Chapter Thirteen

Ray entered Felicity's office to find her at her desk and distracted. Since the other night when Oliver kissed her, her mind kept being pulled back to the conundrum which was Oliver Queen. He said that all he wanted was for her to be happy and if she was happy with Ray then he was satisfied. Yet, he also told her that no matter what she said or did, he still loved her and wouldn't stop loving her. And there was the kiss, a kiss that melted her insides.

"Felicity," Ray said, as he stood in front of her desk.

It was a memorial kiss, though. She was fairly sure that it was the best kiss she ever had. It actually left her speechless and that was virtually impossible. Damn it, Oliver, for doing this to her. I was completely over you and now I can't get my mind off of you.

"Felicity," barked Ray to get her attention.

Felicity was startled to see him there. She suddenly felt guilty that she found him daydreaming of Oliver.

"Ummm… hi," she mumbled.

"You've been distracted for days. What's wrong?" Ray asked.

"Umm… nothing. My mind just sort of wanders sometime," she told him.

"You know that you can trust me," he said. "What's on your mind?"

What would happen if I said to Ray – I can't get Oliver Queen, who is the Arrow, out of my mind. He says he loves me, and he is happy for me if I love you, but by doing that he reminded me at how much I… care for him. I won't use the word love. If I use the word love, he'll win.

"Felicity, you're go off in your head again," Ray said brining her back to earth.

"Sorry, sorry," she said.

"Tell me what's wrong," he said.

"I can't. Well, I can, but I don't want to right now. It's something I have to think about first, though you'd think I've been thinking about it enough already. I mean it's all that is on my mind, but…" she babbled.

"Dinner tonight?" he asked getting her to stop her ramble.

"No," she said quickly.

Ray looked at her with concern.

"I have to see someone tonight. It's important," she said.

"Okay," he smiled then lowered his voice. "Team Arrow?"

"Something like that," she answered.

"Okay," he said. "I'll miss your company and you'll miss a good meal."

"I miss a lot of things," she said without thinking.

Ray looked at her for a moment then smiled. He turned on his heels and left leaving Felicity to gain control over her thoughts. Oliver. I need to talk to him.

Arrow

Malcolm had gathered Thea, Oliver, and Tatsu at Oliver's place. Oliver didn't like the idea of Malcolm taking the lead, but he had agreed to let Malcolm train him. It was too important for him to defeat Ra's not to at least listen to Malcolm. As Thea sat on one of the parkour hurdles, Tatsu and Oliver stood side by side and waited for Malcolm to speak.

"We have two weeks left until we are due on the mountain," he started. "I have a suggestion to make. Oliver and I leave tonight for retreat I have and spend the next two weeks in seclusion training."

"Why do you have to leave?" asked Thea.

"Because the Arrow feels compelled to protect his city instead of spending all his time getting ready to face one of the most dangerous men on earth," answered Malcolm. "I have bags packed and a car waiting."

I worry about my city and I worry about Felicity, Oliver thought. I'm doing this for my family, friends, and Felicity. I need to protect her and them.

"You think this is necessary?" asked Oliver.

"You haven't defeated me yet. Do you think you could defeat Ra's?" asked Malcolm.

"He is right," Tatsu spoke up. She looked at Oliver and offered him a slight smile. "I will stay here until you return. I expect to hear that Ra's Al Ghul is dead and Maseo has returned to being himself."

"So, you think I should go, Tatsu?" he asked.

"Yes, Oliver, you have improved but you are not yet at one with your katana," she said. "When you and your katana are one then you will defeat Ra's."

He looked over at Thea. She was fighting back tears at the thought of Oliver losing to Ra's Al Ghul. Thea looked over at Malcolm.

"Can I come along?" she asked.

"Why?" he asked her in return.

"For protection. You say that Ra's will want me dead, also. Isn't it best that we stay together?" she answered. "And to learn."

Malcolm looked at Oliver, who nodded yes.

"After Oliver packs, we'll take you to pack. Warm clothes," smiled Malcolm.

"We aren't training in Hawaii," smiled Thea.

"No, we aren't training in Hawaii," said Malcolm.

Arrow

Tatsu sat on the sparring mat mediating. Oliver had left this afternoon. She didn't trust Malcolm Merlyn, but she trusted Merlyn's will to live, and for him to live Ra's Al Ghul had to die. Oliver was his tool and she could see from the way he kept his sword and bow and arrows that Malcolm Merlyn respected his tools. Someone buzzed the front door.

Tatsu gracefully got up and walked to the door and opened it. Felicity was standing there in her blue overcoat with her hair pulled back and glasses on.

"Can I help you?" Tatsu asked her.

"I need to see Oliver," she said.

"Come in," Tatsu motioned her to enter.

Felicity entered and looked around the large space. It was filled up a little more, but still was Spartan. Oliver wasn't big on owning very much.

"Oliver is gone," she said.

"He went out for the night already?" Felicity asked.

"No, Felicity, he is gone. In two weeks Oliver faces Ra's Al Ghul. To prepare for that, he left to train in seclusion with Malcolm Merlyn," said Tatsu.

"That bastard," scowled Felicity.

"I agree. Merlyn cannot be trusted, but he does need Oliver to succeed in this endeavor. In two weeks Malcolm Merlyn will be standing beside Oliver when he faces Ra's Al Ghul. Merlyn's life will be on the line along with Oliver's," Tatsu explained. "Oliver needs what Malcolm can teach him and Merlyn needs Oliver to win."

Felicity stood there feeling her cheeks start to heat up. All her objections against Malcolm Merlyn didn't stand up to the fact that Oliver was once again going to face Ra's Al Ghul. The man had almost killed Oliver once and now he was going to get a second chance. And it was Malcolm supporting him. Not her. Not Dig. Not Roy. But Malcolm Merlyn. That burned moved from her cheeks to behind her eyes. Tears were threatening to fall.

