Oliver and Alex decide to organise a little something for Kara...
(The DEO – 12:32)
Oliver hastily walked through the DEO, looking for Alex. The meditation with Kara last night reminded Oliver that Kara mentally was still struggling with everything that she had been through this year. She hadn't recovered fully yet, and Oliver knew that she probably wouldn't until her powers returned. Winn was still reading through what they knew about The Outsiders, and nothing had come up yet that gave them hints about the whereabouts of the totem. He spotted Alex coming down from the conference room, and walked over to her as she reached the bottom of the stairs.
"Hey, Alex" he said, as he came up next to her.
"Oliver. What's up?" she asked.
"I wanted to talk to you about Kara" started Oliver, "Look, she's been recovering, but she's still not in a good space. I was thinking we could do something for her. Something to take her mind off things. How about a game night?"
"We haven't had a game night in months, Oliver" replied Alex, somberly.
"What? Why?"
"After what happened to Mon-El, she has… really been struggling. She stopped coming out, doing game nights… It's been a horrible few months for her."
"All the more reason for us to do it. She needs it, Alex."
"You're right. I'll invite everybody and organise everything. Let's keep it a surprise, shall we?"
"Sure."
(Kara's Apartment – 12:32)
Kara opened the door to her apartment with a friendly smile, gazing thankfully at Roy who was holding two pizza boxes in his hand.
"Lunch delivery" said Roy, light-heartedly.
"Thanks Roy" replied Kara, as she took the two boxes from him.
"Can I just quickly grab a glass of water? It's a bit hot out there today" asked Roy politely.
"Yeah, sure. Come in" replied Kara, as Roy followed behind her to the kitchen, "So, how are you finding Earth-38?" asked Kara.
"Oh, it's great, I like it. It's just nice to be able to walk the streets without having to look over my shoulder" replied Roy, thanking Kara as she handed him the glass of water.
"What do you mean?" asked Kara. Roy realised that she wasn't aware of his situation on Earth-1, and started to explain.
"Oliver wasn't always the Green Arrow. At first, he was called The Hood, and then The Arrow. The Arrow was framed for murder, and Oliver was arrested, but I took the fall to prevent him from going to jail. I faked my death and started a new life, but there's still always the possibility of someone finding out about me."
"You did that for Oliver?" asked Kara out of surprise.
"Yeah. If it wasn't for Oliver, I'd probably be dead right now" replied Roy.
"I have to know, how did Oliver react when he found out you were dating Thea?" asked Kara.
"I'm pretty sure he wanted to put an arrow in me" replied Roy jokingly.
"I can imagine."
"He actually did, a few months later. For a different reason, though."
"First you, then Barry. Does Oliver put arrows in all of his friends?" asked Kara.
"Has he shot you with one?" asked Roy in return.
"Not yet."
"Yet, being the keyword" said Roy humorously, "Anyways, I'll see you around."
"Thanks for the pizza" said Kara appreciatively, as Roy exited her apartment.
When Alex said she would invite everybody, she really meant everybody. James, J'onn, Winn, Clark, Maggie, Roy and Nyssa had all agreed to come. With that many of them, it was more like a small party rather than a game night. They were all going to arrive at Kara's apartment at 19:30. However, Alex told him that Slade had declined the offer. He dialled the number to Slade's Earth-38 phone as he walked back to Kara's apartment, waiting for only a couple of rings before Slade answered.
"What's happening, kid?"
"You're not coming to game night?" asked Oliver.
"I'm not really the type of person to do such, kid. Not anymore, at least."
"Come on Slade, you haven't loosened up in years."
"My point, exactly. Besides, if you're all in there, someone is going to have to be out here to keep watch."
"Slade… I know what you're afraid of. Everything that's happened over the past few years, it's made you feel like you're not human anymore. Take it from me, an evening as simple as a game night is the best way for you to feel human again."
"I'll think about it."
(Kara Danvers' Apartment – 19:28)
Kara suspiciously eyed Oliver down as he stirred the large pot of chilli on the stove. The spicy aroma of the brew had been floating in the air for the past few hours, and Kara still couldn't understand why Oliver was making such a large pot. He glanced at her every few seconds with a sly smile.
"I still don't understand why you're making so much" said Kara.
"You eat a lot" replied Oliver.
"Yeah, I know, but not that much."
