Oliver Queen was a man with a lot of complexities. It took a special type of person to understand him. He was a man who cared deeply but was not always prone to showing it. At least not to other people. To the people or person, he did care about he was completely different to what someone would describe him as. Oliver Queen a complex type of man. He had lost his family when he was young and he was put into care. Leaving care he joined the army, after a near death experience, he sustained a knee injury and was honorably discharged. He moved back to his home in the Glades and worked several different jobs trying to keep himself afloat as well his gorgeous girlfriend.

Felicity Smoak's father had left her and her mother at the age of 6. Felicity's mother then developed a drinking problem blaming her for her husband's disappearance. One unfortunate night Donna Smoak found herself drunk while driving to go collect Felicity from ballet. Felicity had been 7 when she sat on the steps of her dance studio waiting almost 4 hours for her mother to come and collect her. It had actually been the police who arrived and collected Felicity and explained to the frightened 7-year-old that her mother had gone to heaven. Felicity was then put into care, looking different from everyone else; she wore glasses, wore her hair up in a high ponytail and always wore jean overalls with bright red sneakers. One night a bunch of the other girls had come into her room and had attacked her. She had been screaming for help when a 9-year-old blonde boy walked into her room and pulled the girls off her.

Felicity Smoak and Oliver Queen met when they were children in care, they spent their whole time together despite Oliver being a year and half older than her. When Felicity was put in a foster home the children had been separated. It was not until 3 years later when they saw each other again. They had always had each other's backs and always made sure nobody messed with them. Oliver had always had a knack for getting into trouble and starting fights. He had got into a serious altercation with another boy in the care home after he had tripped Felicity who landed on her face with a nasty bruise on her forehead. The fight had been extremely bad where Oliver had almost killed the other boy. He had been so lost in his fury that he had not been able to stop himself. The fight had only come to an end when the staff had pulled Oliver off the boy's limp body. Oliver had been sent to a state penitentiary for juvenile delinquents. He had been sent there for almost 2 years for gross bodily harm. When he got out and returned to the care home where the boy was not present anymore he had almost been 18 which meant that a few more months and he would have to fend for himself.

When he returned to the care home he had been shocked to see Felicity. They had not been allowed to see each other and when Oliver saw Felicity she was 16 almost 17. She had beautiful blonde hair- which he knew she had clearly dyed as hers was light mousey color. He had been left speechless at her beauty, she had obviously gone through puberty and she had been the most beautiful person he had ever seen in his life. They had easily fallen back with each other, they were best friends, who laughed, argued and talk about each other's past.

Oliver had opened up to Felicity about his time in prison, he had not told her everything, but he told her how he was kept up at night hearing all the screaming and shouting coming from the halls. One night Oliver had kissed Felicity and she ad kissed him back. Despite their age, neither had any experience and found themselves stealing kisses everywhere and anywhere they went. Oliver and Felicity had been each other's first. They had watched a video online and had then tried it. It had been awkward and weird the first time and for Felicity quite a painful experience. However, the more time that went by and the more they practiced, the better they were at it and the better it felt.

When Oliver had turned 18 he was officially kicked out of the care home. He had nowhere to go and the care home had arranged a small studio flat in the Glades for him to stay in. The neighborhood had not been safe and he found himself missing Felicity.

One day Oliver had gone to go and see Felicity at the care home and surprise her, what he had not been prepared to see was another boy kissing her. He had watched from the other side of the road as the boy leaned in and kissed her. He had turned around too quick, too quick to leave that he had not seen her push the boy away. Cooper Seldon. God, he hated Cooper with passion. The boy had always tried to act like he was above everybody. He was extremely clever, just like Felicity and that had always fueled his anger when they would have conversations about things he had no clue about. That night Oliver had gone out, in specific he had gone to get drunk. He had found himself in an old restaurant that some of the kids from school used to go to after school. He had spotted a girl from his class, he had never spoken to this girl before, but she looked like she was easy and he just wanted to forget Felicity. So he had gone and gotten himself drunk and had slept with that girl. Who he had learnt that her name had been Laurel Lance, the girl whose father had been the one to arrest him and send him to prison.

