It seems everyone liked the new first chapter better. I hope you like this one. Leave a review and let me know.
Chapter 2
Five months after the death of Ra's Al Ghul
Oliver and Walter sat in the executive dining room along with QI's CFO Frederick Tuckman having breakfast. Tuckman was slightly overweight African American gentleman, who Robert Queen had hired as a young man and put him through his graduate degree. This was before profit and money became more important to him than those that worked for him. When Oliver started QI Tuckman was a natural fit in his opinion for the CFO position and Walter agreed.
"Oliver," Walter started the conversation, as the waiter finished putting their breakfast in front of them. Walter had an egg white omelet with turkey bacon, while Tuckman had two eggs over easy, sausage and hash browns and Oliver had two soft boiled eggs with toast and several slices of melon.
"Yes, Walter," replied Oliver, as he carefully cut the top of his soft boiled egg off.
"I have a morning appointment with Felicity and her EA. She would like to discuss a potential business endeavor between Palmer technologies and QI," Walter stated.
There were several things Walter knew about when it came to Oliver and one of them was Oliver and Felicity's affection for each other, yet something was keeping them apart. When she called about a meeting, she asked that Oliver not be there and Walter agreed. Another thing that Walter knew about Oliver was that he was the Arrow and now the Green Arrow. Oliver thought it best that Walter know this if he was going to go into business with him. Even with this knowledge Walter committed to QI. Now Walter had to tell Oliver about his agreement with Felicity.
"Felicity asked that you not be in the meeting," he stated then looked at Oliver sadly.
"Felicity Smoak, the CEO of Palmer Technologies?" Tuckman spoke up.
"Yes, Frederick, that's her," said Walter.
"Brilliant woman and so young to be a CEO. Young but brilliant. I remember when she worked in the IT Department at Queen Consolidated," said Tuckman.
After gripping the utensil so hard that it started to bend, Oliver put down the spoon he was going to use to eat his egg. The thought that Felicity was coming to their office and didn't want to see him took away his appetite. They still didn't trust him. He was starting to think they never would. Was getting rid of the Ra's Al Ghul and protecting Starling City worth this cost? He had to convince himself it was.
"No problem, Walter. I wanted to visit our two operating factories to see how things are going. I can do that this morning after breakfast," said Oliver.
"I hope you understand, Oliver, that I am acceding to Felicity's request," said Walter.
"I understand," said Oliver.
"She used to be your EA when you were CEO of Queen Consolidated," said Tuckman.
"Yes, she was," Oliver replied.
"Did you and her have a falling out?" asked Tuckman.
"We had parting of the way based on my dealing with a situation in a manner she didn't agree with, Frederick. It was all my fault," said Oliver.
Oliver took his napkin out of his lap and wiped his mouth. He looked at Walter then at Tuckman.
"Gentlemen, I need to let my EA know that we are going factory visiting today," he said then stood up. "Let me know how the meeting goes."
"Of course, Oliver," said Walter.
"Thank you, Walter."
Oliver left the executive dining room.
Arrow
Felicity and Dougie arrived in a limo along with her Head of Security approved bodyguard. Diggle forced her to take a bodyguard, which made her almost as protective as Oliver was with her. The bodyguard held the door, as she and Dougie entered QI headquarters. They headed over to the security desk.
"Miss Felicity Smoak and her EA Doug Morse," Dougie said to them, "we have an appointment with Walter Steele."
The security guard started to check the computer, just as the executive elevator opened and Oliver and his EA Naomi stepped off. Felicity immediately noticed Oliver and especially noticed how he led the attractive woman beside him by the elbow. She turned her head away and back to the security guard.
"Bennie," she heard Oliver's voice. Just hearing his voice made her waver on her stand to keep him at a distance until the whole team was ready to deal with their issues with Oliver.
The security guard looked up at Oliver.
"This is Felicity Smoak, the CEO of Palmer technologies. She has an appointment with Walter," Oliver told the guard. "Send them up on the executive assistant."
Felicity refused to turn her head and look at him. Just being this close to him and hearing his voice made her heart beat faster, she knew that if she looked at him she'd crack.
"Also, Bennie, I'm taking a tour of the factories with my EA. Can you have my Maserati pulled to the front of the building," continued Oliver.
