My name is Oliver Queen. For five years, I was stranded on an island with only one goal-survive. Now I will fulfill my father's dying wish. To use the list of names he left me and bring down those who are poisoning my city. To do this, I must become someone else. I must become something else.

Oliver watched the antidote work, or hopefully work. Diggle seemed to be a strong guy but poison was unpredictable. He'd seen others fall to less. Death was indiscriminate and after the amount of death Oliver had seen, he knew it would be nothing for a man to fall.

He couldn't predict how Diggle would react. Would he accept the reveal? Would he panic? Oliver couldn't afford to be outed so soon. His mind left the man to heal as he ran over various programs. The traffic cams winked behind him looking for anything he should be aware of. His mind was heavy when his computer flagged Deadshot. The police were gathering too much evidence. It was only a matter of time before someone got close.

Diggle gasps, waking up. Oliver sighed knowing it meant he would survive.

"Hey."

"Oliver? You...you're the vigilante." Diggle goes to punch him but Oliver takes him down quickly. Anger he understands. Fear he understands. It would have been calm acceptance that threw him. When faced with a reveal like this, the natural reaction was an extreme.

"You're safe. I could have taken you anywhere. I brought you here." He needed to understand Oliver meant him no harm. It would have been nothing to let Diggle die in that building. No one would have questioned the death. Taken out in the line of duty.

"You lost your mind on that island," Diggle gasps.

"Found a couple things along the way."

"Like what archery classes?!"

"Clarity. The city is dying Dig. The city is being poisoned by a criminal elite who sees nothing wrong with stepping on everyone else. Someone has to do something."

"You're going to do this? All by your lonesome?"

"If I have to. I want you to join me. You're perfect. Special Forces. Soldier."

"Yeah well you're not a soldier Oliver. You're just a criminal and a murderer." Diggle scoffs and turns from him. He never hears Oliver's response.

"I know what it means to take orders." Oliver turns around, and goes back to his post. His computer hums as more and more alerts sound mentioning the vigilante. He knows he's gaining ground but tonight he's tired. He's more tired than he has been since he came home. He's not sure he can do this alone.


Laurel's waiting for him when he gets home. He's not sure why. He hasn't thought of her tonight while in danger. It used to be he carried her memory around like a talisman. Now he feels removed from her. Somehow coming home has closed the door there, ending a chapter. He is beginning to feel that way about all of his old friends and family.

"What are you doing here?" He knows he sounds harsh. His patience is shot and he really can't do this right now. He just wants to grab a few hours of sleep and wonder if the police will be waiting for him when Diggle talks. He didn't bother checking to see where he went. He was either going to keep the secret or tell and the only way to stop him was to kill him.

"I heard about the shooting. I wanted to make sure you were alright."

"You did?"

"I did. I got here and found a family terrified for your safety. You are so self-centered. You think that people don't care about you? I might have made peace with your selfishness years ago Oliver but your mother? Thea? They don't deserve that."

"Laurel do you understand what it's like to be alone for five years?" Oliver finally answers. He doesn't have time to be berated or told he's selfish. Maybe he is but he's not going to listen to it time and time again. "For the first while all you want to do is talk to someone. Ask someone for help. After years of silence it becomes the last thing you think about Laurel."

"Oliver…"

"I took my bodyguard to the hospital. He was shot twice by poison-laced bullets. I'm sorry if I should have left his side to call my family but that man took bullets meant for me and I wasn't going to leave him there."

"Oliver."

"Goodnight Laurel. Sorry if I'm not in the mood for a lecture. Thank you for coming but goodnight."

"That was harsh." Thea came to his side and touched his shoulder. "I knew you were okay."

"I'm sorry I didn't call Speedy." She hugs him and for a moment the raging pressure behind his eyes dies down and he's okay again.

"Is Mr. Diggle okay?"

"I think so. He went home."

"Laurel was out of line Ollie."

"Goodnight Speedy." He's halfway up the steps before he hears her. Thea is standing on the bottom step looking up at him.

"I saw your face Oliver. When the man fired the first shot. No one who saw your face would think you're selfish."

Oliver nods and heads up to bed. His mind is tired and he can't take anymore discussion. His bed seems large and unwelcoming. He considers the floor absently but knows his mother will check on him at some point. If she finds him there, she'll wake him. She'll think something's wrong.

