A/N: As always, thanks for taking the time to comment. I know last chapter was pretty shocking with the reveal of Malcolm and Oliver's new assignment. Don't worry if you're confused. Not all the puzzle pieces have been put together yet. This chapter has lots of Olicity, and you'll see how this new development affects their relationship.

Also, I was recently interviewed by Fiacresgirl for her "Profiling the Pen" series on Tumblr. I answer all sorts of questions about my writing process and the awesomeness of Olicity. You can find the link on my twitter (Bindy_417). So feel free to check it out!

Chapter 14: Heavy Hearts

May 18, 2012

It was nearly eight o'clock on a Friday night, and Felicity sat typing away at her desk. She had a lot of work to catch up on since being forced to take the previous week off. Per Caitlin's recommendation, Felicity needed the time to let her body fully heal. Being shot, poisoned, and briefly kidnapped weren't things someone could easily bounce back from. Despite Felicity's protests that she was tougher than she looked, Lyla wouldn't let her return to work until Caitlin cleared her.

Felicity had finally gotten cleared a couple of days ago, and now she was trying desperately to catch up. She'd done as much as she could at home on her tablet but without full access to A.R.G.U.S.'s internal databases, her findings were limited. Although her to-do list was overwhelming, it felt good to be working instead of lying in a bed all day. So many questions about what had happened in Monument Point had been swirling around in her head since then.

The video feed had been cut a second time when she was taken. Since there was no way to get eyes on her abductors, Felicity gathered what she could from the reports filed by the other agents who were attacked. All of the intruders wore the same uniform, which made it impossible to distinguish them from one another. Finally, Felicity decided to compare the attack to the raids on other A.R.G.U.S. disaster bunkers.

Monument Point was distinctly different and not just because it was the first base to be hit. There had been more intruders present than initially projected, and they had used bullets instead of arrows. But what was most interesting wasn't necessarily the attack on the base itself. It was the local news outlets in Monument Point that had reported sightings of an unknown man in a hood wielding a bow and arrow. He'd taken down quite a few criminals over the last couple of days. Felicity read the description of the arrows, which were green. They appeared to be similar to the ones used in Starling months ago.

Upon further research, Felicity found that Starling City and Monument Point weren't the only places to have sightings of an emerald archer. The reports were scattered across the country. A few even occurred overseas in places like Europe, China, and Corto Maltese. The articles were short and lacked any real detail, which was probably why they had stayed below the radar. No one would notice a pattern unless they were deliberately looking for it. These were the acts of a ghost-like vigilante and under any other circumstances, Felicity would think this person was a guardian angel to those in need.

But despite such acts of heroism, what disturbed Felicity was that many of these instances had occurred not far from places where arms deals and shadow tech thefts had occurred. In Felicity's line of work, such connections were not considered coincidences. Barry had managed to get ahold of an arrow and analyze it, but there was no way to trace its origin. The arrow was custom made, and so Felicity was right back at square one—except now she had even more unanswered questions.

With an annoyed huff, Felicity shoved a few strands of liquorish into her mouth. Her work station was a mess of candy, chips, and energy drinks as she worked tirelessly to get answers. She was so caught up in her research that she barely heard the throat clearing behind her.

"What are you still doing here?" Curtis inquired.

"Finishing up some work," Felicity answered. "I assume you had the same idea."

"Yes, but I'm not the one who should be taking it easy."

"It's been over a week, Curtis, and Caitlin said I'm fine."

Curtis came around the desk to face her. "If you've mixed as much food and energy drinks as I think you have, I very much doubt that. You look tired."

"Gee, thanks."

"I didn't mean it as an insult. Merely as an observation." He folded his arms and challenged, "How much sleep have you gotten this week?"

"Enough," Felicity replied. She didn't want to admit that her nights had been restless. Every time she closed her eyes she relived getting shot and the terrible burning in her veins. Voices she couldn't understand or recognize haunted her dreams.

"Felicity." His voice was full of disapproval.

The blonde countered, "Shouldn't you be going home to the hubby right now?"

"Actually, I was going to leave you a note. I'm working on this new piece of technology, and I could use your help."

"Could've emailed me. It would've been faster." And spared her another lecture, Felicity couldn't help thinking. Everyone was treating her with kid gloves. While she appreciated their concern, it was also highly frustrating.

"Yes, but it requires a higher level of security clearance. Clearance you don't have, and I didn't want to put it in an email."

Finally, Felicity tore her eyes away from her computer to look at him. "Really? Why come to me then?"

