Author's Notes: ARROW is back this week so I got my muse back. I hope I surprise you all before the end of this chapter….

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THE NEW BRATVA CAPTAIN

Chapter 4

"Where are we?" Felicity asks John Diggle as she looked around the sprawling estate.

John had been observing her as her eyes wandered around for the last few minutes. After he had whisked both his brother and Felicity to this place, John had been lost in the task of attending to his brother who had lost some blood as a result of a large piece of glass that imbedded in his abdomen.

John had meticulously cleaned the injury then stitched him up as Felicity watched shocked at what John was doing although she had chosen not to comment at all but surprisingly had asked John if he needed any help at all to which he responded that he could handle it.

After being ensured that his brother was resting properly in one of the rooms in the estate, he had turned his attention to Felicity gesturing for her to sit down so he could attend to her minor cuts and bruises.

That was when she finally asked her question.

"Where are we?"

John was dubbing some ointment on her cuts and continued to concentrate on them as he answered her, "this is a Bratva estate."

"Okaaaay...which of the Bratva families does it belong to?" Felicity asked further at John's very guarded answer.

"It belongs to the Bratva, not to a Bratva family. Stellmoor International to be exact. This house has a resident, one resident, aside from a few trusted bodyguards. You will get the opportunity to meet our mystery guest soon enough given the circumstances. That's all I can say at the moment since it's not my place to say anything more. Andy would be in a better position to clue you in."

Felicity just nodded and watched John as he continued to work on her wounds. "So Andy and you are brothers….," letting her statement trail off.

John nodded looking back at his brother resting on the bed for a few seconds before he turned back to Felicity without saying a word.

Felicity huffed frustrated, "you are even harder to get information from than Anatoly or your brother!"

John lifted a brow at her statement and folded his arms as he leaned back against a wall, "what do you want to know, ask away."

Felicity eyed him speculatively, her mind suddenly a jumble of questions she wanted to ask him but she didn't know where to start.

"Well?" he asked challengingly.

"I honestly don't where to start. Are you part of the Bratva?"

John shrugged, "not really, not officially. I used to be in the army special forces, finished my mast tour almost a year ago. I've been mostly in private security until around two months ago. Now I…..help out my brother, unofficially."

"And by help out you mean?"

"Whatever Andrew wants me to help out on." John answered.

"Nice talk then. I really got a lot of insight. Like I said, you are harder to get information from than Anatoly or Andy."

John eyed her this time noting her frustration and decided to finally oblige her instead of waiting for his brother to wake up and do the talking. He walked over to one of the arm chairs facing the windows and gestured for Felicity to sit down on the other which she proceeded to do with a heavy thud showing him she was still bothered by him.

"I was hoping my brother would be the one to share with you this information. After all, he is the one that is Bratva by affiliation, not me. But as you can see he is unable to do so now. Rest is his priority now, maybe when he wakes up he can answer some of your questions that I won't be able to. While we wait, I will attempt to shed some light of information."

Felicity lifted a hand to gesture him to continue.

"Andy was married, her name was Carly. She was also an accountant like my brother, that's how they met. Carly didn't know at that time that time that her employer was mixed up with the Bratva in San Francisco. That was where they were both based before. The Bratva Captain in San Francisco got a little too greedy and had Carly falsify some amounts in transactions and divert the funds to some personal funds, one of their own pulling a quick one on the Bratva. When the Bratva Captain got word that Anatoly was on to him, he tried to save his ass by having all those with links to his scheme killed."

John exhaled heavily in remembrance shaking his head at Felicity's reaction, her hand over her mouth thinking Andy's wife had been killed by Bratva.

"Andy called me, I tried to get help to them but I was on my last tour. I couldn't help Andy then. Anatoly, he and his people got to Carly first just in the nick of time as the Bratva Captain had a gun pointed to her head. Anatoly shot the Captain in the brains first saving Carly. That's how Andy ended up working for Anatoly. Andy swore Carly would never get mixed up with Bratva again so he volunteered to take her place as was the Bratva rule. Anatoly saved Carly's life so her life was his. Now, Andy is paying that debt. Andy has sworn loyalty to Anatoly. Anatoly," John Diggle looked Felicity in the eye, "he's a lot of things. It takes a certain type of man to do what he does, to lead an organization like the Russian mob."

