Chapter 25
Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Everything belongs to their rightful owners.
AN1: Thank you so much for the support. You really have no idea how much it means to me.
About forty minutes after they left the alley, Thea, and Laurel, having been careful to make sure that they weren't followed, and to make sure the Clocktower hadn't been compromised, Laurel and Thea are arriving, through the roof, at the Clocktower.
"Everything looks okay, but that doesn't mean it is." Thea notes.
"I know." Laurel says, with a nod, being pretty sure that they shouldn't stay long, as she heads over to the computer in the main area of the tower, "We just need some supplies."
"Yeah, no kidding." Thea says, as Laurel types on her computer, "Laurel they knew about your powers, and they were clearly professional, who do you think they are?" she asks.
"I don't know." Laurel admits, "And once I'm sure that Roy and Sin are safe too I'll start to figure that out."
"We'll." Thea corrects.
"Damn it." Laurel says, looking annoyed.
"What?" Thea asks.
"We're the only ones here." Laurel responds.
"Isn't that a good thing?" Thea asks, as she is pretty sure that it is.
"I was hoping that Ollie, Roy, Sin, and John would be here." Laurel admits, as now that that they are in a relatively safe place she can't help but worry about all of them, even John who she doesn't know well, as while she knows that they can all look after themselves that doesn't mean that she likes it when they are in danger, especially considering, judging by the way the men in the alley were acting, they would be in danger because of her.
"Judging by how careful we were, I'm betting Ollie and John are being careful too." Thea admits, "It would make sense considering your request, and cryptic warning." She admits.
"Yeah, I know." Laurel admits, moving away from the computer and pushing her hair back, "Thea, I'm sorry." Laurel tells her.
"Why on earth are you apologising?" Thea asks, looking confused.
"Because those people in the alley were after me, and you could have been hurt." Laurel tells her, knowing she never would have forgiven herself if that had happened.
"But I wasn't." Thea responds, "I'm okay Laurel, we'll figure this out." She says.
"I hope so." Laurel responds and as she does the trap door opens and so she grabs the gun that is kept taped under the computer desk and clocks it, and points it at the entrance.
"It's okay, it's us." Oliver, the first one out of the trap door, says.
"Oh, thank god." Thea says, looking relieved as Sin, Roy, and Diggle climb out, and as they do Laurel puts down the gun down, having put the safety on, and hurries over to Sin and Roy to hug them.
"Nice secret lair you've got here." Diggle comments, "I like the openness." He admits as he looks around.
"Thanks, we're fond of it." Thea says, as Laurel breaks apart from Sin and Roy.
"Are you both okay?" Laurel asks, looking between them both in concern.
"We're fine." Sin answers.
"What the hell is going on?" Roy asks feeling completely confused.
"I was wondering the same thing." Oliver admits, "What's going on?" he asks, looking at Laurel in concern.
"Thea and I were leaving CNRI, taking they alley short cut when two teams of soldiers, or maybe private military contractors, blocked the alley from both ends." Laurel explains, "They wanted me, and took precautions against my powers." Laurel explains.
"How'd you get away?" Diggle asks.
"I used a stronger Canary Cry, stronger than I've used before, knocked them all out." Laurel explains, "I also destroyed their cars for good measure." She admits.
"Nice." Roy says, with a grin.
"These men, what can you tell me about them?" Oliver asks, knowing that he could use more information as he has a few ideas about who could have came after Laurel, but he needs more information to narrow it down, "How did they act, what did they say?" he asks, knowing that he will do whatever he has to do to make sure nothing happens to Laurel.
"They wanted me to go with them." Laurel explains, and as she does something comes back to her, "They called me by my full name… they know who I am, that I'm the Black Canary." Laurel says, then another horrible thought comes to her, "Dad. They could go after him." She realises.
"It's a possibility." Diggle says, and as he does Laurel runs to where they keep spare phones and calls her father.
"Come on Dad, pick up." Laurel mutters after a few rings, and finally someone answers, "Dad?" Laurel asks.
