Chapter 11 - Changes
AN - I'm going to gloss over the darkness of the last few S2 episodes in this single chapter so I warn you now that there are some SPOILERS! After this chapter, I hope to continue this as a series of mostly unrelated "one-shots" in this particular happier, fluffier Arrow universe.
AN2 – I must give a shout out to both Kenyancougar and Mic Riddy as both used my Lessons so wonderfully in their stories! If you haven't Abducted or The Island yet, I seriously suggest you do so! :) Also, Mic Riddy is also my beta but she is going spoiler free until the finale airs in the UK so pls ignore any mistakes or errors!
DISCLAIMER – Not even the tiniest portion of CW's Arrow belongs to me but I love it anyway!
Roy set the bow and quiver down and moved on to one of the training dummies when he lost his concentration (again). He started with basic routines Diggle had taught him previously then tried to change his speed and power as Oliver had instructed. Even without the Mirakuru, he still struggled with control and precision and as he no longer had the additional strength he knew he needed to be better. The only plus side of Thea being gone was that he had plenty of time to train now. Roy put an immediate stop to those thoughts and forced himself to focus again on his form as he tried again.
Still focusing on keeping his center low, Roy ditched the katas and improvised with a series of quick strikes and kicks. He realized he still kept his hands up like a street boxer and stepped away shaking his head in frustration. He then immediately took a deep breath, released it, and tried again as he could hear Oliver's voice instructing him in his head. He continued training until he felt the pain in his hands. Roy looked down and saw the blood dripping from his scraped knuckles and rolled his eyes at his own stupidity. No Mirakuru also meant no super healing. It was just one more change he needed to get used to - no super strength, no super healing, no Thea.
As his focus returned to Thea, Roy stopped training and grabbed a water bottle for a quick break. Instead of replaying his final scene with her for the hundredth time though he took a moment to look around the new lair. It was actually much better than the basement at Verdant but he still wasn't comfortable here. Roy snorted at his thoughts - he really wasn't comfortable in his own skin right now.
Oliver may have arranged for Laurel to prevent his prosecution for his Mirakuru inspired crime spree and he may not remember those events but he still had to live with what he had done. It was Diggle and Oliver who had filled in the blanks about that time. Felicity was the one who had brought up the footage and apologized for not having told him earlier. Roy could still see the cops falling to the ground dead at his feet. He saw them every night in his nightmares, he also saw Thea with tears running down her face. Nightmares were another new thing for him and he didn't appreciate that particular change in his life. Roy shook his head to clear it and again focused on the lair.
Oliver, Diggle, and Felicity had made a lot changes to their set-up. They improved their security, supplies, technology, and, well, basically everything. They hadn't wanted to recreate the Foundry here plus the new location had a very different layout so it wouldn't have worked anyway but Roy still kinda missed their old set-up. Just one more new thing to deal with, Roy thought with an annoyed sigh.
Ditching the water, Roy decided to return to target practice but he stopped as he crossed the room. He had to smile as one of the many changes in the new location was that Felicity had required the targets be far away from her new babies. Felicity was still very excited about the new ARGUS supplied computers even if she had spent hours trying to ensure ARGUS had no ability to spy on them. She remained paranoid and continued to work on their security each day.
That fear of outsiders was one of the reasons he was alone in the lair right now. This was actually the second location and it was the one that they were keeping a secret. The official location was known by everyone who knew Oliver's identity and that list was even longer than when Roy had found out. The Team had accepted the need for others to know and would continue to accept help when necessary but they were also even more concerned about security now. The second secret location gave an extra layer of security to them and it was somewhere that just belonged to them. It seemed Team Arrow had learned a few things and were doing things differently now. More changes, Roy growled to himself.
He had barely found his place on the Team before he wrecked it all by turning against them. He regretted that now and that was why he had left Thea that last night - he knew he owed his life to Oliver, Diggle, and Felicity. Roy knew he couldn't abandon them, not even for Thea and now they were all he had.
Roy knew it had to be weird to expect a mask wearing former billionaire playboy with some serious archery skills, a genius IT girl who despite a team of assassins fighting on their side was the one to actually take down Slade Wilson, and the black driver who overwhelmed and outsmarted ARGUS to be the one source of stability in his life but that's what they were. They had become his family and he wouldn't turn his back on them again. Roy suddenly realized he had changed too and couldn't help but hope that Felicity was right and things would be better this time around…better for all of them.
