Hybrid301- Thanks a bunch thought it would keep an interesting twist on things
Anon- I hope that is a good whao?
Blazingpheonix- Thank you and welcome! Glad you are enjoying!
Ariannaofthesea- Hope your questions get answered and that you are enjoying
BlackBird16- is this soon enough lol hope you are enjoying and thanks for your review
After collecting all of his gear and dressing in civilian clothes Red Arrow prepared to leave the motel. He hadn't slept a wink after Jade had left him alone, he couldn't. He was confused about why he had snapped at her the way he had. What did it matter if she cared for the real Roy? Why did he care?
Rubbing his face he growled and shook his head, his body tense and heavy from exhaustion. Everything seemed to either piss him off or depress him as he left the room, his duffel hanging from his shoulder. He was wanted by the most powerful groups of good and evil in the world, he craved a woman who only wanted him for his face, and he had to find his 'brother' that was most likely dead.
As he entered the lobby he stopped for a moment, noting that the front desk was empty and the lobby was silent. Dropping his hand to his duffel his eyes darted around looking for anything out of place.
"Relax son", he took a step back as Jim Harper the man some once knew as Guardian came into view.
"Get away from me", he growled as he stared at the other product of Cadmus cloning.
"Im not here to fight you Roy-".
"Why does everyone call me that?", his voice raised out of his ever growing frustration, Jim lifted his hands to show he was unarmed and not looking for a fight.
"Because its who you are", he spoke softly probably to keep the teens aggression from escalading, which was not working in the slightest.
"No its who they cloned me to look like, you too Jim.", he dropped his duffel off his shoulder and paced a few steps back and forth. It was a way he dispersed his anger and energy without causing any damage to those around him.
"Listen Im here to help you".
"Why?", the younger clone stopped and turned to look at him with confusion and suspicion.
"I have no family Ro-Red…just you", the words seemed to sink in to the archer's head as he rubbed the back of his neck. Jim was right, genetically the two of them were of the same make up which in turn made them blooded brothers.
"You wont hand me over to the League?", he stuffed his hands in his pockets and looked to the ground. Roy wasn't shy but he was afraid of trusting someone else, he was afraid of being betrayed and having the rug pulled out from under him, again.
"I want to help you not hurt you", it was a huge risk, but if it gave him someone to lean on Roy was willing to take a risk. He had come to grips with the fact that he couldn't continue to hide away and keep his fingers crossed that he wouldn't be recognized or located. And with the injuries he had, though they were healing they weakened him and made him vulnerable.
"Fine", he scooped up his duffel and returned it to his shoulder making Jim smile slightly.
"Alright, the car is in the back alley", Roy gave him a questioning look, 'Across the street there are two shop surveillance cameras you walk out that door and the League or who ever else that's looking for you is gunna get a pretty shot of your mug and your location. You want to use the front door be my guest". Looking to the front doors he weighed his current luck and then turned to follow Jim without further thought.
"Lead the way".
…/…
Roy followed behind Ivo with his hands stuffed in his pockets, they had decided to go to the open markets in down town Star City. After the accidental death of the medicine cabinet the Professor had excused him self with an explanation that he was old and tired. Curiosity of the one he had mentioned had Roy's mind in a blur as he weaved through the passing people. Looking down at his white long sleeve and blue jeans he smirked at how well he blended, but then again no one in the crowds knew who he was.
The black leather gloves he wore hid his biotech arm and out of habit a pair of dark sunglasses rested on his nose. As they stopped at a small fruit stand he listened to Ivo's conversation with the business owner about the weather and local news, but boredom with the mundane topics quickly over took him.
"Roy why don't you pick up our meat order from the butcher shop down the block, let the old birds talk", he nodded and headed for the corner. Things had changed since he was taken out of the regular flow of life. He once knew Star City like the back of his bow but now there were new buildings, different streets. Roy found him self almost considering leaving a trail of bread crumbs to lead him back, but shook off the nerves and headed through the fray of people.
Entering the butcher shop he pulled out the ticket for their order and took a few steps forward. As he ran into is someone who seemed to be in a hurry he steadied him self and the small figure before him with his hands on their shoulders.
"Watch were your going….oh its you Hero, stalking is illegal", the accented voice of the female made his mind trigger but he wasn't sure why as he looked down. Reaching up he pulled off his glasses wanting a better look at the petite woman before him, her delicate features and wild black hair catching his attention.
"Im sorry do we know each other?", her eyes widened when they met his and she took a sudden step back.
"Green eyes…", she whispered under her breath making him raise an eye brow.
