#cfff

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“I need your help.”

Laurel looked over at her visitor. She’d just been stabbed by Damien Darhk. She felt awful. Standing above her bed was someone she didn’t know, but she felt like she’d seen his face before. A slight wave of panic hit her. Was he here to finish the job Darhk started?

“W-Who are you?”

“Name’s Mick. I’m a friend of Sara’s. And I need you to come help me find her.”

“Find her?” Laurel sat up in her hospital bed, wincing at the feel of her stitches pulling. She was so weak, that just this movement had a sheen of sweat forming on her brow. “What do you mean?”

“I ain’t got long. The window is small. Let me spell it out for you. You’re supposed to die today. I’m changing that so that you can help me save Sara.”

Laurel was confused. But she remembered everything Sara told her. So all Laurel could do was nod. Mick looked relieved, as if he’d been expecting her to fight him. But this was Sara. She needed to help him. It wasn’t until he had her loaded in a wheelchair that she noticed a body laying on the floor. And when she saw her face staring back at her she fought the urge to pass out.

“Put this on,” he said, handing her a wig with red hair. “I gotta sneak you out.”

“Who… Who is that?” asked Laurel.

“Not you. Not no one. A clone. A dead clone. Something I borrowed and modified from Toronto.”

“I… Toronto?”

“Just put on the wig and I’ll tell you everything once we get the hell outta here.”

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“So where to we start?” asked Laurel. They were on a ship that he said used to be his a long time ago. It was all so foreign to her. He brought her up to date on everything. He left nothing out. Was quite blunt, actually. She was supposed to be dead. Now, she was a ghost. A ghost who needed to go find her sister.

“Mount Vesuvius, 70 A.D.”

“Pompeii?” asked Laurel.

“It’s where I last saw your sister alive. Time is already fragile there. One bad mistake and we’re fucked.”

“Got it,” said Laurel, crossing her arms over her chest. She had on a suit, similar to her Black Canary one but slightly different. More cloth and less leather. She had to admit she could move around in it a lot better. Mick had told her there was still light armor plating in it, to protect her if she were to get injured. That thought had her hand going back to her still tender stomach despite the healing of the ship’s A.I.

“Strap in,” ordered Mick and Laurel followed his orders. She’d put two and two together on who he was. He admitted to her that things happened where he wasn’t the same person. Things that still haunted him. Things he didn’t want to talk about. But he knew his stuff here. So she took her seat, strapped in, and within seconds they were gone.

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“They’re coming for me… For us. I feel it.” 

“I feel it, too, Assassin.” 

Mick hesitated opening the beer, instead turning his head back to stare at Ray. His gaze was inquisitive and imploring. Ray just shrugged while grabbing his phone, acting like he was using it instead of moving icons around. 

“I’ll text her and tell her you can’t make it.”

“Make what?”

“Oh she had wanted to grab some dinner with us. I guess she’s had a crummy week... She managed to grab some reservations at that new place on tenth that just opened up and everyone’s been raving about.”

“Wait... Spitfire Grill?” asked Mick, beer going back in the fridge. 

“Hm? Oh, yeah, that one.”

“Damn...” Mick looked at the clock. “What time did she want to meet up?”

“Eight I think.” It was currently six. “But if you don’t want to go...”

“Nah, I’ll go. I mean, if she’s had a rough week...”

“Sweet! I’ll tell her you’re in! I’ll have to meet you there though! I need to finish some things at the lab! Uh, the reservation is under her name... In case you beat us there!”

Mick just nodded and Ray left the apartment. He sighed in relief before opening his phone to his contacts. He found Laurel’s number and pressed the button to call her as he headed out the apartment. 

“Hey, Laurel? It’s Ray... Are you busy? No? Great!”

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Laurel studied the menu as she sat alone at a table for three. She glanced at her phone to see it was five minutes to eight. She reached for her lemon water and took a sip. Ray had sounded concerned on the phone. He’d said that Mick had had a rough week and he wanted to cheer him up. Laurel knew that being a firefighter meant you had to deal with some tough calls. Hell, she was on her way to becoming ADA, and there were times she even got depressed by the cases that passed over her desk. She’d been tempted to bring the others but Ray said he’d been only able to get the reservation for three, but that they could all maybe hang out on Friday. Laurel had agreed. Though she was a bit surprised Ray had called her instead of Leonard. Leonard was Mick’s closest friend. Maybe he’d be the better choice at cheering him up. 

She looked up when she heard Mick’s voice. She smiled when he looked at Lily almost warily at the hostess desk. It surprised her, too, to see the girl they’d all initially thought was a ghost there. Apparently it was the first job interview she’d been able to get. She was going to school but still needed money to pay her bills. Lily guided him around a few tables and seated him at their table. She greeted him with a smile and he nodded before ordering a beer. 

“Hey,” she said. 

“Hey... Ray isn’t here yet?”

“No,” she answered. “He did say he had to make a stop at his job.”

“Yeah...” Mick opened up his menu, glancing at the choices. He squinted a little and Laurel hid her smile behind the menu. She knew he wore glasses to read and he was being stubborn, as always, about wearing them in front of people. “He said that to me, too. Uh... Anything look good?”

“I’m thinking about getting the raspberry ribs.”

“Ah... Can’t go wrong with a sirloin.”

At the same time their phones pinged. Laurel glanced at hers, still on the table, while Mick tugged his out of his jacket. They both read the message from Ray with a slight frown. Apparently, he was stuck at work, and couldn’t make it.

“You get the same text from Ray?”

“That’s he’s bailing? Yeah,” said Mick, now suddenly nervous over being alone with Laurel. He was going to kill Ray when he saw him next. For some reason he had the sneaking suspicion that he did this on purpose. 

“I mean we’re here anyway,” said Laurel. “So I’m staying. And I’m getting some ribs. Because this place has reservations all the way up through the month. I was told that when I tried calling here earlier this week to take Dad here for his birthday.”

“But I thought...” Mick’s frown deepened. “The reservation was under your name...”

“Oh, yeah, Ray said he put it in my name in case he was late. Well, good thing he used my name now... Otherwise we might not have gotten in.” Laurel frowned. “You okay? Your face it a little red.”

“Fine,” said Mick, taking a long drink of the beer that Lily deposited. 

“Still waiting for one more?” asked Lily.

“No,” said Laurel with a shake of her head. “Just us.”

“Okay. I can clear this plate. Do you need more time to order?”

“Nah, we’re ready I think,” said Mick, glancing at Laurel. “Right?”

“Right.”

So they ordered. They didn’t talk at first. She sipped her water and checked her phone while he brooded a little and drank his beer. Mick was pissed. For some reason, Ray had put this plan in motion. Why? Ah, fuck, did he know? He had to know! He chanced a glance to Laurel, wondering if she knew, too...

“You, uh, look nice by the way.”

“Oh, thanks, I... I don’t get to go out in just a nice pair of jeans and a top anymore. I always have to look professional... It’s nice to just... You know, let my hair down... So to speak.”

Her hair was down though. In long, blonde curls that framed her face. His eyes trailed down lower to see her simple white tank top and leather jacket. Mick looked away again, tugging at the collar of his thermal shirt. 

“Is it warm in here?” he asked . 

“Um, maybe a little, they did sit us close to the rotisserie,” said Laurel, pointing at the large piece of machinery near by, the chickens inside it roasting and rotating. She frowned as he took another drink of his beer. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine...”

“Ray said he something about you having a rough week. Want to talk about it?”

That sonuvabitch...

“No. I mean. I’m fine. It’s nothing. Really.”

“Ok...”

“How about you? Are things good? Nothing... Wrong?”

“Things are fine. I mean I got into a heated argument with a parking attendant who wanted to say I was in my spot for over four hours. Which was false! It was a whole thing. I was ready to punch the guy. Looked back at the cameras at the restaurant that was close by. Turns out it was a car, different make and model, but the same color as mine.”

Mick laughed at that. “What a moron.”

“Yeah. Let’s just say I really enjoyed the apology when I confronted their supervisor. Of course, my ticket was forgiven as well.”

Her salad and his soup soon arrived so their small talk ceased while they enjoyed their food. When their meals came she offered a taste of her ribs and he offered her some steak. It was... Nice. But Mick knew that Laurel didn’t see this as a date. Not really. So he didn’t either. Just two friends enjoying dinner. When they finished their meal he offered to pay for them both. Laurel waved him away, insisted she pay for her own. He didn’t argue, considering he wasn’t getting paid for another week. When they walked out Mick swore he saw Lily wink at him and he had to wonder if she was in on Ray’s little plan. 

“Well that was good,” said Laurel, hands going to her stomach. “I’m stuffed.”

“Yeah. Me, too.” Mick checked his watch. It wasn’t even ten yet. But he was on call. It was Thursday so he knew Laurel had to work in the morning. “I’d ask you to go get a drink over at Hawk’s but it’s getting late.”

“Yeah, it is...” Laurel confirmed that by looking at her own watch. “Well, it was fun...” She motioned for a cab. She lived on the other end of town as him. For a moment, he wished he was the one who lived across from her. She opened the door and looked over her shoulder at him. Was it bad that he just wanted to kiss her? If he thought she’d be okay with it... And not punch him in the nose for it... He might have. “I’ll see you Friday?”

Mick rolled his eyes. “Fiesta Friday. Yeah. I’ll be there.”

“Oh, it isn’t that bad. I seem to remember someone eating all the chicken nachos last time.”

“Hey, you make some damn good nachos.”

“Goodnight, Mick,” said Laurel before getting into her cab. He offered her a wave as it pulled away. 

