This took a bit longer because I wasn't sure how to do this. In the end I decided to keep some of the canon but tweak it. I own nothing, sadly this is all just an idea of a poor woman with no money. Only mentions of Tommy in this chapter, promise he'll be back in the next chapter.

I'd love to know your thoughts, comments keep me going and let me know this isn't complete drivel. Mostly, but not complete drivel.


They made it to Beijing without issue, spending a day gathering supplies before getting on a flight to Quingdao, the most likely place to find a pilot. It was another two days of arguments with locals before they found someone to take them. Grabbing their packs they made their way to the airstrip (Felicity used the term loosely). She looked from Diggle to the plane and back again.

"You can't be serious," she said under her breath as their pilot argued with someone.

"It's the best I could find, no one else seemed willing to do this as is. Still want to drag him back?" She looked over wryly at Diggle, slinging her backpack onto her back. While she knew him to be jesting, she just glared at him for mentioning it. He laughed.

"I've gone through too much to back out now. Besides, I plan on letting him know just what he put us through!" She said, walking towards the plane with determination. She sent off a message to Tommy, with a photo of the plane.

We never spoke about religion, but if you could say a prayer for us, I'd appreciate it. - Felicity

P.S. If I die, there is a disc in my night table drawer. Put it in my computer and press "Start", it'll take care of everything else.

The rest had gone smoothly enough, well after jumping from a plane and nearly being blown up by a landmine before being saved by a sweaty shirtless Oliver. She'd had dreams like this, but it never involved a landmine.

"You shouldn't have come here,"

If she weren't so dazed by nearly having been blown up she might have smacked him. After ensuring that all parties were alright they had made it back to what Felicity had dubbed 'base camp' in her head without speaking.

"We would have emailed but it's not exactly a wi fi hotspot," Diggle commented as they entered the abandoned plane.

"This where you lived when you were here? I mean, the first time you were here," Felicity asked, attempting to ease some of the tension. It didn't work.

"For some of it," Oliver replied in a low voice, clearly meant to end the topic there.

"Could you at least pretend like you're glad to see us? Digg and I spent weeks tracking you down, we've traveled halfway across the world and this morning we flew in a plane so old I'm pretty sure I was safer once I jumped out of it, you could... at least offer us a water," Oliver making no attempts at a verbal response as Diggle paced behind her, instead turning to retrieve the aforementioned water.

"Or...coconut?" Oliver smiled despite himself before turning back to face her, his lips slightly upturned into a small smile as he approached.

"Fresh out of coconuts." He replied, handing her the canteen and placing his hands on her shoulders.

"I am happy to see you," he went on, his voice softer than it had been before. Then all too quickly he stepped back.

"I know why you're here, I'm not coming back to Starling City. I can't, my mission, my Father's list-it was a fools crusade and I failed," Felicity and Diggle listened in silence, letting him argue his point before jumping in to correct him.

"Malcolm Merlyn destroyed the Glades," he paused looking at his partners before he continued, voice quieter.

"Tommy-" he faltered, his eyes closing and jaw tightening guilt written all over his face. Diggle looked to Felicity, the two having a silent conversation as Oliver lost himself in thought.

"The Hood couldn't stop it, so don't ask me to put it on again, ever."

There was a moment of palpable silence before Diggle's voice broke through.

"This isn't about you being the vigilante, this is about you being Oliver Queen. Your mother's in prison, Oliver. Her trial is coming up. Thea's out on her own, your family needs you."

"So does the family business. All the bad press after the Undertaking left Queen Consolidated ripe for a hostile takeover by International. They've gutted every company they've taken over. Once they gobble up Queen Consolidated 30,000 employees are going to be out of a job. Including...one very blonde IT expert. And Tommy…" Felicity paused, not sure how much to say they hadn't discussed it and by the way Oliver's jaw tensed she wasn't sure it'd help at the moment.

"Tommy's awake," it was barely above a whisper but it was enough to get a reaction. Although saying nothing, Oliver's shoulders tensed for a moment, the mask he usually wore cracked at the mention of his name. Dozens of questions in his eyes but he verbalized none. It was the barest bones of the truth, but it had worked.

"Listen, I get why you had to leave, Oliver. Probably better than anybody else," Diggle explained, slowly approaching Oliver.

