He woke with a start. Ever since his time on the island he had never woken slowly or peacefully, especially when he didn't know where he was. He tried to sit up, but his hands and feet were tied to the bed, ribs wrapped tightly in gauze. He was freezing but he was also sweating. Looking around the room trying to get his bearings he noticed the fluids being pumped in through the IV, a number of empties lying in the trash, indicating he had been here a while, and the clue that truly filled him in- A katana hanging on the wall next to the door.

He took a deep breath of relief, though it caused anything but relief in his chest. It took him another moment to really take in that he wasnt in the foundry, no cold metal table beneath him. No beautiful blonde babbling about taking it easy while he healed. No, in this place there was no Felicity.

"Oh God, Felicity!"

His voice was scratchy and barely there, but it was enough to alert his care taker that he was awake. A Chinese woman entered, informed him in Mandarin he would be okay and she would bring food, and that her master would be back in two days, until then she would care for him and he would stay tied. She said nothing else and gave him no time to respond.

Longest 37 hours EVER. And coming from a man who had been ship wrecked, tortured, forced to torture others, watched both of his parents and best friend die in his arms, and had just left the woman he loved on a suicide mission, that really means a lot. Those 37 hours were spent worrying that Felicity would think he died, that someone would be caught helping him, that Ra's Al Ghoul would go after Felicity if he knew he survived. That Nysa already had gone after Felicity in pure rage. That Thea was in danger. It was self inflicted torture, and the arrival of his captor had only made it slightly better.

When he awoke again he was untied from the bed, but there was a device around his neck that held a disturbing resemblance to the bomb collar used by the dodger. "Maseo, what the hell?"

"Oliver, I have no time to chase you constantly to keep you from escaping as I once had to in Hong Kong. I don't have as much to lose or as much patience. The collar insures that you behave, follow my plan, and I promise you will go home. Act as the strong willed fool I was once charged with breaking, and I will be forced to activate the bomb."

He wanted to argue, but he was smart enough to know when shutting up was the better choice, "Okay, you tell me the plan and I will follow it. I just need to know that my family is alright. You know as well as any that having family in danger doesn't make either of us think straight, so please, just tell me."

Maseo swallowed hard as he thought back to the shared memory that was just drudged up: - "The woman with white hair, she took her" That was the last thing he ever heard from his son. While chasing after China White another member of the triad took his son. He received a package two days later the included pieces of his family and the katana currently hanging on the wall, the katana that was used to kill his family. - As he shook it off and got to the point.

"I cannot explain to you now, I must return to the league. I will be back in a few days. You may train and prepare, but if you get more than 30 feet from this house or tamper with the collar, it will explode."

The stern look in his eyes softened for a moment as he moved on, "You were unconscious in the snow when I found you the hypothermia slowed the bleeding and kept your liver from poisoning you with sepsis. The blade caused much damage, but Ghi su-wei took great care with you, she was able to repair the damage. We used herbs to treat the injuries and keep you unconscious for many days. You will remain here until you are fully healed and ready to fight, then you will fight the Demon again. The only way you return home to your family is over his dead body."

Amongst the worry, shock, and dismay he would have to fight Ra's again was a glimmer of hope, the mention of his family had sparked something deep inside him. He couldn't control himself as he eked out a whisper, "Felicity?"

"Your family is safe- and as long as you are not foolish while I am away, I am sure they will stay that way. It has been almost a month Oliver. I brought you some newspapers so you can see what is happening in Starling- there is no internet or phone here, so you will NOT be able to check in with your family." The look in his eyes was a warning and it sent a memory flashing before Oliver's eyes- his last foray with the internet while under Maseo's command almost led to him killing his own best friend. Oliver swallowed hard and made eye contact with a slight nod- understood.

Maseo tossed several newspaper clippings at him all in a manilla folder. The first one was titled "Oliver Queen MIA" followed by "Oliver Queen drowned Again" followed shortly after by an announcement that Laurel Lance was made the official DA, Quentin Lance received an accommodation for the lowest crime rates in the last 10 years. The articles with pictures were at the back, first "Arrow and Arsenal take down trafficking ring" which showed a picture of Roy, his face mostly hidden and he assumed Dig fully covered. Somehow they managed to keep the Arrow alive even though he was dead, they were still his team, still protecting him. There was a ghost of a smile about to appear as he thought of his team, it was quickly replaced by shock, awe, relief and guilt as he saw the picture of his funeral. All the people he loved were there and they all looked devastated, even Lance. He appreciated the way all the men in his life were taking care of Thea and Felicity. In the picture it showed Roy with his arm around Thea as she held a single Rose, staring off into the distance, lost in shock, as she looked after his mother died. Next to her on the other side was Walter, who had one hand on her leg, and the other on Felicity's wrist in her lap. Dig had his arm linked to Felicity on the other side. Even Lance had one hand on Felicity's shoulder while he held his daughter close to his side with the other arm. He didn't know what to do. His family was whole and in tact, but hurting because of him- he failed them all again, maybe it would be better for them all for him to just stay away.

-xxxxxxx-xxxxxxx-

How is the back in forth on perspectives going? Should I continue the back and forth or just focus on it from either Felicity's or Oliver's POV?

Also- still no Beta, all mistakes are mine.