Remember Everything.. (Eve)

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Oliver sat down in his shower, the hot water running down his back. Arms folded on his knees and face resting on his forearms. The steam rose up and covered the room. Ever since those 3 agents forced their way into his home, this is the only way he could get some alone time. Today would be the day he had been planning since he came back from the island. He would go visit his parents, and confess to them everything hes done. It was time.

He stood up and shut the water off. His hand pushed open the glass shower door, and grabbed a towel from around the corner. Oliver whiped the water from his face and hair, before reaching up and running his hand across the mirror, whiping the fog away. He looked at himself in the mirror for a few minutes, lost in his own eyes before snapping out of his trance and walking to his closet to get dressed for the day.

Oliver walked out and through the living room. He saw Eve sitting on his couch. Guess it was her shift now.. He just walked past her and to the fridge. A coke wouldnt necessarily be a good start to the day, but who cares, he wanted one. Oliver turned around sat it on the counter and looked at Eve.

"Im going to visit my parents today... Which means you get to meet them I suppose..." He picked up his can off the counter and walked out the door with him behind her. With his new phone out he text the counter so the valet would have his car ready.

They went through the lobby and to the outside of the building where a black Corvette was waiting with the valet driver holding Eve's door for her. After she got in he walked around to Olivers side. He gave the man a handshake with a 20 dollar bill in it. Seatbelts on, engine started, Oliver peeled the tires and whipped around the corner. He headed straight for the toll road so he could go straight to Star city without any traffic or interruptions. He didnt go any slower than 160 MPH the whole way there, but whatever it wasnt raining... Yet.

Even though it hadn't started raining, a dark cloud gloomed above them, then when he got off the service road and into Star city, thats when it started pouring. Oliver turned over to Eve before unsnapping his seatbelt

"There up the hill a ways.. If you want to wait in the car..." Oliver got out of the car and walked in the pouring rain.

He was soaked before he knew it, but didnt care. Walking through all the puddels, he got his socks and shoes wet as well, but it didnt matter. He went up the hill and to the right. It was about 15 feet to the left of a tall tree, he could have found the location blind folded. He continued on till he found the graves of his parents and he stopped. Hands in his pockets, staring down at them.

"Hey.. Im really sorry its been so long... Theres just been a lot going on and I kept meaning to come more often, then one thing happened, and another.. and before I knew it time had just sort of... passed.. You both know what I do every day. Sometimes I feel like running away from all of this.. You two are so far away and everything I do is for your memory... But how long? How long do I have to keep on doing this? Its a long and lonely road.. Especially when youre walking it alone.. I think im done... Please understand... Please..."

[Deleted]

Eve Avery entered Oliver Queen’s townhouse a little before 8 AM.  She and her business partners, Diego Martinez and Andy “Sully” Sullivan, were guarding Oliver around the clock, 24/7, rotating in eight-hour shifts at the request of their boss, Miles Covington.  The house was quiet that morning, and she was greeted by Sully, who was sleeping on the sofa with one eye open.  When he saw her, his gaze was steady on her for a long minute.

“I’m here to relieve you,” she whispered, hanging her jean jacket on a coat rack near the front door.  “Have you had breakfast yet?  I can make you some scrambled eggs and toast, if you’d like.”

At the sound of her voice, Sully sat up and began rubbing his eyes.  “Why are you so quiet this morning?” he yawned.  “Are you doin’ okay?”

“Perfect,” she replied, forcing a smile.

His piercing blue eyes narrowed slightly.  “Don’t do that.  Don’t lie to me.”

Eve bristled.  Men usually didn’t call her on her bullshit.  “All right then,” she sighed.  “I don’t like this assignment, Sully.  I know it’s only been two days, but Mr. Queen is set in his ways.  He’s so . . . so . . . incorrigible.”

Sully couldn’t help but smile.  “Yeah, Queen’s a dick all right, but this is an easy gig, Eve.  Don’t bitch too much.  It’s the easiest money we’ll ever make – until we track down that Arrow dude.  Then we’ll get to kick some ass and earn our pay!”

