Forever Fearless Family

by kayemen22

How do you fight an unbeatable opponent? Someone with both physical and mental strength beyond anything ever imagined. The Demon finally makes a move leaving Starling in the middle. Blood is thicker than water, and the demon is coming for his blood. Leaving the Arrow and his team to stop him. They're going to need they're Guardian. That's if she's ready to face her past. Oliver/OC

21. When the Tough Gets Going

Chapter 21

When the Tough Gets Going

"Being defeated is often a temporary condition.

Giving up is what makes it permanent."

-Marilyn vos Savant

---

Katie was sure that if she were normal, that she would be in a pool of tears on the floor right now as she sat in the buzzing police station, her eyes closed and her foot bouncing nervously. No one looked at her, or at least no one looked at her when she looked at them, but she was sure they were looking. Probably judging her, which she wouldn't blame them for doing.

"Doctor." came the voice of the Captain and Katie simply opened her eyes. "You can see him now." Katie grabbed her bag and stood to her feet, not making eye contact with Lance at all. "I'm sorry, but all personal items and jewelry have to be left out here." Katie let out a sigh as she dropped the bag back into the seat before turning to take a step forward. "I'm going to need the ring." Katie's blood ran cold when the words passed his lips, and for the first time since he's walked over, her eyes met his with a look that would wound a weaker man. "I'm sorry, I have-" the woman lifted her hand, and carefully pulled off her engagement ring, holding it for a moment before dropping it in Lance's hand. "Doc-"

"I want to see him, please." Katie said turning away from the man. She didn't need excuses and justifications, because none of it changed where they were right now. "Right now." Lance let out a sigh, before turning and gesturing for her to follow. Katie found herself in a different part of the building, away from the buzzing squad room. They ended up outside of a door, where the captain turned to her.

"He's being transported to a more secure location as soon as we get the order." Lance informed, but Katie's eyes remained on the door. "You only have fifteen minutes." Katie didn't reply and so the man turned and opened the door for her. She quickly walked in, but then immediately stopped when she saw him there, his wrists handcuffed to the table he was forced to sit. The door suddenly closed behind her, and it made her jump slightly.

"Twinkie, what are you doing here?" Oliver said and Katie turned meeting his eyes. "You didn't have to come here." for some reason that made her laugh. It was a sad laugh, just because she thought the statement was crazy. "Twinkie-"

"Did you know I still have this-" Katie pulled up her hair, and turned showing a very faint scar near her ear. "We were playing hide and seek in your mother's garden and-"

"I spotted you hiding behind one of her ridiculous sculpted bushes." Oliver lightly chuckled at the faint memory as the woman turned back to him. "It was a horrible hiding spot, and instead of being cool about it, I decided to scare you."

"So you jump up behind me, and I trip and fall." Katie said with a shake of her head.

"You know I saw that blood and had never been more scared in my whole life." Oliver sighed as he dropped his head for a moment.

"This scar is kind of like you Oliver." Katie said and the man looked back up to the woman. "Always a part of me. So tell me what about this-" she looked down to his cuffed wrists and sighed. "How do we survive this?" she met the man's eyes.

"Twinkie-"

"No you promised me!" Katie snapped meeting the man's eyes. "You-" she closed her eyes, trying to hold in tears. Katie knew better than to hold on to promises because they were rarely kept. And yet when the man sitting in front of her told her the things she really wanted to believe, then it was tough not to hope his words were true.

"Twinkie, I'm sorry." Oliver apologized and Katie shook her head before standing to her feet and heading for the door. "You didn't let me finish!" she stopped just short of the door, but she didn't turn back to him. "I made you a promise that in my heart I thought I could keep." his eyes were fixed on her, wanting her to turn back to him, to not hate him in this moment. That's not the last memory he wanted to have with her. "When I made that I promise I forgot that I wasn't just Oliver Queen which happens all the time when I'm with you." the man closed his eyes and let out a deep sigh. "I have two options. I either go to prison or I become the next Ra's Al Ghul which is a prison sentence in itself. So right now I can't think like Oliver Queen, I can't be the guy who gets the girl and everything else just falls in to place. I have an obligation to this city-"

"Stop talking." Katie said suddenly before turning back to the man. "You're saying all of this as if I don't know all of it. I know the impossible situation you're in and I know because of who you are, and your heart that you would only choose one option. You'd sacrifice yourself before compromising yourself with the league." Katie felt a tear that she really didn't want to fall, slide down her cheek and she turned to see Oliver who looked just as heartbroken as she did in this moment. "I don't know-I was just really hoping for that win you know. That moment where everything falls into place and the good guys win and the bad guys lose and I get to marry the guy." she dropped her head and took in a deep breath.

"Twinkie-"

"I love you Oliver Queen." she said meeting his eyes with a sad smile and in this moment Oliver hated being cuffed to a table unable to walk over to her. "You chose the greater good over a life with me and that is one of the reasons I'm crazy about you. It's also one of the reasons that I'll probably never forgive you." she shook her head before turning and finally leaving the room.

"Twin—Katie!" Oliver called after her, really not wanting this to be their last conversation. "Katie, please-" there was a tightness suddenly in the man's chest. He knew this was going to be hard, knew it was going to be so hard that he would probably regret the decision, but he didn't expect this feeling. He always hated seeing that woman walk away from him, and he hated even more when the reason she walked away was because of him.

Just hours earlier...

It was funny how the unexpected was now becoming an expected part of their lives. They knew Ra's wouldn't give up, knew that everyday would be a new chance for the demon to make a move. They didn't expect it so soon.

John, Oliver and Katie all stood in the lair watching the surprising news report of the latest attack from the Arrow imposter.

"We have confirmation that Mayor Castle was pronounced dead at the scene. Palmer Technologies CEO Ray Palmer was taken to Starling General Hospital where he is listed in critical condition." the reporter informed.

"I tried to call Felicity earlier, but she's not answering her phone." John said when the report changed to Captain Lance surrounded by reporters.

"SCPD Captain Quentin Lance was present for the attack, and had this to say on the incident-"

"I just requested a first degree murder warrant for the Arrow." The man glanced up to the camera in front of him. "And reinstated the anti-vigilante task force with shoot to kill orders if necessary. "

"Why would the Arrow suddenly decide to assassinate the mayor?" a reporter spoke from the sea of people around the man.

"I don't know. But I should have trusted my first instinct, that this man is a killer and a criminal. If I had, Mayor Castle might still be alive." Lance said and Katie reached forward to turn the monitor off.

"He could be right." Oliver said and Katie turned to him with a shake of her head.

"Yeah, and countless other people would be dead right now." Katie replied taking the man's hand in hers.

"Oliver, don't even start to think like that. We have to deal with the problem that's at hand." John said and Oliver gave a nod.

"The murders are being orchestrated by one of Ra's lieutenants. Maseo Yamashiro." Oliver said and Katie turned away.

"AKA Lian Yu." Katie muttered.

"Ok, you sound like you know him." John replied glancing between Katie and Oliver.

"I thought I did, a lifetime ago. The man's a stranger to me now." Oliver answered and Katie glanced back to Oliver before turning to John.

"The man was always a stranger to me." Katie replied with a shrug. "I still have no idea who he is."

"Stranger or not, the only question that needs to be answered is where do we find him?" John said and both Oliver and Katie turned away in thought.

"I think I know someone who could help." Oliver said after a moment and both Katie and John turned to him. "I have to leave for a while-" he turned to Katie who looked with a furrowed brow. "I shouldn't be gone long, I just-"

"Who are you going to see?" Katie asked and Oliver let out a sigh. "Evasion. Must be someone I'm not going to like." Oliver brought his arms around the woman's waist, pulling her to his chest. "Be careful and come back."

"There isn't anything that could keep me from coming back to you." Oliver replied before bringing his lips to hers in a kiss that they both wished was longer, but time was something they didn't have. So soon Katie stood watching as the man grabbed his jacket and disappeared out the door.

John stood staring down at something on the computer before glancing over to Katie who he noticed still stood looking at the stairs, her hand mindlessly tapping her leg.

"You're in your head." John said suddenly and Katie turned to him. "What are you thinking?" Katie turned away a bit before just shaking her head.

"Nothing." she replied simply before pulling out her cell phone. "I want to know whats going on with Ray, so I'm just going to head over to the hospital." she looked back up to John. "I shouldn't be gone long." she turned and suddenly stopped.

"Hey." John says taking a step forward. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm-" she glanced back to the man. "Just a weird chill." with a shake of her head she turned and headed out.

When Katie walked through the doors of Starling General, a sudden sadness hit her. She actually forgot about the feeling of being in a hospital, the rush and the purpose it gave her. Her eyes lingered on a few doctors and nurse who rushed past her.

"Well my horoscope did say I'd see an old friend again." A voice suddenly startling her. Katie stopped and turned to the man she hadn't seen in a while.

"Dr. Christian James." Katie said with a smile. "You really are a sight for sore eyes."

"Hey, I've been here." Christian said glancing around the halls. "You're the one whose all but disappeared from the medical world." he turned back to the woman who looked different since he last saw her. "How are you doing?"

"That's not a question I'm capable of answering at the moment." Katie replied before glancing around as well. "Felicity-"

"Came in with Mr. Palmer." Chris said and Katie turned to him and waited for him to continue. "And I'm not allowed to discuss his condition, you know that."

"I do know that." Katie sighed. "I also know that you've taken bribes while employed at this hospital."

"Are you-"

"No, I'm not. I just want to know how my friend Ray Palmer is doing." Katie replied and she could see the annoyance play on the man's face as he let out another sigh.

"He was taken in to surgery, they were able to successfully remove the arrow, but unfortunately he developed a thrombus." Christian recounted and Katie visibly deflated at the news.

"Removing it isn't an option, is it?"

"With the amount of blood loss and the over all damage that arrow caused-"

"Attempting to remove the clot could lead to brain damage and for someone as smart as Ray, that's probably not a good thing." Katie said as she ran a hand across her face. "Removing the clot could lead to brain damage, not removing the clot could lead to death." she turned back to Christian. "This day just keeps getting better and better."

"Well he did mention some sort of invention. Tiny robots that could travel through the bloodstream and shrink the clot." Christian said and Katie just stared at him in confusion. "Same look I had. Look the idea is crazy and I let him know that we have a strict procedure on experimental treatments."

