Season 3: Rebuilding

3x13: The Bratva Connection

Synopsis: Anatoly comes to Starling City in an attempt to control the Bratva branch and asks for Oliver's help. In the process, Dick reveals his dark past and his animosity towards the Russian mafia, which divides Team Arrow and forces several tough decisions to be made.

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3x13: The Bratva Connection

"You've done good this week, Grayson," Quentin assured as he stepped over to the younger man's desk.

The police station was busy this day, with hard-working officers and freshly caught culprits alike. It seemed Starling City's criminal activity had increased after the news had spread that Slade Wilson was alive and free. It seemed the world had gotten cockier after realizing their favorite hero had screwed up, and the police were working tirelessly to keep the city in order.

"Thank you, sir. Just doing my job," Dick nodded sharply as he rose from his seat.

"Four corrupt cops and two men of that Russian mafia behind bars in one week?" Quentin questioned. "Sounds to me like you're reaching vigilante levels."

Dick ducked his head at the imploring comment, "As I said, sir: My job. There's still much more to do before we're done."

Quentin shrugged his eyebrows in mute agreement as he hovered beside the desk. His voice was an octave lower, as he asked, "Where do you get all your intel, Grayson?"

"Can't reveal my sources, sir," Dick offered with a smirk.

"... Of course not," Quentin said, though something akin to realization flashed by in his coffee-coloured eyes. Dick couldn't help but be reminded of another man in uniform he'd greatly admired back in Gotham City. Quentin shook his head as if to step back from the edge, and instead suggested, "You're not looking for a promotion, are you?"

Dick shook his head and tried to fill his voice with as much conviction as possible, "If anyone deserves a promotion around here, sir, it's you."

Quentin smiled in silent thanks.

Dick glanced around at his co-workers briefly before he lowered his voice and asked, "Sir... Is it true about Officer Jones? Was he really released from suspicion?"

Quentin nodded in dismay as he explained, "There wasn't enough evidence to link him to any crime despite what Arrow and Nightwing did to help us catch Jones. He's been acquitted and will return to duty first thing on Monday morning."

"But he's corrupt..., sir," Dick breathed fervently.

"To prove that, Grayson, you need evidence of his connection to the mafia and to the corruption itself," Lance retorted knowingly. "You know the rules."

"I do. I just don't always like following them," Dick shot back and stepped around the Detective. "Excuse me, I have more work to do."

Lance glanced at the retreating man for another second before he sighed and shook his head. Young, incorruptible and with a moral compass that pointed in a decisevely narrow direction. No wonder he reminded Quentin of a younger version of himself.

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"All I'm saying is that we should go after him."

"You tried that once, remember?" Felicity argued as she leaned back in her seat and faced her boyfriend. Her eyes shone with sympathy and hesitation as she pointed out, "You ended up shot in the leg."

Dick stood in the center of the lair beside her workstation, quiety fuming as he faced Felicity and Roy. "I just need him to give me one name. One name is all it takes to get the new head of the Bratva branch in Starling City."