Chapter 9
Preventing the Inevitable
"Loneliness is and always has been the central,
and inevitable experience of every man"
-Thomas Wolfe
The simplest definition of post traumatic stress disorder, is "A mental health condition triggered by experiencing or seeing a terrifying event." Katie had learned about the disorder during her time in medical school, but she never focused too much attention on it. Recently the topic had reared it's ugly head, she was the one at the center of it.
"Have you read over the pamphlets I gave you?" came the soft and soothing voice of Dr. Nick Adams. Katie hated his voice sometimes, because she knew most of the time his tone was disingenuous. It was a maneuver he probably learned in medical school in talking with those who were mentally unstable. She was now considered mentally unstable, especially after showing up to his house like a mad person. In all honesty she doesn't know why she went to him after making the discovery that her tormentor was in Starling. She think it's the fact that the idea was just too crazy to believe, that it was all in her head, and Nick was the head doctor who could make it go away. "Katie-"
"I'm a doctor." Katie said interrupting the man. She stood at her place in front of his window, staring out at the city so she isn't forced to see the look in his eyes as he watches her...analyzes her behavior. "I learned about PTSD just like you have."
"Then you know the severity of not treating it." Nick replied. "Look it's been weeks since the incident-"
"It wasn't an incident!" Katie snapped turning to look at the man. "I'm sorry I showed up at your house, it was inappropriate. I was just having a tough day and needed someone to talk to."
"You were inconsolable, talking to your self about things that weren't real." Nick said standing to his feet. "Katie, you need help." the man sighed dropping his head before looking back up to her. "If I feel that you could possibly be a danger to yourself or others, it is my obligation as a doctor to report this to a judge." Katie's eyes widen a she let out a deep breath. "You need help and I will get you that help, Katie just-" Katie didn't let the man finish before she walked over grabbing her jacket and purse. "Katie don't do this!" Katie stopped before leaving and turned back to the man.
"Thanks for your help Dr. Adams." Katie said with a final nod, before turning and leaving the office. The moment she stepped into the hall, she glanced over to the man who stood from the waiting area, walking over to her. "You didn't have to come."
"I know I didn't have to, but I wanted to." Oliver said looking the woman over. "How did it go?" he searched her eyes for the answer and she simply smiled.
"Fine." she replied walking around him toward the elevator. Oliver sighed, because he knew that wasn't the truth. He turned and followed after her. "It's the Christmas season, don't you have plans?"
"I think you're overestimating my social life." Oliver replied as they stepped onto the elevator. "Thea's busy with the club, Dig is with his family and Felicity is busy with work."
"So you thought you'd come visit me after my crazy session?" Katie asked glancing over to him "I told you I'm fine, just forget what happened." the doors slid open and Oliver moved to block her from stepping off. "Why can't you be like other exes and not care?"
"Me not caring about you will never happen." Oliver replied with a slight smile. "And what happened was you said that Lian Yu was back."
"He is and working for Ra's Al Ghul." Katie replied, no longer shocked at the fact. At this point she'd accepted it. She didn't understand it, but at this point realized that anything and everything was possible. "The point of him revealing himself to me, I have no idea, but I know it was Ra's who ordered him to do it."
"Why would he do that?"
"I don't know. Maybe he hopes it will lead me back to him." Katie replied before reaching around the man to opened the elevator doors once again. "Either way, it won't work." the doors once again opened and Katie stepped off.
"Are you hungry?" Oliver asked and she turned back to him with a quirked brow. "I'm hungry."
"What are you doing Oliver?" Katie asked folding her arms over her chest.
"What? I'm hungry and I merely asked if you were as well. C'mon it's free food." he said with a shrug. "And that was in no way a jab at the fact that you used to be..." he trailed off, noticing the smile the woman was fighting to keep from her face. "What's the word I'm looking for?"
"Full figured was I think the word you used." Katie said with a shake of her head. "You think you're cute, don't you?"
"Maybe." the man replied. "What do you say?"
Katie's head was screaming at her to just turn away and never look back, but her heart was telling her that she missed the man, and that maybe one meal wouldn't be so bad.
"Nothing's probably even open." Katie said and the man smiled even wider.
"I know a place." Oliver replied.
Katie wasn't sure how he did it, but Oliver Queen had somehow convinced Marlo, or Marlo's pizzeria to rent out the entire restaurant for them. Katie simply stared at the man with a questioning gaze as they awaited their food.
"What?" Oliver finally asked.
"How did you know I would say yes?" she asked and the man chuckled.
"The truth is I didn't, but I made a Christmas wish." he replied and Katie rolled her eyes. Oliver thought for sure he wouldn't have another moment like this. One where he could simply sit with her, and not think about anything else. It was dangerous, it pulled the man he needed to be further away, but at the moment he just didn't care. They once again fell into silence, simply staring at the other.
"What is this, Oliver?" Katie asked again. "I thought this was something you couldn't do. This is something Oliver Queen would do, and being Oliver Queen just wasn't an option for you."
"I don't-" Oliver let out a deep breath. "I thought I had all the answers. I thought I knew exactly what I needed to do, and who I needed to be and I thought it was working. I fought for this city, I was focused on keeping it safe, but something was missing." Oliver reached across the table and took the woman's hand in his, surprising Katie who glanced from their hands back to the man's eyes. "You were becoming my whole world and I was afraid of what that could mean for Starling. I mean, how could I protect this city when all I wanted to do was spend a quiet evening with the woman I love, watching terrible television. I thought letting you go would be to only way for me to not let go of this city." the man shook his head. "I made a choice, and I regretted it every day since. I love you Katherine Robins, I have loved you before I knew how to love, and I think it's is fair to say that I will probably love you until my last breath."
Oliver waited for her to say something. He'd imagined what he would say in this moment, and when it came to her reaction he just didn't know what to expect. She looked at him for a few moments, her eyes searching his, but her expression was unreadable.
"Say something." he finally said, the silence killing him.
"Friends." Katie said suddenly, before pulling her hand from his. "That's the next logical step here. I mean it's going to be hard, and it's going to take some time, but I think we can figure out a way to be friends."
"That's not what I-"
"We've done this Oliver. You on that side, me on this one, and you telling me that you're sorry and that you made a mistake." Katie shook her head because she felt that feeling once again. It was that ache inside of her, that she remembers the day he told her that they couldn't be together. She lifted her eyes to once again meet his. "At this point love is a word that is tossed around entirely way too often. It's a word you use in hopes that it erases things said and done in the past, but it doesn't. I know you love me Oliver, I have never questioned that, but I promised myself that if I ever made it to this moment, I would be smart, I would see that big flashing red warning sign hovering above your head, telling me to stop before my heart gets broken again." Katie let out a deep breath, trying her hardest to stay strong. Here she was, sitting across from the man she loves, as he sits and tells her all the things she wants to hear, but she's hesitant. She looks back up to the man with a slight smile. "Just friends."
