Sapphire (Book One, Arrow)

chapter 15 ⚔ Dodger

Oliver and I were training in the hideout with the staffs once again. Oliver, of course, was shirtless. I was in workout clothes. Oliver swung one toward me. I used one to block the move. Oliver swung the other toward me. I used the other to block the move, spinning to try and kick him. Oliver ducked, standing, trying to hit me with both of his in a blur of motion. I used both of mine to block the moves just as fast, catching one of his. 

Felicity was sitting nearby at the computers.

John was standing nearby. "You might want to take it easy if you plan on taking someone off that list tonight."

"This is us taking it easy," I told them.

Oliver swung the other at both of mine to make me let go of his other. I swung one of mine down low toward him. Oliver swung down low to block the move, swinging both of his up over our heads, trying to come down on me. I raised both of mine in an X shape to block both of his.

"Time," Oliver told us.

Oliver and I lowered the staffs, putting them down.

"So who's our lucky guy tonight?" John asked.

"Ken Williams," Oliver answered. Felicity had been looking up things on Walter, pulling up information on Ken Williams. "His pyramid scheme stole millions. People lost their homes. Their lives are ruined." Oliver looked from John to Felicity. "Why don't you two call it in early tonight?" He looked at me. "And why don't you take a break? I'm not expecting much trouble." He pulled on his suit's top, grabbing his bow, walking toward the door, trying to open it, but it wouldn't move. He walked toward us. "Felicity. Did you just..."

 "Computer override your lock?" Felicity finished. "Maybe a little."

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"I pulled up some information on Mr. Williams," Felicity told us. "Did you know he's a widowed father of a ten-year-old boy? I told you. I'm only in this to help Walter. Not to be an accessory to orphaning little kids."

"I'm just giving him a warning," Oliver told her.

Felicity looked from Oliver to me. "Has it ever occurred to you you two could do some real good in the city? Beyond just recovering people's stock portfolios and their saving accounts."

Oliver hit a button on the computer. "You're not the only one who knows how to reboot my system."

"I made a mistake," Felicity told us.

"Getting in my way?" Oliver asked. "I don't disagree."

Felicity stood. "No. Signing on with you. Even provisionally."

Felicity walked away, leaving.

I sighed, looking down.

⚔

Flashback

Slade, Jill and Oliver were in the plane wreckage of a hideout.

Slade was on the floor, groaning in pain, still recovering from his gunshot wounds.

Jill knelt next to him with a container of water. "Hey. Hey. Drink."

Jill got him to take a drink.

Slade spit it out. "That tastes like dirt."

"You got to stay hydrated, okay?" Jill asked.

"Hydration is not my problem," Slade told them. "My problem is getting two bullets dug out of my arm and leg with dull blades."