I know, it's been a few months since I updated, but I've kinda had a hectic life recently, and with hardly any time to write in this story.
Also, the ending kinda jumped out at me, but most of you had already guessed it, but I'm still iffy on it. Hope you enjoy it nonetheless!
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT! IT MEANS SO MUCH TO ME!
Please remember to review at the end! :)
~~Present~~
Diggle stared in disbelief as Felicity finally took a deep breath after finishing her tale. He couldn't believe his ears. He just couldn't.
He knew since the first moment he met Oliver and Felicity that something was up with them, but this…
Lowering his eyes, his mind replayed everything that had transpired for the past few weeks, slowly realizing that it all made since now. The disappearances… The worry... Everything…
Slowly, lifting his eyes upward, he studied the couple in front of him.
"I think he's in shock." Felicity whispered, leaning into Oliver's side.
Oliver lowered his eyes to her, and then lifted his eyes to Diggle's. "I know it's a lot to take in, Dig." He stated, lifting his free right hand.
Diggle nodded, and gripped the side of the table. "So you're the vigilante…" He whispered, after a moment.
Oliver nodded, and his left hand gripped Felicity's waist, lightly. "I am." He commented, feeling her hand touch his chest.
"And all those times you disappeared…" Diggle remarked, shaking his head. "You're the one who knocked me out at that party." He added, as Oliver bowed his head.
"Look man, I'm sorry about that." Oliver returned, shaking his head. "But at the time, I didn't want you to know."
Felicity nodded, and rolled her eyes. "He's hard headed." She commented, causing Diggle to smile along with Oliver.
"So why tell me now?" He asked, shrugging his shoulders.
Felicity felt Oliver release her waist, and stepped forward. Oliver crossed his arms over his chest, and bowed his head. "Because I need another ally in my fight…" He paused, glancing over his shoulder to Felicity. "Our fight and I want that ally to be you." He added, with Felicity nodding in agreement.
Diggle frowned, and shifted his gaze from Oliver to Felicity. "Why me?" He asked, shaking his head.
Felicity stepped up, and placed her hand on Oliver's back. "Because you are an honorable man, and he needs someone out there to watch his back." She answered for Oliver. "And with your experience, you are the one we need." She added, with a smile.
Diggle shifted his gaze to Oliver, and caught the look in his eyes as he gazed at Felicity. "If I hadn't gotten shot, would you have told me?" He asked, after a moment.
Oliver turned his head to look at his bodyguard and friend. "We would." He answered, with Felicity nodding in agreement. "There's one more thing you need to know." He began, after a moment, glancing at Felicity.
Felicity read his expression, and slowly nodded with her consent. He turned to Diggle, and tilted head towards her. "We're married." He added, as Diggle's eyes widened, and then he let a smile touch his face before he laughed.
"Man and I thought I heard it all today." He stated, shaking his head. "Not that I'm surprised." He added, lifting his hands up before crossing them over his chest.
Felicity shrugged. "No one else knows, and it's better that way." She remarked, firmly.
He lifted his eyes to hers, and nodded, but confusion etched on his face. "Why?" He asked, folding his arms over his chest.
Oliver lowered his eyes, and turned to face his wife, who had lowered her eyes, but despair filled her face. He sighed, and touched her arm, gently. He opened his mouth to answer Diggle's question, but Diggle stopped him.
"Don't worry about it." He remarked, with a soft gaze at Felicity. He gave Oliver a look that told him he needed to tell him later, to which Oliver nodded.
Felicity nodded, and stepped back. "I'll be in the back." She remarked, turning away from them, and headed to the back.
Oliver sighed as she disappeared, and closed his eyes. He bowed his head, and Diggle watched as his shoulders sagged just a little.
"She doesn't like secrets." Oliver remarked, in the silence, hearing the unspoken question.
Diggle moved his eyes to the back room, and then back to Oliver. "And yet she's helping you." He returned, with a slight smile. "It must be love." He added, causing Oliver to smile, and turn his head.
"Sometimes I wonder why, but she never lets me get that far." He stated, with a smile. His smile faded as he turned to face his friend. "I'll understand if you don't want to help, Dig, but Felicity is right. I need someone out there having my back." He added, nodding his head.
Diggle inhaled deeply. He already had his answer when they asked. He knew Oliver, or the vigilante, didn't kill, but he came close a few times, and he knew Oliver was capable of it. Oliver did need someone who could keep him from that darkness in the field, and though Felicity kept him straight with her love, as he had witnessed, she wasn't out in the field, and couldn't control Oliver as he needed.
"You need someone to keep you from going down the dark path, Oliver." He remarked, leaning against the table.
Oliver swallowed and knew he was right. Though Felicity helped, and kept him on a light path, he often felt compelled to give in to the darker urges. "So, does that mean?" He began, but Diggle smirked and shook his head.
"I'll think about it, Oliver, but for the moment," He paused, wincing as he straightened up. "I need to rest, I think." He added, with Oliver nodding in understanding. "See you tomorrow, Oliver." He wished, as he slowly walked out of underground lair.
