Tension filling the air. A pair of eyes watching carefully over another. Eyes burning with nothing but intensity that is waiting to be unleashed. These are just some of the very words that could describe the scene inside of a local hospital room.
A scene that has been going on for the past couple of hours. Hours that have turned out to be hard on the both of them. Hard on the both of them ever since they had started to leave the loft.
To emerge into the outside world with nothing but a mob of news reporters waiting for them. News Reporters that were acting like a pack of vultures circling around them just waiting for the right time to strike. Just waiting to get the latest gossip.
Reporters that had been instantly shoved out of the way by numerous security officials and police officers before they had arrived here. In this place. A place neither of them wished to ever visit. Unless it was under the right circumstances.
But not like this. Not under this circumstance. An circumstance that the moment they had stepped foot inside of the hospital the spotlight had instantly been shined down on them. Something that instantly made the fire that had been slowly building up inside of another become unleashed.
Especially when they were instantly ushered out of the waiting room by a couple of doctors despite a few civilians that had been waiting to be seen. A moment that had made the fire inside of one Laurel Lance be unleashed as she came to a stop along with Oliver to demand that they wait in line just like everyone else.
To instead of being treated like a celebrity to be treated like everyone else. An act of defiance that had been quickly met by a few higher ups inside of the hospital to no prevail. No prevail with a simple gesture of kindness was shown. Shown to a little girl that had been waiting patiently along with her parents inside of the waiting room holding her right arm with noticeable tears running down her face were offered their spot in line.
An act that assumed as one after another each occupant before them were met with doctors before their turn had finally come up. A turn that both dreaded. A turn that both knew what was to come.
Test after countless test to be conducted. Tests that would lead to x rays. X Rays that would lead to secrets being revealed. Secrets that would lead to more people knowing exactly what Oliver had gone through during his time away from Starling City.
Tests that would lead to countless eyes looking towards him with nothing but pity. Pity that he did not want. Pity that could clearly be seen in the eyes of the doctor standing just before them now.
A doctor that had quickly taken a look all around Oliver's body before quickly coming to an conclusion that a few x rays would need to be taken. Especially after he had heard their tale. The tale of what had happened just the night before.
A tale that he could only guess what type of injuries he had sustained on that given night. All from perhaps a punctured lung to even a couple of bones being broken from their fall. Injuries that didn't sound good at all.
Especially now. Now that they watch as the doctor places x ray after x ray up on a board for them to see. X Rays that make one cringe in her seat as she carefully looks over every sheet being displayed.
X Rays that showed what she already knew deep inside. Showed the condition that her boyfriend's body was in currently in. Showed the damage that was not only inflicted by their fall but from the countless years of being tortured.
Images that only makes her stare up in shock from seeing what she knew to be bone fractures that were slowly healing now reopened. Bones that looked as though they had been broken once or twice before.
Injuries that she knew would take months possibly even years to heal properly after countless surgeries have taken place. Surgerys that she knew would be needed eventually but couldn't bare to think about.
No instead all she could think about was being strong. Being strong for him. The very same man that she sees glancing down towards the floor avoiding eye contact with everyone. A scene she had been seeing a lot for most of the day.
And she knew why. The pain. The pain of having to relive through it all. Having to relive painful memory one after another as tests were being conducted. Tests she knew were only bringing back his worst nightmares.
Nightmares of being tortured. Nightmares of feeling his bones breaking. Scenes she also had nightmares about on some nights. But all she could do was let him know she would always be there now.
Always be there to look over him. Just like how she has done with every single doctor that has taken a look at him. Looked towards each and every single one of them with intensity. Intensity with the wrong word or facial expression that problems would occur.
Just like the doctor in front of them. A doctor that she had liked instantly the moment they had been introduced to him by Dr Lamb. Oliver's former doctor. A man that showed professionalism as he looked over his body.
But then it happened. She had seen the look. The same look that many other doctors had been giving Oliver all day. The same look of pity. A look that instantly angered her deep inside. Angered her from knowing the one doctor that they were suppose to trust saw things the same just like everyone else.
Saw him just like he was a victim. A victim of countless torture sessions. Memories she wished he would never have to relive ever again. Memories she would make sure would be wiped out of his mind one day with newer memories. More happy memories. All she needed to do was make sure they survived this session.
Hearing the sound of the doctor taking a deep breathe snapping out of her thoughts glancing away from the x rays on the board Laurel looks over towards the doctor to see him shaking his head slightly as he looks at the x rays before slowly she watches him turn to look in their direction.
" A picture speaks louder than words. In over seven years of being a doctor i've never seen anything like this before. I don't know where to possibly begin other than the obvious."
