A/N: Much like I needed to know if Team Flash found out about Oliver I also needed to know how Lance found out. Hope you enjoy, and please let me know what you think!

She paced for a good ten minutes in the bullpen of the precinct before he finally sighed and took pity on her, not having a clue why she'd come to see him without calling first but tired of waiting for her to make her move.

A tingle at the back of his neck told him this was serious because normally they only communicated through text or call; the less that connected the two of them the better. But he'd developed a soft spot for Felicity Smoak and he hoped that whatever had brought her to his department wasn't as bad as his instincts were telling him it was.

"Ms. Smoak, you need something or you looking to get arrested for loitering?"

Her head jerked up at his voice and he got his first good look at her. Pale behind her make up with dark shadows that couldn't be hidden. But it was her eyes that made him suck in a breath. They were dull, lifeless, with a pain so visceral he recognized it immediately. He'd seen that same look in his own eyes when he thought Sara had died.

She quickly looked away, knowing she'd given up too much, but the damage had been done and without a word he stepped to the side and lifted a hand towards his open office door, the invitation clear.

Like a ghost she slipped by him, barely moving the air and as she passed he took note of the muted colors she wore, the usually perfect nails that were now chipped, and a low, hastily done ponytail at the base of her neck instead of her typical sleek look.

He took his time shutting the door and drawing the blinds, having already noticed a few curious heads lifting. They knew she wasn't one of his daughters, so her presence drew questions.

When he turned she stood in front of his desk, staring blankly at a spot on the wall, seeing something he couldn't see. A gentle hand along her arm made her jump and skitter to the side like a spooked animal. He waited as she pressed the back of her shaking hand against her mouth as she tried to control her breathing while an icy fist clenched in his gut. There could only be two reasons why she'd be this upset to come see him.

"Is it Sara?" he blurted out, and she took a step back, paling even more as a stricken look froze her face. All the blood rushed to his head, his hand automatically reaching for the pills he kept on him at all times.

"No!" she said too loud and too quick, cold fingers flashing out to lay over his hand where it was searching in his breast pocket. But there was something in her eyes he still couldn't place. "It's not...it's not Sara."

As the pounding of his heart began to subside he realized he knew exactly why she'd come and he felt the pang, the loss of the man he'd once vilified and hunted but who he'd come to see as a savior and hero.

"He's uh...he's gone," she said quietly, voice thick with tears and pain.

Lance let his eyes fall shut as he rubbed at his temples, "I don't suppose there's any chance he's coming back this time?"

Her head snapped up, and their gazes locked. He'd known the real identity of the Arrow for over a year but he'd never acknowledged it because he understood why he'd kept himself separate. Why Oliver Queen couldn't be both men. Why he'd needed that divide. "The kid was a survivor."

"You knew," she gasped, shock splashed over her face.

"I am a detective, or I was. But he didn't want me to know and I figured that was for a reason."

Her head dipped once in agreement, "He didn't want you to be culpable if something went wrong."

"Still not sure what my girls saw in the old him. But your guy? The one who came back...I'm so sorry, sweetheart, I know how much you loved him."

Her lower lip trembled, eyes so full of tears he didn't know how they didn't spill over. And with a heavy sigh he took two steps forward and pulled her into his chest.

She cried quietly, shoulders shaking as he rubbed her back, trying to give what little comfort he could.

He didn't ask why or how knowing in the end it didn't truly matter.

"He did some real good in this city. And if I know you, you and your boys aren't going to stop, are you?"

Her head twisted twice on his shirt front and he dragged a slow hand over her hair, "Well, that's something I guess."

"Won't be the same," she mumbled against him and he had to blink rapidly against the hot sting of tears that surprised him.

"It never is, sweetheart, it never is."

He couldn't help pressing a kiss to the crown of her head as her grip grew tighter for a moment.

However, before he could say anything the door burst open, "Dad, here's the file you requested, I can't-"

He lifted his head to see Laurel staring at them, as a whole host of emotions ran unchecked. He saw surprise, confusion, jealousy, and then anger for a split second before it all fell away and settled on understanding.

"Oh, sorry, I-"

Felicity took a deep breath and then pushed back, fingers hastily wiping away her tears before she looked up at either of them.

"It's fine, Laurel, I…"

"She came to tell me," he interjected, as a growing sense of tension began to swell between the two women.

Felicity's voice took on a hardened edge he'd never heard her use before, "He deserved to know."

Laurel's eyes flashed in challenge and she started forward two steps until she drew herself up short. He looked between the two, not knowing what was being unsaid.

Slowly Felicity turned back towards him, "Let me know if you need any help, Detective-Captain, sorry."

Laurel ducked her head and turned away, but he could still see the stiff line of her shoulders and the way she kept cutting glances their way.

"If you need to take some time…"

"No," she cut him off sharply, "We don't have that luxury."

"Ms. Smoak …" she'd already started to head out when she paused and turned, "I really am very sorry for your loss."

Laurel sucked in a sharp breath through her teeth and he knew his words might hurt his daughter. But she'd stopped being Oliver Queen's girl a long time ago and the woman who blinked at him behind her glasses was hurting in a way few understood.

She mouthed a quiet 'thank you' and slipped out of his office as silently as she'd come in. He followed her with his eyes as she made her way through the bustling bullpen, no one around her the wiser that the woman who kept their city safe was in their midst.

She'd continue to do what she'd always done, he knew that, but she'd never be the same. And he knew every time he heard her voice on the phone that spark would be missing. That extra little something that made her so special had been dimmed, and barring a miracle he didn't expect it to return.