At Oliver's Apartment

William, Barry, Patty, and Oliver were in the kitchen, preparing eggs and bacon. William poured the eggs into the pan, but his eyes widened as he noticed something.

"Uh, Dad, Uncle Barry, there's a shell in this one," William pointed out.

Barry walked over and inspected the pan. "Yep, there sure is," he said, deftly picking the shell out of the pan.

"Isn't the pan hot?" William asked, watching in surprise.

Barry flicked his hand and winced. "Ow. It's immensely hot. But when we're doing breakfast for dinner at Chez Queen, we do it right. At least, that's what your dad says."

Oliver, focused on his task, said, "Salt me, please, Dinah."

Dinah, momentarily distracted, looked confused. "What?"

"Could you pass the salt, please, quickly, when you get a chance?" Oliver clarified.

Dinah tossed the salt to Oliver, but he noticed her troubled expression. "I cannot put salt on this if it's going to put that expression on your face."

"It's not about the salt, Oliver," Dinah said, sighing.

"Okay," Oliver replied, concerned but patient.

William, sensing the tension, said, "Call me when dinner's ready," and made a quick exit.

"Sorry, bud. I'll call you for dinner," Barry called after him.

"Thanks, Uncle Barry!" William shouted back as he disappeared into his room.

Oliver turned to Dinah. "Well, you've officially scared him away. So, do you want to tell me what's going on with you?"

Dinah's frustration bubbled over. "Oliver, you're in here pretending like you weren't almost put in prison for the rest of your life. We all nearly lost you and Barry. The man who tried to lock you away is still out there, controlling the city, and you're just in here scrambling eggs."

Barry stepped in his tone calm. "Dinah, first of all, we're going to stop him. Second, we're in here scrambling eggs because we wanted one night—just one night—to remind ourselves what we're fighting for."

Patty, with a smirk, added, "I can compartmentalize with that."

Dinah sighed, her resolve softening. "Okay, I guess I can compartmentalize that too."

Oliver smiled and walked over to her, wrapping her in a comforting embrace. "I can help you with that," he said, leaning in for a kiss.

As Oliver held Dinah close, Barry and Patty continued preparing dinner, the warmth of family and friends momentarily overshadowing the looming threats outside.

Later

The group had gathered for dinner, and Patty shared a memory. "My mom and I used to have breakfast for dinner all the time. It wasn't ironic, though, because she worked nights, so... I mean, not like that! At least, I hope not."

Barry smiled and kissed her hand. "Baby, you need to calm down."

Patty chuckled, and they shared a quick kiss. Just as Oliver was about to start eating, his phone began to vibrate and chime.

William asked, "Are you gonna get it, Dad?"

Oliver drummed his fingers on the table. "No. That's one of the perks of being impeached. No interruptions."

Dinah insisted, "Oliver, get the phone."

Oliver sighed, setting his silverware down. "Okay." He got up, cleared his throat, and walked to the counter to check his phone.

He saw a missed call from Anatoly.

Dinah asked, "Who was it?"

Oliver replied, "Anatoly."

Barry looked up, alarmed. "What?!"

Before they could react further, Barry noticed men dropping down from the roof outside the window.

Moving at super speed, Barry rushed to shield Patty and William. "Get down!" Oliver shouted, and Dinah quickly ducked.

Barry whispered urgently, "Patty when I move, be ready to get out of here. You too, Will. I'm going to get you into the bedroom, okay?"

Barry whisked Patty and William to the bedroom in a blur, securing them safely inside. He then zipped back to Oliver and Dinah as the armed men began to breach the windows and doors.

Oliver grabbed a nearby kitchen knife, his eyes darting around for a more effective weapon. "Dinah, stay low and be ready to use your Canary Cry if you need to."

Dinah nodded, taking cover behind the kitchen island. "Got it."

Barry stood ready, his eyes glowing with speed force. "We need to take them out fast before they can do any real damage."

Barry sped around the room, knocking out several attackers with rapid, precise strikes.

Oliver emerged from cover, delivering a powerful punch to an assailant's chest. He swiftly grabbed the man's gun, spun him around, and used him as a human shield. Spotting a lamp, Oliver grabbed it and knocked the man out with a swift blow. Without hesitation, he hurled the lamp at another attacker who was reloading his weapon. As the man fumbled for his handgun, Dinah unleashed her Canary Cry, sending him crashing through the patio doors.

Oliver deftly tossed a gun at another attacker, incapacitating him, while Barry flipped a man over his shoulder with superhuman speed. Oliver charged at an assailant sneaking up on Barry, slamming him into the wall. He delivered a series of punishing blows to the man's stomach and face before being picked up and slammed onto a table. Barry sped over, landing a knockout punch on the attacker.

A group of men burst through the front door, firing at the bedroom door where Patty and William were hiding. Dinah quickly stepped in, using her Canary Cry to knock the group back. Barry quickly grabbed a gun from one of the disarmed attackers and ran to the bedroom, ready to defend Patty and William.

As Barry entered the bedroom, he saw an attacker aiming at the doorway. He fired his gun, hitting the man and stopping him in his tracks. Another attacker emerged from a side door, and Barry fired again, neutralizing him. He slammed the door shut on the groaning man, knocking him out.