"Because you're my techie twin, and you'll have the answer. Waller's being particularly paranoid about who's in the know. But I seriously need the help, and I trust you. How much do you know about creating an algorithm with Fourier protocols?"

It didn't surprise Felicity that Waller was excluding her from projects. That woman could hold a grudge like nobody's business. Felicity wondered what it was about her that got under Waller's skin. "Depends on what you're asking. I'll have to see the initial coding specs to get a better idea. I might have to tamper with the security footage in the lab, though, if I'm going to help you against orders." Then again, Waller could not like her because Felicity had no qualms about breaking the rules every now and then.

"Terrific!" Curtis grinned. "I knew I came to the right woman, because I was seriously sweating telling Waller this was beyond my capabilities. You know how she feels about excuses, and I'd really rather not be on the receiving end of her wrath."

"I get it. Give me a few minutes." Felicity needed to take a break. Maybe helping Curtis solve his problem would spark some inspiration in solving hers.

"You sure you're up for it tonight? I don't want to mess up any of your plans."

The only plans Felicity had were to veg out in front of the couch and binge on Netflix. That would inevitably lead to another sleepless night, which she was not looking forward to. Maybe if she worked late and got herself tired enough, she could sleep through the night.

"No, let's do it."

Once she programed the video feed to play on a loop—making it appear as if Curtis had gone home for the night—Felicity and Curtis went to the lab. He showed Felicity the project he was working on, and she listened in both fascination and concern.

"Is Waller sure she wants to do this? This can be really dangerous if it's tampered with."

Curtis shrugged. "It's supposed to be preventative but orders are orders."

Felicity didn't like Waller's plan, but Curtis had a point. They'd started brainstorming not long after. Before Felicity knew it, it was almost ten o'clock.

Yawning, Curtis said, "It's late. We can finish this on Monday. Don't want to do the wrong thing and blow up the building."

"Waller would definitely not like that."

"Thanks for your help, Felicity."

"You're welcome." Felicity stopped by her desk to make sure the surveillance video in the lab went back to normal. She shut her computers down and grabbed her purse and tablet before heading out. The drive back to her apartment felt longer than usual, which was probably because she was actually tired now.

By the time Felicity pulled into her parking spot on the street, she couldn't wait to get inside, change into her pajamas, and collapse in bed. She let out a low curse when her key got stuck in the lock. It had been so finicky lately. Jiggling the knob, the lock finally came undone. She turned it and pushed the door open. After shutting it behind her, Felicity flicked on the lights and let out a surprised yelp at finding Oliver sitting on her couch.

She put her hand to her chest while trying to take a calming breath. "Oh my God, Oliver," Felicity breathed. "You scared me half to death."

He moved to stand. "Sorry. I thought if you came home to the lights on it'd freak you out even more."

"How did you even get in?"

"I'm in the Russian mob. Picking locks is one of the first things we learn."

"Of course it is." Felicity dropped her things on her dining room table and took him in. Oliver was wearing a black t-shirt and jeans that hugged him in all the right places. Suddenly, her heart was beating erratically for an entirely different reason. "You're here," she commented, stating the obvious.

"Yeah."

There was far too much space between them as Oliver stood rooted in his spot. Felicity stared at him curiously, vaguely wondering why he hadn't swept her up in his arms already and kissed her. If he wasn't going to come to her, then she was going to him. Felicity crossed the room and wasted no time throwing her arms around him.

Standing on her tiptoes, Felicity peppered his face with enthusiastic kisses. "Oh my God, I've missed you," she mumbled. Her entire body tingled at the feel of his scruff rubbing against the soft skin of her face. She finally landed on his lips but pulled back seconds later when he was unresponsive. "Oliver, what's the matter?" He was quiet as her eyes sought his, trying to decipher the peculiar distance in their depths. "Oliver?"

He appeared to snap out of it upon hearing the worry in her voice and offered her a reassuring smile. "Nothing." Oliver placed his hands on her arms and rubbed them gently. "I wasn't sure I'd be able to make it here. It feels like it's been forever."

"I know what you mean," she said softly and brought her hand to his face. "It has been."

Oliver's eyes traveled the length of her body. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, why?"

He hesitated before saying, "You look tired. Are you feeling okay?"

Felicity almost flinched. It was the third time today she'd heard that. Apparently, she hadn't done a very good job of hiding the dark circles under her eyes. "It was a long week, and then I worked late tonight. But I'm fine." Felicity couldn't necessarily tell Oliver about what happened at Monument Point and even if she could, there was no reason to make him worry about it right now. Their time together was about them.

