Author's note: I OWN NOTHING! NOTHING BELONGS TO ME!
Chapter 1
Oliver Queen looked at his watch, his eyes following the second hand of the Rolex. He was oblivious to the bright flashes of light and the gaggle of voices around him. All he could think about was getting the hell away from all these people.
"Mr. Queen could you comment on the current state of Queen Industries? What's your secret behind your multi billion dollar success?" a voice interrupted him. His eyes didn't leave his watch and as soon as the second hand of the Rolex landed on twelve Oliver stood up. He gave a small smile to the reporters and nodded to his assistant.
"I'm sorry but I have an urgent matter that I need to attend to but thank you for your time" he said and all the reporters began asking questions at once. Ignoring them, he followed his assistant out to the black Mercedes that awaited him.
"Where to Mr. Queen?" his driver asked.
"Comet swimming complex please Jack" he said.
"Sure thing Mr. Queen" Jack replied and soon they were off.
000
Oliver entered the swimming complex sticking out like a sore thumb. Although he had discarded the coat of his black Armani suit he still looked like he belonged anywhere else but at a swimming complex. Although it was the swimming meet of the private academy that he sent his children to, he still looked a little overdressed. He loosened his tie and unbuttoned the top button of his shirt. Smiling he made his way to the spectator stands while rolling up the sleeves of his shirt to his elbows. He climbed the steps two at a time and when he got to his destination he smiled at the people waiting for him.
"You're late" his wife jibed as she kissed him on his cheek.
"Did I miss it?" he asked looking worried for a second and she shook her head laughing lightly.
"You're just lucky that Jack's such a good driver or else you'd be in trouble mister" she said poking him playfully in the chest.
"Oh come on Chloe, you know I'd have made it by hook or by crook" he replied raising his eyebrows at her and she simply rolled her eyes.
Looking past his wife, he spotted the other loves of his life grinning brightly at him. His elder two children greeted him with a "hey dad" while his youngest greeted him in a way that was entirely different.
"DADDY!" she squealed.
"Hey Kieran, Kayla" he said waving at them and immediately his youngest child Kira made her way towards him nearly tripping over her mother in the process.
"Hello daddy" she said and climbed onto his lap.
"Hello darling, how's my big girl doing?" he asked ruffling her brown hair.
"I'm good daddy but mummy was going to have a fit if you showed up late because she knows how much Kael was counting on you to be here".
"Well I'm here now, where is he?" he asked looking down at the pool trying to spot his youngest son.
"Look daddy, over there!" Kira squealed excitedly and bounced up and down on his lap pointing at a boy with blue trunks and a blue swimming cap.
"Oh I see him" Oliver replied and waved at his son.
Kael grinned and waved back, and then he turned ever so slightly and began waving to the rest of the family. Oliver leaned forward and caught his wife, Kayla and Kieran all waving at Kael. Oliver looked at Chloe and his four children. Kieran Clark Queen was the eldest of the four Queen children. Standing at a height of nearly six feet he was almost as tall as Oliver. He had his mothers blue green and his father's looks and physique. Not to mention skill. Oliver found it hard to believe that eighteen years ago Kieran was a small wailing, pooping baby and now here he was nearly a man. Then there was his eldest daughter Kayla Louis Queen, petite like her mother but stoic like her father. Despite her uncanny physical resemblance to her mother, Kayla was very much like Oliver. She had the same determined expression on her face every time her parents had to go out at night. In fact from the age of four onwards Oliver was pretty sure he'd never seen Kayla cry. She was not the crying or tantrum throwing sort, but was rather very much immersed in her own world. Oliver was rather surprised when recently on her sixteenth birthday she had asked him to sponsor a child in a village in India instead of getting the dirt bike that she'd previously wanted. Oliver had caved and he'd ended up sponsoring two hundred children from a village, even going as far as to taking Kayla there to see what her birthday present was. Not to mention that he bought her the dirt bike as well.