Soon a waiter walking out, carrying a pizza that he carefully sits between the pair. Katie smiles at the man, but glances over to Oliver who is still staring at her.
"Thank you." Katie makes sure to say before the man disappears back into the kitchen. She looks back to Oliver who is still silent, and it's now uncomfortable. "This was a mistake, I should-" she stands to her feet and Oliver quickly stands as well, stopping her with his abruptness. She looks up to his eyes, and she waits for him to say something. His hand suddenly slides to her waist, and he pulls her against his chest and she wants to be that strong woman who pulls away, but her heart is still pulling some of her strings, and she lets it happen. He leans into kiss her, and she unconsciously pulls back. "What happens when you fall again Oliver, when you blame yourself for something out of your control that you assume happened because you were distracted." Katie pulled herself from his grasp, unsure where this new found strength was coming from, but she decided to stick with it. "You're one of the strongest people I know, but you're not strong enough for this relationship, and I need someone who can take the hits and still come back to me in the end." Katie turned grabbing her jacket and heading for the door, before stopping and looking back to him one final time. "Friends, ok?" he looked over to her, still not quite able to speak, but he gave her a nod before she finally left him there.
Oliver knew this entire thing blowing up in his face was a possibility, but he didn't expect her to just let him have it. Her words seemed to reveal so much of what she was feeling, so much of what he didn't know she was feeling. In the end, he wondered if she were right. She deserved someone who could take the punches and still find his way back to her and he didn't do that. Slade turned everything upside down and Oliver let him. Slade got into his head, made him think that he didn't have it in him to be the hero of Starling. He got the best of him once again, and Oliver just let him. Now Oliver was left wondering if he ever deserved another chance with the woman he loved.
The next morning, Katie opened her eyes and didn't move. There wasn't a reason to really. She didn't have a Christmas tree, or presents, there was no one waiting for her. She was alone, and so she figured that lying in her bed, the curtains drawn to block out the sun, would be the perfect place to spend her Christmas. So she closed her eyes and once again drifted back off into sleep.
Katie kept her eyes out the window, awaiting the car she hoped was coming. She'd already spent an hour in this house, with this man who just seems too weird for comfort. The only good thing about this was that she was almost positive no one searching for her would find her here.
"Here you go." came Harrison's voice, and Katie turned to see the man hold out a steaming mug which she took with a smile. "Hot chocolate is the answer to most questions I've found."
"That I didn't know." Katie replied looking down to the cup, a bit hesitant to take a sip. "How long do you think that car will be?"
"I don't know." Harrison replied, walking over to take a seat on the couch across from her. "Our driver wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed, so I'm not surprised at how long it's taking him." Katie simply sighed, before turning back to look out the window. "I'm sorry, I'm sure you're not too thrilled about sitting here with a strange man for the better part of your evening."
"That's not it." Katie said turning back to the man. "I' just really want to get home. I've been gone for a long time and it's time I got back."
"How long have you been practicing medicine?" Harrison asked.
"It's going on four years now. It feels like it's been longer though." Katie replies with a shake of her head.
"Why a doctor?"
"My mother." Katie said with a slight smile. "She was a pediatrician, and I loved knowing that she was saving people. She was a hero." she glanced over to the man, and simply shook her head. She definitely wasn't planning on revealing too much to the man she'd only just met.
"She sounds like a really special lady." Harrison replied and Katie turned away once again to look out the window.
"What kind of research are you doing in Bosina?" Katie asked the man.
"This may sound strange, hell it probably is strange." Harrison replied with a chuckle as he looked over to the back of the woman's head. "Especially for me."
"Why is that?" Katie asked finally taking a sip of her hot chocolate.
"Because I'm searching for a spark." Harrison replied and the woman turned to him with a quirked brow. "The spark that's going to change my life forever."
There was banging on Katie's door that caused her to snap open her eyes. She wasn't sure why she was suddenly dreaming of the period in her life that she thinks was the most confusing. The banging continued, and she hoped that if she made no sound or movement, then whoever was out there would just figure that she was gone and would just go away. Those hopes were tarnished when she heard her door open, and the voice that followed.
"I know you're here Twinkie!" came Thea's voice as her high heeled feet headed toward Katie's bedroom. "You're still in bed." Katie didn't say anything as she tried to feign sleep, hoping it would get rid of the woman. "I know you're not sleep, now get up, it's almost Christmas."
"What part of that sentence is supposed to persuade me to get out of bed?" Katie muttered not even attempting to open her eyes. "Go away Speedy, everyone is not a crazy Christmas lady like you."
"I'm not a crazy Christmas lady." Thea replied walking over to lay beside Katie. "Christmas was always a big thing with my mom, I just thought we could keep the tradition alive. I'm having a dinner at my new place."
"I don't want to go to a party Thea."
"It's not a party, just family. You and me and-" Thea turned away and muttered the last word and Katie peeked open one eye to look at her.
"You and me and Oliver?" Katie asked and Thea simply smiled. "I don't think so Thea. You're poking a dead horse that will never be revived."
"Never say never." Thea replied before standing to her feet. "I'm on team reunite Twiver to the fullest and I am determined to get you two on this train."
"Go away." Katie replied burying her head under her pillow.
"Fine, but tonight, eight oclock, there will be booze, food and a tree to decorate. You will be there because you love me." Thea said before turning and finally leaving.
Katie once had this theory when she was just a sophomore in high school, and she was pretty much the butt of everyone's jokes, that if she could just lie in bed, the world would just spin until it was all over. Today Katie wanted that to be true. She wanted to lie in her bed in hopes that all her troubles would just disappear. She knew it wasn't true, knew that she wasn't that lucky and so when night finally came, she lifted herself from her bed and went to shower.
When Katie appeared outside of Thea's door, she was tempted to turn around. She wasn't even completely sure why she was here. A night of Thea pushing her and Oliver together wasn't something Katie was looking forward to. Or maybe she was. Her head was severely screwed up right now. Katie lifted a hand to knock and soon appeared the smiling face of Thea Queen.
"Oh, Twinkie, I seriously thought you weren't coming." Thea said before reaching out and pulling the woman inside.
Katie spent most of the evening on Thea's balcony, a glass of wine in her hand as she looked out to the city. She had to admit that the view was breathtaking.
"Well look at that, your glass is empty." Thea said already pouring more wine in Katie's glass.
"Why are you trying to get me drunk?" Katie asked turning to the woman.
"To distract you from the fact that Oliver is late." Thea replied sitting the bottle down and moving to stand beside Katie. "I can't believe he'd ditch, especially when I told him you would be here."
"Well maybe that's why he isn't here." Katie said with a sigh as she remembered their meal the night before. "He told me that he made a mistake, and that he wanted to be with me." Thea turned to the woman with wide eyes, but Katie didn't look at her.