His hand tentatively touched her cheek. "You're sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure." Her fingers stroked his jawline, trying to ease the tension she could still see on his face. "Now can you kiss me?"

With a slight nod, Oliver leaned down and touched his lips to hers. The kiss was warm, soft, and languid. Felicity could feel it all the way down to her toes, and naturally moved so that she was pressed fully against him. Her entire body tingled with the urge to lose herself in his arms. Oliver's own body started to relax when her other hand caressed the hard, bunched muscles of his back.

Felicity breathed a contented sigh when Oliver's arms finally encircled her. All of the stress of Monument Point and anxiety from a lack of answers melted away in that moment. With Oliver, she was safe. With Oliver, she was home.

He emitted a low groan when they finally broke apart. "I missed you, too," Oliver whispered, their foreheads touching.

"How much time do you have?"

"The weekend. Are you free?"

"Well, I was supposed to go shopping with my mom and Thea tomorrow for a dress for her graduation. But it should only take a couple of hours." They were supposed to go last week, but Felicity had canceled. She couldn't try on dresses with them when she still had dark bruises on her body. Felicity hated the idea of not being with Oliver when he was in town, but Thea would no doubt be disappointed again if she canceled.

"Can you reschedule?"

Felicity hesitated. "Well, I suppose I could but…"

"I have a surprise for you."

She perked up at that. "Really? What is it?"

"You'll need to pack."

"Are we going somewhere?" She looked to the doorway where his bag should be. "Where's your stuff?"

"In the car. It's parked down the street." He rubbed her shoulders, looking hopeful. "So, can you come?"

"Ooh, are we going on a road trip in the morning?"

"Sorta. But we're not leaving in the morning. We're going tonight," he told her. "You can sleep in the car on the way there."

"Where are we going?" Before he could dodge the question again, she pointed out, "I can't pack accordingly, Oliver, if I don't know where."

"Let's just say it's someplace with a lot of sun."

Felicity was officially intrigued and was practically bouncing in his arms in excitement. The fatigue she felt earlier was completely gone as her mind already started thinking up destinations. "I'll text Thea tomorrow and tell her I'm still not feeling well." Felicity felt bad for not going with Thea, but she couldn't pass up the chance to be with Oliver. It had been about three months since she'd seen him last, and who knew when their next opportunity to spend time together would be. Felicity would tell Thea to send pictures instead. That way Felicity could see what she was trying on and give feedback.

"When is she graduating?"

"In a few weeks," Felicity replied. "Plus, she and my mom have a big party planned. So Thea's basically freaking out about every little detail, which includes her dresses and—" Felicity abruptly stopped talking when she felt Oliver tense. It was probably hard enough to know his little sister was graduating and that he couldn't be there to see for himself without her babbling about it. Felicity could be so clueless sometimes. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to—"

"Felicity, it's okay," Oliver assured her. "It's not you."

Felicity started rubbing his back again, since it seemed to calm him. "What I meant to say is that, yes, I'll go wherever you want to take me. Okay?"

He nodded and kissed her forehead. "Okay."

"Just give me fifteen minutes." Felicity pecked his lips before sprinting towards her room. Spending the entire weekend with Oliver in some sunny mystery location sounded like sheer heaven after the dreadful couple of weeks she'd had. Aside from Thea's impending graduation, Felicity got the sense that something else was bothering Oliver. She didn't know what it was, but Felicity would do everything she could to take his mind off of it. The sooner she packed, the sooner they'd be on their way.

The sun was starting to peek over the horizon when Felicity opened her eyes. She hadn't meant to fall asleep, but the rhythmic lull of the car couldn't be resisted. Felicity had never ridden in a Porsche before, though she shouldn't have been surprised that Oliver had one. Working for the Bratva had to have some benefits, which also explained its dark tinted windows. It took Felicity a moment to realize that her seat had been pushed back. Oliver must've done it so that she was comfortable.

She mumbled sleepily, "Where are we?"

"Coast City."

Perking up at that, Felicity repositioned her seat and stared out the windshield at the stunning ocean looming ahead of them. She'd never been to Coast City, but she'd heard that it was usually warm, sunny, and beautiful. Felicity couldn't help but agree as they drove down a strip of expensive beach houses. Their lawns were a lush green with an array of flowers decorating the perimeters. Every twenty feet or so were giant palm trees.

