Gotham City

Laurel woke up.

Well, that was a bit of an understatement. Her return to the land of the living was abrupt, sudden. She just snapped her eyes open, sitting up suddenly, barely managing to catch herself before she stumbled off the ratty old couch she was laying on. She grasped away at her heart, feeling it racing as she tried to catch her breath.

"Hey, hey!" an oddly familiar voice exclaimed. "It's alright. You're safe."

She wasn't sure about that. She didn't know where she was, and in her experience that was always the exact opposite of safe. But then a clear glass of water was shoved into her face. "Drink," the voice said. "It's not poisoned, I promise."

Laurel glanced up, and nearly froze in shock. Jason? How did Jason find her? Where was she? What happened? All those questions swirled in her mind, but if there was anything she knew, it was that Jason was safe, and that she could trust him. So she carefully took the glass, and drank.

And just like that, it all started coming back to her. The attack. The woman, who really hadn't been a woman, but Scarecrow. The fear gas. And worst of all — the hallucination. She had known it hadn't been real, but she hadn't been able to accept it. Her last memory was Robert choking her, and then—

"You saved me," Laurel said in awe and gratitude, glancing at the young teenager.

Jason, for his part, rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "It was nothing. I just heard you screaming and stuff. When I saw your red eyes, I knew you had to be suffering from fear gas, and luckily I managed to pick up some extra antidotes today. So I injected you with one of them."

The vigilante blinked. "How did you even get antidotes for fear gas?"

He gave her a strange look. "You really are new in town, aren't you?" Jason surmised, crossing his arms. "Whenever Scarecrow escapes Arkham, Wayne Enterprises always distributes antidotes for his fear gas for free throughout the city. Just in case he's planning another attack, which he usually is. It does a lot to decrease casualties."

That made a lot of sense. Now that Laurel thought about it, Bruce did mention something to that effect when briefing her on Scarecrow and his tactics. She had either forgotten or the fear gas had addled her mind more than she realized.

"Honestly, it wouldn't be necessary if they just locked him up somewhere he couldn't break out of so easily in the first place," her friend noted. "Why they haven't decommissioned Arkham and sent all the inmates somewhere else is beyond me."

"Something tells me if the people who actually care about this city could, they would," Laurel answered, giving the glass back to Jason. She began moving to leave. "Thank you for your help, but I better get back to the others. They're probably worried about me."

"No problem. You Bats are the only thing stopping Gotham from being even more rundown than it already is."

Laurel felt her lips quirk up into a smile. "I'm named after a bird, you know," she pointed out.

Jason waved her off. "So was Nightwing, back when he was Robin," he rebutted. "You run around with Batman — that makes you a Bat."

There was a surety and finality in his words that, for some reason, warmed Laurel's heart. She leaned over and gave him a fond ruffle of his hair, before heading to the window. With a final wave, she jumped out, grappling hook in hand. It was time to get back to work.

It took her a minute to find a solid rooftop, far away from Jason's place. As fond as she was of Jason, Laurel knew better than to compromise operational security around him. Besides, Jason was a Crime Alley native, and while he might have a soft spot for the vigilantes, the vast majority of Park Row did not. She didn't want to bring any trouble down on his head, not after he just saved her life.

Once she was safe, Laurel reactivated her comm link. Almost immediately, she reconnected with a relieved Barbara. "Canary!" Oracle exclaimed. "Are you alright? We've been trying to contact you for two hours! Batman and Nightwing were worried out of their mind!"

"If that's the case, then where are they?" Laurel couldn't help but wonder. It's not that she doubted Bruce and Dick, but if they felt she was in any kind of danger, they would've usually dropped whatever they were doing to find her immediately.

"Occupied. Bruce is dealing with a hostage situation in the Financial District and Dick is dealing with a jumper down in Old Gotham. If it wasn't for the trackers in your suit indicating you were still alive, though, they would've gone after you immediately. I was about to leave to go find you myself."

Oh. Well, that was touching, and Laurel could stop the soft smile that spread across her face. "Thanks for that, O, but I'm fine." She frowned. "Well, not completely. I got ambushed by Scarecrow. He sprayed me with the newest version of fear gas."

Over the line, she heard Oracle hiss. "Dammit. Figures he'd go after you. You manage to inject the antidote into yourself in time?"

