Chapter 10
Death and Rebirth
"You don't have love without sacrifice;
you can't have sacrifice without love."
-Karen Kingsbury
Time seemed to be like a hand full of sand and the tighter you grasped it, the faster it fell away. In less than forty-eight hours, the street would be lined with the bodies of fifty innocent people. There was no time to stop and deliberate, or theorize. They needed answers now, and yet they didn't have any.
Oliver ended up back at the lair, where Felicity and John tried to convince him that his sister could have possibly killed Sara. He looked at her in her eyes, the eyes he's known her entire life and he didn't see that head tilt she does, or her eyes avert his when she usually is hiding something from him.
"I don't want to believe that she can do something like this." Oliver said with a shake of his head.
"Which is why you shouldn't be the one asking the questions." Felicity said, and Oliver's eyes looked over to his hood that was in the display case. Something about this just felt wrong. "Oliver-"
"I just need a minute." the man said in a huff before turning and heading out the back exit to the alley.
"That's not your happy face." a voice said from behind him and he tuned to see Katie sitting on the ground, her back against the wall.
"My sister is not a killer." Oliver declared knowing in his heart the words were true.
"I know. I know Thea isn't capable of holding that type of malice in her heart." Katie replied looking up to the man. "Thea is Speedy. She's your little sister, she's my-" Katie turned away with a slight smile. "She's the closest thing I have to a little sister." she looked back to the man who dropped his head. "But your head and your heart are fighting. Something isn't right here." he looked up meeting her eyes before she stood to her feet. "You shouldn't have to do this. This is too close to you and if you don't think that-"
"The Arrow." Oliver says suddenly and Katie looks at him in confusion. "The Arrow will ask her." Katie looked at him for a moment and he had to turn away.
"Right." Katie said when he turned back to her. "Well good luck with that." the woman turned to go back inside.
"Katie, wait." Oliver said and Katie simply stopped before turning back to face him. She walked over to stand in front of him, and he wanted so badly to grab her, touch her, to just feel her in the way that always made him feel better in situations like this. "I don't know what I'm doing? I'm going wherever the wind takes me."
"Sometimes the wind leads us to where we need to be." Katie replied with a nod. "If we're meant to be there." with that the woman turned, and went back inside.
Waiting seems like the worse kind of torture. Katie, John and Felicity mulled about the lair just waiting for Oliver to return.
"I have to get going." John finally said after what felt like hours of waiting.
"Right, you should get home." Katie said looking over to the man before glancing over to Felicity. "You too. You've been kicking ass all day and you should rest those brain muscles of yours."
"We don't have time for breaks." Felicity replied and Katie shook her head. "We're running out of time."
"Don't worry." Katie said with a small smile. "Everything will be alright."
"You sound certain about that." John says and Katie looks over to him and shakes her head.
"No I'm being optimistic." Katie replied with a shrug. "Someone here needs to. Now go home to your family, kiss them from all of us." she glanced over to Felicity. "And you just sleep and think about your life of having two very wealthy men fighting for you."
"It's not really a fight when one of them has already bowed out of the fight." Felicity said with a shake of her head before walking over to grab her coat and purse. "Fine, I just need to close my eyes if only for a little bit."
"What about you?" John asked and Katie smiled. "You know Felicity's right. You two are frustrating as hell."
"Right!" Felicity said slapping the man's arm. "C'mon I'll walk you out." they waved their goodbyes leaving Katie alone to continue her waiting.
Katie could only pace for so long before she found herself staring down to the small bed that was placed off to it's own corner of the lair away from everything else. She was exhausted and couldn't help but to drop on the bed. Her head fell on the pillow that still held Oliver's scent even though she doesn't think he's slept her since moving in with Thea. Sleep still wasn't an easy thing for Katie. Her dreams were still filled with a past she still tried her hardest to get away from. And yet in this moment, the familiar scent seemed to be enough to finally allow her eyes to just close.
Oliver stalked into the lair, tossing down his bow, his eyes looking around but finding no one there. A part of him his glad, because at the moment he's not even sure he could even answer the questions he knew would come. The Arrow went to question Thea, but he didn't expect the woman to fight him with skills he knew were taught by Malcolm. Oliver shook his head as he unzipped his hood and placed it back inside the case. He pulled off his pants and headed over to the chest that held some of his clothes. He stopped the moment he saw her lying there asleep on his bed. He was about to simply back away so he didn't disturb her.
"You're a really heavy walker." she muttered against his pillow not even opening her eyes to look over to him. "I guess your night didn't go as planned."
"I'm oh for two so far." Oliver replied tossing his pants to the floor. "Did you want me to take you home?"
"No, I'm fine here." she replied and the man simply nodded once again about to leave. "If I recall, we've shared a bed as just friends before." Katie said and Oliver looked back over as the woman scoots over a bit. The man doesn't even hesitate, which he knows he should. Instead he walks over slipping into the bed, his arm instinctively wrapping around the woman, pulling her closer to him. She doesn't stop him and pull away. She knows that in this moment Oliver needs this, and deep down she knows she needs this too. Katie soon slides her hand across his, their fingers intertwining as the pair just lie in a comfortable silence.
Katie's eyes snapped open when it felt as if she'd been sleeping too long. Her eyes went to the other side of the bed that was now empty. She heard voices in the distance and stood to her feet before walking over to see John and Felicity in what looked like a serious conversation as Roy simply stood and watched. .
"Hey." they turned to the woman, in surprise. "What's going on? Where's Oliver?"
