A/N; I apologize for the delay in update but my computer crashed and I had to get a new one. Sadly what I had worked hard for over the past months regarding my Arrow Season 3 has been mostly deleted in the process. It will take a longer time to rebuild what never was, so be patient for new chapters down the line! There's a lot of work to re-do.

Synopsis for Episode 7: Oliver suspects Jane Deleon is keeping something from him and decides to figure out the truth. Meanwhile, Dick takes Felicity along for a mission. Everything takes a turn for the worse, however, when Sara and Nyssa return to Starling City with news of Slade's escape. Can disaster be averted before the worst comes to past?

Edit note: This chapter has undergone some reconstruction from its original state! Hope it suits your taste!

3x07: Reiteration

Oliver leaned back in his seat as he waited for the rest of the board to clear out of the boardroom after the meeting this morning. His eyes inconspicuously trailed the men and women who walked out of the room in a single line, talking among themselves. Several of them threw him a nod or a bright grin, encouraged to see him take a seat on the board once more.

He'd expected some drama about his return to QC, but so far he seemed to have most of their trust. Of course, he knew that trust was only skin deep. They trusted him because he held no real power, and therefor could not screw up the company a second time. Most of them seemed to believe he deserved a clean slate with QC, but none seemed to think his path to the top would be seamless and swift, if at all possible. Perhaps they would prefer if he remained in the periphery. Evidently, Oliver wasn't the only one aware of the immense work that lay ahead of him.

On the opposing end, too, stood Simon Cross and his followers. The rest of the board would not dare go against the CEO as long as the majority ownership of the company remained shrouded with uncertainty. He needed to learn the identity of the fifth owner. Oliver had been relieved to find Simon Cross absent at the meeting. Jane had informed him that the CEO had extended his business trip to oversee the Russian subsidiary and left her in charge.

Oliver's gaze flew over to the blonde at the head of the table, where she was humming to herself and going through her notes for the meeting. Power evidently seemed to fit her like a glove.

As he beheld her, Oliver couldn't help the gnawing sensation that entered his mind. For all intents and purposes, Jane Deleon held a certain similarity to another strong woman he'd helped reach the top of the food chain. Only Isabel Rochev had turned on him in the end and stabbed him viciously in the back. That misplaced trust had lost him QC.

In retrospect, there were signs he should have seen regarding Isabel. Such as her power mongering and cold demeanor. He couldn't quite shake the sensation that Jane would turn out to be just like Isabel. He saw no evident reason - though she insisted on it being out of kindness - for her to help him in this fashion. She could have lent him money, or introduced herself sooner as a player instead of flying half way across the world on a moment's notice. Was it possible he was making the same mistake again? Was he never to learn from his past?

When she'd come to his apartment the previous week, asking them to be friends, he had believed her. Oliver had believed the request was heartfelt and genuine, a cry for help almost. Since then they'd shared a few coffees and reminisced over old memories, and still nothing had felt amiss. In fact, it had felt almost too correct. Oliver couldn't describe the feeling, but he knew he was missing a vital piece to the puzzle. There was something in her manner that suggested she was holding something back, like a sentence at the tip of her tongue that was never given voice. Despite everything, he was no closer to understanding this enigma, but was more certain than ever that he couldn't trust her until she voiced the truth.

As he saw Jane collect her papers at last, Oliver rose from his chair languidly. "A minute, Jane?"

The blonde glanced down at her wrist watch as she stepped towards him, her heels clicking against the cold floor almost rhythmically. "You can have two."

Oliver raised the file he'd brought with him and held it out for the woman. Her pale eyes danced across the manila file as she took it and opened it for inspection.

"A charity foundation?" Jane asked as her eyes flew across the content on the document. "Your mother used to run this back in the day, didn't she? I faintly remember something about it..."

Oliver nodded. "Before me and dad disappeared. She was involved in getting it started over a decade ago. My dad happily let her start the charity foundation under QC. When me and my father disappeared, she set it aside to focus all her energy on finding us. Not too long after I returned, she became the CEO and the foundation remained on the back burner until she… died."

Jane listened with keen ears and her expression softened with sadness as he reached the finish line. Careful not to step on any toes, she asked, "What do you want to do with this?"

"Make an honest man out of myself," Oliver grinned.

"You want control over the foundation, and breathe new life into it?" the young woman questioned as she caught on to his train of thought. Her own smile grew to match his. "To have QC attached to charity once more would be good for business, not to mention good for the community as a whole. With you and QC as the front face… It would benefit everyone."

The man inclined his head and felt his heart elate at the notion he had presented. The idea had struck him one night as he had discussed different options with John and Felicity. It had felt like the right thing to do. Not only could he present means to help the people of his town, but it would serve a dual purpose in honoring the dead. "That's the point."

Jane gave him an appreciative nod. "You couldn't have chosen a better timing, either, what with Simon Cross in Moscow. Without his objection, I could enforce it by the end of the day. Congratulations, Mr Queen, you have a charity foundation to run."

Oliver shook her hand and turned towards the exit with newfound hope.

Jane's enthralling tune called him back from the precipice. "Word of advice, though…" she waited until he turned back around before she continued, "You can't just be the poster boy for this, Ollie. The board and the public will see right through it."

"I won't be one," Oliver promised.

"How did it go?" John asked as Oliver came down the stairs to the lair.

Over by the training floor, Dick was instructing Laurel and Felicity how to wield an Escrima stick in different defense situations. He stopped, however, and all three of them turned as they heard Diggle's question linger in the air.

The hopeful smile on Oliver's face was answer enough and an unaccustomed sight. Felicity and John exchanged a grateful look. Oliver seemed less burdened right then, regardless how fleeting the moment might be, and it was certainly a sight for sore eyes.

"The charity foundation is mine to re-start," Oliver admitted with a feeble shrug as he stopped a few feet before his crowd.

"You did it," Felicity took a step towards him, diminishing the remaining gap between them. Her cobalt eyes burned bright with pride as she smiled from ear to ear, "Scared?"

