Chapter 7

To Dream

A Beautiful Dream

Disclaimer: I own nothing but what you see here. And there's a reason Laurel's death hasn't been mentioned yet cause it was explained that scheduling issues got a little whacked with the two shows. And as I said before, anything Emily said is most likely mis-direction. MIS-DIRECTION. Done so in order to keep viewers watching. Also, as I've requested once before, pm me instead of using the review system to only discuss the two shows in favor of ignoring the chapter's content. I really don't want to have to ask a third time. Anyway, on with the show!

April 10th, 2016 at The Loft

"Oliver… Our bed is so cold without you in it." Came the voice of Shado as she leaned over to wrap her arms around her beloved archer.

"I'll be there soon, I promise. I just need to finish this speech first." Responded the man as he kept on with his typing of said speech.

Shado let out a sigh but did not remove herself from where she was. She loved that her husband was so dedicated to his city as both Green Arrow and as the Mayor but he really needed to spend a little more time as just plain old Oliver in her view. Especially since that foul man Damien Darhk had been keeping them all busy with his foolishness, making for hardly anytime for some special quality time for just the two of them. "Work my love makes for a dull Oliver Queen." Came her teasing retort as she leaned over his shoulder and lowered the laptop with a smile on her lips.

Oliver just shook his head at his wife's antics as he turned his head towards her and soon found his lips captured by her's. The two enjoyed the moment between them before he broke the kiss. "Dull huh? I'm not so sure the city would agree with that."

She raised an eyebrow at him. "If certain forms of the media and your sister are to be believed, I think the city would in fact agree with me Baobei." He chuckled at that and kissed her again before getting up.

Facing her now that he was standing up, the archer and Mayor pulled her close to him, allowing for her to wrap her arms around his neck and look into his eyes with her own love filled ones. Moments like these were true treasures in her view and she knew he likewise felt the same. They met in another kiss, more deeper then the first two as their tongues began to dance around in one another's mouths. She found herself giggling into his mouth when he picked her up, causing her legs to wrap around his waist quickly as he carried her to bed and what would assuredly be several hours worth of love making between them. The two spoke of their love for one another as they began to consumate their love.

But as they went on, Oliver grew mildly confused as he kept hearing Diggle's voice. Making for Shado to look at him in concern. "What is it Baobei?"

"I… I keep hearing Digg's voice."

"OLIVER!"

"I hear nothing husband mine, proof that you need to relax more." She told him teasingly and making him give her a mock glare before kissing her neck and continuing with what he'd been doing moments ago.

"OLIVER! Come on man, wake up!" Shouted the voice of one John 'Spartan' Diggle as he shook the body of his sleeping friend.

Sharing a look with Thea, Digg tried yelling at him one more time and when that didn't work, he decided to punch him. Which actually managed to do the trick even if it got him thrown down on the ground with Oliver's fist inches away from his face! "Ollie! Stop!" Came the voice of Thea and causing him to pause much to Digg's relief.

Oliver looked up at his younger sister with a look of confusion on his face. "Thea!?" Doesn't she and Digg know its rude to interrupt one's private time with their wife!?

"Yeah, its me Ollie. We were trying to wake you."

Wake him!? He already was awake thank you very much! Looking towards the bed, he noticed that Shado was no longer there. Making the archer wonder if she had high tailed it to the bathroom in embarrassment that she would get the two back for later. "Is Shado in the bathroom?"

The two shared a look with one another over that as that was greatly concerning. "Man, Shado isn't even here. You were dreaming again."

"I… I was?" Came the sad filled tone that made Thea's heart break for him as she gave him a nod.

This action made him get off of Digg and sit against his bed with a sad look on his face. The light streaming through the windows even telling him it was light out now as well rather then dark out. Ever since the shooting at the press conference, Oliver had been finding himself having more and more dreams of Shado. Sometimes making it rather difficult to get him out of bed due to how deep into his dreams that he was. The team was gradually starting to get worried about Oliver and the dreams he kept having. Donna herself wasn't too happy with the fact her daughter's fiance was having dreams about another girl, even if said girl was no longer amongst the living.

