The ride back to Wayne Manor was uncomfortably quiet, as Oliver kept checking and rechecking his cell phone's GPS and coming up empty. He wasn't sure what to think, much less what to do at this point but all he did know—was he needed to get Tommy, Laurel and Walter back to Wayne Manor safely. Once there, he could try and figure out what the issue was.

That was why, when their car pulled up in front of Wayne's home, that Oliver was surprised by the contingent of people waiting for them, including someone he'd never seen before.

As he stepped out of the SUV, he was immediately besieged by Thea.

"I'm so glad you're okay!" She whimpered into his chest, and his confusion must've been evident because Wayne said stoically, "There was an incident. It was all over the news an hour ago."

"What?"

"We were hoping you could tell us?" Bruce admitted as he glanced down at his wife, who's own expression was closed off. Faith's eyes scanned each person as they emerged from the car, and when she didn't find the one person she was expecting, she demanded angrily, "Where's Buffy?"

Tommy glanced his way in worry, but Oliver replied evenly, "Apparently she sent Spike on some kind of reconnaissance mission involving Ra's. When he didn't return at the appointed time, she went after him."

Faith's gaze hardened as she made eye contact with Malcolm, but the man seemed to be as confused as the rest of them.

"What happened?" Oliver demanded, as his gut twisted with fear.

"Come inside," Bruce requested, although Oliver was fairly certain it wasn't a request as the man himself took his wife and led the way into their home. Oliver fell in step with Tommy, who's face was pinched with panic.

"What do you think happened?"

"Don't know," Oliver admitted lowly, "but something tells me it's nothing good."

Tommy sighed in agreement, as he took Laurel's hand and pulled her along with them until they reached the largest living room, and Oliver noticed the room was filled with more people he'd never seen before.

Thankfully, Wayne took point and made the proper introductions.

"Oliver Queen—please allow me to introduce you to some associates of Wolfram and Hart. Mr. Micah Hellier, Head of Wolfram and Hart here in Gotham City. Next to him is Mr. Wesley Wyndam-Price and Mr. Charles Gunn. This gentleman here," Wayne gestured to a bespectacled man, standing next to Faith, "is Rupert Giles, Head of the International Watcher's Council and Buffy's former Watcher."

The rest of the introductions were swiftly made, and everyone took a seat as Bruce explained what had happened.

"About an hour ago, the news media outlets Nationally, reported on an explosion at Merlyn Global's Headquarters. Specifically, your Penthouse, Malcolm. There's hasn't been any information on casualties yet, but when I got word that my pilot was on route back here, we all assumed you were all fine."

"Buffy went after Spike," Oliver said shakily, as he clenched his fists tightly in dread, "I don't know much more, other than I linked her GPS to mine on my phone and when we landed in Gotham, the link was severed."

"What do you mean, severed?" Willow asked warily.

"I couldn't get a location at all."

Bruce gave his wife a look, and she shook her head in the negative.

"Faith has been trying to telepathically link with Buffy, but the distance may be too far. We also received word about fifteen minutes before you got here, that Ra's forces have abandoned their post at the docks. We have no idea where they're at now, or if they are still in Gotham."

"What was Buffy having Spike doing?" Faith asked briskly.

"Recon, I think—although she did mention the goal was to get Ra's back to Nanda Parbat."

Faith's expression darkened, but she didn't say anything or clarify; and as her face fell, Bruce reached for her knee—giving it a reassuring squeeze.

"So we don't know if Buffy is alive?" Oliver bit out, trying desperately to keep his emotions in check, and Bruce nodded.

"We are going to assume for now she is still alive, as is Spike. Micah and Angel are sending a team into Starling City as we speak, and they should be there within the hour. If Buffy and Spike are still alive, the team will find them and bring them back."

"And Ra's?" Malcolm demanded. "Are we really going to sit around and wait for him to make a move?"

"What would you suggest, Mr. Merlyn?" Rupert Giles spoke up for the first time, "Is there way to track the man that you're privy to?"

"No." Malcolm replied, with just the slightest hesitation—which no one but Bruce picked up on, but he decided to let it slide for the moment.

