Chapter 1

AN1: So I was driving to work the other day and I kept thinking about Laurel (probably because my life was about to fall apart and I didn't know yet) and I thought about continuing Dawn of Arrowverse justice, or Birds of feather, but I realised plans I had for Dawn didn't work anymore, and I had things I wish I included in Birds, so I decided to re work Birds and implement them. Hope you like the changes and everything it leads to.

I imagine this is earth prime as I want to be able to include ALL arrow verse characters/dc characters if I wish.

AN2: THANK YOU SO MUCH TO Mocking_point who has helped me more than I can put into words.

On a lovely November night in Star City Dinah Laurel Lance isn't spending it how most people her age are, out having fun, rather she is alone in her apartment with cheap takeout and a piles of Law Books which she is studying.

Fourteen months ago, Laurel's Baby sister Sara was lost, and believed killed, at sea in a boating accident and if the trauma and pain of losing her sister wasn't bad enough at the time Sara was with Laurel's boyfriend, Oliver Queen. After the accident Laurel discovered that her boyfriend who she loved so dearly was cheating on her with her baby sister. Because of that she can't grieve and even though she is trying not to be angry, that anger is still burning inside of her.

Other than a three-month trip to Gotham City, that she spent with an old friend and made several others, Laurel has dedicated her time to studying the law and looking after her father who is slipping into darkness and pain. While it may not be the healthiest way to cope for Laurel it is currently the only way she has.

As she reads over the same line for what feels like the hundredth time, and yet still makes little sense, Laurel's phone starts to ring and after a little bit of searching she finds it beneath one of her many pieces of paper.

"Hello,"

"Laurel," her father, Quinten Lance, voice responds.

"Where do you need me to pick you up from?" Laurel asks with a sigh as while she has been avoiding dealing with what she has feeling by pushing down her anger and studying, her father has been dealing with it by drinking, whilst her mother dealt by abandoning her family.

"Nowhere, something's happened," Lance responds.

"What is it?" Laurel asks, being able to tell that there is something off about her father's voice but she isn't sure what it is or why.

"Moira Queen has been killed," Lance reveals, causing Laurel to feel disbelief and pain to rise inside of her.

"What? How?" Laurel asks, her voice breaking as since she was young she has been close to Moira.

"It looks like a home invasion," Lance explains and as he does a horrifying thought comes to Laurel.

"Oh God, Thea," Laurel says, all the horror she is feeling being displayed in her voice. "Is she okay?" Laurel ask, fearing the answer, as she has known Thea for her entire life, has watched her grow up.

"That's why I'm calling," Lance reveals, and Laurel worries about what that might mean. "Thea found her mother, and she's hugging Moria's body; she won't let go," Lance explains. "I've tried talking to her, but the only thing she has said about from 'mom' is your name," Lance explains. "I know it's asking a lot, but do you…" Lance says, and Laurel doesn't even need him to finish.

"I'll be right there," Laurel says, before hanging up, not even needing to think about it. As soon as she hangs up her phone Laurel runs across and out of her apartment, grabbing her jacket and keys as she goes.

As she drives to the Queen Mansion, a place Laurel can get to without even thinking, Laurel is happy that it is quite late as it means the traffic is pretty light and she is able to get to the mansion quickly.

Once she arrives at the Mansion Laurel is allowed past the police tape as the offices who are keeping people back are very aware of who she is. After ducking under the police tape Laurel spots her father.

"Dad!" Laurel calls, walking towards her father, who in turn walks towards her. "Where is she?" Laurel asks once they are close enough for her father to hear.

"In here," Lance reveals, as he and Laurel walk towards the house. "I just need you to try to move Thea off Moira as we need to take her body," Lance explains.

"I'll try," Laurel says as they walk in the front door.

As she walks into the lobby of the house Laurel has been to so many times, the house Laurel has spent so many hours at, the first thing Laurel hears is Laurel's heartbreaking cries. Hearing so much pain in Thea's cries Laurel hurries straight over to where Thea is lying on top of her dead mother, clutching her for dear life, like she never wants to let go.

"Thea, Sweetheart," Laurel says as she squats down next to the thirteen almost-fourteen-year-old, putting her arm around her shoulders as she does.

