AUTHOR'S NOTE: Sorry it took me more than three weeks posting this chapter, aside from having Arrow withdrawals (yeah it's been a month already), life caught up with me and if I couldn't produce an awesome chapter I'd rather delay writing it. Didn't want to put out anything half-baked.
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THE NEW BRATVA CAPTAIN
CHAPTER 12: "A deal with the lesser devil"
"You know China White is a naturally suspicious person. I wouldn't put it past her knowing that you Anatoly are already here in Starling City," Oliver told Anatoly while they were all congregated in the underground bunker like work room of Felicity and the Bratva at the estate.
"That's why I will be running interference tonight, same time as your meeting with Xian Xian," John told him.
"And by interference you mean…," Felicity asked tentatively although in the back of her mind she already knew the answer.
"Payback time. She dared attack you, our Captain. We retaliate tonight. Although tonight isn't really executed to ensure her death, it's just intended to confuse while you meet with Xian Xian who hopefully lives up to all the hype."
Felicity nodded at John Diggle slightly, she fully understood the plan. They had been over it countless times already. She and Oliver would meet with Xian Xian in the warehouse strip controlled by the Bratva then Anatoly would show up midway if needed so that the Triad rebel forces would know just how serious the Bratva was with this unholy alliance.
Robert would me manning the controls from the Bratva mansion bunker and John would be running interference with China White.
They had spent quite a few hours going over the details of the plan that it should be perfect by now but it was the Bratva way to be diligent and thorough.
Xian Xian had send word that the meeting place was acceptable but that he would bring more associates since it was Bratva territory and he wanted a fair defensible force with him.
So all that was left to be done during the next few hours until game time was to wait, and none of the men in the room with Felicity was particularly good at the waiting game.
"Felicity dear, can I interest you with a walk in the gardens," Anatoly said from out of the blue.
Felicity looked at Oliver instinctively for a few seconds before she looked back at Anatoly, giving him a small smile before nodding her consent slowly following him out of the door.
Oliver's eyes as did Robert's and John's followed both Felicity and Anatoly until they couldn't see any shadow remaining of the two before John spoke up too.
"I best run through the plans with the security teams again, better safe than sorry," he eyed the father and son for a few more seconds before he exited to room too leaving Robert and Oliver all alone.
"Well, I guess this is a good time to have our talk too," Robert told his son albeit cautiously. They'd never been in a room alone together since Oliver first discovered his father was alive.
Oliver turned to face his father eyes narrowed as he made an exaggerated inhale before he gestured for him to sit down as he pulled another chair forward so both of them could have a view of Felicity's computer screens just in case something interesting came up.
It took about two more minutes before any one of them dared to start with Robert once again breaking the ice, "son, I know that what I did may be unforgivable in your eyes.."
Only to be cut by Oliver, "dad, I understand why or at least I am trying to. But I'm your son, your family. I grieved for you, we grieved for you. Hell, mom married your best friend Walter. Aren't we important enough to be informed that you were alive all this time. Don't we mean nothing to you anymore. Is it all about the Bratva now and about this war with the Triad?" Oliver stood up as his voice rose suddenly he couldn't contain his emotions anymore once he started everything he felt just started to pour out.
Robert stood up and stepped toward his son reaching out a hand to touch him, "son.."
Oliver stepped back deliberately to avoid the contact, "don't, I'm not…I need some time." Exhaling, "I assume I'm the only one in the family who knows you're alive. Mom, Thea and even Walter are still unaware?"
Robert just nodded, "just you and of course Anatoly, John and Felicity. The other men here, the security team of Bratva they're all new, John's men so they don't have any idea who I am."
Oliver looked out the window spotting Felicity and Anatoly walking through the gardens, "my priority right now is Felicity and keeping her safe. There will be a time that you and I will have our talk, you are my father and make no mistake about it," Oliver turned around to face his father, "I am thankful that you are alive, that you are here. Any other time, that would be my priority, any other time but now." Oliver turned back toward the window as if he couldn't help himself his eyes locked back at Felicity.
Robert took a few steps forward to also gaze outside the window that had his son's full attention, "anytime you're ready, son. I will be here. And just so you know, although maybe my opinion holds no weight with you, you can't do any better than Felicity Smoak. That woman, she's one of a kind. The kind of woman a father would want for his son."
