Chapter 7 – There's no shame in hiding behind Felicity

AN – For those who made it through Saying Goodbye with me hopefully this mindless fluff will be just what you need! :)

AN2 – BTW, I can no longer continue with the current S2 storyline as I refuse to include Sara and it's simply too dark for the fluff so consider this an independent series until the show jumps back on the Team Arrow/ Olicity track! Next, these will also probably be short drabbles that revolve around the numbered Lessons but they will probably not flow cohesively as one larger story. Pls consider them random "one-shots" as the Muse inspires which means you can skip around if you want! I do reserve the right to renumber and revisit the Lessons as I see fit! :)

DISCLAIMER – I have no legal claim to play but I feel I deserve to play after the angst of Saying Goodbye!

Roy pulled Thea along after him even as he typed a quick text to Felicity – 911 Bringing Thea to lair.

"Roy! What are you doing? We need to go to QC – I need to talk to Ollie about his whole secret identity thing! You can't just drop that bomb … are you texting someone? Now?"

Roy winced as Thea's voice rose to an octave that alerted all neighborhood dogs of her annoyance.

"Yeah, big brother Ollie has quite the temper so I'm calling for reinforcements."

He hadn't intended to actually give up Team Arrow but Thea was tenacious about his lame cover stories and missing time so they argued a lot lately. This particular argument started with a moment of weakness as Roy had snuck into Thea's room early this morning just to see her. It had been a rough night for the Team and those missions always made him glad he had her to come home to as she was still his only inspiration sometimes.

Thea hadn't been angry but she was concerned about his dark mood. She had revealed the hurt she felt that he didn't trust her and looking back now Roy could see that was the beginning of the end of him. It didn't help though that when she threatened to bring in Oliver that Roy had actually laughed out loud.

If he survived the aftermath now though he was pretty sure he would be glad he no longer needed to lie to his girlfriend ... again, assuming his new healing abilities were good enough to handle to an irate overly protective brother with a tendency to shoot arrows. Despite training for a while now Roy knew he still wouldn't be able to defeat Oliver and definitely not an Oliver that was out of control. This is why Roy was texting Felicity - there really was no shame in hiding behind the small blond woman in times like this.

Roy continued to field Thea's questions and accusations as best as he could while still being vague. Luckily she was still so shocked and locked in on the Team's #1 Lesson that she couldn't really get beyond her big brother being the Arrow. Roy just continued to drive quickly as he checked his phone for Felicity's response.

WHAT? Roy, what have you done?!

Roy winced at that angry response from his one potential ally. Shit! Roy was so wrapped up in his own drama that he didn't factor in that Felicity's first concern would always be Oliver. Maybe I should just get Lesson #1 tattooed on so I don't forget again. Roy was momentarily distracted by the funny images that brought to mind but quickly refocused on Thea as she cried out again.

"Oh my God! Mom shot the Vigilante?! Mom shot Oliver? I already knew this family was screwed up but … Roy!"

Roy didn't really know how to help Thea process and if he was honest he was hoping Felicity would step in for that too. He did still shoot a concerned look at her even as he dropped the phone to hold her hand.

"It really will be okay Thea – you'll see, this isn't a bad thing." Roy almost started sharing more information about Oliver's exploits, Felicity's off the chart hacking skills, Diggle's total awesomeness but he didn't think Thea would be quite as impressed as he was by the Team right now.

"ROY!" Again Thea's scream made him wince as she tightened her grip on his hand and continued. "The Arrow shot you! Oliver shot you? Seriously?"

"Thea, I'm fine and, really, Oliver is fine too. Just wait and talk to the Team—"

"Team? There are more of you?"

Roy grimaced as he had hoped to wait and just let Thea see the Team instead of having to explain them to her. Luckily he had just pulled into the club parking lot and saw there was a Queen family car here so hopefully that meant Felicity was with Oliver.

"Oh look, we're here!" Roy announced cheerfully as he grabbed his phone and saw another text from Felicity.

We're all here but you are going to be the one to tell him Roy!

He knew this was his thing but he still couldn't help but wish Felicity had at least warned Oliver. He really didn't want to test out the healing abilities on this level. He looked up to see Thea still staring out the window.

"Okay, Roy, you've just been joking right? It's not like there's a secret superhero hideout in my club. Is this your idea of a joke? Did Oliver put you up to this?"

"Thea, its not a joke. Let's just go inside and you'll see, okay?"

"Okay … let's go … hey, what's your superhero name then? I meant if Ollie is the Arrow surely you've got a cool name too right?" Thea was now relaxed and her tone teasing.

Roy just shook his head but didn't mention the whole Red Arrow thing … it at least sounded better than the Hoodie which Felicity still called him when she was annoyed which she probably was … Shit!

Roy took Thea's hand and let her continue to tease as he led her through the club toward the pantry door. He felt her hand tense in his as he entered the code and door opened but he continued to drag her forward and down the steps.

He heard the familiar noises of the lair – Felicity tapping on her computer, the clang of metal as Oliver worked out and the consistent rhythm of Diggle hitting the speed bag. Roy took a deep breath as he reached the landing and pulled Thea forward as he spoke.

"Hey Felicity."

Roy watched as Felicity turned and glared at him for a moment before standing and approaching a still silent Thea.

