Amelia grunted as she landed a punch to one of James Holder's guards, knocking him out cold. Oliver had just finished taking out the last remaining guards, nodding at her for them to make their way to the rooftop to confront the cancer himself. Amelia hated people like James Holder, whose corporation put defective smoke detectors in low-income housing in The Glades. There have been many fires and too many funerals and the two weren't about to let another one happen. They were going to get rid of this cancer for good.
Amelia could hear Holder on the phone as they crept onto the roof. "Other than the bill I got handed this morning by my legal team, I'm feeling pretty good. Plus, now that this lawsuit's been settled, we can focus our attention on Unidac Industries."
Holder paused, chucking at whatever the person on the other line said. "Okay. I'll see you in the office first thing."
Once Holder hung up the phone, Oliver shot an arrow at the beer bottle he was holding, causing it to shatter all over the ground next to his rooftop pool. Glancing over, Holder saw Amelia and Oliver now standing on the middle of his pool deck, both of them glaring at the man. Even though he tried to put in a brave face, Amelia could see the fear on Holder's face as he looked between them, knowing what was bound to happen next.
"I have armed security inside. All I have to do is call out." He threatened, trying to act like he was in control.
"Go ahead." Amelia said, tossing the guns of said security onto the ground. "They can't hear you."
"What the hell do you want?" Holder demanded, panic starting to set in as he backed away from the two.
"How many people died in those fires?" Amelia asked, knowing she wouldn't get an answer but wanted him to know why they were there.
"How many?!" Oliver questioned when he stayed silent, the anger evident in his voice. "The courts say you don't owe your victims anything. I disagree. James Holder, you—"
A gunshot rang out from behind them, causing Amelia to grab her arm as the bullet grazed her, landing squarely in James Holder's chest. Oliver immediately turned and fired an arrow off in the direction of the gunshots as Holder's body fell into the pool with a splash. Oliver grabbed Amelia and hid with her behind a half wall as the unknown sniper continued to fire shots at the rooftop keeping them pinned down.
Amelia glanced over at Holder's body floating in the pool, blood mixing with the water, before looking back at her wound with a scowl, trying to block out the pain that was now spreading from her shoulder down her arm. Once the shooting had stopped, Amelia and Oliver quickly made their way off of the roof and back to the lair, not wanting to be around when the cops would inevitably show up.
Making quick time back to the lair, Amelia made her way over to a stool, falling down on the cushion with a sigh, grateful to be back. Wincing slightly, she pulled off her hood and jacket, exposing the wound in her arm, which seemed to be much worse than she initially thought. Looking over, she watched as Oliver began to pull out surgical pliers, gauze, and a metal bowl out of their makeshift medical station, bringing the supplies over to where she sat. Pulling out a piece of gauze, Amelia began to wipe the blood off her arm as Oliver quickly took off his gloves and hood so he could help patch up his partner. Sitting across from her, he frowned when he saw how deep the wound was, hating that she kept getting injured.
"I'm sorry you keep getting hurt." Oliver apologized, taking the gauze out of Amelia's hand.
"Occupational hazard." Amelia joked with a smirk, trying to make him feel better.
Oliver chuckled dryly, grabbing the needle and thread out of the bowl. "Ready?"
Amelia nodded, turning to look away as Oliver began to thread the needle through her skin, stitching the flesh back together. Biting her lip, Amelia tried to think of anything else at that moment, clenching her other fist against her thigh as she breathed deeply through her nose.
"Have you heard any more from your father?" Oliver asked, trying to distract Amelia from her pain.
Rolling her eyes, she looked over at him. "No, and honestly, I'm not surprised. I don't think I'll be hearing from him for a while."
"You could always call him." Oliver suggested, finishing up the few stitches that she needed as Amelia gave him a look, a look he knew all too well. "All done."
"Thank you." Amelia said, standing up to change into her normal clothes. "You know I could've done that myself."
"I know, but my sewing has always been better than yours or do I need to remind you of the botched job you did on my back?" Oliver replied as he was changing as well.
"It wasn't that bad!" Amelia defended, coming back around to sit at the desk, opening the small book up to James Holder's name.
"If you say so." Oliver laughed lightly now standing behind Amelia.
"Who do you think took him out?" Amelia asked as she looked down at his name, crossing it off the list, shaking her head slightly as the letters started to blur together.
"I'm not sure." Oliver replied thoughtfully. "It's no surprise a man as corrupt as James Holder has more than one enemy, though."
Amelia blinked a few times, starting to feel a bit uneasy. Turning in the chair, she looked up at Oliver who had walked away from her and began to clean up the medical supplies they had used. Moving to stand up, Amelia stumbled towards him catching herself on the desk as she tried to get out the words to tell him something was wrong. Looking down at her now bandaged arm, she realized what was happening and managed to make it over to Oliver, gripping onto his arm for support.
"Ollie..." she breathed out. "The bullet. Poison."
Oliver's eyes went wide and in one swift motion, he grabbed the water bottle off the desk and threw himself on the floor, sliding over to his trunk to pull out some herbs. Amelia started to fall down but was able to stumble towards where Oliver was before she started to lose consciousness. Catching her in his lap, Oliver shoved a handful of the herbs in her mouth, making her wash them down with the water. She tried to stay awake and focus on Oliver, who was trying to keep her with him, but the poison took over and her vision turned dark.
Amelia's eyes felt heavy as she tried to open them, pain radiating through her body as she slowly regained consciousness. Finally able to find enough strength to lift her eyelids, she realized she was somewhere she didn't know which frightened her to her core. The last thing she remembered was helping Oliver bury Robert, piling rocks on his body as a makeshift grave, before she was met with a blinding pain in her right shoulder. Forcing herself to sit up, she looked around the small cave she was now in, noticing the arrow sticking out of her skin. Eyes going wide, she glanced over to see Oliver slowly coming to, a similar arrow sticking out of his shoulder as well. Amelia was about to see if Oliver was okay when a tall figure in a dark green hood entered the cave. Amelia looked back and forth between the mysterious man and Oliver, unsure of what to do.
"Who are you?" Oliver choked out.
The man stepped closer, taking off his hood to reveal long black hair. It looked like he had been here for a long time by the look of his overgrown facial hair. The man continued forward towards Oliver and Amelia.
"Why did you shoot us?" Amelia asked, terrified for her life.
The man focused his attention on her now, kneeling down between her and Oliver. He had said something in a language Amelia didn't understand, grabbing a small makeshift bowl and lifting it to her face, his other hand holding what looked like grass. He said something else, and Amelia guessed she needed to eat whatever he was trying to give her. Looking over at Oliver, Amelia took the herbs and ate them, choking on the taste, quickly taking the bowl of water and downing it, trying to wash the awful taste out of her mouth. Next, the man moved to Oliver, having him do that same thing she did. Oliver looked over at her, still unsure if he should do it but when Amelia nodded to him, he immediately took the herbs, gagging on the taste as well, downing the rest of the water in the bowl.
The man nodded to the two of them, his face expressionless as he moved back over to Amelia. Shrinking back into the rocks, Amelia watched him with wide eyes as he kneeled down in front of her. Reaching up, the man put a hand on her chest, right under the arrow, pulling it out in one swift motion, causing her to cry out in pain.
