This was both a fun chapter to write and a tense one. Things go a bit differently than in canon, so I hope everyone enjoys the changes.

Someone gets taken, Oliver takes a team on a mission, and the witness is revealed.

Enjoy!

***

"All right, all right, all right," Rene helped Curtis through the door, his team member swaying on his feet. "Where do you want to go, bathroom or couch?"

"Hey, hey, hey," Curtis staggered away. "I am perfectly capable of walking myself – whoa!" Rene stopped and watched Curtis smack into the table in front of him, knocking several things to the ground, including himself. He sighed, shaking his head as Curtis got back on his feet. "That was not because I was drunk," he sniffed. "That is just because I am very clumsy." Rene rolled his eyes, closing the door behind him as Curtis looked around. "Wow . . . so this is the dog house? Ruff! Ha ha! It's actually way cleaner than I thought it would be. Oh, you have flowers!" Curtis brightened, seeing the sunflowers on the dining table. "Why do you – why do you have flowers? Are you seeing some lady friend or something?"

"It's not like that," Rene shook his head as Curtis sat down.

"You know who I am gonna see when I get to my place in the morning?"

"Some hot dude?" Rene guessed.

"Myself," Curtis shook his head glumly. "In the mirror. Alone." He sighed as Rene winced. "Do you think it was the vigilantism that drove Paul away, or did – did I just lose my charm, or – " He groaned slightly, rubbing his forehead. "Do you – do you ever feel like life would be easier if there was never a Team Arrow?"

"Only all the time," Rene admitted.

"You know what, though?" Curtis straightened. "Oliver is getting his happy ending with Kara, which is all that matters . . . to Oliver, at least."

"That's just the booze talking, Hoss," Rene shook his head, turning and taking off his overcoat, hanging it up on a hook nearby. "All right? I mean, you're gonna find someone new, but until then, you got all of us – "

He stopped short, staring blankly at Curtis, who was passed out with his head on the table, snoring away. He sighed, looking fondly at his friend. "That's what I get for being nice."

***

Dinah walked down the back steps into an alley, looking one direction. She heard footsteps coming the other way, and she closed her eyes. "You have to stop contacting me. I've done all I'm willing to do for you."

The footsteps stopped a few feet away. "I'm not here to ask for a favor," Vincent told her.

Dinah turned around, narrowing her eyes. "Then what do you want?"

"I miss you, D," Vincent answered, walking forward slowly. "That dress reminds me of the one you wore for the Guzman Op."

"Don't do that," Dinah shook her head. "Don't try to dip me in nostalgia. I don't even know who you are anymore, Vince! The man I knew would never – could never – kill an innocent person."

"The people I've killed weren't innocent," Vincent defended himself.

"Oh, no?" Dinah raised an eyebrow. "Well, what about that cop you accidentally shot last month?"

"Collateral damage."

"What?" Dinah balked.

"Are you trying to tell me that there hasn't been any in the war the Green Arrow's fighting?" Vincent countered.

"No," Dinah glared. "No, there hasn't."

"Sounds like I'm not the only one who's changed," Vincent remarked. "The Dinah Drake I knew was never this naïve."

"Oliver brought me back from a very dark, very bad place," Dinah spat. "He stopped me from becoming you."

"The only difference between him and me is that I don't lie to myself about what I'm doing," Vincent retorted. "Look, I may not be a saint, but I do know this: I care about you. I always have, and always will."

Dinah sighed, then walked up so they were eye to eye. "Don't contact me," she said softly. "Leave town. And if I catch you out in the field again, I won't let you get away a second time."

***

"Guess we're in for another long night," Malcolm sighed as he and Laurel headed back towards the bunker.

"I don't know why I ever expected my life would get less interesting after Chase," Laurel remarked, readjusting the hat she wore, shade hiding her very familiar face.

"We met an alien who shot heat from her eyes. That was more interesting than several things I've ever seen."