"But if it could save his life-"

"That's not how this works. We're a hospital yes, but we also have to think about the big picture. If this thing goes bag, I'm liable, this hospital is liable. I can't risk it." Christian replied with a shake of his head.

"Do you remember your first day of medical school?" Katie asked and Christian simply turned away. "You had this unrealistic picture in your head about the type of doctor you were going to be. You were going to be great and you were going to save every person on your table." Christian turned back to the woman . "That was the whole point of becoming a doctor, and now you were about legalities." she shook her head before moving around the man down the hall.

"That's not fair and you know it!" he called after her.

"Life isn't fair!" Katie called not even to bother looking back to the man.

Katie ventured down the hall, only stopping when she finally saw Felicity standing talking to some woman in a tight yellow dress. When she finally got a bit closer, Felicity glanced up and quickly rushed over to her, engulfing her in a hug. Katie brought her arms around the woman returning the hug she's sure the woman probably needed in this moment.

"I can't believe this is happening." Felicity said, emotion very strong in her voice. Katie could tell the woman was probably near tears, but was trying to stay strong. "I mean—" she pulled back from the hug. "How can this be happening? Ray is a good man and-"

"Felicity, look I know this doesn't make any sense, but I need you to have hope that this is going to work out." Katie said and Felicity let out a snort. "What?"

"You're suggesting I be optimistic when you're the most pessimistic person I know." Felicity sighed. "Apparently removing the arrow lead to a clot and-"

"I got the story from Chris. He also told me about some sort of robots Ray created that Ray think could help reduce the size of the clot."

"Yeah, but even Ray said that the nano tech could end up killing him." said Felicity as she fell back to lean against the wall. "I just-"

"Hello." the woman Felicity had been talking to prior suddenly appeared beside them with a wide smile. "I guess my daughter is going to be rude and not introduce us." the blonde held out a hand to Katie. "Hi, I'm Donna Smoak." Katie's eyes widened as she took the woman's hand and looked over to Felicity who couldn't even meet her gaze."

"Smoak as in-" Katie turned back to the woman. "You're Smoaks mom?"

"Smoaks?" Donna repeated with a quirked brow as she glanced over to her daughter. "Why yes I am the proud mother of this little bottle blondie."

"Mom." Felicity groaned as she pushed herself from the wall. "This is Katie-"

"Oh I know who she is." Donna said waving her daughter off before turning back to Katie. "You're like my idol. I mean I've been following your story and it's just so-" the woman shook her head with a low whistle. "There are no words. I mean your father died and he left you a whole billion dollar company. I personally thought you were going to sink it. I mean who would blame me, you were off trying to be a doctor and run a company at the same time as if that were even possible."

"Mom!" Felicity snapped interrupting the woman babbling.

"I'm sorry." Donna quickly spoke turning back to Katie after realizing how offensive some of what she said could've been interpret. "I was just trying to get at how you seem to be making it work. Even after that whole debacle with that crazy detective."

"Mom!" Felicity once again snapped and Donna cleared her throat and just decided to stop talking. "Coffee. Could you please just get some coffee?"

"Sure sweetie." Donna said before turning to Katie. "Did you want a coffee?"

"No thank you, I'm good." Katie spoke still staring at the woman with wide eyes. Katie always wondered about the origin of her friend Felicity Smoak, and now that she was standing here staring at a piece of it, she had to say it actually made sense. Donna simply nodded before hurrying down the hall. "So that was your mom?"

"Please, just don't." Felicity replied bringing her face to her palms. "She flew in from Vegas after seeing the news and now she's here trying to help." she looked back up to Katie who simply stared at her. "What?"

"Oh nothing, your life sucks. Your mom flew here to comfort you, she's so horrible." Katie said sarcastically.

"It's not like that. I love my mother, but sometimes-" Felicity shook her head. "Well you saw her. Sometimes her brain and her mouth just don't connect."

"You know that sounds like someone else I know." Katie replied and Felicity scowled.

"Please, never say I'm like my mother ever again." the blonde replied before turning back to Ray's door. "I don't know what to do."

"Go get the nano tech, come back and let them do their thing." Katie replied and Felicity turned let out a frustrated sigh.

"I feel like I've said it a million times. The nano-tech is dangerous, they could possibly kill him."

"So could having the surgery, so could not having the surgery." Katie replied placing a hand on Felicity's shoulder. "Right now all Ray has is probabilities. Out of all the options he has right now, what has the greatest probability of working?" Felicity didn't reply, but she knew the answer.

"Aren't you a doctor? Why are you promoting unethical medical practices?" Felicity grumbled and Katie let out a slight chuckle.

"Well I worked with Ethan Mills for a year, and that man is as unethical as it comes and yet he's one of the best doctors I know." Katie replied as she glanced over to the man's door.

"He's awake if you want to talk to him." Felicity replied.

"Last conversation I had with him didn't go so well." Katie sighed as she glanced down the hall.

"Well things are different now. He knows the truth about Oliver." Katie turned back to the woman. "He knows the truth about you. I think he'd like to see you." Felicity glanced down to her phone. "And I should probably head to the lab." she looked back to Katie with a slight smile. "I'm going to need you here when I do this, so don't go anywhere."

"I'll be here." Katie replied with a nod before watching the woman walk down toward the elevators. Katie turned back to Ray's door and with a sigh she walked inside. The moment she walked inside, the man's eyes went to her and a smile came to his face.

"You got shot with an arrow." Katie said not knowing what else to say.

"Yeah, hurt like a bitch too." Ray replied and once again the room fell into silence. Katie didn't move from her spot near the door, and Ray stared waiting for her to say something else. That's when he realized that it was actually his turn to speak. "I'm sorry, I-"

"Stop." Katie said with a smile. "You don't have to apologize."

"But I do." Ray said sitting up a bit more. "You're the most mysterious person I've ever met, and yet you're also the most transparent person I've ever met." that made him lightly chuckle. "I remember seeing you on the news that first time you were going to merge with Queen Consolidated, and I remember noting how nervous you looked. Reminded me of the first time I had to head a board meeting."

"And what that made you think, man I would love to do business with her?" Katie asked and Ray simply nodded.

"Actually it did. Because what you were doing, on the cusp of your father's passing was one of the bravest things I've ever seen. And there you were, frightened, but standing right there." Ray replied with a smile. "You're a person who doesn't run away from a fight. A person who stands up for what you believe in and I knew that. I knew all of it, and then I saw the image of Oliver and I forgot all of it. And for that I'm sorry. Do you forgive me?" Katie opened her mouth to speak, but the man continued. "Before you answer, I think you should know that I could possibly die in the next coming hours, but no pressure."

"Ray." Katie said walking over and taking the seat beside Ray's bed.

"Yeah."

"Shut up." the woman glanced around the room and sighed.

"You miss it, don't you?" Ray asked and Katie turned back to him with a quirked brow. "Being a doctor?"

"I do miss it, but I was being delusional thinking I could be a doctor, and lead RI and some how-"

"Help your boyfriend protect the city?" he asked and Katie turned with a glare. "I'm sorry, I forgot, fiance. Congratulations by the way."

"Thanks." Katie said before standing to her feet and walking around the bed to look at one of the monitors. "You should get some sleep."

"You know-"

"Not a request Ray." Katie said glancing back to the man. "Your body has gone through something very traumatic. You need to sleep." the man looked at her for a moment, but sighed as he laid back in bed.

"I'll sleep when I'm dead." he muttered when he closed his eyes.

"You're not dying Mr. Palmer." Katie replied turning back to the monitor. "I still need a business partner who talks science and numbers."

"That's all I'm good for huh?" the man chuckled with a yawn. "I think I'm a little offended." soon Katie heard light snoring, and smiled over to the man.

Felicity nervously stood in the slow moving elevator waiting for the doors to finally open. Time was of the essence and she really wanted to grab the nano tech before it's too late. The moment the doors opened, Felicity was about to storm off, but as soon as she saw the pair standing there, she couldn't even move.

"Honey!" Donna said with a smile to her daughter. "You won't believe who I ran into?" she turned to the man. "Well I guess you can since he's standing right here." Felicity's eyes turned to the man who could always take her breath away with just a look. "At what point were you going to tell me you knew Bruce Wayne?" Felicity glanced over to her mother who simply shook her head before turning back to the man.

"I'm sure it just slipped her mind." Bruce said his eyes still on Felicity. "I heard what happened to Ray, and thought I'd check in." Felicity still couldn't quite form a sentence. The image of her mother and Bruce together just threw her for a loop. "But it looks like you're leaving."

"Are you going to get the nano-thingies?" Donna asked.

"Nano tech and yes." Felicity finally spoke before stepping off the elevator. "We have to do something and I can't just sit by and watch him die." Felicity cut between the pair toward the door. Donna watched her retreating daughter, before turning back to Bruce who watched her as well and there was something in his eyes. Something she noticed the moment he laid eyes on her daughter.

"You know she could probably use a friend." Donna said and Bruce turned back to her. "She's worried about Ray, I just think she could use someone to keep her feet on the ground."

"Right." Bruce said before nudging his head toward the door. "I'm going to make sure she gets to wherever she's going alright." Donna simply gave the man a nod before watching him hurry for the door as well. "My daughter, billionaire magnet. Who knew?"

Bruce caught up to the woman who he found just standing beside her car. She heard his footsteps and turned with a heavy sigh.

"I can't do this Bruce, I'm sorry." Felicity said without giving the man a chance to speak. She turned to step inside of her car, but stopped and turned back to the man. It seemed as if she were going to say something, but instead she just shook her head before stepping inside. Bruce stood there and watched as the woman peeled off out of the parking lot. The man let out a deep sigh before pulling out his cell phone and once again dialing Richard's phone number.

With the phone pressed to his ear, Bruce listened as it rang until he once again heard the man's voice mail

"Look, if you're pissed at me for leaving you here, fine, but at least let me know you're not dead." Bruce said before ending the call. Bruce dialed another number and once again listened to ringing.

"Bruce?"

"Oliver."

"Look I don't know if you're aware, but I don't have time-"

"I know, Maseo is running around shooting people with arrows and framing the Arrow for it." Bruce stated. "How close has this gotten you?"

"Bruce, thanks for your concern, but I'm fine." Oliver replied before hanging up.

Bruce pulled the phone from his ear, letting out an annoyed groan before turning back to the hospital and heading back inside.

