Chapter 7

"Dude you look like crap," Chris Diggle said as Connor opened the door to his apartment. "I feel worse. I'm just glade I'm finally off bed rest," Connor says. "I bet your poor Aunt is happy is well since she can go back to her place," Chris says. Even after getting out of the hospital the doctor's had wanted him living with someone for a while. He was still mad with his mother and Dana. So Thea had been staying with him. In that time she had tried to convince him to be forgiving. It hadn't really worked. He had thought about calling his mother just last night but got so mad he cracked his phone. Going over what he might say to Dana in his head had turned into a one sided yelling match.

"Earth to Connor you still there man," Chris says shaking him. "Sorry man come in," Connor says. Of course Chris spots it in the center of the room. "You playing giant barbie dolls now or are you into extra freaky stuff on these lonely winter nights," He says picking up the doll box. "Ha ha ha. Its for Katie," Connor says as she sit down. "Lisa is telling her about you?" "No... I don't know what I was thinking I ordered it online," Connor says. "Hey dude don't be down," Chris says seeing the face Connor is making. "I've missed five years man," Connor says. "Look I can't relate at all. And it sucks. The good news is you know now," Chris says. "I know I know no thanks to some people," Connor says.

"Hawk man I love you like a brother but you really can't claim any type of moral high ground. I mean for five years you were a ghost its not like you were calling in checking in. As for Dana have you put yourself in her shoes? Finding out not only was her fiance cheating before he left but that another women was having his child," Chris points out. "I still had a right to know they know I'm on same person I was before that would just cut out," Connor says. "Do they? I mean dude you cut out that night not once but twice. And you may still be in town but sure comes off like you have cut out on them. Both of them have called me asking to know how you are doing," Chris says. "I'm just tying to process it all," Connor says. "What if you had died man?"

"Connor Open your eyes please!

"Connor?" Chris says shaking him. "Sorry... Got tripped up in my own head," Connor says. "Problem is to much serious talk going on. Lets lighten things up... Can you believe that stupid twist on Trump Legacy?" Chris asks talking about a TV show that airing. "Its not that stupid of a twist Chris the guy was President after all," Connor says.

Star City Federal Court House

"End of a nightmare hey Logan," Scott Miller says looking at his partner. Dana took a deep breath. "You can say that again. Zach getting the needle in his arm is long overdue," She says. One of the officer's Zach had injured during his escape had died. Thanks to some changes in the law the feds had taken the case and now Victor Zach was facing the penalty. Nothing was set in stone but this could finally be it this monster could stopped once and for all. Dana didn't think the death peniatly needed to be used often but she did think it was a fitting punishment for men like Zach. Even know watching him sitting in court the man made her sick. The federal prosecutor was good. He had a confidante but not smugness as he spoke. In this case he was recounting Zach's past crimes. "Objection. My clients past cases have nothing to do with this," Zach attorney declared. "Of course they do. It proves the point your client takes pleasure in his kills."

"All the more reason I should be let go I'm a sick man," Zach says. The judge bangs his gavel and issues a few warnings. Zach smiled and looked back at Dana. She fought the urge to reach. "Mr. Zach turn around," The judge warned. "Or what," Zach declared standing up. "He's really lost it," Scott says. "Sit down Mr. Zach!"

Suddenly Zach strikes his lawyer in the face knocking the man over. Guards are quick to swarm him and restrain him. Both Dana and Scott stand up but keep back. "Take him back to his cell we are done for today," The Judges declares. Four guards have gotten Zach cuffed and lead him to a door. "Other way Rookie!" One of them yells as a guard moves to the left. "No this way," Zach yells before plunging a knife into the man's throat and than doing the same to a second. The final guard standing is shot in the knee caps by the rookie guard. "Great work," Zach says as he is uncuffed.

SCPD Headquarters

"I am not going into protective custody again. We already saw Zach will just take it out on someone else," Dana says to Chief Dinah Drake. "Calm down Logan. I agree besides I don't need to have deal with you sneaking away and going after him again," The chief says. "Any idea how he got free?" Scott asks. Drake lays a tablet down on her desk and plays footage of what happened. "Meet Anderson Wiedman turns he's a fan of Mr. Zach's been communicating with him for a few years now," Drake says. "How and the hell did he become a guard?" Dana asks. "We figuring that out now seems he called in a favor to have the background check be skipped," Drake says.

"We know Zach is gong to want get knives and he's so damn particular that could give us a lead," Dana says. "Good idea. Miller start looking into it. Logan stay for a second," Dinah says. Miller leaves. "Chief I've learned my lesson I will not go off half cocked," Dana says. "Actually I wanted to ask how Connor is doing? The things he does for this city are important," Dinah says

"Daughter? What Daughter?" Connor asks looking at Roy. "Its a long story," Roy says."Roy we have known each other for years. We were on that damn island for years. I think at some point I have a daughter should come up," Connor yells. "Calm down you need to keep a clear head," Tess advises. "I guess more accurate is it's a long story that I find hard to tell," Roy says. Connor looks at him even with all that has gone on him he still trusts him. "Start from the top Roy," Connor says. "Years ago I was sent after a target her name was Jade..."