Eventually, they came to stop at one of the smaller, though no less elaborate, houses. The long, windy driveway was made of tan cobblestone. Felicity saw more palm trees and flowers decorating the front lawn. The house itself was a light mauve color with a brown tiled roof. Windows were set in either side of the tall arched entryway. The door was also made of glass.

Oliver parked the car in front and turned off the engine. "We're here."

Felicity's eyes widened as her mouth dropped open in shock. "This is where we're staying."

"Yup," he stated with a satisfied grin.

"Is it yours?" Oliver had said before that he didn't have an actual home, but that didn't necessarily mean he had nothing. The guy had to sleep somewhere.

"It's a friend's."

Her heart sank a little at that, but she brushed it off. "Nice friend," Felicity murmured as they got out. The air was warm but not quite hot yet, since it was still early morning. The sweet smell of flowers mixed with the salty aroma of the nearby sea made her smile. Although she loved the bustle of the city in Starling, this was a beautiful and refreshing reprieve.

Oliver retrieved their bags from the trunk before unlocking the front door. He let Felicity go inside first. She walked down the short, white-walled hallway that led into the wide living room. Pausing, Felicity stared in awe. The walls were also white, but the crown moldings and floor were made of wood. There was a set of couches to the left that faced the built-in, wooden entertainment center. A big screen hung on the wall in the middle. To the right was a long, glass dining room table with cushioned wooden chairs.

Beyond that, and what was most impressive, was a wall made entirely of windows. Felicity crossed the room and looked out. There was a back porch that led to the grassy yard. A stone fire pit was located to the left, and the built-in swimming pool was on the right. Inside the pool, slightly raised, was a square Jacuzzi. A hammock also hung from two palm trees. Both sides of the property were sectioned off by a white fence, but it was short and see-through in the back so that the view of the beach and ocean wasn't obstructed. There was a small gate that led to the sandy beach.

She looked back at Oliver and saw him disappearing down another corridor. If it was anyone but him, Felicity wouldn't have been able to tear herself away from the amazing scenery and follow. She passed by the counter sectioning off the full, all white kitchen. He'd gone into the master bedroom, which also had a wall of windows that were on the side of the pool. Oliver placed their things at the foot of the king-sized, four-poster bed.

He drew her into his arms. "So, what do you think?"

"It's amazing, Oliver. It feels like we're in a whole different world."

"That was the idea—not that I don't love your apartment. But I figured it might be nice to get away from Starling for a couple of days."

Beaming up at him, she said, "You thought right." Felicity met him halfway, feeling a smile tugging at her lips as she kissed him.

"I have something for you."

"Shouldn't I be the one giving you presents?" When he frowned, she elaborated, "It was your birthday a couple of days ago."

He stared at her, slightly shocked. "You remembered."

She giggled and pecked his lips, "Of course I did. I got you something."

"I don't need anything," Oliver said with a shake of his head. "You're more than enough." He stroked her cheek and kissed her lips before reaching into his duffel bag. He pulled out a cell phone and held it out to her. "This is for you."

Felicity stared at it in confusion. "Um, you shouldn't have?"

With an amused smirk, he explained, "It's a burner phone that can't be traced. I have one, too. I programmed my number inside so that you can reach me whenever you need me."

"You mean we can actually talk when you're away now?" Felicity looked at the phone as if he'd given her a diamond ring. These past few months of not only being separated from Oliver but not being able to talk to him at all had felt like torture. This was exactly what she'd needed.

"We'll still have to be careful, but yes," Oliver answered.

"This is perfect. Thank you."

"If you need something or if you're"—he hesitated—"if you're in trouble, promise me you'll call me. Okay?"

His words were steady, but Felicity detected an undercurrent of urgency in his voice that had her frowning. "Why would I be in trouble?"

It took him a moment to respond. "We're both in a dangerous line of work, Felicity. Look what happened in Russia and what could've happened if I hadn't been there."

"You're not responsible for me, Oliver," she told him. "I can take care of myself." Her voice held with that last statement, even though Felicity felt a little bit like a fake after what had happened to her at Monument Point. But she couldn't have him worrying about her while he was trying to survive in the Bratva.

"I know that. But just in case, I want you to call me." Oliver was not backing down on this as his eyes bore into hers. His hold on her tightened. "Promise me."

Felicity didn't remember much from her abduction with the Curare in her system, but she was vaguely aware of her need for Oliver in that moment. The thought of him was the only thing to break through her drugged haze as she fought against the men who took her. "I promise." She slid her hands up his chest to his cheeks and drew him forward. It was time to relieve some of that stress. "So, Mr. Queen, now that you've brought me to the secret location, what exactly do you plan on doing with me?"