Oliver looked at his father for a second then back to Felicity who had by this time sat down in one of the benches talking animatedly to Anatoly who continued to stand.
"I know exactly what I have. It's a miracle that someone like Felicity could love someone like me and I probably don't deserve someone like her, not with the kind of life I've led, my past. But hell, now that she's in my life I'll prove to her that she didn't make a mistake choosing me. I'll make her proud."
Robert looked at his son, searching for something before saying, "don't sell yourself short son. You've come a long way from the boy who were two maybe three years back, to the man you are now. Any woman would be proud to be by your side. I am proud of you, son."
Oliver inhaled deeply, moved by his father's words but at the same time did not want to show how much his words affected him. He had always sought his father's approval in his younger years but he had always been a disappointment to his father who he always perceived as someone larger than life from how he had built Queen Consolidated from the ground to being a well-respected businessman. Sure his father was not one without fault, if only because he spent so little time with him and his sister. Maybe if his father had dedicated as much time to them as he had to building a legacy for them, he could have shaped up better, but all that was in the past now.
Oliver was a grown man, set to carve his own path in the world armed with firsthand experiences of growing up in the shadow of the man he had always put on a pedestal and measured himself against. In the past, he had always come up short. But the for woman before him, the one who was brave enough to step into his world - the Bratva, Queen Consolidated, go toe-to-toe with his mother, he would be better than his father. He had to be, there was no choice to be made, for her, as much as this was for him too.
As if having an out of body experience, Oliver found his hand lifting to tap his father's shoulder lightly. The gesture could have meant nothing at all, but because of the moment and everything that was happening. That gesture carried a lot of weight for Oliver. He was surprised to know it made him feel lighter as his hand left his father's shoulder.
Without any conversation at all since the tap on the shoulder said it all, Robert returned to his perch on Felicity's chair in front of the computers saying with a smile, "everytime I sit in front of these computers I feel so old and dated. Despite what I have accomplished for QC, I know the future of the company is in more capable hands than mine right now. It's time for the younger generation to bring QC to the future. That is your place son, yours and Felicity's."
For the first time since Robert had revealed himself to his son, Oliver smiled and he didn't even try to hide it from his father. Bringing Felicity into the topic especially if it is a compliment about her person or her abilities always brought that automated reaction. He deliberately turned away from the window to face his father full, "believe me, I'm almost as bad as you when it comes to tech stuff, I'm surprisingly better at bringing on new investors and occasionally preparing financial investment portfolios, who would have thought! It's Mom's idea to bring in Felicity into an executive position, initially it was because of her involvement with the Bratva, but truth be told because of everything that has been happening, she's only spent a week in the office but the innovations and recommendations she's made for a lot of our tech related special projects it was the right way to go. She really is an asset for QC and makes QC even more formidable in the future. She really is remarkable."
Robert, who at first was taken aback at the very blatant show of emotion by his son reciprocating his action with a hearty laugh, "that I can totally agree with. Even Anatoly is under her spell. Speaking of, I think it's time you go fetch your girl. I think Anatoly has been smoaked enough for the day. Anatoly and I need to go over a few more things and you need to spend more time with your girl."
Giving his father a tempered grin, Oliver strode out of the room to do exactly what his father had told him to do with more pep to his step.
"So Oliver Queen?" Anatoly smirked at Felicity in question.
"Wha…what about Oliver Queen?" Felicity asked a little startled as she sputtered.
"The last time I was here the both of you could barely stand one another, more him than you. Then, I find out from my sources that you and he were an item which after seeing the both of you together left me with very little doubt that this is anything but a casual thing, it's…." looking at Felicity squarely, "serious yah?"
Felicity looked anywhere but at Anatoly, this was one of those things that were weird to talk about when the other person in on the conversation was the Bratva pakhan, technically her boss talking about her other boss and her relationship.
"No need to get defensive my dear. It's a good match, one that is quite unexpected but a good one, a great one even. And I'm not referring to the benefits for the Bratva. In our line of work, it's imperative you have someone who you can lean on, a partner who can be your source of strength and vice versa." Anatoly raised an eyebrow as he looked at her daring her to contradict his keen observation, "from what I have seen, Mr. Queen has demonstrated that he is willing to forfeit his life to protect you. Love…..love can make a man or a woman…not to be a chauvinist, do impossible things."
