Italics are Russian.

Gust 2.0: Yep lol.

Bratva hideout

Early morning

"Kovar is inviting key members of the government, politicians and military mostly, to the grand opening of his casino," Oliver was explaining to Anatoly and Viktor as they sat in a circle.

"And killing them all with Sarin gas, along with the innocents? That's not good for business," Viktor argued.

"But being in charge of whole country is good for business," Anatoly pointed out.

"We need to get into Kovar's casino and stop the attack before it happens," Oliver said.

"Place will be fortress, increased security for President and generals. It is impossible," Anatoly argued.

"Then what do you suggest?" Viktor challenged.

"We sneak in," Anatoly said simply.

"Without the help of someone working for Kovar? It is impossible," Viktor argued.

"Maybe not," Oliver said as they both looked at him. "I know someone; he specializes in this kind of thing. He can get us in."

"And if you are wrong?" Viktor challenged.

"Then we're dead anyway, we might as well go down fighting," Oliver snapped, tired of Viktor's attitude.

"I agree," Anatoly said, knowing who Oliver was talking about. "Either we stop Kovar or we are all dead. Reach out to your friend Oliver."

Russia

Later in the morning

Oliver walked into Tatiana's clinic. Dragon had been sitting in the waiting room when he saw Oliver.

"About time. Did you find anything?" Dragon asked as he got to his feet.

"Kovar is planning on using Sarin gas to take out Russia's most prominent military and political leaders at the opening of his casino tonight. Our best bet is to infiltrate the casino tonight and stop him before hand," Oliver said and Dragon nodded.

"It's our only move left. Tonight then," Dragon said and Oliver nodded. "Before you go back…You should go see her. She's in a bad way."

She wasn't the only one, Oliver thought but didn't voice this out loud. Instead, he silently turned and started walking down the hall, towards Bobbi's room. As he entered the room, he paused, taking in the sight.

Bobbi was in bed, lying on her side. He could tell from her breathing that she wasn't asleep, she was just lying there. Oliver simply stood in the doorway, watching her for a few moments before he spoke.

"Bobbi," Oliver said as he walked in, unsure what else to say.

At the sound of his voice, Bobbi shifted in bed, turning onto her back and sitting up. Her eyes, usually so full of light, were now swimming with pain that seemed to overtake her entire being. She looked like she hadn't slept since Oliver had seen her last. Not that he could blame her; he was probably in the same boat.

"Hey," Bobbi said quietly, her voice a pale imitation of the vibrate tone she usually used.

"Hey," Oliver repeated as he sat down in the chair by her bedside. "I'm sorry that I haven't been here. I've been trying to find out what Kovar's been planning."

"Did you?" Bobbi asked, steering them onto the topic of the mission, which Olive allowed.

"We did. We're gonna try and stop him tonight," Oliver said before pausing. "He's gonna pay Bobbi. I'm gonna make sure of it."

"Good," Bobbi said viciously before her eyes softened. "Just…be careful."

"Be careful about what?" Oliver asked confused.

"That in trying to stop Kovar, you don't become the monster he is. We already lost…" Bobbi paused, the words 'our baby' hanging between them like a ghost. "I don't want to lose you to."

"Might be too late for that," Oliver said without thinking, glancing down at his hands, remembering the screams of Kovar's man as he had tortured him.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Bobbi demanded and Oliver was silent. "Oliver."

"I just…I've been so focused on getting revenge for Kovar; I've done some things I'm not proud of. Maybe I'm not the man you and Fury think I am…maybe I'm not the man I thought I was," Oliver said with shame.

"The fact that you regret what you've done says that you are," Bobbi said and he looked up at her. "What Kovar did to us…if I could be mission ready in time for tonight, I would kill him myself. Hating Kovar and letting that hatred get the best of you, it doesn't you a monster, it makes you human. You're a good man who's gone through more Hell than most people can imagine. I would be worried if you didn't lash out at Kovar for what he did. A monster wouldn't stop to question if he was doing the right thing, you are. Kovar's a monster, you're nothing like him, don't forget that."

"Bobbi…thank you," Oliver said quietly, staring at her with a bit of awe. "You're amazing."

"And don't you forget it," Bobbi said, her voice trying to sound upbeat but just sound nonchalant with a smile that looked more like a grimace.

Kovar's casino

Same time

Kovar was examining the tanks of gas when he heard some commotion behind him. Turning around, he saw two of his bodyguards dragging in Viktor.

