Chapter 4 – Secrets Revealed

AN – Again, so many thanks for everyone still reading, reviewing, faving and/ or following! I just truly appreciate your support – thank you! Always a shout-out to Mic for her incredible support!

DISCLAIMER: I've run out of creative ways to say this so let's just all accept the standard legal jargon that CW's Arrow does not belong to me.


The trio had moved quickly after breakfast but all were a little disconcerted that the day's plan required them to separate. Despite the current tension and threats hanging over them, spending the evening and night together had made them all feel calmer and happier than they had been in weeks. They were all hesitant to face the real world separately as they needed and wanted to stay close; however, they had a plan and needed to act so each resigned themselves to doing what was required of them. Oliver was going to speak to Moira about Isabel and then also meet with Sara about her family. Felicity and Diggle had set up a meeting with Charlie to discuss QC security. After that, Felicity needed to spend some time at the lair to research while Diggle intended to meet with Lyla.

Oliver made his way quickly to the Mansion and his mom's first question was about Thea. He knew he couldn't tell her Felicity was tracking her so he just said a friend told him she was safe. Moira was far from relieved but Oliver spoke up quickly to redirect her focus on QC.

"What do you know about Isabel Rochev?" Oliver asked more harshly and bluntly than he intended.

"Other than the fact that you gave her control of Queen Consolidated?" Moira had matched his tone and Oliver felt his muscles bunch and quiver in response.

"She mentioned to me that the sins of the father were the sins of the son. What does that mean to you?" Oliver employed a softer tone but was no less serious. He watched his mom carefully and saw the panic and anger flare in her eyes.

"I told you she cannot be trusted. I told you that Oliver but you didn't listen. You brought this all upon yourself." Moira was angry now but Oliver could still see the panicked nerves as well as she paced in front of him.

Oliver struggled with his own anger now. He took a deep breath and chose to focus on that one moment where he had reconnected with his mom recently – that moment when they had both been terrified of losing Thea and had clung to one another. With that memory in mind, he was able to soften his tone and bury the anger. "You were right - she can't be trusted. She can be defeated though. You can help me defeat her."

There was a long pause before Moira spoke.

"Your father arranged for her adoption from Russia – I don't recall the details." Moira now stood with her back to Oliver as she looked at the front window.

Oliver waited but when no other information was forthcoming he prodded her. "That wouldn't be a reason not to trust her. What else do you know?"

Moira turned to face him and glared for a moment before she spoke again. "He had found a nice family and even paid for her education but she came to me as a teenager – angry and crying for retribution. She told some outlandish lies…this doesn't matter, Oliver. It should be enough that I told you she can't be trusted." Again she turned away but this time it was to walk out of the room as well.

Oliver stood and watched her leave as he wished things were different in his family, wished they could be different. With that thought in mind, he checked his phone and saw Thea was at Verdant. Without her knowledge, Diggle had arranged for some old service buddies to keep an eye on her so Oliver had to believe she was safe, physically at least. He then tapped out a quick message to Sara and turned to leave so he could meet her.

Meanwhile, Diggle and Felicity had made their way to a café near QC where they were meeting Charlie for coffee. As they walked in they saw Charlie in a booth near the back and quickly walked over. The security guard had brought his granddaughter, Mae, with him and the little girl immediately latched on to Felicity. The little girl was even happier when Felicity set up a game on her tablet and allowed her to play.

"Can't figure out how she learned how to use those things." Charlie spoke with gruff affection for the girl in his tone. "Mae, why don't you stretch out in this booth behind me and play for a bit on Ms. Smoak's computer?"

All three watched as the little girl danced happily away and took her seat. Charlie then leaned in and spoke in a quieter voice. "I couldn't leave her at home but I don't suspect this is a conversation for little ears."

"We appreciate you meeting us Charlie." Diggle spoke first but paused as he turned to Felicity. "We do need your help but you are under no obligation. Mr. Queen doesn't have control of QC Charlie. You need to understand the position you would be taking."