"I've got a few ideas," he replied in a low, husky voice.

Felicity gave him a flirty smile, dragging her hands back down his torso. They slid under the hem of his shirt before tracing the outline of his abs. Oliver's eyes darkened. "Such as?" she coaxed. Her mouth hovered near his.

Without breaking her gaze, he reached between them and started to undo the buttons on her cardigan. Her body involuntarily shivered as he slipped it off her shoulders to reveal her white flowered sundress underneath. Felicity lifted her head higher in anticipation when he started to lean in. His eyes drifted down, taking her in, when Oliver unexpectedly tensed and drew back.

"What's the matter?" Felicity stared at him, puzzled, until she realized what had claimed his attention. She looked down as well, seeing part of the mostly faded bruises that were on the bottom of her neck and extended to her collarbone.

"Felicity," he whispered and took a step back.

"It looks worse than it is, Oliver. I swear," she assured him.

He swallowed the lump in his throat. "What happened?"

Felicity wanted to kick herself for forgetting about her injuries. She'd been so caught up in being with Oliver again that she hadn't thought what would happen if he saw them. Now Felicity realized it couldn't be avoided. When they made love, Oliver would undoubtedly see her healing bullet wound, too. "I was on a mission last week, and I was injured."

"Injured how?" His jaw was already clenching.

She sighed as she tried to figure out the best way to tell him the truth. "Don't freak out, but I was shot." She quickly added, "It was only in the back of my shoulder, and it happened while saving a team member's life. The doctors said luckily it wasn't deep and that I'll have a small scar, but I'll be fine." There was no need to mention the poisoned bullet or her abduction. Oliver already had a troubled look on his face, and it would only make him worry more.

Oliver watched her carefully for a few seconds before uttering, "I'm sorry." His voice was deep and hoarse.

"Hey, it's not your fault." She closed the distance he'd put between them.

Her words of comfort appeared to have the opposite effect. Oliver was even more on edge as he shook his head. "I don't know what I was—" he faltered. "I shouldn't have brought you here. You should be at home resting. You were tired earlier—"

"I'm not tired anymore. I slept in the car, remember?" Felicity took hold of his face and forced Oliver to look at her. "I should've told you before, but it slipped my mind because I really am fine. I'm healing."

"Does it hurt?"

"Not as much anymore. Look, I love you for being so concerned about me but trust me when I say being here with you is the best medicine. I need this, and I need you." She gently stroked his cheek with her fingers. "So can we please move on from this and start enjoying our weekend together?"

He didn't relax completely, but he did lean into her touch. "I had the entire day planned for us."

"Perfect." She smiled encouragingly and brushed her lips affectionately against his. It was typical of Oliver to take on the pain of those he loved, but Felicity refused to let him waste their precious time together brooding about events he couldn't control. "So what are we doing first?"

The day had passed by faster than Oliver expected. They'd done everything he'd planned, despite his multiple offers to Felicity to return to the beach house and let her rest. Oliver had been somewhat ambitious in his plans when he'd first decided to take Felicity to Coast City. His original intent had been to get her out of Starling and away from Malcolm's prying eyes. Her stepfather knew more than Oliver could've ever anticipated, and the thought of spending time with Felicity under such scrutiny made him uneasy. Over a week later and the ramifications of his new assignment still left Oliver reeling.

And it all began with his mistake in Monument Point. Oliver knew there was no way he could've possibly known that the woman he was fighting was Felicity. He knew that she worked for a government agency, but he had no logical way of knowing she was with A.R.G.U.S. It was a twisted kind of irony that of all their enemies, Felicity was with their number one. Watching her fight for her life against that Curare, after he'd been the one to put her in such a vulnerable state, only exacerbated his sickening guilt and worry. Dig and Helena had tried to talk Oliver into getting some rest when Felicity was stable, but he'd refused to leave her side. Having to stay away from her last week—he knew abducting her would probably put her under a period of surveillance from A.R.G.U.S. afterward—had been literal hell.

