A/N thanks for your reviews and support.

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Oliver's POV

The plane they took was like the military cargo planes they used in Medusa. While he and Charlie were used and had no problems with such a plane it seemed the doctor got air sick. Much to their's and the assassin's amusement.

Oliver spent his time trying to avoid thoughts of Medusa. Charlie tried to engage him in converation only to be quickly rebuffed. Oliver didn't want to speak. Not right now.

Panov for his part wasn't oblivious to what was happening. Air sickness kept him from doing anything to help Oliver however.

Eventually he fell into an uneasy sleep on the plane. Charlie being the man was kept watch over him. Trust earned over years of war.

Dreamscape

"Snake Lady, Snake Lady! Respond! What are your sector coordinates?"

They were heading into Tam Quan and Delta would not break silence. He knew where they were and that was all that mattered. Command Saigon could go to hell, he wasn't about to give the North Viet monitoring posts an inkling as to where they were going.

"If you won't or can't respond, Snake Lady, stay below six hundred feet! This is a friend talking, you assholes! You don't have many down here! Their radar will pick you up over six-fifty."

I know that, Saigon, and my pilot knows it, even if he doesn't like it, and I still won't break silence.

"Snake Lady, we've completely lost you! Can any retard on that mission read an air map?"

Yes, I can read one very well, Saigon. Do you think I'd go up with my team trusting any of you? Goddamnit, that's my brother down there! I'm not important to you but he is!

End of dreamscape

He came out of the dream by a hand shaking his shoulder. When he tried to lash out the strike was easily blocked and his arm was twisted behind his back.

Where were his men? What happened to Gordon? Where was his brother?!

"Delta! Calm yourself," came Charlie's familiar voice.

The words took effect immediately. He calmed his eyes finally taking in those around him. Al Sayf's hand was on his right shoulder. Panov was on his left side still looking green but determined.

He groaned and rubbed a hand over his face, "Sorry."

Charlie said leaning back, "Its fine, Delta. Bad dream?"

"Bad memories," came his soft reply.

Charlie's eyes glazed over. They both had enough bad memories to last a lifetime. Given how young they were it was surprising to most. People didn't understand how terrible war was.

Panov shuffled Charlie back slightly and put himself between them. The older omega's scent calmed both men.

His low tenor came through the fuzziness that settled over them, "The past is the past. You cannot change it but neither should you let it control you. Remember that you are not the same person you were then. Work to better yourself and allow me to help you. We only lose when we don't get back up after a fall."

Oliver leaned his back heavily against the wall as he replied, "He's right. We can't let this beat us, Charlie."

"Zach. Call me, Zach, Delta."

"Zach then. You can call me, Oliver. Or if you prefer David. Alex still calls me that half the time."

That had Zach sitting up and glancing at him as he asked, "Conklin? Then he gave you the name?"

"The name and lifestyle that I lived before Medusa."

Both fell into a silence. It was neither an easy or an uncomfortable silence. It just was.

Al Sayf had moved back to his own seat watching with an interested expression. It was as if he was trying to solve a puzzle. It didn't surprise the younger man. He knew they were a puzzle to most. Understanding came with time.

The rest of the ride passed in peace. They were given ration bars as food and some water as needed. Neither Medusan complained. The bars were better than nothing. The poor doctor made a face but kept his mouth shut.

When they landed and the doors opened they were blinded by the sun for a brief moment. It was bright and the heat spoke of a desert. Just as Malcolm had said. A fortress hidden in the desert.

In comparison he felt like a small child again. Like he wasn't worthy of entering the doors that lay beyond the the giant doors. Even from the plane he could see the massive structure.

Al Sayf didn't give them time to hesitate, choosing to push them forward. Oliver didn't let himself stumble. Instead he moved with it. Cautiously the group approached the the giant doors.

Even though he could see them he could feel eyes upon him. They weren't friendly but neither were they unfriendly. Instead they were assessing him and everyone else.

Al Sayf pushed the door open and he followed silently behind. Oliver was awed by the ancient stone walls and floors. While awed he didn't miss the men and women in the same attire as Al Sayf. Many of wore short swords though there was an occasional dagger or long sword. A handful of them wore bows across their backs.

He didn't get much of a chance to examine them. They were pushed towards another set of large doors. These were intricately carved. It was obvious to him that it was either a throne room or a meeting hall.

A line of four men and one woman stood in the center. In front of them was Ra's Al Ghul who didn't glance at them. Each person held a sword or dagger in their hands. Ra's for his part was unarmed.

Al Sayf said undeterred by his master being in trouble, "Before anything else. We will have a demonstration of the power of the Demon's Head."