Chapter Eight

"I can't believe you kept this from," Thea said angrily. "You've been lying to me."

"Thea, he hasn't been lying to you. He's been denying you information for your own safety," said Malcolm.

"He should have told me," Thea said to her father.

Oliver stood there and listened. He couldn't believe that Malcolm was taking his side, arguing for him. There was something wrong here. Malcolm Merlyn wanted something from him.

"Thea, you are young, but you aren't a child. You brother was right to keep his life as the Arrow secret from you, just as you were right to keep secret the face I've been training you," Malcolm said then he turned to Oliver. "Do you have something to say, Oliver?"

"Thea, I did it to protect you. Everyone who knows that I am the Arrow is in danger," Oliver said.

"Roy is the archer in red, isn't he?" she asked.

"He's my protégé," answered Olive.

"You trusted Roy more than me," she said.

"I was more willing to endanger his life rather than yours," he replied.

"Oliver is in danger, Thea. The League of Assassins is going to want him dead, also. But, there is a way out for all of us," said Merlyn.

"You mean run," she spat.

"He can face Ra's AL Ghul, the Demon's Head, in mortal combat again, but this time win," said Merlyn to Thea then he turned to face Oliver. "You're surviving will bother him. It can give you an advantage."

"He made me an offer that I can either join the league as his protégé or mortal combat," Oliver told him.

Merlyn smiled then asked, "Which do you intend on taking him up on?"

"Combat," answered Oliver.

"Hence your training with the katana and the woman," stated Merlyn.

Oliver nodded yes.

"I was trained by Ra's AL Ghul. Let me add to your knowledge and skills. Let me train you, too," offered Malcolm Merlyn.

Thea looked from her father to her brother. Here was a chance for her to bring her family together.

"Oliver, please, do it," she said.

Malcolm offered him his right hand. Oliver looked at his hand and thought about it. Malcolm Merlyn was a murderer. He was responsible for Sara's death and Tommy's death, his own son. Yet, Malcolm's help could make the difference between death and success. He could not leave his city and family unguarded. Oliver shook his head.

"I'll accept your training," he said.

"Let me pack up some things and we can go to your place. Between this woman…," Malcolm said but Oliver interrupted.

"Tatsu is her name," he said.

"Between Tatsu and my tutelage, you may be able to do what no man has done and that is defeat Ra's Al Ghul," Malcolm smiled.

Arrow

Tatsu and Malcolm each took their turns with Oliver while Thea watched. She was amazed at her brother's skills. He truly was the Arrow. She couldn't believe she didn't notice before.

Malcolm made a pass at Oliver, who blocked it and countered with his own attack.

"If I attack in fury, you stay calm. If I try to be sneaky, you be bold," he told Oliver.

Oliver stopped an attack and was about to counterattack, when Malcolm twirled and brought his sword across Oliver's abdomen leaving a long wound.

"Stop!" Thea called out.

Both Tatsu and Malcolm looked at her.

"He needs to have his wound treated," she demanded.

"Thea, I'm fine," said Oliver. "Tatsu will treat them when we are done."

"Time to get back to work," said Malcolm.

"You must be enjoying this," said Oliver.

"I need to in shape to defeat Ra's Al Ghul, Oliver," said Malcolm. "I want this death mark removed from my head and from the head of my family."

Oliver nodded then said, "Let's get back to work. I need to train extra hard today because tomorrow I have a wedding to go to."

"Who are you bringing as your date, Ollie?" asked Thea.

"No one," answered Oliver.

Thea stood up and started for the door. She turned and looked at her brother.

"It looks like I need to buy a dress to wear for tomorrow," she said with a smile then left.

Malcolm looked at Oliver with amusement.

"Are you are you have time for a wedding?" asked Malcolm.

"I'm sure," said Oliver.

Arrow

It was a five-star hotel in Center City. Ray had fallen asleep in the large bed, but Felicity couldn't sleep. She sat up with the sheet covering her nakedness and leaning against the headboard. It was times like this that she wished that she smoked cigarettes because it would give her something to do other than obsess over her thoughts. Her mind wouldn't stop working as it went from thoughts of Oliver to thoughts of Ray. For reasons she knew were foolish she felt oddly guilty being in Ray's bed. Yes, she cared for him and her feelings for him were growing, but still there was a part of her that loved Oliver. The other part of her mind was on Ray and how obsessed he was becoming with A.T.O.M. and saving the city, a city that already had one self-sacrificing savior. She didn't want to see Ray take the same road as Oliver. It was more than just having him safe in an exo-suit, but she had to keep him from becoming like Oliver.

