Sanctuary Secrets Sacrifice

by kayemen22

Katie and Oliver embark on a new journey together. One neither is sure they're ready for, but will face together. There was no time for mad men with neat magic tricks or secrets. How can two heroes find time to bring a life in this world while battling the criminals bold enough to come to their city? Love will be their greatest weapon...until that love is tested. Will they survive?

12. The Arrival: Part Two

Chapter 12

The Arrival: Part Two

"Honesty is more than not lying.

It is truth telling, truth speaking, truth living, and truth loving."

-James E. Faust

---

It was an awkward elevator ride as Barry Allen stood side by side with a teenager who thought he was stalker. Joe had gotten a call about the strange happenings at the hospital and couldn't play babysitter anymore and so Barry had to come back to the station to retrieve the girl who had yet to utter a single syllable. He expected her to try to run off, but to his surprise she followed him the entire way. He figured Joe may have had something to do with the girls more agreeable behavior.

The moment they arrived, the place was crawling with officers. From what Barry heard, someone had killed two security guards and stolen their access cards. The place was on lock down and that included all elevators, which Joe held off until Barry and Arianna were safely to their floor. Once the doors opened and the pair stepped off, Barry sent a text to Joe letting him know that they had made it up.

"Uh, the waiting room is just around here." Barry said over to Ari who rolled her eyes before continuing down the hall. The speedster was glad the moment he spotted the others, finally ending the awkwardness between him and the teenager. "Guys! Hey!" they all turned to the man, their eyes glossing over him to the young girl whose face was hidden underneath the hood of her sweatshirt. "Uh, everyone this is Arianna Locke, Katie's cousin." he pointed to the girl who glanced up to their eyes before shaking her head and walking over to a far corner to sit.

"You do know people are dead here. I'm just not sure Katie would want her cousin to actually be here right now." Felicity said and Barry simply nodded.

"I know, but Joe had to come check out the scene here and all the other officers are on the streets trying to patrol the streets. I mean we've had storms before but this one has gotten crazy. I had to bring her with me." Barry glanced over to to girl who'd started riffling through magazines. "So any word on who is behind all of this."

"Well yeah, more than likely it's Damian Darhk." Laurel said with a shrug. "Well according to Jacob Robins, who Ethan has been secretly working for this entire time-" she shook her head once again thinking about the man's deceit. "I mean everything was just a lie, our entire relationship was a complete and total lie and I can't believe I-"

"Alright." Thea brought an arm around the woman to stop the rant before it began. She turned back to Barry who stared in confusion still not completely understanding what was going on. "Ethan has been working for Jacob, according to Jacob everything is fine, but no one here believes it."

"Where is John?" Barry asked glancing around the dark waiting room, now illuminated by lanterns the nurses had placed around. "Why is there no back up generator?"

"Part of the reason no one believes everything is fine. We believe whoever Darhk sent, killed the guards and then somehow accessed the building's generator and was able to knock it off." Felicity sighed before nudging her head down the hall. "John is patrolling the surrounding halls and Ethan's with him because well-" she nudged her head to Laurel and Barry simply nodded.

"Does Oliver and Katie know what's going on?" Barry asked and everyone simply shrugged.

"Right now the only thing we want them to worry about is our baby Twiver." Felicity stated firmly. "They deserve this defining moment in their lives, so we are going to do everything in our power to let them have it."

Katie laid in bed watching Oliver standing near the window. She could see he was nervous, how standing and doing nothing was almost impossible for him to do in this moment.

"You want to know what's happening out there." Katie says and Oliver turns to her. "I get it. There is a problem and you maybe able to fix it. It's what makes you, well you. You can go. This kid is taking her time, so if you want to figure out what's-"

"I want to stay here with you." Oliver walked over, taking the seat beside her and taking her hand in his. "I only get this moment once. The moment my daughter is born, so I want to experience this entire moment with you. So I'm not going anywhere."

"You know this would be a great moment for Ethan to swoop in and try to marry us again, because I think might do it this time." Oliver smiled, before placing a kiss to the woman's lips. "But we still have stuff to deal with before that happens." Oliver sighed, because he knew where this moment was venturing.

"Twinkie, I told you-"

"For better or worse. I know, but you don't even know what that is. I don't know what that is."

"Then how about we figure that out." Oliver says with a nod. "Lets start from the beginning."

"The beginning?"

"When did it start? When did you-" Oliver cleared his throat as words he never expected to say to this woman struggled to pass his lips. "When did you know start realizing that you had these abilities?" Katie turned away and let out a sigh.

"I thought I was crazy." she looked back over to the man. "Like I thought I really had just cracked up and it scared me to death. I mean I have had hallucinations for years on and off, and then nothing. We were in Coast City and we were happy, and everything was perfect and then Hal Jordan pops up at a carnival, and as we're talking I heard my uncle's voice." Katie turned away with a shake of her head. "It was clear, and distinct and gave me chills because he was dead,-" she turned back to Oliver and let out a shaky breath. "You told me he was dead and I believed it, but I saw him in the middle of street and I froze." the woman closed her eyes and laid back on the bed. "As if on some level I just knew it was him. That was the first time I started paying attention." she looked back to the man, who never loosened the grasp on her hand.

"And are you sure it's real?" Oliver asked and Katie sighed, turning away from the man. "I'm just trying to understand, I'm sorry-"

"Don't be sorry for that." Katie says turning back to Oliver and placing a hand to his cheek. "Because this is crazy, it's insane, and these questions make sense to someone who hasn't lived with it." she shrugged. "I've had real hallucinations, things that were not real, and then I saw him. Ra's Al Ghul and it was different. He had this presence about him, this energy that only he had, and I could never shake it when I saw him. It's him. He's somehow figured out a way to stick around, and annoy the hell out of me."

"We should-" Oliver shook his head. "Talk to Barry, see how this happened, maybe the explosion-"

"The explosion didn't cause this." Katie says with a shake of her head. "I was nowhere near Central City at the time. This is something else, something-"

"Mystical." Oliver said and Katie simply gave a nod. "Constantine-" Katie groaned at the man's name. Oliver turned slightly remembering that man's visit and the strange way he was acting. "Constantine knows what this is."

"He does, but he wouldn't tell me. The only thing he would say is that there's something inside of me that I can only ignite." the woman shook her head. "I have know idea what that means."

"I can talk to him." Oliver suggested and Katie turned to him with a small smile. "Get him to tell me what is happening and how I can-" he stopped talking because he knew if he finished the sentence, their reconciliation will be short lived.

"How you can save me?" Katie asked and Oliver let out a heavy sigh. "Liver-"

"You're not damsel, I know. I've known that for a long time now, but for some reason it doesn't stop me from ever wanting to make sure you're always happy. I will talk to him." Oliver leaned in, bringing his lips to hers.

When John and Ethan returned back to the others, they spotted the two new faces among the group.

"Anything?" Laurel asked, as they walked over to the men.

"Everything is quiet up here. Most of the patients were moved to different hospitals, and everyone that stayed are being advised not to leave their room." John says, his eyes looking over to the young girl sitting alone in the waiting area. They followed his eyes, and it was Barry who answered the man's silent question.

"That's-"

"Arianna Locke." John said himself, and they all turned back to him. "I know." without another word, John walks over and slips into the seat across from the girl.

"I'm confused." Barry whispered over to Felicity.

"She's the daughter of the man who attempted to put a bullet in his brain. Katie killed that girl's father, her cousin to save John's life." Felicity looked over to the man and sighed. "She's a girl who lost a father."

"And as a father of a little girl, that kind of hits close to home, huh?" Barry asked and Felicity simply nodded .

Arianna felt the eyes on her, and glanced up to John for a second, before looking down to her phone. "My name is John Diggle, I'm a friend of Katie's."

"Good for you." she muttered still scrolling through her phone.

"Look I get you don't want to be here right now-"

"Understatement of the century." the girl said, looking up to me his eyes. "I know who you are. John Diggle was a name I heard often back when my life was still my life. The police asked me if I'd ever heard my father speak of you, but I didn't. To this day, I try really hard to figure out what could've driven my father to attempted murder."

"Did you ever figure it out?"

"The root of all evil always stems back to money." the girl replied with a shake of her head. "He was stealing from the company we all thought he loved and he got caught and everything he worked for was taken away. It drove him crazy." Ari looked back down to her phone and sighed.

"I have a brother-"

"Nope." she said looking back over to the man. "We're not going to have a heart to heart. Or a bonding moment. The only thing I need right now is a signal so I can call Ms. Stick-up-her-butt social worker to tell her how horrible my new guardian is so she can get me as far away from her and all of you people as possible." John simply stared at the girl. "What?"

"I've seen a lot of angry people in my life. You think if you push people away you can hide in it and not feel all the other emotions you're afraid to feel."

