Chapter 25
An Unholy Union
"If you choose to do something, then you shouldn't say it's a sacrifice, because nobody forced you to do it."
-Aung San Suu Kyi
It was crazy really. Ever since that ultrasound, Katie finds herself staring down to her stomach, not even noticing a change, but she always smiles. She knows the truth, knows that there is someone in there created from a love that even she can't really describe. It's the only reason she can think of why, ever so often, her hand slides across her stomach unconsciously. It happens at the most random times and sometimes she doesn't even know she's doing it.
"Black or red?" the sudden voice pulled her from her thoughts, and Katie lifted her head to see Ethan standing, looking in his mirror holding up two different ties to his dress shirt.
"You know I thought this was an interview?" Katie asked and she heard the man let out a snort. "Was that funny?"
"How much time can you guaranty that you can dedicate to this job, Kit?" Ethan asked, tossing the black tie aside, and bringing the red one around his neck to tie it. "Your boyfriend just became the leader of a group of killers, you're about to be a mom, and this is something you may not want to hear, but the whole avoidance thing you're doing is going to catch up to you and I get the feeling when it does, you're not going to want to face it."
"I'm sorry, how long have you been a specialist in my life?" Katie asked watching the man who seemed so focused on getting dressed.
"For a while now." Ethan replied grabbing his suit jacket and slipping it on. "You run when you can't hack it." he glanced over to the woman, who looked totally offended. "C'mon, I'm not saying this stuff to hurt you. The truth is you want to focus everything on that kid, but you won't completely, because you really are in love with that guy. You're can't run away from that, but you are going to try."
"Oh, so I'm going to run as well?" Katie asked grabbing her bag and standing to her feet. "I asked for an interview because you said you needed a doctor. You told me to come here as if I really had a chance and now-"
"Now I'm trying to show you what you're not seeing!" Ethan snapped walking around his desk to stand in front of the woman. "From the day you walked through those doors of this hospital those few years ago, I knew you. It made no sense for you to even be here. You didn't need the money-"
"It was never-"
"I know that Kit. You like to help people, and you'd be with your friends right now if what they were doing wasn't a constant reminder that Oliver isn't here. So you need something else, another distraction. This is all that is to you. The thing is, at some point you can't lie to yourself any longer, you can't pretend to be ok with the life you don't want and I'm not going to do that to this hospital and I'm not going to help you do that to yourself." the man let out a deep sigh with a shake of his head. "Kit, if I hired you today, and in a couple of weeks, a couple of months when you realize this wasn't what you wanted and you leave, I don't think I would be able to be your friend anymore." he pointed to the door. "Those people out there aren't looking for distractions. This is their life's work, their jobs. They need this place to survive. We need this place to survive. You got a medical degree to be a doctor and then your dad screwed you up and now you don't know what you want to do." Katie turned away from the man with a shake of her head, because she hated how much truth she was hearing in the words. "I really care about you Kit, but this hospital is now my responsibility." she turned back to the man. "And I don't feel right now that you're ready for it." The woman simply nodded before pulling her jacket on, and turning for the door. "Don't be mad at me, Kit." Katie stopped at the door, and glanced back to the man.
"Sometimes, you're brutally honest. It's why I love you." she said with a small smile before pointing to his tie. "Wear the black. Laurel likes black." the man looked down to the tie, suddenly realizing what she'd just said before looking back up to see that the woman was gone.
Katie found herself standing outside, leaning against the wall of the hospital. She stood there, very unsure where she was supposed to go next. She thought this was it, pick her life back up as a doctor and put all her focus back on the one part of her life that always made sense. But Ethan was right, it was always a distraction, something to fill her time to hide the fact that it was never enough. So now here she was, trying not to think about the bad things, trying not to focus on the things that break her into pieces. She heard footsteps, and glanced up to see the unexpected face of Malcolm Merlyn. She wasn't in the mood for the conversation and so she turned away and began walking toward her car.
"So you told her about Roy, and now you're going to let her run off to find him?" Malcolm asked, but Katie didn't answer him. "Roy is in hiding for a reason-"
"He is, and he's being hid very well by people who I'm sure will make sure he's not found and I'm almost positive they will do the same with Thea." Katie said reaching forward to open her door, only for Malcolm to force it back closed, and Katie suddenly took a step away from him, something the man didn't expect her to do. He noticed the hand move to her stomach and he let out a sigh before dropping his head.
"You're pregnant, aren't you?" he asked and Katie simply stared at him before dropping her hands back to her side. "I'm not-"
"We talked about this Malcolm. We don't have conversations, we don't discuss things, you will stay away from me or-" both lifted their eyes at sudden instincts kicked in. "You should probably go." the man turned back to the woman who looked back to him. "Probably never do this again." Malcolm looked back to the darkness, before turning and walking off. Katie turned back to her car, but stopped and looked over her shoulder. "I don't need your protection, Jacob." with that the woman stepped inside of her car, before pulling away.
Jacob Robins, sat looking at the monitor in his office in front of him showing the surveillance video of his daughter getting into her car and driving away. He reached forward, pressing the button on his landline phone.
"Stay on her, remain at a respectable distance and if Merlyn makes another appearance, then make him disappear." Jacob ended the call, before turning at the knock at his door. Soon the door opened, and he could've sworn it was a ghost. "Who the hell called you? I thought you were busy making criminals into crime fighters?"
"You know what, screw you!" the man said laughing as he walked over to the man who stood and walked around to meet him to shake his hand. "It's been a long time."
"It has Flagg." as he shook his head, looking over the man who looked much older since the last he saw him. "May I ask why you're here?"
"Waller wanted me to speak with you." Rick said walking around the man to the wall of monitors all showing different things, all seeming to be focused on one person. One of the screens showed a familiar woman walking through the door of an apartment, slipping off of her coat. "She's seems to think that this whole mission is becoming obsessive."
"Well I don't answer to Waller." Jacob said, walking over and grabbing a remote and turning off the monitors. "And if you're here to tell me that keeping an eye on my daughter is a waste of time, then you can report back to Amanda that she can go screw herself."
"She doesn't think you're being completely honest about what this is really about." Rick said turning to the man. "Is this about this Ra's guy, about keeping him away from her."
"I'm sorry Rick, but when keeping a secret, there's only one person you can trust and that's not you. You're her boy now."
"I'm still your friend, and I just want to make sure this isn't you being an over protective father trying to protect your daughter from the boogie man."
"Well that's your problem Rick, because the boogie man's real. And he's worse than anyone you're ever been up against, more dangerous than Ra's Al Ghul and one day he's going to find her and that's what this is about."
"Ok, and who is this mystery man and why are we not out looking for him?" Rick asked and Jacob simply walked around his desk to take a seat. "She says you do this too, have this mission that only you and your annoying henchmen Ellis know about. I thought we were all on the same side here."
"You know I did too, but while I was out of commission, Waller took control of something that didn't concern her, then she developed an agenda. One that concerned my daughter, one that roped you in it as well. There was a plan and she deviated from that."
