Chapter 3 – Team Arrow

AN – I am simply overwhelmed by the response to Roy's story! I wasn't sure this could or would go anywhere at all but he's been a lot of fun to write and reading your reviews makes that a hundred times better! I have received so many great suggestions – pls keep them coming and I will try to continue to work them in and give credit to you! I do have to ask for your patience as your suggestions are clearly more brilliant than I am and it will take some time for me to work it out! :)

AN2 - Another shoutout to Mic Riddy for again being my beta and providing some wonderful additions/ changes!

DISCLAIMER – I would love to claim ownership over something but alas I cannot (at least not legally)!

Roy couldn't help but laugh as when he realized Felicity had actually posted a laminated a copy of the Lessons that now included the title "Lessons from Team Arrow". He had heard Oliver tell her (again) to stop using the name Team Arrow but as usual it seemed Felicity did what she wanted instead.

It was also apparent she didn't appreciate the notes and changes that would sometimes and mysteriously appear on the posted list. It wasn't something they ever discussed but Roy had come to realize a lot was left unsaid by this group. Most conversations were even in a short hand that he was still trying to figure out. The fact that they often completed each other's sentences continued to throw him off as well. Even if Oliver didn't approve of the title this group was certainly a Team.

Roy couldn't help but think back to the first time Oliver brought him to the lair after he had revealed his identity to him. That night was just a blur but Roy did remember Oliver stating that these two people were the only ones that mattered as he had introduced him to Diggle and Felicity. He hadn't understood that then but even though it had only been a few weeks since he met them that statement made much more sense. That first night though he had been too blown away by the lair set-up to pay too much attention to the people though.

Even since the Arrow had saved his life, Roy knew he saw the hooded figure as a mythic hero that was larger than life and even finding out that hero was his girlfriend's older brother hadn't changed that view. That was as far as his thought process had gone though so seeing the "man behind the curtain" kind of thing with the lair, Diggle and Felicity had been totally blown his mind. This was a highly developed and sophisticated set-up that rivaled anything he had even seen in the movies.

It had taken several weeks for Roy to let go of the awe he felt and truly start to become a member of the Team. Despite his rocky start when first training with the Arrow, Roy had thrown himself into training with both Diggle and Oliver and was working hard at learning to control his strength. Oliver advised that while thinking of Thea, was a great starting point Roy needed to find the control within himself and that only he could do that. It still sounded too much like a mystic kung fu movie line and Roy had even waited for Oliver to call him "Grasshopper" but Oliver had simply returned to training after saying that. It had stuck with Roy though and he had also instinctively felt the truth of the words. It wasn't easy and Felicity teased him unmercifully at the amount of equipment they had been forced to replace since bringing him onboard but he was making progress.

As he made this progress, Roy found his mind cleared as the fear receded and was replaced with hope for his future. It was Thea who first brought hope into his life so as the feeling returned he couldn't help but think of her more often even during training. Of course, losing your concentration while training with Oliver normally resulted in pain so Roy wasn't surprised he saw stars dance before his eyes after Oliver landed a particularly brutal blow to the side of his head.

"Get your head in the game Harper."

Roy forced thoughts of Thea to the back of his mind as they continued sparring. He couldn't help but be surprised when Oliver stepped back suddenly turned to Felicity a few moments later. It took a moment for Roy to realize that one of her computers was beeping a familiar sound of results. He had been so focused on Oliver that he hadn't even heard it so it was a little annoying to see that there were still so many lessons for him to learn.

"Felicity, anything we need to know?" Oliver asked even as he took a couple steps toward her.

"Nope, not yet – go back to beating each other senseless and I'll work through these." Felicity's smile softened the words and she even included Roy as she briefly met his eyes. Roy continued to be mystified by Felicity and her place on the Team. Strangely enough he found himself more unsure of himself around her than Oliver sometimes.

Oliver immediately went on the offensive and Roy had to push his concerns aside and focus before there was any permanent damage. So far the Mirakuru did continue to allow him unbelievable strength and healing but Oliver had cautioned him that there was much they didn't know. Felicity had even taken some blood and sent it away for analysis. It seemed the Arrow had more friends outside of the Team as well. A sharp jab by Oliver again brought Roy's attention back to the present.

They continued to spar for several minutes and while he was focused on the combat Roy still couldn't seem to make use of his strength as Oliver was just too quick. Oliver continued to be able to land several blows and they seemed more brutal than usual. It didn't seem to help that Diggle had joined and offered commentary on the side as he criticized Roy's technique. He felt his frustration mount as Diggle continued to speak and Oliver continued to move easily out of his way. Roy could feel himself losing control and tried to suppress the anger that suddenly flooded his system. Unfortunately at that exact moment he did land a blow and as Oliver landed he crashed through a table several feet away. Roy's anger receded rapidly or at least became totally self-directed now especially when he heard Felicity's cry of alarm.

Felicity flew across the room and Roy watched as Diggle simply moved to Oliver's other side to make room for her. Roy remained rooted in his spot, tense, unable to speak or move – unsure of what to do as he faced the Team lined up against him. Oliver was now standing and seemingly unhurt or at least he was trying to assure Felicity of that anyway.

"I'm sorry!" Roy hadn't planned to just blurt that out but apparently his mouth was another muscle that wasn't under his control. He grimaced and tensely awaited the final verdict from the others.

