Ever since they'd decided on their plan to find Slade and eliminate him as a threat so that Felicity could come home, Oliver had been working like he hadn't ever worked before. He was actually sleeping and he was pushing himself. It wasn't just at the Foundry, but at QC too. He knew that he had to be dedicated and serious if this was going to work. He still wasn't sure if it would.
"You know, I would understand if you didn't want to be apart of this," Oliver said.
"I'm not running away."
"I didn't mean it like that."
"We have a long history, Ollie," Sara said. "Things might be complicated between us sometimes, but I see things very clearly right now."
He turned and looked at her. She was staring at him and she was smiling. He was confused. Roy would be there at any minute and he just thought she was acting odd. "You do?"
"Things are complex because of Slade," Sara told him. "But you, Oliver Queen, you're simple right now."
Oliver continued to stare at her. "I don't think you're making any sense."
"I'm going to help you with Slade," Sara said. "And we're going to get Felicity home. Simple enough for you?"
He just nodded. He was still confused at her words before. He pushed the thoughts aside when he heard the door at the top of the stairs open. It was either Roy or Diggle…or both. They needed to get to work. He'd already been there for an hour and had done most of his workout and then some. Diggle had texted him about bringing food though and he'd definitely worked up an appetite.
"Did you find anything new on Slade?"
"No," Sara said. "Whenever I think I find him, it disappears… It's like he's a ghost."
Oliver sighed. It was frustrating. Whenever he felt like they'd have Felicity back by the weekend, months would be added to that estimate.
"Felicity would have figured it out," Sara said. "You know, maybe we could have her help."
"Slade could be watching her," Oliver responded. "I didn't want to put her at risk."
"Digg's already been talking to her… He's gone to Central City, how is that different?"
"He wasn't working this case," Oliver pointed out. They looked over to see Diggle and Roy standing there.
"Ollie—"
"It's too dangerous."
"What's too dangerous?" Roy asked.
"Letting Felicity help track down Slade," Sara spoke up.
Oliver was sure that she was hoping that Diggle would take her side and argue that it was a good plan. He noticed that Diggle didn't seem to be too keen on getting in on their conversation though. "What do you think, Digg?" he asked, a bit reluctantly. He really hadn't wanted to pull him into it if he wasn't offering up his opinion freely, but at the same time…Diggle was the voice of reason.
"I think that Oliver's right," he spoke up.
"Do you really think that Slade's watching her?" Sara questioned.
"I learned long ago to never underestimate him," Oliver told her.
. . .
"It's going to take too long," Oliver said as he watched Roy practice. He was learning how to use the bow, but it takes time and he knew that… He was just suddenly feeling impatient.
"He's getting better," Diggle said evenly.
"Ollie's right," Sara spoke up. "The longer that Slade is out there, the more dangerous it is for all of us… Slade might have spared you, Digg, and Felicity for the moment…but that doesn't mean he might not change his mind…even if you stick to the deal you made with him—"
"Did you tell everyone?" Oliver asked as he turned to Diggle.
"Really? We were worried about you," Diggle defended. "I only told Sara. It's not like I went and told Roy and then tweeted about it."
"I thought we're supposed to be a team," Sara joined in.
"We—" Oliver started.
"Now's the time to decide the fate of this team," Diggle spoke up.
They really were teaming up on him. Sara and Diggle were dangerous together, especially when they were both of the same mindset. When had this happened? Oliver sighed. He knew that they were right though.
"We're a team," Oliver said finally.
"Then can we start acting like it?" Diggle asked. "Startling with that we don't keep secrets?"
"Agreed," Sara spoke up.
"How about actually getting over here and training me?" Roy suggested.
Oliver looked over and noticed that Roy was just staring at them. He'd brought Roy into the fold, but the truth was that he wasn't ready. He really didn't know how long it would be until he was really truly ready, but in all honesty…he didn't know if they could wait that long. At one time, there had been a point in his life where he wasn't ready with what he was face with, but he made it…he learned…he got better. Roy would too.
