Hello. I am so sorry for the delay. My time has been so scarce lately that I haven't had the chance to properly continue this story. Don't worry though, it isn't discontinued. I have also decided to start a new story soon so my time will be divided between both stories so I'm hoping to be able to write at least 2 to 3 chapters of this story per week. Thank you to those who have been patient with me.
-Patronus Totalus
[5 YEARS AGO] - In the forest. Yao Fei kills a rabbit.
Yao Fei: (points to the dead rabbit) Dinner.
Oliver: Ah, come... hey, I got an idea, why don't you let me shoot that thing and you can go pick up the bloody, dead, disgusting animal. What? [Yao Fei hands him his bow and arrow.]
Yao Fei: Try. Breathe. Everything, breathe. Breathe, aim... Fire. Here. Aim that tree. Breathe. [Branches rustling. Oliver misses.]
"Fail!" Tommy shouts.
"Like you can do any better." Laurel taunts. Tommy shuts up.
Yao Fei: [Speaking native language]
Oliver: What does that mean?
Yao Fei: You will die badly. Get.
[Oliver goes to pick up the arrow he shot when he is taken and thrown into a cage.]
Oliver: Ahh! Ahh! Ahh! Wait, wait! You can't leave me here! Don't do this to me, please! Oh-oh! No! Please! I didn't do anything!
"Shit! " Tommy swears under his breath.
[PRESENT] - Outside the SCPD
Oliver voiceover: The police think they know who I am. They think I'm the vigilante. The man in the hood terrorizing the city's criminals. They also think they have me trapped. That I have no way out. They're only half right.
"What did he do? How can he be so confident that they won't throw him in jail?" Thea asks genuinely confused. All the evidence pointed toward her brother yet he seemed so confident that he wouldn't be prosecuted.
"There is no way he can escape prison now. I finally got him!" Lance says thrilled. Laurel just glares at her father.
[SCPD INTERROGATION ROOM]
Oliver: This is a mistake.
Lance: I'll be asking you a few questions, standard stuff for the report. Have you been arrested before? That's ok, I know the answer to that one, plenty of times.
Tommy looked like he was about to object saying Oliver had nothing to do with that, but decided to keep his mouth shut knowing it wasn't true.
Oliver: Like I said, this is a mistake.
Lance: Far as I can tell, the only mistake I made was not shooting you down at the docks when I had a chance.
Oliver: I am not who you think I am.
Lance: Oh, you're exactly who I think you are. You're a dangerous menace who doesn't care about who he hurts, except now you're doing it with bows and arrows instead of trust funds and yachts.
"Why are you so hell bent on destroying my family, Quentin?" Moira asks.
"Because he's guilty!" Lance yells.
"He's helping the city!" Laurel retorts.
Oliver: Detective... You hate me. I get it. But that doesn't make me a vigilante.
Lance: No. The security camera footage of you at the Unidac auction with a green hood does that pretty well.
Oliver: And as I said again, I ran into the stairwell once I heard the shooting. I saw a duffel that I thought maybe belonged to the shooter. I grabbed it, looked inside and saw... a hood.
"Not a bad cover story." Diggle says impressed. "Although I don't know why I'm impressed. According to this, he's lied to me a lot."
Lance: And what about harassing Adam Hunt? That just happened to take place right across the street from your little homecoming bash.
Oliver: Those were coincidences.
Lance: No. When they pile up like that, it becomes evidence.
Officer: His parents are here.
Lance: Tell them to wait.
Moira: (barges into the room with Walter)I want to see my son.
Lance: I'm in the middle of an interrogation here!
Moira: Detective Lance, I know you hate my family, but I had no idea that you'd go so far to arrest my son without any grounds whatsoever!
Lance: I have solid grounds, and I have evidence.
Walter: Which you can present to Mr. Queen's attorney when he gets here.
Moira: Until then, this interrogation is over, Detective.
Lance: Sure. You have 15 minutes. [Door closes]
Walter: Detective Lance appears to be on some personal vendetta.
Oliver: He is. He blames me for the death of his daughter. He also thinks that I dress up in a green hood and shoot people... With arrows.
Moira: The important thing is not to say anything until your attorney gets here.
Oliver: Fine. I want Laurel. [Moira and Walter scoff.]
"Me?" Laurel asks. Thea rolls her eyes. "Of course he would want you. Your dad is the arresting officer, you could talk to him."
Walter: Brilliant. Oliver...
Moira: I don't think your ex-girlfriend can be counted on to be objective here.
