So, at long last, here is the sequel to Whatever it takes. I'm not certain how often I will update, so I'm not going to make any promises. For now, I hope you guys enjoy this.

Lian Yu

Morning

Oliver led Laurel and Thea to where he was staying, the fuselage the pair recognized from the recordings.

"Nice place. Homey," Thea quipped as she and Laurel looked around. "Is this where you stayed while you were on the island?"

"For some of it," Oliver said as he put his bow and quiver down and grabbed a shirt. "What are you two doing here?"

"We told you, to bring you home," Laurel said simply.

"How'd you even know I was here?" Oliver asked and it didn't escape either of them that he was changing the subject.

"Because I know you Oliver. I know you like my own name," Laurel said and Oliver scoffed. "Ollie…I know."

For a moment, the room froze as Oliver stared at Laurel, the implications of what she was saying sinking in. He glanced over at Thea and saw from the look on her face that she understood exactly what Laurel was saying.

"How?" Oliver asked, his voice coming out choked.

"In hindsight, it was obvious. All the times The Hood was there for me, how he and I had a connection I couldn't explain. How he always went out of his way to help me. I never asked why…because I knew. Deep down, a part of me always knew," Laurel said softly as Oliver looked away, unable to meet her eyes. "The night of the Undertaking, you thought about telling me."

"I've thought about telling you almost every night," Oliver said with a shaky breath before turning to Thea. "And you? How'd you figure it out?"

"I always thought it was weird how The Hood went after The Count around the time I was in trouble for using Vertigo. When Laurel came to me, we started putting our heads together…it didn't take us long to connect the dots," Thea said, going with the cover story she and Laurel had cooked up. "Ollie…the city needs you."

"I can't Speedy," Oliver said with a sigh. "I failed the city."

"Ollie, what are you talking about?" Laurel asked as she and Thea exchanged a bewildered look.

"I was warned about mom. I was warned that she involved with something dark. But I didn't listen; I just stayed in my bubble and buried my head in the sand. Maybe if I hadn't…Tommy would still be alive," Oliver said glumly and it was silent for several moments.

Laurel and Thea stared at Oliver as he sat down on the crate nearest to him, a look of complete defeat on his face. It was clear how much this had been weighing on him and both of them were kicking themselves for not realizing how much Tommy's death had affected him. Before they could speak, Oliver spoke up again.

"Tommy knew my secret," Oliver said, surprising them, as that was one tidbit Arsenal and Mia hadn't seen fit to share. "Do you know what he called me when he found out? A murderer."

"He was probably in shock," Laurel started.

"The way you were when you called me a remorseless killer?" Oliver asked pointedly.

Laurel winced, knowing it was not one of her better moments. But that had been before she had seen the suffering Oliver had gone through, had understood it was not as simple as killer and killed. That the world was not as black and white as she had thought. It was much more complicated than that.

"Either way, you were both right," Oliver said, bringing her out of her thoughts. "I am what the five years of hell I endured made me. I'm a killer, it's who I am. That's why I can't go back. Anyone I kill will dishonor Tommy's memory. And when I put on the hood, it is kill or be killed."

"That is such a load of crap," Thea said bluntly, causing her brother to look at her in surprise. "Look, I loved Tommy, but he had a way of…looking at things in a very specific way. After The Undertaking, I think it's fair to say that things aren't that simple, especially in our family."

"She's right Ollie," Laurel said. "I was wrong when I said that. You're not a cold blooded killer; you are so much more than that. You can't see that right now…but I think I know someone who can help you."

As Oliver watched curiously, Laurel reached inside her pocket and pulled out the piece of paper given to them by Arsenal and handed it to him.

"That's the location of a woman who helps lost souls find themselves again," Laurel said as Oliver looked at it curiously. "I heard about it from a client of mine."

"And you trust their word?" Oliver asked skeptically.

"I do," Laurel said immediately. "I think she can help you."

"Please Ollie, do it for me," Thea said, placing a hand on his arm and Oliver's will crumbled as he looked into Thea's eyes.

"Fine, I'll give her a chance," Oliver said reluctantly.

"That's all we're asking," Laurel said with a hopeful smile.

Starling City

Same time

At the same time, Roy knocked on the door to Quentin Lance's apartment. The former detective had called him early this morning, saying he'd needed his help with something. The door opened and Quentin stood on the other side.

"Good, you're here. We have a lot of work to do," Quentin said as he let Roy inside.

Roy was about to ask what he meant when he stopped, staring at all the boxes around the room.

"Are you moving or something?" Roy asked.

"No. I asked a few buddies of mine to send these over. This is everything the SCPD has on Justine Clayborne," Quentin explained and Roy's eyes widened in realizing. "Plus, I ran over to his old office, took everything I could fine."

"Chase's father," Roy said and Quentin nodded.

"I'm hoping something in here will give us a lead on him. You wanna help or not?" Quentin asked getting straight to the point.

"Where do we start?" Roy asked almost immediately.

Mountain, next day

Morning

Oliver, dressed in winter clothes, climbed up the mountain side. Pulling himself up, he stared at the door to the monastery that stood before him. This had to be the place, Oliver thought grimly. After a moment of hesitation, he walked over and opened the door.

As he walked inside, he saw several people in black uniforms sparing. As Oliver closed the door behind him, they stopped. One of them pulled the cloth cover her face down and approached him.

"Who are?" she demanded.

"Someone seeking guidance," Oliver said simply. "Where is your master?"

Snarling, she attempted to strike him but Oliver grabbed her arm and threw her to the floor. As the others rushed him, Oliver dodged a strike from one of the students before sending a kick to the chest, knocking them down. Oliver then engaged the others, throwing two to the ground before grabbing another and lifting him over his shoulder before throwing him to the ground as well. The five quickly got back to the feet and Oliver prepared to fight when0

Hold!"

Shocked, Oliver looked up at a railing. Talia stood there and, judging by the smirk that graced her lips, she found his shock at seeing her amusing.

"Leave us," Talia ordered and her students left. "Hello Oliver."

"Talia," Oliver said as he recovered.

"You did not know that I was here," Talia noted as she walked down the stairs.

"No. I was told a woman was here that could help me. I didn't know that was you," Oliver said and she nodded as she reached him.

"It is good to see you Oliver," Talia said, a warmth behind her eyes. "But why have you come?"

"I failed Talia," Oliver said as he looked away, unable to look in her in the eyes. "My father's list, it was part of something much bigger. I tried to stop it and I couldn't. I don't know where to go from here Talia."

"You feel lost, without purpose, the way you were when I found you," Talia said and Oliver didn't deny it. "Well then, we have work to do. Come Oliver, it's time for us to resume your training."