Oliver was in the lair getting ready. He zipped up the sleeve of his jacket. He put his gear on looking at the screens of the computers around him. Steven Williams. That was the name of the guy his mother was talking to the night before. From what Oliver could tell he wasn't a good guy. He was the kind of man you called when you wanted to put a hit out on someone or kidnap someone. Why would his mother be talking to him? He'd have to watch the situation very carefully to make sure no one got hurt. Oliver looked at the photo he had of Felicity on the table next to his father's book. He picked it up and kissed it. She was everything to him and he couldn't let her get hurt because of his mission. He was determined to have a life with her somehow. Oliver loaded arrow's into a compartment on his arm. He zipped up his jacket and put his quiver on. He grabbed his mask from the table and put it on. Then he lifted his hood and left the lair. He had business to take care of.
Oliver made it to the roof where the man he was hunting was. "Who's that? Where'd he come from" one of the men asked as another one went up to punch the vigilante in the face. Oliver blocked his punch with his arm and punched the man in the face and threw him to the floor. Three more men came running up to him and Oliver was able dodge a kick form one of the men which hit one of the other men. He punched that man then kicked the other man and punched him hard and down the man went. The man behind him went to get up and Oliver kicked him from behind.
"What's going on here" another man asked across the way. One of the men pointed their gun at Oliver and Oliver loaded his bow and fired and arrow at the man's hand causing him to drop his gun.
"Get the chopper back, now" another man said. One of the men behind him started running up to him and Oliver shot an arrow at him.
"Who is this guy" another man asked as Oliver loaded his bow again and shot him. Oliver walked up to the man he shot and punched him knocking him out. He walked up to his target, Marcus Redmond.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Please, wait, wait" Marcus said. Oliver grabbed him and threw him across the roof on to the lower roof on a ventilator fan. Oliver jumped onto it kicks open the grate covering the fan. Oliver grabs his head and bought it close to the blades. "No, please" Marcus begged.
"Marcus Redmond, you've failed this city" Oliver said.
"Please stop. Please don't" Marcus begged.
"The cell phone inside your pocket. Call your partner. Tell him to give those pensioners back their money" Oliver ordered.
"Please don't" Marcus begged again practically crying.
"Do it now" Oliver said. He let go of Marcus and jumped of the ventilator fan and walked away. Marcus did as he was told. Oliver made his way back home. His job was done for the night.
The next morning Oliver walked out of his room tightening his tie. Downstairs a reporter was ready to talk to Oliver. It was going to be the first interview he was going to do since coming home. He picked the reporter, Aariz, partly because he was the only reporter in the city who hadn't made the vigilante out to be some villain. He saw that what the vigilante was doing might actually be helping the city. Oliver looked up this guy. He was a war correspondent in Beirut. He works for the starling city star which is their local newspaper. He seemed like a good reporter who wouldn't twist Oliver's words to make him look bad. Plus Felicity had recommended him so Oliver figured he had to be good. Oliver walked down stairs and saw everything set up for his interview. His mother, Walter and Thea were all off to the side. Aariz walked up to Oliver and held out his hand for Oliver to shake. "Thank you Mr. Queen for choosing me to be your first interview" he said as Oliver shook his hand.
"Well you come highly recommended and you can call me Oliver" Oliver said smiling at Aariz. Aariz nodded his head.
"Yes I know Felicity asked me to be the one to do the interview when you agreed to do one. Don't worry I promise I only want the truth. I won't make you look bad and personal questions about you and Mrs. Lance are off the table" he said. He already liked this guy.
"I appreciate that" Oliver said as he took his seat.
"This is the biggest story I've reported on so far. I normally do small stories like bank robberies and petty crimes. Oliver Queen returning from the dead. Every reporter wants this story" Aariz said.
"I've seen that you've also reported on that hood guy" Oliver said.
Aariz nodded his head. "Yea at least someone's trying to help the city" he said.
"So you think this guy in the hood is trying to help the city" Oliver said.
"Yea he's going after criminals. He's doing something which is more than I can say for most of the people in this city" Aariz said. Oliver smiled.
Aariz shook his head. "Sorry. I have a tendency to go on a tangent" he said.
Oliver let out a small laugh. "That's not a problem" he said.
"So once I've written the article I will send it to you and you can read it before it's published to let me know if you approve. I've been told my writing is too objective" Aariz said.
Oliver shook his head. "I'm sure it will be fine" he said.
"So Mr. Queen… I mean Oliver, how does it feel to be back home after spending five years on that island" Aariz asked.