"Kara, trust me when I tell you that you're going to be happy that I made extra once you have your first bite."
He had decided to make what Thea had dubbed, "Ollie's Stupendous Chilli Recipe", for the game night. He usually only made it for special occasions, and tonight was definitely going to be special. With 10 of them going to be playing tonight, he had to make enough for all of them, and even though he was trying his best to keep their arrival secret, Kara was getting suspicious. He didn't have to wait much longer, as it was nearly 19:30. Right on cue, the doorbell rang.
"It must be Alex. She said she's going to come over" said Oliver to Kara. Oliver watched intently as Kara walked over to the door, unable to contain his smile upon seeing her reaction of pleasant surprise to the group of 8 standing outside her apartment. Alex, Maggie, J'onn, Winn, James, Clark, Roy and Nyssa. No sign of Slade.
"Woah, uhh… What's going on?" asked Kara out of confusion.
"We all know this has been an extremely tough time for you, so we've all decided to surprise you and organise something to make you feel better" explained Alex.
"And what better way to do that than with a massive game night?" continued Winn.
"Oh, guys. You really didn't have to do this" said Kara shyly.
"No, no, we did. With everything that's going on, it'll be good for all of us to have a little bit of mindless fun" said J'onn.
"Alright. Well then come on in" said Kara enthusiastically, as she stepped aside for all of them to enter. They had all brought with them snacks and drinks for the evening ahead, which they placed on the dining table. Oliver couldn't help but feel disappointed that Slade hadn't come. Slade had always been an intense, focused man, but Oliver often remembered the lighter moments he shared with him on the island, back when he wasn't burdened with the guilt of his Mirakuru rage.
"Wow, what is that delicious smell?" said Winn, as he immediately caught a whiff of Oliver's chilli.
"Delicious? More like fervid" added J'onn.
"I am going to take that as a compliment" replied Oliver.
"Is that your Stupendous Chilli Recipe?" asked Roy, excitedly.
"Yes, how did you know?" asked Oliver.
"Thea has been raving about it ever since I met her. I've always wanted to try it" replied Roy.
"It's not ready yet, but let's crack open a few drinks and set up the games so long" said Oliver enthusiastically.
With those words from Oliver, the sounds of several beer bottles being cracked open rang out in the room, while they all moved to the couches. The apartment was big enough to accommodate for all of them, but the seating arrangements of the couches just had to be slightly adjusted to make space for all of them. Oliver readied himself to return to the pot of chilli, but another knock on the door caused him to head towards it. He opened the door with a smile, happy to see Slade standing there, albeit hesitantly.
"Slade. Glad you could make it" said Oliver, as he stepped aside for him to enter, "What made you change your mind?"
"You did, kid" said Slade, as he entered the loft.
"Hey. I know this might be difficult for you, so I got something that might help you loosen up" said Oliver, as he picked up the bottle of Reuther Rum and handed it to Slade.
"Authentic Australian Rum. Thanks, kid."
"Join them. I need to head back to the kitchen."
"Are you finally making that chilli you always used to brag about on the island?" asked Slade.
"Of course. After 10 years, you'll finally be getting a taste of it" replied Oliver.
"It better be as good as you said it was."
"Trust me, it will be."
"Fire! It tastes like fire! Moons of Mars!"
J'onn's screams echoed in Kara's loft, drowning out everyone else's murmurs and coughs before he hastily grabbed a glass of water and gulped it down, trying his best to cool his taste buds. J'onn wasn't the only one in agony from Oliver's chilli, as James and Winn both sat next to each other, coughing vehemently.
"Water… Give me water" requested Winn in between coughs.
"Actually, milk will cool your taste buds better" said Maggie, as she handed Winn a glass of milk.
"Is it too late to take back what I said about wanting to try this?" asked Roy, as he eyed down the spoon of chilli hovering in front of his face. After playing games for about an hour, they had decided to take a break and have the chilli for supper. Oliver couldn't contain his amusement at them being unable to take the heat, chuckling as he watched Clark use his ice breath to cool the spoon of chilli before placing it in his mouth. Oliver watched eagerly as Alex and Kara simultaneously placed spoonfuls in their mouths, anticipating their reactions.
"Hmmm… it could use more crackers" said Alex, approvingly, unfazed by the spiciness.