Charlie rubbed a hand over his head but didn't pause as he replied. "Already made the choice when I called you. What can I do for you Mr. Diggle?"

Diggle and Felicity exchanged a look and it was Felicity who answered. "I'll be in the QC computer system a bit the next couple of days. I should be able to disguise everything I do and that's all on me—"

"On us." Diggle interrupted to add and Felicity smiled at him before she continued.

"It seemed prudent to let you know though as you have been very observant in the past. I am, we are hoping you won't decide to share any computer glitches or errors you receive with IT or your supervisors. We don't need to do anything Charlie – we wouldn't put you in that position but we are asking you not to do anything."

"Well, I don't rightly understand that much about technology Ms. Smoak. IT always just says to restart the thing and Ms. Rochev has recently told me to follow those simple orders. Maybe I should just restart the machine if I notice anything weird?" Charlie grinned as he offered that solution and Felicity started laughing.

"That would be perfect Charlie and much appreciated." Felicity smiled at the man as she and Diggle stood up.

Diggle offered a hand to Charlie as he echoed Felicity's appreciation. "Thanks Charlie. You know you can call if you need us, right?"

"I do, Mr. Diggle." Charlie replied simply as he shook his hand. "One more thing, I am pretty observant and I've seen the changes around QC after you three got together…I believe it was about the time the Vigilante really got busy cleaning up the city, wasn't it?" Charlie's expression gave nothing away and Felicity and Diggle quickly exchanged a look of concern.

"Now Mae just loves the Vigilante, the Arrow, whatever you call him – she sees him as a hero. Kids simplify things sometimes but they have good instincts. I reckon it's really none of my business if someone is risking his or her life to do good." Charlie paused and nodded at the still silent pair before he turned to his granddaughter. "Ok, Mae-bug, return Ms. Smoak's game so they can go. We have important things to do too little lady."

Mae quickly jumped up and hugged Felicity as she returned her tablet. She then moved to hold the hand her grandfather offered.

"You too take care and do some good out there." Charlie offered a final quick grin before he left the pair still staring at him.

"Did he just imply-" Diggle spoke first but Felicity jumped in quickly.

"Exactly how many people need to know before it's no longer a secret identity?" Felicity laughed before she continued. "Between Charlie knowing and Isabel knowing though, I'd certainly pick Charlie."

"Yeah, maybe we underestimated Charlie. Have you pulled his record?" Diggle asked with some concern.

"John! Charlie is a good guy—" Felicity spoke quickly in his defense but this time it was Diggle who interrupted her.

"I know that Felicity. I just thought if we knew more we could protect him and his family." Diggle smiled as the blond calmed down.

"Oh, sorry, yeah, I'll run him when we get to the lair. We are heading that way now right? Do you still plan to drop me off and check on Lyla?" Felicity asked.

"She's still out so I thought I'd workout unless you need me for something?" Diggle asked as they got in the car. At Felicity's silence he glanced over and found her staring at her tablet. "Felicity, everything okay?"

"Yeah, just checking on everyone. Oliver and Sara are both on the move to their meet. Roy, well, he appears to be on his way back and I'm not certain that's good. What really worries me though is Thea." Felicity again got quiet as she typed up a few things and continued to stare at the tablet.

"What's wrong with Thea?" Diggle asked in concern.

"I think, well, I know she's at the cemetery. I think at Tommy's grave." Felicity looked up then and Diggle saw the concern and despair she felt reflected in her eyes.

Diggle waited for a moment and let Felicity make the decision.

"We need to go to her…we'll tell him after." Felicity's voice never wavered and Diggle nodded his acceptance as he changed course and headed to the cemetery.

It was a short drive but Diggle continued to glance as Felicity in concern as she remained silent.

"It's okay – I've got this John." Felicity spoke softly but didn't meet his eyes as she unbuckled her seat belt.

Diggle placed a hand over hers to still her motion as he spoke. "Put the comms on Felicity – I promise she won't see me but we need to remain in contact." He kept his hand on hers until she turned to him and nodded. It took only a moment for Felicity to be wired so Diggle could monitor the situation.

