And here's the final part of the Arrow midseason finale!

Rene explains his actions (people aren't happy), the team goes to rescue Laurel (people still aren't happy), and the fallout of Rene's betrayal (this time, some people are happy). Also, credit goes to iwannareadalotmore for coming up with the perfect codename for Winn, which debuts in this chapter. :) 

Enjoy, guys!

***

"Why?" Kara demanded angrily as Winn and James hastily backed up, Lena and Felicity cautiously doing the same as Slade, Malcolm, J'onn, and Alex fanned out, ready to back Oliver up if needed. "Why would you do that?"

"Agent Watson came to me," Rene winced, rubbing his red cheek. "She said she had proof that I was Wild Dog and that she was gonna use it against me to make sure that I never saw Zoe again." He looked from Kara to Oliver, whose green eyes were icy. "She said she had a solid case against you and that she was gonna arrest you either way. You were going down. I just couldn't make the trip with you."

"You should have told us, Rene," Dig scowled. "We could have figured something out."

"There was nothing to figure out, Hoss!" Rene protested. "Right?"

"Right," Malcolm scoffed. "Like no one in this room could . . . oh, I don't know, pretend to be you and go out as Wild Dog while you were in Watson's clear sight? No offense, J'onn."

"None taken," the Martian shook his head. "I would have been willing to do it."

"Would you?" Rene scowled.

"Yes," J'onn nodded. "Especially if it was your daughter on the line."

"And that's an obvious solution," Slade glared at Rene. "There could have been more."

"Now we'll never know," Felicity sighed.

"Kara," Oliver said quietly, his voice colder than ice. "Come here." Kara glared at Rene, walking backwards until she was at Oliver's side. He put his arm around her, then looked back the man who sold him out. "Rene . . . get out." He opened his mouth to say something, but Oliver growled. "Get out . . . or I let Kara, Slade, and Malcolm race to see who throws you out the quickest."

Rene's mouth clicked shut, and he clenched his jaw before turning and leaving.

***

Laurel woke up with an extremely sore throat, and she spent a few seconds coughing and hacking, groaning. "Oh, good," a sarcastic voice said, and Laurel glared at the dark-haired girl sitting on the table in front of her. "You're awake. Little Team Prometheus reunion, huh?"

"I didn't do anything to you on Lian Yu," Laurel glared.

"You turned your back on Chase," Evelyn narrowed her eyes. "He rescued you!"

"Yeah, and what did he ever do for you?" Laurel sneered. "Except promise revenge. Well, look how that turned out. You and your little group, locked up on Lian Yu. Of course, not any more, it looks like."

"Yeah, thanks to Cayden James," Evelyn folded her arms. "He sent someone for Talia and me."

"What, no use for a raging psychopath?" Laurel quirked an eyebrow. "I'd have loved to see Chase bite the bullet."

"Well, at least it wasn't me," Evelyn shrugged, though she seemed a bit uncomfortable talking about it.

Laurel gave her a long, lingering look, then noticed a device in the corner of the room. "Sonic dampener?" she guessed. When Evelyn smirked, Laurel groaned. "Of course."

"Had to keep you quiet somehow," Evelyn shrugged. "Couldn't have you choke to death."

"Thanks," Laurel grumbled, looking her over. "I have to say, though . . . I did wonder why someone as young as you were working with Chase. There's even a little part of me that's happy you're OK."

"Pardon me if the feeling isn't mutual."

"You really like being a smartass, don't you?"

"Takes one to know one."

Laurel huffed, rolling her eyes. She looked off to the side, then looked back at Evelyn. "I heard you took the Black Canary suit for a while after my doppelgänger died."

"I did," she acknowledged.

"When you look at me, do you see her?"

Evelyn narrowed her eyes. "Why?"

"I just wondered," Laurel shrugged. "Oliver and Dad always saw a bit of her in me. Couldn't say the same for them, though. The Oliver I knew died eleven years ago. And my dad . . . " She sighed. "My dad here was surprised when I told him what happened to him."

Evelyn frowned, then examined her fingernails, acting disinterested. "What happened to him?"

