A/N; This chapter has a flashback and also a journal entry. I might have gotten the ages and years wrong with the journal entry I was trying to figure it out so that's my fault if I got the years of high school and college wrong. They both are going to be in italics.

I woke up the next morning and remembered the promise I made to myself to focus on the mission and not a relationship. But that didn't mean I couldn't get revenge outfits to make Tommy drool every time he saw me. I got out of bed and pulled on a pair of jeans and tank top and grabbed my purse and phone leaving my room. I walked to Oliver's room and knocked hearing him tell me to come in. I walked in and looked at him "I'm going to the mall for some retail therapy want me to take Dig, so you go to the foundry?" He nodded "yeah take him. You wanna talk about last night?" I shot my head "not really Ollie." He nodded "don't be gone to long we're going out tonight." I nodded "alright I'll see you later, Ollie." He nodded as I walked out of his room and headed downstairs.

Once I got downstairs, I walked into the kitchen seeing Diggle having a cup of coffee. I walked over to him "hey Dig, you wanna be my bodyguard today while I'm shopping. Oliver is staying home." He nodded "give me 5 minutes and then I'll be ready." I nodded as Raisa asked me if I wanted anything as I shook my head. Once Dig was finished with his coffee we left and headed to the mall. On the way there Dig told me about his brother, sister-in-law and nephew. I told him I was sorry about his brother as he nodded. We got to the mall, and he asked what I wanted to get as I told him I was retail therapy shopping for revenge clothes. He just nodded as we started to walk around the mall stopping at my favorite stores and ones that caught my eye. We spent about three hours at he mall and of course I brought him some food. Once we got back in the car he looked at me "I didn't think someone could shop for three straight hours." I laughed "well I was on a mission to get the hottest looking clothes." He nodded and drove towards home as I texted Oliver that we were on the way back. He texted me back saying he was still at the house and that we would leave from there. I texted him back saying I would get rid of Dig once we got back to the house.

Once we got to the house Dig helped me inside as I looked at him " Dig why don't you go home. Me and Olie are just gonna stay in and catch up on movies that we missed." He nodded "you, I believe over your brother. Have a good night Ms. Queen." I nodded and said goodnight watching him leave. I carried my bags up to my room putting them down knowing I would put everything away later. I walked to Oliver's room and walked in. He looked at me "don't you knock?" I rolled my eyes "we were stranded together its nothing I haven't seen." He shook his head as he pulled on his shirt and looked at me "did you get rid of Dig?" I nodded "yeap he's gone." He nodded "alright let's go." I nodded as we walked out of his room and went downstairs and to the garage. We got on our bikes and headed to the foundry.

Once we got there Oliver told me we who were going after as we suited up. We got on our bikes and headed to our destination. Once we got there, we headed to the roof, we reached the roof and started fighting. I saw the target Marcus Redman start to run as Oliver went after him and I followed behind. I shoot more men as Oliver grabbed Redman and threw him onto the lower roof onto the ventilator fan. I jumped down with Oliver as he kicked open the grate. He held Redman over the fan, as Redman started begging. Oliver looked at him "Marcus Redman, you failed this city!" I rolled my eyes as Redman continued to beg. Oliver told him to take out his cell phone and to call his partner and tell him to give back all the money they stole. Once Redman did what he was told as Oliver let him go. Oliver nodded to me as we left and headed back to our bikes. Once we got back to the foundry we got unsuited and headed home. Once we got home, I told Oliver I was gonna crash. He nodded "don't forget we come back from the dead tomorrow." I nodded "I know. See you in the morning, Ollie." He nodded "night, Lys." I smiled and went to my room and laid on the bed. And of course, the nightmares came back and so did the screaming. Thankfully no one heard me as I woke up and stayed up for the rest of the night.

