SUMMARY: Short takes place the day after Oliver's "accident" in Year's End. Helena hears the news and reacts.

A/N: I love Helena and hope that she'll return very soon. Because I was hoping to see her when Oliver was hurt and was sorely disappointed, I had to do something about that. I own none of the characters and only borrowed them for a brief moment. Hope you enjoy.

HELENA'S REACTION

"Oliver Queen Survives Again!" The headline jumped out at Helena Bertinelli as she passed the front desk of the hotel where she'd holed up in Gotham after leaving Starling City and her breath held. Oliver!

Grabbing the paper, she settled on a bench outside. She read the article outlining how Oliver had been hurt in a motorcycle accident. Knowing what she did about him, the story made no sense. There was no way Oliver could have been hurt as the story described. Something happened and she needed to know what.

She knew that Diggle didn't trust her, but she didn't care. Helena had to know that Oliver was really alright. After the way they left things, she couldn't call Oliver directly. Luckily, Oliver had given her Diggle's number just in case they ran into a problem out on one of their . . . patrols.

While she waited for the call to connect, her last conversation with Oliver ran through her mind. He had told her he cared for her and she'd denied having any feelings. She'd lied. He was the first man since Michael that she'd cared for . . . in fact, he was the only other man that she'd fallen in love with. Oliver was the only man who understood her and wanted her . . . all of her . . . and she'd screwed it up.

Apparently, while Oliver had out grown his immaturity and become a good man, she was the screw up now. She'd been angry at Oliver because he stopped her in her tracks, but he was right all along. Her mission wasn't righteous. It was all about revenge and now what? What was she supposed to do with herself? She had no idea and right now it didn't matter. The only thing that mattered was Oliver.

"Diggle," the heavy voice answered.

"Is he really okay?"

"Who is this?"

"Is he really okay?"

"Helena?"

Realizing he wasn't going to give her any information without identifying herself, she finally answered, "Yes. Is he okay?"

"He'll recover, but it was close."

"What happened?"

"Motorcycle accident."

"No," she replied, "What really happened?"

She heard the sigh before Diggle answered. "A run in with another archer. He's the most dangerous criminal Oliver has faced."

"What can I do? How can I help?"

"Look . . ." She heard him sigh. "We don't know each other, but since I'm Oliver's . . . associate and I'm aware of your methods, I can't think of a thing you can do."

"You're right, you don't know me." She stopped herself from saying something she'd regret. This was about Oliver. "Oliver is important to me."

"Me, too. If you care about him, you'll do what's right."

Suddenly, Helena was clear on what was right. Honesty. Oliver was the only one she could be honest with and she'd lied to him. To his face.

She didn't know if she could release the anger at her father or fight the feeling of wanting him to pay with his life, but she couldn't blame Oliver for doing was he thought to be right. Her father would be reminded every day of the fact that he own daughter was instrumental in bringing him to justice. The more she thought about it, the more the punishment appeared to fit the crime. She had to tell Oliver that and she had to do it now. Glancing at the phone, she replied, "You're right. Thanks."

She ended the call and quickly moved to her bike. Without further delay, she climbed on and turned it toward Starling City. She had a date with the Starling City Vigilante and didn't want to delay. Helena knew that she owed Oliver and she meant to make good. She just hoped he would let her.