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PRIVATE JET TO STAR CITY
Drake Lance
“I didn’t think we’d be flying in a jet like this.” Rene says sitting back on his chair starring out the window as there is only clouds. I stare at Rene and then ignore him getting back on my phone going through Twitter.
I feel Rene move his eyes starring back at me as he’s been nervous during this entire time. 3 years back he was still intimidated by me. Time changed, but clearly not his attitude towards me.
“Where have you been?” Rene says and then I look at him giving my attention. “I know I shouldn’t have asked but if we’re going to work with each other again, then I should know more about you.” He says and I look back out the window ignoring him and his comments.
“It doesn’t matter. You wouldn’t understand it anyways.” I say not letting him in. I won’t let anyone in anymore.
“I lost my wife before we met 3 years back. So trust me, I know exactly how you feel.” Rene says clenching his jaw and I stare at him. I finally look at him fully, seeing his scar on his eye. “Let me just tell you that all that pain, all that anger you have, it all goes away. It gets better.”
“I don’t need your sympathy Rene.” I respond softly being vicious at him not wanting to hear from him anymore. I don’t need a reminder of my loose of Ollie again. It’s been 3 years and I’ve dealt with it good, or I thought I did.
Rene smiles getting used to my snappy attitude and I ignore him as he begins to mock me in his head. I channel all my anger and pain and use it as a guide to keep me sane. I bottle those emotions and keep it in for when I need them to fight.
I lay my head back on the chair and rest, closing both of my eyes. I don’t let Rene interrupt me as he’s calmed and let my head spin with thoughts. Ideas of new music. How things could’ve went different.
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TEAM ARROW BUNKER
I stand next to Rene silently holding myself as I wear all black with my usual leather jacket over it all. Rene stares out to the door and the elevator stops and then opens for us. Rene walks out first and I follow along seeing the entire hideout again.
I stand by the elevator doors as they close from behind me and I stare at the place like the world was on fire. Nothing has changed except for the smallest things. They have Laurel and Ollie’s costumes stood side to side like they should be. They way it always should‘ve been.
I walk in and see Rene walking to the center of it by the computers and follow him along. I then turn around looking around and see Felicity, Diggle, and Curtis walking out from the shadows starring at me with pride in their faces. I smile at them lightly knowing it’s nice to see friendly faces in a world so cruel.
Felicity walks out to the front and then reaches out to me hugging me. “It’s been a long time old friend.” I say and hug her tight knowing that I’ve missed her and the team. I never thought I’d come back.
“I’ve missed you so much. I’m so glad you’ve come back home.” Felicity says as she stops hugging me and stands back. She stares at me resting her hands on my shoulders and smiles at me with tears in her eyes. I stare at her as well and see the memories and pain and hold it back. Out of the corner of my eye I see Diggle appear from behind Felicity and then Felicity moves away.
“Drake.” He says proud and gives me his hand and I shake it tightly. “It’s nice to see you back here.” Diggle says and then walks back standing with Felicity crossing his arms together.
“Believe me, I didn’t think I’d come back.” I say stubbornly being down to earth and Diggle clenches his jaw standing back. We’re all reunited. “So what is it that all of you had to drag me out of Gotham for?” I ask starring at Felicity and she bites her lips a little hesitating.
Diggle opens his mouth but nothing comes out as Felicity quickly slaps her hand on Diggle’s chest. Felicity hesitates and stares at me being honest now. “This is going to sound, strange, weird… But please, just hear me out.” She says and I roll my eyes and cross my arms.
“Oh geez.” I say waiting to hear this big enemy they need me to fight for them. Clearly this team is missing a leader and Diggle isn’t much of a leader. This better be good.
“I’m not sure if Oliver told you or not, but… He has a son.” She says and I raise my eyebrow up high confused as what went out her mouth. “After Oliver passed, he left papers with your name on it reading that, if anything were to happen to his son, William, whether be with him turned into an orphan or anything. You would be the one to take care of him.” Felicity says and I clench my jaw knowing that this isn’t a bad idea.
