Although I did decide to keep the killing of Sara Lance, you'll see that I basically change every dumb thing (in my opinion) that the writers did with the rest of the storyline after that. Having Captain Lance find out immediately made more sense than Laurel accidentally stumbling upon the body as it fell. That's just one of the things I've changed. I hope you enjoy my version! Thanks for reading.
Chapter 14: Dance with Death
******Where We Left Off******
In many ways, Oliver felt like it was an old familiar dance with death. She was a bitter and relentless mistress. Once again, she had demanded blood from Oliver. Always it seemed, he must lose yet another woman he loved asan ocean of blood seemed to surround him. He glanced over at Felicity, who was next to him in the car, holding his hand with one of her own. Tears ran unchecked down her cheeks as her lover held her other hand and wiped her cheeks. Oliver's eyes connected with Steve's. Never had Oliver been so grateful for another man's presence. There wasn't a more formidable man probably on the planet than the one sitting next to Felicity right now. Oliver knew her safety was assured. For that alone, he would be forever indebted to the man. He tried to convey how much Steve's presence next to Felicity comforted him. When Steve gave a slight nod, he knew Steve understood.
Steve knew about loss. He'd lost not just everyone he'd ever known and loved; he lost his entire world. Yet seeing the woman he loved mourn a friend pained him. She was too good, too kind hearted and loving. Steve never wanted her to know one moment of pain or suffering. Although Steve had never met Sara Lance, Steve knew all about her because if you were someone Felicity knew and loved, she shared you with the others she loved. Steve knew about the jealousy she'd experienced when Sara first arrived. He knew about the admiration and respect Sara had garnered at first reluctantly and then with unreserved devotion. Felicity had shared how many scars the woman had and the scar she'd earned saving Sara's life. Steve regretted that he would never have a chance to meet the woman Felicity called friend.
His eyes connected with Oliver's, and he felt even more sympathy well up. This man held his pain too close. If he didn't find a way to come to terms with it, Steve feared it would destroy him. However, he could tell that as much as Sara Lance meant to Oliver, Felicity meant more. Knowing she was safe with Steve brought Oliver immense comfort. Steve was glad that he could give the man that at least.
Diggle drove them to the station. Layla was up front, her hand on his thigh. She knew that he'd been reluctant to accept Sara mainly because her last name was Lance. However, the fierce fighter had won him over. Diggle glanced in his rearview mirror. Oliver looked like glass that would shatter at any moment. Thing were finally going well for the team. Steve Rogers was a legend, and he had much to teach them. Oliver, Roy, and Dig were stronger and more formidable than ever thanks to some sessions with Captain America. The criminal element was running scared for the first time in a long time. Now, though, someone had killed one of them.
No one spoke until they made it to Captain Lance's office. He sat in his chair, his head in his hands. When they entered, he looked up. Grief and shock filled his face. He stood and looked at them.
"Where's Laurel?" he asked.
"She's coming," Oliver answered. "What happened?"
"Daddy!" Laurel called out as she entered the room and threw herself at her dad. "What happened? Please tell me it's a mistake! Sara's hurt, but she'll be okay?"
Captain Lance wrapped his arms around his oldest and closed his eyes against the pain. "I wish I could, baby. God, how I wish I could," he said softly. He held her a moment before pulling back, so he could tell them what he knew.
"She was in the Glades on top of some building. Someone shot her with three arrows. The medical examiner said she died from the arrows and not the fall," he explained.
"Why was she in town?" Laurel asked, wiping her eyes. "Did you know she was in town?"
Quentin shook his head. "No. She never even called me," he said. He gave Oliver a questioning look.
Oliver also shook his head. "I didn't know either. She usually communicates to me if she's in the area," he said.
"She always tells me," Felicity whispered, her eyes pained. "I bug her frequently when she stays dark too long, so she promised to call when she was close. She didn't call." Felicity looked troubled by that. She glanced at Oliver in confusion. "Why wouldn't she call?"
"I don't know," he said grimly. "But we'll find out."
*****The Next Day*****
Felicity woke up the next morning still unable to believe that Sara was gone. She was so strong—almost larger than life. At first glance, she seemed tiny and harmless. That was one of the things she liked the most about Sara. She defied expectations.
"I just don't understand how someone managed to kill Sara," she said to Steve the next morning as they were getting ready for the day.
"Even the best fighters sometimes get caught off guard or face a stronger opponent," Steve said.
"Yeah, but Sara could kick Oliver's ass. She was that good. Sometimes she fought him and John at the same time, and she still won," Felicity said. It just didn't make sense. "I just don't understand."
