Firstly as always thank you so much for your great responses you have no idea how I've needed them again. THANK YOU. Now I'm sorry I've been slow updating but I have been ill again (I'm better now but gosh am I sick of being ill right now, so fingers crossed not again anytime soon). NOW this chapter is longer, because I have a lot happening! BUT please do not hate me for this chapters ending! I just wanted some suspense... ANYWAY I hope you enjoy and hopefully I'll be back sooner!
EDIT: SORRY if anyone thought there was a new update but I've come to say that I've had a lose in the family and my writing has suffered and taken a back seat. I'm not stopping and I will continue BUT I cannot promise I'll have an update within the week. I am so sorry guys, I promise I tried to write but it turned very dark and with everything that happens in the next chapter it wouldn't work. SO yes I am SO SO SORRY GUYS!
Felicity looked at the room around her. It was dark and dingy like you'd expect with a basement but it had a state of the art computer, various tables, and a lot of chemicals which Felicity knew where used in bomb making. She was sat in a wooden chair, her legs and wrists tied to it; she knew they were tied tightly with the burning she felt on her skin. Her mouth was gagged so she couldn't make a noise but she thought that was probably more due to her babbling than to stop anyone hearing them.
Malcolm Merlyn was stood there with a blade in hand. He was in his usual tailored suit looking ever the ruthless businessman, but with the way he scanned the room and held the blade it made him look more menacing. Felicity wouldn't scream, not for him not ever. Even when he hit her, she tried desperately not to scream out. She wouldn't allow him that over her. Instead she too scanned the room; it was void of any other people but them. It was odd. It was too quiet.
"Well Miss Smoak, I must say the gag seems to have quietened you down a lot." He said rubbing his sword slowly against her cheek. She didn't flinch, didn't move in any way, she just stared at him her eyes locked with his. He lowered the blade with a smirk then turned away from her. "This was my base of operations but now that the plan is nearly complete, I won't need it anymore. All the employees have been taken care of." He chuckled as he gestured around. "I must say though Miss Smoak, with a woman with your skills on board I think this operation would have run a lot smoother and certainly quicker." Felicity felt the bile rise in her throat. She would never help a monster like him, someone who was so casual about killing people just because there purpose to him had expired. "You should have taken my job offer all those months ago and then you wouldn't be in this situation."
"No she really shouldn't have." Olivers voice cut through the silence with ease and suddenly Felicity felt a wave of relief. Then she felt guilty he had come to save her, and if anything happened it would be all her own fault for looking into all this when he had explicitly warned her not too.
She watched as Oliver walked into the basement, he had clearly used a back entrance, Malcolm must have left it open for him. His gun was raised in his hands as he stepped further into the light, she could see the dried blood on his face. He clearly must have been through some sort of fight to get here, maybe with Isabel from the telephone conversation she had heard.
"Now Mr Queen, is that any way to say hello?" Malcolm said tilting his head.
"Let her go Malcolm she has nothing to do with this..."
"On the contrary Oliver, she has as much right to be here as you!" Malcolm spat out.
"She has nothing to do with your plot for revenge... What would you accomplish in hurting her to get to my father? That makes no sense. She is nothing to him."
"Ah but she is everything to you... and her father." She watched as Olivers grip on the gun tightened.
"What, so you want revenge on my father by killing the woman that I love?" He glanced at Felicity whose eyes were wide, her hair was falling from her ponytail and she looked relatively okay. Felicity was stunned. He didn't love her, no he was saying it to try to make Merlyn back off. He was just trying to connect to him, to connect to losing his wife.
"Oh isn't that sweet." He turned to Felicity then. "Shame you haven't got much time to be a proper family." Felicitys eyes widened in shock, she didn't dare look at Oliver. What a way for him to find out. Oliver froze at the mention of family.
"Stop with all this nonsense Malcolm. Let her go. Come peacefully and the Agency might give you some leeway." Malcolm laughed manically.
"Oh Oliver, nobody is making it out of today alive." His serious tone threw the pair.
