House Arrest. That had been the conditions. One of the many conditions laid down for his release. Something he still couldn't believe. Still couldn't believe that he is walking around as a free man instead of rotting away inside of a prison cell. But he was glad. Glad to be out of prison. Glad to be walking around the grounds with the sun shining brightly down on him as he silently walks around taking everything in. Taking in every single hedge that he sees. Taking in the sounds of the fountain nearby. Taking in the smells of fresh and well cared for flowers all around. Gardens that he never thought he would ever see again. Never thought he would be able to walk through again but he would be wrong.
So wrong and the woman holding his hand silently allowing him to lead her around is just one of the many reasons why this is even possible. Some could say was the main driving force to ensure his freedom and he wouldn't disagree. A woman that he can't help but glance at out of the corner of his eye seeing this angelic smile across her face. A woman that had fought so hard along with his family's best lawyers to ensure he would be released from prison. In fact to be released into her care. Another one of the conditions handed down by the state. Dinah Laurel Lance. A woman to be feared. She had made that very clear over the years whenever she stepped foot inside of a courtroom. In fact now if the rumors he has heard are correct the mere mention of her name has defense attorneys reeling.
But that wasn't important. Not right now. In fact nothing was more important than these moments they would share. A silent agreement that they had come to the moment they had returned here from Iron Heights Penitentiary. No talk of court cases. No talk of the vigilante life. These quiet moments that they have come to love and cherish even if the world outside of these walls were anything but quiet. A world filled with violence. A world filled with hate. Just some of the many things that Starling City has come to be known for. These acts of violence that both hoped to rid the world of in their own ways. One throwing the book at another while the other had taken the laws into their own hands.
Such thinking that would never be done again. Never again will he pick up a bow. Never again will he shoot an arrow. Never again will he kill another. A voew that he had given the very night his best friend Tommy Merlyn had died along with hundreds of others. A voew that he has made to her the very first time they had walked through these gardens upon his release. He would no longer take the law into his own hands. No instead he would watch from the sidelines as another goes about doing what needs to be done.
He can still remember that day. Still remember being inside of their bedroom when she had come barging in asking if he knew anything about this Black Canary that is going around the city. Can still remember how she yelled at him for what seemed to be hours when he revealed who the woman behind the cowl is. Yelling that had turned into sobs within the following hours when words would just seem to flow freely from his mouth. These haunting words of what had happened to him while he was away from Starling City for five years. A night things truly changed for the better allowing them to take another step in their relationship with the latest development could be seen shining from her left ring finger. News that has taken the city by storm this past week with many more headlines being written everyday but none bigger than the headline detailing an upcoming party that will be taking place at the end of the week. What is being reported to be the biggest party in recent memory. A party to celebrate the engagement of one Oliver Queen and Laurel Lance even if the young couple in question thought otherwise.
A young couple that comes to stop by a small wooden bench installed many years ago by the water fountain allowing themselves to take a small break from their stroll just to watch the water being shot out from the fountain. This peaceful scenery with Laurel hugging Oliver's arm close to her chest while her head rests down on his shoulder.
" I could get used to this."
Smiling at his choice of words gently nodding her head against his shoulder with her eyes coming to close Laurel lets out a content sigh as she comes to hug his arm even closer.
" Me too."
In truth she could. It was no secret to anyone now the devotion they have towards each other. Sure they have had their rough patches like any other couple but she saw it differently. Sees it like a map. These guidelines to ensure they have a future together. Even if others outside of these walls think differently. She can still remember all of the hate. All of the death threats dished out towards her. All of the arguments that she had with her father about all of this. All of these problems that had led her to move in with The Queens from the very first moment she pressed the courts to have Oliver released. Arguments that she knew many more were to come in the distant future. Especially from her father that she knew would be showing up for their engagement party. She could only hope that he wouldn't start anything.