He met her eyes and chuckled low. "Shaking in my boots."

"You'll do great, Ollie," Laurel assured as she remained in the back of the group.

Oliver met her gaze and smiled. Things had been somewhat awkward between them since their talk at the hospital, but they were slowly returning to normal, having come to a mutual understanding and kept their friendship intact. "...Thanks, Laurel."

"I should go... Lunch is over and I have to get back to work," Laurel shrugged as she stepped forward. "But yeah, congratulations, Oliver. I'll see you guys later."

"Bye... Laurel," Felicity called after the brunette, who threw the other woman a quick grin before disappearing into the changing rooms in the back. Felicity's gaze trailed up to Oliver one final time before turning back to Dick's training session.

Oliver inhaled and turned his attention to John. The other man was gazing at him with something akin to amusement swirling in his dark pools. Oliver ignored it as he eagerly commented, "How's Maya?"

Diggle's eyes warmed instantly. "Screaming her lungs out every opportunity she can find... She's wonderful."

Oliver patted his friend's shoulder before he slowly walked over to Felicity's work station. He looked towards the training area where the woman in question, dressed in sweats as ever more often these days, seemed in deep contemplation as Dick expertly wielded the weapon before her. Oliver grimaced to himself, certain no one could see him, before he mustered the courage he needed to interrupt the lovers.

"...Felicity," Oliver gently beckoned and mutely inclined his head for her to join him. He didn't need to specify a reason as Felicity came towards him and stood on the other end of the table. "I called Walter on the way here. He still hasn't found out who the fifth owner of QC is."

The fair woman tilted her head to the side and pursed her lips. "Want me to try my luck?"

"Could you? Knowing their identity could help us tip the scales of the majority interest."

Felicity walked around her workstation with an air of laid-back confidence and sank into her chair with ease. "If their identity is out there, I'll find it." When Oliver lingered by her desk, she chanced a glance up at his strong features. "There's more?"

Oliver stiffly inclined his head. "I need to ask you a favor."

The sincerity to his voice caught Felicity's interest and she swirled her chair around to give him her undivided attention, "Okay…"

"It's about Jane Deleon," Oliver explained. He opened his mouth again, but words seemed to fail him. He sighed as he leaned back against her desk and his shoulders slumped momentarily. "I don't know if I can trust her, or if doing so will be a repetition of Isabel Rochev. I can't risk QC's future a second time, Felicity. I need to do this right... I have a feeling she's keeping something from me, and I need to know what it is."

Felicity offered a reassuring grin. "I'll see what I can dig up."

Oliver grimaced. "... I also need you on the inside."

At his words, the blonde froze. Oliver closed his eyes tight as he saw the correct guess dance in her open eyes. "You want me to be her EA. Don't you?"

"She's still without an assistant," Oliver agreed in an apologetic tone. "She's been looking for a good one, but without finding a proper candidate."

"Felicity is an A.R.G.U.S-agent. Just as you and Dig," Dick interrupted from the sidelines and they turned their attention to him. Dick's dark eyes whirled with emotion as he stepped towards the IT-station to share his opinion. "You're telling her to give that up for your cause?"

Oliver shook his head in irritation and pushed away from the desk to face the man. "I'm asking her. She can say no."

"Still..." Dick's voice trailed off pointedly.

Oliver ignored the dark-haired man as he turned his gaze back to the seated woman. "It's only temporary. And I know... it's asking a lot. But I need someone I trust to do this."

"I know," Felicity breathed without missing a beat.

She did know exactly what he meant, and what he was asking of her. Too much was at stake for wrong turns, none could be afforded. They all needed to take precaution as they worked to regain Queen Consolidated or everything could be lost. Oliver had all but admitted she was the only one who could help him and the acknowledgment made her resistance melt like ice in summer. She couldn't deny him this when he was all but on his knees before her. "I'll do it."

Oliver flashed her a grin as he placed a calloused hand on her tee-clad shoulder. He squeezed and held her gaze to make sure she was truly onboard. When he saw no hint of resignation, he felt relief fill his soul. "If you want an out, let me know. I'll let you decide."

"Alright, now that that's settled..." John interrupted in a loud voice before another word could be said. He waved a couple of red items in the air. "Felicity, gloves on. Let's do a round. I want to see how you've evolved from training with Dick."

"He's an excellent teacher," Felicity said as she jumped from her seat. She ran a reassuring hand down her boyfriend's arm, and the latter exhaled to let his annoyance fade into the afternoon.

"That remains to be seen," Diggle snorted as the blonde joined him.

Oliver exhaled in amusement as he watched his team members prepare to spar. He saw movement from his peripheral view and turned as Dick came to stand beside him.

"There was one more thing," Dick breathed and his neck was stiff as he looked down at the other man. "I asked Felicity to help me on a mission tonight. It's simply recon, but I could use some IT-help."

"What mission?" Oliver felt his relief wash away and he scowled. When no explanation came, he felt his irritation flare. "…This is my team, Dick. If any member of my team intends to go out on a mission, I need to know about it. I'm aware it's been awhile since you worked with someone... but we do this together."

"Eh..." Dick had clearly not expected any opposition and his eyebrows shot up towards his hairline with innocent surprise. "I don't need the team, I only need her. Had I needed you all, I would have told you about it. This is something I have to do, Oliver. Solo."

"Not so solo apparently," Oliver disagreed in a low voice that easily conveyed is displeasure. He eyed the other man and came with a calculated guess, "This is more than patrolling the streets, isn't it?"

The dark-haired man remained reluctant to share information. "Look, you don't need to know the details. I told you; this is my own private business. I have my prerogative, and being on your team doesn't mean I'll abandon that."

"I am aware of that, Dick," Oliver spoke none too kindly. "I'm not asking you to, but we can't have opposing sides on the team."

"So learn to share," Nightwing argued with a tense shrug. "I don't want to create a rift. I asked Felicity to help me. It was entirely her decision."