"Agreed" said Slade, from the other end of the dining table. Kara coughed only slightly from the chilli, with Nyssa, Alex and Slade seeming to be the only ones unfazed by it.
"This dish is closer to a bio-weapon than an edible substance" said J'onn, as he wiped away the sweat forming on his forehead.
"Look on the bright side J'onn. If Mr Freeze ever comes back to National City, you can use this recipe as a weapon against him" said Clark.
"Anyone want seconds?" asked Oliver politely, only to be shouted at with a resounding no from almost everyone on the table.
"I'd like some more" said Alex, as she handed her bowl to Oliver, who gladly dished out more for her.
"And… boom! Another win for Slade and Clark" said Clark jovially as he high-fived Slade. With there being 11 of them, they had decided to split themselves up into two-people teams for the games: Alex and Maggie, Winn and James, Kara and J'onn, Oliver and Roy, and Clark and Slade, while Nyssa decided to be the card dealer.
"Uh uh, no. This is wrong, guys" said Alex in protest, "You two are clearly cheating! You're looking at our cards!"
"How? I only have one eye" replied Slade playfully.
"Your partner over there has x-ray vision!" replied Alex angrily.
"Point taken" replied Slade, "Although, our success is merely due to our ability to play this game. Ask Oliver, I was excellent at Blackjack back in the day."
"That is true" replied Oliver.
"Hey, when we were playing Poker, Kara and J'onn were winning most of the time. Why didn't you say anything about J'onn's clear use of his psychic abilities?" said Clark.
"I wasn't reading anyone's minds, you guys just weren't good enough" denied J'onn.
"Actually, we weren't getting dealt good cards" said Winn, as he looked at Nyssa suspiciously.
"Oh no, you don't get to turn this on me, Winn. I am an excellent dealer and you and James' inability to "know when to fold 'em" is only preceded by your inability to handle a little bit of chilli" quipped back Nyssa.
"The Martian Manhunter couldn't take the heat, what do you expect me and Winn to do?!" replied James defensively.
"Ok guys, we're going off-topic" replied Kara, giggling in amusement at them, "How about we just move on to Monopoly?"
"Yes, please!" said Roy.
"Alright, but I don't trust Nyssa as the bank" said Winn, as he set up the Monopoly board.
"I'll be the bank. Nyssa can swap in and play" said J'onn. Oliver gestured to Nyssa to pair up with Roy, while he joined Kara's team. If they were playing Monopoly, he definitely had to be on Kara's side, smiling as he moved up to sit next to her.
"Hey, we're doing the rule that if you land on a property, you have to buy it or it gets auctioned off" said Maggie.
"Trying to make things interesting I see" replied Kara.
"May the best team win" said Oliver, as he rolled the dice to begin the game.
With the end of that game of Monopoly, the evening came to an end as well, and they were all preparing to leave. The humorous exchanges combined with their competitive edges had made the evening one of extraordinary fun for all of them, and it was particularly great to see Kara smiling and laughing once again. Oliver and Kara ended up winning the game of Monopoly to the chagrin of Alex and Maggie in second place. With all of them leaving besides Alex, Oliver took time to greet them all, particularly Slade, who had shown a side of himself Oliver had never quite seen before.
"So, did you enjoy yourself?" asked Oliver to Slade.
"Yes, I did" replied Slade, "You were right, kid. This place, these people, it has a way of bringing out the best in you."
"Yeah, it does. Alright, see you at the DEO tomorrow" said Oliver, as he shook hands with Slade before he exited the apartment. He walked back next to Alex, both of them being confronted by Kara with a wide smile on her face.
"So, whose idea was it?" asked Kara.
"It was mine, but I shouldn't take all the credit. Alex organised most of it" replied Oliver.
"Well, thank you both for doing this. It was great" said Kara appreciatively, "The best part of the evening was watching everyone eat your chilli" she said to Oliver.
"Please tell me there's left overs" said Alex.
"Of course there's left overs. You're the only one who had seconds" replied Oliver, as he laughed with the two of them.
"Alright, I'm going to sleep. Goodnight" said Kara.
"Goodnight" replied Alex and Oliver in unison as Kara headed back to her bedroom.
A/N: I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter, and how the Earth-1 heroes interacted with the Earth-38 heroes during game night. Also, everyone's reactions to Oliver's chilli.
Please leave a review below and tell me what you think! :)
