AN: Sorry for the late update life got in the way along with idea overload. This is the second version of the chapter as I wasn't happy with the first. Thank you to Amber for your review I agree I like the batman crossovers but a change is good too. And thanks to all the new favorites and follows. Anyway new chapter enjoy.
I do not own Arrow/Mutant X I just wanted to try something new.
Chapter 9 - The Third Body
An hour later Jesse was walking around with just a bruise to show for his ordeal. The whole group were sitting in the chill out room when he joined them. Arrow stood up to greet him, he held out his hand to Jesse who took it shaking as firmly as he could. "I'm sorry." Arrow apologised. "No hard feelings I shouldn't have moved I underestimated the velocity of your weapon. You can make it up to me later." Jesse replied with a smirk and glint in his eye. "How?" Arrow asked slightly confused. "You can try shooting me again." Jesse said. "What?!" Arrow roared. "Don't worry you won't get me again but I need to figure out where I can take a chance. Next time it could be a kill shot." Jesse explained seriously. Arrow just nodded he couldn't argue but he wasn't happy at the idea either, Jesse reminded him of Felicity and her crazy ideas.
Shalimar was the other side of the room watching Arrow she didn't trust him. Adam walked in a few minutes after Jesse, "We have a problem there is another body." Adam announced. The rest of Mutant X stood ready for action and Felicity stood next to Arrow hoping to help out where she could. "I want Brennan and Shalimar to come with me Jesse you can direct us." He ordered and started to turn to leave then like he just remembered who else was there stopped to include them. "Arrow this is your city will you watch over while we work?" He asked, "Felicity you can use the computers with Jesse and he can patch your comms with ours." Arrow nodded in agreement he moved to face Felicity and gently took his bow from her custody stroking his thumb over her hand in the exchange. "Adam." Shalimar started to protest but Arrow cut in. "I will remain on the rooftops out of the way unless there are any problems. It's not my style but you will have less difficulties that way."
Adam nodded and left the room followed by Brennan, Shalimar, Jesse and Emma. Felicity followed them with Arrow bringing up the rear. In the corridor Adam, Brennan and Shalimar went right towards the garage area and the other 4 went left heading to the rooftop.
As they arrived on the roof Jesse led the way into the Double Helix. He took up a position at the front of the plane with Emma opposite and Felicity went for the terminal behind Jesse. "Where am I heading?" Arrow asked he ignored the burning curiosity needing to remain focussed on the new mission at hand. Jessie worked on the computer to bring up the intel they had, he heard the Arrow's question and noticed the change in his voice but shook it off as a question for later. "The police report said it was found in South End on 5th." Arrow spun on the spot and made his exit onto the rooftop, he glanced back at where he had been to see nothing there on the roof another question for later. "Felicity keep me posted." He said as he set his zip wire up to take him down towards his bike.
Felicity heard Arrow in her ear and relaxed back in her seat. She had spoken to Diggle and briefly explained their current situation but it was more reassuring hearing his voice, she was sad to have to share it. Jesse's voice broke her out of her thought's, "Let's get your friend hooked up to our comms before we have any trouble." Emma started to talk quietly almost to herself and Felicity listened in, "You need to make a right, at the end left, follow it till the end. Go right." She must have been giving directions to the team in the van.
"Do you wear your comms all the time? I haven't seen anyone put them in when your mission came through." Felicity asked intrigued. "Yes and no. We don't have conventional comms much too risky Adam designed his own system with tracker, camera, vital monitors built in." Jesse replied. "Wow that's some neat tech where do you hide it all?" Her interest growing. "In our rings." He said nonchalantly concentrating on the computer screen and typing furiously away. Felicity sat up straighter to look over her monitor and see the ring he mentioned, it didn't look special just a silver band with a few markings. She glanced at Emma and she had one on the same ring finger on her right hand.
"Done." Jesse announced resting back in his chair, "You're patched into our comm line you will hear us and vice versa and can join in too." Felicity could hear Emma's instructions through the comm, "All working." She said, "Arrow you're hooked up. Okay that sounded better in my head." She heard someone snigger and looked up to see Jesse suppressing a laugh. "Let's get some CCTV up." He suggested. Felicity grateful of the distraction set to work within a minute she had hacked the SCPD control room and put the live feed up on hers and Jesse's screens, "Done." She beamed proudly. "There is on cop on the scene, it's secluded so no witnesses. It's surrounded by 5 high perfect vantage." She informed all on the comms. Then she busied herself in the police report. "CSI will be due there in 30 minutes."
