Starling General

"Please say something," Thea pleaded once again from her seated position in her bed, her voice choking slightly at the end.

Jake turned to the brunette with crossed arms, his back now facing the large window in the hospital room. He watched her for a moment as he attempted to find the right words that expressed how he currently felt about everything.

Unfortunately, despite his desire to answer her and silence her worry, there was no use seeing that his emotions were all over the place. So instead, he closed his eyes and exhaled a small breath.

"What happened tonight with Sara- It's a lot, I know. But, you haven't said anything since we got here, and it's scaring me," Thea paused, turning to back to Jake, who still had his eyes closed.

"I hated it when you gave me the silent treatment when we'd fight, and I hate it now. I get that your pissed, but-"

"I'm not mad, not really," Jake finally spoke up, interrupting her. He opened his eyes with a sigh as his gaze immediately locked onto the emerald eyed brunette.

"I'm just... a mess right now, " he admitted softly as he strolled over to Thea, who exhaled a relieved breath in response.

She gave him an apologetic look once he came to stand beside her, near the left side of the hospital bed.

"I should have told you," her words came out in a low, choked whisper.

Jake shook his head, softening his gaze as his deep blue eyes wandered over to her bruises.

"It wasn't your place, Queen. And this," he gestured around them, "Isn't your fault."

He bit his upper lip, sparing a glance to the black boots that covered his feet.

"And it's not Sara's either," he thought aloud, heaving another sigh. He threaded a rough hand through his dyed curls before he proceeded in voicing his thoughts.

"I've always had this gut feeling ever since she disappeared. I mean, I never believed that Sara died on the Gambit, but fuck. I didn't expect what happened tonight," he told Thea, crossing his arms.

"Well, neither did I," she teased in an attempt to lighten the mood, giving the man beside her a small smile.

Not finding the humor in their current predicament, Jake frowned and shot the youngest Queen a pointed look, which in turn caused her smile to falter.

"Come on Jake! Where's the guy I know that finds the humor in almost everything, despite the situation?" She tried again, tugging on the black sleeve of his Gryffindor hoodie.

"That "guy" doesn't find anything funny about you getting hurt. He never will," Jake snapped with narrowed eyes, looking away.

An awkward silence soon filled the hospital room, and Jake exhaled softly. Despite the truth in his words, he regretted snapping at Thea the way he did. He was just so damn worried, especially when it came to her.

A few minutes passed before he finally turned to her with uncrossed arms, softening his gaze.

He muttered an apology to Thea, who in turn gave him an understanding nod. She grabbed a hold of his left hand and pulled it close, squeezing it in comfort.

Suddenly, a knock is heard from outside the door, followed by Oliver's gruff voice. Thea invited him in, and he entered the room with Laurel trailing behind. Immediately, the former billionaire strided over to embrace his sister, and Jake quietly stepped away.

He watched briefly as the two siblings whispered to each other before turning to Laurel, who waved him over to the door. As soon as Jake was within reach, the blonde pulled him in for a brief hug.

"Are you okay?" She whispered, pulling away as she eyed him with concern.

Jake took a moment to respond. When he finally does, he ignored her question and answered with a question of his own, "You knew... didn't you?"

Laurel exhaled quietly before nodding in confirmation.

Jake nodded as well, running a hand down his face.

"Where you ever gonna tell me?" He asked her, swallowing deeply.

The blonde averted her grey eyes from Jake as she glanced over his left shoulder, her gaze met Oliver's as he watched her pointedly from his spot beside Thea.

"I don't know," Laurel admitted, glancing down to the floor.

"I was considering it, but everything right now is just so-"

"Complicated?" Jake questioned once again, cutting her off with a knowing look.

Laurel nodded again, smoothing a lock of her hair behind her ear as she gave Jake an apologetic look.

He shook his head, brushing off Laurel's unspoken apology.

"It's fine, Laurel. I get it, even though I would've preferred it if you told me. We all have our secrets, some bigger than others."

Laurel blinked, crossing her arms. She gave Jake him a concerned look that could also pass as incredulous, "Some secrets are too dangerous to be kept hidden."

Jake only stared at her in response, keeping his exterior calm. Before he got a chance to register or even respond to the blonde's words, a strained, velvety voice interrupted his train of thought.

"Jake?"

He turned and faced Thea, his expression softening as he awaited her next words.

