Lessons: Becoming the Green Arrow

Episode 5 tag - Retaliation (extended scene)

Episode tag 5 - RETALIATION (extended scene)

AN - This episode tag was a reviewer request on AO3 for Roy to talk to a high Felicity so I couldn't resist that inspiration!  

DISCLAIMER - No change to the ownership status so I can claim nothing!

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As Laurel continued to watch, Felicity briefly opened her eyes and raised a hand to Oliver's face. He caught it, pressed a kiss into her palm, and then allowed their joined hands to drop as he leaned forward to rest his forehead against hers. They simply rested against one another, breathing together. 

Diggle and Roy exchanged a quick look as they happily moved to clear the path for Laurel's abrupt departure. It was clear that Laurel finally saw Lesson #1 in action and both hoped she would also be able to accept the Lesson and wouldn't try to get between Oliver and Felicity again. 

"Team Arrow does rock!" Roy confirmed then laughed quietly as Diggle soon joined in. 

Oliver stirred at their laughter and only then processed that Laurel had left. He didn't blame her for Felicity's injuries but he hadn't appreciated the conversation he had overheard on the comms either. Sighing deeply, he realized he still wasn't doing a good job of protecting Felicity from his present or his past. He took another moment to enjoy the intimacy of resting with his partner before he pushed to his feet. 

"We need to update the SCPD and ARGUS." Oliver stated as he forced himself to take more steps away from Felicity. "Roy-" 

"Yep, I'll stay with Felicity. I'll call if there are-" Roy interrupted but Oliver was quick to return the favor. 

"Call with regular updates." Oliver didn't want to know just that nothing bad had happened. He needed to know that she was okay if he wasn't going to be close to her. 

Roy exchanged a quick look with Diggle even as he nodded his agreement. While he teased Felicity about her and Oliver and even enjoyed their arguments, he didn't enjoy watching his friends suffer. Thanks to the aspirin Felicity wasn't suffering, but Oliver was. After he had learned that Oliver was the Arrow, Roy had found it was easy to see him as an invincible hero. Seeing him with Felicity though, well, that reminded him that Oliver was also human, just a man. 

"You going to change?" Diggle asked. He knew Oliver's thoughts remained with Felicity instead of on his own words. Even though he had stepped away, his partner had actually shifted his position while talking to them so that he could keep Felicity in his line of sight. At Oliver's continued silence, Diggle continued. 

"Roy can send the files to the SCPD. We can meet with Amanda." It was clear Oliver needed to get out of the basement if he was going to focus on anything other than Felicity even though he was still injured himself. Diggle understood his concern but, as always, Oliver's relationship with their partner was very different from his own. 

"Yeah, we'll leave in five." Oliver gave several short nods but still didn't move away. He reminded himself yet again that Felicity was the priority and he needed to keep a distance in order to keep her safe...the plan wasn't working yet but he had to keep trying. With a final look at the blond, he turned and walked back to change clothes. 

"Soooo..." Roy let the word trail off as he didn't really know what to say next. He found himself looking to Diggle for guidance yet again. 

"Text every 5 minutes - share any pertinent details. She should sleep the whole time." Diggle took a deep breath as he watched Felicity sleep for several moments before he turned to Roy. He and Oliver had always struggled with wanting to keep Felicity safe and Diggle knew Roy felt the same. Diggle watched the younger man watching Felicity - his whole body was tense and he was frowning.