Heir Apparent
Chapter 26 – The Reception
"Congratulations to the happy couple," Felicity said as she stepped up next to Oliver and Nyssa. They were standing off to one side, taking a break from the almost never-ending stream of well-wishers. "The ceremony was perfect."
"Thea described it as short and sweet," Oliver remarked as he looked around at 'his' guests as they enjoyed the cocktail reception. Despite Raisa's assurance that she could cook for everyone, Oliver and Nyssa did not want to put her through all of that and Moira had agreed that it would require more effort than it was worth. Plus, a cocktail reception allowed conversation to flow more freely; as much business would occur tonight as celebrating
"Well, Thea was accurate in her description," Felicity confirmed with a smile. "I know Oliver already thanked me for coming but I also want to thank the two of you for inviting me here today. You didn't have to do that."
"Felicity, you are a friend to the both of us. And today is a day for friends to come together," Nyssa said happily. "Besides, we needed at least a few people present that actually knew who we were besides someone's son or his fiancé."
"Still, thank you," Felicity said in appreciation.
"You're more than welcome, Felicity," Oliver expressed. "If anyone should be thanking anyone, it is I that should be thanking you."
"What for?" Felicity asked in confusion.
"For assisting as much as you have since I came to work at Queen Consolidated," Oliver explained. "I'm certain that I would have been completely out of my depth without you."
"On the contrary, I think you would have been just fine," Felicity vouched. "You didn't really need my help with most of it and the parts you did you picked up very quickly. I'm mostly just assisting with research and ideas at the moment. Not that I don't love my job. Because I do."
"Easy Felicity," Oliver calmed his excited Technical Advisor. "Thank you for the complement. And don't worry, the exciting work will happen once the new Applied Sciences Building is completed."
"I look forward to it," Felicity said enthusiastically.
"Nyssa," Sin called as she stepped up between Nyssa and Felicity. "I'm sorry to interrupt but if you're free, could we talk?"
"Of course," Nyssa replied before looking at Felicity and Oliver. "Please excuse me."
"I'll catch up with you in a bit," Oliver said to his wife as he pecked her on the cheek.
"Of course. We will speak soon Felicity," Nyssa said before walking away with Sin in tow.
"Don't take this the wrong way, Oliver," Felicity began, drawing Oliver's look back to her. "But you are a lucky man."
"Felicity, I agree with you," Oliver said as he looked around the room before returning to Felicity. "I am the luckiest man in the world."
"It would seem then," Walter said as he joined the two. "That what I was about to say is superfluous."
"Walter, nothing you say is ever superfluous," Oliver noted with a smile.
"Well that is kind of you to say Oliver," Walter noted.
"Only the truth," Oliver responded.
"Yes, well, would you mind if I steal Miss Smoak for a moment?" Walter asked politely. "I have a question I would like to ask her about something she looked into for me recently."
"Not at all, Walter," Oliver said. "I will go and see if I can get to know my father-in-law a little better. Have you seen him?"
"Bruce?" Walter replied. "I believe I saw him speaking with Malcolm Merlyn."
#Arrow#
"May I ask," Malcolm began respectfully. "Why are Oliver and Nyssa in Starling City?"
"I would think that was obvious, Al Sa-Her," Ra's replied calmly as he sipped at his drink. "Especially as we are attending their wedding reception."
"My lord, please don't think me a simpleton," Malcolm retorted politely. "I know they would not be here unless they had a more specific purpose. One that you would approve of."
"Al Sa-Her, I give you far more credit than that," Ra's responded, locking his eyes on Malcolm. "I allowed your separation from the league and all of its affairs. Do you wish to alter that arrangement?"
"No, my lord," Malcolm quickly backtracked, easily understanding the implication behind Ra's words.
"Hey Bruce, I see you found the opportunity to speak with Mr Merlyn again," Oliver observed as he walked up to join the two men.
"Yes," Ra's confirmed with a small smile. He was curious how this would play out. "He is one of the few people present that I know."
"I am sure that you can sympathise Oliver. I doubt that you know most of your guests yourself," Malcolm pointed out evenly. "I am somewhat surprised you are still present. I thought you might have disappeared by now."