Felicity approached slowly and tried to calm her nerves. She wasn't worried about the young woman but cemeteries just creeped her out and brought back too many memories.

"Thea." Felicity spoke softly but still the girl spun around and jumped in fear. Felicity smiled sadly when she saw the tear streaks down Thea's face. She then nodded to Tommy's headstone. "Your brother."

Thea burst into hysterical laughter. "Of course you know too! Did Ollie tell everyone but me?"

Felicity realized her mistake and tried to correct it. "Actually I was the one who told your brother. I had done some research and stumbled onto the information." Felicity didn't want to share the details of her conversation with Moira but she would do so if that would help Oliver. For now, she waited.

"Yeah, okay, whatever…" Thea rolled her eyes and turned back to the grave but Felicity noticed her hands shook as she wiped at her tears.

"I know what it feels like, Thea—" Felicity began but Thea spun around again although now anger not fear was her dominant emotion.

"How could you know? How could you possibly know how it feels?! Please tell me that Ms. Smoak! Has your entire family lied to you? Has your very existence been a lie? Did you lose a brother you didn't even know you had? Do you have no one you can trust, no one you can turn to for help?" Again Thea erupted into laughter but the sound was still harsh and angry.

Felicity could see the hurt the anger masked even if Thea wouldn't acknowledge it and her heart broke for the girl. She also knew that Thea's pain was Oliver's pain and she wanted to help him. With that thought in mind and the young girl standing in front of her trembling in anger and pain, Felicity spoke just one word - Felicity knew the repercussions of that word but she said it anyway.

"Yes." Felicity then simply waited as she knew it would take a moment for Thea to process her response. The other woman finally, slowly turned back to her and now Felicity could see the girl's confusion blending with the hurt in her eyes.

"I'm going to tell you a story Thea but it goes no further than us…I haven't even told Oliver but I will, in my own time." Felicity paused and sure enough she heard Diggle's quiet 'okay' over the comms. She then picked a point in the horizon and just stared as she started the story.

"My father left when I was very young – Oliver does know that. It crushed me, absolutely devastated me. I still had my mom but she probably shouldn't have ever been a parent but then again she didn't actually want to be a parent…she wanted a bribe. My mom was my dad's mistress – the other woman. She hoped getting pregnant would get my dad to leave his real family but it didn't work. He came around for a while when I was little so I do have memories of him. Then one day he just left and never returned. My mom always blamed me and I did too. She never told me the whole story though. She lied to me."

Felicity paused and looked again at Thea and found the young woman had moved closer. She gave her another sad smile and then looked away again as she continued. "I only found out later about everything she had tried to get him to stay. I only found out later she was responsible for my brother's death – a brother she didn't tell me about, a younger brother I had never met. It was ruled an accident but I knew she had done it and that's when I left. I was sixteen and smart enough for college so I just left and never returned. I didn't contact my father – his wife was sick and his son was dead. I knew he didn't want me. I did visit my brother's grave though."

Felicity took a deep breath and turned to Thea again. "I know exactly how it feels for those closest to you to lie to you, to lose someone you didn't even know you had. The difference is you still have someone in your life Thea – you have Oliver. Your brother loves you. I know you know that and I know you love him! You have to feel that love whenever he smiles at you, kisses your cheek, holds you tight. You feel that love, don't you Thea?"

Thea was crying openly now and Felicity pulled her tight for a hug. She held the girl for several moments as she fought back her own tears. When she felt steady, Felicity eased back and carefully tucked a strand of hair behind Thea's ear.

"Don't punish him by staying away because you are only punishing yourself Thea. Your brother is a wonderful man and you are so lucky to have someone who loves you. Don't throw that away because you are angry and hurt."

Felicity continued to look at Thea and finally the girl nodded so Felicity dropped her hands from her and turned to leave. However, Thea latched on to her arm and pulled her back in for another hug as she whispered her thanks against Felicity's neck. Felicity smiled and hugged her back.

"I do love Ollie, Felicity. I'm sorry I hurt him and I will tell him that." Thea spoke earnestly now.

