Author's Note:
First: Wow! Just…Wow. The response for this story has been amazing to say the least. Thank you for all the follows and favorites and reviews. They really made my night/day (Time difference). I am so glad you guys like the Connor I created. He kind of just took on a life of his own. Second: I really do want to continue this story seeing as a lot of you want me to and I also want to see were this will go. I am currently on break from university so hopefully I will be able to update more often.
So, a few things I forgot to say in the first chapter: Like I said in the summary, this story plays off after the season 3 midseason finale. Everything that happened before that still happened, but after that the story goes completely AU. Like you have probably noticed. The Italics are of course thoughts that the character have. Oh and after re-reading the first chapter I apologize for the mistakes I made. It was late at night when I wrote it and I just didn't have the energy to proof read.
Disclaimer: I do not own arrow or any of the characters, they belong to DC Comics. I simply use them to write stories.
Chapter 2:
As Connor's sobbing subsided Felicity continued to hold him. She felt so powerless to the whole situation. What am I going to do? I can't do nothing, she thought to herself as Connor was busy detangling himself from her and wiping his eyes of tears.
"So, what now?" Connor asked looking at his hands, twisting his fingers.
"Well, I think I need to call your mom and tell her where you are. She's probably worried about you by now." Felicity replies with a sigh.
"Mommy was put in something called a…a medically induced coma?" he said, making it sound more like a question. It made Felicity realize how young he really is, no matter how grownup he pretends to be.
"Okay, well who takes care of you when your mommy…can't?" she asked hesitantly.
"There is this lady, Miss Abrams, that picks me up from school and stuff. She also buys me ice cream. Mint chocolate chip is my favorite." he replied with a small smile.
The admiration for this Miss Abrams was clear on his face. The ice cream probably played a big role. My favorite too Felicity thought with a smile on her face.
"I think we should call her then. You don't happen to know her number or where she works?" Felicity asked.
"No, I don't know her number but I do know she works for CPS or something like that. She works all over the country," Connor answered, proud of himself for remembering.
CPS? What does that stand for? And then it hit her. Child Protective Services. Felicity suddenly knew that this was a very serious situation if they were involved.
"Okay, I think I can look for her number on the internet," she replied with a small smile, trying to hide the feeling of dread in the pit of her stomach. "But first: Are you hungry?"
A smile suddenly spread across his face and it became clear to her once more that he was Oliver's son. She would recognize that smile anywhere.
"Starving!" he exclaimed as he jumped up from the seat smiling brightly. Suddenly realizing what he did he just did, he tried to contain his enthusiasm. "I mean, I could eat," he replied shyly looking down.
Felicity Smiled and got up. "Well, let's go then," she said.
She looked to the reception desk to see if the receptionist was still on the call. She was. Felicity took Connor's hand and they walked to the elevator. The receptionist didn't even look bothered that Felicity was just walking away with a 6 year old. Not at all. Shaking her head felicity pressed the button for the elevator.
Waiting, Connor started swaying their hands, that where intertwined, between then. That made Felicity smile, at his childlike innocence.
Finally the elevator arrived and they got on. Felicity pressed the button to go to the parking garage. As the door closed, the receptionist finally looked at us and Connor Just smiled and waved at her as the door closed. Felicity just snickered at him.
When they finally got to the parking garage Felicity and Connor walked to her car. She still had the Mini.
"Nice car," Connor commented. Looking at the car with bright eyes.
"Thanks," Felicity replied with a smile.
Felicity helped Connor into the passenger seat and made sure he wore his seat-belt. She then walked over to the driver's side of the car.
Walking around the car she could see him looking around inside. When she got inside and her seat-belt was on, she looked over to Connor, who had a curious look on his face.
"What is that red mark on the back seat?" Connor finally asked as they started to make their way out of the parking garage.
"Oh…uh…that. That is…where my friend spilled some red wine on the seat. It wouldn't come out," Felicity replied hesitantly.
Connor looked at her for a minute and then seemed to understand that it wasn't the truth but that he wasn't going to get the real story now. So he let it go. For now.
"So, where are we going?" he asked looking around at the glades that they had just arrived in.
"We are going to my favorite burger place. Big Belly Burger," Felicity answered.
"That's my favorite one too!" Connor exclaimed with a smile. "Me and Mommy would go there every second Friday," he said, the smile slowly falling from his face and his eyes starting to tear up.
Felicity didn't know what to say to that, so she just smiled at him softly and squeezed his shoulder. Like Oliver she thought. He really rubs off on a person she thought dryly. Shaking her head she decided now was not the time to be thinking about him.
The rest of the drive was made in silence, neither knowing what to say.
