It's the final fight between Team SuperArrow and the Guild, the secret map of Ra's is revealed, and a few people have some decisions to make. DarkSiren shippers may also either hate me or love me because that gif is totally Laurel at one point during this chapter.

***

"This is a terrible idea."

"Well, you're not the one being targeted by these assassins, so thank you very much for your opinion, but it will now be disregarded."

"Will you two stop?"

"Oh, the sound of those three bickering," Winn sighed over the comms. "This almost feels normal."

"I'm glad you think so," Laurel rolled her eyes as she followed Slade and Malcolm down the steps.

"Overwatch, Telle, do you have eyes on the Guild?" Oliver asked as he and James were next, Kara and Mon-El watching from in the air as the team descended into the plant.

"No, not yet," Felicity answered, "but I'm reading a frequency spike, which means they just activated a bomb."

"Athena's way of putting pressure on us," Nyssa scowled, looking over her shoulder at Malcolm. "Let's hope your plan works."

"Oh, ye of so little faith," Malcolm scoffed.

"Please don't tell me you're about to sing," Winn sighed.

"Actually, if he's anything like his doppelgänger in the musical world, he's pretty good at it," Kara piped up.

"In the what?" Malcolm looked sharply up at her.

"Multiple heat signatures, guys!" Felicity warned. "They got you surrounded."

"Head on a swivel," Dig looked around.

"Well?" James looked up and around. "Where are these assassins?"

"Everywhere," Kara narrowed her eyes.

Nyssa and Malcolm exchanged looks, and Malcolm nodded, heading off in a different direction, backed this time by Oliver, Thea, and Roy. Laurel watched them go with a worried eye, then stiffened. "My six."

Slade spun around at once, just as three assassins dropped down, just like she thought.

***

"You want your map so bad?" Malcolm called, looking around. "Come out. Let's talk."

"Perhaps our lord Ra's taught you some sense after all," Athena's voice echoed around them. "But you are mistaken if you think that all we want is the map."

A zipline arrow wrapped around Roy and pulled him away, the man yelping in surprise. "Roy!" Thea shouted.

Footsteps sounded behind them, and Malcolm turned to see Athena walk up, a smirk on her face. "The map is meaningless without spilling your blood," she told him.

"You know," Malcolm scowled, drawing his sword. "You're really starting to piss me off."

He and Athena lunged at each other, and Oliver closed in around them, keeping Athena on guard as Thea ran to free Roy.

***

Laurel grabbed one assassin by the neck and screamed in his ear, enough to drop him unconscious on the ground. At her side, Slade shot twice into the air, felling an assassin about to grapple down.

As James deflected arrows away from Dig, Mon-El dropped to the ground and tackled an assassin about to sneak up on Alex. She gave him a quick nod of thanks, then ran to jump onto the back of one of the three assassins dueling Nyssa. She jammed one of her claws into his neck, making blood spray everywhere; Nyssa nimbly dodged and kicked another assassin towards her, turning to focus on just the one left.

***

"Don't forget, guys, we still have a bomb situation," Felicity said.

Roy scoffed as Thea undid the cable around him. "There's always a bomb situation."

"Good news," Kara announced, and Roy looked up to see her drop onto the walkway above them. "I found the bomb situation."

"Hey, yay, score one for the Kryptonian!" Winn announced.

"Uh," Kara examined the bomb as Roy ran up to join her, Thea running after Malcolm and Oliver. "Now am I able to get this out of here without automatically detonating it?"

"Better not to risk it," Felicity said.

"OK, then this is not my field," Kara muttered.

"What type of bomb is it?" Roy asked, crouching by her.

"It's a collapsible circuit," Winn answered.

"We can freeze it," Roy said. "I've done it before."

Kara nodded, taking a deep breath. "No!" Felicity shouted, stopping her. "No, it's a Mercury switch. That will definitely set it off."

Kara pouted, and Roy thought for a short second that it was one of the most adorable things he'd ever seen. "What do we do?" he asked.

