Chapter 14 – Fathers

AN – This follows Episode 14 of my story Lessons: Becoming the Green Arrow…technically they are extended scenes that take place during the episode if that makes any sense! Yes, I said "they" as there are 2 bonus scenes included at no extra charge this week! ;) Always much appreciation for all who reviewed and PM'd to give suggestions and feedback for this or any episode tag (even if I don't use your suggestions)!

DISCLAIMER – Still can't claim these wonderful characters but I'll keep playing anyway!

As the door closed behind them, Det. Lance looked at Walter Steele for a moment in awkward silence. Their interactions had been limited previously but both were feeling a little overwhelmed and neither had anyone else to confide in. It was Lance who took the chance.

"I could use some coffee."

Walter grinned before he replied. "Brilliant notion! There's a café just a block away."

Laurel turned back to look at the men in utter disbelief. "Coffee?!" She had held her tongue long enough but she wasn't going to continue to lie now.

"Laurel—" Lance warned as he could see the fire in Laurel's eyes. He understood it had to have been hard to see Oliver and Felicity together but he knew she would be better off letting Oliver go and finding her own happiness separate from him.

"Don't Laurel me Dad! This was a ridiculous farce - inviting us over to see their team headquarters as if they are one big happy family?! As if Ollie could ever need a street kid and a nerd to save the city?! It's preposterous and I won't be a party to the lies anymore!" Laurel stalked off leaving both men staring after her.

"Daughters are certainly harder than sons sometimes." Walter offered with no little sympathy as his thoughts turned to his own missing daughter. He knew he was neither Thea's nor Oliver's father but he had assumed that responsibility even before he had married Moira.

Lance turned to Walter and caught the frown and pain on the other man's face. This was someone who could understand his current predicament. Clapping a hand on the other man's shoulder, he smiled and started walking as he spoke. "Let's grab that cup of joe."

Awkwardness returned though as both men remained silent after the waitress had brought their coffee. Both could see the similarities in their positions but neither was enthusiastic about discussing their feelings or even sharing their thoughts. Thoughts of their families and shared past allowed both to be grateful to have a friend though. It was Walter who broke the silence this time.

"When did you know?"

Easily understanding that cryptic question, Lance sighed before he confessed. "I knew when Felicity helped me disarm the earthquake machine. I didn't accept it until Sara returned though. Logically, it didn't make sense that two different, powerful men would be so closely connected to both women. I didn't ask questions though, I didn't want to know. It was easier to still blame Oliver for everything." Lance shrugged but still met Walter's eyes.

"It's hard to let go sometimes. The Ollie we knew before wasn't the one that returned. We all had a hard time recognizing that. The doctors said the changes in personality were PTSD and we accepted that too…even though we knew it wasn't true. Moira never said anything but I think she knew his secret too."

Both men nodded as they realized that both of their families had been broken by the Gambit going down and both of their families had been rebuilt in new ways. Their paths were also linked together even now in both tragedy and triumph once again.

Sara and Oliver had returned to them but they were both very different people. Neither was forthcoming about their pasts but both had made the effort to include their families recently. However, both had also found new families, new lives for themselves. They were healthier, happier than they had been even before the Gambit. Yes, they had scars but they were moving forward, even if they left some loved ones behind.

It was hard not to feel like one of those left behind even after you were in on the secret. Lance remembered first accepting Oliver as the Arrow so he could sympathize with how much it was to take in. Walter had only just found out the truth and still felt left out. Even though they didn't want to lose Sara and Oliver again both men were struggling to accept their new lives. Both men also still had daughters who were struggling as well.

Laurel and Thea had been left behind before when the Gambit went down and they were again being left behind as their siblings moved forward. Both had struggled the first time and both continued to struggle. Both bore scars even if those scars weren't visible like Sara's and Oliver's were. Both also sought drugs and alcohol to drown their pain and anger even after their siblings had returned.

"I think it is harder sometimes on those left behind." Lance spoke quietly as his thoughts returned to their daughters.

Walter laughed humorlessly before he nodded his agreement. Moira had so desperately wanted to make things normal for Thea but Thea had never truly healed. He had to hope that wherever she was now that she was finding some peace and happiness. Oliver had healed and so he had to hope Thea would too. Knowing Lance's thoughts were own his own children, Walter reminded them both of the good. "I saw Sara briefly and she looked good, strong."