Oliver: She knows me better than anyone. She knows that I could never be this guy. Walter, you say Lance has a vendetta?
Walter: Yes.
Oliver: I think Laurel can get him off of it. He raised her to do the right thing. That includes representing an innocent man. So... Mom. Please.
"Oh, he's good." Roy says. "I've only known you for a day and even I know he could easily use that against you." Laurel glares at Roy with the help of Thea.
[CNRI]
Moira: Laurel.
Laurel: Mrs. Queen! What are you...
Moira: It's Oliver. Something's happened.
Laurel: It's been all over the news. (turns to the T.V. behind her) [Sighs]
Moira: These charges are ludicrous.
Laurel: I know. Can I ask you, who's representing him?
Moira: Well, that's why I'm here. He wants you to represent him.
Laurel: Me?
"Looks like you don't change at all." Thea teases.
Moira: Yes. I told him it was a bad idea, but to be frank, I am desperate. He says if you don't represent him, then he doesn't want any attorney.
Laurel: Mrs. Queen, my father is the arresting officer.
Moira: Yes.
Laurel: And I don't think it's a good idea for me to represent someone who I've been involved with. Listen, I am sorry for what your family is going through...
Moira: No apologies. Your idealism, I think, is why my son, for all his mistakes, is so smitten with you. Regardless, it was a bad idea on his part, and I am sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable.
"Thank you, Mrs. Queen." Laurel nods appreciatively.
"I only said what I believe." Moira responds.
[COURTROOM]
Man: Docket 81941, people vs. Oliver Queen. Murder, aggravated assault, assault with intent, menacing and trespassing.
Judge: Where's your attorney, Mr. Queen?
Oliver: I'm representing myself, judge. (he gets up)
Judge: I'm not sure that's the wisest course, Mr. Queen.
Oliver: I think it is. I'm innocent.
Judge: Then we'll consider that your plea.
Oliver: Thank you. (he sits back down)
Attorney: Now, as to bail... your honor, Mr. Queen's family owns a pair of private jets, and, well, on the subject of their wealth, I would point out that there is virtually no bail amount that can guarantee his presence at trial.
Laurel: (walks in)So then I guess it's a good thing that the people's case is so circumstantial. Dinah Laurel Lance, your honor. I'd like to file my appearance on behalf of the defendant. Mr. Queen's wealth should not deprive him of the right to be released on bail while under the presumption of innocence.
"You couldn't resist saving his ass could you?" Tommy asks Laurel. Laurel just shrugs.
Attorney: He is a flight risk.
Laurel: Then minimize the risk. The defendant is willing to submit to home confinement and electronic monitoring through the wearing of a UKG45 administrated ankle device.
Oliver: No, he wouldn't.
"You just messed up his plans didn't you?" Felicity asks.
"Most probably." Diggle responds.
Judge: Sold.
Attorney: Your honor...
Judge: Bail is set at $15 million. $5 million bond. Defendant to see probation for the fitting of a GPS device. (hits with gavol)
Oliver: [Everyone else is leaving] I knew you couldn't resist saving my ass.
Laurel: You're going to make me regret this, aren't you?
Oliver: No. It's going to be like old times.
Laurel: Fortunately for you with the legal case, there's no way that you're this vigilante.
Oliver: I agree.
Laurel: Because he's actually trying to make a difference. We both know that's not really your style.
"I don't know how you do it, but you somehow insulted and complimented him at the same time." Tommy says astonished.
[QUEEN MANSION]
Oliver: Mom. It's not that bad.
Officer: Ok. This device has a direct line into the precinct. Stay on the property, you're golden. Any questions?
Oliver:Yes. I'm having a sizable get together here tomorrow evening, and there is a better than likely chance it spills into the outdoor pool.
"'A sizable get together.' What is he planning?" Malcolm questions. 'If he has a party he can't possibly slip out and be the Arrow while being the center of attention. Although he has done it before', he thought thinking back to Adam Hunt.
Officer: Pool, that's fine. Step on the grass, they're sending a SWAT team to forcibly subdue you.
Walter: Thank you, officer.
Officer: Of course.
Moira: A "sizable get together"?
Oliver: I'm confined to this house for the foreseeable future. I might as well make the most of it. And this party is going to be themed. I'm thinking prison, uh, burning man meets "Shawshank Redemption". The invite says, "come before Oliver Queen gets off."
Tommy: Maybe a party's not in the best of taste, you know, considering the circumstances.
