To this day he couldn't remember a time when he had seen her that angry. Couldn't remember a time when he had seen her eyes burning with nothing but fury. Even now he still couldn't believe what he had witnessed. Still couldn't believe the carnage that is all around them in her furious wake. Walls once covered up with picture and poster frames now littered with holes with some of the frames very contents laying across the wooden floor board in pieces. Broken shards of glass sprawled out everywhere in sight. The once beautiful maple dining room table that could be seen from the entrance of the kitchen thrown down on its side with two gaping holes through the center. Such a chaotic scene. Such a barbaric scene. Especially of where it has taken place. A small apartment just inside of The Glades big enough for two. An apartment for the last five years a happily married couple has called their home.
But not for much longer. Not with what they had just witnessed. Not with what they had to endure this last hour. Even now the adrenaline rush still hasn't gone away. Even now each of their hands could be seen noticeably shaking as they wrap around the other trying to muster up any sort of comfort for the other while numerous men in blue walk around their apartment taking pictures of the scene before them. Statements already taken from their soft and shell shocked voices. Bodies transported out from the crime scene. Some in which one can still feel their lifeless eyes staring back at her but she didn't regret it. No she did what she had to do in order to protect her family. She did what she had to do to ensure her husband had lived through this encounter. She did what she had to do to ensure her baby boy would live to see another night. Her child that remains tucked away in her arms right now sleeping while her husband keeps his arms around her from behind bringing them as close into his chest as possible with his eyes trained forward on one thing and one thing only.
A lone shotgun resting up against the wall being prepared to be brought to the station and processed as evidence. A firearm that he never knew could do such damage. Never knew it could be used as an instrument of destruction like it had been but he was glad. He was glad it could be used as such a thing. Without it he might not have survived this night. Without it his wife could have been killed. Without it his child could have grown up without ever knowing his parents or worse. He could still remember the day clearly. Every little detail. A day none of them would ever forget.
Three days prior….
She still couldn't believe what she was hearing right before her very eyes from across the integration table. A break that she desperately needed in this court case. Martin Somers. Oh how she's wanted to put that son of a bitch away for so long now. A man that she knew deep in her gut is associated with a group many fear to even mention. But not her. No justice doesn't fear anything. She wouldn't let a silly name fear her. She wouldn't let a crime organization corrupt her. Wouldn't let them play with her emotions influencing things in their favor. No she comes from a long line of family members with a simple code. To always do good. To always stand up for justice. A code that Laurel Queen-Lance has always and forever will stand up for.
We control our fears it's not the other way around.
Oh how she can remember saying those words so clearly to her husband. Her husband of the past five years. Oliver Queen. Oh how she could still remember that day clearly. Clearly remembering how she felt something was about to happen in her gut. How she felt like if she allowed him to get on that boat that she would never see him again. But she had been surprised. More than surprised in fact. He had asked her to marry him in a well thought out scheme by himself. A scheme to this day has always made her on her toes whenever he says the magic words it's a surprise. A small reminder that makes a faint smile come across her face for a split moment before she returns her full attention back towards the man sitting across from her.
A man that is spilling his guts out to her and she couldn't blame him. Fear has a way of doing such things. Oh sure she could promise him protection right here and now for his cooperation but what good would that do? No she wanted to hear everything first. Wanted to hear all of the secrets this man knows about Martin Somers. A businessman that for years Laurel has known to be corrupt but hasn't been able to find the evidence needed behind closed doors to bring him to a trial. Not until now. Perhaps today is her lucky day? She has had quite a few in the last couple of years with one that still to this day makes her smile.
The day that she had found out she was pregnant. Oh how she could remember that day perfectly. A day with so many happy tears. Filled with so many congratulations as the word spread through her family. A day she would never forget especially when she held her baby boy for the first time in her arms with her husband looking down upon them with the goofiest grin across his face. A man that has proven to be the most loving and caring husband and father that she could ever ask for. She dared anyone to even question that.
But that had been well over a year ago. A year that had flown by so fast that she still couldn't believe it. In fact there were many things that she couldn't believe have happened ever since that day. Especially in the last coming months when she had witnessed a miracle occur. Had witnessed a return from the dead. Deep down she always regretted not speaking her mind up. Regretted not taking more action that day but she couldn't have known something like that would happen. Nobody could have. The Queen's Gambit. Robert Queen's boat reportedly being lost out at sea. A day that she could remember perfectly. Remember hearing the news when she had been sitting at home studying for her next test when it had come across her television screen. Remember how she had seeked out her husband finding him shell shocked. Finding him unable to muster up a single word as he cried in her shoulder. A father to the shock of everyone would be returned to them just a short few months ago after five long years away. A man that seemed so different. A man that had this aura around him.