Sleep does claim him but it's restless. He's remembering Yao Fei and his first nights on the island. He remembers the cold and the brutal reality he found himself in. It would have been so easy to end himself. He never considered himself strong and he thought he would crack under the hopelessness.

He wakes up gasping, his bed slick with sweat. He shivers for a moment grasping for something. His hands close over nothing. He brings his knees up and wraps his arms around them. The tears are unwelcome and he is frustrated by them. He thought he was done with tears.

He doesn't even remember going to his motorcycle or the feel of the air whipping around his head. He's driving blindly, hoping to find solace wherever he can. He knows he needs to arrive home before his family wakes up but they're nothing in his mind. His brain screams in pain and he's remembering the bloodshed, the first kill, the first betrayal. It's all right there. People will say it happened years ago but for Oliver it's right now.

He doesn't even realize where he is at first. Scaling the fire escape is easy. He sits down by the wall and breathes. Through the window he can see her. She's sleeping under quilts and among pillows. He didn't even realize he wanted to see her. Felicity rolls fitfully to her side, facing away from him and he sighs. Hidden in the shadows, no one will see him. He doesn't need to see her. Being close is enough.

He can feel the edginess drifting away as he presses his back against the brick. This is enough. He knows he's dangerous. He shouldn't be near her but she calms him. She wants nothing of him and it's refreshing when everyone around him is judging him and expecting him to be something. For a few minutes it all bleeds away.

Dawn breaks while he's riding home. He never looked in on her again. It would be wrong to take advantage. He simply rested until he could breathe again. Scaling the fire escape was easy and he made sure to not be seen. He didn't want her to know he'd been there. Best to leave her alone.


He finds Thea sitting downstairs eating chips. The television flashes with grisly news stories. She barely notices him entering the house. He joins her knowing sleep will never come.

"Couldn't sleep either?"

"No."

"I'm not going to ask where you were."

"Good. I'm sor-"

"Don't. You need to be alone sometimes. I get it. You were alone for five years Ollie." She smiles at him and tries to understand but he knows she doesn't. Not really. "They're talking about Peter Declan."

"Who?"

"Right...he killed his wife in their baby's room. Psycho. So why couldn't you sleep?"

"Nightmare."

"About?" He weighs his options. He could lie but she'd know. He could tell the truth but she'd make it a thing.

"The island. Laurel. Pain."

"If you want Laurel to forgive you just go after her," Thea says. "Look she came over here. She still cares about you."

"I…" Oliver thinks quickly and remembers the calm from before. "There's someone else."

"Someone…? Ollie! Who?"

"You don't know her," he says. "I can't be with her. It would be wrong to pretend with Laurel."

"Ollie. You made mistakes in your past but if this girl can make you happy, you should go for it." Thea offers.

"I'm not the same person I was Thea. I don't even know who I am right now." Thea's watching him and thinking. He can feel her mind whirling as she tries to be supportive but she's still upset with him.

"Ollie. You smiled for real."

"Hmm?" He turns to her confused. She's smiling at him sadly. The bowl of chips forgotten at her side.

"You haven't smiled since you've been home. Not really. It's always missing something. But now...just now when you thought of your mystery woman, you smiled. "Maybe she will like your new self."


Hours later he heads downstairs. Thea went to bed right after giving him some thinking to do. He cleaned up after her but his mind still raced with the concept of her. He can't pursue her. Diggle is right. He is a criminal and a murderer. He won't risk anyone in his new life.

His mother is cold this morning which he expects. He didn't let her know he was okay. He just came home and then was probably gone when she checked on him. She'll get over it in time.

"We have a visitor?" The man standing behind her looks like a poor imitation of a bodyguard. He's standing like Diggle but he's not assessing. This man would not be fast enough to save anyone from a bullet.

"Mr. Diggle's replacement."

"Replacement?" He had hoped Diggle would see reason. Diggle would realize what he's doing is good for the city. He had hoped Diggle would join him and together they could do so much more. Instead he has someone out there who knows his secret and is a liability.

"Yes. He tendered his resignation this morning." This explains her anger. She'd gotten over the shooting. This was the fact Diggle quit.

"Did he say why?"

"He said he didn't approve of the ways you spend your evenings especially with you always ditching him."

Fair enough. Oliver knows there is nothing he can do about this now. He can talk to Diggle later. Instead he decides to accept it. This one will be far easier to ditch.

"Hi."

"Mr. Queen. I'm Rob Scott."

"That's firm grip you have there Rob."

"Five years SWAT with Monument Point."