"Malcolm paid him a visit this morning." John said and Katie took a step forward. "Oliver is fine, but we now know what's really going on here."
"He's setting Oliver up?"
"No, he's setting up the daughter he claims to love." Felicity said coldly before walking over to sit behind her computer. "It was all part of his master plan."
"What plan?"
"Malcolm drugged Thea." Roy said and Katie turned to him with wide eyes. "Something that made her do what he told her to do."
"He told her to kill Sara?" Katie asked and Roy nodded and the woman visibly deflated. "She has no idea, does she?" she turned back to the man. "He made her a killer."
"But that's not all." Felicity replied bitterly. "He recorded the whole thing, from Thea shooting the arrow, to Sara falling from the roof."
"Why would he-" Katie stopped because the answer suddenly hit her. "He threatened Oliver with the video. Told him that he would show the league." he looked back over to John. "What does he want?" this time John didn't answer. Katie stared at him for a moment before turning to Felicity. "What does he want from Oliver?"
"To take the fall for Sara's death." Felicity replied and Katie shook her head.
"That's crazy, they will execute him—" she looked back to John. "Where is he?" John couldn't even say the words to her. "Please tell me he isn't on his way to Nanda Parbat, right now?"
"Katie, I'm sorry. We tried to talk him out of it-" John said, but Katie held her hands up to stop him.
"Oliver wouldn't walk in there knowing he was walking to his execution." Katie said looking between John and Felicity. "He has a plan, right?"
"Malcolm told him that he can challenge Ra's to a trial by combat." John says and Katie feels everything inside of her wanting to jump from underneath her skin. "Katie-"
"When did he leave?" she asked, her voice portraying emotions the woman usually didn't show.
"Katie-"
"When did he leave, John?!"Katie snapped, her eyes looking between them. "One of you should have gotten me, I should have been the one to tell him how crazy all of this is. Challenging the demon!" she shook her head before turning and heading for the door.
"Katie!" Roy called and the woman stopped and looked over to him. "He made us promise to not let you go after him." Katie turned to the man with a quirked brow before looking over to John who folded his arms over his chest with a nod.
"So are you going to try to stop me?" Katie asked taking a step forward.
"No!" they all turned at the voice to see Bruce coming down the stairs. "But I think all three of us could keep you from going out that door."
"Why didn't you stop him?!" Katie snapped angrily as she stormed over to Bruce. "You know this is a death sentence, and you just let him go!"
"I'm sorry, what did you want me to do? Tie him to a tree. Oliver is a big boy, he knows what he's doing and he knows the risks." Bruce countered.
"He doesn't. He thinks he does. He thinks Ra's is just a man, but you and I know better and I will never forgive you for not stopping him." Katie said with a shake of her head.
"The challenge allows him twelve hours to get his affairs in order." Bruce said and Katie turned back to him with a glare. "He's coming back."
"He doesn't have to do this." Katie replied before turning and stalking up the stairs to the empty club. Felicity turned to the screen that showed surveillance video from up stairs, just as Katie took a seat on the steps that lead to the upper level office.
When Oliver finally returned, they could feel the change in the air. The somber feeling everyone felt in the pit of their stomach as Oliver told them how this was all going to play out. No one liked it, but knew that Oliver would do anything to protect his sister, so there was no stopping him. They all stood around in silence for a few moments before Oliver finally asked the question he'd been dying to ask.
"Is she upstairs?"
"Yeah, Bruce is with her." Felicity said with a nod, as she fought the urge to cry. Oliver simply nodded before heading for the stairs.
Once he arrived up to the club, he spotted Bruce standing there looking over to something. It wasn't until he was closer was he able to see that it was Katie the man was looking at. The moment she saw him, she stood to her feet.
"Why don't I give you guys a minute." Bruce muttered before drifting off back down the basement.
"So one minute I'm falling asleep in your arms and the next minute I'm awake and finding out that you've lost your mind."
"Twinkie-"
"Stop!" Katie spoke angrily as she walked over to him. "You can't justify this to me. You can't persuade me to see this your way."
"I have to do this for my sister." Oliver tried. "I can't let what Malcolm did end her. I refuse to let that happen." He reached up to touch her, but she stepped away, turning her back to him. "Katie-"
"You want me to be ok with this." Katie replied turning back to him, now seeing tears in her eyes. "You want me to be ok with you going off to do battle with a monster who kills everyone that crosses him." Oliver took a step to once again bring his arms around her, but she just pushed him away. "I can live my life cursing your name for giving up on us, I can hate you forever for being too afraid to give us a chance, but I can't live in a world that doesn't have Oliver Queen in it."
"I'm coming back." Oliver declared and Katie turned away from him. "Do you want to know why?"
"I can't just stand here and watch-" the woman turned to leave, but Oliver snaked his hand around her waist, pulling her back against his chest. Katie knew the moment his arms came around her, she'd never want to leave, and so her body simply fell into his embrace.
"Do you want to know why I'm coming back?" Oliver asked once again, his head dropping to rest on hers. "Because there is absolutely nothing that could stop me from coming back to you."
"What about your promise to yourself about killing?" Katie asked turning her head, so their eyes met. "He has one goal and that is to beat his opponent and he sees that as happening one way. He will do that any way he can, even using your humanity against you."
"I honestly don't know if I'm a killer anymore, but I know three things." Oliver turned the woman to face him fully. "The first is that...whoever I am, I am someone who will do what-" he gave a slight nod. "Whatever it takes to save my sister." the man dropped his eyes back to Katie with a small smile. "Two, Starling has been through enough and if I can help stop more pain from coming to this city, then there is no choice. I do it."
