CHAPTER 19
MAD LOVE
"There is always some madness in love.
But there is also always some reason in madness."
-Friedrich Nietzsche
There's a point in every person's life where they just say, "Fuck it." That moment was right now for Katie. The moment Bruce got the cuffs off of her, she didn't care about Richard Grayson, or this ridiculous favor from Bruce. The only thing she cared about was getting to Nanda Parbat to make sure Oliver was alright.
"Robins wait!" Bruce called after the woman before she could hurry out the door.
"I can't wait!" Katie snapped turning back to the man. "Oliver and John are already way ahead of me, which means I'll probably be too late if I leave right now, but I'm going."
"And then what?" Bruce asked. "You think Ra's is going to listen to you. I assumed he made it very clear that you no longer have any association with the league no matter whose blood is in your veins."
"I don't give a shit. He's planning something, and-"
"And you back there could be it. Look I know you're afraid for Oliver, but he's just as capable of getting away from the demon as you are." Bruce said and Katie shook her head. "Robins, you can't actually be thinking about going back there. You've gotten out twice, are you really willing to risk it."
"For him, I am." Katie said before storming for the door.
"Robins wait!" Bruce called and Katie turned a glare to him. "Look I get you have your own issues, but I was serious." he looked over to Dick who seemed to be snooping around the living room as if no one were watching him. "I need him to stay in Starling for a while."
"Why exactly?"
"I was helping." Dick replied turning to the pair. "This guy decided to take an extended vacation and I guess he assumed Gotham didn't need the Batman. Well it did, and so I decided to do something about it."
"What? Did he go out as the Batman?" Katie asked turning to Bruce.
"No, he and Alfred have been very busy since I've been gone." Bruce said rubbing his eyes. "He calls himself Robin." Katie turned back to Dick who stood with a proud smile.
"I should be flattered I think, but I'm not." Katie said, and the smile fell from the man's face. "Do you know what you're doing?"
"Protecting my city."
"Oh my gosh, he's already doing the "my city" thing." Katie said turning back to Bruce. "How bad is it?"
"He was able to intercept an attempted jewelry heist , but the perps were able to tag him."
"Yeah, but I realized I was being tracked and ditched the tracker before they could lead to me." Dick countered to Bruce's annoyance.
"But they were still close. If they were somehow able to link you to Robin-"
"They won't!"
"I know they won't because you'll be here." Bruce said before turning to Katie. "It's just for a while, until I find these guys and figure out what they know."
"They don't know anything."
"You say one more word, and I'm going to get that gun." Bruce commented before turning back to Katie. "What do you say?"
"Bruce right now I don't care. I care about making sure Oliver is ok. So if-" she looked over to Dick who just stood there. "Do not get in my way. You're a part of this team, only if the team wants you." she turned back to Bruce. "He doesn't stay here. Find him a place to live." she opened the door.
"So what, you're just going to Nanda Parbat?"
"No first I'm going to visit with the bitch in the box." Katie said as she finally left.
"She's still the same." Dick said and Bruce turned to him. "so while you're here, you gonna go check on the smoking Ms. Smoak?"
"You know what-" Bruce took a step toward the man, but stopped himself. "Richie, just stay here, I'm going to call you when your place is ready." Bruce turned to leave.
"So you're really just shipping me off to Starling, like some unwanted orphan?" Dick asked and Bruce turned to him with a shake of his head.
"You still don't understand why what you did was so stupid. You put everything at risk."
"You were gone, and Gotham still needed protection."
"Then call the police!" Bruce snapped angrily. "You're not a vigilante or a hero, you're just a guy. You will remain just a guy, because that's what your parents would've wanted."
"Did you really just play the dead parents card, you bastard?"
"Just wait for my call and don't do anything that will cause Robins to kill you." Bruce sighed before turning and leaving.
Richard Grayson stood in the middle of the empty loft and just sighed. He decided that he might as well start snooping. His search found him outside of the only locked door in the place, his eyes looking to the very fancy lock.
"Challenge accepted." he muttered.
The lair was quiet, somber even. It's how it always was when one of them ventured off to Nanda Parbat. Felicity decided to try to take her mind off the craziness of her friends by going to work, leaving Nyssa locked in her cage alone.
The moment Katie walked into the club, she spotted Thea sitting at the bar. The moment the young woman saw her, she jumped from her seat.
"Twinkie, what are you-" Thea started but Katie held up her hands to stop her.
"Thea, right now, I'm seriously not in the mood for this. I'm going downstairs and I'm going to make Nyssa tell me what the hell is going on." Katie said trying to side step the woman, only for Thea to step as well to block her.
"This isn't Nyssa. This is Oliver trying to save everyone, even the people who don't deserve it. Malcolm made his bed and now he's going to lie in it." Thea replied and Katie looked at her with a quirked brow.
"Thea, Ra's Al Ghul tried to kill your brother. Tried being the optimal word. The demon doesn't fail, and your brother walking into that fortress is the embodiment of failure."
"Well if he didn't-"
"Your brother knows this, he's aware of the risks he's taking by going there, and he's willing to take it to save the most precious thing he holds dear. Oliver is surrounded by darkness Thea, and you were that light in his life, that untainted thing that gave him hope for the world. And then you had Malcolm captured to be killed."
"It's not like he doesn't deserve it." Thea countered defiantly.
"Whether he deserves it or not was never the question Thea." Katie replied with a shake of her head. "It's whether it's was up to you and Laurel to make it happen. Why do you think your brother captures bad guys and hands them off to Lance?" Thea just shook her head with a look of annoyance it seemed. "It's because he learned that death isn't his to give and it's not yours or Ra's. We're surrounded by death everyday, there's no need to add to it." she once again tried to walk around Thea, but this time Thea caught the woman's arm.
"I just wanted this to be over. Once Oliver goes to Nanda Parbat and realizes he can't undo this, he's gonna come back here, release Nyssa and this will be over. I won't let you mess that up." Thea stated with a very serious look in her eyes that reminded Katie of Oliver in that moment.
"I'm sorry Thea." Katie said and Thea's brow quirked in confusion.
"For what?" the woman asked and before she knew it, Katie had grabbed her arm, twisting it slightly, before sliding a foot underneath Thea's legs, knocking her on her butt. With a glare, Thea made to stand up, but Katie took a step forward.
"Stay down Thea, because even though I love you to death, if you push me, I will push back." Katie said before climbing over the woman and heading for the basement.
