Author's note: so I am just going to love this right here for you all to enjoy... back on monday... hopefullyou you will enjoy the take down of the mob in these chapters as well as the next update... not to mention Felicity's dad... oh and there is a sweet treat in 38 for SmoaknLance fans...
I love reading reviews and am kinda sad I haven't gotten a lot recently... let me know what you think...
BTW I know nothing really about the justice system so I apologize now if I got this wrong...
Disclosure: I own nothing of Arrow
"Hey Buddy! How was school?" Oliver greeted his son as he ran out the school house.
"It was good." Connor said solemnly, his head still hanging down.
"Only good? What happened?" Oliver walked them to the car and climbed in with him. Diggle was still staying with Connor at school right now during the day so Oliver usually took a cab to the school house and rode home with them.
"Sammy was home sick today. Mr. Douglas let me make her a card and get everyone in class to sign it. The kids that were picking on us last week were mean about it. Well all but one. This kid named Brad saw that they were being mean and signing it saying bad things to her so he tore it up."
"I'm sorry Connor. Were you able to make another card?"
"Yeah. Brad helped me. Turns out he is really cool too. He really likes the Flash but I told him I think the Arrow would win in a fight. He thinks the Flash would." Diggle laughed in the front seat as they drove to the house, knowing that was still a debate going on between the two vigilante teams. "So yeah. We made a card and that time those other kids didn't get to sign it. Mr. Douglas said that he would get it to her dad for us. Then I spent the rest of the day playing with Brad. He is really smart. He helped me with my writing and reading work but he isn't really good at math so I helped him. He wants to come over and play one day, if that's okay?"
"Sure Buddy. We'll check with Felicity and his family and maybe he can come over this weekend. Since Sammy is coming over to play before the parties on Saturday."
"Then you and Mommy are going to party with everyone for a bit while Raisa watches me right?"
"Yep. That's the plan Buddy. Raisa and Darren."
"Okay. Could Sammy and Brad maybe sleep over?"
"We'll see. We have to ask first."
"Okay Dad. How is Mommy feeling today?"
"She's doing great Buddy. Still craving chocolate and pickles so I went shopping before picking you up but she's fine."
"That baby has funny wants. I think chocolate and pickles are good but together they taste really bad." Oliver and Felicity had explained her cravings as things the baby wanted her to eat.
"I know Buddy but we need to be nice to Mommy and not pick on her about it. She has a lot on her mind right now."
"Like the wedding?"
"That and the parties this weekend. Plus moving Donna here and the company. Then there is the baby and the honeymoon."
"You guys are going to come back though right?"
Oliver wrapped his arm around his son's shoulders and pulled him into his side. "Of course Buddy. We want to be here with you. That's why we are only going to be gone for a week. To celebrate the wedding by ourselves and be a husband and wife for a couple days. Then we will come back and we will be a big family."
"Then Mommy will be a Queen."
"Yep and you're becoming one today."
"Really?"
"Yep. Laurel called while you were at school and told us the papers were all ready to sign. She is coming over today so we can take care of them right away."
"So I'll be a Queen when I go to school tomorrow?"
"Yep. I will be informing the school first thing in the morning when we drop you off. Laurel will fax a copy of papers in the morning too."
Connor bounced in his seat with glee. "Yeah! I'm going to be a Queen!"
Oliver beamed with pride but heard Diggle snicker from the front seat. "What?"
"Nothing. Just in some ways he is starting to sound like Felicity." Diggle noted as he parked the car in front of the house.
"What do you mean?" Oliver asked as he climbed out of the car, Connor rushing into the house a moment later.
"Well in some ways what he said could be taken wrong." Diggle smirked. Oliver stared at him for a moment as he replayed the last few moments in his head. When he picked up on what Diggle meant, Oliver's face glared at the man as he fell into a fit of laughter. The two continued into the house.
"What's so funny?" Felicity asked as she glided into the foyer to greet them. She moved towards Oliver, desiring a welcome home kiss.
