Disclaimer: WB/DC own these characters. I'm only borrowing them for a while. I own the original ideas found in this.

AN:So sorry this took so long to get out…that Muse of mine, I don't know what to do with her sometimes. Thanks especially to highlander348 for a friendly nudge and a plot bunny which I graciously accepted, as well as being a willing ear for me to bounce ideas off of.

So, highlander348, I hope you especially enjoy this chapter! Here it is (finally).

Previously:

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.

After Laurel ended up on the mats for the third time in a row, Oliver decided to call the end of practice for the night. Knowing Laurel, she was too stubborn to ask for leniency, even if she was aching, so he would allow her to save face and prevent her from hurting herself.

Dig offered a hand to Laurel and assisted her to a standing position. Oliver walked over to the two and offered a fresh towel to Laurel, who took it gratefully. Wiping her face, Laurel asked Oliver, "What did you think?"

"You did great, Laurel." Looking at Dig, he asked, "What did you think, Dig?" Oliver didn't want to put the man on the spot, but he also knew Dig would be honest. Perhaps his reply would be heavily influenced by diplomacy but he would be honest.

Studying Laurel impersonally, Dig nodded. "Yes, she did very well, for the first day. I can see she's had some training."

Laurel said with a small smile, "So, you change your mind from what you said earlier?"

Dig smiled at her. "Well, I still reserve judgement overall, but I think, if you continue to work as hard as you did today, you can become a very good asset to the team." Dig shuffled his feet for a moment. "As long as you have thought this through completely, and not simply under some romantic notion."

Laurel's face lost her joyful look. The look replacing it was one Oliver knew well and had learned to respect and fear. "Dig, like I told you, I'm not just some sorry romantic who wants to chase her boyfriend around. I have thought about this. And I am serious." Oliver saw her regain some control over her temper and, in a lower voice, she added, "Despite the suddenness of all this, I have given it serious thought."

Dig held out a hand to her. "Okay, I apologize. I didn't mean anything negative. I simply want to make sure you have thought this through."

Laurel nodded at Dig, shook his extended hand, then turned to Oliver. Giving him a smile, she said, "I got something to show you. A new outfit. You wait here, and I'll be back."

She grabbed her gym bag and left to get changed. In spite of Dig's comments, Laurel still wanted to share the outfit with them. perhaps it'll change Dig's mind regarding her seriousness regarding this.

When she returned, the men were quietly discussing the plans for the next day. The conversation stopped suddenly when both men's attention was drawn to her. She felt a blush begin on her face when Oliver swallowed deeply, then traveled the length of her body and returned to her eyes, almost as a second thought.

Instead of a conservative suit, Laurel was wearing a black leather, tight-fitting bustier leotard which showcased her breasts to full advantage, and a short black leather jacket. Instead of slacks or a skirt, Laurel's long, toned legs wore fishnet stockings, which ended with cuffed mid-length black boots with one-inch heels and yellow buckles running down their sides. Capping the outfit, she wore a bright blonde wig, with a domino mask.

Dig cocked an eyebrow. "Whoa, girl! That outfit is certainly…." After searching for a word, he said, "Well, they'll probably wouldn't be looking at your face."

"I was thinking the outfit should be something which would be opposite from what I normally wear. If people see me as a dodgy, stuffy lawyer, never wearing sexy clothes, hopefully they'll not suspect me under an outfit like this."

Oliver appeared to have difficulty meeting her eyes. "Oliver, what do you think?" she asked, suddenly unsure about her choice.

"It's certainly something I wouldn't think you would dare wear in public."

"Don't you recognize it though?"

Oliver attempted to look at her a second time, more dispassionately, and the memory of the college Halloween party occurred to him. He smiled as he gave a nod of recognition. "Oh yeah, the fishnets."

Turning towards Dig, Laurel explained. "I was dared to wear a shocking outfit, so I wore something like this our freshman year at the Halloween party. Ironically, Oliver said I looked like a sexy crime fighter."

"I think I meant it was like those campy superhero shows from the 1970's with the women wearing the low-cut outfits."

Laurel rolled her eyes. "Besides that cliché, something like this is easy to fight in, and offers some protection while not inhibiting my high kicks."

