Chapter Title: Chapter 10: It is Easier to Build Strong Children than to Repair Broken Men PT. 2

Chapter Rating: T- for language, violence, and mentions of sex

Word Count: 11793

Chapter Summary: With complications everywhere Felicity ends up face to face with Oliver, Helena and an unsuspecting Tommy. Meanwhile trying simply trying to keep her boss alive long enough to help him and finally with Helena spiraling out of control Felicity and Oliver find themselves at different ends of a fight with dire consequences for all

AN: The second part is here and things just got real in many ways. As the title states this shows how to children coming from broken childhoods to become broken adults forge to very different paths. I have included links for the outfits felicity wore with the exception of her vigilante outfit i think i might have to draw that up myself yo get it just like I wanted but i did my best to describe it, finally. Hope you enjoy it and remember let me know what you think! I OWN NOTHING, except all the crazy stuff that is starting to happen.

previously…

This isn't how it was supposed to turn out. This was not the plan, everything had gone to hell in a blink of an eye and he only had himself to blame. Losing an ally he never even knew he wanted, creating a rift between the one ally he was sure he had and all because of what, pride, fear, loneliness… all for nothing.

As Oliver sat in the foundry contemplating the last week of events. More importantly, the last 72 hrs, he slammed his fist into the desk at the sheer fuck-titude of the downward spiral spanning the last three days. Foresight, every man's personal reminder of their failures and shortcomings. Three days ago Oliver came up short…

Cordelia Todd at Table Salt cordelia_todd_table_salt/set?.svc=copypaste&embedder=9971994&id=116616567

Rene Magritte at Bertenelli Compound rene_magritte_bertenelli_compound/set?.svc=copypaste&embedder=9971994&id=116784425

Of course because she loves good news in the morning she decided to email Cass and ask her for any updates on Merlyn. The more she dealt with Walter and Moira's situation the more suspicious she was becoming of everyone. So many years taking so many things for granted, the little progress she was making the pockets of safety she created in the Glades and now she was beginning to see that nobody was who she perceived them to be. As far as she was concerned everyone had an agenda and everyone wore a mask, should she really be surprised seeing as she was the biggest lie of them all.

Going about her day entailed many things first her 10 mile run into and out of the Glades to get an update on everything that was going on, as busy as Oliver Queen had been keeping her she had to rely on the few informants she trusted to let her know how things were going.

"Morning Jellybear…:

"Seriously, still with that?"

"... I see you got my message so what's going on?" she continued completely disregarding the irritated voice of her informant

"You are never going to drop that are you?"

She simply chuckles as she remains in the alley leaning against the wall hood up and giving him only her profile. he remains about 5 feet from her knowing better than to try and see her face, he tried, once, he ended with his face to the ground and a knee on his neck, first and last time he tried. He has a hard time processing these two personas the playful nature of the woman that stands in front of him with the sharp precision of the fighter he has seen first hand.

"Alright so there are the rumors of some new drug being produced some real nasty stuff as far as I can see. It is a really small operation right now but has the potential to get real ugly real fast. And well, the usual small time stuff as always, wouldn't be the Glades either wise."

"How is your mom?"

"Fine."

"So, not fine." she watches him from her peripherals as he shifts his feet and pushes down on his red hoodie with his hands in the pockets. "Here I managed to get some more meds for her, and the bed at the rehab is still there. If you can get her to stay then do it." He simply nods and that's really all the thanks she needs. She tells him to keep his ear to the ground and keep her updated while she puts some feelers out and communicates with her SCPD contacts. She thanks him and tosses him an envelope with money. As he catches it and raises his head to protest she is already gone.

"Figures. She is going to have to teach me how the hell she does that." As he walks home he stops by the local shelter and drops off the envelope with most of money. He helps because this is his city, his home and the meds are payment enough. Regardless he can't help but be thankful, even if he rarely says it, for meeting her.

FLASHBACK

"Do you make a habit of getting into fights in alleys when you are outnumbered?"

"Whoa?! What the Hell are you?"

"Thank you so much for saving my ass before it was handed to me. Oh no need to thank me just helping a fellow citizen in trouble." she deadpanned as she leaned arms crossed against the wall.

"Just in case you missed it that was me helping you again… okay so nothing…. wow kids now a days, no manners" as she turned to walk away she said over her shoulder "You're welcome"

She had taken two steps when she heard him "Sorry, thanks"

"Uhmm what was that?" she responded putting her hand to her ear.

He rolled his eyes and huffed out an irritated breath.

"Just kidding. So what was all that about. Why the kamikaze attack, those dudes had at least 50 pounds on you and not to mention there were 3 of them and one lanky you."

"All muscle, I had them"

"Didn't look that way to me from up there" she said pointing at the roof of the 6 story building

"Who are you? And what are you wearing?"

"My name is none of your business and I think they call these clothes."

"Are you always so…"

"Clever" she interrupted

"I was going to say annoying"

"Watch it"

"Snarky?" he winced

"Hmmm I'll take it. The answer is yes, and are you always so rude?"

"Yes" he said raising his chin in defiance, she chuckled and once again which surprised him

"You're a smart ass, arrogant and cocky but smart, I like that"

"Thanks I guess…"

As she paced around him, he had to admit that he felt uneasy and extremely intimidated. She looked like a cage animal who had just been let out and it was making him jumpy. Plus the get up she had on was not helping. She was wearing all black, almost looked like a jumpsuit yet, there were holsters and pockets everywhere as well as a belt. It was rather form fitting which let him see that she was rather petite, how she managed to take those guys out he was still trying to figure out. Regardless of her size she looked capable and dangerous and that's the assumption he was going with.

As he kept inspecting her get-up he saw she was wearing black combat boots which looked like they had slits for knives on the sides. As he worked his way up her body he saw a couple more holsters around her legs which seemed to also carry knives. Her belt had 2 guns, and some other gadgets which he had no idea what they were. She had shoulder holsters with a sword that barely peeked over one shoulder and a couple more slits on her arms. All her knives, gadgets and holsters neatly covered in black leather, he knew it was leather, he could smell it. The rest of her outfit he had no idea what it was made off because when the light caught it a certain way it seemed to blend with the background just perfectly making every move she took look seamless, effortless and almost like she was floating from one spot to another.

The final piece was the black hood over her head it was large and cascaded down to her shoulders shrouding in shadows most of her face. The extra material at her shoulders was wrapped delicately around her neck. Attached to the hood was a thin layered mesh that covered half her face from right under her eyes all the way to where the hood connected to her shoulders. Only her eyes were technically visible if it wasn't for the hood that fell at a V over her face. Besides that all he could see where wisps of curly vibrant red hair that fluttered across her face when the breeze hit her just right.