"Why? Because your wife died... Because she got murder-"
"Her name was Rebecca." He exploded raising his blade in Olivers directions.
"Rebecca. I remember her you know. Tommy's mum was kind, decent... She helped people-"
"You don't know her. Nobody did. That's the point. She was collateral damage to the Agency, to your fathers love affair." He said with distaste. His blade never wavered as Oliver stepped closer towards them his gun still raised.
"It wasn't an affair..."
"Oh your father never truly loved your mother; he only got married because she got pregnant. He had multiple affairs always had." He said with a smirk. Oliver wasn't even bothered about his fathers womanising ways, he loved his father but he hadn't exactly been there for him.
"I get it okay. Their affair lead to your wi- Rebeccas death but you gave Diana up, and in turn she sold you out." Oliver said bluntly again edging closer to the pair.
"I sold her out? That's what your father told you?" Malcolm snapped. Oliver nodded. "She was seen with me, that's all. She was seen with me once by her husband and by other Bratva members. She gave me up to save herself and it got her killed! Got my Rebecca killed!"
"It was a terrible accident-"
"No." Merlyn stepped forward; he swiped in Olivers direction causing him to hit a table. He lifted the blade above his head bringing it down hard in anger. Oliver swiftly dived under the table rolling to the other side.
"How wasn't it?"
"She chose to give me up. I was only meeting her to deliver a letter. Which of course I didn't realise was a love letter between Robert and her. If they hadn't had done it we would have never have been seen. I'd still have my Rebecca." He lowered the sword taking a step back. "She would never give up the Inferno he was like blood. But instead of giving up Robert she gave up me, she sentenced my Rebecca to a painful death."
"So you re-enacted that on to anyone who got in your way?"
"No! I re-enacted that on the people responsible. On the men that tortured her, on the man responsible for giving the Bratva information. Anyone else who stood in my way were just removed."
"Collateral damage you mean... Just like Rebecca." Oliver said, his gun raised once more.
"You see once you've lost yourself Mr Queen nothing else matters."
"What about Tommy?"
"I love my son, but my wife was my life and when she was brutally taken from me there was no way for me to come back. You see Oliver the Agency makes you a weapon but it is the people in your life that ground you. Mine was my wife and in your case Miss Smoak." They both glanced at her. "And when she is taken from you, you'll finally understand." Felicity frantically shook her head as Oliver looked between her and Malcolm. She wasn't that special to him. She didn't mean anything like that but Oliver's eyes seemed to darken at his words.
"Let her go." Oliver said forcefully.
"Ah you see even if I let her go. You'll both die here today. You won't get that little family. Nobody in this city will survive."
"What's your plan here Merlyn? You're going to kill your own son?"
"He isn't here. He shall carry on the Merlyn name away from this hell hole of a city."
"There is corruption everywhere-"
"Not like the scum in this city!" He snapped. Olivers hand bolted back up. "Tommy and Miss Lance have gone on a last minute vacation I surprised them with, so he isn't here he's safe." Merlyn lowered his sword slightly, "Put the gun down Oliver."
"Tell me your plan." He clenched the gun tighter.
"If only it were that simple. How about this: you put down the gun, I put down the blade and we fight. You win and I let Miss Smoak go, and I'll tell you my plan. I win and I'll kill Miss Smoak right in front of you, and leave you to die with her." Oliver could see the fear in Felicitys eyes, it broke his heart as he stood there looking between the two.
Felicity wasn't scared for her own life; she was scared at the thought of what Malcolm could do to Oliver, scared at the thought of losing him for good.
"Either way we'll die." Oliver said bluntly.
"Yes but at least you'll have time for a nice chat before I destroy this city... I mean you both have a lot to talk about." He said sarcastically. Oliver gently placed his gun down on the table beside him. He could see Felicity shaking her head, desperately fighting against the restraints. Malcolm followed suit placing his blade down on the table too.
"Now what?" Oliver said standing there.
