A/N: Well, SDCC sure as hell offered a few surprises and spoilers for the coming season of Arrow and in particular for Oliver/Felicity. I never thought we'd get this much Olicity so soon on the show, and I'm willing to admit I might have been wrong. I thought the show would go down the Oliver/Laurel route once more (which they still might one day), but now I'm thinking maybe they won't. Maybe Olicity is all that matters from here on out. If so: Bless the show and everyone involved!

But, make no mistake: Stephen Amell is the only one who voiced the idea that Laurel/Oliver or Sara/Oliver won't be items again in the future. The producers/others may have echoed the sentiment more vaguely, but they're also the same people who called Laurel/Oliver soulmates (resembling them with Clark/Lois) a few months back. Forgive me for not trusting them so blindly, and would prefer my version as it guarantees an end to Lauliver once and for all.

Synopsis: Oliver and Jane host a Charity fundraiser aimed at helping Starling City but also to benefit Oliver's influence and future takeover of Queen Consolidated. The event, however doesn't go as planned. The fundraiser is attacked and a beloved character dies as a result. In order to find the killer, Diggle has to visit Floyd Lawton. After the fundraiser, Thea is driven further away from Roy and Oliver.

Edited due to dissatisfactory results (rest of story will be edited, as well)

3x11: Trickle of Fear

"Are you asleep?" Diggle asked softly, as he poked his head around the door post.

Lyla rested on top of the covers, with their four month daughter soundly asleep on her chest. The child gently snoozed, a sound Lyla had become utterly fascinated by during these past few moments of solitude.

The woman glanced towards the open door and yawned, "If I was, how am I supposed to answer that?"

"Not answering would be answer enough," Diggle countered without missing a beat.

Lyla smiled warmly as she ran a tired hand through her dark locks. Her gaze roamed across her ex-husband's sturdy frame where he leaned against the doorpost with a grin to soften his features. He wore a sleek, black suit and a paler tie that all fit him sharply. "You look handsome."

John raised an eyebrow in jest. "As opposed to...?"

"Always. Always handsome."

The man's grin widened as he stepped into the room and sank onto the bed beside his wife, careful not to disturb the sleeping child. He lowered his voice to a whisper as he said, "Are you sure you don't want to join me at the Charity gala? There's still time to find a babysitter."

"I want to stay home with Maya," Lyla shook her head. "You go out and have a good time, Johnny."

Diggle nodded and moved to stand, when Lyla grabbed for him. She clutched his hand in her smaller one and gently tugged him back down. As he sank back, he frowned in confusion.

"Johnny..." Lyla's voice was hesitant, as if balancing on the stray edge of a knife. "I got a proposition this afternoon."

"What kind of proposition?"

Lyla pressed her lips together in a tight line. She knew what she had to say could possibly blow up in her face, as so many other arguments had regarding this particular subject. Still, she had to be honest with the man she loved. She had vowed before to never keep secrets from him, and this was no exception. "Waller. She offored me a promotion to be her second-in-command... It would mean fewer missions abroad and I'd be stationed in Starling City... Closer to you and Maya."

Diggle's face was contrite and lacking emotion as he cautiously asked, "... You took it?"

Lyla shook her head as she held his gaze captive. "I wanted to discuss it with you first."

Diggle exhaled deeply and looked down at their joint hands. "You already know what I think, Lyla. We should have left A.R.G.U.S before our daughter was born."

"John..." Lyla sighed and searched for the right words. "It's more complicated than that."

"I know. Grey areas..." Diggle hummed gruffly. "I also know my opinion hasn't changed much by working directly under Amanda Waller. The only reason I still work there is to keep an eye on you and Oliver."

Lyla could see the hurt flash past in the man's bottomless depths. She knew the past few months had been hard on everyone in Oliver's proximity. After Felicity's kidnapping, he had pushed everyone away and walked a lonely path hard to turn from. "How is he?"

"Better," John sighed and shook his head in silent despair. "But he's still working too much and neglecting his private life. He's doing Waller's bidding and I know there's something more to it. Something he won't share. Whatever it is, it keeps him occupied as Arrow."

"At least he's trying," Lyla offered meekly. "With Felicity back, things will surely turn back to normal in time. The charity fundraiser tonight, for example. That's Oliver, not Arrow."

Diggle hestiated briefly. "... I'll keep my eyes on him. That's enough talk of Oliver, though... What do you want to do about the promotion?"

"I don't know, John," Lyla admitted slowly as one of her hands gently caressed her daughter's back in a soothing motion. "I need more time to think about it."

John nodded his head sharply. "We can talk later tonight when I come home. We'll figure this out, together."

"Mm. Together."

"Now, I'm late... I have to say goodbye to my daughter," the man leaned down and pecked the soft baby head, "and my wife," he tenderly pecked Lyla on the lips and grinned.