Felicity knew she still needed more time to get past the anger but at least Thea now wanted to get past it and that meant something. Oliver needed his sister just as much as she needed him. She gave Thea another smile and nodded before she turned and started walking away again.

"After you make up with Oliver then we'll talk about Roy, okay?" Felicity tossed casually over her shoulder as she stepped away again but again Thea was fast and grabbed her arm.

"I know there's something Roy lied about too. You know about that secret too, don't you?" Thea's tone was more pleading than accusing and the pain and confusion was still there in her eyes.

"One thing at a time – talk to your brother first." Felicity again turned to leave but she saw Thea's shoulders slump as she wiped fresh tears from her face and the words just came out. "Thea, you can always talk to me too, you know? I never had a sister but I think it would be nice."

Felicity really hadn't intended to blurt out that offer but she could feel the girl's pain and she could understand it. She wanted to help Thea as she wished someone had helped her. As the silence continued, Felicity regretted the words. She bit her lip nervously and was just about to start rambling when Thea's face split into a wide grin. Now it was Felicity's turn to stare silently as Thea started laughing. Her laughter now though was soft, musical, and real.

"It's a deal, Felicity!" Thea continued to smile after she spoke.

Felicity finally grinned back and then turned to leave but Thea's voice stopped her.

"This means you can talk to me too Felicity…if you ever need to and don't want to talk to Ollie." Thea's tone was serious as she made the offer.

"Thanks Thea – I'll remember that." Felicity was able to leave this time and only a few tears fell as she walked back to the car. She wiped those away carelessly as she slid in the seat next to Diggle.

"I hate to quote Oliver but Felicity, you really are remarkable." Diggle smiled gently at the blond and she issued a nervous laugh in response before she smiled genuinely at him.

"Thanks John – you aren't so bad yourself."

Diggle drove them back to the lair without speaking further about all that Felicity had revealed. He knew she needed to talk to Oliver and he knew Oliver needed to talk to Felicity - he just wasn't sure if he needed to do anything. He shook his head in amazement that with all that was going on he was distracted by whether or not his partners would be able to work out a real relationship…assuming they all survived the coming days.

"I'll tell him John…after all of this is over. I will tell Oliver." Felicity spoke quietly when he pulled up outside the club.

Diggle breathed a sigh of relief and turned to meet her eyes and nod. "I think you should."

"I will but we have other things to do now, right? Bigger, more important things so its okay to wait a little longer right? Thea won't tell him, will she?" Felicity was concerned as she knew Oliver believed she always told him the truth and she always had…this was just an omission.

"You are important Felicity. Thea won't tell so you tell him when you are ready." Diggle saw the relief enter her eyes as she took a deep breath and relaxed her shoulders. "Right now, feel free to focus on a way to bring down Slade."

"I'm on it John! I really think there's a way to use QC against them now but I need to work it out." Felicity forced herself to switch gears and put everything else aside.

"This is the plan you don't think we'll like right?" Diggle asked hesitantly.

"Yes…well, you'll like the results and the ends justify the means, right? I think its necessary and could be the start of our offensive moves but I just need to make sure. I'm going to check the QC cameras and searches first. You gonna work out until Oliver gets here?"

"Yeah, I'll stay here and train." Diggle ignored the first part of Felicity's ramble as he knew she could be stubborn and wouldn't give the details until she was ready.

Felicity rambled comfortably with Diggle as they headed inside. She quickly took her usual seat and started to work even as she continued to speak half to Diggle and half to herself.

Diggle responded when it was necessary and just took comfort in the fact that she was acting normal, normal for her anyway. He was still worried about the plan she thought they wouldn't approve of as she was normally their conscience…although she had told Oliver to get Slade and end it. Maybe we're a bad influence on her, Diggle thought with a silent chuckle.


AN2 – Really, I am working toward a hot tub scene and I am also going to finally deal with Sara in the next chapter! I struggled with that a bit and I am warning you now that not everyone will appreciate my choices but as a friend told me "My story, My rules" so there you go! ;)