Chapter 11
Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Everything belongs to their rightful owners.
Not long after Laurel left her apartment she arrives at The Arrow Cave where Diggle and Felicity already are.
"You called Laurel? She's your help." Felicity says to Diggle, surprised and disapproving, "You shouldn't have done that." She says looking at Diggle, "You should be resting." She says to Laurel.
"I'm fine. I appreciate your concern but I can handle this, and I want to." Laurel assures Felicity, "And even though I know you can handle it I'm not letting you go out there without someone watching your back."
"Suit up." Diggle says and he and Laurel head of to do just that but before they can even get to the cases Felicity stops them.
"Oh hang on I have something for you." Felicity says running to her desk where she collects something and then heads back to Laurel and Diggle, "Cisco created this. It will monitor your vitals when connected to the underside of your tank top." Felicity informs Laurel, as she hands it over, "If you insist on doing this than at least I can keep an eye on you.
"Okay." Laurel says, accepting the object, and then she and Diggle start to suit up, it being clear that Felicity doesn't think this is a good idea.
About fifteen minutes later Diggle and Laurel are on their way to where the ghosts are in the van.
"I'm really sorry about asking you to do this." Diggle tells Laurel as they drive.
"You don't have to apologise John; I want to do this." Laurel informs him, "And I would have been pissed if you didn't call." Laurel explains.
"Good to know." Diggle responds.
"Make the next left." Felicity says through the coms and Diggle does just that.
For about a minute Diggle and Laurel drive in silence, neither feeling uncomfortable as during the time where Oliver and Felicity were gone they got quiet used to sitting in silence.
"Their right ahead, at least four ghost." Felicity says.
"You up for doing the same thing you did when we first faced them?" Diggle asks Laurel curious.
"You've got to stop asking that. You know the answer." Laurel says as she undoes her seat belt and climbs out of the window and onto the roof, a few seconds later Diggle has stopped the van so she stands up and screams, using her Canary Cry.
Once she has done that Laurel jumps down from the roof and onto the ground and the second she does Laurel regrets it as she feels a large amount of pain her chest and even without being able to see Laurel can tell that she has pulled her stiches.
"Laurel? You okay?" Your vitals have just gone low." Felicity says, worriedly through the coms.
"I'm fine." Laurel lies as she catches her breath, something which is slightly difficult, she doesn't let that phase her.
"Really? Because it doesn't seem like it." Felicity says worried.
"I'm fine." Laurel says forcing herself to push through and keep attacking the ghosts, fighting back while Diggle does exactly the same thing, not being realising that his friend has hurt herself.
Back in Nanda Parbat while Sara is sitting by Sara's cell Oliver, Thea and Malcolm are sitting in one of Malcolm's conference rooms going over anything that could potentially help Laurel.
"How long as Laurel been sick?" Malcolm asks curious, wanting to bond with his daughter and suspecting that if he shows interest in what is important to her than it might help.
"She was diagnosed August 14th. Diggle and I found out then, but everyone else didn't find out until last week." Thea explains.
"So the last time you and Laurel were here, you know she was dying?" Malcolm asks.
"Yes." Thea comments.
"Huh." Malcolm comments realising that Laurel could have asked him to use the pit to save her and yet she didn't, and he can't help but be intrigued about that.
"What is it, Malcolm?" Oliver asks, looking up from the ancient text he is reading.
"Nothing." Malcolm responds.
"Right." Oliver says as he and Thea exchange looks, it being clear that neither believe what Malcolm just said.
About twenty minutes after Laurel jumped of the roof of the van to fight the ghosts she and Diggle arrive back at the Arrow Cave to where Felicity is waiting.
"Okay. I was wrong. You were ready for this. You did good." Felicity informs Laurel when she sees her.
"You weren't completely wrong." Laurel informs Felicity as she undoes her jacket.
"What do you mean?" Diggle ask worried as he turns to face Laurel.
"Don't freak out." Laurel says before lifting her tank top to show that there is a large amount of blood on her stomach and torso that is coming from the incisions where she had her lung tumours removed as she has clearly pulled her stiches.
"You've pulled your stiches. You've got to get to hospital." Felicity says worried.
"And how would I explain this?" Laurel asks and Felicity and Diggle exchange looks.
