GIJose: Glad to hear it. Glad you enjoyed the callback to Oliver training with Slade. I tried to show Bobbi not taking joy in killing someone like that, so glad I did good on that. Bobbi doesn't exactly open up, but there will be a conversation with Oliver in this chapter. Yeah, Anatoly is one of Arrow's best recurring characters without a doubt. It's fine, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you as well. I'm honestly not sure. I was taking a break because I was beginning to grow bored with Barry/Caitlin stories, but I'm starting to get back into it it's just I have a lot of stories going on right now so we'll see.

Scott: Not in this story, but Talia might appear in book three. This story will get pretty dark though, trust me.

Green Hal37: Glad to hear it. Yeah, Dragon and Bobbi are the only agents with Oliver.

Guest 2.0: Glad to hear it.

Guest: That was my mistake, I tagged it Ivo when it should have been Anatoly. Thank you for pointing it out to me.

SHIELD safe house

Night

Oliver was lying on his back on his bed in the room he'd had been living in for the last six months. He was staring at the one possession he had besides Shado's hood, bow and quiver: Laurel's picture.

It may sound romantic, but he wasn't staring at it, dreaming of the day he'd see her again. He was staring at it to remind himself of why he was about to betray a friend. The people who targeted Laurel, Tommy and his mother and sister were still out there and they could go after them again. As much as he didn't like it, using Anatoly's connection to the Bratva was the only lead they had right now. So he would swallow his regret, for Laurel and his family.

Oliver was broken out of his thoughts by a knock on the door. Knowing who it was, Oliver pocketed the picture and got to his feet, walking over to the door. He opened it, revealing Bobbi standing on the other side.

"Hey," Bobbi said as Oliver stepped aside, letting her in.

"Hey," Oliver said as he closed the door. "Are you okay?"

"Fine, why wouldn't I be?" Bobbi said, avoiding his gaze.

"What happened when you went out to track down this lead today?" Oliver asked and Bobbi was silent. "Something's clearly bothering you. I'm not sure what this is exactly, but I've done the whole no strings attached thing before. And I want…more. So I need to know, what is this to you?"

"I don't know," Bobbi said after a moment, looking at Oliver honestly. "I've got baggage in my past, just like you do Oliver. I just know I care about you…and I don't want this to stop. Can't that be enough for now?"

"For now, it can be enough," Oliver said with a nod after a moment. "I don't expect us to just start talking about our pasts or the things that bother us. But I hope that someday...we can get to that point with each other."

"I hope so to," Bobbi said softly. "I will tell you what happened today…just not right now Oliver."

Oliver nodded, accepting that. After all, there were things he wasn't ready to share with her either.

"I just want you to know…if you ever want to talk about your day, I'm here," Oliver said gently and she smiled.

"I know. Thank you," Bobbi said gratefully.

No more words were exchanged as Bobbi leaned in, kissing him. It wasn't passionate or wild, but it spoke of things that neither of them were ready to say just yet. Bobbi then pulled back, staring at Oliver with hooded eyes before she grabbed his hand. She led him over to the bed before removed her shirt, revealing a black bra underneath. She dropped her shirt to the floor as Oliver removed his own shirt. They kissed once more before falling onto the bed and removing their remaining items of clothes.

Russia, next day

Late morning

In a van outside a bar, Dragon was in the driver's seat as Bobbi was helping Oliver get ready.

"This phone is untraceable," Bobbi said as she handed it to Oliver. "A number to a secure line is programed in. Make contact at least once a day, keep us updated."

"So you've said for the third time," Oliver said sarcastically as he pocketed the phone.

"Show time Oliver, Knyazev is making his move," Dragon said he saw Anatoly making his way towards the bar.

Oliver nodded, sharing one last look with Bobbi. They couldn't say a proper goodbye with Dragon here, so they let their eyes do the talking. Then, Oliver opened the back door to the van and jumped out, closing the door behind him. Bobbi let out a sigh before walking to the front of the car and sliding into the passenger seat, watching what was about to happen with Dragon.

Outside, Oliver waited until Anatoly and his friends entered before walking inside the bar. Oliver looked around, assessing the bar and its patrons. This was nothing like any of the bars he had ever been in before, that was for sure. He saw Anatoly and one of his friends sit down at a table while another went up to the bar to order something. Oliver made a point to wait until the man got his drinks and was starting to head over to Anatoly's table until he made his move. He 'accidently' bumped into the man, making him drop the drinks. And, just like he expected, Anatoly's friend grabbed him by his shirt and pulled out a gun. Before he could fire, a hand shot to and grabbed his hand, making his shot fire off aimlessly, hitting the wall.

"You almost shot my friend in the head," Anatoly said coldly, staring at the other man with a cold fury. "Take a seat Viktor."

Glowering, Viktor let Oliver go and returned to his seat. The patrons, who had turned their attention to the scene at the sound of the breaking glass, turned back to what they were doing as Anatoly turned to Oliver.

"Oliver Queen, my brother," Anatoly said warmly as Oliver chuckled.

"Anatoly, it is very good to see you," Oliver said honestly as the two embraced.

"My old friend, I thought you dead!" Anatoly exclaimed as he pulled back. "Why are you in Russia?"

"That is a very long story," Oliver admitted and Anatoly nodded before turning to the bartender.

"Two drinks for my friend and I," Anatoly said before turning to Oliver. "Come, we will talk and you will tell me why you are here."

Oliver nodded as Anatoly led him over to the bar. As happy as he was to see Anatoly, he knew things were just beginning. And that, if exposed, Anatoly would likely see him as the enemy for his betrayal. Things just got a whole lot more dangerous. But, for his family, no sacrifice was too far, no action inconceivable. He would do whatever it took to protect them, to stop the people coming after him. Even if that meant betraying his friend.

Sorry it's another short chapter, but I'm gonna try and make the chapters longer from this point on.

I don't consider myself a good writer of romance and I'm even worse at executing them, so I just decided to have Oliver and Bobbi get together during the six month time skip, like Arrow did with Oliver and Shado.