His arms around her brought on the tears that she'd been holding inside. Felicity buried her face into his shoulder and clung to him. It was a ball of emotion that had hit her all at once. Maybe it was because she knew she was safe...safe under Verdant and safe with him. A hand was running through her hair while the other rubbed her back. It made her realize how real it was and how much she truly missed him. Everything she had done had been to help keep him safe, but she hadn't expected to break down like this. It was one thing to be teary eyed, but this was so much more.

"I missed you," she barely got out. It was then that she realized that she was sobbing. "It's been so long."

Felicity couldn't believe that it had been three years… To her, it seemed like none of them had changed. Though, without her clear vision, she couldn't tell for sure. Oliver's whining pulled her attention and Felicity pulled from Diggle before looking back towards where Thea and Roy were trying to entertain the little girl.

"Who's this?" Diggle asked.

"Olivia," Felicity said without missing a beat. She took Olivia from Roy and Thea and bounced her for a moment and placed a kiss on her forehead before looking back towards him. "She's my daughter."

"Felicity-"

"Maybe we should let her settle in," Thea spoke up before Diggle could continue with what he had started to say.

Felicity looked between them and she felt a little uneasy. She didn't know if it was because she felt like they were keeping something from them or if it was just odd… Odd because Oliver wasn't there and obviously Roy and Thea had been clued in on Oliver's identity as Arrow and where they spent their nights. She wondered how that had gone over…

"I have something," Diggle said as he approached her. "I've been holding onto these…" He held out something to her.

For a moment, she just stared, but then reached out after adjusting Olivia so that she was on her hip. When she grasped it, she knew exactly what he was giving her. Her glasses, which he'd already opened for her. Felicity slid them on and suddenly the blurry world became clear again. She took a moment to look at all of them before looking around.

Nothing had changed.

All of it was the same as she remembered.

"You guys really liked how I had it, didn't you?" she said, mostly to herself.

"Did you really think we'd up and change things because you were gone?" Diggle asked. He walked up to stand alongside of her.

"It's been three years...I'm surprised that you haven't upgraded some things…"

"Three years?" Diggle questioned. "Felicity, it's been six months."

"It's been three years," Felicity argued as she turned to face him. This wasn't funny and he looked so serious. She had a fifteen month old daughter, she'd been pregnant for nine months, and she'd been held for a time before that. It had to have been more than six months. "That's not funny, John," she told him and felt panic rising inside of her.

"We're going to go...check on things upstairs," Thea said suddenly.

Diggle nodded and then wrapped an arm around her. "Do you really think that I'd say something like that if it wasn't true? We've been looking for you. Oliver's practically lost his mind looking for you. One day you were at Queen Consolidated and then you never showed up here...and we couldn't find you… There was no trace of what had happened. Thea and Roy had to be brought in on the secret in order to help balance Oliver and keep all of our sanities."

"I-I-I need to sit down," she said as fresh tears fell from her face.

He guided her over to a chair and she sat down placing Olivia in her lap. She held her daughter close and kissed her head. No matter what he said, all she could think was that he was wrong. Felicity knew that Olivia was her daughter. She had to be.

"I promise you, I'm not trying to trick you or upset you," Diggle said as he pulled over another chair and sat in it. "At least, not upset you on purpose."

"How can it have been only six months?" she asked.

Diggle motioned to the computer screen and it showed up at the right month and she figured the day was right, but he was right about the year. Felicity just stared at it, occasionally wiping tears away. And then it hit her, she hadn't had her glasses… She hadn't had television or radio. She hadn't had access to a phone or a computer. When she'd gone out, she hadn't ever picked up a newspaper or looked at her receipt. She suddenly felt stupid. There had been times where she could have known where she was and when she was, but she'd not wanted to try to make it harder for her to live in that life. Felicity had purposely lived ignorantly in order to keep herself safe as much as Olivia and those she loved.

