Chapter 2 (Diggle's POV)

AN – As promised, here is a new chapter! As an FYI, each chapter will represent a different character's take on Felicity's vacation day and each will add a new scene (or two) just to keep things interesting! As before, anything through the S2 finale is available for use so be warned if you wish to remain spoiler free!

DISCLAIMER – It seems neither Kenyancougar nor Mic Riddy Banon found a way for us to own Arrow so all still belongs to CW or whoever else has legit legal claim to this fabulous show! BTW, both Kenyancougar and Mic Riddy Banon also ignore the fact that we don't own the series and write some absolutely amazing stories of their own! Definitely check them out if you haven't done so!


Diggle paused before entering the security code at the new lair door. Not quite home yet, he thought even as he took a moment to be grateful that even though they lost the Foundry, Team Arrow was still intact and strong after recent events. He knew the new second location lair would become home in time though as long as they all remained together.

The solid thumping noises of training greeted Diggle as he opened the door - fast, hard training, Diggle noted as he identified Oliver's annoyed rhythm against the training dummy. Haven't heard that speed and anger since Slade returned from the grave, Diggle thought with a sigh as his eyes found Oliver. Diggle turned instinctively to their third partner and was surprised to see her empty chair.

Missing Felicity's support and special connection to Oliver, Diggle hesitated before he approached. He knew that it also wasn't a good sign that Oliver hadn't acknowledged him yet. Another bad sign was the fact that Oliver was training at all - the Team kept a fairly consistent schedule since Slade's defeat and solitary early morning training wasn't part of it. The three of them usually met and discussed a daily plan - training, rebuilding and protecting the city, setting up the new operations, teaching Roy, all made the list though. Smiling grimly, Diggle spoke.

"Hey man, what's the need for the early training?" Diggle watched carefully but didn't see a reaction from Oliver. After a long moment punctuated by continued strikes, the other man did finally speak.

"Felicity left a note." Oliver's tone was angry and clipped.

Diggle's brows rose in surprise and he moved quickly to the young woman's desk. As he read the note, Diggle remembered a similar one last year...at this same time. They had just barely survived the Undertaking, Oliver was barely functioning, but he hadn't escaped to Lian Yu yet and Felicity had taken a single day off without explanation or communication. Oliver hadn't taken it well then, but for abrief moment he had been back and responsive so Diggle had been grateful that he responded at all.

That gratitude had worn off after the first hour of their training though. Diggle cringed as he remembered that day and how many days it took to recover. Oliver had left the next day and Diggle hadn't really spoken to Felicity about her vacation day then as they had enough to worry about with the city in shambles and Oliver MIA.

He did ask later her about it but she refused to share details. Diggle had put it out of his mind until Oliver had asked him recently if Felicity had ever shared anything about her past with him. They had discussed the fact that she kept a lot hidden then, but again Diggle hadn't pressed her for details. The three of them may not share details of their pasts but they were all committed to the present and their future, so Diggle accepted both Oliver's and Felicity's needs for secrecy at times.

He hadn't told her about Oliver's reaction then, but things had changed for the Team recently so maybe now was the time to address both Oliver's response and Felicity's own choices with her. Diggle wondered if Felicity would be in communication tonight or if he would need to wait. As he considered the issue, he remembered her last vacation day and realized he needed to focus on his own survival right now.

"A day off for the Team sounds like a plan. I will let Roy know and you can have the place to yourself - no need for a second location man." Diggle spoke quickly even as he moved to the door.

Retreat is the better part of valor sometimes, Diggle thought to himself as Oliver continued to pummel the training dummy. Diggle was almost to the safety of the door when he heard the beep and saw Roy come in. There goes Plan A, if only I had a Plan B.

Diggle found himself trapped between an angry Oliver and a clueless Roy. He almost left the kid to his own devices, but then remembered that despite everything that had happened, Roy was a member of their Team so Diggle knew he didn't have a choice.

"You owe me." Diggle couldn't resist growling that comment before he turned back and walked toward Oliver.

"Hey, Felicity isn't here."

It was Roy commenting and Diggle rolled his eyes before returning his attention to a very tense Oliver.

"Where's Felicity?"

Diggle saw Oliver turned to glare at Roy and didn't resist his own desire to pin Roy with a death glare for stating the obvious. As Oliver turned back to train, Diggle continued to glare at Roy but he did offer a brief explanation. "Felicity took a vacation day."

"I'm sorry...what?"

Diggle waited a moment to respond as Oliver's strikes were now coming fast and furious. He kept a wary eye on his partner as he impatiently offered additional information to Roy.

"Felicity took one day off last year - this same day." Diggle continued to frown as he glanced back at Roy. "She has her phone on but won't take calls. She blocks our, well, her tracking programs so we don't know where she is."

"She won't take my calls." It was Oliver who snarled that clarification as he continued to pummel the dummy.

Diggle again directed his frown toward Oliver before he turned back to Roy. "Unless there's another earthquake device or another invasion of Mirakuru soldiers, we are not supposed to call her."

"You think she'll have to add another exception to the list this time next year?" Roy chuckled at his own joke but then back pedaled quickly. "I just meant...okay, nothing. Felicity has a day off."

