Disclaimer: WB/DC own these characters. I'm only borrowing them for a while. I own the original ideas found in this. Some scenes and dialogue are from episodes 3 x 16 "The Offer" by Beth Schwartz and Brian Ford Sullivan, and episode 3 x 20 "The Fallen" by Wendy Mericle and Oscar Balderrama.

Summary: Write-up of Oliver's feelings regarding the incidents leading up to his acceptance of Ra's' offer, episode 3 x 20 "The Fallen".

AN: Yep, another potential idea that refused to grow into a full-grown story. At least for now. So here it is as a drabble. Hope you enjoy it, and let me know what you think.

A month after he returned home from Nanda Parbat where he had been offered the job of a lifetime, Oliver turned a corner only to find Maseo suddenly there in front of him. "Ra's is unaccustomed to waiting for a reply."

Shaking his head, Oliver couldn't believe the unrelenting persistence of the leader of the Assassins. "I already gave him my answer. The answer is 'no'."

Maseo shook his head. "If you insist on pursuing this path of resistance, there will be consequences."

"Is that a threat?" Oliver didn't like the undertone he had heard in Maseo's remark.

"As he told you, a story begins thus. The story has begun, Oliver. There's nothing you can do to change it. The ending is inevitable."

Oliver watched in silence as he watched Maseo turn around and fade away into the shadows. He knew the threat was not to be taken lightly, but he didn't know what else to do. Of everything in this world, being the ruler of a League of deadly assassins was about the last thing he wanted to do. He walked slowly towards home.

Two short weeks later, everything had changed.

Slowly, inch by inch, maneuver by maneuver, Ra's had managed to put him into a corner. Things occurred just like Ra's had said they would, during their conversation in Nanda Parbat. Oliver kept reminding himself it really wasn't magic or prophecy, but a well-developed plan, which was unfolding in front of his very eyes, dismantling his entire life bit by bit. Turning the police and the city against him. Racking up the bodies he supposedly killed. Contaminating the trust the public and police had in him which he had so tenuously built up over the past year. All of it seemingly gone in a second. Even the loss of Roy, his trusted partner, his friend. The young man he had groomed into a fighter, only to be taken away as well.

And now? Now, he was watching his sister, his only baby sister, fight for her life. After she was left for dead after being stabbed in the chest by a person unknown. Oliver wasn't sure if it had been Maseo or Ra's himself who had dealt this fatal blow to all he held dear. He suspected it was Ra's, for it seemed personal. Too personal.

Oliver dropped his head into his hands, covering his face, letting the tears fall. All he had ever wanted was to protect her, keep her safe. That was why he had killed her drug dealer during his first trip back to Starling. That was why he fought Ra's in the first place, beginning this farce of a drama. Putting all of his loved ones in danger.

Malcolm entered the room. The two men exchanged glances, Malcolm's asking a question, Oliver slowly shaking his head in reply. Malcolm swallowed, and made his way to Thea's side. As he looked down at her fragile, broken body, Malcolm began to cry as he buried his face into her side.

Oliver sat down in the only remaining chair and again lowered his face in his hands. It was going to be a long night.

~~OQ~~

Oliver awoke suddenly, his body jerking unconsciously at an unfamiliar sound. For a moment he was disoriented, forgetting where and why he was there. His eyes fell on the small, fragile form in the bed beside him and it all flooded back to him. His sister...dying...because of him.

Malcolm stirred in the chair across from him. "How is she?" he asked, leaning towards his daughter.

"The same. I'll be right back."

Oliver walked down the hospital corridor, oblivious of staff, patients, and visitors rushing by him. At the end of the corridor, Oliver approached the wall, leaned against it, and closed his eyes.

Lost in thought he didn't hear them approach.

Moments before they reached him, Felicity's voice calling out his name drifted through the mists of his despair. Oliver opened his eyes and watched his two closest friends rush up to him.

"We came as soon as we could. How's Thea?" Felicity asked, placing a hesitant hand upon his upper arm.

Shaking his head, Oliver forced himself to say the words. "It's bad, Felicity. It's very bad."

He turned and was about to sit down on the nearby couch when something caught his eye. Looking out the window, Oliver saw the now- familiar smoke signal from the League.

Diggle's voice came from behind him. "Screw them, Oliver. Ignore them for tonight."

Expelling his breath in a resigned huff, Oliver said, "No, there's something I need to do." Looking down at Felicity's concerned face, he asked, "Stay here with her, please?" Looking at Diggle, he continued, "Until I get back, please stay here."

~~OQ~~

As expected, when he reached the meeting place, Maseo came out of the shadows to meet him.

Oliver got him in a chokehold and slammed him to the ground. "Was it you, Maseo? Was it you who left my sister for dead?"

"No. And there is a way to get her back."

Letting go of Maseo's throat, Oliver rose, opening his hands like releasing something distasteful. He got to his feet and stood waiting as Maseo also regained his.

"Oliver, there is a way to get your sister back," Maseo repeated.

In answer to Oliver's glare, Maseo continued. "Agree to become his heir, and Ra's will bring back your sister."

After a pause, Oliver reluctantly asked, "How?"

"You know how, Oliver. The Lazarus Pit does indeed work in healing all wounds and injuries. All you have to do is agree to become Wareeth al Ghul, and your sister will be healed."

Oliver turned away from Maseo and walked to the edge of the rooftop. As he looked out across the skyline of Starling, his city, Oliver wondered if there really had been any choice at all. In his ignorance, he thought he could withstand anything the leader of the League of Assassins threw at him. He was wrong. And now his sister was paying the price.

He had sworn, upon her birth, when he first held her in his arms, he would do anything…anything…to keep her safe.

"All right. Tell Ra's I agree."

AN: Hope you enjoyed this little blast from the past exploring Oliver's thoughts during these scenes. Thanks for checking it out!