"And the third?"
Oliver's arm snaked around the woman's waist, as the other hand cupped the side of his face, a smile coming to his lips.
"I love you." he said, no doubt or hesitation in the words whatsoever. "Always remember that part." he leaned forward, placing a soft kiss on her forehead, before he turned and walked away. The longer this moment lasted, the more doubt he had about this decision. The more he just wanted to take this woman and just run away with her, and forget all the troubles that found them.
"Liver-"
The stupid name that he hadn't heard in months stopped him dead in his tracks. She wasn't going to make leaving easy, he knew she wouldn't. He turned back to her and released a deep breath.
"You're about to head off to some mountain where you're about to fight a man who calls himself the demon." Katie said taking steps toward the man. "You don't kiss me on my forehead and then walk away." she stopped right in front of him, holding his gaze. "Do better." a smile came to Oliver lips as his hands snaked around her waist, and pulled her as close to him as possible. He leaned in slowly, never taking his eyes off of her. He had the feeling he would need this moment later. Need to remember the look in her eyes, and the taste of her lips. Her hands slowly slid up his chest, before snaking around his neck before he brought his lips to hers. There was something different about this kiss. They'd kissed each other probably hundreds of time, and they could pin point the emotion that filled it. But not as Oliver's lips moved against Katie, neither could explain the array of emotions that struck them one after the other. The moment their lips part, both feel a void that they know won't be filled until they see each other again. Oliver held her close, their mingle breaths still rapid.
"I have to go." Oliver whispered knowing that if he didn't leave soon, the temptation to stay would only get worse. He stood there for a moment, before pulling away. And it felt like the hardest thing he had ever done.
Katie stood there and watched him walk out the door. He didn't look back. He knew if he did, he wouldn't leave.
There is this moment when someone you love walks away, and there's this possibility hanging in the air. Nothing is certain, and nothing makes much sense. Katie felt the emptiness inside of her growing, and it stirred something she didn't even know was inside of her.
"Robins-" a voice spoke from behind her. She didn't turn, she knew Bruce would be there, to try and comfort her. Her eyes were fixed on the door, Oliver had just walked out of. "Look Oliver-"
"He's gonna die." Katie said suddenly, and the moment the words came out of her mouth she knew they were true. She turned to Bruce and shook her head. "Ra's is going to kill him."
"You don't know that, you're just-"
"Can you get me to Nanda Parbat before Oliver?" Katie asked and Bruce looked at her like she was crazy.
"Robins, you're not-"
"I am. You knew I was, hell Oliver probably knows I am." Katie says turning back to the door. "Are you going to help me?"
"I'm not letting you go back there." Bruce declared and Katie turned back to him with a smile. "It's what he wants."
"I know." Katie replied before running for the door. Bruce quickly ran to follow her, only to see her standing in on the empty lot.
"Robins, just-"
"I know you're there!" Katie called into the dark street. "He's waiting for me to come to him, well he is about to get what he wants."
"What are you-"
Suddenly figures appeared from the darkness making themselves known. Bruce took a step near Katie as they watched the figures get closer.
"So how I see it, you can either come along or watch me leave." Katie says looking over to the man. "Either way I'm going to stop this." Soon the dark clothed men were standing in front of her, and she knew this was the moment Ra's was waiting for.
The basement of the lair was woefully quiet. Felicity sat behind her computer, staring at it's blank screen as John and Roy just stood about.
"They should've come down by now." Felicity said breaking the silence and turning to the men. "She has to be taking this hard. I should-" the woman stood to her feet just as her cell phone rang. She picked it up with a quirked brow. "It's Bruce." she brought the phone to her ear. "Why are you calling me when you're upstairs?"
"Because we're not upstairs." Bruce replied.
"Then where are-" Felicity stopped and slapped a palm over her face before dropping back to her seat. "She's going to try to stop this."
"She is going to try." Bruce replied. "And I guess I'm going with her."
"Be careful."
"That sounded vaguely like concern for my well being?" Bruce said and Felicity rolled her eyes. "Is this what Palmer feels like?"
"I'm hanging up now." Felicity replied ending the call and looking up to John and Roy who now stood in front of her.
"She's gone, isn't she?" Roy asked and Felicity nodded.
"There's absolutely no way this is going to end well for anyone." John muttered with a shake of his head before turning and stalking off.
The moment Katie's feet stepped off the plane, and her eyes landed on the snow covered land, she was taken aback. This was truly a deja vu moment, because she remembers this exact scene when she first arrived. She pulled the cap lower to cover her ears, before pulling a coat a bit tighter.
"You sure you want to do this?" Bruce asked from beside her and Katie glanced over to him.
"It's Oliver." Katie replied turning back to the illuminated trail the lead to the fortress. "Doesn't matter much what I want to do, because I'm doing this."
"Well then I guess you know we're not going that way." Bruce said and Katie turned to him with a sigh. "Good thing you wore your climbing shoes."
"But I didn't." Katie replied glancing down to a pair of ratty tennis shoes she refused to throw out.
"I know, but I was using the power of positive thinking." Bruce replied before turning and walking off.
"That never works." Katie mutters before following after him.
