Hello, lovelies! Thank you all for your reviews and lots of patience in between updates. I truly appreciate all of the encouragement and support I've received for this fic. It means so much to me, and I hope this chapter is worth the wait. We're getting into some angst-y territory now as Olicity learn more about each other and face some tough choices. Please read and let me know what you think!

Chapter 21: The Legacy

Felicity didn't say much in the van on the way home from Queen Consolidated, and Dig had taken notice. He kept shooting not-so-subtle glances in her direction, the hint of a concerned frown starting to form on his face. Felicity couldn't meet his eyes. She could barely listen as Lyla and Nyssa discussed the evidence they'd gotten while investigating the crime scene. All she could focus on was the name on that plaque and its shocking connection to her husband. Oliver was actually Oliver Queen, the last surviving heir to one of the world's most powerful families and a multi-billion-dollar corporation. It was absolutely unreal.

When Lyla finally turned to the blonde, it took a gentle nudge from Nyssa before Felicity paid attention. "Uh, sorry. What were you saying?" she replied.

"I was just saying that we'd like for you to come back to A.R.G.U.S. headquarters with us. You can work on the data you pulled from QC there." In case Felicity and Nyssa needed more convincing, Lyla quickly added, "It's the safest location, and our network has the computing power you'll need to track down Merlyn."

Felicity automatically looked to Nyssa, who nodded her head in agreement. "Yes, we'll go to A.R.G.U.S."

"Actually, we meant just you, Felicity," Dig spoke up. He then addressed Nyssa, "Being League of Assassins, we can't actually let you inside A.R.G.U.S. It's a security risk. You understand."

"It is my duty to protect Abad-eshams during this alliance. You must understand that wherever she goes, I go," the brunette replied in challenge.

Felicity assured her, "Nyssa, it's okay. Dig and Lyla would never let anything happen to me."

"I do not believe they would cause you harm," she muttered low enough for only Felicity to hear. "I do, however, have concerns about them returning you to us. Al Sah-him needs to know where you are at all times. He would not approve."

"Yes, well, there are quite a few things I need to know about him and don't approve of," Felicity bit back, her voice unintentionally rising at the end.

All three stared at her in surprise.

The blonde cleared her throat and reined in her dueling emotions. "I trust Lyla and Dig, and Al Sah-him trusts me. Therefore, he should trust them too. I'm going to A.R.G.U.S.," she declared, leaving no room for argument.

The time away from the League and Al Sah-him, no matter how short, would do her head some good. Felicity had a lot to think about and sort through before she spoke with her husband. In addition to the conversation she'd just had with Walter Steele, Felicity replayed all the times Al Sah-him had alluded to his past—plus the few instances that she'd mentioned Queen Consolidated to him. All of his interactions with Tommy, who she now realized was his childhood friend, also resurfaced. Obviously, Al Sah-him had kept his true identity from her for a reason, and Felicity was determined to figure out her own feelings on the matter before listening to what Al Sah-him would have to say.

"All right. But I shall be waiting outside the building for you when you are ready to return," Nyssa said. "If you are more than a couple of hours, then I will be forced to find my way in."

Dig scoffed. "You'd never get past our security."

"You'd be surprised at how adept the League is at infiltrating its adversaries. Just because we have agreed to work with you, do not mistake that for compliance. Abad-eshams is one of us now."

"Felicity," Dig stressed, "never had a choice to begin with, and you won't take it away from her again. Not on my watch. Don't mistake my limited patience for approval." His fierce glare returned, which Nyssa didn't hesitate to match.

The other agents in the van tensed, bracing for a fight.

Lyla intervened, "Let's all just settle down. The enemy, Merlyn, is out there. Not in here. The alliance holds for now. As long as Felicity wishes to remain with you, then we will ensure she is returned." Dig started to protest, but his wife silenced him. "Johnny, you must respect her choice, too. Felicity?" she queried the blonde.

"I will go to A.R.G.U.S. to follow up on the lead. Lyla's right, they have the tech I need. Then I will return home to my husband. Everyone got it?" Felicity stared pointedly between the opposing pair.

Dig grumbled under his breath while Nyssa narrowed her eyes, as silent and still as a stone.

