Chapter 6
Delaying the inevitable
"There is no good in arguing with the inevitable. The only argument available with an east wind is to put on your overcoat. "
-James Russell Lowell
Katie had a choice to make right now. The right choice would be to be honest. Tell Oliver about what happened with Felix Faust finally introducing himself. He would be worried, probably never leave her unattended again, and more than likely decide that he would need that hood and the team to fight the man. She knew the right choice, which made what she did next that much more terrible.
"Uh, yeah, got turned around on some road with a lot of trees." she said walking toward her car. "And then my car decided to crap out which is weird because it was fine all day."
"I'm on my way."
"Liver, you don't—I can call like a tow truck or something."
"Twinkie, you're alone on the side of the road, I'm coming to get you. Just keep talking to me."
Katie dropped to sit on the hood of her car, her phone still pressed to her ear because she knows there would be no convincing Oliver not to come save her.
"Maybe this is all part of your evil plan. Lure me to the middle of nowhere, make me disappear, so you never have to admit that you have fallen out of love with me."
Oliver chuckled. "First of all, I'm kicking myself because I know you're prone to getting lost and I should've just met you at the house so we could come out here together."
"I am not prone to getting lost and what the hell is out here other than big foot."
"I will show you when I find you. You're actually not that far."
Katie narrowed her eyes and let out a heavy sigh. "Liver, do you have a tracker on my phone, because if you do, I'm calling that tow truck and going home."
"It's only for emergencies!" He tried to justify it. "And I just can't access it, Felicity has to send it to me, and I have to give her a very good reason. My wife being prone to getting lost is one of them."
Katie heard a car before she saw it and lifted her eyes to see it in the distance. As it neared, she realized it was Oliver who came to a stop in front of her car. She slid off the hood and ended the call, putting her phone into her pocket as Oliver stepped out of his car and walked over. She noticed he'd changed since she last saw him. He brought his arms around her and placed a kiss to her lips.
"You ok?"
"I've had better days." she held his gaze, keeping her features cool. She didn't want to give any indication that she was attacked moments before he arrived. "Look, I don't know what sort of last minute birthday thing you're trying to do, but I would rather just go home, eat ice cream and watch old movies."
Oliver didn't say anything, before pulling away and heading over to her car. He reached inside, and grabbed her purse and keys and locked the door.
"I'll have someone to come pick up your car." Oliver handed the purse to her and pocketed the keys before bringing an arm around her and leading her to his car. He pulled open the door and she turned to him. "This isn't something I put together last minute. This is something I've planned for months, so please get in the car."
Katie just shook her head, but turned and got into the car.
The drive was quiet, both realizing how long it's been since they've been out of the house with no kids. The moment Katie realized it, she turned to Oliver.
"Where are the kids?"
"Home. They're fine. I called Bruce." Oliver glanced over to the confused look on her face. "I'll tell you about it later, but they're fine. Today is about you and your birthday and-" Katie scoffed as she turned away to look out the window. "And you're upset because you didn't think we remembered and I'm sorry, I thought—I really thought you didn't like celebrating your birthday." he looked over to her once again, her eyes out the window and he sighed. "Twinkie, I'm sorry."
"When I was a kid, birthdays were a big deal." a smile came to Katie's face as she remembered. "My mom would make blueberry pancakes that she would put candles in and her and my dad would sing. They were terrible singers, but I loved it." she dropped her head back on the seat and looked over to Oliver. "And we'd spend the day together doing whatever I wanted. Then mom died." she turned away, and Oliver reached over to take her hand. "Dad was always gone, and one would think his daughter's birthday would be the day he'd stop whatever work he was doing, but it wasn't. So I'd spend my birthdays at home, alone. He'd call for a few agonizing minutes of awkward conversation before telling me he needed to go." she let out a deep breath before looking over to Oliver. "Last year, Tobias Church came on the scene, and I was all amnesia wife, and I think all I remembered was bad birthdays. But you'd been sweet and loving so I thought maybe it wouldn't be a bad birthday. That morning you made me a waffle, with the whipped cream and sprinkles. I took a bite and realized you added a lot of salt."
"What?" Oliver glanced over to her and she let out a slight laugh.
"I don't know what happened, somehow your waffle had more salt than sugar, but I was amnesia wife and you'd made me a waffle and I wanted to seem appreciative, so I took a few bites." she turned back to look out the window. "I think you had something planned, but you got a call about Church, so I spent the morning with Thea who took me shopping. That was actually fun. Then you called, and I spent the rest of the day with you." she looked over to him again. "You were distracted, I could tell and it made me feel like being with me was an inconvenience. Like you'd rather be somewhere else doing something else."
"That's why you said you'd rather not do anything on your birthday?" Oliver once again glanced over to her and she nods. He shook his head before turning away. "Twinkie, I'm so sorry. The last thing I ever want you to feel is that you're an inconvenience in any way. I love you and the time we spend together are the best moments of my life." Oliver finally stopped the car, and Katie turned, her eyes going wide.
"Is that a..." she smiled turning to Oliver before climbing out of the car. "Oliver Queen did you get me a hot air balloon?"
Oliver laughed as he got out of the car and walked over to Katie bringing an arm around her as they looked up to the brightly colored hot air balloon. Oliver pressed a kiss to the side of her head.
"I'm going to make you a promise." Oliver said and Katie turned to face him. "I promise to always be present with you and with the kids. And I promise that you will have all the fanfare for your birthdays in the future." he pressed a kiss to her cheek. "I might even throw in a party with costumes."
Katie laughed as she pressed her lips to his. He took her hand before they walked toward the hot air balloon where the aeronaut pilot appeared from behind.