"I'm sure the Captain will go over every inch of the scene. If there's any forensic evidence, he'll find it," Steve said confidently. That was one of the amazing things about this century. They could uncover the most undetectable details through forensic technology.
"I want to get my hands one of those arrows," Felicity said. She gave Steve a beseeching look.
"How about we see what the department under covers first?" he suggested. "If they hit a dead end, I'll see what I can do."
Felicity kissed him goodbye and headed to work. It gave her a secret thrill every time she saw the new name on the building: SQ Industry. She still couldn't believe Oliver had suggested the new name or that he wanted to name it after her.
When she went to the top floor to her office, she asked her assistant if the meeting had been cancelled as she requested.
"Ah, no. Mr. Queen said that he was prepared to handle it," her assistant Tonya said.
"What?" she asked in surprise. "You mean he came into work today?"
"Yes. He's in his office," Tonya said. "Why wouldn't he be?"
"We had a close friend die last night. He shouldn't be here," Felicity said flatly. Then she walked down the hall to his office. He was sitting in his chair, looking out the window.
She went to him, putting her hand on his shoulder to get his attention. He turned in the chair and faced her.
"Hey. How are you doing?" he asked in concern.
Felicity perched on his desk. "Seriously? You're asking about me?" she said incredulously. "You shouldn't be here at all, Oliver!"
"Where else would I be? Sara is dead. I can't change that," he said grimly. "We don't know anything. I went out last night to see what I could uncover and got nowhere."
"I'll check out surveillance in the area," Felicity offered. "If there's anything to find, I'll find it."
Oliver looked grateful. "Thanks," he said.
"If you want to leave, it's okay," Felicity said.
"Being here is a nice distraction," Oliver said. He had to hold it together. If he didn't, there would be no justice for Sara. He would find out who was responsible, and he'd make them pay.
*****Corto Maltese*****
Clint went to the café Thea worked at once again. She'd been gone two days, so he didn't know if she'd be there or not. He was slightly surprised when she appeared, smiling at him like nothing had happened.
"Good afternoon," she said brightly. "Tea?"
"That's all you have to say?" he asked in surprise.
"What do you mean?" she asked confused. "Did you want something to eat, too?"
"Where have you been?" he asked.
"What do you mean?" she asked with a smile. "I've been here. I saw you yesterday."
Clint blinked, not expecting that answer. "Ah, no, you didn't. You disappeared two days ago," he informed her.
"Ah, no, I didn't," she gave him a look that said she thought he was joking. "I'll be back with your tea."
Clint was thrown. The woman seemed serious. What was going on? When Thea came back and placed his tea in front of him, he tried again.
"Thea, I went by your place for your lesson two days ago and the house was closed up. Your housekeeper told me that you were gone, and then she slammed the door in my face," Clint shared.
Thea frowned. "You're serious?" she probed.
"I am dead serious. If you don't recall the events of the past two days, something is seriously wrong," he said in concern.
"I remember the last two days. They were the same as the ones before. I came to work. I went home. You and I had a lesson. Nothing special," she said, starting to become uncomfortable.
"No, I've been here waiting for you the past two days," Clint said. He grabbed the bus boy that walked by. "Has Thea been here at work the past two days?"
The bus boy looked confused. "You were here, sir. You know that she was off the past two days," he said. He gave Thea an inquiring look.
"Forgive him, Andre. He's getting old," Thea said lightly, smiling at the bus boy. When Andre left, she sat down across from Clint. Her mind was racing. If she really did lose two days, she had a sick feeling that her father might have something to do with it. She looked at Clint, a worried look in her eyes. "I was really gone for two days?"
"Yes," Clint said. "You have no memory of what went down?"
She shook her head. "But I may know who's responsible," she admitted.
"Who?" he asked.
"My father," she said grimly. Somehow, she'd let herself forget for a short time that her biological father was a mass murderer responsible for the death of hundreds—even his own son. Before she could say more, her phone buzzed. Frowning, she looked down at it. Oliver had been calling nonstop. She'd had over a dozen missed calls from him.
"Maybe you should get that," Clint said.
She decided to answer. "What's up, Oliver?"
"You need to come home," Oliver said firmly.
"I told you, Oliver, I'll come home when I'm ready," she replied in annoyance.
"I need you, Thea," Oliver said quietly.
Something in his voice alerted Thea. "What's wrong?" she asked anxiously.
"Sara is dead," Oliver replied.
Shocked, Thea was silent a moment. Finally, she spit out, "How?"
