One would think that steady continuous sounds, like the beeping of a heart monitor, would be comforting. In John Diggle's case, it doesn't. While a reminder of his teammate's life, it's also a reminder of the can of worms about to be opened as soon as Oliver wakes up. Diggle decided to go visit Oliver the day after he woke up since he was still out from the sedative. He visited Felicity first and while Thea volunteered to keep her company, he gathered up the strength to visit Oliver. Moira informed him that she will be back in a few hours and he could talk to Oliver. She told him he regained consciousness for a bit and drifted off to sleep again. He wishes he had more time to think through a conversation which he was dreading to have. Sure enough, the man starts to stir. "You couldn't give me a few more hours?" Diggle complains to no one in particular. "Digg?" Oliver calls, still a bit groggy from the sedative. "Hey man, did you want me to call the doctor?" Diggle offers. "No" Oliver shakes his head and seems he is starting to shake off the haze surrounding his mind. "I want to know how Felicity is doing, what happened to her, and why she is in the ICU." Diggle exhales "She had a pulmonary embolism during the operation. She's in a medically-induced coma and is being closely monitored to avoid organ failure." Oliver just stared ahead, eyes glossy. Diggle feels for the younger man and he knows what Oliver is thinking. "Stop it. It's not your fault, even Felicity knows that. Blaming yourself isn't going to do anyone any good. The only thing you can do is be there for her as she recovers. I'm not telling you not to be sad, but don't let this irrational self-hatred outweigh your ability to be there for our girl. I'll go get Dr. Gartin and your Mother. I'll stay with Felicity and be back here later. Get better, man." With a pat on Oliver's shoulder, he leaves.
Oliver sobers up with Diggle's words, which he knows are right. But that doesn't stop him from feeling bad. Dr. Gartin and his Mother enter the room and talk about how he's feeling and discuss next steps. Oliver tunes the conversation out, nodding when needed. He knows his Mother is aware he's barely listening. His thoughts keep drifting to his beautiful blonde partner. Dr. Gartin excuses himself and Oliver nods a thank you as the Doctor left. He turns to his Mother, who gives him a knowing look before hugging him. For the first time, since he's back in the island, he feels like a young child seeking comfort from his Mother. They don't speak. He's aware of the silent, hot tears soaking his Mother's sleeves. After a few minutes and he has calmed down, his Mother looks him in the eye and says "Oliver, my dear boy. You and Felicity will come out of this stronger. You might deny it but you two have a special bond, even more so now." Under normal circumstances, he would've been surprised at her casual use of Felicity's name like they're familiar. But right now he doesn't feel weird about it. If anything, it felt normal. All he could do is nod. His Mother's words soothing him. "Like I told Felicity, I'm glad you have her and Mr. Diggle by your side, fighting the good fight with you." "Mom?" "This is not a conversation we need to have right now, Oliver. But know, that while I will always worry, I'm proud of you and I'm glad you have surrounded yourself with strong and smart people you can trust." Oliver was stunned that his Mother knows his secret. He's grateful for not pushing and at the same time, relieved as it is not another secret he has to hide from his family. He wants to ask if Thea knows, but like his Mother said, that is a conversation at a different time. He could only respond with "Thank you, Mom". They end up talking about the latest in QC and he also gave some anecdotes about Felicity after his Mother mentions the Applied Sciences division and her thoughts about getting Felicity's input on some projects. "Mother knows best", he thinks. He's excited to tell Felicity about a new opportunity for her. "More reason for you to get better quickly, Felicity" He mumbles.