"The first time I met him, I didn't really know what to make of him. I got back as soon as I could. When Andy told me what happened I had to seek him out without telling my brother, bargaining my loyalty to him in exchange for Andy and Carly's debt to him. He didn't accept it. But Anatoly told me something that made me look at him differently from then on. He said Andy and Carly were now part of his family, the Bratva family, and he would look after them. That I was welcome to join but it had to be of my own free will. Anatoly, he is the right man to be on top of the mob. You are part of his family now too. He may not have said it to you outright, Anatoly…he's a man of few words."

John stood up and looked outside the window to view the sprawling garden estate, "This is a good place to set up roots as Starling's Bratva Captain Felicity. It's been updated, upgraded and made livable. Has separate housing for the security team," John pointed to a distance bunk house, "high perimeter fence, top notch neighborhood. Why not use this. It's already paid for by the Bratva anyway. I don't think the other resident would mind. On the contrary, I think our guest would welcome the company."

Felicity walked to stand beside John, "who is the other resident. The house seems to quiet."

John shrugged facing her, "maybe he will introduce himself later. He keeps to himself a lot. It's just me and occasionally Andy who he interacts with."

"He?" Felicity asks intrigued.

John nodded, "he."

Felicity went for a change of topic, "well this place definitely has its appeal. It's almost as big as the Queen Mansion."

"Ten bedrooms, eight and a half toilet and bath, a movie theater, a medic room, state of the art kitchen that is almost never used. What's not to like?" John gave her a half smile.

"I'd be scared to live in a house this big by myself." Felicity told him before she titled her head to the side to look at John continuing. "I have a proposal for you."

John turned to the side so he could face her lifting a brow once again.

"Anatoly loaned me a few of his security team but they are to fly back to Russia as soon. I will need my own security team but more importantly, I need a head of security. I know you said you are not Bratva and it's one thing to volunteer to take the place of your brother within Bratva and another to join the Bratva of your own free will. But would you consider the position of the head of security? As head of security you not only be on top of my security detail but your brothers family as well. What do you think about that?"

"I've already been hired by the Bratva as third party security, particularly for security of our special resident and for a few other assignments. But it was just a short-term contract that was to end this month."

Felicity faced John fully, "then maybe it's time to make the arrangement permanent. Think about it."

The Queen family was having a nice family dinner at home for once. Moira, Walter, Thea and Oliver had almost finished dinner when Oliver's phone rang.

Oliver stood up to take the call walking away from his family then his expression changed and he started to walk back to his family with a pinched expression on his face.

"The Bratva Captain has been attacked at a restaurant."

Moira stood up immediately a hand to her mouth, "what! How is she, how is Felicity?"

"We don't know. We don't even know who where the intended targets at this point or who is responsible for this. My contact from SCPD was the one who called me. They are not the scene right now. The report said that Felicity was with the Bratva accountant."

"Andy?" Walter asked him.

"Yes, that's him. Both of them are missing from the scene. This is exactly the type of thing the Triad would do," Oliver said.

"Oliver, we need to find Felicity. She is our Captain. We have to be a united Bratva," Moira told her son.

Oliver shook his head, "we don't even know where to start! Do we even know how to get in touch with the girl. Anatoly will only have himself to blame if something happened to the girl. In fact, I wouldn't put it past him to have been the one to engineer this whole thing. There was something he said the other night, like he didn't really give a care in the world about the safety of his newly appointed Bratva Captain."

"Oliver, we do not question our Leader. An attempt on the life of our Captain is an attempt against the Bratva. I think I have the number of Andy somewhere…." Moira trailed off as she hunted for her phone.

Felicity had wandered around the house since she had nothing to do while Andy was still resting in one of the rooms in the Estate and John had left to pick up her luggage at the hotel and fetch his sister-in-law Carly to be by his brothers side.