"Sorry about this Ms Lance, but your father can't come to the phone right now." A voice, that Laurel recognizes as one of the men from the alley says, and Laurel tenses.
"Laurel, what is it?" Oliver asks concerned.
"What do you want?" Laurel asks, her voice full of anger.
"Like I said, you." The man responds, "You have forty-five minutes to get to the warehouse where you took down the drug operation last week, once you're here hand yourself over and your father will be let go unharmed, if not, well then, we'll have to make him suffer until you realise that we're serious, and not going anywhere." He says, "Oh and Ms Lance, you're to come into the warehouse alone, even if your team is nearby." He says, before hanging up.
"Laurel, what is it?" Thea asks, seeing the horrified look on Laurel's face.
"They have my Dad." Laurel reveals, "I have forty-five minutes to hand myself over or my Dad's going to be hurt." She says, her voice clearly displaying how worried and terrified, as well as angry, she is.
In the warehouse the man who is holding Lance hangs up the Quentin's phone and then destroys the phone, and turns to Lance who he is standing in front of, chained to a chair.
"Please, don't do this." Quentin requests, "Not my daughter, take me, I'll do whatever you want." He says, completely meaning that, as tears come to his eyes.
"You have nothing that interests my superior, Mr Lance, no reason to want you other than the fact that your daughter will come after you." The man explains.
"Why do you want Laurel?" Quentin asks, feeling completely confused.
"Because of what she can do, of course." The man says, causing Quentin to become even more confused, "Sit tight Detective, your daughter will be joining us soon." He says before walking away, planning on giving instructions to his people.
Ever since Laurel's reveal that whoever is after her is using her dad as bait, about a minute earlier, everyone in the clock tower have been standing in shock.
"I've got to go." Laurel realises, "I've got to hand myself over." She says, knowing that there is no other choice for her as she hast o save her father.
"No." Oliver says.
"It's my Dad, Ollie, I can't let him suffer because of me." Laurel explains, it being more than clear that she completely means that.
"Laurel you can't just hand yourself over, especially not when we don't know anything about these people!" Oliver exclaims and as he does Thea, Roy, Sin, and John all exchange looks, which Oliver and Laurel both notice, none of them being able to see this fight ending any way but badly.
"Thea, Roy, Sin, why don't you show John around the tower." Laurel suggests, so that she and Oliver can talk in private.
"Sure." Thea says, really not wanting to witness a fight between the two people she loves the most.
"Yeah." Sin says, with a nod.
"Let's go Dig." Roy says, and the three of them head out of the main area of the clocktower, through the trap door, all of them having moved pretty fast.
"You can't do this." Oliver tells Laurel.
"I have to, he's my Dad." Laurel responds, "What would you do if it was Thea, or Tommy, or even me?" Laurel asks, knowing it would be the best way to get Oliver to see why she has to do this.
"That's not even close to the point." Oliver responds, knowing exactly what he would do.
"No, it is exactly my point." Laurel says, taking a step forward, "You can't ask me not to do something when you would do the exact same thing if you were in my shoes."
"If we're going to go down that road then you know that if you were in my shoes you would be asking me not to do what you're about to do." Oliver points out.
"That's because I don't like you being in danger, and I know you don't like me being in danger, but Ollie I don't have a choice." Laurel tells one of her oldest friends, "I can't let my dad get hurt because of me, I'm doing this, and no one will stop me." Laurel reveals, "I'll knock you out if I have to, Ollie, and you know that with my powers I can." Laurel explains, and as she does Oliver is sure that Laurel would knock him out if she had to.
"I'm coming with you." Oliver responds, being glad he has his 'hood' costume down in the car.
"You can't come with me into the warehouse, but you can be nearby, the man was clear." Laurel explains.
"I'm still coming." Oliver reveals, meaning that, knowing he will do whatever he can for Laurel from where he can be.
"There's something else I need you to do for me." Laurel admits.
"What is it?" Oliver asks.
