Family Time

[straight-arrow.livejournal.com]

Ollie is relaxing at home. Specifically, he is lounging on the couch with his "granddaughter" Lian beside him. Between Brickwell, Onomatopoeia and the JLA, he's barely seen her since she came to stay with him. But with Roy off in retreat purifying himself, Lian's staying a few more days. And now that the freak with the bullseye mask is in jail (minus some knee cartilege), he has the time to spend with her.

Mia's upstairs, but he told her to go finish some homework. She's been doing a lot with Lian lately, and it's taking its toll.

The DVD in the machine runs out.

So, sweetie, what should we watch now?

Comments

[jla-extras.livejournal.com]

*yawns*

Not sleepy.... Wanna watch ... wanna watch Dark Crystal.

[straight-arrow.livejournal.com]

Ollie smiles. It's the third time today for Dark Crystal, but he doesn't mind.

Dark Crystal it is, then.

By the time the disc is in the machine, Lian is asleep, but he knows from experience that if he takes it out now she'll wake up, so he settles down to watch, his hand on her head.

[x--cheshire--x.livejournal.com]

Cheshire creeps from empty room to room, moving as soundlessly as she possibly can so as not to arouse awareness of her presence until it is far too late.

While she is aware that challenging Green Arrow in his own home where he would have a natural advantage is hardly a venture without immense risk, she also knows that Roy is gone and in Shiva's possession-not that she actually cared to know the reason behind that development-along with his son. As long as Dinah Lance did not appear and use her troublesome bird-cry to blast her through a wall or window, things would remain more even.

The wood creaks unpleasantly beneath her next step and she freezes. What might normally be dismissed in an ordinary household may have just announced her presence...

[straight-arrow.livejournal.com]

Ollie turns his head towards the sound, but not enough to bring the assassin into sight.

Mia? I thought you had that Math quiz to cram for? Summer school was your idea, remember.

[x--cheshire--x.livejournal.com]

Cheshire pauses as she considers her response.

While he has not sighted her, the distance between them isn't that great. Revealing herself now could cost her a part of her tactical edge, but it could also provide her with the air of surprise she required as well. Decisions, decisions...

"How touching," She comments as she steps closer, nearly into the room. "You're concerned about the education of your surrogate daughter while tending to mine." Cheshire's tone becomes colder and while her expression is rather bland, her body tenses. "However, I think it is time for Lian to return to her mother."

[straight-arrow.livejournal.com]

At the sound of the not-so-familiar voice, Ollie stiffens and turns. Catching the distinctive hair and not-Mia outfit out of the corner of his eye, he angles himself between Cheshire and Lian while remaining as tight to the couch as he can.

Not likely, Jade. Now get out of my house before I'm forced to kick your ass.

He turns his head slightly, towards the stairs.

MIA!!! Emergency!!!!

Ollie just knows she has her headphones on, but it's worth a try.

[x--cheshire--x.livejournal.com]

Cheshire watches him move carefully, intent on being prepared for an attempt at attacking her or any hidden weapons, though she is doubting the possibility of the latter, as Lian is close by.

"Such charm," She replies, her expression unchanging despite him addressing her by her real name. "I'm hardly surprised the Black Canary is so taken with you."

Cheshire tilts her head when he shouts for assistance.

"Calling for help when we haven't even begun? You disappoint me. Perhaps I shouldn't waste any more time and simply end things."

[straight-arrow.livejournal.com]

"When we haven't even begun?" Lady, I have less than no interest in some kind of duel with you. You're a vicious, dirty-fighting lowlife who has plagued my family for too long, and I'll gladly do anything in my power to roll you up and toss you out with the trash. Including calling for backup.

Make a move other than to head for the door, and I'll make sure you'll regret it.

[x--cheshire--x.livejournal.com]

Her eyes narrow slightly at the insults.

"Claiming the victim? As though your "family" has not done its part in plaguing my life. You seem to forget that were it not for Roy and his actions, we wouldn't be in this situation in the first place."

Ignoring his threat, Cheshire fully enters the room and draws what looks to be small tranquilizer gun that had previously been hidden on her person. She then points it at Ollie.

He won't remain still and allow her to shoot him, this she knows. He also won't willingly allow her to get close to him either. It is a gamble either way and she is waiting for him to make the critical decision.

"I have every intention of leaving and taking my daughter with me," Cheshire states. "You can call for all of the backup in the world and it won't make any difference."

[straight-arrow.livejournal.com]

Ollie's hand reaches out protectively for Lian.

Backup or not, lady, you're not walking off with my granddaughter.

He moves quickly, grabbing a pillow from the couch and hurling it at Cheshire while crouching down and reaching under the couch at the same time.

[x--cheshire--x.livejournal.com]

"I beg to differ."

Her finger is on the trigger, but before she can pull it, a pillow from the couch is hurled at her. Cheshire is caught momentarily off guard when it hits her, but immediately goes on the defensive when sees him crouching and reaching beneath the couch for his weapon of choice, just as she had assumed he would.

[straight-arrow.livejournal.com]

He comes up in a roll, bow in hand and arrow nocked. It's a field point, not as dangerous as a broadhead, but worthy of attention nonetheless.

One last time, Cheshire. LEAVE!

[x--cheshire--x.livejournal.com]

She sees the bow and the arrow just waiting to be set loose, yet refuses to be intimidated.

It is only a single arrow and while she would be a fool to underestimate him, at the moment timing is everything.

"Not until I have what I came for."

She aims at him again and this time pulls the trigger, sending a small dart sailing towards him.

[straight-arrow.livejournal.com]

He looses his arrow as he throws himself to the side. It's an effective maneuver and he's used it many times before. Unfortunately, he hasn't taken his furniture into account.

He falls to the ground with the dart in his shoulder.

Damn!

Can't fall unconscious...

[x--cheshire--x.livejournal.com]

Satisfied for the moment, Cheshire moves towards the couch. She then bends down to scoop up the sleeping Lian in her arms, but never takes her eyes away from the hero on the floor.

"Perhaps you and Ms. Lance can compare stories of your failures in "dealing with me," if you manage to survive."

[straight-arrow.livejournal.com]

Ollie attempts to leap at her, but his legs go out after one step.

Poisoner...

We'll come after you. You won't...get away...with...

He stops, gasping for breath.

[x--cheshire--x.livejournal.com]

She backs away when he tries to leap at her, not wanting to give him the chance to reach her. With Lian in her arms, she is now at a disadvantage.

"It would seem that I already have "gotten away with this" and that you have failed."

Cheshire continues to back away slowly, hoping to exit the room.

"You won't find us, that I can promise you. I may not be the best mother, not by far, but no one is taking my daughter away from me again."

[straight-arrow.livejournal.com]

Ollie charges towards her, cutting her off from the door.

Or that's the idea. In practice, he manages a couple of tottering steps towards the door. By the time he gets there, though, Cheshire is out and into the street.