Chapter 4 – Facing the Past

AN – This one is shorter than the others and may be a little confusing so I've added some explanations at the end (didn't want to say here and ruin any surprises)! There will also be an Epilogue posted today as with the new shows out I want to wrap this little story up! Again, many thanks for sticking with me and letting me try something a little different with this story! And again, thanks Mic for your steadfast support and help!

DISCLAIMER – Definitely no legal right but I'm just playing for fun so hopefully no one minds!

Felicity wasn't sure how long she had been repeating the mantra of her promises but she had closed her eyes and stopped watching the empty monitor therefore Oliver's voice startled her eyes open and she looked quickly toward the screen. He was standing just outside the building door and it was clear he was speaking to the Team over the comms.

"I'm here - just hold your position for now. If I'm not out in 35 minutes you need to alert Lance and get Felicity out."

Felicity couldn't hear the Team response but Oliver quickly continued.

"Diggle, just get Felicity out, no matter what."

Again there was silence before Felicity heard Oliver speak again.

"Thank you John." Oliver looked around briefly then opened the door.

Felicity switched her view to the next screen and watched as Oliver entered the room. There was something for him to read but Felicity couldn't see the words. As she watched, Oliver searched the floor for something then stood against the wall. Felicity heard his grunt of pain and suddenly realized an arrow was now lodged in his shoulder and pinned him to the wall.

"I'm fine – there are a couple tests Slade has set up. It may take me a little while."

Felicity knew he was reassuring the Team even if she hadn't heard their question.

As she watched Oliver remained stationary for several seconds before he broke the arrow and pulled himself away from the wall. He held the arrow upside down and Felicity saw something fall out. Oliver unrolled what appeared to be a sheet of paper and read whatever was written on it. He then stepped back across the room to punch a code in a door lock Felicity hadn't even noticed before.

She again moved to the next screen and saw Oliver enter another room. He again looked quickly around and showed no surprise when he read more instructions. Once again he searched the floor and moved to stand against the wall. The sound of gunfire shocked Felicity and when she opened the eyes she didn't realize she had closed she saw Oliver on the ground. He was holding his side and blood was clearly flowing from the wound.

"No, hold your position. It was just another test."

After giving the Team that assurance, Oliver then moved quickly and pulled what looked to be a key from the bullet casing. Oliver used the key to open the door and then moved into the next area without worry for his injury.

Felicity noticed this was a large room with the plane remnants that she was in and it was the last screen visible to her. As she looked around the room Oliver quickly moved around himself and was suddenly holding a bow and arrows as well as a green hood. The bow and arrows were much more basic than the one he brought with him but Felicity could see he recognized the message as a flicker of sadness passed over his face. Felicity grimaced as she suddenly realized it had probably belonged to Shado.

No, no, no! Felicity then put the other pieces together as she remembered Slade's words that Oliver wouldn't have survived the Island without them. Slade hadn't just recreated the Island environment he had clearly recreated some of the Island torture as well. Felicity nearly cried out loud as she realized Oliver was being forced to relive his past in some type of macabre game. Unlike on the Island though, this time Oliver had no one to help him and Felicity knew Slade didn't care if he survived or not. Remembering her nightmare image of Oliver falling to his death Felicity screamed behind her gag - she simply couldn't bear the thought of Oliver dying and certainly not to save her.

As Oliver looked up and toward the plane Felicity realized he could hear her. Refusing to be any more of a distraction when his life was on the line she bit down hard on the gag to stop her involuntary cries. She then focused on Oliver and watched him move around the room. He suddenly fired an arrow and as Felicity looked to find his target she heard one tumbler in the locked door give way. Oliver continued to move through the room for several more moments before he fired a second arrow. Again as it landed Felicity heard another tumbler in the lock move. Before Felicity could process that Oliver had located his third target and fired. He was a blur on the screen as the third tumbler was released and the door opened.

Felicity screamed behind her gag as Oliver dropped to the ground beside her.

"Felicity, are you ok?" Oliver quickly removed the gag so Felicity could answer.

"I'm fine but you're hurt. Are you crazy?" Felicity knew it was wrong to berate her hero after he had just rescued her but she couldn't believe what she'd just watched him do for her. "Oh, Oliver, I'm so sorry! Are you okay? Is the Team okay?"

Oliver had quickly moved on to cut the ties binding Felicity and as soon as she was free she launched herself at him for a hug. Felicity nearly cried more when his arms came around her and he buried his head into her neck.

"I thought I'd lost you Felicity...I couldn't handle that, I can't lose you…"

"I'm so sorry – I thought I could protect you, protect everyone but I couldn't … I failed again and I broke my promises." Felicity was crying now and Oliver repositioned them to pull her onto his lap as he cradled her gently.

"You didn't fail Felicity – your information helped us figure out what Slade's plan was, helped us locate and scout this place in advance and helped me prepare to revisit the Island."

"I'm so sorry you had to do this Oliver – I never thought it would be like this. I didn't think I would fail again." Oliver's words didn't penetrate the haze of Felicity's overwhelmingly mixture of guilt, relief, and fear.