Without warning Malcolm flew at him. Oliver managed to block several of the punishing blows Malcolm delivered. His style was mixed never sticking to any plan long enough. He hit Oliver in the ribs causing him to step back slightly. Then Malcolm aimed for his legs but Oliver managed to grab Merlyns leg twisting him so he was face down against the floor. Malcolm kicked back hard hitting him in the chest. Oliver fell back into the table as Malcolm rose to his feet a smirk on his face.
"It seems they trained you well... I know I'd be proud if I were your father." Merlyn said taking a defensive stance that Oliver matched.
"You aren't."
"No because I would have never pushed you to be a part of this life. It seems I have more faith in my son than your father has in you."
Oliver's jaw twitched as he clenched his fists and lunched forward aiming for Malcolms face. He easily blocked it, and landed his own punch to Olivers chest. With his arm outstretched Oliver grabbed Malcolms wrist flipping him in one swift moment till he landed with a thud on his back. Oliver gave two swift kicks to his ribs and then booted him across the face. A spray of blood leaving his mouth has his head lulled to one side eyes closed. Oliver stood their trying to calm the adrenaline in his system when he heard the noise of wood creaking. He span around rushing to Felicity.
"I am so sorry." He said softly as he knelt beside her. He was loosening the knot on her wrist. He could see the skin was red, from how tight it had been. "I never meant you to get mixed up in all this, but we do need to talk." He said it so softly so tenderly. She stared into his blue eyes unsure how he really felt, unsure what was going to happen.
When suddenly movement behind him caught her eye, she looked up in horror as Malcolm flew at Oliver. She screamed trying to warn him but the gag made it muffled. Oliver turned just as Malcolm smacked him hard over the head with a fire extinguisher. In some miracle Oliver didn't pass out, he merely hit the floor dazed. Malcolm proceeded to kick Oliver in the ribs hard, the cracks making him groan in agony as he clutched his side.
Felicity was frantically trying to get out, Oliver had loosened the strap but still she couldn't get out. Malcolm straightened up grabbing his blade as he wiped his mouth on his suit jacket sleeve. Then with an almighty snap, Malcolm stomped on Olivers prosthetic leg, damaging it instantly. He grinned at Felicity.
"See your father wanted you to be safe from this life Miss Smoak." Felicity stopped glaring at Malcolm, glancing at Oliver who was trying to get up but failing without his leg whilst clutching his side. "He wanted you and your mother to never have to deal with the cruelty of it all... So imagine my surprise to find out not only had you started working for Oliver, you were also researching into all of this." He gestured around with his free hand as his other gripped the blade that remained pointing at Oliver. "Imagine how upset daddies going to be to realise that you fell in love with an Agency member... That he will be the reason you die here today." Felicity looked at Oliver unsure what was happening. She did love him she couldn't deny that.
"He'll kill you Merlyn." Oliver stuttered out. "You harm his daughter you are signing your own death warrant." Malcolm turned his back to Felicity as he stood over Oliver.
"Really? I think daddy will be more upset that you, the man he had protecting her originally brought her into this world. You signed her death warrant the moment you met her all those years ago."
Olivers head dropped slightly, Felicity could see the guilt, and she understood why he had ended things. Why he was pushing her away, because he thought she would die with him. She blinked fighting the tears. He was trying to protect her but she still wasn't sure he really did care about her or if she was just a job.
"That might be. And I'll happily take the blame. But you destroying this city, killing his only child, he'll not stop till he has you." Merlyn smirked a little then.
"Oh I have no intentions of walking out of this city alive." He glanced at his watch on his wrist. "In just under 2 hours Starling won't exist anymore."
"What have you done?"
"You see Oliver what happens here today will be explosive. Things will end with a bang."
"Where are the bombs?" Merlyn smirked shaking his head.
"It's hard isn't it Oliver?" Oliver looked up into his eyes as he felt the cold blade pressed on his chest. "When something becomes more than a job and when you find something worth living for." Oliver didn't dare move. "I lost that, so this is what I shall do to honour her." Oliver shook his head in disgust. "It's a shame about today because I think you and Miss Smoak would have made a great couple... Lovely pare-"
Before Merlyn had a chance to finish his sentence, he felt a massive blow to the back of his head and he landed beside Oliver. Oliver looked at Merlyn than to the person in front of him. There stood Felicity broken chair in hand.
