Leaving behind Starling City was an easier choice than Sara Lance expected it to be. Of course she would dearly miss her father, mother, and Laurel. Roy had promised to look after Sin for her but that was not an easy goodbye for either of them. Sara would even come to think fondly on the time she spent with Oliver, Diggle and Felicity. Still, Ra's demanded her return and Sara found that largely, she looking forward to it. Nanda Parbat was a place unlike any other. The Tibetan air was soft and sweet, fragranced with honeysuckle and lilac. Wind rustled the long blades of grass and fanned her face. Every part of this place was inviting, shrouding her in its warm embrace. A gentle hand grazed Sara's shoulder as Nyssa slid past, "Welcome home, Ta-er al-aster."

Nodding mutely, Sara pushed her pack higher up on her shoulder as she headed down the dirt road that led from the airstrip. Ra's al Ghul insisted this mountain retreat be a sanctuary for his family: the League of Assassins. In addition to many spots to reflect and find her center, there were extensive training facilities at her disposal. The League had shaped her into everything she was today; whether that was a good thing or a bad thing remained to be seen. Dragging a hand through her blonde hair, Sara stepped into the small apartment that had been assigned to her. It was clean and functional. There was minimal furniture, including a kitchen table with two chairs, a threadbare sofa and nightstand sitting beside the bed. In the far corner of the space there was a small kitchenette with a refrigerator and a radio.

Dropping her satchel onto the table, Sara flicked on the radio and smiled. Leave it to Tibet to be playing the worst hits of the eighties. Cranking the radio higher, Sara started up the modest shower in the bathroom—eager to wash the day's grime off of her. The journey had been long and harrowing and the hot water sluicing down her body was a welcome relief. She took care to wash her hair and her body, lingering over a livid cut on her shoulder that she'd sustained in the tunnels when they were fighting Slade's Mirakuru army. Sara swore as she fished out a piece of metal that had somehow gotten stuck in the wound. The deep laceration stung terribly and Sara was fairly sure that it would require stitches…even now she wasn't sure that she had fully cleared the debris.

A thundering knock at her door dragged her out of her thoughts. Quickly she stepped out of the water and found a robe in the closet. Belting it around her waist, she grabbed her katana from its sheath and peered through the peephole. All reason left her when she found a man darkening her doorstep. The pounding continued, followed by more muffled yelling in Chinese. Throwing the door open, Sara dodged a blow that never came as she grabbed the man by his shoulder and slammed him against the opposite wall. "Let me make this clear, I don't have a cup of sugar for you to borrow and if you're selling something, I'm not interested!"

"Sara?"

For the first time, she actually looked at the assailant who had intruded on her solitude. "Malcolm?" Sara didn't drop her weapon or loosen her grip in any way. She frowned markedly, "Aren't you supposed to be dead?"

"I could ask you the same question," Malcolm replied, remaining relaxed despite the weapon in his face. He did not fear Sara Lance…nor did he fear death. He stared her down, watching beads of water drip from her long blonde hair and trickle lower. The robe she wore gaped open, affording him an unobstructed view of her creamy skin and generous breasts; not to mention the cut that wept blood through the white terrycloth. "You're injured…"

"You're a regular Sherlock Holmes…" Pulling back from him, she gritted her teeth in discomfort. "What exactly are you doing hammering on my door? Didn't anyone ever teach you not to bother your neighbors, particularly in a building filled with assassins?"

Malcolm's lips curled into a secretive smile, "I have work to do, Sara, and I don't appreciate you blasting Duran Duran in the middle of the afternoon." Reaching for her, he easily deflected the blow she aimed at his chest and dragged her against him, "You are in no condition to best me today, Canary. I've got a kit in my room. I'll be right back…" True to his word, he walked a few paces to his room and came back with a cloth med kit that he'd clearly pieced together himself. "Sit," He commanded. Flicking off the radio, he took the initiative to smash it into several hundred pieces before turning to his work, "Where were we? Ah yes…your shoulder…."

Sara glared at him, "You're a dick." Malcolm's touch was gentle as he peeled away the bloodstained robe. Malcolm took a pair of glasses from his pocket and slid them on his face; it made him look sophisticated and fatherly. Licking her lips, she swallowed, "If you want to play doctor, you need to tie me down. Because I'm pretty sure there's something stuck in there and if you go digging around without anesthetic," Which of course he would, "I'll kill you."