"It was my thirteenth birthday," Laurel answered. "He left to go get my birthday cake, like he did every year. And then the phone rang. There was an accident." She took a deep breath. "A drunk driver ran through a red light. Head-on collision."

"What surprised him?" Evelyn looked up.

"It wasn't the accident," Laurel shook her head. "No . . . it was that he knew my favorite cake was yellow with chocolate frosting, and that my favorite bakery was Carly's." She looked up at Evelyn. "I guess my doppelgänger and I are more alike than I originally thought."

Evelyn pursed her lips, but before she could say anything, the elevator doors opened. "OK, it's time," Cayden said, walking out. "Remember, if the Green Arrow reneges on our deal, you kill her."

Evelyn looked down at Laurel, who slowly shook her head as Cayden walked back out.

***

Curtis and Dinah stared in disbelief as Rene got his huge burger from the food truck. "How can you eat this?"

"You ask me that every time," Rene huffed, heading for a table.

"He means at a time like this," Dinah told him.

"Stress makes me hungry," Rene answered. "So does guilt. I just . . . " He sat down and rubbed at his still stinging cheek. Damn, Kara had one hell of a slap. Then again . . . super strength. "I screwed up. You know, Oliver was right to kick me off the team."

"You were in an impossible situation," Dinah shook her head.

"Yeah, and when you're in an impossible position, that's why there's a team, D," Rene countered. "Just like Dig said." He looked at Curtis, who appeared to be looking elsewhere. "You're uncharacteristically quiet, Hoss."

"Just hungover," Curtis told him. "Doing some processing . . . I'm actually doing a lot of processing."

"Oliver spying on us, you mean?" Dinah asked bitterly.

"Not gonna pretend there's not a difference between the three of us and the three of them – you know, the original three, I'm not counting Wilson or Merlyn – but – "

"Spying on us?" Dinah prompted. "And getting Kara's team to help? And Kara agreeing to it? I mean, come on, it crosses a line."

"Yeah," Curtis nodded. "And I just don't like the way that it makes me feel." He sighed, then grumbled, "Now I'm stressed." Rene's jaw dropped as Curtis reached over, grabbed his burger, and took a huge bite out of it. "Wow," he blinked. "It's good." He turned to Dinah, who looked at him incredulously. "It's real good."

Rene just stared at his teammate in disbelief.

***

Oliver leaned back against the rail in the bunker, mulling over what had happened in the last twenty-four hours, when heels clicked on the floor. He turned to see Thea walk up, looking at him in concern. "Hey," she said.

"Hi," he straightened. "How's Quentin?"

"Uh, on his way," Thea answered. "He was not happy, to say the least."

"I know the feeling," Oliver winced.

Thea nodded, then tilted her head. "Winn told me what happened."

"Yeah," Oliver sighed.

"Would ask if you're OK, but I think I already know the answer."

"Thinking about what Rene did," Oliver said slowly. "What did he do really? He kept a secret, and he – he put his daughter ahead of the team, and I feel betrayed. How can I feel betrayed by somebody doing the exact same things that I've done?"

"Because you've never sold anyone out on the team, Ollie," Thea answered. "And if you're convicted, you could end up spending a really long time in jail. But having said that, you're doing the right thing, looking at things through his perspective, and having done that, maybe you can see your way to forgiving him."

"Seriously?" Oliver frowned.

"Well, Rene is a . . . " Thea sighed. "A very desperate guy who just did a very desperate thing, but he's also the same guy who just last night was giving such a heartfelt, sweet speech and – and calling you his friend, and I really think that he meant that. It was a betrayal, no question. But since you've been able to see things from his point of view, you . . . you should also be able to see your way to forgiving him."

Oliver stared at her, then huffed. "Listen to you."

"Laurel needs the team right now, Ollie," Thea turned, watching him examine the mannequins lined up on the wall. "But he needs the whole one."

Oliver frowned, thinking that through, when Dig walked up. "It's almost nightfall," he said.

Oliver nodded, looking at him. "Let's have the team suit up." Dig nodded and turned, but Oliver called him back. "John . . . the whole team. And ask Kara, Slade, and Malcolm for me, too."