Katie hated climbing. She never saw the point of climbing something ridiculously tall, for sport. But now as a cold wind blew past her, chilling every bone in her body and as she gripped the side of the mountain pulling herself up, inch by inch, she knew she wouldn't turn around. She wasn't going to stop until she reached the top because this wasn't for sport, or because she had nothing else to do. This was because she refused to let the man she loves die at the hand on the man whose already taken so much from her. Her hand reached up once again, this time only catching a patch of snow, and the moment she tried to pull herself up, she lost her grasp, nearly slipping from the side of the mountain. She only slid a bit, before she grasped the mountain, her heart racing as she simply stays there and contemplates the fact that she almost just died.
"Are you alright?" Bruce asked from just below her. "Look we're high, but if you want to go back down then-" Bruce got an answer as the woman once again before climbing up the side of the mountain.
"I don't understand this!" Katie called down to Bruce as she climbed. "Who would have the energy to fight after climbing this shit?!"
"I think that's the point!" Bruce called back. "Gives the person challenging the demon time to think about what they've done and if they really want to get to the top to fight him."
Katie knew that at the moment, she should be having some of these doubts. She'd spent years trying to escape the demon, and right now she was searching him out. Now she couldn't even imagine stopping and turning back. The cold air was burning her lungs at this point, and the only relief came when her finger finally grasp the top of the mountain. With all the strength she had, Katie pull herself over the edge, letting her body fall on the snow topped mountain. She heard a grunt from behind her, as Bruce pulled himself up as well.
"You sure you want to do this, Robins?" Bruce asked as the pair laid there trying to catch their breath.
"The demon has taken enough away from me." Katie says pushing herself to her feet. "He doesn't get to take Oliver."
The pair trek through the snow, slowly. The wind blows past them, whistling past their ears. Bruce lets his eyes dart back and forth still nervous about coming here unprepared and unarmed. They spot figures in the distance, and to his surprise, Katie quickens her step.
"Robins, will you-"
Before he could even finish his sentence, Katie was stepping inside the fighting circle that was surround by stone hedges. She didn't get too far before she blocked. Bruce took a few steps forward, bringing an arm in front of Katie to push her aside, but she only pushed his arm away.
"Robins, you need-"
"Bruce this is Lian." Katie said staring into the familiar eyes that haunted her dreams. She never imagined the moment that she would actually stand face to face with him, and everything inside of her wouldn't be screaming to get away. "But that's not your real name, is it?"
"My name is Sarab and you were not meant to be here." the said and Katie lifted her brows in surprise. The man seemed much more zen than she remember, less aggressive.
"I may not have been meant to be here, but I doubt it was a surprise to him." Katie says glancing over the man's shoulder to the figure standing close to the edge, his back toward them. Katie took a step, but Sarab moved once again to block her, before grabbing her arm. Without a second thought, Katie grab the man's wrist, before quickly sliding a leg under his feet, knocking him to the ground.
Sarab knew he shouldn't, knew that he should just jump back to his feet, but a small smile tugged at his lips. There was a bit a pride that stirred inside of him for just a few moments before he stood to his feet and took a step toward her.
"Don't!" a voice ordered and everyone froze and looked over to the man who still didn't turn to face them.
"You're right. I did know you were coming." Ra's spoke, his hands clamped behind him. "A part of me wished you wouldn't though. Wished that something had lingered inside of you from your time here."
"I had no doubt she would somehow find her way here to beg for the life of her beloved." Nyssa spoke from her spot and Katie refused to turn to her. She was afraid the moment she looked at Nyssa al Ghul that all her plans for the day would go out the window, and she'd probably focus on doing nothing but killing the woman who caused all of this. "She was always so predictable."
"I hoped I taught you better." the demon said, and he heard what vaguely sounded like a snort.
"Well you taught me many things, that much I will admit, but you could never fully steal my heart. You could never steal my soul." Katie said taking another step forward, this time Sarab didn't stop her.
"Robins-" Bruce warns, but it only fell upon deaf ears.
"I'm surprised our dear Midrab didn't try to stop you." Ra's spoke, and Bruce's glare bore into the man's back. "I meant to send my regards for the loss of your dear Ms. Dawes. It was quite unfortunate." Bruce took a step forward, only for Sarab to push him back. "Whatever the case, Nura, I'm afraid that you know how this work. Oliver challenged me-"
"Bullshit!" Katie snapped taking another step forward, slowly gaining the courage to get closer. "You don't have to do this. You know he didn't kill Sara. Killing him doesn't do anything, doesn't prove anything!"
"It proves that the name Al Ghul should weigh a little heavier in the minds people as insolent as Oliver Queen." it was once again the voice of Nyssa that chose to speak, poking holes in the restraint Katie was holding on for dear life to grasp. "He was given a choice. Bring me Sara's killer, or bare witness to the blood that would flow through the streets of his darling city."
Despite all efforts, Katie finally turned meeting the darken gaze of the dark haired woman and she let out a sigh, because she could feel it happen. She could feel that familiar sensation, move underneath her skin. "He chose to sacrifice himself, and it shall be a death I will be happy to witness."
Katie tilted her head as she stared at the woman, her eyes remaining eerily blank, but dark at the same time. Nyssa didn't show it, but it unnerved her. It always did.
"Someone as evil as you probably doesn't bleed red blood, huh?" Katie asked, and Nyssa stood a bit straighter, her hand moving to the handle of her sword. "Don't answer that, I want to be surprised."
"Was that a threat? You dare threaten the child of the demon, in his presence?"
"I do." Katie replied with a nod before turning back to the man's back. "And I bet he won't do anything about it."
"Is that right?" Nyssa asked, turning to her father as well.
