Chapter 14 - Team Arrow

AN – This is the last real chapter but the Epilogue will be posted on Wednesday! Thank you for taking this journey with me! I hope you've had at least half as much fun as I've had! BTW this chapter provides a bit of emotional closure following the recent action and does get me my HEA! ;)

DISCLAIMER – No shock here: I do not own CW's Arrow or any DC Comics character!

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Almost three weeks had passed since Felicity had been rescued and the group had continued to rest and recover even as they trained and bonded.

Carter worked on Barbara's paralysis with help from Ray, Felicity, and even some consultations with Barry and Team Flash. He also made time to spend with both Felicity and Donna. It was a strange but wonderful time for Felicity as she had not just her mom but also her dad and a new aunt as well. She was also surrounded by Team Arrow, some new and old friends, and she went home each night with Oliver.

The Lance sisters were having a family reunion of their own. It was the first time for them to meet as equals without the past clouding their vision. They trained together, they talked, and both found a new pleasure in being sisters and friends.

Team Arrow had a reunion as well and not just because Felicity was back but because Oliver was back to normal - his new, lighter normal anyway. At Roy's urging, Oliver trained Thea using the same techniques he had first used with Roy himself. All had changed and learned since that time but they enjoyed sharing the experience. Felicity also started training with them for the first time but, much as she had before, Sara also stepped forward to help out. Thea also joined them and she and Felicity started really getting to know one another.

Oliver also made time to train both Sara and Ray on working together as partners. Diggle frequently joined for those lessons but Roy did as well. They were able to demonstrate how much stronger two people could become if there was trust between them. It was Felicity who spoke on the importance of Team communication though.

Nightly patrols were also used as a chance for all to learn and work together. All brought something unique, special to the group and, with Felicity's words regarding a possible Justice League of America in mind, they strove to learn from each other.

Word soon came that Rip was ready to meet with Ray and Sara but that he wouldn't be returning to Starling City. The pair said their good byes and their departure forced others to accept that it was time to do the same. They had had a moment of peace together but there were still battles to face and each needed to continue their personal journeys.

Anatoli escorted Donna back to her home and Felicity refused to think about him staying there. She had learned to appreciate the deadpan delivery of his taunts and the stories he shared over vodka. She also enjoyed seeing her mom's happiness. The three of them shared a final vodka toast before the couple left.

Barbara's condition hadn't changed but it was Carter who grew frustrated, not her. After carefully considering Rip's words, the doctor had decided there was still much she could do. She remained grateful that Laurel was determined to follow her though. A partnership between them excited Barbara especially as she had received a file from Rip that revealed the names of several other women who like had gifts just as the Black Canary did. They were the final to leave Team Arrow but Barbara was confident they would see them again.

The next morning Felicity and Oliver entered the lair together as they usually did. Felicity paused slightly and Oliver immediately did the same as he waited for her to speak. Her eyes were fixated on the empty lair but his were focused on her.

"Felicity." While Oliver enjoyed teasing Felicity about rambling and kissing her to silence was his new favorite pastime, the fact was that he also loved hearing her speak. Her smile had initially captured his attention but once as he watched her mouth move, her words, her voice became another addiction of his.

A shiver danced along Felicity's spine as it always did whenever Oliver said her name. She mocked his ability to communicate but the man had always been able to pack a great deal of emotion into just her name. His voice gave her the strength to speak and share her own thoughts.

"It's kinda eerie now, don't you think? So quiet after so many people were around for so long."

"It was getting crowded." Oliver grumbled slightly. However, he understood that Felicity had fears of abandonment and wanted to comfort her. "They will be back Felicity. We aren't alone anymore."

Felicity couldn't resist kissing him for trying to make her feel better. There were times when he had seemed so obtuse, so deliberately obstinate about seeing what was in front of him but after he had admitted his feelings for her, he had changed. All of those intense powers of observation became focused on her and now he knew her better than anyone ever had. Pulling back from the kiss, she grinned because she knew him too.

"Does that mean you are admitting that I am right and the JLA is a good idea?"

Oliver employed his little sister's habit and rolled his eyes. He still leaned in for a kiss though before he answered her. "I do think it's a good idea."

Felicity's grin faltered as she knew what was coming next. Even arguing in bed hadn't swayed Oliver...but it had meant some wonderful excuses to make-up instead of going to sleep angry. She blushed slightly at those memories and uselessly hoped that he wouldn't notice. When he again kissed her with more heat than before Felicity accepted that he had noticed and that she didn't really mind. It took a moment for her to focus when he started speaking.

"I never expected any of this when I returned. My goals were limited to righting the wrongs of my family and I assumed I would die trying." Oliver paused to hug Felicity more tightly as he felt her shiver at his words.

"Why did you let Diggle take the shot at Darhk?" Felicity hated hearing him speak of those dark times. She needed another way to help Oliver to see just how much he had changed. When he tensed against her she knew that she had guessed correctly. Oliver's skills and awareness would have allowed him to stop Darhk but it had been Diggle's bullet that had struck the man. She hugged Oliver more tightly and heard his sigh against her ear.

Oliver knew Diggle would tell Felicity when he was ready but he also knew that he couldn't deny her now. "Darhk was the one who had Andy killed. It was part of the experiments that resulted in the drone technology."

Felicity's eyes widened in surprise as she responded. "Oh no, poor John. I'm glad that he got some closure then...closure that you gave him. You aren't the Vigilante, you aren't even the Arrow. You've become more Oliver."

