Oliver's POV
Without his consent he fell asleep in the sitting room. His sleep was dreamless for the first time since Irene's death. Something had calmed the pain in his heart.
When he awoke it was to the smell of bacon and eggs. This was not field cooked bacon and eggs. No this was the real deal. Something that he hadn't eaten since he was 18.
Opening his eyes he saw a blanket over the top of him. Obviously set there some time in the night. It surprised him that the jolt didn't wake him.
Not dwelling on it he got to his feet and folded the blanket. Placing it on the back of the sofa he left the sitting room. Memories and his stomach led him to the kitchen.
When he arrived in the kitchen he paused for a moment. Then an amused smile twitched at his lips. Malcolm was cooking over at the stove. While Panov was sitting at the table reading a newspaper.
The doctor looked up at him as he entered. A weary smile crossing his face. Oliver quickly noticed the dark circles around his eyes. The man had been up the entire night. What happened?
He sat across from the doctor greeting both men," Good morning."
Malcolm's reply was warm and open," Good morning Oliver. Breakfast is almost ready."
Oliver gave him a searching look. Malcolm may be an old family friend but that didn't mean Oliver trusted him completely. Ingrained trust of people broke when he lost Irene.
Panov said in his calm tone," Oliver, I'm going to the clinic later. I'll see you tomorrow for our usual session. You have my number if anything happens before then."
Oliver ducked his head as he said," Thank you."
Any further discussion was interrupted by plates being set on the table. Malcolm took the seat next to him. Then they began to eat the breakfast. To his surprise it didn't upset his stomach. Instead it was something of a comfort.
Panov only ate a few bites of toast before he left. When Malcolm didn't reach for the newspaper he did. Taking it he opened to the first page. His heart almost stopped when he saw a picture on it.
On it stood a picture brown haired man with grey eyes. They weren't normal grey but the grey of someone who has killed. The same kind of grey Oliver's own eyes took. His hands began to shake.
Malcolm noticed and said his hands coming where they could seen," Oliver you are safe."
It took a long moment of breathing deeply before his hands stopped shaking. Pain filled his chest. Charlie didn't deserve to be hunted down like an animal. He was a good man. Better than Delta was when he came back.
Oliver growled getting up," It's not me I'm worried about."
He slammed down the paper and left the room. In doing so he missed the confused but calculating look on Malcolm's face. A driver was waiting outside for him.
The man was tall. Almost as tall as Oliver was. He had short cropped black hair and green eyes. The suit he wore was tailored made. It showed that they still took care of their people.
He ordered," Take me into town."
The man opened the car door and said," Of course sir. Any place in particular?"
Oliver shook his head. For the moment he didn't know where he was going. Just that it was away from there.
What he didn't see was Malcolm's calculating blue eyes watching him leave. Not that he would have cared. Instead he was focused on his own thoughts.
As they went into the city Delta's trained eye watched. He was looking for anything that might give him a clue as to where his comrade was. They continued through the main city. The driver was speaking about the things that had changed. Oliver only listening with one ear.
Something that annoyed him was that they actively avoided the Glades. Sure crime was higher there. That didn't make it any worse than the main part of the city. Crime was everywhere. People only cared about if it happened to them.
Part of him understood though. This was one of Malcolm's men. After what happened with his wife it was expected.
Rebecca Merlyn had been killed in the Glades. No one had stopped to help her. Just as Irene had died back in Vietnam. Killed by a rogue fighter. Which side no one knew. As Malcolm had disappeared from the world so had he. Somehow Delta understood Malcolm's actions better than Oliver did. That scared him.
Still he had the driver driving the city. They were looking for a place for a Medusan to hide. Not that the older man knew that. If he did then he wouldn't have agreed. After all what person in their right mind went looking for an insane man.
Charlie was one of his own. As such Delta would not allow him to run about the city. To be hunted like an animal. If it was him he knew the other would feel the same way. Medusan's looked out for their own.
It didn't take long for Oliver to come to the conclusion that he did. No Medusan would stay in the city. Not when they were trying to hide. Too many people to see them. Too many cameras. If Charlie was anywhere it would be in the Glades.
Curious he inquired," Is there somewhere high up in the Glades that is abandoned?"
The driver thought for a moment then said," The old clock tower. Highest building in the Glades. They closed it down for reconstruction but still haven't gotten around to it. Too much crime in the area."
Oliver then got the directions to them. Against the wishes of the driver he got out of the car. The driver said he would wait an hour before leaving. Then as if an after thought gave him his number. Oliver thanked him and began the treck on foot.
The city was loud and set him on edge. Many people not recognizing him ignored or pushed past him. Something he was immensely grateful for. The last thing he needed was the press ambushing him.
To get to the Glades however he had to pass by the police station. It was not his lucky day. As he was passing by Quentin Lance was coming out with his partner.
Quentin Lance was shorter than Oliver at about five feet seven inches. He had fading brown hair with some grey on the sides. His brown eyes were cold but not the same kind of coldness his own possessed. When they spotted Oliver they grew even colder.
His partner was Lucas Hilton. He was an African American male with close cropped brown hair. His brown eyes were warmer than Lance's even as he spotted Oliver.
