Chapter 12
Home Sweet Hell
"You make choices every day, and almost every hour,
that keep you walking in the light or moving away toward darkness."
Henry B. Eyring
Katherine Robins was scared. She'd been at the fortress in Nanda Parbat for a couple of days, and it was strangely becoming almost comfortable. She had a routine, and she didn't feel the need to constantly look over her shoulder. Sure she missed her friends, and her life as just a doctor. And sure she didn't sleep because it was at night when her mind filled with thoughts of Oliver and how much she wished she was with him. Katie took solace in knowing that her decision to leave Starling and join the league was a necessary sacrifice. Maybe she wasn't a hero, maybe she would never be, but for one moment she was able to do some good for the man she loved and the city that was her home.
At the moment, Katie sat with her eyes closed, legs folded on the the floor as she kept her breaths slow, easy, and yet there was only one thing on her mind.
"I really want a Big Belly burger with cheese, right now." She said opening her eyes and turning to the woman beside her who didn't even open her eyes. "Extra pickles, no onions and lots of ketchup."
"And you're telling me this, why?"
"Because Nyssa, even though I hate everything inside and outside of you, you're the only one here that even talks to me." Katie replied with a shake of her head. "Well besides your dad who just doesn't seem like the kind of person I can have a conversation with."
"And I do?" Nyssa asked finally opening her eyes and turning to the woman. "I usually fantasize about slitting your throat, or cutting out your tongue ninety five percent of the time I'm with you."
"Really?" Katie asked turning away from the woman. "That's weird, because I usually fantasize about snappy your neck, or repeatedly stabbing you like ninety five percent of the time I with you." Katie turned back to the woman with a furrowed brow. "What do you think it means?"
"Probably that you should stop talking to me, and always carry a weapon with you." Nyssa replied before standing to her feet and heading out of the meditation room. Katie shook her head before standing to her feet as well and walking over to the large window to look out at the snow.
Katie stood, surrounded by nothing but sand for as far as her eyes could see. When Lyla picked her up, the pair didn't say much until the car dropped them off in the middle of nowhere.
"Alright, we're alone." Katie said once the car was gone. She looked over to Lyla who was typing something on her phone. "What the hell was Waller thinking, sending me to that place?"
"No, what were you thinking when you decided to leave?" Lyla asked. "Do you know the shit storm Waller had to clean up so there wasn't some nationwide terror alert for one Katherine Robins?"
"They locked me in a room, and wouldn't let me go. They wanted answers to questions I didn't have, and me telling them I knew nothing didn't seem like an option. They weren't going to let me go."
"Katie, you are a kidnapped woman in a warring country where trust can only be earned. There have been too many instances of people just like you, who look like you, who have been corrupted by the terrorist organizations that are lurking all over the place. You were supposed to stay steadfast, and they would've let you go."
"Well it didn't feel like it!" Katie snapped angrily. "Something more was going on there. Something you might not know about, hell something Waller might not know about, but something has the American government scared, and I just got the feeling that it was going to take a long time for them believe anything I was telling them." Lyla shook her head before glancing back down to her phone. "What now?"
"Now we have to figure out how to get you back to the United States without causing a national crisis." Lyla replied when her phone suddenly rang. She quickly answered and Katie watched the woman closely. "Yeah, we're here. Where's our ride?" Lyla turned when she heard the distant sound of spinning propellers. Katie lifted her eyes as well at the nearing helicopter. "Yeah I see it." Lyla glanced down to her watch. "I understand." the woman ended the call before turning back to Katie.
"What's happening?" Katie asked walking over to the woman.
"Now we're going to smuggle you out of the country." Lyla replied and Katie scoffed.
"That's what you should've done in the first place!" Katie countered as the helicopter landed. "How is this happening."
"Well you're going to have some help from a friend." Lyla replied as the women turned as the door of the helicopter slid open, and off hopped a young man who had to be in his mid twenties.
"I don't know him." Katie muttered over to Lyla.
"No, but he knows you." Lyla replied as the man walked over. "You're late."