Oliver had thought about giving Felicity more time to heal before whisking her away to Coast City, but he didn't think he could make it another week without seeing her. He'd come as soon as he deemed it safe. The relief to see for himself that she was okay was at war with the self-hatred he felt for being the one to put her in danger. From the moment Felicity had to put her cardigan back on so that she could hide her injuries from the public, the self-hatred had started to win again. It felt wrong for Oliver to touch her knowing that anything Felicity said or did would give him comfort he didn't deserve. If they were left alone to their own devices, they'd already be tangled between the sheets in the master bedroom. It was why Oliver kept them busy most of the day. He'd kept his Starling City Rockets hat on the entire time. Even though Oliver Queen was presumed dead, he didn't want to chance anyone getting too good a look at him. Felicity couldn't help teasing him about his "disguise" and how little it did to actually hide how handsome he was.

They'd had breakfast at a small, cozy café before heading over to the boardwalk. There were numerous shops to peruse and some street performances to watch. At one point they'd found a great spot to sit and watch the surfers catching waves from the morning tide. When it was time for lunch, they'd gotten takeout from Coast City Pizza—"the best in the west" as it was known. They'd brought it back to the beach house and had lunch before deciding to use the heated pool. The ocean at this time of year would still be too cold to swim in comfortably. Felicity, showing off her amazing curves in a hot pink bikini, had settled on a float to get some sun while Oliver swam laps to work out his frustration. She'd called him over when he was done and had nodded flirtatiously over to the Jacuzzi.

Oliver had let her lead him into the hot, bubbling water. They sat enjoying the massaging jets and talked for a bit. Then Felicity was in his lap kissing him, and Oliver had felt his resolve waver. They'd made out in the hot tub for Oliver didn't know how long before he'd felt Felicity's hand slide into his swim trunks. Oliver jolted at the contact and stilled her movements. Felicity had stared at him, baffled, as he quickly made up some excuse about needing to take a shower and get dinner started before it got too late.

The shower Oliver took had been short and cold, but it did the trick. When he got out, Oliver had noticed Felicity through the window. She was sitting on a lounge chair on the lawn with a towel wrapped around her, watching the ocean. He'd wondered what was going on in that beautiful head of hers as he made his way into the kitchen.

A short while later, he'd heard her come in the backdoor and walk toward the bedroom. Her phone rang at some point, which she answered. Oliver couldn't make out exactly who it was but thought he'd heard her say the name "Ray." He guiltily filed it away for later in his mind and got back to preparing dinner. Felicity had joined him in the kitchen after she'd also showered and gotten redressed. Her wet hair was already curling as it dried. She'd helped him finish up dinner, and he'd poured them a glass of wine while they waited for the chicken cordon bleu to be done.

They'd eaten at the large dining room table that Felicity had set. She wasn't as talkative as she'd been earlier, and he'd worried that he'd worn her out too much. But then Felicity had suggested a walk on the beach, to which Oliver agreed. He wasn't sure how much longer he could keep them out of the bedroom. Anything he could do to prolong it was good as he tried to sort out the utter chaos in his head.

They'd walked hand in hand down the shore until they'd reached an area that had more grass than sand. They were now lying on the grass and looking up at a perfect view of the night sky. Felicity was quietly pointing out constellations that Oliver attempted to follow.

"How do you know so much about stars?" he asked.

"I really wanted to go to space camp as a child."

He smirked. "I didn't know you were into astronomy."

"Well, I didn't want you to think I was a total geek when we started dating," she joked.

"Don't worry. I already knew it the moment I met you." Oliver laughed when she smacked his chest. "So what else did they teach you at space camp?"

"Nothing. I didn't actually get to go. My mom didn't tell me at the time, but she couldn't afford it. I was so upset that I locked myself in my room for three days."

"If Tommy or I had known, we probably would've signed you up," he joked.

"I was so stubborn back then that I probably wouldn't have gone but secretly would've been dying to." Felicity sighed. "It wasn't just that I liked space. The week that camp was supposed to occur was around the time my dad had left. It would've been three years since it happened, and I couldn't bear to watch my mom moping around and hiding her tears."

"Felicity," Oliver murmured and reached for her hand.

The blonde turned toward him and forced a smile. "It was a long time ago. It shouldn't matter anymore."

He squeezed her hand. "But it's okay if it does. He was your father, and you deserved better."

She shrugged nonchalantly, but Oliver could see that his words had struck a chord in her. "It's just hard when someone who's supposed to love you unconditionally betrays you."

Oliver's muscles tightened, and a lump formed in his throat. He glanced up at the stars, wanting to make a wish that things were different but knowing it was pointless. There was no easy out for the horrible situation he found himself in.

Felicity propped herself up on her elbow. "Oliver, are you all right?"

He couldn't look at her. "I'm fine." His response was hollow even to his own ears.