"Just shut the hell up Malcolm." She breathed out shakily.
Felicity was by Olivers side in a second, she slipped her arm around his back and he placed his around her shoulders as she helped him clamber to his feet. They managed to get him leaning against a table, balancing pretty decently on one leg.
"We need to get you to a doctor." Oliver said staring into her eyes.
"I think you need one more than I do..."
"I meant to check about..." His eyes dropped from hers to her stomach, then back to her face again.
"I... I didn't want you to find out like this... I mean I was going to tell you but after everything I just I..." She dropped her head. Her brain was a mess of questions: Who was her father? What did Oliver really feel? How were they going to raise a child? How were they going to survive today? She suddenly snapped her head back up "OH MY GOD, we need to find these bombs."
"Felicity... Wait..."
"No okay... We won't have anything to talk about if we don't save the city first." Olivers head dropped slightly as he pulled his phone from his pocket.
Felicity stepped towards the computer when she heard the sound of footsteps. She turned to see Malcolm running into the darkness of the building towards the exit. Oliver was hopping trying to catch up.
"Leave him Oliver." Felicity called out as she rushed back to his side. "Just leave him, he won't get far plus he wants to pull this plan off." He nodded.
"I'll call the guys whilst you look for information on there." He nodded in the direction on the computer.
Diggle was patching Oliver up the best he could, he even had a spare prosthetic. Shado and Slade had swept the basement, no sign of Merlyn or any explosives. They had informed the Agency who had agents all around Starling looking for him, as well as searching for the bombs.
"Did Isabel give you anything?"
"Nope." Diggle responded as he tightened the support on Olivers ribs. "All she said was bombs." Olivers head dropped as he watched the blonde in front of him refuse all medical assistance instead typing furiously on the computer.
"I think I found them... And it's bad..." Felicity said turning to face the group.
"What is it?"
"Four bombs placed strategically around Starling, they all blow then the city will cave in on itself. These aren't just your every day bombs, they are enough to destroy this whole place."
"We need to evacuate the city." Oliver said standing on wobbly legs.
"Lyla's already on it. We need to locate them Felicity."
"I've been trying I need my tablet." Diggle stepped forward pulling her tablet from his bag.
"We weren't going to leave it there."
"Thank you! I've already managed to crack into the system, these bombs they're big they are going to need a power source so I can locate them by-"
"We don't need to know the how Miss, we just need the where." Slade said with a smile.
"I need more equipment, I can't use his computers anymore he sent a virus out destroying all the information, I have software fighting it so I need-"
"The van." Shado smiled, "She can use the computers in the van."
They walked down the street jumping into the black van. Oliver was limping slightly as he adjusted to his prosthetic. Felicity was only at the computer 5 minutes when she located the 4 bombs.
"Found them."
"That seemed too easy." Diggle stated.
"Yes but they're spread throughout the city, you have about an hour to defuse them." She swallowed slightly, "and I have no idea what they're actually like all the files are buried in Merlyns computer."
"Hey it's okay." Oliver said softly from the back doors.
"I might be able to find something to help."
"Can we get to these locations?" There are four of us... Four bombs to defuse..." Oliver said looking between them all. "My bike is outside QC, I can take that to the furthest location."
"I came in my car." Diggle added swiftly.
"We had the van, and I have my bike" Shado said softly.
"The van stays." Oliver said as the others nodded.
"I can find a car it's not hard." Slade added nonchalantly.
"Wait why can't you take the van?" Felicity said turning briefly before turning back to type.
"Because you're staying here."
"Excuse me?" Felicity said turning to face Oliver.
"I know it's your life and your choice but please just stay here talk us in, use the comms." She narrowed her eyes but the way his voice dropped for her and he stepped closer she could see the worry in his eyes.