Amelia eyes snapped open with a sharp inhale, putting a hand on her chest as she tried to push the memory out of her mind only to feel a pair of arms tighten around her body. Looking over her shoulder, she noticed Oliver laying against the wall, still asleep with his arms wrapped around her waist, a pained look on his face. Turning to face him more, she winced in pain as she was reminded of the bullet wound in her arm, placing a hand over it. As she attempted to move Oliver's arms away from her body so she could sit up, he jolted awake, a look of fear flashing in his eyes for a brief second. Upon seeing Amelia was awake, and for the most part healthy, Oliver immediately pulled her back into his chest, engulfing her in a tight hug that she returned.
After Oliver had watched Amelia lose consciousness, fear began to take over his body, a fear he hadn't felt since the island, as he hoped that he had gotten the herbs to her quick enough to save her from whatever poison the bullet had been laced with. He had tried to get her to stay conscious, holding her face in his hands as her eyes slowly closed. After several minutes, Oliver realized that she wasn't going to wake up anytime soon and so he moved them both to a more comfortable position, not wanting to let her out of his sight until he was sure she would be all right. He had tried to stay awake, but exhaustion began to take over and ended up falling asleep with her in his arms.
"Ellie…" Oliver said, breathing out a sigh of relief as they pulled away from each other.
"I'm okay, Ollie." Amelia replied with a small smile, still seeing traces of fear in his eyes.
"I was afraid I was too late." Oliver admitted as he looked away, unable to handle the thought of losing the one person that meant the most to him.
"You weren't though." She reassured him, knowing the fear he felt all too well. "I'm okay, I promise."
A loud beeping began to emanate from the nearby computer, causing both of them to furrow their eyebrows in confusion. Oliver stood up, helping Amelia do the same, moving to look at the monitor which displayed a clock on it that read 7:10. Cursing, Oliver moved to grab his sweater off the back of the chair, handing Amelia her jacket as he did so. Both of them hurried out of the lair, knowing that when they got back to the mansion, there would be questions about where they had been seeing how they were gone all night. Pulling on her jacket, Amelia was thankful that it would cover up the blood stained gauze on her arm, which was something she didn't want to try explaining to anyone.
Arriving at the Queen Mansion, Oliver and Amelia immediately noticed the squad cars sitting in the driveway, causing the two of them to exchange a look of confusion as to what the police could be doing there. As they entered the front door, voices could be heard in the sitting room off to the right, Dig standing in the doorway while Moira and Walter were talking with the two policemen. Thea was on the couch, looking hungover and exhausted, but in no way remorseful about whatever had gotten her arrested.
"What happened?" Amelia asked, concern in her voice. "Is Thea okay?"
"The cops brought her home." Dig explained. "Her and some of her friends broke into a store, tried on some dresses last night. Lit up the breathalyzer like a Christmas tree. So how was your evening?"
"You mean after I said I had to go to the bathroom at dinner and never came back?" Oliver asked rhetorically causing Dig to sigh.
"I guess from now on I'll be watching you pee." Dig stated, eliciting a snicker out of Amelia.
"Thank you, officers. My wife and I appreciate it." Walter said walking with the officers towards the exit. "I'll see you out."
Dig nodded his head at Amelia and Oliver, turning to leave with Walter and the officers. Moira sighed deeply, looking over Thea, who didn't look apologetic for her actions in the slightest.
"Last time it was public intoxication. This time breaking and entering." Moira stated, looking at her daughter. "My, how we are moving up in the criminal world."
"You know, when you pay off the store owner, you should check out the merchandise." Thea suggested, crossing her arms over her chest as she stood up and gave her mother a smug look. "They got some pretty killer outfits."
"Thea, go get ready for school." Moira said, gesturing towards the stairs.
"Uh, you know," Thea began, eying Moira skeptically, "I was thinking of taking a sick day."
Moira shook her head. "Fine, then get some sleep."
Thea smiled triumphantly as she made her way out of the room and past Oliver and Amelia. "You two look like crap." She commented as she walked out of the room.
Oliver looked at Amelia, disapproval all over his features. "I'll go talk to her." Amelia told him, leaving Oliver to deal with Moira while she attempted to talk to the youngest Queen.
"Thea, wait!" Amelia called, catching up to Thea quickly.
Thea arched an eyebrow at her. "What?"
"What happened last night?" Amelia asked, honestly concerned for the girl she considered a younger sister.
"Oh, just some fun." Thea bragged, with a smug smile. "Is it really breaking and entering if a friend had the key? Though, at least I think she did. I can't really remember now."
"Thea," Amelia sighed, "you can't keep doing this."
"Doing what?" Thea demanded, suddenly angered by Amelia's interest. "Doing exactly what Oliver used to do? What you used to do?"
"I never got arrested, Thea." Amelia pointed out, remembering how she was the one who tried to keep Oliver and Tommy in line when they got together.
"Oh that's right!" Thea exclaimed, throwing her hands down at her sides. "You're the perfect one, the one my mother always wished I could be more like. You're the daughter she wanted and I'm the one she got stuck with."
Amelia's eyes widened. "Thea, you know that's not true. Your mother loves you."
"Save it." Thea snapped, heading towards the stairs now. "You're not my mother, you're not my sister and you've barely even cared about me since you've been back. Why start now?"
Amelia stood there, frozen and unsure of what to do, as she watched Thea stomp up the stairs to her bedroom. She didn't know how that conversation was going to go but she definitely didn't see it ending like that. A part of her knew that there was some truth to Thea's words, as Amelia had not really been there for the girl since they returned from the island. Besides the one shopping trip they took together, Amelia had hardly even spoken to Thea, being so caught up in plan with Oliver. Running a hand through her hair, Amelia sighed deeply, turning to see Oliver headed towards her.
"How'd that go?" Amelia asked, hoping Oliver had better luck with Moira.
Oliver just shook his head. "What about with Thea?"
Amelia frowned, looking back up the stairs. "About the same."
Oliver exhaled deeply, running a hand over his face. "I didn't expect everything to be so...different, coming back."
"I know, but let's just give it time." Amelia reached out and squeezed Oliver's arm as the two made their way upstairs. "Now, let's get cleaned up."
Nodding to each other, Amelia went into her room, thankful that Thea's little run-in with the cops had overshadowed the fact that neither her or Oliver had come home that night, making it one less lie they had to tell. Immediately going to the bathroom, she quickly stripped herself of her clothes as she turned on the shower, letting the water heat up before stepping in. Once inside, she let her head fall back against the tiled wall, the heat slightly burning her arm where the stitches were.
Coming back home had turned out to be much harder than Amelia could ever imagine, especially since her and Oliver had to lie to everyone. For once, she was glad that her father didn't care about her, not having to worry about lying to him about where she was or who she was with. However, lying to Moira was turning out to be just as hard for the woman had become almost a second mother to her, more so when her own mother had died. Right after that was when her father started to become more distant, not that he was a loving father before but he was at least there more.
That was when the Queens had stepped up and really taken Amelia in, allowing her to have one of the spare bedrooms when she needed somewhere to stay. Her father often left her alone, going away on business or some other reasons that he failed to explain to his daughter, being gone for days and sometimes weeks on end. She didn't know what she would've done without the help of Moira and Robert, both of them treating her like the family she never had. She owed so much to the family that still considered her as one of their own, and she didn't think she'd be able to repay them. Without Robert, she would've died when the Queen's Gambit went down, and without Oliver… She didn't want to think of the many ways she would've been killed on the island if he hadn't been there. That's one reason why she wanted to help Oliver, join his mission and help save their city as some small form of payback for everything they had done.
