Chapter Three

Eight years ago

Oliver turned off his car and pushed open the door. It was late and judging by the darkness of the house he thought everyone must be sleeping. He stepped out of the car and made his way toward the front door. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a dark blur rush out of the bushes. It collided with him and they both fell to the ground.

The commotion gained the attention of the motion sensor lights, which flooded the driveway illuminating what or who the dark blur had been.

"Max," Oliver whispered. "What are you doing out here? You promised if I dropped you off in town you'd come home before dark. "

Max looked over his shoulder. "They're following me."

Oliver looked his brother over noticing his disheveled and dirty appearance. Max was never untidy or dirty. "What happened to you?"

Max grabbed Oliver's arm. "They won't leave me alone."

Oliver glanced toward the house and then pulled his brother off into the cover of the bushes. "No one's following you, Max. You need to stop this. If mom hears you—"

"I'm not making this up, Oliver. Someone is out there watching me and I don't know why."

Oliver looked down at Max's hand still gripping his arm. It was unlike Max to hold onto someone like that. "Can we talk about this tomorrow? It's two AM."

"Please, Ollie..." Max's voice cracked. "I need your help."

Oliver didn't know what to do. Max had been talking about someone following him for weeks. It had been checked out with no threat found, but had stirred up a lot of unwanted media attention. Their mother said Max had an overactive imagination and they should just ignore him, but this didn't seem like that. Oliver swallowed the lump in his throat. If their mother found out he was listening to Max she would be livid. But in this moment he found the distressed look on his brother's face to be more troublesome than the wrath of his mother. He knew he might regret his decision later, but he couldn't let his brother down.

"Okay, Max. Where do we start?"

Bruce Wayne rummaged through his large equipment bag in the loft apartment. He wasn't looking for anything particular, but he'd been pretending to be busy for the past twenty minutes to avoid conversation. Six sat on a worn couch finishing off the last bits of a large pizza. He hadn't even offered to share. Not that Bruce really cared.

Six pushed away the empty box and laced his fingers behind his head. "You know, Starling City already has a mascot, right?"

"Your point?" Bruce said.

"You might have some company lurking around in the shadows."

"As long as it's not you I'll be fine."

Six smirked. "It might be interesting watching you interact with your own kind. Vigilantes are a peculiar sort. Maybe you should start a support group. That way you can all save the world together."

"I prefer to work alone."

"Yeah, you've said that. But here we are. Working together...again."

Bruce glanced at his watch. He hoped Max would be back soon. He wasn't in the mood to put up with Six's obnoxious behavior. "I am working with Max. You were supposed to be out of the country on business."

"I finished early. And I couldn't miss this." Six gestured toward the bag sitting on the table. "The search for the missing batarangs. I mean, you wouldn't be looking in that bag just to avoid talking to me."

Bruce grunted and changed the subject. Because if they were going to talk, he wanted to direct the conversation. "Max told me about Waller's job offer."

"Which he decided not to go through with."

"After he located the boy she was looking for." Bruce walked around the table and stood in front of Six with his arms crossed. "But Max didn't know he was working for Waller did he?"

Six stood up. "Are you accusing me of lying to him."

"It wouldn't be the first time."

Six shrugged. "So I withheld certain information. I had my reasons."

"You always do. You realize who the boy is?"

"Yes, and like you I'm curious why Waller wanted to find him."

The door to the apartment opened and Max walked inside giving the door a firm shove behind him. He made sure the multiple locks were fastened before acknowledging the two men. He stared for a moment knowing he had interrupted something.

"Please don't get any blood on the carpet," Max said, moving into the industrial style kitchen. "It will never come out."

Six chuckled, but Bruce ignored the comment. "Where's Alfred?" he asked.

Max opened the refrigerator and pulled out a yogurt. "He said he had to get back to Gotham. Something about Dick breaking something."

"Great," Bruce mumbled.

"I probably wasn't supposed to tell you that."

