There was a still coldness to the air filling the empty theatre. Ava was sat in a middle seat near the front row, her head back as she gazed up at the high ceiling above her.

"It's a little intimidating," Zari said, from next to her.

"How are we going to fill this?" Amaya asked softly from one row in front, kneeling on a seat to look at Ava and Zari.

"Don't say it like that," Sara chastised. Ava felt Sara's hand land on her shoulder and heard Zari huff when Sara patted her head, "This is going to work,"

"GUYS! HEY! CAN YOU HEAR US!" Nate's excited voice echoed around the theatre. The girls turned to look at him, leaning out from one of the balconies.

"Of course we can hear you!" Zari shouted back, "I think I'd be able to hear you across town,"

"ISN'T THIS PLACE AMAZING,"

Ray was with him, holding onto the back of his shirt.

Rip and Oliver walked across the stage just then, one of Mr. Steele's employees giving them a tour of the facility. Rip groaned, rubbing his brow as he looked up at Nate. Oliver cracked a smile looking from Nate down to Sara, arching a brow at her. Sara smirked and shrugged. Chuckling, he shook his head as he followed with Rip.

"Fess up Lance," Charlie asked from next to her sister, "How'd you get the rich boy to agree to this,"

"Believe it or not, the Queens are good people,"

Zari snorted, "Didn't he drop out of college after getting charged for breaking a reporter's nose?"

"For breaking a paparazzi's nose," Sara countered, "And since when are you an excerpt on Oliver's history?"

"Since he offered to save a little non-profit center for kids run out of the roughest place in town,"

"You sound like you don't trust him," Amaya narrowed her eyes slightly.

"That's because I don't. He just shows up with the solution for our problems? What's his motive?"

"He wants to help me," Sara said.

Zari gave her a critical glance, "No offence Sara, Ray may be the naïve optimist of the group, you have a blind spot when things you care about are threatened,"

"No I don't,"

"Well…" Charlie trailed off with a pointed head tilt.

"Oliver's father used to give to the center, didn't he?" Ava cut in, "I mean the theatre in the center is named after him,"

Zari huffed, crossing her arms, "Okay, fine. Fall for his charming smile and rugged stubbled chin,"

"Rugged stubbled chin?" Charlie smirked, wiggling her eyebrows, "How in-depth did this research get Z?"

"Oh shut up," Zari shoved her shoulder.

"Don't look now Z, but Mr. Charming smile is coming this way," Charlie teased. Zari rolled her eyes, looking like she could strangle Charlie.

Rip and Oliver stepped down from the stage, walking towards them.

"Well, what do you think?" He asked.

"It's big," Amaya said.

"That it is."

"Are we really going to be able to fill all these seats? This isn't the kind of place people usually come to see people like us,"

"Let me handle that part," Oliver said with a small nod, "I can get the word around,"

"We could do our own promotion," Sara said, "Take to the streets. Put on a few performances, hand our flies,"

"You want to do more street performances? After last time we had to run from guards?" Ava asked.

"I'm sorry, what's this about guards?" Rip asked.

"Don't know what you're talking about?" Zari said quickly.

Charlie just as quickly added, "Who even said anything about guards?"

"Did you lot get in trouble again?"

"Rip, where you get these fanciful ideas is beyond me," Charlie said.

Oliver was looking at Sara with an amused smirk. He tilted his head to the side slightly. She grinned and shrugged.

"Guys!" Nate came running towards them, "I love this place," He ran up the aisle and onto the stage, "Can you believe we're going to perform on this stage. It's so big! We could do any of our routines. We could do all of our routines," He spun on the spot, kicking his feet up at the end, striking a pose, both hands in the air.

"Nate, please, let's not make too much of a scene," Rip called after him, "We're living on a lot of good faith right now. Faith that could very easily be undone."

"You got it, sir," He jumped off the stage.

Ray grinned at him, "For what it's worth, you look good up there,"

"I know, right. Maybe I should do a solo dance," He rubbed his chin.

"Rip, hold on, I don't think this stage is big enough for Nate's head,"

"Screw you, Charlie!"

"Alright everyone," Rip raised his voice slightly, "I have to get back to the centre and under no circumstances am I leaving you here without supervision. Let's go. Everyone up,"

"These are the people you traded in me and Tommy for?" Oliver asked, amused.

"Well, you weren't used to me anymore once you stopped being able to sneak us into clubs,"

"That's harsh Lance. You know we own our own club now, right?"