Down in the lair, Nyssa sat alone in her cage, her eyes closed, unfazed by her situation.
"I was wondering when you would return." Nyssa spoke as Katie walked over and simply dropped to the floor in front of the cage.
"I am fully prepared to break every bone in your body, and leave you alive enough to feel every bit of it." Katie stated, her gaze fixed on her cousin. "Why did you let yourself be caught?"
"Maybe your beloved is just predictable." Nyssa replied with a light chuckle. "His death has always been tied to that of Malcolm's for taking my Sara."
"Except despite what you believe, your father could care less about avenging Sara's death." Katie replied dropping her face to her hands, letting out a sigh. "Malcolm betrayed League law, killing him I understand, but Oliver was always a chess piece to him. Used to get something he wants." she looks back up to Nyssa. "He doesn't want me to come back, because he realizes I'd probably cause more trouble then I'm worth."
"It doesn't matter Nura, because in the end Malcolm will face death, and if there is true justice in the world, so will Oliver." Nyssa replied with a smile. "It's over."
"At some point we have to wonder if enough blood has been spilled." Katie replied before standing to her feet.
"Our hands are too stained with blood to even care." Nyssa replied and Katie just nodded.
"Maybe you're right." Katie replied staring down to the woman. "Just so you know, if your father kills Oliver, you're going back to Nanda Parbat in pieces, and there are absolutely no hidden meanings behind that." with that Katie stalked toward the stairs, and jogged back up to the club. The moment she did, she was immediately hit with the sight of Laurel and Roy now talking with Thea. They're eyes went to Katie, before Thea seemed to stalk past her. Katie caught her arm before she could get out of reach.
"You are not going down there with that woman." Katie ordered and Thea jerked from her grasp. "You have no idea who that woman is-"
"Nyssa isn't the problem Katie." Laurel spoke and Katie turned to her. "Malcolm killed my sister, and turning him over to the league is our way of getting justice."
"You're delusional if you think justice will be the product of all of this." Katie said, turning as Thea rushed toward the basement. "Thea Queen-" it would seem that Katie's words were falling on deaf ears.
"I don't understand why you and Oliver are so against a murderer getting what he deserves." Laurel said and Katie let out a heavy sigh as she turned back to the woman. "When this is finally over both of you will be singing a different tune, just wait and see."
"When this is over-" Katie breathed in disbelief as she shook her head before stalking toward the woman, only for Roy to take a step in front of her.
"Yeah, you have that look in your eyes like you want to hit someone." Roy said trying to keep the women separated.
"You're a lawyer Laurel." Katie spoke, looking over to the woman. "The fact that those words just came out of your mouth should make you reevaluate your entire life." with that Katie moved around the woman, heading for the door.
"Very hypocritical words coming from the doctor." Laurel spat, and Katie stopped right as she was about to push out the door.
"You couldn't just let it go." Roy muttered looking over Laurel with a shake of his head.
"No, she and Oliver act so high and mighty, but they know if they were in the same situation, that they would've done the same thing." Laurel spoke her glare turning to Katie. "You know I really see how perfect you two are for each other. Thinking you know what's best for everyone, thinking everything should be done your way." Katie once again turned to the woman. "The doctor who saves lives during the day, and takes them at night. I'm not the only one who should reevaluate their life."
Katie didn't say anything. There were way too many emotions ravaging her insides, too many words that she felt should be said, and yet none of them passed her lips.
"The doctor that saves lives during the day and then takes them at night." Katie muttered turning away from their eyes. She looked back over to Laurel and let out a slight chuckle. "That's a good one." she glanced over to Roy. "I don't want Thea down there with that woman alone. Go, make sure her guilty conscious isn't driving her to do something stupid like release her." Katie turned back to Laurel. "I hope you find peace in this decision Laurel." and with that, Katie turns and finally leaves.
"She's such a hypocrite." Laurel says turning back to Roy.
"Did you know that she once thought Malcolm killed her father?" Roy asked and Laurel shook her head clearly surprised. "There was lots of evidence pointed at Merlyn, and then we found out that he didn't die after the undertaking, and the first time she saw him, she kidnapped him. Tied him in a room and tortured him as she questioned him."
"The difference, I know Malcolm was the cause of my sister's death." Laurel countered.
"Yeah and instead of handling it yourself, you pulled Ra's Al Ghul and the League of Assassins into this." Roy said with a shake of his head. "If you wanted to hurt Malcolm, then you should've been the one to do it. Now we're just getting deeper and deeper in shit." Roy huffed before turning and heading down to the lair to check on Thea.
Oliver Queen found himself in a situation he did not plan for. He clearly underestimated the League and now he and John were trapped in a room, chained to the floor.
"She's never gonna let me live this down." Oliver muttered to himself, still trying to pull at the chains.
"You know at the moment, I wouldn't mind a magically appearing Twinkie here to save the day." John said glancing around the room.
"You know she actually asked me what I would do when I get caged in a room and chained to the floor." Oliver said turning to his friend. "Freaky how on the nose that statement was considering."
"What did you tell her?"
"I told her I would get out of the cage and the chains and come back to her." Oliver replied turning back to pull at the chains. "I'm still not sure how that happens. I'm sorry Dig, I shouldn't have let you come."
"That wasn't up to you." John replied and Oliver sighed as he turned back to his friend.
"You don't understand."
"I think I do." John replied. "You forget I know you sometimes better than you know yourself."
"Maybe you could have told me I wasn't doing this for Thea before we left." Oliver sighed looking back down to the chains.
"You are doing this for Thea." John said and Oliver glanced over to him, and the man simply nodded. "But yeah you're right."
"You know, every time I close my eyes, all that I can see, all that I can hear, feel is... just the fall." Oliver said, still finding it hard to go back to that memory. "The woman I loved just sacrificed herself for me, and that bastard had the nerve to dig the knife deeper and try to keep us apart forever by killing me." he looked back over to John with a shake of his head.
"This is you proving that you could've won that fight." John said and Oliver hated hearing the truth out loud. "That makes sense."
"No. It's egotistical and insane."
"So is putting on a mask and jumping off rooftops, Oliver." John replied meeting Oliver's eyes. "To do that, you have to be in a certain mindset. Every soldier on the battlefield, man, has to believe he's coming home. Otherwise, he's paralyzed." Oliver turned and just nodded, because he knew the words were true. "Ra's got in your head, and he got in her head, and I think right now that is your biggest motivation for being here."