"You have no idea how screwed this entire thing has been, how twisted it's been, but for you to say that Waller is the reason this entire thing deviated from whatever you cooked up in your head is even more disturbing." Rick looked around the office and just shook his head. "You're still working missions, still trying to fight the boogie men that only you can fight-" he turned back to the man. "If Grace were here-"
"If you're as smart as I believe you are Flagg, you just won't finish that sentence. Look, it's been fun catching up, but go back to your criminals and your suicide squad and go look for that clown fellow that somehow escaped your capture." Rick looked at the man for a moment before turning and heading for the door. "Stay away from my daughter Flagg. I know about your stint, breaking her out of Reeves, playing the hero." the soldier turned back to the man. "False hope was not supposed to be dangled in front of her."
"You make good soldiers Jacob, and it turned out your daughter seemed to be one of the best. She would've been good to the cause."
"She is good for the cause, just not here. Stay away from her." Rick simply gave a nod before turning and leaving the office.
Jacob turned back around, turning back to the monitors before turning them back on, letting out a deep sigh.
Only the sound of clinking forks on plates, filled the silent dining table inside of a fortress of assassins where Oliver sat with the two members of the Al Ghul family. He glanced over to Nyssa who sat with a glare not even attempting to touch anything on her plate while her father continued eating without a care in the world. One of the servants came beside her to offer bread and she lifted a hand to wave him away.
"I am not hungry." she spoke and she turned at the chuckle of her father.
"Ah, yes. Many a bride has skipped a meal or two before their wedding day." the words made her blood boil. It was only days ago did Ra's announce the decision for Oliver and Nyssa to marry. Nyssa made her feelings very known, while Oliver did his best to keep all emotions locked away even though the thought of marrying this woman made his stomach turn.
"I would rather die than wed this pretender." Nyssa sent a glare over to Oliver, who she hated seemed unaffected by all of this.
"Well, you speak as though they are the only two options before you, my daughter."
"Daughter." she shook her head in disgust. "And to think, I once wore that title with pride."
"Perhaps "mother" will suit you better." Ra's countered and neither noticed the fist Oliver clench on his lap at the statement. "After your betrothal to Al Sah-him, you will extend my lineage by having a child of your own."
"If you think I will bear his child-" Nyssa jumped to her feet in anger, glaring daggers at her father.
"Yes! I do. And you will have no more say in it than your mother was given." Ra's spoke and Nyssa didn't know what else to say, because her father had no opposition, not even from her who could only do as she is told. She turned to Oliver, his blank expression only angering her even more. Ra's followed her eyes.
"You're quiet." Oliver turned to the man, forcing himself to keep up the act he's dug himself into.
"I'm prepared for my ascension to Ra's. But I'm still..." he glanced over to Nyssa with a nod. "coming to grips with marriage. Perhaps a walk to clear my head." the man stood to his feet and headed out.
"I will send a guard to accompany you." Ra's commented.
"If I can't protect myself, I don't deserve to inherit your mantle." Once Oliver was gone, Ra's once again began eating his food.
"You've lost her." Nyssa spoke and the man lifted his eyes to her. "You tried everything to bring her into this family and she still turned her back on us and now every chance you get you will try to hurt her. Why do I feel this marriage has nothing to do with me, nothing to do with Oliver, but everything to do with you trying to hurt the one person in this world you could never have no matter how hard you tried." Nyssa shook her head before meeting her father's eyes. "With our blood truly in her veins, she won't just take this lying down." the woman didn't say another word before turning and storming out of the room, leaving her father with words that simply washed over him without a care in the world.
Oliver walked, getting further and further away from the fortress, away from wandering ears and eyes. As he walked, he heard sudden movement, and he quickly turned grabbing someone's arm before flipping the assailant to the ground.
"You're late." Oliver said before watching the man remove his mask, revealing a heavily breathing Malcolm Merlyn.
"I'm sorry. "Malcolm said looking up to the man. "Nanda Parbat isn't the easiest place to infiltrate."
"Don't joke." Oliver replies holding a hand out to the man who welcomely took it and allowed himself to be helped to his feet. "Things are worse than we thought."
Soon they distanced themselves even more, sitting around a fire as Oliver explained the plan he knew was coming, but still didn't expect.
"Tomorrow?" Malcolm asked with a shake of his head before turning back to the flames.
"Ra's plans to transport the virus to Starling on a plane."
"That is oddly modern for the League." Malcolm glanced over to Oliver who shrugged. "Do you think Ra's suspects you?"
"He has no reason to."
"I warned you it would be difficult."
"I just thought that I'd...we'd have more time, when you explained to me that my ascension to Ra's would include the destruction of Starling." Oliver replied turning back to the flames.
"I anticipated you wouldn't be Ra's for months. More than enough time to dismantle the League from the inside."
"Malcolm, we need help." Malcolm turned away with a shake of his head at the thought.
"From all accounts, you were... too good at convincing your friends that you'd allied yourself with Ra's, and I don't think I carry much credibility with them."
"I know someone who they'll trust." Oliver said and Malcolm turned to him with a quirked brow. "But I need something else from you. If we can't beat this, if we fail I need you to get Thea and Katie out of Starling."
"Well your sister is way ahead of you. Katherine told her about Roy and I guess she's sailing off to a normal life." Malcolm sighed turning back to look down to the flames. "And me having another conversation with Katherine may end with a bullet from her or the people who are watching her." he glanced over to Oliver who didn't looked surprised at the fact. "Which you seem to be aware of."
"I don't care." Oliver replied looking over to the man. "You need to get her out of Starling as soon as possible, and I don't care how you do it. I just—"
"You know, don't you?" Oliver turned to the man in confusion. "I planned on waiting until you'd finally gotten out of here before telling you because I was afraid you'd drop everything." Malcolm gave the man a nod. "You know she's pregnant." Oliver turned away which was answer enough for Malcolm. "I wasn't really told, but figured it out, though I hope I don't have to tell you how important it is for Ra's to not find out about this child."
"Don't you think I know that?!" Oliver snapped turning back to the man. "He's talking about this wedding to Nyssa, and my child she will bear." Oliver shook his head. "I'm not supposed to be here right now, I'm supposed to be with her-" he looked over to Malcolm who could finally see the emotions the man held behind his eyes. Oliver took a deep breath, reigning in the emotions. "I don't care how you do it, but you get her out of Starling."
"I'll do my best." Malcolm sighed. "Now, who's going to be our help."
Thea's loft seems so quiet and lonesome without the spunky brunette around. Katie found herself laying on the couch, looking down to a roaring fire. Her hand unconsciously rested on her stomach as her eyes got heavier and heavier until sleep finally overcame her.
The moment Katie stepped out of the prison, and into a vehicle that got her farther and farther away from another hell she'd fell into. They arrived at a safe house, and the moment she stepped inside, she turned to the only two men with her. She only had questions for one.
