Disclaimer: CW/DC own these characters. I'm only borrowing them for a while. I own the original ideas found in this.

Summary: Basically takes place instead of episode 3 x 1. After an unsuccessful three months trying to apprehend Al Sa-her, Ra's al Ghul decides to send his best tracker, his daughter Nyssa Raatko, and Ta'er Sa'fir to find and bring him back to Nanda Parbat.

AN: Yes, another plot bunny caught and spoke to me. Yes, Nanda Parbat still catches my interest. Here's another story that will hopefully fix some of the errors I see in Season Three. At least two of the biggest ones, Sara getting killed and why Ra's becomes interested in Oliver. If you are especially feeling kind, leave me a review of what you think. Always appreciated!

Ra's al Ghul sat on his golden, high-back chair, staring into space. The opulence of his throne room didn't catch his eye as he pondered the newest situation. The red velvet drapes on the windows, the lush carpet in hues of brown had lost the ability of drawing his attention years ago. He had a problem he needed to deal with, and it confounded him as to why it remained a problem for so long. Normally, any person the League searched for was apprehended within two weeks. Occasionally a month. Not four months. Four very long months the man in question had eluded the searchers Ra's had sent after him.

Al Sa-her had been a problem, a headache, for most of the time Ra's has known of his existence, having arrived at Nanda Parbat, all those years ago, a flabby businessman who was heartbroken over the death of his wife. He wanted to leave his old life behind and become someone stronger. So Ra's made sure that happened. The man was schooled in the ways of the League, and he was a good student. However, once he had learned all he could, Ra's' newest recruit surprised Ra's one day by asking for permission to return to his home. Al Sa-her mentioned his ten-year-old son who he had left behind. Ra's asked him why he hadn't mentioned this son at the time of his arrival at Nanda Parbat, or at any point within the past two years. Al Sa-her simply answered he had been too distraught with grief at the time to even think about his son, much less care for him. But, now that he had recovered, Al Sa-her spoke of his regret at leaving his son without a father, after losing his mother. He needed to return to his young son, regrettably of course. However, he begged the indulgence of the Master in allowing him to leave.

Ra's debated the situation. Because Al Sa-her's remarkable talents had so impressed the leader, Ra's had considered making an exception, promoting Al Sa-her to a position usually not given to outsiders, as one of his lieutenants.

In the end, Ra's had decided to allow the Magician's release so he could return to his son, without being aware the sole reason for Al Sa-her joining the League was to learn how to avenge his dead wife. This man, this traitor, went on to destroy half a city, killing hundreds of innocent people, with the knowledge gained by infiltrating the League. The anger Ra's had felt for such a betrayal justified the decision that Al Sa-her deserved to suffer much for the disobeying of League law.

But because of his league training, and the natural intelligence he possessed, Al Sa-her hadn't been found. Yet. But with his daughter, the most talented tracker of the League, looking for him, it would only be a matter of a few more days until Al Sa-her was found and brought back to Nanda Parbat for his punishment.

Having reached the decision to send Nyssa to capture Al Sa-her, Ra's sent for his daughter. Nyssa entered the throne room, her posture impeccable, and bowed before her father. "Good evening, Father. You requested to speak with me?"

"Yes, Daughter. As you know, Al Sa-her has somehow continued to escape capture by our best trackers. I did not want to place you in such a position, but I need your assistance. I wish you to return to the city of Starling and capture him yourself."

She nodded. "I understand Father. He is quite the talented chameleon, thus his League name, as well you know."

Her father nodded to her slowly. "You will leave as soon as you are ready. Preferably in the morning."

"Father, I do have one request."

"What is it, my daughter?"

"I believe Ta-er Sa-fir would be a great asset in this quest. It is her hometown, after all and she knows Al Sa-her personally."

Ra's considered Nyssa as he thought over her request. "I was not aware of the second detail. Interesting."

Nyssa waited silently as her father considered her proposal. "Yes, I will allow Ta-er Sa-fir to accompany you. On one condition. Ta-er Sa-fir needs to understand she is to return to us this time. I will not tolerate any further disobedience from her regarding this if she again stays in Starling without my permission."

Nyssa nodded, her face solemn. "Yes, Father, I understand. It will not be a problem."

~~OQ~~OQ~~OQ~~

Sara leaped across rooftops, parkouring her way across town. She and Nyssa had been in town for a week, without making much progress in tracking Al Sa-her. She didn't understand how Merlyn managed to stay hidden from them, but it probably had a lot to do with his business associates. Running out of ideas, and needing a respite, Sara asked Nyssa if she could spend the evening with her family. Nyssa had agreed, understanding Sara's need to see them. It ended up being a very nice visit, and Sara's mind was full of thoughts about them as she made her way through the city.

As she was rapidly walking across one of the rooftops, she heard her name. Sara turned, and was surprised to see Oliver's sister Thea, dressed in League clothes, the hood up but her face unveiled. However, there appeared to be something strange about the younger woman. Her eyes didn't have the lively glow in them like they usually did. Especially when looking at an old friend. Before Sara knew it, Thea had taken an arrow out of the quiver on her shoulder, raised her bow, and quickly fired, followed by two more arrows.

Sara, being the experienced fighter, usually would not have been caught off guard. However, the shock of seeing a family friend, especially someone as young as Thea, trying to kill her, threw her concentration off. Before she could react, however, a whirl of activity flew in front of her, and Nyssa was there with two swords, batting the arrows away from Sara as if they were badminton flies. Before she could react, Sara watched as Thea presumably jumped to the ground below.

Suddenly, Sara became unfrozen, and leaped to the edge of the building. She was prepared to rappel down to follow Thea, but looking around, she no longer saw her. Nyssa appeared next to her, scanning the nearby area as well.