Standing guard in front of the door, Barry remained vigilant. Oliver and Dinah entered the room, both armed and Barry almost fired in reflex.

"Don't shoot! It's us!" Oliver called out.

Barry lowered his weapon, taking a deep breath. "Glad to see you guys."

Oliver nodded. "We need to secure the area and figure out our next move."

Dinah added, "Let's make sure everyone is safe first."

The trio moved quickly to check on Patty and William, ensuring they were unharmed. Reassured, they regrouped, ready to face whatever came next.

"Barry," Oliver said, "good job keeping them safe."

Barry nodded, still holding the gun. "We did it together. Let's finish this."

Barry and Oliver aimed their weapons at the door, tense and ready for any further attacks.

"Are you two okay?" Barry called out.

"Yeah," Patty responded, her voice steady but shaken.

William, still wide-eyed with fear, asked, "Are—are they dead?"

Barry shook his head. "No, but they're down. I didn't want to kill in front of you, Will. You don't need to see that."

Oliver, lowering his gun slightly, added, "We handled it. You're safe now."

Barry is still aiming his gun out of concern.

William nodded slowly, his fear giving way to relief. "Thanks, Uncle Barry. Thanks, Dad."

Patty moved closer to Barry, her eyes filled with worry. "What do we do now?"

Oliver surveyed the room, noting the scattered and incapacitated attackers. "We need to secure the area and figure out our next move. Diaz won't stop coming after us."

Dinah, standing guard at the door, said, "Let's get everyone to a safer location. This place is compromised."

Barry nodded in agreement. "Right. We need to regroup and come up with a plan. But first, let's get you two out of here."

Oliver turned to William, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "We'll get through this, Will. Together."

With that, the group moved swiftly but cautiously, ensuring Patty and William were shielded as they exited the compromised area. Barry and Oliver remained alert, their weapons ready, determined to protect their loved ones from any further danger.

Barry quickly sped around the room, tying up the unconscious attackers with swift precision. Once the group reconvened in the living room, Raisa walked in, her voice filled with concern as she called out, "Mr. Oliver?"

Seeing William, she opened her arms wide, and he ran into her embrace. "Ohh. I'm glad you are all right," she said, relief washing over her face.

Barry emerged, holding Patty close. "Thank you for coming so quickly, Raisa."

"I was close by," Raisa replied. "Where are the men?"

"I tied them up. They're unconscious," Barry explained.

Dinah walked in, adjusting her jacket. "I just spoke to Rene and John. They're okay."

Oliver stepped up, asking urgently, "Good. What about Curtis and Felicity?"

"They're okay, but Curtis's boyfriend isn't. He has to go into surgery," Dinah replied.

"Starling General is not secure," Oliver noted, worry etched on his face.

"No, Lyla sent them to the ARGUS medbay. They're going to be okay," Dinah reassured him.

Oliver sighed in relief. "Quentin?"

"Quentin said that Diaz isn't going to attack the mayor. He's too much in the public eye. But Laurel's in the wind," Dinah reported.

Oliver turned to William and Raisa, Barry and Patty also looking their way. William asked, "What about us?"

"That's why we called Raisa," Barry said. "We're going to put you into ARGUS custody. They'll keep you safe."

William's eyes widened. "You two aren't coming, are you?"

Barry shook his head. "No. We have to stay here. We have to finish this, bud. You're going to go with Raisa and Patty."

Patty stepped forward. "Actually, buddy, I'm not coming either."

Barry turned to Patty, whispering urgently, "I want you far away from here and safe."

Patty's resolve was firm. "Barry, this is my fight as much as it is yours. I'm not going anywhere."

Frustration flared in Barry's eyes. "Damn it, Patty! I want you far away from here because I will not lose another woman that I love!"

Everyone in the room flinched at his outburst, including Patty. Barry's voice softened, filled with pain. "I already lost Iris. I will not lose you too. So I am begging you to go with Raisa... and Will, because I trust you to protect them. I will not lose my nephew either. So please... go. I'm begging you."

Patty's eyes softened, but her determination didn't waver. "No. Because I want to be with you, unsafe right in the action. You said you wanted to marry me. I want to make sure you come back to me."

Barry sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair in frustration and worry. The room was heavy with emotion as he struggled with the weight of their choices.

Oliver walked up to William and said, "As the Green Arrow,"

Barry joined him, adding, "And as the Flash,"

Together, they continued, "We've faced some terrible people who have tried to do terrible things."

William kept his gaze down, avoiding their eyes.

"Hey, look at us, bud," Barry gently urged.

William looked up, meeting their eyes. Oliver said, "And we're still here."

William's voice trembled as he said, "That doesn't mean you two always will be."

Barry nodded, acknowledging the truth. "You're right. Will, Ollie just started being your dad, okay? He loves being your dad. Tell him, Ollie."

Oliver's voice softened, filled with love, "I love being your dad, buddy. I really do."

Barry added, "And nothing is going to take us away from you, especially not Ricardo Diaz."

William sighed and, with a determined look, said, "Kick his ass."

Both Barry and Oliver smiled, nodding at William.

Barry pulled him into a tight hug. "I love you, Will. Stay safe for me. I'd rather die than let anything happen to you. Understand?"

William nodded, "I know, Uncle Barry."