"So we wait?" Tommy asked unhappily, and Bruce nodded reluctantly.

"We wait."

No one knew what more there was to say on the subject, and Oliver decided to take the opportunity to say hello to Dawn.

"Hello, Miss Summer's. Are you doing alright?"

"I'm fine, Mr. Queen. My sister is as tough as they come, and I have no doubt she's okay."

Oliver smiled fondly at the young woman, who was probably a year younger than himself. Then Thea came over and wrapped her arm within Dawn's and side-hugged her.

"Buffy's gonna be okay."

"I know." Dawn nudged Thea back and Oliver smiled at how comfortable the two were with each other.

"You both look chummy." Oliver noted with a small smirk, and Thea grinned.

"Dawn is good company. She's got so many cool stories and is teaching me a bit about computers, which has been fun."

"Really?"

"Yep. Faith's been training with me too. Keeping up on the things that Buffy has taught me."

"That's good, Sis."

"Keeps me busy, so I don't go stir crazy."

Oliver chuckled, as he noticed Tommy walking over with Laurel.

"Hey Speedy."

"Shut it, Tommy!"

"Tommy!" Laurel admonished with a glare, "you know how Thea hates that name."

"I know, that's why I use it."

"Such a pain in the butt."

"What are big brother's for?" Tommy quipped, pointing to himself. "Besides, making up for lost time, here."

"Lucky me." Thea deadpanned back, and Oliver snorted at his little sister's put upon expression.

"How long do you think we'll have to wait?" Thea asked suddenly, and Dawn shrugged.

"Probably not too long. Buffy is nothing but resourceful."

Oliver didn't reply, as he hoped she'd been able to at least get some supplies from his Nightclub before she'd went after Spike.

Everyone was on edge for the next few hours, as word hadn't come yet from the recon team Angel had sent into Starling City, and as time continued to pass without any kind of information—the more Oliver wished he'd done something differently before Buffy had left.

Perhaps he should've insisted on going with her, but he knew she'd been right about him needing to go with Tommy and Laurel. If something had happened to them due to Malcolm, he'd have never forgiven himself.

At the six hour mark, there was still no word and Angel's team had made contact with Lt. Lance; who was working the case. So far no bodies had been recovered from the explosion, and everyone had breathed a sigh of relief from that good piece of news.

At the eight hour mark, Oliver was really starting to get antsy. It was nearly dinner time and they still hadn't heard anything news about Buffy or Spike. Faith, Willow and Dawn were helping Alfred in the kitchen with Dinner, while Kennedy was setting the table. Bruce, Angel and Giles were off doing something while Malcolm looked bored, sitting as his computer and going over details of the destruction with one of his people from the company.

As they were about to sit down for dinner, Angel's phone rang.

"Angel."

Everyone's eyes were on the vampire, and Oliver could see his gaze narrowing, and then a soft smile lifted the corner of his mouth as he turned to Faith and said, "They're okay."

"Thank God!" Faith whispered, and Bruce took his wife's hand and placed a reassuring kiss on the back of it. "Where are they?"

"They are with the team now, and will be heading back on the Wolfram and Hart jet within the hour."

Faith grabbed Dawn's hand, as she was sitting next to the Slayer and both smiled relieved at each other.

Angel spoke for a few more moments, and then he hung up the phone.

"Is either Buffy or Spike injured?"

"I didn't get much and apparently Buffy wanted to wait until she got back here to go over everything."

"Good." Oliver nodded, his body releasing the tension he'd been feeling for the past eight hours. Tommy was smiling knowingly at him, and even Laurel seemed pleased by the news. Dinner was served and eaten with relish—and it was about three hours later, that Oliver heard the sound of a SUV pulling up the driveway. He immediately stood and met Dawn in the hallway leading to the front of the Manor, as she too—was eager to welcome Buffy back home.

When Oliver walked outside, the first thing he noticed was Spike—who was being helped out of the SUV by someone he didn't recognize and he looked pretty banged up. Then his eyes caught on Buffy, who also had bruising showing on her arms, cheek and there was blood on her sweater.

Without thinking, he rushed towards her.

When she saw him, she smiled in relief.

"Hey."

"Hi."