When his eyes fell back on her face he realized that he had been staring and she had noticed, so he let his gaze drop.

"What did you learn?"

"Excuse me?"

"Now that you have thoroughly analyzed me what did you learn?"

He hesitated for a bit before he responded, " You carry a shit load of weapons, but you prefer the throwing knives" at that she cooked her head and nodded for him to continue "You have them placed all over your body. You must be fast and very good with them or else you wouldn't rely on them. You have great fighting ability and seems like you are more the type to disarm and neutralize an enemy rather than kill"

With an up twitch of her lips she asked "Why do you say that?"

"That on your hip is a tranq gun, only the other is an actual gun and you don't have any extra clips on you which tells me that you almost never use the one gun that you carry. Plus you also have rubber bullets on your belt."

"Very Nice. What else?"

"You don't care very much about hiding your identity or else you would wear a mask or something instead of just a hood."

"Oh so close. Sorry game over"

At his confused look, she walked right up to him standing only a foot away and raised her head allowing her hood to tip back just enough to meet his eyes. As he regained his breath, because for a second he thought he was a dead man, he met her eyes. There under the black hood with the charcoal green satin lining he found the most intense green eyes he had ever seen, emeralds for eyes. For a second he became sort of lost in them until her raspy deep voice, with an accent he cannot place, snapped him back to attention.

"If an enemy gets close enough to pull down my hood then it doesn't matter what I wear he will remove it just the same. A mask offers me no more protection than this hood. I never let anyone get close enough and the day someone does, only one of us is walking away from that fight with our identity intact." With that she started to walk away from him and towards the fire escape on the side of the building. As she reached up to pull the latter down he shouted after her.

"I could of pulled down your hood. Well, I could of tried"

"Yeah, and?"

"But you said"

"I know what I said"

"Oh" was all he said as he saw her gracefully use the latter to propel herself up and jump effortlessly and silently from one floor to the next until she reached the roof. He backed-up to the other side of the alley to try and keep eyes on her and found it difficult to distinguish her silhouette from the light play of the city and shadows. Now he saw how she got around undetected. As he raised his hood on his head and started to walk away he had gotten about 3 buildings down when he felt something hit him on the head. He looked around and then up and there she was crouched down on top of the one story convenience store.

"Hey dumbass, what's your name?"

"None of…" she crossed her arms and glared at him as he sheepishly smiled and rubbed the back of his neck

"Roy, Roy Harper"

"Nice to meet you Roy, see you around"

"When? Hey when will I see you again" he shouted as he hopped up and down trying to see where she had gone. As he jumped he heard a bell ding and looked down to find confused and worried eyes from an older man exiting the convenience store on him. The elderly man had walked out only to be greeted by a young man jumping up and down like a crazy person and shouting up to the sky.

Roy mumbled something as he picked up his hood again stuffed his hands in his pockets and walked away, swearing he heard a feminine laugh in the wind. He really hoped he saw Her again. He would, many more times.

END OF FLASHBACK

As the sun breaks through the cityscape Helena and Oliver are already in the foundry training, Dig has called in 'sick' and Starling goes about it's business. As the lunch hour rolls around Felicity is headed out for an extended lunch, she can feel the tension begin to grow in her neck.

Having changed she jumps into the Porsche and heads to meet with Bertenelli. The minute she arrives she knows everything is on edge. She presents him with his money, completely clean and ready to be used and then quickly tells him that she's heard of his recent misfortune and seeing as she does good business with the triad she is a little conflicted on whether to continue her business deal with him. After a long conversation Frank convinces her to stick around by offering a more established position in the organization and letting her in on some secrets, which is exactly what she wanted. She needs to be close to him in order to protect him long enough for the FBI to haul him away. They strike a new deal and make plans to meet in 2 days when a new shipment is set to arrive and when he will schedule a meeting with the triad. His hope is that his relationship with, Rene Magritte, and her established relationship with the Triad will dissipate a lot of the animosity and tension between the families.

As she makes her way out they make final arrangements, she gets in her car and drives away. In the distance over the high walls sits Helena with long distance binoculars. She wonders what that woman is doing there again, Rene, that was her name. She worries that she might be helping her dad get back on his feet after the hit they gave him yesterday, so she decides to follow the woman. She hasn't been following her more than 3 blocks before Felicity spots the bike maintaining a distance but not maneuvering discreetly enough. Or maybe it is just that Felicity always drives evasively precisely to spot out tails.

She decides to change the tables and moves into some streets she knows through a garage and back out only to turn back around and end behind her, the Porsche might be ostentatious but she had routes set up all over the city, her city. As she spots the bike now dead stopped at the corner of the third turn she took. She watches the driver and contemplates following the bike, she laughs at herself, yeah cause she wouldn't be spotted almost immediately. As the driver turns Felicity has a very good idea of who that was, Helena. Seeing as she only has 40 min to change and get back to work she contemplates confronting her now or later and decides she has enough going on, this could wait.

The end of the work day arrives faster than she had hoped, getting lost in programming and codes is one of the few reprieves Felicity still has and some afternoons she wishes she could stay late then mingle with her co- workers and maybe go out to a bar and grab a drink, talk about their day, complain about the executives and who knows meet someone cute and entertaining, like a normal 22 year old. Instead she has an email from Cass in her inbox letting her know that although Merlyn seems squeaky clean there are about 7 years of his life missing from any record. Yet, she might have a lead but needs time to figure it out. Time what a joke the last thing Felicity seems to have is time. After 5 long years of almost routine life, one castaway playboy later and time seems to be flying out of her hands right along with her patience and control.

As she drives she remembers that she obviously can't leave her place looking like Cordelia Todd. So she had her assistant call the best hotel in the city and get her a suite for tonight. She calls the car agency and has them send a town car to the hotel. Lastly, she calls the concierge and has them send a rack of cocktail dresses for her to be ready in her room by the time she arrives at 4:30. Feeling ready she drops everything off in her apartment gathers her identity from her safe and calls a cab.

While in the cab dressed in slacks, a silk blouse, heels, and big sunglasses she wraps her hair in a silk head scarf that she expertly wraps around her head. She exits at the hotel and walks in full in Cordelia mode within minutes she is escorted to her suite where everything she asked for is waiting for her. She tips the bellboy and concierge extra generously so that no one knows she is there and no one disturbs her. She gets ready and in a matter of an hour and a half she is once again Cordelia, long wavy golden brown hair swept to one side, make up fully done, dressed to impress.