“And have fun doing it!” Eve added enthusiastically, giving him a knuckle bump.  “So, is ‘His Royal Highness’ still asleep?”

“Yeah,” Sully answered, standing to his feet and stretching his arms to the ceiling.  “We spent all of last night at his club, The Emerald Vertigo.  We didn’t get home until around 4 AM.  The man definitely has some smooth moves, especially with the ladies on the dance floor!”

“Spare me the details concerning your ‘field trip’,” Eve sighed, pretending not to be interested.

Sully followed her into the kitchen.  “Do I detect a hint of jealousy in your voice, my dear?”

Eve’s eyes widened.  “Me?  Jealous?  I don’t think so.  Me and Oliver Queen -- do you really want to go there?  I’ll kick your ass!  We both know I can!  Now let’s change the subject, or you’ll be cooking your own damn breakfast.”

“Okay, whatever,” Sully laughed, raising his hands palms-up and giving her some space.  They were still learning each other, and he didn’t want to push too hard.

* * * * * * *

Around 10 AM, Eve was seated on the couch reading a magazine when she heard movement upstairs, followed by the sound of a shower turning on, and then water running.  “Mr. Wonderful” was alive and well, at least for another day.  Honestly, she wondered why the man’s sharp tongue and sarcastic wit hadn’t gotten him killed a long time ago!  Was her team just preventing the inevitable?  In jest, she thought about killing him herself, a thought she enjoyed immensely.  Actually, she liked everything about Oliver Queen, except his smart mouth.  He was the most challenging, strong-willed man she’d ever met in her life, but she was determined to stand her ground and hang in there.  Quitting wasn’t an option.

When Oliver came downstairs, Eve noticed he didn’t say a word to her, but went straight to the kitchen.  A few seconds later, he was sitting on the kitchen counter with a Coke in hand.  Eve kept her comments to herself.  “So, what are your plans for today, Mr. Queen?” she asked, trying to start a civil conversation.  She braced herself for his sarcasm.  Surprisingly, when he told her he was going to take her to meet his parents, she did a double-take.  She really wasn’t expecting them to go anywhere.  “I don’t think I’m dressed appropria –“ she started, but Oliver just walked out the door.  “How rude!” she grumbled, grabbing her jacket and following after him as fast as she could.

* * * * * * *

It wasn’t too long before Oliver and Eve arrived in Star City.  She didn’t appreciate him driving like a bat out of hell to get there!  Thinking that his parents were still alive, she was shocked when he pulled his black Corvette into a cemetery.  It was the very last place on Earth she expected them to be.

It was raining hard, but that wasn’t going to stop Oliver.  Turning off the ignition, he told Eve where he would be, and offered her the option of staying in the car until he returned.  Not waiting for her answer, he then opened the car door and hurried on his way.  He was soaked to the bone in less than ten seconds.

Eve sat in the car, thinking about her own parents’ tragic deaths as she watched Oliver climb the hill and disappear to the right.  When she sensed depression and loneliness setting into her spirit, she knew it was time to go after him.  She wasn’t about to let herself be haunted by old ghosts.  Not without something alcoholic to drink.

Retrieving an umbrella from her purse, Eve exited the vehicle and went in search of Oliver.  She found him standing in front of two headstones near a big tree.  Although she could only see the back of him, she felt sorry for him.  By the way his head was hung and his shoulders were slumped, she could tell it was an emotional time for him.  She hated to interrupt such a tender moment, but he was soaked, and she didn’t want him catching his death of cold and getting sick.

When she got to Oliver, Eve remained reverently silent as she heard him talking about being on a long and lonely road.  She could relate because she was on one herself.  Holding her umbrella over them both, she placed her free hand on Oliver’s shoulder in support of him.

[Deleted]

Caught in his own mind, playing back childhood memories like a home movie. His father buying him his first bow set, his picnic down street with his mom on mothers day, all mosaic pieces that build his character and make him the man who he is today. The rain didn't bother him, it actually soothed his soul. Hair drenched, close sticking to his body, it suddenly stopped and he snapped out of his dreaming. He looked over to see Eve holding an umbrella, with a hand on his shoulder. He took one of his hands out of his pocket and patted the top of her hand. Eve's skin was soft to the touch. He smiled at her then turned back to the grave stones.