"Apologies. This Bratva scum insisted on speaking with you," one of his guards said. "I can have him killed."

"Please Mr. Kovar, just a moment of your time," Viktor pleaded.

"One of Anatoly's dogs. You tried to steal my shipment tonight," Kovar noted.

"I know, and I fully expect you to kill me for it. But I have some news that could be helpful to you," Viktor said and Kovar raised an eyebrow, gesturing for him to continue. "Anatoly knows what you are planning. He plans to come here tonight and kill you before you can accomplish it…"

Bratva hideout

Later

"Dragon will enter through here and get us access here," Oliver said as he pointed out their opening to Anatoly as they stared at the blueprints to Kovar's casino.

"Are you sure about this Oliver?" Anatoly asked doubtfully.

"Dragon can get us in. Trust me, I've seen him in action," Oliver promised.

When he saw Anatoly's doubtful look, he knew what the problem was.

"You were right earlier," Oliver admitted and Anatoly raised an eyebrow. "Something did happen, something I haven't told you. There are things I've been keeping from you. And when this is all over, I will tell you everything. And you were right earlier when you said I was being consumed by vengeance. But I'm not anymore, because of you. You can trust me Anatoly."

"I trust you my brother," Anatoly said after a moment. "It is Dragon I am unsure of."

"Well trust that he wants to take down Kovar as much as we do," Oliver said simply and, after a moment, Anatoly nodded.

"Da. I suppose that will have to do," Anatoly said grimly.

Kovar's casino

Night

In the back alley, a guard was at his post, at his post at the back entrance before Dragon jumped down behind him. Before the guard even knew what had happened, Dragon had slit his throat. The guard fell to the ground, dead, as Dragon began searching him. Pulling out the guard's keycard, Dragon swiped it, unlocking the backdoor before entering.

Not long after, two guards were stationed in the security room before one of them saw the feed outside the door. There was a food tray with a lid on a trolley outside the door.

"You ask for food?" he asked the other guard.

The other guard shook his head no, as confused as him. The first guard got up and walked over to the door, opening it. Walking up to the trolley, he lifted up the lid. Immediately after, there was a small explosion. The guard was thrown back, landing on his back as the other guard jumped to his feet. Dragon entered the room, firing and getting the guard standing in the chest before shooting the other guard in the head, killing them both before they could do anything.

Walking over to the security feeds, Dragon looked around before seeing the tanks of gas being unloaded.

"The gas is in a storage room, second floor, southwest corner," Dragon said before unlocking the door.

Outside, Oliver, Anatoly, Viktor and several other Bratva waited in the alley before the door was unlocked. As they heard the door click, Anatoly opened it and they all entered the casino. As they made their way towards the storage room, they came across two guards. Oliver and Anatoly each fired a shot, hitting the guards non-fatally and they went down, hurt but not killed.

"Which way now?" Anatoly asked Oliver.

"I've studied the plans, I know a shortcut," Viktor said before Oliver could answer, leading them around the corner. "This way."

Oliver had a sinking feeling in his stomach as the Bratva followed Viktor. That feeling was confirmed when they rounded the corner and came face to face with several guards, all aiming guns at them.

"You son of a bitch," Oliver snarled as the Bratva glared at Viktor, realizing he had set them up.

"You sold us out," Anatoly sneered.

"We are in the casino Anatoly. I prefer to think of it as playing the hand I was dealt," Viktor said coolly.

Seething with rage, Oliver aimed his gun and pulled the trigger. Viktor stumbled back, shock on his face as a dark stain marred his suit, blood seeping from his wound. As he fell back, Oliver pushed Anatoly down, the other Bratva taking cover as Kovar's men opened fire on Oliver. Oliver ducked, picking up Viktor's gun that he had dropped when Oliver shot him. Oliver then returned fire with his pistols, taking out two of Kovar's men. Oliver then rushed forward, returning fire before dropping a gun, pulling out a flechette and throwing it. It struck one of Kovar's men in the jugular. The man went down as he gagged before dying. Oliver then shot one of the remaining guards before pistol whipping another, knocking him out and tackling the other. Pulling him back, Oliver twisted and there was a sickening crack as his neck snapped.

Anatoly and the other Bratva looked up, seeing Oliver was victorious. Oliver nodded at them before rushing off towards their destination.

In the main hall, Kovar was at the podium, addressing his guests.

