Chapter Text
Slade stopped dead in his tracks when he saw there was no one in the room. He frowned, his brain kicking into high gear to try to figure out what had happened. Turning to leave steel doors and shutters slammed down locking him in the room and a mist began to drift down from drones he hadn’t noticed when he first charged in. “No!” He screamed running for the door. He had almost made it when his eyes rolled back, and he dropped to the floor unconscious.
***ARROW***
24 hours earlier
“You do know that once we cure his little army, Slade’s going to retaliate quickly.” Felicity warned as they discussed their options of what to do now that they knew that the cure worked.
“Whatever we are going to do, we will have to move fast after we neutralize the army.” Diggle added.
“Ollie, Sara, you guys were with him on the island what do you think that he will he do?” Thea asked from beside her mother. Felicity was currently seated in her computer chair holding a sleeping Esther while Moira and Thea were in the chairs next to her. Roy was standing beside Thea while Diggle leaned on a beam to Oliver’s right. Sara was sitting on one of their tables while Oliver stood across from Felicity completing the circle.
“He’ll come after those that Ollie loves the most.” Sara shrugged and stated matter-of-factly. She turned to face Oliver, “He promised you that he was going to take the ones that you love the most away from you. So, let’s give them to him.” Sara suggested.
“Not that I don’t mind playing bait, but what?” Felicity said blinking.
“We lure Slade to a location where he thinks that the ones I love are gathered, but it’s just a trap?” Oliver mused, looking thoughtful. Sara nodded, “That could work, but the real question is where would that be.”
“The easy answer is the Mansion.” Felicity said, her eyes lighting up, “I haven’t disabled any of the cameras that Slade planted yet. I have looped a video feed on them so he hasn’t been able to watch our movements, but they aren’t disabled.”
“He’s been spying on us?” Moira gasped, her hands flying up to her chest shocked and horrified at the thought.
“When he visited you to make the donation to your campaign he took the opportunity to plant cameras around the house during the art tour.” Oliver explained, “Once we found out that they were there, Felicity looped some video and randomized it to make sure that he couldn’t watch us.”
“So we’ll make sure he sees footage of us being in the Mansion, but in reality, we aren’t anywhere near to there. The problem is, how do we contain him and get close enough to give him the cure?” Felicity mused. “It’s too bad you don’t have an airtight room where we could just use one of the drones or like spray it in there.” A horrified look came over her face, “Holy frack I just described a gas chamber! I feel like I need to go to the Temple and cleanse myself or something.”
“Blondie might be onto something with the Nazi idea.” Roy interjected. Felicity glared at him, but he ignored her. “If we could make one of the rooms airtight with sealed doors and windows, then we could lure him inside using the videos. It wouldn’t be difficult to douse him with the cure either from a drone or through the vents. I don’t think we have enough time to make that happen though. Blood will be missed sooner rather than later, and we would’ve had to cure the army by then.”
“Well, I guess that it’s a good thing that I have the name of a contractor that can find and install everything tonight.” Moira spoke up. Then responding to the curious looks, she added. “Money can buy you a lot of things. Just let me know which room you want to be able to seal and I’ll make sure the install has been completed by noon tomorrow.” They finished the meeting and decided that Felicity, Esther, Moira, and Sara would stay at Felicity’s house until the all clear had been given.
Present
Slade came to as the air-tight doors rolled up. He slowly stood up with his sword still grasped in his hand. Oliver stood in one doorway, clad in his Arrow suit with his bow clutched in his gloved hand. Dig and Roy stood in the other door both armed and waiting. Slade glared at Oliver “Did you really think that that would work, Kid?” he asked coldly.
Oliver tilted his head, “It did work, and now I’m going to make sure that you go to where you can’t hurt anyone ever again.”
A smile crept over Slade’s face, “The only way to beat me Kid, is to kill me, and you don’t do that anymore, remember?”
Oliver stepped into the sitting room, “You see her don’t you, Slade. Shado? Is she as beautiful in your delusions as she was in real life?”
Slade glared at Oliver, his hatred shining out of his eye. “She was yours and you let her die.”
“She was her own person, Slade! She would be horrified at what you have done in her name.”
With a roar Slade attacked Oliver, who quickly blocked the strike with his bow. The two men battled furiously. Oliver used his bow to disarm Slade but received a hard blow to the face. While Slade wasn’t mirakuru strong anymore, he was still as strong as an ox and the blow momentarily stunned Oliver. Slade took that opportunity to grab Oliver by the throat and try to strangle him one-handed. Dropping his bow Oliver used his fist and throat punched Slade forcing the older man to let go. The two straightened, breathing hard, blood on both of their faces. “You know the mirakuru isn’t what made me hate you.”
