Many Hats to Wear

Side Story #2: Reluctant Hero

The tenth time, he visits her, and he brings a friend.

He plans to talk to her about some of the things he's been researching for those names on her list (the list that no one wants to find themselves on for Christmas).  It's a Saturday, and he knows she'll probably be working on getting the new nightclub up and running because the girl is a work horse.  He was planning on dropping in and out quickly, but plans have changed.

Now, his little sister, Thea, is with him.

They're ten years apart, but Oliver likes to think that they’re still close despite the age difference.  He's cheerfully moved out from under his mother's clutches, but Thea's now trying to do the same because her relationship with their mother is more tumultuous than his.  For the past few weeks, she's been staying with him, and, though they're brother and sister and supposed to hate each other, he's been glad for the company around the place.  As a bonus, Thea's actually been going to school every day and making straight-A's, unlike when she was living at home, so he likes to think the arrangement is good for her, too.

But Thea is adamant about getting a job to help out with the apartment expenses—which he insists that she most certainly does not have to do, but she's just as stubborn as he is.  The problem is that Thea has an arrest record as long as his arm, stemming from juvie days but with a few offenses after she turned eighteen three months ago.  She's trying to do better, but very few employers will touch her with a ten-foot pole.

Fortunately for Oliver, he knows another misunderstood soul with an arrest record—who just happens to be opening a club.

They walk into the future home of Verdant together, and Oliver has to admit, the renovations are going smoothly.  Felicity might actually be able to open early, which will help with their cover over the upcoming months with the List.

Thea snorts as soon as she enters, and he notices, not for the first time, that she's inherited some of their upscale lawyer mother's snobbery.  "Nice place," she says dryly.  "I can't wait to work here."

Oliver gives her his best disapproving-older-brother look.  "The renovations aren't finished yet," he assures her, surprised by the bite in his tone as he defends his friend's business venture.  "That's why I brought you here—they're going to need all the help they can get for the grand opening, and I happen to know the owner.  She won't hesitate to hire someone with a record."

Thea crosses her arms, her eyebrows narrowing in suspicion.  "She?" is the reiteration.

Oliver has spent enough time around Felicity to learn the graceful avoidance of the truth.  Instead, he turns to where Diggle is sitting in an old chair in one corner, reading the newspaper.  "Hey, Digg," he calls, and the man's attention snaps to him.  Oliver pulls Thea along as he moves toward him.  "How are you today?"

"As good as I can be while babysitting," he assures Oliver with that half-smile that shows he's not near as annoyed as he probably should be.

"Me, too," he jokes, motioning at Thea, who doesn't hesitate to slap his shoulder in retaliation.  "Thea, this is Mr. Diggle.  He's a friend.  Digg, this is my charming"—he emphasizes the word ironically—"little sister, Thea."

Diggle offers her a hand, and they shake.  "Nice to meet you, Miss Queen," he offers kindly before turning back to Oliver.  "What brings you by today?  You do realize it's a weekend, right?"

Oliver chuckles.  "I had some things that our fearless leader wanted to see as soon as possible," he offers in an explanation that sounds more joking that it is.  "Where is bossy boots, by the way?"