Disclaimer: WB/DC own these characters. I do not, just the original ideas.

AN: I began this when we first got those first hints about the showdown between Oliver and Ra's al Ghul. Now that we have received previews for next week's episode, this story will be more AU than canon. However, I will share this first chapter because I am kinda proud of it anyway.

This story is my version of how the showdown between Oliver and Ra's could have occurred, and what the Arrow team might face in Nanda Pandat. And just to let you know, Ra's daughter(s) may be appearing as well. And possibly their acquaintances from other comics as well. Hope you enjoy and please let me know what you think!

It was to be a fight to the death.

Oliver had tried everything to avoid this confrontation. It was inevitable, however. Him against Ra's al Ghul. On his estate. In his castle. Giving him the home advantage.

But it hadn't started that way. Instead, a week ago Nyssa had come to Oliver with a message from her father, Ra's al Ghul. "My father states if you don't find Ta-er Sah-fer's killer in forty-eight hours, he will kill everyone in Starling."

The threat was ridiculous. The Arrow team had only been attempting to find those answers for the past two months, and now they were threatened to solve the mystery in two days? Ridiculous. However, they tried, but without success.

So, Nyssa had reluctantly brought him to her father, in Nanda Pandat, and here they were. After Oliver had explained the situation to him, Ra's refused to listen.

"If not their lives, then yours."

A servant brought two swords to Ra's, offered one to his master, and the other to Oliver. In the split second allowed, Oliver realized he had no choice. He cleared his mind of anxiety or fear, for the battle ahead. He only thought of defeating the man in front of him. The two combatants greeted each other, and the battle began.

Oliver was good, and fast, and deadly. However, Ra's was better, faster, and more deadly. The battle ended with Oliver on his back with Ra's sword against his neck. And a change in the ultimatum.

"Come join us. Or die."

Oliver steeled himself. He wondered if this had been Ra's intent all along. However, he couldn't willingly agree to work with the person who was called the devil. "I choose Death. I will not serve someone like you."

Two of Ra's men were suddenly at his side. Ra's withdrew his sword from Oliver's neck, and the two men pulled Oliver to his feet. Oliver struggled but was unable to get free. Ra's towered over him, and repeated his invitation.

Oliver met Ra's' gaze unflinchingly. "My answer hasn't changed. I choose death."

"Even if it means death for everyone else in Starling as well?"

Oliver closed his eyes. He was sure Ra's would follow through on his threat, and attack his city. The faces of his family, his friends…his team…flashed through his mind. His Felicity. But he just couldn't do it. He couldn't do whatever it was Ra's had in mind for him to do. He won't align himself with that kind of evil. Not again. He had barely survived his time with Amanda Waller; he would not, could not, do it again. Oliver took a deep breath, swallowed hard, and gave his answer.

"I still refuse."

A look of anger flashed in Ra's eyes and was quickly gone. "Take him out of my sight. Make him comfortable. I will see to him later."

Comfortable. In other words, he would be placed in chains. Ra's guards dragged Oliver down the hallway, down stone stairs to what would be called a dungeon, complete with iron cells, chains and manacles. Oliver was brought into the cell at the end of the hall, manacles placed around his wrists and ankles, chaining him to the farthest wall. He watched as the guards left, in silence and not meeting his eyes.

Three days he saw no one. He had nothing to eat or drink either. Typical will-breaking behavior. Oliver expected nothing less.

He was then brought some food, after the third day by the same men who had brought him to the dungeon. They unlocked Oliver's left wrist. He was given the clichéd bread and lukewarm water to rinse it down. Oliver attempted to engage them in some conversation, but without any success. He was told to hurry up and finish eating. When he was finished, Oliver was then again manacled, and the guards left.

He was left alone for another three days. Again, without food or water. He attempted to keep up his strength by doing some calisthenics in the cell. The chains had some leeway, mainly so he could relieve himself as needed in the pail within reach.

On his sixth day of captivity, he was drifting in and out of sleep when he thought he heard a familiar click-click of heels. Forgetting where he was for a moment, the sound brought comfort to him. Then he remembered, and his eyes shot open.

There she was. His Felicity, being "escorted" towards him by two guards. She shrugged off the hands of the guards and rushed to the cell. Gripping the bars, she took in the sight of him hungrily.

"Oliver, oh Oliver, there you are! You aren't dead. We've been looking for you for so long."

Struggling to his feet, Oliver asked, "Why are you here?" Forgetting himself, he stretched out for her, but was unable to reach her due to the chains.

"She is here to give you one last opportunity to change your mind, Mr. Queen." The chilling voice of Ra's al Ghul came from behind her, catching both Felicity and Oliver by surprise.

Felicity gave a little yelp as a large sword was placed at her neck, below her chin. "You see, Mr. Queen, your assistance is very much requested. I can no longer take no for an answer."

"Not for me, Oliver!" Felicity said, but gave another little yelp when the sword pressed a millimeter closer into her skin. She closed her eyes and tried not to panic.

"Why, Ra's? Why do you want my help when you know I absolutely do not want to do this?"

"Now that I have found the perfect 'encouragement' I can be reassured you will do your best for me." Ra's pressed the sword again into Felicity's neck. "What is your answer?"

Oliver sighed deeply and met Felicity's eyes again. He gave a small nod to encourage her, and then looked at Ra's. "Okay. What do you want me to do?"

Felicity attempted not to cry. She knew Oliver didn't have any other choice, but…it hurt just the same, to be used once again as a means to manipulate Oliver.

