The American compound is located at an undisclosed location, an undisclosed distance from Starling City. Leaving Rocket behind with Sin is even more difficult than she anticipated it being, but she wasn't going to bring her to a League meeting just yet.

The compound is fairly spartan. As lavish as parts of Nanda Parbat can be, these compounds tend to be utilitarian. Nanda Parbat is ceremony; this is work.

The beds are comfy enough, though. A well-rested assassin is an effective assassin.

At the appropriate time, Sara pulls on League standard robes. The clothes she wore before, they belong to a different life. A life that ended, very close to literally, with three arrows in her chest. Now it is most important that she blend seamlessly into the League, to show her complete commitment.

She takes the scarf Ra's gifted her in her hands, soft and incredibly strong. As with nearly everything Ra's does, the gift has a dual nature, equal parts touching gesture and leash and collar. She doesn't need the second part, though. She knows who she is, and who she belongs to, and it's not Ra's al Ghul but his daughter. Just as his daughter belongs to her.

But Ra's was right: it is in everyone's best interest for the three of them to be a united front. And as long as they serve him well, he will do nothing but protect them.

So Sara ties the scarf around her waist, the knot secure but easy to undo with the right touch, so that she may use it in battle if necessary.

She feels eyes on her.

"Are you ready, habibti? My father wishes to meet with us first alone."

Nyssa is in the doorway of their shared quarters. Sara smiles at her. She's always loved her in her reds.

"Ready as I'll ever be," Sara grins. She crosses and kisses Nyssa on the cheek, earning a soft smile in return.

"You look different."

"Stop mourning the corset."

"You cannot make me."

Sara rolls her eyes.

"You still look wonderful, of course," Nyssa says. "I do not miss the wig. Your hair is beautiful."

"Thank you," Sara replies as they step into the hall. "And at least this is much easier to get out of than the corset."

"We should test that theory, later, just in case," Nyssa says, completely straight-faced.

"We're about to go to war, and all you can think about is getting me out of my clothes."

"Always."


"I am going to inform them that I, in my infinite mercy and wisdom, returned you to life in the Pit."

The words certainly take Sara by surprise. Neither she or Nyssa seem capable of forming a response.

"It will lend you authority, and no one will question your loyalty, ever again. And no one need know of the subterfuge you both enacted against me."

Nyssa opens her mouth to say something, but Ra's shakes his head.

"No need for apologies neither of you mean, daughter. You each know the price for further deception." He looks them both over, eyes settling on Sara. "I want you to bring me the body of Al Sa-Her. While I would in the usual course wish to take the life myself, after much pain, the risk of escape in transit is too high. I tire of the Magician's tricks."
Sara had been expecting the order but it still sends a shiver down her back.

"It will be done," she says easily.

He looks to Nyssa.

"The rest of the traitors, dead or alive. I would enjoy watching them suffer."

"Yes, Father."

"Good," Ra's nods, approaching them, putting a hand on each of their outside shoulders. He bows his head and they follow suit. He murmurs the traditional blessing over them, then kisses their foreheads in turn. He says, gleam in his eyes: "Good hunting."


"What the hell is going on here?" Oliver rages as he weaves between the dozens of League assassins in the Foundry in search of Felicity. He gets to Nyssa and her appraising stare first. There are two hooded assassins at her right. The one on the far side is Maseo/Sarab; the one in the center is masked.

"You are not in danger, Oliver Queen. Felicity invited us," Nyssa says calmly.

"Oliver…" Felicity begins, apology in her voice.

"What. Is going on?" Oliver repeats more calmly.

The assassin in the center lowers their mask and hood, and Oliver staggers back.

"Sara," he breathes.

"Hi, Ollie."

"Ta-er al-Sahfer is reborn. She leads the hunt for Al Sa-Her, and she will bring him to justice at the end of a blade," Sarab says. "She carries the mandate of the Demon's Head himself."

Oliver looks to Felicity, Laurel, and Thea at the desk; none look surprised. In fact, each is terrifyingly calm. At least behind him, Roy and Dig have caught up and are swearing out their own shock. Dig, though, takes long strides to Sara and pulls her into his arms.

Sara looks different. Free of the Canary garb, simply dressed in the League standard except, now he notices, a gold scarf at her waist, she appears… free, or at least far, from the demons that hounded her during their time together.

"I named my kid after you," Dig says, astonished.

"I know," Sara laughs. "I'm sorry. She's really cute, too. I've seen pictures."

Roy is next, folding Sara into his arms with a "Holy shit."

"You knew about this?" Oliver asks, head still spinning, turning to Thea, Laurel, and Felicity.

Thea shrugs, Laurel smiles wider than he's seen in months, and Felicity continues to look a little sheepish.

"How long?" he asks.

"We'll talk later," Felicity says quickly, glancing around the crowded basement.