"Short-circuit it," Winn answered.

Roy snorted. "You know, I'm kind of out of electricity arrows right now at the moment."

***

Oliver ducked to dodge a sword swing by Athena, backing away as Malcolm spun into that same place, bringing his sword and bow up in an X to block Athena's downward swipe. "Oliver!" Kara called.

Oliver nodded, having heard the entire conversation. "On its way!" he called, drawing an electricity arrow from his quiver and aiming into the air.

He fired, and Kara flew down and grabbed it in midair, flying back up to the bomb. Then he felt a stinging pain in his side and yelled in pain, legs buckling. "Ollie!" Thea cried in horror as he reached down and found the cut Athena had made with her sword, the assassin grinning victoriously even as Malcolm snarled and pushed her back.

Sparks flew from where the bomb was, and Oliver heard Winn's cheer of success, then Kara was by his side. "Oh, my God," she swallowed, her hand covering his to try and staunch the bleeding more.

Oliver gritted his teeth, shaking his head. "Help Malcolm," he ground out.

"Oliver!" Kara protested.

"I'll be fine!" he waved her off. "Go!"

Kara bit her lip, looking at Thea. "Will you – "

"Help my dad," Thea waved her off, too.

***

Malcolm grimaced as his and Athena's blades met in a lock, each using all the strength they had to try and gain the upper hand. "Your bomb is done for," he growled. "You are not destroying this city, so get the hell out of here while you still can!"

"Not without the map!" Athena spat.

Wind blew past them, and Malcolm felt the paper get pulled from where he had tucked it in his belt. "You mean this map?" Kara asked angrily, and both turned to see her stand behind them, holding the map up and over the burner next to her.

Athena's eyes flickered in panic. "You don't want to do that."

"I don't?" Kara raised an eyebrow. "You hurt my fiancée." Her eyes lit up white-blue, ready to use her heat vision. "I think I do."

Athena lunged, and Malcolm drew a knife from his belt, thrusting it into her stomach. Athena gurgled as she dropped to the floor, and Malcolm glared down at her before turning to Kara. "Nice work."

"Well, I wasn't kidding," Kara glared at the map like it was trash. "I'm ready to burn this."

Malcolm conceded with a nod, turning to look at Athena, then groaned when he saw she wasn't there. "Of course. Like all League members, she's hard to kill."

"I guess it takes one to know one, Al Sa-her," Nyssa said as she jogged over with Alex.

Kara turned around when she heard a familiar heartbeat, and she ran over to Oliver as Thea and Slade helped him over, Roy behind them. "Are you OK?" she asked worriedly.

"I'll be fine, angel," he assured her with a wince. "It's just a slash, I wasn't stabbed."

"Not fun either way," Slade grumbled.

"Are you OK?" Laurel asked, focusing on Malcolm.

"Yeah," Malcolm nodded, looking at Oliver. "I'm not the one who was on the receiving end of her sword."

"Well, the good news is they're all gone," Mon-El reported, he, James, and Dig coming from the opposite way. "They're all either wrapped up or they retreated."

"I really didn't miss those guys," Dig griped.

Roy nodded in agreement, then blinked. "Kara . . . look."

Kara frowned, then followed his gaze down to the paper in her hand. She did a double take, spreading the paper open all the way. "Whoa," she breathed in awe as dark red lines began to ink over it.

"Is that . . . blood?" Alex stared in amazement.

"They were being literal," Nyssa whispered. "They needed blood to spill."

"But neither of us got hurt," Malcolm blinked.

"No," Oliver shook his head, looking down at his bleeding side, then at Kara's blood-covered hands . . . his blood. "I did."

***

"Nanolithography," Felicity explained back at the bunker as Alex helped wrap Oliver's side up, Kara sitting with him. "The map's printed with bacteria."

"Ugh," Roy summed up with a shudder. "That's gross."

"Yeah, and when exposed to the enzymes in Oliver's DNA, it will reveal itself," Winn said.

