View source for 11061/State's Witness Comes With It's Own Problems

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2020/02/13
|Location=New Lots NYC and Manhattan, NYC
|Synopsis=Oliver's legal help gets Vanessa a deal to turn state's witness. But Yu Phun's men pressure her to not testify.
|Cast of Characters=8143,181
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:8143|Vanessa Carlysle (8143)}} has posed:'''<br>Being back in her apartment felt good. It was the first time since Vanessa Carlysle been arrested at the penthouse of drug dealer Yu Phun, that she had been home. Vanessa closes the door and locks each of the series of four locks. Then unlocks and re-locks each of them one-by-one to satisfy herself they were secured.<br><br>The public defender had done nothing to inspire confidence. It took her correcting him twice for him to get her name right. From the start he was mainly interesting in what kind of plea bargain he could get. Her protestation she was innocent got a bit of a surprised look from him before launching back into the benefits of pleading out.<br><br>The arrival of a new lawyer had come as a surprise. Let alone one who is both celebrity and superhero. Vanessa had jumped to approve the change in representation when she found out some charity was funding it.<br><br>It had proven a good choice. A meeting with the D.A. had yielded an offer to drop all charges in exchange for her testimony. Which Vanessa had accepted. "Try to stay out of such things," she murmurs to herself as she heads for the bathroom, anxious for a shower that isn't taken in a tiled communal room. The last thing she wants it to get on any criminal's bad side. But there's not much she can do.<br><br>Vanessa heads into the bathroom and takes a long, hot shower before finally emerging, getting dressed, and starting to try to make sense of her life again.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:181|Green Arrow (181)}} has posed:'''<br>Oliver has been staying in New York for the time being even if his business errands are at an end. Rotschild Electronics merging is close to completion, a success but not one that he can fully celebrate. He has been worried. Worried about the threat to Starling still being a problem, worried about a certain woman that has been caught in the middle of all this.<br><br>So it is without surprise that he has been following how events unfold closely. Speaking with Jennifer had been a success, and perhaps she had figured him out for Green Arrow. He wouldn't expect less from her, and maybe not a problem as maybe he will need her help in the future. One never knows.<br><br>With the agreement to keep them appraised on the details of the case being accepted means Horton has news for him. Oliver arrives at the office, "Horton, good evening. I am told you had news?" his expression shows calm, even if inside he is eager to know what has transpired.<br><br>Making sense of her life may have to go to the back burner in the meantime though. A knock is heard on the door that she has locked a while ago. A slow, constant knock, then a wait. Doesn't sound like the typical knock of any of the neighbors that can sometimes come over.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:8143|Vanessa Carlysle (8143)}} has posed:'''<br>Horton looks up. "Mr. Queen. Oh yes, I have some things for you. Sent them along to you but your assistant, what is his last name? Well, Ellis anyway, he said to make printouts for you," Horton says, sliding an binder over to Oliver and opening it up. "So the good news is, she agreed to testify in exchange for all charges being dropped. And has been released," Horton says.<br><br>He flips through looking for a page, though Oliver will spot one that includes Vanessa Carlysle's personal information including an address and cell phone number, before the page is moved past. "She just needs to show up and testify. Sounds like they tossed her a packet of the drugs as she walked in, likely to get her fingerprints on them. The fact that the other drugs bear no prints, nor does the case itself, was a suspicious fact that suggests they wiped down everything but the one they tossed to her. So it seems she probably is indeed innocent," Horton says. There might be the impression he didn't think she was until finding that out.<br><br>Meanwhile, Vanessa hears the knock on the door. She's wearing shorts and a faded Cleveland Browns t-shirt. She feels a bit of tension as she moves over to a cabinet and pulls out a small pistol. Her revolver she had with her in her purse was confiscated by the police. Registered, but still being held as evidence. With her backup she walks over to the door, keeping the gun down at her side as she peeks through the peephole. "Yes? Who is it?" she calls through the door.