Star City buzzed with the spreading news of the new hero in town that had been dubbed The Green Arrow.

As Cody had predicted, the Police Commissioner held a press conference the very next morning issuing a warrant for the arrest of Green Arrow. Many citizens have questioned this decision, particularly the motive behind it, with many showing their immediate support while others agreed with the decision, seeing him as an outlaw.

Whatever the case, it was exactly what Benjamin had expected once the news broke out about him.

That same morning, both he and his sister were released from the hospital. Plus, of course, their mom had gotten them lunch from their favorite fast food joints, McDonald's for Benjamin and Arby's for Racheal. They also bought a meal and a six-pack for Blake. He tried to decline, telling them that it was unnecessary, but both Julie and her kids insisted, especially since he had already hired some people to repair the damages to their mansion. Julie also made sure to compensate for his fellow guards who were attacked by Drakon.

Now, everyone is back at the house enjoying their meal. They all sat around in the living room while Julie continued to feel concerned for her children.

"Are you sure you two are feeling alright after everything last night?"

"Yes, Mom, I'm fine," Racheal promised.

"And I went through much worse on the island," Benjamin added, then Tommy smirked.

"It must've been, having to survive three whole years without any McDonald's? It's honestly amazing to us you managed to make it."

Everyone started laughing while Benjamin flipped Tommy the bird, although he couldn't deny how clever of a joke that was.

"Anyway, I'm sorry if I'm bothering you two," Julie added as she seemed to start growing emotional all of a sudden. "It's just... I don't know what I would do if I had lost you again, along with your sister..."

The mood in the room quickly changed, like stormy clouds invading a sunny day. All eyes were on their mother as her eyes became slightly watery. She sighs as she starts feeling stupid.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to... um, I'm gonna go check on Blake and the repairmen." She quickly makes her exit before the tension worsens.

"I'll go check on her. You two stay here and eat," Tommy assured before following his mother's path, his siblings watching on with concern.

Neither Benjamin nor Racheal knew what to say about that, but both felt bad for their mother. This did make Ben want to check on his sister as well, though.

"You sure you're alright?"

Racheal almost laughed.

"Yes, Bubba. I'm a big girl now, and I'm a lot tougher than I look, too."

"That you are," he nodded in agreement.

They continue eating for a moment before Benjamin decides to bring up something that had been on his mind since the hospital last night.

"So, when were you gonna tell me?"

Racheal looks at him in confusion.

"Tell you what?"

Benjamin almost smirks.

"About you and the police sergeant."

Racheal grows shocked with a questioning, worried look.

"Three years of survival teaches you to look out for certain things."

Racheal takes in a deep breath, attempting to relax as much as possible before setting her food down, taking a large sip of her drink, and giving her response.

"I was going to tell you, I just wanted to enjoy having you back for the time being, but I hated keeping that from you."

Benjamin nods with a slight frown, understanding how she felt given he feels the same way with his secret.

"Well, since we're here now..."

Racheal knew what he meant and checked to make sure Julie and Tommy weren't nearby before she continued.

"It's been going on for almost a year in a half now. I met him not long after I started interning at CNRI. One day, we just started talking and suddenly, I had a new best friend. Which, eventually became more than that."

Benjamin looks at her with wonder as she continues.

"He was... there for me... since you or Dad were no longer around then. He helped me... so much through that difficult time. Honestly, if it wasn't for him, I... I'm not sure if I would've been here to see you get back."

Benjamin could feel his heart sink before he reached across the table and touched his sister's hand. She took it and lovingly held it.

"He definitely sounds like a good guy," Benjamin mentioned.

"He is, and I love him so much."

Benjamin smiles happily, grateful at the knowledge that she had someone during that time, that he was there for her when he could not be.

"So, who else knows?" He asked after a minute.

"Just my boss and Jey's colleagues. I haven't told Mom or Tommy yet. Part of it is because of how busy we all tend to be with our job schedules; and also, I am a little nervous about it too. Tommy's been a little more protective of me since the shipwreck, and Mom... well, I don't know how she would feel."

"Probably about as grateful as I am that you had someone like him to help you through that time and admire the fact he was there for you like I do," Benjamin smirks.

"Yea, but... he is a little older and probably not the type of guy she pictured me getting with..." She nervously stated, but Ben just laughed.

"Speedy, this is our Mom we're talking about. You know she has nothing against police, mixed-race couples, or any of that; and the age gap between you two really doesn't seem that big."

"I know and maybe not, but I am her daughter, so it could be different with me," she frowned with worry and sadness.

"Fair enough, but I don't see that happening with her. Besides, she probably already suspects you're seeing someone. You know how smart and vigilant she can be"

Racheal laughs.

"True, she knows her stuff, but just let me find the right time to tell them myself, ok?"

Benjamin smiles with assurance.

"You know you can trust me."

"Always have," she nods before leaning across the table and pecking his cheek with a tight hug.

It is then when Julie and Tommy return.

"Everything alright?" Julie asked.

"Of course," Benjamin answered while Racheal returned to her seat.

"I'm sorry about that. It all just suddenly hit me," Julie explained as she and her son returned to their seats as well.

"No need to be sorry," Ben assured before finishing his meal.

It was also at this point that he decided to bring up something else this conversation had made him realize.

"You know, we haven't really talked about Dad much since I've been back."

Everyone stopped what they were doing and faced up towards Benjamin. They knew he had a point. They had been refraining from speaking about him much, just hoped he wouldn't notice. They knew at some point it would come to this, though, that they would have to talk about him.

Julie sighs before she answers.