"Of course," Malcolm nodded in understanding. "Ra's wanted the heir he chose to be able to find whatever's on the map and used Oliver's DNA to make sure only he could activate it. He must have taken it from blood spilled when you fought on the cliff."

"The one Ra's al Ghul no one ever considered," Thea nodded. "No offense, Ollie."

"None taken because he never said a single word about it," Oliver made a face.

"That's my father for you," Nyssa snorted.

"I'm no expert in maps, but this does not look like X marks the spot," James observed the map curiously.

"Do either of you know where this leads to?" J'onn asked Nyssa and Malcolm.

"I believe I do," Nyssa nodded. "These are Ley lines."

"Oh, great," Felicity groaned. "Ley lines. Yeah, we had some experience with those with Damien Darhk."

"These are different," Nyssa shook her head. "I thought they only intersected in one place on Earth."

"That's very specific," Laurel frowned.

"And obviously wrong," Slade gestured.

"You don't say," Dig snorted.

"Indeed," Nyssa ignored Dig. "These lines are global and suggest the existence of three intersections of the kind I thought only existed at Nanda Parbat."

"Right, but what only exists on Nanda Parbat really?" Felicity asked. "I mean, besides really depressing décor."

Malcolm suddenly swore violently and in Arabic, making Winn almost jump out of his seat from where he was behind the man. "Dude!" he protested.

"You have got to be kidding," Malcolm stared at the map in something akin to horror and awe. "Please tell me you're kidding."

"I never kid," Nyssa shook her head.

"Dad?" Thea asked, eyeing him nervously. "You're scaring me."

Malcolm took a deep breath. "The Thanatos Guild . . . Thanatos is the personification of death in Greek mythology."

"Exactly," Nyssa nodded. "I believe these lines suggest the existence of three installments."

"Three what?" Laurel frowned.

Malcolm swallowed hard. "Ra's discovered the existence of three additional Lazarus Pits."

***

Curtis walked into SCPD headquarters the next morning, then caught sight of Nick thanking someone at a desk and walking away with a file. "Oh, officer!" he called, jogging to catch up to him as he turned around. "Nick," he smiled in greeting. "Or should I just call you officer because we're at work?"

"Nick's fine," Nick told him with an answering smile. "You're becoming a regular around here."

"Yeah, well, you know," Curtis shrugged. "I was just stopping by."

"To see Lieutenant Drake?" Nick asked.

"To ask you out," Curtis corrected, then started babbling the moment Nick raised an eyebrow. "To dinner, or – or drinks, or, like, just coffee, or we could just, like, walk down the street and talk, I mean – "

"Yes," Nick interrupted with a smile.

"Yes?" Curtis repeated hopefully.

"I get off of work tonight at seven," Nick nodded, smiling wider.

"Yeah," Curtis said faintly, a smile growing on his face, too.

"So should we say eight?" Nick suggested.

"Eight is awesome," Curtis agreed happily. "Eight is perfect. Yeah, I mean, I'll make reservations and I'll text you."

"Sounds like a plan," Nick beamed. "See you tonight."

"OK," Curtis nodded, a giddy look still on his face as he watched Nick walk off. Dinah walked away from the desk she was at, frowning a bit, but Curtis found he didn't mind. "Hey," he smiled at her.

"What are you doing here?" she asked.

"Getting back on the horse, D," Curtis answered with a satisfied sigh. "Back in the game, back in the saddle. I'm gonna get really right into – " He cut off, seeing the look on her face. "What's wrong?"

"I checked intake and evidence lockup for any Vertigo related cases," Dinah answered.

"And?" Curtis asked.

"There aren't any."

He frowned in confusion. "Is that not a good thing?"

"There aren't any Vertigo cases because they've all been kicked and the evidence released by Captain Hill," Dinah told him.

Curtis swallowed. "So she's dirty and she did it for Diaz."

"Ricardo Diaz is pushing Vertigo," Dinah nodded.

