Chapter 7
Thea had returned from South America with news about Malcolm Merlyn. When Felicity contacted her about Oliver being in town and seeing him and Roy tonight at Ray's mansion. The fact she was going home to her family home and it was now Ray's mansion didn't even bother because her brother was waiting there for her. Thea got in her Porsche and headed to Ray's place.
Laurel arrived to find Nyssa waiting for her. Nyssa was now staying at Ray's full time. He was now receiving training from Diggle and her. According to Nyssa his enthusiasm was impressive but his skills and technique were lacking. Diggle arrived with Felicity, who was feeling nervous about seeing Oliver. Months had passed without a word. It was a difficult way to live, but she knew that was how they had to do it for now. Ray had everyone go into the first floor living room where he had refreshments served.
They were in the process of discussing the new base in the abandoned subway under the apartment building Ray was having turned into a firs class place for lower income tenants, when the doorbell rang. Since his butler was still on duty, Ray allowed him to answer it. Seconds later, Oliver with Roy by his side entered the living room. Nyssa gasped when she saw Oliver in his green robe coat. He was most definitely the heir now.
"Roy!" screamed Thea, who ran into his arms. Roy returned the hug with everything he had.
He held onto her as if she was something precious he had lost and just found again. Diggle, Laurel, and Felicity gravitated towards Oliver. Not wanting to wait or caring what anyone thought, Felicity threw herself into his arms and wrapped her arms around his neck. Oliver sought out her mouth and kissed her with all the passion in had been storing up. When he stopped Felicity moaned and stepped back on rubbery legs.
Before the two lovers could get to know each other any further, Diggle grabbed Oliver's right hand, but didn't shake it. He pulled him in for a hug. Diggle stepped back and looked at him.
"I missed you man," said Diggle.
"I've missed you," replied Oliver.
After Diggle Laurel hugged him. Even she was happy to see him back.
"You must be happy to be back in town," remarked Ray.
"I hope to make it permanent in time," Oliver stated, which brought a smile to Felicity, Diggle, Thea, and even Laurel. "But first I have to arrange for Roy to be able to stay. He needs to be proven innocent."
"How?" asked Diggle.
"It's already been arranged," said Oliver. "I just need to talk to Laurel about a few things."
"What can I do to help?" she asked.
Oliver looked at Ray then asked, "Do you mind if Laurel and I go somewhere private for a moment?"
"My home is your home. Actually my home used to be your home, so go right ahead," said Ray.
A smile that didn't travel to his eyes crossed Oliver's lips. He nodded his head and he and Laurel exited the living room.
"You have to shave this beard, Roy," demanded Thea to Roy. "And the hair dye, too. I want my Roy back."
"I intend to get rid of both tomorrow. Oliver has a plan to get me off," said Roy.
"What is it?" she asked.
Roy smiled then said, "When Oliver expects me to keep a secret then I keep a secret."
"How was Nanda Parbat?" asked Diggle.
"Easier for me than Oliver," Roy admitted.
"What do you mean?" asked Felicity.
"Ra's trained me personally, which meant Oliver had to pass some serious tests. It was tough on him," said Roy.
"The Demon's Head expects his heir to deal with pain and with traitors. Did he walk the gauntlet without falling?" Nyssa asked.
"Yes," answered Roy.
"Did he have to deal with a traitor?" she asked.
"Yes," Roy replied.
"Who?"
"Akbaru," answered Roy.
"Very impressive. Akbaru was one of the finest warriors my father ever trained. Some thought I would be paired with him in order to produce a masculine heir," said Nyssa. "It sounds as if Oliver Queen has become a true heir to Ra's Al Ghul."
"No," growled Felicity. "Oliver isn't the heir to Ra's Al Ghul. He is a man, a good man, who is stuck in a bad situation, and we will help him get out of this situation."
Nyssa allowed a sad smile to play on her lips. She walked up to Felicity and gently stroked her cheek. It was mean to intimidate but just a harmless gesture.
"You remind me of Sara, my beloved. Oliver Queen is a lucky man," she said.
Felicity could see tears forming in Nyssa's dark eyes. The pain she felt at the loss of Sara was still strong in her. She had lost her beloved.
"I am sorry about you losing Sara," said Felicity. "You above all should understand how I feel about what is happening to Oliver. Help me?"
"I cannot go up against the Demon Head. He is my father. I can't do that," said Nyssa.
"Who has tossed you aside, Nyssa? Who has treated you as less than a daughter?" Felicity pointed out.
Nyssa looked down at the floor.
"He also pardoned Malcolm Merlyn for murdering Sara," said Felicity. "What sort of man does that? A man who deserves your loyalty. I don't think so."
Nyssa looked up. Her eyes didn't hide her anger.
"I need to be going to think. I shall return in time," she hissed.
Nyssa stormed out of the living room and out of the house. She needed time alone to think, to make difficult decisions. Felicity wrapped her arms around herself. She wanted Nyssa's help. Who better to outsmart the Demon's Head than his daughter?