"Nevermind. How was your meeting?"

"Well, Captain Lance wants me to work with him on this cowboy case."

"I guess I should unpack my bag then," Six said, crossing the room. He settled onto one of the stools at the kitchen island. "Anything else?"

Max stared into his yogurt. "Earlier when Lance asked me to come in, I had to tell him the cowboy was my client."

"Oh, so it's okay when you lie to people."

"How else was I supposed to explain why he had my business card?"

"You gave it to him. What's so wrong about that?"

"I think you can figure out why I didn't want to explain the full set of circumstances leading up to that moment."

"Yeah, I suppose it might be difficult to explain him." Six nodded toward Bruce who was inspecting one of his batarangs. "I mean, look at him, he thinks he's a bat. How crazy is that?"

Bruce growled. "You realize I can hear you."

"It's generally more productive to insult someone when they're listening."

Max shook his head. "I think we should just focus on why the cowboy was here in Starling City and why he wanted to meet."

"Are we really going to keep calling him that?" Six asked. "I feel like we could be a little more creative than just 'cowboy'."

Bruce glared at the ceiling. "Are you sure he needs to be here, Max?"

Six put his elbows on the counter. "Chill out, Bats and eat a yogurt or something. You don't need to be so intense all the time."

"Unlike you, I have a city to protect."

"And that's very noble of you, but what are you really expecting to find here. A mad scientist experimenting on people."

"Maybe. I've traced several other enhanced individuals to Starling City. I don't think it's a coincidence."

A knock on the door, interrupted their conversation. Six slid off his stool and went to the door, looking through the small view hole. Bruce noticed his hand move to the gun tucked into his waistband.

"Who is it?" Bruce asked.

Six turned around, glancing at Max. "It's Waller."

"What is she doing here?" Bruce strode toward the door and opened it, barring the entrance to anyone on the other side. Waller was alone. "What do you want?"

"Good afternoon, Mr. Wayne," Waller said. "Enjoying a little vacation in Starling City I see."

"You need to leave now."

"I'm actually not here for the reason you think. I'm here to see Six."

Bruce turned on Six. "You invited her here?"

Six still had his hand behind his back, fingers resting on the handle of his gun. "Why would I do that?"

"Six, I wanted to thank you for delivering the boy to me," Waller said. "His father will be much more cooperative now."

Max's face flushed with anger. "What?"

Waller's smile looked more devious than pleasant. "I'm sorry, I thought you were aware."

"What did you do, Six?" Max demanded.

Six grimaced, letting his hand slide off his gun. "I think you've said what you came to say, Waller. You can leave."

"Very well," she said. "Good day, gentlemen." Waller left and Bruce slammed the door behind her.

Six held up his hands. "It's not what you think."

"Then what is it?" Max threw his half eaten yogurt in the trash. He'd lost his appetite. "If something happens to that kid, I'm responsible."

"Nothing is going to happen to him. I made sure of that."

Max moved toward the door. "I have to find him."

Six stepped into his path. "That's what she wants. She must have another job for you and this is her way of reeling you in."

"Get out of my way," Max said through clenched teeth.

Six looked at the determination on the younger man's face and relented. "Be careful." He stepped aside and Max brushed past him and left. Six rubbed the back of his neck. "I know what you're thinking."

Bruce crossed his arms. "Do you?"

"Dangling me off a rooftop really won't be productive."

"Why do you do that?"

"Read your mind?"

"Lie to him."

Six shoved his hands into his pockets. "I'm trying to protect him. I think you know a little bit about that. It's not like you've never lied to Dick."

"This is different. You know what it does to Max. Why he still trusts you is beyond me."

"He understands I would do anything to protect him."

"Doing favors for Waller isn't the best way to do that after what she did to him." Bruce noticed a flicker of something in Six's eyes. Anger perhaps, he wasn't sure. Then Six smiled, which didn't seem appropriate under the present circumstances.