"You found her." the man said smiling from Oliver to Katie. "Tom Baylor, I will be your pilot today Mrs. Queen." he reached forward and shook Katie's hand. "Now before we go up, we have a couple of rules, and some paperwork for you to sign. I'll be right back." the man hurried off.
"Oh, so Tom's is-" Katie looked over to Oliver who just sighed but nods. "We're not crossing this off on the list are we?"
"Not today, but there's still hope. I'm going to talk to Tom about lessons in flying one of these." Oliver said and Katie just laughed as the pilot headed back over.
Felicity held her phone to her ear as she rode the elevator down to the bunker. "What do you mean you're babysitting?"
Bruce poked his head from the kitchen to see Ari, Jamie, Will and Damian all in the living room playing some math game before he went back into the kitchen to sit.
"I guess Oliver showed up and that Jamie kid was here which Ari didn't say anything about. He said something about not trusting hormonal teenagers to be left unattended, so he called me."
"Well at least it gets Damian out of the house, around other kids and not stuck sparring with you."
"He's the one who asked to spar with me." Bruce glanced over at the sound of the coffee maker ringing and he stood to his feet. "You know I'm starting to think you're the one that has the problem with it and yet you refuse to tell me why."
"He was raised by a woman who trained him to kill Bruce, I was hoping to show him that there is more to life than just violence and you're not helping."
Bruce grabbed a mug, about to pour a cup before he stopped and glanced out the window.
"Is this about the test?" he asked, but Felicity didn't say anything. "Felicity, we can keep trying, it will happen."
"Bruce, I have to go, we have a lead on our mystery killer woman, and I need to focus on that. I'll see you two later."
Bruce hung up the phone before he turned at the sound of the kitchen door opening to Damian.
"So, you having fun?" Bruce asked and Damian just looked at him with zero amusement in his face.
"You should send the guy home." Damian walked over to take a seat the counter. "He's useless."
"And by the guy, you're referring to Jamie?" Bruce looked over to the boy with a furrowed brow as Damian folded his arms over his chest. After a moment, Bruce thinks he realizes what the look was for. "Wait, are you jealous?" he tilted his head. "You don't like Ari, do you?" Damian turned away and Bruce let out a snort. "Kid, she's six years older than you, I don't think it's going to happen."
"Send him home, or I will." Damian stood back to his feet and headed back into the living room with the others.
Bruce slid a hand over her eyes, before looking down to his watch. It was getting late, so he figured Jamie should be headed home. Bruce walked back into the living room.
"Got it!" William announced standing to his feet. He walked over to Jamie to show his paper.
Jamie looked over the paper and nods with a smile before looking over to William. He holds up a hand. "Man, you're going to kill this test." Will smiled before high fiving the boy.
Jamie turned, noticing Bruce, and his smile fell, suddenly nervous.
Ari looked over to Jamie before turning to Bruce and just rolled her eyes.
"It's getting late," Bruce said, his eyes turning to Jamie. "You should get home."
"Right, yeah, sure," Jamie quickly stood to his feet, turning and grabbing his backpack. He started toward Ari, but stopped, once again glancing over to Bruce. He turned back to Ari and just gave a wave before heading for the door.
"You suck, you know that?" Ari sighed before standing to her feet and going after Jamie, only for Damian to move to block her path. "What are you doing?"
"He's weak. Actually he's like a bug. You can do better." Damian said and Ari just looked at him like he was crazy.
The girl just shook her head before shoving him out the way. She pulled open the door, just as Jamie was pulling off on his moped.
"He's gone, that's too bad." Ari rolled her eyes before turning to Damian who looked all too pleased. She rolled her eyes before closing the door and heading for the stairs. "Pack something you can fight in." Ari stopped walking and turned to him.
"What?" she glanced from the boy before looking over to Bruce. "We're going with you?"
"It would seem that way." Bruce replied before turning to Will. "Go pack pajamas, and school uniform," Will just nods before hurrying up the steps. Bruce turned to Ari who hadn't moved. "You should go pack something as well."
"I seriously don't need a babysitter. I'm going to be seventeen next month." She felt like she was reminding too many people of that fact. "Practically an adult. If Oliver and Katie can't trust me to be home without supervision, then there is a serious problem. I'm not going." Ari stalked up the stairs.
"Too bad. I was hoping to see the great Firelight in action." Damian said and Ari stopped and turned back to him. "Probably for the best. You've probably gotten slow, and it would probably be a hit to your ego to have your ass kicked by an eleven year old." Ari looked at him for a moment, before letting out a chuckle.
"You're on." she said before hurrying up the steps.
A smile pulled at Damian's lips before he turned to see his father staring at him with a quirked brow.
"What?" Damian noticed the looks.
"Well played." Bruce nods with a slight chuckle. "But she was trained by your aunt Nyssa, so I'm pretty sure, you're going to wish you hadn't done that." he headed for the stairs to get Robyn, and hopefully not wake her.
It felt like a surreal moment, Katie thought as she stood, her eyes looking down to the clouds from the basket out of the hot air balloon. She almost forgot about the past year. She almost forgot about her father dying, and Thea being in a coma, and Felix Faust. The ride itself consisted of champagne and pizza as they looked out to the clouds. It was perfect. Soon, strong arms wrap around her and she smiles as Oliver presses a kiss to the crook of her neck.
"So did you like it?" he asked, dropping his chin to her shoulder.
"I did." she slid her hands under his cuffs, her finger brushing against the hair of his warm arms. "I really did. Thanks for this." she turned to face him, sliding a hand over his cheek. "For pulling me out of reality for a little while." he leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers. "I love you and I'm happy to have spent another year of my life with you."
"I love you so much." Oliver pressed another kiss to her lips before pulling back with a smile. "I have another surprise for you."