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:181|Green Arrow (181)}} has posed:'''<br>Printouts, of course. That name being mentioned makes Oliver tsk. Ellis can be a blessing sometimes but others..., just such a stickler to the rules. It takes in a breath and smiles faintly. "Ellis, yes." Oliver takes the binder, blue gaze roaming over it in a glance. He is not exactly reading it in detail, but more paying attention to what Horton says. He replies. "So it was too doubtful of an accusation that they decided to use her as a witness. Of course this also means the true culprits won't be too interested that she testifies." this last part almost like he is speaking to himself.<br><br>His eyes do take note of her address though, even if the contact number goes too fast for him. Not exactly too far from here. "Has she been released without any kind of police protection?" he questions Horton, tapping a finger to the table in thought.<br><br>While Vanessa is getting the gun the knock comes again. A lazy, rhytmical knock. Eery? Maybe. Through the peephole two men are noticeable, one wearing a beanie hat, leather jacket, crooked nose and a scar. Perhaps a boxer in years past? He is the one talking. "Vanesssa?" the way he says the name is not in a friendly manner. "Finally we get to talk. How was your stay with the boys in blue?"<br><br>Next to him is a young asian man, smiling while the other talks. He seems amused.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:8143|Vanessa Carlysle (8143)}} has posed:'''<br>Vanessa's body tenses as she sees the unfamiliar men. And worse when she hears them. She swallows and considers edging the gun's safety off. But her training with the firearm is enough that she just confirms its location in case she has to change it quickly.<br><br>"Who are you?" she calls again, leaning lightly against the door and her eye to the peephole. Neither of the men look familiar to her. But then if they are from Yu Phun he probably wouldn't send men she could identify, none of the guards he had at the penthouse that night. "What do you want?" she calls again, though she can already guess the answer.<br><br>Back at the lawyer's office, Horton nods his head to Oliver at the question about her being used as a witness. "Yes, I understand she was rather well-spoken and confident. The kind of witness you want on your side of the case, not the other," he says. Horton leans a bit forward towards and says softly, "Bit of a looker too from what I saw of her. That never hurts, right?" he says with a bit of a grin. The grin fades after a moment as the young beanpole of a lawyer seems to consider whether he should have said that. "Um, right, so... no, case like this, they wouldn't assign any protection. Not unless there was a definite threat."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:181|Green Arrow (181)}} has posed:'''<br>No, they certainly don't resemble any of the guards Yu Phun had that night. But it doesn't mean they aren't scary in their own manner. One with their silence, the other with the malicious smile offered when he hears the voice so close to the door. He most likely figures Vanessa may be looking through the peephole, looking directly at it and showing mismatched teeth in what he attempts to pass along as a 'smile'. "We are here looking for your welfare." his voice oozing out. "Making sure you do the right move. You know what I am talking about.."<br><br>A pause, he will let her answer, a large fingertip grazing over the door and then over the peephole.<br><br>Poor Horton is probably losing points on the promotion he has been craving for, but ah well, noone's perfect. Oliver looks at him directly after he speaks. "We are talking about someone who may be in danger. It was your job to make sure that the judge understood there could be a definite threat to her wellbeing." perhaps not exactly his fault, but Oliver needs to vent nonetheless. Fine, he will handle things in his own way. But this also means he will have to go and meet her. Though is that a bad thing? He has been wanting to do so for a while. In fact, it has been a prominent issue on his mind as of late.<br><br>"Keep me posted on further developments, Horton." He turns, starting to walk out and down to his car. Time to go to a certain NYC neighborhood. Being night means he probably won't get too much traffic.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:8143|Vanessa Carlysle (8143)}} has posed:'''<br>Horton gets a sheepish look. "I'm sorry, Mr. Queen. I messed that one up..." he says. His mind fumbles about for an answer. "Maybe... or... well that would take a continuance and a few weeks," he says, looking away from Oliver and lost in his legal thoughts as Oliver goes to do something about it.