Once they spotted him they began to make their way over. Oliver stiffened but stayed where he was. This confrontation was going to happen eventually. Better to let the elder Lance get it over with.
Hilton greeted once they were closer," Mr. Queen we heard you were back."
Oliver greeted as politely as he could," Detective Hilton it has been a long time. How are things?"
That was more politeness in a single sentence than he had shown to law enforcement all his life. That was something he would want to change. His time in Medusa had changed him physically and mentally. Long gone was the spoiled rich boy.
Lance gave a gruff," Queen."
Taking a deep breath he greeted," Detective Lance. Congratulations on the promotion by the way."
Brown eyes seemed to study him closely. As if searching for some hidden meaning or insult. Oliver tried to put on an earnest face. His worry for his friend however overrode it.
Hilton caught onto his distraction and asked," What's wrong?"
For a moment he debated with himself on answering. If the police knew about his connection to Charlie they might detain him. Then it would be up to Panov or his mother to get him out. Panov might even insist on him staying at the clinic overnight.
Then again it might see his team member safely back. The last thing he wanted was for Charlie to end up dead. As their communications specialist the man had done many things for him. Had saved his life on more than one occasion as well. It was time to return the favor.
Taking a deep breath he said," I know the man in the paper this morning. I actually came out to see if I could find him."
Lance asked instantly suspicious of him," You know Zach Eden?"
So that's what his true name was. Somehow Zach just didn't fit right in his mind. Probably how Oliver Queen would fit well in the other's mind when thinking of him. Billionaire playboy. It seemed like a lifetime ago.
Nodding he replied ," It's been a few months since I saw him last but yes i know him."
Charlie had been one of the first to be moved back State side. Delta had been one of the last. One of many that had been put under a doctor's watch. At least he had not been locked away like Charlie. Or Zach as was his true name.
Lance grabbed his shoulder a little too tightly and pushed him towards the station. It almost made him attack the older man. The man was an alpha. One who he had never gotten along well with. In fact he had quite a few memories of the man threatening to tase him.
Lance commanded gruffly," Alright Queen. Let's take this inside and see what you know."
That's who he ended up in one of the interrogation rooms. It had been more at his insistance than anything else. The bull pen had been crowded full of officers and criminals alike. Not a place he wanted to share his secrets at.
To his surprise Hilton brought him some coffee. It wasn't the best he had but it was far better than field coffee. To which he was grateful for.
Once they were settled Oliver said looking down at his mug," What I say cannot go further than this room. If anyone asks me about it I will deny ever having this conversation."
That was taking it far but he had their interest peaked. This was not something he could allow to get out. It wasn't even something that he had talked about with Panov.
Hilton said gently," Whenever your ready then."
Lance still looked suspicious but interested at the same time. He would give them part of the story. Not enough for Abbot or Conklin to want to strangle him. Enough for them to get an idea of what they were up against. Then he would go check the clock tower.
He said pulling his dog tags over his head," I guess my story should start with these."
Once they were off he pushed them to the detectives. Strangely he felt off without them. He had not once removed his tags since he got them. They were always on either on top of his shirt or under it.
Hilton said picking them up," They are real," upon examining them he continued," Call sign Delta. Century team 12. What does that mean?"
Oliver's fingers began to tap against the table. It was a nervous tick he had gotten since returning.
When he replied it was soft and painful," There was a group that used only callsign. I joined that group. It was wear I was for some of the time I was gone. Zach was also part of this and particularly we were on the same team. His callsign was Charlie."
Both men exchanged glances but he continued before they could say anything lost in his memories," He was one of the few that stuck by my decisions. Even though I was the youngest command had me in charge of the team. When others failed we didn't. Echo and I were long range but could move between spots. Charlie was our communications and knife throwing specialist. Alpha was a traitor but he led the charge before he turned traitor."
A shiver ran through him. He could feel the cold beat of the rain now. They were preparing for another mission. Charlie had just relayed commands orders. Another mission another set of kills. Would it ever end?
A hand touched his shoulder. An unfamiliar hand. It caused him to lash out and reach for his side arm. The side arm wasn't there. Whoever the hand belonged to retreated. Now his hands were visible.
His grey eyes searched the person the hands belonged to. It was a white brown haired man. His face was set in stone with just a hint of worry in his eyes.
It was Oliver who recognized the man. Not Delta. Slowly taking long deep breaths as Panov had taught him he calmed down. This was not Tam Quan. There was no need to attack these men.
Lance said in a softer tone trying to catch his eye," Queen... Queen... Oliver look at me."
His first name caught his attention and he obeyed. Grey eyes met brown. The brown ones no longer cold. Instead they were slightly warmer not the friendliest by any means. Just warmer than he was used to.
He croaked out," Panov. Call Panov."
There was a tightness in his chest and a sense of rising panic. While he didn't want to reveal his full hand there was no stopping this. The doctor would be angry and rightly so. Oliver was sticking his nose where it didn't belong. If he wasn't called however given the circumstances he would be even more so.
"If you are having an episode find someone. Someone you trust enough to call me. If you can keep a card on you in case you can't bring yourself to speak." Morris Panov.
