' Keep focused. Take slow deep breathes….'
The simplest of words. Words that could be heard echoing through the mind of millions at a time. A few small words that could mean so much. Could keep one's head on it's shoulders. Keep any emotion in check with it's effects.
Emotions from feeling intense anger to the point nothing would matter for just a small period of time to even feeling so sad and depressed as though nothing was going their way.
But in one mind these words are keeping something buried deep inside. Keeping the fire within from over taking her. From flowing through her veins.
A fire that has seemed to burn internally for the past few days. A fire that needed to be unleashed. Not talked about. Not to be expressed through words but with her fists.
The very same fists that are now pummeling away at a large punching bag with only a set of eyes watching her. The same fists that have been carefully taped up like other countless nights with only one objective.
To inflict pain. To hone her skills. Skills that have been slowly improving with each passing day. Skills that are now being taken out on the punching bag.
Well placed strikes that have been taught to her throughout the weeks. Strikes from various punches to kicks. Although she knew her kicks were deadlier than the first. Deadlier especially when she had first delivered a high kick with tremendous force.
Enough force that had caused a rip to be made in the punching bag she had been using. Such force that caused her fellow students to look in her direction with amazement.
Kicks that she has made into her number one objective to improve even further along with successfully performing a few combos using everything she has learned. Everything she has learned from him.
The same man that now sits nearby watching her every movement with a ghost smile across his face. A man that has stayed by her side each and every night ever since they started coming here. The very same that she would do anything for. Including avenging his pain.
The pain of what had occurred to him just a few nights ago. Pain that she can still see him masking deep inside as he watches her. Pain that can still be seen across his body.
An arm in an cast and sling. A noticeable limp with a large bruise across his leg just hidden underneath his sweat pants. Bandages all across his ribs that could be barely seen below his shirt. And last but not least a gash that could barely be seen inside of his hairline.
Injuries inflicted by one individual. Inflicted by a man. A man named Floyd Lawton. That was what the news report was anyways.
A man that has been tied to a series of unanswered murders for the past couple of years. Including a few that have happened in previous years inside of Starling City. A dangerous man.
The very same man that can now be found residing inside of a hospital bed with armed law enforcement officials watching over him. Residing inside of a hospital bed with major injuries all across his body. Reports even suggested he had nearly every bone in his body broken from a fall.
A fall from the second story of an abandoned building to only crash down onto a parked car instantly sounding off the automobile's alarms. Alarms that had saved his life. Although many wished he didn't survive the fall including herself.
But what had caused him to fall was still unanswered. Although many had an idea of what could have caused it. Or who could have caused it to be more precise. A figure that has been lurking in the shadows for the past couple of months. A figure that has made headlines.
A figure that was still unknown in her mind. Are they friend or are they foe? A question she would find out one day along with many others. Only she would be prepared. Prepared incase for the later. Be prepared for a fight if it came down to it.
But first she needed to focus. First she needed to focus on the task at hand. The task of honing her skills. Even though with each passing second it was getting harder and harder. Not because of the work that she needed to put into it.
Not because she thought it was too hard. No all because of the fire. The fire that desperately wanted to be unleashed. A fire that seemed to burn even more as she would get lost into her thoughts.
Get lost into her thoughts about what had occurred just nights ago remembering every little detail. Remembering the fear she had felt when a gunshot had struck a nearby woman. The same fear that stayed with her as she was being lead through the room by Oliver as the sound of nearby screams engulfed the air.
Fear that only intensified when she heard him letting out a small scream in pain. Pain that had lead to them being driven down a pair of stairs. Pain that had caused this to happen.
Pain that has made the power in each of her strikes increase by the second as she relives the moment. Relives the most terrifying moment of her life. A moment she would never forget along with many others.
Never forget when she would hear the name of his tormenter. The man responsible for scarring him for life. Not only physically but mentally as well. Scars that would slowly heal over time. But not like this.
Not if these men were still out there. Men that would haunt his mind reopening his scars. Reawakening his nightmares. The very same she has listened to on sleepless nights.