"… Her decision," Oliver echoed as he clenched his jaw. He hated when his team members put themselves at risk of bodily harm or death, but agreed to it because he had no right to control their minds. Most of all, it seemed, Felicity had some strong opinions and he let her do her thing - sometimes reluctantly, as he had to do now. Gruffly, he spoke, "Keep the comms open when you're out there tonight. In case something happens."

Dick eyed his company. "Fair enough."

Hours later, long past sun set, Felicity crouched in the back of the black van as her eyes roamed across the tablet in her hand. "According to this, the coast is clear."

"And Officer Jones?" Dick asked as he adjusted his black domino mask and opened the back door to reveal the dark alley illuminated by the odd lamppost or two. The red, brick walls to the apartment complex stood a few feet away, and the fire escape close at hand for the night's adventure.

"He should be in his flat. Alone," Felicity's eyes shot up as she saw her boyfriend in full gear skip out of the van. "Dick, wait."

He paused and hastily turned back to her. "What is it?"

"You said... we had to do this to stop a corrupt police man, but you never explained further. I could use a little more information."

Dick exhaled slowly as if preparing for a mental hurdle. "Corruption, Felicity, can spread like the plague through any city. It needs to be stopped."

"Okay..." Felicity frowned at the odd explanation. "Throw me a bone, at least."

Dick leaned in through the open door with a grimace she couldn't quite make sense of. At last, he nodded his head and said, "Remember the body I dropped a few months back? He gave the name of our Officer Jones. Said Jones might be important in catching the mafia."

Felicity frowned. "Laurel got Bauer sentenced and behind bars. The mafia is dismantled."

"Not the Bratva branch in Starling City," Dick vehemently disagreed.

Felicity blinked as her brain kicked into gear. "The Russian mafia. That's who you're after? ...That's why you came to Starling City in the first place?"

"The man formerly in charge of the Bratva section here in Starling City, Alexi Leonov, was murdered by Deathstroke," Dick explained. "It left an empty seat to fill. In these past months, someone has taken up that chief role, and I need to find out who it is. Evidently whoever it is knows the danger of being outspoken with their business. Too many masked vigilantes running wild, I suppose. I'll find out who it is, though."

"And... Officer Jones knows this chief?"

"Yes. Even if he won't give me a name, there should be something on his computers to tell the tale. That's why I needed you here. When I'm done, you and your amazing skills are up," Dick winked and grabbed his sticks, prepared to scale the building and find his victim.

Felicity's expression fell as she once more read between the lines. "...And when are you done? When you've beaten him to a bloody pulp or perhaps when you've killed him?"

Dick paused on the precipice of their first argument and carried himself stiffly as he met her gaze, "I don't see myself as a bad man because I kill on occasion. I never spill innocent blood... Sometimes you need to kill to ensure a brighter tomorrow."

Felicity shook her head firmly and her pony tail followed her moving head. "That's not justice, though. And that's not-"

"Felicity…" the vigilante intercepted in a soft voice as he leaned closer once more. "Let's not argue over this."

"There are other paths, Dick," the blonde whispered, aware that she couldn't persuade him to see the light this time, but reluctant to stop trying.

"Not for everyone. Not always," the man disagreed with a sad smile. "Sometimes you just have to do."

"Or don't!" the woman argued and a fire filled her tone. "Who are you really angry with?"

Dick hesitated on the brink and forcefully pulled himself back. "I can't tell you. You've gone through enough these past few months, Felicity, with your grandfather dying and… I don't want you to take on my pain on top of that."

"I won't. Honest. I can help-"

Dick grimaced wearily. "I'm not Oliver Queen, Felicity. I know there is both light and darkness in me. I accepted that a long time ago, and I'm more than content with it. That balance between good and evil in my heart is who I am today. I don't feel the need to be a better man... Now, do you think you can help this flawed man?"

Felicity monitored her boyfriend from her protected position in the van as she watched him easily make his way up the fire escape to the apartment window in question. She watched as Nightwing pried open the window and snuck inside. Felicity sat silent as the dead of night and waited for the inevitable fight to sound over the comms. She wasn't sure if she wanted to hear him win or not - not knowing the methods he sometimes considered legitimate. All she knew was that their argument was far from over.

"Jones isn't here. And his computer is gone, too," Dick's voice suddenly spoke on the comms.

Felicity frowned as she checked her tablet. Before she could find anything, the door to the van was abruptly pulled open and several men appeared in the doorway. She shrieked as they pulled her out and she kicked to get free. Her foot hit one of the guys in the chest and she managed to tug herself loose. Felicity ran further into the dark alley as she glanced around for an escape, but there were none. Her heart beat inside her chest as she tried to remember her training and stay calm. If she had to, she would fight them alone, though the prospect was quite daunting.

Her hand reached up to the comm-link in her ear and she breathed, "... Oliver."

A swooshing sound echoed behind her, and she turned to see Nightwing land on the ground a few feet before her. As her panic settled, she allowed herself to take in the scene properly. There were four men who had attacked her van, all dressed in black (it really appeared to be a trend color), and she could easily guess at their intentions.

"I recognize their faces. They're all corrupt policemen," Dick whispered under his breath and Felicity's bewildered eyes flew up to the masked vigilante. He pointed his short weapon to the man furthest to the right and raised his voice, "Officer Jones... We were just coming to pay you a little friendly visit."

"I knew you were on to us when you killed my colleague, bat boy," the man in question snarled. "It was a matter of time before you acted. You won't be getting any information from me, however."

Before either side could act, one of the black-clad men suddenly fell backwards with a pained growl, a green arrow protruding from his right shoulder.

Felicity's frantic eyes searched the skies for the hero and she saw the familiar, green frame on the roof top above. The Arrow fired a grappling hook across the divide and swung himself forward. Felicity raised her arm in expectancy as he swung closer. His body connected with hers and she felt his strong arm take hold around her waist as she was pulled from the ground. She held onto him tight as they swung onto the fire escape of the opposite building.