Oliver: Tommy, the circumstances are why we're having the party in the first place. I want people to know that I'm not worried about any of this.
At the same time as the T.V, "Well, that makes one of us."
Moira: Well, that makes one of us.
[LAUREL'S APARTMENT]
Laurel: Before you start yelling...
Lance: Why would I yell? You're only defending the man that killed your sister.
Laurel: Oliver did not kill Sara!
"You just can't see that this is already tearing him up inside, can you? He already blames himself for enough things and he blames himself for Sara's death, but you are just adding fuel to the fire!" Laurel screams at her father. Lance just tries to stand tall and stand by his future self's actions, but his pride is dwindling.
Lance: If it wasn't for him, she wouldn't have been on that boat.
Laurel: Have you consider the possibility that that's the reason you're trying to make him out to be this... this menace?
Lance: No, it is the video tape, is the suspicious timing, that is the reason!
Laurel: This is Oliver Queen we're talking about. He wrecks fancy cars and he dates models. He doesn't kill people.
"That's what you think." Tommy says trying to lighten the mood, but a glare from the girls got him to stop. Malcolm just shook his head at his son.
Lance: No, he just uses them, like he used Sara and like he used you, and he's only asked you to be his lawyer to get at me.
Laurel: No, he asked me to be his lawyer to get through to you. You hate the Hood and you hate Oliver, and you want more than anything for them to be the same person. But Oliver isn't the reason why Sara died. Or the reason mom left.
Lance: I don't have to listen to this. (starts to walk away)
Laurel: By the way... You're not the only one who misses them. [Exhales] [Sighs]
"Well, that was a handful." Thea whispers to Felicity who nods.
[QUEEN MANSION - OLIVER'S ROOM]
[Knock on door]
Oliver: Yup? Thank you for coming. Shut the door.
Diggle: I guess it was just a matter of time before the police caught up with you.
Oliver: Except they didn't.
Diggle: Oliver, they got you on video.
Oliver:I knew the security camera was there, just like I knew the police would review the footage and arrest me. All part of the plan.
"Wait, what?" Lance asks.
Diggle: So you wanted to get arrested?
Oliver: Well, I returned to Starling City and a few days later, the vigilante appears. Sooner or later, somebody was going to make the connection.
"Oh thank God! My brother isn't a total idiot!" Thea exclaims sighing dramatically.
Diggle: So what part of serving yourself up to the cops will help you avoid going to prison for the rest of your life?
Oliver: There's more to it.
Diggle: Well, there better be, for your sake, because your family is freaking out downstairs. Oliver, your mother and your sister just got you back, and now you're going to put them through a trial, maybe even worse? Don't you care?
"Of course he cares." Felicity smacks Diggle. "Right?" she adds uncertainly.
Oliver: Of course I care. The mission comes first.
"See." Felicity turns to Diggle who rolls his eyes fondly.
Diggle: Who is he?
Oliver: Leo Mueller. German arms dealer. Suspected in the theft of a hundred m249 squad automatic weapons.
Diggle: Ok...
Oliver: Last night he arrived in Starling City to sell the guns.
Diggle: Oliver, don't you imagine there's enough trouble you're in this week than to go after this guy?
Oliver: I imagine what would happen if a street gang got their hands on military-grade hardware. I imagine our city's streets turned into a war zone.
Diggle: But you're under house arrest, Oliver, which means you can't just go after this guy.
Oliver: Look, for now, I would just like you to shadow Mueller. I would like you to track his movements. I want to know where the buy is happening.
Diggle: Ok. And how am I supposed to track him?
Oliver: Well, you know us billionaire vigilantes... we do love our toys.
"How many vigilante billionaire are there?" Roy asks getting no answer.
[ARROW CAVE]
Diggle: Ow! Oooh. [Beep] Oh, well, that's sweet. (playing with stuff in the arrow cave)
"That is so cool!" Diggle, Roy and Tommy all say. Malcolm looks impressed at the level of technology he has.
[QUEEN CONSOLIDATED]
Josiah: You wanted to see me, sir?
Walter: No. I didn't. In fact, this meeting isn't taking place. How long have you been head of security at Queen consolidated, Josiah?
Josiah: Going on seven years now, sir.
Walter: Sounds about right. But what I'm about to tell you will test the bounds of your discretion. You're aware of the "Queen's Gambit", Robert Queen's ill-fated yacht? Well, I found it.
