Chapter Text
"You dont have to do this you know ", Mia said standing in the doorway arms folded watching her put make up on covering the remains of her black eye.
"Yes I do, I've put it off long enough. Dinahs gonna start getting suspicious", Laurel sighed as she admired her handiwork in the mirror, apart from a few scratches youd never know the bruises were underneath...Thank goodness for concealer.
"Besides I cant keep putting this off! Ive been here a whole week supposedly on a mission somewhere!", Laurel said packing her make up away angrily.
"But why put yourself through something you know is going to be painful?", Mia shouted, she couldnt understand why on Earth Laurel would do this to herself.
"Look i appreciate you helping Mia but I have to meet this guy I at least owe Dinah that before..".
"Before what?", Mia spat.
Laurel leaned on the sink gazing at her reflection, her eyes didn't seem to shine so bright anymore. It was like the spark had been snatched right out of them.
"Before I go back to 2020", she muttered.
"You're leaving us?", Mia shouted, "first I lose my father then my mother and now you're leaving too?!", she screamed fighting back tears.
"Dont...!", Laurel cried hanging her head, "dont do that Mia! I cant stay here you must understand that!?". She felt tears running down her face, from anger or hurt she didnt know but they just kept coming.
"You cant leave us please!", Mia sobbed, the pain of losing someone else becoming too much. "You can stay here with me! Theres more than enough room! Please dont go Laurel", she begged.
"I'm sorry Mia..I have to go", Laurel whispered before finally looking at her friend who had become closer to her than her own sister.
Mia broke down.
""You, William and Dinah are the only family I have left", she sobbed "and you're just going to go? Just like that?!".
"Mia I cant...".
"Fine go! ", Mia screamed "just go!".
Laurel stepped forward but stopped, she wanted to hug Mia but wasnt sure how to comfort her...Dinah would know what to do.
"I'm sorry", she said turning away. Mia stormed off angrily.
William was in the kitchen as he saw Mia storm out.
"Hey sis where you going?".
"To burn off some steam!", she shouted slamming the door behind her.
"Ok then", William said sitting down as Laurel walked in.
"Hey Laurel how are you doing?".
"Great!", Laurel snapped pouring herself a coffee before heading back upstairs.
"Ok then", William said picking up a newspaper, "and people wonder why I dont date women?", he muttered to himself.
-
Mia stood staring up lovingly at the statue of her father, she missed her parents every single day and as much as she loved her brother and valued Dinahs friendship she had a unique bond with Laurel. Sure when she first arrived she was a pain in her ass!
But over the months she found she had more in common with Laurel than she had with anyone, she was just as sarcastic and stubborn as Mia was! Sometimes she wished that Dinah and Laurel hadnt woken her up but part of her was also glad they did.
Since then she felt like her life had more meaning, and as much as Laurel got under her skin she knew she could always count on her..at least she thought she could.
"Knew I'd find you here!", Laurels voice interrupted her thoughts, Mia rolled her eyes as she turned around.
"Shouldnt you be packing?", she snapped.
"Kind of hard considering my stuffs at Dinahs!", Laurel pointed out, smiling just a little.
"What do you want Laurel?", Mia sighed.
"I rang Dinah, told her I'd meet Derek tonight, I was hoping you would come with me? You and William?", Laurel pleaded.
Mia stood arms folded shaking her head.
"Look I know you're angry with me Mia but I really dont want to do this on my own....".
Mia felt a stab of guilt.
"Ill think about it".
Laurel smiled, "you want to go get some coffee?".
Mia kept her face stern trying not to laugh at the goofy smile Laurel was giving her right now, "fine" she muttered begrudgingly following her.
-
"You know sometimes I really miss your mum". Laurel said as they walked with their drinks around the park.
This took Mia by surprise.
"Didnt think you and my mum were that close?".
"We weren't at first" Laurel smiled fondly at the memories, "but your mum was the only one that believed in me even when all the evidence pointed against me and she never gave up even when I gave up on myself...she was the best friend I never asked for. I miss her". She smiled sadly, "you remind me of her sometimes".
"Wow I never knew that", Mia said slightly stunned, Laurel never talked about her past, at least not so openly.
"You might take after your dad in some ways but you're a lot like your mother too, you got all the good parts", Laurel beamed, "they'd be really proud of you I know I am..if that means anything?".
