AN: I had originally planned this as a one shot but thanks to an idea from the amazing Renny I just had to write another chapter. I hope you all enjoy.

I do not own Arrow, it belongs to CW.

Chapter 2 – Moira

Moira was ready to withdraw from the race. Her family needed her more than the city did at this point. She had been keeping secrets from Oliver and Thea for several years. She had been doing so to protect them, at least that is what she had been telling herself.

Moira knew when Oliver came back from the Island that he was different. The first night when she had tried to wake him up he had almost killed her, his reactions so instant. She knew that her son had gone through something horrible on that Island to cause him to react like and she was concerned about what the whole experience had done to her precious boy.

Moira also knew who Thea's true father was. She knew that Malcolm was Thea's father, and she also knew that he was still alive and that he was extremely dangerous. Malcolm had abducted Walter, had had Robert killed and had even hurt Oliver on a few occasions.

She also knew that Oliver was the Arrow. Moira knew that he would never admit it to her but there had been way too many "accidents" in the last couple of years for her not to realize. It had taken her a while to figure out the secret but when she did she realized how proud she was of Oliver. He had taken such a horrible experience like the Island and turned it into something good. Moira was so proud of the man that Oliver had become. He was standing up for the people close to him, for this city. He was doing everything that he could to protect the innocent people in the Glades and had put his life on the line multiple times.

As Moira turned to talk to Oliver in Verdant just before her rally she couldn't help but wince. Oliver was obviously in pain with the way that he was limping. She knew that something bad had to have happened for her son, who had such anincredible pain tolerance, to be limping and favoring his knee.

Moira almost laughed when he used the motorcycle accident excuse - again. She knew better than that and told him that she knew as he turned to walk away. She watched as he stopped dead in his tracks, hesitating for the first time. He had tried to make excuses again but she would finally have none of it and chose to let him know that she knew, she had known since Christmas, that he was the Arrow.

They became closer in thosefew minutes before the rally than they had beenin many years. She had missed her son and now he was finally coming back to her. It was at Oliver's urging that Moira changed her mind about withdrawing from the Mayoral race. She wanted to make him proud of who she was now.

When Roy appeared at Verdant Moira watched Oliver disappear out the back. She was worried for Thea but she knew Oliver was going to be back, as the Arrow, and would watch out for his sister. She was thankful that Oliver knew what to do to protect her.

After the rally they were headed home and Moira knew that it was time to turn over a new leaf, to be honest with her children. She was just starting to tell them that Malcolm was alive, and back in town when their car was hit, knocking her out.

When Moira came to they were all out of the car and in a small clearing. She felt that her hands were tied behind her back and looking around she realized that the same was true with Thea. Looking forward she saw Oliver laying on the ground in front of them tied up as well. Suddenly she and Thea were pulled into kneeling positions.

As Moira watched Oliver started pleading with the man that had brought them here. Suddenly she realized that it was Slade Wilson and she slowly realized that one of them was not getting out of this alive. Slade was punishing Oliver for something that she didn't understand.

Moira knew what she had to do. Thea, her precious, beautiful daughter had to survive. She had so much life ahead of her and she knew that even though life would be difficult her amazing daughter would pull through this rough patch and come out stronger than before. Oliver, her beautiful boy, was a hero to this city, even if he didn't believe it himself. He had done so much good in this city and he still had so much ahead of him.

Moira heard Slade talking to Oliver and knew what had to be done, there was no choice to make. With tears on her face she stood and faced Slade. After exchanging a few words with him she saw him turn and then suddenly there was a sword thrust through her.

As Moira fell to the ground she heard Thea's screams, she heard Slade walk away, but she focused on Oliver, looked in his eyes. She wanted him to know that she loved him and that she was incredibly proud of the man that he had become.

Moira had known that he was the Arrow, she had protected his secret and now she was protecting him and allowing him to continue to serve this city – to be the Arrow.

AN: Please leave me a review and let me know what you think. Thanks!