Oliver. It truly hurt sometimes to think of his name. She never did tell him that she loved him. No, instead she shunned him and chose another man. After almost three years, she just couldn't take his need to sacrifice himself for those he loved and his city. It was as if he had a death wish and wouldn't be happy until he fulfilled it. She wanted Oliver to be less heroic sometimes and more human.

Ray moved in the bed. He shifted onto his side and groaned. He was a happy man as he was able to get what he wanted from Harrison Wells. It was costly, but he was willing to pay anything to finish his suit.

He's a nice guy, but he isn't Oliver. Barry had said that to her. He preferred Oliver to Ray. She chalked that up to some kind of hero worship. Barry aspired to be like Oliver, to be a protector of a city. At least, he had a mutated power with super speed that gave him an advantage and some level of protection.

I don't love Oliver, Barry. She told him that and Barry looked at her and offered a sad smile. I hope that true, Felicity, because if you really do love him then this isn't going to turn out the way you want it to turn out. His words bothered her. They kept her awake and she needed to get some sleep, as she was going to Dig's and Lyla's wedding in the morning. They were going to flew in on Ray's private jet and go right to the wedding. Oliver was acting as best man for Diggle and Lyla asked her to act as the bridesmaid.

She smiled at the thought of the wedding. It would be a nice change of pace for the team to celebrate something like a wedding. Too often their celebrations were for surviving a near death situation or capturing some madman. That was more about surviving then celebrating. This was an occasion to truly celebrate. She slipped down in the bed and lay down. It was time to get to sleep. Tomorrow was going to be a busy day and one she was looking forward to, even though Ray and Oliver would be occupying the same space.

Arrow

Oliver drove up in his Maserati with Thea in the passenger seat and Tatsu in the tight fitting back. He parked beside the church and then got out. Thea got out of the car on her own, while Oliver helped Tatsu out of the back. As he did this, he noticed a Mercedes Benz limo pulled up in front of the church. The driver got out and opened the door. First, Ray exited then he helped Felicity exit. Oliver's stomach knotted.

"Hey," Roy said from behind Oliver.

He turned to see Roy in a tux without a tie. Oliver adjusted his own bow tie and made sure his tuxedo wasn't wrinkled. Thea gave Roy a big smile.

"Thea," he mumbled.

"Where's your date?" she asked.

"She's coming. Laurel and I decided to come together," he said.

"Laurel?" queried Thea.

"We are friends, just friends," he said then looked at Oliver. "You'd probably kill me if we were more than friends."

"I hold that thought," said Oliver.

Again, out of the corner of his eye, Oliver watched Ray and Felicity go arm and arm up the church steps and into the church. For a moment when he returned he thought there was a chance for him and Felicity, but that turned out to be just another daydream.

"Well, everyone looks handsome. We must be going to a wedding," said Laurel.

Oliver forced his attention back to the group and the newly arrived Laurel. He noticed that Thea stood closer to Roy then Laurel did. Oliver smirked.

"I think we should get into the church," said Laurel.

Oliver started to walk with Tatsu beside him. She looked up at him.

"You're nervous?" she asked.

"A bit," he admitted. "It's not even my wedding and I'm nervous."

He smiled at her.

"I remember my wedding. It was in Japan and Maseo was the one who was nervous," she said.

"You miss him," he said.

"Much has passed between us, some of it can never be forgotten," she said.

They entered the church. While everyone found a seat along with some of Dig's and Lyla's other friends, Oliver joined Diggle at the front of the church. Felicity on the other hand went into the back of the church to join a nervous Lyla.

"You have the rings?" Dig asked Oliver.

Oliver reached into his tuxedo pocket and took out two gold wedding rings. Dig smiled.

"I'm glad you're here for this," he said to Oliver.

"I am, too," replied Oliver. "To think all I had to do was come back from the dead for it."