"Why is he going around telling people. You promised me Moira that Walter wouldn't be a problem." Malcolm whispered.
"And he won't be. Don't worry." Moira replies.
Josiah: Sir, the boat went down in the North China sea five years ago.
Walter: Which is why my discovery of its remains in a warehouse downtown was unexpected, to say the least. I want you to transfer those remains to a secure location. Can I count on you?
Josiah: [Chuckles] What's going on, sir?
Walter: That's very much what I'm trying to determine.
Tommy and Thea share a look then look at their parents trying to figure it out themselves.
[SCPD INTERROGATION ROOM]
[Door closes]
Attorney: Thank you both for coming.
Oliver: No, thank you. It's nice to get out of the house.
"He is the only one that could make a joke out of this!" Thea says exasperated.
"That's not entirely true. You do realize that best friends rub off on each other?" Laurel comments motioning to Tommy who is oblivious to the exchange.
Attorney: I'll cut right to it. Detective Lance arrested your client without consulting my office first. So congratulations. I am willing to consider a plea in this case.
"That's perfect! It's basically a gift offering that." Laurel says happily.
Oliver: Absolutely not.
"And he just threw it away." Tommy finishes.
Attorney: Mr. Queen spent five years in seclusion on a deserted island, cut off from civilization. It is quite possible he's suffering from some form of post traumatic stress. Given that, we would support a plea of insanity. Conditional on a period of indeterminate incarceration at a psychiatric facility.
Oliver: No, thank you. I'm not crazy.
"That is highly debatable." Thea giggles.
Lance: Finally something we agree on. He's not a nut, he's a killing machine.
Oliver: Actually, I'm neither.
Lance: There is nothing you can say to me that I would believe.
Oliver: I'll take a polygraph.
Laurel: Uh, polygraphs are inadmissible.
"Why are they inadmissible?" Thea asks Laurel.
"Some people can control their reactions so polygraphs don't exactly pick up tells." Laurel answers.
Oliver: In front of the jury. I'll take a polygraph in front of him. He's the one I need to convince.
Laurel: I'm going to need a minute. You're looking at life in prison. What Spencer just offered you is a gift.
"See. I agreed with myself." Laurel motions to the screen.
"Isn't this the second time you said exactly what you say in the future?" Lance asks his daughter.
Oliver: I'm not crazy. I am innocent. I kind of want to take the polygraph. And if I take it and I fail, then... I will consider making a deal.
Laurel: Fine. I'll set up the poly. And I will tell Spencer that we're not pleading out, but Oliver, you have a family. Friends. People who actually care about you. So don't, for one second, think you're the only person with something to lose here. [Exhales] I'll be right back. [Door closes]
"You know, Laurel, you are kind of doing the same thing as your father in a more platonic manner. You're making him feel bad for putting his family through this." Felicity theorizes.
[FLASHBACK]
Oliver: [Groans]
Fyers: Please, sit. You're making me feel rude. [Breathing heavily] I do apologize for my men's treatment of you. [Opens can] They're... they're trained to view any stranger as hostile. I'm Edward Fyers, by the way. And you are?
"Who the hell is Edward Fyers and what is he doing there?" Lance asks.
Oliver: I'm Oliver Queen. I was shipwrecked here. I don't... Know for how long. My family has money. They have lots of money you would be... You'd be really well compensated for my rescue.
Fyers: Well, I look forward to that. But for the moment, let's just talk.
Oliver: About what?
Fyers: Well, for instance... This gentleman. Do you know him? (holds up a picture of Yao Fei)
Oliver: No.
Fyers: No?
Oliver: No. Who's he?
"Wow he was a bad liar." Roy says.
Fyers: You're a poor liar. I've been polite. I'll offer you one more chance before my manners leave me.
Oliver: Hey, hey. I don't know this guy. I thought I was on this island all by myself.
Fyers: Do you know what this island is named? We're on Lian Yu... mandarin for "purgatory", and I can make it feel like hell. I don't know why you're protecting him. You're young, foolish. Perhaps you don't know why, either. Think on that when you're begging for death.
"'Begging for death'?" Thea blanches.
Fyers: (walks out and tells another man to come inside) He's yours now. [A man with a mask and a sword walks in.]
[END FLASHBACK]
[QUEEN MANSION]
Oliver: Hey, Speedy. One of the workers left a keg too far from the bar. Can you ask them to move it please? I got the ankle... thingie. I don't want to set off a SWAT invasion. Hey! All this stuff? It's going to be fine, I promise.