Oliver gave the outfit another clinical assessment. "Why don't you wear it first thing tomorrow evening, and we'll test it out while sparring?"

Laurel nodded, smiling, and went to change with a bounce in her step, giving her a look of ten years younger. Diggle turned smiling to Oliver. "I think you made your girl happy."

"Yeah, but I don't know if it'll also distract me out on the field. But I can't give that as a reason to change her mind."

"She might really show you her new moves if you did, that's for sure," Diggle said, not able to resist the temptation to tease his friend.

Oliver winked and lifted an eyebrow in agreement. "Well, you can take off if you want. I'll walk Laurel out."

Diggle gave him a smirk and took off saying he'll see them tomorrow night, same time. Oliver sat down in one of their office chairs and leaned back, deep in thought while waiting for Laurel.

~~OQ~~LL~~OQ~~LL~~

As the days passed, and Laurel continued to come to the Lair every day, Oliver could tell Diggle was beginning to accept her as part of the team. He knew the older man was holding back judgement until she hit the streets with them her first night. However, Dig was beginning to be impressed with how quickly Laurel was catching on to some of the moves, and fighting techniques. Oliver still had some reservations about Laurel's choice of outfit, but he had to admit it didn't impede her ability to fight well. However, he continued to worry how she was going to react when out in the field.

Oliver knew Laurel's motives were true, and her determination was as strong as always, but…one thing about Laurel worried him. Occasionally, her perfectionistic attitude interfered with her performance with various activities throughout their lives. Time and again, over the years, Oliver observed her getting lost in her head when she first attempted something new, which then would often interfere with the quality of her performance. Occasionally it would even cause her to freeze, something Oliver did not want to happen while in the field.

Oliver was concerned with how he could prevent such an occurrence from happening here, for a mistake out in the field, a hesitancy on her part, could end up in serious injury to her or someone else And Oliver did not want that to happen. However, whenever Oliver had approached her with this idea of her perfectionism in the past, Laurel always responded with defensiveness, even when time would prove him correct. He doubted she had learned how to handle that particular personality trait over the years.

He still had some time to figure it out, for Laurel was still learning fighting techniques. But…time was quickly running short, and he still didn't know how to broach the subject to her. Oliver wished Sara, her sister, was there to help talk to her. However, Sara was dead because of him. Lost in the ocean, after his friend Slade had knocked her unconscious and she floated out to sea. Again.

But…those particular self-blaming thoughts were not something he had shared with anyone since he's been back. And he didn't intend to now. Or ever. Oliver was determined to not allow such memories to interfere with his life now. Especially with Laurel in his life, both as Oliver and as the Hood. Or should he say Arrow, for he's been thinking of changing his vigilante name. He never really liked 'Hood', for it brought to his mind a criminal and not a hero. Of course, he didn't consider himself a hero either, but 'Arrow' seemed more appropriate.

As his relationship with Laurel progressed, his relationship with Tommy was much slower in being repaired. One night when Laurel wasn't there with them, the rest of the team met at Big Belly Burger for supper. Oliver was in the middle of an animated but friendly discussion with Dig and Felicity when someone touched his arm.

Looking up into the face of his friend, Oliver was surprised when Tommy asked if he could join them. After saying hello to Dig, Tommy turned his attention to Felicity.

"And who is this beautiful blonde with you tonight, Oliver? She must've taken pity on you, hanging out with the likes of you," Tommy said, with a wink at Felicity, who made room for him next to her in the booth.

"Well, now, Tommy, is that how you talk about me, your oldest friend?" Oliver asked, even though he was happy Tommy was teasing him like they used to.

Felicity piped in, "Well, I have to agree with your handsome friend on this point, Oliver."

Tommy gave her his hand. "Hi, I'm Tommy Merlyn. This one," nodding his head at Oliver, "may have told you something about me."

Felicity smiled a bright smile. "I wouldn't hold it against you."

Wriggling his eyebrows, Tommy said, "The night is young. Perhaps we'll discuss later what you will and won't hold against me."

Felicity's face turned a light pink as Diggle and Oliver groaned and she pulled her hand away. Diggle said, "That line could be older than me, even, Merlyn."

