Author's note: I am SO sorry that I did not post yesterday... life got in the way... for that reason and because you guys are the greatest fans ever... today you get 4 chapters... enjoy... I will be updating again on Monday because my muse and my incredible beta warehouseluver13 have me way ahead of schedule

Please review and check out my polyvore for this story

Disclosure: I own nothing of Arrow but I freaked out with the new trailer... the souffle... OMG!

A loving smile grew as the blonde looked up at the form she thought she would never see again. "Nyssa."

"My beloved. I see you have returned to us. I feel that this is both a blessing and a torture."

"How so?"

Nyssa moved down the stairs to her. She engulfed the small blonde in her embrace, whispering into her neck as she took in her scent and warmth for the first time in a year. "Because your return means that we will need to pay tribute in some form to whomever is responsible but also deal with the cost the pit requires in the future."

"Cost?" Thea was confused. She had been put into the pit as well and was worried if something like what happened with Sara would happen to her.

"Each person has to pay a cost to the waters. For the return of their life." Nyssa explained.

"What is the cost?"

"It is different for each person."

"When does it start?" Thea was beginning to panic. She had been out the pits for months now but nothing weird had happened yet.

"Unfortunately there is no set time or pattern. Each person's reaction to the pit defers depending on their condition going in and their own mental standing. I am sorry for not having more to offer in terms of information on the process. I have rarely seen it." Nyssa bowed her head, hanging it in shame for not being able to help more. Over the last few months, she had grown closer to the team, the family, that she was now apart of. They had welcomed her even after all she had put them through in the last year. They seemed to understand she was acting out of loyalty to her father and grief over losing Sara the way she had.

Sara realized why Thea was becoming so upset and instantly sought to comfort her. "Thea I promise, we will protect you and help you anyway we can if and when anything happens. You have us all in your corner okay?"

Thea nodded in agreement and reached out to hug the blonde. "Thanks Sara." A breath occurred then she whispered low, her tone laced with guilt and sorrow, "I'm sorry I killed you. I swear I didn't know what I was doing. Malcolm used some kind of mind altering drug that made it so I would obey him no matter what. I am just grateful it makes it so I don't remember it either. I would not be able to live with that memory in my head. Seeing the video was bad enough. But I am really sorry. If I could've, you have to know that I would have stopped him and kicked his ass for even trying to make you hurt you. I would never you hurt on purpose. I wouldn't hurt you at all actually."

"Woah Speedy. I think you've been around Lis a bit too much. You're starting to babble like her." Sara teased. It was exactly what was needed to cut through the heavy and tense emotional air that filled the space around the four women. A flood of laughter bubbled out all of them as they enjoyed that simple moment.

"How about we go get some burgers before patrol? We can catch Sara up on all the ways Ollie acted like a dumbass this past year and lived with his head up his butt."

"I like that plan Thea. What about you guys?" Laurel asked.

Sara and Nyssa nodded in agreement and the group started to move towards the door. "Was he really that bad? I mean he told Lis he loved her before I left. How could he screw up horribly after that?"

Thea turned and looked at her. "Sara this is my brother we're talking about here. He can screw up the simplest shit. I mean he created a bad guy when trying to stop another. Ollie has a way of thinking he knows what's best, but turns out he is completely clueless."

"And it's ten times worse when it comes the Felicity." Laurel snickered as they moved towards their cars to head to Big Belly for some much needed girl's night gossip.

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"You promise that Sara is coming back and we will hang out tomorrow?" Connor looked up at Lance as he climbed into bed. Lance had volunteered to put him to bed, hoping to fully explain why Sara had to leave so abruptly and ease the kids pain. Lance had come to realize that Connor attached to those around him quickly, especially if Oliver or Felicity signed off on the person. Lance felt protective over the young boy, as if he was his own grandson. He knew how and when Connor had been conceived and at first he was upset but after seeing everyone involved, including Laurel, accept the boy and fall under his charms, Lance let it go. He knew that Oliver had been different then, cared less. He also knew that this new Oliver, the one that had returned from the island, was a new man. One who saw the pain he caused as a boy and was set to correct not only his father's wrongs but his own as well.