Barry kissed his forehead, then let go, ruffling William's hair, making him chuckle.

"I love you, Uncle Barry," William said.

With tears in his eyes, Barry replied, "I love you, bud. Always will," his voice breaking.

As Barry walked away, wiping his eyes, Oliver embraced William. "We'll see you soon, buddy. I love you."

"I love you, Dad," William whispered, hugging him tightly.

Dinah and Patty approached William with heartfelt expressions. Dinah put a hand on his shoulder, her voice steady but filled with warmth, "Will, we're going to make sure everything's alright, okay?"

Patty nodded in agreement, her smile reassuring, "Raisa will be keeping an eye out for you, kiddo. Just focus on staying safe."

William nodded, grateful for their support, "Thanks, Dinah. Patty."

Dinah hugged him gently, saying, "You're stronger than you know, Will. We'll get through this together."

Patty stepped in next, squeezing his hand, "And remember, we're just a call away if you need anything, alright?"

William nodded again, his eyes serious but determined. "Okay. Thanks, Dinah. Patty."

Oliver looked over at Dinah and Patty with gratitude in his eyes. "Thank you both for everything," he said sincerely.

Barry wiped away the last of his tears and gave William a final nod of encouragement before turning to Raisa. "Take care of him," he said softly.

Raisa nodded at Barry. "I will. We'll be sure to go to ARGUS custody," she assured him.

As Raisa ushered William towards the exit, Oliver placed a reassuring hand on Barry's shoulder. "Let's finish this," he said firmly.

Barry nodded, a determined look on his face. "Let's end this once and for all."

Together, they turned to face the looming threat of Ricardo Diaz, their resolve stronger than ever.

At a different base of operations

Rene led Barry, Dinah, Patty, and Oliver into the secondary base. Oliver's concern was palpable as he asked, "John and Lyla are on their way?"

Rene nodded grimly. "Yeah, they're en route. But why here?"

Barry explained tersely, "Our bunker's compromised."

Dinah furrowed her brow. "Why now, though? Diaz could have struck months ago."

Barry sighed, his expression grave. "He wanted us in prison, not martyrs. Without us, he'd target our families. It didn't go as he planned."

Felicity's voice came over the speakers, tense and urgent. "I'm not liking his Plan B. Surveillance feed is showing..."

The monitors displayed the bunker under assault, equipment smashed and chaos reigning.

Dinah cursed under her breath. "Damn it."

Rene clenched his fists. "We can't just watch this. We should hit back now."

Barry started to disagree, but Diggle's voice cut in, authoritative and decisive. "There's no time for that, Rene."

They turned to see Diggle and Lyla entering the room.

Diggle continued, "Diaz has the numbers. He's got the advantage."

Barry nodded in agreement. "Dig's right. We can rebuild bunkers, and replace equipment. We need to focus on the bigger picture."

Oliver turned to Lyla urgently. "Are our families safe?"

Lyla nodded firmly. "Yes, they're on their way They're  to the NORAD bunker in Colorado?"

Felicity interjected worriedly, "Not the..."

Before she could finish, the monitors were struck, and the images were disrupted.

Barry took action, pulling out his phone. "I'm calling Team Flash."

He dialed Cisco quickly, relaying instructions. "Cisco, get Team Flash here now. We've moved. The old bunker's compromised. Just Joe, Ralph, and Caitlin. Now. Thanks."

Barry ended the call, reassuring the group, "They're on their way."

Oliver's concern deepened. "Even with them, we're outnumbered."

Barry's resolve hardened. "I know. But with them, we stand a chance."

They watched on the screens as Diaz's men set fire to the bunker.

Rene urged action. "Let's move out now. Catch them off guard."

Dinah held him back gently. "Patience, Rene. We'll get our chance."

Barry aligned with Rene's impatience. "I'm with Rene on this one."

Oliver interjected firmly, "Dinah's right. Diaz is making his move. We need to strike carefully."

Barry's frustration boiled over. "I'm done waiting. Diaz needs to pay for this. I'm going to take him down tonight."

There was a stunned silence in the room at Barry's intensity.

Barry added firmly, "We end this tonight."

Later

Joe, Caitlin, and Cisco arrived and gathered around.

Oliver cut to the chase, asking, "What kind of support can we count on from ARGUS?"

Lyla sighed, her expression grave. "I had to pull strings to get John what little resources he has now. As big a threat as Diaz is to Star City..."

Cisco chimed in, "To ARGUS, he's small fry."

Lyla clarified, "Which means ARGUS isn't officially in the law enforcement game."

A familiar voice broke in, "Looks like it's up to us, then."

The team turned to see Curtis.

Barry exclaimed, "Curt?"

Felicity rushed over and embraced him. "Curtis!"

As they hugged, Felicity asked with concern, "How's Nick doing?"

Curtis pulled back slightly, a mix of relief and worry in his eyes. "He's resting, post-op. It was touch and go, but he's going to pull through. We got lucky."

Felicity sighed with sympathy. "I'm so sorry."

Curtis nodded solemnly. "He took those bullets for me."

Rene's voice was steely with determination. "We'll make them pay. Especially with Speedy back in the game."

Barry sat heavily on the stairs, his tone edged with frustration. "I'm impatient too. I want my life back. Being the Flash... it's like it's taking away everything, piece by piece."