Arrow Liar

Felicity rushed into the liar and just as she feared Connor was already getting ready to head out and try and hunt down Zach. "What the hell do you think you are doing?" She says mad he was about to take such a stupid risk. He ignores her and instead tries pulling on his jacket. He's clearly in pain just doing that. "You are in no shape to try this. Zach is a killer you need to be at full strength to stop him," She says moving to look him in the eyes. "Zach's a killer that is why I need to stop him. Before he locks in on his next target," Connor says heading for the bow case. Felicity is getting madder and slams it shut. "You will listen to me young man!" "Alright mom go ahead just repeat everything I already know," Connor says. She tries to soften her approach. "I love you more than anything in this world and I want to see Zach caught as well. Now is not the time for you to do it. I can see it right now you can barely stand one bad move and you are done. If you are not going to listen to me think about the rest of the family, your brother and aunt and..." "Really you are to have the nerve to bring up Katie right now," Connor yells. Even with the mask on and hood up she can see the hurt in his eyes. Hurt that she lied to him. Hurt that even after all the things he's done since coming home part of her still views him as the screwed up kid. It reminded her of something Oliver said once about how he got so close to her because she was one of the peopled that didn't still look at him like they expected the screw up to get drunk and get arrested. "I'm sorry," Felicity says. He starts to speak but stops himself to her side he sees the point of an arrow.

"Connor I love you son. The real you is in there please come back!"

"Connor you listen to your mother," Diggle says entering the liar. Felicity though can see something is wrong and that he's unsteady on his feet. She leads him over to a chair and he sits. "Connor?" She asks. "I'm fine I gotta get going," he says trying to stand. "Will you just take a few seconds more and listen to me," Diggle says calmly. To there shock he just nods. "I've been there Connor hell I've been in that costume to hurt to protect this city but trying to force myself to fight on. And I saw your father defy what I thought was possible at times. But right now going out would stupid. You have no leads no clues and all you would likely do is get found out by SCPD and have to get away from them. For tonight lets see what turns up. Shake the old trees online," Diggle says.

Villains Liar

Zach ran his finger up and down a blade feeling it's cold steel. "Are you pleased?" Weidman asks. "Very much so. You have done wonderful. And I shall reward you by teaching you the the hunt. But first business," Zach says. "Detective Logan?" He asks. "Of course," Zach says. "What about the Green Arrow?" Weidman asks. "From what you tell me he's dead. And if he's alive I'm fine with that. I want payback on him," Zach says.

The Next Day

"I'm just still in pain on almost every move doctor?" Connor says. "That's not shocking Mr. Queen your body went through quite a trauma. It still needs time to heal up," The doctor says. "Is there anything I can do to speed it up?" Connor asks. "Yes rest, relax, let it heal. Connor I can tell you are tense and trying to rush back. All that is doing is slowing things down," The Doctor says. "A lot of people depend on me," Connor says. "I'm aware of the work you do with that charity. Facts are facts Connor. For the time being let others carry the load and when you can pick it up again," The doctor says. "I don't really have anyone that can carry that load," Connor says more to himself.

Once his appointment is over Connor is walking to his car as his phone rings. Seeing who is calling he can't answer it quick enough. "Hi did you get my message?… Oh I understand. Maybe ah…. No I get it…. Just let me explain a few things… Thanks for the pictures though," Connor says sadly. His phone rings again. "Hello Lisa... Oh... I made it clear last time we talked! YOU WANT THE MONEY GET ME THE INFORMATION!"

"I didn't know about daughter until recently. When Waller dangled her in front of me like a carrot," Roy says. "Are you sure she's yours?" Connor asks. "Yeah I'm sure. I looked at her and I could just tell. Those were my eyes staring back at me," Roy explains. "So what does this have to do with The Marone's and where are they?" Tess demands. "I'm right over here Ms. Mercer," A voice says. Connor and Tess turn around and see Arturo pointing a gun at them. "I think we have a lot to discuss don't we Mr. Queen," Arturo says.

"Put the gun down you idiot," Roy orders. "I don't think so. See Mr. Harper the best way to deal with rats is to kill them," Arturo says advancing. "This wasn't part of the deal," Roy reminds him. "Deals change all the time. Consider this there punishment for working with Waller."

Ted Kord's Private Lab

Kord walked in with a new purpose. This was what he was waiting for. Victor Zach was a monster. Someone had to stop him and sure seemed like The Green Arrow wasn't even able to try. Pressing a button on a work station light turned on and a Blue uniform lowed down to him. Pressing another button he looked at the progress of his search. Anderson Weidman was key. A key he could easily exploit.

