"You two don't honestly think the late billionaire's unfaithful widow who conspired with a terrorist to destroy a part of her own city would win the election to lead it," Moira asked.
"I stand by what I said," Mark said. "I think you were in a desperate situation. I will be your campaign manager. I will sway those who don't already believe you had a legitimate reason to fear Malcolm Merlyn".
"Many people already see it our way" Walter added.
"You are really being serious, Walter?" Moira asked.
"Yes," Walter said. "Moira, your's and my romantic relationship may be behind us, but I never saw you as a malevolent person. I have much love for you and your family".
"I... will think about it... and that is the most hopeful answer I can give you at the moment," Moira said.
"That's understandable," Mark said.
"Let's finish our dinners and then please, Moira, allow me to treat you to dessert," Walter said.
Diggle, Roy, Felicity, and Laurel stood in S.T. A.R. Labs among Caitlin, Cisco, and Dr. Harrison Wells. "Oliver said he is bringing a friend with him today," Diggle said. "They should be here any minute".
"Somebody he met while he was away?" Laurel asked.
"Yeah" John replied. "She is going to help you, Laurel, with fighting, and Oliver is gonna focus on you, Roy. He is going to help you with self-control".
"I don't know what happened last night, but I definitely was not in control. I've gotta figure it out. I don't wanna end up hurting Thea. I can't end up hurting Thea" Roy said.
Oliver walked into the cortex. "Don't worry, Roy. Until we find a way to remove what Daily put in your system, you and I are gonna work on self-control every day. You won't hurt Thea. If you do, I won't hesitate to turn you into a human pin cushion". Next to Oliver was a woman who looked to be around Laurel's age. She was of Asian descent and she was dressed in the outfit of a warrior.
"Damn," Laurel said "She is going to be teaching me?" and Oliver nodded.
"This is Talia?" John asked.
"Nope. This is Nyssa. I tried to contact Talia, but she broke away from the League years ago, and she is a hard woman to find" Oliver said.
"My sister has a reason to keep herself hidden," Nyssa said and then she turned her attention directly to Laurel. "You are Laurel Lance?"
"Yes, I am," Laurel said. She noticed that both Oliver and Nyssa had their eyes fixated on her. She smiled awkwardly back at them.
"Um, Laurel, can Nyssa and I please have a word with you?" Oliver asked, but his kind, empathetic tone lessened Laurel's anxiety.
"Yeah. Of course" Laurel said and she followed Oliver and Nyssa to a less populated area.
"Nyssa here is very involved with the League Of Assassins," Oliver said. Laurel opened her mouth to ask a question, but Oliver spoke first. "I will answer any questions you have later, Laurel. First, Nyssa believes you are in danger".
"What?" Laurel asked.
"Your former superior, Adam Donner, or as I know him, Malaq, he attempted to murder you a few months ago," Nyssa said.
"What, no he didn't. Why would he do that?" Laurel said.
"He isn't who you think he is, Laurel. Remember when I took you out to dinner to thank you for helping my mother" Oliver said.
"I don't remember much of that night to be honest," Laurel said.
"Well I went into your apartment ahead of you, and there was a knife that had been jammed into the wall" Oliver revealed.
"Oh my god" Laurel said, breathlessly.
"It is my belief that Malaq entered your apartment to kill you that night because you refused to take on Moira Queen's case," Nyssa said.
"Adam's an ass, but he is not who you think he is," Laurel said.
"Laurel, this is one of the reasons that I wanted Nyssa to train you, so you can develop some League training and defend yourself if he attempts to attack you again. Of course, you know I have your back, but if I'm not with you..." Oliver said.
Laurel took a few deep breaths. Felicity walked over and interrupted. "There is a break-in at the Merlyn Manor".
"Okay," Oliver said "Roy, you're with me. Everybody will meet back at the Arrowcave when we're finished".
Oliver and Roy arrived at Merlyn Manor and Oliver let Roy do the honors of breaking the lock on the front door. They entered and Roy said: "You know your way around this house pretty good, don't you?"