Whether it was good or bad was still up to debate. What she did know was there was a new player in town. Some kind of robin hood character that has been going after crime lords and criminals every single night leaving blood baths behind. A man that she couldn't wait to question when the time comes if she gets the opportunity. For now though she has bigger fish to fry. Fresh back from her leave of absence with the biggest court case she has ever had things were looking up for her. A promising career ahead of her. A loving and growing family cheering her on. What wasn't there to like?
The sound of a child's laughter. Oh how he has missed hearing that sound but would never admit out loud to anyone. He can still remember the days when he had held his daughters for the very first time. Remember the days he has dropped them off at school and watched them skip away happily to their friends. How they had grown up so fast. Faster than he ever thought. One daughter that now lives in San Francisco working on her last degree to follow in his footsteps to become a member of the law enforcement agency. Why she still insisted on getting the degree so far from home was still a mystery to him but he was proud of her nonetheless.
As for the other? Well he couldn't say that he hasn't loved the way her life has turned out. A promising career as a lawyer ahead of her. A future that was there in the making when he had been announced to be the top student in her class every single year. That he hadn't been surprised about even in the slightest. Many have said that it was in her blood ever since she had spoken her very first words. No what had surprised him was one choice she had made in her life. The choice to date Oliver Queen. The very man standing right next to him now silently watching his wife spin around the young man's son slowly through the air. His grandson. Connor Hawke Queen-Lance. Oh how he had been so furious when he heard the news of his eldest daughter's choice in men. How they had these long heated talks about such a thing.
And then it happened. News had broken out about her eldest daughter marrying the young man that he had come to detest for even laying a single finger on his daughter. For even corrupting her mind just a bit which led to their most heated conversation to date. A conversation that had led to a year long silence between the two. No texts exchanged. No phone calls to the other. Nothing but silence. This silence that had proven to be the greatest weapon to ever be used against him making him question things and watch from afar. And the results that he had seen? Although skeptical at first he could see his daughter's influence being seen in the young man.
This once juvenile young man had grown up. No more making headlines in the newspaper. No more getting drunk out in public. No more being seen hanging out with the wrong people. No more tending parties for the sole purpose of walking out with two women hanging off his arms. No little by little he had seen the change. Had seen this young man drop the juvenile act and become something more. Much more and the evidence was right there for everyone to see. He never thought the young man was very smart. Cheeky but not smart and boy was he proven wrong. It was just his daughters that had proven to have brains. No this young man. This young man that he used to hate with a passion followed after his daughter's example returning to school to get a business degree on his own despite having the means to simply buy the degree if he wanted. Something he was finally doing right.
But the biggest and most welcomed surprise was this little bundle being passed off to him right now. His grandson. He could still remember the day they had walked into the living room holding hands breaking the news to him. How time seemed to pass by so quickly until he was found sitting outside of the waiting room along with the rest of his family and the remains of The Queen family before he was introduced to the newest addition of their growing family. His little baby grandson that smiles up towards him making Quentin return the smile before he looks over towards Oliver causing the young man to look up from his child towards him.
" Oliver? Can i talk to you for a second?"
Seeing the older man's eyes shifting dramatically into a serious look nodding his head silently as he watches Quentin hand Connor gently off to Dinah and turn back towards him to nod his head over towards the back door leading to the back porch nodding his head in understanding silently Oliver follows him out of the room and outside closing the door behind himself. A door once it closes makes him turn to look towards his father in law finding him coming to stop by the porch's railing looking out towards the backyard. A railing he can't help but approach and lean against a few feet away from him waiting for the older man to start talking. These intense moments of silence that are broken when Quentin glances his way out of the corner of his eye.
" I know we usually don't have these heart to heart talks. To be frank I'm not really sure where to begin but I thought it would be best for me to tell you first before word gets out to Laurel. I heard a rumor that my daughter returned back to work today."
Unable to keep the small smile from coming across his face nodding his head slowly Oliver turns his attention to look across the backyard towards the fence separating The Lance residence from their next door neighbors.