"What happened? Where have you been? Who took you?"

"It's-it's a long story," she said as she closed her eyes.

"Felicity, I need to take you both to the hospital, I'm sure you know that," Diggle told her. "I'm going to have to call Lance...I figured that he's going to be the most familiar and delicate… But you haven't been seen in six months...and Olivia…"

"You're trying to ask me if I remember things with Olivia?" she questioned. "I was sick… I don't remember details. There's so much that is confusing and things that he filled in…" Felicity shook her head. "The last few months has been the best I've been-"

"Why?"

"I don't know," she whispered.

"How long?"

Felicity hated to think about this, but she did. "He started to let me leave the house two months ago...and probably two months before that… I was feeling a lot better… There had been a doctor who would come by… I forget what he said had been wrong with me."

"Do you remember his name?"

She frowned. "Doctor Masterson, I think," she told him. Fresh tears fell. "She's really not mine?" she asked as she stared down at Olivia.

"You've taken care of her for part of her life...these last few months you've been her mother, but she was probably taken just like you… Maybe her parents have been looking for her just as much as we've been looking for you."

It was like her life had been suddenly taken away. Felicity wasn't sure how she was going to cope. Olivia had been everything in that world that she'd lived in. She knew that what he was saying made sense and what she thought was true didn't add up. One thing she remembered was that she'd picked Olivia as her name in honor of Oliver and he had hated it, but he hadn't made her change it.

"John? What's going to happen?"

He looked worried and concerned, but he was there. That was what mattered the most. "I'm going to call Lance… We'll meet him at the hospital. We're going to tell him what happened."

"I can't-"

"Tell him that someone had you. That you thought Olivia was yours, but that since you've only been missing for six months that she can't be. Tell him that you escaped. That you called me. That Roy and Thea picked you up and brought you home. Be vague with him. I doubt he'll push for more details…" Diggle told her. "Thea and Roy can give him their reports later."

"What about Olivia?" Felicity asked as she hugged her again.

"I'll talk to Lance. While they figure out who she is...where she's from...if she has family out there...I'll try to convince him to put in a word for you to keep her… You're the most familiar person to her right now and that means you're in her best interest. That's the best that I can do right now."

She could tell that he probably wished that he could do more, but she knew that this was going to be hard all around. Felicity still was struggling with the fact that it had been six months and not three years. She had a feeling that it was going to take her a lot longer to really sort that out and cope with it. Felicity didn't even know how to prepare herself for having to hand Olivia over to someone else, even if they were her family. This had been her child, even if what Diggle was saying was true… She had been her mother for months now…

"Where's Oliver?" she asked after a minute. Felicity had seen the time on the desktop display and knew that the Arrow suit was there on the metallic mannequin, so where was Oliver? He should be there. All she could think of was that there was a Queen Consolidated event… It couldn't be a family event because Roy and Thea were at Verdant and Diggle was there as well instead of being his bodyguard.

"It's a long story."

"You said he-"

"I know what I said...and I promise that you'll see Oliver, but I guarantee you that it's going to be easier if we deal with Lance and the hospital now," Diggle told her.

"Everyone needs to be guarded," Felicity told him as she thought about what he might do. She couldn't bear if he hurt those that she'd tried to keep safe.

"Oliver's already covered," Diggle told her. "I've doubled security at the house. Roy and Thea are going to head there once we leave… Then Lance will likely head over there after the hospital. See, completely covered."

"He's dangerous, John," she told him quite seriously. They didn't know. They didn't understand. He would come after them all know. She'd broken her promise to him and now he'd go after those that she held closest to her heart.

"Who is 'he' exactly?"

"He-he-" her voice broke. "I can't-"

. . .

She could hear them in the hallway. Felicity was glad that Lance was getting there after she and Olivia had been examined. She just wanted to leave and she hoped that he wouldn't keep her long. There were questions, though, that she knew that he'd want answered and she wouldn't be able to do that.