Oliver nodded, and watched him go. Sighing, he turned around, and headed towards the back. He found her on the makeshift bed they had made for some late nights, and slowly walked towards her.
"He gonna help?" She asked, fiddling with her fingers.
Oliver shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know, maybe." He answered, sitting down beside her, and grasping her hands with his.
She nodded, and threaded her fingers with his. "I'm sorry I left." She whispered, feeling his thumb rub the top of her hand.
He smiled and brushed her face with his right hand. "You have nothing to be sorry about, Felicity." He whispered, leaving her to turn her head.
"Did you tell him?" She asked, causing Oliver to shake his head. "Why not?" She asked, shrugging her shoulders. "He'll need to know sometime." She added, as Oliver sighed.
"Yes, he will, but I would rather tell him when you're ready, and we can tell him together." He stated, as she smiled.
"I love you." She whispered, leaning forward to lay her head on his shoulder.
He smiled, and kissed the top of her head. "I love you too." He whispered, wrapping his arm around her shoulders, and held her close. "Did you send the message to Anatoly?" He asked, after a moment.
He felt her stiffen underneath his embrace, and heard her small intake of breathe. "I did." She whispered, low enough for him to hear.
He kissed the top of her head once again, and rubbed her shoulder with his right hand. "He respond, yet?" He asked, after a moment.
Felicity nodded, and straightened up, leaving his arms as she stood up. "He did." She answered, stiffly.
He remained where he was, waiting for her to continue, knowing that she didn't need to be pushed. "Felicity," He whispered, causing her shoulders to fall, and her head to bow.
"I knew it was dangerous when we went to the library two days before we approached the Bratva, and sent the signal to him." She stated, lifting her hand to wipe her face.
He sighed, and lowered his eyes for a second. "Is she safe?" He asked, after a moment, knowing that was what Felicity was worried about.
She nodded, and turned to look at him. "I called. They'll call back in a couple of days." She answered, as Oliver stood up. "Oliver, it's one thing for people to know that we are married, and I'm fine with them knowing that, but if they find out about her…" She began, and he stilled her movements.
He nodded in agreement. "I know, Felicity." He whispered, bowing his head to look into her eyes. "I promised you both when she was born that I would protect you and her, and I won't let anything happen to her." He added, as she nodded her head.
"My father wants to see her." She replied, after a moment.
Oliver stiffened, and slowly shook his head. "He agreed to keep his distance for her safety, and yours." He remarked, as Felicity nodded her head.
"I know, and he'll wait, but…" She began, pausing to bite her lip.
He nodded, and pulled her into his embrace. "I know." He remarked, realizing that they were on a dangerous road.
In the silence of the room, their unspoken worries disappeared, as they held onto each other, both hoping that everything was going to be okay.
~XXX~
They sat in the booth of the diner, with Oliver holding Felicity's hand as they smiled to each other, days after they had revealed their secret to Diggle.
The door to the diner opened, and they lifted their eyes to see him walking towards them. Felicity smiled, and nodded towards him, as Oliver just nodded.
"I see you got a new bodyguard." Diggle remarked, as he sat down, motioning to the tall blonde guy close to the door.
Oliver nodded, and sighed. "You didn't have to quit, Dig." He remarked, as Diggle exhaled, slowly.
"I know, but I didn't know what else to do, Oliver." Diggle returned, shaking his head. "I needed to recuperate, and think." He stated, motioning to his shoulder.
Felicity smiled, and leaned forward. "How is it?" She asked, with concern.
Diggle smiled, and nodded. "A little sore, but good," He answered, softly.
Oliver placed his left hand on the table, and fiddled with his fingers. "Did you think about our invitation?" He asked, after a moment.
Diggle cleared his throat and nodded. "I did." He answered, leaning back in the bench, and looked from Felicity to Oliver. "You do need someone out in the field with you, Oliver, and after consideration, I'll be that person." He added, after a brief pause. "On one condition, no more secrets." He concluded as the couple nodded, though he knew there were a few they had to keep to themselves, but he was patient, and they would tell him all they needed to when the time came.
Felicity smiled, and sagged just a little in her seat before squeezing Oliver's hand. "That means so much to us." She remarked, glancing at her husband.
Oliver nodded, and lifted his left hand for Diggle to grasp it. "Thank you, man." He replied, firmly.
Diggle nodded, and watched as Oliver sighed, and moved to stand up. Oliver bent down, and brushed his lips over Felicity's mouth, and brushed his hand over her face. "See you later." He whispered, and Diggle knew what was about to happen. "Get some rest, Dig, and when you're up to it, let us know." He stated, standing up.
The bodyguard who had been assigned to take Diggle's place, stepped forward, and stilled Oliver's movements. "May I ask where you're going, Mr. Queen?" He asked, with a stiff tone.
Oliver sighed, and motioned to the back. "I'm going to the little boy's room." He answered, with a smile, and heard Felicity stifle a laugh.