"Bruce, I thought you were dead!" she watched Bruce, still unable to take her eyes off of him. "I've been out for years, and you never find me, never stop the guilt from eating away at me for thinking I got you killed."
"I'm sorry, Robins, but you know how hard it would be. I thought he was dead, but I knew his assassins were out there, probably watching me and I couldn't just go looking for you putting you at risk as well. Us staying apart was the safest thing."
"And now, what is this?" she asked turning to the other man who simply stood watching them. "Who are you, and why can't I just go home?"
"Because on your little trip back home, you're making enemies." Rick said looking down to his watch. "One of those enemies were some pretty big agencies in the US government. So no your name isn't publicly connected to any crime, but they have people who can handle problems like you." he looked back over to the woman.
"So what now, I just run?" she turned back to Bruce who just shook his head. "I've been running too long, I just want to go home."
"And you will Robins, we just have to do this the smart way." Bruce said sending a glare over to the soldier. "And I don't like it, but I think it may work,"
"What's the way?" she asked before looking back to Flagg.
"They think they know the truth. That you were kidnapped by terrorists and you know something."
"Ok."
"Well we're going to give them what they want. A narrative that they want and will get you home." Flagg replied with a nod. "It's just going to take some time."
"I'm sorry?"
"When you go back, they're going to look at you with even more suspicion so you're going to have to make them believe it."
"And how do I do that?" Katie asked before turning to Bruce who shook his head.
"They have an idea. They want you to go through some of their new recruit training. Instill some interrogation techniques that can sell the narrative enough to lift the suspicion from you." Bruce said before glancing over to Rick and Katie followed his eyes. "Look they want a story and you're going to give it to them. Once you do, you're home."
Katie turned away, sliding her hands across her face trying to think of her options, and she didn't have many.
"You want to get home, this is how that happens." Rick said and Katie scoffed.
"That's not the first time I've heard that." Katie replied.
"Look at me." Katie didn't move and he took a step forward. "Hey, look at me." she lifted her head and glanced back to the man. "I will make sure you get home."
"And why should I trust you?"she asked.
"Because at the end of the day I'm the one who got you out of one prison that no one escapes." he said walking over to stand in front of her, the woman not even attempting to cower away. "I think I have the skills to get you out of another."
"You think?" she asked before glancing over to Bruce who shrugged. "If I die because you think you're good, I bet you a million dollars, he will kill you." she turned stalking off and Rick glanced over to Bruce.
"She's right." the man replied seriously.
Katie awakened from her dream at the sound of her phone vibrating on the glass coffee table in front of her. She reached over to see a text that seemed to be from Malcolm asking her to some meeting with the others. The thought of seeing Malcolm again was the last thing she wanted to do and hoped anyone else he texted would think the same. And so Katie placed her phone back on the coffee table before lying back down to once again sleep ,but she was interrupted by a knock at the door. With a groan, she reached under the cushion, grabbing her glock before stalking toward the front door.
"You know Malcolm, you were warned but I see-" she pulled open the door, her words suddenly caught in her throat at the sight of man she thought she'd never see again. "Rick?"
"Hey there bird." the man said with a smile. "You gonna invite me in, or are you going to make me risk my life in fear that your dad is gonna order one of his spies to shoot me." she took a step back to let the man inside before closing the door behind him.
"My father knows you're here?"
"Yeah, he actually warned me not to see you." Rick said turning to the woman who couldn't take her eyes from him either. "It has really been long time hasn't it?"
"It has. Seems like only yesterday you were breaking me out of a prison that no one escapes." Katie said walking over to stand in front of the man, noticing new scars. "You look a little older since I last saw you."
"Well time does that, doesn't it?" he laughed as he shook his head looking her over. "Well except for you, who looks exactly the same since I last saw you. How do you do it?"
"What are you doing here, Rick?" Katie asked and the man turned looking around the loft. "I just thought after the last time I saw you, it would be the last."
"I had a job and-"
"This argument doesn't matter anymore. I'm home where you promised you'd get me, that's the extent of our time together, right?" the woman turned away, and headed for the kitchen. "So again, I ask you, why the hell are you here and why shouldn't I open up that door and let my father have you carted away."
"You wouldn't do that." Rick said following the woman into the kitchen and watching as she looks in the fridge for something. "You like me and think I'm cute."
"Oh, I know. You're Waller's boy, so you're here because she wants something from me." Katie said looking over to the man. "Tell her to eat shit."
"You know you're the second person to call me Waller's boy today and I got to say, I'm offended. Look I'm here because I came across something-" suddenly the lights in the loft began flickering and both looked up to the light. "Does that happen often?"
"No." Katie replied tilting her head a bit. "We need to leave." she only took a couple of steps before all the lights went off in the apartment. She quickly went to the next room, the fire place the only thing illuminating the place.
"You want to tell me what this is?" Rick asked going over to the window. "I don't see anyone."
"That's because the demon only employs ghosts." Katie replied and suddenly out of no where masked men fell onto the balcony, and Rick backed up, grabbing his weapon. "Lots of ghosts."
"You have weapons?" Rick asked looking over to her and Katie nodded, but he noticed she didn't even move. "You gonna go get them."
"You know you've missed a lot in these past couple of years." Katie said before raising her hands. "Something new you may have missed, I can't fight."
"Why?" he looked at her for a moment when suddenly the door to the loft bust open and in ran an entire tactical team, guns pointed at the balcony. One of the men grabbed Katie and began pulling her out the door.
"The Robin is secure, headed down to the van." the man said, as they rushed to the elevator. "Front entrance secure?" Katie turned to the man, still in confusion, not sure why this was happening now.
"This doesn't make sense." she said and the man looked over to her. "He has everything, I can't-" something clicked and she brought her hand to her stomach. "Does he know?" she turned away remembering the last words she said to Oliver and she thinks that was probably the biggest mistake she thinks she could've made. Suddenly the doors slid opened and the soldier grabbed Katie's arm and pulled toward the front door, only to find his partners all lying to the ground, motionless.
"We have to get out of here." he grabbed her arm, and Katie just turned to him. "Your dad will have my ass if I don't get you to safety."
"Tell him this isn't his decision." Katie jerked her arm from his grasp, before turning and running as fast as her bare feet would take her. She was being followed, she could feel it, and she was already getting winded and so she realized there was only one thing she could do. She stopped running, trying so hard to catch her breath. The moment she turned, there stood a few of Ra's assassins. "What is this about?" no one said a word before two of them walked over, each grabbing her arm and pulling her with them and this time she didn't fight it.
John, Felicity and Laurel all stood at the air field waiting to load Malcolm's plane. They weren't sure if the man was lying or telling the truth, but if the threat of some bio weapon being let loose in Starling was true, they at least had to check it out. John and Laurel watched as Felicity stood with her phone to her ear.
"Anything?" John asked and Felicity shook her head as she pulled the phone from her ear.