Monument Point. That's a place Oliver hasn't heard of in years. Waller liked mentioning the military base there when she was lecturing. How he'd never last five minutes there. He didn't realize she had been joking. The news story continued in the background and he glanced over when he heard the name Jason Brodeur. That name was on his list.

"Say Rob, I want to go into town. Would you go get the car?"

"If it's all the same to you, I'd prefer keeping you in my sights at all times. I've been told of your tendency to ditch your bodyguard."

"We're 20 miles from town Rob. If you don't drive me how will I get there?"

"Right sir." Moira gives Oliver a look the moment Rob has left the room. She knows he's going to ditch Rob and weirdly enough she seems fine with it. She even smiles wondering how long Mr. Scott will last at this job. Oliver's motorcycle roars to life and she hears Mr. Scott yelling after him.

"Oh Raisa?"

"Yes. Mrs. Queen?"

"You might as well keep the number for the security firm out. I think we may need a new man tomorrow."

"Yes Mrs. Queen. Mr. Oliver does not like to be cooped up."

"No. He certainly doesn't."


They say Peter Declan murdered his wife in cold blood. He had no alibi, and all the evidence pointed toward him. He was tried, convicted, and sentenced to death. An open-and-shut case, except for one thing. Declan's wife Camille worked for Jason Brodeur. Jason Brodeur is on the list. Declan has always claimed he was innocent and I think he was right. The odds are good that Brodeur is involved in this woman's murder which means an innocent man is facing execution. He'll need a good attorney.

He knows Laurel might not be receptive meeting the Hood. It's risky. She might react poorly and Mr. Declan needs a good lawyer. Suiting up he wonders what she would think if she knew it was Oliver Queen under the hood. Would it matter to her? Would she look at him like Diggle did? A killer? She should. It's who he is now.

He can sense her fear when the lights don't work. The window is open and she retrieves her gun. He's careful knowing she can shoot him regardless.

"Hello Laurel."

"You are making a mistake! My father's a cop!" Her hand shakes as she says this and he knows if she shoots it will be an accident. She doesn't have it in her to shoot a man. Not now anyway. Time can do strange things to people.

"Peter Declan is going to be executed in 48 hours and I think he's innocent." The voice modulator is a nice touch because Laurel doesn't even notice it in his hand. She's focused on the bow, not watching him at all. Good. He doesn't want to risk her figuring it out. "Declan's wife was going to blow the whistle on Jason Brodeur and he had her murdered."

"Why me?" She asks. Her curiosity is enough to get her to lower the gun a fraction. Declan is high profile and she knows the story. His hand grasps the gun and lowers it fully. The surprise is evident on her face. She trusts him or at least...she knows he means her no harm.

"You'll do anything to save the life of an innocent man Laurel. I've been paying attention." He's out the window before she turns around. He knows she'll investigate. In a few hours her name appears on the visitor's log at Iron Heights.


Oliver arrives home to find Mr. Scott in a bit of a mood. Mr. Scott follows him arguing with him about ditching his security team. Oliver doesn't bother to comment. It hardly matters. He clears the doorway with Mr. Scott hot on his heels to find Raisa holding a white coat.

"Mr. Oliver. You have a visitor. In the living room." She reaches up and pats his cheek. "Be nice."

Scott follows him into the room and Oliver freezes. The man almost crashes into him. It would be comical if Oliver could think that way right now. She's standing by the windows. Her dress is bright orange, her hair, up and away from her face. There is a flower in her hair, one bright orange flower perfectly resting against her skull. She's beautiful and he's frozen.

"Felicity," he breathes her name and time stops. She spins around to look at him, surprised he is already here. Raisa makes an amused sound behind him. Scott steps back and presses himself against the doorframe but Oliver is only watching her. Did she wake up and see him the night before. She looks angry.

Her heels click against the flooring and he knows his mother would wince at the sound. She is so careful about only walking on the area rugs.

"Mr. Queen," she says when she's standing in front of him. She smells like rain. It's weird and comforting all at once. The day is sunny but she smells like she's been running through rain. He shakes his head to remove the image.

"I got your flowers," she says finally. "My office mates think I have a secret boyfriend. It didn't help you signed the card."

"Did I cause you trouble?" He never wanted that. He only wanted to thank her for her help with Lawton.

"I can handle them." He's sure she can. There's a strength to her that on first look is missable. She's not wearing her glasses and it's distracting. Her eyes look so blue in the morning light. He feels his chest tightening and wonders how when his anxiety level is low.

