Thea's Discovery

Disclaimer: I own nothing but what you see here and takes place during Season 3's 'The Return' and after Lance has his little moment at Tommy's party. This and another but more amusing version of the idea was suggested by the awesome Highlander348!

Summary: After Grouchy ass Lance leaves them, Thea decides to follow a mysterious stranger in the crowd and gets more then she bargains for!

Thea wasn't sure why she did it, but she just knew she had to follow the mysterious stranger in a green hoodie who was doing his best to stay hidden while Lance and the other Police Officers did their thing. Well, minus Lance being a big grieving jerk anyway. But follow the green hoodie guy she did at a distance to make sure she wasn't caught by him. Not that he seemed to be bothered with looking about to make sure no one was following him anyway. Which you think he would have considering he had made sure no one could see him moments ago! Thea made sure to stay hidden behind a few nearby vehicles as the green hoodie guy who sounded very familiar argue with an Asian looking man. Who made a comment at one point about hoods and greasepaint that she found funny. But when the Asian man said 'Oliver' twice and the way he talked about his family, Thea just KNEW who it was and made her appearance as he brought out his hand for the other to shake. "Ollie?" Came Thea's voice in a soft manner.

Unsure if she should believe or if this man just sounded like her dead brother because she wanted him too. Both froze for a few moments until the man known as Oliver turned around and her eyes widened. "S-Speedy!?"

"Damn." Muttered Maseo softly as this was not good!

"OLLIE!" Screamed Thea as she ran to him and hugged him tightly to her.

Tears in her eyes as her big brother was alive! And finally home where he belonged! "Oh God, I can't believe you're alive!" Cried the young teen as she held on to her stunned brother as the Asian man watched on.

"Oliver, this is not good. You were not supposed to be seen!" Hissed the man unhappily.

Oliver sighed in annoyance as he let go of his sister but made sure to wrap an arm around her as he turned to stare at Maseo. "Believe me, I'm aware of that. But like I said, I'm done and I'm sure with the connections my family has, we can be safe from Waller!"

"Ollie, what's going on? Who is this?"

"The less you know, the better off you are, Miss Queen." Maseo told her firmly but politely.

Which only managed to frighten her somewhat due to how serious he sounded. Oliver stared at the man in a pleading manner. "Maseo, please." Tried Oliver.

Causing the other man to let out a heavy breath in an agitated manner. "You have one hour, Oliver. But no one else aside from your sister must find out about you being alive again or there will likely be unpleasant consequences for all of us. If you are not with me to recover the Omega in an hour's time and I survive, I will inform Waller you were killed in the process of acquiring it. Giving you time enough to put together a defense against her." Maseo told him stoically.

Hoping he would perhaps change his mind or come in the end. His words making the former castaway breathe out a sigh of relief, one that was shared by his sister, even if she was rather worried about what all the man had said to her brother. "Thank you, Maseo." Replied her big brother gratefully.

"Don't thank me yet."

"Right. And though it hasn't been the easiest of times, I'm happy to have met you, Tatsu, and Akio."

"And you, Oliver."

The two gave one another nods before Maseo climbed into his car and drove off, leaving the re-united Queen siblings alone. "Let's… Let's go home, Ollie." Pleaded Thea.

"Yeah. Is mom home?"

"No, some business trip." Though considering the trip involved Walter, she wasn't entirely sure it was business.

Oliver nodded somewhat gratefully and sad at the same time over that. "God I missed you." He finally said to hs little sister.

"I missed you too. So much!" Thea told him tearfully, causing the two to share a heartfelt hug for a short time before calling a cab at Oliver's insistence.

Thinking it was for the best for the time being and being careful to keep his face hidden from the Cabbie even if Thea felt it was ridiculous. And once they arrived at the Queen Manor, Oliver felt so happy to see the place again after a long time away. Though gladdened Raisa or the other staff weren't there at the time as by now they would usually be at their own homes. "Never thought I'd see this place again." Murmured the former castaway.

"I never thought I'd see you again so I'd say we're even. Is… Is dad?"

Oliver shook his head. "O-Oh… And Sara?"

"She's… She's gone too." Came his regret filled response.

Causing her to sniffle at that. The two made their way into the foyer of the place. "Where… Where have you been? We, we thought you were dead, Ollie."

Oliver blew out a heavy breath. "When the Gambit sank… I ended up on an island in the North China Sea for two years… I can't tell you the things I experienced there as I don't want you having nightmares about it." He told her firmly.

But it seemed she wasn't about to put up with that. "But you need to talk about it! I already have nightmares about you and dad, what's one more!?"

"No, Speedy. I won't be the cause of more pain for you. So please, drop it." Requested the man.

The two had an intense stare off for several moments until she reluctantly nodded. "Fine. For now. And if you were on this island for two years, was that Maseo guy there too?" Wondered Thea curiously.

But watched as he shook his head in the negative. "No, near the end of my second year, I was found and taken to China where I met him."

"Oh my God! So Tommy was right!"

"Let's not go there right now. And remember, not a word about this to him or anyone for now. Understand?"

"Y-Yeah, I, not really... But I get that this is serious." She said.