"Hey Hoodie … Hi Thea. Welcome to the lair! I know it's weird to be here and even consider Oliver as anything other than your big brother but you'll see he's actually quite good with the whole sharp pointy things thing. Arrows, I mean …"

As Felicity rambled to a stop Roy realized she was nervous and that wasn't a good sign. He then noticed the absolute silence in the lair as Oliver and Diggle joined on either side of the blond. Neither face was welcoming but as always Roy was more concerned about Oliver. He barely had time to process that before he felt Oliver's fist connect with his jaw. Lights danced behind his eyelids as he heard Thea's scream. Roy didn't have time to get up before he felt several more shots connect with his body and lift him off the ground.

Thea's scream again pierced the air but then suddenly there was an eerie silence as the attack stopped. Roy took a moment to breathe before he then looked up to see Felicity with a hand on Oliver's arm. He turned next to Thea and saw Diggle was holding onto her. The silence grew and redefined tense and awkward … even Thea stayed quiet … for a moment.

"Okay, now I see the temper … what about the reinforcements? Shouldn't we wait for help?" Thea was focused on Roy and continued to struggle against Diggle's hold. Roy knew she wouldn't be getting away any time soon.

Roy gave a nod to Felicity as he answered Thea, "She is our reinforcements."

Thea laughed somewhat hysterically before responding, "Seriously? Ollie's geeky secretary is who you called for help?"

Roy knew Thea meant nothing by the comments but he still winced as Oliver redirected his glare toward his sister. Felicity moved to place herself between them and spoke too quietly to Oliver for Roy to hear. Whatever she said did have the desired effect of getting his glare off Thea and Roy breathed a sigh of relief until he noticed Oliver was glaring at him again. Shit! What was Plan B again?

Again there was absolute silence but this time it was Diggle who spoke as he still glared at Roy. "I thought you guys agreed you would use arrows if Thea ever found out."

Roy understood that while Diggle wasn't serious he was not happy about this. Diggle was all about the Team and he was the one who taught Roy that the Team kept you alive so you have to respect and honor that bond. Roy nodded even as he met the older man's eyes. After a moment Diggle returned the nod and released Thea.

She moved by Oliver and Felicity to him but Roy just smiled and moved her back behind him. He knew neither he nor Oliver would intentionally hurt her, but if Oliver attacked again then Thea could get caught in the crossfire and he couldn't allow that.

"It's okay Thea – hang on." Roy whispered that even though he knew that Oliver at least would hear. The man really did have serious ninja skills even if now wasn't the time to appreciate them.

There was a tense stand-off before Felicity moved away from Oliver and placed herself in front of Roy. Roy couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief even as he heard Oliver growl. He was sure Thea also reacted but couldn't spare any attention for her as Oliver was still dangerous.

"Oliver, that's hardly any way to welcome your sister." Felicity tried for lighthearted but when that fell flat she tried again with a slight grimace. "She knows now and putting another or several other arrows in Roy won't change that even if it would make us all feel better."

As Felicity finished that thought she glanced over her shoulder and glared at Roy. He tried for a charming smile but when her eyes narrowed he knew she wasn't buying it. As Oliver was still standing immobile with every muscle locked in place while he stared Roy didn't think he was buying Felicity's comments either.

Apparently his distraction with Oliver and Felicity left Thea free as she suddenly stepped from behind him and headed toward Oliver. He grabbed her and pulled her back even as Oliver abruptly turned away and stalked across the room. As he stopped at his arrows Roy tensed but he knew he had to trust Felicity with him as he tried to speak to Thea.

Felicity did in fact head toward Oliver and Roy noticed Diggle put himself between both couples but his focus was on him and Thea.

"Roy, what's going on here?"

"Thea, Oliver is the Arrow, and Felicity and Diggle help him. They do a lot of good—"

"We'll talk about that later. I'm meant why did she step in to protect you? That is what she was doing right? Oliver's secretary was protecting you, protecting us from the Arrow? She really did stop him?"

Roy heard Diggle chuckle and he had to assume that if he had heard then it was possible Oliver had too but Roy plunged ahead anyway.

"Look, Thea, assuming we survive this I'll explain the Lessons to you then but for now, let's just be quiet and wait for Felicity!" Roy lowered his voice and hugged Thea to him as he rubbed her back. He realized he really hadn't thought this through as he had only worried about Oliver and not having to lie to Thea anymore. He would have to accept whatever consequences the Team saw fit to dole out as he had created this mess.

"Why don't you share the Lessons with the group Roy?" Diggle asked that question and didn't bother to hide his grin.

Roy was determined to ignore him until Oliver spoke in his angry Arrow growl. "I'd be curious to hear your Lessons myself."

Roy turned to him in surprise and saw that while he wasn't smiling he also wasn't lunging at him or carrying his bow. Roy still looked to Felicity and received her nod that all would be well before he accepted his punishment. He swallowed with difficulty and turned Thea to face the group with him as he held her hand.

"Lesson #8: Even Oliver's super-human control has its limits – there's no shame in hiding behind Felicity."

As even Oliver cracked a smile Roy realized the worst was over and he just might live long enough to share the rest of the Lessons with Thea.

AN3 – This Lesson was one of my faves so I had to start playing here! As we all know, Roy sometimes needs to learn Lessons a second (or third) time so we may see this one again! Also, just b/c Thea finds out in this one doesn't mean she'll be part of any other Lesson!

AN4 - As usual, pls keep your suggestions for Lessons and stories coming as they really are inspirational! I can't promise you'll like what I do with your suggestions but I hope you'll share anyway! ;) I really do appreciate everyone's support and always need to say a special thanks to my beta, Mic Riddy, for her support!