Awarded

Chapter 1

Disclaimer: This is an idea sent my way by AlexiaBlackBriar13 recently and I absolutely loved it and is set during season 1 and a few days after the 'Legacies' episode!

Had Oliver known ahead of time that his life was about to be uprooted, he would have either ran off and hid on Lian Yu or found a way to prevent the cause of the uprooting from arriving at his home. And it'd all be thanks to one Moira Queen when she took a look at the day's mail on the coffee table in the foyer that Raisa often left for her or one of the others to get unless it was highly important. Unfortunately, Mother Nature had called on the long time Maid of the Queens as otherwise, she would have gotten a certain letter addressed to Oliver directly to him. Moira's eyes widened when she noticed the address on the envelope, making her rather curious as to why the Government would be looking to contact her son and hoping he hadn't done something to gain their attention that no one else had yet to know of. Oh, sure, he was keeping something of a low profile aside from a moment here and there since his return from that horrible island, but Moira was fairly positive that once he was fully past that horrible trauma, he'd be making waves again and perhaps gaining Detective Lance's ire even more in somew ay after the whole Hood accusation business didn't go in the man's favor.

Of course she knew that wasn't fair on her son but a small part of her wouldn't have minded seeing it again since she knew he'd be more then likely to smile more instead of putting on very obviously fake ones for everyone. Something that bothered her a great deal as well for that matter. But love him regardless she would as that is what a mother does. The fact they had enjoyed a late night meal together at Big Belly Burger had been a terrific experience in her view and wouldn't be opposed to doing so again with her son. And perhaps with Thea as well. As it could be one way to further help him break free from his trauma induced by that horrible island. One can only hope… But no matter what, we will be there for him. Thought Moira to herself as she used a letter opener to open up the envelope.

Pulling out the letter from within, Moira would read through it and find herself wishing she hadn't of indulged in any sort of curiousity! Even resorting to pinching herself as what she read couldn't be true! But grimacing when the pinch revealed she wasn't dreaming! Frowning to herself, she re-read the letter again and began to wonder if this was some sort of prank! As honestly, what on Earth could Oliver have possibly done while believed dead for 5 years to be awarded the Distinguished Service Cross from here in America, the Order of Dr. Sun Yat-sen award from Republic of China, and Russia's Order of Saint Catherine the Great Martyr! Moira highly doubted her son would get these just for surviving 5 years on an island! Nor could it possibly be seen as 'services rendered' either as that was just absurd! Tearing her eyes away from the letter, she looked at the ceiling and did something she hadn't done in a long time. "OLIVER JONAS QUEEN!" Screamed out the mother of two.

Knowing her voice would ring through out the entire Manor with no problems unless loud music was being played. Seconds later heard the thumping of feet as her son made his appearance with a worried look on his face as he raced down the steps. "Whatever it was, I had NOTHING to do with it. No matter what Thea or Tommy say." Oliver declared firmly.

"Or what Dig says too." He decided to tack on seconds later.

Hoping she would believe him as he was pretty sure he hadn't done anything to warrant his mother yelling for him like that! Moira looked at him archly for a moment. "And that does NOTHING to comfort me, Oliver."

Damn. Well, the Cops aren't here so it can't be about Hood business…

His mother then shoved a piece of paper at his chest. "Is there something you want to tell me where that's concerned?" She asked him archly.

Confused, he grabbed the piece of paper from her hands and began to read it. The contents of it greatly shocking him moments later and even causing him to pale some. A reaction his mother took notice of! Tearing his eyes away from the letter, he stared at his mother. "There is… There is no way this is real." Oliver began firmly.

If he could have, he would have put this all on Tommy but there was no way his best friend could have known anything about Hong Kong and Russia. His mother continued to stare at him through narrowed eyes, making him rather nervous and he didn't like it! As HE was supposed to be the one making people nervous damnit! "I'm… Gonna go make a call."

Oliver hurried off with his mother following him as she wanted to hear this! And had he been paying more attention and the like, he would have ensured his mother didn't follow! Moira hid on the outside of the door of the room he had gone into and listened patiently and intently as he made his phone call. "Its me."

"I found it on Google." He said seconds later in a sarcastic if somewhat cold voice seconds later.

Which shocked Moira to hear from him of all people. "You can bitch about me having your number later, alright? I need to know if this letter is some screwed up joke of yours."

"You KNOW EXACTLY what letter I'm talking about! The one from the Government telling me I've been awarded for services to the country, China, and Russia!" He said seconds later in an agitated voice.

"How the Hell did HE find out!? You're supposed to be good at keeping secrets and all that crap!"

Curiouser and curiouser…

"FILING ERROR!? HOW THE F**K DOES THAT HAPPEN!?" Exclaimed her son and making her wince at the harsh language.

As she and his father had taught him better then that when discussing matters, no matter how unpleasant with other people! A groan could be heard from her son after hearing the response from the other end. Said response making the mother of two rather curious! "Do you, or him for that matter have ANY idea how much of a bad idea this could be!? It could put those I care about at risk!"

Well, there's something to keep me up tonight. Thought Moira a bit worriedly.

"Then there'd better be a Hell of a lot of security detail then, Waller. As you know ANYONE could use this as a way to get back at me in some way." She heard her son say in a dark tone that sent a shiver down her spine.

"Yeah, right. See you then." Moira heard him grumble a moment later and then hung up.

She watched as Oliver hung his head with a heavy sigh. "Its gonna be a long week."

"So its true then?" Came his mother's voice as she came into the room.

Startling her son some as he looked at her with a wide eyed expression on his face. "Unfortunately." Oliver told her unhappily.

"Sounds to me like you've got A LOT of explaining to do then."

He grimaced at that and took a moment to think. "Wait a minute..." He said a few moments later.

"Yes?" Asked Moira in return, curious about what he was beginning to think of.

"Why exactly are you opening mail directed to me?"

His mother arched an eyebrow at him. "Considering it was the Government, you should understand the multitude of worries that swept through me, not to mention the scenarios that went on in my head when I saw it." Explained the Queen Matriarch smoothly.

Oliver stared at her for a moment, thinking that over until he realized she had a pretty good point given his past before the Island. "Right. I'm… Gonna go bash my head into a wall for awhile. Maybe I'll end up waking up and this will have just been a nightmare."

"Well, don't hurt yourself too badly then. Dinner's in an hour." Came the response, not really expecting him to do it at all thanks to her years of familiarity with his dramatics and the like.

An unintelligible noise came from him as he walked off with her watching and then shook her head. I have a feeling things are going to be getting a little wild where this Awards business is concerned… Thought the woman to herself.

But considered the likelyhood of it being fairly favorable for the company and the family name! Or so she hoped anyway!

Author's Notes: Heh heh… This is gonna be fun! And happy 4th of July everyone!