He glanced at his youngest son Kael Kal-El Queen who was doing some warm ups by the pool. Kael was the sort that preferred to blend into the background rather than stick out. The wealth of the Queen family didn't impress him at all. In fact he rather detested the fame and the fortune that came with being a Queen. Oliver was concerned and at times thought his son was too quiet but his wife assured him that Kael just liked his privacy and preferred to be alone. Oliver was pleasantly surprised and pleased when Kael started displaying signs of inheriting his mother's gift. He remembered like it was just yesterday when Kira decided to have a tea party with her dolls using a real tea set made of china. One accidental knock of the elbow had sent the tea set flying to the ground. While trying to pick up the pieces little Kira had accidentally cut herself. Kael who doted on his little sister's every whim rushed out of his room when he heard the loud wailing. The deep gash on his sister's palm alarmed him and Oliver wasn't sure how or when it happened but a faint orangey glow emitted from his palm healed the crimson split in Kira's skin. His little one was so shocked that she stopped crying at once and buried her head in her brother's chest. When Oliver and his wife had rushed onto the scene Kira immediately told them what had happened looking awed and wide eyed at her brother initiating him as her new hero.
It was only then that he realized that Kael was different from his other children. Although what had surprised Oliver was that unlike his mother, Kael didn't seem to be showing any signs of weakness when he healed people. Oliver didn't know why it was such but perhaps it was because Kael was young and thus had an abundant supply of energy. Nevertheless he was pleased at his son's new found gift but Kael didn't seem too surprised or excited. In fact he didn't seem to be bothered at all, nor did he think anything of it and life carried on as per normal.
Then there was Kira, his dear, darling, precious baby Kira. The four year old was a real livewire and constantly kept her parents on their toes. She had a real knack for getting into trouble and needed to be watched. Although Oliver knew he wasn't supposed to have a favorite child, he couldn't help but be drawn towards his youngest. He had come to the conclusion that it was mostly because she reminded him so much of her mother. She had the same sharp, inquisitive mind and the same chatty trusting nature as her mother that Oliver liked so much. Although her personality mirrored her mothers, she was very much her daddy's girl. With dark brown hair and sparkling green eyes Oliver was sure he'd have to beat the boys off this future heartbreaker with a stick. Or maybe he'd shoot an arrow or two at them. Whatever the cost, he was going to hold on to his baby girl for as long as possible.
"Daddy" Kira called drawing him out of his thoughts "Kael's about to race" she said pointing at her brother with vigor. Oliver watched as his son stepped onto the diving board. He felt his heart skip with anticipation and he kept his eyes trained on his son.
"Competitors take your mark" echoed a voice from the speakers and Oliver leaned forward in his seat.
"BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP" came the sound of the air horn and the swimmers plunged into the water.
"GO KAEL GO!" Chloe shouted.
"COME ON KAEL!!" Kieran yelled getting to his feet.
"GO KAY! FASTER! FASTER!" cheered Kayla.
"I LOVE YOU KAEL" screamed Kira and then she turned to Oliver. Noticing him watching her with an amused expression on his face she placed her hands on her mouth and giggled. But pretty soon even Oliver was joining in.
"THAT'S IT KAEL, YOU CAN DO IT" he yelled and watched as his son who was currently second, trying to catch up to the swimmer in the lead. The competitors still had another lap to go in the hundred meter pool. As he reached the fifty meter mark, Oliver watched as Kael's head banged into the wall of the pool just as the lead swimmer kicked the wall to turn back causing a very slight disturbance in the water. He looked around to see if anyone had noticed but no one seemed to show any signs of noticing Kael's little accident. He watched as his son shook his head slightly and turn back to complete the race. He picked up his pace and swam as fast as he could but his little accident had cost him any chance he would have had to win.
As Kael's fingers made contact with the wall of the pool, Kira let out a loud "YAY".
"WOOOOH!" yelled Kieran and the Queen family cheered rambunctiously.
Something wasn't right; Kael kept shaking his head and trying to get himself together. Oliver saw him lift up his swimming cap and place his right palm on his head, although he couldn't see very well from his position he was sure that Kael was healing himself.
At the prize presentation ceremony Kael stood on the block just below the champion. He had after all come in second place. Oliver observed his son from the stands, noting that his son looked emotionless but Oliver knew him better than that. Kael's hooded eyes were screaming his disappointment and anger loud and clear.
