"Uhh" the pained gasp escaped Diggle's lips as he slumped heavily against the wall. The familiar burning pain began to spread through his shoulder. He could quickly tell that this time was different as the world began to spin. He watched increasingly helpless as the green hooded figure came toward him, effortlessly slipping his own arm around his shoulder.

Diggle tried to fight against the darkness, his sister-in-law's warning echoing in his head. He couldn't give in yet. He tried his best to walk as he was being led away. He felt himself being slung onto a cold, steel table. The next thing he knew his head was being titled up and a vile liquid was being poured down his throat. It burned, causing him to cough. He forced himself to swallow. He felt as the last bit of his resistance slipped away as darkness consumed him.

Oliver turned from the computer screen, tracking the police chatter of the aftermath, hearing a slight moan coming from Diggle.

Diggle opened his eyes slowly. It felt like it was taking all his strength just to open them. He blinked several times trying to get his bearings and remember how he ended up here. The images came slow at first, but quickly speeded up.

His years of training kicked in, telling him to get up. He tried sitting up, but the quick motion made him roll to one side as the room began to blur and spin again along with lightning pain shot through his injured shoulder. He groaned pushing through the pain to fully sit up. He watched as his charge, Oliver Queen, slowly came into focus fully clad in a green leather outfit.

"Headache?" Oliver asked a note of concern in his voice. Receiving no response he continued, "You'll probably have a headache for a while. I patched up the bullet wound the best I could."

Diggle looked over pushing his shirt aside with his good arm, examining the bandaged area below. "Didn't know you were a doctor? How long have I been out?"

There are several things I have learned over the past five years." Oliver said knowingly. "You've been out for several hours."

I see that you have." Diggle said.

"Yes, but I think you had already figured that out. "Oliver spoke, his arms crossed over his chest.

"Well, I was pretty sure you didn't get lost going to the bathroom."

"No, I didn't." Oliver said a hint of a smile on his face.

"So, this is where you have been disappearing to." Diggle said, looking around.

"I have a mission to fulfill." Oliver said. "I think you know something about that."

"Oh, yeah." Diggle said. "I've seen that look in a lot of men's eyes. Yours included. I know what it takes to be able to do what you have done. There's not many people who could throw an unweighted kitchen knife like you did and accurately hit a moving target. "

"I have had a lot of time to practice." Oliver said flatly.

"No, there's more to this than that." Diggle said. "I don't have to know that."

"There's something you don't need to know?" Oliver asked.

"I'm paid to protect you." Diggle answered. "Not crawl inside your head. Now, I just know where to look – or not look."

"I could use some help." Oliver said with a little effort. "I need you to protect my family and keep them out of my way."

"You're not going to tell them?" Diggle asked.

"It's better that they don't know."

"You're going to clean up this city?" Diggle asked.

"I intend to keep my promise."

"Then, I am going to help you." Diggle extended his hand firmly shaking Oliver's.

A/N: This is unbetaed. So, all mistakes are mine. Also, I wrote this before watching the this week's episode. Hope you enjoy.