Lyla smirked widely. "Still ex-wife."

"Maybe we ought to think about doing something about that, too," Diggle winked and before the brunette had a chance to retort, he was already out the door.

The charity fundraiser was held in the old, opera hall in the center of town. It was lavish and extravagant from roof to floor with chandeliers and tapestries to make even a royal family envious.

Felicity eyed the beautiful stone architecture in the giant ballroom. She'd been there once a few years back. She'd gone out with a guy who thought the opera was a good place for a first date. Felicity hated to admit it, but she'd actually snoozed through most of Parsifal. It wasn't that she didn't appreciate good music such as Wagner, but at the end of a twelve hour work day, she couldn't keep her eyes open long enough to care. Needless to say, there hadn't been a second date.

She straightened a crease in her floor-length yellow, chiffon gown. It was one-shouldered but still covered the scars on her back. It was the first time she dressed up since... Well, tonight wasn't the night to think back on those haunting memories.

Dick appeared beside her then and she was grateful for the interruption. The tall man wore a slim, grey suit and black-tie for the occassion. He handed her a glass of champagne and smiled.

"I'm glad I helped arrange a few of these fundraisers and gatherings for the rich and famous when I was Oliver's EA," Felicity blabbed as she accepted the glass. "First time I was at a fundraiser for Starling's elite, I felt a bit... judged. Poor, little me in a sea of wealth. They looked at me as if I was dressed in rags and wasn't worth a penny. I was so nervous, I broke two chrystal glasses... Which is why I'm surprised you seem so comfortable for your first time."

Dick shrugged. "It's not my first fundraiser. I'm actually kind of used to them."

Felicity frowned at the unexpected news. As far as she knew her boyfriend, he was a police officer with a simple past he preferred not to talk about. "Why are you used to the jet-setter lifestyle?"

The man smiled distantly as he explained himself, "I was best friends with the richest man in Gotham City many years ago; Bruce Wayne. That was before I moved to Blüdhaven."

"Why did you move? Was it because of...?"

"Yes. Barbara... I needed space to breathe and develop on my own after...," the man trailed off momentarily, but soon shrugged the hurtful sentiment off. "We keep in touch. I still count Bruce among my closest friends."

Felicity decided to test the waters. After all these months, she realized how little she actually knew about him. "... You rarely speak of it. Gotham, I mean. Or your family. I don't know anything about them either. Or your life there."

Dick inclined his head and something dark crept into his eyes. "Because it ended badly, Felicity. I have many good memories from Gotham, but also many terrible. You know that."

"Do you miss it?"

The tall man inhaled sharply. "Yes... I haven't been back for years."

"Do you want to return?"

Dick tilted his head to the side and flashed her a crooked grin. "That would depend on Batman."

"After you mentioned him, I looked him up online," Felicity admitted. "... There wasn't much to find. Several articles, but not much fact. He's more secretive than our Arrow. I never got the whole picture."

Dick shrugged. "And you won't tonight. It's not fundraiser appropriate discussion, is it?"

"I'm just curious," Felicity said with a pointed look.

The man's smile widened, "One of the many reasons I lo- like you."

Felicity blinked and lowered her gaze from his in a heartbeat. She ran a hand through her cascade of blonde locks and pointed towards the crowds that was starting to enter the room. "... I should get back to work. Make sure the elite actually donate something tonight for a good cause and not just stand around looking pretty with the decor."

"Hey, man."

Oliver turned as he heard his friend approach and nodded his head. "Hey."

"How you feeling about all this?" Diggle asked as he stopped next to his best mate. The two lingered on the second floor where they had a good view of the ballroom below that was slowly filling with people dressed in floor-length gowns and suits that revealed their wealth.

Over on the side below them, a small orchestra was playing soft violin and cello music that mingled well with the sound of conversations starting up across the room.

A banner strung over the balcony on the other side across Oliver and Diggle's position read: 'Moira Queen Charity Foundation - A Night For Rebuilding The Glades With Queen Consolidated'.

"... It's surreal," Oliver admitted as his gaze lingered on the banner and his eyes danced with both shadow and light. "Being back in this world. I feel like I'm on the outside looking in."

"Maybe you ought to step over the threshold then."

"Diggle..." Oliver paused as words failed him. "I want to do the right thing, I do. But right now, I'm not entirely sure what that is. I don't..."

John placed a comforting hand on the man's shoulder and said, "You'll get there. This could be a first step."

Oliver managed a meek smile as he glanced sideways at his friend. "It does feel nice helping the city... as Oliver Queen, that is. God knows Starling needs to be rebuilt after everything it's been through these past two years."

"It's a strong city, Oliver," John said. "It will weather any storm and recover in time. With a little help from its hero, that is."

"... Heroes, Diggle. Plural."

