"So, you think ignoring him is the way to go?" Sara asked Slade.

"Look, we can all agree he didn't just come to us with this news because he cares about us… right? So that means he needs something. If what he says is true, that Oliver was here delivering a message, then he'll be back… and when he comes back, we will grab him."

"You make this sound so simple," Shado stated skeptically.

"She has a point. Perhaps we shouldn't be so quick to dismiss his warning where Ollie is concerned." Sara agreed.

"Maybe, but this is the kid we're talking about. Yes, he was good, but really? Merlyn makes him out to be super human or something," Slade smirked.

"Okay, so we wait?" Shado asked.

"We wait," Slade confirmed.

ARROW ARROW ARROW ARROW ARROW ARROW

"Al-sah-Him, thank you for joining me." Ra's smile was anything but welcoming to Oliver.

"Did I have a choice?" Oliver returned with a slight edge, "Why was my wife not included?"

"Because this does not involve her," he returned.

"And what is THIS?" Oliver asked.

"First, we eat…" Ra's gestured to the extra plate, "Sit… eat."

"No, thank you, I've already eaten," Oliver answered carefully.

"Of course, you have. Very well, to business then." Ra's instructed, "Al-sah-Hir has not responded… perhaps he needs some… encouragement?"

"And you would like me to provide this encouragement," Oliver stated more than asked.

"I would like you to procure his son for me. Hold him there until he gives us what we want." Ra's confirmed.

"What exactly is it you want?"

"I want names, I want to know if this 'Undertaking' is true. If it is, then perhaps a more thorough cleansing will be needed," Ra's stated as he watched the young man before him for any sign of emotion, "That won't be a problem, now will it, Al-sah-Him?"

"No, there is no reason for it to be… Oliver Queen is dead, there is only Al-sah-Him." Oliver answered as expected. All the while, it took every bit of his strength to keep his true feelings buried.

"Good," Ra's gave him a smile that showed anything but warmth, "Starling City is proving to be more trouble than it's worth. The people of your former city are weak… Very well, you leave within the hour. That should give you time to say good-bye to your beloved."

With a slight nod, Oliver turned toward the door.

"Oh, and Al-sah-Him, how long must I await news of an heir?" Ra's asked.

Oliver stopped and looked back but said nothing as he turned to shut the door behind him to the crude laughter of his Father-in-law.

ARROW ARROW ARROW ARROW ARROW

Oliver once again entered the bed chamber he shared with his wife.

"There you are. I wondered what happened to you." Nyssa, now dressed for the day ahead, turned towards him as he opened the door. Taking in the somber look on his face, "What is it, husband?" she asked with concern.

"I am being sent to Starling City to deal with Malcolm Merlin's lack of communication."

"I will get ready," she turned toward the bedroom.

"No"

Surprised, she looked back. He smiled but it did not reach his eyes and it bothered her.

"Not this time. He is only sending me."

"Why? I don't care. I need to have your back." Nyssa fumed at her father's games.

"Nyssa, I will be fine. His men will be there. I will be back before you know it…" Oliver assured her.

"Then, what is it that bothers you?" she asked.

"I believe your father is doubting my allegiance. He offered me breakfast, which no doubt was tainted… and he is sending me on my own with just his most trusted guard to accompany me… to kidnap Tommy Merlyn." Oliver explained.

"Husband," Nyssa replied in alarm.

"I'm fine. If it's one thing I'm certain of and it's that Malcolm won't let anything happen to Tommy. He will give us what he wants." Oliver assured her.

"Stay safe, Oliver," she replied, using his given name, which she rarely did.

"I will return… You know, your father asked me when we were going to present him with an heir… I have to say, it's starting to make me look bad." Oliver joked.

"Not in his lifetime," she hissed, ignoring the latter part, "I will not allow him to get his hand on our child."

"Our child… I have to admit, I like the sounds of that," Oliver finally offered her a real smile.

"And we shall have that… once my father is dead!" she smiled in return.

"I feel like I should be disturbed at the lack of concern you have for your father's well-being," he teased lightly.

"Yes, well, had he ever done the same for me then maybe I'd feel differently… but the man forced us to marry and drugged us both in hopes I'd conceive a child on our wedding night."

"Well, there WAS that. It didn't turn out so bad, now did it?" he grinned as he pulled her to him.

She smiled at the feeling of love she had in her heart for this man. "No, my beloved, it didn't and I don't want to lose you." She replied, showing a rare glimpse at her insecurity.

"Lose me. Why would you lose me?"

"Because my father is self-serving and cares nothing for my happiness. Because you could regain your lost memories and choose to stay in Starling City."

Oliver pressed his finger to her lips to quiet her. "Listen to me… no one or nothing will keep me from coming back to you," he assured her as he placed a kiss on her forehead before trailing them down the bridge of her nose to her lips, "I have to go," he whispered.

Not another word was spoken as he grabbed his things and left.

ARROW ARROW ARROW ARROW ARROW ARROW

"Hey, you came!" Tommy cried out as Slade, Sara and Shado approached Tommy and Laurel.

"Well, Shado and I were bored and Slade came because of…" Sara indicated over to the side where Thea was dancing with some friends.

"Big Brother, Slade!" Tommy joked with a slap to his back then drew his hands up in a show of surrender after catching the look on Slade's face, "My bad… but seriously, Oliver would have been happy knowing you were watching out for Thea."

"I know," Slade grumbled. He missed his friend. It was hard to believe that they had ever become friends. A spoiled playboy friends with a soldier… not possible, but then there was more to Oliver Queen than even Oliver was aware of. The rich little brat transformed before Slade's eyes. By the time he, Shado and her father were done, Oliver was more than capable of protecting himself from the perils they faced on Lian Yu. At that point it was experience he needed. He needed experience that no normal person went looking for. Unfortunately for Oliver it came looking for him with a vengeance.

He forced the memories back to the recesses of his mind. He normally tried very hard to keep the memories of that day when Oliver supposedly died on the Amazo in the back of his mind. Now with Merlyn's latest bit of news, it just refused to stay back. He was beginning to question whether Merlyn was actually telling the truth.

From the back of the building they heard the initial series of screams and then the music died and a hush fell over the crowd.

"What the…" Tommy started as they turned to find a group of what could only be described as warriors, clad in heavy black armored suits outfitted with various forms of weapons. Each was wearing a face mask which only allowed their eyes to be seen.

"Uh, there must have been some form of miscommunication. This isn't a costume party, boys," Tommy joked nervously.

"This isn't a joke, Tommy. Get behind us," Sara whispered sharing a look of understanding with Shado and Slade.

"What? Why? I don't know these guys," Tommy replied.

"No, but I'd bet your father does," Slade stated seriously.

Tommy shot him a quizzical look.

"Get behind us and stay there," Slade warned.

Tommy grabbed Laurel's hand and moved as instructed and the three friends took a defensive stance, causing their combatant counterparts to follow before their leader held up his hand to stop them.

"No one needs to be hurt. I simply need Tommy Merlyn and we will be on our way," came the dark menacing voice.

Sara listened closely to the deep, gruff voice… there was something familiar about this man… something in his eyes, "Ollie, is that you?" Sara asked.

"Oliver Queen is dead. There is only Al-sah-Him." Came the reply. His blue eyes darkening with anger. It wasn't missed by the group.

"Wait, what? Why did you… why did they just call him Ollie?" Tommy shared his confusion with Laurel who seemed equally distressed.

"You don't want to do this," Sara persisted.

Oliver turned his eyes on Sara then with an intensity that took her breath away and without another word, Oliver gave the order to grab Tommy.

"Oh, I think he does," Slade growled.