"Voice mail again." Felicity replied. "I understand not answering Malcolm's call, but as many times I've called her, you'd think she'd answer." she looked over to Laurel. "She had the interview with Ethan earlier, right?" Laurel looked between the eyes of John and Felicity.
"We know you two are a thing. Felicity caught you two making out when you thought no one was looking." John said and Laurel still looked a bit surprised that they actually knew. "The interview?"
"He didn't give her the job because he didn't think she really wanted it." Laurel replied. "He said he had to think about what was best for her and the hospital."
"Really?" Felicity asked with a shake of her head. "I thought he'd give it to her for the pure fact that he likes to make her happy."
"I know, but he's actually growing up." Laurel sighed with a smile. When they turned to see someone walk into the hangar. None of them really knew the woman, who once knew Oliver so long ago. Malcolm showed up, telling some story about Oliver only pretending to be in cahoots with the league and that this all was an act and after the events of the previous days, they were all just a bit hesitant to believe him. They watched Malcolm drop his head and let out a sigh, before glancing over to them.
"What do you think is going on?" Felicity asked.
"No idea, but I'm going to find out." John replied before walking over, the two women close behind. "What's happening?"
"Nothing, we should get a move on." Malcolm said about to head inside to the plane, but John moved to stop him. "We don't have time-"
"I believe the league has taken Katie." the woman spoke, and they turned to her. Tatsu Yamashiro, the wife of the man who has helped and hurt them. "Malcolm told me that she didn't answer his calls and so I went there in hope of talking to her, but when I got there, it was obvious. There was a military presence along with signs of the league's involvement."
"No, no, no." Felicity muttered as John turned to her. "This can not happen. This is too dangerous, and if she's hurt-"
"Felicity calm down, this doesn't-" John turned back to Malcolm. "How does she play into this plan?"
"She is the last living piece of the old Oliver Queen and I can only imagine that this is some play to get rid of it. Ra's needs to truly believe Oliver is loyal to the league."
"And how does he do that?"
"No idea, I figure the sooner we get there, the better chance we have to put a kink in that plan." and with that, Malcolm walked around them toward the plane.
"You said military presence?" John asked to Tatsu who only nodded.
"ARGUS?" Felicity asked and John shook his head. "Jacob. You think he has a plan."
"I don't know, but I can make a couple of calls." John said looking between Laurel and Felicity. "Let's go."
The moment Rick Flagg returned to the ARGUS facility, he was immediately told to report to Jacob right away. He'd only stepped off the elevator when he heard the man's loud voice yelling at someone, and he just knew he wouldn't like this meeting. He saw someone rush out of the office, and angrily storm down the hall right past him.
"I think I would give him a minute." a voice spoke from behind Flagg, and the man turned to see yet another familiar face. "Commander."
"Ellis, it has been a long time." Rick said looking the man over. "Still playing under dog, I see."
"Still got your head up Waller's ass I see." Martin replied walking over to the man. "What the hell were you thinking going to her place. After everything you and Waller did, that was the last thing you should've ever thought of doing."
"I don't answer to you Martin. You and your boss have done far worse to that woman. Do you know where she is?"
"We do."
"And? Is there a team being prepped because I want in."
"There isn't a team being prepped because your boss is not letting a team be prepped. Waller isn't sanctioning a team to go to Nanda Parbat because she wants no association with the group." Martin shook his head with a sigh. "She's threatened everyone here, if anyone goes against her order, she'll put you in her little hole and make you disappear."
"No wonder he's going nuts." Flagg said looking back to Jacob's door. "He has to have another plan." he turned back to Martin. "I'll help."
"You'll go against your fearless leader for some woman-"
"She was never just some woman to me." Flagg interrupted and Martin let out a sigh. "If he has a plan to get her back, I want in."
"The last thing that man is going to do is trust you again. So go back to Waller, or your girlfriend Ms. Moone who I'm sure is wondering where you are right now and just leave this alone. And if you're smart, you won't go into that office." Martin turned and headed for Jacob's office, taking one final deep breath before stepping inside.
Rick stood there for a few moments, thinking on the man's words and he couldn't just leave like this. He was with her, and he should've been able to protect her, now he needed to fix this. So Rick stalked toward Jacob's office, before opening the door and stepping inside. All conversations stopped and all eyes went straight to him.
"Jacob-"
"I gave you an order."
"I know, but that order had nothing to do with that ambush that happened tonight." Rick argued walking in closer. "Whatever happened tonight, was planned, and I want to help get her back."
"Get out of my office Flagg." Jacob said with a shake of his head before walking over to grab another drink.
"Jacob-"
"I just stood here, watching from all angles as my daughter was ambushed and taken, and every last man under my command couldn't even stop it!" Jacob snapped turning back to face the man. "It's my job to protect her when she can't protect herself."
"Wait, she said she couldn't fight. I didn't get it-"
"And you won't get it because it doesn't concern you. None of this does Flagg. You don't work here, I'm not your commanding officer, so what happens here doesn't include you, so leave because I have way too many weapons within arms length right now and all I need is an excuse." Rick huffed in anger, before turning and stalking out the door.
"Intel we have says there's going to be a wedding." Martin said and Jacob turned to him in confusion. "Ra's is having Oliver and Nyssa marry to keep his bloodline going after his death."
"He wants her to witness it." Jacob said with a shake of his head. "He not only wants to beat her, but he wants to pour salt in the wounds." he looked back over to Martin. "I need people-"
"We have a couple of favors we can use." Martin said and Jacob simply nodded before watching the man turn and leave.
Jacob looked down to his hand that held the glass of alcohol and he noticed his hand slightly shaking and in anger he threw the glass to the wall, watching it shatter before dropping back down to his seat.
Katie wasn't sure what she should be doing now. If she lets them take her, she could die and if she fights back, she can die quicker. Right now she didn't want to assume anything and only make things worse, so she lets them take her, lets them bring her back to the fortress and push her into her old room and that's where she waited for someone to tell her what was going on.
She'd tried opening the door, but it was locked from the outside so in essence, she found herself imprisoned once again inside these walls. It felt like hours she'd been waiting in that room until the door finally opened and she jumped to her feet to see the one face she assumed she wouldn't have to see again.
"Why am I here?" she asked the demon who silently looked her over. "You took everything from me, there's nothing else for you to take."
"You said that I could never take your soul, and I saw that as a challenge I just couldn't stray away from." Ra's spoke, and soon he turned at the sound of the door opening and there appeared Oliver as well and Katie just knew what this was about.
"Whatever this is about, just-" she glared at Oliver with a shake of her head. "I won't let this happen." she turned to the demon who studied her in amusement. "You can't have my-"
"Nyssa and I are to marry." Oliver said suddenly, and Katie turned her eyes to the man and he's surprised the look alone didn't just break him in two.
"That's right." Ra's spoke looking to the woman who couldn't tear her eyes from Oliver. "This is a family affair and I thought you being family would want to witness the joyous occasion of the union between the next Ra's Al Ghul and your cousin." Katie turned away from Oliver to the demon, who smiled in her face and that's how she knew he was just pure evil.