Katie waited for him to say something, to turn and even face her, but he didn't, and her impatience was growing with every passing moment.
"There has to be another way." Katie spoke letting out a deep breath. "I refuse to believe that this ends with more blood being spilled."
"The blood of the guilty-"
"Who is guilty Nyssa!" Katie snapped angrily turning to face the woman. "Really, in all of this, this fight between Oliver and your father, who is the guilty one? Who deserves to die for her death?" Katie took a step toward the woman, but stopped herself. "Better yet, which one of them dying will bring her back?" Nyssa grit her teeth, taking a step toward Katie as well.
"Stop." Ra's spoke, and Nyssa let out a huff but complied. "I'm sorry Nura, but this is something that can not be changed."
"You can change it. You know this is absolutely pointless, and yet here you are."
"My daughter was right, Oliver Queen does not think of himself as someone who should take the name Al Ghul seriously, and because of it, he too shall be taught a lesson."
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. "Anyone with my blood running through their veins, begs for nothing. Especially the daughter of my dear sister."
"Father?" Nyssa spoke once again, still trying to make sense of this information.
"This is what you want." Katie stated. "Me here, right? Well here I am, I will do whatever you want, go where ever you want, just don't do this. Don't take him away from me, don't-"
"Will you stop!" the demon spoke angrily, finally letting emotion slip that he was not supposed to have. "Oh Nura, how far you have fallen." the man shook his head in a disappointment that made Katie nervous. It was a look you never wanted to see from the man standing in front of her. "You don't see it now, but this will be the best for you." the man lifted his eyes and Katie turned as well, struck with the sight of Oliver walking over.
Oliver wasn't sure what he would find when he finally reached the top of this mountain, he definitely didn't expect to see her. The moment his eyes landed on Katie, his tired feet seemed to move a bit faster, but he was stopped by Maseo who blocked him. He tried to push the man away, but it was futile.
"Oliver, calm down." Maseo said and Oliver turned to the man.
"He's right, just don't go over there." Bruce said from his spot beside Oliver. Oliver turned a glare to the man. "He's standing too close to her."
"Why didn't you stop her?"
Bruce turned to Oliver with a shake of his head. "Because I couldn't stop her, I don't think anything could at this point." he looked back over to where Katie stood still speaking with the demon. "If it's any consolation, I don't think this is happening the way she thinks it will."
Katie and Ra's seemed to be locked in eyes, neither saying anything for a moment, before Katie dropped her head.
"If you would excuse me Nura-"
"I can absorb his challenge." Katie spoke lifting her eyes back to the demon. "It can be me who does this, and not him." Ra's smiled glancing back over to the man who still tried pushing his way to them.
"Fine." Ra's replied looking back down to Katie. "If you can get him to agree, then I will accept."
"Wait, what?" Katie asked knowing that wasn't going to happen.
"Oliver has committed a crime against the Al Ghul name, your name my sweet Nura. So if he chooses to take the coward way out, then it shall be his decision." the demon spoke, just as another wind blew past them. "And you should hurry, because it's almost time." Katie stood there for just a moment, before turning and walking over to Oliver.
"Katie what are you-" Katie grabbed Oliver's arm and pulled him away from the others. "You're not supposed to be here."
"No, you're not supposed to be here, Oliver." Katie sighed. "This is it. This is my nightmare. Where the hell I was pulled out of, finds a way to take you and I won't let that happen."
"Katie, I wish there was another way-"
"There is." she replied placing her hands on his chest. "There is another way, and you just have to listen to what I'm about to say."
"The answer is no." Oliver says firmly, knowing the next words out of her mouth were not going to be words he was going to like.
"Oliver, I've trained with him for years. I know how he moves, I know how he thinks. I could win this."
"And you think I can't?"
"No, I think you could if you were like him. If every punch and every swing of your sword was meant to be death, but that's not you. Your heart still beats, and his hasn't shown even an ounce of mercy." Katie let out another deep sigh. "Look, part of the rules of this trial, is that in the rare event that you're unable to fight, if Ra's agrees, you can pass along your challenge, and Oliver-" Oliver placed his hands on the sides of her face, and gave her a smile. "Oliver, don't do this. Please just let me fix this." Oliver simply leaned in and placed a soft kiss on Katie's forehead before turning and starting to walk over, but he stopped. Katie thought that maybe he reconsidered. He turned and walked back over to her. "Oliver-"
"I need you to hold on to something for me." Oliver spoke before reaching into his pocket and pulling out a small black box that Katie felt she hadn't seen anywhere else but her dreams.
"Oliver, don't-"
"Just keep it safe for me, until I come back." the man replied opening the box and taking out the ring, before tossing the box aside. He took Katie's hand and slid it on her finger and smile came to his face.
"This isn't real." Katie said and he looked up to meet her eyes. "Don't do this if it isn't real."
"It is. It was real the first time I put that ring on your finger and it is real now." Oliver replied before finally turning and heading into the battle circle.
Katie found herself out of options, but that was impossible because according to the teachings of the demon there was always a solution, always an answer. She watched as Oliver began pulling off his jacket before he pulled off his shirt as Lian...no Sarab he called himself, came over.
"Robins-" Bruce spoke coming over to the woman who watched closely as Sarab informed Oliver of the rules of the fight. "We should go."
"No." Katie replied turning to the man. "According to the rules, Oliver is allowed a witness."
"And you think that should be you?" Bruce asked and Katie simply turned away. "You know what's about to happen. Do you really want a front row seat to it? It won't help him, you being here will only be a distraction."
