To my family, I am the brother and son who just returned home after being lost at sea 5 years ago. They don't know that I, along with my brother I made on the island came back with a mission, to bring justice to our city, and they never can. The men and women we've targeted are dangerous, corrupt, a virulent cancer. Cancers like James Holder, whose corporation put defective smoke detectors in low-income housing in The Glades. There have been many fires and too many funerals. But cancers can be fought and conquered. All it takes are a couple of surgeons... and the right instruments.
[James' Holder's APT]
James: Heh. Other than the bill I got handed this morning by my legal team, I'm feeling pretty good. Plus, now that this lawsuit been settled, we can focus our attention on Unidac Industries. [Chuckles] Ok. I'll see you in the office first thing. [Telephone beeps] [Cracks...James looks around but can't see anyone but he knows someone is here] I have armed security inside. All I have to do is call out.
Arrow: Go ahead. They can't hear you. Arrow jumps down and grabs James by his shirt. James: (shaky)What the hell do you want?
Arrow: How many people died in those fires? How many?! The courts say you don't owe your victims anything. I disagree. James Holder... You... [Gunshot] [Grunts]Arrow jumps to the side, taking cover behind a desk. [Grunts]
Jared: Oliver! What's going on, I hear shots.
Oliver: Sniper! Roof of building across the street, check for any cams.
Jared: On it! Get out of there! He has your location!
Oliver: It's no surprise a man as corrupt as James Holder has more...[Gunshot] [Grunts]...Arrow jumps off the roof, onto the cable he had waiting.
Jared: Oliver!
Oliver: I'm fine, just nicked me. I got away I'm on my way back.
[Lair]
Jared: Alright, there you go! Jared pulls to finish the stitch on Oliver's arm.
Oliver: Thank you as always! Oliver tries to get up and falls back down right away..
The bullet... Poison...Ahh.
Jared rushes to the suitcases and grabs some herbs and forces Oliver to swallow them and gives him some water. Miracle herbs don't fail now Jared thinks to himself. 2 hours later.
Oliver:What happened?
Jared: The bullets were laced with curare, a rare and deadly poison, the killer's unique M.O. He's killed all over the world... Chicago, Markovia, Corto Maltese. Interpol even has a codename for him... Deadshot.
Oliver: We were prepared to give James Holder a chance to right his wrongs, but this Deadshot has no morality, no honor, no code. He doesn't kill for justice, which makes him as dangerous as anyone on the list.
Jared: It puts him right at the top. You okay if I suit up next, been a few days since I've been out.
Oliver: That because you've been spending quite some time with Thea. Oliver blushes at his comment but chooses to ignore it.
Jared: Alright let's head out, your mom will start worry in about half an hour.
[SCPD Station - Night]
Hilton: It doesn't make sense. Holder fits the profile. Wealthy dirtbag. Red meat for the hood. And we recovered at least one arrow.
Lance:Yeah, only this time the cause of death is a double tap through the heart and our perp doesn't use firearms.
Hilton:Maybe he's finally figured out there's easier ways to kill people than with a bow and arrow. It's like you said, the guy's a whackjob.
[Above the Lair, empty warehouse - Day]
Oliver:So what do you think? Great spot for a consultation agency or what?
Thea:Sweet.
Tommy:Though I gotta tell you, man, if you're thinking about calling it Queens, I don't think you're gonna get the clientele that you were hoping for.
Oliver:We actually already have a name.
Laurel:We? Jared are you helping Ollie with this?
Jared:Yeah, I don't think studying is what I want to do right now but this sounds great.
Tommy:Are you sure you want to do this? It's not like you really have any experience in running a... well, running anything.
Oliver: But we have a starting point and we can work with that. This will be a good way for me to learn how to manage company resources without having direct control. We want to provide small business owners tools, resources, and advice to help them grow. The glades is a good place for us to start, we can learn and try to help develop this place. We already asked Walter to provide us some training sessions before we officially kick off.