"Seriously, another one." Katie smiled as Oliver backed away and walked over to a chest on the other side of the basket, and pulled out a beautifully wrapped box. He walked over to her. "Liver, you got me a hot air balloon, you didn't have to get me anything else."
"Yeah, I know, but I wanted to."
He held out the box and Katie smiled as she took, pulling the bow and lifting the lid. It was some sort of document. She looked up to Oliver in confusion and he just nods before she looks back down to skim the papers.
"I probably wasn't the biggest fan of Jacob in my later years, but one thing was always true. He put his blood, sweat and tears into this city. You know I spent an entire day learning of the programs he funded, the schools and hospitals he donated to, the local businesses he helped. Whether I agreed with some of his decisions or not, I can't deny that he really did pave the way for the changes we're trying to make today. So I brought it up to City Council and it was a unanimous vote. We will be changing RI's street name in dedication to him."
"Jacob Robins Way." Katie said reading the name, suddenly feeling the tingle of emotion. She glances up to Oliver with a glassy smile. "Thank y-" she feels the emotion halting her words and she drops her eyes, finally letting the tears fall. Oliver brings his arms around her, and presses a kiss to the side of her head. "Thank you."
Felicity arrived at home with a heavy sigh. Tonight didn't go the way she hoped. They'd been tracking down some mercenaries lead by someone named Onyx Adams. Tonight, the mercenaries got away with a truck filled with nerve gas, and the team had no idea what they were planning to do with it. She was also worried about John. He froze tonight during the attack and she's not sure what it was about. She glanced up to the house, before stepping out and heading up the walk way.
When Felicity stepped inside the house, she paused at the sound of a tiny laugh. A smile pulled at her lips as she searched for the source. She found Bruce in the living room trying to rock Robyn to sleep, but the child was wide awake, and amused at his attempts. Bruce sighed before looking over to Felicity.
"She may or may not have had ice cream earlier today, and I'm afraid she's never going to sleep."
Felicity chuckled before sitting her bag down and walking over to take the girl into her arms, and placing a kiss to her cheek.
"How did it go tonight?" Bruce looked over to Felicity who sighed.
"No casualties, but our bad guys got away with some nerve gas. I have a search going to see if maybe they or someone else start talking." She smiled as she looked down to Robyn. "But first, I think someone needs to get to sleep. What do you think?"
"No, seep," Robyn laughed and Felicity couldn't help but to laugh as well.
"We'll see about that." she pressed another kiss to the girl's cheek before turning back to Bruce. "Ari and Will here, too?"
"Yeah, Damian challenged Ari and now they're downstairs sparring. I should probably go make sure she hasn't killed him." he began walking but stopped and turned back to her. "Also, weird news to share, Damian has a crush on Ari."
"Really?" Felicity turned away with a slight smile. "This is good."
"Why is this good? She's almost twice his age. It's not going to end well."
"I know that part and I hate he's going to get his little heart broken, but a crush Bruce. His first crush." Felicity smiled pressing another kiss to Robyn's cheek before heading toward the steps.
Bruce stood there for a moment, a smile coming to his face as well before he turned off and headed down to check on them. He heard the sound of the escrima sticks the moment he came down the stairs. The moment he made it to the sparing area, he got to witness the moment Ari slid the stick under Damian's feet, and the boy hitting the mat hard.
Ari chuckled before looking over to William, "Another one for me." Bruce lifted his eyes to see Will next to a chalk board with Ari' and Damian's name, a notch under both their names. Ari was in the lead by three.
"Again!" Damian slapped the mat before standing to his feet and grabbing his stick.
"It's late, and you all have school in the morning. It's time for you to head up to bed."
Ari just nods before returning the sticks and then walking over to Bruce.
"I rode here with you, my car is still at the house. I'm going to need a car to get to school tomorrow and I've been eyeing the Mercedes." she smiled as she walked around him.
Bruce shook his head before looking over to Damian who just threw his sticks to the floor with a groan.
"I almost had her!" Damian stalked past his father up the steps.
Bruce turned to see Will looking around the room before his eyes settled on the Batman suit. He walked over to stand beside the boy.
"Is it scary?" Will asked and Bruce looked down to him. "It's just when you wear that, bad guys come after you, and sometimes the good guys too."
"It can be scary," Bruce turned his eyes back to the suit. "Sometimes doing the right thing can be scary. But when you know it's right, then you sort of push through the scary feelings." he looked back down to the boy and placed a hand on his shoulder before reaching into his pocket and pulling out some earplugs. "You're bunking with Damian, and he's a snorer. You're going to need these." Will just laughed but gratefully took the earplugs.
It was quiet when Oliver and Katie finally stepped inside of the house. Katie stepped further inside, looking around before Oliver's arms came around her, spinning her to face him.
"I told you, the kids are with Bruce and Felicity." he pressed his lips to hers, as he pushed off her jacket. "So we have this whole house to ourselves." Katie moaned against his lips as his hands slid under her shirt before he scooped her into his arms.
"A whole child free house to ourselves." Katie slid her hand through the back of his hair. "Whatever will we do with ourselves."
"Oh Twinkie, I have some ideas." he replied before hurrying up the stairs.
The next morning, Katie was awakened by the feel of Oliver's lips as he pressed soft kisses along the skin of her neck, while his hand slid along her stomach.
"You know," he said in between kiss. "I fully intended for there to be wake up, birthday morning sex yesterday," his hand slid lower and Katie let out a deep moan before opening her eyes with a smile. "Your daughter snuck out of her room and demanded breakfast." Katie chuckled, sliding a hand along his cheek. "But today, I took the day off, and we still have a couple of more hours of a childless home and I figure I have more making up to do." Oliver pressed a kiss to her lips.