"Laurel?" Thea says, her voice sounding broken, as she looks up at Laurel with her eyes that are full of tears.

"I'm sorry Speedy, I'm so sorry," Laurel says, using Thea's old childhood nickname to try to make her more comfortable.

"It's not fair," Thea tells Laurel, her voice full of more pain than she should have ever had to experience.

"I know," Laurel says, as she pushes Thea's hair back and out of her face. "You don't deserve this," Laurel says as in just over a year Thea has lost her father, brother, and now her mother.

"I want them back; I want them all back!" Thea exclaims before throwing herself into Laurel's arms and crying into her chest.

"I know, I know," Laurel says as she holds Thea and rubs her back.

For the next few minutes Laurel just holds the teenager while she cries, having no idea what to say, or what to do as honestly Laurel isn't sure that there is anything she can do or say to help her.

"Laurel," Lance finally says after about ten minutes and as soon as he speaks Laurel knows what she must do.

"Thea," Laurel says, causing the teenager to look at her. "They have to take your mom's body away now," Laurel explains.

"No! They can't!" Thea exclaims.

"They have to Sweetie," Laurel explains. "I know you want her to stay but she can't," Laurel explains, hating that she is causing Thea more pain.

"What happens to me now?" Thea asks, sounding confused, while still sounding upset.

"You need to go to the hospital, make sure you're okay," Lance says, answering the question even though it is directed to his daughter. "After we do that then I need to talk to you about what you heard, what you saw," Lance informs Thea in a kind voice as even though he might hate Thea's dead brother, Thea is an innocent girl and doesn't deserve his anger.

"Will you stay with me, please?" Thea begs, looking at Laurel.

"Of course, I will," Laurel says. "I won't leave you, I promise," Laurel responds and once she does Thea turns back to Moira's body and for a while, she doesn't stay anything, she just stares.

"Okay," Thea says, after a while. "We can go," Thea says, and she forces herself to look away from her mother so that she can stand up; Laurel doing the same. "Don't leave me," Thea says, looking at Laurel, who is her lifeline at the moment.

"I won't," Laurel promises, and once she does Thea reaches down and takes Laurel's hand, which she holds onto for dear life.

"I'll drive you myself," Lance tells Thea as he takes off his jacket and puts it around the teenager who is shaking due to shock.

"That you," Thea says, holding onto Laurel's hand, as the two of them follow Lance out of the house.

An hour and a half later, Laurel, Thea and Lance arrive at the Star City Police station and as soon as they arrive they spot someone who they are all very familiar with waiting.

"Tommy," Thea says, sounding glad to see someone else that she has known for her entire life.

"Thea, I'm so sorry," Tommy Merlyn says, as he walks over and hugs Thea, who is still holding onto Laurel's hand; having not let go of it for a second. "I'm so sorry," Tommy says as he kisses the top of Thea's head.

"Me too," Thea responds as she and Tommy break apart.

"Thea, I'll try and make this as easy for you as possible, but I will need to talk to you about everything that's happened," Lance explains.

"Can Laurel sit in?" Thea asks, looking at Laurel hopefully.

"Sure," Lance says, after exchanging a look with his daughter, as he thinks that it might actually be a good thing for Thea.

"I'll stay out here," Tommy says as he wants to do whatever he can do to help the young girl.

"Thank you," Laurel says as she, Lance, and Laurel head into the interview room.

"Okay Thea, we can stop at anytime if you need," Lance says as the trio walk into the interview room.

"Okay,"

"I'll be right here the entire time," Laurel promises Thea as the two of them sit down across from Lance.

"Thea, I need to ask you what you heard, and what you saw," Lance explains.

"I didn't see or hear anything," Thea explains, as she can't help but think if she did see or hear something then she could have saved her mother.

"Okay, how about instead you tell me everything that happened," Lance suggests.

"I was up in my room, the house was quiet, like always, and I couldn't sleep so I was going to head downstairs to watch some TV," Thea explains. "I found Mom when I got downstairs…" Thea explains, tears once again coming to her eyes. "I grabbed the phone and hurried to her and…." Thea explains, clearly struggling.