Oliver's powerful punch broke a piece of the dummy. Diggle rolled his eyes at both Roy's obviousness and Oliver's. He knew that today would solve Roy's condition – the kid had already learned how Oliver was with Felicity, but today he would learn how Oliver was without her. On the other hand, it seemed Oliver would probably remain oblivious and continue to ignore his feelings for their partner. Got to make time to talk to Felicity soon as she's probably the only one that can make Oliver understand, Diggle spared that single thought for his partners' love life before he focused on simply surviving the day.

The day proceeded much as he had expected and Diggle cursed Oliver and Felicity equally. He did spare some sympathy for Roy despite still believing the young man owed him. It was the fact that Roy quickly realized that he owed him as well that made Diggle consider him a fellow victim now - that and the fact that Roy continued to stand up and take his turn with Oliver throughout the day.

Finally it was dark enough to call a stop to the torture so Diggle suggested dinner. Despite his tired and achy body, he had to smother a laugh as Roy jumped at the chance and moved quickly toward the door. Diggle knew the young man was in just as much pain as he was so he knew just how much that effort had cost him. He followed at a much slower pace and grimaced as he heard the sounds of Oliver returning to his solitary workout as he closed the lair door.

Diggle and Roy shared a quiet meal mostly in silence.

"So you were leaving him alone this morning...when I came in?" Roy continued to shove food in his mouth as if starving as he asked the question.

Diggle knew and had been impressed by how much effort Roy put into his training now. He also knew training couldn't really prepare anyone for dealing with Oliver in his current mood. He still has a lot to learn about being on the Team, Diggle thought as he paused to watch the young man. Diggle also realized that despite Roy's newly found dedication to training, the Team wasn't the only thing on Roy's mind.

"You've gotta learn to walk away sometimes. Let people work through things on their own." Diggle knew that Roy was thinking not just about today but about his recent past and Thea's departure.

"What about the Team? What about sticking together?"

Roy's questions were gruff and he avoided eye contact, Diggle hid a smile before he responded. "The Team comes first, but that doesn't mean we aren't human. A team, a family makes you stronger, but you are still an individual."

As Diggle watched, Roy looked up and met his eyes. Diggle continued then.

"We all falter along the way. A team can give you a hand, even haul you up sometimes, but you are the one that decides to continue. No one can make that choice for anyone else." Diggle knew he and Felicity both continued to remind Oliver that the choice to stay was their own, not his. Diggle also knew that Thea would have her own choice to make and Roy couldn't make it for her.

Roy gave a single brief nod before he returned to his food. Diggle grinned and grabbed a few more bites himself as he thought about Team Arrow. We still aren't big on sharing our feelings and one day that will bite us in the ass again. He couldn't help but think about his two partners again and how much they kept hidden.

Oliver had shared the Slade plan with him, but Diggle found out later that he left a lot out of that explanation. He shook his head as he remembered Felicity revealing Oliver had said he loved her. Diggle knew Felicity had then concluded it was all for show, especially when Oliver hadn't denied it when they were on the beach. However, Diggle knew Oliver hadn't originally planned to say those three little words and he knew Oliver couldn't or wouldn't lie to the girl. He also knew thatthere had been others ways of handling the situation and Oliver had chosen that path.

Felicity had a blind spot when it came to Oliver though and she hadn't wanted to discuss it further so Diggle had let it drop. As for Oliver, Diggle knew he felt he couldn't be with the one he loved. He had heard Oliver say those words on more than one occasion. Oliver and Felicity had always had a special connection and Diggle had watched it grow stronger over the last year - whether they admitted it or not. He hoped they would admit it soon it soon but with all the Team kept hidden he wouldn't bet on an easy or quick resolution.

Diggle knew Team Arrow had been through a lot since last year. Then it had seemed the Undertaking would be the worst thing they could ever face and after surviving it, they had fallen apart when Oliver ran away. This year they saved the city and still they remained together, strong and they had even added a new member. This year they were already rebuilding and learning from their mistakes. Who knows where we'll be next year at this time?

Roy slurped down the rest of his drink and then sat back with a groan. Diggle smiled at him and spoke.

"Come on, you need sleep to heal now." He knew Roy still struggled with relearning everything without the Mirakuru.

"So tomorrow I won't feel this bad?"

Roy grinned as he spoke and Diggle knew he was kidding. Diggle couldn't resist taunting him back as the kid did still owe him.

"Nope, you're gonna feel so much worse. It always gets worse before it gets better." Diggle caught the other meaning in his words and knew Roy did too when the young man stopped smiling and nodded.

Team Arrow was still strong but they needed Felicity back. Diggle couldn't help but wonder just how tomorrow would go. We need to face that before we are ready for another year, Diggle thought with a sigh as he paid their tab and left the restaurant.


AN2 – Felicity's chapter will be next and then Oliver's but you will need to wait a few days! I have already written them but pls feel free to share your thoughts, questions, and requests as I'm always open to suggestions! I will happily revise the upcoming chapters if you guys provide the inspiration to do so! :)