"You need to do something about it." Diggle tells Laurel.
"I know. The internal stiches are fine, it's just the surface ones. Do you think you could have a look and replace them if needed?" she asks Felicity.
"Yeah, I can. But if it's too bad we're calling in someone with actual medical training." Felicity informs Laurel.
"Deal." Laurel responds.
"I'll get the supplies. Head to the medical area." Felicity informs Laurel.
"Will do." Laurel responds as she does just that.
Half an hour later, after Felicity cleaned of the blood and told Laurel that her stiches don't need replaced, but she does have to be more careful, Laurel is being walked back to her apartment by Diggle.
"You didn't have to walk me to my door." Laurel informs Diggle.
"I know, but I wanted to." Diggle explains, "Are you going to tell them what happened?" Diggle asks curious, it being clear that he is talking about her parents.
"No. Dad will just worry and tell me the he told me so and Mom will just ask a hundred questions that I can't answer." Laurel explains, "It's better that I don't say anything." She admits as they arrive at her apartment door.
"Okay, well I'll come over tomorrow to check in." Diggle informs Laurel.
"You don't have to do that." Laurel tells Diggle.
"I know, I want to." Diggle responds.
"Okay, thank you John." Laurel says, giving her friend a hug.
"You're welcome, Laurel." Diggle responds, "Goodnight." He says as they break apart.
"Goodnight." Laurel says before heading into her apartment while Diggle heads home to his wife and daughter.
It has been two days since Oliver, Thea and Sara arrived in Nanda Parbat and they are now lying. They have already said goodbye to Malcolm and Thea, Oliver and Sara are at the airport, about to go in two different directions.
"Are you sure about this?" Oliver asks Sara, wanting to be sure.
"Yeah. We've got leads and someone has to run them down and I know the area better than you or Thea." Sara explains, "And…. I'm not going home until I find a way to save my big sister." Sara reveals as she won't give up.
"Okay. Call if you need anything." Oliver tells Sara.
"The only thing I need is for you to help Laurel stay alive until I find a way to save her." Sara informs Oliver.
"I'll do my best." Oliver responds, completely meaning that and the two old friends embrace.
"Maybe I should go with you." Thea says as Sara walks over to her after hugging Laurel, "I want to help.
"You can help by going home." Sara informs her, "Laurel needs you, you understand what is going on more than anyone. Go home, Thea, help her see why she needs to hang on, while I figure out a way to save her." Sara says, "Plus if Malcolm finds a way he'll only tell you."
"Good point." Thea admits, "Good luck." Thea says before hugging Sara.
"Thanks, I'm going to need it." Sara responds and she and Thea break apart.
"Time to go." Oliver says, "Sara." Oliver says with a nod.
"Oliver." Sara responds and Thea and Oliver go in one direction and Sara goes in another.
In Star City Laurel has just arrived at the Arrow Cave needing to vent some frustration because as much as she loves her mother and as much as she understands why she is worried she is finding it rather hard to be polite and just accept her mother's hovering and over protectiveness. So, even though she knows that she is risking pulling her stiches Laurel changes into her work out gear and starts working with the heavy bag.
Having no idea about how long Laurel has been at the cave Felicity arrives to handle something and when she does she finds Laurel slowly but steadily hitting the heavy bag and so she heads straight over to her.
"Laurel." Felicity says to her friend.
"Oh, hey." Laurel responds as she stops hitting the bag.
"Are you okay?" Felicity asks concerned.
"Yeah, I'm fine." Laurel responds.
"No. You're not." Felicity responds, "If you don't want to talk that's okay, but maybe you should." Felicity says, "You don't want to pull your stiches because you did too much, do you?"
"No, I really don't, but I think I'll be okay. The stitches are basically healed now." Laurel reveals.
"Okay." Felicity responds and she heads back to her desk and for a few minutes she is typing until Laurel walks over.
"I love my Mom." Laurel informs Felicity.
"Okay." Felicity says, looking up.
"But it's just, for the last seven years the majority of times I've seen my Mother is when something happened with Sara, and now she's here, all the time, trying to help me." Laurel explains.
"And you don't know how to react to that, you don't know how to handle that." Felicity realises.
"Yeah." Laurel says, sitting down next to her friend, "I'm trying to be polite because I know she cares, but…"
"You don't think you can keep doing it."