"So, she thinks the kid is hers?" she heard Lance say.

Diggle quickly responded. "I explained that it's not possible. I was hoping that you'd figure out a way to let her hold onto the little girl until her family is located and whatever arrangements are made."

"I'm not sure-"

"Felicity and the child need to be protected," Diggle said. "Queen Mansion is going to be the best protection for both of them."

"How much has she told you?"

"Not much."

"But she's okay?"

"I stepped out during the doctor's exam," Diggle said. "And Felicity hasn't given them permission to tell me anything, so you know as much as I do."

Felicity closed her eyes for a moment. She really didn't know how she was going to explain everything to them...eventually. Right now, though, she redressed in the clothing she had come in with. The nurse said that they'd bring her Olivia once she was done. It made her anxious though. Diggle had promised to keep Olivia in his line of sight, but it was still hard.

The slight knock brought her attention away from slipping on her flats. She looked up and reached out to pull the curtain back. "I'm dressed," she said and found herself even happy to see Lance. She knew he was a good guy, even if he hadn't always been with Team Arrow. "It's good to see you again, Officer Lance."

"It's good to see you, Ms. Smoak," Lance replied and took a step in. "You have no idea how happy I was to hear that you were found alive. We couldn't find any leads when Mr. Queen and Diggle contacted us about your disappearance though. I haven't heard from our mutual friend, but I had to assume he was looking for you as well. I haven't seen him lately," Lance went on. He shrugged. "I haven't seen him in a long, long while actually… I thought that maybe he moved on or maybe he was still out there looking for you."

"Maybe he is…" she whispered.

"I know you must be exhausted with all you've gone through, but Mr. Diggle doesn't seem to know much and it would be nice to have some answers."

Felicity had dreaded this. She knew already that she couldn't really tell Lance anything. In part it was to keep him safe and in part it was to keep herself safe. No one understood how extremely dangerous he was. He could bring down her whole world with a snap of his finger. As she'd been waiting in that hospital room, all she'd thought about was that maybe she'd made the wrong choice. Maybe she should have stayed… Maybe that ignorant make believe life that she'd lived in for three years or six months...maybe it hadn't been as bad as what might come.

"I was held," Felicity said. She slipped on her flats and then moved to sit in a nearby chair. It wasn't going to be an exceptionally long story, but it wasn't going to be short either and Felicity was tired. "I thought it was for three years."

"Mr. Diggle did tell me that," Lance said as he jotted things down in his notebook. "I can assure you, it's been six months."

Felicity nodded. "I thought that Olivia-"

"The little girl?"

"Yes," she affirmed and sucked in breath for a moment. "I thought that she was my daughter. I managed to get away, to find a phone, to get to a vehicle, and I am here now."

"I'm going to need more details than that," Lance told her.

"I called John...Diggle. Thea and Roy was close enough to where I was and I met up with them. Then they brought me to Diggle."

"What about who held you?"

Felicity stared at him. She wasn't sure if she was allowed to really not cooperate, but it was in his best interest. "I can't-"

"You can't tell me?"

"No."

Lance looked confused and slightly irritated. "Why?"

"I just can't. I need you to just accept that."

"Do you know him?"

"I know who he is, yes," Felicity confirmed.

"Are you afraid for your life?"

"Absolutely," she said without really thinking. It was an automatic response. "He's going to come after me and Olivia...and possibly those closest to me. John said that he's making sure that people are protected. Please… Just trust me when I say that it's better that you don't know."

"We can protect you," Lance insisted.

Felicity got up from the chair. She reached out and touched his arm. "The thought is nice, but you can't… I don't even know if the Arrow could keep me safe… But one thing I know for sure, I'm going to be safer at the Queen Mansion."

"I am going to send a unit over just as some extra support," he told her. "And Olivia," Lance said. "You take her with you tonight, but in the morning...we're going to have to look into locating her family."

