A/N: I am at the end of writing my final exam ever at Uni, hence the delay in updates. It's all about priorities...

Having said that, it's also quite bitter sweet to be at the end already. There are so many storylines I was planning to do, but opted for saving for a rhetorical Season 4. Season 3 may have been more focused on Rebuilding, and I believe if I ever wrote a Season 4 the focus would be on Identity - much like the canon season 3 currently airing on a television near you. It would have a lot of similarities to canon-Season 3, though, with Ra'as al Ghul as the big bad. It would be filled with more angst and danger, the return of familiar foes such as Captain Boomerang and Cupid, I have an unused storyline featuring Dick and Bruce Wayne, Diggle getting resolution regarding HIVE and The Suicide Squad, Team Flash would make a few appearances, Felicity's mother comes to Starling and the peculiar truth about her absent/believed-to-be-dead father is brought to light, Laurel would earn her place as Black Canary on Team Arrow and her relationship with a certain someone be revealed, Oliver's struggle to hold on to his humanity would be center piece and so much more. All in all, it makes me tempted to write a follow-up Season 4...

Synopsis: Malcolm Merlyn's plans come to a head with devastating results for Team Arrow and no one is left unaffected. With the arrival of unexpected friends and new allies, can Team Arrow prevent the worst from happening or is it already too late to stop Malcolm's plans from unravelling?

Thank you all for reading and reviewing this story, bearing with me in the ups and downs of writer's blocks and plot twists. This story would be nothing without the readers who enjoy it (which I hope you did). So once again; thank you for your time and goodbye (for now).

Edit: Thank you Guest reviewer for pointing out and helping me correct a slight error in here! Sometimes they slip through unnoticed, so thanks for being observant! As per the second thing - well, I don't kiss and tell, but let's just say you might be onto something... Might not, though. We'll have to wait and see.

Edit 2: I've had several reviewers ask about a funeral for Jane, which was deliberately left out of this chapter because of two reasons 1) She's British and her parents would have wanted her buried at home, 2) the pacing was off with both a wedding and a funeral. But I have worked in a nod to her character and a brief explanation to remedy what people read as a flaw. Hope that's enough.

3x23: The Darkest Hour

"No!" Oliver cried as everything around him blackened by intruding fear. His fury had faded from his frame entirely by now, leaving only sheer panic and despair in its wake. He couldn't live through this again, not with her. He couldn't lose Felicity...

His eyes met hers across the space once more, and this time everything else seemed to fade into the distant background. Nothing else made sense, and nothing else mattered. The pain of her suggestion was clearly evident in her eyes, but there was a morose smile that seemed to make a brave attempt at outweighing the severity of it all. Oliver attempted to intervene once more, but his leg buckled and he collapsed onto his knees. He sat up and felt his eyes burn with unshed tears at his helpless state.

"I'm afraid it's still his choice, Felicity," Slade smirked as he heard his enemy's anguished breathing and held Oliver's gaze another second before he turned back to Felicity.

"You did it again..." she whispered and her breath trembled with emotion. Before Slade could decipher the true meaning of her words, she withdrew something small and sharp from her pocket and stabbed him in the shoulder with it.

Slade growled as pain invaded his limb and forced him to release his hold on the woman's coat. Felicity, who'd been balancing precariously as it was, started to fall backwards over the edge.

"NO!" Oliver cried loudly as he watched the inevitable happen before his eyes and he threw himself forward. It was too late, however. It was all too late.

Felicity's sapphire eyes widened in realization, but not a single syllable or frightened scream crossed her lips as she fell over the ledge and out of the building. Within a heartbeat she was gone from sight and the room empty and desolate.

Oliver fell to the floor as she disappeared out of his line of vision, his entire body aching from the unexpected twist. He felt as if something crushed his heart inside his chest and his wide-open eyes stared out at the night air, calm and quiet despite what had just happened.

Oliver slowly shook his head as tears ran down his cheeks and he tried to find the strength to breathe. "...Felicity."

Slade whipped his head around as he registered his nemesis' raw, soft voice. Slade tilted his head to the side and a victorious glint ignited his eyes as he breathed, "You lose, kiddo."

Oliver fought against the rough mist that threatened to engulf him, and held on to whatever sanity remained. Oliver blinked rapidly as he focused on the small, black item in Slade's left hand and frowned in confusion at the blinking red dot upon it. In less than a heartbeat Oliver recognized what it was; it was one of the explosive batarangs Dick had left for Felicity and Roy upon his departure.

Slade noticed the other man's wandering gaze and immediately noticed the same deceptive, crimson light. Reacting on pure instinct, Slade flung the small bat-like weapon out the open window. The batarang barely flew two yards straight out before it exploded with a fiery roar. The fires licked the sides of the building and the shockwave knocked Slade off of his feet.

As Slade hit the ground and the explosion settled, Oliver was kicked out of his reprieve. With a guttural growl, he threw himself forward. With each heartbeat, Oliver felt pain travel through his veins like he'd never felt before. His Felicity was dead because of the one-eyed man before him and there was but one way to achieve justice now. In the end, Oliver figured, this wasn't just about Felicity, but his mother, Shado and Sara on the freighter.

Oliver's fist connected with Slade's jaw with such force that the man fell flat on his back. Slade blocked the second punch, however, and pushed his attacker away. Both Slade and Oliver scrambled onto their feet and wasted no time in restarting the fight that had gone on between them for so long now. They swung madly at each other, anticipating and sidestepping each others moves as they moved across the small office.

Oliver fought harder and faster than ever before, despite the pain in his leg. Fury pulsed through his blood, with no traces of fear, and kept his mind sharp and focused on the task at hand. If he were to die alongside Felicity tonight, then so be it. All he craved was to take Slade down with him.

Slade managed a low kick to Oliver's injured knee and the latter cried out in pain as his leg gave out under him. Oliver landed in the broken shards of the window and couldn't hide his sharp hiss of pain. He shuffled on the ground as he grimaced and pushed the glass away from underneath his palms.

"Did you see the light fade in her gorgeous blues...?" Slade cooed as he stalked closer to his enemy. "How surprised she was you couldn't save her."

Oliver growled and his shoulders visibly tensed but the man made no move to stand.

Slade continued with ease, "I imagine she believe she saved you by sacrificing herself... How futile it all was, wasn't it?"

"You will not kill me tonight, Slade," Oliver snarled in a low voice that barely carried through the air. "You will not win."

"Don't you dare lie to me again!" Slade yelled back and his voice echoed between the walls in stark contrast to his opponent's conviction. "You'll play the noble act again?! We both know what you really are!"

"That's not what I said..." Oliver breathed as he gritted his teeth and forced himself to ignore the pain in his leg. He staggered onto his feet and turned to face his once only ally and brother-in-arms. Slade snarled as he launched an attack, but Oliver had anticipated the move and easily side-stepped it. Seeing the window of opportunity present itself, Oliver brandished the glass shard he'd picked up from the ground and kept hidden as he'd risen. With not a sliver of hesitation, Oliver plunged the glass shard into Slade's chest and held the man close in a vice-like grip.

Surprise flashed through Slade's eyes as his gaze traveled down to the injury on his chest. Blood was already trickling down the front of his dark vest, tainting the night in the vindictive shade. At length, Slade's eyes travelled up to meet Oliver's once more and he breathed, "You did it..."

Oliver held his chin high as he met the other man's gaze without flinching. He shoved the glass shard further into his enemy's chest and snarled, "You give me no other choice, Slade. But you were right. This can end no other way, I see that now."

Slade gasped and pain ghosted across his features before he managed a tight smirk. "Too late for you, though. She's still dead..."

"Shado would have understood this if she knew..." Oliver countered and watched Slade's eyes darken with anger even as they both sank onto their knees. Oliver kept a tight grip on Slade's shoulder, forcing the other man to hold his gaze even as the life slipped from his body. Oliver leaned closer and whispered, "This is for her, for Shado, and my mother... And Felicity."