"I want you meet Robert and Moira.... My parents"

He said with his voice trailing off at the end.

Oliver stood up right and slightly turned to her.

"Ya know... It never gets easier. At some point we all have to be standing here.. But why at this point in my life? Youre supposed to have a lot of years. But you know what's harder than having to stand right here? Keeping up this public image.. Women love me in general, men either hate me or envy me.. But I was told by my dad that someone of my status.. That's just the person I have to be, and I don't want to. My time on the island.. It was haunting. I should have died, but I didn't. When I made it home, I vowed to change the world the best I could, but having to be... This person, I just cant escape it."

He let out a deep sigh. The sky in the distance lit up as a bolt of lightning shot around out in the distance, creating a loud boom. Oliver had counted the seconds between the strike and sound, a trick the KGB agent had taught him to see how far away it struck. It was enough play time in the rain. Oliver knelt down in the middle of the grave stones and kissed his two fingers which he then touched both head stones with.

Oliver walked back towards Eve and stood next to her under the umbrella. He put his hand on her back and guided them out of the cemetery and back to his car. He opened the door for her and allowed her to get in. Rain began to pour on his head again while he ran to the other side of the car and jumped in. He leaned back in the car and looked up at the glass top of the car, and watched for a second as the rain fell on it.

He turned back over to Eve in his passenger seat.

"Where to now?"

[Deleted]

When Oliver smiled and patted the top of Eve's hand, his actions made her feel simultaneously humble and proud.  Guilt was eating her alive inside for all the bad things she had thought about him that morning.  As he turned and introduced her to his parents, she was glad he didn't see her face.  Her hazel eyes were peaceful, filled with tears and a love deeper than those first moments of infatuation in the townhouse two days ago.  He surprised her when he stood and actually voiced comments filled with wisdom and sincerity.

"Yes, losing a loved one is never easy," she agreed, looking over his shoulder at the headstones.  "There's a void in your heart that is always with you.  No matter how many new friends you make, they never replace your old one.  And losing parents is the worst.  My parents are gone, too, and so I can relate to what you're going through, Mr. Queen.  I hope Robert and Moira didn't suffer . . . "

Like my parents did, she finished in her mind.

"I really don't know why some people die in their prime," she continued.  "I guess sometimes it's because of the choices they make, and sometimes it's because of the choices others make.  Either way you look at it, there's a lesson to be learned: Enjoy the moment while it lasts.  Lives change every day -- for the better and for the worst.  We really don't know what tomorrow holds.  That's why I live for today.  I try to live each day like it's my last one.  That way I won't have any regrets when I die."

Eve nodded at Oliver's comment about keeping a public image.  "You don't have to be someone you aren't, Mr. Queen," she scolded gently when he finished.  "It's your choice.  Facades are for vigilantes like Batman.  Why can't you be yourself?  Why pretend?  All you're doing is living a lie.  And for the record, I always thought I should be dead by now, too.  I've always felt like I've been living on borrowed time, but I'm still kicking, and I believe there's a reason for that.  I don't fear the future.  I try to change the world by being in it and making a difference in people's lives.  I can't be anybody but myself, and I don't try to be.  I have personal goals and expectations, but I make sure they're realistic.  I don't want to set myself up for failure.  That's not healthy."

This vulnerable moment showed Eve a different side of Oliver Queen, and she liked it.  Taking a deep breath, she observed Oliver's every move until he was ready to leave.  His emotional good-bye pulled at her heartstrings.

When they finally made it back to the car, Eve watched Oliver as he leaned back in his seat and enjoyed the rain for a bit.

"I want to go somewhere and get you out of your clothes," she said, answering his inquiry.  Then she grimaced.  "Don't flatter yourself, Mr. Queen.  My intention is not to seduce you.  You're soaked to the bone, and I don't want you getting sick.  I suggest we find a hotel nearby, unless you have other options."