Katie stood near the window in Ray's room, her eyes on the moon. She found it funny how as much as world changed around her, as much crap was thrown at her, some things would always remained the same.

"You remember that story I told you about the little girl that wished she lived on the moon?"

The moment Katie heard the voice, she felt that familiar tightening of her chest. It's been happening recently, and only when she hears the voice of her mother.

"She lived in an orphanage where all the other little kids were finding homes, and she never did, and so every night she would look up to the moon and wish that some how some way she could go to there and the stars would be her family." Katie refused to turn around or even reply to the voice of the person that couldn't be there. "One night, when the moon was full she made her wish and it happened. I remember catching you looking up to the moon searching for her when you were a child." Still Katie didn't utter a word and she heard the woman sigh behind her. "I wish you would look at me."

Katie closed her eyes and dropped her head on the window sill, just praying the obvious illusion to just go away.

"I'm sorry."

For some reason those two words stirred something inside of Katie that she couldn't even explain. She hated apologies, hated words that tried to erase wrong doings and yet in this moment those words touched something inside of her. She spun around and her eyes found the woman who will probably forever haunt her dreams.

"I know how you feel about those two words and I don't blame you." Grace replied taking a slight step forward. "But after all this time I figured I owed them to you. Your father does too, but he's too damn stubborn to say them out loud. But he'll get there."

"Why are you here?" Katie asked, finally speaking. "Why-" she stopped because she couldn't do this again. She practically went crazy with her hallucinations with Lian, and she couldn't do it again. She suddenly shook her head before stalking out of the room, bumping into someone immediately. "I'm sorry, I wasn't-" she met the man's eyes and sighed. "Bruce, what the hell are you doing here?"

"At least once I would like someone to be happy to see me." Bruce sighed.

"I'm happy to see you." a voice spoke, and they both turned to the wide smile of Donna Smoak. "I'm actually a bit star struck now to see you two standing there together. I mean I could probably sell this picture for a pretty penny." the pair just stared at the woman who just nudged her head down the hall. "I think I'm going to go find Ray's doctor, see how he's holding up." With that the woman turned and headed down the hall way, her bright yellow mini dress making her stand out that much more.

"I still can't get over the fact that's Felicity's mom." Katie said with a shake of her head before turning to Bruce. "Felicity's not here, she-"

"Headed to Palmer Tech to get some kind of nano tech to help Ray." Bruce said and Katie simply nodded. "Donna filled me in. I saw what was happening and thought-"

"That you could help?" Katie asked with a shake of her head. "We're kind of beyond help right now Bruce. The demon want's Oliver to be the next Ra's Al Ghul. When he made the offer, Oliver turned him down, and now the man I'm supposed to be marrying is being hunted by an entire city for murders he didn't commit. I doubt there's anything you could do that can help with that." the woman walked around Bruce about to leave, but she stopped and turned back to the man. "Look I promised Felicity that I would help her with the robot things for Ray, but I just-" the woman shook her head. "I can't just sit in a room and do nothing. I have to help figure this out. I'm going to head back to the club and I know I probably have no right to ask this but could you stick around and-"

"Help save Felicity's boyfriend?" Bruce asked and Katie simply nodded.

"She likes him Bruce. Like really likes him and if something happens to him because of this whole arrow mess then she'll blame herself and I don't want that to happen." Katie said before glancing back to Ray's room. "Plus I figure you'll probably know more about what they actually do then I do." she turned back to Bruce. "What do you say?"

"I feel like I don't have much of a choice." sighed Bruce as he glanced down to his phone. "You know I've been trying to get in touch with Richie, do you know where he is?" Bruce looked back up to Katie who just shrugged.

"No idea, but if I see him I'll let him know you're in town." Katie said before turning and hurrying toward the elevator. She didn't turn back to him, and didn't say another word about it with fear that if she really thought about what she asked Richard that she'd probably would collapse in guilt. "Call me with news about Ray!" she called giving a wave without turning to him. The moment she finally stepped on the elevator, she quickly pulled out her cell phone and dialed Richard's number before bringing it to her ear. She lets out a sigh the moment his voice mail kicks in. "Richard, it's me, Katie. Look, please just call me so I know you're alright. This may be the first and only time this happens, but not seeing or hearing from you in a while is worrying me. Please just call or I'm going to have to tell Bruce what an asshole I am to have asked you to do the shittiest thing in the world. If you're in trouble, don't worry, I'm coming for you." she ended the called and looking up to the numbers of the elevator.

When Katie returned to the club, she hoped Oliver had returned and now had a move for them to make. She hated sitting and doing nothing, because she felt the longer they did nothing, the deeper in shit they got. She practically ran down the stairs to the basement, only stopping when her eyes settled on one person. John, Oliver, Laurel and Roy were all there, all suited and ready to go, but Katie for some reason was drawn to the woman she didn't expect to see standing there.

"Nyssa." she muttered and that's when all their eyes turned to her.

"Twinkie-" Oliver started and Katie turned to him for just a moment, her expression not even showing an ounce of what she was feeling. "Just-" the woman didn't wait for whatever explanation he had for the situation before she turned and ran back up the stairs. Oliver let out a huff before turning to the others. "Be ready to go in five." he quickly headed for the stairs, jogging up hoping to catch the woman before she left. He found her just standing in the empty club, her back to him. "Twinkie." she glanced over to him for a moment before turning and stalking toward the door. "I had no choice!" she finally stopped, but she didn't want to face him. "I knew Nyssa was in town, and I also knew her father deciding to ask me to be the heir to a throne she's worked so hard for would cause some tension between them. I knew she would help." he knew Katie had some hurt feelings about this, but he also knew how strategically she thought. She would understand this move. "Twinkie-"

"I get it." Katie said before turning back to the man. "It makes sense. You decided to use animosity toward her father to try to beat him. She give you Maseo's location?"

"She did." Oliver replied with a nod, before taking a step toward. "We're heading there now and I would like for you-"

"It's not going to happen." Katie said firmly before turning and heading for the door.

"Twinkie, wait, I thought-"

"Oliver, I get it!" Katie snapped turning back to the man. "Your decision makes sense. I hope it leads to a positive outcome, but just because I get it doesn't mean I'm jumping on this train with you. You know how I feel about Nyssa-"

"I know, but this can't be about you right now!" Oliver snapped and Katie stared at him for a moment not expecting that and she could see that he soon regretted the words, taking another step toward her. "I'm sorry-"

"Stop Oliver!" Katie snaps clenching her fists and taking a step back. "I know this isn't about me, because it's about you, your life hangs in this weird limbo between fucked and even more fucked." she drops her head and lets out a sigh. "And because of that I stop thinking about what I want, I stop thinking about what is best for me, because of that I put you first. I put your feelings first and I know it isn't healthy, I know that it could possibly make me resent you-"

"Twinkie, I just-"

"You're doing what you think is right. I get it, it comes with the territory." Katie said with a shrug. "What I need you to understand is that, the woman down stairs took part in a very painful part of my life and it's kind of hard for me to be in a room with her and not be tempted to break her neck." Katie said before closing the distance between them. "Your decision to ask her for help, was smart, a bit risky because she will always be loyal to her father, but I agree her level of hatred toward him right now could be what we need. You made the decision of a leader, and not everyone is going to like it, doesn't stop it from being right."

"But it does stop you from following me back down that basement?" Oliver asked and Katie turned away and just shook her head.

"It shouldn't." she replied turning back to the man. "I was taught to put aside emotions when making tactical decisions, I'm supposed to remain logical." she let out another sigh before walking over to the man. "So no I'm not going to follow you down those stairs, I'm going to go out to my car and wait for your call telling me where this is happening so I can meet you there." she simply gave a nod and without waiting for a response she turned and headed for the door.

"Why do I feel like I'm screwing this up again?" Oliver suddenly asked and Katie stopped just at the door. "When I saw you on that island, I had absolutely no doubt in my mind that I couldn't let you go again. I actually forgot about your dad and-"

"You should probably stop talking." Katie said suddenly turning back to the man. "We don't talk about my dad ok. I don't need a reminder of what-" she shook her head.

"I'm sorry that I didn't tell you the moment-" before Oliver could even finish the sentence Katie stalked over to him, and simply held out her pinky.

"Apparently for us to not have this conversation, we need to pinky swear this out of the realm of existence." Katie said and Oliver stared into her eyes and just shook his head.

"Forgetting isn't forgiving, and that's where our problems lie." Oliver spoke as Katie dropped her head. "You haven't forgiven me." Katie glanced up to the man and let out a sigh. "Twinkie-"

"Oliver-" Came the voice of John Diggle, but neither turned to the man. "Sorry, but we should be heading out."

"You should go, call me with the location." Katie said before glancing over to John just as she turned to leave.

"That didn't look like it went well." John said to Oliver who simply stared at the door. "Oliver, you're going to get through this." Oliver simply shook his head before heading back to the stairs.

"We need to leave now." was all Oliver said.

They arrived at the plaza, deciding to split up to search for any sign of Maseo. Katie wasn't even sure Oliver would call her, but he did. He gave the location Nyssa had given them. So when the basement was clear, she grabbed her suit, and once again found herself being the Guardian.

Apparently Maseo and the rest of his league were held up at some old plaza. When Katie arrived, Oliver, Roy and Laurel had ready began their search and so she picked a level and began as well.

Katie moved slowly, keeping her ears open as she searched her designated level of the parking garage.

"Guardian." Oliver's voice spoke through the comlink. "Did you find something?"

"No." Katie replied as she kept walking. She found herself nearing the upper level of the building. "But they're here."

"I got movement." Diggle's voice spoke suddenly. "Upper level, southwest corner."

"I'm not too far. I'm going to check it out." Katie said as she began moving slowly to the roof of the garage.

"Guardian, wait for us!" Oliver ordered, out of breath, which meant he, Roy and Laurel were probably running in her direction.

Katie simply grabbed sais, glancing around the upper level, just as Oliver and the others arrived. They walked toward the southwest corner an immediately caught sight of Maseo and his crew who all pulled out their swords and headed for them.

"Kill them!" Maseo ordered and after that was pretty much what anyone would expect. A fight ensued, and everyone on that roof fought hard.