He just needed time.
Oliver just didn't want to wait that long.
. . .
"I'm impressed…and that's not easy to do."
Oliver looked up from his desk and sighed. He had been hoping to avoid her. That never worked out for him. She always found him, especially when he didn't want her to. He found her standing right in front of his desk, hands on her hips with a rather mischievous grin on her face. Her dress hugged her body like everything she wore did. She would always try to take their relationship back to that moment they had in Russia, but he'd always reject her.
"All I care about is that Queen Consolidated's numbers are there," Oliver replied evenly.
"Come on, Oliver," Isabel said as she perched on the edge of his desk. "All work…"
"Is that all you wanted, Isabel? I have work to complete before I need to be out of here," Oliver said trying to show as little interest in her as possible. He really did need her to leave; her presence was a distraction that he couldn't have right now. He had his day planned out a certain way and her nagging him was only going to put him behind on where he needed to be.
Queen Consolidated had to have his attention as much as the Foundry and Team Arrow needed in the evening. He'd been striving to ensure that the company was flourishing and taking advice from Walter…and even his mother when needed. Oliver just wanted the company to do well. That was it. That was all that he needed at the moment.
"I noticed that you don't have someone out there at that desk," Isabel said as she motioned towards 'Felicity's desk'.
He didn't look directly at the desk, but knew what she was getting at. "I haven't hired someone else."
"You're the CEO, Oliver—"
"It's not necessary at the moment," he argued.
"You need an assistant."
"I've been doing just fine without one for the time being," Oliver countered as he pulled out a file and started to look it over. He really needed to get through the stack of paperwork he had on his desk in the next hour or so and he wasn't going to be able to do that with Isabel harassing him.
"Maybe I could hire you one."
"That's…kind of you to offer," he said slowly. He was trying to choose the correct words in order to deal with her. "But I am finding things working just fine for me at the moment without an assistant."
"Didn't you fire her?"
Oliver sighed and looked up at her again. "Yes, what are you getting at?"
"You know that I'm here, Oliver," Isabel said as she got down from his desk. Her hands planted on either side of his file before she leaned over.
He kept his eyes on her face. "I appreciate your support, Isabel, but I'm managing."
"Sometimes we all need one on one help," Isabel continued. "In private."
"I said I was managing," Oliver said slowly.
Someone cleared their throat and Oliver looked over to see Diggle standing there. He was happy to see his friend there. Diggle knew how Isabel was and most of the time, Diggle didn't go far. In truth, he'd been helping him with QC business. Oliver needed help, but he didn't need it from Isabel.
"Am I interrupting, Mr. Queen?" Diggle asked.
Oliver shook his head. "Absolutely not, Mr. Diggle," he responded. He looked back to Isabel. "Ms. Rochev and I were done…"
"Your next meeting," Diggle said as he motioned to his watch.
"Right," Oliver said.
"Fine," Isabel said before making herself scarce.
Oliver waited until he knew for sure that she was gone and not coming back. He turned to Diggle. "What meeting?"
"Employee review," Diggle said as he sat down on Oliver's couch. "How am I doing?"
Oliver smiled at him. "Saving the day."
"I'm assuming that means I get high marks across the board," Diggle said before putting his feet up.
"Oh, you are…"
For the first time since he'd gone back to work at QC, Oliver looked directly at the desk outside of his office. Felicity's desk. It was still hers, no matter what. That's why he didn't need anyone else to sit there. He didn't need anyone. No one would be good enough. She was the right fit. She was the perfect fit. Oliver didn't know how they'd managed this far, but he knew that if Felicity had been there that so much more would have been done. Oliver found himself appreciating her more and more every minute of every day.
"You are…" he whispered as he continued to stare at her desk.
He missed her.
Oliver was going to get her back.
No matter what.
Felicity was coming home.
. . .
TBC…