“Goodnight, Laurel.”

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“I’m sorry!” shouted Ray, thirty minutes later, as Mick came barging into the apartment with a look of murder in his eyes. 

“I should pound you into paste for what you did,” said Mick, chasing Ray around the sofa. Stopping when realizing chasing him was stupid. He pointed at Ray, who looked about ready to wet himself. Good. “Don’t ever pull a stunt like that again. You got it?”

“Yeah. No problem...” Ray watched as Mick went to his room. “Hey, how was the food? I do want to eventually go there and---”

Mick’s answer? The slamming of his bedroom door.

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“Okay, so phase one wasn’t a success... No matter. Every great scientist knows that sometimes in order to succeed...” Ray lifted up a screwdriver. “Sometimes you need to fail.”

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Friday was a night they all got together. Every night was different. Sometimes they went to the bar they all liked. Sometimes a coffee shop. Or a movie. Most of the time they just went to someone’s apartment and hung out while eating good food. This Friday was deemed Fiesta Friday. Laurel and Sara cooked, Leonard and Mick helped with clean-up and brought the booze, and Barry along with Kara thought of the entertainment. Most of the times it was a game of some sort. Though the last time they’d played Monopoly and just about killed one another. Ray was excited for the event. Not only because of the tacos, but because of his plan for Leonard and Sara. Things with he and Mick had been... Tense. For a couple days. But Mick eventually turned his attitude around. 

Because, apparently, he and Laurel had been talking more.

And Ray didn’t just know that because he snuck a peak over Mick’s shoulder once, or twice, to see who he kept texting all the time. So, even though they weren’t dating... Progress had been made!

“Man it smells good out here,” said Ray outside Laurel’s door. 

“Laurel knows how to cook. She’s amazing at it.”

“Oh? You like her food, huh?” asked Ray.

“Just open the door,” said Mick with a growl. Ray obliged. Everyone had beaten them there and greeted them with a smile. Barry took one of the cases of beers Ray held. Leonard and Sara were already nursing their first drinks. Laurel had a glass of wine on the counter while she did her finishing touches on her food. 

“Hey guys!” greeted Kara. She already had salsa on her shirt, Ray noticed, but didn’t seem to care since she still had a small plate filled with chips and the red sauce. “We were just talking about teams for Pictionary tonight!”

There was an easel set up. And a few markers littered on the coffee table. 

“You and Barry cannot be on the same team!” argued Sara.

“Awe, why?” asked Barry.

“Because you two are like robots!” chimed in Mick. “All synced up together or something. It’s freaky.”

“You never care about the game anyway,” said Kara, hands on her hips. 

“I agree with Mick,” chimed in Laurel. “And Sara. You two need to be split up.”

“Barry!” whined Kara, a fake pout on her lip. “They want to keep us apart!”

“Never!” argued Barry, puffing out his chest, earning a handful a chips to be thrown at him by Sara. “H-Hey! Uncalled for!”

“How about we just eat and worry about teams later?” asked Laurel. 

“Agreed,” said everyone else. They grabbed their plates and dished up. There were hot and soft shells for tacos, homemade Spanish rice, refried beans, and a seven-layer dip. Kara and Sara made themselves some margaritas. Ray and Barry decided that they wanted one, too. Leonard and Mick stuck with their beers. They gathered around on the sofa, chairs, and floors and ate. The television was on, a sitcom filling in the background noise as they chatted about their week. While six friends chatted... One plotted. Ray wasn’t sure when the best time was to enact his plan. Somehow, he had to get both Leonard and Sara over to Leonard’s apartment. It took him a while but when Mick went to the bathroom, Ray decided to pounce. 

“Oh, hey, Leonard? Mick said to ask you if he left his wallet over there. He was missing it from two nights ago.”

“Really?” asked Leonard with a furrowed brow, standing from his chair. “That’s odd, he never said anything...”

“Oh, he forgot about it till now. But, you know Mick, when he has to go he has to go. He told me to just tell you... About it. The wallet. That... He’s missing.”

“Okay...” Leonard pursed his lips, not sure what to make of Ray’s behavior. “I’ll go check...” Leonard looked at the bathroom that Mick hadn’t come out of yet, then headed to his place to go look for the wallet. If it was in his place... He’d really hadn’t noticed it. He closed his door and started looking between the cushions on the sofa. He looked up as the door to his place opened. Sara came in, closing the door behind her. “Sara?”

“Ray said you wanted to talk to me?”

“What? No I didn’t...” Leonard had a look of confusion on his face. “What is he up to?”

“I don’t know...” Sara looked up at Leonard as he came to stand before her. “You didn’t need to talk?”

“No...”

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“What the hell are you doing?” Ray jumped, screwdriver in hand, as he whipped around to see Mick and Barry standing there. Mick had his arms crossed over his chest. “Well?!”

“I...I... Well...” Ray got all his words out in a rush. “Well, see, I think Leonard and Sara like one another... And they just need some time alone to say it. So I, uh, wanted to get them locked inside his apartment. Just... For a little while.”

Mick and Barry shared a look. And Ray was super surprised when Mick spoke.

“Do it.”

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“What the hell?” asked Sara as she turned the knob... And it fell off the door in her hands. Just the knob piece. The locking mechanism was still in place. “Uh.. Len? I broke your door.”

“What? Let me see...”

Sara help up the knob. Leonard sighed as he tried pushing the door open. Nothing. Great. They were locked in. He pounded on the door to try and get their attention across the hall. After a few moments they realized no one could hear him. 

“Have your phone?”

“No,” said Sara. “You?”

“No... I left it on your counter. Shit.”

“Can’t we just take the door off?” asked Sara. 

“Yeah, I guess we don’t really have a choice. But the problem is getting that lock out just right.”

Sara nodded. “I mean. I’m sure someone will notice us gone.”

‘Oh, someone already knows,’ thought Leonard. And he was going to kill Ray. He knew he had a hand in this. And since Mick told Leonard what had happened with Laurel... Leonard bet Ray had a hand in this as well. It’s been a few days since he’d found out Sara’s secret. He’d been waiting for her to say something but maybe... Maybe he was the one who needed to open up first. 

“We’ll give it a few minutes and if no one comes looking we can either go down the fire escape or take off the door.”

“Okay,” said Sara. 

“Want a drink?” asked Leonard as he opened up his cabinet. If he was going to confess his feelings to her, he needed a drink. 

“Uh... Sure... I’ll take one while I’m here.” Sara looked around the darkened living room. She flipped on a lamp, casting the room in a dim light. She settled down on his leather sofa and sighed. He walked around to sit next to her. She took her glass and they sat in a comfortable silence. They could hear laughter from across the hall. “Man, are we really that loud? No wonder Helen hated us.”

“Well, there were more reasons than us being loud,” said Leonard, earning  laugh from Sara. 

“True... There was...”

She chanced a look at him and smiled. He returned her smile before she turned away, taking a long drink from her glass. He followed suit. When five minutes passed he sighed, finishing his drink and setting the empty glass on the glass top of his coffee table. 

“Sara...”

“Yeah?” she asked, finger gliding over the rim of her glass.

“I need to ask you something.”

“About?” she asked. 

“About me... and you... and me and you...”

“W-What about... Us?” she asked, blue eyes widening. She licked her lips, nervous, and he couldn’t stop his eyes from going there. He heard her breath hitch and he had to wonder what he’d done to make her so nervous around him. He took the drink out of her hands and set it next to his on the table. He then reached for her hand and took it before staring into her eyes. “Len?”

“I’ve been waiting for the right moment to bring this up... Seems like someone else has decided that tonight is the night,” he said, nodding toward the door. 

“Wait... Someone else broke your door?”

“Raymond.”

“Ray? But why?”

“To help us get our heads our of our asses...”

“What?” Sara shook her head. “I don’t...”

“Sara... That night you came over. When I was first dating Scott. What were you really here for? Tell me...”

“I... I...” She wanted to run. But the damn door was broken. She couldn’t run out on him. That would be taking the coward’s way out. So she lifted her chin. “You want to know what I was coming here for? What I wanted to say?”

“Yes.”

Sara, in this moment, knew she’d fumble with her words. So she did the next best thing. She brought her hands up to his face, palms sliding over the stubble of his cheeks, then leaned in and kissed him. It was deep, yet soft. There was a bubbling passion underneath the calm movement of her lips over his. The kiss, though only a few seconds, felt like it went on forever. When the kiss broke, both of them opened their eyes... His were filled with nothing but wonderment. Hers were filled with lust and dare he say... Love?

“That... Is what I’d wanted to say.”

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“Hey,” said Kara, looking around the room. “Where are Leonard and Sara?”

“They had to go run over to Leonard’s for a bit,” said Ray. “They’ll be back.”

“Yeah, in the meantime...” Barry lifted up a marker. “Pictionary?”

Leonard looked over his shoulder and he felt a small smirk tug at his lips. There, walking in and looking like she had no cares in the world, was Sara. He hadn’t seen her since the day he’d taken Lisa to the movies. She hadn’t been at the apartment when they’d come back. Leonard had been slightly disappointed. However, he also took his sister’s warning to heart. He’d backed off his desire to see more of her roommate. Of course, he’d also made the mental promise that if she came to him first... All bets would be off. 

As if she knew someone was watching her she looked up. Their gazes met and she smiled, lifting her hand and giving him a little wave. She turned to speak to another blonde who looked somewhat similar to her and another woman with darker skin before heading toward their table. 

“Oh my God she’s coming over,” whispered Ray. 

“Play it cool, Haircut,” muttered Mick. 