Finally they arrived at Big Belly Burger and both got out of the car. Walking to the entrance Connor took Felicity's hand again. Which made her smile. Inside Felicity led them to the booth where she and Oliver and Diggle would always sit. She sat in her usual sot and Connor sat where Oliver would always it. Looking at him again it was so clear that Oliver was in there.
A waitress brought them their menus and Connor took one look at the menu and was decided.
"I'll have a classic Big Belly Burger and a chocolate shake, please," Connor said to the waitress, handing her his menu.
The waitress smiled and looked at Felicity.
"I'll have the same just a strawberry shake, please," she said also handing her menu over.
The waitress walked away with their orders and Felicity just looked at Connor and smiled and shook her head. He looked at her and leaned his head to the side.
"What?" he asked her smiling.
"Nothing," she replied. Connor just lifted his eyebrows at her which made Felicity laugh. "It's just…that was what…Oliver would always order. The exact same thing. I guess great minds really do think alike," Felicity replied smiling.
"And fools seldom differ," he finished the saying laughing with her. They both just shook their heads and laughed.
"So, exactly did you meet my dad?" Connor asked.
"Well, he came to my office one day and asked me to help fix his laptop since he spilled a latte on it and he needed the information that was on it." She replied smiling remembering the memory of the bullet ridden laptop.
Connor kept looking at her the whole time and when she was done he narrowed his eyes and leaned his head to the side again a sneaky smile spreading across his face.
"You two are dating," he stated like a fact, rather than a question.
"What!? No, no, no, no, no. No, we are just friends. I mean there was the one date, but that went horribly wrong so we just…stayed friends," she explained being completely surprised by his statement.
"Okay. Whatever you say," Connor replied as the waitress came with their shakes and their food.
Connor started eating like her was starving. Pushing fries into his mouth one after the other.
"Slow down, little dude. You're going to choke. The food isn't going anywhere," Felicity said worriedly.
Connor looked a little embarrassed and swallowed and started continued eating at a slower pace.
"I've been thinking how did you get here to Starling City from Central City?" Felicity asked.
Connor swallowed his food and answered. "I took a cab," he replied simply taking a sip of his shake.
Felicity raised her eyebrows in shock. "That must have cost a small fortune, where did you get the money? Didn't the driver think you were too young to be travelling on your own?" she asked him.
"I took the money from the emergency money jar we have in the kitchen and I gave the driver a lot of money so he wouldn't ask any questions. I also think he thought I was older that I am. I am tall for my age." He replied looking up at her, quite proud of himself.
"That was very dangerous, Connor. He could have been a serial killer for all you knew," she scolded him.
"But he wasn't. I got here safely and now I am here with you. For all I know you could be the serial killer." He said looking at her with a amused smile on his face.
Felicity smiled shaking her head. "I can assure you I am not a serial killer, quite the opposite really," she replied thinking of team Arrow.
"That is exactly what a serial killer would say," Connor started laughing and soon Felicity joined in.
After their laughing fit, they finished their food and the waitress brought the bill, Felicity paid and she went again.
"I need to go to the bathroom," Connor asked getting up from his seat.
"Okay, it's right around there," felicity said pointing to the bathroom. "Just no running away ok?" she asked him with and amused smile while being serious at the same time.
Connor laughed. "Promise," he said smiling and held out his pinkie. She smiled and brought her pinkie to him and they pinkie promised.
Connor then went to the bathroom and as he walked away Felicity remembered that she wanted to call Ms Abrams form the CPS. She took out her phone and went on their website and searched her name for her number. Finally finding it she made the call. It rand three times after someone finally picked up.
"Hello?" a female voice said.
"Hello, is this Ms Abrams from the CPS?" felicity asked hesitantly.
"Yes, this is she," she replied. "Who is this?" she asked.
"Hi, this is Felicity Smoak. I…uh…I am with Connor Hawke. In –"
"Oh thank heavens!" she exclaimed. "Is he okay? He just disappeared this morning after I dropped him off at school."
"Yeah, he is okay. We just got something to eat. He's fine. Look the reason I'm calling is-"
"Oh, that is very kind of you but where is he? I'll need to come pick him up," she interrupted her again.
"He is here with me in Starling City, at a Big Belly Burger," Felicity answered.
"Oh good heavens! How did he get all the way there?" she asked.
"Apparently he took a cab. Don't worry, I already explained how dangerous that was," Felicity replied.
"Oh dear Lord. I swear that boy thinks he is so grown up, he sometimes forgets that he is only 7,"
"And a half. Don't forget the half," Felicity laughed. "Yeah I realized he likes to think of himself as a grown up," she said looking as Connor made his way back to her from the bathroom.
