Hope woke, to Bruce running his fingers through her hair.

"So Dick said something about a run-in with Jason again last night." Bruce said.

She exhaled loudly.

"Good morning to you too." She mumbled.

"Good morning. What happened?" Bruce asked.

"Jason wanted to know if I remembered anything. He was interupted by Batman." She said.

"Why were you out by yourself?" Bruce asked.

"Dick was busy, so I went to get dinner. I'm fine, Batman showed up, and made sure Jason didn't try anything." She said.

"Please be more careful." He told her.

She turned to her stomach, and propped her self up on her elbows.

"I'll try my best to be careful. Besides, I think that Jason finally got the message. He was very persuasive. So, I don't think we have to worry about him, anytime soon." She said.

He tucked her hair behind her ear.

"I just worry about you." He said.

"I know, but I'm fine. I hate that I make you worry. I don't mean to, and it doesn't help that I'm a magnet for the crazy, either. I'm surprised that you've put up with me this long." She said.

He pulled her, and she moved closer to his face. He kissed her.

"There's nothing to put up with, as you say, so stop thinking like that. It is not your fault that they came after you. They are insane." He told her.

She smiled, and kissed him.

"Completely insane." She whispered.

He wrapped his arms around her, and pressed his lips to hers. He flipped them around, so that she was under him. She laughed.

"Do you want to meet me for lunch?" She asked.

"Where do you have in mind?" She asked.

"The penthouse." He said.

She smiled.

"What time should I be there?" She asked.

"One." He said.

"It's a date." She said.

"It's a date." He repeated, then kissed her again.

She didn't want to stop, but he had to get ready Since it was a day off, for the most part, she was on call, if Dick needed her, so she was free all day. She got out of bed, and started getting dressed, as Bruce dressed. As Bruce put on a suit, Hope got into a pair of jeans and a black tank top. She brushed her hair, and put it into a bun at the top of her head.

As she laced up her sneakers, Bruce finished dressing as well. She smiled, and walked over to him.

"Don't you look handsome." She said.

He laughed.

"Thank you. You look great, yourself." He said.

She rolled her eyes.

"Right." She said.

"Then again, you do look great in anything." He said.

She blushed.

"I don't know how true that is, but thank you." She said.

He kissed her.

"I'll see you at one. I have to go." He said.

"Go ahead." She said.

He kissed her again, then left. She picked up their discarded clothes, and put them into the basket.

When she went downstairs, Alfred had breakfast ready for her. She decided to do some shopping. Alfred would drive her to wherever she wanted to go. He told her to give him a call, when she was finished, and he would pick her up.

She thanked him, and headed into the Gotham Mall. She walked around, for the most part, only going into a few stores.

She bought some new stuff that she knew Bruce would enjoy. She began looking at candles. Maybe she could find one that would help him relax. She picked a red candle up, and smelled it. Red honeysuckle. She liked it. She bought that one, and a lavendar one. By the time that she was finished with that, she had twenty minutes before she had to meet up with Bruce.

She left the mall, and headed for the penthouse. Bruce was there already, when she arrived. She set her bags on the table, and walked over to him.

He was looking out the window. She put her arms around his waist, and he wrapped his arms around her.

"Did you have any fun shopping?" He asked.

She laughed.

"Of course I did." She said.

"Good." He said.

He kissed her, then led her to the bedroom.

*X*

Bruce had left five minutes ago, he had to get back to work. She was slipping her ballerina flats on, and grabbed her purchases, and headed for the car.

On her way to the car, Hope caught sight of Selena, standing off in the distance, just watching her. It was a little unsettling, as she got into the car. She put it in the back of her mind, as Alfred drove her back to the manor. Unfortunately, that wasn't the last time Hope saw Selena. Over the next month, Hope saw Selena everywhere she went. She finally decided to tell Bruce about Selena.

He was standing behind the couch, watching the news. She walked over to him.

"Bruce, there's something I need to tell you." She said.

He looked at her.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"I think Selena is following me. Every where I go, she's there. She just pops up, and watches me." She said.

"Are you sure?" He asked.

She nodded.

"Yeah, it's her." She said.

"How long?" He asked.

"About a month." She said.

"A month? Hope, why didn't you tell me sooner?" He asked.

"I needed to be sure. I wanted to be certain it wasn't just my imagination. I'm telling you now. I have a feeling she's about to do something." She said.

"Has she said something to you?" He asked.

"No, but she keeps tapping her watch. She's planning something, soon. I'm getting worried, Bruce." She said.

Bruce exhaled loudly.

He pulled her into his arms.

"I won't let anything happen to you Hope, I promise. Maybe it's a good time for you to take a vacation." He said.

