Arrow: Fracture Part 3

Momentum

The silence in the Foundry crept through everyone as the most recent revaluation sank it's way into Curtis's warn mind. The uneasy quiet was due to the lack of patrons in Verdant, Thea's decision to remodel had at first come as a blessing to the team but under the circumstances it was now only feeding the awkward nature of the conversation. Oliver patiently stood with his hood and mask down, a quick look to Felicity informed her that he wasn't fond of how her plan to reveal everything to Curtis. The immediate reaction wasn't what he had expected, normally people would stand in shock as to how a billionaire could lead a double life as a vigilante. Curtis however has remained calm and quiet, opting to a solitary corner where he seemed to be processing the information given to him. No doubt the truth after all his missions with Team Arrow was much deserved but it also came as shock to Curtis, but not in a sense that Oliver had planned. The realization that so many people in his everyday life were actually crime fighting super heroes was unsettling to say the least, but it also allowed a fear of living in complete naivety to bury itself. The world had just become a much more complicated and dangerous place for Curtis and he struggled to piece together a plan of how to continue to live in it. A slight nudge from Oliver reminded Felicity that they were operating on a timetable and that Curtis needed to be ready for the next step if he wanted to survive.

"So how're you processing?" Felicity asked, carefully approaching her friend. Curtis unleashed a powerful sigh and shook his hand in response, unable to find the words to fully explain his mental predicament.

"Understandable. Unfortunately we don't have the time to sit down here and explain everything, because there's still the matter of bad guys trying to find and kill you." She explained, hoping that cutting straight to the point would get her friend's attention.

"Good point. So now what?" Curtis replied, glancing to Oliver.

"We get you and your husband somewhere safe until things go back to normal." Oliver explained, wanting to show as much confidence in his plan as possible.

"Or as normal as they can get." Felicity added, always trying to lighten the mood. Lyla and Diggle moved in from the rear entrance and stopped behind the others.

"This is Lyla Diggle, and she's going to take you and Paul somewhere safe." Oliver explained as he motioned to the ARGUS agent. Lyla nodded as she began.

"We have your husband outside, once you're with him we'll transport you both to a secure location off the grid." Curtis nodded as he nervously looked back to his friend for assurance. Felicity hugged Curtis.

"Lyla will take care of you." She promised, hoping her word still meant something to Curtis. Oliver watched as the two friends separated and a tentative hand extended toward him. Oliver graciously accepted Curtis's embrace, happy to see that his newfound image hadn't frightened off an ally.

"Thank you...for everything." Curtis ended, not sure how to properly display his appreciation of such a selfless person. Oliver firmly nodded as a smirk reached his face, in turn causing Curtis's heart to flutter a bit. Even a reaction so subtle still showed how humble and respectful Oliver was. Curtis turned to leave with Lyla and Diggle, leaving Felicity to bury her heavy head in Oliver's chest.

The skyline from the outside shined through the window into the dark room, revealing Whorrsmen standing alone in silence. The buzz of his phone and immediate answering ended the peaceful calm that he had desperately been clinging to.

"Madam Chancellor." Whorrsmen began, anticipating the dreaded conversation ever since hearing of the news from earlier in the day.

"I've just read through the briefing from today's events Jakob, and I must say I am disappointed." The icey voice replied over the line, not wasting anytime.