Felicity clutched onto Oliver's green sleeve as she glanced down at the sounds of battle that echoed from the darkened abbey. They saw Nightwing wield his Escrima sticks with stealthy expertise as the men came at him with makeshift weapons of their own. He easily knocked out one of the men and ducked a blow from another.

Oliver gently pushed Felicity away so that he could raise his bow and fired an arrow into the battle. It caught another attacker in the knee.

Before he could draw a third arrow, the last man standing, Officer Jones, took the window of opportunity presented by his comrade's sudden fall to pull out a hidden gun and pull the trigger. The loud bang caught them all by surprise and everything seemed to stop at once.

As the bullet penetrated his body, Dick felt pain invade his frame and he fell to the ground, unable to stop his descent. The last thing he heard before everything went black was Felicity's shocked scream in the distance.

Dick awoke with a start.

"Calm down…" a familiar voice breathed somewhere close to his ear, beckoning him to lower his guard. "Please, Richard… You're alright."

Dick struggled to focus his eyes on the slender woman beside his bed. He saw Felicity's worry swirl in the deep pools of her eyes and the sight made him force himself to slow his breathing back to normal. After a few minutes, he felt his heartbeat stabilize. As adrenaline and panic evaporated, he started to feel a throbbing pain in his right leg.

He tried to sit up, but a pair of strong hands pushed him back down again. He turned to the other side and saw Oliver hover above him with a grim expression on his strong features.

Dick did a double take at the unsuspected company and looked about in the small room. He wasn't at home or in a hospital, as he had suspected, but rather in one of the back rooms to the lair. This particular chamber fitted two beds and had been designed as a recuperation room after smaller surgeries that could be dealt with in the lair. A flowery lamp between the bed drew his attention and he couldn't help but snort in amusement.

"You were shot in the thigh," Oliver explained in a gruff tone and Dick re-focused on the man. "I stitched you up. You lost some blood, but you'll fully recover. You were lucky, it was a through-and-through. You should rest, Dick. Let the wound recover."

"Jones?"

"In custody, with the other police men who attacked you. Detective Lance is handling the case."

The dark-haired man glanced down at his bandaged leg and let his head fall back against the pillow. He sighed as he spoke to the man beside him, "I'm sorry… I didn't mean to endanger her."

"I know," the terse growl persisted despite the assurance.

"It's alright," Felicity whispered and clutched her boyfriend's hand in her own smaller ones. She offered her boyfriend a loving smile that spoke of concern and relief she couldn't voice aloud, and she pointedly argued, "It was my choice, remember? ...Wasn't it, Oliver?"

Oliver's gaze lingered on the blonde woman for another second before his gaze lowered to the ground. "Let's leave the discussion for when he's recovered. Let him rest, Felicity."

After a night of worried vigilance by Dick's bedside, Felicity found herself back at her old workplace bright and early the very next morning. QC looked just the same as she remembered it, and the receptionist at the front entrance even greeted her with a familiar nod.

She rode the elevator to the right floor and turned left as she exited. She passed what had previously been Isabel Rochev's office, and walked down the hallway to her target. She stopped out of sight from the room and took a moment to re-collect herself.

Felicity wasn't particularly looking forward to being an EA once more, but knew the prize could be higher than the cost if she didn't. Besides, it was a favor for a good friend. Almost nervously, she glanced down at her chosen outfit for the day and smoothed out a crease. She wore black jeans and a pale-blue blouse, matched with blue heels. She'd considered a skirt, but somehow it had felt wrong.

Pulling herself from her thoughts, Felicity stepped forward and entered the small office. She saw a middle-aged man seated on a chair by the wall in the secretary's empty office and she greeted him awkwardly. He waved in response and sank back into his seat.

"You must be Ms Smoak!" a decidedly British accent filled the air.

Felicity whirled in the direction of the main office and at the blonde woman who held the door open. "I am…" she agreed and stepped inside. The glass door closed behind her and she followed the tall, sharply-dressed blonde further into the office. "How did you know?"

"You're clearly a friend of Oliver's," Jane said as she stepped around her desk and waved for her company to have a seat. "Pretty people tend to surround themselves with other pretty people."

Felicity blinked in confusion as she sat down. "Are you… flirting with me?"

Jane's pale eyes widened barely noticeably and she barely suppressed her amusement. "Let's avoid a sexual harassment charge on the first day, shall we? I knew it was you because it was either you or that middle-aged man out there waiting for a meeting about accountings. He didn't strike me as a 'Felicity'."

Felicity suppressed the urge to glance back at the man as she inclined her head slowly. "No, he did not. I'm sorry about the… I didn't mean to insinuate-"

Jane waved her concern off. "That's quite alright, dear. While you are my type, I was only trying to be funny. How about we start over? I'm Jane Deleon."

Felicity shook the outstretched hand over the desk and was taken aback by the woman's strong grip. "Felicity Smoak."

The COO leaned back in her seat. "Ollie said you might be able to help me manage this office. I understand, however, that you're more inclined to IT."

"I started off in the IT department, but I was Oliver's EA for awhile after that."

"An excellent one, I am told," Jane said and nodded down to her papers. "... I have a proposition for you, Ms Smoak. We both know this is only temporary until I find another Executive Assistant, or Oliver reclaims the company. I'll only need you part-time."

Felicity nodded sharply. "Alright."

"Which is why I want to offer you a part-time position as my EA, joint with a part-time position in the IT department."

"Oh!"

"I talked to your former boss in the IT department and he seemed inclined to agree that QC has been fumbling in its IT field without you around," Jane explained herself. "We can go over the details later, but the offer means that you would work part-time in your old domains, but quite higher up in the food chain than you used to. The position could, of course, turn into a full-time job later on if and when you wish it... Unless you want to stay on as Oliver's EA, that is. Whichever you prefer."

Taken aback by the offer, Felicity searched for any words to cover her brief lapse but ended up stuttering for a response. At length, she nodded her head and smiled. "When do I start?"