Glancing over to her side as she sees Oliver glancing up towards her from the ground with a slight smile coming across her face gently Laurel gives his hand a squeeze before she turns back towards the doctor to give him a nod.
" From what you've told us about what happened last night this is my evaluation. And the x rays also show this if you take a closer look. The damage to Oliver's right arm is very severe.
In my professional medical opinion this fracture here occurred last night during the fall down the stairs. However these fractures stated here look as though they have occurred in the past.
Tell me this. Have you broken your arm in the past?"
As he sees Oliver giving him the slightest of nods the doctor returns the nod before slowly he glances over towards Laurel as he sees her giving his hand a squeeze.
" May i ask when this occurred?"
" It happened when he was away. One day when he was being chased he landed awkwardly on his arm and had to tend to his wound using nothing but the torn clothes that he had on."
Looking over towards Laurel as he sees her staring in his direction with a look in her eyes to not question him on the matter any further slowly the doctor gives her a nod before he slowly turns back towards the board to point at a few of the x rays.
" Here you can see that although they are considered minor compared to everything else that he has experience a few ribs have also been cracked from the fall.
However what i'm most concerned about is the condition of Mr Queen's arm. Are you currently experiencing any new pain? Anything that you haven't felt before Oliver?"
" It's been a little numb. Like i slept on it or something."
" I see. If i may ask? Can you move your fingers for me? Slowly one at a time and then make a fist."
Nodding his head as he takes a deep breathe raising up his right hand slightly slowly Oliver wiggles his fingers as he glances up to see the doctor watching his hand very carefully.
" How does it feel? Are you feeling any sort of discomfort?"
" Not with my fingers but i'm feeling something shooting up my arm to my shoulder."
" I was afraid of that."
With her concern deepening as she gives Oliver's hand a gentle squeeze slowly Laurel looks over towards the doctor to see him looking at Oliver with a look of concern in his eyes.
" What is it doctor? What's wrong?"
" In my professional opinion Ms Lance, I believe that over the years Mr Queen has experienced some nerve damage in his arm. The tell tell signs are there. We won't know for sure without conducting some more tests to prove this theory.
However i would suggest we do this on another day. Mr Queen will need plenty of rest for the next couple of weeks. I would however request that he comes in for a weekly checkup starting at the beginning of next week. You of course may join him during these checkups as well Ms Lance."
Giving him a nod as she sees the doctor moving across the room towards a small table glancing to her side slowly Laurel leans forward to give Oliver a kiss on the cheek as she gives his hand a squeeze before slowly she gets up from the table she is sitting on to make her way over towards the doctor.
" Doctor? Is there anything that you can give Oliver for the pain that he is experiencing? He's been having trouble breathing for the last couple of hours."
" Is this true Mr Queen?"
Glancing over his shoulder as he sees Oliver giving him the slightest of nods the doctor returns the nod before he looks over towards Laurel with a slight smile.
" There are some prescriptions that i will write out for him. They should help ease his pain. Is there anything else that i should be made aware of?"
Glancing over towards Oliver as she takes a deep breathe Laurel nods her head before she looks back over towards the doctor.
" Yes. Last night i had to snap Oliver's shoulder back into place. It had gotten dislocated last night when we landed on the stairs. It's also been bothering him all day."
" I see? Has this happened to you before Mr Queen?"
" Yes."
" May i ask when…."
" Is there anything that you can do to help him?"
Looking away from Oliver as he turns his head back towards Laurel to see her looking towards him with a blank look across her face slowly the doctor nods his head.
" the prescriptions that i will write should also take care of the pain he is experiencing in his shoulder. It is common to experience discomfort for a short period of time when placing a bone back into place. The discomfort should pass in a few days.
Now if you'll please excuse me. I need to have a conversation with Dr Lamb."
Giving the slightest of nods as she sees the doctor leaving the room slowly Laurel makes her way over towards Oliver before mere moments later as she takes a seat on the table next to Oliver reaching out Laurel gently grabs a hold of his hands as the sound of the hospital door closing echoes throughout the room.
" Thank you."
Giving his hands a gentle squeeze leaning over Laurel pecks Oliver on the cheek before she leans back to shake her head.
" You don't need to thank me. It's what we do. We protect each other."
As she sees Oliver nodding his head with a small smile coming across her face leaning back forward Laurel captures Oliver's lips with her own for a gentle kiss.
" Alright let's see here. You need to take two of these now and then another right before we head off to bed."
Placing the bag in her hands down on the kitchen counter as she turns towards the kitchen table to see Oliver looking in her direction with a flick of her wrist suddenly Laurel pops off the cap to the small container in her hand as she makes her way over towards Oliver before slowly she extends a hand out towards Oliver with two pills in her hand.