"Sure, Mr. Queen," said Bennie.
Oliver could see Felicity didn't want to speak to him, so he took Naomi by the elbow and walked out of the building to wait for his car. Felicity along with Dougie and her bodyguard headed over to the executive elevator and got on it. She pressed the button to the top floor.
"I kind of like this building," said Dougie. "Do you know it's a landmark building and once was a hotel?"
"I knew that, Dougie," Felicity snapped.
Dougie Morse knew enough to remain quite for the rest of the morning.
Oliver felt his mood slipping in darkness. Felicity not even wanting to look at him hurt Oliver more than he expected. For three months she had refused his phone calls, but now she could even look at him. Naomi sat in his passenger seat afraid to even talk to him. Out of the corner of his eye he noticed how uncomfortable he was making her, so he took a deep breath and exhaled slowly releasing some of his tension.
"I have a complicated relationship with Felicity Smoak," he stated.
"I sort of heard about that," said Naomi.
"Really? What did you hear?" he asked.
"That when she was your EA everyone thought you were sleeping together you were so close," she said. "I almost didn't take your job offer because of the rumors."
Oliver glanced at his attractive passenger with a smirk on his face.
"We never slept together when she was my EA," Oliver stated.
"Really?" said Naomi. "The way her cheeks became flushed when you stood behind her I thought for sure you two had been... you know."
"We have a complicated relationship," he said, as he pulled into the first QI green manufacturing factory.
Oliver pulled his Maserati Coupe into the employee parking lot. He parked the car and he and Naomi got out. As they walked towards the entrance, the instincts he developed from years of being on the island kicked it. He felt as if he was being watched. Changing his pace he allowed Naomi to get ahead of him just in case he needed to move quickly and still be able to keep Naomi safe. Once his EA had enough space between them it happened, he heard an arrow slicing through the air. Turning quickly he caught the arrow that was meant for his back then realized he'd be giving himself away with snatching the arrow out of midair, so he rammed the arrow into his left shoulder then fell to the ground.
As he lay on the ground acting as if he was in more pain than he really was, he heard Naomi screaming for help and chaos breaking out. Oliver followed the trajectory of the arrow to a building across the street where he saw Komodo then Simon LaCroix disappeared from his sight. Someone had hired an assassin to kill Oliver Queen.
Walter and Felicity discussed the possibility of developing an eco-friendly computer and building it in one of QI green manufacturing plants. They agreed to a tentative outline of a deal when Walter turned the conversation personal.
"May I say, Felicity, that I am very proud at how well you are doing in the business world. I always knew that you were destined for something greater than the IT Department," he said with a kind smile.
"Why thank you, Walter," blushed Felicity.
"Palmer Technologies is doing well under you. I'm glad that Oliver didn't liquidate all his Palmer stock when we started up this company," said Walter.
"He still owns enough Palmer stock to be on the board of directors if he wished," she said. "Please, Walter, tell me he doesn't wish that."
"No, Felicity, he doesn't. Though, it saddens me that you and Oliver have fallen out so badly. I know Oliver and he won't talk about it but he is hurt by it," said Walter.
"It's complicated," she admitted.
Expectedly, Walter's EA entered his office and rushed over to his side. He whispered in Walter's ear. Felicity saw him blanche then he nodded his head.
"A car ready for me to take me to the hospital," said Walter.
"Yes, sir," replied his EA, who then rushed out of the office.
"What's wrong, Walter?" asked Felicity.
"Someone tried to assassinate Oliver. He's in the hospital right now with an arrow in his shoulder," said Walter.
Felicity's throat went dry. Someone tried to kill Oliver. Why? An Arrow was used. Other than the League of Assassins there were few assassins who used bow and arrows. She needed to get the team on this. She also needed to see Oliver, but knew it wouldn't be appropriate.
"Please, Walter, call me," she said then fished out her business card with her personal smart phone number on it. "I want to know how Oliver is."
"I shall call you, my dear," said Walter.
Arrow
Oliver sat in a private exam room waiting to hear from a doctor. His shoulder was stitched and trussed up, a minor inconvenience, as he made not to ram the arrow in too deep and do damage to his shoulder. From the hallway he could Naomi arguing with someone. Focusing he hearing he made out the voice of Captain Lance. The door to the exam room opened and Lance entered.