<br><br>Horton turns back. "Oh, maybe..." he says before trailing off and realizing he's speaking to an empty office. "Sir?"<br><br>Back at the low-end, rent-controlled apartment in the run down neighborhood of New Lots, Vanessa is definitely creeped out by the man. Somehow the little Asian is the one that gets to her the most. Though as the man runs his finger along the door by the peephole, she can't stop herself from slightly recoiling as if it were here that the man was touching.<br><br>"Look I didn't want anything to do with this," she says through the door, her voice taking on a note of desperation. If she doesn't testify, the deal is off and she'll go on trial for the felony drug possession. Though the effective lawyer said they could likely beat the charge, there was always a chance of getting some jury who wanted to be tough on the war of drugs rather than worry about justice.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:181|Green Arrow (181)}} has posed:'''<br>Weeks! If Oliver was just a suit he may take that answer, blindly believe in legal justice. But he has been around enough to know that doesn't work all the time. That's why he exists, his Green Arrow persona. She-Hulk mentioned vigilantes being in the pursuit of vengeance, but that's not entirely true. They also protect others when the system fails.<br><br>He slams the door on his SUV close and starts driving. No Diggle today, all by himself. <br><br>The asian is often on the outskirts of that peephole, just part of his profile showing and only from time to time. His smile is malicious, intent. Someone that knows Yu Phun? Most likely, maybe even a subordinate. And if they do well here..., going up in the organization. It's all he wants, to work with the mistress. And if he has to threaten or worse to some woman? He will do that without hesitation.<br><br>The boxer's voice is heard again, "But you diiiid, Vanessaaa." the man likes drawing out his voice. "Noone gets released so fast if they didn't sing. And we hate singers, don't we?" a look to the asian man, then another light knock on the door. "Do we need to make you stop singing?"<br><br>Ding. That's the sound of the elevator that comes up to Vanessa's floor. Oliver is inside it. He opens the elevator door and begins stepping out.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:8143|Vanessa Carlysle (8143)}} has posed:'''<br>Vanessa's thoughts race through her head. Imagining after just being released, what would happen if she ends up in an altercation she actually has to use her gun. "They realized they didn't have anything on me," she lies. She presses herself partially up against the door, hand on the thick wood as she looks back through the peephole. <br><br>The little Asian man is giving her the creeps. It's not his race. Just that expression on his face. The other one she knows would work her over. But he looks like he's savoring an opportunity to do... Vanessa doesn't even want to speculate what.<br><br>She pushes back from the door to get away from him, no longer able to see. "Just leave me alone, please," she says. She swallows. She could go to April's after they leave. April's away on assignment but Vanessa's got a key and-<br><br>"Sweety," the boxer's voice comes through the door. "We're gonna talk. Wherever. Here. Over at the hotshit journalist's place where you stay. That's the good thing, people around here? They talk," he says, leaving Vanessa's makeshift plans in ruins. The farm? Would they know about it? But she doesn't even know how to get there.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:181|Green Arrow (181)}} has posed:'''<br>"And where it comes to talkin' about a sweet little thing like you? Well, they sing..!" Then an harsh of a laugh, more of rasp really the man most likely having gotten a few too many punches when he was an active boxer. And now here he is, being a thug to some drug dealers. But it's short lived. A voice is heard.<br><br>"Good evening." A distinct difference from the accent the other man bears, certainly not a New Yorker. "Is there a problem here?" Oliver has his shoulders squared, in a suit but his build is visible, that of a man that knows a thing or two if needed. It's not as if the small asian is too daunted. He frowns, starting to turn but -- A tap from the boxer.<br><br>"Hey, they ain't payin' me enough for this, I am sure she got the message." then another tap on the door. "See you later, Vanesssaa.." the man begins to walk away along with the asian.<br><br>Oliver steps aside, watching them through a stern, icy gaze. He says nothing but doesn't lower his guard. Good thing that they didn't attack him though! He is just a business man, he could had been in danger!