But if she was being honest there was one person that she hoped would show their face. Hopes to come face to face with. At least one more time. This mysterious Black Canary that flocks around the city taking down criminal after criminal like her fiance did. A woman that isn't so mysterious to her. No she knows the truth. Knows just who is behind the cowl and for one night she hopes she takes off the cowl to show up to the party. They do have much to discuss. She has many things to get off her chest as well as to dish out her own warning. A lot has changed in the past year and now such acts at night that many had found to be heroic are now seen very differently. She might not have a good opinion on her little sister but that doesn't mean she wants her to get hurt.
" Mr Queen? Ms Lance?"
Opening her eyes turning towards the familiar voice of The Queen's eldest maid Raisa standing a small distance away with this look across her face that indicates that she is not pleased at all from the way she has this forced smile across her face dropping her smile as a questionable look comes across her face seeing movement out of the corner of her eye Laurel turns slightly away before her eyes narrow in anger. The last two people that she ever wanted to see. John Diggle and Felicity Smoak. Two so-called former teammates of her fiance. These two people that didn't come to her future husband's aid. Didn't do anything to help speed along his release. In fact from what she could remember if it hadn't been for her fiance telling her there was a good chance that she would have never heard of either of them. Sure she remembered Diggle. The Moira Queen's so called bodyguard for hire. A man that had been assigned to protect over Oliver after he had been kidnapped a mere week after returning back to Starling City. As for the latter? This Felicity Smoak? She only knew her from what her fiance had told her. A woman that she knew had secrets to hide from the way he described her to him.
" I hate to interrupt but you have visitors."
Locking eyes with the older woman nodding her head in silent understanding causing a flicker of a smile to come across Raisa's face for a brief moment turning away to solely focus on their guests with a cold look Laurel sits up straighter. She had a good feeling just who Raisa was referring to the moment the words escaped the older woman's mouth. The last two people that she ever wanted to see.
" No it's fine. No harm done. If you could please be so kind as to alert the guards. We'll grant these two….former colleagues five minutes of our time and not a second more."
Bowing her head slightly turning on her heels making her way past the approaching figures with one that seems to move out of her way giving the woman a pointed look without looking back Raisa makes her way through the gardens heading directly towards the mansion ignoring the stare that she can feel being directed at her retreating form. A maid that once she is out of sight Felicity turns back to look towards Oliver with a faint smile before she comes to a dead halt when she looks over towards Laurel seeing the cold look being directed her way. The famous Laurel Lance. A woman with a well known reputation as being a crusader for justice. For being one of the only lawyers brave enough to take on any court case put in front of her. A woman that she had heard stories about. Heard that when she looks into your eyes it's like she is staring through you straight into your soul. The very green eyes that are burning a hole through her right now just daring her to speak her mind. Just daring her to set her off someway. This look that makes any confidence she might have had when entering into these grounds evaporate as though it was never there.
" I suggest you make it fast. Like I said you have five minutes, I suggest you use every second wisely and I'll warn you now. Choose your words carefully. Since you don't have the decency to leave us alone in peace, I dare say you are skating on very thin ice with me. If you don't believe me give me your best shot and I'll assure you that you sink back to the bottom of whatever hole you came from."
Gulping her throat glancing back and forth between Laurel's cold look and Oliver who looks their way with this emotionless look focusing on the later seeing Diggle giving her an encouraging nod out of the corner of her eye taking a deep breath Felicity takes a step forward. She knew she was right. They needed to choose their words carefully. Any wrong move could lead to a confrontation that neither wanted to have. The very last thing that they needed right now. No they needed to find a solution. They needed to find a way to work together. They might not like it or not but every single one of them shares a common goal. She just needed to word it right but how was she supposed to word this without outright saying it? The truth to the matter is they needed him back. They needed the vigilante back. They needed Oliver back out on the streets striking fear into the hearts of every criminal again. A reason that makes Felicity looks away from Laurel's cold filled eyes to focus on her target of this conversation.
" We need you back…."
" No."
