Author's Notes:

For first time readers, additional information about warnings can be found here.

And for anyone who knows this area of the world well, the ball court described here is modeled after the Grand Ball Court in Chichen Itza and not the smaller one found in Palenque. I appreciate your suspension of disbelief. We'll just say it's a different universe.

To Sacrifice the Sun

Chapter Seven

September 16, 2016
23:03
Palenque Ruins, Mexico

"Come on, Sunshine, we need to kick Slade's cocky ass back to Australia."

Felicity put her hand in Oliver's without stopping to think. Maybe it was the same instinct that had her step in front of that bullet in Tikal. Or maybe it was the shocking use of his special name for her, the one she hadn't heard in over five years. But, whatever it was, she couldn't not take Oliver's hands when they were offered to her.

Almost instantly, Felicity regretted her decision. Not the touching him. Never that. (Well maybe that. It certainly wasn't good for her equilibrium). But…when the shock and awe of the nickname and the beautiful hands reaching for her and the lovely timber of his voice cleared, Felicity realized exactly what Oliver intended and…

Oh hell no!

But for some reason, those words did not emerge from Felicity's throat. And before she could make them...

"Do you trust me?" Oliver asked, pulling her to her feet and Felicity was pretty sure she'd heard that in a Disney movie once, though she couldn't remember which one. It probably didn't matter, since coming from Oliver's lips they were just about impossible to say 'no' to.

She did wonder if it was trick question. Was it a purposeful reference she should understand? Or a manipulation? Or…oh, it didn't matter. Oliver asked if Felicity trusted him and there was only one answer.

"Um…sure." And, maybe, if Oliver wasn't asking her to do something insane and humiliating and ridiculous, Felicity would have delivered it a tad more decisively.

Even so, he should take it as the compliment it was, because if anyone else tried to do what Oliver was about to do, Felicity would have laughed in their face. Then probably hit them with her shoe.

Grinning, Oliver stepped behind her, manhandling her as if they still had that kind of relationship (and it was so easy and familiar it kind of felt like they did) and did he drink more than Felicity thought he had? Because after everything that had happened between them, she had a really hard time understanding why he wanted anything to do with her.

"I haven't become any more athletic, you know," Felicity babbled, her nerves kicking in. "Remember me? Felicity Smoak? Awkward, clumsy, hates sports? And…eeep!"

Oliver hoisted her up and before Felicity knew what was happening she was six feet taller and her thighs were resting on the shoulders she'd been admiring all night. The bare shoulders. The warm…strong…smooth…supple…

And, oh dear god, this was high and it was very dark and…

Crap. Crap. Crap. She was going to die!

"Oliver," Felicity whimpered, panicking as she frantically grabbed for something to hold on to, clutching his head and searching for a better grip. "I don't know about this!" Which just might be code for, 'Put me doooown!'

"Just hook your legs under my arms and behind my back," Oliver instructed, calmly. And Felicity was pretty sure that described a position they had tried in bed. And out of bed. More than once.

It was very distracting.

But Oliver didn't seem distracted at all. How was he so nonchalant with all the touching and the double intenders and the half-nakedness? Maybe Felicity should take off her shirt and she how he handled that!

Except, Oliver was clearly more focused on Slade and winning the stupid Game. The one Felicity really should have put an end to hours ago.

"I won't drop you," Oliver promised.

"It's not you I'm worried about," Felicity squeaked as he began to move, her fingers winding into his hair to keep her balance, but before she could even feel bad about it, she realized that it was too short to pull on now. That was disappointing.

"You can do this," Oliver encouraged, sounding certain. And how, exactly, did he know this? But, damn, he was single minded when he wanted to be and there was nothing this man wouldn't do to win.

"Uh huh," Felicity tried to agree, but it came out more terrified than anything. Because she wanted to help him, she did, and she wanted to prove him right, but…Oliver might have the reflexes of a jungle cat, but hers flat out sucked!

Oliver squeezed her calves in a reassuring way, one that absolutely did not cause a shot of desire to scurry across Felicity's skin.

Okay, it so did. Why did Oliver have to be so goddamn sexy all the time?

Great, now Felicity was freaked out by being so high, completely unsure of her ability to play this game, never mind help them win, and aroused. This was some kinda night.

