Post by adrini on Feb 2, 2014 18:12:05 GMT -5
"We're back, and we have luggage!" Diggle said loudly as he opened the door for those behind him. He swerved as Mia ran at full speed to get behind him to her cousin.
"Dinah! You made it back!" Mia clung tight as Di brushed her head and grinned.
"Of course I did, Little Bit. Why wouldn't I?" Thea and Rose had caught up and were hurrying to bring the bags up stairs. They got nervous when people left and were always eager to resettle them.
"I don't trust haven." Mia said firmly and gripped her hand tightly. "Are you done going back there?"
"For a while. Nothing really left there now." Di looked at her husband who was taking their bags back up stairs before she could protest that she was perfectly able. "I take it the Montoya-Kane's are here?"
"Renee is setting up the room up but Kate is just sitting by the tv not saying anything." Mia walked with her to the combo room. Di stopped before they entered and pulled the girl to her tightly.
"Thank you. Go and help the others. I need to fill her in." Di grinned a little, Mia nodded with a little disappointment but went up stairs.
Entering the room Di saw Kate in the lounge chair considering the remote she had been given. When last she had seen her Kate had been flushed with joy at her new found happiness with Renee. Now, even beyond the pregnancy related exhaustion, she looked tired and depressed. Something must of given her away, Kate looked up and began to try to stand.
"No, not on my account. I'm looking to sit down to." Di said at once, waving her hands to second the message. "If it's getting bad for me now I can only think what it is for you."
"You ain't seen nothing yet, Canary." Kate said roughly but suddenly caught herself and looked down. "It's not that bad."
"I'll find out either way." Di sat in the opposite chair and sighed. She knew it was bad manners not to keep up conversation but she was tired, her back and feet hurt, Robby seemed to be taking up kick boxing, and the flight had given her a head ache. She closed her eyes.
"So you're just going to ignore me then." Kate's voice said as Di gazed into the darkness. It was a fair question after so much time.
"No, sorry, of course not. It's just been a long-" She stopped, not knowing what word to use. "It's been rougher then normal. I'm tired, that's all. I'm sure you are to."
Kate shrugged, oddly not retorting. They sat in silence for a time, much to be said, neither knowing how to say it.
"Should I leave?" Jade walked into the rooms and looked at the two. "I can take Tommy elsewhere."
Di looked over to see Jade standing near the fridge, her son in her arms. She pushed herself up.
"No, we're just tired." Jade looked at the two wearily. "He needs food."
"I can get it." Jade replied, getting a few things out. "You talk, you need it."
It wasn't that they didn't need to, it was that both women were sore, tired and could use some rest first.
"Look, I'm not trying to dodge this but can we get some sleep then-" Di began to say
"Hell no." Kate said at once. "It's taken me two years to get in the same room with you, we deal with this now."
"Sure." Dinah said evenly. "We'll clear some air. Care to start?" Kate gave a dry laugh.
"Where to begin." She said.
"How about asking her about what happened at Roulette's?" Jade suggested. "It would be a good start."
"Jade, no. I can't, not tonight." Di sighed.
"Fine, then how about why you didn't let us help you before it got to Roulette?" Kate said sharply.
"That's partly me." Jade said, sitting down with Tommy in her lap eating. "I was upset about what she had said about Tom and told her to leave. To spite her I didn't pass it on to you, I thought she was making it up. She turned out to be right, of course."
"Fine, what about me or Renee?" Kate pressed, Di had taken out her phone.
"Call logs and text messages from the months of the dome." She said simply, sliding the phone over. "I tried. When you didn't pick up I assumed you just weren't interested."
"That's not possible." Kate looked over the logs. "I didn't get a single one of these."
"Roulette." Jade said quietly. Kate looked at the two of them. Di nodded.
"Then when I saw you in person I didn't know what to say anymore. I thought you were ignoring me." She said.
"Roulette." Kate said softly, then her gaze hardened. "I should have done more to her."
"It wouldn't have been enough." Di said. "Speaking of villains I need to fill you both in, Kate more of course."
"He knows." Jade sighed. "We guessed." Kate was confused.
"Alright, from the top. Help me out here." Di leaned back, Robby deciding to start on her spine.
"It started with the recession." Jade began.
