Chapter Nine

Authors note: Don't worry, I wasn't doing to leave it there but the chapter was getting a bit long. So here is Slade's story

"It was about two weeks after we met, we were just getting used to each other. Well he was getting used to me, I was still tolerating him. The both of us stank, the nearest lake was a lot closer to Fyers territory than I was comfortable with, but it was summer and there hadn't been rain for a while for us to wash, so we made the trek to the lake, being very careful. I had just stripped off and waded in when I noticed the kid was frozen. Still on the bank staring with horror at the lake. Now this lake wasn't like the ocean at all, it was probably the size of a swimming pool and about just as deep. It was clear too, you could see the bottom. But the kid was terrified. I walked out and went up to him. I slowly talked him into stripping," He smirked at that, which made Roy give him a skeptical look, "okay, there may have been minor threats made. But we were in enemy territory. It was one thing to be caught, but caught naked? I wasn't going to let that happen if I could help it. Anyway, once he had stripped, I began asking him questions about home. Started off small, names and ages of the family, where he lived and I didn't even get to ask what his house looked like and he began telling me about everything. Growing up, school, girlfriends, flings, everything about Tommy, how distant his parents were, and then he got to you Thea. He relaxed enough when he started talking about your birth I managed to begin guiding him towards the water. He was telling me about your first word when his feet made contact with the water. But he didn't even notice. He kept telling me everything, you learning to walk, to run, how he nicknamed you Speedy, how you learnt to ride a horse, getting the silver medal in an archery contest, he was so proud of you for that, he just kept talking about you, only you, as we bathed. He still kept talking about you as we got out and got dressed. And he kept going as we made our way back to the fuselage. And he didn't shut up about you until I slapped him over the head and threatened to gag him because it was hours after the sun had set and I wanted to go to sleep. And for the first time since we had met he went to sleep with a smile on his face. He didn't have any nightmares either that night. You were with him on the Island Thea, you helped him get over his fear of water, and you helped him sleep that night and many others. Will you help him now, he might not be stuck on that Island now, but he needs help now more than ever." Slade finished. He noticed Roy was looking at Thea too.

"He lied to me, everyone lied to me, for all I know they still could be." Thea whispered. "Why couldn't they just be honest with me, Malcolm promised to be honest to me."

Slade leant forward slightly; he placed a finger under Thea's chin and lifted it until they were looking at each other. "I promise to always tell you the truth. You will always be able to ask me anything, and I will tell you to the best of my knowledge the truth. No matter how many growly faces Oliver gives me."

Roy laughed at that and even Thea smiled.

"I'll help Ollie," Thea said, her smile being joined with Roy's and Slade's. At that moment Malcolm began stirring. Not noticeable to most people, but Slade was trained to notice any movement. He and Roy began walking towards the door, when Malcolm thrust himself upwards, catching Roy off guard. Slade was expecting it though and had his fist already curled in anticipation and rammed it right into Malcolm's stomach sending the man stumbling backwards.

"We should spar sometime Malcolm, I have so much tension you are responsible for. It's only fair you help me work it off."

"What?" Thea asked.

"I'll give him the rest of the night to tell you himself. Roy will send you my number now," Roy nodded and got his phone out to forward the number through, "ring me anytime. Night or day, and I'll answer and we can talk. I promised to always tell you the truth and I will keep my promise." Slade promised. Thea nodded and the two men walked out of the apartment, the night was young and they could fit in a patrol.