***

Malcolm looked down at the map on Felicity's table, tapping the fingers of his cybernetic hand on the metal. It masked the sound of Laurel's boots approaching, though it didn't stop him from hearing her take a deep breath when she reached him. "This may be a stupid question . . . are you OK?"

Malcolm sighed, hanging his head. "No," he admitted. "I'm really not." He straightened up and folded his arms, not looking away from the map, even as Laurel put her hand on his back. "I've seen the Lazarus Pit heal Thea from a wound that should have killed her. It raised Sara from the dead a year after she was killed, even though she returned without her soul. Knowing that three more of these are out there . . . " He shook his head, rubbing a hand over his face. "Thanatos," he muttered.

"You said it was destroyed, though, right?" Laurel asked. "So it can be done to the three of these, too."

"It can," Malcolm nodded. "Nyssa's already figuring out which to hit first."

"Good," Laurel nodded as well, then felt him tense under her hand. "That is good, isn't it?"

"It is," Malcolm told her. "But she's planning on going alone. We've seen the Thanatos Guild, we know how good they are. She shouldn't do it by herself."

Laurel froze. "You're thinking about going with her?" she asked quietly.

"This started with the two of us being the targets," Malcolm said heavily. "Maybe it was Oliver's blood that triggered the map to reveal itself, but he never wanted the mantle of Ra's al Ghul. The deal we made was he give it to me after he killed Nyssa's father. It's my fault that the League came to Star City in the first place. They were my sins." He closed his eyes. "I just . . . "

Laurel swallowed hard. "Malcolm," she whispered. "You want to put the League behind you. You'll be running right to them this way!"

"The only way out of the League is through death," Malcolm shook his head. "Even Tigressa proved that when the Guild killed her after she gave you the location of the map." He chewed his lip, looking down at the map. "Laurel, I feel like I need to do this."

Laurel stared long and hard at him, then shook her head. "Don't," she whispered, then backed away when she found herself unable to say more.

Her voice cracked just enough for Malcolm to look up, startled. "Laurel?" he asked worriedly. Laurel just rapidly shook her head and took off for the stairs. "Laurel!" he shouted after her, heading to go after her.

"Give her some space, Dad." He stopped in his tracks and turned to see Thea walk out from behind one of the weapon racks. "She needs it."

Malcolm sighed, putting his face in his hand. "Are you going to try and convince me to stay, too?" he asked.

"Actually, yes," Thea nodded. "I am."

Malcolm shook his head. "I appreciate you trying, Thea, but it's not going to be easy."

"I'm not saying Nyssa should go alone," Thea told him.

Malcolm frowned in confusion, then Thea raised an eyebrow and he realized what she meant. "No," he immediately shook his head. "Oh, no you don't."

"Dad, I of all people know how bad it could be if those Pits get used by anyone with the wrong intentions," Thea insisted.

"And I'm the one who allowed Laurel to use it to raise Sara," Malcolm nodded. "I know the power those Pits hold."

"Dad," Thea put a hand over his. "You sound like you're fishing for reasons to go." When he frowned in confusion, Thea shook her head. "You want to stay more than you want to go."

Malcolm closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. "The things I did as Al Sa-her are things I can never forget, and I don't think I will ever forgive myself for them," he told her. "Then there's what I've done to Star City, to Oliver, to you, to his team . . . there's too many sins to count, Thea."

"Then let me take some of them," Thea said quietly. "The existences of these Pits are not your fault. The Thanatos Guild is not your fault. Those are on Nyssa's father, not you. The League could draw you back in, and I have not watched you work to redeem yourself just to watch you go with Nyssa to face those demons again."

"And what if that happens with you?" Malcolm asked.

"It won't." She said it with such confidence that he had to believe her. "Because I'll know you are where you need to be. Let me help you a little bit more."

Malcolm sighed. "You'll be helping me a lot more than just a little bit."

"All the better," Thea smiled.

