Chapter 4 – Plan A

AN: The next two chapters focus on action before we hit the AU wall and take a strange turn. Many thanks for the follows…it's always more fun to write and post when readers are engaged and excited!

*Please see Chapter 2 for SPOILER ALERT and DISCLAIMER!*

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"I'll change those bandages tomorrow."

Oliver gave her a nod. He resisted the need to pull her back into his arms or to ask her to stay. Both Curtis and Felicity left him alone once more. His memories pulled him back to the darkness of the past. Embracing the darkness made it easier to fight. When you didn't believe you had a future, the outcome of the battle no longer mattered. He still wanted a future though. He wanted a Team. He wanted Felicity.

Felicity was glad there was work to be done late into the night again. The recent Team Arrow work meant she was slightly behind and had to review a lot of data quickly. It was a welcome distraction considering how much she wanted to eat a carton of ice cream and cry. She had had more than she could ever have dreamed of but she had walked away. It had been too easy to lose herself, too hard to be strong. Oliver needed a partner on the Team and a partner in life but she had failed him. Unable to focus on Palmer Tech, she switched to Curtis' reports and her own searches. She needed a plan to keep Oliver safe.

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The various blood tests required several days but Felicity put the time to good use. The serum had been altered but without testing it themselves there was no way to know the results or the side effects. She knew they couldn't take any chances especially since Oliver was determined to act before the soldiers could be unleashed onto the city. Lyla was working to coordinate an ARGUS response but other cities were facing violent outbursts too. Felicity still hoped that Plan A would work out though and she rushed to the meet Oliver and Curtis.

Curtis spoke as soon as Felicity entered the lair. "The tech we added to the city's security cameras is paying off. The imaging has provided a head count and confirmed the soldiers haven't moved."

"We can't wait until they do. It needs to be tonight. I can plant the explosives for you to detonate." Oliver was ready to suit up but Felicity's words stopped him.

"We still need to find the woman behind this—"

"As you said, if we destroy her army she'll have to deal with us or, at least, start over." Oliver reminded her with a grin. "This was your plan, Felicity."

Frowning at the teasing words, Felicity regretted the plan and had regretted it ever since proposing it. "Are we really just going to blow up the place with all of those men inside?"

"It really was your plan." Curtis added but stepped back when Felicity glared at him.

"I only said that when Oliver proposed to just stroll in there alone and take on an army by himself." Felicity grumbled. She simply wasn't willing to risk him. It had been Lyla who had reminded her that it was a preemptive strike to save civilian lives. There would be many deaths but the citizens of Star City wouldn't be included in that number this time. Much like her choice when Darhk had attacked, it seemed her actions would cause deaths when all she wanted to do was save people. The painful burden of responsibility sometimes overwhelmed her – stealing her breath, making her hands tremble, and her heart ache. She couldn't help but ache for Oliver too since she knew he had carried such burdens for many more years than she had.

Oliver understood her dilemma even before he saw the flash of pain and darkness in her eyes. He had struggled and continued to struggle with finding a better way to protect his city. Felicity's soul was much brighter than his and he knew her struggle was greater because of it. She continued to bear more burdens because of her choice to remain with him. He couldn't find a way to help her as she had helped him.

"Knock, knock. Someone order extra hero back-up?" Roy asked with a grin while Thea rolled her eyes.

Felicity moved to hug the young man while Oliver quirked a brow. Grinning, Thea gave him a hug and explanation.

"Felicity sent an SOS. You really plan to take on an army of those Mirakuru juiced thugs again?"

Curtis watched as the women hugged next. Oliver offered a hand to Roy as he spoke.

"It's good to see you…both of you." Oliver was grateful they had returned but didn't want to believe they might stay. He knew he had to adjust to the idea of doing things alone. "You didn't have to come. We have a plan, Felicity's plan."

"Actually, that's Plan B. Having back-up is Plan A so yes, they did have to come. Here's what we know." Felicity gave Oliver's hand a squeeze as she stepped back to her computer. While she wasn't convinced of her own strength, she had faith in Oliver and Team Arrow. The screens were filled with maps, building layouts, test results.