Slowly, Felicity nodded. "They said that they'd do a swab for you."

Lance put an arm around her and led her out of the room. "I really wish that you'd share more with me…"

Felicity smiled at him. "I appreciate you understanding-"

"I don't."

She shook her head for a second. "I appreciate you...trying...to understand."

"We should be going," Diggle said.

"Olivia," Felicity said as she looked around.

Diggle pointed behind her and when Felicity turned, she was right there only a few feet away. The nurse set the little blonde haired girl on the ground to walk and she ran. Felicity beamed and crouched down with her arms open to receive her. Once Olivia was in her arms, she wrapped her up in them and stood up.

"Mama," Olivia said with a giggle.

"That's a good girl," she whispered.

"Do you guys have a car seat and everything?" Lance asked as he waved a hand around.

"We do," Diggle said.

"I have enough supplies until tomorrow at least," Felicity told him.

"I'll walk you out then," Lance said as he motioned in the direction of the exit.

Though he hadn't pushed, Felicity knew it was coming. There were going to be a lot of people pushing for information. They all wanted it, but she just didn't think that it was a good idea to give it to them. Not yet at least.

. . .

Queen Mansion still made her uneasy. She didn't know exactly why, but she had to admit, having Moira Queen there really wasn't helping any. She seemed all smiles and welcoming, but Felicity didn't feel like they were really welcome. Maybe it was just because she was worried about what Moira knew. Everything had changed as far as who knew what that she just didn't know what she could say to who.

"Is Oliver back?" Diggle asked.

"No," Thea responded quickly.

Felicity didn't miss the frown from Diggle. He obviously wasn't pleased and she worried even more about Oliver now. Where was he? Diggle hadn't painted a very good picture of Oliver, but it also wasn't too clear.

"Let's get you settled," Diggle said and directed her towards one side of the house.

The mansion hadn't been a place that she'd been much at all. From her times there, though, she knew that they were going away from the bedrooms that Moira, Thea, and Oliver slept. At least she wouldn't have to worry about awkward run-ins in the hallway?

"You okay?"

"Sure," Felicity breathed.

"Felicity-"

"Let's just get things settled," Felicity told him. Olivia's head was on her shoulder and she was half asleep. Apparently the nurses had been feeding Olivia while she had been examined. It was fine, but it also meant that the little girl was ready for bed. "It's way past her bedtime and I wouldn't want her to start screaming…"

"If you're worried about Mrs. Queen-"

"Of course I'm worried about Mrs. Queen. Does she know?"

"About Oliver?" Diggle asked. "She thinks he's away on a trip…"

"She didn't look too happy," Felicity pointed out as Diggle opened the door to a room. He walked in and she followed. It was a grand room and far more than she really needed. Inside was a pack n play setup with a mattress and bedding. It really was perfect and well thought. "You guys didn't need-"

"Yes, we did," Diggle told her. "I'm going to give you a couple of minutes while I make a phone call. If you need anything, I'm right next door…"

Felicity smiled. "Thank you, John."

He left with just a smile and closed the door behind him. Pulling in breath, she looked around. Of course it was so much nicer than where she'd been living, but it also felt so much safer. This was a room without windows, which she thought was odd for a moment, but then decided that right now it was the best place for her. It brought about less worry.

"Let's get you to bed, Little One," she said.

She set Olivia down in the middle of the large bed, the diaper bag alongside her. Felicity was glad that she was a person who overpacked. She didn't have pajamas for Olivia, but she had a shirt and leggings, that was close enough. So, she changed her diaper and changed her clothes before making her a bottle. Felicity took the quiet time to walk Olivia around as she quietly sang to her.

With Olivia finally down, she ventured into the hallway. Felicity left the door opened and smiled at Diggle. It looked like he'd been waiting out there, probably in order to keep from disturbing her while she was trying to get Olivia down. He might not have kids of his own, but Diggle had a nephew.

"She asleep?"