"Yeah, Ollie," Sara demands his attention, "Shut up and hug me."

He's seen enough amazing things to not get too hung up on this surprise, so he does at least pull her into an embrace before demanding more answers.

"Not too long," Felicity calls. "Nyssa might shoot you."

"Stop encouraging her!" Sara yells over his shoulder.

When he pulls away, he repeats, feeling like a broken record, "What's going on?"

Sara's shoulders fall back, standing straight.

"I'm not dead. Like Felicity said, we can talk about the hows and whens later. Nyssa and I are here for Merlyn."

"With half the League of Assassins?" he asks, gesturing to the group around them.

"This is hardly half," Nyssa says, offended.

Oliver sets his jaw and swallows his retort.

"Can we talk somewhere a little more private?" he asks Sara. He moves to place a hand on her shoulder to guide her away, and every League member in view tenses audibly. Maseo even begins to pull his sword. Oliver takes his hand back.

"Stand down," Nyssa orders simply, and Maseo slides his sword back into its scabbard.

"They're a little jumpy," Sara says casually. She nods to Nyssa and then gestures up. "Let's talk."


"You faked - "

"Shh! Keep your voice down," Sara orders, glancing back over her shoulder. "That part isn't common knowledge."

"To who?"

"The dozens of assassins down there, so shut up," Sara says. She explained the very basics. There's no time or need for more.

"You let us believe you were dead," Oliver says, and she knows he's angry but so is she.

"Yeah, and while you thought I was dead, you've gotten damn cozy with the bastard you thought did it." She pokes him, hard, in the chest.

"Sara, I- "

"Save it," she cuts him off. "I'm here on League business. I'm here for that bastard."

Ollie is giving her that look, the one that screams frustration and anger.

"How can you do this? How can you still serve the League? After everything they've done, after all the things you told me, the things that haunt you. Is it just for her?"

Sara resists the urge to slug him.

"Yes for her," she answers. "Because she loves all of me, Oliver. She knows everything about me and still wants to be with every part of me. I don't have to hide, or feel less than, or broken. Everything else feels like pretend. Nyssa feels real."

"She's a killer, Sara."

"So am I," she spits back. "I have done everything Nyssa has, and I chose to do it. I can't will that away. Because most of the people I killed? They deserved it. I saved more people from being killed or brought closure to a hurting family. Not everyone deserves to live in some sterile, safe prison, Ollie. And no prison is escape-proof."

"You're really going to kill Merlyn," Oliver says, anger in his eyes. "I thought Maseo-"

"Sarab."

"Meant you would bring him to Ra's. But you're going to kill him yourself. I thought the killing was too much!"

"He's dangerous! Sometimes, Ollie, someone just needs to be put down. Sometimes, killing really is the best option. You don't need to worry your tortured soul about it, though. This one's on me," Sara says with a tight smile. Her face turns grim. "This is an easy fix to everyone's pain. I have Thea's blessing. If you try to get in my way, though, I will stop you. If Nyssa doesn't first."

He looks down and meets the eyes of the Heir to the Demon across the room, and Nyssa inclines her head with a sinister smile.

"Sara, you can't just- "

"What? I can't just what? You can't tell me what to do, Oliver."

"This is my city."

"Bullshit. This isn't about Starling City. This is about the League. This is a war. I'm trying to make sure there's only one casualty. Did you know Merlyn turned a bunch of League assassins and is holed up with them in a warehouse here in the Glades?"

His petulant silence says he didn't.

"The longer it takes me to take out Merlyn, the more dangerous it will be. Have you ever seen the League go to war?"

"No."

"You don't want to. This," she gestures over all the assassins. "Will just be the beginning. So let Nyssa and I take care of it."

"The Heir and her Beloved," he says.

"Yes."

"I know what Beloved means. I've always known."

"Then you always knew how this would end. That I've always been hers."

Oliver looks down.

"So you're really just Ra's al Ghul's weapon now."

"Better the Demon's weapon than his enemy. Take the night off, Oliver. We have a plan, but I'm not so sure you're going to like it. If you want us to go somewhere else, we will."

"You can stay," he says. "But I am, too. I won't get in your way, but I want to know what's happening in my city."

"Fair enough."


Sara offers Roy the chance to suit up, and he takes it, avoiding Oliver's eyes.

"Me too," Dig says easily.

"No," Sara shakes her head. "Sit this one out, John."

"Sara."

"Hey, I have a vested interest in little girls named Sara and their dads. Go home, or we'll knock you unconscious and take you home."

Dig looks like he might fight her on this, but he backs down after a minute.

"Thank you," he says. "Be safe, you hear me? I'm gonna be real mad if you die again."

"Deal."

"Felicity, you'll coordinate from here?" Sara asks.

"Yep, I've got earpieces for, well, not all of you. Didn't think there'd be so many… assassins. I've got about a dozen."