"Are you kidding me?" Thea asked, annoyed that Katie wasn't continuing with the details. "What did you say?"
"I said that I think we should just be friends." Katie replied turning to the woman before bringing the glass to her lips to sip her wine. "It's what's best and-"
"Are you kidding me right now?" Thea asked and Katie rolled her eyes before stalking back into the woman's apartment. "You guys are so exhausting. This isn't complicated Twinkie, you two belong together, he loves you, you love him-"
"You know I think I would appreciate if people didn't keep saying that!" Katie snapped turning back to the woman. "I know Oliver loves me, and I also know without a doubt that I love him, but that's not enough. You can't shatter someones heart and then come back and say, oh my bad, I made a mistake." Katie heard her phone ring and she sighed before walking over and sifting through her bag until she found it. The moment she did, she instantly saw the "911" and looked back up to Thea. "I have to go." the woman instantly grabs her jacket and heads for the door.
"Is everything alright?" Thea asks.
"Just work." Katie called before rushing out before there were more questions.
A team of heroes stood listening to the one thing they really didn't want to hear. Oliver recounted the story of how Nyssa and her league grabbed him and took him to Nanda Parbat.
"The League wants Sara's killer handed over in the next 48 hours." Oliver stated grimly, and everyone stood waiting for him to continue.
"Why do I get the feeling there's an "or else" in there somewhere?" Felicity asked as they watched the man who was still obviously upset.
"Or else they'll start killing innocent civilians." John said grimly and Felicity sighed with a shake of her head.
"Oh my gosh, two days?" Felicity said heading over to her computer to see if there are any updates. "Caitlin has the DNA that we pulled off of the arrows that killed Sara, but the STR markers are degraded, so it's taking a little bit longer."
"Felicity-" Oliver said seriously, and the woman turned her eyes to him. "It can't take any longer." Felicity simply nodded before pulling free her phone from her purse and dialing STAR Labs.
"If we can't find Sara's killer in time, we're going to need a contingency plan." John stated what Oliver already knew.
" I know. " Oliver said with a shake of his head. "I don't have one."
"What about the elephant in there room?" Roy spoke finally breaking his silence. Oliver looked over to the man who met his eyes.
"Absolutely not." Oliver replied with a shake of his head. "This could be a part of his plan to get to her, so until absolutely necessary, Katie doesn't get brought into this."
"Do you really think that's fair to her?" John asked looking over to the man. "To us, by putting us in the position to have to keep something else from her." Oliver sighed with a shake of his head. "I know you want to protect her, but Oliver we're once again at that place where our city is in danger and she could possibly be the one to-"
"To what?" Oliver snapped. "If this was Lyla, what tune would you be singing John?" Oliver looked from the man, before turning back to Roy. "Until absolutely necessary, Katie doesn't find out about the threat from the league. Are we clear about that?"
"Wait, what?" Felicity asked turning to the men as she pulled her phone from her ear.
"Katie, she doesn't-"
"No, I heard all of that, my hearing is fine." Felicity replied walking over to the man. "I'm questioning if that really is the smart move here. She is a part of this team, this family, and secrets and lies shouldn't have a place here. Not here."
"Felicity, once we've exhausted all other options-"
"I'm not lying to her." Felicity stated firmly before glancing over to Roy and John. "They're not lying to her." she turned back to Oliver. "She's been tied up in way too many lies Oliver. We can protect her and this city without them." the woman turned, once again taking out her cell phone.
"Felicity-"
"I texted her after you texted me. She'll be here any minute." Felicity replied bringing her own phone to her ear.
Katie ended up taking a cab, finding she'd probably had a little too much wine to drive. When she arrived at the foundry, she decided on taking the back entrance, but she soon felt as if she were being followed. It was a familiar feeling, and she usually ignored it because she figured that whoever was following either worked for Ra's Al Ghul or Martin Ellis' boss who never made a move. She simply ignored as she always did. Once she stepped through the door, she only took a couple of steps before stopping when all eyes turned to her.
"Did my dog die?" she asked in a desperate attempt to break the tension filled room she just walked into. The others turn to Oliver who simply sighed before walking over to Katie. "What's going on?"
"Let's go upstairs." Oliver suggested, and Katie simply looked at him, the nervousness stirring inside of her. She glanced over to the others who all wore grim looks, and she just knew whatever she was about to hear, she wasn't going to like. She turned back to Oliver before walking past him toward the stairs that lead up to the club.
"Just tell me." Katie said turning to the man who took a deep breath. "Oliver, please-"
"I was taken by the league." Oliver said and Katie's expression darken as she took a few steps toward him, but stopped herself. "I'm fine, Nyssa just wanted to talk."
"Nyssa." Katie muttered. "What did she say?"
"We have two days to hand over Sara's killer or she's going to massacre the city." Oliver said and waited. Katie's eyes looked to his for just a few moments before she turned her back to him. "Look we will find out who killed Sara and-"
"You're being optimistic." Katie said not turning back to him. She clasped her hands in front of her to stop the nervous twitch of her fingers as sudden realizations hit her one after the other. "Was he there?"
"Who?"
"The demon." Katie says turning back to the man. "Was he there? Did he make the threats, or was this all Nyssa?"
"Ra's Al Ghul wasn't there, but I would assume that he supports whatever his daughter does." Oliver replied. "Katie, look-"
"He hated Nyssa's relationship with Sara. He saw it as a weakness, that kept his daughter from her full potential." Katie mused mostly to herself. She glanced over to Oliver, meeting his gaze and sighed.
"No." Oliver said already knowing what the woman was thinking. "We will find a way to solve this that doesn't include you going there. He doesn't get to take you away from me." Oliver knew those were words he probably shouldn't say, that he was crossing the lines that they'd drawn for their relationship, but he didn't care.
"Ra's doesn't care about Nyssa's revenge. He can stop her, but we have to give him something that he wants." Katie replied closing her eyes and sliding her fingers through her hair. "I can't not do anything." she opened her eyes and looked back to Oliver. "I don't want him to win, but my life is not worth the lives in this city."
"To you maybe." Oliver whispers and Katie couldn't stop her feet from going over to him. She couldn't stop her hands from resting on his chest and she couldn't stop her heart from ramming in her chest at the feel of his hands as they slid to her waist and pulled her closer. "We still have two days. Just give me those two days before you do anything." Katie simply nodded. Oliver couldn't resist leaning in, but was stopped when they heard footsteps behind them. Both turned to see Bruce standing there, with wide eyes when he spotted the pair. Katie and Oliver pulled away from each other before turning to the man.
"Felicity called me and I was in the neighborhood." Bruce said walking over to the pair. He glanced from Oliver to Katie. "We should talk Robins." Katie glances over to Oliver who glares over to Bruce.
