CHAPTER 22
Fear of the Inevitable
"You have to fight to reach your dream.
You have to sacrifice and work hard for it."
-Lionel Messi
Fear is the product of uncertainty. Right now Katie was uncertain about a lot and she hated it. She spent years without any control, being pushed and pulled at the discretion of others and when she returned to Starling, she thought that part of her life was over.
Oliver was a free man once again. The price was Roy lying to the world and saying that he was the Arrow. Katie made a deal with Martin, she would stay and fight if they got him out, but there was only one problem. She didn't know how to fight this. She didn't know how to beat Ra's Al Ghul. She thought if she avoided him, if she stayed as far away from him as possible, then she could safely live a life without his influence, but she was wrong.
It was morning when Katie finally worked up the courage to put the battery back into her phone and let the world back in. She had numerous voice mails, and texts all telling her what she already knew. One of those messages was from Oliver himself wondering where she was, and if she was ok.
She wasn't ok. Hasn't been for a while now, and it's only recently that she's been willing to actually admit this to herself. At the moment she didn't want to think about her own fears. She wanted Roy out of that prison as soon as possible. She knew Thea was probably pulling her hair in worry, and so she found herself at the one place she knew the woman would be.
When Katie walked inside of Verdant she actually hoped that Thea would be alone. But what she found was Thea with the one person she wasn't ready to see. There she stood with Oliver, and they both turned to her the moment she walked in.
"Twinkie!" Thea said as she rushed over and pulled Katie into a tight hug which Katie returned. Her eyes looked over to Oliver who walked over as well. "Where have you been? Roy's in some serious trouble."
"I know I saw the news." Katie said pulling from the hug. "I came to check on you."
"Well I'm fine, I'm more worried about him. He can't stay in that prison for something he didn't do." Thea replied before turning to her brother whose eyes were still on Katie. "Um, you probably need like a minute, right."
"No." Katie says turning to Thea. "We had our minute, and now it's over. Don't worry about Roy, he's not staying in that prison." she glanced back to Oliver before turning back to Thea and realized she still was ready for this. "I need to go back to my place to check out the damage the SCPD left behind and then I need to shower and change, but I'll give you a call later." Thea simply nodded before watching Katie turn and head for the door.
"Ollie—" Thea started, but Oliver was already heading for the door before she could even finish.
The moment Oliver stepped outside, he spotted her instantly and so he ran to catch up to her. He knows she heard him following, but she didn't stop or even turn back to him.
"Katie, please just wait!" Oliver said, finally able to jump in front of her to stop her from walking away. "I'm sorry, I-" he tried to touch her but she backed away. "Twinkie, I know what happened was-"
"Do you regret what you did?" she asked interrupting him. "Because you should only apologize when you actually regret the decision and even then I wouldn't because apologizes change nothing." the woman turned to once again walk away.
"No I will apologize because what happened hurt you and it hurt me too. I will apologize because I know I'm screwing this up, I know I'm pushing you away and I just-" he took a step toward, once again trying to touch her, but she backed away. "Twinkie, I love you. I love you more than-"
"That's where the problem lies." interrupted Katie again. "You love me, but not more than anything. Not more than your undying need to punish yourself for the sake of others when you really don't have to." she shook her head. "We could be gone right now. No longer fighting unwinnable battles that always end with someone dead or someone heartbroken." she turned back to him and sighed. "But you're the hero. That's what happened last night, you chose to be the other guy."
"I chose the only route I could think of to stop the murders in this city, and my friends being put in danger." Oliver said, letting out a deep sigh. "I want out from under Ra's thumb just as much as you do, and I knew running from him wouldn't do that."
"Well now we will never know." Katie replied with a shrug. "The thing is I doubt this would be the last time you would have to make a decision like this. You appointed yourself the savior of Starling and whenever you can you will choose to sacrifice yourself for it." she turned away and let out a deep sigh. "This isn't the time for this conversation, we should be focused on Roy and getting him out of jail. Right now I need to shower because I feel like crap, my head is spinning and if we have this conversation now then things change." she turned back to Oliver and just shrugged. "We change." Oliver dropped his head unsure if he wanted to proceed with this conversation, afraid to push it. "Have you spoken to Roy?"
"Uh yeah-" Oliver lifted his eyes back to the woman. "He's doing this out of guilt for killing that officer when he was on the Mirakuru. He thinks that he belongs in jail whether he was in control or not." Katie simply shook her head and the pair fell into silence.
"I asked Martin to find a way to get him out, but we are going to need a contingency plan in case it doesn't work." Katie said and Oliver simply nodded. Without another word Katie turned to leave.
"Marry me." Oliver said suddenly, and Katie stopped. Those were two words that for so long she thought she'd never hear from the man, and now they didn't hold the same feeling. Now they were words he thought brought her back to that faint memory of happily ever after. She turned back to him for a moment before walking over to stand in front of him.
"And what would that mean?" Katie asked with a shake of her head. "Would it mean more nights like yesterday? More chances to have my heart broken and expected to be ok with it? It's just I can't take it anymore Oliver, I can't be ok with it anymore." Katie rose her hand and began pulling off the ring, but Oliver quickly took her hand to stop her. "You are Oliver Queen and I am Katherine Robins and I will love you forever, but I will not have my heart broken forever." with that Katie turned and rushed off leaving Oliver standing there completely at a loss. He watched as she stepped into her car and sped away leaving him standing there, her engagement ring in his hand.
Katie arrived at her loft and just stopped at the mess. The disaster of her place seemed to be the theme of her entire life. She just walked away from the man of her dreams, and she's not even completely sure it was a good idea. The only thing she kept thinking about was all the pain in her life that occurred because Oliver thought he knew what was best. It was starting to become this endless cycle and it was time to finally end it.
There were sudden footsteps that snapped Katie from her thoughts. She stood a bit straighter, cursing that she was unarmed. The footsteps neared and her fists clenched at her side, but they relaxed the moment she saw Bruce come in sights.
"Just, why?" Katie asked before pulling off her jacket and sifting through the mess toward her room. She stopped in the hall when she noticed that door she always kept locked was again open. She peeked her head inside to see Richard sitting at her desk. He glanced and smiled with a wave.
"Hey sugar bear, question, do you see dead people?" Richard asked and Katie looked at him with narrowed eyes before just shaking her had and continuing into her room.
"You went off the grid for a while." Bruce said as he followed her into her room. "I thought for sure after Oliver found himself in prison, you'd be hell bent on getting him out."
"Actually I was at the bus station." Katie replied turning to the man. She reached into her pocket and pulled out the crumpled bus ticket. "One way trip to Blue Valley until I figured out my next move." she tossed the ticket on the floor before turning and heading into her closet.
"What stopped you?" Bruce asked bending down and picking up the ticket.
"Well I assumed that things in Starling couldn't get more crazy than the man I planned on marrying being carted off to prison for crimes he didn't commit, but then I turned to the television and was proven wrong."
"Roy-"
"Martin is handling the Roy situation." Katie replied and Bruce looked over to the closet with a quirked brow. "You're judging me."
"Well I didn't know you were working with your father-"
"I'm not working with my father, I'm using him to help my friend." Katie replied walking from her closet and glancing over to Bruce. "But you're not here to talk about where I've been, you're here to ask me about Richard."
"I assume you know why what you did was wrong." Bruce said and Katie looked to him with a quirked brow. She assumed in this moment he'd revel in the opportunity to throw in her face how stupid it was to put Richard in such a dangerous situation. "I hope you know why what you did was wrong, and stupid."
"I'm sorry I put him in that position. I was scared and I was out of ideas, but I should've known it would be for nothing. I should've known that Oliver's ego was way too thick to even consider walking away." Katie shook her head before heading from the bathroom.
"Is that why you're not wearing your engagement ring?" he asked ,and Katie stopped in place. She should've known her very observant friend would see the things she just wished he didn't. "You know it's this moment, this situation that proves that relationships just don't work with people like us." Katie turned back to face him. "And I wished you would've seen it before you got hurt again."
"Better late than never I guess." Katie said before turning and stalking into the bathroom. "I want you both gone by the time I finish my shower!"