"True," Laurel admitted, shaking her head as they turned the corner. "What have our lives – "

They stopped short when they saw the slim woman standing in the center of the alley. "Hello, Malcolm," Talia smirked. "For being a former wearer of the ring of the Demon's Head, your senses have certainly dulled." Malcolm narrowed his eyes, but Talia looked at Laurel. "Cayden James would like a word with you."

"Let me think about that," Laurel tilted her head, then scowled. "No."

She opened her mouth, but a zip cord suddenly shot from the building above them, wrapping around her neck. Laurel gurgled, eyes wide, reaching up for the wire cutting off her vocal cords. Malcolm grabbed a knife from under his jacket, throwing it in the direction the arrow had come from. Evelyn fired another arrow, knocking the knife off course before screaming herself.

Malcolm grabbed his ears, wincing when a sonic shriek came from her. He recognized a sleek version of a Canary Cry around her neck before he felt something get jabbed into his neck.

Talia smirked as she crouched down by Malcolm. "Like I said," she sneered, placing a sleek phone in his hand as Evelyn shot a sedative arrow into Laurel . "A word."

***

"Oh, Dinah," Alex groaned as they looked at the footage on Winn's screen. "Why?"

"Can we get audio on this?" Oliver asked.

"No," Felicity shook her head. "We tracked her to this location, then accessed street cams. Guess we know how Vigilante escaped the cops last month."

Dig shook his head, watching the footage of Dinah speaking with Vincent. "There's no way we can tell what she's saying to him."

"It doesn't matter what she's saying to him," Oliver bit out. "She lied to the team about this."

"Oliver – "

"What else has she lied about?"

"Let's not get paranoid here."

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't this Vigilante guy try and kill Oliver last year?" James raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, he did," Felicity nodded. "He wants to out him to law enforcement, he's virtually doing the same thing – it puts him away for life."

"OK, I don't think Dinah would do this," Dig said. "She cares way too much about this team. Oliver, listen, she supported me through my injury, and as the Green Arrow."

"I know, and I appreciate that," Oliver assured him. "But after what happened with Evelyn, we need to protect ourselves."

"She lied to the team, that's a blow," Slade folded his arms, looking at the footage. "But let's not automatically assume that means she's the one who outed Oliver."

"Assumption is the mother of all failures," Kara quoted.

"Exactly," Slade nodded.

Lena looked up when she heard footsteps, and she blanched. "Malcolm?"

The others turned around, and Kara gasped, immediately running over when she saw Malcolm wincing and rubbing his neck, his pace slightly slower than usual. "Are you OK?!"

"What happened?" Slade demanded, not far behind her.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Malcolm assured them, wincing as he looked through his pockets. "As for what happened . . . " He pulled out an empty syringe, making Kara's eyes widen. "Laurel and I got visited by a few old friends," he told Oliver, walking up the steps. "They knocked me out and took her."

"Oh," Oliver groaned, putting his face in his hands.

"But you're OK?" Alex asked in concern.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Malcolm sighed. "It was just a tranquilizer. But Evelyn's got her own version of a Canary Cry now, just like Earth-1 Laurel's was before it was reworked for Alex."

"Great," Winn said sarcastically. "Just what we need."

"No offense, Malcolm, but it doesn't sound like these two leave loose ends," J'onn frowned slightly. "So why are you here and not with them?"

"Because they needed a messenger," Malcolm pulled out a phone that wasn't his, holding it out to Oliver.

Felicity eyed it meekly. "What are the chances that that's gonna ring, like, right – "

It chimed and lit up in Oliver's hand, and Winn winced. "OK, that's not creepy at all."

Oliver looked around at everyone before putting the phone on speaker. "Hello," the voice over the phone spoke. "This is Cayden James."

"Where's Laurel?" Oliver demanded.

"Now, why would I tell you that?"

"What do you want?"

"A nanoaluminum amplifier."

Oliver frowned, seeing a few people in the room looked just as confused. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Well, that's all right. I'm sure you can research it . . . and when you do, you'll find that it's secured at A.R.G.U.S. Deliver it to me, or Laurel Lance dies."

"The last time we spoke, you vowed to destroy the city," Oliver scowled. "I'm guessing this amplifier gets you one step closer to completing that goal, so why should I help you?"