"Could you stop by the vending machine? I didn't get a chance to eat the chocolate I bought for the movie marathon before, y'know," she paused, gesturing to herself and the hospital bed she currently occupied.

"And I'm really craving some right now," she finished, sporting her best "puppy dog face", knowing full well that the nearest vending machine was 4 floors below them.

Jake snorted in amusement as he pondered her request. He though about tormenting the youngest Queen with a simple no. However, his mischievous thoughts of teasing her were immediately put to rest as soon as Oliver shot him an impatient, pointed look.

So, with a feigned sigh of annoyance, he relented, deciding he could use the walk to clear his head.

"Alright, fine. I'm only doing this to feed myself, by the way," Jake flashed Thea a teasing smirk as he said this, narrowing his deep blue eyes and turning to face the door.

"Keep telling yourself that," she called after him with a smirk, watching as he trekked over to the door and waved her off before leaving.

After his departure, the room settled into a tense silence as Oliver and Laurel subtly exchanged glares. This silent exchange didn't go unnoticed by Thea, who watched them for a moment.

"What are you guys fighting about this time?" She finally asked, eyeing the pair suspiciously.

Oliver quickly turned to his sister, his gaze softening.

"It's nothing you need to worry about, Speedy," he replied a little too quickly, leaning in to the bed slightly as he rested a calloused hand on the plastic headboard.

Thea cocked an eyebrow, watching her brother with an incredulous look. She let it go after a few moments, deciding that Alex's suggestion of cutting Laurel out was the reason for the current dispute.

"I'm glad you're okay, Thea. And I'm glad that Jake was there to help," Laurel finally broke her silence, offering the brunette a smile.

Thea only nodded in response before lowering her head down. She began staring at her clasped hands as bit she her bottom lip, allowing herself to succumb to her thoughts.

Ever since Jake had returned to Star City, Thea had thoughts about confiding in him, exposing the darkness in her that had worsened and transformed into something else since she last saw him. And each time these thoughts would plague her mind, she would come to realize that she actually wanted to open up to Jake about what's transpired these last few years. Especially her secret identity as a vigilante. The Green Arrow's bow wielding partner, Speedy.

If it were anyone else, the youngest Queen would of considered the risks and kept everything hidden, despite her desire to. But this was Jake, her best friend, a man she trusted with her life. And considering that he was a witness to her current situation with Sara, she felt that maybe this was the right time to tell him.

"I've been thinking about this since Jake got back," Thea began, clearing her throat as her brother and Laurel turned to face her with questioning stares.

"And with everything that's happened recently... I think we should tell him," she finished, shooting Oliver a knowing look.

The former billionaire shook his head, turning away from his sister and stepping away from the bed to face the window.

"We don't have to tell him everything right now, I could just tell him that I'm Speedy," Thea added, glancing over to Laurel, who had seemed to be deep in her thoughts.

"No, absolutely not," Oliver told his sister firmly, turning back to face her with crossed arms.

"Ollie-"

"Telling Jake who we are and what we do would only add unnecessary complications to an already complicated situation. And right now, we can't afford to let him in. Not while Darhk and his organization are planning to take over our city," he told her, his tone matching the hardened resolve in his gaze.

"Is that what you told yourself every time you wanted to tell me you were the Hood?"

Oliver sighed, running a hand down his face.

"Jake already got a glimpse of what's been going on when Sara attacked me. Keeping him out of this will just make things worse," the brunette stubbornly continued.

"Telling him who we are won't make things easier, Thea." he argued with a challenging glare, holding her gaze.

Tension filled the air once again, and Thea heaved out a small breath, "Sara's not gonna stop. The pit has a hold on her, on me..."

Oliver's stone expression softened in concern, and walked back over to the bed, "Thea, I thought you were getting better."

She shook her head, "When I went to Nanda Parbat, I killed two guys. Malcolm served them up on a platter," she paused, clearing her throat as Oliver clenched his jaw.

"That helped keep the bloodlust at bay, for now. But Ollie, it's getting worse. I can feel it, and I don't want to hurt Jake. I don't want to snap at him, and he doesn't know what's going on," she finished, her eyes glazing over with unshed tears.

Oliver heaved out a sigh of his own, his gaze still on Thea as he shelved away her proposal. He spared a glance over toward Laurel's direction, his gaze hardening just a bit before he turned back towards his sister.