"It's not as fun when you're allowed in,"

"Your father wouldn't agree,"

"And since when do you agree with my dad,"

Oliver laughed, "I listen to him sometimes,"

"Oliver Queen, I think the only time you've listened to my dad was when he asked what toppings you wanted for a pizza he was ordering,"

"Right, and that counts as the sometimes,"

Sara snorted.

"Are you inviting Barry to the show?"

"Obviously. And Kara. I'm hoping they'll agree to sing together,"

"I haven't seen them perform together since Joe's wedding,"

"They're still as insufferably adorable as always,"

"I'd be disappointed if they weren't," Oliver said laughing, "I got to go. Thea is having us meet with some investors for Verdant,"

"If you're not careful her ambition is going to swallow you whole,"

"I just let her handle the hard parts and point this at who she tells me too," He said, flashing a bright smile.

"What would you be doing without her?"

"Sharing an apartment with Tommy, probably,"

"It's cute you think you and Tommy could hold down an apartment,"

"We weren't that hapless," He defended.

Sara snorted, tossing her head back as she laughed.

"Alright, alright," He rolled his eyes and elbowed her lightly, "You made your point Lance,"

She hummed, giving him a side hug, "I can't thank you enough for doing this Ollie,"

"You can thank me, by visiting more. Since you found your Legends it's like you've forgotten who you grew up with,"

"Hey, never. You guys will always be my family,"

"Good to know," He returned her hug, giving a quick kiss to the top of her head, "Hey, before I dash… How's Laurel?"

Sara took a step back, arching a brow, "Are you asking for you? Or as you asking for Tommy,"

He coughed and had the decency to look guilty, "Both of us?"

"For you, Laurel's doing great. For Tommy, tell him to get off his ass, buy a bouquet and go have a conversation with her,"

"Is she really okay?"

Sara nodded, "She's still being too stubborn to come back home. But that's for her and dad to work out. She's doing well on her own. I visit her as much as I can. I know she misses you guys, but she's nervous to go around Verdant because… well you know,"

"Yeah, I can guess,"

"And I'm serious about Tommy talking to her. They need to get their heads out of their asses,"

Oliver grinned, "Maybe I'll send Thea with him. She'd be a good neutral ally for them both,"

"Just more evidence of why you morons would be hapless without her,"

"I'll tell Tommy you called us morons,"

"He'll agree with me,"

"He would, wouldn't he," He laughed, "I'll see on the streets, Lance,"

"You know it, Queen,"

Sara joined her friends, waiting for her halfway down the block.

"I still don't trust him," Zari said in a deadpan, making Sara burst into laughter.

"That's fine Z," She threw an arm around Zari's shoulders, "But you trust me, right?"

"Of course. Unless you start your sentence with 'I didn't do anything to your burger', then I know going to get a mouth full of hot sauce in my first bite,"

Nate grinned, "That was classic," He said, holding a hand for Sara to high five. She snorted, shoving him playfully.

"Zari,"

"Yes, I trust you," She responded, voice petulant.

"Then trust that I trust him,"

Zari huffed but didn't argue further.

"Okay, but guys, we need to have a serious talk, what are we performing for the show," Nate said, walking backwards so he could face them all, "Ray and I were thinking, are you ready for this?" His grin stretched across his face.

"When you look like that I can say with certainty none of us are prepared for whatever is about to come out of your mouth," Charlie said.

Amaya glared at her, "Be nice,"

With a roll of her eyes, Charlie drawled, "I mean, wow Nate, what great idea do you have to share?"

"Charlie, a little more enthusiasm, but the effort is appreciated. But we were thinking for our big number- Candy Store,"

"What?" Zari stopped walking for a beat, "What a sugary pop song from that former Backstreet Boy?"

"No, you're thinking off I Want Candy. And Aaron Carter wasn't a Backstreet Boy. His brother was,"

"Rayge, why do you know that?"

He shrugged.

"No, no, Candy Store, from Heathers," Nate said.

"It's that a Winnona Ryder movie from the '80s?" Zari said.

"Yeah, it's also a musical. How have we not made you listen to the soundtrack?" Nate sounded appalled at himself, "Z, you would love it. There's a whole song about how much High school sucks because it's a microcosm of society,"

"Okay, now I'm interested,"

"I don't know bud, a musical number for our headliner?"