"Miss your order?", a man called from the counter and Roy looked up, but as he turned back to the girl he was shocked to find her gone. Turning towards the door he watched her slip out and quickly followed, but when he burst through the door and out onto the side walk he nearly took out Ivo who jumped in surprise.
"Roy?", he turned his head in time to see her walking down the street and he stood frozen watching her body sway before she turned the far corner. Looking at the Professor he cleared his throat and rubbed the back of his neck.
"See something you like?", he chuckled at Ivo's question.
"I would need a second look", returning his glasses to their place he looked at the ticket in his hand. "Crap our order", he rolled his eyes and they both entered the butcher shop.
"Tony! Got your order right here!", the big bellied man behind the counter reached into the cooler beneath the counter and pulled out a bag.
"Serge so good to see you, have you met my new assistant Roy?".
"Ah good to meet you, im glad Tony is finally getting help in the lab", Roy nodded with a smirk as he took the bag.
"Yeah place needs some young blood", Serge laughed and nodded before looking to the worker beside him.
"Oy Angelo you cant pound the meat like that, be gentle, gentle!", he looked back to them and Ivo chuckled.
"Your busy we see Serge, stop up to the lab some time", the man smiled and Roy took out the wallet the Professor had given him to hang on to, claiming he usually misplaced it.
"Family doesn't pay here, go, go!", Serge waved them off and Ivo put his hands up.
"Never argue with a butcher, have a good day Serge", Roy returned the wallet to his pocket and they walked for the door. Once outside he looked down the street, his mind allowing him to see the graceful form of the girl from earlier once again.
"Something about her", he whispered as he looked to the ground.
…../…
Remaining silent as they drove through Star City Roy watched as they passed the buildings and side walk crowded streets. How he wished he was one of those people at this moment, not a care in the world. Releasing a long sigh he turned his attention back to Jim who was currently focused on the road ahead and the traffic.
If Roy was ever curious as to what he would look like in the future all he had to do was look at Jim. They were identical despite the fact that Jim was a few years ahead of Roy. It didn't bother him in the slightest he was just so curious as to why Cadmus had cloned the real Roy Harper twice. Turning back to look out his window he found his mind drifting to last nights events once again. He was cruel to Cheshire, his words as sharp as knives as he stabbed at what he knew was an old wound.
"She'll never forgive me", he could have sworn it was a thought but apparently he was very wrong when he heard Jim clear his throat.
"Lady problems?", Roy threw him a glare but Jim just looked back at him with a not-backing-down stare. These looks continued for a few more silent moments till Roy decided he was done playing and caved slightly.
"I said some things out of anger", he finally admitted at least a small detail allowing Jim to feel as though he won. The older clone nodded his head in understanding before putting on his turn signal and turning down what looked like a dirty alley.
"Yeah that is one gene they could have programmed us without, the short temper", he chuckled and Roy had to nod in agreement, he hated the fact that he could lose his head so easily if properly provoked.
"Were are we going?", he looked out his window again and felt his paranoid nature grip him as they stopped the car at a very narrow dead end. Jim turned off the car and got out without a word, which did not help Roy calm at all. He watched Jim walk around the front of the car and touch a brick, it flipped down to expose a key pad and he pressed a few buttons. Roy leaned forward and watched as the brick wall started to lift to expose a hidden garage.
"Drive it in!", he yelled to him before entering. Roy thought on this for a moment but then complied as he watched Jim wave him in. Once the car was parked he shut it off and opened his door slowly, a small knife now in his hand as he watched the door close slowly, fluorescent lights turning on so they were not in the dark.
"Very Bondish don't you think", he grabbed his duffel and Jim laughed before walking for a set of metal stairs.
"Beats street parking, this place has it all. Oliver said I could use it, come on.", Roy followed him carefully as they walked from the bottom floor up into what looked like a studio apartment. "You can have the far bedroom, mine is up those stairs. Bathroom is over there and kitchen and living room are obvious.", Roy sort of tuned him out as he walked over to what was to be his bedroom. It wasn't extravagant but it would do, the sheets that separated it from the rest of the apartment were black giving him privacy and the tall window led out onto a fire escape. Walking to it he looked out the pane at the city, they were out of the heart of it but still within the city limits. "I know you like to come and go as you please", he looked over his shoulder at Jim.
"Im not really good at this, but thanks…a lot", Jim just nodded and walked away, the silent your welcome enough. As he put his duffel on the queen sized bed with the knife he had been carrying he rubbed his face tiredly, he needed to find Cheshire. Reaching into his duffel he smirked as the G.P.S. showed a moving beacon, she hadn't found it so he would see her soon.
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