Felicity nodded. "She's usually a good baby, but when she's overtired...she sounds like a banshee…"

"I understand that."

"I thought you might."

"Thea said that she did some baby shopping and picked you up some things. It should all be in there."

She hadn't expected that. "That's...sweet...and unexpected."

Diggle seemed a little amused. "Nothing's changed, but Thea and Roy knowing...that's changed a lot too."

"I'm noticing that," Felicity told him.

"Thea was happy to be able to go shopping, especially if it's in order to help out."

She just smiled. "So… Are you going to be less vague about Oliver?" she finally asked. It had been bothering her and she just wanted answers, probably just as much as Diggle wanted them.

"He's on his way. He should be here any minute now," Diggle said.

"Does he know?"

"That you're back? No…" Diggle said. He frowned deeply. "I didn't talk to Oliver. I talked to Sara."

"Oh…"

Back at the grocery store, she'd remembered seeing that Isabel and Oliver were engaged, but obviously that didn't seem right. Sara Lance? Felicity knew enough to know that there had to be some kind of spark between them and they had similar history (as far as she could guess) when it came to what happened after the Queen's Gambit went down.

"Not like that," Diggle said after a minute. "She's...well, she's making sure that he stays out of trouble… He wanted to go off grid and she sort of has to be off grid."

"Of course," she said as she looked down.

"I was afraid that he wouldn't believe me if I told him...or if Sara told him. He really was messed up after you disappeared… He looked everywhere for you. He stopped going into Queen Consolidated. You were the only thing that occupied his mind. He blamed himself. He started drinking...and he almost killed himself."

Felicity just stared at him.

"He got into a car accident," Diggle said. "Luckily the only other thing injured besides Oliver and his car was a tree…"

She'd made a choice. She'd thought that it had been to protect Oliver...to protect them all. Felicity had never thought that Oliver might blame himself...that he might go so far… Tears broke free and she looked back down at the carpet again. She really didn't know what else she could have done...how she could have let them know that she was okay, but keep Oliver away…

"Felicity?"

"It's my fault…"

"Oliver's a grown-"

"I made the choice, John," she said suddenly as her head snapped up to look at him. "He was going to kill Oliver…you...Moira...Thea...Roy… I couldn't let him. So, I said I'd stay with him…"

"Felicity-"

She could see the confusion and if possible, even more worry, in his face. He just didn't know. Felicity knew that he couldn't. She hadn't given him the answers that he wanted. Everything was just so much to take in…

"Oliver is going to hate me," she choked out.

Diggle pulled her into his arms and held her. "Shh… He's not going to hate you… He could never hate you… He cares about you too much… I care about you, too. You're safe now… Whoever 'he' is, he can't hurt you…"

"He could-"

"I won't let him," Diggle told her.

There was a clatter at the end of the hall and Felicity pulled away from Diggle. She looked towards where the sound had come from. At the end of the hall was a set of doors. Sara Lance and Oliver Queen stood there.

"Oliver," she breathed and reached up to brush the tears from her cheeks.

It took her only a moment to realize that he didn't look happy to see her. Shouldn't he be happy? Maybe even relieved? Felicity didn't know what to think, say, or do...so she just stood there. Sara seemed happy to see her and closed the distance between them. Felicity found herself being hugged, which was unexpected.

"I'm so glad that you're okay," Sara told her.

"Uh-thanks…" Felicity said as she awkwardly patted Sara's back.

It wasn't that she didn't appreciate the thought or the attempt at comfort, she did, it was just weird to her. She liked Sara Lance, but they'd not been super close. Felicity liked to think that they were at least sort of friends. After all, she'd been the one to think about sending her a thank you note before they knew that she was the masked woman in black kicking ass all over Starling and The Glades.

"Really, you have no idea," Sara told her as she pulled back. "Digg," she said a moment later before moving past her.

