Zero Hour - Wednesday, July 26, 2000, 3:41 PM
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Gotham: Penthouse Flat #B(#509RJn)

This is a nice studio apartment. Very spacious on one of the top floors of one of Gotham's 
nice apartment complexes. The room has little furnishing, a couch, a couple fold out chairs, 
and a small entertainment unit decorate what would be the living area. A Japanese partition 
blocks off what would be the bedroom, and bathroom. Most of the room has been set up as a 
gym, or dojo of some sort. Training dummies, a padded mat, and a couple sets of free weights 
adorn the area. There is a skylight over the living area, as well as another by the bedroom.

Obvious exits:
Door <O>

Oliver Queen comes up the steps and looks down the hallway at the door. He pauses once 
confirming the number once more, even though he knows it is the right one. He's been by 
here enough times in the last month. So why the hesitation? Every other reunion so far 
has gone a lot better than expected... especially Dinah's. Still, in many ways this is 
going to be the hardest one. After the brief pause that seems like eternity, Ollie 
approaches the flat door and knocks sharply upon it.

Connor arches a brow as the knock on the door rings through the apartment like a hammer 
on wood. Not back for more than 15 mintues and someone is already at the door? He breifly 
wonders if he forgot to pay the rent. He makes his way for the door, brushing the golden 
curls away from his face as he opens it to peer outside. "Hello?"

Oliver Queen smiled broadly as he looks back at you through the crack, his green eyes meeting 
yours. "Well, it's about time you got back. Then again, I should talk..."

Connor blinks.. A slight look of amazement on the younger man's face.. "Oliver?" He opens 
the door father to get a better view of the man he calls father.. He starts to smile..but 
stops part way through.. "So how long are you around for this time? Is this another of your 
'I'm back for good, Connor' only to disappear again in 2 weeks."

Oliver Queen shakes his head. "I'm done disappearing, Connor." he says as he pauses briefly. 
"Well, that's not quite true... I'm leaving in a few days to help Dinah with something... 
but the whole "me running off and leaving everyone in the lurch as to where I am... that 
is done." He says this very quickly, as if he were trying to get the words out and said 
before it is too late.

Connor glances for you for a long moment...his emerald eyes questioning.. Finally, however, 
he opens the door.. "Well, the least I can do is let you in. I apologize that I do not stock 
beer, but I have water or tea should you wish something to drink."

Oliver Queen nods as he waves a hand in dismissal. "Don't apologize. I'm trying to cut down 
anyway. And I could really use some tea." he says as he steps into the apartment. "So where 
have you been the last few weeks? Your landlord said you were going... "away", so I figured 
that meant either the Ashram or business."

Connor moves over the the kitchen area, and starts to boil some water.. "I was at Ashram. I 
needed some time to think about issues that were dwelling on me. If I belonged with the 
Titans... If I was worthy to wear the mantle of the Arrow. If I should be in the "buisness" 
at all.

Oliver Queen nods as he moves to a chair. "Well, I can't help you on the first one or the 
last one. That's all your personal decision. But as far as the middle one goes, worthiness 
isn't an issue."

Connor shrugs.. "IN any case, I am assuming since you have returned, you will be wanting 
your mantle back for the time you will be back." He pours some water over a tea strainer, 
and into 2 cups. He brings one over to you, and sets one on the counter of the kitchen bar. 
He moves over to a section of the wall, and presses a panel. The wall slides open, behind 
it is various equipment, including costumes, bows, arrows...etc. He takes one of the 
costumes from its resting place, and tosses it at you.. It is one of your old costumes..at 
least a costume modeled after one of your own. "You will need this."

Oliver Queen grins as he looks at the costume. "Not for a while... the next job is 
incognito... no costumes. But thanks. And... actually, I've been thinking about the name 
thing." he pauses, looking at the closet with no small amount of amazement. "I've been 
thinking, and there's no reason why we can't both be using the title.  I mean, there were a 
couple of thousand Green Lanterns at one point... the West kid and Jay Garrick are both 
still going by "The Flash". No reason there can't be more than one Arrow, unless you 
don't feel comfortable with that."

