A/N: I am so sorry that it has taken me so long to get this next chapter out. I have been participating in some lengthy events lately so my WIPS have been pushed to the side. I am happy to announce though that there is an end in sight with this WIP in particular. I have finished the next chapter which is the pivotal point in this story, so I will hopefully be able to wrap it up before 2020 is complete.

Follow me on social media if you're interested in keeping up with my life in general! My penname will lead the way.

Love always,
~starr

Oliver stared at the building in front of him. Going out in the field without Felicity's voice in his ear just wasn't the same. He didn't have anyone telling him how many warm bodies were on the other side of the door or where the next sneak attack was coming from.

He couldn't believe that Slade let his defenses fall. Any of his other hideouts were crawling with armed guards. It appeared as though he wasn't protecting this building at all. Oliver started to grow, concerned that he was in the wrong location.

"You aren't in the wrong place, Oliver."

Lyla's voice caught him off guard at first. He furrowed his brow and started looking around for a way inside.

"It was stupid of you just to run off like that, you know," Lyla chastised.

Oliver rolled his eyes and continued his search. Maybe if he didn't answer her, then the annoying voice would go away. His other option was to take the com out of his ear and smash it. But something was stopping him from doing just that. There was a nagging voice in the back of his mind telling him that he knew better than to destroy an important piece of tech.

The thought of her voice brought a smile to his face. He wanted to hear her voice again. He wanted to see her face and watch her turn red when she realized that she was rambling. He also felt a strong desire to wrap Felicity up in his arms and hold her close to him. Try as he might push those feelings aside, he knew that he would never be able to ignore them truly.

"If you think you can just ignore me and I'll go away, then you'll be sorely disappointed, Oliver. I'm not going anywhere until we find Felicity and get her home safe," she insisted. "Besides, if you don't say something soon, I'll just be forced to keep talking in the hopes that you'll listen to at least something I say, taking it to heart and doing something about it."

Oliver shook his head as he found a side door that was cracked open. Puzzled by the overly obvious way in to Slade's evil lair, Oliver looked back over his shoulder to ensure that he wasn't being followed. Once he was sure of that fact, he pushed the door open with his foot and took a step inside.

"Oliver," John called, stopping Oliver in his tracks. "I know you weren't about to go in there without some kind of back up."

"I think that's exactly what he was about to do," Lyla chimed in over the coms. Oliver could hear a giddiness in her voice.

"Would the two of you shut up?" Oliver growled.

"Oh, he does speak," Lyla teased, snickering under her breath. "It looks like you two have a clear path in through that door. The only heat sources I'm picking up are on the far side of the building. I can only see four sources."

"Slade, Felicity, and two bodyguards," John said, nodding his head slowly.

"Something about this doesn't add up," Oliver replied, scrubbing a hand over his face. "Why would Slade bring her here with only two bodyguards? He's going something planned."

"So, what's the plan?" John asked.

"This is between Slade and me. I'm going into that room alone," Oliver said, pulling his bow over his shoulder and grasping it tightly. He took a step towards the side door and then felt John's hand on his shoulder. He exhaled sharply and glanced over his shoulder. "Let go of me."

"You aren't going in there alone," John grumbled. "I'm going with you."

"This doesn't involve you, John," Oliver hissed, pulling his shoulder away from John's hand. "I'm not putting your life in danger because Slade has a vendetta out against me."

"You don't get a say in this, Oliver. You already ditched the help from A.R.G.U.S. when you stormed out of the bunker earlier. You aren't ditching me too," John said, crossing his arms over his chest. "Now, lead the way."