Synopsis: Life for Felicity and William is difficult without Oliver. How do they manage life in a new city and with new identities? How does Felicity/Erin Elliot deal with guys hitting on her now that she can't wear her wedding ring? How does William/Clay Elliot manage in a new school, having to make all new friends and not being able to tell anyone his real name?

Ch. 1

It's been twenty-four hours since the FBI took Oliver into custody. Four hours since Felicity and William, now Erin and Clayton Elliot were dropped into a new city as new people, completely different from their old selves. And different backstories too.

For the sake of protecting their true identities, Felicity and William are not stepmom and stepmom. They are mother and son. Felicity/Erin's son's father isn't in jail. He's not in the picture and never has been. She can't wear her wedding ring, because she's not married. She never has been. William/Clayton can't talk about his father or even say he misses his dad to anyone but Felicity.

Felicity and William are settling into what will be their home for the foreseeable future. It isn't home though. It doesn't feel like home. It will never be home, because Oliver isn't there.

"Mom?" William tried out for the first time, the word feeling foreign coming from his mouth for the first time since Samantha died.

As Clayton, William was going to have to call Felicity 'mom', so he figured that he better get comfortable and used to saying it.

"You know, you don't have to call me mom at home if you don't want to." Felicity answered

William nodded, "I know, but I don't want to slip up when we are out and accidentally call you Felicity. I can't call you Erin because it's not your name, so I'll just call you mom instead."

"Okay." Felicity agreed, "Everything alright, Will?"

It would take awhile for her to adjust to being called mom. She had been playing the role for almost a year, but she had never actually been called 'mom' before which she understood because William was close to his mom. She never expected him to call her mom, but now he didn't really have any choice in the matter.

"I'm fine." William replied, "Are you okay?"

Felicity forced a smile, "Yeah. Just worried about your father."

"He'll be fine, won't he?"

"I don't know. Your dad is one of the strongest people I know, but I don't know if he will survive this. I don't know if I can survive without him."

William hugged Felicity, "It's a good thing we have each other then."

"I promised your father I would take care of you."

"Well you're all I've got now, so we'll take care of each other."

Felicity pressed a kiss to William's temple, "Oh...I love you.

"I love you too."

"So shall we go explore the new town we'll be living in?"

William shrugged, "I guess. Maybe it will help take my mind off of dad."

Felicity forced a smile for her kid and ruffled his hair, "That's the spirit."

While Felicity and William were walking around town, looking through the windows of the stores and shoppes. Felicity was checking out where the grocery store, bank, school and the coffee shop where she'd be working are. William was searching for places to hang out with the friends that he will hopefully make.

William spots an archery place a few yards ahead. He grabs Felicity's hand, pulling her back towards him.

Felicity turned towards William, "W...What is it, Clay?"

William pointed out the archery place. Felicity looked over and sighed, pulling the boy in for a hug.

"Oh...I know, buddy. I completely understand."

William wrapped his arms tightly around Felicity, "I miss it, Mom." He said it instead of dad, but he knew that Felicity would know what he meant.

"Well we can check it out and if they have classes, I can sign you up for some." Felicity suggested, "Just don't go all you know what on me. My mama heart couldn't take it."

"I know. I won't, mom, but I don't think I want to take classes. It would just remind me of it."

Felicity nodded, "I understand that thinking, but maybe it would help you feel closer. Give you a piece of it so it doesn't feel so far away."

"Can you even afford archery classes on a barista's salary?"

Felicity sighed. She was so used to not having to worry about money that she had forgotten about the money problems of her cover identity: 'Erin' the single mom who had a kid at sixteen and didn't go to college.

William fitted his hand inside of Felicity's hand, "It's okay. I don't need the classes. All I need is you, Mom."

"Alright. Well you know I can't cook, so let's go get something to eat."

"Do you think there's a Big Belly Burger?" William asked

Felicity shrugged, "I don't know. We can look, but if there isn't one I'm sure we can get a burger and fries somewhere else."

"Yeah, but they have Big Belly Burger everywhere."

Felicity laughed slightly, "Yeah. They do, angel."

Thirty minutes later, Felicity and William were sitting in a Big Belly Burger waiting for their food after ordering. It was quiet. Neither one felt much like talking right now. They both loved Big Belly Burger, but the last time they were at one was after Oliver was acquitted and before he made the deal with Agent Watson.

Glancing over at the tv, Felicity and William saw Oliver's announcement that he had made a few hours ago. The announcement about being the Green Arrow. It took everything in them not to react and show that they knew Oliver.

"Star City. It's a crazy city, huh? The mayor being a vigilante." The waiter said as he brought over the food, "I'm sure glad I don't live there."

"Yeah. It's pretty crazy." Felicity agreed with him even though it pained her to do so, "It's actually the reason my son and I moved here. Just had to get away after the mayor outed himself. Can never really trust anyone, huh?"

The waiter gave a nod, "Enjoy your food." Then he walked away, leaving Felicity and William alone.

William furrowed his eyebrows at Felicity, "Mom?"

"I know. I'm sorry. I didn't mean it. It's just…" She responded in a hushed tone, trailing off.

William blinked a few times, "It's alright. I understand."

A couple days later, Felicity took William to school. She had walked him in because she wanted to make sure he got to class safely. Plus she had to talk to the school principal.

After talking with the principal, Felicity left the office, rushing off to work and bumping into a parent on the way out.

"Oh sorry." The parent apologised, even though they weren't at fault.

Felicity waved it off, "It's fine. I'm the one that wasn't looking where I was going."

"Hey. I saw you walk your son in earlier. He's the new student."

Felicity nodded, "Yeah. I'm Erin."

"Jack." The parent introduced, "I have a son and a daughter here. They're in first and fifth grade."

"My son's in seventh." Felicity replied, "And as much as I would love to stay and chat, I have to get to work."

Jack nodded, "Well it was nice meeting you, Erin."

"You too, Jack." Felicity said before running off.

Felicity was trying to be cordial, but she knew the guy was flirting with her. It killed her that she couldn't wear her wedding ring or tell anyone she was married. As long as she was Erin, no one would know that she was married because she wasn't married. I mean, she was as Felicity, but Erin wasn't married.

Upon arriving at work, Felicity started her first day of work as Erin. Her first time working in a coffee shop since college. 'Here we go again.' Felicity thought as she put on the coffee shop apron or smock, whatever you want to call it.

Meanwhile with William. He was sitting in class, distracted, thinking about his dad. Mourning his dad like he mourned his biological mother. Oliver may have been alive in prison, but for William, he was kind of dead. William couldn't visit his father or even talk about him. He understood that his dad had made a deal with the FBI to protect him and Felicity from Diaz, but that deal had ruined his life.

"Clayton." The teacher called

William glanced up, "Huh? I mean, yes Ms. Marsh?"

"What is a mitochondria?"

William completely spaced. Science wasn't his strong suit, but that wasn't the only reason that he was distracted. It wasn't fair. His dad was in prison and he was hiding out in another town under a fake name with a made up backstory. It's only been three days, but he missed his dad like crazy. He just wanted to be able to see his dad and he can't.

"I...uh…" William stuttered, "I don't know." Then he got up and walked briskly out of the classroom. To be honest, he didn't really care about what a mitochondria was anyways. How could he even think or focus on school when his dad is in prison?

Hope you enjoy. Comments are greatly appreciated.