But Oliver had just taken a huge step toward forgiveness and reconciliation when he initiated this, even if it was just in the name of friendship. Which, of course, was all Felicity could possibly hope for.

Even if it was just because Oliver was competitive as frak. But if it was just that, Oliver could have chosen Caitlin. But he chose Felicity, and…oh, she couldn't read his mind, but she could…and would meet him halfway. Anything to get him to forgive himself, right? And maybe her in the process? Even if she humiliated herself and maybe broke her neck a little.

Felicity made herself let go of her death grip on Oliver's scalp, even though it made her feel exceedingly precarious and she didn't like it one bit.

"Okay, now what?" Felicity asked, taking a steadying breath.

"Roy will pass you the ball," Oliver explained. "All you have to do is toss it through the ring."

"Oh, is that all?" Felicity resisted the urge to laugh like a maniac. But, in the end, she didn't have time to do or say anything, because Oliver was moving and, being as she was attached to him at the moment, it seemed she was going with him.

"Ready?" Digg asked, stepping forward with the ball and getting into position…a position they had made up less than an hour before.

Roy nodded the affirmative from her (Oliver's) left and Puppy looked like he was going to wrestle Digg for the ball, shifting from side to side on the balls of his feet. Roy was rather pretty without his shirt on, just as Felicity had imagined. Though not nearly as mature and defined as Oliver.

For the first time, Felicity remembered that there were other people on this field. Like a lot of other people. All of whom were looking at her, most of them with some version of a knowing grin, goddamn them. She wished the lot of them were a whole lot less invested in her (nonexistent) love life.

Though, Felicity had a feeling Slade's smirk was because he was certain she was going to fall flat on her face. Which she very well may if gravity and physics had anything to say about it. Sara seemed comfortable on Slade's shoulders, but if anyone could defy gravity it was her.

Then before Felicity could protest, Digg tossed the ball up into the air and, instantly, everyone had their game faces were on.

Felicity had a feeling her 'game face' resembled abject terror.

Digg and Roy dove for the ball. Now, that damn rubber ball was heavy but, man, could it bounce. It sprung off of the wall and flew…oh dear god, toward them.

No, actually it was flying just past them, but Oliver shot out an arm, lunging to the side, and hit the thing, making it careen toward Roy again.

Okay, that was terrifying. The whole Oliver lunging to the side thing. But he didn't seem to think it was a matter for concern. The shoulder muscles under Felicity's thighs were relaxed and he gave her a distracted pat as he started moving closer to the hoop, jogging backwards…which she didn't like either, by the way.

Roy and Digg scrambled for the ball below her, John stopping the bouncing with his body as they both fell to the ground. Felicity had a unique view, being so much taller than them, and it was so much scarier from her perspective. Arms, legs, rolling around on the grass. She couldn't even see the ball.

And, boy, Puppy was fierce. He certainly looked like he had something to prove and he was not going to give his CO an inch. But Felicity worried that he was going to get hurt from Digg's huge arms. Or legs. Or any body part really. Did she mention Digg was huge? He had it all over Roy in strength, but Puppy was quick and agile, Felicity would give him that.

Digg managed to extract the ball from the pile of limbs and threw it to Sara but, somehow, Roy was up and intercepted it, turning quickly and throwing it to…oh god, her.

Acting on instinct, Felicity's hands flew up to shield her face, wincing as she did, which probably wasn't in the spirit of the game. She heard a bark of laughter from Slade and, out of the corner of her eye, Felicity saw Caitlin dissolve into mirth as well. Felicity would seriously like to see her friend up here if she thought it was so easy.

Felicity was about to suggest that when Oliver managed to intercept the ball and toss it up to her.

Miraculously, Felicity caught it. Getting a good grip with both hands was easy on the ground. Eight-ish feet off the ground? Not so much.

Felicity was wrong about this Game. It wasn't anything like basketball. It was an odd mix of football and volleyball, with maybe a little Quidditch thrown in.

No sooner did she catch the ball, then Sara and Slade charged her like a giant freakish giraffe. Felicity screamed and Oliver yelled, "Hold on," and then she screamed louder because he grabbed her knees and ran, with her on his goddamn shoulders, head-on for the hoop.

Felicity couldn't look, she had the distinct feeling that she was going to collide with that stone hoop (which was absurd since it was still ten feet above her) and held the ball in front of her face as a shield. She heard Curtis join the laughter this time and didn't regret her participation in the chili incident. At all.