"It's fine Bruce." Katie says turning back to the man. "Whatever you got to say, just say it." Bruce looks over to Oliver before turning back to Katie.
"Fine, I think it's time we tried getting you out of this city again." Bruce said outright.
"I'm not leaving now. Not when Nyssa is about to gut this city to find Sara's killer." Katie replied with a shake of her head before turning to Oliver. "Caitlin over at STAR labs still having trouble finding a match for the DNA from the arrow that killed Sara?"
"Yeah." Oliver replied.
"Ok, I'm going to have Felicity call her, because we're going to send the sample Wayne Labs." Katie said turning to Bruce. "I think I read about some upgrade you guys just had." the man simply nodded and Katie did as well before turning and heading back downstairs. Oliver kept his eyes on the woman until she was gone.
"Oliver-"
"It was him wasn't it?" Oliver asked turning to the man. "Jacob. For some unknown reason he didn't want her to leave Starling."
"Yes, but that no longer matters. I know he's alive, and right now that is the last thing he wants her to know. I can get her out of Starling and he won't do anything." Bruce replied. "Ra's Al Ghul is playing a very intricate game, but the end is obvious."
"He wants her." Oliver replied and Bruce nodded. "Why?" Bruce stared wordlessly over to Oliver. "I mean Jacob orchestrated this entire thing. My capture, hers. He's the reason she was even sent to Nanda Parbat, so I would assume he would know why Ra's Al Ghul is trying so hard to get her back."
"Maybe."
"I want to see him." Oliver said and Bruce simply shook his head. "You have a way to contact him."
"I do, but you can't go see him. I shouldn't have even told you that he was alive." Bruce replied.
"And why is that?"
"Because at some point she is going to find out the truth and she is going hate everyone who decided to keep this from her. He's going to be at the top of the list, but that doesn't leave out everyone else. Plus Jacob's playing at something too, I just don't know what it is yet."
"Bruce just make the call." Oliver replied before turning and heading off back downstairs as well.
Soon there was nothing left to do but wait, which everyone hated. Katie found herself pacing while the others mulled about. Oliver appeared in front of her, stopping her mid stride.
"Twinkie, the pacing is becoming annoying." Oliver said, and Katie couldn't help but smile. "It's getting late, and since there's nothing for any of us to really do, everyone's going to head out and come back in a couple of hours."
"Right." Katie said with a nod before walking over to her purse and pulling out her phone. "I should call a cab."
"You don't have your car?"
"No, your sister was overly generous with the wine tonight at the tree trimming party you missed." Katie said as she scrolled through her phone for the number. "I took a cab here."
"I'll take you home." Oliver said and Katie looked over to him.
"That's not necessary, I can—"
"I wasn't asking, Twinkie." Oliver said grabbing the woman's coat and holding it up for her to put it on. Katie looked at him for a moment before turning and slipping her arms through the sleeves over her coat. "It's what friends do, right?"
"Yeah, right." Katie replied with a shake of her head before following the man.
When they arrived at Katie's door, which Oliver insisted on walking her to, they stopped before Katie opened the door. Katie turned back to Oliver who'd once again glanced over his shoulder.
"I'm being followed." Katie said and the man turned to her with a furrowed brow. "Have been for a while now."
"You knew and didn't say anything?" Oliver asked. "You could've-"
"Oliver whoever is following me has only made one move and it hasn't been to hurt me." Katie replied turning to open her door. The moment she stepped inside, she stopped. Her eyes went over to the terrace where the doors were wide open. Something she knows she didn't do. Oliver snaked an arm around her waist, pulling her back.
"Wait here." he whispered before walking inside. Katie shook her head because she couldn't believe that he actually thought she was going to wait in the hallway, and so she walked inside as well.
Oliver scanned the dark living room, before turning and heading down the hall that lead to the bedroom. Katie began to follow, but turned at the sound that came from the terrace. She narrowed her eyes before walking over.
Oliver carefully pushed open the door to Katie's bedroom, the only light coming from the moonlight that filtered through the curtains. His eyes scanned the room before looking down the bed, and seeing something reflect from the light. He reaches down to pick it up, before walking over to the window to see it clearly. His jaw clenches when he suddenly hears footsteps from the hall and he quickly stuffs the item in his pocket.
"There's no one here." Katie said walking into the room. "No sign that anyone was here. Did you find anything in here?"
"No, nothing." Oliver replied with a shake of his head. He turned to peek outside the window. "I'm not leaving you here alone."
"Isn't that something you should ask me first?" Katie asked and the man turned just as she walked out of her bedroom. "Isn't that what friends do?" the remark was sarcastic and Oliver just let out an annoyed huff as he followed behind her.
"People following you, breaking into your place, I'm sorry that I didn't ask, but I'm not leaving you here alone." Oliver said as Katie flicked on the lights. "Friends, or whatever this is, when you're in danger I'm there."
"But that's a distraction Oliver." Katie countered and the man simply shook his head. "The city is about to be ravaged by Nyssa and her league of jackasses, you can't afford to be distracted by Twinkie."
"You're a pain, you know that?"
"And you're annoying, but I'm sure that's not the first time you've been told that!"
There was a familiar air in the room suddenly. One filled with arousal and need and they both felt it. They stood there staring at each other with dark eyes, and before either could question it, they practically jumped into each others arm, their lips locking. Oliver's hands finding their way to her hips before lifting her only the kitchen table. Katie's instinctively wrapped her legs around his waist as Oliver's hands slipped underneath her dress.
They didn't mean for it to happen again. They hadn't planned on once again further complicating their relationship by giving into urges they couldn't control. And yet there they laid in bed, naked bodies wrapped around each other. Katie had fallen asleep, but Oliver's eyes were wide open staring up to the ceiling. He was conflicted. He knew what happened between them probably shouldn't have happened, but he was finished saying that it was wrong. He realized that the love they had for one another could never be wrong.
The subtle sound of his vibrating phone broke Oliver from his thoughts. The man carefully twisted his body to grab his pants and rifle through the pocket until he found the phone, pulling it out to see who texted him. He sighed at the name before turning, and carefully pulling himself from under Katie's body. He placed a soft kiss to the top of her head before grabbing his pants and shirt and pulling them on before heading to the door. Oliver took another deep breath before pulling open the door and was instantly hit with the judgmental gaze of Bruce Wayne.
"Seriously." Bruce said looking over the man. Oliver simply held up and hand pushing the man into the hall before coming out as well, closing the door behind him. "When you should be focused on the league and the threat to this city, you're-"
"Bruce!" Oliver practically growled in annoyance. "My life is absolutely none of your business. That's not why I called you here."
"Why did you call me Oliver?" Bruce asked when the man suddenly reached into his pocket and pulled out a familiar blue flower, this one tied with a thin yellow bow. Bruce took the flower from his hand.
