Neighbors

Sara grew very curious of the new neighbor she had acquired. For a week, since her neighbor moved it, she hadn't seen a single glance of the person outside those doors. She hadn't heard much, except from footsteps and silent whispers, assuring her that there was indeed someone living there.

She wondered if that person knew she was waiting on them. She has a hunch that her new neighbor could be the breacher, but she could just be paranoid or overly excited for an adventure.

Bobbi had been very cautious since she moved in, but she noticed how her neighbor couldn't mind her own business. She knew she has to do something, because she knew how suspicious she may already seem to her neighbor who might be watching her door, waiting for her to come out.

Her neighbor's actions are as suspicious as hers, but it's not like she can't handle herself. And besides, she can't hide in that apartment forever, if she wants to get back to Hunter.

Bobbi timed herself when she heard footsteps coming down the hall, that's when she made her way out her door. She could feel the curious gaze the blonde woman was giving her. She waited if the woman would acknowledge her presence or simply ignore her.

Sara was surprised to come across her neighbor in the hall. She might as well have thought that she was avoiding her or any other person for that matter. She contemplated on how to go about with the encounter. She decided to engage with her neighbor, since she had peaked her curiosity.

"Hey! You must be my new neighbor." Sara smiled brightly at Bobbi, extending a greeting hand.

Bobbi shook her hand and returned the smile. "Oh. Yes, I moved in last week."

"I was wondering if there was an actual person in there, since I hadn't seen you out."

"Yeah. Maybe you just miss me when I do."

"Yeah. Maybe. I'm Sara, by the way. Sara Lance."

"Claire. Claire Johnson." Bobbi gave a false name, she couldn't be too careful. She was still a wanted fugitive. She can't afford being identified by anyone.

"Nice to meet you, Claire. If you need anything, just knock."

"Okay. Thanks, Sara."

Sara wasn't buying it. She could tell something was off about her, she just can't pin point what it was.

Bobbi could tell that Sara was suspicious of her. Well, could she blame her. She was the one hiding out next door to woman for a week. Bobbi went off to buy somethings she could use to get a hold of Hunter without being traced. She wandered off to research more about the city.

She found out its location, but it did not make sense, since she knew what city should have been there. The more she learned about the city she was in, the more confused she was on the situation she got pulled in. How was she going to go back to Hunter, if the place she is in is someplace she never knew existed? Where on earth is she?

Sara took the time Bobbi was out to go through Bobbi's apartment. She grew more suspicious, when she saw that there were a number of counter measures to know if someone snooped inside. Sara knew too well how to get around them like she was never there. She scanned through what little belongings she had. A number of clothes, furniture that came with the place, but nothing personal. She didn't turn the place up side down, because she wouldn't have time to put everything in place before her neighbor gets back. She went back to her own apartment and let her suspicions stew. She knew she has to know more about this mysterious Claire Johnson. She smiled, thinking that even that might not be real.

Bobbi got back to her apartment and checked all her hidden traps. Nothing seemed to be amiss, but she still felt someone was there. It was either, she was being paranoid, or that person was really good. She was growing frustrated of all her efforts going futile. How could everything be so mundane and familiar, but eerily foreign and supposedly nonexistent? Then another thought came to her that might explain everything that was happening. All of it isn't real. She is only in a dream state of some sort. But she is living every minute of it, how could it be? Everything makes sense, but doesn't at the same time. She is seriously fucked up.

A knock came to her door, clearing her head a bit of all the confusion. She answered it and saw Sara on the other side.

"Hey, neighbor." Sara greeted with a sweet smile.

Bobbi thought of how unexpected Sara seemed to her. She looks so sweet and naive to be living at a questionable area, but there is an aura of strength and confidence resonating from her.

"Oh, hi. What can I do for you?"

Sara thought it would be a great plan to get to know 'Claire' by posing as a friendly neighbor.

"I just thought since I now know you do exist over here, maybe you'd like to join me for a bite."

Bobbi wanted to refuse. She has no intention of making any connection of some sort with anyone, but she was getting nowhere. Maybe she could help her in getting answers about the city that shouldn't exist.

"Sure. Let me grab my jacket."