The plan of morning sex was interrupted by Oliver's ringing phone. He tried to ignore it, as his lips continued nipping and sucking every inch of her skin he found until the ringing stopped. When it started again, Katie slightly pulled away, and Oliver lifted his head.
"When you say you took the day off, did you actually tell people you took the day off?" Katie asked and Oliver sighed.
"I did. All meetings were rescheduled, and anyone who needed me were to go to Quentin." he reached over to grab his phone to see Quentin's number. "It's Quentin." Oliver lifted his eyes to Katie. "Twinkie, I'm sorry, if he's calling-"
"The city is probably on fire, I get it." she said with a slight smile. "But if the city is not on fire-"
"I'll make it quick," he pressed a kiss to her lips before standing from the bed and answering the call. "Quentin, what's wrong?"
"I'm sorry, I know you took the day off, but we have a problem. I wouldn't have called, but-"
"Right," Oliver turned back to the bed, to see Katie now sitting up, sheet tucked around her and looking over to him. "I'll uh, be there soon." he ended the call, and watched as Katie rolled her eyes before turning over and laying her head on the pillow. "I'm sorry." he walked over and took a seat on the edge of the bed, his hand sliding along her arm. "Twinkie," he pressed a kiss to her arm, and then her head. "I'm sorry, I just have to go in to see what's going on. I'll try my very best to make it quick so we can spend the rest of the day together."
Katie didn't say anything, her eyes still closed and Oliver sighed. He pressed a kiss to her head, and then her shoulder, tugging back the blanket.
"What are you doing?" she asked, still not opening her eyes.
"We had a plan, and I'm not going to break it." he slid a hand around her, tugging her to lie on her back.
"The city is on fire, Liver," she said before a moan escaped her lips as he positioned himself above her, sliding her leg over his hip.
"Then I'll put it out, but first..." he pressed his lips to her, his tongue tearing every bit of rationale from the room.
Quentin stood outside of the elevator after getting the call that Oliver had arrived. He glanced down to his watch annoyed. He hoped Oliver heard the urgency in his voice when he called, but it seems that over an hour later, and the man not showing up, he figured he didn't. When the doors opened, and out walked Oliver, Quentin shook his head.
"Nice of you to show up." he said as they headed toward the conference room. "I thought you would've been here sooner."
"I'm here now, Quentin." Oliver glanced over to the man. "Now, tell me what's going on?"
It was early, when Felicity brought Robyn down for breakfast. When she stepped in the kitchen, she stopped at the sight of Ari, Will and Damian moving about. Ari grabbed a box of cereal and bumped the back of Will's head with it.
"Hey, you did that on purpose!" he called, only for her to laugh.
Will grabbed a bowl, and headed over to the table as well, before Damian grabbed the milk and went to join them.
The door opened behind Felicity, and she glanced over to see Bruce who stopped beside her to look over to the kids.
"He's eating breakfast, in the kitchen and I didn't even have to make him." Felicity whispered over to Bruce.
He looked over to his son who seemed to be enjoying the company. He placed a kiss to Felicity's cheek and then placed one to Robyn's cheek, before walking over to get some coffee.
"You guys should eat quick, so you can get ready for school." Bruce said, before Ari stood to her feet and walked over to stand beside him, as he made his coffee. "Can I help you with something?"
"So have you given any thought to the Mercedes? If you don't want to part with it, I'll be fine with the Bentley, or the Lexus."
"You know I find it odd, you never mentioned your car before we left your house." Bruce said looking over to the girl.
"Well you were rushing us, and I guess it just never crossed my mind." she shrugged and Bruce just shook his head. "Just so you know I have a perfect driving record."
"Well besides that moving sign?"
She turned to him and just shook her head.
"That happened once, and I've been careful. You can trust me." she placed a hand on her chest.
"Fine," he said after a moment and the girl squeals.
"Really, which one?" she asked and he nudged his head.
"I don't care, which ever you want to drive, just be careful." Ari squealed again before turning to head out to his garage. "Breakfast, and then get ready for school first!"
"I'm not hungry anymore!" she said in excitement before hurrying from the kitchen to get dressed.
He turned to Felicity who just looked at him with a quirked brown.
"What?"
"You're letting a teenager pick one of your cars to drive to school. You think that's a good idea?"
"I guess I'm going to find out." Bruce chuckled before turning to Robyn who was releasing her grasp from Felicity to be placed on the floor.
Felicity placed the child down, and watched as the girl wobbly ran to sit in the chair beside Damian. He looked over to her and reached over to help her completely into the chair. He poured some cereal in front of her before patting her head.
Oliver sat in the conference room, with Quentin, Maddy and one of the junior assistants as they had their eyes on the television.
"Fortunately, the two victims in critical condition are expected to recover. Multiple witnesses spotted Green Arrow and his team of vigilantes at the scene."
Oliver turned off the television clearing his throat before turning to Maddy.
"Maddy, can you get the fire chief's latest report, please?" he asked and the woman nods before standing to her feet. Oliver turns to the associate. "And would you mind putting in an order for some coffee?" the man nods as well. "One of the big boxes of coffee, thank you." the man nods before standing to leave.
Once they're gone, Oliver turns to Quentin who spoke first.
"So I guess being the Green Arrow involves something of a learning curve."
"We don't know the circumstances surrounding last night." Oliver replied his phone vibrated in his pocket, and he glanced down to see Katie's name.
"Yeah, but we know how it's gonna play out." Quentin replied and Oliver looked back over to him as Quentin's phone buzzed.
"What do you mean?" Oliver asked.
Quentin looked down to his phone with a shake of his head.
"Heh! Wow. Speak of the devil. Got to admire her sense of timing."
