Malcolm's POV
He drummed his fingers on his desk. Things were not going the way he planned since Sara Lance had returned from the island. She had been a innocent casualty in his effort to get rid of a loose end. A vigilante had appeared and was going after his people.
His phone rang startling him from his thoughts. He glared at it. This was not the time for him to be bothered.
He answered calm," Yes?"
A man with a northern accent asked," Is this Malcolm Merlyn?"
What could someone from the north want with him? Any one from his company wouldn't ask such a question.
He answered icily," This is he. What's this about?"
The man said a clicking sound could be heard over the line," I am Doctor Jameson, at the Starling General Hospital. There is a young omega male here who we did a DNA test on to confirm his identity. His alpha parent was declared as yourself Mr. Merlyn. We contacted you first."
Omega male? He didn't have an omega male son. What was going on?
He asked forcing himself not to yell at the man," Who is this man? What do you mean?"
The doctor replied with a sigh," Mr. Merlyn I think you need to see this for yourself. I'm not heading his treatment another doctor is. What I did see was not something you want to see on an omega."
Grabbing his jacket he swung it over his shoulders. He said," I'll be there in ten minutes."
He hung up only to call for his driver. The man would wait for him at the front of the building. As he left his office he stopped briefly to tell his secretary to cancel his appointments for the rest of the day.
The trip to the hospital seemed to take hours. When in reality it was only a few minutes. A nurse met them at the entrance. Malcolm was then led to the higher floors.
A familiar doctor stood outside of a room. His arms were crossed as he talked with another doctor. The first was Lukas Lambert. He was six four and had dirty blond hair with green eyes. This doctor was a beta. The doctor that treated most the millionaires and billionaires.
The second doctor was an omega by his scent. He had brown hair and hazel eyes. The hazel eyes kept turning back to the room. Upon his approach the doctor's eyes looked at him. His hazel eyes narrowing.
Lambert said noting his approach," Mr. Merlyn it is good to see you in good health. I'm sorry it's under these circumstances. I was alerted that you did not know you had another son."
Malcolm shook his head and said," Lukas it's been a long time. What is going on here?"
The man turned to look in the hospital room. Whoever the omega was was in that room.
Lukas replied as the omega doctor went into the room," Did you have an affair with Moira Queen at any time Malcolm about twenty four years ago? This is extremely important."
Malcolm replied confused," We had a one night stand around that time. I was having hard time with Rebecca but it never went any further. Why?"
There was the briefest of glances towards the room again. Frowning Malcolm stepped around the doctor. What he saw surprised him.
A dirty blond haired with grey eyes man stood close to a window. His back was to the window a his full attention on the omega doctor. Seeing his face made Malcolm's heart stop. Oliver Queen the scion of the Queen family. The same man that had disappeared seven years prior.
If he remembered correctly Oliver had blue eyes not grey. Questioningly he turned to Lukas.
The doctor said rubbing a hand over his eyes," From what I understand his eyes change colors based on what he's wearing or the lighting. He became something of a chameleon. His DNA test came back as your son. Not Robert's. I redid the tests myself. Malcolm he's your boy."
Something bothered him. It took a minute for him to realize what. Moira had kept this from him. She had not told him Oliver was his son. She must have known that he was. It hurt him that she didn't tell him. He would get his revenge but not now. Not just yet.
As much as he wanted to tell Oliver and confront Moira he knew this wasn't the time for such actions. Measures would need to be put in place. Contingencies established.
Turning to Lukas he said," Call Moira. Don't let her know that I know this. Or even that you do. I want plans in place before I confront her."
His old friend nodded. Lukas knew him well. They had been friends in college despite their differences. He would do as he asked.
As quickly as Malcolm had come he lefbe There were calls to make and an old teacher to contract. Given the year Al Owal would be the league contact in Starling. Sent by his former mentor Ra's Al Ghul to watch him.
If things did not go as planned he would ask for the League to take Oliver in. They did not care if you were an alpha or an omega. As long as you could fight and were willing to kill. They would make Oliver strong just as they made the broken man that he had been strong.
A few hours later found him back at his house. A knock on his office door brought him out of his musings and plannings. Tommy walked in. He was wearing a white button down shirt and a black jacket and dress pants.
Tommy said," I'm going over to the Queen's. They are having dinner since Oliver's return."
Malcolm stood immediately and said," I am coming as well."
The astonishment crossed his son's face. Malcolm had refused to go after Robert's death. Mainly because it was his actions that had killed the other alpha.