"A vacation? Where?" She asked.

"You have a choice. You can go some place warm, sunny, and that has a beach, or you can go visit Thea for a while." He said.

"I would definitely love to see Thea again." She said.

He laughed.

"That's what I thought. I'll make a call, why don't you pack a bag?" He said.

She gave a nod. She looked up at him.

"Thank you Bruce." She said.

He smiled at her.

"I just want you to feel safe, if that's visiting Thea, then I'm going to help in any way that I can." He told her.

"I appreciate it, anyways." She said.

He brushed her hair away from her face, then kissed her.

"Go pack, and I'll make the calls." He told her.

She nodded, and went upstairs. She went into her closet, and pulled her suitcase down from the shelf. She put it on the bed, and opened it. She went back into the closet, to pick out some clothes.

She chose two sundresses, one black, the other was emerald. She grabbed a pink and a white cami top. She grabbed a pair of pajamas, and some undergarments. She grabbed a pair of jeans, and a pair of shorts. She found a black and white tank top to go with them.

She got everything into the suitcase, then went to pick out shoes. She picked out a pair of simple black heels, and her sneakers. She got them into the suitcase, then went to grab all of the extra things she would need. She packed those things in her tote bag. Her brush, makeup, bath stuff all went in there.

When she was finished, she brought it all downstairs, next to the door. She walked into the living room, to where Bruce was.

"Everything is set up. Alfred will bring us to the air field. The jet will bring you to Starling." He told her.

She smiled.

"Great." She said.

"We should get going." He said.

They walked to the door. He picked her suitcase and tote up, and they went outside. Bruce put the suitcase and tote in the trunk, and Hope got in the back of the car. Bruce go in after her, then they headed for the airfield.

"I called Dick, and let him know what was going on. He understands, and wants you to have fun." Bruce said.

She smiled.

"I'm sure I will. I will miss you though." She said.

He smiled.

"I am definitely going to miss you. I'll try to visit." Bruce told her.

He leaned in, and kissed her.

The ride went by fast. They got to the airfield before the jet. Bruce grabbed Hope's bags from the trunk, then leaned up against the trunk. He pulled her to him, and kissed. About five minutes later, the jet came in. It pulled to a stop, and the steps came down. A moment later, Thea came out of the jet. She walked over to Hope, with John Diggle close behind.

"Thea!" Hope said.

Thea hugged Hope.

"I figured I would come and get you." Thea said.

"Awesome." Hope said.

John grabbed Hope's bags, as Hope turned to Bruce.

"I'll call you, when I land." She told him.

He nodded. She kissed him, then walked with Thea, to the jet. She got on the jet, and waved to Bruce. The jet pulled away. Hope leaned back, and exhaled loudly. She missed him already." Hope said.

"Girl, you've got it bad!" Thea said.

Hope giggled.

"Just a little." Hope said.

Hope's phone buzzed, she had gotten a new text message.

Have fun. I'll talk to you soon.

Hope smiled.

"Apparently, he's got it bad as well. I did not expect that." Thea said.

"It snuck up on me, but I'm glad it did." Hope said.

Miss you. Talk soon.

"So, what prompted this visit?" Thea asked.

"Bruce suggested I take a vacation, while he takes care of a problem, for me." Hope said.

"What problem?" Thea asked.

"An old associate, and girlfriend, of Bruce's has been stalking me. Bruce told me that he will take care of it." Hope said.

Thea nodded.

"Don't worry, we'll have fun, and it will be relaxing." Thea said.

Hope nodded.

"Of course. I can't wait." Hope said.

John Diggle walked in from the cockpit.

"Mr. Diggle, how have you been? How is your daughter?" Hope asked.

John smiled, and told her about how big Sara had gotten.

When they landed, Hope called Bruce.

"Hey, I landed. We're heading to Thea's loft." Hope said.

"Okay, have fun." Bruce said.

"I will. I'll talk to you later." Hope said.

"Bye." Bruce said.

She ended the call, and walked with Thea, to the car. They got in, and headed for the loft. They got to the loft, and Diggle brought in Hope's bags.

"Ollie said you could crash on his bed." Thea said.

"Where will he be?" Hope asked.

"Oliver will be staying with Lila and me." Diggle said.

Hope nodded.

"Great, just us girls, then." Hope said.

Diggle put Hope's bags on Oliver's bed, then said his good byes, and left. Thea went, and poured them each a glass of wine.

"Here's to a fun, and relaxing vacation." Hope said, holding up her glass.

Thea touched her glass to Hope's an then they drank from their glass.

"So, what do you want to do?" Hope asked.

"Verdant?" Thea asked.

Hope smiled.

"Great. Will you straighten my hair for me?" Hope asked.

