Lauriver Chronicles

Chapter 10

Over the next few weeks, Oliver began to work closely with the Wayne Foundation to start building his community center. He'd found a building in the Glades that would be perfect for him to operate out of, both by day and by night. It was actually an old abandoned warehouse that Oliver could actually afford to buy on his own, with Laurel helping out with the legal paperwork that he could not understand for the life of him.

However, all of the renovations were things that he needed the Wayne Foundation's support, since in addition to renovating the building into an ideal community center, Oliver also knew that Bruce Wayne would be funding the construction of his own base of operations beneath the center, since he couldn't exactly put it under the Queen Mansion since he didn't live there and couldn't put it under the Queen Consolidated building since he didn't work there either. The center provided an ideal cover for where he'd spend his time.

Plus, with the Wayne Foundation's resources, Oliver knew that his base could be a lot nicer than the one he'd originally had planned, which had just been a crappy computer and a salmon ladder in the basement of the center, now it could be a bit more advanced, though that did mean it would take a little longer to build the base, since they were literally adding a basement to a building that had previously not had one, which actually worked out fine with Oliver, since he knew that if a vigilante in a green hood, since he hadn't decided what to call himself yet, since he knew that the people of Star City would give him a name once he revealed himself, just like how Bruce had been given the name Batman, but anyways, he knew that if the vigilante showed up at around the same time he came back, people would be suspicious. But by giving it time, it would make it harder for people to suspect that the vigilante was Oliver Queen.

However, he was very happy that at least the part of the building that the public knew about was reaching completion as he and Laurel walked through the nearly completed center.

"This place looks nice." Laurel said as they passed the newly installed gym, which basically looked like a brand new high school gym complete with basketball hoops, bleachers and he'd even had a concession stand put in.

"Yeah, Bruce definitely came through, since he made sure that the Wayne Foundation spared no expense in turning this place into the ideal safe space for the kids of this community. Aside from the gym we just passed, this place also has a brand new computer lab with the best computers available, a fully stocked library, a cafeteria, both an indoor and outdoor pool and the library also has study rooms for kids to use to do homework, a lounge for them to hang out in and Bruce and I even agreed that the second floor is all beds and that sort of thing to give people a place to sleep if they need it, since we both know that there are plenty of them that could use it and there's also an onsite medical clinic." Oliver said and Laurel smiled.

"Ollie, this place looks amazing. I'm so proud of you. But you still can't open yet, since you may have a building, but you don't have a staff yet." Laurel pointed out.

"I know. Just like how I know that the Queen Consolidated board is likely going to be giving mom hell when I reveal that it's Wayne Enterprises funding this place not them, since this would've been a good PR move." Oliver said.

"True. And while I know that you need to be a bit more selective with the medical staff, I'm guessing that for the rest you're going to hire from the Glades to start providing more jobs around here." Laurel said.

"Yep. Though I also need to think about what the amount of security is, since if this is going to be a safe space for the kids and just the people of the Glades in general, we do need proper security to keep the criminals out, though I don't want to send the wrong message." Oliver said.

"Why not ask John to run point on security, since you trust him and honestly, I get the feeling that you want to bring him into your crusade at some point, since every soldier needs a loyal second in command." Laurel said and Oliver smiled.

"I agree that John would probably prefer doing real security work as opposed to babysitting spoiled rich kids like he does now, but I don't think that he'd be fully understanding of my mission. Not like you are." Oliver said.

"What do you mean?" Laurel asked.

"John's always seen the world as very black and white. Even before I enlisted, I knew the world was full of grey. John's always seen the world as black and white, as good and bad being clearly divided, he's kind of like your father that way. I want to bring him in, but I don't know how he'll react. Fortunately, I know someone who might." Oliver said.

"Who?" Laurel asked.

"His wife. Lyla Michaels, she's an Argus agent and one of the few people in this city aside from you knows the truth about where I was and what I was doing while I was gone. If anyone can bring John around it's her. Since you're right, if there's anyone I trust to have my back in the field, it's him and what I'm planning on doing is not something I can do alone. A lesson that even Batman learned." Oliver said.

"So does that mean that in addition to bringing John into the fold you're gonna be looking for your Robin?" Laurel asked with a chuckle.

"Let's not get crazy. Though if Helena moves here to be with Thea the way it sounds like she wants too, I might loop her in since her father's already brought her into this life, though that might require telling Thea and I'm in no rush to do that." Oliver said.

"You can't protect her forever, Ollie. And sometimes, the best way to protect people is to tell them the truth. Just like how you told me the truth. But anyways, can I see the Arrowcave?" Laurel asked.

"First off, I'm not calling it that and second, it's still under construction." Oliver said.

"Got it. But I think I might know someone to run the medical part of the center and maybe serve as your team doctor, since I'm positive that you're gonna need someone to patch you up whenever the bad guys get lucky." Laurel said.

"I agree. And you trust this person?" Oliver asked.

"With both my life and Jasmine's life. I'm actually getting lunch with her later. I can bring it up with her and see if she's interested." Laurel said.

"Please do. If you trust her, then that's all I need to hear, since if there's one person's judgment I still trust after all this time, it's you." Oliver said.

"Good. Considering the fact that I'm still planning on marrying you, you'd better trust my judgment." Laurel said.

"Speaking of which, should we start planning our wedding?" Oliver asked.

"Yeah, I think it's been enough time since you got back to know that the spark is still there and it's time for us to finally start getting serious. Especially since you've started to win Jasmine over." Laurel said, since Jasmine had recently started calling Oliver daddy.

"Yep. I'll tell my mom that we're ready to start looking into wedding planners, but for now, let's get going." Oliver said and Laurel nodded as they left the building.