"I'm not afraid of anything."

"Everybody's afraid of something."

Ethan wanted to keep his distance from Laurel. It was the smart move at the moment, but as he stood watching her stare out the window, he just couldn't help himself. He just had to get her to listen to him.

"Laur-" he heard a sigh escape her lips, but she didn't turn to him. "I know you're angry at me, but you have to let me explain."

"I don't need an explanation Ethan. It was all a lie, I get it. You had a job, and you were very good at it."

"It wasn't a lie, Laur. You have to listen to me. I had one job, that was keep eyes on Kit and report back to Mr. Robins. Our relationship had nothing to do with any of it. It was me falling in love with a woman way out of my league, and trying to figure out what the hell she saw in me." Laurel didn't say anything, and that made him nervous. "Laur-"

"I don't believe you." she said finally turning to him. "I've opened myself up to you in a way I never have with anyone. I've always been honest with you about everything in my life, and now I know you just weren't. You're this completely different person-"

"That's just it, I'm not. I'm me. I'm still the goofy doctor who likes to make you laugh."

"You're also a undercover federal agent." Laurel replied with a shake of her head. "We've been together for months, and that never came up in any conversation." she brushed past him and he turned wanting to follow, but was stopped by the blonde that stepped in front of him.

"Let her go, before she hits you." Felicity warned, and the man let out a huff before turning away. "Any word from your boss?" the man turned a glare to her and she quirked a brow. "Sorry Ethan, but you burned a bridge with us. You were family, and now...now you're a liar and-"

"I know what I am Felicity." Ethan said, his voice low. "I also know that not one person in this room is perfect, or without sin. But I'm the one you call when one of your team gets beat to shit and I'm always there. Fine, I am an ARGUS agent sent by a desperate man afraid of losing his daughter, but all of you saw the real me."

"Losing his daughter to what?" Felicity asked, genuinely curious. "He's been trying to protect her from something for practically her entire life. What is it?"

"That's something you would have to ask the man." Ethan replied, spotting Zach through the double doors. "I'm going to see how Kit's doing?" he looked back over to Felicity who silently gave a nod.

Felicity let out a sigh, turning and glancing around the waiting room only just now realizing that someone was missing.

"Where's Thea?"

Thea Queen was never one to follow the rules. It's why when no one was looking she snuck past the double doors and headed toward Katie's room to check in. She was halfway toward the room, when she stopped when her ears caught a strange sound. She glanced around the floor, the nurses station empty, and no doctors in sight. Thea turned back to Katie's door for only a second before turning in search of the sound.

Thea didn't realize how creepy this hospital was until this moment as she stalked down the hallway, illuminated by lanterns the staff could scrounge up so the place wasn't completely dark She slowed her steps when voices caught her ears.

"There is no time for mistakes here." a male voice ordered. "If either of you ruins this for me, I'll come up with some beyond creative way to make you suffer a long and excruciating death."

"Yes sir." multiple men said, and Thea leaned in closer to listen.

"Good, but first-" the door whipped open, and Thea took a step back not expecting to see Damian Darhk right in front of her. Her eyes look back to the two men behind him, dressed like guards, before looking down to a man lying on the floor unconscious. "How can I help you?" Thea turned back to the man, unsure what to do. She could try to fight him, but she's seen his powers and know it would be a fight she wouldn't' win.

"I uh-" she started, turning and glancing down the empty halls hoping someone would wander by before turning back to the man. She drops her eyes back to the man on the floor, and Darhk follows her eyes and laughs.

"Funny story-" he turns back to Thea. "I was cold, and the doctor over there let me borrow his little white coat, and then decided to take a nap." Thea's fist clenched at her side, figuring he wasn't going to just let her walk away from this. "Now that was just a terrible lie." Darhk shook his head. "I can do better let me try again. So the doctor over there-" Thea threw a fist toward the man, but he quickly dodged it before reaching out and wrapping a hand around her throat. "Go!" the two men dressed as guards, hurried from the room as Darhk, pulled Thea into the room.

This wasn't the first encounter Thea has had with the man in front of her. The only difference now is that she wasn't wearing her mask. The truth was she was actually glad to be in this situation again, because she believes it was Darhk who could pull the bloodlust from her. He'd try to kill her, before by pulling the life force out of her, but it didn't work. She knows his powers are the key to finally curing her, she just has to find out a way to get him to do it.

"I know you." Darhk says leaning in closer to the woman. The only light in the room came from the strikes of lightening ever so often. "You're Thea Queen, Oliver Queen's sister." Thea didn't respond, as he continued to stare at her with cold eyes that caused a chill to shoot down her spine. "You're a friend of Katherine's." at the mention of Katie's name, Thea squirmed, trying to pull out of the man's grasp. "Don't worry, you don't die today. There will be enough pain left from this day, and I don't think your brother would be able to handle the death of his sister and the woman he loves." Thea tried to fight back, but Darhk yanked her forward before slamming her back against the wall, knocking her out instantly.

Oliver's arm's were wrapped tightly around Katie, her head on his shoulder screaming through the pain of her current contraction.

"It's almost over, Twinkie, you're doing great." Oliver continued to rub her back in hopes that it was at least a bit soothing. In truth he wasn't sure how to help her in these moments. These moments of pain that he couldn't stop. "Look maybe we should reconsider-"

"No drugs!" she screamed her hands clenched around his arms squeezing as hard as she can."Just-" the door to the room swung open. Oliver turned, staring in confusion at the two guards that just walked in without knocking. Once the contraction had past, Katie turned her head, still resting on Oliver's shoulder.

"Can we help you?" Oliver asked in annoyance.

"Sir, we need you to come with us." One of the guards said, and Oliver simply shook his head.

"That's absolutely not happening right now."

"What's going on?" Katie asked finally sitting up straight.

"There was an armed suspect that has now been contained. After questioning him, he admitted to coming here to see you, Dr. Robins." Oliver and Katie shared a look before turning back to the guards. "He has no identification, and refuses to tell us who he is. We were hoping you may be able to identify him." the guard looked over to Oliver who still shook his head.

"I'm not leaving this room. Let the police figure out who he is."

"What does he look like?" Katie asked and the guard turned to her.

"Older gentlemen, blonde hair, seemed like being caught was joke. At the moment we have him contained on the lower level of the hospital until the police arrived. We just want to know who we're dealing with."

Katie turned to Oliver, who had a familiar look on his face. She placed a hand on his cheek and he turned to her.

"This doesn't make sense." Oliver whispered to her. "Why is he here? How did he get caught? He wouldn't just let himself be caught. Not by hospital security."

"I don't know." Katie replied with a shake of her head. "What I do know is that if he's here, then he's too close." Oliver looked back over to the waiting guards before turning back to Katie. He promised her that he would protect her from Darhk and that was a promise he didn't plan on breaking.

"I am going to come right back, ok?" he placed a kiss to her lips before dropping his forehead to hers.

"Hurry." Oliver kissed her once more before standing to his feet and following behind the guards.

Once they were gone, and Katie once again found herself alone in her room. The room was dark, and the sound of the machines had gone with the power. She placed a hand on her belly and closed her eyes, saying a silent prayer to anyone listening. Suddenly she heard beeping, and when she opened her eyes, the lights seemed to flicker on, and Katie let out a relieved breath as a smile came to her face. There was a knock at the door, and Katie turned.

"Come in!" she called figuring it was probably Zach to inform her about the returning power. The door opened, and the smile on her face instantly fell the moment she saw his face. "Damian." he smiled, as he closed the door behind him and walked further inside. She noticed the lab coat he was wearing, and the fear crept inside of her.

"Hello Katherine." he greeted as he glanced around her room for a moment before turning back to meet her eyes. "So I hear you're having a baby."

"Why are you even here?" he seemed to laugh at the question, but it was more of a dry chuckle, that seemed like it was more sad than amusing.

"That is the question of the evening." Darhk replied before walking over and grabbing the rolling stool and pushing it in front of her bed, and taking a seat. "I was sitting comfortably in my nice, gorgeously decorated office, when something hit me." the man closed his eyes and let out a long breath as he remembers the moment. "Out of the blue, this clenching feeling in my chest and I have no idea what it is."

"Have you been getting enough iron in your diet?" Katie asked and the man laughed again. "You should be planning out your diet, not in this room right now."

"No, it's just that following this little episode, I was informed that you and your loving fiance had boarded a plane to Central City. Initially I didn't make the connection. I mean why would you suddenly leaving the city, cause whatever the hell was happening to me."

"You need to leave." Katie says, now cradling her belly and glancing over to one of the monitors that was now beeping louder than it should. She placed a hand on her chest, the air not easily finding her lungs all of a sudden.