A quick response that she wasn't expecting. This swift response that makes her feel like she had just been slapped in the face. Especially from the look she is now receiving. She always knew of the lengths he had gone to ensure the criminals that he had faced never escaped from him. Always could picture the look in his eyes whenever she would wait by the computer monitor for him to return but to have him looking at her like that now. This cold look that sends a chill up and down her spine. A look that makes her hesitate to say anything further as she just stares at Oliver in silence while if looks could kill she would be dead times over from the murderous look Laurel is sending her way out of the corner of her eye.
" Oliver…."
" Don't!"
Unable to keep herself from jumping in surprise snapping her attention back towards Laurel instantly Felicity's eyes go as wide as saucers when she locks eyes with Laurel's own. These eyes that burn a hole within her making her feel very small and very slowly take a few steps back until she is standing back side by side with Diggle. She knew how dangerous of a woman this woman could be. Especially inside of a courtroom and most definitely when it comes to defending someone that she holds dear. She just never thought she would be on the receiving end of such an onslaught. An onslaught that has yet to begin but from the look in the older woman's eyes it was about to begin and she needed to be ready. Everything was on the line in this conversation. The future of Starling City is on the line.
" Don't you dare. Hasn't he been through enough!? Hmm or do you need him to suffer even more before you're satisfied!? He has suffered enough for the sins of others already! For your sins!"
Staring at the slightly older woman with nothing but shock across her face finding her voice the moment she opens her mouth suddenly Felicity snaps her mouth shut when she witnesses Laurel's eyes getting even colder.
" If you so much as open your mouth right now, I assure you that all your little dirty secrets you've been hiding from everyone are revealed for the entire world to see and trust me when I say this there isn't a jury in the world that wouldn't condemn you to a life in prison. You may think you're safe from the law but you're not and i'm not just talking about your work in helping Oliver with his vigilante activities. Hell i'm not even talking about what you both are currently doing every single night. Just because he took all of the blame never mentioning your names doesn't mean you're safe from law. That you're safe from me. Trust me when I say this that I have the means and the motivation to ensure you never get to see the light of day again if you decide to force my hand."
This shocking revelation that leaves her reeling. Just how much did this woman know of her past? How much does she know of the secrets that she has hidden well from everyone she loves for so long. From Oliver the very one that had recruited her in the first place. From even Diggle that she can feel looking her way with this sense of betrayal in his eyes. But the better question was how did she come across this information? Those files had been sealed and locked away by the FBI for her cooperation in breaking a case long ago. Just how the hell did she get her hands on these records? From the moment Laurel's eyes had opened up to look her way she instantly knew this older woman knew just who exactly she is. That wasn't surprising. It was expected that Oliver would have told her everything there was to need to know about her and Diggle but this? Did he know about her past? Did he know about her dark past and chose to ignore it in favor of using her talents to help rid the city of crime?
She couldn't be too sure. Though a piece of her didn't think so. From the way Laurel is staring at her. From everything she has ever heard about from the eldest Lance daughter it wouldn't surprise her that one of her sources helped get her these files. Helped her dig up as much dirt on her and Diggle to be used whenever she saw fit. To be used in case a situation like this was to ever arise. From what she could see just one more spark would be all that it would take to ensure this older woman makes her life a living hell. A necessary spark if it ensures the one thing she came here for is to happen. That had been the agreement. They needed him back. They needed Oliver back on the streets. These crime filled streets that have seemed to have gotten worse with the known fact now that the vigilante bow wielding user was no longer a problem for them. Sure the appearance of this Black Canary character has helped them greatly. Has started to send shockwaves through the city but it wasn't a permanent solution. This Black Canary has only appeared a few times. Has randomly appeared whenever she saw fit instead of patrolling the streets every single night. This city needs a hero. Needs one more than ever now. It needs the vigilante. It needs Oliver Queen to be out there once again looking over the city.