Diggle snorted and eyed the man beside him. "That's funny... I don't feel like I'm in the field as much anymore. Wonder what that might be about. Happened around the time Maya was born... You thought I hadn't noticed, did you?"

Oliver shook his head, but his eyes offered no excuse as he revealed his true intentions, "Dig... I'm just trying to protect you. You have a family now and-"

"And I'm still your team member, Oliver."

"I'd prefer it if you kept out of the field from now on," Oliver argued. "I've got Roy to help me out there."

Diggle wasn't about to back down and countered, "I've saved your life countless times in the field, Oliver. You need me out there."

"I can't be responsible for a child losing her father, for a wife losing her husband... For friends losing their confidant and a brother-in-arms!" Oliver growled back and closed his eyes tight. "I have taken too much from these people already..."

John saw the struggle in his friend's posture that betrayed his heart and sighed. "... You've been holding on to that for a while, haven't you?"

"We'll talk more about it later." Oliver exhaled slowly and moved to step towards his crowd.

"Good evening," Felicity greeted the new arrival as he stepped into the grand hall, one of countless she would greet tonight for a good cause. "What's your name?"

The young man positively reeking with money, looked her up and down once before he replied, "Greg Dawson."

"Welcome," Felicity flashed him a polite grin and pointed down to the tablet in her hand. "I'm the Donation manager for the evening. How much would you like to donate tonight to rebuilding the Glades?"

Greg took a step closer to the blonde, invading her personal space with subtlety and grace. "Sweetheart... I'd like to donate myself to you tonight. If you know what I mean?"

The woman didn't look up from her tablet as her fingers flew across the small screen.

"Greg Dawson, was it? Would that be Greg Dawson with 32 unpaid speeding tickets or Greg Dawson who was arrested for sleeping with a prostitute but bailed himself out?" Felicity looked up at the man. His face fell at once as he gazed down at her. Felicity blinked. "Oh wait, silly me. They're the same Greg Dawson... So, how much did you say you wanted to donate to Moira Queen's Charity Foundation?"

"It seems like it'll be a nice turn out," Jane breathed as she stepped over to Oliver, who had just re-joined the rest of the crowd in the ballroom. The woman wore her short hair pulled back and a long, white mermaid dress. "A lot of people have come to support the cause and your mother's charity. They believe in you, still."

Oliver nodded his head. "The Glades still need every help it can get."

A voice from behind them made both of them turn around in surprise, "Which is why Queen Consolidated is all too happy to lend a helping hand."

Simon Cross stepped up between Jane and Oliver, offering them both a suave grin as he, too, watched the crowds around them.

"I must say I was surprised to see you here tonight, Oliver," the older man said as he rocked from toe to heel. "I thought we'd seen the last of you."

"Glad to disappoint," Oliver breathed indifferently and pocketed his hands as his eyes remained on the crowd around him. "I have no intention of surrendering my company, Simon. Queen Consolidated deserves better than you can offer."

Simon snorted. "We'll see about that."

Thea drew a shaky breath as she sat in the back seat of the limousine. She could feel her heart racing inside her chest and tried to breathe calmly, but nothing seemed to affect it.

Something warm wrapped around her hand and squeezed it tightly. Thea glanced to Walter beside her and his reassuring smile.

"Are you alright, Thea?" his familiar British accent helped ease her mind somewhat as he looked into her eyes.

The younger woman nodded, but her smile faded. For the first time since joining Malcolm's cause, Thea was doubting. The warmth and kindness of Walter's affection made her want to tell him everything about the secret plan. She hated being the one keeping secrets this time, and the thought of possibly hurting Walter, the one person in her life who was honest to her, when the truth was revealed... It was enough to ignite a spark of doubt. After losing everyone, Walter had for awhile been all the family she had, in a way. The step-father who'd done so much for her, and asked so little in return.

"I... I'm just," Thea tried to think of a white lie to cover up her hesitation. "It's been awhile since I was out there in public. I needed this time away from prying eyes, as you know... and I am ready to return, but... It's a bit daunting. And I don't even have Oliver to lean on for support."

Walter exhaled slowly and the low sound seemed to fill the dark backseat for another minute. Walter's hand squeezed tighter around her slender hands as the man whispered, "Thea... There's much I don't understand, but I do know your family. The two of you have lost everything, and you're both lost in this world without each other. I know you're scared and feel abandoned by him, but the truth is that Oliver loves you more than anything in the world."

The words, meant to incite reassurance, served the opposite purpose tonight as memories of her brother's lies filled her brain and laid waste to any doubt. Thea snorted, "... He has a funny way of showing it."

Simon Cross stepped onto the podium at the front of the giant hall and gently tapped a knife against his champagne glass. The clear sound reverberated through the hall. He leaned towards the microphone and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, if I could have your attention for a moment."

The buzz of conversation slowly died down as people turned towards the podium to give the man their undivided attention.

