When Felicity came to she was lying on a cool stone floor. Her glasses were cracked. Slowly sitting up, she looked around. The room she was in was dark and lit only by torches. It was impossible to tell whether it was night or day. As she looked around she saw movement in the shadows…or maybe those were the shadows moving.
"Tony? Please tell me this is one of your sick impromptu training exercises." She said looking around. "Because you are totally paying to replace my glasses."
"This is no training exercise. Felicity Smoak, MIT class of 2009." One of the shadows stepped forward, Felicity squinted at her.
"Nyssa?" The shadow nodded.
"Your friend was unable to give us Sara's killer. As a result we have taken you. Mr. Queen needs to understand that the League of Assassins is not to be crossed." Nyssa melted back into the shadows. "You will be trained and eventually become one of us."
"That's not a very good idea. I have this thing about pointy objects and not sticking them into other people." Felicity couldn't stop her babbling. "Also I'm half blind. Do you really think it's a good idea to hand weapons to someone who's nearsighted? I won't be able to actually do anything until my opponent comes within 3 feet, at which point they'll probably have already killed me."
There was a low chuckle from the corner opposite the direction Nyssa had disappeared.
"She has fire. There are few people who have the gall to speak to the heir to the demon thusly." The owner stepped forward. "Even fewer have lived to tell the tale." The man examined Felicity.
"Who are you?" Felicity asked.
"This is the demon's head." A voice called from the shadows. "Bow before him."
"I'm already on my knees in front of him, how much more do you want?" Felicity retorted. "Wait…that's not what I meant." She shuddered as R'as approached and held her chin up to examine her.
"Strange. Most people would be begging for their lives by now. " R'as looked at her curiously. "Why is it you do not? I see that you are afraid, little one."
"Begging won't get me anywhere." Felicity forced herself to meet R'as's eyes. "Besides I live with people who are twice as dangerous as you. I even play monopoly with them."
"You believe Queen and his misguided followers are more dangerous than I?" R'as drew his head back in anger. "I see you are insolent as well as foolish."
"I recently had a change of address." Felicity let out a shaky breath. R'as didn't know about the Avengers.
"Mr. Wilson." R'as called, a few seconds later Slade was dragged forward and thrown next to Felicity on the ground. "Where did you find Ms. Smoak?"
"New York. She was living in Stark Tower."
There was a muffled stir of murmuring around her. The atmosphere of the room shifted into uneasiness.
"You didn't feel it was important to mention that you took her from the most dangerous group of people on the planet?" R'as hissed.
"You wanted her, I brought her."
"And by bringing her you incurred the wrath of the Avengers." R'as growled. "Is that why none of the assassins I sent with you returned?"
Slade glared at R'as. "Your daughter promised me my revenge. Queen will come for the blonde. He always does, and then - "
"Silence." R'as said it softly, but it rolled around the room like a thunderclap. He stepped forward to inspect Felicity again…and caught sight of something on her left shoulder. He lifted her sleeve. "What is this?"
Felicity looked away. She knew what it was R'as had seen. It was a star; she'd drawn it herself that morning.
"Felicity what are you doing?" Bucky stood at the entryway to her apartment looking adorably confused
She turned to show him her shoulder . "This way we'll be matching!" her smile faltered when he looked at her shellshocked.
"Felicity, you can't want to have that on you." He went over to the sink intent on getting a dishcloth to wipe it away.
"It's sharpie. It won't fade for a few days." Felicity walked over and hugged him from behind. "Why do you hate this?" She circled her fingers around his metal wrist.
"Why do you like it?"
"Because it's a part of you." Felicity turned him so he was facing her. "And every part of you is beautiful."
He leaned down and kissed her. Pressing his face against her forehead he sighed. "How could I ever deserve someone like you, doll?" He ran his fingers over her shoulder, tracing the drawn star.
Bucky had looked so happy. That haunted look he often had when he thought no one was paying attention was gone. Felicity felt tears enter her eyes.
"The Winter Soldier." R'as hissed. He turned to look at Slade. "Did you take this woman away from the Winter Soldier?"
Slade was silent, but he gave a slight nod. R'as turned to look at Felicity.
"First the Queen boy, then the Winter Soldier. Even Tal el Asfer spoke of you in adoring tones." He gripped her chin. "Is this the face that launched a thousand ships?" he murmured. Then he released her. "Begin fortifying the citadel. The Winter Soldier knows where to find us and we need to be prepared. Oh and Mr. Wilson." He turned, "thank you for your invaluable assistance." There was a flash of metal and Slade clutched at his throat. Felicity felt blood splatter over her face. She looked at Slade; a silent scream building in her lungs. He fell to the ground. "Sha…do" he coughed. Then his eyes closed and he was still.
"Someone will have to clean that up before our guests arrive." R'as said as he dropped his dagger and walked out.