Disclaimer: See chapter 1

A/N - As I strongly believe, no-one is actually reading my A/N at the bottom of the chapters (I would have more reviews for Wizard's View if you were - hint,hint!) from now on they will go here.

So just a few words from big sister (delibrately not named till she appears in the main story line) coming up.

Reviews as always much welcomed and we'll meet again in Russia ;op

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Chapter 13 – Interlude

"A member of the League attacked my sister!"

The words rang out clearly in the sudden silence that befell the room.

"I did not know that..." The dark-haired assassin immediately spoke but halted as the elder of the two Amazons present held up her hand in such an imperious manner, she could do no other than to fall back into silence.

"Was not the League informed that there was an Amazon present in the City – at my insistence?"

Nyssa al Ghul could do nothing but nod silently in reply.

"Was I not given assurance that she would be safe as per the accords between the League and the Amazon people?"

Nyssa merely nodded once more in response.

"Sister, the assassin concerned is dead, surely..." Felicity said softly as she moved to her elder sister's side and took her hand.

"No, the agreement between our people has been broken and restitution must be sought and given, it is the only honourable thing to do, although it is clear that your father truly does walk further down a distant path from that honour, Nyssa al Ghul, even if you do not."

Nyssa once again remained silent for she could not deny the truth of the elder Amazon's words.

"Be at peace, Nyssa, it was your father that gave his word and it will be from him that restitution will be sought." She then turned her full focus to her younger sister who narrowed her eyes immediately as she sensed that her sister's fury was about to be unleashed on her.

"And why did you not contact me to tell me of this incident as soon as it happened!"

"And just how was I supposed to do that, sister of mine." Felicity's voice grew slowly louder and behind her, Team Arrow both full and associate members all winced in anticipation of the storm that was about to be unleashed. "Tell me exactly how am I supposed to keep you updated when I have absolutely no way in Hades of knowing where you are when you are on one of your 'missions' with no way of contacting you – especially when mother insisted that I was not to have any form of Amazonian communication equipment with me when I came to the outer world. When she deliberately ensured that the telepathic bond that we have always had was taken from to make sure I could not have contact with you."

Oliver rose to his feet at that statement, sensing the heart-felt anguish that she normally tried to keep to herself and him entering her voice. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her back to rest against his chest and murmured softly in her ear. "It's not your sister's fault, my love, remember that."

She relaxed slightly, turning in his hold and resting her head against his shoulder as she wrapped her arms around his waist. "It just hurts so badly, Oliver."

Watching them, the sorrow on the elder sister's face was almost overwhelming. "I have no idea whether my mother and sister will ever be able to recover from all that happened since her kidnapping." She murmured aloud to no-one in particular.

"Time will help." Diggle however replied as he stepped up to her side, "That, and your mother actually apologising."

"And that may be the most difficult thing of all to achieve. In all my life, I have never known our mother to apologise to anyone."

"It's never too late to learn." Diggle replied assuredly before turning to his two team-mates. "Don't you think it's time we got back to our regular schedule, you two?"

"Yes sir, Digg sir!" The couple snapped off at exactly in the same time and rhythm.

"You're funny, you two, real funny!" He shot back as he returned to his seat even as Roy murmured. "What makes you think they've done that to him before!" earning himself a hit on the back of the head from both Diggle and Sara.

As every member returned to their former seating places, Felicity and Oliver looked at each other for a moment and then nodded. She then turned and looked at everyone, her gaze ending on Diggle where he sat next to Lyla.

Catching it, he groaned as his mind caught up with the memory road they were taking. "Russia."

She nodded; winding her fingers through Oliver's and replied just as simply.

"Russia."

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Coming next week: AAA in Russia