AN – So long time but here is another installment I hope you all enjoy it. Its not proof read I wanted it to you asap and I have loads going on with work I am juggling 3 jobs plus motherhood not easy so please excuse the mistakes I hold hands up to them.

ALSO thank you to all of the reviews I have received they have kept me going through the long patch. And also a massive thank you to all of the new followers and favorites.

I do not own Arrow or Thunderbirds

CHAPTER 20

Felicity waited nervously fidgeting in the elevator at Queen Consolidated watching the numbers change as the car ascended, the closer the numbers got to the executive floor the more she bounced about worrying. What was she going to say to them and what might they say to her about her time away? And then there was the more important issue of this new bomber on the loose.

DING

The loudness of the door opening sound made her jump a mile high, she was thankful that she was alone and that on one was waiting to enter the elevator. She inhaled deeply before striding forward hoping to appear normal as she rounded the corner towards Oliver's office.

"If he's a lone wolf we need to find him before he finds his next target." Felicity caught Oliver's distant voice as she came around the corner.

"I'd start with the bomb everyone's unique, maybe we can get some sort of signature on the guy but the bombs residue is with the SCPD." Felicity heard Diggle reply, neither one had noticed her approach.

"Fortunately we have an in with one of the officers in the department." She smiled as both men turned and finally noticed her.

Oliver looked confused, "I thought you were staying in Central City for a few more days?"

"I got a news alert about the bombing, caught the first train out this morning." Felicity replied she never even thought about the answer it just flew from her mouth. Lying had never been a strong feature of her but when John was involved she seemed to be a natural at it.

"Good. We need you here." Oliver replied. Felicity held his gaze worried that he might see through her. As a smile graced his lips she returned it almost immediately all the while praying that the subject remained on the bomber.

"How's Barry?" Oliver continued.

"Ah still sleeping. I prefer sleeping to coma cos you know coma sounds not fun." Felicity answered glancing about the room and to Diggle before returning to Oliver's face. The stares both men were giving her made her squirm and she felt as though they could see through her lie, She had rung that morning to check on Barry and knew how he was doing that was as far as her truth went. "I'll reach out to Detective Lance." Felicity used the excuse to remove herself from the awkwardness that she was now feeling.

At the nod of approval from Oliver she removed herself from Oliver's office and went to her desk. She missed the look that both men exchanged between themselves.

Once she was out of view from Oliver and Diggle Felicity relaxed and let out a huffed breath. She dropped her bag at the foot of her desk and slid her coat off before collapsing into her chair. "It's a good job you're worth it John Tracy." She whispered before turning on her computer and reaching for the desk phone.

Felicity blocked the office number and dialed Detective Lance's number after accessing her contacts book. It rung several times before he picked up, "Lance." His assertive voice came down the line.

"Detective Lance it's Felicity Smoak." Felicity cheerily explained who was calling.

"Miss Smoak what do I owe the pleasure?" Quentin replied.

"I need a favor for our mutual friend can you get a sample of the bomb residue from the incident last night?"

Felicity heard the Detective huff before his reply came through. "Sure and how do you want me to get this to our friend?"

"The rooftop of the apartment block next to the botanical gardens at 5pm."

"OK. Goodbye Miss Smoak." Lance hung up before Felicity could say goodbye.

Felicity returned the phone before setting about her daily tasks of being an EA, which would have been much easier, had she got her phone and tablet.

Felicity sat in the basement under Verdant waiting for the Arrow to return from the failed attempt to catch the bomber. The guy was good, he had been a step ahead of Felicity all the way and she hadn't seen it and Oliver had sounded pissed. She was worrying what state he was going to be in when he returned and also running through what she had done and could have done that evening to make things different.

The access door beeped as the code was entered and it unlocked before a loud bang echoed around the space as it was shut with force. Footsteps came charging down the stairs and across the room, Felicity heard them getting closer to her then Oliver's voice broke into the silence of the room. "What happened?"

Felicity sent in to explaining what she knew, "He's using cellular technology to detonate his bombs." She glanced over he shoulder as she heard him stop just beside her before returning her gaze back to the computer screens. "Clearly his expertise extends to carrying that signal."

"Felicity your expertise were supposed to trump his." Oliver snapped back, the accusation in his voice made her turn to face him again.