He wanted to see his son again. Even without scenting the boy something in him told him that the boy was his son. So he went with a now reluctant Tommy and they made their way to the manor.
Merlyn manor was much smaller than the Queen one. There were way too many rooms in the Queen manor. It made it hard to protect it. Merlyn manor was practically a fortress in the event of an attack.
When they walked in they were greeted by a familiar sight. Oliver was standing by the pictures. He was wearing a black button down shirt with a white undershirt. He was wearing jeans. That wasn't what interested him.
Malcolm like Tommy he saw the dog tags. They weren't normal dogs tags. Something was off about them but he couldn't put his finger on it. What he did know was that Oliver had at some point joined the military.
He didn't listen to what had been said between them. Instead choosing to scent the young man. Even at a distant he could tell that while it was different it was familiar similar to his own.
He said when Oliver turned to him," Oliver it is good to have you back safe and sound."
Oliver greeted back," It is good to see you too, Mr. Merlyn."
Malcolm took a step closer to his son. By the look in the boy's eyes he was giving off his power again.
He said watching Oliver carefully," Please Oliver call me Malcolm."
The boy only nodded. Before anything else could be said they were called in for dinner. Every one taking their places. Malcolm out put himself across from Oliver.
The doctor that had been at the hospital was two seats down. Like himself he noted that the boy wasn't eating. Just picking at his food. There was more to this than he knew.
Oliver tried to glance up at him discreetly. Malcolm allowed a measure of warmth to enter his blue eyes. He needed to establish a measure of connection with the boy. They barely knew each other amiablely.
Thea asked suddenly," What was it like being gone for seven years? Where you lived?"
Oliver froze. Malcolm edged to the end of his seat. This wasn't going to end well.
With a glazed look in his eyes he replied," The first two years were heaven. I met someone. Someone I thought I would spend the rest of my life with."
Thought? Oh Oliver had lost whoever that was. That was the same look he had when he lost Rebecca. Pained more than words could describe.
In a warm calm voice Malcolm asked," What happened, Mr. Queen? Why were only two years not seven the happiest time for you?"
He honestly wanted to know. There wasn't an answer. Malcolm noticed the sudden shaking in Oliver's hands. That wasn't good. He stood and had just moved around the table when the doctor reached Oliver. Before he could tell the man not to touch him his hand touched Oliver's shoulder.
Oliver grabbed the other's arm and twisted painfully. The doctor let out a pained yelp.
Malcolm made it just in time to block the strike meant for the doctor's chest. The power behind the kick was surprising. It could have broken several of the doctor's ribs.
Oliver's left hand jabbed at Malcolm's throat. He blocked it expertly. The boy struck aiming to incapacitate rather than kill. Just like his own. He didn't want to harm his young omega.
A command came from the doctor was shouted," Delta! Stop!"
To Malcolm's surprise the boy stopped. It was like a soldier listening to a commander's order. His inquisitive eyes searched Oliver's grey ones. Now they weren't killer cold but self hatred.
The doctor moved to the boy's side placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. For a long moment he was tense and unreceptive. Then he relaxed slightly into the other's hold.
The doctor said," I think that for everyone's safety, Mr. Queen should return with me for the night. Just for tonight. He is still having trouble adjusting into civilian life."
The dog tags, Delta, then this comment on civilian life. Oliver Queen it seemed truly had joined the military. Yet he remembered that Moira and Robert had both checked military records. No one by Oliver had joined the military.
Malcolm asked," Where will you take him? Surely not to a clinic."
"No he can stay in my apartment."
Oliver's stiff posture relaxed even further. Obvious he had the same thoughts as Malcolm.
He offered," You could stay at my manor. It is secure and I can guarantee no one will bother either of you."
The doctor shook his head as he replied," No. Not yet. Mr. Queen isn't ready to be near someone new that isn't family."
Oliver touched his shoulder and said quietly barely above a whisper," Doctor, I trust Mr. Merlyn. He's an old family friend. If he says we will be okay at his manor. We will be."
This would be good for him to get to know the boy. Especially if he could convince the doctor to allow the boy to stay longer than a night. For the moment he had to convince the man to let him stay for the night.
It took a moment for the doctor to respond. When he did it was what he had been hoping for," One night. But you cannot allow anyone to be near our rooms."
Oliver's POV
Malcolm put them out in the second floor. It turned out to be down the hall from his. Part of him wondered if it was to keep him from attacking again.