"Unfortunately, no. But one of the locals — Jason Todd — managed to find me before I killed myself and inject his own antidote into me. He brought me to his place so I could stay safe until I recovered. I just woke up about thirty minutes or so ago and left after a brief conversation with him."

"He didn't get a look at your face, did he?"

"Nope. The adhesive is still sticking tight."

"Good. I'll keep an eye on him to make sure he doesn't blow the whistle on you," her friend vowed.

The Black Canary shook her head. "I don't think you need to worry on that front. I know him from my volunteer work at the community center. He's a good kid."

"Still, it's important to cover your bases. Anyway, return to the Cave so Agent A can check you out. Fear gas is no joke and we need to make sure there aren't any lingering side effects."

In the end, they didn't find anything wrong with her. But Laurel still found herself benched for the next couple of days, for the sake of her mental health more than anything else. "You never forget your first brush with fear gas," Dick had told her, "And it takes time to come to terms with what you experience while under its hallucinogenic effects. Better safe than sorry."

She knew better than to argue. It was clear from their grim expressions that they weren't going to budge, and it made her wonder what exactly they experienced during their own episodes to be so adamant about this. But that was a personal issue, and Laurel knew better than to pry.

Besides, there was something else of more concern that had caught her attention for the time being: Scarecrow's last words before the gas took hold of her.

"The Calculator…" Bruce hummed, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "It's the first time anyone has outright confirmed they're working for him. Though Scarecrow isn't someone to give his services away so easily to an outsider."

"Not unless they offer a lot of money," Dick pointed out. "And literally all the Calculator has done thus far since arriving to Gotham is steal money. The real question is why he funded the Scarecrow and ordered him to go after Black Canary."

"Some kind of a grudge, perhaps?" Alfred suggested. "Miss Lance was the first one to foil one of his heists."

"But I'm not the only one doing that," argued Laurel. "I might've been the first one to stop a heist, but you have taken down just as many if not more. If anything, he should've been targeting one of you since you're more experienced."

"Does it really matter in the end?" Barbara interjected in the automized voice of Oracle. "The reality is that the Calculator deliberately funded one of Gotham's most dangerous rogues — arguably the most dangerous now that the Joker is dead. And then he deliberately instructed that rogue to specifically go after one of Gotham's protectors, simply because we are getting in the way of his gravy train. If he's willing to go that far just to get rid of one of us, how far do you think he's willing to go when he realizes the attack failed?"

Too far, was the answer, and it crossed everyone's minds. Did the Calculator realize what kind of target he was painting on his back with his actions? Gotham's very nature meant that attacking one of its protectors was synonymous with attacking the city itself. Batman was one of the only reasons, if not the only reason, the city had not yet been completely torn apart by all its supervillains. For an outsider, perhaps, it was inconceivable to think, but to a native, it was an all too real reality.

"So what do we do, then?" Laurel asked, biting her lip. She glanced towards Bruce, who looked to be deep in thought. "We can't let this stand. If we let him continue as he is, then he'll just keep pushing and pushing just to make sure we stay out of his way."

"We need to take him down, then," Bruce decided, lifting his head. "And soon, before he can make another attempt. But we can't right now — the priority is Scarecrow. As dangerous as the Calculator is, Scarecrow is infinitely worse. We cannot allow him to run amok any longer than he already has."

"So first is Scarecrow…" Dick started.

"…and then the Calculator," Laurel finished.

"Yes."

His two proteges exchanged looks. "Sounds like a plan to me," the younger man said with a grin.

Seattle

I don't think I've ever been so happy.

That was the first thought that crossed Sara Lance's mind as she slowly opened her eyes to face the morning rays of sunlight. It was so bright that it hurt, and for a moment Sara was tempted to just go back to sleep so she wouldn't have the face the day just yet. The warmth at her back and the arms entwined around her waist made it even more enticing.

But, unfortunately, she couldn't. It was Monday morning, which meant they had to get ready for class. So, reluctantly, Sara propped herself up on her elbows and gave out a loud yawn. A groan answered her, and she smiled in fond amusement. "Sorry, babe, but we gotta get up."