"It's okay," Lance says. "You don't have to say anymore," Lance assures her. "I just have a couple more question," Lance explains. "You said you didn't hear anything, but you might have heard something you didn't realise. Did you hear anything that sounded like a loud pop or crack? Did you hear your mom say anything? Any sounds in the silence?" Lance asks.

"Um… no I don't think so," Thea says, thinking back, as Lance writes everything Thea has been saying down, and as he does that there is a knock on the door.

"Yeah," Lance says, and a uniformed officer walks in.

"Detective there is someone here from Social Services to take Ms Queen," The Officer explains.

"NO!" Thea yells as she does not want that. "Can't I stay with you?" Thea asks Laurel with a begging look on her face. "Please, I don't want to go somewhere I don't want," Thea begs, her voice full of complete desperation and she as hears the desperation in Thea's voice, and the look on her face, Laurel knows that there is no way she is going to let Thea go anywhere other than home with her.

"I'll talk to the social worker," Laurel tells Thea. "If you want to stay with me then it's alright with me," Laurel explains. "I just don't know if they'll let you," Laurel admits.

"I don't want to go with anyone else, please don't let them make me," Thea says to Laurel.

"I'll do my best," Laurel tells Thea, knowing she cannot do much more than that. "But If I'm going to go talk to them then I need you to let go of my hand," Laurel explains and once she does Thea reluctantly lets go of Laurel's hand, allowing Laurel to stand up. "I'll be right back," Laurel informs Thea before she stands up, walks across the room, and exits.

"Laurel," Lance says just as Laurel walks out of the room, once Thea won't be able to hear, closing the door behind them to make sure of that. "Do you really think having Thea stay with you is a good idea?" Lance asks, as he really doesn't think it is.

"Thea has lost everyone she loves, her entire family she has no one, I'm not going to leave her too," Laurel informs her father.

"You mean like you did when you ran away to spend three months with Bruce Wayne?" Lance asks, and Laurel feels burning anger to rise up inside of her.

"That was not the same thing!" Laurel says, in a low, angry hiss. "For the record, Bruce is a friend, a damn good one, who it so happens also cares about Thea," Laurel informs her father. "During those three months I spent in Gotham Thea spent two weeks with me, spending time with Bruce's step-cousin who she's been friends with since they went to summer camp together when they were eight; I have never left Thea, and I'm not going to start now," Laurel informs her father, walking over to a woman who is clearly from social services.

"Excuse me, are you from Social Services? Here about Thea Queen?" Laurel asks the woman.

"Yes, who are you?" The woman asks, looking Laurel up and down.

"My name is Laurel Lance and I have known Thea Queen her entire life. She's asking to stay with me and considering everything I think that might be for the best," Laurel explains, using the calmest, politest, voice she can.

"I appreciate your opinion on the matter Ms Lance, but we have protocols in this situation and in this situation the protocol is to get Miss Queen into emergency care," The social worker explains.

"Thea has just lost her mother and last year she lost her father and brother," Laurel explains. "She feels completely alone, and she wants to stay with me," Laurel explains. "After everything she has lost she needs to feel safe, and loved; she wont get that in a strange place with strangers," Laurel argues.

"Laurel's right," A voice says and both Laurel and the Social worker turn to see Tommy.

"Who are you?" The social worker asks, feeling confused.

"Tommy Merlyn," Tommy says and from the brief look that passes over the Social Worker's face she knows who he is. "Like Laurel I've known Thea for her entire life. When she walked into this police station tonight, she was clutching Laurel's hand for dear life; no one should take that away from her," Tommy explains. "Not now," Tommy says.

"For now, all I can authorise is one night," The Social Worker explains to Laurel. "Bring Miss Queen to The Social Services Building at twelve tomorrow and we'll discuss long term accommodations for Miss Queen," She informs Laurel. "Here are my details," she says, handing her card over to Laurel.

"Thank you," Laurel responds, and the social worker nods and walks away. "You didn't have to do that," Laurel says to Tommy, though she is grateful.

"Yeah, I did. I owed it to Thea," Tommy reveals. "And Oliver," He adds. "You've always looked out for Thea, always been there for her. The best place for her right now is with you," Tommy says, believing that.

