Chapter 27
Chasing Light, Haunted by Dark
"It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves."
— William Shakespeare
Katie sat at her vanity, staring at her reflection in the mirror. She was supposed to be slipping on her shoes to head over to Ethan and Laurel's new house, where Felicity was throwing a baby shower for Laurel.
Katie had been trying to motivate herself, telling herself that she could attend the shower and be happy for her friend. The truth was, every time she looked at Laurel lately, it reminded her of what she wouldn't—couldn't—have again.
When she heard the door open, she snapped from her thoughts and stood up.
"Wow," Oliver said, admiring the beautiful yellow floral sundress she was wearing. "You look beautiful, Twinkie."
"Thank you," she replied with a polite smile as she moved to her closet for her shoes. "Are you sure you can stick around to watch the kids today? Because, really, I could stay—"
"Twinkie, it's fine. We're going to have a good time. We're all taking a trip to the zoo," Oliver smiled.
He turned as Katie emerged from the closet, her expression suggesting that wasn't the answer she wanted. He stepped closer, standing in front of her.
"Are you okay?"
Katie lifted her gaze to Oliver and let out a sigh, stepping forward to wrap her arms around him in a hug.
"I'm trying to be a good friend," she said, resting her head against his chest. "But I feel like I'm going to be a total bummer at this baby shower."
"Twinkie, you don't have to go. I'm sure Laurel would understand."
"I'm sure she would, but I don't want to keep running from these emotions. I don't want to feel sad every time I look at her. I should be over this by now."
"Twinkie, this isn't something you just get over. We found out we wouldn't be able to have more kids. What you're feeling is valid." Oliver pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Hey, if you feel like it's too much, just call me, and I'll come get you."
Katie turned her head, resting her chin on his chest as she looked up into his eyes.
"Promise?"
"I promise." He brought his lips to hers.
Just then, there was a knock at their door. They turned to see Ari enter, an annoyed expression on her face.
"Felicity is here; I guess we have to go to this thing now," Ari said before turning and sulking out of the room.
"Has she talked to you about what happened with her and Jamie?" Oliver asked, and Katie sighed.
"Not in great detail, but she told me it was over with them." Katie pulled away to grab her bag. "That's reason number one hundred and five why I didn't want her under that mask. She's too young to figure out how to live two separate lives. And now she's heartbroken." Katie turned back to Oliver. "Wish me luck."
"You don't need luck; you're going to be fine," Oliver replied, walking over and wrapping an arm around her.
When they came downstairs, they found Felicity in the kitchen, her head in the refrigerator.
"Hey, Smoaks, we're ready," Katie called, and Felicity looked over, then closed the refrigerator.
"Good, because I'm starving, and I hope the caterers are setting up the food when we get there." Felicity walked over and waved at Oliver before moving around them and out of the kitchen.
"Remember, just call me if you need to be rescued," Oliver said, pressing another kiss to Katie's head.
Felicity's party-planning skills were top-tier. The backyard of Laurel and Ethan's house looked stunning, decked out in a blue and yellow color scheme.
The space had been transformed into a whimsical garden party, with twinkling fairy lights strung between trees and a canopy of colorful bunting overhead. A long table, draped in a cheerful yellow cloth, showcased an assortment of snacks—fruit skewers, cupcakes adorned with tiny baby bottles, and a towering cake decorated with pastel details.
As the blonde flitted around the party, making sure everything was running smoothly, and Ari found a group of girls from her school (likely siblings or children of Laurel's friends), Katie stood off to the side by herself, silently cursing the fact that there wasn't a drop of alcohol in sight.
Katie eyed the snack table, her annoyance growing with each passing minute. No booze, no easy way out—just piles of food. If she couldn't drink her way through this, she'd eat her way through it. At least that was something she could control.
She grabbed a mini sandwich and bit into it with determination. The soft bread and deli meat were bland, but in their own way, comforting. As baby talk and excited chatter swirled around her, she began piling more food onto her plate—cookies, cheese, crackers, fruit skewers—anything she could get her hands on.
"Hey, save some for the rest of the party," Felicity teased, suddenly appearing beside her. "And yes, I know I stuffed my face before everyone arrived, but now there are witnesses."
Katie leaned in closer, polishing off her second—or was it third?—cupcake. "Hey," she whispered conspiratorially, glancing around to make sure no one was eavesdropping. "What are the odds we could sneak into the kitchen and find something stronger than lemonade? Someone's gotta have stashed a bottle of wine somewhere, right?"
"I can't," Felicity chuckled, but Katie just rolled her eyes.
"You can't let me drink alone."
"No, I can't—I can't drink," Felicity clarified. Katie quirked a brow at her, and then the realization hit.
"You're pregnant."
"Yeah, I was going to tell you later, but I figured I should give you a good reason why we can't unleash Drunk Twinkie and Smoaks on these unsuspecting people," Felicity joked.
Katie stood there, staring at her friend for a moment. A voice in her head screamed at her to smile, so she did—forcing her lips into a wide grin as she threw her arms around Felicity.
"I'm so happy for you," she said, even though a piece of her felt like it was breaking. She pulled back, keeping that same bright smile on her face. "Have you told Bruce?"
"Yeah, I told him when I was in Gotham, but it wasn't exactly the moment I imagined." Felicity shook her head, then reached for Katie's hand. "And you're really okay? I know all this baby talk must be tough."
Katie's smile remained fixed in place, not daring to show what she truly felt. This moment wasn't about her or her sadness. It was about her best friend, who had just shared some of the happiest news of her life.
"Really, I'm happy for you, Felicity. I know how much you wanted this."
"It's not exactly what I wanted," Felicity admitted, her eyes dropping. "I wanted to do this with Bruce, but he's still in Gotham, getting lost in his obsession with the Joker."