Thea: Yeah, well, when you and dad left on the yacht, you promised me I'd see you in a few days. Which didn't happen.
Laurel and Felicity hug Thea.
Oliver: This is different than that. I didn't do any of this stuff, you know that. Right?
Thea: You're out all the time. You have those scars, and since you've been back, you've been acting really weird.
Oliver: None of this makes me some Robin Hood wannabe.
Thea: And you get me this. I mean, it's an arrowhead.
Oliver: Oh, man. [Exhales] Thea, I bought that in the gift shop of the Beijing airport. [Stammering] Now I'm sort of happy I didn't buy you the shot glass with the panda on it, 'cause then you'd be worried I was panda man. [Chuckles]
"I'm surprised he can lie this well compared to 5 years ago." Roy says. Everyone nods along.
Thea: You know, I knew you couldn't be this person. I-I just... I can't lose you again.
Oliver: Deal.
"Aww. That's cute." Felicity coos. Everyone looks at her. "Don't pretend like you weren't thinking the same thing."
[MALCOLM'S OFFICE]
Malcolm: Moira. Thank you for coming on such short notice.
Moira: Yes. Could you please make this quick? I'm in the midst of somewhat of a family emergency.
Thea and Tommy both glance suspiciously at their parents.
Malcolm: Yes, of course. It's all over the local news. [Chuckles] Possibly even national.
Moira: Well, I know what you're thinking.
Malcolm: Do you?
Moira: My son is not the man targeting the list. The charges are preposterous.
"What is it with you two and the list. Please tell me you're not on it." Thea says angrily.
Malcolm: Not according to the district attorney, assistant district attorney, investigating Detective in the police department that filed charges against him.
Moira: That detective has a vendetta against my family.
Malcolm: Why? Is there something untoward about your family? If so, something really needs to be done about that.
"What are you planning, Dad?" Tommy asks.
[SCPD INTERROGATION ROOM]
Lance: Is your name Oliver Queen?
Oliver:You don't know who I am, Detective?
Lance: The questions are to calibrate the polygraph. Is your name Oliver Queen?
Oliver: Yes.
Lance: Were you born in Starling City May 16th, 1985?
Oliver: Yes.
Lance: Is your hair blue?
Oliver: No.
"Well this one time.." Tommy starts trying to lighten the mood.
Lance: Have you ever been to Iron Heights prison?
Oliver: No.
Lance: Are you the man in this picture?
[FLASHBACK]
Fyers: Where can I find the man in this picture?
[END FLASHBACK]
[INTERROGATION ROOM]
Oliver: No.
Lance: You steal 40 million dollars off Adam Hunt?
Oliver: No, I didn't.
"He's actually doing really well, which is kind of scary." Diggle says. Malcolm is deep in thought at this new piece of information.
Lance: Were you marooned on an island called Lian Yu for 5 years?
Oliver: Yes.
Laurel: How is that even relevant?
Lance: I don't need to show relevance, but since you asked, whatever happened to your client on that island turned him into a cold blooded killer.
[FLASHBACK]
Oliver: (being tortured) No!
Everyone either winces or gasps at the sight of Oliver being tortured.
[END FLASHBACK]
[SCPD]
Lance: The physician that examined you reported that 20% of your body is covered in scar tissue.
[FLASHBACK]
Oliver: [Screaming]
Thea has her hands over her ears and screams at Lance, "Stop! Make it stop! Stop asking him those questions!"
[END FLASHBACK]
[SCPD]
Laurel: (looking at Oliver, but talking to Lance) The machine won't work unless you ask a question.
"You clearly didn't know about this." Tommy comments on Laurel's face.
Lance: Did that happen to you there?
Oliver: Yes.
Lance: When you came back, you told everyone that you were alone on that island. Are you claiming that your scars were... Self-inflicted?
Oliver: No. I wasn't alone. I didn't want to talk about what happened to me on the island.
Lance: Why not?
Oliver: Because the people that were there tortured me.
"You son of a bitch. You stop right now!" Moira yells.
Lance: Have you killed anyone?
Oliver: Yes. When I asked your daughter Sara to come on my father's yacht with me. I killed your daughter. (gets up and leaves)
"I told you." Laurel snarls at her dad.
Guy: I'd have to study the data, but just eyeballing it, he's telling the truth.
Lance: [with a sour expression on his face.]Hmm.
Laurel: Can I assume that you'll be recommending. Ms. Spencer to drop all charges against my client?