Morris Panov sat in the chair watching him as he paced. Oliver was wearing a black shirt sleeved and sweat pants. His tags lay over the the shirt. For his part Panov was wearing a green v-neck shirt and shorts that went down to the knees.
Panov said quietly," Lay down. You will not get to sleep pacing like a caged animal."
Oliver stopped his pacing for a moment to glare at the doctor. The glare was returned with an even stare. Not angry or annoyed just calm and waiting for him to comply.
Instead he resumed his pacing trying to get rid of the nervous energy. This was this first night away from Panov's apartment and clinic. While he wanted to prove he could handle it he was nervous. Nervous that he might have an episode again.
There was only a sigh in answer to his resumed nervous pacing. Honestly Oliver's biggest fear was being locked in that clinic. When Alex had brought him there he never thought he'd be able to leave. That they would cage him up like an animal.
Instead the doctor had allowed him to roam his office and the clinic. Then when it was time to close up and everyone go to bed or home he was brought to the doctor's apartment. That had been their routine the entire three days.
As he passed Panov again the man grabbed his elbow. Part of him wanted to lash out. Hurt the one who meant him harm before harm fell to him. The more rational part of his mind told him the doctor meant him no harm. Just wanted him calmer. The second voice was quieter. Much too quiet to stop the first completely. There was a compromise and he grabbed the doctor's wrist in retaliation. Not hurting the other just ready in case something happened.
A sense of quiet went through him. It wasn't a gentling of the mind but it did make him calmer. Less intent on fighting the man. The energy drained from him and slowly so not to fall over he sat on the bed. As he did so the doctor released his arm.
He asked calmer now," What did you do? That wasn't mind gentling."
Panov smiled as he replied," No. No it wasn't. It's using our omegan instincts to calm you. Please Mr. Queen you need to sleep. As do I. We can talk in the morning."
They had adjoining rooms so if... no when he had a nightmare the man would hear it. Panov knew to be cautious in trying to wake him. The first attempt nearly ended in Oliver breaking his neck.
Since then he had been cautious calling to him first. By his name then by his callsign. Many times he woke up calling out for those who had died. Memories of how they died flashing before his eyes.
Remembering something Echo once said he leaned back. The Frenchman had been his closest confidant. Delta never went anywhere without Echo. Once he had even had all the men circle around him in a protective circle. Just about ordering him to rest.
"Rest is a weapon Delta. You go in without it we will all surely die," said the Frenchman.
It turned out to be true. He had rested and they had all made it back to base camp. Much to the surprise of their superiors. No matter the mission or of the odds they had always come back. Sometimes with fewer people other times with the same but always returning. Guilt would forever eat at Oliver not Delta on those who didn't return.
Sensing his acceptance Panov pushed him back onto the bed. As Oliver sank into it he felt his eyes lids grow heavy with sleep. Before they closed completely the doctor hit the lights and the last thing he saw was the man standing in the doorway.
Malcolm's POV
He shot out of bed his hand on the knife under his pillow. At first he wasn't sure what woke him. Then he heard a muffled cry and took to his feet. Heading down the hall he found the door already open. Stepping into the doorway he saw a strange sight.
Doctor Panov stood close to the bed talking quietly to the boy. Oliver's eyes were open and he was sitting erect on the bed. His eyes were unseeing however. Unfocused grey eyes stared at the doctor hit seeing him but something else.
Panov was saying something quietly and at first it had no effect. Then slowly the grey eyes became more focused. Oliver searched the room with his eyes. Noting everyone he could see. Even briefly stopping on Malcolm who stood in the doorway. Then they turned to the doctor.
Oliver's voice rough with sleep asked," What happened?"
Panov whispered calmly," A nightmare again, Mr. Queen. Do you want to talk about it?"
Oliver shook his head wordlessly. It took a long moment for Panov to move.
He touched Oliver's shoulder and said," It might help you Oliver. Was it Tam Quan?"
That gave him more information on Oliver's disappearance. Tam Quan was in Vietnam. The government had sent black ops groups there recently. Something he heard from his friends in high places.
Now the dog tags made sense. Oliver had joined the black ops groups. He had been called Delta if the doctor was to be believed.
Malcolm shifted forward into the room. All eyes made their way to him. Grey eyes weary and hazel eyes curious.
Malcolm said moving so that he was half way between the bed and the door," Talking does help Oliver. Sometimes it's the only way to unburden yourself."
Panov said calmly," It's up to him if he wants talk. How much did you hear?"
Malcolm said truthfully," Not much. I did hear about Tam Quan."
