Author's note: sorry it has been a while... holidays are busy with three families to visit (technically 4 visits because my family get us twice)... anyway I am getting close to the end of this story and have decided there will be a short story after it for our little ones arrivals... so I have 6 chapters for you now and next time I post will be the end of this one and possible the full short story... not sure yet
As always a big thanks to my beta warehouseluver13 for all your hard work
Please review and check out my polyvore for this story... I try to message back on reviews but I may not get all of them... I do read and love each one
Disclosure: I own nothing of Arrow or it would never go off for any hiatus... missing it terribly right now.
"Can I just say this is one of your dumber plans. And I have been apart of several of your stupid plans in the past." Sara noted as they passed into the dark warehouse.
"Duly noted." Oliver snarled from under his hood. They had decided to dress in their suits in order to ensure that anyone who didn't already know their identities would not learn them now. "I'm not a fan either but I need to get my family back, safely."
"But there has to be a better way."
"There isn't. Let's just get this over with."
"Gladly. Once the evil bastard shows up."
"Now there's no need for such hostility and rudeness." Darhk hissed as he moved out of the shadows.
"Where is my family?" Oliver growled as he raised his bow into place, an arrow notched in it already aimed at Darhk.
"Oh put that away. We all know you won't use it. Not until you know your family is safe. All of them." A disturbing glint shone in his eyes with his last words. "So straight to business. Do you have my package?" Oliver held up the ring so it could be seen in the light. "Perfect. Now hand it over and we will be done with our proceedings."
"Not without my family."
"Don't trust me." Darhk teased and tsked his tongue in a mocking manner. "Fine. Bring them in."
Oliver and Sara turned to see Donna and Connor being lead into the room. Both seemed shaken but well otherwise. Seeing the heroes confused Connor and Donna began to move towards him when a black gloved hand pulled her back. Then Oliver saw that one of the men bringing them in was none other than Tommy.
"Bring the boy here." Donna screamed and tried to hold Connor to her but Tommy had two other men hold her back and he shoved Connor towards Darhk. "Now this is how it will work. The boy will walk to you. You will hand him the ring and he will bring it back to me. Anyone even blink wrong and I will kill him instantly. Understood?" Oliver nodded regretfully. "Go!" Darhk pushed Connor towards Oliver.
Connor studied the figure, unable to see his face. He had heard stories while living in Central City about the green leather clad archer who was trying to make this city safe. As soon as he stepped close enough to look up at him, he saw a familiar jaw line and warm set of eyes looking back at him. "Dad?"
"It's ok, Buddy. Just bring this back to him and we will go home okay?" Oliver smiled down at his son, knowing he was confused and scared. He handed the young boy the gold ring, watching him take it with two hands as if it was a fragile ornament or antique. Connor turned around and started to head back towards Darhk when two arrows zipped through the air. They landed in the two guards holding Donna hostage. Sara reacted faster and pulled Connor towards her, pushing him behind her. "Get them out of here!" Oliver shouted as he pulled his arrow back up and began to take aim at Darhk. Suddenly the room was flooded with masked heroes and ghost soldiers. Nyssa came in from above Donna and pulled her to a nearby door, Laurel followed her with Connor in tow. They lead them to a van outside that Dig was settled in, awaiting their speedy exit.
Back inside, Sara and Oliver were engaged in a battle with Tommy while Thea and Roy fended off the small army of ghosts. Darhk had ordered his men into the battle and was beginning to make his exit. Oliver saw this and charged after him, throwing a blow against Tommy's side as he moved past him. Soon Oliver and Darhk were battling, every jab and thrust matched in force or blocked perfectly. Darhk was a smart fighter and started to use Oliver's strength against him. Just as Oliver heard a hard thump and looked to see Sara standing over Tommy's body, he felt as if the air was being sucked out of his body. Actually it felt like his blood was being drawn out of him. He turned his head to see a devilish grin cross Darhk's face. "All for waste. Now I will not only take your life but your team's and your family's. Anyone that matters to you will feel my wrath, Mr. Queen."
"Over my dead body! Now drop my brother." Thea shouted as she shot an arrow towards Darhk. He stopped them in mid air but his concentration was removed from Oliver and he was able to drop to the floor, unconscious.
"I can see to that!" Darhk reached out for Thea, determined to use the same power against her but was surprised to find it had no effect on her. He pushed harder into her chest, forcing more focus. But then he felt a burning feeling begin to grow at his touch to her.
Thea was shocked and stunned by this development and stood frozen watching it happen, as if she was outside her body. She came out of it when Roy called out to her, Oliver draped over his shoulder as he followed Sara out the door, Tommy's unconscious body hooked over her shoulders. Thea threw up a surprising right hook and connected with Darhk's temple, causing him to fall to the floor. She then ran out the warehouse, leaving a room full out defeated ghosts and one confused and disgruntled Darhk.