“Hey, Leonard!” greeted Sara. 

“Sara. How are you?” he asked, aware of two sets of eyes starting at him. He ignored his friends and instead opted to keep his focus on her instead. She looked stunning in her black, leather pants and blue top that matched her eyes. Her hair was down, slightly curled at the ends, and she just glowed. And he was the moth to her flame, unable to break her gaze. 

“Good. You?”

“Fine.” He motioned to the other women. “Who are you here with?”

“My sister Laurel, who is going through a bad breakup... And our friend Iris.”

“You can join us if you want!” piped up Ray, making Sara look at him. “I’m going through a bad break-up, too.”

“Maybe later. Girls night. You know how it is.”

“I’m Ray, by the way. I work with Leonard. And this is Mick!”

“Ah, Mick, I’ve heard about you from Lisa,” said Sara. 

“And I’ve heard nothing about you. Which a shame,” said Mick, making Sara laugh. 

“She’s Lisa’s roommate,” said Leonard, turning in his seat to face Ray and Mick once more. 

“The one that likes to walk around half naked?” said Mick, making Sara blush slightly. “Lisa’s words. Not mine. She told me a while back about you and Leonard meeting.”

“Yeah, well, I better get back,” said Sara, looking at Leonard once more. “It was nice seeing you again.”

“Same,” said Leonard, and when she was back at her table he kicked out and connected with Mick’s shin. The burly man winced. “Seriously? You had to mention her walking around half-naked?”

“What? Damn, Snart, it was a joke.”

“A bad one!” he said with a glower.

“She’s cute,” said Ray, once again sipping his drink. “You should ask her out.”

“She’s off limits. According to Lisa.”

“In that case...” started Mick, making Leonard point at him. 

“Don’t even think about it.”

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“He’s cute,” commented Iris West as Sara returned to their table. Sara just offered her a smile before they ordered their drinks. When the waitress left, Iris spoke again. “Who was he again?”

“Lisa’s brother.”

“The guy who saw you half naked?” asked Laurel with a quirked brow. 

“What?” asked Iris, nudging Sara. “You never told me that!”

“Well it wasn’t like it was on purpose. I had no idea he was there. I’d just gotten up... From your celebration party might I add... And needed water!”

“And whose fault is that?” asked Laurel with a grin, legs crossing under the table, her heeled foot bobbing slightly. 

“Jack Daniel’s,” said Sara, making the other two women laugh. “Look, we’re here to take Laurel’s mind off of skeevy men, so let’s get back to that!”

“I don’t want to talk about Oliver,” said Laurel. “I just want to have a good night with my girls and not think about that... That-”

“Cheater,” finished Sara and Iris at the same time.

“Exactly,” said Laurel as their drinks arrived. All three ladies clinked their glasses together. “Cheers!”

“So, Sara, how’s school going?” asked Iris. 

“Good. I’m sticking with it. Despite my inner desire to quit,” said Sara. “I only have a semester left. Then hopefully one day I can get my photos published with your articles.”

“I’ve seen your photos,” said Iris. “The Central City Citizen would benefit from your talents.”

“Though, I think that promise I made to myself to see some of the world before settling in one place might still be a thing,” said Sara with a shrug. “We’ll see.”

“Traveling is always fun,” said Iris.

“You and Barry going to travel for your honeymoon?” asked Laurel, who then sighed at the reluctant look on Iris’s face. “Just because I just got out of a relationship doesn’t mean you can’t talk about yours. Barry is a great guy. And we’re happy for you. I’m happy for you, okay? In fact, I’m going to strive to find my own Barry Allen some day.”

“He really is great,” said Iris with a big smile. “And we haven’t talked about honeymoons or anything like that yet. We just now got engaged. We’re going to take it a step at a time.”

“Good for you.”

“What about you, Sara?” asked Iris before looking over at the table Leonard was at. “Seeing anyone?”

“No.” Sara shook her head. “Not at this time.”

“Maybe we should just grow old together. Get some cats...” suggested Laurel.

“Laurel,” said an exasperated Sara. “We talked about this. We’d both get lap dogs and dress them in matching sweaters.”

The girls laughed. 

“Seriously, though, you need to get back out there. Don’t let that tool Oliver deter you from finding love. It’s almost been a month,” said Sara.

“I know.” Laurel grew sad. “Just thought that he felt the same as I did.”

“I know what you need. A good rebound,” said Sara.

“What? No way!” said Laurel with a wave of her hand.

“Why not?” asked Sara as Iris settled back in her chair and sipped her drink. She knew she was in for a show. Sara always had crazy ideas. “I mean, c’mon Laurel, loosen up a bit. Get crazy! How many guys have you even had sex with?”

“Sara! That’s personal!” protested Laurel, frowning at her sister.

“So not that many,” said Sara with a grin, making Laurel groan, hiding her face with her hand. “All I’m saying is.. Have some fun. When the right guy comes along then snatch him up. In the meantime...” Sara started looking around the bar. “Why not enjoy being single for a while?”

“Please don’t try to match me with someone in this bar,” said Laurel, gesturing to the surrounding area.

“What’s wrong with the men here?” asked Sara, looking around. Her face scrunched up as she passed over each table. “Okay, I can see your point. Listen, the reason I chose this bar was for the booze. Half the time I’d pick up women here, anyway.”

“Just forget it,” said Laurel, who then smirked when remembering the table just a few over from theirs. “Though I suppose there is Leonard. He’s cute.” Sara tensed at that. “Unless... You’re interested?”

“What? No. What would you say that?” asked Sara, her denial a clue that she was, indeed, interested. 

“Oh, please, it’s all over your face.” Laurel rolled her eyes. “Here you are getting on me about having fun... And you aren’t doing that yourself.”

“He’s Lisa’s brother...”

“So?” asked Laurel, a challenge to the tone of her voice. 

“Fine!” Sara looked at that table. “If I’m hitting on him then you get the friend.”

“The one who looks like someone kicked his puppy?” asked Laurel. 

“Ray? No. Besides, he doesn’t look like a one-night-stand kinda guy. And that’s what you need, Laurel Lance! Which is why I think you should go for Mick.”

All three women looked toward Mick. He was laughing about something, clapping Ray so hard on the back his drink sloshed out of his glass. Mick himself, proceeded to drink his beer, then slam the bottle down while wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. 

“You can’t be serious,” said Laurel, far from amused. 

“What? He’s kinda cute. His body looks amazing. Just because he doesn’t look like one of the pretty boys you usually go after...”

“I don’t always go after pretty boys,” protested Laurel. 

“Well, there was Oliver,” said Sara.

“Tommy,” said Iris. “You had a crush on him for a while before you and Oliver got back together the third time... Wasn’t there a Gavin somewhere in there, too? Or was it Bruce?”

“Fine! I’ll go after him. To prove that I don’t always go after-”

“Spoiled rich boys?” finished Sara. “Who spend more time in front of a mirror than you do?”

“You’re impossible,” muttered Laurel. She pointed to Sara. “I’ll do it on one condition. You have to put the moves on Leonard.”

Sara rolled her eyes before looking over her shoulder at him. She sighed before downing her drink. She slid off her seat and both Laurel and Iris shared a look. 

“This will be interesting,” said Iris.

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“Blondie is on her way over,” said Mick. 

“She is?” Ray looked up and waved. “Hey Sara!”

“Boys...” Sara then looked to Leonard as a new song started. “Wanna dance, Leonard?”

“You go on ahead,” said Leonard, his voice sounding almost seductive as his eyes traveled over her body before snapping back up to her gaze. “I’ll watch.”

“Suit yourself,” she said with a wink before making her way to the dance floor. 

“I’ll dance with-”

“Sit your ass down!” said Mick, grabbing Ray by the collar of his shirt, pulling him down to his seat.

“But-”

“Trust me, Haircut,” said Mick. “This dance is for Snart. And Snart alone.”

“Huh?” Ray then looked to Sara, who was... Swaying her hips... Letting her hands... Go to certain places... And... Oh. Oh! “Oh...”

“Yeah, ‘oh’,” said Mick with a chuckle as Sara looked over her shoulder at Leonard and winked. “I swear to Christ if you don’t go after her... I will!”

“Shut up, Mick,” said Leonard, no real heat to his words, eyes just watching Sara dance. He brought his beer up to his lips and took a long drink. All while enjoying the show she was putting on for him. Some men tried to dance with her but she brushed them off. One looked like he was about to try again, but Sara had said something to him, something that had the man looking slightly nervous before walking away. When the song ended, she walked back to their table. Leonard didn’t even protest when she easily slid onto his lap, snagging his beer for a quick drink herself. “I was drinking that.”

“Were you?” she asked with a toss of her head. “Sorry. Let me make it up to you.”

It was then that Ray choked a little on his drink, having Sara look at him in slight amusement. “Sorry... Went down the wrong pipe.”

“Uh huh,” said Sara. 

“You’re impossible,” grunted Mick, standing from his chair and grabbing Ray to stand as well. “C’mon Haircut. Your turn to buy the drinks.”

“Alone at last,” said Leonard, a slight drawl to his voice that Sara found almost enchanting in a way. 

“Whatever shall we do?” she asked, looking to be thinking about it, twisting a strand of hair in her fingers. 

“Oh...” His voice dropped down a few octaves, and his hand settled at her lower back. “I can think of a few things.”

.

.

.

“Wow. That’s impressive,” said Iris, watching as Sara slid onto Leonard’s lap. 

“She makes it look so easy,” groaned Laurel. 