"Did you like them?" he manages. She looks past him to the bodyguard and sighs. "I hope you liked them."

"I've never gotten flowers before," she whispers. "I...thank you."

"Of course." He can hear his audience behind him but the room drops away. She looks amazing and she's watching him. Her eyes seem to see everything and he's worried by what she might see when she looks at him.

"I'm surprised you didn't go with roses."

"I saw the tiger lillies and thought of you."

"I...I thought you had someone order them."

"For you? Never." She smiles shyly.

"So it's weird how that laptop made it to the police and the vigilante happened to show up," she babbles. "Weird right? A few hours earlier we were looking at blueprints of the Exchange Building and then the Vigilante showed up."

"What are you saying?"

"Nothing. I just think it's weird." He wonders if she knows but she doesn't seem to really care. He can feel her breath on his face and she's staring up at him with the question hanging. Is he the vigilante?

Her hand is on his shoulder before he can formulate a response. His hand cups her cheek and his thumb nudges her glasses. He can't do this. He can't. He'll hurt her and he knows it's only a matter of time.

"Felicity…."

"Oliver…"

"Ollie are you here?" They break apart at the sound of Thea calling his name. She looks shell-shocked at what almost happened. She steps away and he aches to pull her back, to try and make this work.

"Your sister…I should go."

She's almost to the door before he can make his mind work again. She's heading down the steps to her car and he pauses. He needs to let her go. He needs to put this behind him. Jason Brodeur needs to be handled.

"Mr. Queen...thank you for the flowers," she calls as she opens the car door. He raises his hand to wave.

"You called me Oliver." Her eyes meet his but she doesn't answer. He watches her car until it's out of sight and he sighs. It's for the best.

"Ollie?" Thea moves to stand next to him. "Who was that?"

"No one."

"She's the girl that makes you smile, isn't she?"

"Yeah."


Oliver needs to focus on Brodeur and he needs Diggle's help. He knows it's a long shot but there is something about the man that makes him think Diggle might change his mind. He has a feeling he'll be at Big Belly Burger and hopes to catch him. Plus he can't stop to think about what almost happened in his living room. He can't think about the way her eyes darkened as he started to move towards her…

Scott walks in front of him and Oliver sighs at the idiocy. If it was him, he would target the back. Scott really is a liability. A fun liability but a liability. Diggle is surprised to see him. It's clear as anything. And his sister-in-law isn't thrilled either.

"Hello Diggle's sister-in-law Carly. I'm Oliver Queen."

"I know who you are."

"No you don't." Diggle's tone is unamused and Oliver can't help but smile. Carly is almost as scary as Felicity. Almost.

"I couldn't help but notice the distinct lack of police cars at my home. I hoped you wouldn't turn me in. Have you considered my offer?"

"Offer." He scoffs and Oliver sighs. He had hoped things would be easier.

"It is an offer. It's a chance to do the kind of good that compelled you to join the military."

"Please. You were born with a platinum spoon in your mouth. You spent five years on an island with no room service and suddenly you found your calling?"

Oliver tugs the book out of his pocket and let's it hit the table with a thud. He hasn't shown anyone the book and knows it doesn't explain everything.

"I found this when I buried my father."

"You said your father died when the boat went down."

"I lied. He made it to the life raft. Shot himself in the head so I could live. I'd like to think he was trying to atone for his sins." Silence drops over the table while Diggle glances at the pages. "I need to right the wrongs done by my family and I'm offering you the chance to right the ones done to yours."

"What are you talking about?"

"Andy's killer. Bullets laced with curare. Floyd Lawton. Deadshot."

"Are you saying you took down Andy's killer?"

"I'm saying you have a choice Diggle. You can help me help other people's families. People in this city used to help each other. They can't do that because these people see nothing wrong with raising themselves by stepping on other people's throats. If the cops won't stop it or the courts. Well it's going to be me and maybe you."

He makes his exit, a sense of drama filling him. He's speechifying and it's amusing. Scott probably realizes he's gone right around the time he hits his base. The computers are searching for proof of Jason Brodeur's involvement in Declan's case. He's not a hacker but he can do enough.


He meets Laurel again. He knows it's risky but he can't do what he needs done. Only Laurel can fight for Declan in court. He can work only from the shadows.

"Is there a reason we can't do this face to face?"