"Once my Dad's free, and I find out who these guys are, and make them pay because no one goes after my family, I'm going to try to get free." Laurel explains, and from the look in Laurel's eyes Oliver can tell she is serious about making whoever has her father pay, "but if things go badly, or if something happens then I need you to protect Thea, Roy, and Sin, look after my kids, Ollie, be there for them, watch out for them." Laurel requests as even if things go badly for her she knows that she will feel better if she knows her kids are okay.
"I will, I promise." Oliver responds, taking a step forward, "But you're gonna come home, I'll make sure of it." he says, before hugging Laurel and holding her close, both of them desperately trying not to think about what might happen.
For a few minutes Laurel and Oliver hug, taking comfort from one another, before they finally break apart, honestly, they both want the hug to go on forever, but they know that they are on a clock.
Once they break apart Laurel walks over to the computer and activates the PA system,
"Thea, Roy, Sin, John, can you all come back up here." Laurel requests, "We haven't got long before I have to go, but we still need to figure out a few things." Laurel says, knowing what is top of that list.
"Yeah, we do." Oliver confirms, and the two of them drift into silence.
For the next couple of minutes Laurel and Oliver wait until Thea, Roy, Sin, and John return through the trap door and to the main area of the Clocktower.
"So, Laurel you're doing this, handing yourself over?" Thea asks, looking at her.
"To save my Dad, yeah." Laurel confirms.
"Of course, you are." Roy says, not really sounding that surprised.
"Please be careful." Sin requests, looikng at Laurel knowing that she wouldn't be able to handle it if something happens to Laurel.
"I'll try my best, but what matters is my Dad, making sure he's safe and free." Laurel explains looking around, "And I also need you three to stay here." Laurel says, looking between Thea, Roy, and Sin.
"What?" Thea asks shocked.
"Why?" Sin asks.
"No." Roy finishes.
"They already have my Dad, I'm not going to let anything happen to you three, you all mean too much to me." Laurel says, looking between her kids, "John, do you mind staying here with Roy, Thea, and Sin?" Laurel asks, and once she does Diggle briefly glances over at Oliver, who nods.
"Of course." Diggle says.
"First sign that this place is complimented, get out." Oliver says, looking between the four who are staying at the Clocktower, "Go to the foundry." He says, not caring that he is giving away his secret lair as Laurel and the others have welcomed him and John into theirs.
"Foundry?" Sin asks confused.
"Later." Oliver responds.
"I'm guessing you are going with Laurel." Thea says, to her brother.
"Of course." Oliver answers, "I'm going to armed, but they'll likely search you for weapons." Oliver says to Laurel.
"I know." Laurel says, with a nod, "Guess it is a good thing I am a weapon." She says, to him, and as she does she takes notice of the clock, "I'm going to get changed, and then we should go." Laurel says, to Oliver.
"You putting on your Black Canary costume? You're really going to tell your Dad like that?" Roy asks, sounding a little surprised.
"No, I'm not. I'm getting changed because I'd prefer not to have to fight in a skirt." Laurel explains, being very glad she keeps several steps of spare clothes in the tower, "I'll be right back." Laurel says, heading to where she keeps her clothes, and then the changing room.
"Are we really going to do this, just watch as Laurel hands herself over to god knows who?" Thea asks, it being more than clear that she is worried, "Is that really our plan?" she asks, looking to her brother, hoping he has a better one.
"Yeah, because we don't have time to figure out another one." Oliver admits, knowing that, "Off the top of my head there are five organizations who could want Laurel because of what she can do, and each one of them would require a different strategy to stop." Oliver admits, "Once Lance is safe I'll go in, but until then I have to stay back." Oliver admits, hating that fact, but knowing it's what he has to do because Laurel would never forgive him if he risked her dad for her, and she's already made it clear that she'll stop him if she has to, "Can you put this place on lockdown?" he asks curious, looking between Roy, Sin, and Thea.
"Yeah, it's part of the towers operating system." Sin answers.