When morning came, I sighed and got out of bed. I walked over to my closet and picked out a court appropriate outfit. I walked into the bathroom and jumped in the shower. I took a long shower just letting my body relax and preparing myself for court. Once I got out of the shower, I got dressed in my skirt and nice shirt with matching heels. I also did my hair and make-up looking at my reflection in the mirror "this is as good as it's going to get. Let's go get brought back from the dead." I left my room and saw Oliver for me. I looked at him "were you waiting long?" He shook his head "nope. You ready for this?" I nodded "yeah. I just wish Sara was here with us." He nodded "I know Lyssa, but no one can ever know." I looked at him "I know Ollie, trust me I know." He nodded as we headed downstairs.

Once we got downstairs, we heard the TV on and walked towards the living room. When we reached it we saw our mom and Thea on the couch with Walter standing behind them. We saw the picture of the sketch of of the hooded guy as the news anchor announced he had an accomplice as another sketch of another hooded person came and Oliver shared a look as I rolled my eyes seeing Oliver smirk. Oliver looked back at the TV and then at our mom and Thea "this guy get more air-time then the Kardashians, right?" Thea looked at him "five years on an island and you still know who they are." Oliver looked at her as he said he was catching up. I rolled my eyes as our mom said something about the city as Thea asked if she was worried if we were next, I just shook my head.

Walter looked at me and Oliver "do you have any questions about today, Alyssa and Oliver? It's a simple proof-of-life declaration. Just a brief prepared statement to the judge, and then your death-in-absentia judgement will be voided." I nodded as Oliver told him this wasn't his first time in court. "Four times by my estimate. You know there was the DUI, the assault on the paparazzi douchebag, stealing that taxi, which was just awesome, by the way, and who could forget pissing on the cop?" My mom looked at him saying she wished everyone did. Tommy put his hand on my shoulder "while Lys here hasn't even gotten a speeding ticket." Oliver looked at him telling him couldn't hang cause we had court as he said he was gonna come with us. Oliver asked if Thea was coming with us as she said no she's been to court with Oliver to many times. We nodded as we headed out to the car as Diggle said the was ready.

Once we got to the courthouse, we saw the cameras watching as I sighed. Tommy leaned over and whispered, "I got you Lys." I nodded as my mom and Walter got out of the car followed by Tommy, then Oliver and then me. Tommy grabbed my hand as the cameras flashed and people started to ask questions. Once we got inside the courthouse we stood in front of the judge. When Oliver was telling his story I started having flashbacks when he described the boat going down and getting on the life rift. I closed my eyes as the images came to my mind.

I was standing next to my dad as he was talking to the captain about turning around due to a storm. Oliver came out of his room asking for a bottle opener as we heard Sara call out his name. My dad said something about it not ending well Oliver or the Lance sisters. I looked at Oliver "yeah Ollie, I thought you love Laurel. But you're fucking her sister, who happens to my best friend. Real classy you man whore." Oliver looked at me "not my fault I'm getting action, and that your best friend wants to be with me. She only asked if you wanted to come because Tommy went somewhere with his dad. He's probably fucking some hot model right now." I went to slap him, but my dad stopped me "enough you two. Oliver go back to your room. Alyssa go clear your head." I looked at Oliver "go fuck yourself Ollie." I pushed past him and went to my favorite part of the yacht the movie room which was on the lower deck.

I put on some movie and curled up in a chair and cried wondering if Oliver was right about Tommy. I was about to reach for the phone and call him when the lights flickered. I figured it was because of the storm but then I heard a boom and then the room started to flood. I tried to get out of the room, but it was too late. I was under the water and started to swim towards the surface. Once I reached the surface, I saw the Queen's Gambit going down. I just stared at it and then felt someone pulling me out of the water as I screamed. "Lys, it's ok your safe." I heard my dad's voice as he pulled me into his arms hugging me. "Dad where's Ollie and Sara?" He looked at me "we're gonna find them, I promise." I nodded as the crew member started to row the boat.

I continued watching the Queen's Gambit sink as I yelled out for Oliver and Sara. We heard someone yelling Sara's name and saw Oliver in the water. My dad pulled him into the boat as Oliver yelled that Sara was still out there as our dad told him that she was gone. Oliver crawled into a corner as I followed and put my head on his shoulder like I used to when I was younger as he wrapped an arm around me. As I cried myself to sleep.

