His grip on her arm tightens as they walk out of the shadows and into the dim light, standing in front of the archer. She can feel Slade's cold blade on her throat as it slowly digs deeper into the skin. Looking straight, she sees her partner and friend looking at her. Oliver holds up his bow with an air notched in and aiming at Slade and her.
"Slade! Let her go!" Oliver yells at the villain.
"I always believed you prefer strong women." Slade mocks the archer. "Not a weak woman who has now become your weakness."
"Slade!" The archer yells again."
"No!" The villain yells in anger and hatred. "You will choose as you did on the island. Will it be pretty and weak Felicity or strong and beautiful Laurel?"
One of Slade's men joins them, dragging Laurel with him. Oliver lowers his bow and looks at both women. Noting Oliver's expression, Felicity closes her eyes as tears begin to fall down her cheeks. She opens her eyes and stares right into Oliver's, finding his answer in them.
"I am sorry." Oliver whispers.
Felicity nods and watches him lifts his bow and hits the man holding Laurel. She closes her eyes for the last time as she waits for the inevitable. Slade reaffirms his grip and quickly moves his blade against her throat, and lets her drop to the floor.
Felicity shoots up, grasping and frantically looks around. She lets out a sigh of relief at her surroundings, and finds comfort that the one-eyed villain is far away, locked up. She jumps at a slight movement beside her, which grabs her attention. At the sight of a sleeping Oliver Queen, Felicity sighs again and runs a hand through her hair to calm herself. She looks around her bedroom and more time then lies back down. She turns her head and looks at Oliver, his peaceful demeanor a rare sight. Felicity smiles briefly then turns her back on him, and closes her eyes for the third time that night.
"Roy and I got it from here Dig." Oliver's voice comes through the team's communications. "You can head back."
The blonde doesn't say a word but mutes the line, and pulls the Bluetooth device from her ear. She takes off her glasses and rubs her eyes. Her nightmare filled, sleepless nights slowly taking its effect on the petite blonde. Felicity leans back in her chair with her eyes closed, taking a moment to rest in the silent atmosphere. Above the resting blonde, the foundry door opens quietly and loudly slams shut, waking and startling Felicity. She quickly puts her glasses back on, and spins her chair around. She uses her foot to stop her chair from moving further, and comes face to face with Laurel Lance.
"Laurel?" Felicity states the lawyer's name in surprise and confusion. "What are you doing here? Not that you can't be here, that's not what I meant at all. I am just surprise to see you down here, since you really don't come down here and I am going to stop talking now."
Laurel smiles at the blonde.
"Is Oliver around?" The lawyer asks.
"Uh no." The blonde stutters. "But he should be back soon."
The lawyer nods and begins to walk around the foundry, looking at all the equipment. Felicity watches the brunette, who stops at the medical equipment and turns to her.
"Your name is Felicity, right?" Laurel asks the blonde. "You're Oliver's assistant?"
"Well my name is Felicity but I am not his assistant." Felicity answers the question. "I mean I can't be his assistant, you know, since he isn't CEO or owner of his family's company."
"That makes sense." The lawyer responds. "But you're more than just an assistant, aren't you?"
Felicity stays quiet, unable to answer the question.
"I meant that your Oliver's friend and partner." Laurel quickly adds. "I'm not trying to imply anything."
The blonde smiles at Laurel and quietly decides to keep her and Oliver relationship quite from the lawyer.
"Thank you." Felicity replies kindly. "I understand if you thought the other thing, a lot of people do. You wouldn't be the first."
The lawyer nods and continues to walk around.
"You know did a brave thing letting Slade take you and stabbing him with the cure." The brunette points out. "Not everyone would have done what you did."
"Thanks." The blond replies.
The foundry door opens and a storm of feet enter, and descending the stairs. The two women look up to see the three men walking towards them. The trio comes to an abrupt stop at the sight of the lawyer.
"Laurel, what are you doing here?" Oliver questions the lawyer.
"I wanted to see you your base again and check in." Laurel answers with a smile.
Roy and Diggle smile at the lawyer and walks pass her. Felicity turns back to her computers.
"Plus, we haven't really talk since Sara left." She adds/
Oliver looks at Felicity, who is busy typing away. He returns his attention to brunette and nods. He walks to the glass case that holds his bow and Arrow attire, with Laurel following him as he moved around the foundry.
Felicity moves in her chair, pretending to do something as she hears the team's voices. She turns her head to look at them and finds Roy and Diggle with them. The blonde smiles at the group and turns back to the computers. Quietly and slowly, Felicity turns off her computers and grabs her bag, and stands up. She walks around the tables and heads towards the stairs, quietly climbing up and leaving the team without a word.