"It's a lot less wet here and it's nice to have an actual bed to sleep in. I don't have to catch my own food either which is nice. Mostly though I'm just happy to be home and around everyone again" Oliver answered. They kept on going through the interview for the next half hour. When they were done both men stood up.
"Tell Felicity I said thank you for getting me this gig" Aariz said shaking Oliver's hand.
Oliver nodded. "I'll make sure to pass on the message" he said.
Aariz left the house as Steven walked in. "Mrs. Queen, can I have a word" he asked. Moira nodded and walked out of the room. Oliver watched suspiciously as Steven and his mother went to the corner of another room. He wanted to follow but Walter and Thea were watching him.
"So Oliver do you have any questions about today? It's a simple proof of life declaration. Just read our brief prepared statement to the judge and then your death-in-absentia judgement will be voided. Now that your interview is over we can start to get ready to leave once your mother's done of course" Walter said.
"It's fine Walter. I've been in a courtroom before" Oliver said.
"Four times by my estimate. Yeah there was the DUI, the assault on that paparazzi douchebag, stealing that taxi which was just awesome by the way and who could forget peeing on the cops" Tommy said as he walked into the room and over to Oliver.
"I wish everyone would" Moira said walking into the room. Oliver watched Steven leave the house.
"I'd hang but we're heading to court" Oliver said putting his hand on Tommy's shoulder.
"I know Laurel told me. That's why I'm here. My best friend is getting legally resurrected, I wouldn't miss this for the world" Tommy said.
"What about you" Oliver asked looking at Thea.
"I think the first four times of you in court was enough for me" she said leaving the room.
"Fair enough" Oliver said.
"Mr. Queen" Diggle said as he and Felicity walked into the room. Everyone turned to look at him. "The car is ready" Diggle said. Diggle walked out of the room. Moira Walter and Tommy followed.
Felicity walked up to Oliver. "Nervous" she asked. Oliver shook his head.
"I'm fine. What are you doing here? I thought you had meetings all day today" Oliver asked.
"I pushed them all back. Nothing is more important than me being here to support you" Felicity said.
Oliver smiled at her and took her hand. "I love you" he said.
"I love you too" she said kissing him.
Oliver and Felicity sat in the limo outside the courthouse. Oliver looked out the window at all the reporters and press crowding outside the courthouse to get a good photo of him. He let out a sigh. Felicity took his hand and he turned to look at her. "I'll be right with you every step of the way" she said. He smiled at her, took a deep breath and got out of the limo. All the reporters and press crowded around him and Felicity. He pulled Felicity close and started to walk up to the courthouse. He just wanted to make sure Felicity was OK.
"How does it feel to return to civilization after five years" one reporter asked.
"Miss Lance what is it like to be with the most famous man in Starling city" one reporter asked getting into Felicity's face. Oliver didn't like how close the reporter was to Felicity but just kept walking. The last thing he needed was to make a scene even though that guy deserved to get punched in the mouth. They both stayed silent as they walked up to the courthouse.
"What happened on that island, Mr. Queen" another reporter asked. Oliver didn't say anything as memories of the boat sinking and him being on it came rushing back to him.
"Tell us about the accident" another reporter said. Oliver and Felicity kept walking hand in hand the memories coming back to Oliver. They finally made it into the courthouse away from the reporters.
Oliver turned to Felicity. "Are you OK" he asked. Felicity looked at him shocked.
"Am I OK? Are you OK? I know that can't have been easy hearing them asking all those questions and it bringing back all those memories. You already had an interview today. The last thing you need is reporters hounding you" Felicity said.
Oliver nodded. "I'm fine. It's just a lot" he said.
"I know it is. I'm sorry you have to deal with all that Oliver" she said.
Oliver shook his head. "It's not your fault. Your friend was great, by the way, with the interview" he said.
Felicity smiled. "I'm not surprised. Aariz is the best" Felicity said.
They were called into the courtroom. Oliver took the stand while Felicity Moira Walter and Tommy all sat and watched. "There was a storm. The boat went down. I was the only survivor" Oliver told the judge. Memories of seeing the boat go sown went through Oliver's mind. "My father didn't make it" Oliver said. Memories of his father shooting himself went through his mind. Moira was trying to hold back tears and Felicity took her hand. Moira smiled at the woman she hoped she would get to call daughter soon. Felicity smiled back. "I almost died. I thought that I had because I spent so many days on that life raft where I saw the island" Oliver said. The island was clear in Oliver's mind like he was back on that raft again looking at it for the first time. "When I reached it, I knew that I was going to have to live for both of us" Oliver said as he remembered reaching the island. "In those five years, it was that one thought that kept me going" Oliver said.