It must have been a few hours later that I heard a gunshot. I opened my eyes and saw the crew member dead and then saw my dad with gun to his head. He looked at me and Oliver "survive" and then pulled the trigger.

I was pulled out of the memory when I heard someone say Ms. Queen would you like to say something." I looked at the judge and shook my head "no your honor." She nodded as our lawyer looked at the judge. "Your Honor, we move to vitiate the death-in-absentia filed after Alyssa and Oliver's disappearance at sea aboard the Queen's Gambit five years ago. Unfortunately, we will not be requesting that the declaration of death filed for the petitioner's father, Robert Queen, be rescinded. The Queen family is only entitled to two miracles, I'm afraid." The judge nodded and said the request was granted, and then dismissed us.

We walked into the hallway as I told everyone I needed air, Tommy said he would join me as I shook my head and headed outside. I heard cameras going off. Thankfully they weren't paying attention to me as I went to the car and waited for everyone. I closed my eyes trying to get the memory out of my head. I heard the door shut and the car turn as I opened my eyes seeing Oliver driving as I looked at him "where we are going?" He looked at me "to the foundry we got a new target." I nodded as I rested my head against the window watching the city go by.

Once we got to the foundry we got out of the car and went downstairs. He pulled up someone onto the screen as I looked at it "who is Martin Somers?" He looked at me "he's on dad's list and Laurel's client's father was murdered by him. So tonight, we give him a warning." I nodded as he went to work, and I sharpened some arrows. When it was time, we suited up and headed to the warehouse that Somers was at. Once we got there, we heard Somers talking to someone. Oliver looked at me "take care of the men. I'm going for Somers." I nodded as he took out two on, the way to Somers. I fought the others shooting some in the leg and just by knocking them out with a few punches. I went to where Oliver was with Somers and heard him threaten him and let him go. Oliver looked at me "let's go." I nodded as headed to our bikes and went back to the foundry. Once we go there, we go unsuited and headed home.

When we got home, we heard voices coming from the living room as we walked towards them. I heard Diggle say "ma'am, I truly do not know." We walked into the living room as Oliver looked at our mom "and he truly doesn't." My mom asked him if he wanted to enlighten her as Oliver hinted, he was to his man-whore way. My mom looked at me "and where were you Lyssa, at Tommy's?" I shook my head "no I went for a ride around the city needed some time to myself." She nodded "well go to bed you two, you're going to the office with me and Walter tomorrow." I nodded as she left the room, I looked at Oliver and Diggle "good night, see you guys in the morning." They nodded and said night as I walked past them and went to my room. Once I got to my room, I pulled out my phone. I scrolled to the one number that I still knew by heart and texted it "hey, can I come by tomorrow night to talk?" HIs response came a few minutes later saying of course. I put my phone down and tried to sleep dreading the one-on-one talk with Tommy.

I woke up the next morning and jumped in the shower taking a quick one. Once I got out, I got dressed and did my hair and make-up. I walked out of the bathroom and grabbed my phone. I walked downstairs and saw Oliver standing with our mom and Walter. My mom looked at me "you ready to go?" I nodded as we walked out the door and saw Diggle waiting by the car. He opened the door as we got into the car and headed towards Queen Consolidated.

Once we got to Queen Consolidated, we got out of the car and headed inside. We got into the elevator and took it upstairs. Once the elevator we got off and if course Oliver had to whistle at one of the employees. We walked to Walter's office as our mom asked if we were enjoying ourselves. We nodded as we reminisced a little. Our mom told us to sit down as I did, and Oliver said it made him nervous when she asks him to sit. Walter looked at us and explained that the groundbreaking of the new Applied Sciences that was being after our dad was happening tomorrow. Our mom looked at Oliver "and we'd like to make an announcement at the dedication that you will be taking a leadership position in the company." Oliver said no as I laughed, and he just glared at me. Our mom was trying to convince him, but he was back into playboy Oliver mode. I looked at my mom "I'll do it. I can go back to school and get my business degree like I was planning to do when I was in school." She looked at me "I'm sorry sweetie but the company is Oliver's it was your father's wishes." I nodded as she looked at Oliver "you, five years ago, your irresponsibility was somewhat charming. It is a lot less so now." She and Walter walked out leaving me, Oliver and Diggle alone.

