DISCLAIMER: As always, I still don't own these characters. Arrow is the property of DC and CW.
AN: This chapter feels a bit filler-y, but I needed it to get the band back together. I also wanted to give Nyssa a chance to own her agency a bit more. Nyssa's character is a BAMF, but when juxtaposed next to her father - she seems lost. It makes sense, but the Star City crew may not get it. Especially Felicity. This is covered under Creative Commons as derivative fiction.
"When sorrows come, they come not single spies, but in battalions." HAMLET, Act 4, Scene 5, Lines 78-79
Oliver shared a look with Nyssa as they heard Ray Palmer warn his former team about a proximity alert. Together, they dropped into the Palmer Tech hub and waited for the team to recognize them. With so much on the line and betrayal fresh in their minds, Nyssa was prepared to defend Oliver from his former team. She stood, vigilantly watchful, with her bow at the ready, beside her husband. The room was thick with silent suspicion.
Oliver glanced again at his wife, secure in the knowledge that she had his back and would support him no matter what. Despite the perilous situation, he felt oddly calmed by her very presence. He gestured for her to lower her bow, only to have his head snapped to the side and his balance rocked as Diggle let loose a powerful punch. Oliver knew this was John's way of dealing with his feelings of anger, betrayal, and sorrow – but, as Nyssa had clearly pointed out earlier, they didn't have time for this. He saw Nyssa swing her bow back up, clearly ready to dispose of the current "threat" to her husband.
"Enough!" The growled order stopped everyone in their place. He once more gave the silent stand down command to Nyssa.
All of the players were here: John Diggle, his estranged brother-in-arms; Felicity Smoak, his loving tech expert; Thea Queen, his sister, whom he adored and trusted not at all; Laurel Lance, his childhood friend, ex-fiancée, and baby superhero; Ray Palmer, the man who wanted to be Oliver Queen 2.0, replacing hard-won skill with a flying suit (although it was a cool suit); and last, most certainly least in his regard, Malcolm Merlyn, the Dark Archer who had plagued his life, rained down suffering, corrupted his sister, and who just might be the most reliable ally of the bunch.
"The plan failed," Oliver delivered the jarring news to Merlyn, who swallowed and looked visibly shaken. "Ra's al Ghul is in Star City and he has possession of the Alpha-Omega virus."
"We," here Oliver indicated himself and Nyssa, "will take care of Ra's. But the city is infested with Shadows. They need to be contained."
Oliver looked at Palmer, "How close are you to creating an easily disbursable cure?"
"Who the hell do you think you are? You son of a bitch!" Diggle furiously burst out. "Oliver! You think you can just waltz back in here and start barking orders?"
Nyssa felt her own fury start to rise. Perhaps she had misjudged the survival instincts of Oliver's former team. Were they children, who needed to squabble and cry?
"John Diggle," her voice was coated in ice. "You forget yourself. We have a mission to stop the destruction of Star City. My Husband," here she paused and shared a look with Oliver, "may be Oliver Queen, but he is still Wareeth al Ghul.
Do not disrespect him again. He may be forgiving, but I am not. If you can be useful, then be useful. If you cannot, be silent."
"Aww, hell no." Diggle said in disbelief. "You are not coming into OUR house and telling us how to run a mission. If it wasn't for you and your fucked up 'family,' we wouldn't even be here." He started to stalk toward Nyssa only to have Oliver step in front of her, his bow at the ready and his face unreadable.
"There. Is. No. Time." Oliver bit the words out. "I came here because your team is useful to the mission. You want to say anything else, save it. In the meantime, Nyssa al Ghul is my wife and my partner. If you can't work us – tell me now. Otherwise, suck it up and get back to the mission." He paused, then addressed Palmer again, "So, about that cure?"
Felicity choked back a sob and fled the room. Nyssa pursed her lips and muttered to Oliver, "Stay. Work out a battleplan. Let me go speak to her." She knew he needed to keep his focus. Oliver sharply nodded once, and then turned back to Ray Palmer's earnest face.
Nyssa found Felicity in the next room, curled into a chair, with her head down and body shaking. It was a moment of raw sorrow. She wished she could allow Felicity Smoak, MIT Class of '09, the time and space to grieve. She had grown fond of the quirky, blonde, computer genius. Nyssa remembered how much Sara had liked the 'cute' and 'adorable' young woman, and she knew the love Oliver still harbored. Unfortunately, time was not on their side.
"Felicity." She gently rested a hand on Felicity's shoulder. Felicity flinched and shrugged off the proffered kindness.
"Don't." A haggard breath. Felicity looked up at Nyssa, red-rimmed eyes and puffy cheeks betraying her emotional state. "Just. Don't." She shook her head ruefully and turned in the chair, less curled into herself. "So, enjoying the honeymoon?" Felicity winced as the quip came out – less banter and more bitter.
Nyssa contemplated her response. Something about Felicity Smoak brought out protective instincts. She had seen it in Oliver, Sara, John Diggle, and even herself. There was something sweet and vulnerable about this girl, but her naiveté was dangerous and must be dealt with.
"You think we are here for enjoyment? You think the marriage my father forced upon Oliver and myself is amusing?" She moved in closer to Felicity, intimidating with proximity. "Understand me well, Felicity Smoak. Sara was my Beloved as much as you are Oliver's. And yet, I am wed to Oliver. We are bound. This was no love match. This was the will of Ra's al Ghul. The Demon Head. Do you even begin to understand? This abomination? He ordered an honorable man to wed and bed his own daughter with no regard for her will or consent. Worse, he bound our souls, unwilling, together. From this there is no escape."
Nyssa leaned in closer, took Felicity's face into her hand, cupped her chin firmly, and looked hard into her eyes. "So, no, Felicity. I am not enjoying my honeymoon. There is more for us to say, but not now. We have a mission and your team needs you. Oliver needs you." She dropped her hand and pulled away. "It's time for you to get back to work." She turned away and walked back into the hub, confident Felicity would follow.