"Bruce can be an idiot, but when it comes to this, he'll be the guy you married. Just give him time," Katie reassured her, placing a hand on Felicity's shoulder. She glanced up as someone from the catering team signaled Felicity.
"I think they need you."
Felicity turned, holding up a finger before refocusing on Katie. "The cake must be here. I'll check on it, and then we can start the games," she said with a grin. "Go mingle, have fun. I'll be back in a bit."
As soon as Felicity disappeared into the crowd, Katie felt an overwhelming urge to escape. The cheerful chatter and laughter blurred into a distant murmur as she quietly slipped away from the backyard. She needed a moment—any moment—away from the celebration, away from the constant reminders of what she didn't have.
Katie made her way to the sidewalk in front of the house, glancing around the quiet, picturesque neighborhood. Slipping her hand into her dress pocket, she pulled out her phone. She was about to call Oliver, knowing she'd take him up on his offer to rescue her, when a voice interrupted her thoughts.
"There you are."
Katie turned to see Thea approaching. She forced another smile, trying to hide behind it, just as she had been doing all day.
"Hey, were you looking for me?" Katie asked, scanning the area as if she were about to be dragged back to play baby shower games. "You're not here to make me join the games, are you?"
"No, I saw you earlier and meant to come over, but I got pulled into a conversation with Laurel," Thea explained as she walked closer. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Katie replied quickly, already looking for an escape route. "We should probably head back."
She took a step forward, but Thea grabbed her hand, stopping her in her tracks. The forced smile fell from Katie's face.
"Ollie mentioned that coming to this baby shower might be hard for you, but he didn't explain why." Thea's gaze softened as she studied Katie. "How would you feel about ditching this party and grabbing a drink instead?"
Katie didn't say anything at first, just stared at her sister-in-law. Then, without warning, she threw her arms around Thea in a grateful hug.
"Thank you," Katie breathed, her relief obvious.
Soon, the two women were seated at a bistro downtown, their table near the window offering a beautiful view of the city. Thea sat across from Katie, her hand resting gently on top of hers after hearing the news about the abdominal adhesions and their slim chances of having children.
"Why didn't you say anything?" Thea asked softly after a brief silence. "I would've done something—been there for you and Ollie."
"There wasn't anything you could do to change this, Speedy," Katie replied, giving a small shrug. "Plus, I didn't want it to become this… thing every time people looked at me." She gestured toward Thea's face. "That look—I didn't want this to be the focus. We're fine."
"You didn't look fine at the baby shower," Thea pointed out. "And I don't blame you. Why did you even go? Laurel would've understood if you couldn't make it."
"Your brother said the same thing." Katie shook her head. "I just wanted to prove to myself that I could do it. That I could face the things that make me sad and not let them break me." She let out a deep sigh, glancing out the window. "But I think I proved the opposite. Seeing Laurel… it just reminded me of what I won't ever have again." Katie's voice dropped as she looked back at Thea.
"There are other ways you guys could have kids," Thea suggested gently. "There's adoption—"
"Yeah, I doubt that's in the cards for us," Katie interrupted, her voice sharp with frustration. She pulled her hand back and wiped away a stray tear before forcing a smile. "Anyway, that's the story," she said, trying to lighten the mood. "Let's change the subject. I can't believe you're leaving me."
"You're not going to try to talk me out of it, are you?" Thea laughed. "I half expected Ollie to, but he's been surprisingly supportive."
"I'll miss you, but I won't try to change your mind." Katie smiled, though it faltered slightly. "Honestly, I wish…" She hesitated.
"What?"
"I wish it was us leaving. Me, Oliver, the kids," Katie admitted, her face scrunching a little. "Is that horrible to say?"
"Not at all," Thea said, shaking her head. "You guys have been through so much. I don't know how you've hung on this long." She smirked, leaning forward. "I also can't believe you're still putting up with my brother. How's that going, by the way?"
Katie chuckled. "It's… going in the right direction. We're learning that we're stronger when we stick together, no matter what's thrown at us." She laughed. "And trust me, I'm still making him make up for that disaster of an anniversary."
"Oh, I know all about that." Thea grinned. Katie raised an eyebrow in question. "Sworn to sister secrecy."
"But you always break your 'sister secrecy' for me."
"Not this time!" Thea replied, miming a zipper across her lips.
Their conversation paused when the waiter approached, handing them menus. "Apologies for the wait, here are your drink menus. What would you like to start with?"
Before either woman could answer, a sudden crash erupted from the other side of the restaurant, followed by a scream.
"Dad! Someone help!"
Katie and Thea exchanged looks before quickly getting to their feet and rushing toward the commotion.
"Call 911!" another patron yelled to the crowd gathering around a young woman and a man sprawled out on the floor.
"Is there a doctor here?!"
Katie glanced at Thea, her voice tight with a wry smile. "I thought people only said that on TV." She pushed through the crowd.
When she reached the woman and her father, Katie knelt down beside the man.
"Hi," she said, addressing the woman. "Is this your dad?"
"Yeah—he was eating, and then he couldn't breathe and collapsed! He's not waking up!"
"Looks like he's having a severe allergic reaction to something." Katie quickly lifted the man's chin, listening for breathing. "His airway's completely closed." She turned back to the woman. "What's your name?"
"Hannah."
"And your dad?"
"Ben."
"Alright, Hannah, my name's Katie, and I'm going to need your help." Katie glanced at Thea. "You too, Speedy."
She scanned the crowd, noticing several people recording the scene. "And the rest of you, back up—give us space!" she barked.
Turning to Thea, Katie spoke quickly. "Go to the kitchen—get me the sharpest steak knife you can find, some vodka, towels, and gloves if they have them. Hurry!"