"Yeah, we should get something to eat." Roy tells them and turns his head towards the computer stateion. "Felicity, you want to grab something?"
The group turns to find an empty chair at the computers, Felicity gone. Diggle and Oliver quickly look at one another, both of them confused.
"Where did she go?" Diggle throws out the question.
FS
Felicity pulls back and wipes her mouth as she slowly stands up, and flushes the toilet. She walks to the sink and turns on the faucet and splashes water on her face, then turns off the water. She dries her face with a small towel and looks up in the mirror, her face paler than usual. Felicity sighs and leaves the bathroom and walks back to her bedroom, and crawls back into bed. Quietly following her, Oliver enters her bedroom behind her. He walks over to her side of the bed and sits down beside her. He reaches over to her and pushes a strand of heir from her face. Felicity slowly opens her eyes and looks up to find Oliver, who smiles down at her.
"Hi." She whispers to him.
"Hey." He whispers to her. "Where did you disappear to?"
"Nowhere, I just came home." Felicity answers the question.
"You gave John and Roy a scare." Oliver tells her. "Including me."
"I am sorry I didn't say anything. I just wasn't feeling well." She quietly responds.
He cups her cheek and rubs his thumb across it. Felicity closes her eyes as Oliver continues to rub her cheek, bringing her some comfort.
"Do you want me to get you anything?" He quietly asks her.
Felicity shakes her head as answer.
"Stay." She whispers to him, her eyes remaining closed.
Oliver smiles at her plea and kisses her forehead, as he pulls his hand back and stands up. He walks around the bed to his side as he pulls off his jacket, and sits down. He takes off his shoes and climbs onto the bed, and moves closer to Felicity. Felicity moves closer to him, meeting in the middle as he wraps his arms around her, and kisses her head. Both of them quickly falling asleep in each others arms.
Felicity opens her eyes and looks around the bedroom, and shifts her body so that she is on her back. She stretches out her hand and finds the space beside her empty. She quickly sits up and looks at the empty space then looks around the room again. She takes a deep breath and reaches back for her phone, and begins to check for messages.
"Oh no!" The now alert blonde shouts as she tries to scramble out. "Frack!"
Felicity freezes as the nauseous feeling returns, forcing her to throw her phone and run to the bathroom. After puking her guts out again, she takes a quick shower and walks back to her bedroom, and over to her closet. She quickly picks out a dress and puts it on, and returns to the bathroom to do her hair. Ten minutes later and her hair done, Felicity runs out of her home and to her car. She climbs in, turns on the car and takes off without another second to waste.
Felicity presses the horn of her car for the third time, the traffic frustrating her as it moves an inch at a time. Reaching the light, she makes a sharp turn into a less populated street that leads directly to Queen Consolidated. She parks in the front in the guest spot, she turns off her car and climbs out and closes the door. She runs up to the building and enters it, and runs pass security desk. Felicity runs into the open elevator and presses the button for the top floor. The elevator takes off but not fast enough for Felicity, as she bounces on the balls of her feet in an anxious state. The elevator jerks and a bell sound goes off, and the doors open. She runs out and turns right down the hall, to the conference room. Approaching the conference room, she glances inside and comes to a sudden stop.
"No." She whispers as she slowly walks into the room in disbelief.
Coming down the hall is the new owner of Queen Consolidated, Ray Palmer, and stops at the sight of Felicity. He walks back and steps into the room behind her.
"Hello." He greets her, scaring her as she spins around and freezes. A smile appears on Ray's face. "It's you."
"You!" Felicity exclaims loudly. "What are you doing here? You know what don't answer that; it's not important right now. I need to find a board member."
Felicity begins to walk pass him but stops when Ray calls her.
"If you are here about the meeting, you're too late." Ray informs her and watches Felicity slowly turn back around. "You're Felicity Smoak, if I remember correctly when I saw your name tag the other night at the tech store. You are Oliver Queen's assistant, right? I am Ray Palmer, the owner of Palmer Technologies and now Queen Consolidated."
Her eyes grow wider at his last words, unable to believe him.
"What do you mean you own Queen Consolidated?" She questions him.
"I own the company now after the board voted in my favor." He tells her the news. "And by the look on your face, Mr. Queen hasn't told you. I am sorry."
She stares at him a little longer then walks off without a word. Ray quickly follows her down the hall as he shouts after her.
