A/N: This is primarily Oliver and Felicity's story. There will be enough plot to fill in the blanks, but the majority of this story will be centered on how the events in Starling City triggered their journey and how their relationship is affected. Heads up, it's gonna get dark before it gets better.

Let me pick up the pieces that lay scattered.
Let me mend the heart, that I once with a lie shattered.
Let me heal your wounded heart, and put the pieces together.
Let me take you by the hand, and lead the way.
Let me hug you tight and push your fears away.
Let us be happy and erase all the hurt!
-Philip T. M.

The vehemence of Oliver's steps toward their house frightened Connor and terrified Felicity. She felt like a ball of lead had dropped into her stomach, and for a few seconds she couldn't take a breath. He had stormed past them to run upstairs, dressed in his leathers. The fact that it was broad daylight and the Arrow could be spotted going into their house meant that he wasn't particularly concerned with being discovered.

"What happened?" she called after him. She didn't hesitate to grab Connor's hand and run after Oliver. "Oliver! Where's John? The kids? Thea?"

She followed him into their bedroom, and watched with alarm as he went into their walk in closet, pulled out his duffle bag, and started packing clothes. He spoke to Felicity as he packed. "Felicity, go to Connor's room and get some things together. Get the biggest bag you can find. Hurry."

This was bad, then. Really bad. She allowed herself just a second of terror before clamping down on her emotions, for Connor's sake. She pasted on a smile.

"Ok, bud," she said with her most enthusiastic voice. She bent over to look him in the eye. "Looks like we're going on an adventure."

"Like Fable?" Connor asked, his eyes widening with excitement.

"Yeah, like Fable!" she agreed, getting into the story. "You, me, and your dad are going to go to another town, and we'll find out our next quest there."

"Do we get to fight werewolves?" For some reason, that was his favorite part. The boy was obsessed with werewolves, which she completely blamed on Roy. The werewolves in the game never ceased to freak her out, but she braved them anyway because Connor loved playing Fable with her.

"I don't know about werewolves, but there might be some bandits."

"Oh," Connor nodded solemnly. "But my dad will take care of them."

She heard Oliver freeze at Connor's words. They had never told Connor about their other activities yet; she wasn't sure he was old enough (he was still a single digit kid), and Oliver didn't want to expose his son to any of it, ever. Which she thought was wrong, because lies had torn his family apart, and she wanted to break the cycle. But, like a true Taurus, he wouldn't budge. It was an argument they've had over and over.

She looked over at him with dread, not because she had said anything to Connor, but she knew he would think she betrayed him. Again. Even though he had been dying that one time. And for her, there was no choice to make.

She was right. He was looking at her with those same, pissed off, teary eyes. She mouthed, 'I didn't say anything," nipping his bad conclusion in the bud. He clenched his jaw, still frowning, but she no longer saw betrayal in his eyes. He believed her.

She turned back to Connor. "Oh, your dad will take care of them, huh?" she asked, going for levity. "Why's that?"

Connor shrugged. "'Cause that's what dads are supposed to do."

They both took a relieved breath. They had worked themselves up for nothing. Oliver's paranoia was rubbing off on her. When she heard Oliver return to his packing, it reminded her of her task.

"Okay, let's go to your room and gear up!"

"Okay!" Connor took off toward his room. She jumped when she felt Oliver embrace her from behind.

"I'm sorry," he whispered into her neck. "I should have known better. You've never let me down."

She sighed. I guess we're hitting all the buttons today. "Yes I have, and I will again. You have to stop putting me on a pedestal, Oliver. It's a lot to ask of me." She felt him shake his head. Agree to disagree was their default compromise, and this time would be no different.

"Thank you for being so amazing with Connor," he added, tightening his arms around her torso.

She leaned her head back onto his shoulder and placed her arms on top of his. "He's a great kid. It's really easy." She bit her lip, wondering if she should go there, and decided she needed to know. "What happened?"

The speed at which his demeanor changed made her dizzy. He stiffened, dropping his arms back to his sides, and took a step back. "I can't talk about it right now." He turned on his heel to grab the duffle from the closet and then brushed past her to go downstairs. "Get him packed and meet me at the car," he told her in his bossy tone, one of her least favorite. Not the bossy-because-of-a-mission tone he used when he was hooded up; it was the do-as-I-say-and-don't-ask-me-any-questions dismissive tone that she really didn't like. She wasn't his soldier. She was his partner.

But she knew right now was not the time to challenge him on his attitude. Clearly the situation was bad, and she knew he needed them safe before he'll relax enough to talk. So she did as she was told. She packed all of Connor's essentials, and another bag for toiletries (because Oliver never remembered to pack those). She kept up a cheerful attitude for Connor's sake, and met Oliver at the car.

"Do we need to pack food?" she asked, putting the bags in the back.

"No," he said distractedly, looking down at something in his hands. She stepped toward him to see what he was holding.

"Passports?" she asked with alarm. "Are we leaving the country?"

He didn't answer her. He just opened her door and waited for her to get in.

She took in his expression. It was unnervingly blank. The only sign of emotion was a tick in his jaw. Knowing a lost battle when she saw one, she just got into her seat. Oliver closed her door, walked around the car to his door and got in.

"Can I ask one thing?" she peered at his face curiously.

"What."

She flinched at his growl. "Are you gonna change, or just keep walking around as the Arrow?"

He shook his head. "It doesn't matter anymore." With that, he started the car and drove, heading away from Starling City.