"That should be sufficient," Nyssa assures her. She turns and issues quick, sharp orders in Arabic for her troops to form into squads.

Felicity makes her rounds, getting Roy, Thea, Laurel, and Nyssa set up with ear pieces. When she gets to Sara, she grins her Felicity grin and tucks Sara's hair behind her ear.

"You look good without the corset."

Nyssa huffs, and Sara laughs: "Tell that to her."

"Alright," Felicity slips the piece into position. "You're good to go."

"Thank you," Sara says warmly, squeezing Felicity's shoulder and kissing her cheek. "I feel better knowing you're in my ear."

Felicity returns the smile and goes to similarly outfit Nyssa's lieutenants.

Nyssa raises an eyebrow at the interaction. Sara grins.

"Oh, didn't I tell you? If you die, Felicity and I are taking all your money and running away together."

Nyssa tilts her head back and lets out a warm laugh. "I cannot fault your choice. I should ask if she is amenable to a similar arrangement."

"I'd be okay with that," Sara nods.

Nyssa's face turns serious.

"You will be careful, habibti?"

Sara wraps her arms around Nyssa's neck and looks her in the eye. She feels Nyssa's gloved hands on her waist.

"Of course. I don't want Felicity stealing you."

Nyssa practically snarls. "Be serious."

"Then I promise to be careful."

"Good. It would be inconvenient if all our hard work fabricating your death would result in the same outcome we sought to avoid."

Sara kisses her the way she always has in moments like this: just in case it's their last, but promising so many more if it isn't.

She feels eyes on them, but she doesn't care, until there's a familiar whine and then a yelp. With one final press of their foreheads, Sara pulls away.

"Rocket," she complains. "I'm allowed to pay attention to someone besides you, you know."

Rocket's ears twitch speciously.

"Looks like there's going to be some trouble when your moms are back living together again," Sin grins nervously, Rocket in her arms, looking around the Arrow Lair with wide eyes.

Nyssa nods to Sin, then says to Sara: "If you'll give me a moment." Then more quietly. "See to your girls."

"Wow, so, this place is crazy. Even without all the shadowy dudes around. And I mean dudes in the gender neutral sense, of course."

"Of course," Sara grins. "You're gonna stay here with Felicity, okay? Ol - The Arrow will keep you safe."

"I know Oliver Queen is the Arrow; I'm not dumb, and you guys aren't subtle."

"Alright," Sara laughs. "Oliver will keep you and Rocket safe. When this is done, you and I are gonna go get some milkshakes and I'll explain everything."

"Okay."

Rocket whines again. Sara scoops her out of Sin's arms.

"Hey you. I know this is hard. We spent all our time together until recently. Sin's gonna keep taking good care of you for a little while longer, though."

Rocket relaxes a little at Sara's ear scratches and soft voice.

"She's really freaking cute," Sin comments.

"I know," Sara says. "Problem is she knows it. Sounds like someone I know." She nudges the girl with her shoulder.

"Hey, right back at you," Sin blushes.

"Hey, Sara, can I ask - "

Rocket starts growling at the intrusion and then starts full on angry barking at Oliver.

"Whoa, hey - uh, what's that?"

"This is Rocket," Sara says over the noise.

"I don't think she likes you very much, Ollie," Laurel teases, joining them.

Between Sara's soothing and Laurel's petting, Rocket calms but still looks warily at Oliver.

"She must get it from Nyssa," Sin teases.

"What did you want to ask?" Sara asks.

"I-"

Rocket growls again.

"Stop," Sara scolds. Disgruntled, Rocket does as told, resting her head in the crook of Sara's elbow.

Oliver gives the pup a confused glance but pushes on.

"Thea seems to be under the impression that she's coming with you."

As if on cue, an annoyed Thea joins them, Nyssa close behind.

"Oh, she is," Sara agrees, ready for this. "I told you you wouldn't like the plan."

Oliver juts his jaw.

"I won't let her participate in her father's murder."

"Oh?" Sara hands Rocket off to Laurel. "You won't let her? She's an adult, Oliver."

"Thank you!" Thea cries. "And he's not my father."

"Thea, listen to me, I know you're angry but - "

"Oh shut up, Ollie. He had sex with our mom and happened to produce me. That's it. That's the end of it. Okay? I asked Sara to do this. If you think I'm making a mistake, fine. Let me make my own mistakes."

Oliver looks around, looks like he'll fight again, but then Felicity's hand is on his shoulder.

"They all care about her," she gestures to the group surrounding them, which now includes Roy. "They will have her back, and she kicks a lot of ass on her own. I know you're scared, but that doesn't give you the right to be a jerk."

Oliver deflates.

"Fine."

"Good," Sara says. "I didn't want to have to knock you out." She looks to Nyssa. "Everything ready?"

Nyssa nods.

"Great. Everyone suit up; it's time to kidnap Thea."


tbc