"Who?"
"Pollard," Quentin said meeting Oliver's eyes. "She's seizing the moment. She's using last night's disaster as a pretext to introduce her anti-vigilante legislation to the council."
"Does she have the votes?"
"I don't know."
"Can you make sure she doesn't?"
Quentin looked at the man before nodding.
Oliver's phone once again vibrated and he glanced down with a sigh.
"Let me guess," Quentin said noticing the look on Oliver's face. "You're late going back home."
"I told her an hour." Oliver sighed, sending a quick apology text. "That was two hours ago. She's either going to kill me, or I'm getting the silent treatment when I get home." he lifted his eyes back to Quentin, "I should be heading back home, text me if you find something new." Oliver stood to his feet to leave.
"Oh, hey, did you have any news about the Second Chance project?" Quentin asked standing as well. Oliver turned to him with a shake of his head. "I kind of feel the positive press we get from it might overshadow a possible Pollard legislation."
"I'm working on it, but she's being stubborn. She doesn't think she can do it, even though I know she's the perfect person for this."
"If I suggested shopping around for someone else to head up this project..." Quentin noticed the look on Oliver's face. "I know, I want her in this too, but it really could be big and things this big require a lot of time, so we really should get started on planning."
"I'll talk to her again, maybe I can help her through whatever she's feeling unsure about. I'll let you know."
Katie groaned as she read Oliver's text again. She'd spent the last few hours mulling about the house, once again trapped in her thoughts which were filled with Felix Faust. She reached the kitchen, peeking out the window. She played the confident hero when meeting him, but in reality she was worried. She feels like she barely even understands her abilities, and she's definitely sure she shouldn't be going against someone as powerful as him until she does.
Katie hoped that after Lian Yu, she could finally step out of the craziness of heroes and villains and magical powers. She knew that wasn't going to completely happen with Oliver being the Green Arrow. But now that he's given up the hood, she felt as if it truly could be reality. And yet, some how, some way, she's pulled back in.
She dialed the number she wished to hell she didn't have to call. As it rang, she debated on just hanging up and once again burying her head in the sand to what has been staring her in the face.
"Well this is a surprise," came the accented voice from the other end of the line. "I'm almost afraid to ask, so I won't, and just say it's nice to hear from you. Did you get my birthday gift?"
"You sent me a gift, Constantine?" Katie asked walking over to take a seat at the counter. "Do I want to know what it is?"
"I'm not going to give it away." Constantine chuckled. "Ok love, I guess something mystical is afoot, or else I don't think you'd be calling me. What do you need?"
"Does the name Felix Faust ring any bells?" Katie asked the question that was immediately followed by silence. She glanced down to her phone to make sure the call hadn't dropped or anything before bringing it back to her ear. "You still there?"
"Why do you want to know about Felix Faust?"
"Well I'm assuming you know about the whole portals opening up and bringing people from different versions of Earth here, and sending people from our Earth elsewhere." Katie sighed. "Well Felix just happens to be a visitor, and I'm told he's out to get my powers." more silence and that was really making Katie nervous. "Stop with the silence and speak. I need to know how to stop him. He's already made an appearance."
"So you've seen him?"
"Well, sort of. He was like a hologram or something, but I was able to tug him a bit into reality. I'm just not sure what I was going to do if I did. I get the feeling I should be worried. When it comes to this stuff, I defer to you and Zatanna to help me figure this out. So can you help me?"
"Listen love, if you see him again, you run as fast as you can. Do not talk to him, don't make any deals with him, I'll call Zatanna and we will be on our way."
"Wait, just thanks, I appreciate it, but as of now I'm trying to handle this as quietly as possible."
"Please don't tell me Oliver doesn't know."
"He knows about Felix Faust, and he knows the guy is bad news. He just doesn't know that he finally came to see me."
"And you think keeping it from him is smart?"
"I think for the last five months, I have tried my best to get out of that world and focus on my family. If I have to get pulled into another mystical fight, I want to keep my family out of it. If I can handle this without them knowing, maybe we can get back to an actual normal life."
"Except, you're not normal, and there's nothing wrong with that. You're meant for so much more than you realize love which is why every time you run from it, you just get sucked back in."
"Maybe I'm just not running fast enough." she replied turning at the sound of the door closing. "I got to go, just call me when you guys get here." she quickly hung up the phone before standing to her feet, just as Oliver walked into he kitchen. "You know we have like two hours before the kids get home, right? Before I have to pick up Robyn, and Will and return to a world of responsibilities and shaping the lives little humans." Oliver brought his arms around her. "So was the city really on fire?"
"Not yet." Oliver sighed pulling her closer. "And I would be happy to spend the next two hours with you blocking out the rest of the world."
Katie opened her mouth, just as the doorbell rang. She frowned as she turned.
"I think the universe has turned on us again." she turned back to Oliver who pressed a kiss to her lips.
"I will see who that is and then meet you upstairs." Oliver pulled away, stalking toward the door, unsure who would be visiting them. Harry appeared from up the steps, and Oliver glanced over to see her patting her feet toward him. "You're curious too, huh?"
When he pulled open the door, he was actually surprised to see Rene.
"Got a minute, Hoss?" Rene asked.
Oliver nods, taking a step to the side to let him in. Oliver looks at the man in confusion. Rene hadn't been to the house that often, and he definitely didn't make visits.
Rene steps inside, scratching Harry's head, his eyes scan around before turning to Oliver.
"This about Pollard's bill?" Oliver asked.
Rene shakes his head, "No. uh, sorry. I've been out of the office." he looks up to meet Oliver's eyes. "No, this is about John."
"What about him?" Oliver folds his arms over his chest now worried.
