[Edit-3-6-20 Originally there was a standalone rewrite of this chapter, in the form of a one shot and due to some necessary constructive criticism from a reviewer here, while the rest of this story would continue as is. Today however, I've decided to mingle these two chapters into one instead of them being separate. In fact I should've done that a very long time ago when I first corrected this chapter but I'm doing so now. I'll also be deleting said one shot.]

This Canarrow fic is based on an idea given to me by a fellow fanfiction user named mfmxxx and is set during the second Arrow/Flash crossover when Teams Arrow and Flash were protecting Hawkgirl from Vandal Savage. This is when Oliver confronts Samantha about their son, except that Sara is with him.

Background: Olicity never happened, nor did Oliver and Felicity have any feelings for or attraction to each other. They are however are the closest of friends and have a very strong brother and sister bond. Also, Sara didn't leave Star City after her resurrection but stayed with Team Arrow and she and Oliver rekindled their romance a few weeks after she was resurrected.

Disclaimer: I don't own "Arrow" or its characters. They're the property of DC, Warner Brothers, the CW, and its showrunners.

Oliver made his way towards the house that Samantha and her son were living, a boy that he had just found out recently was his son. With him was his girlfriend Sara Lance. He had intended at first to confront Samantha alone, but Sara had insisted on accompanying him, refusing to take no for an answer, and Oliver agreed. In fact, he actually felt relieved by her presence since that meant he wouldn't have to go through this alone.

Oliver had been hanging out with Barry at the Central City Coffee Shop known as Jitters earlier when he saw both Samantha and her son William, causing him to wonder if it was possible that the boy was a product of their brief fling years ago when Oliver was an immature playboy. It was only after having Barry conduct a DNA analysis of William's hair, which Oliver obtained by pretending to catch up with Samantha, were his suspicions confirmed.

Oliver was originally going to keep this information to himself and confront Samantha alone, but he later decided that it was better he told Sara the truth about his son. After all, he had seen the cost of secrets and lies in his life and knew that if he was going to restart things with her, he had to be open and honest with her.

Although Sara was surprised by what Oliver had revealed, she couldn't say that she was shocked. She knew he had been involved with numerous women during his past and it was even a subject she'd brought up with Laurel when Oliver was with her sister. Therefore, it wasn't beyond the realm of logic that Oliver could've fathered a child as well. She however wasn't angry with Oliver over this revelation, especially since she herself hadn't made the wisest choices in her past, and in fact was genuinely happy for him in that he finally found out about his son's existence. Besides, the past was the past, Oliver loved her, and that's all that mattered.

Samantha was currently sitting on a chair on her porch reading while her son played with his action figures nearby when she looked up and noticed Oliver along with a blond woman she'd never seen before approaching. She had a feeling as to why Oliver had returned and got up to deal with this situation while addressing her son.

"Honey, why don't you finish that inside", she said to him, not wanting her son to find out about his father under these circumstances until she sorted thing out with him.

"Mom, Flash hasn't saved the city yet", William replied to her, intent on finishing his game.

"Now honey", his mother responded firmly and almost desperately. The boy sighed loudly, but did as his mother asked. She then turned her attention towards Oliver and the blond woman as they walked through the gate entrance and into her front lawn, holding hands while doing so.

"Hi again Samantha", Oliver greeted her, and seeing her attention focused on Sara with a slightly wary expression, he gestured towards his girlfriend and added, "This is Sara Lance, my girlfriend." Samantha relaxed slightly after hearing who the blond woman was, but then her wariness returned when Oliver asked her, "can we talk?"

"Look, I don't know what you're trying to accomplish here Oliver", she began, trying to delay the inevitable discussion when Oliver interrupted her.

"I know Samantha", he said to her, and when she looked at him with an expression that implied she didn't know what he was talking about, he continued on and with emotion added, "I know that William is my son", while also pointing towards the house where his son currently was. Sensing her boyfriend's distress, Sara gave his hand which she was holding a comforting squeeze, showing him that he had her support.

Samantha sighed, and after taking a quick moment to formulate her response, began her explanation.

"Okay", she started, when Oliver interrupted her once more.

"Why didn't you tell me", he asked her, a hint of anger creeping into his voice.

"Okay, just keep your voice down", she responded while using her hands to emphasize it, doing her best to calm him while not wanting her son or the neighbors to overhear the discussion she was about to have with Oliver and Sara. Sara on her part extracted her hand from Oliver's and used it to make circular motions on his back in order to sooth him. It worked, but only slightly.

