Before we get into the chapter, I would like to address something. Logan Williams, who played the young Barry Allen on Flash, has tragically passed away from as of now unknown causes. No one should ever have to bury a child, especially now. The world is now just a little bit darker.

RIP Logan Williams.

Ellie Bishop: Nice name for them, gave me a laugh. Yep.

Green Hal37: At this point, Felicity is too full of anger and bitterness that she has to spin any position action from Laurel into a negative light. Basically, she's the SuperCorp shippers and Laurel is Mon-El. Nope. Savitar used Roy to taunt Barry. Every member of his team, with the exception of Alexei, was someone from Barry's past that Savitar chose to use in order to taunt Barry.

Agent N: Yep. Yeah, it's not gonna be pretty. You'll have to keep reading.

Guest: Glad you liked that.

City Hall

Morning

Reporters shot off rapid fire questions as Oliver and Quentin were escorted to the elevator by the security detail. None of them said anything as the elevator doors closed behind them. There was silence in the elevator before the doors opened up on the main floor, where Thea was waiting for them.

"I called Lyla, Argus is working overtime to figure out who leaked that video to the press," Thea said as they began making their way to Oliver's office.

"We know who leaked the video," Oliver said as he closed the door behind them, separating the detail. "It was Prometheus. When he couldn't break the team like he wanted, he decided to come after me as the Green Arrow. Laurel was just collateral damage."

"For a murder he set her up to commit to," Quentin grumbled angrily.

"People are accusing you of covering this up Ollie," Thea informed him.

"Technically I did," Oliver pointed out and she gave him an annoyed look.

"We need to deny, deflect and, obfuscate" Thea said.

"That's just gonna confuse them," Quentin interrupted.

"Well, it's not looking good. The City Council wants you to meet with them Ollie. They have some questions for you," Thea said and Oliver groaned.

"Great, could this get any worse?" Oliver demanded.

Unspecified location

Afternoon

"Mayor Oliver Queen is being summoned by the City Council to answer questions regarding the cover up of Detective Billy Malone's death," a news report was playing on a TV.

In the room, a man in a black suit with a black helmet with a visor in the shape of a V was loading an assault rifle. He turned around and aimed at the screen as a picture of Oliver came up.

"Bang," the mass murderer known as Vigilante said.

Argus prison

Same time

"I still think this is a bad idea Lyla," Rick Flag said as he walked next to Lyla while made their way down the hall.

"I can't devote as much resources as I'd like to help Johnny and his team. I'll feel a little safer knowing someone is watching their back in case Prometheus tries to make a move," Lyla told him.

"Still…him?" Rick asked incredulously.

"His recent actions make me think Amanda Waller judged him too harshly," Lyla said and Rick scoffed.

"He's a sociopathic killer Lyla," Rick argued.

"People once said the same thing about Oliver Queen," Lyla said, shutting him up.

They stopped in front of a cell. Lyla pulled out a key and unlocked it, opening up the door. The cell's occupant looked up from where he was doing pushups.

"I have a job for you Mr. Castle. How'd you like out of this cell?" Lyla asked and Frank Castle got to his feet.

"What's in it for me?" Frank inquired.

"You get out of this cell. And if you're lucky, you might get to take out a murderous psychopath. That good enough for you?" Lyla asked and Frank tilted his head to the side, considering her offer.

City Hall

Later in the afternoon

Oliver was in his office, about to leave when his phone rang. Pulling it out, he saw Susan's name flash across the screen. He declined the call as the door to his office opened.

"Ready to go?" Oliver whirled around, surprised to see Laurel standing in the doorway.

"Hey, what are you doing here?" Oliver asked surprised.

"I'm here for support. Since I've been here, you've been there for me in a way no one has been in a long time. I figured this could be a way for me to pay you back," Laurel said.

"Laurel, I wasn't trying to make you feel like you owed me one," Oliver told her.

"I know. Come on, Thea and Quentin are waiting by the car," Laurel told him, taking his hand in a gesture that felt strangely natural to both of them.

City Hall

Later in the afternoon

"We call this session to order," Councilman Kullens said as he banged the gavel. "We recently learned that Star City Police Detective William Malone was murdered by two vigilantes, the Green Arrow and a as of yet unidentified female. This was covered up, as we were all led to believe Detective Malone died in a car accident. Mayor Queen is here to answer some questions regarding his Intel on Detective Malone's death. This is not a criminal trial, this is simply a hearing. Mr. Mayor?"

Oliver got to his feet and approached the podium, well aware that Kullens was going to use this as payback for his and Thea's stunt with low income housing.

"Mr. Queen, could you please tell us when exactly you heard about Detective Malone's death?" Kullens demanded.