"My feet are still on solid ground, so you do want to know what she's up to."

Bruce's frown deepened. "Waller must be desperate if she came to Max with something like this. She probably knew you'd lie to Max because you'd want to know her plan."

"For a man who spends most of his days hanging out in a cave you're actually pretty intelligent. I see a team up in our future."

"Don't get your hopes up. First we need to make sure Waller isn't going to hurt the boy."

"She won't touch him. I made it very clear that you don't mess with the son of a man like Slade Wilson and live to tell about it."

Slade Wilson paced the floor of his holding cell. He had been doing so for hours. He couldn't rest, wouldn't rest until this situation was resolved.

When the chance to escape from the A.R.G.U.S. prison on Lian Yu had arisen he had been so desperate he hadn't given much thought to how easy it had been. He hadn't made it very far before he was captured and brought to this large room, lit by three dangling lightbulbs.

Through his barred cell in the middle of the room he watched the door. It looked heavy and old, not something you'd find in a sleek government facility. It seemed more likely this was a black site, which meant this mission Amanda Waller was sending him on was definitely off the books. If A.R.G.U.S. even had books.

The rusty hinges creaked in protest as the door opened. Waller entered in her usual business attire. "Good afternoon, Mr. Wilson."

Slade clenched his fists. "Where is my son?"

"I find it very interesting that you're concerned about him now," Waller replied. "You never tried to find him yourself."

"I had my reasons."

"Perhaps you didn't want him to see the monster you had become."

Slade glared at her, but remained silent.

Waller smiled, tapping the com in her ear. "Bring the boy."

Slade froze. He hadn't expected this from Waller. The door opened again and a burly man walked in dragging someone. A bag concealed the head, but the small frame could only belong to a child. His child. His son.

"Joe?" Slade's voice cracked.

The bagged head moved in recognition, but he received no response. Finally, Waller ripped the bag away revealing the wide, frightened eyes of a young teenage boy. He stared at the imprisoned man and Slade stared back, unsure of what to say. He didn't know if Joe recognized him after all these years.

"Do you remember your father, Joe?" Waller asked.

Joe just blinked and looked up at Waller and nodded.

Waller smiled again. "Good. Perhaps you'd like to visit with him for a little while before I take you back to your room."

Joe glanced at Slade and then nodded again.

"Very well. I'll let you get reacquainted." She turned to leave. "Don't get too comfortable Mr. Wilson. You have mission details to go over later."

The door flew open, banging against the wall. A man stood in the doorway leaning on a cane. "Waller, this has to stop now!"

Waller glanced at her watch. "I'm surprised, Max, you're five minutes later than I expected you."

Max entered the room. "I'm not playing this game with you."

"But here you are." Waller turned to Slade. "Mr. Wilson, I don't think you've had the pleasure of meeting Oliver Queen's brother."

The two men stared at each other. For a few moments, Slade forgot about Joe as all his anger and hatred toward Oliver bubbled to the surface. "Why is he here?"

"Max is working with you on this mission," Waller replied.

Slade observed the well dressed young man, who was not only wearing a blazer and tie, but a vest as well. "You've got to be kidding."

"Never judge a book by its cover, Mr. Wilson. Max is one of the best in his field."

"And what field would that be? Fashion?"

"You killed her," Max blurted out.

Slade grabbed onto the bars of his cell. "I've killed a lot of people. You'd have to be more specific."

Max blinked. "I'm taking the boy, Waller."

"You're not taking him anywhere," Slade hissed.

"I agree with you completely, Mr. Wilson," Waller said. "Joe will stay here until both of you complete your mission."

Max turned toward Waller. "You expect me to work for you?"

"If you don't," Waller grasped Joe's shoulder, "your conscience will have a very deep, dark hole in it. And we both know you don't want that."

Slade watched the short exchange, putting the pieces together in his head. "You're the one responsible for bringing my son here."

Max glanced at him. "Indirectly."