“Well?” Iris pointed toward the bar where Mick was standing with Ray after escaping the table where Sara was now trailing her hand up and down Leonard’s chest. “Your turn.”

“Think I can just slip out without her noticing?” asked Laurel. 

“Normally I’m on your side, but this time?” Iris shrugged. “What’s the harm? As Sara said... He doesn’t look like the kind of guy who’s looking for a relationship. Go have some fun. Take the walk of shame in the morning. Just, you know, text me later so that I know you didn’t go home with a serial killer.”

“That isn’t funny,” said Laurel, sighing. “Wish me luck.”

“Laurel...” Laurel looked at Iris. “You good?”

“Yeah.” Laurel slid off her seat, straightening her shoulders. “I’m good.”

She steadied herself on her black pumps and pulled down her dress a little. It suddenly felt tighter. She lifted her chin and walked to the bar. She stood on the other side of Mick and swallowed down her nerves before turning toward him. She tapped his shoulder lightly and he twisted around to stare at her. Being in her heels had her standing a little taller and gave her a bit more confidence to say what she was about to say. 

“Can I help you?” he asked.

“Maybe,” she said. She licked her lips, slightly nervous still, and his eyes flicked down toward her mouth before slowly moving up to her eyes again. She canted her head to the side, reaching up and letting her hand settle over his. He looked at their hands then chuckled lightly before looking at her again. She just quirked an eyebrow. 

“Hey, Haircut. I’m gunna take off,” he said, gaze still locked with Laurel’s. 

“Wait, what?” asked Ray.

“Have Snart take you home,” said Mick, reaching up to drape an arm over Laurel’s shoulders. To her credit, she didn’t tense. The warmth was almost comforting in a way. He guided her toward the door. Laurel looked to Sara, who managed to glance her way and shoot her a thumbs up. Laurel brought her arm around Mick’s waist and together they walked out the door. 

.

.

.

“He’s a good guy, right?” asked Sara, watching her sister leave. 

“Mick? Sure,” said Leonard. He saw the worry in Sara’s eyes and he felt the need to reassure her. “Known him since I was a kid. Had a rough start but turned out okay. He’s a firefighter.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Mhm. Don’t worry.”

“She’s my sister. Hard not to.”

Leonard nodded at that. “I know what that’s like.”

“I put her up to it,” said Sara, shifting in his lap. “Just like she told me to finally put the moves on you.”

“Is that so?” he asked, now amused. 

“Mhm,” she said with a smile before leaning in, ready to kiss him for the first time.

“Guys!” complained Ray, taking his seat again. “Mick left us!”

Leonard sighed and Sara laughed before looking to Ray. 

“Not now, Ray,” said Leonard. 

“He’s pretty drunk,” said Sara. 

“You think I’m pretty? Awe, thanks!” said Ray, beaming, making Sara laugh before sliding off of Leonard’s lap. 

“Maybe I should go so you can get your friend home.”

“I’ll call him a cab,” said Leonard. 

“I still have my friend over at the other table,” said Sara, before reaching out her hand. “How about I give you my number? We can... Continue this another time?” Leonard handed her his phone and she put her number in before handing the phone back. She then leaned down and pressed her lips to his. The kiss was soft and yet still filled with promise. She pulled away slowly, then winked before heading back to Iris. 

“I hate you,” said Leonard to Ray, watching Sara walk away. 

“But you said I was pretty!”

.

.

.

The nerves were back. Laurel felt them increase with each step she took. He said his place wasn’t far. His arm was still around her. She could smell his cologne; mixed with the cheap beer he’d been drinking. There was still a small part of her who wanted to walk away, apologize to him for leading him on, and be on her merry way back to her apartment. Alone. Dressed in her comfortable pajamas with TV remote in hand. 

“This is it,” he said, slowing in front of a brick building. She just nodded, following him up the steps. He dug in his pocket for his keys, unlocking the security door, removing his arm from her to hold the door open. He looked at her once more, as if studying her reaction still, and he gestured forward. “Well? You in or out?”

“In,” she said, walking through. She followed him up three flights of stairs. He opened the corner apartment and she entered. The place was dark. He dropped his keys on a table and she’d barely put her clutch down before his hands were at her waist. She brought her hands up to his chest and tilted her head up as he leaned down to kiss her for the first time. She sighed into the kiss, a jolt of desire traveling from her stomach down to between her legs. She kicked off her heels and pulled off his jacket at the same time. 

“You look hot as hell in this dress by the way,” he said, hands trailing up her body. 

“Thanks.”

She kissed him again and he chuckled against her lips before returning the kiss. One of his hands wound up in her hair while the other trailed from her bottom up to her upper back, then back down. Slowly he guided her to his bedroom, as if knowing she was still slightly skittish, giving her enough time to change her mind. Her hands went to the hem of his shirt and pulled it upwards. He helped her out and tossed his shirt to the floor before entering his room. He fought the urge to shiver as her hands trailed over the scarred skin of his chest.

“Fire,” he said, as her touch turned almost questioning. “Not from the job, though.”

“Job?” she asked.

“Firefighter.”

“Oh.”

She didn’t ask any more questions. Just sealed her mouth back over his again. He groaned as her hands moved confidently up and down his muscled back. His wandering hands found the clasp of her dress. He undid it, then trailed the zipper down until the dress fell and pooled at her feet. 

“Damn you’re beautiful,” he said, hands transitioning toward her back where her black, strapless bra was clasped. 

“Not so bad yourself,” she answered, hands going to his belt, ignoring that flutter hear her heart when he’d called her beautiful. This was a one night stand. She refused to get attached. 

It wasn’t long before both were standing there. Naked. She took the first step to the bed, laying down on it. He followed her, still just kissing her, cupping her breasts. His dick was hard as a rock when her hand wrapped around it and he groaned. He pressed a kiss to her lips before kissing down her body. When the black furball that was his cat jumped up to the bed he sighed in annoyance. 

“Not now, Diddles,” he muttered, shooing the cat away. 

“Diddles?” asked Laurel, laughing softly. 

“Yeah. Damn cat. Scram!” All the cat did was meow, before settling down at Laurel’s side. Laurel laughed once more, giving into the urge to pet the cat that had a piece of its ear missing and some missing spots of fur. “This is what I get for saving your ass from a fire? Cock-blocked?”

“You saved her from a fire?” asked Laurel as the cat purred loudly from her scratches.

“Uh, yeah, no one in the apartment complex claimed her so...” He shrugged. Then picked up Diddles and placed her on the floor. The cat yowled her displeasure before slinking away. He then looked down at the hot blonde who he internally labeled as a woman way out of his league. Hair fanned out on his pillow body open for his touch... She was a wet dream. All he wanted to do was get his cock inside her and lose himself for the night.  “Now where were we?”

“Right about here,” she said, taking his hand, pulling him back down on top of her.

.

.

.

Sara and Iris had finished one more drink before leaving. Leonard and Ray had left before them. Sara had to admit she’d been slightly disappointed that her night with Leonard had been cut short. When she got home she changed into her sweats and a t-shirt. When she crawled into bed her phone buzzed. She smiled when she saw the text from Leonard. 

Can I come up?

She answered yes before rushing to the door. She opened it when he knocked softly. She didn’t give him any time to talk. She pressed her lips to his, aware of his hands trailing up her body. She moaned as his hands met her bare breasts beneath her top. 

“Lisa here?”

“No.”

“Good.”

She grinned before gripping the hem of his shirt, pulling him toward her room, closing the door behind them with a giggle. 

.

.

.

She’d fallen asleep. Shit. Shit, shit, shit. Laurel eased out of bed, giving the cat that’d curled around her legs a simple pet before searching for her clothes. She found them, neatly folded, on top of a dresser. She bit her bottom lip to keep from smiling but lost the battle before slipping her clothes on from the night before. Her shoes were out in the main room so she opened the bedroom door to find them. Immediately the smell of coffee hit her nose and she sighed while following it out to the main room. She paused when seeing a bathroom and entered in there instead. The room had a damp feel to it. He’d taken a shower. She flicked on the light and wiped the mirror. She scowled at her reflection before starting the water. She found a washcloth, making sure it was a darker colored one so her make up wouldn’t stain it, and scrubbed her face with it. She combed her fingers through her hair then exited the room. It didn’t take her long to realize she was alone in the apartment. She found a note taped to the door. 

Help yourself to coffee before you go. Had an early shift. Didn’t want to wake you. -Mick

She really should go. But the coffee smelled amazing. So she helped herself. Using the cup set aside for her. She found her clutch and pulled her hair up in a tie before checking her phone. No messages, but she texted both Iris and Sara to let them know she was fine. She then enjoyed the silence while drinking her coffee near the sink. The cat hopped up on the counter sometime later, begging for pets. Laurel gave in easily to give the feline attention. 

“I can’t believe he named you Diddles.”

She finished her coffee, slipped on her shoes, then grabbed her clutch. She hesitated for a minute before grabbing a pen out of her bag to write beneath his message on the same piece of paper. 

515-555-6109 - Laurel

“So much for one night stands, huh, Diddles?” asked Laurel before opened the door and closing it behind her after locking the knob lock only. She exited the apartment with a slight wince, missing her sunglasses, before hailing a cab to take back to her apartment. 

.

.

.

“Lisa is going to kill us,” said Sara.

“She can try. I like our odds against her,” answered Leonard. 

“Hm...” She closed her eyes as his hand trailed up and down her bare back. “Do you need to leave soon?”

“Trying to get rid of me, Lance?”

“No. Just hoping you don’t have to work today.”

“It’s Sunday. So no. I’m free.”