"I need a moment alone with Laurel, but I'll be outside if you need anything," he told her softly, the gentleness in his voice disguising the raging storm of his current emotions.

Thea responded with a small smile, and Oliver held her gaze for a moment longer before he turned and left the room, Laurel trailing just behind.

When they stepped out into the open corridor of the hospital, Oliver shot the blonde a frustrated look as a nurse in blue scrubs walked past them.

"You shouldn't have taken Thea to Nanda Parbat."

"I didn't tell you because I knew you wouldn't approve. If you had told me about the pit, I would have considered saving my sister alone," Laurel shot back, a hint of defiance laced within her tone.

"But you didn't save Sara, Laurel. She's dead, and her body is roaming the city as we speak, hunting for women that look like my sister," the former billionaire replied sharply, gesturing to the door of his sisters hospital room.

Laurel scoffed, shaking her head in disbelief, "So its okay for you to do everything in your power to save your sister, but I can't do the same for mine?"

"Sara was dead, Thea wasn't."

"Then why didn't you tell me about Thea seven months ago?" She persisted with crossed arms, looking directly into his eyes.

Oliver opened his mouth in an attempt to answer her question, but nothing came out. So instead, he sighed and looked away from questioning gaze.

His nonverbal response was enough to confirm Laurel's thoughts. She scoffed, nodding her head in understanding.

"Because you don't see me as an equal, " she stated, storming past the him as her shoulder almost brushed up against his.

"Laurel, of course I see you as an equal," Oliver called after her.

"No, you don't! You never have!" Laurel sharply turned back to him, her arms were practically glued to her sides as she furiously stared him down.

"You didn't tell me you were the Arrow-"

"Keep your voice down..." Oliver muttered through gritted teeth, shooting the blonde a pointed look.

"You didn't support me becoming the Black Canary, you never would have told me that there was a way to save my sister. And instead of telling me what was going on with Jake and letting me handle it, you put an arrow in his shoulder!" She continued, her words hitting Oliver like a sharp knife.

Oliver calmly shook his head, "He's not the same delinquent kid you tried to help 10 years ago, Laurel. There's a darkness in him, and it's been growing ever since his father died," he paused, letting out a deep exhale as his thoughts momentarily drift off to the night he interrogated Jake.

He was stubborn as hell during the encounter, dodging questions like he was evading punches. However, Oliver didn't need him to confirm his suspicions with words. The truth was revealed in his deep blue eyes right before Double Down had interrupted, and Jake escaped.

"I needed to make sure he wasn't a threat. To you, or to Thea."

"That wasn't your call to make! He's not your responsibility!" Laurel snapped, getting in his face.

Before things could escalate further, a loud and sudden crash is heard from inside Thea's hospital room.

"Thea?!" Oliver exclaimed, charging through the door.

Once he entered the room, he was immediately alarmed by the sight of Thea on the cold linoleum floors, who was coughing repeatedly. He practically slid over to her side, sitting her up and rubbing her back as she finished her coughing fit.

Oliver barely registered the blur of wild blonde hair in the corner of his eye as he focused on his sister. He turned to the shattered window on his right seconds after Sara exited the room, jumping out of the shattered window.

"I come baring treats!" Jake exclaimed with a grin, oblivious as he entered the room with chocolate and Rice Crispy Treats in his grasp.

His expression faltered completely as his gaze landed on a trembling Thea, his eyes widening just a as he shot her a questioning look.

She only shook her head, and Jake was immediately at her side.

Laurel swallowed deeply from her position in the doorway, watching as Oliver and Jake doted over Thea.

This was her fault, and she needed to fix this before something else happened. Something much worse.

Jake quickly slipped through the front door of the apartment before closing it, a rough exhale escaping his parted lips. His movements are swift as he slips his boots off by the doormat and wipes his face with a rough hand.

He didn't want to leave Thea after Sara attacked the first time. After the second attack at Starling General, Jake was practically glued to the youngest Queen's side. Making sure she was okay was his way of momentarily ignoring his mixed feelings towards the mentally draining situation. But, after Laurel had reassured him, telling him to go home and wait for a call, he realized that maybe he had done enough. He needed time to rejuvenate anyway, to make sure that he was okay before he could worry more over Thea.

A deep exhale escaped Jake this time as he closed his eyes. Opening them, he turned to the right side of the dimly lit room, his gaze meeting his mothers anxious blue eyes.