"My watch is broke." the man said holding up his watch before turning to Katie. "You must be the woman of the hour. You know you're not what I imagined when he described you to me."
"Excuse me?" Katie asked glancing over to Lyla, before turning back to the man. "Who the hell are you?"
"Friend of a friend." the man replied before holding out his hand to her. "Bruce sent me."
"Bruce?" Katie asked in confusion. "Why would he—wait, seriously who are you?"
"Well shake my hand and I'll tell you." the man replied and Katie rolled her eyes before grabbing the man's hand and giving it a firm shake. "Dick Grayson. and like I said, Bruce sent me bring you home."
There were multiple voices speaking from the hall that pulled Katie from her thoughts. She turned and walked out of the mediation room, where members of Ra's league seemed to be quickly moving, all with weapons in tow. Curiosity got the best of her, and so she followed in an effort to find out what was going on. As she walked, a familiar voice caught her ear and she turned to see Ra's throne room. When she walked over she saw Ra's speaking with Nyssa, but the moment his eyes saw her, he quickly stopped.
"What's going on?" Katie asked walking in. " Why does it look like you crazy soldiers are going off to war?" She looked between Nyssa and Ra' who didn't immediately answer.
"Don't worry yourself with business of the league." Nyssa spoke glancing over to her father before turning back to Katie. "Your loyalty is still in question, and until it's not, you are to remain dreaming of hamburgers." Nyssa once again glanced over to her father, before stalking out of the room.
"At what part of my training do you take my soul?" Katie asked watching the retreating form of the demon's daughter. She turned back to Ra's who walked over to take a seat at his throne. "No offense, but your daughter really needs a hard kick to her ass."
"You know I did hear she refused to spar with you." Ra's replied with a light chuckle. "She said she thinks she'd get to close to killing you and she probably wouldn't stop herself."
"Or she's scared I'll beat her." Katie replied with a shrug of her shoulders. "What's happening?"
"Why are you so interested?"
"Well you're the league of assassins. That many men with that many weapons, usually means someone's going to die." Katie replied. "I'm here, apparently apart of this league. I would like to know what the hell is happening around me."
"Well this being my league, my men, my weapons, you will know what I want you to know." Ra's replied simply. "My daughter was right. At the moment, the dealings of my league are none of your concern, so you will stay out of it." Katie stared at him for a moment, studying him and a smirk came to his face as he watched her. "I want to show you something." he stood to his feet and climb down the few steps, past Katie toward the door. Katie stood there for a moment, before turning to follow after the man.
Katie walked in silence down the dark halls, that were illuminated by flickering torches against the walls. She glanced over to Ra's, who kept his eyes forward, not even sparing a glance in her direction.
"Where are you taking me?" she finally decided to ask. He didn't reply, when they appeared outside of a door. The man glanced at the door for a moment, before reaching for the hand and pushing it open. Katie followed the man inside, instantly struck with how this one room seemed so out of place in this dreary fortress. Walking further inside, Katie let her eyes wander over how the light seemed to bring out the colors that were all around the room. This room had life, something she didn't expect from anything in this place."Whose room is this?"
"This was the room of my dear Minnah." Ra's mused as he glanced around the room as well. He can't even remember the last time he'd stepped foot in here, and now that he did, he was once again struck with memories of a time long forgotten. Or at least that's what he thought. Katie glanced over to the man, seeing something else she didn't expect. There was a softness in the demons eyes, making him seem momentarily unfamiliar.
"Why did you bring me here?" Katie asked and the man turned to her. "Did you think me seeing this would make me happy about being here, because it's the opposite. She left-"
"No, she ran." Ra's interrupted and Katie once again seen the darkness behind the man's eyes. "She was foolish and weak and I brought you here to show you that you will be better. I will make you better." he glanced around the room once more before turning to Katie. "Get changed, and come to the war room." he didn't wait for her reply before he was turning and stalking out of the room.