"Good, then once Laurel and I leave do that." Oliver reveals, "I've got to get changed too." he says, before heading downstairs.
"Am I the only one who really, really, hates this plan?" Thea asks curious.
"No." Sin and Roy say together.
"It will be okay." John says, looking between the three kids, knowing that this is going to be a very long night.
"It will be okay, really Dig?" Roy asks, "You know what the three of us have been through, we're we've come from, you've seen us at Big Belly Burger enough over the years, do you really think it will be okay is anything we can believe?" He asks.
"Probably not." Dig realises, looking between the kids, "But I'm still going to say it because even if you can't believe it you need to hear it." he admits and as he does the group drift into silence.
For the next couple of minutes the group drift into silence, waiting, until Oliver and Laurel both return to the main area of the Clocktower, Oliver wearing his Hood costume, complete with his bow, while Laurel is wearing jeans and a leather jacket.
"If you're really going to do this then we should go." Oliver tells Laurel, it being more than clear that he isn't happy about what Laurel is going to do.
"Yeah, I know." Laurel says, and she walks over to Thea, Roy, and Sin, "Come here." Laurel says, opening her arms and Thea, Roy, and Sin walk over to her and Laurel hugs all three of 'her' kids at once, "I love you all so much." Laurel says, kissing the top of each of their heads, "As long as you stick together you're going to be okay." Laurel says, as she holds them.
"Please stop talking like you're not coming home." Sin requests.
"I am going to do everything I can to make sure I do come home to you three." Laurel says, looking between them, as they start to break apart, as Laurel forces herself not to get upset as she knows that considering everything there is a chance that she's not going to come home, "But I need you to remember what I said." Laurel says, as they fully break apart, "I…." Laurel starts to say.
"Whatever you want to say, Laurel, don't." Thea requests, "Tell us when you get back, and don't die out there."
"Okay." Laurel says, with a nod, looking between each of them, and even though he would never admit it Laurel can tell that Roy is just as upset as Thea and Sin about the possibility of her never coming back, "We should go, Ollie." Laurel tells her friend.
"Yeah, we should." Oliver responds, and the two of them, Oliver putting up his hood, head out of the tower through the roof.
A little while later Oliver and Laurel are both crouched together on a rooftop near the warehouse where Quentin Lance is being held, observing the scene, trying to get some clues.
"There are thirty men that I can see, probably more." Oliver realises.
"Does the way they're spread out tell you anything about who they are?" Laurel asks curious.
"I've narrowed it down to two possible organizations." Oliver admits, "And neither of them are groups you want to just willingly hand yourself over to." He says, knowing that for a fact.
"It's my Dad, Ollie." Laurel says, knowing that if they weren't dealing with what they are dealing with she would ask him how he knows that, "I have to do this." She says, before turning to look directly at him, "So am I going to have to knock you out, or are you going to let me go?" she asks.
"I've never let you go, I'm not going to start now." Oliver says, and Laurel goes to open her mouth, and truthfully Oliver isn't sure if she is going to say something or use her Canary Cry, "But this is something I know you have to do, just make sure you come home Laurel." Oliver requests.
"I'll do everything I can." Laurel admits, before reaching over, and squeezing Oliver's hand, before she stands up fully and makes her way down to where the entrance to the warehouse is.
"I'm Laurel Lance, I hear you've been expecting me." Laurel says, and the man opens the door and lets her in, and so Laurel walks in, focusing not on the fact that she is worried about the people she loves, or afraid, but rather she is focusing on how angry she is about the fact that someone has gone after her family to get to her.
From the second Laurel walks into the warehouse she can feel something, something that makes her skin crawl, and like it's affecting her in a way she can't quiet explain, but as she knows her father doesn't have the time to let her focus on that Laurel continues to walk through the warehouse.
About a minute later Laurel gets to the centre of the warehouse where she sees her father chained to a chair, and the man she talked to in the alley standing right next to him.
"Before you decide to repeat what you did in the alley, Ms Lance you should know you won't be able to in this warehouse." The man reveals, and Laurel realises that that would be why he skin is crawling, and she knows, without even trying it, that her Canary Cry is currently out of action.
