Chapter Three
The first floor was half completed, but the contractor and his crew had quit for the day. Oliver and Tatsu took advantage of the time alone to start his lessons on how to properly use a katana. Using her family's katana, she instructed Oliver on his stance, breathing, focus, grip, and attitude. Once she thought he was ready then began to spar, blade to blade.
After a few passes, Tatsu cut Oliver's left arm. On his next pass, she put a slice in his right side. One more pass and she gave him a light wound on the abdomen. They stopped and she went to her bag and pulled out a jar.
"This jar contains a salve that will coagulate the bleeding and heal the wound," she said then looked at his torso. "The cuts are superficial so they won't scar. You have enough scars."
Instinctively, Oliver touched the last scar given to him, the one Ra's Al Ghul ran through his him and his lung. It had healed because of Tatsu, but the scar bothered him. In many ways it bothered him because it represented all he lost by going off to duel with Ra's Al Ghul. He had lost Felicity; he had also lost his way in some ways. Now, he was working on find his way back.
"Does that scar bother you still?" she asked him.
"No," he answered. "It's fine."
"Really," she smiled. "Maseo always said that you were stubborn."
She walked over to Oliver and started to apply the unguent to the cuts that she made on his body. Oliver stood there unmoving with his eyes focused on a point in front of him. Once she was done she put the salve back in her bag.
Oliver nostrils flared as the odor from the unguent reached his olfactory.
"This stuff smells awful. What is made of?" he asked.
"Don't ask," she answered.
A slight smile passed his lips.
"Are you hungry?" he asked her.
"Yes," she smiled.
"Do you mind the American version of Chinese food?"
"Chicken Lo Mein and egg drop soup?" she said.
Oliver smiled. He walked over to where his jacket hung and took out his smart phone. By rote, he dialed a number then in Mandarin ordered food for them and hung up.
"It will be here in forty minutes," he said.
"Do you intend on going out tonight as the Arrow?" she asked him.
He nodded yes.
"Why?"
"Because as much as Roy, Diggle, Laurel, and Felicity believe that they are doing a good job, this is still my city to protect. This is my battle they ae fighting," he said.
"Maseo was right, you are stubborn," she said.
Oliver nodded in the affirmative.
Arrow
"Dig, Arsenal, and Black Canary, the Bratva's newest Starling City captain Ivan Ankov has had kidnapped the leaders and lieutenants of their five closest rival gangs and had them taken to a warehouse in the Glades. I've checked and double checked and that is fifteen men they have held in the warehouse waiting for Ankov's arrival. The Warehouse is at the corner of Johns and Drew," Felicity informed her team.
"How many of the Bratva are we talking about, Felicity?" asked Diggle.
"Let me check all the CCTV and security cameras I can, John," she said.
Felicity's hands danced across her keyboard bringing up camera angle after camera angle. She counted the number of Bratva in her head.
"I count twenty at least, John," she said.
"Plus, the fifteen they are holding captive," pointed out Roy. "Those guys aren't really friends of ours, either."
"Good point," said Diggle.
"I brought three sonic screams and a couple of flash bang grenades," Laurel stated.
"I'm carrying three flash bang arrows in my quiver," added Roy.
"Let's take them all down and let the police sort them out," said John.
Felicity watched and listened as the team coordinated and then worked their way around the warehouse. She prepared to call the police in as their relief. The team made their move and Felicity could hear the gunfire break out.
Out of nerves, Felicity started to chew on her pen, as she listened to the team and the chaos of battle.
"Arsenal! I'm pinned down," cried Laurel.
"Watch out, Canary!" Roy screamed.
There was a discharge of automatic weapons and over the comm Felicity could hear Laurel moan in pain.
"John, you have to get to the Canary and get her out of there. I think she's hit," Felicity instructed.
"Felicity, this was a setup. Everyone was waiting on us," called out John.
She could see the exploding flash bang arrows on her computer screen.
"John, I'm calling in the police," Felicity said into her comm.
Felicity saw a new set of arrows exploding and taking men out.
"Hold on the police," John said. "The Arrow is here."
She watched as Arrow and Arsenal sent arrow after arrow into the Bratva and other gangs. In the middle of the warehouse she watched as Oliver engaged six Bratva. He took them down in a matter of seconds then fired off another arrow taking down one of the last shooters.
"Felicity, call the police and have the med bay ready. Laurel has been hit by a bullet," John said to her.
"Is it serious?" she asked.
"Can't tell yet," he answered. "ETA is ten minutes."
Arrow
Diggle and Arsenal rushed into the lair by the side door carrying Laurel. They ran to the medical bed and placed her down and Dig got to work. Felicity stood there and watched until she felt a presence over her right shoulder. She turned to see a scowling Oliver in his Arrow gear standing there.
"She needs more training before she should be allowed to be involved in an operation like tonight. Patrolling is one thing but this should have treated like a military operation," he growled.
Felicity went to speak, but Roy stepped in.
"That's our decision not yours," he said. "You left us."
"I sought some space, but I haven't left you, Roy. Think about who saved your ass tonight," replied Oliver to him in a quiet voice. "I'm still there for you."
Roy stood there in his Arsenal gear glaring at Oliver. Felicity stepped between Roy and Oliver.
"Thank you," she said softly.
Suddenly, Oliver was reminded of the night he returned to Starling City. Before joining the fight against Brick, he professed his love to Felicity again. He was shocked when she said in turn: "I don't want to be a woman you love."
His body language softened. He still loved her. Suddenly, being in the foundry felt constraining. He needed to leave, but not before he checked on Laurel.
"Dig, how is she?" he asked.
Diggle turned and looked at Oliver.
