DISCLAIMER: – see previous chapter –

TIMELINE: Still following certain events from S03E20 until the season finale episode, but it is still written in an AU version of events.

SUMMARY: – see previous chapter –

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X. Rude Awakening

COMING DOWN FROM EUPHORIA BROUGHT back a rush of emotions Felicity wasn't anticipating, mostly because along with the emotions she was also flooded with those missing memories that has evaded her since she woke up at the hospital after she was shot.

She was still with Ray...and she cheated on him!

What have I done? She mentally asked herself, suddenly it wasn't just her exposed buttock that was chilled by the stainless steel table she was still perched on. Her whole body turned cold even though she was still wrapped in Oliver's embrace after they just climaxed together.

Felicity was thankful that Oliver's face was currently buried between her neck and shoulder as he got his breathing under control. It allowed her enough time to mask her face and keep up the facade that she just didn't remember everything after sharing something so damn wonderful with him.

Why on why did she have to remember everything after having probably one of the best orgasms she's ever had her entire life?

Felicity was still trying to get her bearings when the sound of Oliver's cell ringing jolted them apart. Oliver excused himself, slowly and somewhat reluctantly disengaging himself from their intimate embrace, and took the call.

"Speedy, what's..." Oliver's voice trailed off when Thea cut him off.

Felicity noticed Oliver's back and shoulders stiffen as he listened quietly on what his sister was saying on the other line. She pushed herself off the table and walked up behind Oliver. She can only hear his side of the conversation, and from what she was hearing, whatever Thea just told him wasn't good.

"Everything okay?"

Oliver turned around to face her after he ended the call. His expression was a mix of panic and anger.

"Call 9-1-1. Tell them to send an ambulance ASAP to the loft. Thea's been attacked." He didn't wait to hear Felicity's response to his order. He quickly got dressed and left the lair in a hurry.

Felicity didn't dally after Oliver's hasty exit. In as much as she wanted to discuss what just happened between them, Thea's life was on the line so for now work takes precedence over personal matter. She called the emergency hotline number as Oliver asked, then she placed a call to the rest of the team, especially to Roy, and told them what happened.

# # # # #

WHAT STARTED out as a promising day turned to a harrowing one. Thea was fatally wounded when Ra's attacked her at the loft, leaving her at death's door by the time help got to her.

Malcolm Merlyn arrived after Thea was out of surgery. Felicity wanted to hate the man responsible for all this, but his reaction after seeing his daughter on life support and hearing about the doctor's prognosis was genuine. Malcolm was first and foremost a father and at one point in his life, he was also a husband. He already experienced the loss of one child – Tommy – during the Undertaking, Felicity doubt he'd survive another blow if Thea dies too. He might be one twisted son of a bitch, but he loves his family in his twisted way.

It was a very solemn atmosphere inside Thea Queen's private room at Starling General. Oliver, Malcolm and Roy alternately took vigil by Thea's bedside. Diggle and Laurel stayed in the waiting area with Felicity while they waited for some news. Lyla stopped by with baby Sara and brought them some food since God knows none of them were in the mood to eat or even thought about eating something while worrying about Thea and Oliver as well. Lyla stayed a while until she spoke to Oliver. She offered him her help with our without ARGUS to back her up; she'd grown closer to the Queen siblings since she knew how close Oliver and her husband are.

By nightfall Diggle took his wife and daughter home to rest. He promised to return later to check on Oliver and Thea as well. Laurel left too and said the same thing, leaving Felicity alone in the waiting area. She kept herself occupied by sending Ray a message explaining what happened. She didn't tell him her memory was back, but she told him about Oliver's family crisis and why she might not be showing up for work tomorrow or probably the rest of the week.

"You're still here," Oliver was surprised to see her sitting by herself.

"I didn't have any place I need to be," she answered. "How are you holding up?"

"Not so good," he confessed.

Felicity got up and pulled him into her arms for an embrace. She didn't know what else to do or how else to comfort him. A hug seemed like an appropriate thing to do under the circumstances.

Oliver returned her hug, finding a bit of solace in her familiar embrace. He was thankful for her being there even though she barely remembered how much of his vigilante life she was a part of.

Something outside caught Oliver's attention. He moved away from Felicity and walked up to the window. Felicity followed him and noticed black smoke on the rooftop across the street.

"Oliver?"

"I'll be back," he said without taking his eyes off the smoke signal. He left the hospital without another word.

"Where is Oliver?" Malcolm asked after he stepped out of Thea's room.

"He was summoned," Felicity gestured at the window, showing the smoke signal that caught Oliver's attention.

Malcolm followed where Felicity pointed out and cursed under his breath.

"It's the League," he said.

"I kinda figured that out," Felicity deadpanned.

Malcolm's gaze landed on her, his forehead creased to a frown as he studied her. Felicity kept her expression neutral and tried not to show anything to him might clue him in on the fact that her memory was back.

"If Oliver is not back within the hour, he'll be back at the loft most likely packing," Malcolm said after a while.

"Packing?" Felicity frowned.

"Yes, packing," Malcolm confirmed. He crossed the space separating him from Oliver's favourite blond IT girl until she had her neck pulled back so she was looking up at him. "I have a feeling Ra's will offer Oliver something he might not be able to refuse in order to save his sister."

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AUTHOR'S NOTE: I am ending this chapter here after a few deliberations (mostly with myself since I am my own worst critic). I feel that this story's lagging a bit so I need to pick-up the pace. Hopefully you enjoyed reading this chapter albeit a short one. I'll do my best to get the next chapter out and ready for your viewing pleasure ASAP.