Safe
William was at the terminal window watching the jets landing and taking off. He looked like the loneliest person in the world. There was a steady rain falling outside Star City’s airport, but the terminal was still full of passengers waiting to board their planes, perhaps thinking of dryer, warmer climates.
Oliver watched his son staring out at the runways and felt a heavy weight in his heart. Everything that that the boy had gone through since losing he mother on Lian Yu still reminded Oliver of his own personal losses over the years. He still felt guilt at being the catalyst for the loss of Samantha and the crushing blow to William because of it. It was this life. Felicity told him that when they got back to Star City after Chase’s reign of terror. She said the same thing to him two years ago after Oliver lied to her and she decided to walk away from their life together. She accused him of hiding important things from her—the existence of William being the most damaging. The decisions he made because of the kind of life she mentioned they were a part of, it made their happy ending forfeit.
Now, she was his wife. She was his life, being supportive and by his side. It was her suggestion they send William down to Las Vegas, to stay with Donna and keep him out of harm’s way. At first, Oliver was not on board with the plan. The thought of sending his son hundreds of miles away would make him even more of a target. Oliver’s instinct was to keep him close, where he could protect him. But if he knew Anatoly, and he did, the man would try more attacks. Oliver loved his mother-in-law, but she was not equipped to protect William in the way he and Felicity were. Felicity had run the idea by Oliver that maybe they should bring Donna in on the whole vigilante life they were living, but she finally decided against that reveal. Maybe after some time, Donna might accept it, but right now it would just be another potential disaster in the making. They already had enough to deal with—the FBI, Cayden James and his pack of villains, the splintering of Team Arrow and Rene’s betrayal. Bringing Donna into the fold would just complicate things ever more. It would also paint a target on her back as well.
As Oliver continued to watch his son at the window, old familiar anger threatened to push his off the rails. The thought of Anatoly’s henchmen coming into Oliver’s home with the intent of harming his family was a wrecking ball smashing through his restraint. He wanted to find his old friend and eradicate him from the world. He wanted to bring pain and suffering and death to his enemies.
But as she always does, Felicity was able to break through his old ways and bring perspective. She knew Oliver wanted to retaliate against Anatoly, wanted to let the monster out to feed. But in spite of his old habits, Oliver let her into his pain and anger. She calmed him enough to find another way. So Oliver settled down after Anatoly’s attack, and together, he and Felicity went tactical instead. Oliver reached out to John who asked Lyla if she could assign two of her agents to watch over William while he was staying in Vegas. The two agents were standing off to the side, watchful and on point. Oliver felt a little comfort knowing they would be with William in-flight and during his time away. Still, there were traces of his instinctual need to be with his son, to make sure he stayed safe.
The airport PA system suddenly announced the boarding of William’s flight. Felicity squeezed Oliver’s hand and then let go of it. She knew Oliver wanted a moment alone with his son. The two Argus agents moved closer to the ramp; alert and poised.
“Hey buddy,” Oliver spoke as he came up behind William. “It’s time to go.”
William turned around and looked at his father. “I thought that you gave up on being ‘the other guy.’ Why does this keep happening?”
Oliver put his hand on William’s shoulder. “Son, I’ve made…well, before you came to stay with me, I made a lot of enemies being ‘the other guy.’ My crusade…uh, my saving the city—it made a lot of bad people angry. I’m sorry.”
William shook his head. “I guess it’s not your fault. I’m not sure just how much you’ve done or went through. My mom never talked about you all that much.” He began pulling on the straps of the backpack he was wearing. “I’m sorry too.”
“William, you don’t have anything to be sorry for. You didn’t ask for this life. If your mother was still…” Oliver stopped talking; Samantha’s death filled his eyes.
William sensed Oliver’s dismay. “I blamed you for her dying,” he replied. “You ruined my life. You took me away from my school and all my friends. I hated you. I was scared and mad…I wanted to die too.”
Oliver pulled William in and embraced the boy. “William…I’m so sorry. I really thought that when I sent you and your mother away, you’d be safe. I wanted you as far away from this life as possible.”
William stepped out of Oliver’s hug and looked up at his father. “Oliver…dad…I don’t blame you anymore. I blame Chase, and now Anatoly. You and Felicity…well, you’re my life now. I still don’t want to lose you…or Felicity.”
Oliver’s eyes began to mist up as the PA system repeated the boarding call for William’s plane. “Buddy…you are not going to lose me or Felicity. We will keep you safe even it kills us.”
“Don’t say that,” William nearly shouted. “You are the Green Arrow. Nothing can hurt you.”
Oliver shook his head. “William, I’ve been hurt plenty of times, before and after I put the hood on. Maybe when all of this is over, I’ll tell you some stories about it.”
“Okay dad, you can do that.” William glanced over at the Argus agents. “My bodyguards are waiting. I should go.”
Oliver hugged his son again and then let him go. William took one last look at his dad; then he went to where Felicity was standing a few feet away. He wrapped his arms around her waist and gave her a somber hug.
“You take care of yourself William,” Felicity said to him. “And don’t believe anything my mom tells you about me when I was your age. Call us when you get to Vegas, okay?”
William nodded then he released Felicity. “I owe you a rematch on that video game.” He smiled at her and walked towards the boarding ramp.
Oliver went to stand next to Felicity. He put his arm around her. Both of them tried to show a brave face, but it was a hard task.
Just before William reached the ramp, he turned back around. “Dad…” he called out.
“Yeah buddy, what is it?”
A small smile found its way on William’s face. “Go for the nose,” he told Oliver.
Oliver and Felicity were driving to the Bunker after watching William’s plane climb into the sky and head south. Both of them were quiet, but they were tuned into each other’s mood.
“John called,” Felicity broke the silence. “He’s on the streets doing re-con. He said that Argus is using all their resources in tracking down Anatoly.”
Oliver only nodded. Once William was gone, Oliver began to focus on how he was going to find his old friend and nemesis. The last time they hooked up, Anatoly said that Oliver wouldn’t kill him. They’ve been down that road before.
“Oliver,” Felicity gently spoke. “Please tell me what you’re thinking.”
As he pulled the city vehicle they were driving in up to a red light, Oliver looked across the seat at Felicity. His gaze was filled with love. But it was also filled with a deep anger and a deeper conviction. “I was thinking …I was thinking that I love you. Felicity, you and William are the two most important people in my life. What happened to us the other night will never happen again.”
Felicity gave him a brief smile. “Honey, I haven’t had a chance to let you know how hot you looked fighting naked.”
Oliver tried to grin back, but his focus got in the way. “We are going to find Anatoly. You, me and John.” He paused for a couple seconds; a look of fortitude in his eyes. “I am going to kill that son-of-a-bitch.”
Felicity nodded without reservation. “Okay Oliver. I’m with you. You can kill him. How can I help?”
He looked at his wife with everything he had in his mind and heart. “Just stay safe,” he told her.
The traffic light turned green and they continued on to the Bunker.