Dig nodded. "Copy that."

***

Oliver walked with Dinah and Curtis down the alley, meeting up with Rene at the end. "Thanks for having me back, man," he said gratefully.

Malcolm landed silently from where he grappled in, and Kara landed with Slade a second later. "If something goes wrong tonight, you'll get a matching mark on the other cheek," she threatened.

"If I don't get to you first," Slade growled in agreement.

"Enough," Oliver looked around. "Let's get Laurel back." He reached up for his comms device. "This is where Cayden James wants to make the exchange?"

"Yep," Felicity answered. "It's a no-brainer he picked this place. It's a digital black hole. There's no cameras, insulated walls. Once you guys get inside, we're totally blind."

"But that means so is he," Lena pointed out.

"Get the amplifier working?" Oliver asked.

"Hope so," Winn answered. "Otherwise, we're handing a crazy psychopath the means to crater the entire city."

"He means yes," Lena interrupted. "It's ready."

"Thanks, Checkmate, Telle," Kara sighed.

" . . . wait, what?" Winn asked.

"Well, you said it was about time you got a codename," Kara smiled. "So I gave you one. Telle – after the Kryptonian god of knowledge. What do you think?"

Silence on the other end. "Uh," Winn trailed off.

"Well done, Supergirl," Malcolm snorted. "You just broke one half of your tech support."

"She just asked you a question." All of them could hear J'onn's smirk. "Telle."

"Uh, yeah!" Winn cleared his throat. "Thanks, Kara. I mean, Supergirl. I love it. Thanks."

"No problem," Kara smiled.

"What's the plan, kid?" Slade asked.

"I will handle the exchange," Oliver answered. "Kara, eyes on everything. If anyone gets out, that's who you take. Slade, Malcolm, stay out of sight, but be ready for anything these guys pull. You three, be our eyes and ears. The priority is extracting Laurel, but if we get a chance to take Cayden James into custody, we take it. Whatever we're going through, whatever issues we have, let's put it aside and get the job done. Agreed?"

"Agreed," Dinah nodded.

"Agreed," Malcolm's eyes went to Rene.

But he nodded, too. "Agreed."

"OK," Oliver clenched his bow tightly. "Let's go."

***

Oliver slowly walked into the main room of the building to see a ring of mercenaries in a semicircle, Cayden James in the center. "So we meet again," he mused.

"Where's Laurel?" Oliver asked.

"Oh, somewhere handy," he answered. "I'll be taking that amplifier now."

"You will be telling me where Laurel is," Oliver growled.

"A fair request," Cayden nodded. "Equally fair . . . lay down your bow. I'll let you speak with her." He pulled out a radio and huffed when Oliver didn't move. "I am a man of my word. If I wasn't, there wouldn't be much point in vowing to destroy this city, would there?"

***

From where he and Slade were crouched high above the meeting place, Malcolm scoffed lightly. "Oh, is that why he hasn't done that yet?"

"Well, let's just be grateful the city hasn't been blown to bits and pieces," Slade grumbled.

Across from them, Dinah looked around. "No sign of Laurel, Evelyn, or Talia."

***

"We can't see anything from up here," Rene complained. "Let's search the building."

"Green Arrow said stay put until he makes the exchange," Dig told him.

"What? We're his eyes and ears and we can't even look around?"

"Guys, we need you as backup," Felicity said.

"Then why aren't Black Wolf or Guardian here?" Rene snapped. "He's got Deathstroke and the Dark Archer watching him. He has backup!"

"Thank you for that vote of confidence," Malcolm growled. "But Green Arrow gave you an order. Follow it."

Curtis scoffed. "Well, maybe if you bugged Laurel like you bugged us, we'd know where she was."

"Whoa," Winn protested. "We didn't bug you guys! We tracked your GPS! That's not bugging! That's totally different!"

Curtis rolled his eyes, reaching up and turning his comms off. "Bugging me now."

"Can still hear you," Lena snorted.

Rene just reached up and turned his comms off, too. "Screw it," he growled. "I'm not gonna sit around here and wait for Oliver to decide to trust us again."