Oliver glanced about before he leaned closer to Jane and whispered, "I thought you were supposed to hold the speech on Queen Consolidated's behalf."

A flash of anger spread across the woman's face as she watched the CEO ahead, "I was."

"For those of you who don't know me, my name is Simon Cross and I am the CEO of Queen Consolidated," Simon continued and his voice echoed across the room. "On behalf of myself and the Queen family, I would like to welcome you all to tonight's charity fundraiser for the Moira Queen Charity Foundation."

He paused a beat as the crowd applauded politely at his introduction.

"Tonight our focus is on The Glades, a part of this city that has suffered much through the past years," he continued and stood tall as he commandeered their attention, "I know the memories are still fresh on your mind, and that I need not remind you of that faithful night two years ago when Malcolm Merlyn and Moira Queen laid waste to half the Glades."

Oliver clenched his fist beside his thigh as he tried to keep his face impassive, despite the instinct he had to get up on the podium and punch the man. To mention Moira in such an unflattering light was a low blow, even for the current CEO of Queen Consolidated.

Simon's eyes sparkled with glee as they held Oliver's for the fraction of a second, before he once more faced his crowd, "We all lost someone that night. Someone we knew, someone we loved. We have all suffered these past few years, and our city is still not healed... And why does the city suffer, you may ask? I don't mean to provoke any of you here, but I do believe in speaking the truth of my heart and my beliefs," Simon Cross paused for added effect and the room was silent in anticipation. "Ladies and gentlemen, let us be honest. We all know the true cause to Starling City's suffering these past few years. The Undertaking that laid waste to half the Glades, the Mirakuru army that swept across our whole city... There is but one common denominator to explain why Starling is a target; the Arrow."

The room fell dead silent as Cross gazed out across the sea of people. Oliver glanced about and met John and Roy's gaze across the hall. This could turn out to be uglier than expected. After all these months wild a favorable wind as far as the public went, they were all aware how things had begun to change after Slade had been discovered to be alive and on the loose. Starling's hero was starting to be questioned once more.

Assured that the crowd was still paying attention, Simon continued, "It's true, the Arrow has also saved this city many times. But let's not forget that this was a peaceful city before he arrived. Everything bad that has happened since has been because of one man. Should we not demand that our hooded vigilante steps into the light and takes responsibility for his acts? Should he not, too, be held accountable for the dark plague that has infested our streets since his arrival? The wreckage he creates, we must repair. The city will be rebuilt by us, here in this room, not by a hooded stranger that is both hero and villain wrapped in one."

At the other end of the room, Felicity clutched Dick's sleeve as she quietly seethed. "He's turning the city against Oliver..." she muttered as a sudden round of applause filled the ballroom.

When the applause quieted down, Simon once more spoke up on the podium, "Let us tonight raise enough money to make a difference and repair our city with everything we are capable of giving. Whatever sum you have donated by the end of the night, Queen Consolidated will match. And I wish to be no worse, for I know how vital it is to rebuild our home - so I will personally match it myself."

The round of applause was practically deafening this time and Simon bowed his head in acceptance of their admiration.

Oliver gritted his teeth and growled to Jane, "I can't match that sum. We're losing."

Before she could reply, Simon called for their attention one final time and the room fell silent.

"I have already alluded to why it seems appropriate that Queen Consolidated in co-operation with Moira Queen's Charity Foundation, run by her son, contribute with so much. I do not blame the Queen family, and would, in fact, like to give the floor to someone who is better suited to speak to you on the family's behalf. It is with great honor I welcome back Thea Queen."

Loud, surprised muttering occupied the crowd as everyone looked about for the young woman in question. The press started taking photographs by one of the entrances and Oliver saw his sister across the sea of people then. She wore a black dressed with sequins on both shoulders and on her belt. Thea carried herself with head held high and with a confidence he had never seen in her previously. Oliver exhaled as he saw his baby sister smile at the crowds as they made a path for her to step towards the podium.

"Oliver," a familiar voice spoke beside him then.

Oliver turned and nodded his head in greeting to Walter. The elder man offered a warm smile in return and squeezed the younger man's shoulder.

"Thank you, Walter," Oliver breathed as his eyes fell back towards his sister, who had reached the podium and stepped before the microphone. Her gaze fell on him then and he easily saw past her impeccable facade. Though she smiled, there was a sudden bitter edge that she couldn't hide from him. Thea turned from him almost immediately to face the crowds.

"You all know my mother's involvement in the Undertaking," Thea began. "You also know she did everything she could afterwards to make amends as she ran for mayor of this city. She wanted to help heal this city that so much needed healing..." the young brunette paused and Oliver could see the theatrical way she carried herself as she pretended to struggle with her emotions. "...My mother is dead. But her mission isn't. I will resume the work she started and help this city rebuild to its former glory. A few months back, I purchased a small piece of Queen Consolidated, the company founded by my father. I vow to use my influence in QC to help Starling City-"

A sudden, loud bang echoed across the ballroom, followed by several more shots through the crowd. Numerous people fell to the floor, blood pooling around some of their bodies as everyone started to panic.