"Excuse me?" She said shocked at his behaviour, he had never been like this before when she had gone wrong not that it happened often. Oliver continued walking away from her and she turned further to follow him and rose from her chair. "If you have something to say to me Oliver then say it." Felicity was beginning to feel annoyed at his behaviour towards her, out of the corner of her eye she saw Diggle rise from his perched position on the bench.

"People are dying, so I would like you to get your head out of Central City and get back in the game." Oliver's tone had changed from angry to patronizing.

"Sure right after you get yours out of your ass." Felicity retorted she could feel her own temper rising. She stepped towards Oliver drawing level with him.

"S'cuse me?" Oliver replied squaring up to Felicity.

"Alright, maybe we should all take a breath here." Diggle's calming voice cut into the rising tension.

Felicity was too far-gone to want to listen. "No wait I want to know exactly what that crack about Central City meant to imply."

"When the first bomb went off you weren't here. When the second bomb went off you sent me the wrong way." Oliver replied.

Felicity felt the accusation hit her like a truck but she wasn't going to back down she had done nothing wrong she had tried her best. "After you didn't catch him in the first place." She accused back.

"Don't blame me because you didn't have it tonight." Oliver sniped back.

The two faced off staring at the other neither willing to back down. Felicity processed what he had said her mind racing as her eyes held his, she had given everything to him since she had found him in her car. One time she's off and this is what she gets both barrels and a friend is being held responsible who isn't even guilty of anything. Then thought's of John came into her mind, thinking of Barry in a coma had reminded her of John's unconsciousness when he had first come back to the Island. A rush of fear suddenly gripped her heart she needed out right now. "I need some air." She almost growled out before fleeing the basement.

She heard Diggle as she climbed the stairs. "At the risk of me getting my head knocked off playing…" The closing of the door cut the rest of Diggle's talk off but Felicity didn't care the first of the tears were now running down her face.

She made it into the alleyway at the back of the club before a sob erupted. Once that one escaped more followed along with a torrent of tears for a few minutes. Last night had been a rough nights sleep, being the first one away from John since the incident with Thunderbird 5, every time she had drifted to sleep her dreams had been plagued with reliving John being thrown about the control room of his craft, but her mind made it more vivid.

This issue tonight had nothing to do with her lack of sleep, John or Barry she just hadn't anticipated the bomber to be to clued in to cellular technology as he had been. If she had been able to use her cyber-merging it may have been a lot different.

Slowly her sobbing calmed and the tears dried up and her thoughts moved from John to another topic.

Once she was sure she had calmed down she returned to the basement, Oliver had gone and only Diggle was left.

"You okay?" He asked concerned, he could see Felicity's eyes looked a little red.

"Yeah, I'm going to call it a night."

"Sure I was just heading out too." Diggle replied he decided not to pry or pressure Felicity anymore tonight.

Felicity gave a Diggle a big smile before moving to her desk and retrieving her bag and coat and heading out. Diggle followed her locking up being them and they parted ways at their cars.

Felicity pulled up outside her house. She has lost her usual parking spot there was a vehicle in the spot that she hadn't seen in the street before. It was a sleek sporty model in silver Felicity pulled in behind it and considered accidentally ramming it but changed her mind. It wasn't their fault she was in a foul mood and it would only cause her more work to do.

Resolutely she yanked on the parking break and hauled herself out of the car along with her bag and trudged up to the house, she couldn't wait to get inside and settled on the sofa so she could call up John and see how he was doing.

A nagging in the back of her mind made her look up her pathway to the front door, something didn't feel right. As her eyes met the steps alarm bells started blaring in her head, a figure was sat on the steps waiting for her, in the dark she couldn't tell who it was and she wasn't expecting anyone. Panic started to take over and she fumbled with her car keys trying to find the longest key in case the person went for her.

"Felicity." A male voice spoke her name and instantly Felicity recognized it and relaxed.

The figure stood up from the steps and the street lighting caught his features confirming what Felicity had deduced from the voice.

"Scott what are you doing here?" Felicity said her bad mood forgotten.

As she reached Scott he bent down and wrapped her into a brief hug before releasing her.

