GULP
"Uh..Why'd you wanna go to Russia?" I asked, befuddled.
She gracefully tucked a flick of hair across her cheek to behind her ear, and passed me a small smile.
Her eyes though looked to me in desperation, as if wanting me to take back my question.
"Consider it as redemption for leaving the other night.." she said, nodding her head along with her eyebrows.
"Still? Zara, at least, gimme a reason. Is it just for like vacation time? Family visit? Hanging out with...me...?" my eyes lowered, not willing to meet her's.
Don't blush, Thea. Don't blush.
Her right hand went to her mouth, covering it and touching her nose, seemingly to hide her smile.
Damn it.
She stepped towards me as I felt a figure towering over me. Well, she's not that much taller than me. Still.
Her eyes twinkled with innocence. And warmth.
I finally looked into them and swallowed the lump that had developed in my throat.
"Thea..?" she said softly, taking my hand in hers.
"..Zara..!?" I reciprocated, feeling the touch of her soft fingers on my mine.
"I won't lie to you. But I cannot tell you the truth either. It's just something important. I never thought I'd have the money to actually go there and...well...sort something out. But now, I have an opportunity. Your plane is gonna be half empty anyway.
So, just know that it is very important to me and you can help me in a way that I'll forever be grateful to you.
Will that be enough of a reason?" her face radiated something for me.
I thought about it for long.
THIS is what I was preparing for so long. Avenge my brother. Kill Slade Wilson. Save this city.
But..to what end?
All I wanted after all that...was her. At least a chance to be happy.
I refused that earlier because I had to be focused.
I broke my promise to Ollie because this city needed me.
Because Slade Wilson couldn't go unpunished.
But what seemed like wishful thinking two days ago, became a distinct possibility right now.
A possibility of a happy life.
And in that version, I really wanted her to be a part of my life. Even if it never materializes..that way.
While I thought all about it, her grip tightened.
"Please..!?" she was literally begging me.
"Yeah. Alright," I said, instead of refusing to take her on a mission to kill Slade Wilson.
She squaled in excitement, leaped onto me and gave me a tight hug.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you...Thea..I owe you one..' her voice gaining pitch in joy.
Is this heaven!?
I rested my head on her shoulder with a smile. For the briefest of the seconds. But it all felt very serene.
"It's no big deal, Zara...But yeah...it's-"
Breaking the hug, she looked right at me again.
"You can call me 'Z'," her remark.
"But Zara's more.." I paused and stopped that line of thought.
"Z, it is," I feigned a smile.
"When do we go?" her next query.
Letting go of her hand, I took a step back.
So, there was something that I can't handle too much of. Hmm...
"Tonight," I replied.
"And I shall reach where by when?" her head tilting.
"Don't worry. I'll pick you up," I said.
"You know my address?" she asked, with her one hand reaching to her pocket for her notepad, possibly to write it down.
I did.
"No. Where do you live?" I said very innocently.
I was in a play in high school. So...
"You know what, I'll text it to you. After all, I do have Miss Queen's private number..." her voice turning coy.
My eyes shot up to meet hers and we both let a smile pass through. Warm and genuine.
"So...?" she said, her "o" lingering on for an answer.
"Sooo?" mine challenging her's for the win.
She stepped a bit closer again, placing her hand on my collar, straightening it. "So, fries? And a smoothie?"
"You'll have to share with me then," I say, enjoying the attention I was getting.
"I'm on duty?" she replied, as she left it alone, satisfied with the now settled collar.
"I'll wait.." Happily.
"Anything else, my savior?" she said grinning while tucking some of my hair behind my ear.
"An extra bag of fries, maybe? My mom won't leave mine.." I remembered.
Which also reminded me about the letter. Trust me...I need to have a conversation with her real soon. Thank Laurel, that she brought it my attention or else.
She grinned at me and finally walked away to her counter.
I waited at my table. A bit anxious. It took her ten minutes, but she finally came out with a tray in her hand.
She wasn't wearing an apron any longer and she waited till she was sitting in front of me to let her hair open, shaking her head in the process as her hands went through them.
Perfectly innocent...not.
Our eyes kept locking every now and then and I chose to skip my training schedule to spend an hour or more just sitting there, eating and well, living life...one fry at a time.