"I did float the concept of Ms. Lance dying, didn't I?" Cayden asked nonchalantly, making Kara grit her teeth and Slade growl lowly.

"Now, you listen to me," Oliver began.

"At nightfall tomorrow, I will text an address to this phone. You'll be there with the amplifier, or Laurel Lance shuffles off this mortal coil. Oh, and please don't breathe a word of this to your friends at A.R.G.U.S."

The phone clicked, and Oliver sighed as Cayden cut the line. "OK, after what this guy attempted at Thanksgiving, there are no good reasons why he wants that amplifier," Lena looked around.

"It sounds like a trap," James agreed.

"He has Laurel," J'onn pointed out. "It doesn't matter if it's a trap. He has leverage, and that's all he needs."

"Can you, Lena, and Winn make a replica of this thing, a fake to pass off to Cayden James?" Oliver asked Felicity.

"No," Felicity shook her head.

"We can't?" Winn blinked.

"No," Felicity repeated. "I mean, we're good, but we're not that good. It's one of a kind."

"And he can't hack A.R.G.U.S. himself?" Alex asked.

"No, because A.R.G.U.S. is one hundred percent air-gapped," Felicity shook her head. "I mean, you can't access their network unless you're on site, and I doubt he wants to cross paths with A.R.G.U.S. since they held him prisoner for eight months."

"He's using us instead," Oliver scowled.

"A.R.G.U.S. isn't just gonna hand over this amplifier," Dig told them.

"What, they don't have a longstanding policy of negotiating with terrorists?" Malcolm raised an eyebrow. "Shocker."

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

Oliver thought, then turned. "J'onn, can I borrow Winn?"

"Me?" Winn's head shot up in surprise.

"You won't be fighting anyone, if that's what you're concerned about," Oliver smirked. "And James, Lena," he turned to them, seeing them look up in surprise. "A.R.G.U.S. won't know your faces nearly as well as anyone on my team's. I'd like the two of you as well."

"If Agent Schott agrees, he's yours," J'onn nodded.

"Sure, man," Winn nodded.

"You two in?" Oliver asked James and Lena.

"If you need our help, yeah," James nodded.

"Just tell us what we're doing," Lena agreed.

"None of the others?" Dig asked.

"Like Slade said, I won't assume Dinah's the betrayer," Oliver shook his head. "Until I know where anyone's loyalties lie, they're out."

***

"Oh, Dan, I can't tell you how much I appreciate this favor," Dig smiled gratefully as an A.R.G.U.S. agent let him into Lyla's office. "I know it's not exactly protocol letting me in here, but I wanted to leave this little surprise for Lyla when she gets back."

Dan smiled at the wrapped gift he held up. "Not letting protocol get in the way of romance."

"Yeah, well, thanks for helping keep the flame alive," Dig smiled, reaching into his jacket. He blinked, patting over. "I, uh – I forgot my card. It's back at security. I'm an idiot. I'll go get it!"

"No, no, I'll grab it," Dan told him. "Don't need everyone to see you roaming around without clearance."

"Good idea," Dig smiled, watching him go. As soon as Dan was out, he closed the door and headed for Lyla's desk. "Checkmate," he said, sitting down and plugging a flash drive into the laptop on her desk. "You're up. Talk to me."

***

Lena readjusted her squatting stance, working on the tablet she had with her. "I'm working on locating the amplifier," she said. "Stand by . . . " She smiled when her tablet lit up. "Got it. It's in the east wing. I'll shut down security when I access the panel. Everybody copy?"

***

James watched a few guards walk past, then straightened from where he was mopping the floor. "In position," he answered, leaning on the mop. "Still don't understand why the other Earthers have got to be the janitors, though."

***

"Uh, if you've worked as long as I have, man, you'll understand that the humble janitor has a very honorable profession," Winn said as he walked down the hall, pushing along a closed bin. "Besides, the term is breachers."

"Whatever, man."

