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.
"With this last adjustment, this should hold him perfectly." Cisco boasted proudly. "Feel up to testing it out?"
"I thought you'd never ask! Now I will shrink down using my suit that way I can use the Jets and fly up on top of the counter. Then you can place the casing and activate the force field and we will see if it works. If I can't get through it with my suit, then his powers definitely won't work at that size."
"Sounds good to me but one thing, no recording. It's sorta lame. And you talk weird when you're doing it."
"Fine." Ray groaned. They had been working for 4 days on the containment pod for Malcolm.
Caitlin had come to town to help with Tommy as well as run several tests on Thea and Oliver. She gave each a thorough physical then drew blood to test for abnormalities between them and Tommy's as well. She wanted an answer as to why Thea was not affected by Darhk's power.
Oliver had received a call from Constantine the morning before confirming that he had located the artifact and as soon as it was in his possession, he would return to Starling to further assist. He had mentioned that he would be accompanied by his partners this time as well.
Talia had arrived in town a few days prior along with half the League's forces. They had spread the men throughout the city to keep an eye out for any trouble.
Lyla and Thea were in charge of monitoring all of the chatter as well as all of Darhk's accounts and personal information. Since Felicity's program had locked him out of all financial and communication programs he had set up prior, they were monitoring those to ensure no one else accessed them as well as he did not attempt to make new ones. They wanted him left in the dark for now.
Tommy had begun the process for becoming free of the brainwashing drugs but still had no recollection of his former life. It was as if he was a blank slate as soon as he came out of the pit. He did inform them that he had been awaken, as they had taken to calling it, for nearly 2 years now. Sara was astonished that she had not seen him before but he explained that Darhk had him hidden away so she would not, especially after she regained her memories. He had begun to tell the team some of the details of his past with Darhk but it was a slow process. Tommy didn't want to divulge any information that could be used against the only person he had known for years.
"Okay here goes nothing." Ray grinned excitedly. Then he pressed a button on his suit and energy sparks began to jump and fly off it. Cisco watched as the suit, containing Ray inside, began to shrink. Within seconds, Ray was a minute size again. He flew up onto the counter then stepped onto the display pad that would be used as the base for the pod. He watched as Cisco placed the vented reinforced triple layered plexiglass case above his head. Then Cisco moved towards the computer and pressed a few buttons, entering in the command code to activate the field and pod device. Soon Ray heard a humming sound as the plexiglass began to glow. He walked over to touch it and felt a jolt of energy run through him from the connection point. Electric charge seems to be working at least. Now let's see about the rest. Ray waited for Cisco to step back and give him the go-ahead cue. As soon as he got it, he let loose every weapon and trick he knew. After a few minutes, the dust began to settle and he studied the spot he had focused on to try and escape to find no evidence that there was even a slight kick against the spot, nonetheless several different types of weapon attacks. He wanted to test one other thing. He had focus on one specific spot during the first test. This time he would target that entire space. He wanted to make sure nothing would cause this device to fail. He let loose all he had all at once and waited to see the results. When the smoke cleared, he found that no damage had been done and Cisco smiled cheerfully as he explained into the mic and video camera set up on the laptop that all the readings from the outside of the pod seemed strong and ungiving.
"Perfect! I think it's time I get out of here. Mr. Merlyn's new accommodations are ready for him.
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A gentle press against her shoulder, tickling the skin, woke her. The sunlight softly shined through the back of her eye lids letting her know it was morning. Another press of the lips along with a tender scrape of whiskers brought her out of her dream state finally; a purr escaping as she reached out and stretched. Her hands fell onto the large growth in front of her and she finally opened her eyes. "It wasn't a dream."
"No Mrs. Queen, it wasn't." Oliver quietly chuckled as he snuggled closer into her back. "Good morning. Sleep okay?"
"Always. When you are next to me, Mr. Queen." Felicity leaned in and kissed his lips. Just as they broke apart and he pressed his forehead to hers, one of the babies kicked her and showed that they were up. "Hey in there! No kicking Mommy, young man!"
Oliver laughed brightly as he fell back onto the bed.
"Hey! He is your son!" Felicity snapped back. "I swear he is just as stubborn and hard of hearing as you are. He always has to be the center of attention. Has to let his presence be known no matter what. Harper is quiet and likes to sleep in like her mother but Tommy doesn't let us."
Oliver rolled back towards her, his smile so large and warm that his entire face lit up. "You know I love you more today than ever before. I still have no idea what I did to deserve you."
"Oliver…" Felicity groaned only to be interrupted by his lips pressing softly on hers. Then he shifted and placed his hand on her belly.
"I am just glad you were willing to fight for us, even if it meant fighting me and my nature. I love you Felicity and always will. No matter what." Then he scooted down the bed and laid his head against her belly. "Hey you two in there. Good morning. Your dad loves you both so much but be good for Mommy for just a bit longer. Then we will spoil you rotten later. Tommy, that means stop kicking you mommy and let her sleep when she wants to."