<br><br>The two men get into the elevator and close the door, leaving Ollie alone on Vanessa's floor. He waits until they are gone.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:8143|Vanessa Carlysle (8143)}} has posed:'''<br>Vanessa is backed away from the door, which makes it a little tougher to hear. Oliver's words are too muffled to make out as he's further away. So she only hears a bit of what the thug says, and then his departing words.<br><br>She waits, hearing the little chime of the elevator. Slowly she creeps back forward to the door and peeps through the peephole, trying to look to either side but not seeing the remaining man where he's still nearer to the elevator.<br><br>"God I didn't think they were going to leave," she says, checking the safety on the gun again to make sure it won't fire. Vanessa's hand shakes badly as the rush of adrenaline is leaving her. She turns to the door, slowly unlocking each lock. The two deadbolts. The chain. The one on the door handle. It must sound like a bank making ready to open the vault before the door finally cracks open and Vanessa's head slowly peeks out.<br><br>She finally spots the man out there. Vanessa's jaw drops open and she straightens from where she was crouched a bit to peek out. Stepping halfway into the doorway, she gapes at the man. "Oliver?" she says slowly, voice carrying her sense of disbelief at seeing the man from the diner that she danced with.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:181|Green Arrow (181)}} has posed:'''<br>Oliver has been watching the elevator, making sure they are gone. But in a way he knows thugs, aware that they are done for tonight. Their aim was terror, and from what he heard when he was getting here..., they probably achieved that. It makes him grit his teeth in near-anger. Maybe he should--<br><br>He listens to the locks beginning to open. Turning he faces the door, his hands resting to his sides. He stays in the middle of the corridor for now, not wanting to scare Vanessa when she eventually opens the door.<br><br>His blue gaze is on her face when she peeks out, watching her expression and posture. His first words aren't a greeting, or anything superfluous. A question that shows his worry instead. "Are you well?" a gesture towards her, "I should had been here sooner."<br><br>He doesn't ask to come in, not right after what just went down.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:8143|Vanessa Carlysle (8143)}} has posed:'''<br>The trembling that had taken her hand before coming out comes back and full force. Vanessa's body gives a few small shakes and then she's running forward to Oliver, throwing her arms around him and hugging him about as tightly as she can.<br><br>Assuming he hugs her back, for those first few seconds she just lets the feeling of having him there fill her. Eventually she says a bit breathless. "Oliver Just. I think I named you true," she tells says.<br><br>It will take a few more seconds for her to let go. Maybe let go is not the correct term. Loosen up. Enough to lean back and look at him. She rubs the back of a hand across one of her eyes. "I'm well. Now. I just... what are you... how did you..." she says.<br><br>She finally seems to decide remaining in the hallway is unwise. The men could come back. And she has a gun in hand. Last thing she needs is some visitor freaking out. "Come inside," she says, taking Oliver's hand and leading him into the apartment if he's willing to come.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:181|Green Arrow (181)}} has posed:'''<br>For a moment there is that ..., is there a gun in her hand? And she runs towards him. But his instinct tells him he is in no danger, not from her. His arms curl about Vanessa's form when it reaches him, squeezing her to him before relaxing and letting her be there for as long as she wishes. Oliver's own demeanor, so grim after what he just witnessed seems to ease up a notch.<br><br>"Not exactly true." He says of the name Oliver Just, his chest letting out a slow exhale.<br><br>He allows his hand to be taken and begins to walk inside her apartment. "But if anything you deserve an explanation out of me." his voice is solemn, apologetic perhaps. Yet also determined in keeping this woman protected.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:8143|Vanessa Carlysle (8143)}} has posed:'''<br>Vanessa Carlysle closes the door and locks each of the locks. It is almost a physical strain, after having been in the danger, not to unlock and relock them, but she is conscious of Oliver standing there. She glances down at the gun though and moves over to put it in a drawer. "Sorry, about..." she says, nodding towards the drawer.