She brought the cameras back up, "Seriously you're fast." Jesse commented keeping his eyes trained on the cameras. He spotted the van entering the road, "Adam we have your visual." "I'm in position." Arrow added. The comms went silent Felicity watched as the van stopped near the police car and the 3 exited removing a stretcher from the back. They approached the SCPD officer who stopped their progress. "I'm sorry my orders are not to let anyone other than SCPD CSI in. We have had some bodies go missing in transit." Felicity heard the officer. "Arrow you need to contact Detective Lance he might help." She heard a whistling sound and on the camera the officer started to fall when Shalimar caught him and gently lay him down. "Tranq dart is faster." He answered.
The 3 on the ground moved swiftly bagging the body and moving it into the van. Just as they were getting into the vehicle Arrow felt a presence behind him. "Hello kid." The Australian accent unmistakable. Felicity heard the voice over the comm recognising it instantly as Slade Wilson she stiffened and Emma noticed the change in Felicity's mood. Before Emma could ask Felicity Arrow's voice was heard on the comm, "Slade." He ground out. As he turned to face his old friend poised to attack Slade continued speaking, "I see you have some new playmates, I wonder if they really know who they are dealing with."
Slade was dressed for battle in his Deathstroke armour and mask. Arrow tensed in anticipation to release his strung bow. "I do not fear your arrow nothing will stop me in fulfilling my promise. If I were you I'd be careful who you associate with or their deaths will be on you. Only YOU and those you LOVE have to suffer." Slade said voice thick with hate. He drew a gun from its holster at his waist and fired it in the general direction of Arrow's position. Arrow dodged the bullets and when the gunfire ended he scanned the rooftop to find himself alone.
He caught movement in his peripheral vision and instinctively shot an arrow at it momentarily forgetting he was working with others. Shalimar had heard the Australian voice over the comm and she headed for the fire escape on the building Arrow was on. She was intending to provide backup but as she reached the rooftop she found herself in the firing line of an arrow. Throwing her top half backwards she fell from the rooftop her stomach narrowly missing the arrow, as her legs followed her body and she righted herself in mid air and grabbed the ladder to stop her fall. She hit hard but continued to move upwards and peeked over the edge first this time. She saw the Arrow with his bow above his head in a sign of being unarmed.
Shalimar furious now leapt onto the rooftop and ran at the Arrow taking a swipe at him across his face. He dropped down onto one knee the force she put into the hit was more than he had expected. He licked his lip tasting blood, "That was some hit, I'm sorry I thought you were him." He explained. "I guess were kinda even let me take a look." Shalimar now calm her feral protectiveness kicking in she crouched down to take a look but Arrow flinched away. "I'm sorry I won't hurt you my temper can get the better of me." She assumed he was hesitant about her further attacking him. "I'm fine, you are much stronger than you look." He said by way of explaining his current situation. He stood laying a hand on his injured cheek testing for anything broken. "Nothing broken, I've had much worse. How did you miss that arrow? I'm glad you did but I've never seen anyone move like that." He asked. Shalimar now standing held her hand out to him which he took, "My name is Shalimar Fox, I am a Feral I have feline DNA." "So you're like a cat?" He asked confused he had flunked college. "Yeah." She answered, "Watch this." She said with a devious smile. Then she turned to the edge of the roof overlooking the street and ran.
Arrow watched her run towards the edge when she showed no signs of stopping he tried to move forward to stop her. Before he had taken a step she had jumped forward propelling herself over the edge and towards the ground. "Shalimar!" He cried after her sprinting to the edge. He threw himself down low to prevent himself following her over the edge. As he peered over he saw Shalimar's body effortlessly turning in the air like a circus gymnast performing for a show. As she neared the ground she set herself into a feet first dive arms out creating more drag to slow herself. Then as her feet touched down her legs, body and head followed the downward motion into a crouch. She stayed like that for a few seconds before bringing her head up to look about.
Brennan was stood leaning against the van and he appeared to scoff at the show. Just as Arrow was about to follow he saw Shalimar stand and look up at him with a gloating smile before moving towards the van and slipping in followed by Brennan. "Show off." He stated into the comm and heard sniggering back. He headed back to his bike, to the orphanage and Felicity. Slade was watching his every move he needed to get ahead of him and he needed to keep Mutant X out of the way before they got hurt.
Felicity had been listening to the conversation between Arrow and Shalimar. She had watched her dive off the building and had freaked out in panic. Emma had calmed her down explaining that she had done it several times before on their own missions. "When Mutant X found me I was scared and being hunted down but Shalimar and Jesse rescued me. Shalimar had jumped down 5 stories to get to me." She explained. "I guess the reports on proxy blue are all true then, woman falls 6 stories and walks away, man that can control electricity. I'm guessing you were being chased by the Genetic Security Agency I imagine you would be a useful addition to a company helping people get along and excellent sales representative." Felicity babbled. Emma smiled at the later comment, "I used to work in retail it was the only job I could manage but it nearly drove me insane. You have done your homework on us already." "Intel is my thing especially if it is hidden but everything surrounding Adam and the gene therapies is completely off the grid." Felicity answered. "We have the information." Jesse interrupted, "Adam has it all locked away to keep it and us safe. I'm sure if you ask him he will show you."