There's this moment in a fight where you actually stop thinking. Thinking takes time, and when you in the thick of it, there is no time. Every second, every blow, every kick, has to have a purpose. With her sais in hand, Katie somehow found herself in an intense battle with two assassins. They were quick, their moves without hesitation, but Katie met their blows with just as much veracity. She hated how much she enjoyed this, how the adrenaline coursing through her veins right now just drove her that much further. Soon both men were on the ground, and she stood above them heavily breathing, daring, no wishing one of them would get back up. She lifted her eyes to where Oliver stood, and arrow now aimed right at Maseo's head. Suddenly there was clapping, and her insides twisted at the unexpected sight of the demon as he walked over. In that moment something happened. Something she can't really explain, but something inside of her snapped at the sight of the man and unconsciously she began moving toward him.

"Clearly I chose well selecting you as my heir." Ra's said, a smirk planted on his face as Oliver rose his arrow toward him. One of his assassins, moved toward Oliver, but Ra's rose a hand to stop him. "Killing me will only win you the mantle you reject."

"It'll stop you." Oliver countered, his bow not even twitching.

"I have legions who live only to see my will done." Ra's spoke, his eyes suddenly turning to Katie who he'd noticed getting closer. "Hello Nura." The moment the name came out of his mouth, her slow, cautious steps turned into a brisk walk. Oliver tried to catch her arm, before she got too close, but she maneuvered out of his touch, placing herself directly in front of the demon. "What did I teach you about every action?" his eyes bore into hers, hating the sight of his sister in them, but he refused to show even a glimmer of the effect.

"Every action has a reaction." Katie recited slipping her sais back into their holsters before she grabbed one of her glocks, shoving it underneath the man's chin. "Like now for instance. Out of all the ways you could die, was a bullet to the brain ever something you imagined."

"Guardian!" Oliver called, but she didn't hear him.

"It's no use Oliver." Ra's said, the gun to his chin seeming to not have any effect at all. "You see your Guardian will always be my child." he once again met Katie's eyes. "I can see it in your eyes. That lust for blood, it's strong inside of you Nura."

"Nah, just lust for your blood." Katie said her finger on the trigger. It would only take a flick of her finger and he'd be gone.

"He's right." a voice spoke, and it was a voice Katie couldn't hear right now. Not when her head needed to be focused. There was an odd breeze that only the demon seemed to notice, and he turned his head slightly. "Killing him now will not end it here." Katie turned her head to see her mother. "Right now you need to run." she turned meeting the demon's eyes for a moment, and there was a look passed between them that neither was sure of. Both seemed as if they'd seen a ghost. Ra's snapped out of it first, raising his head to Oliver.

"I'm sorry boy, you have but two choices- you either ascend to the calling of Ra's al Ghul or you will spend the rest of your days in a cage."

"You're not going to take me prisoner." replied Oliver

"No, I'm not." Ra's said, and as if on cue a helicopter appeared over head, a bright light shinning on all of them. Katie looked back to Ra's who simply walked off, his assassins seeming to disappear along with him. She wanted so badly to just go after him and put a couple of bullets in him right now, but at the moment it would seem that they had to run.

"This is the Starling City police." a voice boomed from the speaker above them. "Put your weapons down and your hands up. You are all under arrest." Katie holstered her weapon as they heard the sounds of impending sirens. Oliver grabbed her arm, and they all turned running for the edge of the building. Katie wrapped an arm around Oliver's neck, before they all suspended to the ground.

There was no time to stop and plan. The moment their feet touched the ground, the four of them were running trying to find a way out of the impending capture.

"Diggle!" Oliver called hoping his friend could see a way out of this for them.

"Warehouse door, west side of the block." John informs and they stop and turn and head in the direction. "You get there, you're in the clear. Go, move. Four more headed your way. You got to move, move, move, move, move!" At the sound of impending officers, they stop, pinning their backs to the wall.

"Go for the door!" Oliver ordered and they all turned to him as if he were crazy. "I'll draw their fire."

"No, we're not separating!" Katie countered.

"They don't want you!" Oliver said looking over to her. "They want me."

"No, they want a murderer and that's nobody here." Katie said taking a step toward him.

"Well right now I'm it. Look we will make it out of this." he looked at her for a moment before turning to Roy and Laurel. "Now go!" They hesitated for moment, neither liking the idea of leaving, but they knew that they were going to have to move, so they both ran for the warehouse. "Guardian, go!" Katie turned away, hating the idea of leaving right now, but they couldn't just stay here and so she pulled herself from the wall.

She started toward the warehouse, but in a move even she wasn't complete sure about, she stopped and turned in the opposite direction and ran as fast as she could.

"Guardian!" Oliver called as he watched her, about to follow her.

"Oliver, you can't!" John called into his ear.

"What is she doing?!" Oliver asked, so tempted to run after the woman.

"I don't-" John watched as Katie ran, stopping at when her path is blocked by a small squad of officers. She was about to turn and run in the opposite direction, but there were more, leaving her seamlessly stuck. "I think she's been caught Oliver."

"Fuck!" Oliver said finding no other choice but to go after her. He suddenly began running.

"Wait!" John said and Oliver suddenly stopped, once again hiding against the building beside him. "Maybe I was wrong."

"What-" Oliver said the frustration clear in his tone. "Diggle, what's going on?"

John's eyes focused through the sights of his rifle. He watched as Katie lifted her hands in surrender and soon the officers moved in closer. That's when he noticed it. There was something in her hand, and before she could be grabbed, she dropped it from her hand releasing a thick mist that filled the entire alley.

"It's a diversion Oliver, she's giving you a diversion. Take it, get out of there." John replied. Oliver stood there for a moment, definitely not wanting to leave Katie without back up, but he would trust her, trust her abilities and so he turned and hoped he could get out of this.

When Katie slipped around the officers, she had no idea where she was going. Her feet never stopped, and she only diverted when she saw flashing lights, or heard nearby officers. She didn't think she'd regret disregarding John's escape plan, but as she runs without an intended direction she can't help but want to kick herself.

"Don't move!" a voice said suddenly behind her and Katie stopped. The only reason she stopped was because she knew who the voice belonged to. And so she slowly turned to see Captain Lance, a gun aimed firmly in her direction. "This is it. No where to run."

"I gotta say Captain, this-" Katie shook her head at the sound of helicopters and the light from above. "I didn't think you would really go this far."

"People are dead!" Lance snapped. "And your buddy the Arrow is the number one suspect."

"Tell me Captain, your evidence, your only evidence are arrows?"

"Arrows that matched every crime scene your friend has ever left behind, so I have to think that's a very strong connection." Lance replied as he inched closer. "I didn't want to put you in this, but you're leaving me no other choice. You're going to tell me where he is and-"

"I'm not though. You know what I've always admired about you Captain. You're a smart man, you think logically, but right now your instincts are so twisted up in grief that you're not even thinking straight." Katie said with a shake of her head. "Why would a man who has successfully evaded you for years suddenly start murdering people with arrows that would connect back to him?"

"No one ever said criminals were smart."

"No, but their mistakes aren't this blatant. I need you to think about this, really think about it." Katie said as Lance appeared in front of her, gun never flinching. "You're banking a whole lot on such a smart guy making one of the dumbest mistakes he could make." Lance looked at her for moment, and Katie was sure she was getting to him, but he suddenly reached for his cuffs.

"I'm sorry, I have to take you in." Lance said, taking another step and Katie just let out an annoyed groan and before the man knew what was happening, she quickly grabbed his arm, turning and jerking an elbow into wrist, causing him to drop the gun. And with a swift swing of her leg, she knocks the man onto his back.

Katie took a step forward, looking down at the man who lie trying to catch his breath.

"A man so obviously guilty doesn't try so hard to prove his innocence." Katie said with a shake of her head. "Start paying attention Captain." she looked up at the sound of impending voices and began backing away. A single officer came into view, lifting his gun the moment he sees Katie standing over Lance.

"Freeze!" he shouts and Katie doesn't hesitate before she turns and runs. The officer pulls the trigger over and over again until she's out of sight. "Sir." the officer quickly rushes over to Lance, kneeling down to help him to his feet. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine." Lance grumbles angrily. "Tell me we have one of them."

"I'm sorry sir, they've all gotten away." The officers replies before glancing in the direction Katie disappeared. "I'm going to go after her, I think I hit her. Maybe it slowed her down." Lance simply nodded before watching the officer rush off. He stood there for a moment, hating that he hoped his officer was bad shot.

Katie ran, a hand firmly placed on her side as blood seeped through her fingers. It felt like maybe a graze, but it could be worse. The adrenaline was coursing through her veins and she's sure she wouldn't even be able to tell if it were bad or not. She doesn't stop until a black SUV suddenly comes to a screeching halt in front of her. She stares in confusion until the window slowly winds down and there sitting is the very annoying face of Martin Ellis.

"You know I was in the neighborhood and thought-" Katie didn't even let him finish before quickly opening the door and sliding inside. "You know I expected a little more confrontation."

"Just drive the damn car!" Katie snapped and the man simply nodded before speeding off.

"I have her." Martin suddenly said and Katie turned to see the man with a phone to his ear. He glanced over to her, looking her over, his eyes settling on the blood on her hand still at her sight. "She's been hit and-" he suddenly pulled the phone from his ear. "How bad is the gun shot wound?"

"I'm fine, I think it just grazed me." Katie replied closing her eyes and dropping her head back against the seat.

"Did you hear-" Martin was once again interrupted and he simply rolled his eyes. "Yes sir." the man ended the call, before sliding his phone back into his pocket.

"I need to get back to the club." Katie said and Martin simply shook his head.

"Sorry, but there's been a change of plans." Martin said and Katie opened her eyes and looked over to the man. "He wants to make sure you're alright."

"A bullet grazes my side and he's suddenly the worried parent, but the demon hangs me from chains and he's doesn't even bat an eye." Katie replied with a shake of her head. "Take me to the club."

"Look I'm sorry, but-" Martin's excuse was cut short as the woman's gun suddenly was pressed against the side of his head. "You know this is getting old. You're not going to shoot me."

"I shot my own father without a care in the world, why wouldn't I shoot you?"

"Well-" he says glancing over to her. "Well I'm driving. So shooting me could kill both of us." he turned back to the road. "He's has a safe house with a physician who can look you over and make sure you're really alright."

"At some point he has to realize this isn't going to work." Katie says placing her gun back in it's holster.

"At some point you're going to have to forgive him." Martin said and Katie scoffed.

