Author's Note: This is the last chapter unless anybody has a good idea for continuing this story.

Oliver was almost back to the plane, deep in thought about his conversation with Slade. He figured he would stealthily investigate Yao Fai just to prove Slade wrong. He didn't see Yao Fai anywhere outside and assumed he must be in the plane. He quietly approached but stopped just outside when he heard the sound of a radio. At first he thought it was the plane radio when he recognized Fyers' voice but dismissed that when he heard Yao Fai responding.

"Yes, we will be arriving tonight," said Yao Fai.

Fyers' voice sounded again, "Have you dealt with Wilson?"

"Ah, he will not be a problem. The kid showed up before I could kill him but I did manage to stab him once in the leg."

"That isn't going to affect a man like Wilson," Fyers answered, sounding disgusted.

"Normally I would agree. However, this blade has an extra bite to it, something that will slow him down enough to finish off. Even if he heals from that before I track him down, the kid's betrayal will break him," Yao Fai replied, sounding smug.

Oliver didn't stick around any longer, he sprinted as quickly and quietly as he could back into the forest, not stopping until he reached the place he'd left Slade. Only, Slade was gone. Oliver nearly panicked until he saw tracks leading away. He followed them until he came to the overhang, immediately recognizing it. He jogged over, "Slade, I-" he stopped short when he saw his friend lying in the dirt, eyes shut. Oliver ran over, dropping to his knees next to him. He sighed in relief when he saw the steady rise and fall of Slade's chest but he needed to wake up. Oliver didn't think they would have much time before Yao Fai knew something was wrong. Oliver was no tracker and if he could follow Slade's trail, Yao Fai wouldn't have an issue. He laid his hand on Slade's shoulder, gently shaking him, getting a deja vu from when Slade had gotten shot. Slade's eyes fluttered open but he cringed away at the sight of Oliver, forgetting for a moment where he was and what happened. He quickly sat up and moved back against a log, groaning when the pain in his leg made itself known once again. "Oliver?" he asked in confusion, "What are you doing here?"

Oliver stared at him for a moment as if seeing him for the first time and it hit him. This was Slade, the guy who took him in, trained him, protected him without knowing a thing about who Oliver was. This was the guy who almost gave his life and killed his own (former) partner to save Oliver, even when that meant sacrificing his only way off the island. All of a sudden, the past two weeks came rushing back to Oliver and he almost gasped as he remembered how he had been treating Slade. It was as if he'd been under a spell that had just been broken and he could clearly see what he had done. Slade was still waiting for him to say something and Oliver blurted out, "I'm so sorry! I had no idea...I should have trusted you! You were right about everything!"

Slade looked at him, trying to make sense of everything Oliver was saying but his mind still felt foggy, "What happened?"

"I went back to the plane, Yao Fai was on the radio with Fyers, telling him we'd be in camp by tonight-"

Slade interrupted him, "Did he see you?"

Oliver shook his head, "No, I took off before he noticed. It won't take him long though and then he'll come looking for us."

Slade let out a breath and tipped his head back, closing his eyes and trying to will away the pounding headache that had started. "Did he say anything else?" he asked tiredly.

Oliver nodded before he realized Slade couldn't see him, "He said...uh...even if you heal from the stabbing, my...my betrayal would break you..."

Slade tensed but replied, "I'm not going to die, he barely stabbed me. And the crap he puts on the blade is weak." He knew that wasn't the most biting insult but hey, he was exhausted and it made him feel a little better. When all he got from Oliver was silence, he sighed, "Was there a question in there somewhere?"

Oliver hesitated before asking, "Would it?"

Slade finally looked at him. "Don't you mean didn't it?" he asked softly.

Oliver felt like he'd been punched. Slade was right. Oliver completely turned his back on him without a second thought. "I'm sorry. I am so freaking sorry..." he didn't know what to say, how to convey the absolute desperation and despair he was feeling.

Slade regarded him for a moment before speaking, "C'mere, we gotta move before Yao Fai tracks us down."

Oliver knew that now was not the time or place to talk so he quickly stood and hauled Slade to his feet. He was worried Slade wouldn't be able to stay up but after a couple unsteady steps, Slade was ready to move. "Where are we gonna go?" he asked shakily.

"The plane is not my only base, kid," Slade replied. He gave some directions and they made their way through the forest until they came to a cave completely covered by brush and foliage. This time, Slade was careful to cover their trail as best he could.

Oliver would have walked right past the cave if Slade hadn't pointed it out to him. They ducked through into the cave but instead of it being pitch black like Oliver expected, it was dimly lit. There were natural gaps in the ceiling that allowed sunlight to filter in. As Slade limped farther inside, Oliver looked around. There were a few crates along the walls. Two cots were already set up against the back of the cave. A fire pit was in the middle of the small room.

