Chapter 12
One month later
Oliver was standing of a roof in the center of Metropolis in his full green arrow costume holding a now cold pepperonia pizza in his hands. For the past month every time they'd raced she'd won and asked for something ridiculous from a chocolate cake to a four leafed clover and he was no closer to finding out anything about her other than her eating habits, Glancing at the clock tower again he was beginning to worry she was 25 minutes late but that wasn't new she was the worst time keeper on the planet he'd seen her almost every night and she was hardly ever on time. Which was probably one of the reasons things hadn't worked out with Megan when he wasn't working he was with Saphire ( which he still called her as she said she liked the name and refused to give him any other) and when he rarely wasn't busy she was so on the second date two weeks after the first when they were finally both free they'd decided to just be friends and so far so good they hung out together at the previously boring social stuff and met up for coffee every couple of days.
"Penny for your thoughts" Saphire said pulling herself over the ledge moving over to him flipping the box open and taking a slice of cold pizza "i'm starving i haven't eaten since you brought me that pie last night" she said taking a bite "or slept" she added after stiffling a yawn "i need a new day job" she said sitting down leaning back against the wall.
Oliver was really beginning to worry now but was surrised by how much he cared in the month he'd known her she'd become his best friend despite knowing nothing about her or vice versa it was nice to have someone to talk to about the Green Arrow who didn't judge him and was like him but he wasn't so sure how really like him she was, the night of the first race she said 'no powers' but so far he hadn't seen her use any. "you should take better care of yourself" he said sitting down beside her and taking a slice for himself "i know i go quite a few nights without sleep but i always manage to grab something to eat"
"well i guess i work harder then you then" she said flashing a smile he was about to say something but didn't get the chance "i get it" she said "your trying to help but i've already had this lecture several times"
"then maybe you should listen" he said looking away from her "so what's got you working so much?" he asked seriously doubting that she would tell him.
"there's this boy" she said after a few seconds pause "he's eleven and has abilities which his parents found out about when he was seven and they've been trying to beat it out of him since then" she said looking at the ground "i have a friend in social services who called me and told me what was going on, she managed to get the kid out of there and now he's staying with me but i can't get him to sleep or talk so far all he's done is freak out every time anyone goes near him ar when me or my social worker friend try to leave the room, so far we're the only one's he trusts" she sighed "i had to slip him a sleeping pill to get him to sleep" she said anger and guilt in her voice "my friend Ebony" she said "is like us and i had to litterly tackel her to stop her going to kill his parents after she found out what they did to him" she paused "i really wish i hadn't stopped her now" she said her eyes becoming watery while Oliver just stared at her. After a few seconds he moved closer to her and swung an arm around her shoulders trying to give her some comfore but she didn't move.
"you don't mean that" he said trying to keep his voice level knowing he probably would have helped Ebony out if he'd been there.
"they tried to bury him alive at one point Arrow" she said staring at hm the tears in her eyes replaced with anger "why the hell did i protect them"
he wanted to say something to comfort her but he'd learned in the past month that she cared way to much even more than Clark but the difference was that she knew that people could be evil and that she probably couldn't change it. "well this looks cosy" came a voice as Green Arrow's head shot up.
"Hawkman" Green Arrow said removing his arm "what are you doing here?" he asked angrily couldn't he see she was upset 'why the hell did i talk Megan into talking to him' he thought angrily
"the rest of us have been searching Metropolis for their little gang "and your up here getting cosy with her" he said pointing at Saphire who so far hadn't said a word
"who i spend my time with is none of your concern" he said standing up and walking over to Hawkman
"why have you been looking for me and my friends" Saphire said standing up and walking over to join them
"you come into our city" Hawkman said "and you expect us to just let it go what right have you to come here?" he asked 'bad move' Oliver thought smirking he'd learned a few nights after their first race that when Saphire was pissed she made Lois look calm and rational.
"first of all" she barked out ' here we go he thought' "i'm pretty sure you don't own the city so how dare you tell me where and where not i can go" she said taking a step closer to him "and another thing bird boy unless you want me to clip those pretty little wings of yours i'd seriously suggest you learn some manners" she finished as Carter's face began turning red
"listen..." Hawkman was cut off by Saphire's earpiece buzzing and she held up a hand to silence him causing the angry look in his eye to turn murderous as Green Arrow just stood there grinning
"hey is everything ok" she said into her earpiece not even caring about the look Hawkman was giving her "what? how?" she asked causing Oliver to turn from Hawkman to her in concern "how could he have woken up already? that pill should have had him knocked out for hours yet" she said making Oliver realise she was talking about the boy. "Freeze" she said "what the hell was that?" she barked into the earpiece "he's throwing fire balls at you" she asked her eyes going wide then she wistled "ok i guess that means we're gonna have to stalk up on fire extinguishers" she tried to joke "alright i'm on my way, call Piro maybe he can get him to calm down if he shows him he's not the only one with his power." she listened for a few more seconds "no you will not freeze him" she barked he's scared of adults already after what his parents did to him it's a miracle he even rusts me so don't do anything to him use your powers If you have to to put out the flames but DON'T use them on him" she sighed rubbing her forehead "i'll be there in ten, ok ok five see ya" she said giving Oliver an apologetic look and shooting a warning glare at Hawkman saying that their conversation wasn't over before disappearing in a puff of smoke.
"Oliver" Hawkman said spinning to face him "what the hell is going on here?"