"Fine but I'm not doing it for you. I just don't want to slow you down."
"Okay." Oliver nodded grabbing an ear piece as the other 3 did too. "Locations Felicity." She pulled up the map.
"Verdant, there's one in your club." Oliver closed his eyes briefly. "There's one in Franks old place, that's why he brought it so cheaply!"
"Felicity, stay focused."
"Yes sorry. The other is in Starling hospital and the final one in the museum. They're all located at 90 degree points around the city from this location."
"He wants to cause maximum damage." Diggle said shaking his head. "We don't have time for bomb disposal... I'll call Lyla whilst I drive, tell her the location of all four. We can maybe render the bombs safe but we most certainly can't dispose of them correctly."
"We just have to stop them going off." Oliver said staring at his comrades, his partners. "I understand if you don't want to do this. It is my home after all-"
"It's not about where we are kid..." Slade said.
"It's about doing our jobs..." Shado continued.
"And that means protecting people who need it." Diggle finished.
"Thank you." Oliver replied. "Diggle you take Franks place, Shado the hospital, Slade will take the museum and I'll take Verdant." The 3 nodded before disappearing.
Oliver turned to Felicity, hesitating slightly. She wasn't looking at him she was too busy typing away at the computer. She placed the comms in her ear.
"Everyone hear me okay?"
"Felicity..." Oliver said softly, still she jumped.
"Hey you need to get going." She said staring at him. He looked at her his brain screaming to tell her everything just in case. She tilted her head frowning slightly. "Are you okay?" His hand shot out to hers, she didn't fight him as he slowly raised her hand and kissed it lightly.
"I am sorry Felicity for everything. When, if we make it out of this I will tell you everything, no more secrets, no more trying to protect you. I don't want you to doubt this," He said raising their joint hands, "anymore." She didn't speak as he slowly let go and ran around the corner to get his bike.
She regretted it then, not telling him she loved him, if anything happened she'd never forgive herself but the city needed them now more than their love life mattered. She span back to the computer typing furiously.
As the four colleagues rushed to their locations Felicity managed to pull some of the bomb plans, she read them all, making sure she completely understood them. It was like computer wires, she could do this. These were all firing circuits which meant to stop the bombs from exploding all that had to be done was cutting all the wires. She triple checked it making sure it was exactly these plans; she couldn't get this wrong so many lives depended on her.
"Guys are you in location?" She spoke into the comms.
"I'm in location Felicity, this bomb is massive." Diggle said she could hear the hesitation in his voice.
"Do you see any wires? Or a control panel?"
"There's a control panel."
"Open it slowly Dig."
"In location." Slade and Shado said at the same time.
"Right same as Dig, open the control panels slowly. Are the places secured?"
"Museums empty, was evacuated."
"Hospital is full... So I need to do this right." Shado said slowly.
"Send pictures to the computer guys I need to know what I'm dealing with there are two different bomb plans on here."
"No problem." All three replied.
"In location." Oliver said slightly breathlessly ignoring the pain in his ribs. "Sending pictures and removing control panel."
"Go careful Oliver... All of you." She said closing her eyes. She opened the emails they all sent. All 4 bombs were exactly the same. "They're the same, they are firing circuits, all you have to do is cut all the wires. Then the Agency will have to dispose of them properly."
"Are you sure Felicity?" Shado asked cautiously. "I'll have a lot of fall out if this doesn't work."
"There are plans for 2 bombs the firing circuit you are looking at and the collapsing circuit. They are not the latter, so cutting the wires will cut the power so no bang..."
"Right..." She could hear the hesitation.
"I'll go first." Slade said softly. "Oliver trusts her I trust her." Everyone held there breathes as they heard the cutting of wires. But there was no explosion, a booming laugh filled through the comms. "Bombs not gone off, but the power has been killed. Thanks Felicity." Slade said breathing out.
Felicity smiled to herself as the other 3 followed his lead clipping the wires, each confirming the bombs had been deactivated. Felicity let out a breath she didn't know she was holding and looked back at the screen. She frowned.
