Author's note: It has become public knowledge that there was a kiss in the 'I love you' scene from 2x23. It was cut. But for story purposes, the kiss is canon. I hope you all enjoy!

Oliver Queen gripped Felicity's wrist and spun her into a tight hold. "What do you do if your attacker holds you like this?"

Felicity stomped her foot on Oliver's then elbowed him in the stomach when his grip loosened. She turned and held up her fists, prepared for a fight.

He sucked in a breath. "Good. That was really good, exactly how I taught you."

Seeing his distress, she held her hands up to her face. "Oh my god, did I hit you really hard? Sorry, I didn't mean to."

Shaking his head, he laughed. "Felicity, I face hard criminals every night, I think I can take a jab in the stomach from you." He was wearing a loose gray shirt and his cargo pants.

Felicity made a pouting face then walked over to the steel table to get a drink of water. "I bet I could do more damage with my computers in one minute than what they do to you every night."

They had been training the passed few days in the new headquarters; the place Oliver had kept a secret until now. It was a month since Slade had been captured. Team Arrow had been busy ever since then finding Thea. Just a week ago, Oliver had captured her from Merlin's clutches. To say the least, she was not the same.

Also, with Oliver's financial struggles, he was staying in the warehouse where they trained now. His bed was pushed in the back corner, hidden by Felicity's one computer. The money loss had taken a toll on the Arrow's nightly activities.

"Diggle just texted me a picture of Lyla's sonogram." Felicity held up her phone to show Oliver.

"That's nice," he smiled at the picture. "Will he be in the rest of the night?"

"Most likey. Maybe we shouldn't go out tonight." Felicity's tone was worried.

Oliver sighed. "Malcom is hell bent on revenge for me taking Thea. I don't know when he will strike next. We need to figure out his plan."

Felicity, who was wearing a black tank top and black workout shorts, came up to him. "Hey, I think you need some rest. You've been out every night this week. Your body can't take that much."

"I suppose you're right."

She gasped dramatically. "Did Oliver Queen just admit he was wrong?"

He let off a little smile that was so rarely seen. "Do you want to keep training?"

"Will you let me try the bow?"

"Why? It takes years to master that."

Felicity stepped back onto the matt which they had been training on. "Because it'll be fun. Learning proper stances and techniques for two hours can get boring."

"Fine." Oliver grabbed his bow and stood behind her. She took it in her hands. He placed his fingers along hers and guided them to the nocking point. "Pull the string back with these fingers," he directed, "then hold it like this. Good." Once she was holding it correctly, he let her pull the string back. With his hands, he put her elbow in the right place. "Breathe from the core," he whispered, feeling her stomach. "Good."

Felicity could hardly listen to his directions. His hands were touching her in so many places, and his chest was right against her back. When he whispered in her ear, it sent a shiver down her spine. But she kept herself together, he had made it clear long ago that he did not want a relationship.

"Now when you release," he breathed, "your fingers should come back to your shoulder." His rough fingers traced a line from the bow to her shoulder. "You can release now."

Felicity let go of the string and her fingers snapped back to the correct spot on her shoulder. She let out an exasperated breath.

"Excellent form," Oliver whispered.

He did not move. Slowly, his fingers trailed up and down her arm. Felicity remained completely still, though her hands shook. She felt his lips touch her shoulder, then her neck. Automatically, she leaned into him.

Moving her hair away, her kissed up her neck to her jaw. Then he turned her around to face him. His calloused fingers were rough yet so soft against her cheek as he stroked it. Her sparkling eyes looked up at him with wonder. His looked down at hers, then his lips were pressed against hers.

Felicity's heart jumped and she could no longer remain still. She did not question Oliver, afraid of ruining this moment. His hands tightened around her waist, drawing her closer. Her hands found his neck where they clutched him against her.

He pushed her back against the concrete wall, careful not to hit her head. Hands ran down her bare arms then back up to her neck. She let him explore her skin and mouth with his lips. Letting out a small sigh, she shoved him back.

A smile formed on Oliver's face. He picked her up, her legs wrapping around his waist, and he carried her over to his bed where he layed her down. She giggled as he bent over her and kissed her lips, her chin, her jaw, her neck.