Table Salt is one of the top restaurants in Starling City, getting a table on short notice is nearly impossible unless you have a name that carries wait or a couple of hundred dollar bills to spare. As Tommy walked in with a gorgeous Laurel draped on his arm the place was full to capacity and there didn't seem to be an empty table in the place. He walked right up and gave his name, when he was told the wait time was over an hour he reached into his pocket ready to pull out some bills and change the wait time when he remembered that he no longer carried an obscene amount of money in his wallet and that his new job perks came in plastic and he hadn't quite arranged everything. So he sheepishly smiled at the hostess and stepped back. As they waited for about 10 minutes, they spotted Oliver come in with a beautiful brunette on his arm. Tommy could cut the awkwardness with a knife.

"Well, this is quite the coincidence Tommy Merlyn and Laurel Lance" he said as he reached out to shake Helena's hand

"This is Helena Bertenelli" answered Oliver

"So, it seems a bit busy, right?"

"Yes, and I am starving" Laurel commented

Cordelia had already been on edge given her week but she physically came to a halt at the door as she spotted Tommy, not only with Laurel, which she should have guessed, but immediately recognized Oliver and by default Helena. For a split second she considered turning back around and making some piss poor excuse for not being able to join them, then she kicked herself for not bringing a date, where was Jason Todd when she actually needed him, lastly she hated the sudden wave of doubt that overwhelmed her. Was she really this good? Could she spend an entire dinner with Oliver without him realizing that; no she was not Donna the waitress, she wasn't the mysterious woman with the Porsche, she wasn't the vigilante that had been taunting him for weeks and most importantly she wasn't Felicity Smoak- slightly shy, babbling, nervous IT genius. He could only see Cordelia Todd, British business woman who has it all together and shies away from no one.

Catching Tommy's eye and his smile she raised her chin with new conviction and smiled back as she walked towards them. Tommy stepped forward to meet her before reaching the group.

"Cordy, wow you look stunning."

"Thanks Tommy you look dashing yourself. I had no idea this was a group dinner" she said looking towards the group whose eyes were now intently on them two. Her eyes locked onto Oliver for a beat before she returned her gaze to Tommy.

"Oh no, just ran into some friends, come I'll introduce you"

As introductions were made she could feel everyone, except Tommy, scrutinizing her and trying to figure her out. As the awkward silence settled in everyone waiting for someone else to make the next move, to see who would break away first. What she couldn't miss was the wince Oliver and Tommy gave when helena suggested everyone dine together. Seeing no way out without disclosing too much they reluctantly agreed. Cordelia knew this was her chance to show her role and disperse any doubt that might be lingering.

As Oliver walked up to the hostess to pay her, in a manner he had patented over the years, he was left with his hand halfway up as Cordelia walked right up next to him stopping him with a side glance.

"Hello, Cordelia Todd…" the hostess interrupted her before she could even finish.

"Ms. Todd, of course. Will be it be your usual table, I can have it ready in one minute"

"Thank you," she paused to look at the hostess' name "Emily. It will be 5 of us tonight, Mr. Queen, Mr. Merlyn and their respective dates will be joining me."

Without hesitation the hostess called the owner over who immediately hugged Cordelia telling her it had been too long and was walking them to their table and letting them know he would be taking care of them himself. As they were all seated and he walked away Tommy turned curious eyes on Cordelia.

"So, boss you seem quite chummy with the owner" before she could answer Oliver's brows shot up as he asked,

"Boss?"

"Oh, right you haven't been updated, big changes man, remember I told you about good changes happening well, Cordy is the source of most of those." Oliver turned a curious eye towards Cordelia

"Well, I thought we would all talk and get to know each other over dinner but I see the Q&A portion has begun early. I'll go first, I guess. I own a PR, media representation firm and to answer Tommy's question I represented the Smith brother's when they decided to expand their restaurant business from London into Starling City and Gotham."

"PR, so you represent celebrities and athletes?" asked Helena.

"Actually, Cordelia focuses more on companies and organizations rather than individuals."

"Well, that is true we do have a couple of celebrity and athlete clients but only under special circumstances or as favors for friends. But, yes, we do focus on mainly corporations and organizations. My specialty is non-profit organizations."

"Really, I didn't even know that" said a surprised Tommy. "I genuinely thought you were the head of the company I didn't know you had clients as well and maybe as your employee I shouldn't have admitted that." he said with a smile

"No worries Tommy, I actually don't include that when I first introduce myself but sometimes I feel like I must in order to disburse the idea behind the fact that many people think PR firms are just glorified gossip spinners. I'd like to think True Image does something different."

"Wait, True Image they represent Unicef, the World AIDS Organization, and O.N.E" said a surprised Laurel

"Yes, we do. We also work with smaller organizations much like CNRI." added Cordelia pointedly looking at Laurel with a sincere smile.

"They also represent Wayne Enterprises" chimed in a proud Tommy. "Now they are expanding to the West Coast and Cordy needed a West Coast Field Office Manager and she called me"

"Wow, that's great Tommy, congratulations."

"Thanks man, I am super excited"

As the conversation progressed, they ate, drank and laughed. They swapped stories and everything seemed to be going pretty well. Just when she was starting to get fully comfortable and falling into the camaraderie of it all Oliver had to go and make an, in her eyes, inappropriate comment about their past, his and Laurel's. It seemed like she wasn't the only one getting caught up. She saw the way Helena picked up on the non-subtle subtleties that was Oliver's behavior and she started to see the change in her immediately, her posture, her breathing and the way she scrutinized Laurel while smiling. She really hoped Oliver could see it too.

She tried to change the subject by talking business with Tommy, letting him know that she will need him in coast city in 12 days.

"Of course, I will be ready for whenever you need me to go" said an overeager Tommy ready to earn those perks she had given him.

"That's the weekend of the fundraiser for CNRI, Tommy"

"Oh, sorry Laurel but it should be fine, this is my new job and I am really looking forward to this."

"We could change the date if you prefer?" offered Cordelia

"I would of preferred something that kept him in Starling which is why I told him to ask Oliver for a job within his new club." threw out Laurel looking down at Cordelia, who couldn't help slightly shaking her head as a humourless small smile reached her lips.

"Laurel" warned Tommy

"I didn't know you were actively seeking Tommy, I figured since Cordelia called you…"

"Yes, you are right"

"You never told him. Tommy I thought you said you would consider talking to him and weigh your options you knew exactly how I felt about you working for her" said an angry Laurel pointed at Cordelia.