"Thanks Tommy," Laurel says. "I should go give Thea the good news, or at least kind of good," Laurel corrects.

"Yeah you should," Tommy says and once he does Laurel heads back into the interview room so that she can tell Thea what has happened.

"So? Can I stay with her?" Thea asks as soon as Laurel walks into the interview room.

"You can, at least for tonight," Laurel explains, walking over and sitting down next to Thea. "Tomorrow we've got to go to Social Services to talk about something more permanent," Laurel explains.

"Does that mean I wont be able to stay with you?" Thea asks. "Because I really want to," Thea admits.

"I will do everything I can to make sure you can," Laurel promises, knowing that she will accept help from both Bruce and Tommy if she must, and Thea just hugs her.

As she holds Thea Laurel knows, without a doubt, that she will do whatever it takes to keep her promise as she will not let Thea go and live somewhere strange, somewhere familiar, she won't.

Half an hour later Laurel and Thea are arriving back at Laurel's apartment. Despite his disapproval Lance gave them both a lift back to Laurel's apartment.

"Keep the door locked and chained," Lance instructions.

"I will," Laurel says. "Night Dad," Laurel says, before hugging her father.

"Goodnight Laurel, Thea," Lance says, after he and Laurel break apart, and once he does he leaves the apartment.

Once her father leaves Laurel closes and locks the door behind him and walks over to Thea who is standing awkwardly in the middle of the room, looking like she isn't really sure what she should be doing.

"It's late, you should try and get some rest," Laurel says to Thea.

"I don't know if I can," Laurel admits.

"Do you want to try?" Laurel asks, and Thea gives a small nod. "Come on," Laurel says, leading Thea towards the spare bedroom. "I'll grab you something to sleep in and then be right back," Laurel tells her and Thea nods.

For a little while Thea just stands alone in Thea's spare bedroom, not really having any idea what she should be doing, or feeling, until Laurel finally comes back.

"Here," Laurel says, handing some folded clothes over. "It might be a bit big, but should be pretty comfortable for you to sleep in," Laurel explains.

"Should be fine," Laurel says, as she always like sleeping in something that's a bit big for her. "Thanks Laurel.

"You don't have to keep thanking me," Laurel assures Thea. "Get some rest, Speedy," Laurel says, before heading to the door.

"Laurel," Thea says once she has reached the door, sounding hesitant. "Do you think you could stay in here tonight?" Thea asks, sounding nervous.

"Sure," Laurel responds. "I'll be back as soon as I get changed," Laurel promises and Thea gives her a grateful look.

A few moments later Laurel returns to her spare room wearing her pyjamas. As she walks back into the room she find that Thea has gotten changed too.

"Let's get some sleep," Laurel says as both she and Thea walk over to the bed.

"Yeah," Thea responds and both she and Laurel climb into the bed and lay next to one another. "Laurel?" Thea asks after a few minutes.

"Yeah?" Laurel asks.

"I'm really completely alone now, aren't I?" Thea asks, sounding upset.

"No, you're not," Laurel assures her. "You've got me, you'll always have me," Laurel promises and not trusting her voice Thea just gives a nod. "Get some sleep, Thea. We'll talk in the morning," Laurel says.

After only a few hours of sleep Laurel is woken by the sounds of someone crying. After a few moments of tired confusion Laurel realises that it is Thea who is crying.

"Thea?" Laurel asks concerned, turning to face her.

"It's not fair Laurel! I want them back! I want them back so much!" Thea exclaims, sounding heartbroken.

"I know, I know you do," Laurel says, moving so that she can put her arms around Thea. "And I wish I could bring them back to you," Laurel says and once more Thea starts to cry into Laurel's chest while the older women holds her.

Hours later, after spending a lot of the last few hours crying, Thea, with Laurel by her side, are walking into the Social Service building, somewhere where Thea would honestly rather not be. As the pair walk into the building they are surprised when they see Tommy waiting.

"Tommy," Thea says surprised, as she was not expecting him, and she looks towards Laurel who looks just as surprised.

"What are you doing here?" Laurel asks, sounding completely shocked, as Tommy walks over to them.