Nightmares she can remember in full. Remember him calling out for her with so much pain in his voice. Remember the anger she had felt towards his tormenter with each passing second as she would listen to his pleads. The very same anger that can be seen in her eyes as she takes it all out on the punching bag now.
A bag that can now be heard echoing vicious strike one after another all across the gym. A scene that unaware to her knowledge makes a pair of eyes look in her direction with so much concern. Enough concern to limp his way over towards her as she continues to land combinations all across the bag before suddenly as she delivers a high kick towards the bag she comes to a complete stop when she feels a hand gently being placed on her shoulder.
A gesture that makes her look over her shoulder to see him looking towards her with concern before slowly with a smile forming across her face she reaches up to gently lay her hand on top of his.
" I'm okay."
Without taking her eyes away from his for the next few seconds as Laurel stares deep into Oliver's eyes seeing nothing but concern radiating for her wellbeing coming from his eyes slowly as a small smile forms across her face gently she gives his hand a squeeze before suddenly as she hears the sound of his cellphone going off from his pocket slowly she retracts her hand to see him retrieving his cellphone.
Leaning over as she looks down to see a familiar name across the caller id that she had not expecting to hear from for quite a while a confused look forms across Laurel's face before slowly as she looks back up towards Oliver's face to see him smiling in her direction Laurel can't help but roll her eyes as she reaches out and gently takes the phone out of his hand.
" Oliver Queen's office. Ms Lance speaking."
" Hello Laurel? Is Oliver available? I need to have a quick word with him. It's important."
" Hello Mr Steele. I'm afraid Oliver is a little preoccupied at the moment. Can i take a message?"
Glancing over her shoulder as she sees Oliver eyeballing her body up and down with a smile forming across her face slowly Laurel sways her hips before she sticks her tongue out at him.
" Yes Ms Lance. Can you please inform Oliver that an emergency meeting has been called by the board of directors that has been scheduled for tomorrow afternoon. I would like for him to be present for these meetings."
Raising up her free hand slowly Laurel motions Oliver over as she sees a confused look forming across his face before she gives him a small smile.
" Hold on a second."
Lowering the cellphone down from her ear as she leans back Laurel pecks Oliver on the lips before she pulls back to give him a smile.
" I think you better take this."
Giving her a nod as he gently takes the cellphone out of her hand Oliver can't help but smile when he feels her giving him a quick kiss on the cheek before slowly he raises the cellphone up to his ear as he sees Laurel making her way over towards the boxing ring as she slowly unwraps her hands.
" Hey Walter."
" Oliver? It's damn good to hear your voice. How have you been?"
" I've been alright Walter. I take it this isn't a social call?"
" I'm afraid not. It has come to my attention that an emergency meeting has been called forth tomorrow afternoon by members of the board. The details have not been disclosed as to why the meeting has been called.
However i would strongly advise you to attend. I know that this is short notice and with recent events that have taken place with your health but i do believe it would be wise for you to attend."
" I'm sorry Walter but i've been advised not attend such meetings. Anything that could provide me with any sort of stress."
" I see? Doctor's orders or Ms Lance's own?"
Glancing over towards the ring as he sees Laurel throwing the last of the wrapping from her right hand down to the ground before she starts to slowly unwrap her left hand slowly a smile forms across Oliver's face.
" Both but mostly her's. I intend to always keep it that way. No matter what i think, I know in the end that she is always right. She is the successful lawyer after all."
Coming to an halt as she looks over towards Oliver to see him looking in her direction with a smile across his face Laurel can't help but do the same before slowly she resumes her task.
" Very well. I'll keep you informed about what happens tomorrow. When i hear something i'll inform you."
Snapping his cell phone shut with a thud as he slowly pockets his cellphone suddenly as he feels a pair of arms gently wrapping around the back of his neck slowly Oliver looks up just in time to see Laurel leaning forward before he feels her pressing her lips to his own for a gentle kiss.
" Not that i'm complaining but what was that for?"