Thea nodded and bolted toward the kitchen. Katie motioned to a nearby waiter. "I need a plastic straw. Now."
The waiter fumbled in his apron and handed her a wrapped straw. "Here."
"Thanks." Katie handed it to Thea just as she returned with everything. "Alright, Hannah, keep talking to your dad. He needs to hear your voice."
"Dad, please!" Hannah's voice wavered with fear, but there was strength beneath it. "You have to wake up!"
As Thea spread out the towels, Katie donned the gloves, her focus unshakeable. Thea watched in awe as Katie worked with calm, practiced precision, her hands steady as she disinfected the knife with vodka.
Thea felt her heart race as she whispered, "Are you sure you can do this?"
But Katie didn't hear. She was already fully immersed in the task.
"Alright, Ben," Katie muttered as she prepared to make the incision, "you're not getting out of paying your check that easily."
Oliver had been home for a few hours after their zoo trip. Robyn was fast asleep, while Will was outside playing with the dogs. He figured the baby shower had wrapped up by now and expected Katie to be home soon. He didn't want to worry, but he couldn't help it as he gripped his phone, tempted to call her. What if she was just taking a night to unwind with friends? He didn't want to overreact or intrude.
Standing in the kitchen, he gazed into the backyard, watching Will and the dogs, when he heard the front door open. He turned to see Ari entering the house, her eyes glued to her phone.
"Is Katie with you?" Oliver asked.
Ari looked up, shaking her head. "You don't know?"
She handed her phone to Oliver, showing him a video. It was a clip from a restaurant, and there was Katie, surrounded by a crowd as she worked over a man on the floor. Oliver watched as she calmly inserted a straw into his throat, followed by a collective gasp of relief as the man finally took a breath.
"Some guy had an allergic reaction. Katie was there and helped," Ari explained, taking her phone back. "I didn't even realize she left the baby shower."
"She left the baby shower?" Oliver's brows furrowed. "I'm going to the hospital. Can you watch Will and Robyn?"
"Sure, I've got nothing better to do." Ari shrugged before heading upstairs.
"Ari," Oliver called after her, making her pause and turn back. "Jamie's an idiot."
"No, he's not." Ari sighed. "I thought I could balance it all—being Firelight and still having a normal life with him. But it doesn't work. It's impossible when you have to lie to someone you care about just to keep both worlds separate. I messed it up."
"You didn't mess it up," Oliver replied. "You did something most people your age shouldn't have to do. And trust me, I know how hard it is to juggle two lives." He gave her a soft smile. "That's why I told Katie."
Ari looked at him, surprised. "You told her because of that?"
"Partly." Oliver stepped closer. "I'll tell you the full story later. For now, just hang tight with the kids."
When Oliver arrived at the hospital, there was a swarm of reporters clustered outside. He exhaled, opting to sneak through the parking garage to avoid them.
Inside, he was heading for the nurse's station when he spotted Thea coming out of an elevator.
"Ollie, hey," she said, walking over. "I was about to call you."
"I've seen the video," Oliver replied. "Where is she?"
"Upstairs with the man's daughter. The dad's still in surgery, and Katie hasn't left the girl's side." Thea shook her head in disbelief. "It was amazing. I mean, sitting there watching her save someone like that. She was incredible."
Thea glanced down at her phone. "It's Roy. I should go. Katie's on the fifth floor."
Oliver hugged her briefly before heading to the elevator. When he arrived on the floor, he spotted Katie standing, dressed in scrubs, beside a young woman, talking to Ethan.
"So he's going to be okay?" the woman asked, her voice hopeful.
Ethan smiled and nodded. "Yes, your father's doing fine. You can go in and see him now."
The young woman's face lit up, and she threw her arms around Ethan before turning to Katie. "Thank you. I don't know what would've happened if you hadn't been there. You saved his life. We're all each other have now."
"You're welcome," Katie said softly as the woman followed Ethan through the doors.
Oliver watched his wife for a moment before she finally noticed him. "Hey," she said, walking over to him and wrapping her arms around him.
"Hey, I hear you had an interesting day," he said, kissing the top of her head as he held her close.
"Yeah," she sighed, leaning into him. "But I really just want to go home now."
They slipped past the reporters again, sneaking out through the parking garage, avoiding the chaos waiting for them outside. The car ride home was thick with an uneasy silence, the steady hum of the tires barely enough to mask the tension between them.
Oliver glanced over at Katie. She was staring out the window, her expression distant, her mind somewhere far away. The adrenaline from earlier had drained, leaving behind an oppressive weight neither of them could shake.
"I, uh, saw a video from the restaurant," Oliver said, breaking the quiet as they hit a red light. His voice was tentative, uncertain. He looked over at her, but she kept her gaze out the window. "That guy wasn't breathing… and then he was, because of you. You saved that woman's father."
He waited for a reaction, but Katie remained silent, her face unreadable. As the words hung in the air, something clicked for Oliver. She wasn't celebrating her actions like everyone else had. She wasn't proud. Instead, she was burdened—by the guilt of not being able to save her own father. It hit him like a punch to the gut.
He sighed, running a hand through his hair, stealing another glance at her. "Twinkie—"
"I don't want to talk about it, Liver," Katie cut him off, her voice quiet but firm, her eyes still fixed on the road outside.
They arrived home to a silent house. The stillness was almost deafening.
"I'm going to grab a shower," Katie mumbled, heading for the stairs.
"Were you hungry? I could warm up some takeout," Oliver offered, his voice gentle, hoping to draw her out of her shell, even just a little.
"I'm not hungry," she replied, shaking her head. "I'll probably just check on the kids and turn in early." Without another word, she disappeared upstairs.