Snapping out of her thoughts, she noticed that the water was now turning to ice, grabbing a towel and turning it off. Stepping into her room, she went and found an outfit for today, knowing that they still had a lot of work to do. Slipping on her jeans and a long sleeve green shirt, Amelia had just finished getting ready when a soft knock came from her door. Opening it, she saw Oliver standing there waiting for her, changed and ready to go.
"I was just about to come and get you." Amelia told him with a smirk, following him out into the hallway and down the stairs.
"How's your arm?" He asked her quietly, glancing at the spot where he had stitched her up.
"Feeling much better now that I've had a shower." She replied as they exited the house, hoping that her response would ease his worry. "Don't worry about me Oliver. It'll heal quickly, just like everything else."
"Well, let's go find out what exactly you were poisoned with." Oliver had reached his bike, handing Amelia one of the helmets, both of them hopping on it and speeding away in seconds.
When Oliver and Amelia made it back to the lair, he went and sat down at the desk while Amelia went to one of the supply cabinets. Finally finding the small vial she was looking for, she walked over to where Oliver was sitting, the metal bowl with her bloody gauze in front of him. Handing him the vial, she watched carefully as he took out the dropper and let a few drops fall onto her blood. Within seconds, the crimson turned a deep blue colors, causing Amelia to frown and look over at Oliver.
"The bullets were laced with curare, a rare and deadly poison." Oliver explained, pulling up the information on the Interpol website. "The killer's unique M.O."
Amelia leaned forward and scanned the screen. "He's killed all over the world. Chicago, Markovia, Corto Maltese." Amelia read off, shocked at the list. "Interpol even has a code name for him. Deadshot."
Oliver leaned back in his chair, sighing before looking up at Amelia. "I was prepared to give James Holder a chance to right his wrongs, but this Deadshot has no morality, no honor, no code. He doesn't kill for justice, which makes him as dangerous as anyone on the list."
Amelia nodded in agreement. "I think it puts him right at the top."
Later that day, Amelia, Oliver, Tommy and Dig made their way to the old Queen Industrial Industries building. Oliver pushed the warehouse door open, the sun streaming through the building as they all walked inside.
"So what do you think?" Oliver asked Tommy as he spread his arms as if to show off the building. "Great spot for a nightclub or what?"
"Sweet. Though I got to tell you, man, if you're thinking about calling it Queens, I don't think you're gonna get the clientele that you were hoping for." Tommy joked, causing Amelia to laugh along with him.
"Private office." Oliver said, pointing to a spot on the second floor that looked like it used to be an old office.
"For the private one-on-one meetings, I would imagine." Tommy suggested, wrapping an arm around Amelia's shoulders, giving her a wink.
"Hopefully the occasional two-on-one meeting." Oliver replied which made Amelia smack him on the chest as Tommy laughed at their exchange.
"Ow!" Oliver exclaimed, rubbing the spot where Amelia's hand had made contact.
"You two are disgusting." Amelia scoffed out, pushing Tommy's arm off her shoulders as she walked deeper into the open space.
"Man, are you sure you want to do this? It's not like you really have any experience in running a... well, running anything." Tommy pointed out, looking around the seemingly abandoned factory.
"That's why, my lovely Amelia here," Oliver started, pulling Amelia into his side playfully, "is going to help me! Both of our fathers were training her to help take over the company. She'll handle the boring side and I'll be the face of the club!"
"How about tomorrow night the three of us, we go and scope out the competition. There's a new club opening downtown. It's called Poison. Max Fuller owns it." Tommy suggested.
"Max Fuller?" Oliver questioned, furrowing his eyebrows slightly.
"Mm-hmm." Tommy hummed in response.
"Didn't you sleep with his fiancée?" Amelia asked, looking at Oliver with a raised eyebrow.
"Yeah, before the wedding." Tommy answered, trying to justify his best friends actions.
"It was at the rehearsal dinner." Oliver remembered with a smile.
"The rehearsal dinner is technically before the wedding." Tommy exclaimed, causing Amelia to chuckle slight. "And besides, who stays mad at a castaway? Ah, dammit, I got to roll. Anyway, I'll see you later, man. Good place."
"See you later, Tommy." Amelia said, hugging her friend goodbye.
"See you." Oliver responded, nodding to Tommy as he left the factory.
Amelia then turned to Dig. "So... what do you think?"
"Well, I'm here to provide security, not a commentary." Dig replies, keeping up his professional appearance.
"Oh, come on, Dig, do me a favor. Speak freely, please." Oliver insisted as they stood in the middle of the factory.
"Well, this is the Glades, right?" Oliver nodded as Dig continued. "Your rich white friends wouldn't come to this neighborhood on a bet."
"I am Oliver Queen, right?" Oliver reminded with a smirk. "People would stand in line for 3 hours if I opened a club."
"And no one who actually lives in the Glades would see a penny of those cover charges." Dig retorted.
"So we make it a successful business, we gentrify the neighborhood." Amelia reasoned, trying to show Dig that this could help.
"I was wondering when we would get to that." Dig commented dryly, looking between Oliver and Amelia. "The white knights swooping in to save the disenfranchised. And all by their lonesome with no help from anybody."
"Wow. You don't think very much of us, do you?" Oliver asked, looking thoughtfully at Dig.
"No, actually, I have a very high regard for how perceptive you two are. Sir, ma'am." Dig said seriously, excusing himself from the factory, leaving Amelia and Oliver alone.
Amelia waited until Dig got out of earshot before she spoke. "Using the nightclub to conceal out base underneath. I have to admit, that is a good idea."
"Thank you." Oliver replied sincerely. "It will also provide an alibi for where you and I spend our nights."
"Looks like you just think of everything, huh?" Amelia joked, nudging Oliver's ribs with her elbow.
"I try." Oliver smirked, looking around the factory.
"Well, then, we better get started." Amelia announced, turning to walk out of the factory with Oliver close behind her.
The next day, after Oliver and Amelia had begun the preparations to get their nightclub business started, the two of them were standing in the alleyway that was near James Holder's place. Glancing around, Amelia took in the surroundings, trying to figure out where exactly there might be a bullet lodged into the wall. They had hoped that this would help them get more information about Deadshot, as they hardly had anything to go on. Biting her lip, she pointed to the white building in front of them.
"That one." Amelia said, motioning to the wall. "There should be something in it."
"Okay, I'm on it." Oliver told her, running towards the wall.
In swift movements, Oliver climbed up the wall with ease, using the metal bars that were on the window in front of them to jump up and grab a bar above it. Pushing off the wall, he used his weight to now stand on the bar he was once holding, grasping onto a vertical pipe a few feet above him. Flipping around the wires that were in his way, Oliver easily landed on the wide window ledge on the other side, pushing against the top to steady himself as he walked to the other side. Grabbing onto another vertical pipe, he hoisted himself up to reach another window ledge, one that was much smaller. Scooting across the wall to where he needed to be, Oliver pulled out the multitool that was in his pocket, flipping out the pliers to get the bullet that he saw was lodged into the concrete.
"Got it." Oliver called down to Amelia, putting the bullet and tool back in his pocket, returning to the ground in a few swift movements.
"Am I supposed to be impressed with all that?" Amelia joked as she and Oliver began their walk to the lair.
Oliver just shook his head, a small laugh escaping his lips. "Think you can do better?"
"Is that a challenge?" Amelia questioned with raised eyebrows, her tone curious while a smirk played on her lips. "Are you sure you want to do that?"
"Oh, believe me, I know better than to actually challenge you, Ellie." Oliver admitted, knowing just how deadly she could be when she wanted to be.
"Good." Amelia's smirk only grew at this bumping her shoulder into Oliver's side as they continued walking.