Malcolm looked down at the map one last time, then closed his eyes. "Are you sure?"

"One hundred percent," Thea nodded, squeezing his hand. "Besides . . . people here need you more now."

Malcolm swallowed, then nodded, and Thea stepped forward, hugging him tightly.

***

Roy walked into Thea's apartment, seeing her staring out the window over Star City. "Hey," he greeted.

"Hey," she turned to look at him. "I'm sorry if I've been distracted these last few days. I just really needed to sort things out, but none of it had to do with you."

"It's fine," Roy shook his head, eyeing the suitcase Thea had with her. "I'm just trying to figure out if you packed that bag to come with me or Nyssa." When Thea looked at him incredulously, Roy shrugged. "Laurel stormed past me when I was about to come into the bunker. She looked about ready to cry. I heard you and Malcolm talking, and . . . I couldn't tell how it ended."

Thea nodded slowly. "I think you may know."

Roy nodded as well. "You're gonna go with Nyssa."

"Look," Thea sat down on the bed. "Last night, Ollie and I were talking, and we were talking about how when, you know, he becomes the Green Arrow, he . . . he feels complete, and I was thinking that maybe that's because when – when he puts the hood on, he gets to right our father's wrongs. I told my dad that these were not his wrongs, not his sins to make up for . . . it was tearing him apart to think about leaving, and he was planning to anyway. This time last year, I never would have believed he could be the man he is now, and I don't want to lose him to anything similar to the League again." She swallowed, looking up at Roy. "And if there's anything I can do to help him avoid that, I will do it. I don't want to see him fall, and I'm scared that he would. I think this is my calling. This is what I have to do."

"So you've made up your mind?" Thea nodded, and Roy nodded back. "You know what? So have I." He sat down next to her and announced, "I'm gonna go with you."

Thea's mouth fell open. Had she hoped that would be what Roy would say? Yes, of course, but to hear him say it . . . "What?" she managed to say.

"I told you it doesn't matter where we go as long as we go together," Roy told her. "I saw how Malcolm reacted to that map and the idea of more Lazarus Pits . . . and I saw who you said he is. I never imagined I could see him like that, and I understand why you wanted to stay and help him. He's your family, Thea. You're doing this for him. And if you feel it's your calling . . . then I'll be with you, every step of the way."

Thea swallowed hard, tears in her eyes. "How did I get to be so lucky?" she whispered.

Roy tilted his head mockingly. "Hmm, let me think . . . I think it has something to do with a stolen purse?"

Thea burst out laughing, and he grinned.

***

"It was so good to finally meet you," Kara told Roy with a smile as they met on the road when it was dark.

"You, too, Kara," Roy smiled back. "It's good to know Oliver's found someone as incredible as you."

Kara ducked her head, a faint blush on her face. "Well, Thea's lucky to have you, too."

They shook hands as behind Kara, Oliver hugged Thea tightly. "Just – just be careful, all right?" he told her. "And if you need anything – and if you don't need anything – just call me."

"And there's the overbearing big brother," Malcolm rolled his eyes fondly.

"Oh, like you're not overbearing, either," Thea smiled.

Malcolm shook his head as she walked over to him. "You don't know how much this means to me," he told her.

"Maybe not," Thea shook her head. "But I can imagine, and I imagine it means a lot. That means this is worth it."

Malcolm took a deep breath, hugging her. "Thank you."

"You're absolutely welcome."

Alex smiled at their goodbye as Oliver turned to Roy. "Keep her safe," he ordered.

"You know I will," Roy nodded, giving him a hug as well.

Alex walked forward to Thea, a small smirk on her lips. "Now, as Kara's maid of honor, I have to say something," she said, making Kara groan. "Please tell me you'll get back for the wedding."

Thea laughed. "Tell me when, and I'll be there. I wouldn't miss it."

"I'll ensure she makes it," Nyssa smirked.

"Good," Alex nodded, then held out her arms. "Come here."

