The View From the End of the Rope
It's only because Felicity had been okay when he'd burst into the office that he managed to keep from killing Alonzo immediately. The thought had briefly crossed his mind that the exploding arrow in the man's throat would have been more than deserving if she had been hurt in any way.
His eyes had flickered over her terrified face, and her eyes shut tight against what she thought was coming and then he'd had to purposefully ignore her, or very bad things were going to happen.
When the arrow exploded he hadn't had time to see if she had been hurt, but he'd place it purposely, knowing she'd be furthest from the blast. Alonzo's lack of information was making him angry, and he didn't want to have to kill him in front of Felicity, but he'd do it if he had to.
When Alonzo finally did give him what he wanted, Oliver almost wish he hadn't. The knowledge that Walter had been killed was almost too much. Alonzo slumped to the floor unconscious and Oliver pushed his hood back automatically.
Felicity was still in the same spot and she looked devastated. Her chest was heaving and he didn't know if it was from having a gun held to her head or the news she'd just heard, or more likely, a combination of the two.
"Fel..." he started, but stopped abruptly when he realized the voice modulator was still on. She jumped in place at the harsh tone, but her eyes were still glazed over and she didn't blink.
"Felicity," he tried again, and this time she slowly raised her gaze until it met his. He was struck by the defeat he saw. "Go home." he said, trying to keep his tone under control for her, but knowing he failed as she took a stumbling step back and away from him.
He didn't want to have to repeat himself, and after what seemed like too long she finally moved. She used the desk for balance as she stepped over one of the guards, and he could see her hands shaking.
Instead of crossing to the door however, she went to the computer and pulled the device off that she had planted, and knelt down to pick up her clutch from where it had flown.
He still hadn't moved, and he knew they were running out of time; faint sirens could already be heard.
Felicity looked towards the door and then back at him as if she was weighing some huge decision, and then she walked slowly up to him. When she reached him she didn't say a word, she just slid her hand into his and gave it a squeeze.
His breath caught in a strangled gasp at the contact. He wasn't safe right then. Adrenaline from the fight still flowed strongly through him. And maybe she sensed he wasn't safe, because she hadn't spoken, and she hadn't gotten any closer than she'd needed to, but she'd gotten as close as she had.
She let go and went to leave but his hand flashed out involuntarily and caught her wrist. "Go straight through that exit." he said, indicating the door at the end of the hall. "Keep walking and do not look back. I'll be right behind you."
She nodded once and he watched as she did exactly as he said, without a sound.
Oliver scanned the room one more time and then followed in Felicity's wake. The sirens pulled up in front of the building just as he slipped into the shadows, still able to hear her heels beat out a steady tattoo.
He watched her pause as the alleyway opened up onto a road. To the left was the club, and to the right was where her car was parked.
His mind was still reeling, and still trying to process the fact that Walter was dead, so Felicity not going straight to her car confused him at first. A cold shiver went through him when he realized why she had paused.
She had only agreed to help him to find Walter. Now that Walter was gone she had no reason to work with him any longer.
His stomach twisted at the thought. He'd been alone before. He thought he preferred it, but with Diggle already gone, and the hard reality of her leaving as well, he thought that maybe he had changed.
He was only twenty feet behind her now, and then watched, unknowingly holding his breath, as her head dropped and she swiped a hand across her eyes.
He sagged against the building as she headed to her car, his stomach dropping in despair. A flare of anger welled inside him and he pushed it away, she didn't owe him anything. He shook his head violently as a flash of Alonzo holding a gun to her head came back to him. All he'd done is put her in danger, and make her question her own morals. She'd be better off pretending she'd never crossed his path.
Heart as heavy as it had been since he returned from the island he went to take the back entrance into the club's sub-basement, when the distinctive click-clack of her heels got closer.
She paused again, in the same spot, but this time she faced into the alley and he couldn't tell if she could see him or not.
Her voice was shaky, but strong, "I'm not stopping. I can't." she said, and then very deliberately she turned around and headed left.
A/N:
Thanks for the warm welcome to the 'Arrow' fandom. I'm very new to it, and I'm still trying to figure out all the 'voices'. Hope I'm doing them justice. Thanks for reading.