"Felicity, you did NOT fail." Felicity felt Oliver squeeze her tightly as he whispered those words forcefully into her ear.

"I did … and I broke my promises." She clutched tightly at his jacket and kept her face buried under his chin.

"What promises?" Oliver was now gently rubbing her back as if they had all the time in the world to chat.

"Oh no, Oliver, there's a bomb – we have to get out of here before the hour is up." Felicity stiffened and tried to pull away but Oliver held her close.

"We have time … what promises Felicity?" Oliver spoke sternly even though his touch was gentle as he tucked a stray hair behind her ear.

"I made three promises to you … I know not to make promises, not to ask for them. I really do and I tried … I haven't made any promises since …" Felicity couldn't meet Oliver's eyes as she remembered that he now knew everything about her. She avoided his eyes as she continued. "He sent my files to you. You know it all, don't you?"

"I know some but not all. I'm not worried about that right now Felicity. You'll tell me about your past you are ready. I do want to know about your promises though."

Felicity relaxed somewhat at Oliver's words – if anyone would understand a painful past, it was Oliver. She knew she no longer had a reason to lie to him and he seemed to be taking it all very well but still she hesitated. Felicity dropped her head to rest against him and hugged him tightly without speaking.

"Felicity."

Felicity actually smiled against his chest as he growled her name as only he could. "When I failed to stop Merlyn's second device I promised to help you rebuild the City and protect it —"

"You've done that —" Oliver quickly agreed but just as quickly Felicity spoke again.

"I've been skimming money from Merlyn's hidden assets. BTW we need to look into that – someone else is hacking into the records to pull funds too …" Felicity trailed off as Oliver tightened his grip momentarily but when he relaxed and sighed she did too.

"Okay, we will look into that … later. What's the next promise?" Oliver's emphasis on 'we' and 'later' was not lost on Felicity.

"After you came back from fighting Gold …" Felicity mumbled the rest against his neck, "I promised never to leave you."

"Well, I promised you would always have me so that seems fair."

Felicity wasn't sure if he was teasing or not but she was glad he hadn't asked for more details. She also wasn't sure if he had kissed her temple or if his lips just brushed against her as he spoke but she still shivered. As Oliver cuddled her closed in response she definitely felt him press a soft kiss against her skin.

"So what was the third promise … you did say you made three." Oliver seemed perfectly content to continue their discussion but Felicity again tried to postpone it.

"The bomb!" She gasped as she couldn't believe they had forgotten about it.

"Opening the door deactivated it so we are good. The third promise Felicity." Oliver's voice was again stern and Felicity immediately rambled in response.

"After telling you about your mom, I promised never to lie to you … at least not going forward, a promise can't be retroactive and the past should stay in the past, right?" Felicity knew she was rambling and doubted Oliver could really make sense of her words but she also realized that might be a good thing. Even though he knew about her past he didn't know she continued to lie about her feelings for him and she was very worried that would change things for them. She still hadn't worked out what it all meant herself but she knew she didn't want her feelings to be a burden to him. However, she did desperately want to keep all of her promises to Oliver now that she had a second chance. Oliver's chuckle stopped Felicity's internal monologue and forced her head up to look at him.

"How about I just remind you that you can always talk to me and we revisit the past whenever you are ready to talk?"

"Yes, I can accept that." Felicity quickly agreed and returned his smile before she hugged Oliver once more. Recent events again crashed into her mind though and Felicity tightened her grip as she remembered what all he had gone through for her... then she pulled away suddenly. "Oh no, you're injured, we need help. John!" Felicity called to John in a much louder voice.

"We both need medical attention. Digg, you still there?"

Felicity couldn't hear John's response but she stood as Oliver pushed them both up.

"That's ok. We'll see you at the same door in five then." Oliver paused and looked at the monitor. He squeezed Felicity's hand as he spoke quietly to her. "I'm sorry you had to watch."

"I'm sorry you had to do it … I don't think Hallmark makes cards for sorry I got you shot, arrowed … I really am sorry." Felicity squeezed Oliver's hand as she spoke.

"Hey, we both faced our past and we're still here so I'm counting this as a victory."

As she returned Oliver's smile, Felicity realized the game with Slade wasn't over but she, well, they had won this round. Slade had forced them both not only to relive their pasts but also to share them with each other. Without intending to, he had actually brought them closer together and strengthened the already incredibly tight bonds they shared.

Felicity also realized she now had time to keep her promises to Oliver and she would definitely consider that a victory.

AN2 – I kinda channeled the Saw movies for Slade's "game" which is gruesome I know. I saw the specific markings on the floor as a weights system that then triggered the arrow/ gun. I also saw the instructions as a way to make Oliver know what was coming and accept the 'penance' as the cost of moving forward. Nothing too complicated or original I know but I needed a way for Slade to mess with Oliver from a distance and torture him a bit. I also wanted both Oliver and Felicity to have to face their pasts and share them with the other. I hope that makes sense but always feel free to contact me if you have questions or concerns!