Oliver looked at me "are you really going back to school?" I nodded "yeah I was thinking of it." He nodded and got up as I got up as well. The three of us walked out of the office and headed downstairs and to the car. Once we got into the car Diggle told is the driver us the driver to take us home. Dig started to talk to Oliver as I just sat back to listening. I heard my phone go off seeing a text from Tommy asking what time I was coming over. I texted him back asking for a rain check from tomorrow night and he said of course. I sighed as Oliver looked at me "what's wrong?" I looked at him "I was supposed to go over to Tommy's but I'm going tomorrow." He nodded as we pulled up to the house. I got out of the car saying good night to Diggle and Oliver and walked into the house and went straight to my room. I laid on my bed and fell right asleep.

I woke up the next morning and just grabbed a pair of sweatpants and a hoodie pulling them on and grabbed my laptop along with a notebook and headed downstairs to the kitchen. I saw Rasia making breakfast as I put my laptop down on the island and then grabbed a cup of coffee and sat at the island. I turned on my laptop and pulled up the internet and started looking at colleges that offered online classes knowing I couldn't attend school itself with everything going on. I was reading about some classes when I heard Thea and Oliver walk in as I looked at them "where are you two coming from?" Thea looked at me "oh I just wanted to show Ollie something." I nodded "the gravestones? I saw them when I went for a run one day." They nodded as Thea looked at me "what cha looking at Lys?" I shrugged "online school to get my degree in business or teaching or advertising." She nodded "cool." I nodded as I looked at the time "shit I gotta ger ready. Excuse me.' I shut my lap and grabbed up as I got up and ran upstairs.

Once I got there I went straight to my closet and picked out a pair of skinny jeans and halter top with a jean jacket and ankle boots. I walked into the bathroom and took a quick shower, once I got out I got dressed and did my hair and make-up. I walked out of the bathroom and grabbed my jacket pulling it on and slipped my phone into my pocket. I walked out of my room and ran into Oliver as he looked at me "where you going dressed like that?" I looked at him "I'm going to Tommy's and before you say anything about my outfit its my revenge outfit nothing more. And I know you're not going out tonight in the hood. So where are you going?" He shrugged "Laurel's. Thea thinks I should talk to someone. You want a ride to Tommy's apartment? It isnt that far from Laurel's?" I nodded "sure." We walked downstairs as Dig as Oliver if he was ready to go as he nodded and talked Dig they were gonna drop me off at Tommy's on the way to Laurel's. Dig nodded as the three of us walked out of the house and go into the car and headed towards the city.

We pulled up to Tommy's apartment as I took a deep breath as Dig told me to text him when I was ready. I nodded and got out of the car walking into the lobby and told the front desk person I was there to see Tommy Merlyn. He nodded and said I could go right up that Mr. Merlyn had said he was expecting me. I nodded and walked to the elevator getting in and pressed the button to Tommy's floor. Once the elevator reached the floor I got out and walked to his door and knocked. Tommy opened the door and smiled "come on in Lys." I nodded and walked in looking around "this place hasn't changed that much." He nodded a a picture caught my eye as I walked towards it realizing it was of me and him on the night of my prom. I smiled "I remember that night. It was a great night." He nodded "it was. 2 years of dating with everyone betting against us. Wanna sit?" I nodded putting the picture down and walked over to the couch and sat down. He sat down in the chair across from me as he looked at me "I'm guessing you're here to talk even through you are dressed sexy as hell." I nodded and laughed a little "Tommy Merlyn always the smooth talker. But you're right I'm here to talk." He nodded and told me to go right ahead. I nodded and took a breath thinking of what I was going to say. I looked at him "these past 5 years have been hell. I didn't think I was going to survive the island I wasn't as strong as Oliver." I took off my jacket and lifted the halter top a little as I stood up showing him the scars on my stomach and across my back. He went to touch them, but I shook my head as I sat back down as I heard him say "Jesus, Lys." I looked at him again "the thing that kept me going was you. I knew you were waiting for me and that's what made me fight. Which is why the next park I say is going to kill me. I love you with all my heart Tommy, but I'm damaged beyond repair and it's not fair to ask you to wait for me. You deserve to be happy with someone who can give themselves to you physically and mentally. We were friends before I hope we still can be." I reached around my neck and took off the necklace he gave me and handed it back to him. He looked at me "Lys, please." I shook my head standing and kissed his cheek "I love you Tommy. Please say we can stay friends." He nodded "of course." I smiled and thanked him "I should go." He nodded as I walked to the front door and left.