" She did. She was very reluctant to leave Connor and return back to work but I could see the conflict in her eyes. It's in her blood to be a lawyer and I managed to convince her to go back doing what she loves."
Nodding in agreement with everything he is hearing finding no argument letting out a sigh Quentin clutches the railing tightly.
" That's something we both can agree on. Ever since she was a little girl my wife and I knew she was going to be something special one day."
Letting out a chuckle unable to help the smile from coming across his face with his eyes getting this faraway look Quentin shakes his head.
" I can still remember this one time that she convinced my wife to allow her to have a cup of pudding before supper. It was something else. A five year convincing a full grown woman with this convincing argument as to why it was in her best interest to have the pudding first."
Shaking his head once more with a look of amusement Quentin glances over towards a chuckling Olver.
" If your son is anything like his mother then i would recommend preparing yourself now."
Letting out a snort shaking his head Oliver returns his attention back towards the backyard to stare up towards a lone tree hanging over the fence.
" Doubt that will do any good. I can't remember a time where i've won an argument against Laurel."
" Well that is what you get for marrying a lawyer."
Seeing the young man nodding his head in silent agreement returning the nod Quentin looks towards where Oliver is staring at and can't help but smile when he sees the loose tire swing still up on the tree in his backyard that overhangs into his neighbor's yard. This happiness in the young man's eyes and he knew the reason why.
" How's the house going?"
Ahh yes the house. Something that at first when he heard about he wasn't too sure what to think but one smile from his daughter convinced him otherwise. A house that was being built from scratch. A house that every single day he has come to visit and check up on the builders. It was kind of hard not to. The very house was being built a few streets over and could be seen on his way to work. This house that just gives off this homely feeling and there were many reasons why. The simple look. The large backyard where he has heard many plans already being in store for it. Even the color planned for the outside just made you feel at home. Something he could clearly be seen in the young man's eyes now as he has this faraway look in them as though picturing the scenes that would unfold once the house is done for years to come.
" It's coming along perfectly. Better than planned actually. I was told that we should be able to move in within the next month. Laurel has the backyard already planned out. There is this oak tree that she has been eyeing as a possible treehouse for when Connor is older ever since we visited the sight. We were thinking of adding a whole playset for him. You know a slide,monkey bars,a swing set,you know the works though she was very adamant that we do our best not to spoil him. She drew the line when I mentioned having a pool and trampoline being installed that could come off of the back porch. She said pick one or the other but not both."
Unable to keep the proud grin from coming across his face nodding his head slowly Quentin turns to look Oliver squarely in the eyes drawing the young man's attention.
" It's for the best. Believe me when I tell you this when a Lance woman tells you something you do your damndest to listen and listen very well to what she tells you. If you don't well , life can be made especially difficult. They have this way of looking into your soul. Believe me i know."
Nodding his head in understanding seeing the older man's eyes change almost instantly the grin across Oliver's face vanishes.
" Though I appreciate your advice I'm assuming you brought me out here to discuss something else that doesn't involve your daughter's or mine's dream home."
A statement that instantly earns Oliver a quick nod and for him to see something that makes him concerned. Makes him hear Quentin letting out a sigh looking ten years older than he already does as he comes to lean back up against the railing on his elbows.
" This case that Laurel is working on is against a dangerous man that has a lot of connections in the underground world. She might have mentioned his name once or twice before. If not well then she was trained well not too. His name is Martin Somers. I can't stress to you how dangerous of a man he is."
Now this certainly catches his attention. He knew the moment he married her what he was getting into. Knew right when she had chosen the path to become a lawyer. But he wouldn't change anything. It was in her blood. The way she defends the little guy. Defends the people that nobody would. Just one of the many things that he has always come to love about his wife and this wouldn't be any different. Sure over the years he has heard the death threats being directed her way by the people she put away. Threats sure he was concerned about at first but they have come to be just empty threats from the people directing them her way. Chances are most would never see the light of day again anyways.
" And I'm assuming you want me to talk to her about this? Mr Lance? We both know how that will turn out. I love your daughter more than anything in the world but when her mind is made up on something there is no stopping her."