Oliver tried to keep his calm as chaos ensued around him as people tried to run for cover from the gun shots. He looked towards Felicity's position and saw Dick pull them both towards the ground as several more shots echoed through the hall.

On the other end of the room, Oliver saw Diggle and Roy run towards the stairs and the second floor. Oliver's gaze flew to the balcony above, where he saw a masked man holding a sniper rifle. The weapon was pointed somewhere close to Oliver then and the man fired a calculated shot. Walter tried to pull Jane away from the crowd when the shot hit him in the back and he fell to the ground as Jane shrieked. Oliver knelt by the man's side immediately as he saw the red pool grow beside his fallen frame.

Walter gasped for air and his pained features filled with panic as Oliver tried to hold on to him. The bullet had gone through and through and the red was starting to color his white shirt as he struggled. Oliver applied pressure to the wound and tried to keep the man still, but Walter writhed in panicked pain as he lost more and more blood with each passing second. Fear filled Oliver's system as he realized the inevitable truth. His eyes found Walter's and he could see the realization dance across the other man's eyes before his eyes grew hazy and his body stilled.

A terrified shriek echoed above the rest of the panicked shouts in the crowd and Thea managed to push her way through the sea of people. She fell to her knees beside her step-father and reached out to him with trembling hands. Tears ran down her face as she saw the emotionless, dead eyes of Walter Steele look back.

Oliver fell back to the floor in shock as he watched Thea cry over the man's body, her sobs the only sound that managed to get through to Oliver's mind.

Quentin rushed into the massive building not twenty minutes later. He waved his Detective's badge to a rookie officer in the door as he hurried into the main ballroom and looked about the crime scene.

Seven people had been shot at the charity fundraiser tonight, and all the witnesses that remained on the crime scene were shocked and in despair as they tried to hold on to each other and their sanity. Thankfully, though it was the wrong word to use, only one person had been killed.

Quentin steered his way towards the woman in a yellow dress over by the podium and noticed the grey blanket slung across her shoulders. Felicity's eyes were clouded with tears and pain as she gazed in the direction of the paramedics loading the dead body onto a gurney.

Dick stood by her side and was the first to notice the approaching man, "Detective."

"Grayson," Quentin nodded as he gazed down at the blonde. She looked up at him and sniffled. "Are you okay?"

"We're fine," she assured him in a low, raspy voice. "...I can't believe he's dead."

Quentin placed a hand on her shoulder as he softly asked, "Do you have any idea who might've wanted Walter Steele dead?"

The blonde shook her head determinedly. "Not a clue."

"Go home with Grayson. Get some rest, Felicity."

Felicity shook her head as her gaze travelled over his shoulder. "Oliver and Thea..."

"I'll talk to them," Quentin assured.

Dick wrapped an arm around his girlfriend's frame, and she slowly leaned her head against his shoulder. Quentin offered them both a reassuring smile before he turned and his eyes flew across the remaining crowd and police officers on the scene. On the steps over to the right, he saw the seated, hunched over, figure of Oliver Queen. Next to the man stood John Diggle, his former bodyguard, obviously hovering to give the man some space from reporters and police men.

Quentin drew a deep breath as he stalked over towards the men. He inclined his head to Diggle before he gazed down at Oliver.

"How are you holding up, Oliver?"

"I..." Oliver sighed and shook his head. "Do you need to take my statement?"

"It can wait. I would like to know where you were standing at the time of the shooting, though."

"I was standing with Jane Deleon and Walter. Over there," Oliver pointed straight towards the large pool of blood in the center of the room. "The shots came from the second floor, from the balcony. Diggle tried to run after him, but the man escaped."

Quentin glanced towards the second floor as he asked, "Do you know anyone that might have wanted to hurt Mr Steele?"

"... No."

"Thanks, Oliver. That's all I need for now. If I have any more questions..."

"You know where to find me."

"Thea! Wait up!" Roy cried as he jogged towards the young woman.

Thea sighed as she turned around on the pavement. She'd just been cleared from the police officers and wanted nothing more than to go home, run a bath for herself and cry in solitude.

"What do you want, Roy?"

"I..." the man hesitated as he stopped before his ex-girlfriend. "I don't think you should be alone tonight. I know how important Walter was to you."

"You know nothing, Roy," Thea countered venomously. After everything that had happened, everything she had found out about these people, something inside of her snapped at last. She swallowed as she swiped at her tears and said, "What did I ever do... to deserve this?"