"She is…I just wish she could be good closer to home." Lance admitted with a rueful grin. He then continued with something that had bothered him as he knew Walter could understand. "Sara didn't want anything to do with us at the beginning. She talked to Oliver and he pushed her to us. I think Oliver, the whole Team really, is what brings her back now too." It hurt to admit that but Lance knew it was true.

"Sara loves you and wanted to protect you. We have to believe that's what they were doing and that they meant well. Oliver seems good now too, much better than before." Walter offered without clarifying just what he meant by before as he didn't want to insult either of Lance's daughters by stating the obvious that Felicity was the better match for his stepson.

"Oliver is definitely better now. Sara too." Lance agreed and ignored any reference to them being less than good together previously. However, as the silence lengthened, he couldn't help but point out the obvious. "Felicity."

Finding a genuine smile, Walter nodded his agreement before he spoke. "Felicity, indeed. I sent Oliver to her but I had no idea any of this would happen...I sent him to her and now she's in a danger." Walter frowned as he put those pieces together. Lance was ahead of him though and offered his own perspective to lighten the mood.

"She has been with him for a while and she's only gotten tougher. Sara truly likes and respects her. I think all of them would do anything to protect her, anything she asked even. It actually looks like Felicity runs things." Lance realized the last words were true even if he had meant them as a joke.

Walter looked up and had the same epiphany. "To Felicity then."

Both men lifted their coffee mugs and nodded before again sliding into another somewhat awkward silence. Again both saw and appreciated the parallels in their situations. Lance had learned in his AA meetings that everyone had struggles but it was easier to relate to some struggles than others. He could easily relate to Walter Steele. "So what do we do now?"

"I don't know. I don't want to lose my family." Walter admitted as he looked down into his cup. He knew Oliver would continue to keep secrets but at least he had brought him into his new family. As for Thea, he couldn't be sure that he hadn't lost her already even if she did return.

"I think we can both agree on that one. I need to go now but maybe we can meet and do this again?" Lance met Walter's eyes and was relieved to see that the other man appreciated the offer.

Rising together, the two fathers shook hands and took their leave. Each felt better knowing someone else understood just what it meant to love one's children even when they weren't children anymore and even when they weren't always good.

BONUS SCENE #1 (for all who wanted a little Laurel angst)

Ignoring the fact that her father would be disappointed, Laurel sat down and ordered a drink. She was the one who had the right to be disappointed…in her own father, in all of them.

Laurel wanted nothing more than to scream or cry so she forced herself to stay in public in order to maintain her control. She wasn't going to breakdown over him, not again. She certainly wasn't going to breakdown because of her. Nearly snarling Felicity's name under her breath, Laurel sat up straighter on the bar stool out and clenched her fists.

Only when the bartender returned with her drink did Laurel relax enough to wrap a hand around the class. A memory stopped her from moving further as Laurel remembered the Canary, her own sister, stopping her from drinking during that hostage situation at the courthouse. Staring at the amber liquid, tempted by it, Laurel considered her options.

She knew logically that it was wrong to use alcohol to dull her pain. However, it seemed she was always wrong anyway – she was wrong about Ollie, wrong about Tommy, wrong about Roy and Thea, wrong about Sara, wrong about her parents, wrong about her boss. Smirking, Laurel picked up the drink and took a healthy swallow. The burn of the alcohol distracted her from her pain and she quickly took another drink before placing the glass back on the bar.

Everyone in her life had secrets and she was tired of being left out, tired of being lied to, tired of being alone. It was suddenly clear to her that her mistake was in trusting the people in her life – the people who were supposed to love her. These people had betrayed her over and over again. Her own father siding with Ollie today was just the last in a long line of blows.

Laurel replayed the events of summer starting with Slade Wilson bursting into her apartment. After that the hits just kept coming – her sister as the Canary, Slade kidnapping her only to take Felicity as well, her dad's coma, even Ollie asking that girl out. Laurel then remembered how both Sara and Oliver had left and she had been alone when her dad collapsed. Both returned and offered assistance later but it was too late in Laurel's mind as neither was around when she needed them.