" I know. It's one of the bad traits she got from me. No, I'm not asking you to convince her to pass the case off to someone else. No what i'm asking you to do is to stay close to her. Don't do anything that may leave either of you vulnerable without a crowd present. That means no morning jogs. No taking Connor out for a walk. At least not without a police escort with you. Even now she's rattling the cage so to speak questioning someone that could very well be the key to putting Somers away for life. After today once she leaves that office there will be a police escort watching your every move making sure you and your family are safe. Laurel will not see it that way but i assure you that this is for the best. She doesn't know Somers like I do. He'll do everything in his power to ensure he never has to step foot inside of a courtroom."
She still couldn't believe what was happening and she wasn't bothering to hide the annoyance from her face. She knew what could happen the moment she had walked into the CNRI building and had met face to face with her boss at the entrance waiting for her with a case file in his hand. This case file that she couldn't believe not even after hearing the words coming from her boss's mouth. A case against Martin Somers. Sign her up. It was no secret to those closest to her that she dreamed of a city one day without crime. Dreamed of a city that she could be proud to call home. A dream that looks very far off. Perhaps not within reach in her lifetime but she was gonna try and this man is one big stepping stone towards that dream becoming a reality.
But this? Being escorted by a police cruiser in the distance while she simply wants to take a stroll with Oliver down the street while she pushes baby Connor in his baby stroller. It was getting on her nerves. For two days now she couldn't do anything without some kind of police presence nearby. Couldn't go out in public without someone trailing behind her. Couldn't go out on her morning jogs without a black and white following her everywhere she went. Hell she couldn't even enjoy the small moments like this that should be cherished. This look on her face that Oliver catches making him reach over and wrap his arm gently around her waist causing her facial features to soften just enough to his liking before she closes her eyes laying her head down on his shoulder allowing him to steer them down the sidewalk.
" I hate this."
Nodding his head in understanding taking a glance over his shoulder seeing the familiar police cruiser slowly following them down the street lowering his head down Oliver gently kisses the side of Laurel's head.
" I know pretty bird but just think about the rewards after all of this is over with. Think about the good you are doing by putting this man behind bars and think about this. Once all of this is over we can start a new chapter in our lives. Just you,me,and Connor. We will make new memories that he'll always cherish. I'll get started right away making his treehouse while you kick back and relax near the pool."
" Oh? So you've finally decided then?"
Tilting her head slightly cracking open her eye seeing nothing but his trademark grin across his face unable to help her lips from twitching upwards Laurel sends him an accusing look.
" Well the pool is more of a reward for me seeing as how I like to do some exotic bird watching. Besides, I still have a couple of years to break you down before Connor would be old enough to use a trampoline anyways."
Rolling her eyes despite the grin that comes across her face taking a moment to release one of the handles to gently slap Oliver on the chest with the back of her hand lifting her head off from his shoulder and quickens her pace slightly to have him trail behind her before she sends him a saucy wink over her shoulder.
" Well Mr Queen since you like to do some exotic bird watching so much I'll race you home. The winner will receive a special reward."
Unable to keep his jaw from dropping when he sees her sway her hips in a seductive manner that just brings him to a sudden halt just watching her walk away pushing little Connor's baby stroller in front of her taking a few moments to compose himself snapping out of his daze Oliver takes off in a jog to catch up to her muttering.
" God, I love that woman."
Special reward huh?
He should have known something was up from the moment it escaped her lips. Should have known better from the seductive smiles she was sending his way that she had something already planned in her head. A plan to execute. A plan that she had executed perfectly to the letter and he had to admit. He wasn't disappointed. Not even for a second. Sure he allowed her to win on purpose and enter into the apartment complex that they would call home only for a little while longer. Sure he thought from the looks she was giving him as she gently laid Connor down in his crib that he was soon going to be rewarded. Only he thought wrong. At least not rewarded in the way he thought he would. No she had declared herself the clear winner and her reward was in the form of a nice bubble bath while he looked after their son. Though it did come with a reward itself when she had walked past him with nothing on carrying her selected pajamas for the evening under her right arm before disappearing into the bathroom leaving the door wide open a smudge in case she was needed for something.
And here he was now. Sitting comfortably on the couch holding baby Connor in his right arm while he holds down a bottle of formula down to his son with his left. A position that he could get used to. So much so that he could see himself doing this every single day while his wife is off at work putting the bad guys away. Some might think this was weird. Especially from how he was raised growing up with this endless bank account his parents possess. This endless stream of money that allowed such luxuries as house nannies and maids to care for their children while they worked. But they weren't like that. They wouldn't be like that. That had been decided long ago before Connor had even been born. They would pawn him off to others. No they would care for him in their own way. They would do things the right away not caring about the money tucked away in their account.
