The thick foliage of the forest was frightening to felicity, or was this a jungle? She never really understood the difference anyways. But the idea of getting lost within the depths gave births to a lump in her throat. Oliver despised the silence between them, it was too thick and he wouldn't admit it but he wished she would say something, anything—ramble even. She spoke not a word all the way the plane wreck, just quietly hovered behind him occasionally gripping the fabric of his shirt for reassurance.

When they got to the plane Felicity finally spoke. "IS there a place I can, like have a shower or something? Well not specifically a shower its an abandoned island—no water pressure. Just somewhere I can wash myself? I stink. Though I don't know how much less ill stink since there is no soap—you can stop me before I start on the fact there's no towels and that Chinese island aren't hotels."

If Oliver hadn't been in such a frustration with wondering why and who brought them here he probably would have smiled at the return of felicity's voice. But he couldn't find it in himself to smile at her, because the reason she didn't have water pressure was him. Felicity wouldn't have been taken if he hadn't involved her. "There's a river a little ways down from here. I'll go with you."

"Go with me? As in skinny dipping?" Felicity's face flushed, "oh my god, tell me that I said bathing together—I mean not together but in the same place. Technically it is skinny dipping, just not with the intentions most adults have when in water together…naked. Well not always adults, I was a teenager the first time I went skinny dipping. Oliver please stop me. Why aren't you stopping me?"

Now Oliver smiled, turning in the direction of the river. "Yes, go with you. So you don't get lost. I'll wait behind a tree or something" he stopped, "First time?"

Felicity's eyes widened. "Oliver Queen!" he chuckled and set off into the forest again, felicity quietly yelping as she tried to catch up to him. To her dismay her foot caught on a tree root and she fell forward. Arms wrapped around her waist, hoisting her back up to her feet. She looked up to Oliver to thank him but froze, her voice catching in her throat. It wasn't Oliver. The man let her go and she stumbled backwards into a tree. "Oliver!" she screamed, the playful tone she had a moment ago gone.

Oliver turned at the sound of her shout, running back the slight path in the greenery. "Felicity he gasped.

The man gripped her tighter and spun towards Oliver. Shock rose up in his throat and he became suddenly weak in the knees. Despite the rush of emotion he felt, seeing that mask, seeing the one wearing it gripping Felicity. It was Slade. He threw Oliver's bow and quiver at his feet. "You're going to need those."

Another man emerged from the trees, holding a small woman with smudged makeup and wide green eyes. Her shoulder length brown hair was tangled and clumps of waves and she looked at Oliver with pleading eyes.

Felicity struggled against Slade. "Thea!" she cried. Slade clamped a large hand over her mouth, stifling her cries.

Oliver's gunmetal blue eyes blazed with anger, he reached down for the bow and quiver, his movements sharp and fast. Slade shoved Felicity out of his hold and at Oliver. He motioned for the other man to release Thea. Both tumbled forwards, Felicity tripping and her knees ground sharply in the dirt and Thea ended up in her brothers arms. Oliver offered Felicity a hand up and he stood in front of her and Thea.

"Why are you doing this Slade? How are you even alive?" Asked Oliver quietly. Felicity quickly made the connection between the story Oliver had told her and Diggle of the man on the island and looked up at the tall man in the orange and black mask startled.

Slade turned, walking into the depths of green. "Shado died at your hands Oliver Queen, or, should I say 'the arrow'?"


heey :) thanks everyone I have received such good response to this story, im sorry the chapters aren't longer but i'm trying. I also want to apologize for the long wait, this chapter was really difficult for me. thanks for reading, review please. :*