Lance: No. I know a guilty man when I see one. He is guilty, whether you can see it or not.
"I know he was lying, but are you really putting your personal vendetta above doing your job properly?" Diggle asks Lance. Lance just rolls his eyes at the ex-military.
[QUEEN MANSION]
[Dance music playing] [Music stops]
Oliver: Hi, everybody!
All: Hey!
Oliver: I'm very touched that you came to celebrate with me before I am sent up the river. Closest neighbors are six miles away, so don't worry about the noise. Actually, on second thought... Let's wake those losers up! [All cheering] Whoo! [Dance music playing]
"The life of the party." Tommy chuckles. Lance huffs angrily as he can see the difference between the Oliver everyone sees compared to the one he actually is. And he doesn't like that he is starting to warm up to the man.
Diggle: If you think this is what prison's like, you are in for a rude awakening.
[OLIVER'S BEDROOM]
Diggle: Mueller's car has been parked in the warehouse district of the Glades for 45 minutes.
Oliver: Yeah, that's a good place for an arms deal.
Diggle: Ok, since this is going down tonight, what do we do, drop a dime on Mueller with the cops?
Oliver: No, the man in the hood. He's going to stop them.
Diggle: Oliver, you can't leave the house.
Oliver: It doesn't have to be me in the hood.
Diggle: [Chuckles] That's why you threw this ridiculous party? So you have a hundred witnesses placing you here at the house while I'm supposed to be across town dressed as a vigilante?
"Wow. I never thought Oliver would actually have a plan that is thought through." Laurel says surprised.
"Why would you say that?" Felicity asks.
"Oliver was more of a 'living in the now' kind of guy." Thea answers for Laurel.
Oliver: I thought that it was going to be good enough just for you to be seen in the hood. I didn't count on Mueller showing up and I didn't count on the possibility that the Glades could be flooded with machine guns. Look. I promise, it was never my intention to put you in harm's way.
"I'm glad that he is opening up to someone even if it isn't me." Thea says to Diggle.
Diggle: Oliver, I didn't think joining your crusade was ever going to be risk-free. I just don't like being played. Now you might have gotten used to lying to everyone else in your life, but I'm the one guy you don't lie to.
Oliver: You're right. I'm sorry. So am I going to jail?
Diggle: No, man. I got to stop an arms deal.
"Thank you, Mr. Diggle. I have a feeling I will be telling you that quite often." Moira courtesies toward Diggle.
[QUEEN CONSOLIDATED]
[Telephone rings]
Walter: Hello?
Mike: Mr. Steel, I'm sorry to bother you, sir. This is Mike Vogel down in security. But I have some sad news for you. The company's head of security, Josiah Hudson, was in a car accident tonight. He's dead, sir.
Moira looks not-so-subtly toward the eldest Merlyn.
[QUEEN MANSION]
Oliver: Hello. Do we have a legal meeting or something? Because I have friends over.
Laurel: Do you think maybe you can tear yourself away from this inappropriately themed rave for a couple minutes?
[OLIVER'S ROOM]
Laurel: Wow. I can't remember the last time that I've been in this room.
Oliver: I can. Halloween, 2005. We were getting ready for Tommy's party.
Laurel: Ah. Yes. I wore those horrible fishnets.
Oliver: I thought you looked good.
"You did look good." Tommy agrees. Laurel slightly blushes while Thea and Felicity watch on amused.
Laurel: Listen... I just wanted to come by and apologize for my father's behavior today. During the polygraph.
Oliver: You don't have to apologize for him. He has a right to feel any way that he wants.
Laurel: It wasn't just Sara, Ollie. What do you mean? After Sara died, my father threw himself into his work. I think that's part of the reason I'm an attorney. He ran to the law and I followed. But my mother couldn't. So she left him. [Sighs] Left us. Look, I'm not trying to tell you this to make you feel bad, or worse. I just... I really want you to understand him.
Oliver: Why don't you hate me? You should.
"I can't believe how much he is actually blaming himself." Moira states.
"Well, after seeing what he's been through so far, I don't believe it's that hard to grasp. After spending all that time on an island with torturers, not many would be able to get through that unscaved." Diggle explains.
Laurel: I did. For so long, I did, Ollie. But after today, I realized that... I was so focused on what happened to my family that I didn't even stop and wonder what could have happened to you. [Inhales and exhales] I didn't know about the torture, or your scars. What happened to you on that island was far more than you deserve. And I was wrong that I didn't ask you before, but I'm asking you now. I need to know. I need to see.