"Oh, I think I will leave the disappearing acts to you, Mr Merlyn," Oliver said glibly. "After all, you are the magician."
"Well, we can't all be friends with Little John," Malcolm riposted, bringing a smile to Ra's face. He had to admit, he was enjoying this and he was curious who would win in a confrontation between the two archers. "I believe I need to speak to Moira about something. If you will both excuse me."
"It was nice speaking with you Mr Merlyn," Oliver called to Malcolm's back.
"Take care in poking the bear, Al Sah-him," Ra's whispered. "Al Sa-Her was once one of my most deadly assassins and I doubt his skills have diminished over the years. And I would hate to see my daughter become a widow at such a young age."
"I will heed your warning," Oliver replied. "So he knows?"
"He knew the moment he saw me," Ra's confirmed. "Al Sa-Her's abilities in gathering information are formidable and his mind is sharper than the blade of my sword."
"Will he be an obstacle?" Oliver wondered quietly.
"Al Sa-Her swore an oath the day I released him from the league. Violation of that oath would mean the forfeiture of his life," Ra's explained emotionlessly. Ra's looked at his son-in-law and saw his calculating mind at work. "Come, let us find my daughter. I would spend time with her before my departure tomorrow."
#Arrow#
"Tell me Zayda," Nyssa said calmly. "What is on your mind?"
"I've been thinking about what you said. About having an aim and knowing where it is that I want to go," Sin answered. "I've figured out where I want to go and what I want to do."
"And where is that?" Nyssa asked, curious about what Sin had decided.
"I'm going to take your advice," Sin replied. "I'd like to get into personal security."
"I am happy that is what you decided," Nyssa said happily. And she was happy. "It pleases me that you wish to make something of your life. Something more than what you have now or that is readily available to obtain. It is only by testing ourselves that we can better ourselves."
"The only thing I have at the moment, is a future in the Glades; a bleak one. My home, my past has been the Glades. If my future is there too, I want it to be by my choice," Sin stated evenly, keeping her emotions in check. "And that is where you come in."
"Me, Zayda?" Nyssa asked innocently, despite knowing what Sin was going to ask of her. "How can I help you?"
"Nyssa, I know you already know what I am going to ask. I need training to be a bodyguard," Sin responded. "And your father works for a company that trains bodyguards. I was hoping you could speak to him about him or his company training me."
"My father owns that company Zayda," Nyssa corrected Sin calmly. "And it is not based in America. I would not have you travel so far to receive training that can be just as easily obtained without having to leave Starling City."
"You know someone that could teach me here?" Sin asked hopefully.
"I know one or two that have the necessary skills. I cannot guarantee that they would be willing at first but I will speak with them on your behalf," Nyssa said. "I am positive that I can convince them to train you."
"Thank you Nyssa," Sin expressed cheerfully, wrapping her arms around Nyssa in a grateful hug. "What would I do without you?"
"Let us hope that we will never have to find out," Nyssa replied, smiling as she returned the hug, actually surprised at how easily she did so.
"I don't think I have seen you smile so much in such a short time as I have seen in the time I have been here," Ra's noted as he and Oliver joined the two. Nyssa and Sin separated from their embrace and turned to face the two men. "I am happy to see that the environment is good for you."
"Not just the environment father, but the people in it," Nyssa responded calmly. "Happiness can be found anywhere if you have the right people in your life."
"Indeed," Ra's agreed.
"And how are you Sin?" Oliver asked the young lady. "Coping better today?"
"A little," Sin answered slowly as if she was carefully choosing her words. "Everything is still pretty overwhelming. Not to mention the people."
"If I may offer a piece of advice," Oliver offered evenly. "Relax. Most of the people in this room, and that is exactly what they are, just people; they can sense tension and feed off it. If you are relaxed and in control of yourself, I have no doubt that you can hold your own. Especially with how quick you are."
"I would agree with Oliver, young one," Ra's said, somewhat surprising both Oliver and Nyssa. "I can see a lot of potential within you. All you need is the right guide or guides to help you onto the correct path to allow you to unleash it."