He had regretted his actions, he was extremely mad at himself for cheating on Felicity, he had decided to keep it from her because he did not want to break her heart. The following day Felicity had visited him at his place. She was crying and in bits and had told him how Cooper had kissed her and she had pushed him away. She had apologized endlessly. This made Oliver feel even worse than before. He had then decided that he could not keep this from her. He had told her the truth and she had been devastated and had left him.

Oliver had tried to win her back so many times, but she had always pushed him away and shut him out. Oliver had then found himself getting drunk all the time and sleeping around. He had never known who it was with and what their name was. Oliver had only one rule which even drunk he never knew how he kept it. He had always made sure that he wore protection because the last thing he needed was to get a girl pregnant.

One day Oliver had spotted Felicity with a couple of friends, he had approached her and asked to talk to her. He had explained his side of the story, Felicity had still been angry but when she saw how much he had felt guilty she had decided to forgive him. She told him that despite her forgiveness she could not take him back as she had been accepted to MIT for computer science.

Oliver had wanted to fight for her but knew that she was extremely clever and did not want to hold her back. He had let her walk out of his life and go to MIT, all he had wanted was for her to be happy and have a long and successful life. He was someone who had no drive in life and he was not about to hold her back.

After hearing Felicity's decision Oliver had gone to join the army. Unfortunately, Felicity had been too late in stopping him. She had heard from her friend that Oliver was leaving to go to war, she had taken a cab and had sprinted to the center in hopes of stopping him. She had pictured it in her head, the happy movie moment where she runs after the guy, tells him she loves him, he doesn't leave and they live happily ever after. But it was not a movie, she had been too late and he had already left. She had just got there in time to watch their aircraft leave, with Oliver on it.

After the attack on his camp, Oliver had been honorably discharged from the army and had returned home. He returned home to the Glades in a wheelchair, he had been told to get physiotherapy to which the government only paid for the first few sessions. He had joined the forces, pledged his allegiance and life and in the end they could not even cop the bill.

Oliver had not wanted to do any of the therapy stuff, he wanted to wallow away in his studio apartment, get drunk until one day the drink finally caught up with him. But it had been his blonde friend, his gorgeous, selfless best friend who had not allowed him to go down that path. She had come home to him; she had left college and stood by his side making sure that she was there to push him through all of it. When he had wanted to crumple she picked him up, again and again and again. He had hated that she had given up her life for him, that she had dropped everything moved into his tiny studio and pushed him every day.

The bills had mounted the bills for his knee surgery and therapies had been ridiculous- they were still paying them. Felicity had got a job at Palmer Technologies, she worked as an assistant in the IT department, despite her knowledge and knowing she could out do all of the techs in the department she was never given a chance. She was somebody with no degree, a college dropout- so instead she was forced to work as an assistant, going around with all the techs and taking notes.

It was a solid job- and she had to believe that without an actual degree someday she might be given the chance to prove herself and actually work as a tech. Oliver, on the other hand, had always been in between jobs.

He had worked in restaurants, a mechanic, a coffee shop, an assistant and in a gym. He had done whatever it was that he could to make ends meet, to pay his rent, to pay his hospital bills and to live a somewhat decent luxury life with Felicity.

Oliver was currently working in a restaurant- Table Salt in Starling City. He had been working there for 6 months- he hated it of course, but it was a job. A few weeks ago a customer had come in who Oliver had served; this man had ended up leaving his wallet behind. The rule was that after a period of time if the owner did not come back to collect their lost item then the person who picked up got to keep it. After 2 weeks where a Mr Thomas Merlyn had not come back for his wallet, Oliver had taken it home. He had not opened the wallet before he got home as he was already running late to catch the bus. When Oliver got home he had opened the wallet. Inside he found riches- riches he would never have a chance to save up for. He had found almost 5.000 dollars in cash, a few credit cards and slips. With that money he had paid off some off his bills- it meant that for the next few months he did not have to worry about the monthly bills that came home. It meant that he could start saving to pay off the next few months after that. He had never been in a situation where he could pay off all his bills at once- with what was left over he had paid his rent in advance for 2 months and had taken Felicity out for a meal.