"I am so very proud of this Casino and what it means for our country. Which is why it saddens me to inform you that there was an attempt by the Solntsevskaya Bratva to crash these festivities. They planned to assassinate every one of the government officials here to tonight," Kovar said as everyone looked around, bewildered. "At least that's what the papers will say in the morning."

Kovar was handed a gas mask and put it on as the Sarin gas began coming out of the vents.

"Good evening," Kovar said, leaving the room with men as they crowd panicked.

In the storage room, Dragon kicked the door in and entered. Kovar's men were there, pouring the gas into the vents. They whirled around a Dragon fired, taking them both out. As they fell to the floor, dead, Dragon walked over, turning off the gas. He barely finished when he heard the sound of a rifle being cocked. He whirled around as Kovar and two men with guns pointed at him walked into view.

"A valiant effort, but it is too late. The gas has already done its work," Kovar said smugly.

Two shots rang out and Kovar's men fell to the floor, blood pouring from their heads. Kovar whirled around, seeing Oliver standing there.

"He's mine," Oliver declared, glaring at Kovar with hate.

"He's all yours," Dragon said, knowing he couldn't talk Oliver out of this if he tried.

Knowing he was out of bullets, Oliver dropped the gun before he and Kovar rushed each other. They traded a few blows before Kovar trapped Oliver in a neck lock. Oliver elbowed Kovar in the throat and Kovar let him go, stumbling back. Oliver punched Kovar before Kovar grabbed him, slamming him against a shelf as Kovar placed his elbow at Oliver's neck, choking him.

"Oliver!" Anatoly shouted as he and the other Bratva entered the room, their weapons out.

This was the distraction Oliver needed. As Kovar looked over at them, Oliver kneed Kovar in the stomach. This loosened Kovar's grip enough for Oliver to push him back. Once free, Oliver slugged him and they began trading blows before Oliver grabbed Kovar's arm and tossed him to the floor. As Kovar tried to get up, Oliver sent a kicked towards his chest. Kovar slide across the floor hitting a side entrance to the main hall. The door opened and Kovar stumbled into the chaos he had unleashed. People were screaming as their faces broke out in hives. But the danger seemed to have mostly passed, as Kovar got to feet, showing no signs of being affected. Oliver, Anatoly and the Bratva walked into the room, Dragon trailing behind them.

"I am going to end this," Anatoly said as he raised his gun.

"No!" Oliver barked and Anatoly looked at him in surprise. "He's mine."

With the Bratva and Dragon watching, Oliver and Kovar rushed each other. They traded blows for a few moments before Kovar grabbed Oliver by the neck and slammed him down onto a table. Oliver pushed back, slugging Kovar before grabbing him arm and tossing him down. Kovar grabbed his leg and pulled him down to the floor with him. They wrestled on the floor for a few moments before Kovar grabbed Oliver's leg, twisting it. Oliver then kicked him in the face, causing Kovar to let go.

They got to their feet and began trading blows once more before Oliver grabbed Kovar, tossing him into a table. Kovar's weight caused the table to break, going down to the floor. Seeing a knife, Kovar grabbed it and got to his feet. Kovar lunged for Oliver with the knife. Oliver blocked him but couldn't stop Kovar from stabbing him just above his abdomen. Ignoring the pain, Oliver grabbed Kovar's arm as he attempted to stab Oliver again. They wrestled for the knife for a few moments before Oliver managed to wrestle it away from Kovar. Oliver stabbed Kovar across the face before kicking Kovar In the abdomen. Kovar fell on his back before sitting up, blinded as everyone approached.

"He will face Justice Oliver," Anatoly promised.

Oliver wanted to believe him, he did. But a voice In the back of his head that sounded suspiciously like Slade whispered that Kovar had taken control of the system before. And the only witnesses to his atrocities were the Bratva and two secret agents, neither of whom could testify in court. He wrestled with himself for a few moments before, unbidden, Bobbi's breakdown when he told her about the baby flashed before his mind.

"Yes, he will," Oliver said coldly.

Oliver lunged forward and stabbed Kovar in the chest. As he yanked the knife out and Kovar fell back, dead, Oliver stared down at the knife, wondering if Anatoly had been right all along.

Hope all the fight scenes were okay.

Before anyone asks, Kovar will not be coming back. As much as I enjoyed the 5x23 flashbacks, him coming back was stupid IMO.