"Laurel, enough! We will talk about this at home"

"No! Tommy…"

"I said ENOUGH, Laurel!" said Tommy as he stood up and threw down his napkin

"Hey, Tommy do not talk to her like that, relax"

"Stay out of this Oliver, it is none..."

"Stop it man…" as Oliver kept talking Tommy had already pulled Laurel's chair out expectantly waiting for her to get up "Let's go Laurel, I am sorry for everything Cordelia, I will call you later" Cordelia simply gave him a sympathetic smile and a quick nod letting him know he had nothing to worry, she understood the history.

"Laurel you don't have to…" Oliver didn't know how he felt about her leaving when Tommy was so upset, what he didn't realize was that it was not his place.

"Oliver, she is not your girlfriend anymore so stay. out. of. it!" Cordelia couldn't help but wince knowing that struck a chord in everyone at the table. She tried offering a supportive smile at Helena but one look let her know this was all spiraling out of control, quick.

Laurel, quietly but with everything reflecting in her eyes, got up and walked out her head held high. Tommy knew he had overstepped but now wasn't the time he could deal with collateral damage after he talked with Laurel. HE gave Cordelia a quick hug and made his exit. Oliver took half a step as if he wanted to follow them but Helena's hand on his forearm stopped him. Then she rose, saying more in that one action than anything she had said the whole night. the way the chair screeched on the floor, the sound of her bracelets as she grabbed her clutch bag and the sound of her pivoting to face Oliver and shooting daggers with her eyes. As they had a silent conversation Helena turned and walked out.

Years of upbringing, manners and decorum fought within Oliver as he wanted to follow after Helena but was very much aware, had been the entire time, of Cordelia sitting unmoved and un-phased, he knew a massive bill was waiting he also needed to offer his apologies and thank her for the wonderful service they had received thanks to her. Cordelia could see the fight raging within him. All of her focus was on the fact that an already unstable Helena was on the brink of losing her only anchor the only person she trusted, Oliver. Without a second thought she turned a charming reassuring smile on him with a sweep of her hand she said

"Go ahead, I'll take care of this you take care of your girlfriend. Don't worry, this one is on me."

"I really…"

"Go!" she laughed "Don't mention it, really it is fine. Now hurry go beg do whatever you have to do" she smiled brightly at him. His body visibly relaxed as he issued her thanks assured her he owed her one and she made sure he knew she would hold him to it.

Well , that was definitely not what she had imagined but at least she knew for a fact that her cover was secure. Now all her worries were on Helena. She knew women like Helena they were, insecure, possessive and only saw things in black or white. If Oliver didn't say all the right things there was no pulling her back. As she payed she hoped that this wasn't telling of what was ahead.

As Oliver sits alone in the foundry contemplating how things went wrong so fast he couldn't help but kick himself for his lack of foresight and tact. Deep in thought is how Dig finds him after getting a text from Oliver telling him to meet in the foundry.

"Didn't expect to hear from you tonight? Something happen?"

"I think you were right"

"Ok. About which part?"

"All of it, I should have listened to you"

"Just me?"

"Both of you" admitting that was a huge step for him.

"Oliver, you said you wanted to help her change. The thing is she already did change, when her father killed her fiance she changed into something dark and twisted. You see that now, don't you?

"It's not that I couldn't see it, Diggle. I didn't- I didn't want to. I am living a double life and to do that i am taking all these people that i love and I am putting them at arms length. I am giving up a lot. So maybe- maybe I thought the universe owed me one. But, I looked in her eyes tonight and i couldn't stop her from going over the edge. She's- she's already past it.

"So , what now? How do we handle this?"

"I handle this. It is my mess so I will clean it up. " There was a long stretch of silence and Dig could see him contemplating with a question at the tip of his tongue. So he waited patiently.

"I know she hasn't communicated with us and although I haven't seen her I know she has been there."

"I don't know man" Oliver gave him an un-amused look and continued

"If, anything I know she has talked to you, she seems to like you"

"i am the prettier one"

"Can you ask her to track Helena?" When Dig made no attempt to call he added "Now?"

Dig simply scoffed and took out his cell phone to text her. In less than a minute she called back. All Oliver could hear was his side of the conversation which consisted of a lot of Okays and yes I know. Eventually Dig hit a button and put the phone down. Oliver was about to say something when her voice cut him off.

"I'm I on speakerphone?"

"Yes"

"Okay, I am only saying this once. I get that you are in a tough situation and 'I told you so' is irrelevant at this point but the one thing that still stands is when I told you that I was done. That I meant. Now I have I been keeping tabs, yes, as a favor to Diggle, not you. I don't backtrack nor am I in the business of cleaning up after others. This is your mess Oliver you clean it up"

"I was asking you to clean up after me, just to track her"

"You should of never lost her to begin with." at his heavy sigh and a soft 'please' from Diggle she continued.

" I don't know where your girlfriend is. She fell off the grid last night. I can start tracking her but if she stays hidden there is no way for me to find her. If i hear anything I will let you know"

"Thanks Nia" supplied Dig after a couple of seconds of silence.

"Answer me one thing Queen… When you offered to change her world and make her see a better future, with you. Did you also give her all of you, were you 100% honest?" a deafening silence passed through the foundry as Oliver's gaze dropped along with all the breath in his lungs. She had almost given up on an answer when she heard him.

"No" a whisper that rang like a bullhorn in the foundry.

"Then you should always have known we would end up here. I'll send you anything I find Dig." with that the call ended and Oliver felt drained, one simple truth and the fight almost left him.

Felicity wasn't lying after last nights disaster she had lost Helena. She already had every source seeking her out but so far she had nothing. All she could do was sit and wait and she hated it. Once again he allowed herself to get lost in codes until she heard a knock at her door. Looking up she was surprised to see Walter Steele's secretary standing at her door telling her that he required his immediate assistance in his office. She offered nothing more before she left. Looking down she realizes she had 2 missed calls on her office phone, she did have the habit of turning off the ringer when she was overly stressed. With a deep sigh expecting the worst after their last meet she made her way up that very familiar elevator once again.

"Wanted to see me Mr. Steele? Did I mention it is almost Christmas, many of the suicides this time of year are due to sudden and unexpected job loss." she said trying in the worst way to lighten the mood. Without even acknowledging her comment he got right to the point in that grand Walter Steele way.