"And after what happened, nobody can blame you for leaving," Oliver simply shook his head, hanging it in shame, and a great deal of guilt.

"But it's time for you to come home."

When they finally made it to the airplane that'd take them home Felicity was exhausted, while there were things to go over for QC, unanswered questions about Moira's case and Tommy none were spoke of. Oliver spent most of the time gazing out the window, Diggle slept, while Felicity watched enviously. Slept eluded her, every time she closed her eyes it was something else, the first time it had been the jump. Except the parachute didn't work and she woke startled and lashing out, Diggle quickly startled from sleep was able to calm her.

The next time was simply nature calling inconveniently. Grumbling she looked around, Diggle once more fast asleep next to her. At some point she'd taken off her glasses, the dim lights of the plane making it even more difficult to see which way to the bathroom. A gentle touch on her knee startled her initially before realizing who the hand belonged to. Leaning toward her, she met him halfway.

"Towards the tail on the left hand side," he murmured quietly to allow Diggle to sleep. Smiling Felicity nodded, smiling a sheepish thank you before getting up. He grabbed her hand before she left, halting her momentarily.

"If you see the kitchen area, you've gone too far," he continued.

Making her way she returned in quick order, tossing a small bag of pretzels his way. He watched her as she returned to her seat, fastening her seat belt. When she returned his gaze she found one eyebrow raised in question and smiled.

"I went too far," she explained with a shrug. The corners of his lips lifted slightly, watching as she tucked one leg beneath her.

"On purpose," she clarified, opening the bag of pretzels she got for herself. After her snack she shifted about for sometime trying to find a comfortable position, trying not to lean on Diggle's shoulder as she drifted off. But it was comfortable and perfectly placed so she gave into sleep.

The final time started off innocently enough, the anxiety of showing Oliver the new and improved lair still weighed on her. There was no guarantee he'd take up the mask-or bow as it were, again. Finding herself in the basement wasn't a surprise, she had turned the lights on and was going through some of the improvements she'd made. Diggle stood off to the side, a pleased look on his face as he looked at Felicity. Oliver however, said nothing, simply taking in the updated surroundings as she prattled on. As he continued to show no response the babbling continued, as usual taking random turns along the way as time seemed to slow down.

But then, when she thought it couldn't get worse the walls started to shake. The ground moved and cracks in the foundation started to appear as pieces of the ceiling started to fall. Paralyzed for a moment she looked behind her to find herself alone as larger pieces of equipment shook and shattered, debris and lighting falling faster.


While not a particular fan of turbulence, it came with the territory of air travel. Oliver's jaw clenched as they his a rough spot and the pilot came over the loudspeakers. The fasten seat-belt sign now lit, he took a deep breath and tried to think of something else. A whimper drew Oliver out of his thoughts, his eyes shifting to Felicity with her head now resting against the plane, leaving her how Diggle had gently moved her when he woke to stretch his legs.

"No…"

Her eyes shuddered as her whimpering grew louder, her head moving back and forth as her whimpers became a panicked cries of no.

He heard a door opening, heavy steps approaching, followed by a lighter softer step. Diggle reached them, a well worn face of worry on his features as he looked at Felicity.

"Felicity," he called out softly, unbuckling the seat belt before he realized it, kneeling in front of her. Her hands were clenched tightly to the seat rests, knuckles white with tension.

"Mr. Queen, the captain has turned on the fasten seat belts sign, please-"

Oliver scowled in response, the woman taking the hint and scurrying off before he returned his focus to Felicity.

"Felicity, you're safe," Oliver said softly, before she let out a startled cry, a few errant tears falling down her cheeks as they hit a particular rough patch. Diggle managed to get back into his seat, moving an arm around her shoulders. as his hands covered hers, running his thumbs lightly over her fingers.

A strangled sound came out before she opened her eyes, frantically looking around her for any signs of crumbling walls, swinging light fixtures, falling equipment. Satisfied that there were none she looked from Diggle to Oliver, slipping a hand from beneath Oliver's to wipe away the tears before offering them a weak smile.

"I'm fine," she choked out, her free hand moving to pat Oliver's hand that still held hers. Oliver looked her over before looking at Diggle, having a seemingly silent conversation before he gave her hand a light squeeze and moved back to his seat.

The rest of the flight was considerably calmer.