"I think I already have them," Sin said, shooting Nyssa a glance. "But thank you for the votes of confidence."
"You're welcome young one," Ra's responded with a smile.
"And now I think I need a drink," Sin noted. "Please excuse me."
"An interesting young woman," Ra's pointed out as the three assassin's watched Sin walk away. "I look forward to seeing what becomes of her. Especially with your training of her, Nyssa."
"I would not see her hurt again, father," Nyssa reasoned. "She has already suffered so much in such a short lifetime."
"And all without losing her sense of self," Ra's observed. "Impressive."
"Agreed," Oliver said before he locked his eyes on his wife. "When were you going to tell me?"
"Tomorrow," Nyssa answered, knowing exactly what Oliver was asking about. "You spoke with Thea."
"I did," Oliver confirmed. "She blew a gasket at me for not telling her that you have a sister."
"Talia?" Ra's wondered, instantly alert. "What has your sister done now?"
"She called me this morning," Nyssa explained. "To wish me happiness with my upcoming wedding."
"I doubt that was all that she said," Oliver noted unhappily. Talia was a sore spot for Oliver after what she had done. And the years had not healed it at all. "What else?"
"She advised me to take this opportunity and enjoy my new life so that she could assume her rightful place," Nyssa continued.
"That place is no longer hers to occupy," Ra's pointed out, his voice cold and hard. "It hasn't been for 25 years."
"She stated that her ascension was assured and that I should step aside while she still allowed me too," Nyssa said. "Before I was removed from her path."
"She threatened you?" Oliver questioned angrily. "I will find her and when I do…"
"You will bring her before me," Ra's stated; his tone challenging Oliver to question his directive in anyway. "Talia has much to answer for and she will answer to me before anyone else. Do I make myself clear?"
"As you command," Oliver said softly, clearly unhappy with the command. Ra's could sympathise with his son-in-law and it might even have been easier to allow Al Sah-Him to remove Talia as a threat to anyone but that was not the way of the League unless there was no other recourse. Not that he expected Talia to willingly accede to any request to stand before Ra's al Ghul for judgement.
"Well, well, what have we here?" a cold, mocking voice fell across their ears as a woman stepped up to join them. All three of them turned to see Amanda Waller standing there imperiously. "I'm not even sure how to address you all."
"Ms Waller," Oliver said charmingly. "How nice to speak with you again."
"Mr Queen," Amanda replied. "I must say that so far today has lived up to the Queen Family reputation for events."
"We aim to please," Oliver pointed out glibly. "I believe you have already had the pleasure of meeting my wife, Nyssa."
"Yes, we spent a lovely evening together a few weeks ago," Nyssa said with a smile. "We had a lovely time discussing cause and effect."
"And this is Nyssa's father, Bruce Raatko," Oliver introduced as he studied Waller's reaction. She didn't react. "I believe you both work in similar fields."
"That would not be how I would describe our occupations," Amanda retorted harshly, staring at Ra's. "How would you describe out occupations, Mr Raatko?"
"Dissimilarly, Ms Waller," Ra's answered calmly, his gaze running over Amanda Waller as he considered her. "I believe Ms Waller and I have a few things to discuss. Would you two please excuse us?"
"Of course," Oliver said before leaving.
"I needed to speak with Mr Diggle anyway," Nyssa said before she too, walked away.
"Would you like a drink, Ms Waller?" Ra's asked as he took a glass of champagne off a passing waiter's tray. "No, I don't think you will. I believe you would prefer to keep your wits about you, as they say."
"Tell me, Mr Raatko, or would you prefer Mr al Ghul?" Waller asked snidely. "To what purpose has Oliver Queen returned from the dead? And why did you allow him to return to Starling City?"
"I'm sure you already know the answers to those questions, Ms Waller," Ra's stated as he sipped his champagne. "My daughter told me of her and Al Sah-Him's discussion with you."
"And how am I to know what they told me was the truth?" Amanda challenged.
"You are not to know," Ra's replied calmly. "Nor will I reiterate what they said here."
