A new story! Set in the Arrow world; More Cannon than the Immortal Ianto Arrow verse.

It's already set up in my head to be a trilogy!

Be sure I am not abandoning the other stories I have, I just need something new to jump start my lagging mind. This little bunny was a persistent bugger...

I'm sorry if you're sick of me writing for a triad relationship, I just really like the idea I guess... and writing it lets me explore it. So uh...kinda not sorry at all.

This is technically a cross over in that you will see Ianto and Lisa or rather they Portray Ifan and Liz, but that's it.

Oh yes! Many thanks to Awatere11. My personal Jack/Ianto guru; Luv yah dahling!

So without further ado...

ENJOY!

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He stood still as the city burned. His city; his Starling. Oliver and his group may never believe him; but he loved this place. Even if he chose to show it in an odd way. Didn't they understand; sometimes you had to destroy to save? Like a phoenix becoming dull and ugly. It needed to burn; before its beauty would shine anew. Malcolm sipped at his scotch; waiting for the call, he knew would be coming. Or at least it should have been. Thea could deny it; deny it all she wanted, but she needed him. It was only a matter of time; till she realized the truth.

His Mei would understand; she always did. She knew him so well. Keeping her, training her; was a whim and he'd never regretted the rash decision. He'd crossed her path; well after Rebecca and not to say he hadn't loved his Becca. Because he had; she gave him Tommy. His son had lacked conviction, but he wasn't meant for Malcolm's secret world. Rebecca's compassion had been too strong in the boy. The older Merlin smiled; Tommy, his one regret. His Undertaking; essentially his own hand, was to blame for his son's death.

He'd only found out after waking up on the other side of the globe. No one had seen the figure drag him off the rooftop that night. They didn't know to watch for her. His Assistant, always there, but never seen. Hell every good Magician had one; ever faithful, merely helping them to sell their illusion. And maybe 'Team Arrow' would never know his little secret. The only thing; besides Mei, that had saved him from the grief of his son's loss, was finding out. Discovering that his indiscretion with Moira. That night long ago; before he'd met his Tigress. That impulsive kiss; meant to be a comfort to them both had turned into more and had given him Thea.

Yes He loved them; all of them, in his own way. But Mei Lin was so much more than a love or a lover. It being, only natural; when she fell into his bed, as well as his heart. Their 'working' relationship more profound; than just a confidant or a friend. Eventually, she'd claimed a piece of his very soul. They trusted each other in a way others might not understand. They were equal and yet he was still her master, her Laoshi. Malcolm knew she would lay down and die if he asked it of her. It was the ultimate feeling of power and he'd only ever tested it once. It had been right after he learned; his great plan had claimed Tommy's life and he felt helpless and so angry.

She'd reached for his face as he cut off her air supply. Told him her life was all she had; she was happy, she could at least give him something. Mei Lin had passed out eventually and once Malcolm realized she was no longer looking at him. Without fear or hurt in her eyes. He realized there had only been love, acceptance, and…trust, shining through. He had promptly let go and then burst into tears. Begging her not to leave him as well.

He'd nearly strangled her and she simply held him as he cried. She'd understood; she always did. He'd promised then; A vow; to himself as well as to her, he swore he'd never lose himself like that again, no matter what happened.

The older Merlin turned to see his Tigress calmly watching him. Vibrant Jade eyes following his turn. She was good; almost too good, even he hadn't realized she was there. Not immediately anyway. Mei stalked forward, her bare feet making no sound. Well almost bare; purple silk ribbon wound under her feet and up her calves. Reminding him of when he'd taken her away from a horrible fate. If he looked; he'd see it wind up, as far as her neck, just like it did that destined night. She wore a short silk crème colored robe to hide the fact though. He turned back around as she reached him. A near silent hum of approval; rumbled in his chest as she ducked into his side. "The fire rises, Laoshi." Mei Lin mused; as she watched with him. The almost lyrical quality of her tone; a soothing balm to his conflicted mind. "Starling will see. She will rise with it and she will be clean and new." She added confidently.

For a moment; he again wondered who she was, before he'd claimed her. Before even her original captors had taken her. He called her his very own China Princess sometimes. She didn't react too badly, anymore. She maybe even liked it. Mei had cried when he'd said it first. And he assumed, it was because she thought he was calling her, spoiled. Had he been wrong? She sounded so... So regal, just now. Like she was speaking to her people and not just him. Had she been being groomed for some higher purpose, than this?

"You worry too much Laoshi. That time is passed. It should stay in memory. It was not meant to be." Mei Lin sighed; looking up at him. Calm determination laced her subtle features. He'd always appreciated her quiet beauty. None of the 'in your face' primping; he often found in the gold diggers of the high society world. "You are my purpose now. What you walk, is the path I choose." She added; feeling his body heat seep into her skin.

He squeezed her tighter as the flames raged on. "Took me a while to get over the fact you call me, old." Malcolm chuckled; taking another sip of scotch. The literal translation of Laoshi is 'old teacher'; he was more than a little miffed when he found 'that' out. Sensing his anger; she'd tried to explain. In Asian culture calling someone old was more about their knowledge than literal age. Though the two unfortunately; usually corresponded more often than not. She promised to stop; if he truly hated it that much. He found he actually; liked hearing her say it, too much to have her stop. She was trying to show him; he was someone she trusted and that she would let him lead. She wasn't trying to mock him.

"Merely a sign of respect. Like Lord or Sir." She smiled; running her hand along his chest; his hand trailed along her back in turn. Suddenly she surged up to her toes and kissed him. Helping him set the scotch on a side table as she continued the connection and he started to respond. His hands threaded into her hair. The raven black almost blue and so, so soft. He pulled her closer; sort of feeling the surprise the robe was hiding. "You need to go save her Malcolm, she's in trouble. I'll be here waiting. For your return or your instruction, should you need to leave." She stated; kissing him softly twice more.

He sighed and nodded; his hands over hers as they cupped his cheeks. Even if Thea rejected him. At least he'd tried. Mei Lin was never wrong when she had a vision. He just hated that Thea needed more than knowing she was his blood; for her to come to him willingly. Mei helped him into his league gear. Giving him, her green vile charm, for luck. He almost ruined her surprise with his parting kiss; his hands sneaking to the tie on her robe. She stopped him just in time however, and he grinned, mischievously. Then like a puff of smoke Malcolm was gone and she went back to the kitchen. Making tea for herself before heading to their bedroom.

TBC…

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Please Review and let me know what you think!

I see around 5 or 6 chapters for this one.

The second story our players worlds will collide. (Dun dun Dunnn)

Third... they may just crash Ollie and Thea's party. ^^

HEART YALL