AN: I write scenes that I delete afterwards, because these characters are fairly new to me, and I kinda practice with them a while until I get in sync with the whole story. Point in fact, I had no idea I would be writing so much from Tommy pov when I started this, yet here he is. Anyway, that was just to explain the random cut scenes I post… which I should probably divide into another fic… right?

Yeah, probably.

Four.1

'I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It's when you know you're licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what.'

Harper Lee; To Kill a Mockingbird

Laurel keeps moving around and it is giving Felicity a headache. She is huddle on the couch with her mother while Donna pets her hair, more for her own benefit than Felicity's. Felicity herself feels like ants are crawling under her skin; she is exhausted but also hyper-conscious of the cops and CSI working evidence, of every single person clammed in there really, and especially aware of the very dead body not even 10 feet from her, on the other side of a flimsy wall.

She winces at that.

"Don't think about it." John tells her, his voice warm and low. "We'll wait for them to get every statement and then get out of here. You can stay at my place, if you want."

Felicity sighs. "You have Lyla staying over, John."

But John's smile is warm. "I still have a guest room for you, Felicity. Lyla will love seeing you."

Felicity gathers the energy to give him a teasing smile. "Oh, is that so? Does that mean she won't be using that guest room?"

Digg snorts. "When has she ever?"

Felicity is surprised when a tiny laugh makes its way out of her. Its a bit edgy, but honest, and Digg gives her an encouraging smile. 'You're doing good' he says silently and she nods. But then she catches Digg's eye and as she follows it, she is surprised to see that the suspicious, evaluating look is trained on Tommy.

"What is it?" Felicity asks, but John just shakes his head. And Felicity thinks its dropped, but a moment later, when Tommy makes Laurel come sit on the couch beside them and be still for 5 minutes, Digg trains that same look on him.

"Thanks for what you did back there." he says, sounding casual enough, but the thing is, Felicity knows how Digg sounds when he's actually thanking someone: this is not it. He is up to something.

Tommy's plastic smile proves it.

"It was a lucky shot."

Digg lifts one disbelieving brow.

"That was a kitchen knife, not even weighted properly. And you threw it across a ten foot room, right into her shoulder." And buried almost to the hilt too. But John doesn't say that out loud because judging from Felicity's pale face, she will not appreciate that detail.

"Ahh-I guess I have wicked aim." Tommy says with a shrug, brows high and eyes wide, trying to look as innocent as possible but only managing to remind Felicity of Thea when she got caught red-handed doing something she seriously shouldn't be doing and using 'but I thought it was a regular smoke' as an excuse. Digg doesn't seem to buy it for a second either, but he lets it drop… for now. Felicity tries to remind herself to ask him later.

That's about when Quentin comes toward them, walking determinedly like a bull going for the red flag.

"Laurel…" he starts

"Dad, we already talked about this." Laurel snaps, interrupting him, and Felicity has to wonder how she even has the energy to do that after what happened.

"Guys…" she tries, but it doesn't take.

Donna hears her loud and clear, though.

"Alright, you too." She says firmly as she gets up. Quentin stops talking and Laurel's words die in her mouth for a moment. Donna never raises her voice unless it is on a delighted squeal, so when she does, it is a memorable occasion.

"I have just had what is probably one of the worst nights of my life, so after all the bullets and things smashing, I would appreciate a little bit of quiet."

Laurel winces and Quentin looks immediately apologetic.

"Donna…"

But Donna Smoak holds a hand up and Quentin stops talking. "I'm sure your argument will keep till morning, Quentin. Right Laurel?"

Laurel crosses her arms over her chest, but doesn't say anything.

"Preferably after breakfast and lots, lots of coffee." Donna adds then. "Now, I am going to go pack a bag, and you are coming with me. Let's go."

And she grabs Quentin's hand and takes him upstairs, because only physically removing him from Laurel's presence is going to shut either of them up. It's a little secret Smoak women have learned during their life with the Lances.

Silence lingers a bit after her as she goes, even the SCI and policemen looking after the tiny blonde woman who just handled one of Starling City's most dreaded detectives like a pro.

"Huh. Your mom really knows her way around him." Digg comments and Felicity can't help a breathy laugh, just as Laurel falls on the couch again with a small 'Yes, she does, thank god!'

"He's not wrong, Laurel." Tommy murmurs softly, immediately drawing Laurel's attention eyes to himself, expression almost betrayed.

"What are you saying, Tommy?" and it's not a challenge. It's a question so defenseless that it almost hurts Tommy to answer it, because he sees her disbelief, the tiny twinge of hurt in her eyes when she thinks he might doubt her the way her father always does.

Tommy presses forward, determined.

"I'm telling you that you need to be careful, because this is unlike anything you've faced before. The Triad has their own rules and they don't bend for anyone."

Laurel tightens her jaw, working on not snapping at Tommy because he is about the only person that has never once hesitated in choosing her first.

"I know that. I will be careful, but this city is already filled with too many people who have given up on it. I won't be one of them Tommy. This is our city these people are running, and I'm going to fight for it with everything I've got. I won't bend on this either."

Tommy stops, takes a moment to still back and just look, to appreciate the absolute fierceness of this woman he is in love with… and when he shakes his head a little, smiling and Laurel's eyes light up for him in a way that makes him want to kiss her right there in front of everyone and not give a damn.

"You're not fighting alone Laurel." Felicity says softly, taking Laurel's hand and squeezing, her eyes are serious and shiny with understanding and something very much like dread too. "You're doing the right thing, and we know that. So does your dad. He's just scared for you."

"I sense a 'but' coming." Laurel encourages, eyes softer than before. Felicity gives her an reluctant smile.

"But… try not to forget what happens to things that don't bend, ok."

Laurel's lips fall a little open with surprise and immediate understanding. Because things that don't bend: they either fall or break, and Laurel purses her mouth and nods, squeezing back the hand that is still wrapped around hers, before she lets go.