Briefly, Malcolm peered at her. Her ice blue eyes were red rimmed, she'd possibly been crying…although knowing Sara, she was likely exhausted. Her jaw was set and her hands tightened. "Lucky for you, my first aid kit comes with a set of handcuffs," He pulled out the metal rings and grasped her wrists. Gingerly pulling her hands behind her back, he cuffed her. "And because it's you," He pulled out a rope and wrapped the remaining rope around her trunk and legs to immobilize her.

"Smart," Sara replied but gave him a look that clearly said 'don't read into that'. Her stomach began to twist at being tied. She hated Malcolm Merlyn of all people having control, but she couldn't deny that she needed help.

Malcolm washed his hands thoroughly and then sat down across from her again. Furrowing his eyebrows, he leaned closer. "There's definitely still a piece of shrapnel embedded in the wound." Grabbing the forceps, he peered at her. "Don't move, Sara." With one quick yank he removed a twisted piece of metal from the wound bed and then placed gauze over the laceration to stem the bleeding.

Stifling a cry, Sara shut her eyes tightly and let out a string of curses that culminated with, "Mother fuck!" She took a deep breath, watching Malcolm's lips quirk into a smile. "You're actually getting off on this, aren't you?" Fighting against the cuffs and the rope, her breath hitched in her throat at the pain. This was why she had him tie her; she wasn't thinking rationally.

"Seeing you in pain brings me no pleasure, Sara," Malcolm replied as he cleaned the wound and applied a small amount of a salve that he'd concocted himself for deep wounds such as this. Packing the wound with gauze, he placed a bandage over it with expert precision. "I'm simply admiring your colorful word choices. Very creative," He smirked again. "Keep the wound covered; change the bandage every day or when it becomes soiled. Put this ointment into the wound when you do the change." Malcolm placed a small glass container on her table. "In a few days, you can sew it up."

Now that the wound was dressed and she was calmer, Sara felt exponentially better. Gingerly, he slipped the rope from her body and leaned over to unlock the handcuffs. His breath was warm and sweet against her neck. Suddenly there was a new heat that wound through her as she turned to peer at him. Now that she was free, she made quick work of readjusting her robe over her naked flesh. "Thank you…" She said quietly, "I appreciate your help." Malcolm went to open his mouth but she stood quickly, "This doesn't even the score. You tried to kill Oliver and you put my sister in danger. If you think we're going to be buddies, you've got another thing coming."

Malcolm's smile widened, "I wasn't under any delusions that we're friends, Sara. People like us don't have friends. We have allies. And you and I aren't that either." Sara had never been one of Tommy's friends. She was older than Laurel and wise beyond her years. Seeing her now, all grown up, was quite the change. She had hardened with time but kept her humor and the brightness in her eyes. Sara was tainted by the world and yet became stronger for it; he admired that in her. "Think of this as an apology for accidentally damaging your radio…"

Sara snorted, "Oh yeah, you accidentally slammed it against the counter ten times." Rolling her eyes skyward, she took the salve and placed it among her meager belongings. Wrapping an arm around her waist to keep the robe closed tight, she licked her lips. Malcolm made no move to leave the space she called home. He stood there; his cobalt eyes sweptover her as if he was trying to read her soul. It was unnerving. Shifting slightly, she cleared her throat, "I trust you know your way out."

The moment was shattered as Malcolm quickly zipped up the pack over his shoulder. "If it gives you any further trouble, I'm right down the hall." Sara simply gazed at him. He took a step out and then paused, "Sara, if you're staying here, there's something you should know."

"Oh? And what's that?" Sara raised an eyebrow. A streak of movement out of the corner of her eye caused her to be on high alert. She tensed, ready for a fight but Malcolm grasped her good shoulder to hold her back.

The shrill voice of an angry teenager filled the hall, "Ollie sent you after me, didn't he? Well, I'm not kidnapped, I'm fine. I'm sick of being weak!" Thea stomped down the hall, her head held high in determination. "Don't you dare tell him I'm here or I-I'll—"

"Thea, do not finish that sentence!" Malcolm commanded. Sara was off-balance as it was. One little push and she could go hurtling off the edge. Even wounded, she was one of the fiercest fighters he'd encountered. Ra's was thoroughly impressed with Sara as well. Ra's and Malcolm's friendship was a tenuous one but it was built on mutual respect. Malcolm wasn't going to screw it up now that Sara had finally returned to the fold. "Go back to the apartment and continue your training as I instructed you to."