Felicity Smoak tore her attention away from the passing trees over to Oliver who gripped the steering wheel as he drove. It would seem Roy's incarceration wouldn't be the only thing they would have to worry about. Apparently with the perceived notion that the Arrow was incarcerated, a metahuman from Central City has shown up and started terrorizing the city with his ability to somehow create blasts of energy and plasma. And besides that Lance had discovered the lair underneath club. Luckily Felicity and John wiped all of their prints besides Roy so no one else can be implicated. At the moment the most important problem was the metahuman, and since the city thought the Arrow was in prison, there was no way for Oliver to go out and stop him. Which is why the pair was currently in the car driving to Palmer Tech. It would seem Ray and his ATOM suit was their only option.
Felicity noted how Oliver didn't say much since the drive began, and how he never even uttered a word about what happened between him and Katie. She wonders with everything that has happened, should she even bring it up.
"Felicity, why are you staring at me?" Oliver asked feeling the woman's eyes on him for a while now. The woman quickly turned away, not realizing how blatantly she was staring at him. "Is there something you want to say?"
"What happened with Katie?" Felicity finally asked and she heard the heavy breath escape the man's nose. "Look I know she was upset after you turned yourself in, and she kind of went dark for a while but she came back. That has to mean something."
"She gave me the ring back." Oliver replied not tearing his eyes from the road. He'd tried not to dwell too much on the situation, to put it out of his mind because at the moment there were more pressing issues. Issues of life and death and he couldn't worry about them if he was thinking about the love of his life walking away from him. "The engagement is off." Felicity turned back to him, waiting for him to say something else and she just shook her head.
"She's angry."
"Felicity I know that, but it doesn't change what is happening." Oliver replied. "Look right now I need to focus-"
"She was angry, and you need to understand why she was angry." Felicity said, but Oliver didn't say anything in hopes of finally ending this conversation. "She lost you-"
"She didn't lose me." Oliver countered turning to the woman. "She could never lose me. I'm hers no matter where I am, and for some reason she just-" he turned away with a shake of his head. "She can't see that."
"Then maybe you should show her."
"I thought I did with this ring." Oliver muttered.
"No you gave her a ring and then sentenced yourself to life in prison." Felicity replied. "I'm not sure how she was supposed to react to that." Oliver turned to the woman suddenly really thinking about how his actions looked to her. "You promised her forever and she believed it. Then you consciously chose to break that promise."
"I did what I did for this city." Oliver replied turning away. "The murders needed to end, so I decided to end it."
"You did. What you did was very heroic." Felicity replied turning back to the man. "But you sacrificed your life as if it only belonged to you." The statement seemed to hit Oliver unexpectedly, because of how true it was. He had nothing to combat because he'd realized a long time ago that his life and her life were connected. That woman held so much of him and she probably didn't even know it and apparently neither did he.
When Katie emerged from her bathroom, she peeked her head in the hall hoping that Bruce and Richard were gone. She didn't hear anything which she was glad about. She walked back over to her bed, lying down and curling into a ball. She was completely exhausted and yet the last thing she wanted to do was sleep. She had hope the shower would calm her down, but it didn't. She was still very upset about Roy sitting in a prison, upset that only hours earlier so was Oliver. She hated they felt the need to actually turn themselves when neither one of them was at fault. A part of her really wishes she was on that bus getting further and further away from everything in Starling. Suddenly, her phone rings and she is tempted not answer, but she does hoping for some good news with Roy.
"Hello?" she answers.
"Hel-o...Kat..." came a broken reply. Katie opened her eyes and sat up from the bed. "Can...hear me?"
"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 say as if there were some kind of interference."Katie...please...danger."
The last word she heard before the line suddenly ended. 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 a man in a 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 fall crashing 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.
Barry slammed his phone to the table angrily before turning and storming toward his suit. Caitlin was the first to jump up and rush over.
"What happened?" she asked and Barry turned to her.
"Something was interfering with the signal." Barry replied with a shake of his head. "It's him, I know it's him."
"This still doesn't even make any sense." Caitlin said with a shake of her head. "Hiring Detective Parker, having him worm his way into his life. How does that fit into this plan against you?"
"I don't know. I don't know what this plan is, but what I do know is that it started with her." Barry replied letting out a sigh. "Bosnia." he turned back to Caitlin. "Wells said he was there getting research on the particle accelerator, but what if that was a lie."
"You think he went all the way to Bosnia for her? Why, she said he helped her?"
"Look I don't have the answers to this, and I have a feeling I won't get the answers-" Barry stopped mid sentence. Caitlin noticed the familiar look on the man's face. He had an idea. "Gideon, we can talk to her." Barry was about to walk off.
"Wait, shouldn't we try to contact Katie again?" Caitlin asked and Barry nodded.
"Right." he once again dialed her number, only this time it just went straight to voice mail. "Shit." he looked down to the phone before looking over to Caitlin. "Dead."
"We can't jump to conclusions, maybe we should call someone to go over and check on her." Caitlin suggested. "Felicity maybe."
"No." Barry replied with a shake of his head. "When Katie was in Central city the last time, and I didn't tell Oliver, he made it a priority to tell me that if anything like that happened again that I should call him or I find myself on a not so good end of his arrows."
"Yeah, well for a guy who was just released from prison on murder charges, I have to believe he's not going to be happy." Caitlin said. "I'm going call Cisco, see what's taking him so long." Barry simply nodded before looking down to his phone, trying to find the courage to make this call.
Oliver was both in and out of the moment which in and of itself was dangerous, but he couldn't help it. A part of him was there, trying to explain to Ray how they needed his help for this metahuman in Starling, but the other part of him was thinking about Katie and the ring in his pocket. Standing in Ray's lab, with Felicity and John, asking the man for help was the last thing Oliver wanted to do. Bringing more people in was just dangerous, and especially someone so inexperienced, and yet at the moment he didn't have many options. He couldn't be seen as the vigilante when the whole world assumed he was in jail. Now Oliver stood in the lab, just as Ray suited up and literally flew away.
"Hey man." John spoke walking over. "Look I know this isn't easy, but right now-"
"It's our only option, I know. I just don't like it." Oliver replied glancing over to Felicity who stood near the computers. "She say how long he should arrive."
"Should be soon." John replied and Oliver nodded. "Hey, are doing alright?" Oliver turned with a quirked brow. "There's this giant elephant in the room and we call her Twinkie." Oliver sighed and just turned away.
"I can't talk about that right now. I need to be focused on stopping this Jake Simmons guy before he robs another bank." Oliver replied before walking away from his friend, over to stand near the window.
Oliver stood, staring out to the bright buildings of the business district and without really thinking he slipped his hand into his pocket and pulled out the ring. He promised himself the next time he put it on his finger that it would never come off and yet here it was in his hand. He screwed up and what's even worse was that he knows he screwed up and he did nothing to stop it. She was right, in a moment of pressure, he chose to be the Arrow, he chose to take all the responsibility and sacrifice himself for his city. Oliver's phone rang and he slipped the ring back into his pocket before bringing the phone to his ear.
"Hello?"
"Hey Oliver, it's Barry."
"Barry, did Felicity call you about this Simmons guy?" Oliver asked . "Because metahumans is really not my area of expertise."
"I'm not sure what you're talking about. Felicity didn't call me, I've been sort of dealing with some stuff here and I was calling you because I'm afraid something bad is about to happen."
"What do you mean?"
"Look, right now I need to remain calm, and find Katie."
"Katie?" the mention of the woman's name at the moment didn't make Oliver calm. Not when Barry just said something bad could be happening. "What-" Oliver turned around, both John and Felicity looked over in concern. "What the hell is going on Barry?"
"I found out that Wells is the Reverse Flash, and I found things in stuff. Articles, and there were a lot that focused on Katie. I tried calling her, but there was interference so I tried again and now the line is completely dead." Barry said and he heard the sigh that escaped Oliver. "Look maybe I'm overreacting, maybe she's fine and just hasn't charged her phone. But I figured I'd call you so you could check out her place."
"Thanks Barry." Oliver spoke without needing anymore words at the moment. He ended the called and walked over to grab his jacket. "I have to leave."
"What's going on?" Felicity asked wondering what would make Oliver leave in the middle of a mission. But then the answer was just too obvious. "Katie."