"Do I cry now?" she asked glancing over to Oliver with a shake of her head before looking back to the demon. "Do I beg you to not go through with this? Did you want to see my heart break and I just fall over in grief."
"No, my dear Nura, I expect your strength to show just as it always does. This is a celebration, and you're family. You should rest up, the wedding is tomorrow." with that the demon turned and left the room, and Katie felt Oliver's eyes on her, and she refused to look at him.
"There's no reason you should still be standing here." Katie said still not sparing the man a glance. He didn't say a word before turning and stalking out of the room, closing the door behind him. Katie's hand slid across her stomach as the words of wedding between Oliver and Nyssa just kept playing over and over again in her head. He wanted to destroy her and he had all the necessary tools to do so except for one. The one thing they didn't know about and wouldn't know about. So she would stand there and watch this wedding, let him think that he'd destroyed her, and then let her walk out the door. She has a feeling that the next time she leaves his place, she's never coming back.
The entire night was long, and tiring and she never intended to fall asleep, but all she did was sit on the bed and soon there was no stopping it.
There were sounds Katie could never forget, and one of those sounds was gun fire. It was that familiar sound that snapped her eyes open to the illuminated room. She rushed over to the window, unsure where the distant sound was coming from. Katie turned rushing for the door, once again trying to open it, but it was still locked from the outside. Her eyes scanned the room for something, anything that could help her out of this place, and that's when she saw it. A sword she must've left and cursed that she didn't see it before. She quickly grabbed it and came back to the door. She lifted the sword above her head and with a swift swing, the sharpened blade tore the handle from the door popping it open. Still gripping the sword in her hands, Katie peeked into the halls that were unusually barren. She figures they're probably looking into the gunfire as well, and this is her chance to get out of here.
Carefully and quietly she moves through the hall, figuring her safest route out of here is through the tunnels. She hears footsteps from behind her, and she turns to see Nyssa and she keeps her sword steady in front of her.
"I'm not here to fight you." Nyssa said holding up her hands. "Why are you here?"
"Because your demented father forced me here to witness the wedding from hell." Katie says looking over her shoulder. "And if I have a chance to just skip that, then I'm going to take it, now if you would excuse me, I really need to get out of here."
"I do not wish to marry Oliver, and I suspect that he feels the same way." Nyssa replied and Katie shakes her head at the thought.
"It doesn't matter what you or he feels because at the order of the demon you jump." Katie turns to leave. "Get married, don't get married, but I'm getting as far away from this place as possible."
"You know I had to really think about why John would tell you that a plan to free his wife, and avoid my capture wouldn't include you and for you to actually agree." Katie stopped walking and glanced over to her cousin. "You bear the child of the next Ra's." Katie turned and rushed back over to the woman.
"Nyssa, please, you can't tell him, you can't-"
"I wouldn't." the woman said with a shake of her head. "I see the cold heart of my father as you have, and it's sickening. You have my word that I will take this to my grave." Katie gave the woman a nod. "You should leave now." Katie turned and quickly continued her course to the tunnels.
The moment she reached the room that lead to the tunnels, her heart sank. The door was chained and boarded shut.
"This can not be happening." Katie walked over to see if there was any hope getting through the door, but there wasn't. There were footsteps behind her, and Katie turned around to see two of Ra's assassins standing there. She had her sword held firmly, afraid to death of a fight she doesn't want. They'd only taken a step toward her, before a voice cut through the room.
"Stop!" Katie turned to see Oliver walk in, and the two assassins didn't even flinch. "I will bring her to the demon, you can go." both men gave a nod before turning and leaving Katie alone with the man. He took a step toward her, but she didn't drop the sword she pointed right at him.
"You didn't talk to Malcolm." he stated and she looked confused by the statement. "Of course you didn't. I-"
"I don't care." Katie said simply. "I really just don't care what's happening here. Have a wedding, have two, buy a boat, but this doesn't matter to me any more. I want to get out of here."
"And I want you out of here." Oliver replied, which only confused the woman even more. "This isn't real, I-" Katie turned her head at the appearance of two assassins behind the man and he let out a sigh before turning to them. "What?!"
"Ra's would like his niece brought with the others." one of them said and Katie turned back to Oliver in confusion.
"What others?" she asked and the man turned to her, before standing a bit straighter and walking over. "What others?!" he silently grabbed the sword from her hand, jerking it away before grabbing her arm and pulling her with him. She found her answer the moment she was brought to a room, that had her friends all lined up standing in front of the demon.
"And there she is." Ra's spoke the moment Katie was pulled in, forced into line with the others. "You know I saw what you did to your door, and I'm both impressed and irritated. Those things take time to fix."
"Send me a bill." she spat as Oliver walked over to stand at the demon's side. She looked down to the others who looked exhausted. Felicity turned meeting her eyes and she only gave a nod, assuring her that she was ok.
"Stir the grass, and you startle the snake." Ra's spoke turning to the others. "My ruse with the plane was meant to reveal any traitors among me. How did you know of the virus? Of the plane?"
"What virus?" Katie asked and the demon turned to her silently. The man took a vial from her coat and she took a step back. "What is that?" she looked over to Oliver who either wouldn't or just couldn't look at her.
"It's a bio virus, that Ra's plans to infect Starling with." John said angrily as he glared at the man.
"And now I want to know how you found out about it?" Ra's demand, walking over closer, wanting to look each in the eye, hoping to intimidate one into telling the truth.
"Maseo told me, and I told them." Tatsu suddenly answered and the demon hissed at the words.
"So a dead man told you. How convenient."
"He said only three men knew about your plan. You, him, and Oliver."
"Oliver Queen is dead. I am Al Sah-him." Oliver declared and Katie scoffed at the words. He glanced over to her, hating that look in her eyes as she looked at him.
"This would not be the first time that Sarab has betrayed me to Maseo Yamashiro's weaknesses. And though your timing was a function of my gambit, it was nevertheless fortuitous." Ra's spoke, still circling them. "You see, by tradition, Ra's would contemplate mercy upon his enemies on the eve of a wedding."
"You are getting married?" It's Ray whose bold enough to speak to the man he's not even aware he should fear. "I guess there really is a kettle for every pot."
"No, the wedding is for our friend Al Sah-him." Katie said looking over to the man. "He's marrying my favorite cousin Nyssa. You know I think that means we're going to be like cousin in laws." Ra's appeared in front of her and she turned to him with a smile. "You are quite the match maker, aren't you?"
"Take them below." Ra's ordered and soon his soldiers grabbed the other and began pulling them away. "Except for Nura."
"What?" she asked in confusion. "Take me with them." she glanced over to see her friends being forced out of the room and she went to follow, but Ra's caught her arm and the darkness in her eyes turned to him.
"You should be resting up before your wedding Al-Sah-him." Ra's spoke, his eyes still on Katie.