"Of course. Get dressed, then I'll do your hair." Thea said.

Hope nodded, then went to find something to wear. She decided on the green dress. She stripped, and slid into the dress. She slid on the black heels, then Thea straightened her hair. When she was done, she put makeup on.

She texted Bruce, to let him know Thea was taking her out. He told her to have a great time. When Thea had finished getting ready, they headed for the club. It didn't take long for them to get there, and they made it inside quickly as well. They headed for the bar. Hope sat on one of the stools at the end of the bar. Thea went behind the bar, and made them both a drink. The club was pretty full, and the music was in full swing.

"This is so amazing! I'm so proud of you Thea!" Hope told her.

"Thank you. The last I heard, you were working at Arkham Asylum." Thea said.

Hope laughed sarcastically.

"I used to, not anymore. The psychos became too much for me to handle. Two of them kidnapped me, at different times. After the second time, I decided that I needed to get away from that." Hope said.

"Rough. So, what are you doing now?" Thea asked.

"I work at the circus." Hope said.

Thea raised her eyebrows, in surprise.

"The circus?!" Thea said.

Hope gave a nod, and took a drink from her glass.

"Bruce had a ward that owns it. After I left Arkham, Dick offered me a job. I do a little bit of everything, but it keeps me busy." Hope said.

"That has got to be interesting." Thea said.

"It's fun." Hope said.

"Do you like it?" Thea asked.

Hope smiled.

"I do." Hope said.

They gave a nod, and held her glass to Thea's, then they drank.

"Are you happy, Hope?" Thea asked.

Hope exhaled loudly.

"I am. Even with everything that's happened, I am. Bruce is amazing." Hope said.

"What exactly has happened?" Thea asked.

Hope downed the rest of her drink, and handed the glass to Thea. Hope told Thea about what had happened, while Thea made her another drink. She told Thea about Penguin, Jason, Scarecrow, and Selena. She left out remembering things while she was drugged. No, those were secrets Hope couldn't share with anyone. At least, not yet. She had to wait.

"I guess I know my job. I'm going to get your mind off of everything. We'll go shopping, and to the spa." Thea said.

Hope laughed.

"I knew I could count on you Thea." Hope said.

"I'm always glad to help." Thea said, handing Hope's glass to her.

Hope took a drink. She smiled as Roy came up to them.

"Hope, I heard you were in town. How are you doing?" Roy asked.

Hope smiled.

"I'm good Roy, how are you?" Hope asked.

"I'm fine. Oliver said he would stop by in a little while." Roy said.

"Thank you Roy." Thea said.

Roy gave a nod, grabbed a towel, and went to the other end of the bar.

It was ten minutes later, that Oliver arrived. He found them quickly. He hugged them both.

"I was very surprised to get Bruce's call, but I'm happy you're here." Oliver said.

"I'm happy I'm here too. Thea has some fun stuff planned." Hope said.

"I'm sure she does." Oliver said.

"So, where is Felicity?" Hope asked.

As if on cue, the blonde hurried up to them.

"There you are Oliver. Oh, hello Hope." Felicity said.

"Hey Felicity." Hope said.

"Dig needs to talk to us, Oliver." Felicity said.

Oliver gave a nod, then turned to Hope.

"I'm sorry, I need to go." Oliver said.

Hope nodded.

"Go ahead." Hope said.

Oliver put his hand on Felicity's back, and led her away.

"That was a quick visit." Hope said.

"Yeah. It's rough for Ollie right now. There's a guy that put a bid in for Queen Consolodated." Thea said.

"Someone is trying to buy Oliver's company? Rough. How is he handling it?" Hope asked.

Thea exhaled loudly.

"You know Ollie." The said.

Hope watched Oliver disappear in to the crowd.

"Yeah, I know Ollie." Hope said.

Thea put her hand on Hope's shoulder. Hope looked at Thea.

"Ollie will be fine." Thea said.

Hope smiled.

"Yeah, I'm sure he will." Hope said.

*X*

It was about 1:30, when Hope decided to take a break. She needed some fresh air.

"Thea, I'm going outside." Hope said.

"What's wrong?" Thea asked.

Hope shook her head.

"Nothing, it's just really warm in here. I need some air." Hope said.

Thea nodded.

"Don't go too far." Thea said.

Hope left the bar,, and headed outside. The cool air felt good on her skin. She closed her eyes, and inhaled deeply. A moment later, she started walking. She wasn't planning on going too far, just to the end of the block, and back.

She got halfway to the end of the block, when she was grabbed, and thrown up against the wall. She cried out in pain. A man placed his hand over her mouth. His other hand came up, holding a knife. Her eyes grew wide in terror.