"It's from him, isn't it?" Oliver asked and Bruce met his eyes with a nod.
"It's an invitation." Bruce muttered with a shake of his head. "He wants to see her, and if she doesn't show up-" Bruce looked back up to Oliver. "The demon head is not a man who likes to be stood up."
"She's not going back there." Oliver declared with unwavering certainty. "Look we'll find Sara's killer and then we'll be done with them."
"And in case it doesn't turn out as nice as that, there needs to be a contingency plan."
"And you think getting her out of Starling is that plan?" Oliver replied with a shake of his head. Oliver wanted Katie safe, but he definitely didn't want her leaving him to be the way to do that.
"Right now I don't see any other options." Bruce said.
"Fine, we'll cross that bridge when it comes. Has your lab had any luck with the sample?"
"They're finishing up the test as we speak, and they should be transferring them Felicity soon." Bruce replied and Oliver nodded.
"We'll meet you back at the foundry." Oliver said before turning to go back inside.
"Oliver-" Bruce spoke and the archer turned to him. "Your life, it's your business, but when your life affects her, then I get involved. You have to make a decision about what life you're choosing, because taking a step toward her, only to pull back when it gets too real only hurts her. You've broken her heart too many times, and she definitely doesn't deserve a guy who strings her along." Oliver stared for a moment, before turning and walking back inside.
"What's going on?" came the sleep filled voice that made him stop. Oliver lifted his head to see Katie standing there wearing nothing but a shirt and underwear.
"I uh-" Oliver glanced back to the door. "Thought I heard something." he turned back to the woman who stood a bit straighter. "It was nothing." she simply nodded.
The pair found themselves just standing there, the realization of what they'd done finally hitting them, and now they stood here unsure of what to do next.
"We should be heading back." Oliver said suddenly and Katie let out a sigh before nodding and turning back to her bedroom to get dressed.
As planned everyone met back at the lair, where they waited for the file transfer from Wayne Labs. Katie sat beside Felicity while the guys were across the room.
"Hey." Felicity said, snapping Katie out of the daze she was just in. "Are you alright?" she glanced over to Oliver who seemed to be keeping his distance since he and Katie arrived. "Did something happen?" she turned back to Katie who simply shook her head just as her phone rang. She slipped her phone from her pocket, letting out a deep sigh when she saw the number.
"I have to take this." Katie replied standing to her feet and heading for the door that lead to the alley behind the club. She quickly answered the phone before bringing it to her ear. "I assumed there was nothing left for us to say to each other Nick after you said you were going to have my license taken away."
"You think I'm enjoying this?" Nick asked. "I'm doing this because I care about you, because whatever happened to you really did affect you, even if you're not realizing it."
"I do realize it Nick. I realize it everyday of my life, but I don't need medication and I don't need more doctors telling me that I'm crazy."
"Who said anything about any of those things?!" Nick replied. "All I wanted to suggest was group therapy for people who are going through PTSD."
"Why? Listening to people just like me won't help me." Katie replied with a shake of her head. "I just need to forget, and once that happens then I'll be fine."
"You say that as if it's possible. As if one day you're going to wake up and the past will have never happened." Nick let out another frustrated sighed. "Look you're not coping, you're ignoring, trying to pretend as if it didn't happen, and it's eating away at you."
"And you think this group therapy will help?"
"I do. Listening to how others are dealing with this could really help you. Look I have a list of some groups that you could choose from, I'll email them to you." Nick said. He waited for Katie to say something, but she remained silent. "What do you tell a patient that refuses treatment?"
"There's getting better and then there's not getting better and right now you get to choose which one." Katie replied, remembering the line that she and Nick heard numerous times during their time in medical school together. "Email me the list." Katie ended the call, just as a car pulled up in front of her. She wasn't too surprised to see Bruce step out of the car that looked way too expensive to be on this side of the Glades. "You know you could drive a less conspicuous vehicle. You know one that doesn't lead back to our hideout."
"There's too many rich people in Starling for anyone to look twice at me." Bruce replied walking over to the woman. "You shouldn't be out here alone."
"I'm still an adult, so I go where I want, when I want." Katie replied turning to go back inside. The moment she opened the door, she almost bumped into Oliver who seemed to be going out. "Is everything alright?"
"I was just-" Oliver trailed off looking over to Bruce before turning back to Katie. "Making sure you were alright." Katie gave a small smile, before the man simply turned around and walked away.
"Ok." she muttered to herself, realizing that her life of pretending things didn't happen wasn't going to end anytime soon.
"This can't be right." Felicity spoke and they all looked over to the woman.
"Do you have a match?" Oliver asked.
"It must be a mistake." Felicity said typing a few keys, but only coming up with the same results.
"Smoaks, what's-" Katie stopped the moment her eyes saw the match for the DNA that was held on the arrow that killed Sara.
"Who killed Sara?" Oliver asked impatiently, and Felicity moved aside so he could see the screen. Oliver took a slight step forward, unable to believe that there was a picture of him on the screen.
"You did." Felicity said and Oliver walked over to see how that was even possible. John leaned forward into the screen as well and just shook his head.
"This must be a mistake." he glanced over to Felicity before taking a step back . "It has to be.
"I took perspiration off the arrows that killed Sara." Felicity said turning to the other. "Two years ago when the police arrested Oliver because they thought, accurately, that he was the vigilante, they took a DNA sample." she turned back to the screen to see the mug shot of Oliver. "That sample is a match for 12 out of the 13 STRs. The odds of that..."
"They're impossible." Bruce said walking over to the monitor.
"The thing is we know Oliver didn't do this." Katie said looking over to the archer. "So if his DNA is on the arrow, then it had to have been planted." she shook her head as she tried piecing this together. "I mean who benefits the most from Sara's death?"
"Well, somebody with a vested interest in pitting me against the League of Assassins." Oliver said looking over to the woman.
"Malcolm." she said with a shake of her head. For a few brief moment she thought being all moral and not killing the man was a good thing, but now she is starting to regret that decision with every passing second.
"Merlyn was in Corto Maltese with Thea when this was going down." John stated.
"Unless he wasn't." Bruce countered looking over to the man. "Malcolm is a tricky bastard. He has the resources and the means to move without anyone noticing."
"Merlyn hid successfully for two years from the police and the League. He's good at covering his tracks." Oliver added turning to Felicity who nodded.
"So we uncover them." Felicity replied, her fingers already typing away to pull up facial matches for the man. "But it might take some time."
"In less than 48 hours, the League is going to murder 50 people." Oliver stated and they turned to him. "We don't have time."
Felicity sighed turning back to her computer with the newly added pressure Oliver just dropped on her. Oliver glanced over to Katie who seemed out of the moment. Her finger twitched at her side as she turned her back to them. He moved to go over to her, when Bruce suddenly stepped in his path.