" Oh nothing. I just love my boyfriend so much that's all."
With a smile forming across his face slowly Oliver leans forward to give Laurel another kiss before a few seconds later he feels her pulling back to give him a bright smile.
" Besides. I always love it when you listen to me. What was it that you said? I believe it was that i'm always right."
As she sees Oliver nodding his head slowly Laurel's smile widens before just as she leans back forward intending to give him another kiss the sound of someone clearing their throat causes her to come to a stop to look over her shoulder to see Ted at the far end of the room leaning against an open doorway with his hands noticeably behind his back.
" I hope that i'm not intruding?"
" Well not anymore."
Letting out a chuckle as he leans off the doorway slowly Ted makes his way through the gym in Oliver's and Laurel's direction to see the later looking in his direction with a confused look across her face Ted can't help but shake his head as a ghost smile forms across his face before mere moments later he comes to a stop just a couple of feet away from her.
" I hate to admit when i'm wrong about something. But in this case i'm feeling quite the opposite. It's been a long time since i've seen men and women much like yourselves with such dedication to learning and honing your skills.
Not to inflict harm onto others for mere selfish reasons. But instead for the exact opposite. And i've been ever more impressed watching you Ms Lance.
Although you have just started and much more to learn just like Mr Queen does himself you continue to push forward. You have soaked up everything that Mr Queen or I have taught you and for that i have a gift for you."
Glancing back and forth between the couple in front of him as he slowly removes his hands from behind his back revealing a wooden staff just a little shorter than himself slowly a ghost smile forms across Ted's face as he sees the confusion across Laurel's own before in an instant Ted gently tosses the staff over towards Laurel that is caught easily.
" This once belonged to a friend of mine. A close personal friend that would spend hours pushing himself to limits that he didn't even know that he possessed. When he left he left this behind and now i would like for you to have it.
Use it like how he done before you. Make the staff become a part of you. Continue to harness your skills and push on forward."
Glancing away from the staff in her hands as she looks back up to see Ted giving her the slightest of nods slowly Laurel returns the favor before as she slowly takes a few steps away from Oliver towards an unoccupied spot inside of the gym Laurel can't help but look down towards the staff in her hands.
A weapon in which she had never had the opportunity to use before. A weapon for some odd reason deep inside seemed to feel so normal to hold. Feel natural to hold as though she was destined to hold the weapon in her hands. A feeling as though she once held this weapon before.
A weapon that seemed almost weightless to her. Much like another set of weapons that she once had held. Although this time the weapon within her grasp would turn out to be a challenge. Another challenge that she was looking forward to completing. Especially if she was to achieve her goals.
Coming to a complete stop as she twirls the staff around through her fingers glancing over her shoulder a smile forms across Laurel's face when she sees Ted giving her a slight nod before in a sudden motion snapping her head around without a moment's hesitation Laurel twirls the staff around to deliver a series of moves.
Moves that unaware to her knowledge make Oliver's eyes go slightly wide along with Ted's own from what he sees. A fighting stance being delivered with so much graze with every move. Delivered with so much accuracy. Even though it is her first time using the staff.
A sight that makes him smile inside from seeing the same look of focus across her face that he would constantly see whenever she would set foot inside of a courtroom. A look that he always loved to see across her face. Especially when he knew she was doing what she believed was the right thing to do in her heart.
Twirling the staff down to an halt as she lowers the staff down under her arm to the sound of clapping coming from behind with a smile forming across her face slowly Laurel turns around before her smile widens even more an a small blush forms across her face when she sees Oliver clapping his hands while Ted does the same as he makes his way over towards the boxing ring.
" Very impressive Ms Lance."
Turning away from Oliver as she turns towards the ring to see Ted disappearing for a split second from the other side of the ring to only reappear a moment later with a staff in his hands.
" Now show me that you have what it takes to take me down."
With her eyes going slightly wide as she watches Ted slowly making his way over towards her with her eyes locked on him slowly Laurel starts to circle around him as she sees him doing the same while her grip on her staff tightens when after a mere few seconds without giving him a chance to react Laurel bursts from her spot to send a staff strike intended for Ted's head before the sound of wood striking wood echoes throughout the gym.
