Oliver's campaign office

Afternoon

Quentin and Laurel, flanked by Diggle and Roy for protection from the mob of reporters, were led inside the building. Diggle closed the door and breathed a deep sigh.

"I thought my days of stopping mobs of reporters were over." Diggle said gruffly as Oliver and Thea approached them.

"Hey, how are you doing?" Thea asked Quentin concerned.

"I'd feel a lot better if I knew who leaked this to the press." Quentin said gruffly.

"We know who did it," Oliver said and they looked over at him, "it was Prometheus. He cam after me with the ACU and since you got them to back off, he's coming after me through you."

"Well, we never said he wasn't smart." Quentin snarked.

"We just have to be smarter. So what's the plan?" Diggle asked.

"Right now, we don't have one." Laurel admitted.

"what if we tell the truth?" Oliver asked and they all looked at him as though he was insane. " A version of the truth."

"What version?" Quentin asked wearily.

"A version where, considering the Green Arrow's record of service for Star City, you gave him the benefit of the doubt." Oliver explained.

"Dad, that's not a bad plan." Laurel said impressed as Adrian walked in.

"Laurel, Quentin, this is my political strategist, Adrian Chase." Oliver introduced as Adrian held his hand out to Quentin.

"Pleasure to meet you Captain. I wish it were under better circumstances." Adrian said as Quentin shook his hand.

"And why is he here Ollie?" Laurel asked.

"I'm here Ms. Lance because what happens with your father directly affects Oliver's campaign, given the close history of the Lance and Queen families." Adrian explained as he and Quentin dropped hands.

"No pressure or anything." Quentin said sarcastically.

"So Captain, do you have a lawyer?" Adrian demanded.

Quentin gestured to Laurel and Adrian stared incredulously.

"Captain, I'm not trying to be insensitive, but this can be seen as a conflict of interest considering she's your daughter." Adrian pointed out.

"No one is gonna fight harder for him than me." Laurel said firmly and Adrian sighed, giving in.

"Alright, what's the battle plan then?" Adrian asked tiredly.

Star City Cemetery

Night

Roy stood in front of a grave, falling to his knees in front of it.

"Jade...we were so beyond complicated," Roy sighed, putting a hand to his face as he fought tears, "but...despite everything...I did love you. Maybe that's why I tried to forget about you once I put you away, so I didn't have to deal with the way I felt about you. In any case... Vigilante put you in this grave...so I'm gonna put him in one."

From a distance, Will watched his son, a blank look on his face.

Afghanistan, fifteen years ago

Day

Will was cleaning his gun when one of his bunk mates came over to him.

"Hey Will, Sarge wants to see you." His bunk mate said.

Will nodded his thanks and got up. He walked towards the Sargent's tent and entered it. However, he stopped as he saw it was not the Sargent waiting for him, but an African-American woman in her early to mid twenties.

"Hello Mr. Harper, my name is Amanda Waller. We have much to discus." Waller told him.

City Hall, now

Afternoon

Laurel and Quentin sat at the defendant's desk in front of the City Council. In the seats behind them, Oliver and Adrian sat as the gavel was banged.

"We recently learned that Detective William Malone was murdered b the Vigilante known as The Green Arrow," Kullens began and Oliver winced, "it appears Captain Lance knew for quite some time and actively worked to hide the fact, even from his own men. Today, the council considers two very grave questions: Did Quentin Lance's action break the oath he took to uphold the law as an officer of Star City and should he therefore be removed from his position?"

Arrow lair

Same time

Roy fired an arrow, hitting the yellow tennis ball perfectly. Thea walked down, impressed.

"How is it that you're so much better at archery than I am?" Thea asked as Roy lowered his bow.

"It's a gift. What do you want Thea?" Roy demanded.

"I wanted to see if you were okay." Thea asked concerned.

"A woman I loved, who was also the mother of the daughter I didn't know I had, was murdered by a psycho who's still out there. And on top of this, we're all in trouble because of what Prometheus did. So no, I'm not okay Thea." Roy said with an angry look on his face as he looked away from her.

"I can't pretend to now what you're going through...but if you want, I'm here." Thea said sympathetically.

Roy nodded but didn't say anything. Knowing she was not going to get anything more out of him, Thea turned and walked away, deciding to give him some space.

City Hall

Not long after

"My autopsy showed that mortal injury on the deceased was consistent with the arrow heads used by the Green Arrow." The Medical Examiner testified.

"I have her your original report, which says that the Green Arrow killed Malone," Kullens said as he pulled it out, "but it wasn't included in the file. Why?"