She was tired to needing Sara, tired of needing Oliver only to have both abandon her just as they did when they got on the Gambit together. They had left her and become new people. They returned and lied to her, used her. Now both had found love and were happy while she was alone and miserable. Lost in the darkness.

Another memory came to mind and Laurel could see Helena Bertinelli as the words echoed in her head and heart.

Because once you let the darkness inside, it never comes out.

Laurel realized that there was one person who hadn't lied to her. Helena had also experienced the pain of loss, the pain of betrayal, the pain of being alone, but she had taken action though and embraced the darkness. Knocking back the rest of her drink, Laurel dropped cash on the bar and left to find the one person who just might understand.

BONUS SCENE #2 (For b, as I never would have thought of this on my own.)

Carly had been surprised when Felicity had called her. While she did still see John, she didn't see Oliver or Felicity much anymore, unless you counted the news. The girl always looked quiet and professional at the various meetings and events that Oliver had as Mayor but she wasn't like that in person. Carly had had a hard time getting in a word during that first conversation which she could still clearly remember.

"Carly, it's Felicity Smoak. I know it's been a long time since we've seen you and this call probably seems weird and maybe a little stalkerish to you but I really do have legitimate business to discuss with you. BTW, I would prefer you not mention this to Digg, I mean John. Well, you can mention what I'm about to tell you but not that it came from us. I still need to work out the details and if I can't work it out then I don't want him to know that I failed. That's why I'm calling you as I don't want to fail and I know you don't want to fail so I think we can work together to save AJ's school."

The young woman had gone on to outline the issue before the School Board and how the proposal had crossed Oliver's desk. Carly had been blown away by the information that her son's school was supposed to close. Before she could panic though, she was blown away again by Felicity's plan to save it. It was like being in the middle of a whirlwind and Carly found it hard to keep up with the other woman over the next week. There was a flurry of phone calls, texts, and e-mails as Felicity had her act as a go-between with the other parents and even the teachers. Carly was exhausted herself and didn't see how Felicity did it. Laughing at the thought, Carly remembered asking Felicity that very question.

"Felicity, slow down and breathe! I'm dead on my feet and I know you have to be exhausted too. When do you ever sleep?" Carly had seen e-mails from the woman sent during all hours of the night and she was genuinely curious.

"I only sleep if Oliver, Diggle, and Roy are all asleep. It's hard to keep up with all of them and they all like to do it differently and keep different schedules so someone always needs something. I love it though – it's a challenge but I really feel like I've done something if they are all satisfied, you know?"

Carly had remained silent as she tried to understand if the blond meant the comment the way it sounded. Before she could decide Felicity had launched into another ramble.

"Oh wow, that sounded really bad, didn't it?! I just mean that I work, only work with all of them. Yeah, we are sometimes up all night together…okay, you know what? Let me go and let some sleep and I'll be back in touch."

She had actually met Felicity the day after and the woman had stayed a permanent shade of pink as she tried again to explain the comments were innocent. Carly had actually been a little worried but she couldn't deny that Felicity was getting results. She had mentioned the school problem to John and he had offered to help but he hadn't mentioned knowing anything about it. Despite being confused, Carly set aside everything else to focus on saving AJ's school.

It wasn't until she saw the four of them that she understood Felicity's rambles. It was obvious they were close and it was obvious they had worked hard simply because they knew she needed help which meant that John needed help. She was a little envious of their connection as she struggled as a single mom even with John's help. However, when AJ joined them and she watched not just John interact with her son but the others as well, she felt even more grateful.

John was the closest thing to a father AJ had and she had always been grateful for that. She knew he was an amazing man and he could teach her son things she couldn't. He could teach AJ how to be a good man like his father. That day at the school though, she realized that with John came three other people who would also protect and care for her son. Three people who like John were working to make the city better. Carly smiled and acknowledged that she wasn't as alone as she had thought and she would listen to anything Felicity wanted to ramble about to keep them all in AJ's life.

AN2 – I really do like the idea of Walter and Lance forming their own support group as fathers of superheroes! :) I also like ending Laurel's part with her being on her own but at least trying to find a path (as long as that path is far from Olicity and this story as she won't return here). And finally, while I ignore baby Diggle, I couldn't help but delve into that just a bit as I adore Diggle!