"Throw!" Oliver yelled, interrupting her thoughts. Slade and Sara were still charging from the side, the stone hoop…was really really high…

Again, purely on instinct, she followed Oliver's command. Felicity threw the ball. She didn't even look where she was sending it. She just tossed it up in the air and when it started to fall back down toward her head she punched it, like a volleyball. It was more self-preservation than anything else. That ball was heavy and she'd had concussions before. They sucked.

There was no way the ball was going anywhere near that hoop. But, at this point, Felicity would settle for not killing herself…

Oh dear lord in heaven.

It went through!

No way!

Huh.

Guess playing Quidditch in High School didn't look do silly after all!

"Yes!" Oliver threw his hands up in victory. "That's my girl!" he roared.

And while his words sent Felicity's heart racing, everyone else seemed to dismiss it as completely normal, so it must just be a sports thing and not nearly as significant as it felt.

"Boo-Yaa!" Roy yelled, jumping up and down, completely hammered. At least it seemed like he was. Maybe it wasn't the rum at all, just another one of those sports things Felicity didn't understand. "Take that, Old Man," Roy yelled toward Slade.

Then he turned and high-fived, first Oliver, then jumped up to high-five Felicity and, while being part of a team was fun, being slapped enthusiastically while she was six feet up, made her remember gravity was not on her side and she clenched her thighs tighter around Oliver…

Oh, why did Felicity's brain have to put things that way? Wasn't she flustered enough?

"I wouldn't get too cocky, kid," Slade called back, getting back in position. "Beginners luck, was all that was. Princess up there threw a Hail Mary. No way she can do it again."

And, while Felicity secretly agreed with Slade, Roy yelled, "Bring it on!" and, lord, he sounded like a college football player at a kegger. Not that they'd had those at MIT, so Felicity was just assuming. She'd seen movies though. That was what real-life frat parties look like, right?

Oliver brought her back over to 'position' and, seriously, did they have to do this again? Not that sitting on Oliver's warm bare shoulders, while his hands ran along Felicity's legs was a bad way to die…

They were facing Slade and Sara, both whom had their game faces on and Felicity really didn't see how she had any chance of beating Sara in the long run. The first time she really had gotten lucky.

Felicity met her friend's eyes and made a face that must have shown how she felt, because Sara gave her a thumbs up and called, "You're doing great!"

That made Slade freeze and send an incredulous frown up at his partner. "Hey, killer, she's the enemy here. Don't you go soft on me."

"Sorry," Sara laughed. Then she lifted her face to Felicity and yelled out, "You're doing great, but we're still gonna to kick your ass."

It made Felicity, and everyone else, laugh. Well, anyone with a sense of humor, which wasn't many of them since most of the men looked like they were playing for their first born…oh, damn, poor choice of words. Thank god, she hadn't said that out loud.

But then The Game started again and Felicity didn't have time to think about anything except not dying in a humiliating sports related accident. She could see it now. 'Yes, Mrs. Smoak, your daughter died in the line of duty to her country and the world. How, you ask? Oh, she was playing a two-thousand-year old ball game.'

The ball was in the air and Felicity really needed to stop getting distracted. Oliver was running and, sometimes, Felicity really didn't think he remembered that she was on his shoulders because he seemed to be running as quickly as he did without her up here. She wasn't a bodily appendage. But when she told him that he just laughed and didn't slow down in the slightest.

Somehow, as Roy so eloquently put it, they 'brought it.' It turned out, Felicity's goal wasn't a complete fluke. She kept scoring (it really helped to imagine they were playing Quidditch and she was the chaser. It was even more fun when she considered Oliver her Firebolt).

Their team caught up, astoundingly, and Felicity became less nervous the longer they played. It was actually kind of fun once she realized that Oliver really wasn't going to let her fall. And her body seemed to trust him more than Felicity trusted herself, so really she could do anything, lunge and reach and throw herself over to get the ball…and Oliver just moved with her. Seamlessly. She was never even close to getting hurt. It was actually kind of amazing.

So the anxiety got better. The arousal on the other hand…

Oliver's warm and sweaty shoulders under and between her thighs, her shorts ridding up, their skin sweat-soaked and sliding against each other's, his muscles moving below hers…how the hell was Felicity supposed to survive this? How could any woman? Never mind one that was in love with him? One, who, by the way, had suffered a five-plus-year draught?