Queen Mansion,
7:30 pm
Time for some tough love.
"Mom?" I called her out while walking into her room. She was fully engrossed in a file, full of papers.
No reaction.
"MOM!?" I called her again.
"Hmm?" she finally replied, her eyes still not looking at me.
"Can we talk?" I asked.
"Later, honey. I'm doing something important right now..." she replied, flipping a couple of pages in process.
"Queen Consolidated stuff?" I asked.
"Yes. This can't wait.." the business woman spoke.
I threw the red file on the bed in response, which landed right beside her.
"It will have to," my voice firm.
Her eyes caught a glance of the file and she reluctantly put her own aside.
She quickly flipped through the pages of my file and absorbed all the important information, like a seasoned player like her would.
Her reactions were to be watched.
From reluctance to curiosity to anxiety to downright nervousness about being caught red-handed.
"Thea, I can explain.." she began in her defense.
"NO!" I began.
"Thea, please, just listen once.."
"You are selling the company? Our family company!? Which you and dad built with so much hard work and dedication?
Blood and sweat went into this, mom. How could you? Without even telling me at that!?" I let her have it.
She took a deep breath. Over the years, she has lost her will or capacity to get into arguments.
"Thea, it was my blood and sweat, right? Why would I waste it all away if it wasn't absolutely essential?" her eyes staring right into mine.
Not in anger or something, but, genuinely looking to get through to me.
"I know the company has seen better days but that doesn't mean.." I said in opposition to her.
"Better days?" she interrupted me, letting a patronizing laugh sneak in.
"The company has been in a mess for the last 4 years. Ever since Malcolm Merlyn destroyed half the city and I confessed on live television that I was an accomplice to him..."
"I know The Undertaking took it's toll on the company.." I began once again, only to be shot down once again as I heard her laughing again.
"Thea...our profits have dwindled to 5% over the last three years and this year, we're officially burning money.
We have to sell it. We have to. Otherwise, we'll lose this opportunity as well and there will be nothing left to sell. We're already selling it at loss..."
I looked on, all helpless.
She continued, "The company goes? I can even accept that. But to pay the dues, they'll take away the house. This house.
This is the Queen family mansion. More than 10 generations have lived here and it was always your father's wish that it stays this way. Always under a Queen.
I can't..." her voice almost breaking.
I understood. In that moment, I understood.
I sat beside her. My arms on her shoulders. Trying to console her.
"Who's the buyer?" I asked.
"She's a successful entrepreneur. Her firm was second only to Queen Consolidated at it's peak or maybe third to Merlyn Global Group a good decade ago."
"Isabel Roshev," she said after a pause.
"Why's she buying us? A loss making entity?"
There was reluctance in her voice. As if she didn't want to tell me.
"She hates me. And our family," she said, fulfilling her promise of no more secrets.
"This is her revenge. To show me my place. But it is serving me right, so, I decided to do it."
A fire burned inside me.
"Not her, mom. If this house is our legacy then, so is the company. I'm not gonna let it all go to waste. Can't we do anything?"
"She's the only buyer, honey. What can we do?" she looked on, in despair.
"There is one thing, but you won't like it," she said, following up her words.
"Me? Shoot."
"You take over the company," she offered her solution.
"What!?"
Nope. Nope. Nope.
"The company doesn't trust me after everything that happened with Malcolm and Wilson," she said, her hands grabbing mine in desperation.
"Some young blood in charge will help revitalize the whole thing. Please Thea..." Her eyes getting wet.
"Mom, I- I can't-" I objected.
"What's the issue, baby? You are running a small club. In the Glades, of all places. In hell. Please Thea, think big!"
How could I explain her my night life?
"I can't explain..I just can't do it.."
Her eyes dropped onto the floor. The seemingly important papers no longer a prirorty.
"I asked Oliver too, you know. Him, I could understand. But I can't believe the words I'm hearing right now." Disappointment apparent in her voice.
"I'm sorry, mom.."
Placing her hand on my shoulder, she continued, "It's alright, dear. Don't worry about it.
She handed me the file she was earlier reading and said, "the sale goes through in 4 days. You can think again, before that.."