The tension didn't abate until they finally arrived at headquarters. The group hastily piled out of the van, and Nyssa once again reminded Felicity that she'd be waiting until she finished. Afterward, the blonde followed Dig and Lyla into A.R.G.U.S. They led her to the command center, where she instantly perked up from seeing all of the cutting-edge, proprietary tech. Felicity met their cyber analyst, Jeff, and they'd been right that he wasn't much for conversation—not that Al Hassoub had been a ray of sunshine either.

She threw herself into the work despite the mounting questions about Oliver's past churning in the back of her mind. When Jeff finally gave her a moment alone to go report on their progress, Felicity could no longer resist the temptation. She searched for information about the Queen family and instantly found reports about the yacht's demise. It was as Mr. Steele explained, the family had gone on a trip and been lost at sea during a storm. No bodies were ever recovered from the wreckage.

Her curiosity taking hold, Felicity searched even further back. There were countless articles about the Queen family expanding its company and hosting various charity events. Felicity even found the announcement of Oliver's birth. She looked through photos of Moira and Robert along with young Oliver, feeling her throat tighten and eyes water.

Moira had been beautiful with her long blond hair and delicate features, though she hardly seemed like a trophy wife. Her dignified stature and intelligent stare were evident in every picture. Robert had a strong jaw and a tall, solid frame, which Oliver clearly appeared to have inherited. Seeing Oliver as a boy caused Felicity's heart to constrict. He'd been floppy-haired and gangly, his hair a much lighter brown than it was now. His beautiful blue eyes, however, were the same. Her heart broke for the happy family that had no idea what horrors awaited them.

Sadness quickly gave way to fury when she spotted Merlyn in a few of the pictures. He'd been good friends with Robert, and Felicity started to wonder if Oliver falling into the League's hands after the Queen's Gambit went down was a coincidence at all. Merlyn clearly knew Al Sah-him's true identity; why else would he target QC? Had Ra's all those years ago taken Oliver in because he saw him as leverage? Was the Queen's Gambit sinking really the "tragic accident" the media and authorities claimed it to be?

So engrossed in her thoughts, Felicity jumped in her seat upon feeling a hand on her shoulder. "Dig," she breathed. "You scared me."

"Sorry," he apologized. "I called your name, but you were preoccupied." He shifted his gaze to the screen. "What's all this?"

"Oh, um, just doing a little more digging on Merlyn. I thought maybe there might be a clue we overlooked," she rushed out and closed the web browser.

Dig's eyes narrowed ever so slightly, yet his tone was casual. "Find anything useful?"

"He was friendly with the Queens back in the day."

"I know, which is why it's odd he'd blow their building to get back at the League. It makes no sense."

It made perfect sense to Felicity now, although the details remained a bit scattered. There were still missing pieces of the puzzle, and there was only one person who'd be able to fill them in. Checking the time, Felicity realized she was nearing the limit Nyssa had given her.

"Jeff and I narrowed down a few locations for where Merlyn can be. We should look into them tomorrow."

"He told us. We'll send out a team tonight. Any chance you can keep that discovery to yourself for a few hours and give us a head start?"

"Nyssa will hound me until I give her answers." She bit her lip.

Dig sighed. "It was worth a shot."

"I should head out."

"Before you go back to him"—he scowled slightly at the mention of Al Sah-him—"how about we grab some dinner? There's a Big Belly Burger a couple of blocks over. We can catch up."

Any other day the thought of eating Big Belly Burger with Dig would delight her and have her stomach grumbling in anticipation. But Felicity didn't think she could eat right now if she tried. She was too anxious; she needed to get back to the loft and talk to Oliver.

"Oh, Dig, I'd love to but I can't tonight. Raincheck?" she replied.

"We need to talk, Felicity," he said in a gentle yet firm tone.

"We will. I promise. I just, I have to get back." She needed answers from her husband, and she needed them now.

When she returned to the high-rise, Felicity had every intention of heading straight for the loft. Nyssa informed her that Al Sah-him was waiting. Felicity's finger hovered over the elevator button for her floor, but she found herself pressing the one for Tommy's instead.

At Nyssa's raised brow, she said, "I want to check in on Tommy really quick."

The ride up felt longer than usual. Neither woman spoke, each lost in her own thoughts. They went their separate ways when they reached their floors. Felicity headed for Tommy's door and knocked a few times. One of the guards opened it.

"I'd like to speak with Al Tareq," she announced.

"As you wish, Seti," he responded with a bow and stepped aside.

