Lessons: Becoming the Green Arrow

Episode 14 tag - Fathers (bonus scenes)

Episode 14 tag - Fathers

AN - Technically these are extended scenes that take place during the episode if that makes any sense! Yes, I said "these" as there are 2 bonus scenes included at no extra charge this week! ;)

DISCLAIMER - Still can't claim these wonderful characters but I'll keep playing anyway!

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As the door closed behind them, Det. Lance looked at Walter Steele for a moment in awkward silence. Their interactions had been limited previously but both were feeling a little overwhelmed and neither had anyone else to confide in. It was Lance who took the chance.

"I could use some coffee."

Walter grinned before he replied. "Brilliant notion! There's a café just a block away."

Laurel turned back to look at the men in utter disbelief. "Coffee?!" She had held her tongue long enough but she wasn't going to continue to lie now.

"Laurel-" Lance warned as he could see the fire in Laurel's eyes. He understood it had to have been hard to see Oliver and Felicity together but he knew she would be better off letting Oliver go and finding her own happiness separate from him.

"Don't Laurel me Dad! This was a ridiculous farce - inviting us over to see their team headquarters as if they are one big happy family?! As if Ollie could ever need a street kid and a nerd to save the city?! It's preposterous and I won't be a party to the lies anymore!" Laurel stalked off leaving both men staring after her.

"Daughters are certainly harder than sons sometimes." Walter offered with no little sympathy as his thoughts turned to his own missing daughter. He knew he was neither Thea's nor Oliver's father but he had assumed that responsibility even before he had married Moira.

Lance turned to Walter and caught the frown and pain on the other man's face. This was someone who could understand his current predicament. Clapping a hand on the other man's shoulder, he smiled and started walking as he spoke. "Let's grab that cup of joe."

Awkwardness returned though as both men remained silent after the waitress had brought their coffee. Both could see the similarities in their positions but neither was enthusiastic about discussing their feelings or even sharing their thoughts. Thoughts of their families and shared past allowed both to be grateful to have a friend though. It was Walter who broke the silence this time.

"When did you know?"

Easily understanding that cryptic question, Lance sighed before he confessed. "I knew when Felicity helped me disarm the earthquake machine. I didn't accept it until Sara returned though. Logically, it didn't make sense that two different, powerful men would be so closely connected to both women. I didn't ask questions though, I didn't want to know. It was easier to still blame Oliver for everything." Lance shrugged but still met Walter's eyes.

"It's hard to let go sometimes. The Ollie we knew before wasn't the one that returned. We all had a hard time recognizing that. The doctors said the changes in personality were PTSD and we accepted that too...even though we knew it wasn't true. Moira never said anything but I think she knew his secret too."

Both men nodded as they realized that both of their families had been broken by the Gambit going down and both of their families had been rebuilt in new ways. Their paths were also linked together even now in both tragedy and triumph once again.

Sara and Oliver had returned to them but they were both very different people. Neither was forthcoming about their pasts but both had made the effort to include their families recently. However, both had also found new families, new lives for themselves. They were healthier, happier than they had been even before the Gambit. Yes, they had scars but they were moving forward, even if they left some loved ones behind.