"Shh. Do you hear that?" The Arrow whispered. "That is definitely coming from the garage". The Arrow and Roy walked quietly towards the garage and then Oliver fired an explosive arrow into the door. In the garage, Ben Turner had a prototype of Malcolm Merlyn's earthquake machine wrapped in his arm. "Turner" The Arrow shouted. "Stand down". Roy all of a sudden charged forward, past Turner and into the driveway. The Arrow saw Roy pulled the getaway driver through the driver's side window. The Arrow suddenly felt a sharp pain across his abs. He was face to face with Turner. He ignored the deep slashes that Turner's claw had created and nocked an arrow into his bow. He released it half-way, so only the arrow's head penetrated Turner's chest and he charged forwards until Turner was pinned against the wall. "Give it up, Turner. My friend has already taken out your escape" The Arrow screamed. Turner wiggled his arm out and smashed the prototype against Oliver's head, causing Oliver to fall and lose consciousness.
"Oliver, wake up" Oliver heard Roy say. Roy was squatting next to him, his face riddled with concern.
"Roy, are- are? Where's Turner?" Oliver asked.
"He got away with the prototype. I tried to stop him but he ran over my foot" Roy said.
"Damn it" Oliver grumbled.
"Hey, Ollie, It's okay" Oliver heard in his ear.
"Laurel?" he asked.
"I took a break from training and Felicity let me listen in. We are all heading back to the foundry. You and Roy meet us there. Remember, Ollie, you don't have superpowers. You are a man, a remarkable one, but you are not a god. Nobody is" Laurel said and her words made Oliver close his eyes and smile.
Roy, having heard the interaction through his comm, lightly poked Oliver's shoulder and signaled for him to turn off his comm. Oliver looked at him. "Oliver, I don't know if it is my place, but Laurel, she puts you at peace. You two are in love and it is killing you both slowly to not be together. So you shouldn't go any longer not being together".
"Roy, I have had this conversation with other people. I am so afraid to hurt her again. As a friend, I get to keep her forever. I have never been more afraid to lose somebody" Oliver said.
"Because you have never cared about somebody as much as you care about her. Just, don't hurt her again. You'll know what to do" Roy said. Oliver's lips formed the ghost of a smile as he shrugged and he and Roy moved out.
Oliver and Roy came back to the foundry where Nyssa, Laurel, John, and Felicity were waiting.
"I'm sorry Turner got away," Felicity said. "I am running programs to find his vehicle. He won't get away with what he is doing".
"Felicity is right, Ollie" Laurel said. "I have to go now, I have a job interview. Call me if any of you need me".
"Good luck, Laurel," John said and Laurel smiled back at him.
"She won't need it," Oliver said, smiling at Laurel. "Roy, a word?"
Roy and Oliver stepped away. "Yeah?"
"I think that the two of us should be honest with Thea. You about the Mirakuru and working with The Arrow, and me about being The Arrow. I'm going to tell Laurel that I want to be with her tonight because of what you said. Thank you for saying it. Thea is still recovering from the betrayal of our mother. We need to be honest, we can't let her find out on her own. Please, I think you are good for Thea. I don't want you to lose her".
"Just give me till tomorrow. Let me spend the night with her. Then I will decide" Roy said.
"That's fine, Roy, whatever you decide, I am going to tell Thea that I am The Arrow" Oliver said and the two of them rejoined the others.
Felicity was gathering her stuff. "Where are you going?" Oliver asked.
"I will get notified on my phone if something happens with Turner. I have to go, Barry is awake" Felicity said.
"Oh my god, congratulations, Felicity. Tell him I say hi" Oliver said.
Later that night, Oliver was sitting in the living room, waiting for Laurel. Moira and the kids were sleeping. Laurel walked in the front door and saw Oliver sitting in an armchair with a bouquet of roses in his lap. "Ollie," she said, "Are you expecting somebody?"
"She just walked in" Oliver replied."Come here". Laurel walked over and Oliver handed her the roses and patted his lap for her to sit down. She did slowly and looked into his blue eyes. "Dinah Laurel Lance, let's not do this anymore. You are the reason I survived and you are the reason I am home. You are the reason for every good thing I do and every good thing in my life is because of you. You are the best thing in my life and you are the one person that I am always looking forward to seeing. I love you, Laurel. You are my always, and I just want the chance to be yours".
Laurel's eyes got watery. She closed the distance between their lips and the most magical feeling consumed them both. "I love you, Oliver Jonas Queen. You are my always and you will be forever". Oliver kissed her passionately and their lips didn't part as he carried her up the stairs and towards his bedroom.