Soon enough, they were back in the confines of the factory and Amelia went and pulled out a microscope, placing it on one of the desks. Sitting down in front of it, she held out her hand and Oliver dropped the bullet into her palm. Oliver moved to the computer next to her, hooking up the microscope to it so they were able to see the bullet on the screen as she examined it. Moving it around slightly with a small pair of tweezers, Amelia tried to look at it from all positions, Oliver's eyes never leaving the screen as she did so.
"7.62 millimeter rounds." Oliver told her, pulling up the schematics on his computer, the crime scene photos open in the background.
"It looks like…" Amelia trailed off, moving to stand behind Oliver so she could see the documents he was pulling up. "The money trail leads back to the Russian mob, the Bratva."
"Finally," Oliver said as he leaned back in his chair. "Some good luck."
Once they had found the place they needed to, Oliver and Amelia left the lair again, making a quick stop along the way. Walking into the nearest shop, Amelia bought a grey baseball cap and a black beanie for them, nodding her thanks to the cashier as she walked out. Removing the cap from the bag, she handed it to Olive, grabbing her beanie and pulling it over her head as well. Hoping not to be recognized in the Glades, now with something that hide their faces slightly, they weaved through the streets, easily finding the Russian auto shop secluded in an alley.
Holding the door open for Amelia, Oliver glanced back around them, making sure they weren't followed before he entered the garage. Inside, Amelia could head electricity cracklings from the two men working on the car on the lift in front of them. Amelia pulled the beanie off of her head, sliding it into her back pocket while Oliver did the same with his hat, all while eying the two men in front of her.
"I'm looking for Alexi Lenov." Oliver said in Russian as the two men stopped what they were doing and approached them.
"There's no on by that name here." The bald man in the grey jumpsuit told them, stepping closer to Amelia and Oliver.
"Not in your garage." Amelia replied, still in Russian. "In the basement underneath."
The bald man glanced back at the older one, who had stepped under the lift and pulled a gun on Oliver and Amelia. Without hesitating, Oliver crippled the man by pushing the gun against his wrist with a sickening crack, causing him to kneel down in pain. Looking over at Amelia, Oliver handed her the gun and she swiftly disarmed and disassembled it.
"We're Bratva." Oliver told them, the Russian dialect perfect, as he pulled his the collar of his shirt down to reveal his tattoo right below his right collarbone while Amelia lifted up her shirt, showing them her matching tattoo on her right hip next to the bone.
"We want to see Alexi Lenov." Amelia repeated, making sure that her Russian was still flawless and deadly.
The bald man came to stand only a foot away from then and for a moment, Amelia thought they might have to fight him. However, his demeanor quickly changed.
"Pleased to meet you." He said in English, bowing to them slightly.
Oliver and Amelia nodded their heads back to him in respect. Motioning to the door behind him, the bald man lead the two through the door and down the stairs to the basement.
"I apologize. We meant no disrespect a captain and his lieutenant. Particularly American ones." The bald man said as they descended the stairs and came to stand in front of a table. "So...How can I be of assistance?"
"I'm in the market for a hired gun." Oliver explained as Amelia watched the man open up a bottle of liquor and started to pour three shots. "Someone the organization's used before. His calling card is a 7.62 millimeter gun laced with curare."
The bald man shook his head, closing the bottle. "I know no man who uses such tools."
"But you can find out who does." Amelia stated, crossing her arms over her chest.
"First, we will drink to each other's health, then I will look into the identity of this man you seek." The man handed Oliver and Amelia a shot, both of them taking it and downing it quickly. "I will also confirm that you are really Bratva captain. Should this not be the case, I will send my mechanic here to find you and kill you and your family."
Oliver and Amelia glanced up at the man who Oliver had disarmed, neither of them feeling threatened by his words. Knowing their business was concluded, they quickly gave the man their thanks and left the shop, having gotten what they came for. Pulling out her phone, Amelia checked the time and shook her head with a sigh.
"What's wrong?" Oliver asked as they walked back through the streets of the Glades.
"We need to get back." Amelia stated, smirking slightly. "We have a club opening to get ready for."
Walking through the line out of the club, Amelia pulled at the hem of her dress, slightly regretting the decision of opting for the choice of the little black dress. She had chosen a short faux leather dress, sheer sleeves covering up her scars, and a neckline that went to the middle of her sternum. Her simple black heels were clicking on the sidewalk as she stood between Tommy and Oliver while Dig followed behind them.
"I forget how nice you clean up, Amelia." Tommy said suggestively, looking over Amelia's appearance, slinging an arm around her shoulders.
"Is that a compliment, Merlyn?" Amelia asked, raising an eyebrow at him with a small smile.
"We may not even need to tell the bouncer our names with you here." Tommy told her, as he used his other hand to gesture to her appearance. "You could get into anywhere you'd want."
Amelia laughed, knowing Tommy's flirting was innocent and in jest. "Why thank you."
"Enough you two." Oliver spoke, looking over at his best friends and shaking his head.
"Is someone jealous that I'm getting all the attention?" Amelia joked, hearing Dig snicker a little bit. "Tommy, don't forget to tell Oliver how handsome he looks."
Tommy laughed, reaching around Amelia to pat Oliver on the back. "Yeah, man, you look good, too."
Oliver glared slightly at Amelia who just smiled innocently. "Look we're here."
"It should be under Merlyn." Tommy said to the bouncer who was holding a clipboard.
Finding the name, the bouncer nodded to the three, allowing them entrance into the club door. Another bouncer waited a few feet inside, guarding the velvet rope that separated everyone from the club.
"This is going to be killer." Tommy said excitedly as they made they way to the rope.
"If Max Fuller sees me here," Oliver replied, "I agree."
"Well if you want to run a business, you have to take a few risks." Tommy pointed out.
The bouncer opened the rope for Amelia, Oliver and Tommy but closed it before Dig could get through.
"I don't see your name on the list." The bouncer said.
"Me. Queen?" Dig called, causing the three to stop.
Oliver turned around, walking back to towards Dig, putting a hand on the bouncer's shoulder. "I have never seen this guy before in my life. Ever." Oliver said, pointing at Dig and winking at him.
Amelia rolled her eyes, but looked apologetically mouthing I'm sorry at Dig before following Oliver and Tommy through the crowds of people. Glancing around at all the people dancing around her, Amelia spotted Laurel leaning against the bar with a smile on her. Oliver and Tommy obviously saw her as well, the three of them making their way towards her. As soon as they came into her view, Laurel's smile vanished as they stood in front of her.
"Oh, wow!" Tommy laughed while moving to stand next to Laurel. "Doesn't you going out and having fun violate some kind of law, you know, like the ones that are carved on a stone tablet?"
"That's cute, Tommy." Laurel said, smiling at him though it didn't reach her eyes.
"Thanks." Tommy replied, his usual smirk plastered on his face.
"I can see you are up to your old hunting patterns." Laurel commented, looking at the three, her eyes lingering on Amelia for a moment, noticing how close she stood to Oliver.
"Just seeing what passes for fun in Starling City after five years." Oliver explained with a shrug.
"Ah. Well, I'm sure you'll find that it just hasn't been the same without you." Laurel spat out, looking at Oliver and Amelia.
"It's good to see you, Laurel." Amelia finally spoke up, giving Laurel a small smile.
"Amelia." Laurel greeted coolly.
"Big brother! Amelia!" Thea announced, walking up to the Oliver and Amelia, putting her hands on their shoulders while Tommy and Laurel turned to face the bar. "Oh! I am so wasted right now. There is... there is two of you. Or I guess…four of you."