"I have extra ammunition for you both," Tommy explains, receiving two confused looks in return, and to explain he holds up a folded document. "I went to the Queen family Lawyers first thing this morning," Tommy explains. "If something were to happen to Moira then she wanted Thea to choose who she lives with out of a list of people," Tommy reveals. "Your name is on that list," Tommy informs Laurel, leaving out that he and his family are on the list too as he knows that what is best for Thea is to be with Laurel.

"So, I can stay with Laurel?" Thea asks, looking hopeful.

"Let me see that," Laurel requests and Tommy hands over the document, which she quickly flicks through and reads. "It definitely looks like it," Laurel admits. "Thanks Tommy,"

"Happy to help," Tommy reveals. "Good luck," He tells them both, causing Thea and Laurel to no and head into the elevators.

"I forgot to ask, are you even okay with me staying with you for a while?" Thea asks Laurel, as she didn't even consider what Laurel would want.

"Of course, I am," Laurel says. "You can stay with me as long as you'd like," Laurel assures her, not even needing to think about it, and Thea give her a grateful look as they step into the elevator.

A few minutes later Laurel and Thea arrive at a the floor where the social worker that wants to tee them is. As the elevator doors open Laurel gives Thea a supportive look as they walk towards the welcome desk.

"Good morning, I'm Laurel Lance and this is Thea Queen, we're hear to see Jean Green," Laurel says to the person at the welcome desk.

"Of course, please take a seat," The person says, and Laurel and Thea walk over to the seats and do just that.

For the next few minutes Laurel and Thea wait, in tense silence, until finally the social worker they met the night before walks out of her office and over to them.

"Ms Lance, Miss Queen, please come with me," The Social Worker says and the two of them get up and follow Jean into her office. Once in the office Jean directs Laurel and Thea to the two chairs across from the desk which they both sit in.

"An hour ago, I got a call from the Queen Family Attorney's," Jean reveals. "Thea, according to your mother's wishes you are old enough to choose who you live with, as long as that person is someone who is on a very specific list…" Jean starts to explain.

"I choose Laurel," Thea says, cutting Jean off before she can explain more.

"I suspected as much," Jean admits. "But for that to be possible there are a few things that need to happen," Jean says, looking at Laurel.

"What are they? Whatever it is I'll do it," Laurel says as she quickly runs through the things she has learnt from her studies that may be relevant.

"To start with you will need to get verified as a foster parent so that you can get permanent guardianship and to get that certification there are several things that have to occur, including a home visit," Jean explains. "For now you can get emergency foster care status, but the process to get you officially verified will have to be started right away," Jean explains.

"That's fine, I'll do what I have to do," Laurel says, to Thea's relief.

"Is there any chance that Laurel won't be able to get permanent guardianship?" Thea asks concerned as she doesn't want to get her hopes up If they are just going to be dashed.

"Under normal circumstances I would say yes, but this is complying with your mother's wishes, and part of those wishes include a monthly allowance to help with expenses," Jean explains. "All of those factors make it more likely for Laurel to get approval," Jean explains. "I cannot guarantee permanent guardianship, but there are a lot of factors that are in your favour," Jean explains.

"When will we know whether I have been approved for permanent guardianship?" Laurel asks, wondering how long things will be uncertain for Thea.

"Well, it's November at the moment, and considering the delays caused by the holidays, I would say that early January is the most likely time," Jean explains.

"Okay," Laurel says, with a nod. "Can I get the process started today?" Laurel asks as she would like to get to this as soon as possible.

"Of course, it's a lot of paperwork though," Jean warns.

"I really don't mind," Laurel responds.

"Then let's get started," Jean says, searching her desk for the paperwork so that Laurel can get starred on it.

Almost two hours later Laurel has completed all the paperwork to start the processes for Laurel to gain permanent guardianship of Thea. Feeling relieved that they have done all they can do for the moment to make it so they can stay together Thea and Laurel are walking out of the social services building.

"So, I was thinking that we could go to the mansion so that you can grab the things you really want," Laurel suggests, not overly sure how Thea is going to react to that.

"No," Thea says, sounding short. "I can't go back there yet," Thea admits.

"Okay, that's okay," Laurel assures her. "How about we go get lunch," Laurel suggests. "You haven't eaten today," Laurel comments.

