Felicity was trying to sleep. Rationally, she knew that she needed it, that there was no way she could keep up the search for Oliver with her mind fuelled only by caffeine and panic. But there was also no way that she could sleep when he was still out there somewhere, possibly hurt or suffering. It had been five days, and they hadn't heard a word. Five days was too long.
Even now, her phone was clasped in her hand, ready to buzz to life the moment Oliver contacted her. After two days spent with her heart in her mouth every time her phone vibrated, she had unsubscribed from every email alert and blocked most of her contacts. Her nerves couldn't take any more false alarms.
Felicity didn't know when she had last slept. It was only Diggle's quiet insistence and the concern in his eyes that had made her finally curl up on Oliver's bed in the Foundry and attempt to rest. But her mind still churned, considering each and every option, every search algorithm and resource she hadn't yet tried. And, as always, her thoughts inevitably circled back to the same question, fixed immovably at the forefront of her thoughts. Why hadn't he called? There were so many potential reasons. She had considered most of them from almost every angle – but there was one possibility, perhaps the most obvious, that she had refused to consider. But, with each passing hour of silence, the other explanations slipped away.
She stirred, squinting up at the ceiling, and then forced her eyes resolutely shut. Green flooded her vision. It was Oliver's green, the green of his hood and his leathers, the color that Felicity would forever associate with him. Out there, in Starling City, the rest of the world was continuing as normal and that color was everywhere… in the giant Christmas tree in the store window across from Palmer Tech, in the wreath hanging on Felicity's neighbor's door. It was even in the decorations Thea had hung up in Verdant, the club's logo itself glowing neon green in the darkness of the Glades, a silent tribute to its founder. To others, that green brought a sense of festive celebration, but to Felicity it meant only one thing. After she had almost burst into tears at a green holiday coffee cup, she had stopped leaving the Foundry.
But the green was still there when she closed her eyes, a gentle haze that enveloped her consciousness. It was strangely comforting, and she felt herself beginning to relax. It reminded her so strongly of Oliver, as if he was there with her, and she imagined she could feel his arms around her as he held her back tightly against his chest.
"Felicity."
She gasped, the feel of his arms about her suddenly real, his chest reverberating against her back as he murmured in her ear. She spun, staring up at him, the green mist clearing to reveal blue eyes filled with warmth.
"Oliver? How…? Is this real?"
For a moment, he didn't speak. Instead he simply smiled at her, the look in his eyes the same as when she had last seen him, when he had told her once more that he loved her. Except, now, something was different. He seemed lighter, less burdened.
"I missed you," he said finally, arms reaching towards her. "It feels like I've been here a long time."
Without hesitation, Felicity stepped back into the circle of his arms, feeling him pull her close against his chest. His chin rested against the top of her head and she felt him breathe deeply, his entire body relaxing. She sighed, burrowing close against him, questions still swirling in her mind. But, for now at least, she wanted to enjoy this strange peace that had settled upon them. She did not want to think what that might mean.
"I saved Thea," Oliver said after a time. "The League thinks I killed Sara. They won't be coming after her."
Felicity nodded, but tears were rising in her eyes. She swallowed them, forcing the quiver from her voice. "Did you beat him?" She already knew the answer.
"No." Still, there was no trace of anxiety or regret in Oliver's voice, only peace and contentment.
Felicity stepped back, pushing against his chest until she could look up into his face. She had to know.
"Oliver, where are you?" She choked back a sob. "Are you…?" She still couldn't say it. "Just tell me where you are, please!"
Oliver shook his head slowly, his lips curving in a gentle smile. His hand reached out and cupped her face, thumb stroking her cheek.
"I don't know." He grinned, an expression of genuine amusement that Felicity had rarely seen. "I only know two things, remember?"
Felicity smiled back through her tears. "I remember."
"The first, I've taken care of."
He paused, still smiling, but the look in his eyes took on a different tone, his arm tightening around Felicity's back as he pulled her close to him again. His hand on her cheek tilted her face upwards, his gaze holding hers.
"The second… I've only begun."
Felicity clung to him as he kissed her, cherishing the solidness of his body against hers, the fierce desire radiating from his touch. He kissed her with such passion, such hunger, and such love, that any fears she had were instantly banished, swept away by the strength of his need for her.
Finally he released her, slowly and reluctantly. He rested his forehead against hers, both of them breathing heavily, their eyes still shut.
"I'll come back," Oliver murmured, "whatever it takes."
Felicity nodded, feeling the strength of his grip as the life in his kiss still thrummed through her body.
A moment later, Felicity started upright in the bed in the Foundry, her heart still thumping heavily in her chest. It was empty, her computer screens lighting the otherwise darkened room. She thrust the sheets back and strode towards the computer desks, her phone still clutched in her hand. Glancing down, for the first time she didn't check for messages. Instead, she smiled warmly when she noticed the time. She had been asleep for six hours.
"I'll find you, Oliver," she said aloud, "whatever it takes."