Joe tried to reassure him, "Barry, you can't mean that."

Barry's gaze was intense as he looked at Joe. "Can't I? Where's your daughter?"

A heavy silence fell over Team Flash. Barry pressed on, his voice cracking with emotion, "Where's Iris? Where's my mom? Where's Eddie? Where's my stepdad? Where's my dad?"

Joe looked down, grappling with Barry's words, unable to respond immediately. Caitlin and Cisco exchanged worried glances, understanding the weight behind Barry's questions.

Oliver stepped forward, his voice steady with determination. "Barry, we're all in this together. We've faced tough odds before, and we've come out on top. We're not going to let Diaz take anyone else from us."

Barry nodded slowly, his expression reflecting a mix of resolve and anguish. "I know, Oliver. It's just... every time I put on that suit, I feel like I'm risking everything."

Curtis placed a reassuring hand on Barry's shoulder. "I understand that I feel the same way. But we're with you, man. Whatever it takes, we'll stop Diaz."

Felicity added, "We've got each other. And that's how we're going to get through this."

Rene clenched his fists, his voice edged with determination. "Let's show Diaz what happens when he messes with us. He's got no idea who he's up against."

Barry stood up, his resolve firming. "Right. We hit him hard and fast. No holding back."

Joe looked up, his voice steady with conviction. "Let's do this. For everyone we've lost, and everyone we still have."

With renewed determination, the team gathered their gear, ready to confront Diaz head-on. Each member shared a look of solidarity, knowing that together, they stood a chance against the looming threat.

Curtis asked, "Where do we start?"

Dinah replied firmly, "First, we need to gather direct intel on Diaz's location."

Cisco and Felicity chimed in simultaneously, "We're already on it."

Rene nodded, adding, "And we'll need some heavy firepower."

Lyla assured them, "ARGUS can provide that."

Diggle interjected, "Bennet and I will maximize our tactical advantage."

Oliver cut in, his voice tinged with concern, "Listen, if we charge in guns blazing like this, we're setting ourselves up to fail. It doesn't matter how much firepower we have or how determined we are. Diaz has the city in his pocket—officials, police—everything."

Felicity offered, "We haven't worked together in months. That unpredictability might just be what gives us an edge."

Oliver nodded thoughtfully, "True, but Diaz has planned for every scenario. Us reuniting, working as a team—it's a start, but he's got an army backing him."

Curtis interjected, "Please tell me there's a plan at the end of this speech."

Oliver nodded, his expression hardening, "Anatoly Knyazev."

Rene looked surprised, "I thought he hated your guts."

Barry explained, "He thinks we've reached a mutual understanding."

Oliver continued, "Anatoly could be the wildcard Diaz doesn't see coming."

Diggle asserted, "If Anatoly's our ace, we need to play it."

Barry suggested, "Let us arrange a meeting with him. We can leverage his intel to make our move."

Oliver added firmly, "But until then, I need you all to stand down. Trust me on this. I know trust isn't easy after everything, but we need to set aside our differences and focus on stopping Diaz."

Barry agreed, "Okay."

Cisco chimed in, "Consider it done, GA."

Caitlin nodded, "Frost and I are with you."

Diggle affirmed, "Lyla and I are in."

Dinah assured him, "Always, Ollie."

Curtis grinned, "Rene and I got your back."

Patty chimed in, "Felicity and I are in."

Oliver concluded, "Good. Barry, let's go meet Anatoly."

Barry nodded in agreement, and they departed to strategize with Anatoly.

At a park

Anatoly stood alone until Oliver and Barry approached him.

Oliver greeted him in Russian, "Spasibo bolshoe."

Switching to English, Oliver continued, "My family owes you their lives."

Anatoly replied dryly, "Save your gratitude for when I'm sipping drinks with tiny umbrellas in the Maldives."

Barry chuckled, "Fair enough, Anatoly."

Anatoly turned to face them and cautioned, "I don't know how long your family's safety will last. SCPD has ordered: 'Kill On Sight'."

Oliver acknowledged, "Diaz's stronghold is too fortified. Any direct assault risks too many lives."

Anatoly agreed, "Da. Best chance is when he's on the move—vulnerable."

Barry added, "But Diaz will expect retaliation."

Oliver interjected, "He's likely to stay put where he feels safe."

Anatoly pondered aloud, "Perhaps I can give him reason to reconsider."

Oliver expressed gratitude, "I'm asking a lot from you. I appreciate it."

Anatoly quipped, "You cannot wage a revolution in white gloves."

As Anatoly walked past Barry and Oliver, he muttered, "Lenin had many faults, but he was right about that. I'll notify you when he's on the move, Kapiushon, Krasnaya Shapochka."

Barry and Oliver exchanged a glance, knowing they had to wait for Anatoly's signal before making their next move against Diaz.

Back at the base

The team waited anxiously until Oliver stepped forward and announced, "Anatoly came through. Diaz will be en route to the SCPD in an hour."

Lyla interjected, "ARGUS doesn't have the authority to detain Diaz. Once you've got him, what's the plan?"

Felicity added, "Yeah, we can't just hand him over to the cops. And no offense, but your Lian Yu supermax is pretty much rubble."

Oliver acknowledged, "One problem at a time. We need to finish this. Starting with capturing Diaz."