"How is Thea?" She asked him.

Jake was silent for a moment, and questions on what to say circulate in his mind as he strolled over to the small kitchen.

"She's fine, a little banged up. They discharged her a little earlier than expected, so she went home with Laurel," he finally responded, stepping into the kitchen as his mother nodded and poured him a cup of coffee.

Once the steaming cup was in Jake's grasp, he leaned against the edge of the counter, and the apartment is soon filled with a silence that could easily pass as both awkward and comfortable.

"Are you okay?" The older woman questioned this time, breaking the silence as she refilled her mug.

Jake turned to his mother, meeting her worried blue eyes as he attempted to mentally answer her question.

He sighed after a bit, running a hand through his navy blue curls.

Over the course of his life, people would ask Jake if he was okay. And he had always known how to answer that almost every time. Whether it was a nod, a vocal response, or even a reassuring smile, he would always manage to come up with some sort of response. But ever since his father's death, he didn't know how to answer that question. Now, he would just ignore it or change the subject. Maybe it was because he wasn't okay deep down.

"I saw the eviction letters," he stated instead of answer her question, taking a sip of the black beverage in his grasp.

She froze, and a few minutes pass before she let out a tired sigh, "This isn't the first time we've been late on rent or gotten one of those letters. And it certainly won't be the last."

"Yeah, well," Jake lowered his black mug on the countertop behind him and shoved a hand in the left pocket of his joggers, pulling out a check.

"It's the last one we get for a little while, I payed two months rent."

His mother stared at him, wide eyed. It took her a few minutes to respond to the hand that was held out in front of her. To register the amount of money in her sons hand.

A check for twenty thousand dollars.

"Where the hell did you get this kind of money?" She questioned him, setting aside her own mug and practically snatching the piece of paper out of Jake's hand.

"If I told you where I got it, you wouldn't want to keep it," Jake replied, his tone flat.

In response, a look of realization spread across his mothers expression.

Elizabeth Hawthorne had lived in Star City long enough to know that there were only two ways to get the amount of money in her grasp. The first way consisted of being as filthy rich as the Queen family, which proved to be a difficult task for most of the city's residents. Only a small percentage of those people were truly capable of attaining that kind of wealth. And the rest, or at least a third of them, resorted to an easier route: selling drugs.

There was only one man she knew that specialized in that business. That greedy Brazilian bastard had been the cause of her sleepless nights, and her recent interest in alcohol. He was dead now, thank God. But now...

"Mom?" Jake questioned with a cocked eyebrow, disrupting her thoughts and the silence that had settled between them.

His mother shook her head, a look of fear and disbelief flashing across her face.

"I can't accept this... This is drug money," she muttered aloud and practically slapped the check onto the granite of the kitchen island as dark thoughts began to consume her mind.

"You need the money," he replied, the tone of his voice deepening just a bit.

"I need my son," the older woman retorted a little too harshly. Her gaze finally broke away from the check, meeting a pair of blue eyes that had reminded her of the man she loved.

Unfortunately, those deep, dark pools of blue were hardened now. The charming warmth that used to resonate within his piercing gaze was now substituted with a distant coldness. A feeling she wasn't used to seeing in his eyes. And that terrified her.

"What happened to him to my son?" she asked, her voice choking at the end.

Jake swallowed thickly, his Adam's apple bobbing up as he continued to face his mother, who had persisted in pressing him.

"Something terrible happened, Jacob. I can see it in your eyes, no matter how hard you try to hide. I may be a workaholic, but I know when my son is in pain. And this..." she nodded down to the clenched fists behind his back.

"You can't keep holding it in. I don't care what it is, you can talk to" she finished, reaching for his hand.

Jake couldn't help but break out of his facade as a scoff escaped him. Nothing could halt his next choice of words as a strong feeling of resentment fills his core, "It's a shame I didn't get this talk after Dad died, or before I left. Though, I'm still alive after being forced into working for a gang. Guess I didn't need it that much."

The silence stretched further this time, giving Jake the time to simmer down, closing his eyes for a few moments. When he opened them again, a pair of shocked eyes greeted him. Guilt immediately flooded his core, and he exhaled.

"What gang- wait... Phillippe- he hurt you?" his mother asked in horror as angry tears welled in her eyes.

Jake shook his head.

