Chapter 2 - Ghosts

AN – This chapter remains focused on Felicity (still dark and angsty) but there is a little Oliver interaction. BTW, this story still feels very different to me so your support means a lot to me as I try something new! Thank you all for the reviews, faves and follows! And Mic, always want to say thanks for your continued help!

DISCLAIMER – Still not mine!

Felicity again sat alone in the lair several days later. She knew she needed to sleep but there was too much to do and her mind was scrambling to keep up – so many possibilities, so many issues, so many promises, so many dangers. She had continued to work both her jobs but her mind and her focus remained on the new hidden danger. She had obsessively searched for answers but continued to run into bricks walls at every turn.

It was beyond frustrating to Felicity as this world – information, hacking, computer technology – was her domain, her home. This was her strength and where she felt most comfortable and confident and as Team Arrow continued to change this was the one place Felicity could make a contribution. She knew she didn't have the ninja skills, strength or weapons training to fight as the others so Felicity already felt unsure, isolated and alone. If she couldn't even protect her own secrets and ferret out this danger then how could she deserve a place protecting Oliver and his secrets?

But it wasn't just the Team changing though…Felicity was still fighting her own less than platonic feelings for Oliver while having to see him with someone else. That battle was also wearing on her and making her doubt herself personally. Over the last year or more really, her life had become inexorably intertwined with Oliver Queen as they were dependent on each other in every area of their lives. She had felt closer to him than anyone ever and those bonds had led her to dream of a future together. Sharing a future with someone wasn't anything Felicity had ever believed would be possible given her past but Oliver had made her believe.

Felicity gave herself a hard mental shake to dispel those wishful thoughts before her heartbreak crippled her efforts to work. She had long ago accepted that it didn't matter what might have been as dreams and promises would always fall victim to the harsh reality of life. And the reality was Oliver and Sara were together and Felicity was alone. Felicity realized she had gotten used to fighting battles with Oliver (and John) at her side but she now needed to remember how to fight on her own. She had to figure this mystery out and face her past and she had to do it by herself.

Forcing herself to focus, Felicity continued to push through secure sites as she pursued her leads. Felicity had managed to gather a few clues but knew she was no closer to identifying the mystery contact now than when she had first started. Luckily she had been successful at thwarting several attempts to breach her own security. She couldn't positively link the hacker to the mystery but it seemed too big of a coincidence to ignore.

Felicity dropped her head to her hands and rubbed her temples – living on caffeine wasn't going to help her keep a clear head, maybe just a few moments of sleep would help.

A sharp metal clang pulled Felicity from a nightmare and she raised up quickly and choked off a scream as she saw Oliver on the salmon ladder.

"So Sleeping Beauty awakens finally? I thought that might be the case." Oliver advanced another level before he continued. "Breakfast is on your desk … yes, I brought you coffee."

Felicity continued to stare for a moment before glancing around nervously.

"No one is here Felicity – it's just us." Oliver gave that information as he dropped to the ground. "I think we need to talk."

Felicity scrambled up off the couch as she tried to focus on what was happening. The last thing she remembered was closing her eyes at her desk…Oh man!

Felicity ran to her computers to see all in sleep mode before she turned back to look questioningly at Oliver. She needed to know what he saw on the computers but was afraid to ask.

"I didn't touch your computers." Oliver slid by her to grab a strawberry from the fruit platter that he'd brought as part of her breakfast but then turned back to her and continued to speak. "You know you can talk to me, right? Roy and Sara being on the Team doesn't change anything—"

Felicity couldn't stop the harsh laugh but immediately clapped a hand over her mouth to smother it.

Oliver just quirked a brow before he repeated with his statement with more force. "Roy and Sara being on the Team does not change anything between us Felicity."

When he paused and continued to look at her Felicity realized she needed to respond so she nodded her acceptance … What's one more lie?

"We are still a Team and you will always have me, Felicity. Something is wrong but I can't help you if you don't tell me what it is."

At her computer's beep, Felicity jumped slightly and moved instinctively toward it before she hesitated. She wasn't sure what the alert meant and wasn't sure she should check in front of Oliver. She dropped her head slightly and glanced over her shoulder at him.