"And yet I couldn't stop thinking about it. About you and the fact that you were so far away." Katie turned back to the man in confusion. "I mean this is me you know. I have a life, I have very specific plans, deadlines, priorities that should not include where you are and yet here I am." the machine beside Katie's bed, began beeping louder and faster and this time Damian turned with a furrowed brow before shaking his head and turning back to her. "And then I was on a plane, and the second we arrived in Central City, that feeling was just gone. That emptiness, that-" he shook his head as he tried to describe what had happened. "That incessant buzzing that seems to just consume me." he meets her eyes and sighs. "I've come to only one solution to the problem." Katie watched as he reached behind him and pulled out a gun and aimed it at her. Katie stared for a moment with a quirked brow.

"A gun?" he shrugs at the question. "Of all the ways I expected you to try to kill me, I guess a gun just never made the list."

"Well I need it to be real. I need there to be blood, and I need to see you in pain. I need it to hurt, to force whatever this is inside of me that's linked to you to just go away. So I thought a gun would be fitting. Plus it will be quick, My gift to you."

Katie closed her eyes and dropped her head for a moment before lifting her eyes back to his. She expected him to just do it, and yet he just sat there aiming the gun at her. It was as if, he couldn't do it.

"I-" she started, but stopped unsure she should even engage in a conversation with the man. Right now she needed time to distract him until someone shows up to help her, and so she really didn't have a choice. "For me it's humming." she notices the sudden crease in his forehead. "The first time I saw you in that restaurant, there was this nagging humming sound that followed me the moment I left. I didn't know what it was, I figured it was just the adrenaline, or the fear, the total anxiety that consumed me after meeting you." Silence swallowed that room for a few moments after Katie's confession. "Fear is weakness." she seemed drawn to his eyes in this moment, unsure what that sudden feeling in the air was. "Fear leads to punishment-"

"Punishment even worse than death." Darhk interrupted, before finally dropping the gun to his side. He dropped his head, his chest heaving as if trying to catch his breath. "That bastard." he looked back over to the woman. "He knew I wouldn't do it. That's why he's not here, swooping in to try to save the day."

"Why won't you do it?" Katie asked, genuinely curious.

"Because every time I look at you, I see her staring back at me." Darhk replied with a ghost of a smile. "Damnit!" he jumped to his feet, he pointed the gun once again, this time she could see his hand shaking. "What the fuck is happening?!"

"I-" Katie's words were stolen by another contraction. This one seemed stronger than all the others, and it caused her to lie back on the bed. "Gaaahhh!" her hands gripped the rails on the side of the bed, trying to breathe through it, but no amount of breathing seemed to help her right now.

Darhk stood there for a moment, watching as pain seemed to overcome the woman, and despite himself he took a step toward her. For a moment he thought it was a good idea to soothe her, to try to help her through the pain, but that moment only lasted about second. It was that moment that Darhk truly feared that whatever this was, whatever this connection was to this woman, was a big problem. One he was going to figure out. He looked up to the woman as she screamed once more, and the sudden feeling of pins pricking his skin struck him and he couldn't take it. He turned and rushed out of the room.

Katie lied back in bed, her eyes on the bright light above her, as she screamed louder than she has ever screamed before. The door to her room swung open, and in ran Dr. Flemmings.

"Hey, what's-" his question was cut off by more screaming, and so he quickly rushed over, lifting the blanket from her legs, his eyes going wide before looking back to Katie. "Perfect timing with the lights."

"What?!" Katie yelled looking over to the man.

"The baby's coming, like, right now. You're crowning." he says before rushing for the door to find a nurse.

Katie lied back on the bed, her chest heaving, as she looks up to the bright light above her trying to breathe in and out.

"Oliver-" she turns her head to the open door, and with all the strength she can muster, she screams once more. "Oliver Queen!"

This didn't make any sense. It was the single thought that repeated over and over again as Oliver followed behind the two guards, who didn't say much after leaving Katie's room. The lights had come on a few moments ago, and for some reason made Oliver feel uneasy. Damian Darhk was smart. He wouldn't be cornered in a hospital.

"Wait." Oliver says stopping and the guards stopped and turned to him. "The man you have contained, did he say anything else besides being here for my fiance." Oliver watched as the guards shared a look before turning back to him. "What? What did he say?"

"Ollie!" a voice called out, and Oliver turned to see his sister running toward him with one of her hands holding her head. "It's a trap, they work for Darhk!" the moment the words came out of her mouth, Oliver turned back to the two men, who instantly reached for their guns. Oliver quickly kicked a leg into the stomach of the guard to the left of him, just as Thea jump kicked the guard on his right.

The guard from Oliver's left quickly recovered, and attempted to tackle him. He didn't expect Oliver to dodge him, before grabbing his arm and pinning it behind his back. Oliver tightened his grip on the guard's arm, before jerking his head into the wall and knocking him out.

Oliver turned at the sight of his sister on top on the other guard, her fist repeatedly slamming into his face.

"Thea!" Oliver called running over and pulling the woman off the man who dropped to the floor unconscious. Thea jerked from Oliver grasped, before turning to her brother. "What the hell is going on?"

"Darhk is here. Where were they taking you?"

"I don't know. They made up some story about a suspect in the hospital they needed me to identify I thought it was Darhk, but it didn't make sense."

"Why didn't they try anything?" Thea asked and Oliver shook his head before it hit him.

"Twinkie." he glanced over to his sister before turning and rushing down the hall.

It didn't seem like he'd gotten so far from Katie's room. But as he ran, it was as if he couldn't get there fast enough. It was the moment he heard her voice screaming his name did his feet seemed to move quicker if that was possible.

"Oliver!" he rushed inside her room, not sure what he would be running into see. For some reason he didn't expect the herd of nurses, moving about the room.

"Welcome back!" Dr. Flemming said nudging Oliver's shoulder as he walked in. Oliver turned to see the doctor now wearing a surgical gown and cap.

"What's going on?" Oliver asked looking over to Katie, as the nurse lifted the hospital bed.

"What do you think?!" Katie yelled, followed by more screaming. Oliver's eyes widened as he turned to the doctor who now was wearing gloves and taking a seat in front of Katie.

"We're going to need you to put this on." Oliver turned at the voice, to see a nurse holding a gown out to him. He quickly grabbed it, slipping it on before hurrying to Katie's side, his hand taking hers.

"Alright Katie, I think we're ready." Zach says looking over to the woman who shook her head. "Why are you shaking your head? This is what we've been waiting for."

"I can't do this." Katie says turning to Oliver. "It's too dangerous, and she's just safer in there."

"Twinkie, look at me." Oliver says placing a hand on the side of the woman's face. "We are her parents. There's no one in this world who will protect this girl like we will." He placed a soft kiss to her hand. "You can do this."

"OK, now are we ready?" Katie stared at Oliver for a moment before turning back to the doctor and giving him a nod. "Alright, Katie give me a nice big push!"

"Katherine!" a hand touched her shoulder, pulling her back to the moment. The girl looked up to see her mother giving her that look that always made her shudder, before pulling a smile to her face. "I'm sorry Moira-" Grace turned and Katie followed her eyes to Moira Queen, the woman with the most sparkly necklace she'd ever seen. "Sometimes I don't know where her head is sometimes."

"I completely understand." Moira said with a smile, when everyone heard the audible sound of hurrying little feet. "And I believe those are my little wonders running down the stairs." they all turned, and as expected, in ran a boy around Katie's age, and a girl much younger, both laughing.

"Told I'd beat you Ollie!" the girl said smiling over to her brother.

"You cheated Speedy!" Oliver countered, only for his sister to stick out her tongue before running over to her mother.

"Oliver, Thea, we have guests." Moira sighed, looking over to Grace and they both just shook their head. "This is Dr. Grace Robins, and her daughter Katherine. How about you say hi." Thea simply hugged her mother's leg, hiding her face while Oliver walked over to Grace and held out a hand.

"Hello." Grace smiled at the boy shaking his hand.

"Hello, aren't you a little gentleman." she complimented, before watching him turn to Katie and hold out his hand to her as well. Katie simply stared at him before feeling a nudge from her mother. With a sigh, she reached forward to shake the boy's hand.

"Hi." Oliver said with a smile, that Katie couldn't help but return. The sound of his sister's laughter caused him to pull his hand back and glare over to her, before turning back to Katie.

"Hey." Katie said simply, when they all turned at the sound of their fathers' laughter from somewhere in the house.

"They sound happy." Moira said, looking over to Grace who chuckled.

"That's impossible, Jacob knows I'm the source of all of his happiness." That only made Moira laugh even harder. "We should see what's so amusing."

"Lets." Moira replied as the two women linked arms, and went in search of their husbands, little Thea on their heels.

