Chapter 12
"Excuse me?" Laurel asks shocked. "What makes you think I'd ever consider helping you?" Laurel asks, a level of anger in her voice, not being able to believe that, considering everything, he is asking that of her.
"You're a good person, you help this city, protect people," Oliver says, knowing that even without knowing who is beneath the mask, as it is something he has come to realise. "And that's what I'm asking you to do. Help me save lives," Oliver says as he knows that he needs help to face what he is facing and The Woman in Black is his only option at the moment, and honestly, she is also his best option.
"What's going on?" Laurel asks, doing so because she knows it must be something big for The Hood to come to her, and that is enough to make her curious.
"There's a hired killer in town," Oliver reveals. "He shoots people with a long range gun with bullets dipped in a poison known as curare," Oliver explains. "He goes by the name Deadshot, you can easily verify what I'm saying if you'd like," Oliver tells her, being pretty sure that that is exactly what she is going to do.
"I will," Laurel assures him, knowing that a call to Bruce might be in her future. "Do you know what he's planning?" Laurel asks, assuming he does, as it is the only reason why he would approach her.
"Yes. He's going after the Unidac Industries auction, after the byers," Oliver explains.
"That's tomorrow," Laurel says, knowing that.
"I can't protect everyone and stop him at the same time," Oliver says. "I need help," Oliver says, and Laurel doesn't even need to think about her answer as she knows what is the right thing to do, what she has to do now that she is aware of what is going to happen.
"I will help protect the people at the auction," Laurel tells him. "But that does not mean that I am okay with your methods," Laurel says, wanting to make that clear. "I don't kill people, and I won't condone, or be okay with, you killing," Laurel explains, wanting to make it perfectly clear what he stance is.
"Understood," Oliver says. "Do you need the details of the auction?" Oliver asks, knowing that because it is so public she might already know, but he wants to be sure.
"Nope," Laurel answers.
"Then I'll see you there," Oliver says before firing an arrow and using that to swing off the building.
"This is gonna end great," Laurel mutters sarcastically, being glad that she hasn't been on coms since she made her way to the rooftop and remembering that Laurel knows that her kids will be worrying so she turns them back on. "You guys there?" Laurel asks, once she gets the conformation that the coms are back on.
"Always," Thea responds, there being a level of worry in her voice, as Laurel was off coms for longer than expected.
"Why'd you turn off the coms?" Roy asks curious, being sure that Laurel had a reason, but he isn't sure what that reason is.
"Long story, I'll explain when I get back," Laurel says as she doesn't want to talk about what just happened through the coms. "Anything else I can deal with?' Laurel asks curious, as she could use a bit of a distraction before explaining to the kids what just happened.
"Drug dealer, three blocks west," Sin informs her, after doing a search.
"I'll take it," Laurel responds and Sin starts to explain where she has to go.
A little while later Laurel, who has left a message with Bruce to call her back, is climbing through her window. After leaving her wig and mask in the place she keeps them in her office she walks into the living area where Sin, Roy, and Thea are, undoing her jacket as she goes.
"Nicely done, you left several nice packages for the police," Roy informs Laurel, sounding impressed with her.
"Yeah, but it never seems like enough," Laurel admits, feeling bad about that.
"You're doing something thought. That's more than most people can say," Sin comments.
"Yeah, I guess," Laurel says, honestly wanting to do more for her city, and all the people who are suffering.
"So, why'd you turn the coms off?" Thea asks curious, being sure that Laurel had a reason for that as it is not something she does often.
"I had a little chat with our friendly hooded killer," Laurel reveals.
"Seriously?" Roy asks surprised.
"What did he have to say?" Thea asks curious. "Your last conversation didn't go well," Thea comments, though if her suspicion is correct, she can guess exactly why 'The Hood' would want to talk to Laurel.
"You've talked before?" Sin asks, sounding surprised, as she didn't expect that.
"Yeah," Laurel confirms. "We talked this time because he wants help," Laurel explains.
"Seriously?" Roy once more asks, and Laurel nods. "I don't think the Hood would be the type to ask for help," Roy admits, and Thea can't help but think about how true she knows that to be.
"Honestly, neither did I," Laurel admits. "But he did," She reveals.
"What does he need help with?" Sin asks curious, assuming that it is something big.
