Robert and Moira Queen. Two of the most respected people throughout the entire city. That is the common opinion about this couple. This happily married couple that have made so many headlines throughout Starling City. Most of them good. As for the bad? With their unlimited resources at their disposal such problems that might occur would simply vanish overnight. Many would be quick to go silent and forget such things to instead continue to praise this married couple. As for her? Well she has an entirely different opinion of them. They are scum. Plain and simple. The worst sort of people. This couple that sits up high on their high horse looking down towards people. Creating unreachable expectations for their loved ones. Just like they had done to him. Just like how they did to their only child. Their son Oliver Queen.
Oliver Queen. Her boyfriend. A young man that is so different than his parents. So much better than his parents. Someone that has never looked down towards anyone. Someone that was always easy to be around instead of giving off this cold demeanor behind fake smiles like his parents would. To this day it still amazes her how different he is than his parents. So much different and she couldn't be more thankful for it. It just meant that she would have him all to herself and they were the only ones to blame for it. She couldn't be happier as she stands side by side with him right now making a late breakfast in nothing but one of his shirts that barely reach down to cover her where traces of a black thong can be seen underneath inside of their small apartment.
How this came to be some would ask. She will tell you. She can remember it like it was yesterday. Remember the first day she had met Oliver Queen in elementary school. Remember how he had stuck up for her against two bullies that saw fit to pick on her for what she was wearing. Such bullies that would regret saying such things when her right fist collided with one of their noses making them make a hasty retreat. Remember how a teacher had been told a lie by such bullies causing her and Oliver to sit just outside of the principals office. Since that day they had been inseparable. Walking to classes together. Sitting together at lunch. Even times going to her father's apartment just to hang out. But then came the trouble. The trouble once his parents had done some rather unique background checks on her family. Such checks that they deemed unacceptable for their son. A ridiculous notion that had led to their socal meetings to only take place during school hours thought she can distinctly remember the feeling of being watched whenever they were out in the playground.
Then it happened. The unthinkable. The death of her father. The respectable Quentin Lance. A police detective that was well respected in the community. Well respected by his fellow officers leaving her in the care of her mother. God she hated her mother. A mother whenever she was dropped off previous by her father couldn't stop but berate him behind his back. Couldn't stop taunting him and name calling him the worst saying he wasn't a fit father. Wasn't suitable to raise a daughter. But if one good thing could come out of it then it was this. This passing had made her realize something. Had made her realize her feelings for her best friend. A best friend that had surprised her during her father's funeral. Had come rushing to her when she knew well in hand that The Queen forbid their son from attending such a scene. Had stood by her side silently holding her hand the whole time even when everyone else had left except for her mother that was trying to milk every ounce of sympathy from the very few that were left to comfort her. She could still remember how much trouble he had gotten into for that. Remember how he had told her with a grin that he had been grounded for two months with the strict rules that once the school bell rang he would be escorted right on home by their new limo driver. A grin that she couldn't help but return with her heart beating so fast she thought it was gonna explode. But the fun and games had come to a stop throughout the next few weeks. Conversations that always made her curse Robert and Moira Queen inside. Conversations that always started with Oliver telling her how his parents didn't want him to hang out with her. How they considered her a bad influence. Such conversations that always ended up in screaming matches between parents against their son with the mentions of threats to have him home schooled. Empty threats in her book but she never thought it would escalate the way they would when they turned thirteen.
Their first unofficial date. Oh how she could remember that day perfectly. Remember how each of them had snuck out to meet up at their favorite ice cream parlor. The very one her father would always bring her too. This meeting that was filled with laughs and joys but also full of surprises when he had shocked her when he kissed her. A moment that had been seen by the wrong person. Someone close to The Queens that had relayed what they had seen to them. And the consequences were none that anyone would ever suspect. A consequence she would learn the next day in school when she noticed Oliver being uncharastically quiet. This silence that had scared her to the core before she was even more shocked when he had jumped from her touch clearly favoring his back. This flinch that had made nothing but cold fury run through her that would only deepen when she demanded to see his back. A bare back the moment he raised up his shirt made her gasp. These welts across his back as though he had been whipped by a belt. Such a thing that she had never seen before making her take immediate action. Making her take his hand and sneak out of the school away from wandering eyes. These eyes that would find them making her use every short cut and alleyway she knew to lose them before bringing him into the police station. A place that she used to visit all the time with her father. Officers that knew her by name. Some the moment they had seen her had come forward asking what was wrong before cold fury had raced through them when she had told them what she had seen and heard.
