Three months later

Emma came out of the doctor's office after her monthly check-up. Things were going great and she was definitely starting to show.

A week before, they had gone to have dinner at the Queen Mansion and had made their announcement. It had been a lovely moment and Emma had seen Moira finally through a different light. Ever since the gala, she was still unsure about what Moira truly felt about her and her marriage to Oliver. But, with the announcement of a soon to be born heir of the Queen Dynasty, Moira had taken Emma aside.

Flashback

"I know you and I got off to a wrong start, Emma and I'm really sorry. Oliver hasn't always made the best of decisions in the past when it came to relationships. I should have realized that you were nothing like the women he had been with in the past. I am his mother and I will always do what I have to do to protect him. You must find me overprotective".

Emma looked at Moira. "No. On the contrary, I find that admiring and inspirational. Oliver is very lucky to have you as a mother. My mother was the complete opposite. There are times I wish she had been more like you. My life would have been quite different".

Moira put her hand on Emma's shoulder. "Oh, but sweetheart, you are an amazing, wonderful, intelligent and independent woman. You are everything I could have dreamed for my son".

Emma nodded. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to sound ungrateful. I am who I am today because I am a strong person and I have always pushed forward no matter what obstacle or curve ball life has thrown at me. All I'm saying is that I had to learn all of that on my own, the hard way. I wished I had learned that from the role model my mother should have been, just as Thea is learning from you".

Moira smiled at Emma's amazing compliment. It was true that she too hoped that Thea would learn from her strength and independence.

"Then, I know I don't need to worry about my future grandchild's well-being. He will have an exceptional mother in whose footsteps to follow"!

With that Moira had lovingly taken Emma in her arms. "I will always be here, if you ever need me. I know I'm not your mother, but there is nothing more I would love than for you to see me as someone you can rely on".

End flashback

Emma was looking at her phone, texting Oliver that everything was fine and she was on her way to the lair when she accidently bumped into someone.

"Oh, I'm so sorry", she said as she looked up.

"Well there's no harm done Luv".

Her eyes narrowed and she felt a surge of fear settle inside of her. She instinctively placed her hand on her growing belly.

"Mr. Wilson.. What a surprise. I thought you had left Star City. Oliver didn't tell me you were back in town".

"Ah yes. Mrs. Queen. No wonder Oliver kept you far away from me when I was at the gala. He knows I can't keep away from beautiful women. Actually, I've just returned to Star City. I have some unfinished business I need to take care of".

"Oh. I see. We've never really had a chance of talking. What line of business are you in, exactly"?

"Logistics. I transport things for very important people and make sure they get from point A to point B safely".

Emma simply nodded.

"Speaking of safety Mrs. Queen, I'm currently looking at transporting very valuable goods and I'm afraid I may not be sufficient when it comes to its security. I hear there is a vigilante in town. Maybe he can assist me. Do you know who he is"?

Emma tried to not show her fear or worry. "You mean the guy with the green hood"? She shook her head. "I'm sorry. I wish I could help you but till this day, nobody knows who he is. Besides, what makes you think I would know who he is"?

Slade took a step towards her, invading her comfort zone and she took a step back instinctively.

"Well, he did save you a while back, didn't he? Surely a man like that can't resist wanting to be with the beautiful damsel in distress that he's saved".

"I know who saved me Mr. Wilson. His name is the Green Hood. I think you truly overestimate my effect on people to believe that this hero would reveal his secret identity to me".

He stared deep in his eyes as she kept his stare. It was a power game and she knew it. They only thing Slade Wilson didn't know was that she had played this game many times when faced with some of Star City's most influential men. She had never turned away and she certainly wasn't going to with him and his one working eye! He was about to say something when they were interrupted.

"Ah! There you are"!

Slade broke the stare and Emma looked over his shoulder, unsure of what to do or say. She stood unable to walk. She didn't know whose company was worse.

"I don't think we've met".

"Slade Wilson. I'm a friend of Oliver's".

"Malcolm Merlyn, a friend of the family. So technically I'm pretty much family".

Malcolm turned his attention to Emma. "Moira had some last-minute business meeting to attend and asked if I could pick you up instead".

Emma smiled nonchalantly. "Well, that was nice of both of you".

Malcolm gestured towards the elevator. "Shall we"?

Emma nodded. "It was pleasure seeing you again Mr. Wilson. I will tell Oliver that you are back in town".

Slade nodded. "Please do. I'm sure I'll have the pleasure of seeing you again real soon Mrs. Queen".

When they got into the elevator, Emma looked at Malcolm. She was about to say something when he looked at her. "Not here".

She closed her mouth and took out her phone. Malcolm took it out of her hand just as the elevator door opened. He walked out and she followed him.

"Get in the car"!

"You've got to be kidding me, right? I'll take a taxi"!

"Would you just get in the damn car"?

She grabbed her phone out of his hand. "Moira wasn't supposed to pick me up. You really think I'm that naïve and I'm going to get into that car"?

"I'm not going to hurt you".

She gave him a look of disbelief.

"I promise. Oliver had me pick you up".

"Now it's Oliver. I'm outta here". She started to walk away.

"Emma, I need to get you back to the lair and now"! She turned around.

He looked at her amused. "What you think I don't know? You might have been able to fool Mr. Wilson upstairs but I've known longer than you pumpkin, so get in the car so I can get your husband off my back"!

Emma walked back and got in the back of the car. Malcolm sat down next to her.

"What"? he asked.

She turned her head away and looked outside. "Ah. I see you disapprove of Oliver working with me, because of what I am. We aren't that different you know".

"You're a murderer. You are part of the League of Assassins. You kill people innocent for a living out of your own benefit. Oliver is nothing like that. Don't you ever compare yourself to him".

"I hear and see congratulations are in order again. If you're going to want to keep that baby safe, you're going to have to be more careful in the future".

Emma said nothing as the car pulled up in front of Verdant. She opened the door and started stepping out. Malcolm grabbed her hand.

"Stay as far away as possible from Slade Wilson. I won't always be in the neighborhood to come to your rescue".

Emma shot him a look. "I didn't need for you to rescue me. I can take care of Wilson on my own".

"That kind of attitude is impressive, but it will also get you killed".

Emma yanked back her hand and walked away.

Malcolm took his phone. "I thought I told you she was off limits"!

Slade rubbed his chin. "Yes, you did. But I'm curious as to why"?

"It's personal"!

"I'll leave her for now, but I may become immune to personal reasons Mr. Merlyn! And when I do there is nothing you'll be able to say that will make me step down"!