"No... This can't be possible."
"What Felicity?" Oliver asked as she forgot her comms were on.
"There's another heat signature... It activated when you deactivated the other four bombs."
"What!?"
"There's another bomb."
"Where is it Felicity?"
"It's here, it's in QC's basement."
"Is it like these bombs?"
"I don't know Oliver... I... It seems bigger, plus with these plans for the second bomb-"
"I'm on my way okay?..."
"It might be too late with the heat signature coming off this thing."
"Felicity don't-" she turned the comms off in her ear cutting him off. She grabbed her tablet and rushed around to QC.
It wasn't hard to locate the bomb in the basement; from the back entrance she pulled the fire alarm to evacuate the building as she slipped inside. As she got closer to the bomb she saw a figure there, she stood nerves taking over till she saw his face in the dimmed light.
"Mr Queen?" She frowned staring at him.
"Miss Smoak? What are you doing here?"
"Trying to defuse this bomb what about you?" She said stepping closer.
"Same Miss Smoak."
"How did you know it would be here?"
"Miss Rochev wants revenge I expected nothing less, especially after Oliver came to see me."
"Oh..."
"Should you really be here? In your condition..."
"I won't be any condition if we don't stop this thing from going off." She tried to ignore the comment.
"Well Miss Smoak, at least my son got to see you just in case." She shook her head. "What?"
"Me and your son, it's not like that."
"Like that? Miss Smoak my son adores you; he attacked his own father to find the truth to save you, to save your child." She closed her eyes then she was pregnant and stupidly defusing a bomb.
"This is complex Mr Queen, the plans show it's a collapsing circuit any tampering will cause it to blow." Robert frowned at her clear avoidance of his statements.
"Then what do we do?"
"I'm not 100% sure yet. But let's take this control panel off first." She slowly unscrewed the panel, hardly breathing.
"Where is Oliver?"
"He's been defusing the other bombs."
"Does he know you're here?"
"By now probably-"
"You shouldn't be here Felicity." She turned to look at him an eyebrow raised. "I lost the woman I loved; I have put my son through so much... But I would never wish him to feel that feeling."
"He doesn't love me." Felicity practically whispered as she pulled the control panel cover off slowly.
"I have made a lot of mistakes, but my son is very obviously in love with you, you're going to have a family."
"And I don't want him to stay because of that." She snapped looking into his eyes. He gave a sharp nod.
"I don't think that's the case with my son." Felicity looked away grabbing her tablet when suddenly a pair of arms pulled her backwards. She instinctively reached and turned on her comms trying to fight the grasp.
"Hello Robert." Malcolms voice came through loud and clear. Oliver nearly fell off the bike as he took a corner rushing back to QC.
"Hello Malcolm." Robert stood up, his arms up in a surrendering manner. "Let Miss Smoak go Malcolm, this is between me and you."
"Oh no it's not. Miss Smoak deserves to know what sort of a family she is getting involved in." She could feel the barrel of the gun pressing into her ribs.
"Oliver isn't me. This is all on me Malcolm let her go." He grabbed her tighter towards him.
"I think Volk would be proud of how she turned out." Felicity frowned Who the hell was Volk? "A fighter. Just like him."
"He's always been proud of her, but Adam... Not Volk."
"He gave up on this life a long time ago."
"No he chose to protect his family."
"And you chose your own selfishness that got my Rebecca killed."
"I'm sorry." Robert said stepping forward. "I loved Diana... like you loved Rebecca-"
"No!" He waved the gun pointing it at Robert. "No! Don't compare your fling to my marriage, to the mother of my child!" Malcolm shouted.
"Exactly Malcolm, she is Olivers Rebecca." he gestured to Felicity. "She's carrying their child..." Malcolm frowned.
"That isn't going to work here Robert... This is all on you! This city deserves to burn!"
"No I deserve to burn. I take full responsibility. Diana loved me and I her, she wouldn't give me up... Nor would she Adam and they tortured her... They made her suffer so she gave you up."