"This totally sucks!" Katie says plopping on the couch behind her. "Because of this stupid dinner, in this house without a single TV-"

"We have a TV." Oliver says and Katie turned to him with wide eyes. "I have a TV in my room." Katie jumped off the couch and hurried back over to him, standing closer than before and it made him nervous for some reason.

"Seriously, where? I really need to watch-"

"Mom said to come in for dinner Ollie!" Thea called and they both turned to the young girl. "And she said to bring your girlfriend with you."

"I'm going to kill you Speedy!" Oliver called, and his sister simply turned and ran off, still laughing. He turned back to Katie and just nudged his head. "Might as well get this over with." Katie simply sighed before walking along with the boy.

"You're doing, great. Keep breathing, in and out!" Zach looked up to Katie's whose hair was stuck to her sweat stained face. "I see her head, just another push for me."

"You can do this Twinkie." Oliver said, pressing another kiss to her head and Katie turned to him and took another deep breath before once again closing her eyes and giving another big push.

Katie was honestly surprised the night wasn't so bad. She can't believe she almost skipped senior prom, and now she was glad she didn't. People were actually cordial, and too wrapped up in their own night to even pay attention to the Twinkie in the black evening gown. Her date wasn't as bad as she thought he would be. Sure he talked entirely way too much, and was a bit grabby, but he was nice, and really smart.

Katie sighed as she walked into her room and kicked off her shoes. It was extremely early in the morning, and she was glad her father was still sleeping. It meant there would be no third degree about her night, not that much had happened anyway. They went to the dance, and then grabbed some breakfast before coming back home. Katie reached behind her about to unzip her dress, before she heard the sudden tapping against her window. With a furrowed brow, she walked over, pulling back the curtain and let out a snort before pulling open her window.

"Hello Romeo, why are you in my tree instead of stealing the virginity of Laurel Lance tonight?" Katie asked taking a step back as the boy climbed inside.

"She had a curfew that we couldn't break because her dad scares the crap out of me." Oliver replied let out a heavy sigh. "Plus no one's virginity would be stolen tonight. They were given away ages ago."

"You're such an ass." Katie replied with a roll of her eyes before walking over to her drawer to grab her pajamas. "That still doesn't explain why you're here." she glanced over her shoulder to see Oliver drop onto her bed, and close his eyes.

"You said you weren't coming to the dance." he muttered and Katie chuckled before walking over to lay beside him.

"Well I changed my mind. I'm allowed to do that." she replied glancing over to her friend, whose tux was now wrinkle, his tie completely gone, and his hair mussed over his head. "I mean you only get one senior prom in your life. Well unless you're Carl. He's definitely getting another." they both laughed, before the room fell into silence.

"You looked nice tonight." Oliver said suddenly and Katie looked over to see his eyes still closed and she just shook her head.

"Shut up." she replied giving his arm a nudge before closing her eyes as well. Once again the room was quiet, the only sound heard were their soft breaths.

"So, uh, this guy." Oliver started and Katie rolled her eyes. "He seems-"

"We're not having this conversation." Katie says standing to her feet and going back over to her drawer to grab her pajamas. "We don't talk about romantic relationships."

"Wait-" Oliver sat up from the bed, and looked over to the girl. "There's a relationship? You don't even know the guy. I think you're just moving a little too fast, and I don't want to see you get hurt."

"Well I appreciate the concern Oliver, but like I said, we don't have these conversations, because if we did, I'd say a lot of things you wouldn't want to hear." Katie replied turning and heading to her bathroom.

"Like, what?!" Oliver called out to her, only to hear laughter in reply.

"Head is out, look at all that hair!" Zach said, looking over to Katie who dropped back on the bed, trying to breathe. "I know you're exhausted doc, but I need one more push from you and we'll have a baby."

"I can't." Katie mutters, with a shake of her head. "I can't do this, I can't-" she looked over to Oliver. "Liver, it hurts more than I thought it would, I just—" Oliver dropped his forehead against Katie's. "Liver, I can't-"

"You're the strongest person I know. You can do anything. You can handle anything. You can do this Twinkie." He kissed her cheek and then her lips. "I promise you, you can do this. I'm right here with you. One more push, ok?"

"Fine." Katie says turning and sitting back up. "But just so you're aware, we're never having sex again."

"Don't worry Oliver, they all say that." Zach says, looking back down to the baby. "Alright, lets count it down. One...two...push!"

With all the energy Katie could muster, she pushed as hard as she could, and she couldn't help the scream as she did.

Katie was both anxious and excited. It was official. Tomorrow was the last day of high school and the beginning of her adult life. She figured most of her fellow classmates were out celebrating at parties she was never invited to, and at this point she didn't even care any more. It didn't matter anymore. Real life was about to begin, and she just knew that cliques, and who liked who wouldn't be a factor anymore. And so Katie found herself at a park, on a swing, swaying back and forth as she tried to imagine her future.

The teenager was so deep in her head, that she didn't hear the footsteps behind her. It wasn't until hands touched hers did she nearly jump out of her skin.

"It's me!" a familiar voice said, and Katie turned, placing a hand over her chest as she looked over to her friend. "What are you doing out here by yourself, Twinkie?"

"You know after tomorrow, I'm glad I will never hear that stupid nickname ever again." she said with a shake of her head before glancing over to see the boy sit in the swing beside her.

"You seriously shouldn't be out here this late, alone. It's dangerous."

"Well I'm dangerous." she replied and Oliver couldn't help but laugh.

"I guess that's true as well" Oliver said, letting out a sigh, before looking up to the night sky.

"I thought you and your little minions would be out celebrating how you all coast through high school and still ended up with places in the highest ranking colleges money can buy." Katie said with a shake of her head before continuing to sway.

"You're more surly than usual this fine evening." Oliver replied and Katie just laughed. "Plus I like to think I really put in a lot of work this last year, thanks to you." Katie glanced over to the boy who was smiling. "I think I'm going to get you a gift as a symbol of how grateful I am to you."

"Aw, it's the sweet talking Liver." Katie says looking over to him. "What do you want this time?"

"I can say nice things without wanting anything in return." Oliver countered and Katie laughed. "I can!" he jumped to his feet and walked over to stand in front of the girl who looked up to him in confusion. He held out his hand to her, and she looked at it for a moment before taking it and letting him help her to her feet. "Thank you Twinkie. I don't think I would've made it to graduation if it wasn't for your help and I just want to say I appreciate it, and I appreciate you." Katie looked at him for a moment before folding her arms over her chest.

"Seriously, what do you want?" she asked and Oliver simply shook his head.

"You're impossible." He replied with a smile. "You know I think you should know tomorrow isn't the last time you're going to hear the name Twinkie. I plan on bugging you all summer."

"Oh, what happened to your public friends?" Katie asked moving around the boy and heading over to the jungle gym.

"You're my friend." Oliver replied following behind her. "So maybe now that high school is over and all the bullshit will finally be over-" Katie stopped and turned to him with a quirked brow, but his cell phone suddenly rang. "Hold that thought." he slipped the phone from his pocket and smiled at the name before bringing the phone to his ear. "Laurel, hey." Katie rolled her eyes before turning and heading over to the merry go round, where she gave it a gentle spin before climbing on, catching a glimpse of Oliver, laughing or smiling as he spoke to the girl on the phone, and her heart broke every time.

She didn't see him when he ended the call, but did see as he walked over to her.

"I know that look. That's the goo goo eyed, Laurel Lance beckons me face." Katie says looking up to her friend. "You should go."

"Well I'm going to walk you home. I was serious, you shouldn't be out here by yourself." Oliver says reaching out a hand to stop the roundabout. "It's dangerous." Katie stood to her feet, and because she was still standing on the roundabout, it gave her a couple of inches over the man.

"I'm not a child. Actually tomorrow is the first day of our adult life. I just thought I would salvage the last remnants of my childhood." she reached for his hand and pushed it from the roundabout, before she dropped a foot to push it back to continuing spinning. "I'll be fine." Oliver stood there for a moment, watching the girl spinning around.

"Why are you so stubborn?" he asked.

"And why are you so annoying?!" she called back, suddenly hit with a knotting of nauseousness in her stomach. "You know, I just remembered why I never liked this thing." she placed a palm to her mouth and Oliver quickly stopped it before helping her off. "Fine, take me home." Oliver brought an arm around the girl who was unsteady as she walked.

"What am I going to do when you abandon me, and run off to college?" Oliver laughed, looking down to the girl in amusement.

"Miss me, I guess." Katie says, dropping her head to his shoulder. Oliver glanced down to her, keeping an arm around her, even though he knew he didn't have to.

"Well that's a given." he replied, as they started walking along the street. "But it's only four years. After that I'm sure we'll see each other again."