"Your honor" the lawyer at the table behind Oliver said standing up. "We move to vitiate the death-in-absentia filed after Oliver's disappearance at sea aboard the Queen's Gambit five years ago. Unfortunately, we will not be requesting that declaration of death filed for the petitioner's father, Robert Queen, be rescinded" the lawyer said. Oliver turned around to look at his family. They all looked at him sadly. Oliver turned back to the judge. "The Queen family is only entitled to one miracle I'm afraid" the lawyer said. The judge nodded and approved the request. Oliver walked over to his family.
"Are you OK" Felicity asked.
Oliver nodded. "That was a lot to unpack" he said.
"Your telling me. That sounded horrible" Tommy said.
"Well now it's over with and we can get out of here" Moira said.
"You did good Oliver" Walter said.
"Thanks. It was harder than I expected" Oliver said. Felicity took his hand and they all walked out of the courtroom together.
Walter, Moira, Oliver, Felicity and Tommy were all walking down the stairs in the courthouse. "Now on to the offices. Everyone is waiting to meet you there" Moira said. Oliver grabbed his mother's arm stopping her.
"Mom, that was a little bit heavier than I was expecting it to be. Can we do that tomorrow please" Oliver asked.
Moira looked at Walter who nodded. "Of course" Moira said.
"Thank you" Oliver said. Walter and Moira continued walking down the stairs. Oliver, Felicity and Tommy looked at each other and then started walking down the stairs.
"Last week you couldn't wait to get to the company" Tommy said.
"Tommy I just spent five years away from civilization. I wasn't exactly thinking straight" Oliver said.
"Well take all the time you need Oliver. The company will still be there tomorrow" Felicity said as they reached the bottom of the stairs. Laurel walked around the corner with her co-worker Johanna and her client Emily. She saw Oliver Felicity and Tommy standing there.
"How'd it go" Laurel asked.
"A little heavier than I was expecting but overall I think I did fine" he said.
"He did great" Felicity said.
"Yea Oliver is now officially and legally back from the dead" Tommy said.
"So what are you doing here" Oliver asked.
"My client has a court date. That's why I couldn't be here with you guys. Sorry about that" Laurel said.
"That's OK. I understand" Oliver said.
Laurel turned to Emily and smiled at her. "Emily, this is my friend Oliver Queen, my sister Felicity and my husband Tommy" Laurel said introducing everyone to Emily.
Oliver held out his hand and Emily shook it. "Hi. It's nice to meet you…" Oliver said waiting for a name.
"Emily Nocenti" she said. She shook Felicity and Tommy's hands also.
"Oliver just got back from five years on an uncharted island and we're glad he's back" Laurel said. Oliver just smiled at her.
Laurel turned to Tommy. "I'll bring home Chinese" she said.
"I'll pick up Becca from your parents" he said. Laurel gave him a quick peck on the lips and walked up the stairs.
Oliver Felicity and Tommy walked outside the courthouse. They saw Martin Sommers talking to the press. "I don't know what I've done to earn this witch hunt from Mrs. Lance and her bosses at the CNRI but I can tell you this. I am an honest business man and I will fight this slander to my last dime and breath. That's all I have to say. Thank you" Martin said as he walked away from the reporters. Some of them followed him.
"I'll see you guys later" Tommy said running to Martin Sommers. Tommy shook his hand and they started talking.
"What's that about" Oliver asked Felicity.
Felicity shrugged her shoulders. "Tommy's been working with a lot of shady people lately. That's how he's been making money ever since he disowned his father. Laurel doesn't like it" Felicity said.
Oliver looked at Felicity. "What's he doing for them" he asked.
"No idea. Anytime Laurel or any of us ask he tells us not to worry about it" she said.
Before Oliver could ask anymore questions the reporters noticed him and Felicity at the top of the stairs. "Oh, there's Mr. Queen" one of the reporters said.
"Do you want to follow up" another reporter asked. Oliver took Felicity's hand and they walked down the stairs saying nothing. The reporters clamored around them.
"Tell us what happened inside, Mr. Queen" one of the reporters said. Diggle walked up to Oliver and Felicity and pulled them away from the crowd.
"Step back everybody, please" Diggle said.
"Can you give us a couple comments" one of the reporters asked Oliver. Oliver and Felicity reached the limo. Oliver opened the door and Felicity got in.
"Before you go, sir. Comments about the island" a reporter asked. Oliver said nothing and just got in the limo closing the door behind him. Oliver gave the driver Felicity's address and told him to drive there.
"We should wait for John" Felicity said.
Oliver took her hand and kissed it. "Right now I just want to be alone with you" he said.