<br><br>Vanessa turns back to Oliver, her arms lifting so her hands can give her face a little scrub as if to help clear her head. After that's done, she just looks over at him. "Oliver," she says softly. Her eyes dart about him. Over his face and down to his torso and back up again. Like she's confirming it's really him.<br><br>Vanessa gives a soft clearing of her throat. "Yes. That would probably be a good place to start," she tells him. "Whiskey? I'm having whiskey," she adds, walking over to a cabinet and pulling out a bottle of cheap whiskey. She gets out two glasses, Oliver will have to be fast to stop her from pouring him one. Though he has more time as her hand starts trembling hard enough she's going to spill it if she tries to pour like that.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:181|Green Arrow (181)}} has posed:'''<br>Oliver hasn't stayed put. Once they are inside, and Vanessa busies herself with the locks, the man is already striding towards a window. He stops in the shadow of it and looks outside, his jaw set and he watching the street. "It won't take long for them to be back." yes, he noticed the look on the asian's face. It was the look of a man that wouldn't be satisfied until the work was done. But he doesn't go into a verbal explanation of why so as to not panic Vanessa even further. She seems already scared enough as it is.<br><br>His blue gaze turns back to her once he hears his name, taking a step away from the window. "How long would you take to pack a few things to leave for a while?" And that's Ollie, always thinking in practical terms. He takes a moment to have a glance around the apartment but then Vanessa goes for the whiskey....<br><br>He steps over to her, a calloused hand resting atop hers when it starts trembling, steadying it. He won't stop her from having a whiskey, even if he won't have one himself.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:8143|Vanessa Carlysle (8143)}} has posed:'''<br>The man's hand over hers steadies Vanessa enough she can pour. She doesn't totally overdo it, but it's a healthy sized glass. She pours both and then sets the bottle down uncapped. The young woman looks up at Oliver, those sloe, dark eyes that had gazed up at him while dancing to the diner's jukebox are full of questions. But also other emotions that take precedence. <br><br>"A few minutes," she tells Oliver, picking up her glass and taking three swallows from it before setting it back down. She refocuses on Oliver for a moment, and a hand reaches over to rest on the outer curve of his shoulder. It's not unlike where her hand was when the dance first began that night. "You came back," she murmurs, and then moves away towards the other room.<br><br>"I'll throw a bag together," she tells him. She already has one overnight bag that is always ready to go. But she will want more than that. Vanessa heads into the bedroom, moving quickly, but with that same sway she had the last time Oliver had seen her, leaving to head to the restroom.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:181|Green Arrow (181)}} has posed:'''<br>This isn't the type of man to look away when a woman looks at him so, Ollie's blue eyes settled on her dark ones. He tries for a faint smile now, a reassuring one, or at least he hopes so. But being again in her presence means there are other emotions that surface as well, other than his protective nature.<br><br>"It took me a bit to find my way." He admits in a solemn manner, the hand on his shoulder almost like a silent invitation for their dance to continue, as if it had never stopped. Focus, Oliver!<br><br>When Vanessa moves away to the bedroom to start putting on the bag together he looks at her and ...., okkkk, maybe he will have that drink now. He picks up the glass of whiskey that had been poured for him, taking a long drink from it. And now he takes a moment to look around her apartment while waiting. "I have been following what happened up at that penthouse a few nights back.." he starts to explain.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:8143|Vanessa Carlysle (8143)}} has posed:'''<br>The apartment looks a little nicer than the building did on the way in. The security gate at the door was working, but not too hard for Oliver to get past. Inside, the elevator had an out of order sign that was itself aged enough to suggest it hasn't been working in a long time. The stairwell up to Vanessa's third floor apartment had two lights burned out, making footing a little uncertain in those places.<br><br>A couple of holes could be seen in the hallway walls, and the flooring in some places had the carpet and padding beneath pulled out completely leaving just bare floor exposed. However, Vanessa's apartment looks freshly painted, and there aren't any holes in the wall or other signs of such problems.