Hello, all my lovely readers! This chapter has taken me some time. I needed to figure out some major plot ideas for the story. Let's just say more twists are in store. How was your holidays? I hope they were enjoyable! I know I enjoyed spending it with my family and fiancée.
Warning: descriptions of violence and swearing in this chapter. Reader discretion is advised.
SoraMalfoySlythern: Thank you so much for your review! Aw! I am so glad you like Slade and Toria so much! I feel you, it was a major reason I started this story. I liked the plot for Arrow but ended up not really enjoying or agreeing with all their choices. I see being tempted to make it a lot like the Avengers, but this isn't Marvel, so they should have done it differently.
wildcat717: Thank you for your support and review! Hope you enjoy this chapter as well. I would love to hear your thoughts in a review.
Now onto the chapter!
Lian Yu 2008
Sunlight streamed into the wrecked plane. Toria's eyes slowly blinked open. Hearing a noise not far in front of her. Who had woken up before her? Quickly the events of the night before came rushing back to her. Had it all been real? Did Slade really ask her to be his? Or perhaps she had dreamt it all? Slowly she disentangled herself from the blankets. Eyes blinked away the heavy sleep that lingered in them. Looking up, Slade was sharpening his katanas. Stopping he smiled up at her. Smiling back she climbed out of the makeshift cot and headed towards him.
"You look rather confused this morning. Don't tell me you've forgotten already what today is," Slade teased.
"No, I haven't, I just, did you… Did last night really happen?"
Slade smiled even wider yet quickly put on a serious face, "So do you often dream about me asking you to marry you?"
"Slade," she chided. Trying and failing to hide her blush from him.
"Yes, it did happen," his voice low and husky.
She walked over to him and placed a kiss on his lips. He deepened the kiss for a moment. Her forehead pressed against his. She took him in. Reaching for another kiss. Billy cleared his throat and looked at the pair with disgust.
"If you two are done sucking each other's face. Shouldn't we wake the others?'
Slade shook his head, "No let them sleep a little longer. We need them at their finest, not tired and unfocused."
"You didn't use to be this soft, Wilson."
Slade growled, making ready to stand up to the tall blonde. Toria placed a reassuring hand on the brunette's chest. Looking into his brown eyes. Calming him almost immediately, "Slade, let it go. He is just trying to bug you."
Slade nodded in agreement. They were silent for a few moments before he broke it, "So do you want breakfast before or after preparing your weapons?"
"Breakfast," Sara muttered from her cot.
Victoria had to hold in the laughter at seeing the blonde's hair going all over the place and mostly covering her face. She looked surprisingly a lot like cousin It from the Addams family.
"Breakfast it is then," Slade held in a chuckle.
Billy rolled his eyes before heading over towards Shado's cot. He looked down at her. A sinking feeling, like a giant stone, dropped in Toria's stomach watching as he stared at the Asian youth. Should she ask him to stop? Why was he looking at her like that? He smiled before reaching down and gently shaking the woman.
"Time to wake up, Shado," he whispered.
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Oliver let out a long sigh as the fire arrow bounced off the rock away from the pile of wood.
"Take a deep breath, start again," Shado encouraged.
He smiled brightly at her before closing his eyes and taking in a long, deep breath. He appeared to be taking in his surroundings before he notched an arrow, angled it, and let it loose. This one found its way within the wood and started a glorious flame. Shado looked up at Oliver with pride.
"You did it," she congratulated.
"Thanks to you."
"Enough you two, we need to be on alert," Billy declared.
Sara looked through the binoculars. They all looked and waited for news, standing silently.
"There are two of them, both armed. You three should get ready," Sara informed them.
Both Shado and Billy began their descent down the hill, Oliver paused a moment, taking in the view and scenery for the last time.
"You know, when we first tried to get off this island, it was as strangers but now, it's as brothers," Slade expressed.
Toria stood back as they parted, smiling that two of the most important people in her life were close, that she had found someone who already felt like a part of her family.