"He can't hurt her anymore if he's gone." Oliver stated plainly still not meeting John's eyes.
"Oliver Queen still trying to save the damsel who isn't quite a damsel." John said with a slight chuckle and Oliver looked over to him with a small smile.
"What was the favor you were gonna ask me?" Oliver asked John just shook his head as he glanced around the room they were trapped in.
"I don't think now is the right time."
"Well we're not dead yet, so now may be the only time." Oliver replied only half joking.
John let out a sigh, really not liking to have this conversation in this moment, but he figured Oliver was right."I always assumed if I ever got married again that Andy would be by my side. When I lost my brother... I never thought I'd get another one." John just shook his head as he glanced around the room still not quite believing their current situation. "So pretending for a moment that we aren't two dead men chained to the floor..." he turned back to Oliver with a slight smile. "How would you feel about being my best man?" Oliver smiled widely with a shake of his head. "What?"
"No, you just beat me to it." Oliver said. "I planned on asking you that same question."
"Well I'm down if you are." John said and Oliver just nodded.
"I'd be honored." Oliver replied, making a silent promise to himself to make sure they both got out of here to keep their promises. He glanced around for a moment, and John noticed the sudden nervousness.
"What's up?"
"No, I just realized the longer we're here, the more likely that we'll see a magically appearing Twinkie." Oliver said before once again pulling at his chains.
When Bruce stepped on his plane, he definitely didn't expect to see a pacing Katie. The moment she saw him, she instantly stopped.
"We're going to Nanda Parbat to save Oliver." She said and Bruce just stared at her. "I would've just taken the plane, but apparently you told your pilots I'm not allowed to just steal your plane anymore." she pointed to the cockpit. "Can you just let them know of the change in destination."
"No." Bruce said simply. "This plane is scheduled to be back in Gotham, and that's where it's going to be."
"Bruce, Oliver-"
"Oliver is a man who has proven time and time again that he can usually get himself out of situations he gets himself in." Bruce says taking a step toward the woman. "At some point you gotta realize that he doesn't always need to be saved." Katie stared long and hard for the man, before turning away.
"On that mountain-"
"You were scared." Bruce said and Katie couldn't even begin to refute him because it was true. "You acted in fear. Apparently that's what love does." Bruce said and Katie turned back to him. "Oliver is actually pretty good at this hero thing."
"I know." Katie says before dropping into one of the seats and burying her face in her palms. "Ra's is unpredictable, and I don't like unpredictability when it comes to Oliver and John's life."
"What are you really afraid of, Robins?" Bruce finally asked and Katie turned meeting his eyes.
"You don't say your fears out loud Bruce." Katie says before once again standing to her feet. "You bury them inside of yourself until they die."
"Or until they kill you."
"Which ever comes first." Katie says before heading for the plane's exit.
"Robins-"
"He gets a day." Katie says stopping and turning back to Bruce. "A day and then I'm going to get them." she once again turns, but stops. "I'm forgetting something."
"Would it by chance the meeting that you and Palmer Tech set up?" Bruce asked and Katie's eyes went wide as she turned back to him. "You told the press it was set for next week when in fact it's set for-"
"Tomorrow." Katie said, but shakes her head when she realizes what time it is. "No, today." she meets Bruce's eyes. "How do you know this? I was supposed to talk to Lucius, but I forgot and-"
"And we still get informed one way or the other." Bruce replied. "Lucius will be at the meeting, I will not."
"Why not?"
Bruce drops his head at the question. Before this day he fully prepared to be present at the meeting, and the celebration party after, but then he decided to listen to Richard and stop by Palmer Tech to see Felicity. He doesn't know why he goes there, and he regrets the decision even more the moment he steps off the elevator and is witnessed to the scene of Felicity and Ray kissing. It was that moment Bruce knew he truly lost her, and he couldn't be angry with anyone but himself for the fact.
"I just think my time here in Starling has come to an end." Bruce replied looking back up to the woman's eyes. "Richard maybe an idiot sometimes, but he was right. Gotham still needs the Batman."
"But what does Bruce need?"
"I can't have what I need, and I'm finally accepting that." Bruce said and Katie let out a sigh. "Hey, if Oliver and John aren't back in your twenty four hour window, call me. If you're going back there, then I'm coming to make sure you actually get out this time."
"Will do." Katie replied before turning and finally stepping off the Katie arrived back to her apartment, she stepped inside and just felt sick to her stomach. Everything inside of her was telling her to run, and not walk to find Oliver. It was strange how every thing inside of her was pulling her to him. She hated not being able to know what was happening with him, but she knew Bruce was right. She had to trust in Oliver's ability to get out of tough situations, just like she wanted him to do the same with her, but in this moment she thinks she can feel just how hard that is for Oliver. How sitting and doing nothing seems to be the hardest thing in the world.
Katie was torn from her thoughts when she heard the sound of movement from somewhere in the apartment. She let out a sigh because she fears with everything that's happened today, she just may kill the next person that annoys her. She walked further inside, heading down the hall and noticing that the door to the room she always keeps locked is now wide open. The moment she stepped inside, she instantly felt the need to be armed.
"Oh, hey!" Richard said from his spot where he sat behind her desk currently reading her mother's journal. "You're home late." he glanced down to his watch. "You hungry? I'm hungry." he glanced back up to the woman. "How's the pizza here?" Katie just stared at him for a moment before she simply turned and walked away. "Are you going to find a gun?!" there was no response, and so the man quickly jumped to his feet to go after the woman in case she was. When he found her, she sat on the edge of her bed, her face in her palms. "What's wrong?"
"Why are you here, Richard?" Katie asked looking back up to the man. "Didn't Bruce get you your own place? I'm seriously not in the mood for your care free attitude. Not right now."
"So I'm guessing you're not trekking to the league of demons?"
"League of Assassins and no I'm not going because I'm suppose to trust that Oliver can take care of himself."
"Do you really believe that?" the man asked and Katie just stood to her feet and pulled out of her jacket.
"I actually do, I know how good Oliver is." Katie stopped and just shook her head. "I also know just how evil Ra's is, and I don't even want to give him a chance to get to him." she met Richard's eyes, the man was simply looking at her, letting her vent her frustrations. "Why am I talking to you? Get out of my house."
