CHAPTER 2 - Partners

AN – Ok, so this is technically the first new chapter of this story but hopefully you guys give me credit for posting this at the same time, right?! :) Anyway, again, this is just my take on the Team vs. Slade to amuse myself while we wait for the new US episode next week! And again, Olicity is my endgame so keep that in mind if you keep reading!

AN2 – I neglected to say this for the last chapter so I must say thanks now to Mic Riddy! She is just the best beta (and friend) and makes this whole writing experience even better! Mic, you definitely deserve your recent good news sweetie! ;)

DISCLAIMER - Still in effect, CW's Arrow does not belong to me!

In the week since Slade had revealed himself the whole Team had been in overdrive. They needed intel, they needed to train, they needed to protect the Queen family and each other, and they needed a strategy for defeating Slade Wilson. Their lives revolved around the upcoming battle and most of the time they were in the lair, often, someone would even sleep there as they worked in shifts to make the necessary preparations.

Felicity was focused on finding out as much as possible about Slade Wilson since the Island but she was also training in basic hand-to-hand combat. She wouldn't be able to gain any real expertise in such a short time, but any ability would be a surprise to any possible attackers and Team Arrow needed some surprises on their side. Felicity knew the Team wanted to protect her with the self-defense training but instead she remained focused on hacking into any known database. If the Team wasn't successful then she wanted any and all authorities as well as the press to have all available information so others could finish what they started and destroy Slade.

As Slade had trained Oliver and researched the Team he had a great deal of knowledge and might be able to predict what they would do. Again looking for an element of surprise it was Diggle who was leading the planning and strategy portion of their preparations. He had even reached back out to Lyla for her input but he hadn't shared that fact with the Team. He knew Lyla would be helpful but he also wanted her prepared in case they couldn't defeat Slade.

Sara was known to Slade too, but she had also picked up a few tricks since the Island. It was that League training that she focused on now while on her own. She did work to share those secret tactics with Oliver, Diggle, Roy, and even Felicity. Sara had also reached out to Nyssa through secret channels as she wanted her prepared in case the Team couldn't overcome Slade.

Roy was pulling double duty protecting Thea and Moira whenever possible while he continued trained in hand-to-hand combat and archery. The Team thought it was likely that Slade would want Roy alive and they planned to use that strategy against him. They also knew Roy's temper and control were still somewhat tenuous, but the need to protect Thea did appear to have a calming effect and allowed him to focus. His focus also meant a willingness to do whatever was necessary to protect Thea in case the Team was not able to crush Slade.

It was Oliver who seemed the most determined and yet also the most resigned. He felt nearly crushed by the added guilt that his family and even his Team would have to pay the price for a choice he never intended to make. A choice that cost Shado her life and destroyed a man he had considered his brother. His focus remained on protecting those he loved and, for Oliver, that meant he accepted his own death if it ensured their survival. He knew that option wouldn't be a factor in any plan Diggle created, but he was determined to keep it on the table even as he hid his thoughts from his friends. If his death meant the end of Slade then he was fully prepared to make that decision.

They had quickly realized that alone even their Team seemed to be the underdog so, after a heated discussion, reinforcements were contacted. Roy and Sara both contacted Sin and used her street contacts for information as they were still looking to link Slade to the Cyrus Gold. Diggle contacted old service buddies to act as temporary security for the Queens as well as the Lances. Detective Lance was updated and in return he provided any new intel from the police. Despite the additional resources though the Team continued to work hard and it was wearing on all of them.

Normally the lair was home and a place they didn't need to pretend for the public eye so all were relaxed there. However, now the atmosphere was tense, angry, and small explosions were inevitable. Oliver had broken a training dummy while working off his frustration one night. Roy's archery skills still left much to be desired so after another miss he had broken the bow itself. Oliver and Sara routinely engaged in shouting matches whenever Diggle brought up strategy. Felicity had yelled when one sparring session between Diggle and Roy resulted in Diggle landing on and breaking one of the med tables that was dangerously close to her computers. Oliver and Felicity also argued whenever the name Barry Allen was mentioned.

Everyone was on edge as they continued to push themselves further without sleep or rest. All were also worried about how this would play out for the ones they loved, even as they each prepared for the worst. Each day that Slade didn't attack or make contact was a relief but it also added pressure and the wait was becoming unbearable.

Currently, Felicity was hard at work on her computers while Oliver, Diggle, and Sara trained. Roy was working in the Club and keeping watch over Thea.

"Okay, I've tracked the funds to another shell company…he has to have help with this, a hacker." Felicity mumbled under her breath.

"Felicity." Oliver growled her name as he stepped away from training with Diggle and Sara.

"What? I wasn't talking to you – just thinking out loud that maybe I've been looking at this wrong. I've been thinking it was the money I should follow. They always say follow the money but maybe I should follow the hacker. Hackers' programs leave tracks as distinctive as fingerprints so maybe I can track him or her down that way."

"Can you follow a hacker like you can follow the money?" It was Sara who asked this question as Felicity's ramble had caught her attention and she too stepped away from training. Diggle also raised a brow as he waited on Felicity's answer.