Scrambling he tried to reach into his pockets. His panic at the tightening in his chest making it difficult to focus. Breathing was now coming in ragged gasps.
All his senses were heightened. It was to the point of when he went on missions. Even the smallest mistake could cost him his life.
There were two distinct scents. Both of which he vaguely recognized. Something from his past. Both were alphas and male. It took a minute for the killer to recognize that one was speaking.
It was the brown haired man," Oliver in and out. Breath deeply. Hilton has gone to get the doctor."
The killer wanted to run away from the man. A doctor no. Doctor's didn't help people like him. Instead they tried to drug and "fix" him.
His whole body was shaking now. Fight or flight instincts warring with the small part of his mind that said to listen. To stay. That everything would be fine.
So he tried. Tried slow his breathing to that of a normal rate. By himself it wasn't working. It wasn't until a hand was placed on his chest and one picked up his own and placed on another's chest that it began to work. Even then it didn't happen immediately.
The shaking got worse and his breathing was coming four or five times a second. He was hyperventilating and there was nothing he could do. It was only the exaggerated deep breaths from the hand that kept him somewhat grounded.
Right as his vision began to go blurry he heard a soft voice say," Move aside, Detective. Let me help him."
The hand was removed and he let out a whine. One that was not common coming from him. The hand on his chest was replaced by a hand on his forehead. A gentleness ran through him. Without meaning to he began to fall forward. A gentle hand caught him and his eyes closed.
When he awoke his mind was much calmer than it had been. While he was awake he kept his eyes closed. Listening before announcing that he had returned to the land of living.
He was laying on some kind of couch or for. There was something soft but not quite a pillow under his head. Likely a jacket or something similar.
Next to him Lance's voice asked," How long is he going to be out, Doctor?"
Panov's calm voice replied," He should be waking up any minute now, Detective. Gentling a mind isn't meant to be a long term deal. It was a smaller version than what is normally done as well. Just enough to calm his panic."
So that was gentle mind. He was grateful for the doctor's interference. He remembered how helpless he had felt. It was not something he wanted to go through again.
Oliver damn nearly jumped when a hand touched his forehead. It had been unexpected but not unwelcome. The gentleness of the touch surprised him as it was not the doctor's soft hands. Instead it was the callused ones of the detective.
Slowly he and blearily he opened his eyes. What he saw surprised him. Quentin Lance stood next to him a hand on his forehead. Brown eyes no longer cold but warmed slightly. His own grey ones bled slightly blue. Panov stood slightly off to the side watching calmly.
Oliver asked softly," What happened?"
Panov moved to where he lay. Now that Oliver could see he saw that it was a small couch. Moving to sit up he also noticed that Lance was no longer wearing a jacket. He was standing there in just his dress shirt and pants.
Panov touched his back helping him sit up. He felt weak as he did so. No doubt it was a side effect of the gentling.
Panov said once he was steadily sitting up," You had a panic attack. I was in the area when detective Lance called. What caused the attack, Oliver?"
For a moment he considered staying quiet. He knew it wouldn't do him any good. More likely than not he already had the answers but was waiting to see if Oliver would tell him. A test to see if Oliver could be trusted.
So he responded ducking his head slightly," I told Detective Lance and Hilton that i knew the man in the paper this morning. We were talking about it and I..."
His response cutting off as he remembered. Remembered things he would rather leave in the past. A hand on his shoulder brought him back to reality before panic could set in. Looking into Panov's brown eyes he took several deep breaths before looking away.
When his eyes glanced to the side he saw Lance's jacket. It was a strange sight for him. Lance had never liked him even when he dated Laurel. Always thought that Oliver would break her heart. In a way he had.
Oliver had run off without a word to anyone. Gone with promises of a new life. One he had been given was a good life for awhile. The pain of home sickness gone before it really set in. Especially when he met Irene.
Grabbing the jacket he handed it back to Lance with a quiet," Thank you, Detective."
Lance considered him for a moment before he responded with a gruff," You're welcome, Oliver."
Panov helped him to his feet. A hand staying on his shoulder as they began to walk out of the precinct. It wasn't until they were outside that Oliver realized that Lance had called him by his first name. Even when he was dating Laurel it was always Queen. Or when the other was feeling particularly angry Mr. Queen. Maybe things would settle down.
He was lost in his own thoughts so much so that he didn't notice they were in an alley. That was until he heard the screeching of tires behind them. Spinning he saw a black van with dark tinted windows pull up behind them.
Men jumped out of the van with guns and faces hidden behind ski masks. Without his side arm he didn't have any weapons. Panov had insisted that he not carry any until the doctor was sure he wouldn't accidentally kill someone. Now it seemed that would be a fatal mistake.
The men pointed the guns at him and Panov. That had Delta springing into action. Before they could fire he grabbed the nearest man's weapon. He twisted the weapon so that it was pointing at the ground. His left hand then struck out to the other's throat. He didn't even make a cry as he hit the ground with a thud.
Two spits sounded. A thud of something hitting the ground behind him. Before he could turn he felt something sting his neck. Not the pain of a gunshot. His vision began to fade. It was a sedative. The world went black.