"Let me." Bruce said and Oliver glanced over to her wanting nothing more than to be the one who helps her, but he turns back to the man and nods. Bruce turns, walking over to the woman, a hand touching her arm. "You're thinking about something, what is it?"
"We're running out of time." Katie whispered over to the man. "Searching for Malcolm is like looking for a needle in a haystack. It's possible, but it takes time and time is something we don't have an abundance of right now." she glanced over to Oliver who stood standing behind Felicity as she type. His eyes caught hers for a moment before looking back to the computer. "He thinks he can stop the inevitable."
"What's inevitable?" Bruce asked and the woman turned to him. "I got you out of there for a reason Robins. You don't belong there."
"What if I do?" Katie asked the man. "What if I've been running from something that was always meant to catch me."
"I don't believe that, and neither should you. We're going to beat this."
Katie simply nodded before walking away. She decided to wait over on the combat mat that always felt oddly calming. She took a seat, crossing her legs and closing her eyes before letting out a long deep breath.
"Do you believe in magic?"
The question was so unexpected, so off putting that Katie had to turn to the scientist to make sure the words had really past from his lips.
"Excuse me?"
"I know it's a weird question, but I'm a man of science and I am genetically wired to debunk such ridiculous notions." Harrison said before standing to his feet and picking up an old photograph and bringing it over to Katie. Katie sat down her mug before taking the picture which was a photograph of a sketch. "That's from a museum in town." The sketch seemed to be a very rough drawing of a woman with dark hair, whose hands were held up to the sky as lightening flashed above her. "There's this story that many believe is true."
"What's the story?" Katie asked handing the man back the picture. "Well, many, many, many years ago, a woman appeared in one of the surrounding villages. I guess she drifted into the village during one of the most devastating droughts that Bosnia had ever had." Harrison looked down to the picture. "She found a child crying on the side of the road, and when she asked why the little boy was crying, he told her that he and his entire family were going to be kicked onto the streets because their crops were non existent because there wasn't any rain."
"Let me guess, kind stranger made it rain."
"Yes and no. That's where the story gets weird." the man says with a shake of his head. "Half the people I've talk to said that she told the child she would help him and the rest of the village by bringing the rain back, but only at a price."
"What was the price?"
"She never said. Just that when it was time to collect, they would know." Harrison said before tossing the photo to the table in front of them. "But she kept up her end of the bargain. Went to the top of the holy hill and before they knew it, rain." he looked back over to the woman and studied her, as if searching for a particular reaction. There was a sudden crash of thunder, and Katie turned to look out the window, just as it began to pour.
"Sounds like a bad made for t.v. Movie." Katie muttered before suddenly spotting a car pull up. "Wow, there's my car."
"You sound surprised." Dr. Wells said still staring inquisitively at the woman.
"Yeah, well I thought you may have been a crazy person for the majority of our time together." Katie said standing to her feet and the man did as well. "No offense."
"A little bit taken." Harrison said, reaching out a hand to the woman. "It was nice meeting you doctor." Katie took the man's hand as well, a sudden chill hitting her just as another crash of thunder cracked in the sky. "Something wrong?" she looked up to meet the man's eyes and just shook her head.
"Nothing. I should-" she started moving toward the door. "Get going. Thanks for all your help and good luck with your research." she hurried to the door, pulling it open just as he spoke again.
"You never answered my question." he said and she turned back to him. "Do you believe in magic?"
"You know what's weird? You're the second person to ask me that." Katie said with a shake of her head. "He told me my mother did, but I thought he was a crazy person as well." she looked up to meet the man's eyes. "I'm a doctor, so the supernatural isn't something I would use the word believe when talking about it. So no I don't believe in magic, but I believe that the word just wasn't created out of thin air. I believe that there are some things out there that can't be explained by science."
"Too soon." the man muttered and Katie quirked a brow in confusion.
"Excuse me." she asked.
"Sorry, I meant it was too soon to start asking the weird questions, making you think even more that I'm a crazy person." the doctor chuckled with a shake of his head. "Hopefully we meet again, and I won't be such a spazz."
"Yeah, hopefully." Katie said with a final nod, before rushing out the door, through the pouring rain, to the car. She quickly stepped inside the back seat, and didn't expect there to be someone there. "Lyla, what are you-"
"Please drive." Lyla ordered the driver who didn't hesitate to pull off. The agent turned to Katie with a shake of her head. "What did you do?"
Katie heard the sharp wind above her, and quickly rolled away, her eyes opening to see Bruce whip the bow staff where she was just standing.
"I got tired of doing nothing and figure I'd kill some time." the man said before swinging the staff effortlessly. Bruce swung the staff, only for Katie to back flip out of strike. He didn't even hesitate before swinging again, and again, and she seemed to miss everyone. He swung once again, only this time Katie caught the middle of the staff with her hand, before kicking up a leg to wrap around it and yank it out of the man's grasp. Before he could even react, Katie swung the staff underneath his feet, knocking him on his back. Katie walked over to stand above the man who just lied there trying to catch his breath. "That was good."
"I know." Katie replied holding out a hand to help the man to his feet. The man took her hand, letting her help him up, before she pushed the staff into his hand. "You don't have to test me, I'm ready to face him." Katie turned and there was Oliver standing right behind her. He looked as if he wanted to say something, and yet he just didn't.
"I found something!" Felicity called and they all rushed over . " A.R.G.U.S. monitors air traffic in and out of countries of interest."
"Corto Maltese is on that list." John says as they walk over.
"This is a list of every commercial airliner, private jet, sea plane, and, I'm not kidding, hot air balloon that took off from Corto Maltese this past year. Look at this flight path." Felicity says pointing to the markers on the map on the monitor. "Private charter from Corto Maltese to Caracas, then to Cartagena, only to fly back to Caracas, and then to Tijuana." Felicity glances over to Oliver whose eyes stay on the screen.
Whoever was on that plane was working pretty hard to hide where it was going." Bruce says glancing over the markers.
"The route ends at a private landing strip just outside Starling City." Oliver says turning to Felicity. "When did it land?"
" The night before Sara was murdered." Felicity said, his eyes darkening before turning and heading toward the case that held the green hood.
"where are you going?" Katie asked.
"Talk to the pilot." Oliver replied before glancing over to Felicity. "Call Roy-"
"Hey!" Katie said and the man stopped and turned back to her. "I'm right here, I can help." Oliver glanced over to Bruce who took a step forward.
"I don't think that's a good idea." Bruce said and Katie turned to him with a quirked brow. "You're being followed, and people are breaking into your place-"
"Wait, what?" Felicity asked looking over to the woman. "When did this happen?"
"It's not important, I'm fine." Katie said before turning to Oliver.