"Five more minutes, Sara," Alex begged, eyes still closed. She blindly reached out for her girlfriend's hand, trying to tug her back to bed. "Please?"

"I'd love to, Alex, but we still got class to go to. And worse than that — we've got lab."

That just made Alex groan even louder. Sara laughed.

I think I could get used to this, Sara thought, as Alex and her started breakfast. Before she met Alex, she had been something of a hopeless cook, much like her sister. Dad's cooking talent, unfortunately, had not passed down to either of his daughters. But after meeting her girlfriend, she had begun to pick up some things mostly in the pursuit of helping Alex make dinner. She wasn't completely useless now and could probably feed herself provided she was given enough instruction.

Really, though, what she enjoyed most about it was spending time with Alex. Sara had never felt like this before, so happy and carefree, not since before her sister's death. Alex made her feel so warm and bubbly inside and every time she shot a smile her way, Sara's toes curled and her stomach did flips — the good kind. She never wanted them to be apart.

It made her more confident in her sexuality, too. She could confirm that she was very much attracted to Alex thanks to the nights they had started spending together. And now, whenever they went out, she could find herself checking out both men and women (even if she obviously never acted on it). Talking it over with her girlfriend, Sara had come to the conclusion she was bisexual.

Coming to terms with that realization had been helpful, though she was now struggling how she was going to tell everyone when it was time to reveal her relationship with Alex. She was strong in her faith of her parents' love for her and her friendships with Ollie and Tommy and their families, but still, she couldn't help but worry about their reaction when they found out. It was something Alex could relate to; apparently, she didn't know how to tell her parents that she herself was a lesbian, now that she had the courage to completely accept it.

Maybe we should tell them together? It was an idea, something she would have to talk with Alex about later. Instead, she helped Alex finish breakfast, and once they were done eating, they were out the door. It was time to get back to the grind.

Hours later, after all their classes were over, Alex got a call from her parents. Or rather, from her mother. Sara didn't think anything of it at first, instead organizing their flashcards for another run through, until Alex's sharp, afraid, "What?" caught her attention.

"Babe?"

Alex didn't hear her. "No," she said instead, eyes blown wide and afraid. Tears were beginning to gather, much to Sara's alarm. "It can't be true, he can't be…" she trailed off, and then painful, heartwrenching sob escaped her.

Sara dropped the flashcards immediately and went to her girlfriend, gathering her into her arms. Alex held onto her as she wept, the phone dropping from her hands as she buried her face into the crook of Sara's neck. Sara desperately wanted to ask her what was wrong, but the way Alex was now, she doubted she would get an answer anytime soon. Instead, she went and picked up the phone, swallowing when she saw the caller ID: Mom.

She had met Eliza Danvers a few months ago during a short visit from the other woman to her daughter while she was in town for some sort of conference. It had been before Alex and her had started dating, so Mrs. Danvers had only known her as Alex's friend. Would she find it strange if Sara picked up the call in the place of her daughter?

Finally, after a moment's indecision, Sara picked up the phone from the coffee table, placing it next to her ear. "Hello? Mrs. Danvers?"

"Who is this?" Mrs. Danvers demanded. There was a hoarseness to her voice that suggested she had been crying too.

"It's Sara. Sara Lance. You know, your daughter's friend from medical school? Alex and I were studying together tonight when you called. Do you know why she's crying now?"

There was a brief period of silence. And then, "It's my husband, Jeremiah Danvers. Alex's father," she explained with a sigh. "There was an accident, and…"

Oh. For a brief moment, Sara's mind flashed back to that day, that terrible day four years ago when she had learned the Gambit had gone down, and felt herself begin to choke up. "He's gone, isn't he?"

"…Yes."

"I see." Sara looked down, shifting the still-sobbing Alex into a more comfortable position. She knew, perhaps more than anyone else, what Alex had to be feeling right now. That indescribable feeling of loss and sorrow and regret — there was nothing worse in the world than that. "I don't think Alex is going to be able to talk to you anymore tonight. Once she calms down, I'll make sure she calls you back later. Is that alright?"

"That's fine," Eliza told her. There was an audible gulp, and then a certain weariness as she spoke again. "I'm glad Alex has a friend like you, Sara."

"Trust me, Mrs. Danvers. I'm the lucky one."