Once I got in the elevator, I broke down crying. Once I reached the desk, I asked the guy if he could call me a cab as he nodded. When the cab arrived, I took it to Laurel's only to see cop cars out front. I paid the driver and went into the building talking the stairs to her floor. I saw her door open and cops walking in and out as I snuck in. I saw Detective Lance talking to Oliver and Laurel as a medic was banding up Dig's hand. Laurel saw me and looked at me worried "Lys are you alright?" I saw Oliver and Detective Lance turn their heads to look at me knowing I looked like a mess. Oliver started to make his way to me as I shook my head. "I'm fine. What happened to here?" Detective Lance looked at me "someone decided to attack Laurel and your brother, but Mr. Diggle stopped them." I nodded as the medic told Dig he could go as Detective Lance said the same thing. Oliver nodded as he told me and Dig let's go. We nodded and followed him to the cast as he drove him as Dig sat in the passengers' side.

Once we got home Oliver got a towel and threw it at Dig. They talked for a few minutes before we all said good night. I followed Oliver upstairs as he looked at me "get ready we're going out tonight." I nodded and went into my room changing quickly and washing my face and came back out. Oliver looked at me "you ready?" I nodded as we walked out of the house and jumped on our bikes. We got to the foundry and suited up and headed back out.

We pulled up to the docks as I looked at him "who we after?" He looked at me "Martin Somers, he sent the person to Laurel's." I nodded as we stayed in the shadows as we entered the warehouse. I whispered, "I know take out the goons and leave Somers for you." He nodded as we separated, he went after Somers as I started to take out some guys. Once I finished talking out Somer's security I went after Oliver. I saw him fighting a woman I was just about to help him when I heard police sirens coming as I ran to my bike and hopped on it and head back to the foundry. Once I got there, I unsuited and just sat in a corner on the floor leaning against the wall. I pulled my legs up to my chest and put my face against them and just started to cry again. I don'[t know how long I was crying for when I heard Oliver come in. He must have unsuited and then came and found me. He sat next to me "wanna tell my why you're crying?" I looked at him "me and Tommy are officially over. I gave the necklace back to him." He nodded as he leaned over and hugged me "I'm sorry, Lys." I shrugged "it's ok. We should head home we have the groundbreaking tomorrow." He nodded "alright, let's go." I got up from the floor with him and headed to our bikes to head home.

Once we got home, I said night to Oliver and headed to my room. When I got there, I got changed into my tank top and shorts and walked over to my bookcase and pulled out an old photo album and journal knowing I wrote about me and Tommy in. I turned to a certain page and read it looking at the picture I tapped to the page.