Roy saw the pain in her eyes blend with fury and took a step towards her. His voice lowered an octave as he tried, "Walter's death wasn't your fault, Thea. You can't believe-"

"I wasn't talking about Walter," Thea's voice was impassive yet strong and the dead sound stopped Roy in mid-sentence. As the young woman turned to face him, he could see layers and layers of impassiveness strip away to reveal a furious woman not to be reckoned with. "I was talking about you, Roy Harper."

Roy ignored the twisting pain in his heart as he snorted, "Excuse me?"

"I found your bow that night, when Slade's army invaded Starling City," she accused him and her voice broke. "I know who you are, Roy! You lied to me. You're still lying to me. And since I prefer honesty, here's some truth for you; I loathe you. Frankly, I never want to see you again. So leave me alone, Roy."

With those words, she spun on her heel and stepped into the waiting cab. Roy stood dumb-founded on the side of the road as he watched the cab drive off into the night, taking a piece of his heart with it.

Felicity had changed into a more comfortable dress and heels, but refused to go back to Dick's apartment just yet. Instead she found herself behind her monitors in the lair while she tried to keep her emotions at bay. The rest of the team was present and the air was filled with tension as no one dared to speak aloud.

At length, Felicity slowly turned in her seat to gaze up at Oliver's frame where he walked to and fro in the middle of the room. His suit was stained with dried blood that wasn't his and his eyes were far away as he didn't know what to do with himself.

"At least..." Felicity began but had to clear her throat to swallow past the painful bile. "At least we know Thea is the fifth.. now fourth owner of Queen Consolidated. She was 'The Queen'. Befitting alter ego, in a way. That's good news, isn't it?"

Oliver glared down at her without replying before he continued his endless stride.

Roy leaned back against the medical bay and his eyes were heavy with sorrow as he said, "She knows. I don't know how much or what... but she knows about my alter ego, at least. She pushed me away. I lost her again."

Oliver turned his attention to the younger man, "She's lost but we'll help her find her way."

"How?" the man pleaded to know. "How are we supposed to help her when she doesn't want anything to do with us?"

"This isn't the War of the Roses," Felicity argued.

Roy frowned. "What?"

"Dynastic wars over the throne of England in the 15th Century," Felicity shrugged. "Not important. The point was that... Thea isn't on the other side, she's just alone. And hurt. We can't abandon her now, when she needs us the most."

Oliver stopped then and his shoulders slumped. He lowered his chin towards his chest as he closed his eyes tight. "... You're right."

John stepped towards his friend. "Go to your sister, Oliver. We can take care of this."

Oliver held his friend's gaze for a second longer, before he nodded. He accepted the suggestion for he knew he could rely on his team. Without hesitating his decision, Oliver turned and hurried out of the lair. Diggle met Felicity's gaze across a small divide and she offered him a timid, grateful smile as they watched their team leader carry his burden of guilt with him.

"So... who do we think did this to Steele? And why?" Dick questioned to soften the silent mourning. "It could be the person Constantin Drake mentioned before he died. Someone big and bad who's not yet revealed themselves? If it's true, this could be related to Doctor Death and have bigger repercussions than we're expecting here."

Felicity shrugged once more. "I don't know. It's possible... then again, right now anything feels possible."

Her monitor beeped then and she turned back to read the new information about the case. Her face fell at the news and she breathed, "Diggle."

John frowned as he stepped over and looked at the information as well. He shrugged his eyebrows and held her gaze. "I think we have to pay an old friend a visit."

"And you're sure about this?" Lyla asked as she marched next to John through the corridor at A.R.G.U.S.

John tilted his head to the side. "The bullet that killed Walter was laced with curare. Just like Deadshot's MO. My guess is that it's a copycat, and our best chance at catching this killer is to talk to the original."

Lyla inclined her head as they stepped towards the holding cells. The guard stepped aside at her order and unlocked the door.

"Hello, John," Floyd greeted with a crooked grin as he leisurely rose from his bed. His laser eye-patch sat askew as always and the yellow inmate outfit somewhat looser than last time they'd met. "Come to set me free from 'The Wall', have you?"

"I need your help."

"I bet it took a lot to admit to that," Floyd drawled as he crossed his arms over his chest.

John held out the manila folder and Floyd took it without asking. The man flipped through the photographs form the crime scene and the police report.

"It seems you have a copycat," John explained.

"The highest form of appraisal, I'm told," Deadshot breathed as he curiously inspected the photographs. "You need me to help catch this guy?"

"If he's trying to mimic you, we figured you might be able to understand him."

"I'll do better," Floyd breathed. "I think I can tell you where he is."

Lyla frowned. "Explain."

Floyd bowed his head in mock-respect before he spoke, "When I was still a free man, it happened on an occasion that I received a... shall we call it; fan mail? From someone called Gus Watson. I was intrigued by the notion that someone was mad enough to admire Deadshot, so I replied. I realized early on that his sickly fascination meant that he aspired to be more like me. Flattered, I suppose I encouraged it in a way. Only because I thought him too weak to take the plunge. I was wrong, it would seem."

