Vertigo Mind Screw

Disclaimer: Twitter's own Maquisleader ended up inspiring this. Was gonna make this its own one-shot fic but thought it would do better in 'Possibilities' instead.

Summary: What if everything Oliver had gone through had been nothing more then his mind being screwed with thanks to his first Vertigo exposure?

A shaken Oliver made his way into his family house as Diggle trailed behind him in concern. Concern for his friend's mental state of well being after going through hours of Hell courtesy of a Vertigo exposure thanks to the Count sticking him with the garbage. The fact Oliver had asked him what year it was after he finally woke up had worried the man. Especially considering all the rambling he'd done in his drugged state of mind. Diggle was even surprised when he'd been hugged and told by Oliver that he was glad things were still good between them. He'd be even more surprised when instead of asking what was wrong to Detective Lance, the man just hugged him, followed by hugging the unknown woman, and then last but not least, Mrs. Queen. "Oliver, are you alright?"

As it wasn't often her beautiful boy initiated contact since his return from that horrid island. Quentin eyed him down speculatively and it wasn't long before he knew what happened. "Ya got a hit of Vertigo last night, didn't you?" Asked the man in a tone that was surprisingly not accusatory, but curious and perhaps… Concerned.

Normally, Oliver would have denied it but the current state he's in at the moment kept him from being on top of his game. Not after having gone through Vertigo Hell and being forced to witness a torturous 'future' where it felt like more bad then good had kept on happening until 2018. Which is when he finally, thankfully, woke the Hell up. "Quentin!"

"N-No, its, its alright, mom. How… How'd you know?" Waved off Oliver as he looked towards the man who was in no way a fan of his.

It'd be McKenna who'd answer instead of Lance. "My CI told me you were at a meeting involving the Count last night."

Moira looked over at her wavering son in horror and shock. "Oliver! Please, tell me that's not true!"

He winced at the urgent yet loud sound of her voice. "I was… I was there. Did, did it to… To help Thea. Didn't, didn't care what might happen… To me. So long as… She's… Okay." Mumbled Oliver raspily and nearly fell over if it wasn't for John catching him in time and helping him to a seat.

"Why aren't you in the hospital!?"

"After it happened, he had me give him something he found on the island that helps with things like this. Made him sweat like nothin' else as the herbs helped fight off the Vertigo in his system. I'm gonna get you a glass of water, Oliver." As to the Vet, it was highly clear he needed it and rushed off to get the water.

"Oliver, I know this is a bad time, but did you get a look at the Count's face?" McKenna asked gently and steadfastly ignoring the unhappy glare that came her way from Mrs. Queen.

A nod came from the archer as he groaned and then started to cry as Digg came back with a glass of water that he eagerly drinked up. "More."

Digg nodded and rushed off as Oliver looked up at his mom with watery eyes, the sight of which made her hug her boy. "So glad you're alive, mom."

Moira pulled away in shock while Lance and McKenna watched on in concern. Even if it was the last thing Lance wanted to feel where Oliver Queen was concerned. "What!? Sweetheart, of course I'm alive! What on Earth would make you think I wasn't!?"

"V-Vertigo. Made me… Made me see things. Things I, I thought were real. The… The future. You were killed, right in… Right in front of me and, and Thea. A lot… A lot happened… Everybody left me and was, was all alone..." Murmured the man with a shudder as he sucked in a breath.

"Jesus, Kid."

"Don't… Don't call me that, please… Knew someone on, on island that… That called me that."

"Not to sound insensitive but was this this person one of the ones who tortured you?" Asked Lance and getting a horrified look from McKenna while Moira shot him an appalled look.

A shake of the head was his answer. "No… Slade, was a, was a friend. Until… Lies… Destroyed everything."

That got him concerned looks as Diggle finally came back with a large bottle filled with water and handed it to the archer. Who was quick to drink it down eagerly. "Sorry, wanted to find something he couldn't quickly drink up water from."

"Quite alright, Mr. Diggle. And something tells me you were at this meeting with this 'Count' individual when my son was drugged, correct?"

"Yes ma'am. I've been with him the entire time and I have to say that even I was a little shaken by how your son was affected by his Vertigo exposure." A haunted look came over Digg as he thought over some of the things he heard Oliver mutter and even scream at times until he finally woke up.

Moira oh so wanted to lecture her son but she couldn't do it. Not when her boy was so affected in the manner he was and she couldn't even fire Mr. Diggle as he was now in Oliver's employ rather then her own. Though she was grateful he was there by her son's side in his time of need. Old feelings McKenna had thought to have buried where Oliver was concerned were coming back in full force. As how could she not feel something for him? Especially when he was willing to go to great lengths to help his little sister out? "Alright, I think we need to get ya to the hospital, Queen. Just to be on the safe side." Quickly added Lance when Oliver looked his way and thought he was about to protest that.

Thankfully, no argument came from the younger man, though he did smile at Lance. "Thea was… Was right to make you… My, my Deputy… Mayor." Mumbled the man as Diggle helped him to his feet.

Unsteady as it may be as he got surprised looks for his words. "Boy, that garbage really did a number on ya, didn't it?"

"Yeah..."

An overnight stay would end up happening for Oliver and since he was still heavily affected by his experiences because of the Vertigo, he wasn't able to go after the Count as his alter ego the 'Hood'. But his willingness to hand over the syringe that the Count used on him, along with a sketch he provided, helped the Police to go after and imprison the Count. And when Thea found out what had happened, it had been enough to get through her stubborn self that she should accept the deal her brother and Laurel got for her. As not doing so just cause of her issues with her mom would have been a disservice to her brother and his willingness to go that far to help her out. Oliver would also end up getting some counseling in order to deal with his experiences under Vertigo, along with his past experiences from his 5 years away. His experiences would also prevent McKenna from asking unsettling questions when they began a relationship with one another.

He'd be understandably troubled however when certain things he saw from his trip from Hell came true. Like his sister meeting and falling for Roy Harper. Whom he'd take on as a protege much earlier on then what he would have thanks to what he saw. Making him question if whether or not that Vertigo trip had somehow caused him to see the future or if life just liked to be a little on the screwy side. But regardless, he'd take up precautions just to be on the safe side.

Author's Notes: Here's to hoping that was decently done!