"Yeah, and Felicity isn't the type of woman you should use your smarmy pick-up lines on," Oliver said, shaking his head at Tommy's antics.

Catching Felicity's gaze, Tommy said, "I do apologize, ma'am, I'm simply in awe of your beauty I forget my manners." He pantomimed taking off a hat and bowing to her.

Felicity said, "My name is Felicity Smoak, before we get much further. Or before you dig yourself into a deeper hole."

"Burn, Merlyn, burn," Oliver said with a grin.

Tommy rolled his eyes. "Seriously, Ms. Smoak, how do you know these nimrods from anyway?"

As Felicity was beginning to explain their connection, the waitress arrived to take Tommy's order. The meal continued after that. Without realizing it, Oliver was happy to see Tommy so relaxed and enjoying their company. At the end of the meal, Tommy agreed to help in the lair as needed. Oliver was also pleased with a possible connection being made between Tommy and Felicity. Perhaps Felicity could have a good influence upon his friend, and mend his broken heart. Time would tell.

~~OQ~~LL~~OQ~~LL~~

As the weeks passed, Oliver was pleased with the progress Laurel was making in both her fighting skills and controlling her impulsivity while fighting. She was doing well in developing her own style of fighting, more of a street-type fighting style than a martial arts style. It was definitely all her own.

One night an alarm went off in a small convenience store, closed for the night. Since the Undertaking, Oliver had decided to help the police department get control of the increased crime happening, especially in the damaged Glades. Because of her progress, Oliver decided Laurel was as ready as she'd ever would be to go into the field the first time. To his surprise, Diggle agreed. The plan, once the team got there, was for Oliver and Laurel to enter by the side door of the store, with Diggle keeping watch in the back.

Laurel followed Oliver, trying to keep vigilant like he had taught her, sweeping the area with her eyes, constantly being aware of the surroundings. They entered the main room of the small store to find the crooks breaking into the small safe under the main counter. Two were behind the counter while three others were grabbing various items off the shelves as well.

Upon Oliver's declaration of "you have failed this city," the crooks dropped what they were doing and attacked the two vigilantes. Oliver battled three of the crooks, helping to take them down with his karate kicks and punches. Meanwhile, as one of the men flew at her to grab her, Laurel bent down suddenly causing the crook to fly through the air over her shoulder, and the other crook she was able to block his punch and knock him out with two punches. However, when she allowed herself a moment of self-congratulations, the first man snuck behind her, getting her in a head lock. Before he could call out to Oliver to surrender, her instincts took over and, bringing her head back as forcefully as she could, Laurel connected with his nose, inflicting pain. He let his hold loosen, enabling Laurel to step on his foot with her foot. The crook bent over and she provided the piece le resistance of delivering a karate chop to the back of his neck. She breathed an air of relief when the man collapsed on the floor.

Oliver was busy capturing the other three, then turned around to find Laurel had fought well. He threw her several lengths of rope and they proceeded to tie up the criminals. They then heard sirens in the distance.

"We better leave. I really don't want Lance to catch a glimpse of us anytime soon," Oliver tells Laurel as he led her out the door to join Diggle.

AN: This chapter took longer than it should to write, and I still not too sure about this. ("repeat after me: You are learning, you are learning."). Sigh. My muse got stuck then lost confidence for a short time re: this story. I hope you like what she finally produced. Going into completely new territory, exploring what the summer could've been if Tommy hadn't been killed, Laurel and Oliver hadn't broken up, and Oliver hadn't run off to Lian Yu. Sigh. It is fun, though, even if it is a little scary. So, I thank all of you who are reading, following and favoring, and also those who encourage me with their reviews and PM's.

Oh, and Tommy is now on his way to having a girlfriend…I changed my mind about creating a new character. We shall see what mischief he and Felicity can get into as well. (I've recently read new FF stories about those two which have inspired me).

Any fans out there of the show Lois and Clark? Again, I'm reminded of that show with Dig's remark of "Well, they'll probably wouldn't be looking at your face," re: Laurel's costume. Sigh.

Thanks again for reading and hopefully reviewing. See you next chapter!