Felicity watched her go over her shoulder for a moment before turning back to look down the hallway. Oliver Queen. The man who had changed her world had been standing there just a moment ago and now he was gone. She looked around, but didn't see him.

"Sara…" Diggle said.

She looked to Diggle worriedly and then looked over at Sara, who didn't look too happy as she walked back towards them. What had happened? What was wrong? She thought that he'd be happy to see her. Felicity had been overjoyed to see him safe...and she'd been looking forward to hugging him and telling him how much she missed him.

"What...I didn't…" she started to ramble as she looked between them.

"Let me talk to him," Sara said.

"You know, maybe I should take this one…" Diggle said.

"He didn't want to come back," Sara told him. She sighed. "Go on and get him…" Sara looked at her and Felicity just didn't know what to say or think or do. "Let's get you out of this hallway for the time being… I've heard that they've put you through being examined at the hospital and being questioned by my father already," she said as she turned Felicity back around to face the room that she'd been assigned as 'hers' for the time being.

They walked in and Felicity didn't say a word. She just went and checked on Olivia, who was still sound asleep. Felicity heard the door click behind her and turned to see Sara standing there. "A lot has changed…" she stated quietly.

"He's been through a lot in the last several years…" Sara said. "It's just catching up with him. You never knew him before the island, but he was what everyone said he was… He's grown up so much since then, but Oliver holds people that he cares about close to his heart. He blames himself even when it's not his fault. He wants to make things right even when it's not possible."

"John said that he sort of fell apart…"

"The first month, he just hardly slept and looked for you night and day. One day, Digg tracked me down...not sure how he did it, but he did… I was brought up to speed on what was going on and I came back...in secret, of course," Sara told her. "We figured that between the three of us that we'd find you faster...but there were no leads and no trail… Nothing. He neglected Queen Consolidated and Moira's tried to step up… It's just not been the same. He drank. A lot. We went back to the island… I never thought I'd go back, but there we were. I think he feels freer there… Before we left, we had to tell Thea and Roy… Digg needed help. Everyone thought that Oliver was checking into rehab."

"I saw a picture of Oliver and Isabel Rochev together on a magazine and it said that they were engaged," Felicity told her.

"Definitely not," Sara told her. "Those two can't be in the same room anymore… They've gotten into some pretty heated fights where it almost came to physical contact. Police were called in. It got really nasty."

Felicity looked down at her hands as she fidgeted. Tears welled up in her eyes as she worried about Oliver. She'd never thought that her absence would affect him in such a way. She knew that he cared, but she had always been fairly sure that she had always cared far more for him. Maybe she'd been wrong all this time… The guilt just kept weighing on her. "It's my fault-"

"It's not."

"It is," Felicity said as she looked up. "I-"

Before she could finish there was a quiet knock at the door followed by the sound of the door opening. They looked towards the door and found both Diggle and Oliver standing there.

"Can we come in?" Diggle asked.

Felicity just nodded slowly as she stared at Oliver. He looked different, but Felicity had a feeling that it was just his eyes and his face. He looked so much older. He looked like she felt, like the weight of the world was ready to crush them. Maybe it was.

"Can we have some time alone?" Oliver spoke up.

Those were the first words she'd heard him say since seeing him. It was so odd, they were just standing there apart. They'd never had problems before about personal space. Oliver had always been one to give her little touches here and there. It had never been tense, well not in that way. When she first joined Team Arrow and when he'd first come back from the island after Tommy...that hadn't been the norm though.

"I'm not sure if that's such a good idea," Diggle said slowly. Felicity briefly realized that Diggle was looking between the two of them.

"It's okay," Sara said as she practically pushed Diggle out of the room. "The worst that's going to happen is that they'll wake that baby up…"

She was sure that she heard Diggle mumble something, but she hadn't caught it. It didn't matter. The door shut and there they were. For a long while, they just stared at each other. It was enough to know he was alive, but how she wanted to touch him. Felicity wanted to wrap her arms around him. She wanted to cry on his shoulder and never go away like that again. She just wanted the world to make some kind of sense

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

"I'm sorry," he replied.

