Chapter 9
~`**`~ Felicity ~`**`~
Felicity hummed with satisfaction. "Whew. So much for the shower," Felicity laughed. Oliver lay naked on his side next to her. He smiled at her with what almost seemed like a smug grin.
"I wouldn't mind going back in, if you want to," Oliver said with a wink. Felicity rolled her eyes and said, "I think I'm okay. Unless I smell, that is."
Oliver placed his face on her breast, "Hmmm. Let me see," inhaling deeply. He turned his face and let his teeth graze her left nipple. Her breath hitched in her chest. She felt his facial hair scratch against her skin in the most delicious way as he continued his path up her body, inhaling through his nose in an exaggerated fashion. When he reached the middle of her neck he stopped and kissed it softly. "No. You smell amazing as always," Oliver said sincerely.
Felicity gave a small scoff and moved to stand up from the bed, Oliver following behind. She turned to look at the bed and saw an enormous water mark that looked like a Rorschach ink blot test on her comforter. She laughed at the sight.
"At least it's just water," she said. "Next time towels first."
"Next time? That has potential," Oliver said with a small smile.
Felicity made her way over to her dresser to grab a bra and underwear. She looked for one of the few matching sets she owned. She decided on a satin amethyst number and put it on. She looked over and saw Oliver sliding on the boxer briefs that he'd abandoned on the chair a little earlier. She knew it'd be ridiculous to ask him to just walk around in his underwear the rest of the day, but she sure liked to look at him. She walked over to her closet and picked the first dress she saw. It was royal blue, sleeveless, and short. She'd definitely need to remember her cardigan before leaving.
Felicity turned to ask Oliver to zip her dress and saw to her delight that he had donned his pants, but chose to remain shirtless. Her face must have looked greedy, because a knowing grin spread across his. Grabbing the wide-tooth comb on her dresser, Felicity ran it through her merely damp tresses. She decided she was presentable enough and headed towards her small kitchen with Oliver in tow.
When they reached the kitchen, Oliver pulled out a chair at the small table and commanded, "Sit." She did so without complaint, but remained curious. Felicity watched as Oliver made his way through the kitchen. He started glancing in every cupboard and drawer in front of him. She knew she should take pity on him and ask what he was looking for so she could tell him where it was, but she was having too much fun watching him not be adept at something for once.
Abandoning the cabinets, Oliver turned to the refrigerator. He looked inside it and got a sour look on his face. She was sure the reason he looked cross was because of how little food she actually had in her place. He reached in and extricated a white bag from the refrigerator, setting it on the counter. After he shut the refrigerator, he smiled and held up the Big Belly Burger bag to her. She chuckled and nodded, letting him know that it would be a suitable meal. He turned back to her cabinets to where he obviously remembered where her plates were. He pulled down 2 plates and pilled them with equal portions of food. Felicity knew there would be no way that she could eat half a buger and all the fries he piled on her plate, but she let Oliver continue unhindered. She'd pawn off anything she couldn't eat on him. He turned to the microwave and reheated both plates of food. Seeming proud of himself, Oliver turned and carried the plates of food to the table with Felicity. "Water?" Oliver asked as he set the plates down in front of Felicity.
"Sure," she replied. Oliver turned back to the cabinets and went in search of water glasses. "Next cabinet on the right," Felicity said as Oliver went to open the wrong cabinet. Stopping himself, he pulled two glasses out of the correct cupboard and filled them with water from the filter attached to her water faucet. He carried both glasses of water back with him to the table and sat down next to Felicity.
"Thank you," Felicity told Oliver. "You're welcome. Eat," he replied. They ate in comfortable silence, Felicity becoming full before her burger half was gone. She slid her plate with her remaining food in front of Oliver. He graciously accepted, finishing both his and Felicity's portions.
"We should head to the Foundry. There are things I need to tell you, Dig, and Roy," Oliver stated sounding faintly grim. Felicity tried to not let her imagination run away with her as a result.
"Sounds good. Let me finish getting ready and we'll head out," Felicity said rising from the table. "I have a spare toothbrush in my bathroom if you want it." Felicity informed Oliver.
"Thanks, I do. Lead the way." Oliver said, following Felicity to her bathroom.
Felicity put her car into park just as Oliver pulled his Ducati in beside her. Felicity exited her car and waited for Oliver to finish dismounting his bike and removing his helmet. They walked into Verdant side by side and headed to the back to the stairs that lead to the basement. Oliver unlocked the security door by pressing "1-4-1" and "enter". When they descended into the lair, they saw the lights were already on and they could hear Diggle and Roy talking quietly.
"You're here early," Oliver stated.
"Yeah, we got used to spending a lot of time here while you were gone. By the way, Thea is being a real pain about this whole Oliver-spent-a-few-weeks-in-jail-and-told-no-one thing. We may have a problem with her. She said something about talking to Ned Foster," Roy informed Oliver.
"I'm not surprised. It just seemed like the most reasonable lie at the time. It's not as if I could tell her the truth. We'll deal with that if it becomes a problem later," Oliver conceded.