"There's a hired killer in town. The Hood thinks that he's going to attack the Unidac industries auction," Laurel explains. "He can't protect all the people there, and deal with the killer alone. That's why he came to me," Laurel explains.
"So, you're going to work with the Hood?" Thea asks, sounding a little surprised by that as she knows how Laurel feels about the Hood and she isn't sure what will happen to those feelings if Laurel learns who the Hood is; especially considering who she is pretty positive he is under the mask.
"I'm going to protect people, and make sure no one is caught in the crossfire, at a location where the Hood may just happen to be," Laurel corrects, feeling that she needs to make that distinction, and that is what she has been thinking about since she talked to The Hood.
"Nice distinction," Sin says with an amused look on her face.
"Thanks," Laurel says with a smile. "Do we have any ice cream left?" Laurel asks, as she could really use some ice cream right now, looking at Thea as she is sure that Thea would know.
"That depends, did you pick up any after work?" Thea asks curious.
"No,"
"Then nope," Thea informs her.
"Great," Laurel says sarcastically. "Okay. I'm going out to get some ice cream, I'll be back soon," Laurel says, standing up, and clearly about to head to the door.
"You might want to get changed first," Roy points out, being pretty sure that it won't end well if Laurel leaves the apartment wearing what she is currently wearing.
"Good point," Laurel says, heading to her room.
"If you're getting Ice Cream, get skittles too," Thea requests.
"And Twizzles," Sin adds.
"And Energy drinks," Roy requests, causing Laurel to roll her eyes as she heads to her room, mentally coming up with a list in her head. Just as Laurel walks into her room her cell phone rings and she doesn't even have to check it to know exactly who it is.
"You called?" Bruce asks, the moment he hears Laurel pick up the call.
"Is this a secured line?" Laurel asks, not wanting to say more until she knows, as considering what she needs to talk to her about she doesn't want to risk the conversation being overheard.
"Not completely, but secure enough," Bruce responds. "What's going on?" Bruce asks, knowing that most of the time Laurel doesn't to make sure that their conversation is private.
"A hired killed by the name of Deadshot, do you know him?" Laurel asks.
"Unfortunately," Bruce responds, and Laurel can practically hear the frown in his voice. "Is he in Star City?" Bruce asks concerned, as he knows just how bad that would be if that is the case.
"He will be tomorrow night. The Hood asked me to help him protect his targets, and I'm thinking I made the right choice in saying I would," Laurel comments, as Bruce's reaction is certainly indicating that.
"You did," Bruce responds. "Dinah, do not underestimate Deadshot. He doesn't miss, and his bullets kill even if he did," Bruce explains. "I can't come to Star City right now," Bruce says as he is dealing with a rather big problem in Gotham, one he cannot just abandon, and because of what he is dealing with he isn't able to send someone to Star City to help Laurel.
"I'm not asking you to," Laurel assures him, though she isn't overly surprised that he assumes that . "I've got this Bruce, but what I could use is any information you have on him that could help figure out how he's going to go after his targets, that I'd appreciate," Laurel explains, as now that she knows that Bruce is concerned about this person she knows that she has to be as prepared as possible.
"That I can do. I'll send it through you in a secure link," Bruce explains. "You know the password," Bruce says as he and Laurel came up with passwords for this kind of thing the last time she was in Gotham, something which is proving to be a very good thing as it has allowed them to share information when necessary.
"Thanks Bruce," Laurel responds. "I'll let you know what happens, of course, by then you'd probably already know," Laurel says, sounding a little amused.
"Probably," Bruce responds. "Dinah situations like this is exactly what I was talking about when I told you that you need to remember who you are, don't let what the Hood is willing to do become what you are," Bruce advises, feeling that it is important for Laurel to remember who she is now more than ever.
"I won't," Laurel responds, believing that. "Bruce, I know who I am, The Hood, whoever he is, isn't going to change that," Laurel explains, and Bruce, who has a suspicion about who the Hood is that he's not prepared to share with Laurel, suspects that might not always be true. "Bruce, you said you trust my heart,"
"I do," Bruce says, before Laurel can say more.
"Then trust that I will do what I have to do to protect the targets, but I won't forget who I am or why I do this," Laurel tells Bruce.
