A/N: This is the second part of what had started initially as one chapter. Feed-back deeply appreciated...

Earlier that night,

He slid down the fire escape to perch on the last landing. His target would be moving soon and he needed an easy access to the street below. He knew the man would be protected, so he had chosen a way in from where he'd be least expected. Carefully he examined his surroundings. Escape routes were always essential and in this confined space he had only one laid out. So much for redundancy... Checking his gear one more time he crouched lower in the shadows, soon the bodyguards would appear for a perimeter check and then he had to be ready. He pulled his hood lower over his eyes and made sure his face scarf was securely in place leaving only his eyes visible.

A faint sound made him turn his head. In the darkness the headlights of a single car were visible. It approached slowly; then came to a complete stop at the side door of an old brownstone. The car doors swung open to reveal three bulkily build men. They immediately checked the alley for any unwanted guests. Each of them was carrying judging by the way they held themselves.

Waiting for the right moment to hit, he carefully observed their movements. They appeared to be well trained, but taking them out wouldn't be a problem. He had fought in far worse conditions. His muscles itched to spring into action, but he had to wait if he wanted to get to his target, else the man would disappear while he was busy getting rid of his footmen.

Under him on the street level one of the guards stepped toward the hood of the car and gave a slight nod, immediately the door swung open to reveal a small wiry man, who rapidly advanced toward the idling car. Just as he was about to disappear into it a whistling sound made all heads turn. A knife imbedded itself deep into the roof of the car just above where the man's hand was resting. He shrank back in fear looking frantically around him.

One of the bodyguards stepped in front of him offering his body as a shield, while the two others drew their guns pointing them in the direction the dagger had come from. There stood a dark clad figure. Both men grinned. This was ridiculous. How could this guy expect to stop them all by himself? They would easily defeat him.

"What do you want?" The man standing nearest bellowed. Tilting his head he tried to get a better look on the figure half hidden in the shadows. Apparently the guy had one of those Japanese swords in a scabbard on his back. This made him chuckle. "What do you intend to do with that ancient piece of junk? This contraption is utterly ridiculous compared to our guns, don't you think?"

"Surrender and you'll live to see another day." Came the growled answer. The amused grin froze on the man's lips.

"Fool!" He ground between his teeth aiming his Sig at the man standing a few feet away. Time seemed to slow down as he pulled the trigger. The stranger plunged forward into a roll, drawing his katana as he came to stop in front of the gunman. Still kneeling he thrust his blade forward in an upward motion effectively spearing through the man's chest. Making him slump to his knees. At the same moment he extended his left arm and his fingers released their grip on a throwing knife. It was aimed at the second bodyguard's gun hand; who turned slightly to get a better aim. The projectile imbedded itself in the man's left shoulder. A cry escaped the shocked guard. He clutched his injured

shoulder as his knees gave out making him sink to the ground in a heap of pain.

Two down, one more to go … His attention refocused on the last opponent, Oliver slowly rose to his feet and marched toward him his katana hanging limply in his hand. The tip of the blade gleamed dark and wet in the sparsely lit alley. Fascinated the two men stared at it while slowly drawing back to the wall.

Under the cover of his hood, Oliver could leisurely observe their reaction. His next target was sweating profusely and trembling. All colour had vanished from his face. He wouldn't oppose any resistance once he'd taken care of the gunman standing in front of him. His attention was drawn back to the latter as suddenly he aimed at his head with the weapon he still wielded.

One more step.

"Really?" The dark clad figure growled tilting its hooded head. "You still want to try that way? Fine."

He gripped his katana with both hands, falling into a protective stance even as the trigger was pushed. The blade effectively cut the bullet sending its parts flying to the side. He rapidly swung it in direction of the man's midsection slicing deep. An inhuman cry left the deadly injured as he fell to the ground. Not wanting to prolong the man's agony he stepped up to him and dealt him the coup de grâce then he simply sheathed his sword and moved to his target.

The man had sunk to the ground, eyes wide open, arms clasped to the chest in a protective gesture. Moments later he found himself dangling slightly above the ground. A gloved hand enclosed his throat firmly, limiting the air supply to his lungs. Fear made him sweat profusely. His eyes bulged in their sockets.

"Help!" He yelped.

"There is no help! Tell me what I want to know and you might live to see another day…" The words pressed through gritted teeth and a set jaw.

"I know nothing."

"Not good enough."

His windpipe constricted even more and fear of death unlocked his survival instincts. His arms started flailing, hands clawing at everything they could get a hold of. Somehow he managed to grab the scarf hiding his assailant's identity. Shocked he looked into a well-known face.

"You?" He mumbled tonelessly.

"You have one more chance … Where is Yamane hiding these days?"

"I don't know." He articulated difficultly. "But of one thing I'm sure. This time he'll kill you…"

"Wrong answer again…" He ground out. Releasing his victim, he took a step back.

"You release me?" The small voice incredulously asked.

"No." With a swift movement he stabbed the man right in the heart. With a spluttering, blood seeped form his lips as he glided down the wall eyes already unseeing.