"Murder," he said.
"I'll be home as soon as I can," Thea said. She disconnected, feeling more off center. Too many things were happening.
"Bad news," Clint said.
"A friend has been killed," Thea said. "My brother needs me home."
"Then you should go," Clint replied.
Her mind was spinning. "Something happened to me," she said. "I need to figure it out."
"So we'll figure it out," Clint said.
Thea looked at him in surprise. "You'll help me?" she asked.
"I will," Clint said. Thea Queen was one mystery he wanted to solve. A woman didn't lose two days without something being seriously wrong. Why she would think her dead father had anything to do with it was even more interesting. Maybe the father wasn't as dead as everyone thought. Clint would begin to dig.
Thea was very afraid to face her father, so Clint's surprise offer made her very grateful. She knew that if she asked him about the missing time, he'd just lie to her. She had to figure out what happened before she confronted him. It was the only way.
*****The Next Day*****
Quentin Lance cursed when he read the lab report. "What the hell?" he demanded. This made no sense. He called Steve Rogers into his office.
"Yes?" Steve asked.
"The DNA found on the arrow belongs to Oliver Queen," Quentin said harshly. How could Queen harm his daughter? He loved her. At least Quentin thought he did. Maybe he was angry that she left him for the League.
"What?" Steve asked, frowning. The captain handed him the report.
Steve read the lab report. "It's not an exact match," he pointed out.
"How the hell did Oliver Queen's DNA get on that arrow?" Captain Lance asked. "Do you think he had something to do with Sara's death?"
Steve shook his head. "No, sir. He is devastated," Steve said. "Felicity is also. They loved your daughter. And Oliver cares too much about Felicity. He would never kill someone Felicity cared about."
"Then how do you explain this?" Captain Lance asked him.
"Someone is trying to make it look like Oliver," Steve said.
"How can you be so sure?" Captain Lance asked.
"It's the only thing else that makes sense," Steve said. "Oliver was with us an hour before you called Felicity. Before that, he was with Felicity. He never had the opportunity to be on top of some building shooting arrows. Not to mention, does he know how to shoot a bow?" Of course, Steve knew that he did. However, he also knew Oliver had nothing to do with this particular death.
Captain Lance didn't answer. He'd had his suspicions about Oliver more than once but now wasn't the time. "I'll need to hear this from Felicity. If she was with him when you weren't, I want to talk to her," he said.
"I'll let her know," Steve said. He pulled out his phone and sent her a text message.
******That Night******
Felicity was trying to come up with theories. Oliver's DNA on the arrow didn't make sense. She called up Pepper—something she did when she was at a loss. Pepper put her on speaker phone, so Tony could listen as Felicity filled them in.
"So Sara was murdered by an arrow that wasn't green like Oliver's but contained his DNA?" Pepper clarified.
"Yes," Felicity said.
"So someone is setting him up," Pepper said.
"That's the prevailing theory," Felicity said.
"It could be a familial match," Tony suggested.
Felicity frowned as she considered that. "But Thea is his only family, and she's out of the country," she said.
"Are you sure about that?" Tony said.
"Her father is Malcolm Merlyn," Pepper acknowledged.
Oliver came in and realized what they were suggesting. Anger filled him as he stepped closer.
"What the hell, Felicity? You can't possibly be suggesting my sister, who is thousands of miles away, killed Sara!" he exclaimed.
Felicity winced as she realized Oliver had overheard them. "Guys, I'd better discuss this with Oliver. I'll call you later," she said.
"Good luck!" Tony called out after Pepper said goodbye.
She disconnected and faced Oliver. "Calm down, Oliver," she urged.
"Calm down? Are you serious?" he demanded. "That's my sister you're accusing! My sister, who wouldn't if she was capable of killing Sara, which she's not. That is both insane and impossible!"
"Then how else would you explain your DNA on the arrow?" she asked.
A voice interrupted them. "Can I jump in?"
They turned and saw Natasha. Felicity grinned. "You're here!" She moved to welcome the only female Avenger.
"Clint called. He told me what was going on. I'm glad he did since no one else did," she said with a frown.
Oliver didn't know why he felt guilty at her admonishment. They barely knew each other. However, as his eyes locked with hers he had a strong desire to unburden himself in a way he'd never done with anyone.
"I'm glad you're here," Felicity said. "Is Clint still with Thea in Corto Maltese?"
"What?" Oliver asked in surprise.
Felicity winced. "Oh, did I forget to mention that?" When she'd told Oliver that Thea had been lying to him, she'd simply told him that Steve had gotten a friend to trace Thea's whereabouts. Oliver had been so distracted by the fact that his sister was lying to him that he'd asked no questions.