"I believe you," Bruce says, though he still felt the need to give the warning. "Goodnight, Dinah,"
"Goodnight, Bruce," Laurel responds, and once she hangs up, she continues to get changed so that she can go on her snack run.
The following evening, having spent a lot of the day studying all the information Bruce was able to give her, Laurel, as the Woman in Black, is hiding in the rafters of the building where the auction is going to take place.
"I really think this was just a way to distract me," Laurel mutters to herself as she watches from her position, though the information Bruce gave her does make that seem unlikely.
A little while has passed since Laurel started to hide in the rafters and even though she has seen no sign of the Hood Laurel isn't overly surprised as she assumes he is also hiding somewhere. Watching over the people Laurel recognizes a lot of people at the auction, and she knows that she won't let any of them, or anyone, get hurt.
Just when Laurel starts to become pretty sure that The Hood only asked for her to help him as a way to distract her from whatever he is going to do, bullets start to come through the window; making it clear that it wasn't a set up.
Seconds after the bullets spray the building Laurel drops down from her hiding place and into the middle of everything.
"RUN!" Laurel says, her voice altered due to her voice changer, and everyone starts to run away.
Due to the commotion a lot of people are knocked down, so Laurel helps them back to their feet, and makes sure that everyone gets out of the room. Just as Laurel helps a teenager out of the room, using her body to protect theirs, the spray of bullets stops, and Laurel is pretty sure that that would be thanks to The Hood.
Looking around Laurel sees that it looks like everyone has gotten out okay, and as she can't help but feel relief, and even a little proud. Deciding that it is time to leave Laurel is about to leave, planning on doing a sweep of the building, when she hears;
"Freeze!" In a voice that she is very familiar with, and she turns to see her father, pointing his gun at her. "You're under arrest," Lance tells Laurel, saying the words Laurel has been preparing herself to hear for months but the reality is very different to what she imagined.
Even though she knew that there was a chance that one day her father would try to arrest her the reality of having her father pointing a gun at her, and how it makes her feel, is completely different than what she was expecting.
"Raise your hands, slowly," Lance tells his daughter, though he doesn't know it is her.
"I'm sorry," Laurel says, before shooting a grappling hook at the rafters, being very glad that she let Roy talk her into having it as a device on her arm for this event, just in case. Pressing a button before her father can stop her Laurel is projected upwards, and once she is in the rafters she uses the same way she got into the position she was hiding in to escape, moving quickly so that she doesn't get hit by the bullets her father is firing at her; something which she refuses to let herself dwell on.
Once she is on the roof of the building Laurel travels by rooftops, purposely going away from her apartment, but once she is sure she is not being followed Laurel heads back to her apartment; climbing through her window like normal.
Once in her room Laurel leaves her mask, wig, and weapons on her bed before heading out into the living room where she isn't at all surprised to find Thea, Roy, and Sin waiting, it being perfectly clear that all three of them have been worried about her; something which isn't surprising considering the circumstances.
"Oh, thank god," Thea says, hurrying over to Laurel and throwing her arms around her, hugging her tightly. "Sin got us into the police scanner, so we heard what happened. Are you okay?" Thea asks worried, also feeling terrified about whether her brother is okay, but it is harder for her to check on him, especially when he has no idea she suspects who he really is.
"I'm not hurt," Laurel assures her, as she returns the hug, already feeling better thanks to Thea's hug.
"But you're not okay," Roy realises as Thea and Laurel break apart, knowing that because he knows Laurel well enough and being able to tell that she isn't okay.
"Dad shot at me tonight," Laurel reveals as she and Thea walk over to the couch and sit between Roy and Sin. "I mean, I know he thought he was shooting at a Vigilante, the Women in Black, but it was still…. difficult," Laurel explains, struggling to find the right word, something which doesn't happen often.
"I'm sorry," Thea says, putting her arm around Laurel's shoulder and squeezing, not being able to imagine how hard that was for her.
"Thanks Speedy," Laurel tells her gratefully. "You're definitely right," Laurel says, looking around the Room. "We really do need somewhere else to operate out of. I could have been followed tonight and that wouldn't have been good," Laurel says, looking at Roy, knowing that out of the trio he has been the most vocal about Laurel needing a different place to work out of.
"I think I might have an idea about that," Sin comments, and Roy, Laurel and Thea turn to look at her.