"Wishful thinking, but I'll keep my fingers crossed."

"That's it!" Zach called when he had the baby in his hands.

Katie fell back on the bed, trying to breathe. She turned her head when she saw Zach stand with the baby in his hands, and rushed to the other side of the room, where nurses crowded around.

"She's not crying." Katie muttered, completely exhausted. She reached up, placing a hand on Oliver's chest. "She's not-" Oliver looked over to the doctor, trying to see what was going on.

"What's happening?" Oliver asked.

"Liver, go." Katie says and Oliver released her hand, and started walking over to Dr. Flemmings, when suddenly the room filled with the sound of their wailing infant.

"Ah, that's a good girl." Zach says, turning with the swaddled baby in his arms, before looking over to Oliver. "Those are the lungs that are going keep you up at night." Oliver walked over to the man, looking down to the tiny baby in his arm, still squirming, still crying, and Oliver felt the instant lump in his throat at the sight. There was this little baby, right here, he and Katie just created, and it was just still unbelievable.

"Twinkie, she's-" Oliver turned, looking over his shoulder to see Katie lying back on the bed, her eyes closed. "Twinkie?"

"Dr. Robins." a nurse beside Katie placed a hand on her shoulder and gave her a slight shake. "Dr. Robins, can you open your eyes for me."

"Here." Zach turned handing the baby to one of the nurses, before rushing to Katie's side. "Hey doc, open your eyes for me!" he pulled off his gloves and placed a hand to Katie's neck, before looking over to the monitor on the right.

"What's going on?" Oliver asked and Zach turned to the man and sighed. "Twinkie-" Oliver went to the woman's other side, and grabbed her hand, leaning in closer to her. "Twinkie, can you hear me. You have to wake up." there was no reaction at all, and Oliver felt his heart ramming in his chest as fear began to creep through his body. "Twinkie, no, you have to-" he gave her a bit of a shake and, the nurse behind him tried to pull him away, but he jerked from her grasp.

"Mr. Queen, I need you to step outside."

"No!" Oliver snapped before looking down to Katie. "Twinkie, open your eyes!"

"Oliver!" Zach called and Oliver didn't even look over to him. "Can someone page Dr. Mills! Find him now!" one of the nurses turned and rushed out of the room. Oliver stared down to the woman, and it was as if no one else was there. He gripped her hand firmly in his, while the other cupped her cheek.

"Twinkie, you can't leave me, you have to wake up, you have to-"

"Hey, Oliver!" Ethan appeared at Oliver's side, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You have to step outside, ok?" Oliver glanced over to the man for a second before turning back to Katie. "I know you're scared, and I know you're freaking out right now, but I promise you, that I will help her." Oliver looked back to the man. "My Kit doesn't die today. But you have to step back, and let us work." Oliver swallowed the lump in his throat and looked back down to Katie needing nothing more than to see her eyes, and her smile. "Oliver, I promise." Oliver needed to believe the man's words. It's the only reason he let go of her hand, and let himself be pushed from the room.

Ethan moved about the room, pulling on gloves, before moving back to Katie's side.

"You shouldn't have promised him that." Zach said and Ethan looked over to the man with a furrowed brow. "Legally, you can't promise him that. You're not God."

"I'm not, but I'm a damn good doctor, and I only make promises I know I can keep." Ethan replied before dropping his lips to Katie's ear. "You hear that? It's time for GMH's dynamic duo to once again make the magic happen."

Katie was dead. Had to be, because it was the only reason she could believe as to why she was standing inside of Ra's fortress in Nanda Parbat, staring down to the Lazarus Pit. Suddenly she heard the familiar cackle of her uncle echo around her. She turned and there he was, looking exactly the same.

"Oh, Nura." he hummed as he walked over to her, and placed a hand on her cheek, and for some strange reason she didn't pull out of his touch. "How I've waited for this moment."

"Probably not as long as I have." Katie replied looking up to the man's eyes. "Do you have any idea what you did to me? The serious torment you've brought me? And then even after your death, you continue to haunt me."

"No, just to remind you. You see me as a tormentor when I'm the one who can save you."

"Save me from what? You've always been the one I've needed saving from."

"I was the one trying to keep you from him, because the moment you see the entire picture, you will lose something." in a move he didn't seem to anticipate, Katie pierced his heart with a blade that seemed to only appear when she wished for it. She kept her eyes locked on his, needing to see every bit of life drain from him, needing to see the moment it all ended.

"My death will not lead to your salvation, my dear child." he said, and even in his last moments he found a smile, one he knows will haunt her. "It was always the key to your demise." Katie watched as his eyes seemed to roll in his head before he fell back to the floor leaving Katie holding the bloody knife. Her eyes looked down to his lifeless body, before it suddenly just flickered away, and somehow Katie could feel it. She could feel him truly gone. Her eyes trailed to the blade, still stained with his blood, and there was something mesmerizing about it, something hypnotizing that brought a smile to her lips.

Suddenly she heard the waves of the pit behind her, and she turned and looked down to the rushing waters. The waters suddenly became red, and soon the entire pit was filled with blood. There was something floating, and Katie reached forward, and grabbed it, her eyes going wide. She quickly dropped it to the floor, not quite believing her eyes as she stared down to the familiar green hood now soaked in blood. She turned back to the pit where now a quiver, and arrows floated as well and Katie just felt her heart drop from her chest.

Bright lights assaulted her eyes unexpectedly as consciousness returned. Katie had to blinked a few times to get rid of the fuzziness. She closed her eyes and let out a sigh, and soon everything came rushing back, and Katie shot up from the bed.

"Oliver!"

"Twinkie, I'm here!" Katie turned, only now noticing Oliver was in the chair beside her, and from the look in his eyes, he'd been sleeping. He stood, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. "You're alright, I'm right here." Oliver brought his arms around her in a hug, that Katie returned. She pulled back, her eyes looking around the room before turning back to Oliver.

"Where-"

"She's getting another check up, she should be back soon." Oliver replied with a smile.

"So she's alright."

"Well no." Oliver said. "She's perfect. I've never seen a perfect baby before, but somehow we made a perfect, beautiful baby." Katie smiled wide up to the man. "I'm going to go find her, and let Ethan know you're awake." Oliver brought his lips to hers, and let out a deep sigh. He sat there for a moment, his arms still around her and never wanting to let her go.

"What happened?" Katie asked and Oliver pulled back, placing a hand on her cheek to see her eyes and he just smiled.

"You lost consciousness and they couldn't figure out why. I thought-" he closed his eyes and dropped his head, at the memories of those few moments where he felt he couldn't breathe at the thought of her being gone. "After everything that has happened on this trip to Central City, that was the scariest moment." Katie brought her hands to Oliver's chest, and he just shook his head. He'd come to the realization as he watched her sleeping, as he waited for her to wake up. He realized that if he ever got to see her eyes once again, he would do everything right. That meant revealing the secret he thought he could hide. He couldn't. "I have to tell you something."

"Could it wait until after you go get our little Twiver baby?" Katie asked with a smile, and Oliver returned the smile, placing a kiss to her cheek. Katie saw the seriousness in his eyes, and realized it couldn't wait. "What is it?"

"I uh-" Oliver closed his eyes and took in a deep breath before once again meeting her eyes. Oliver tried to be the strongest person he could be, and yet in this moment he was truly scared. "You're the strongest person I know and sometimes I forget that. Sometimes I just want to keep you as far away from the bad things in the world as possible." Oliver looked down to Katie's hand, smiling at the engagement ring, before placing a kiss to her fingers. "You were right before. Marriage is like a door that we have to step through together, and we don't know what's on the other side." he looked up meeting her eyes once again. "It's just I know something too that's going to be on the other side."

"Tell me." Katie says, nerves suddenly twisting in her stomach.

"While in Central City, I saw someone. Her name is Samantha, we used to have a thing years ago. It was nothing serious, it was just- " Katie didn't say anything as those nerves only twisted tighter and tighter. "She was in CC Jitters, with-" this was the moment. The moment he knew had to happen or he would risk loosing her for good. "She was with her son. His name is William and he's eight and-"

"He's your son?" Katie asked outright, and Oliver looked at her for a moment, knowing this moment could change everything for them, but he also knew it had to come out.

"Yes." Oliver finally said, and he watched Katie's eyes, trying to decipher what could possibly be going through her head right now. "She denied it when I asked her, but I just-"

"You didn't believe her. You knew he was yours."

"I had Barry run a DNA test on some hair I snagged from his baseball cap, and it came back like I knew it would." Oliver looked down to Katie's hands still in his, hoping that was a good sign. "I talked to her, and she finally admitted it. Apparently my mother knew she was pregnant, and tried to pay her to disappear."

"Moira?" Katie asked in surprise, and Oliver gave a nod.