"I can't. Apparently my place won't be ready until tonight, so Bruce just told me to hang here."
"That was not the agreement. You're supposed to be a ghost, I'm not even supposed to know you're here right now." Katie scoffed with a shake of her head. "I don't have time to babysit you right now."
"Fine, I'll just chill in the guest room, you won't know I'm here." Richard said backing out of the room. "But if you want to know my opinion-"
"I will shoot you if you give me your opinion." Katie stated and the man just rose his hands in surrender before finally leaving the room. Katie stalked over and slammed the door closed before walking back to sit on the bed. Her eyes drifted down to the ring on her finger, and she suddenly had the undeniable urge to cry. "You better come back to me you idiot."
Katie was once again placed on a plane, and then pushed into a van, her hands and ankles cuffed. She tried to plead her case to everyone she came in contact with, but it was as if she were talking to the air. No one told her anything about where she was going, or what was going to happen to her.
She knew she was in very strange territory as she glanced out the window to see swamps, and large bugs flying around.
"Why am I in Louisiana?!" she snapped looking to the armed guard sitting across from her. "You son of a bitch, I promise you, you're gonna regret this."
"You still have that right to remain silent." the guard replied unfazed by the woman across from him.
"Actually, since I haven't even been read any rights, I think I'm going to yell, scream and shout until my heart's content. I didn't do anything wrong."
"You're singing the tune of every one whose been in that seat before. Everyone's innocent. Everyone's been framed." the guard said with a slight chuckle. "One guy actually said it was impossible for him to have murdered those people because he was abducted by aliens that week." Suddenly the van came to a stop and the guard let out a sigh of relief. "Finally." the doors to the van opened, and Katie turned to see more armed guards.
"Well hello there sweetness." one of the guards said with a smile that made Katie's stomach churn. "My name is Captain Griggs, I am now your Messiah, your beginning and your end. I tell you to jump, if the words "how high" don't come out of your mouth, I make sure no word comes out of your mouth." the man glanced over to the guard still sitting on the van, before giving him a nod. The guard stood to his feet, his gun once again aimed at Katie. "This is the part where I ask if you have any questions, but seeing as I could give a flying fuck about your questions, I'm going to tell you to stand to your feet slowly, and step out of the van." Katie glared at the man unmoving. "Oh sweetheart, if I have to move you, one of us is going to get a happy ending, trust me." Katie let out a low growl, before slowly standing to her feet and walking over to step out of the van.
Her eyes went up to the gray sky, instantly struck with an odd smell that seemed to be in the air. She glanced around before being pushed to walk.
"Move it inmate." Griggs ordered and Katie's eyes looked forward to the dark, ominous building. "Welcome to your new home sweetness." Katie's eyes lifted to the name on top of the building before glancing over to the man.
"What the hell is Belle Reve?"
"This is hell sweetness." Griggs said with a smile, and Katie turned back to the building with a snort. "What?"
"I've been to hell, and this doesn't even compare."
"Hey, don't put the cart before the horse now." Griggs said as they entered the building. "This may not be hell, but I'm the devil." he moved to stand in front of her. "And if you're smart, you'll keep the devil happy."
Katie didn't know she had fallen asleep until she heard the sound of knocking on her door. She sat up from her bed, glancing around the sun filled room. She ran a hand over her face, suddenly remembering the events of the previous night. And instantly feeling the pain of still not knowing if Oliver was alright. She would still give him a couple of hours, probably after the contract signing before she finally would go to Nanda Parbat to find out what was going on for herself.
Katie suddenly remembered the knocking and stood to her feet
She headed down the hall, only stopping the moment she saw the door opened and there standing was a very stunned Felicity Smoak staring to a wild hair, bare chested Richard Grayson.
"Why is there a half naked man opening your door?" Felicity asked finally tearing her eyes from the man before turning to Katie. She turned back to the man who simply yawned before turning and collapsing on the couch, where it seemed he'd been all night. "Who is he?"
"Why give names to the dead?" Katie said with a shrug turning a glare to the man. "Why are you still here?"
"Because the bastard told me to wait for the call when my place was ready, and that call never came!" Richard called, never even opening his eyes. "Until it has , I have no where else to go and you owe me."
"I owe you!" Katie snapped taking a very dangerous step forward, but she stopped herself. "You little prick, I owe you absolutely nothing and the only reason you're here is because I didn't have the patience to argue with Bruce-"
"What?" Felicity spoke once again. She hadn't heard anything from Bruce in weeks, and a part of her was a bit worried. "Bruce was here?"
"Felicity, this buffoon is Richard Grayson." Katie said and Felicity's eyes went wide before turning to the man. "He's-"
"I know who he is." Felicity replied. "Bruce told me about him. The young man he took in after his parents died." she turned back to Katie.
"Yeah, well Richard got into a bit of trouble-"
"No, Richard was doing a job." Richard replied lifting his head to the woman. "A job the city needed, and Bruce was just jealous that his city truly doesn't need him the way he thinks."
"Richard wanted to play vigilante and Bruce seems to think he may have blown his cover, so he brought him here until he can find out." Katie replied turning to Felicity who dropped her head slightly. "What?"
"Nothing." Felicity said looking to the woman with a slight shake of her head. "I just—he was here and I didn't even know."
"And here I was thinking he wasn't a coward." Richard says standing to his feet and stretching his tired muscles. "I was sure he would stop into Palmer Tech and-"
"How did you know I was at Palmer Tech last night?" Felicity asked and Richard turned to her and the woman's eyes went wide.
"Felicity what's wrong?" Katie asked and Felicity simply turned and shook her head. She couldn't even fathom the idea of Bruce showing up to Palmer Tech and witnessing her and Ray kissing. She turned away, because even she can hardly explain the emotions that took over her that caused her to kiss him, and to go home with him last night.
"Nothing, I just stopped by to see how you were doing." Felicity said pulling a smile to her face. "Maybe this signing shouldn't happen tonight."
"It should." Katie spoke with a nod. She let out a deep breath, as she gave another nod. "I have to trust in Oliver and John. They are very capable men and they will come home." Katie looked back over to Felicity who seemed a bit surprised those words just came from Katie's mouth. "Is everything set for today?"
"Uh, yeah, everything is going according to schedule. Operation Palmer Robins merger is going great." Felicity replied with a slight smile, still studying Katie's features. "We're successfully keeping this out of public eye which everyone wanted."