Katie stood there alone for a few more moments, glancing around the room unable to shake the feeling of her mother's presence around her. She shook off the thought before leaving room to get changed.
Oliver's eyes snapped open from yet another nightmare. Every time he closed his eyes, he hoped he'd find the fantasy that felt so real. He only found the nightmare, which happened to be memories of standing on that mountain watching Katie walk away from him before he turns and is suddenly stabbed by the demon and pushed off the cliff to his death.
Oliver grimaced as he sat up, and stood to his feet. He saw Tatsu standing near the window, and slowly walked over. She glanced over to him and sighed, before grabbing a cup and bringing it to him.
"Drink this." she spoked, and Oliver took the cup glancing inside skeptically.
"More herbs?"
"Penicillin." she replied and the man simply nodded before sipping the bitter drink. "For the infection."
"You saved my life." Oliver said looking over to the woman.
"The snow and cold helped." Tatsu replied with a light smile. "And your will to live. You should be dead." she watched as Oliver took another sip from the cup. "But I figure something had to be keeping you here." he glanced over to the woman. "It's her ,isn't it? The woman you once told me about." Oliver dropped her eyes to the cup. "She's the reason you didn't want to wake up."
"I think I was trapped." Oliver replied looking back over to Tatsu. "In this place in my head I had no desire to leave."
"Why did you?" Tatsu asked and Oliver shook his head.
"It was her. A piece of her that's always in my head telling me the things I don't want to hear, but she says them anyway." Oliver replied with a slight chuckle. "She told me that I still had work to do, that I needed to wake up and find her." the door to the cabin opened, and in walked Maseo carrying logs for the fire, he glanced over to Oliver as he sat them down.
"You're in no condition to stand." Maseo said.
"Then help me." Oliver replied, taking a slight step, the pain still coarsing through his body. Maseo took a step forward, bringing an arm around the man, before helping him to a nearby chair.
"I'm glad you stayed." Oliver replied slightly grimacing as he sits. "
"Then you'll be disappointed." Maseo replies. "When the storm passes, I'll return to Nanda Parbat."
"Maseo... If Ra's finds out that you saved me, betrayed him... He's going to kill you." Oliver warned.
"Don't waste your breath for worries on me. Your concern should be for your home, and what has become of it in your absence." Maseo replied, before turning and heading for the door.
"Wait." Oliver speaks and the man stops and looks back over to him. "Katie-"
"Katherine is dead." Maseo declares, and Oliver looks to the man in confusion. "She is Nura now. His Nura. There is no saving her." with that the man, turns and walks back out to the cold winds.
"He's wrong." Oliver speaks, turning to Tatsu. "She wouldn't-" he shakes his head, not wanting to believe that Katie could fall under the influence of the demon. "I have to get her out of there."
"That is easier said then done." Tatsu replies walking over to the seat in front of him. "Ra's Al Ghul and his league are very hard to penetrate. If he is keeping her as protected as I believe, then you'll never even get close to her."
"There has to be a way." Oliver said refusing to give up hope. "I'm not letting her spend her life in that hell."
Bruce Wayne was at an impasse. Malcolm Meryln came to his hideout, handed him a bloody sword, and every blood test he ran, gave the same results. That blood was Oliver's. He didn't want to believe it, but all the evidence was pointing to one thing. Oliver Queen was dead.
Bruce wasn't overly fond of the guy, never had been, but he respected him. Respected his dedication to his city, and his drive to fight. Plus Bruce knew Oliver's death would change so much, he didn't even know how to tell the others. Bruce knew that drawing this out was not the way to do this, so he stood to his feet about to leave, when suddenly a ringing stopped him. He walked over to one of the monitors, and saw the familiar name, before answering the video call.
"Hello Alfred." Bruce spoke, turning to the larger screen that showed the familiar aged face of his closest friend. "I'm sorry I haven't contacted you in awhile. I've been busy."
"Well I figured as much. How are you fairing with this Brick fellow?" Alfred asked, and Bruce stared in confusion unsure what the man was talking about. "You don't know?"