Much to Felicity's surprise and amusement, Tommy sat on the couch with a few other men. They were all laughing and playing video games in the living room—which was a much smaller version of the loft she and Oliver shared. For a second, Felicity wondered if she'd entered an alternate universe.

The guard called to Tommy, who held up a finger as he finished the game. He let out a cheer over the other grumbles at his victory. He quieted the moment he saw Felicity.

All of the men immediately stood at attention and bowed. "Abad-eshams," Tommy greeted in an overly formal way. "What brings you to our humble abode?"

"I would like to speak with you for a few moments, if that's all right. In private," she stressed.

"Sure." He looked to the men, who quickly scattered to their rooms.

When Felicity was sure they were alone, she commented, "I didn't realize you'd gotten so friendly with the guys."

"They're not so bad. You know, when they're not threatening me," he joked, though not without a little bitterness.

"Al Sah-him told me what happened last night." There was no sense beating around the bush.

Tommy's carefree attitude vanished. "My father got away." He shrugged. "What can I say? I'm a shitty assassin."

"He said you let him get away," she tentatively replied.

With his head downcast, he confirmed it. "Yes. I screwed up."

"Let me guess, you had him cornered and then he played the family card. He said he was just trying to protect you and questioned your loyalty to the League. Then he made you promises about getting you out if you let him escape."

"Sounds about right," Tommy grumbled.

"I've been there."

"I'm a coward. The man blew up a building and killed people. I know he's evil and a pathological liar, and yet I couldn't do it, Felicity. I couldn't give him over to the League knowing what they'll do to him—which is what he probably deserves. But now he's out there roaming free still, and more people could get hurt. All because of me. What kind of person does that make me?"

"It means you're human. You're not a killer, Tommy. If it were the SCPD looking for him, I think you wouldn't hesitate to turn Malcolm in, because you know he'd get a fair trial and justice would be served. What Ra's wants is cold, calculated revenge and torture." Felicity wasn't entirely sure that Malcolm didn't deserve the wrath of the League, but she understood how difficult it was for Tommy to go along with it. He wasn't a part of that world no matter how hard Al Sah-him and Nyssa tried to mold him that way.

"I'd be screwed if Al Sah-him didn't cover for me. I owe him." Tommy rubbed his hands over his face and sighed. "Thanks for checking on me, Felicity. I'm sorry if I disappointed you, too."

"You didn't. It's okay." She took a breath. "There's actually another reason why I came to talk to you."

"What is it?"

"We should sit," Felicity suggested and dropped onto the couch. Tommy followed and looked at her expectantly. "You had mentioned before that you had a best friend growing up here in the city. Was that by any chance Oliver Queen? I mean, your dad was close to his parents, right?"

His eyes widened in surprise, clearly not expecting such a question. "Yes, Oliver Queen was my best friend. The fact that Robert was my father's best friend just makes it even worse that he would choose to target QC," he grumbled.

"Did your father mention Oliver when you encountered him?"

Tommy frowned. "No. Why would he?"

She shook her head. "Just curious about his motivation. I thought perhaps he could've given you some kind of clue. What was Oliver like?" He still seemed confused so she clarified, "I saw that statue of the Queen family at QC today. It made me curious." Felicity felt guilty for skirting around the truth with Tommy, but she needed answers—not more complications by telling him his friend was very much alive and well, and one of his captors.

"A bit of a troublemaker, like me," Tommy said, smirking. "But he was kind and loyal. When my mom died, he stayed by my side throughout the entire funeral. My father could barely even look at me. Oliver made sure I didn't feel alone. His parents, too, were always looking out for me. I spent as much time as I could over at the Queen mansion."

Felicity's heart clenched. That totally sounded like Oliver. He'd made sure she was safe and didn't feel so alone when she struggled to adjust to Nanda Parbat. He'd been faithful and loyal to her since they said their wedding vows. Being that he was Warith al Ghul, she knew that his troublemaking tendencies hadn't abated; the League constantly meddled in global affairs.

"The mansion, what ever happened to it?"

"It's still part of the Queen estate, although it's mostly been abandoned. It's too valuable a piece of property to give up."

"Good to know," she mumbled. "Can I ask you something else?"

"Sure."

"What was Al Sah-him like when you were first brought to Nanda Parbat?"

"Well, I told you what happened before. He tortured and beat the crap out of me for information about my father."

"But you also said that he stopped your torturers when it was too much. Would you say he was less aggressive than the others? Maybe even trying to protect you?"