Thea smiled, hugging her. "I'm gonna miss you, Alex."

"I'll miss you, too," Alex squeezed her.

Kara smiled at Thea, tears in her eyes as the brunette moved to her next. "You better come back for the wedding," she threatened. "You're the second bridesmaid."

Thea grinned. "Oh, I'm definitely not missing out on that."

Kara swallowed, then engulfed her in a bear hug. "Thank you for everything."

Thea closed her eyes, feeling tears sting her own eyes as she rubbed Kara's back. "Any time."

Oliver took a deep breath, turning to look at Nyssa. "She didn't have to do this," he told her. "So you better look out for her."

"Thea's your sister and the daughter of Malcolm Merlyn," Nyssa told him with a proud smile. "She has less need of protection than you think." Oliver nodded, accepting the point as she walked over and held up a knife sheathed in gold. "This is a Horchis dagger," she told him. "In the League of Assassins, it symbolizes the cutting of marital bonds." Kara's eyes widened, and Nyssa winked at her as she held the dagger out to Oliver with both hands. "I hereby annul our marriage."

Malcolm and Alex laughed at the stupefied look on Kara's face, even as Oliver chuckled and took the dagger. "Nyssa . . . as engagement gifts go, this isn't half bad."

Nyssa smiled at Kara and stepped forward. "I wish you all the best, Kara Zor-El," she said. "You have chosen a wonderful man."

"I'm happy he chose me in return," Kara smiled widely. "You know this means you're invited to the wedding, too."

"I'm happy he chose me in return," Kara smiled widely. "You know this means you're invited to the wedding, too."

Nyssa chuckled. "I guess we have a time frame to destroy the Pits, then." She extended her hand, which Kara shook, then she turned to Malcolm. "Al Sa-her."

"Nyssa," Malcolm smirked.

"I wish I could say I am not disappointed you are not joining me. I have actually enjoyed working with you."

Malcolm laughed in surprise. "It's not so bad when we're not trying to butcher each other."

"No, it's not," Nyssa agreed, holding out a hand. "Good fortune, Malcolm. Take care of yourself."

"Same to you, Nyssa," Malcolm smiled, shaking her hand. "And I know she's my daughter . . . take care of her anyway."

"I will," Nyssa promised, giving him a small bow as he stepped away. "One last item of business." Oliver tilted his head, and Nyssa nodded at him. "I still have many contacts from before I disbanded the League. If I can draw my sister away from Ricardo Diaz and pull her attention elsewhere, I shall."

Oliver's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Wow," he managed to say, chuckling and shaking his head. "Thank you, Nyssa."

"It is the least I can do," she smiled warmly. "And I believe you have dealt with Talia enough."

"I agree," Kara nodded. "And I've only dealt with her since Lian Yu."

Malcolm nodded in agreement, and Oliver turned to Nyssa. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," Nyssa smiled, giving him the same bow she had given Malcolm. "Be well, Oliver."

Oliver returned the gesture, and Nyssa exchanged bows with Malcolm before turning and walking towards the car. Roy gave them a last wave and followed her. Thea sighed and turned to the quartet, a sad smile on her face. "Well . . . this is it."

"Thanks for clearing a few things up for me," Oliver told her gratefully.

"Of course," Thea nodded, then held up a finger. "One more piece of advice?"

"Sure," Oliver acquiesced.

"If you're gonna wear the hood, you shouldn't string John along anymore."

Oliver smiled faintly. "I thought I was the one who gave the wise sibling advice."

"That can be any sibling," Alex chuckled.

"Nope," Thea shook her head. "That has never been the case with us."

Oliver swallowed, and Thea moved to hug him the same time he moved to hug her. "I am going to miss you so much," he whispered.

Thea closed her eyes, squeezing him tightly. "You'll be with me the whole time," she promised.

Oliver nodded and released her, and Thea took a deep breath before stepping in front of Malcolm. The assassin looked long and hard at her before shaking his head. "I do not deserve you for a daughter," he whispered.