"She didn't take the money, but she left and didn't plan on telling me." he shook his head. "Now I know, but she doesn't want to tell him. She doesn't want to tell anyone. She made me promise actually that if I wanted to be in William's life, I couldn't tell anyone that I was his father."

"You broke your promise."

"I made a promise to you first." Oliver says lifting up her hand, and looking down to the ring. " A promise I'm not willing to break for anyone. I couldn't keep this from you." Katie looked at him for a moment, before turning away. "Twinkie-"

"You have a son." Katie says trying to come to grips with something she didn't expect. She turned back to Oliver and looked at him for a moment before once again turning away. "Thank you for telling me."

"Twinkie, we're still us. This doesn't have to change anything with us, or our daughter."

"But it does." Katie replies meeting Oliver's eyes. "It should. You have a son and that changes everything. Maybe not how you feel about me, or your daughter, but it changes you." she turned away, and closed her eyes. "What's he like?" Oliver didn't say anything instantly, and she turned back to him. "William, what's he like?"

"He's-" Oliver shook his head with a slight smile. "Smart. He likes action figures and he's funny." he gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "Twinkie, I know this is unexpected and-"

"Oliver I told you that I have unexplained abilities, you having a long lost son is very tame in comparison." she replied with a shake of her head. "We're veering further and further from a normal life." she turned to the man and placed a hand on his cheek. "We can still do this, right?" Oliver opened his mouth, but Katie only continued. "I mean and not screw up the lives of all these children who are suddenly now our responsibility."

"Twinkie, I don't know what's going to happen. I'm sure we're going to probably make a few mistakes-" Katie gave a snort as she shook her head. "Probably more than a few mistakes, but I also know that we are going to have some beautiful moments. And I'm looking forward to all of it." Oliver brought his arms around her and Katie dropped her head to his chest.

"I want my baby." Katie sighed against Oliver's chest. She pulled back, and looked up to the man's eyes. "Right now, I really want to hold our baby."

Soon Katie got her wish, and was finally able to hold the child in her arms, and she couldn't take her eyes off of her. The moment the child was slid into her arms, Katie found herself completely pulled from the world. She found herself in a state that only included this little girl whose little cheeks and little nose could brighten any room.

"You're not listening to me, are you?" Ethan asked from Katie's side, where he watched how mesmerized she seemed just staring at the baby. He smiled looking over to the woman, before looking up to Oliver who stood staring down to the pair in that familiar fatherly admiration. "Well hopefully one of you is listening." he turned back to Katie. "We still don't know why you lost consciousness. Your vitals were fine, there wasn't any extensive blood loss, it was just this random thing."

"Am I fine?" Katie asked, still not able to tear her eyes from the little girl.

"Yes."

"Is she fine?"

"Absolutely."

"Well then how about we don't question when good things happen." Katie replied finally looking over to her friend. "Thank you Ethan."

"Yeah." Oliver said, and the doctor looked over to him. "Thank you."

"C'mon." Ethan says clearing the lump in his throat. He knew moments like this were short lived. Knew soon they both would know the truth and he's be lucky to be in the same room with either of them. "No thanks needed. I just wanted to make sure this moment happened." he reached forward and slid a finger across the baby's hand with a smile. "So I'm not sure you're aware, but there is a waiting room full of people who have been dying to get in here." he looked up to the pair. "I'm going to let them in, but only for a short visit. You still need a little bit more rest Kit." Katie gave the man a nod before watching him leave. Her eyes went back down to the child who could barely hold her blue eyes open.

"I knew she would have your eyes." Katie said softly, glancing up to Oliver who couldn't even stop smiling if he wanted to.

"Well look at that." Oliver says pointing to the baby. "She scrunches her nose like her mommy." he still couldn't believe it. After everything he's seen, he still couldn't quite believe this moment was real. "I didn't think this was possible for me. I thought that after five years of being torn apart and jammed back together, I couldn't even imagine a moment close to this." he turned away from the girl and looked over to Katie. "Twinkie-"

"I love you." she said interrupting the man. She met his eyes with a bright smile. "I want to marry you, and in the distant future maybe have a few more of your children. But for right now this is our family." she looked back to the baby who let out a tiniest yawn she'd ever seen. "This little girl, and Ari, and-" she took in a deep breath, as the realization of their situation finally settled in. "and William." she looked back up to Oliver. "However the situation with Samantha works, I will stick with you. I just have one condition."

"Anything." Oliver replied honestly, because at this point, he'd figure out a way to give this woman the moon and the stars if she wanted them.

"If it is at all possible, I would really like a nice, sweet, glazed donut." Oliver laughed, before his lips crashed into hers in a kiss that seemed to hold so many emotions. Neither heard the door opening, or their friends as they walked inside.

"Was it decided that my niece needed a little brother or sister all of a sudden." Thea commented and the couple pulled back to see John, Thea, and Felicity all wearing bright smiles.

"I don't really care what you do, just give her to me." Felicity says walking over and pushing Oliver aside, as she held her arms out for the baby.

"Hey, I'm the aunt, I get to hold her first." Thea says walking over to the other side of Katie's bed.

"You also could be suffering from a concussion." Felicity countered, and Katie's eyes widened, turning to Thea.

"Wait, what?" Thea just shook her head and smiled.

"I'm fine, just let me hold her." Thea says, holding out her hands for the baby.

"Neither one of you will hold her." it was Oliver words that surprised them as he walked back over to stand beside Katie. "Not until you play nice." Thea and Felicity both shared annoyed looks, neither seeming to want to budge. "Fine, John would you like to hold her?"

"I would actually." John says walking over, and Felicity scoffed as he slipped passed her.

"This is so not fair. You're so not getting the awesome middle name I came up with." Thea said, walking over to stand beside John as she and Felicity looked over to the baby.

"You know I'd be happy to know a first name." John replied looking over to Katie and Oliver. "You two make a decision yet?" Oliver and Katie shared a look, before turning back to the man and giving a nod.

"We have. Everyone we would like you to meet Robyn Queen." Oliver said and they all looked to the little girl and smiled.

"Maisie." Thea sighed as the girl squeezed her finger. "Moira, and Grace, makes Maisie... sort of." she looked back to Oliver and Katie who smiled. "What do you think?"

"Robyn Maisie Queen." Katie said looking over to Oliver,who brought an arm around her. "I love it."

"I do too." Oliver says turning back to his sister. "It's perfect Thea, thank you."

"Thea, you should hold the baby." everyone looked over surprised at the words that had just come from Felicity. "I'm being nice, so I will be alright with you holding her first. I just want to hold her." John turned to Thea who smiled, but gave a slight shake of her head.

"No, you're kind of right. Ethan did say I should be lying down right now, so I think you should hold her." Thea replied and John turned to Felicity who smiled widely as the baby slid into her arms.

"Oh, hi." Felicity whispered, already holding back tears. "Hi, little Robyn. Boy do I have a story for you. I call it Operation Reunite Twiver." she glanced over to Katie and Oliver who just shook their heads. "They underestimated my determination and soon realized that it was pointless and now look at them. You know I think it's fair to say, I'm the reason you're here. I kept the Twiver ship afloat."

"Where's Laurel?" Katie asked. "And Barry-" her eyes went wide. "Arianna, I forgot about Arianna. Someone should go get her and-"

"She's here." John says and Katie turned to him in confusion. "Barry brought her before the lock down. He's sitting out in the waiting room with her now, and Laurel left the moment they lifted the lock down."

"Laurel's gone?" Oliver asked, and he noticed the sudden expressions on their faces. "What happened?"

"It can wait." John replied before nudging his head to the door. "I'll go get Barry and Ari." the man turned and left. Katie and Oliver shared a look, knowing there was probably another story they were going to hear that they really didn't want to.

There was a knock at the door, and Thea walked over to answer it, her eyes going wide at the person on the other side.

"Thea, who is-" Oliver walked around stopping at the sight of the man as well. "Hello?"

"Hi, I'm Father Hannigan, I'm the hospital's chaplain, a Dr. Ethan Mills said I was needed in this room." Thea smiled brightly at the realization of why the chaplain was here, before turning to her brother, who was a bit shocked at first before turning to Katie.

"Did Ethan tell you why he wanted you to come here?" Katie asked and the man looked from her to Oliver.

"He said there were two people in this room who have been through so many twists and turns in life, and with each other and that they've been working hard to get to one moment that seems to keep getting further and further away with time."

Katie and Oliver shared a look for a brief moment before Katie simply smiled.

"Are you sure?" Oliver asked walking back over to her and taking her hand. "I mean after everything that's happened, maybe-"

"I don't think time will change how I feel right now. I mean after this beyond crazy day, with all of it's revelations, one thing still remains the same." Katie smiled before turning to the chaplain. "Father Hannigan, we would like to get married."