Not to mention being so un-used to her big brother being so damned serious. It was un-nerving! "Good. I'm glad you do, Speedy. After I met Maseo, I met his boss, who forced me to work for her. What that is, I'm not allowed to say but it relates to what Maseo and I were arguing about when you came up on us."

My how she hated not knowing things! "And for the record? I will never make fun of Archery again." He randomly told her with a chuckle.

"Oh really? And don't think this means I'm gonna be distracted from what you were talking about, Ollie." Came her firm response and making him grin as they made their way into the living room.

Where he stood in shock at seeing the place for the first time in awhile. "Yep. Someone I knew on the island helped me become a pretty good shot in order to survive there." Oliver told her with a sadness to his voice that made her awfully curious.

"Well, that person sounds pretty awesome." Thea said with a smile on her lips as she nudged her brother.

Causing him to chuckle. "Yeah, both her and her dad were..."

Oliver came to a chair in the living room that his dad and on many an occasion his mother sat in and sank down into it before he even knew he was doing it as he stared at everything he hadn't seen in such a long time. Thea, figuring this mysterious dad and daughter pair was another do not touch subject, decided to change gears. "You know when you told Maseo about how everyone was ashamed of you before you… Left?"

"Yeah?"

"I wasn't. I never could be ashamed of my brother. Because I love you." Came her strong response.

Causing him to smile widely at her and having a heartfelt hug with her. "Love you too, Speedy."

A chuckle came from her. "Never thought I would miss being called that."

"We often fail to realize the things or people we take for granted until its too late." Mused her brother thoughtfully.

"Yeah… You can say that again."

The two shared a smile before Oliver noticed the laptop on the table and grabbed it, while pulling the memory drive out of his pocket. Making for a very curious little sister. "What's that?"

"Something I got off the computer at QC when I was there earlier."

"What!? Why!?"

"Another thing I can't talk about right now."

An aggravated noise escaped her. "You are so lucky I'm so happy right now or I would be getting really pissed with you Ollie." She warned him.

"Fair enough." The former castaway responded as he clicked on the file that had his name on it.

Thea would let out a gasp at the sight of her father, tears welling up in her eyes as her hands covered her face as he began to speak his last words to her big brother. What the message from their father said however was kind of worrisome, especially with this whole book of names and righting wrongs that their dad believed Ollie could do while saving the city. Once the message was over with, Ollie pulled out the memory stick and sat there in thought for a short time until he spoke while looking at her. "I have to go."

"Wh-What!? You, you can't! You just got home, Ollie!" Cried the girl in disbelief and some anger.

He sighed heavily. "I know, Speedy, I know!" Yelled the man as he stood up and stared down at his baby sister with a saddened expression on his face.

"The last thing I want to do is leave after FINALLY coming home but if I don't, Maseo could die! You and mom, Tommy and Laurel, you all could die if Waller finds out what I've done when I wasn't supposed to be seen by you or anyone else while here! I'm… I'm not the same selfish uncaring jerk I was before the Island." Oliver told her with his voice softening near the end.

Thea rushed to him with a sob and hugged him. Both hating with every fiber of their being that he was doing this. Oliver pulled back some and placed his hands on her shoulders as he stared at his tearful sister. "You have to promise me something. Two things actually."

"What, what's that? And you are coming right back, right? Promise me that you are." Thea pleaded.

He looked at her with that saddened expression still on his face. "I can't promise that, Speedy. Not if I can't keep it in the end. It wouldn't be right. Not to you."

"But I have to promise you something! That's not fair!"

"I know, I know. But this is extremely important, okay? Life and death important cause the woman who recruited me would do horrible things to me, to you, and everyone else we care about if she were to find out I got caught by you. So please, promise me, Thea. Promise me that you won't say a word to anyone." Oliver asked of her in a firm voice.

The seriousness of the situation hitting her hard and making her gulp some. "I, I promise." She finally said seriously and nervously.

Making him breathe a sigh of relief. "And… The second thing?"

"Stop taking drugs. Its, its not good for you. And is the last thing I ever wanted for you to be doing. Not to mention Alcohol. As the last thing I want to do is end up breaking another dealer's neck." Revealed her big brother with a light glare aimed at her and causing her to gasp in shock and some fear.

"Y-You killed Jordan!?"

"I had no choice where my identity was concerned, Thea." Oliver told her firmly with no room for argument.

Gulping again, she gave a weak nod. "I, I promise. If only so you never have to kill again." She told him sadly and not lying about her promise at all.

Drugs and Alcohol weren't truly worth it anyway… Not when she had to deal with the realities of the world when she was sober again later and struggling with it all… But maybe now that she knows her big brother is alive, it won't be so hard anymore. "Thank you." Oliver told her softly and hugged her again while leaving a kiss on the top of her head.

The two reluctantly parted a short time after that. "Love you, Ollie."

"Love you too, Speedy." He told her with tears of his own.

Oliver walked past her with a heavyness in his heart and a near reluctance to not even go. Her hand in his until it could no longer be. Her sobs echoing in his ears until he was gone from the house, hating every bit of it as he did. But knowing if he didn't go, Maseo could die and by extension, so could his family. And he couldn't, wouldn't that let happen.