"I know no one can be forced to talk but I also know what it means to know you have friends around when you are ready. I'm here Felicity." With those final words, Oliver moved away and gave Felicity the privacy she needed to check her computer.

TIRED OF CHASING GHOSTS? I'M READY TO MEET IF YOU ARE.

Felicity knew she wasn't as well prepared as she wanted to be but she also knew Oliver would push again so she had run out of time. She quickly typed up a response agreeing to meet.

DETAILS WILL BE SENT TO YOUR PHONE. I LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING YOU IN PERSON MS. SMOAK.

Felicity couldn't stop the shiver of dread even as she dared to hope this meeting would be the end of the game. She had protected her mom and the Team as best she could though and also left instructions for her mom to forward to Oliver if…well, if she didn't check-in regularly. She didn't have enough to actually help the Team identify the mystery man but Felicity knew it was someone from the Island so she hoped Oliver would be able to put the clues together differently than she had. Felicity still hoped it wouldn't come to that as Oliver had enough to worry about … Felicity glanced back to watch him workout as she thought about all the burdens he already carried.

It seemed his family and the Lances remained in shambles as everyone fought and struggled to piece their lives back together. Oliver maintained the public façade supporting Moira but Felicity knew Thea was caught in the middle and demanding answers. Oliver still believed Thea didn't need to learn the truth, but lying to her was hurting him. As for the Lances, Laurel was still caught in a downward spiral that only worsened when she found out Sara and Oliver were together. Much like Thea, Detective Lance was caught in the crossfires of his own family battle as the sisters continued to fight. Unlike Thea though, Detective Lance blamed Oliver and took shots at him whenever possible.

Felicity knew both battles were wearing on Oliver but he hadn't actually confided much in her lately. Not that Oliver ever confided much, but she now assumed he was leaning on Sara for support. Sara was fighting her own demons as she struggled to find her place with her family and on the Team though and she looked on edge herself more times than not. Felicity remembered how Oliver was when he first returned and it seemed Sara was struggling even more than he had. She wasn't sure how either would be able to help the other but she had to give them points for trying even if it still broke her heart to know they were together.

Felicity stifled a quick chuckle at the realization that even Roy who still battled to control the Mirakuru in his system was one of the Team's steadiest members at this moment. Gotta hope we can protect the City better than we can protect ourselves, she couldn't help thinking.

As she shook off those thoughts, Felicity's phone buzzed. She quickly scanned the text and gasped as the meet had been scheduled in the QC parking garage and she had only thirty minutes to get there. She quickly gathered her stuff and turned back to see Oliver had stopped training and stood nearby watching her. She bit her bottom lip as she considered her options but knew she really had none if she was to have any hope of keeping any of her promises to him.

"I've gotta go … but I'll be in touch, okay?" Even if this meeting turned out badly Felicity knew Oliver would hear from her again if only through her mom. It took a moment longer but Oliver gave a single affirmative nod. Felicity stared at him for a few more moments before she gave in to the urge and ran forward to hug him. Oliver's arms closed tightly around her and she felt safe, protected, and even loved. She closed her eyes to savor those feelings before she pulled reluctantly away.

"Thank you, Oliver." She wanted to tell him what he meant to her but knew she shouldn't, couldn't do that so she stepped back even as she reached for his hand to squeeze it gently.

"Always, Felicity." Oliver squeezed her hand in return until Felicity pulled away. Without daring to take another look back she ran from the lair.

Felicity didn't try to stop the tears from falling until she had almost reached her destination. She knew it was time to get serious so she had to put away her feelings for Oliver, put away her fears of the past, and focus on this mission. She pulled into a parking space and dried her face with a tissue before she noticed the limo that had pulled up behind her.

As she got out of her car the back door of the limo opened and a well-dressed man got out. Felicity gasped as she noted his eye patch when he smiled and spoke to her.

"Ms. Smoak, such a pleasure to meet you in person. I trust this transportation meets your approval." He held the car door open and Felicity glanced nervously around before she stepped toward him. She stopped moving though as he turned toward her and held out his hand for hers. Felicity reluctantly placed her hand in his and tried not to flinch as he raised her hand to his lips.

"Truly a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Smoak."