"Yes, of course, you can, well, I can anyway. I don't know why I didn't think of this sooner … if he is using just one hacker then someone with this skill level will be well known in my world. We may need to chat with a few other hackers once I have a profile, or we could get lucky. If the hacker is arrogant enough he'll intentionally leave a signature and I can find that and identify him myself."

"Do we need to understand that?" Sara asked in amusement as she watched Diggle and Oliver exchange a look.

"No, no – go back to beating each other senseless. I've got this!" Felicity's enthusiasm and optimism were contagious and Diggle, Oliver, and Sara actually exchanged their first smiles of the day. Felicity was certainly the most expressive of the Team but during the last week even she had been more reserved and quiet.

Felicity continued to work even as the trio continued to train. Later that evening Sara prepared to leave to meet her dad and Diggle had also scheduled a meeting with Lyla. They had planned both meets for the same restaurant so they could stay together. The general rule for the Team currently was no one was to be left alone in an unfamiliar setting.

Oliver remained behind with Felicity at the lair and continued to train on his own. Felicity's phone ringing brought his attention to her though and he quickly crossed the room to stand by her side. She waved him off with a frown but he didn't move … even after he heard her stress the name 'Barry' for his benefit.

They had not discussed Barry further since that first night when Felicity wanted to leave to see him now that he was awake. Oliver remained of the opinion that Barry was an unnecessary distraction and Felicity's place was here. Felicity remained of the opinion that Barry was her friend and she and the Team owed him for his past help. However, as they hadn't discussed it further neither was convinced of the other's position.

Hearing only Felicity's side, Oliver was able to follow along with the fact that Barry wanted to visit them and had news to share. He shook his head no when Felicity turned to him but she simply held his eyes as she told Barry he should come to Verdant and they agreed on a date. She turned away to continue the conversation for a few more moments before she hung up. Felicity then placed her hands on her hips as she turned to face Oliver.

"Felicity." Oliver only growled her name.

"No, Oliver. I didn't go there because you asked, well, told me not to go but he is coming here. Don't we have an 'all hands on deck' mentality right now to defeat Slade? If Barry can help then we need him. If not, well, we still owe him for the past so if he needs our help then we need to help him now. If we lose to Slade then we might not have the chance later." Felicity's voice has risen in irritation as she continued but she ended on a gasp as she realized she had revealed her fears to Oliver.

"I just mean … if Slade … well, if we …" Felicity tried to backtrack but to her own horror tears were welling up in her eyes and she was at a loss for what to say.

"Felicity, I am sorry you are paying the price for my choice—"

"You didn't choose to kill Shado—"

"Slade thinks I did and I can't argue the point." When Felicity opened her mouth to argue Oliver stepped close and laid a finger against her lips even as he smiled at her. "That wasn't the choice I meant. I knew I shouldn't have brought you into this world with me. I should have kept you out and protected you but I just kept bringing you in closer until I needed you too much to let go."

Felicity covered Oliver's hand with her own to pull it away from her mouth but she didn't let go of him as she spoke. "My choice, Oliver, not just yours. I choose to be here with you each step of the way."

The pair shared a smiled before Oliver continued in a serious tone. "I will not lose you Felicity. I will do everything possible to protect you."

"And I will do everything I can to protect you so we are even." Felicity smiled despite matching her tone to Oliver's and keeping the conversation serious.

"Felicity, if Slade—" Oliver began but Felicity cut him off again with a very stern tone.

"No, we are partners Oliver – your words. We are in this together and that's it."

"Felicity." Oliver again growled her name but as he used their joined hands to pull her in for a hug Felicity didn't take offense at the tone.

Oliver and Felicity stood there silently for several moments and simply held one another. Despite the recent changes to the Team and Oliver's relationship with Sara, the pair had formed a unique bond since he had first walked into her IT office. They had fought for one another and fought one another as they often had different views. Yet both still chose to stay together, to remain partners. As they embraced both thought of how the other had changed them and how different life would be without their partner. As thoughts of a future without the other crossed their minds both tightened their holds and Oliver even pressed a kiss to Felicity's temple. As they heard the lair door open they each savored the hug for a moment longer before pulling apart to see Roy.

When Roy returned to the lair he saw Oliver and Felicity hugging before they broke apart and they turned to face him. Felicity was blushing but as he had gotten to know her better Roy knew that could be for a variety of reasons so he wasn't concerned. He never knew what to make of the pair as Oliver was in a relationship with Sara, but he and Felicity remained very close and the vibe wasn't always strictly platonic. Roy had realized quickly that it was best not to get between them, whether they were arguing or not, so he usually adopted Diggle's policy of no interference and tried to ignore them. He also tried to ignore Sara watching them suspiciously at times. Now he just gestured to the bows and arrows as he spoke to Oliver.

"Time to practice?"

AN3 - Just in case anyone is wondering, I remain open to ideas and suggestions even though I do have the remaining chapters already written! Always feel free to review or PM me with suggestions, comments or even questions! Some of you have helped me previously but if you are new to my stories then pls know that while I love suggestions I make no promises that you'll love the results! :)