"I don't know about protecting me, at least not until you came along. Saving you saved me, I think. Al Sah-him hurt me, but it's also true he wasn't as brutal. He did stop them a few times." He laughed humorlessly under his breath. "Now we're sorta friends. How weird is that?" His eyes narrowed in concern. "Unless you're worried I'm going to side with my father in all of this because of what Al Sah-him and the League did to me?"

"Did your father try to get you to side with him?" she pressed, wanting to shift the focus from her questioning about Al Sah-him to the situation at hand.

"Something like that." He shifted in his seat. "He wants me to sabotage the League from the inside. He tried to give me another kind of detonation device to plant in here. I wouldn't take it," he was quick to say. "As much as I hate the League, I'm not a killer and I would never hurt you or our friends."

Felicity wondered why Malcolm wouldn't expose Oliver's true identity to Tommy before the realization hit her. The truth would probably work against Malcolm. If Tommy valued his friendship with Oliver and his connection to the Queens that much, then learning that his once best friend was still alive would make him even less inclined to turn on the League. As long as Tommy was in the dark about his connection to Al Sah-him and believed the League was the true monster holding him captive, Malcolm could sway Tommy to do his bidding—or at least try.

"Did you tell Al Sah-him this?" Felicity asked.

"No. I know I should've told Al Sah-him after he covered for me, but I don't need the League putting an even tighter leash on me. I'm not cut out for this life, Felicity. I can't kill my father, and I can't turn my back on you guys. I don't…" He swallowed hard. "I don't know how much longer I'll last if Ra's doesn't get what he wants. All I'm doing is trying to survive."

Felicity placed a comforting hand over his. "Tommy…" she trailed off, her heart breaking upon seeing the fear and dejection in her friend's eyes. "We won't let that happen."

"I believe you'll try, but don't feel guilty if you can't save me. I'm lucky I've made it this far."

"Don't talk like that," she cautioned. "Nothing is going to happen to you."

Tommy's smile was grateful but strained. She could see in his eyes that he'd already resigned himself to the worst happening, and that was unacceptable. Felicity talked with Tommy for a few more minutes to make sure he was okay before she returned to her apartment. The only light in the room came from the blazing fireplace and a couple of lamps. Among the shadows stood a tall, broad figure. Al Sah-him had his back to her, looking out the long wall of windows at the glowing city. An almost empty glass with amber liquid dangled from his hand. He didn't say anything, but Felicity knew he'd already sensed her presence.

She cast her things aside and approached him. Stopping by the couch, she kept a bit of distance. "I'm home," she stated the obvious.

"Did you get the information we need?" His voice sounded low and coarse.

"I chased down a few leads." She frowned at his back, the tension in the room palpable.

"Good."

"You should've been there today." Silence. "We could've used your help."

"Nyssa was there, and you said you trusted Diggle to handle it."

"I do trust him. Just like I trusted you."

His head shifted to the side, exposing his profile. His jaw had tightened, noting her use of the past tense.

"The CEO, Mr. Steele, was willing to cooperate with A.R.G.U.S. and gave us access to the security system. None of us could seem to figure out why QC was targeted. That is until he also told me an interesting story about the Queen family and their tragic accident at sea. Then the answer became clear." She took a much-needed breath as she built up her resolve to say, "Why didn't you tell me you're Oliver Queen?"

He didn't even try to deny it. "Does it change how you feel about me?"

"My feelings, no. But I am confused and disappointed as to why you kept this huge secret from me. Did you really think I wouldn't find out?" Felicity questioned. "You told me about Shado. Why couldn't you trust me with this, too?"

He must've heard the sadness in her voice, because Oliver turned to face her then and sighed. "I didn't want you involved in any of this, shamsi. I wanted my past to stay in the past. You knowing the truth would change how you saw me. I thought about telling you a hundred times but every time I started to, I couldn't."

"Change how?" she pressed.

"I'm Al Sah-him. That's who I am, and all I'll ever be."

Despite his firm tone, Felicity wasn't convinced by his declaration. His avoidance of the truth until now said otherwise.

"But you're not just Al Sah-him," she challenged, closing some of the distance between them. "You wanted me to call you Oliver, remember? Oliver Queen is who you really are. You have an entire life and legacy that belongs to you, including Queen Consolidated, which is why I'm assuming Malcolm targeted it. Is he the reason you're in the League, too?"