"It does" Mia smiled "but is this just you saying goodbye or are you buttering me up to get me to come with you tonight?", Mia frowned.
"Couldnt it be both?", Laurel smirked.
"I'll come with you tonight on one condition ", Mia said feeling confident.
"And what's that?", Laurel grinned.
"After the meal you pack your stuff up and move in with me, I have more than enough space and you wont have to see Derek every day, we can continue to save the city together and Dinah when she wants to. But you cant run away from this Laurel you cant run away from your family!".
The smile disappeared from Laurels face as she took in what Mia was saying.
"Mia ..I cant".
"What would my mum say if she were here right now?", Mia challenged.
Laurel let out an exasperated sigh, "I dont know...to eat a lot of ice cream and watch reruns", Laurel chuckled. Seeing the hurt look on Mias face she stopped messing around.
"Ok I promise to move in with you...'temporarily until I get my own place", she added "and to stay in 2040 to annoy the hell out of you every day!", she promised.
Mia grinned at her mentor, her friend before frowning.
"What's wrong?", Laurel asked.
"Now comes the hard part", Mia muttered.
"The dinner", they moaned in unison.
-
"Ok remind me why I'm going again?", William asked as they shuffled him into the elevator.
"For moral support!", Mia hissed at him straightening his tie.
"Right! And we hate Derek?", he asked.
"Yes!", Mia answered.
"No we dont!", Laurel hissed at the pair of them. "He means alot to Dinah so we give him benefit of the doubt ok? So play nice!", Laurel warned.
"Why do you look at me when you say that?", Mia asked.
"Oh I have no idea!", Laurel said mockingly rolling her eyes, "maybe because I know you?".
The elevator dinged ending their conversation Dinah ran over to embrace them going straight for Laurel giving her the biggest hug.
"Hey pretty bird omg I've missed you so much!", Dinah squeezed her so hard Laurel struggled to breathe but she didnt mind, Dinah could squeeze the air out of her lungs any day....
"I missed you too D", Laurel smiled as she got a face full of Dinahs hair, it smelt amazing...it smelt like home.
"I want to hear all about this mission that's kept you away from me all week!", Dinah whispered in her ear "but I havent told Derek about that part of my life so maybe later?".
"Yea sure D, whatever you want". Laurel smiled sadly as Dinah ended the hug going over to William and Mia embracing them.
"Hi Laurel nice to finally meet you properly", Derek held his hand out smiling, Laurel took a deep breath letting him shake hers.
'Pleased to meet you Derek", she said using every ounce of strength she had.
"Please come in sit down and have a drink, dinner is ready", he grinned placing his hand on her back ushering her forward.
Laurel had a flashback of what Black Siren would do in this scenario, break his hand? No...kneck maybe?". The thought making her smile just for a split second.
"What can I get you?", he asked.
"Alcohol ", Laurel answered wanting to smash that bottle right over his head, "lots of alcohol ".
-
They sat down at the table Laurel and Mia opposite Dinah and William with Derek at the head of the table. Mia didnt like him, sitting there at the head of the table like a king this was Dinahs place not his! Sitting there like he owned the damned place! Something was off about this guy, she just couldnt put her finger on it...
"So Laurel". Derek broke the silence."what do you do for a living".
"I um used to be a lawyer", Laurel answered nervously looking at Dinah as she did so.
"And you dont anymore?", Derek asked shoveling food into his mouth watching her intently.
"No I'm looking to do something new I just dont know what it is yet", Laurel took a sip of her wine, she couldnt help but feel this was more of an interrogation than a friendly meal.
"So you're.. unemployed?", Derek stated matter of factly. Mia growled gripping her fork until her knuckles went white.
Laurel put a hand on her leg and a look to say 'I've got this' Mia released the fork using it to stab a carrot.
"Laurel needed change of scenery ", Dinah said fondly coming to Laurels defence "she helped so many people but it's a very demanding job and she did more than her fair share when it came to helping others, good for you you should find a job that makes you happy", the way Dinah was looking at her right now made Laurel want to jump across the table right then and kiss her...
"So how long have you been living on Dinahs couch whilst you 'find yourself', Derek air quoted.
"A few months", Laurel said feeling herself getting defensive, this guy was making her out to look like a scrounger.
"And you're welcome to stay as long as you like", Dinah beamed at her.
"Of course she is", Derek agreed, the way his eyes bore into Laurels told her otherwise.