“We could spend the whole day in bed.” Both tensed at the sound of the door opening and closing. “Yeah. I like that idea.”

Leonard chuckled before shifting in the bed so that he could lean down to kiss her. Morning breath be damned. Sara kissed him back, shifting against him, the covers falling from the both of them... They stilled at the knock on Sara’s door. 

“Hey Sara?” asked Lisa.

“Yeah?”  

“When you and my dork of a brother are done in there, I’d like to talk to you both,” said Lisa. 

“Busted,” said Leonard with a grin, making Sara groan. 

“Great.”

.

.

.

“So believe it or not, Lisa was totally cool about it,” said Sara before taking a bite of her pasta. She was having dinner with her sister at her place. Sara had to admit that she loved having her sister so close. They’d fought a lot when they were younger, but now... Sara depended on Laurel a lot. 

“That’s good.”

“So how did your night go?” asked Sara. 

“Really well,” said Laurel.

“You’re blushing! Damn. It must’ve been good!”

“Great,” corrected Laurel, taking a sip of her wine then attacking her own plate of pasta. She chewed her food, swallowed, then frowned. “I did leave my number. He... Hasn’t gotten back to me yet.”

“Oh. Sorry, Laurel.”

Laurel shrugged. “To be honest. It started off as a one-night stand anyway. It’s okay. Maybe its for the best. Like you said... It’s good to be single for a while. It’ll help me get some much needed perspective. But I’m glad you and Leonard are doing well.”

“He asked me out for a date tomorrow.” Sara smiled. “He makes me happy.”

“Good,” said Laurel with a smile just as her phone vibrated on the table. She glanced down and saw the unknown number. She pressed to read the message and smiled. 

Worked a double. Was so damn tired I didn’t see your note until now. What are you up to tomorrow night?

The last time she’d even talked to her sister she’d been six. After her parents split their mother had taken Laurel away from her father and sister to grow up in Central City.  Her mother had hated her father so much, Laurel had never been allowed to visit him or her sister. Laurel had been told again and again that her father didn’t love her enough to visit. That her sister had forgotten her. Soon, she’d grown to believe it... She’d gotten into fights at school. The first time she was arrested she’d been thirteen and charged with assault. She’d barely managed to finish high school and never went to college. She’d gone to Star City once to visit her father and sister. To see if they really had forgotten her. When she stood outside the house and saw them eating dinner while laughing and joking... Laurel knew, then, that they had forgotten her. That they didn’t miss her one bit.Then she’d heard her sister had died in a boating accident with Oliver Queen. Shortly after that she’d gotten her powers and the anger that she’d kept down inside had been released when Zoom had found her. When she came to Earth-One and found that this version of Laurel had everything she’d ever wanted... She’d wanted to destroy everything. Kill everyone... She wanted everyone to hurt the way SHE hurt.

“Laurel...” said Sara softly, and Laurel smirked at seeing the pain in Sara’s eyes. “It’s really you.”

“It’s not,” warned the Flash. “I told you-”

“Shut up,” said Sara, whipping her head toward the flash, a look in her eyes that had Laurel perking up. A look of a killer. “You’re lucky I don’t do more than just punch you for keeping her here.”

“I could still set him on fire,” said the hulking man, making Laurel look to him, tiling her head in slight curiosity.

“She’s dangerous,” said Barry. “She-”

“Is coming with us,” said Sara simply, before looking back to Laurel. “That is. If she wants to take the deal.”

“And what deal is that?” asked Laurel, stepping away from the glass.

“Were do you even go to the bathroom?” asked the other guy. The one with the full head of hair.

“You don’t want to know,” she answered.

“Man, Ba---I mean, Flash, this doesn’t look very-” started the man.

“Humane?” supplied Laurel. “It isn’t. So tell me the deal.”

Sara held out her hand and Ray handed her a device that Laurel knew very well. It was one of those fucking collars. One that hindered her useless. Immediately she felt her body tense and she glared at those outside her cell. Sara, calmly pressed it to the glass, her blue eyes now full of serious determination.

“Put this on and come with us.”

“I’d rather die than put one of those fucking things around my neck,” she spat, her voice dripping with venom.

“I like her,” said the hulking man.

“Not now, Mick,” ordered Sara, and surprisingly, the man listened. Sara Lance had authority over these people. Despite hating her sister on Earth-2, Laurel held a sort of respect for this version. Maybe she’d feel bad about killing her.

Maybe.

“It’s just temporary,” said the other man. “Until we get you to our ship.”

“Ship?” asked Laurel with a tilt of the head. “What sort of ship?”

“A big space ship,” said Mick. “Beats this box. Trust me. Been in enough boxes in my life. It’s a sweet deal.”

“And then what? I come with you, wearing that,” she said, scowling at the device. “What then?”

“When we get on the ship, and away from here... You’ll get a choice,” said Sara. “But you won’t be a prisoner.”

“Deal,” she said without hesitation.

If all else, Laurel could think of a plan to escape their custody. Anything was better than this place. Sara nodded and soon the collar was being fed into the cell much in the same way her food was. With slightly shaky hands, she fastened it around her, and her eyes closed in annoyance as it hummed. The collar was active. Her scream was useless. Of course, it didn’t mean she didn’t have other means to defend herself. The doors opened and Laurel got a burst of fresh air that filled her lungs. Slowly she walked out of the cell, eyes narrowing at the Flash, before she smirked in slight satisfaction. She was leaving. He hated watching her leave. She made a show of stretching out her limbs, neck cracking before she turned to her sister’s doppelganger. 

“Lead the way, Sis.”

“Don’t call me that,” warned Sara, making Laurel shrug.

“Whatever you say.”

Black Siren walked in the middle of the group. Entering the main lab she saw the stoic faces of Flash’s friends and she couldn’t help but to laugh. Oh, how they were all hating this. Hating seeing her just stroll out of their prison. Just as she did with the Flash, she offered a wave that mocked them all.

“Until next time, Team Flash.”

“There won’t be a next time,” insisted Caitlin.

“You know, I really liked your Earth-2 counterpart,” said Black Siren. “You’re such wasted potential.” Black Siren watched as the woman rubbed her wrists where bracelets were. She swore she saw a flash of white hit her eyes and she noted that as very, very interesting. “Tah, tah!”

“Stop it,” said Sara. “Before I change my mind and leave you here.”

“Way to ruin my fun,” sighed Laurel.

“She’s known to do that,” said the man.

“Mick,” warned Sara.

“What, it’s true, isn’t it Haircut?”

“Uh, well... I mean no! No!”

Black Siren couldn’t help but to crack a smile. That smile fell, though, when she saw what was waiting for her outside those doors. The ship had been camouflaged and when it suddenly appeared she stilled in her steps to look at it with wide eyes. THAT was the ship she just agreed to go on?

“Well, you coming or what?” asked Sara over her shoulder, a mirth in her blue eyes.

“Yeah,” said Laurel, all thoughts of escaping suddenly put aside. Her curiosity had won out on her. “I am.”

.

.

.

“This is where you can stay,” said Sara.

“We had a deal,” said Laurel, fingers on the collar. They’d just entered the temporal zone. After Laurel regained the use of her legs, apparently the numbness a side effect to traveling through time, Sara had decided to show her where she could stay. Her toes were still tingling and she had a slight ringing in her ear. Of course, the ringing could have been from the constant jabbering of the others, who apparently had no idea they’d be bringing her along. The old man had almost earned a clock to his jaw for the way he spoke of her as if she hadn’t been standing right there.

“When we drop out of the temporal zone, I’ll help you out with that.”

Laurel narrowed her eyes at Sara. A part of her screamed to attack her now. The woman was already backing out of the deal. Laurel’s hands clenched and the leather gloves creaked at the movement. Sara straightened her stance, facing off to Laurel, who only sighed and backed down. For now. 

“Can you at least show me where the shower is? Could use some new clothes, too. And food. Anything but Big Belly Burger, though. That’s all I’ve had for months.”

“I’m sorry for that,” said Sara. “That they kept you locked up. Though, to be fair, you did try to kill them. Come on, I’ll show you to the showers.”

“I know some of your story,” said Laurel, following her at a leisurely pace. “That you died and came back. More than once. That you had some fun with your sister’s boyfriend, Oliver, before being trained by the League. How was that by the way? I hear they’re pretty-”

Laurel winced as Sara suddenly pushed her into the wall. Sara had her arm over her throat, just under the collar. It was then, that Laurel felt like she was looking in the mirror. This Sara was a killer. An assassin. Just like her. 

“All you need to know is that if you so much as even think about betraying us. After getting you out of that cell. I wont hesitate to put you in a place where you won’t see or hurt anyone ever again. You understand?”

Laurel nodded, and Sara released her grip. It wasn’t long before they were in the showers. Laurel immediately started to strip, peeling off layers of leather, until fully naked and in the hot spray of water. She moaned slightly, the feel of hot water as close to heaven as she’d probably get. Thankfully, this version of the collar was also waterproof, and didn’t so much a spark by getting wet.

“There’s soap in there. And shampoo. I’ll get you some new clothes.

Laurel just hummed her answer. It wasn’t until twenty minutes later, when she turned off the shower, that she grew annoyed. Waiting for her was a stack of clothes that weren’t hers. At least the jeans and boots were black. She slipped on the skinny jeans and socks easily. The boots were snug, as if new, and didn’t have the large wedge heel she was used to. The bra was the right size, as was the green shirt. Her arms were a bit too bare for her liking, and showed the scars from the night she’d gotten her powers, the powerful blast of glass had shredded her skin. She’d screamed in pain, doing her best to block all the pieces that’d blown into the store she’d been in, just as one last piece pierced her throat. She’d nearly died that day. Instead, she’d been made into a meta.