"This Reverse Flash guy, turns out he's Dr. Wells." Oliver replied and Felicity's eyes go wide at the news. "He thinks he maybe in Starling as well, and coming after Katie."
"Why?" John asked.
"I'll be sure to ask him if I find him." Oliver replied heading for the door.
"Wait!" Felicity called and Oliver stopped and turned to her. "I'm sure we'll be fine, but Ray could probably use help that only you could give." Oliver closed his eyes and sighed as if remembering the matter at hand. "Look, it's fine, me and John can talk him through this." Oliver's phone once again rang, and he slipped from his pocket quickly before bringing it to his ear.
"Barry-"
"Sorry, just Bruce." the man replied. "Look I was calling because I was about to step on a plane back to Gotham and thought that I should call and let you know how much of an idiot I think you are."
"Bruce, I really don't-"
"I get it, you're busy, but I saw Katie and and she looked so defeated and-"
"Wait you saw Katie? When?"
"Maybe a couple of hours ago, why?"
"Look I'm not sure yet but I'm going check it out." Oliver said looking back up to Felicity when an idea struck him. "I can't believe I'm about to do this, but I need your help."
"Oliver, what are you doing?" Felicity asked quickly, taking a step forward. "I told you we would be fine." Oliver slightly pulled the phone from his mouth.
"Felicity I need to go, and Ray needs someone in his ear that has the real life experience of what he's about to do. Right now Bruce is the only option, and I need you to be ok with that." Oliver replied and Felicity shook her head.
"Fine, I won't be ok with it, but I'm going to do it so you can leave and find my friend." Felicity replied and Oliver gave a nod.
"Thanks." he brought the phone back to his ear. "Bruce how fast can you get to Palmer Tech?"
"The moment you asked for help I knew it was serious. I'm in a car right now, and I can be there in five minutes." Bruce replied. "You want to catch me up with what's going on."
"I think it's better if you're told when you get here." Oliver said glancing over to Felicity who just shook her head and walked back over to the computer. "Felicity and John are here and can fill you in." with that Oliver ended the call and turned to John.
"Let us know when you find Katie." John replied and Oliver simply nodded before turning and rushing out the door. John walks over to Felicity who doesn't say anything, but he knows she's upset. "Felicity-"
"I'm supposed to be alright with the man who broke my heart, I get it."Felicity replied as she continued typing away. "I can be the bigger person."
"I'm glad, but can you also be alright with the man you're still in love with walking into the lab of your current boyfriend?" John asked and Felicity stopped typing and turned to him.
"I'm not—"
"You are and running away from him isn't going to make it go away." John replied and Felicity turned away.
"No, but running helps the urge to not punch him in the nose." Felicity muttered.
When Oliver arrived at the loft, he found the door ajar and he knew something wasn't right at that point. He carefully pushed the door open, revealing the mess he wasn't sure was from the police or someone else. He carefully walked inside, looking for signs of a struggle, but that was hard with how the place looked.
"Twinkie!" Oliver called hoping to hear a reply, but he only got silence back. He headed down the hall, attempting to open the door that's always locked. He entered the code, pushing open the door and found it empty. Oliver groaned, turning and continuing down the hall toward the bedroom, which was also empty. "Twinkie, are you-" he walked over to the bathroom pushing open the door and she wasn't in there either. He walked back into the bedroom, and stood there attempting to come up with a starting point on where to look for her.
Katie woke up when the scent of gasoline was just too strong to bare. Her eyes snapped open and she found herself tied to a chair in the middle of some abandoned building. She let her eyes look around until she spotted him once again. The blurry, yellow man who stood staring back at her.
"What the hell is this?!" Katie snapped attempting to pull from the ropes, but they were tied extremely tight. "Why are you doing this?!"
"I need you to finally get it." the modulate voice spoke walking to stand in front of her. "You're very special Katherine Robins, and I need what makes you special and I don't have time for you to figure out what it is."
"What the hell are you talking about?!"
"You have a spark, a spark that can help me defeat my enemy, and you are going to give it to me, or die." Reverse Flash said before turning and walking away. "It's your choice." he continued toward the door before once again stopping. "Oh, and to give you some motivation-" Katie spotted a flame in his hand that he suddenly dropped and the moment it hit the floor it ignited a sea of fire that spread around Katie and only seemed to get closer. "It's time you see what's been inside of you this whole time!" with that the man turned leaving her surrounded by flames.
Katie furiously tried pulling free from the rope, trying to twist and contort her body, but she wasn't even loosening the ropes. Her eyes lifted to the flames, the heat blowing at her skin. She had no way out of this.
"Help!" she screamed at the top of her lungs, her voice echoing around her. "Someone please help!" she continued to search the warehouse for anything that could help her, but there was nothing. "Please-"
"Hey!" suddenly Grace appeared in front of Katie and the woman looked up with wide eyes. "Alright, you're gonna stay calm." Katie shook her head, ,because right now she didn't need hallucinations to talk to her.
"Somebody help!" she called once again.
"Baby, he was right. That sick bastard was right, getting out of here is totally possible for you, but not now. Not yet-" Grace spoke before letting her eyes move around the building as well."I don't know how, but I will get help." and just like that she was gone, and Katie was confused, but it didn't change the fact that she was still about to be burned alive.
Jacob Robins was an angry man right now. A call just came in moments earlier telling him that there were no longer eyes on his daughter. That she had somehow disappeared from sight. Jacob Robins didn't quite understand how agents with only one job could seem to mess that up.
"Sir-" Martin said rushing into Jacob's office. "I have surveillance photos." Martin handed the folder to Jacob, who flipped it open to see the outside of Katie's building and in each photo is a strange yellow blur of light. "It's-"
"The metahuman." Jacob replied looking back up to Martin before tossing down the photos. "The one who somehow hired David Parker, which somehow evaded our intel. Tell me why we haven't identified this bastard yet."
"Well he's really fast." Martin replied and Jacob's glare only hardened. "But we did just get some intel into that sir. The agents monitoring STAR Labs has brought back intel that Barry Allen seems to believe that the true identity of the this metahuman is Dr. Harrison Wells." Jacob turned away, as if in thought. "Sir?"
"I've met Dr. Wells, quite a few times. After his car accident, he seemed..." Jacob turned back to Martin. "Different. I figured losing his wife just affected him in a way none of us could understand. I want all resources we have on locating Wells." Martin nodded before turning to leave. "Oh, before you go, Harper?"
"He was attacked by someone from Iron Heights who was in jail because the Arrow." Martin said with a shake of his head. "We're going to need to move quickly before he runs out of time."
"Is there a plan in place?" Jacob asked and Martin gave a nod. "Good, take care of it and find my daughter." Martin once again nodded before turning and rushing out of the door.
When Bruce walked into the doors of Palmer Tech, he really wasn't sure what he would be walking into. It was no secret that Bruce wasn't a Ray Palmer fan, especially since he and Felicity began dating. He rode the elevator to the floor Oliver told him to come to and when he stepped off, it was John he spotted first.
"Please don't tell me the nano tech is malfunctioning, because I didn't create it." Bruce said walking into the lab. John turned to him with a shake of his head before turning to Felicity who glanced over to Bruce. "Palmer isn't here?"
"He's not. Right now Ray is on his way to a processing plant where a powerful metahuman is hiding."Felicity said and Bruce looked at her before turning to John waiting for the punchline.
"Where's the priest and the Rabi and the guy from Nantucket?" Bruce asked turning back to Felicity. "Your joke is missing some very important pieces like the punchline."
"There is no punchline, Bruce." Felicity replied turning to the man. "There is a metahuman in Starling that has laser eyes and likes the rob banks. Oliver going after him is too risky and so-"
"What, so Oliver asked Ray of all people? C'mon, you're going to have to explain this to me." Bruce said walking over to stand in front of the woman.
"Ray has been building a suit. For a while now and-"
"Ray's looking to get into the vigilante business?" Bruce asked and there was a sudden darkness in his eyes that made Felicity nervous.
"Bruce, look at this point what's done is done, Ray is about to face this guy, and he could use your help." Felicity replied turning back to her computer, but she felt Bruce's eyes still on her.
"Felicity, I'm here." came Ray's voice from the com-link.