But even the good guys lose sometimes too. Even the good guys at times could be overpowered by the corrupt and that is what had happened. What should have been a count of child abuse had turned into a case of kidnapping when The Queens had suddenly arrived when they were taking Oliver's statement demanding that she be charged with kidnapping. A bogus claim that was met with outrage from every single officer in the station but it was not meant to be. Instead the higher powers had won, causing her to heavied with a fine and sentenced to juvenile hall for two years. Two long years that she had been treated like a criminal by her peers. Former friends that would turn to look at her with disgust not believing a word she would say. But he never turned his back on her. He never left. No he stayed by her side visiting her every single day despite his parents trying to stop him from doing so. A boyfriend that would make her smile every single day when she would see him entering into the building. A boyfriend that had been a hit with the guards with his little bribes here and there in the form of gifts allowing her some privileges that she wouldn't normally have. Heck he was even a hit with her fellow inmates when he would sweet talk them melting their hearts in the process until the day had come of her release.
A day that they had been waiting three long years for planning out what was next. And boy did they turn some heads. The moment she had been freed he had picked her up on all of the things a motorcycle and brought her here to this place. A place that they would call their own. Have called their own for the past two years now. A small apartment just big enough for the two of them. An apartment that had been paid five years in advance already. The only money that he had withdrawn from the bank and quickly dished out to the landlord before his parents had noticed. An apartment with neither of their names on the lease but instead a fake identity. A man that doesn't exist except only on paper making it impossible for his parents to find them. But that hadn't stopped them. No they had tried doing everything they could. Canceling every one of his credit cards. Freezing his bank accounts with the order to have them call the authorities if they were to see either of their faces enter into the building. Obstacles that would prove to be difficult in the coming months especially when they would mysteriously be unable to get any sort of work anywhere even though most of their interviews had gone great. But they wouldn't be denied. They wouldn't let them win. Instead they had pulled through finding jobs at a small restaurant just a few blocks down from her apartment. A restaurant not well known through Starling City but The Glades on the other hand? It was considered the place to be. Not the fanciest of restaurants you would find but still a good place to bring your family and friends that offer you great service. Jobs that paid under the table without their names needing to be mentioned in the records in case certain people were still tracking them. Employment that asked no questions. Didn't ask for any ids. Didn't ask any information about even about high school diplomas that neither of them had. Small jobs waitering. Small jobs like working in the kitchen as for her? She liked to sing on the stage. Many of the regulars referred to her as a natural singer with a beautiful singing voice. Some liked to think of her performance as the main event before she would get down from the stage and continue waitressing while Oliver worked in the kitchens with the chefs.
A simple life that she was enjoying. Enjoying waking up next to her boyfriend after a night shift at the restaurant. Enjoy sharing moments with him every single day. Enjoy feeling the love that she had never experienced before in her life besides from her father. A lifestyle she wouldn't mind continuing as long as he is with her. But a lifestyle that couldn't last. She knew this and deep down she knew that he knew as well. Nothing good ever lasts. Eventually their past would come back with a vengeance. She just hoped that it would hold off for a little while longer. Just hold off for just three more days. Three days in which he would turn eighteen. Three days in which they could execute the final stages of their plan.
This thought that makes her glance down towards her left ring finger away from the dishes in her hand that she was cleaning in the sink while Oliver is standing a few feet away cooking eggs on a frying pan for them. A ring that wasn't anything fancy but to her it was everything. A symbol that showed that no matter what he would always choose her over anyone else. A thought that makes Laurel smile often before she flashes a smile at his turned head and goes back to cleaning the dirty dishes from the previous morning. This peaceful silence that is broken up suddenly when the sound of knocking coming from the apartment door echoes through the apartment. This knocking that causes them to look at each other before with a flick Oliver turns off the burner and makes his way over towards the locked apartment door while Laurel sneaks on by into their bedroom to get decent. A door the moment he undoes the locks and opens makes his eyes go wide as saucers when he sees two officers outside of the door. Such a sight that makes him freeze at their stern looks with one raising up a badge for him to see.
" Oliver Queen?"
Hearing the stern voice coming from outside quickly wiggling into a pair of jeans tossing off Oliver's dirty shirt to the side leaving her in nothing but a black bra reaching out to quickly grab a hold of her leather jacket the moment she exits out of the bedroom suddenly Laurel's eyes go wide as saucers when she sees the two police officers standing at the open doorway right over Oliver's shoulders. Officers that look her way for a brief moment before they look back towards Oliver with a stern look.
" You need to come with us."
Worry,panic oh she couldn't keep track of the emotions running through her right now. These emotions that are barely keeping her seated at this moment. Legs that continue to bounce up and down underneath the table while her hands remain on the table clasped together as she glares coldly at the glass across from her. This one way glass that she just knew who was on the other side of the glass. Just knew those damn people were on the other side of the glass smirking at this predictument. Just enjoying seeing her sitting inside of this interrogation room once again. Just enjoying seeing her handcuffed to one of the table's legs. A couple if they were to get in reaching length she would make sorry. Oh so sorry but that is the least of her worries right now. No what she is really concerned about is the person not in the room with her right now. A boyfriend that had been separated from her the moment they had stepped foot inside of the station. A boyfriend that she can imagine feeling exactly how she is feeling making her question things. Making her question just how they had been discovered.
