Disclaimer: Arrow is owned by The CW, Berlanti Productions, and Warner Bros. Television. The characters in this story are owned by DC Comics. I own nothing; I'm just playing in their universe.

My name is John Diggle.

For years I served my country in the armed services, only to come home and be relegated to babysitting trust fund brats with my brother.

And then my brother was killed.

I always thought he died protecting a client, but now I know the truth. Now I know and organization called H.I.V.E. hired a hitman to take him out. And now I know there is a man coming home to fight his own war, a man who can help me find justice for my brother. But if I am going to help that man, I must become someone else. I must become something else….

Wednesday

It was after 9 pm when John Diggle walked into Big Belly Burger. The past several days had been full of introspection for the former soldier as he considered where his life had been and where it was, apparently, destined to go. But after five days of thinking and soul searching, there was one thing he still wasn't sure on. And that's what led him to the counter at his (former) sister-in-law's workplace that night.

Carly smiled as she put down a piece of pumpkin pie and a cup of coffee in front of him. "Looks like you could use it." She said with a smile.

"I sure could." He said, pouering some sugar into his coffee.

"Bad client?" she guessed.

Diggle shook his head. "Actually, I just got a job as head of security for the Queen family." He said. "No, I got a problem of a more…personal nature."

"Oh? What's that?" she asked.

Dig sighed. "I think I have a chance- a real chance- of getting back together with Lyla."

Carly looked surprised. "Really?" she asked.

Dig nodded. "I'm not saying it would happen right away, but I think we're both in a better place now. I think it could work." He sighed again.

"So what's the problem?" Carly asked.

"The problem," Dig said slowly, "Is that for years I've had feelings for another woman, and now I don't know if I should act on them or not. "

This time Carly sighed. "That is the conundrum."

"And you're the last person I should be dumping this on."

"Actually, I think I'm the best." Carly said, leaning against the counter. "John, I've known you had feelings for me for years. And I'll admit, I've had feelings for you, too." She said, surprising the man. "But I fell in love with your brother and married him, and I've never regretted that. I got six years of happy matrimony and a heck of a son out of it. But now here we are, both single, and we've still been dancing around each other." She shook her head even as she took his hand in hers. "I love you, John. And I think you love me. But it would never work between us because there would always be three people in this relationship. And we both deserve better than that."

Diggle closed his eyes and nodded. "I hope I can still be apart of your life, Carly."

Carly laughed lightly. "You will always be a part of my life, John. You're still my friend, and Andy Jr. still needs his uncle. Now," she straighten up. "Eat your pie. And enjoy it- that's the last piece you'll be getting from me." She froze when she realized the double entendre she had just said.

Dig laughed out loud. "I'll have to introduce you to another friend of mine." He said, thinking of Felicity. "I think you two would get along just fine."

"Shut up and eat your damn pie." She said with a smile.

"Yes, ma'am." He replied. He ate the pie, his heart a little lighter. Now all I have to do is get back together with Lyla. He thought. Well, one thing at a time….

To Be Continued…