"It doesn't matter, he's gone. Hey," he reached out to grab a hold of her hand. He squeezed it gently, effectively stopping the shaking before moving it towards the left side of his chest and resting it over his beating heart.

"He's gone, Mom."

Reassured, she nodded, wiping at her tears. Once she calmed down, she was tempted to ask her boy what happened, and if he killed the Brazilian drug dealer. But, even in a calmed state, she couldn't handle mentioning the name of the man who murdered her husband again. The mere thought of him had already taken a toll on her. So instead, she shot Jake a look, raising her eyebrow just a bit as she silently conveyed her question.

He shook his head again, glancing down to the wooden floors of the kitchen.

"Not now. I'll explain later, I promise. Just-" An exhausted breath escaped him as a look of pain flashed across his face.

"Not right now," Jake repeated, his tone stronger this time as his mother nodded once again in understanding.

"In the meantime, we could find a better place and use this after the two months. " he reached out to remove the check from its spot on the granite countertop.

"Jacob..." his mother began, shaking her head.

"I hear Stone Ridge has some pretty nice apartments. Studios, lofts, penthouses. Hell, I could scrape up some more money out of my account and we could get a combo of all three if we wanted," he teased, offering the twenty thousand dollar check to his mother, who still eyed it and him skeptically.

"C'mon, mom! You always complained about needing a bigger apartment. And besides, I didn't get this from dealing, okay? I won it in a cage fight … Which is kinda worse, I guess."

"Both are pretty horrifying," she retorted dryly, fighting a smile.

She had seemed to be considering it for a few silent moments before she finally relented, grabbing the labeled paper.

"I do not complain," she gave Jake a pointed look and pinched his shoulder when a chuckle escaped his lips.

Her own giggle broke free, adding to the fit of laughter that began to fill the apartment.

Verdant

"I'm still not sure about this, Queen."

From her position at the foot of the stairs, Thea exhaled a breath before turning towards the second floor of the nightclub. Her emerald eyes landed on a skeptical Jake, who watched her with worried blue eyes as he leaned into the steel bars of the railing.

"I know. But this is the only way. Just stick to the plan we talked about, and we'll be good to go. Besides," she paused, bringing the walkie talkie in her grasp closer to her lips.

"I have a blue haired guardian watching my back. I'll be fine."

A small smile graced the youngest Queen's lips as a deep, raspy chuckle rumbled its way to her ear drums.

Afterwards, it's silent for a moment, and Jake takes the moment to glance up to the ceiling. He automatically straightens his stance behind the rails, and his grip on the handheld communicator tightens. Soon, his deep blue eyes settle into a glare as they land on a green hooded figure, anger and annoyance filling his core. For a moment, Jake's thoughts are consumed of what occurred last weekend.

From Jake's perspective, it was honestly only a matter of time before the famed green archer had tried to pry open the secrets of his past in Brazil. It was his job as Star City's "Hero" after all, snuffing out the corruption of an already fucked up city. And after getting past his initial annoyance and frustration, Jake had realized that he didn't blame the vigilante for interrogating him. No matter the circumstances, he was a murderer. A corrupted soul. There was no going back from that.

"Jake?"

A soft, velvety voice forced Jake out of his dark thoughts. He turned to Thea immediately and gave her a questioning stare.

"I-" se hesitated, biting her bottom lip.

"I'm glad you're back."

Thea settled on, ignoring the urge to tell him more. To say something that had equated to how she felt about his return. However, now wasn't the right time to dig up all of her unexpected feelings.

The small, closed mouth smile she received in return of her words had created a warm, tingly feeling in her abdomen.

CRASH

Sara landed roughly in front of the bar from the shattered glass panel above, her wild blue eyes surveying the open space.

She growls, spotting Thea by the flight of stairs before charging towards her.

Jake watched the scene unfold closely, gritting his teeth as the youngest Queen was practically thrown to the ground. He hated witnessing this, but he promised Thea he'd trust her and keep his distance. So, he slowly inches towards the stairs, passing the lounge area and shuffling towards the stairs as a woman in black leather charged towards Sara from behind the counter of the bar.

The two blondes traded blows as Green Arrow dropped down from the ceiling in one swift movement. He then helped Thea to her feet and motioned for her to get behind him.

Jake, who had made it down the concrete steps, had glanced over to the fast paced fight on his right. He watched as the wild blonde ripped the side arm baton from Black Canary, before swinging it towards her masked face. Stunned, Black Canary stumbled back towards the counter of the bar.

