Nate Heywood unlocked the door, walked into his apartment and jumped. Considering the investigation he was currently undertaking, it was not surprising that he be alarmed at seeing an unexpected person sitting in his favourite chair. The fact that it was a woman didn't mean she wasn't dangerous, as he knew all too well.
Another second and he realised that - yes - she was dangerous, but not to him. His alarmed expression morphed into a broad grin.
''Sara!''
He took a long step towards her. Even as he hugged his former colleague, in the back of his mind he was aware that she might be the bearer of news that wasn't too good, but that didn't mean he wasn't glad to see after - how long exactly was it?
X
They had moved out onto the balcony, each holding a glass of wine and getting towards the end of the asking about old friends and relatives, before he asked her the question that had been brewing up in his mind.
''Do either of you think about coming back to Earth 1? Hardly anyone remembers what happened all those years ago - and most of those that do also know what a war with Mats would have done to us.''
With a smile, she was shaking her head. ''Greenworld is home to us now. And it's the only home our children have ever known.'' Her expression suddenly changed to a more serious one. ''But Greenworld is the reason why I'm here. I need to tell you what happened a few days ago.''
Nate listened as she told him about the pollution incident and the effect it appeared to be having on the vegetation near the A.R.G.U.S. base.
''We were hoping you could get this sample analysed - on the quiet?'' She dug into her shoulder bag and pulled out a small glass bottle that held some rather sickly looking leaves. ''This was taken from near the base. ''
''It's summer on Greenworld, is that right?'' he checked with her.''It certain looks like whatever the red stuff was is, it was toxic. Yes, I can get an analysis done, but it'll take a few days.''
''I was hoping to visit Laurel - maybe Oliver and Felicity as well.'' She paused, then decided she'd better tell him everything. ''Leonard saw Ray Palmer at the A.R.G.U.S. base.''
She'd expected a reaction on the lines of a reference to Ray's enduring 'Eagle Scout' approach to life. Instead Nate had begun to frown. He could see the anger in her body language, rather than in her voice. She was right when she told him that Greenworld was now her home. Anyone who took the Snart-Lances for a pair of aging subsistence farmers, raising a brood of hayseeds, might be making a big mistake, he thought. There was another reason for the shift in his mood as well.
How much should he tell her about his current investigation? The habit of keeping things on a a 'need to know basis' was a protection for people like Gwen and Antony.
He decided to skip mentioning that for now and simply raise the obvious point.
''That's unexpected - him being there - Kaznia isn't the most popular topic in America at the moment. It's become a major world power in terms of technology, science and trade. It's got to the point there it's a major competitor with the U.S. And the fact that Ray is - was - American means that he's no more popular in some Washington circles than ne latest Kaznian trade figures. What he would be doing on a government base -'' Nate's voice trailed off.
Sara frowned. She 'd been looking forward to spending time with the Chases and the Queens.
''How easy is it to visit Kaznia these days?''
''For an American, not so easy. It might be better if Rip went to have a word. There's been British investment over there.''
She considered that for a moment, then nodded. ''You didn't tell me much about what he's been doing lately.''
''A lot of globe-trotting. Like Ralph and I, he got a good lawyer and made a stack of money from the Legends copyright. He's set his son up in business - apparently the kid's doing well - and now he travels a lot.''
X
When Sara left for her hotel, he poured himself another - stiffer - drink and then made a couple of calls. The first was to Gwen, who was visiting her parents. They chatted and he spoke to Antony, but didn't mention Sara, whom his partner had never actually met.
He paused before he made the second one, his hand hovering over the speed dial. In a way this felt like a betrayal, but there was far more at stake here than the fate of one world.
''We need to meet. Sara Lance just cane to see me - it's started.''