"I-" She tapped on my shoulders, which meant no more talk.
"You forgot your file, mom.." I said.
When no words returned, and I heard her walking out the room, I opened the file, flipping it to random pages.
Until my eyes caught something.
"...is thereby transferred to Robert and Moira Queen's daughter "THEA QUEEN". Please sign underneath.."
So, this is what she wanted to talk about when Nyssa came barging in to give me information about Slade.
Me? The CEO of Queen Consolidated?
'I can't...' my first response as I sat back looking at the papers.
"SURVIVE," dad's voice reaching to me as I closed my eyes.
All this will have to wait. I have a score to settle first.
"Russia..." I whisper, walking out to end this once and for all.
The Glades,
9 pm
I picked out my best clothes for the occasion.
Leather pants, a soft cotton sleeveless top and a heavy leather jacket untied through the middle.
Perfect.
A smile almost blossomed on my lips as I thought of my trip ahead.
This is it. This is what it all lead to.
Slade Wilson. And the girl of my dreams. Well...
Hiccups didn't even wait till it was over.
"Please don't open the windows, mam. Someone may attack you or something. Bottle throwing is very common in these areas, especially at this time."
I looked outside the window. This is what a broken city looked like.
The Glades had gone through the shit.
THE shit.
My dad destroyed half the city in pursuit of his blinding vendetta. 450-something people died.
A man-made earthquake destroyed everything in it's path.
Infrastructure, tolerance and humanity. Every single pillar of sanity and development crumbled within seconds.
Indiscriminately too. Men, women and children. They all died.
Mayor Blood pledged to help and rebuild this part of the city. But he didn't do shit.
Now I know why.
That reminds me.
I took out the List from the bag, flipping through it quickly to find an empty page.
"Sebastian Blood," I mouthed as I wrote his name in.
There.
As I was putting the diary back, the car came to a stop.
"We're at the address, mam," the driver said.
My eyes landed on a house, though typical of one in the Glades but still better than most.
Barely standing. Under heavy reconstruction. And deprived of all light and shine. But it still seemed spacious and had a quaint feeling to it.
I took out my phone. "Z, I'm outside."
"Yeah, no problem.." I said, turning off the cell.
And there she came. All excited and vibrant.
Blue jeans and a tunic top graced her. Her hair done together in a bun.
It wasn't the first time I saw her outside of the restaurant. But it was still nice to see her in something more casual.
Getting out, I waved my hand in the air to politely let her know my position.
"Hey!" she said, a huge smile on her face as she came straight in for a hug.
"How are you, Miss Queen!?" she said, breaking the hug, her hands still on my arms.
"It's Thea. And yeah, I'm fine. Excited?" my reply.
"Alright, Miss Queen...And yes, very. Thanks for letting me come with you. I know you didn't have to..."
"It's alright, Z. Don't think about it. We're friends, right? Besides, I like your company..."
"Oh, you do?" her eyes narrowing with her head nodding.
"I mean, it would have been a lonely trip..." Her smile grew wider as I avoided her question.
"And...you're not half-bad..." I decided to let her have this one.
She looked at me up and down as we sat, and said, "You look different with a bun..."
"Good different or bad different?" I grinned.
"You seem more authoritative, to be honest.." she replied.
I turned my head in laughter with my eyes popping up in surprise. "How do you know I am not like that all the time?"
"Well, you share your fries with me. Doesn't seem very authoritative," she said.
I giggled some more at that and looked outside the window. At all the destruction. At everything that is wrong with humanity.
"Ever been this side of the town?" she asked out of the blue.
"Hmm?" I said, turning to face her.
Only if she knew I spent two-thirds of my days in these streets.
"No, I meant people from the city come this side only when they have to go to the airport..."
"I'm sorry..." I immediately said. "I know a lot of people suffered because of my d-" I stopped just short of saying something that wasn't exactly public knowledge.
"Your mom? Yeah, I remember. I googled you after you bailed on me. Knew that name was familiar..."
I gave a small patronizing smile. Nothing I could say.
"Don't worry," she said, beaming back. "I don't hold anything against you or your mother. Wasn't she acquitted by the jury? What more proof can one want?"