"Captain Lance came to me and requested that I revise my report to say that The Throwing Star Killer was responsible." She explained.

"I have that report here," Kullens pulled it out, "And you went ahead and signed it, although you knew it was a fake, and passed it along to the police. Is that right?"

"Yes." She nodded.

"Why? Did Captain Lance threaten you?" Kullens asked.

"No. He said there were forces at work that could kill us both." She said and murmurs broke out cross the room.

"This is not going well." Adrian muttered to Oliver as the ME stepped down and Pike took her place at the podium.

"Lieutenant Pike, you've known Quentin Lance for a long time, haen't you?" Kullens asked.

"Close to fifteen years now." Pike confirmed.

"Captain Lance came to you and told you that he had covered up Detective Malone's murder, is that correct?" Kullens asked.

"Yes, he told me that the Green Arrow killed Detective Malone." Pike confirmed.

"Did he say why?" Another Councilmen asked.

"He claims that the Throwing Star Killer, a man we've been calling Prometheus, manipulated him." Pike explained.

"Did he say why?" The Councilman asked.

"No." Pike admitted.

"Standing here today, do you believe him?" Kullens asked.

"Honestly, I don't know. He's clearly been determined to protect the Green Arrow for his own purposes. I think the only question here is...why?" Pike said as he looked over at Quentin.

Later, as they were all leaving City Hall, Adrian pulled Oliver aside.

"Oliver, you may not want to hear this, but it might be best for the campaign if you...distance yourself from the Lances." Adrian suggested.

"Adrian, I am not turning my bad on my oldest living friend and a man who has been more of a father to me than my own was." Oliver said firmly.

"But-" Adrian began.

"And what message would that send? That I cave to pressure from the public? That I don't stand by people who are close to me? I'm not a politician Adrian, that's why I'm running in the first place. Have a good night Adrian." Oliver said before he turned and walked out the doors with Laurel and Quentin.

The three of them walked down the stairs and towards the car, where Roy was waiting with the driver. Roy helped them get in before closing the door and getting in next to the driver. As they took off, inside the back, Oliver sighed.

"I'm sorry Quentin." Oliver said and Quentin and Laurel looked over at him.

"What?" Quentin asked.

"This, this is my fault." Oliver told him.

"Ollie, you didn't put this out there." Laurel tried to assure him.

"I killed Malone. This is happening because you're cleaning up my mess." Oliver said in self-loathing.

"I made the choice Oliver. And even knowing what I know now, I'd do it again. This psycho is out there and you're the best hope we have of stopping him. Billy, that wasn't your fault. It was Prometheus." Quentin told him firmly.

Outside the car, Vigilante suddenly appeared in the road. Roy suddenly stared in shock, eying Jade's killer as he opened fire on them. The car suddenly lurched forward in a light of fire as it landed on its hood.

"My target is Captain Lance and his corruption," Vigilante told him as he approached the car, "He surrenders, I'll led the rest of you live."

One side door opened up and Vigilant smirked under his helmet.

"Good man." Vigilante said.

Laurel jumped out from the other side and screamed. Her Canary Cry knocked Vigilante back As Roy got out, the driver's unconscious form slung over his shoulder as he reached Oliver and Quentin.

"Quentin, get him to safety." Oliver ordered as Roy passed the driver onto Quentin.

"Right, you guys take care of this son of a bitch." Quentin said as he ran off with the driver.

"You ready for this?" Oliver asked and Roy scowled.

"You have no idea."

As Vigilante stood up, Oliver and Roy jumped out from behind the car, Roy opening fire on Vigilante with his pistol. Vigilante dodged it, his visor's screen zeroing in on Roy's angry face. Vigilante raised his arm and something shot off towards Roy. It hit him and Roy suddenly found himself wrapped up in iron cables, dropping his gun as he fell to the ground, unable to move. Laurel then tackled Vigilante, getting in his back. Vigilante struggled with her as Oliver rushed him, forcing Vigilante to contend with both of them. Vigilante sent a kick to Oliver's chest, sending him on his back as Vigilante threw Laurel off him and onto the ground. Oliver got to his feet, glaring at Vigilante.

"get out of the way!" Vigilante ordered.

"zyou want Quentin Lance, you gotta get through me first!" Oliver snarled.

"Gladly!" Vigilante said as he pulled out a gun.

He opened fire on Oliver and Oliver jumped out of the way, taking cover behind the car. Siren blared as police cruisers reproached and Vigilante lowered his gun.

"Quentin Lance gets one more day!" Vigilante taunted before running off.

Oliver peaked his head around the corner, seeing no sign of Vigilante as the police cruisers pulled up.