"How could she disappear so fast?" Sara asked, not hiding her consternation.

"I do not know, Beloved. Who is she?"

"Oliver Queen's younger sister. As far as I know, she's never had any training. Or know anyone from the League."

"Apparently, she has, and she does. My guess would be Al Sa-her. Some of her moves I recognize as his."

Sara looked at her lover, confusion clearly showing in her eyes. "How would she…" Her eyes got a far-away look, and her lips clenched together in a tight line.

"What is it, Beloved?"

"Thea has apparently been away from Starling since Slade's siege. Oliver believed she was travelling the world." Looking again at the spot where Thea had disappeared, she added, "I guess we were all wrong. She has been with Malcolm all this time."

"Her eyes looked like one who has been drugged with Votura," Nyssa said.

"What's Votura?"

"A hallucinogenic used in brain washing. It can bend the will of whoever takes it. It is one of Al Sa-her's favorite tools."

Sara brought her hands to her face and drew her long hair away from her face. She blew out her breath in frustration. "What a mess. And I didn't want to tell Oliver we were in town. With this, though, we have to."

"Why, Beloved? You said he would only get in the way."

Sara also asked herself why. However, she didn't want to risk Oliver's anger if they kept something like this from him. Not only that, he had experience fighting Malcolm. It could prove useful after all.

"With this new development, I think it would be more of a hindrance if we try to keep this from him. Besides, I think he would now be useful in catching Al Sa-her."

"If you think so, Beloved. Lead the way."

~~OQ~~OQ~~OQ~~

Oliver arrived at the Lair early. He wanted to get in a workout before the rest of the team arrived. He opened the door and began to descend the stairs when something didn't feel right. Pausing, he stopped to listen, for he was only a third of the way down the stairs. Pulling his gun out, which he had begun to carry, he slowly descended until he could view the workstation below. He put down the gun and sighed in relief as he realized the unexpected visitors were Sara and Nyssa.

Truth be told, Oliver wasn't too pleased seeing Nyssa, but realizing it was bound to happen now that Sara had returned to the League, he planted a smile on his face as he approached them.

"Sara! Why didn't you let us know you were back in town?"

At the exchange of glances between the two women, Oliver got a cold chill. "Is something wrong?" he asked, splitting his attention between the two women.

"Sit down, Ollie."

Oliver took a seat facing the two assassins at the computer work area. "What's up?"

"Nyssa and I have been in town for several weeks." As Oliver was about to interrupt, Sara held out her hand. "Please let me tell you all of it first." Oliver nodded. "Ra's, the leader of the League, sent us here to apprehend Malcolm Merlyn."

Sara pressed her lips together as Oliver processed what she had said. A puzzled look crossed his face. "Malcolm? Surely you could've told this Ra's, if he hadn't heard from someone else, that I had killed Malcolm five months ago."

"Actually not."

"Actually not what? I didn't kill him? I was there, Sara, I stabbed him straight in the heart. I left him as he was dying."

"I don't know what happened, Ollie. I don't know if he faked his death, or he recovered quickly, or what he did to fool everyone. He must have had assistance from someone. I don't know, but…Ra's got the information from a reliable source that Malcolm indeed is still alive. She saw him herself."

"She?" The color drained from Oliver's face. "Who was it?" he slowly asked.

"Your mother."

Sara and Nyssa watched as Oliver stood up, walked away from them toward the work-out mats, then turned quickly around to face them. "When was this?" His voice was steel-cold, the voice he used as the Arrow.

"After her trial. He returned to save her."

Oliver sighed, looked down, and pinched the bridge of his nose. Shaking his head, Oliver raised his head to look squarely into Sara's eyes. "Yeah, I thought there was something suspicious about her being found innocent in her trial." His eyes widened as a thought occurred to him. "That must have been what she wanted to tell Thea and me the night Slade killed her. That Malcolm was alive."

Sara nodded. Nyssa sent Sara a piercing look with a raised eyebrow. "I think we need to hurry this along, Beloved."

Oliver looked at her. "You mean, the fact a man I thought I killed is actually alive is not the earth-shattering news you have to tell me?"

"I am afraid not, Mr. Queen. What we have to tell you…."

"Is better off being told appropriately, Nyssa." Sara glared at the other woman. "Anyway," turning back to Oliver, Sara continued, "after he appeared to her, Moira threatened him. She then notified the League of Assassins of his presence here in Starling."

Oliver looked down, trying to process this new information. "How would she know about the League? Or how to contact them?"

Sara shook her head. "I don't know, Ollie. Ra's wouldn't share that with us." After another look from Nyssa, Sara said, "Anyway, that's why we're in Starling. Looking for Malcolm. However, last night I decided to have supper with Dad and Laurel, and as I was leaving I…I ran into someone."

"Ta-er Sa-fir, hurry up." Looking at Oliver, Nyssa said, "She was making her way through the city via the rooftops when someone came up behind her. She turned, and this person shot three arrows at her. Luckily, I had just arrived, catching up to her to accompany her the rest of the way to our lodging, when I was able to bat the arrows away from finding their targets. Unfortunately, the archer got away before we could catch her."

"How'd she manage to get away, when there were two of you?"

Sara's lips twisted in disgust. "I was still in shock, because who it was. And Nyssa was surprised as well, as to how close I got to getting killed."

Oliver looked at the two women, as another cold chill slithered down his back. "Who was it?"

"It was Thea, Oliver," Sara said.

AN: Well, the first chapter of this new story. What did you think? Be a pal and let me know. I want to see where this different twist to the events of season 3 takes us. I hope you also will stick around to see what happens. I appreciate your reading and hope you will come back for future chapters. And of course, if you review, I'd really, really appreciate it as well. See you next time!