"I want you to find out all you can about that notebook" he said handing her a notebook she knew very well. She had seen that notebook before, she knew the man it belonged to. It seems that had been doing a little digging of his own and hit the jackpot. "Where it was made, how it was purchased, what it could mean?

"Yes, sir"

"Felicity, I asked Josiah Hudson our head of security to look into the same subject matter. He died the next day, under questionable circumstances. What, i may be asking of you, this mystery, are you sure you want to do this?"

"I hate mysteries, they bug me. they need to be solved" That might of been the most honest thing she ever said to Walter Steele, to anyone. She knew the mystery behind this book now the question was did she share that knowledge with Walter or with anyone for that matter. She had to be very careful about her next set of moves. With that she left. As she reached the elevator she realized she didn't have her cell phone.

The minute she entered her office she could see the red light blinking furiously at her, of course, figures. The minute she swiped her screen and saw the facial recognition of Helena in triad territory and then again on Folsom Blvd., she checked the day and cursed under her breath. She knew exactly where she was going, Zhishan would be at his weekly card game, she would know she has cleaned them out once or twice before. This was trouble and she knew she was too far away but, maybe Oliver was in his little lair and could get there before this girl brought a war upon them all.

Felicity: She is heading to 4732 Folsom Blvd. in the Glades...Hood up and hurry Zhishan is there.

Within seconds she got a response

Diggle: On it.

Diggle: Thanks.

She didn't respond she simply gathered her things and made a beeline for the exit she needed to be ready for the worst. On her way she contacted the SCPD and let them know that they were on the verge of a war and needed to be ready. As she made it to her car she received one final text.

Oliver: Will you back me up?

She hesitated for a beat a million things going through her head. She knew this was a big deal, she knew he had to feel on the edge if he was reaching out to her for help. She wanted to say yes and rush there, secret identity be damned and help him yet, she knew that her secrets, her mission were much bigger than just Oliver Queen, he was a small player in a grander scheme. Plus, she always subscribed to the ideology that once you make threats you always follow through, you go back on your word enough times people will never rely on it again so she compromised and did the one thing she felt was fair

Felicity: I won't make it on time.

Felicity: If war comes, I will be there… for the people of Starling.

Oliver knew he shouldn't expect more and he should thank her, but both options seem to make something twist in his gut. She would let him clean up his own mess but she wouldn't let the city burn for his mistakes, he was thankful.

It was too late for either of them. Helena had killed Zhishan and what was worst made sure to let them know that Frank Bertenelli sent his regards. Writing her father's death warrant wasn't enough, she was going to take the whole city into a mob war. By the time she got home she was picking up on all the chatter on Zhishan's death and she knew China White would not wait too long to exact her revenge but when she did it would be precise and ruthless. As she was trying to reign in her emotions her phone dinged.

Oliver: WAR

She couldn't hold it in anymore and her side table paid the price as she flipped it across the room. She needed to get ahead of this. There had been enough blood shed and was going to end it and contain it. One of her phones went off with a shrill shriek the minute she saw Frank Bertenelli's number it hit her, she might not have enough time to stop it but she could very well contain it to one location away from the city and the innocent people of Starling. She answered and set her plan into motion.

"Yes, Frank I am positive you want home advantage DO NOT leave your home for any reason whatsoever call in your men and…"

"I will not hide, I will strike them before they strike me and I will take out their entire operation."

"Frank listen to me you don't want to do that I know how the triad works they will expecting that and they know every nook and cranny of the Glades they will pick your men off one by one, then China will come for you. You want to stay here you want to make them mobilize and plan, give you time to fortify your home and get all your men there."

"Will you be here, I've heard about your skills, i could sure use you by my side"

"I will be there and the few men I have in the city I will bring with me. I will also try and hold off the triad as long as I can, they still think I am on their team and Zhishan trusted me so China will too."

After a few more arrangements she knew very well that there was nothing she could do to hold off the triad. the minute Zhishan died his only relative, his nephew, took over and he wanted nothing from her but her head on a platter. She focused on what she could control, frank, he was desperate and without his right hand he seemed to be relying on her. She prepared for war the only way a warrior does, cleared her mind, grabbed her gear, gathered her weapons and called in her best men and allies.

She called Oliver, actually called him

"I need you to listen and not ask any questions and not question anything I say, can you do that?"

"I can try"

She told him her plan and what she had set-up to contain the inevitable within the Bertenelli compound. She told him that she needed him to handle Helena to keep her at bay and away from the fight because the last thing she needed was for her misguided rage to jeopardize her plan. She asked him to have Diggle guard the perimeter and make sure that no one that wasn't suppose to be there made their way in. He also needed to track the police action, she didn't want anymore dead cops. Lastly, she needed Oliver to promise to only neutralize unless absolutely inevitable. He surprisingly agreed only debating that he would be far more useful on the inside, with her. She insisted that she needed him to take care of Helena and even on the inside he would only be worrying about her and she would be worrying about him, okay, she actually said she couldn't deal with him not being there 100% but in reality she would worry, a lot. Before she hung up she heard him begin to say something before stopping, so she waited…

"How exactly did you convince Bertenelli, how will I know who….?"

"How am I associated to him? How will you know who I am? Does it matter? you stay on the outside, remember. Look it's a long story, let me worry about that just trust me, I will be there and hopefully this will be over tonight" before she hung up she couldn't help but add "If you shot me Oliver… just be careful who you shot" with that she hung up, she didn't kid herself she knew that if things went for too long or got too out of control Oliver would barrel into the compound agreements be damned, she just hoped she saw him before he saw her she really didn't need another arrow piercing her body. Oliver simply let a small smirk slip, that was all the confirmation he needed if things got bad he would make his way inside. Although, he was pretty sure he would recognize her, you don't simply miss someone like her.

She sent the foundry computers her tracking system for Helena so that they can know where she was and then she sent some equipment for Dig to better track the SCPD and her own private satellite imaging so he could watch the perimeter.

The sun was beginning to set as she entered riding one of her bikes a restored, fully customized 1937 Harley ULH, Frank was there pacing on the front steps with over 50 men that she could see surrounding the grounds. The minute he saw her she saw a wave of relief pass his face. They prepared, she re-organized the men to better safeguard the house and then barricaded herself with Frank in the most secure room in the house. With her men wearing ski masks standing guard at the door. Diggle and Oliver were perched at a distance with the best view of everything. Oliver had been trying, and failing , to contact Helena.