"Well, well, isn't this ironic, huh? You were shot with an arrow," said Lance.
Oliver didn't take the bait. A month after Ra's' death Oliver as well as Lance and Laurel learned that Sara was alive. She had been revived in a Lazarus Pit by a time traveler named Rick Hunter, who then recruited her to his team along with Ray Palmer and a few others. Oliver didn't know what this team was all about except for two things: they were fighting a foe through time that needed to stop or the world would be destroyed and he and Barry were considered part time members by this Rick Hunter.
"Have you heard from Sara, Captain Lance?" asked Oliver.
"No. I don't know where she is, but I know she is in danger wherever she is," he said glaring at Oliver implying that it was Oliver's fault.
"I've apologized all that I'm going to, Captain. I agree that I wish I never took Sara on the Queen's Gambit with me, but that's where my guilt ends. Now how can I help you?" asked Oliver.
"Do you know who wants you dead, Mr. Queen?" asked Lance.
"No, Captain, I don't," replied Oliver.
"I see," growled Lance. "So, do you think this has to do with your company or with your nighttime activities?"
"I have no idea what you mean, Captain," Oliver answered.
"Yeah, I bet you don't, Mr. Queen," snapped Lance. "I bet you don't know who this new Green Arrow is, do you?"
The door opened and Walter came into the exam room. He looked at Lance and then at Oliver. When Oliver told him about being the Arrow, he also told him about his history with Lance and his falling out with his old team.
"Is everything alright here?" asked Walter.
"Everything is fine," said Lance. "A detective will need to take your official statement, Mr. Queen."
"He'll be going home soon. They can come to his home and get his statement," said Walter.
"I'll let them know," snarled Lance then he left.
"He still blames you for everything wrong in his life," noted Walter.
Oliver nodded. Walter looked at Oliver with sympathy.
"The doctor is getting your release forms together. I expect you to go home and rest," said Walter.
"I'm going home, but not to rest," growled Oliver.
Arrow
In the limo going back to Palmer Technologies Felicity called an emergency meeting of the team. Her hand was shaking as she held onto her smart phone, as the thought of Oliver being killed scared her down to her bone marrow. Before the limo pulled into the garage, she received a call from Walter telling her that Oliver merely had a shoulder wound and was being released. Once she hung with Walter, she got out of the limo and walked with great conviction to her private elevator, which she took to the command and control center.
Entering the C&C Diggle, Laurel, and Thea were already there in the civilian clothes and waiting for her. Their smiles turned to serious expressions as they noticed Felicity's own expression, which was somewhere between distraught and anger.
"What's wrong?" asked Diggle.
"Someone tried to assassinate Oliver. We need to find out who it was and who hired them," she stated.
"How is Ollie?" asked Thea with great concern.
"An arrow to the shoulder. He's fine for now," said Felicity. "We are going to make sure that he remains fine. Just because we are angry with him and we don't really trust him, though he did succeed in taking down Ra's Al Ghul, it doesn't mean we won't protect him."
"I need to see him," said Thea.
"You should go now and see him, Speedy," said Laurel. "It will make him feel better."
"I agree," added Diggle.
"He's at the mansion," said Felicity. "While Thea visits Oliver, I'm going to check all the security cameras and CCTVs and see if we can identify Oliver's would be assassin then, Dig, you and Laurel can hunt him down with my help."
"I agree, Felicity. I have my problems with Oliver, but I don't want to see him hurt or worse," said Diggle.
"I feel the same," added Laurel.
"Good. I'm going to call Dougie and tell him to clear my afternoon, so I can find out who tried to kill Oliver. Laurel, why don't you check with the police and see if they have anything," suggested Felicity.
"I'll talk to my father," she said in a tone that didn't hide how painful a prospect that was.
"And I guess I'll keep you company here," said Diggle.
"Yup," was Felicity response, as she sat down in front of her computers.
Arrow
Walter waited in the living while Oliver changed his clothes. He sat of the loveseat looking about a room that was so familiar to him. It was a subject he didn't breach with Oliver, but Walter missed Moira. Even though their marriage was over he still loved Moira deeply. In many ways he thought of Oliver as family, a son, because of his love for Moira.