Thea and Laurel both look to Jared and Oliver with warmth and compassion. They can't help but be proud of the thinking that these two are showing. Oliver, especially, as this is a complete opposite of who he used to be. Laurel walks up and gives Oliver a deep kiss, while Thea gives Jared a warm hug, which he happily returns. As they pull apart, they catch the look in each others' eyes that gives them hope. Hope that the other is feeling the same.
Tommy:Alright, I got to roll.
Laurel: Can you drop Thea and I off at CNRI, we promised Johanna we would come back after. Tommy nods as heads out. Laurel follows after giving Oliver a kiss. Thea also follows Laurel but stops when she realizes her hand was caught in Jared's hand. Neither realizing after the hug the continued to hold hands. She quickly pulls out and runs out blushing. Oliver: So... what do you think Dig? Trying to draw his attention away from the scene he just saw between Jared and his sister.
Diggle: Well, I'm here to provide security, sir, not a commentary.
Oliver: Oh, come on, Dig, do me a favor. Speak freely, please.
Diggle: I have a very high regard for how perceptive you two are. I imagine you won't have any problem with getting things off the ground.
[SCPD Station]
Hilton:Got ballistics back on the Holder murder. They pulled two 7.62 millimeter bullets out of him. According to the stippling and size of the entry wound, they estimate the shots were fired from approximately a hundred yards away.
Lance:[Chuckles] A hundred yards? What, so the hood shoots him from another building, goes over to his place, he takes out his security, and then he fires off a few arrows?
Hilton:And according to his tox screen, his blood contained high concentrations of strychnos toxifera.
Lance:What?
Hilton:Curare. It's a kind of poison.
Lance:Oh. Ok, so now we switch from arrows to sniper bullets and poison. I'm not buying it. Hilton:We still found arrows on the scene. Solid evidence the hood was there. Lance Sighs. Where are you going?
Lance:I'm going to get my own evidence.
[Somewhere in the glades - Day]
Oliver: So what did you find?
Jared: 7.62 millimeter rounds. The money trail leads back to the Bratva...
Oliver: the Russian mob. Finally... some good luck.
[Car Shop in the glades]
[Electricity crackling] [Speaking Russian] [Speaking Russian]
Oliver: I'm looking for Alexei Leonov.
Man: There is no here by the name.
Jared: Not here but the basement downstairs
The man pulls out a gun aims at Oliver who immediately disarms him and knocks him down with one punch. Jared and Oliver pull on their shirts to show their tattoos on their chests showing they were both Bratva captains.
Jared:(smirking) Pleased to meet you.
Man:I apologize, I am Alexei Leonov. One of the other two standing men speaks up. We meant no disrespect to a captain. Particularly an American one. [Clears throat] So... How can I be of assistance?
Oliver: I'm in the market for a hired gun. Someone the organization's used before. His calling card is a 7.62 millimeter gun laced with curare.
Alexei:I know no man who uses such tools.
Jared: But you can find out who does.
Alexei:First, we will drink to each other's health, then I will look into the identity of this man you seek. Ahh. I will also confirm that you are really Bratva captain. Should this not be the case, I will send my mechanic here to find you and kill you and your family.
Jared and Oliver look to each other and smirk slightly without the notice of the others, the mechanic who Oliver just took down in one hit was supposed to kill them.
[Queen Mansion - Day]
Hilton: Carl Rasmussen was found shot to death in his home earlier this evening.
Walter:Carl was a titan.
Lance:A titan who was looking to buy out a company called Unidac Industries?
Walter:Well, industries are something of a misnomer. UI's recent activity was actually looking into alternative energy.
Hilton:I think the point my partner is trying to make is that Carl Rasmussen was the second bidder this week to lose his life.
Moira:Are you implying something, Detective?
Lance:Well, only that your husband's looking into buying Unidac Industries and the competition seems to be dropping like flies.
Moira:And I'm sure your veiled accusation has nothing to do with how you feel about my family?
Walter: Unidac's in receivership, Detective. Ownership is subject to a liquidation auction, so that means there are many prospective buyers. And the auction's tomorrow, so... if I was taking out the competition, I have a lot of killing to do in a very short amount of time.