As Frank observed the woman clad in black and blue, with holsters holding varying weapons now, holding her helmet which was covering her short black hair cut in blunt, wispy angles(think Aeon Flux) with the darkest brown eyes he had ever seen, he wondered how it was that he had come to rely on her lithe body and unproven skills to protect him against a threat like China White and the triad. He had to admit that regardless of her size she commanded a room and oozed intimidation.

The triad had gone radio silent over an hour ago and now they were just sitting and waiting. The minute the triad hit the compound they hit it hard and they hit it fast. Blowing up the front gates and dropping grenades like a pinata dropping candy, at the worst birthday party, ever. The first explosion put everyone on alert it took everything for Oliver not to run in at that moment. He gun see the flashes of gunfire and more explosions as the triad tried to get inside the house. Bodies kept dropping and they knew the SCPD wouldn't be too far behind. As they use the same launcher to blow up the front door Oliver is on his bike, helmet on and ready to go, but Dig is holding him back and shaking his head. He can feel the frustration and fight building within. He is not a sidelines man he prefers, wants to be in the eye of the storm. The triad has made it inside and the thermal imaging shows them that there at least 10 more bodies inside the house coming in from different angles. Outside the compound the battle rages on the sound of bullets never seizing.

Oliver can't take it anymore and shouts to Dig through the comms to let him know as soon as he has eyes on Helena. He takes off like a bat out of hell riding up the front steps all the way inside the mansion, coming to a halt to see China White fighting against 3 men in masks, he is about to go help jumping off his bike when a bullet wisp by him and he turns to see 4 triad goons coming his way. He takes two out with arrows to their legs the other two he hits across the face with his bow. He kicks the two men on the floor and leaves all four unconscious. When he turns his attention back China and two of her men have knocked the door open immediately two of the men are flung back one with two knives in his hand which had held a gun just moments before and the other with a knife in each knee. As he makes his way to the room taking out one of Bertenelli's men on the way. Finally reaching the door he barely has time to react as he sees a quick roundhouse kick send one of the triad men flying right at him almost knocking him back across the doorway with the momentum.

By the time he is steady on his feet and makes his way through the door again China White is engaged in a full fledged battle with another woman, after that kick he has to assume that it is Her. As he aims his bow trying to neutralize China he hears more men coming down the hall, immediately turning his bow towards the hall he neutralizes the men and turns ready to fire when he sees someone barreling towards him he releases on instinct as his eyes go wide when he sees Her catch the arrow as it speeds towards her face and then crash into his chest, he anchors himself so avoid tumbling over. She yells at him to get frank out as she uses the impact and his body as a spring and pushes off him darting back towards China arrow in hand.

Oliver sees Frank kneeled by a safe removing a laptop, he grabs him and drags him out of the room heading towards the back wall where Dig tells him the backyard is all clear, just a litter of bodies. Just as he reaches the back door he gets caught in crossfire and tells Frank to run. Oliver shots arrows in both directions trying to make his way out of the house just then Dig comes over the comms letting him know Helena just rode through the front gates and that although he managed to slow the SCPD with Nia's computer program they are making headway he gives them 15 min at most. As he is about to take out the last man all the commotion has attracted more men.

Frank is near the back wall when he sees a silhouette from his peripherals and makes a run for it. Just as he is about to reach the wall Helena shoots an arrow through his leg rendering him immobile.

"What is the meaning of this Helena?"

"Payback for Michael, I took everything away from you and now you will die knowing your own blood destroyed you" As she raised the bow a knife flew from nowhere and scraped along her hand to jam in trigger. The shock caused her to drop the bow as she turned looking for the culprit all she saw was a fist as it made impact with her cheek. Stumbling back she finally saw the woman standing in front of her, confusion took over her face, why was her father's business partner helping him, defending him? Just then Frank called out to her.

"Rene, here!" he said tossing her the bow Helena had dropped. She caught but tossed it aside.

"I believe this is long overdue Helena" she motioned for her to attack and Helena did without hesitation, delivering kick after punch after kick. Felicity at first was mainly fighting defensively not letting her make too much contact as she waited for her opportunity to neutralize her with minimum injury. But as Helena backed away and took a very particular fighting stance, recognition flooded Felicity's face and suddenly so much made sense, how she hadn't seen it before she had no idea. She prepared herself as took her stance. the minute Helena made her first move she perfectly countered it taking her leg sweep and using it against her sending her tumbling to the side.

She blocked an elbow throw countering it with 2 hits to her ribs. Helena head butted her which earned her another hit to the ribs this time causing some real injury. As they pulled away Felicity kept standing tall not looking the least bit affected while Helena was leaning heavily to one side and clearly was losing her control to her rage. Helena took a running start as she threw a knife at her to distract her while she jumped to deliver a fatal kick to the chest, Felicity knew this move perfectly and anticipated it as she deflected the knife only earning her a small cut and grabbed Helena's foot mid air as she spun back and elbowed her in her lower back sending her to the floor with a heavy thud and searing pain running through her back.

As Helena laid there with fear and surprise spread across her face Felicity saw all the questions she wanted to ask, she could hear the sirens coming and knew Oliver was probably on his way as well. So she got straight to it as she heard steps approaching.

"Colui che non puo vendicarsi e debole, colui che non e spregevole (He who cannot avenge himself is weak, he who will not is contemptible.)" at that Helena audibly gasped.

"I met La Morte Sussurrata once too Helena, though I had no idea they ever trained women" at Helena's shift she realized it wasn't women, just her.

"I had a run in with your teacher, Silvio, once in Vienna, he tried that same move, he seems particularly fond of it. Only that when I made impact with his spine I made sure he would never be able to kick again"

Oliver can see them standing in the distance as he makes his way over he sees Frank reach for something and then fear crashes over him as he sees the glint of the gun. He screams Helena's name causing both women to turn just then Felicity sees the gun aimed at a now standing Helena, she tackles her down intercepting the shot aimed at Helena's chest with her own shoulder, the same shoulder Helena had stabbed an arrow through. As Helena dashes for her father Oliver is there already knocking him out, and Helena grabs the gun. Felicity gets up with thankfully just a graze and a bit of pain.