Not knowing what to say, Felicity just nodded in agreement as Anatoly continued.
Anatoly gave her a satisfied smile, "I haven't been to a wedding in ages. Something about people being terrified by my presence, I can't imagine why. I'm as fuzzy as a teddy bear, yah?" Holding out his hands wide apart and giving her a toothy grin.
Felicity looked up at the pakhan from her seated position at the garden bench. It's true that to most the pakhan seemed almost a looming and intimidating presence but to her, Anatoly while not so much a fuzzy bear was like an Uncle figure, a father even at times when he would patiently walk her through the ceremonies of the Bratva.
"Most of the time you're a grizzly, occasionally you're a panda and only with me are you a warm and fuzzy bear, why is that? Not that I'm complaining…."
Anatoly took a couple of steps and sat down beside her, just two feet in between them then he pointed a finger at her, "you have a very rare combination of quiet strength, a big heart and superior intelligence. The intelligence, ahhh that was what I first discerned during our not so traditional first meeting, the quiet strength, that came after. With ever new challenge thrown your way, ever obstacle you found a way to power through even during the worst of circumstances."
Felicity had to swallow a lump at the high praise coming from such an important person before she timidly asked, "I don't know what to say…"
Anatoly patted her hand that was resting on the bench, "you don't have to say anything yah. Just don't forget about my front row seat at your wedding. Ah and your groom has missed you already, come to pick up his future bride yah? I suddenly feel so old, like a father giving away his only daughter to another man."
Anatoly said the last sentence just as Oliver was still out of earshot but Felicity had heard him loud and clear and was caught by that seemingly innocent comment that she let her herself get slightly carried away with her emotions making Oliver glance at her curiously as he spotted her watery eyes, giving Anatoly a narrowed glance.
"What's happening here?" Oliver asked Felicity immediately at her side intending to protect her from what, he didn't quite know.
Felicity squeezed his bicep then leaned her cheek on it before she gazed up at him from under her lashed, "just bonding. For a moment it turned emotional with talk about wed…" she caught herself in time before she realized what she was about to blurt out, "Wednesday, what we are doing on Wednesday." Felicity tried to cover her gaffe.
"What's on Wednesday? It's only Friday. Did we have something planned for next week, something I'm not aware of…" Oliver was looking between Anatoly and his girl in confusion. And he got even more confused when the response he got was a hearty laugh from Anatoly and a deep blush from his girl.
Anatoly tapped Oliver on the back before saying, "you've managed to snag an exceptional woman there. Make sure you don't give her reason to cry because I and probably every other man inside the house and then, some would make your life quite miserable if that happened, yah?"
Oliver spent a few seconds just watching Anatoly's retreating back before he gave Felicity his full attention, "what was that about?" he asked searching her face.
Felicity just shrugged now fully recovered from what would have been an awkward moment, "that was about our feared leader making a play at being a fuzzy teddy bear."
Oliver gave her a look of confusion then just shook his head, "I could never fathom the kind of connection you have with Anatoly. It almost seems familial sometimes."
Felicity chortled giving him an impish grin, "the fuzzy teddy bear fancies himself playing father figure sometimes."
Oliver wrapped his arm around Felicity and pulled her to him, "as long as playing father is all he's after."
Felicity pushed a few inches away from his chest to look up at him, "is that jealousy I detect Mister?"
Oliver gave her a pout, "if I say yes would it earn me enough brownie points for dinner tomorrow night. After what's to happen later tonight I think we both need the time alone with just us."
Felicity lifted herself to give Oliver a kiss just underneath his jaw, "you have no reason to get jealous and I'm looking forward to dinner tomorrow night but, not before we spend a normal day or half-day, whichever works at QC first. It's been awhile and you and I both need that regular normal. I'd hate for this," gesturing generally, "to be our new normal, nope, not happening."
Oliver sighed prepared to give in to everything she asked him even if he would have preferred at least another day to spend just with her that included not going to QC. But, this was Felicity asking, so there.
Robert handed Anatoly a tumbler of vodka just as he entered the room, used as he was to the ways of his friend by now.
