So, the team won't be reforming this chapter but, don't worry, they won't stay separated for too long.
Diggle apartment
Night
"Hey Johnny," Lyla greeted as he walked in, frowning at the look on her husband's face, "did something happen?"
"Oliver." Diggle said simply and Lyla sighed.
"Johnny, honestly-"
"Not like that," Diggle said quickly and Lyla raised an eyebrow "Laurel, Thea, and I didn't like the way things had been going since Oliver came back, so we decided to confront him about it. It didn't go the way we planned."
"Really?" Lyla raised the other eyebrow.
"Oliver ripped us a new one, accused us of turning our backs on him and that's why he left…you could say something you know." Diggle said after his wife was silent.
"Do you think he's wrong?" Lyla asked.
"No." Diggle admitted after a beat.
"I don't think this is about Oliver, I think this is about Andy." Lyla said and Diggle tensed.
His brother Andy had been a troubled kid growing up, even dealing drugs at one point. After he had enlisted, his brother had followed. Diggle had been so proud of Andy, seeing him as a changed man. But Andy had only been pulling a wool over his eyes. It was discovered by one of his commanding officer's that Andy had thrown in with a terrorist group called Shadowspire. Andy had been tried, convicted, and sentenced for treason, espionage, and terrorism. Andy would've been sentenced to death, but he cut a deal. All the names of the members of Shadowspire in exchange for a lesser sentence. Andy got life in prison. Diggle had never visited him; the sting of betrayal for what Andy had done was too great.
"Why would it be about Andy?" Diggle asked avoiding her gaze.
"Andy betrayed you. When it looked like Oliver did the same thing, it brought back all those feelings you've kept bottled up. But Oliver is not Andy. Think about that." Lyla told him and Diggle got a thoughtful look on his face.
Laurel and Thea's apartment
Same time
"Did you know?" Thea asked Laurel as they sat on the couch. "About the Gambit?"
"No. But honestly, it doesn't surprise me." Laurel admitted.
"Ollie's right you know. I did turn my back on him. On mom…on my dad. Sometimes, I lay awake at night, wondering what Robert would think about my relationship with Malcolm," Thea said and Laurel looked over at her, "he may not have been my biological father, but he raised me, he loved me. He gave me a family. And I threw it all away when I became Malcolm's daughter. No matter what I was going through, I knew exactly who he was and I put blind trust in him simply because Ollie and Roy kept a few secrets from me, which I can understand why now. Never again…never again."
Knowing there was nothing she could say to make this better, Laurel simply wrapped an arm around Thea.
Starling City Police Department
Same time
"Come to visit me in my confinement?" Jessica asked as Oliver walked in.
"Thought you could use some company." Oliver said as he walked over to her.
"No I told you so?" Jessica raised an eyebrow.
"I didn't bring it," Oliver joke and she laughed, "that being said, it's not too late for you to drop out."
"And send what message? That on top of the city's other problems, we give in to terrorism? The people here deserve better, they deserve someone to be brave for them." Jessica argued.
"That's what the Green Arrow's for." Oliver protested.
"He's not enough. Yes he keeps the city safe, but who inspires them? Who makes sure there's a city worth saving? That it's a place my daughter can call home?" Jessica asked and Oliver was thrown.
"Where is Madison?" Oliver changed the subject.
"Library. Poor kid had finals, so I sent her back to school. Doesn't worry, Captain Lance sent her with more than enough cops to keep her safe." Jessica assured him as a pit of dread settled in his stomach.
"Maybe you should call her." Oliver suggested.
Star City
A cell phone rang around two dead cops, Jessica's picture appearing on the phone
Star City Police Department
Later
Oliver watched as Jessica pleaded on live television for the man holding Madison to let her go as Quentin walked up.
"What happened?" Oliver asked.
"Machin killed the officers that were guarding Madison. Shot them with over five thousand volts; slit their throats for good measure." Quentin explained and Oliver nodded grimly.
"Do you have anything on him? " Oliver asked.
My guys have been looking into Machin's history. This isn't the first time he's done something like this. We've got three possible locations for where he's holding Madison." Quentin said as he handed Oliver a small sheet of paper with the locations.
"Thank you Captain." Oliver told him.
"Thank me by getting that girl home." Quentin told him and Oliver nodded before he turned to leave.
Star City
Later
Machin had a knife and was about to carve the terrified Madison's face when the sound of breaking glass caused him to turn around. Green Arrow jumped down to the ground and fired two arrows in opposite directions. The arrows cut the belts Machin was using to holding Madison by her arms. Now free, Madison turned and fled.
"Oh come on, I was in the middle of something!" Machin whined.
Snarling, Green Arrow lunged for Machin. Machin tried to block with his knife but Green Arrow easily batted the knife away. Machin pulled out his electrical weapon and attempted to strike the archer but he dodge and sent a powerful kick to Machin's chest. Machin stumbled back, dropping his weapon as Green Arrow lunged for him again. They exchanged a few blows before Green Arrow punched Machin so hard it sent him through a wall. Machin stumbled before Green arrow fired and the arrow exploded into iron cables, which wrapped around Machin and tied him to a pillar. Green Arrow pulled out a phone and dialed a number.
"Hello?" Quentin answered.
"Madison is safe. I have a gift for you." Green Arrow told him.
Star City Police Department
Later
Oliver smiled at the reunion between mother and daughter before walking over, making his presence known.
"Madison, are you alright?" Oliver asked and she nodded as Quentin walked over.
"I'm sorry about this but I have an army of reporters out there, asking if you want to give a statement." Quentin said apologetically.
"Yes, I'll be out in a few minutes." Jessica said as she wiped her eyes.
"You don't have to do that." Oliver said immediately.
"Yes, I do. I have to tell them what I've decided. I'm not running for mayor." Jessica told him before she walked off with her daughter.
"Thank you for trusting me." Oliver told Quentin gratefully.
"Well, I guess only time will tell if it was the right call." Quentin said gruffly before walking off.
Star City
Later
Church was walking out of a club, accompanied by two of his men when two arrows flew out and killed is men. Instead of being shocked or upset, Church chuckled instead.
"Can't stay away from me, can you?" Church asked.
In answer, a shuriken got thrown in his back. Church cried out as he stumbled before a man in a black suit jumped down. The man grabbed him by the arm and flipped him; face first, onto the ground.
"You came into contact with the Green Arrow last week, someone working for you did the same tonight," the man knelt down a put a hand on the back of Church's head, gripping it painfully, "The Green Arrow is mine. If you kill him, you die."
"Who are you?" Church asked in pain.
"Prometheus."