>--)->
"Are you sure you're alright to work?" Di asked as Helen dropped off more files. "You don't have to hurry back."
The Outreach was rebuilt and only a few statues were still being repaired. Di and Jade's office was repaired and redecorated. They could finally get back to work.
"I want to be here. I'll let someone else know if I need anything lifted." She teased.
"They got to you, I am surrounded by the pregnancy police." Di rolled her eyes. "I'm going to start smuggling in candy bars."
"Are you? Good to know." Helen smirked. "Is Jade in today?"
"Getting Tommy settled in day care, first day. She'll be here. What's the first order?" Di sat down and turned on her computer.
"Repair crews, top file." Helen said at once, both of them heard angry steps from the hallway.
"No, I can't. I won't." Jade stormed into the room still holding her son. Tommy's eyes were red and he was holding onto his mother with a vice like grip. "It's not human to just walk away from a screaming child like that."
Helen was going to speak but Di quickly motioned for her not to.
"It's fine. Why don't we set up a space for him by the sofas? He's been good about keeping himself occupied so far." Jade nodded and calmed down a little.
"Thank you." Jade said more softly. "I just couldn't, I couldn't."
"Here, I'll help." Di stood up and Helen took the cue and left. She picked up the toy bag and carried it over. "How many of his toys did you bring?"
"Just the ones he seemed to like. I packed fruit snacks and water." Jade had opened the bag one handed, getting increasing upset with how Tommy was still fussing. "A few change of outfits. I didn't want to forget anything he needed-"
"He needs you." Di interrupted, grabbing her hand. "And he has you. Go sit down and I'll set it up."
Jade nodded, sitting down and comforting the boy. Di spread the green blanket next to Jade's desk and set up the toys.
"Family life working out?" Jade had kept Roy and Tommy close all weekend, it gave nesting a whole new meaning.
"Roy dropped off the paperwork this morning. We're changing Tommy's last name." Tommy was okay now. "The lawyer says visitation won't be an issue, so we're free of that piece of scum for good."
There was ice in her tone. Di was glad Catman wasn't there for his own sake. She set up the last of the toys and put the food in the fridge. She didn't see Tommy going to day care anytime soon.
"Roy and Jade Harper with new son Thomas. Nice little family for you." She pushed herself up, it was harder then she thought it would be. "I'm glad for you, Jade. You've earned this. Keep Tommy here, considering what he's been through I think you need each other."
"Really?" Jade put Tommy on the blanket and he looked to make sure she wasn't leaving.
"Of course." Di grinned, there was enough tension already. "It's fine, be happy. It's the reason we're doing what we are."
>--)->
"Did they say what they needed?" Nancy asked as he knocked in the door. "Is everything okay? It can't be the baby, can it?"
"I hope not." Stan said. "He didn't mention anything." The door opened.
"Stan, Nancy. So glad to see you." Dinah Lance beamed, her young daughter on her hip. "Come on in."
"Stan, so glad to see you." Stan looked up to see Lance join her. He pick up the little girl. "Di and I had a talk and we'd like to ask you for a favor." He motioned to the table.
"What is this about?" Stan heard his wife ask as they sat down.
"Well, after the drug bust last week we had a wake up call." Di said, looking at her husband.
"If Di and I were ever targeted someone would need to take care of our Little Bird." Lance said, the toddler smiled at her nick name as she played with her plush lion. "We thought of you, since you're practically family already. If you would be willing, should something happen to us."
Nancy nodded, nearing tears. Young Dinah had become dearer to her then ever since she had learned of her own infertility.
"We'd be honored, thank you." Stan said, looking at the little girl. She was pretending her lion was roaring at her father and giggling. Lance smiled at her but stayed focused. Frustrated she looked around the table.
"Aunt Nancy, you play wid me?" She said, betting that his wife would give her the attention she wanted. It was a safe bet.
"Always, Little Bird." His other half beamed, standing up. Little Di smiled and scooted off her chair.
Captain Anderson sighed as he arrived at the penitentiary, he and his wife were celebrating forty years that day. Lance was long gone and Di was with him once again. Their Little Bird was still here, though. He and Nancy still had a promise to keep, if only for them.
This facility was the highest security location in the city, and his guests were special. The Aryan's that had targeted the outreach, including Di. He had a bad feeling though, his comms had stopped. Even if it was paranoid he put his ear piece in.