Diggle smiled at the comment. His friend was starting to show a sense of humor. Oliver looked at the small crowd in the church. He saw that Barry had shown up for the wedding along with Caitlyn and Cisco. Barry nodded to him and he returned the nod.

There were also several A.R.G.U.S. personal in the pews. He arranged for an after ceremony meal for everyone by renting out the backroom of one of the better Italian restaurants in the city. Also, he arranged for the wedding suite for the weekend at the best hotel in Starling City for Dig and Lyla. It was all on him. Getting some of his wealth back meant he could finally do something for those he cared for.

"After the ceremony, he have the backroom at David's waiting for us and a three-star Italian meal then you have Lyla have the wedding suite at the Majestic for the weekend. It's my wedding gift," said Oliver.

Dig smiled then said, "You make a pretty good best man."

"I owe you, Dig," Oliver said.

Suddenly, the organ started to play and Felicity, Lyla, and the preacher came out from the backroom. Oliver didn't want to stare, but he couldn't help staring at Felicity in her gown. She was beautiful. His eyes gravitated over to Ray Palmer, who sat in a pew with a smile on his face staring at Felicity. Oliver turned his attention back to Felicity for a moment. Their eyes met. He smiled at her and she returned the smile then they gave their attention to the preacher. The ceremony began.

Arrow

In the backroom of David's Oliver found himself having to stand and give a speech, as a meal of Osso Buco to those who attended. Oliver and Tatsu sat with Lyla and Diggle, as well as Felicity and Ray. Thea sat with Roy and Laurel.

"Ladies and gentlemen, anyone who knows me knows that I am not a speech giver, but for John and Lyla, I am willing to try," he started the speech. "This is John and Lyla's second time at marriage, but this time they have a secret weapon to make the marriage work and that is their baby daughter Sara. In Sara they have started a family and there is nothing more important than family. Of course, family doesn't have to be just about blood and marriage. Marriage can be about those we either come to love or chose to love."

Oliver looked at Roy, Thea, Laurel, and then at Diggle, Lyla, and finally Felicity.

"I consider John, Lyla, and baby Sara part of my family. They are important to me and because they are important to me I wish them nothing but happiness in their marriage and offer them my undying support and love," Oliver finished.

Both Lyla and Felicity had tears in their eyes. Diggle stood up and gave Oliver a hug. As they hugged, Oliver's smart phone buzzed. He looked at Dig and nodded letting him know that he had to take it. Stepping away from the table he saw that the call was from Anatoly. He answered and started to speak in Russian, which drew Dig's and Felicity's attention.

"Anatoly, my friend, how can I help you?" he asked.

"Oliver, Ivan Ankov wants you dead. Since you are a captain in the Bratva he had to get permission to kill you and your family and friends. He got permission. I am warning you that he is seeking your blood," said Anatoly.

"I'm not easy to kill, my friend," said Oliver. "Where can I find him?"

"You expect me to inform on a fellow Bratva captain," said Anatoly.

"I expect you to do what you wish," said Oliver.

"The name of the ship is the Bering Princess. He lives on it. It is docked at the Port of Starling City," said Anatoly with a hint of amusement in his voice.

"He lives on a freighter," said Oliver. "He isn't very trusting."

"He is smart. It is like living in a fort," said Anatoly. "What will you do?"

"He will either be arrested, leave the city, or… you know the final option," said Oliver.

"It is always good to talk to you, my friend," said Anatoly, who then hung up.

Oliver looked at Diggle, who got up and joined him.

"I have a lead on Ankov. I need to go. Do me a favor and be vigilant until he is caught," said Oliver.

"Do you want me to go with you?" Diggle asked.

"No. I want you to enjoy your meal then enjoy the hotel suite I got you," said Oliver.

"How about Roy?" asked Dig.

Oliver looked over at Roy and saw that he was enjoying himself with Thea. It made him smile.

"I can handle this alone," said Oliver.

He walked away. Diggle watched him go, but he wasn't the only one. Felicity watched him go. Diggle sat back down at the table. Felicity leaned close to him and asked, "Where is Oliver going?"

"Ankov," said Diggle.

"Alone?" she asked.

Diggle looked at her. She saw the concern in his eyes. It frightened her. Oliver was acting alone. He had a team, but he was acting alone. This was what she found most frustrating about him.

"Tell Roy," she ordered. "He needs backup."