"Do you love Oliver?" Tatsu asked.

"I… I'm confused," said Felicity.

"I am fond of Oliver. He has done things for me and my family without being asked. He is a damaged man, but he is a very good man," she said. "He deserves some happiness."

"I agree," said Felicity. She closed her eyes to force the tears away. "I should go."

"Do you wish to know when Oliver returns?" Tatsu asked her.

Felicity stared at her for a moment then answered, "I expect to be the first person you call when he comes home safe and unhurt."

Tatsu smiled then said, "I know where to reach you."

Arrow

Oliver and Malcolm stood in a snow covered field, while Thea, bundled up in a winter jacket, drank hot coffee out of thermos and watched. Malcolm wore his Japanese inspired black garb, while Oliver was shirtless. He wanted Oliver to be as used to the conditions he was going to fight in as possible.

"Attack, don't attack, it doesn't matter because I will defeat you," said Malcolm. "As long as I can predict your actions and moves, I can defeat you."

Oliver took a deep breath. His instincts wanted him to attack, so he took a calming breath and circled Malcolm. This continued for five minutes.

"It's cold and this is boring," Thea called out.

Annoyed by her words, Oliver attacked. Malcolm easily blocked his attack and for the five minutes they fought to a standstill. Oliver was getting frustrated because Malcolm appeared to know where he was going to strike and easily blocked him.

"How the hell do you do that?" growled Oliver.

"I know, Oliver. I've know you since you were a boy. I knew you when you acted the part of the partying playboy. I knew the Arrow, too. I studied him and once I found out that you were him, I knew him completely. I have an advantage over you, just like Ra's Al Ghul will have an advantage over you," explained Malcolm. "To defeat me, you have to be more than Oliver Queen. To defeat Ra's, you have to surprise him. Can you surprise Ra's, Oliver?"

"How old is Ra's Al Ghul?" asked Oliver.

"Some say he is one thousand years old," answered Malcolm. "He is kept alive by the Lazarus Pits. To use a Lazarus Pit once is to be healed of your injuries, including death. To use it twice you go insane. Ra's is the only one to be able to use it more than once without insanity. They say when he is either injured or getting to old he bathes in a Lazarus Pit."

"That's how you survived the fight with me. I killed you," said Oliver.

"I had some associates take my body to a Lazarus Pit near Starling City. If I use it again I'll probably go insane," said Malcolm.

"You are insane," growled Oliver.

Malcolm laughed then he said, "Let's not resort to childishness. This isn't a playground, Oliver; it's is a battlefield. I'm not your opponent; I am your teacher. Now, try to beat me."

Oliver attacked.

Arrow

Ray was suited up in his A.T.O.M. suit. Felicity had arranged for Roy, Laurel, and Diggle to be there as Team Arrow. They arrived at a facility outside of Starling City, which Ray had converted into a training center for him. Part of his training was facing Team Arrow.

Roy was the first to attack. He dodged several of Ray's non-lethal weapons and kicked him in the gut. It took Ray's breath away. Roy didn't expect what happened next, though, as Ray took flight. Once he was airborne, he hit Roy with a hard light weapon knocking him unconscious.

Laurel was pissed. She and Roy had become close over the past few months, as he accepted her in the field. Taking out one of the sonic scream weapons, she turned it on and tossed it at Ray. The sound was dampened by his helmet and he immediately fired his hard light weapon at Laurel knocking her unconscious. Diggle watched then shook his head.

"He took out Arsenal because he surprised him with the ability to fly," said Diggle, "and his helmet protected from the Black Canary's weapon. The Arrow wouldn't have be surprised by either attack. He expects the unexpected."

"Where is this Arrow?" asked Ray. "I want to meet him."

Felicity left the safety of the observation booth and help both Roy and Laurel. They started to come around. Ray had knocked two members of her team on their asses and it pissed her off. She suddenly wished Oliver was here to teach him a lesson in humility.

"The Arrow will be gone for a couple of weeks," said Diggle. "We protect the city when he's gone."

"Now, it's my job," said Ray.

"You haven't proven yourself yet," said Diggle.

"You saw what I just did to your people. This suit makes me unbeatable," Ray said. "I will now be able to save this city and you can help."

"Man, you don't know what you are getting into, do you?" said Diggle.

"Ray, it's more than the suit," said Felicity.

"No, it is the suit. I'll prove it to you, Felicity," he said.

Arrow

Malcolm hit the ground hard. He hadn't expected Oliver's move. It surprised him and overjoyed him. There was now a chance Oliver Queen could defeat Ra's Al Ghul. From the ground he could hear Thea applauding.

"Well done, big brother," she called out.

"Thanks, Speedy," Oliver chuckled.

Oliver walked over and helped Malcolm up of the ground. For a moment the two men stared into each other's eyes. They were not friends, but neither one was sure that they were still enemies.

"When Tommy was dying, he wanted to make sure that I hadn't killed you. He didn't want you hurt. I told him that you were fine and he died happy at the thought his father was still alive and well," Oliver said to him. "I stopped killing because Tommy accused me of being a murderer when he found out who I was. I've tried to change because of him. I think you should do the same."

"We were in two days for the mountain, Oliver. I am glad that I'll be at your side," said Malcolm.

"What about me?" asked Thea.

"You are going home," said Malcolm.

"Why?" she asked.

"Because I say so and I am your father," said Malcolm.

"And I agree and I'm your brother. Go back to my place and wait there. We'll join you in four days after I take care of Ra's," said Oliver.

Thea ran into her brother's arms and hugged him then she looked up at him.

"You better return," she smiled.