"Felicity?!" Dick called out as he came to again in his little chamber in the back of the lair, having been awoken by a nightmare of last night's events.

Diggle kept him on strong pain killers to help him manage the first day after the injury. His head was groggy, to say the least, but Dick still felt quite clear in the ole' head. He felt a throbbing ache beneath the white bandages, but it seemed superficial compared to what it would have been without the Oxycodone, for which he was grateful.

John entered the room then, carrying a tray with anti-septics and clean bandages. The large man swiftly offered, "She's at work."

"Ah… I see," Dick lay down once more and tried to keep the room from spinning as he watched John prepare to switch the bandages. "The job she took because of him... Is it just me, or is he always telling her what to do?"

"Not these days," Diggle disagreed in amusement as he focused on removing the wrappings. "It's the other way around, I'd say."

Dick snorted. "Are you sure?"

"I know you're high on painkillers right now, man," John said as he wiped the skin area clean of clotted blood, "but I think you have the wrong idea of Oliver."

"Sorry?" Dick blinked and ran a hand across his forehead.

Diggle re-wrapped the wound without another word. When he finished, he pulled back his chair to face his patient. John's eyes shone with honesty as he slowly exhaled. At length, he asked, "Do you know why I do this, Grayson? Why I'm part of the team, I mean."

The younger man shook his head groggily.

"When Oliver invited me to join his team, I did it because I knew he needed someone to help keep him on the right side of life. To keep him from losing his humanity as he fought the darkness of the world. When Felicity joined us… She took over that role, in a way."

Dick frowned in confusion as he tried to grasp at the words the other man was uttering, but they seemed to evade him like sand running through his fingers.

"Oliver and I... We can't do this without her," John said in a gentle tone. "And we won't let her lose her light after everything she's done for us. We won't stand idle by if she's consumed by darkness."

Finally seeing where things were heading, the dark-haired man supplied, "I don't want her to, either. Last night, I never intended…"

"I know," Diggle reassured and his voice held such conviction, Dick exhaled in relief. "...and so does Oliver."

"I get what you're saying, Dig. I mean I think I do, things are a bit fuzzy in here..." Dick waved his hand around his head. "But I am who I am… and that won't change."

"...I know you won't change," John admitted at length. "Now... I'm of the firm notion that you shouldn't change for someone you love, because then they don't love you for who you really are. But you can embrace other parts - better parts - of yourself without having to change. That's what Felicity is asking of you. And if you want to keep her love, you ought to consider the possibility."

Dick frowned as he tried to think straight. He struggled against the pain killers deceptive hold, and firmly spoke, "...I won't take her down with me if I should fall. You have my word on that, at least. I can't promise anything else right now."

John patted the younger man's shoulder as he rose from the chair. "You should rest."

"Well, I just can't believe how hard it is to find evidence about someone who goes by the colorful moniker Doctor Death," Roy begrudgingly said as he glared at his company across from him in the small booth. "You'd think someone would know something about him."

"He probably has an ally and sponsor that helps him keep out of sight, Roy," Oliver suggested as he ate a french fry and glanced up at the younger man. "Felicity's checking databases and such, we'll find something sooner or later."

Roy threw the other man an exasperated look, but refrained from uttering a single word.

Diggle, who sat beside Oliver, glanced at the man's profile before he gazed down at the baby girl in his arms. Maya's pale eyes gazed up at her father tiredly, half-way to sleep. How she managed to sleep while the rest of them talked vigilante business wasn't something Diggle was about to question (or mention to Lyla at home).

"You know... I've got a few contacts," Diggle suggested. "I could go out there and look around. See if I hear anything."

"That's okay, Dig," Oliver smiled tightly. "Roy and I have it covered. Thanks."

"... Anytime," Diggle sighed and looked up at the younger man who was curiously eyeing the sleeping baby. "Hey, man, my arm's going numb and my food's cold. Do you want to hold her, Roy?"

"Oh, nah..." Roy's eyes danced with trepidation as his gaze flickered between father and baby girl. "I'm good. Oliver can do it. I-I mean... I don't want to-"

"You'll do fine," Diggle assured as he rose from his seat and walked around the small booth. "I know you're afraid of potential side-effects from the Mirakuru, but you haven't shown any symptoms of lingering strength or rage since you were cured... You're fine, Roy. You're not a threat to anyone."

"... Are you sure?" Roy's wide eyes cautiously peered down at the girl as Diggle placed the sleepy bundle in his arms. He sat stiff and awkward as Maya blinked up at him and tiredly yawned. Slowly, Roy tried to find a more comfortable position that didn't feel like he was holding a log of firewood in his embrace.

"I trust you," John inclined his head as he sat back down in his seat. His grin widened as he grabbed his untouched burger. "And I'm really hungry."

Oliver exhaled in amusement at his friend's antics when he felt his phone vibrate. He pulled it out of his jeans and looked down at the Caller-ID. Oliver frowned at the unexpected number. He wasted no time as he answered and pressed the phone to his ear.

"Sara?"

Oliver waited in the cold air outside the lair with an impatient mind that threatened to wreak havoc of his soul. He felt on edge and his shoulders were stiff as he leaned back against the wall. If Sara was back in town so soon after departing last time, trouble was bound to be on its way. Oliver could but fear the worst.

A slight sound warned him of someone approaching, and Oliver whipped around to face whoever it was. Sara stood before him, a stern expression on her fair features. She was dressed in black jeans and a simple, dark top hugged her abs. The image of her unscathed figure calmed his nerves a fraction. Before she could speak, Oliver pulled the smaller woman into a relieved embrace. She exhaled steadily as she returned the friendly hug.

"Isn't this a heart warming scene?" an amused voice spoke and Oliver pulled back to see Nyssa al Ghul lingering in the alley beside them. The warrior was also clad in normal clothing instead of the assassin outfit and bowed her head in silent greeting. Oliver clenched his jaw, but returned the respectful gesture. If Nyssa had accompanied Sara, things were worse than he feared.