"Yes, you forgot to mention that!" Oliver bit out, clenching his fists.
"Clint was sent there by Steve to make sure she's okay," Natasha explained.
"That was a while ago. Why is he still there?" Felicity asked.
"He thinks something is going on with her. She moves like I do. It's a puzzle he wanted to figure out," Natasha said with a shrug. "She interests him."
"He is too old for her, and he better keep his interests to himself!" Oliver warned.
Natasha grinned. "I don't think his interest in her is sexual in nature," she said.
"It better not be!" Oliver said harshly.
"She could do a lot worse than Clint," Natasha said, teasing him.
"Nat!" Felicity scolded. "So not helping!"
"Fine. Let's change the subject," Natasha said. She glanced at Oliver. "Let's talk about the fact that your DNA is on the murder weapon."
"Well, I sure as hell didn't kill Sara!" Oliver said in annoyance.
"No one thinks that!" Felicity defended.
"But someone wants us to think that," Oliver said, frowning.
"Well, I might have an idea," Natasha said. They waited expectantly. "Malcolm Merlyn is alive." She hadn't even had a chance to tell Clint yet. However, she'd been doing her own investigation into Thea Queen. She'd found proof of Merlyn being very much alive. Not only was he alive, but he was with Thea Queen. She didn't know how to tell Oliver his sister was keeping such a secret from him. She gave Oliver a look of sympathy. He must have been born under the same unlucky star that she'd been born under. However, Clint and Director Fury had saved her. Maybe she could help save him. Natasha wasn't ready to admit why she wanted to.
"Yes, I know. He orchestrated my mother's not guilty verdict," Oliver said. It was the only thing that made sense. It was what his mom had been trying to tell him before she died. Oliver suspected it, but he hadn't had the heart to tell the team the monster they thought was slayed was still out there. Then he realized something. "He wants to pit me against the League of Assassins."
"So you think Malcolm killed Sara?" Felicity said. "How would he get your DNA?"
"It would make more sense if he put your sister up to it," Natasha said, thinking it through.
Oliver gave her an angry glare. "My sister did not kill Sara!" he said angrily.
"It wouldn't be the first time a young, hurt girl was manipulated by an older, more charismatic man," Natasha said matter-of-factly.
There was no way Oliver was going to seriously consider that his sister would ever commit murder. The only way Oliver could see her killing anyone was in self-defense. No one was going to convince him otherwise.
*****Starling City Airport*****
Thea blinked at the sudden feeling of déjà vu as she stepped off the private jet her father had arranged. They had argued bitterly about her decision to leave. It had taken every bit of Thea's self-control to keep silent about the suspicion she had about her father doing something to make her lose time. She found herself wanting to confess to Clint that her dad was alive and her misgivings. However, fear for his life kept her silent. Although Clint had allies and friends that were much more powerful than her father, she still worried that her father would kill him. Unlike some of Clint's friends, he was completely human and vulnerable to assassination. Thea wouldn't put it passed Malcolm. So far Clint hadn't yet questioned why she'd said her father was responsible for her lost time. The entire flight she was thinking what she'd say when he did.
"Are you all right?" Clint asked when she paused midway down the steps.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just a weird feeling of déjà vu," she admitted with a frown as she went down.
When they were in the car she'd arranged, Clint pulled out his phone and called Steve.
"I'm in town," he said.
"You're in Starling?" Steve asked in surprise. Felicity, Oliver, and Natasha were in his house. Roy and Diggle had arrived not long ago. They'd all been arguing the past hour. When Felicity had begun doing research on her laptop, Oliver continued the argument with John and Roy. Steve was growing weary of the debate. However, no one was more stubborn than his girl and Oliver Queen. It was the first time Steve had seen then at such opposite ends. Oliver, though, wasn't about to back down in his defense of his sister. Steve admired his loyalty.
"Yes, I'm with Thea Queen," Clint shared.
"Natasha is here with us. Oliver is here, too. Why don't you come here?" Steve suggested.
"Send me the address," Clint said. He hung up. "Your brother is with Steve and Felicity. We'll head there."
Thea nodded, a sense of foreboding filling her. She didn't know how her brother would respond to the changes in her. Could she keep lying to him?
Feeling sick, she looked out the window as the familiar landscape passed by, soothing her. She was home. No matter what had happened, Starling City would always be home to her. She just hoped her brother didn't hate her too much when he found out the secret she'd been keeping.
*****Chapter End*****
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