"Alright Ray, look Oliver had to leave, but he called someone else who could help." Felicity spoke before turning to Bruce, and her eyes were the only thing that stopped him from turning and stalking away. Sure he thought this was ridiculous and dangerous, and yet her eyes seemed to make him over look all of it.
"Really, who-"
"Palmer, it's me..." Bruce turned to Felicity who gave a small smile before turning back to the screen that showed the view from Ray's head plate. "It's Bruce."
"Bruce, as in Bruce, Bruce?" Ray says obviously surprised at the voice in his ear. "What are you—you know about Oliver?"
"Yeah, but at the moment I know about you and your little suit." Bruce replied taking a step forward to look down to the screen.
"Little suit? It's not a little suit. It's actually a pretty impressive-"
"You're hunting something more than human Ray, so how about you shut up and focus." Bruce replied gaining a slap to the arm by Felicity. "I mean just pay attention." Bruce eyes looked at the screen, really not liking to have to watch this from a computer instead of actually being there. "I need you to look around Ray, tell me what do you see?"
"Nothing." Ray replied. "Not a visual sighting or any other reading at all from the ATOM." Bruce turned to Felicity with a quirked brow.
"What the hell is the ATOM?" Bruce asked turning back to the screen.
"When I say ATOM, I mean the suit, not myself in the third person." Ray continued and Bruce just rolled his eyes.
"Of course, less talking now Ray." Bruce replied intently watching the screen. Bruce was so focused that he didn't notice Felicity eyes staring at him, watching him closely. She hated how just the close proximity to him could cause her heart to race, and her palms to sweat. She doesn't get how she can still love this man after he made it so blatantly clear that they didn't have a future. "Be my eyes Ray, what's going on?"
"Oh tin man." a voice spoke, and Ray turned and they all were finally able to see the man they were looking for.
"That him?" Bruce asked looking over to Felicity who nodded as she looked back down to the screen. "What makes him so meta?"
"Lasers out of his eyes, remember." Felicity said quickly when suddenly said lasers were shot right at Ray.
"You shouldn't be here." Jake said.
"Actually I should." Ray said taking a step toward the man."See, you're the bad guy and I-" Ray was interrupted by sudden beams from the metahuman's eyes striking him in the chest sending him flying.
"Ray!" Felicity worriedly called.
"Ray, get out of there!" Bruce called, but Ray simply jumped up when Jake appeared behind him. Without hesitation, Ray lifted the palm of his suit shooting his own blast of energy, that didn't even seem to bother him at all.
"Thanks for the top off." Simmons said, before once again blasting Ray, and throwing energy filled punches and knocked Ray to his knees. Before he knew what was happening, Jake brought a chain around his neck, and tightened it around his throat.
"Ray!" Felicity called once again. "Ray! Ray!"
Ray only sees one option and so he shoots into the air, getting as far away from Jake as possible. The man crashes through the ceiling, flying and practically crashing to the ground as she tries to catch his breath.
Bruce, Felicity and John all stand there waiting for the man to speak, or at least give some indication that he's alright.
"Ray?" Felicity whispers, her voice cracking with emotion.
"I'm fine, beat but fine." Ray rasped. "I'm on my way back."
"I think that may be the best idea anyone has had today." Bruce said glancing over to John and then Felicity. "Please let Oliver know that I will have words for him later." Bruce turned and stalked off.
"Wait, you just can't leave!" Felicity called after him and Bruce stopped and turned to her. "There's still a dangerous metahuman on the loose."
"Fine, then I will go after him." Bruce replied about to turned once again.
"And what? Your kevlar laser proof now?" Felicity asked and the man shook his head. "Whether you want to believe it or not, this situation takes someone who can take more than the ordinary hits and that's Ray, and his suit. He's the only one who could've gone into that situation and come out only a little banged up."
"He's inexperienced, and that will get him killed."
"Then teach him!" Felicity replied taking a step toward the man. "Constructively critique him so we can find a way to stop this bastard before he hurts anyone else." Bruce turned away with a shake of his head. "Bruce-"
"Ray's supposed to be just a guy." Bruce turned back to Felicity, knowing the true meaning with his words. "He's supposed to have the company, and the fancy job, and he's supposed be everything I-" Bruce dropped his head and cleared his throat, before looking back up to Felicity. "The world doesn't need another crime fighter."
"No, but right now, we do. And we also need you." Felicity say finding the courage to close the distance between them. "Right now I need you. Here to help us do this. And you owe me one." Bruce let out a heavy sigh before pulling a smile to his face.
"I owe you more than one Ms. Smoak." Bruce replied, their eyes locked for a few moments before Bruce cleared his throat and went back over to the computer to re watch the video in hopes of finding some type of weakness.
Felicity turned, glancing over to John who just stayed silent throughout the conversation, although he had a look that Felicity doesn't think she likes. She glanced over to Bruce and sighed before walking over to see if she could help.
Oliver wasn't sure why he was still at the loft. This is the last place he knows Katie was, and he was hoping to find something. He found himself back in the living room, letting his eyes scan the room once again. This time he noticed a picture on the floor. Katie didn't have many pictures in the loft, she said they only brought up bad memories. So the single picture frame on the floor did seem out of the ordinary. Oliver walked over picking it up, to reveal that it was an old photo of Katie with her mother. He wasn't sure what the connection was, but he really didn't get a chance to when the lights suddenly began flickering. He lifted his head, glancing up to the light with a quirked brow.
Suddenly the television just flicks on and Oliver turns, his eyes looking down to the screen to see the news playing.
"Expect a heat wave folks!" the anchor spoke. "I would take out the flip flops and the sun screen because we're going to start burning."
It looked like a really old weather report, that he could barely see image as if the signal was weak. Suddenly the channel changes, and Oliver takes a step back, searching the room to see if someone was doing this.
"County meetings are still in session, deliberating the demolition of one of Starling's oldest historical landmarks." It was some sort of documentary, that panned to an image of some sort of old industrial building. "Starling's Taylor Shoe factory was a staple to the city in the sixties and seventies, but went down hill once the market opened up."
The television once again switched to the news report.
"Burning up!"
Then switched back to the documentary.
"Taylor's Shoe Factory, is running out of time."
The channel changed again and Oliver quickly flicked off the television before suddenly feeling a weird chill down his spine. He slowly stood up straight and turned to now see the door wide open. He walked over to the door and peaked out into the hall. His eyes looked back to the loft, and over to the television.
"Taylor Shoe Factory." Oliver muttered unsure why he felt it was clue. It was random, and had no connection to Katie whatsoever, and yet he gets his keys in hand and heads out.
They all heard the sound of clunking metal when Ray finally arrived back to the lab. Bruce lifted his head and watched as Felicity rushed off to check on the man.
"Explain to me how Oliver is ok with this?" Bruce asked turning to John who simply shook his head.
"He wasn't." John replied turning back to see Ray painfully walking into the lab. "But we were out of options."
"Oh my god Ray, are you hurt?" Felicity asked placing a hand on the man's face, and Bruce couldn't help but roll his eyes.
"Heh, "hurt" would be a step or two up from how I feel right now." Ray replied giving a small smile through the pain.
"You're lucky to be alive Ray." Bruce said and Ray lifted his eyes to man, before walking a bit closer.
"Bruce." Ray greeted dryly. "I was made to believe that when I came back someone would explain Bruce Wayne's presence here." Ray looked over to John who shook his head before he turned to Felicity. "Care to explain." Felicity looked at the man before turning to Bruce who folded his arms and simply gave a nod.
"Bruce is Gotham's Batman." Felicity said and Ray stared at her in shock before turning to Bruce in disbelief.
"You?" Ray asked before turning back to Felicity. "Him?"
"Look it's not as weird as it seems." Felicity tried, but Ray just shook his head as he turned back to Bruce trying to picture the man dressed as the bat.
"No, you're right, it's worse." Ray replied. "Why didn't you tell me?" the question was for Felicity who opened her mouth to reply.
"Because it wasn't her secret to tell Ray." Bruce said instead and Ray let out a deep breath before turning back to the man. "It was mine, and I really didn't plan on telling you, but here we are. How about we discuss the major fuck up that just happened out there."
"It wasn't that bad." Ray argued, but Bruce scoffed.