Connor says "Oliver, you know as well as I do that you are the Green Arrow. You always 
have been. I am nothing more than someone who picked up the mantle while you were away." 
He sips at his tea. "The Arrow is who you are, your being, your life. It is your destiny. 
Who would I be to deny you of that, and sacrifice your being and duplicate that which is 
already known. No, Oliver, the mantle is yours for as long as destiny deems you to hold it. 
Should there come the time it is passed on, then at that time we shall deem whose destiny 
calls for it.""

Oliver Queen sighs and nods. "Like I said. IF you wanted it." He pauses a bit as he picks 
up the costume and looks at it thoughtfully. He then suddenly starts laughing. Louder and 
clearer than you ever have heard him. "Oh, this is.... too ironic... you ever see any John 
Wayne movies, Connor?"

Connor quirks a brow.. "No Oliver.. I tend to shy away from watching televison, or movies. 
I don't believe I have seen a John Wayne movie. The most I was privy to as far as current 
media is concerned is when Eddie subjected me to that...what was it called....Baywatch? 
I'm afraid you have me at a disadvantage."

Oliver Queen nods. "I didn't think so... but "The Duke" isn't exactly current media. He's 
an old cowboy actor... the other day I realized what I've been doing all this time and 
I remembered this line from one of his movies... "A man can run and run for years and 
then realize that what he's running from is himself." Well, that's what I've been doing, 
Connor. Running from myself." he says with a slight smirk.

Connor says "Isn't that what you were doing when we first met at Ashram, Oliver? Running 
from yourself and who you were? Apparently this is a constant pattern for you.. What makes 
you think that this time is the last time it will occur?"

Ollie says "It ends now, Connor. I've been running ever since that time in Seattle after I 
was framed for the boat in the Panama Canal blowing up. And ever since then I've lost so 
much... my life... my love... my children... and time. Lost a lot of time."  Oliver Queen 
pauses and looks at you. "Connor, you know I'm really lousy at this kind of thing... but 
for what it's worth, I'm very proud of you and I don't want to lose any more time for us 
to be... well, whatever we are... father and son, mentor and student..."

Connor watches you through those green eyes that mirror yours.. He sips his tea quielty as 
you speak. "I'd like to believe you Oliver, truly. But this is not the first time I have
heard this. I do pray it is the last, and in the interests of a growing bond between us I 
will accept what you say as truth. But I will say Oliver, even I have only so much tolerance."

Oliver Queen nods to you. "I know, and you must have gotten it from your mother because if 
things were switched I would never have put up with the way I acted." he says. "I know you 
have absolutely no reason to believe me, Connor. But I really do mean it this time."

Oliver Queen sighs. "But we can give it time right? A little more isn't going to matter 
much after all this, right?"

Connor nods, and sips at his tea. "No, Oilver.. it wont. And please, do not take my 
questioning as unhappiness to see you, on the contrary I am quite pleased to see 
you are well. Have you seen Roy, or Dinah yet?"

Oliver Queen nods. "I know... it's just wariness." he says as he sips his own tea. 
"And yes. I'm staying with Dinah right now and I just got back from Metropolis. I 
helped Roy move into his new place. He's doing well and says hello. So does Dinah."

Connor says "Indeed.. Last time I saw Dinah she was....well...she didn't seem to 
awknoledgemy presence very much. It was at the Zatanna show quite awhile ago. She 
was "hiding" form me and Roy it seemed."

Oliver Queen nods. "That's odd. She was really complimentary when I asked her about you. 
She was the first person I saw..."

Connor says "Really. Well when I saw her last at the Zatanna gig, it seemed like she 
was trying to avoid me...except for when she goosed me or whatever it was when they 
were asking for volunteers.."  Connor shrugs and sips at his tea

Oliver Queen nods as he looks up at the knocking noise. "Speak of the devil..." he 
mutters softly as he hears the voice.