Distraction successful Emma tried to broach another subject, "Who was that man with the Australian accent?" Felicity felt panic rise again she didn't know where to start or if she should he was Oliver's past and Team Arrow's problem now even if Mutant X wanted to help with the Mirakuru it wasn't her story to tell. "I'm going to go help Adam." Jesse said leaving the Double Helix. "I can't say. It's not my story to tell." Felicity replied. "It's my story and he is my problem to deal with." Arrow's voice sounded making both the ladies jump. "If he is going to be a problem we need to know about it." Adam's voice came through the comms. "He will not be a problem if you just stick to dealing with these bodies and keep away from me. Its me he wants." Arrow shot back.
"Listen can I have a word with Arrow in private." Felicity spoke up asking Emma and whoever else was listening on the comms. Emma nodded, "I'll be..." She started to say before Felicity cut her off. We will go on the rooftop I'm not kicking you out of your own plane." With that she left the Double Helix dragging Arrow along.
Felicity went and sat halfway between the now unseen Double Helix, I really need to ask how they have hidden it she thought, and the roof edge not wanting to venture too close. She let Arrow decide where he wanted to be for this conversation. She turned her comm off and waited until Arrow followed suit before speaking. "I know you think Slade is your problem but you alone can't beat him. If you are going to let Mutant X and Adam help fix the Mirakuru problems they deserve to know and since he is who they are going to fix they need to know." She started Arrow sat down next to her looking over the city with all of its twinkling lights in the dark. "What if we regroup speak to John, Sara and Roy see what they think then have a big group discussion. You don't have to go in depth not like with us just enough to keep them alive and so they know they can trust us." He pulled Felicity into a hug breathing in her smell he needed to keep her safe from him he had to stop him and soon. "Okay." He agreed.
They both stood after a few more minutes of being at peace together. Then they moved back towards the Double Helix. Neither one were sure where exactly it was but Felicity being smart walked towards the roof exit door while Arrow was trying to see the plane from different angles. Thud, Felicity heard the noise and looked back to see Arrow on his back she giggled. "This isn't funny." He chided. Giggling still, "Oh no this is funny the Arrow defeated by an invisible plane." He was about to reply but saw Emma appear from nowhere her head floating. "Are you.." She started to ask but on seeing Arrow lying down she giggled. Annoyed Arrow got to his feet and put his arm out touching a solid nothing. As he looked closer tilting his head he saw a rippling effect in the air. "It's cloaked." Emma explained to the unasked question. "That would be useful for his bike and the Be..." Felicity nearly dropped them in it. "You should ask Adam its his technology." Emma replied. "He's like a super Einstein or from Eureka." Felicity mused.
"We need to speak with you all." Arrow said getting back to business his ego a little bruised. "Sure follow me." Emma replied heading to the stairs.
Adam, Brennan, Shalimar and Jesse were in the lab with a body on the chair being scanned. "We need to talk." Arrow said as he stepped into the room. "Okay." Adam replied stopping his working on the desk and turning to face him. The rest of Mutant X were watching too. Felicity was stood at his side facing them all she was with him. "Before I can explain I need to speak with the rest of my team. This is not completely my story to reveal and concerns them. If they are willing I think you should meet them and I will explain then." Arrow explained. "I agree that is fair but this needs dealing with soon the initial scan shows the corruption of the DNA is less than the previous bodies they are getting closer to success." Arrow's jaw set this couldn't happen again. "Tomorrow Felicity will give you a time and place. I need to leave." "We will get Felicity home safe." Adam replied. Arrow reluctantly nodded in agreement and took one more look at Felicity who nodded her agreement. He left the room heading for the roof and his bike.
"Does he know there is a front door." Brennan joked. "He does but he prefers rooftops it adds to the whole secret hero persona he has. He likes tarzan type rescues too." She said a blush rose when she mentioned the tarzan rescues stupid mouth filter she thought. "Come on I'll take you home." Emma said. "Felicity please call tomorrow." Adam gently said resuming his work. She waved a goodbye to the others and left with Emma.
At Felicity's apartment Emma turned the bike engine off while Felicity dismounted. She removed her helmet at the same time as Felicity, "Do you mind if I walk you up?" She asked. "If you want to I warn you its a mess chores are done on a Saturday as you know I'm busy all week." Felicity replied. Emma nodded, sat the bike on its stand and dismounted following Felicity.