Arrow Liar

Felicity typed away furiously at the work station. Anderson Weidman was the type of person you feared living next to but never knew just how dark he was because he appeared so normal. It was only when you traced him onto the dark web it became clear. He was obsessed with serial killers and even gained a rep as a big time buyer and seller of merobible from such people. "Got it!" Felicity said to herself. Weidman had been trying to get a hold of the same knockout drug Zach used. She was about contact Connor but stopped herself. It was to danggerous he would get himself killed. Instead she made another call.

"Felicity what's up?" Dana asks once she answers. "I have a led on Weidman. I think we can pass it off as a tip you got from anonymous source," She says. "What about Connor?" Dana asks the pain in her voice clear. "I don't want Connor to know. He's not able to do this," Felicity says. "Alright I make an excuse and stop by the liar," Dana says. Felicity hangs up.

"You are really going to lie to him again," Thea's voice says. Felicity turns around and sees her sister in law standing there. "He's not ready to face someone like Zach," Felicity says. "I know. But that also needs to be his choice," Thea says. "To him there is no choice. He will head after Zach. I am trying to protect my son," Felicity says. "My mother used to say the same thing as why she lied to me and Ollie," Thea says. "How dare you!" Felicity snaps. Thea holds up her hand. "I"m not trying to be a bitch. Felicity my point is Connor was hurt both in body and soul. And why Connor has come a long way we know his default is to think the worse of himself. You not telling him about Katie and now not telling him about Zach is going to mess with his head," Thea says.

Connor's Apartment Later That Night

Felicity walked toward the door steeling herself for what was about to come. She knocks no response. She does it again and finally speaks. "Connor... It's mom please open the door." She stunned by what comes next. "Its open." She turns the knob and opens the door. She walks into a dark room. There is just enough light she can see Connor sitting on the sofa a half empty bottle of alcohol in front of him. Felicity walks toward him. "Connor?" He says nothing just pours himself another drink. "What brought this on?" She asks getting worried. She had seen Connor have a drink since coming home. But no sign he was drinking heavily. He takes a sip. "Just revealing in what a failure I am," Connor says.

"Connor what are you talking about?" Felicity asks sitting next to him. She was ready for him to be mad still. To throw a fit to be defiant. Not this. "Let's look at the facts mom, awful son, awful romantic partner, awful brother, awful hero," Connor says taking another drink. She pulls the bottle away from him. "Connor you are a great son and the good you have done in this city since coming back speaks for itself," She tells him. "Yeah I'm such a good son I made your life hell for years and than didn't even let you know I was alive. And what have a I really done mom since putting on the hood. For years I chased Wintergreen and only found him beaus he brought himself to me. I got my ass kicked by Claw Glove killer. I can't even make an effort to find Zach. And I let Cupid get away," Connor says.

"You forced Wintergreen to reveal himself and you beat him. You saved my life your brothers, aunts, and countless others in this city. You will find Claw Glove. I have lead on Zach. And Cupid you didn't have a choice. Katie was in the room you had to make sure she was safe," Felicity says. "Not at Christmas over the Summer when I let her go after she tried to kill Dana... God I'm such a hypocrite to," Connor says. "What? You let her go I thought she got away," Felicity says. "That night she took down her mask after I corned her I knew the face and I let her go. "Why?" "She saved my life once. And Lisa could tel I knew her some how knew her. That on top of me leaving is why doesn't want me in Katie's life," Connor says. "Connor I'm sure it's not that bad," Felicity says. "She made it pretty clear mom. Katie is a happy and safe child. I'm not known to be happy and safe I'm not," Connor says.

"This is not going to start again. Your whole life you have been way to hard on yourself when any little things goes wrong. Give Lisa time and she will come around remember it wasn't that long ago Cupid took Katie. And as for everything else... You are human you make mistakes," She says. "I'm hypocrite Mom. I've been so mad at you and Dana yet I can't even be honest with anyone," Connor says. "Plenty of time to start. Hell if you start now you will still miles ahead of you father," Felicity says. "At least I told you I was the Green Arrow before I was shot," Connor says. Felicity can't help but laugh. She could still recall clear as day finding Oliver in her backseat that day.

Suddenly Connor snaps to attention. "Shh!" He says. "What?" Felicity asks. He gets up the flow of adrenaline at least for the moment dulling any pain. Suddenly the door burst open and flash bang is set off. Felicity is blinded. "CONNOR?!" She screams as sounds of a fight can be heard. Suddenly she feels someone grab her by the neck. "Mrs. Queen tell dear Dana if she wants to save Connor than he needs to come see," Zach whispers into her ear before shoving her into a wall.