"Seriously, the same damn shoulder" she says with irritation. As Oliver turns with surprised amusement at her reaction at just being shot. "You need to get out of here, I will take care of Frank. Go and this time" she says pointedly looking at Helena "make sure you never come back this was your final warning Helena, now get out of here Oliver"

Of course, how had Helena not seen it before, the fighting, Oliver's total lack of reaction to her how could she have missed it this was Her, the bitch that ruined it all and here she was once again in her way. Without a moment of hesitation she turned back to her where she was hovered over her father's body and faster than Oliver could react she fired a shot that pierced right through Felicity's side the impact sending her to the floor. As Oliver's shocked eyes met the gun he quickly disarmed Helena as a knife pierced her shoulder he turned to see Her pulling out two more, he'll never know exactly why he did it if it was the sight of Helena's body dropping limp to the ground or the scream she let out or if it was life's fucked up way of always putting him at an impossible crossroads with no winning choice. He has no idea why but that is a moot point because he did, he reached for his quiver pulled an arrow and even as he drew back the string to fire a warning shot, just close enough to stop her from releasing her knives, he felt the regret begin to creep up his legs by the time he released the arrow it was too late, he almost reached up to try and stop it but knew it was useless as a roar left his lips and a knife left her hand. As the arrow cut through the air she immediately knew it wouldn't hit her, it was a warning shot, hers wasn't. As the arrow wisped by the face the speed causing her hair to dance along her face, her knife pierced his thigh deep and with meaning.

They could see the police flashlights and hear the commotion and here was Oliver once again at a crossroads as Dig yelled in his ear to get the hell out, get out now. He looked down at Helena trying to see if he could help both of them get out of there. He turned back to Her and she wasn't there. In the distance through the fog he saw a shadow scaling the wall letting out a harsh exhale he picked up Helena and made his retreat. He knew Helena would be fine but he wasn't so sure about himself.

When Felicity reached her back up car she knew she didn't have much time before she started to lose consciousness from the blood loss. She tried to reach her men 2 of them answered that they were on their way to the car. She took off to meet them. Jumping to the back seat where one of them started to treat her injury controlling the blood loss. She instructed them to the nearest safe location because she was going to need more than just gauze and a bandaid.

Oliver manages to make it out of the compound to where Diggle is waiting with the car at seeing an unconscious Helena and a struggling Oliver he rushes to him and takes Helena. They quickly make their getaway. Diggle keeps king him what happened but he refuses to answer and tells him to just drive to foundry. Sending Diggle home he sits by Helena's side and let's out a long stuttering breath. He knows he has just made a move there is no coming back from. That warning, and the look of betrayal in her dark brown eyes will haunt him and he knows it. What did he expect from her she had just been shot, had that been him he would of released an arrow into his attacker as well. At least she had the control and forethought to aim for non fatal targets on their bodies, but just close enough to let them know how serious she was and how much at her mercy they had been.

Helena's cut is just next to her heart yet, it will barely leave a scar, his is just centimeters from his femoral artery, a more clear message she couldn't have sent. He finishes stitching himself up and then tends to Helena's injuries realizing that besides the cut she also took quite a beating. Helena begins to stir and Oliver really doesn't know where to go from here he has been sitting in the foundry has seen the sun rise and he still is at a lost, figures since he just might have lost a very formidable ally.

"Woah slow down, you were very lucky and She has very good aim."

"I'm I suppose to be grateful? You knew it was her and you didn't say anything, you and and her saved that monster that criminal."

"And you shot her, I think you are even, Helena"

"Unless she is laying dead next to my father in the lawn we are not even close to even"

"We didn't do it to save him, at least I didn't, I saved you. You think that because you've killed you understand what it's like to have blood on your hands. You don't understand teh toll that it takes on you, especially when it's your father."

"I am not going to stop. I managed to shot her once the next time I will make sure she doesn't get back up. My father and now she will also pay."

"Helena listen to yourself. The police have him in custody he's going to prison for a very long time. She made sure that whatever they didnt find in that laptop they found within the house and she delivered the rest. She managed to stop your father make him pay, even for Michael and put a huge dent in both organizations. Your father's business will never recover and the triad will hide out for a while they will not come back from this easily. This is justice"

"I don't care about any of that Oliver! I guess you were right I'm interested in revenge. Stay out of my way Oliver or I'll make sure your secret doesn't stay secret. As for your girlfriend let her know I am coming for her and I wont show her any mercy."

Helena begins to climb the stairs out of the lair as she reaches the top steps opening the door and the sun hits her Oliver knows this is his last chance.

"Helena! What I did. Everything that I've done. I've done because I care about you."

"Too bad I can't say the same." she answers coldly as she pulls away from him and leaves.

He knows he should go after her, he should stop her, but the fight has left him. That seems to be a theme, things people everything leaving him. A week ago he had been so hopeful, one night and one monumental mistake and he felt more lost than when he arrived from the island. He knew he should also call Her, make sure she was okay. Yet, he couldn't bring himself to do it one woman walking out of his life making it evident that she was never actually part of it was enough for one day.

This isn't how it was supposed to turn out. This was not the plan, everything had gone to hell in a blink of an eye and he only had himself to blame. Losing Helena as an ally a possible partner he never even knew he wanted, was not a loss he was prepared for. He had thoroughly convinced himself that he could fix this and that partnership had just walked out the door with a curse on her lips. Yet, creating a rift between the one ally he was sure he had, Her, was a far greater blow. That look in her eyes haunted him every time he closed his own. She was an ally created by her father long before he knew his father's truths. he knew she was who he spoke of, he just knew it. What had he done with that saving grace, shot an arrow at it. All because of what, pride, stubbornness, fear, loneliness… all for nothing.

Felicity knew she should call out she knew that going to work after being shot twice was stupid and reckless yet, she knew with more certitude that staying home and playing the previous night over and over in her head was even worse. She itched to face Oliver, to set him straight. Her mind told her to push him aside she had tried and it just didn't work and it was time to move on without him, he was never part of the plan and trying to adjust for him had sent her life into disarray. Yet, her heart her love and commitment to Robert told her that leaving Oliver behind was like turning her back on Robert himself. If Robert had set Oliver on this path then his intention had been for them to join forces. Her heart told her that now, more than ever he needed her because it was obvious he was confused, conflicted and wracked with guilt.

She couldn't think straight herself so she decided to take the morning off coming into work until after lunch. she had ignored all calls, all morning. Diggle had reached out a few times finally leaving her a message saying that he needed one of the two stubborn vigilantes he worked with to tell him what the hell happened or he was going to pull his own disappearing act. She smiled at that and took pity telling him they would talk later. As she sat on her bed playing with the book Walter gave her between her fingers she contemplated her next move.

She knew very well what that book contained. the fact that Moira had it let her know beyond a doubt that if she wasn't part of it then at least she knew what Robert was involved in and had kept it quiet. She feared giving Walter no answers and having him seek them out elsewhere and possibly causing another death like with Mr. Hudson. Yet, she knew that letting him in put him in greater danger. this was a real catch-22, she decided to go to work and by the end of the day she wished she would have a more clear head.