Suddenly as she hears a knock coming from the loft's door snapping her head away from Oliver slowly Laurel makes her way over towards the door before just as she nears the door in a sudden move Laurel places the container down on a nearby table to only replace the container with a handgun hidden underneath the table.
Leaning over as she looks through the peephole of the door suddenly Laurel's eyes widen as a shocked expression comes across her face before slowly as she tucks the handgun into the back of her jeans reaching out with her free hand Laurel opens up the door to see Quentin standing just outside of the door with a few pizza boxes in his hands while a brown bag is seen across his shoulder.
Stepping off to the side as she allows Quentin room to pass on by just as he emerges into the loft without any hesitation Laurel closes the door behind him to only follow after him as he makes his way towards the kitchen.
Glancing around as he sees Oliver sitting at the table staring down at a few pills in the middle of his hand slowly Quentin takes a deep breathe before he glances over his shoulder at Laurel as he places the pizza boxes down on the kitchen table.
" I'm guessing they prescribed a heavy dosage of painkillers right?"
Unable to say a word as she simply nods her head a confused look comes across Laurel's face as she hears Quentin letting out a chuckle.
" That's what i thought. Guess it's a good thing that i got you started with them this morning then huh?"
" I guess so."
" Thank you sir."
Turning his head away from Laurel as he looks back over towards Oliver to see him glancing up in his direction as he gives him the slightest of nods reaching out Quentin gently lays his hand down on Oliver's shoulder.
" No Oliver. I should be thanking you. So thank you. Thank you for saving my daughter's life. Not only for last night but also for that last fiasco that had taken place at the safehouse.
You might not be the brightest but you do have a pair of stones on you…."
" Dad!?"
Glancing over his shoulder as he sees Laurel's cheeks blushing bright red slowly Quentin shrugs his shoulders as he sends her a small smile.
" What? It's a compliment."
Shaking her head as she makes her way over towards an unoccupied seat next to Oliver leaning over Laurel gives Quentin a quick kiss on the cheek as she makes her way on by before mere moments later as she takes her seat Laurel looks back up towards Quentin when she hears him letting out a cough to see him looking around the loft.
" So where is the other? I was expecting this to be a group talk. If what i've seen is true."
" I convinced Thea to have a movie night. She shouldn't be back for a while. Plenty of time for us to have our talk."
" Right. Well it probably was for the best."
As he sees Laurel nodding her head taking a deep breathe slowly Quentin sits down in a nearby chair as he gestures towards the pizza boxes.
" But that will come after we eat. I don't know about you kids but i'm starving."
Buzz. The simplest of sounds. A sound that could come from anything from an electric razor to simply a blank screen across the television screen. But this time this sound was different. This time the sound was heard as something else.
Heard of as screams. The screams of each and every single victim that had come into his crosshairs. Victims that he held no grudges against. Held no hidden vendetta against.
No instead they were just unknowns to him. Just another name that he had been hired to erase. Like most of the names that had come in his direction. Afterall that was what he was payed to do. That what he was assigned to do.
To be the very best. The best at his craft. The same craft that he had been perfecting over the years. To be known as one of the deadliest assassins in the entire world. A title he proudly would claim for anyone looking for his services. For the right price that is.
Just like they had been payed for on the previous night. A night he would ensure would be remembered forever. Remembered for having the building being flooded with the blood of his victims.
The very same victims that he now remembers as he tattooes each and every one of their names across his chest. The simplest list of men and women that had fallen to his hands over the years.
A list that would ensure him a life sentence if he was to ever be caught. Although he would never allow it. He would never allow anyone to come close to him. Ever allow anyone to ever get the drop on him.
But now as he marks himself with his latest victims from the previous night he now can't help but wonder about another. Another being that should have fallen at his hands. A being that was shown to be the ultimate prize of the night.
Not only because of the payoff that would come his way for the task but for what it would do to the city. Do to his loved ones. Loved ones from what he read were always seen by his side. A thought that makes him smile inside as he glances over towards his large case to the other side of the room in his motel room.
The thought of what it would do to his loved ones. To watch them crumble and fall. To watch them wither and die slowly with only having to use a single bullet to do the task. A thought that only makes him look down towards his chest for an space to put soon his newest victims.
But it would have to come later. First he had to complete the task. And he knew just the place to find him. He knew just the place to set up camp. The perfect spot to ensure his loved ones would see his demise.
Afterall there was a reason why he has been nicknamed Deadshot.
Reaching out as he throws back on his shirt followed by his vest without any hesitation slowly Deadshot stalks his way over towards the end of the room towards his suit case before slowly kneeling down with a flick of his wrists Deadshot snaps open his case revealing his equipment.