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"Okay so wait. You're saying that Tommy, your half brother and Oliver's old friend, is currently sedated in our Bunker along with your psycho father awaiting Ray and Cisco to create a prison that will shrink them down to the size of a tater tot and house them until we are ready to deal with their imprisonment. And my husband, who should be laying out in our bed while his strange and rude friend tries to fix him, was knocked out by Darhk's special powers that he used on you and it what backfired and hit him instead? Oh and my soon to be adopted son not only learned that his dad is a hero along with most of his family but he is also in possession of the ring of Ra's Al Ghul which gives ownership of the League to a person. Wow! I really did need to sit down for all that." Felicity's eyes popped as she tried to wrap her mind around all that had happened tonight.
"Yes to all except the ring thing. Nyssa took that from him as soon as he was in the van. Didn't need him getting any ideas." Thea joked but saw quickly that was a bad idea from the glare she received from her sister-in-law. "Too soon?"
"Way too soon."
"Listen. Lyla ran the programs you had set up so Darhk is in the dark. At least financially and communications wise. We also will be monitoring him and his ghosts. The ring is headed back to Talia. Once she has it, she has promised her support with the League to take on Darhk. She was already on her way here with her troops so they will be helping out on monitoring the city as well as protecting the family. Lyla also called in several old favors to find out all she can about Darhk and his resources and plans. I have Constantine looking at Oliver to figure out what happened to him. I also have texted Barry asking him to run by and get samples of Tommy and Oliver's blood. I am also going to have him run mine to see why whatever he did to Oliver didn't work on me. Right now you need to focus on being here for Ollie. That is all you need to do. We have the rest covered."
Felicity breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you Thea. I know I owe the whole team a thank you for what you all did tonight."
"It's what we do. Especially for family. No one, and I mean no one, gets away with harming anyone in this family." Thea stated with a sharpness to her tone.
Felicity reached out and hugged her, knowing how tough it is that Thea has had to lock up her birth father and one of her half brothers for all the harm they have brought against the city and team.
"Lis?" Roy softly called her as he walked towards the two women.
"How is he?"
"Still out but Constantine said he would be. Whatever Darhk did to him weakened him so close to death that his body is having to rebuild and repair. He said it was safe to go see him though. Dig and I put him in some comfortable clothes and took his leathers off. Connor is in there now with him. Not sure how he is taking it."
"I better go then. Time for me to go answer a lot of questions I think."
"Need help?" Thea offered.
"That's okay. We knew this day would come. We just hoped it would be a bit further down the road and not because of a hostage situation. Plus I think you need some time to work through some stuff on your own." Felicity slowly stood up, Roy and Thea helping her to her feet. As Roy helped her to the stairs, she stopped, "Thank you Roy. For everything."
"Always Blondie. Just make sure the big guy gets better."
"I will. Maybe you can keep an eye on the younger Queen. She has had a lot happen here recently and now that we have slowed down, she is going to need to deal. Be there for her. Please."
"My pleasure." Roy smiled sweetly and watched as she climbed the stairs, fighting back a chuckle as she griped about climbing them while growing two humans inside her.
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"So you help my Dad? Like how?"
"Well I was always his backup. I would make sure that whenever he went after a bad guy, he would be safe and would get out."
"So he never got hurt?" Connor asked as Felicity stepped into their room. Connor was seated on the ottoman by the bed while Diggle sat in the chair behind it. Oliver was stretched out on his side of the bed and if she hadn't known he was hurt prior she would think he was just peacefully sleeping.
Constantine walked up to her as he moved to leave the room. "He's good for now. He needs rest and will be weak for a few days. But he is lucky. He nearly didn't walk away this time."
"Thank you." Felicity grinned at him sincerely, grateful that he was able to save her husband's life.
"Tell him I will see him in a couple days. I need to track down an artifact that might just help us with Darhk." With that he moved out of the room. Felicity turned towards the bed and walked over to stand beside it and take Oliver's hand in hers.
"It's okay for you to sit up there Mommy. Roy and Dig let me once they had Dad set. But you need to bed to get comfy for the babies. Plus Dad always says he likes it most when you are next to him. Maybe that will make him feel better." Connor smiled up at her.
"Thanks Sweetie but I think Diggle is probably ready to go home and see his family so it's time to say goodnight."
Connor pouted slightly then Diggle told him, "It's okay little man, I'll be back tomorrow to check on your dad and we can talk more then."
"Okay Dig. See you tomorrow." Connor stood up and moved onto the foot of the bed after hugging the big bodyguard.