"It's all too little too late now Robert. This city is full of Bratva, full of Agency... Starling is corrupt! The only way to fix it is to destroy it all..."
"That might be... But you can't destroy a city when the bombs have been defused." Malcolm's grip tightened as he continued to point the gun at Robert.
"Liar!"
"Miss Smoak, tell him. This is the only active bomb left. The city is being evacuated."
"Miss Smoak?" Malcolm spoke her name into her ear.
"Yes... This is the only bomb... The rest won't go off."
"No!" He screeched, throwing Felicity to the ground. She hit it with a thud, landing uncomfortably on her ankle. Before Malcolm had a chance to recover Robert charged at him. Felicity watched as both were reaching for the gun, spinning and turning both landing blows, till suddenly the gun went off.
"Felicity?" Oliver asked hearing the commotion.
Robert stepped back slightly, his hand landing on the bomb. Merlyn was smirking till he looked down to see his shirt turning red. He dropped to the floor, clutching at his stomach.
"I..."
"I am truly sorry Malcolm. If I could go back, if I could change things I would. There isn't a day I don't regret everything I am so sorry." Robert replied taking a step forward. Felicity jumped to her feet a pain shooting through her ankle.
"Don't move Mr Queen!" Robert froze looking around. His hand had landed in the control panel of the bomb.
"Seems like..." Malcolm spluttered out. "That you finally get what you deserve." Malcolm smirked before his eyes closed shut his hands falling to his sides. Felicity limped towards Robert, looking at the control panel.
"Your hands caught, the slightest knock could cause the bomb to blow." Robert pinched the bridge of his nose. "I can get you out Robert." Felicity said pleading with him.
"Felicity what's happening?" Oliver asked as he neared the building.
"Your dad's trapped in the bomb... I'm going to try to remove him without this thing going off."
"Felicity... This is dangerous get out of there."
"Nobody else will be able to get in here in time."
"Felicity!"
"No okay? I'm doing this!" She said raising her voice slightly. Oliver pushed on rushing even more to get to QC.
"You don't need to do this Miss Smoak... Save yourself." She shook her head as she leant in closer.
"If I move some of these wires, I might be able to free you." She gently placed her hand in slowly nudging a wire. There was a strange noise when suddenly a bright red counter appeared on the bomb. 10 minutes.
"Miss Smoak?" Robert said not moving.
"I... I can do this... I can get your hand out..."
"Felicity-"
"All I have to do is move the wires and your hand should be free."
"Felicity." She looked up then, shifting her weight off her bad ankle. He looked at her; a sad smile adorned his face. "Save yourself... My son worships you, so please for me my last wish, my actual last chance to do the right thing and be a real father." Felicity couldn't help the tears that adorned her face.
"I can do this..."
"I have no doubt but in 10 minutes, well less now, you could be out... You WILL be safe. Please Felicity I am begging you get out of here!" His voice rose slightly.
"I can't leave you... I can't do that to Oliver."
"Put me on to him." Robert said softly. "I have my phone." He pulled it from his pocket.
"I can connect the phone to his comms." She said taking his phone and in a few short taps she had sorted it.
"Oliver?"
"Dad? What's happening? Are you okay?"
"Oliver I'm stuck... I can't get out-"
"But Felicity-"
"No I told her to go."
"Did she?"
"No she's stood right here, she won't leave me... She doesn't want to give up on me." Felicity didn't stop the tears from falling then as she heard Olivers own deep breath. "You chose yourself a very good match son. She's a keeper Oliver."
"Dad..."
"We either die here, or Miss Smoak get's out."
"Robert I can get you out..." Felicity pleaded.
"Felicity I can see it in your eyes the uncertainty. There is no guarantee. My life, my life has been over for your years, this way I leave it on my terms protecting my family, the people, the city I love." He closed his eyes briefly then. "I love you Oliver but you need Felicity more than you will ever need me. So I am making this decision. Neither of you need to feel guilty but I need you to get her to leave."
"Dad..." Olivers voice sound almost broken. "I... Felicity…" She could hear his tears.