"Mr Raatko, you cannot expect me to assume what two assassins told me to be true, is actually true," Waller argued.
"I expect nothing from you, Ms Waller," Ra's countered effectively. "You wish to know my mind and why I have sent two members of my family to a single city. That that city is the former home of one of those two appears irrelevant to you. Believe me, Ms Waller, I already know more about you, then you will ever know about me, even if you managed to live as long as I have."
"I'm sure I can find out more than you think I can," Waller retorted evenly.
"And yet I already have," Ra's said, his voice unwaveringly calm. "I know that it was you who arranged for a mercenary by the name of Edward Fryers to be present on the island of Lian Yu in 2007. I'm sure we both know what events occurred there at that time."
"There was a reason for their presence," Amanda pointed out.
"Yes, they were to shoot down Ferris Air flight 637. And all so that you could kill one woman, Chien Na Wei," Ra's revealed. "If you had succeeded in your mission, General Shrieve would have had no need to detain you for I would have acted instead. And then we get to perhaps the most interesting and perhaps, dangerous, piece of information. The Canary. How do you think Al Sah-Him would react, knowing that instead of dying as he had believed when the Amazo was sunk, that Sara Lance survived and was retrieved by A.R.G.U.S.? That you have had her trained and conditioned to become a capable, relentless and yet insentient operative that is totally at your beck and call."
"You won't tell him," Waller gambled. "If you were going to, you would have done so already. It serves no purpose to tell him now."
"Not at the moment, Ms Waller," Ra's said, turning to walk away. "Not at the moment. Perhaps you should consider that."
#Arrow#
"Mr Diggle, I have a question for you?" Nyssa asked as she stopped beside the tall bodyguard.
"I may or may not have an answer to it, Nyssa," Diggle replied calmly. Feeling Nyssa's gaze on him, he continued without looking at the assassin. "What is the question?"
"I have a friend who is interested in entering the personal security field," Nyssa explained. "Would you be interested in training her?"
"Who is she?" Diggle asked, curious why Nyssa was coming to him. "And why me? Surely your father's company would be better suited to training her."
"Perhaps it might," Nyssa agreed. "But she is not suited for it. And this is genuine personal security. Sin is not a killer."
"Sin?" Diggle asked in surprise. "The tiny young lady that always seems to know where you are."
"Yes, that it Sin," Nyssa confirmed with a grin. "Are you interested in training her?"
"To be honest Nyssa, I've never trained a bodyguard before," Diggle explained. "My skillset is a carryover from my time in the military. And she doesn't have that background or learning foundation."
"Perhaps not, Mr Diggle. But she is a fast learner," Nyssa pointed out. "And she has been and will continue to receive training from me."
"What is she learning from you?" Diggle asked.
"Mostly self-defence skills. A few other things that might be of benefit to her," Nyssa answered before lowering her voice to a whisper. "She doesn't know what I am and I would prefer to keep it that way."
"I will consider it, Nyssa," Diggle responded. "No promises."
"That is all I am asking for," Nyssa said. "I would have her trained by the best."
"Flattery will not get you everything, Mrs Queen," Diggle noted with a smirk.
"Perhaps not," Nyssa said with a smile. "But call me Mrs Queen again and you'll discover what it will get you. A new scar."
"You're unarmed Nyssa," Diggle pointed out with a soft smile.
"Mr Diggle, John, I am never unarmed," Nyssa replied, causing Diggle to raise his eyebrows. "I always have at least 2 blades on me."
"I'm not going to ask where," Diggle noted.
"Good," Nyssa said. "I would hate to disappoint you by not telling you."
"Johnny never did like disappointment," a woman's voice said from the other side of Diggle and the two turned to see a Caucasian woman with brown hair standing there.
"I'm sorry," Nyssa apologised politely. "Who are you?"
"This is Lyla Michaels," Diggle said somewhat tensely. "Lyla, please meet Nyssa Queen."
"Nice to meet you," Lyla said casually. "Though the wedding dress kind of gave it away."
"Nyssa, would you please excuse us for a moment?" Diggle asked kindly. "I would like to catch up with an old friend."
