Packing up with dl_greenarrow and speedstergrl5.

[chloeas]

As soon as Oliver got home, they started packing. Even Bell was helping by picking up her toys and stuffing them into a small, dog-shaped backpack Chloe had gotten her that also served as a leash

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[dl_greenarrow]

"How do you feel about the Outback?" He looked up at her as she approached, raising his eyebrows.

[speedstergrl5]

Mia stood in the elevator bag in hand as she watched the numbers slowly move. She was exhausted and it was late. The elevator chimed, doors sliding open. Mia grunted before moving over the threshold, one hand rubbing her neck as she made her way into the apartment.

She glanced around calling out quietly not sure if Bell was sleeping or awake. "Hey...anyone here?"

[chloeas]

"Watchtower is backed up on the laptop," she told him then took a deep breath and turned to look at him, placing her hand on his shoulder as she stepped closer, "Australia?"

At that moment, she heard Mia's arrival and looked over her shoulder, "we're in the office." She called.

[dl_greenarrow]

Oliver rose to his feet, glancing at Chloe and nodding a little. "Yeah." He looked toward the door, relief washing over him as he heard Mia's voice and the sound of her footsteps heading toward them.

[dl_greenarrow]

Oliver watched her go, then turned to look at Mia once more, raising his eyebrows and exhaling slowly. "I understand where you're coming from," he said honestly.

[speedstergrl5]

Mia was quiet for a minute before she moved further into the room and perched on the side of the desk. "Look I understand Lex is dangerous. I'm not saying he isn't and I'm sure he's probably worse then you've told me because you two tend to only give the bare minimum when it comes to information I need," She told him, not trying to start a fight but just being honest.

"Running is only going to put off the inevitable isn't it? And honestly Oliver I don't think you're going to be able to convince Ian to come. And I refuse to leave town without him." She said softly before glancing down at her hands.

"I know there are things we need to keep to ourselves. Hell I haven't even found a way to explain Bell to him yet. There's no way he's just going to take off with no reason for some undisclosed amount of time."

[dl_greenarrow]

He sighed very softly, looking down. "It might be time for you to meet some other people." His voice was quiet. He leaned on the desk beside her, rubbing the back of his neck. "I trust you and I don't want to keep things from you when it's unnecessary."

[speedstergrl5]

Mia pursed her lips. "That wasn't me making a dig at you Oliver. I just meant you and Chloe only really tell me things when you have to becuase something's gone wrong or when I pitch a fit, which honestly I really hate doing." She told him angling her body so she was facing him.

"But sometimes I just get upset that you guys expext so much honesty from me when you don't give it...even if rationally I know you have your reason's." She said softly. "I had a nice talk with Chloe before I left, but I know there's still a whole bunch of stuff I don't know." She paused letting him take that in.

"Look I know there's a lot going on right now and I can see you're worried. I don't want you to have to worry about me too, but like I said. I'm not leaving Ian here. Wasn't it Chloe who said the people we care about need to be our priority? Well I care about Ian...more than I should." She admitted quietly.

[chloeas]

"Yeah, she's playing." Chloe told him, glancing the way Mia left then looking back at him, "is she packing?"

[dl_greenarrow]

"No," he said softly. "She's going to rest." He drew in a breath and let it out slowly. "Mia had a point. This confrontation with Lex is inevitable. Whether it's now or six weeks from now or two years from now, it is going to happen." He looked down for a moment. "But right now we do have the advantage. I know this city better than just about anyone. Lex doesn't have that."

Oliver looked up at her once more. "I think we need to make use of that."

[chloeas]

"You want to stay?" Chloe asked, her eyes widening as she stared at him incredulously, "I know it's inevitable, Oliver, but staying here will just make it easier for him to find us. Find her and the second we glance away, he will take her from us." She said tightly.

[dl_greenarrow]

"He won't have the chance." He gazed at her intently. "Because I think it's time we called for some back-up."

[speedstergrl5]

Mia frowned. "Don't do that. Don't go and put all of this on yourself Oliver. That's hardly fair." She said softly. "From the way Chloe spoke about Lex when we had our talk before I left, she made it seem like this stuff has been happening since long before you got involved." She said while shifting so she could see him better.

"This isn't your fault and instead of looking at it as some kind of failure, be the guy I know and come up with a solution." She bit the inside of her cheek not wanting to upset him more.

"Everyone is scared Oliver. Obviously Chloe doesn't feel like she can protect Bell and herself either, which is why she wants to run."

[dl_greenarrow]

He blew out a breath, lifting and lowering the weight several more times in rapid succession. "When it comes to Lex, there's only one solution, and I tried that way once before." He set the barbell on the rest and sat up, rolling his neck and shoulders to try and loosen his tense muscles.

Not that he wouldn't try it again if he had to. If that's what it took to protect his family, he'd do it. Regardless of the consequences.

[speedstergrl5]

She moved out from behind the bench press and sat down on the floor in front of him. "I'm sure there's another way...you guys just haven't figured it out yet." She said softly before placing a hesitant hand on his leg.

"If anyone can figure it out, you guys can." Mia swallowed hard, "But Oliver, you can't let Chloe leave here with Bell alone. You can't." She stressed as she tried to catch his eyes.

[dl_greenarrow]

He rubbed a hand over his face, blowing out a breath. "I don't know what to do," he admitted, meeting her eyes. "I suggested calling the team for back-up, and she even blew that off. And we have some fairly powerful people who'd be more than willing to help out."

[quickreflexes5]

Ian frowned, "And you don't want her to do that?" He pursed his lips as he tried to figure out what could be so bad that it had them all running. "Did you ever stop to consider maybe she's right?" He asked softly meeting Oliver's eyes.

He didn't want to upset the other man, because honestly he looked worse for the ware, but he just wanted to make sure taking off and leaving was the only way. He would go if it meant keeping Mia safe, but he didn't want to leave if there was another option. "Maybe she's just trying to protect your family by telling you to go without her. Mia's mature for her age and pretty damn capable. You think she'd still be in trouble even if you weren't here?"

[dl_greenarrow]

"Yes," he said without hesitation, gazing evenly at the younger man. "I know it for a fact. And it has nothing to do with Mia's maturity or capabilities. We're looking at facing a monster, Ian. Someone who's literally murdered hundreds of innocent people. Someone who hates me enough, that he'd like to torture and kill everyone I love because of what it would do to me."

[quickreflexes5]

His body tensed noting the seriousness in Oliver's expression. This wasn't a game. This was life and death apparently. He could say no...walk away. But that would only put Mia in danger and that was something he wouldn't do.

Ian nodded, "Okay, I'll go," He hesitated. "On one condition. When we get somewhere that's safe or as safe as it can get at the moment. I want the truth...About everything. I don't care who tells me, but I'm not traipsing around the world or wherever you guys are going unless I know why I'm doing it." He said, tone unwavering.

[dl_greenarrow]

Oliver pursed his lips and gave a slight but definite nod to the affirmative. "Deal." He glanced upward toward the suite at the top of the stairs. "We should get up there. I need to pack a few things and make a couple of calls before we can go."