Oliver knew exactly where Felicity was leading the conversation and tried to redirect her. "Even when it became the three of us—"

"Yes, the three of us were good, are good actually but it's bigger than you, bigger than us now." Felicity interrupted. She really didn't want to discuss the darkness of the past - she wanted to focus on making their future brighter. It was good that Oliver supported the JLA but she also wanted him to lead it and he still hadn't agreed to that.

Oliver frowned at Felicity but that didn't stop her from continuing. With a sigh, he realized that it had never stopped her from disagreeing with him and he doubted that it ever would either.

"You brought John in and then me. You've trained Roy, Barry, and even helped Sara and Ray. You haven't just changed yourself but all of us too. You've made us all better."

Diggle walked in and knew immediately that the couple was still arguing. "You haven't won yet Felicity?"

While Felicity grinned at his words, Oliver shot him a glare before turning his back on both. Felicity and Diggle simply followed him toward the training area - both were surprised when Oliver spoke again.

"When I started this..." Oliver gave Felicity a significant look but she didn't interrupt him so he continued. "I thought I would die in this basement, alone in the darkness. Things changed though and I learned I would do anything to keep my family safe even when they didn't like my choices."

Felicity could no longer remain silent. "We all bear responsibility for each other Oliver. It's not just your burden. We've all made the choice to join, to stay and you can't—"

Squeezing Felicity shoulder, Diggle was glad when the blonde paused to look at him. He understood now what the problem was. He saw the same look in Oliver's eyes now as he had when the man had struggled to believe that he deserved a happy life with Felicity.

"You don't think you deserve to have a team, a network of other superheroes, a family, a future. You still don't think you are worthy." Diggle's words were soft but caused an immediate response. Oliver's head dropped slightly as he looked past Diggle. Felicity gasped and flew the few steps to Oliver to hug him.

Oliver's arms closed around Felicity and his eyes closed briefly before he opened them to look at Diggle.

Smiling, Diggle spoke again. "Remember my response when you said you didn't want to die here."

'Then don't.' Oliver quickly grasped the memory of that particular conversation. His friend had been right then and Oliver had made the choice to come out of the shadows. He had made a life with Felicity away from Starling City. They were back now though and he wasn't sure he could remain in the light and be the Arrow too. Leading a group of superheroes seemed even less possible.

Felicity leaned back as she too now understood Oliver's hesitation. She smiled at Oliver when he met her eyes and she nodded her encouragement.

Sighing softly, Oliver wasn't surprised that they understood him better than he did. "I'm not sure I know how to be the leader you want me to be without embracing the darkness again."

"So you become something different."

Felicity moved across to pull the fabric off one cabinet. There inside was a new Arrow suit - modified with the help of her father and Rip. "This time will be different. You're different and you aren't alone."

Oliver joined her to look at the suit. He didn't touch it but instead kept a hand on her as he met her eyes and then Diggle's.

"So I should assume that you guys have talked and have a plan?"

Roy and Thea joined in time to hear Oliver's words. Roy made a halfhearted attempt to grab the bags Thea held but she swung them out of reach without even looking his way. Grinning, he turned to the others as he spoke. "Since when does anything ever go according to our plans anyway?"

It was Felicity's turn to glare but then she grinned. "We could vote on this. We are the founding members of the JLA and we have the right to make the decision ourselves. We can form the JLA and elect our leader."

Things grew serious as Team Arrow moved toward one another. They had each taken very different paths to the group but they stayed for the same reason. This was where they belonged...together. Regardless of the past or the future, they were family not by blood but by choice.

Oliver's eyes lingered on Felicity's but he knew her position - they had discussed it often even while in bed together. As he looked to Diggle, he realized that he knew his partner's position as well. When Diggle nodded, Oliver returned it with one of his own and a slight smile. Turning he found Roy's eyes already on him and the young man wore a smirk as he too nodded. Next Oliver faced his baby sister who wasn't just his sister but also the Red Arrow. She gave her nod of agreement with as she quirked a brow and then winked.

"I guess we don't need vodka then as everyone agrees." Oliver announced just before Felicity launched herself into his arms.

The other three exchanged laughing smiles and hugs before Thea moved slightly away to open the bags that she had brought.

"No vodka but I figured we needed to process so I brought mint chocolate chip ice cream. I've heard that it's the best way handle Team Arrow issues." Thea met Roy's eyes as she finally revealed what was in the bags. She then held a carton out to him as she continued.

"Yes, I had a lot of lessons to learn and I've learned a lot lately. However, considering recent events, I think we all still have a lot to learn."

The five sat together and enjoyed the ice cream treat and one another's company. There were moments of heat as they discussed just how to create and run the JLA and there were moments of companionable silence. They were Team Arrow but they were also friends, family. Regardless of how the future would test them, those bonds would remain.

Holding her spoon up, Felicity smiled at the group surrounding her. "A toast to Team Arrow."

Laughing, the others stood and joined her with their own spoons. Thea spoke next. "To having a family again."

Roy grinned as he offered his own variation on the toast. "To continue learning more Lessons."

Thea rolled her eyes while Felicity and Diggle laughed, even Oliver smiled. All eyes turned to Diggle though as he spoke.

"To putting the past behind us."

"Here, here!" Felicity agreed with enthusiasm as more laughter was heard.

It grew quiet though as Oliver was the only one who hadn't yet spoken. He took a moment to meet each of their eyes once again. Only when he met Felicity's did he truly smile before he spoke.

"To becoming something different…together."