Connor smirks slightly..seems to be the day of missing persons.. Robert Stack, eat 
your heart out..Connor can find them by just coming home.. "Come in Dinah."

The door swings open as the blonde strides through, tapping it shut with a deft flick
 of her stiletto heel. Canary leans back against it, folding her arms beneath her chest 
and surveying the scene with a raised eyebrow. "Greetings Grasshopper. I come in search 
of truth, enlightenment, a cup of tea, and that miserable S.O.B. of a fathe--OH!" She 
tips her head and winks. "Hi Ollie. Didn't see you there."

Connor smiles slightly.. "Tea is on the stove, Dinah..  and as far as truth, or enlightenment..
I have some fortune cookies left over in the cupboard.. I am sure they will give you more 
than I could at the moment."

Oliver Queen smirks at Dinah. "Like I said, speak of the devil and she will appear..." 
he says with a dashing smirk as he looks at Dinah, nodding at the tea comment. "The 
cookies are a help. I got a nice one. Said something about a sultry blond bringing 
great happiness into my life."

Connor stage whispers to Ollie.. "They all say that.. What do you think I give my 
dates after dinner?" A joke, from Connor? The world must be ending.

Dinah Lance stays where she is, giving Connor that tough but infinitely loving look. 
"I'll get to it, kiddo." She straightens and stalks from the door, stopping mere 
inches away from him. With that same toughness she meets his emerald gaze, her 
chin tipping far up. Dark brows furrow over blue eyes as she says in a husky voice, 
"You made yourself scarce. You even eluded a few friends of mine, who are pretty hard 
to ditch. Are you done? Or is this a pit stop?" And for this lady, who for the moment 
tunes Oliver out, the answer is crucial. She tilts a brow and acknowledges the joke, then 
Ollie, with a node. "Blood will tell."

Connor says "I wasn't hard to find for those who knew where to look, Dinah. I was at 
Ashram, and yes, as far as I can tell at this moment, I am done. I find it interesting 
you had people looking for me though. The last I saw you, you seemed to be avoiding me 
like the plauge."

Oliver Queen grins back at Dinah. "Count on it." he grins wickedly as he falls silent, 
listening to the two of you catch up.

Dinah Lance's lashes drop. "I would never...and I repeat, NEVER, have those 'friends' 
show up at the Ashram. I have a respect for any hallowed ground. But I did worry. As 
for my manner the last time?" She sighs deeply and looks up. "Connor, I'd just spent 
two years looking for a man who I didn't know was alive or dead, and I had no 
conclusion. Two years taking mission after mission in thrid world countries you've
never even heard of, just so my down time could be spent playing private dick. What would we 
have talked about over cocktails? The way a P.O.W. reacts after being liberated, 
or what a modern day concerntration camp looks like?" She shakes her head. "I'm not perfect. 
Far from.  You were better off without my company."

Connor smiles.. "Never, Dinah.. Your company means more to me than you think. Be it stories 
of concentration camps, to a modern day holocaust, I would still have wanted to spend time 
with you. I'm no more perfect than anyone else, so why hold me on such a pedistal?" He 
reaches out and ruffles her blonde tresses.. "Besides..being that is what was keeping 
you away, I would have been the perfect person to talk to. Enlightenment and all."  He winks.  
"I have been through murder trials with you, I have been in jail with you.. I have been 
through the loss of loved ones, (he turns to look at Ollie) on more than one occasion 
with you.. You should know better than to think you can ostracize me with what is on your 
mind."

Dinah Lance delivers a brooding look as you ruffle her hair, trying like hell to look 
stern and foreboding--then just loses it and pulls your arm toward her wth a warm hug. 
"Okay, well, then let's both forgive each other and make up, because you're my favorite 
partner." The words are from the heart.

Connor returns the hug warmly.. "Of course, Dinah. You were always forgiven."

Dinah Lance releases and steps away, quipping "We now return to our regularly scheduled 
Family Saga."

Connor chuckles.. "So, what brings you both by? Just a family reunion?"

