Ok so finally updating. I have two other stories I'm working on right now and I'm starting a new job on Monday so I'll have to set up some kind of update schedule. As usual let me know what you're all thinking!

Disclaimer: I own nothing in relations to Arrow or it's characters

Chapter 25:

Always Together

Sleep was always illusive when I'd come home from my five years away. I can still recall my first night waking up by the open window during the storm feeling the hard cold ground beneath me. My mother's throat had been between my hands; within seconds I would have snapped her neck. Now as I glance down from my position against the headboard I see golden hair splayed across the white linen sheets. Listening to her breathing had been my lullaby for the first year of our relationship; watching her chest move eased my thoughts as I shed my nightmares one by one. Moving slowly away from the headboard my body eased down until her back was fitted snugly against my chest. My breathes coming slower and deeper as my arms encircled her waist my nose fitting against her neck; my lungs filling with the sweet smell of her shampoo with each breath I took.

"At some point in time you'll have to close your eyes and allow yourself to rest." Of course she was awake but as usual her eyes were still closed her breathing even and level.

"I can't every time I shut them images of her beaten, broken, and bloodied body rise to the surface; torturing me with the knowledge that we didn't prevent him."

With this last statement my breath caught in chest the ache of moment and the moments that followed expanding with each second that passed. "We didn't prevent him because we were too late; baby the blood wasn't that old I could have…"

During my confession her body had shifted against me allowing for her face to be facing my own; which also allowed for her lips to silence my oncoming words. This kiss was meant to comfort, to calm, and to remind me that I was never alone. Mere minutes later she pulled back her face reflecting the same anguish and exhaustion that I'm sure was gracing my own; her voice sleep laden as she spoke using words to further ease my tortured soul.

"Oliver all that matters is you found her, you carried her to the squad, you my love gave her chance at survival. You saved a life baby focus on that and, not the events that led to it." Sighing as I rested my forehead against hers I focused on the sound of her voice as she muttered small comforting words against my lips. "I love you… you saved her…we'll get through this…you're not alone…I believe in you…" No matter how many times I heard those words my body still responded the same. My legs wrapped around her cold ones as my arms pulled her forward until her chest was flush against mine. "I'll never tire of hearing those words as long as it's you saying them." I felt her smile against me moments before I pressed against her my lips changing that small smile into a delicious moan. I smiled against her kiss as I pushed her body further into the mattress my hands reaching down inching the fabric of her nightgown higher and higher….

"One of these days I'll actually make you use your words rather than your body to express your feelings…" Her voice ragged and her body still limp as she slowly came down from her high panting out the last part of her previous statement. "Although your method does have certain benefits; and you Oliver can wipe that smug grin off your very satisfied face I gave as good as I got." Still grinning I kissed her cheek easing out of her very tired body rolling over to lie on my back enjoying the cold cool air of our dark bedroom.

"One day perhaps you won't be so easy to deter; although this go round was your fault you're the one that kissed me first I was attempting to use my words you're the one that changed the game." She snorted loudly as her hand smacked my chest lightly my own catching hers before she could fully bring it back to her side. "Right one kiss is all it takes to get you going please if that we're the case we'd have 10 or more children with a home that could fit 40." This time I snorted placing her outstretched hand palm side down against my chest using her touch to further ease my soul. "Again I'm attracted to you, I love you, what is so wrong with that?"

"Nothing I'm just saying that our attraction sometimes gets a little out of hand or in some cases very out of hand…"

"Oh you mean two years ago when I had you screaming my name in the conference room after hours; you mean that kind of carried away." I could tell she was trying to remain annoyed but her tone revealed that she like I was enjoying this verbal sparing especially after a day like today. "Oh yes that and the time when you devoured me like I was desert while also in the conference room…"

"No you stared that one you and you're perfectly colored red lips. I was just reciprocating in kind. " I waited smiling like a fool for her next sexually charged response.

"Well you'd made the night before so memorable I felt you deserved a reward; sue me." Now she was laughing rolling over into my side resting her head against my shoulder. "Do you think we'll ever get tired of each other?" Sleep slowly coming to calm her conscious mind as her voice lowered and softened with each word spoken. Kissing her hair I responded softly pulling her body closer against mine sleep threatening to consume us both. "No what I feel for you grows with each passing day." My eyes shut and this time the images that filled my mind were of her face and her body as she slowly fell apart around me.