It was a damn time they spent some quality time together- away from everything, away from their house. He had been feeling good. He had been much happier, who would have thought that his family name Queen finally meant that he had a little -so that he could live like one. He knew to most people in Starling 5.000 dollars was nothing, but to him it was everything.

When Oliver had got to work that morning he had proceeded to do his usual routine of preparing the dining room for service the following night.

"Queen" the manager called him over. Oliver dropped what he was doing and went over to the older man.

"Yes," he answered, his brow furrowed wondering why he had asked him over.

"Do you still have the wallet?" the manager asked.

"What? No… it's been almost a month…"

"So you took it?"

"Yes, James… the period is two weeks, we always take it I don't understand …"

"Mr Merlyn is here wanting his wallet back, he is a loyal customer if we lose him…" James looks over to Merlyn and gestures for the man to come closer.

Oliver looks at the man approaching, he had seen him before in the restaurant- with a different girl each time. He was a man Oliver really disliked. Too rich, too witty and too up himself.

"So, where is my wallet?" Merlyn asked doing up his blazer button.

"I apologise Mr Merlyn…"

"You said you have it? Shall I take my services elsewhere? I think that the next time I have a board meeting I recommended that Italian place… what a shame it would be for Table Salt to lose…."

"No Mr Merlyn, what I am trying to say is that we had it… I have just found out that one of my employees stole it" James looks at Oliver.

It dawns on Oliver what he is saying. He is telling Merlyn that he stole his wallet in order to protect the restaurant.

"I… did not steal it, we have a policy if you do not …"

"I want the police called," Merlyn says quickly.

"What?" Oliver shouts, his blood is boiling and his fists clench.

"Mr Merlyn, it would not be good for business if the police are called- can I suggest free dining and… Mr Queen here hands in his apron" James licks his lips and looks at Oliver.

Oliver shakes his head and takes his apron off but not before putting his hands in and taking whatever cash is in there. He pockets it and throws the apron at James, "No need I quit" he spits out. As turns to leave his anger boils over and he slams his fist into a vase of flowers shattering into a million tiny pieces.

"Oliver" a voice calls after him. Oliver goes into an alleyway and paces back and forth, his anger is a risk of subsiding and his breathing hitches. He places his hands on his head and grits his teeth as he looks at his friend Floyd. Floyd had been in care with him, they had been in the army together and had gotten a job at Table Salt together.

"That was bullshit, and he knows it," Floyd says.

"I lost my job," Oliver says through clenched teeth, kicking a garbage can in fury.

"You know I would have walked out with you man …"

"No, you need the job, don't you dare," Oliver tells his friend.

"Drink after work man, I'm going to flirt with a few rich bitches, make some tips, drinks on me tonight" Floyd pats the man on his arm.

Oliver nods and smiles sadly not saying anything.

When Oliver gets home, it is almost dark; he had sat in a park thinking for hours. When he finally got up he decided he needed to walk home, he was still angry and all he wanted to do was punch something. He stood outside his door to his studio apartment. He could hear shouting and screaming coming from the other flats and shakes his head. He had wanted to get the hell out of this dump, but here he was. He opened the door and entered, spotting Felicity at the kitchen sink washing up some dishes.

"Hi, you're home early," Felicity says as she looks up at the clock on the wall. She finishes the last of her dishes and dries her hands facing Oliver. She smiles at him and when he does not return it she knows something is wrong. "Baby, are you ok?" she asks walking slowly towards him. Felicity sees his clenched fists and knows all too well that he really wants to punch someone.

"I…" clenching his mouth he walks up to her and wraps his arms around her shoulders drawing her close. Her arm wraps around his waist and her head drops to his chest waiting for him to say something.

When he pulls back he doesn't say anything but just goes to the chair and places his hands on each side. He hunches his back and leans down, shaking the chair violently he slams it to the ground.

"HEY" Felicity shouts "Oliver, stop what has gotten into you?"