"Of course, Mr Diggle. Please consider my request," Nyssa replied before turning to Lyla. "It was nice to meet you."
"And you, Mrs Queen," Lyla replied, missing the look on Nyssa's face as she turned to walk away, though Diggle could imagine it. "Johnny, Johnny, Johnny, what have you got yourself mixed up in?"
"I don't know what you mean, Lyla," Diggle said innocently.
"I'd like to believe that, I really would," Lyla replied openly. "But I give you more credit than that."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Diggle asked.
"Do you know who he is?" Lyla asked, pointing across the room to where Ra's al Ghul and Amanda Waller were speaking. "Who he really is?"
"I know exactly who he is," Diggle responded. "He is Nyssa's father."
"He is more than that, Johnny," Lyla assured Diggle. "You know it and I know it. And the apple doesn't fall far from the tree."
"Nyssa is not her father, Lyla," Diggle pointed out, surprising himself that he was defending Nyssa to his ex-wife. "And neither is Oliver."
"We'll see, Johnny," Lyla said as her eyes looked off into the crowd. "I have to go."
"You're boss summoning you back?" Diggle asked.
"Something like that," Lyla replied. "You take care Johnny. And remember what I said."
"I will," Diggle promised. "But I'm telling you that you're wrong."
"We'll see," Lyla said. "It was good to see you again."
"You too," Diggle responded as he watched Lyla walk off into the crowd where she rendezvoused with the woman he had seen speaking to Ra's al Ghul earlier. And now he had more questions again.
#Arrow#
"So what else did he say?" Sin asked a little impatiently.
"As I told you. He said he would consider it," Nyssa replied, smiling at Sin's obvious excitement. "But he makes no promises."
"So he is just thinking about it?" Sin asked, a little downcast.
"That is correct," Nyssa confirmed. "But I think he will teach you. I think it will be a challenge for him."
"I'm not that bad," Sin complained. "I've learned so much since I me you and you started teaching me."
"Indeed you have, Zayda and it was not meant as a slight," Nyssa reassured her protégé. "I only meant to point out the differences between you. Age, size, experience, these are all factors to be considered."
"Considered for what?" Thea asked as she appeared between Sin and Nyssa.
"A hobby," Nyssa provided. "Sin is looking for one."
"Really," Thea exclaimed, turning to Sin. "I didn't know that."
"It's kind of a recent thing," Sin hedged.
"That's cool," Thea said happily. "If you're interested. I can teach you archery. You can join me and Nyssa."
"Nyssa knows archery?" Sin asked, a little surprised. "No I didn't know that."
"Yeah, she is very good at it. Better than me," Thea acknowledged.
"Perhaps I can offer an alternative," Nyssa inserted, wanting to change the course of the conversation. "What do the two of you know about swords?"
"Swords?" Sin wondered. "Not much. I'm better with a baseball bat."
"I saw Tommy's dad fencing once. It looked weird," Thea admitted. "Oh, and I know that you stick'em with the pointy end," Thea said with a cheeky smile as she mimicked a thrust.
"Well that is the essence of it, I suppose," Nyssa agreed with a smile. "Although by the time I am finished with the two of you, you will both know a lot more than just that."
"You're going to teach us how to fence?" Thea questioned.
"No, Thea, I am not going to teach you how to fence," Nyssa declined. "I am going to teach you how to use a sword. The both of you."
"I think I might actually enjoy this," Thea noted and Sin smiled in agreement.
#Arrow#
"I'm glad you decided to come," Oliver said honestly. "It means a lot to me."
"You're welcome," Laurel replied as she sipped her champagne. "Though I didn't exactly come because of you."
"No, you came because Tommy invited you," Oliver pointed out. "And I respect that. But I think it still would have taken a lot for you to choose to come to my wedding today."
"You're right Oliver, it did," Laurel agreed. "But Tommy is your best friend and I owe it to him; despite whatever feelings I may or may not have regarding you."
"Well I hope that we can be good friends again," Oliver stated. "If not today then perhaps one day in the future."
"I'd like that too, Oliver," Laurel replied, smiling.