"Our last prize presentation for the annual school swimming meet of Star academy is the boys under sixteen hundred meters freestyle" the presented announced.
"In third place we have Thomas Hartnett" the presenter called as the academy's principal placed a bronze medal around Thomas's neck. "In second place we have Kael Queen". The Queen family cheered loudly and Kieran wolf whistled. Whispers broke out and people were looking at Kael whose head was bent down with his cheeks flushed. He didn't like attention drawn to him, especially the kind of attention he received for being a Queen. "And in first place we have Alexander Luthor the second".
Oliver and Chloe's heads whipped sharply in the direction of the champion. Oliver gritted his teeth at the boy that resembled his father. Now he'd really have to talk to Kael. Lex Luthor's son at Star academy? What on earth were the Luthors doing in Star City? There was something in the way that Lex Luthor's son was gloating that made Oliver think that Kael's accident was deliberate. He watched as the gloating boy bent down and whisper something in Kael's ear, smirking. Kael remained expressionless but Oliver noticed his son's fist clench and realized that the Luthor kid must have said something to bug him. Oliver looked around to see if the bane of his existence was anywhere about and he spotted Lex sitting next to his wife. Lex as if feeling Oliver's glare on him, turned and stared back at him with equal intensity.
"I'm also pleased to announce that Alexander Luthor the second has broken the record for the timing of this event" the presenter announced and loud applause followed. Lex smirked at him and Oliver forced himself to look away before he did something irrational.
After the prize presentation ceremony, the Queen family waited for Kael to get changed before they ambushed him. Kira was the first to congratulate him. As soon as she spotted him coming out of the change room with his duffle bag, she launched herself into his arms.
"Kael, Kael, Kael" she squealed and hugged him tightly. He laughed lightly and she buried her head in his chest.
"Hello princess" he greeted and she pouted.
"I'm not a princess, I'm a Queen" she stressed and he burst into laughter.
"And I'm King" he replied back smiling broadly. Kira frowned and her tiny brows furrowed.
"No, you're a Queen too" she replied and he just laughed, shaking his head.
Oliver and the rest of the family walked over to the two of them and he was glad to see Kael smiling. Kira often had that effect on people; she cheered them up without knowing what she was doing.
"Well done Kael" Chloe congratulated and hugged her son, kissing him on the cheek.
"Yeah well done bro" Kieran said nodding his head approvingly while meshing his fist with Kieran's in a greeting.
"Nicely done Kay" Kayla said as she hugged her brother.
"Your uncle AC would have been so proud" Chloe said.
"He was rooting for first place though" Kael replied with a shrug of his shoulders.
"What matters is that you did your best" Oliver said patting his son on the back. "And we're all so proud of you".
"Yeah, thanks dad" he replied none too enthusiastically.
"Now come on let's get some ice cream to celebrate shall we?" he asked and Kira let out an excited gasp.
"YAY!" she shouted and jumped up and down. Chloe laughed and ruffled her daughter's hair.
"Come on Kira" Kayla said laughing and she took her sister's hand and they walked in the direction of the car park.
000
To anyone else it would have looked incredibly strange to see a limo going through the drive through but to the Queen family it seemed like a perfectly normal family outing.
"So what do you guys want?" Oliver asked the family.
"A strawberry cone for me daddy" Kira piped up.
"Chocolate sundae for me please dad" Kayla said.
"I'll have a chocolate sundae too dad" Kieran said.
"So that makes one strawberry cone, two chocolate sundaes, two cappuccino ice creams for me and your mother, what about you Kael?" Oliver asked.
"No thanks dad, nothing for me" Kael replied and protests were heard from his siblings.
"But you have to Kael" Kira said looking shocked "it's your celebration".
"Yeah bro, it doesn't feel right if you're not having anything" Kieran added.
"No I'm sure" Kael replied "I don't really feel like ice cream right now".
"That's ok Kael, you must be tired after your race, don't worry about it" Chloe said smiling fondly at her son.