Roy was still considering all the recent changes when he heard the security beep that signaled entrance to the new lair. He turned to greet the others but stayed quiet when he realized that Oliver and Felicity were arguing.
"Felicity." Oliver's growl of her name was low and guttural but the tone was lost on the angry blond who slammed her bag on the table and turned to frown at him.
"What did you expect me to do? Turn it over to lost and found?" Felicity quipped sarcastically as she rolled her eyes and then turned her back on Oliver. She sat down and immediately started to work on her computer but Oliver made no move to leave.
Roy turned to look at the third member of their trio and was surprised to see Diggle grinning as he walked his way.
"We should stock popcorn here." Diggle spoke quietly when he reached him and leaned against the table behind them.
Roy frowned in confusion at the other man's comment but before he could ask Oliver spoke again.
"Felicity." Oliver again growled and frowned. He quickly continued to speak when the blond didn't acknowledge him. "We can not keep it."
"You planning to get a job? Did you find something other than archery skills and a great Tarzan impression to add to your resume then?" Felicity's annoyed expression changed quickly when she turned to face Oliver. She stood, placed a hand on his arm, and continued in a much softer voice.
"I'm sorry Oliver. We will get QC back - we just need a little more time to get the plan going. For now, we needed cash and I got us cash." Felicity's smiled as she continued to stare at Oliver.
"You stole cash." Oliver's tone was also soft now and he even grinned before he continued. "Felicity, we really can't-"
"Yes, we can! Slade did a lot of damage to the city and we do a lot of good for it. Using his money to set up our new locations and keep us going just makes sense. It balances out the whole cosmic Karma thing nicely, don't you think?" Felicity smiled as she continued to hold on to Oliver's arm as she looked at him.
Oliver continued to look at her with a slight smile and both remained quiet for a moment. Roy took the break as a chance to glance at Diggle as he now understood the popcorn comment. He hadn't seen the Oliver and Felicity show in quite a while and had actually forgotten how they could be when they weren't in public. He grinned at Digg and then returned his attention to the couple just as Felicity spoke again in a happy, smug tone.
"BTW, I couldn't exactly open an account under the name Team Arrow so I put the money in a Queen family trust with you as the only executor...which kinda makes it look like you stole the money actually. I guess you could give it back if you wanted to though." Felicity appeared to consider the possibility with an innocent expression that even Roy knew to be suspicious of as the girl really was dangerous.
"And have you just put it right back if I did?" Oliver questioned teasingly.
"Yep! Might as well just accept it and move on then - we have a lot of work to do and we need money! I need money, Oliver, as you may remember that you cost me a perfectly good job at QC. A job that paid the rent as we don't all live in the family Mansion." Felicity grinned as she teased him back.
"You mean the job you didn't want and were over-qualified for? That job?" Oliver replied with a deadpan expression.
Roy watched as Felicity pretended to glare before she turned her back on Oliver and took her seat again. There was a moment of silence before Oliver placed a hand on her shoulder and leaned in close. Roy found himself leaning forward to make sure he could hear their words.
"Thank you Felicity...and you can always stay in the Mansion whenever you want." Oliver smiled as he made the offer.
Felicity glanced at him and smiled even as her face flushed and she pushed her glasses up higher. She then returned her attention to her computers as Oliver walked away.
"Never bet against Felicity." Diggle spoke loudly enough for Oliver to hear but the man ignored him as he moved past them.
Oliver stripped off his shirt, moved toward the salmon bar, and easily pulled himself up. At the same time, Diggle moved over to workout with the heavy bag. Roy glanced between them as he wasn't sure where he should go or what he should do now that the Team was all here. There were still just too many changes and he wasn't sure about much anymore. Roy then glanced back to see that Felicity was watching a shirtless Oliver intently and only then did he notice the close proximity of the salmon bar to Felicity's desk even though the rest of the training gear was much further across the room.
Roy laughed to himself as he realized that some things would NEVER change. He then ignored Felicity and moved back to work on his aim even as he wondered if Felicity would post the Lessons here and if he should let her see his own list.
Roy's private Lesson #3 - Humor Felicity while she rambles and ignore any drooling over Oliver (verbal or physical) – See Lesson #1.
AN3 – As I do hope to continue this through the summer as random and probably unrelated "one-shots" pls feel free to let me know your fave Lesson and/ or any new ones that should be included! I always appreciate your feedback and support! Thank you!