"Sorry, I took so long," said Oliver, as he appeared in cargo pants and a black tee shirt.
Walter noted that he didn't have a sling for his arm. He furrowed his brow the spoke up.
"Oliver, aren't you supposed to use a sling?" asked Walter.
Oliver grinned then replied, "Believe me, Walter, that was a minor wound. I'm fine."
Oliver sat down on an armchair. Walter could see that the younger man was deep in thought.
"Was today an attack on Oliver Queen or the Green Arrow?" Walter asked him.
Oliver smirked then answered, "Oliver Queen. Someone must not like what QI is doing."
"But who?" asked Walter.
"I don't know, Walter, but I will find out," said Oliver.
"I'll have security doubled at QI and..." Walter started.
"And you will have bodyguards put on yourself and Frederick," said Oliver.
"What about you?" asked Walter.
"A bodyguard will only get in my way and I don't really need one," said Oliver then he took a smart phone out of his pants pocket and press the speed dial. "Detective, I need information."
"Is this about the failed assassination of Oliver Queen?" asked Lopez.
"Maybe. An assassin is in town. He's code name is Komodo. His actually name is Simon LaCroix. He uses a bow and arrow to kill," Oliver told Detective Lopez.
"I'll check into. If I find him, should I take him in or do you want a go with him first?" asked Lopez.
"I want a go at him first," replied Oliver then he hung up.
Walter sat across from him staring at Oliver. He was waiting for him to share what the phone call was all about. Oliver looked over at Walter and smirked.
"The Green Arrow just called Detective Lopez, who is going to search for Komodo for me," stated Oliver.
"You aren't afraid that he'll recognize your voice?" asked Walter.
"This phone has a voice modulator built into it," replied Oliver, who held up his smart phone then he put it back in his pants.
The front doorbell rang. Walter stood up and put his hand up to motion Oliver to stay seated.
"I'll get it. You rest," he said.
Walter left the living room. Oliver ran his right hand over his face, as he thought about this day. First, he saw Felicity, which was demoralizing, and then Komodo tried to kill him in public. He couldn't wait to get his GA gear on and hunt down Komodo tonight.
Before Oliver could get lost in his thoughts, Thea came running into the room. He looked up in time to see her right before she wrapped her arms around him Oliver returned the hug. She took a step back and looked at him.
"Where were you hit?" she asked.
"Left shoulder. It's fine. I intend on going out tonight and finding who did this," he said.
"Do you know who fired the arrow?" she asked.
"I know," growled Oliver.
"Tell me and Dig, Laurel, and I will bring them in," The told him.
"Not your fight, Thea. It's mine," he said. "I'll bring them in and I'll find out who wants Oliver Queen dead."
"You would think the last few months would teach you not to be so stubborn," Thea rebuked him. "The team is angry with you because you went it alone, because you only trusted one person, my psycho dad, and because you were willing to sacrifice yourself without thinking how that would effect us."
"Don't forget I used Lyla and baby Sara, too," added Oliver standing up to face her.
"Yeah, that, too," growled Thea.
Oliver stared at Thea. She stared back. After a few moments she finally saw the hurt and pain in his eyes. The past few months had been difficult for them, especially Felicity, but she could see now how much pain they had caused Oliver. Instead of arguing with him, she stepped forward and hugged him again. She felt his body stiffen at first then relax, as he returned the hug.
"Ollie, I don't want to fight with you anymore," she said.
"I don't want to fight with you, Speedy," he said.
"I am the Red Arrow now. Maybe I can join up with the Green Arrow," she said.
"No, you're better off working with a team. Diggle is still training you, isn't he?" he asked her.
Thea nodded.
"You work well with Felicity and Laurel, right?" he asked.
"I have to admit I get along real well with Laurel and Felicity is becoming my bestie," smiled Thea.
Oliver chuckled.
"I wouldn't laugh if I was you. We shared chocolate chip mint ice cream and talked about your for hours. I know what happened at Nanda Parbat and how much she is hurting that you two are separated," teased Thea.
"I'm not the one keeping us apart, Thea," Oliver said with a little anger seeping into his words.