He stormed off, and Curtis gritted his teeth, trying to decide what to do. Eventually, he ran after Rene.

***

Oliver finally held up his bow, holding it out and setting it down on the ground. "See?" Cayden smiled in satisfaction. "Wasn't that easy?"

Oliver just glared at him, taking the radio offered. "Are you all right?" he asked in concern.

"I'm fine," Laurel answered. "Company could be better, but yeah, I'm fine."

"Yeah? Well, sit tight. Be there soon."

"Just don't compromise the city's safety for me."

"It's odd," Cayden tilted his head. "I always heard Laurel Lance was a dedicated civil servant, but that's the first I've heard her say something to demonstrate it since I met her. I wish there were more like her."

There was a snort over the comms. "There's a reason for that."

"Shut up, wizard."

"For the hundredth time, it's magician!"

"Now?" Kara seethed, on comms for the first time. "You're gonna do this now?"

Oliver was grateful Cayden was still talking. Otherwise, he would have snapped at them instead. "Proof of life, as requested," Cayden took the radio back, then held out his other hand. "Your turn now, I think."

Oliver held out the amplifier in response. "Take what you wanted."

"Hmm," Cayden frowned, looking down at it. "I think not. You see, what I wanted as a nanoaluminum amplifier . . . one that hasn't been sabotaged."

Oliver lowered the amplifier, surprised. "He knows?!" James demanded.

"How could he know?" Alex demanded.

"I'm disappointed," Cayden sighed. "Though not nearly as much, I imagine, as your friend Ms. Lance." He activated the radio again. "Kill her," he ordered, then pointed at Oliver. "And kill him."

He walked off, but before any of his men could make a move, Oliver pressed a button on one of his gauntlets. Sparks shot out of his bow, spraying everywhere and in the eyes of the men surrounding him.

It was the perfect opportunity for Slade and Malcolm to drop down from where they'd been watching and leap into action. Oliver recovered his bow, and soon green and black arrows were shooting everywhere, Slade's blade blurring silver as the three men worked together.

"Team, everything's gone south!" Felicity shouted.

"Back up Green Arrow!" Dig added.

Part of the roof caved in, and Oliver shielded his eyes as Kara landed on the ground and sucker punched one thug in the stomach. He went flying, and Slade and Malcolm had to roll out of the way so the thug didn't bowl them over. Dinah landed on the ground shortly after her, and Oliver watched his fiancée easily pummel half the men in the room, letting out her anger over Rene's betrayal.

***

"Wild Dog, Terrific, where are you guys?"

"We're on our way," Rene answered Felicity as he and Curtis ran through the building.

"On your way?" J'onn repeated.

"Why weren't you in position?" Dig demanded.

"Haven't got time for that now, Hoss!" Rene told him. He and Curtis stopped behind a corner, and Curtis pointed silently. Rene peeked out, and perked up when he saw Laurel standing in the center of a group of mercenaries, Evelyn in front of her, speaking with her. "We've got eyes on Laurel," he said.

Curtis yelped suddenly, and Rene turned around to see an obsidian arrow in his arm. When he looked up again, Talia dropped down from the ceiling. "Talia!" he shouted.

Evelyn turned to see what was going on, then grabbed Laurel by the elbow and hauled her off, the sonic dampener in her other hand. The other mercenaries closed in as Talia approached Rene, drawing her sword.

***

Kara drove her fist into the last mercenary's head, watching in satisfaction as he collapsed on the ground like a sack of potatoes. She took a few deep breaths, then looked up and around. "I can't see James," she said.

Slade kicked a mercenary's body. "His men are down," he added, glaring around.

Oliver looked around, scowling when he didn't see two team members. "Where the hell is everybody?" he snapped.

"I've got Laurel and Evelyn," Lena announced. "They're exiting the north side of the building."

"I'm on my way," Oliver turned to Kara. "Find the others."

She nodded and flew off, and Oliver ran to find Laurel.

***

Rene grunted as Talia whacked him in the head with her bow, Curtis struggling to handle the mercenaries surrounding him. Wind rushed past them suddenly, and there were several cries of pain. Talia was next to be thrown away, making Rene blink.