"It's not working out." Rene answered and Oliver sighed.
"You talking about last night?"
"I'm talking about something-" Oliver held up a hand and then pointed up letting him know they weren't alone, and Rene sighs but lowers his voice. "I'm talking about something a hell of a lot worse than what happened last night. That poison gas could kill thousands."
"John can handle it." Oliver replied completely certain of the fact. It was why he asked John to take over as the Green Arrow, He knew that John could handle anything that came their way.
"That's why I'm here, Hoss." Rene shrugged. "He can't. He's in over his head. We're lucky nobody died last night, but luck runs out." Rene nudges his head toward Oliver to say what he came here to say. "We need you to come back."
Oliver didn't immediately respond. His eyes glancing up to the ceiling, his thoughts going to Katie, and the kids and he simply drops his eyes back to Rene.
"Like I said, John can handle it. He can do the job, I have faith that he can do the job. You just need to give him a chance."
Rene turned away, actually not surprised at the response. He turns back to Oliver and nods.
"I hope you're right." he replied before nudging his head. "I should get going." Oliver follows the man toward the door.
"You know Rene, you should stop by with less serious news." Oliver said and Rene chuckled as he opened the door. "We'd love to have you over for dinner. Just because I'm not on the team anymore doesn't mean we aren't still friends."
Rene nods, "Noted," he nods before turning off toward his car.
Oliver closed the door, and let out a sigh before turning and heading for the steps only to stop at a sound from the kitchen. He glances over to the kitchen door and his shoulders drop before he heads over and steps in. He finds Katie standing near the sink, her eyes out the window, not turning at his presence.
"I thought you were going to meet me upstairs." he said walking over to her, but she didn't say anything. He drops his head. "How much of it did you hear?" she still didn't say anything and so he brought his arms around her, and placed a kiss to the side of her head. "Nothing has changed. I'm not going back." He slid his hands over her arms, before placing them over her hands. She finally turned to face him.
"Are you sure?"
Katie wanted to believe that Oliver could finally accept a life without that hood, and just be their guy and for that to be enough. Though a part of her knows how much of that hood was a part of him and she imagined letting it go wasn't easy. She'd been waiting for the other shoe to drop, and she feels that maybe that visit from Rene could've been it.
"Twinkie, I made you a promise and I promised the kids. I am sure. I'm not willing to take that risk anymore."
Katie let out a heavy breath before placing her hands on his chest with a smile.
"Ok," she replied before pulling away, "Last one to the bedroom has to make dinner!" she quickly turned and bolted for the steps.
Oliver chuckled, "Cheating is not winning, Twinkie!" he called, already pulling off his jacket as he hurried up the stairs.
Reality was getting closer by the second. Oliver and Katie realized it as they lay in bed tangled around each other, staring up to the ceiling. Katie's head was on Oliver's chest, wanting so badly to nod off to sleep, but she knew she couldn't. They didn't have long before they needed to get up and dressed to go get Robyn and Will. They tried their hardest to soak in these last few moments before they would be thrust back into reality.
"We should talk," Oliver suddenly said.
"About John?"
"No, I meant about the second chance project. Quentin reminded me again about how we really need to get started on it." Oliver lowered his eyes down to her. "Have you given anymore thought into being the project director?"
"I'm still not even sure I'm qualified to be a project director and if I screw up, I don't want to make you and the work you've been doing look bad. You should find someone more qualified."
Oliver didn't say anything for a moment because what he wanted to say and what he should say were two totally different things. He knows he should be supportive and tell her that if she really didn't want to do this, then she didn't have to. Though he wanted to tell her, that she is absolutely qualified to do this job, and that she has all the skills and passion to make this project succeed.
"I do think we should talk about John, though." she suddenly said looking over to him. "If last night was as bad as Rene made it out to be, maybe there's something else going on."
"I'll talk to him." Oliver slid a hand along her arm before glancing over to the clock and sighed. "We have to get up."
Katie groaned as she twisted her body, to wrap her arms around Oliver.
"But you're so warm and comfortable, I just want to lie in this bed with you forever." Oliver chuckled, the idea not sounding so bad.
"Being trapped in a bedroom with you naked, is definitely something wouldn't mind." he pressed a kiss to her head. "But if we're late, our children will think we don't care."
And so they got dressed, Oliver deciding to pick up Robyn, while Katie picked up Will. Oliver decided to make a quick stop to the bunker hoping to run into John. He glanced down to his watch as he rode the elevator, knowing he was cutting it close. Picking up Robyn late was a sure fire way to get on her bad side. When the doors opened, he stepped off spotting Felicity and so he walked over.
"Oh, wow, hey, I'm surprised you're here." Felicity said, "I'm also surprised you remembered the access code."
"It's been like a week."
"Yeah right, that was a joke. I'm assuming you're here to see..." she pointed back toward John.
"Yeah, just to check in." Oliver nods about to head over but stopped and turned back to the woman. "Oh, and thank you. You and Bruce, for watching the kids last night. I hope they weren't too much trouble."
"Not at all. I think Damian liked having people in his age group around the house." Felicity smiled. "And this morning, they were all in the kitchen making breakfast, talking and joking and making noise, and it was," she sighed as she looked over to Oliver with a smile. "A nice change up from our normal mornings." Felicity slightly turned away, as the realization that she wanted more noisy mornings.
"Hey, are you alright?" Oliver placed a hand on her shoulder and Felicity pulled on a smile and turned to him.
"Yeah, they were great, and they can sleepover any time."
"Thanks, and the same goes for Damian when you and Bruce want to take a break from reality."
Felicity nods before watching Oliver head over to talk to John, hoping he can get the man out of his rut.