"Sure, but wherever we go can we get take away?" Thea asks as she doesn't really want to spend more time in public than necessary.

"Of course we can," Laurel assures her.

"Laurel how are you so okay with this? After what Ollie…" Thea starts to say.

"Thea, stop," Laurel says, turning to look right at her. "What Ollie did doesn't have anything to do with you. I am doing this because I want to look after you, because I care about you," Laurel says, stressing the you. "I will be your guardian for s long as you want me to be, and no matter what I'll always be your family, I'm not leaving you," Laurel assures Thea, who in response just hugs her.

"Thank you," Thea says, in a quiet voice.

"You're welcome," Laurel says as they break apart. "Let's go get some food,' Laurel says.

"Let's," Thea says and she and Laurel start to walk, Thea linking her arm with Laurel as they go.

A couple of hours later Thea is attempting to get some much needed sleep while Laurel is working on her Law School work. As she makes a case summery on a precedent torts case Laurel hears a knock on the door. Suspecting that she knows exactly who it is Laurel puts her work down and heads too the door. Even though she is pretty sure about who she will find on the other side Laurel still looks through the peep hole. After confirming that it is her father, who also unsurprisingly looks unhappy, Laurel unchains the door, unlocks it, and lets him in.

"Thea's sleeping so if you're going to give a lecture, be quiet about it," Laurel informs her father, as she closes the door behind them.

"Look, I get keeping the kids a few days, but permanently is a completely different ballgame," Lance says, it being more than clear that he really disapproves of the idea.

"I'm doing this because Thea needs someone to look out of her, she needs someone who cares!" Laurel exclaims, fighting to keep her voice low so that she doesn't wake Thea.

"Last time I checked there would be a lot of people who would be willing to take in Thea Queen, why does it have to be you? You don't owe that family nothing," Lance tells Laurel, there being so much venom in his voice when he says, 'that family,'.

"This isn't about the Queen family," Laurel says, angrily. "This is about a thirteen-year-old girl who has lost everything," Laurel tells her father, not understanding how he can't see that. "you say there are a lot of people who would take in Thea, but how many of those people would do that just because she is a Queen? And not because she is Thea?" Laurel asks and her father has no answer to that. "If something had happened to you when Sara and I were Thea's age wouldn't have you wanted us to be taken in by someone who really cared about us and not by someone who only cared because we were your daughters?" Laurel asks, and once again Lance has no answer to that. "Thea has lost her parents, and her brother, she has no other family, but she does have me, and no matter what I will be there for her. I will be hare guardian and do everything I can to help her through this," Laurel explains. "I will help her become the incredible woman I know she can be. You don't have to like this, but this is happening, I don't care what you think," Laurel informs her father, her voice completely serous and it is clear that she will not be talked out of this, she will not argue about it.

"Laurel," Thea's completely shocked voice says, causing both Laurel and Lance to turn to see Thea standing at the doorway to the bedrooms, looking both shocked and amazed.

"Thea," Laurel says surprised. "How much did you hear?" Laurel asks concerned.

"Everything," Thea says before hurrying over and hugging Laurel. "Thank you, thank you so much,' Thea says.

"I told you, you don't have to keep thanking me," Laurel assures her as she holds Thea tightly.

As Laurel holds Thea Lance just watches and even though he doesn't think that Laurel being Thea's guardian is the best idea he can see how much Thea needs Laurel right now.

"Why don't I make dinner for tonight," Lance suggests, causing Laurel and Thea to break apart, as they are both shocked.

"Really?" Laurel and Thea ask in disbelief.

"You would do that?" Thea asks, as she didn't think he would.

"Yeah, I will," Lance says, it being his way of showing support despite his disapproval.

"I have no groceries," Laurel says, realising that is something she is going to need to change.

"I'll go get some," Lance says, before leaving.

"Did he just go from being against you being my guardian to making dinner for us?" Thea asks surprised.

"Yeah," Laurel says. "I think it's his way of being supportive," Laurel assumes.

"Huh," Thea says, having no idea what to think or feel, partly because she is amazed by what she heard Laurel say and partly because she isn't sure what to make of Lance's behaviour. The one thing Thea know is that Laurel being so kind to her after everything Oliver did to her is incredible.