Little baby Connor that once he had been born it was decided that one of them would stay at home with him until he was of age to go to school. A decision that was easy once he had volunteered for the task. It was only fair. She had gone to law school looking to achieve her dream. She had sacrificed so much for him already during the time they have been together. It was only fair. Besides he only had gone to get a business degree in the hopes one day that he could help manage a law firm under the leadership and guidance of his wife anyways. And speaking of wives here she comes now. These silent footsteps approaching from behind that makes Oliver look over the back of the couch finding Laurel quietly approaching with her hair bundled up in a towel wearing these loose red pajama bottoms showing off her smooth stomach that is exposed when she lifts up the hem of her sweatshirt just enough. A look that he has seen often. Especially on cold fall nights like this. A woman that stops behind the couch and leans down until their heads are nearly touching to glance down towards their son with his knowing smile across her face.
" So how are my two boys tonight?"
Letting out a silent chuckle closing the distance between them Oliver gently rests his head against Laurel's own as his eyes keep focused on little Connor's own. These little eyes that he can see are getting tired from the way they keep closing signaling that very soon his son will be sound asleep.
" I think our little guy is about ready for bedtime."
Nodding her head in agreement turning her head slightly so that she can kiss his cheek pulling her head back slowly making her way around the couch until she is kneeling to be at Connor's eye level reaching out gently Laurel takes him out of Oliver's hands the moment he is offered and silently rocks him back and forth humming a silent tune. A tune that long ago she could remember her mother singing as she would rock Sara to sleep. A tune that she has used on more than one occasion to hoax her son into going asleep. This tune that is having the desired result as little Connor's eyelids start to drop.
" I think so too."
Making sure to keep her rocking to the absolute minimal in an effort to not wake up her son continuing her humming as she silently makes her way through the apartment and into their bedroom where little Connor's crib can be located right next to their bedroom bed with Oliver following close behind very gently Laurel lowers Connor down into the crip before being as quiet as she can be gently lays a little blanket over him up to his chin. A sight that she could look at for hours. A sight that she has been guilty of once or twice watching for the very same thing. It still amazes her to this day how everything has seemed to have fallen into place for her. To have such a beautiful healthy baby boy. To have a loving husband that comes up and gently wraps his arms around her hugging her from behind. A house that soon their small and growing family would be moving into. A perfect life some would say. A life she wouldn't trade for the world.
" So what do you want to do tonight Pretty Bird?"
Unable to keep the shiver from feeling his hot breath tickling her neck at just the right spot leaning her head back until it is resting against her own reaching down Laurel lays her hands down on top of Oliver's own pinning them in place.
" I was thinking you….me….the couch….sharing a blanket watching whatever crappy television show reruns are on."
Grinning down towards her smile bringing his face down until he can give her a quick gentle kiss pulling back to nod his forehead gently against her own the moment he is about to respond suddenly a sound coming from out of the room catches his attention. From what sounded like glass breaking. This sound that makes him pull his head back to look directly over his shoulder focusing on the glimpses of the living room that he can see. A look that Laurel catches out of the corner of her eye making her glance out of the room then back towards him with nothing but confusion.
" Ollie?"
" Someone's in the apartment."
Instantly as her eyes widen feeling his arms leaving her waist turning fully to face the open doorway taking a quick look in her husband's direction suddenly a surge of panic runs through Laurel when she sees Oliver cautiously make his way towards the open doorway.
" Stay here."
The faintest of whispers that he hoped that she had heard but he couldn't wait to find out as silently he exits out of the bedroom and makes his way through the hallway making sure to mask his footsteps as best as he can. This hallway that is conquered rather easily in the matter of seconds as his right hand clutches into a tight fist while he listens closely for anything to be coming from the room. A living room that he enters finding nobody in sight. Hearing nothing but the silent voices coming from the nearly muted television set. This scene he would have found ordinary on another day. Would have found to be peaceful but not right now. He swore he heard glass breaking or at least being shattered. So far he sees no evidence of such a thing. The windows near the open balcony outside showed no such thing. The only windows inside of the apartment.