"... And you know where he is?" Lyla demanded to know.

Floyd inclined his head as his grin widened. "I gave him some advice. If you ever find yourself in a city and are in need of hiding; Hide where no one expects to look. Abandoned storage units by the harbor where you can have a vantage point over your proximity are preferable to cheap motel rooms. During my first visit to Starling, I was amused by the irony in the abandoned warehouse I found in the harbor here: It was called 'Floyd's'..."

After she'd soaked in her bath for nearly an hour and tried to empty her mind, Thea found that her solitude was too much to bear. Malcolm hadn't been at their suite, so in the end she decided to escape the hotel room for the reprieve of the cool, night air.

She pulled on a cape over her sweats and rode the elevator down to the reception. She smiled at the concierge and headed towards the exit with firm strides.

"Thea..."

The woman froze with her hand on the door handle as she recognized the voice. Thea slowly turned and saw Oliver stand behind her, dressed in a warm leather jacket and jeans to weather the cold of February.

"Don't... turn your back on me. Please," Oliver pleaded as he saw her stiff posture. He hesitantly took a step towards his kin, as he said, "I know you don't want to see me, but I can't stay away from you. I'm worried about you."

She held her head high as she stepped towards him and met him in the middle. "I can take care of myself, Ollie."

"... I know how important Walter was to you, Speedy," Oliver breathed sadly. "I only want to help you. All we've got is each other, Thea. Let's... talk. Let's find a way back to each other, and stand on the same side once more. I want nothing more than for us to be a family again. For us to reclaim Queen Consolidated together, I can't do it on my own and-"

"Is that a threat in disguise?" Thea asked in bafflement. "That we'll be siblings only if I agree to help you regain Queen Consolidated?"

Oliver firmly shook his head, "No, I-"

Thea didn't listen as she snorted and interrupted, "You know, mother tried to threaten me once, too, when she ran for mayor. It was her way of controlling me and the facade she needed to show the world... I'm not surprised you've inherited that side of her, too. Well, I am my mother's child also, and I, too, have learned how to threaten."

Oliver shuffled from one foot to the other as he gazed down at the young woman before him. Her eyes were hardened by stone and cold, eyes he no longer recognized. It pained him to see that all the hardship he had made her endure had changed her. The sweet, innocent sister he had returned home to after the Island years was now turning cold and heartless because of his lies and the truth.

Thea carried herself regally as she held his gaze with loath and dismay in her bottomless pools, "I'm not asking much, other than being left alone from you and your lies. If you still feel the need to interfere with my life that no longer concerns you... I'll have to share a secret with you that not even you know, Ollie. And I know it will damage your heart."

Oliver felt trepidation creep into the back of his skull as he said, "... So tell me."

"I spent a lot of time these past months delving into all the secrets mother kept from us," Thea began and a sneer slowly expanded on her face. "I found that she had transferred about a million dollars to a woman in Central City about eight years ago. Nine months later, it was followed by another million. I thought it so peculiar that I had to investigate, Oliver, and do you know what I found?"

Oliver closed his eyes tight, drawn between telling the truth and keeping it from her. "... You found my son. Connor."

The silence that followed clearly told him everything he needed to know. He'd made the wrong decision, then, in trying to tell the truth for once. Then again, maybe there was no right choice this time. He already knew he was fighting a losing battle, and all he could do was lay the cards on the table and hope it would bring Thea some peace in the end.

"Another lie?!" Thea breathed in surprise. Dark amusement filled her voice as she continued, "You knew about your son all this time but never told me?! I shouldn't be surprised, should I? All you've ever done to me is lie: Lie about who I am, who you are..."

Oliver raised his hand but let it fall to his side once more. He inhaled deeply as he breathed, "I told you; everything I did was to protect you, Thea. Every choice I've made since returning has been with your best interest at heart... There are so many things I couldn't burden you with, Thea. My son being one of many things I couldn't share. That I've never shared with anyone. But... Thea, I need you."

The young woman snorted in disbelief and Oliver could already see her widen the abyss between them. "It's too late. You shouldn't have lied to me in the first place. You brought this upon yourself, Ollie."

With a final, sad smile, she turned and walked away from him. Oliver closed his eyes tight as he heard the front door close behind her and the emptiness embraced him.

Gus Watson was busy cleaning his sniper rifle as he every now and again let his gaze fly across the silent harbor below his window. Finished, he put the impressive weapon down on the table and picked up one of the special bullets he had made for the occasion. It was a cheaper version, of course, but he was certain even the great Deadshot would approve of what he had accomplished.