"I lost… got fired… I am so sorry Felicity I …" he doesn't even know what to say. "I'm going to go have a few drinks with Floyd- I'll be back later ok," he says as he prepares to the leave.

"OLIVER QUEEN, sit down" she orders pointing to the bed. Oliver looks at her put she merely glares at him. Oliver stomps over to the bed and takes a seat, taking his jacket and shoes off he gets comfortable leaning back against the headboard.

He watches silently as Felicity walks over to the crib, he wonders from all the shouting how his little girl had not woken up. Felicity slowly picks up their sleeping daughter and walks over to him. "Here you go" she whispers gesturing for him to take her.

Oliver shakes his head and makes no move to take her from Felicity. "Oliver" she hisses. He slowly takes his 5-month-old daughter in his arms, her head on his chest, soft snores echoing the now silenced.

Oliver slowly strokes the back of his daughters head, the small blonde hair that graced her head was soft. He closed his eyes feeling all the anger wash away immediately. "She always calms you down" Felicity whispers rubbing soft circles in her daughters back.

"Yeah, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have shouted" he apologises. Felicity looks at Oliver and moves closer to him pecking his lips.

"I can go back to work" she whispers.

"No, you're still on maternity leave," he tells her.

"I'll make double if I go back"

"No, I will find something else, I love you, both of you and I will fix this," he tells her with confidence.

"I know you will" she whispers. Felicity watches Oliver move their daughter slowly so she is now lying on her back on the bed, he slowly draws circles on her and whispers her name until she wakes up.

"Oliver do you know how long it took me to get her to sleep" Felicity huffs.

"I know, sorry…" he laughs when his daughter opens her blue eyes and yawns. She slowly wakes up tired rubbing her eyes and yawning but soon enough the bundle of energy locks eyes with her father and begins to squeal and giggle.

Oliver laughs and slowly rubs her belly making baby noises causing her to squeal in laughter.

"Blair" Felicity calls grabbing her daughter's attention. She makes a face and the little girl starts laughing. "Peek a boo" Felicity laughs.

Oliver takes his small hands in his and placed kisses on them- with her is truly mesmerized and cannot recall why he was so angry only moments ago. Felicity gets out of the bed and walks over to the kitchen and starts to plate up some pasta she had made. Oliver watches her and his anger slowly begins to rise again. The biggest benefit of working in a restaurant was that he brought home leftovers and anything that they would not be using the next day. For the last 6 months, they had saved a lot of money that would have gone on food. Not only had he lost his job, but it now meant that they would have to go back to grocery shopping.

Oliver was thankful that he had paid his bills in advance for the next few months otherwise they would be in trouble. When Blair babbled his attention went back to her and he started tickling her sides and kissing her. Oliver remembered when he had found out about Blair and how scared he had been, picking her up in his arms gently he walked over to Felicity who had just put the food on the table.

"You're home early" Felicity whispered. When Oliver walked through the door he found her sitting on the floor back against the wall. Since they removed the old carpeting that came with the flat and put a new one on it had been comfortable and they had opted to sit on the floor at times.

"I got a job," he said, "just hear me out before you shout." Felicity gets up off the floor and looks at him waiting for him to continue. "I'm going … fishing… I am joining the crew down at the harbor and going fishing for 4 months and…"

"I'm pregnant" she blurts out.

Oliver looks at her, his eyes travelling down to her abdomen. "If this is a joke or a sick joke to get me to stay…"

"I'm pregnant" she repeats walking over to the cabinet in their small bathroom she comes out with a white stick with two white lines. Oliver gasps and looks at her stunned by her revelation, he shakes his head and turns around and walks out the door.

"Oliver? Oliver…." She calls after him.

"Oliver," Felicity says as his eyes snap to her. He looks at her concerned expression and then looks down at Blair who is also looking up at him with a confused expression. "Are you ok?"

"Yeah, sorry I was just thinking" he smiles sadly.

"Of what?"

"When you told me you were pregnant" he admits.

Felicity smiles and takes Blair out of his hands and cradles her to her chest, "I remember" she whispers.

"I cannot imagine my life without her" he kisses the small child.

