Chapter Text
Oliver paced the second floor rotunda of the courthouse as he waited for Jean Lorring. Dig stood at the top of the stairs with his arms folded across his chest as he glared at the press lurking in the lobby. They were waiting for their chance to snap a picture or ask a question of Felicity Smoak and her battling billionaire bosses, Oliver Queen and Ray Palmer. The story was salacious and Oliver's sudden reappearance in Starling City only stoked the flames of speculation.
A commotion broke out amongst the press and Oliver moved to get a better look at whomever was causing the ruckus. He watched as Captain Lance, in full dress uniform, pushed through the crowd of reporters as he gruffly said, "No comment." Lance's foot hesitated on the top step when he spotted Oliver. "Look who's returned from parts unknown." He shook his head and walked passed Oliver towards the courtroom.
Oliver followed Lance with Dig close on his heels. "Why are you doing this? Felicity's never hurt anyone. She's a good person."
Lance turned and Oliver nearly collided with the man he'd considered an ally. "I don't have anything to prove he's you, but I can link her to both of you." Lance shook his head in disgust. "Why did you have to drag her into this? I don't understand why smart women keep falling under your spell. She's stubbornly refusing to give you up. You don't deserve her."
Dig grabbed Oliver's shoulder and spoke quietly, "Don't, man."
"Please don't punish her for my actions. You're angry with me. I'll turn myself in, just let her go." Lance was shaking his head. "I'll beg, if that's what you want."
"You think it's that easy? That I'll just let her walk away?" Lance stepped into Oliver's personal space. "Was she there when my baby died?" The Captain's finger jabbed into Oliver's chest. "Were you?" Glancing over his shoulder, "How about you, Mr. Diggle? Did any of you even try to save her?"
Oliver swallowed heavily. He would've gladly given his life in exchange for Sara's. His last moments with Sara continued to haunt him. He'd been so caught up in his own pain about losing QC and ending things with Felicity that he'd failed to insist that Sara fill him in on her mission. Maybe if he'd known about Merlyn he could've thwarted his plan for Thea to murder Sara. "Sara wouldn't want you taking your anger out on Felicity. They were friends." Oliver rubbed his beard. "Felicity saved Sara's life."
"What?" Disbelief clouded Lance's face.
The angry set of Lance's shoulders had relaxed and Oliver thought he was being given an opportunity to remind the Captain of Felicity's humanity. "Last year, Felicity took a bullet for Sara. We all got more time with her because Felicity Smoak stepped in front of a madman with a gun to protect her friend. She deserves better than both of us."
Lance appeared stunned as he looked between Oliver and Diggle and then he walked away without saying another word. Oliver watched the Captain pull his phone out of his pocket and place a call.
"That wasn't very smart. You just confirmed your identity." Dig said softly.
Oliver really hoped he hadn't made things worse. "He's known since the Hood's first appearance. He just could never prove it after I beat the polygraph and you made an appearance as the Hood when I was under house arrest."
"Oliver," Jean Lorring called as she strode purposefully towards him. Oliver leaned over to hug the diminutive lawyer. "I'm so glad you were able to make it. It will help if the judge sees Felicity has a support system and ties to Starling."
"I'm pretty sure that Palmer will make a better character reference for her." Oliver glanced around wondering if Ray was already inside the courtroom.
Jean smiled at him. "That might be true, but you're the one actually here."
Oliver shot Diggle a look and his friend shrugged. He couldn't believe that Palmer would abandon Felicity when she was in need of his support. "What are her chances?"
"I'm confident that the judge will throw out the case. The D.A. doesn't have anything that will stand up in trial." Jean squeezed Oliver's arm. "Even if the judge decides to move forward he will grant her bail. If the past twenty-four hours have proven anything, she isn't safe in custody. The last thing the mayor needs is for Felicity to get killed by someone with a grudge against the Arrow. Especially when the Arrow has higher approval numbers than she does. She wants to win the special election." Oliver tried to push away the fear of Felicity dying and forced himself to pay attention to her lawyer. "One way or the other, Felicity is going home tonight."
Oliver and Diggle followed Jean into the packed courtroom. The three of them squeezed onto a bench and waited for Felicity's case to be called. Oliver couldn't take his eyes off of Captain Lance who was sitting behind the prosecutor with his head bowed. Lance's right leg jiggling up and down let Oliver know that the man was conflicted and that a battle was raging within him. Oliver prayed that Lance's anger with him wouldn't blind him to the injustice he was heaping upon Felicity. Yes, she was the Arrow's accomplice and partner, but she was also the one who pushed him to be better, to be a hero. The positive force the Arrow had become in Starling was in large part due to the IT girl with a penchant for innuendo laced babbles and an unwavering faith in a man who wore a mask and carried a bow.