"I gave her a sedative so she's out cold. The bullet is a through and through on her left side. There appears to be no permanent damage," he told him.
"Take care of her," said Oliver. "And train her better."
Oliver turned on his heels and started to leave.
"Oliver," Diggle shouted.
Oliver turned and looked at his friend then Diggle said, "Thanks for tonight. You saved our asses."
"I'm there when you need me," said Oliver, who turned again and left.
It was silent for a few moments then Roy spoke up.
"I miss him," he sighed.
"He made his choice," said Felicity.
Diggle looked at her and smiled sadly then said, "So, haven't you, Felicity."
The words slapped her across the face. She was about to argue with Dig, when her smart phone rang. Fishing it out of her pocket, she looked to see who was calling her. It was Ray. She answered it.
"Hi."
"I've made a breakthrough on A.T.O.M., Felicity. The quantum processor who designed had allowed the energy flow and fluctuations to be within safe parameters. I should be able to test the whole suit tomorrow. Now I can help the Arrow protect this city and the people in it. Did you see the news tonight? He and his team took down some of the Russian mob and some gangs Imagine what I could do with my exo-suit in a situation like tonigh," Ray babbled excitedly.
"Ray, let's not get ahead of ourselves," she said. "Safety comes first."
The words safety comes first brought a smirk to Diggle's lips. Felicity loved Oliver, but she was afraid of losing him again because of all the risks he takes. She was protecting herself and her heart. I don't think she understands the trouble she has bought herself, he thought. The love Oliver and Felicity have for each other just doesn't disappear and can't be controlled easily.
"I expect you at the tests tomorrow," he said.
"We have the board of directors meeting tomorrow, Ray," she pointed out to him.
"Then tomorrow evening we'll test my ex-suit," he said. "Don't tell me you have plans. I need you there, Felicity."
Felicity sighed. The team would have to do without her tomorrow evening.
"I'll be there, Ray."
Arrow
The first floor was done and the simple work that was needed on the second floor was started. Tatsu and Oliver spend the early morning from 5 am to 9 am working on his skill with a katana. They broke for breakfast then Oliver had to prepare for the Palm Technology board of directors meeting, so he could take a seat on the board.
He used a shower that he had the contractor put in the first floor bathroom. Once he was showered he put on a grey Brioni suit with a white shirt and black tie. He was ready for the boardroom now. Exiting the bathroom, he noticed that Tatsu was amused.
"What has you amused?" he asked.
"You are more at home in your Arrow gear then in a business suit," she said.
"I know," he growled. "I should be back in a couple of hours then we can get back to practicing with the katana."
"You need the practice," she smirked.
He reached into his suit jacket pocket and tossed her a cellphone.
"My number is programmed in that," he said. "Call me if you need me."
"I will be fine," she said.
"I know, but still call me if you need anything," he said.
"I will."
Arrow
Oliver arrived at the building that was formerly the headquarters for Queen Consolidated. The security guards were the ones that used to work for his family's business. They recognized him at the desk.
"Mr. Queen," the desk guard said.
"Hello," he smiled then checked the name tag, "Mike. I'm here for the board meeting."
"20th floor conference room, sir," he told Oliver.
"Thanks."
Oliver walked over to the elevator banks and got onto an empty elevator and took it up to the 20th floor. The doors opened and Oliver was faced with letters spelling out Palmer Technologies. He stepped off the elevator to be greeted by an EA.
"Mr. Queen. I'm Samantha Mueller, Miss Smoak's executive assistance," she said. "Miss Smoak told me that you might be late."
Oliver grinned then said, "Has the meeting started?"
"No. They are waiting for you," she said pleasantly.
"Well, then, let's not keep them waiting any longer," smiled Oliver.
He entered the conference room to see nine people seated around a conference table with Ray seated at the top of the table and Felicity on his right. There were several cravats of coffee on the table. Oliver walked over to the empty seat that was opposite Ray and sat down.
"Oliver, glad you made it," Ray greeted them then he looked at the rest of the board of directors. "I'm glad to introduce everyone here to our newest member of the board of directors Oliver Queen."
Everyone smiled and nodded at him.
"I don't really think I need to give a biography of Oliver. I think everyone here knows him or knows of him," said Ray.
"When I was younger my actions made me popular in gossip columns. You be glad to know I've changed since then," smiled Oliver.
Everyone laughed politely, except Felicity. She could help but glare at Oliver. Her stomach was turning with him in the room, so she vowed to keep quiet rather than to babble and risk saying something she shouldn't.
"Oliver, would you as the newest member like to say something before this board meeting starts?" asked Ray.
"Unfortunately, I learned the hard way the importance of a good board of directors. In the past Queen Consolidated was ill served by its board of directors. Unfortunately, the board was unware of the technology we purchased that was used to destroy half the Glades. A company this large and powerful has to be responsible and not work on super-secret projects that are not about helping people or making a profit. Transparency is important. I learned that the hard," he said then grinned.
The other board members applauded him, while Ray forced a friendly smile on his face. Felicity felt her glare intensify. Does he know about A.T.O.M.? He can't know.
"But I know that Ray Palmer is not the type to get involved in unnecessary or dangerous projects. Since he has bought my family's company, he has taken those assets and done wonderful things for this city. While I sit on this board, I look forward to seeing more good done for this city," he said.
As usual he sounds like the protector of Starling City, thought Felicity. He isn't the only one, though. Ray can be a protector of the city, too, not just Oliver. Damn it, he has beautiful blue eyes and I swear they see right through me.
Again there was applause by the board. Ray joined them then he cleared his throat and spoke.
"Thank you, Oliver, for the compliments. I welcome you to Palmer Technologies," he said then smiled. "Now let's start the dull part of this meeting."