"You look in one piece."

"Not for lack of trying."

Oliver smirked, but glanced over at Spike and nodded. "You alright?"

"Been better, actually."

"I know the feeling." Oliver parried back good-naturedly, and Spike rolled his eyes and Buffy moved over towards him with a questioning look.

"You need me to?"

"No, I'm good. You might want to inform the others though. My guess is your counterpart is going to be a bit irate when you tell her the news."

"What news?" Oliver queried.

Buffy didn't get a chance to answer when Faith appeared.

"B! Thank God!"

"Hey Faith."

"You want to get cleaned up before we talk?"

Buffy sighed and shook her head. "No. I think we have a larger problem than my disarray."

"Which is?"

"Merlyn."

Faiths eyes narrowed and Oliver hissed.

"What do you mean, Merlyn?"

"I don't know how exactly, but I think he's still helping Ra's."

Oliver noticed immediately when the two Slayers stopped communicating verbally and started speaking telepathically. He watched Faith's expression go from angry to fuming to downright blistering within the space of five minutes. Her darkened eyes then looked at Dawn and she said coldly, "Take Buffy and make sure she gets cleaned up. I will take care of this."

"Faith, you sure?"

"I am." Her expression softened as she took in Oliver's presence, almost as if she'd just realized he was there and lifted an amused eyebrow, but didn't say anything more before she turned and walked back into the Manor.

Most likely going to find her husband.

"Are you going to tell me what happened?" Oliver asked warily.

Buffy turned to her sister and gave her a hug, whispered something into her ear, and Oliver watched in confusion as Dawn followed Faith back into the house.

"Buffy, what is going on?"

"Not here. Faith's right, I look a fright. I'm going to go get cleaned up and I'll be back down in a while."

As she made to leave too, Oliver reached out a hand and stopped her from going a step further. When she gazed up at him confused, her breath hitched at the heated look he was giving her.

"Queen..."

Not caring who might be watching, Oliver leant down and captured Buffy's lips with his—and thankfully—immediately felt her compliance as she returned his kiss demandingly.

The overwhelming desire to deepen the kiss was the last cognizant thought Oliver had, as he gently lifted Buffy up flush with him, her diminutive size belying her warrior nature. Her hands fisting on the back of his neck, scraping along his scalp had him growling as he broke the kiss. When their eyes locked, Oliver hitched a breath when he felt Buffy's mind speak to his.

It was a whisper at first as their eyes made contact and he couldn't look away.

"Buffy?" The words were barely audible, but she smiled and replied back silently, "Can you hear me?"

He nodded, dumbfounded.

They continued to stay as they were as Buffy's mind sinuously wafted over his, and instead of feeling violated or threatened by the intrusion—Oliver felt euphoric and reassured...

It was almost as if it was the most natural thing in the world...

"I'm sorry to have worried you." Her calm voice finally spoke into his mind, and he swallowed heavily as he concentrated on their link. It was as if he could taste the conduit on his tongue—like a string of sunshine and heat...

"What happened?"

"Ra's knew we were coming. He managed to capture Spike but not before he took out half of his goons. When I got there they were waiting for me, but I managed to take out the remainder and finally got to Ra's. We fought, and I injured him but he had a detonator which he used to cause the explosion. I was blown back and hit my head pretty good. I managed to get Spike and I out of there, but Ra's escaped."

Oliver sighed in frustration before he asked silently, "You think Malcolm told him you were coming?"

"I don't know exactly. He didn't know about Spike's mission until you did, but something is off."

Humming silently in agreement, they continued to stare at each other until a voice cleared from behind Oliver. Breaking eye contact, he set Buffy back down and turned around to see Rupert Giles and Angel standing there.

A smile broke free on Buffy's face as she ran to the older man and was enveloped immediately into a welcoming hug.

"Giles."

"Buffy."

"What are you doing here? Not that I'm not thrilled to see you."

Giles gaze was warm as he considered his Slayer, and then curious as his blue eyes met Oliver's.

"I brought Bruce some information I found in the Watcher's archives."

"About?"

"The Demon's Head. Willow is continuing to research, but you should probably get cleaned up."