That night, as they lay in bed, the silence between them felt heavier than the night itself. Neither of them seemed able to sleep. Katie had her eyes closed, but Oliver could tell she was wide awake. He reached over, gently running his fingers along her arm, offering her silent comfort.
"It feels like a joke," Katie suddenly said, her eyes snapping open in the dark. "A sick, twisted joke." Her voice trembled as she spoke. "The day I skip a baby shower, I end up at some random bistro with Thea, where I save someone's father." A tear slid down her cheek, and Oliver reached up to wipe it away. "And it was easy. I've done trachs hundreds of times. I knew—I knew I could save him." She closed her eyes, her voice breaking. "But part of me kept seeing my dad lying there. And there was this voice in my head telling me I couldn't do it, that I'd fail again. That he was going to die, and it would be my fault. Again."
Oliver moved closer, wrapping an arm around her shoulders, pulling her against him. "Katie, it wasn't your fault," he said softly, his voice steady but full of emotion. "You saved Ben's life today. You did something incredible."
"But that's the thing," Katie's voice was thick with grief. "I saved Ben, but I couldn't save my dad. I was there when he died. I saw him die when Annabelle stabbed him, and I couldn't stop it. I felt so helpless." Her body trembled as she spoke, the weight of her memories almost unbearable.
"I know what that feels like," Oliver said, his voice low, haunted by his own past. "I watched my mother die right in front of me, too. I felt like I failed her, like I should've been able to do something."
Katie reached up, gently placing her hand on his cheek, her eyes searching his.
"It was a nightmare," Oliver admitted, his voice breaking. "I thought I should've been able to save her, to protect her. But in that moment, I couldn't. I was just… powerless. It's a pain that doesn't ever really go away."
Katie exhaled, her breath shaky. "Every time I think I'm starting to move forward, something pulls me back," she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper as fresh tears slid down her face. "I thought I was strong enough to handle it, but all I see is my dad bleeding out. And I couldn't save him. I feel like I failed him."
"You didn't fail him," Oliver said gently, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "You were there for him in his final moments. You gave him love and support. That matters. You were his anchor."
In the stillness of their bedroom, Katie leaned into Oliver, her body trembling slightly as she let herself fall into his embrace. Oliver held her tightly, pressing a soft kiss to the top of her head, his arms a protective barrier against the storm of emotions swirling around them.
Oliver couldn't shake the feeling that his words hadn't reached Katie. The next morning, she was still quiet, and he knew the events from the day before—saving a stranger's father—had only dredged up her unresolved guilt over her own father's death.
He had hoped that Thea and Roy's going-away party might lift her spirits, distract her from her thoughts, but it wasn't working. At the bunker, the team had gathered, along with Quentin, to wish Thea and Roy well in their new chapter. Everyone seemed in good spirits—except for Katie.
Oliver kept a close eye on her. She hadn't been in the mood for a party before they came, and he wouldn't be surprised if she tried to slip out early. That's why he held on to Robyn, knowing Katie wouldn't leave without her daughter.
"Ah, my little ladybug!" Thea's voice came from behind as she swooped in, plucking Robyn from his arms. "I'm going to miss you the most," she cooed, smothering the toddler with kisses.
"I don't know how I feel about that," Oliver teased, watching Robyn giggle as Thea showered her with affection.
"Tee-ya!" Robyn squealed, laughing uncontrollably.
Thea's smile softened as she followed Oliver's gaze across the room to Katie, who was talking to John. "How's she doing?" Thea asked, her tone concerned. "She doesn't look like someone who just saved a man's life."
"I think she's more focused on the life she couldn't save," Oliver replied, his eyes lingering on his wife.
"Jacob," Thea whispered knowingly, glancing at Katie.
"Yeah. I've got a feeling she might try to leave early, so keep Robyn with you, just in case."
Thea nodded, shifting Robyn in her arms. "Right. She wouldn't leave without her ladybug." Her gaze moved to Ari, who was chatting with Roy. "How's Ari holding up? I tried talking to her about Jamie earlier, but she brushed it off."
Oliver sighed, following Thea's glance toward Ari. "She's upset, but she only really talks to Katie about this kind of thing."
Thea nodded in understanding. "Well, you've been in her shoes. We all have, in a way." She looked back at her brother, her expression serious. "We all have to decide whether we keep these two worlds separate or bring them together. Most of the time, we've chosen the same thing."
Oliver frowned slightly. "You think she should tell Jamie?"
"Ollie," Thea said, using his nickname to soften her words, "if there's one thing I've learned, it's that bringing people into this life puts them at risk. But look at everyone you've brought in." She gestured around the room, her eyes landing on their gathered friends. "You found people you could trust, and you chose to tell them. You told me." She met his gaze. "Ari deserves that same choice, if she finds someone she trusts."
Oliver nodded thoughtfully as Thea turned back to Robyn. "Let's go see Roy. He's been dying to hold you since we got here."
As Thea headed off with Robyn, Oliver's attention shifted back to Ari, who was now making her way over to Katie.
Katie felt a gentle tug on her arm and turned to find Ari standing beside her.
"How long do I have to stay at this party?" Ari asked, her expression exasperated.
"Not having fun?" John asked, glancing at her with a grin.
Ari shook her head. "I've said goodbye to Thea and Roy, and honestly, I'd rather not have their love shoved down our throats any longer. I want to go home." She turned back to Katie, holding out her hand. "Since I rode here with you, can I take your car and you ride back with Oliver?"
Katie shook her head, a small smile pulling at her lips. "No, because if I can't ditch, neither can you. Not until we get Robyn. Oliver's been keeping her away, and now Thea has her."
Ari glanced over at Thea, who was now handing Robyn to Roy. "Say no more," she said, pulling away to retrieve the toddler.
John watched her leave, then turned to Katie. "You're not having fun either?"
