Battle In

The Stadium

Part 2

Disclaimer: And we are back with another addition for this idea! I know Ward in particular is probably gonna be happy! And to guester CG, I suspect things would be a lot easier if the characters were able to help out a lot more instead of just once every so often. Also, thank you a ton for using a name of sorts when you left your review.

Summary: Barry's taken to hiding out in his apartment following his public beat down by his mother's killer, but Oliver Queen isn't about to let that stop him.

"Barry, I'm gonna give you to the count of three to open this door or it will be kicked in." Threatened Oliver 'The Arrow' Queen from the other side of Barry 'The Flash' Allen's apartment door.

Ever since his public live broadcast beat down by his mother's killer and chat with Joe and Dr. Wells as the Sun began to shine, Barry had since taken to hiding in his apartment. Refusing to answer the door or any phone calls aside from Joe's telling him that he'd gotten Dr. McGee to agree to help them bait the Man In Yellow. With the condition that she be there herself to witness it all as she did not want her Tachyon device being lost in whatever fashion. His adopted father had even told him that Cecile was even looking into re-opening his dad's case now that there was proof it wasn't him who'd killed Nora. Along with telling him that perhaps it was best he stayed away when the plan to trap the Man In Yellow began due to his own personal involvement in the whole thing. Needless to say, he hadn't been too happy about that part but was glad that he could take a small comfort in the fact Cecile was looking to re-open his dad's case.

But he had a feeling it wasn't gonna be all that easy to get his dad out of prison as they would more then likely need the Man In Yellow in custody and unable to escape before his dad could finally be freed. Iris had left him some nasty texts and voice mail messages that showcased just how unhappy she was with him for keeping such a big secret from her. The voice mail he got from Singh however had been surprising as he'd been expecting to be fired and or possibly arrested. But the good Captain had surprised him that he was just being temporarily suspended for the time being but had him and others who were willing at his back where the Man In Yellow was concerned. Singh had even told him that he, along with Eddie and his Taskforce would be at STAR Labs in order to apprehend the Man In Yellow once he was caught in whatever the remaining STAR employees were cooking up to do the deed.

Cisco and Caitlin had left a few concerned texts and voice mail messages as well while they were handling some business. "Like I said, Oliver, I'm really not in the mood right now." Called out Barry from his couch.

"So you want to do an impression of me then? Cause I've been told that brooding isn't exactly an attractive trait to have."

"Let me guess, Felicity?"

"Yep. Laurel and Thea even said as much in the past."

Barry shook his head in slight amusement at hearing that. "Yeah, well, I think I'm allowed to brood once in awhile. I mean, I've been publically outed and it wasn't exactly the greatest way to do it but there you go." He told his friend with an air of annoyance and defeat.

Oliver was going to respond but decided instead to bust down the door as he was tired of talking to his young friend with it in the way. Plus, he wasn't liking the curious looks he was getting from Barry's fellow neighbors. And so, with a hard thrust of his shoe, the door broke open, causing Barry to jump out of his seat from his couch with an unhappy expression on his face. "DUDE! WHAT THE HELL!?"

"I got tired of talking to you through the door. So I opened it."

"OPENED!? YOU BROKE IT!"

"For which I will pay to have fixed, Barry." The archer told him with a maddening calm that annoyed the Hell out of the Speedster.

"You're not exactly rolling around in money anymore, remember?"

Oliver nodded at that, not even bothered by the weak insult. "Oh, I remember. But I've got it covered." Even if he was slightly reluctant to use any of the ARGUS funds Waller was oh so kind enough to provide him with.

Not to mention the paychecks from the organization since apparently he's on the payroll. A fact he he still has trouble accepting since he was originally forced into working for them to begin with! His words got him a doubtful look but he ignored it. "Anyway, I'm here cause you clearly need someone to talk with."

"No, what I need is my mom's killer to be caught and locked up so that my dad can FINALLY be free!"

"And I can understand that. But is sitting in the dark and brooding over all that gonna help you get any closer to those goals? Have you even tried canvassing the city to see if you can find him?" Oliver asked him reasonably in that maddening calm way he was exuding.

Gaining him a glare from the Speedster, who got tired of his door looking like crap and replaced it quickly. Which disappointed a few nosy folks too. "You now owe me 270 by the way. And you do realize this whole zen calm thing of yours is annoying, right?"

"You'll get it, don't worry. And I'm sure you'll live despite how annoying it is but you haven't answered my questions, Barry."

The two stared at one another until Barry let out a heavy sigh and sat down heavily on his couch. Oliver soon sat near him on a recliner. "I… No, sitting in the dark and brooding isn't gonna help anything. And… Well… I hadn't thought of doing that where the Man In Yellow's concerned actually." He admitted sheepishly with a grimace.

"Oddly enough, I now get why no one finds brooding in a dark room to be productive." Muttered Oliver to mostly himself, causing Barry to snort in amusement.

Felicity would no doubt be ecstatic to hear he'd finally realize that. John no doubt would as well. "Joe heavily suggested I need to stay away from this cause I'm too close to it." Barry said seconds later after a moment of silence.

"And what do you think?"

A breath escaped the younger man. "Well… On one hand, I get why he feels that way but on the other..."

"You want to be involved regardless of how close you are to it. Which can either end badly or go well if you're lucky."

Barry just nodded as he looked at his friend. "Yep. That."

"Sounds like you've got a choice to make then. One you can think on as you do a search of the city for him."

"And if I find him?"

Oliver stared hard at his young friend. "Then you do whatever you have to do in order to see to it that he faces justice for killing your mother."

"E-Even kill?"

"If there's no other option? Yes. But I can be the one who does it so you aren't tainted by that kind of darkness." Hearing that made the younger man feel a little touched.

But he knew he couldn't let Oliver do that. Or even do it himself as that more then likely probably wouldn't help his dad get free. "Thank you, Oliver, but I can't let you do that. He has to be brought in alive or my dad might not ever get free." And his dad deserved it more then anything.

Oliver just nodded in understanding. "But I will go and search for him and if nothing turns up, I'll get involved with what the others are doing at STAR Labs if it comes down to it."

"And I'll be there to help you if that happens. Consider it a surprise tactic that no one will see coming."

The Speedster definitely liked that idea a Hell of a lot! "See you in a bit. And Oliver?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks. A lot."

"You're welcome, Barry. Now go find him."

A nod came his way and the archer could see the determination in his young friend's eyes before he sped off to search for his mother's killer. Oliver soon made his leave from the apartment while he hoped Barry would be able to have some luck in finding the Man In Yellow but as life had often taught him, some things just didn't work out that way. It'd even throw a curve ball his way when he found himself unexpectedly running into Samantha Clayton and her son while visiting Jitters for some Coffee. Leaving him incredibly pissed off with his mother for having prevented him from possibly growing up at a much earlier time when it was sorely needed.

Author's Notes: I hadn't even planned on that last bit with Samantha to be honest. Will probably be a third part at some point!