Anatoly took it automatically before he turned to look outside the window where they could easily spot Felicity and Oliver.
"That is quite a match right there," Anatoly said tilting his tumbler toward the pair outside the window.
Robert laughed lightly, "so the Bratva is adding match making into its arsenal now?"
Anatoly swallowed the remainder of his scotch, went to refill his tumbler before he answered, "that woman out there, she's a treasure, a rare gem. I knew it almost the moment I met her. She deserves someone who would move mountains for her. Your son seems to be that man. You know,"' facing Robert, "I never got the chance for married life, not cut out for it or just never met the woman who would make me put her first before the Bratva. You've had some years experience with married life yourself so maybe you know this things better."
"I have no doubt my son would always put her first. No doubt in my mind how much he loves her."
"Good, that's good yah? Felicity," Anatoly uttered her name in his heavy Russian accent, "she has become a daughter to me, a child that has not come from my seed but stirs the emotions of a father in me. Like I said, it's a good match."
Robert just looked at Anatoly a few seconds before he said, "it's funny how this talk between us old friend almost seems like a future in-law talk. I don't think we both will have cause for worry," as both of them turned back to look outside the window just in time to see Felicity lift herself by her toes to kiss just beneath Oliver's jaw.
China White knew something was up. She was a trained assassin herself after all. While to the average person everything was normal, she knew lurking in the dark were forces that probably thought they could sneak up on her.
The first sign that her read on the threat was correct was when she noticed a busted street light that wasn't busted the night before. She could tell that this was exactly where her unknown assailant has wanted to trap her.
A gun cocking was the first faint sound she heard, her cue to side step then several gunshots rang out chasing her in the dark. Fortunately for her, she was quite familiar with the place, even in the dark she could sense where exactly she was easily avoiding most of the heavy artillery.
On the other side of town, in a warehouse compound commandeered by the Bratva the meet was about to take place. The first SUV had come to a stop in the middle of an empty warehouse with just Oliver Queen alighting.
A long black towncar came through the open warehouse doors a full minute later followed by two tail SUV. As soon as the towncar came to a stop, a short Chinese man alighted, Xiian Xian no doubt.
Seeing just Oliver Queen standing alone with the engines of the black SUV still running behind him, Xian Xian tentatively approached Oliver this time two men in similar suits as Xian Xian had flanked him.
"Where is the Captain? I asked to meet with her specifically," Xian Xian told Oliver.
"After that last stunt you pulled, killing every one of her bodyguards you really didn't think it would be this easy did you. The Captain is secured for now," Oliver answered, anger present in every word.
"Ah but, you are missing the main point. The Captain, she was untouched. A sign of good faith."
"This meet was between you and the our Captain, if anyone isn't showing good faith, that would be you. What's with the entourage?"
Xian Xian smiled then looked up and circled around, "you really want me believe you have come alone Mister Oliver Queen, yes I know who you are. I think the scopes of everyone of your security team is aimed at me right now, well maybe not everyones. I have some friends with me, so maybe some are aimed at them? This is Lee Kim," gesturing to his left, "and Bruce Lee, not the kung fu master although his mother claims he was named after the master himself," gesturing to the man on his right this time. "They are Triad leaders, like me. We represent the new generation. I thought it best to show the Captain that this was not just one man against China White, against the Triad."
"How solid are your numbers?" Oliver asked Xian Xian without acknowledging the other two in the meantime.
Xian Xian gave him a frustrated look, "where is the Captain. We will deal only with her. You will do too as long as the Captain is also present, we know who your family is in your Bratva after all."
Oliver gave each of the three men a narrowed glance before he stepped back and knocked on the back door of the black SUV, a signal they had agreed on earlier. The back door of the SUV opened after a few seconds with Felicity stepping out in a black tailored suit, not something she was used to but Oliver insisted she not wear a dress just in case things got really bad and they had to make a run for it. Oliver was instantly by her side, his hand on her elbow earning a smile from her.
Felicity stepped forward, "Xian Xian we meet again. Not really the best first impression I have of you killing of all the people around me just to get my attention. A phone call or an email is just as effective."