A God of sorts that could topple buildings and make people wreathe in pain. 

“Now look at you,” she said, running her hands over her bare arms. “At the mercy of heroes. How far you have fallen, Laurel.”

A throat cleared and she turned to face the woman she remembered being called Amaya. Looking her over, Laurel saw a tribal necklace around her neck and despite her size she could feel this woman’s power. 

“Sara said to come show you the replicator room,” said the woman. “If you needed anything else. Toiletries mostly. Don’t get any funny ideas about weapons. We’ve already informed Gideon on what you’re allowed to do here.”

“Gideon?”

“The ship’s artificial intelligence.”

“Hm. I see.” Laurel gestured forward. “Lead the way.”

“I am Amaya, by the way” said the woman, introducing herself, her eyes falling onto Laurel’s arms. Laurel frowned, not hiding her scars whatsoever. Amaya finally looked away before leading her to the room. When there, Laurel replicated a black, leather jacket to pull on over her arms, as well as the toiletries. When shown her room, Amaya left her alone. She brushed her brunette hair, then looked in the mirror. After a while she put on the make-up. The smokey eyes were familiar to her. She left off the lipstick. For now. After slipping on deodorant, with a mental note to remember a razor for her next shower, she walked back out of her room. 

“Now where would a girl go to find a decent meal on this hunk of metal?”

“Turn left and head down the hall. The fifth door on the right is the galley.”

“Who...” Laurel smirked. “Gideon I presume?”

“Hello Ms. Lance.”

“Don’t call me that,” snapped Laurel. “If you are to address me. Call me Black Siren. Or Laurel, if you must.”

“Of course, Laurel. Do you need anything else?”

“Where is everyone now?”

“The library.”

“No where near the kitchen?”

“No.”

Laurel smirked.

‘Good,’ she thought.

.

.

.

“Where are all the damn knives?” she asked out loud, slamming another drawer closed. 

“Captain Lance deemed it fit to remove all the knives from the galley for the time being.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” muttered Laurel. “How the fuck am I supposed to put the cream cheese on my bagel?”

“I suggest using a spoon.”

“An A.I. with a smart mouth. Great.”

“I do not possess a mouth,” said Gideon, and Laurel could practically feel the snark coming off the A.I. 

“Don’t take it too hard,” said a deep, rumbly voice that had her looking over her shoulder. “She took the knives away from me one time. Here’s a tip. Never threaten to stab someone for stealing your pop tarts.”

“Noted. Mick, was it?”

“Yeah. Gideon! The usual...” A beer was replicated. “Ah! Yes...” He looked to Laurel. “Want one?”

“Sure,” said Laurel. “Been wanting one for quite some time.”

“Flash didn’t give you some booze during your time out?”

“No,” she said, taking the bottle he offered as Gideon made another. She twisted the cap off the cold beer and took a long swing, the taste of the alcohol welcomed on her tongue. “He didn’t.”

“What a jerk,” he said, reaching into a different drawer and pulling out a spoon. He tossed it to her and she caught it easily. 

“So what’s your story?” asked Laurel, wanting to get to know the others on this ship. When it came time to escape, she could use their weaknesses against them. 

“Hm. Stole stuff. Set stuff on fire. Came here with my partner. Who got himself killed. Decided to stick around for a while. Beats being back in the slammer. Which is where I’d probably be now.”

“So you turned hero?” she asked, spreading the cheese over her bagel. She had an apple, too. As well as a large piece of chocolate.

“I’m no hero,” he said, taking offense to the word. 

“But you stay here.”

He shrugged. “Get all the booze I want. Get to bust some skulls and set things on fire without getting arrested. And I get away with stealing shit. It’s a sweet deal.”

“Hm,” she said, pondering his answer. “Sounds like.”

“So, I hear you can huff and puff and blow some buildings down.”

“You heard correctly.” She pointed up at her collar. “Or I used to be able to. Help a girl out?”

He laughed, a loud bark that she felt in her chest and fingertips, before grabbing his beer and heading to the doorway of the galley. “I like you, Toots, but not that much.”

“Call me Toots again and see what happens,” she warned, eyes narrowing, but he only laughed. 

“You have the same look as Blondie when she’s pissed. Hm, okay then, no to Toots. I’ll think of something else...”

“Or you could call me Black Siren,” she said. 

“Nah. Too long to try and remember.” He snapped his gloved fingers. “Ah. Pipes! As in, you got a nice set of pipes on you.”

“I-” He left before she could argue. “Whatever.” She started eating her bagel when Gideon informed her that the others wished to speak with her in the library. She finished eating, taking her time, before heading toward the library to find out her fate. After her talk with Mick, she decided that maybe it would be okay to pretend to want to be here. For a while. Let them trust her. Let them think she was on their side. Work with them, gain their trust...

And when the right time came along... 

She’d strike.

 Sara was always asking her if she was okay. Ray hovered like a mother-hen and though at first she’d been okay with it. Sometimes all she wanted was some space. Stein was looking at her like some sort of science project at times. Nate, Amaya, and Jax were who she spent most of her time with. They didn’t always ask her questions. Nate let her sit in the library quietly while he was researching. Jax asked for her help once on repairs and she’d watched, holding a flashlight for him, as he did what had needed to be done without so much as a word save for moving the light around. She’d walked in on Amaya once meditating. She’d been ready to leave but Amaya had offered her a spot beside her to try and clear her head.

It hadn’t helped. Not really.

Then there was Mick. Mick who hadn’t said much of anything to her. Who she barely saw. Who went out on missions then locked himself in his room with a six-pack and sandwich. The criminal who lost his partner but decided to stick with the heroes instead of heading back to Central City to pick up where he’d left off. The man who, at times, was the topic of mean jokes and nasty remarks who just shook his head and pretended he didn’t know what all the harsh words meant. There’d been a time that Ray had said something, and Laurel had smacked him on the arm, making the scientist complain about abuse while rubbing the sore area. She’d sworn she’d seen a half-smile on Mick’s face before he’d turned away toward the galley. The man was a criminal. He’d killed his family, albeit accidentally, and others, too. She’d looked everyone on the team up one night. Curious. Gideon hadn’t left much out on them. The things Mick had done in his past had Laurel telling herself over and over again that he didn’t deserve her sympathy or empathy. 

But...

But.

“You’re a mess,” she said to herself, stepping away from the mirror, letting both her hands come up to run through her hair. The next mission that happened, she didn’t care what the others said, she needed to get off this ship. She needed blue sky and fresh air. She looked around the room Sara had said belonged to Leonard Snart. The man currently working with the Legion of Doom. A younger version of himself who didn’t know the faces of his future teammates. Who’d called Mick a traitor when Mick had protected Sara instead of taking his offer to work with the bad guys---

And there she went again. Thinking about Mick Rory. 

In that moment, Laurel slipped on a pair of shoes, and headed down to the level where the gym was. It was dark and quiet. She pulled her hair back in a ponytail with the band she’d been wearing on her wrist then stepped up onto the treadmill, fingers pressing settings until she was at a steady jog. 

Baby steps. 

She’d make her way to the punching bag. To the weights... Maybe not the salmon ladder. She was starting to grow tired after ten minutes. She pushed it to fifteen, then slowed to a walk to cooldown for five more minutes. When she stepped off she felt tired. Which was a good thing. She’d been having problems sleeping. So she went to the bathroom assigned to the women and hopped in the shower. She recognized the brand of shampoo Sara used and helped herself. She washed her hair, scrubbed her face, and then stepped out and wrapped herself in a towel. There was no one else around and so she walked back to her room, wrapped in the towel, and when she entered she jumped when seeing Mick Rory sitting on the floor, beer in hand. 

“Mick?”

He looked up at her, confused, then frowned. “Oh. Right. Forgot someone was using this room.” He stood, slightly shaky on his feet. “Sorry.”

“It’s okay,” she said, watching him head for the door. “Are.. Are you okay?”

“Fine,” he said, waving her off. “Goodnight, Pretty Bird.”

“Pretty Bird?” she asked, eyebrow lifted. 

“Well. Yer pretty,” he said, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. “Can’t just call you Pretty, cause that’s Star-Spangled Doofus. You were the Black Canary. So. Pretty Bird.”

“Right,” said Laurel, fighting a smile. “Goodnight, Mick.”

He left and she shook her head, informing Gideon to keep the door locked before dropping her towel. She dressed in fresh clothes, dropping her used ones in the laundry shoot that apparently incinerated clothes because no one here wanted to do laundry, hence the replicator room. Laurel had made a few pairs of yoga pants and slipped one pair on now, followed by a simple tank. When she looked in the mirror to brush her hair she paused. She tilted her head to the side and that smile she’d been fighting broke through. 

“Pretty Bird,” she said softly.

.

.

.

“Let’s go somewhere.”

Mick paused, drinking his third beer already, before looking at Laurel. 

“What?” he asked. 

“You. Me. Let’s go,” she said, jacking a thumb over her shoulder. “I’ve been cooped up on this ship for weeks. Sara wouldn’t let me go on this mission. You’re benched for whatever reason. So let’s go.”

“Where do you want to go?” asked Mick. “Not a lot of places to go in the desert.”

“You want to stay? Fine? I’ll go by myself.”