"Know what?"
"Danny Brickwell. The news is reporting that he just kidnapped three of the city's aldermen from city hall." Alfred replied and Bruce turned away. "Sir-"
"I guess first things first." Bruce replied turning back to Alfred. "You said his name was Danny Brickwell?" Bruce turned and began typing away.
"Yes, and he seems like a horrible fellow." Alfred replied and Bruce watched as the results began to load on the man. He clicked on the latest news report, which had a perfect image of what looked like the arsenal and the canary fighting off a couple of guys.
"What the hell?" Bruce muttered watching the blonde haired woman fighting. He instantly knew it wasn't Sara. The woman didn't move like Sara. He inched in closer to the screen trying to identify the impostor.
"Is everything alright sir?" Alfred asked, and Bruce turned to the man.
"I think I've been too distracted to see that Starling really is in need of some serious help." Bruce said with a shake of his head. "I have to go Alfred, I'll call you soon."
"Oh, sir there was something else I meant to tell you." Alfred spoke, as Bruce was already slipping on his jacket.
"Can it wait, I'm in a hurry." Bruce replied turning back to the butler who simply sighed.
"If it must." Alfred replied with a nod, before watching as Bruce hurried away.
Bruce arrived at the club, finding the group of people he'd been searching for. He slipped inside unnoticed.
"I was wrong when I said Oliver's mission was over, because it's not just Oliver's mission anymore, it is ours." Felicity said, her eyes looking between John, Roy and Laurel. "It's our home that is under attack. For all we know, Oliver could be dead and Sara certainly is. But there are people that are still alive. People who need us."
"I couldn't agree more." Bruce spoke, and all eyes turned to him. "So that case you guys were working on. How's that going?"
"Have you had any luck finding Oliver?" Felicity asked with hopeful eyes to Bruce. They figure the man had been MIA for the past couple of days because he had something. "What?"
"Right now Oliver isn't here. And because he isn't here, because the Arrow isn't here, some guy has found it in himself to try to take over this city." Bruce said taking a step forward. "Right now the focus needs to be on taking care of this city." Bruce turned his eyes back to Felicity who looked as if she wanted to cry, but she held it in, and just nodded. "First we need to find those Aldermen." Everyone simply nodded before heading for the basement.
Ra's stood up high on the second floor of the war room, staring down to magnificent sight of his Nura swiftly swinging her sword, and dodging hits from a team of four men. There was a small smile on his lips at the sight, that quickly left the moment he felt the presence behind him.
"Your boldness will forever puzzle me." Ra's spoke before standing a bit straighter and turning to the face he hadn't seen in years. "Death looks well on you old friend."
"We had a deal Ra's. One I thought we both understood. I let you have her, I let you put a fight inside of her, but that was your only job. I did not bring her here so you could try to turn her into one of your mindless murderers." Jacob said.
"Such strong words for the man whose hands are forever stained in crimson." Ra's said with a slight chuckle, before turning back to witness the fight.
"Grace would not want this." Jacob spoke and Ra's felt his blood run cold at the name.
"My sister would want to be alive right now." He grit through his teeth. "But alas, it shall never be, because you could not protect her just as I said you would not." he turned back to the man. "There was absolutely no way I was going to allow you to do the same with her child."
Jacob took a slight step forward, but stopped himself as he released a frustrated sigh and once again met the man's eyes.
"She won't ever be yours." Jacob replied with a shake of his head. "You may have been able to worm your way into those men to make them think that you're this messiah, but she will see through it. Just like Grace-"
"You will not speak that name in my presence!" Ra's snapped angrily. "Minnah Al Ghul was a fierce, and cunning warrior, and you will honor her death by referring to her by her true name." he turned back to the fight below. "Nura will remain here-"
"Until she finds out you broke the code of the league and killed Oliver." Jacob spoke, his eyes never leaving the back of the man's head. "You agreed to spare his life in exchange for her allegiance. You broke a code that you'd kill to protect." Ra's still refused to face him.