Slade's body trembled in pain as all color faded from his face. His body trembled with the exertion and he fell to the ground, with Oliver still holding onto him firmly. Oliver slowly lowered his enemy to the cold, marble floor and watched as the light faded from Slade's eyes until he stared into infinity. Slade Wilson lay dead in his arms and Oliver finally exhaled.

"No one else has to die now," Oliver breathed and ran a weary hand across his face as he released his heavy burden and fell back to the ground. He felt no relief for committing the crime, though no remorse either. He had done what he had to, what he had been forced to do, and in a strange way he was glad to have given Slade the peace in death he could not have found in life.

A sound from the broken window caught his attention and Oliver whipped around, the bloody shard of glass once more brandished as a weapon ready to strike.

A frown spread across his strong, determined features as he pulled himself onto his feet. His voice was still emotional and raw, but he managed to inflict some strength into it as he barked, "What are you doing here?"

Diggle stepped out of the elevator and headed back into A.R.G.U.S HQ with firm, even strides. His gaze traveled across the men and women he passed in the hallways. Judging by their confident attitudes and the shift in tension, the battle was finally over. The Sucicide Squad had been stopped then, one way or another, and there was peace once more.

John didn't stop to talk to anyone as he stalked into the control room and his eyes roamed across the faces in search of his ex-wife. He exhaled in relief as he saw Lyla at the other end of the room, giving orders to a few of her agents.

John crossed the room in three strides and gently touched her elbow. Lyla dismissed her agents and swirled around to face her man.

"Oh, John, thank God..." Lyla breathed and closed her eyes tight for a long second that betrayed her emotional worry. When she opened them once more, her gaze was filled with concern and relief intermingling like water and oil. Her hand came up to cover John's and she squeezed tight. "Are you hurt?"

"No," Diggle shook his head in reassurance. "You?"

Lyla smiled and cocked her head to the side. "Barely a scratch, though Task Force X managed to take out five of my agents... We might have to consider alternate possibilities for the team. Keeping them here might be too risky..."

John searched her eyes inconspicuously as he tried to suppress a nagging feeling at the back of his head. "What did you do to the Suicide Squad?"

"I didn't blow them up, if that's what you're asking," Lyla remarked dryly and something darker flashed through her eyes. The strong brunette crossed her arms over her chest as she explained herself, "I did what I had to do today, Johnny, but not that. Harley Quinn died. The others are back in their cells... What about Lawton? Did you get him?"

John sighed. "I let him run."

"...What?" disbelief colored Lyla's voice as she lowered her tone an octave, careful to keep their discussion discreet.

John grimaced and inclined his head in the direction of her office. Lyla didn't question the silent command as she followed John into the secluded room and shut the door behind her, making sure no one else could overhear the conversation. With confusion in her eyes, she turned back and patiently waited for an explanation.

"You'd better have a good explanation for this one, Johnny. The chip in his spine is fried thanks to Team Arrow, you know I can't stop him now," Lyla gritted her teeth as the severity of the situation hit her. "Do you have any idea how potentially dangerous it is to have Lawton on the loose?"

John shook his head. "I don't think he'll prove a handful. He seems genuine in wanting to leave this life behind."

"Genuine?" Lyla snorted and it was evident she didn't share his belief in Deadshot. All things considered, John didn't blame her for her reaction. "You believed one of the most lethal assassins we've ever encountered when he says he wants to give up killing? The very man who murdered your brother?"

"H.I.V.E murdered Andy, for reasons we still don't know," John retorted and felt his temper flare at the prospect. "And it's part of why I let Lawton go. He warned me that H.I.V.E might be on the rise again. There is a threat coming, Lyla, but it won't be from Lawton. We'll have to be even more careful from now on, especially you with A.R.G.U.S."

Lyla's eyes clouded over in thought as she processed his words. At length, she asked, "Did he specify?"

"Not exactly," John shook his head with a mild grimace. "Though he did mention that Franklin Crandall was very much still alive and kicking."

Lyla frowned. "AKA David Smoak...? Felicity's father? Oh..."

"I shouldn't be surprised anymore," John muttered in response. "People have a tendency not to stay dead in our world... Still, could you double check A.R.G.U.S' records or something? See if there's anything to explain where Felicity's dad might be and why's he's not six feet under?"

"I've read the files three times," Lyla shook her head pointedly. "There's nothing in the case file from his death, John. Waller states in her rapport that she killed Crandall, but it's not specified how. It doesn't, however, give any leeway to suggest he's alive. I'll look into it, but I'm not hopeful I'll find anything useful for Felicity in the near future or at all."

John inclined his head in understanding and said, "I should go see my team, I have to tell them what Lawton shared with me. Felicity deserves to know." He gently squeezed Lyla's arm before he turned towards the door. With his hand on the handle, he stopped and turned back around, "Sweetie..."

Lyla's head whipped in John's direction as he uttered the simply word. The ghost of a smirk played at the corner of her lips as she remarked, "You only call me 'sweetie' when you want something, Johnny."

John returned the grin easily. "I want out. Consider this my resignation from A.R.G.U.S."

Lyla's eyes sparkled with love and devotion as a faint smile crossed her lips. "I'm amazed you made it this far, really. And don't think I don't know the real reason why you took the job in the first place... But you're right. You don't belong in this place, and I mean that with all the love that I can muster."

"I know," John winked. "I love you, too."

Nyssa stood in the open hole where the glas window had once been, a light breeze caressing her imposing stance and making her long hair sway in the wind. The Heir to the Demon held Oliver's gaze firmly as she stepped inside, glass crushing beneath the soles of her boots.

With her strong, intimidating tone Nyssa easily explained, "The League was warned of Malcolm Merlyn's presence in Starling City. First by your mother a while back and a few weeks ago your Felicity Smoak contacted us with the news that he had returned. My father decided it was finally time to act and make Malcolm Merlyn pay for his crimes against The League. I have come to make him pay."

Nyssa gaze's wandered to the dead man on the ground and she raised a lone, impressed eyebrow as she turned back to Oliver.

Oliver exhaled in dark amusement as he sarcastically muttered, "You missed the fun. Too bad you couldn't have come earlier."

"We did," came the short reply.

Oliver's head whipped in the woman's direction as his brain dissected her words. His mouth went dry at the prospect and he edged around the truth warily, "What do you mean? ...'We'?"

Felicity could barely believe that she was still alive, despite having had minutes to process the facts. When she'd plunged the batarang in Slade's shoulder it had been with the knowledge that the decision would lead to her death. He had dropped her and she had fallen down the side of the QC skyscraper, falling to a certain death on the pavement all too far below. But she'd never hit the bottom, instead a pair of slender, strong arms had stopped her descent and she'd been surprised to realize it was Sara who had come to her rescue. Clinging onto black aerial silk, Sara had smirked down at Felicity in her arms as the two of them rocked back towards the building. Sara had raised her feet and the two of them had crashed into the corridor of a floor a few stories down from Felicity's initial descent.

After making sure she was uninjured, Felicity had pulled Sara into a tight hug and thanked her in a trembling voice for the daring, unexpected rescue. Sara had explained that she and Nyssa had come in search of Malcolm, following Ra's al Ghul's orders to follow Felicity's tip about Merlyn's whereabouts. Nyssa and Sara had followed the news around QC that night and come just in time to see the fight between Oliver, Slade and Felicity. Too late to intervene, but thankfully just in time to save the day anyway.

"Alright, I'm gonna need you to pinch me again," Felicity breathed as another shiver ran down her spine. Cheating death so closely wasn't an entirely too unfamiliar feeling, but Felicity still didn't like the lingering adrenaline that haltered her brain and made her question just about everything with newfound clarity.

Sara chuckled low as she walked side by side with her friend in the narrow corridor. "This isn't a dream, Felicity, though you're cute for suggesting I'd be in it if it were."

To this, Felicity managed to crack a smile of her own. "Sorry, I'm just... so grateful, Sara. Still can't grasp it fully, though."

"You saved me in Tibet," Sara shrugged. "I'd say we're even, except what we do isn't a competition. So I'll simply settle for 'what are friends for'?" amusement illuminated her azure eyes as she joked, "Besides, I've always wanted to literally swoop in and save a gal, so maybe I should be thanking you."