"Well for starters you needed your belongings." He said glancing over his shoulder to the suitcase by the door. Felicity followed his gaze and smiled again. "John's not cleared for flying yet and Father has a busy week of conference calls so it was decided that Alan could get some practice in 1 and I would play delivery boy." Scott waited a breath before carrying on. "John did let me know while I was heading over here that there was another bombing."

Felicity's giggle at picturing Scott in a courier's uniform faded at the mention of the second bombing and the returning memories of the evening. She felt the joy and seeing Scott fade back to the anger and annoyance towards Oliver.

"Is everything OK Felicity?" Scott asked concerned at seeing the brightness fade from the face in front of him.

"Yeah." She sounded exhausted even to her own ears. "It's been a rough night. Are you staying? Do you want to come in?"

"Only if coffee is on offer and yes I'm staying in the City for a few days." Scott replied as Felicity moved past him towards the door and unlocked it. He picked up the case before Felicity could and then followed her inside closing the door behind them.

"Where are you staying? I have a couch your welcome to stay on." Felicity offered, she dropped her bag on the floor by the door and hung her coat before heading through to the kitchen. She heard Scott following.

"I have got a reservation but I came straight here so I haven't checked in yet." Scott skirted around the offer neither accepting nor refusing the offer at the moment.

"How come you're staying and not heading straight back?" Felicity tied to distract herself asking questions to keep her mind off of Oliver.

"Father asked if I could pop into the office and pick up paperwork for him and John said to keep an eye on you for a few days. He's worried about you and turning up to see you looking so exhausted I have to say I am too." Scott answered.

Felicity finished putting coffee in the cups and waited for the kettle to boil. "Just had a little trouble with the Arrow that's all. We are all on edge with this bomber and he played me tonight, I lost him because he outsmarted me." Felicity admitted.

"Hey we all have those days, no one was hurt or involved and I'm positive you will get him next time." Scott tried to cheer Felicity up, she had meshed into the family so easily just like Tin-Tin had and he regarded her now like a sister and his big brother protectiveness was now in overdrive. "I can always go and give him what for."

Felicity felt a giggle crawl up and jump from her mouth at Scott's comment, her mind pictured Scott in his International Rescue uniform standing off against Oliver in his green leathers and hood. "No I can handle him, getting back to normality has probably taken a toll too I mean I was away for what six weeks."

The kettle clicked and Felicity poured the hot water into the cups and stirred the liquid. The milk being placed next to her made her jump.

"Sorry thought I would help." Scott apologised.

"It's okay I got lost in thought. Thanks." Felicity lifted the milk carton and finished making the drinks.

Scott returned the milk and took his offered cup from Felicity before following her into the lounge room.

As Felicity took her seat she grabbed the TV remote and turned on the device to the local news.

Sebastian Blood was the main picture standing behind a crown of microphones with the headline banner 'Blood Announces Rally'. He was talking and Felicity caught the gist of what he was trying to do. "Great that is going to work." She commented sarcastically.

"What?" Scott asked from his chair across the room. He was watching the TV as the screen flicked to a different news story about the explosion in Central City.

"Sebastian Blood is running for Mayor and from the sounds he wants to get everyone together in one place to prove the bomber isn't affecting the city. It'll just make a new target for him and mean we have to get it right this time. No pressure huh."

"Well you already have a heads up this time you know the target in advance." Scott offered.

"Yeah, hopefully by tomorrow I'll have a break down of the bomb residue which may help." Felicity said as she relaxed back into her chair and hugged her mug in her hands before taking a big drink.

"So other than worrying about me how is John?" Felicity asked changing the conversation again this time to a happier subject.

Laughing Scott answered. "He's pestering Virgil every couple of hours to check him over see if he is fit enough to fly, I think Virgil may throw him off the Island if he continues. He's taken over two more rosters slots on covering Command and Control."

Felicity laughed along with Scott picturing the scene he described, both members of the Tracy brotherhood acting total opposites to their usual norm. "I hope he's not over doing it?" Felicity queried worried.

"No Virgil still has him set to daytime hours but he's covering the desk morning and afternoon now. In truth I think it is the only thing keeping him sane with you here." Scott admitted.

Felicity felt a blush creep over her cheeks and she sank further back into the sofa and pulled the mug back up to her lips to hide behind it while she drank.

