laurel pulled herself up in the bed and brushed aside the woman's attempt to help with a frown.

Barbara bit back a sigh but she knew that she had to be patient. Laurel still had to be feeling the effects of her injuries and recovery and she would need time to process. However, Barbara wasn't sure they had time and she still hadn't told Laurel that her sister was actually alive. Intentionally smiling and speaking in a calm voice, she tried to answer Laurel's questions without overwhelming her any more than was strictly necessary.

"I'm Dr. Barbara Gordon and we are on the same side Laurel. Thea and Oliver are patrolling - well, it's actually more of a sector by sector search that Diggle organized. We haven't been able to find where Damien is keeping them so we have to search several possibilities. Roy and Diggle are out as well doing the same thing." She knew that Rip usually remained in the lair but that Ray and Sara were also out. She withheld that information.

Laurel remained silent as she tried to organize her thoughts as memories of the last months rushed and swirled in her mind. Her life had been chaotic since Sara's death and there had been days when she hadn't thought she would make it. There had also been days when she hadn't wanted to as the anger, hurt, fear, and guilt had nearly choked her. However, she had continued and she had finally just gotten her feet under her as she and Thea took up Oliver's and Sara's mantle to protect the city. She thought she had found her calling as she could do good as a lawyer and as the masked Black Canary. That had been just a brief few weeks though...suddenly realizing she had no idea what day it was, Laurel frowned and spoke.

"What is today? How long was I..." For some reason, she couldn't even force herself to say the word 'coma'.

"Your accident happened just over six weeks ago. You needed time to heal though and time for your new gift to develop. You will be stronger now Laurel and there's still so much for you to do." Barbara's faith gave strength to her voice and seemed to calm Laurel too.

"New gift?" Laurel still wasn't sure exactly what to think about Dr. Gordon but her instincts said that she was a friend. In a brief flash of intuition or something, Laurel suddenly knew that the woman had visited her in the hospital. She wasn't sure how she knew it but she thought it might explain the connection she felt to a virtual stranger.

"The Canary Cry." Barbara smiled as Laurel's eyes widened. She then frowned as she remembered just how much they needed to do. Her brother and niece were still in danger and Laurel had to meet her sister again. "We need to get out of here and back to the Arrow cave though. There's still so much to explain to you. This is good though - shocking, I know, but it is good."

Laurel didn't argue but instead just listened as Barbara continued to update her on all the recent events as they left the hospital. It was hard to imagine a time traveler helping rescue Felicity from a man with an army of drones but that wasn't anymore unbelievable than her gaining the 'Canary Cry' from her exposure to the meteor. She had a lot of questions but Laurel found herself thrilled to be back at the lair door and she was eager to see everyone.

Barbara placed a hand on Laurel's arm and stopped her progress. She had put it off long enough though. Laurel would see Sara soon and she deserved advance warning. "There's one more friend here that I need to mention. An old friend. You know her, very well actually."

Waiting, Laurel stared at Barbara but the woman didn't speak for several long moments. Just as she was losing her patience and opened her mouth to question Barbara lightning split the dark night sky. Several bright bolts crackled just above them before one struck the lair's roof in a shower of sparks. The resulting force knocked them to the ground.

Laurel blinked and put a hand to her head to stop the throbbing sensation. There was a part of her though that was simply glad that she was still awake. She immediately turned slightly so that she could stand and check on Barbara; however, more pain sliced through her head and she had to close her eyes and breathe. When she opened them, she was sure that the explosion had actually killed her as it was her sister who knelt by her side.

"Laurel!" Sara was relieved to see her sister and couldn't resist pulling her into a hug. Their relationship had been tumultuous at times but they were family and that meant even more to Sara after she had received a second chance at life.

Hugging Sara close, Laurel just breathed and closed her eyes again. Whatever life after death meant, at least she had her sister back with her. It would take her several moments to even hear the voices around them.

"Everyone okay?" Diggle asked as he scanned them for injuries. Oliver and Thea were returning too as they needed to assess the damage from the lightning strike.

Seeing Sara hugging Laurel, Diggle turned to find Ray kneeling next to Barbara who hadn't regained consciousness. He crouched on her other side as Ray used his suit to check her vitals and perform quick medical scans. Diggle scanned the scene in case others saw them and when he looked back Barbara was slowly sitting up. As he watched the woman blinked several times before she spoke.

"What happened?"

"Lightning." Diggle advised as he again glanced back at the roof. Roy was taking a look but they needed to get inside to check everyone and all systems. Just getting ready to issue the order, he glanced up as Oliver and Thea joined them at a run.

"Report." Oliver's eyes moved over everyone and widened slightly when he saw the Lance sisters embracing. He quickly looked back at Barbara as the woman had shared that Laurel would be able to help them. Ray had her lying on the ground as he performed more tests. Laurel was back, Sara was back but Felicity was still missing. Trying to keep the constant rise of anger buried, Oliver looked away from the scene. It had been too long since he had seen Felicity, held her, and he wasn't sure he could last much longer.

A sharp memory slammed into him as he remembered Felicity wanting to grieve for Sara. He had told her that he couldn't, that he had to lead them and gain justice. It had been hard but that had been his job. His job now was to rescue Felicity. He was not only failing but he was no longer sure that he could do it. Felicity had always been his strength, his anchor even before he had admitted that he loved her. Without her, it felt like he was back on the Gambit as the storm raged around him and tore his life apart.

Glancing up to smile at Roy as he rejoined them, Thea then moved to Oliver's side. She had seen him flinch before every muscle in his body had flexed and shuddered. Her big brother had always seemed invincible to her and he had only seemed more so once she had seen him as the Arrow. However, she had also now seen him with his Team and the woman he loved. Oliver wasn't just a superhero, he wasn't just her big brother…he was a man who had found his soulmate. Thea had quickly realized that Oliver was better with Felicity in his life but she hadn't truly understood their bond until Felicity had been taken from him. Oliver seemed to be walking along a razor's edge - poised either for greatness or for utter devastation.

When Oliver turned with an arrow ready, Thea, Diggle, and Roy moved to provide support. However, it was only Rip bounding through the door and with a surprising show of true emotion, his smile was wide and genuine.

"Look at this! I think the lightning was a gift from Felicity!"

The group continued to be focused on him but he directed his attention to Oliver as he spoke.

"Felicity really is remarkable! I don't know how but I think she directed the lightning to hit us and start a program on her computers. It's not a message I understand though."