Chapter Five

Diggle, Lyla, and Tatsu sat on the living room furniture sipping wine and talking, while Oliver sat on the floor with his back up against the sofa for support and baby Sara sleeping on his chest. They had eaten their dinner and dessert, which was assorted Italian cookies and coffee, and were now enjoying some wine.

"We miss you, man," said John to Oliver.

"I need to do this," said Oliver.

"Is it because of Felicity?" he asked.

Oliver didn't answer, but instead kissed Sara's head.

"You work for A.R.G.U.S. and Amanda Waller, Lyla," said Tatsu.

Lyla looked at Tatsu and nodded yes. She had read the woman's file and knew the hardship that Waller had put her through, including the death of her son.

"I know that Waller isn't one of your favorite people, Tatsu, and I understand why," she said.

"She is an evil woman, who doesn't care about who she hurts to accomplish her goals," said Tatsu.

"Amen to that," Diggle agreed.

"Johnny, you know I'm in a difficult position," said Lyla.

"Amanda Waller is necessary in some ways. She pursues evil men and women and doesn't stop until she has them. Unfortunately, her methods make her the equal of those she pursues," Oliver said. "She used me to torture and kill. She rescued me from the island and kept me as her prisoner of sorts, so I could work for her."

"Maseo, my husband, was his handler… and, eventually, his friend," added Tatsu.

Diggle looked at his friend. He often wondered how Amanda Waller knew Oliver so well and how he knew her. She had used him as a tool, just like she used those in her Suicide Squad.

There was a knock on the apartment door. Diggle put down his glass and stood up.

"I'll get it," he said.

He left the living room. Oliver focused his hearing. He heard the door open and Diggle greet Roy, Laurel, and Felicity. His stomach turned. Now he heard them headed to the living room.

"Hey, it's the team," said Diggle.

Roy and Laurel both smiled and looked pleased to see Oliver, but Oliver noticed that Felicity blanched. He lowered his eyes to stare at the top of Sara's head. Felicity couldn't help but stare at Oliver, though. There he was holding Sara so gently as she slept on his chest. She didn't want to admit it, but her heart ached when she saw him. It ached because she rejected him thinking it was best for her and, in the end, him and his propensity to feel guilt and responsibility for everyone.

With Ray she could protect herself more. If the A.T.O.M. suit worked properly, he would be well protected from injury and it would be powerful enough to deal with a Ra's Al Ghul. Yet, there was Oliver and all she wanted to do was not be strong and fall into his arms until the next time, he went off to sacrifice himself for the city and those he loved.

"Felicity dropped by and she wanted to talk to the team, so I invited her and Laurel. Is that all right?" Roy asked.

"We have plenty of room and food," answered Lyla.

"Hi, Ollie," Laurel said. "I haven't seen much of you since your return."

"Tatsu has been busy training me," he said then he kissed Sara on the head then carefully and gracefully stood up.

He handed Sara to Diggle, who cradled his daughter. Tatsu stood up.

"It appears you have some things to talk about, so Tatsu and I will leave," he said.

"You don't have to go," Roy spoke up quickly.

"I can still get some training in tonight, so, yeah, I have to go," said Oliver. "Lyla, Dig, thanks for dinner. Dig, get me all the important information about your wedding, so I can get a tuxedo. The best man needs a tux."

"I will, Oliver. Thanks for coming tonight," said Diggle.

"We'll do it again," added Lyla.

Tatsu bowed gracefully towards them then she and Oliver left. Felicity felt empty and anger. She should have spoken up and told him that she wanted him to stay. When she told him she didn't want to be with him romantically, it didn't mean she wanted him out of her life completely. That was his choice, not hers.

"So, Felicity, what news do you have to share with the team?" asked Diggle.

Before she could answer, Lyla got up.

"I think I'll heat up the spaghetti," she said.

"Goody. I'm starved," smiled Roy.

Lyla left the room. Diggle looked at Felicity and she smiled sadly at him then she spoke up.

"Ray almost has the suit perfected. We are leaving tomorrow for Center City and Star Labs, which should have the final piece that will allow the power to flow correctly. I've talked to Caitlyn and Cisco and they are willing to help," she said.

"How long will you be gone?" asked Laurel.

"24, maybe 36 hours," she answered. "When we return, I want to introduce Ray to Team Arrow. He will need allies and also training. I thought we could provide both."

"I don't mind," replied Laurel.

"I wouldn't mind seeing how that suit works," added Roy.

Felicity looked over at Diggle. She knew that he would do the right thing for everyone, included Oliver, who was even with them. Diggle nodded yes. Felicity released her breath, which she had been holding. With Team Arrow training Ray, his chances of avoiding serious injury or death increased by a factor of ten.

"Thank you, guys," she smiled.

"But, I have some rules. Oliver's identity must be protected," said Diggle.

"Of course," said Felicity. "We all know the hissy fit Oliver can have when you tell someone his secret identity without his permission."

"Also, he is there to train and listen. I don't work for him and he isn't my leader," said Diggle.

"Dig, Ray is a good guy," said Felicity.

"Felicity, I don't know him and he has no interest in me. Until he earns my trust, I'm going to be cautious," he said.

She nodded her head yes.

"I don't want him to know my identity," said Laurel, "so he'll only know me as the Black Canary."

Felicity nodded her yes, again.