"Call me if anything changes with him or if you need anything. I'll be back around breakfast."
"I'll have Raisa making something special and extra coffee for you. Thank you Diggle. For everything."
"Anytime." Diggle smiled softly then moved out of the room, closing the door behind him.
Connor climbed up the bed as Felicity sat down on her side and propped herself up against the pillows, her hand finding Oliver's as soon as she was settled. Connor placed one of his hands on top of their intertwined ones and his other hand went to her belly. "My family." he whispered softly as if it was a secret. A smile crossed her face as a tear fell out of her eye.
"So. Diggle was telling you about your Dad being a hero?"
"Yeah he said that he wasn't always a hero. That he was a normal guy then he went on the boat with Grandpa and got stuck on an island for 5 years. When you got back he wanted to do good things so he started helping the city. He also said that he started helping Dad after a few weeks of knowing him. Then Dad met you a few weeks later and you all became a team and have been since."
"Yep! Your dad needed my help to take down a bad guy."
"Really? What can you do?"
"I am really smart and really good on a computer." Felicity grinned as she poked at Connor playfully, careful not to disturb Oliver.
"Don't let her kid you, she's a genius. Still not sure what she's doing with your dad." A deep voice whispered from the door. Lance stuck his head in as he pushed the door open just enough for him and Donna to slip in. "Just wanted to check on him before heading out. Laurel headed to the Bunker to help out and check on the guys there. How is he?"
"Good. Or at least he will be. He needs rest and time. Whatever Darhk did to him did a number on him this time."
"Is Dad going to be okay?" Connor asked sadly and worried about losing yet another parent.
Lance came over and sat down on the foot of the bed. "Of course Champ. He's a fighter. I have seen your dad come out of way scarier things than this, a lot worse hurt. So he will be fine. But he is going to need your help. You need to be a good boy for him and your mommy. Listen to them and do not fight them on anything. Can you do that? Take orders like a good soldier?"
Connor pulled himself up on his knees and went straight backed. "Sir, yes sir!" He saluted the older man who stood and saluted him back.
"Good but remember be quiet too okay?" Lance stated in a hushed tone and a bright smile on his face. "I'll leave you to it. If you need anything, let me know."
"Thank you. For everything Lance." The older man who was like a second father to her now smiled at her and left the room, her mother grinning and waving as she followed him out as well.
As soon as she heard the click of the door shutting, Connor had settled back beside her. She could tell he wanted to ask something but was nervous to. "What is it Sweetie?"
"Did you know Dad was a hero before you loved him?"
"Well yes and no. I knew your dad was a good and caring man when I met him. He was nice and sweet and smiled at me. The more I helped him, before I found out he was a hero, the more I knew I could trust him. Then when I found out, I guess I knew all along because that side of your dad is always there. The Arrow is a person that wants to make this city great and safe for everyone in it. He is willing to fight, no matter how hard it is, to make sure that those he loves and those around him, people he doesn't even know, are safe and happy. I loved your dad before I knew he was a hero but I loved him more after I found out."
"But I can't tell anyone, right? Cause that would blow his secret identity." Connor stated in an adorable way that made her heart melt.
"Right Sweetie. The more people know about this side of your dad, the more those people can hurt him or hurt us. They can take us away and try to hurt him that way."
"Like today?"
"Exactly. I know it was scary and I'm so sorry it happened Sweetie. You weren't hurt, we're you?"
"No. Bubbe wouldn't let them touch me. I was really scared and wanted to come home. I knew Dad would come get me. He said he would always take care of me."
"He will Sweetie. But right now we need to take care of him. Okay?"
"Okay." Connor leaned over and hugged Oliver softly. "Love you Dad." he whispered then sat back up, a worried expression on his face. "Do you think Dad is upset that I like Flash as well as Arrow? Dad is cool but Flash can run really fast!"
Felicity laughed, her heart feeling the lightest it has in days. "No Sweetie. I think he will just try to prove why he is better. You know he knows the Flash."
"Really?"
"Yep they train together from time to time and help each other out when needed. He even saved the Flash once. Well maybe not saved but helped get him back to his normal self."
"Cool!"
"How about you lay back and get curled up and I will tell you a couple of your dad's adventures as a bedtime story." Felicity didn't have to say another word. Connor crawled up under the covers and snuggled up beside the sleeping Oliver, carefully positioning himself in the gap between his father's chest and arm while using the arm as a pillow. He was turned to face Felicity, who was on her side and propped up around her pregnancy pillow, ready to dazzle her son with the many amazing battles his father had fought over the years. She didn't discuss anyone's alter egos unless Connor already knew them, which he informed her of as she told the stories, but she watched as his eyes danced with each new tale of trial and victory. Connor fell asleep in the arms of his hero. His dad.