Hero x 3

Summary: Still playing with Arrow Team dynamics with hints of Olicity – Season 2 episodes are fair game. New Chapter 2 brings in Diggle's POV.

CORRECTION – My apologies for sending Barry to Gotham instead of Coastal City. Thank you, Redlioness62, for alerting me to the error in Chapter 1.

A/N – Thanks LightningPrincessR for giving me the idea for this one! I appreciate the review! I appreciate all the reviews, faves and follows! I can't believe I've posted 2 stories in my first week and now a new chapter! You guys are amazing inspiration!

DISCLAIMER – Never going to be mine but thanks for letting me play anyway!

Did she hug him? John Diggle took a second look at the text message from Barry. He had given the kid his cell number but he assumed he wouldn't use in unless Felicity was unresponsive and it was an emergency. As he continued to stare at the screen in confusion a follow-up message came up: It's Barry. Just wondering if Felicity hugged Oliver when he got back…I just need to know.

John knew Barry threw off the team dynamics but he also knew he had saved Oliver and the Arrow. John glanced at Felicity and Oliver who remained in deep discussion in his office so he stepped away and typed a reply. Yes

He wasn't surprised when Barry's next message quickly popped up. I knew it. Thanks for telling me.

John just put away his phone and took a seat on the couch. He didn't need to follow the QC business and Felicity and Oliver were clearly safe at the moment. Barry's text did force him to think a bit more about the current state of Team Arrow…all seems quiet now and that works for me, John thought as he sighed and relaxed into the couch. However, memories of Oliver's mention of new problems forced John back to attention and he turned to more closely analyze the other two thirds of Team Arrow.

Oliver is calmer and more focused with his ghosts gone…well, the ghosts and one Barry Allen gone – John chuckled quietly at his own understated thoughts. Glad to see it, buddy. We need to step up our training if you are right about a war coming our way. No soldier ever wants to actually fight but if I have to – I'm on the winning team. You brought me into this fight and I've got your back…black driver my ass, John snorts quietly as he continues to analyze Oliver.

Barry was right about the score though – we've won more than we've lost and we've gotten better. You are my partner and in war that means the person you trust with your life – no other explanation needed. We worked out our differences and you and I both know how this works.

You've still got a lot to work through to accept yourself – Ollie Queen and the Arrow are separate people in your mind. That third person thing you do is creepy but I know it's helping you deal. I respect that – respect and trust, we have that in spades and we have to keep it. Bromance, John involuntarily grimaces with the thought, is Felicity's word…

Shaking his head, John turns his focus to Felicity. Dressed brightly, gesturing with her hands and smiling, Felicity is clearly rambling. Probably inappropriately, John thinks with a smile. It's hard not to smile when thinking about Felicity - she's the light for the team but there's more there than just the bright colors, a quick mind and funny babbling. She's often their conscience too and that's not an easy place to be with him and Oliver. It's an ugly job we do with a lot more gray than black and white – Oliver and I have been through war but she's untouched so it's all new to her.

God knows, Oliver is still working through and accepting his role as a "hero". You haven't even realized the title applies to you, have you Felicity? John realizes suddenly as he continues to think about the IT girl. But you are accepting responsibility for the tough calls and are clearly willing to stand up to me and him though.

Remembering Barry's face while they stood toe to toe and argued about shooting him, John again laughs to himself. You and Oliver may not have worked out your relationship roles just yet but you have gotten better at yelling to make progress. John laughs softly to himself and again contemplates the two still working in the other office – their focused attention on the other and connection obvious even in this setting.

Hmmm, neither Oliver nor Felicity ever looked at Barry, or at me during that yelling match. I know it wouldn't have occurred to Oliver to yell at me now – it's that trust and respect thing. Not that he doesn't trust Felicity but he's comfortable with me, where we stand, so it's easy. He doesn't know where he stands with her…and probably doesn't even realize where he wants to stand. Oliver was jealous of our Ms. Smoak being smitten (he was such an easy mark for that one) but in fact, she was just comfortable with Barry, knew where she stood – even Barry seems to know the score there. I think Barry brought out more than Oliver's survival instinct when he woke up on that table.

Felicity suddenly grabs his attention as she fist pumps and nearly shouts "Yes!" Sometime during his internal analysis John had lost focus on the two and they switched places. Felicity was now seated at the computer with Oliver standing closely behind. After her impromptu celebration, John watches as Felicity turns and stands up to allow Oliver back into his seat. Oliver doesn't back up to allow her space so the two briefly make full body contact and freeze for just a moment longer than they should. It's easy to see Felicity blush, duck her head and tuck a stray hair behind her ear…however, she doesn't make any effort to get around Oliver.

For his part, Oliver simply gazes at her face with a soft smile. No playboy arrogance at flustering a potentially willing female, not a look of brotherly indulgence, no smug annoyance of a boss - just a soft, real smile. He gently touches her elbow and guides her past him as he then takes his seat.

John rolls his eyes…It was easier for us all when neither of you questioned your roles but the lines have blurred now and there's a different awareness. The energy was there from the beginning but neither of you were truly aware until now. You still haven't acknowledged it but you need to work it out for the Team to stick together. This could make us stronger but if it is unresolved then it becomes a weakness for all of us. It really does take all three of us for the Arrow and none of us can afford to allow anything to come between us.

"You're getting maudlin, man..." John mumbles to himself as he scrubs both hands over his face and takes a couple deep breaths to clear his mind. "Maybe they just need to get laid", John thinks out loud as he looks up to see both Felicity and Oliver staring at him strangely.