The door to the office was locked so he pulled out the phone to contact the administrator. It was ringing when he felt a sudden tearing in his chest. He fell to the ground.
He felt himself begin to fade and activated the ear piece.
"Miss Rivers, this is Captain Anderson. I'm afraid it's me who needs help."
>--)->
Bowstring leaned back in the recliner with a bottle of the local brew and looked at the remote. Normally he would turn on a game but he wasn't in the mood.
It had been another difficult day in divorce talks. The news of Bonnie's affaire had balanced the scales but watching the contempt she suddenly held for him was painful. He wondered how long he had been deluding himself. He was only glad that Cissie was spending so much time with her friends instead of being exposed to what her mother had become.
>--)->
The room was dark, and after finishing his beer he decided a day like this deserved a nap.
"Turning into the neighborhood now." Roy said into his mounted phone. "Anderson?"
Oliver is the only person who isn't phased. He's seen someone bleeding out before. This had to be a sniper shot. Diggle said. We're getting him to a hospital. Shado and Bravebow are okay, just make sure Mr. Jones is to.
"Calm down, we're on it." Ted said, he had been training Roy when the call came. "Go."
Roy shook his head as Diggle hung up, just a couple more turns. The Jones' lived in a nice middle class area, near where Di had been born from what he had heard. It was two and three bedroom homes, mostly. Very nice.
"This is it." Roy knew the way from all the times the terrible three had needed someone to pick up their friend. "Wait, no. Oh Shit. Ted, break the door down!"
Smoke was leaking out of a window and he couldn't see the house inside due to smoke as well. Ted used his strength to break the lock and pushed the door open. Roy could barely see Bowstring in the living room.
"I got him, boyo. You call the cops." Ted dashed inside and Roy steeled himself. The operator took the information and Roy hung up, staying on the line wasn't going to help.
When Ted came out he was carrying an unconscious Bowstring. They got him in the car and made a direct line to the hospital. They heard the sirens as they left the area.
"I could be wrong but I think the war has started." Roy hit the highway at top speed. "How is he doing?"
"Drive." Ted said, looking at the back seat. "It's here. Now I get to see how you lot fight when you mean it."
>--)->
"Just make an appearance. I can take it from there." Oliver said as he fastened the back of his wife's maternity formal gown, her normal one didn't remotely fit anymore. "I want you to relax tonight."
"Any news?" She asked, as she slipped her shoes on and wordlessly asked for assistance standing. Ollie happily obliged.
"Both stable but out cold, same as yesterday. I had no idea you were one ofAnderson's emergency contacts." He grabbed her hand as they walked to the grand doors.
"We go back, he knew my parents." Di said quietly. A small crowd was waiting for them. Kate and Renee had begged off the party but the usual suspects were there, even Cissie, Thea was convinced the party might cheer her up.
Inside the party Oliver led his wife to the formal line of officers and chosen veterans so they could start rounds. Roy and Jade followed after, their wedding putting both on the social map. Adrien stood alone with the girls.
"Considering the last couple days I think Oliver is on to something. Walk around for a bit and when you're ready to relax for the night I'll set up the game room for a sleep over." Adrien told the four. "Oliver, the Harper's and I will hold the fort here. You worry about taking care of yourselves."
Thea nodded and pulled a reluctant Cissie to the floor, Mia following with the ever protective Rose.
"Thank you for the thought but I don't think this is a good idea." Cissie said in the sea of metals and dress blues. "I'm just not into it."
"What you're into is sleeping all day and refreshing the hospital's webpage." Thea had tried everything to cheer her friend up. "You need to do something."
"Only for a little while." Mia said kindly. "Diggle did take us to get made up, might as well walk around." The blonde walked over to the Olympian.
"I know, it's the last place you want to be." Mia said softly. "We all know. But we've lost people, and your Dad might pull through. You have to get up and do something, if only to get your mind off it. Half an hour."
"Half an hour." Cissie agreed. "Will the sleepover include beer?"
"We can ask. So long as we have an adult they tend to allow some." Rose liked the idea.
At the line Jade was sitting down with Mrs. Queen, Oliver and Roy handling the conversation.