Oliver: Are you sure?
Laurel: Yes. [Oliver unbuttons his shirt.] How did you survive this?
"He must certainly trust you, ." Malcolm interprets.
"And why would that be, Mr. Merlyn?" Laurel questions.
"You are the first person he has actually willingly shown his scars to." Malcolm states. Laurel turns back to the screen.
Oliver: There were times when I wanted to die. In the end... There was something I wanted more. [They kiss.]
Tommy watches jealous as the present and future Laurel are still so into his best friend instead of himself.
Oliver: No. Laurel, you don't have to go. [Laurel leaves]
[FLASHBACK]
Fyers: Amazing. You have resolve I didn't credit you for. Or perhaps he truly doesn't know anything. We should put him out of his misery. [Yao Fei saves Oliver with an awesome fight scene.]
Everyone releases the breath they all didn't know they were holding although knowing he was fine in the end.
[END FLASHBACK]
[ALLEY]
Seller: It's an M249 machine gun. Gas-powered, air-cooled, fires up to 800 rounds per minute.
Buyer: [Whistles] [Lights go out]
Buyers/Sellers: We need to move, now! What are you doing? Get out of here! Move! Let's go! [Arrow fights them. ]
"That was so awesome!" Tommy yells excitedly.
[QUEEN CONSOLIDATED]
Moira: Well. I'm not accustomed to being summoned to the office in the middle of the night. Well, what was it that was so important that I had to race down here?
Walter: I found the "Queen's Gambit", Moira. I know you secretly had the boat salvaged. I wanted to move it to a more secure location before confronting you about it. In fact, I sent Josiah Hudson to the warehouse for precisely that purpose. But he died mysteriously in a car accident. I hope you now have a better understanding of why it is I've been so distant of late. It's very disconcerting to discover that the person with whom you share your home, your bed and your heart has been lying to you so convincingly, and I would be a fool not to consider all the things that you have told me were lies.
Moira: Walter, you're my husband, I... Yes, I am. Walter, please. You've got to stop looking into this, it's not safe. You'll be... you'll be upsetting people, people with influence. You are very far out of your depth.
"Serves you right." Thea mumbles under her breath. Laurel, Tommy, and Felicity all put a comforting hand on Thea.
[OLIVER'S ROOM]
[Phone vibrates]
Diggle (over the phone) : Man in the hood, one, gangbangers, zero. [Knock on door]
Oliver: Hang on. Yeah?
Hit-man: (dressed as a waiter and loading a gun) Mr. Queen, if you're entertaining guests upstairs, should I have some drinks sent up?
"You sent a hit-man after my best friend!" Tommy turns to his dad.
"How do you even know if it's me?" Malcolm asks.
"You're the only one who is upset with Oliver that would hire a hit-man. I may have dropped out of college, but I'm not stupid." Tommy glares at his dad.
Oliver: No. It's just me up here and I'm on my way back down. (to Diggle) Good job. Now get back here. [Oliver and the hit-man fight. Lance shoots the hit-man.]
"Thank you, Quentin." Moira nods to the detective who nods back.
[LIVING ROOM]
Lance (on the phone) : Yeah. Yep.
Oliver: How did you know I was in trouble?
Lance: Because when the guy was fighting you, he broke the ankle monitor.
Moira: (runs in) Are you all right?!
Oliver: I'm fine.
Moira: Oliver...
Oliver: Mom. I promise.
Moira: This is on you. By accusing my son publicly, you've made him a target.
"She acts like she doesn't know anything about this!" Thea whisper-yells at Tommy. Tommy nods along shooting a glance at his father.
Walter: Do you have any idea who attacked Oliver?
Lance: We haven't identified him. Though it must be someone with a grudge against the Hood, obviously.
Oliver: [Lance is taking off the ankle monitor] What are you doing?
Lance: I got a call from my lieutenant. An arms dealer was attacked across town tonight. By the vigilante. Multiple witnesses put him there. In light of that, all charges against your son are being dropped.
"Damn it! I swear I'm gonna get him when he gets back from that island." Lance promises.
Moira: I'm truly sorry for what's happened to your family, Quentin. But would you kindly get the hell out of my house?
Walter: Mr. Lance... Thank you.
[MALCOLM'S OFFICE]
Malcolm: Moira. Did we have an appointment?
Moira: No, but I decided to screw propriety after you tried to have my son killed.