She had tried to sleep but the room she had chosen, a room that was half the size of her whole apartment and elegantly furnished had just been foreign to her that it had been difficult for her to be comfortable. That plus the events of the night had left her off-balanced. Instead Felicity had opted to use the time to explore the other rooms.

She had walked barefooted across the long hallway from her bedroom to the other end and was curious to see a shadow of light coming from beneath the closed door of the room at the other end of the hall. Maybe this was the room the mysterious occupant of the estate was in.

She had walked pass the room and then back again, trying to get her courage to knock at the door. John did say that only he and Andy had been the two persons who had interacted with the mysterious guest, although John did allude to the fact that the guest had in fact something to do with the Bratva. What exactly that was, was what got Felicity curious. She was the Bratva Captain after all. She had the right and authority to know since this was Bratva business.

She walked pass once again and was about to knock after a hard exhale when the ringing of her phone interrupted her.

Inside the room in question, the eyes of the lone occupant were glued to the bottom of the door noting the way the shadows of the light played as someone walked back and forth at other side of the door.

He knew the new Bratva Captain was in the house. John Diggle had warned him via a text message before they had even stepped foot in the estate so he wouldn't be caught wandering around by the girl before it was time for them to meet.

He had been briefed about the new Captain by John who had served as his hired private security by Andy who was the Bratva accountant for Starling City and via a phone call by Anatoly himself. Although they had originally planned to meet up in Starling, the circumstances that had happened inside Queen Consolidated had led Anatoly to believe there was danger lurking everywhere, hence the need for even more caution.

They, Anatoly and he, had the opportunity to plan and talk extensively anyway before he had arrived secretly in Starling City. Secrecy was the key to the success of the plan of the Bratva ultimate leader Anatoly.

The ringing of a phone from the other side of the room stalled the movements of both the occupant of the room and the wandering girl outside the door. After a brief conversation that the occupant of the room barely registered, the girl quickly left giving the occupant of the room a sigh of relief on having the conversation with the new Bratva Captain earmarked for another day.

"They should be arriving in a few minutes," Felicity looked back at John who nodded.

"Let me meet them up front you and Andy stay here," John eyed his brother who had awoken about fifteen minutes earlier but was still a little out of it. Carly his wife had been by his side the moment she had arrived but had now retired to the room Andy had occupied earlier to sleep.

"Bring some security with you," Felicity told John but was walking toward Andy already.

"Sounding like my boss already I see," John mocked her.

Felicity paused and turned around, "oh I'm sorry," Felicity apologized instantly. "I didn't mean to boss you around. I did tell you to think it over a few days. Maybe I should meet them up front. You can stay with your brother," she said as she walked to the door before John stopped her.

"Felicity, it was a joke, stay with Andy." After a few seconds they heard a car come to a stop, "Stay with Andy," John repeated as he left the room.

"Oh dear, so glad you're alright!" Moira went to embrace Felicity relieved.

Walter went to check on Andy Diggle who he had a few conversations with in the past while Oliver just stood by the door taking note of the surrounding and the people in the room. His expression narrowed back at John Diggle who he had never met. The same man who had escorted them into the living room.

"Whose place is this?" Oliver asked John.

"The Bratva's. This is to be the official residence of the Captain."

Oliver raised an eyebrow at John Diggle then transferred his gaze at Felicity who had just ended her embrace with his mother before walking over to join them.

"You seem to be in better shape than our accountant over there," Oliver said giving his Captain a cursory glance from foot to head until his eyes rested on hers.

"Just a few minor bruises which have been treated thanks to John," giving John Diggle a nod of acknowledgement.

"And who exactly is John?" Moira asked what Oliver was about to ask next.

Felicity gestured for John Diggle to join them, "John Diggle, brother of Andy Diggle, ex-special forces. Private security hired by Bratva for our protection."

Oliver and John stared each other down for about a minute before John finally spoke.

"Actually, I used to be a hired third party security but Ms. Smoak has recently offered me the position of Head of Security of the Bratva in Starling City that includes security for the Captain, the people around her, her official residence and her place of work," John told Oliver his stance challenging Oliver to contradict Felicity's offer.