"I see you two found each other while I was gone," Tommy observed as he joined them. "And I was only gone for a moment."
"Don't be jealous, Tommy," Laurel told him. "Oliver was just thanking me for coming today."
"Oh, well that's ok then," Tommy noted with a smile. "Did he tell you about the new job I have?"
"No, he did not," Laurel replied, shooting Oliver a look. "You finally speak to him did you?"
"Yes, I finally spoke to him," Tommy said with a touch of defeat before recovering. "Anyway, Oliver has hired me as the General Manager of his new nightclub."
"He did?" Laurel asked, turning to look at Oliver. "And why did you do that? I thought your club was like your pet project."
"It still is," Oliver stated calmly. "But with my working at QC and all the work for the applied sciences building, it doesn't leave me very much time to work on the club."
"Overestimated how much free time you would have despite being that near the top?" Laurel asked a little smugly.
"Just a little," Oliver replied glibly. "Makes you appreciate how much work our parents put in despite what we think."
"Some parent's more than others," Tommy noted sullenly as Laurel's phone rang.
"Excuse me," Laurel said before walking away from the two men.
"So you got any plans for a honeymoon?" Tommy asked innocently, causing Oliver to shoot him a look. "I ask, only because your last trip went for a little longer than planned."
"No, Tommy," Oliver stated calmly despite the grin threatening to spread across his face. "Neither Nyssa nor I have any plans for a honeymoon just yet. As you say, our last trips didn't exactly go as planned."
"Too soon to be joking about that yet, huh?" Tommy asked.
"Just a little," Oliver noted as Laurel re-joined the two. "Everything alright?"
"Yeah," Laurel replied as she put her phone away. "That was just my dad telling me to be careful going home tonight."
"What's happened?" Tommy and Oliver both asked at the same time before Tommy continued. "He doesn't usually call you to say things like that unless something has happened."
"It seems that some woman just killed the head of the Triad and blamed it on Frank Bertinelli," Laurel explained, forcing Oliver to school his features lest he react. "Dad is worried about a gang war erupting because of it."
"Just what this city needs," Tommy noted sarcastically. "Another gang war."
"I should let Bruce know so that he can let his security know," Oliver said, making an excuse. "I'll see you both later."
#Arrow#
"I never thought we'd get out of there," Oliver said after the car door had been shut by Maseo.
"If I had had to listen to the platitudes of one more guest, I would have stabbed them," Nyssa pointed out, drawing a look from her husband. "They would have lived," Nyssa assured her husband as he smiled at her.
"I love you," Oliver declared as he kissed his wife.
"I know Beloved," Nyssa replied after they broke the kiss.
"I take it the abrupt exit is not because you two want to get started on your wedding night early?" Diggle wondered from the front seat as Maseo climbed in.
"No, unfortunately," Nyssa replied, her disappointment evident. "It appears that someone, an unknown woman, has killed the head of the Triad and named Frank Bertinelli as the cause."
"It's Helena," Oliver said dejectedly. "She has made her choice."
"The foundry it is then," Diggle said as he shut the glass separating the front from the back and started the car.
"I really hoped I had reached her," Oliver noted. "That I had gotten through to her that she didn't have to kill anyone else to get justice for all the crimes her father has committed."
"Perhaps justice is not enough for her," Nyssa pointed out as she reached behind her back. "Perhaps what she really wants is vengeance."
"Perhaps," Oliver noted as he looked at Nyssa, wondering what she was doing. Finally curiousity won out. "What are you doing?"
"I am changing Beloved. I will not walk into the foundry and spoil this beautiful dress," Nyssa said as she reached and slowly undid the zipper.
"And I had really imagined you undressing in different circumstances," Oliver noted, twisting his body slightly so he could recline a little more to watch his wife. Noticing his movement, Nyssa stopped.
"Oh no Beloved. Turn around and shut your eyes," Nyssa commanded. "You will not ruin your surprise."
"I have a surprise?" Oliver asked, unmoving as he leered at Nyssa.
"You'll find out later tonight Beloved," Nyssa told him. "Now turn around."