He leaned down into her and kissed her tenderly, one of his hands cupping her cheek while the other was automatically drawn to her belly. "Nothing. Just Dig teasing our son about becoming a Queen." Felicity looked over at the burly man, confused but he just waved her off.
"Well Laurel is in the study waiting for us."
"Great! Let's get this done. I had Raisa make a cake special for Connor and all his favorites for dinner."
"Great not a Queen for a day yet and already spoiled." Diggle burst into laughter all over again and Felicity thought of what she said, trying to find the innuendo in it when she realized why he was laughing at it. "John Diggle! That is mean. Now stop it or no cake for you." Felicity dropped into her 'Mommy mode' easily with that, hand on her hip and one finger pointing at him with deadly accuracy. He threw his hands in the air in surrender and fought back the rest of his chuckles as they moved towards the study again.
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"Okay little man, I need you to sign your new name here then Oliver will sign under it and you're all done."
"That's it?" Connor asked, surprised at how simple the process was. They had been in the room less than 10 minutes. Laurel had Oliver read over paperwork, explaining it all to Connor as he went along. All that was left was to sign it so she could file it with the court in the morning.
"Yep. Pretty simple. It will take a few days to get the necessary papers from the courts to get his social security card updated but the birth certificate will be done during that time. You will need to get to the social security office and get the new card in the next 30 days."
"We can go and get it when we get my new one. Since we will already be going that way and all I need is our marriage license. I need to change it since I will be listed as Queen as well then."
Oliver smiled at her as a feeling of pride washed over him. Knowing she was taking his name only made him want these next two weeks to fly by. He was ready for her to be his in every possible way.
Connor smiled up Felicity as he was excited to be a part of the family completely. He took the pen from Laurel and hesitated to sign the paper. "Can I practice it first?"
"Of course Sweetie. Here." Felicity stood and went and got a piece of paper for Connor to practice on really quick. He took it and went to sit at the small couch across the room and started writing his name over and over while bent forward towards the coffee table.
Oliver went ahead and signed the sheet then handed it to Laurel. He was sitting behind his desk, Felicity taking her place next to him leaning on his chair. Oliver saw Laurel's hesitation at looking him in the eye and knew there was something else she wanted to discuss. "Laurel what's going on?"
Laurel gazed at Oliver and saw instantly that he would not let it go. "Hey little man, would you go see if Donna could help you practice your name? I need to talk about important city stuff with your Dad and Mommy." Laurel walked over to the door and watched the young blonde shrug as he stood, grabbed his things and quietly left the room. Connor had come to realize that his parents were very busy and active in terms of the city but he still didn't know what their nightly job was, something they had yet to decided if they needed to tell him or not.
Once Connor had left the room, a tense silence filled the air. Laurel tried to collect her thoughts and figure out the best way to proceed. She knew that Oliver would battle her each step of what was coming but they didn't have a choice. Finally set on how to begin, Laurel sat down across from them. "Where are we in terms of evidence against Ken Shane and the rest of the mob?"
"We have the proof that a few of the subsidiaries were laundering their funds. I can document the transactions and I have connected a few people that delivered the funds to the banks as well as those who authorized the moving of the funds around, including the Reynolds' involvement and my father's knowledge and involvement. I still can't find a trail for the higher players. I have looked for everything and have had algorithms going for weeks to try and find anything on them but there's nothing. Almost like there's not any electronic trail for them."
"It's possible. My dad came and saw me night before last. He told me that he knew a detective on a RICO case once that told him some of the mob families like to do things old school."
"Old school?"
"She means no technology. Everything is written down by hand. The trail is a paper trail, literally." Oliver explained.
"Exactly. Dad said that most would only have one copy, the original, for everything. Names, bios, duties, every detail documented on it then all the papers are placed all together in what some call a "Bible" and only a select few have access to it. It is kept under safeguard at all times and very hard to obtain."
"Why?"