Then he was pushed up against the wall, and he was staring into the blazing blue eyes of a furious Kryptonian. "Remember what I said about anything going wrong?" she growled.

***

"OK, one last stop," Evelyn pushed Laurel against the wall.

"You bitch!" Laurel grimaced, still feeling her body ache from earlier.

Evelyn glared up at her, then seethed. "Damn you for looking like her."

Laurel blinked in surprise, then was further stunned when Evelyn drew a knife and cut through the zipwire tying her hands together. "Evelyn?"

"Run," Evelyn jerked her head. "Before I change my mind."

"What?" Laurel stared at her, shocked.

That was when Oliver ran around the corner. Evelyn quickly turned, then screamed in the direction of the large tubes against the wall. They came rolling down, and Oliver dove out of the way as they crashed onto the ground, sparks flying everywhere. Laurel winced, shielding her eyes from the spray.

When she opened them again, Evelyn was gone.

"Laurel?" a familiar Australian roar came from behind.

"Laurel!" an American one followed that.

"I'm here!" Laurel finally managed to call, and Slade and Malcolm ran around from the other way. "I'm OK!"

"You sure?" Malcolm asked, running up to her.

"Yeah," she nodded as Oliver jumped over the tubes to join them. "What about you?"

"Still pissed off," Malcolm admitted.

"At least neither of you are dead," Slade sighed as Oliver walked up. "That's something."

"No kidding," Oliver looked at Laurel. "Good to see you."

"You, too," Laurel smiled.

"Can I get a sitrep?" Dig called.

"Is everyone OK?" Felicity added.

Staggering footfalls came from the other direction, and Oliver turned to see Kara haul Rene out from the building, her grip on his collar tight. Dinah and Curtis were right behind her, both looking wary. Other than that, they all looked fine. "Yeah," Oliver answered. "We're good here."

***

Everyone turned when the elevator doors opened, only to see Kara shove Rene out, another very red mark on his face. J'onn's eyebrows shot up as Kara grumbled in Kryptonese as she stormed out, the rest of the team following. "How's Laurel?" he asked instead of how they were doing.

"She's fine," Dinah answered. "She's back with Quentin, sleeping it off."

"Any sign of Cayden James, Evelyn, or Talia?" Oliver asked.

"Nada," Felicity shook her head. "They're completely off the grid."

"I should have cuffed her," Kara sighed.

"She's the eldest daughter of Ra's al Ghul, she could get out of whatever cuffs you found," Malcolm shook his head. "Besides," he shot Rene a glare. "It wasn't your fault."

"But we got Laurel back," Curtis tried to smile. "That was the objective, right?"

"Right," Oliver scowled, turning to them. "You and Rene were supposed to be backup. Where'd you go?"

"We were looking for Laurel," Rene answered. "And from what I can tell, we found her."

"Moving off of your position," Oliver narrowed his eyes. "Was that your call or Curtis's?"

"It was Rene's," Kara answered before either man could open their mouth. "I heard him." When Rene looked at her incredulously, Kara rolled her eyes. "I'm sorry, did you expect me to just turn off my superhearing when you suddenly weren't on comms?"

"They weren't?" Slade looked at them sharply.

"That explains a lot," Winn whispered.

"It was my call," Rene nodded. "And it turned out to be the right one."

"You got lucky, Rene," Oliver told him. "Doesn't make it the right call."

"Look, man, I know you're pissed at me," Rene walked forward, glaring at him. "And I don't care because you left us blind out there. And even if she wasn't a goody two shoes in the beginning, I wasn't gonna let Laurel die just because you didn't trust us enough to go off leash and look for her."

"When we are in the field, there is a clear chain of command," Oliver told him. "Plain and simple."

"I've been the same guy tonight that I've always been since you brought me onto this team!" Rene snapped.

"Rene, yes, that's true," Oliver nodded. "You have. Sometimes, you go your own way."

"That's right," Rene held his chin high.

"And I put up with it because I trusted you," Oliver finished.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You got a second chance tonight, my friend," Oliver answered. "And you broke our trust, again. You don't get a third. You're off the team."

