Earth 1, Star City

The Arrow bunker had never been so full. The nine members of the Arrow team and the twelve Legends looked at each other.

For some it was a welcome reunion - the Lance sisters were looking forward to getting together and sharing the latest news about their lives. Carter and Kendra greeted those who had helped defeat Savage in this lifetime's first encounter with the immortal. Oliver was hoping to see Joanne, who he rather liked, in action. Felicity went the rounds of greeting everyone. Ray did the same, introducing Nora in the process. Ray and Curtis were looking forward to a chance to discuss tech matters.

For most of the others, it was a matter of curiosity about members of the other team. Martin was curious about Felicity, whom he'd heard described as the world's best hacker - a possibly dubious piece of praise. Jax was aware of the two young women present - Thea was obliviously spoken for, but Evelyn - attractive and brave. He wanted to get to know a bit more about the girl. Nate was in his element, making mental notes for his future prize-winning story. Leonard was interested in the Arrow bunker as much as the people present - he wondered what Oliver would say if he let on that he'd already seen three ways in which he could have broken in. Thea, Roy, Rene and Evelyn stood in a group, listening to the various conversations and looking at the disparate members of the other team. Rip also stood and watched, feeling rather out classed, considering the abilities some of the others had.

John, on the other hand, wasn't sure how he felt about it - Spartan thought it might well be a good idea to combine forces. John Diggle, A.R.G.U.S. agent, wasn't so sure. The Legends were no more than tolerated by his wife's organisation. Mick watched Joanne and Oliver, unsure whether to be proud that she'd won over a hard-nosed vigilante or maybe a bit jealous.

And Ralph Dibney wasn't here. Oliver had, half-reluctantly, said ''Yes'' to Nate being present, but hadn't done so for a private eye with a dubious reputation. Nate had fudged the issue by asking Dibney to continue with a street patrol, looking out for the probable Chronos.

Sara, having made arrangements with Laurel for an evening together, approached Leonard with a request - could he find something to do for the evening in question? The sisters had decided that Adrian and Leonard would not be a good mix at a small dinner party.

''Thankyou'' Sara said, when Leonard agreed.

She noticed he was looking over her shoulder with an odd, intense, expression on his face. Instinctively she turned round. A dark-haired woman was standing in the doorway leading into the bunker. She was maybe ten years older than Sara and something about her seemed familiar, although Sara couldn't put a name to the face. What Sara chiefly noticed was that the woman was looking back at Leonard, with much of the same expression.

Then, the newcomer abruptly turned away, heading towards Oliver as if that had been her goal all along. In doing so, she passed near Mick - who had an ''Uh-oh' kind of expression on his face.

''Who was that?'' Sara asked, her voice was not quite casual.

Leonard needed a few moments to answer. He wasn't feeling quite casual either. It had been a long time since he'd seen her in the flesh.

As it happened, Oliver forestalled him, making an announcement for the benefit of the visiting team.

''This is Police Captain Dinah Drake. She's a friend and I've invited her to join us on account of what appears to be a 'bad apple' in her precinct. Someone listed Evelyn as a missing person.''

Sara considered what she knew about the Captain. Laurel liked her - but had also called her a 'trophy hunter' - maybe that was behind those odd looks. On the other hand, she appeared to be a friend to vigilantes.

Oliver called for the meeting to start. They all sat down and began to plan their strategy.

X

Oliver made one thing clear from the start. Evelyn would not be put at risk. If need be, she'd stay in the bunker until this was over. Jax noticed that didn't sit too well with the girl. He definitely wanted a chance to talk to her.

''I would be just as good a lure, if this really is Mick/Chronos.'' Leonard pointed out.

Neither Sara nor Mick were keen on that idea but forbore saying so for the moment.

''If need be'' was Oliver's opinion. He looked at Rip for confirmation. Rip nodded - his thoughts were in something of a turmoil. He'd always been aware that he was leading people, most of whom were more capable - and more dangerous - than he was. In this expanded group, that was even more evident.

''Joanne has the Lady Midnight suit, I have arrows that might be able to overload the Chronos suit electronics.'' Oliver began. He looked around the assembled group. ''We have FIRESTORM and ATOM as well. That makes four in the primary attack group.''

Nora interrupted. ''Make that six. Leonard and I should go in as a team.''

''Explain?'' There were things that Oliver hadn't been told evidently.

''My telekinesis's, his telepathy, including an element of mind-control.''

She was a bit surprised when Oliver took that in his stride.

''And nobody is leaving me behind'' Mick growled.

''No one is'' Oliver was blunt. ''Those who don't have anything that can match Chronos' tech suit are the back-up team, including protecting civilians - of which there hopefully won't be any.''

''I'll be tracking you'' Felicity put in. ''I might be able to access his suits systems.''

''Taken as a whole, we're a pretty formidable bunch'' Rip put in.

Nate was enthralled and bursting to write this part of the story.

''That's the who'' Rip said, feeling he ought to leave some kind of a mark on this meeting. ''What about where?''

They talked about it, thrashed things out and, perhaps inevitably, came down to the 'abandoned building' type of location. Leonard would lure him in - telepathically and then they'd hit him with everything they'd got. Except -

''I'd rather we took him alive'' Leonard told them. He couldn't stop thinking of the other Mick as being in essence his partner.

'I wouldn't'' Mick contradicted him. He'd never liked the idea of having another self wandering about.

For a moment it looked as if the disagreement was about to become serious.

''We do what vw3 have to do, no more, no les'' Oliver intervened, conscious that he wasn't the best diplomat at the table.

X

It was exactly forty-eight hours after that wretched meeting, Sara thought, pacing the hospital corridor. Laurel had tried to calm her down without success and now just watched her sister.

''He's going to be OK'' Laurel said again.

Part of Sara wondered if this was how Laurel had felt when the news arrived that she ad Oliver had both 'died' on the Queen's Gambit. Worried, unhappy and furious at the same time.

She cared but she was furious. With Leonard. With herself. With Dinah Drake.