"No, Oliver, the team is. The team agreed I should come here today. None of us wish you harm and all of us care for you, but you came damn close to burn all your bridges with us dealing with Ra's Al Ghul. Ollie, you trusted Malcolm over Dig and Felicity," argued Thea.
"To keep them safe," he countered.
"That excuse is not good enough, brother," she said.
Oliver took a deep breath then exhaled slowly.
"I guess I'm on the outside until as a team you are willing to open up a dialogue, huh?" said Oliver.
Part of him understood the whys of what was happening between him and people he thought of as family. They were becoming a strong solid team, trusting each other, supporting each other, and he was on the outside looking in.
"Ollie, some of us need more time," said Thea.
"You?" he asked.
"I'm here, big brother," she said.
"Felicity?" he asked.
"Of all us this is the most unfair to her. She loves you. She wants to be with you, but she never argues with Diggle and Laurel, she never complains, and she toes the line to keep our distance," Thea told him. "Hell, Ollie, you should have seen how upset she was when she found out someone tried to kill you. She already has the team working on finding out who tried it and who hired them. We may not be talking to you, but we still have your back, brother."
"Tell them to back off," Oliver said with more than a little authority. "I know who tried to kill me and I'm going to hunt them down to find out who paid them."
"You can't keep us from going after whoever is, Oliver," Thea said in a threatening voice.
"Thea, I was the target. I intend on dealing with this," stated Oliver.
"Now you know why some on the team don't trust you, Ollie," snapped Thea, "you just can't help but go it alone."
Oliver closed his eyes. She couldn't have shot an arrow with more accuracy than she did that comment. It hit its mark. After the island and Slade and Hong Kong and all that happened there, he learned to go it alone. He had improved over the years relying on John and Felicity more and more and Roy, yet going it alone was still his fall back position.
Thea could see her brother standing in front of her bottled up with emotion. The Ollie before the island was loose and free with his emotions, but the post island Ollie kept the majority of his emotions bottled up inside until they spilled over. She came here to check on her brother not to give him a hard time. Before he could say another word, she rushed over to him and hugged him. She held him tightly until he eventually reciprocated with a hug. Stepping back, she gave him a kiss on his cheek.
"Let's not fight, okay?" she said.
"Okay," he relaxed.
She looked around and noticed that they were all alone.
"You don't have a cook or a maid, do you?" she asked.
"No. I live here alone," he said.
"Okay, big brother, I'll find Walter, who is somewhere in this house giving us privacy, then I'm going to cook us lunch," she said.
"I have a service drop off already prepared meals, Thea. We could have those," he said.
"Ollie, believe me, you need a home cooked meal, even if I'm not a great cook," she smiled.
"Thanks, Speedy," he said.
"You're welcome, big brother."
Arrow
Laurel entered her father's office. He was seated behind his desk looking distracted. She cleared her throat. He looked up at her and his face changed from being distracted to a grimace.
"Let me guess you are here about Queen," said Lance.
"Yeah, dad, I'm here because someone tried to kill Oliver Queen, an important businessman in this city. You know the DA Department would care about that," said Laurel.
"It had to be you, though," growled Lance.
"Yes, it had to be me," she said. "Do you have any idea who tried to do this?"
"No idea but I'm sure he'll take care of himself," said Lance with bitterness.
"You can't stop hating him, can you?" asked Laurel.
"He's a criminal and for a time he made me one and both my daughters' criminals," spat Lance.
"Bullshit," replied Laurel. "Sara was trained by the League of Assassins, daddy, not Oliver, and I chose to become the Black Canary for a lot of reasons, not the least of which my father raised me with a sense of justice."
"He should be behind bars," stated Lance.
"I recommend that you don't slack off on this case, Captain Lance, because it might come back to bite you on the ass," stated Laurel.
"Don't worry, ADA Lance, Oliver Queen will get my proper attention," growled Lance.
With her arms crossed Laurel looked at her father and shook her.
"Oliver Queen is the root of all our family problems dad. We make most of our problems ourselves," she stated. "I know you have a bottle in desk. Have a drink, dad, and tell yourself that Ollie is the cause of your drinking and not your own weakness."
She turned and left Lance stewing. He reached for his telephone and dialed a number.
"Yeah, it Captain Quentin Lance. I'd like to talk to the Chief about reconstituting the Vigilante Task Force," Lance said into the phone.