Oliver Queen grins a bit as he watches you two, thinking to himself about how much he 
wishes that he could be as strong as Dinah and as open at the same time. Ah well, wish 
in one hand and shit in the other... besides, he's trying to change. "Oh, Connor and I 
weren't talking about much. Just my returning, my changing... and hoping that we can work 
things out.

Oliver Queen looks at Dinah as Connor asks. "Well, that's why I came by... I don't know why 
Di came by, aside from wanting to see you too..."

Dinah Lance scratches her head and looks uncomfortable. She blushes, and mutters, "I uh, 
thought you left town."

Connor chuckles.. "How about we get a tracking device implanted in Ollie's ankle.. that 
way you don't have to worry about it anymore.."

Oliver Queen smirks. "Yeah.. just wait until I'm not watching, shoot me with a tranquilizer 
dart then tag my ear."

Connor says "Now that you mention it.. I think I have a tranq arrow somewhere in here..." 
He start to rummage in his little equipment horde. "Dianh, you get the tag..""

Dinah Lance lifts her eyes heavenward. "I swear, could anything be bigger than a Queen ego, 
with a side-dish of sarcasm? You two have been exposed to Eddie too long." The blonde rests 
a hand on her hip. "I was just naturally concerned, and ...oh STOP IT!"

Connor chuckles.. "I donno, Dinah.. Seems like it might be a good idea to me.. That way, next 
time he runs off we can just track him down. Or better yet...we can fence Gotham with one of 
those invisible dog fences and collar Oliver.. That way if he tries to leave Gotham he gets 
a shock?" He grins in good humor.

Oliver Queen grins at Dinah. "You know you love it..." he says as he looks at Connor. "I 
think Batman would just LOVE that... of course maybe you could convince him it's better 
than me wandering loosing and getting into the garbage."

Connor says "I'll just give Batman a remote trigger to the shock mechanism. I am sure he 
would be fine with it.." He grins again.."

Oliver Queen rolls his eyes. "You know... now I'm not sure if you two are joking..."

Connor glances to Dinah.. "Oh, we were joking?"

Dinah Lance opens her mouth to retort, then suddenly stops, angling her head. She mutters, 
"Oh good grief, can't someone els--right." She smiles brightly and says, "Sorry guys, you'll 
have to continue this macho-fest on your own. I have to ah, see a man about a horse." She 
grins and turns on her heel, calling out breezily. "Baywatch is on in five. Maybe Eddie 
will show up."

Oliver Queen raises an eyebrow as Dinah walks out. "I hope not... I'm enjoying myself way 
too much to kick the weasel's ass today.  Speaking of which, have you seen Eddie lately?"

Connor says "Not for quite some time, actually. Far as I know he did the same magic trick 
you did.."

Oliver Queen nods. "Yeah. So.. have you made any decisions on the Titans thing? I cut 
you off on that earlier." he says as he gets up, walking towards the teapot.

Connor says "Not really. Not sure what I am going to do."

Oliver Queen nods. "Well... is there something wrong with it? You feel like the 
17th wheel?"

Connor says "Kinda.. I don't really fit in with them. Then again, I don't really fit 
in anywhere."

Oliver Queen nods. "Boy, can I relate to that... but, you don't want to hear an old man 
retell his JLA stories." he says with a slight grin. "Next thing you know I'll be telling 
you how many miles I walked to school as a boy."

Connor says "I felt the same way in the JLA. Which is why I left them.. I just do feel part 
of the "team" when everyone can go and fight the aliens and superpowered bad guys..and here 
I am with noting.."

Oliver Queen nods. "Right." he says silently thinking about how he's been down that path... 
how many times now? "So what's stopping you from quitting? Seems pretty cut and dry and 
unless there is more to it."

Connor says "Well, I haven't exactly been active recently. But I don't know...sence of 
duty?"

Oliver Queen nods. "Yeah... I've heard this story before. Million times inside my own 
head. You don't feel like you're doing any good, but you think you should stick with it 
just because you should be."