"Well there you go. He hasn't even asked for my forgiveness and so I owe him nothing." Katie replied turning to look out the window.

Oliver and John rushed into the lair where they found Laurel and Thea waiting for them.

"Oh! Oh, thank God, I've been so worried." Thea said rushing over to her brother.

"It's ok. I'm ok." Oliver says glancing around. "Where's Twinkie? Roy?"

"He's still out there." Laurel replied with a shake of her head. "And I haven't seen Katie since we all were in the alley." Oliver' jaw clenched as he turned away, too tempted to walk right back out that door to find her.

"Oliver, she's fine." John said and Oliver turned meeting his eyes. "She's ran long enough to know how not to get caught."

"It's like the whole city has lost their minds!" Thea said turning to the news report that was playing the was covering the night's events.

"It's not the whole city." Oliver said walking over and grabbing his phone. "It's just one man." Oliver dialed Lance number, hoping to get through to the man once again, but it was no use. Lance was out for blood and he wasn't listening. Oliver groaned when the man hung up the phone.

"I'm sorry." Laurel said feeling the need to apologize for her father's actions. "He's in a lot of pain.

"I thought that if we stopped Maseo, we'd stop the killings, but Nyssa was right." Oliver said with a shake of his head. "This extends way beyond him." they all heard the door to the alley entrance, and turned. Oliver took a step forward hoping it was Katie, but soon Roy appeared.

"Oh Roy!" Thea said rushing over and bringing her arms around him.

"I'm ok. I got clear somewhere on Hudson." Roy said, guilt written all over his face. "I had to shoot a few officers, but they're just flesh wounds." he glanced around to the others. "Where's Katie?" he turned to Oliver who's expression was answer enough. "She still out there. Should we be looking for her?" they all turned to Oliver for the answer to that question, and it was this moment that Oliver truly felt the battle happening inside of him. On one side, Katie was a capable member of this team, and in that case they should give her time before they worried. It was clear that she wasn't captured by the SCPD because he's sure that would make the news. But then there was Oliver Queen who couldn't even understand why he was standing still in this moment, why he was doing nothing to make sure she was safe. He had to make a choice, and he could practically hear her voice in his head telling him what to do.

"We're going to give her more time." Oliver replied and they all looked unsure, but nodded. "I've underestimated Ra's, and now we're all paying the price. I'm sorry."

"What are you talking about?" Thea asked wondering why her brother was blaming himself for all of this. "Ra's is after us because of Malcolm?" Oliver sighed, and that's when she knew something was up. "What don't I know?"

Oliver opened his mouth to reply, but his phone suddenly beeped and he quickly grabbed it. The moment his eyes read the message, a relieve sigh escape his lips.

"I have to go." Oliver says looking back up to his friends before turning and rushing off to get dressed.

"Is everything alright?!" Laurel called after him, but she didn't get an answer.

"There's only one thing in this world that can get that man to move that quickly without hesitation." John said and they all looked over to him suddenly understanding.

It didn't take long for Oliver to change, and head out to the location texted to his phone. It wasn't too far out from the city, but the area was still pretty secluded. For a moment he thought he was at the wrong place, until he pulled up to the house and a familiar face walked out. Oliver let out annoyed sigh, before stepping out of his car.

"Mr. Queen, it's been a while." Martin greeted from the porch of the fairly big house. He stood at the porch, hands clamped behind his back as he waited for the man to walk over.

"Where is she?" Oliver asked bypassing all greetings.

"Our doctor is looking her over inside and-"

Oliver practically ran up the stairs at the mention of a doctor. He didn't wait for an invitation before storming inside the house. The place was pretty big, but Oliver looked in every door he passed.

"I said I'm fine!" he suddenly heard her voice, and he instantly rushed in the direction, until he finally saw her. She stopped walking when she finally met his eyes, a relief washing over her instantly.

"Are you alright?" Oliver asked walking over to her, his hands going to her side.

"I'm fine, just-" his hand moved to the minor wound on her side and she hissed in pain. His eyes went wide, instantly tugging at her shirt to reveal the bandage. "Just a graze."

"You should've went for the warehouse." Oliver muttered and Katie grabbed his hand and he looked up to meet her eyes.

"Well you were trying to be noble, and risk your life and I still have use for you." Katie replied placing a hand on Oliver's cheek. "Is everyone alright?"

"Yeah, we all got out, no one harmed except you." Oliver replies carefully bringing his arms around her. "Why are you here?"

"I think you'll figure that out when you become a parent Oliver." Came the voice of Jacob Robins. Oliver glanced up to see the man standing just a couple of feet away. "You and your team got into a very sticky situation."

"Don't worry, I'm handling it." Oliver countered and Jacob simply let out a snort before walking into what looked like a living room.

"Let's just go." Katie said grabbing Oliver's arm and tempting to pull him toward the door, but Oliver glanced over to the living room, and sighed.

"I just-" Oliver glanced down to Katie. "He's known Ra's a long time, and maybe he has some insight."

"Maybe." Was all Katie said before pulling from Oliver's grasp. "You should go find out." she began moving around him. "I'll be outside." Oliver watched until she was gone, once again feeling guilty.

Katie stepped out on the porch unable to keep in the groan she been attempting to hold inside.

"Rough day?" Katie glanced over to see Martin standing at the bottom of the stairs smoking a cigarette.

"Compared to some of my other days, this is a walk in the park." Katie replied dropping to the seat on the porch.

"Why haven't you gone off to see Ra's?" Martin suddenly asked and Katie looked at him like he was crazy. "You know, try to get through to him with your familial bond so to speak."

"Before he let me go, that bastard told his league of assholes to kill me." Katie replied. "I don't think there's a familial bond anymore."

"I don't know much about the league, just the basics I guess. But what I do know is that if you're allowed to leave the league, with the blessing of the Ra's Al Ghul, then there is a bond there that probably isn't going to go away."

"So you want me to find out, by going to Ra's and asking him to please leave my boyfriend alone?"

"Me?" Martin said with a shake of his head. "No, this problem belongs to you and the young Mr. Queen. I was just curious, that's all."

Oliver stood in that spot for a for a few moments before he let out another sigh and headed inside the living room where he found Jacob standing in front of a roaring fire place, drink in hand.

"I was supposed to kill Ra's Al Ghul. A very long time ago, I was young, new soldier, thought I was unbreakable."

"What happened?"

"The mission changed." Jacob replied letting out a slight chuckle. "The mission always changes." he shook his head. "I ended up having to work with the bastard to find someone even more dangerous than him." he finally turned to the young man who looked just plain exhausted. "I actually didn't have as much faith in you as your father did."

"Look, I just I need something. Anything from you that you can think of that can help me stop Ra's." Oliver asked and Jacob looked down to the drink in his hand.

"Some roads have to be traveled to get to the other side." Jacob said somberly before looking back up to Oliver. "Those roads make take you to some dark places, but if you're strong enough you will make it to the end. To the light."

"You think I should accept Ra's offer?"

"Those words would never come out of my mouth." Jacob said before downing the remnants of his drink before sitting the glass on the sill of the fireplace. "I'm telling you that if you're strong enough, you can walk through hell unaffected by the demons." Jacob turned to the window. "In hell you can get close enough to the devil to stab him in the back." he turned back to Oliver. "But like I said, it's a dark road, you should only travel it if you're strong enough."

"That's not a road I can take and still keep her." Oliver countered and Jacob let out a snort before grabbing his glass and walking over to pour himself another drink.

"Oliver I think you and I both know that whatever road you travel, you will lose her." Jacob said filling his glass once again before turning back to the young man.

"I refuse to believe that." Oliver said with a shake of his head. "I refuse to believe after everything we've been through that we can't make it through one more fight."

"It's not the fight that's going to lose her Oliver. She's used to fighting, use to getting back up when she's knocked down. No-" Jacob shook his head. "My daughter is determined to have the life she feels was taken from her, and you're the last bit of it she has. One day she's going to realize how impossible that is." Oliver didn't want to hear anymore, before turning and stalking away from the man.

Felicity Smoak was nervous. Had been then entire time she stepped foot into Palmer Tech and went in search of the technology that could possibly save Ray's life, or end it even quicker. She stood fidgeting on the elevator, still unsure if this was the best choice. The moment the doors open, it took her a few seconds before she actually started moving. Her heels clacked against the floor and she took a few deep breaths, not wanting to seem nervous when she walked into Ray's room. She should've figured that wasn't going to happen the moment she walked into Ray's room to find both her mother and Bruce sitting at Ray's bedside laughing. The moment she walked inside, they all turned to her with smiles.

"All honey you're back!" Donna said standing to her feet and walking over to her daughter.

"Yeah, I was wondering where you ran off too." Ray said looking over to his girlfriend who nervously looked over to Bruce. "Oh, I guess Bruce saw what happened on the news and decided to stop in to see how I was doing."

"That was nice of him." Felicity said with a tight smile.

"Well despite popular belief, I am a nice person." Bruce said standing to his feet.

"Where's Katie?" Felicity asked.

"Oh, she said she had to go." Donna said and that only made Felicity more nervous.

"I ran into her on her way out, and she told me to stick around." Bruce said and Felicity turned to him with confusion about to reply when Ray's doctor walked in. Felicity walked around the bed to listen to the doctor's news. She was glad all attention was on the doctor, because no one but herself noticed Bruce appearing entirely way to close to her in that moment. "The nano tech-" Bruce whispered over to her, and she hated the feeling that stirred inside of her when he did. "She wants me to-"

"Oh-" Donna said suddenly, grabbing her back. "Ow!"

"Mom?" Felicity said taking a step forward, but stopped when her moment gave a slight wink.

"I think I might faint." Donna said turning to the doctor.

"Maybe we should get you on a gurney."

"Yeah, a gurney, lets do that." Donna said before being ushered out of the room by the doctor.

"Is your mom ok?" Ray asked turning to Felicity who simply rolled her eyes.

"I have a feeling she'll be making a miraculous recovery in about five minutes." Felicity replied and Ray simply nodded still clearly confused. "Just like you." Felicity pulled out a small device that made Ray's eyes go wide.

"Is that my nano- tech?" Ray asked and Felicity gave a nod.

"Assuming the organizational system in your lab is accurate." Felicity said looking down to the device.

"Uh, I-are you sure you want to do this?" Ray asked suddenly nervous now that this could actually be happening.