" How can you say that? How can you sit there on your high horse and talk like that? Are you listening to yourself? Isn't this coming from the woman that was claiming the vigilante was a hero? Who stood in front of cops training their weapons on him using her body as a shield? Isn't this coming from the same woman that is known for standing up for the little guy? Huh? Where is she? Where is the famous Laurel Lance that i've heard so much about."
Feeling her body tensing up with the all too tell signs of the impending explosion that is about to erupt pulling her even closer to his side locking eyes with her for a few moments sharing a silent conversation with her getting her approval to take over in the form of the slightest of nods giving her hand a squeeze Oliver turns away to focus his attention on Diggle. A man that he had come to respect. A man that had first started off as an unwanted acquaintance. A body guard that he never wanted to begin with but in due time he became something more. He could say a possible mentor for the advice he would often give him. A mentor that he could say is a big reason for why he is even in the position that he is in right now. For once again having Laurel by his side and for that he would forever be grateful to the man.
" You chose Laurel. Always her. Everybody else be damned. You once said this to me. At the time I was afraid to listen to your advice. I was afraid that could never become a reality again because of the sins of my past. For wronging her so many times."
It was true. He thought he had lost his chance long ago. Had thought any love she might have had for him died years ago the moment he had set sail with her little sister on board the ship. Had thought from the moment he arrived back in Starling City that she would hate him. Would curse his name until the day he died. A woman that despite everything he had done to her showed why she was and will always be the best of them. A woman that long ago he said has a heart made of gold and he wasn't proven to be wrong. Everything she has done and continues to do shows it. How she would always fight for her clients that were wronged in so many ways never giving up. Never allowing the pressure get to her. Never allowing the threats to get to her. This drive that would keep pushing her and pushing her until she achieved justice for her clients. This same heart that let him back into her life. A heart despite being broken so many times by him allowed him another chance. A chance that he wanted to take so many times. So badly wanted to take but could never take the correct steps forward despite how much he wanted to. Was it because of fear? Was it because of the life he chose to live at night? He couldn't blame it solely on one thing or another but that was in the past now and they are in the present and the present is he would choose her every single time. Would choose Laurel Lance over anything. These thoughts that are snapped when he feels his hand being squeezed before he shakes them away to once again focus on the silent Diggle standing directly across from him rooted to his spot looking at him with this emotionless look across his face.
" But in the end it's my choice. My life and if i have to choose between being the vigilante and the woman that i love then the choice is easy for me to make."
A response that earns him a silent on in return as he feels his hand being squeezed by Laurel. A woman who silently for a brief moment smiles at his declaration. A declaration that he has just no idea how much it means to her to hear those very words coming out of his mouth. Even if she knew this already. She couldn't quite remember when it hit her. Couldn't exactly remember how she felt the moment she became aware that Oliver Queen the off and on again boyfriend and the vigilante responsible for helping save the lives of many citizens including her own on many occasions were one in the same. Was it joy that she felt? She couldn't quite remember but what she did remember was the almost primal urge to protect him at that moment even if she was the only one. This primal instinct to protect him even from himself. Just like the urge to protect him even now builds up in her by the second.
" Oliver? I…."
" Just go Felicity. You too Dig."
Being rendered speechless flapping her mouth like a fish out of water taking a few moments to collect her thoughts taking a deep breath just as she comes up with a response Felicity is silenced when she feels a hand coming down on her shoulder. A hand that she follows finding Diggle looking at her with this look of understanding across his face while he half stares in Oliver's direction. A man that just shakes his head at her before to her shock turns and walks away back from where they once came. A retreating form that she can't help but stare at with wide eyes before her eyes flicker towards Oliver and Laurel finding identical looks of loathing in their eyes. These looks that make her frown sadly at Oliver one last time before she too turns and quickly rushes away in hopes to catch up with Diggle.