"You're not going to tell her." Ra's spoke. "You're too afraid to face the child you abandoned. Tell me Jacob, is that something you think my sister would've wanted." Jacob suddenly had the urge to grab the gun at his waist and just fill the man with so many holes, that not even the pit could bring him back. "This shall be the last time your feet step anywhere on these grounds. You will never come near her, you will never make contact with her. You are not her father. She is now a child of the demon."
"You think I came here to save her?" Jacob asked, and Ra's lifted his head turning back to the man. "C'mon Ra's you and I both know that it's only a matter of time before this blows up in your face. When she finds out you killed Oliver, you're gonna witness the Grace inside of her. That part of her mother that scared even the demon."
Ra's lifted his hand, and suddenly two of his league walked in, coming up beside Jacob.
"Remember you only live because I see fit for it to be." Ra's spoke taking steps toward the man, bringing them close. "Do not make me regret that decision. Now go, and never look back." Jacob glared into the man's eyes before turning to leave. "She would've lived if she never left with you." Jacob stopped, but didn't turn around, because those words were enough to stir a darkness inside of him that he thought he had a cap on. "I will not make that mistake with Nura. I will make sure she is fully prepared for anything...even him." Jacob refused to say another word, before he simply leaves.
Ra's lets out a sigh, before turning and walking back over to witness the fight below. He arrives in time to see Katie standing, her sword held firmly in her hands, it's sharp tip on the jugular of one of his men as the other lay unconscious on the floor. He watched her closely, her breaths fast and jagged.
"Do it!" he orders and Katie lifts her eyes to him for a moment before looking back down to the man for just a few moments, before tossing her sword to the ground. The moment she did, the man tried to jump to his feet, but Katie quickly slammed her elbow into his face knocking him unconscious. She walked into the middle of the sparring circle, the men lying motionless around her as she looks up to the demon.
"I'll take my punishment now." she said, and Ra's dark eyes bore into her for a moment before turning and disappearing out of sight.
Oliver sat in the cold cabin, his hand folded around the mug of tea Tatsu had given him. He felt her eyes on him and turned with a slight smile.
"You're afraid for her." Tatsu said and Oliver sighed with a shake of his head. "The pull of the league is strong."
"But she's stronger." Oliver replied confidently as he turned back to the woman. "She has always been the strongest person I know. She won't give into it." the door to the cab pushed open, and the pair turned to see Maseo rush in from the cold.
"The storm has passed." Maseo stated looking over to Oliver and Tatsu before walking over to grab his bags.
"Maseo, you don't have to leave. You can still have a life."
"Why do you assume I want one?" Maseo asked not even stopping as he headed for the door.
"Because I know you and this isn't who you are." Oliver replied, his eyes following the man. Oliver soon realized the reality of his argument. How he too sacrificed the life of Oliver Queen, so he could live the one he believe he was suppose to live. Oliver turned away, suddenly struck with a flash of the dream he so desperately wished he could get back to.
"I love you." he heard Tatsu declare, and Oliver turned just as the woman kissed Maseo. He turned away from the private moment, but turned back to see Maseo ease away, his head tilted as if listening to something.
"Maseo?" Oliver spoke.
"They've found you." Maseo replied turning to Oliver who stood to his feet.
Breathe in, breath out was once again a mantra Katie found herself repeating as she stood in the freezing winds outside of the fortress holding two buckets filled with water. She figured the demon was running out of ideas.
She kept her eyes closed, making sure to focus on breathing. Her focus soon shifted when she heard the sound of nearing footsteps. She opened her eyes to see a figure in the distance, walking toward her. It wasn't until he was just a few feet away, could she tell who he was. He stopped in front of her, glancing between the two buckets she held, before turning back to meet her eyes that were on the bleeding scar on his neck.
"What the hell happened to you?" she asked turning to meet his eyes as well. The man had only opened his mouth before he looked up to see Nyssa step from the fortress.
"Sarab, my father will see you now." the woman said, and Maseo didn't waste a moment before he was heading inside. "My father also has said that you can retire to your quarters for the night." Katie dropped the buckets and turned to Nyssa.