"I have done terrible things to a lot of people, I have destroyed a lot of lives but you two can make up for that. So please save yourselves." Felicity couldn't move.
"Our child Felicity... Our little son or daughter..." His voice was even more broken as Felicitys hand wandered to her stomach.
"Do it for them. Remember this is all my fault now go Felicity GO!" Robert shouted.
"Oliver I... I can't leave you father."
"And I can't lose both of you." It came out as a broken sob and Robert could see her heart breaking.
"Miss Smoak... You will make a fantastic mother but children should always come before your own life. I had forgotten that but not now, so please save my son and my grandchild." Felicity nodded as she turned her back slowly hobbling away. With every step more tears fell as she felt the weight of leaving Robert behind weigh heavy on her heart.
"Dad... I'm sor-"
"You have nothing to be sorry about son. I got mixed up in some bad things, and I'm choosing my family for once over myself so don't ever be sorry. Felicity tried her best but your children come first Oliver, remember that, family means more than anything." Oliver couldn't stop the tears as he pulled the bike up.
"You are always going to be my dad."
"Just never forget I did love you and everything I did I thought was right. I am truly sorry Oliver."
"Dad-"
"No okay; I'm going to hang up now. Felicity needs you, your child needs you be the father, the husband and the man I could never be. You can do real good son, tell Thea I love her and she can accomplish anything. Tell your mother I am sorry for everything I did."
"Dad I love you."
"I love you too." And with that Robert hung up the phone.
"Felicity?" Oliver practically whispered into the comms trying to hide the tears in his voice.
"Oliver I'm so sorry." Felicity sobbed as she tried to make her way through the QC basement.
"Hey listen to me this is not your fault."
"I could have helped-"
"No okay. Our child Felicity it matters more, my dad was right about that. You do anything for your children." He pulled his helmet off and started running down the street. "I'm coming Felicity I'm coming."
"Oliver I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner."
"Hey, don't worry about any of it just get out of QC."
"Okay." She said softly. She was at the back entrance. She pulled the handle but it wouldn't open. She tried the various codes but nothing worked. "Frack!"
"Felicity what is it?"
"The back door is locked!"
"They must have the building on lock down. You need to come through the main entrance."
"I don't know if I'm going to make it Oliver."
"No okay? There is one thing I am certain of you are a fighter! You're so strong Felicity. You made me into a better person, and I'm sorry that I said what I said." Oliver stopped short as he saw the barricades surrounding QC. "I just I needed to protect you and now look-"
"This isn't your fault Oliver. I got myself in this mess." He could hear her rushing the breathlessness in her tone evidence of that.
"I'm coming Felicity. I'll always come for you."
"I know when it counts you will."
"No I mean always, I'm not pushing you away anymore." Oliver ran towards the barricades his leg throbbing, his ribs aching, he slipped passed them when several arms grabbed him pulling him back.
"Sir this is a safety zone. If that thing blows-"
"No! I need to get in there." Oliver protested trying hard to fight, he threw a punch and one let go, but before he had a chance to do anything more bodies surrounded him restraining him.
"I'm nearly there Oliver it's okay." Felicity said softly. Oliver tried to relax but he still fought against the men holding him. He glanced recognising their Agency uniforms, knowing it was only their job but he needed to get to her.
Suddenly there was a deafening explosion. The ground shook and he watched in horror as QC collapsed before his very eyes.
"FELICITY!"Oliver screamed fighting against the arms pulling him further back. The dust clouds were blinding as it surrounded him. "FELICITY!" He screamed even louder. He willed her to respond to him, his hand reaching for the comms. "Felicity please! I love you!"
"Let him go!" A voice commanded and instantly the arms disappeared Oliver fell to his knees. He let the pain over take him, let the dust burn his eyes as he couldn't stop the tears. He saw Diggle kneel with him. "I'm sorry man." He said a hand on his shoulder. His head dropped as he cried for everything he had lost. The guilt, the pain, everything over took his body and he welcomed it with ease as he fell to the floor letting the darkness over take him.