Katie shrugged, her expression indifferent. "I'd think you'd be in better spirits," John continued. "I saw the videos."
Katie rolled her eyes. "Ugh, those damn videos. Seriously, the guy had an allergic reaction, and I was the only doctor there who could help. It's not that big of a deal."
John raised an eyebrow. "Do you really believe that? That saving someone's life isn't a big deal? That everything you've been doing for this city isn't a big deal?"
Katie avoided his gaze, but John pressed on. "I have to tell you, you're wrong. It is a big deal, and you should be proud. You've been searching for who you are, and you're not seeing her when she's right in front of you."
He nudged her arm gently. "Maybe you should watch the video."
Katie didn't reply, and John gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder before heading off to talk to Quentin.
Across the room, Will stood by the cake table, sneaking a pinch of frosting with his fingers when he thought no one was looking.
"You're going to be in so much trouble if your dad sees you doing that," Thea teased, sneaking up on him. "But lucky for you, you've got a cool aunt who approves of bad behavior."
Will grinned at her. "I'm gonna miss you."
Thea smiled, her heart swelling with affection. "I'm gonna miss you too, kiddo." She glanced over at Oliver, her expression softening. "Just promise me you'll watch over your parents, okay?"
Will glanced at his father, then back at Thea. "But he's the Green Arrow. And Katie is the Guardian."
"You know, before he was the Green Arrow, he used to be really afraid of the dark," Thea teased, her eyes twinkling as she glanced at Oliver. "He needed a nightlight in his room until he was, what, 16?"
"It was not a nightlight," Oliver muttered defensively, his eyes narrowing playfully at his sister. "I just couldn't sleep in pitch black. Ask Katie. We've had this conversation."
Oliver shook his head, then turned to Will, who had been sneaking cake. "By the way, I did see that. Go get a fork and a plate and cut yourself a reasonable slice."
Will sighed dramatically. "Yes, Dad," he mumbled before walking away.
"I forgot to say earlier, but thanks for putting this together. It's actually pretty cool." Thea said and Oliver turned her with a furrowed brow.
"Why do you sound so surprised?" Oliver asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Well, for a few reasons. I thought we'd be having a party for Twinkie receiving the Humanitarian of the Year award instead," Thea said, glancing at Katie with pride. "Plus, I figured you might be a little more hesitant about me leaving."
"Twinkie is dead set against us throwing her a party," Oliver added with a grin, "but we're going to throw one anyway. And, Thea, I was the one who encouraged you to follow your heart."
"I know, I know," Thea replied with a sigh. "It's just that now that it's happening, I thought maybe you'd be a little less supportive."
"I'm supportive of anything that makes you happy," Oliver said sincerely. "Speaking of which, I did tell Roy that the two times I shot him with arrows would be nothing compared to what happens if he makes you unhappy."
"Seriously?" Katie joined them, linking her arm with Oliver's. "That's so—"
"Nothing compared to the threat she made," Roy interjected, walking over to stand beside Thea. "Sorry to say it, but I'm more scared of her than you, Oliver."
"I don't blame you," Oliver said with a smirk, looking fondly at Katie.
Katie turned to Roy. "You talk to Martin?"
"Yeah," Roy nodded. "He's setting up new IDs for us, ones he promises are airtight. He even offered private security if we wanted it."
"We turned that down," Thea added.
"Well, it couldn't hurt," Oliver replied, eyeing the couple.
A whistle caught their attention, and they turned to see Ari holding Robyn, gesturing that she had the child.
"I can't believe she did it," Katie said with a grin, noticing the looks on everyone's faces. "I mean, we—"
"Were planning to ditch the party once you had Robyn," Thea interrupted, shaking her head in mock disapproval. "Oliver, please remind my sister what it means to smile and have fun."
Katie gave Thea a teasing glare. "You can be annoying sometimes, but I'm really going to miss you and your knack for showing up at the worst possible moments."
Thea laughed. "You'll have to come visit us once we figure out where we're going to land."
"Where do you think that's going to be?" Oliver asked.
"We're not sure yet," Thea said, glancing at Roy. "But that's kind of the best part. We're figuring it out as we go."
"Oh, to be young, wild, and childless," Katie joked, resting her head on Oliver's shoulder as he chuckled.
"As long as we're together, that's all that matters," Roy said, smiling at Thea before looking at Oliver and Katie. "Right?"
Oliver and Katie exchanged a look, both silently agreeing with his words. "Right," Oliver said, nodding.
Another whistle came from Ari's direction, and Katie sighed. "I should—" she began, trying to pull away from Oliver, but he gently wrapped his arms tighter around her.
"Thea, could you—?" Oliver gestured toward Ari and Robyn.
"Absolutely," Thea said, hurrying off to take Robyn from Ari.
Katie raised an eyebrow at Oliver. "Did you just foil our escape plan?"
Oliver grinned, leaning in to kiss her. "Guilty as charged."
As they pulled apart, Roy awkwardly pointed away. "I'm just going to… uh, go catch up with Thea."
Oliver smiled down at Katie, snaking his other arm around her. "Stay, have fun, and—" He stopped, his gaze shifting to Felicity, who was hurrying toward the bathroom. "Felicity?"
The woman didn't say anything as she practically ran across the room.
"She's realizing morning sickness doesn't just happen in the morning," Katie muttered absentmindedly. The moment the words left her mouth, she realized what she had said and glanced at Oliver with wide eyes. "I didn't just say that, and you know nothing," she added hurriedly before slipping out of his grasp and heading after Felicity.
Oliver watched her rush off, then turned his attention back to John and Quentin, who were deep in conversation. He walked over just as Quentin was saying, "Don't they always, though?"