But she had kept that to herself since she wasn't looking to cause problems. Another troubling aspect about the dreams is that Oliver seemed to be having hallucinations about the long lost woman as well. Constantine was even beginning to suspect something more may be going on but so far had kept quiet as he wanted to observe the situation before saying or doing anything. After getting in the night before, Oiver had immediately gone to bed after dealing with a few Ghost attacks and a few bold crooks for that matter that had kept him out pretty late before finally calling it a night. Letting out a heavy sigh, he forced himself off the floor and headed to the bathroom without even looking Thea and Digg's way. "These dreams are getting way too real." Commented Thea with a worried look on her face.

"Yeah, I'm gonna have to agree with that."

"Speak with Constantine?"

"Probably a good idea." Agreed Diggle and he hoped the man had an answer for all this.

Later, after getting freshened up and enjoying some breakfast. The three headed out for the hospital so that Oliver could visit with Felicity for a bit before heading on to City Hall to handle city business. And after a little quality time with his Girl Friday, they headed out to City Hall and the drive there would be when things would make for an alarming turn. In the backseat since Thea had beaten him to the front seat much to her amusement, he spotted Shado out of the corner of his eye, making him look to the passenger side of the backseat. "A good friend to always visit Felicity before heading to work Baobei." Came her soft voice that was music to his ears.

"Its the least I can do for her. She's in this position because of Darhk and for all we know, he's doing something to keep her from waking up." Replied the archer grimly as he looked at his beloved Shado.

"That is a truly troubling possibility my husband. And if that is the case, we will end it soon enough." She replied firmly and reached over to squeeze his hand.

Unknown to Oliver, Digg and Thea shared looks once again as he was literally talking to thin air. After they got to City Hall, Digg made a call to Constantine and the man made a noise after being informed of the latest development. "See if ya can get him here durin' his lunch hour as I'm gonna need to make with the magics to see what's goin' on in that head of his."

"Roger that." Digg replied before hanging up the phone and giving a nod to a concerned Thea.

However that would be a plan that would prove to be a bit harder then anticipated as things got rather busy when the lunch hour hit, forcing Oliver to eat as he handled business with a few individuals such as Walter and other businessmen. Even discussing patrol routes with Anatoly for the night at one point over the phone. Around three during a brief break would see Oliver run a hand down his face with a tired sigh escaping him. He then felt hands on his shoulders and sagged in contentment as those magic hands worked their magic on them. "Far too tense Oliver. Keep going like this with little in the way of breaks and you'll end up going gray sooner then you think."

"Hey, I think it'll be worth it." He told her with a slight shrug.

"Hmm… You may have something there my love."

Oliver closed his eyes in contentment as she continued her massage and completely missing the concerned looks he was getting from not only Alex but Jessica as well as they'd been in the room with him. Alex immediately went to go have a private word with Thea about all this and she was quick to tell him it was going to be handled privately and to keep it between himself and Jessica only. The man gave a nod and went to go speak with the Deputy Mayor to let her know what was going on. It'd be around eight that night when Oliver finally showed up at the Bunker and tensed when saw the somewhat grim expression on Constantine's face.

Along with the worried looks everyone else was giving him. "What? Is something wrong? Is Felicity…?" God he couldn't even say the words!

"No! Everything's just fine Ollie." Promised Laurel quickly as she came up to him.

He let out a sigh of relief as he went to sit down at the team's meeting table. "Well, maybe not everything's fine. What with you seeing some girl and all." Spoke up Roy at the training mats and getting a glare for it from not only Thea but Digg and Laurel too.

Turning to his protege with a glare of his own, Oliver quickly spoke up in his own defense. "I am NOT seeing some girl." Came the heated reply.

"Ollie… You kind of are. You've been dreaming a lot about Shado and even having hallucinations of her in the middle of the day. Even right in front of Alex and Jessica!" Informed Thea as she leaned up against the table with her arms crossed.

Oliver it seemed had the thought it wasn't anything to worry about and said as much. "Mate, its clear you aren't just a bit knackered from the whole double life bit you got goin' on."

"Then what do you think it is John?"

"I think its ol' Darhk at work." Oliver shook his head at that.

"Come on John, he only has that idol and as far as I know, that thing can't do that sort of thing."

Constantine gave a nod of agreement. "True mate, but he can learn of other means to pull it off."

Out of the corner of his eye, Oliver saw Shado come and stand next to Roy. "There is nothing wrong with you Baobei, but perhaps it is best if you allow him to see for himself."