"About an hour before it hit the news. He was a member of the ACU, so Captain Pike informed me of Malone's tragic passing. I had no reason to believe at the time that Billy's death was anything but an unfortunate car accident," Oliver said evenly.

"Yet mere hours before, you put out a shoot to kill order on the Throwing Star Killer, who you believed to have abducted Detective Malone, did you not?" Kullens asked and Oliver met Kullens gave evenly.

"I did," Oliver admitted. "Malone had gone after a lead relating to The Throwing Star Killer and didn't come back or contact his superiors. It was only after I issued the shoot on sight order that Malone was identified as the victim of a car crash. I naturally assumed that he had been caught up in it and that was why he never came back."

"And you did not look any deeper into it?" Kullens asked.

"No, I didn't. I should have, that is where I failed," Oliver admitted.

Later that night, after he had answered all their questions, Oliver, Thea, Laurel, and Quentin headed outside to the limo. They all got in as Oliver's security detail fended off the mob of reporters.

"Damn vultures," Quentin grumbled once they got in.

"So, did that go as badly as I think it did?" Oliver asked as the vehicle started moving.

"Kullens seems to have it out for you," Laurel noted.

"Well, we kind of blackmailed him, so," Thea shrugged.

"I'm not even gonna ask. Are we any closer to finding out how Prometheus leaked that video?" Quentin inquired.

"Lyla is working on it, but Argus is spread pretty thin right now. And Felicity is still having trouble with it," Oliver said with a sigh.

Suddenly, they heard the sound of gunfire and Thea shouted as they heard bullets hitting the hood of the vehicle. There was a flash and the limo went flying. It landed hard and they heard a familiar voice.

"My target is the mayor and his corruption! Send him out and the rest of you live," Vigilante said as he approached with an assault rifle in hand.

Before either of them could do anything, more gunfire rang out, this time aimed at Vigilante. A bullet hit his visor and he cried out as it chipped, part of it falling to the ground. Vigilante turned to the source as Frank Castle, in a black trench coat with a collar around his neck, walked into view.

"Back off," Frank said, aiming two rifles at him.

"The Punisher. I've heard about you. We're on the same side," Vigilante said.

"Not from where I'm standing," Frank said before opening fire on Vigilante. "Go! Get out of here!"

Taking his warning, Oliver grabbed the unconscious driver as the group of four tried to make a break for it. Unfortunately, the fire fight that ensued forced them to take cover, preventing them from leaving. Hearing sirens, Villante threw down a ball and there was an explosion of sparks. When it faded, both gunmen were gone.

"Mr. Mayor? What happened here?" An officer asked as he got out, helping the driver as Oliver got up, staring at the spot where the fire fight had ensued.

"It was Vigilante…and The Punisher," Oliver said in disbelief.

Argus base

A little later

"Vigilante?" Lyla asked as she met Frank in her office.

"So that's what he's called eh? What's his deal?" Frank asked.

"I wish I could tell you. No one knows anything about him. He's a lot like you actually, minus your sense of restraint and regard for innocent bystanders," Lyla told him.

"Yeah, I got that loud and clear," Frank said, remembering how Vigilante had to regard for the four people he could have killed in order to get to Oliver. "But I brought you something."

Frank pulled out an orange shard and handed it to Lyla.

"Gee, you shouldn't have," Lyla said sarcastically.

"It's a piece of Vigilante's visor," Frank said and she looked up at him sharply. "When I fired at him, one of my bullets hit his helmet, chipped it. Figured you could find a use for it, use it to track him somehow or find out where that damned suit came from."

Lyla looked like she could have kissed him as an operative walked in.

"Director, we found something on the leak," the operative said and Lyla whipped their head towards the operative.

"Well, out with it," Lyla demanded as she got to her feet.

"Perhaps it's best we speak in private. This information is…sensitive," the operative said with a pointed look at Frank.

"Well, I know when I'm not wanted. I'll head back out, keep an eye on Queen," Frank said as he walked out.

"Well, what did you find?" Lyla asked eagerly and the operative looked uncomfortable.

"It's about your husband's team…"

Star City

Same time

Laurel watched in a mix of amusement and annoyance as Oliver dismissed the EMT trying to treat him.

"I'm not sure you can suspend a concussion protocol when you're facing possible impeachment," Laurel pointed out.

Oliver glowered at her as Quentin walked over.

"Hey, the driver's okay aside from a nasty bump on the head," Quentin said to Oliver's relief.

"Good. I need to get to the bunker," Oliver said, moving to get up but Laurel stopped.

"You're not going anywhere," Laurel said firmly as Adrian walked over.

"So, Vigilante and Punisher are after you?" Adrian inquired.

"Well, since I'm being questioned about this cover up, that apparently makes me a criminal," Oliver grumbled.