Felicity started quickly his way and Roy locked his muscles in place as he certainly didn't want to lose his temper and hurt the blond but he also felt he deserved whatever she dished out. However, Oliver pulled her back and basically handed her off to Diggle who spoke quietly to her. After a moment, Felicity did stop fighting Diggle but she appeared just as tense as Roy felt.

Roy tried to relax as Oliver approached slowly but it was difficult given the anxiety he felt. He didn't want to even think of what it would mean for him to lose the Team even if he had only just found them.

"You got it under control now?"

Roy waited for a moment before he replied shortly, "Yes."

Felicity's scoff was clearly heard and Roy couldn't even meet her eyes. He was still focused on Oliver, just waiting.

"It was intentional Roy – it wasn't your fault. It is better that we test you here than out there. Diggle was trying to anger you to see how you handle it." Oliver made those statements in a bland tone.

Now it was Roy's turn to scoff at himself, "And clearly I failed."

"No, you didn't. You held it together rather well." Diggle refuted his judgment.

Roy couldn't help but notice Felicity looked just as disbelieving as he did as she turned to gawk at Diggle. She then moved her gaze to Oliver and Roy did as well, still unsure of what this all meant.

"Control isn't absolute, Roy. You have to continue to push your boundaries, adjust and learn just like fighting. The problem is you are fighting yourself, not me. As long as you are afraid of what's happening to you, at best, you'll only ever have surface control, superficial and easily lost. I know how difficult it is to accept yourself, what you've done and what you could do Roy. That's the battle you are facing and that's the one you have to win. Let me ask you a question. Do your hands still shake?"

As this was the most Roy had ever heard Oliver say to him at one time he was momentarily stunned. He then took a minute to focus and understand the words before he answered the question. "I want to say no."

"But what will you say?" Diggle clarified and Roy felt the importance of this question even before he realized all eyes were fixed on him. Before he could decide, Felicity spoke.

"You know, now that I think about it Lesson #1 should really be: Do not lie to other Team Arrow members." Her voice was gentle and she now stood beside Oliver as Diggle moved to stand on his other side.

Roy could tell she had forgiven him already even if he couldn't forgive himself. Because of that, he found himself answering honestly. "My hands still shake." He even held them up to demonstrate instead of hiding them away.

"When do they shake?" Oliver asked that question.

Roy had never thought about that and realized that was the only answer he could give. "I don't know."

"I'm guessing its only when you lose control and not just when you train regularly." Diggle offered that nugget of wisdom and Roy wanted to believe that but couldn't without real evidence. He just dropped his eyes from the wall of people facing him and even though there was no judgment in their eyes he felt condemned.

"Roy, the Mirakuru changed your blood's chemistry. Your hormone levels are even different now. Which means the adrenaline rush is probably greater for you and therefore harder for you to control. That could be why your hands shake after you lose control." It was Felicity that shared that news and Roy nodded to acknowledge the point even if he remained wary.

"Ok, let's go again."

At Oliver's statement, both Felicity and Diggle moved away and Roy realized this was another thing they would simply accept and move past as if it hadn't happened. He and Oliver again trained for quite a while longer but this time Diggle was silent and Roy maintained control. He was even able to land a few controlled strikes that Oliver couldn't avoid but that didn't send him flying across the room.

After the training, both Diggle and Oliver went on patrol and that again left Roy alone with Felicity. He needed her to understand how much he appreciated her support but didn't have a clue as to where to begin.

Felicity chose that moment to look up and smile at him, "I didn't know they were testing you…not sure why they didn't tell me but apparently you passed with flying colors Roy. I'm sorry I got angry with you."

Roy couldn't believe she apologized to him but then the first part of her statement sunk in and he couldn't help laughing (although there was some genuine relief mixed in with the humor) As Felicity looked at him in shock, he laughed all the more.

"Roy, are you having some type of psychotic break? Do I need to get the guys back here?" Felicity's tone was only half joking which helped Roy sober up.

Roy was finally able to stop laughing but did continue to grin. He realized one of the things the group never talked about was his private Lesson #1, Don't come between Oliver and Felicity. He now realized that perhaps Oliver and Felicity didn't talk about it either – he had assumed they were just keeping the relationship secret but now had to wonder. If Felicity knew the Lesson then she would know that they didn't tell her because they knew she wouldn't, couldn't knowingly allow Oliver to get hurt. She would have stood between him and Oliver to stop that from happening.

"Felicity, you can't put the Do not lie thing as #1." Roy stated innocently enough and he knew Felicity would be curious.

"Well, why not? It's a good rule. Oliver doesn't even lie to us...he may not always share everything but he doesn't lie to us."

Roy stored that information away for later before he responded. "Well, the most important Lesson I've learned is #1 and that doesn't top it so you will have to list yours as #2." Again he baited her and was thrilled when she again responded.

"Ok, so what's that most important lesson that trumps Do not lie to your own Team?"

"Lesson #1 is not to ever try to come between Oliver Queen and Felicity Smoak!"

AN3 – Also, you'll note I've given up the pretense that this is anywhere near complete! In fact, I think I would like to use Roy as I am Charlie (Team Arrow: Front Row Seat). As last night's episode demonstrated there will be times when there's no action at QC so it will be difficult to include Charlie's POV. However, now I can use Roy and follow the current season and add an Olicity spin and a little extra fun with Thea as well! You guys good w/ that?