"Looks like I showed up just in time." they turned to see Barry who walked inside, and walking over to Oliver and giving the man a hug. "Congratulations, man."

"Thanks Barry." Oliver replied, before the man pulled away, and walked over to Katie, bringing her into a hug as well.

"I'm glad you're alright." Barry sighed, pulling back and smiling down to the woman. "How do you feel?"

"Right now, I'm really happy Barry. " Katie says placing a hand on the man's cheek. "Thank you for being Barry." Barry smiled before looking up to see Felicity holding the baby.

"Is that her?" the man rushed over to look over to the baby. "She's gorgeous. You're going to pull your hair out when she starts dating." Barry glanced over to Oliver who suddenly frowned before turning a glare to the man. "I just mean-"

"Barry, my daughter is only a couple of hours old. Lets not mention her and dating in the same sentence for a very long time." Oliver replied before looking back over to the chaplain who seemed to laugh. Katie turned back to the door with a furrowed brow.

"Where's Ari?" Katie asked, and the smile on Barry's face fell slightly. "She doesn't want to see me."

"It's been a long night, and she's tired. John's sitting out there with her." Barry replied, hoping the excuse helped the woman. He could see from the look on her face that it didn't.

"I will talk to her." Oliver volunteered, and Katie turned to him and just shook her head.

"Oliver, it's fine, she doesn't have to come in here if she doesn't want to. I get it." Katie says taking the man's hand and letting out a sigh.

"Just let me talk to her." Oliver says before looking over to the priest who just stood watching everyone. "Father, this is my sister Thea, and she's going to talk to you." Oliver looked over to Thea, who gave a nod before going over to the priest. "I'll be right back."

"And I'll handle the hair situation." Felicity said, before handing the baby off to Barry who looked slightly nervous. "Barry, if you drop this little bundle of adorableness, I will murder you." the fact that the woman said as she smiled down to the baby, only freaked the man out even more.

"Wait, there's a hair situation?" Katie asked sliding her fingers through her hair as Felicity walked over.

Ethan Mills was determined to not let his entire world fall apart. And so he stood in the middle of Central City airport, his eyes darting around in search of one woman. He stopped when he saw another face, that he really didn't want to see.

"Mr. Mills." Martin greeted and Ethan only walked away. "You're upset, and I completely understand."

"Do you?" Ethan asked stopping and turning back to the man. "You told me everything was alright, and yet a maniac found himself in the same room as her. Everything is not alright, my cover is blown and now the only woman I've ever loved won't even talk to me, so if you will excuse me, I need to find her, and I need to talk to her."

"And tell her what? She knows the truth, she knows who you are and she chose to leave." Ethan scoffed at the man's words before turning and continuing his search for Laurel. "I told you that the relationship was a mistake." Ethan growled under his breath before turning back to the man. "You were on a job. You can't have something real when you're not completely real. It was never going to work."

"Why are you here? Like I said my cover is blown and now I am no longer an asset. When Kit finds out the truth, when Oliver finds out the truth, I won't be able to go any where near them."

"We knew it was a possibility." Martin replied and Ethan turned away still searching for the woman. "Mr. Mills I'm here to tell you that a very generous sum has been deposited into your bank account. There has also been an anonymous donation to Glades Memorial Hospital." Ethan turned back to the man with a quirked brow. "You had only job, and you have gone as far as you can go, and Mr. Robins and myself appreciate it." Martin held out a hand to the man, who looked hesitant. "This is the part where you shake my hand and live a nice normal life."

"I'm finally out."

"That was the deal, I believe." Martin looked up to the man with a smile. "This is goodbye, doctor." Ethan reached forward, giving a very firm handshake. "Good luck Dr. Mills." and with that the man turned and walked away. Ethan stood there surprised, because he was unsure if this very moment was real. Was he really a free man? He turned, once again looking for one woman, and his heart almost lurched from his chest when he saw her.

She sat staring down to her cell phone, and he didn't hesitate to go over to her. She must've felt him coming over to her, because she glanced up and the moment she saw him, there seemed to be an instant glare as she stood to her feet.

"Laur, just listen to me, just-"

"No, Ethan there's nothing more for me to hear. You need to leave."

"Flight 280 to Star City now boarding!"

Laurel turned, grabbing her bag before starting for the gate, but Ethan quickly grabbed her arm only for her to jerk out of his grasp.

"Don't you dare touch me!" she snapped angrily, turning back to the man. "Ethan it's over. We're done, just leave me alone."

"That just can't be it." Ethan says and Laurel looked at him as if he were crazy. "You can't just throw our entire relationship away because-"

"Ethan you lied. And it wasn't an oops I forgot to do the laundry lie, it was a big freaking, I have a secret life lie. That's something I won't get over." Laurel once again turned to head over to the gate.

"I love you." he declared, and she stopped and closed her eyes. "I love you so much that I have this-" the woman turned around to see a ring in his hand. "It was my grandmother's and I know it's only been a couple of months, but I knew the moment I met you that you were it."

"Ethan-"

"I didn't plan this. You and me were never apart of the mission. This-" the man shook his head. "We were meant to happen. I believe that without a doubt in my mind." the man took a step toward her, seeing the glisten of her eyes. "Dinah Laurel Lance, you're the only thing in this world worth fighting for and I promise I will fight for you every single day of my life." and right there in the middle of the airport, Ethan dropped down on one knee and Laurel gasped. People around them seemed to stop and watch, waiting for the woman's answer. "Will you-"

"Seriously?" Laurel interrupted with a shake of her head. "Ethan, just-" the woman dropped her head with a sighed, before turning and heading for the gate. Ethan sat there, still on one knee, still holding that ring as he watched the woman get further and further away. The moment she went through the gate, and was just gone, he felt his heart shatter. He turned, seeing the crowd of people around him, staring in pity, and in embarrassment, and the man quickly stood to his feet and stalked away.

Oliver spotted Ari the moment he came out to the waiting room. She sat with her hood over her head, slouched in one of the chairs as John sat across from her.

"Hey." Oliver says walking over to his friend. "You want to give us a minute?" John gave the man a nod before giving the pair some privacy. Oliver took John's seat across from the teenager who kept her eyes to the ceiling. "My dad died in a freak boat accident, and my mom was murdered by a crazy man." the girl looked over, finally meeting his eyes. "You're angry, and you're sad, and you probably want to yell and scream, and fight, and I totally get it. You feel alone, but Ari you're not." the girl sighed, before standing to her feet and walking over to stand by the window. Oliver stood as well and walked over, standing a few feet away from her. "You accepted Katie as your guardian because you needed her money to pay for your tuition."

"It's the least she could do."

"It would be if she wasn't already paying your tuition." Oliver replied and the girl looked over to him with a quirked brow. "Katie has been paying your tuition for the past two years, she paid your father's funeral costs, and she's currently covering all of your mother's legal bills."

"And that was all out of guilt, not the goodness of her heart." the girl scoffed turning back to look out the window. "She ruined my life. She stole everything from me, and now she thinks her money could just make it better."

"Then why is she here?" Oliver asked with a shake of her head. "Why did she get on a plane when she's been told by doctors that she needed to rest, and that she needs to stay away from excitement. That's not guilt Arianna, that's love. She loves you."

"She doesn't know me, how can she just love me?" Ari says turning to the man, and leaning her back against the window.

"You're family. No matter what happens, that will never change." Oliver looked over to the clock against the wall before turning back to the girl. "We're about to get married." the girl looked over to him in confusion. "Like right now, and we'd love it if you would be there." Arianna folded her arms over her chest and looked down to the floor.

"I hate weddings." she muttered before looking back up to the man.

"You're going to like this one." Oliver says nudging his head for the girl to follow him. "It's going to be a quick one." Oliver turned and began walking back toward Katie's room, a small smile coming to his lips as he heard the girl following him.

Damian Darhk's plane should be high above the clouds right now. Instead it was still grounded, as he himself lied on the floor staring up to the ceiling. He'd been in this spot for the past hour, afraid to move a muscle. Afraid he' d feel it again.

It was a pain the man had never felt before, which was strange seeing how long he'd been alive. But it was true. It was as if a hand had wrapped around his heart, and squeezed it as hard as possible. He'd fallen to the floor and lost consciousness, and when he had awaken his men all stood above him, with looks of nervousness and fear. He ordered them off the plan. He ordered every soul off that plane actually, not wanting anyone to witness this moment.

And so he lied there, wanting to make sure it didn't happen again. Wanting to make sure no one else would witness an involuntary moment of weakness.

Jacob Robins, a dead man among the living, sat on a park bench in the middle of the bustling Central City Park tossing pieces of bread to the ducks in the pond in front of him. He turned when he felt someone take the seat beside him, only to find Martin.