Riding the elevator up to Walter's office her stomach was in knots, her head hurt, and her wounds were killing her, she needed more vicodin, quick. She had made a choice and she really wanted to throw up. She was faced with an impossible and opted for the lesser of two evils, continue to leave Walter in the line of danger while but with her by his side and in the know, for now. Hopefully soon enough she could concoct something believable and send him off the trail long enough to solve it herself and find the master puppeteer.

Turning off the lights to his office she makes her way in trying to look, not in pain.

"What are you doing Ms. Smoak?"

"It needs to be dark in here for me to do this" she winces "If I had more time" and was in less pain she says to herself " to think about that sentence it wouldn't of sounded so dirty. Look" she says handing him the notebook.

" I don't see anything"

"I got these from applied sciences" or my own personal supply but that doesn't really matter she thinks "they are able to pick up the subvisible variations in the UV spectrum." she turns them on and hands them to him.

"Now look at the book again"

As Walter looks the names appear before him and he feels a cold dread spread over him. he quickly recognizes many of the names in the book some of the worst people of Starling, he can't even begin to imagine what association Moira could have with them. His jaw slack and his eyes glazed over he looks up at Felicity.

"Mr. Steele I know this is a lot to take in but I really think we should think carefully before making another move. I will leave the book here for you I already copied everything I needed from it. If you wish to proceed let me know and I will do everything I can to help you. But based on what you have said before and the names on that list I think we should take sometime to think this over. I'll leave you now if you need anything, absolutely anything please contact me." she smiles at him as she makes her exit before she reaches teh door he calls out to her.

"Ms. Smoak" she turns giving him a reassuring smile "Thank you, for everything" she nods and leaves a contemplative Walter.

After having talked to Felicity, Dig doesn't know what to do. he knows sitting in his living room and not reaching out to Oliver is not what she asked him to do but, he can't help but hesitate, question whether Oliver would have been so quick to turn on him had he stood between him and Helena like Nia did. He knows they are not the same but Oliver's unexpected reaction really plays with his insecurities and makes his trust falter. While talking with Nia he was overcome with anger and frustration until she reminded him that what he knew about her was far beyond what Oliver did therefore he could not judge him on the same scale. He knows she is right, she usually is, yet it still irks him how quickly Oliver released that arrow, warning or not.

Nia clearly told him to not confront oliver about it that she had also considered it

"You think I don't want to turn my back on him Dig, walk away and hope he stays out of my way. But this is a small city and he is still Robert's only son. Believe me i am only partly doing this for Oliver."

"No one would blame you for leaving that idiot to his own devices and to drown in his own guilt."

"I would blame me and that's all that really matters"

"So what now?"

"Now, we start again, we took 10 steps back after having took 2 steps forward,and i have a feeling ths is how our relationship is usually going to be. I will let him dwell in this, he is after all his own worst enemy and i will not make it easy for him. He wanted to see this through then he will see the consequences through as well. As far as Oliver Queen is concerned he has lost an ally. As far as you and I are concerned I will give him a little hell before I let him see the light again. Who knows this might actually work to my advantage."

"Does that mean that I…"

"You keep doing what you have been doing Diggle. be his friend, his partner, his confidant, and his conscience. Before I came you had already saved him Diggle, don't ever forget that."

"If I tell him I know everything he might pull away. That man sure does love his secrets."

"It's like he thrives from his man pain, I don't get it"

"Man pain?"

"It's a thing. Okay then do what you think is best wait for him to tell you, pretend you don't care or whatever just stay with him and keep being you Diggle, that seems to be more than enough, not just for him." she adds pointedly

a beat of silence passes and although unsaid, so much is actually said.

"Okay, I'll keep you updated"

"I'll appreciate that"

Diggle knows that he needs a reason to reach out to Oliver. So, when his cell phone rings and Carly let's him know that his spoiled rich boy is sulking in one of her booths and making her customers uncomfortable, first he laughs and then promises to be there soon.

Arriving at Big Belly it is hard to miss the sulking giant toddler he heads over to him after talking to Carly.

"Chilli Cheese fries with jalapenos, hmmm? that's a cry for help if I've ever seen one."

"Oh i don't know what hurts worse, this or getting shot with a curare laced bullet.

"Been there, done that. Definitely the bullet." Oliver smiles at that and then lets out a long groan and Diggle knows this is his opportunity.

"You know Oliver I am no expert at this but i think you were holding on to something you hoped was there. You were trying to make something significant and worthwhile out of thin air and nothing ever works like that. I don't think love is about forcing anything or changing or even saving a person. I think it's about finding the person who's already the right fit. Like everything in life you have to find the people that fit into your life as it is."

"I think I burnt that particular bridge, napalmed it, more than one bridge actually "

"I like to think that those type of bridges the ones that really matter can't ever really be destroyed. you can chip away at them but, they will always stand. I know things didn't work out exactly as you planned. But there is a silver lining you saved Frank you help deliver a major blow to the triad and you kept Helena's hands clean from her own father's blood. Justice wins out"

"Helena doesn't see it that way, neither…" she stops himself because he really has no idea how She sees it. Diggle simply shrugs and continues disregarding is almost confession.

"You opened up, took a risk with your heart. The Oliver I met a few months ago would not have been able to do that. And when you meet the right person you'll be ready for her." seeing an unasked question he adds "and if you have met her already than you will find your way back to her, when you are ready."

Oliver appreciated what Diggle is saying even if he doesn't fully believe it. More than anything he appreciates that he isn't bombarding him with questions. he assumes that She told him and either she didn't mention his mistake or she did and and either she asked or Diggle decided to overlook it. Whichever the case he is grateful he has been emotionally and physically beaten enough to last the rest of the month. They fall into easy conversation and genuine laughter. That alone tells Diggle that she was right and that he made the right choice. Oliver didn't need a lecture he needed a friend. He was okay with playing the good cop to Nia's bad cop, plus he had a feeling she played bad a whole lot better than him.

EN: For those of you that don't know the story about how Helena got trained in Sicily by La Morte Sussurrata, which means whispered death, is in one of the comics written for the show called "The Huntress: Year one". I took the story from there and of course added a bit.

Let me know if this turned out how you thought it would, if the beginning talking about Over losing his allies what did you think would happen, who knows if I might send those who are interested the two other versions of that fight scene. Thanks again for everything and Please review!