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Oliver raised his eye brow at her inquiry of wanting to get him out of his clothes. That easy? he thought to himself. She then reassured him off how he was soaked and simply didnt want him to get sick. She said this with a straight face and didnt have that look on her face, so she seemed legit. He glanced down at his clothes and how the gear shifter, window and arm rest were covered in water. She was right, a change of clothes would be nice. Oliver began to think to himself. There was a high rise hotel in downtown Star, that wasnt too far away. They actually had a special room always on reserve for him. Mini bar, hot tub, outdoor balcony, whole 9 yards. Eve would definitely enjoy it.

With the simple turn of a key, the high end sports car roared to life. Oliver put it in first gear, slammed the gas and popped the clutch, spinning the tires and doing a 180, to exit the cemetery. Down the narrow road, up the hill and into the side entrance of downtown. It was particularly quiet, not many cars on the street, a few people with umbrellas, or newspaper above their head. There it was, across the town from Queen Industries building, the hotel. Oliver pulled the car into the valet lane. They all rushed over to open their doors. Oliver and Eve stepped out of the car, him handing the driver a 100$ bill. The pair walked out of the lane, and through the revolving doors into the lobby. A man from behind the desk wearing a Valentino suit came around and shook Olivers hand. He was nicely groomed, and seemed to be shocked by Olivers appearance.

"Have you been having fun.. Playing in the rain, Mr Queen?"

He said with a smile in a joking tone.

"Oh its been a blast"
Said Oliver sarcastically.

The man handed Oliver a key and began to walk backwards from him

"Theres the key to your suite, just let us know if you need anything else."

Oliver nodded as they walked to the elevator. The doors opened up with a symphony of music, and wall lined lighting. All the different floors and elevator buttons were next to the door stacked on each other, but one button stood out particularly. It had the letter "Q" on it, and a key slot next to it. Oliver put the key in that the manager handed him, turned it over then pressed the button. The elevator shot to life as it lifted up. He patiently leaned against the wall looking at Eve. The elevator then came to an abrupt stop, and the doors opened up. They walked out into a narrow hallway, to the left and there was a green door. Oliver inserted the key and opened it.

"After you..." He said as she walked in first. The inside was colored with different shades of white, green and veridian. Nice carpeting, hardwood floors, a bar, the place literally had it all. It was the epitome of luxury. As much as he'd like to show her around, first things first.

"Im going to go change.. Help yourself to whatever you like"

Oliver turned off and went into his bedroom. The door to the left had a bathroom, with a walk in closet and a full rack of clothes. He walked in and in a flash he ditched the soaked garments. As he turned to go to the closet, he noticed himself in the mirror. All the tattoos and scars. It was the first time he realized how bad it all looked. Oliver opened the closet door, and flicked the switch on.. It was empty. He must have already used all the clothes and just never had them brought back.. What would he do now? He turned around to put the wet clothes back on then noticed a robe hanging on the side of the shower. Well, better than wet clothes he thought...

Oliver put the robe on, tying the belt and walked into his bedroom. The day was mentally exhausted and he was worn. Not even thinking about where Eve was, he jumped on top of the bed and laid down. He closed his eyes.

[Deleted]

Eve relaxed when Oliver started the car and finally took off.  In a way, she was glad he was driving like a speed demon.  She wanted to distance herself as far away as possible from the cemetery.  However, she couldn’t say the same about Mr. Oliver Queen.  She couldn’t believe the man she was sitting next to was the same man who had pushed her buttons and jerked her chain for the last two days.  No, this man was being so nice, so open, so cooperative.  Was he sick already?  She had to wonder.

As they entered the downtown area, Eve could tell Oliver was in familiar territory.  After all, these were his old stomping grounds.  It wasn’t long before the car made its way to a high rise hotel and came to a halt in the valet lane.  The next thing Eve knew, Oliver was escorting her into the lobby.  They were greeted by a distinguished man.  From the way the two men were interacting with one another, Eve assumed they were old acquaintances.  She waited for Oliver to introduce her, but he never did.  As they were escorted to the elevator, she hoped the hotel clerk didn’t have the wrong impression of her.