Katie knew Bruce was right, that if this fight did indeed happen, Oliver wouldn't be able to focus completely on defeating Ra's.
"This fight can't happen." Katie suddenly spoke, and without warning she began walking, grabbing a dagger from the weapons cache. Sarab moved quickly to stop her only to stop himself. The newfound information about the blood that ran through her veins, suddenly changing things he thought he understood.
"Katie, what are you-"
Before Oliver could even stop her, Katie took the dagger and dragged it across the palm of her hand, blood gushing from the wound instantly. She knelt down in front of the demon, bowing before him.
"I, Katherine Robins, hereby offer my allegiance to the League of Assassins, and you, Ra's Al Ghul."
"Katie, no!" Oliver tried to go over to her, by Sarab only pushed him back.
Ra's let out a sigh before turning to face the woman, his eyes going to the blood that slid from her hand, it's crimson drops staining the snow beneath them.
"What is she doing?" Oliver asked looking over Sarab.
"If she is a member of the league, she has the right to challenge the demon's decision to this trial." Sarab said looking over to the pair as well. "Up to this point no one has challenged him. No one ever challenges him."
"He won't accept this right?"
"What do you think Oliver?" Bruce said walking up beside the man. "This is what he wants. What he always wanted. Her on her knees, vowing her life to the league. He has to make a decision. Is killing you worth losing an opportunity he's not sure will ever come around again." Oliver turned with wide eyes back to where Katie still sat knelt in front of Ra's.
"You're really willing to give your life to the league?" Ra's asked and Katie lifted her eyes to the man.
"Like you said, your blood runs through my veins. I was always meant to be here, with you, with the only family I have left." Katie spoke. Ra's turned away for a moment.
"Father, you can't possibly be giving this a thought!" Nyssa spoke angrily walking over. "This is a trick. This is her wanting to stop what needs to happen. Oliver Queen dishonored our name, and needs to treated as such." The demon didn't say anything for a moment, before turning his back to everyone, once again staring off over the cliff of the mountain. "Father-" Ra's shot up a hand that Nyssa knew that she should stop talking. After just a few moments, Ra's turned back to Katie, his eyes locked with hers before holding out a hand to her, to which she placed the dagger in his hand. She watched as he slid the dagger across his palm, before holding his bleeding hand out to her.
"What you are about to do Nura can not be undone, you understand that, don't you?"
Katie stared at his hand and she really thought about what she was doing, thought about what she was giving up. She also thought about what she would be getting. There was no way Oliver would survive a fight with the demon, and if giving up her life with him meant, saving his life, then there was no debate about what she had to do. Katie finally placed her blood stained palm, in the blood stained palm of the demon, sealing a deal that she knew at some point would happen. Nyssa angrily growled before turning and stalking off.
"I-"
"Save your breath Nura." Ra's said pulling the woman to her feet. "You shall get what you came here for. And now so have I."
"Do I get to say goodbye?" she asked.
"Take all the time you need." Ra's replied, a smirk planted on his face before he looked up to Sarab and gave the man a nod.
"It is done." Sarab said before turning back to Oliver. "Mercy has been shown to you Oliver." Oliver shook his head about to go over and put an end to this, but Sarab pushed him back. "It's no use Oliver. She made a blood oath and there is nothing you can do to change this."
"He's right." Bruce stated. "Everything we've been trying stop was all for nothing. He played a hand, and she fell right into it."
"What do we do?" Oliver asked over to the man. "There has to be a way around this. One that doesn't end with her having to live in some life of being a murderer." Bruce turned to the man and sighed.
"She doesn't have much time." Bruce said before glancing over to Katie who turned to them. "And I figure she wants it all to go to you." Bruce gave the woman a nod, to which she returned.
Soon there was no one left but Katie and Oliver, cold winds whisking by them, and yet neither even felt it. They stood at a distance for a moment, before Katie looked down to her hand and quickly pulled off the ring and brought it back over to him.
"You should take this." Katie said, and Oliver simply pulled the ring from her hand, and just slipped it back on to her finger. "Oliver-"
"What were you thinking?" he snapped angrily. "Joining the league. You spent years trying to escape that hell, and now you're voluntarily just walking back in through the front door." Katie simply shook her head before once again pulling the ring from her hand and holding it out to him.
"You need to take this and-" Oliver once again took the ring from her hand and slipped it back onto her finger, and Katie could feel her insides twisting as she felt the distance that was about to be placed between them. "You don't die Oliver." she looked back up meeting the man's intense gaze. "I have felt the pain of death from my mother, and my father, and Tommy and your mother and I-" she placed a hand on the side of Oliver's face, and for the first time today, a tear slid down her cheek. "I don't exist in a world without you in it."
"You can't just leave me, you can't just walk away." Oliver said, his voice filling with emotions trying to burst out of him at the moment. "I can fight him, and I will win and you won't have to go through with this." Katie looked over Oliver's shoulder where Sarab stood, a sign that her time was almost up. Oliver followed her gaze and growled before turning back to her. "I will take you away-" Katie turned back to him. "We will find somewhere, they won't find us and-"
"You have to kiss me now." Katie said as more tears fell from her eyes. "That's what happens now. You kiss me and then you turn around and walk away and never look back."
"Do you really expect me to do that?" Oliver asked bringing his arms around the woman, pulling her close to him and just shook his head. "I'm not letting you go, I'm not letting him have you."