Sara glanced back at the other woman before she faced her ex-boyfriend. A heavy sigh escaped her lips as she explained, "I wish we didn't have to drop in on you like this, Ollie. We came straight to the lair… only to find it abandoned."

Oliver tried to keep his rising fear under control as he forced himself to at least give her an explanation before flying off the handle, "We needed a new hideout. You saw how Slade demolished the first lair... Tell me what's happened."

Before the blonde could answer, Nyssa stepped forward and hurriedly interrupted, "We should go inside before Sara and I explain anything, lest unwanted ears overhear our conversation."

Oliver scowled but nodded his head in agreement.

Oliver practically ran down the familiar steps with the two women close behind him. Their steps echoed against the metal and drew the attention of Diggle, who stepped into the main area.

"I dropped Maya off at home, but I refuse to miss this," Diggle explained as he noticed Oliver's frown. Oliver tensely nodded and Diggle turned his attention back to the women. "... Sara?"

"John," the woman smiled in greeting. Genuine warmth touched her pale eyes, but the smile still fell short. "It's nice to see you again."

Before another second could be wasted, Oliver whipped around and faced their guests. His fixed gaze flew from one to the other as he growled, "What's happened? Why are you in Starling?"

"News reached the League yesterday," Nyssa explained and exchanged a glance with the blonde woman by her side. "We thought it prudent to find you as soon as possible."

"Tell me," Oliver requested and clenched his fist by his side as he waited on baited breath for the inevitable. Storm clouds were evidently forming on the horizon so soon after the last ordeal, and he tried to prepare himself for the thunder that would follow.

The blonde warrior pursed her lips and sighed deeply. Sensing the urgency to his voice, Sara swiftly breathed, "It's Slade. Our informant tells us he's escaped from the prison cell on Lian Yu."

Oliver closed his eyes tight as he held his breath. The news bounced back and forth in his head, overshadowing all of his other concerns. It was worse than he'd expected, and he was no stranger to what this meant. Slade would be coming for him, and the mad man needed to be stopped before he could do more harm than he'd already managed to inflict.

With a set jaw, Oliver opened his eyes and looked at his silent company as they waited in the tense silence for his reaction.

"We need more answers," he growled unkindly.

After receiving the news, Oliver hadn't wasted any time. He needed to keep the people he cared about safe, and find a way to once more stop Slade Wilson. It was as simple as that in theory, but Oliver knew reality was far from simple.

The first thing he'd done was to call Felicity and asked her to spread the word. He had then brought Sara, Nyssa and Diggle to A.R.G.U.S where he knew he'd get more answers about the recent development.

Amanda Waller met them with chin held high and hair, as always, pulled back into a tight up-do. The clever look in her eyes betrayed what hid beneath her frosty exterior and she let them into her office without a word.

When the door closed behind her, shutting out the rest of the world, Oliver immediately spoke, "When?"

Amanda stepped around her desk and with each passing second, Oliver felt his temper stray closer to the edge. The woman sat down and looked between the guests that filled her office.

"Slade Wilson escaped his cell last week," Amanda explained at last. "My people have hunted him ever since, but he's eluded or killed all the agents I've sent out."

Oliver leaned over her desk and held her gaze. "Why didn't you tell me?!" he growled.

"I believed I could handle the problem without you."

Diggle frowned and crossed his arms over his wide chest. "Meaning you thought you could kill him without Oliver's help."

"I believed Oliver would object to that plan, yes," Amanda agreed in a low, controlled tone.

The door opened with a sharp yank and everyone turned as Felicity stepped inside. Her cheeks were red and she was panting, as if having run all the way there. She was clad sharply for a day in the office and her heels clicked against the floor as she stepped inside and closed the door behind her. "Sorry I'm late!"

She stepped up between Nyssa and Sara and offered both women a wide grin in greeting. Nyssa bowed her head as Sara squeezed Felicity's shoulder wordlessly. Warmth fleetingly touched both Nyssa and Sara's eyes despite the darker topic at hand.

"What did I miss?" Felicity asked as her eyes sought out Oliver.

The man pushed away from the desk and turned his back to the group as Amanda explained, "Slade Wilson escaped last Thursday. He killed all the guards at the prison and got off The island."

"Sounds easy," John suggested with a low voice. "Too easy. Did he have help?"

"According to our intel, yes. We don't know who," 'The Wall' clarified.

"Do we know where he is now?" Felicity asked and looked about her company for answers.

Nyssa chipped in from her left, "My sources suggest Slade was making his way back towards the States. They lost him on the way, but I believe we all know his destination."

"He's been loose for almost a week," Diggle sighed. "You should have given us the information earlier so that we could have prepared for this."

"I am aware, Mr Diggle," Amanda hissed as she rose from her seat. Her cold eyes held the man's as she continued, "It does not change anything, however. My order is still effective." the woman in charge glanced over to Oliver. "And you always follow orders, Oliver... Don't you?"

The man raised his head stiffly but kept his back towards them all as he processed the news and its meaning. He didn't otherwise acknowledge the cryptic threat that lingered in the air between them.

"Order…?" Felicity whispered. Her small voice hid none of her trepidation, but was still strong and questioning as she watched Oliver's back.

Amanda turned her attention back to the blonde. "Slade Wilson must be terminated."

Nyssa turned her gaze to the back of Oliver's head. "He should have been terminated last time."

From her stiffening pose beside the warrior, Felicity shook her head slowly. Her eyes closed tight as she raised her voice and let it resonate with conviction, "It would have been the wrong decision."

Oliver shut his eyes as he heard the blonde's disagreement. Like a beacon in the dark, she was the only one who shed some light on the situation. Still, the ocean was dark and the light all but lost in the vastness of the moment.

"The League agrees with A.R.G.U.S on this," Nyssa continued. "Slade is too dangerous to remain alive."

"… That's why you two are here," Felicity spoke again. Her voice sounded off, almost unnatural as she exhaled in frustration. "Not to warn Oliver, but to make sure he follows through with this plan."