"He does have a right to be upset you know", Sara added, feeling her own anger and a bit of disappointment towards the other woman begin to surface and it took all of her willpower to keep from strangling Samantha. "What kind of mother would keep her son away from his own father?", she demanded to know. How dare Samantha keep Oliver in the dark regarding his child.

Samantha took another breath, and then continued on, trying to get Oliver and Sara to understand her motivations for why she did what she did.

"Your mother told me not to", she said to them, causing both Oliver and Sara to have bewildered expressions on their faces.

"What?", they asked her simultaneously, trying to wrap their heads around this latest bit of news. Samantha continued on.

"She offered me a million dollars to tell you Oliver that that I miscarried', she revealed to him, and Sara by extension.

Sara wasn't sure what to think of this revelation, though she knew the possibility of it wasn't exactly ludicrous. From what she knew of the late Moira Queen and from what Oliver told her, the woman could be manipulative and had kept many secrets, especially the one regarding Thea's parentage. Plus, she also had a pension of bailing her kids out of trouble and doing what she felt was best for them, even when it was wrong. Furthermore, Oliver was in no position to raise a child before the island and Sara understood that if Moira had truly paid off Samantha, she probably had good intentions, even though Sara didn't agree with it and felt the matter could've been handled differently.

Oliver on his part, despite knowing the kind of woman his mother was, remained skeptical and didn't believe she'd ever go that far. Even though both she and his father kept Thea's true parentage a secret and lied to everyone about it, he still didn't believe it was possible for her to go as far as hiding his own son from him.

"My mother was a complicated person but she would never do that", Oliver responded with certainty.

Samantha sighed once more, seeing how difficult it was for him to accept what she said, and decided it was best that she bring Oliver and Sara into her home and provide them with proof of the truth. She then led them inside and went to another room after requesting that they wait where they were.

While they waited, Oliver's attention was drawn towards some photographs nearby of William and Samantha and went over to take a closer look at them. As he gazed at them, Sara moved forward and placed her hand on her boyfriend's shoulder while joining him in looking at the photographs.

"He looks just like you Ollie when you were a boy, and just as handsome", she said to him with warmth. Before he could respond, Samantha returned and handed a check signed for a million dollars over to Oliver, who took it and, after reading it, realized that she was indeed telling the truth about what Moira did. For Oliver, this was yet another slap in the face and he began to wonder how well he knew his mother. He still would never regret making peace with her shortly before her death.

Pushing his feelings towards his mother to the back of his mind, Oliver then realized, based on the check's very presence, that it had never been cashed. Sara on her part had already noticed that particular fact as well and they both looked up at Samantha with astonishment written on their faces.

"I never cashed it", she explained to them when she saw the looks they were wearing. "I didn't need her money to know I didn't want her anywhere near my child."

"Or me anywhere near him", Oliver added with disappointment while Sara leveled a mild glare of disappointment towards Samantha. The woman began to feel mildly annoyed at their responses and made her way towards the kitchen while they trailed behind her.

"So, what he can be just like his dad, punching out paparazzi and getting young girls knocked up?" she asked Oliver incredulously as she began taking care of some kitchen duties once they arrived there.

"Samantha I'm not that person anymore", he answered her, frustrated that she didn't seem to realize he was a different man now.

"Ollie's right", Sara defended him. "Believe me when I say that if he was still that person you once knew, I wouldn't be with him today. And he's not the only one who changed. I also lived a reckless and selfish life during my youth. I even shoplifted once and the only reason charges weren't pressed was because my dad made them go away. But mine and Ollie's time away from home transformed us both into different people who've learned from the error of our ways, and let me assure you that neither myself nor him would ever lead William astray."

Samantha was surprised by Sara's candidness and finding out that she used to be immature. She never received that impression from the other woman since she presented herself as strong and well kept. Sara had clearly changed, and Samantha could also see that Oliver was a different man and had known it for awhile. Besides, everyone made mistakes in their past and she was no exception as evidenced by the fact that she'd been swept off her feet by a bad boy when she was young and foolish. Of course, it was that incident which led to the matter at hand, though she'd never regret having William since he was one of the best things that happened to her. She still had reservations however of letting her son be a part of Oliver's life.

"I know, I know Oliver you're…you're running for mayor your mother was killed, your friend Tommy you're a different person now. I can also see the truth in your words Sara that you've changed you both have changed", she conceded, but turned back towards them and asked with concern, "but can you or Sara really tell me that your lives are any less crazy? Can either of you honestly say that William isn't better off with your worlds kept away from his?"

Oliver acknowledged that Samantha made a very good point, especially considering how he and Sara spent their evenings fighting crime. But he still felt there was a way for him be in his son's life despite that fact and continued arguing his position.

