I've Got Soul but I'm Not a Soldier

Ups and Downs

Leonard Caldwell was born in Starling City in 1978, to a mostly reclusive family. He had a sister named Lisa, born in 1983. At an early age it was discovered he might be a bit antisocial, but he was raised by reclusive parents. At the age of nineteen his parents died in a car wreck, leaving him to finish raising his sister. His grades in high school were nothing amazing, but he did graduate but never went to college. For a few years he worked as a teller at a bank before he quit and started working for security agency, specializing in timing and locks.

Leonard Caldwell seems like a decent man.

Len is impressed with Felicity's backstory, as well as all the small details she has thrown in. According to her files, Leonard Caldwell even has a medical history. When he was ten he broke his wrist playing basketball with some friends; at age twelve he gained a concussion from falling out of a tree. So Len Caldwell is a bit of a klutz, but it's a small price to pay.

Len reads over the papers again and again, marveling at the fact this is his life he's reading about. His new life. A complete history, including all the necessary files – medical records, social security information – everything. It's truly impressive, and he can't quite find any words even though he can feel Barry's eyes on him.

"So, how does it sound?" the kid asks.

He takes in a slow breath, smiling. "It's great, kid. Tell Felicity I said thanks."

"Does that mean they can come to the wedding?"

Len scowls, smile fading. He doesn't want the Arrow anywhere near them right now.

"She did do us a favor, Len," Barry says. "And Oliver's really sorry."

"Have you been talking to him?" he asks, because to his knowledge Barry and Oliver haven't spoken since the kidnapping.

"He left me a few messages," Barry replies, shrugging. "He's sorry."

"I don't want him at the wedding," Len tells him truthfully. He does not like Ollie.

Barry frowns at him. "But he's sorry," he says, like it makes everything okay.

Oliver is sorry for kidnapping them; but if he truly felt remorse he wouldn't have done it in the first place. He would have just talked to Barry about his boyfriend, or set up a meeting like a normal human being. Instead he shot arrows at Len and gassed them both, knocked them both out, and took them to his hideout in Starling City. Or Star City, whatever it's called now.

The name of the city isn't important. What is important is Oliver is a bit trigger happy with his arrows, even if they're aimed at his supposed friend's back. Which is not okay with Len.

"I'll think about it," Len says, because he knows it's going to take time. Barry still wants to be friends with Oliver, and he can befriend who he wants because he's a grown man, but Len still doesn't want the vigilante around.

Barry sighs and shakes his head. "Yeah, alright. Sure. Anyway – want to come with me?"

Len eyes the kid suspiciously. "Where are you going?"

Barry pushes to his feet from where they've been sitting on the couch. "Just come see."

Len snorts but gets to his feet. Barry's hand wraps around his wrist and then they're moving in a blur of motion.

They stop suddenly on a sidewalk, Barry releasing his wrist. Len takes a moment to breathe and then turns to find Barry holding onto a mailbox for support, looking unsteady on his feet, his face pale. Len frowns.