<br><br>Vanessa's voice calls from the bedroom. "Well. I'm glad you did." There are sounds of rustling in there, and then Vanessa emerges to head into the bathroom, bare feet padding softly, long legs left bare by the shorts traversing the short distance in just a step or two. She has a bag in hand and goes in, just emptying the medicine cabinet and other things into the bag with sweeps of her hand. "I'll just be another minute or two. Throw on something warm," she says, coming back out of the bathroom. Her eyes sweep over Oliver in far more than a glance, enough to slow her for a moment before she returns into the bedroom to pack more things.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:181|Green Arrow (181)}} has posed:'''<br>Cheap whiskey. Ufff, it had been a while since Oliver had it. But appropriate for tonight. He drains his glass and puts it away, exhaling softly. It was sloppy of him. He normally has a plan, but he had not considered retaliation, so focused he was in having her out. This also means he will have to improvise, but that is something he can do well.<br><br>While Vanessa does her thing on the bedroom Oliver brings out his phone, typing on it. Waldorf-Astoria. He has part of a floor booked for him and his people. It will be easy enough to get another room. And it means he will be close in case anything happens, along with his security team.<br><br>His eyes stray up when Vanessa comes walking out and over to the bathroom, trying to mainly stay in her face than roaming. No matter how hard that might be. "We will go to the Waldorf-Astoria. I have booked a room." a pause, "Now, as I was saying, I followed what happened one could say very closely. This matter is of an interest to me." but he leaves it vague enough.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:8143|Vanessa Carlysle (8143)}} has posed:'''<br>Vanessa comes out with two bags over a shoulder, and an old beat up suitcase on rollers that wobble like they are trying to visibly complain to the world of the strain they have been put through. "The Waldorf," Vanessa says, taking the news in stride but there are also the subtle signs it made an impression on her.<br><br>Vanessa looks over to the whiskey, still some in her glass, but doesn't make a move for it. She walks over, weighed down a bit by the bags but handling them well enough. Her eyes take in the sight of Oliver again. "Ok," she says, nodding and an expression of gratitude showing for Oliver.<br><br>She seems to consider his mentioning the matter is of interest to him, but it doesn't take long before there are notes that she's pleased to hear this. She doesn't delve into the details. At least not yet. "Shall we get out of here before they return?" she says.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:181|Green Arrow (181)}} has posed:'''<br>And details don't really seem to matter now. Oliver steps over to help in sharing the burden of the bags, or at least of that suitcase. "May I?" he asks in that polite manner of his, waiting for her to hand over the bags to him. He won't mind if all are delivered to him, he is sturdy enough to handle it.<br><br>He will then walk to the door, pausing to take a look out of the peephole just to make sure there isn't a surprise waiting outside.<br><br>"Let's go." He wears a suit, with all the look of a business man but this whole situation doesn't seem to be disturbing him too much, almost as if he was used to danger already. As if there were more layers to him than just being another suit. "Lovely home. Hopefully you will be able to return soon, once this matter is settled." again that reassuring, firm tone. And perhaps some caring to it, however subtle it may be. When the door is opened he will lead the way downstairs, towards his SUV.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:8143|Vanessa Carlysle (8143)}} has posed:'''<br>Vanessa's eyes stay on Oliver's face even as she passes the unruly suitcase over. It is a gamble whether it's better to roll it or carry it at any given moment. The woman follows along behind Oliver, though as he is checking the door she's slipping the gun from the drawer and into one of the bags over her shoulder.<br><br>She follows along then with a quick step. Vanessa added a pair of warm leggings and a sweatshirt. She moves to catch up, closing the door and locking it, though the way she looks at it before leaving, she probably expects it will be broken into by the time she returns.