"Great." Katie said with a no. "I actually have to meet with Lucius before the meeting, so I'm going to shower and get dressed." without another word, Katie turned and headed back to her bedroom, closing the door behind her.
"That I didn't expect." Felicity muttered before looking over to the man who now stood staring out the window. "How long are you going to be here?"
"Not long. Once Bruce realizes that I'm actually good at this hero thing, he's going to come crawling back and begging for me to be his partner." Richard replied with a slight chuckle.
"Well the Bruce Wayne I know would rather die then admit to actually having feelings." Felicity said with a shake of her head.
"Well yeah, he's a bit emotionally damaged, but it doesn't mean he doesn't feel. I mean I know he cares more about you then he's ready to admit." Richard said with a slight smile. "I mean I think I should thank you, because since he's been so wrapped up in you, he hasn't been bugging me much about working at Wayne Enterprises."
"Yeah, well it means nothing if he's too scared to do anything about it. I mean I can't stop my life waiting for Bruce to finally grow a pair. I have to live my life and I have to-"
"Hey, hey." Richard said holding up his hands to stop the woman's rambling. "It is way too early for your caffeinated regurgitation of words right now." he lifted his head before heading for the kitchen to get coffee. Felicity stood there for a moment before heading over, and walking out onto the balcony to look out to the city. She let out a shaky breath as Bruce suddenly seemed to fill her thoughts, and after last night for some reason she couldn't help but feel guilty, as if it were her that betrayed him. That was a crazy thought because she wasn't the one running away from them. And because of that she thinks she will give this thing with Ray a chance. She's not sure what will happen, but she has to at least see where this goes.
A couple of years back, Lucius Fox was in the basement. Underneath Wayne Enterprises where he worked on projects he was positive would never go anywhere. His position was just to stay busy and out of the way. That was until the young prince of Gotham returned home and changed his life forever. Now Lucius found himself tangled up in a secret he's not even completely sure he understands, but he keeps it, because even though he doesn't understand, a part of him believes in the mission of one Bruce Wayne.
Lucius didn't know the complete truth of the man Bruce truly was, no words were ever spoken. Just agreed upon perceptions that were never denied or accepted. Lucius was alright with that because despite what people believed, ever since the reappearance of Bruce Wayne, and the appearance of the man who dresses up as a bat to stop the criminals of Gotham, his city has found a new sense of strength.
Today though, Lucius found himself in yet another situation he did not expect. He sat at a desk in the booming building of Robins Incorporated watching as one Katherine Robins paced back and forth in front of him, mindlessly fiddling with the ring on a very important finger that she had yet to mention.
"You know I met your father once." Lucius spoke breaking the silence. Katie glanced over to him, as if forgetting he was even there. "Just once, but we had a long conversation." Katie turned away, never breaking the stride in her pace.
"Did he regale you of stories of crushing his business competitors, of doubling his profits in the last quarter?" Katie asked sarcastically. "No, I bet he told you about his dream of one day making the world a better place."
"No, actually he was regaling me with the story of his daughter who was giving him the silent treatment because he grounded her after she was detained by the police for igniting fireworks past curfew." Lucius chuckled at the memory. "You know he actually told me that you poured maple syrup in his suit case that he didn't discover until he reached his hotel in Gotham. I've never seen a man laugh so hard." Lucius glanced over to the woman who slowed a bit, before just stopping. "He said that he couldn't even be upset with you, because he'd done something similar to his dad when he was younger. He said he figured it was just karma."
"I'd never been grounded before." Katie said walking over to finally sit. "I told him that it wasn't my fault, I threw Oliver under the bus that one time, but it didn't matter because my dad wasn't hearing any of it." a smile came to her lips before she glanced over to the man. "I remember that trip to Gotham, and I remember the maple syrup. I also remember the morning he returned I was awaken by maple syrup being poured onto my face." she shook her head. "I laughed, and then everything was alright again." the smile faded because she remembered where she was now, learning the truth about her father and how she isn't sure anything could make it alright. She once again began fiddling with her engagement ring.
"He loved you more than anything in this world."
"I wish that was true." Katie said lifting her eyes back to the man. "My father felt a lot of things, but I can't say it was love." she once again stood to her feet and began pacing.
"He left you the one thing he holds dear. This company-"
"I screwed up, which is why you're here. Why Bruce found the need to take the reigns, and I'm not even upset about it anymore."
"What if the reigns were given back?" Lucius said and Katie glanced over to him with a quirked brow. "What if you were the sole controlling power of this company again?" she stopped and just stared at him unsure what he was saying.
"What are you talking about Lucius?"
"Bruce and I have been talking and this merger with Palmer Tech has showed a very different side to you. One I think could do wonders for this company." Lucius said standing to his feet and walking over to her.
"I'm just a doctor. My dad making me the CEO of this company may have been the stupidest thing he's ever done. This merger-"
"This merger is one of the biggest projects RI has ever embarked on. The anticipated profits, and knowledge this merger will gain is astronomical. And it's all because you had an idea that there were more things more important than trying to make money."
"Lucius, I don't know what this is, but just stop before-"
"Your father left you this company because he trusted no one else to make it succeed the way he knew you would."
"You don't know my father Lucius. This man, this...this myth everyone thinks walked on water was the furthest thing from a saint. The truth-" Katie dropped her head and let out a deep sigh before meeting the man's eyes. "I don't want anything to do with him anymore. And I think the first step to doing that is letting him go and that includes this company."
"Katie-"
"When this deal is signed, I am going to set up a meeting with both RI and WE's boards to talk about a permanent acquisition plan. One that they won't care about as long as they all get even richer."
"Will that make it go away. The pain you're feeling, the fear you're trying to hide."
"I'm not afraid of anything."
"No, you're just afraid of everything." Lucius said with a shake of his head before glancing down to his watch. "We should be heading over to Palmer Tech." he didn't wait for her to say anything before he walked around her out the door. Katie stood there for a couple of moment trying her best to not just fall apart. She couldn't afford that today. Today she needed to sign a contract and then shake a couple of hands. Today she needed to focus, because if Oliver hasn't come back before this night is over, she's almost one hundred percent positive the darkness inside of her, the darkness twisting and pulling at her insides is going to get out. She's almost one hundred percent sure that she won't even try to stop it from happening.