Felicity stared at him before finally taking a few steps towards him. It seemed so odd for them to be separated so much. "It's my fault," she told him quietly. "I made the choice-"

"Diggle told me that you were being held," Oliver said. "That you thought that it's been three years…" He was quiet for a moment. "It's felt like longer." He was quiet again and Felicity waited. "He said that you were being held...that you think you're married to the guy who held you and that the baby…" He motioned to the pack n play. "I'm assuming over there...is yours… That you were think that we all needed to be guarded that he'll come for us...and you…"

"I didn't tell John everything," she said suddenly.

Oliver looked confused. "You know you can trust him."

"I know," Felicity said quickly. "It isn't my ability to trust him. It's-" She stopped and tried to think of the right words. She started to pace, her eyes to the floor as she told herself that she had to do this. She had to keep them safe. Oliver wouldn't be able to keep anyone safe if he didn't know what was going on.

"Felicity, I looked everywhere for you… We all looked… The police looked," Oliver said. His voice kept breaking. When she glanced up, he was looking down. "That night I thought-"

Felicity stopped and closed her eyes. "You thought I was upset with you…" she whispered.

"I shouldn't have fought with you," Oliver said finally. "Every day all I've thought is that maybe if we hadn't fought then maybe...maybe things would have been different…"

She turned towards him, her eyes opened as she watched him. "He took me...as bait." Felicity swallowed hard. "He knows who you are… Both of your identities…"

"Who is he?" Oliver asked suddenly as he took a step towards her.

"He said that he was surprised by my loyalty to you… That I'd risk my life for you...to protect your secret…"

"Felicity-"

"Let me finish," she said as tears fell. "I don't think I can if you keep interrupting…and I just hope that you won't hate me after…"

"I couldn't-"

"He told me things… Other things… About The Undertaking, about other projects, about your mother…" She wiped tears away even though they kept falling. "He said...he said that Thea is only your half sister...that he's her father…"

Felicity saw that he was about to open his mouth again. This was so hard for her, but she felt like she needed to upset herself, almost to punish herself, after she'd seen what her disappearance had done to Oliver. Maybe she deserved this misery…

"I made the choice to go with him. He said that if I went with him, if I cooperated...that he'd leave all the Queens alone...and Diggle and Roy. I couldn't...I didn't want to watch him kill you all…" Felicity shook her head. "So, I went with him… I did what he wanted… He said we're legally married, though I have no idea how that's really possible… He obviously tricked me into thinking that I'd lived with him for three years and started a family… That's what he wanted when I knew I couldn't stay there anymore… He wanted another child… I couldn't do it… I'd rather die… But leaving, I put you all at risk again…"

Oliver grabbed her and held her. She just cried into his shoulder. She knew that he hadn't told him every detail. She was afraid of his reaction. It was like she'd just almost gotten her life back...him back...and she was dreading having it all taken away from her.

"Felicity, I could have protected us," he told her. His tone was even and calm. "You know that." He was running his hands up and down her back as he spoke.

"You almost died before…"

"He did more than hold you…"

"I could have fought back," she sobbed. "I didn't… I-"

"Who was it? Who is he? Who's coming after us?" Oliver asked.

"I wanted to keep you safe," she continued.

"Now let me keep you safe like I should have then," he said. "Tell me his name…"

Felicity struggled with this. She knew that she had to tell him. She didn't know why, if she just needed to see them all and know they were safe, but she felt better telling Oliver. The sobs were still racking her chest and her eyes were dry even though they still produced tears. She just didn't want to lose him. Felicity forced herself to calm a bit, at least enough that she'd be able to speak clearly enough. She didn't want to have to repeat the answer to Oliver's question.

"Malcolm Merlyn," she barely whispered.

. . .

TBC…