Once she got over the comment and the burn in her cheeks cooled and dropped the mug and carried on. "That's good, not the going insane part that is defiantly not good but I have only been gone what just over a day you must be over exaggerating. And I'm babbling, it's good that he can take on more hours at least he is improving." Felicity hid behind her mug again embarrassed she hated her babble reflex.

"Yeah Virgil said he's hoping to give him the all clear in the next week or so then he can pilot and take on light active duties." Scott added.

They fell into silence as they enjoyed their cooling beverage and watching the TV, the news had switched to the national coverage now.

After an hour and half watching the TV and chatting about random topics Scott gave a stretch and stood taking Felicity's mug from the table. "You can leave that I'll clear them away." She protested.

"You know Grandma Tracy right? If she ever caught wind that I hadn't cleared away you know she would chew my ears off with the talking to." Scott joked.

"Your Grandma Tracy has a lot to be responsible for. When I first met John I had to hand over my luggage to him on account of Jeff and Grandma."

"Yeah that sounds about right hey at least we have manners well the first three of us do the terrible twins I think they missed a few of the classes because of detention." Both erupted in laughter, Scott continued on through to the kitchen, Felicity checked the time and decided it would be best to head to bed. She decided to offer once more the couch although given the choice she would probably choose the hotel if the roles were reversed, her couch was not comfortable.

She rose and stretched out the kinks that had formed from her slumped position before following Scott. Entering the kitchen she caught him washing the mugs out, feeling like a terrible host she picked up the towel and dried the wet mugs before putting them away.

"I know it's getting late so if you do want to crash on the couch your welcome too." Felicity offered.

Scott took a quick glance at his watch it was late and he had promised John to keep a close eye on Felicity. "Sure why not I'll go grab my bag from the car."

"Keys are on the side. Do you want anything to eat, I'm a terrible host I should have offered sooner."

"Nah John told me about this great place to get a burger and fries from Big Belly Burger, so I stopped off there on the way here." Scott admitted.

Felicity giggled. "Yep best burger take out there is."

Scott gave a nod in agreement and headed out to his car. Felicity went back into the living room and turned of the TV and opened out the blanket she had before throwing it over the back of the couch for Scott.

Scott was back in no time and she heard the front door shut and the lock turn before he came back into the room. Felicity was just drawing the curtains closed.

"Bathroom is at the top of the stairs there are towels in the cupboard if you need one." Felicity explained.

"Thanks. Why don't you go on up and get sorted first, you look beat." He said.

"Gee Scott thanks for the honesty. I think I will take you up on that offer." She said yawning. "I will see you in the morning help yourself to anything, my home if your home kinda thing." Felicity said sleepily suddenly she felt as though she was moving through syrup.

"Night Felicity." Scott said watching her leave the room.

"Night Scott." The tired reply came as she disappeared through the doorway.

Upstairs once she was finished Felicity called down to let Scott know the bathroom was free before she collapsed into bed exhausted. Before she would let sleep claim her she made a quick conventional call using her locket to John.

Felicity woke with a start, someone was calling her name and something had hold of her wrists. She moved about trying to escape but the voice seemed to dissuade her. Eventually as her senses returned through her sleep-fogged mind she realised she was in bed and the voice was Scott's.

"Felicity calm down it's just a nightmare. Listen to me Felicity it's Scott stop struggling you'll hurt yourself."

The same words were repeating and each time Felicity felt herself becoming more awake and understanding what was going on the less she fought against the grip holding her.

"Scott what's going on?" Her voice sounded croaky.

"You must have been having a nightmare. I heard you crying out and I came in to check on you." Scott answered. He relaxed his hold on Felicity's arms as he felt her relax, he could barely see her room was pitch black.

"Oh. Sorry I woke you."

"Don't be are you okay?"

"Yeah." Felicity felt her voice tremble her mind started to remember what it had been dreaming about and it was the same as last night. John in Thunderbird 5 exploding all around him, only this time it was different. My imagination had gone over the top and ripped the side of the station away, John was floating out into space pale and wide open eyes staring into nothingness.

"Do you want to try that again and sound a little more convincing?" Scott offered.