"What have I done?" Oliver muttered under his breath. Dig looked at him, but Oliver shook his head. He had been making one terrible decision after another, starting from the moment he decided to walk away from Felicity after their explosive first date. She'd accused him of hiding under his hood because it was easier. At the time, he'd denied it, but she was right. Wearing the hood was only about survival and surviving was the thing he knew how to do best. He spent five years fighting to stay alive and for what? He wasn't living, he was existing. He'd pushed away every person he loved and cared about in order to hide under a different mantle. He lied to himself when he agreed to Ra's offer. To become the Heir to the Demon, he would have to let go of Oliver Queen completely. The young man who found a way to survive at all costs just so he could go home deserved better. Ollie had been punished enough for his careless ways and deserved a chance to live as a whole Oliver. Barry had once told him that he could do great things as Oliver Queen. Maybe he was right. He would restore his family name and leave a legacy his parents would've been proud of. He would be the brother Thea longed for, the friend worthy of being called brother by Dig, the mentor Roy wanted and the man Felicity always believed him to be. There would be no more running. No more Ra's al Ghul. Oliver was going to stop being afraid and live his life. The past had taught him that life was not guaranteed and he was now realizing that he should seize happiness whenever it presented itself.
Oliver's reverie was broken when Jean stood because the baliff called Felicity's name. A door opened at the front of the courtroom and Felicity entered. She was dressed in black slacks and a white short sleeved blouse with small pink polka dots. Oliver was torn between the joy of seeing her again and the agony of her injuries. She hobbled on one crutch as she tried to keep her full weight off her injured ankle. Her eyes scanned the gallery and she sighed in relief when her gaze landed on Oliver. A silent conversation took place between them and she gasped when she realized that he was home for good. Distracted, she appeared to forget her injuries and nearly lost her balance. Oliver, Dig and Lance were on their feet at once and drew murmurs of surprise from the courtroom spectators. A guard steadied Felicity and she flashed him a smile in thanks as he helped her the rest of the way to the defense table. Felicity nervously looked at Oliver over her shoulder and he couldn't stop himself from giving her a wink and a wide grin. He wanted to laugh with joy as she turned to face the front of the courtroom and he watched her neck turn pink as she blushed. Dig cleared his throat and gave Oliver a disapproving look. Sufficiently chastised for drawing unwanted attention from the public, he carefully schooled his features to reveal nothing and sat back down.
The judge, prosecutor and Jean began with some friendly banter before the judge settled down to business. Jean requested all charges to be dropped for insufficient evidence. The prosecutor began his arguments when a throat cleared and Captain Lance rose from his seat. "Excuse me your honor, may I speak with the District Attorney for one moment." The judge nodded his agreement and Lance approached the railing separating the gallery from the rest of the courtroom. The two men put their heads together and spoke softly. The prosecutor raised his head in disbelief but then nodded.
The prosecutor turned to face the judge, "Your honor, the people have decided to drop all charges against Ms. Smoak."
The courtroom erupted as the spectators voiced the disbelief that was currently Oliver's predominant thought. He looked over to Lance who was staring at Felicity. Her head was dropped to her chest as if she were in prayer. The judge pounded his gavel against his desk. "Silence, in my court. It appears, Ms. Smoak, that you are free to go. The case of the People of Starling City versus Felicity Megan Smoak is hereby dismissed."
The courtroom was dismissed for the day and as the judge stepped down from his desk, Oliver pushed through the crowd towards Felicity. He passed by the Captain who only gave him a silent nod when Oliver said, "Thank you."
Felicity was speaking with Jean and Oliver could hear her giving her thanks. "Felicity," his voice was almost a whisper.
"Oliver. You're home." She said with a smile. His words failed him and all he could do was nod. "Good, this is where you belong."
He was suddenly reaching for her and she hopped over to the railing. He carefully put his arms around her, mindful of her injuries. He tucked his face against the side of her neck. "I'm so sorry, please forgive me."
She rested her forehead against his chest. "You can tell me how sorry you are over a bottle of red and lots and lots of dumplings."
Dig's hand gripped Oliver's shoulder. He looked up and saw that a guard and Jean were waiting. The lawyer gave them a sympathetic smile. "They need to process Felicity for release. It will be about an hour but then she'll be ready to go home."
Oliver kissed her check. "I'll be waiting."
Felicity hopped away towards the guard. "With dumplings."
Oliver laughed, "Yes, with dumplings."
She hobbled over to the door with the guard following close behind. Before she stepped through the door she turned around. "Oliver? Tomorrow."
He tilted his head, "Tomorrow?"
She smiled. "We'll face it together."
His heart swelled almost painfully in his chest. The love he had for this woman was beyond words and it was inexplicable that he thought he could ever give up on having a life with her. He smiled and promised on all of their tomorrows, "Together."