Hilton:We're just making the rounds with the interested buyers. Let them know to be careful. Moira:Oh, yes. And I'm overwhelmed that Detective Lance is concerned for our safety. Walter:Well... Thank you for your concern, gentlemen. Our security consultant, Mr. Diggle, is taking all the necessary precautions.
Lance:Yeah. Right. Well, if you need us, we're just a 911 call away.
[Big Belly Burger]
Diggle:Why don't you guys take a seat, and I will grab a couple of burgers and drinks.
Tommy:The girl's pretty cute.
Diggle:That's my sister in law.
Tommy:Who I will never speak to or... look at. Ever!
Thea: Gonna grab a booth.
Laurel:She's not wearing a wedding ring. Brother out of the picture?
Diggle:Yeah, you could say that.
[At the bar]
Carly:Hey you. So sweet of you to adopt all these kids. They need a good role model.
Diggle: Very funny..That's my client Oliver Queen and his family and friends.
Carly:How dangerous is this gig?
Diggle:It's a cakewalk, Carly, don't worry.
CarlyToo late. Or have you forgotten this job got your brother killed? Because, Dig, I haven't. I can't.
[At the table]
Laurel: I heard about my dad questioning Walter, I'm sorry.
Oliver: It's okay, he was just doing his job.
Thea and Jared are busy munching away at their pile of food, catching glances of each other.
Tommy: Well, I am up for some drinks what do you guys say after we finish here, we go hit clubs or bars.
Laurel: Thea and I will have to pass, busy day tomorrow.
[Cell phone rings]
Oliver:Hello? [Speaking Russian] Хорошо, подожди один момент. It's work calling, Jared and I have to go. Diggle can you drop my sister and girlfriend off when they are done. Diggle turns around but before he can respond, Oliver and Jared are long gone. Diggle hears Carly laughing behind him, while Diggle just looks towards the door frustrated.
[Outside Big Belly Burger]
Oliver:So we checked out?
Alexei: You did. His name is Floyd Lawton. I have address. Where he stayed last time, he was in Starling City. But that is all. Let's hope he's a creature of habit. 1700 Broadway, Papp Motel, room 52. You'll leave us out of this, yes? Assuming Mr. Lawton doesn't kill you first.
[Pell Hotel- Day]
The Arrow burst in, firing as Deadshot dodged and took cover behind his bed, grabbing a wrist gun and firing while the archer took cover and as Deadshot was reloading, two arrows were flying, causing for the marksman to take cover behind the bed as he fired again from his wrist gun before jumping out of the window and as the sirens blared, the arrow took the hitman's destroyed laptop and quickly left the hotel.
[Lair]
Jared: We're going to need some help from your company. Jared walks down the stairs and throws his gear in frustration. As their only evidence is riddled with bullet holes. He swears, he will take Deadshot down
Oliver:What happened?
Jared: He was smart, he made sure to destroy his laptop when he saw I was going to get it.
Oliver: And how does Queen Consolidated help? And not my company, I'm not in charge
Jared: (smirks) Not yet! Anyway, the IT division has an analyst who will make quick work of this. I've seen her records, this shouldn't be an issue for her.
[Queen Consolidated - IT Division - Day]
Jared and Oliver step up to Felicity Smoak working at her desk
Oliver:...Ahem...Felicity turns around.. Felicity Smoak? Hi. I'm Oliver Queen.
Felicity:Of course. I know who you are, you're Mr. Queen.
Oliver:No, Mr. Queen was my father.
Felicity:Right, but he's dead. I mean, he drowned. But you didn't, which means you could come down to the I.T. department and listen to me babble. Which will end. In 3... 2... 1.
Jared:We are having some trouble with this laptop and they told me that you were the person to come and see. I was at my coffee shop and well...
Felicity: look like bullet holes.
Jared: My coffee shop is in a bad neighborhood. If there is anything that you can salvage from it, I would really appreciate it.
A few mins later
Felicity: It looks like a blueprint of the exchange building where the Unidac Industries auction is going to happen.
Jared: Okay thank you! That was very quick!