"I'm going to kill that woman for delaying my wedding night," Oliver grumbled as he did as he was told.
#Arrow#
"I should really be there with you," Diggle said over the comms.
"Dig, I didn't know you were interested in taking a more active role," Oliver said softly as he and Nyssa slowly infiltrated Bertinelli's mansion.
"I wasn't but situations like this, I'm sure you could use the additional help," Dig pointed out.
"He has a point, Beloved," Nyssa noted as she stopped and crouched, her eyes scanning the grounds in front of her.
"He does," Oliver agreed, mimicking his wife's actions. "Dig, make a list."
"What kind of list?" Dig asked, puzzled.
"Anything you would need to join us in the field. Clothes, body armour, weapons," Oliver explained. "And don't forget something to hide your face. I've already been arrested once."
"Do not remind Beloved," Nyssa said as she began to move forward again.
"I'll start now," Diggle said. "You should be almost at the mansion now. Be careful."
"Always, Dig," Oliver assured his bodyguard. Diggle didn't respond, not that Oliver was expecting him too. He turned to Nyssa. "We should have encountered a guard by now. Bertinelli has to know that the Zhishan is dead and that the Triad would be coming for him."
"I too, am suspicious," Nyssa said, turning to look around more fully. She noted Aziz's presence behind her and too the right but knew that he would do nothing unless her life was in imminent danger. Suddenly, a gunshot broke the silence of the night, quickly followed by many more. "That explains the lack of guards."
"The Triad is already here," Oliver said hurriedly, his mind at work. "I'll find Frank. You stop Chien Na Wei."
"With pleasure," Nyssa said as the two assassins separated, disappearing into the night; the noise from their increased pace inaudible over the gunfire from the house. Nyssa used a car by the side of the house as a stepping stone up onto the ground floor roof before entering through a broken window. Moving further in, she heard footsteps in the corridor outside the room and after a moment of judging where they were, opened the door silently. Stepping into the corridor, she swiftly drew, nocked and released an arrow, killing the Triad gunman. Drawing a second arrow in preparation, Nyssa made her way down the corridor.
She killed two more Triad men and one of Bertinelli's before she reached the top of the front stairs and silently descended them, listening for threats. Hearing the gurgling sound that accompanied a throat being slit, Nyssa leaped over the side of the balustrade where she was confronted by a rapidly emptying corpse and the sight of Chien Na Wei about to stab Frank Bertinelli. Drawing her bow, Nyssa aimed at Chien Na Wei, trying to decide if it was better to kill her before or after she killed Bertinelli. The Triad assassin made the decision for her as she dived to the side behind the couch before coming up with the Jian she had sheathed on her back, now in her hand.
"Shall we finish what we started?" Chien Na Wei asked, brandishing her sword.
"As you wish," Nyssa acquiesced, releasing her arrow. It flew straight at the white-haired woman's heart but was deflected at the last moment by the blade of the Jian. It was all the time Nyssa needed as she vaulted over the couch, her sword drawn and already swinging. Chien Na Wei was forced to duck to avoid the attack but recovered quickly to launch one of her own. Frank, seeing the two women engaged with each other and deciding that escape was the better option, recovered his briefcase and gun and made a run for it.
#Arrow#
"Where do you think you are going?" Frank heard his daughter call out right before the sound of a gunshot. An instant later, pain exploded from his leg, causing him to stumble to the ground and drop what he was carrying.
"Helena?" Frank asked in shock as he managed to roll over, only to see his daughter standing there with a gun pointed at him. "What are you doing?"
"Payback for Michael. I know you had him killed; Salvati told me," Helena explained.
"I did that to protect the family!" Franked shouted up at his daughter, but she paid him no attention.
"I had to take everything away from you because you took everything away from me," Helena declared as she looked at the fallen man before her, a look of anguish on her face. "You finally get to know what it feels like to find out your own blood is responsible for the death of your entire world," she said as she lifted the gun in her hand, ready to finish it. As she was about to pull the trigger though, it was knocked up and out of her hands but Oliver's bow as he appeared out of the shadows.