They had been so carefully leaving no paper trail behind. Not visiting their usual places. Not socializing outside of the restaurant or apartment where they could be seen. They just begged the question who had seen them. Could it have been a possible special investigator hired by The Queens to find their son? Had someone from their past seen them and reported them to the authorities? She couldn't be too sure. What she did know was she needed to get out of here and fast. Needed to get out of this room. Needed to get to her boyfriend before Robert and Moira Queen could start the next stages of their plan. Why they are so obsessed with controlling their son was still anyone's guess. Perhaps it was about keeping their public image? She didn't know noir she cared. She just wished for them to stay the hell out of their lives.
A thought that is shaken away when she hears the sound of the integration door opening. Sees three officers entering inside of the room. One that she knew must be some kind of hot shot lawyer from the way she is dressed. Another that from what she can see on his uniform must be one of the higher ranked officers inside of the station. If she had to guess the police chief but she couldn't be too sure. She couldn't remember ever seeing his face but as for the remaining officer? That one is a welcomed sight. Lucas Hilton. A man that worked closely with her father. A man that she truly respects remembering all of the times she sat at the dinner table inside of her father's apartment listening to old stories about him and her father from their days in the academy. A man that flashes her a faint smile before his eyes drill into the others as he comes to stand by her side resting a comforting hand down on her shoulder.
" Now then before we get started can I offer you a drink Ms Lance? Perhaps a glass of water?"
Staring hard into the eyes of the lawyer that comes to sit across from her that just ignores her in favor of flipping open an folder down on the table the moment she sees her lifting up her eyes to meet her own without looking away Laurel raises up her arms to cross them over her chest as she feels Hilton gently squeezing her shoulder.
" Let's cut to the chase shall we? Why am I here? I don't recall breaking any laws recently."
Keeping her emotions in check from seeing this lawyer have the nerve to flash her a smile as she sees her grab a stack of papers and loudly ruffle them together Laurel narrows her eyes dangerous at her.
" Why for kidnapping of course."
A statement the moment it escapes her mouth makes Laurel grit her teeth as her fingers dig hard into the palm of her hands. This anger that is also seen up above in Hilton's eyes as she stares at the lawyer with anger in his eyes. These eyes for a brief moment flick towards the police chief seeing him looking down towards the integration table avoiding everyone's eyes. This look that makes his anger only deepen before he focuses solely on the lawyer. A lawyer that he knew all too well. In fact most in the city know just who exactly she is. Kate Spencer. The district attorney of Starling City. A woman that is feared inside of the courtroom. A woman that has lost only a few cases in her career. A woman that is known to be close to The Queens. Some could say their own personal lawyer if the reports about them having dinner on occasions are true. A woman that should not be here. In fact everything that has transpired so far didn't make any sense. It was as though everything had been planned out to the letter. Planned way too perfectly for his liking with his instincts from his years on the force screaming out.
" Kidnapping? I don't know what you mean. Perhaps you can clarify it for me? I don't remember ever kidnapping anyone in my life."
" Oh Ms Lance. We both know that isn't true but if you would like me to clarify it for you then allow me to remind you of this."
Having a real good idea on what is about to happen next instantly Laurel isn't disappointed when she sees Spencer gently place down picture after picture in front of her in the middle of the table. Pictures that spoke volumes. Spoke of the last couple of her years from her life. Pictures of Oliver and herself when they had been thirteen holding hands with smiling faces. Pictures of them talking outside at the lone table just outside of the school. But then there are more recent photographs. A photo of her mug shot when she had been sentenced to juvie hall. Photos of herself with Oliver inside of the hall having a conversation between themselves. Photos of them at the restaurant that they work at with her on the stage in the middle of her act. Such pictures that shock her to the core but she wouldn't let it show as she keeps her face emotionless. Keeps her cool with so many questions on her mind to instead look back up towards Spencer while suppressing the urge to reach out and strangle the woman that just smiles at her as though she has already won the case.
" Two years sentenced to juvenile hall. Not a moment after you were released from your sentence you went back to our old bag of tricks kidnapping Oliver Queen once again ..."
" Oh? I don't recall that. I do remember that day though. When I was released from my sentence for a crime i did not commit my boyfriend had been outside of the building waiting for me. Now i'll admit i was rather shocked. I mean we always talked about owning a motorcycle and traveling around the world on it but i didn't imagine we would own one so quickly. I guess being born with the last name Queen has its advantages. Anyways after that well things get rather fuzzy. Personally I blame it on teenage hormones."