Oliver nods in understanding as he realizes Jared wants to bring her in. Considering the skills she just showed and her previous records she should be a good fit. Eventually we will bring her in, priority will be on Diggle.
[Queen Mansion - Thea's room - Evening]
Laurel and Thea are looking at dresses in Thea's wardrobe
Thea: Do you want to wear the Calvin Klein or the Zac Posen?
Laurel: I'll take the black Calvin Klein one, I know Ollie will love to see that one
Thea: Okay, then I will take this red Posen. Would Jared like this dress, Thea thinks to herself not realizing Laurel caught on to Thea getting lost in her thoughts.
Laurel: Thinking of how Jared will react to you in the dress,hmm?
Thea is pulled out of her thoughts at Laurels question and blushes while heading to her bathroom to change. Laurel laughs at the young Queen and lets her ignore the question
[Lair-Evening]
Oliver: The exchange building is surrounded by 3 towers with eye lines into the building. Jared: Lawton could get a kill shot off from virtually anywhere. We can't protect all of Deadshot's targets. We can't do this alone.
Oliver: We don't need to, we have the perfect person to ask for help. Oliver grins
[Outside SCPD station]
Detective Lance walks out to his car, shifting in his pockets for his keys. He turns around when he hears a noise, sees nothing and turns back to his car Suddently he is pressed against his car by the Arrow.
Lance:Ah, you son of a bitch!
Arrow:Detective, quiet!
Lance:You've got a pair on you, pulling this right outside the police station!
Arrow:Floyd Lawton's the one targeting the buyers interested in Unidac Industries. Interpol calls him "Deadshot" because he never misses. You can look this up after I go.
Lance:Yeah, and stop chasing you, I suppose?
Arrow:Warren Patel hired Lawton. I can't be sure who they're targeting, it might be all the buyers, and I can't protect them in a space that big. I need your help.
Lance:[Chuckles] Yeah? Professional help.
Arrow:Lawton laces his bullets with curare. Tell your men to wear kevlar.
Lance:I'll them to shoot you...Lance turns around to see no one there.
[On the roof of the building across SCPD]
Jared: So do you think he'll do it?
Oliver: He will, I know Lance and his principles won't let him stay away.
Jared: Okay whatever you say. Just make sure you leave the suit where we discussed.
Oliver: Don't worry I'll take care of it.
[Exchange Building]
[Classical music playing] [Indistinct chatter]
Oliver and Jared walk up to Walter. Oliver:Well, it's quite a turn out, huh?
Walter:Well, it's quite an opportunity, actually. But regardless of the outcome of the auction, I'm already a winner because I have the three most beautiful women at my side tonight. Jared:Three?
Walter:Mm-hmm. Thanks for coming, Laurel,Thea. It means a lot to your mother. And me.
Laurel: Of course, and thank you for recommending CNRI to close your deal.
Woman: Mr. Steele, the auction will be opening in 5 minutes. Please make sure your bid is ready.
Walter:Thank you, Gina. Mm-hmm. Shall we? Mm-hmm. Laurel, Thea and Moira follow Walter to close their auction bid. Oliver and Jared looked at each other with concern as the mission just became much harder.
[2nd floor]
Guard 2:Warren Patel. I'm going to need you to come with me, sir. Guard 1:Unit one, all clear. Guard 1:Unit two, you copy? Guard 2: We have Patel in custody. Still, no sign of Lawton. Guard 1:Unit three? Guard 3:I'm at the northwest perimeter. Guard 3:All clear. Guard 1:Unit four? Guard 4: Parking structure is clear. Guard 1:Unit five, what's your status? Lawton:This is unit five. All clear.
[1st floor]
Lance: Well, don't you scrub up nice?
Oliver:Here to support my family.
Lance:Yeah, me too, God help me.
Jared:Dig. Got your eyes open?
Diggle:That's what I'm here for, sir.
Jared:This guy's out of time. If he's going to do something, it's going to happen before the auction.
Diggle: Sir?
Jared:Oliver and I heard the story on the radio.