"Wait!" Felicity stops and turns to look at him as she presses the elevator button. "I would like to offer you a job here."
"Excuse me?" She rudely responds.
"I read up on your portfolio and I am impressed." Ray tells her with a smile. "I would like to have you on my team."
"Let me get this straight: you took my friend's family company from him and now you are offering me a job?" Felicity questions hotly and in anger. "No, thank you."
She climbs into the elevator and turns around, facing Palmer as she presses the button to go down.
"Think about it." Ray tells her and walks away as the elevator door closes.
FS
Felicity quietly closes the door behind her and climbs down the stairs. At the sound of voices below, she stops halfway and listens.
"Don't give up, Oliver." Laurel tells the archer. "You will get the company back."
"How?" Oliver's defeated voice fills the foundry. "The board believes this Ray Palmer is a better fit for the company. He knew the company too well."
"What do you mean?" Laurel asks him.
"Palmer had all the company's information, numbers, facts and anything else you can think of." He answers the question. Felicity winces at his answer. "I don't know how he got it."
"It doesn't matter how he found out, what matters now, is that we find a way to get your company back." The lawyer tells them. "I will help you so will Diggle and Roy, and Felicity will make sure she finds a way to bring down this Ray Palmer."
The archer smiles at the brunette and her words.
"Speaking of Felicity, where is she?" The brunette questions. "I thought she would be with you today at the meeting, and here."
"She stayed home." Oliver answers her question. "She wasn't feeling well last night, so I wanted her to stay in and get some rest. If she had her way, she would have been there with me."
Laurel stayed silent for a moment.
"I don't want to sound rude, but it doesn't sound like her." Laurel states. "Diggle and Roy are always talking about Felicity, and how reliable she is to the team and to you."
Oliver looks up at his once-flame, his eyes full of sadness. Laurel stretches out a hand towards him, touching his cheek. Felicity freezes as she watches the two draws closer to one another as their lips meet one another. Her heart starts to break little by little, as they kiss but quickly break apart as soon as it started. Laurel steps back quickly at what just took place.
"I am sorry, Oliver." Laurel quickly apologizes, not looking at the archer. "I didn't mean for that to happen."
"Laurel, I am with Felicity." Oliver finally confesses the relationship. "I love her. I want to be a better man, one that she deserves."
"I didn't know." The lawyer responds. "And I am sorry for that. I have no intention of breaking you two up. I can tell how much you love her, I saw it last night."
. The foundry opens, catching Oliver and Laurel's attention, as they turn away from each other. Felicity turns and smiles at the two men.
"Hey Felicity." Diggle greets the blonde.
"Hi John. Hi Roy." The blonde greets the both and steps aside to let them pass.
Diggle walks to the middle of the foundry and stops, looking at Oliver and Laurel in curiosity. He looks at them for a moment, sensing that something was a bit off but does not say a word. Felicity walks towards them, catching Oliver's attention. He walks pass his friend and stops before Felicity, quickly looking her over.
"How are you feeling?" He quietly asking her as he places his hand on her arm for both their comfort.
"I feel better." The blonde answers his question with a smile. "Why didn't you wake me this morning?"
"I wanted you to rest and get better." Oliver tells Felicity.
"I wanted to be there by your side." Felicity responds quietly.
"Guys!" Roy shouts, grabbing their attention.
Felicity and Oliver walks over to the computers and looks at the video footage. Laurel quickly joins them.
"That's the bank." Laurel states.
"It's a robbery." Oliver states as he walks away and heads over to his suit. "Roy suit up! Felicity call Detective Lance and let him know, then find me a way in."
Roy follows Oliver as Diggle turns to look at his friend then back at Felicity, who quickly went to work.
"You better go with them, John." Felicity tells the former soldier as she looks up at him. "I would feel better if you did."
Diggle nods and walks away as Felicity turns back to the computer, and quickly begins to type. Laurel watches on as the trio already on their way to the crime scene.
"Detective Lance you have a robbery," The blonde informs him in the call. "Yes. He is on the way."
She ends the call and re-connects with the others. "Oliver, the police are on the way."
"Are the robbers still at the bank?" He shouts the question, making his way to the bank.
Felicity looks at the second computer screen for the answer.
"They're still there, Ollie." Laurel informs the archer as she looks at the bank's camera feed. "They are packing up the money."
"Find me a way in." He tells the blonde, who types quickly and finds a way in.
"Up on the roof." Felicity informs. "Sky light."
Oliver doesn't respond and the line remains quiet. Felicity continues to type, her eyes glued to the various camera feeds.