From his position beside the foot of the stairwell, the green hooded archer had drawn his compound bow, aiming it towards Sara. He then lets go, and a tranquilizer arrow slices through the air before penetrating the blondes back, knocking her out.

A small, relieved breath escapes Jake as he celebrates the success of the plan silently. Little did he know, another plan had now began to break the surface.

Black Canary stabled herself with a small cough, wiping the blood that dripped from her nose as she straightened her stance. Her grey eyes narrow into a glare, landing on the unconscious body in front of her. She reached behind her back and grabbed the handgun that was holstered there.

She needed to end this. So, with the automatic weapon in her grasp, she straightened out her arms and aimed towards Sara. Unfortunately, this action doesn't go unnoticed by Jake, who glares and starts walking towards her.

"What are you doing? This wasn't a part of the plan!" He exclaimed, commanding the attention of Thea.

A look a worry and confusion flashed across the youngest Queens face as she watched him approach Black Canary, his deep blue eyes flaring in anger and confusion. Her gaze was focused on him, and the scene that unfolded right before her eyes.

Green Arrow on the other hand had quietly followed Jake as a precaution, whilst keeping his distance at the same time.

The gun in the blonde vigilantes hand shakes just a bit, her resolve cracking as Jake continued his advancements.

"Get out of the way." Her modulated voice demanded.

"You said you would save her, and that's what you're gonna do." Jake declared stubbornly, the anger in his eyes dissolving as fierce determination takes its place.

The masked blonde shakes her head vehemently, closing her eyes.

"There is no way of saving her. And even if there was, we couldn't risk it. She's too unstable, and there isn't enough time."

Jake scoffed in disbelief, halting his movements to a brief stop as he stood behind Sara's unconscious form.

"You're supposedly a hero, right? And from my understanding, heroes don't kill. They save people. Like you saved me that night, after Lonnie took me."

Black Canary turned towards Jake, a look of shock flashed across her face as she met his relentless gaze.

"Where is she, huh? Where is the woman I admired when I read the newspapers, the woman who gave people hope in this fucked up world we live in?" He questioned, rendering the masked blonde speechless.

He then glanced toward Sara's unconscious form, his deep blue eyes softening.

"Sara wasn't perfect, she made mistakes. But, knowing her made my life better," Jake paused, clearing his throat as a tidal wave of emotion hit him.

"I don't know how she got here, but if there's even a chance to bring her back, you need to try. You promised me that you would try."

Stunned, the blonde vigilante had turned toward Green Arrow, who had stood about six feet behind Jake. The firm nod she had received from him had reassured her, and she lowered her raised arms. Her grip had loosened on the handgun as she turned to Jake, giving him a nod and a reassuring smile.

It didn't matter how bad things got, or how much the situation had seemed impossible. There was a way to save her sister, and she had to try. For her father, for Jake, and for herself.

Afterwards...

Once Thea reassures him for the hundredth time that Sara would be in good hands and that she would call him with any news as soon she's able, Jake leaves Verdant and walks over to the sidewalk across the street.

As he crossed the empty street, he runs a hand through his dyed curls and pulls out his phone from his pocket, glancing down to the screen as he walked.

Jake quickly unlocks the handheld device to find a text from Nigel, telling him to meet up at his stashed warehouse. As he shoved the device back into his pocket, soft footsteps suddenly echo behind him.

He exhales as a familiar feeling overcomes him.

"Look, as much as I enjoyed the last time we spoke, I really don't have time for round 2. It doesn't matter how many times you use me for target practice."

He shoved his phone back into the pocket of his joggers before turning towards the ill-lit street, his annoyed gaze landing on the green hooded archer himself.

The bow wielding vigilante didn't respond right away. His narrowed eyes had seemed to be examining the young man in front of him for a few moments. Finally, his gaze softens just a bit, and his modulated voice doesn't come out as gruff as it usually does.

"You need to tell Laurel what happened in Brazil."

Jake's glares.

"How did you...?" He trailed before cutting himself off with a scoff, shaking his head in realization.

"That's Laurel Lance for you, always trying to save the world." He muttered into the chilly night breeze, shoving his hands into his pockets.

Green Arrow nods his head in agreement.

"Laurel is a good person. And fortunately for you," he paused, walking toward Jake, who in turn narrowed his eyes and clenched his fists as he instinctively prepared himself for a possible attack.