Felicity felt his hands reach for the hem of her shirt, beginning to lift it up. "Oliver," she said quietly. Not hearing her, she repeated, "Oliver. Stop."

Oliver immediately sat up and looked at her. "Did I hurt you? What's wrong?"

She sat up next to him and pulled her shirt down. "Sorry, I just..." She sighed and ran her fingers through her hair.

"Am I making you uncomfortable?" His voice was filled with worry.

"No." Her eyes would not meet his. "I've been thinking about this moment for a long time," she let out a nervous laugh. "But I can't be just some... fling. I can't do that." Now her eyes looked into his. "I'm not like you, I don't want to do something like that."

"Felicity," Oliver said slowly, placing a hand on her cheek. "Do you really think you would be just a 'fling' to me?" He chuckled. "Ever since I kissed you in the mansion, I haven't been able to think of anything else. These workout sessions have been killing me."

She laughed. "Really?"

Nodding, he moved his thumb across her cheekbone. "Yes."

Lifting her hands, she drew him in again. Her lips crashed hard against his, so fast that he was not expecting it. She quickly unbuttoned his shirt, sliding it off. His hands lifted off her tank top, revealing a black sports bra underneath.

Felicity sucked in a nervous breath as they removed the rest of their clothes. But Oliver made her feel like the only girl in the world. As he looked down at her with adoring eyes, she smiled and caressed his face.

She felt like a weight had been lifted from her chest; she no longer needed to hide her feelings for him. Who would have thought he felt the same way for her as she did him. It was indeed a wonderful thing.

Oliver looked down at Felicity, her head nestled in the crook of his neck. Her arm was splayed over his bare chest. He twirled a piece of her blonde hair in his fingers as he listened to her steady breaths. She slept quietly next to him.

Then a beep came from the computer. Oliver carefully slid out of bed, afraid he would wake her. He slid on pants then went to investigate the computer. There was a message sent from an unknown source. He opened the message.

It read: Oliver, meet me at the docks or this innocent man dies. Come alone. I will know if you bring your friends.

Attached to the message was a picture of a man tied up next to the docks. Oliver cursed silently and looked back at Felicity, sleeping soundly in his bed. Clenching his jaw, he put on his suit and grabbed his bow.

At the docks, Oliver saw where he was meant to meet. Warily, he held up his bow and approached the three men standing by the water. The kidnapped man was off to the side, blindfolded and still tied up.

"What is this?" Oliver yelled, keeping his distance.

"There's no need for weapons, not yet." The voice came from the man standing in the middle, who's face was concealed in the shadows. It sounded familiar.

Oliver stepped forward. "Why did you bring me here?"

The man stepped forward, his hands behind his back. "I came as a warning." Light shined upon his face. Oliver was facing Malcolm Merlyn.

"What do you want Malcolm?"

"I want my daughter back. Clearly though, that isn't happening. So, to punish you, I've decided to ruin your life." He spoke matter-of-factly.

Oliver clenched his fists but held a straight face. "What did you have in mind?"

"First, I want you to stop seeing your little assistant. Felicity is her name?"

In a flash, Oliver had an arrow drawn and pointed at Malcolm. The two men behind him drew their guns. "Do not bring her into this; you will regret it."

"No," Malcolm said angrily. "You will regret taking my daughter from me. She is all I have now."

"You brainwashed her!"

"I fixed her, don't you see?" Merlyn was smiling madly. "Thea is the perfect warrior, completely obedient."

"No, you made her forget her family, everything she loved."

Merlyn stepped forward, still smiling. "Then you must know my power. Do as I say, and no more innocents will die."

Oliver was about to respond when one of Merlyn's henchmen shot the man tied up. "NO!" Oliver roared.

Malcolm held up a hand. "Don't shoot. I know you don't like killing, but you might have to bend that rule by the end of this." He took another step forward. "Since you took Thea away from me, I am going to take everything you love away. So I would tell Felicity that tonight was a one time thing."

He smiled at Oliver, even patted him on the shoulder, before walking passed him.

Oliver stood there for a moment, breathing fast. He couldn't give Thea back to Merlyn, that was not a deal he would make. But how was he going to defeat a mastermind such as Malcom Merlyn? And how did he know so much about him and Felicity?