Lessons: Becoming the Green Arrow

Episode 13 - Not Alone (Part 1)

Episode 13 – Not Alone (Part 1)

AN – My apologies for the delay in posting this! I truly am trying to update every week and Part 2 of this one will be posted tomorrow!

DISCLAIMER – Despite writing for over a year now, I have absolutely no claim to CW's Arrow or any DC Comics character!

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PREVIOUSLY...Barry Allen had revealed his new superpowers but the Team remained cautious about him even though he stayed close. Felicity and Roy worked hard behind the scenes while Oliver and Diggle maintained appearances at both of their jobs. Sara and Nyssa remained nearby as they too were concerned about the current situation as well as the possible return of Malcolm Merlyn. ARGUS had remained quiet since Amanda Waller's demand for Oliver to stop Caitlyn.

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It had been a week since Team Arrow's destruction of Caitlyn's lab but they were no closer to finding the woman herself. Felicity continued to focus on her research even to the point of skipping some of Oliver's appearances and meetings as Mayor. The guys continued their nightly patrols and with Detective Lance's return to active duty they even coordinated some of their activities with him. Sara often joined for patrols but Nyssa had made some short trips out of town to meet other contacts as more intel on Malcolm Merlyn came her way. Barry had remained with the Team and was working to duplicate ARGUS' efforts to complete a protective suit even as he and Felicity also worked on creating weapons to counteract both Brick's and Caitlyn's powers. Despite all of their efforts and new intel, Caitlyn remained at large though and Brick's activities had again increased. The Team felt the continued stress and all were tense and on edge with Felicity in the cross hairs of a woman called Killer Frost.

Oliver and Diggle had just returned to the basement following a City Council meeting and found Roy working out with Barry. This wasn't the usual Team training though as Roy was firing an arrow at a target and in a blur of movement Barry sped away to intercept it. The Team had been trying to help Barry test and control his new powers even though there had been little free time since his revelations – only somewhat surprisingly, it was Roy who had accepted responsibility for Barry's training.

As Barry again shot across the room, he acknowledged to himself that Roy's Lesson regarding the importance of "ninja skills" was valuable and accurate. His speed was formidable but as he couldn't always judge precisely, he still usually missed the arrow or even got hit by it. The latter was the case once again as he felt the arrow slice across his extended arm. Distracted by the blood, Barry stumbled and went crashing to the ground.

Felicity bit her lip to keep from asking Barry if he was okay. She still didn't see him as the superhero type and it was difficult not to protect him; however, as Oliver had just walked in she kept her seat this time. Seeing but ignoring Roy's grateful nod, Felicity simply turned away to watch her partners cross the room toward her. There had still been no time to talk and while Oliver had never said anything about Barry he did get annoyed anytime she got too close to the other man. She couldn't decide if she should be happy about his jealousy or not but Felicity couldn't deny that she felt a thrill each time it happened.

Roy shook his head in mock despair as he knelt by Barry who was still seated on the floor. With little fanfare, Roy swiped the wound clean and placed a bandage on it. He had heard both Oliver and Diggle enter the room; however, he was determined to continue trying to help Barry as Oliver had helped him. Not everyone could understand having a force inside that you couldn't control but Roy could and he knew what it felt like to live with the consequences if you didn't find the control. He also sympathized with the guy for being the odd man out as Team Arrow was closer than even and Oliver continued to be distant at best toward Barry. Roy was grateful Felicity had kept her seat this time even if she had ignored his nod.