"I knew it! My own best friend! How could you!" Tommy screams at his father. Tommy scoffs, "You don't even care."
Malcolm: I'm sure you understand, I was justified in suspecting your son of being the vigilante targeting our associates. I had to take steps.
Moira: And now that you know your steps were taken in error, that Oliver is not your enemy.
Malcolm: [Chuckles] I offer my sincerest apologies.
Moira: I know you found out I had the yacht salvaged, just as I know you had Josiah Hudson killed.
Malcolm: Well, accidents tend to befall people who are too curious.
Moira: I've been the good soldier. I've done everything you asked. But if any member of my family so much as gets a paper cut, I will burn your entire world to ashes.
"Mom although I am extremely mad at you, that was awesome! And thank you for protecting us." Thea says appreciatively.
[FLASHBACK]
Oliver: [Groaning]
Yao Fei: I tell you, island dangerous, but you not tell them where to find me. You stronger than I thought. Take it. I lead them off, you stay. Remember, everything breathe. You breathe, you survive here longer.
Oliver: No! I'm coming with you! [A rock blocks the entrance.]
[END FLASHBACK]
[QUEEN MANSION]
[Door opens]
Laurel: Rough party. My father told me what happened. Are you ok?
Oliver: Yeah, I'm fine.
Laurel: These are your polygraph results. My father asked you if you'd ever been to Iron Heights. It's the prison where the vigilante saved me last week. It's also where you and I went on our eighth grade field trip. When you said that you had never been there, I thought maybe you were just nervous, or that you'd forgotten. But then I looked at your results, and there is a slight flutter in your answer to that question. And if you lied on one, you could have lied on others.
Oliver: What happened to me being too selfish to be a masked crusader?
"Oof. Using a Lance's words against them. Risky card to play." Tommy says.
Laurel: Oliver! I saw your scars.
Oliver: Do you want to know why I don't talk about what happened to me there? Because if people knew; If you knew... You'd see me differently. And not as some... Vigilante guy. As damaged. I don't sleep. I barely eat. I can barely sign my name, let alone aim a bow and arrow.
"Wow I never thought to see it that way. We need to make this right. We'll be there for him this time around." Thea promises. Everyone nods or makes a sound of agreement.
Laurel: After last night... Clearly we're still attracted to one another. Oliver. Nothing can ever happen between us.
Oliver: I know.
Tommy secretly smiles knowing he finally has a chance with Laurel.
[ARROW CAVE]
Diggle: So you lied to her. Or maybe you just gave her a version of the truth.
Oliver: (carrying his wooden case) I told her what she needed to hear, Diggle. She was too close.
"So he's back to pushing me away. Great." Laurel says dejected.
Diggle: Sad thing is, I think you actually believe that. I think things didn't go down exactly how you planned. You didn't count on so many people having questions, doubting you. You didn't think about what happens when you lie.
[QUEEN MANSION]
Walter: Thank you.
Diggle (V.O): Especially when you lie to the ones you love the most.
Moira: What is this?
Walter: Business trip. I decided it's long overdue for me to inspect our holdings in Melbourne.
Moira: And how long will you be?
Walter: I don't know.
"Oh, Walter." Moira sighs.
[BAR]
Diggle (V.O) : When you were stuck on that island plotting your grand plan to save the city, I don't think you stopped to consider the effect it would have on the people in your life. Or how it might hurt you.
Laurel: Let's go. (dragging Lance back home) You're ok. No, no, no.
"Wow, Dad. You're really beating yourself up about this." Laurel says.
[ARROW CAVE]
Diggle (V.O): Or how it might hurt them.
"Thank you, Diggle for trying to put some sense in my brother although it won't always work." Thea smiles slightly.
Oliver: You're wrong. I think about it all the time. And just to be clear, not being able to tell my family the truth... It doesn't hurt anyone worse than it hurts me.
"Don't worry, Thea. We're going to fix this." Felicity whispers in the younger girl's ear.
Diggle: Where are you going?
Oliver: Mueller still has to sell those guns and I have to stop him.
Diggle: Oliver...
Oliver: He had his chance.
[ALLEY]
Man: 28 crates, four guns in each crate, $250,000 cash. Take it or leave it. That's the deal.
Arrow: Leo Mueller, you have failed this city. [Arrow whistling]
"Well that's the end of that." Lance says.
"How about we rest and continue tomorrow?" Moira proposes.
"Great idea." Roy mumbles already comfortable.
"Night everyone!" Thea says which was replied by many more "goodnights".