"I promise bud. Your dad even said that you, him and Sara are going to meet me for lunch tomorrow. He wants me to see your grandma's new place to make sure that it is safe. Since he knows I know all the good cops I think he just wants me to have someone patrol past during the night to make sure she is okay."

"Couldn't the Arrow do that?"

"Well he is a bit busy. Him and his team are trying to keep the whole city safe. But us cops help out too. That's our job after all."

"I know. It's cool that you do that. Just no one has really seen the Arrow in a while so maybe he isn't too busy to help."

"He just has a lot on his plate pal. Listen I know he is doing all he can to keep everyone in this town safe, including you and your family."

"Why? He doesn't know me."

"Because he cares for all the innocent lives of this town and you're one of them. He risks his life all the time and most people don't even know it. That's what heroes do."

"Yeah. Just like you."

"I wouldn't say that."

"But you risked your life when bad things happen. Mommy told me how you helped the Arrow stop the earthquake machine and a bad guy who tried to make a doll out of Aunt Laurel."

"I did do that but that was to save lives of the people I cared about."

"You also saved innocent lives too. So you're a hero too. You just don't wear a funny mask or hood, like the Flash or Arrow do."

"I guess you're right kiddo. Thanks."

"No problem. You know heroes always get the really nice girls too."

"Woah there pal. Let's slow that down right there. Now you're beginning to sound like my daughter too much."

"I just think you're lonely. You don't smile a lot. You always seem sad. Dad isn't sad anymore. Not since he and Mommy got together. That's what Aunt Laurel, Aunt Lyla and Aunt Thea say. Even Uncle Dig says he isn't as grumpy or broody anymore, but I don't know what that last one means."

"Sourfaced." A sweet voice stated from the doorway. Lance twisted from his seat on the bed to look over his shoulder. He found Donna propped up in the doorway with her arms across her chest. He smiled at her and a slight blush came to her cheeks. "I thought I could read to you tonight since your Dad and Mommy are busy downstairs cleaning up and setting up a room for Sara.

"Okay Bubbe. Can Lance stay though? I like him and if he is confused I'll answer all his questions."

Donna looked at Lance and smiled. "You're more than welcome to stay Quentin."

"I'd like that but I need to go. Have to go protect the city and all. Maybe another time?" He hesitated, unsure if she was only offering because of Connor.

"Of course. I'd like that and I know this little one would too." Donna grinned, although the joyful light of it didn't quite reach her eyes like before. Lance noticed it and instantly hated the idea of stepping away. Donna moved to the other side of the bed and propped herself up against the headboard, folding into place to read Connor's bed time story to him.

"Okay. Well you be good for your grandma and I'll see you both tomorrow."

"Yes sir!" Connor saluted Lance as he stood and left, one final glance back into the room and the two blondes who were still surprising him.

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"You know the more I think about it, the more I realize something." Felicity pushed her paperwork aside. She and Oliver had finished cleaning up from dinner and set up a guest room for Sara, in hopes she would stay longer once everything was cleared up with Damien. After that they went and checked in on Connor, who was fast asleep after Donna read an entire chapter to him of the fifth Harry Potter novel. Connor was excited because Felicity was planning a family movie marathon when they finished them all so that they could compare the books to the movies and enjoy a day together just the three of them.

Now they were sitting in the living room, the television on with the news going in the background as she read over reports and project presentations. Oliver was reading the couple chapters he had missed this week of Harry Potter to stay caught up with Connor's nightly readings.

"What's that sweetheart?" Oliver asked, assuming her revaluation had something to do with the mound of papers she had been shuffling through.

"I think my mom is into Lance."

Oliver coughed as he choked over his breath in surprise. He was not expecting anything like that to come from her. Once he had composed himself he asked, "What makes you think that?"

"Well it's just a feeling but watching them tonight, how she would smile and blush at him. I think she was flirting with him."