"You never told us about Anderson." Jade said as she looked at the crowd.
"He was from the Star City time. He and my Aunt Nancy were my parents best friends out here." Di was keeping a polite posture but Jade could tell her back was killing her. "We just didn't talk about them."
"Why talk about people you can't see anymore, I get it." Jade nodded. "You seem really upset."
"When I was a kid Mom told me that if anything happened to them Uncle Stan and Aunt Nancy would take care of me." Di explained. "When I got back Uncle Stan called within three days of getting off the plane, ready to step up and keep that promise. Him getting shot is like loosing my Father again."
"That sucks." Jade said quietly. "Good turnout tonight."
"Very." Di said, welcoming the change of subject. "It's a good cause. A lot of veterans fall through the cracks."
"Oh they would have you sitting out here." A new voice showed up, looking up Jade saw brunette woman standing near them. "Please tell me they at least gave you a pillow."
"I'm just five months, it's not that bad yet." Di looked at the woman warmly. "Jade, my Aunt Nancy. Nancy, this is my sister Jade. It's Nancy's house I sneak off to when I need to escape."
"I'll leave you to talk." Jade stood up and left the two. Roy found her.
"New friend?" He asked.
"Old, Anderson's wife. How's the party?" He grabbed her hand and led them to Oliver and Adrien.
"It's fine. Ollie sent me to check on you two. I feel bad for the officers, it's not their fault their party happened after the attacks." Roy said as Oliver walked over with a few guests.
"We understand, our casualties come at bad times to." A highly decorated man in blue said. "We're grateful you're helping our own."
"Roy, Jade, this is General Thomas of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for the Air Force." Oliver introduced them. "General, my brother Roy and his wife Jade."
"An honor." Roy said, taking the mans hand. "Star City is a long way from DC, what brings you to us?"
"Got curious about these Galas you were throwing for us." He said warmly. "Decided to come see them for myself."
Adrien was looking anxiously at the corner Dinah was in, after a while Jade had to say something.
"They're just talking." Adrien could be silly.
"No, it's dark, my sight is blocked, it's near an exit, I don't like it." Adrien shook her head.
"Neither do I. Excuse me, General." Diggle walked over to the two.
Di saw him coming, but was relieved.
"How about we continue this inside?" She asked her companion as Digs reached them.
"Di, you can't sit in dark corners." The man said, Nancy looked confused.
"He means we have security protocols." Di explained. "We can walk around or head inside for tea."
"Considering Stanly and the jail break I can't blame them. We'll go inside."
>--)->
"We're settled." Renee said as they sat on the red bed spread in their new rooms. There was a pile of baby catalogues on the bedside table. Whatever they liked would be ordered and installed according to the note. "Not even a lot of rules. Assigned laundry day and helping with meals."
"Yes, the Queen's always seemed nice." Kate was leaning back on a support pillow. "Some of the rules are ones Mrs. Lance used to."
"No complaints yet." The room was large, clean and well set up. They had a new computer, large closets and a personal bathroom. There was even a list of hospitals and birth centers in the area by the monitor, as well as security procedures in case of emergencies. "I think this was the right place to go."
Kate grabbed one of the catalogues, flipping a few pages before she began marking items. Renee sat down at the computer to check e-mails. There was a polite knock at the door. Renee got up to answer it. John Diggle was standing there.
"Not trying to bother, but wanted to check that you two were alright." The man said quietly. "I know what it is to start over in a new place."
"There is one thing." Renee said, innocently going through messages. "We had to leave some things behind. With the baby getting in the way so much we'll really miss having our <I>relationship aides</I>."
Kate turned a nice shade of red as she heard the question. Diggle noticed and chuckled.
"I'll make inquiries for a local store." He said evenly, though she could tell he was amused. "Let you know what I find."
The man nodded and left, walking to Ollie's room next. He knocked again. Di came to the door quickly.
"Just checking in." He said at her concerned look. "Nothing new."
"Sure." She smiled slightly, now in cotton night clothes. "Come on in."
As usual their room had little piles of dishes, trash that needed to be taken out and laundry waiting to be washed. Neither were terribly neat. Di had been looking over notes from check ups if the pile on the bed was any indication.
"Everything okay?" He looked at the pile. He knew they were concerned about the drugs and trauma she had taken before realizing Robby was on the way.
