Disclaimer: I do not own Arrow.

So, here is the finale chapter. Please keep a look out for the sequel to this, 'The Arrow and Canary year two'. Thank you for everyone who has review, followed, or favorited this, your support has been greatly appreciated.

Starling City Cemetery, one week later

Afternoon

The weather seemed to reflect the mood as storm clouds loomed over the funeral. It seemed as though the heavens themselves were crying as the pallbearers carried the casket to its place on the ground. As they walked away, the priest walked forward, a bible in his hand.

"A life that hasn't had a chance to fully grow, a life that hasn't filled out its purpose in this word is a life that has been taken from this earth to soon. Mr. Queen, I believe you wanted to say a few words." The priest said as he looked out at Oliver in the crowd.

Oliver gave Sara's hand a quick squeeze before he stood up from his seat. Oliver walked towards the front of the crowd and turned around to face them as the priest gave him room. Oliver cleared his throat before he started to speak.

"In all my dreams, I never thought I'd be here. I knew Tommy Merlyn for what feels like our entire lives. He was my best friend; I loved him like a brother. Everyone here knows about Tommy's less than stellar reputation, but he was much more than a billionaire playboy. He was a great friend, a caring brother, not just to me but to my sister Thea as well. He was a surprisingly hard worker, a compassionate believer in kindness and justice, and a fierce protector of those he loved. I'd like to believe that if the person who shot Tommy knew the kind of person he was, he wouldn't have shot him, instead he would have helped him get my daughter and sister in law to safety. But I also know the kind of things that vengeance can do to someone's mind, so I just don't know. This city will be a darker place without Tommy Merlyn, may he find a better place in the great beyond." Oliver said as he took a deep breath.

There was not a dry eye in the crowd as Oliver made his way back to his seat. Oliver sat down and Sara took his hand and leaned her head on his shoulder as the priest gave Tommy last rights.

Oliver and Sara's loft

Night

Oliver, Sara, Laurel, Diggle, and Quentin sat at the kitchen table, untouched glasses of scotch in front of them. Roy had taken Thea back to his place hours ago, which on any other day, Oliver would be unhappy about but he let it slide this one time. Sara had put Shado to bed not too long ago, and the young girl didn't fight it, sensing the sad atmosphere in her home.

"Ollie, Sara…what happened to Tommy wasn't your fault." Laurel said quietly, the first words she'd spoken since the funeral.

"Thank you for trying to make us feel better sis but yes it was." Sara said as she ran a hand over her face.

"We should have acted sooner, we've known about my mother's involvement for months. If we'd acted sooner, we could have prevented this and because we didn't', Tommy died." Oliver said his voice full of self-loathing.

"Oliver, Sara, what you're feeling is survivors guilt. You two did the best you could and Tommy died because of Malcolm's actions, not yours. I get it, I've dealt with my own share of survivors guilt, but it is not your fault." Diggle told them.

"Enough of all this sad crap, I think we've all had enough of that," Quentin said as he picked up his glass, "I propose a toast: to Tommy Merlyn. May he rest in peace."

"To Tommy Merlyn." Laurel and Diggle raised there glasses.

"To Tommy Merlyn." Oliver and Sara mimicked them.

After a while, Laurel, Quentin, and Diggle wished Oliver and Sara goodnight and left. Oliver and Sara were on the balcony, looking over the city.

"I think we need to get out of town for a while," Oliver said suddenly and Sara turned to him surprised, "things are bound to get tough here and Shado shouldn't be here to see that. She's spent most of her life afraid, she shouldn't be afraid of where she lives to. She deserves to be happy where she lives."

"I agree. Where should we go?" Sara asked curiously.

"I don't know yet. How about we just drive for a while and see where we end up?" Oliver suggested and Sara smiled.

"I like that idea," Sara said as she leaned her head on his shoulder, "what are we gonna tell our family?"

"Tell them…that we're taking Shado away from all this for a while. We're doing what we think is best for our daughter." Oliver said firmly.

Before anyone asks, no, they are not taking Shado to Lian Yu. That is just bad parenting. Please leave any thoughts or comments in a review, feedback is greatly appreciated.