Felicity recognized the gist of the words easily enough and her grin widened. They reached the elevator on the abandoned floor in companionable silence and Felicity pressed the button excitedly.

"You know..." Sara drawled and slowly turned to her friend as they waited for the elevator to arrive. "... what you did was really brave today, Felicity. You were willing to die to save Oliver... you might have saved his life."

"Might have," Felicity muttered and closed her eyes tight. "We still don't know if the batarang killed Slade or not. Or what happened in that office after I... I-I just want to see Oliver. Make sure he's alright."

"Nyssa promised to-" Sara was cut short as the elevator doors suddenly swung open with a soft 'ding' and revealed two individuals inside. Sara and Felicity barely had time to register who they were as Oliver threw himself forward. Felicity found herself engulfed in his strong embrace, almost drowning in the sheer size of the loving embrace. Shocked, she managed to recover soon enough and wrapped her own arms around his muscular back as she breathed in his familiar scent.

She heard him draw a shaky breath and felt the exhale graze the side of her neck. Oliver's hand came up to cradle the back of her head as he held her closer still. His words trembled with emotion as he choked out, "I thought you were... I-I thought..."

Felicity smiled into his shoulder as she heard him struggle to find the words for what they'd just almost been through. She pulled back far enough to see his face and noticed how his eyes glimmered with unshed tears. "I'm here. I'm safe-"

Without warning, Oliver's hands came up to cup her cheeks and Felicity quieted in surprise. His lips descended on hers in a tender yet passionate kiss that took her breath away. She could feel all his anxieties wash away from him as he poured his heart and soul into that single kiss. Felicity had never felt more loved in her life and tried to reciprocate the tender embrace despite being overwhelmed by his care.

At length, Sara cleared her throat behind them and Oliver reluctantly pulled back. Sara smiled up at them with amusement as she jerked her head in the direction of the elevators.

Nyssa smiled down at her girlfriend before the emotion vanished from her strong features. "Slade Wilson is dead."

"Oh...?" Felicity's voice was small as she stepped out of Oliver's grasp to stare up at the Heir. She swallowed hesitantly and asked, "Did I... Was it the batarang that...?"

"No," Oliver shook his head firmly and waited until she met his gaze. "The explosion knocked him down, but I killed him."

Felicity slowly nodded her head but not a word passed her lips in response. A storm filled her eyes briefly but Oliver's large hand reached for hers and gave it a gentle squeeze. Some light returned to her eyes as she inclined her head and stepped into the elevator with the others. The warmth of Oliver's hand in her own kept Felicity's thoughts grounded and she exhaled slowly.

Roy paced the Foundry on impatient legs as time passed painstakingly slow for his liking. He grunted, "They should've been here by now."

"Give them time, Roy," Laurel assured in a soft voice from her position beside Felicity's workstation. "They're fine. I know it."

At the other end of the enclosed space, Thea gazed up at the empty glass case for the Arrow's outfit and bow. Her voice was low and curious, like an untuned guitar, as she wondered, "So this... is where you operate? This is your base? This... is where my brother keeps his... suit? Right beneath Verdant?"

Roy shrugged awkwardly. "Yes."

"My brother's ingenious," Thea muttered under her breath.

"...Thea?"

Roy, Thea and Laurel all turned in the direction of the staircase as Oliver came limping down, one arm slung across Felicity's shoulder, followed closely by Nyssa and Sara.

Oliver's eyes filled with confusion and something else entirely that he kept under tight check as he approached the team. "What are you doing here, Speedy?"

"... Apologizing?" Thea shrugged and swallowed past the bile in her throat. Her eyes didn't meet his as she sighed and admitted defeatedly, "I did this, Oliver... I caused this."

"Hey, hey..." Oliver breathed and released himself from Felicity's arms to limp over to his sister. He nudged her over to the back, behind the salmon ladder, where they could have some privacy and sighed slowly. "This isn't your fault."

"Jane's dead, Oliver," Thea sobbed and the tears spilled freely from her eyes. "Because of me. Because of the choices I made."

The news hit Oliver hard and for a moment he was taken aback by all the unanswered maybes they'd never get answers for now. Could they have had a real relationship between siblings if given the time? Could they, along with Thea, have been a family that very much needed close ties to keep going? That Jane had been robbed of her life at such a young age wasn't fair and Oliver allowed himself a moment to grieve.

"Malcolm played with your mind," Oliver said at length and gently directed them back towards the main area.

Thea, unable to comprehend his words, simply shook her head as she trailed after her brother. "I... I knew about your kidnapping, too. I even made it possible when I helped Komodo free Castor from jail. I've caused you so much pain."

Felicity took a tentative step forward and hovered behind her computers next to Laurel. Felicity offered the young Queen woman a smile as she said, "To be fair, Oliver did kidnap your mother and had himself tortured to get information out of her once."

At this, Roy turned a scowling face in Oliver's direction, "...Dude. I didn't know that."

Oliver rolled his eyes and chose to ignore the younger man as he turned back to his sister, "Felicity's right. I have no right to judge you for any of this. We've both made questionable decisions in the past... but we've learned from them. We can either choose to keep looking back, or we can look ahead now. How about we try not to blame ourselves for our mistakes and try and see this as an opportunity to be on the same side again?"

Thea wiped at her tears as she sniffed. "I'd like that, Ollie."

Felicity rolled her chair towards Oliver who gratefully sat down and took the pressure off of his leg. He sighed tensely and nodded in gratitude before he turned his head in Laurel's direction. The eldest Lance sister flashed him a wide grin in mute response. Oliver took in her black-leather outfit and shrugged his eyebrows. "Nice suit, Laurel."

"Yes, I quite think so, too," Laurel's eyes danced with familiar warmth as she nodded in the direction of Nyssa and Sara standing at the opposite end of the room. "I have them to thank for it."

Nyssa grinned tightly as she took a step forward. With a few simple words, she attempted to refocus their small team on the right track again, "Do you have any plan for how we proceed from here?"

"We need to find Merlyn," Oliver breathed and let the oxygen clear his mind from worries and physical pain. He needed to stay sharp as an arrow if they were to get anywhere tonight. Slade's end had, after all, not been the end of this night by any means. "I think it's safe to assume that Malcolm won't return to his old hide-outs now."

Felicity's fingers flew across her keyboards and she explained as she went, "Running our facial recognition software... It might take some time and-"

"Actually..." Thea interrupted and stepped up next to the blonde woman with a shrug of the shoulders. "I knocked my dad down in the office at QC, and as I did I managed to place a tracer on him. It wasn't my original plan, but when I realized I couldn't do what he wanted me to do... well, I revised my plan."

Felicity flashed the young woman an awed smile before she turned back to her computers. "Let's see if it's working." The Arrow Cave fell into a tense silence as the others waited on baited breath for any and all news that might bring them a step closer towards clarity. "He's on the move, we'll wait until he stops somewhere. It might take a while."

"Sara and I can follow him in the meanwhile," Laurel offered and pushed away from the table. "See if he leaves any interesting trails that might be useful."

Nyssa inclined her head in agreement and commented, "And I will contact the League to inform them of Al Sa-Her's presence in Starling City."

From the sidelines, Roy frowned in confusion and turned towards the Heir. "... Al Sa-Her...?"

"When he was initiated into The League, it was the name Merlyn chose for himself. It means 'The Magician'," Nyssa explained as she barely spared Roy a glance. Without another word, Nyssa, Sara and Laurel all turned and headed up the stairs and out of the cave to do their job.

Thea sat down on the steps to the building outside of the secret lair, gazing out at the empty, abandoned alley before her. The night was warm for May, but still she shrugged her leather jacket closer to her slender frame. She couldn't quite shake that nagging feeling at the back of her head that all her mistakes had led her to this point in time. After everything that had happened tonight, she just needed a minute of solitude to collect her scattered mind.