Scooting closer, Felicity placed her hand on his chest and drew invisible circles. Her fingers created a blazing trail that he could feel regardless of the fabric between them. His entire body was taut like a rope being pulled in a tug of war. On one side there was Felicity and on the other there was the allegiance he'd sworn.

Felicity watched Oliver carefully as she continued to touch him. He'd closed his eyes and if it weren't for the tension emanating from his body, she would've thought he was enjoying it. He always had before, and it was further proof that something was really wrong.

Despite spending the entire day together, Felicity sensed an unseen distance between them. Oliver's kisses and caresses were affectionate but hesitant. And when Felicity tried to get more intimate with him in the hot tub, Oliver had all but sprinted into the house. It was starting to feed the doubts in her mind. Doubts that although they'd been able to pick up where they'd left off after so many years, there was a side of Oliver that was an absolute stranger to her. A side she couldn't completely read. A side she wasn't sure she should trust.

When her touch did little to soothe him, Felicity sat up with a frustrated huff. "It's getting late. We should probably head back to the—" She felt the softest touch on her shoulder—right over the pattern of stitches.

Oliver had opened his eyes when he felt Felicity pull away. He knew his behavior seemed off to her, and she was starting to lose her patience. Oliver was going to try and offer some kind of explanation when he came face to face with her bullet wound. Felicity had worn her cardigan for most of the day and had kept it covered and out of the water while in the pool. This was the first time Oliver had seen her injury in over a week, and the stitches marring her otherwise perfect skin were a harsh reminder of what could've been.

Sitting up, Oliver ran his fingers over the wound again and noticed a shiver course through her. "You were really brave," he said so quietly it was almost swept away by the ocean breeze.

"I tried." She paused before admitting just as softly, "But I don't know if I've ever been so scared." Felicity leaned into his touch, seeking comfort. "I've had dreams about it. The first peaceful night I had was actually last night in the car—when I was with you."

It felt like Oliver had been punched in the gut. The irony that he was both the cause and relief of her pain wasn't lost on him. But he didn't move away. Oliver slid his hand up the back of her neck and under her hair. He gently pressed his lips to her wound before kissing a trail upward.

Felicity let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. His arms slid around her waist from behind and brought her into him. Felicity automatically leaned back and shifted her head to the side to give him more access. His hot mouth and scruff scraping against the delicate skin of her neck sent a jolt of pleasure to her core. Her breasts felt heavy with her increasing breaths as the unfulfilled desire she'd experienced all day came back with a vengeance.

Turning her in his arms, Oliver claimed her lips and swallowed the string of moans at the contact. He lowered Felicity to the ground, and she went willingly. Her hold on him was tight and fierce like she thought he might pull away again. She reached for the hem of his shirt while he tugged the straps of her sundress down. His shirt was cast aside, along with her bra, before he lowered his mouth and took one of the hard, sensitive nubs into his mouth.

Felicity couldn't contain the whimper that tore from her throat. She'd been starving for his touch all day and now that she had it, her senses were on overload. Oliver did the same to her other breast, sucking and biting until she was almost writhing underneath him. Craving more, she reached for the button of his jeans but didn't get far. Oliver caught her hands and pinned them to the ground. His muscles flexed and his entire length pressed into her, rubbing against her center as his tongue mimicked the action in her mouth.

Sucking on his bottom lip and biting it, Felicity panted his name. Her hips gyrated beneath his in an effort to get more friction, and he groaned deep in his chest. "Oliver," she said in between kisses. "Make love to me."

The blood in his veins sizzled at her request, making him even harder. There was nothing Oliver wanted more in that moment than to remove the rest of their clothing and bury himself deep inside her. To forget everything that was wrong in the world and lose himself in her. Felicity loved him. She wanted him. She would make it all better—which was exactly why he couldn't be with her. This wasn't about him and his needs. They were made obsolete the moment he agreed to Malcolm's orders. This was about Felicity and what she deserved.

Felicity felt Oliver let go of her hands before kissing a trail across her body. He paid special attention to her fading bruises. His kisses were light and almost reverent. As he worked his way down, Oliver lifted the hem of her dress. His tongue traced patterns into the skin of her flat stomach, his scruff rubbing her deliciously every time, before being smoothed over by his soft lips. Meanwhile, his hands stroked her thighs, reaching higher and higher until they met in the center. Her entire body arched off the ground as he caressed her through the thin fabric.