He ignores the question. He's already risking a great deal to meet with her. She might recognize him. The sirens echo through the streets and he's distracted by the sounds. She's explaining the case to him, dropping in what she gathered from Declan. She thinks he's innocent. It's enough.

"Matt Istook said he never met with Camille that day. He's either telling the truth or he's a very convincing liar."

"He hasn't met me."

"I didn't become a lawyer to break the law or hurt innocent people."

"Matt Istook might not be innocent."

"He might be. If what you are doing is right then why do you hide your face with a hood?"

"To protect those I care about. I made this choice. Not them."

He's flying through the air before she can respond. He needs to get to Matt Istook. His path through the city takes him past Queen Consolidated. He wonders if Felicity is still at work and if her suspicion he's the vigilante should be worrying.


"I have one question. Why am I being fired? Is it because of Mr. Queen?" Felicity is enraged at the call to Mr. Steele's office. She hadn't expected Oliver to rat her out or her office mates to make such a big deal about the flowers.

"Ms. Smoak, isn't it?" Mr. Steele is confused by her tone. She looks out the window and thinks she catches a glimpse of the Starling City vigilante. No...she's seeing him everywhere now.

"I am the single most valuable member of your technical division including my so-called 'supervisor'. Letting me go would be a major error for this company."

"I agree." Mr. Steele stands and gestures to the chair across from his desk. "That is why you are not being fired. I need you to look into something for me."

"I'm sorry?"

"Rumors have Oliver visiting you. You managed to help him with whatever he needed and your knowledge of computers is...enterprising."

"I was never arrested."

"I'm well aware Ms. Smoak. You do, however, have a unique perspective for finding hidden corporate information."

"What do you need?" A flash of her goth, hacker clothes is in her mind and a memory of her college boyfriend. She's not that girl anymore.

"There is 2.6 million dollars missing. My wife states it was an investment in a start-up venture but…"

"You're not sure? I'm your girl. I mean not your girl. I wasn't...thank you for not firing me."

She's down the hall before he can respond. She breathes a sigh of relief. In her office, the flowers seem to stare at her. Her computer winks with the footage from the Exchange Building. Oliver Queen, two halves of one complicated whole or is she mistaken? Could it be a coincidence? Could Oliver Queen and the vigilante not be tied together at all? She doesn't like coincidence but she can't help but wonder if a man who could touch her so tenderly could also kill that easily.


Matt Istook is easy to handle. He's a worm and easily threatened. Oliver expected nothing more. Istook wanted his payoff and he got it. Too bad the money had already been rerouted to a charity. He would find out when he got home but by then it wouldn't matter. The file will clear Declan. Laurel is grateful.

She tries to understand him and while he would love to have validation, it's coming from the wrong person. Laurel will do what is necessary to save Declan's life. It's over.

At home Oliver wanders through the foyer. His eyes drift over to the white jacket hung over the hook. Felicity's jacket. He hadn't noticed her forgetting it earlier. His hand touches the soft material and he can't help but smile.

"What is wrong with your face?" Thea rushes towards him and he's startled. His face?

"What?"

"There's something weird on it. Your mouth? It's smiling?"

"I considered your advice. Showing her my new self."

"Mad relationship skills bro. Seriously though. The girl from earlier? She's different from your usual…"

"She's different."

"I see that." Thea looks thoughtful. She glances at his hand on Felicity's coat and smiles. "Let me know if you need trendy places to propose."

"It's kind of early for that. We're not even...I'm not sure what I'm doing."

"Isn't that kind of fun Ollie? The unexpected? Promise me you'll introduce her when you're sure."

"Promise."


It doesn't work. The file isn't enough and Laurel is ready to give up. He's too close. He won't lose an innocent man to the machinations of the criminals in this city. Brodeur needs to pay. If no one else will get the information then he will. A signed confession will come easy when the man is practically begging for death. He's seen innocent man take the fall, be punished, be broken by others. He's not going to let that happen. He's not going to let Declan's daughter grow up without a mother and a father.

Declan is a whimpering bit of slime. Oliver finds it hard to not kill the man. His silence is enough momentarily. An attack is coming for Mr. Declan. Oliver races to the prison and finds it already in chaos. The cells are open and Laurel is in the crossfire. He sees guard after guard fall as he races down each hallway. He's camouflaged by a ski mask and a police uniform. Laurel is in hand with Mr. Declan. He can hear her fear, hear her choking. She's still Laurel.