"That was impressive," said Roy. "If she is anything like her father, you'd be dead. There must be a human heart beating under that assassin's training."
"I hope so," said Felicity.
"Don't worry, Felicity, even if Nyssa doesn't help us, we'll figure this all out," said Diggle. "Oliver belongs here with you and with his friends."
Arrow
Captain Quentin Lance scowled as he waited outside of his precinct for Oliver Queen and his daughter to appear with the fugitive Roy Harper. Much to his disappointment, news cameras were also stationed outside of his precinct waiting for the same event. He looked at his men, who already had their guns drawn in preparation for taking Harper into custody.
A black Lexus pulled up in front of the precinct. Laurel got out of the passenger's seat, while Oliver got out of the driver's seat. Oliver opened the door to the backseat and a clean shaven and returned to his normal hair color Roy got out. Roy instinctively out his hands up in the air, as he didn't want to get shot.
Oliver grabbed him by the upper right arm and started to escort him to the police, who were now converging on them. Just then a green arrow shattered the driver's window of the car just missing Roy. Everyone turned their heads at the building across the street. Standing on the roof was Aziz in full Arrow gear.
"Roy Harper is not the Arrow," he yelled down at them with the voice modulator making his voice sound like Oliver's modulated voice. "You should stop looking for innocent men to imprison, Captain Lance."
"Get him," Lance yelled pointing at Aziz.
His men ran towards the building. Aziz turned and fire a grappling arrow and then disappeared. A police officer took Roy from Oliver and cuffed him then took him into the precinct. Laurel followed after him to make sure he wasn't badly treated. Lance came up beside Oliver.
"Well played, Queen," he growled.
"I have no idea what you are talking about," said Oliver.
"You are back in town and suddenly the Arrow is back. I don't believe in coincidences. Eventually, you'll make a mistake and I'll have you," said Lance.
"Meanwhile, your city's crime rate goes up. Innocent people are trampled on and the criminals take over the Glades, and the police less and less effective. Well done, Captain Lance, you are failing your city," Oliver said coldly.
"You son of bitch," hissed Lance. He balled up his fist to strike Oliver, who just stood there and did nothing. Lance opened up and balled hand and leaned in real close to Oliver. "You are the villain here."
"Maybe so, Captain, but you are no hero. You are a bitter man obsessed with his own pain and not doing his duty to his city and the citizens. Go chase shadows, maybe you finally capture one," said Oliver. "Now I need to make sure that Roy is alright."
Oliver walked away from Lance. The news media harassed him with questions, which Oliver ignored as he walked into the precinct. Lance stood alone composing himself and trying not to let Oliver Queen's words bother him.
Arrow
Felicity liked her new condo in the chic part of the city, though if the truth be told she missed her old neighbors. She missed runaway cats and old ladies who needed to borrow sugar when all they really wanted to do was talk. Her new place in was a security building with security guards, concierge, and even a gym on the fourteenth floor. It was roomy with a great view and the right apartment for a VP of Palmer Technologies, yet she thought of moving back to her old place at least once a week.
After showering, she changed into PJ pants and a black tee shirt she once stole from Oliver. Since she wasn't tired and it was a Friday night, she microwaved some popcorn then choose a silly RomCom and started watching a movie.
"I like your old place better," Oliver said.
Felicity almost threw her popcorn up in the air in surprise. She turned to see Oliver dressed in his now usual color of black standing in her apartment.
"How did you get in here?" she asked.
"You know I have been trained by the League of Assassins, Felicity," he said then smiled.
"Are any of the security guards dead?" she asked in a teasing manner.
"Not even bruised," he chuckled.
He started to walk towards the sofa, when she dropped on the bag of popcorn straight to the floor, stood up on the sofa, and jumped towards him. Oliver caught her in his arms and immediately sought out her mouth. Months away from each had led to a great deal of pent up sexual frustration that was now being released. With one had he cupped her buttocks and with the other pulled off he black tee, while Felicity devoured his mouth as she worked on removing his shirt.
"Bedroom," she moaned.
"Um hmm," he answered.
Oliver made his way to Felicity's bedroom. Once there he fell back on the bed allowing her to be on top. Felicity worked on getting Oliver's pants off, while he had the easier task of getting her PJ bottom off. The moans and groans of sex replaced any conversation. For the next how many hours, it was just them and no one else. There were no more problems to solve, no more missions at the moment, just them. And they were going to make the most of that time as they could.
Arrow
Felicity awoke happy because she woke up with the man she loved in bed with her. She moved her head from on his shoulder to his chest so that she could listen to his heartbeat. He allowed this for a few moments then he spoke up.
"Breakfast?" he asked.
"Do you want me to make it? Because if you do then we are having cereal which is what I eat for breakfast when I cook it," Felicity replied.
"I'll buy," he smiled.
"Now that I like the sound of," she cooed. "Where?"
"Your choice," he said.
"Oh, there is a diner that opened up on the edge of the Glades. It has the best banana pancakes in the world. I love banana pancakes. Do you?" she asked him.