Curtis approached Oliver with a grin and asked, "Can I say it like old times?"

With a smile, Curtis exclaimed, "Suit up!"

The team sprang into action, each member heading off to prepare for the impending showdown with Diaz.

On the Road to SCPD

Once the team had deployed ARGUS agents disguised as construction workers, chaos ensued. 

Green Arrow swiftly took down a man who had just exited a van next to Anatoly. 

He swiftly nocked another arrow and fired at a second assailant rushing towards them.

Meanwhile, The Flash zipped around, knocking out adversaries left and right. 

During the skirmish, he threw a punch only to have it intercepted. 

Startled, he turned to find Thawne holding his fist.

"Thawne!" The Flash spat out, seething with anger.

Reverse-Flash smirked. "Flash. Always a pleasure. I would have loved to witness Diaz pulverize you."

"Yeah?" The Flash retorted fiercely. "Well, this time, I'm putting an end to you once and for all."

Reverse-Flash chuckled darkly as he tightened his grip on The Flash's wrist, his eyes gleaming with malice. "You always were too slow, Barry. Even now, you can't catch up."

With a surge of speed, The Flash twisted out of Thawne's grip, delivering a lightning-fast series of punches. Thawne dodged and weaved effortlessly, taunting as he countered each blow with precision.

"You haven't improved, Barry," Thawne mocked, landing a sharp kick to The Flash's abdomen, sending him staggering backward. "Still relying on brute force."

The Flash gritted his teeth, using his speed to dart around Thawne, aiming to catch him off guard. But Thawne matched every move, his movements calculated and deliberate. The two speedsters blurred around the battlefield, each trying to gain the upper hand.

Meanwhile, Green Arrow and the rest of the team engaged Diaz's men with a fierce determination. Arrows flew, fists clashed, and the sounds of battle echoed through the streets. The ARGUS agents and the rest of Team Arrow provided cover, working strategically to neutralize threats and protect civilians caught in the crossfire.

Back in the fray, The Flash and Reverse-Flash traded lightning-quick blows, their rivalry fueling their intensity. The Flash's determination surged, his speed accelerating as he pushed himself harder, refusing to let Thawne outmaneuver him again.

Thawne grinned wickedly, sensing Barry's frustration. "You can't keep up, Barry. You never could."

The Flash narrowed his eyes, channeling his focus and speed into one final attack. With a burst of velocity, he delivered a devastating blow, catching Thawne off guard. Thawne stumbled, momentarily stunned by the impact.

Seeing an opening, The Flash didn't hesitate. He lunged forward, delivering a rapid succession of punches and kicks, driving Thawne back. Each strike landed with the force of his determination to end this once and for all.

Thawne staggered, struggling to defend himself against The Flash's relentless assault. With a swift move, The Flash swept Thawne's legs out from under him, sending him crashing to the ground.

"You've underestimated me, Thawne," The Flash said breathlessly, standing over his defeated nemesis. "It ends here."

Thawne grimaced, realizing he had underestimated The Flash's resolve. "You'll never be rid of me, Barry," he sneered defiantly.

Before Thawne could retaliate, Green Arrow appeared, bow drawn and ready. "Not today, Thawne," Oliver said, determination etched on his face.

Thawne scowled but knew he was outnumbered. With a smirk, he disappeared in a blur of speed, leaving behind only the echo of his taunting laughter.

Green Arrow sprinted after Curtis as soon as he received word that he was pursuing Diaz. 

Spotting two men ahead, he swiftly fired an arrow, incapacitating one. 

At the same moment, The Flash rushed in, knocking the other assailant into a nearby wall.

Diaz reacted quickly, brandishing a portal meta-dampener as The Flash closed in. With a sudden stab, Diaz struck The Flash, who grimaced in pain. "Uh! Uh!"

Diaz followed up with a barrage of punches to The Flash's face.

As Diaz focused on The Flash, he suddenly noticed Green Arrow closing in on him. And he ran once he grabbed his necklace.

Through the comms, Lyla's urgent voice broke in, "Quadrant reinforcements and SCPD units are en route. We need to withdraw immediately."

Green Arrow spotted approaching police officers and hurried to The Flash's side. "Come on, little brother. Let's get you out of here."

Gritting his teeth against the pain, The Flash vowed, "I'm going to make that son of a bitch pay."

Meanwhile, Mr. Terrific hurried over and asked, "Flash, are you okay?"

Managing a weak smile despite the pain, The Flash replied, "I'm Terrific. Sorry for the pun."

Mr. Terrific chuckled softly. "It's okay. Let's get you out of harm's way."

At the base

The team gathered around, tension thick in the air.

Diggle broke the silence. "We almost had that son of a bitch."

Rene's concern shifted to Speedy. "How's Speedy holding up?"

Oliver replied solemnly, "Resting with Nick."

Curtis, visibly troubled, spoke up. "Oliver, I'm sorry. I couldn't do anything."

"It's fine, Curtis," Oliver reassured him. "Barry wouldn't want me blaming anyone."

Dinah chimed in, her voice filled with relief. "An inch either way, Barry could've bled out. He got lucky, especially with Speed healing to the rescue."

"It wasn't just luck," Oliver interjected.

Confused, Diggle asked, "What do you mean?"