"According to the hospital reports along with the police files that I "retrieved" from the server our victims name is Hannah Boyles she's 23 and a pre-school teacher at…" Riley's voice paused the sound of paper's being shuffled back and forth could be heard against the speaker of the phone. "Ah here it is she's not employed here she works in…of course Central City at Central U's pre-school for advanced youngsters. By the way that's their horrible tag line not mine." I smiled as Bruce despite himself chuckled Riley had been working all morning to dig up any information on our mystery woman calling once she'd finally hit pay dirt. I was hesitant at first not wanting any of my children involved with something this dark and vile but as Felicity reminded me rather loudly from the shower this morning…

"Oliver she's a cop she sees the horrible side of humanity daily. Just let her help you with the computer work while I work on enhancing the images with the new software that Bruce has so kindly purchased for us." I'd just fell back against the unmade bed huffing with reluctant acceptance as I yelled back "One day you're going to be wrong you know." Her response in reply had me stifling my own amusement. "Right that'll happen right about the time you decide that talking is better than sex for working out your aggression."

"Dad…hey you still listening to me?" Riley's voice cutting through my pleasant memory as Bruce's eyebrows lifted in slight concern.

"Yes sweetie I'm here so why did he pick her? Why didn't he come after someone from here? And better question why was she here to begin with?"

"Well Hannah was in town for a teaching seminar about three blocks from the rails. I also pulled up the camera footage from that area and found that our pervert with high connections watched her enter the building and then followed her as she left. He was definitely stalking her so that would indicate…" Once again she went silent as Bruce tapped my shoulder the question clearly written across his face.

"I'm fine I was just remembering something amusing that my wife had said earlier this morning." I couldn't help but smile as I once again recalled her statement knowing it held the truth.

"Just checking Felicity would kill me if she left us alone and I returned you broken." I smirked opening my mouth to retort when Riley's soft but still professional voice could be heard above the rusting paper.

"Dad he's been following her for months, I just checked with Central cities police department and Hannah's filed four complaints in the past two months alleging that someone was stalking her. According to the officer who took the initial complaint she'd come home multiple times finding dead flowers splayed across her doormat; each one with a small note stating the same thing. I'll come for you soon; I'll make you scream my name. After the third note and dead flower combo she went to the police they'd assigned someone to investigate each time finding nothing. Then once they were done he'd start up again the same pattern except for the latest attempt about three weeks ago. Wow this guy's brazen…"

"Why's that?" My curiosity peeked by my daughter's shocked if not appalled response.

"He showed up at her place of employment claiming to be her fiancé. Dad be careful with this one I also pulled Connor's older case files just to compare the attacks and what I found was disturbing."

"Sweetie what did you find?" My voice wasn't hard or even on edge but my blood had gone completely cold.

"According to his sealed record his father covered up another incident with his then girlfriend when he was just 15 years old. Dad he beat her and then raped her because she…"

"Riley talk to us what does the report say." Both Bruce and I moving in closer as if we could leap through the phone to grab the file ourselves; our own tension and anxiety filing the office space making the air seem stale.

"Dad she didn't call him when she said she would. She fell asleep and forgot to call. He was so angry that he did this. Dad he's unstable so please if you won't involve us please dear god keep Mr. Wayne involved that will allow all of us to at least sleep at night."

"He's right here with me Riley. Hell your mother has him living with us until this whole mess is over with. Which reminds me has she spoken with you today?" I hoped against all hopes that Felicity had already broken the news. Leaning back in my chair I sighed; Bruce watching with equal parts amusement and vague understanding.

"Yes she called about an hour ago she's already sent Tommy and Connor to pack my bags I'll be at dinner once my shift is done. Also remind me to thank her for my desk detail…" She paused and I knew from previous experience it was for dramatic effect. "For the next six months." Groaning I closed my eyes knowing that nothing I could say in this moment would make it better.

"Will do Becca and Jake got in last night so they'll be there for back up as you scold us." I could almost hear her smile before she came back ending the call.

"Love you daddy…shit I have to go my captain is now glaring at me apparently speaking to my daddy is a no no while on duty. Love you bye." I just smiled as Bruce's gaze softened taking in my relaxed state given the current situation that we were facing. "Fatherhood suits you Queen." I faced him and once again smiled slightly my response light and easy. "Yes it does."

Bruce left around 11:30 our new information in hand. He was going to scout the locations that Jacob had been seen in the previous day searching for any clues to his habits and routines while he stalked his usually unknowing prey. I on the other hand remained focused on the case files that my beautiful and hopefully forgiving daughter had sent to me after our previous conversation. Connor's files were laid out on my desk various women all with different wounds but all sharing a horrific end. The picture that the file created was horrific and one that I'd give anything to end. Jacob Mitchell was 19 when Connor had first arrested him; his body partially clothed as he hovered over a helpless girls body. According to the interrogation report he'd been cocky, snide and, aware that he was for now untouchable. This man had gotten Connor put on suspension for 2 months due to his sadly provoked attack. Jacob's history was troubling he'd scout for victims allowing for months of stalking and planning as he learned their movements, watched who they spent time with, waited in dark corners to see their reactions as they spotted the signs of his impending attack. Overall he'd managed to attack over 30 women during his reign of terror and that wasn't counting his previous assault.

