Thank you to my friend Aragon II Elessar for his help with this chapter.

Guest: Glad you enjoyed it. Why thank you. To a certain point, Diggle respects Oliver and his mission, but Diggle's ultimate loyalty was never to Oliver. Had Emiko told him to kill Oliver at any point, he would have done it without hesitation. Glad to hear it.

ARGUS base, Washington DC

Afternoon

Diggle and Dante stood watching as Ninth Circle operatives roamed the base, the technicians getting the drones online.

"You've done well Mr. Diggle. Your tip about Waller's sting came in quite handy," Dante said and Diggle chuckled.

"Just doing my job sir," Diggle said and Dante nodded.

"Speaking of which, you know we won't be able to keep this under wraps. We have a day or two until ARGUS realizes that we've taken the base and the drones. And the plan requires you to retain your cover just a little longer," Dante pointed out and Diggle nodded, knowing what was coming.

"I have my story, now we just need to sell it," Diggle said, bracing himself.

Dante suddenly whirled around and slugged Diggle, hard. Diggle's head whipped to the side before Dante suddenly punched him in the stomach. Diggle doubled over in pain as Dante struck him in the face again. There was a metallic taste in Diggle's mouth as Dante continued to strike him. And Diggle allowed it, knowing it was necessary.

Arrow lair

Night

Oliver was taking out his frustrations on a training dummy, thinking of Helena as he did so. Oliver paused in his assault, taking a deep breath as Sara watched him concerned.

"Anything on Helena?" Oliver asked as he grabbed a nearby towel.

"Lyla got Bertinelli transferred into ARGUS custody and let the word spread that he's being transferred out of state in a few hours. If she's gonna make her move, it'll be then," Sara pointed out and Oliver nodded silently. "This is probably a stupid question…but are you okay? This feels like it's becoming too personal for you."

"Because it is personal," Oliver said with a sigh. "I created the Huntress. I thought I could help her, but I wrong. I let her go and when she came back…I knew I needed to put her down, but I couldn't do it. Then she went after Tommy and Felicity and I still let her go. Whatever she's done since then is my fault."

"Whatever Helena's done, it's on Helena, not you. You can't save someone from themselves," Sara pointed out and Oliver knew they were talking about Slade more than Helena.

"Maybe, maybe not. But it's a moot point either way. One way or another, we stop Helena tonight," Oliver said firmly and Sara nodded in agreement.

"Where's Roy? I figured he'd be here with you," Sara said, realizing she hadn't seen Oliver's protégé for a few hours.

"He said something about plans with his girlfriend. I told him I'd call him once we had news," Oliver explained.

Roy's house

Later

Roy and Jade laid in bed, dressed only in sheets. After dinner, which had been spaghetti, Jade's favorite, they had sept together and were now just enjoying each other's company. It was…different, Jade decided. But not bad. She was just about to doze off when a buzzing sound jerked her awake.

It took her a few moments to figure out it was Roy's phone. He reached across on his nightstand and picked it up, seeing he had a text from Oliver.

'Wheel's up' it read.

"Something wrong?" Jade asked as she sensed the shift in Roy.

"No, I just need to take care of something. I'll be back a little later," Roy promised as he put the pone down.

"The last time you 'took care' of something, you were stabbed," Jade pointed out.

"This is different, I promise. I'll be back," Roy said, kissing her lightly before getting up and gathering some clothes.

As he walked away to change, Jade's phone went off as well. Reaching across, she grabbed it, seeing she had a text from her father.

'The next phase happens tonight' it read.

Jade swiped her thumb across the screen, looking at where Roy had left with a pit in her stomach.

Starling City

Later

A van with Frank Bertinelli inside was driving down the highway when the headlights caught a dark dressed figure. It was Helena, wielding her crossbow. She fired her weapon, the bolt crashing through the windshield and striking the driver in the throat. The van swerved, crashing into a telephone pole nearby. With a smirk, Helena began approaching the van when she heard the drawstring of a bow. Whirling around, she saw Oliver taking aim at her.

"It's over Helena," Oliver said, his voice as cold as ice.

"You're right Oliver, it is. You won't stop me from giving my father exactly what he deserves," Helena sneered as she took aim at Oliver.