February 14th,2002
Today sucked and didn't suck. It sucked because Matt broke up with me after me seeing him give another girl a Valetine's Day gift kissing her right in front of the whole school. Sara told me she would kick his ass for me, but I told her it fine. Of course, I was lying my heart was shattered into two pieces, but I acted tough. It didn't help to find out the girl was Ashlee (I really thought she was my friend.) I had to watch them pack on the PDA all day long. The worst was lunch cause I knew Ollie would be pissed, cause he probably heard. Thankfully sophomores and seniors don't have classes on the he same floor, but we did have lunch together. Me and Sara walked into the cafeteria and heard people yelling and saw a crowd. Teachers were trying to break something up. As we got closer, we saw Laurel yelling at someone along with Ashlee. When we reached Laurel, I saw who she was yelling at as me and Sara shared a look. I walked into the middle of the fight and tried to pull Ollie and Tommy off of Matt. I begged them to stop as Sara helped me. We were able to get them off with the help from some of their friends. I saw Matt with a bleeding nose as Ashlee walked over to me and slapped me saying it was my fault as Laurel held Sara back. I just stood there as teachers grabbed the three of them. Ollie looked at me as he got dragged away by a teacher. Tommy pulled away and kissed me before getting grabbed again and got pulled away. Laurel, Sara, me and Ashlee followed them to the principal's office. Laurel started to explain to me and Sara what happened as Ashlee just glared at me. When the three of them came out, Ashlee ran over to Matt and kissed him. Matt looked at me and told me we where over if I didn't figure it out. I called him an asshole as him and the whore left. Once they were gone, I asked Ollie why he did it and he said no one hurts me and gets away with it. I admit he can be an ass, but he does protect me. Him, Laurel, Sara started to walk out of the office, and I started to follow but thats when the unexpected happened again. Tommy grabbed me and pulled me to him kissing me. When we broke apart, he told me he was in love with me and wanted to give us a try and he didn't care if Ollie beat the crap out of him it would be worth it. I asked him why as he told me in the past few years, he saw me more than a sister and today just made him realize how much he cared for me. Of course, I agreed to it cause I always had a crush on him. I turned to see Ollie, Laurel and Sara looking at us. Laurel and Sara smiling and Ollie glaring at Tommy. He told Tommy if he hurt me he was going to kill him, and Tommy agreed. Then later after school we went on our first date well double date with Laurel and Ollie. It was awkward but fun and I totally can't wait for more dates with Tommy. So, Valentine's Day didn't completely suck.

I finished reading the entry and out the journal and started looking through the photo album. Of course, our relationship wasn't perfect we weathered a few big ups cause he cheated but we always got back together. After looking at the pictures I put it back with the journal on my bookcase and went back to bed. I feel asleep dreaming about the good days with Tommy.

I woke up the next morning and went to my closet and got a dress out for the ceremony and matching heels. I got dressed and headed downstairs seeing my mom, Thea and Walter having some breakfast as I joined them. My mom asked if I saw Oliver as I told her I saw him last night but not this morning as she nodded. Walter said we needed to go as we nodded and headed to the car and got in. The driver took us to there the groundbreaking was held and saw all the people and news stations waiting. We got out of the car and got lead to the stage. My mom looked around worried as I looked at her "he'll be here don't worry." She nodded as me, Thea and her sat in the chairs on the stage.

I looked around and spotted Tommy standing next to Laurel as I looked away. Walter started to welcome everyone and started his speech only to be disrupted by Oliver. I shook my head when I realized he was in Playboy Oliver mode. He got on stage and took the mic away from Walter. He started talking to the audience and finished his speech with "I'm not my father. I'm not the man he was. I'm not half the man he was. I never will ne. So please, stop asking me to be." He walked off the stage as I looked at my mom and Thea. I sighed and walked off of the stage following him and Diggle to a car and got in. He looked at me "not now Lys." I nodded as Diggle asked where we were going as Oliver said home.

Once we got home I saw workers as I looked at Oliver and he told Dig to follow the driveway all the way as Dig nodded. When we got to where the gravestones where as me and Oliver got out of the car and walked over to them. I listened to Oliver talk to our dad and shook my head when I heard him say "to honor your wishes..I need to dishonor your wishes. I'm sorry." He walked away to give me sometime as I looked at the gravestone. "I promise I'll make sure Olie doesn't lose his self. And I promise we'll make you proud. I miss you dad." I walked back over to Oliver and Diggle as Oliver pointed to my and his gravestones and told the workers to take them down. We watched them take them down as Diggle looked at Oliver "you going out tonight, sir?" Oliver nodded as I looked at me dad's gravestone one more time knowing I would do anything to honor his memory.