During the elevator ride, symphony music filled the silence between Eve and Oliver.  She watched him insert the key and push the “Q” button.

Wow.  He has his own floor?   Impressive.

Once they exited the elevator, Eve followed Oliver down the narrow hallway to a green door.  After unlocking it, he invited her to enter first.  She complied and walked into one of the most luxurious suites she’d ever seen in her life.  As she plopped her purse down in one of the leather recliners in the living room area, she heard Oliver tell her he was going into another room to get out of his wet clothes.

“Going to change into something more comfortable?” she said playfully.  “I thought that was supposed to be my line?”

Eve took Oliver up on his offer and went to the bar to get herself a drink.  She decided not to have alcohol because she was on duty, and so she helped herself to a bottle of water instead.  Then she decided to call and report to Miles so he’d know they weren’t in Gotham City.

“Hello, Miles?  It’s Eve.  I’m calling to let you know that Mr. Queen and I are in Star City today.  He had some personal business to take care of . . . No, we’re fine.   I don’t think we have anything to worry about.  Green Arrow is there, and Oliver Queen is here.  Putting some distance between those two is a good thing . . . No, I don’t know when we’ll be heading back.  He’s pretty exhausted.  I think it’s likely that we’ll be spending some time here.  Tell the guys I’ll cover their shifts if I need to.  I don’t mind staying with him . . . Okay.  Don’t worry.  He’s safe with me.  You know that. . . . All right.  You, too.   ‘Bye.”

When Eve ended the call, she noticed that Oliver hadn’t returned.   “Mr. Queen?  Is everything all right?” she asked, knocking on the bedroom door.  Opening it, she stood in the doorway and found him on the bed with his eyes closed.  She couldn’t tell if he was asleep or not.

Folding her arms and looking straight at him, she enjoyed the view.  “I guess you don’t snore in your sleep,” she laughed aloud to herself, assuming that Oliver wasn’t listening.  Making herself over to the bed, she nudged him on the shoulder.  “Hey, it’s me, Eve,” she whispered.   “C’mon.  Help me get you under the covers.  Don't worry.  You don't have anything I haven't seen before.”  Then she added, "By the way, nice legs."

[Deleted]

Oliver heard Eve call out to him, and snapped him out of his day dreaming slumber he just slumped into. He came crashing down from flying in the clouds, even more so when he heard her grip the door handle and open the door. Still, he kept his eyes closed to see if she would come up to him, or turn around and walk out. He wasn't surprised when she decided to come up to him. Eve made the comment about him not snoring in his sleep, then identified herself. Oliver popped his eyes opened and turned his head to her.

"Thats because im not asleep" he said to her

She then made the comment to him to try and get him under the blankets, which made sense and went along with her protective special agent personality, then she made a comment about him not having anything she hadn't seen before. This statement actually shocked him a bit and seemed out of her character. He may not have broken the walls, but there were definitely cracks it. Oliver raised an eyebrow to her, then she made her next comment. About how nice his legs were. The defenses were definitely down and he hadn't even been trying. This is it, the walls were down and he managed to do it not with his money, and not even turning on any charm. He was simply him, and that is what distinguished her from every other woman. He could have easily gotten a cheap room at microtel and they still would be having this moment right now.

He leaned up and turned to face her at the edge of the bed. He could feel his chest warm up as he gazed into her eyes and for once began to notice the natural beauty she had in her face. She didnt have the titanics weight in make up like most girls that approach him, she was 100% real, and refreshing. He began to day dream about them spending the next day together but snapped out of it. He was in the middle of a personal crisis, and felt that he could no longer be the arrow, and wanted no more part of any of it. She was a high level agent, perhaps she would understand if he asked for advice in a round about way

"Someone once told me something ive been turning over in my mind ever since.. That the essence of heroism is to die so that others can live. Believe it or not, you and I have a lot in common. I have.. more respect for people like you than you could imagine." His voice began to choke up a bit

"There were.. Cannibals on the island I was trapped on.. I killed so many of them. Day in and day out.. It was a war.. It was so bad and constant, I couldnt even take the time to grieve my dad whos body washed up on shore a day after I floated to land. You've seen war. I see it in your eyes, along with the serenity of living for the day. But, I sense death on you. We both know how easy it is to take a life, and how quickly people die. Everyday is a war. But somehow you're baby sitting a guy like me.. so my question is.. How do I escape?"

