Disclaimer: WB/DC own these characters. I'm only borrowing them for a while. I own the original ideas found in this.
AN: Thank you for the wonderful response towards the last chapter! Always appreciated. And several reviews mentioned poor Tommy, of course. I should've mentioned him earlier in an AN. I am going to have him get a new girlfriend, but…do you guys have any idea as to who it should be? Let me know, and I might take advantage of your idea. I got to think of a very good one for him, for he deserves only the best! But it may be a while…guess we just have to let this story go where it will…as I type that, several plot bunnies bounced out and began to wave it me. (Whew, finally!)
Anyhoo, I am very, very sorry it took so long to get this out. I did have most of this chapter written, but between me mislabeling which chapter it is, and with several other stories highjacking my attention for a while, it got put on the back burner. Finally, here it is. I like it, and so I dearly hope you will too. Especially if you are a Lauriver shipper!
Previously:
Looking at the clock on the wall, Oliver got a determined look on his face. "I got some things to do, but why don't you meet me at Verdant at 6pm?"
Laurel looked at him, a question in her eyes. "I don't feel like clubbing tonight, Oliver…."
"Um, my…hideout is underneath Verdant. In a hidden basement."
Her lips formed a silent 'oh'. Oliver got up, leaned over and kissed her. He would've pulled away, but Laurel grabbed his shoulders to bring him closer for another, deeper kiss. She then pulled away and looked into his eyes. "We will work this out, Oliver. Trust me."
He nodded. "Bring some workout clothes," he said as he went to the bedroom to find a shirt. Laurel sat in silence as she pulled her legs up under her and nibbled on a piece of toast.
Laurel had spent the day getting the costume ready, and trying to keep her nerves within a tolerable level. She pulled up into the back parking lot of Verdant, got out of the car, and stopped for a moment. Oliver hadn't told her where to meet him exactly. She decided to try the back employees' door, and found it unlocked.
As she walked into the semidarkness, Laurel reminded herself she had been here several times before, alone, in the day light, and there was never a reason to be afraid. Knowing that the Hood's secret hideout was under Verdant, though, now gave it a more…sinister…air to the atmosphere. She shook herself and yelled for Oliver.
"Right here, Laurel."
She hadn't noticed him coming up from behind her. I'm probably going to have to work on those observation skills. "I'm here, and ready to get started."
She watched as Oliver's face went through several expressions, and settled on his "patient" look. "Okay, first a few things. You probably know these, but I'm still going to say. No one, but no one, is to know about the hideout."
Laurel swallowed a Well, duh and an eyeroll, only nodding her understanding.
"The code to the back secret door leading to the downstairs lair is 091707."
"That's…"
Oliver bit his lower lip and nodded. "Yeah, that's the date the yacht went down." Shrugging, he said, "I know. A psychiatrist could have a heyday analyzing that." He gave another half eye-roll, half shoulder shrug, his lips curling up in a self-depreciating smile. "As well as most everything else about me, I suppose."
He began to lead her to the back of the bar. "The code is good for the hidden door in here, as well as to the door from the alley." He stopped at a door, punched in numbers, and it opened to a dark passageway. The lights turned on revealed a long staircase.
Looking at her shoes, Oliver said, "Good, you're wearing sneakers. Just remember, when you wear heels, these steps aren't solid. Heels have been known to slip through the holes and get stuck."
As they went down the stairs, Laurel began to look around and couldn't believe what she saw. And then again, it was exactly what a superhero's lair would look like, if she ever had a reason to think about it. A table full of computers, another full of materials she assumed to make arrowheads, a display case for said arrowheads. Along the back was a mat-covered floor where she presumed was the work-out area. Looking upwards, she observed what looked like two posts hanging down, with brackets evenly spaced on each side.
In answer to her unspoken question, Oliver said, "It's called a salmon ladder. It helps build muscle and endurance."
He led her to the table with the computers and pulled out a chair, which she sat in gratefully. "Quite the place you have here."
"Yes, well, Felicity helped me set up the computers, once she came on board."
"Felicity?" A slight tremor of jealousy ran through her.
"Oh, she works in IT at QC. I ended up recruiting her the night Mom shot me and I had nowhere else to turn."
Laurel blinked several times. "What?"
Oliver rolled his eyes. "It's going to take some time to get you caught up, I guess. Well, yeah, you heard about Mom getting 'attacked' by the Hood last month at QC…"
Laurel slapped her forehead. "With everything else going on, and the shock of it all, I haven't had time to think through everything. OMG, Oliver…your own mother shot you! What were you doing going after your mother anyway?"
"Well, as you found out, Mom was involved with the Undertaking as well. During our investigation, we finally figured that out, and I needed information. She wasn't going to give it to me, so I figured the Hood could scare it out of her. Instead, she got the drop on me, pulled out a gun, and shot me."
Laurel shook her head as he continued. "I had nowhere else to turn, and Felicity was luckily working late that night, so I managed to crawl to her car and…she got one hell of a surprise that night. I had thought of recruiting her, but never would've done it that way, if given a choice."
Realization dawned on her. "Oh! She's the computer geek who was here the other night helping you with the internet. The thin blonde in the glasses…."
Oliver smiled. "Yes, that's her."
Laurel again examined Oliver. "The way you smiled just now…are you sure I have nothing to be jealous of, you and her?"