Oliver ignored the barb, instead he hit Slade hard trying to get him out of the way so he could get his bow back. Slade was ready for his move, growling. “Your weak and you forget who trained you, Kid.” They continued to trade blows back and forth until Slade kicked out and connected with Oliver’s previously injured right knee. It gave out and sent him to the floor where Slade went to kick him in the face, Oliver rolled at the last minute causing Slade’s boot to glance off his cheekbone instead. Grabbing his bow Oliver kipped up, and used it to whip Slade across the face striking his good eye and blinding him. Grabbing the taser that Felicity normally used to great effect he jabbed the prongs into Slade’s neck and hit him with the highest voltage the device was safely capable of. Once Slade was down, Oliver slapped a set of sturdy flex-cuffs on him and then stepped away, breathing heavily and favoring his bad leg.
“No Slade. I have the strength to let you live.” Oliver said panting from the exertion. Once he had caught his breath, he limped over to Dig. “Call Lyla and have her inform Amanda Waller that I have a prisoner for her to transport.” Dig raised his eyebrow, but he didn’t say anything before stepping away to make the call.
Oliver stepped back to Slade and turned him over. He hoisted him upright and then secured his feet. “You helped me turn into a killer when I needed to be one. And I’m alive today because of you. I make it home because of you.” He paused to look at the furious expression on Slade’s face. “You helped me become a hero Slade, so thank you.”
Once Slade was secured, Oliver stood up and walked away ignoring all the promises of retribution that Slade was shouting at him. His task was complete, and it was time to return to his family.
***ARROW***
The tabloids had a field day when Oliver showed up at the polling station to vote with his face all messed up and limping, but they quickly quieted down when an ‘anonymous source’ told them that it was the result of a road rage incident where he was run off of the road when he was on his motorcycle. It had made Samantha nervous about bringing William to Starling, but she relented and Oliver was there to pick the two of them up from the train station. The ride to the mansion was filled with William’s excited chatter. Moira was staying in the city so that Samantha would be more comfortable with William being at the Mansion and because she had a lot of paperwork to fill out as the incumbent mayor.Even though Blood had been arrested and was currently awaiting trial he was still on the ballot, but she had received the most votes.
Felicity was waiting at the door to greet them, with a happy bouncy Esther. The two siblings immediately took to each other, Esther glommed on to her older brother and William catered to her every whim. After supper while William was playing with Esther, Samantha pulled Oliver aside. “I’ve contacted some old friends from college and I’m going to go and catch up with them while William is here with you. They should be here to pick me up anytime and I’ve rented a hotel room in the city so if William needs me, I’m only a phone call away.”
Recognizing the offer for the olive branch that it was Oliver said, “Thank you.” She nodded tightly and called for William as lights swept into the courtyard. She gave her son a kiss and reminded him that if he needed her to call and then she was gone.
“Do you think that we could watch a movie?” William asked.
Oliver knelt down, “Sure bud, we can even go into the theater room and eat popcorn. What movie do you want to watch?”
“You’re the best Dad!” William cheered as he threw his arms around Oliver’s neck. Oliver’s eyes misted up as he hugged his son back. “Can we watch Robin Hood?”
Looking over he saw Felicity smiling at him as she mouthed the word dad. The weekend went by quickly and before Oliver knew it, it was their last day with William. He had a big meal planned with just the four of them, Felicity, Esther, William and himself. After eating the meal on the patio, for which William had proclaimed Oliver the ‘bestest cook in the world’, he went to play and burn off some energy on the play-set that Moira had refurbished for him. Oliver and Felicity sat beside each other watching him play while Esther dozed in her swing. They were just sitting out, relaxing and enjoying the pleasant evening. After a while Oliver stood up, “There’s one more course, dessert.”
Felicity moaned, “Never have I ever been so glad that the stupid gestational diabetes went away! Breastfeeding has been making me hungry all the time, so bring on dessert!” He dropped a kiss on her lips before taking their empty plates back into the kitchen. As he plated the dessert, he reached into his pocket for Grandmother Queen’s wedding ring placing it on top of the dessert he intended to give to Felicity.
Taking a deep breath to calm his jittery nerves he walked back out to Felicity who began making grabby hands at the dessert when she saw him. It was only when he had placed it on the table, and she was about to dig in that she saw the ring. “What? Is that? Oliver, are you? What?”
Getting down on one knee, Oliver took her hand and spoke straight from the heart. “Felicity, I know that we’ve only been dating for a year, but I want to be with you for the rest of our lives. You are my sunshine and my light, when all I could see was grey. I love you and the family that we made with all my heart. Will you do me the honor of marrying me?”
Speechless, Felicity just nodded and Oliver slipped the ring onto her hand. She tugged on his arm for him to stand up so she could kiss him properly. Once they parted, she smiled up at him, “Of course I will.” She reached for her cell phone, picked it up and went to dial automatically, then a sad look came over her face, and she set it back down. Felicity smiled wistfully up at Oliver, “I wanted to call the first friend that I made it this city to share the exciting news, but I can’t.” She wiped away the single tear that had slid down her cheek. “Tomorrow after we drop William off, do you want to go say hi and take her some flowers?”
Oliver linked his hand through hers, “I do.” Felicity rolled her eyes at him, but squeezed his hand.
That night after William had gone to bed Oliver joined Felicity in their room, she was leaning back in their bed nursing Esther for the final time before she went down for the night. Felicity smiled up at her fiancée, “We should celebrate after this one goes to sleep.”
