Season 3: Rebuilding

3x16: Killing Heart

Synopsis: Nyssa al-Ghul returns to Starling City in need of Felicity's skillset on a secretive mission that takes them out of the city. Meanwhile, Diggle has a heart to heart with Oliver regarding their favorite hacker.

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3x16: Killing Heart

The small 'inauguration' of Captain Quentin Lance was executed on a sunny Thursday in the beginning of March. The small crowd consisting of police officers and media all gave the man a standing ovation as he stepped up onto the podium to deliver his speech. Quentin's smile was wide enough to concur out the sun, but there was still a twinge of something darker in his emotional eyes.

Felicity stood on the sidelines, applauding along with the others as she noticed Lance's gaze dance across the crowds on the town square. Whoever he was searching was evidently not there, and his eyes fell to the ground in the end. Felicity felt her heart constrict at the familiar look. He'd been searching for his daughters, and once more found them both to be missing from this pivotal moment. Felicity had tried to reach out to both Sara and Laurel through every channel she could think of, but unsuccessfully so. There had been no replies, and though that single fact didn't raise any alarms in her head, she'd still felt sad for the father in need of his family.

After the long celebration, however, Quentin met up with Felicity, and his sorrows seemed to have drifted off with an Eastern wind. He carried himself with a juvenile spring in his steps, seeming both proud and giddy over the promotion.

They'd ended up at Big Belly Burger to celebrate. Quentin had changed out of his uniform and into plain, everyday clothes while Felicity kept the pink dress she'd worn to work and his inaugeration.

"To Captains," Felicity suggested as she raised her cup of water.

Quentin chuckled as he raised his own and downed the last of his drink. "Thanks, Felicity."

"I took the liberty of filming your speech and the highlights of the ceremony," the blonde babbled. "I'll find a way to get the film to your daughters. I promise. They would have wanted to be there today."

Quentin offered her a tight grin as he turned his attention back to his fries. After a few seconds of comfortable silence, the man offered, "How did you like the speech? I thought it only fitting that my first order of business was to call off the Anti-Vigilante Task Force..."

Felicity beamed. "A very kind gesture. I'll make sure he knows it was all your idea. Though I have a feeling he already does."

"He doesn't have the same support since Slade escaped," Quentin said. "But that's why he deserves to know he still has support, people who believe in him. That he's still doing things right, and ought to keep doing them. Killing or no killing. I just figured he deserved a small bone thrown his way. Wish I could do more."

"It's more than enough," Felicity assured.

They once more succumbed to the tranquil silence in the calm, quiet diner as they continued to eat their dinner. Not even a minute passed before a lean shadow settled across the table top, seemingly stretching towards the salt and pepper.

"Hello, Felicity," a soft, dark voice spoke beside them and both Quentin and Felicity turned their heads to face their new company.

Felicity dropped her napkin and scrambled to her feet. She gaped up at the woman, trepidation flashing through her pale orbs at the unexpected sight. "Nyssa?!"

The tall, fierce brunette merely grinned and bowed her head in greeting first to Felicity, and then to the still seated Quentin. The woman wore burgundy pants, a simple top and a black leather jacket on top. She looked quite normal when not dressed in her usual combat gear, branding herself 'Heir to the Demon'.