The color vanished from Oliver's face. He stuttered as he rushed to explain. "No, Laurel, there's nothing between Felicity and me. Well, except for friendship. She's…she's just been such a breath of fresh air for me. She truly speaks her mind, looks at the world with optimism, and has truly helped me with my crusade. That's all." More softly he added, "There's only been one woman for me since I've been back."
Laurel considered his statement, then again looked at him with a skeptical look on her face. "Um, what about Helena and Mackenna?"
Oliver blushed a tinge of pink. "Well, you were with Tommy, and I thought you deserved him more than me…"
Laurel looked at him, and wondered whether she should let him off the hook. This year had certainly been one very confusing year, a rollercoaster of feelings regarding the man in front of her. Thinking about the options, she decided to forge ahead with this new relationship, and see where it takes them. Keeping all past relationships on the past.
"As long as you're only seeing me…we shall go from there then."
Taking her hand, Oliver said, "Yes, I realized I can no longer stay away from you. That's why I came to your house night before last. I…I figured since I was basically stopping what I came back to stop… I could be with you once again." Continuing, he said in a softer tone, "And I promise I'm not the philandering playboy anymore. One woman at a time for me." Clearing his throat, he said, "And…depending how this all goes, not only are you the only woman for me, now, but…hopefully always."
Laurel noted what he'd said, but decided to not address the philandering issue any more at the moment. Or the forever aspect either. Now was not the time to address the status of their newly recreated relationship. It needed time to grow, to take root, before she'd examine that word 'forever'. She was determined not to make the same mistakes she made before the island, like rushing the man in front of her with talks of commitment, future, or marriage. Instead she asked, "That was the only reason for the Hood? To stop Merlyn?"
"Well, it was in the beginning. And…what I was thinking about the night I came to you was that I would put down the hood…."
"No, you can't stop being the Hood! You've been doing so much good." Shaking her head, Laurel said, "I'm sorry. I'm now the one being selfish." Searching his eyes, Laurel said, "If you really want to stop, I…I can certainly understand. You almost lost your life at least several times this year, and probably more that I don't know about. So," she took a breath and continued, despite what was crying within her inner being, "whatever you decide…." Despite my costume waiting to go out and nab criminals.
"Part of me wishes I could hang up the hood, just so I could keep you out of it." At Laurel's sounds of disagreement, he hurried on. "Only because I don't want you to get hurt. It's not an easy life, Laurel. Not only the 'risking your life' part, but the 'lying to your loved ones' part. Your father can not know."
"But Oliver…I think he now understands and accepts the Hood…."
"He's still a cop, Laurel. He's duty-bound to bring me in, if he knew. And if he found out you were also…that just might…."
Visions of her father's reactions floated through Laurel's mind. Yeah, when he finds out Oliver and I are dating again he's not going to be too pleased. But if he ever found out I was helping him as the Hood…Horrified, she hurriedly agreed. "I see your point, Oliver. Yeah, the last thing I want is for him to find out. But…I'm willing to keep it all secret. To do whatever it takes to help this city. To help you."
Oliver sighed. "Okay, then. Just know, if you decide it's too much, you can quit any time. No 'I told you so's' and no reprisals."
She smiled and nodded. He got up and said, "Let's get started then."
"With what?" she asked as she stood up as well.
"With this." Suddenly Oliver was behind her, an arm around her throat, trying to bring her to the ground.
Laurel reacted from pure instinct. She threw her elbow into Oliver's abdomen. He grunted but didn't loosen his grip. She then brought her heel down hard on his foot. Oliver grunted and loosened his grip. Laurel then brought her hand up, about to punch him in the nose when he caught her wrist in an iron grip. She then twisted herself around and was about to kick him in the groin when Oliver cried, "Okay, okay. Stop!"
Laurel put her foot down slowly and gave him a cocky grin. "Oh, was that a test, perhaps?"
Oliver let go of his grip, stepped back and slowly looked Laurel up and down. "Yes, fairly impressive. For an amateur." He gave her a cocky grin.
"An amateur, huh?" Laurel flung herself at him, meaning to tackle him to the ground, but he handily avoided her, but caught her with an arm around her waist before she could fall to the ground. "Yes. And please remember that, so you don't try anything like this on your own before I say you're ready." He placed her on her feet and looked lovingly at her. "Yes, please don't try anything on your own. I know how you tend to be, Laurel."
It took everything she had in her, but Laurel bit back the angry retort she was about to say. That chauvinistic jerk. But her heart melted at the look he gave her. He never looked at me like that before the island. He's looking at me like I'm the most priceless thing in the world, the only thing he truly treasures. How could I be mad at that?
"I'll try, Oliver. I only want to help, as much and as soon as I can."
"I know, but…like I say, I worry about how you being in a position of taking orders from me, or not taking orders when I want you to, could put a strain on our new relationship. And I only want our relationship to work."
Laurel reached out and cupped his cheek. "How much you've changed, Oliver Queen."
He looked down and whispered, "For better or worse."
She moved her hand to her chin and lifted his head to look at her. "For much better, Oliver. Much better." She then claimed his lips in a soul-searing kiss.
AN: How's this chapter? Still holding up to the promise of the previous ones, I hope. If you like, please let me know what you think. Really, truly does feed the Muse and makes her happy enough to write some more. Hopefully the next chapter wouldn't take nearly so long. (Actually I do have it almost finished). The world does need more Lauriver goodness!