Diggle stood outside the limo trying to keep the reporters away from it. "What happened" one of the reporters asked.
"Step back" Diggle said. The reporter pushed past Diggle with his camera. Diggle pushed him back. "Hey man, I'll make you swallow that Nikon. Back" Diggle said. The limo drove off. Diggle watched as the limo turned. "Damn it" he said.
In the limo, Felicity watched as Oliver stared out the window. "Are you sure your OK" Felicity asked.
Oliver got brought out of his thoughts by that question and looked at Felicity. He nodded his head. "I'm fine. I promise" he said.
Felicity moved closer to him. "You know you can tell me anything right. I'm right here and I'm not going anywhere" Felicity said.
Oliver wished that were true but if he told her the man he had become since getting off the island he didn't think she could love him anymore. The island changed him and it scared him to think about how that would affect him and Felicity. "I know" he said faking a smile.
Oliver and Felicity arrived at Felicity's apartment. Felicity knew something was wrong but Oliver wouldn't tell her what it was. It was frustrating that he wouldn't open up to her. Oliver just sat on her couch staring at the wall. Felicity walked into the living room with a cup of water. "Here you go" Felicity said handing it to Oliver.
"Thank you" Oliver said taking the cup of water without looking at her. Felicity sighed and started to walk back into the kitchen. "What if I'm not someone you can love anymore" she heard Oliver ask. Felicity turned around and saw that Oliver was finally looking at her. She went over to the couch and sat down next to Oliver.
"What are you talking about" she asked.
Oliver looked Felicity in the eyes. "I might have changed too much. What if you see the new me and decide you can't love me" Oliver asked.
"Oliver, I am in this for the long haul. The good, the bad and the ugly. Whatever changes you went through on the island, it doesn't change that you're the man I love and want to spend the rest of my life with. Whatever changes you're going through we'll work it out " she said.
"I did a lot of questionable thigs on the island. If you found out some of those things I don't think you'd be able to look at me the same way" Oliver said.
Felicity shook her head. "Whatever you did on the island you did to survive. No one can hold that against you" she said.
"You know with everything I went through on the island my biggest fear in all of it was that I'd come home and you'd just have forgotten about me and not want anything to do with me anymore" Oliver said. He took her hand. "My biggest fear is losing you. Even if we're not together just the thought of us not being friends anymore. It hurts too much. You have no idea how much you kept me going while I was on that island. When it was too hard or I wanted to give up or I wanted to just die I would think about you and how much you believed in me that gave me the strength to keep going. You saved my life more times than I can count. I can't lose that" Oliver said.
Felicity smiled at him close to tears. "You're never going to lose me" she said. She cuddled into him.
After about two hours of cuddling and just being together Oliver left Felicity's and went to his lair. He climbed up a rope all the way to the top. Oliver jumped down and looked at his father's book. Martin Sommers. Laurel was trying to take him down and Tommy was doing who knew what for the man. He was dangerous and had to be stopped. Oliver practiced his sword skills on metal bars. Oliver stopped and walked over to his computer. The police hadn't been able to stop Martin Sommers. Laurel was trying to bring him down by herself. What she didn't know was that she was going to have help. Oliver looked at the photo of Felicity he had on the table next to the computer. He smiled at it. They made progress today. She was being incredibly patient with him. He was going to tell her everything someday but today wasn't that day. He was determined that they were going to work out. He wasn't going to lose her. He picked up the photo and kissed like he did every time before he went out.
That night, Laurel had arrived home. "Tommy, Becca I'm home" Laurel said. She put the Chinese food on the table as her daughter came running out of the bedroom.
"Momma" Rebecca said.
Laurel smiled at her daughter and picked her up. "Hi baby. Where's daddy" she asked. Rebecca pointed to the bedroom as Tommy came out. "Found him" Laurel said smiling at her husband. He smiled back at her.
"Hi babe" he said kissing her.
"Did you guys have fun" Laurel asked as she placed her daughter in her high chair.
Tommy nodded. "We spent some father daughter time together. You missed the very exciting tea party" he said.
Laurel smiled at him. "Well next time I'll make sure I'm in attendance at the next one" she said.
Just then Tommy's phone rang. "Hello" he said.
"Mr. Merlyn we have to meet about our arrangement" Martin Sommers said into the phone. Laurel started getting Rebecca's food ready.
"Now" Tommy said.
"Do you want the information or not" he said.
"Fine. Where do you want to meet" Tommy asked. Laurel looked at Tommy at that.
"The old warehouse at the end of the shipping dock" Martin said.
"I'll be there in about 30 minutes" he said and hung up the phone.
"Who was that" Laurel asked.