"Considering your options are death, or death Mr. Palmer, I would say that was a stupid question." Bruce said tossing his jacket down, and holding his hand out to Felicity. "Can I see that?"

"Wait, you know about this?" Ray asked.

"I asked Katie to be here, to administer it in case things went bad and we needed an actual medical professional here to I don't keep you breathing, but I guess she had to go and she asked Bruce to stick around." Felicity said glancing over to Bruce who seemed to be engrossed with the little device.

"This is impressive." Bruce muttered.

"And patented." Ray countered and Bruce couldn't help but chuckle before looking up to meet the man's eyes. "Why are you a good substitution for an actual doctor?"

"Well there are a lot of things you don't know about me Mr. Palmer." Bruce replied with a smile before glancing over to Felicity. "Plus I think it has something to do with the person who actually uses this thing could end up in jail."

"Oh, so you're a patsy?" Ray asked with a smile. "That makes more sense."

"Well since I'm the one taking all the risk, I would be just a bit more grateful." Bruce countered.

"Well you know I would if my risk wasn't my actual life."

"Hey, guys!" Felicity intervened. "Let's just-" before she could even finish the sentence, Bruce had injected the device into Ray's neck. Ray and Felicity turned their glares to the man who simply shrugged. Felicity quickly grabbed her tablet that showed Ray's brain.

"How are you feeling?" Felicity asked.

"Fine." Ray replied with a slight smile. "I feel-" no one in the room expected the man to suddenly start seizing.

"Ray!" Felicity called.

"Ray!" Bruce said grabbing Ray's shoulders to keep him in place on the bed. "Hey, Ray, just-" suddenly the man stopped seizing and he looked between Bruce and a clearly frightened Felicity.

"Ok, so maybe there's one side effect." Ray said with a slight smile.

Oliver and Katie found themselves back at her loft, sitting in the living room in the dark. Katie sat with her head on Oliver's chest, his arm comfortably around her. Nothing was different since they were last here. The Arrow was still being hunted and Ra's was still attempting to sway him into accepting his deal. They were in quicksand, and they both knew that before they knew it they'd be stuck forever.

There was a knock at the door that cut through the comfortable silence. Both quickly sat up, on the offensive as they looked back to the door. It was Oliver who stood to his feet and slowly made his way to the door. Katie stood as well, right behind him. There was another knock, this one heavier than before.

"It's me!" a familiar voice called. "Open up!" Katie quickly rushed around Oliver to open the door, immediately stuck with the sight of a clearly beaten up Richard Grayson. "Hey there Sugar Bear."

"Who did this?" was all Katie asked as the man walked inside.

"No one still breathing, trust me." Richard replied before holding up a thick folder holding it out to her. "But I got the goods, like you wanted." Katie grabbed the envelope, sitting it on the table, before switching on a light and getting a good look at the damage to his face. "Really, I'm fine."

"Someone want to fill me in one what the hell is going on?" Oliver asked looking between the two. "Are you in some kind of trouble?"

"If he is, it's all my fault." Katie said turning from Richard to Oliver. "We need to talk." she turned back to Richard. "Go put some ice on your face, and finally call Bruce."

"And tell him what?"

"The truth, including my part." Katie replied. "Throw me under the bus, I don't care." she said and the man just shook his head before heading off to the kitchen.

"Twinkie, what's going on?" Oliver asked and Katie grabbed the envelope before handing it to the man. He wasn't sure what he would find ,but he took a deep breath before snapping open the envelope and looking at the contents inside. His eyes went wide at the sight of passports, and social security cards, and birth certificates. He looked back up to Katie who waited for him to say something. "Twinkie, what is this?"

"This is that third option." Katie replied looking down to the envelope. "So don't accept Ra's offer, and don't try to prove the Arrow's innocence." she reached out, placing her hand on his. "Let's just go. We can finally be free. It can just be you and me." Oliver stared into the woman's eyes, seeing the seriousness and the hope that filled those words. She had absolute no idea how much he wanted to just accept this offer, and never look back. He'd dreamed of a life with her, away from the craziness of their lives and here it was. "Liver-"

"No." Oliver said simply and she turned away swallowing the suddenly lump in her throat.

"So you don't even need time to think about it?" she asked turning back to Oliver. "This fight-"

"This fight doesn't beat us. It doesn't take away our lives." Oliver asked with a shake of his head. He looked down to the envelope before tossing it back to the table. "I made you a promise-"

"And everyday that promise gets further and further away." Katie said, tears now falling from her eyes. "There is no way out of this that doesn't end with pain and suffering." Oliver reached out to her, but she pulled away. "This is it Oliver, this is how we get our happily ever after. You have to take it." she looked up to his eyes, hoping some of this was getting through to him.

"This isn't how we get to happily ever after Twinkie." Oliver replied simply with a smile. "But I promise you that we will have it." he once again reached out to touch her, but this time she simply turned away, stalking toward the door. "Twinkie, just-"

"I'm going to head back to the hospital to check on Ray." Katie said, grabbing her jacket and not even glancing back before leaving.

Oliver stood there looking at the door. He should go after her, talk to her, finally get her to understand why he couldn't just leave. And yet he didn't move because he had doubts about his decision.

"You know it has to be love for a woman to pay a ridiculous about of money to have a new life with the man she loves." Richard said and Oliver glanced over to see the man standing with a ice pack to his eye.

"Richard, I'm really not in the mood." Oliver replied, eyes still on that door.

"I'm just saying she's willing to leave her entire life behind and you can't do it because you don't want to lose the fight?"

"Have you ever been in love Richard?" Oliver asked and the young man couldn't actually think of a time and so he shook his head. "Then please don't assume you understand anything about my decisions." Oliver turned away, his eyes going back to the door. "She deserves more than a life in the wind."

It was probably the lack of sleep, or maybe the argument she's just had with the man she planned on marrying, but at the moment Katie had stopped thinking rationally. When that happened, she usually made bad decisions and because of that fact, Katie decided to call in someone she knew would not only have her back, but also help her make smart decisions.

"Why did you call me?" Roy asked as he followed behind Katie as they walked through the cemetery. "What are we even doing out here?" his eyes kept scanning the dark cemetery not wanting any surprises.

"I'm sorry." Katie said suddenly stopping and turning to the man. "With the whole me and Oliver thing, I haven't been able to teach you some of the things I think you should know to be good at this job."

"What are you-" Katie placed a hand on the young man's mouth to stop him from speaking.

"Wherever you go, always listen." Katie said her eyes on Roy's. "You're ears rarely lie." she dropped her hand, and Roy still seemed confused until he heard what sounded like the crunching of leaves. He turned his head trying to see through the darkness, but it was impossible.

"We're not alone." Roy said turning back to Katie who simply nodded. "Who's here?"

"No one good." Katie says turning and continuing to walk, Roy right behind her a little bit more vigilant than he had been before. He nearly bumped her shoulder when she once again suddenly stopped. This time when he looked up, he saw someone, a man, whose back was too them.

"No matter what conspires between us, I will always be in awe of you, my dear Nura." Katie and Roy stood a bit straighter as the demon turned to face them.

"You know you could've warned me that we were visiting Ra's Al Ghul." Roy whispered over to Katie.

"You wouldn't have come." Katie replied, keeping her eyes on the unpredictable man in front of them. "And I knew you couldn't come to Starling and not visit your sister." Ra's simply chuckled before turning back to the headstone that held a name that didn't belong to his sister.

"You know I expected to see your beloved Mr. Queen with you at such a late hour." Ra's spoke. "I figure at this point he may have changed his mind about my offer."

"He's hasn't. And he won't." Katie replied, hating having to talk to the man's back. "You can't have him. I won't let you." she heard him once again chuckle.

"So if you won't let me, then there must be some plan to stop me." Ra's said once again turning to face her. Katie didn't say anything, but the glare etched into her features spoke volumes. "You know it was supposed to be you. The moment you first picked up that sword, and took your first life, I could see it in your eyes. That darkness, that unattainable quality that can't be taught." the man walked over to her, and she felt Roy move a bit closer to her as well. "It was in your blood. Our blood, but I underestimated the influence of my dead sister." a strong wind picked up, blowing leaves around them. Katie's eyes remained on Ra's who let out a sigh.

"That's not my brother."

Katie turned her head, and there stood her mother, the woman's eyes on Ra's studying him, with a shake of her head.

"That's the ghost of my brother." Grace sighed reaching out to touch the man, only for her hand to pass right through him. "Tell him that I'm here, tell him—" Katie shook her head before turning back to her uncle.

"The title of Ra's should be given to someone who understands the burdens that go along with it and still wants it. Oliver does not value the league and it's practices, his heart still beats, and he still has his soul."

"All things that can easily be stripped away." Ra's replied with a wave of his hand. "It is Oliver who is meant to lead my League, Oliver who will be the next Ra's. He either chooses, or he dies."

"Tell him that I'm here."

"If that were true, why am I standing here right now?" Katie asked and she saw a flash of darkness pass over the man's eyes. "End this now before it gets too far."

"Oh, my dear Nura ,I don't think it could get any farther." Ra's replied before giving a nod. "I'm sure we will be seeing each other." with that the man turned and began walking away.

"Quick tell him that I'm here!" Grace yelled and Katie shook her head before taking a step forward.

It had to be the lack of sleep because she wouldn't follow the demon with a sound mind. Roy attempted to catch her arm, but fell short. He kept his eyes on her to see that she didn't actually get too far. He kept his eyes on her until he felt the vibration of his phone in his pocket. He quickly pulled it out hoping it was someone who he could tell to get down here before Katie did something more crazy than meeting with the leader of the League of Assassins. It was a text from Thea, and he couldn't believe the words.

"Katie-"

"She's here!" Katie suddenly yelled, and Ra's suddenly stopped walking. An eerie chill blew through that cemetery. "She's right here, and she is not happy." she had doubt that she'd get a reaction out of the man, even doubted if he even cared, but what she did notice was that he stopped. He stopped and just just stood there and she so badly wanted to see his face, his eyes for his true feelings. She never got her wish, because without hesitation the man continued walking, until disappearing into the shadow of the cemetery.

"Katie." Roy said once again, and Katie just dropped her head, because this meeting, this crazy meeting with the demon was all she had. It was her only idea and it didn't work. "Something's happened." Katie quickly turned around, meeting the man's eyes that were filled with worry. "We have to go."