Everything had happened so fast lately, every decision she'd thought clear had unravelled quite the opposite from how she'd intended. She was responsible for so much darkness, and she had let the dark become part of her heart. She'd let it guide and counsel her, by the use of her father. Thea had never expected to be so blindsided by the allure and was happy she'd finally opened her eyes to the truth. All the steps Malcolm had wanted for her, all the turns she'd been certain she was ready for... In the end, though, she had realized how much her love for Oliver truly meant. He was her brother, and no matter what secrets he had kept from her, they'd been both as liable in the end. She'd endangered his life and the lives of those he cared for in going down the path Malcolm had wished. And even though knowing that Oliver had somehow found it easy to forgive her, Thea wasn't so sure she was ready to give herself the same absolution.

"There you are," Roy's voice filled the empty dark abbey and Thea glanced sideways as he stepped into her line of sight and let the door close behind him. "You disappeared in quite the rush. Oliver was worried."

Thea exhaled with a smile. "Not the only one, it would seem."

Words got caught in Roy's throat as he lingered in front of the brunette woman. At last, he sank onto the step beside her and admitted, "You're right. He wasn't... Are you okay?"

"Not even remotely, I think," Thea smiled sadly. "But I will be."

"Want to talk about it?"

"I hurt you, Roy," Thea breathed in disbelief, her voice a mere echo of what it once had been. "How can you sit there and just... forgive me?"

"Well, have you forgiven Oliver for his lies to you? Or me for mine?" Roy countered with no trace of animosity or blame in his tone.

"I suppose... Not forgiving wouldn't be fair, would it?" Thea asked and her eyes glazed over for a moment. "I suppose I do understand what Ollie said. About this being a chance to start over. Getting a fresh start and... just accepting who and what we are. In the end, none of it changes how we feel about each other."

Roy cleared his throat awkwardly. "Are you talking about you and Oliver or...?"

Thea grinned as the young man looked almost flustered for a second before she decided to make his misery short-lived and leaned in for a soft peck. Roy sighed against her lips and kissed her back with equal emotion. It was small and simple, yet held the promise of a brighter tomorrow they both needed right now.

Felicity pouted her lips as she read the most recent news headlines on the screen in front of her and leaned back in her chair. "It seems Jane's body was found in QC and the police are saying she died because of a minor explosion on the 13th floor caused by an unexpected overload in the mainframes. The anthrax attack has been cleared as ridiculous, though. Guess we should Captain Lance for covering for us. At least the city doesn't have to panic again... And, by the way, I still can't believe Lance knows your secret now..."

Oliver sat in a chair beside her, dragging one hand up and down the length of his left thigh, distracting himself from the dull pain that still lingered despite taking more than enough painkillers. He knew it wasn't as bad as when Roy had snapped his knee during Slade's attack on Starling, but also knew it wasn't far from it. Still, he could manage. At her comment, Oliver exhaled in amusement and shrugged his eyebrows in agreement. "You and me both."

"It will be easier keeping track on who knows what about whom..." Felicity's voice drifted into silence as she squinted her eyes and tilted her head to the side. "I think."

Both of them turned as they heard the sound of feet on the stairs and saw John hurrying towards them.

"Hey, Diggle," Felicity smiled in greeting as the man slowed down his steps upon seeing them present before him.

"Hey. Is it true?" John asked and his gaze searched first Oliver's and than Felicity's. "Slade Wilson is dead?"

"Yeah," Oliver grunted as he turned in his seat to face his best friend. With a short nod, he said, "It's over."

"Man..." John inhaled sharply. "You two okay?"

"We're fine, John," Oliver promised with a vague grin that made no attempt of trying to hide his current emotional state. In their world, after all, 'fine' was a very relative statement. "What about you? Everything taken care of at A.R.G.U.S?"

John stopped a few paces away from his team members and seemed to struggle with something before their very eyes. Oliver and Felicity exchanged a look as they felt the tension shift between the three of them. After everything that had happened this far tonight, they knew it was far from over, but somehow adding more fuel to the fire from an outside source hadn't crossed their minds. Whatever it was, the ominous feeling brought with it a chill that ran up their spines and unsettled their stomachs.

"John...?" Felicity asked in a weak, anxious voice that bared all her trepidation in one lone heartbeat.

"The Suicide Squad was contained," John explained as he exhaled warily. There was no point in sugar coating this, the truth had to be out. "All but Lawton. He managed to get out, but not before he gave me a word of advice. It seems we might have to expect more from H.I.V.E in the near future. And... I don't know how to tell you this, Felicity, but you need to know, if only to find a way to process it."

"O-oh, okay..." Felicity floundered and tried to brace herself for whatever could come next.

"It seems your dad isn't dead as we were told to believe," John's voice softened as he clarified, "Lawton's met him. It was your father that ordered Waller's death."

"But that can't- No," Felicity shook her head as her mind was invaded by a foggy mist through which she couldn't see. She shook her head in hopes of clearing it and managed to stutter in confusion, "I-I don't understand. Waller said she killed him. She sounded so sure he was dead, I don't... Oh my God..."

As Oliver watched the terror settle in her azure eyes, he reached out and clasped her hand in his. "Hey... It'll be fine."

Felicity tugged her hand out of his grasp and ran it wearily across her forehead, unable to accept his words of comfort and support. "I can't believe it. But... I can't, not now-"

Oliver grasped onto what little he could get his hands on and softly interrupted her spiraling words, "We'll find a way to deal with the ramifications of this later, I promise. Together. But right now, I need your head in the game, Felicity. To find Merlyn."

"Yeah," Felicity nodded distantly. With each second clarity returned to her eyes as she pulled herself out of the darkness. She fixed Oliver with a grateful smile and he returned it without hesitation. Felicity knew he was right, she couldn't get caught up in the treacherous depths of questions she couldn't answer now anyway. "Later. Thank you, John, for telling me."

"Hey, anytime, girl," Diggle reassured and glanced at Oliver briefly. The latter sharply nodded his head and Diggle returned the gesture. They would be there for Felicity when the tide swept over her, but for now she'd be able to pull herself together and focus on the more prominent dangers that waited on the horizon. "If you ever need someone to talk to, you know where to find a listening ear."

"Alright, guys, according to the tracer, you might've caught a break. It seems Merlyn's stopped inside the... Air-Conditioning Factory close to your location. 18th and Nilson," Felicity's voice was strong and emotionless as she spoke over the comm links. "He probably won't stay for long, so be careful."

Laurel and Sara exchanged a curt nod and Sara responded, "On it."

Together the black-clad sisters ran across the rooftops and vaulted on top of a dumpster beside the abandoned warehouse at the Eastern corners of Starling City. The night was quiet in this area, but the sound of police sirens could be heard in the distance as the two Canaries crept through the haunting shadows.

Sara kicked down the back door and charged into the vast space as she wielded her Escrima stick. Laurel followed close behind with her smaller sticks ready for a battle with an opponent they both knew not to underestimate. The vast storage area was empty, however, and the sisters stopped dead in their tracks at the unexpected sight. Their steps echoed in the open, empty area and nothing seemed out of place for once.

Laurel grimaced as she pressed her hand to the bluetooth headset in her ear. "Merlyn isn't here, Felicity. The place is abandoned."

"Hello... Laurel, is it?" Malcolm's voice suddenly echoed over a pair of speakers in the abandoned factory. "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little disappointed Oliver didn't come personally, but this still works to get my message across. No, I'm not at the Air-Conditioning Factory. My daughter was very sneaky with that trick, but I shouldn't have expected anything less from my own flesh and blood, should I? Oliver and I ought to have a chat... Find Jansen. He'll tell Oliver where to meet me in an hour."

"- and let me be very clear on one thing; Oliver comes alone. I'm less induced to conflict... but I can be swayed to change my mind."

Oliver turned around in his seat as he heard Thea and Roy return back down the stairs to the cave. Thea's face faltered as she recognized the voice over the speakers and stopped dead in her tracks.

Felicity sighed as Malcolm quieted and she pressed the headset in her ear as she addressed the two Lance women on the receiving end. "Return to the cave, Canaries. I'll call back Nyssa and we can regroup."

As the transmission ended and Felicity turned off the comm links, Thea stepped closer towards the monitors, drawn forward like a moth to a flame. Her gaze was distant, however, trapped in a world the others couldn't see, as she breathed, "Was that... Was that my father? He wants to meet you?"

