Broken Birds

Chapter Sixteen - Oliver Queen

Oliver's POV:

I had missed Sara more than anything ever since I returned from the island. When I was away from Laurel, Sara reminded me of her. But now I realised how different they are.

Sara has a happiness about her, she always smiles, well she used to. Not anymore, I guess. I would do anything to see her smile again.

I swiftly walked down the steps to my headquarters. "Sara, have you returned?" I called out. She walked out from behind the weapons station. "I'm back, I went to Big Belly Burger, I missed their food so much," she said as she threw a paper bag towards me, filled with food.

We sat on the floor between walls of arrows and other weapons as we happily ate our food. I sighed once I had finished my burger and said "Sara, I missed you, it's good to have you back". She smiled up at me, "I missed you too Oli".

I quickly glanced down at her lips which were still turned up into a smile. I looked back up at her sparkling blue eyes. We both started to slowly lean in, just as our lips touched, the door swung open, stopping us in our paths.

"Diggle?" I said as I quickly stood up and turned to my best friend. "Oliver, there's a robbery on main road, they are stealing a large supply of narcotics," he grumbled as he strapped a gun to his waist.

I turned to Sara, "I'll be back soon," I said with a small smile. She shook her head and crossed her arms, "I'm coming with you," she said as she pulled a bo-staff from the shelving.

I nodded and we all suited up before heading to the dangerous streets of Starling City. "Overwatch, what do you see?" I asked Felicity as I awaited her instruction.

Sara jumped on a cargo crate overlooking the robbery site, signalling for us to join her. Diggle sighed as we both climbed the crate.

We looked down at a group of people transporting packages to a vehicle as two business men discussed the exchange.

I notched an arrow on my bow and jumped off the crate. "Stop what you are doing," I yelled as everyone stopped and looked at me. One of the business men laughed and pulled out a gun.

I gave him a smile before shooting the gun out of his hand with an arrow. Several men raced towards me, attempting to tackle me, but I was too fast.

Sara and Diggle jumped off the crate and came to my aid. We all continued to fight until we had each and every goon tied up and unconscious. I pulled out my phone and called Detective Lance.

Sara's eyes darted to mine as soon as she heard her father's voice. Once I had finished the call she turned to me. "I should leave before he gets here," she said while picking up her fallen bo-staff. I shook my head "Sara it's ok, he hasn't even considered you're alive, it will be fine". She nodded as we patiently waited for her father's arrival.

Eventually three cop cars came racing towards the crime scene before packing the goons into the back of the car and storing the narcotics for evidence.

Detective Lance walked towards us, "Green Arrow, thank you for your help". I heard as Sara took a deep inhale of air as she fidgeted with the hem of her sleeve.

"Who's your new friend?" Detective Lance asked as he watched Sara. Her eyes widened as she whispered "I-I'm the canary." He crossed his arms "aren't canaries supposed to be yellow?" He asked as he looked at Sara's dark clothing.

I stepped between them, gently pushing Sara back, I said "she's The Black Canary". He nodded before packing the rest of the things from the crime scene.

We then left and returned to the Arrow headquarters, leaving the police with the crime scene. Sara rushed inside putting her bo-staff on the bench before leaving to change into her regular clothing. I quickly dismissed Felicity and Diggle, rushing after her.

"Sara?" I called out as I followed her. She turned around and looked up at me with teary eyes. "Sara", I said again as I rested my hand on her forearm. She buried her head in my shoulder as she wrapped her arms around my waist and continued to cry.

"I'm sorry, I know it was difficult", I whispered as I held her in my embrace. Once her crying had subsided, she stepped back from my hug and looked up at me.

"It was just difficult seeing him and not being able to tell him it's me", she said as she sat on the couch. I sat next to her and ran my hand through my hair. "I wish I didn't join the league", she said, looking at me.

I gently smiled "I wish so too, I wish we had stayed together on that island and protected each other. We could have returned home together." She smiled and rested her head against my shoulder. "You know I missed you everyday on that island and even when I got home. All I could think about was if you were safe," I said as I held her hand.

Her hand had thin scars that lead up her arms. "Were you safe?" I asked. "No", she mumbled against me. "I was never safe, I was protected but it was never enough", she said as she looked up at me again. I rested my palm against her cheek "I am so sorry I wasn't there for you", I said with genuine concern.

Her bright blue eyes fluttered shut as she slowly leant forward. My hand moved to the back of her neck as I gently began to kiss her. She pulled back and quickly climbed onto my lap, kissing me harder as she rocked her hips against me. "Sara", I whispered as I held onto her waist. She stopped and looked at me, biting her lip, "I-I can't do this", she said as she climbed off my lap.

I nodded in understanding, her eyes showed me all I needed to know. "You met someone didn't you?" I asked as she nodded. "Who is he?" I asked protectively as Sara sat down on the couch next to me. "She", she whispered as she fidgeted with the cushioning on the couch. "Oh", I said as I turned towards her. I smiled gently and said "tell me about her".

Her eyes lit up at my acceptance as she began telling me of the dark haired assassin. She looked down again as she said "Nyssa is everything to me but she's hunting me. I left her, without a goodbye. When it comes to needing to see my family, she will never understand". My eyes widened "Nyssa? As in Nyssa Al Ghul, heir to the demon?" I asked. Sara bit her lip and nodded.

"Sara, you know I would never interfere in your relationships but she is a dangerous woman, you cannot trust her, she isn't even capable of love", I exclaimed as I quickly stood up. I then heard light footsteps behind me as a raspy voice breathed out "I must disagree".