The car ride was silent as they listened to the one thing both feared, but neither expected.

"A stunning development, as Oliver Queen has been outed as the Arrow. The accusation comes as a particular surprise, considering that Queen was exonerated of being the Arrow only 2 years ago."

Roy quickly reached forward and flicked off the radio before glancing over to Katie had yet to react to the news. Her expression was blank as she kept her eyes out the window, and he wasn't sure what was going in her head.

"There has to be a way out of this, right?" Roy asked hoping that getting her to talk could get her out of her head. "I mean they accused him before and he did a Houdini and got out of it."

"Last time was different." Katie replied, not even bothering to turn to him. "Last time it was Oliver's plan. Oliver controlled the narrative, this time my uncle is the one pulling the strings."

"So what now? Oliver runs for the rest of his life-"Roy turned to Katie still hoping for just an ounce of emotion. Roy may be the one person on the team who hasn't known her as long, but sometimes he feels that he knows her. She's been through stuff, seen stuff, and yet she still stand tall, tough. He understood her, because he too felt the need to break through the things that should keep them down. "That's not fair. Not fair to him, to-" the man shook his head as he turned back to the road. "It's not fair to you."

"Fair?" repeated Katie with a shake of her head. "Fair is a myth. There isn't some unseen force making sure there is a balance between good and evil. Sometimes you fight and you just lose. Doesn't matter if you're the good guys or the bad guys. Only matters if the other guys are smarter than you."

The car came to a stop outside John's apartment where Felicity said they would be meeting. The pair sat in the car for a moment unmoving before Roy finally turned to her.

"What's the point of what we do if you don't believe that we could win?" Roy asked and for the first time, she finally turned to him and let out a sigh.

"I believe we can win Roy, but I'm also not naive enough to believe that we also can't lose." she replied before glancing up to the building, before once again turning away. "Fair is a myth, happily ever after in a fairy tale and that's just world we live in."

"You don't believe that." Roy stated firmly, and Katie just looked out the window. "I saw you. We all did. You wanted to be happy and so you fought for it. So what's stopping you right now?" she still didn't say anything and Roy wasn't sure what else to say. "Before I joined the team, and I was just this inexperienced idiot trying to be a hero, but getting the crap beat out of me. You're the only one I told." he turned to the woman. "I would stumble into GMH and you'd stitch me up, drive home."

"Not before telling you how much of a dumbass you were." she muttered and Roy chuckled.

"Yeah, but what you didn't tell me to do was stop." Roy replied with a slight smile. "You told me wear darker clothes, to stick to the shadows, you told me if I was going to try to play the hero, then at least be smart about it. You believe in the fight Katie and I believe in the fight because of you." Roy turned just in time to see Oliver as he stepped out of the building. "It's Oliver." Roy quickly got out of the car and rushed over to the man. Katie turned and watched the exchange. Soon Oliver's eyes looked over to the car before he gave Roy a firm pat to his shoulder.

"That was a goodbye." she suddenly thought before turning away, suddenly struck with the urge to cry. She hated the feeling, hated how the emotion seemed to overcome her. She closed her eyes, and inhaled and exhaled hoping to get control over the emotions that were ravaging her insides. She heard the driver's door open, but she didn't open her eyes, she didn't want to be in this moment.

"Twinkie-"

"You came out here to say goodbye." Katie interrupted, finally opening her eyes and turning to Oliver whose eyes revealed way too much of what he was feeling in this moment. She had to turn away, too afraid she'd break right here. "Came to tell me that you're going to go turn yourself into Lance because he's the lesser of the two evils pulling at you."

"Twinkie, just-"

"I remember telling you how I didn't want you to get involved with Ra's, how I just wanted to handle this myself." said Katie as she turned to look back out the window. "That shit went right out the window."

"I'm sorry, there's just no other way-"

"No, our other way is in an envelope in my apartment." Katie replied with a shake of her head. "But you're choosing this-" she turned back to the man. "You." Katie simply shook her head before stepping out of the car. Oliver went to follow her, as she simply walked in the street trying to get away from him.

"I asked you to run with me once!" Oliver called after her trying to catch up. "Do you remember what you told me?" she didn't reply, but he knows she does. "You said you would never do that to me, you wouldn't let your problem, be my problem."

"Well what if I told you that I regret that decision every day?" Katie asked finally stopping and turning to the man. "I should've let you taken me away, because if you did we wouldn't be here." she once again turned to walk away but Oliver caught her arm.

"I'm sorry,-"

"I don't want an apology Oliver." Katie replied pulling from his grasp. "I want you. Here, with me, not rotting away in some jail paying for the crimes of my uncle." she began backing away. "I want to marry you, and I want to have a child that has your eyes and my nose and I want to finally stop drawing the short straws in life." she just shook her head, letting out a deep sigh. "But you can't always get what you want, right?" she was going to fall apart, right here and right now and she couldn't let that happen. Not outside, in the middle of the street and so she turned and just walked away from him.

When Katie finally arrived back to her loft, she only made it inside the door before sliding down to the floor and finally releasing the tears she's been holding inside of her. Every situation had a solution and she just couldn't find out what it was. She couldn't figure out how to save the one person in this world she doesn't think she can live without.

She doesn't know how long she'd been sitting there in the dark silence. A part of her was wishing this was just some sick and twisted nightmare, and any moment she'll be able to just wake up. There was a sudden banging on her door, and Katie quickly jumped to her feet.

"SCPD, open up!" a voice called and Katie let out a deep sigh before reaching forward and pulling open the door. There standing with Captain Lance, a couple of officers behind him.

"It's kind of common courtesy to call before showing up to someone's house." Katie said folding her arms over her chest.

"Where is he?" Lance demanded and Katie simply shrugged.

"Where is who?" she asked and Quentin took a step toward her, but she didn't back away.

"Oliver Queen, if you have his whereabouts, you are legally required to tell me right now." Quentin says, the scowl on his face not even bothering the woman.

"No." was Katie's reply and the man simply shook his head.

"Boys, you hear that?" Quentin suddenly asked. "I thought I heard someone crying out for help. Check it out." and without hesitation, officers filed into Katie's loft, but she kept her eyes on the man in front of her. "Tell me where he is or I will arrest you, right now." Katie simply let out a sigh, before turning around, and putting her hands behind her back. Quentin knew she wouldn't just give him up, knew she wouldn't make this easy. What he didn't expect was the sudden hesitation he felt the moment he grabbed his cuffs.

"Katherine Robins, you are under arrest for the refusal to cooperate with an active investigation. You have the right to remain silent, anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. If you choose to..." Katie tuned the man out as he read her rights. Her eyes on the officers moving about her loft, pulling it apart in search of a man not even there. Soon she was being pulled away, and at this point didn't even care where she was going.

Soon Katie found herself handcuffed in Lance's office, her eyes staring blankly at the wall clock that hung above her. Apparently something happened while Lance was gone, and the moment they walked in he had to rush away. The door behind her suddenly opened, but she didn't turn from the ticking clock.

"You are no longer arrest doctor." Lance said from behind her and she didn't even react to the statement. "I could still arrest you. Interfering with an investigation really is a serious crime." still nothing and the man simply let out a sigh. "Did you know he was going to turn himself in?" her eyes were just fixated on that damn clock, and this time Lance followed them. He moved to stand in front of her, still noticing how she didn't even acknowledge him. "Hey Doc, you understand why I had to do this? All of this, Oliver-"

"What evidence do you have linking Oliver to the Arrow?" Katie suddenly asked, finally meeting the man's gaze.

"You know I can't reveal my sources, it's-"

"It was a man. Menacing, probably had a bunch of friends around him who didn't speak and who all wore black that didn't look like they belonged in Starling." Katie stated. "He told you that Oliver was the Arrow and instead finding proof of the accusation, you arrested him."

"Doc-"

"He had to have told you something about Sara, right?" Katie asked. "I mean crazy guy wants you to do something, he has to give you some sort of motivation, so sort of push."

"Sara was on that island with him and he didn't even think to say anything." Lance said with a shake of his head. "He waltz back in the Starling, letting me think my daughter died on that boat-"

"But she didn't. She came back. You saw her, got to spend time with her." Katie replied. "You know who else didn't tell you she was on that island? Sara." Lance turned away. "Sara talked to you, spent time with you, so everything she wanted you to know I figure she would've told you, don't you think?" Katie dropped her head letting out a deep sigh. "That man that told you Oliver was the Arrow is a very bad man. He's the head of the League of Assassins. That place your daughter ran from." she looked up to the man eyes. "You don't know everything, and this case you've think you've solved it's not. The moment you walked away from Ra's was the moment you walked away from the man who you should be arresting." she finally stood to her feet and turned, waiting for the man to remove her cuffs. Soon they were pulled from her wrists and she turned back to the man. "I'll be out there, I would like to see him. Just let me know when that can happen." she didn't wait for a reply before turning for the door.

"He lied about Sara." Lance suddenly said, and Katie stopped walking. "He lied about my daughter who is now dead, he pulled my eldest daughter into this shit and brings her closer to death and then he dug his hooks into you." Katie turned back to meet his eyes. "You know I watched you. Saw how you were getting back on track after things ended with the two of you. You had your job, and I could see that you loved it. And then Queen swoops back in, and he just ruins it."

"Captain, my shit-tastic life has absolutely nothing to do with Oliver. My life was doomed to be horrible since I was kidnapped and put in a dark room. What you saw is what I wanted you to see, what I wanted everyone to see." Katie turned away with a shake of her head. "I did love my job, but my boyfriend turned out to be a murderer, and at every turn someone was trying to kill me." she turned back to the man. "The only thing I had going good for me was Oliver. The man I love, who I planned on marrying-" she lifted her hand and looked down to the engagement ring. "That's probably never going to happen." she looked back over to Lance and sighed. "I won't forgive you for this. And I know that probably means nothing to you, but it kind of breaks my heart because you-"

"What?"

"You were the dad I wished I had." she said simply before turning and walking out of the office, leaving Lance with words that made him feel even more guilty. He shouldn't though. He knows Oliver is the reason behind this, and he knows the rightful place for the man is behind bars. Quentin stood to his feet and walked over to the door, and looked out as Katie simply took a seat at one of the empty desks, eyes going to her and then to him. He waved them off, and so they went about their business.