"So when's my daughter going to show up I'm starved." Quentin Lance waltzed through my double office doors pulling out the chair closest to the displayed photos glancing down as he sat; his face going from relaxed to enraged within seconds.

"These pictures of the attack victims?" I nodded in reply my fingers steeped against my chin as thousands of thoughts ran rapidly through my still enraged mind.

"Yes most are from Connor's end but Riley's managed to get us the information on our victim from last night." I stopped speaking as his face pressed me for more; but I'd only want to go through this story once so I answered his rather loud non-verbal questions. "I'm waiting for Felicity I only want to have these words on the tip of my tongue once so we're waiting that's that." He smiled as did I once again marveling at how far our relationship had progressed since I first came home over 25 years ago. We spent the twenty minutes until Felicity arrived lunch containers in hand talking about his new workload; considering he'd commissioned that city hall be completely re-done and modernized to accommodate for our world's changing socio-economic landscape. He'd gushed over Riley's ascent up the ladder of the police force. He'd gamble that she'd be the Captain of the entire precinct before she was 35; that thought alone caused my stomach to lurch. I'd had enough trouble with her being a cadet; her becoming the Captain may very well put Ray's nanotech to the ultimate test. I surveyed his aging face, over the years his hair had gone from full and jet black to shaved and distinguished. To this day the hair remained close cut my guess was to hide the receding hair line that had begun years and years ago. His eyes had grown tired and less vivid as the years wore on his own life experiences causing his once vibrant skin to dull.

"Oliver stop staring you remind me of the girls when they're searching my face looking for any signs of a bluish grey paler." I gulped slightly in shame for two reasons; the first being I'd been caught. The second being that I'd never asked how his health was; and that was me once again failing to be the husband Felicity needed and the son that this man deserved.

"How is your health these days? Felicity tells me bits and pieces but never really elaborates." I was now leaning forward moving a pen back in forth between my fingers my nerves still on edge from the evening before.

"I'm fine actually the doctor has me on a new medication after my little arrhythmia last month." I vaguely recalled Felicity saying something about him getting a new medication but she'd never really elaborated on his actual condition.

"I take it by that slightly taken aback expression Felicity neglected to mention that little bit of information?" I nodded slowly my face burning with embarrassment for a reply. "Yeah well let's keep that between the three of us shall we; I had to about sew her mouth shut in order to keep her from spewing all the details to Donna, Laurel and Sara." Once again shocked was the only emotion that my mind could quickly render.

"I'm sensing that she mentioned something quickly while you were um otherwise engaged in say another stimulating activity?" Now I had to think back; Felicity often had horrible timing but when she wanted to be honest but not break someone's confidence she'd slip the information in while I was otherwise engaged. This small piece of information I now recalled had been mentioned as I was trailing my tongue down her bare skin blazing a path down towards her nether regions. She had told me but she'd chosen her moment carefully. Forgetting for a moment that her father was sitting before me I glanced over seeing his smug grin growing as my face grew more and more heated remembering that particular moment with great enjoyment.

"Yes she has a way of imparting information during the strangest moments." This time his laugh was genuine and real which still left me feeling odd but; relieved because each time it happened it meant another infraction from my past had been forgiven. It was during this full bodied laugh that my smiling wife appeared holding Chinese takeout in one hand while opening the door with the other; her face glowing at the scene before her.

"Wow my baby got you to laugh the sky must be falling." I scowled while Lance laughed harder standing to embrace her while I came around grabbing the food containers from her now loosening grasp.

"Smartass, oh and speaking of sky's falling you broke a promise Arrow boy knows about the incident last month wonder how that one came up." He'd pulled back slightly at this point his hands placed atop her shoulders; his head leaning down his face smiling wildly.

"What I love him, we swore before witnesses to be honest and truthful…" She now had her hands placed aside his face her grin matching his own. "I honor my marriage vows and believe me that one over there does as well." I just stood behind my desk shaking my head listening and slightly watching as I unpacked the food bringing the spare plates and silverware from the kitchen down the hall to my desk plating the food before taking it over to the small table near the bay windows.

After the two reminisced over vows and secrets they came over Felicity pecking my cheek lightly as she took her seat furthest from the window positioning herself between Lance and myself. We ate as I spoke sharing the information that had been gleamed earlier this morning from Riley.

"So Wayne's in play until this guy's been brought in I take it?" His question was tinged with a shred of annoyance as he forked another dumping into his waiting mouth.

"Dad Oliver can't do this on his own and Bruce is the best option so just deal with your shit and move along." My fork paused in midair Felicity rarely swore in front of Lance so hearing her even say shit was a groundbreaking moment. "It's not like he's asking for police support he's just asking that they be aware so they and we don't get hurt while taking this bastard down." She'd pushed her plate away rubbing her stomach slightly indicating that once again she'd eaten far more than she intended to.