"It was kind of worse Ray." John added and Ray turned with a look of offense before turning back to Bruce.
"Look, I need shields and-"
"That's not it Ray." Bruce said taking a step toward the man. "You need to anticipate your opponent. You need to trust your instincts, and not just your tech, oh and maybe not talk as much."
"My instincts are to trust my tech." Ray countered and Bruce couldn't even hide his annoyance.
"Ray, when I am in the field, I have my suit, and the guns, and the cars, but they're just-" Bruce shook his head trying to make this make sense to the man. "They're tools. In the end, I am the weapon."
"That's poetic." Ray replied and Bruce fought the urge to hit the man.
"The point is, if you rely more on that suit than yourself, then you're going to get yourself killed." Bruce stated plainly, glancing over to Felicity before turning and heading back over to the computer. "Please tell me all of this technology got something from all of this." Ray turned to Felicity who just gave a slight smile before they all walked over to the computer.
Oliver arrived at the old factory, and the moment he stepped out of the car he was hit with stench of smoke that seemed to fill the air. His eyes saw the orange glow from inside and his heart stopped.
"Burning." Oliver muttered, the words from the television seeming to make more sense than it should. Oliver didn't have time to actually investigate the strange phenomenon, and so he ran toward the building. He tried opening the door, but it was locked. The man tried kicking it open, and slamming his shoulder against the door, but it just wouldn't budge. The smoke was thicker near the building, and he could feel it in his lungs figuring it was probably worse inside. He could only cough as he searched for another way inside. There was a window that he could probably reach, and so the man ran over and jumped as best he could. The first time, his hands slipped, and he only fell back to the ground. But he wouldn't give up, he got back on his feet, taking a couple of steps back before running forward and grabbing the window sill, and pulling himself up. When he was up far enough, he slammed a fist into the window causing it to shatter instantly. When enough glass was cleared away, Oliver pulled himself through the window. The moment he was inside, the thick smoke seemed to get worse. Oliver pulled off his jacket, bringing it to his nose and mouth, trying to see past the smoke and flames. As he moved, Oliver finally spotted her and for a moment he was surprised. There was no calculated reasoning that brought him here. No string of clues that pointed to this factory, and yet here he was and there she was.
"Twinkie!" Oliver called and the woman lazily lifted her head, and look over to see him through heavy eyes. "Hey, Twinkie, it's going to be alright, I'm going to get you out of this." Oliver looked around trying to find a way to the woman. She was surrounded by tall flames, and trying to get through just wouldn't be easy.
"Oliver-" her voice rasped and the man turned to her. "You gotta go. It's too dangerous." she dropped her head and erupted in a fit of coughing. "Just go!" Oliver simply shook his head before letting his eyes look around for something that could help him get closer to the woman. There was a loose conveyor belt, chains hanging from it and that moment Oliver had his idea. He quickly ran over, climbing on the machine, before grabbing the chain and pulling it slightly to see how strong it was. It looked old, but it would do. Oliver wrapped the chain around his hand, before swinging from the machine, and dropping right in the center of the flames. The man groaned as he turned over, looking over to Katie whose eyes were not open.
"Twinkie." he said sitting up and placing his hands on the side of her head hoping to open her eyes. Her eyes fluttered open.
"Are you real?" her voice rasp and Oliver smiled.
"I am."
"Then you're an idiot." she replied before her eyes fluttered closed and her head dropped to her chest.
"I'm your idiot though." Oliver said before working away to pull the ropes from the woman. Once she was free, Oliver picked her up from the chair and hoisted her in his arms. Oliver stood there surrounded by flames, holding the only thing he can not live without. He had no suit, no gadgets, nothing to help him out of this. He was just her Liver standing there holding his Twinkie, trying to make it out of this building alive. The man began to cough, the smoke starting to get so thick that he couldn't even see which direction the door was. Everything was starting to get dimmer, and Oliver could feel himself shutting down, and he thinks he imagines when something wet suddenly begins falling on him. At some point the sprinkler system was activated, and Oliver looked down to see the high flames, getting slight smaller. When an area of the flames was lower than the others, Oliver took the chance to run and jump over. The moment he did, he saw the door and quickly rushed for it. Oliver looked over the door, noticing that the it was being kept locked by chains. He was about to attempt to kick to door, but it began moving.
"Hello!" Oliver called.
"Step away from the door!" a voice called from the other side of the door. Oliver complied, taking a couple of steps back and before he knew it the door was bursting open. Without hesitation, Oliver ran out of the building, holding on tight to Katie who rested limply in his arms. He got as far away from the building as possible before practically falling to the ground. Suddenly a familiar face appeared in front of him.
"How did you beat us here?" Martin asked and Oliver couldn't even speak. Martin's eyes looked down to the woman in Oliver's arms. "Where the hell is that medic?!" he looked around and Oliver followed his eyes, finally noticing the agents with guns moving about. Soon men with a stretcher appeared beside them and attempted to pull the woman from his grasp, but he was not letting her go. "Oliver, they're going to help her, but you have to let them." Oliver turned back to Martin. "You know the only thing you can ever count on with me, is that I will never let this woman die. Now please." Oliver didn't want to, but he loosened his grip and watched as she was placed on he stretcher.
"I'm going with her." he told turning to Martin as he tried standing to his feet. He almost fell back down, but Martin grabbed him quickly to stop it from happening.
"You know I assumed as much." Martin replied. "C'mon." and so he carried the man toward the ambulance.
It was a clue, but a small one that Ray picked up on. Apparently Simmons needed to stay juiced up to be as powerful as he is and so they would scour the city for the source. The only problem was the wait. Bruce found himself sitting alone, rubbing his eyes praying for something to happen.
"Got it!" Ray said and Bruce lifted his eyes over to the man. "The transponder is finished and now-"
"It needs to be uploaded to the power source." Felicity replied with a nod.
"I'll do it." Bruce said standing to his feet and grabbing his jacket. "Anything to get me out of this room."
"Uh, Bruce I don't think so." Felicity said walking over to him. "There are a lot code with this, and one wrong move and we can lose our chance to find Simmons. And I mean you're smart and all, but-"
"Just go before you insult me." Bruce replied and the woman smiled before walking over and grabbing her tablet and her jacket and headed for the door. Once she was gone, Bruce glanced over to John and the Ray and let out a sigh.
"And then there were three." Ray said with a smile and Bruce simply shook his head before going back over to his chair. "So the Batman?" Bruce glanced over to the man. "I met you dozens of times and would have never guess that."
"You know, if I were a betting man, I think I would say that was the point." Bruce muttered, pulling out his cell phone hoping the man would take the hint.
"Is that why things ended with you and Felicity?" Ray asked and both John and Bruce looked over to him, seriously not expecting that question. They assumed it would be one of those things thought about, but never spoken out loud.
"That's none of your business Ray." Bruce said standing to his feet. A move that caused John to take a couple of steps forward in case he needed to break up a fight. Bruce's phone suddenly rang, and he glanced down to the number and sigh before answering. "What do you want, Richard?" the man turned walking out of the lab.
"You know I'm trying to completely understand that whole thing." Ray says turning to John who doesn't even want to get involved. "The whole Bruce topic isn't something Felicity likes to talk about, and yet he seems to always be around, so I'm not even sure what this whole thing is with them."
"Ray, the whole Bruce and Felicity story is something not a lot of us understand, but they say it's over. And if they say it's over, then I believe them." John only partly believed that, but didn't let Ray know that. "Felicity cares about you, and that much is obvious."
"Right." Ray gave a nod, before walking back over to his computer and John wasn't completely sure the man was convinced.
Oliver refused to let Katie leave his sight. Sure, the scars on his hands needed to be cleaned and bandaged, he probably needed to be checked out because the amount of smoke he inhaled, but right not Oliver chose to sit in the medical room at ARGUS, where Katie laid, her eyes still closed. His eyes focused on the oxygen mask helping her breathe, before looking down to the hand he had wrapped around hers. The door to her room opened and Oliver glanced up for a moment before looking back down to the woman.
"You find Wells?" Oliver asked and Jacob let out a heavy sigh through his nose before walking over and taking the seat on the other side of the bed, and looking down to his daughter.