It was too much of a coincidence that Malcolm Merlyn joined the League and years later Oliver was found by them when he was young and shipwrecked.

"The League had caught wind of Malcolm's initial plan for revenge against the city and sought to stop it. They were tracking my parents' yacht, thinking he might've stowed away on it to get out of Starling. He hadn't, but that's how I was found and rescued," Oliver explained.

"And you're sure the League isn't the reason why the boat went down?"

He answered, "There was a storm, and Ra's wanted Merlyn brought back alive. They had no reason to sabotage the yacht."

Felicity searched her husband's eyes for any sign of doubt but saw none. The circumstances still sounded a bit shady to her, but she wouldn't press Oliver on that at the moment. This was about them as a couple and trusting each other.

Oliver set his drink aside before approaching her and cupping her cheek. "I didn't mean to hurt you, shamsi. I'd never want to do that," he murmured in a low, soothing voice. "I know I should've told you, but I didn't want to get your hopes up."

"My hopes up about what?"

"I understand how life in the League is difficult for you. I believe it's gotten better, but I'm not naïve enough to think there aren't still dangers there."

"Which is why you brought me here with you even though you risked me learning the truth," she assumed.

Oliver nodded. "I would do anything to make you happy, and seeing you back here in your city—"

"Your city, too," Felicity interjected.

"—it's obvious how content and at peace you are," he finished. "But that doesn't change our situation. I'm still Al Sah-him, and you're still Abad-eshams. Nanda Parbat is our home. Nothing can come of me being Oliver Queen." He stroked his thumb against her cheek. "Do you understand?"

Felicity placed her hand over his, touching it gently before letting it fall back to her side. "No," she replied, surprising him. He dropped his hand as if she'd burned him. "I don't understand," she persisted. "Because the truth does change everything. You led me to believe that we could have only one kind of life, and that's not true. Malcolm aside, I've loved being here with you and getting to act like a normal couple every day. I loved us going on a date and having the chance to be on our own without people watching our every move. I felt like it brought us so much closer, and I've sensed the contentment in you, too, when we're here. Lying in bed last night and talking about our future made me fantasize about building a home here in Starling City. Then to learn that you're Oliver Queen, it made me realize that it's an actual possibility and not just a fantasy. You're trapped in the League just as I am, or else you wouldn't have been so scared to tell me all of this."

"I'm not scared," he quickly denied.

Felicity placed her hands on her hips and retorted, "Then why couldn't you come with us to QC today? You've completely avoided it, and I've noticed your reactions when I bring up your family's company. It's painful for you, which I get. You love your family, and you want to remember them, but you're afraid to acknowledge that side of yourself. You've even managed to keep Tommy in the dark, and you've heard how highly he's spoken of you and your family. You meant so much to him, and despite everything Ra's made you do to him and your brief bout of jealousy when I first went to him, I think you would've protected Tommy even if I hadn't asked you to. You're not fooling me, Oliver."

He rubbed his hands across his face in frustration and cursed under his breath. "This is Diggle's doing, isn't it? We were fine until he showed up. What has he been telling you?"

Anger flared within her. "This isn't Dig's fault. He doesn't even know who you really are. I'm perfectly capable of thinking for myself," Felicity retorted, "and this is how I really feel. I realize the League's not all bad, but I've never been 'fine' with it. It's not where I belong, and I'm starting to realize it's not where you belong either."

"Yes, it is. I'm Warith al Ghul."

"You're Oliver Queen," she insisted yet again. "You have a whole other life and legacy that belong to you, that are waiting for you. That is your real birthright."

"Is this what I want or what you want?" Oliver retorted. "Because it sounds like you're conflating the two. This is exactly what I didn't want to happen. You're upset with me for presenting only one kind of life for us, but it sounds like you've already made up your mind on something that can never be."

"Last night I asked you if you really wanted to be Ra's al Ghul, and you avoided answering. You said you didn't have a choice, but you clearly do."

"No, I don't."

"There is always a choice, Oliver."

"So just what are you saying, Felicity?" he demanded, his voice practically a growl. "That your choice is already made? That there is only one way you'll be with me now, and you won't go back to Nanda Parbat?"

"Oliver, I love you. All of you, I do," she declared before squaring her shoulders and raising her chin. Despite knowing it would hurt him, Felicity had to speak the truth she'd tried to ignore during their newfound marital bliss. "But, no, I don't want to go back."

Translations:

Seti = My Lady

shamsi = my sun