"I just don't want anyone getting hurt he's proven to be violent when taken in; he's also proven to be a master manipulator when it comes to police interrogation. This is for everyone's safety; Lance we can't take him down if we don't all work together that's just a fact." I too had pushed the plate aside as Felicity's hand gradually moved towards my own our fingers entwining on contact. I glanced over her eyes blue clear signaling that it was now or never; I'd have to be the one to ask this was my request so it had to come from me.

"I do however need one favor and you're not going to like it." Pausing I took a sip from the half empty water glass before me; swallowing slowly trying to avoid this moment for as long as was possible. "I need for Felicity to have complete access to the cities power grid, along with its security systems, the rail cams, and all other patrol cams across the boards." I gulped the words were out now I just had to wait in agony as he weighed my rather extensive request.

"You're going to trap him aren't you? You're going to create a situation that he won't be able to resist; then having Felicity in complete control of the city you're going to direct him straight into your snare. I'll agree but first I have one question…" I knew what it would be before the words even left his mouth; I also knew the answer was going to cause another possible arrhythmia. I answered before his question had time to leave his lips.

"Sara's the bait." His face fell all the color draining from it as my words processed rolling over and over in his mind until finally his anger exploded.

"MY DAUGHTER YOU SON OF A BITCH YOU'RE USING MY BABY GIRL AS BAIT FOR A MURDERER AND A RAPIST!" Felicity attempted to move hoping to explain that we hadn't come to this decision lightly; I however was faster stilling her movements by standing toe to toe with Lance.

"It was her idea and before you scream at my wife let's remember what Sara's been through; let's remember what Sara's trained to do. Lance it was either her or Felicity…." My eyes closed recalling that conversation as well….

"Felicity no if you think for ten seconds I'll let him anywhere near you then you've clearly underestimated my feelings for your overall well being." She'd come up with the idea this morning after her shower and let's just say my reaction right now was less than enthused.

"Oliver he won't come after you or Bruce he's smart which means he'll target the women in your life that my love includes me…come on its better than him going after our daughter's or god forbid Abby. Let me help baby let me be what you need…" I still can't recall when or even how I'd crossed the room but as those words left her mouth I had her towel clad body up against the wall both arms pinned above her head; my stare angry and enraged.

"You want to be what I need? You want to help me? Damnit…" I was so fueled in the moment my feelings ranging from passionate to hateful that I'd done what came naturally; I leaned forward kissing her until I felt her fingers fold down entangling with mine. Lost between anger and lust I moved closer pressing my solid form against her smaller one grinding into her pelvis with my own until the towel loosened and fell. "You want to be what I need then prove it; you want to help me than understand I will never risk losing you….never." Her eyes glinted with understanding; her hands coming forward pushing down against the waistband of my pants pushing our bodies until the back of my knees hit the edge.

"Show me what you need." The statement was simple but her voice was anything but; our hands moved and roamed over the other's body until finally I'd had enough my mouth once again claiming her own. We moved our bodies in perfect sync with the other as our mutual anger and lust spurned us forward; until our bodies achieved what our words couldn't convey.

"You I need you; but I need you safe and alive. Find another way baby because it won't be you it can't be." My words coming out rushed and barely formed against her chest as I buried my face between her breasts feeling the steady but still rapid beat of her heart.

"I will baby I promise I will." Her words whispered into the room; her fingers lightly combing through my hair as my body remained around her refusing to let go.

Opening my eyes my vision blurred from this morning's emotional encounter. "She called Sara and told her about the situation… She'd volunteered before Felicity had even finished her plan." He was still enraged so I used the last weapon in my arsenal; the one that I knew would leave a lasting if not permanent scar. "She's been looking for an outlet ever since she miscarried; her pain is still visceral and raw so let her deal with it the only way she knows how."

His eyes now glistened with unshed tears his voice cracking from the strain. "But she still has a child she still has Ben who needs his mother not just some billionaire with a lot of high tech gadgets." He was right Ben was barely out of diapers but Sara had insisted and Felicity being a mother caved. "I know but it's her life, it's her choice and Lance…"

"Yeah…" His tone coming out low and exasperated.

"I only agreed to this because I can't lose Felicity…I won't end of story."My own voice pleading with him to understand the fear I held in my heart in regards to Felicity. Now we waited as Lance decided if he'd help us or not.

"I'll agree once I speak to Sara only then once she makes me understand will I agree to this insane plan."

Felicity had her phone in hand with Sara on the other end before Lance had made his final plea. Turning towards us both she ended the call her own eyes wet from fallen tears. "She's on the way." So we stood two against one waiting for our number to rise from two to three.