Oliver turned to Felicity this time giving her a penetrating stare before he said, "you are obviously new at this. You just don't offer sensitive positions to outsiders on a whim. They have to be vetted and course through a select group."

"Meaning you," Felicity answered Oliver.

"Meaning the people who are more familiar with Bratva business and what particular skill set is needed for particularly sensitive positions. There is also a question of loyalty and history that has to be taken into consideration before offers are given." Oliver answered Felicity back.

Felicity folded her arms in her chest, tension in her stance something that Moira had noted.

"Oliver son, Felicity is new at this. That is the reason why we need to be by the side of our Captain. I am sure Mr. Diggle is a capable man with his background and throw in the fact that he is brother to our dear Andy, there is more reason for him to do his job well. But Felicity dear," turning to Felicity, "decisions like this are to be consulted."

John lifted his brow at Felicity who still had her arms folded. Moira for her part looked at her son pointedly.

Andy finally broke the impasse, "I can't help but overhear what was being discussed. I believe, decisions like who are rightfully going to be part of the inner circle of the Captain are the decision to be made by the Captain. It is her prerogative to appoint who she wants. Our rule is absolute. No one can question the decision of our Captain, no one but Anatoly himself."

"But you are not prepared for this. You are not yet properly equipped for this, to be Bratva Captain. Granted it is your prerogative to appoint whomever you want as your Head of Security. But decisions regarding Bratva business, these should be carefully thought through, studied," Oliver said shaking his head.

"Then help me, educate me. You are one to talk. You have been nothing but judgy and don't think I don't see it, don't feel it. I cannot say the same for Moira and Walter who have been supportive. It's just you," pointing a finger at his chest as she neared him unaware that in her impassioned state she had zeroed in and raised her voice at Oliver.

Oliver grasped the hand that was pushing at his chest and firmly locked it to his side effectively rendering Felicity's hand useless for the moment. He took a few seconds to compose himself unexpectedly affected as he was by seeing Felicity with her game face on. The little mouse just turned into a lion. He finally saw the potential she had but more importantly for the first time in a long time, someone had gotten to him, making him reassess the new Captain.

"Will all of you give us a few minutes please," Oliver told the others. His 'clear the room' command had everyone looking at him sideways. His mother and Walter both feared he was going to hurt the Bratva Captain. The same was going through the minds of both John and Andy.

Oliver scoffed, "it's not as if I plan on hurting even a strand of hair of our Captain. I just need to clear a few things with Ms. Smoak...in private. I don't think she would appreciate an audience."

"Felicity?" Andy asked her.

Felicity's hand was still imprisoned in Oliver's as she searched his eyes briefly before she turned to Andy to give him a nod, "it's fine. You can leave us. I don't think he plans to kill me. There's just too many witnesses for it to happen right now. Besides, it's almost two in the morning. We can all do with a good night's rest after our talk."

Moira and Walter both approached Felicity with Moira giving Felicity a quick peck before eyeing her son and leaving. The Diggles lingered for a few more seconds before they too left finally leaving Felicity and Oliver alone together.

Felicity pulled her hand from Oliver's as soon as the door closed firmly, choosing to walk away to the other end of the room.

Oliver for his part spotted a bar in the corner of the room and proceeded to pour himself a tumbler of scotch, "care for some?"

"I would rather get on with whatever you have in mind to talk about, it been a rather long day and I wasn't kidding when I said we all need to rest."

Oliver gulped to contents of his tumbler down before he turned back to Felicity, "suit yourself." Sitting down in an armchair and gesturing for Felicity to do the same opposite him. As soon as Felicity sat down Oliver started.

"I'll do it. I'll personally take up the challenge to help you with the Bratva business. Be by your side during meetings, be your sounding board before decisions. Think of me as your right hand man."

As Oliver was talking, Felicity's blank expression morphed into confusion, disbelief and then surprise.

"Why?"

"Why what? Isn't this what you want, Isn't this exactly what you so passionately called me out on just a few minutes ago? Why question it now."

Felicity stood up and paced around, "yes. No. You are deliberately confusing me. I don't understand the complete turnabout."