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As his eyes opened, his head turned, and his voice sounded, Eve regarded Oliver with concern and reservation.  She couldn’t believe how relaxed and comfortable he was being with her, and he had no clue how badly she wanted to reciprocate in like manner, but the emotional wall erected around her heart was preventing that from happening.  Not only did the invisible barrier keep others from getting close to her, it kept Eve distant from them as well.  She wanted to trust Oliver, but she couldn’t.  Or she wouldn’t.  Either way, it was her loss.

After her parents died, Eve considered herself a loner.  She was used to being by herself.  Loneliness was her best friend.  Over the years, the emotional isolation had sharpened her resolve and made her tough -- stronger.  At least that’s what she kept telling herself.  She didn’t need anybody.  She hunted alone.  Packs were for the weak.  She couldn’t allow anyone to get close.  In the past, everyone she loved died.  It wasn’t a great track record, and she was tired of feeling the pain.  She liked it better when she didn’t feel anything at all.  But right now, Eve was feeling something.  Oliver was slipping past her defenses.  If she wasn’t careful, he’d steal her heart.  She wondered if he would give it back though, once he discovered how hard and broken it was.

Eve noticed Oliver’s surprised reaction to her playful comments, but she didn’t bring attention to it.  His thoughtful stare made her uncomfortable.  Before she could ask him what was on his mind, he snapped out of his daze and began sharing his heart.  It made her feel very . . . special.

When Oliver told her, “The essence of heroism is to die that others can live,” Eve thought about her own personal sacrifices.  She considered herself a hero.  As a child, she had been subjected to a world that she now tried to shield others from.  At one time, she’d crawled out of hell, but was pulled back into it again for a while.  She tried not to visibly cringe at the memories.

Eve had to agree – she and Oliver had many things in common.  When he admitted he had respect for people like her, she was blown away.  Not in a million years had she expected to hear him say those words to her!  She could tell by the way he was showing emotion that he was being genuine.  His vulnerability endeared him to her even more.

She sat down next to him when he began sharing his memories about being on the island.  Visualizing the word pictures in her mind was horrifying.  She could only imagine how traumatic it was for Oliver to have experienced them firsthand.

“You were in survival mode,” she told him, holding his hand.  “The killings were justifiable.  It was either ‘kill’ or ‘be killed’.  No one can blame you for that.  Stop beating yourself up about it.”

It saddened Eve that Oliver wasn’t able to grieve his father.

“I never got to grieve my parents either,” she confessed.  “They were independent missionaries in El Salvador.  One day they were taken into the jungle by a drug cartel and were brutally beaten and murdered.”

She stopped there.

“I don't like talking about it.”

Eve was shocked by Oliver’s comment that he could sense death on her.  “Yes, I’ve seen war,” she replied, “and, yes, I’ve killed someone.  I’m not proud of it, but taking a life was the only thing that saved my own.  It took me off the road to ruin.”

Eve knew her words sounded cryptic, but this was not the time for her to go into a detailed explanation.  Oliver’s final question caught her offguard.  Without flinching, she locked eyes with him.  There was no denying the seriousness of her nature.

“Escape?" she scoffed.  "You really can’t escape.  Never.  You have to learn to live with all of those experiences.  They’ve shaped you into the person you are today.  Somehow, you’re going to have to glean the good and purge the bad.  Hell, easier said than done, right?”

