Green Arrow - Emerald Archer

Chapter Ten

"Oliver Queen is now the CEO of Queen Industries, taking over the company from Walter Steele, who had filled in after the disappearance of Robert Queen. In other news, the newly-named vigilante now known as the Green Arrow is the savior of Star City. According to reports from the interrogations going on at the SCPD, men working with the criminal China White have confirmed that, had Green Arrow not been there, a Vertigo bomb would have entered the city and infected everyone it touched, leaving disaster in it's wake."

"Happily every after," someone said from behind Oliver.

Oliver turned around, already knowing who it was. John Diggle.

"Everyone loves you," John said. "Both yous. Even the liberals can't find much bad to say about you. And shouldn't you be working?"

"I've been behind a camera all day," Oliver said, standing up. "Figured I could do with a quick break."

John nodded. "So, Oliver, I've been thinking."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah, and I've realized that you don't need me here anymore. Not as your bodyguard, anyway. You can handle yourself. You've proved that. And it's not like you love having me breathing down your neck in the first place," Diggle looked down at the floor.

"You aren't that bad, Dig. But, uh, what are you going to do?"

Diggle looked back up and smiled. "That's the fun part. I don't know."

Oliver smiled too. "Well, you figure it out," he said, reaching over, his hand outstretched.

"You're a good man, Mr. Queen," John shook Oliver's hand and made his way out the front door.

"Where is Mr. Diggle going?"

Oliver turned around again to see Moira in the doorway.

"Mom, I don't need a..."

"I know you don't," she replied before Oliver could finish. "You're a man now. With a job. And you're going to be just as successful as your father."

She and Oliver hugged.

"Oliver Queen has a job?" Thea came running down the stairs. She joined in the hug.

"I'm proud of you too, Ollie."

Oliver smiled and embraced his family. It was all worth it. Every bit of the danger he put himself through. To be able to come home and his family be waiting there for him. To know that as long as he was there, Thea and his mom would always be safe. Always.

And that thought was all he needed. That thought would push away any doubt, any fear. That thought would propel him. It would enter his head every single time he pulled back the string to his bow. His family. Their safety. And when he realized, that shot would hit it's mark. Every single time. He was the Green Arrow, and this was his city.