"I think I'll keep my identity from him for now, too," smiled Roy. "You know how I like to follow the crowd."

"Why don't you have a secret identity, Johnny?" asked Lyla.

"Dressing in black and a ski mask is becoming his trade mark," teased Laurel.

"I don't look good in a blond wig," Diggle teased back.

Felicity giggled. Lately, the team had been too serious. She missed these lighter moments because it reminded her that they were family, even if the team was missing their puppy bear.

Arrow

As Tatsu slept, Oliver completed setting up the third floor. The security had been setup and the IT person Walter suggested brought the five high powered computers and whatever else he needed and set them up, while they were at dinner. He now could take his Arrow gear out of the wooden trunk and set it up properly, as well as put his arrow sharpening and tricking out equipment. Finally, he started to set up a medical area that now had more exotic herbs and salves then actually medicine.

"Interesting setup," he heard a familiar voice say behind him.

Standing up and turning around, Oliver faced Malcolm Merlyn, who was dressed in a suit and overcoat.

"Oliver, it's good to see you healthy again," said Merlyn.

"I won't ask how you got in because I know the skills you've been taught," said Oliver. "I failed so you still have a death mark on you."

"I know," he said. "But, then again, since you are alive and not hiding that fact, Ra's Al Ghul will soon know that you are and you will have a death mark on you, also. Ra's will respect your tenacity, but his pride won't allow you to live."

"I know," said Oliver. "Why are you here?"

"Your sister is worried about you. She knows that you are back in town and doesn't understand why you haven't come back to the apartment or contacted her," he said. "I'd like you to make amends with you sister."

"You are training her to be a killer," Oliver stated.

"I am training her to be able to protect herself. She refuses to leave Starling City, even though I told her that Ra's Al Ghul will eventual come for us," Merlyn told him. "Please, Oliver, don't hold my actions against your sister. I thought you could defeat Ra's, but I was wrong."

"I'll defeat him next time," said Oliver.

"You intend on facing Ra's again?"

"I won't run from him, Merlyn, and I won't lose twice to him," said Oliver.

"I wish you success, Oliver," smiled Merlyn. "Now, about your sister – visit her. She misses her brother."

Oliver looked down for a moment then stared at Merlyn.

"I'll visit her soon," he said.

"Thank you," said Merlyn, who then smirked. "I'll let myself out."

Oliver turned his back on the man he blamed for a great deal of his troubles, yet he protected because of his sister. He got back to work knowing that Merlyn wouldn't attack him, especially now that he knew that Oliver was going to face Ra's again.

Arrow

Felicity took the day off from Palmer Technologies in order to prepare for her trip to Center City with Ray. She went to the foundry in order to run some searches on Ivan Ankov. He had tried to setup Team Arrow and kill them, which put him at the top of her list of people to find and put in prison.

"Felicity Smoak, where is Oliver Queen?" asked the familiar voice of Nyssa Al Ghul.

Felicity turned in her chair and faced Nyssa, who was dressed in her assassin gear. She was alone which made Felicity feel slightly better.

"Um… he no longer uses this place or is part of team," she said.

"He has gone rogue," spat Nyssa. "He should not be alive. My father ran a sword through him and then kicked him off the mountain. Yet, he lives. Remarkable."

"He is a remarkable man," she replied.

"I bring a message for him. Where can I find him?" Nyssa asked.

"Um… I…"

"Do not lie to me, Felicity Smoak. Sara told me how talented you were with computers and finding people. Tell me where I can find him," Nyssa said in a threatening tone.

"Okay, I tell you only if you promise me you won't attack him or try to kill him," said Felicity.

"Sara also told me that you loved Oliver Queen and he held very strong feelings for you. I will not touch your beloved. His fate is in my father's hands," she said.

"He is not my beloved," mumbled Felicity.

"The lies we tell ourselves are the boldest," said Nyssa. "Where can I find him?"

"He owns a building in the Glades and he lives there now," she said. "I can give you the address."

"Give it to me."

Arrow

Tatsu and Oliver stood side by side with katana swords in hand. She performed a strike and he shadowed her. The purpose of this was to get Oliver increase his stances and his attacks. Tatsu had come to noticed that he was too predictable in his attacks.

After forty-five minutes of going through many stances and attacks, they stopped for some water. The front door bell rang. Oliver grabbed a grey Henely shirt and put it on then answered the door. Standing there in normal clothes and wearing a black fedora was Nyssa. Without waiting to be invited in, she walked passed him and into the building.

"You live," she said to him.

"I live," he said.

Nyssa loved over at Tatsu, who was standing on the mat with a katana in her hand.

"I see you have a teacher trying to better your skills. Yiu will need that," said Nyssa.

"What do you want, Nyssa?

"I come with a message from my father. He is impressed that you survived what should have been a sure death. He makes you an offer: if you join the League of Assassins and become his protégé, he will lift the death mark on your and your family and city," she said.

"If I don't take his offer then what?" Oliver asked.

"He expects you to face him again in mortal combat," she said. "Being a generous man, he allows you ten days to consider this offer. In ten days from today I will return to this place and get your reply."

"I'll be here," he said.

Nyssa nodded to him then left. Oliver looked over at Tatsu.

"Will you join this Ra's Al Ghul like Maseo did?" she asked.

"Never," growled Oliver.

Tatsu smiled then said, "Let us train then."