Disclaimer: I do not own Arrow; otherwise the last two seasons would feature a lot less Felicity.

So, this is the sequel to A different goodbye. After some time, I've decided to write this. Now, there are some changes I've made to the season four plot, aside from the obvious departure of Felicity. Some of the changes you will learn as you read but there are some things you should know right off the back. Firstly, Oliver still suffers from his PTSD. This is mainly because I find it ridiculous and idiotic that a relationship with Felicity magically cures him of it. The things that happened to him in those five years are not something that you just get over, if you ever get over them. Any psychologist worth their degree can testify to that. Second is that Oliver and Laurel live at the loft and Thea has moved in to her own apartment. Finally, there will be no Momma or Papa Smoak in this story, not at all.

Updates will be irregular because after Laurel's death, I deleted all episodes of Arrow prior to that episode off my DVR I was so angry. I do not currently have access to season four and my cwtv connection is a little sketchy.

Oliver and Laurel's loft

Morning

Oliver sat up in bed, managing to control his breathing. Trying to calm his heart rate, Oliver looked over to Laurel's side of the bed to see her gone. Hearing footsteps, Oliver looked up to see Laurel walk in, dressed only in one of his shirts. Even after all these years, she still took his breath away just by walking into the room.

"I made breakfast," Laurel smiled before frowning at his appearance, "nightmares again."

"The Amazo. Watching Sara drown. Stabbing Slade in the eye before the ship flooded." Oliver said tonelessly.

"Ollie, maybe you should…talk to someone?" Laurel suggested carefully.

"A shrink? And say what, that I'm having nightmares about my five years away where I was a hitman, a spy, and a Russian mobster?" Oliver asked as he got of bed and put some pants down, "raises too many questions."

"I know, I just…I hate not being able to help you through this." Laurel said.

"You do, just by loving me," Oliver walked over and kissed her, "Laurel, I'm never gonna stop having these nightmares, but I can deal with it."

"okay," Laurel reluctantly agreed, "so, wat are your plans for the day?"

"I have a meeting with the board of directors who want to decide if I am worthy of reinheriting my family's company." Oliver said blandly and Laurel winced.

"That bad huh?" Laurel said sympathetically.

"Let's just say I can't wait for tonight." Oliver sighed.

Star City

Night

Two motorcycles pursued a truck. One was ridden by Black Canary with Speedy tagging along while the other was ridden by Green Arrow. As two armed men in masks emerged from the open back and began firing at them, the two motorcycles swerved to avoid the bullets.

"This is so cool!" Speedy shouted.

"Did the definition of 'cool' change while I was away?!" Green Arrow asked.

The motorcycles drove up on either side of the truck. Speedy shot an arrow on the side of the truck and used it to get up on the side of the truck and then swing so she had entered the back. As she started to fight them off, Green Arrow spotted one sneaking up on her. Notching an arrow, he shot it into the guys shoulder and he fell off as he lost his balance.

"I saw him!" Speedy protested as she fought off the others.

"Sure Speedy, whatever you say." Green Arrow said nonchalantly.

As Speedy was knocked down by one of the men, he heard someone one the roof. Spartan jumped down into the truck and shot the man in the shoulder, causing him to go down.

"You two are up." Spartan ordered.

Black Canary rode up to the rise and threw an explosive at the back tires. As it exploded and the truck was forcedly pulled to a stop, Green Arrow rode up to the front to confront the driver. Before he could, two vans rode up and out stepped multiple man in the same uniform.

"Damn it they had backup." Spartan cursed as Green Arrow notched an arrow.

The four vigilantes were forced behind the side of the truck when the men opened fire. As the cargo was loaded up into the van, Green Arrow shot out from behind the truck and fired an arrow. As he snuck back behind the truck, the arrow seemed to harmlessly hit the side of the van, so the man didn't pay too much attention to it. In no time at all, the crew drove off.

"Damn it, they got away." Spartan cursed as they emerged from behind the truck.

"No they didn't," Green Arrow said as his teammates turned to him, "I don't miss, you guys know this. Your lack of faith is hurtful."

"…the arrow was a tracer arrow." Spartan deadpanned and Green Arrow smirked.

"They've been interfering in our missions for weeks, why just stop one group when we can stop all of them?" Green arrow suggested.

Arrow Lair

Later

"Anyone get eyes on the cargo?" Diggle asked as they walked down the stairs.

"Seemed like equipment containers to me." Oliver pointed out as he went to the computer and brought up images, "scratch that, weapons. Kord industries is one of the biggest weapons manufactures in the world."

"How about your tracer?" Diggle suggested and Oliver went to work.

"…it's dead," Oliver said in disbelief, "either my tracer is outdated or these Ghosts are smarter than we thought."

"So what do we do now?" Thea asked and no one seemed to have an answer.

"Dig, in your military days, did you ever have to go on a reconnaissance mission?" Oliver suddenly asked and the other three suddenly looked at him.

"Oliver, what are you suggesting?" Diggle asked uncertainly.

"We've been failing against these Ghosts because we've been trying to stop them. How about instead, we try and follow them next time. Maybe they'll lead us to their leader." Oliver suggested and Diggle seemed to mull it over.

"It could give us a break in the case." Laurel suggested and after another moment, Diggle nodded.

"Okay, next time we see them; we stay at a distance and follow them." Diggle decided.

Sorry this is so short, next chapter well probably be a little on the short side as well but the chapter after that will get the ball rolling. Please leave any thoughts or comments In a review, feedback is greatly appreciated.