Hood At Home

Part 3

Disclaimer: Figured it was about time I added on to this idea.

Summary: Its been a week since half the Glades fell and Laurel decides its time to enact a certain chat between herself and her two boys. One may potentially need to feel sorry for Oliver and Tommy!

"Good, I'm glad you're both here." Declared one Dinah Laurel Lance to Oliver Jonas Queen and Tommy Merlyn after they had arrived at her apartment.

Both looked at one another, each feeling like they were about to experience their last day in Death Row. And not cause they were being set free either! Laurel really hadn't been too interested in talking with either of the two and they thought it was cause she was too focused on the fact CNRI had been destroyed and that her father had nearly gotten himself killed while helping stop Malcolm's Earthquake devices. Or at least that's what they told themselves after gaining some nasty glares from the lawyer in their lives as they really didn't want to think too deeply into the situation! As it was bad enough Thea kept firm in the belief that she was pissed with the two for lying to her about Oliver being the Hood and was just biding her time until she felt ready to unleash Hell on the two. "Well, uhh, happy to be here, I guess? I mean, it wasn't exactly easy getting here." Remarked Tommy as he shuddered over some of the more vicious reactions certain folks had had towards him on the way to Laurel's.

Oliver sighed, knowing exactly what his best friend (hopefully still) was on about as he had experienced that himself some! Laurel raised her eyebrows at the dark haired man. "Hmm. No, I guess it wouldn't be considering everyone hates anything Merlyn related right now."

Tommy winced at how true that was thanks to his damned insane father! "They also kind of hate anything Queen related too." Oliver added.

And he could understand that given his mother's (reluctant) involvement despite the fact she had helped warn those in the Glades. "Hmm… I guess I can kind of relate but for me, my issues are geared more towards two specific individuals from those two families. Care to take a guess at who I'm talking about?"

Oh Hell, Ollie and I are gonna die. That tone of voice is never a good thing.

I hear the anger in her voice but I am not scared. I have faced far worse then Laurel Lance to be remotely scared of her.

The two looked at one another and then back at her and Tommy would be the first to open his mouth. "Uhh, no, not at all. Can't come up with a single thing. What about you, Ollie?"

"Nope. Neither can I, buddy. Wait, are we friends again or are we still on shaky grounds?"

"All good, man. Water under the bridge as the sayin' goes and all that."

And Tommy was actually being serious too since seeing his best friend and ex about to get it on through a window was tame in comparison to his father's insanity. "Well, that makes me relieved as Hell. How about drinks tonight, on me?"

"If we can find a place that'll let us drink, I'm down."

"There is Verdant. Even if it is still undergoing some repairs."

"Ohh! How right you are!"

"You two really think your little by play is gonna make me forget why I called you both here? Cause sorry, NOT gonna happen." Declared a glaring Laurel with her arms crossed.

Oliver though, he wasn't phased! Unfortunately… The same couldn't be said for Tommy as he gulped. Sensing the two weren't going to try and derail her, the lawyer got down to business. "Good, now that I have the floor, its time I present a case to you two."

"Uhh… Isn't sharing that kind of stuff supposed to be like… Not allowed?" Wondered Tommy but ended up nearly jumping out of his chair when she glared his way again!

"This is a special case, Tommy. For its Laurel Lance vs. The Two Idiots."

A certain archer felt mildly insulted by that as he knew damned well that title was about him and Tommy. But he wasn't about to say anything! As there was a time and place to do so and this was one of those times where he didn't say anything. He also had to ignore that voice that sounded much like Thea's as it mocked him by claiming he was getting scared of his ex and didn't want to further incur her wrath! "Not so sure that would get taken seriously in a court of Law there, Laurel."

Ohh Tommy, stay quiet!

"Good thing my living room is being used as a temporary court room then, Mr. Merlyn." Replied Laurel in a steely tone.

Which practically warned him to try and talk again. "Now, the issue of this case is that the Two Idiots don't seem to realize that Laurel Lance is her own person and therefore has a say in things. Yet, the Two Idiots for whatever reason… Have clearly forgotten this. Perhaps its some stupid macho thing between the two but further deliberation needs to be had to fully get to the bottom of that issue. Plus, there is also the fact that Idiot One has been keeping a secret from just about everybody he knows. One that for the Court to know of, said secret has been a rather violent one that could get Idiot One killed." Here, Laurel promised for dramatic effect as a sheen of sweat began to appear on the two boys' heads.

Remain strong. Be like Slade before the Mirakuru.

I'm gonna die or end up in prison for the rest of my life. And I don't know which is worse.

"It should also be noted that Idiot One's sister and mother are aware of this, perhaps it was an error of judgement. Perhaps not. Same could be said for Laurel Lance when Idiot One had a heart to heart with Laurel Lance the night of the Undertaking. An error of judgement? Or perhaps Idiot One's subconscious finally acted and had him tell her? Unfortunately, the Court could not gain the assistance of a Psychologist to fully understand Idiot One's mindset."

"Hey! I don't need a Psychologist!" Protested Oliver but clammed up immediately at the sight of his ex's glare towards him!

Thank God Waller's never gotten her hooks into Laurel. No telling how scary she would get after that.