<br><br>"Thanks. A friend paid for a contractor to fix the holes in the wall and paint it," she comments to Oliver as she gives up on her apartment and follows him down the dimly lit stairs. "Watch your step. The rats tend to scurry and can get underfoot if you're not careful," she tells him. Soon they are down and out of the building and over to his car. Vanessa loads up her bags and then will climb in.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:181|Green Arrow (181)}} has posed:'''<br>Smart. Oliver fully expects her to carry the gun given the situation. In fact he is still considering on how to exactly explain it without exposing him being the vigilante that broke into her room. But well, his justice fund does take care of such matters, even if it's horribly convenient that they chose -exactly- her case. No matter.<br><br>He doesn't miss a beat, or a step, at the mention of rats, continuing on at a quick, firm pace down the stairs. As the building is left behind they soon reach an SUV, windows darkened. He opens the trunk, placing the suitcase inside and waits for her to put the bags in before moving to the driver's seat. "This wasn't exactly how I imagined meeting you again." he says, perhaps trying to clear the tension in the air a bit. Stepping inside though whatever he was going to say next is interrupted by an incoming call.<br><br>"Oliver, where are you? I noticed you renting another room at our floor?"<br><br>"Hello, John. You are on speaker. I am with Ms. Carlysle." He says calmly. "The room is for her."<br><br>Some silence for a time and then, "Very well. I will have security reinforced. Let me know if anything else is needed." the call gets terminated.<br><br>He then says to Vanessa. "John Diggle. He is my right-hand man. A bit zealous at times, but I can't fault him." He drives through the streets, aimed towards the Waldorf.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:8143|Vanessa Carlysle (8143)}} has posed:'''<br>Vanessa waits for Oliver to get into the car, eyes following him. "I'll have to ask later how you were imagining that, then," she comments in an everyday tone. She looks away finally, not wanting to let on how much she'd been imagining seeing him again. Even if expecting it would never happen. Up until being arrested. That rather pulled her focus from other thoughts.<br><br>Vanessa fastens her seatbelt as they pull out. She glance towards the phone briefly as Oliver has the conversation with John Diggle. "It sounds like he's a capable person," she says with a small nod. She seems to be taking all of it quite well. Oliver's sudden reappearance out of the blue. That she's being whisked away from her home, and the threat that awaits her there.<br><br>"So, you probably want to know what those guys were doing at my door," she says, not seeming to realize he has any idea of what has been happening to her. She looks away so he doesn't easily see her reluctance to tell that tale.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:181|Green Arrow (181)}} has posed:'''<br>Which is a rather good question. How did he imagine meeting her again? That leaves him musing on it, lips pressed to a thin line that to some may seem almost like a brooding frown. Yes, he has those sometime! It also makes him drive in silence for a time longer, focused on the driving, making sure they aren't followed. Maybe he is a professional, one of those bodyguard types. At least he seems a natural.<br><br>"More than capable." The tone genuine, and some actually real affection when he speaks of the man. Clearly a bond that has been going for a while now. But then he is looking at her from time to time, the way she takes this is a bit of a surprise to him, he was expecting near panic, but instead she seems calm. He seems to appreciate that, sharing a smile at her.<br><br>"I have read the file. I am aware, Vanessa." And yet there isn't any hint of judgement on his tone about it, his focus appearing to be her safety and well-being. "The Queen Justice Fund was quite accomodating to my request." And then they are reaching the Waldorf. He stops the car near the entrance, a valet running over and when he is opening the door says. "Mr. Queen. Welcome back. May I take your car?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:8143|Vanessa Carlysle (8143)}} has posed:'''<br>Vanessa watches the city pass by as the expensive SUV covers the distance from the meanest parts of New York, to the nicest. The engine could be said to purr, but honestly it is insulated enough against the road noise that that might be an overstatement. Leaving Vanessa to contemplate the passing buildings, though in reality her thoughts are more with the vehicle's driver.<br><br>One of Vanessa's eyebrows goes up slightly at the mention of the file, not seeming to follow until the charity that paid for her lawyer is mentioned. Before she can ask though, Oliver has pulled up to the hotel famed for it's opulence. Her own door is opened by a second valet, and Vanessa is just giving him a smile when she hears how Oliver is greeted.