The whole thing was rigged. DA told me after the whole Lian Yu adventure. Or shall I say, misadventure.
Secrets, secrets...
'Yeah...but still." A quietness took over with neither of us knowing what to say.
As we reached closer to the airport, I decided nah-ah. This wasn't going to be how we go into that plane. Nah-Ah.
"And well, you look different too with a bun..." I said, with a huge grin.
"Oh yeah?" she asked, her smile back.
"Your open hair..." I thought for a second, before continuing.
"...makes you look more attractive." I swallowed the lump in my throat, looking at her all shyly with a pinkish tinge on my cheeks.
"Well, you'd know," her remark with another smile.
Minutes later, her hand went into her hair, getting the pin out to let the hair fall.
God, I hope I'm not misrepresenting her. I am getting some strong vibes. I did earlier too. Hmm...
As we gelled together again filling the vacuum with laughter and fun, the car came to a halt near a shed.
"We're here mam," our driver said tipping his hat to me.
I coughed a bit, with my eyes getting bigger with every second of him not understanding what I meant.
"Uh...mam," he finally said, doing the hat thing again to Z.
I don't normally endorse this., but...
Z grinned too and we both got out, taking the luggage out of the back.
"Holy shit. How much did you pack?" she asked with her raised eyebrows.
"Oh, honey. You have no idea..." I winked.
Half of the stuff were weapons. It's Slade-fucking-Wilson after all.
As I passed her the bag with clothes, we let the driver go and started to walk inside. With our checking done, we made it to our personal space.
"That...there..." I said pointing to the Queen Consolidated plane.
She looked impressed. Her eyes twinkling with...hope, of all things.
We began fast walking to it, when I felt a sudden jerk.
Someone had just crashed into me.
"Hey, watch it!" I said instinctively after I fell down, turning towards the person.
"'Ana 'asaf" came back the reply. A woman's reply.
It was Arabic for "I am sorry". Dad taught me some of it during my training.
The voice felt similar to me.
"It's okay," I said as Z helped me stand up.
The woman never faced towards me and as my back turned to her, she walked faster than before and turned to her left to an empty hall.
"Who was that?" Z rightly asked.
"Uh..I don't know," I replied, pondering on the strange event that had just taken place.
"Does it hurt?" Z asked as she placed her arm around my shoulder, probably to comfort me.
Thank you, random woman!
"It's okay.." I said, beginning to climb up the stairs.
I was startled to feel my phone vibrate mid-stairs.
"Check your pocket," said the text.
My po-what!?
I put my hand inside, to see a small piece of paper.
"You coming or what!?" Z asked me, having already made her way to the top.
"I have something of yours" the text said.
What-? "Wait.." I said, before turning to see the empty space we just walked from.
"The woman," my mind finally realized.
"I'll be right back," I said to Z.
"Where are you going?" she said, worried.
"I..I just missed something...you make yourself comfortable please," I said, running to where the woman went.
Straight. Then to my left. A cramped space was nearby with a black handkerchief being tied to the door on the left.
I stood outside. Taking out the firearm I was carrying, I slowly turned the knob.
When suddenly, I felt cold hands on my mouth and waist, grabbing me from behind through to the door on the right.
I grumbled and tried licking the hand but the gloves probably prevented any effect.
"Mmpmmhhh!" I kept going when I was pushed towards the wall with another towering figure standing over me.
"Thia Mallika," the woman said, letting go of my mouth when I stopped resisting.
"Nyssa," I grumbled, as she took off her hood.
"What do we have here?" she teased, her grip still tight.
"What are you doing here?" I quickly asked, while moving violently to get out.
She moved her face a bit forward to mine. "Well, I missed you silly," she said, her right index finger touching my nose.
"Oh, really?" I asked rhetorically. Her grip getting a bit loose.
"Do you doubt that? her reply with that evil smug grin.
I decided not to feed her anymore. "You said you had something of mine."
She took something out of her pocket and brought it right to my eye sight.
"M-my hozen!" I said. My right hand immediately checking my chest and then my neck to confirm that it was my own locket.
"Now, why would you steal this?" I said, pushing her away and grabbing it away from her.
