My Name is Thea Queen, I Am the Arrow

Friends

"They can't do this. That man cannot send my son to prison." Mom says angrily as she storms into the living room.

"Mom, enough. What our options? There's got to be something." Oliver sighs.

"An interlocutory appeal. But trial judges have discretion to reject plea agreements. I think you might wanna prepare yourself for the possibility that this isn't gonna go our way. I'm sorry, Mrs. Queen. I'll get to work on the appeal." The lawyer says before leaving.

"So much for the best criminal defense attorney in the city. I promise Oliver, I will handle this." Mom says as she places a comforting hand on Oliver's shoulder.

"Like you promised Walter you'd always stay faithful to him? Ollie, you should feel safe already." I spit out venomously as I stare out the window.

"That's enough." Mom snaps.

"Don't worry. When Oliver's gone, I will be too." I laugh darkly, as I leave.

:/:/:/:/:/:/:/:/:/:/:

"Hi, I'm looking for Detective Hall. I was told they work in Vice?" I ask an officer as I walk into the police station.

"Thea?" A tan skin woman says, looking straight at me.

"Hi? I'm sorry, I don't exactly know who you are." I say as I stretch out a hand for her to shake. 

"I'm McKenna Hall. I use to date your brother." She explains as she shakes my hand.

"Ah, another victim of the Queen charm I see." I joke.

"I see that you carry the charm gene." McKenna laughs.

"Are you looking to be affected again?" I ask.

"Word on the street is Oliver is seeing someone?" McKenna questions.

"I never said by him." I smirk.

"So what do you need with a vice cop, Thea?" McKenna smiles.

"Vertigo." I sigh.

"I did see Oliver on TV. I'm sorry." McKenna says.

"The judge is trying to make an example of him. Maybe if you find the person who's selling the drug, it could take the heat off my brother." I say.

"Easier said than done. Come with me." McKenna sighs.

"I did some digging and came up with a name. I believe it was, The Count?" I say.

"Thea, we've known about The Count for months." McKenna smirks.

"Oh. You agree the name sucks right? I mean The Count, kinda lame." I joke.

"Better than The Hood. And I wish this was thicker, but we really don't have much on him. I'd love to say we're gonna catch him before your brother's trial but it's highly unlikely. I'd love to keep talking, but I'm late for my shift." McKenna sighs as she hands me the file.

"Thank you. And if you hear anything about this guy just let me know?" I ask. 

"It's cute." McKenna smiles softly as she walks by me.

"What?" I ask.

"How much you care for your brother. But leave the policing to the police, okay?" McKenna says. 

"Okay." I nod.

:/:/:/:/:/:/:/:/:/:/:/:/:

"Tommy, hey." I smile as I knock on Laurel's apartment door.

"Thea, how are you holding? Hell, how's Oliver holding up?" Tommy sighs, pulling me into a hug.

"We're doing okay. But, I need to talk to Laurel, if she's around." I say as I pull away from him, seeing Laurel standing far back.

"Yeah no problem." Tommy nods leaving us two to talk. 

"Outside, please?" I ask quietly.

:/:/:/:/:/:/:/:/:/:/:/:/:

"Thank you for coming to court, it meant a lot to me." I say as Laurel closes her apartment door.

"Of course. Thea, I don't think the judge is willing to move off his position. Taking a hard line against criminals is a platform for his reelection." Laurel says.

"Oliver is not a criminal. And I need you to talk to your father. He's inside the system and maybe he cashes in a chip with Judge Brackett gets him off throwing the book at Oliver." I sigh.

"Speedy, I don't think-.' Laurel tries to say, reaching for my hand.

"Laurel, please. I'm working on something on my end, but if it doesn't work, this will be the only chance to help my brother. I have to help him, Laurel, I have to. Please for me?" I say, pulling away from her.

"I'll see what I can do. But I can't promise you anything." Laurel sighs.

"Thank you." I smile, pulling her into a hug and kissing her on the cheek.    

:/:/:/:/:/:/:/:/:/:/:/:

John and I walk into the Bratva auto shop, John carrying two duffel bags.

"I've seen a fair amount of Cyrillic back in Afghanistan left over by the Soviets. Is this Russian owned?" John says. 

"This is the not so hidden headquarters' for the Starling City chapter of the Bratva. John. Whatever I say, whatever goes down, just go with it." I warn. 

John nods. 

"Good to see you again." I say in Russian. 

"Good to see you too. Long time. Particularly for Bratva captain." The bald man says.

"I was trying to figure out where to out my interests. I decided on pharmaceuticals. I don't mean aspirin." I say as John throws the bags down in front of the bald man.

"A wise choice. Mepheodrone would be a good investment for you. It's the newest thing." The bald man says.

"I was thinking more on the line of Vertigo. It's newer." I shrug.

"Tough sell, Vertigo. Only one seller." The bald man sighs.

"I know. I was hoping you could do me a favor and arrange a meeting." I say.

"He's difficult man and he does not like new friends." The bald man adds.

I nod toward John, silently telling him to hand me the file. I wave it in front of the man. 

"This is everything the police have in him. Tell him it's a gift." I say handing it to him.

"I'll see what I can do, provided you do favor for me." He smirks.

"Anything." I say in Russian. 

"It isn't unusual for an American to hold such a position of esteem in our organization, Ms. Queen. Anatoli Knyazev. He speaks very highly of you." The bald man says. 

"He should. I saved his life. What did he do?" I huff, watching as a gagged and beaten man gets dragged toward us.

"Something I told him not to. Now the favor. Kill this man for me and I will believe your interest in our organization is genuine. And then I will arrange the meeting with The Count." The bald man offers.

I sigh as I grab the man and put him in a headlock.

"Thea." John warns.

"Shut up, John. This will be quick and easy." I say as I choke out the man, staring straight at the Bratva men.

I toss him to ground, a man confirming he is in fact dead. The bald man mumbles a thanks in Russian.

"What are friends for?" I smile widely.

Author's Note: vote!