"Diaz could've taken out Curtis and Barry," Oliver explained, "but he went for some kind of necklace instead."

Rene quipped, "Must be one damn important piece of jewelry."

Felicity and Cisco shared simultaneous insights. "More like a piece of tech. Look."

Cisco elaborated, "It's a GRV-567, solid state drive, military-grade with dynamic encryption. Whatever's on it, Diaz went to great lengths to secure and keep it close."

Dinah asserted, "Looks like something we need to get our hands on."

Oliver, still skeptical, questioned, "How do we know there's something on it? It could be nothing."

Cisco countered, "GA, you just said it yourself. Diaz prioritized this over Curtis or finishing off Flash."

Felicity confirmed, "My digital sniffer can read the drive if we get close enough."

Rene pointed out the imminent challenge. "Diaz is heading to SCPD. He won't just let us stroll in."

Lyla proposed a solution. "They'll let me in."

Concerned, Diggle raised a valid point. "But Diaz knows ARGUS is against him."

Lyla explained confidently, "The police have to maintain appearances. They won't refuse a visit from a federal agency head. And if things go south, I've got your back."

Barry limped in, his presence surprising everyone. "That's a big gamble for an unknown payoff."

Worried, Oliver addressed Barry. "Barry, you should be resting."

Caitlin entered, echoing Oliver's concern. "I told him that, but he's not listening. Just because you're healed doesn't mean you're not in pain."

Barry brushed off their concern. "I'm fine. Can we focus, please?"

Patty, visibly worried, insisted, "Barry, you need to rest."

Barry's resolve hardened. "I'll rest when he's six feet under."

The team was taken aback by Barry's intensity as he approached.

Diggle sighed, acknowledging the stakes. "It probably is a big gamble, Barry, but it might be our only shot."

Dinah sought confirmation. "So we're all on board with this?"

Oliver met Dinah's gaze and nodded firmly. "Yeah."

Later

Barry walked up to Felicity while the others were occupied and asked, "How's it going with the sniffer?"

Felicity glanced up from her work, a determined focus in her eyes. "Oh, just snifferific. I'm reprogramming it to specifically couple with the digital signature of Diaz's drive. It'll take some on-the-fly adjustments to filter out the noise, but it's totally within my wheelhouse."

Barry looked concerned. "Does this absolutely have to be done on-site?"

Felicity nodded firmly. "Absolutely, if you want it to work flawlessly. Why?"

Barry gave her a serious look. "Felicity, you know I've been worried about your safety, especially after everything that's happened."

Felicity met his gaze with understanding. "Barry, I've been in the field before. Russia, twice. Nanda Parbat, Merlyn Global."

Barry sighed, his worry evident. "All before Iris... I just can't lose you, Felicity."

Felicity reassured him gently, "I understand, Barry. But I'm not the one infiltrating the precinct. That's Lyla's role."

Barry pointed out, "Lyla's a soldier."

Felicity nodded. "Exactly. She's trained for this. I'll be remotely hacking from a safe location. I'm not taking unnecessary risks. Okay?"

Barry hesitated, then nodded reluctantly. "Okay. I trust you."

Felicity smiled reassuringly. "Ready when you are."

Barry returned a small smile before turning to join the others, his concern for Felicity lingering in his expression.

Later

After the SCPD battle

At the Backup Base of Operations

Barry watched as the team returned, their faces a mixture of exhaustion and relief. Lyla spoke first, her voice carrying the weight of their recent ordeal. "That was an all-out fight with SCPD."

Rene shook his head, still catching his breath. "Totally nuts, even by my standards."

"Yeah, but it was our only option. This was too important not to get," Felicity interjected, her eyes determined.

Dinah looked skeptical. "How would you even know? This is supposed to be encrypted."

Felicity's confidence didn't waver. "Call me an optimist, but I believe in 2-3 hours, all of us are gonna be extremely happy."

Curtis chimed in, hopeful. "Can you gather information as it decrypts? It'd be nice to get a jump on things, right, guys?"

Diggle nodded in agreement. "That's true."

Felicity shook her head firmly. "No, this is an all-or-nothing deal. If we go in mid-decryption, the whole drive wipes. Nothing."

Oliver stepped forward, his tone serious. "Felicity, may I speak with you?"

"Yes," she replied, sensing the gravity of the situation.

As everyone else left the room, it was just Barry, Oliver, and Felicity remaining. Felicity's attempt at humor fell flat. "I'm gonna guess this isn't one of those 'I love you, you were brave' conversations."

Barry took a deep breath. "No. This is a conversation because we love you."

Felicity braced herself. "Okay."

Barry continued, his frustration evident. "You promised me you would stay put."

"I didn't exactly promise," Felicity countered.

Oliver cut in, his voice sharp. "Fine. You promised Barry you wouldn't do anything stupid. You charged into a firefight."

"It was a calculated risk," Felicity defended.

Barry's voice trembled slightly with anger and worry. "Did you calculate how close Ricardo Diaz came to shooting you in the back of the head?"

Felicity remained defiant. "We got what we wanted."

Barry shook his head. "That's not—"

"And if I'm right, what we wanted has the list of everyone in the city that Diaz controls. This could help us get our home back from Diaz. We could actually save our city this time around. I think that's a little bit more important than what-ifs," Felicity argued.