He nodded at the suggestion and this time didn't miss any of the concerned looks over that but said nothing. "Alright… Let's get this over with."

Sighs of relief escaped several members of the team after that as Constantine came up to him and placed his hands on the sides of his head and muttered a few words. Nothing happened at first but then the magic user's hands glowed brightly for a short period of time until it faded away and Constantine stepped away. "Well, we've got us a right problem on our hands."

Looking at the team members before looking down at Oliver again, he spoke once more. "It seems ol' Darhk has set one of the Oneiroi on you. My best guess is to keep yourself distracted and possibly even made to look crazy in front of people."

"What's… What's a One-whatever?" Asked a curious Thea as the hallucination of Shado declared the man a liar.

"The Oneiroi, a dream spirit and a child of Nyx, the Goddess of Night herself. And whatever that bugger's done musta been somethin' big if he managed to get one of them to aide him."

"So what do we do?" Came Laurel's concerned voice.

"Well lass, I make with the magics and cut the connection and we'll all be dead chuffed enough to go and grab a few pints to celebrate afterwards."

Even wiggling his eyebrows at the vigilante lawyer who rolled her eyes at him. Oliver however was listening to whatever it was that the Shado hallucination was telling him as he stood up and glared at Constantine. "No."

"What? Whatcha mean no mate?"

"No, you're not doing anything cause there's nothing TO do."

"Oy, don't be daft Ollie boy! You know as well as I do that there is somethin' wrong! And ol' Darhk is the cause of it!"

Oliver only shook his head in denial with that glare still on his face. "NO! You don't know what the Hell you're talking about!" Roared out the archer angrily as he went to punch the magic user out and then get the Hell out of the Bunker!

As there was no possible way that Shado was just some result of manipulations by Darhk! Just no damn way! Constantine managed to duck out of the way of the man's punch but wasn't so lucky when he got knocked in the stomach, causing him to double over. He almost got a double ax handle to the back when Thea rushed her brother much to the British man's lucky stars. Oliver was able to push her back and Roy then joined in to help his girlfriend keep her brother in place against the railing wall. A dart then hit Oliver in the neck thanks in part to John Diggle getting the idea to use it on him. Even though he knew the man wasn't gonna like it at all once he woke up! Thea and Roy backed away from him cautiously as he stumbled a bit towards them with the dart in his hands before ultimately falling over with a loud thump. Ten minutes later would see the team strapping the archer down to a table so that he couldn't get free or attempt to hurt them in the event he woke up while Constantine did his thing.

Of course Curtis was understandably freaked out over it all until he was given something to help him calm down. Once the strappings were in place, Constantine stood in front of Oliver's head with his hands once again on the sides of Oliver's head and soon began to mutter words that didn't really make a whole lot of sense to the team. His hands glowed brightly once again and in his mind's eye, he could see his pal in a dream world with a lovely Asian looking girl who was unfortunately no longer amongst the living much to his dislike. The girl even saw him and glared at him. "LEAVE! NOW!"

"Nah, I think I won't be doin' that lass. But you on the other hand? I think you'll be leavin' rather soon."

She sneered at him as Oliver got up and got between the two. "Whoa, why don't we all just sit down before something happens that we'll all regret."

"Afraid that can't happen either Ollie boy."

"Agreed."

Constantine just made a tsking noise at the dream version of Shado. "Ollie old mate, you need to realize this is nothing more than a dream. One that's bein' heavily influenced by an Oneiroi in the service of our good mate Damien."

"He lies Baobei! He would see us torn apart for his own selfish desires!"

"Hah, what a fat load of bollocks that one is!" Replied the magic user with a shake of the head.

Oliver only shook his head in confusion. "I… I don't know..." Came the man's words in an unsure tone.

One that made the dream version of Shado look a bit worried, especially as the room they were all in flickered briefly. She then kneeled quickly in front of the archer. "You do know Oliver! You do!" Insisted the woman urgently.

He looked at her with unsure eyes, unsure eyes that caught another flickering of the room and asked what that was. "What was what? I didn't anything."

"No, I saw something. Some kind of… Some kind of flicker."

"You're just tired is all, being Mayor does take it out of you after all!"

Constantine just chuckled at her attempts. Making for her to look at him with a glare. "Give it up my friend, this is not a thing you'll be winnin' this time 'round."