Pulling back as she sends another strike that is easily blocked by Ted without letting up for a single second pushing forward Laurel sends another staff strike one after another in Ted's direction to only receive the same results when suddenly as she feels her feet being kicked out Laurel's eyes widen before just as she lands back first onto the mat with a thud in a sudden move Laurel rolls off to the side just in time as she sees Ted sending a staff strike down intended for her chest.
Hearing the sound of the staff striking the mat with a vicious thud without any hesitation Laurel snaps up to her feet before as she sees Ted sending a low strike from his kneeling position intended for her legs rearing back Laurel blocks the staff attack with her own causing her to feel the shockwave vibrating up her arms.
Staying on the defensive as she sees Ted snapping up to his own feet to deliver a series of staff combinations in her direction reacting on pure instinct Laurel keeps up with his movements blocking every attack she sees being sent in her direction before in a sudden motion as she sees Ted attempting to kick her feet out from her once again bursting from her spot Laurel leaps up into the air causing Ted's low spinning kick to miss.
Without any hesitation as she sends a staff strike down causing Ted to block her staff strike causing a small opening to present itself to her in a sudden move Laurel kicks the staff out of Ted's hands before as she snapping her body around to send a spinning high strike suddenly Laurel comes to a stop as she points the end of her staff at Ted.
Keeping her aim true as she looks towards Ted's face to see a small grin forming across his face slowly Laurel can't help but do the same before slowly as she lowers down her staff glancing over her shoulder a ghost smile forms across Laurel's face when she sees Oliver making his way over towards her with a smile of his own.
" Most impressive Ms Lance. It seems that i was right about you."
Looking back forward as she sees Ted making his way over towards the other side of the gym to retrieve his lost staff slowly Laurel's smile widens when she feels Oliver gently wrapping his arm around her from behind before suddenly as she feels him kissing the side of her neck silently Laurel lets out a moan.
" That was totally badass."
Letting out a chuckle as she turns her head leaning back Laurel pecks Oliver on the lips before gently she lays her head against the side of his own.
" I know."
" Where did you?"
" Police officer as a father. Remember?"
" He taught you how to…."
" Not exactly. When i was first starting to look for a firm to work for he brought me to the side and showed me some basic moves using a few police batons that he had borrowed from the station.
I pointed out to him afterwards that it was pointless for me to learn how to use them since i would never carry any on me. But i suppose it's the thought that counts."
Nodding his head as he gently pulls Laurel closer into his chest causing her to gently grab a hold of his hand as she leans back into his embrace slowly Oliver takes his eyes away from her to look over towards the other end of the gym to see Ted emerging into his office.
" Does he always have to do that?"
" I guess he does. Remember what he said when we first came to train here. At times he would be here to help train us in different forms of combat. But mostly he would just be a ghost to us.
Even though he has helped show us some new fighting techniques we are on our own. And to be honest i like it that way. Oliver and Laurel versus the world like it has always been. Always and forever."
Nodding his head as he leans down to gently peck Laurel on the cheek a small smile forms across Oliver's face before gently he rests his head down on her shoulder.
" Anything that gets you to wear a pair of shorts."
Letting out a few giggles as she turns her head to see a smile across Oliver's face slowly Laurel shakes her head before she leans her head back.
" Is that so?"
" Yep."
" Well then i suppose you have earned yourself a reward later that i guarantee will be very pleasurable for the both of us. Even in your current condition. Remember i'm very flexible when it comes to my Oliver."
Author's Notes: Hey guys and gals. A quick update. Instead of answering each review individuality like i have done in the past i'm gonna start answering them here in an author's view.
kindleflame5- I don't won't to give out spoilers but you will not be disappointed with what is planned for Laurel and Thea going forward in the story. Even though it has taken a while and neither have put on a mask yet as you can see from previous chapters Laurel has revenge on the mind.
Pootamis