Felicity smiled as she watched him talk to their children, the scene making her chest feel tight and wide open all at the same time. "I swear you will never take anything seriously." Felicity shook her head as she giggled at the crazy antics of her husband. "Now I have to pee and then eat something. I can never seem to be full even though I am the size of a house. Well maybe not this one but a normal house."
"You are an adorable house in any case." Oliver teased as he helped her get up out of their bed. He pulled her hand up to kiss it when he realized something was missing. "Hey! Where's your rings?"
"They're too tight for my hand. So I can't wear them. Lyla said the same thing happened with some of her jewelry when she had Sara." She called as she entered the bathroom to get ready for the day.
"Oh. Okay." Oliver answered, a bit discouraged by the missing jewels.
"Why? Does it bother you?" Felicity asked. She waited for a response but when she didn't get one she left the room as quickly as possible to see her husband sitting at her vanity, her rings in his hand as he moved them between his fingers. "Baby?"
Oliver glanced up to see his beautiful wife glowing in the morning sunlight and pregnancy warmth. "Huh?"
"Does it bother you?"
"No. Nah." Oliver tried to dismiss the weird feeling of disappointment in him. "They're just rings right?"
Felicity crossed the room and cupped his cheek. "No they show the world that you love me and chose me. Just like I chose you. I don't like not wearing them either but I just can't. But anyone who looks at me right now will know just how much we love each other. I mean I am the size of a house because of that love." Her other hand brushed across the crest of her bump as she smiled down at him. "I love you, Oliver and nothing or no one will ever change that. I have loved you since that first day you saw me chewing on a pen at my desk. I was all yours from the very first smile and always have been. You are my everything. I don't need a ring to remind me of that and anyone who asks will be told the same thing. Okay?"
"God you are too good for me." Oliver grinned lovingly up at her, his heart falling in love with her all over again.
"Well of course. Good guys always get the girl. Don't you know that by now?" Felicity joked, leaning in to place one more kiss on his lips. "Now let's go get something to eat and check on our other son. He will be excited because today is the last school day before fall break. Can you imagine? A full week of him running around asking every question possible about the Arrow. He is going to drive us crazy."
"Well he did ask me something last night and I wanted to run it passed you."
"What?"
"Well he said you told him about the lair under Verdant. He wanted to see it. What do you think?" Oliver asked as they moved out of their room and down the stairs.
"Well there isn't much to see but yeah sure. It's safe. Now as for the Bunker, that one he will have to wait to see until we deal with the Merlyns."
"Understood. I will check on that today as well."
"No you will not. Thea will. You are still taking it easy. No Arrow work for a week. I mean it Oliver Jonas Queen. No Arrow Work!"
"Okay. I will have either Thea or Laurel check in on them."
"Good. Now breakfast. I'm starving!" Felicity smiled as they entered the kitchen. "Good morning!"
The room was already a buzz of activity. Thea and Roy were already sitting down with their plates in front of them while Diggle and Darren went over assignments for the guards for the day as they sipped their morning coffees. "Good morning Mr. and Mrs. Queen."
"Darren how many times have we told you, Felicity and Oliver. Please. Did you get something to eat?" Felicity chastised the older man as she moved into the room.
"Yes Mrs…. I mean yes Felicity. Thank you."
"Of course. Now make sure you take a couple of that for the road. Raisa I am sure has packed a lunch for all of you while you watch Connor at school."
"Yes ma'am. That really isn't necessary though."
"Here Sweetheart, you sit and I'll get your food." Oliver instructed as he helped his wife into a chair.
"Don't forget the…"
"Fruit and your one cup of coffee. I know." Oliver laughed as he moved back to that counter. "Good morning Raisa."
"Good morning, Mr. Oliver. Feeling better?" Raisa asked as she handed him a plate for him and one for Felicity.
"Much. Thank you."
"Good. You sit. I bring coffee." Raisa told him as she shooed him off.
Oliver smiled at Darren and Diggle. "Don't mind Felicity. She is mothering everyone around here." he whispered, trying to keep the note between just the men at the counter.
"I heard that!" Felicity scolded him causing all three other men in the room to bite back a chuckle while Oliver cringed.
"Better go and give her her food before she gets angrier." Diggle teased receiving only a sly grin and an eye roll in return from Oliver.
"Dig, I will hand out the assignments and meet you at the car." With that Darren left the room enjoying the merriment that came so easily to the family.
"So what's on the agenda today?" Diggle asked moving back to the table.
"Well we have a few meetings and things to catch up on at QI so we are headed that way." Felicity explained as she danced in her seat. She took a bite of waffle and wiggled happily again. "God I love waffles. Raisa you make the best waffles!"
"Yeah! She made mine with черника (blueberries). Right Dad?" Connor announced as he took a big bite of waffle.
"Great job, Buddy. Raisa teach you that?"
"Yeah. She said she would help teach me some things as well. Mostly stuff around the house. And work on what I already have learned."
"Sounds great Buddy but what did we say about it at school?"
"Only use it around the house and the family. Same goes for the Arrow stuff. I know Dad. Everyone told me that if someone bad was to find out, it could mean me or the babies or Mommy could get hurt."
Oliver grinned down at his son as he wrapped an arm around him, as he sat next to him as his son finished his breakfast. "Exactly Buddy. Мы должны защитить семью. (We need to protect the family.)"