<br><br>She climbs out of the SUV, nodding to the valet as he unloads the two bags and the suitcase and loads them onto a little baggage cart. Vanessa walks around the front of the car to rejoin Oliver. She doesn't say anything about his name. Not yet. Just looks to him and is ready to follow him into the hotel. Her simple leggings and sweatshirt not exactly the standard of attire the place usually attracts. Though the young woman from New Lots has a poise and posture that somehow, one could imagine she belonged just the same.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:181|Green Arrow (181)}} has posed:'''<br>The second valet takes note of that clothing, even if no comment is made. He is paid well enough not to and if anything they are top-notch professionals at this place. He moves the cart ahead of both Oliver and Vanessa while they begin their way into the hotel, Oliver delivering his car keys to the first valet. "Thank you, Francis." a first name is always a nice touch and really, it seems as if he is the considering type. Though in truth, valets always know the best gossip. It's good to connect.<br><br>They walk past the lobby, not stopped at all besides a nod from a man by the counter and then they enter the elevators. Quite the contrast to the building they were at just a while back. Oliver stays silent enough for now, or at least until they have company. And they have that lovely elevator music to keep them entertained.<br><br>But at last they reach their floor, not the top one but close enough. When they step out there are a couple of security men nearby, watching both Oliver and Vanessa, Oliver nodding to them, "A guest, treat her as if it was me you were tending to."<br><br>And then they finally reach a door. He swipes an electronic card over the lock, it opening and he gestures. "After you." certainly she will have her own set of questions.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:8143|Vanessa Carlysle (8143)}} has posed:'''<br>Vanessa glances around the hotel's interior, never having seen it before other than in the occasional movie. She can't help but think of the last time she had to tell one of the other girls with her head in the clouds that Pretty Woman is just a movie. <br><br>She glances over to Oliver during the elevator ride up. As the door chimes and opens, she comments, "Working elevator. Nice addition," towards him with a faint smile before she walks out, glancing at the security men and giving each a small nod before following Oliver to the room.<br><br>Once he holds the door for her, she walks inside, looking around the room's gorgeous decor. Though it doesn't hold Vanessa's attention for long. She turns back to face Oliver. "Oliver Just. White Knight. Getting warmer," she repeats their exchange from their conversation in the diner. "Not a knight but a Queen, then?" she asks him.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:181|Green Arrow (181)}} has posed:'''<br>It's only when the door closes behind him that Oliver allows himself to relax, or at least from the threat that was lingering on them. Because now the questions will come. Complications. But he would have to face them sooner or later, if he had any hope of meeting the woman again. He takes the bags and suitcase from the cart, busying himself with that while he considers what to say. <br><br>"We never got to the end of that dance. It had not been my intention to hide my name." he says, "But yes, Oliver Queen. The one from Starling City."<br><br>But then a faint smile coming to his lips. "Though I can't say that Oliver Just doesn't sound fine, if perhaps a touch pretencious."<br><br>Then a look around the room, perhaps checking if everything is up to standard. "This was very short notice, you will have to let me know if anything isn't of your liking in the room."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:8143|Vanessa Carlysle (8143)}} has posed:'''<br>Vanessa walks over a little closer but still stopping a short distance from the man who disappeared on her that night. Left while she was in the restroom. Only to show back up suddenly during her moment of crisis. "And the lawyer," she says softly, to herself, realizing he was the one who got her out.<br><br>Vanessa looks back up to Oliver and nods slowly. She looks around the luxurious room and says, "I think I can manage. Thank you, Oliver Queen," she tells him. She finally walks over to him, and leans up to brush a soft kiss to his cheek before turning to settle her bags into the room.<br> <br>
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