"I thought you were grounded." Oliver pointed out, clearly upset to see his sister here.
"I am. And thank you..." Thea's words were a little slurred as she spoke to Oliver. "Thank you for that, by the way."
"I think you're done for the night, Thea." Amelia cut in, trying to calm the situation.
"Oh, what are you going to do? Tell mom?" Thea asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Thea!" Oliver slightly shouted, his anger slowly rising. "You are hanging with the wrong people."
"You're one to talk." Thea snorted out, turning to point at Laurel and Tommy with her thumb. "How much do you know about your own so-called friends over here?"
"Oh, Thea, maybe you should..." Tommy began, joining the conversation, trying to stop her from whatever she was about to say.
"Tommy..." Thea turned towards him with a smirk on her face. "I think your BFF has a right to know."
"Thea, let's go." Amelia said, trying to grab Thea's arm to take her out of the club but Thea just jerked away, and turned to back to Oliver.
"Well, I guess they never told you that they've been screwing while you were gone." Thea said triumphantly, looking directly at Laurel and Tommy.
"Look, man, I..." Tommy stuttered out, unsure of what to say.
"Tommy... It's okay." Oliver told him before turning back to Thea, his face expressionless as he spoke. "You and me, we're done for the night."
"Take your hands off of me." Thea exclaimed, pushing Oliver away as he tried to pull her away from the bar. "You're not my father. And you're barely my brother." She said, shoving by Amelia before walking off to rejoin her friends.
Not a moment later, Max Fuller walked over to Oliver and Amelia, two bodyguards walking next to him as he came over. Looking over the group, his gaze stopped on Oliver, anger all over his features.
"Well... look at this. Oliver Queen." Max spat out.
"Max Fuller." Oliver stated. "How you been?"
"Happy you drowned." Max deadpanned as his bodyguards began to lead Oliver away. "Come with me"
"Hey!" Tommy shouted as he and Amelia followed after Oliver.
Max and his bodyguards led them through the crowd of people and towards an area closed off by a curtain, one that seemed to be reserved for the VIPs of the club. Once close enough, the bodyguard holding onto Oliver shoved him through the curtain, holding it open for Max. Amelia whipped the curtains back in anger, entering the room with Tommy right behind her.
"Hey, Max." Oliver started but was cut short by Max swiftly punching him in the jaw.
Amelia stepped forward, ready to fight as Oliver went down, catching himself on the floor with a clenched fist. She was about to start with the bodyguards when she suddenly realized where they were, and who she was supposed to be. Tightening her jaw as anger coursed through her, Amelia began to rush to Oliver's side, only to be stopped by a bodyguard shoving her away.
"Don't touch her!" Oliver yelled at the man, watching as Amelia stumbled from his spot on the ground.
"Get him up!" Max yelled at his men as they swarmed around Oliver.
"Hey, let him go, let him go!" Tommy yelled as he tried to push through the guys. "Hey, I said let him go!"
"Told you he was going to be pissed." Oliver said, standing up and moving to pull Amelia behind him protectively.
"Max," Amelia began, stepping around Oliver slightly. "Is this really what you want? Let's just talk about this."
"I don't need to talk to Oliver Queen's whore." Max sneered out, leaning around his bodyguards to talk to them. "Back off, Merlyn. This isn't your problem."
"You want to get to him? You've got to go through me." Tommy said as the bodyguard started towards him and Oliver. "Wow, they are probably going to get through me."
One of the men shoved Tommy and without another move, Tommy swung out and punched him in the jaw. Everything that happened next was just a flurry of movements. Oliver pushed Tommy out of the way from a punch from a second man, while dodging one of his own. The third guard swung at Oliver, and missed, while Tommy tried to punch the first one again. However, he missed and was instead picked up and tossed across the room.
Oliver quickly moved to punch the closest man in the shoulder, but had attracted the attention of all three men, which made Amelia step in. As one of the men began to reach for Oliver, she slipped in front of him, landing a punch to his jaw, not noticing the third one reach out and grab her arms so hard she assumed there would be bruises there later. With a gasp, she was easily thrown to the side, crashing down onto the carpet with a groan, unable to help Oliver as the three men began to gang up on him. She watched helplessly as they began delivering kicks and punches to his side and back, seeing one of the guards reach back and toss Tommy into the circle with Oliver.
With everyone distracted, no one noticed as Laurel reached through the curtain, capturing a fistful of the back of Max's jacket, punching his in the back, then slamming her arm into his spine. With a swift kick to the back of the knee, Laurel easily used Max's weight against him, flipping him under her arm and tossing him to the ground. Max looked up at her, shocked by what just happened, the sudden turn of events causing the men to stop their assault on Tommy and Oliver and look at their boss now on the floor.
"So is this over, Max?" Laurel asked, rubbing her knuckles in a threatening manner. "Or are you going to have your boys pound on me next?"
With the break in the fight, Oliver immediately went to Amelia's side to help her stand, the movement not going unnoticed by Tommy and Laurel. She nodded to him that she was okay as they stood together, waiting for Max to make his next move.
"You four consider yourselves banned for life." Max said, standing up to walk out of the room with his guards. "Get the hell out of my place!"
"Your club sucks anyway." Tommy yelled out after him.
"You guys okay?" Amelia asked, looking over Oliver and Tommy, concerned that they might've been seriously hurt.
"Where'd you learn to do that?" Oliver questioned Laurel, looking at her skeptically as she approached them.
"Cop dad, remember?" Laurel pointed out, her eyes flickering between Amelia and Oliver. "He made me take self defense classes."
"Laurel." Oliver started with a deep breath. "What Thea said..."
"Oliver," Laurel sighed out, cutting Oliver off. "Tommy and I don't need your blessing. And I don't need your forgiveness."
With that, Laurel walked out of the room, leaving Amelia, Oliver and Tommy alone. Sighing, Oliver pulled Amelia into his side, the three of them making their way out of the club, none of them able to stand to be there a second longer. Once outside, they saw Dig still standing at the entrance to the club waiting for them, shock coloring his face as they walked towards him.
"I didn't expect you guys to be finished this early." Dig commented, looking between the three of them.
"Things got a little…tense." Oliver explained, knowing that if Dig knew they got attacked, he'd be mad that they didn't let him do his job, again.
"That's an understatement." Tommy scoffed, walking back to the car they all arrived in. "Max Fuller's bodyguards kicked our asses."
"Are you guys hungry?" Dig asked with a shake of his head, surprising Oliver and Amelia with his question as they all slid into the vehicle. "I know a great burger place."
"I'm starving." Amelia told him with a smile, Dig nodding to her, pulling out of the parking spot.
The drive through the streets of Starling City was a quiet one, everyone lost in their own thoughts. Tommy had opted to sit in the front seat next to Dig, leaving Oliver and Amelia in the back, Amelia glancing over at Oliver every few seconds. She knew by his reaction to Thea telling them about Tommy and Laurel that he had already known. She even suspected that something was going on between the two but it still slightly shocked her to hear about it. After a few more minutes of driving, Dig pulled into the parking lot of the small restaurant he took them to. The colorful sign that read Big Belly Burger was plastered on the door as the three walked through it, the bell on it ringing as they entered.
"Why don't you guys take a seat," Dig said as he waved to one of the waitresses at the counter, "and I will grab a couple of burgers and some ice for those faces."
"The girl's pretty cute." Tommy commented, waving at the waitress.
"That's my sister in law." Dig told him, giving him a look.