Oliver briefly closed his eyes cursing Amanda Waller. He felt disgusted with himself. Bile rose in his throat and he swallowed convulsively. This was Hong Kong all over again. Waller had known how to manipulate him then and she still did now.

His musings were interrupted by the sound of approaching sirens. He needed to get back to headquarters to be assigned his next target. Swiftly he disappeared into the shadows to get to his rendezvous point. He didn't expect the events that unfolded before his eyes a few streets away. His orders were clear. Get the intel and don't attract attention. He still could see Waller's angry eyes. He turned to change his route. After a few meters his steps faltered. Shaking his head and gritting his teeth at what he was about to do, he turned around and snuck up on the man standing there menacing a young man. Using the chokehold trick Yao Fei had taught him all those years ago he rapidly incapacitated the thug.

His accomplice had turned hearing the gurgling sound coming from his left. What he saw there made his blood freeze and prompted his survival instincts to roar to life. Dropping his own weapon he took to his heels as fast as he could. Letting go of the lifeless burden in his arms, Oliver turned to the victim intent on checking if he was alright. He extended his arm fingers spread to help him up, but the young man struggled to get away from him, jumped to his feet stumbling and ran away.

After seeing him turn the corner Oliver looked down at his hand in wonder. Did they instinctly feel he was a murderer? Was that why they drew back in fear? His fingers clenched into a fist and his jaw ticked as he fought down the rage burning his insides. Then he stepped over the unconscious body and disappeared into the night. A grim smile spread on his lips. His next target would soon get his unannounced and unpleasant visit, but first he needed to do something else...

Diggle stopped the car in front of Felicity's house. A huge yawn made him turn his head.

"Someone looks really tired there," he mused.

"Nope, just doing a good imitation of it," Felicity smirked. Diggle chuckled. It felt good to be able to release some of the stress.

"Do you want to come in for some coffee before driving home?"

Feeling the tiredness in his bones, he nodded. It couldn't hurt to get his levels of concentration up again before driving to the other side of town to get home. He opened the car door and slid out. Both car doors clanked shut in unison. Looking across the car roof at Felicity he saw her halt her movements almost imperceptibly. Her gaze flew to his to see if he felt the same sensation.

He frowned at first, but she could tell the moment he felt it too the tingling sensation at the base of your neck when you feel someone is watching you.

It had been a long time since he had last been in a situation where he had felt observed, but right now he could tell there was something out there. They needed to take cover. He swiftly moved to the other side of the car. In passing he grabbed the IT girl by the elbow making her walk more rapidly.

"Don't look around you," he murmured.

Felicity gripped her keys tighter. In two strides they were at her door and while she fumbled with the door lock, Diggle turned around to take a seemingly distracted look at their surroundings. He was on high alert, but he could see nothing but darkness.

Across the street a figure slid further into the shadows. No need to be seen… He intently observed the man go in full bodyguard mode. Felicity was safe with Diggle. He would protect her at any cost. Not that Felicity would make it easy for Dig. A passer-by would have seen the corners of his mouth lift slightly upward in a tentative smirk. He felt reassured and sad at the same time. They were safe without him and he had to let them go.

His musings were abruptly cut short by his comms roaring to life in his ear. He grimaced shaking his head.

"Time to return to HQ! The Wall awaits you in her office in ten."

Looking up again he realized both Felicity and Diggle had disappeared inside the house. So he lost no time getting on his bike and heading towards A.R.G.U.S. base. He rapidly passed the security checks and a short time later stood in his temporary quarters. Rapidly he pulled his hood and scarf off and took a deep breath. One of the many disadvantages of wearing masks was that they hindered the free intake of oxygen.

He was depositing his weapons on a small desk when the door flew open. Here we go again… he thought bracing himself by gripping the table, but he didn't turn. He knew her well enough to be able to visualize her standing behind him her eyes ablaze with anger. Instead he was surprised as she addressed him in a friendly voice.

"For a moment I thought we'd wasted our time training you, but I see you've kept up with your training. And very well I might add…"

Curious as to where this was going he turned to face her. There she stood cool and calm as ever. She looked at him with an appreciative smile. Like a snake would gauge its next prey, he thought.

"You know…" she continued while pacing the room. "For a moment I thought this was an error. Reactivating you, I mean." She looked at him as if she wanted to see deep into his soul.

"I just needed to forget who I was…" came the cryptic answer.

"Good, then I don't need to be more persuasive. You're an interrogator, a killer. We've just honed your skills. You tried to deny it, but now you've seen by yourself how that worked out… for one miss Smoak for example." She stopped in front of him pinning him in place with her gaze, willing him to understand the underlying meaning of the last sentence.

He swallowed hard. His fists curled at his sides, but he remained silent. She was right, either way he'd almost cost Felicity her life.

"You'll get your next target tomorrow. Hopefully it will be more compliant. We need the location of Hideo Yamane!" She turned and left the room without another look back.