"Yes," Oliver nodded sharply and searched out her gaze. He offered her a reassuring smile as he explained, "He just wants to talk, Speedy. I'll be fine."

Thea's disbelieving look told the others all they needed to know and they watched as the young Queen mentally withdrew from the others once more. Oliver grimaced as he saw she was going to a place he couldn't follow, and he closed his eyes tight as guilt washed over him.

Nyssa, Laurel and Sara made it back to the Arrow cave at the same time and the team hurriedly gathered in the main area to brainstorm ideas.

"Who is Jansen?" Roy questioned first of all.

Sara crossed her arms over her chest as she answered, "Ken Zhi Jansen. It's a name the League has connected to Merlyn in the past. We believe they are known associates and that Jansen has offered Merlyn asylum before."

Felicity spun her chair towards her computers and her fingers flew across the keyboard. Within seconds, she called out, "Found him! Ken Zhi Jansen, a buddhist monk who faced deportation to China until Merlyn bankrolled his defense a few years ago. He... passed away in 2012. Heart attack."

Laurel frowned in suspicion. "Then why did Malcolm tell us to find Jansen? It makes no sense if he's dead."

"Jansen lived in a monastery in the outskirts of town," Felicity continued as she read from the information before her. "It seems to be his final resting place, too."

"That's what he meant," Oliver said pointedly and pulled himself out of the chair beside the blonde woman. He grimaced tightly as he limped forward on his injured leg. "I'll get ready."

He stepped towards the glass case containing his outfit and pulled out his bow when Thea suddenly stepped into his line of sight. She pressed a palm to his sleeve and he turned to her curiously. "Oliver, please... Don't hate me for saying this, but there's something I need to ask of you... Don't kill him. Don't kill my dad."

"Thea..." Oliver sighed tensely and held her firm and resolute gaze.

"I know," Thea nodded and her eyes shone with sincerity and regret. "I know what he's done, Oliver. I'm not saying I'm on his side anymore, I'm not. I'm saying... don't kill my dad."

"Malcolm Merlyn is responsible for the death of hundreds of people right here in your city," Nyssa argued forcefully as she glared at the Queen siblings across a divide that would forever keep them on opposite sides of the abyss. "Not to mention breaking the code of the League of Assassins. By our rules, he cannot be allowed to live."

Thea sighed in exasperation as she turned away from Nyssa and focused on her brother once more. "Just, be careful, Ollie..."

"Oliver, are you sure about this?" Felicity interrupted from her workstation and worry edged its way into her small voice. "I mean, your knee..."

"I can still get into the leather pants, Felicity," Oliver grinned at her. "I'll be fine."

Thea raised her voice once more, "Felicity's right, though, Ollie... My dad still has a smaller army at his disposal, men who follow his lead without question. If he was looking to truly avoid a conflict, he would have chosen a public space, not a remote monastery. He won't give up without a fight, I'm afraid."

"Then it is a fight we will give him," Nyssa commented dryly as she turned towards the exit.

Oliver whirled around to face the Heir at once, his rash movements a stark contrast to the limp that had seemed to hold him back this past hour. He set his shoulders as he held the woman's glare and firmly spoke, "No. You're not coming with me."

"You cannot be serious!" Nyssa breathed in plain disbelief as her dark eyes flew across their company.

"I'll go alone!" Oliver held his ground. "And that's not up for debate."

Clad in the Arrow outfit, Oliver stalked through the peaceful, green gardens of the monastery. He carried his bow at the ready, his fingers impatiently fingering the bow string as he strategically moved across the area. The Asian building was old and held a certain calm Oliver hadn't experienced in a long while. Still, he wouldn't let himself be fooled by the scenery. There was strife to be found even in this place.

He seemed to be alone in the dark of night as he quietly moved through the more secluded parts of the monastery's grounds. He stopped as he caught sight of a sign on the ground beside one of the smaller bonsai trees. The sign read 'This tree honors the life of Master Ken Zhi Jansen, 1961-2012'. So he'd come to the right place, after all.

"Hello, Oliver."

Oliver whipped out an arrow from his quiver as he whirled around and pointed his weapon straight at Malcolm Merlyn. The other man, clad in his Dark Archer outfit, barely seemed faced by the turn of events and merely cocked his head to the side in anticipation. Oliver remained silent as he kept his aim straight and waited for the other man to talk.

Malcolm sighed. "I knew the incentive would make you act the way I had intended."

"What are you talking about?" Oliver growled.

"Offering Felicity Smoak to Slade Wilson. It was the incentive you needed to kill him, wasn't it?" a hint of admiration touched Malcolm's voice. "You finally honored Moira's death."

"I didn't kill Slade because of you!"

"Didn't you?" Malcolm countered without missing a beat. "Lower that bow, will you? I have no intention of killing anyone else tonight. No, what I require of you... is insurance. I have to remain safe from the League. You'll find a way to keep me safe."

"How?"

"Thea," Malcolm breathed and thrived as he saw Oliver do a double-take at the one-worded suggestion. Merlyn's voice lowered to a soft plea as he continued, "Yes, Oliver, Thea's my insurance now. I love my daughter, just as you love your sister. Let me live and run... for her sake."

Oliver opened his mouth to retort, when suddenly all hell broke loose. Out of nowhere, several arrows flew towards Malcolm and Oliver, and the two men ducked low to hide in the covers of the bushes. Oliver grimaced as he felt his knee protest painfully as he was forced to put added weight on it.

With a growl, Nyssa leaped over a railing and landed on the grass between the two men. Malcolm blocked her kick and flew up from the ground even as Oliver called out in frustration. He saw several masked men appear from the shadows, wielding crossbows and swords as they attacked. Oliver ignored his throbbing leg and threw himself out of the way for an arrow, but his reaction had come a second to late. It barely grazed his right side and Oliver grimaced as he saw the red drops discolor his leather.

Oliver watched as Malcolm and Nyssa battled a quite even fight, altering between kicks and well-aimed punches, and prepared to interrupt when he suddenly saw Sara enter his line of sight.

"You okay?" she breathed and Oliver nodded. Before she could make her way closer to him three of the masked men engaged her in a fight. Sara swung her Escrima at them and knocked one of the men out in a single blow.

Malcolm managed to knock Nyssa to the ground momentarily and as she reached for her bow, Malcolm rushed towards the one chance which had presented itself before him. As Sara dropped another man with a forceful strike of her Escrima stick, Malcolm managed to catch her from behind, pushing the Escrima stick around her body as a way to keep her trapped against his body. Sara didn't have any time to react as Malcolm whirled them both around just as Nyssa fired an arrow. The arrow pierced Sara's chest and the latter gasped in surprised pain.

"No!" Oliver shouted and stumbled onto his feet, but it was too late.

Nyssa's snarl was inhuman as she dropped her bow and flew towards her beloved just as Malcolm dropped Sara to the grass. Nyssa caught Sara before she hit the ground and her trembling breaths filled the night air as she cried, "S-sara...? Sara!"

Malcolm ran towards Oliver and the latter swung his bow in an attempt to knock his opponent out. Malcolm easily ducked and threw a punch at Oliver's injured leg. As Oliver fell to the ground once more he felt two pairs of hands grab hold of his arms. He finally realized the full extent of this set-up. Oliver tried to struggle against the men who held him in place, but knew it was futile. His gaze flew up as Malcolm crouched low in front of him.

A sly grin spread on Malcolm's lips as he shrugged. "You're my leverage now, Oliver."

Sara hissed where she lay on the medic table in the foundry. Her shirt and jacket was off, revealing nothing but her sports bra and her old scars on porcelain skin mingling with the fresh red that still hadn't dried. Diggle, Roy, Laurel and Thea all hovered in the background while Nyssa anxiously paced behind the table.

Felicity's fingers trembled as she continued to stitch her friend up. "I'm sorry, Sara. I should have given you more painkillers."

"It's fine, Felicity," Sara spoke through gritted teeth and closed her eyes briefly as the rest of the world spun. Sara wasn't a fool. She knew she'd lost quite a lot of blood tonight with the arrow in her chest. Thankfully, it had penetrated her body a few inches below her right breast, it had missed her lungs and spared her at least that torture. And, she was still alive, there was always that.

