The midday sun streamed through the curtains as Thea Queen stirred awake, her head still heavy from nearly a full day and night of sleep. The haze of alcohol had finally lifted, leaving her with fragments of memories from the whirlwind events she had just lived through.
First, she had been dragged to the police station. Then, she had been abducted—by Jack Kadere, no less. She'd seen him display powers that seemed pulled from the pages of a comic book, learned the truth about her own family, and, overwhelmed, drowned herself in liquor until she blacked out.
It was all too much, too sudden, too real. And yet, one thing Thea knew for certain was that she wasn't ready to go home. Not yet.
"Ring, ring, ring."
The shrill sound of a phone shattered the silence. Thea jumped slightly, then noticed Jack's eyes open as he reached for the phone with his free hand, his other arm still draped casually around her. Their eyes met for an instant.
"Morning," Jack said lazily, before rolling over to grab the phone.
Thea felt her cheeks heat. She thought about turning her head away, but something in his calm, unaffected demeanor made her hesitate. If she averted her gaze, wouldn't that make things more awkward? So instead, in that peculiar rebellious way only Thea could manage, she fixed her eyes on him as if daring herself not to flinch.
Jack's physique was lean but powerful, defined in a way his clothes often didn't reveal. The longer she stared, the harder it became to look away, and she quickly realized her thoughts were drifting into dangerous territory.
She blinked rapidly, snapping herself back just as Jack spoke into the phone. "Any news?"
On the other end, Felicity Smoak's voice crackled through the line, hurried but clear. "We… we found Harrison Wells' body. Right here in Starling City. Fifteen years ago, Wells was one of the brightest minds in the city's scientific community. Then there was that car crash—his wife died, and he supposedly left town. We searched near the accident site again, and we actually uncovered a body. After testing, it's confirmed. Harrison Wells really did die fifteen years ago."
Her words tumbled out in disbelief. "Which means… someone's been impersonating him all this time."
Thea's eyes widened. Even she knew the name—Dr. Wells was supposed to be one of the visionaries behind S.T.A.R. Labs. The idea that he had been dead for over a decade, replaced by an impostor, was chilling.
Jack's lips curved into a small smile. "Keep the body secured. I'll come by to pick it up later."
Reverse-Flash, he thought with amusement. Let's see how you explain your way out of this one.
On the line, Felicity pressed further. "Jack… are you in Starling City right now? And is it true you took Oliver Queen's sister?"
Jack's gaze slid toward Thea, who sat frozen under the weight of that revelation. He didn't flinch. "Yes. Oliver is Green Arrow. He ran off to Central City with Barry Allen to set a trap for me, so I decided to borrow a little of his time. Don't worry—Thea's safe. Safer than she's ever been. And before you ask, is Catwoman still with you?"
Another voice joined the call, smooth and mocking. "Yes. I'm here."
Jack's grin widened. "Good. I'll ring up Wayne Enterprises in a bit. You can head back to Gotham and claim what you've been wanting. You probably heard from Felicity why I had to leave so suddenly. For that, I'll say this much—sorry."
"Sorry?" Catwoman's laugh was sharp, disbelieving. "You, of all people, apologizing? That's rich. Just don't cross me again, Kadere."
"Fair enough," Jack replied, amused, before ending the call.
Without hesitation, he dialed another number. Talia al Ghul's voice erupted the second she recognized him, laced with venom and outrage. Years had passed since they last spoke, but his voice cut through her fury like a blade through silk. Her anger poured through the line, but Jack remained calm, even playful. Threats, promises, and unspoken bargains slid between them until, at last, the matter was settled—on his terms.
"You…"
Thea Queen had been listening, frozen, and when Jack finally set the phone down, she found herself speechless. He sounded like someone you should never cross. The way he spoke of bodies, threats, and dangerous bargains—it didn't sound like a hero at all.
And yet… he hadn't hurt her.
That fact lingered in her mind, tempering her fear with confusion.
"What are you planning to do next?" Thea finally asked, her voice cautious.
Jack turned to her, eyes sharp but calm. "That depends on you." He reached out and brushed his fingers lightly against her cheek. Thea stiffened, her first instinct to look away, but stubborn pride rooted her in place.
"If you want to go home," Jack continued, "I'll rattle Oliver a little more, then return you to him. But you just heard—I've got other games to play. If you'd rather not go back right now, you can stick with me. Let them tear this city apart trying to find you."
"I'll go with you," Thea blurted out before she could second-guess herself.
Jack's smile was faint but genuine. "Good. Then first—we eat."
After a shower and change of clothes, Jack led Thea out of the hotel. They stopped at a polished restaurant in downtown Starling City.
Thea, still exhausted and starving, ate hungrily, while Jack dined with surprising elegance, every movement calculated and precise.
"Better?" he asked, once her plate was clean.
Thea leaned back with a satisfied sigh. "I'm stuffed."
Jack chuckled softly. "Good. Then do me a favor—stay calm when things get loud. Don't be afraid."
Her brow furrowed. "What does that mean?"
"It means," Jack said, his grin widening, "someone's about to try and save you."
Before she could respond, the window beside them shattered with a sharp whizz. An arrow sliced through the glass, aiming for Jack's head. He tilted aside at the last second, and the arrow embedded itself deep into the wall.
Panic rippled through the restaurant as customers screamed and rushed out. More glass shattered as the street-facing windows gave way. Dark figures vaulted inside—masked assassins in black, armed with bows, blades, and the unmistakable discipline of the League of Assassins.
In seconds, the once-bustling restaurant stood empty, save for Jack and Thea, seated calmly at their table as two dozen assassins surrounded them with arrows drawn.
From outside, two more figures stepped into the chaos.
The first wore the sharp black uniform of the League itself. The second carried a hood of green, the bow in his hand unmistakable.
Jack smirked, clapping slowly. "Well, well. Malcolm Merlyn, the Black Archer himself. And of course—Oliver Queen, the Green Arrow. Imagine that. The two of you standing side by side. Does that mean you've finally dropped the masks with each other? Shared all the little secrets? Even hers?" His eyes flicked to Thea.
Neither man answered, but their glares spoke volumes.
Jack leaned back, relaxed as if hosting the meeting. "Funny, isn't it? Oliver—you're face to face with the man who orchestrated the Undertaking, who sank the Queen's Gambit, who murdered your father, and who sits behind half the names in that precious little notebook you carried for years. And you, Merlyn—aren't you busy plotting to level Starling's Glades in the name of revenge for your wife?"
His words hung heavy, sharp as blades.
Thea's heart pounded.
Across the ruined dining floor, Malcolm and Oliver's eyes locked. The air between them grew taut with old hatred, distrust, and something close to recognition.
In the end, neither raised an arrow at Jack. Instead, almost in unison, both men broke formation—instinctively distancing themselves from one another.
Jack only laughed.