***

"Guys, focus," Oliver hissed, crawling his way through the vents. When he found a metal grate in the floor, he attached a bar's metal clamps to the side. "Checkmate, I'm in position," he said, attaching the lines to him. "How long until security is down?"

"Well, that depends on Winn," Lena answered.

***

Winn stopped in the hall, looked around, then opened the bin. "We're clear," he said.

Lena popped up like a whack-a-mole, turning around to find the security panel. "OK," she fished a flash drive out of her jacket. "Oliver, I can only buy you sixty seconds before the security around the amplifier turns back on."

"That's more than enough time for me," Oliver assured her.

"The floor is still pressure sensitive," Lena warned. "If you touch it, it will retrigger the alarm."

***

"Copy that," Oliver nodded, taking out the grating and looking down at the laser grid blocking the way.

"Three, two, one . . . go!"

Oliver dropped through the vent, extending his body horizontally so he didn't touch the floor. When he was even with the amplifier, he reached out cautiously, then snatched it.

***

James tensed when he heard footsteps behind him. "Guys, you're about to have company," he warned, turning back to his mop.

"We need more time," Winn told him.

James thought rapidly, then yanked the mop harder than he should have. He tipped the bucket of water over, and he stumbled, making it look like he tripped. The guards that were approaching groaned and glared at him, and James winced, hurrying to get back up.

Hopefully that was more than enough time.

***

"I got it," Oliver told them. "Clear in three, two, one."

He clicked a button on his harness, and the wires pulled him back up to the vent.

***

Lena and Winn shared quick fist bump, then Lena pulled her drive from the panel. She dropped back down into the bin as quickly as she had popped up, and Winn closed the lid on top of her. He smiled tightly at the guards walking past, and he quickly rolled the bin away, Lena still hidden inside.

***

"Well, that was significantly less stressful than that alien planet," Winn ran a hand through his hair as he, Lena, and Felicity looked over the amplifier.

"Good news is this is exactly what Cayden wanted," Felicity said. "Bad news is – "

"It's exactly what Cayden wanted," Lena finished.

"Yeah."

"Well, I think I know what he's going to use it for," Lena straightened.

"What, he didn't want to supercharge his Christmas lights?" Kara asked sarcastically.

"I wish," Lena grumbled. "No. Remember that thermobaric bomb that Cayden stole? This will multiply the blast radius by twenty, easily."

"That's the entire city, and then some," Dig swallowed.

"Do you think Laurel would want us to hand over something this dangerous to this psycho just to save her?" Alex asked quietly.

"Well, that's exactly what we're going to do," Oliver announced. "The three techs are gonna sabotage it."

"Team Tech is gonna what now?" Winn squeaked, eyes widening.

"The amplifier doesn't have to work," Kara perked up. "He just needs to think it works."

"And long enough for us to get Laurel," Malcolm finished.

"OK," Lena took a deep breath. "So maybe if we back-channel a path into the circuitry . . . "

"If you hide it behind the existing board, it might buy us enough time to get Laurel, get the hell out of there," Felicity pointed out.

"Yeah," Lena smiled.

The elevator doors opening caught their attention, and everyone turned to watch Dinah, Curtis, and Rene enter. "Hey," Dinah began, only to stop short, blinking when she saw the uniforms James and Winn were wearing. "Did you guys just get back from the field?"

"Why didn't we get a call?" Rene looked around.

"Thanks, though," Curtis winced, rubbing his head. "Because I am still seriously hungover."

"And where's Laurel?" Dinah looked around.

"Captured," Slade answered shortly. "By Cayden James."

"As for the call . . . " Oliver took a deep breath. "We should speak in private."

"That's a bit dramatic, don't you think?" Dinah raised an eyebrow.

"OK," Oliver cleared his throat. "Dinah, I know that you've been meeting with the vigilante in secret."

Dinah froze, shocked, then narrowed her eyes. "You followed me?"

"I did," Oliver confirmed.

"What?" Rene blinked.

"Whatever business I have with Vince is none of yours," Dinah glared.

"It is when it could threaten to put me in prison and keep me away from my son," Oliver told her.