"Yeah, I just need a break. Some space." Laurel admits and she and Felicity drift into silence.
For a while Felicity and Laurel sit in silence until they hear the elevators open and they both turn to see Oliver and Thea walk in. As soon as they realise who has arrived Felicity and Laurel rush over to them, Laurel hugs Thea and Felicity hugs and kisses Oliver.
"Where's Sara?" Laurel asks when she doesn't see her little sister.
"She's tracking down some leads on things that can save you." Oliver explains, "She'll be home when she finds a way."
"Oh, okay." Laurel responds, "What did Malcolm have to say?" Laurel asks curious.
"He offered the help he could in his own ways. Gave Sara a couple of the leads she is chasing down." Oliver explains.
"So, what has been going on here?" Thea asks curious and Laurel and Felicity being to fill in the Queen sibling on everything that has been going on since they have been gone.
A few hours later Thea has gone home to have a shower and get a little bit of rest while Felicity has headed back to Palmer Tech because she has to handle a few things, leaving Laurel and Oliver the only ones in the Arrow Cave, both of whom are working out, Oliver on the salmon ladder and Laurel hitting the heavy bag, while music blasts through the lair. Neither have noticed that Diggle briefly stopped by, saw what they were doing and then left.
While she hits the bag Laurel starts to hit the bag harder as she her mind drifts to things she has been trying not to do and as she does she feels a sharp pain in her chest which results in her having to cry out and grab her chest.
"LAUREL." Oliver yells jumping down from the salmon ladder and rushing over.
"I'm okay." Laurel says as she bends forward and tries to catch her breath.
"No, you're not." Oliver realises as he reaches her side and sees Laurel doubled over, "You should sit down." He says.
"Yeah, might be good." Laurel says as Oliver puts his arm around her to help her to the chair.
"Felicity said that you pulled your stiches while we were gone. Do you think that's happened again?" Oliver asks concerned as he helps Laurel to the chair.
"I don't think so. I think I just did a bit too much. I'll be fine." Laurel assures her.
"You know I don't think you know what that word means." Oliver informs Laurel, causing both of them to laugh.
"Yeah, guess not." Laurel says, and the two of them drift into silence.
"Maybe you should head home. Get some rest." Oliver suggests.
"Yeah, might be good." Laurel says, "I'm still helping out tomorrow night." Laurel informs Oliver as they have known for months that they are going to have to be masked to watch over the New Year's celebrations.
"If you're sure you're up to it." Oliver responds, knowing that he isn't going to be able to talk Laurel out of that.
"I am." Laurel responds standing up, "I'll see you later.' Laurel tells Oliver.
"You know why don't I drive you home." Oliver suggests.
"I'll be alright, but thanks." Laurel responds and Oliver nod, "See you." She says before leaving, while Oliver watches her go, looking slightly worried.
After getting home Laurel spent most of the day and night resting, finding out that she needed more rest than she originally thought.
It is New Year's Eve day and after spending most of the day just resting up Laurel is about to leave apartment to go to the Arrow Cave so that team arrow can figure out how they are going to protect the city, when she hears a knock on her door. Due to the fact that she has a suspicion about who it is Laurel stashes her bag underneath her bed and puts on her dressing gown as she walks to the door, and just like she suspected her mother is standing on the other side.
"Mom, what are you doing here?' Laurel asks, pretending to be confused.
"I know you are spending New Year's in, but I want to spend New Year's with you, so here I am." Dinah explains.
"Mom, no. You should go to the celebration." Laurel informs her mother.
"I would prefer to stay with you." Dinah explains,
"I'm just going to sleep; I won't be much company." Laurel says, it being the first lie she can think to come up with.
"I still want to stay." Dinah says, causing Laurel to internally curse.
"How about I sleep for a couple of hours sleep then meet you at the celebration." Laurel suggests, "That way we both can enjoy the celebrations." Laurel says, in hopes that it will get her mother to leave.
"Why don't I just wait here." Dinah suggests.
"Because I want you to enjoy yourself. I'll see you in a couple of hours." Laurel assures her mother.
"Okay. I'll see you soon." Dinah reluctantly says, "Love you."
"Love you too." Laurel responds before giving her mother a hug.