"If you scream, I will kill you. Do you understand?" The man said.

Hope nodded.

"Little girls shouldn't be out this late at night. Something bad might happen." The man told her.

"You should take your own advice. Let the woman go, now."

The man grabbed Hope, and pulled her in front of him. He was using her as a shield. They were facing a man in red leather, a red hood, and he was pointing a bow and Arrow at them.

"Where's the Arrow?!" The man holding Hope asked.

"Around, but I'm sure he'll be dropping in soon. He doesn't like to miss the fun. So, before he gets here, why don't you let her go." The man in red said.

The man holding Hope laughed. I don't think so. Put the bow and arrow down, or I will slit her throat." The man said.

The man in red hesitated for amoment, but finally threw the bow and arrow to the ground. The man holding her, dug his knife into the side of her neck, drawing blood. She hissed in pain.

Suddenly, the man holding her, jolted, cutting her more, and dropped to the ground. Hope fell to her knees, holding the gash on her neck. She felt the blood seep through her fingers. She cringed. Bruce wasn't going to be happy about this. He'd probably never let her out of his sight again. Perfect.

The man in red was tending to the man that had her, while a man in dark green leather, with a green hood, walked over to her. He knelt down next to her.

"Let me see it." A deep, rough voice said.

She removed her hand from the wound. He pulled a piece of cloth out of somewhere. He pressed it to her neck.

"Put pressure on it." He told her.

"Who are you?" She asked.

"Everyone calls me the Arrow." He said.

"Did you kill that guy?" She asked.

"No. It was a tranque arrow. Arsenal will deliver him to the police. What were you doing out here, all alone?" Arrow asked.

"I needed some fesh air. I was just going to the end of the block, then return to the club." She said.

Arrow helped her to her feet.

"Hope?! What's going on? Are you okay?" A voice asked.

Hope looked. It was Felicity. Hope gave a small smile, as Felicity hurried up to her.

"I'm fine. Apparently, it doesn't matter what city I'm in, the crazies always seem to find me." Hope said.

"Where's Thea?" Felicity asked.

"In the club. Where did you come from? The last time I saw you, you were leaving with Oliver." Hope said.

"I finished early, and came back to see what you were doing." Felicity said.

"You should get her looked over." Arrow told Felicity.

"Great. When Bruce hears about this, he's going to lock me up, and throw away the key." Hope said.

"He won't get that bad." Felicity said.

Hope gave a sarcastic laugh.

"You really don't know Bruce." Hope said.

Felicity turned to Arrow.

"I'll make sure she's looked after." Felicity said.

The Arrow gave a nod.

"Good." Arrow said.

Hope looked from Felicity to the Arrow, and back to Felicity. Something was eating at the back of her mind. The way Felicity was looking at the Arrow, was nagging at her.

Felicity brought her over to a car, and they got in. Felicity started for the hospital.

"I'll let Thea know what happened." Felicity said.

"Thank you." Hope said.

Felicity pulled into the hospital, and brought Hope in.

X*X*X

As soon as Bruce had heard what happened, he had left Gotham. She'd been back to Thea's loft for ten minutes, when there was a knock at the door.

Hope was in the kitchen. Felicity answered the door.

"Where is she?"

There was no mistaking Bruce's voice.

"Kitchen." Felicity said.

She braced herself for whatever Bruce said. She turned to face him, as he walked in.

"Hope! I can't send you anywhere, can I? How are you doing?" Bruce asked.

"I'm fine, Arrow and Arsenal were able to get to me before anything could happen." She said.

"Something did happen, Hope." He said.

She sighed.

"Bruce, I'm too tired for a lecture right now. Can it wait until the morning?" She asked.

He studied her for a moment. His features softened, as he caressed her cheek.

"It can wait. Let's get you to bed." Bruce said.

She smiled.

"No arguments here." She said.

They walked into the living room. Felicity was sitting on the couch.

"You can go, Ms. Smoak, I'll keep an eye on Hope." Bruce said.

"Good night." Felicity said.

She left, and Bruce locked the door. Hope and Bruce went up to the bed. She quickly changed, and Bruce stripped down to his boxer briefs. They got in bed, and she laid her head on his chest. He ran his fingers through her hair.

"I wasn't trying to lecture you Hope. I heard something had happened to you, and I was worried. You scared me." He told her quietly.

"I didn't mean to make you worry. I'm sorry. I do appreciate that you came all the way out here, to make sure I was okay. Thank you." She said.

"I had to see that you were okay, for myself." He said.

"Thank you Bruce." She said.

"Try to get some sleep." Bruce said.

She closed her eyes, and slowly started to fall asleep, as he ran his fingers through her hair.

X*X*X