I do not own Arrow.
In the League's hideout, the one where Oliver had challenged Ra's the first time, Oliver met with Slade, Talia, Nyssa, Sarab and other assassins.
"I didn't think you would ever become the next Demon's Head." Nyssa said, not angrily or jealously, just… surprised. "And… I've come to realize that father was never going to allow me to take his place either."
"Do you still want to become the next Ra's?" Talia asked and Nyssa took a breath.
"Without Sara… I do not know what I want anymore. What I used to want was my sister back. My family. Become the next Ra's. Sara." Nyssa sighed. "All I know is that I have allowed the League define who I am for far too long. Perhaps it is time for me to move on."
Talia nodded, understanding as she kissed Nyssa on her forehead. "I'm sorry I didn't help you back then, sister."
"You don't have to follow this path anymore." Oliver said as he talked with Sarab.
"It's the only path left for me." Sarab said.
"That's not true." Oliver said as he looked into his old friend's eyes. "You still have Tatsu."
Sarab looked uncertain. "What makes you think she can forgive me?"
"An old friend once told me that we need to forgive ourselves for our sins." Oliver said.
"I'm not sure if it's that easy." Sarab said.
"It's the hardest thing you'll ever have to do in your life… but if you keep blaming yourself for what has happened to your family, you'll never be free. You and I both did our best for Akio. The only people to blame are Shrieve and Waller." Oliver said as Sarab considered.
Nyssa and Sarab were on their knees, bowing before Talia.
"You both have always been loyal to my father, my predecessor. But one of you now knows that the path designed for her by father has never been fit to her." Talia said to Nyssa before turning to Sarab. "And you, Sarab, you were my father's loyal horseman. But you struggle between your allegiance to the League and your bonds to your past life, your loyalty to your friends and family. And there is no place for such as you within the League of Assassins. Nyssa al Ghul. Maseo Yamashiro. I release you both."
Oliver was packing his things, when Talia entered.
"You were going to leave without saying 'goodbye'?" Talia asked.
"'Goodbye' would indicate we wouldn't see each other again." Oliver said as he turned and they smiled at each other before he looked at her seriously. "Don't make me regret this, Talia."
"You won't." Talia assured as she approached him and wrapped her arms around his neck before kissing him as Oliver hugged her, trying to enjoy the kiss as long as he could before they pulled away and she noticed Oliver looking at her worriedly. "I am not my father, Oliver. I have my values and I will not allow myself to stray from my path, just as I won't allow the League to stray from its path again."
Oliver nodded before he smiled again. "Thank you for helping me."
"Thank you for reminding me what the right path is." Talia said as she and Oliver kissed each other one last time before Oliver pulled away and Talia observed him walking away.
Oliver and Slade were heading outside, when Slade turned to Oliver. "You've come a long way from that dumb kid that snuck into my plane and I almost slit his throat."
Oliver chuckled before turning to Slade. "I was going to give you this, when it was over."
Slade looked surprised as Oliver handed him a flash drive. "What is it, kid?"
"This is all the intel Felicity and A.R.G.U.S. was able to dig up about your son Joe, including his last known whereabouts." Oliver said.
Slade was lost for words as he grabbed the flash drive and his lip quivered, while a stray tear rolled down his cheek as he looked at Oliver gratefully. "Thank you."
Oliver nodded as he walked away, leaving Slade to stare at the flash drive in disbelief before he went into Starling City, deciding to return to his friends, family and his mission, making his way to Thea's loft as he pulled out his phone and dialed Thea's number.
"Ollie?"
"It's over, Thea. I'm coming home." Oliver said as he looked at the city he was protecting and then at his reflection at a nearby window.
By day, he was Oliver Queen, a reformed playboy. By night, he was someone else. He was something else.
This is the end of the story and I hope you have enjoyed reading it as much as I have enjoyed writing it. However, I have no intention of writing a sequel, since I'm not that much interested in Arrow or Arrowverse in general, the only reason I wrote this story was to explore Oliver/Talia and I hope you have had fun.
Please review and favorite or kudos this story if you've enjoyed reading this story and see you again with the next one.
R4ik3n