"Laurels moving in with me", Mia announced.
"What?", Dinah asked shocked, looking a little hurt, "why?".
Laurel answered before Mia could cut in.
"Because you have Derek and I thought you'd want your space, you two should have that", Laurel said awkwardly not missing the way Derek was staring at her.
"Are you sure?", Dinah frowned "you're welcome here anytime you know that?".
"She knows", Derek said sipping his drink still not taking his eyes off Laurel, "I mean why wouldnt she? She gets unlimited free drinks", he laughed but Laurel couldnt help but feel it was another dig at her.
"I'm going to pay Dinah back", she said trying to keep her voice steady.
"For what? The drinks or the rent?", he laughed. Laurel felt herself stiffen what the hell did Dinah see in this guy? He was a complete jerk! She could feel Mia seething next to her she shot her a warning look.
"Laurel doesnt owe me anything!", Dinah said oblivious to Derek's attacks, "she would have done the same for me", she too looked at Laurel but with nothing but love in her eyes.
"In a heartbeat", Laurel said feeling her heart pound harder just for the way Dinah was looking at her.
Derek looked between them before chuckling "dont you have any family here Laurel?"
"No my dad and sister are far away", she mumbled. This guy asked a lot of questions and yet she still didnt know all that much about him...
"So how did you two meet?" William asked changing the subject. Laurel wasnt sure she could sit hear listening to the tale of how they fell in love.
"Would you excuse me I need the bathroom", Laurel stood up just as Mia did the same.
"Yea I need to go too".
"Theres only one bathroom", William said confused.
"Girls go together dufus!", Mia growled smacking her brother around the head.
-
Laurel and Mia both went Into Dinahs bathroom shutting the door behind them.
"I need to get out of here I cant do this!", Laurel said sinking to the floor "I cant sit here listening to their love stories I just cant!".
"So let's just go!" Mia said kneeling down to comfort her "you came, you met him, you did what Dinah asked now let's go! The guys a complete tool! ".
"A tool that is very important to Dinah! And shes important to us so... let's just get tonight over with and get out of here", she sighed, " I'm gonna go pack my stuff", Laurel smiled letting Mia pull her to her feet.
Laurel grabbed her toothbrush and headed for the spare room where she kept her stuff, she could her Derek and William still talking.
"Hey pretty bird", came a voice from behind her, she stood up to see Dinah smiling at her "packing your stuff already?", she said sadly.
"Yeah I thought I might as well", Laurel said quickly "thanks again for letting me stay here...for everything you've done for me". She looked around the room holding her little suitcase, why did this feel like a break up?
"You're only going to Mias I'll still see you around", Dinah chuckled "you'll still come by every day right?" Dinah asked softly.
"Maybe not everyday", Laurel said sadly.
Dinah stood there looking confused, she knew she was missing something, Laurel was holding back like always, she wondered if those walls would ever come down...if Laurel would ever truly let her in.
Laurel walked over pulling Dinah into a tight hug, "I'm happy you're happy Dinah, you deserve it", she fought back the tears as she felt her heart tightening.
"Thanks pretty bird I hope you find it too", Dinah said returning the hug, Laurel smiled sadly before letting go walking away quickly before she completely broke.
-
Mia was back with William at the table, seeing Laurel with the suitcase Mia stood up.
"Ok well dinner was lovely thank you for having us but we really must be leaving".
"But we havent had dessert yet", William whined, Mia shot him a look, "nevermind", he grumbled standing up. Both Mia and William went to hug Dinah goodbye leaving Laurel momentarily with Derek.
"Derek thank you for having us". Laurel held out her hand first this time putting on a brave smile.
"Do you think I dont see?", he sneered taking her hand roughly.
"See what?".
He laughed as he gripped her hand so hard she winced.
"That youre in love with her?", he pulled her closer, "do you really think Dinah would date a loser like you?".
"I'm not ....you're wrong I dont", Laurel stuttered as she tried to pull her hand back but he kept it firmly in his squeezing painfully.
"You're pathetic", he whispered "and sooner or later Dinah will see that..its just a matter of time". He released her hand "Dinahs mine!" He growled before heading back over to the rest of the group smiling.
Laurel watched him go holding her bruised hand, who did this guy think he was messing with?
"I am not a loser!" She growled watching him go, anger boiling through her, "and you're wrong....Dinahs mine!".