"How generous of him." Katie deadpanned walking around the woman back inside.
Katie walked into her room, and headed straight for the bathroom, only to stop when a familiar smell sifted passed her nose. She turned to see there sitting on the table near the window, a bag from Big Belly Burger. She cautiously walked over to the bag, peeking inside, only to be hit with the heavenly smell before she reached inside and grabbed the burger. She unwrapped the burger, that was now lukewarm, before taking a huge bite.
"Oh my god." she moaned in pleasure before embarrassingly, practically inhaling the burger. It was gone before she knew it, and so she started on the fries which didn't take long to eat. She somehow ended up sitting on the floor sucking the coke from her straw when her door opened. She looked up to see Nyssa looking down to her with a shake of her head. "Thank you." The demon's daughter just gave a nod before turning and leaving the room.
Nyssa walked down the dim lit halls. She wasn't quite sure why she even did it. She remembers the nights Sara would talk about the place, and it's burgers and how she desperately wanted one as well. Nyssa thought that maybe it was a sign from her beloved to try to give the woman, her cousin, an actual chance. Nyssa had been lost in her thoughts until she reached the throne room where she heard Sarab speaking with his father.
"...found him held up in a cabin, and when I confronted him, he attacked before running off." Sarab recounted. "The storm was too heavy, and hid his tracks."
"Oliver is alive?" Nyssa asked finally making her presence known. She glanced over to her father with wide eyes. "How is this-" she shook her head. "We must find him, and end him." Ra's remained silent, and Nyssa stalked toward him. "Father!" the man simply held up up hand, and Nyssa dropped her head.
"Thank you Sarab." Ra's spoke turning back to the man. "Check in with our man in Starling on the status of Mr. Merlyn." Sarab simply nodded before turning and leaving the pair.
"Father-"
"Where is Nura?" Ra's asked and Nyssa let out a low sigh.
"I sent her back to her room. I didn't want her to overhear the fact that Oliver Queen could still be alive, when he was never supposed to be killed in the first place." Nyssa replied as she moved in closer to her father. "Father, all your plans banked on Oliver staying dead."
"And now he is not." Ra's replied turning back to his daughter. "I think I may have underestimated Mr. Queen." Nyssa simply stared at her father, before watching him walk over to the window, and look out. She didn't know what else to say, and so she turned and left.
Katie's nights in this cold, dark fortress usually began sitting by the window, and looking up the moon. Her thoughts were usually of Oliver. She actually expected him to try and save her by now, but maybe he realized that her getting out of here was impossible. She didn't know if she liked that fact or if she was actually a bit disappointed by it. There was a light knock at her door, and Katie turned with a quirked brow before standing to her feet and walking over.
When she opened her door, she found that there was no one standing there. She glanced down both ends of the hall, before looking down to the floor and noticing an envelope. Katie reached down, picking up the note before kicking her door closed and walking back inside to sit on her bed. She tore open the envelope, opening it wide before seeing a familiar diamond engagement ring. She picked it up, her eyes widened at the blood around the band. And just like that Katie seemed to remember who she was, and the place she now found herself. Katie gripped the ring in her hand, trying not to imagine the horrible possibilities this bloody ring symbolized. She jumped to her feet, because she knew there was one person who knew the truth.
Katie stormed down the hall, each step heavy and with purpose. She didn't stop until she walked into the throne room, where she found Ra's alone, standing near the window.
He must've heard the heavy breaths through her nose, or maybe he could just feel the anger radiating from her, but the moment he turned and looked at her, he just knew.
"Where is Oliver?" Katie asked taking another step forward.
"You should return to your quarters Nura." Ra's said dismissively, and Katie let out another heavy breath before taking another step forward.
"Tell me where he is!" Katie demanded, something that never happened to the man standing in front of her. Ra's quirked a brow, before closing the distance between them, now towering over her.