A few days later, Oliver was given the green light to move around. He was informed by Dr. Gartin that he is recovering nicely and can be discharged over the next three days. It doesn't escape him that he gets to leave the hospital soon while Felicity is still recovering. His Mother, oddly enough, suggested that he visit Felicity. He'll of course be wheeled in to her room but it might help his anxiety to see her. Diggle brings him to Felicity's room and says he will wait outside. As he wheels his way to the room, he is greeted by the sounds of machines. Oliver could almost pretend that he is coming back from patrol and Felicity is working in the foundry. Almost. But he couldn't, because the distinctive sounds of her typing, her mumbling when she is trying to concentrate, her chair as she swivels when she sees him come back, or her feet tapping were missing. He is confronted with the reality that Felicity is in a coma and fighting for her life. Oliver wants to run but decides against it. Felicity needs him now as much as he needs her to get better. No matter how many times the others tell him this was Felicity's choice, it doesn't change the fact that her life is in the balance because she wanted to help HIM. He couldn't leave her. So he stays. He stays quiet just observing her. He promised himself and Digg when she first joined that he will protect Felicity. It never occurred to him that she will have to be put in a position where he or anyone else can save her. His chest feels heavy with emotion as he takes in her pale face and touches her cold manicured hand. He makes a mental note to thank Thea for making sure Felicity retains some of her vibrancy. He never wants to see Felicity like this again. Oliver makes a silent promise to be there for her and let her in. "The entire time that I was gone, I could never completely trust someone. And when that goes on for so long, you stop seeing people for people. You see… threats. Or targets. And when I decided to come home, I just didn't know how to turn that part of me off. Then I walked into your office. You were the first person I could see as a… person. There was just something about you. Seeing you turn around with a red pen on your mouth, babbling about my Dad, and then later not taking any of my bullshit reminded me that despite my crusade, I can still feel. To be fair, I think it's impossible for anyone to resist you. You had that effect on people, Felicity. You might think you're just some IT girl, but you're more than that. You're much more than that. I know I haven't been very open about what happened in the island or just my feelings in general, but I want you to know that you're special to me. Always have been and probably always will be, if you would let me. I just need you to wake up, then I promise you, we'll be better partners." He finally takes her hand in his, careful of the wires. "You've always believed in me and the better person I could become. You and Digg are my rock. I can't do this without you, Felicity. I always thought that I will do this alone but now, I can't imagine doing this without you. Please don't give up yet" He doesn't even realize the tears streaming down his face and he doesn't even bother wiping them away. Before he left, he places a kiss on her forehead and wheels himself out of her room. He'll be back and he'll be by her side.
Oliver is finally discharged from the hospital three days later. He met with Dr. Gartin to discuss his medications and future appointments. Each day he visits Felicity and argues that someone has to stay with her when he asks Digg to get some rest, freshen up, or go on patrol, something that apparently he and Felicity discussed already. He talks to her about his day, indulges her with some stories about his time on the island. He knows it's unfair that he's being this open to her while she is still in a coma but he figures it is a good way for him to prepare to be more open to both her and Diggle. Every day, he brings a Big Belly Burger and coffee because she'll appreciate it when she wakes up. Diggle ends up eating the food until he tells Oliver to stop bringing burgers. He doesn't. He stocked the fridge in Felicity's room with mint chip. He waits patiently every day. Observes Thea when she gives Felicity a manicure and even gets into a debate when Thea scoffs at him when he mentioned Felicity might like a Pine Green polish. He receives updates from his Mother when she comes to check on them every now and then. Before he ushers Digg out of the room whenever he visits, they sit down and talk about their nightly activities, making sure they talk around Felicity. When Diggle comes back from patrol, he is there watching Doctor Who. Digg even caught him talking to Felicity once and was hoping she woke up, only to find that she is still in a coma and Oliver is just engaging in a one-sided conversation. "For now", he adds.
It's been six days since he's been discharged and Felicity's condition has not changed. The Doctors were worried that she might get an infection and is closely examining her every day. Six long and torturous days since he's allowed to walk out of the hospital and live his life normally, if not more carefully, while Felicity remains in a comatose state. As he rounds the corner to Felicity's room, with a pint of mint chip in hand and a coffee and pastry in another, he sees Diggle outside of Felicity's room with a shocked look on his face. If Oliver was asked when he dropped the coffee and food, he won't be able to answer. If he was asked when he started running towards Digg and snapping the older man out of his trance, he wouldn't be able to respond. But if you ask Oliver about the precise moment when his stomach dropped and heart broke at the same time, he'll tell you it was when Digg told him that Felicity flat lined.