Oliver stood up and stopped her pacing by placing both of his hands on her shoulders making Felicity jump up at the surge of what felt like electricity at first contact. Something that Oliver had felt too but had ignored.

"My mother, Walter, even Andy is right. We should stand united as Bratva. You are the Captain and it is our duty to support you and any and every way that we should." Oliver removed his hands from her shoulders and slid then down to her hands. The action had Felicity glancing at their twined hands noting how big his hands where and how they completely engulfed hers.

"From this day on Felicity Smoak, you have my complete and utter unquestionable support."

Felicity glanced back up to Oliver's face at his statement, a frown marring her features.

Oliver lifted a hand to sooth her frown away, "don't think too hard. I just realized I was being an asshole." Oliver dropped his hand and circled it behind her lower back, "come on, I think the others are intrigued enough to know exactly what we have discussed. I will leave it to you to update the Diggles. I will talk to my Mom and Walter. You should get some rest. I will be back tomorrow around 10 in the morning, I think Queen Consolidated can do a few days without me. And just so you know, my Mom has an office ready for you at the executive floor right across my office. That means we will be seeing each other a lot. And before you react, it is a strategic part on my Mom's part to move you to the executive floor. We have a lot of Bratva business to discuss and all of us on the same floor, with offices across one another would make it easier. She even gave you a new executive sounding title."

Felicity had remained quiet, still trying to understand what had just happened.

Just before Oliver and Felicity stepped out of the room, Oliver spoke once again, "John Diggle is a good choice by the way. I'll see you tomorrow."

Felicity had finally settled down to try to sleep by three in the morning after briefing both Andy and John. Slowly but surely, it seems like she was building her inner circle.

It took Felicity another hour before she finally fell asleep as her mind just would shutdown on the events that transpired tonight, particularly her conversation with Oliver.

With everything that happened, Felicity had completely forgotten about the other mysterious occupant of the house.

John Diggle however did not. At half past three in the morning he was still in deep conversation with the mystery guest.

"Do you think we should trust them?" John asked.

The mystery man shrugged, "the mystery of who was responsible for the attempt on my life still is unresolved at the moment. But Anatoly and I have our suspicions, hence the secrecy. I however believe that my son has nothing to do with it. He was a victim as much as I was. So to answer your question, I think my son has a firm head on his shoulders. He can be trusted. However, now is not the time for the big reveal…yet."

"And the new Captain?"

"You yourself said from the short time of your interaction with her that she also has a firm head over her shoulders. She, we will need to be clued in soon, very soon. It is necessary for her to be able to act in the best interest of the Bratva. Anatoly believes in her. I trust both his and your opinion. I take it Andy also agrees?"

John simply nodded.

"Then it is decided, soon. We will meet. Maybe as early as tonight it will be done."

John nodded once again then stood up to leave.

"John, the new Captain. The attempt early, was it directed at her. At us?"

"We don't know yet, I have my men working on it. She asked me to be her head of security for the Bratva by the way."

"Then it should be done John. It would be easier if your position is in an official capacity. not only for her protection but for our needs too."

"Then consider the position of Head of Security as accepted by me," John told him.

"Good. Good." And as John was about to turn the knob of to walk out of the room the mystery guest said, "Oliver is a good man John. He will be good for the new Captain. In fact, he may be exactly who the new Captain needs by her side."

John turned back to the guest, "Robert, from the looks of it earlier. It might turn out a little bit more than just a harmonious professional relationship."

Robert Queen gave John a rare smile, "well, I didn't see that coming."

"I don't think any of us saw that coming," John said before exiting the room.

END OF CHAPTER

Well, I hope everyone figured out who the mystery guest was – Robert Queen. Oliver Queen's father and Moira's first husband who was suppose to have died during the sailing accident.

The backstory of his survival will be dealt with during the next chapter.

I hope this was a surprise twist….nobody guessed it right!

So many questions…is Anatoly good or bad. What are Robert's plans. Where does John's loyalties really lie. What was Oliver's thought exactly during his complete turnabout.

Slowly but surely Felicity, Oliver and John will become a united team.