"Who I will never speak to or... look at. Ever." Tommy quickly added panicking. "Gonna grab a booth."
"She's not wearing a wedding ring." Amelia mused, looking intently at the woman.
"Brother out of the picture?" Oliver asked, looking between Dig and the woman.
"Yeah, you could say that." Dig answered cryptically before walking over to her.
Amelia just shrugged at Oliver's questioning glance, making their way over the booth that Tommy was seated in. Sliding in, Oliver took the seat by the window as Amelia sat next him. Tommy looked around nervously before speaking, the apology already written all over his face.
"Look, man... about Laurel." Tommy began, remorse in his voice. "I was going to tell you. I was just trying to figure out the right way."
"To tell somebody that you slept with their girlfriend after they went missing and were then presumed dead." Oliver summarized causing Tommy to nod.
"What, there's no greeting card for that?" Amelia joked, trying to ease the tension forming, causing the two to laugh.
"Look... it was wrong. And I'm sorry." Tommy apologized, still looking like he betrayed Oliver's trust.
"Tommy. I was dead." Oliver pointed out, trying to make his best friend feel better.
"No, man, you were with Laurel." Tommy countered, still feeling the guilt of the situation. "And whether you were dead, or as it turns out, alive on a deserted island, you are my friend. And me being with Laurel violated that friendship in about 50 different ways."
"Thank you." Oliver replied sincerely with a nod. "But it's okay.
"You are being really chill about this. I..." Tommy starred but was cut off by Oliver's cell phone ringing.
"Hello? Хорошо, подожди один момент." Oliver spoken into the phone, causing Tommy to raise an eyebrow. "It's a Russian model calling me. Can we... can I have a minute, please?"
"I can see now why you were able to be so chill." Tommy chuckled as he and Amelia got up from the booth. "Enjoy."
Amelia watched Oliver out of the corner of her eye as her and Tommy moved to stand away from their booth, knowing that he was really on the phone with the Bratva. Biting her lip, she turned to Tommy, only to find him staring at her with his signature smirk on his face.
"So," Tommy drawled out, "you're okay with that?"
"Okay with what?" Amelia asked, raising an eyebrow.
"With Oliver and that model." Tommy said like it was obvious.
"Why wouldn't I be?" Amelia questioned, furrowing her eyebrows together.
"Oh, come on, Amelia!" Tommy exclaimed. "You're seriously telling me that there is nothing going on between you two?"
"This again?" Amelia groaned. "No, Tommy. There is nothing going on between Oliver and I. We're just friends."
Tommy looked at her skeptically. "I don't buy it. Especially with the way you two look at each other."
"Well, it's true, Tommy." Amelia said matter of factly, dismissing his comments. "Come on. Here comes Dig with our food."
Dig brought the three burgers and fries for them before returning to the bar to eat while talking to his sister-in-law. Eating in relative silence, Amelia wondered, if Oliver got Deadshot's information, when they would go after him. He needed to be stopped sooner rather than later and the night was still young.
1700 Broadway, Papp Motel, room 52. That's where Floyd Lawton, known as Deadshot, was staying. Amelia and Oliver had managed to slip away after they finished up eating with Tommy, Dig staying behind to see his sister-in-law home. Amelia had a feeling he could tell that they had planned on ditching him and was glad that Dig decided to stay behind. It made heading back to the lair much easier. Once away form everyone, Oliver told Amelia what the Bratva had said and they were more than happy to pay this Deadshot a visit. Amelia pressed her ear to the wall of room 52, listening for any sound. Faintly, she could hear the clicking and beeping of a keyboard and she knew Lawton was inside.
Nodding her head to Oliver, he took a step back away from the door before giving it a swift kick, knocking it off the hinges. He quickly shot an arrow into the room, but Lawton was expecting it because he leapt off his chair just before an arrow landed in it. Amelia threw a dagger at his head, but he ducked, allowing the dagger to stick into the wall behind him. Lawton was ready for a fight though, firing an array of bullets at Oliver and Amelia from a powered machine gun on his wrist.
Forced to take cover against the outside walls of the room, Oliver and Amelia waited for the rain of bullets to stop. There was a pause in the bullets, as Lawton reloaded, giving Oliver a chance to fire an arrow into the room, hitting a lamp near Lawton's head. Amelia took her turn and threw a dagger at him, but he was fast and lifted the mattress of the motel bed, using it as a shield as the dagger landed in the side of it.
Bullets rained down on them again, and the two took cover, waiting for another chance. However, the firing stopping quicker than they expected, followed by the sound of glass shattering. Looking back in the room, Amelia noticed that Lawton was no where to be seen. Oliver ran to the window, but didn't see the man anywhere and with sirens quickly approaching, they didn't have time to try and catch him. Amelia ran to the computer on the table, unplugging it and tucking it under her arm as her and Oliver ran back to the lair.
Once back at the factory, Amelia was trying to figure out how to get something off the laptop they had recovered but she was having no luck. She had immediately plugged the ruined computer into the one that was on the desk, trying to figure out how to get into it. Sighing, she slammed her fist on the table in anger, another error message flashing across the screen.
"Anything?" Oliver asked, looking over at her.
"Not a damn thing." Amelia growled out. "This goes beyond my limited computer knowledge."
"So what do you suggest we do?" Oliver wondered, looking at the damaged laptop.
"I think we need a professional." Amelia told him, leaning back in her chair.
Oliver paced around the lair for a minute, thinking Amelia's suggestion over. Realizing they wouldn't get anywhere without the information on that computer, Oliver sighed.
"I think I know where we can find one."
The next morning, Amelia and Oliver made their way to Queen Consolidated, hoping to find someone there who could help with their computer problem. The two had asked around the offices and found that there was a particularly gifted person down in the I.T. department. Once down in the cubicles, they searched the nameplates until they found the one they were looking for. There at her desk, sat a young blonde girl, messing with a stack of files with a pen in her mouth. Her hair was pulled back into a low pony tail and black glasses were sitting on her nose. Amelia leaned up against the wall of her cubicle while Oliver coughed slightly to get her attention.
"Felicity Smoak?" Amelia asked, causing the young blonde girl to turn and look at them. "Hi. I'm Amelia Kingston."
"I'm Oliver Queen." Oliver introduced, giving the girl a slight smile.
"Of course. I know who you are, you're Ms. Kingston and Mr. Queen." Felicity told them, seeming a little awestruck as they stood over her desk.
"No, Mr. Queen was my father." Oliver corrected.
"Right, but he's dead." Felicity stated bluntly, eyes widening at what she had just said. "I mean, he drowned. But you didn't, which means you could come down to the I.T. department and listen to me babble. Which will end. In 3... 2... 1."
"I'm having some trouble with my computer and they told me that you were the person to come and see." Oliver explained, placing the computer on Felicity's desk. "I was at my coffee shop surfing the web and I spilt a latte on it."
Amelia groaned internally, putting her head in her hand as Oliver gave this girl the worst excuse she'd ever heard. There was no way Felicity was going to buy that he spilled coffee on it, especially since there were clearly bullet holes in it. She watched as Felicity tapped her pen on the laptop, glancing between the two of them before her eyes landing back on Oliver.
"Really?" Felicity asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Yeah." Oliver nodded.
'"Cause these look like bullet holes." Felicity pointed out, looking at the two billionaires before her.
"Our coffee shop is in a bad neighborhood." Oliver said causing Felicity to turn her head slightly sideways in disbelief. "If there is anything that you can salvage from it, I would really appreciate it."