"Mr. Queen, I've heard about your little dalliances, and I assure you, you are not going to disappear on me." He stated, lifting his head a fraction.
Oliver smirked, and leaned forward. "If you intend to follow me in there, and watch me pee, then go ahead." He stated, watching the bodyguard, shift nervously on his feet.
"I'll wait out here for you, then." The bodyguard remarked, swallowing hard.
Oliver smiled and nodded, before sending a wink to Felicity, and headed into the back.
After a few minutes, Diggle chuckled, and lifted his head to the bodyguard. "Oh, he's long gone by now." He stated, as Felicity nodded, and scooted out of the bench, just as the bodyguard raced to the back.
"I've got to head to the lair, and set up the coms." She whispered, as Diggle helped her stand.
"I'll go with you." He remarked, as Felicity nodded with a smile.
"Thank you." She returned, as they walked out of the diner, leaving a bewildered bodyguard searching every inch of the diner for one Mr. Queen.
~XXX~
Felicity sat ringing her hands as the back door opened, and Oliver entered clad in his leather outfit. She stood up, and raced to him, becoming lost in his arms.
"I'm here, Felicity." He whispered, kissing the top of her head.
She nodded, and lifted her face to kiss him with a passion that shook them both. "I just get nervous when shots are fired at you." She remarked, softly.
He smiled, and brushed his hand over her face. "It wasn't anything I couldn't handle." He returned, softly.
She rolled her eyes, and shook her head. "Will there be anything that you can't handle?" She asked, as he chuckled and shook his head.
"There was one thing, but I married her." He answered, as she smiled, brightly, and kissed his lips. "Where's Dig?" He asked, as he looked around.
"I sent him home, when you were on your way back." She answered, rubbing her hands on his chest. "He needed some rest, and there was nothing he could do." She added, as he nodded and hummed, before kissing her once again.
She smiled against his lips, and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Who would have thought that I found the love of my life on an island?" She asked, as they held each other.
He chuckled, and squeezed her close to him. "I don't know. I didn't know then either." He whispered, kissing her cheek, before pulling back to look into her eyes.
Just as she was about to say a something in return, the computer dinged in the other room, indicating a com was coming through, and it sent a warm sensation through both of them.
Felicity turned and practically ran into the com room with Oliver right behind her. As she hit the receive button on the computer, a face filled the screen, and Felicity nearly collapsed if not for Oliver holding her up.
"Mommy! Daddy!"
They both smiled, and nodded to the little two year-old on the screen. Felicity smiled, as tears filled her eyes. "Hey, sweet pea, are you alright?" She asked, as the little girl nodded her head, letting her light brown curls bounce on her head, and her blue eyes sparkled with laughter.
"I fine." The little girl nodded, smiling, impishly.
Oliver smiled, and leaned forward, with his hand on Felicity's back. "Are you being good?" He asked, watching the little girl nod her head again.
"I am." She stated, lifting her chin, proudly, showing her version of Felicity.
Felicity smiled, and leaned into Oliver's side. "We'll come to see you soon, sweet pea. Okay?" She remarked, on the verge of tears.
The little girl nodded, and moved her eyes to Oliver. "Is mommy sad?" She asked, as Oliver held his wife close to his side.
"She just misses you, as do I." He answered, his eyes filling with tears.
The little girl nodded, and lowered her eyes. "I miss you too." She whispered, as her eyes filled with tears.
Oliver nodded, and leaned forward to place his hand on the screen, trying to touch his daughter. His daughter reached out at the same time, and smiled. "I love you, Maeve." He whispered, and the little girl nodded.
"I love you too, daddy." She returned, just as the screen went black.
Felicity let out a sob, and collapsed in his arms. "Oliver…" She whispered, holding onto him as tightly as she could.
He understood, and kissed the top of her head. "I know, Felicity, I know." He whispered, rocking her in his arms. "I'm sorry." He added, holding her close.
She shook her head against his leather chest, and lifted it to gaze into his eyes. "Never be sorry for protecting our family, Oliver." She replied, roughly.
He smiled, and kissed her lips in a slow movement, and stepped back. "I'm going to change, and then we'll head home." He said, after a moment.
She nodded, and watched him go. She knew he wouldn't take long, not when he knew that she needed him. Turning her eyes to the computer screen, she smiled. Her daughter was safe, and it was enough to make her fight for the chance to bring her home.
"You'll come home, Maeve." She whispered, just as she felt hands grasping her upper arms. She leaned back against his chest, and felt his cheek rest against her temple.
"That's a promise." He added, kissing her temple, and then escorted her out of the lair, and towards the mansion, they called home.
Please be kind!
Okay, ya'll have now officially met Oliver and Felicity's daughter! What did you think? Like her? Hate her? Too soon? I would have waited on bringing her in, but Oliver and Felicity demanded that I show them their daughter now. LOL!
Next Chapter: Five Years Ago: Loving Dark Nights
Until Next Time...