The very same equipment that he has used so much over the years. The very same weapons that many law enforcement officials would die to get their hands on. Weapons that each told a different story. A different story of another victim falling to his hands.
Reaching into the case as he grabs a hold of his pair of Jericho sidearms to only tuck them into his belt along with a few spare clips a ghost smile comes across Deadshot's face as he slowly reaches back inside of his case to retrieve it.
His masterpiece. The very weapon that has given him that nickname Deadshot. The weapon that has made so many fallen. A weapon that he has perfected over the years. His sniper rifle. A model JAE-100.
A deadly weapon. Even more so in his hands. A rifle equipped with a laser sight ensuring he would never miss his target. Although last night proved for the first time that even he wasn't perfect. Even the rifle would miss.
Just like it did twice. First when his target had dove down out of the way of his shot that had been intended for the middle of his back to only do so again on his next shoot. Only his last shot proved to still weaken his prey.
Especially if the reports he had heard were true. Reports that Oliver Queen had been severely injured from an gunshot wound. A report that he had been following to the letter up until this moment. The moment to strike. To strike him in his home while he was still in a weakened state.
Suddenly as he hears the sound of his locked motel room's door slowly wiggling retracting his hands from his case in an sudden move Deadshot retrieves his Jerichos from his belt to point them at the door as he slowly makes his way over towards a nearby window.
Rearing back as he sends a round each from his Jerichos towards the door to see the rounds going straight through the middle of the door with pinpoint accuracy without wavering Deadshot looks over towards the door in complete silence just waiting to hear some kind of sound.
Suddenly without having any time to react as he sees the door being kicked in to reveal a figure that he has only heard about through countless media outlets over the world rearing back Deadshot sends round after round in the figure's direction to only see his rounds being deflected away with their sword as they take cover behind the motel door.
Bursting from his spot as he sends another round in the figure's direction leaping out Deadshot crashes through the window of his motel room to only come crashing through another window from the building across before slowly he rolls on his back in the direction of a nearby wall as the sound of glass crashing down towards the ground echoes throughout the air.
Releasing his empty clips to the ground with clunks as he grabs a hold of another clip from his belt suddenly Deadshot snaps his head to look around the corner when he hears the sound of a window shattering from nearby.
Snapping the clips in with a thud as he slowly peeks his head around the corner to only quickly pull his head back as an arrow comes flying his way to only end up in the darkness a small grin forms across Deadshot's face.
" I've admired your work. But i guess the feeling isn't mutual."
Glancing around the corner as he points a Jericho into the darkness to only fire off a round in the direction that he sees a glimpse of a figure moving through without giving them the chance to react Deadshot bursts from his spot in the direction of the other side of the room to only disappear to the darkness.
Feeling himself hitting a nearby wall leaning out Deadshot points his Jerichos out towards the other side of the room as he carefully listens for any sort of movement.
Suddenly as he sees an object moving at high speed in his direction rearing back Deadshot sends a round from each of his Jericho's in the direction of the object to only hear the sound of the metal hitting metal.
Within a flash as he hears the sound of a few silent whistles coming from the other side of the room in a sudden move Deadshot drops down to the ground as a series of arrows go soaring over his head into the darkness before without any hesitation rearing back he sends round after round from his Jerichos into the darkness in the direction the arrows had come from.
Hearing his guns going dry reaching back as he snaps up to his feet to reload his guns a sound from behind causes him to snap his body around just in time to see a fist heading in his direction.
Deflecting the fist away as he sends an backhanded strike with one of his Jerichos in the archer's direction to only see his attack being caught easily followed by a well placed kick to the center of his chest that sends him flying through the air Deadshot's eyes widen before just as he crashes against the ground with a thud he snaps up to his feet to see The Dark Archer rearing back their bow to send an arrow in his direction.
Leaping to his side as he hears the sound of The Dark Archer sending a series of arrows in his direction Deadshot rolls across the ground towards what he knew was his escape in a nearby window before mere moments later just as he snaps up to his feet to leap out of the window Deadshot lets out a small scream in pain as he feels an object penetrating through his shoulder blade.
Dropping his Jerichos to the ground as he reaches up to feel a sharp pointed end sticking out through his shoulder Deadshot glances down before his eyes widen slightly when he sees an arrow sticking through his shoulder.
In an sudden move as he rears back and tears the arrow out of his shoulder the sound of a footstep stopping just a few feet away from behind causes him to snap his body around before suddenly as he feels a well placed kick landing into the middle of his chest sending himself backwards Deadshot feels himself being sent crashing through the window to only hear the sound of wind gusting through his ears as he falls down from the second floor down towards a red blur.