Shrugging her shoulders casually feeling quite pleased from getting a reaction out of Spencer that just glares at her feeling her shoulder once again being squeezed glancing up towards Hilton seeing him trying to suppress his laughter not even bothering to hid her smirk Laurel looks back forward to glance between the lawyer and the police chief.
" Well this was a fun chat now if you don't mind get these cuffs off of me. My shift at the restaurant is in a few hours and i don't want to be late. Unlike you, I do the job that I signed up for and not protect a bunch of child abusers that fill up your pockets full of blood money."
That definitely gets the desired reaction she is looking for when Spencer despite the sweetest forced smile she can muster looks her way with shock and anger in her eyes. This look that shows she hit the nail right on the head. It was no secret to her now that Robert and Moira Queen were filling this woman's pockets. Hell they might even be giving her more if she can somehow manage to put her away for good but she would love to see her try. She has done her homework. Knows fully well the law by now. Knows the rules that this lawyer can't break. Can try to bend but never break.
" I'm afraid that is out of the question Ms Lance. Especially for a repeat offender such as yourself. Our records state during your encarnacion you showed no ill will towards the guards. No ill will towards the other inmates. I must say it states you had been a well behaved citizen during your time served ..."
" What can I say? I'm a good girl. Now why don't you stop wasting my time and release me so that my boyfriend and I can get out of here. I feel we have overstayed our welcome here. Besides i can't stand being in the same room as filth. I do have a question for you. I couldn't help but notice that is a rather nice suit that you are wearing. What I do wonder about is that the same suit that had been ducked away in your closet or is it the same one that was crumbled up at the foot of Robert Queen's bed this morning?"
Instantly as she sees Spencer's eyes go wide with a hint of her cheeks blushing red not even bothering to hide her smirk Laurel leans back in her chair.
" That's what I thought. You're not the only that had done their homework. I know all about Robert Queen and his mistresses. It's well known in The Glades that the head of a multi million dollar company has these dare i say urges to sleep around with other women while he tries to keep up the profile of being a faithful husband. Oh i can't imagine what his wife thinks of all of this. Afterall you would have to be a complete idiot not to notice such a thing. I wonder though if she knows about you sleeping with her husband? Perhaps I should ask her the next time we meet."
Keeping her eyes focused on her face seeing the lawyer's face get even redder with a mixture of rage and embarrassment in a move that even shocks her suddenly Spencer stands up from her seat and turns on her heels to make her way out of the room causing Laurel's smirk to return in tenfold.
" Wait!? Where are you going!? I thought you wanted to have a friendly chat!?"
Hearing the sound of the integration door slamming shut staring at the glass until she can't see the lawyer anymore with her smirk widening Laurel glances up towards Hilton as she shrugs her shoulders.
" Guess not. Now do you mind?"
Without looking away Laurel raises up her right hand and dangles the chain of the cuff attached to her wrist causing the police chief's eyes to return back to her.
" This thing is starting to itch."
" I'm afraid not Ms Lance. It is as Ms Spencer had stated. You are being charged with kidnapping."
Turning her body fully around to face the police chief that just looks her way with a stern look crossing her arms over her chest returning the look just as she opens her mouth suddenly Laurel is silenced when she feels Hilton returning his hand back down onto her shoulder.
" Chief? With all do respect. These charges are bullshit!"
Snapping her eyes up towards Hilton seeing nothing but anger being directed towards the police chief that looks as though he is about to blow a gasket suppressing the urge to smile Laurel turns her attention back forward with an equally cold look.
" You and I both know that these ridiculous claims are just that. Ridiculous. I know this woman. Hell, I helped raise her into the fine young woman that she is today. You know what's in the file. We both do. Last time she came here she tried to do the right thing. She tried to help the young man that you willingly had locked away in one of the holding cells without questioning a single thing about it. She tried to help her now boyfriend escape an abusive environment and the thanks she gets is this phony charge that you are willingly helping to achieve dropped on her yet again. What's next? Huh!? You going to try to get the death penalty next!?"
" That is quite enough! Detective Hilton!? A quick word outside please!"
Feeling her shoulder being given one last gentle squeeze glancing up Laurel watches Hilton follow the police chief out of the interrogation before with her facial features hardening she turns her head to look towards the glass. Looks towards her reflection in the mirror knowing fully well just who is standing at the other side of the glass.
" I know you're there Mrs Queen so listen carefully. I know you are the one responsible for all of this happening. It's never been a secret to me that you disapprove of me. I would venture to guess that you were the main driving force for trying to separate me from your son. Know this. I'm going to marry your son. I'm going to give birth to the next generation of your family but they will not be born as a Queen. No they will be born as a Lance. I will tell them bedtime stories of the bitch that they can call a grandmother. I will watch them grow up giving them all the love that i can that you and your husband never showed your own son. And when your time finally comes? When you are finally being lowered down into the ground? I'm going to look at your corpse and smile."