They went to a diner blocks away. The place was not crowded, which suited them both. Sara frequented the place, because the food is good, and no one really bothers her when they recognize her as the White Canary.

They sat at a corner booth, isolating them from the rest of the diner. A waitress approached them as they scanned through the menu. She gave Sara a welcoming smile.

"Hello, beautiful. I see you brought a friend."

"Hey, Sally. Yeah, I thought it might be nice for once."

Sara adored the older lady. She had always been so nice and sweet. She would sometimes start a light conversation, but never pry. She enjoyed how she would talk about how much her lovely niece and how she looks up to the White Canary. She tells her those stories as if she was just another person, and not the White Canary herself.

"What can I get you, lovely ladies?"

"I'll have a burger with fries, and a chocolate milkshake."

"I'll have the same, except for the shake. Just water." Bobbi stated after Sara's order.

"That's no fun. Get her one too."

The waitress then left before Bobbi could even protest.

"So, Claire. What brings you to Star City?"

Sara leaned in forward with her hands clasped together on the table, as she carefully assessed the woman sitting across from her. Bobbi almost forgot of the name she had given Sara. She thought of her answer, since it would determine the flow of conversation.

"A fresh start, I guess." It was an open statement that could start a series of questions, but what could she really say to that? She was dragged through a portal to a city that she thinks doesn't even exist?

"I think you're in the wrong city. Not a lot of people come here for a fresh start. Maybe in Central City."

Yet another city Bobbi has no clue about.

"Then why are you here?"

"This is home."

"So, you can tell me more about this wrong city to start fresh in."

"Sure. I can show you around."

Their orders arrived and Bobbi realized that she had barely eaten since got there. Sara persistently continued with the conversation as they go through their dinner.

"So, where are you from?"

"Somewhere that would make me want a fresh start." Bobbi hoped that would let her know she doesn't want to talk about it. Sara may seem trustworthy, but Bobbi can't be too careful. She can't just let her guard down.

"Okay." That assured Sara that there was definitely something to uncover. "So, what do you plan on doing here in Star City?"

"I don't really know, yet."

"You plan on staying a while? I could hook you up with a job."

"What kind of job?" Bobbi pretended to be interested, since that was what someone looking for a fresh start would do. Get a job to support a living.

"Bartending. Or waiting. My friend owns the club. And I work there."

Sara plans on getting more time with her to fully understand the mystery of her. A step would be making sure she is out of that apartment of hers from time to time, additional would be if they work together. They had reopened the Verdant, though kept the former underground base beneath it closed. It was the only job she didn't mind doing, when she's not out and about being a hero.

Bobbi thought of it. She needed a source of income. Her resources were fairly limited when she arrived. And she suspects it won't last a few more days. But working at a club might be a problem. There would be a huge crowd, meaning more chances of getting recognized.

"I don't know if it's my scene."

"You don't like parties?"

"No. Partying, sure. Working it? Not really."

"It's easy. Not much to do other than serve drinks to already intoxicated clubbers."

"I don't know."

"Okay. What can you do? Maybe I can help you find some place else."

What else could she do? Bobbi wondered what indeed. She is excellent at beating people up, surviving immense amount of torture, utilizing numerous types of weapons, but that's not something you tell a total stranger.

"I have a degree in Biology." She then remembered.

Sara was surprised with the information. What could someone with a degree in biology have done to need a fresh start? She didn't doubt the information, because that's not a detail you just come up with about yourself.

"Really?"

"I know I don't look like the scientist type."

"Not really."

They both let out a laugh. They decided maybe the other wasn't so bad after all.

"My friend owns this company. It's a tech company, but they also do bio-tech, I think. Maybe you'd want to check it out?"

"You sure do have a lot of rich friends. Are you sure you're in the right neighborhood?"

"Yeah. Trying to be the rebellious daughter."

"I see. Then, you work at a club. I say it's working well?"

"You can say that."

When they both finished their burgers, fries and shakes, they have also warmed up a little to each other, but still with reservations. It's just been a day after all.

"Should I talk to my friend, then?"

Bobbi was still unsure. She thought her degree in biology would make Sara's efforts waver, but she underestimated her connections. A tech company could be a problem. It means security background checks, thus Bobbi blowing her cover. But if she could get inside, she could get access to technology that may help her in contacting Hunter. She decided it may be worth the risk.

