Note: Well, this has been playing in my head too much for me not to get it out there in writing :) Haven't read many of the Ray fics out there, so this is my view of him based on what we know so far. It depicts the show down between Felicity and Ray. Originally a one-shot, but as I was writing, a continuation (Oliver's response) started playing out in my head so... let me know if you like it and if you think more is in order :)

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I, unfortunately, do not own the show. All belongs to CW and DC.


Felicity was staring at her reflection in the lair's silent bathroom, feeling mortified. Not because she felt guilty for anything that has happened. She knew without the shadow of a doubt she was right in her stand, in her actions, and that she would do the exact same thing all over again if she had to. Well, apart perhaps for the part where she took her stand against him while alone, unprotected.

She started placing bandages on the cuts on her forehead and jaw. Lucky enough they weren't too deep – she knew the shattered glass wall she was tossed through during the altercation could have damaged her much worse. She didn't bother bandaging the stinging cuts on her hands and forearms, thinking that may disturb her work on the computers.

She had a fleeting thought of putting bandages over some of the more gruesome blue and purple bruises that were scattered on the visible parts of her legs and arms, just to cover them up from Oliver and Digg who would have a fit when they see her. But, she respected their relationship too much for that. They deserved to know the whole truth and she should never feel she has to hide anything from them. They were her family. Oliver… was even more.

As she kneeled to put the elastic bandage on her twisted, swollen ankle she had a flashback to the same position – kneeling on the floor, trying to catch her breath just after the first strike he landed on her when he discovered her trying to stop the program on his computer. It really shouldn't have shocked her to find out the villain they were seeking was right there in front of them – it seemed to be the way villains worked, she thought half-amused.

For months she, Oliver, Digg and Roy were tracking what was building up to be a horrifying trail of evidence against a heinous plan against not only starling city but the entire country. It was as if someone was hell-bent on 'cleaning' up society – but not like Merlin had with the people of the glades, or even Oliver with the criminals of the city, be they high or low profile. No, this new player was the most dangerous of all. He seemed to be targeting the foundations that made society work – police, courts, government. They were his enemies, and that made him a very dangerous risk.

Felicity smiled bitterly thinking how the villain was the one she worked so closely with, even dated a few times. And eventually it was just her insistent gut feeling that made her poke around and discover it. How could she have missed it? And why did she poke around alone? That wasn't her brightest idea she admitted to herself as she reviewed the bruises on her thighs caused by him – by Ray.

She straightened up, and looked at her reflection again. Her top was ripped at the shoulder, revealing some of the bra, and her skirt was missing a few pieces of fabric that used to drape around the waste, but nothing too revealing. She was barefoot after her high heel broke when he shoved her through the glass wall after telling him she would never agree to his actions, not to mention join him. Ray was a very strong, big man. She admired his superman-like physique in the past, but far less when all that muscle power was directed at her.

She could see in the unveiling conversation after he found her at his computer that he really believed in his cause. Just like Oliver had. But, unlike Oliver, Ray was too far gone to see reason, all his good intentions morbidly misdirected. And he hurt innocents. When she tried to leave was when he got truly, scary violent. He said he didn't want to hurt her but he can't have her telling Oliver or anyone of his plan. She stepped back feeling his intentions and still fearful from his initial strike but he grabbed her by the neck and lifted her off the floor.

"I'm so sorry I have to do this, Felicity. I never wanted you to get hurt, on the contrary. You're very special to me. But this, this can't get in the way of my mission…" Ray said as he pushed her against a wall, still strangling her and holding her in the air. The push against the wall gave her the momentum she needed to kick out hard and land the kick in his knee. He dropped her, surprised by the shot of pain, and she, coughing and catching her breath, tried to put some distance between them.

Ray was faster. He grabbed at her shirt, and a tearing sound was heard. It delayed her just a bit – enough for him to grab her skirt and hair and push her onto a wall – a glass wall this time, which broke as Felicity went flying through it. She fell to the floor and Ray tried getting on top of her. She scrambled away but he grabbed her legs and pulled her towards him, climbing on top of her, straddling her and grabbing her arms as she tried to throw punches his way.

"No, stop! Ray, you don't have to do this, please! There are other ways to help people, to make life better, please…" But reasoning with him was pointless. He grabbed both her hands with one of his, bent over her so his face was an inch from hers, and caressed her cheek. "I'm sorry, Felicity, I really am. I appreciate you, and I really thought you would understand. Perhaps you still might… Come with me, willingly. I won't hurt you, just witness my operation. Maybe over time – you'll want to help." Ray's lips brushed against hers as they had in the past, on their dates, but this time she did not appreciate it so much.

"Ray, I could try and lie to you but you know me as well as I know you – you know I could never help someone commit such crimes. Please get off of me, let me go." Felicity hoped the emotion evoked in him would do the trick but Ray only looked back at her with sadness. "Ray, you know how the dice rolls. Oliver will find out what you're up to soon enough, and killing me will barely put a dent in that or in his battle against you. Please… you don't have to do this."

She could see something clicking in his eyes and suddenly he got off her, pulled her up and turned his back. "Go, Felicity, before I regret it. Leave. My plan is too far ahead for you or your friends to do anything to stop it anyway. And you all will have a place in the new order that will come. But beware," he turned to her with cold sadness and resolution in his eyes, "interfere in my plans, try to stop me in any way – and all of you will suffer. You know I mean it." Felicity nodded and limped as quickly as she could outside, heading for the lair, where she was now standing, looking at her bandaged, beaten body, mortified. She wasn't mortified with the confusion and shame of not knowing it was Ray all along. No, she was mortified because she knew how much pain she was going to cause Oliver when he saw her like that.


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