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about being arrested off the statement of someone who knows my identity," Oliver looked over the trio. "Somebody on this team."

"And you think it was one of us?" Dinah demanded. "Even me? What, because I didn't tell you about Vince?"

"I think that doesn't earn points in your favor," Oliver answered bluntly. "It doesn't give me a reason to trust you."

Dinah looked at him incredulously, then looked past her to Dig. "And you?" she demanded. "What about you? You don't trust me either, John?"

"Guilt tripping isn't gaining you any favor points, either," Malcolm folded his arms.

"That's rich, coming from someone who's not even on the team!" Dinah snapped.

"Dinah," Alex held out her hands helplessly. "What else are we supposed to think? You could be chatting about the weather, or you could have been telling him about . . . well, anything the team was doing!"

"Dinah, I'm sorry," Dig sighed. "But they've all got points."

"Wow," Dinah whispered, looking down. "No. No, no, hey, I'm the sorry one. Yeah. I'm the sorry one for having your back all those times." She glared around furiously. "Screw you guys!"

"Dinah!" Kara snapped. "If you would have listened, you would have heard we didn't accuse you of being the leak!"

"Yeah?" Dinah fumed, turning back around. "Well, it sure as hell sounded like it!"

"You know something?" Kara narrowed her eyes, walking forward. "I can hear your heartbeats right now. And you know what I hear when I hear yours, Dinah?" She stopped in front of her, glaring hard into her eyes. Dinah glared right back before Kara smirked. "You were worried when Oliver mentioned being outed. Worried, not afraid." She turned around to the others. "Dinah's not the leak," she announced confidently.

"You're sure?" Slade asked.

"I'm not assuming," Kara nodded.

Oliver looked long and hard at Dinah before nodding. "I didn't say it was you," he repeated Kara's point.

"Still sounded like it," Dinah muttered.

"Hey, can we all just please calm down for a second?" Curtis looked around, drawing everyone to him. "Look, I know everyone's stressed because Cayden's threatening to blow up the city and Laurel is kidnapped, but let's just – all just take a breath. Now, I'm not saying that it's me, but it can literally be any one of us."

"Keep in mind that one of us in the room is supposed to be dead and the other would be as good as dead as soon as he stepped into the FBI building," Malcolm raised an eyebrow.

"And John and Felicity checked out," Oliver added.

"And we did lean towards you, Dinah, because you were the only one we saw who had something to hide," Dig added.

Curtis blinked, then narrowed his eyes. "What does that mean?"

"Yeah," Dinah folded her arms. "What does that mean, John?"

Oliver went right out and said it as Kara tilted her head, frowning slightly. "It means we had you under surveillance."

"What?" Curtis looked around, startled. "All of us?"

"Yeah," Winn nodded sheepishly.

"And by 'all of us,' you mean," Dinah pointed to herself, Curtis, and Rene. "All of us."

Winn nodded again. "So just the newbies," Curtis growled, and Kara paused by the rail by the computers, then her hackles rose. "We're out there risking our lives, just like the rest of – !"

The sickening crack of metal breaking cut Curtis off, and everyone turned to see Kara wasn't even looking at the bar she had just snapped, she was shaking so hard. "Kara?" Alex asked quietly.

"Shut up, Alex," Kara ground out. "Everyone, shut up."

Understanding flickered in Oliver's eyes. "You know who it is."

Kara closed her eyes, taking several shaky breaths. "You've been awfully quiet," she said coldly. "Got something you want to say?" She turned, her blue eyes locking on the last member of the newer members of the team. "Rene?"

Everyone's heads shot to the man, who tensed. "You?" Slade growled, Malcolm narrowing his eyes.

Rene swallowed as Kara walked closer to him. "Yes," he admitted, looking Oliver in the eye as Slade and Malcolm both growled louder. "It's me. I'm the one who's testifying against you."

Kara slapped him.

***

Welp, Rene's in trouble.

To be honest, I pretty much saw that coming. Rene, I mean. Curtis would have been extremely surprising.

But anyway, the rest of the episode will follow either tonight or tomorrow!