As he expected Oliver tensed. His eyes no longer were looking at Malcolm or the doctor. He was ashamed of whatever happened in Tam Quan.
Panov said gently," If you don't want to talk about it get some sleep. You haven't been sleeping much."
Malcolm and Panov moved towards the door. They had almost left when Oliver said," Rest is a weapon."
Then he was laying back on the bed and they closed the door. Panov looked exhausted. He rubbed a hand over his face.
Malcolm asked," That won't be that first time we will be woken tonight. Last night he had four separate nightmares that woke me. I don't know how many didn't."
Malcolm asked looking at him," He was in the military wasn't he?"
"He was. At first as a language officer then as something else. It is the some thing else that worries me."
That translated to the black ops group. Malcolm asked," What happened?"
Panov shook his head and said," I can't go into it. You are not cleared to know what he was. What he has done."
There was more he was going to say but a phone rang. It was coming from the doctors pocket. Panov pulled it from his pocket checking the number. Then he swore and answered.
For a brief moment he listened the blood drained from his face. He said closing his phone," I have to go. Let me get him up."
Malcolm asked stopping the doctor," What's wrong?"
Panov said," We had a break out at one of my clinics. Dangerous men are out."
More dangerous than Oliver? He had seen it in the boy's eyes earlier that evening. Oliver Queen could and would kill if needed.
Panov said going towards his room," I need to get changed. If Oliver wakes do not try to touch him. Stay away from the room. I would rather Delta not kill you."
Delta... so that was Oliver's other name. Confirming what he had heard earlier that evening. With the doctor gone he could at least speak to the boy.
He said calmly," I'll stay away."
Then the doctor disappeared into his room. Two minutes later he left the house all together. Malcolm waited five minutes then when he was about to go back to his own room the door behind him opened. A ruffled Oliver stepped out. His grey eyes widened in surprise.
Oliver whispered trying to step around him," Excuse me, Mr. Merlyn."
Malcolm stepped away from him giving the boy a wide berth. It was not in fear but in respect. Already he had seen the other's skill. This was just allowing him space.
Oliver made his way across the hall to the bathroom. A few moments later he returned. For a moment they just stared. Oliver not sure what to make of Malcolm's presence. Malcolm planning his next move.
Finally the older man said," I do not think rest will find either of easily tonight. Would you like to join me for a drink?"
Oliver said looking at him," Panov doesn't want me drinking. He says they are depressants and will only make things worse at the moment."
Malcolm nodded and said waving down the hall," I had tea then. Just something to calm us both before we try to sleep."
The look the younger gave him was interesting. It was full of mistrust but at the same time curiosity. Mistrust stung somewhat. He had the boy over many times when he was small. Being best friends with Tommy allowed it. The curiosity made him hopeful.
When they both were seated in the living room with a cup of tea in their hands Malcolm glanced at the boy. His eyes were far off again seeing something only he could see. Questions came to mind.
How often did this happen? Behind therapy was anything being done to stop them? What group did his son belong to and why? Finally did Oliver know about their father son connection?
Malcolm almost dismissed the last one right away. If he knew the boy would have confronted him already. Oliver was something of a hot head when it came to these things.
Oliver asked," Why did you offer to put us up? I'm used to staying with Panov. Alex entrusted me to him until I'm better."
Malcolm asked sipping his tea," Whose Alex? Why would he entrust you to the doctor?"
Oliver's reply startled him," Alexander Conklin is my handler I guess you can call him. We are something of friends for the last few years. He and another man recruited me when I was in school."
Malcolm thought for a moment. Then a memory hit him. Just days before Oliver's disappearance there had been a career day at the high school. He had shown up as a business representative. He remembered the tall man named David Abbot. Another shorter man had come representing the military. That must have been the contact to Oliver.
Oliver said after a moment," Alex trusts him and I trust Alex with my life."
Something that he understood. If Robert years ago had done that he would have talked to such a doctor. Trust between friends like that could be life altering.
Malcolm asked carefully," What was your nightmare about?"
It was like a switch had been flipped. Oliver's face hardened and his eyes grew if possible even colder. Reminding him of his own eyes when he first joined the league.
It seemed he pushed too hard to soon. As such he lost any ground he had gained with Oliver.
He backed up trying to cover his losses by saying," You don't have to tell me. I know what's its like to have nightmares. Ones that haunt you both asleep and awake."
Oliver didn't reply instead they fell into a silence. One that neither man wanted to break.