Buffy nodded. "Okay."

Giles pushed up his glasses on his face before giving Buffy's shoulder a relieved squeeze, and then they were left alone with Angel.

Oliver was a bit unnerved by the elder vampire, who's expression as he looked to Buffy relayed a complex myriad of emotions. There was so much subtext in that look, it was hard for Oliver to see it, much less unpack its meaning.

"I'm fine, Angel."

"I didn't doubt you would be, Buffy." Dark eyes then settled on Oliver, as the vampire gave him a considering look. "I spoke with Dawn earlier."

Buffy's shoulders stiffened, and then she subtly shook her head in warning.

"Dawn worries too much. This isn't open for discussion."

"No?"

"No." Buffy bit back. "Angel, our history is complicated, but it doesn't give you the right to swoop in and try to play the hero in my life anymore. I love you, and I always will but we were never good for each other and deep down you know this too."

"Cookies."

"So done."

Angel looked taken aback as his eyes flitted to Queen, and then back to Buffy in stark realization.

"You're serious?"

"Not doing this with you. If you want to hover and brood, Faith is your girl. Not me."

Angel's lips pinched, but he bowed his head in acquiescence—although Oliver could tell he was irritated as he stormed back into the Manor.

"What was that?"

He didn't like how harsh his voice sounded, but he'd seen Buffy's memories and he knew enough to know that Angel was the one person from her past, whom she'd truly loved.

And he hated feeling jealous, but he was smart enough to know that he did.

"That's Angel trying to take charge and call the shots. He tends to be a controlling jerk when he doesn't get this way."

"Does he want you back?"

Buffy turned around and grinned at him, as she shook her head and huffed out on a breathy laugh, "Heavens no! We'd kill each other! I loved him when I was younger, and foolish—and thought it was some romantic fairytale falling in love with a vampire with a soul. The tragedy was rather Shakespearean, don't you think? Slayer falls for Vampire? Romeo and Juliet had nothing on the angst that was Angel's and mine relationship. I killed him in the end. Even Juliet didn't have that claim to fame."

Shoulders heaving, Oliver grinned manically as he lost it. Both he and Buffy stood there, in front of Wayne Manor fully giving into their mutual mirth as they let the dark humor wash over them.

"You're too much, sometimes." He wheezed out finally, wiping a stray tear from his eye.

"I do have my moments."

"Is this one of those moments, to keep the fun in?"

"Sure. A girl has to find her amusement where she can. Besides, if you can't laugh at yourself, who can you laugh at?"

"Touché."

Buffy didn't reply as she walked into Wayne Manor and felt Oliver fall in step behind her. As she headed upstairs, he didn't seem inclined to give up his pursuit. When she finally reached her room, she turned around, leant against her door and smirked up at the gorgeous billionaire, who was giving it right back to her.

"Where do you think you're going, Mr. Queen?"

"Just making sure you get to your room without incident, Miss Summers."

"Oh? This is you being a gentleman, then?"

Oliver snickered and bantered back saucily, "Well, I'm not in the habit of stealing hearts, nor taking one's voice away."

"No?"

He leaned down, about an inch from her face and growled out passionately, "No. I'd rather hear your screams, when I steal your heart."

Buffy blushed, but her eyes sparkled as she gazed up into iced blue eyes that were watching her closely.

"Sounds like you have your work cut out for you then, Queen."

"Sounds like a challenge, Summers?"

"You seem like the kind of man who enjoys a bit of a challenge."

"That depends."

"On what?"

Moving his body into her's, Oliver cupped Buffy's face within his hands as his thumbs ran over her cheeks and he watched her face flush with pleasure. He couldn't help his fierce expression as he bit out huskily, "You."

Buffy took in the seriousness of Oliver Queen, as his demeanor shifted from playful to predatory in the blink of an eye and she felt her body rush with piercing awareness, as she could feel every inch of sinewed muscle pressed up against her.

And she really, really liked the feeling...

Not wasting a second, she pushed up against Queen as her mouth locked with his, and as if he'd been expecting it—his hands grabbed the back of her thighs and lifted her up against him as her legs clamped around his waist, and her door opened simultaneously. She heard it close, and figured Oliver must've done the honors—but her mouth, hands and body were too busy engaged in the sweet bliss that kissing Oliver Queen was evoking in her.