"Really?" Oliver wasn't sure how he was suppose to take this news. After all, he knew she had been trying to date. He also knew that he didn't knew Donna well enough to pass judgement but still. It felt weird thinking of his ex's dad and his future mother-in-law dating.

"Yeah. She said she had been trying again. Trying to find someone. I haven't seen this side of my mom in a long time. Usually she latched on to any guy that flirted with her. Most of the time they were losers so it never ended well and she would be crushed. Now that she is seeking out a guy it seems like she is the flirter. Man that is weird to think about my mom flirting with Lance. It's weird right?"

"Yeah a little."

"Worse for you. I mean you dated both of his daughters and you're about to marry hers. Not to mention, he tried to arrest you twice for being the vigilante, which you are but both times he couldn't prove it. Man, our lives are just a testament to the weird, strange and bizarre."

Oliver laughed aloud. "That I can agree on wholeheartedly." He pulled her closer to his side and cuddled her into his chest. "And I wouldn't have it any other way. I keep thinking that if I would have made just one different decision over the years, I may not be sitting here tonight with you like this. I finally see that all the pain was worth it for the happiness I have now. You and Connor and the baby. That is all I will ever need in my life." He fell silent for a moment then added. "Well maybe a couple more babies."

"Hey mister slow down. I haven't even popped this one out yet. What do you see me as a baby making machine?"

"No you are my adorable, babbling, bubbly, genius soon to be wife who I can never seem to get enough of."

"Or keep your hand off of." She teased as she slapped at his hand that was slowly creeping up her thigh and under her pj shorts. "I'm being serious here Oliver."

"So am I." He grinned and playfully nipped at her neck. When she slapped at his chest he gave in and sat back, his arms still low around her waist. "I would love to have more babies with you. As long as every one comes out looking like us and with your brains. I want them to be smart."

"Hey their dad is pretty smart too, when he wants to be."

"I know. I just want what's best for them. I don't want them to be handed anything just because they are Queens."

"And they won't. Listen Baby, I promise that our kids, Connor, this baby and anymore we have, will grow up knowing what hard work means and not expect things to just be handed to them. I promise they will know what respecting others mean and how important school and studying is. They will have a great future because we both will see to it. Together."

"Have I told you how remarkable you are?"

"A few times but it never gets old." Felicity giggled.

"I love you so much."

"I love you too Oliver." Oliver dropped his head to her, their foreheads kissing as they soaked in the moment.

Finally he pulled back and looked down at her. Her blue eyes shined with all the love and support he always saw in them. He couldn't stop himself from falling head over heels in love with her all over again in that moment. She really was his everything. "As for your mom, is it a bad thing if she is interested in Lance? I mean I've known him my entire life. He is a good guy. Honest. Loyal. Protective. He would treat your mom well."

"I know. He is the closest thing to a father I have had in a very long time. He has been amazing these last few years. We have gotten close. I think I am just scared that if it doesn't work out, what it would mean to the team and the family."

"I know this is going to sound strange coming from me but we should think positive for once. It could work out and be great for both of them. Not to mention the rest of us."

"You're right." Felicity nuzzled closer to his chest a mischievous grin stretching across her face. "It does sound strange."

Oliver could hear her soft giggles as the words slipped from her lips. A gasp of mocking shock escaped him. "Oh yeah?" Then he latched onto her waist and started tickling her. She laughed and squirmed around, trying to free herself from his grasp. He only held tighter, enjoying the bubbling giggles that he was drawing from her. Her eyes were beginning to tear as her laughs became louder. The mound of papers toppled to the floor and slid in a multitude of directions, forgotten in the moment as the two lovers enjoyed their time together. Finally he let up when her breathing became erratic. She laid pinned beneath him, flush from her laughter and gasping for air. She was a vision of beauty to him, one he knew he would never tire looking at. He leaned in to kiss her and just as their lips met, the sound of a throat clearing followed by a burst of giggles from the doorway drew their attention away from each other and to the woman standing in the doorway.

"Good to see some things never change. Ollie always did hate doing homework. Would find any excuse to get out of studying." Laurel teased as she moved into the room and started to pick up the papers strewn across the floor.