Sensing work talk, Oliver jumped in. "I see this is a, uh, work conversation. So, where are we with the SCPD?" He glanced between John and Quentin.
"Well," Quentin began, "Dinah and Curtis are working on a list of possible dirty cops, but that might be the least of our problems."
"How so?" Oliver asked, crossing his arms.
"The D.A.'s office is refusing to drop your case without Roy's testimony," Quentin explained. "That doesn't sit right with me. And who's to say Diaz hasn't infiltrated other parts of the city's power structure?"
"Oliver, you let me worry about Diaz," John said firmly. "You should be spending more time with your family before Thea leaves, and focus on things with Katie."
Oliver nodded, the weight of John's words hitting him. The idea of stepping back to focus on his family was appealing, but it felt more complicated than that.
"You think he's just gonna stop worrying?" Quentin chuckled.
"Well, ever since he trusted me to take over," John said, turning to Oliver. "If that's still on the table."
Quentin noticed the tension between them and decided to make a quick exit. "I'm gonna grab some cake," he said, moving past the two men.
As Quentin walked away, he spotted Laurel and Ethan entering the room, mid-argument.
"Well, he's my son too, and I think I should have a say in the matter," Ethan said just as they came into earshot of Quentin.
Quentin raised an eyebrow. "Do I even want to know?" he asked, looking between the two of them.
"She wants to name our son Brighton," Ethan replied, his exasperation clear.
Quentin turned to Laurel with a smile tugging at his lips. "Huh. That's… a name."
"It's a great name," Laurel insisted, folding her arms. "Way better than Hannibal Mills."
"Hannibal is an awesome name!" Ethan protested. "But whatever, we didn't know what to bring, so we brought chips and dip." He glanced around the room and spotted the snack table. "I'll go sit this one out." He turned to Laurel. "Axel?"
"Nope, and you've already suggested that one," Laurel replied, rolling her eyes as Ethan groaned and headed toward the snacks.
Laurel turned back to Quentin. "And Brighton is adorable."
"If you want the kid to get beat up every day of his life," Quentin quipped.
Laurel huffed but let it go. "Is Katie here? I didn't get to talk to her at the baby shower before she left to save someone's life."
"She's here," Quentin said. "I think she went to check on Felicity. She wasn't looking too hot earlier."
Laurel raised an eyebrow. "You know something I don't?"
"I know something, but I can't say," Laurel replied with a grin before spotting Thea and Roy. "I'm gonna go say hi."
Back with John, Oliver could feel the conversation hadn't ended.
"You brought this up last week," Oliver said, turning back to him.
"I thought we were clear," John replied, tilting his head. "You wanted out, I wanted in. You wanted more time with your family. Has something changed?"
Oliver hesitated. "Yeah. It's just you and me now, and we don't know the full extent of what Diaz has or doesn't have. I don't think it should just be you."
Before John could respond, Oliver saw Katie and Felicity returning to the party. "I'm going to check on Felicity," he said, giving John a nod before walking away.
As Oliver approached, Felicity looked up, her expression slightly guarded. "Hey," he said softly. "You okay?"
"Yeah, that was just—uh," Felicity glanced at Katie, then sighed. "I'm pregnant."
"Really? Congratulations!" Thea appeared out of nowhere, hugging Felicity tightly. "You and Bruce must be so excited. Where is he, anyway? Shouldn't he be here, being all overprotective husband and father-to-be?"
"He's still in Gotham, dealing with the Joker problem," Felicity replied, shaking her head.
"Are you serious?" Oliver asked, his voice hardening. "He should be here with you, helping you."
Felicity waved him off. "It's fine, Oliver. I'm fine."
"It's not fine," Oliver argued. "He's supposed to be here for you."
"But he's not," Felicity said, her voice calm but firm. "And I'm okay with that. I can take care of this baby on my own."
As Felicity walked off to get something to drink, Oliver stood there fuming.
"I know what you're thinking," Katie said, stepping up beside him. "And no, you can't go to Gotham and kick Bruce's butt."
"I think that's exactly what I should do," Oliver retorted, "because I'm pretty sure it's what he'd do if I pulled something like this."
Katie raised an eyebrow. "You weren't exactly there the first couple of months with Robyn."
Oliver sighed. "I was busy trying to take down Ra's with Malcolm."
"Exactly," Katie replied. "And you didn't drop everything the moment I told you I was pregnant. You finished what you started because you knew you couldn't move on until it was done. Bruce needs to stop Joker before he can fully be there for Felicity."
Oliver sighed again, knowing she was right.
Katie nudged his arm. "Look, Laurel's here."
As Oliver turned to look, Ethan approached, sliding in front of Katie with a grin. "Kit, help me out here. What do you think about the name Blaze Mills? Laur swears up and down it's ridiculous, but it's cool, right?" "
Katie paused, her face going blank before she abruptly turned and walked away.
Ethan looked confused. "What did I say? Did I—Oh." Realization dawned on him. "I'm a jerk."
"You're not a jerk," Oliver said, clapping him on the shoulder. "Just an excited dad. But Laurel's right—Blaze is a ridiculous name."
With that, Oliver went after Katie, finding her on the other side of the bunker, her hands covering her face.
"Twinkie…"
"Please don't, Liver." Katie dropped her hands and turned to him, her voice soft with frustration. "I feel crazy that this is affecting me like this."
"You're not crazy." Oliver stepped closer, placing his hands on her shoulders. "Twinkie, we were told we wouldn't be able to have any more kids."
"Well, you can." She pulled away from his grasp, her voice sharp. "I'm the one who's broken. You can still have as many kids as you want."
"Twinkie, you're not broken." Oliver's voice was firm as he wrapped his arms around her again. "And I don't want anything if I can't have it with you."