[Gunshots begin to sound out the room][All screaming]Jared, Oliver and Diggle take off to Queen family.
Oliver:Are you ok? Jared:Are you hurt?
Laurel: No, we're fine! Thea reaches to grab Jared for comfort, which he happily provides.
Moira:Where is Walter? Diggle:Walter's fine, I saw Lance take him out. Sir, I have to get you out of here.
In the rush of people, everyone gets separated. Oliver keeps his body in front of Laurel and Moira and shields them out the exit. Jared hands Thea to Diggle just as they get forced apart. Jared:Get her out of here!
Thea:Noo!
Diggle:Go, go, I'll find him, ma'am, I'll find him. Diggle hands Thea over to a cop and runs back in for Jared
[Roof of building across the Exchange building]
Lawton continued firing when a flying arrow caused for Lawton to take cover.
Arrow: Drop your guns.
Lawton:I admire your work. Guess you won't be extending me any professional courtesy. Arrow:We're not in the same line of work. Your profession is murder.
Lawton: You've taken lives.
Arrow:For the good of others. You're out for yourself.
Lawton scoffed before firing at the pillar behind which was the archer, with bullets. As soon as he emptied the magazine, the Hood went out and fired an arrow and took cover again before he heard a 'thud' and as he peeked out, he saw Deadshot lying on the floor, with an arrow sticking out of his targeting eyepiece
[Thud] [Groaning] Jared turns around to see Diggle falling to the ground
2 hours later, Diggle wakes up groggy and sees Jared.
Diggle:You're that vigilante.
Jared:Easy, Dig. You were poisoned.
Diggle: Son of a bitch.
Jared: I could have taken you anywhere, could have taken you home. I brought you here.
Diggle:You really did lose your mind on that island.
Jared:Found a couple things along the way.
Diggle:Like what, archery classes?
Jared:Clarity. Starling City is dying. It is being poisoned by a criminal elite who don't care who they hurt, as long as they maintain their wealth and power. And we want you to join us. [Diggle Scoffs] Special Forces out of Kandahar. It's perfect. You're a fellow soldier.
Diggle:you're not a soldier. You're a criminal. And a murderer. Diggle starts to walk away
Jared: The bullets were laced with curare.
Diggle stops walking and turns around Diggle:That's Floyd Lawton's M.O.
Jared: He is the sniper that I stopped.
Diggle:Are you trying to tell me that you took down Andy's killer?
Jared:I'm-We, Oliver and I, are giving you the chance, a chance to help other people's families
[Queen Mansion-Night]
[Door opens] Jared walks in and is immediately stopped when he hears Thea's voice, which sounds worried but also very angry. In all the mess with Diggle, he forgot to call the house to let them know he was okay. Jared realizes this as Thea walks over closer
Thea: Where were you?
Jared: I..Before he could respond, Thea continued to yell at him
Thea: Are you so self-centered that you don't think that people who care about you are gonna wonder where you are after we all got shot at!
Jared: I know, I'm so sorry. Dig took a bullet while we were getting out so I took him to the hospital. I'm…. Thea rushed in and hugs him, he can feel her tighten her hug as returns it. Jared takes his hand and raises her chin so he's looking into her eyes
Jared: (softly) I'm so sorry for worrying you, I promise it won't happen again.
Thea: (whispers)It better not!
Oliver: ..cough..
Jared and Thea pull apart as they hear Oliver speak recovers quickly from the scene she knows her brother just saw them and rushed to her room upstairs.
Oliver:You better not hurt her!
Jared: Honestly, I don't know if I should act on this. Ollie you know what kind of darkness I would bring in her life.
Oliver: I remember you telling me on the island to let Laurel's brightness fight my darkness, so why not let Thea's do the same for you.
Jared: That's a big ask.
Oliver: yeah...it she's my sister, I know she can handle it.
Jared: That is true! I can see how much strength she has... Anyway so Diggle knows our secret and where the base is.
Oliver: Figured as much when you said he got shot. Needed the herbs to heal him… i would've have done the same. What do you think, will he join us?
Jared: No doubt about it. He just needs some time.