"I'll see you on the freighter," Oliver assured.
Then he walked over to Toria, "I know that you and Slade will look after each other, but please look after…"
"You know we will. Please, take care of yourself and Shado. Otherwise, I am going to have to yell at you," she teased.
She wrapped him in a big and tight hug. He held her tightly.
"Be safe," he voiced before pulling away.
Toria nodded her head. Trying to hold back the tears that began gathering in her eyes. He had to go, and if things went right, they'd be on their way home in a day or so. Home to Thea and their mom. Her mind grasped onto that thought as Oliver followed after Shado and Billy. They'd be going home. All of them. What would her mother think of Slade? Would she like him? Toria wasn't sure. He wasn't at all like the kinds of men her mother usually tried to set her up with. Thea she hoped would like him, she probably would too. What would her mother's reaction be to Shado and Oliver?
"Hey, you okay?" Slade broke her from her thoughts.
"Sorry, did you say something?" Toria replied.
"No, but you were biting your bottom lip pretty hard. You okay?"
"Yeah, I mean, just worried about things. Wondering about my mother and Thea."
"Do not worry, you will see them again."
A few seconds passed in silence. Looking around at the island. Focusing on certain spots that meant something to them. It had been hell and had moments of heaven mixed in. She'd probably even grow to miss it, she silently concluded, once they were far away and the bad things were all but a memory. Turning towards Slade, grasping his hand before looking directly at him.
"If something happens to me…"
"Don't talk like that," Slade cut her off.
"Please, just humor me."
The frown continued to crease his face but he remained silent.
"If I do not make it. Promise me you will see Thea and my mom. They need to know that I was fighting to get home to them."
"I promise." Pausing, eyes unsure, "Would you do the same for my kids? I do not want them thinking I gave up."
"I promise, Slade. No dying on me though. I will not allow it."
"Neither will I."
The conversation turned lighter as she told him more about Starling City and a bunch of memories she had made there. Focusing on the funny and happy memories. In time even Sara began joining in and telling him stories about different parties and clubs they used to frequent. For a little while, they allowed themselves not to be stressed about what was going on with the other half of their group.
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Sara and Slade had started pacing. Waiting as Toria continued looking through the binoculars for the sign. Neither spoke as they crossed each other. Both usually stopped after going a few times around to check in with Toria.
"Would you both please stop?" Toria complained.
"Have a better suggestion?" Sara shot back.
"Perhaps we should start getting the parachute ready," as soon as the words left Toria's mouth Sara cringed.
"What is it?" Toria asked in concern.
"I hope that thing is safe."
"It is as safe as we are going to get right now," Slade commented.
"Very reassuring… thanks, Slade."
"Getting the chute ready is a good idea. We need to be ready to board it right away and we are not entirely sure how long that window is going to be."
The couple worked on getting the parachute ready while Sara took up the lookout. All that was left to do was pull the chute. Several tense moments passed. Neither said a word, Slade grasped Toria's hand tight. Silently waiting until Sara gave the okay. In the silence, Toria continued to replay each memory she had made on the island. Trying to store them away so that she could always have them. Whatever happened.
"They are clearing the deck!" Sara informed them.
Slade quickly pulled the chute. Toria watched as he wrestled with the wind to keep the chute upon the ground.
"The top of the ship is empty!"
"Sara, climb on my back. Hold on tight!" Slade instructed.
"I am not sure this is a good idea," Sara muttered.
Toria walked over to Slade and he wrapped his arms tightly around her, "Are you both ready?!"
"You do not want an honest answer to that!" Sara yelled.
"Hold on tight!" he shouted.
Both tightened their grips. He secured the harness in such a way to hold them all. Sara was about to say something when Slade began running forward. They were gliding in the air. A smile tugged at Toria's mouth as they drew toward the boat. It was not going to be long now. The cold wind rushing in her face. The tight feel of Slade's arms. A nervous and fiery feeling sparking in her stomach. Then they were descending. Feet hit the ground. Toria felt colder than when she was in the sky getting out of Slade's embrace.