In that moment, Eve felt the most vulnerable because she was facing the truth about her own life.  She was holding on to everything.  That's what made her angry inside.  That's why she turned to alcohol for solace.  Deep down, she didn't know how much longer she could continue on the path she was traveling.  She was so weary and  tired of the journey that she considered heeding her own advice.

“Whatever you do, Mr. Queen, don’t be like me,” she stated curtly.  “Don’t hold on to everything.  Trust me.  It just makes you angry and bitter inside.”

With that, Eve leaned over and gave Oliver a gentle kiss on the lips, not knowing who needed it more – him or her.

[Deleted]

Oliver broke his eye contact with Eve as she walked around and sat next to him. He felt her grab his hand, but still, he concentrated on the wall. He all of a sudden realized how weak he made himself sound, and started to back track on it. Maybe he had shown her too much? For once in his life he felt mortal talking to her about all the problems he had been suffering from. He had mentioned everything.. But Dinah. Then again, that was a subject she didn't need to know about just yet. This whole time, talking about this image, what he felt he had to do, she had definitely perceived it as his playboy life style, when really he was talking about his alter ego as the Green Arrow. Truth be known, he didn't particularly enjoy killing people, and by no means did he consider himself a hero. Or a vigilante. He was a hunter. A hunter that hunted other hunters that preyed on weak and unsuspecting people.

He listened to her talk about her parents that were murdered in South America and how she didnt like to talk about it. He didn't blame her, he could hardly talk about the death of his own. In fact he had already told her more than he ever told anyone else. What was that mysticism about her presence? That made you believe in yourself, to see you the way you wanted to be seen. He felt a mental bridge had been connected between him and her. Also, her struggles mirrored his own, this was finally someone who understood him.

She told him there was no escape. That the ghosts of the past are here to stay and the best thing to do is to get used to it. She began to talk about how she had killed before, and how his killings were necessary for survival. If he trusted her with his secret identity, even though she was sworn to catch him dead or alive, would she still show him the same sympathy? Knowing that he was her main target the whole time.

Before he could say anything else, she kissed him. A woman kissing him.. That was a first. At the same time it seemed to spark that magical feeling in his chest, something he hadn't experienced since he first started seeing Dinah. Then he saw it all, he saw them holding hands, enjoying beaches together, going to winter retreats, and then he had his moment. She was the key to putting his past away, and no longer having to be the Green Arrow.

Oliver blinked twice. "I'm sorry what did you say?"

Oliver waited a couple of seconds before moving closer into her, not giving her a chance to respond and locked his lips to hers much more passionately than her previous kiss to him. If she rejected him, it was back to the drawing board. If she accepted it, she just might be the one to set him free.

[Deleted]

Eve opened her eyes slowly.  For a moment she didn’t know where she was.  Then she realized she was cuddling with someone.  Brad?  No, he was dead.  Was she?  No.  Suddenly, her mind hastily recalled the day’s recent turn of events.  She remembered everything.  She was with Oliver Queen in Star City. 

Yes, that’s where she was.  In Star City.  With Oliver Queen.  In bed.

Eve blinked and swiped her hands over her eyes.  Then she blinked again.  This wasn’t a dream.  It was for real.

Gazing at the clock on the nightstand next to Oliver, she read the time: 9:37 PM.  They had slept away the entire afternoon and most of the evening!  Eve couldn’t complain too much because it was the most restful sleep she’d gotten in weeks.  She wondered if the same could be said for Oliver.

Raising her head from Oliver’s chest, Eve looked at him.  The rain had ended, the clouds were gone, and the moonlight was pouring into the room through the open blinds of a nearby window.  Oliver looked so peaceful.  She hated to disturb him.

“Oliver?” she whispered.  It was the first time she had ever called him by his first name, and she wasn’t comfortable with it at all.  “Mr. Queen?” she repeated a little louder.  “Wake up, sleepyhead.  We slept through lunch and dinner.  Are you hungry?”

As she waited for him to respond in some fashion, Eve thought about the Green Arrow hunting Oliver, and it made her angry.  She wanted to protect this man – now more than ever.  The frustration she was feeling only sharpened her resolve to find that vigilante.

And kill him.