The green hooded archers steps were slow as he stepped out slightly from the darkened area. Soon, he stopped to stand in the center of the street, "She cares enough to stand by your side. To defend you, without question, without hesitation. She needs to know. And you need to talk about what happened, before it consumes you."

He gave the young man in front of him a pointed glare before he turned and began walking away.

Jake swallowed, a thoughtful look spreading across his face before a determined grin suddenly finds its way along the lines of his lips.

"I was caught off guard the last time we fought. It won't happen again."

The emerald archers movements across the street are abruptly reduced to a pause. He turned slightly to the right, sparing a sideways glance to Jake. His ocean blue eyes glimmer in amusement for a split second before he resumed his steps, walking away.

Paraíso das Morte- The Glades

As soon as Jake opened the door and entered the small warehouse, an overwhelming stench filled his nostrils.

"Holy shit- what the hell Nigel?!" He exclaimed with a cough, raising his sleeved arm up to cover his mouth and nose. He slammed the door shut before stepping further into the nearly pitch black space.

Utilizing his ability to move about in the darkness, he began shuffling around the warehouse as he breathed through the fabric of his hoodie. His legs would occasionally bump up against crates as he moved, searching for the light switch. If his memory served him correctly, the switch should of been on the left side of the room next to the garage doors.

About a minute passed before he finally reached his destination, his left shoulder bumping against the wall as he flipped the switch with the side of his forefinger.

One by one, the lights that dangled from the ceiling flash on, and the warehouse is suddenly filled with a brightness that overwhelmed his eyes.

Once his eyesight adjusted to the now lit space, Jake turns away from the wall to face the center of the room. His heart stops for a split second, and everything suddenly made sense.

The pungent scent that had welcomed him when he entered the storage space had felt so familiar. And now, Jake knew why.

In the center of the room, propped up against a cocaine filled crate, was the still form of Nigel. The once tan flesh covering his face and neck were now a grayish purple with thick veins sticking out. A grotesque sight, but it didn't make Jake uncomfortable. Fear didn't fill his core as he approached the deceased Brazilian. Instead, anger and frustration filled him as he clenched his jaw.

"I've been watching you for awhile, Mr. Hawthorne. And I have to say, I'm quite intrigued."

Instinctively, Jake reached into the pocket of his joggers, grabbing a hold of his butterfly knife. He turned to the front door with a glare as a sharply dressed man with gray hair revealed himself from the shadows.

Before Jake could even think about attacking, the man effortlessly lifted a hand, effectively stopping any advancements. He growled in frustration afterwards, realizing that he couldn't move his body.

"I admired your ways of handling things in Brazil. A method like that requires the abilities of two highly damaged, but intelligent minds." The man approached slowly, keeping his hand up as he smoothed his other hand down his silk tie.

Once he's close to Jake, he swipes the Damascus Steel blade from his clenched grasp.

His cold, emotionless gaze softens just a bit as he stared at the knife. And a hint of remorse reveals itself in his next words,"I knew a man who owned this type of steel. He was a stubborn old fool. We never saw eye to eye, but I did respect him. Afterall, if it wasn't for him, I wouldn't have fallen in love... I wouldn't have been able to continue my legacy."

The man turned to a quiet Jake, who had continued to furiously stare him down with a focused glare, "Despite my interest in your abilities, your history with Maia Cruz has caught more of my attention."

Jake clenched his jaw in realization.

He was the leader of H.I.V.E, he was hunting Maia.

"If you hurt her, I swear to God-"

"I assure you, Mr. Hawthorne, harming her is the last thing on my mind," the man interrupted him, shaking his head.

"It would be a tragedy otherwise, considering the fact that she's my daughter."

The anger etched in Jakes facial expression dissolved almost immediately, and his narrowed blue eyes are replaced with wider ones. In that moment, only one question could sum up his current thoughts.

What in the actual FUCK?

A/N: That twist tho! Did y 'all see it coming?

This chapter was kind of a weird one to write, being that it was particularly dialogue heavy. Its where my creativity took me, so I'm not complaining.

The next chapter should be out before school starts back up, hopefully. Also, please let me know your thoughts on this chapter and whether or not I royally screwed up Darhk's character.

Also, just as a clarification, Jake was away from Star City for approximately 3 years and 10 to 11 months. Counting Brazil and on the way back.