When she felt his arousal pressing into her core, she broke the kiss on a gasp.

Their eyes locked and held, and no more actual words needed to be spoken between the two of them—as their mutual acceptance was written all over their faces.

He didn't even set her down. He moved with purpose into the large shower and turned on the water—completely soaking them both as he reattached his lips to hers in a bruising kiss before his lips moved down her neck and bit into her pulse point with a growl.

The moaned plea of his given name that broke free from her lips—couldn't be helped, and then they were tearing at each other's clothes in a mad rush to consummate the fire between them.

As he lifted her back into his arms, and sank her down on his rigid shaft, she threw her head back in bliss because fuck it all—he was the most well-endowed lover she'd ever had. Once he was flushed to the hilt, both their moans of submission had Buffy's gut clenching with pure desire. She clamped her hands on Oliver's broad shoulders to gain purchase as his hands moved to her ass, and if Buffy had any doubts about just how well they were matched, those doubts flew out the window as their bodies moved together in perfect sync.

Oliver was beside himself. He hadn't intended for this to happen, but he'd be lying if he said he didn't want it.

He did...

...desperately.

This overwhelming need was something he'd never felt before. Not with anyone. It was as if every cell in his body was coming alive for the first time in his life and he could feel...everything.

It was heady...

It was unbelievable...

And it was perfect...

Buffy, was perfect!

"Fuck!" He growled out, as Buffy clenched down on him, her orgasm approaching. "Buffy..."

She bit into his neck at the raspy sound of her name falling from his lips and the next thing Oliver knew...her entire body seized around him causing his legs to nearly buckle as a strained groan broke free and he came...

Hard.

Gripping his hand in her hair, Oliver pulled Buffy's head back and reattached their lips in a frenzied kiss of desperate need, before he finally collapsed onto the shower floor with Buffy still wrapped around him like a vice.

When air became a necessity, Oliver broke the kiss reluctantly. Hazel eyes were shining at him, and he smiled widely.

"Fuck, you're perfect."

Buffy giggled and responded impishly, "Back at you, stud."

Throwing his head back and laughing uproariously, Oliver snorted and felt Buffy's body shaking with glee. When he had a bit more control over himself, he shook his head affectionately as he placed a gentle kiss on Buffy's lips—her tender response had his heart clenching, as they just continued to kiss softly, their eyes never straying from each other for several minutes, until Buffy hummed and whispered with amusement, "I should really get cleaned up now that you've dirtied me all over again."

"Apologies, Miss Summers."

"Oh, don't apologize, Mr. Queen. I'm definitely not complaining."

"Good."

The rest of their shower time was spent making sure Buffy was clean enough to face everyone downstairs and Oliver managed to grab his wet clothes and made a mad dash for his room, seemingly with no one the wiser. Once he was dressed, he found his way back downstairs and didn't miss the knowing looks from Tommy, Laurel and Dawn. Faith too, was sitting their next to her husband all smug, while Bruce appeared mystified—as if he couldn't quite comprehend the idea of Buffy and Oliver together.

Or simply didn't want to...

Oliver really couldn't be bothered at this point.

When Buffy finally showed up a few moments later, she glanced his way and winked—then sat down next to Giles—who nodded to Bruce to begin.

Oliver Queen had seen Bruce Wayne in various incarnations over the years in the news and in person—but right now he looked every bit the Dark Knight the Gotham papers had monikered him as—as he glowered icily at Malcolm. His brief glance at his wife, let Oliver know they were speaking silently to each other and then Bruce stood up at the same moment Faith's hand shot out and the next thing everyone knew...

Malcolm Merlyn was laying prone on the floor, his face registering surprise as Bruce Wayne knelt down and growled out menacingly, "You're still working for Ra's?"

Malcolm's eyes widened, as he glanced around and noticed several sets of eyes staring at him murderously—the most alarming of which was his Son and Daughter—who both looked like they wanted to strangle him.

And for the first time in his life, he had no idea what he'd done to deserve such vitriol.