"Where is Oliver?" Laurel questions, looking for Oliver's location.
"He's isn't at the bank." The blonde answers, typing and looking for answers. "
"Is there any way you can boost the signal through something else?" Laurel questions and adding some help
Felicity turns and looks up at the lawyer, a little annoyed but remains silent as she turns back to the computers. At the sound of gunshots, the blonde jumps in her seat and looks at the camera feed, but finds nothing to reassure her.
"Oliver!" She shouts the archer's name. "Oliver, where are you? You need to get out here!"
Silence stills occupies the communication system causing Felicity to worry.
"Oliver!" Laurel shouts, her voice echoing throughout the foundry.
"We're out and heading back." Oliver tells them in between breaths. "The police have the crooks now."
Laurel sighs in relief and steps back. Felicity takes off her Bluetooth and starts to close the programs on the computer, and sinks back in her chair. Fifteen minutes of silence engulf the foundry but was soon broken at the opening and slamming of the foundry door, and heavy footsteps coming down the stairs. Felicity turns her chair as John and Roy walk pass her and Laurel looks up at Oliver and runs to him.
"Are you okay?" Laurel asks him.
"Yes I am." Oliver responds and walks over to Felicity. "Thanks to both of you."
Laurel smiles at the archer and straightens up.
"I better go." She quickly says, feeling a little left out. "I have a lot of work to do."
"Actually, there is something I need to ask you." Oliver tells her.
The lawyer nods as Oliver turns to look at Felicity. The blonde looks up at him and smiles. He leans down and kisses her forehead, making Felicity smile. He pulls away and smiles down at her.
"Do you want to meet me at home?" Oliver asks her. "I just need to ask Laurel something and then we can have a movie night."
Felicity doesn't answer right away but quickly smiles.
"That's fine." She replies.
He smiles down at her and pulls away from her, and walks away from her. She watches Oliver lead Laurel towards the glass case, and starts talking to her. Felicity stands up and moves to get a better look at the two. She notices how close they are standing to one another, and cannot help but feel a pang of jealously. Sighing, she turns around and grabs her purse, and heads out of the foundry. The steel door slams shut behind her as she walks to her car. Felicity climbs in and sits there for a moment in silence. After a minute, she puts the key in the ignition and starts the car, slowly pulling out of the alley. At the stop sign, she ponders of going home but instead she takes a left instead of a right. Without stopping or looking back, Felicity drives through the city and passes the city limits.
FS
About three hours later, Felicity stands in front of a door as she quietly debates with herself. Taking a deep breath and coming to a decision, she knocks on the door. She knocks a second time and waits patiently. The door opens and she steps back.
"Felicity?" The startled occupant states her name in surprise.
"I am sorry, Caitlin." The blonde quickly responds. "I didn't know where else to go and you were the only one I can think of and-
"Felicity, come in." Caitlin interrupts her and gives her a small smile, as she opens the door wider.
Felicity smiles and walks into the apartment. Caitlin closes the door behind the blonde.
Three weeks later…
The foundry door slams close, catching the two men's attention below. Diggle turns as Oliver approaches and stops in front of his friends and teammates.
"Did you find anything?" Oliver hastily asks with hope.
"No." Diggle answers. "We looked everywhere."
The arch sighs in defeat. Behind him, the foundry door opens and closes, and the visitor climb down the stairs. Oliver turns as Laurel joins them.
"Did you find anything?" He repeats the question to her.
"No, I didn't." She answers the question.
Oliver takes a step back and turns around, and walks away.
"I know I have no right to say this, but maybe there is a reason we can't Felicity." Laurel states, with everyone's eyes on her. "Maybe we can't find Felicity because she doesn't want to be found. I know it's unlike her but what if that's the possibility."
"You don't know Felicity." Diggle growls at Laurel. "Felicity wouldn't leave without telling us. She wouldn't leave the team or Oliver, unless something or someone force her to."
The former soldier glares at her as Lyla takes a step forward, and places a hand on Diggle's arm.
"Johnny." She whispers his name, which relaxes and she turns to Oliver. "We'll find Felicity, Oliver."
Oliver stops and looks at the agent.
"We will bring Felicity home." Lyla tells him confidently.
FS
Felicity paces slowly back and forth, waiting for that familiar beeping sound to go off. Thirty seconds pass and the beeping commence. Felicity stops and turns, and hesitantly takes a step forward. She gently grabs the object and brings it closer to her, her heart pounding at the object in her hand.
"Oh." She says quietly.
She looks up and takes a deep breath, as she realizes her life will be different from now one.