"To prove I'm not totally unreasonable, we will move you to a room upstairs. You and Ms. Smoak can eat supper together there. Then of course, she will be moved to her own quarters to stay until your assignment is complete."

"What?"

"You didn't think I would just release your 'encouragement', did you? Or keep her within your reach? But don't fret, Mr. Queen. We have an assignment for Ms. Smoak as well, to keep her occupied while she waits."

They were led upstairs, but weren't allowed to walk next to each other. Oliver walked behind Ra's, with a guard on either side and behind him. Felicity followed with several more guards. When they had reached a room in the middle of the corridor, nowhere near stairs or windows, the door opened to reveal a luxurious room with carpet, drapes, and bed coverings all in red velvet.

"Enjoy your visit. We will be bringing some supper soon. If you like, Mr. Queen, you can freshen up in the adjoining bathroom."

Ra's and the guards leave. As soon as the door closed, Oliver began to search around the room for possible bugs or cameras, looking under furniture and behind pictures. He gave Felicity a look to encourage her to begin with her questions. Who knew how long they would have to talk?

"I'm sorry, Oliver, we were just trying to find you, but they found us instead."

"Us? Roy and Diggle with you?"

Felicity's brave façade cracked a little. "Yes, we were all here. I don't know what happened to them. We were separated right away. I was brought straight to you."

Oliver stopped looking around the room and closed his eyes for several seconds. He took a breath and then met Felicity's eyes.

Suddenly Felicity's façade totally gave way. "I'm so scared, Oliver. I tried to ask where they were, but they refused to answer me. It's possible they're out there, working on rescuing us, but…"

Oliver enveloped her in his arms, and felt comforted by Felicity burrowing her head into the crook of his neck. He rested his chin on the top of her head. They stood there for a while, comforting each other, when Oliver thought he better speak. He whispered in her ear, "I'm sure there are bugs and cameras here. I just haven't found any yet. So let's try not to show all our cards, but we still need to talk."

Felicity closed her eyes. She had never been so afraid. All she had read about Ra's al Ghul only added to the terror. And now she was being used as "insurance" to force Oliver's cooperation. She tried to tell herself the results would've been the same without her here, that Ra's would've found some other mean forcing Oliver's cooperation, but it didn't make her feel any better.

The hug barely ended when they were interrupted by a knock on the door. It opened, revealing two servants bringing in a cart and several trays. The servants quickly arranged the cart into a serving table, brought over two chairs, and indicated the two vigilantes to sit. Taking their leave, the servants closed and locked the door again behind them.

"I suppose we better sit and eat." Oliver stated.

"Can we be sure we should eat the food?" Felicity asked. "I mean, who knows what is in the food? Or drink? Should I drink some wine? You know how I get after several glasses? Is there something else to drink?"

Oliver allowed her to ramble for several more minutes, soaking it all in. It was also for her, because her rambles often were a self-soothing measure for Felicity herself. He led her to the table, and they started to eat.

"So…you have no idea what happened to them?" Oliver asked.

"No, I didn't hear anything. We landed in Nanda Pandat last night, took one last look at the schematics, and made a plan. Which failed miserably." Felicity put her fork down, and shrugged. "Well, I'm not sure. That part did, at least. The part where I was grabbed. I was supposed to provide surveillance…."

"Where were they when you were grabbed?"

"They were approaching the compound. I was in the van outside."

Oliver decided not to panic. There was a chance they weren't captured...yet. He wished his team hadn't attempted to rescue him, but wasn't surprised they had.

"Were you able to gather any intel which would give us an idea on what 'missions' Ra's might have for either of us?"

"Nope," Felicity said, popping the 'p' in her typical fashion. "I can't even begin to guess what he might want from us."

They finished their meal in silence, each in their own thoughts. Oliver noted it had been thirty minutes so far. He wondered how long he would be able to have Felicity here with him, safe.

At that moment, the door opened. Ra's entered, followed by three more guards.

"I hope you have enjoyed your visit. I do apologize, but it is time for Ms. Smoak to take her leave."

Felicity looked at Oliver in alarm. They hadn't had time to discuss much of anything. She noted the tic in his cheek, his tell for when he was distressed.

"This is non-negotiable, Mr. Queen. If you both behave, we can discuss further opportunities for you to spend time together. Just not any more tonight."

"It's alright, Oliver." Standing up, Felicity approached Oliver and gave him a kiss on the cheek. He grabbed her into a hug, catching Felicity off guard. He whispered, "It'll be all right. Just do what he says. Don't try anything. Please stay safe, that's all I ask."

Pulling away, Felicity looked at Oliver. "You too." She gave him her special 'stern Felicity' look.

Oliver smiled at her and nodded. He then looked at Ra's. "She better stay safe."

"As long as she does what she is supposed to do." Ra's pointed to the door, and Felicity left, with a lingering look at Oliver as she went out the door. Several of the guards followed her. Ra's, however, turned back. "Rest for now. Your training will begin tomorrow. As well as getting updated on your mission here." Ra's left, with the remaining guards behind him. Oliver heard the door being locked.

Oliver sat on the bed. He wasn't looking forward to the days ahead. He couldn't think of what exactly Ra's would ask him to do. However, he had been such a position before, so this shouldn't be new to him. He thought wryly it couldn't be any worse than some of the things Amanda Waller had him do in the past. He thought those days were long past for him.

And whether or not he liked it, Felicity, and possibly Diggle and Roy, were also involved. He definitely didn't like it at all.

AN: Thank you for reading. Please leave a review if you are so inclined, it is most appreciated.

(Revised 05/04/15 mostly for removing bold printing throughout.)