Chapter 2

A Message? Or

Just A Dream?

Disclaimer: I own nothing but what you see here. And seriously Oliver? That was a very DUMB move with Anarky that could have led to some very bad things. Hell, still might either way!

The Forests of Lian Yu...

The trees were everywhere as he walked and ducked their branches to avoid being hit. But this didn't alarm Oliver Queen all that much considering he was used to Lian Yu's forrested areas by now. A clearing could be seen ahead however but there seemed to be a person there and he could only hope it wasn't Slade looking to kill him for his latest stunt. Though the closer he got the more he realized it couldn't be Slade as the person in the clearing was smaller then the man was. The long black hair, faded blue shirt, and grey cargo pants on the person gave the archer a sense of excitement for who it as. Walking up to the person, he softly called out to them and the figure turned to him with a smile on her face.

The face of Shado herself and Oliver's breath was taken from him at the sight of her. As Shdo was quite honestly breathtaking in his view of things. "Baobei! It is about time you found me! I admit I was getting worried about you getting lost in all those trees."

Which was silly probably considering the three of them knew the island quite well by that point in time. "Heh, I guess you could blame Slade and his special juice for that."

Shado softly smiled at him before hugging him, a feeling he greatly enjoyed as he hugged her back. Pulling away and stepping to his side and holding a hand as they walked at a leisurely pace, she remarked that she really needed to talk to that man about that juice of his. "Yeah well, its good stuff and we've got little to keep us entertained here on the island."

That fact sucked but they got by regardless. "Still, a talk with him is a must. It would not do for you to get lost and potentially hurt."

"Only because it'd mean you wouldn't get to play nurse as quick as you'd like." He replied with a small smirk and she hit him in the shoulder for it.

Though the blush could easily be seen on her features. Which was more then enough to tell him he'd been right on the money! The two walked hand in hand, the close contact feeling very pleasant for the both of them as they talked about anything that came to mind. As they came to a river, Oliver kissed his companion, whom was quite surprised but happily returned it as she always enjoyed his lips upon her's. "And what was that for?"

The content look on her face made Oliver's heart swell. "I love you Shado. And its because of that I don't need a reason at all to kiss you."

"Well, I imagine I can live with that since I love you just as much." Hearing those words made the man happier then he could have thought possible.

The two lovers continued their walk alongside the river hand in hand as the few villagers there went on about with the washing of their clothes. "Oliver..." Started Shado and making him look at her in curiousity.

"Yeah?"

Shado turned to him with a worried expression on her beautiful face. "Be careful Baobei, as the coming days will be difficult ones."

This confused him greatly as the Winter season wasn't due for awhile longer yet. "What, what do you mean by that?"

She stepped in front of him and held both of his hands as she looked up into his eyes. That worried expression of hers was really starting to bother him now. "Do not falter as the hard times come. Keep an Apple close by if you can for it will help with what's coming! Keep love in your heart Oliver."

"Love? How's that supposed to help me when I don't even know what you're talking about!"

Shado then started to walk away, making for him to start running after her in the process as he called out to her asking what was coming. But she never turned back around despite all his calls.

"WHAT'S COMING!?" Yelled out Oliver as he awoke in his bed with sweat on his face.

Breathing heavily as he moved to sit at the edge of his bed, he cursed the fact that yet again he found himself dreaming of Shado for the fifth time that week. But this time had been different due to the very weird and cryptic warning of hers. It also helped make his dislike of apples a bit stronger too. Glancing at his clock and seeing that it was around eight in the morning, let out a sigh and got up to get ready for the upcoming day. A day that no doubt would once again include attempting to track down the ones responsible for the attacks in the Glades who apparently had a calling card in the form of a skull and two axes. Oliver didn't know who they were and it was obvious they were responsible for the hate crimes going on recently. But what he did know is that they had to be stopped before they got even worse.

And if it wouldn't be the police that did it? Well… It damned well would be him and those he rallied around him that did end the threat. Wonder if I should talk to Veller about these dreams? Thought the man as he started to get ready for the day. And hopefully the doctor would have answers for him too.

Author's Notes: A bit short most likely but I figured it would work regardless of the shortness. And so it begs the question, was it really a dream or a warning from the beyond? And will he listen in the end? R and R!