Felicity's smile was little more than a grimace as he continued to hold her hand but she did nod her head in acknowledgement. She was surprised when the man pulled her and spun her around so her back rested against his chest. His grip on her hand tightened even as his other arm wrapped around her to grip her face. He turned both of their faces toward the security camera as he spoke.

"Smile, Ms. Smoak. I am sure our good friend Oliver Queen will be pleased to see you and I are well acquainted."

Felicity tried to smile but then actually tried to jerk away when the man nuzzled her neck and placed a kiss there. He simply tightened his grip painfully and spoke over her gasp of pain and fear.

"I am sure Oliver told you about me … the name is Slade Wilson."

With that he laughed and gently pushed a shocked Felicity easily into the car. Felicity scrambled to the far side as quickly as she could as she processed that information. Slade Wilson … dead Slade Wilson who had gone crazy after being injected with Mirakuru … Slade Wilson, Slade Wilson, Slade Wilson …

"Ah, I see Oliver has been sharing Island stories … bedtime stories, perhaps? Oh wait, he's back with the other Lance girl again, isn't he?" Slade's tone was smug and taunting.

Felicity could think of nothing to say that would help and, for once, no rambling thoughts came to mind either as she stared at the man who had once been Oliver's friend … Before Oliver killed him?!

"I thought you were dead!" Felicity blurted it out like an accusation.

Slade just laughed at her as he poured them both drinks. Felicity shook her head no when he offered it but he just smiled and placed it down beside her.

"You don't want to toast my resurrection from the dead?" Slade didn't bother waiting for her reply but simply sipped his drink and brought out his phone. He tapped a few keys before he set the phone down and turned back to her.

"We really do need to get acquainted, Felicity … do you mind if I call you Felicity or would you prefer Suzanne?"

"Felicity is fine." Felicity tried to shake off the fear and find the strength to continue this game. Even as she realized she had lost this round too Felicity brought her focus back to the mission as she knew her mom and the Team were still counting on her. She took a moment to glance around the limo but nothing unusual stood out so she again focused on Slade Wilson. Felicity noticed his voice was gravelly but it wasn't similar to Oliver's own deep voice. It was more like that of a snake oil salesman – greasy and so smooth it grated on her nerves and put her on edge. He was well-dressed and after spending so much time with Oliver Felicity could recognize quality and cost so she knew he had money.

"Then Felicity it is my dear. I have to confess I am a little disappointed by our game. I was so looking forward to forcing Oliver to choose between you and Sara but he's already done that, hasn't he? Of course, he had already chosen on the Island too and that cost Shado her life."

Felicity jumped slightly as he slammed his drink down and cursed. There was a moment of silence before he then continued in the same slick voice.

"Plans do have a way of changing and I'm nothing if not adaptable. This new game won't be quite as satisfying but it will be fun way to let Oliver know I'm back."

Felicity grimaced as he laughed and took another drink before he continued yet again.

"If only he had loved you my dear this would have gone very differently but I can work with this!"

Again Felicity was chilled by his laughter but this time she had to turn away in an attempt to block out her rising terror. As she was turned away she didn't realize Slade had reached for her until he locked a hand around her wrist and pulled. Felicity fought instinctively even though she knew she didn't stand a chance against him as not even Oliver had been able to kill him. Once Slade's laughter penetrated her fear though she did stop fighting and remained still as he bound her hands and blindfolded her. Felicity only flinched once when Slade slid a hand through her hair to release her ponytail.

The remainder of the ride was silent until Felicity felt the sharp prick of a needle and cried out in surprise and pain. Again it was Slade's laughter that helped her regain control and silence her cry. She again clamped her mouth shut and reined in her fear so she barely flinched as Slade pulled her roughly from the car and pushed her forward. Felicity knew they had entered a building but she was too scared to focus on anything except staying upright. Slade cursed her clumsy steps but still didn't remove the blindfold.

Felicity stumbled once again as Slade pushed her even harder. He was still close behind her though and spun her around quickly to release the rope binding her hands. She quickly removed the blindfold herself as the memory of his caressing her hair when he'd put it on her still disgusted her. Felicity met Slade's eyes briefly before she tried to look around the dark room.

"Make yourself at home my dear. You're going to be here for a while."

AN2 – I'm guessing no one is really surprised by the entrance of Slade here but he just seemed like the right fit!