Her babble lightened the atmosphere a little with Xian Xian even looking contrite, "my apologies for not thinking about the other options as being as effective. But, our worlds sometimes call for the extreme, getting your attention that way was no exception. I have already introduced Bruce Lee and Lee Kim, also leaders of the Triad to Mr. Queen earlier," gesturing to both his companions then to Oliver.
Oliver just grunted and Felicity nodded, "hello then, I'm not familiar with the protocol for a leaders meeting between the Triad and the Bratva but I'm quite sure it isn't kisses on the cheek and handshakes are out of the question."
Xian Xian gave her a genuine dimpled smile this time, "hello is acceptable, for now. Maybe handshakes can be saved for the future when trust is not an issue anymore."
"That's fi…fine, definitely, handshakes in the future, secret ones just like in the movies."
This time all three of the Triad leaders smiled at her babble.
Oliver for his part cleared his throat to redirect the conversation, "why did you want to meet?"
"Right to the business on hand I see Mr. Queen," Xian Xian looked at the other two leaders with him before he continued, "we might be doing a little restructuring in the immediate future."
"And by restructuring you mean there might be a leader vacuum at the top of the Triad soon?" Felicity asked confidently, they had agreed earlier that she would ask the hard questions as the Captain of the Bratva.
"No vacuum. Just a change of leadership, a new generation of the Triad is what we envision. One that hopefully includes a relative peaceful co-existence with the Bratva who has also ushered in the new age I can see with the Captain and young Mr. Queen representing the Bratva too," Xian Xian.
"And from your tone, I assume the new leader of the Triad is you?" Felicity asked Xian Xian pointedly.
"You guessed right. Perceptive, intelligent and beautiful, I like dealing with this new type of Bratva. The old dogs just don't know when to let petty issues go."
Not acknowledging the compliment Felicity continued, "so when is this restructuring suppose to happen."
Xian Xian looked at his two companions again with Bruce Lee searching through his phone message before giving Xian Xian an almost undiscernable nod before Xian Xian answered, "right now."
Felicity and Oliver looked at eachother almost simultaneously knowing at John Diggle was also on a mission shadowing China White at this moment before Oliver stepped forward, "tell me exactly when and where this is suppose to take place."
Xian Xian frowned at Oliver's intimidation and tried to look beyond him to the Captain, "what is this?"
Felicity stepped around Oliver to calm Xian Xian, "sorry, we just need to know the information…..as a sign of good faith." Felicity finished lamely.
Xian Xian was about to answer her when footsteps where heard coming from a dark corner that had everyone's attention turning toward the noise in varying degrees of defense and confusion until the face of the intruder was revealed finally by the dim lights eliciting a gasp from the Triad leaders.
"You," Xian Xian whispered.
"Me," Anatoly answered. "Surprised? The new generation of Triad leaders still have much to learn about gathering intel yah? But that is a discussion for another day. For now, answer the Captains question, yah?"
"Wha…what are you doing here. Why are you here?" Xian Xian asked facing Felicity.
"Don't worry, this is not an ambush or trap, well it is in a way because you had no idea that the Pakhan himself would be here, but blood spilling isn't on the agenda today. At least not in this warehouse. But the information on China White, it's important."
"Why, you at least have to tell us why," Xian Xian said.
Felicity looked at Anatoly and Oliver who both gave her an encouraged nod.
"We don't want more people caught in the crossfire. If this is an internal power struggle conflict of the Triad then it should remain that way," Felicity simply shared.
Xian Xian looked at her for a few seconds before he said, "you have men also following China White right now, don't you?" Xian Xian accurately guessed the reason for the repeated question.
It took another ten minutes of back and forth before the Triad leaders finally gave crumbs of the plan out and Oliver immediately took out his phone to call Diggle about the development.
"Oliver, I'm in the middle of something here, don't really have time for chit chat." John Diggle answered his call in a whisper.
"Listen to me John, something is going to happen tonight. You have to abort the mission. The Triad…." Oliver paused as he heard rapid gunfire through the phone, "John! John, answer me!"
Oliver shouted in the phone repeatedly but couldn't get an answer.
Sorry for the mini-cliff hanger but in my defense it seemed like a good place to stop at the moment. I know, i know, no Olicity sexy times but i promise some next chapter.
John. What will I do next, i killed off Andy Diggle then now...i would never dare to harm a hair of my lovable John, nope or would I?