"Everything looks okay so far, thank goodness." She hurried to put the papers in her bag. "Renee and Kate settling in alright?"
"Fine. Though I think Renee tried to prank us a little." Di raised an eyebrow.
"I remember pranking being fun. What did they do?" The mischievous look in her eyes sparkled.
"Something we can have fun with. Renee wanted help with marital aides, being so far in term." He smiled as she laughed and grabbed her phone.
"Well, what kind of hosts would we be if we didn't try to respond to their needs." She said, feigning genteel hospitality. She had grabbed a pad of paper and was scribbling a few notes. "I'll see the Montoya-Kane's get the best help we're able to give."
"Aren't you going to say the information came from you?" She was just mentioning local shops.
"No, we aren't. They'll have to guess who gave them which set of advice." She kept writing. "Care to add anything?"
"I'll think about it." He could suddenly see they were old friends. "Need to check on the girls."
"I'll go with you, Cissie isn't taking this well." She grabbed robe and followed him out the door.
They got half way down the stairs before they heard crying from the gaming room, sharing a look they ran the rest of the way.
Thea was holding a shocked and weeping Cissie. Mia was crying a little on the sofa, the game was paused.
"Cissie?" Di hurried over, her maternal instincts triggered. "Tell me what happened, sweetie."
The girl turned to cling to the woman. She was struggling to speak.
"Okay, I'm okay." Cissie said. Di and Diggle looked confused.
"They're okay." Thea filled in, smiling. "The hospital called, they both pulled through. We'll know more tomorrow, but they'll be okay."
>--)->
"Mrs. Queen." Deputy Williams stood as she walked into the wing.
"Di, please." The woman smiled tiredly. She had a friend with her. "How is he?"
"Stable, but it's bad. He won't be back for a while." Williams nodded to her friend. "He's been asking for you."
"Then I'm glad I came, may I?" He nodded and opened the door, she nodded to her friend and the woman remained outside.
"What did I tell you about getting in trouble like that, Uncle Stan." Dinah softly walked to the chair, the man slowly turned his head to see her.
"Little Bird." He smiled. "Glad to see you're both alright. Couldn't hide him now."
"No, I couldn't." She reached out and took the mans hand. "I'm so glad you made it. Williams said you wanted to see me."
"I did. It's about team arrow, including you once the kid is here." Di nodded, that he had figured it out wasn't surprising. "I've told Williams, he's solid, knew your parents to. Fuck Cale, you guys are the best thing to happen to this city in years. We have your back, get someone in the precinct and we can set up a line. I don't like electronics, too many ways to spy. "
"Going old school, I like it." She nodded. "So happens I have someone, officer from the haven. She had to leave in a hurry but she's solid, make a nice edition."
"And what are you not telling me?" Even sedated he saw through the sell.
"She left NYC after coming out, it didn't go well. Haven after she started turning in dirty cops, that didn't go well either. She came here after her home was attacked, her wife is having a baby any day now. She's a fine officer, I mean it." She smiled. "And a good friend, so I may be bias."
"She should talk to Jake, he's dealing with the fallout from coming out to." He nodded. "I'll make sure she's internal affaires, we have a few scabs ourselves. Hey." He gripped her hand. "Your husband, he okay with all this?"
"No." Di said, he nodded. "It has him shaken, I have to have body guards now. We know whose behind it, but that only makes it more complicated."
"Not mindless thugs?" She shook her head.
"Not anymore. We're excited to be having a family, but the timing couldn't be worse. I can't know that I'll even see him-" She felt the hand tighten.
"Faith, Di. You aren't alone now. This will all play out."
>--)->
"This is the last of it." Diggle carried a box into the house, the Jone's remaining things finally free from investigation. "Need help getting it put away?"
"Just up the stairs." Bowstring said, still shaken from his home being destroyed. "We can take it from there."
Cissie smiled weakly as Thea, Rose and Mia hurried to carry boxes up stairs. Having their friend in house was one perk of all this.
"Bowstring." Oliver walked over and gave the man a light hug. "Let us know if we can help with anything."
"I owe you for taking us in, and for taking care of Cissie for me." The reporter grinned weakly, his voice was still weaker then had been before the smoke damage.
