Lessons: Becoming the Green Arrow

Episode 13 tag - The four of them (bonus scene)

Episode 13 tag – The four of them

AN – As always, thank you to everyone who continues to read this story! 13 episodes down now and only 3 more to go!

DISCLAIMER – Oh the things I would do with them if they were mine but they are not!

XXXXXXXXX

Amanda Waller used the car's cameras to check the dock area as her vehicles approached the dark van. As she watched, five people got out of the van and arranged themselves around the back door. She could easily see Barry Allen nervously shifting his weight from side to side as he stood next to Roy Harper who wore a cocky grin as he lounged against the side of the van. Oliver was dead center and stood slightly in front of the others but she couldn't read his expression as he watched the cars approach. Felicity Smoak stood slightly behind and to the left of Oliver – she carried her ever present tablet and pushed her glasses up higher on her face. John Diggle simply looked relaxed and comfortable as he scanned the area from his place a few feet away from Felicity.

Checking more camera angles, Amanda smirked and decided that Sara Lance and Nyssa al Ghul were there as well even if they were hidden from sight. It was somewhat symbolic to Amanda that she would never have access to the two assassins but that Oliver allowed his Team to be out and vulnerable. She still hoped to acquire the whole group when she forced Oliver back into the fold even though she knew that wasn't an option just yet. Right now she would focus on Barry Allen...after she took out the garbage.

Returning her thoughts to the night's main objective, Amanda considered Caitlyn Snow. She had been surprised that the woman had been so easily defeated after a summer of evasion, chaos, and murder. Amanda was curious enough to want to ask questions, but she knew it was unlikely that she would get any details as Oliver remained secretive about how he worked now.

A new thought occurred to Amanda and she again focused on Oliver. He did remain guarded so allowing the Team to be here now could be part of his own strategy. While his Team was clearly visible Oliver was once again the center of attention. She had thought it was ego previously but now she had to consider other motives.

If friends and enemies alike saw only Oliver Queen or the Green Arrow despite the people surrounding him then they would be more likely to make the same tactical errors that she herself had made. All that she had discovered lately about the four of them had only supported her recent analysis that they each possessed unique and valuable skill sets and worked well together. The others clearly added to Oliver's success rate in the field, but now she had to wonder if there was even more there. Could his Team be not just bait or a bargaining chip, but instead be a tool to influence Oliver himself and bring him willingly to her in the future?

It was an intriguing idea and she was willing to continue building more good will with the group to test out her theory. Amanda also planned to use this opportunity as another reconnaissance mission to observe the group even though she suspected Oliver would attempt to limit contact.

Exiting the car, she strode purposefully to the group surrounded by her own men. Even as she watched, the group closed ranks as if to warn her off but she simply smirked before she spoke.

"I assume both are inside...and alive?"