Easily moving upon the deck. It seemed deserted. They continued making their way towards the engine rooms. Oliver appeared. Sara handed him over his bow. With a gratified nod, he took it.
"Where are Shado and Billy?" Toria asked.
"With the other prisoners."
"Sara, go and free the prisoners. Oliver, focus on keeping the deck, then join Sara. And Toria is with me. Any questions?"
Sara went towards the way that Oliver had just come from. Oliver and Toria remained quiet.
"Alright. Time to take over the ship."
"Should be easy," Toria muttered to herself.
Silently Toria went through the plan that they had come up with. Sara would go straight to freeing the prisoners, getting Shado and Billy as well. Oliver will focus on the deck and make sure they don't get overwhelmed by the mercs. Then he would join Sara, Shado, and Billy. Shado and Billy would go to the bridge to either capture Ivo. Slade and Toria would clear out many of the mercs in the lower decks. Then heading to the bridge to check on Billy and Shado's progress.
The sound of approaching footsteps. Toria unsheathed her longer katana. Slade came up beside her. Footsteps hurried. Slade pulled in front. Gunfire. Sparks in the dark space. Not slowing, Slade continued forward. He effortlessly sliced through the enemies ahead of them. One came to attack his side. Without thought, Toria gutted the merc. Not pausing to watch his spirit leave him. They continued ahead. Stepping into the pitch-black entrance to the cargo hold.
"Stay behind me," Slade whispered.
Toria gave a quick agreement. Then they descended further in. A couple of enemies came towards them on the stairs. Slade knocked the gun out of the man's hand before knocking him off balance. Toria's katana plunged into his heart. Another. And another came. In a strange and bloody rhythm, they took them out. Not focusing on the bodies dropping behind them. Forcing their focus to the mercs ahead of them. One after another they fell. A lone merc stood cornered. Left behind the locked crisscrossed door. He pointed at them, prepared to fire. Slade quickly grabbed him by the collar of his jacket before throwing him against the door. Toria kicked his gun away before tying him up with his own rope.
Looking to make sure none had gotten away. Checking everyplace that could be used as a hiding spot. Finding no one. Toria started back up the stairs. Turning to Slade. Quietly he joined her. Eyes focus forward. Alert. Ready.
Once more on deck. Surprised that none of their allies were around. A bunch of mercs littered the space. Quickly they cleared a path. Making their way to the bridge. Slade lingered to allow Toria to get to the bridge first.
Shado and Billy were both aiming their weapons at Anthony Ivo's figure. He sulked on the ground. Clutching a talkie as he focused his attention on the new arrival.
"Please," he begged. "All I have wanted to do was save people. All the wrong I have done is to save millions. Everyone needs this cure. This drug. People like my wife."
"Killing innocents still makes you a murder," Shado reasoned. "Sara has told us about all the men you have tortured and killed."
"You think all of them were innocent?" Ivo sneered. "Plenty of them have killed as well."
"You nearly killed Shado," Billy growled.
"Then capture me. Bring me to court. Bring me to justice. But please, let me cure my wife."
Everything happened so fast that Toria did not have time to react. Ivo began to sit up. Billy aimed his katana. Piecing Ivo through the heart. Shado lunged forward to stop Billy. It was too late. Ivo grasped his chest. A pained expression on his face. Sputtering out blood from his mouth. Then he grew still. Never to move again.
Shado's eyes grew wide. Heaving out-breaths as she stared down at the man who had almost taken her life weeks before. Toria rushed to her friend. Wrapping her into a hug. Covering her view of the bloody figure.
"I am sorry, Shado, but I was not going to let him hurt you again. Now he will not hurt anyone else again," Billy reassured. His eyes focused on the lifeless frame that lied upon the floor.