"Bruce is right. You shouldn't be too exposed right now. It's safer for you to stay under the radar right now." Oliver said before looking over to Felicity. "Roy-" Katie turned and stalked toward the stairs that lead up to the club. Oliver sighed, his eyes watching until she was gone.
"I'll go talk to her." John said before heading for the stairs as well.
Katie pushed through the crowd of gyrating dancers. She ended up at the bar, where she waved down the bartender who was too busy to even notice her.
"Is this like a tantrum?" a voice said from beside her, and Katie simply shook her head before turning to see John seated beside her. "Because I got to tell you we seriously don't have time for it."
"He's trying to put me in a box and throw away the key in hopes that Ra's won't take me." Katie replied. "I'm trying to help, but-"
"You turning yourself into Ra's Al Ghul won't help this at all, and you know that." John replied. "Maybe, just maybe he calls off Nyssa and her revenge filled slaughter of Starling. But you know it won't end there. You know he won't just let it end there."
Katie turned away, because she knew he was right. This wouldn't end the way she wanted, no matter what she did, her fight wouldn't just be her own.
"If it gets too far-" Katie sighed before turning back to the man. "He's going to have to let it end. If it's comes to that, just make sure he does." the bartender finally made it down to them. "I could use a drink, how about you?"
"I could probably use several, but I think we should stick to one." John replied. "I've only heard stories of drunk Twinkie, and I would very much like to postpone that meeting for as long as possible." Katie couldn't help but laugh before nudging the man's arm.
Roy was working in the club, so it didn't take him long to head down to the basement, and for him and Oliver to head out to question the pilot that flew Malcolm to Starling the night before Sara's murder. Felicity sat behind her monitor, her fingers typing away hoping to get anymore clues to Malcolm's location.
"You haven't said one word to me since I've been here." Bruce said taking the seat beside the woman. "And I assumed that we'd moved on from the silent treatment. We were in that cute bickering stage where you call me a jackass, and I'm just happy you're talking to me."
"I'm working Bruce." Felicity replied still not even casting a glance to the man. She felt his eyes on her for a moment, before he stood to his feet and walked away. She closed her eyes and let out a sigh, and before she could stop herself, words just flew out of her mouth. "I kissed Ray." she regretted the moment the words came out of her mouth, but they were out and in the air. She swiveled her chair around to see Bruce just standing there, his back to her. "Why do I feel guilty?" the man suddenly turned to her. "I mean you ended things and-"
"Don't." Bruce said suddenly. "Don't feel guilty at all." the man took a step, but stopped himself. "I just want you happy Felicity and if Ray is the person to do it, then I'm glad." she stared at the man for a moment trying to hide the slight disappointed that she felt when she realized that he really could just give up on her.
"Felicity." Oliver's voice spoke through the comlink and Felicity turned her chair back to her monitor. "We have the security footage, we're on our way back."
"Alright, I'll see you then." Felicity said before turning her chair, only to find Bruce gone. She quirked a brow before turning back to her computer.
Katie and John returned just a few moments before Oliver and Roy came rushing back in. Roy headed straight for Felicity, holding out the drive they'd gotten from the pilot.
"Security footage from the airfield where Merlyn landed." Roy said as Felicity took the flash and inserted it into her computer. They all gathered around as the woman began typing.
"Check for October seventh." Oliver said as Felicity sped up the footage to the point they needed to see.
"Thank word for HD security footage." Katie muttered as they watched the video play.
"Stop." Oliver said. "Right there." They all watched as Malcolm stepped off the plane. What they didn't expect was to see Thea followed closely behind him.
"What the hell?" Katie muttered as Felicity paused the video. She glanced over to Oliver, who still stared in shock at the video. "She's never mentioned anything about being in contact with Malcolm."
"I thought you said Merlyn was keeping his distance from Thea, that he hadn't had any contact." John says to Oliver.
"He lied." Oliver says turning and walking away from the screen. He stops and looks over once again as if the truth wouldn't be right there. "And so did she."
Katie couldn't take her eyes from the paused footage. She'd known Thea for a long time, saw her practically grow up and they were close. She couldn't see the young woman not telling her this. And yet it wasn't hard to believe seeing as they didn't speak very often in the months following her and Oliver's break up.
"Maybe there's something we should consider here." John says walking over to the archer. "Maybe it wasn't your DNA, Oliver, maybe it was Thea's."
"What?" Oliver didn't like the accusation John was proposing.
"You two are siblings. There would be overlap, maybe even enough to-"
" Diggle, are you listening to yourself?" Oliver says turning to the man. "You're suggesting that Thea killed Sara. Even if-even if she would, even if she could... Why?" Oliver shook his head before turning to Katie who stood her eyes staring blankly away from them. "Tell me you don't believe this?" she turned back to him.
"We have puzzle pieces." Katie says her eyes meeting the others. "Right now we have a video of Malcolm and Thea landing in Starling the day before Sara was killed. We have Oliver's DNA on the arrow that killed Sara." She turned back to Oliver. "Thea doesn't have a motive to kill Sara." Katie glanced back to the monitor. "Malcolm does. Sara's death takes the heat off of him. It distracts the league from searching for him." She looks back to Oliver. "He's also very manipulative. I love Thea to death, but with Malcolm in the equation we have to at least admit that there are possibilities." Oliver glanced back to the monitor still unable to fully accept the mere possibility that his baby sister could be a murderer.
"My sister is not a killer." he glanced over to John before turning back to Katie. "My DNA is on that arrow because Malcolm put it there." and with those words, Oliver stalked off to change. He didn't utter a word once he came from the bathroom, and slipped on his coat and headed for the door.
"He's so blinded by-"
"It's his sister John." Katie says turning to the man. "Before he s calls his baby sister a murderer, he's either going to have to hear the words from her mouth, or witness it with his own eyes."
"What's the chance of either one of those things happening?" Felicity asked when her phone suddenly rang. She looked down to the ID and sighed before answering.
"I should head back up to the club." Roy said before going to get changed.
John glanced over to Katie who once again seemed to zone out of the moment.
"Oh God!" Felicity said before turning to John and Katie. "I have to-" she pointed toward the stairs before just rushing toward them, her high heeled feet quickly climbing up to the club. John and Katie walk over to the monitors, which is playing the security footage from the club which showed Ray Palmer, and he was talking with Bruce.
"We shouldn't be watching this." John says, before he and Katie simply sit to watch. "How's your lip reading."
"Meh."
Felicity spotted the men and quickly rushed over appearing between them and both men suddenly stopped talking.
"Hey." the blonde said looking between the men. "Hi, what's going on?"
"I'm not sure. I came here to see you, and ran into Bruce here." Ray said turning back to the man. "He's making some very wild accusations."
"Accusations?" Bruce said with a shake of his head before looking over to Felicity who looking both confused and nervous. "I'm just going to go." Bruce moved past the pair and Felicity followed the man with her eyes, until he disappeared into the crowd.