Oliver wasn't sure what to expect this morning when Maseo finally appeared and told him it was time. It was finally time to see the man he'd been itching to see. The man who has taken so much from him. Oliver is dragged to a large room, with carpets and candles illuminating all around them. He spots Ra's instantly, standing in front of a throne, waiting for him. The moment Oliver is pushed in front of him, he's forced to his knees and Ra's lifts a sword to his throat.
"You tasted death, and you wanted more, but the truth is everyone and everything must come to an end, even for one such as me." Ra's said, and Oliver was unsure what he was talking about.
All Oliver knew was in this moment he found himself on the other end of Ra's Al Ghul's sword and the last time he was here he didn't live to see the next day. If that moment was going to happen again, he only had one request.
"Fine, kill me, but spare John Diggle's life." Oliver's eyes stayed focused on the man holding the sword in front of him. "Let him go." he was alright with however this would turn out, but not John dying because of him. That he just couldn't accept. "I will beg for it."
"I would rather you not Mr. Queen." Ra's spoke, studying the man closely. "Begging actually annoys me more than anything." he glanced away for a moment before turning back to the man. "You have shown tremendous strength, fortitude, power. No, Mr. Queen, I don't want to kill you." Ra's dropped the sword to his side. "I want you to take my place. I want you to become the next Ra's Al Ghul." Ra's gave a slight nod, and soon guards came over and unclasped the cuffs around his hands, before standing him to his feet. Ra's took only a couple of steps toward the man, a slight smile coming to his face. "Walk with me." and with that the man walked around him, and Oliver unsure what else to do followed.
Walking side by side with Ra's Al Ghul was something Oliver didn't expect. He didn't expect to hear stories of an illness that some sort of pit can no longer cure, and he definitely didn't expect an offer to head a league of murderers.
Ra's placed a well worded, thought provoking proposal in front of Oliver. One he was sure no man could ever refuse. He even showed him a pool that apparently had the magical abilities to have him around for a very long time, and yet it wasn't enticing. Ra's soon stopped talking, stopped pitching this position he felt any man would dream to have, and waited for Oliver to give him an answer.
"It was her, wasn't it?" Oliver asked and Ra's simply stared at him. "Why you tried so hard to bring her here, and to let out the darkness inside of her. You were supposed to have this speech with her."
"My Nura." Ra's sighed, and Oliver noticed something pass the man's eyes. Something he probably wouldn't believe if he weren't actually here to witness it. Her name passed his lips, and the darkness behind his eyes seemed to get lighter. "You're right, I once believed her place was at the helm of this league where I'm sure she would've made a great Ra's Al Ghul." the man suddenly straightened a bit, his hands clasping behind his back. "The problem is and shall always be that Nura is too afraid of the power she holds to lead anything. It makes her weak."
"Funny, because I happen to believe she's the strongest person I know."
"One day you will learn that the strongest people can make themselves weak. You have absolutely no idea how strong she is, and you never will until she realizes it. But I fear my niece's journey to self discovery will take too long, and I need an heir now."
"And if I say no?"
There was a slight smirk on Ra's face as if he expected that question. He simply gave a nod as he let out a long sigh.
"Then you're free to leave." Ra's said and Oliver glanced back to see both John and Malcolm brought in by guards. "With your compatriots, as a gesture of good will. All debts forgiven, and all blood oaths waived." he turned back to Ra's because there was something off about this. Leaving shouldn't be this easy. His instincts were telling him this was a trick, this was some sort of ploy, but Ra's wasn't giving any hint to back it up. There was no ultimatum and so Oliver decided to see how far Ra's would let this go, and so on a whim he walked around the man over to his friends, only stopping for a moment.
"Let's go home." he spoke before walking passed them out of the room.
The car ride from RI to Palmer Tech was brutally awkward, hostility flitting through the air between Katie and Lucius who refused to even look at each other. Once the car finally stopped neither expected the person who opened the door.
"Mr. Wayne." Lucius said looking up to the man as he stepped out of the car. "I thought you were sitting this meeting out."
"Yeah, well I figured that since this is the first big moment Robins' will have as the CEO of RI, I wanted to be here for it." Bruce said as he helped the woman out of the car as well.
"Well it would seem that this will probably be the first and last big moment she'll have as a CEO." Lucius said, glancing over to Katie before making his way inside Palmer Tech . Bruce turned to Katie with a quirked brow waiting for some sort of explanation.
"Did you know he wanted to make me the sole controlling power of RI again?"
"Of course I knew." Bruce replied. "We've seen the work you've been putting into this merger, the ideas and the passion you have for this, and it only made sense. You're ready to be here. You're ready to do that job your father knew you could." Katie scoffed before walking around the man. "That's what this is about, isn't it?"
"You mean that person we all thought was dead turning out to be alive. We all thought me being named CEO was some sort of prophetic idea my father had of me fulfilling some destiny of making that company great, but it wasn't. It was a lie. I was named CEO because when this was all over, he wanted someone he could easily take his seat from." They found themselves standing outside a pair of elevators, as Bruce stood watching the woman who stared up to the numbers as she mindlessly fiddled with her ring.
"You think that's what this is. That he only placed you right here because he plans on coming back like nothing ever happened?"
"The truth is I don't care what happens after this moment. My father is a liar and I no longer want anything to do with him." she glanced over to Bruce. "I'm letting him go." the doors slid open and the pair stepped inside.
"You know what the saddest thing about all of this is?" Bruce asked and Katie refused to look at him. "You missed the point." she shook her head, still not even tempted to look over to him. "You missed the overall goal of all of this."
"No, Bruce I didn't." Katie says wanting nothing more than for the doors to open. "I am the person I am today because of my father. I fight and I kill and I think because of my father." she finally turned to the man. "I didn't miss the point Bruce. It's the point of all of this that will make me hate him for the rest of my life. The fact that he pulled you into it, is why I will never trust you again. It's the fact that he got his hooks into Oliver that I will always have doubts about his honesty." she turned back to the doors as they opened. "I will no longer be his chess piece. I'm finally cutting the strings." she stepped off finally, a smile coming to her lips as she set eyes on suited men and women all here to make a difference.
Any one who saw the woman flitting through the crowds, shaking hands, smiling, they'd think she belonged here. She moved effortlessly, looking each person in the eyes, shaking their hands firmly, but not too aggressively. She remembered their names, and she didn't even give the impression that she wanted to be anywhere else. In this moment, anyone looking at her would see the CEO of a prominent company doing what she does best.