While Oliver had been looking around, Slade had grabbed a couple MREs he'd kept stashed here and sat down beside the fire pit. Normally, he would just go out and hunt or forage something to eat but he couldn't risk lighting a fire while Yao Fai was searching for them. When Oliver looked at him again, Slade tossed him an MRE and started opening his own.

Oliver caught the MRE and cautiously made his way over to sit next to Slade. He stared at the package in his hand without seeing it, trying to make sense of his scattered thoughts. He needed to talk to Slade, make things right, but he had no idea where to begin. He'd screwed up. Not just a little screw-up either; he was wondering if he'd be able to fix this one.

Slade glanced over at Oliver, seeing the kid deep in though. All Slade had expected to feel was relief that they had managed to escape yet another meeting with death and he did feel relief but that feeling was joined by others. Anger. Hurt. Betrayal. He didn't like to admit it but it had hurt when Oliver chose to trust Yao Fai over Slade, especially since he'd been the one to first acknowledge Slade as his best friend after Slade had almost died. It was like losing Billy all over again, possibly worse. Actually, Slade decided, definitely worse because it had taken him much longer to let his guard down with Oliver and fully trust him.

Oliver tried to make some conversation, "Hey, how come there are already two cots here?"

Slade didn't even glance over as he replied, "Brought another one over after I figured out you'd be sticking around."

Silence fell again and Oliver was still trying to figure out what to say when a quote from a book he'd read as a kid popped into his head: Begin at the beginning and go on until you come to the end, then stop. With that in mind, he finally broke the silence between them, "You were right about how dangerous Yao Fai was."

Slade looked directly at him, "It was never about being right, mate. It was about protecting you."

The hurt in his voice killed Oliver and he took in a sharp breath. He realized he would need to be careful to ensure that he didn't completely lose his best friend...not that he would hold it against Slade after all Oliver had done. "I heard your warnings but I didn't listen. I just thought you didn't like him because you didn't know him."

Slade scoffed and looked at the ground, "I know what you thought; that I was...unstable." The deep voice had an accusatory edge, despite its softness. The tone was unmistakably bitter.

Oliver swallowed and continued, "Today, I saw that Yao Fai is crazy, just like you said. And he is a threat to both of us. I was wrong, Slade. I screwed up and I'm sorry. I should've listened to you and been more weary of Yao Fai." He sighed, "If I had, today might've been avoided..."

Slade was now focused resolutely on the ground but lifted his head at Oliver's words, staring across the room as he replied, "Avoided? I don't think so. He would have caught up to us eventually. I just wish..." He stopped, drawing in a deep breath before continuing, "I realize I didn't make it easy...but I thought that you would listen to me...believe me." He stopped talking abruptly, shaking his head.

Oliver figured that Slade was probably feeling like he had been betrayed again. Well, he had. Because Oliver had failed to be there, had failed with the loyalty he should have to Slade as his best friend and partner. He hated seeing Slade so weary around him and he hated that his misjudgment and consequent actions contributed so greatly to this. He knew one this for sure though: No way in hell would he ever abandon Slade like this again. "Since the day I met you...you have totally had my back," he said quietly, encouraged when Slade made eye contact, "I-I just promise you I will never fail you again. I'm so sorry."

They looked at each other seriously for a few moments before Slade replied, "I'm not gonna lie, I'm bloody pissed at you. But I'll get over that. And I know you feel guilty but you'll get over that, too."He lapsed into silence, picking up a stick and poking at the long-dead ashes in the fire pit.

Oliver asked with some confusion, "So...what does that mean, exactly?"

Slade glanced at him with an amused smirk and rolled his eyes, "It means I forgive you, idiot. You are forgiven."

Oliver was still staring at him, not believing it would be this easy, "So...that's it?"

Slade heaved a sigh at Oliver's lack of understanding. "What, did you think I was gonna disown you, kick you out on your own or something?" he joked lightly.

Oliver shrugged, "Uh, kinda. Yeah."

Slade made eye contact with him again, this time serious, "Listen kid, 'cause I'm only gonna say this once. I will never give up on you. What happened sucks and it will take while for things to get back to normal with us but I'm willing to work at it if you are."

Oliver nodded, relieved that Slade didn't hate him. "But what are we going to do now? Yao Fai and probably Fyers will be tracking us and Yao Fai knows where our base is now," he said despondently.

"You're right. It won't be easy. But remember, it's you and me, no matter what. We can win this," Slade answered in a tone that held more confidence than he felt.

Oliver looked at him, "Why are you so willing to stick your neck out for me?"

Slade smiled and firmly punched his shoulder, "Because that's what brothers do, they have each others' backs, mate."

Oliver smiled back at him, shaking his head and still in awe that Slade could forgive him so easily. "So, what's the plan to stop this asshole?" he asked determinedly.

Slade laughed, "Well, I did have one idea..."