"You know, you're right I'm being selfish, but I want an opportunity to get to know my son and I think that a young boy deserves the opportunity to get to know his father", he insisted, almost begging.

"Look he's happy, he's…he's well adjusted I don't want to run the risk of him getting sucked into your orbit", Samantha answered him as she paused from clearing the dining room table. This whole mess was starting to get on her last nerves. She could see though how much getting to know William meant to Oliver and came to a decision and turned towards him once more.

"That can't happen", she stated while walking right up to him. "Which means that he can't know that you're his father, and nobody else can." Oliver started to say something but Samantha continued on. "I don't care if that sounds harsh I'm his mother and I will do whatever", Oliver tried to speak once more when she cut him off again, "whatever", she emphasized, "I feel I have to do to protect him. The same goes for you too Sara. These are my conditions. You've already asked the world of me Oliver I'm just asking for the same in return." She then moved away to let him and Sara discuss her proposal.

Oliver and his girlfriend Sara listened with disbelief and outrage to Samantha's terms for allowing Oliver to get to know his son and frankly had no need to discuss it, both thinking the exact same thing. After sharing a silent message with each other, Oliver turned back to Samantha and told her exactly what he thought of her conditions.

"I'm sorry Samantha, but I absolutely refuse to accept your ridiculous terms. You're right that William is your son, but he's also my son and I have a right to be a part of his life without any conditions whether you like it or not, especially since I'm no longer that person you described and which you yourself affirmed as true.

"I also refuse to lie to my family and closest friends about this. The only thing my secrets and lies have done is brought pain and suffering and I refuse to continue living in that way. Furthermore, my sister has a right to get to know her nephew and I have no intention of taking that chance away from her, especially since keeping things secret in the past has hurt her the most", he finished firmly and with a hint of anger in his voice.

Samantha found herself very surprised and angered by Oliver's response. Of all the ways she expected him to respond, she didn't expect that. "In that case, I refuse to let you visit William and you can forget about having any place in his life. Also, if you make any attempt to contact him or myself, I'll have a restraining order placed on you. Now I believe you and Sara know the way to the door because we are finished here!"

Oliver and Sara couldn't believe what Samantha had just said to them. Not only was she not allowing Oliver to claim William as his son, which was his right to do, but now she was threatening to send him a restraining order. A wave of righteous indignation came over Sara and she immediately marched over to Samantha and stood in front of her, her eyes blazing with fury.

"Actually, we are not going anywhere. William is as much Ollie's son as he is yours and you have absolutely no right to forcefully keep them apart just because he won't bow down to your insane terms. All my boyfriend is asking is that he be given a chance to catch up on the years he's missed being there for his son, years you've wrongfully denied him. It's true that he wasn't in the best state to raise a child, but he's different now, more mature, and his current qualities are some of the things I love about him.

"Furthermore, let me make clear that Oliver is not here to take William away from you or uproot him, nor am I here to take your place as his mother. He just wants to be involved with his son's life. And as he himself said, a father should have an opportunity to get to know his son and a young boy deserves the opportunity to get to know his father. So I must insist on my boyfriend's behalf that you give him a more reasonable arrangement than the one you've provided thus far".

"I am being reasonable", Samantha replied with anger and frustration at Sara's words. "And you're right that you aren't his mother which means that you have no business telling me how to do my job as a parent. In fact, this whole thing isn't any of your business and I'm not going to allow someone who used to be a no good purse snatcher tell me otherwise."

Hearing those words from Samantha caused Oliver's simmering emotions to boil over and he promptly moved Sara out of the way so that he could have his turn giving her what for. And boy did he give her a piece of his mind.

"How dare you throw Sara's past in her face. The wrongs she used to do are no longer who she is and I believe she made that very clear. And being my girlfriend actually does make this matter part of her business since two people who are in a committed relationship are supposed to share everything together. In addition, there's also the legal aspect to consider and by law a parent cannot withhold parental rights from the other parent except under special circumstances. You are his mother but I am also his father and as his father I demand that you allow me in his life without the condition of withholding his existence from those I love. Otherwise, I have the option of taking this to court and I'm sure you don't want to go through all of that."

Taking a moment to calm himself, Oliver continued. "I do understand where you're coming from however, believe me I do. And it's true that my life is complicated and that Star City isn't a safe place right now, but as Sara said, we're not here to uproot him or for me to demand full custody of him. And neither of us has any intention of taking him to Star City or telling everyone in the world about him, especially total strangers. The only people who would know would be myself, you, Sara, a good friend of mine named Barry who I had run a DNA test to see if William was my son, and those closest to me, especially Thea. So please, let's just agree on a different solution in which only those whom I love and trust know about William, and I give you my word that they can be trusted, and I'll willingly secede to your demand that no one else can find out. Do we have a deal?"