She was gone. Mick was ready to just let her go. Then he remembered why he’d been benched. Snart was out there. He’d lost his cool when it came to the talk of taking Snart down. Sara wanted to capture him. Mick just wanted to fry his ass and drop him back into 2013. Pretty and Haircut wanted to keep him around for questioning and Mick? Mick just wanted him gone. Because THAT Snart was reawakening the man he used to be. Someone just as bad as Chronos. And for some reason... He wanted that man to stay away.

Snart and the other Legion Losers were out there somewhere. He didn’t want Laurel out there with no backup. He liked her. So he downed the last of his beer then got up, the alcohol warming his blood as much as the jog until he was at her side.

“Decided to come?”

“Why not? Nothing worth doing here anyway. Gideon!”

“Yes, Mr. Rory?”

“The kid finish the repairs on the second jumpship?”

“Yes.”

“Good.”

.

.

.

Laurel inhaled deeply, humming at the feel of the dry desert heat. The sun was setting, casting the sky in purples, oranges, and pinks. When the night came, it would be cooler, but she could already see the prickling of the stars. She looked over her shoulder at the sound of the heatgun being used. 

“Damn snakes,” muttered Mick. 

“Well don’t kill it,” said Laurel. 

“I didn’t. Just scared it a little.”

“Mmm...” She turned her head back to the sunset, eyes closing as she greedily took in the last of its warmth. “Thank you for doing this. It beats walking all the way here.”

“If you walked you wouldn’t have gotten up on these rocks,” said Mick. 

“That is true. Either way. Thanks.”

“Don’t mention it,” he said, pulling a flask from his jacket pocket. “Seriously. Don’t.”

“Okay,” said Laurel, waving her hand in the negative when he offered his flask. “I don’t drink.”

“That’s too bad,” he said before shrugging. “More for me.”

“I had a problem with it,” said Laurel, crossing her arms over her chest. She was starting to get cold. She’d dressed for the warm desert, not the cooler one that came out at night. “So I quit.”

“Hm,” he hummed, taking another drink before capping it. 

“I need you to drive us back, so...”

“Gideon does most of the work,” he said. “But if it makes you feel better, I’ll wait till we get back to get shit-faced.”

“Thanks,” she said dryly, running her hands up and down her arms. 

“You cold?”

“I’m fine.”

“Suit yourself,” said Mick. Of course he wouldn’t just offer her his coat, like a gentleman. He’d wait for her to ask. Laurel, being as stubborn as she was, wouldn’t ask now since she’d just said she was fine. Despite the shiver that had Mick chuckling. “Yer stubborn like your sister.”

“A Lance family trait that leaves many sighing in exasperation.”

“Right,” said Mick.

“Suppose we should get back,” said Laurel, looking up at the stars one last time. 

Laurel headed back to the ship, Mick right behind her. She settled into the seat and didn’t say a word as Mick asked Gideon to turn the heat on behind take-off. They made it back and docked before the rest of them arrived. Mick and Laurel were both grabbing dinner when the team announced their next stop. 

Athens.

“Cool,” said Mick. “Does that mean we get to watch the fights.”

“Of course you’d ask that,” said Sara with a laugh, grabbing her own dinner. “And yeah. Probably. If there’s time.”

“Sweet,” said Nate and Ray at the same time.

Mick and Sara shared a look. Both of them knew full well both men wouldn’t be able to handle it, but they stayed quiet about it. Sara then settled next to Laurel, drinking some water before speaking. 

“So what did you do, today?”

“Nothing much, really. Worked out. Read a book.”

“I know it sucks being stuck in here. But... Maybe, soon, we can get you cleared for missions,” said Sara. “At least ones no where near our timeline.”

“Yeah?” asked Laurel. 

“Yeah.”

.

.

.

“Just go with it,” she whispered against his lips before kissing him again. She felt his hands at her hips, clenching there as she let her hands trail up his chest then rest at his bare shoulders. He’d wanted to sit this one out. Laurel had a feeling it had to do with the scars. The same scars she had absolutely no problem running her hands over. During this time of togas and chitons, a lot more skin was shown than expected. The team had come here to make sure Caesar's assassination happened as planned.  The guards ran past them, neither bothering to interrupt the couple, and Laurel was the one to break the kiss when they were in the clear. She felt heat at her cheeks and the warmth of his hands was seeping into the skin of her hips. Her eyes met his and she saw a question there, but he never asked it, instead just slowly releasing her before starting in the direction of the jumpship. She followed, aware of the surroundings. The team all finally met up and Jax sat himself in the pilot seat. 

“I can’t believe we just killed Julius Caesar,” whispered Nate. 

“To be fair,” said Sara. “It was Rip who delivered that final blow.” Sara smirked. “On accident when he wanted to keep the man alive, but hey, I’m not complaining.”

“Man, this sucks, fighting against two guys that used to be on OUR side,” said Jax as they lifted off. 

“Yeah,” said Sara, her voice holding a tingle of sadness that has Laurel looking at her. Really looking at her. “It does.”

.

.

.

“You’ve been avoiding me,” said Laurel, two days later. “Is it because of the kiss?” Mick paused, shoulders tense, before resuming the making of his sandwich. “I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable.”

Mick laughed. “You’re apologizing to me?”

“Well... Yeah.”

He shook his head. “Don’t worry about it, Pretty Bird.”

“Are we good?” she asked, coming to lean by him at the counter. 

“We’ve always been good.”

“Then why are you avoiding me?” she asked. 

Mick sighed. “It’s nothing.”

“Mick,” said Laurel, reaching out, fingers at his elbow. He wretched the elbow away, and she felt a new kind of hurt which was replaced with a sense of awareness as he suddenly turned on her. He was in her space, more than she was used to, and her breath caught as she saw how intense his eyes were.

“I’m avoiding you because I want to do it again,” he said, eyes slowly moving down to her lips. She found herself licking her lips now, and his eyes went from chocolate brown to an almost black before he grabbed his sandwich and headed toward the door without a word. Laurel had her hands braced on the counter, almost panting, before she straightened then followed after him. She knew where he’d be and so she went to his door. Only, it wouldn’t open. 

“Gideon? Open the door.”

“Mr. Rory has insisted that no one is to enter his room.”

“Are you kidding me?”

“I do not kid.”

“Ugh! He wants to be that way... Fine.”

.

.

.

“You want me to do what?” asked Sara. 

“Get that door open,” said Laurel. “I mean, you’re Captain, can’t you override his command?”

“I could.” Sara perked up a little. “What’s up with you two, anyway?”

“Nothing.” “Sure doesn’t seem like nothing,” said Sara. “You like him or something?” When Laurel didn’t immediately say no, Sara laughed. “Seriously?”

“You don’t get to laugh,” said Laurel. “Think I don’t know about you and Leonard? People talk, Sara.”

Sara sighed. “What Leonard and I had was over before it started.”

“But you still care about him. I can tell.”

Sara shrugged a shoulder. “Never thought I’d see a day my sister, ADA Laurel Lance, fell for a felon.”

“Can you just open the damn door?”

“Of course...”

.

.

.

She marched into his room and he jumped up from his chair in surprise. He was about to say something but she instead chose to place her hand on his chest and push him back down on the lounger. He cursed, nearly dropping the beer he’d been holding, eyes widening as the recliner threatened to fall over from the force of her push and his weight hitting it. When he just managed to balance out his flailing limbs she was on him, straddling his lap and gripping the front of his jacket before slanting her mouth over his. He had no choice but to drop his beer, the sound of the glass shattering on the floor ignored as both his hands went on her body. He groaned at the feel of her pressed against him, brought a gloved hand up to her hair, suddenly wanting to feel her hair against his skin: while his other hand settled over her ass. The kiss was hot, one of the hottest ones they’d had in a while, and by the end of it both were panting and both were aware of how close they were to each other. 

“You taste like mustard,” she whispered, making him chuckle. 

“Didn’t give me time to pop a mint.”

“Hm...” She kissed him again, this one softer, but ending with a playful tug of his bottom lip with her teeth. A move that had him shifting slightly, now more than aware of how her hips pressed against his. “I’ll try and give you a warning next time.”

“Next time?” he asked. There was something in his tone that had her pulling back slightly and looking at him. She saw a plethora of emotions on his face ranging from desire to disbelief. “Pretty Bi---Laurel. A guy like me? You could do better.”

She brought her hand up to the side of his face, the stubble scratching her palm deliciously, and his eyes drooped slightly with the contact. “Isn’t it up to me who I want to be with?”

“Well, yeah, but-”

“God, Mick, you make me feel... Alive. When you took me out in that desert it was the first time I felt like I could... Be free. Alive. I’ve felt dead ever since coming onto this ship and you? You make me... I don’t know... Feel.”

“What do you want from me?” he asked, his voice sounding open and vulnerable. Something she’d never heard from him before. 

“How about, for now, another kiss?” she asked, leaning closer against, aware of him tugging off his gloves behind her back. “Then we can go from there.”

“Works for me.”

.

.

.

"You okay?" asked Amaya, settling next to Sara, who looked worried. Sara was biting her thumbnail while looking down the hall that lead to the private quarters just outside the library.

"I'm not sure." Sara sighed as Amaya gave her a questioning look. "I think my sister likes Mick."

"Oh." Amaya smiled. "Well good for the both of them."

"It's my sister. And Mick." Sara groaned. "What did I just do?"

"Your sister is an adult. She can make her own choices. Besides... He isn't that bad of a guy."

Sara wanted to argue. Then she remembered how he'd caught her when Rip shot her. Tried to protect her before being hauled off. Thought about how far he'd come from the man she'd first met when the mission started.

"He breaks her heart I'm breaking his face."

"And I'm sure he knows that," said Amaya, taking in Sara's still agitated state. "Wish to spar?"