Instead of saying anything, she hurled herself at him with a scream but he easily sidestepped her and placed a barrier that kept her from getting back to Oliver's side. She started to beat on it and got angrier with each failure to break through while all the magic man did was smirk at her. Oliver got to his feet and came up to John. "Why are you blocking her from me!?"

Constantine put a hand on his friend's shoulder. "Cause mate, that's not her and you know it. You know that deep down in your heart, the real Shado is buried in the soil of Lian Yu next to her father and yours." Replied the man gently.

Oliver stepped back as he seemed to struggle with something before falling to his knees. This act then made things go black, leaving only them in a void of nothingness. The dream version of Shado then shrieked angrily before transforming into some sort of blue wraith like creature as Constantine looked on with a smirk on his face. "Now that we've got what ya really look like. BEGONE AND HENCEFORTH NEVER RETURN!" He brought forth a wave of magic toward the blue wraith with a few words to go along with it.

The wraith shrieked loudly before vanishing in a bright light, leaving the two alone. Looking down at his friend, he saw the shocked look on his face and extended a hand to him. "Come on mate, time to wake up." Oliver could only nod and took the offered hand.

And soon found himself waking up as Constantine stumbled away and into a chair as that had been a rather tiring experience for him! "What the Hell!?" Came Oliver's angry voice.

"Hey, it was better to be safer then sorry." Came Diggle's response as he stepped up to his brother.

Oliver gave him a glare but seeing the concern in the man's eyes, along with the concern in the eyes of the others softened the glare. Prompting Thea to start letting him go as she felt it was safe now. Oliver got up and swung his legs over the table but stayed sitting on it as he rubbed his wrists. "May want to wait next time before doing that Speedy."

She merely shrugged at him but would be sure to take it to heart this time since not all chances could be assured like this one was. "I had a hunch and went with it." She told him simply.

"Hunch or not, its still best to wait until the all clear is given."

Thea only rolled her eyes at her big brother before going and hugging him, relief filling her that it was all over now. Or at least she hoped it was over with it. "You're okay now right?"

Oliver just chuckled at his sister. "Yeah, I'm okay Speedy." Granted, that was a half lie considering how heavily Shado had been featuring into his life for the past few days. But he wasn't about to tell her or the others that.

She nodded happily at that as she hugged him. Glad that this particular nightmare was over with while feeling a little sad for her brother that the memory of someone he once cared about was being used like that against him. Constantine realized he was going to have to do something to help protect the team's minds from further attacks before ol' Darhk managed to get himself lucky. It'd be tricky but he was certain he could pull it off. Even if it would be likely to leave him tired for awhile afterwards.

HIVE Base under Star City

Damien Darhk watched as the Oneiroi he had employed to wage a mental war on Oliver Queen shrieked in rage as it flew around before ultimately teleporting away. Making him frown a little as this was another failure for him. And failures were things he just didn't like at all. Letting out a sigh as he stepped up to a railing that over looked a good portion of the city that would be the new home of Star City's people once Genesis took place. "Well, if I can't win that way, I'll just have to try another way." Mused the man to himself.

He let out a chuckle as he looked behind him to a group composed of five individuals, four of them masked aside from Tommy 'Thanatos' Merlyn. "And I think you four will do nicely in bringing down Oliver Queen." And he smiled darkly at the thought of Oliver Queen falling to his knees at the sight of them.

Thanatos stepped forward with a blank look on his face. "Your will is ours to act upon Master Darhk."

Darhk let out a happy chuckle as he stepped up to the young man and placed a hand on his shoulder. "That's my boy!" Oh it was going to be such a delight to see that damned thorn in his side crumble from the weight of the mental anguish he was soon to be under! Hell, he was going to have to take Nora out for some Ice Cream to celebrate.

"Hmm… I feel like Ice Cream. Anyone else?" He got no answers but that didn't bother him in the least.

"Ah, never mind. I'll just go with Nora to get some." And he did just that much to her utter delight!

Author's Notes: Many, many thanks to Dante 101 for the inspiration of this chapter! And just who are these four new individuals you wonder? Well, you'll have to wait and see in the next chapter! Which is gonna be one Hell of a damn doozy for sure! And I could tell ya why that would be, but I think it'll be better to surprise you guys! I also figured an Oneiroi would work better then what an Epiale would since those are more of the Nightmare types. R and R!