Sebastian Blood. A name that was becoming well known throughout the city and for good reason. One of the three known citizens in Starling City campaigning to take over the soon to be vacant mayoral seat. A man whose record could be found to be squeaky clean. Too clean some would say. Especially his opponents in the race. And those that questioned this would be right. This well respected citizen that records say has never broken a law would be proven to be false if they were to see the evidence in front of them right now.
A mask. A simple mask. A mask that had been given to him so long ago. A mask handed to him for completing the trials of a secret cult that not many knew about. The Church of Blood. A secret society hidden well among the citizens of Starling City. A society that very few knew little about. Knew very little about what their goals are. What they are looking to achieve in the long term but one thing was certain. Whatever it was it wasn't good. They silently were proving to be a threat to the city. A threat that has yet to reveal themselves but they would especially if one of their own was to take a position of power. A situation that could not be allowed to happen no matter the cost. No matter the laws they are about to break.
These two shadows that could be faintly found on the top floor of a well known penthouse used by some of the very powerful in a darkened room just waiting for another to arrive. Just waiting for this Brother Blood to arrive back home. A man that they knew was due to show up at any moment. A man that would not be walking out of this penthouse alive again. That is the cost he would have to pay up in the name of justice. And speaking of justice silently it can be heard calling out to them now as the sound of the penthouse door opening causes them to go on high alert. Causes for one to make the silentest of movements to return a mask in her hands back to its hidden spot in the front drawer of his desk before she once again emerges back into the shadows. An action that goes unnoticed by the owner as he locks his penthouse door behind himself and drops his keys followed by his briefcase down near the front entrance. A business man that undoes the knot of his tie and slowly makes his way into his kitchen heading straight for his liquor cabinet completely unaware that he is being watched the entire time.
Finding exactly what he is looking for plucking a bottle right off from the shelf along with a shot glass making his way out of the kitchen and into his living room area flopping down on his couch quickly undoing the cap without any delay as Sebastian pours himself a glass and quickly chugs it down in one gulp unknown to his knowledge movement can be seen coming out of the corner of his eye. Movement from the shadows as a silver point is slowly raised up and pointed his way. This silver point that shines brightly in the moonlight outside. This point the moment his head turns to look its way suddenly it goes flying. This point that emerges out of the shadows heading straight for him in the form of an arrow. This green arrow that with blazing speed soars through the air and connects straight into his outstretched wrist causing him to scream out in pain and drop his half filled bottle of liquor down onto the ground and spill everywhere. A scream that is followed by another when he snaps up to his feet and tries to retreat only to be hit directly in the middle of his back by another arrow that instantly drops him down to one knee.
These screams that would go unheard by everyone as another emerges from the shadows while another trains another arrow at Sebastian. A woman whose footsteps could be heard across the floorboards. A woman that makes her way silently towards their prey with a police baton in her right hand. This baton that quickly comes into play when in one clean move she swings the baton down in a vicious motion smashing Sebastian in the back of his right knee the moment he tries to get up. A strike that is followed by another when she swings the baton once again to hit the corrupt man in the back of the head sending him face first to the ground with a gash opening up in the back of his head from the blow.
Gritting his teeth ignoring the blood that is dripping out of his mouth turning his head slightly to look towards his attack the moment he sees a flock of blonde hair suddenly Sebastian throws back his head screaming in pain when her left knee comes down to press him against the ground and a gloved hand in one clean motion rips the arrow in the middle of his back out. A blood covered arrow that lands right in front of him before he loses sight of it when a boot kicks him hard in the side making him flip onto his back and look up towards her once again. A woman that he had never seen before but has heard stories about. He just never thought he would ever see her in person. Never thought he would ever come face to face with her. A woman that he knew wasn't alone. No only one person in this city shoots arrows. Only one person's calling card is an arrow. A man that he can hear silently coming over but not see in his line of vision. No what he does see scares him deeply. The sight of his blonde haired domino mask wearing woman retrieving another police baton from her belt while she points another down at him.
" Sebastian Blood,you have failed this city!"