"Just kiss me." she whispered, practically pleading, and Oliver couldn't do anything but comply. His lips slammed into hers, as emotions bubbling inside of both of them just poured into that one kiss. Neither wanted the kiss to end, because they knew once it ended, real life would seep back in. Soon, they weren't given a choice, as the need to breathe won out in the end. They pulled back, their foreheads resting on each other, quick breaths intermingling.
Katie knew that she was going to have to be the one to pull away, because if she didn't, she would probably have be torn from Oliver's arms.
"Do not come there for me."
"Katie-"
"I am not dead, always know that and let it be enough." Katie replied, before pulling herself from the man's grasp, something that felt like a knife through her heart to do. "Starling City needs it's hero Oliver."
"Well, I need you." Oliver's voice now cracking with emotions he doesn't think he's strong enough to hold in any longer. "I need you and I don't know how not to need you." Katie looked at him for a moment before she once again slipped the ring off of her finger. "Don't-"
"He won't let me have this." she said before meeting Oliver's eyes. "He'll probably make me destroy it as a way to symbolize the death of Katherine Robins, and the rebirth of Nura." she reached for his hand and placed the ring inside. "Long. Live. Love." she smiled up to the man. She loved that inscription and felt it described them perfectly. "Wherever we are, we're forever. That doesn't change." she glanced over to Sarab once more and sighed before meeting Oliver's eyes. "I have to go now."
"This can't be it." Oliver said reaching for the woman.
"I don't-" the woman simply shook her head before just heading off toward Sarab. She needed to leave, and not be tortured by the eyes she would never see again, but she stopped before she was truly gone, and turned back to the man. "I know you're going to be great, Liver." she dropped her head and sighed before looking back to the man. "If this place succeeds and turns me into something evil, do not hesitate to end me." and with that the woman turned finally walked away.
Soon Oliver was left on top of a snow covered mountain top alone. This wasn't supposed to be the outcome. He came here so this didn't have to be the outcome, and yet here he was. It only took Oliver one minute to realize that there was no way in hell he was going to let Ra's Al Ghul take the one person in this world who holds his heart. Oliver had only taken a single step before realizing that he was not alone.
The man turned, not even able to utter a word before a sword and pierced Oliver's chest, and he couldn't even explain what happened in the painful moments after. He probably should scream, or something, and yet he didn't. He wouldn't give the satisfactions of showing his pain at this moment. He felt blood rise up his throat, and spill out of his mouth as he dropped to his knees. Oliver looked into the eyes that was pulling the life from him before turning away. He knew what was happening, knew that this was it and he didn't want that face to be the last he sees.
Oliver opens his eyes, releasing a long sigh, and stretches before turning around on the bed. A smile tugs at his lips instantly at the sight of the beautiful brown eyes staring back at him. He opens his mouth, but Katie reaches forward placing a hand over his lips to stop him. Suddenly Oliver feels something kick his chest, and he glances down to see the small toddler sprawled between them, his blonde hair a mess on his head. Katie removes her hand from his lips and lets it rest on the side of his cheek with a smile.
"Do you have to go?" she whispers and Oliver lets out long breath and just shakes his head.
"No, I don't think I have to." Oliver replies before feeling the child move. Soon, blue eyes sit up and looks between the pair, and small toothy smile comes to his face.
"He's going to start jumping on the bed now." Katie says as they looked to the mischievous look in the boys eyes.
"I've already accepted it." Oliver said with a chuckle. And just like his mother said, the boys stood on his feet and began bouncing up and down on the bed in a fit of laughter. Oliver smiled wide as he looked between the laughing child and over to his mother who too couldn't hold her laughter anymore. This was heaven, Oliver thought, and he doesn't care how he got here, but he knows he never wants to leave.
"Don't be afraid my son." the demon whispered, as he leans forward to Oliver's ear. "A death at my sword is considered the highest of honors." Oliver wasn't listening, wasn't trying to listen. He wasn't in this moment, he was in another. Ra's placed a hand on the side of Oliver's face. "You have taken good care of her, and for that I send these words with you." the demon took a deep breath before leaning in closer to Oliver. "Forgive and have mercy upon him, Excuse him and pardon him, make honorable his reception, Protect him from the punishment of the grave, And the torment of fire."
The demons words fell upon deaf ears, as Oliver lost himself inside the dangerous walls of a fantasy he had no intention to escape. In one swift movement, Ra's withdrew his sword, but Oliver was no longer there. No longer on top of a snow covered mountain, no longer the Arrow. He was with her, and it was enough. It's why he didn't feel the demon's boot when it forcefully kicked him from the mountain. Soon the competition between fantasy and reality was over, and Oliver finally let the rest of the world go.
Ra's stood there for a moment before hearing the light footsteps behind him. He continued to look over the cliff before turning to see the smirking face of his daughter.
"She must never know about the death of our fair Mr. Queen. We could not risk him attempting to sway her away from her family." Ra's orders before shoving his sword into the snow so it stood on its own. He walked over to his daughter who stood straight, meeting his eyes. Nyssa eyes trailed over to the cliff. "Do you understand?"
"Yes father." Nyssa replied turning back with a sharp nod. "What now?"
"Now it's time to revive my Nura." the demon said before stalking off past his daughter.
Nyssa stood there for a moment longer, before going over to the edge and looking down. The wind was picking up and snow was blowing so she could see nothing. She knew it was true. Oliver Queen was dead. She once thought Oliver's death would bring some sort of light back into her life, but it didn't. Sara was still dead, and the loss, the emptiness was still there. Nyssa simply let out a deep sigh before turning and walking away.