Katie sighed and rested her head against his chest. "It's just… hard to feel that way sometimes."
"Hey."
They both turned to see Laurel approaching them with a tentative smile.
"Sorry to interrupt," Laurel said, glancing between them. "But I was hoping to talk to Katie for a moment."
Oliver looked at Katie, who nodded softly. "It's fine," she said with a reassuring smile up at him. "I'll see you back out there."
Oliver placed a gentle kiss on her cheek before heading back toward the party.
Katie turned back to Laurel, brushing her hands through her hair. "So, what did you want to talk about?"
Laurel hesitated, then smiled. "We didn't really get a chance to talk at the baby shower. I wanted to thank you for being there. I know you and Oliver have a lot going on, and I really appreciate you stopping by."
"Of course," Katie replied, her tone distant as she glanced around the bunker. She sighed before turning back to Laurel. "I'm sorry I left early."
"I'm sure the guy whose life you saved didn't mind," Laurel quipped, lightening the mood. "Plus, I get it. I know parties aren't really your thing."
Katie shook her head, her expression serious. "That's not why I left." She stepped closer. "A few months ago, I found out I have scar tissue in my abdomen. Years of taking hits finally caught up to me. It's made it… unlikely that I'll ever get pregnant again." She paused, looking away for a moment before lifting her gaze back to Laurel. "So, yesterday I was a wreck, standing there jealous of you—the guest of honor. I left early because looking at you was just… a big reminder of what I might never have again."
Laurel's eyes widened with sympathy. "Oh, Katie, I'm so sorry. I wish you would've told me. I wouldn't have had a baby shower if I'd known. I didn't even want one to begin with—most of those people were old colleagues I barely liked."
Katie smiled weakly. "That's the last thing I wanted. I don't want you feeling bad for me, especially not over this." She looked pointedly at Laurel's belly. "You should pour all your love and excitement into this baby. And keep shooting down every dumb name Ethan throws at you."
Laurel chuckled softly, hugging Katie. "Really, I'm sorry. You and Ollie are the last people who deserve something like this."
Katie pulled back, sighing. "I'm starting to think this isn't about what we deserve or don't deserve. Sometimes life just throws crap at you, and all you can do is stand there and take it." She glanced toward the exit. "We should get some cake before it's all gone. What do you say?"
"You say cake, I say take me to it," Laurel replied with a grin, linking arms with Katie as they headed back toward the party.
Later that evening, Katie and Oliver finally returned home. Ari and Will darted through the door, racing toward the puppy pen.
"I called dibs on Curly, Larry, and Moe!" Will shouted, trying to catch up with Ari, who was faster.
"Then move quicker, Wilbur!" she teased.
Oliver followed behind, Robyn asleep on his shoulder, as he locked the door.
"Did you want to call dibs on a puppy?" he asked Katie with a playful smile.
Katie chuckled. "Actually, I was hoping to trade in my emotional support puppy for an emotional support husband who knows a few tricks to help me forget everything that's been upsetting me."
Oliver grinned and kissed her softly. "At your service."
They paused, hearing raised voices from Ari and Will, likely fighting over the puppies. Katie sighed, glancing at Oliver.
"So much for that dream. We should go break them up."
"Actually," Oliver suggested, "how about I deal with our devil children, lay Robyn down, and then meet you over in the doghouse?"
Katie raised an eyebrow. "You seriously think we could pull that off?"
"I think I'm willing to try," he said, leaning in for another kiss. "What do you say?"
Katie smiled. "Hurry."
Oliver headed upstairs, deciding to get Robyn changed and ready for bed first, before dealing with Ari and Will.
A short while later, the three of them stood in the hall: Ari and Will on one side, Oliver on the other, trying to wrangle the puppies.
"Alright," Oliver said, his voice firm but patient. "Once I let them go, and they choose who they want, that's it. No more arguments. Everyone takes their puppy and goes to bed. Understood?"
Ari and Will both nodded eagerly, already crouching on the floor, eyes on the squirming puppies.
"Just let them go already!" Ari urged.
Oliver sighed, dropping to one knee before releasing the puppies. He watched as Larry and Curly ran to Ari, while Moe and Little Harry went to Will.
Once they had their puppies, both kids stood, staring across at each other.
"Really, Little H? Whatever happened to girl power?" Ari teased, eyeing the puppy in Will's arms.
Will looked at his own puppy, perplexed. "Curly, why didn't you follow Moe? And Larry, I thought we had a bond."
Oliver chuckled, shaking his head. "Alright, that's enough. The puppies have spoken. Everyone to bed."
With playful grumbles, Ari and Will headed to their rooms, shutting their doors behind them. Oliver turned to leave, but suddenly Harry, trotted up beside him.
"Don't tell me you're joining this puppy drama, too," Oliver muttered with a smirk.
Harry ignored him, slipping past into Robyn's room. Oliver followed and watched as the old dog curled up on the floor beside Robyn's bed. A smile tugged at his lips. Quietly, he backed out of the room and into the hall, closing the door softly behind him.
After settling the kids and the puppies, Oliver finally joined Katie outside. But as she rushed toward him, he could tell something was off.
"Sorry, there was a whole puppy war that had to happen, but it's all settled now. No more interruptions," he said, wrapping his arms around her.
"Actually…" Katie pulled back, her expression tense. "Thea just called. We have to go."
Their night took an unexpected turn as they headed back to the bunker, leaving Ari in charge. When they arrived, Oliver rushed toward Thea.
"Thea, are you hurt?" he asked, panic in his voice.
"I'm fine," Thea reassured him, glancing at Roy. "We both are."
"They weren't even at the city limits and they got attacked." Felicity said.
"Because she jixed it." Roy muttered.
"Superstition played no part."
