Act Of Selflessness
Disclaimer: Alright, so in this, Pre-Island Oliver was a (even more then what he was on the show) selfish prick to the point that he willingly got Detective Lance demoted to Traffic Guard Detail when his mom made an angry threat towards the man while Robert was off on a business trip. And the only way it could be reversed is if Oliver did something. So in this, neither Laurel or Sara wanted anything to do with him (relationship wise) after that. Naturally, Post-Island Oliver is less of a selfish prick and originally this chapter involving a younger Evelyn had nothing to do with pre-island selfishness but things evolved. Anyways! Let's roll on!
Summary: The fact that Oliver 'Ollie' Queen had willingly taken a hurt girl to the hospital, and in the manner he did so was another shock to those who knew the guy.
"Ollie! What happened!?" Came the frantic and worried voice of one Dinah Laurel Lance as she, Tommy, Walter, Moira, and Thea rushed into Starling General.
Where it had been reported that one Oliver Jonas Queen had been for some time after a frantic on foot rush to get someone in his arms to the hospital. Which honestly had been a little surprising to hear where he was concerned given his past. But was clearly another sign of his having become a truly changed man after 5 years on the Hellish Island known as Lian Yu. The fact that one of the first things he'd done after getting back was to help one Quentin Larry Lance get his job back as a Detective had been surprising. Making several think he was just doing it for a little extra PR to push the whole 'Lost Starling Son Returned' bit. Of course the fact he wasn't even taking advantage of the fame he had from all that was surprising and had even been seen doing things the Oliver Queen from 5 years ago would have never been caught doing. His larger well built frame was certainly a hit with many a lady and even several fellas but Oliver had paid very little attention to them much to the annoyance of those who tried anything.
As he was more focused on his family, his few true friends, being a better man and fixing his past mistakes, and making Starling City a better place. Something that occasionally saw him donning an old green hood that once belonged to two really good people, along with a bow and a quiver and using them to combat against the city's worst. Though he only killed if it was absolutely necessary as he wasn't looking to have to deal with the Police. Even if certain individuals from his past would have called him a fool for his less permanent methods. "I was taking the trash out at the Foundry when I found this girl in the alleyway and yelled for Dig to get the car." Explained the man to the woman he still loves a great deal and those who came with her.
Moira instantly pulled her son into a hug, relief swelling up in her and not caring if he was dirty or had blood on his clothes. Which consisted of work boots, khaki pants with side pockets, and a grey t-shirt that was quite form fitting! Along with some work gloves he evidently hadn't thought to take off just yet as well. "Jeez Ollie, way to get us all worried there." Quipped Thea in relief as she too hugged her brother.
"Did you really hop over several cars just to get here?" Questioned Tommy curiously as that part of the news seemed a little unbelievable!
"OW!" He groaned seconds later thanks to Sara hitting him on the arm with a glare.
"That's the thing you choose to ask about? Really, Tommy?"
"What!? He's clearly fine so yeah, and I mean, can you blame me for me bein' curious about that? You have to be as well." Reasoned the Playboy that neither Lance sister ever did anything with much to his disappointment.
Sara had to admit he had a point there much to his delight while her sister, their dad, and Thea rolled their eyes. "Yeah, I did because her life was on the line and I had to be quick."
Even if he had ran about 5 blocks just to reach the hospital for that matter. "And why didn't you just have Mr. Diggle drive you all the way?" Wondered Moira curiously.
Something the others wanted to know about as well as Oliver and Dig shared a look while Lance snorted. "Yeah, this is gonna be a good one." Muttered Lance despite the fact he already knew the answer.
"Traffic was too much for Dig to get through, so I got out and carried her here."
"And that was a 5 block run along with the cars he hopped over." Dig added helpfully.
Making the ladies want to slap Oliver upside the head for risking his life! Seeing the unhappy look on his mother's face, Oliver headed off what would most likely be a tirade by her. "I know it was risky, but I did it anyway and I would do it again if I had too. Besides… Hopping over vehicles is nothing compared to what I went through on Lian Yu."
"Oh Oliver… Its selfish, but I miss the you who wouldn't do such things. But admittedly, I am proud of you for getting this girl you found to the hospital." Moira told her son with some pride to be found in her voice while the Lances, Walter, and Thea frowned at her for the first part of her words.
Walter then cleared his throat. "Speaking of the girl in question, has anything been said about her?" Wondered the British QC CEO.
As it had been nearly an hour since Oliver had brung the girl in and traffic had admittedly been an issue to get through in order to get here for whatever reason. Though it was surprising that Detective Lance was there a lot sooner then what they had been. But the man would put it down to making use of Police means available to him. Grateful for his step-dad's question as he really didn't want to deal with a part of what his mom had said, turned to the man. "No, not yet. But I've got some hope cause she tried to fight me when I found her."
"Strange thing to have hope about." Tommy remarked with a raised eyebrow.
"Life has taught me that if you can still fight even while beat to Hell, there's hope to be found. You breathe, you survive."
Sara crossed her arms with an impressed look on her face while Laurel frowned over her ex's words and possibly once again boyfriend since things seemed to be heading that way again between the two. As to the lawyer from CNRI and one half of the secret crime fighting duo known as 'The Canaries' with her sister, Ollie seemed to have way more experience with that sort of lesson then she was comfortable with. "Deep, man." Commented Sara.