Felicity stood off to the side, watching her, a bit surprised at just how comfortable she seemed in this role.
"Scary isn't it?" a voice suddenly spoke from beside her, causing her to jump slightly. Felicity turned to see Bruce, and just like that all thoughts of Ray Palmer were gone. He stared at her for a moment before turning back to see Katie still walking among the lawyers and shareholders. "The league teaches the art of hiding in plain sight. To move and speak so no one even gives a second glance. It's how you get close enough to your target to complete your mission."
"What's her mission right now?" Felicity asked turning as well to see Katie suddenly laughing at something she's pretty sure isn't even that funny.
"To run." Bruce replied with a shake of his head.
"No." Felicity replied. "she's not running anymore. She has Oliver and she has us and-"
"She's not running from that." Bruce sighed. "Oliver, all of you, it's the only reason she's stayed this long. No it's Jacob. He snapped something inside of her, and now I think she's spiraling." he turned to the woman. "Any word on Oliver and John."
"No." Felicity sighed, still too anxious to even really think about it. She had systems in place to notify her the moment they step outside, but there was still just nothing. "What if something is wrong?"
"If Oliver and John have gotten into an unbeatable situation, then I have no doubt she'll be there to get them out." Bruce replied, glancing over just as Ray walked over.
"Bruce, I thought I heard that you would be sitting this meeting out." Ray said, as he seemed to move to stand close to Felicity. Felicity glanced over to him noticing the move, before turning to Bruce who seemed to be biting his tongue.
"You can't believe everything you hear." Bruce replied before nudging his head to the crowd. "I should go find Lucius so we can get seats." Bruce didn't wait for a response before he turned and walked away from the pair.
"Hey." Ray whispered, his hand sliding along the woman's back and she glances up to him. "Are you ok?"
"I am." Felicity replied with a smile. "And he's right. We should be starting soon." Ray simply nodded before the pair headed for the boardroom.
Katie should be listening right now. Ray was standing across the long conference table, giving a speech that she should respectfully be listening to, but for some reason, there were no words making it to her ears. Her eyes were down to her hand, as she looked down to her engagement ring that was a constant reminder of the fact that Oliver was still in danger.
There was suddenly a hand on her wrist and Katie looked up to see eyes from around the table staring at her, both with concern and confusion. She turned to Bruce who shared the expression.
"Robins, would you like to say a few words?" he asked and Katie turned back to the eyes on her. The last thing she wanted to do was say some inspirational words to ensure these people that their money was in good hands. She didn't want to be here, but she had to. Had to keep up the illusion until she could finally free herself of it. And so she took a deep breath, and stood to her feet. A wide smile tugged at her lips as she looked around to the people at this table.
"There's this quote, uh I'm sorry I don't remember who said it, but it says, "In life you have three choices. Give up, give in or give it your all." she gave a nod as she turned to Ray who sat with a smile across from her. "When I was named the CEO of my father's company, I was sort of in shock, I mean it's no secret to anyone here that my qualifications for this job were very limited." she looked over to Lucius. "People all around me believed I could do it, that my father saw something in me and that if he saw it then it must be true. Everyone waited for this miraculous moment where they would see what my father saw when he decided to name a doctor as the CEO of his billion dollar company." Katie let out another sigh as she shook her head. "You all think this is that moment. But it isn't. I'm still not business minded, I'm still not driven by numbers, and I'm still not driven by the need to make more money." she glanced back over to Ray. "I'm driven by this city that is my home. I'm driven by the hundreds or so people living on the streets and in shelters who just need the opportunity for better. So no, this merger isn't me finally stepping into my father's shoes, because honestly those are not shoes I want to wear. I'm here because we all know how to make more money, we all know how to make a new gadgets and how to stomp the competition. This merger is about showing what this company, what both of our companies can actually be. This city needs more than just heroes who take a stand in the shadows. I believe that RI and Palmer Tech together can help save this city. That's all I want to do." with that Katie gave a final nod, before lowering back to her seat.
"Well." Ray said as he looked across the table to Katie. "If anyone had any doubts about this merger, I think they're all gone after that speech." he glanced over to his side and gave a nod, and soon a packet was placed in front of Katie and Ray, along with a pen. The pair shared a smile before looking down to the contracts and beginning to sign.
And so it was done. The deal of the century was made, and now was in stone. It would seem that such an act was cause for celebration, and so that night there was a party on the top floor of Palmer Tech . Katie stood near one of the large windows staring out to the illumination of the city, a flute of untouched champagne in her hands. She'd long stopped schmoozing with the people of the party, and she was glad that she was left alone. There was a presence behind her and she turned her head to see Ray now standing beside her.
"That was a nice speech." the man said. "I agreed with every word. This merger is going do wonders for this city Katie." Katie gave a smile before looking back to the window. "And yet you're not in the moment. Is everything alright?"
"I have to leave." Katie said no longer able to fight the urges inside of her to finally go to Nanda Parbat to find Oliver. She turned to Ray with a slight smile. "Congratulations, Mr. Palmer." she handed him the flute in her hand before turning and walking off.
Katie's path was stopped when Lucius suddenly stepped in front of her, and she had to fight her instincts to just push him out of the way.
"What you did back there, those words that came from your heart, that's what make you a great CEO. That's why your father picked you. It's why no one will ever do this job for this company the way you would . So you're unqualified, so you have a PhD behind your name and not a MBA. Titles and names aren't what makes a company succeed, it's the people behind it. The heart behind the company. And you have that. Don't run from it." Katie stared at the man for a moment and she heard his words, heard the honesty he held behind him, but at the moment it didn't matter. There was only one thing she cared about right now.
"I have to leave." she spoke once again, before walking around the man and heading for the door. She found herself outside of the elevator, pressing the button repeatedly in hopes of getting it to open.
"What's happening?" Felicity asked appearing at Katie's side.
"I'm not waiting anymore." Katie replied looking over to the woman. "I'm going to go bring them back." she turned back to the doors that were still closed and went to push the button again.
"There's a reason Oliver didn't want you to go to Nanda Parbat."
"And there is a reason I didn't want him to go either. Right now, this moment is my reason." she shook her head. "I should have never let him go there to save Malcolm." she looked back up to the closed doors of the elevator and in a moment of pure frustration, she threw a fist at the doors. "Why won't these doors open!" Felicity glanced back toward the party, glad no one witnessed the outburst.