000
That night after his patrol, Oliver went to check on his kids. It was a routine that he had fallen into since Kieran was born. He had checked Kieran's room and then went to Kayla's room where her found Kira sleeping next to her sister with her thumb in her mouth. He shook his head suppressing a laugh, next was Kael's room. He made his way down the corridor and opened the door only to step into a room that was empty of Kael.
"Kael?" he called but his son wasn't there. Still decked in his green leather, he made his way downstairs where he knew Kael might be. Seeing a light on in the kitchen he approached and found his son sitting at the counter top with a tub of Ben and Jerry's, a silver spoon in his hand.
"Kael?" Oliver called as he approached his son.
"Hi dad, everything ok?" his son asked gesturing to the green leather.
"Yes everything's ok although I'm not sure I can say the same for you. What's bugging you son?" he asked and Kael looked a little hesitant to tell his father.
"You know you can tell me anything right?" Oliver asked trying to reassure his son. "You know I kept Uncle Clark's secret with me till today and I haven't told anyone about it. It was only after he decided to let you guys in on it that I was able to talk to you all about it. So I think it's safe to say I'm good at keeping secrets, if you don't want me to mention anything to anyone".
"I know dad" Kael said sighing as he spooned some ice cream into his mouth.
Oliver pulled out the stool and sat next to his son. "Pass me a spoon will you?"
"Here" Kael said handing over a spoon to Oliver.
"I saw what that Luthor kid did to you today in the pool" Oliver said casually.
"You did?" Kael asked looking surprised.
"I'm the Green Arrow, what do you expect?" he asked and Kael's lips curved into a half smile.
"Sorry I forgot. Nothing gets past you does it?"
"Not usually, so what happened out there?" Oliver asked as he took a huge mouthful of the ice cream. "I didn't even know, Luthor sent his kids to Star academy".
"Well Xander and I have always had this competition thing going on, since the day he joined Star academy".
"When was that?" Oliver asked looking thoughtful.
"Just a year ago" Kael replied. "Something like how mum happened to talk to his mum, because they used to be friends and then Xander's mum suggested to his dad that Xander go to Star academy because it's supposed to be one of the best schools".
"That's strange, why would Lex send his son all the way to Star academy when he could have just let him go to Met Private. Both the schools have the same standing academically. It doesn't make sense" Oliver mused.
"I know", Kael replied "and what was even stranger was that when Xander came to Star academy he seemed to know everything about me. What I liked and disliked, what my strong subjects were and what I was weak in and he seemed to do good in everything that I wasn't good at and he was better at everything I was good at. Then when he found out that I'd joined the swim team, he joined too. It's like he's out to outshine me in everything".
"That is strange" Oliver agreed.
"And then today he didn't want me to win. When I was underwater, Xander did something to me I'm not sure what and I just felt my head collide with the wall".
"What do you mean?" Oliver asked.
"I don't' know, some kind of blue light shot out of his palm and then I just felt myself go dizzy and knock into the wall. I'd never experienced anything like it before dad. The pain was agonizing and I couldn't see properly. I thought I was going to die, later I only felt better because I was able to heal myself. If I hadn't been able to heal myself, something tells me that I would have been dead by now. Although I think Xander's intention wasn't for me to live" Kael said solemnly looking at his dad with some sort of realization.
"I'm going to have to look into this" Oliver said and he put his hand on his son's shoulder. "But for now I think you need to sleep, you've had a long day and you need your rest. I'll have your mother check you in the morning". Kael nodded and got up.
As he was walking off he turned back to look at his father "what about the Luthors dad?" he asked.
"Don't worry about the Luthors Kael, I'll deal with them" Oliver replied. Kael nodded and with a "goodnight dad" he went back to his room.
Oliver sat at the kitchen a little while longer pondering over what his son had told him. There was always something fishy when it came to the Luthors and Oliver was going to find out what. He wouldn't let Luthor hurt his son, or any member of his family. That was his promise and he intended to keep it.
Author's note: Ok please let me know if you want me to make this longer into a full story. If you don't then I could just leave it as a one-shot. Please read and review! Thanks!