Next day…

It was almost dawn as she left the hospital to get ready to work. Her body was screaming in protest as she tried to stretch out the kinks under the hot spray of her shower, but she would be back in the hospital this evening, she felt it was important.

The day had crept along slower than usual; the meetings at work stretching like gum. When she was finally able to leave it was well past hospital visiting hours. Positive side-effect, she wouldn't have to dodge past Moira or Thea, both would be gone for the night. It wasn't that she was afraid to meet them, but she couldn't find a suitable explanation as to why on earth an EA would sit for hours on end at her boss's bedside waiting for him to grace the world with his charming smile, the true one, not the one he usually plastered on his face when people were around…

A sigh escaped her lips… as she got off the elevator, her gaze immediately searching for Diggle's reassuring presence. He always diverted the other bodyguard's attention to allow Felicity to slip into Oliver's chamber undetected. They knew, of course, but this way, no questions were asked…

Again Diggle was waiting for her, but today he took her by the elbow to guide her to the side.

"Felicity… we need to talk…"

"What is it? Dig?" Felicity's eyes fixed on Diggle's features taking in the emotions he hid so often, much like Oliver.

The look on his face had her somewhat worried.

"Has something happened? Oh, my god! Oliver?"

"Felicity! Stop!" Dig's gaze pinned her to the spot as she tried to push past him.

"Oliver's ok, Felicity but as he has woken up briefly this afternoon, Moira has him moved to the mansion as we speak. No need to say that the doctors aren't too pleased…"

"Oh!" Was all she managed to answer. Oliver was awake? That was good news. At the same moment she realized that it meant that she wouldn't be able to simply waltz in every night. As fast as her mood had lifted it dropped again. "Ok."

There wasn't anything for her to do here, so she'd go home, settle on her couch and watch some mindless TV. Even as she was about to turn toward the elevator Diggle's hand shot out and grabbed her elbow.

"Hey!"

Her gaze shot up to his. He could distinguish the moisture gathering and he decided to get her mood up again.

"I can't smuggle you into the mansion tonight, but we'll work something out … We always do."

Felicity nodded comforted by his effort.

"Do you need a ride?" Perhaps he could lighten her mood some more on the way to her house?

"No thanks. My car is somewhere in the parking lot. See you tomorrow, John."

With that she disappeared into the elevator car. Relief flooded her as the doors dinged closed. Leaning against the back wall she let out a long breath to steady her nerves.

One week … seven days … 168 hours,

That's how long he'd been examining every detail of the ceiling above his bed. The first days he'd spent mostly asleep, thankfully, but now he was feeling more restless by the minute. He needed to move, to go back to training or he'd suffocate… He'd never thought he'd miss the wilderness of Lian Yu, but right now with the walls of his room closing in on him…

After his release from hospital the doctor had told him he'd need to take it slow, to give his body time to heal properly for once. A bitter laugh had escaped Oliver's lips. What did the man know about surviving?

Dr Lamb had scrutinized his face and Oliver had made sure the walls were up. The doctor had examined the man in front of him upon his return from the dead. He'd seen the scars, the badly healed bones and he'd wondered what exactly the young man had faced while he was lost on that island. Now he'd seen new scars and he felt there was more to this man than was said, but it wasn't his place to ask so he had remained silent. His last visit had taken place yesterday.

Time for a change! Gritting his teeth and bracing his arm around his abdomen he sat up. The pull in his chest wasn't as bad as expected. It had been four weeks after all… He could deal with it, but his body had lost some of his muscle mass and he felt strangely weak almost like all those years ago when he had crossed Yao Fei's path… slowly, probingly he sat on the edge of the bed, legs dangling down. His vision became slightly fuzzy, which was to be expected after lying down for so long. Tentatively he pushed himself up swaying slightly. With unsteady steps he moved toward the windows. He needed air, needed to feel the wind upon his skin again so he opened the panes and stood leaning against the frame. His mind wandered…

His mother and Thea came by to check on him regularly. Diggle came to fill him in on Arrow-business. Everyone carefully avoided talking about what had happened that night a month ago, but he could see the unspoken questions in their eyes. His mother avoided to look him in the eye, she clearly felt guilty about the events even if she hadn't had no influence upon them. He'd made the decision to protect her, he alone…

"Nice! So what's the plan?" A voice interrupted his musings.

"Dig!" He briefly closed his eyes and released a long breath before turning to the door. Diggle stood leaning against the doorframe observing him closely.

"I need to get back in shape, Dig. I've been inactive for too long."

The bodyguard could see the determination flaring in the younger man's eyes. There would be no stopping this once he'd made up his mind. So he'd have to make sure to be there if needed.

"You sure? This can wait for some days you know. The Arrow's had not much of a reason to be roaming the city these days. The villains must be on vacation…" He'd to try even if he knew it was futile…

"Thank you, Dig." What had he done to deserve the support of such loyal friends? First there had been Tommy after his return. He had picked up seamlessly where they had left before his disappearance, then Diggle had joined him making him see his quest in another light. And finally there had been Felicity … He hadn't seen her in days and he was surprised … that he really missed her. Shaking his head to keep his mind from wandering a dangerous path he forced his thoughts to the immediate task he'd set himself. His mind was set.

"Get the car, we'll go to the lair."

With a sigh Diggle turned. "Give me 20 minutes to bring it out front…"

"I'll be waiting on the porch, Dig."

The bodyguard shook his head in disbelief. No wonder Oliver had made it through hell and back.

Once Diggle was gone Oliver slowly walked toward his walk-in closet. He needed to get dressed in something comfortable that would not rub against the tender skin of his still healing wounds too much. After a rapid shower he stopped by the mirror taking in his appearance. The reflection staring back at him startled him. Dark circles still lined his eyes the contrast made even starker by the pallor of his complexion. He had lost some weight too, but nothing serious training wouldn't mend. Absentmindedly his fingers moved to his new scar. That had been close…

After dressing rapidly he moved downstairs only to be stopped at the door. "Oliver! Where are you going? You shouldn't be up…" Raisa admonished from the hallway.

"I need to, Raisa," he answered turning to her. He could see the caring and the worry in her eyes. "Don't worry, Mister Diggle will accompany me," he said. The housemaid nodded hesitantly.

Once outside he sat down on the steps rising his face toward the sun eyes closed. He soaked up the warming rays and already felt stronger. A noise made him turn toward the left watching the car approach. He stood as it stopped in front of him through the windshield he could see Diggle shaking his head at his behaviour.

Confortable settled inside he asked: "By the way… Have you heard from Felicity recently, Dig?"

"You haven't?" A puzzled expression appeared on the driver's face. That was not what he'd expected when he left her on the elevator. Sure she hadn't asked him to bring her over, but he'd thought that she'd stopped by while he was driving around Oliver's mother.

"No."

"Well, I saw her this morning when I drove your mother to QC. They're working together to keep the board under control."

A smile appeared on Oliver's face. "She's truly remarkable…" he murmured his gaze lost on the passing scenery outside.

He didn't notice the smirk that had graced Diggle's face as he heard his words.