Author's Note: Here it is, folks... the reveal. But first, a flashback scene...

(3 March 2013)

Oliver stood in front of apartment 4A, knocking politely on the door. He needed to make sure Kara was okay after everything that had transpired today. She had given her statement and Quentin had organised for a squad car to be stationed outside her apartment. He was angry at himself for losing control in front of her. He was fully preparing himself for the possibility that she would want nothing to do with him. She opened the door a few seconds later, smiling at him. She had just showered. Her hair was still wet and she stood before him in her shower robe, still holding a towel. He raised his hand apologetically and apprehended himself.

"I'm sorry," said Oliver remorsefully, "I should've called."

"No, it's okay. Come on in," replied Kara.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, yeah," she replied, as she grabbed his arm and tugged at him to come in. He took several steps into her apartment while she closed the door, relieved that she didn't seem to be angry with him.

"Are you okay?" asked Oliver as she walked towards him.

"Yeah, I'm obviously a little shaken up, but I'm fine."

"I'm really, really sorry Kara, I thought he was about to kill you and I lost control…" Before he could continue, she interrupted him.

"Oliver, it's okay. Really. I'm not going to say that seeing you almost murder someone in front of me wasn't frightening, or traumatising, but I can at least understand why you did it."

"Still, Kara. I have lied to you for months, and now, I've put you in danger."

"Oliver, for every lie you've told to go out there, you have saved countless more lives."

"That's no excuse for hurting the people closest to you."

"No, but when you believe in what you do, you find a way to make it work."

"How?"

"Well, the first thing you do is you find yourself someone you never have to apologize to," she said, smiling once again.

She took his hands in hers as he confirmed to himself what neither of them had to say. He had already found her. They both realised what was about to happen in this moment. When Oliver returned from the island, both of them knew that neither were the same person that they were five years prior, but their love for each other was as deep as ever. Neither resisted the electricity that pulled them together as they kissed.

When they kissed at Oliver's party five months ago, neither were ready. Diggle had told Oliver that he'd be ready when he met the right person. He was wrong, because he'd already met her, and he wasn't ready for her then, but he was ready now. They both were. They continued to kiss, savouring every moment while she pushed him to her bedroom, where he laid her down on the bed, and they both finally accepted their love for each other.

Oliver sat by himself near his gear bag in the hall, contemplating Diggle's words. He'd taken those words to heart. Yes, getting on the wrong side of a woman that could snap you in half before he could even think about nocking an arrow to fire at her is foolish. He didn't lie when he said he didn't get unnerved, but the Dominators did get inside his head, literally and figuratively. Still, he had to do the right thing.

He recollected the events of the night that E1 Kara found out he was The Hood, taking solace in her reaction. He beat Palmer Cokes to death in front of her, yet her love for him still didn't waiver. She only loved him more for the sacrifices he was making to try save the city. From what he'd seen of Earth-38 Kara Danvers, she was the same. She saw the best in people. He just hoped that he hadn't pushed her too far away, but a part of him thought that was impossible given the person she was.

He got up and walked around the van he was sitting behind, scanning the area for Kara. He spotted her standing by the screens, talking to Amaya.

"Kara!" he called out. She turned her head and the smile on her face immediately disappeared once she saw that it was Oliver, "Can I speak with you please?"

She smiled at Amaya and turned to walk over to Oliver. She death-stared him as she walked towards him, still absolutely livid over Oliver's treatment of her.

"I owe you an apology," started Oliver, "I know that I've been very harsh and cold around you. Keeping you at arm's length was the wrong move. I know my words may not mean much, so if you'd allow me, let me show you why I did that".

Kara nodded, and Oliver gestured with his head to follow him. They walked back to behind the van where Oliver kept his gear bag. He unzipped a small side compartment of the bag and pulled out a small, worn-out picture before handing it over to Kara. It took her less than a second to recognise the person on it, gasping in shock. A young woman, no older than 28. Blonde hair, a wide, radiant smile.

Herself?

"Wh… who is this?" she asked.

"That… is the Kara Danvers of this universe. She was my best friend… The woman I loved… She died three and a half years ago. She sacrificed herself to save my sister's life. That's why Thea was so happy to see you. What the Dominators did to us was that they put us all in a… shared dream where we were each living our perfect lives. Me and her were about to get married, but I had to leave her to escape the dream."

Kara was at a loss for words. She never could've imagined what it was like for Oliver to see her and be forced to pretend to have not had any connection with her at all. Immediately she felt guilty for being angry at him.

"I… I'm so sorry for…" Her apology was interrupted by Oliver.

"No, no, it's fine. You don't have to apologise. You and her are so alike. You're both hopeful, optimistic, so willing to help people. The only difference is that you are an invulnerable alien. When I see you with all of these powers, it reminds me of her vulnerability and of my failure to save her. That's why I've been trying to keep my distance from you. I don't expect your forgiveness, but I'm asking for at least your understanding."

Kara looked into the deep blue eyes of Oliver Queen. His eyes told the story of all the pain and loss that he has experienced. Her mother once told her that the eyes are a gateway to a person's soul, and she could see that Oliver Queen's soul had had to endure far more than anyone should ever have to go through.

"You don't just have my forgiveness, or my understanding, Oliver. You have my friendship."

"Thank you," replied Oliver, smiling at her. Kara only realised now that this was the first time Oliver had smiled since she'd met him. He had such a beautiful smile, one that she wished she'd seen before.

"Oliver." Oliver and Kara both turned to see Diggle walking around the corner, "Sorry to interrupt, but Barry's calling a team meeting," said Diggle, before turning back. Oliver and Kara glanced at each other, each both knowing exactly what Barry was going to tell them.