"I cannot believe Malcolm managed to catch me off my guard," Nyssa quietly fumed in the background. "I could have lost you tonight, Sara."

Sara turned her head in the brunette's direction and held out a hand expectantly. Sara managed a crooked grin despite her agony and breathed, "Hey... You couldn't have foreseen it. None of us were ready for Malcolm's actions."

Nyssa exhaled wearily as she grasped her girlfriend's hand and allowed herself a moment to calm down as she stepped closer to the table. Her thumb stroked the back of Sara's hand as she said, "You still lie wounded on this table because of my actions."

"I'm also still alive because you didn't waste any time in getting me here," Sara joked in response. "Malcolm had all of this planned out, Nyssa. He had his men waiting at the monastery, he was always meaning to kidnap Oliver."

Felicity finished the last of the stitches and proceeded to out bandages over the fresh stitches. With a final smile at Nyssa, Felicity stepped away from the table and allowed Thea the chance to move into her former position.

"I am so sorry, Sara," Thea pleaded and her pale eyes danced with guilt.

"Well..." Sara grimaced as she sat up with a grimace and jumped off the table with Nyssa's help. She gently accepted the shirt Laurel offered her and gingerly pulled it over her head. "I'm sorry, too, Thea. Nyssa and I shouldn't have intervened tonight. We thought we could get to Malcolm without unnecessary bloodshed, but his men attacked first. Maybe they wouldn't have attacked if they hadn't seen us."

"You said it yourself, Sara. Oliver would have been kidnapped either way," Diggle reassured from his position in the back, arms crossed over his wide chest. "With our without your intervention, Malcolm had a plan tonight."

"Now we need to find Oliver," Laurel agreed and glanced over at Felicity, who had moved back to her monitors. "Can you... google Oliver's location, or what is you call it, Felicity?"

"Ping his cell," Felicity responded dryly without turning around to face the others. "And yes. I have Oliver's location."

"What if it's a ruse like it was at the Air-Conditioning factory?" Roy questioned as the others moved towards the monitors, eager to get out and bring the night's terrors to an end.

Thea stepped up next to Felicity and gazed down at the location shown on the screen. She exchanged a look with Felicity and understanding passed between the two women. "It's not a ruse this time. He's atop of the building that used to be the headquarters for Merlyn Global."

"If he's doing this in the open, he wants us to know," Nyssa mused and raised her chin defiantly. "He has a plan, of that I'm certain. I will go."

"Not alone, you won't," Thea disagreed heatedly. A flash of fear crossed her eyes like a shooting star before she managed to mask it behind a veil of determination. "I'm the only one who can talk to Malcolm. I'm coming, too."

Roy took a step towards the young brunette. "Then so am I."

Malcolm's eyes gazed upwards at the starry skies that peaked out here and there between the grey clouds in the night.

"Do you ever stargaze, Oliver?" the man asked and glanced behind him at his tied-up company. "It's peaceful. Quiet. One of the rare beauties of life I think will never be compromised, no matter how dark the world may get. Which is ironic, when you think about it, since stars are only visible at the darkest hour. Also ironically, it was Ra's al Ghul who taught me to truly see them in the first place. After I had lost my wife... I found beauty and peace of mind nowhere. In Nanda Parbat, the Demon's Head taught me to focus my mind and find the inner strength I needed to live. One of the ways I chose to focus, was by gazing up at the stars..."

Oliver struggled against his bonds as he sat reclined against the door that led up to the rooftop of Merlyn Global. The rope was bound too tight, however, and he knew this wasn't something he could just slip out of. He'd have to be patient and wait for the opportune moment to escape. Or hope his friends would come to his rescue.

Malcolm turned around and faced Oliver as he continued his heartfelt monologue, "All I want, Oliver, is for my children to be happy. Strong. After the Undertaking, things changed in ways I had not anticipated... I found a new purpose... and I found that Thea's purpose was to reclaim all that was rightfully hers and to rise above the rest."

Oliver snorted. "That's a lie, Merlyn. We both know you have an agenda beyond that."

"I'm not surprised you think so little of me," Malcolm smiled tightly. "But I assure you, Oliver, this time I don't. With Thea, I don't... But I can't be caught by the League. They'll kill me. Ra's al Ghul has been waiting for this chance a long time now. I won't hand myself over."

"Then what will you do, Malcolm?" Oliver questioned boldly.

"Question is, what will you do?" Malcolm countered without missing a beat. "I know you want to stop me for what I did in the Undertaking. But we both know that you won't kill me, your sister's father. And I would escape from any prison you attempt to put me in. I was trained by the League, no prison would hold me! Haven't I proven that I would flee even from your A.R.G.U.S prison on Lian Yu? You have no option but to take my side in this..."

The next second, an arrow flew through the air and barely missed Malcolm's face as he vaulted out of the way from the impact. He moved into a fighter's stance as Nyssa, Arsenal and Thea appeared at the edge of the rooftop. Malcolm sighed as he noticed Thea wore the outfit he had given her, reminiscent of the League's attire. He had never intended for her to stand oppose to him in the outfit, but now realized her true allegiance wasn't with him.

"Malcolm Merlyn," Nyssa barked ferociously as she strung another arrow to her bow, "Time has come for you to pay your debt to my father."

She fired her arrow, but Malcolm caught it deftly in his hands. He exhaled slowly, "You haven't heard the full reason why I left the League, have you? You do not understand what the Demon's Head made me do. I can clear everything up, if you'll listen."

"That is a conversation I'd be most eager to have over your rotting corpse," Nyssa snarled in response.

Malcolm raised his own bow and fired the arrow in his hand at her. Nyssa whipped out a black scarf which she used to deflect the arrow as Roy leaped towards Malcolm, ready to fight.

Thea ducked out of the way of the fight and scrambled over to her brother's side. Out of breath, she crouched beside him and pulled out a knife to undo his bonds. "Are you okay, Ollie?"

"I am now," he hissed in response.

Before Thea could cut the ropes, she heard Roy grunt and she turned around to see Malcolm holding the young man in a choke hold. Malcolm let Roy go for a second before he punched the man in the throat. Roy coughed and gasped for air as he sank onto his knees, clutching his throat. Within seconds, Roy fell unconscious to the ground. Malcolm hovered before his weakened opponent a heartbeat, before he swirled around and once more engaged Nyssa in a sword fight.

As their weapons clashed, Thea made her decision. She flew from the ground and drew her own swords, rushing into the battle with Oliver's worried cry barely reaching her ears. Her sword joined Nyssa and Malcolm's and with a swirl she managed to push both of them apart. Thea forcefully nudged Malcolm out of the way as she swung her sword at Nyssa. The Heir to the Demon seemed shocked for a second, before she boldly rose to the occasion.

"No!" Oliver growled from his position and once more tried to get lose from his bonds to no avail.

Nyssa and Thea wielded their swords swiftly and furiously as they danced around the other, but ultimately, Nyssa managed to knock the weapon out of her opponent's hand. Distracted by the turn of events, Nyssa failed to see the blade that slowly crept towards her throat. When she felt the cold steel against her skin, Nyssa froze in place.

"Don't move," Malcolm ordered in a calm voice.

Thea reacted instantaneously and kicked out towards his hand and sent the blade flying across the rooftop. Malcolm staggered back in surprise and even Nyssa haltered her actions.

"It's over, Dad," Thea said as she tried to catch her breath. "It's over. You won't kill Nyssa or Oliver or Roy tonight. Give up."

"I did all of this for you," Malcolm pleaded as he stepped towards his daughter. His arms came up to grasp her arms, but she took a step back. Malcolm's hands faltered mid-air before they fell back to his side in defeat. "Never forget that fact, Thea."

Thea smiled sadly. "No, I know, Dad. But this wasn't the right thing to do..."

"It was the only way to assure your position!" Malcolm argued passionately in return. "Every step was intended to take you one step closer to reclaiming your throne and carry on your legacy, for yourself, for your mother! Remember that you've already won, sweetheart. When your brother signed over his share of Queen Consolidated, it wasn't worth much... but after Jane's death, it's everything. Queen Consolidated is yours. Because of our struggles, you reached the pinnacle."