"Just like that?" Rene frowned.

"Just like that," he nodded.

Rene clenched his jaw, looking like he wanted to argue, but when Kara walked towards Oliver to stand by him, he stepped back as Slade and Malcolm followed her, making it clear where they stood in the matter as well. He huffed and turned around. "It's been real, y'all."

They watched him go, then Dinah lifted her head. "Yeah, I hate to say it, but Oliver is right," she said. "We're a team. We need to . . . we need to trust each other, need to believe in each other." She walked forward, looked Oliver in the eye, and declared, "I don't believe in you anymore."

"Dinah," Dig began.

"Don't," she threw him a look. She looked back at Oliver and shook her head. "It's too late. I'm out, too."

Oliver just nodded, accepting her decision. She turned and walked after Rene, leaving the rest of the combined team standing in silence.

***

She was standing in a parking garage later, waiting, when Vincent walked over to meet her. "Guess we should both be glad I didn't leave town like you said," he told her.

"Oh, thanks," Dinah scoffed. "That's really what I needed right now, an 'I told you so.'"

"You OK?" Vincent frowned. When she nodded slightly, he frowned deeper. "You don't look it."

"I don't really want to talk about it," she said stiffly.

"Then why'd you reach out?"

"Because I had no one else to call," she answered simply.

Vincent scoffed. "I'll try not to be insulted by that."

"I really needed someone who believed in me," Dinah elaborated, finally turning to look at him. "I needed a friend."

"Friends," Vincent nodded, walking closer. "I can do that."

Dinah finally managed a small smile, glad someone was there for her.

***

"Sunflowers!" Zoe cheered as Rene let her into his apartment. "My favorite!"

"Well, I wanted it to feel like home," Rene shrugged, smiling.

Zoe stopped, then turned to look at him. "I'm not gonna have to leave again, am I?"

"Hey," Rene put his hands on her shoulders. "I won't let anyone split us up ever again. I promise."

Zoe nodded, running into him and giving him a hug. Rene clung to her tightly, closing his eyes, relieved she was back with him where she belonged.

***

"I'm just gonna say this," Dig said after Slade and Malcolm had left to check in with Laurel. "I don't think there's anything that has been said or done that can't be undone."

"I don't think I agree, John," Felicity shook her head.

"I agree with Felicity," Oliver nodded. "We need to move forward."

"That's the best that can be done in this situation," J'onn nodded.

"I'm sorry, guys," Winn tried to smile from where he sat with the others from Earth-38. "This . . . sucks."

"Yeah, Winn, it does," Alex sighed, rubbing her forehead. "But would you want to work with someone who betrayed you?"

Winn silently shook his head. "I wouldn't," Lena tapped her fingers on the table. "And I'm a businesswoman."

"Sorry I'm late," Curtis said as he walked into the room. "Um, I think I probably might still be a little hungover."

"One hell of a hangover," James raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah," Curtis took a deep breath. "I've also been thinking about a few things. Oliver, you and Dinah were right. No trust, no team." He straightened his shoulders, looking around at everyone. "You all spied on me, invaded my privacy. Whether you couldn't trust me or not, it means that I can't trust you."

"Curtis, what's that supposed to mean?" Felicity's eyes widened.

"I'm still a part of Helix Dynamics, Felicity," Curtis assured her. "That's separate. But this?" he gestured around the bunker. "I'm done."

He didn't wait for Oliver's response. He just turned and walked out the way he came in. That left those remaining to look at each other. "Oliver?" Kara asked quietly.

He took a deep breath. "Like I said. We need to move forward."

"Oliver," Dig began.

"Cayden James knew that we sabotaged the amplifier last night," Oliver interrupted. "We need to find out how."

"I wish we could stay and help," J'onn looked up at him. "But we've been away from our Earth for long enough."

"Your help was more than appreciated," Oliver looked around as those around the table stood. "Thank you, for . . . " He sighed. "Everything."

"If you ever need an extra scream," Alex put her hands on his shoulders. "Just call, OK?"

"I will," Oliver nodded.