"Please!"

"Perhaps then you can tell me the story between you and Leonard Snart."

Sara was about to argue. About to say that there was no story. Instead, she just nodded.

"Okay."

“I thought your eyes were blue.”

“Yeah, many people do.” He shrugged. “Contacts. Can’t see shit and I refuse to wear glasses like some old fart. I bought the ones that change my eye color” He pointed at her. “Don’t tell anyone.”

“I won’t,” she said. “Why change the eye color?”

“My mother had brown eyes,” he said. It was all he said. And so she nodded. “You better go before you piss the bed. I’m not cleaning THAT mess up.”

“Ha. Ha.”

She maneuvered her way down to the floor. She stretched slightly before slipping on her shoes and taking her hair-tie off her wrist to pull her hair up into a messy bun. She exited the room as Sara walked back. Sara stopped in her tracks, looking from her sister to the inside of Mick’s room and then back before smirking at her sister. 

“Look who is doing the walk of shame. Or should I say waddle of shame?”

“Fuck off, Sara.”

“Ohhh, someone is touchy this morning,” said Sara. “Mick is rubbing off on you. In more ways than one it looks like.”

“It’s not like that.”

“Whatever you say, Sis.” Sara frowned. “Just be careful. You know as well as I do he can be dangerous.”

“He wouldn’t hurt me. Or the baby.” Laurel shook her head. “I know his past is...”

“Colorful?” Sara walked with Laurel toward the bathrooms. “You know he killed his parents right? Burned them alive. Laurel, I just want you to be safe.”

“I know. I know! God. You think I don’t know? I even had Gideon do a scan on me to make sure it wasn’t Aki making me want him.”

“Is it?” asked Sara. 

“No.” Laurel was now wringing her hands. “It isn’t.”

“Maybe because of the squirt?” asked Sara. 

“Maybe.” Laurel’s face turned sad. “I thought of a name.”

“Oh?”

“Quinn Leo.” Laurel watched as Sara’s eyes widened at the names. “For Dad. And Leonard.”

“It’s a good name,” said Sara, her voice thick. “I, uh, better go. Business to attend to and all.”

“Ok,” said Laurel, watching her sister go.

.

.

.

“You’re sure?”

Laurel was only half listening. According to Rip, Damian Darhk was dead. Killed by Ollie. She brought her hands to her stomach, truly feeling at ease for the first time in a long time. Darhk was gone. It meant she could go home. She could be safe. She loved it here, on the Waverider, but it was no place to raise a child. She was due next month. She wanted to give birth in a hospital, not in a medbay with an automated voice telling her to push. 

“Yes, Sara, I am sure,” said Rip. 

“Then I can go home,” said Laurel, gaining everyone’s attention. 

“You can. Yes.” Rip then talked up to Gideon. “Gideon? Plot a course for the day after Damian Darhk’s death, please.”

“Yes, Captain.”

Laurel nodded then headed to her room to pack up her items. She finished her bag when Sara came in, leaning against her bed with her arms crossed. Laurel knew she was sad she was leaving, but she wasn’t going to budge. 

“I need to go home. I need...” Laurel shrugged. “Some semblance of normalcy. This ship? It’s great, but...”

“It’s no place for a baby,” said Sara, finishing her sister’s thoughts. 

“Exactly.”

“I know I need to talk to Mick.”

“Yeah, I could see the dark cloud forming over his head when you left the room.”

Laurel sighed. “When did my life get so complicated?”

“I think somewhere between meeting Oliver Queen and being possessed by an ancient spirit.”

.

.

.

“Hey. Can we talk?”

“If I say no you’re just gunna talk anyway,” said Mick, making Laurel smile. 

“You’re right.”

“So what is it?” asked Mick, turning to face her. He didn’t quite school his features in time. She saw it. The deflation. The defeat. He took her leaving as leaving him, and she didn’t blame him. She needed to let him know she cared. What she felt for Mick wasn’t love, but a deep and genuine care. Would it turn into love? Maybe. Maybe not. But there was a connection, and not just because they now had a child together. Now with Darhk gone, Laurel was imagining her life back in Star City. In a home with a back yard big enough for her son to play in. Laurel knew that wasn’t the life he wanted. That he wasn’t the settling down type. In a way, she saw this as a way to give him an out as well. 

“This place is no place for a baby. So that’s why I’m leaving.”

“I get it.”

“Do you?” she prompted, eyebrow raised as she stepped closer. He tensed but didn’t move as she looked up at him. He felt like she was dissecting him. Taking apart everything and examining it. “Because I feel like you’re upset for me wanting to leave.”

“I don’t care if you and the kid leave,” he insisted, turning his back on her. 

“Liar.” He turned back toward her, eyes narrowing at her accusation. “Admit it. You care.”

“I don’t.”

“You do.” She was closer now. “Just because I want to be in Star City doesn’t meant I don’t want you in my life, Mick.”

“But-”

“Let me finish,” she insisted. “This ship isn’t a place to raise a family. So, yes, Quinn and I will be in Star City and when all of this is done. When you do what you need to do out here. We’ll be waiting.”

“I’m no family man, Laurel.”

“I know. But I want you to know your son. I want your son to know you.”

“You’ll give him your last name?” he asked. “I want my son to grow up a Lance. Not a Rory.”

“If it’s what you want.”

“It is. I’ve said as much.” He put his hands in his pockets. “I can’t give you the life you want. The life you deserve. But... I’ll be there when you need me to be.”

“That’s all I ask,” said Laurel, her heart breaking just a little, but she held it together. Despite her hormones. “So I guess this is goodbye then?”

“I guess.”

Laurel nodded before stepping forward. She leaned up and pressed her lips to the corner of his. They remained like that for a moment, just steady in the space of each other, before she stepped back and walked away. He waited for her to stop. To look back. To ask him to go with her one more time because he might just say yes. But she never stopped. And so, he remained, once again feeling that bitter sense of loneliness. 

.

.

.

“You look good.”

Laurel looked up and her breath caught when seeing Mick for the first time in weeks. He looked tired. Like he’d just sprinted ten miles. There were bags under his eyes and she was pretty sure he’d lost weight. 

“Mick.”

“Laurel.” He looked around the small little base the heroes had set up. “Where’s the kid?”

“With some people I trust,” said Laurel. “So... What do you think of Supergirl?”

“I’m not calling her that,” grumbled Mick, making Laurel laugh. 

“Why not?”

“It’s a dumb name.” He shrugged before looking her over. “I must say I do like the leather on you, though.”

“It was a little snug. Still have some baby weight on me.” She stepped in his space, aware of the eyes on them, and ignoring them all before reaching up to cup his cheek. His eyes closed and his face softened immensely. “When this is over, would you like to meet your son?”

“Yeah. I would. I’m sorry I missed it. His birth. I’m already a lousy father.”

“To be fair he was a week early. I know you’re on a schedule.”

“But he’s okay?”

“He is.” Laurel smiled. “He has your nose.”

“Poor bastard.”

“But my eyes.”

“Good.”

“But both of our stubbornness.”

“Ah. Shit.”

“Okay!” shouted Oliver. “Attack Supergirl!”

“Duty calls,” murmured Laurel, still cupping his cheek. Neither of them moved while Supergirl batted their friends around like a cat with its toy. Laurel, knowing that there were aliens and that today could be their last day, went up on her toes and kissed Mick. It wasn’t dramatic. She didn’t feel the Earth move under her feet. Time didn’t slow. But the kiss was nice. And one she’d been wanting. When she pulled away he was stunned and she offered him a wink before turning toward Supergirl, opening her mouth, and letting out her Canary Cry. The girl of steel brought her hands up to her ears, faltered in her flight, and was on the ground with ringing ear drums. The others watched, stunned, and Kara groaned when Laurel stopped. 

“Man! That always gets me!” complained Kara, shouting slightly due to the ringing in her hyper-sensitive ears. “Good job, Black Canary.”

“Thanks Supergirl.”

.

.

.

The aliens were defeated. Laurel walked into her apartment, opening the door wide for Mick, who was carrying a sleeping Quinn. It had been comical at first, watching him hold the squirming baby and not sure of how to handle it. Quinn had cried a little and Mick had immediately moved to hand him back, but Laurel had adjusted his hold and soon he’d had a snoozing baby in his arms. 

“What a day,” groaned Laurel. “Week, even!”

“Yeah.”

“You can lay him down in his room. It’s down the hall to the left.”

“All right.”

Mick did just that and when he returned Laurel had two beers. He took one, grateful for it before settling with her on her couch. 

“What time do you need to leave tomorrow?” asked Laurel. 

“Sara gave us all a few days. She’ll stop by tomorrow morning to visit her nephew. She wasn’t happy when I told her to buzz off for the night.”

Laurel laughed. “You want to know a secret?”

“What?”

Laurel took his beer and he didn’t protest because soon he had a lap full of Laurel Lance and he groaned as her hands traveled up the inside of his shirts while her mouth found his, a sensual and seductive kiss. Not at all like the one they’d shared before she’d taken down Supergirl. 

“I told her to buzz off, too,” she murmured against his lips. 

Mick chuckled before settling her down on her back on the sofa. Neither of them were sure what this was. What they were. They shared a son. They cared for one another. But they refused to label it. They didn’t need the commitment of a marriage. They just needed this. Quiet moments. The feeling of being wanted. Of being adored. Later that night, in her bed, Mick would ponder if that moment is what a happy ending felt like. He was no Prince Charming, and he doubted Laurel Lance would like being called a Princess...

But, for now, what they had worked.