He beats the man bloody and Laurel has to pull him off. The fear strikes her then. He sees it in her eyes. He's a monster. She won't see him any other way. Declan is cleared but he knows he's lost an ally. He hears her say the words he knows are true. Murderer. Monster. Unforgivable.

He heads back to his base and thinks. He is a he needs something he shouldn't. The beast inside is still raging and he could take to the streets but he knows he shouldn't. He might go too far.


Across town Felicity Smoak arrives home. In one hand a bag of Chinese food and in the other her notes on Tempest. She saw it in Mr. Steele's eyes. He's not done. He'll be back for more information and this time she'll be ready. The lights won't come on and she flips the switch a few times.

She glances around the open space noting the window is open and the curtains fluttering. She left that closed this morning. Her television and computer is in place. Nothing is missing that she can see. She finds the baseball bat where she keeps it and makes her way through the apartment checking corners. It could be nothing.

She swings the second she feels the presence and jumps when a hand stops the bat. Green. All she can see is green. Her eyes dart up to the hood. It droops over his eyes and she can't see him. She could panic but something stops her. He has no bow in his hand. No arrows or quiver. He's unarmed.

"I won't hurt you Miss Smoak." The voice modulator masks his voice and she wonders if she would recognize it or if it is just part of his costume. She lets go of the bat and he drops it. She jumps when it clatters to the floor.

"What do you want?" Her voice is steady and she's thankful. She doesn't want him to know she was scared.

"You've been looking into me." It's not a question. Her eyes dart to her computer space and she realizes he's been there. The door is open and her computers are blank.

"You wiped them." The anger is irrational. She can fix it but to her it's like going through her underwear drawer. "How dare you?"

"You have back-ups. I left them intact except for my information."

"How did you know?"

"You are not the only one who can use a computer. I don't have your skill but I can do enough."

She spins to face him again and itches to call him Oliver. How will he react? She uses his attention to let his scent wash over her. She expected dirt and trees, Oliver's scent but this man smells like grease. He smells like the garage she takes her car to and it surprises her. Is she wrong? Are they two different men?

"Is that it? It will take me hours to fix my set-up."

"Don't look into me again."

"Is that a threat?" His gloved hand is on her face in a near mirror of Oliver's. The smell of leather is dizzying. Her eyes meet where she thinks his eyes are. In the shadow it's hard to tell.

"It's a request."

"If I refuse?" She's breathless and she's not sure why. She's not this girl. She's not into bad boys or dangerous men. It's always been hackers or geeks, guys she could handle.

"Then I'll come back and wipe your computers again."

His breath is warm on her face and she feels a slight pressure on her neck. Her mind fizzles and she realizes he's done something. Her last thought is the feel of his arms lifting her against him. They feel strong.


He stays with her longer than he should. She'll be asleep for hours but he can't leave her. It was easy to enter her apartment, to rifle through her things. She's not safe here. If anyone saw him come here she could be a target. He'll return later and fix some of the issues. Her computer is already connected to his but he expects she'll find that surprise. She's good. She's far better than he is. He could use someone like her but it's dangerous. Diggle has training. She has...a baseball bat.

That shocked him. Laurel pulled a gun but her hand shook. She wouldn't have fired. Felicity, on the other hand, she would have tried to stop him. She had fight in her. Unexpected fight.

He left her before dawn, tugging a blanket over her. He left a flechette as a calling card. The ride home was uneventful and forgettable. His mind was on bigger things. Diggle was still a loose end.

Finding Diggle in the living room by the windows shocked him again. Two different people, same place. Chances were this discussion would be just as interesting.

"Are you here for the bodyguard position? The new guy just quit."

"Couldn't handle you? No I'm here for the other position."

"Ah."

"Just to be clear I'm not signing on to be a sidekick. You're right fighting needs to be done in this city. Maybe if I join up I can help save them and you."

"I'm not looking to be saved."

"Maybe not but you need saving Oliver. You have no idea what war does to you. It scrapes off little pieces of your soul until you are unrecognizable."

Diggle doesn't realize it but Oliver knows this. He's been at war for five years. He'll tell him someday...maybe. Not today. The handshake is firm, a show of equals. Diggle isn't going to be a sidekick but a partner. It's a new experience.

He hears Lance in the hallway and two cops are on him as Lance reads him his rights. He sees his family behind him as they stare in shock as he's accused of being the vigilante.


Thanks for reading! Updates will slow down as the long weekend ends. I hope 1-2 chapters per week but we'll see.