Felicity felt the bed dip and assumed Scott was moving about, she sat up herself and leant against the head board tucking her knees under her chin and staring into the dark. The bed moved again and Scott's voice came from a different spot in front of her now.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"I didn't sleep well last night every time I drifted off I dreamt of what I saw happen to John on Thunderbird 5 only each time it got worse. Tonight was the worst yet." Felicity let out a beep long breath and curled her knees into her chest further.

"Go on." Scott gently prompted.

"No you don't want to know you had to go up there and rescue John it must have been much worse for you." Felicity tried to move the attention from herself.

"Yes I went up there but I have had years of being in disasters and situations where things are not promising rescuing people from them, you in one way get used to it. Seeing your brother as the victim in one is different still and being involved is another world of different." Scott started to explain. "There have been a few times that I have had nightmares and they have been after seeing something bad happen. The first time I experienced nightmares I had been on the radio to Virgil as he took a hit in Thunderbird 2, the US Navy shot him down. He had fallen unconscious at the controls and went into a nosedive, by this point I was behind him and I watched 2 fall from the sky. I was calling to Virgil but he wouldn't respond, I kept at it the closer 2 got to the ocean the louder I shouted eventually he replied and brought 2 out of the descent. I had to talk him through the whole flight home where he crash landed on the runway."

Felicity almost stopped breathing listening to the story she could only imagine what that must have been like for both brothers and the others left on the island and in space listening and waiting.

"How did you stop the nightmares?" She whispered.

"I learnt to let go of the fear of losing them. I still worry and have scares they like to try and make me go grey premature but I know they are all safe and strong and stubborn enough to stay here as long as they can." Scott answered. He felt a tear slide down his own cheek they had all been through their own trials and come through the other side but Scott was sure each time brought them closer to that inevitable fate that every person meets. Felicity was learning the hard way early on what it is like to love a Tracy.

"Did you do anything different tonight to past night to make things worse?" Scott asked, he knew John was sleeping with the light on to cope with his nightmares.

"I don't think so I came up to bed and was already tired, I called John to see how he was and say goodnight." Felicity paused she remembered opening her locket and seeing John and saying hello but after that it was blank until the nightmare. "I must have fallen asleep as soon as I started the call." She concluded.

"Maybe that might have triggered it, you were talking to him right before the meteors struck 5 and with the over tiredness you mind just went a little over the top." Scott suggested.

"Yeah maybe your right."

"I am right I am the oldest of 4 brothers and believe me I have done enough of the late night comforting to know all about big bad and ugly nightmares to write a book about it all." Scott tried to cheer Felicity up with some Tracy infamous humor.

Felicity felt a smile creep on her face but she was still worried she didn't want to see that nightmare ever again. "Scott." She asked scared.

"Yeah." The reassuring tones of Scott's voice eased Felicity.

"I don't want to sleep by." Felicity started but she slowly dropped her volume as she continued, she felt silly now she had started to voice her request and especially to the older brother of the person she loved.

"I'll just go an grab my pillow and the blanket and I'll camp on the floor. Think you can cope without me for a few minutes?"

"No I'm being silly you can't sleep on the floor I will be fine." Felicity started to protest, she felt the burn of embarrassment on her cheeks.

"Felicity what did I say OLDEST brother this is not the first time of camping on the floor to keep away the 'monsters'."

"Yeah but I'm John's, I'm dating John it's weird and wrong of me I shouldn't…" Felicity still tried to protest.

"I have done this for Tin-Tin too, don't tell her I said that. She's a sister to all of us but Alan and whether you want to or not you are too so get back into bed while I get my stuff." Scott slipped a bit of his authorative tone into his voice and got up from the bed.

"Now it was easier getting up and into here than getting out. Why do you have it so dark?"

Felicity giggled, "Helps me sleep." She replied as she slid back under the covers and laid her head back on the pillow.

THUD. "OUCH." A low growl from Scott made Felicity giggle some more. "Yeah suck it up if I have a black eye tomorrow I am blaming you."

"I'm sure your brothers will think it hilarious that you got beat up by your little sister." Felicity laughed at thought. And the groan that came from the landing made it all the more funnier.

"I'm not sure what's worse younger brothers or sisters." Scott said and Felicity heard his footsteps down the stairs.

She didn't hear him return to the room.

AN – please let me know what you think your reviews mean the world to me whether good or bad :)