"You're outnumbered Helena," Oliver said coolly.

It took a moment for Helena to realize what Oliver was taking about. On one side, near the van, Roy, in a hoodie, had his bow out, arrow notched and aimed at her. On the other, facing her, Sara had her baton out, staring at her coolly.

"You can't take us all on. Helena, I don't want to hurt you, but I will. Stand down or suffer the consequences," Oliver said coldly.

Helena took barely a moment to assess her options before firing. Oliver dodged the bolt as Roy fired at Helena. Helena grabbed the arrow, stopping it in mid-air and then elbowed Sara as she rushed towards her. As Sara stumbled back Helena threw the arrow at Oliver, who deflected it with his bow. As all three vigilantes rushed towards her, Helena raised her two crossbows and fired at Sara and Roy.

The two dodged, Roy firing another arrow as he did. Helena dodged with a back flip as Oliver rushed her. He tried to strike her with his bow but Helena stopped him by bringing up her crossbows, using them to block. With a wild movement, the two disarmed each other and began trading blows. After a few moments, Oliver had her backed up against a tree, his hand around her throat.

As he saw the look in her eyes, suddenly, Oliver understood. And it floored him. He had been wrong about her. And so had Diggle. What fools they had been.

Taking advantage of Oliver's moment of hesitation, Helena kneed him in the abdomen and Oliver let go as she tried to strike him. Oliver blocked her strikes before jumping back. As Sara and Roy moved to aid him, Oliver held up a hand, signaling them to stop. Although confused, the two paused, wondering what Oliver was getting at.

"I know what you're after Helena. And I'm not gonna give it to you," Oliver said firmly.

"We'll see about that," Helena said, a dark, desperate look in her eyes that Oliver had never seen before.

Or maybe he had and he had mistaken it for something else. With a roar that sounded more animal than human, Helena rushed him and Oliver stood perfectly still, to the shock of Sara and Roy. Helena tried to strike him with a kick but Oliver dodged. She tried repeated strikes and jabs but Oliver merely dodged, making no move to attack or defend himself. The more Oliver dodged, the angrier Helena seemed to become. She pulled out a knife and attempted to strike him. This spurred Oliver into action.

He reached out and grabbed her hand, stopping the knife inches from his chest. They wrestled for the knife for a few moments before Oliver disarmed her, managing to take the knife from her. Oliver then grabbed Helena, spun around, and tossed her towards the tree he has pinned her to earlier.

As she landed on the ground, none of them noticed Frank Bertinelli had managed to free himself from the van. As he tried to escape, a red arrow suddenly landed an inch from his foot, startling him. Looking over, he saw Roy aiming his bow at him, a clear warning.

"I'm not gonna do it Helena," Oliver said as he approached her, dropping the knife to the ground. "I won't."

Angrily, Helena jumped back to her feet and rushed Oliver. She struck him across the face but Oliver showed no to reaction to this. She gave a roar of anger and punched him in the chest. Again, Oliver showed no reaction other than a pained grunt. She continued to lash out at him, hitting him in the chest, each strike holding less force than before. However, her screaming soon became cries. As Roy, Sara and even Frank watched in shock, Helena was reduced to a sobbing mess, her hands on Oliver chest as she cried.

"Please," she sobbed. "Just do it. Please Oliver. Please just kill me."

Helena's strength failed her and she started to fall. Oliver caught her and hey sank to their knees, Helena clinging to him as she sobbed, her cries the only sound on the road.

Verdant

Later

"So she was what, suicidal?" Thea asked in shock as she and Roy shared a drink.

"Looks that way. Her father did kill her fiancé; I guess she was in pain for a long time. Maybe this was the only way out she saw," Roy mused.

"Yeah, and it's not like she had anyone to lean on for support, being a mafia princess," Thea mused, feeling bad for Helena despite all she'd done. "So what happens to her now?"

Down in the Arrow lair, Oliver and Helena were alone. Oliver had sent Felicity and Sara home, knowing he needed to talk to Helena alone. Silently, he handed her a glass of water, which she took just as silently. She looked a wreck, her hair a mess with bags under her eyes. Oliver wondered when the last time she'd slept was. She looked more worn down than anyone her age had a right to be.