"What's up, Oliver? We're thrilled you're back, man, but it's unlike you to call us in like this unless something is going on. Is something going on?" Dig asked, confusion and concern lacing his voice.
"Yes, Dig, something is going on. I need to explain something," Oliver began, moving away from Felicity so he could face all of them together as a group. "I haven't told you all much about what happened while I was in Hong Kong. Well, one of the members of the League that has been here⦠I knew him. I knew his family. I lived with them."
"You know a member of the League other than Sara?" Diggle asked.
"Yes and no. I knew Maseo Yamashiro in Hong Kong, but something happened and he left. He found the League and became Sarab in the same way the Sara became Ta-er al-Asfer," Oliver answered.
The group stayed quiet so Oliver continued, "Maseo is who rescued me after my duel with Ra's al Ghul. He found me and took me to his wife Tatsu. She kept me from dying. As I recovered and made plans to leave, Maseo told me something all of you should be aware of." The entire group shifted forward sensing the importance of what Oliver was about to say. Felicity couldn't help but be afraid. There was something about Oliver's countenance that was making her deeply unnerved.
"There's a prophecy within the League that says the person who survives the sword of Ra's al Ghul will become Ra's al Ghul," Oliver finished seriously. Felicity wasn't entirely sure what that meant, but she could feel a thrill of electricity in the air that told her it was nothing good.
"So, what? Because you didn't die, Maseo thinks you'll become Ra's al Ghul because of some prophecy?" Roy asked.
"It's not what Maseo believes. It's what Ra's believes. Maseo told me that when Ra's al Ghul discovers I'm still alive, he will send League members to Starling in an attempt to force me to take up his mantle and become his successor," replied Oliver.
"So we'll be ready," Diggle said without hesitance.
"It's not that simple. Even if we're prepared to face them, Maseo told me that Ra's will have given the League orders to do whatever is necessary to get me to agree to become the next Ra's. That includes destroy Starling City or turn it so far against me that I have nowhere else to turn. People will suffer," Oliver said obviously trying to relay its significance.
"So what do we do?" Felicity spoke for the first time. Her voice came out much more sure sounding than she actually felt.
"There's only one thing I can do. When Ra's finds out I'm alive, he will come to Starling City with a contingent of League members to share his proposal for me to take his place. The only thing I'll be able to do is accept his offer," finished Oliver desolately.
"What?! No, man. There is no way in hell we're letting you turn yourself over to that psycho!" said Diggle forcefully.
"Agreed. We'll think of another way, Oliver. We can protect the city," Roy agreed.
Felicity stood silent. She was completely immobile. Everything about this situation was wrong.
"The fact is that the longer I reject his offer, the more people the League will murder and the more likely it will be that Ra's discovers Thea actually murdered Sara. I don't have a choice. I do have a plan though," Oliver continued, trying to comfort the group.
"It better be one hell of a plan," said Roy without any confidence.
"Maseo doesn't want the League life for me any more than I want to be Ra's. He has agreed to help me dismantle the League of Assassins from within. I suspect he does not want to survive the process. Maseo is truly broken. I think he sees this as repaying a debt," Oliver said with sadness.
"What happened, Oliver?" Felicity asked hesitantly.
"Amanda Waller had recruited me for a mission in Hong Kong. It went badly and Maseo and Tatsu's son, Akio, died as a result. That is what made Maseo into Sarab," Oliver said with finality.
"I still say this is a bad plan," Roy said. "How do you know that Ra's simply won't kill you or Maseo turn back on his promise to help you?"
"I don't. The fact is the decision is already made. It's not up for debate. I'm just informing you all. I'm not sure how long we have," Oliver said conclusively.
"No," Felicity whispered under her breath. She wasn't even sure she spoke it loud enough for any of them to hear. She glared at the floor suppressing angry tears that budded at the corners of her eyes. Oliver had just gotten back and now he was going off on what was probably a suicide mission. No discussion. No consultation. He was going even after everything that had happened between them.
Felicity turned on her heel and headed back up the metal stairs. She had to get out. She couldn't do this again. "Felicity?" She heard Diggle call after her. She didn't pause or respond in any way. She just continued out of the basement to escape the situation. She could feel Oliver on her heels, but she didn't stop or acknowledge him in any way.
When she exited Verdant, she heard Oliver cautiously say, "Felicity," behind her. She turned aggressively to face him. "Did you know all along? Have you known you were going to do this since you got back or did you just decide? I ask if you decided because it looks like none of us are getting any say in the matter! You just got back! Now you're going to run off again to face a guy who just killed you. Don't worry though, it'll be different this time because you may or may not have help and you're going to be sneaky! Do you know what? I can't. I just can't." She threw up her hands in frustration and exasperation.
Felicity twisted back around, wrenching open her car door and slamming it behind her before Oliver could respond. Felicity started her car and spun out of the Verdant parking area at an unsafe speed. As she continued down the road she was relieved to see that Oliver wasn't following her. Felicity slowed to a safe speed and continued to drive, listening for the roar of the Ducati. It thankfully remained absent.