Thea's face faltered and she reached a hand inside her jacket to withdraw a document. "You mean this deed? The one Oliver gave me a few weeks back? Yeah... I don't want QC. Not now. I thought I did, but I was... mesmerized by your lies. I'm sorry, Dad. If I ever win back QC, it will by my brother's side and because I have earned a place in my family's company. This isn't the right way."

She ended her speech by ripping the paper to shreds and dropped them to the ground. Malcolm stared down at the torn papers, the end of the line, as Thea stepped over to Oliver and cut him loose. She helped her brother stand before she turned back to her father.

"Oliver is family," Thea explained in a soothing tone. "But so are you. And, despite it all, I know what's in your heart. I know you care deeply for me. You've protected me and kept me safe all this time, you made me strong where no one else could have... But now it's not enough anymore. Now I need to build my own life. And you need to let me. This has to end tonight. No more killing because of me. No more twisted means to meet an end."

Malcolm's shoulder slumped low in defeat. A terrible struggle flashed by in his eyes before he ultimately exhaled and said, "... Alright. Anything for you, Thea. It's over, then..."

Oliver watched the emotions flare in Thea's eyes as her father accepted his defeat willingly and could feel her pain radiate from her slender body. It pained Oliver to know Thea considered Malcolm family now, but at the same time it pleased him to know she had more than him, someone else to call her kin in this dark, unstable world. Watching the scene unfold before him, Oliver knew what he had to do.

"Nyssa..." Oliver growled as he stepped towards the woman and the brunette turned to him in surprise. With a slow exhaled, Oliver shifted his weight from one foot to the other and stated, "Malcolm is my sister's father. Today he laid down his sword to do the right thing."

"He is still a traitor to the League," Nyssa said and her tone carried a firm warning that none could deny.

"He will live," Oliver contended and both Malcolm and Thea turned their attention to the conversation with curious gazes. "And as long as he is in Starling City... he'll have The Arrow's protection."

"What?!" Nyssa hissed and took a step towards the man. Her eyes flashed with the fires of purgatory and it was evident she now viewed him a traitor and an enemy. The knowledge didn't stop Oliver, however.

Oliver exhaled and admitted, "Malcolm is just as much my enemy as he is an enemy of the League. In that, we agree, Nyssa. But I won't let the League kill Thea's father. I would never let that kind of harm come to her. And that extends to my city, Nyssa."

"You side with the devil?" Nyssa accused. "The League will rain brimstone down upon Starling City should you keep to this path."

"I will defend my city from those that disturb the peace. The League's presence would not be tolerated."

Nyssa shoved Oliver away from her as her temperament rose like the tide. "Do not make an enemy of the League and my father, Oliver. It will cost you dearly."

Oliver ignored her words as he raised his chin and stuck to the path had had chosen, "Do I make myself clear, Nyssa?"

The brunette visibly fumed as she turned away from Oliver and stalked off into the shadows. Soon she was gone and Oliver was certain he'd seen the last of her for quite some time.

"It seems I owe you one for sparing my life tonight..." Malcolm breathed as he stepped towards his unexpected savior in the night.

Oliver's voice was cold and detached as he replied, "You can repay me by leaving Starling City."

Malcolm looked taken aback for a second, before an understanding ignited his eyes. "Very well... But you haven't seen the last of me, Oliver," Malcolm breathed hoarsely as he turned to escape into the night. "I'll return one day so don't act surprised when you see me."

"Dad! Wait..." Thea called and hurried over to her father to say her final goodbyes. Thea's arms flew up to embrace Malcolm, and the latter sighed in relief as his arms wrapped around her slender waist in turn.

"I love you, Thea," Malcolm reassured as he pulled himself out of her grasp and too vanished into the shadows of the night. Oliver limped over to her side and slung an arm around her shoulder, an offer of consolation Thea clung to only too willingly.

"I can barely believe it," Quentin exhaled and beamed down at his two daughters. He placed a hand on either of their shoulders and made sure to memorize every single detail of their faces for future references. He'd waited all too long to see them again, and he couldn't be happier to see them both alive. "You have no idea how happy I am to have you both home with me."

"We know, Dad," Laurel grinned and pulled her father into a tight embrace. She inhaled his familiar scent and whispered, "We've missed you, too."

Laurel stepped back and Sara stepped into her father's waiting arms. "More than you can imagine."

Quentin pecked the top of her head before she stepped back. He swiped at tears that threatened to spill from his eyes. "My daughters... Two heroes I never saw coming. Don't take it the wrong way, I always knew my girls were destined for great things... It just never occurred to me that you'd do it while wearing masks. Please tell me you're both staying in Starling."

"Starling could use one Canary," Sara suggested coyly and nudged her sister's shoulder gently.

Laurel chuckled and nudged her sister right back. "It could use two."

"Nah, it might be more than Starling can handle," Sara shrugged and her smile remained easy-going and carefree. "Besides... I don't have a life here, Laurel. Not really."

Laurel gently stroked a stray strand of blonde hair behind her sister's ear and cupped her cheek with sisterly affection. With all the sincerity she could muster, she whispered, "You could."

Sara shook her head slowly as her gaze flew from her father to her sister. "... I have a life with Nyssa. It's the life I want. The life I chose."

Quentin shrugged his eyebrows in dismay, but the nod he offered suggested he wasn't so opposed to the idea as Sara had expected. Perhaps Nyssa had won him over in the end, after all. With a gruff tone, the man asked, "Will you at least be back?"

"Someday," Sara promised before she turned back to Laurel. "I know while I'm gone the city's in safe hands... Oliver's and yours, Laurel."

Laurel's grin widened as she embraced her sister and closed her eyes. "Being a hero runs in the family, sis."

A week later, Felicity gently swung baby Maya in her arms as she stood next to Oliver in an unfamiliar venue. She gazed about in the old, beautiful room and thought it was a perfect venue, after all. It was simple, but strong and there were no lavish details or unnecessary flower decorations to distract them from the ceremony that waited ahead.

Felicity felt a hand on her back and turned to smile up at Oliver. His eyes were warm and the gaze intense as he looked back at her. Felicity's heart skipped a beat at the love she saw reflected in his eyes. She nudged him teasingly as a blush crept up her cheeks and she heard him chuckle as he shook his head in amusement.

On her other side, Roy sniffled quietly. Thea gently swatted at the man's shoulder. Her voice danced with laughter as she said, "Are you already crying, Harper? The ceremony hasn't even begun."

"Nah," Roy frowned and shook his head firmly. "I got something in my eye. I swear!"

"Quiet," Oliver whispered and threw the couple a half-stern, half-amused glance.

"Hey... I was wondering," Thea whispered and leaned closer to her brother. "How did it go with Jane's parents earlier?"

Oliver sighed warily as he recalled the meeting. "It went well. They're taking her body back to England to give her a proper funeral. I told them you and I would like to pay our respects if we could come. They said we were more than welcome."

Thea smiled. "Good."

"Guys..." Felicity whispered with an apologetic grimace. "The ceremony's about to start."

John and Lyla stood at the front of the room, clasping each other's hands as the judge professed the ceremony could start any second the two of them were ready. John wore a black suit and a white tie while Lyla wore a simple, grey dress that hugged her curves as a single, white rose rested in her trembling hands. Simple, eloquent and so suitable for both of them, Felicity rather thought and swayed closer to Oliver.

"That's your mommy and daddy, you know," Felicity whispered to the baby in her arms. Maya hummed in agreement as she tugged on a blonde lock that cascaded over Felicity's shoulders.

Diggle and Lyla exchanged a warm smile as they both nodded, and John turned to give his approval to the judge. He took Lyla's hand in his own and exhaled nervously as he held her gaze.

"We are gathered here in the presence of these witnesses in the purpose of uniting in matrimony John Diggle and Lyla Michaels. I am told you have both done this once before and have asked to not repeat some of the ceremonial words?" the judge asked with a smile. "You have asked me to go straight for the 'I dos'."