"Why are you being so nice to me? After everything I've done?" Helena finally asked, looking up at Oliver.

"Because I know what it's like to be lost and alone," Oliver said simply. "As I recall it, I once told you that you didn't have to be alone."

"Alone is all I've ever been, since my mother died," Helena said with a shaky breath. "She died because of my father. She was on her home when one of my dad's enemies shot her. Even as a kid, I knew it was his fault. I hated him for that. And I hated him more after Michael. And that hate…it turned me into a monster."

"Did it? Or did you become a monster because that's how you saw yourself?" Oliver asked and Helena was silent for a few moments.

"I don't know," Helena admitted. "…what happens now?"

"That's up to you. You're not my prisoner, you can leave anytime you want," Oliver said, stepping aside and gesturing towards the stairs. "But if you walk out that door, you'll never stop running. Not just from the law, but yourself. Those demons you have, they will never go away if you take off. The only way you'll ever be free of them is if you face them. It's your choice Helena."

Starling City Police Department

Later

The precinct was in full panic as the news of Helena's attack had reached the entire department. Amidst the panic, Oliver walked in, taking a moment before glancing over to his side as Helena walked in. As they spotted her, all movement stopped as every eye turned to stare at Helena.

"I'd like to make a confession," Helena declared.

Later, after the officers had taken her statement, Helena was led away by the officers in handcuffs. As they passed, Helena exchanged a significant look with Oliver. He watched them lead her away before Quentin walked up to him.

"You did the right thing, convincing her to turn herself in," Quentin told him.

"I didn't do anything, she did," Oliver said simply.

"Well, whether you admit it or not, I'm sure you had something sway over it," Quentin said knowingly and Oliver was silent for a moment.

"You think she'll make it?" Oliver asked quietly.

"I don't know. Making peace with what she's done… it's not gonna be easy. But turning herself in was a good first step," Quentin said. "The rest is up to her."

Oliver nodded silently, watching as Helena was led away by the officers.

Roy's house

Same time

Roy entered through his front door, closing it behind him. Something felt off to him. The lights were all off, but Jade's car was still in his driveway.

"Jade?" he called out as he made his way further into the house.

He received no response. He was about to flip on the lights when he was suddenly hit in the neck by something. Grabbing it, he saw it was a tranq dart before his vision blurred. He swayed on his feet before collapsing. The last thing he saw before blacking out was a pair of boats walking towards him.

Verdant

Same time

Thea was packing up, getting ready to head home when a familiar voice spoke up behind her.

"Heading out?" Diggle asked as he stepped into view.

"Yeah, I- oh my God," Thea exclaimed as she saw the bruises and blood on his face. "What happened to you?"

"The job, I'm sure your brother can tell you all about the risks in this life. Why don't I give you a ride home? With Slade running around, you can never be too careful," Diggle said as he smiled at the unsuspecting Thea.

Helena is Arrow's answer to Faith Lehane from Buffy.

For those of you who have never seen Buffy the Vampire Slayer or it spinoff Angel, I'll break it down for you. This will involve a lot of spoils for seasons three and four of Buffy and the first season of its spinoff Angel, so turn back now if you don't want to see any. *Begins spoilers* Faith was a new Vampire Slayer, a girl with enhanced strength and reflexes destined to fight Vampires and demons. She worked with Buffy for a time before, one fateful night, she accidentally killed a human thinking he was a vampire. This along with several other factors caused Faith to have a psychotic break where she reasoned she must be a monster to have killed a human. She becomes one of Buffy's most emotionally challenging enemies before heading over to Angel for a two episode Arc where everything she's done finally catches up with her and she begs Angel to kill her in order to end her pain. *End spoilers*

Something very similar happened with Helena I believe. As much as she blamed her father for Michael, I believe a part of her also blamed herself and the hatred she felt for her father was also directed at herself. She became a monster because, deep down, that's how she viewed herself. I also believed that, after Oliver nearly killed her in season one, she had resigned herself to the fact that Oliver would kill her if they ever crossed paths and that's how she thought her story would end.

And now we begin the final Arc of the story, the one I've been most excited to get to. 2x18-2x23 is probably the best batch of Arrow episodes to run back to back and I've been looking forward to getting to them the whole story.