“And how do you propose we do that?” Oliver asked grinning at her.
Felicity shot him a look. “Some adult time would be nice.”
“Are you ready for adult time?” Oliver asked seriously.
“I can take an extra pain pill!” Felicity suggested.
Oliver scooted closer to her and cupped her face, “We don’t need to have sex to celebrate. Your ribs are still giving you problems and I want you to have a great experience for the first time we have sex after Esther.” Seeing her disappointed look he grinned and added, “But... I might just have a box of your favorite chocolates that we can have and then we can make out like teenagers. Maybe if you play your cards right, I’ll let you get to third base with me.”
Felicity laughed, startling Esther, “Third base, huh? I don’t know if I’m ready for your hands to be under my clothes mister.”
“So only first base then?” Oliver teased waggling his eyebrows.
The following day when Oliver, Felicity and Esther dropped Samantha and William off at the train station William gave him a huge hug and said, “Thanks Dad, I had a great time! I can’t wait to see you again!” Samantha verbally didn’t respond to that, however her face soured slightly, but that didn’t bring Oliver’s spirits down. They stopped at a florist and bought some flowers that Oliver thought Laurel would have enjoyed and the three of them went to the cemetery to pay their respects and tell Laurel about their engagement.
***ARROW***
Two weeks later
Oliver got into the passenger side of the family SUV as Diggle climbed into the driver’s seat. He was supposed to return to work the next week, so he and Walter were working to get him caught up on everything important that had happened since he had been off. Oliver looked over at Dig, questioningly when he didn’t start the car right away.
Looking over at Oliver, Dig look a deep breath, “I’ve been trying to figure out a way to say this, but Lyla and I are pregnant!”
“Congrats!” Oliver beamed at one of his best friends. “Scared?”
“Shitless!” Diggle laughed. “But watching you and Felicity take care of Esther has helped to relieve a lot of the anxiety.”
“Have you told Felicity yet?”
“Not yet. Lyla and I are planning to invite the two of you over for dinner to tell you the good news and pump you for tips, tricks and what to expect, but I couldn’t wait. I needed to tell you now.”
“You’ll be a good Dad.” Oliver assured him, clapping his friend on the shoulder. “Why don’t we do it tomorrow night and we’ll be there with the baby.”
“Thanks man.”
Before they could leave Oliver’s, phone rang. Pulling it out of his pocket he could see that it was Emiko. “Hello?” He answered. “Are you finally taking us up on the offer for dinner and to meet Felicity and Thea?”
Emiko sighed, “I was going to, but um, work rescheduled me. I just got off of a plane and now have to get right on another one.” She sounded mad. “But what I called you about was to tell you that my Mom got the baby a present when her birth was announced, and I was finally going to pick it up and deliver it today, which Dante knew. Anyway if you want to go by her house, I know that she would appreciate being able to give it to you in person.”
“Sure, no problem.”
“Thanks, Oliver. We’ll get that lunch the next time that I’m in town. I’ll, uh I’ll text you when I know that I’ll be back.” Oliver could hear indistinct airport noise in the background. “Well, they are calling my flight, so I’ve got to go. I’ll text Mom and let her know that you’re coming.” Emiko said before she hung up.
Dig looked expectantly at Oliver. “We need to swing by Kazumi Adachi’s place on the way home. Emiko has something she wants me to pick up from her.” The two men chatted on the way and when they arrived Oliver told Dig, “Just wait here, I shouldn’t be long.”
Oliver went up to the door and knocked. Kazumi answered quickly and she had just greeted him when a sound caught his attention and caused the hair to stand up on the back of his neck. Turning, he blocked Kazumi’s body with his own as a motorcycle screeched down the street. When it pulled even with the Adachi house the rider pulled out a gun and opened fire. Since Oliver was standing in front of Kazumi the bullets hit him full in the chest. Screaming Kazumi dove for cover, while Oliver slid down the doorframe and dropped limply to the porch. He stared up at the blue sky above him marveling at how the blue was almost the same shade as Esther’s eyes. From a distance he heard shouting and more shots, but he just felt peaceful lying there looking up at the sky thinking of Esther. His mind drifted back to when he and Laurel used to lie in the backyard of her house and watch the clouds drift by, telling each other where they thought they would be in so many years. The memory made him smile wistfully, they had been so carefree then. Dig’s face appeared over his own. “We’ve got to stop the bleeding!”
Oliver frowned, what bleeding? He was just watching the sky. The beautiful sky. Then there was the sun that brought brightness to everything, much like Felicity. Felicity! It was then that his brain kicked back online and he registered the pain and the warm feeling of his own blood seeping out of him. He bit back a moan as Dig moved him and pressed hard against his chest trying to slow the bleeding down. Black spots were appearing before his eyes and he was scared to close them. He had to fight to get back to his girls. Dig’s face appeared over his half-lidded eyes, “You’re going to be okay Oliver. Just keep fighting.” He managed to nod before the world went dark.