"Hey, you need to calm down." Felicity said turning back to the woman, glancing down to her now bruised hand. She reached forward to check out the damage, but Katie simply jerked her hand away. "I know you're upset-"
"I'm beyond upset right now." Katie said turning and stalking down the long hall. Felicity hurried to follow her. "Everything inside of me is cracking. I can feel it. It's like at any moment I'm going to just shatter into a million pieces."
"Katie-"
"Don't Felicity!" Katie snapped turning to the woman. "Don't try to comfort me, to try to tell me everything is going to be alright. It was never going to be alright." Katie closed her eyes, sliding her fingers through her hair. "I went to hell and I thought I climbed out, but that was impossible." she opened her eyes to look over to the woman. "You don't get out of hell, you just get to a new level. One where the people you love hurt you the most, where it feels like you can't even breathe half the time." Felicity reached out to take the woman's hand, but Katie once again jerked away. Felicity watched her closely, because she wasn't expecting this moment. Katie was a person who locked everything inside, and now here she was letting it out, and that scared Felicity because that meant that anything could happen. "I was fine, I was happy. I was just a doctor who just wanted to save lives, and my father-" she looked over to Felicity. "My own father destroyed everything."
"Hey." a voice spoke and Felicity turned relieved that it was only Bruce. "What's going on?"
"A whole hell of a lot." Katie said glancing around the hall before once again stalking off to the elevators further down. He turned to Felicity who just shook her head before hurrying to catch up to Katie. "I need to get out of this building!"
"And go where?!" Bruce asked. "Nanda Parbat to get killed the moment you step through the doors?" Katie stopped and looked back to him. "Ra's has already said that you're no longer protected. That means breaking in there, playing the hero will only end one way."
"That's what a hero is Bruce. Someone who will walk through the fire knowing they will get burned." Katie replied turning and pressing the button of the elevator. "Ra's, my father, they took everything from me, but they don't get to have him. They don't get to take Oliver away from me." Finally the doors to the elevator opened and Katie turned about to step on, but she stopped.
Oliver was there. Alive. Without a scratch.
She had so many questions in this moment that she didn't even know where to start.
What she did know was that the craziness in her head stopped. The buzzing of her body, the need for blood on her hands, suddenly went away.
"Hey." Oliver said as he placed a hand on her cheek. A deep breath escaped her lungs, as untold relief suddenly flooded her.
Funny how his eyes could do so much.
Author's notes:
Very intense chapter, but it does give us some insight into the craziness inside the head of a woman who relies very heavily on a man. This is going to come up again, so watch out for it. How do you think Katie will react to Ra's offer?
Review Replies
Guest: Yes, I guess Oliver is a bit controlling, and extremely protective of Katie. There is a reason behind it though, something neither will admit to, but will be forced to see. Everything can't be controlled, and not everything can be protected. Thanks so much for the review, I'm glad you've tagged along for this ride.
Adela: Season 4 is definitely a chapter I would love to tackle. I mean the son story line, and Damian Darhk are both ideas I would love to tackle with my OC. At the moment, I think I will keep this going for as long as the words come out my fingers. And thanks for the kind words and the encouragement. I'm so glad you're enjoying this series.
rockyroyal,dr: The whole hospital scene was just so awesome to write because it showed so much without being blatant about it. Like you said, Oliver taking on the role of the worried fiance, and trying to be understanding and not possessive. But we also saw that battle that he still is having inside of him. That battle of having to live the life of two people and how he's really starting to see the affect is could have on their relationship. We also got to see Katie tackle another one of her demons. She's been emotionally locked up because for years she's been told that emotions were a weakness, but then the panic attack didn't even give her a choice. Ethan to me what the break out star of the last chapter. I absolutely love how much he tries to help break down the walls she has up. My favorite scenes are become the ones with Katie and her father. I love that love/hate thing they have while simultaneously being so much alike. You know the whole, "why does she keep going back?" thing keeps coming up, and I know it might not be completely obvious, but it will be. More so in this chapter as we saw how the thought of Oliver seemed to unhinge Katie. Oliver is the only person Katie has held onto from her life before her kidnapping. To her, he's holds a part of her life that wasn't stolen, and so she holds on tight, and lets things go that she probably shouldn't.
Phoenix-Rising29: Oh, no offense taken. I like that you're seeing yourself in this character I really care about and I love that you're really trying to understand her. I mentioned in a previous response that Katie's ease to not just walk away has more to do with her own emotional damage. Oliver not only is the love her life, but he's also this anchor to the life she had before Bosnia, before ARGUS, before Nanda Parbat. She wants so badly to hold onto the piece of herself, so much so that she'll accept the lies, and the secrets. But accepting isn't forgiving. Katie hasn't forgotten what Oliver or her friends, or her father have done. We saw a glimpse of this in the elevator scene with Bruce from this chapter. But you're right, she's human so there will be a boiling point. Something that will truly test the love of Twiver. Stay tune!
So sorry for the late post. I was currently getting lost in a later chapter, and forgot to update sooner. I have to tell you, this offer is going to make things crazy, and it's going to be a challenge that is going to really test our heroes. Once again I want to thank all of you for jumping on this crazy ride that is my story. And as always, I'll leave you with a sneak peek.
Katie carefully and quietly tip toes her bare feet out of the room, closing the door behind her, so she doesn't wake Oliver. Soon she's sitting on the counter in the kitchen as the smell of fresh coffee waifs through the air. She opens her eyes and scans the kitchen before spotting something tucked on the bookshelf. With a roll of her eyes, she hops off the counter and walks over plucking the book that seems to be popping up everywhere around this place.
"No one will ever say you're not determined, Smoaks." Katie muttered as she walked over to the kitchen table and flipped opened the book immediately hit with...the list. The wedding checklist that she hasn't even attempted to start. Her eyes look over every unchecked box, and she shakes her head before suddenly closing it. She stands to her feet and walks back over to the coffee maker. It isn't quite done, but she grabs a mug knowing it will be soon.
Suddenly she hears a chuckle. A sound so familiar it almost scares her. Katie turns her head, glancing back over to the table to see someone sitting there that can't be sitting there. In utter shock, Katie somehow walks over, plopping back at the table, staring at the woman who she's really wanted to see for a long time.
"Mom." Katie whispers, and the blonde glances up with that smile that Katie could never forget.