"I hired you to kill a person..." an unexpected voice spoke from the shadows of his dark hideout. Gus rose from his chair and it toppled over as he turned to the man that slowly stepped out from the shadows.

Malcolm's face was still hidden half in shadow as he hovered a few feet away, illuminated only partially by the full moon outside. The man shrugged as he finished his sentence, "...and instead you kill Walter Steele."

Gus swallowed. "I... missed."

"I didn't pay you to miss," Malcolm growled. "And I certainly didn't pay you to kill the one person who still matter to my daughter... You hurt her, Copycat... and no one hurts my child without punishment."

Lyla and John hurriedly crept between the quiet buildings in the dead of night, with their weapons drawn and ready to act should someone appear. The smell of water and sea gulls wrapped around them as they made their way towards the abandoned warehouse Lawton had mentioned.

"There it is," Diggle said and crouched to the ground as he saw the torn, wooden sign of 'Floyd's' on the building ahead. "Are you ready?"

Lyla inclined her head sharply as she raised her gun and took the lead. She kicked the door in to the abandoned warehouse and rushed inside, with her weapon raised and ready.

The place was covered in darkness and bathed in silence. It was all too silent, they both realized as they made their way towards the stairs. They ascended as quietly as possible and made their way to the lofty area ahead. A lamp lit up the only room before them and they barged in with guns aimed high.

Beside the open window stood a crater and a lone chair. On top of the crater lay a rifle, forgotten and empty, a single bullet beside it. Atop the lonesome seat, illuminated half by the light, half by the moon, sat Gus Watson. His arms were slumped by his side and his chin leaned against his chest. Blood dripped from his ears, still warm and freshly spilled, and Lyla stepped closer.

"There's a bullet lodged in his ear," she commented and leaned closer. "Laced with curare, no doubt. He's dead."

Diggle lowered his weapon with a frown. "So we won't learn why he killed Walter..."

Thea sat on a bench beside the pier, from which she had a good overview of the city skyline on the other side of the body of water. The night was quiet and peaceful, but she hardly took notice as her gaze was directed inwards.

Walter had been like a father to her during these past, difficult years. He'd been an anchor where all else had failed and now... She was tethered to no pier. Damned to be adrift for the rest of her life, perhaps.

"...Thea."

The young woman wiped at her fallen tears and looked sideways as Malcolm sat down beside her. He sighed as he saw his daughter's hurt expression and placed an arm around her shoulder, pulling her closer.

"It's alright, honey..." he breathed soothingly. "I hate seeing you like this. I know he was important to you... and I'm sorry you had to lose him."

"Why? Why did he have to die?" Thea sobbed.

"I don't know, Thea," Malcolm spoke softly. "But whoever did this will pay the price he owes."

"Johnny!"

Diggle turned as he heard his ex-wife call out to him and stopped as she jogged towards him. The beautiful brunette stopped a few feet away and held his gaze steadily. She didn't say anything, but John didn't need to hear it to see what went unsaid.

He smiled tightly as he nodded. "You took the job?"

Lyla matched the smile with a sad one. "Only to be closer to you and our daughter."

"Lyla..." Diggle sighed as he stepped closer and lowered his voice. His gaze traveled across the corridors around him, to make sure no one was eavesdropping. "I know we have our differences where A.R.G.U.S is concerned... But I do understand why this time. We'll make this work, too. As a team."

"The best team," Lyla said and pecked his cheek tenderly. She winked and breathed, "See you at home?"

"Felicity's baby sitting the whole night, isn't she?" John smirked and chuckled as Lyla wiggled her eyebrows in jest. She turned and Diggle watched as she walked away.

As soon as she was out of sight, John exhaled and turned back on his path. He slowly walked through the familiar and seemingly endless corridor at A.R.G.U.S headquarter. He steered his way to the cell and nodded for the guard to unlock the door.

The younger guard hurriedly followed the unspoken order and stepped aside as John entered and closed the door behind him.

Floyd sat on his bed, reclining against the wall while the rest of his bed was covered with photographs from the shooting at the Opera. John let his gaze linger on the photos on the wall, depicting Lawton's daughter Zoe. At length, he turned his attention back to the imprisoned man and shrugged his eyebrows.

"You got something?"

Floyd slowly inclined his head and held out one of the photographs for John to take. Diggle took it and looked down at it. It was from the security camera, and depicted the moment when Walter and Jane tried to duck out of the way while Oliver stood close beside them.

"Your shooter was an amateur. Unused to a sniper rifle, no doubt. Judging by the trajectory of the bullet and the information you've given me... The bullet wasn't aimed at Walter Steele," Floyd explained in a low drawl.

John inhaled sharply as he nodded. "Oliver then?"

Lawton shook his head with a pointed look to his good eye. "The shooter was trying to kill the blonde one. Ms Deleon, it seems, was the intended target, but don't ask me why."

To be continued!