Katie was sure that if she were normal, that she would be in a pool of tears on the floor right now as she sat in the buzzing police station, her eyes closed and her foot bouncing nervously. No one looked at her, or at least no one looked at her when she looked at them, but she was sure they were looking. Probably judging her.

"Doctor." A familiar voice of the Captain spoke and Katie simply opened her eyes. "You can see him now."

Lance lead Katie to the holding room, glancing over ever so often, but she refused to make eye contact with him.

"He's being transported to a more secure location as soon as we get the order." Lance said and Katie's eyes remained on the door. "You only have fifteen minutes." Katie didn't reply and so he simply turned and opened the door for her. She rushed inside, the door closing behind her. The man stood there for a few moments before taking a few steps away from the room. He waited in that bright hallway for a few moments, before pulling that ring from his pocket and looking down to it. Quentin couldn't shake that nagging feeling that he wasn't seeing the whole picture. He wasn't an idiot, he knew something didn't smell right with this entire thing, but all he had was evidence. And if he veered from the evidence, then his job would come into question. This was the right thing, and he had to remember that. No matter who disliked him because of the decision.

He glanced down to the door when he heard raised voices. He only took a step before the door swung open, and teary eyed Katie stormed down the hall.

"Twink—Katie!" he heard Oliver yell, but she didn't stop. She didn't look at him as she walked by, and he had to practically run to catch her.

"Hey, doc!" he called before finally grabbing her arm to stop her. She whipped around, the glare on her face shuttering. "You forgot something." he held up the ring, and the moment her eyes saw it, it only seemed to make her sadder. "Look, I'm sorry about-"

"Don't apologize." Katie said before taking the ring from his hand. "You can't apologize for a decision you still stand behind." she looked up meeting his eyes, and it broke his heart. She suddenly shook her head before turning and stalking off. She did stop just short of the door that lead to the squad room. "I was going to get married." she turned back to the man. "You know a couple of years ago, I thought I was going to die, and marriage was just a missed opportunity. But then I'm come back home and the man of my dreams asks me to marry him and I said yes. I should've known then that it wouldn't last, but I wanted it so badly." she glanced down the hall still trying to keep herself from falling completely apart. "I was going to invite you to dinner-" she turned back to Lance. "And I was going to ask if you would walk me down the aisle." she just shook her head before she turned and walked away. "I guess I forgot I'm not that lucky."

Katie walked back into the squad room, not expecting to see Felicity, Roy and John speaking with Laurel. Laurel was the first to see her, before John, Roy, and Felicity turned to her as well. Felicity rushed over to her, pulling her into a tight hug.

"What the hell is he doing?" Felicity asked pulling from the hug.

"He's doing this for all of you." Laurel said taking a step forward. "He made a deal to confess to everything if none of you were implicated." they all looked to Katie waiting for her to say something.

"I guess you weren't able to talk him out of this?" John asked and Katie looked over to him and just shook her head.

"Nope. Oliver's making a choice." she replied before drying her eyes once again with her palm. "And I will do what I always do, and accept it." with that the woman stalked passed them out of the squad room.

"Katie, wait!" Roy called, before following after her.

"What do we do now?" Felicity asked turning back to John and Laurel.

"I don't think there's much we can do." John sighed. "I mean if she wasn't able to convince him not to go through with this, then I don't know who could."

Roy was able to slide onto the elevator before it could close. He intended to try to talk to Katie, but he didn't expect there to be someone on there with her.

"You're that reporter lady, right?" Roy asked looking over to the brunette who kept her eyes on Katie.

"Lois Lane." the woman replied. "Are you leaving? I figure your boyfriend being arrested for being the vigilante would call for you to bring your million dollar lawyers out." Katie simply shook her head before turning to the doors. When they finally opened, she was about to leave, but was stopped. "Oliver didn't kill those people." both Roy and Katie turned to the woman. "I mean why would he? He's helped stop so many criminals, saved so many lives in this city, and then reverts to murder. This is an obvious set up, and your fine Captain is playing right into it." Katie dropped her head, for just a moment before walking out of the elevator. She stopped short of the door noticing the reporters and flashing camera lights crowding around outside. Lois' phone rang as she stepped out as well. "Ok, thanks." she turned to Katie and Roy. "The order came in, he's being transported tonight."

"How do you know that?" Roy asked and Lois simply shrugged deciding to play dumb instead of revealing her source, before turning and heading back out with the rest of the reporters before Lance spotted her back in the station where she was specifically told to steer clear. "Look, there has to be something we can do."

"There's nothing." Katie replied turning to Roy. "This is how this story ends. Oliver goes to jail, and Ra's loses his heir."

"And what happens to you?" Roy asks and Katie turns away.

"This isn't about me Roy." Katie said simply. She turned placing a kiss to the man's cheek. "I'll see ya." and with that Katie ventured out the doors, immediately crowded by reporters and flashing bulbs. Roy stood there for a moment with the undeniable feeling that those words were a goodbye.

Maybe Katie was really a coward. Maybe she just wasn't as strong and determined as everyone thought she was. That's the only reason she can even explain why she's currently sitting in Starling's Bus Station. She pulled the baseball cap a bit tighter over her head, before reaching up and straightening her sunglasses. The place was pretty dead, but the last thing she wants right now is to be recognized by anyone. Katie looked down to the ticket in her hand. The one way ticket out of Starling, out of Ra's reach, out of the pain that only Oliver Queen can cause.

"You can't run from your life." a voice spoke and Katie lifted her head to see her mother sitting across from her. "It always catches up to you."

"Well we all can't take the easy way out, and off ourselves, now can we?" Katie muttered as she let her eyes roam across the station. She turned back to Grace who sat with a look of hurt, that actually made Katie regret the words. "Would you please just go away, I don't need the reminder that I'm going crazy. And I definitely don't need that reminder to be the mother I barely knew."

"I'm sorry, I wished I could've been more honest with you." Grace replied and Katie scoffed once again turning away. "I never wanted any of this for you and I thought I made that perfectly clear to your father, but he-" the woman sighed. "He was really scared. We ran and we thought we were free." she turned to her daughter. "Distance doesn't free you, not seeing the problem doesn't mean its gone, it just means-"

"You're refusing to turn around to see them." Katie muttered. It was a saying her mother said often and even after all this time.

"Oh hell." Grace muttered, and in confusion Katie turned to her only to find that she was gone.

Katie's eyes did look over just in time to see a familiar face headed her way. She let out a deep sighed, before sitting back.

"Oh hell." she muttered as the man came over and sit beside her. "What are you doing here Martin?"

"Hey that's my line." Martin replied as he glanced around the bus station. "Didn't we do this already, you don't get to leave Starling just because you're scared and you feel like running away."

"Go away Martin, and tell Jacob that if he wants to have a heart to heart then he should maybe try it himself, and not send his annoying flunkie." Katie said not even looking at the man. "Oh I forgot he's too busy faking his death to be there for that kid he fathered."

"I swear sometimes you're just so..." Martin shook his head before turning to the woman fully. "Ok we get it. Your life has be shit piled onto of shit, but some doctor from Starling with rich parents, would not have been able to handle this. It's time to stop sulking-"

"Sulking?" Katie replied before turning to the man as well. "I'm not sulking because my life was shit. I'm angry as hell that it continues to be shit and there's nothing I can do about it. Oliver walked into that prison-"

"And you thought that was going to be it. You thought that Oliver Queen was going to rot away in some prison for the rest of his life?"

"I'm sorry I thought that's how prisons work."

"You asked your father to break out Malcolm Merlyn from Nanda Parbat and he told you it was impossible, but did you think some prison in Starling would be impenetrable."

"What are you saying?"

"I'm saying there was a plan in motion. A couple of planted guards, and an unexpected accident with a police transport van that left the inmate inside dead." Martin replied. "It was a good plan, solid, but of course there just had to be a snag."

"What snag?" Martin glanced around and spotted a television before nudging his head. Katie followed his eyes to a news report and her eyes went wide when she saw a picture of Roy. She quickly stood to her feet and rushed over to hear what they were saying.

"To repeat, we're just getting word from the authorities that Roy Harper, a Glades resident with a long history of run-ins with the police, has been identified as the vigilante known as the Arrow..."

Katie heard Martin's feet behind her, but her eyes were on the screen. There was a video of Roy dressed as the Arrow, admitting to be the Arrow and now Oliver was free and he was the one being taken to prison.

"Get him out." Katie said simply, turning to Martin. "I want him out of there now."

"Absolutely, but under one condition." Martin replied. "You stay and you face your problems. No more running." Katie turned back to the television and just shook her head. "You fight."

---

Author's Notes:

Well there you have it. A lot happened in this chapter, but it's winding down to the end. Expect more bomb shells.

Review Replies:

rockyroyal,dr: I feel like I'm really throwing a lot at my OC, but it's how you build character. Some times you have to go through storms, and trust me she will have a light at the end of her tunnel. Ethan and Laurel were quite unexpected, but see them as a fun couple to write, and can't wait to see how Ethan interacts with Quentin. This whole chapter just showed some pretty good sides of Oliver and his determination to be there for Katie, but we're going to see him pushed to a corner.

Adela: Thanks so much for reviewing and I'm glad you're enjoying the story.

I want to thank everyone whose sticking this out with me. I know I'm not the best writer, and the updates can be sporatic, but I promise we are going to get this story done. I just wrote a chapter I know is going to be very big and I can't wait to upload for all of you. Thanks so much to Adela and rockyroyal,dr for your reviews, you have no idea how much I appreciate all the feed back and commentary. Keep them coming. And now for your sneak peek

"Barry?" Katie spoke thinking she recognized the man voice, but she really wasn't sure. "Barry is that you?"

"Katie...I...please." she wasn't sure what was happening or if this was some sort of joke. She couldn't understand anything the man was saying as if there were some kind of interference. "Katie...please...danger."

The last word she heard before the line suddenly ended was actually as clear as day. She looked down to the phone to see that the call had suddenly dropped. She was about to call the man back, when she heard the subtle creaking of floor boards. Katie stood from her bed, and quietly walked out into the hall only stopping when she reached the living room and found that it wasn't empty. There standing was the man in the familiar yellow suit, holding one of her pictures in his hand.

"It's probably too soon." the man's distorted voice spoke before simply letting the picture from crash to the floor. He turned to Katie who kept her eyes on him, watching him carefully. "But I no longer have the patience to wait." And in a blur of yellow, the pair was gone.