Felicity looked between the two for a moment, pursing her lips before nodding and sliding over to her computer. She took the laptop and put it on the other side of her desk, pulling out cords and hooking them up to it and her computer. While Amelia was fascinated by what she was doing, Oliver grabbed two chairs and brought them over to Felicity's desk. He held out Amelia's, who thanked him as she sat while Oliver sat between her and Felicity.
"It shouldn't take too long." Felicity said, pulling up applications in her computer to start whatever she was doing.
"Thank you." Amelia told her. "We really appreciate it."
Felicity smiled at Amelia before going back to concentrating on her work. As she said though, it didn't take long because in minutes, Felicity had files pulled up on her computer.
"It looks like blueprints." Felicity stated, opening one of the files.
"Do you know what of?" Amelia asked eagerly.
"The exchange building." Felicity answered, looking at her and Oliver.
"Never heard of it." Oliver replied causing Felicity to turn more in her chair to look at him.
"It's where the Unidac Industries' auction is scheduled to take place." Felicity explained but Oliver and Amelia still looked confused. "I thought you said that was your laptop."
"Yes." Amelia and Oliver said at the same time, making Felicity look at them with disbelief.
"Look, I don't want to get in the middle of some Shakespearian family drama thing." Felicity told them.
"What?" Oliver asked, looking between Felicity and Amelia for help.
"Mr. Steele marrying your mom." Felicity began. "Claudius, Gertrude...Hamlet?"
"Give it up, Felicity." Amelia told her. "Oliver didn't study Shakespeare at any of the four schools he dropped out of so he won't understand that reference." Oliver glared at Amelia.
"Mr. Steele is trying to buy Unidac Industries. And you've got a company laptop associated with one of the guys he's competing against." Felicity explained, her tone disapproving.
"Floyd Lawton." Oliver supplied, looking at the screen.
"No." Felicity said, pointing to the name at the top of the file window. "Warren Patel. Who's Floyd Lawton?"
"He is an employee of Mr. Patel, evidently." Amelia surmised, looking at Oliver.
"Thank you, Felicity." Oliver said, standing up.
Felicity nodded, closing the windows and unplugging the laptop. Carefully, she handed the laptop back to Oliver, looking wearily at the two.
"Yes, thank you." Amelia stood up, giving Felicity a smile. "We really appreciate it."
"It's not a problem." Felicity responded politely, nodding to Amelia and Oliver as she watched the two make their way out of the I.T. department.
Smiling politely at the people walking by them, Amelia and Oliver made their way out of the Queen Consolidated building and back onto the streets of Starling City. Amelia saw the layout of the exchange building, there was no way they'd be able to guard everyone there alone. Amelia looked over at Oliver, who was also deep in thought and Amelia could tell he was thinking the same thing.
"The exchange building is surrounded by 3 towers with eye lines into the building." Oliver thought out loud, looking over at Amelia.
"Lawton could get a kill shot off from virtually anywhere." Amelia surmised, furrowing her eyebrows. "We can't cover the area. We can't protect all of Deadshot's targets."
"We can't do this alone." Oliver finished, nodding his head in agreement.
"So what are we going to do?" Amelia asked, looking up at Oliver, trying to figure out what he was thinking.
"We're going to get some help."
That night, Oliver and Amelia hid in the shadows of SCPD, waiting for Lance to come out. Oliver had suggested trying to get the police involved, hoping that somehow Lance would believe them. Sighing, Amelia turned to face Oliver.
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" She asked again, biting her lip.
"Yes," Oliver sighed, "I think this is the only way we'll be able to protect everyone."
"I know, but what if he doesn't believe us?" Amelia questioned, knowing that getting Lance to listen wouldn't be easy.
"That's why we have this." Oliver replied, holding up the computer riddled with bullet holes. "Besides, we don't really have any other option."
"I guess you're right." Amelia admitted, turning back just in time to see Lance walking towards his car.
"There he is." Amelia pointed out, jumping down to the ground silently.
Oliver was right behind her, making no noise as they crept through the cars to come up behind Lance. Nodding slightly at each other, Amelia stood back as Oliver handed her the computer and grabbed Lance, shoving him against his car, pinning his arm behind his back.
"Ah, you son of a bitch!" Lance spat out with his face against the hood.
"Detective, quiet!" Amelia whispered, trying to disguise her voice.
"You've got a pair on you, pulling this right outside the police station!" Lance pointed out, struggling against the grip Oliver had on him.
"Floyd Lawton's the one targeting the buyers interested in Unidac Industries." Oliver explained, causing Lance to slow his struggling while he listened. "Interpol calls him "Deadshot" because he never misses."
"You can look this up after we go." Amelia added, checking to make sure no one was coming towards then.
"Yeah, and stop chasing you, I suppose?" Lance asked sarcastically, his hatred for the two vigilantes evident in his voice.
"Warren Patel hired Lawton. I can't be sure who they're targeting, it might be all the buyers, and I can't protect them in a space that big." Oliver continued, trying to convey the danger everyone would be in.
"We need your help." Amelia told Lance, slightly pleading with the man.
"Yeah?" Lance chuckled dryly. "Professional help."
"Lawton laces his bullets with curare. Tell your men to wear kevlar." Oliver said as Amelia placed the computer onto the hood of the car.
Oliver let go of Lance, and quickly, the two took to the shadows, able to hide before Lance even realized they were gone.
Amelia stood at the top of the stairs in her maroon dress that fell to the middle of her thighs, watching as people were pouring into the exchange building for the auction of Unidac Industries. Thankfully, Lance had listened as SCPD had shown up and were keeping a close eye on everyone. Only moments ago, Amelia had watched as a group of officers had taken Warren Patel into custody based on the evidence the computer had given them. Amelia felt Oliver come up behind her, placing a hand on the small of her back to alert her to his presence, as she glanced back at him, smiling slightly for reassurance. Dressed in a dark suit, Oliver scanned the crowd, looking for any sign of something being off.
"See anything?" Amelia asked, looking around herself.
"No, everything looks normal." Oliver replied with a sigh.
"Come on, let's get a better look around." Amelia let her hand trail over the railing of the stairs, both of them making their way to the lower level.
Nodding in agreement, Oliver led Amelia down the stairs, both of them weaving through the crowds of people effortlessly. After a few moments, the two didn't see anything suspicious in the main room and began to make their way to the next room. As they started towards the doorway, Detective Lance was heading the same way
"Well, don't you scrub up nice?" Lance said, looking over at Oliver.
"Here to support my family." Oliver replied, trying to play nice with the detective.
"Yeah, me, too, God help me." Lance muttered, looking around the room.
"Thank you." Amelia said quietly, nodding to Lance.
Scowling, Lance just shook his head and left, leaving Oliver and Amelia to continue onto the next room. Amelia spotted Dig and led Oliver over to where he was. Amelia stood on his right, turning to face the crowd again as Oliver stood next to her.
"Dig." Amelia greeted with a smile. "Got your eyes open?"
"That's what I'm here for, ma'am." He replied, giving her a small smile. "That and answering patronizing questions."
"This guy's out of time." Oliver spoke without thinking, looking around the room. "If he's going to do something, it's going to happen before the auction."
"Sir?" Dig questioned, raising an eyebrow at Oliver and Amelia.
"We heard the story on the radio." Amelia covered quickly, giving Oliver a look causing him to shrug ever so slightly at her.
Spotting Walter, Oliver and Amelia made their way over to him as he greeted the pair. "Oliver, Amelia. So pleased you were able to attend."