"I know of Oliver's reluctance to kill," Nyssa spoke in a softer tone. "I will perform the kill myself if necessary. It's not a viable possibility to keep Slade Wilson alive."

"No. What's right... can never be impossible. I refuse to believe that. Imprison him again," Felicity pleaded to deaf ears. "... Sara? Please?"

With a sigh, Sara joined in the chorus. "I'm sorry, Felicity, but I agree with Nyssa. You saw what Slade did to Starling and to Oliver's family… We can't let him wreak havoc again. The only options are to kill or imprison him. We imprisoned him once and he managed to escape. If we imprison him again, he could end up escaping again… and again. He won't stop. And he won't stop trying to kill Oliver, either. Nothing will change unless one side slips up, and Slade is too focused on vengeance to lose. The only way to assure Ollie's safety, as well as everyone else's, is to kill Slade."

"Fine…" Felicity breathed in defeat and the unexpected breath made Oliver turn back. Her clear eyes were focused on him already, filled with anguish and fear. She held his gaze as her voice lowered an octave and danced with darkness. "You do what you feel is necessary to stop Slade one and for all. But don't lose sight of the bigger picture. Of what truly matters…"

Oliver held her gaze for another couple of seconds with a detached look in his own eyes. The others could see the mute conversation between their gazes, though were unable to follow it. At length, Oliver sharply inclined his head. The decision was made. Felicity lowered her gaze as he turned his attention to the others.

Oliver's jaw was tense as he announced, "Slade's not to be killed."

Nyssa raised an eyebrow as her gaze flew from Felicity to Oliver. "You are wasting time with this reticence! I advice you to unmake this decision… Before Slade Wilson kills us all."

"I've defeated him twice already. I can do it again," Oliver fiercely argued as he held her gaze.

Nyssa shook her head and growled in a fierce tone, "Do not make the assumption that defeating the man meant winning. You have only prolonged your loss."

Oliver took a step forward as he brushed off her warning. "Let's not waste more time arguing over this. We need to take action. Amanda, keep all eyes and ears open for news about Slade's return." - 'The Wall' seemed reluctant to follow someone's orders, but stepped out to issue orders to others as Oliver turned to the next persons - "Sara, Nyssa… Protect Quentin and Laurel. We don't know who or how Slade will come after, so I don't want to take any chances." - The women quickly exited the small office as Oliver turned to Diggle. - "Dig… Call Lyla. Make sure she and Maya gets out of town safely. You should go with them."

John smiled reassuringly as he shook his head. "My place is by your side, Oliver."

Oliver returned the grin gratefully. In his darkest hours, he needed his friend's support and didn't have the strength to argue now.

"I should get back to the office before Jane wonders where I am," Felicity spoke up as she stepped over to the men.

Oliver slowly turned his head in her direction. "I need you at the lair tonight. Head straight there after work. Okay?"

Felicity nodded and didn't put up any argument "Okay. I'll call when I get there."

Oliver offered her a meek smile as he turned towards the door, but the blonde called him back, "Hey!"

The man glanced over his shoulder at Felicity and Diggle, and noted how they wore matching expressions of worry. Felicity's eyes shone with emotion. "You made the right choice."

Oliver inclined his head. "... We'll see."

"You'll stop him," the blonde whispered encouragingly. "Just... keep a level head, Oliver."

Quentin sighed as he lifted his bag of groceries into his arms and stepped up the staircase to his front door. A cold wind slammed against his body and he cursed to himself, irritated that he hadn't thought of pulling his keys out sooner.

"Dad..."

Quentin stopped fumbling with the keys at the sound of the familiar voice and spun around. Sara stood a few yards away from the steps, a repentant gleam in her blue eyes.

For a few fleeting moments, Quentin couldn't believe the sight of his youngest daughter standing right there before him. He exhaled and threw himself into action. "Oh, thank God..."

Relief washed over him as he hurried down the stairs and enveloped his daughter in a tight bear hug. He pressed kisses into her hair and decided to focus on the feeling of his youngest child safe in his arms once more, instead of the possible reason as to why she was present. "Sweetheart... Tell me you're alright."

Sara smiled as she held her dad close, inhaling his familiar scent. "I am."

"Are you a free woman?"

His words pulled them both back to reality and Sara shook her head as she took a step back. "No, Dad. I'm here on a mission for them... Slade Wilson is back in town."

"Can't Arrow and that... Nightwing handle it?" Quentin breathed as he held her gaze. "Without your help, I mean?"

Sara smiled at her father's protective streak and shook her head. "Listen, I'm here to protect you."

"Protect me?" her father snorted. "I should be out there working. Call in the Special Ops or-"

"No, Dad," Sara firmly disagreed. "It's not on the same scale this time. Or so we think. But because of your involvement last time, it's possible you're a target for Slade. You have to lay low for awhile. I won't let him hurt you. Nyssa is bringing Laurel here, and-"

"That woman again, huh?" Quentin sighed in dismay.

Sara smiled and nodded. "Always."

"So much for hoping..." Quentin joked in a low voice. He begrudgingly nodded his head and waved a hand in the direction of his front door. "Alright... Let's get inside. If I can't be of use as a police, I might as well be of use as a father."

Oliver impatiently waited for the amber-colored doors to open. The second they did, he escaped out of the elevator and glanced about. The floor was dark and quiet, everyone had gone home hours earlier it seemed and there was not a trace of life left. Despite the calm air, Oliver kept his walls raised at the ready. He wouldn't be fooled in case this was a trap.

He walked down the corridor in the direction of Jane's office and stopped dead as he noticed the offices were empty. He opened the glass door as he stepped into the office of the executive assistant. His heart fell as he glanced about for any sign of the woman he had expected to see present.

"...Felicity?" he cried out, but there was no answer. "Felicity!"

Unwilling to let his mind get the better of him, he hauled out his phone and dialed the familiar number. He shifted his weight from one foot to the other as two signals echoed in his ear without an answer.