"You're right. We haven't. We weren't sure how to approach or whether it would make things easier or harder if we did." She glances between her other two kids, seeing the looks they had that expressed the same feelings as her. "And, I'll admit, it was... hard for us to... finally acknowledge that he wasn't coming back and... accept some things we never wanted to."

Benjamin understood how they felt. He felt that same way before discovering his father's body. All these years, they had wondered what had happened, if he was still out there, and if he would ever return just like Benjamin did. Unfortunately, that will never be the case.

In spite of this, there is something that could probably help: knowing the truth.

"He washed up on the shore," Ben revealed after a moment, catching everyone by surprise. "His body washed up the first day I was on that island. He was already dead, though. There was nothing I could do for him. I didn't want to just bury his body in the sand or leave him lying around; couldn't take the thought alone of either of those. So, I put together this little makeshift life-raft, set him back out into the ocean, and uh... gave him a viking funeral. I figured he would've liked that."

The expressions on their faces proved just how big this revelation hit. After all the countless questions, a big answer has finally been dropped.

"I don't know if that helps any, but I thought y'all would wanna know," he added a little nervously, unsure of just how this effects them.

A mixture of shock and relief appeared to be the case for the family. A certain kind of solace had befallen upon the McFarlands. There was silence for another moment as they processed what Benjamin had told them, what he had done for their beloved husband and father.

Then, Julie tearfully spoke up.

"I'm proud of you, Benjamin. I know that couldn't have been easy, but he definitely would've appreciated it."

Benjamin smiles before his mother decides it's time for something.

"Come with me. There's something we've been wanting to show you."

Tommy and Racheal had smiles as Benjamin grew curious and began following his family.

They walk out the back of the mansion and into the yard. They step into a small gardening area not far from the house, but there aren't any plants here, just two headstones. Benjamin becomes shocked when he sees the names on them; one for himself and the other for his father. He stands there in stunned silence, staring at the gravestone of his father before his mother speaks again.

"We had these here not long after you two were presumed dead. It was our way of bringing you both home, gave us a way to stay connected. Each of us would often come here in our own time to talk with you both whenever we needed to."

Benjamin just remains silent as he takes in the overwhelming sight before him. It is a bit mind-boggling to see a gravestone with his name on it, but seeing his father's for the first time is nothing short of breathtaking. He never thought to make him a shrine or anything back on the island, nor did he really have the time to, but now he has a way to visit with him and stay connected. Even if his body isn't really here, he can still feel him here, just like what his family feels.

Benjamin walks closer to the headstones, his eyes glued to his father's name, and crouches down right in front of it. He doesn't say anything, just sits there with his hands together. The memories of their last moments together and the funeral he gave him on the island rush back at him like a rapid flood. With it, the returning heartache and grief that always pack a hard punch. Add in the emotions building within Benjamin since returning home, and he has finally reached his breaking point. Streaks of tears began running down the archer's face, fighting against the resistance he could no longer put up.

Soon, his family joined him in an effort to comfort him. Racheal crouches next to him and puts her arm around his shoulders while their mother kneels over with a slight hug, and Tommy puts a gentle hand on his back. All three had their own emotions overflowing while hoping to ease Benjamin's.

"I know, honey, we miss him too," Julie sympathized. "He loved you, and he would've been so proud of you for everything."

That is one of the kindest things his mother could ever say to him. Everything he has done has been in the hopes of honoring his father, and he'll keep doing so; but not just for him, but for the rest of his family and the city itself as well.

X

Meanwhile, at a company known as Stellmoor International, CEO Simon Lacroix is standing in his office staring out his window until he receives a phone call. He pushes the button on his earpiece to answer, already knowing who it is.

"I was wondering when I would hear from you," he states as he continues staring out the window. "Yes, I saw on the news. Yes, I'm positive it's him."

As the person on the other line speaks, Simon just continues gazing across the city, staring directly at McFarming Industries with a sinister, vengeful stare.

"Don't worry. Sooner or later, he'll be paying me a visit, and I'll be waiting and ready..."

He isn't kidding either; because later that day at the Arrow Cave, Benjamin sits at the supercomputer, staring a hole into the photo of Simon he has up.

"Be seeing you real soon, Simon..."

X

Flashback, two in a half years ago.....

Benjamin remains on his spot on the ship as it draws closer and closer to the shores of China. He can already see some civilization in the distance, a welcoming sight after his time on the island, not to mention the battle that took place earlier that day.

The silence is interrupted when Eddie Fyers and some of his teammates finally return.

"I'm sorry it took so long. We had some other information we had to get out of her, but we got what you wanted, too."

Benjamin turns to give him his full attention, ready for some answers.

"Go on..."

"Does the name Samuel Hackett sound familiar?"

Benjamin furrows his brow with shock and suspicion.

"Of course, he's been a friend of my dad's for a long time. Why?"

"Turns out, he's a henchman for China White, has been the whole time, and was using your dad's company to fund her drug operations too. From what she told me, your father was getting pretty close to finding out."

Benjamin could not believe that. He never would've thought Hackett would've or could've done something like that.

"But there's more..."

Benjamin grew even more surprised by that notion.

"What do you mean?"

"It wasn't just about Hackett. In fact, he didn't even notify her that your dad was getting close. It was someone else who had done some work for her, which led her to attack your father's boat as a form of payback for his services."

Benjamin took his words in as he grew a vengeful look, an exact replica of how he felt towards China White.

"Who is he?"

"She never got his real name, only knew him by his alias... Komodo."

Benjamin tilts his head up with determination and vengeance.

"Komodo....."

(A/N: And that's Arc 2. What y'all think of it?

What do you think will occur in Arc 3?

Stay tuned and find out. Thanx for reading!)