"Run Laurel, run." Quentin tells his daughter, clearly panicked.
"I can't do that, Daddy." Laurel tells him, as the fact that she can't use her Canary Cry right now doesn't change that, before turning to the man, "You've got me, now let him go."
"Of course, I am a man of my word." The man responds, and he uses the butt of his gun to knock out Quentin with one hand, while pressing a button on a remote control with his other.
"DADDY!" Laurel yells, sounding furious, and upset, and she tries to move forward but she is grabbed from behind, and as she yells the man unchains Quentin, and turns to one of his men, "Drop Detective Lance outside the police precinct, and make sure he is unharmed." The man says to his employee, as his boss has made things clear that once he has Laurel he's to do everything to keep her on his good side.
As the man speaks Laurel starts to fight the man who is holding her, when she sees the other man nod and then she feels a stab from a needle in her neck.
As Laurel loses consciousness Quentin is taken away and the man who is in charge walks over to Laurel, puts a device around her neck that should neutralise her power, and pulls out his phone and dials a number,
"We've got her Director Waller, we have Laurel Lance, we have the Black Canary." The man says into his phone.
"Bring her to me, and remember your orders, you're not to be followed, by anyone." Waller responds.
As he watches Laurel walk into the warehouse every single one of Oliver's instincts tells him to follow her, but he fights against those instincts, and just watches, and as he does he realises something, and so he activates the coms device he is glad he put in his ear.
"Sin, can you hear me?" Oliver asks, knowing that she is the most likely to be the one monitoring things.
"Yeah, I'm here." Sin's voice responds, "Is Laurel okay? What's going on?"
"Are those cameras you put up still active?" Oliver asks curious.
"Huh, let me check." Sin's voice responds, and Oliver hears the sound of typing, "Yep, they still are, can't believe I didn't think of this." Sin admits.
"What's going on inside?" Oliver asks.
"Um, I see Lance chained to a chair, a guy is right behind him, there are others around the room too, guess they're his men." Sin admits.
"Laurel's walking in now." Diggle's voice says, "They're talking, Lance is saying something." He reveals, "Now Laurel and the guy are talking." He explains.
"Let me know the second Lance is free, when I can go in." Oliver requests.
"QUENTIN!" Thea's voice yells.
"What's happened, what's going on?" Oliver asks concerned, but before he can respond, a machine gun fires at him, and he is forced to go running between different rooftops just to avoid getting hit, as it seems once he gets out of the line of fire of one gun another starts firing.
A few minutes later Oliver has managed, to finally get away from people firing at him, and so he manages to squat down again,
"What's going on?" Oliver asks, through the coms, "What happened to Quentin?"
"He was knocked out, we don't know what happened next." Sin admits.
"Can you get back to the warehouse?" Roy asks.
"I can try." Oliver admits, before going running back towards the warehouse hoping that he isn't too late.
It takes a few minutes, but finally Oliver gets back to the warehouse and the second he does he realises that everyone is cleared out and there is no one around.
"Damn it." Oliver says, clearly annoyed, as he even checks the warehouse and finds that it is empty.
"What's going on?" Thea asks.
"The warehouse is empty now, no sign of Laurel, or Lance." Oliver admits, feeling terrified, not that he would let that show, about what could be happening to Laurel.
"Oh god." Sin suddenly says, sounding horrified.
"Is that about Laurel, or Lance?" Oliver asks, sounding worried.
"Neither." Roy answers.
"It's the rouge Archer. He's taken hostages and he will kill one every hour unless you face him." Diggle explains.
"I don't have time for this, I've got to find Laurel!" Oliver objects.
"Ollie, you've got an hour before someone dies." Thea reminds her brother.
"Thea's right Oliver, I think….." Diggle starts to say.
"I can either save the people the Archer has or try and find Laurel." Oliver says, as the horrifying realisation comes to him and he knows he has an impossible choice to make.