"Oliver!" Felicity replied in a rush then. "I'm sorry, I was searching for my phone. My purse is bottomless, or so it would seem." Oliver exhaled in relief and his shoulders slumped low. Before Oliver could say anything, Felicity babbled, "I'm glad you called, I was going to tell you later, but I did some digging and found a name for the fifth buyer of QC stock. It's someone that goes under the alias 'The Queen', but I haven't been able to-"

Oliver cut her off before she could continue, this wasn't the time for that, "Where are you, Felicity? I came by QC to pick you up and take you to the lair."

"Oh!" she breathed and he heard the rustle of keys over the phone as she unlocked her door and stepped inside. "We didn't make that arrangement earlier, did we? I'm... I just got home. I'm fine. I'm going to grab a few clothes and head straight for the lair. I'm on my way. I-I'm sorry, I didn't know you were coming. I thought you were with Laurel...? Slade did kidnap her last time because she was the woman you loved. I just mean that... you should probably be concerned for Laurel. Not me. Not that it isn't... sweet."

"Felicity..." Oliver breathed slowly and her name rolled from his tongue like honey. He hesitated before he breathed, "Slade took you last time..."

There was silence on the phone for a few seconds before Felicity asked, her voice somewhat strained, "... What about the others? Diggle? Laurel? Roy?... Dick?"

Oliver allowed her to pull his mind away from the topic as he offered her information, "Lyla and Maya got out of town safely. Diggle is with Roy and Dick in the lair. Laurel is with Sara, Nyssa and Mr Lance. They're all safe... Listen to me, Felicity. I'm coming straight to your place, okay? I don't want you to be alone tonight. We both know you're a potential target. I'll be there in five."

He hung up before the woman could argue and ran towards the elevators. He frantically pushed the button to the elevator as his phone rang again. He answered and pressed the phone to his ear, "What do you want, Laurel? Is everything alright?"

Laurel walked over to the window in her father's living room as she spoke into the phone, her voice low enough not to be overheard by the others, "I wanted to check up on you. Nyssa and Sara are here with my dad."

"Good," Oliver's voice was tense and close to irritated. Plainly, the strain of the development was pushing him to the breaking point.

"Where are you? Are you safe?"

"I'm heading to Felicity's right now and I'm taking her to the lair," the man explained in a crisp, tight voice. "Laurel, I want you to remain where you are, okay? Slade took you last time and he might attempt something against you once more."

"With this protection, how can he?" Laurel questioned and glanced back at Nyssa and Quentin, the unlikely duo awkwardly making small talk on the sofa. "Besides, I've been training since then, too. Slade will meet a challenge if he tries anything."

Oliver sighed and when he spoke, it sounded as if he had the weight of the world on his shoulders, "... I need to go."

He hung up and Laurel gazed down at the silent phone. She saw movement form her peripheral view and glanced sideways as Sara approached. There was something unreadable in her sister's eyes and she looked at Laurel in a manner she had never done in the past. Laurel opened her mouth to question it, but her father beat her to the punchline.

"Was that Oliver?" Quentin asked as he rose from the sofa and approached his daughters.

"Yeah, eh..." Laurel paused. "... He's safely out of the city. I don't know what Slade has against the Queen family, but he won't succeed this time either. The... Arrow is on it."

A loud boom suddenly sounded from outside and everything briefly erupted into chaos. Sara pulled her sister down to the ground and covered her with her body as they waited for something more. Nyssa had firmly stepped in front of Quentin and pulled out a crossbow as she took a fighter's stance, stiffly glaring at the window.

Quentin eyed the weapon in her hand and frowned. "... Where were you hiding that on your body?"

Nyssa merely smirked in response.

"It's okay..." Sara exclaimed as she and Laurel rose and gazed down at the burning vehicle on the ground several stories below. The fires in the old, worn car rose towards the skies, but offered no more threat in the night. "It was a car exploding. It could have been a decoy, or completely unrelated to Slade. Either way, he won't try anything on us now when the cops are on their way here to check it out. We can relax..."

"Yeah..." Quentin snorted in jest as he turned back to the sofa. "...'Relax..."

Felicity moved in a flurry as she dropped her coat and purse in the hallway of her apartment, kicking off her shoes the second she and Oliver hung up.

She rushed into her bedroom, forgetting to turn on the lights overhead as she scrambled to get ready. She threw random clothes out of her drawers and onto the bed. She only needed a few things so that she and Dick could stay safely in the sanctity of their lair. She knew every second was sacred, and that danger could be lurking behind every corner. But she was also aware that no precaution in the world could save her if Slade Wilson put his mind to killing her. It wasn't a reassuring thought exactly, but the truth nonetheless.

She finished packing the bag just as she received a text from Roy asking her if she was on the way. She quickly texted him a reply as she slung the bag over one shoulder and stepped back into the living room. She hit send and took a second simply to breath. She was aware that her heart was beating a mile a minute, and probably had since learning the news of Slade's unexpected escape. The man was a menace, and she'd been too close to him once already. She had no intention of relieving those fateful hours that led up to his capture.

Felicity took a step towards the hall, when something hard struck her across the head. She fell heavily to the wooden floor and the world spun around her. Pain flashed through her head as she tried to focus on her surroundings. She managed to roll over on her back and blinked to clear her view. Her sight came in and out of focus sporadically as she tried to gaze through the gaze that seemed to surround her.

A figure stepped out from the shadows and into the pale moonlight that illuminated half of her flat. The man was dressed in black, and had dark hair and beard somewhat longer than she remembered it.

Slade Wilson crouched beside his victim and Felicity glanced down to a light source in the palm of his right hand. She squinted and realized it was a lit match in his hand. The small flame danced to an unheard song.

The Aussie grinned down at her, and Felicity felt her blood turn to ice in her veins and her stomach churl with fear. Slade leaned closer and breathed in his raspy accent, "No smoke… without fire."

To be continued!