"He wasn't even armed," Shado whispered.
Toria rubbed her back. Hushing her as she kept her tight embrace.
"This wasn't your fault," Slade directed to Shado.
"No, Shado, it was not your fault," Toria repeated.
"What the hell was that, Billy?!" Slade shouted.
"He almost killed Shado. He has almost killed all of you. You heard Shado, he has killed innocents. He had to die."
"He should have been brought to justice. Not killed in a bloodlust rage," Toria shot back.
"And the chance that he was going to get loose? Slade you know he could have escaped. We have had to make this choice before in our missions."
"Normally it is a hard one though. Did you even think it through? How likely are his crew going to follow us now that we've killed their boss in cold blood?" Slade pointed out.
"We can persuade them to work for us. I am done justifying my actions to you," Billy shouted. Then he turned to Shado who still stared at the lifeless figure. "Are you okay?" His voice completely changed. Now warm and caring from the cold and ruthlessness it had been a second before.
Shado nodded before turning her attention away. She stepped closer to Slade. Looking out from the entrance.
"Seems like we've mostly cleared the deck."
"Any sign of Oliver and Sara yet? I thought we would have seen them by now," Slade asked.
"Nothing. Last I saw them they were behind us after letting the prisoners go."
"I am sure we will see them soon," Billy assured.
"What should we do about him?" Toria gestured to Ivo.
"Get his Id and personals on him. Then it would be best to throw him overboard. Before the stink causes disease on the ship," Slade suggested. "As we have to do with the other dead on board."
"His wife should be informed," Shado added.
"We can do that once we are safely out of these shores," Slade expressed.
Toria reached down to search his pockets. Billy followed her. Then the tip of a blade dug into the skin at her neck. He grabbed and threw the katana and tanto, from her with his free hand before forcing her arm behind her. His hold was tight and unmoving.
"What the hell are you doing!?" Slade shouted, stepping forward.
Toria winced as the blade bit into her skin.
"Drop your weapons, then kick them away from you," Billy commanded.
"Billy," Shado started.
"You too, Shado. Now!"
Shado quickly took off her quiver and threw it further from herself. Out of reach. Then the bow in her hand.
"The knife in your boot," Billy gestured to her.
She grabbed it before sending it in the direction of the others. Slade sneered as he did the same. A few times Billy had to 'remind' him about other weapons he had on his person. Finally, they appeared clean. Billy removed the knife just enough so that it no longer pressed against Toria's throat. Not far from it though.
"This is stupid, Billy. We are going home. Let's just go home," Shado pleaded with him. Her eyes warm and begging.
Toria could just barely make out Shado's concealed hatred for the man holding her captive.
"Don't be stupid Billy, Sara and Oliver are on their way. How are you going to explain this to them?" Slade reasoned. His eyes flickering to Toria and the blade that held her in place.
"I wouldn't count on that, Wilson. Oliver and Sara are trapped with the other prisoners."
"What… but Sara let them out. They were right behind us."
"I locked them in when I locked and bolted the main door to the engine rooms and the passages from the cells. They won't be joining us."
"You fucking bastard. How long have you had this planned?" Slade shouted.
"Billy, stop! Please stop. This will not help us get home," Shado begged.
"Don't you see, Shado? We aren't going home. They might. Sara, Oliver, Toria and Slade, they get to go home. But what about us? Slade will report me to the Australian government for what I have done here. And you," he focused on the Asian youth. "Oliver does not see how important you are. He is going to leave you for Sara. Do you really think they will let you come back home with them? This is the only way we both get what we want. What we both deserve."
"You aren't thinking clearly," Shado replied. "We can sort this all out once we get home. You have my word that nothing will happen to you."
Slade took a few steps forward. The sting of the knife returned to her neck.
"Let her go," Slade ordered.
Billy left the knife only a few centimeters away from her throat. Slade pulled back and held his hands up in surrender.