"Don't worry, Thia. Or have you forgotten that I am not your enemy?" her reply.
"I didn't forget shit," I said with force.
"Oh really, then why are you playing date night with that nurse there? Are you going to Russia to kill Deathstroke or having a vacation? Or for that matter, why did you miss your training session yesterday?"
"I-I'm a seasoned player. I don't need training everyday. Besides, she'll be a doctor next year."
Her confident eyes striking mine down.
"I'm taking this seriously, okay?" I hit back.
She crossed her hands, looking at me all 'oh really'?
"Okay, then did you bring the laptop?"
"What laptop?" I asked when I suddenly realized. "Shit.."
"The laptop with all the info about the girls Vincent sent to Russia. Or are you planning to make a new list to every single buyer of these girls a week after the auction takes place? After all, you gotta have something to do to spend your nights..."
I suddenly felt like shit. My right hand covering my head in shame and disgust.
I did ask my friend in New Gotham to take care of the first auction. But I totally forgot about this one.
"It's a lucky co-incidence that Slade and the auction are both in Russia on the same day. Otherwise, you know.."
"Yeah, yeah...I know," I said, closing my eyes and waving her away.
"Okay," I began. "Okay. I admit. I was distracted because of Z."
"The waitress," she said, rolling her eyes.
"Hey! Don't push it," my finger right in her face.
In other news, a jealous League of Assassin commander-in-chief. Score. Wait...that's what goo-
"Alright, my dearest. Now you know, so, stop being distracted. This is the biggest fight of your life. Focus. Focus on Slade. Focus on Oliver. Focus on...Malcolm."
"SURVIVE!" the echo returned.
"Right. But wait. Why are you helping me now?" I had to ask.
"Deathstroke has gotten stronger than what the League could contain. My father has refused to interfere until and unless Slade dies first. Then, we can take care of his army."
"His what?" I asked, my head tilted and eyebrows raised in unison.
"His army of super strength crazy monsters? The Mirakuru serum?"
"I didn't know he has an army," I said. "Wow".
"Well, now you know that too. You bring my father Slade Wilson's head on a platter and we promise to get rid of his army for you before he decimates your city. And trust me, it's a League promise," she offered.
"Alright. I'll do it," I said accepting.
"Look under the cabin. I left a gift for you."
"Well, what is it?"
"A sword among other things. One of our subjects' wife had one. It's ancient. Magical. Strong enough to tear through hardened skin. Added bonus? It captures the soul of anyone who dies by it's edge. An even fight now, don't you think? It's called Katana."
"I'm so glad you kidnapped me to this store room," I said, with a smirk.
Taking a step forward, her hand landed on the wall. With me being pushed backwards slowly with every second she came forward.
I knew where this was headed.
"What are you doing?" I mustered up, her lips just an inch or two away from mine.
"Wishing you good luck," she said, her eyes making it seem like it was something obvious.
"Is it League custom?" I inquired.
Because then, I might have to accept it. Malcolm asked me to never ever break League code. No matter the cost.
After all, the League of Assassins and Ra's al Ghul were the only things he feared in life.
"What if it is?" she hit back.
I didn't say anything as I developed a lump in my throat. Such has been the night.
"Not exactly," she finally said.
"Then, please don't kiss me again," I said, our eyes locked in a trance. A trance that lasted more than a few seconds.
During which, she didn't say anything. Just stood there still, smiling.
"I thought you liked it? or is it because of the waitress?" she laughed, moving away slightly but never leaving my eyesight.
"See you," I said as she turned to leave.
With her back to me, I continued, "And thank you. I don't know if I'll see you again after today..."
She laughed and looked at me from over her shoulder.
"Don't worry, Thia. I'll see you in Russia," she said walking away and closing the door behind her.
Gulp.
Author's notes:-
I cannot believe I've made it to almost 30k words, and a total of almost 9k views across various websites. Thank you all! I really appreciate it.
I'd also really appreciate if you please follow this story and leave behind a review. It really makes my day.
Question:- Which ship you like better? Thea/Nyssa or Thea/Z? Let me know in the comments.
Full disclosure: I had no intention to start a sort of a "shipping war" (ha!). It just happened naturally. Hopefully, you guys liked my ideas.
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