"You do?" Laurel asks curious, wondering what she is thinking.
"Yeah," Sin confirms. "But um, I might need a little bit of time to look into a couple of things. Make sure it is as suitable as I think it is," Sin explains, as while she is pretty sure it is she would like to confirm that before she shows the others. "I'd prefer not to explain until I'm sure it's as suitable as I think it is," Sin admits, as she doesn't want to get the others hope up.
"Okay, that's fine," Laurel says, giving Sin a supportive smile as she reaches over and squeezes her leg. "So, it's still early, how would you three feel about going to get some dinner?" Laurel asks curious, thinking that, considering everything, that would be a good distraction.
"Sounds good," Roy says.
"Not Big Belly Burger," Thea says amused, as she is finally feeling like they have been eating it too much, which has made her rather sick of it.
"Can Ted come?" Sin asks curious.
"Don't worry, it won't be Big Belly Burger," Laurel says, looking amused. "If you want Ted to join, call him," Laurel says, looking between the trio. "I've got to have a shower, so you three and Ted pick a place for dinner in about an hour." Laurel requests.
"Will do," Thea assures her, though she is also thinking about a way to check whether Oliver is okay, as Laurel stands up.
"Oh, and thanks. The grappling hook came in handy," Laurel says to Roy, feeling that it is important to thank him for that.
"You're welcome," Roy responds. "You know having some more gadgets could be good," Roy says, and Laurel is amused as she has heard similar arguments from Bruce.
"I'll think about it," Laurel says as she heads to the other room, and after Laurel leaves Thea turns to Roy and Sin, as she knows that it is time to share with them what she is working to arrange.
"So, Ted knows a guy who can make actual tactical costumes with real protection for Laurel," Thea explains, keeping her voice quiet as she doesn't want Laurel to know what she is doing until it is ready. "I gave him designs for Laurel and I was thinking we could come up with designs for our own and get them made too," Thea says, looking between Roy and Sin, though she also knows that Roy is more likely to need the costume than Sin.
"I like that idea," Roy says with a grin, feeling that it could be a very good thing.
"I don't need a costume," Sin says, as while she knows what she is going to be doing she also knows that she will be 'behind the scenes.' "But I definitely think it's a good idea for you," Sin says to her friends, wanting them, and Laurel to be as protected as possible.
"Cool," Thea says, feeling glad that both Sin and Roy also think it's a good idea. "Can you pass me the phone," Thea requests, and Roy hands it over to her, and once she has the phone, she uses it to call Ted.
"Hey D," Ted greats, answering the phone after a couple of rings, and Thea can't help but feel amused about how he answered.
"Close, it's Thea, not Laurel," Thea explains.
"Sorry, hey Thea," Ted corrects, sounding just as glad to hear from Thea as to when he assumed it was Laurel calling him.
"Hey, Laurel, Roy, Sin and I are going out to dinner," Thea explains. "Wanna join?" Thea asks, being pretty sure she already knows the answer.
"Sure," Ted answers, without hesitation, as he always loves spending time with the foursome. "Where are we going?" Ted asks curious.
"Not sure yet, we haven't decided," Thea admits. "Laurel is in the shower so it will be about an hour before we go," Thea explains.
"Well, how about I drive up to the apartment and we can drive together once we decide," Ted suggests, feeling that that that would make the most sense.
"Sounds good," Thea says, after looking between Roy and Sin, both of whom nod.
"Okay, I'll see you soon," Ted responds.
"Ted wait," Thea requests, before he can hang up. "I have a question," Thea explains. "How soon would I have to get you designs for you to be able to get your connection to make costumes for Roy and I that would be finished about the same time as Laurel?" Thea asks curious.
"It would have to be within the next couple of days, at the latest," Ted tells Thea, as they are on a clock.
"Got it, I'll see you soon," Thea responds before hanging up, and once she hangs up she looks at Roy. "Okay, we've got a couple of days," Thea tells Ron.
"Will that be long enough?" Sin asks concerned. "I mean you have to come up with two different designs," Sin says, feeling worried that they won't have long enough to create what they need to complete.
"I don't know if it will be long enough," Thea admits, though she does already have some ideas that will help, as she reaches under the couch to grab a sketch pad and pencils. "But it will have to be," Thea says. "Any requests?" Thea asks Roy, and he starts to explain what he has been thinking, while Sin offers her own suggestions.