"Least we could do, and it's not all bad." The girls were carrying shopping bags to Cissie's new room, her new wardrobe. "You'll be safe here, stay as long as you like. You're more then welcome."
"At least until the case is settled." Bowstring said dryly. "Not much to fight over. What do I do now?"
"Let team arrow work, and take care of Cissie. Speaking of we'd like to offer you something, but it's purely voluntary." Ollie looked nervous.
"Something bad?" The reporter looked at him.
"Different then what you're used to, not bad." He nodded. "If you haven't noticed we're under attack more then ever. Roy and Jade have a son now, the Montoya-Kane's are expecting yesterday and Robby is due in December. The girls still need support. We still have an outreach and a business to run. Adrien helps, and Digs keeps us going but we're wearing thin. Would you be interested in helping with out with family PR and helping us look after the girls? It would be a paid position, and you would be free to continue writing for anyone you want while it's held."
"What are the conditions?" Bowstring looked at him.
"You'd have to be present for family events and fund raisers. You'd need to buy a tux or two for formal events. But most importantly you'd be privy to a lot of trust." Ollie looked at him. "We're not as well as we seem. The anniversary of Mrs. Lance's death is coming up, Di is taking it hard. Jade, Tommy and Mia are in counseling for abuse for a reason, you get the idea. You're an honest journalist, and we respect that. This would shackle you somewhat, PR over facts when it's called for. We'd understand if you refused, no hard feelings."
Bowstring smiled a little, then nodded.
"You went into hiding after your parents died, Mr. Queen, the whole family did. When you brought Mrs. Queen home you were engaged and expecting within three months. This family has been ravenously adding members ever since. Each of you hurting, each of you wanting desperately to heal. This should be a nut house, but it isn't. It's a recovery ward, and a safe haven. You've taken hell itself and decided to turn it into something better." He turned to the young man and smiled. "Cissie and I need that. Every family has rough spots but you work through them. I really need that just now. I'm at your service, Mr. Queen."
"Ollie." The young man corrected. "Welcome to the sanitarium."
>--)->
"Ted." Bravebow nodded as the man entered the gym. "Welcome, I'm glad you contacted me to discuss the current situation. Help is needed keeping everyone safe."
Ted raised an eyebrow and looked confused.
"You called me, said it was about protecting Di." The fighter replied. "Yesterday."
Bravebow walked to his computer to check his email, but was interrupted.
"I contacted all three of you." Said a dark haired man who was walking in. "Jansen, please."
A thin Japanese man appeared from behind the back door, and nodded politely to the others. Bravebow was startled but Ted just shrugged.
"I am pleased to assist, of course." He smiled calmly.
"Glad to hear it. Name is Wilson, Rose's father." He turned the store sign to 'closed'. "I'm sure everyone knows about the attack at the party, the outreach, the police station and Mr. Jones's house."
Those listening nodded, it had been a rough month.
"I know enough to know we all have an investment here. Bravebow needs Mia to stay safe, a promise to her mother." Wilson looked to the man, he nodded. "Jansen owes Adrien a debt that he'll never repay, but he'll try. Wildcat here is just waiting to be called before skinning the next man to look at Mrs. Queen the wrong way at the grocery store, let alone what we've been dealing with."
"What of it?" Ted asked, not arguing.
"No issue here. Mrs. Queen is the first mother figure my Rosebud has found since we lost her Mom." Slade sat down. "I want to keep her to. The people at the house are holding on but they're down two of their best."
"Kate and Di." Ted filled in. "Some of the best the haven ever saw."
"Normally assets, now targets. There's no question they'll be back, but till then we fill the gap." They nodded. "Jade and Roy are in full form, but they need support. Ted, the illustrious Mr. Queen is busy being understandably terrified, but that isn't helping us. Be the father-in-law from hell and knock some sense into him." Ted grinned unnervingly. "The girls need training, badly. They'll be needed. Bravebow, Ted, thats you. Jansen, a few ninja lessons wouldn't hurt."
"I'm likin' this, but what do you do?" Ted asked, grinning. It was slightly unsettling.
"I have feelers in the other side, I know this Count. We need to find out what his game is." Slade motioned to himself. "This I can do."
"This you can do better with me." Jansen smiled.
Call of duty: Lady. Blackhawk