"I think you need a speedster to catch a speedster." Jacob replied before glancing over to Oliver. " We lost his trail, but all indicator says he's headed back to Central City. Our Mr. Allen will have to do what he was meant to do." Oliver looked over to the man with a quirked brow.
"You know about Barry?"
"I've been in these walls a long time Oliver. It is my job to know everything or at least try." Jacob said looking back down to his daughter. "Which is why I have to ask, how did you find her?" Oliver shook his head as he looked back down to Katie. "I mean it took some serious facial recon software, and hacking into a couple of databases that could probably start a war if the wrong people found out, and yet there you were."
"Something happened at the loft." Oliver replied, not even sure how to explain something so crazy. "I was looking for her, and the television just came on and an old weather report was playing about how hot it would be, and then the channel changed to a documentary about the shoe factory, and they switched back and forth until finally just turned it off." Oliver looked over to Jacob, whose stared with a furrowed brow." I know it sounds crazy, but-" Jacob turned away at the man's words, before turning back with a smile.
"That crazy got you to my daughter in time." Jacob replied and Oliver just gave a nod. "For that I thank you."
"I don't need to be thanked for saving her life." Oliver says placing a kiss to her hand. "Not when she saves mine everyday."
"You know I noticed she wasn't wearing her engagement ring and-" Oliver cut a glare to the man, and Jacob lifted his hands in surrender. "Would you like some advice?"
"Not really." Oliver muttered.
"Well I'm going to give it to you anyways." continued Jacob. "I know it's not just a job son. I know there is something deep down inside of you that can't turn a blind eyes to someone in need and I completely understand the feeling." Jacob, mused down to his daughter. "But one day you have to decide to do something for you. Something that makes you happy." he looked back over to the man. "I resigned from my position here the same day I married her mother. Twenty eight years of service, of doing a job I loved and then I met her and there wasn't choice. It was her. I mean keeping Starling in line, making sure the bad stuff didn't get to it, ARGUS approved, but it was mostly about creating a nice home for my family." Oliver stared over to the man. "I'm not telling you to stop doing what you're doing—"
"You don't have to. The Arrow is gone, Roy is going to spend the rest of his life in prison and Lance is going to always be on my heels to put me back in prison." Oliver declared and Jacob just shook his head. "Right now all I have is her and she doesn't like me right now."
"Well she's her mother's daughter." Jacob sighed, taking his daughter's hand in his. "Being married is not something you should walk into lightly. It takes hard work, and patience and a lot of love. It's a promise Oliver and you shouldn't make it if you don't believe you can follow through." Jacob ran a finger across Katie's hand, before laying it back down to the bed. "She'll probably wake up soon, and the moment she does and she realizes where she is, she's going to want out of here." Jacob stood to his feet and smiled down to his daughter. "She was in there for a while, and yet the smoke inhalation didn't damage respiratory system as bad as it should've."
"How is that possible?" Oliver asked looking from Jacob to Katie.
"My daughter has always been lucky I guess." Jacob replied with a nod before turning and heading for the door. Before he left, he stopped and turned back to the man. "Oh about about Mr. Harper, I actually imagine an early release in his future. You'll be getting a call soon." Oliver simply nodded before watching the man turned and walk out the door.
Martin was standing there, waiting for the man, and he could see the wheels turning in his head.
"Is it done?" Jacob asked as they began walking down the hall.
"All tests and procedures logged here about your daughter has been erased." Martin informed and Jacob gave a nod. Martin turned away for a moment, wanting to ask something he's not sure he should."Can I asked the one thing you haven't told me yet."
"You know if I haven't told you, then that should be answer enough." Jacob replied as they appeared in front of the elevator. "My daughter was taken to some warehouse, tied up. The fire didn't get a close as it did, and that's why she's fine."
"Sir-"
"You've been a loyal associate for a long time Martin." Jacob turns to the man with a slight smile. "And I appreciate everything you do and I know you've seen a lot with this job, but there are some things I don't think you will be able to handle." the elevator doors opened and Jacob stepped inside.
"Like your daughter whose barely affected by long periods of smoke inhalation, or Oliver Queen showing up to find her without any clues leading him there?" Martin asked and Jacob sighed before reaching over to press his intended floor. "You allow me to see everything else sir, why not this?"
"Because once you see it Martin, you can't unsee it." Jacob replied as the doors began to close. "I want Harper out of that prison."
The sound of the shutting door seemed to jilt Katie awake. Her eyes fluttered open to the pale ceiling with worry, before she felt someone grip her hand.
"Hey, you're ok." Oliver voice assured and her eyes met his and she visibly calmed. "Do you remember what happened?" Katie turned away, and the memories seemed to flood her instantly. She turned back to him and only nodded, before reaching forward and pulling the oxygen mask from her mouth.
"Where are we?" she asked before looking around the room before turning back to Oliver who sighed. "Liver-"
"When you went missing your father went looking for you and-"
"Is this ARGUS?" she asked and Oliver only nodded. Before he could explain more the woman was already sitting up from the bed.
"Hey, you need to rest, you almost-" Oliver shook his head because he doesn't even want to think about what would've happened if he showed up any later. "Look I know you don't want to be here, but right now, with me, you're safe, but you need to lay down and take it easy." Katie looked over to him, and he could see the hesitation behind her eyes, but she laid back down. "Thank you." Katie turned away, her eyes going back to the ceiling.
"Did he get away?" Katie asked.
"Yeah, he seemed to be long gone when I got there. It doesn't make sense." Oliver replied sitting back in his seat. "He obviously had the ability to kill you, why not do it. Why risk the chance of you escaping-"
"He wanted me to escape." Katie interrupted turning back to Oliver. "He wanted me to somehow escape those ropes and get out of that building myself." she shook her head and just laid back down.
"Well hopefully he heads back to Central City if he knows what's best for him." Oliver replied and suddenly the room fell into silence. Suddenly Katie pulled the oxygen mask from around her head. "What are you doing?"
"I'm fine." Katie replied once again sitting up. "Is Roy still in prison?"
"Yeah, but-"
"No, he doesn't rot in prison because of me." Katie said before standing to her feet. Oliver stood as well, going over to stand in front of her. "Oliver, just move. Please, just-" in one swift movement, Oliver cupped the sides of Katie's face, before capturing her lips with his. The moment his lips touched her, Katie didn't even try to fight it. This time, like every other time, she found herself lost in the moment that only existed between him and her. When he pulled back, he dropped his hands to her waist, dropping his forehead to hers.
"I'm sorry."
"Oliver, don't-"
"I forgot something. I'm not sure how, but I forgot that my heart beats for you, and that my life is always connected to yours. I just-" he closed his eyes and sighed. "I wanted it to end. I wanted to finally be done with running from Lance, and trying to beat the demon. I thought turning myself in would do that."
"You don't get to give up because you're tired of fighting." Katie replied bringing her hands to the sides of his face. "Not when we need you to fight. When I need you to fight, because Oliver, you turning yourself in wouldn't be the end. You're tired, and so am I but we will get through this together." she took a step back, away from him and he didn't like the distance and it's meaning.
"I'm sorry I asked you to run, because I was just telling you to give up in another way and I thought it would be better if we were together." Katie took in a deep breath, shaking her head as she really thought about the situation they were in.
"Twinkie, don't-"
"No, because I really am tired of running away." Oliver placed his hands on her waist pulling her closer to him. "And it's easier to do that when you're not around."
"I'm right here." Oliver simply said before capturing her lips and once again the world subtly disappeared.
For some reason, they should've known that everything couldn't just fall in to place. Felicity went to the processing plant, in an attempt to help locate Simmons, and in a turn of events that no one expected he showed up, and the moment they heard his voice from Felicity's phone it would seem it was obvious what needed to be done.
"That's it!" Bruce snapped the moment the line ended. "I'm going to get her."
"You won't make it in time!" Ray called after him and Bruce stopped and turned to him. "That plant is eight minutes away in any vehicle you have, but the Atom? The Atom can fly."
"Ray, right now you're going to need more than just your tech. She needs more than just your tech."
"You're right." Ray said walking over to Bruce. "My tech, your instinct." Bruce wasn't sure what the man was talking about. "Maybe there's a way we can get him."
