Trigger Warning

Alex's POV

We devoured the chicken wings and there were none left over even though we started with about five times the amount a regular group this size would need. Once dinner was finished those working on the weapons went to finish programming the machine to make them overnight. They would make modifications in the morning then train the others with them, and modify again if necessary. I knew Winn and Cisco were the absolute best at designing weapons, and with Felicity, Lena, and Curtis's help things would move quickly.

Everyone else relaxed. They just enjoyed the company of all their friends for the moment. I couldn't relax. There was so much on the line. I made my way to a smaller training room by myself. I need to do something else than sit and wait for someone else to come up with a solution; for someone else to do what I had been trying to all day.

Once again I found myself punching a bag with my left hand. I punched over and over again until my hand burned and I looked down to notice skin had rubbed off my knuckles, and tiny bits of blood were gathering in the cracks. I sat on the floor and waited for it to stop before I put a bandaid on it from the first aid kit on the wall. I exited the room in hopes of going straight to bed without anyone seeing me. I got to the hall of the dormitories when I saw J'onn walking in my direction.

"Alex, just the girl I was looking for," J'onn said.

"I was just clearing my head," I replied, "I'm going to go to bed early."

"Not so fast," he said placing a hand in front of me as I tried to walk by, "Why do you have a bandaid?"

"It's nothing," I said, "Just a small abrasion."

"From?" he asked.

"I guess I punched the bag too many times without gloves on," I said nonchalantly.

He sighed. "You know punching something until you bleed can just be a more subtle way of hurting yourself," he said.

"I didn't think about that. I was just frustrated," I said, "I'm sorry."

"That's okay, Alex," he said, "You can make up for it by coming and relaxing with the rest of us."

"I can't," I said, "I need to get up early and make sure we a prepared."

"There's nothing else you can do," he said, "At some point you have got to start truly accepting help. All of these people are here to help you. They care about you. Now let's go spend some time with them. Live to fight another day."

"Fine," I said.

We made our way back into the main area and joined the others. Some were talking and others were playing games or competing for titles other than fastest person. I joined Mon El and Kara on the far side of the room.

"It's about time you joined the party," Mon El said.

"Is everything a party if you're there?" I questioned.

"Basically," he said.

The three of us laughed at his statement. "That's a new band aid," Kara said.

"Well aren't you observant," I stated, "I scraped it on one of the bags in the training room."

She furrowed her eyebrows, "You are supposed to be resting," she said, "And I hoped you cleaned that so it won't get infected."

"I'm sorry and I did," I said looking away.

"I'm not mad," Kara added studying my movement, "I just want you to get better quickly. I miss my fighting buddy."

"That hurts. Am I not good enough?" Mon El asked faking hurt.

"Stop it," she told him, "You know I love you too."

We spent another hour in there and all of us played trivial pursuit. Oliver commented that it was a lot more fun without Curtis and Felicity. We swore we wouldn't tell his wife that he said that. To all of our surprise the winner was none other than Mick Rory.

"I have to say I'm impressed," Kara said.

"Why?," Mick said, "I know things too skirt."

"Seriously, Mick," Zari scoffed elbowing him in the side.

"On that note I think it's time we all get some sleep," Sara said.

"It's past this guy's bedtime," Joe West said.

"Sweet dreams everyone," Kara added.

Everyone head off toward the dormitories or the Waverider. A little time passed and then those who had been programming went to their sleeping areas also. I knew how badly I needed sleep and was out quickly.

I awoke to Lena's alarm blaring loud. She must have planned to check on the lab at this time. I glanced at the clock to see it was 5:30 AM. I turned it off and approached her bed.

"Lena wake up," I said softly.

"What time is it?" she questioned springing up.

"It's 5:30. Chill," I said, "You should get some more sleep. I'll go check on the lab."

I could tell she was too tired to argue. "Thank you," she said before going back to sleep.

I crept down the hall and to the lab. I saw the lights were on and readied myself for a fight as much as I could while wounded regretting that I left my gun behind. I peeked through the window and was relieved to see Felicity Smoak hunched over a computer.

"Felicity, what are you doing this early?" I asked.

"Yes, I definitely got up early and haven't been here all night," she replied nervously once she shook of her initial scare at my voice entering the silent lab.

"All night," I repeated.

"I can never sleep with important programs running," she said, "I have to be there incase they malfunction. It drives Oliver crazy, so if he asks I was in bed all night."

"My lips are sealed," I replied, "I'm here to check on things for Lena, but it looks like everything is under control. I guess I'll just sit and monitor with you."

We sat in silence for a few seconds before she blurted out, "My father is a criminal too."

I turned to look at her but before I could speak she continued.

"He calls himself The Calculator. He's where I got my hacking skills from," Felicity said, "My mom wouldn't know the difference between JavaScript and Pascal. He was my missing puzzle piece all those years and at first I was thrilled when I found him and discovered that he was like me. But then I discovered who he truly was and I hated that we had something in common. I had to realize that that doesn't make me him. I received genes from him that influence who I am, and his actions in my life led to who I am. That doesn't make me bad or unworthy. I'm just me. Felicity Smoak. Overwatch. Oliver Queen's wife. I'm not my father, and neither are you. He does not have power over you; remember that when we bring him in."

"Thank you for sharing that," I said, "I honestly have no idea what I'll say to him."

"You don't have to say anything," she replied.

"I think I need closure," I said.

"I hope you get it," she said.

I don't know when but apparently we fell asleep after that. We were awoken by Cisco and the others in the lab exclaiming that all of the weapons were ready.

Everyone grabbed something to eat from the cafeteria and then began training with their new weapons. Oliver had enhanced arrows capable of emitting as strong of an electric pulse as The Flash. James's shield was upgraded with electricity. Dinah had a staff that could emit electricity in tune with her canary cry. Curtis had enhanced is T-Spheres and Ray enhanced his suit. Sara got and electrically charged sword. Mick's gun now caused electrical fires. Rene carried two electric guns and Joe had one that looked more like a cannon. Diggle wore electric gloves and Cisco had added some electric power to his own. Nate got a ring that powered on when he turned to steel. Finally, Zari got a bracelet that shot electricity and was set in tune with her heirloom. Everyone's weapons were clearly custom made with them in mind.

The rest of the day was spent with everyone getting accustomed to their weapons and reviewing the plan with breaks only for food. If everything went according to our original plan we would be in a great position. Things don't always go according to plan though.

Barry reminded us all of that hard fact by quoting Leonard Snart saying, "Make the plan, execute the plan, expect the plan to go off the rails, throw away the plan."

We went over contingencies and a retreat plan. If the weapons malfunctioned or the danger was greater than expected the team was instructed to get out of dodge. "Live to fight another day," I said quoting J'onn.

At sunset everyone gathered in the DEO parking garage next to a big tactical van. "Before you head out, I want to thank you all again for coming. You are all phenomenal, and I have complete faith that you will do what needs to be done," I said.

"The honor is ours," Oliver replied, "Any chance to stand up for justice is an honor. There are so many wars to be fought, and we have got to keep marching on with what we have. That's what we're doing here tonight."

"Let's go free some aliens," Diggle said, "Still feels weird. I could have just done drugs."

We all laughed.