Seeing Felicity start to unravel from his ministrations was like setting fire to gasoline. There was no stopping the burning, primal desire to take her to the brink. To make her come so hard that her mind blanked and all of her fears faded away. This was the only way he could give her what she wanted.

Felicity opened her eyes and was ready to protest when she felt Oliver sit up. She didn't think she could handle it if he pulled away from her again. The need for him was so strong that every nerve ending in her body felt like it was vibrating. Felicity relaxed slightly when Oliver reached for her hips and slowly started to drag the fabric of her panties down her legs. Her muscles were taut for an entirely different reason as she waited for his next move.

Without taking his eyes off of her, Oliver bent down to kiss along the inside of her thigh. Felicity practically keened when he nipped at an extremely sensitive patch of skin before doing the same to her other leg. Her core throbbed as his mouth lavished her everywhere except where she needed him.

"Oliver," Felicity choked, desperate and wanting.

Oliver moved closer and lifted her legs so that they were resting on top of his shoulders. She was fully exposed to him, feeling the cool air on her sex. Felicity bit her lip when she noticed him watching her. The only light came from the moon above, and it was just enough for her to make out the dark, hungry look in his eyes. A thrilling shiver coursed through her in anticipation. Then his head was between the apex of her thighs, making her head fall back and breath catch.

The first taste of Felicity had Oliver spiraling. The intimacy he'd been avoiding all day with her had come in full force, and it was intoxicating. His tongue made slow work of circling her entrance before delving inside. Oliver repeated it a few more times before flicking the small bundle of nerves. Felicity's hips naturally bucked at the sensation, and he tightened his hold on her hips to keep her from squirming around too much. Her low moans were growing louder by the minute, and Oliver couldn't help but feel a sense of pride that he was the cause. He knew he should probably be worried that someone would overhear, but they were in a desolate part of the beach and hadn't seen anyone pass by in quite some time. Even if someone did pass by, Oliver doubted he'd notice or care. All he could focus on was the way her legs dug into his shoulders while her hips moved in time with his mouth.

Felicity could feel her pleasure going higher and higher as Oliver lavished her. Her core pulsated against his hot, demanding mouth. It made the coil inside her twist tighter. Felicity's hands scrambled for purchase on anything to help ground her. Finally, her right hand settled on his head, tugging on his short hair, while the other gripped the grassy sand. There was probably an indentation in her lip already from biting down on it so hard.

"Right there," she whimpered when Oliver discovered a particularly tender spot. As if she wasn't already in danger of falling over the edge, Felicity felt his finger penetrating her folds. Her eyes quickly shot open at the sensation, and Felicity inhaled sharply at the sight above her. The stars shone brightly in the sky and, from her angle, it looked like Felicity was right up there with them. It was like she was caught between worlds. A part of her felt like it was floating from the pleasure Oliver was giving her, even while he kept her close to him on the ground. It was no different than how she felt with him every day. Only he had the ability to make her feel free and centered at the same time.

Another long finger slipped inside of her, stretching her and thrusting with more force. Her inner walls gripped them as her body shuddered from the building sensation of his mouth on her sensitive nub. Felicity continued to look up at the stars, sensing that it wouldn't be long before Oliver made her explode like the supernovas she used to read about. This was a thousand times better than space camp.

With a twist of his fingers and flick of his tongue, Oliver felt Felicity finally shatter against him. He lapped her up, savoring the moment and letting her ride it out fully. Her body eventually stilled. Oliver hovered over her, unmoving, as she attempted to catch her breath. Felicity looked utterly ravaged with her sundress hanging loosely against her mostly exposed, flushed skin. It sent a jolt of pride through Oliver even though his own body ached with an unfulfilled need.

Once she'd calmed down, Felicity sat up to his level, wound her arms around his neck, and lifted her chin to kiss him. "That was amazing."

Oliver cupped her face and kept her close for a moment longer, deepening the kiss. "Yeah?"

"Mmm hmm." She rubbed his shoulders and then traced the hard lines of his torso. There was a mischievous glint in her eye. "Now it's your turn."

"I'm fine," he muttered dismissively.

Felicity nodded to the obvious bulge in his jeans. "I highly doubt that, Mr. Queen." She seductively licked her lips, no doubt tasting her own essence from his lips. "Let me return the favor."

Before she could reach for him, Oliver stood abruptly. "It's late. We should head back to the beach house." He grabbed his shirt and waited for Felicity to also get redressed. He couldn't look at her, knowing that a hurt expression had most likely replaced her smile. In the span of a few minutes, he'd managed to ruin it all yet again.