Bruce definitely didn't like the idea, but at the moment it was the only one that got to Felicity quickly. So, Ray once again dawns the Atom suit, only this time Bruce dawns a suit himself. This one different then his others. He adjusts the headset, and the gloves on his hand.
"And you're sure this is going to work?" Bruce once again asked Ray. He didn't like making Ray responsible for saving Felicity. If something went wrong, he would never forgive himself.
"Trust me, it has been tested and retested." Ray spoke from the headset. "Alright I'm entering the power station. Activate the link." Bruce looked down to the monitor, typing in a few keys and suddenly he hears Ray chuckling. "It's working! I'm just a passenger now." Bruce looked over to John who just shook his head.
Bruce took a deep breath, before standing up straight and suddenly the suit was moving. It was strange, Bruce thought as he saw what Ray was seeing. He was so used to being the one on the front lines, that being so far away from the action just felt unnatural, but he did it. Simmons appeared, and when Bruce moved, so did the suit. He threw a fist, or a kick, he dodged a hit from Simmons' eyes, and so did the suit. Everything was going fine, until Simmons pushed Ray against an electrical fence, and when Bruce tried to move nothing happened.
"Shit!" Bruce snapped before reaching forward and typing a few keys. "Ray's, I've lost control."
"The transmitters been severed." Ray grimaced as he pushed himself back to his feet. Without hesitation, Simmons pounced on Ray, his fists filled with energy that seemed liked too much for Ray to handle.
"Get up." Bruce said, unable to do anything but watch. "Get up Ray!" Simmons gripped Ray by the neck and pulled him to his feet. "Fight back Ray! You have to fight back!"
"He's...too, strong!" Ray grit through his teeth as his windpipe tightened under the man's grip.
"Ray, what you have to understand is this is not about strength. This is about heart." Bruce said, his eyes so focused on the monitor, wishing he was the one there. "Ray, I saw the news, when the mayor was killed, and you jumped in front of Felicity and took that arrow, regular people don't do that. Heroes do, Ray. It's inside of you, and right now I need you to find it and fight back because if something happens to Felicity I will find a way to kick your ass when this is all done." Bruce watched, hoping his words triggered something and he got his answer when Ray, quickly shoved Simmons arms from his neck before pushing him back. With some sort of new found energy, Ray threw punch after punch. "That's it Ray, finish this! Take him out!" Ray grabbed Simmons, before tossing him against one of the electrical walls, and the impact alone killed the light in the man's eyes and he knew he was down.
A relieved sigh escaped Bruce who looked over to John who gave him a pat on the shoulder.
"Oh god, are you ok?" he heard the concern in Felicity's voice and the man turned back to the screen to see her throw her arms around Ray who grimaced. "Oh, oh, I'm sorry."
"No, it's totally worth it." Ray joked.
Bruce turned away from the monitor, pulling the headset from his head and tossing it aside, before doing the same with the gloves. He stalked toward his jacket, quickly pulling it on.
"You're leaving?" John asked and Bruce stopped and turned back to the man.
"Oliver called me to help, I helped and now-" Bruce glanced over to the monitor with a shake of his head before turning back to John. "There's nothing left for me here." the man turned attempting to leave.
"That's bullshit Bruce, and you know it!" John snapped and Bruce stopped, but didn't turn. "You know I tell my self that it's not my place to get involved in this thing with you and Felicity, that it'll just work itself out, but Bruce enough is enough."
"I don't know what you want from me John. I don't know what any of you want from me. I didn't ask to be here."
"And yet here you are. You're here because you wanted to see her. It's why every opportunity you get, you will show up. All I want from you is to finally admit that this isn't just going away and this dance you two are doing isn't going to help either." John said and Bruce dropped his head and sighed, because he knew the man was right, knew that no matter how much he wants to say that he can really just walk away, it never seems to happen and honestly he doesn't really want it to.
"She's happy John." Bruce finally spoke looking back over to the man. "All I ever wanted was her to be happy. Ray apparently does that and so I wish them all the best." Unsure what else to say, John just gave a nod, before watching the man turn and leave.
Felicity arrived back to the lab alone, rushing in her eyes searching for someone who isn't there. She turns to John with a quirked brow.
"He's gone." she stated because she knows it's true.
"Yeah, he left a while ago." John replied walking over to the woman who seemed to obviously deflate at the news. "Felicity-"
"No, I'm fine." she lied turning back to John with a slight smile who saw straight through ite. "I just wanted to thank him for what he did for Ray, that's all. Any word from Oliver?"
"No, but I'm sure-" suddenly, both John and Felicity's phone beeped, and they pulled them out to read the cryptic message. "What the hell is this?" Felicity glanced from her phone to John's to see the same message.
"They're coordinates." Felicity replied before walking over to one of the computers and typing in the coordinates.
"Coordinates to where?" John asked appearing beside the woman.
"Just off of 5th and State." Felicity said as the map appeared. "Who would send-" their phones beeped again and they looked down to read the next message. "Catch and release." neither understood the message, but it was Felicity who suddenly had an idea. She looked back to John with wide eyes. "Roy." she grabbed John's arm and began pulling him with her. "We have to go."
At some point, Oliver found himself and Katie lying on the hospital bed, of the ARGUS medical room and neither seemed to even care. The moment their lips touched, it only ignited something they couldn't hold on to much longer. The only sound in the room was the soft moans, and gasps as their bodies seemed to be only wanting one thing. It was Katie whose fingers ventured first to Oliver's pants, clumsily attempting to unbutton them which she managed to do but before another move was made, they suddenly heard the beeping of Oliver's phone. The sound cut through the room, and interrupted the moment. Oliver pulled back with a groan before slipping his phone from his pocket and looking down to see the weird message.
"What is it?" Katie breathlessly asks.
"We have to go." Oliver replied turning back to Katie really not wanting to leave right this moment, but he knows the meaning behind the message. Katie only stares in confusion as Oliver pulls himself from her. "I think this is it."
No one was quite sure what would happen when they followed the mysterious coordinates from a strange number. John and Felicity arrived first to the dark street, finding no one in sight. Soon after, another car pulled up and the pair turned to see Oliver and Katie step out.
"Thank god, you're alive." Felicity said rushing over to bring Katie into a hug.
"Who said I was dead?" Katie asked returning the hug.
"No one, but we had two meta-humans in Starling tonight, and you were MIA, my mind just went there." Felicity sighed, as they pulled back. They both turned to Oliver whose eyes scanned the area. "This is about Roy right, I figure the whole cryptic message was telling us to come here." Suddenly they heard the sound of a engine, and turned to see the tinted windows of a red sports car drive up and stop. They all watch as the door opens and out comes Roy, who smiles the moment he sees his friends. It was Felicity who rushed over first to bring the man into a hug which he gladly returned. "If you were aiming for the award of stupid plans, then you totally won."
"I second that." John said walking over to hug the man as well. "Dumbass." both men chuckled before they pulled apart and Roy looked over to Katie and Oliver who didn't know the complete scope of the plan. Katie walked over first, stood in front of him, but didn't say a word.
"You said goodbye." Roy spoke instead.
"I didn't-"
"You said goodbye." Roy interrupted and Katie turned away and sighed.
"Fine, I said goodbye." Katie replied turning back to Roy. "You didn't have to do this. It wasn't your place to sacrifice yourself for Oliver." she glanced over to Oliver who stood looking over to the man as well. "He is a big boy and knows the consequences of his decisions."
"Yeah, well so am I." Roy replied looking over to Oliver. "This was my chance to return the favors he's done for me, and so many people in this city."
"If everyone thinks you're dead, what happens to Roy Harper?" Oliver asks walking over to stand beside Katie. Roy turned away, only thinking of one person worth giving an explanation to in this city. He looked back over to Oliver with a nod.
"Tell Thea, well, tell her I'm alive, first." Roy said with a nod. "Then tell her that I'm sorry I had to leave without saying good-bye." Katie just shook her head before turning her back to the man.
"This is your life Roy." she said turning back to him. "And you're just throwing it away."
"She's right Roy." Oliver added. "I didn't do this so you would risk your life for mine."