Once Dinah leaves Laurel waits a few minutes before she leaves herself, hurrying to the Arrow Cave.
"You're late." Oliver tells Laurel when she arrives at the Arrow Cave a little while later.
"I know. I know. It took me a while to convince Mom to go to the celebrations." Laurel explains.
"Oh." Oliver says, realising why Dinah would have been so insistent about spending time with her daughter.
"You could have gone with your Mom if you wanted to." Thea tells the person who is like her sister.
"I know, but I wanted to help." Laurel explains.
"Okay if you're sure." Oliver tells her.
"I am." Laurel confirms, "How are we going to do this?" Laurel asks, wanting to get the attention off her.
"Felicity pull up the plan of the celebration." Oliver says and everyone heads over to the computer.
"Here it is." Felicity says as she pulls the map up.
"Two teams of two or each of us at a separate place with Felicity in the crowed?" Diggle ass, looking at the others, trying to figure out what would be best.
"Two teams and Felicity in the crowed." Oliver answers, "Laurel you and I will be here. It will be up to monitor this area." Oliver says, pointing to the places, "Thea, Dig you're here and look here." Oliver says pointing to the other area, "Got it?"
"Got it." Everyone responds.
"Suit up."
As soon as they suited up Laurel, Felicity, Oliver, Diggle and Thea headed to where the New Year's celebrations were going on. As she watches over the people Laurel can't help but smile when she sees her parents happily and politely talking to one another. Just as Laurel happily smiles to herself about that the sounds of gunshots rings out and Laurel and Oliver both jump down from their hiding places Oliver saying,
"Move now." Through the coms as they do.
Once she has landed on the ground Laurel heads straight for her parents who are in the line of fire of Ghosts and tackles her mother, saving her.
"Are you alright?" Laurel asks her mother, having altered her voice first.
"Yes, I'm fine." Dinah assures her, finding something familiar about the woman.
"What do you want me to do?" Lance asks Laurel.
"Get everyone out of here. We'll handle the ghosts." Laurel tells her father before she runs off to fight ghosts, and as she does Dinah realises exactly why the girl seemed so familiar.
"Laurel." Dinah says to herself in a quiet, amazed voice.
A couple of hours later the members of Team Arrow are back at the Cave dealing with the aftermaths of the attack.
"How many dead?" Oliver asks, pain in his voice.
"Five at last count, more wounded." Felicity answers.
"Guess that answers the question about whether Darkh is really dead or not." Laurel comments as she undoes her jacket.
"Unfortunately." Thea answers, "You okay?" she asks her 'sister' curious.
"Yeah, I'm fine. No pulling or pain." Laurel assures.
"Good." Thea responds and then before anyone can say anything Laurel's phone rings.
"Hello." Laurel answers.
"Laurel, you need to get home." Lance informs his daughter.
"Why what's going on?" Laurel asks confused.
"Your Mother recognized you tonight, and I'm running out of lies." Lance explains.
"I'll be right there." Laurel says quickly as she hurriedly removes her jacket and hangs up.
"What's wrong?" Oliver asks worried as soon as Laurel hangs up her phone.
"My mother recognized me tonight." Laurel reveals.
"Not good." Felicity comments.
"What are you going to tell her?" Thea asks curious.
"I don't know; I'll think of something." Laurel responds.
"Good luck." Oliver tells her.
"Thanks, I think I'm going to need it." Laurel says before hurrying off to get changed before heading home.
As she arrives home about twenty minutes later Laurel truly has no idea about what she is going to tell her mother.
"Mom? Dad?" Laurel asks as she walks into her apartment.
"Laurel." Dinah says, running up to her daughter and hugging her, "I'm so proud of you." Dinah tells her daughter as she hugs her tightly.
"What are you talking about?" Laurel asks, faking confusion.
"I know, Sweetie. I know that you're The Black Canary, and I couldn't be more proud." Dinah informs her daughter.
"I….." Laurel says, not sure what else to say, "Thank you."
"Tell me everything, I want to know how this all happened." Dinah tells her daughter.
"Okay. But I'm not going to tell you who the others in masks are, they're not my secrets to tell." Laurel tells her mother.
"Okay." Dinah says though she has her suspicions and Laurel and Dinah head over to the couch where Laurel starts to tell her mother everything about the journey she has taken.