The Next Morning

After a successful recovery of the item that could start the Apocalypse and another gun fight with General Shrieve and his men in the hotel they were staying at after Waller had a light bulb moment go of her head. As it had been a bit odd to her that Shrieve would want the debriefing to occur all the way in China when it could be easily had here in Starling or in the nearby ARGUS facility a few miles outside of the city. Leading to an argument and then an unexpected shoot out when the man got angry over being 'talked back' too. Thankfully, Waller, Maseo, and Oliver survived the experience but the same couldn't be said for Shrieve and the men loyal to him. Though they were forced to leave the area before the Police became a problem for them. Waller had already formed a cover up for that whole thing so there would be no worries there for the three of them and those were with them that had survived the fight. And had insured the Omega was with her most trusted men so nothing horrible would happen. "So… What now?" Asked Oliver tiredly.

But with a dash of hope that maybe, just maybe he could go home now. For good. "You're free to go, Mr. Queen. I no longer need you anymore for the time being. Maseo here will be able to return to Japan with his family once we've helped clear up a few troubles he and his family have there."

Oliver stared at her in shock, not sure if he could really believe what he was hearing. Maseo himself was a bit surprised but happy as can be over this. "You… You're serious?" Questioned the former castaway in disbelief.

A nod came from her. "I am. Though I will be by in a few days to debrief with you over everything even though its not standard protocol. But I can allow it this once. Go home, Mr. Queen. And use your second chance at life to be a better man." Amanda told him with a small smile on her lips.

He stared at her for several minutes until it all finally processed in his mind. "YES!" Yelled out Oliver in pure joy.

Maseo smiled at the sight while Waller merely shook her head in bemusement. "If I might be allowed, I could take him home, Ms. Waller."

"Hmm, I suppose that can be acceptable. I will remain here until you return."

Another whoop of excitement escaped Oliver as he was so damned happy by this turn of events. He then gathered his stuff that Waller had brought and the two men were gone. A wide smile was on Oliver's face the entire way to his house as well. Even telling Maseo that if he wanted, he and his family could come for a visit if they wanted somewhere the down the line. As they drove to Queen Manor, Thea could be seen sitting outside on the front porch, waiting and hoping her big brother would turn up. Something she'd been doing for at least two hours now much to Raisa and Moira's confusion. "Sweetie, please come inside and eat something." Tried Moira imploringly.

But she merely shook her head. "I can't. I'm waiting for something."

"I'm sure whatever you ordered will be here when its supposed to be. No need to starve yourself over it, sweetheart." Tried Moira once more while completely having the wrong impression.

"That's… That's not it."

"Then what is it, Ms. Thea?" Raisa asked curiously.

Thea was about to respond when a sleak black car made an appearance, causing a swelling of hope to come from within her chest as she stood up and pointed. "If that's what I think it is, then I don't have to wait anymore." Declared the girl cryptically.

Making the two ladies eye the car in curiousity and suspicion. The driver side of the car pulled up to them, showing an Asian man in the driver seat as he parked with another in the passenger seat. Soon, the figure in the passenger seat got out of the car and stared at the three ladies. Two of them looking rather stunned at the sight of someone they long thought dead! "OLLIE!" Screamed Thea in pure joy as she rushed around the car and launched herself at him.

She just KNEW he'd come back! "Ol-Oliver!?" Gasped out Moira in pure shock and amazement at the sight of her beautiful boy being alive and well as the driver got out, nodded at her and Raisa, and then turned his attention to Oliver with a smile at the sight of the re-united siblings.

"I knew you'd be back. I just knew it." Thea told her brother happily as she pulled back to stare at her scruffy looking brother.

Thea then turned her attention to Maseo as Ollie stared at their mother with a very happy expression on his face. "Thank you for bringing him back to me."

"It was my pleasure, Ms. Queen."

"MISTER OLIVER!" Cried out Raisa as she rushed over and hugged him tightly!

Making him laugh. "Good to see you too, Raisa!" He told her happily.

"I should be going now, but I will call once my family and I have returned to Japan." Informed Maseo.

Oliver looked towards him and nodded and extended his hand over the car while Raisa continued to hug him with Thea staying as close as possible. "Safe travels."

"Will do my best."

The two shared nods and a handshake before Maseo got back into the car with those nearby backing up some to allow him to leave. Oliver watched as his friend of sorts left until he couldn't while his sister and Raisa stayed close to him. He then turned his attention towards his shell shocked and silent mother. "Hey, mom." Oliver said with a smile and stepped towards her while gently dropping his bag to the ground.

"Oh Oliver!" Finally came from the mother of two as she rushed him and hugged him tightly and being hugged just as tightly.

"I'm home, mom, I'm home. And I'm never leaving again if I can help it."

"I'll tie you up if I have to make sure of that." Said Thea firmly and causing him to make an unseen grimace considering his past experiences with that sort of thing.

For Moira and Thea, it felt like a piece of their souls had been brought back to them. And they couldn't be more happier about it.

Author's Notes: Well, this got a bit long! But worth it I think! More humorous version may be the next update after this one. R and R!