"So you remember that time I asked if there was anything between you and Bruce?" Ray asked and Felicity turned back to him with a shake of her head. "Is there somewhere we can talk?"
Oliver stood in their living room, looking up to the large Christmas tree his sister had bought and now wanted his help to decorate. She was now upstairs looking for more ornaments, just after he asked her about being in Starling. She lied. She stood right there and looked him in his eyes and told him that she hadn't stepped foot in Starling before he brought her back. She did admit to spending time with Malcolm, trying to get to know him, and the whole idea just turned his stomach. Something didn't seem right about all of this.
"Alright, I think this is the last box." Thea said walking down the stairs. Oliver walked over to help her, taking the box from her hands, before placing it in front of the tree. He turned to his sister, just as his phone beeped in his pocket. He slipped his hand into the pocket of his coat to see a message he didn't expect. "Is everything alright?"
"I have to go." Oliver said meeting his sister's eyes. "I'm sorry, there's this thing I have to do."
"Does it have to do with Twinkie?" Thea asked with a slight smile. It was a topic her brother had told her many times to just drop, but she knew he didn't really think she would. "Because she told me about the whole you telling her that breaking up with her was a mistake."
"She did?"
"Yeah, and she also told me that she turned you down, and that you two would be better as friends." Thea replied walking over to her brother. Oliver sighed turning away, not really looking to dredge up that dinner that didn't end the way he thought it would.
"You thought you could have dinner with her, and say hey I screwed up, forgive me?" Thea said, ignoring the glare from her brother. "The Oliver and Twinkie saga has gotten to the point where you can't flash your pretty eyes and she just forgives you."
"You know I thought we agreed that you would stay out of this?" Oliver said and his sister simply rolled her eyes before walking back over to the box of ornaments. "I really have to go. I'll see you later." Oliver turned and headed for the door, barely opening it before his sister spoke.
"She turned you down because it was the same." Thea said and her brother turned to her. "Same apology, and she's done that before. If you want a real shot with her you have to show her that this time will be different." Oliver simply nodded before turning and finally leaving.
Oliver ended up outside of a house he hadn't seen in months. Katie had put the house for sale, and yet there were still no buyers. He took a deep breath before walking along the walkway. He noticed the door slightly open, and he carefully pushed it open. It was strange walking into the house, and not seeing any of the pictures or the furniture. It was just empty. He quietly walked inside, his eyes scanning the dark house.
"I'm not even sure why we're here." a voice spoke and Oliver stopped and turned to see a man standing in the empty living room.
"Martin." Oliver said taking a few steps closer. "Where is he?"
"And who would we be talking about, Mr. Queen?" Martin asked letting his back fall back against the wall.
"Don't play dumb with me. Jacob, where is he?"
"Jacob Robins is dead. Has been for quite some time now."
"Does he know the hell that captured his daughter all those years ago is trying to take her once again?" Oliver asked. "Does he know that Ra's Al Ghul has been trying to get her back to Nanda Parbat?"
"Ms. Robins has been pulled from the hell as you call it many times. At some point she's going to have to pull herself out. And she will. She doesn't require your protection, but I assume that you're not going to stop trying."
"I won't let him take her. I'll do everything in my power to stop that from happening." Oliver said before turning to leave, but stopped and turned back to the man. "Tell Jacob that I once looked up to him, but now I just think he's a coward." and with that Oliver turned and left.
Once he was gone, Martin pushed himself from the wall and walked through the kitchen, out the backdoor where he found Jacob standing in the backyard simply looking up to the sky.
"He's arrogant." Martin says taking a seat on the porch steps. "But he's afraid."
"I knew that the day she'd have to return would come." Jacob replied with a shake of his head. "I just hope she's ready."
"What if she isn't?" Martin asked and Jacob turned to the man. "What if this all turns sour on us and the demon head gets in her head?"
"I won't let that happen." Jacob replied with a shake of his head before turning back to look up to the sky. "We had a deal, and now he will finally see what I've always told him." Jacob looks over to the large tree in the yard and walks over. A smile coming to his face at the carving he and his daughter made in what felt like ages ago. He brought his hands over the carving. "She is her mother's daughter."
Author's note:
Hmmm...what do you think Jacob means by that last line. I guess inevitably we will find out.
Review Replies Adela: To be honest with you, I still don't know how that reveal is going to happen. I mean the moment Katie finds out her father is alive, or better yet the moment she sees his face, I can only imagine that it's going to be explosive...and you're right, probably violent.
rockyroyal,dr: I know the meeting was a bit unnecessary for the story, but there was a reason I put it in there. I gave subtle hints, with Lucius telling Katie that she didn't need there help and that it's been happening a lot lately, or when Bruce seemed disappointed that Katie was actually liking her job at the shelter. But you'll see what they were hinting at. I love Bruce and Felicity too. They're oddly entertaining. I think Bruce is going to be having some doubts with this whole Ray Palmer thing. As seen from this chapter, and a bit of jealousy struck the man. I really wanted to show the change in relationship between Katie and Lance. Overtime the man has really grown fond of her, and she has to him. He does think of her like a daughter and even though she'd never admit it, she does look to him as the father she desperately needs in her life. Yes, Lian Yu..Sarab...the man formerly known as Maseo has finally revealed himself, and we're going to learn why, more in the next chapter. I am glad you're loving the story, and I hope this chapter is equally as awesome.
Welp this is the part where I fawn over you guys and gals. I'm glad you're all sticking this out with me, and I hope it's living up to your expectations. Special thanks to the new readers who have added this story to your fav and follow list and Real MVP awards to the few who dropped some reviews for me. I always get excited when my email rings letting me know I have a new review, so keep them coming.
And now for your sneak peek
Katie stared at the back of the man's head, before dropping her own, and shutting her eyes as she thought of what to do next. She knew what it was, but didn't want to. When she lifted her head, she took a deep breath, before taking another step forward.
"As the daughter of Minnah Al Ghul, I beg you to not go through with this." Katie spoke, and that mountain top got a bit more colder if that was possible. Wide eyes looked from her, to Ra's who finally turned to her, his expression not showing any signs that the words had any effect.
"Father, what is she talking about?" Nyssa asked, vocalizing the thoughts of the majority of the people watching. Ra's didn't say a word, as he kept his eyes on the woman standing in front of him who didn't blink, or bat an eye as she stood toe to toe with him. He studied her for a few moments, noted how there was not an ounce of fear shown in this moment.
"Did you hear me?" Katie asked, tired of the man just looking at her. "I said-"
"I heard what you said, I just don't think you fully comprehend the weight of such a statement." Ra's said stepping forward, closing the distance between him and the woman, and she refused to inch away. He leaned in slightly to her, still testing her.