Samantha reeled in near shock at Oliver's words. Where in the world had this backbone of his come from? This was definitely not the same man she'd known all those years ago and it certainly threw her in for a loop. She also knew that she'd been backed into a corner when Oliver threatened legal action, and he was right in that she didn't want this situation to go that far. Taking a moment to process his words, she knew he that a point, okay a lot of points actually. It was true that she legally couldn't withhold Oliver's parental rights from him, and yes, a child didn't just deserve to know both parents but also the rest of his family. And Oliver's counter offer was indeed very reasonable. But before she made a decision, there was one question she felt needed to be asked.

"Before I decide, who exactly are those closest to you that would know about William?", she asked him.

Oliver did find her question to be very reasonable, and in hindsight, if he were in her shoes, he'd have done the same thing. "The people who'd I allow to know besides those I mentioned by name would be Felicity and Diggle, people who are very close to me and Sara and are our sister and brother in all but blood, Sara's sister Laurel, their father Quentin who's a police captain, and definitely my sister Thea."

Samantha had a surprised look on her face when he mentioned Laurel and her connection to Sara. "Laurel Lance is your sister Sara?", she asked her with astonishment.

"She is, and I was involved with Ollie shortly after the two of you ended your fling. It caused a lot of mess between the three of us but we managed to repair our damaged relationship and all of it is now water under the bridge. The three of us now have a stronger relationship and my sister is actually happy for Ollie and myself."

Samantha was really surprised by this piece of information but then had another question. "Do either of you really think it's wise for either of you to tell Laurel about William, especially considering the possibility that it might mess up your improved relationship with her?"

"Our improved relationship and the fact that I wronged her by being involved with you and Sara while with her is the reason why we feel she should have a right to know", Oliver answered her. And while Laurel will no doubt be angry with me for it, and she'd be well within her rights to be very angry, it would most likely ruin our current friendship if she found out I kept it from her."

Samantha nodded, understanding, and voiced her decision. "Very well Oliver. I will accept your counter offer and allow you and Sara to share with your loved ones the truth about William. But please don't tell anyone else outside of those you really trust. I just want my son to be kept safe and that's why I'm asking, Also, please consider holding off from telling him that you're his father until he's had a chance to get to know you."

"I understand, and believe me when I say that neither I nor Sara has any intention of telling anyone we don't know or trust about William. And thank you for letting me have this opportunity to get to know my son and for agreeing to a better arrangement for this. And it is indeed my intention to hopefully form a bond with William before anything else happens."

"Thank you Oliver. William is currently in his room. You can go see him if you'd like, and you too Sara since I can see you're a woman I can trust. And I'm sorry that I referred to you as a former purse thief. I was out of line and I ask for you forgiveness", Samantha responded to them with regret in her voice regarding her attitude earlier.

"I do forgive you and do understand why you were feeling the way you were. I do hope we can become friends someday", Sara replied, accepting her apology.

"I'd like that as well", she answered. Afterwards, Oliver went to see his son while Sara stayed behind with Samantha, feeling that it would be more appropriate for him to go see his son alone first in order to spend some quality time with him.

Oliver went on to spend a few minutes playing with his son while Sara and Samantha conversed and then returned to where they were. The three of them then said their goodbyes to each other and Oliver and Sara left to rejoin their team. This whole business did repeat once more due to Barry travelling back in time, but what can I say except that's how time travel sometimes works. Oliver and Sara would go on to continually visit and eventually formed strong bond of friendship with William and Samantha while Oliver treasured every moment he spent with his son and never regretted any of those times he spent with him.

To be concluded in the next chapter.

A/N From what I saw on the latest "Arrow" episode, it showed that despite Samantha not giving Oliver better conditions for getting to know his son, we can see that she only did what she did in the crossover in order to protect him and that her concerns were well founded. As soon as Oliver entered his son's life, two dangerous villains kidnapped the boy. Therefore, even though what Samantha did in the crossover wasn't the wisest course of action and the counteroffer I gave Oliver in this fic probably would've been better and more reasonable, it doesn't mean that she herself didn't make some good points, and I'm sure any wise parent would do whatever it takes to keep their child out of danger. Besides, what if Oliver and Team Arrow weren't trained heroes and weren't friends with the Flash and Vixen ? How would Oliver then rescue his son and especially if Darhk had gone back on his word, and worse, didn't have a code of honor in regards to not harming children ? Bad news. Those are just my thoughts and all of you have the option of disagreeing with me.

[Edit 3-6-2020 The above AU for this chapter's end was posted on 2-15-16]