"Those 20 minutes that you had left, were the longest 20 minutes of my life," she tells him.

"I am so sorry, that is one thing I regret and can never make up for it, walking out" he strokes her cheek slowly.

"Well, we're here now and I love you" she pouts her lips gesturing for him to kiss her which he does immediately.

The following morning Oliver was sitting with his back against the headboard, Felicity was sleeping next to him and Blair lying in between his legs kicking her feet up and down. Oliver was going through some job adverts he was seeing on the laptop and applying for whatever was available hoping at least one of them would reply to him.

As the day went past Felicity went to the grocery store with Blair leaving Oliver at home to continue his job search. Oliver continued searching for jobs when the doorbell diverted his attention. Oliver stood up quickly and went over to answer the door wondering if Felicity had forgotten the keys. When he opened the door he was shocked to find Thomas Merlyn at his front door.

"Mr Queen"

"Mr Merlyn" Oliver says as the man enters without permission and looks around at the small studio apartment. Despite it being in a bad neighborhood, Felicity and himself had prided themselves in making it stylish.

"I came to ask if you still at least having my wallet, I have a few things in there that I would like back," Merlyn says finally looking at Oliver.

Oliver shakes his head and walks over to the draws going through, he comes back with the wallet and gives it to the dark haired man.

Thomas quickly goes through it hoping to still find a small card with digits printed on it. Finding it he lets out a relieved sigh. "Well, I have notified the police…"

"Please, please do not do that I will pay you back, do whatever you want please just do not get the police involved" Oliver says quickly, he begins to panic- with his record he would surely be arrested. Of course the police would arrest a thug from the Glades, they would not want one of Starling's elite to get robbed.

"And where will you get $5000?" he laughs.

"Mr Merlyn…"

"Tommy, Mr Merlyn is my father"

"Tommy, please I will work it off whatever you want please do not get the police involved" Oliver pleads with him.

The door to the flat opens and Felicity walks through pulling the buggy in and placing it in the corner she slowly picks up Blair turning to face Oliver and Tommy.

"Oh, hi" Felicity says with raised eyebrows.

"Hello" Tommy looks at Felicity, his eyes travelling down to her footwear and slowly up to her face.

"Tommy this is my girlfriend Felicity and our daughter Blair," Oliver says.

"Lovely to meet you Felicity"

"Likewise," she says, she walks over to the bed and places Blair on the bed and strips her off her coat.

Tommy looks at Oliver and tilts his head gesturing to the door. The two men leave and stand outside the apartment.

"Look, I can't go to prison, I can't … I'll do whatever…"

"I need a new bodyguard," Tommy says quickly. "You will work for free until you pay your debt and then I'll pay you."

"Why?"

"Because… despite your stupidity you have a beautiful family, no doubt because of your stupidity, you live here in the worst part of the Glades. Your family deserve better even if you don't" he spits out, handing Oliver his card he walks away.

Oliver walks back inside and Felicity looks at him curiously. "I got a job" he held up the card to show her.

When Tommy got home he saw his sister and father sitting in front of the television eating popcorn. "Hi," Tommy said taking a seat on the other couch looking at his family.

"Hey," his sister smiles up at him.

"Where you been movie night remember with me and Thea," his father says.

"Sorry got held up" Tommy stands and goes to his room to change, his father follows him worried by his son's expression.

"You ok?"

"I had to go get my wallet the numbers were in there- the worst part of the Glades this man was living there with his girlfriend and baby" he shakes his head. "How did a loser like him get so lucky? A gorgeous little girl and girlfriend" Tommy laughs.

"It will happen for you too soon" Malcolm his father reassures him.

"Anyways I gave him a job, Oliver Queen will be my new bodyguard" Tommy adds taking off his tie.

"Oliver Queen? Can't be" Malcolm says.

"Yes, you know him?"

"No" Malcolm shakes his head.

Leaving his son be Malcolm pulls out his phone and makes a call. "The boy is alive… yes… yes… no, he doesn't know… he doesn't know… Oliver Queen can never know that you are alive and that Thea Merlyn is his sister" Malcolm says closing his phone.