"I'm not tired, and I'd like to secure her back to a room so she can't cause anymore trouble." Oliver spoke and Katie turned a glare to him.
"That won't be necessary, I think me and my dear sister's daughter should have some bonding time."
"You leave me in a room with this man and I will attempt to kill him." Katie replies turning back to the demon. "Just so you're warned." Ra's simply chuckled at her words before turning to Oliver.
"You can leave us." he said, and the last thing Oliver wanted to do right now was leave him alone with her, but he had no options right now because if he acted in the way he wanted, then they both would end up dead. He knew hurting her physically never even came up in conversation, or implication, so he had to believe that this was all just some twisted game to get her head. And it was a game he seemed to be losing.
"As you wish." Oliver replied before walking for the door, casting a final glance to Katie before leaving.
"You know what I find funny?" Katie asked once they were alone. "Ascending to the throne of Ra's, wiping out the place you lived in hopes of ridding yourself of the old you, it's ridiculous. I mean you truly didn't do it because you spared my mother's life."
"You know you think you know your mother, but you don't. She was as proud of my ascension as I was. She wanted to be here, believed in this place and all of it's teachings."
"Until she ran away from you that is."
"No, it was not me your mother was running from." The demon replied walking over to sit at his throne.
"Why am I here?" Katie asked him and he looked back to her with a smile. "You want to hurt me, you've already done that."
"Whether you believe it or not, this is where you belong. You just can't see it yet, but you will."
"Didn't we do this already?" Katie asked. "I came, and there was nothing here that enticed me to stay and so I ran, came back and you made me fight for my freedom which I did. I won and now you need to finally let go of this fantasy in your head of having me back. Of getting the last piece of your sister back because that's not happening."
"It already has." Ra's spoke lifting his eyes and Katie followed them to a row of candles that suddenly blew out. "How long have you been seeing her?" Katie turned back to him with a quirk brow. "Your mother, how long have you been seeing her."
"I don't know what you-"
"The last time you were here, you mentioned a name, Melina." Ra's spoke and Katie wasn't sure what he was getting at. "That name has never been spoken by anyone that wasn't me or my sister and I know it was not I who said them. So how long have you been seeing her."
"Look you crazy bastard, my mother is dead and if I see her it's because of the shit you and my father have done to me." Katie replied.
"No, my Nura, if you see her, then it's only her you should blame." the demon stood to his feet an walked over to stand in front of her, looking her over with a sigh. "It would seem you have inherited much more from your mother than I anticipated."
"What the hell are you talking about?" Katie asked and the man placed a hand on her cheek and she jerked away from his touch. "What-" that's when she saw her. Her mother behind him, sitting at his throne watching him. It had been weeks since she's last saw her and she thought she was finally getting a grip on reality.
"Tell him the more that he angers me, the worse it will be for him when we see each other again." Grace stated looking to Katie. Ra's followed the woman's eyes to his throne and he growled under his breath.
"Are you here now, Minnah?" he asked letting his eyes move about as if he would be able to catch sight of her.
"My mother is dead. The dead do not speak." Katie replied turning her eyes back to the man who seems to be becoming more and more unhinged.
"And yet they speak to you." the demon declared turning back to the woman. He lifted a hand, and soon two of his men appeared in the room. "Take her to my daughter's room, she will wait there until the ceremony." they nodded before grabbing her arms and pulling her with them.
When Katie was pushed into the room, Nyssa looked over to her, her eyes glaring between the men holding her arms.
"Leave us, now!" Nyssa ordered and the men released Katie and turned leaving the women alone. Nyssa noticed Katie's heavy breathing as she just stood there near the door. "Are you alright?"
"No, uh your father plans on infecting my city with some sort of bio weapon, and my friends are in a dungeon downstairs. First we need to get them out."
"That's impossible, my father is having them watched like a hawks." Nyssa growled still watching the woman warily. "You don't look well, you should sit." Katie looked up to the woman, definitely not used to this caring side of the woman. "Have you eaten?"
"I'm fine, I will be better when me and my friends are out of here." Katie says closing her eyes and trying to think of a plan to get out of here. "Wait." she turned to Nyssa. "You have servants who are going to get you ready for the wedding?"
"Yes, but I'm postponing them for as long as possible, why?"
"Because I need you to call them." Katie replied and Nyssa didn't like the look in her eyes.
The team was chained in a dungeon all waiting for some miraculous plan of Oliver finally revealing that he is the good guy and coming to save them, but it wasn't happening.
"I can't believe this is happening." Felicity said looking down to the chains around her wrist.
"Someone want to tell me why Katie is here?" Ray asked looking over to Felicity. "I hadn't seen her since that extremely brief meeting she came to last week and now she's here."
"Ra's wants her to witness the wedding." Malcolm says and they turn to him. "It's revenge."
"Against her? Why, because she didn't want to join his evil league? That can't be the first time that's happened." John replied.
"No, revenge against her mother." Malcolm stated. "I think Grace leaving affected the demon more than I thought. He wants to hurt her, and the only way he can do that is through her daughter."
"What so he goes from wanting her to join the family, to trying to hurt her."
"Both would hurt his sister, so yes." Malcolm says standing to his feet. "I need to do something. Hey, I want to speak with the demon."
"What are you doing?" Laurel asked as the door to their prison is opened and two of Ra's men walked inside.
"I have information the demon wants. The answers he seeks." Malcolm said and one of the assassins turned to the other, before they walked over and unchained the man, forcing him from the cell.
"He's going to get us all killed, isn't he?" Felicity asked.
"That would be the one thing that makes sense today." John muttered.
Oliver walked the halls of the fortress, passing a couple of Nyssa's servants who always dressed completely covered from head to toe. He noticed one walking from Nyssa's room, avoiding his gaze as she passed. He rushed toward Nyssa's room, opening the door, only to see Nyssa standing there surrounded by her servants.
"Where is she?!" Oliver demanded.
"And here I was thinking that woman would help your soul." Nyssa glared at the man. "If she's lucky, she's left this place and you and never comes back." Oliver turned storming out of the room, rushing down the hall. If Katie was loose in this fortress, there was only one place she was going. He headed for the dungeon downstairs only to be stopped by one of the assassin.
"What?!"
"The demon commands your presence." Oliver turned away, searching out the halls but simply shook his head before turning back to the man giving a nod and going to find Ra's.
The others still waited, chained and unsure what was going to happen next. They all lifted their eyes at the sound of commotion outside the door, and soon a woman dressed in servants clothing, her face covered came rushing in with a ring of keys.
"Ok, I'm lost. What's going on?" Ray asked, their eyes on the woman who turned to him.
"Shut up Ray." the woman said lifting the million keys on the ring to look them over. "Which one of these keys look like they could save your life?"
"Katie?" Ray said as they all stood to their feet.
"Are you alright?" Felicity asked when Katie looked over to her.