"I'm more of a waffle guy than a pancake one, though I have had my share of pancakes at three in the morning while inebriated. Tommy thought heavy breakfast early in the morning kept away hangovers," Olive told her.
"You miss him," she said softly.
"Yeah, I miss him. The last few months weren't good between us. I regret that," said Oliver.
"The diner has waffles, too," Felicity smiled. "And Eggs Benedict and..."
"You don't have to sell me on it. Having breakfast with you is sell enough," Oliver said.
Felicity moved into him and kissed him.
"And after breakfast?" she asked.
"I have to see Laurel and check on Roy's status," said Oliver.
"I'll come with you," she said.
"You don't have to."
"I know."
Arrow
Laurel let Oliver and Felicity into her apartment. Nyssa was there seated on the sofa. Felicity noticed that she looked at Oliver with fear, which confused her. She had no reason to fear Oliver, but maybe Nyssa now feared the league.
"Sit down. I'll get you coffee," said Laurel.
Oliver sat down in an armchair. Felicity chose the sofa leaving a space between her and Nyssa. Laurel came in with a tray with four mugs, a creamer, and sugar bowl on it. She hated Nyssa a mug.
"He's your tea," she said.
"Thank you, Laurel."
She placed the tray down on the coffee table.
"Help yourself," she said then took a mug and sat in the other armchair.
Felicity fixed the coffee the way she likes it, while Oliver just took the mug and sipped it.
"I guess you're here about Roy," said Laurel.
Oliver nodded yes.
"The heir is loyal to his minions," said Nyssa.
"Roy isn't a minion. He is a friend and a partner," said Oliver.
"My father would not appreciate that sort of talk," said Nyssa.
"I'm not like your father. Are you?" asked Oliver.
"I thought I was," Nyssa sighed. "I might have been mistaken."
"Let me tell you about where Roy stands," Laurel started.
"Is he alright?" asked Felicity.
"Roy is fine. After the treatment he got in prison, he is being handle with kid gloves in a holding cell," answered Laurel. "I've been in discussion with the DA to drop all charges against him. He did interfere in a police matter, but we are open to a lawsuit for the way he was treated in prison. I believe the DA and the mayor are leaning towards dropping the charges. They will let me know on Monday."
"Good. Roy will be safe," said Oliver.
"He'll be able to return with you to Nanda Parbat," said Nyssa.
Oliver smiled.
"Roy isn't going back to Nanda Parbat. He's staying here where he is needed," Oliver told her.
"You cannot do that," Nyssa replied. "You are not Ra's Al Ghul. You cannot release him."
"You released Sara," said Oliver. "I believe the heir has some power."
"My father won't let you do what you want, Al Sahim," said Nyssa. "He will mold you to become like him."
"You fear the league now, don't you?" asked Oliver.
Nyssa stiffened and looked away from him. Felicity could see the fear.
"Nyssa, you can trust Oliver. He isn't Al Sahim, but Oliver Queen, a man willing to risk his own life for others. He doesn't want to hurt you. He wants to help you," pleaded Felicity.
Nyssa looked back at Oliver. She took her time and weighed her options then she spoke.
"My father cannot leave me alive," said Nyssa. "He knows that there are many who are loyal to me. Everyone must be loyal to the heir. If my sister Talia weren't in hiding he'd have her killed, also. It is all about you now."
"Nyssa, what would you do if you control the league?" asked Oliver.
"Replace evil with death," she said.
"Find a better way and you can have the league. I don't want it," sad Oliver.
"You would relinquish the league to me?" she asked.
"Gratefully, if I knew I could trust you," said Oliver.
"Help keep me alive then and I will consider another way," said Nyssa.
"Good."
Arrow
Oliver walked about the underground subway station area that Ray had been turning into their new base. He noticed how in the former restaurant with the computers and other high tech toys there was an area for Ray's Atom suit. The other restaurant was being turned into a gym/slash training area. It was impressive.
"I'm having a hidden entrance put over there so that it opens up behind the building in the alleyway, so I can takeoff without being seen," said Ray.
"Ray, you got the six core processor. It's not even on the market yet," said Felicity with excitement.
"I know people," Ray smiled.
"We'll be able to do deep data mining now," said Felicity. "This should help us to track down criminals faster."
"You deserve the best," said Ray.
Oliver glanced at Ray with his peripheral vision. The man was in love with Felicity. Oliver took a deep breath and exhaled. She was his not Ray's. He had to just remind himself of that fact.
"When will this place be completely operational?" asked Oliver.
"Three weeks," said Ray.
"Have you heard from Chad Graham?" asked Oliver.
Ray turned and looked at Oliver. He seemed annoyed by the question.
"He called to set up another appointment," said Ray.
"Make the appointment. We need to find out what he wants from you," said Oliver.
"So, I should open my company and myself up to Graham?" asked Ray.
"A little, just a little," said Oliver.
"I'll make an appointment with him," said Ray.
"Make sure Felicity is there," said Oliver.
"Will it be safe for her?" asked Ray.
"I'll be watching," replied Oliver.