"I mean, we're going to be filling these seats with rich fuddies," Nate said, still walking backwards, "And they love big stage shows. Let's give them what they want,"

"I think they love the big stage show when they actually see the stage show," Ava said.

Ray grabbed Nate by the shoulders before he could walk backwards onto a road.

"Thanks, man,"

"No problem,"

"Why don't you make Candy Store a boys dance for you and Ray,"

Nate's eyes lit up, "Oh yeah, and we could ask Wally to be our third,"

"He'd make a great Heather Chandler,"

Nate's face fell, "I thought I was going to be Heather C,"

"No man, you're so a McNamara,"

"Dude, no, you're totally Mac. And If I'm Mac and Wally's Heather C. that would make you Duke and you're no Duke,"

"Okay, your right about that,"

"Why do you hang with these doorknobs again?" Charlie asked Amaya.

"Don't pretend like you don't love them,"

"Love's a strong word, sis,"

"That's not a denial, Charlie,"

She grumbled a little, but as she watched Nate and Ray talk animatedly about their plans a flicker of a smile appeared just for a moment on her lips.

Ava was hanging back from the group, trailing behind by a few feet. Sara slowed her pace until she was in step with her.

"Hey,"

"Hi,"

Zari glanced back at them for a moment then she put a hand on Amaya's and Charlie's backs pushing them forward until they were out of earshot.

"You've been quiet today,"

"Oh have I?"

"You okay,"

"Yeah, it just…"

When Ava was quiet for a long moment Sara gently brushed their shoulders together, "I'm listening,"

"I used to be in theatres like that, performing,"

"No shit," Sara said, awe slipping into her voice.

"Don't say it like that,"

"Like what?"

"Like it's a big accomplishment,"

"Ava, are you kidding me, it is,"

"It isn't when your parents bought your way into orchestras,"

Sara stopped walking turning to Ava, "Okay, first of all, your parents really suck. Secondly, even if they did no orchestra no matter how big a cheque was tossed their way is going to let a half-baked talent onto stage with them. Thirdly, you still got on stage and performed in front of a huge crowd. That takes guts, Ava Sharpe. And skill. Don't sell yourself short,"

Ava glanced tapping the pavement with the toe of her shoe, "I guess,"

"Don't guess. Know that you're amazing,"

Ava's lips twitched for a second.

"Have you been on stages like that?" Ava asked.

"I was. When I was with a junior company,"

"Do you miss it?"

"Performing on a big stage?"

"Yeah,"

"I don' know… I love dance more now than when I was doing ballet. But there's this rush you get on a big stage, you know. The blinding spotlights. You can't see the crowd really, but you can feel all those eyes on you. There's nothing really like it,"

"Yeah," Ava said a little breathlessly.

"But hey, now I got another chance to be on a big stage. And this time I'll be with my Legends. So win-win,"

"Yeah," Ava coughed, "Um, so, since you still like ballet I was wondering, would you, um there's this ballet in town. They're performing in the Roshwelth Theatre. Ann has some extra tickets, and if you're interested…"

A grin slowly grew on Sara's face, "Are you kidding me? I'd love that. What's the show?"

"Oh, uh Coppelia?"

"Are you asking me?"

"Honestly, I just glanced at the tickets. Ann's partner has a friend in the show. She got us the tickets. Really Ann just had to mention live orchestra and I was in,"

Sara chuckled, "Well, I'm in too,"

"Really?"

"Yeah, when is it?"

"This Thursday. Is that okay?"

"Should be. I'll just let dad know who I'm going out with,"

"And umm…"

"Yes?" Sara prompted.

"I kind of… would it… I was hoping…"

"Ava, please just spit whatever it is out,"

"I was hoping this would be a date,"

"Oh," Sara's expression grew blank and she didn't stay anything, long enough for Ava to start to panic.

"If you're not okay with that it could just be a couple of friends hanging out. Or if you don't want to go anymore I'll-"

Sara's hand covered Ava's mouth, "Stop right there. You're doing to the stupid panic backtrack, let's be friends things,"

Ava said something but it was muffled. Sara removed her hand.

"So, what does that mean?"

Sara snorted, "It means I'll set aside more for getting ready because now I have to actually put effort into my outfit,"

"What?"

"I'm saying yes, dork,"

A full-blown smile spread across Ava's face

"You couldn't say yes like a normal person,"

"When I ever stuck you as a normal person Ava Sharpe?"

"Never,"

Nardragon- until the next page.