They exchanged a few more words before Sara finally hung up the call. She set Alex's phone back on the coffee table before pulling up her girlfriend into a tighter hug. "I'm sorry, Alex," she told her. "I'm so, so sorry."

Alex didn't say anything in response. She just clung to Sara, and cried harder.

Alex was inconsolable for the rest of the week. She quickly filed a sabbatical from the school for her classes, though she still urged Sara to keep going to hers. "You've worked too hard for this, Sara," she had said. "You shouldn't be left behind just because of my problems."

Sara wouldn't exactly call her girlfriend's dad dying a "problem", but nonetheless complied with Alex's wishes. She did, however, make sure to stay with Alex as much as she could, going as far as to explain what was going on to Ollie, Tommy, and her parents. While they still didn't know Alex and her were dating, they were aware of how close the two of them had gotten ever since she had started medical school and had no issues with her staying over to help her get through this difficult time.

Eventually, Alex left for Midvale to help her mother with the funeral. Sara had offered to go with her for that as well, but Alex had once more refused, insisting that Sara focus on herself first. This time, Sara had protested, and the two of them got into the first real argument since they started dating. Eventually she had conceded because Alex was right, she couldn't neglect her classes; medical school was hard enough as it was and getting behind would only cause trouble down the line. But nonetheless, she had made Alex promise to keep contact with her while she was gone.

In the end, her girlfriend had ended up gone for an entire month. Sara had done her best to focus on her studies, but it was hard knowing that Alex was on the other side of the country, mourning the death of one of her parents. She knew better than anyone how painful and all-consuming grief could be, and if it hadn't been for her parents, who knew where Sara would be right now. Certainly not in medical school, training to be a doctor.

Would Alex be alright?

The answer came when the older woman returned, one month after the news came. Sara had met her at the airport, helped drive her to her apartment and set herself back up. But throughout it all, Alex had been removed, distant. The grief over her father's death had not faded, and if it was anything like Sara's own grief over Laurel, it never really would. Just become a muted, distant thing that Alex would have to learn to live with for the rest of her life.

Then, just as she was about to leave for her own home, Alex told her that she wanted them to break up.

"But why!" Sara had cried once she realized Alex was serious.

"I'm leaving Seattle," Alex confessed. "My mom — she's struggling to keep our old home afloat now that dad's gone. She's told me not to worry, but I'm going back anyway to help her."

Sara swallowed. "But what about medical school? What about becoming a bio-engineer?" That had been Alex's dream since she was a kid. There was no way she could give it up now; that was something that Sara was sure Jeremiah Danvers wouldn't have wanted if his widow didn't, and she knew that was something Alex didn't want either.

"I'm transferring to another medical school near Midvale. I've already informed the office and started the paperwork. It's already done, Sara," Alex told her. She looked to be ready to start crying herself. "And as much as I want to be with you, I don't think a long-distance relationship would work. You and I both know that you're never going to leave Starling behind."

"Alex, I love you," the younger woman told her, tears in her eyes.

"And I love you too, Sara. Trust me, this is the last thing in the world I want to do. If I had it my way, if things had gone as planned, I'd… move with you, to Starling. But my mom needs me. And it's better for us to make a clean break now than try to prolong our relationship and delay the inevitable."

That just made Sara cry harder. "You don't even want to try?"

"Sara—"

"No, no!" Sara shook her head, grabbed her bag, and ran out the door. She couldn't be here anymore, with Alex, knowing that it was over. She could see it in the other woman's eyes — she wasn't going to budge, no matter how much Sara begged and pleaded with her. And that realization hurt more than anything else Sara could bear to think about right now.

It wasn't fair. It wasn't fair at all. Sara practically dived into her car and turned on the ignition, and drove away. She wasn't quite sure where she was going, as long as it was far away from here.

It actually says a lot that even with a bout of fear gas, Laurel is the one having the easier year. But man, Sara's break up with Alex nearly got me crying. Losing your first love is never easy.

We've got one or two chapters left before this year is over, and then we move to Year 5. That's the one I'm looking forward to the most, both because it's the last year before Laurel returns home, but also because it helps set up some elements for the story that will be important later on for S2 and S3. I think you'll enjoy it.

Next Chapter: Laurel works to bring down the Calculator.