"I'm going to kill you."

Max shrugged. "I really don't blame you, but that would be counterproductive. Waller would just kill your son."

Joe pulled away from Waller and moved closer to Max who appeared to be the least threatening person in the room.

Slade watched his son, cower away from him. He hated that. "I promise she won't hurt you, son."

Joe edged behind Max. He looked like he wanted to run, but he wasn't sure what direction to go.

"Say goodbye, to your father, Joe," Waller said. "It's time to leave."

Joe looked frantic. He grabbed onto Max almost knocking him over. Waller's thug yanked Joe away. The boy's mouth opened in a silent scream. Slade imagined he could hear it and then wondered why he hadn't.

He pulled at the metal bars keeping him from his son. They didn't budge. "Leave him alone."

"Your son will be fine as long as you both do your job." Waller handed a bulging file to Max. "This is your mission. I'll leave you to work out details." She smiled. "It's good to be working with you again, Max."

Both men watched her leave and then ignored each other. Slade paced in his cell and Max flipped through the file. Working together wasn't going to be easy. Slade just wanted to rip Max's head off for putting Joe in danger, but that wasn't possible at the moment.

Finally, against his better judgement Slade spoke, "Why couldn't Joe scream?"

Max continued examining the file. "Because he can't."

"What does that mean?"

"An old enemy of yours cut his throat. Joe's mute."

Slade felt as if all the air left his lungs. He turned away, trying to breath. All the times he had thought about Joe, he only pictured his son perfectly happy without him. For years he had been lying to himself and now he couldn't run from the truth anymore. He hadn't been there to protect Joe, but this time would be different. He wouldn't let anything happen to him. Even if he died keeping that promise. Because he always kept his promises. Always.

"Exactly how long has Slade been gone?" Oliver asked.

Felicity sat down at her desk and typed furiously on her keyboard. "I'm actually not sure. We've been so busy lately I haven't had time to look. When was the last time you checked?"

Oliver thought for a moment. There had been a time where he'd checked on Slade every few hours to make sure he was still locked up. Lately, however, time was something he had little of and he'd hardly had time to sleep never mind make sure his greatest enemy was still in his prison cell.

"It's probably been a couple weeks, maybe more," Oliver admitted. "But why wouldn't A.R.G.U.S. tell us he escaped."

"They're probably embarrassed they can't keep one man in his cell."

Diggle hurried down the stairs with Laurel following behind him. "I was on my way over when I got your text," he said. "I called Lyla. She didn't know about Slade until I told her. She did a little digging and it doesn't seem like there has been any luck locating him."

Felicity turned away from her computer. "Is there really any question where he's headed? He's coming here to finish what he started."

Oliver didn't want to hear that even though he knew Felicity was probably right. There had been so much chaos and death when Slade had marched through the streets of Starling City. Oliver didn't want to relive it so soon.

"Check out all the surveillance cameras in the city," Oliver said. "See if you can find him."

"I'm already on it," Felicity replied. "I started running a search before I came upstairs to get you."

"Is Slade really going to be that careless?" Diggle asked.

Oliver glanced at Felicity's computer. "Probably not, but we don't have any other options right now."

"What about Max?" Laurel said.

Oliver almost glared at her. "No."

Laurel crossed her arms. "Why not? You know how good he is at finding things."

"I don't want him involved. Besides he won't help me anyway."

"He will if I ask him."

Oliver stared her down. "I said no. End of discussion."

Felicity glanced between Oliver and Laurel. The tension between them was almost suffocating. "Okay, then. Maybe we should try to figure out how we're going to find Slade because I for one don't want to think about what he could be up to." Felicity focused on her computer again just as an alert popped up on the screen. "Oh dear. Not now."

"What's wrong?" Oliver asked.

"It looks like there's a few more superpowered freaks wreaking havoc in the city. This time they have a bank full of hostages."

A/N: Thanks for reading. I'd love to hear what you think of the story so far.