"Let her go you son of a bitch!" Slade growled. His eyes wide as he continued to stare diggers into Billy.
"Please, William. Just stop this," Shado pleaded.
Billy turned to Shado instead of addressing Slade at all.
"I will not let you be taken advantage of, Shado. After what we have been through here. Do you honestly believe that we can just go back to our own lives? The others will shut you out and will not welcome you as they seemed to have here. The rest of them neatly fit into each other's lives. We can go and see our families. Let them know we are alright. But then we can go off and take the skills this island has taught us and make something out of it. Embrace the change that this place has inflicted upon us instead of hiding it. We can make a large profit. You can handle almost every weapon I have seen you wield. You mustn't be ashamed of it and throw that skill away. Instead you could be my partner and we could use them, together."
"You mean be a mercenary?" Shado could barely conceal the disgust in her voice.
Billy didn't notice it though. Instead, his eyes light up, "Yes. We could be masters. Making tons. We could make something of ourselves or just keep doing what we are good at."
That warm expression never left his face as he spoke. Toria's stomach turned at how gentle and even loving he sounded towards Shado. How many faces did this two face man have? She studied Shado who looked torn on what to do. Remaining silent and she continued to look at the tall blonde and his captor. They simply stayed staring at each other for several minutes. Toria felt and heard Billy let out a frustrated sigh behind her. Toria felt the blade dig in more. As though it was going for her jugular.
Shado's eyes widened. She stepped forward, "Stop! Just stop it! You are hurting her."
"It doesn't need to be this way, Shado. And you know it doesn't."
Agony marred the usually beautiful features as Shado continued looking at her friend and the blonde Australian. It was only a flicker in her eyes. But Toria knew the young woman had decided something. warm smile plastered on her face as tears gathered in the corner of her eyes.
"I will join you, just stop hurting her. Please," Shado's voice was small.
Toria missed the look of joy and relief that spread across Billy's face.
"I won't," he assured her. "Come here. First, tie her up, Shado. I want to be sure to see your hands at all times," Billy ordered.
Shado opened her mouth to reply but quickly shut her mouth tight. She began gathering the rope that Billy had thrown on the floor to her. He gestured for her to come closer and his eyes followed her like a hawk as she began tying her blonde friend up.
"Make it tighter," Billy commanded. "Mustn't let her get loose."
Toria hid her wince as the rough rope dug and bit into her wrists.
"So this is what happens when we decide to trust you," Slade growled. "You threaten innocent women."
"You wouldn't care half so much if she wasn't your woman, Slade. And we both know she isn't innocent. Not anymore. She is now just a killer like you and me. She can say it was in self-defense. That does not change the fact that it was her hands that ended their life."
"Just shut up, you monster," Slade sneered.
Shado finished tying Toria up. Now her feet and hands were both bound. Billy smiled at her work. One minute his blade was still pressed onto Toria's throat. Then Billy was lunging forward with his Katana in the other hand and he pierced Slade right in the gut. Toria shouted and tried to move forward. Tears gathering in her eyes making her vision blurry. Slade gasped as he clutched his wound. Billy pulled back with a smirk on his face. Shado rushed to be beside her comrade when Billy forced her into his arms. Preventing her from moving. The tall brunette fell over onto his side. Curling in a ball as he continued to bleed out. Holding back a cry as he winced in pain.
Toria struggled and tried to make her way to Slade's side. The noises were drowned out around her. Billy made a chiding noise above her. Then he knocked the hilt of his katana hard upon the top of her head. Eyes immediately blurred. She tried to force herself to keep them open but she lost the battle against them. Both vision and sound faded until they went out completely.
Yes, I know the beginning of the chapter had a much different feel from the end here. I wanted to have one more light scene before things started becoming complicated and dark again. How do you feel about that cliffhanger? I know… I know. I am cruel. I want to ask… did any of you see that coming? Or at least the way in which it was done?
Note: a tanto is a large knife that often warriors would carry alongside wielding a katana.