"It was more Vigilante than Punisher. From where I'm standing, Castle seemed like he was on our side," Quentin said and Adrian looked at him blankly.

"Right," Adrian said as he looked over at Laurel. "Ms. Lance, I'm sorry we haven't had the time to meet in person until now. Adrian Chase, District Attorney. I wish our first meeting were under better circumstances."

"Me to," Laurel said as she eyed him.

For some reason, her hair stood on end. Something was…off about Adrian. She just couldn't put her finger on it yet.

"You know there's a concussion protocol, right?" Adrian asked as he looked over at Oliver.

"So I've heard. I need to get back to the office," Oliver said, trying to move once more but Laurel stopped him.

"Not until you get a CAT scan," Laurel said firmly and Oliver glared at her.

"It's okay Ollie," Thea said as she walked ver. "I'll head back to the office, tell everyone we're working overtime."

Not liking it, but realizing he was out numbered; Oliver sighed and nodded, accepting defeat.

"What is it with Queens and stubbornness?" Laurel wondered as she looked back and forth between Oliver and Thea.

Earth-2, Central City, four years ago

Morning

It had been a few weeks since Laurel had been hospitalized. Logan was slowly helping Laurel learn to control her powers. It had gotten to the point that Laurel was no longer afraid to open her mouth for fear of hurting someone.

Laurel was currently getting ready to head out to another training session with Logan when someone knocked on her door. Curiously, she put on her jacket and headed towards the door. Opening it, she was shocked to see Moira Queen of all people on the other side.

"Mrs. Queen?" Laurel choked out after a moment of shock.

"Hello Laurel," Moira smiled pleasantly. "It's good to see again after all these years. I was hoping we could speak for a moment."

"I…I'm kind of heading out to meet someone," Laurel said, still processing Moira's abrupt appearance on her doorstep.

"Please, it will only take a moment," Moira said.

After a moment, Laurel stepped aside, allowing Moira to enter the apartment.

Starling General Hospital

Now

"This is ridiculous, I know what a real injury feels like," Oliver grumbled as Dr. Schwartz looked over his file.

"Oh I don't doubt it, given your other job," Dr. Schwartz said and Oliver gave her a pointed look. "And you're right, your CAT scan is clear."

"Good," Oliver said as he got to his feet.

"Ah ah ah, not so fast. I can't discharge you without a few more hours of observation," she said, stopping him in his tracks.

"Dr. Schwartz," Oliver almost whined.

"People can only handle so much strain. And being both mayor and him, it's unsustainable," she said.

"I assure you, my body can handle it," Oliver said confidently.

"I'm not talking about your body," Dr. Schwartz said, taking him back as she gestured to his head. "The mind needs rest, or at least someone to take it off all the evil you face."

"Dr. Schwartz, are you prescribing me a girlfriend?" Oliver asked, his lips twitching slightly.

"Or just a friend," she said as someone knocked in the doorway.

"Am I interrupting?" Laurel asked as she lingered in the doorway.

"No, we were just finishing up," Dr. Schwartz said as, with one last pointed look at Oliver, she left them alone.

"You okay?" Laurel asked as she walked in.

"Yeah, just can't leave for a few more hours," Oliver grumbled.

"Sorry, but you know if it was Thea or a member of the team, you would have dragged them here kicking and screaming," Laurel pointed out and Oliver sighed.

"Guess you have a point there," Oliver admitted and she smirked.

"Of course I do, I'm as stubborn as you," she said and Oliver chuckled.

"Listen um; I wanted to thank you coming with me today. I know you didn't have to, so I appreciate it," Oliver said gratefully.

"It was nothing. I know I told you that it was to pay you back...but that wasn't the only reason," Laurel said and Oliver was confused. "I care about you Oliver. And…it's not easy for me, because almost everyone I've ever cared about is either dead or sold me out. So I had to learn how not to care."

"I get that," Oliver said surprising her. "For five years, it was either kill or be killed. When that goes on for so long, you stop seeing people as people; you see them as targets instead. It took me a long time to turn that part of me off. Sometimes, I still can't seem to."

"It's hard, letting people in," Laurel noted and Oliver nodded.

"One day, you'll be able to," Olivier said confidently.

"I already did. I let you in," Laurel said taking him back.

Before Oliver could respond, his phone rang. Picking it up, Oliver's saw Lyla's name flash across the screen and answered it.

"Hey, what's up?" He answered.

"You and Johnny need to get down here, now," Lyla said urgently.

"Well, Dr. Schwartz won't let me leave for a few hours. What's going on?" Oliver asked, a little unnerved by her voice.

"I'll make a call, get you released early. I found something on the video…and I don't think you're gonna like it," Lyla said and Oliver began to feel a pit of dread form in his stomach.

Stay safe from the Coronavirus everyone.