"Because it was all the documentation for the mob there. All names, dates, bios, duties, facts. Everything we need to put each and every one of them away for a long time. If that was to fall into the wrong hands, it could mean the complete wipe out of their organization."
"Oh. Okay. So do we really need it? Can't we get that information another way?"
"Well since we are out as far as electrically tracing them I say we need it to end this case. Dad is getting a lot of pressure from the Brass and higher ups. They want all this with the Irish mob done. As far as getting that information another way, there isn't another way that would give us a speedy solution. We have been working this case now for months with no real new leads."
"Okay. Do you have any clue where this 'Bible' is?"
"No but I have an idea of someone who would." Laurel murmured, dreading the next part of her plan.
"Who?" Oliver asked as he studied the change in her demeanor. When her eyes locked with his he knew who she was speaking of. "No! No chance! Not happening."
"Hear me out Oliver."
"No Laurel. That man can NOT be trusted."
"I'm not saying we trust him. He is already looking at a long time in prison. If what I have read about him is true, he will be looking at any deal or way out of that."
"You want my dad to help?" Felicity wondered.
"He's all we got. He is high enough that he would know the right players. He may even have the access we need to get the 'Bible'. Plus he has incentive to help us."
Oliver glared at her when he caught on to what she was stating. "No! No deals! Laurel we agreed that these guys deserve every bit of jail time for their crimes. That goes for Felicity's dad too. He has conned people for years. Hurt innocent people."
"I know and Oliver if we didn't have our backs against the wall, if we had another option, I would be going with it. I don't like seeing bad guys get off easy but we don't have a choice here. If we want to take down the higher players we need a mole. You above anyone should understand that."
Oliver considered what she was saying. This last year made him realize that a lot of organizations had a secret underground world that most low levels players had no idea of. Even as a Captain with the Bratva, he didn't know all the players at the table. He had only met a handful of other officers of the Bratva during his time with them and even then he didn't know a lot about them or their missions and duties for the organization. His interactions with Ra's further illustrated this idea. There were so many rooms and corridors of the palace that he had never been allowed to venture into. So many doors with hidden secrets behind them.
He agreed that taking them down and getting to that 'Bible" was important. It was the idea of resting their success on the character of Felicity's dad. From all he had read on the man and what Donna and Felicity had told him, he knew that her father was not someone to be trusted at any point. He stared at his desk, his vision not focusing on it and slipping away into his own mind. He stared off into space as thoughts of Felicity's involvement being found out and her life and his family's lives being threatened flood his mind. He couldn't let that happen. He wouldn't. There had to be another way.
Connor's return pulled him from his thoughts. "What do you think, Dad?" he asked as he held out a sheet where he had written his name several times.
"It looks great, Buddy. You ready?"
Connor nodded so Oliver lifted him up into his lap and moved closer to the desk. Connor leaned forward and signed the form. Laurel smiled down at him as she collected it. "Now I am a Queen!"
Felicity giggled and rubbed the top of his head, smoothing out his unruly hair. "Yes Sweetie legally you are. But a piece of paper doesn't make you anything. You are a Queen because of what's in here." She pointed at his chest. "It's in your blood and heart and soul. So no matter what, you will be a Queen whether this paper is here or not." She leaned in a kissed the tip of his head as she pulled him into her chest and hugged him. Oliver looked at her and he was struck by the love and peace he found there. It still amazes him how understanding and accepting she had been about his son. He couldn't imagine trying to raise his son without her in his life. She was incredible with him and always knew just the right thing to say or do. "Sweetie, how about you go see if Raisa needs help with dinner. We will be done here soon and come join you."
"Okay Mommy."
"Remember no knifes."
"Okay." Connor called over his shoulder as he skipped out of the room, waving her off as well.