Connor says "Something like that.. I mean, I grew up idolizing you, and wanting to be you.. 
Then..well...I became you..in my own way.."

Oliver Queen nods. "You're not quite me, yet. After all, you're having doubts about yourself 
now... I never started worrying about it until Hawkman started demanding i be kicked off."

Connor shrugs.. "I'll never _be_ you Oliver.. It is not exactly what I ment.." he sighs "I 
know I have the ability.. It's not for lack of skill, or conviction. I just don't know 
where I fit in."

Oliver Queen shakes his head. "Well, I wouldn't worry too much. I have yet to meet 
anyone your age who ever felt they really fit in anywhere. And I barely know that 
many people my age who think they fit in.  And I know what you meant about becoming me... 
you're still you're own person, but you just feel that you're in the same place I am 
since you assumed my mantle, right?""

Connor says "Something like that"

Ollie says "Well, I wish I could say something helpful. But the truth is I've never 
crossed the hurdle myself..." He pauses for a moment and then says "Is Nightwing still 
leading the Titans?""

Connor says "Actaully, last I knew it was Roy.  But then again it has been awhile since 
I have been there."

Oliver Queen hmms. "Funny... he didn't mention it when I talked to him..." he says 
shrugging. "I was just thinking he and Roy... maybe you should talk to them about 
this. They're about as experienced as I am, but they've gotten to lead these 
groups where they were the guy who couldn't really do anything. Maybe they can 
tell you how and if they can deal with that."

Connor shrugs.. "Maybe.. So, you mentioned a job coming up. You going freelance?

Oliver Queen shakes his head. "Actually, it's Dinah whose organizing it... and it's 
more a mission than a job. Jobs pay. Missions you risk your neck for some higher purpose."

Connor nods.. "Well, good luck on your mission.."

Oliver Queen nods. "I think we're going to need it. That's probably what Dinah 
left to go and arrange." He takes the costume you offered and starts to fold it. 
"I don't suppose you'd consider coming with us if asked... I think Dinah would want 
you to come...  But you HAVE just gotten home and probably don't want to get drug back
on the road."

Connor says "If you need me, I'll be happy to come along. Home is where the heart 
is Oliver, and I carry that with me at all times.."

Oliver Queen nods. "Well, I'll ask Dinah about it... we're trying to keep the group 
small, but we may need more men... emphasis on the men." he says. "We're going to 
Afghanistan to rescue some female hostages and all women in that nation are third
 class citizens, basically one step above livestock and sometimes not even that.  Naturally,
 women aren't allowed to wander around unaccompanied in a place like that..."

Connor hrmms.. "You think I would fit in over there?"

Oliver Queen grins a bit. "Oh, and I'm going to blend in well?"

Connor chuckles.. "True.."

Oliver Queen nods. "Anyway, if all goes well, we'll be back in a few weeks." He doesn't 
bother to say what will happen if things don't go well, of course.

Connor says "Well, if you need me to go, I will go.  Or should I say if Dinah wants me to go."

Oliver Queen nods. "I'll check with here. I'd be happy to have you along and so would she...
 but like I said, this is going to be a quiet, subtle operation." He pauses a bit. 
"Come to think of it, why is she taking me, then?"

Connor laughs.. "A distraction.. Diversionary ploy?"

Oliver Queen nods. "Offer of a substitute hostage in case one of her girlfriends gets caught."  
He snorts.  "Yeah... like the USA is going to be so afraid to give me up."

Connor chuckles.. "Whatever you do...don't eat chili before we go... Please."

Oliver Queen nods as he stands up and extends a hand, tucking the costume under another arm.
 "I'll try. You take care of yourself while I'm gone."

Connor nods and shakes your hand.. "You take care while your gone. Don't worry about me."

Oliver Queen nods. "You either...I'll be in good company." he says as he turns around and 
walks for the door. "I'll see you later, son." he says grinning back at you as he opens it.

Connor says "Good bye, Oliver..""