Whom had began 'The Canaries' with her sister about a year after Ollie had died when several friends of theirs had been put in the hospital and the Police had done little about it. Prompting them to do something about it and though it had taken awhile, had managed to get the ones responsible thrown in jail. The two had decided to continue on after that and even had an older man by the name of Ted Grant help out from time to time. Even teach them some fighting moves that would help them out. Ted also had been a Boxer earlier in life before deciding to retire. Though both girls were a bit concerned about the bow wielding vigilante that had been running around lately… "Where'd you get that last bit from? A fortune cookie?" Thea asked in mild exasperation while feeling quite bothered with the first part of his words.
As she wasn't even sure she wanted to know how he came to learn that so well even though she had been bugging him about opening up about his time on the island. "From one of the few good people on the Island before his death actually."
"Oh… I'm, I'm sorry."
"Don't be. You couldn't have known, Speedy."
"You know…" Began Laurel and drawing everyone's attention.
"Seeing you like this reminds me of what you told me about how you're on a better Oliver Queen mission. Something I kinda thought was crap despite some of the stuff you've done since coming back but I'm honestly glad to see you are being serious about it." Finished the lawyer warmly and causing him to smile happily at her while Tommy felt a flash of jealousy well up in him.
Lance rolled his eyes but said nothing. But the man did admit to being suspicious like his oldest of the little punk given their past history. "God help me if you two get back together."
A blush from Laurel appeared while Sara and Thea smiled happily at the thought of their siblings getting back together. Though at one point, Sara really wouldn't have cared for that but times have thankfully changed since then. Oliver himself looked a little bashful at the older man's words surprisingly enough. "Yeah… That's… That's gonna be a slow thing given my past and all."
Plus, the archer wanted to earn his second chance with Laurel and rushing things was a bad thing to do. Something she thankfully agreed on as well. Lance just sighed while Sara grinned in amusement at her dad. "Just… Just don't hurt her again, alright? I can tell you're serious about bein' different so please, just do right by her."
"I can't promise, but I can do my best by her, Detective."
"Well… Better then nothin' I suppose."
Chuckles were heard and Moira, perhaps more so then her daughter, was happy where her son and Laurel were concerned. As she always had thought the girl was a good fit for her son. Even if he had been rather selfish before that horrid Island. Selfishness she admittedly had a hand in helping along unfortunately… But life had given her a second chance to make up for the mistakes of the past and she would certainly do so! A doctor soon made an appearance and Oliver instantly became alert. "How's Evelyn?" He asked quickly.
Only having known the name thanks to his efforts in trying to keep her awake by talking as he and Dig got her to the hospital. The doctor seemed hesitant about answering his question but it'd be Lance who'd speak up in Oliver's favor. "As he brought her in and even called me here concernin' her, its okay to talk."
"Very well. As of this moment, the young lady is stablized and asleep so that she can recover from her ordeal. You say you only found her in an alley, Mr. Queen?"
"Yeah, alone, crying, and beaten."
The doctor sighed, not liking that image at all. "I see. Thank you. As it is, she has 4 broken ribs, her left arm is broken, some internal bleeding that we were able to stop, and a broken right ankle. We're also awaiting x-rays to see what further damage there may be. Its good that you found her when you did as if you hadn't… She may not even be alive right now." Informed the doctor with a heavy sigh as the eyes of the others widened a great deal.
Each of them aside from Lance and Oliver, as even Dig was a bit shocked, were all stunned by what they had heard. "Oh that poor girl." Murmured Moira as Walter wrapped her in his arms.
"Can, can I see her?" Oliver asked quietly.
He'd even stay as long as he had too as he didn't want that little girl waking up to an empty room after her ordeal. "Given you aren't family, its not allowed but I can allow it this time. But just you though."
"Thank you. I'm gonna stay until she wakes up so she has someone to wake up too." Informed the archer as there had been a time or two when he himself wished he had someone waiting for him to wake up after being hurt.
The doctor nodded in understanding and walked away. "Damn, and here I was plannin' on taking you out for a drink to celebrate your good deed."
"A good deed needs not a celebration or reward. As a good deed is done because it is a good and right thing to do."
Tommy just stared at him for a moment. "Yeah… Okay, sure." Man did he miss how his best friend used to be!
Laurel, Thea, and Sara all rolled their eyes at him while Dig held in a scoff as he had an unfavorable thought towards the Merlyn Scion. As it was very clear that even nearly 30 years old, he had yet to grow up. Wouldn't survive a single damn day in Country.
"Anyway, uhh, just call me when she wakes up, alright?" Requested Lance and getting a nod from Oliver before he went into Evelyn's room.
The others aside from Laurel and Dig soon left, as both thought it would be a good idea to stay in case Oliver needed anything.
Author's Notes: Interesting tidbit, while thinking up this idea, the idea of Charlie Hunham (or whatever the guy from SOA's last name is) being in the role of Oliver Queen instead of Stephen Amell had some appeal. But in the end, I chose not to really do anything with that here. Also, fair warning, I've been watching Narcos recently and you might see something from me that's inspired by that some time soon.