"No, you did it because it was what you thought was right, and this, this is what I think is right." Roy replied looking over to Katie. "Oliver Queen needed to be found innocent, so he could stay here and beat the bad guy, then marry the girl." he turned holding a hand to Oliver who didn't hesitate to shake it. "Don't worry about me. This is my chance at a new life. Thank you."
"Thank you." Oliver replied sadly. Roy turned to Katie who simply shook her head.
"You have to hug me now and say goodbye." Roy said and Katie sighed.
"This idea had a lot of moving parts. Was it Martin or my father who planted the idea?" Katie asked and Roy dropped his head for a moment. "Never mind, it doesn't matter." She placed a hand on the side of Roy's face. "Head up, ears open. Do you have a way to contact us?" Roy simply nodded. "Then you need anything, anything at all you call because we'll be there." she pulled Roy into a hug, hating to say goodbye in this moment.
"You're going to be happy." Roy whispered to her before pulling from the hug. He gave them all a final wave before turning and heading for the car. They watched their friend drive away from his life and hoped he truly could find a new one.
"It was Martin." Felicity suddenly said breaking the silence before turning to Katie. "Do you want the details?"
"Not this time." Katie replied turning back to the woman with a smile. "But I'm sure me and the man will have some words." they heard the sound of an engine, and turned to see Ray. "And it would seem that you should be getting back to your man."
"Yeah." Felicity said giving a smile to the man who stepped out of the car. Katie noticed the smile didn't quite make it to her eyes, but she didn't say anything about it. "We should get going." she turned back to Katie. "I'm glad you're alright, and I hope you two can fix-" she glanced over to Oliver. "Whatever was broken." she placed a kiss to Katie's cheek before walking over to Ray who opened the door for her to get inside. Soon John was in his own car, and still left standing there was Katie and Oliver who looked down the street Roy had just driven. Oliver finally turned to Katie who turned to him.
"I think Felicity was right." Katie said and Oliver only stared in confusion. "Something was broken with us. But I think it's been broken for a while, but we try to cover it up or ignore it all together."
"Ok." Oliver said placing his hands on her waist and pulling her closer to him. "How do we fix it?" Katie let out a sigh, because she didn't really have an answer to the question.
"I don't know, but I do know one thing." she replied turning back to meet his eyes. "I can't marry you." Oliver dropped his hands from her, letting out a sigh. That made her nervous, because she didn't want him to misunderstand what she was really saying. "I've put that ring on twice, and I never thought there would be moments I would take it off. I love you, and-"she just shook her head. "The next time I put that ring on, it has to be right, and the promise behind it can't be doubted." she waited for him to say something, because this moment she thinks is a very serious moment in their relationship. "Oliver-" the man placed his hands on the sides of her face, so she could really see his eyes when he said the next words.
"The next time you put that ring on, I promise you won't take it off. I will be the man who deserves you as a wife and who is worthy to be called your husband. And nothing will stop us." Oliver replied before placing a kiss to the woman's lips before pulling her into a hug.
"We have to go." Katie sighed as she closed her eyes against his chest. This is where she felt the safest, right here in his arms. "You should probably talk to Thea, tell her about Roy."
"We should talk to Thea, together." Oliver replied before pulling back slightly to look down to her.
"You think she's gonna hit you, and you want someone to protect you, don't you?" Katie asked and Oliver just shook his head with a smile.
"Well it's your job." Oliver replied taking the woman's hand and pulling her with him toward the car. When they arrived to Thea's building, Katie and Oliver stood on the elevator in silence. Katie glanced over to the man with a slight smile. She was afraid telling him that she didn't think they should get married right now would cause a rift between them. But it didn't, at least she hopes it doesn't.
The moment they step off the elevator, the air seems different all of a sudden and a chill passes through the air. Katie's turns down the hall, and there standing is her mother with tears pouring from her eyes.
"Thea!" Katie calls pulling from Oliver's grasp and running down the hall. She reaches for the door and pushes it open. "Thea!" Oliver rushes in behind her, having the same sick feeling. Both stop when they look across the room and see the bloody and beaten body of Thea lying on the floor. It's Oliver who practically flies to his sister's side.
Katie stands there for a moment in shock, that has never happened before. She feels frozen, suddenly struck with an array of emotions that she didn't expect to have. Oliver turns to her and calls her name and she practically jumps before turning to him.
"Please do something?!" he pleaded and Katie sped into action.
She just hoped it was enough, but she had the sinking feeling that it wasn't.
Roy had driven for hours before he finally stopped at some random diner in the middle of nowhere. His eyes scanned the place, ears open just as Katie advised him. He'd been looking through his menu when he heard the bell on the diner door ring. The moment he lifted his head, he definitely didn't expect to see Martin Ellis again.
"Hello, Mr. Harper." Martin said with a smile as he took the seat across from him.
"I thought once everything was done, you and me wouldn't be seeing each other again. You said no strings." Roy whispered over to the man who simply shook his head.
"Don't misunderstand this meeting Mr. Harper. You're free to find whatever life you choose. I only ask, well I'm not the one asking, it's...him." Roy simply nodded in understanding. "And it's a request that you can accept or deny without any fear of retaliation."
"What is it?" Roy asked and Martin simply smiled before taking out his phone and sliding it over to Roy who looked down to see the picture of a man. "Who is this?" his eyes went back to Martin who simply turned to look out the window.
"He's the one they won't expect." he turned back to the young man, before glancing down to the phone. "The one we want you to find."
Author's note:
Because when one problem is solved, another just pops up in it's place and this time it's latest victim is Thea. This attack is going to really hit too close to home and decisions will be made and things will change. The next chapter will begin so somber, but it will end with hope that I don't think any of you will believe. I can't wait for you to read it.
P.s: Is anyone starting to think that mama Grace maybe more than what we think she is. Soon we'll answer that question and discover something more about our dear Katherine Robins.
REVIEW REPLIES
ImsebastianstanButter: Another appearance by the reverse flash has everyone confused. He knows something even she doesn't know, but for some reason just can't come out and tell her. And oddly enough the one character you don't expect to be a help is the one asking all the right questions. "Do you see dead people?" I'm glad you're enjoying the story.
Adela: Yes, I'm following the shows plot with this one, but I am switching things up a bit if you could tell from the last scene. Roy's not out of the picture yet, he's been given a new mission.
rockyroyal,dr: I'm glad you're enjoying the story so far. I wanted Katie to really take a stand on something with Oliver, especially since she lets so many things slide and if you really read the conversation you can really see it. Even Oliver sees it when he says that after everything that has happened with them, he knows she still hasn't forgiven him. Roy and Katie are a pair I love to write, because I know they don't get many scene together, but when they are you see how close they are, especially in this one. Katie was ready to run, but Roy being taken to prison was enough to get her to continue fighting. Oh and you'll see Katie once again fighting, I promise. She played the damsel in this chapter, but the next one she will slay.
kuppcake :Thanks so much for the review, and I'm glad you're liking the story!
I want to thank all of you for tuning in and sticking this out with me. There are going to be four more chapters left of this story and then FFF will finally be complete. I can't believe it's happening so soon, but it was always going to happen. So please stick with me to the end, and drop a couple of reviews. I'm only a couple away from my 100 review goal. It's always a bit of an accomplishment I guess. Thanks to everyone who added this story to your follow lists and a special thanks to my reviewer for the last chapter. I really appreciate them all. And now for your sneak peek.
"He can't do this." Malcolm said from his spot beside his daughter. When Katie came inside, she assumed the man would respectfully remain silent, but it would seem he wouldn't. "You know that if she goes in those waters she'll come out as something else."
"It's funny that you're the one here trying to stop all the dominoes from falling when you're the one who tipped them over." Katie says glancing over to the man. "The truth is Malcolm that Oliver thinks he knows what he's doing, but he doesn't. He thinks he's going to save his sister, but he's probably not. He thinks he can handle the title of Ra's Al Ghul, but he won't. Oliver has stopped fighting because he lost something strong enough to take the fight out of him."
"So what about you?" Malcolm asked. "Has the fight left you?" Katie turned away, thinking on the question and a slight smile came to her face as she turned back to the man.
"I have the demon's blood in veins." Katie replied and Malcolm seemed to sit up a bit, as if remembering the fact. "I don't think the fight will ever leave me. I don't even think you've seen the true fight inside of me."