Disclaimer: WB/DC own these characters. I'm only borrowing them for a while. I own the original ideas found in this.
AN: I really do apologize for the length of time it took to get this chapter out. I just don't know what to do with my Muse. Sometimes she gets distracted by bright, shiny, new stories and plot bunnies. Sigh. Oh well. I do thank everyone who've read and reviewed so far, and thank you for returning to this chapter. Hope you enjoy all the Lauriver goodness!
Previously:
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?
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.
The passion between them ignited quickly, leading them to almost forgetting where they were. The world shrunk until it consisted of only the two of them as they lost themselves in each other and their newly reignited love for each other. Neither registered the back door opening and two sets of footsteps coming down the stairs, two voices carrying on a conversation, until the newcomers reached the bottom step and let out gasps of surprise at finding a newcomer in their secret lair.
"Oliver!" both Felicity and Diggle yelled at the same time.
Oliver and Laurel pulled apart, Laurel turning slightly pink as she quickly buttoned up and rearranged her blouse. Oliver attempted to regain his sense of place, staring at his two partners as if he'd never seen them before.
"Oh, my, and the last time I thought I'd walked in on a thing!" Felicity began a ramble. "I mean, maybe you should have hung a sock on the door or something, Oliver, so we'd know not to interrupt. But, then again, what's Laurel doing down here in the first place? This must mean…I mean, when did she…did you tell her about…you know…"
"Oliver, come on, Man, wake up. I guess there's a few things you didn't have time to tell us about," Dig interrupted Felicity to stop her babble to add his own comment.
Laurel looked up at Oliver as she remained sitting, waiting for him to take the lead in the explaining. She reached out and grasped Oliver's hand to ground him. Oliver shook his head, gave Laurel a smile, and gently removed his hand. He walked over to his teammates.
"Yeah, I…um, yes, there have been a few developments over the past few days."
Looking at Laurel, Felicity mumbled, "There sure have."
Rising to her feet, Laurel walked over, held out her hand to Felicity, and said, "Nice to see you again, Felicity. Guess I now know where that internet router you were helping Oliver with is located."
Staring at Laurel, Felicity took a moment, but then grasped Laurel's hand and shook it. "Um, yeah, I guess. Why are you here?" Turning pink herself, Felicity shook her head. "Of course, we know why you're here, we walked in on it." Shaking her head again, she sighed. "I apologize, Laurel. Probably Oliver hasn't told you, but I have a problem with not having a mind to mouth filter. Things often come out of my mouth before I realize it so I end up saying a lot of inappropriate remarks."
Laurel gave a little smile acknowledging Felicity's apology as she turned towards Diggle. "Hello again, Mr. Diggle."
"Call me Dig, Diggle or John." Turning to Oliver, he once again asked, "So, Oliver, what happened?" Leaning closer to Oliver, Dig said in a lower tone, "I do hope this doesn't end up like Helena."
Laurel shot Oliver a questioning glance. Oliver's cheekbones turned a little pink as he stuttered, "I'll explain later, Laurel." Continuing as he looked back at Dig, Oliver said, "Well, two nights ago, I decided to…well, I came to a decision that I no longer wanted to deny my feelings for Laurel anymore. So I went to her house, and…she graciously took me back…and…I told her about the Arrow before I went to fight Malcolm two nights ago. Because I wanted her to know the truth if anything happened to me. I decided I no longer wanted any secrets between us."
"It's basically your secret and you can share it with anyone you want, but it would be appreciated giving us a heads-up before you do," Dig said, clearly not hiding his disapproval with the younger man.
"Sorry, Dig, the Undertaking had me so…shell-shocked I wasn't really thinking straight. And nearly losing Laurel, as well as Tommy, just cemented my resolve not to live with 'maybes" anymore."
Dig appeared to accept it, but he turned away, getting very absorbed in the arrowheads lying on the table.
"Okay, so she knows. Why is she down here?"
Oliver cleared his throat. "Since neither of you know Laurel like I do you probably aren't aware of her fighting skills. They're rough, but with practice…"
Diggle threw an arrow head down. "Hell, no, Oliver, not again. It's bad enough she knows our secret, but what if your relationship goes south. I mean, she's a lawyer and her dad's a cop. And you were worried about Felicity and I giving you up? Why wouldn't you be more cautious in this case?"
Laurel walked over to Diggle, anger blazing in her eyes. "I get you hardly know me. And it might be because you're uncertain given Oliver's romantic history, but I'm not just some girl. Oliver and I have a history together. He's changed in five years, and so have I. I'm no longer the selfish girl who wants her boyfriend to always agree with her, or think I have to guide him in the ways of life." Approaching Dig, she continued. "You don't have anything to fear from me. My father and I have been on opposite sides regarding the Arrow almost since the beginning. And I really don't relish him ever knowing, especially since I'm going to join you in the cause."