It was Ari's second day back to City Hall and she was already bored. Today she was tasked with cleaning up a boardroom and restocking it for the next meeting. She bobbed her head, her ear buds in her ears as she lined the bottles of water, juice and sodas on the table, along with the coffee dispensers and cups. She placed the fruit basket and sandwiches along the table before heading over to her cart and pushing it onto the elevator. She sighed, closing her eyes and bobbing her head to the music, not realizing the moment the elevator stopped and someone stepped on. That's why when a finger tapped her shoulder, she nearly jumped out of her skin. She opened her eyes to see Adam and she quickly pulled the ear buds from her ears.
"Sorry, sorry, I didn't mean to startle you." he said with a charming smile.
"No, it's fine, I was in my own world with Kanye." she chuckled as she slipped her ear buds in her pocket.
"So how's it going being back?" he stood beside her, his back on the wall as he faced her.
"Just as I remember it. More making copies, and setting up for boring meetings." Ari replied and the man let out a laugh. "What about you? How's it going?"
"Long day, I just can't wait until it's over so I can just grab some pizza and a movie and chill for the rest of the night."
"That kind of sounds like heaven." Ari sighed glancing over to the door, her floor coming up.
"Did you want to join me?"
Ari whipped her eyes to the man, unsure if she just heard him say what she thinks he just said. She doesn't say anything for a moment, even though she knows she should to not look like a total weirdo.
"Uh, are you-"
"I'm sorry, is that weird?" he asked, seeing the confusion and hesitation in her features, and figured he just freaked her out. "It was, I'm so—I'm sorry. Forget I said anything."
"No, it-" before she could say anything the elevator opened and in walked Quentin who looked from her to Adam.
Quentin let his gaze settle on the man, mostly because of how close he stood next to Ari. Ari looked over as well, noticing and decided to move a bit to place some distance between them.
"Everything alright?" Quentin asked.
"Yeah, everything is fine." Ari said as the doors opened.
Adam turned to Ari and once again mouthed an apology before stepping out of the elevator. Once the doors closed, Ari groaned before letting her back drop against the wall.
"Let me guess, that was Adam Becker." Quentin said and Ari turned to him with a quirked brow. "Alright, Ari, I need you to tell me if there is something going on with him that we need to worry about."
"He's just my friend." Ari muttered as she turned away, still feeling like an idiot for completely freezing up.
"What was he apologizing for?"
Ari turned to the man for a moment before turning away as the doors once again opened to her floor. She grabbed her cart and pushed it out into the hall.
"Ari-"
"I'm not a baby." Ari turned back to Quentin. "I know you and Oliver and Rene all see me as this little kid, but I'm not. Next month I'm turning seventeen and the year after I will be an adult. I need you guys to just trust me and trust that I can take care of myself."
"You know I have two daughters, right? I've gotten the I'm almost a grownup speech a few times in my life, but I'll tell you what I told my girls." Quentin walked over to stand in front of the girl. "You have your entire life to be a grownup, and when that happens, there is no going back. Right now, the "almost" means you are still a kid, and so we will always look after you, and if something happens that should not be happening."
"Nothing is happening." Ari grabbed her cart. "I should get back to work." she didn't say another word before hurrying off down the hall.
Quentin stood there for a moment watching her, and he couldn't help but understand Oliver's concern.
Katie sat at the kitchen table, Will beside her. He asked her to double check his math homework which he spent nervously watching her.
"I got it wrong, didn't I?" Will asked and Katie glanced over to and smiled.
"You got them all right," she slid the paper back over to him. "You're going to kick that test's butt, I just know it." she stood to her feet, "Oliver should be here soon, and I think he's picking up dinner. No idea what it is though. You should go get cleaned up."
"Alright," Will stood to his feet about to head upstairs, but stopped and turned to Katie. "Uh, thanks, for all your help."
Katie looked over to him and nod. "Absolutely. I'm always here, whenever you need me." Will smiles before turning and hurrying up the stairs.
Katie turned away with a smile before hearing the sound of the front door. She stepped out into the hall, just as Oliver walked over, paper bags in one hand, while trying to hold Robyn's hand with his other. The moment Robyn saw her mother, she pulled from Oliver's grasp, and ran over.
"Oh, hi, hi, my baby." Katie picked Robyn up into her arm, pressing kisses to her cheek. "Mommy missed you, so, so much."
"Dah, dah, ate." Robyn suddenly said and Katie pulled back to look at the girl before turning to Oliver who sighed as he carried the bags of food to the dining room table.
Katie followed behind him.
"I may have been late picking her up." Oliver said glancing back to Robyn. "I said I was sorry, sweetie. I have no idea how she knows I'm late, but she always does ."
"This tv show she likes, teaches them about clocks. She probably doesn't know how to tell time, but she probably sees the hands on the clock and knows where they are when we pick her up." Katie walked over to the man. "Why were you late? You left in time to pick her up early."
"I stopped by the bunker to talk to John."
"Oh, is he ok?"
"Yeah, I think it was just nerves, of being the guy in charge. I think the pressure was getting to him, but I talked to him, and I think he's good." he placed a kiss to her cheek before plucking Robyn from her arms. "Now, I need one little girl Queen to forgive me." he placed a kiss to Robyn's cheek. "I'll get her cleaned up," he nudged his head toward the bags. "I got Chinese, hopefully I got everyone's favorite."
"I'm sure you'll hear about it, if you didn't."
The next day, Will came into the house with Ari, a smile on his face. Katie came out of the kitchen drying her hands, instantly seeing the boy's good mood.
"You passed, didn't you?"
William reached into his backpack and pulled out his test, holding it up and showing her the A plus written across the top of the page. Katie took the test, with a smile that she turned to the boy.