"Yes, he does. Oh, I don't think I'll be able to make it to Starling tonight. I am just so busy with this one case that just popped up. An orphaned child whose parents just got killed in a hit and run," Ms Abrams said.
"Oh, if you can't come and get him tonight, he can stay at my place," Felicity suggested. Connor now standing next to her, heard what she said and smiled brightly and nodded his head enthusiastically, which made Felicity smile as well.
"Oh, that is really generous of you Ms Smoak, but that is not protocol, sweetheart," Ms Abrams said. The smile on Felicity's face fell away and Connor realized that Ms Abrams probably said no, his smile also falling away.
"But I know Connor's dad. Really we are good friends and if you need character references I could give you the name and number of the of SCPD's Captain of police. He knows me and would totally agree that Connor would be save with me," Felicity said to try and change her mind.
Before she could hear Ms Abrams reply, she felt a tugging on her shirt and looked down at Connor, who was holding out his hand for the phone.
"Uhm…Ms Abrams Conner wants to talk to you," Felicity said and handed the phone to Connor.
Connor took the phone and stepped away from Felicity so that she couldn't hear what he was saying. Felicity just kept looking at him as he talked on the phone. She could see rather than hear that he was pleading with Ms Abrams because he had the puppy dog pout on his face. Suddenly he smiled the brightest smile she had seen from him yet and he walked over to her and handed the phone back to her. Taking the phone she looked at him with narrow eyes and he just smiled the sneaky smile again. She brought the phone to her ear again.
"Ms Smoak?" Ms Abrams asked.
"Yes?" Felicity replied.
"Well, Connor really seems to have taken a liking to you. He could only say good thing about you. Apparently you wear high heels as well," Ms Abrams said.
Felicity smiled down at Connor. "The feeling is mutual," Felicity said. "I mean…about the taking a liking…and the good things. Not the… high heels. Of course not that," Felicity babbled.
"Well I think you should give that number for the Captain. It is just to be sure, you understand," She said.
"Of course. I'll text you the number right now," Felicity said.
"Oh and I'll also have to have a CPS agent come to your house to see if it's safe for Connor to stay there for the night. I'll get right on that and hopefully he or she will be there shortly seeing as it is getting late and Connor must be tired,' Ms Abrams replied.
"Right. Of course. We'll go straight home and wait for the agent," Felicity said. Connor hearing this got a confused and scared look on his face.
"But I want to stay with you," he said.
Felicity looked at his with a smile. "And you will. The agent is going to see if my apartment is safe for you to stay with me," She said with a hand on his shoulder.
"Oh, okay," Connor said smiling again.
"Alright I just called the officer and she said she will be there in 40 minutes," Ms Abrams said.
"Alright. We are leaving right now," Felicity replied.
"Great. And thank you Ms Smoak for looking after Connor. Not many people would have done what you did," Ms Abrams said with a soft voice, clearly getting emotional.
"Oh, it's nothing. I'm just glad that it was me and not some weirdo," Felicity said looking at Connor.
"Me to," Ms Abrams replied. "Well, good night Ms Smoak. Tell Connor I say good night and I'll talk to both of you in the morning most probably. If the call with the Captain goes well, that is," Ms Abrams said.
"Of course," Felicity replied. "Will do. Good night Ms Abrams,"
"Tell her I say good night too," Connor whispered next to Felicity.
"Connor say good night too," Felicity said smiling down at him.
"Oh, how sweet. Well goodbye for now," Ms Abrams said and hung up.
Felicity put the phone in her purse and looked ant Connor.
"Well let's go to my home," She said to him smiling.
"Then, let's go," Connor said excitedly and took Felicity's hand and they made their way to her car.
The drive home they talked about a lot of things. Felicity realized he had nothing to sleep in so they made a quick stop at a local clothing store and got him a few things. She quickly realized he was quite a picky child when it came to what he wore. Of course he is a Queen after all she thought. After she paid they got in the car and made their way home again. They started talking in the car. Mostly about Connor. He really liked it when all the attention was on him. Then again what 7 and a half year old doesn't?
When they got to her apartment she parked in her spot and they got out and made their way to her apartment. It was on the second floor so they took the elevator. Again Connor took her hand and swung it between them humming a tune that Felicity didn't recognize. Getting to her floor she led them to her door. Felicity took out her keys and unlocked the door. She opened the door and held it open for him to walk in.
"Ladies first," Connor said holding his arm out for her to enter. Felicity just laughed at the picture of him holding the door open for her.
"Why thank you kind sir," she bowed her head and walked through the door.
"You are very welcome my lady," Connor said with a bow and walked into the apartment closing the door behind him. He then looked around and smiled at all the bright colors. He hadn't known Felicity very long but the brightness of her apartment suited her perfectly. He looked at her TV and suddenly spotted something.