"Why, Laurel? It's not a walk in the park, it's dangerous."
"Because I've always wanted to 'save the world' as my sister often teased me. You can be sure Oliver wouldn't let me out there until he thinks I'm ready." She looked over at Oliver, catching his eye and giving him a smile. "We've already discussed it." She extended a hand towards Dig. "I'd appreciate any type of advice and help you're willing to give me. And I hope you'll accept me as part of the team. I do only want to help."
After considering her words, Dig took her hand and shook it. "As long as you don't go crazy like Helena."
"Again, Helena. What happened with her anyway?" She shot a glance at Oliver, expecting an answer from him this time.
Felicity leaned over the computers. "Don't worry, Laurel. I'll tell you all about Oliver's crazy ex-girlfriend, as Dig likes to call her, sometime over coffee."
Oliver threw up his hands in disgust. "Okay, now that you both have teased me to death…."
Felicity smiled sweetly at him. "Oh, you so do deserve it, bud. Next time, let us know before you bring anyone new down here, okay?"
Oliver rolled his eyes but gave her a smile. "Point received, Felicity, point received." Walking towards Laurel and placing an arm around here, he looked at Dig and asked, "I was beginning to teach Laurel some fighting techniques…."
Felicity muttered, "Sure you were."
Oliver chose to ignore her remark. "Before you two arrived. Why don't you and I spar a while with sticks, Dig, to give Laurel a demonstration?" Turning towards Felicity, he asked, "Can you start some scans and see what you can find regarding the newest bank heists happening the past few weeks?"
Felicity nodded as she sat behind her computers, while Dig walked towards the workout area. Oliver grabbed a chair as he walked Laurel and him past it. When they had reached the mats, he set the chair up. "My lady," he said as he bowed and gestured toward the chair. Laurel smiled and shook her head. "Guess you still have a bit of the playful Ollie in you yet."
"You do have a knack of bringing it out in me." Oliver winked at her as he turned towards Dig and the work-out area.
Laurel settled into the chair as she watched the two men begin to spar. She was amazed to see the sticks fly so fast, and their ability to block each other's strikes. However, she wondered how simply watching them would help her gain such ability. I suppose to acquaint me on different ways to fight criminals.
Laurel couldn't help but wonder if she was expected to learn how to fight with sticks before she was going to be allowed to join Oliver on the streets. She wasn't even familiar with the type of fighting they were doing.
Suddenly, Oliver was able to reach down and bring Dig down to the ground by pulling his legs out from under him. He gave Laurel a cocky smile and said, "Are you ready to give it a try, Laurel?"
"I don't know, Oliver. Are you going to teach me how to fight with sticks? When do we carry sticks out there in the field anyway?"
"They are sometimes called bo-staffs, and they do make quite effective weapons. Such fighting also increases dexterity and hand-to-eye coordination."
Diggle, sensing Laurel's hesitation, offered, "Maybe this first day, Oliver, she wants to practice those skills she already has."
Oliver got a gleam in his eye. "Laurel, why don't you spar with Dig for a while? Show him what you can do."
Dig threw Oliver a glance, wondering if this was the best thing to do, but Laurel jumped up. "Sounds good."
Laurel faced Dig, alternating her weight from one foot to the other. Dig began to circle the work area, looking for an advantage, while Laurel kept her eye on him. She was anxious, but also eager to make a good impression.
"Laurel, if you're not ready for this…." Dig began, but stopped when Laurel got him in a head lock. Of course, he was able to flip her over his back and loosened her hold when she wasn't expecting it.
As he offered her a hand, she rose with her usual grace, even though she clearly had the air knocked out of her. After she had recollected herself, Laurel asked, "Let's try that again."
As he watched his best friend and his "girl" spar, Oliver didn't know what to think. He still wasn't totally convinced including Laurel in his mission was the right road to take, but since Laurel was determined he will follow her direction, no matter where it would go. Who knew? Perhaps it might be the best idea he'd had yet.
AN: Yeah, the first part was fun to write, but I can tell when I get into something I haven't had much experience with writing, i.e. writing fighting/sparring scenes. Again, I apologize. But hopefully as we go along this story, my Muse will create more opportunities for Laurel to fight as we watch her come into her own. Thank you for all the encouragement this story has received, and I hope you will return for more. There are so many possibilities for a changed season 2 with this story. Especially how Isabel will fit in. I do have some possible ideas for that woman. See you soon!