"I'm not chained in a room without windows." Katie says rushing over to kneel in front of the woman and beginning to try to find the key that works.
"It won't take long before one of them comes back and notice you knocked out their guards." John says still watching the door. "You should hurry."
"Things that I didn't need to be reminded of, ding!" Katie says turning a glare to the man, before looking back down to the chains on Felicity's wrist and trying another key. "Why the fuck do they have so many keys?"
"Hey, watch your mouth around the baby." Felicity said and Katie lifted a glare to the woman.
"Baby?" Ray suddenly said and everyone looked at him. "Wait is there-" he looked over to Katie. "Are you-"
"Yes, Ray, but we're not supposed to talk about it in the evil murder lair we're in right now." Katie says looking back down to the lock and using another key.
"Right, that makes sense." Ray said. "Well congrats anyway." soon they heard movement from the door and they all turned just in time to see Malcolm being pushed back inside, Ra's and Oliver right behind him.
Katie and the others stood to their feet quickly, turning to the demon who tisked at the sight of her with a shake of his head.
"You know Nura you're only forcing me to be more creative with your stay here." Ra's said before giving a nod, and soon two of his assassins walked over, each grabbing her arms.
"Let me go!" she yelled, attempting to pull free. She looked back to the others. "Don't worry, I'm going to get you out of here."
"That may be a problem Nura." Ra's spoke and Katie turned to him in confusion. "This is the last time you'll see your friends alive."
"What?!" she was pushed from the room, looking back to her friends wanting to fight so badly, but couldn't risk her baby. She looked over to Oliver who refused to even look at her. "If you do this, there is no coming back from this. Whatever I have to do, where ever I have to go I will end both of you." she was finally pushed out of the room, and as she forced down the halls, she can hear their pleas for mercy. "Please let me go!" she tried to pull free from the assassins grip, but it was no use. Soon she was pushed back into Nyssa's room, tossed to the floor like nothing. Nyssa hurried over to her, but Katie lifted a hand to stop her. "Don't, just-" she felt her stomach turn and she quickly stood to her feet and rushed to the bathroom, emptying whatever was in her stomach at the moment. Soon she just sat there, everything inside of her slowly dying, because it was this moment that she truly realized she'd failed everyone. She knew the dangers of Ra's and Nanda Parbat before all of them, and she should have been the one to make sure none of this had happened. Nyssa came in moments later, kneeling beside the woman, watching her closely.
"I couldn't stop the love of my life from being captured and manipulated by your father, and I couldn't stop my friends from being killed." she turned to Nyssa, her eyes filling with tears. "How do I protect this child from him." Katie buried her face in her palms.
"Do you wish to know something?" Nyssa said, but Katie didn't answer. "There is something about you that worries him." Katie lifted her eyes back to the woman. "It's why beating you is so important, why he needs for you to believe that you have been beaten."
"But I am. I have nothing, I have-" she lifted her eyes behind the woman, where the woman who couldn't be, stood. "Not even my sanity." Nyssa followed her eyes to see nothing before turning back to her.
"When do you lose?" Nyssa asked and Katie met the woman's eyes. "I am my father's daughter, forever loyal to him even when he wishes that I marry someone I do not love, but you, you have never been subject to such rules, so when do you lose?"
"When I stop fighting." Katie replies turning away. "I just don't know how to fight him." she looked back to Nyssa. "Your father proves to be a very difficult opponent and finding a weakness-" something suddenly came to her and Nyssa notice the look. "He has one." Katie stood to her feet and headed for the door. The moment she opened it, she came face to face with one of Ra's assassins. "There's a wedding and I'm going to need something to wear."
"What are you doing?" Nyssa asked and Katie turned back to her.
"Going to a room that's usually locked." Katie replies before turning back to the assassin. "And you can come along if you want."
Ra's stood in the ceremonial room of the fortress, candles illuminated around him and his assassins in attendance. Soon he lifted his eyes to see Oliver walk in, his traditional league attire fitting him perfectly, and Ra's couldn't help but believe that this was the right choice.
Oliver had to fight the urge to truly show his feelings as he walked into the room. His stomach twisted at the room, and what was about to happen. This was never how he imagined his wedding, not in a million years, but he knew that if he wanted to stop Ra's, then he had to continue to play the game. So he walked over to the man, who gave a bit of a smile.
"You are Wareeth al Ghul, Heir to the Demon." Oliver simply gave a nod at the words. "Before the night is over, you will be Ibn al Ghul. Son of the Demon." the thought made him even sicker, but he could do this, he could get through this. Ra's lifted his eyes and Oliver noticed the sudden surprise that seemed to be gone in a flash. Oliver turned following his eyes, and a hitched breath left his body in that moment.
"Minnah." he thought he heard Ra's mutter, and Oliver turned to him, finally seeing the man taken off guard, and he thinks that was the intention. The demon pushed past Oliver over to Katie who stopped looking up to the man seemingly unbothered. "Where did you get these clothes?" the man looked over the woman who was dressed in the brightly colored gold and crimson dress, with a very intricate design that he's only seen worn by one person whose ever walked these halls. Katie dropped her eyes to the dress before looking back up to the man's eyes.
"Dressing the part." Katie muttered before walking around the man, and past Oliver who she didn't even spare a glance.
This wedding happening in front of her should be affecting her, she should feel sick and hurt, but she wasn't sure if her friends were alive or not and that meant this farce of a wedding just wasn't important. She chose not to even look at the pair as they began the wedding ceremony. Her eyes on the doors, maybe even a way out of here without being noticed.
"The union is sealed." she lifted her head, when the priestess spoke. It was over. Oliver and Nyssa were married and that meant this was all over. Without another word spoke, Katie turned and began walking toward the doors, before she was blocked.
"Leaving so soon, Nura." Ra's spoke and Katie turned her eyes back to the man.
"You wanted me here, wanted me to-" she looked over to Oliver and Nyssa who turned to her as well. "Wanted me to watch this, and now I'm going back to that cell-"
"They're dead Nura." Ra's spoke so coldly, that Katie didn't have an immediate reply. "Your friends are dead, your beloved has traded your affections for an unmatchable power. When you leave here, everything you ran to, to escape here, I would've taken it away. You leave here with nothing." he wasn't sure of her reaction in this moment. He knew she was usually good at keeping her emotions at bay, suppressing them at times, but he imagined this moment many times and he was sure it would have some affect. She looked at him for a moment, before leaning forward and muttering words in his ear that caused the demon to have a chill. When she pulled back, she gave the man a nod.
"If my friends are dead, then I will kill you." she said before looking over to Oliver who stood beside his new wife. "If they're dead, I will make sure it hurts more for you." she looked back to the demon, before placing a hand on his chest, and looking up to meet his eyes. There was a strange wind that blew through the room in that moment, and they all seemed to notice, but only two people in the room never even moved.
"Minnah can't wait to see you." Katie spoke before turning and walking away from the man. This time as she moved, no one blocked her. Ra's grit his teeth before turning to his daughter and new son in law with a smile.