Oliver sighed, his frustration clear. "This is why I started working alone again."

Felicity's eyes softened as she looked at both of them. "I tried convincing myself that was the right move, too, but it's not. Even though we're exes, we're supposed to be each other's strength because that's how much we care for each other. There is no 'alone' for us anymore."

Barry's tone was gentle but firm. "It's not that simple, and you know it."

Felicity's voice broke slightly. "God. I'm really gonna need you two to start seeing it that way."

Barry and Oliver exchanged a look, both realizing the depth of their bond with Felicity. The room fell silent, the weight of their shared responsibilities pressing down on them.

Later

Barry walked into the room, noticing everyone leaving except for Oliver and Felicity.

"What's going on?" Barry asked.

Oliver replied, "Diaz's men are here, and Felicity won't budge."

"Damn it. Just go, Oliver. I'll stay," Barry said firmly.

"Are you sure, Barr?" Oliver asked, hesitating.

"I got her. Go. Make sure Patty is out safe," Barry assured him.

Oliver nodded, handing a trigger to Barry. "Curtis rigged this place to blow. But only use it as a last resort, okay?"

Barry took the trigger and nodded. Oliver ran out of the base.

Barry glanced at the screen, watching the decryption process crawl along. The sounds of gunfire echoed in the background.

"How much time do we have?" Barry asked urgently.

"Five minutes," Felicity replied.

"We don't have five minutes, Felicity," Barry said, frustration seeping into his voice.

"You have to get out of here," Felicity insisted.

"No chance," Barry retorted.

"Once the decryption's done, I'm going to email it to you and basically the entire world," Felicity said, starting to cough into her arm.

Barry rushed to her side. "Hey, you okay?"

"This is our last chance, Barry. This could be our only chance to stop him. Let me try. Oliver needs you," Felicity said, determination in her eyes.

"Oliver needs us. I'm going to find another way. Come on," Barry said, taking her hand and leading her to a stairwell.

"How many flights are there?" Barry asked, glancing up the stairwell.

"Why aren't you speeding us up?" Felicity asked, puzzled.

"Whatever is near is blocking my speed. Why do you think I'm going up?" Barry explained as they began their ascent.

Felicity nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. They moved quickly, each step echoing their urgency.

A little later

Barry said, "All right. We're almost there, Felicity. I can feel the surge. You can do this."

As Felicity stumbled, Barry caught her. "Hey. I got you. Up, up."

Seeing her struggle, Barry lifted her into his arms. Just then, a menacing voice echoed through the stairwell.

"I was just coming to kill you."

Barry looked up to see Diaz. "Looks like you met me halfway."

He set Felicity down gently and stepped forward, ready for a fight.

Barry charged, but Diaz met him with a powerful kick, sending him tumbling down the stairs.

"What hurts more, do you think?" Diaz taunted. "Me killing her in front of you or you in front of her?"

Barry struggled to his feet, only to be kicked into the wall behind him.

"Hyah," Barry groaned.

"You'll do anything to keep her safe, won't you?" Diaz sneered. "Love—friendship—it's the ultimate king killer!"

Diaz flipped Barry, slamming him to the ground beside Felicity.

"Click it," Felicity urged.

Barry, gasping for breath, hit the trigger. An explosion sent Diaz tumbling down the stairs.

Coughing, Barry struggled to stand. "Come on, Felicity."

They bolted from the building just as more explosions erupted. A massive blast rocked the door they had just exited, and Barry shielded Felicity with his body, absorbing the burns.

Barry screamed in agony.

Diggle rushed to their side. "Felicity, Barry. Let's get them out of here."

Barry's vision blurred as he heard someone exclaim, "Oh my god, look at Barry's back."

"Don't worry about that right now. We got to get them out," another voice responded urgently.

Barry felt his consciousness slipping away as they carried him to safety.

At ARGUS

Barry lay in a bed, resting at ARGUS.

Gradually, he began to stir, catching snippets of conversation around him. "I can't believe he's been out for almost a day."

"He must be exhausted."

"Hey, look... his eyes are opening."

Barry's eyes fluttered open, and he saw Caitlin, Cisco, and Patty standing by his bedside.

"Guys?" he murmured.

Patty smiled warmly. "Hi, babe. Are you okay?"

Barry nodded slowly, a faint smile forming on his lips. "Yeah, never better."

Patty gently took Barry's hand, her eyes filled with concern. "You had us all worried."

Caitlin nodded, stepping closer to check Barry's vitals. "You took quite a beating, but you'll be okay. Just need some rest."

Cisco grinned, trying to lighten the mood. "Dude, you really know how to make an entrance. And an exit. That explosion was epic."

Barry chuckled weakly. "Thanks, Cisco. Always aiming to impress."

Patty squeezed his hand. "You're not allowed to scare me like that again."

Barry smiled at her. "I'll do my best."

Just then, the door opened, and Diggle walked in. "Glad to see you're awake, Barry."

Barry nodded. "Thanks, Dig. What about Felicity? Is she okay?"

Diggle smiled reassuringly. "She's fine. A bit shaken up, but no worse for wear."

Barry sighed with relief. "Good to hear."

Patty looked at Barry, her concern shifting to determination. "We need to figure out our next move. Diaz is still out there."