"Her name is Robyn." Martin says looking over to his boss. "Robyn Maisie Queen." Jacob smiled, turning back to the pond, a bit sad that he couldn't be apart of such a big part of his daughter's life.

"It's a beautiful name." Jacob sighed reaching into his bag and tossing out more bread. "When do they leave?"

"Day after tomorrow they should be returning home." Martin replied letting out a deep breath. "It's happening now." he turned back to Jacob. "They got the hospital's chaplain, and they're probably getting married at this very moment." Jacob didn't say anything, a he silently thought on the man's words. His daughter was getting married, and he wouldn't be able to witness it.

"Darhk's going to be a bigger problem." Jacob says, changing the subject. "It's time we figured out what his plans are and how Star City plays into them."

"We're still not sure how to even figure that out." Martin replies and Jacob looks over to him.

"Isn't that why you created that crack duo of yours."

"Lane and Harper?" Martin asked and Jacob nodded. "We still have no idea where Darhk is keeping them.

"Yeah, but I know someone who maybe able to help." Jacob sighs, before tossing more pieces of bread out to the ducks. "Make an appointment with Waller. Tell her I'm ready to play nice."

"You sure you want to go back there?" Martin asked and Jacob looked up to the clear blue sky before turning back to Martin. "She has your wife's journals. She will try to use them against you."

"I wouldn't expect anything less." Jacob replied as he looked back out to the pond.

Oliver's heart was drumming in his chest in this moment. But it wasn't nerves. In this moment as he stood holding Katie's hands, there was no doubt in his mind at all. Katie's eyes stared into Oliver blue eyes trying her best not to blubber like a baby. For years, the only future Katie ever imagined for herself was death. Never would she ever imagine a daughter or getting married. Now that she was right here, right in the middle of it, would she ever believe it.

"Today there will be no dearly beloved, no betrothed, and no ancient rhyme of the married. Today there are no dead languages to solemnize vows that are very much alive and will remain so for a lifetime. Today promises become permanent and friends become family. However, this day is not about the words spoken or the rings exchanged, nor is it about grand pronouncements and recessional marches. This day – the day of Katherine and Oliver's wedding – is about love."

In this moment the room filled with so much emotion, as the chaplain's words tugged at all of their hearts. Oliver's hand reached over to wipe away a tear on Katie's cheek.

"One of my favorite authors once wrote"If love is not all, then it is nothing: this principle, and its opposite, collide down all the years of my breathless tale." Katherine and Oliver, your breathless tale is about to begin. If love is not all, then it is nothing. Its opposite – If love is all, then it is everything – is going to be the basis for every aspect of your relationship. All you have to do is simply love one another and that love shows through in everything you do for one another, how you treat each other, in good times and bad. Love isn't just a word; it's an action. Love isn't something you say, it's something you do. Love is genuine, honest, and open, compassionate and kind, passionate and blind, love doesn't know space or time, nor look through jealous eyes, and in the modified words of Paul in his letter to the Corinthians, "Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. Love never dies. There are many different kinds of love, almost if not all of which are represented here today.

Father Flannigan looked between the couple in front of him, and was glad he could actually see the love they held for each other. He could see it in the way they looked at each other, the way they held each other's hands. Seeing it was the only way he could continue.

"There is romantic love, the love of parents and children, of brothers and sisters and family, and love among friends. Not only do Katherine and Oliver love one another romantically – and they do, you can see it in every look, every touch, every moment they're together – they also love one another as friends. In fact, as I have been told by the sister of the groom they're best friends, constantly giggling and taunting and teasing and very plainly and obviously having fun together. That love and enjoyment of each other as best friends will sustain them through this marriage. In addition, the love collectively in this room, from friends and family, will help sustain and support the promises they make today. All of you here will help solidify this bond, as these two individuals are joined as husband and wife. This new journey will be at times richly rewarding and extremely difficult, but, most importantly, it will be a journey you take together. Marriage is much more than your signatures on a legal contract. You are promising, in front of all these people you love, that you want to be with each other and only each other for the rest of your lives, and that you will do everything in your power to honor the promises you are making here today. For their part, the people who love you will also do everything in their power to try to help you hold up your end of the bargain. Would you two like to say anything?"

"Wow." Katie says looking over to the chaplain. "I don't think I would like to follow those beautiful words. " she turned back to Oliver and gave the man a smile. "What I will say is that you saved me when I didn't want to be saved, when I didn't even believe I could. I spent a big chunk of my life trying to find my way home and then I got there and my home wasn't home any more. And then you show up, back from the dead, annoying the hell out of me and always in my face." Oliver laughed, reaching up to wipe a tear from his eye. "I didn't know it at the time, but all those years I was fighting to get to you, because Liver, you're my home. With you I feel safe, and I feel loved, and with you I know there is absolutely nothing in this world we can't beat. And even though you're adamantly refusing to buy me just one donut, I will promise to love you and always be your guardian for as long as I live. You're Oliver Queen, and I'm Katherine Robins and for the longest time I thought that meant this moment wouldn't never happen. And now I think this moment just had to be destined to happen."

"Oliver."

"Right." Oliver says taking in a deep breath. Oliver had imagined this moment for a very long time, had written things down, or tried to store them to memory for this very moment and yet right now not a single one of those words were coming to him. And so he was going to have to speak from the heart. "It took us a hell of a long time to get to this moment." that got a couple of laughs from his friends. "So I won't say much. I've known you for a very long time. And in that time, I have discovered things in myself. Katie-" he smiled as he looked into the woman's eyes. "No, Twinkie, you have absolutely no idea how much of my heart belongs to you. Look, I know you hate words, so I promise to show you every day of my life how much I love you and I promise to devote my life to always keeping you and our family happy."

"Do you have rings?" Father Hannigan asked.

"Oh, I have them!" Barry says sifting over to Oliver and Katie. He reached into his pocket the couple each grabbed one.

"When did you-" Katie started, but shook her head figuring out the answer before she could ask. "Never mind." she turned back to Oliver, before slipping the ring onto his finger, and he did the same.

"You must be a fast one, huh?" the chaplain asked and Barry simply chuckled with a shake of his head. "Alright, Oliver Jonas Queen, do you take Katherine to be you lawfully wedded wife to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do you part?"

"I do." Oliver said happily.

"And Katherine Elena Robins, do you take Oliver to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do you part?"

Katie took a deep breath, before giving a firm nod. "I do."

"Well by the power invested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride." the room erupted in cheers as Oliver leaned in to kiss his wife.

"What have you done, Mr. Queen?" Katie whispered to the man.

"I think I just made the best decision of my life, Mrs. Queen." Oliver whispered back, before his lips finally met hers in their first kiss as man and wife.

Arianna Locke wanted a bed more than anything in this world at the moment. After another day at the hospital, Katie was finally released and they were now on a plane back to Star City. Arianna sat in the back alone, glancing up front to where Oliver and Katie sat snuggled together sleeping as the baby slept across from them in her car seat. The others had left before them and so the teen was left to tough it out with the annoying couple alone. She rolled her eyes before reaching into her backpack and pulling out her laptop and flipping it open. With a few key strokes, suddenly her camera turned on and she was recording.

"Alright everyone." she whispered. "And so it begins. I'm currently flying off to my new home with the woman who murdered my father and put my mother in jail. I didn't get it at first." she glanced over to the couple and just shook her head. "Now I do." she turned back to the camera and smiled. "I was meant to be here. I'm the one who has to finish what my parents started. It is time the truth finally came to light and I am in the best position to do it. I'm on the inside now." the girl turned to look out the window of the plane. She turned back to her computer and smiled at the number of increasing viewers. "And I have the entire month to show the world the monster Katherine Robins truly is."

And with a tap of a key the video ends, and the girl closes her laptop, before turning back to look out to the clouds, already formulating a plan.

---

Author's notes

And that concludes the Arrival, and not just the arrival of the newest member of the Queen family, little Ms. Robyn, but also the arrival of Mr. and and Mrs. Queen, finally! We got a baby and a marriage...and a very sinister little cousin who won't make newly wed life very easy.

Thanks for reading!

Sneak Peek

Arianna's back was pressed against the wall, trying to keep completely still and quiet. If she wanted the couple in the next room to be completely oblivious to her presence, it was absolutely necessary.

"We need to talk about this." she heard Oliver say. "What she did, it was-"

"I know!" Katie interrupted rudely, but she sighed and looked back to the man. "I'm sorry, I'm just tired and trying to think about what needs to happen."

"I thought it was obvious what needs to happen." Oliver replied and there was a brief moment of silence. "Her here is dangerous. For us, for our daughter. It's very clear that she needs to go."

"Well that's not happening." she countered.