Felicity opened the door and invited Emma in. "Welcome to my apartment." Emma noticed how she didn't say home as most people would. "Do you live alone?" She asked curiously not sensing anyone else there. "No my boyfriend lives here too he's working late again he has a lot to do. I don't mind makes my nights easier to hide." Felicity shut the door and kicked her shoes off, "Would you like a drink I have hot chocolate and cream." Emma smiled she liked Felicity's friendliness, "If I'm not disturbing you." She replied. "I'm having one its been one of those nights and I don't fancy ice cream to process this is the next best thing. Do you like marshmallows?" She asked heading towards the kitchen Emma followed after removing her shoes. "Mmm yes."
"Where do you live when you're not on missions?" Felicity asked. "We all live together, Adam built a beautiful place for us called Sanctuary. Mutant X is our full time job." Emma replied. "Oh must be nice to all be together but how do you date?" Felicity blurted stupid filter she cursed. "Brennan and Jesse used to pick up girls at bars and take them to the safe houses but its not a problem now me and Jesse are together and Brennan and Shalimar too." Emma answered. "Oh, how do you manage with your gift I mean do you get influenced by others feelings?" Felicity's curiosity was taking over. "I have, its hard to keep it at bay I try not to read people unless I need to or they give me permission, most of the time I just overlook it except like when I met you yours was powerful. If I concentrate I can sense people I'm close too far away. The hardest part are the dark thoughts people have they consume, Arrow is the worst I have met but for completely different reasons I could feel him trying to defy the darkness with all his sole most people just give in. I'm sorry I really shouldn't reveal so much to you I can feel the love you have for him you both need each other your sole mates." Emma said, "I didn't answer your question I knew Jesse liked me a lot and after one mission I decided to let him in and he didn't run away at the things I could do. It gives a different level to sharing so its not all that bad and Jesse is a nice person so he's not bad to be around."
The key entering and turning in the lock had both girls looking at the door. Oh crap how do I explain this she thought. Oliver opened the door and saw Felicity curled up at one end of the sofa and Emma the other. "Hey baby, I bought take out." He cheerily said putting on a big smile. "Oliver you're back sooner than I thought. This is Emma the friend I met earlier we got chatting." Felicity explained trying to remember what lies she had said in the course of the day. "Emma this is Oliver Queen my boyfriend." Emma stood and took his hand to shake only when she touched it she crumpled to the floor. Oliver let her go and instantly she started breathing again. Felicity jumped out of her seat and sank to the floor next to Emma. "Emma are you okay? What happened?"
A few minutes passed Oliver just watched unsure what was going on and Felicity just gave Emma the time to collect herself remembering what happened earlier in the evening at the orphanage. "You, you're him. He, you know who he is." Emma started to collect herself and put into words what her mind was processing. The darkness she felt from the Arrow was overwhelming but to touch it was suffocating and crippling, she would recognise it anywhere. Felicity heard her words and realised they were busted the secret was out. Oliver heard her words too he moved to come closer and Felicity stopped him, "Get some water please and take your time." She hoped getting him away would help Emma focus quicker, it did.
"I'm sorry. That, the darkness. He's the Arrow." She said. Felicity nodded, "Will you be okay if he comes back?" Emma nodded. "Oliver." Felicity called. He came back into the room and knelt in front of Emma holding the glass of water out. Emma carefully took it without touching his hand and sipped. "You know my secret. I need you to keep it until I can tell them please." Oliver asked. Emma nodded again, "I will not reveal it but if they need to know for their safety I will tell them." She stated. Oliver nodded his agreement it would do he would have to tell them sooner than later now this would place them in more danger from Slade.
"I need to leave. I can't stay." She said getting to her feet with Felicity and Oliver following. Moving towards the door Felicity followed her out. "I'm sorry I kept lying. I won't lie anymore now you know. I hope you understand. " Felicity tried to explain. "I do I'm sorry I need some air. I won't tell I will give him chance. Don't let him think this is his fault its not tell him for me. I need to go." She said heading into the stairway.
Felicity headed back inside and joined Oliver on the sofa laying her head on his shoulder. "She's sorry about that." "What exactly was that?" He asked. "Emma is an empath she can feel other peoples emotions. She said there was darkness in the Arrow I guess when you touched her she felt it more. I really don't know how she does it. It must be so hard. She said she won't tell yet and this wasn't your fault. I made her a little weird earlier with how I feel about you. She will be okay." I hope, she added silently and kissed his shoulder trying to reassure him. He nodded thinking about his strategy for tomorrow's meeting.
AN: I hope you enjoyed please leave a review let me know what you think.