"So, your suit has wings." Rene said as they returned to the bunker.
"Yeah, Cisco probably could've given me a little heads up about that, but in the meantime, what caused the suit to activate like that. I know it wasn't me." Laurel said.
"I've been running diagnostics and it turns out that someone hacked your gear." Felicity said.
"Really, any idea who?" Oliver asked.
"I have a suspicion, but I need some more time to confirm it. I'll let you know when I have something." Felicity assured them.
"Great, in the meantime, see if you can upgrade the firewalls on the suit's tech, we can't have another malfunction like we did tonight." Oliver said and Felicity nodded.
"So, Anatoly has joined Dragon. I knew he was low, but this is a new low even for him." John said.
"Agreed. I realize that he's backed into a corner right now, but still." Oliver said.
"Wait, Anatoly. Your Bratva friend?" Laurel asked.
"Former friend. We had a falling out last year that ended our friendship. We've both changed since my time in Russia, and he hasn't for the better. Of course, some might say the same thing about me." Oliver said.
"Oliver, that is bullcrap. You've done nothing but change for the better over the past 11 years now. You're the hero of Star City." John said.
"Thanks John." Oliver said with a smile.
"Okay, I'm lost again. What are you talking about?" Laurel asked.
"This wasn't the first time Oliver tried hanging up his hood as the Green Arrow, though before it was for different reasons." John said.
"Really, why's that?" Laurel asked.
"Last year, our enemy, Prometheus, he got into Oliver's head, made him think that his crusade as the Hood was nothing more than a killing spree. That he killed because he wanted to and he liked it." John said.
"Which was true. Chase was trying to convince me that that monster was still who I am. And that led to me disbanding the team and turning to the Bratva and temporarily stepping down as the Green Arrow." Oliver said.
"Ok, that is just a bunch of bullcrap." Laurel said.
"Maybe, maybe not, but John convinced me that even if I didn't feel like I deserved to wear that hood, than I should work to become the man that does. With some help from him and Felicity and the others, I did." Oliver said.
"So, I'm assuming that your last run-in with the Bratva is the reason Anatoly hates you now." Laurel asked.
"Yeah. After John pulled my head from my ass, I went back on my word to Anatoly, which led to a standoff and our friendship and by extension, our connections with the Bratva being eliminated." Oliver said as the elevator doors opened and Laurel jumped when she saw Slade walk out of them.
"How the hell did you get off Lian Yu?" Laurel asked.
"You never told her kid?" Slade asked.
"Never came up." Oliver said.
"What never came up?" Laurel asked.
"I let Slade go after Lian Yu. The Mirakuru is what made him crazy. It's had 4 years to clear out of his system." Oliver said.
"You honestly believe that?" Laurel asked.
"Laurel, he fought by our side against Prometheus. I'm not saying I like Slade or even trust him, but Oliver does and from what I saw Lian Yu, I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt." John said.
"Thank you Mr. Diggle. Ms. Lance, it's nice to meet you under more civilized conditions this time." Slade said, only to have Laurel punch him.
"I see now why Oliver was so infatuated by you." Slade said with a grin.
"What do you want Slade, I thought you were overseas looking for your son?" Oliver asked.
"I was and that's why I'm here. Oliver, my son is being held prisoner and I need your help to rescue him." Slade said.
"What do you need me for?" Oliver asked.
"He's in a remote prison, completely cut off from the outside world. Please, I need your help." Slade said.
"Give me a few days to make arrangements here and then I'll join you." Oliver said and Slade nodded.
"Uh, Oliver, can I talk to you for a minute?" Laurel asked and Oliver nodded as they walked to the side.
"What are you thinking? That man killed your mother, tried to kill you, to kill Sara, to kill me, to kill John and Thea and Felicity and everyone else in this city. How can you trust him?" Laurel asked.
"Slade's the type of wild card I'd like to keep my eye on. Besides, you didn't know him like I did Laurel. He was my friend and from what I've seen so far, the man I trusted like my brother is the one I'm seeing so far." Oliver said.
"I know you and Slade have a history, but that doesn't change the fact that he's tried to kill you more times than I can count." Laurel said.
"I don't expect you to understand Laurel, but even if you don't trust Slade, trust me. Trust that I know what I'm doing." Oliver said and Laurel nodded.
"Could you do me a favor and keep an eye on William while I'm gone? I mean Raisa can more than handle it, but he's still a little cautious around you, but maybe if you spend some time with him, he'll be more receptive to you." Oliver said and Laurel nodded.
"No problem. Just good luck talking him into it." Laurel said and Oliver rolled his eyes and kissed her cheek.