"Do we know how they got the serum?" Thea asked after Oliver and Felicity had reviewed the basics with help from Curtis.

"No and it's not quite the same serum. It seems to target specific gene combinations. We're working with ARGUS and I've asked Barry for help but he hasn't gotten back to me. The counter agent we're adding to your weapons may or may not work." Felicity replied.

Roy had been quiet but spoke up next. "So the plan is to take out the plant, force the masked woman to start again, and see if we can find her then? We'll also deal with the second unknown-"

"We need to make sure the city doesn't come under attack again. That's the primary goal." Oliver interrupted to clarify with a glance at Felicity.

"And Lyla is providing support too?" Thea questioned next.

All eyes turned to Felicity who pushed her glasses up slightly and avoided eye contact. Oliver stepped directly in front of her to force her eyes to him.

"Felicity?"

The blonde woman frowned before she spoke. "Lyla is pulling some strings to have John sent back here. I don't know if it will work—"

"Or if he wants to come back." Oliver spoke over her and started to turn away when Felicity grabbed his arm.

"I had to at least ask. Remember saying that this started with us? He should be here." Felicity had given John several months but she was ready to pull him back…even if that meant another airplane ride and parachute jump.

The others remained silent and watched the pair – Curtis also watched Roy and Thea. He still felt he was learning the ropes and wanted to see how they handled the frequently loud discussions between Oliver and Felicity. It was somewhat surprising to see Roy grinning and Thea appearing unconcerned.

When the security door again opened, all eyes turned to see John Diggle standing before them.

"Looks like the gang is all here…again." Diggle suppressed the thrill of anticipation and the comfortable feeling of returning home. He still wasn't sure he'd gotten the time and distance he'd needed but it had been difficult to deny Felicity's request for help against a familiar foe. Opening his arms, he accepted the blonde's tight hug while his eyes found Oliver's.

The plan was reviewed and altered once more as Diggle added his perspective and new data. ARGUS had traced similar patterns in other cities – Gotham, Central City, and Coast City. Multiple armies were forming and crime waves appeared to be the work of super soldiers. They needed to search the facility for data before destroying it.

"Suit up." Oliver gave the order. All moved in the familiar patterns to suit up until Felicity spoke up.

"Curtis, you want to give them a hand? We've made some improvements to all the suits...well, Curtis made some improvements actually."

"Let's get you suited up!" Curtis agreed quickly.

Roy looked between the grinning pair before meeting Thea's eyes. Diggle just gave Felicity a nod. The group followed Curtis back while Felicity moved back to reviewing current camera feeds to ensure their data was up-to-date.

Suited up, Oliver almost smiled when he saw Roy, Thea, and Diggle suited up as well. It had been months since anyone had been by his side out in the field. Curtis and Felicity provided essential support but he no longer wanted to do everything alone. His eyes moved to Felicity and he was surprised to see her looking past him.

"Ummm, Curtis?" Felicity's mouth remained slightly open even after she had stopped speaking. The man wore a suit - light grey blue and orange, complete with a goggles and a big smile. "Oliver's suit up order didn't apply to you and where did you get a suit anyway?"

"I made it! Watch this!" Curtis' gloved hand touched his wrist.

All stared silently at the man as anticipation built. When nothing happened they glanced at each other.

"Is your weapon invisible?" Roy quipped causing the others to laugh.

Frowning slightly, Curtis focused on his wrist without speaking. "Aha!"

Four small spheres appeared to detach from his suit to hover near his face. Grinning again, Curtis pressed a few more buttons sending the spheres flying away. "Check your computer, Felicity."

All were able to see the images filling the screens as the spheres sent camera images. They returned to Curtis and projected a grid of the building layout as well.

"Whoa! When did you get these things working like this?" Felicity asked as she tapped a few keys to rotate one image.

"There's still more I want them to do but I think this is a good start." Curtis grinned at Felicity before turning to Oliver. "It's only fair that you get back-up in the field."

The others also turned to Oliver. After a moment, he grinned and offered a hand. "Thanks Curtis."