"Walter, the police said that some of the Unidac bidders were murdered." Amelia explained, worried for him.
"I just think that we should be a little bit more careful." Oliver added, his voice almost commanding as he spoke. "My mother's already lost a husband."
"Well, if Moira shared your concern, she wouldn't have come." Walter said casually, grabbing a glass of champagne and gesturing behind them. "And she definitely wouldn't have brought your sister."
Oliver opened his mouth to speak, his eyes following to where Walter had pointed, seeing Moira and Thea standing together smiling. The two quickly made their way to where they were standing, both of them having concerned looks on their faces. Oliver lifted his hand, getting Dig's attention as he waved him over.
"I didn't expect to see you two here." Amelia commented, trying to keep her composure.
"Amelia, Oliver, what a wonderful surprise." Moira said, smiling at them both.
"I need you to get them out of here right now." Oliver told Dig, a stern look on his face.
Moira looked at Amelia, confusion written all over her face while Thea just looked skeptically at Oliver. Amelia nodded her head, showing that she agreed with Oliver in this decision, trying to subtly move Moira and Thea towards the exit. Out of the corner of Amelia's eye, she could see Lance staring at Walter very intently, his eyebrows furrowed together. Following his line of sight, Amelia's eyes went wide as she saw a bright red dot on Walter's chest, her hand latching onto Oliver's arm, watching as Lance lunged at Walter, knocking him to the ground.
A gunshot rang out, hitting a nearby waiter in the back instead of Walter in the chest as the room filled with screams of panic. Oliver instinctively and immediately took Amelia by the shoulders and pulled her into his chest, making sure to shield her from any danger as more gunshots rang out through the building. Once safely in his chest, Amelia reached out and grabbed Thea, pulling her close as Dig covered Moira, ushering them into foyer of the building.
"Are you okay?" Oliver asked Thea, placing a hand on her cheek so she'd look at him as she nodded, eyes wide with shock.
"Are you hurt?" Amelia asked Moira, looking her over to make sure she was okay.
"No, I'm fine!" Moira exclaimed, looking around frantically. "Where is Walter?"
Oliver looked behind Moira and Dig to see Lance covering Walter, keeping him out of danger as they raced across the floor. "Walter's fine."
"I have to get you all out of here." Dig told them, looking between Oliver and Amelia.
"No, them!" Oliver exclaimed, grabbing Amelia's hand as they started to back away, pointing towards his family. "Them."
Amelia and Oliver ran through the crowd of people, weaving in and out, making their way to the stairwell where Oliver had hidden a duffel bag of their gear in a trash can. Quickly, the two leapt up the stairs, pausing only for a moment as Oliver grabbed the bag and pulled out his hood, tossing Amelia her own on the next landing. Running up the stairs, the two quickly changed, shedding their formal attire, stuffing it into the duffle, and were now wearing their green and blue outfits.
Once on the roof, Oliver pulled out a grappling arrow, shooting it into the concrete of the building across from them. Amelia waited as Oliver went across first, kicking in the window, both of them rolling onto the floor before springing up and hiding behind a pillar. Deadshot was immediately on guard, firing bullets at them from the moment they busted through the glass.
Oliver turned and shoot off an arrow from one side of the pillar while Amelia leaned around the opposite side and starting throwing daggers. Deadshot had ceased his shooting, giving Amelia and Oliver their window to hide out of sight in order to get the drop on him. Making sure they were hidden safely in the shadows, the two didn't even breath as Deadshot made his way around to check the pillar they were just behind. Not seeing either of them, Deadshot turned, giving Oliver the window he needed to hit him in the back of the head with his bow.
Once Deadshot was down on the ground, Amelia scrambled up to the scaffolding that he had fallen under as Oliver used it as leverage to kick Deadshot in the face again. Distracted by Oliver, Deadshot began to shot at him, giving Amelia the advantage she needed. Reaching down, Amelia grabbed Deadshot's shoulder, surprising him as she flipped over him, using his own weight to throw him over her and into a table, causing it to break under him.
Jumping back up, Deadshot immediately locked into combat with Oliver and Amelia, doing his best to dodge their hits, but failing. Oliver was blocking the majority Deadshot's hits as Amelia was doing her best to make one land. Finding her opening, Amelia bent down, giving Deadshot a swift punch to the ribs while Oliver punched him in the neck. Pushing him against the metal of the scaffolding they were just on, Oliver held his bow at Deadshot's throat while Amelia held a dagger to it as well, trying to help Oliver hold him still.
Shaking from the tension of helping hold Deadshot in place, Amelia was taken by surprise when he elbowed her in the chest, causing her dagger to fall to the ground as she doubled over, trying to regain her breathing. Amelia heard Deadshot punch Oliver, both of them groaning as they tried to fight each other. Oliver's bow fell to the ground in front of Amelia, who swiftly picked it up just as Oliver tossed Deadshot to the side, giving both of them enough time to hide behind a nearby pillar.
"Drop your guns." Oliver called out, his voice echoing through the building.
"I admire your work." Deadshot told them, with a hint what Amelia thought was jealously in his voice. "Guess you won't be extending me any professional courtesy."
"We're not in the same line of work." Amelia spat out at him. "Your profession is murder."
"You've taken lives." Deadshot retorted, causing Oliver to grimace.
"For the good of others." Oliver countered. "You're out for yourself."
There was a moment of silence before Deadshot fired another shower of bullets at them, only hitting the side of the pillar. As he paused in his firing, Oliver turned quickly and shot an arrow at him. Amelia waited for the next rain of bullets, hoping to find an opening to get a shot in, but nothing came. Oliver held up his hand, signaling for her to wait until it was clear, as he crept around the pillar. Glancing around the pillar, Amelia was met with the sight of a motionless Deadshot on the ground, an arrow sticking out of his right eye. A groan from behind her caused Amelia to pull a dagger out, ready for fight whoever else was in this building. However, upon seeing who it was, Amelia dropped her weapon, running over to the injured man.
"Dig!" Amelia exclaimed, getting Oliver's attention as she ran over to Dig. "Help him!"
Oliver nodded, rushing over to catch Dig before he fell down to the ground. Amelia took his left arm and put it over her shoulders, trying her best to help Oliver run with him. Examining closer, she saw where one of Deadshot's bullets had hit him and she knew they wouldn't have much time.
"We've got to hurry." Amelia said as they quickly made their way back to the lair, using the shadows of the streets to hide as they went.
Once inside, Amelia removed Dig's arm from around her and rushed down the stairs in front of Oliver, pushing her hood off of her head as she moved to his trunk. After only a few seconds, Amelia found the herbs that Dig needed and moved to the desk. Glancing over, she saw Oliver lay him down on the steel table as she poured a little water in the herbs and began to crush them in the mortar, making it easier for him to drink. Working quickly, Amelia poured the mixture into the small cup next to her and rushed over to Oliver.
"Here." She said, handing the cup to him.
"Thank you." He replied, lifting Dig's head up so he could drink the medicine.
Dig coughed a few times, choking back the foul tasting herbs before laying back down on the table. Oliver walked the cup back over to the desk, pushing the hood off his head in the process. Amelia sighed, praying that they got him the medicine in time. After a few moments, Dig blinked rapidly, looking around as he sat up, gasping for breath the entire time, clutching his shoulder. Amelia took a few steps forward to stand beside Oliver who had moved to stand closer to the table as Dig looked up at them, realization slowly coming over his face.
"Hey." Oliver said casually as Amelia stared at Dig, hoping that they hadn't just signed their own death sentence.