"You ok?" Diggle's deep baritone offset Felicity's worried soprano.

"She really had me believing that Sebastian Blood was a criminal mastermind," Oliver kept his eyes focused on Digg. "And the only reason I nearly believed her was because it was Laurel," at this he dropped his gaze, unable to look at either of his companions. If wearing the hood and mask were his greatest salvation, Laurel might very well be his greatest sin.

When he finally raised his head to look at Diggle, the man had an understanding look on his face, an expectant look.

"I do have a blind spot where she is concerned," he stated as he shook his head. "Not anymore," he refused to continue down that path. He had faced most of his demons since he had been home, and she seemed to be one of the last ones left.

"Way to talk yourself out of a victory," Felicity smirked and Oliver couldn't help it, he smirked back.

"It's a gift," the look that passed between them lightened the burden on Oliver's shoulders slightly and he was yet again grateful for the IT girl's presence.

Hours later he sat stiffly looking at Felicity's window from a rooftop across the street. He hadn't even changed out of his Arrow outfit. When he had left the foundry, he had told himself he was just going to blow off steam, but when he returned and Felicity was already gone, he made his way back to her apartment.

The sound of light footfalls woke him from his reverie.

"Don't shoot me; I'd really hate to have to kill you," Sara's soft voice floated through the night and Oliver had to smile.

"I wondered where you were tonight," he straightened up, looking at the blonde hair in front of him. It only reminded him of the blonde across the street.

"What are you doing Ollie?" Sara looked at him with her head cocked, her eyes intense through her mask.

"I just needed to think," he muttered. Sara was the last person he felt he needed to explain that to.

"I know, "she said as she came closer. "I came to tell you thank you."

"It was Laurel," he shrugged, knowing this was explanation enough.

"And yet it's not her bedroom you're hiding outside of."

"Sara," his voice warned that she was about to cross a line. And just like always, she didn't care.

"You don't love Laurel Ollie. You owed her. She kept you alive on that god-forsaken island and you owed her for that. I understand. But your debt has been paid, tenfold."

"I can't be with someone I care for, Sara. You, of all people should know that!" he wasn't sure if they were talking about Laurel anymore, but the sentiment remained the same. Caring for someone, loving them was a distraction. Slade had taught him that.

"Bull shit!" she shouted right back.

"I can't," he muttered defeated. "Tonight is proof of that. Look at what I was willing to do for Laurel. I almost put an arrow through an innocent man."

"You don't care for Laurel anymore," Sara stated matter-of-factly. "Think about it, Ollie. You claim you can't be with someone you truly care about—or even might care about—and yet you still allowed yourself to be with Laurel."

"Sara—" Oliver started, but then he considered her words. He didn't love Laurel. In fact he barely recognized her anymore and it had nothing to do with her addiction.

"She allowed you to feel guilty—about sleeping with her, about hurting your friendship with Tommy, about not being able to safe him when he died. She was your crutch on that island and you're using her as your crutch here."

"Ok, Sara, I get your point," the anger in his voice was easy to recognize. "It doesn't change the way things are—the way they have to be. I can't allow someone close enough to get hurt."

"Fine Ollie, I know I can't make you see anything you don't want to see. But don't you dare insult that girl's intelligence by assuming that you forced her in any way to help you or your cause," she gestured towards Felicity's window and Oliver turned, bewildered.

"Felicity is—she should have never been involved. She was the most selfish thing I have ever allowed myself," Oliver muttered, a fresh wave of guilt washing over him.

"Like I said, don't insult her. You think that you have a blind spot when it comes to Laurel, well there's no better way to clear a blind spot than with light. I've never met a girl so bright Oliver."

"I know," his voice turned soft as he remembered Felicity's voice telling him to come home earlier in the night. He wondered now what would happen if he were to knock on her window, if she would let him in or turn him away.

"You love her," Sara stated, as if it were obvious, and perhaps it was.

"It doesn't matter," he wouldn't defile her light with his life.

"She loves you, too," Sara whispered.

At that he turned, startled and looked Sara in the eye. He could control how he felt. He would suffer a lifetime if necessary. Living a lie was something he had come to accept, but Felicity? She deserved better.

"No," he whispered, horrified. "She met someone. Barry, he's good, he's—"

"Boring," Sara finished. "At some point, Ollie, you're going to have to choose between losing her and facing your fear. You're not trying to protect her, you're trying to protect yourself—from losing someone else you care about, from failing them."

He looked at the ground, unwilling to admit that she had hit the nail on the head. Sara had always been able to see through people. Her time on the island and with Ivo had only honed her skills.

"Also, a word of warning Oliver, and this is to the Arrow. No man is innocent," she stated, using his words from earlier. "Blood might not have been the man behind the mask, but something doesn't sit right with him. You and I both know the easiest target isn't always the right one. "

"Daily fit the person we were looking for," Oliver stood up straighter. "No offense Sara, but Laurel wasn't the best informant," he said, looking her in the eyes. She didn't even flinch.

"Even so, it doesn't explain how the officer knew of Mirakuru or who would have given him the serum to distribute to the town. Don't let Laurel continue to be a blind spot."

"I'll continue to look into it," he stated, understanding what she was saying. And it did make sense. He wasn't sure why he hadn't realized it earlier.

"Do something about that Ollie," Sara nodded in the direction of Felicity's window and when he turned, he noticed the light now shown from behind the curtains. When he turned back to thank Sara, she had disappeared.

He took a deep breath and the better part of him wanted him to walk away. Unfortunately, the not so great part of him won out as he let an arrow fly towards the window across the street.