"I knew you could do it." she replied looking back to the test. "We should put this on the refrigerator or something."
"Uh, since when. I've gotten lots of A's and you've never offered to display them." Ari said walking over to stand beside Will nudging his arm.
"That's because you never tell us when you get an A." Katie chuckled. "But by all means, you want to display a good grade on the refrigerator, then have at it." she turned back to Will. "I'll put this up." she turned and headed into the kitchen.
"I told you." Ari said and Will turned to her. "It's in the air, there was no way you weren't passing that test." she reached over a mussed his hair and he pushed her away. "You're welcome."
"Whatever Armpit," he laughed before heading upstairs.
"I'll let you get away with that!" she called before turning at the jingle of Harry's collar. The dog hurried over and Ari just shook her head. "Boys."
Katie placed the test on the refrigerator with a magnet, a smile on her face. Her phone vibrated in her pocket, and she pulled it out to see a text from Oliver that made her hurry for the door.
Soon Katie stood in the hall of city Hall, looking over to a television to see the news story of Oliver seeming to throw off some vote for Councilwoman Pollard's anti-vigilante bill. She sighed, because even though she's proud that he did it, it did make her nervous. The goal was to get Oliver's name away from all things vigilante and that wasn't happening. This time he was invoking chapter 9, which will let the issue of vigilantism be determined by the city.
"Am I late?" said a voice from behind her.
Katie turned to Quentin with a quirked brow as she silently folded her arms over her chest. The man looked over to her before looking down to his watch.
"Well, you're watching the news, I think you can understand why I may not be the most punctual today."
"You look fine." she took a step closer before grabbing his arm and placing her fingers on his wrist. "Oliver said you were complaining of chest pain. I asked why he didn't call 911, but he said you refused, and I promise you, if that is true, I'm going to kick your butt all the way to the hospital."
"I'm fine," Quentin pulled his hand away, before glancing behind her.
Katie turned to follow his gaze, only to see Oliver and Rene both avert their gaze before scurrying off.
Katie sighed because she realized what was going on. "I can't believe I fell for that." she turned back to Quentin. "Look, I don't know what this-"
"My office, now." Quentin didn't wait for her to respond before moving around her into his office.
Katie stood there with a shake of her head before stepping inside and closing the door. She watched as Quentin went to sit behind his desk, so she walked over to sit in the chair in front. He opened a folder and pulled out some papers, before placing them in front of her. She looked at him with a furrowed brow before picking up the papers, her eyes going wide as she read them.
"This is my resume." she looked up to Quentin. "Why do you have my resume?"
"Not sure how many interviews you've been in lately, but it's customary to review a potential new hire's resume to see if they're a fit for the position." He pulled out a copy of his own before looking over to Katie.
"Quentin, what are you doing?"
"You presented an idea for a project to the mayor and both he and I think it has promise and the potential to greatly benefit this city in a major way." Quentin replied. "I'm interviewing you for the position of Project Director."
"Did Oliver put you up to this?"
"Actually, it was my idea. If you have reservations about taking on the position, an interview is the best place to air those out. I'm here to tell you that it's not going to be easy, but you will have the support of the city." he nods. "If I decide to offer you the position."
Katie quirked a smile as she grabbed her resume and sat back a bit in her seat and sighed.
"Fine," she replied. "Let's get this over with then."
Oliver tried to look inconspicuous as he stood in the hall, keeping Quentin's door in his eye line. Rene walked back over, glancing over to the door as well.
"They're still in there?"
"Yeah, it's been almost an hour, what could possibly take that long?" Oliver kept his eyes on the door.
"You think he's begging her to accept the job?"
"I doubt it. She was hesitant because she didn't think she had what it takes, I think the interview is to help her realize that she does."
Oliver stood up straight when Quentin's door opened. Katie stepped out first her eyes looking over to him before saying something to Quentin that made the man laugh. They both walked over to Oliver and Rene.
"You didn't wait out there, the entire time, did you?" Katie asked.
Oliver shook his head before stepping forward to press a kiss to her cheek.
"No, I'm the Mayor, I have more important things to do than wait in the hall to see how my wife's interview went." Oliver looked over to Quentin. "So how did it go?" he turned back to Katie who just shook her head.
"There will be rules," she said with a pointed finger. "First rule, that kiss to my cheek will be the last moment of PDA in City Hall." she moved around him to head for the elevator.
Oliver looked from her to Quentin who just nods. A smile spread across Oliver's face as he hurries after her, slipping into the elevator beside her.
"And also, this doesn't mean your evil plan worked."
"Of course not." Oliver turned to face her as the doors closed, and she once again pointed to him as he inched closer to her.
"You already forget rule number one?" Katie's back is suddenly pressed to the wall of the elevator.
"I'm pretty sure I'm going to break that rule a lot." he replied, as his lips lowered to hers.
Author's Note:
Hmm, this should be interesting.
Review Replies
Adela: Thank You!
Thanks everyone for the support! As always, it's greatly appreciated!
Sneak Peek
"Yeah, security, I'm going to need--" Ari pointed toward the woman. "You're going to need to stop walking before you're no longer able to."
The woman stopped walking, a look of curiosity at the words.
"Arianna, my name is--"
"Agent Samanda Watson." a voice spoke from the other side of the hall.
Ari turned, glad to see Katie walking over and standing in front of her. Katie glanced over her shoulder to Ari.
"It's fine, you can go."
"What's going on?"
"Later, but now, go, get back to work." she replied.
"Uh, never mind." she said into the phone before ending the call and slipping it back into her pocket. She glanced over to Katie and then to Agent Watson, before turning off and heading down the hall.
"Mrs. Queen--"
"We should talk in my office." Katie turned back to the woman and gestured for her to follow her.