The lucky one

Chapter 3

When Oliver stepped out of the helicopter, he hurriedly got out of the heliport and the way of the helicopter's blades. Once it was safe to walk with your head up, the archer in green had the surprise to see both DEO and A.R.G.U.S., even though they were in the later's base. 

"Oliver!" he heard someone shout 

When he looked up, he saw Lyla, the director of A.R.G.U.S and Diggle's wife, looking at him and his team from the walkway overlooking the departure bay. He smiled and lazily saluted her and turned to look at the other Star City vigilantes. "I'll ask around, see if anyone can tell me who the picture belongs to. Freshen up, eat, and sleep. Then we'll go home tomorrow. All good?"

"Hell yeah boss! See you later!" agreed Rene, holding his fist toward him, which Oliver playfully bumped. Wild Dog then walked away in an entrance, Mr. Terrific, Black Canary, and Ragman doing the same after bumping their leader's fist too.

"You alright kid?" asked Slade, who had taken his helmet off.

"Hm? Oh yeah, don't worry. A little sore where that bullet grazed me but I'll be alright"

"You know that's not what he's asking Oliver" Diggle reminded him

Yes, Oliver knew too well what his two brothers were talking about: the death of Malcolm and Evelyn. But now was not the time, he had to rest before that. "Yeah, I know. But I need to rest before that."

"As long as you don't keep it in. We're here if you need to talk" Nyssa said, 

"Don't worry, I won't." he tried to smile, remembering all too well what keeping the pain from losing Laurel and their unborn son had done. 

"Good. I'll see you later kid" nodded Slade, clapping his shoulder

"Yeah. Diggle, could you drop this by my room?" he asked, holding out his bag

"Sure thing, later man," said Spartan

As his right-hand-man walked out, Oliver felt a hand on his arm. He looked at Nyssa, who had let go of her battle mode and let compassion slip in her eyes. "Malcolm had his flaws but what you and your sister were able to turn him into is a hero. In his final act, he acted like one and shall be remembered as such."

"Thank you, Nyssa"

"Do you wish me to announce the news to Thea?"

"I... If it's not too much of a burden then yes, please do. I already have to announce to Felicity ans William that Evelyn... that she-"

"Died like the compassionate hero you always knew she could become. I know what it's like to lose a child, Oliver. But you must stay strong, for William."

"Yes... I know. Thank you, Nyssa."

"Anything for a... friend." she nodded, walking out as well. Oliver knew what she had wanted to say, but he was glad she did not. He and Nyssa's relationship had never been one of love, at least from his side, but during the year they had been married in the eyes of the League, they had come to care for one another. Especially when he had discovered her pregnancy. Unfortunately, the child had died at birth, right in the middle of the crisis with the Alpha-Omega and the League.

Nyssa had insisted one naming the babe, for that it was her believes that it's the soul who not found piece without one. And thus, Oliver had named his daughter Talia, in honor of the oldest Al Ghul sister, who had died only a few days ago, protecting their escape.

Talia Queen was now resting beside her grandparents' grave and got a visit from her father as often as he could. And Evelyn, his adopted daughter, would rest beside her. The thought was already unbearable but he bottled his tears and anger up, for now. He first had to thank whoever was the owner of this picture for unknowingly saving his life. 

"Do you know whose picture that is?" he asked a man seating on crates

"No idea"

"You know whose picture this is?" he asked another

"No"

"No?" 

"No. Sorry." confirmed the woman

"No, I don't think so." said a man as he gave him the picture back after looking at it.

Oliver was then left wondering who it could belong too. But then it hit him, Felicity could easily scan it and identified the woman on the picture. He sighed and headed toward the guest room he usually took when he and his team bunked at A.R.G.U.S., having nothing left to do but get home. And announce Felicity and William that they had lost a daughter and sister respectively.