"Okay. Sure."

The morning after, Sara dialed Felicity's number, as she made herself a cup of coffee.

"Hey, Sara. What can I do for you?"

"Why do you assume I need something?"

"Don't you? And it's too early for a friendly call."

"Okay. Did you get anything on the woman in the footage?"

"Still nothing, but you know that already, because you know I'd call you right away when I get something."

"Okay. I need a favor."

"Shoot."

"I need you to hire my new neighbor."

"New neighbor? How long have you known this new neighbor?"

"I met her yesterday?"

"And you want me to hire her? Are you crazy, woman? What do you know about this person?"

"Not much. That's why I need you to hire her."

"What's her name?"

"Claire Johnson, but I don't think it's her real name."

"Seriously, Sara?"

"She seems nice."

"Damien Dahrk seemed nice, but turns out he was a total nutso out to destroy Star City."

"Well, he was very suspicious even from the beginning."

"Your neighbor isn't?"

"Please, Felicity?"

Sara begged. She knew Felicity won't be able to resist her any longer, despite her better judgment.

"Okay. Bring her to the office this afternoon."

"Thanks. Don't tell, Ollie."

"No way I'm telling him I'm hiring a possible psycho."

Later that afternoon, Sara accompanied Bobbi to Palmer Tech, though Ray had returned from being presumed dead when his atom suit exploded, he still hadn't returned to the company, but Felicity still kept the name to honor his work. Sara noticed how observant Bobbi was of the security measures. She saw how she logged every exit, every camera, and the number of security guards in her head.

When Sara mentioned her friend owns a tech company, Bobbi didn't think it was the one with a big name across it in the middle of the city. She was definitely worried. She scanned for every possible exit, whenever she may need to make her escape.

They entered Felicity's office, where they found her rapidly typing off on her keys. Sara cleared her throat to get her attention. Felicity looked up, bewildered, then pasted a smile on her face.

"Oh, Sara. Hi. This must be your friend." Felicity moved out from behind her desk to greet the two ladies joining her. And she didn't want them to see what she was working on. The moment Sara and her neighbor walked into the building, she had run her through facial recognition, but no hits so far.

"Yes, Claire. Claire Johnson." Bobbi introduced herself, smiled and extended a hand, which Felicity shook. "Felicity Smoak."

Bobbi could sense the hesitation in Felicity's gesture. What could Sara have told her? Or is she like that all the time? Then she noticed that Sara was positioned as to close off the only exit from the room. Maybe she was the one being paranoid.

"So, what is it that you can do, Claire?"

"I have a degree in biology." When Felicity raised her a brow, she continued. "I know I don't look like a scientist."

"No. But I also don't look like a CEO of a huge tech company." Felicity stopped herself from babbling nonsense nervously. "Well, our biotechnology division isn't much, but we could probably have a spot for you." Felicity thought that their biotechnology department was pretty much nonexistent, but Sara asked for her help, so she would deliver.

"Okay. Thanks." Bobbi was curious that she didn't bother to ask for any credentials or documents of any kind. "That's it? You don't need anything?"

"Sara vouched for you. She's a very dear friend. She asks, I help with no question."

Bobbi didn't believe how trusting they were being? She just had to be on high alert. She could tell something's up. At least they still haven't identified her and called her out to the authorities.

"Okay."

There was a beep from Felicity's computer, signaling a hit with the facial recognition. Bobbi saw the shared look Sara and Felicity gave to each other, making her tense.

"You can have a tour of the building tomorrow before you get started." Felicity mumbled trying to dismiss them, so she could look at the results.

Sara and Bobbi made their way through and out the building. Bobbi still unconvinced.

"Is Felicity always like that?"

"Like she's on the verge of a nervous breakdown? Yeah. It's quite entertaining and adorable at times."

Sara tried to take the suspicion off Felicity. She knew how jittery she could be at such situations, but she was telling the truth. It's kinda normal with her to be like that.

"I see."

Felicity waited for Sara to let her know that she was alone, they don't want to tip her off that they know she was lying. Sara called her when she got back to her apartment, and Felicity sent the details to her laptop.

Barbara Morse, the name read.

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