Katie's attention shifted when a familiar voice spoke, one that made her stand a little straighter. She walked forward, finally able to see the familiar face of her cousin, Nyssa Al Ghul.
"Cousin, I trust you've been taking care of our husband?" Nyssa al Ghul stepped into view, her presence commanding.
Katie glared at her cousin. "Nyssa, if you don't want your surprise return marked by me kicking your ass, tell us what's going on."
"Apparently, my dear old dad decided to recruit some loyalists before Nyssa disbanded the League." Thea answered and Katie turned to her.
"For what?" Oliver asked.
"To start his own, the Thanatos Guild." Nyssa replied. "Began hearing whispers about them shortly after we all returned from Lian Yu."
"He couldn't have lead for long, seeing as he didn't even make it off the island." John said.
"Moses never entered the holy land, and yet his legacy endured." Nyssa replied before turning to Katie. "His second in command, Athena, took charge, a contemporary of mine and a rival. And if I remember correctly, you and her didn't get along all that well either."
"I didn't get along with much of anyone during that period your father held me captive." Katie replied.
"Her involvement alone suggests a very dark purpose at work here." Nyssa continued.
"You still haven't' gotten to why they attacked Thea." Katie said taking another step toward Nyssa.
"Before Merlyn gave up his life, he discovered a map that leads to something ancient, powerful." Nyssa said. "I do not know what it is, but I do know that he yearned for Thea to be at his side when he unearthed it."
"That's funny, he never mentioned it." Thea replied.
"Athena believes Thea to either be in possession of the map or at the very least have knowledge of its whereabouts." Nyssa said.
"Well, you have fun on your treasure hunt, ok?" Thea replied.
"I told you." Nyssa said. "You cannot run from this."
"Thea's not running, but she's not getting dragged into more League bullshit either," Katie stated firmly. "If Athena and her people can't accept that Malcolm's gone, I'll help them understand."
"You may try to run from your blood Nura, but you know as well as I do, that you never truly can. And Thea can not deny the legacy of her father, no more than I can, no more than you." Nyssa glanced over to Thea. "I need your help obtaining the map."
"No, that's not happening." Katie once again answered for Thea.
"That's it?" Thea asked. "That's all you need and then everyone will finally leave me the hell alone?"
"Thea, you do not have to do this." Katie replied looking over to the woman. "Like Nyssa said, I am familiar with Athena, if she can't take no as an answer, I know how to translate it for her."
"You think stopping Athena will be the end of it?" Nyssa asked. "I told you they're loyalists. She goes down another will take her place and they will not stop coming after her." Nyssa once again looked over to Thea. "We need to find the map. Merlyn had an associate in Star City. If he shared the map's location with anyone, it would have been with her."
"You haven't spoken to her?" Thea asked.
"She does not care for me." Nyssa replied.
"Yeah, that doesn't surprise me." Katie replied
"But she would not deny Merlyn's daughter."
"Ok. Fine. I will go with you to talk to her. We—we will help you find your map, and then that's it." Thea said. "I'm done, for real this time."
"Where is this associate?" Oliver asked.
"I think it's probably not a good idea for you or Mr. Diggle come with us. This associate has an aversion to members of the opposite sex." Nyssa replied before turning to Thea. "Thea and I should go alone." she sighed before turning to Katie. "Forgive me, I assume you're coming as well." Nyssa looked down to Katie's attire. "You both may want to change into something less—that."
Katie and Thea looked down to their clothes and just shook their head. Nyssa gave them an address where they all would meet and a time before they all went their separate ways.
Back at home, Oliver sat on their bed, watching as Katie geared up for what was clearly going to be a dangerous mission.
"I don't like this," he said, watching her secure her blade harness.
"I am going to buy you a shirt." Katie replied walking over to her drawer and pulling out a black t shirt, and slipping it on before turning to him. "And right on the front will be the words, 'I don't like this'" she shook her head. "I don't like it either, which is why I was trying to get Thea out of this, but she's working with the logic that the only way out is through, so I'm going through it with her." Katie grabbed her dark blue jacket from the bed and slipped it on before turning to him.
"I would wear that shirt proudly, and still not like this." Oliver brought his arms around her. "I need you to be careful, and to stay with Thea and Nyssa."
"Liver—"
"You want to find Athena and her league by yourself." Oliver replied and Katie just turned away. "This isn't a fight you have to fight by yourself. The team is here, I am here. And I can be very good back up. I know when it comes to the league, you don't want any of us involved, but we are. So if Thea is going through this, we're all going through it with her." He pressed a kiss to her head. "Be safe, and be smart."
Katie sighed, leaning into him. "I might end up killing Nyssa before this is over if she calls you her husband again." She kissed him. "We should be naked right now, basking in the afterglow of round two."
Oliver chuckled, a glint of mischief in his eye. "Three. Definitely three."
Author's Note
There you have it!
Adela: Yes and thank you!
Thank you for read and supporting my work. I truly appreciate you!
"You came alone." Athena's voice echoed from somewhere in the room. "You know Nura, I still can't decide if you're a cunning opponent or just plain foolish. You're outnumbered, so why are you here?"
"You know the demon used to say, 'Failure is never an option, there is always a way to win.', and I think a part of me knows it's bullshit. You can fail, and you can lose, but I don't think that was the point of his words and it took me a while figure that out." Katie reached down grabbing three daggers, and sliding them between her fingers as she walked further. "The words weren't meant to be taken literally, they were meant to be motivation." she quickly tossed a dagger into the darkness and heard a grunt of pain before a thud. "Because if you tell yourself that you will not fail-" she tossed another dagger, once again hitting another assassin. "And you tell yourself that you will win, then part of you starts to believe it."
She pointed the last dagger out in front of her and soon Athena walked into the light directly in front of it.