Forty-five minutes later Laurel is still getting ready while Thea, Roy, and Sin, all of who have changed into clothes that are more suitable to going out to dinner, are sitting on the couch watching TV while they brainstorm ideas for their new costumes.
"I think that would look really good," Thea says to Roy, as she shows him a rough idea of what she is thinking.
"I'm more concerned about whether it is practical rather than how it looks," Roy tells Thea.
"Guys," Sin suddenly says, cutting Thea off before she can say anything else, causing both Roy and Thea to look at her. "Laurel's on the news, or the Women in Black is at least," Sin reveals, causing all three of them to turn to the TV as Roy finds the remote and turns up the volume of the TV.
"LAUREL!" Thea yells, and moments later Laurel runs out from the other room, only half dressed, and clearly worried.
"What's wrong?" Laurel asks worried, as she looks around the room, trying to figure out why Thea called.
"Look," Sin says, pointing to the TV, which Laurel turns to look at.
"In recent months rumours have spread about a leather clad woman in the Glades who is singlehandedly taking on crime. While the police have dubbed this woman a menace, a vigilantly, the good she is doing can no longer be denied," A news reported says, as a blurry picture of Laurel as the Woman in Black appears on the screen. "In the six months since the person who has been given the name The Woman In Black begun her crusade crime in the Glades has decreased fifty percent, which begs the question, should she be allowed to continue? Or should she be locked up? We'd love to hear your opinion on the matter,"
"Pretty good press," Roy comments, looking at Laurel, as he turns the TV off.
"Yeah, it could have been worse," Laurel admits, though the truth is that there is a part of her that is worried that the criminals of the Glades and the people they work for will try even harder to come after her, and make her stop, but before anyone can say anything else there is a knock on the door.
"That will be Ted," Thea realises.
"Okay, tell him I will be ready in a couple of minutes," Laurel requests before heading back to her bedroom so that she can finish getting dressed, while Sin heads to the front door to let Ted in.
Unsurprisingly, Laurel, Thea, Roy, and Sin aren't the only ones who are watching the news report on the Women in Black. Sitting in his office with a drink Malcolm Merlyn is watching the same report, but unlike the foursome who are together Merlyn isn't happy about it, rather he is apprehensive as he is worried about what it will do to the very big plans he has.
Taking a drink of his scotch Merlyn decides that at the moment the best way forward is to wait and see what happens, as while he knows that there is a good chance he is going to have to react at some point he isn't completely sure exactly how he is going to do so.
Half an hour after Laurel, Thea, Roy, and Sin watched the news report the four of them, and Ted, are at a restaurant eating Chinese Food and enjoying each others very much, though Laurel is also texting with Bruce, catching him up on what happened at the auction.
"What do you think D?" Ted asks, and Laurel is so distracted by what Bruce is saying that she doesn't hear him, something which causes Roy, Sin, and Thea to exchange amused looks.
"Laurel," Thea says, trying to get her attention.
"Sorry, what?" Laurel asks, putting down her phone.
"Is Bruce okay?" Sin asks, assuming that that is who she is texting.
"Yeah," Laurel confirms. "I was just catching him up," Laurel explains. "Sorry, what did I miss?" Laurel asks, feeling a little bad about being so distracted.
"I was just explaining the matches I'm thinking for the junior tournament," Ted explains.
"Oh great, what are you thinking?" Laurel asks, and Ted starts to explain everything for a second time.
As they talk it is perfectly clear that four once the foursome aren't worrying about everything else that is going on, they are just having fun, enjoying spending time together as the makeshift family they have become over the years.
While Laurel, Thea, Roy, Sin and Ted are enjoying themselves Oliver is in his base in a sate of misery. Even though he was able to stop Deadshot, and thanks to the Woman in Black no innocent people where hurt, Oliver's bodyguard Diggle was shot and because of that Oliver had to reveal his identity and he revealed to Diggle that he wants him to join him in fighting, but Diggle quickly rejected him.
Instead of dwelling on his sorrow about that Oliver is once more thinking, trying to make sense of, the two things that are quickly becoming obsessions for him; figuring out who the Women in Black is, and finding out who is hurting Laurel, having no idea how connected his two obsessions are.