Alex hugged him tightly, and the others said their goodbyes as well. Oliver led Kara off to the side, and she sighed, looking up at him. "I am so sorry, Oliver," she whispered.

"I know you are, Kara," Oliver sighed. "But there's not much any of us can do now. We just need to – "

"Move forward," Kara finished with him, chuckling slightly and adjusting her glasses. "I know." She looked up at him, licking her lips. "You'll let me know if you ever need me, OK? Not just for William, but with the team. Just remember, you have more people looking out for you than you think you do."

"I promise," Oliver nodded.

"Also," Kara tilted her head. "The invites?"

"Sent," Oliver chuckled. "RSVP is to here, not you."

"OK," Kara nodded. "You take whatever time you need to get things settled. You'll need it."

"Thank you," Oliver sighed, lightly tugging her closer.

"You're welcome," Kara said softly, kissing him.

Oliver kissed her back. "I love you," he whispered.

"I love you," she responded, squeezing his hand. She took out her extrapolator, took a deep breath, and activated it. "Good luck," she told Dig and Felicity.

They simply nodded, and Kara walked through the breach, followed by Alex, J'onn, Winn, James, and Lena. Oliver watched the breach disappear, then looked at Dig and Felicity. "Get some rest," he told them. "We all need it."

"Are you gonna be OK?" Felicity asked worriedly.

Oliver sighed, turning to look at the mannequins on the wall, three of them now empty. "I'm gonna have to be."

***

Evelyn watched Dig and Felicity leave the screen, then looked up when Talia walked up to where Cayden was standing with his righthand man. "When you had us raid their bunker and plant that minicam two months ago – "

"Is this the outcome I had in mind?" Cayden finished the question as the door off to the side opened. "Quite so, Ms. Al Ghul. Although, I must confess . . . things have worked out even better than I anticipated."

"Hardly impressive," Anatoli Knyazev scoffed as he entered. "Left to his own devices, Oliver Queen will always push away those closest to him."

"So we've got them fighting with each other instead of fighting us," Vincent Sobel nodded, coming up on Anatoli's other side.

Evelyn stiffened slightly as the last member of the group came on her other side. "Please tell me that isn't your whole master plan," Ricardo Diaz gave Cayden a long look.

"Oh, not at all, Mr. Diaz," Cayden assured him. "In fact, I think it fair to say that this . . . " He smirked. "Is only the beginning."

Evelyn looked down the line to see Talia smirk, then looked back at the camera again, seeing her former team leader still standing in front of the mannequins.

***

In fact, Oliver was still standing there a half hour later. He didn't turn away when he heard the elevator chime. He still didn't turn when he heard footsteps approach.

He did, however, finally speak. "You don't have to do this."

"Maybe not," Laurel shook her head, stopping on his left. "But things just got personal now."

"Besides," Malcolm came on Oliver's other side. "Dead people don't have busy nights."

They dropped their duffels on the ground and zipped them open, revealing their suits inside as Slade stepped in between Oliver and Malcolm. "And brothers don't abandon each other when one needs the other," he told Oliver, adding his duffel to the others.

For the first time since the betrayal reveal, Oliver truly relaxed. "Dinah and I said no trust, no team."

"Well," Laurel smirked. "Better hope you trust us, then."

"We've got your back, Oliver," Malcolm promised.

"So let's save your city, kid," Slade finished.

Oliver smirked, looking up at his suit on the wall. Now the three on either side of his wouldn't be so empty anymore once his new team members put theirs up.

"We've got work to do."

***

Meet Oliver's new team, guys. We'll be seeing Slade, Malcolm, and Laurel a lot more now. :)

Also, I can't say I blamed the others for leaving the team. I completely understood Oliver kicking Rene off because of his betrayal, and I understand Dinah and Curtis leaving because they felt they couldn't trust Oliver. He spied on them, and they felt they couldn't trust him because of that. However, similarly, after the whole Evelyn Sharpe situation, I felt Oliver had every right to be concerned about which team member betrayed him. Evelyn just left the team - this time, someone outed him to the FBI. I still support Oliver more, though.

Anyway, that's one midseason finale down. Next up is the big one . . . and I will start working on "Reign" soon!