"Yep!" Connor grinned proudly as he took his last bite of food and Oliver winked down at him.
"Well since you two are banned from the Bunker and Diggle will be with King Con today, I figured I would go check on the club and then swing by the Bunker to see if I can help. Ray and Cisco seemed to be close when we left last night." Thea smiled.
"Yeah I want to get some training in and check on the Merlyns. See if Tommy is ready to tell us anything new." Roy noted as he dropped his plate, along with Thea's, in the sink.
"Has he remembered anything yet?" Felicity asked curious to see if his memories had returned yet.
Thea become solemn and Felicity knew the answer without a word spoken. "Sara said that it took a lot for her to regain hers and she wasn't turned into a mindless servant for that wackjob. I don't know if we'll ever get Tommy back."
"Hey! We will. Don't give up yet. We have fought through worse and come out of it. This is just another battle. One we will win. I promise."
"I thought you don't make promises unless you know you can make them happen." Thea teased as Oliver stood and wrapped her up in his strong arms.
"I don't. So even if we have to show him and tell him about every stupid, funny and embarrassing moment of his life. We will. If that helps get him home, we will. Together. He maybe your brother by blood but he was always a brother to me as well so he is family. And we take care of family."
"Maybe Constantine can help us. He has dealt with the mystical side of life a lot more than we have and if there is anything that screams mystical it would be trying to restore the memories of a long list friend and brother who was killed over 2 years ago only to be put into a boil pit of slimy water that restored his life but not his mind then was brainwashed to be an unwilling henchman to an evil guy." Felicity huffed as she thought over what she just said. "I swear our lives get weirder and weirder by the year."
"At least no one can say we are boring." Roy laughed.
"What the playboy who went missing for 5 years only to return and become the city's savior? Or the ex special forces guy who is now married back to his ex wife and has had a baby girl with her? Or the heiress who was brought back to life only to be trained to kill by her psycho dad who was a member of the League of Assassins? Or the two sisters who are both working side by side with their ex to save this city at night, one of which was also brought back to life by a psychopath bent on gaining power? Or the ex assassin who is in love with one of the sisters? Or lastly the street thug turned sidekick?" Felicity laughed sarcastically.
"Or the tech genius who can hack any system in the world but hides out in her husband's company all day while several months pregnant with her vigilante husband's twins! And who are you calling sidekick?" Roy snapped back.
Oliver snickered as he released Thea and moved to drop off his and Felicity's plates. "We definitely live colored lives."
"Yes and they're about to get a bit more colorful." Sara noted as she stepped into the room, Nyssa and Talia following behind her.
"Connor sweetie, how about you run upstairs and get finished getting ready for school?"
"Ah! Really? I know Dad's the Arrow. Can't I hear this now?"
"Sorry little warrior, this is something that must only be discussed amongst those whose skills have been fully developed." Nyssa smiled down at him. Over the last couple days, Nyssa had taken a liking to Connor more; showing him several tips and techniques of fighting. It seemed that Diggle and Oliver would now have yet another person to help train Connor if he ever wanted to take up his father's mantle; a fact Felicity was not excited about but knew it was for the best. Even if he never donned his father's hood and crusade, he would still need to know how to protect himself and those around him and she couldn't think of better tutors than those around her.
"But I'm getting better with my bow. I hit every target yesterday with Uncle Roy."
"That's great little warrior but we will need you to keep an eye on your mother and keep her calm. Right now your duty is to help her with her pregnancy so those two little babies have a healthy beginning to their lives. Okay?" Nyssa knelt down so she was eye level with him.
"Okay but you will still train me right?"
"Of course. Now make your way. Diggle will be with you shortly."
"Okay Aunt Nyssa." With that, Connor moved away from the table, only to stop and run back to give his dad and Felicity a hug. As he pulled back away from her, he glanced down at Felicity's bump and whispered, "Don't worry Tommy and Harper. I will always protect you." Then he placed two quick kisses on the two sides of the belly then ran out of the room, leaving a teary eyed Felicity to stare at his retreating figure.
"Well if you two ever need another babysitter, I think we have another name to add to the very long list. Nyssa I must say, you are a natural!" Donna smiled sweetly at the assassin with surprise.
"Thank you Ms. Smoak but I am certain not. Little Connor is just easy to speak with."
"I don't know Nyssa. You got him to listen to you and stop pouting. I usually have you bribe him to get that to happen." Sara laughed as she reached for a piece of toast.
"As if that is the only time any of you bribe him or try to spoil him. I swear these kids are going to be hard to live with in the future. But I promise you this now! We will not have a repeat of their dad's or aunt's teenage years. They will act right or I will punish them. Loud voice and all. And it won't just them either. Anyone, and I mean anyone, involved will hear that voice." Felicity groaned.
"Sounded like a veteran mother already, Baby Girl." Donna giggled.
"Can we get back to the reason Sara, Nyssa, and Talia showed up? I'm curious why life is about to get a bit more colorful as they said." Thea begged.
"Sure Speedy. So Sara what's up?" Oliver asked.