"That's right," Lyla grinned. "We already know how much we love each other and how much we want this marriage to last."

"The second time around," John teased with a wink.

"Very well," the judge acquiesced and gave the couple a second to prepare for the moments that lay ahead. "Do you, John, take this woman, Lyla, to be your lawfully wedded wife? Do you promise to love her and comfort her, honor her and keep her, for better of for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, and be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?"

John's eyes danced with sheer love and devotion as he smiled down at Lyla. "I do."

"And do you, Lyla, take this man, to be your lawfully wedded husband? Do you promise to love him and comfort him, honor him and keep him, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, and be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?"

"I do," Lyla grinned widely and laughed as John feigned a relieved sigh.

"The rings, if you will."

Oliver cleared his throat as he stepped forward with the wedding bands. John and Lyla thanked him as they took the small items from his hands and turned back to face the other. Without a word, John put the ring on Lyla's ring finger and she repeated the process with the ring for John. They clasped hands at the end and smiled at each other.

"Now that you have joined yourselves in matrimony, may you strive all of your lives to meet this commitment with the same love and devotion as you you have done on this day," the judge spoke. "By the authority wested in me, I now pronounce you partners in life; husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Their small group of witnesses started to clap their hands and Lyla tugged on John's collar and brought him down for a soft kiss.

After the ceremony, the team had gone out to celebrate with dinner and everyone had felt the sorrow and strife of the past few weeks evaporate as they saw the happiness of the newly weds. Before the hour turned too late, Oliver, Felicity, Roy and Thea decided to give the small family the time they needed alone and withdrew back to the Arrow cave.

Felicity and Thea laughed together as they descended the stairs, the one clad in a pink, knee-length dress and the other in a black and orange dress almost the same length. Oliver wore a grey suit for the occasion and was now removing his tie leisurely as he followed the two women into the cave. Roy wore a black suit and muttered as he walked down last.

"I didn't cry..." he muttered to himself and Oliver chuckled at the other man's exasperation.

"Sure you didn't," Thea huffed dryly as she flashed him a wide grin and stepped over to his side. As Thea planted a soft kiss on Roy's lips, Oliver ducked his head and slipped over to join Felicity instead. He reached for her hand and she grasped it with a widening grin.

"It was a beautiful ceremony," Felicity said and Oliver hummed in agreement. "Kind of makes you curious about what's coming next. For John and Lyla, but also for all of us... Maybe we'll have some peace for awhile."

Oliver allowed himself a moment to share in her hope. "Maybe," he whispered as he kissed her forehead and held her close.

"What about you two?" Felicity asked tenderly as Roy and Thea joined them. "Have you decided what to do now?"

"Eh, we have," Thea nodded and exchanged a look with Roy. "Well, first of all... I'm not leaving this lifestyle. But... I'll find a new way to use my skills in combat. I'll do good this time. Not as a puppet of Malcolm Merlyn, but as my own person. I can't undo what I've done, but I'll learn from these experiences. Embracing all sides of myself... I think I've chosen my hero name."

"Oh?" Oliver couldn't hide his amusement as he shrugged his eyebrows expectantly. "Which would be?"

Thea held his gaze openly and smiled widely as she said, "Speedy."

Oliver snorted and rolled his eyes. Still, despite his outward act, he knew exactly what this meant for Thea, for the both of them. They were okay now, they'd grown to accept each others weaknesses and strengths, but the road to absolution for both of them was at the end of the tunnel. They weren't there yet, but at least they had each other to support them on the way. "I think it's a good one."

"And," Roy drawled hesitantly. "We've been talking about... seeing the world, for a while. Being Arsenal and Speedy outside of Starling. We could both use the fresh air and a chance to find ourselves out there."

Oliver merely nodded as he held out a hand towards Roy. The younger man smiled as he shook it firmly and respect flashed in his eyes for his mentor and friend, a brother-in-arms who'd taught him everything he needed to know to make his own identity. "Thank you," Roy breathed.

Felicity smiled at Thea. "Keep us updated on your travels and heroic adventures, will you?"

"Of course," Thea grinned back and gently tugged on Roy's sleeve. "We should head home now, call it a night for now. See you guys tomorrow!"

"Goodnight!" Oliver called as he watched his sister and Roy ascend the stairs and disappear out of sight. His gaze lingered on the empty staircase even after they were gone, listening to the echo of their happy, vibrant voices.

A piece of paper suddenly appeared in his line of sight and Oliver grabbed for it in confusion. "What's this?" Oliver frowned down at the number on the small peice of paper.

Felicity slowly stepped in front of him and licked her lips hesitantly. "The number and address to Sandra Hawke in Central City. And, of course to... Connor."

Oliver inhaled sharply as he held her gaze. He allowed her to see past his walls and left his fears on open display as he breathed, "Felicity... What if I'm not ready?"

"I'm not pushing," Felicity hastily reassured and squeezed his hand. "I just wanted you to have it. Do what you want with it. Wait, act. I don't care. I'm here either way, but, Oliver... Don't worry. Maya loves you, remember? You're good with kids. You used to be one, after all."

Oliver chuckled at her words and stepped closer into her personal space as his eyes darkened with desire.

"It occurs to me..." Oliver slowly spoke as he ran a hand down the side of her loose, blonde locks. "That I haven't taken you out on a date in while. A real one. So how about I take you out for dinner?"

"We've had dinner tonight already, Oliver. Besides, risk you getting kidnapped again?" Felicity snorted in jest as she pretended to shoot down the proposal. "I think not. How about a quiet night at home for a change? Ice cream and a movie?"

Oliver exhaled audibly and grunted, "You're going to make me watch Robin Hood with Errol Flynn again, aren't you?"

"What can I say?" Felicity said as she tugged on his hand and turned towards the staircase. "I'm a sucker for a guy in green tights."

"They're not tights," Oliver huffed indignantly.

"I meant Errol, not you, Oliver. Geez..." Felicity grinned up at her boyfriend. "Though your leather ain't too shabby either."

"Mh-hm..." Oliver hummed in disbelief and then suddenly stopped walking.

"Oh and one more thing!" Felicity spun around as a thought struck her. "The legal advisors at QC contacted me today. The transfer of QC from Jane to you was finalized before Jane died, and... well, Simon Cross' was revealed as Komodo and the lawyers had a chance to look at the papers, they've now approved the transaction. So... Congratulations, Mr Queen. QC is really yours, Mr CEO. If that's still the path you want to take?"

Oliver smiled in gratitude and bowed his head briefly. "It is. Actually, I have a couple of major ideas for changing QC. For starters, I was thinking I might need a partner... I was wondering if you'd like to be my Vice President?"

"What?" Felicity's eyes widened like saucers. "Are you serious?"

"On occasion," Oliver joked and his eyes danced with laughter. "Is that a yes?"

"If you think I'm the right person for the job... I'd be honored to help," Felicity nodded. "But we'll have to discuss job perks, specifically this parking lot in the QC main garage that I've been eyeing for years. I figure I can finally ask for it now."

"We should be able to work something out," Oliver laughed and then gently tugged on her hand. "Hey...?"

Felicity stopped in her tracks and turned back in confusion at his sudden stop. The look in his eyes was mesmerized as he looked down at her, and Felicity could feel a blush creep up the sides of her neck and cheeks. She glanced down at their entwined hands and waited for an explanation.

Oliver pulled her into a tight embrace. This past year they'd faced some truly horrifying hardships, but somehow managed to weather the storms side by side. There had been times he'd thought he'd lose her, but she'd always surprised him by being right there. They still had many unknown battles ahead, and Oliver knew he couldn't give her any guarantees beyond today. In the end, Oliver couldn't find the words to voice any of it, so he settled for a heartfelt, "I love you."

"I love you, too," Felicity muttered against the fabric of his suit jacket and held him closer. She'd heard what had gone unsaid and accepted the truth for what it was. "But, really, Oliver, a profession of love won't persuade my mind to let you choose another movie tonight."

"It was worth a try," Oliver joked. Felicity laughed as he pulled out of the embrace and together they walked up the stairs.

Thank you for reading!