"You will learn your place here!" Ra's ordered dropping his head, so his face was just inches away from hers before wrapping his hand around her throat. "Blood or not, you will respect me as the person who is and shall always be the sole reason air makes it to your lungs."
Katie's glared was hard, as she tried not to think of the hand around her throat slowing the oxygen to her lungs.
"If you killed him, then you should kill me right now." she spoke as his grasp around her throat tightened. With a quick jerk, the demon pushed the woman so forcefully that she fell to the ground. She brought her hand to her throbbing neck and she lifted her eyes to meet his.
"Oliver Queen is alive." Ra's declared and Katie kept an eye on him, looking for any indication that the words he spoke were a lie. "But it no longer matters, because you are no longer Katherine Robins, and it's time you realize that." Ra's lifted his head, as two of his men appeared. "I was hoping that this would happen naturally, but I see that you're going to need a little push." He gave a slight nod, and before Katie knew what was happening, the men each grabbed one of her arms, and began pulling her out the door. "The next time I see you, I'm sure you'll understand how things will work now."
Katie didn't say anything. She couldn't say anything. She made a deal, and there was no breaking it now. And so she let herself be pulled to a place unknown. Katherine Robins was scared. Her only solace came from the ring gripped tightly in her fist that she promises herself never to let go.
Author's note:
Ah, don't hate me for the long wait. Real life really tinkers me out sometimes, but no excuses. This chapter was very interesting to write. Especially Katie slowly becoming comfortable in the life as member of the league, but in the blink of an eye, or should I say a sparkle of a diamond, and Katherine Robins finds her way back to the surface.
Oh, and this chapter also held a very...very important hint for the possible fourth story in this saga. Here's a hint, there was a reference to our next big villain.
Review Replies:
Adela: I'm glad you liked the chapter! Oliver is getting better, and we're gonna see just how determined he is in the next chapter, and just how far he's willing to go to get to Katie.
rockyroyal,dr: Oh Bruce's billionaire tantrum was a very hilarious scene. And Swayne! I love that. I think I might steal it for the story lol. Bruce and Felicity are adorable. They really do try to hide their feelings for each other sometimes, but other times they are just so blatant and don't even care. At some point one of them is going to have to realize this...next chapter, you'll find out who. Felicity is the voice of reason, one of the strongest members on the team and doesn't even have to break a sweat. I agree, she does know lying risks division in their family, which I think she knows is probably gonna happen. Katie is not going to be a happy camper when the truth is revealed which is going to happening soon... A lot of readers were asking about when Oliver and Katie were finally going to get married, and when would Katie have a baby, and I think Oliver's dream was sort of my little gift to you guys. It was very sweet and even I wished it were real, but a fantasy like that can't be given, it has to be earned and Oliver awakened to do just that.
Guest: I read your review and was like, "Crap, I should probably post a new chap" lol sorry for the wait!
And we're moving right along. Thanks for the love, and once again I'm sorry for slacking on my author duties, I'll do better, I promise. Thanks for all those who have added this story to your fav/follow lists, you're brave souls. And special shout outs to my lovely readers who leave such wonderful reviews. I really appreciate them, and love reading them so please keep them coming.
And now for your sneak peak into the next chapter...
Felicity shook her head, turning away from him.
"This big plan, the one where the bad guys and the good guys work together against a common enemy, the problem is, it takes time. She doesn't have time. She can't stay there with those people and expect to come out the other end still our Twinkie."
"She's right." A voice spoke suddenly, and Bruce quickly brought an arm around Felicity, pulling her behind him. Both turned to see someone neither expected to see tonight or any other night. "Bruce, Ms Smoak."
"That's-" Felicity pointed a finger to the man she'd believe was dead. "That's-" she turned to Bruce, still unable to vocalize the craziness suddenly in her head.
"This is a surprise Jacob." Bruce spoke, still with a protective arm around Felicity. "I'm usually talking to your errand boy."
"I thought this is something I should do personally." Jacob replied walking past the pair toward the club. Felicity and Bruce shared a look before turning to follow after the man.