"Tonight the complete acceptance as Ra's is complete and Starling will become a faint memory. Get changed, shall soon be leaving. And the sooner this is done, the sooner you two can enjoy your wedding night." with that the man turned and walked from the room. Oliver and Nyssa only shared a glance before the woman stormed out of the room as well. Oliver rushed out, only hoping to catch up to Katie before she could leave. He practically ran out the entrance of the fortress, and he spotted her a good distance ahead of him. They were pretty far from the fortress, when Oliver finally caught up to her and he was about to make himself known, when she suddenly stopped walking. The man only took a step, before someone else appeared in all black tactical gear. She practically ran over to him, bringing her arms around him in hug. He hugged her back, before pulling her away, and looking her over. Oliver wasn't sure what he was watching, but he didn't expect the sudden twisting of his insides at the sight of her with another man.
"What are you doing here, Rick?" Katie asked relieved to see the man.
"I'm here to break you out of another prison, but it looks like you beat me to it." Flagg replied still looking her over to make sure she was ok. "I have a plane, I'm getting you out of here."
"No." Katie says not letting the man pull her away. "I'm not going anywhere." she looked back over to the fortress, and the moment she did, Oliver moved to the shadows to remain unseen. "My friends are in there and I'm not leaving until I know what's happened to them." she turned back to the man who looked up to the large fortress he's sure is filled with lots of men. "Do you have back up?" he looked back down to the woman. "Are you alone?" he was about to reply, when they heard the sudden sound of propellers and they both turned to see a plane in the distance. "They're going somewhere."
"Where?"
"Starling." a voice from behind them spoke and they turned to see Oliver standing there. Rick took a step forward, pulling Katie behind him as he rose he gun and aimed it at the man. Oliver watched the movement, before turning to Katie who looked at him in a way that felt worse then anything he's felt. "There is a bio weapon called Alpha and Omega, Ra's plans to release it in Starling." The man glanced over his shoulder knowing that time was running out. He turned back to the woman, and sighed. "I know you have every right not to, but I need you to trust me." Katie suddenly grabbed the side arm from Rick's holster, before walking around the man toward Oliver.
"And why should I do that, after everything you've done?" Katie asked.
"The last time you were here, you told me to hold on to something. To hold on to it as hard as I can." Oliver stares into the woman's eyes, really able to just look at her without consequence. "I held on to your eyes, and that way you scrunch your nose when you're thinking, I held onto the sound of your laughter." he took another step, and she lifted the gun even more. "I know this, all of this-"
"It was fucked up and now I need to know if my friends are alive."
"They are." Oliver replied with a nod. He glanced over his shoulder once more before turning back to the woman. "I don't have much time." he looked over to the man who still held his rifle still firmly aimed at him. "Whatever men you have should wait an hour, that's when we head to Starling." he turned back to Katie. "Get the others back to Starling, and in the event I can't stop this then there needs to be a back up plan." he looked back to the man. "What's your name?"
"I'm a soldier, who is only here to make sure this woman gets to safety." Rick replied and Oliver simply nodded.
"Good. When the others get to Starling, I need you to make sure she is as far away as possible from all of this." Oliver met Katie's eyes once more before reaching inside of his jacket and pulled out a familiar stuffed banana. He looked down to it for a moment before tossing it the small distance between them. not wanting to startle her by getting too close. She looked down to the toy in her hand before looking back to Oliver. He stood there for just a few moments, before he finally turned and ran back to the fortress. Rick walked over to the woman, looking down to the stuffed banana, wearing a sombrero.
"What now?" the man asked and Katie kept her eyes on the toy, racking her brain and her heart trying to figure out what she should believe right now. She finally turned back to the man.
"An hour, you and whatever team you can get here, will go in there and get my friends." Katie says looking back over to the fortress, her hand unconsciously sliding to rest above her stomach.
Author's notes
So the veil has been lifted and they all know the truth about their friend Oliver. Even Katie, but of course just because the truth has been revealed, doesn't mean that their lives will just fall in to place.
Review Replies
kuppcake: I know right! She went in afraid for one thing, only to learn of another heart break. Thanks for the review!
ImsebastianstanButter: The Twiver saga has been tough. This latest flub will be a test and some decisions are gonna have to be made in the end. Maybe this saga can continue, or maybe it's time to call it quits. I won't reveal too much, but you will see this really soon. Oh, and I know some much danger happening around the pregnant lady. It's bound to get too close for comfort.
Adela: This love story is very intense right. I would love my two protagonists together, but this wedding will prove to be difficult to get past.
dwest225: Wow, thanks so much! I try so much to actually make the story seem at least some what legit. I've read stories in the past and hate when I can point out an instance where I feel like a situation doesn't really make sense, or a character just seems plopped in the story without reason. So thanks for the kind words and thanks for reviewing!
Princess: Top five! I love it! We finally got a snip of Oliver revealing the truth to Katie about this entire ruse, but there is more to come. A lot is going to come out in the next chapter, including Oliver finally able to show his true feeling about becoming a father. I'm glad you're enjoying the story!
Nina: New readers are always awesome! I'm glad you're enjoying the story, and 2 hours is crazy! Here's your update!
rockyroyal,dr: Ethan and Laurel are one of my new fav couples, but because I have to have a plot, there will be some things revealed that could make the couple short lived. Katie not wanting to go to the appointment and actually acknowledge that there really was a baby was really sad. She had this idea how the moment would go and it just wasn't going as planned. In the end we saw her at least trying to accept her life the way it was, and then this chapter totally screws that up.
Welp I know I keep telling you the end is near, but I really feel is, since I just finished writing the last chapter of this story yesterday. That's right, there are only two more chapter left and I promise you this is when the true crazy begins. Prepare to laugh, to cry and to clutch your heart in shock. Thanks everyone for jumping on this crazy train and adding this story to your fav/follow alert. You're not going to wanna miss how this story ends. A special shout out to everyone who left reviews, it's always wonderful to hear from all of you, so please keep them coming.
Here's your sneak peek
Barry speeds inside the fortress, taking down four assassins easily, before seeing the one thing that looks out of place.
"You guys have a hot tub?" he admires the waters of the Lazarath pit, taking a slight step closer. "Nice."
"I am going to design a bullet that can move as quickly as you can and hurt way worse." Barry's eyes widen as he turns a nervous smile to the gravelly voice of the man who dawns a suit he still can't quite believe. "You were late, which I didn't think was even possible."
"Well Batman, I caught a snag outside." Barry, says before speeding over to the man, as they continue down the hall.
"Stop saying Batman." Bruce says with a shake of his head. The moment Barry saw him wearing the suit, he hasn't let any moment go by without saying the name.
"I'm sorry, but this is kind of awesome. The Flash and the Batman on a mission together. This could be like a thing." Bruce turns a glare to the man. "Well awesome, besides the woman you love being held captive and I'm going to go looking." without another word the man had sped off.