A sight that the moment he is about to turn away from and make his way back into the bedroom a shine coming from down below catches his eye. This shine he looks down towards finding shards of broken glass just underneath the window. Shards that he has no time to ponder before as if on instinct he ducks his head down when he feels something rapidly approaching from his right and he had been right. If he had been even a second later the end of a blade that hits nothing but air would have slit his throat clean. This blade that he only has a second to turn towards finding a black cloaked figure staring at him before he is sent off his feet back first to the ground when a boot lands clean into his chest. This feeling of getting the wind knocked out of him that only gets worse when he rolls away to avoid a blade that comes smashing into the floorboard before he is once again kicked hard in the stomach sending him rolling over until his back hits the living room table right next to the couch.
Unable to keep himself from breathing heavily from the ground lifting his head up slightly seeing a cloaked figure approaching him while out of the corner of his eye he sees two others watching with their blades similar to the approaching one's own in their hands right when he sees the figure lowering the blade down towards him suddenly the sound of a loud click is heard echoing through the air. A click that everyone barely has time to register before the sound of a loud bang is heard echoing through the apartment. This bang coming from the hallway as Laurel is found holding a pump action shotgun training the barrel towards where the cloaked man had been standing before his body was launched right over the couch bringing the couch with him when a lone round lands clean into his chest. Pumping back once more loading another round into the chamber with her teary eyes showing nothing but intense fury within them instantly Laurel trains her eyes towards the remaining two hooded figures that she can see.
" Get the fuck out of my house!"
Without waiting for a response snapping the shotgun up instantly Laurel pulls back on the trigger unleashing the two rounds stored away soaring through the air in the direction of the hooded figures. These hooded figures that move quickly just in time to avoid being hit causing the round to strike clean against the wall. A round that follows another when she focuses on the closest hooded figure sending another round that barely misses him and instead strikes a picture frame hanging across the wall causing the frame to come off hinge and come crashing down to the floorboards. Frames one after another that fall as she sends another round their way that barely misses before she takes a few cautious steps forward when she sees the hooded figure disappear around the corner and into the kitchen area. Pumping back silently sending an empty round casing flying taking a moment to glance in Oliver's direction seeing him staring at her with shock and fear filling his eyes from his spot on the ground snapping her attention back towards the kitchen area hearing the sound of a loud crash coming from within instantly Laurel quickens her pace before without any hesitation she pulls back on the trigger sending a lone round soaring in the direction of the commotion. A round that goes clean into the middle of the maple dining room table that has been turned over. A round that follows another when in rapid senson she cocks back and unleashes another round that goes straight through the table making a gaping hold that gives her a glimpse of black underneath. Just enough for her to cock back on the barrel and send a round a little lower before the sound of a scream of pain is heard echoing through the apartment.
A scream that is quickly followed by action when the table is suddenly turned over and a hooded figure rears back to throw a knife in her direction. This sudden motion that only her quick thinking of dropping back down on her ass a few feet away saves her from the knife that comes soaring past her and sticking into the wall behind her. But it comes with a consequence when the shotgun goes flying out of her hands from her quick thinking to avoid the surprise attack. A shotgun she quickly looks around for not seeing it anywhere in sight as she sees out of the corner of her eye one of the hooded figures approaching. A figure from the way that they are walking must be a female. This woman that silently makes her way towards her making her scramble back away in hopes that at any second someone will come bursting through that door. That any moment one of the officers assigned to watch over them will kick in the door with their weapons drawn. Maybe even this mysterious vigilante to come crashing through the living room windows to battle against their attackers.
This hope that keeps dwindling as she sees the hooded woman closing the distance between them with a sword in her hands. A kitana if she were to guess. This woman that she looks up towards with watery eyes seeing no emotion within them. Seeing no compassion or mercy for what she is about to do as she comes to tower over her with the kitana raises up high over her head. With so many things running through her head. Her husband. Her baby. A baby that she can hear crying out from the loud bangs. What would become of them? Would they live another day or would they join the same fate as her? So many things that make tears trickle down her cheeks before suddenly the hooded woman is flung away when a loud bang echoes through the air. A hooded woman that she quickly turns to look only to find her laying face first down on the ground with a puddle of blood forming beneath her. This sight that makes her breath heavily with tears of relief trailing down her cheek before she turns her head to her right finding Oliver pointing the end of the shotgun in the hooded woman's direction with the barrel still smoking.