"You have a Robin hood poster!" He exclaimed and ran to the TV to get a better look.
Felicity was in the kitchen, after locking the door when Connor closed it, to put the shopping bags down and was surprised by his sudden outburst.
"Yeah, I've had that for a long time. It was the first thing I bought when I moved in here," she explained.
"That is so cool," Connor replied. "And it is the poster of my favorite version of the movie. The best one of course," he said smiling at her.
Felicity smiling just said, "Of course" nodding.
"But I my favorite hero is still the Arrow," Connor said walking over to the couch and sitting down.
Felicity raised her eyebrows at his comment. "Really?" she said trying not to make his suspicious by reaction.
"Yeah, he is awesome!" he exclaimed. "His bow is so cool and his suit is my favorite color,"
"Well, that is a very valid reason then," Felicity said amused.
"He is like Robin Hood but better because he is real," Connor said looking at her from the couch.
Felicity looking at the poster said, "Yeah I guess he is," smiling. "Well how about you go take a bath and go change before the agent comes huh?" she asked Connor walking to him.
"Okay," he said started looking for the bathroom confusedly.
"The bathroom is down the hall first door to the left. Oh and don't forget the clothes on the counter," Felicity said sitting on the couch.
"Right," Connor said and went to the kitchen and got the bags. He made his way down the hall but suddenly stopped and turned to Felicity.
"Hey Felicity?" he asked her.
"Yeah?' Felicity replied looking at him.
"Thank you for everything," he said smiling.
"You are very welcome," she replied smiling at him.
Connor then turned around and went to the bathroom and closed the door behind him.
Before Felicity could so much as think there was a knock at the door. She got up from the couch and walked to the door. Looking through the peephole she saw an official looking woman standing on the other side. She then opened the door and let her inside. They exchanged pleasantries and she showed the woman, Ms Louis, around her apartment. When she deemed it safe she gave Felicity some document to sign to be a temporary foster parent to Connor. She also said that Ms Abrams had called Captain Lance and he gave Felicity a glowing recommendation to be a foster parent. At the end of their conversation Connor finally came out of the bathroom dressed in his new pj's. Green of course. Ms Louis then talked to him a while alone while Felicity made her guest bedroom ready for Connor. After they were done talking Felicity and Connor said goodbye to Ms Louis and Felicity closed door behind her.
She them looked at the clock in the kitchen and realized it was already 8 o'clock. As if on cue Connor yawned.
"Well, it's late and you must be tired from your very exciting day," Felicity said to Connor.
"I'm not that tired," Connor said stubbornly but yawned again and started to rub his eyes.
"Sure you're not," Felicity said sarcastically. "Come on, time for bed," She said talking hold of his shoulders and walked him to the guest bedroom. She also showed him her bedroom so he knew where she was if he needed anything. He climbed on the bed and Felicity tucked him in and by instinct kissed his forehead.
"Goodnight Connor," she said as she turned off the light.
"Goodnight Felicity," he said. "Can you leave the door open, please," he asked shyly.
"Of course. Sweet dreams," she said walking out of the room.
She was really tired at that point. Too tired to even proses that she was now a temporary foster parent. She walked to the bathroom and took a quick shower and got dressed. As she was climbing into bed she started to wonder. Did Oliver even know he had a son? She didn't want to think badly of him but he wouldn't abandon his own son would he? There must be a logical explanation for all of this she decided.
After a while she finally fell asleep only to be woken by a small hand shacking her shoulder.
"Felicity?" Connor whispered.
"Connor?" Felicity answered with a croaky voice.
"I couldn't sleep. When I close my eyes I see my mom and she's…" he trailed off making what he couldn't say clear.
"Oh, sweetheart, come here," she sat up and opened his arms for him. He climbed on the bed and sat next to her, leaning into her side, folding his arms around her trying hard not to cry. Felicity could only hold on to him and comb her fingers through his hair trying to sooth him.
"Can I sleep here with you?" he asked after a while, his voice so soft and scared.
"Of course you can sweetheart," she replied. "Come on," she said laying down again and pulling him down with her. Her arms still around her, he rested his head on her chest and he held on to her tightly. She started to run her finger through his hair again and his breathing started to even out. Before he was fully fell asleep she whispered in his ear.
"No matter what happens, I promise that you will never be alone. Never ever. Not if have any say in it," she wasn't sure he heard her but then he hugged her tighter and knew he did. After a while Connor fell asleep and so did Felicity.
Author End note:
Wow, that is a long chapter, hope you enjoy it! Thank you for reading. Sorry if there were any mistakes. Like I said I'm new to this. Let me know what you think. If you want to, no pressure at all.
P.S. Sorry about the late update.