A mental wince was had after that line of thought, along with a slight shudder. "Now, Idiot Two apparently through some means the Court is not aware of, learned of Idiot One's secret. It should be noted that there was some tenseness between the two Idiots and in this lawyer's mind, it was because of the secret. Eventually, said secret drove the two Idiots apart and evidently, Laurel Lance was another reason for this. Let it be said that once Laurel Lance figured this out due to spending quite a bit of time thinking things over, she was none too pleased. Now… Is there anything you two would like to say in defense of yourselves?"

Her tone? Dangerous and more then likely leading them into a trap. One Oliver was now entirely uncertain of being able to escape. A troubling time for certain for him. Her steely gaze upon them? Made the archer feel reminded of Waller a little too much for his liking while Tommy was close to peeing his pants. Hot but insanely scary.

Silence reined in the living room as the two boys couldn't honestly think of a single thing to say in their defense! At least… Nothing that would make Laurel happy with them anyway… Seeing how quiet the Two Idiots were, Laurel raised her eyebrows at the two. "Hmm… Nothing to say for yourselves?"

"Umm… We..." Began Tommy nervously.

"What Tommy means to say is that..."

"Yes? Go on."

Oliver sighed and wished like Hell he was somewhere else. Like Lian Yu or even Russia since Anatoly wouldn't be doing something this horrible to him! Get him drunker then anything, sure, but not this! "Its… Its pretty much like you said, Laurel. That Tommy and I, are a pair of idiots."

"Yeah! What he said! Does that mean this is over with now?"

"LIKE HELL IT IS!"

A loud 'eep' escaped the Merlyn Scion as Oliver flinched some at the sudden and unexpected yelling. "YOU TWO HAD SOME KIND OF DRAMA THAT INVOLVED ME! ME! SOMETHING I SHOULD HAVE HAD A SAY IN DAMNIT! I FEEL LIKE SOME KIND OF TOY YOU TWO WERE FIGHTING OVER!" Yelled out the angry lawyer as her face reddened in her anger.

Oliver would have responded, but when he tried, he couldn't quite come up with anything as she was absolutely right. Tommy looked shameful of himself as he began to speak. "You're… You're right, Laurel. You're absolutely right. Neither of us handled things that well where you're concerned. God knows I didn't handle Ollie being the Hood too well."

"It probably didn't help that being stuck in a certain mindset made me think wrongly of you during that second Vertigo situation..." Muttered Oliver aloud in an unhappy tone of voice.

"Of which I am sorry about by the way."

A sigh came from Tommy as he looked over at his best friend. "No worries, dude, learn from it and move on."

The two heard a frustrated noise from Laurel that had them look at her. "And we are completely and totally one hundred percent sorry for how we handled things where you are concerned and will never, and I mean never, ever do it again." Declared Tommy.

"Agreed. It was wrong of us as things should have been talked through with one another and you."

"Though I suppose you wouldn't have admitted to being the Hood?"

Tommy scoffed. "Like I would have let him do that." His reply got him an eyeroll from Oliver.

Unfortunately for them, Laurel seemed a bit… Doubtful before she began to pace back and forth. "The Court has heard from The Two Idiots but it is clear that despite their attempts to gain Laurel Lance's forgiveness, Miss Lance is still not fully satisfied with the two. Therefore, it is recommended that the two must sleep on the couch as part of their recompense for badly handling things with Miss Lance." Protests immediately were heard, though mainly from Tommy as Oliver had slept on much worse then a couch.

"FURTHERMORE!" Yelled out the woman as she gave a steely glare towards the protesting Tommy.

Making him 'eep' once again and going utterly silent. "While it is known that Miss Lance has feelings for both Idiots, she will not be taking either of them back as a boyfriend. At least not until she feels she has forgiven both of them completely for their actions. What either of them do until such a time has happened is completely up to them."

Oliver frowned as he quickly came to the conclusion that that was nothing more then a test she was putting them through. "And though it can not be forced on Idiot One, it is believed that therapy would be highly beneficial to him."

"I don't need therapy. I am perfectly fine." Grumbled Oliver.

Not that she believed him any and frankly, neither did Tommy for that matter! "Then I suppose you'll be training me so I can have your back on the streets."

"No! Absolutely not!"

"Sorry, but you don't have a choice! Or do you want me to express how I feel in great detail? And very, VERY loud for that matter?"

Oliver grimaced as he quickly thought about that. As no, he really didn't want her yelling at him as she expressed herself. A glance at Tommy showed him that while his best friend didn't seem to like the idea of Laurel getting trained, he wasn't about to say anything! Letting out a breath, he looked back to his ex, who had an expectant expression on her face. "No, I don't. Bad enough the yelling you've already done is forcing me to repress any flashbacks so I can stay focused on the here and now."

His honesty caused Laurel's eyes to soften some in sympathy for him, though he doubted it made her any less pissed off at him. "Court is now finished and Laurel Lance has won her case, now… Get the Hell out before I let loose with the desire to yell at you two. A lot." She told them and neither needed any further incentive to get the Hell out of there!

Author's Notes: Hadn't expected this to get long but I do hope folks will have enjoyed!