Tommy looked up at Laurel. "Just one of my clients. They want to meet with me" Tommy said getting his leather jacket on.
Laurel looked at the clock. "Now. It's after 8" she said.
Tommy walked up to her. "I know. This is the only time they can meet and they're a really big client. I won't be too long. I promise" Tommy said kissing Laurel. "Bye Bec's" he said kissing his daughter on the forehead. Tommy walked to the front door and opened it.
"Tommy" Laurel called out. Tommy turned around. "Please be careful" she said.
Tommy nodded. "I will" he said and he left the apartment.
Laurel wasn't exactly sure what Tommy was doing but she knew whatever it was it wasn't good. Anytime she'd ask he'd brush her off. She tried to find out herself but all she found was that he was doing jobs for people around the city. Nothing too bad just running errands for them and they were paying him a lot of money. She sat down at the kitchen table and watched their daughter eat. She hoped for both their sakes that Tommy didn't get himself hurt or worse seriously killed.
Tommy made it to the warehouse about 30 minutes later. Tommy walked into the warehouse and saw Martin Sommers with three of his men. "Search him" Martin said. Martin's three men started patting down Tommy. They pulled back his jacket.
Tommy rolled his eyes. "I'm not wearing a wire" Tommy said.
"You can never be too safe Mr. Merlyn" Martin said.
The men looked back at their boss. "He's good" one of them said.
"You have the information for me" Tommy said.
Martin pulled out a big brown envelope. "Everything you asked for is in here" he said. Tommy went to reach for it but Martin pulled it back. "You remember your part of the deal, right" Martin said.
Tommy nodded. "I will make sure my wife drops the case against you" he said.
Martin looked at Tommy for a moment then gave him the envelope. "You'll get the money once your wife's dropped the case against me" Martin said.
Tommy opened up the envelope and looked through the papers. "This is everything" Tommy asked.
Martin nodded. "All of your father's business ventures that are not on the up and up are in there" he said.
Tommy smiled. His father wouldn't even see this coming. "Thank you for your services" Tommy said closing the envelope and going to leave but Martin grabbed his arm.
"Make sure you deliver you're end of the bargain. I don't like when people don't keep their word to me" Martin said. Before Tommy could answer the lights turned off. Tommy and Martin heard a struggle and his three men screaming. When the lights turned back on the three men were on the floor unconscious.
"What the hell just happened" Tommy asked.
"I don't know Mr. Merlyn. Let me know when you find out" Martin said hitting Tommy across the head with the butt of his gun. Tommy fell to the floor unconscious. Martin started to run but was stopped when a rope was thrown around his neck. He was pulled across the room and knocked unconscious before he could see who did it.
Tommy woke up a few minutes later and rubbed his head. "Asshole" he said. He picked up the envelope and looked around for Martin. He wasn't anywhere in the room. Where was he? He needed that money from him. Tommy heard something on the roof. Tommy considered just leaving and heading home. He needed that money though. He decided to head up to the roof and see what was going on up there. Maybe Martin was up there and needed his help.
Martin woke up swinging back and forth with the man in the hood standing in front of him. He was hanging by his legs. "Martin Sommers" Oliver said.
"Who the hell are you" Martin asked.
"You failed this city" Oliver said as he took out an arrow and shot it past Martin.
"No, no, no" Martin begged as the arrow whooshed past him.
"You're going to testify in that trial. You're going to confess to having Victor Nocenti killed" Oliver said as Martin continued to swing back and forth. "There won't be a second warning" Oliver said. Martin saw the man in the hood load up his bow and point it at him. Before he knew it, the man in the hood shot an arrow that hit the side of his face. Martin held his face and cried out in pain. When he looked back the man in the hood was gone.
Tommy came running up to him. "Are you OK" Tommy asked.
"Get me down" Martin yelled.
Tommy untied the ropes around his legs and Martin fell to the floor. "What happened" Tommy asked as he helped him up.
"The man in the hood. He attacked us" Martin said.
Tommy looked at him confused. "You're the one who knocked me out" he said.
Martin looked at him seriously. "If you want your money Mr. Merlyn that's the story your going to go with. The man in the hood attacked us. Do you understand" Martin asked.
Tommy thought for a moment. He really didn't went to help this douchebag but he needed that money. "The man in the hood attacked us" Tommy said.
Martin nodded. "Good now if you'll excuse me I have a phone call to make" he said.
Tommy watched as Martin walked away. He hated doing business with Martin Sommers especially behind Laurel's back but he needed the information on his father. Plus he also needed that money. He would just have to swallow his pride and continue to work with Martin Sommers.