"You don't need to kill him, Helena," Oliver pointed out, his voice emotionless through the modulator. "The police will be here any moment and they will have everything they need to put your father away for the rest of his life."
"That isn't enough for me! Not now," Helena announced before lunging at Oliver. Oliver ducked the swing and swept her legs out from under her, flipping her to the ground. Helena recovered and attacked Oliver. As the two exchanged blows, Oliver mostly blocking as Helena unleashed a furious flurry of strikes as he waited for a window to put her down without killing her, he saw that Frank had recovered one of the guns and was raising it at them. Pushing Helena to the side, Oliver snatched an arrow from his quiver and released it at Frank, but not before he got a shot off at Helena, hitting her in the shoulder even as the arrow pierced his own. The two Bertinelli's collapsed to the ground and Oliver dropped down beside Helena to examine and treat her wound.
#Arrow#
"It would seem that the SCPD are going to interrupt us once again," Chien Na Wei pointed out as the two assassin's paused in their attacks. Neither had been able to land a killing blow, interrupted as they were by both Triad and Bertinelli men interrupting their melee.
"You will die, Chien Na Wei," Nyssa assured her opponent even as sirens sounded outside, soon accompanied by the screech of tires. "I promise you that."
"But not today," Chien Na Wei retorted before kicking a chair at Nyssa and turning away to escape. Nyssa was about to pursue when the front door was kicked in and she heard officers entering. Sighing in annoyance, Nyssa moved to make her own undetected escape.
#Arrow#
"The SCPD just released a statement," Diggle announced as the two assassins descended into the foundry. "Both Frank and Helena Bertinelli have been arrested on multiple counts. It look like neither of them will be out anytime soon.
"You didn't kill her?" Nyssa noted in slight surprise as she set her bow down.
"There was no need to," Oliver replied as he set his own bow down. "She had already suffered enough. And, perhaps in time, she will see that her father has faced justice and that she can move on."
"I don't know about that Oliver," Diggle said, offering his opinion. "She seemed pretty intent on destroying her father's world. But not killing her, I believe that was the right thing to do. At least this way, maybe she can get some help."
"I don't know if anything will be able to help her, John," Nyssa said to the bodyguard before she turned back to her husband. "But we all make choices in our lives. And those choices have consequences, both for us and the people around us. And we have to live with them, both our own and those made by others. And sometimes, the hardest choices to deal with are those made by those closest to us. Our families."
"But every choice has a consequence," Oliver noted, staring at his wife.
"Indeed they do," Nyssa replied.
Author's Notes
Hi Everyone. Chapter is on time this week. :D I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
One thing I realised after I posted the chapter last week. I broke 100,000 words. Only by 175 words but that is 100,175 words. :D
Chapter 26 concludes all the preplanned chapters from the old word limit. Anything from here on out will be for the new word limit.
Also, this is so far, the longest chapter to date at 6679 words.
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the read. Please leave me a review and I will see you all next week.
P/S: Enjoy below. }:-)
#Arrow#
Iron Heights Prison Hospital
Helena was angry. Angry at being denied the chance, the right to kill her father. And now she was here. They had pulled the bullet out of her shoulder and bandaged her up without too much trouble. Then they had told her to enjoy the comfort while it lasted. Tomorrow she was going to general population. As if being restrained to a bed was comfortable.
"Miss Bertinelli, how's the shoulder?" a woman's voice asked from the doorway, surprising Helena as she didn't expect the nurse back for another hour.
"I doubt you care," Helena shot back as she turned to see who was speaking. The woman was African American and stood there as if she owned the room. "What do you want?"
"I want a great many things, Miss Bertinelli," the woman replied smoothly. "But the question should be, what do you want?"
"What do I want?" Helena mocked. "I want out of this prison. I want to put a bullet in my father's head."
"And I can make that happen," the woman declared, garnering Helena's complete attention. "I see that I have your attention. I am putting together a squad of individuals to do some work for me. Agree to join the team and I promise you your father's head."
"And when I'm done?" Helena questioned. "I get sent back here?"
"Perhaps. Perhaps not," the woman said candidly. "It all depends if you survive the squad."