I look around at the entire team seeing Rene stare at me hoping that something good would happen. My life is dangerous. I shake my head and Felicity tilts her head confused.
“How old is he?” I ask and she plays with her fingers as I’m hoping that he’s maybe 12 or older so I can train him to defend himself.
“He’s 9 years old.” She says and bites her lips and I shake my head sighing deeply. “Please, he has nowhere else to go. His mom was murdered and he has no one to take care of him. No other family, no one except you.” She says begging me and I continue to shake my head no.
“I can’t.” I say strongly following what my gut says and stare at her deep. “You know I can’t. My life in Gotham is dangerous enough for me, and having a 9 year old next to me wouldn’t be the smartest idea. I’m sorry, but you know better.” I say being mature and clench my jaw. “I’m not a babysitter.”
“Drake, you don’t have to go back to Gotham. You can stay here! Stay with William and help us out! Help save Star City-” She says and I shake my head closing my eyes. I’m not letting another person into my life, they could get hurt, I can’t take that blame anymore. That’s somebody else’s blood on my hands.
“-No!” I shout almost using my canary cry and hold back my anger and rage. She doesn’t understand. “This isn’t an argument Felicity! I’m Black Canary, meaning my life constantly involves with me being chased by psychopaths trying to get a knife on my throat! He could get hurt!” I yell at Felicity and Diggle walks in putting his hands up going to calm me down. “I’m not willing to take that responsibility, not again.” I say referring to Oliver and then look at the team he left behind, I left behind.
They all stare at me with sad faces and I couldn’t care less. I then continue to look around and see a glass case of Oliver’s first Green Arrow suit and clench my jaw. I then look back at Felicity as she is destroyed.
“It was nice seeing all of you again.” I say and nod my head as I turn my back and walk away. I head into the elevator and head into the elevator going back to the main floor.
I wait in the elevator and clench my jaw knowing this is what I have to do. If it weren’t for this life, I would’ve taken the kid. I can’t risk to loose another person.
The elevator doors open and I walk out into the dim lighted building. I see book stands as if it were a library. It wasn’t always a library. I walk around giving me my own tour and see a campaign poster of Ollie hung on the beam.
It was his campaign office.
I stare at the Mayor photo of Ollie and smile at him. I lay my hands on his face as if it were his skin. I smile softly knowing that he’s everywhere where I go. I then hear the elevator doors open behind me and I quickly let my hand off the poster.
I hear footsteps walking towards me and I can tell it’s Felicity. It’s not only Felicity. I turn around and see her.
“Drake.” Felicity says softly and I see her holding a small child’s hand. He looks just like Oliver.
I stare at the kid and squat down. I open my arms and the kid runs towards me and I hug him. “How are you?” I say and fake a big smile and he backs away.
“What’s your name?” I ask him trying to make an introduction. I stare at his face and he looks exactly like Oliver, the ocean blue eyes, the brunette hair. His child.
“William.” He says very shy and I smile. “You’re Drake Lance! I see you on TV all the time!” He says very excited and I chuckle at him being happy to see him. I continue to stare at him and act more like an adult.
“It’s not everyday you get to meet a famous singer from TV is it?” I say being the A list star that I am now. William smiles at me and I smile at him and spot Felicity and the team walking in from behind to look at me.
“This is what Oliver would’ve wanted for you. Please, just do it for him. I already have a place for you and William to stay at and I’ll have Cisco teleport your things in tomorrow morning.” Felicity says and I stop feeling this anger and pain and decide to take a risk in my life. If this is what Ollie signed me up for then maybe I should take it. Maybe I should do it knowing he would’ve wanted me to.
I smile at Felicity knowing that I’ll take this risk. I’ll just have to be more careful not to drag William into any of this. “Where’s the apartment?” I ask standing back up with William by my side. The both of us stare at the team and I spot Rene and the team smiling at me proud of my decision. I’m stubborn but it takes me a lot of convincing.
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