No one looking at Katherine Robins at this moment could even see that her insides were practically twisting inside of her. The ache of walking away from Oliver to return to the place that once came very close to stealing her humanity, filled her every beam at the moment and there was nothing she could do. Her eyes were focused on the man standing at his place in front of his alter as he waited for her to walk down the aisle created by the members of league that stood uniformly on each side of her. She simply placed one foot in front of the other and did what needed to be done.
"Let us all welcome back Nura!" Ra's spoke, and not a word was spoken from anyone in the room. "Who has found her way back to the only home she belongs." Ra's dropped his eyes to Katie who now stood in front of him, now completely changed into the dark clothing that all of his warriors wore. There were subtle differences though, with the hint of yellow embellishments along her collar and sleeves. Her hands gripped the handle of her sword, and yet her eyes remained emotionless. "You do not see it now, but you will one day." he stood up straight and looked out to his men. "Turn to them." Katie didn't hesitate to follow the order, as she turned on her heel to look out to the many men who stood before her. "My blood runs through her veins, and she shall be treated as such." the demon moved to stand beside her. "Here you shall no longer worry about anything. This is now your kingdom." Katie looked over the faces of the men in front of her, her eyes landing to the sour expression of Nyssa who looked as if she wanted to be anywhere but here. "And now Nura Al Ghul, it is time for me to see just how far you have fallen." the man turned and walked back over to his throne where he fell into his seat, and plucked a grape from the bowl beside him.
Suddenly the men scattered from their formation, now surrounding Katie, each with a weapon drawn. Katie's eyes moved across theirs, looking to the eyes of men she didn't even know. All she could see were their eyes, and she just had to be alright with that. Katie suddenly pulled her sword from her sheath and brought it in front of her, gripping the handle with both hands as she closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
It was this moment that Katie accepted the truth of her fate.
Katherine Robins was dead.
Nura Al Ghul was reborn.
Author's Note:
*Looks at screen blankly after last line* WTF
Yeah, so I totally changed the narrative a little bit to fit the story. No big Ra's/Oliver fight, but something else happened. Katie was the one who took the sacrifice in hopes of saving Oliver the trouble. Only problem is, her uncle is an Evil SOB. What's going to happen when she finds out he broke their deal?
Review Replies
HaylieLavonne: You know what, I can't blame you. I know I've given up on stories too because I didn't like the waiting. I'm glad you found your way back though, and I'm glad you're liking where the story is headed. Oh and I had to venture back to LLL to see which sneak peek you were referring to, and had to LOL. That really was evil of me, but it's all building up to something, I promise.
Adela: As John mentioned, the are "Exhausting as hell." Our Twiver is fighting an unwinnable battle, and now it's come to an unexpected turn. Now distance has been force between them. Katie with the league, and Oliver...well where Oliver has found himself at the moment.
rockyroyal,dr: You're right, Katie's not crazy, just has issues she's avoiding, and her friend Dr. Nick just wants to help. I love coming back to these scenes where Oliver and Katie try to define their relationship as "just friends." It seems like a joke, because neither one of them believes it's even possible. They know that there will always be more there, even if they refuse to admit it out loud. That small leap of faith, I think looks like a giant drop to Katie. She's been burned way too many times in her life, and forgiveness is something she holds very dear, so it's going to take something special for Oliver to get it. Hopefully he'll get the chance once all of this craziness is over. You know my favorite scene from the last chapter was the short exchange between Bruce and Felicity. I also hate that she didn't get the reaction that she wanted, but I did love that glimpse of a jealous Bruce. The thing about Bruce is that sure he's a good man, do anything for his city, but he's also a guy who loves a woman. Feeling he thought he was able to control are going to be tested. Wait and see. As for Ray Palmer, he was a bit annoying on the show, but I liked his relationship with Felicity. I'm not sure how far she'll let it get, when there is a certain bat still wrapped around her heart.
Alright, I must be in a good mood, because these chapters are just flying out! I don't want to get anyone too excited with the quick updates, but I pray I can keep this up. As always I have to show some love to my readers out there. Thanks for adding this story to your fav/follow lists. I'm glad something in this story pique your interests enough to see what happens next. Oh, and a special thanks to my readers who leave such interesting and kind reviews. I know after reading these stories, it's easy to just not do anything, but these reviews become a two way mirror. With a few words, I get a glimpse at the people reading these stories written by a sub par writer, who just loves to write.
Keep them coming and as always, I leave you with a sneak peek.
"She knows about Grace." Bruce spoke and Jacob felt his heart stop. "Or should I call her Minnah Al Ghul. Sister of the demon." Bruce shook his head as he took a step closer to the man. "I mean when you asked me to take care of her, you could've mentioned that she was that bastard's niece!" Jacob still didn't say anything as he turned away. "What's the plan, how do we get her out of there?"
"Don't worry about it." Jacob said before turning and heading for the door.
"What do you mean don't worry about it?!" Bruce called after the man who stopped and looked over to him.
"I mean that I will take care of this. I'll handle Ra's and you need to find Oliver."
"What are you talking about? Ra's released him from the challenge, he's probably back in Starling doing what I'm doing right now. Trying to find a way to get her out of there."
"Oliver never made it back to Starling, Bruce." Jacob replied and Bruce's brow furrowed in confusion. "I believe the demon is playing a very dangerous game. You find Oliver and I'll take care of the demon."
"How do you plan on doing that?"
"I'm going to make him an offer he won't refuse." Jacob replied before turning and leaving Bruce with those cryptic words.