"I swear that boy finds more trouble than his father." She huffed then smiled and blushed when Oliver growled at her. "That was supposed to stay up here." she giggled as she pointed at her head. "Okay so back to the mob. Oliver, I agree with Laurel. With us bringing in the Reynolds' and turning the subsidiaries over to the feds, the mob is going to do one of three things: run, retaliate, or both. We need to act now in order to get them all. My dad may have the information we need to make that happen."
"And you're okay with this? Sending your father to prison?"
"Well yeah. He broke the law. Countless times. He is just as guilty as those names on that list from our first year. As guilty as the villains we have taken on."
"What about him getting a deal where he never sees a jail?"
"I won't let that happen." Laurel jumped in. "I am willing to offer 10 years off his sentence and a privately run facility over a federal pen. He will still see a jail for a long time and I will also make it a stipulation that he never has contact with Donna, Felicity or their families and friends unless they want it. Because of his past crimes, I will be asking for no parole in this case so this will be the only way he will have to shorten his sentence. I will also be asking for limited access to computers since there are several computer based scams in his record."
"At least now I know where I got my love of electronics from." Felicity mumbled under her breath.
"Sweetheart we don't have to do this. He is your father."
"No Oliver he's not. It's just like with Thea and Malcolm. He maybe my father because he impregnated my mother but he didn't stick around to help raise me. I had my mom to do that. There was one of her boyfriends that also filled those shoes for a short time. He lost the right to being a part of my life when he walked out of my life. He showed me that I didn't matter to him so why should he matter to me?"
"Because you're better than him."
"Yes but I still want to see justice done. If sending my father up the river helps us end the mob and get rid of yet another organized group of bad guys, I would do it anyday. He chose this life. Now he had to play the consequences for his actions."
"Okay. But if you don't like this let me know okay?"
"It's fine Baby. This is justice. So how do he get him to agree to help."
"Well that's where Oliver comes in. I know you said you wouldn't be joining the team again until after your honeymoon and I get that but we need the Arrow. We need to scare this guy a bit so that not only is he looking at a long prison visit in a federal pen but he thinks the Arrow has him on his list as well. If we get him shaking in his boots a bit before I offer him the deal, he will jump at it."
Oliver looked up at Felicity and saw the concern there. "I don't know Laurel. Are you sure that is needed?"
"I just want to guarantee that he goes for the deal. The more terrified he is of what staying as it is now could mean for him, the more likely he is to take the deal."
"Oliver she is right." Felicity whispered. Oliver gazed up at her. "We need him worried and terrified that he is going to be the Arrow's next victim in order for him to walk in the room with Laurel begging for whatever deal he can get. You can do this. Just be safe, be smart and take backup."
"Always."
"And try to not let your emotions for his actions to me and my mom cloud your judgement." Oliver stared at her puzzled by her request. "Oliver I know you. You get around him and you may feel like you need to defend my honor or make him pay for the pain he has caused me and my mom all these years. So promise me, no retaliation." Oliver glared at her then nodded in agreement. "Good so when are we doing this?"
"We? What makes you think you are going to be anywhere near this?"
"The fact that I am always in your ear during missions."
"Yes but you need to stay here with Connor and stay relaxed for the baby."
"Oliver, my mom can watch Connor and as for being relaxed, knowing you're in the field will never make me relaxed. Being here without being able to help or warn you by using my systems, will only increase my stress. So I need to be running the comms. I need to know what is happening to you and know that I am helping to keep you safe and getting you back home to us." Her hand fell to the bulge in her stomach.
"Fe-li-ci-ty."
"You can say my name all sexy and cute like that as much as you want but it's not going to change my mind so when are we doing this?"
"I will have Nyssa and Sara do some recon on him tonight. We will use it to step up a plan tomorrow. We can all meet while Connor is at school. Oliver can Darren go with him tomorrow?"
"Sure. We'll tell Connor that Dig needs a final suit fitting. That way he doesn't wonder what's going on."
"Knowing that little guy he probably will think we are all planning his birthday party. He's been dropping hints for a couple weeks now." Laurel laughed. The three of them moved out of the room in order to find the young blonde in question.