Barry nodded, his expression growing serious. "You're right. But first, I need to recover. Then we can plan our next steps."

Caitlin patted his shoulder. "Exactly. For now, just focus on getting better."

Barry glanced around at his friends, feeling grateful for their support. "Thanks, everyone. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Cisco smirked. "Well, you'd probably be bored. And uninjured."

Everyone laughed, and Barry settled back into the bed, feeling a renewed sense of hope. Together, they would find a way to stop Diaz and save their city. But for now, he allowed himself to rest, knowing he was in good hands.

Barry lay back in the bed, feeling a mix of frustration and determination. He knew that the fight was far from over, and the setback only made him more resolved. His friends stayed close, chatting quietly to keep his spirits up. After a while, the door opened again, and Oliver stepped in, looking worn but resolute.

"Hey, Barry," Oliver said, walking over to the bed.

Barry smiled faintly. "Hey, Oliver. Thanks for coming."

Oliver nodded, glancing around at the others. "Can we have a moment?"

Patty, Cisco, and Caitlin nodded, exchanging looks before stepping out of the room. Oliver pulled a chair closer and sat down.

"You gave us quite a scare," Oliver said, his tone serious but with a hint of warmth.

Barry shrugged slightly. "It's all part of the job, right?"

Oliver shook his head. "No, Barry. What you did was brave, but it was also reckless. We can't afford to lose you."

Barry sighed. "I know. I just... I couldn't let Diaz win. Not after everything he's done."

Oliver leaned forward, his expression intense. "And you didn't. You stopped him from killing Felicity. But we lost the data. All that effort, and we came up empty-handed."

Barry's eyes filled with regret. "I know. It feels like we took a huge step back."

Oliver placed a hand on Barry's shoulder. "We did, but it's not the end. We'll find another way. We always do."

Barry nodded, determination hardening his features. "I hear you, Oliver. I promise I'll be more cautious."

Oliver sat back, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Good. Because we need you in this fight. Diaz is still out there, and we have a lot of work to do."

Barry's eyes brightened with resolve. "I'm ready. As soon as I'm back on my feet, we'll take the fight to him."

Oliver stood up, giving Barry's shoulder a reassuring pat. "Rest up, Barry. We'll need you at full strength."

Barry nodded, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. "Thanks, Oliver. For everything."

Oliver gave him a firm nod before heading to the door. "Get some rest. We'll handle things until you're back."

As Oliver left, Barry lay back in the bed, feeling more determined than ever. His friends were out there, working to protect the city, and he knew he wouldn't be down for long. With a final deep breath, he closed his eyes, ready to regain his strength and join the fight once more.

The Next day

In the early hours of the morning, the soft glow of dawn seeped through the windows of Barry's room at ARGUS. Caitlin walked in quietly, carrying a small medical kit. Barry was still asleep, his breathing steady. She approached his bed and began to check his vitals, her touch gentle and precise.

Barry stirred, blinking awake. "Caitlin?"

"Hey, Barry," she said with a warm smile. "I was just checking up on you. How are you feeling?"

Barry shifted slightly, testing his body. "Surprisingly... pretty good. Am I...?"

"Healed?" Caitlin finished for him, her smile widening. "Yes, Barry. Your accelerated healing has done its job. You're back to full strength."

Before Barry could respond, the door opened, and Oliver stepped in. He gave Caitlin a nod. "Caitlin, could you give us a moment?"

Caitlin glanced between them and nodded. "Sure. I'll be right outside if you need me." She patted Barry's arm reassuringly before leaving the room.

Oliver waited until the door closed before he spoke. "Barry, I've been thinking about our next move."

Barry sat up more fully, curiosity in his eyes. "What's on your mind?"

Oliver took a deep breath. "We need to stop Diaz, and we can't do it alone. I've been considering all our options, and there's one that stands out, but it's a long shot."

Barry leaned forward, his attention fully on Oliver. "What is it?"

"We need to go to the FBI," Oliver said, his voice firm. "We need their resources and manpower to take Diaz down."

Barry's eyes widened in surprise. "The FBI? That's... big. Are you sure?"

Oliver nodded. "I've thought it through. Diaz has too many people under his control, and we can't fight this battle on our own. With the FBI's help, we can dismantle his entire operation. But it means putting a lot of trust in them, and it won't be easy."

Barry considered this for a moment, then nodded. "If it's the best shot we have, I'm in. What do we need to do?"

Oliver responded. "We go to the one person no one would expect us to go to."

At the FBI

Barry and Oliver sat across from an FBI agent, Agent Samantha Watson, who was listening intently.

Oliver leaned forward. "So far, Ricardo Diaz has been unstoppable. He's aligned himself with the most powerful criminal organization in the country. He controls Star City's government, its infrastructure, and its police force."

Barry nodded. "We can't stop him on our own."

Watson raised an eyebrow. "And when you say you can't stop him, are you speaking as the former Mayor or as someone else?"

Barry and Oliver exchanged a glance and shook their heads.

Watson folded her arms. "You want my help? I'm going to need two things from you. First, I need you to say the words."

Oliver took a deep breath. "I am the Green Arrow."

Barry followed. "I am the Flash."

Watson smirked. "And the truth shall set you free."

Barry asked, "What's the second thing?