"You have me anyway," she smiled. "And you're the father I saw you could be after Lian Yu. I would do this again in a heartbeat."

He took a deep breath. "Thank you again."

"You're welcome," Thea told him. "You're where you need to be."

Malcolm nodded in agreement, and they stepped forward to hug each other. "I love you," he whispered into her hair.

"Love you, too, Dad," Thea murmured into his shoulder.

Malcolm kissed the top of her head, then Thea reluctantly stepped away. She looked at Kara and Alex, giving them both waves. "Good luck," Kara smiled as she waved.

Thea mouthed her thanks, then turned and walked to the passenger's side door. She gave them all one last look, then swallowed and ducked down into the car. As soon as she closed the door, Nyssa started the car and drove down the road, leaving the quartet behind. "Goodbye, Speedy," Oliver whispered, Nyssa's dagger in one hand as Kara took his other one.

Malcolm closed his eyes, exhaling long and hard. "She's really gone."

"She'll be back," Alex reminded him, patting him on the shoulder.

"She better be," Kara sighed.

Malcolm nodded absently, then turned to the rest of them. "There's somewhere I need to be now."

"Go," Oliver nodded.

Malcolm turned and headed down the street. "Malcolm," Kara called, and he turned to see her look at him. "Tell her," she said. "She needs to know."

Malcolm stared at her for a long time, then turned away and muttered "Super hearing" under his breath as he walked on.

***

He heard glass clinking against glass as he entered the loft, and he quietly made his way towards the living room. He already had a guess as to what he would find when he got there.

Sure enough, he found Laurel with her back to the door, pouring a heavy helping of bourbon into a glass tumbler. She looked like she had already had about a third of the bottle. "Finish your shift already?" she asked, not caring to look over her shoulder.

Malcolm winced at the dead tone she used. "I wasn't aware I had a shift," he chose to answer as she lifted the tumbler to take a drink.

Laurel spat her drink out at once, coughing as she spun around and stared at him. "What?" she sputtered.

"That being said, I can go back and suit up if you want to keep drowning in bourbon," Malcolm gestured to the bottle.

"Don't you dare!" she sobered up immediately at that, standing up from her seat. "Or I swear to God, Merlyn – "

"Don't worry, Siren," Malcolm shook his head, walking forward and taking the tumbler from her hand, putting it down on the table. She still looked stunned enough that she was about to drop it. "I'm not going anywhere."

She swallowed, looking at him as if she was still having trouble believing he was there. "But . . . but you said – "

"I know what I said," Malcolm cut her off. "Believe me, I do." He sighed. "Thea volunteered to go instead."

Laurel still stared at him, her mouth opening and closing repeatedly. "What?" she repeated.

"She and Roy went with Nyssa," Malcolm told her. "Thea reminded me that the Guild, the Lazarus Pits . . . I've had many wrongs with the League, but none of those were mine. And you were right, too . . . I'd be running right back towards the League, a place I don't want to be. She didn't want to lose me."

"I didn't, either," Laurel whispered under her breath.

Malcolm took a deep breath. "And she reminded me that there are people here who need me more." Laurel's eyes flickered up to him, and he smirked a bit as he chuckled. "So, Siren . . . I guess that means you're stuck with me."

Laurel choked on a laugh, and she flung herself at him, arms wrapping around his neck in a vicelike grip. "I better be."

Malcolm smiled, his arms encircling her waist. "Lucky you."

Yes, Thea had been right. He was exactly where he needed to be.

***

So Malcolm is staying, and Thea and Roy take his place in the search for the Lazarus Pits. Don't worry, though - I promise this is not the last we will see of Thea, Roy, or Nyssa. I fully intend to bring them back.

So, we've had three Arrow episodes in a row . . . how about a Supergirl marathon now? The next three Supergirl episodes are next, starting with "In Search of Lost Time" . . . and let's just say circumstances may cause a critical Arrow plot point to occur sooner rather than later.