Thea was clearly nonplussed. "I thought we might actually get to do some practice today. I'm sick of textbooks and theories. I want—"

"What you want and what you need are two very different things, Thea! If you wish for Sara to call your brother to bring you home then by all means, continue to complain." He frowned with all the ire of a displeased father and she pouted. "I just don't want to give up now," Thea said softly. Malcolm smiled gently, "I will not allow that to happen. Please, return to your studies and allow me to speak with Sara in private."

Sara watched the scene unfold in a stupor. She could hardly believe that any of this was happening. Dragging in a ragged breath, she pushed Malcolm hard, "Jesus Christ, are you out of your mind!?" Sara rounded on him, "You haven't made Oliver angry enough so you decide to abduct and brainwash his sister?" She shook her head, "What's your plan here? Train Thea and then dump her into the League where she'll be killed or worse? She's a little girl! Not much older than I was when I was forced into this life. It's not right."

Malcolm was silent a moment, "Thea is not being coerced, Sara. Nor is she a prisoner here. She lives in constant danger in Starling City. I'm simply arming her with the ability to protect herself from those who would see her dead either because of her family name or Oliver's extracurricular activities."

"So what? You decided to seduce her and drag her off to the Tibetan mountains—"

"Thea is my daughter!" Malcolm thundered, tugging Sara tightly against him in a moment of anger. He didn't bother with gentleness now…but it seemed she preferred it that way. "There is nothing untoward going on here." It had been so long since Malcolm had a woman this close; certainly not one as comely as Sara. He realized the minute that her body pressed against his that he'd made a grave mistake. She smelled like lavender and wildflowers. Her skin was soft and warm; she was still slightly damp from her shower. His heart skittered in his chest and he peered down at her. His tongue darted out to wet his lips and he fought against the crushing urge to kiss her.

Shock coursed through Sara at the raw, primal reaction her body had to being in Malcolm's arms. Maybe it was the sleep deprivation or blood loss but she instantly succumbed. Her body molded against his, feeling the heat of him burning against her skin. For the longest time she simply stood there, awaiting his next move. It would be so easy right now for him to undo the robe at her waist and let it fall away, leaving her naked and wanting. Sara swallowed hard; she had to remember that this was Malcolm Merlyn. The man who had dreamed up the Undertaking and set it in motion, had tried to kill Oliver, and now he was corrupting Thea's innocence with assassin training. Still, it took all the strength Sara had in her body to pull away, "I didn't know."

Nodding curtly, Malcolm let the first aid kit drape downward to cover the evidence of his arousal. "Yes, well…now you do." He took a step back, "I simply wish to live in peace, Sara. Nothing more, nothing less…" He took her curt nod as acceptance as he stepped back. Lumbering back down the hall, he turned into the doorway and cast one last glance at her soft, feminine form in the hallway. Steeling his spine, he entered the apartment and closed the door behind him a bit more forcefully than was necessary.

Sara let out a breath that she hadn't known she was holding. Stalking back into her room, she closed the door behind her and locked it tight. Resting her forehead against the cool wood, she shook her head. What the hell had just happened? Clearly, she was losing her mind. What she needed was a good meal and some sleep. Since she had nothing but half a candy bar in her bag, she decided that rest was the better option. Slipping into the bedroom, Sara pulled back the covers and slid into the waiting bed. The exhaustion of the final battle against Slade's men and the trip caught up with her and Sara fell into a deep sleep. Wondrously, her subconscious dragged her into her deepest fantasies where all she could feel was Malcolm Merlyn's hands splayed at her waist and his mouth ravaging hers in a brutal vie for dominance. The dream was hot, sweet, and pleasant. In sleep, Sara smiled.

Welcome to Stars Fall Silent. I've written two other stories in the Arrowverse, Thicker than Blood and Lightning. I like to switch it up and push the envelope. I like exploring dark characters and these two really struck me as a pairing that I get behind. This will follow Arrowverse canon but there will be some DC canon woven in. Like, I bet some of you didn't know that Nanda Parbat (where Malcolm trained to the the Dark Archer) is the home of Ra's Al Ghul and the League of Assassins. I think it's a strong possibility that in Season 3 we're going to have some Sara, Nyssa, Thea and Malcolm interactions there up in the Tibetan mountains! This is my take on things.

If you want more of this fic, please review. Reviews are how I know how I'm doing. I do this for free and reviews are my reward for my hard work. So please, it only takes a second to let me know what you think.

BIG shoutout to my Beta JustVisiting80 who is realllly patient and lets me be all dark and scary with my fics! You can read HER amazing fics for Star Crossed and the 100 on her page. SHE IS AWESOMETASTIC, let me assure you.

Look forward to taking this trip with you! Please reivew!