These Prison Walls (An Arrow: Season 7 Fanfiction)

Chapter 11: Friends and Family

Felicity, Oliver, Dinah, Rene, Curtis, Diggle, Lyla and I all stood around a table, having an easy conversation, one that was a breath of fresh air after our tense interaction with Max Fuller. 

'I never got to ask you,' Curtis said, 'what was your first meal when you got back?' Oliver opened his mouth to answer, but Felicity beat him to it. 

'Double Double at Big Belly Burger. This one too,' she added, pointing to me. 

That's what I'm talking about,' Rene remarked. 

'Taking a while to get those sea legs back, huh?' Diggle asked us. I smiled softly, as did Oliver. 

'Speaking of,' Rene spoke up, 'you thinking about getting back out there, trying that old suit on for size?' Dinah leaned over to him. 

'Shh, shh, no, no, no, no. He's not, just like we don't do that anymore.' 

'Dinah's right,' Oliver spoke up. 'I'm very much enjoying not being in prison.' Oliver and I met each other's eyes. 

'I'll drink to that,' I said. 'Hear, hear.' 

'So what now?' Lyla asked. 

'I don't know,' Oliver replied. 'Find a different way to help the city, the way you guys did.' 

'You?' Lyla asked, nodding over to me. 

'Kinda enjoying my freedom now. Ollie and I are good.' I wrapped my fingers around his and leaned into him slightly. 

'What about you, Felicity?' Curtis asked. 

'Well, I'm developing a new security system.' 

'Well, then, I'm sure it's the best one in town,' Laurel Lance said, walking up alongside us, gently touching Felicity's shoulder. 

'We're friends with her now?' I heard Lyla whisper. 

'It's more like frenemies,' Dinah whispered back. 

'It's a long story,' John replied. 

'Relax,' Laurel spoke up. 'I'm just here keeping up appearances. D.A., remember?' she said, shooting a smile across at Dinah. 

'Actually, we should all be thanking Laurel,' Felicity said. 'I mean, she is the one who did the trade to get both Oliver and Evelyn out of prison.' 

'That's true. I'm very grateful,' Oliver said, shooting her a soft smile. 

'Me too,' I said. 

'I know that I haven't always given you the benefit of the doubt, so...' 

'Well, it was Felicity who was willing to do anything to stop Diaz,' Laurel remarked with a smile that sent chills down my spine. 'She's ruthless.' Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Oliver frown. 

Applause sounded throughout the room. 

'Welcome. Thank you all for attending this evening,' Mayor Emily Pollard said, coming up to the stand. 'I would like to introduce this evening's honorees, Mr Oliver Queen and his sister, Evelyn Queen.' The two of us stepped up to the stage as applause sounded throughout the room. 

'Thank you, Mayor Pollard,' Oliver said. 'I used to believe that justice was as simple as putting criminals behind bars... but then I - we, my sister and I, spent some time in prison, and we realised that the truth is nowhere near black and white. The truth is that our institutions have a long way to go before they achieve true justice.' Suddenly, an arrow flew into the circuit board, creating a shower of sparks and shutting the lights off. Then another arrow flew out of the darkness and into the heart of a security guard, sending him tumbling to the floor. Yet another arrow flew out of the darkness, and Oliver stepped forwards, catching it. The two of us looked down at the arrow, and then met each other's eyes. 

The body was being taken away by the medics as Mayor Pollard spoke to some of the reporters. 

The attack perpetrated by the Green Arrow this evening is further proof of why we, as a city, cannot trust men that hide behind masks. There is a reason why the anti-vigilante law exists. Thank you.' She stepped away. 

Over near some tables, Curtis, Oliver, myself, Rene, Dinah, Felicity and John conversed about the attack.  

'Look, I know how this looks, but this wasn't the new Green Arrow,' Rene said. 'He hasn't murdered anyone.' 

'That you know of,' Diggle shot back. 

'Has anyone actually seen who's behind the mask?' Oliver asked. 

'Well, no. But whoever it is has been helping the city,' Dinah replied. 

'And helped us take down Diaz,' Felicity replied. 

'This was cold-blooded murder,' I spoke up. 'Now Oliver and I both appreciate how all of you feel as though the new Green Arrow is an ally, but I would like to be sure.' 

'And how are you gonna do that if you're a no-go on the Arrow and Athena?' Felicity shot back. Oliver and I looked at each other. 

'Is there a law against me consulting?' Oliver asked. 

'You mean an investigative consultant, like "The Mentalist"?' Curtis suggested. 'I love that show.' 

'I can't think of a better way to investigate a copycat Green Arrow than with the original.' 

'I can,' Rene piped up. 'With my help, because I'm not sitting this one out.' 

'I appreciate it,' Dinah replied, 'but there's nothing left to be done tonight, so, go home. Let my guys work the scene. And if I need help, I'll call you tomorrow.' Oliver stepped forwards, nodding his head to Felicity and the two Queen siblings, along with Felicity Smoak, left the room together.