After Tikal, Felicity had just sort of…turned off the sexual part of her. It wasn't an issue. She really hadn't been interested. Actually, there had been a part of her who…feared maybe that the removal of some of those lady parts had taken away her sex drive for good. A quick google search seemed to say otherwise, but even so, it made sense to her. Evolutionarily, if she couldn't have a baby why would her body want sex?

Oh, how wrong she had been. It seemed the problem wasn't that the surgery made her asexual, but that Felicity herself had long ago become…Oliversexual. Yes, her body was only interested in one man. This man. The one who was currently between her thighs.

The one completely focused on getting a giant rubber ball through a stone hoop and beating a smart-ass Australian.

Felicity lost track of just how long she was seated on Oliver's shoulders…and there was no way to even think that without it sounding dirty. And all that did was remind her how, unfortunately, it wasn't.

She wouldn't be surprised if someone told her that she had been up there for hours. Damn, the man had stamina…

And there she went again. Felicity wished she could stop thinking about Oliver's stamina.

The game went back and forth. The teams meeting each other shot for shot. Not even Felicity was going to call it quits until they won. Because as much as this was torture, she had no idea when the next time she would have the privilege of being this close to Oliver again. If ever. She wasn't going to waste this chance.

Though, Felicity had a feeling that she was the only one with a reason to keep the game going that wasn't the overriding need to win.

Finally, Sara got the ball and Roy went for the jugular. Catching Slade off guard, he dove for the older man's knees, sending all three of them flying off the ground and landing in a heap in the grass and dirt.

In the end, Roy was sprawled over Slade's legs, pinning him to the ground. Though that was helped by the fact that Sara was laying across both off them, laughing her ass off despite the fact that she must be covered in scrapes and bruises, not to mention grass and dust.

"Uncle!" Roy yelled. "Cry 'uncle'!"

"What's that, kid?" Slade laughed, only somewhat winded. "You say 'uncle'? You give in? Why, thank you! I accept."

"Ha! Nice try, old man. We got you beat!" Roy persisted, trying to get up, but Sara wasn't budging. She had thrown herself, spread eagle, on her back, across Roy and was laughing with delight.

Shaking his head, Digg came over to offer Sara a hand and hauled her to her feet. "I think it may be time to call it a night, man."

"What! Never!" Slade yelled, pushing Roy off of him with an angry shove. "This is all your fault, big man," he accused John, pointing a finger at him. "If you'd been willing to tackle those two we would have won half an hour ago."

Felicity stiffened, horrified. Had that been an option? She did not sign up for that being an option! Oliver ran his hands over her knees in a soothing manner and yelled back, "As if you could have gotten near us!"

John rolled his eyes at all of them. "As if I'd risk hurting Felicity." Then he gave Slade a look. "You crazy?"

"And what? I'm expendable?" Sara demanded, her words bellied by her wide grin as she brushed herself off.

Digg scoffed. "No. Unbreakable. Also taking you down doesn't bring out the rage monster over there." He shoved a thumb over his shoulder at Oliver.

Okay. Felicity got a little nervous at how Oliver would take that one. Generally, he was under very good control over their emotions, but it had been a team joke all those years ago: Everyone knew the way to get Oliver to fly off the handle was to threaten Felicity, even when their relationship had been a 'secret.' It was a fact Slade had always enjoyed poking at.

But that was then and this was now. And John just insinuated…well, he was talking about them like their relationship hadn't changed in the last five years, which was possibly the most ludicrous thing Felicity could imagine.

Whatever was going on between them now (and Felicity had no idea what that was) she was pretty sure that it was pretty damn fragile. And it was becoming increasingly important to her. She really didn't want her friends' casual remarks messing anything up. It was bad enough that she had worry about her messing it up.

So, Felicity was very thankful that when she peaked down at Oliver, he was smirking at the other team, completely relaxed and unbothered by the comments. Maybe even pleased, though she might be reading into this. Did he want to erase the last five years? God knew, Felicity did. But she, for one, knew how impossible that was.

But then…a thought occurred to her. Leaning down, Felicity hissed in Oliver's ear (or as close as she could get from her position), "You planned this didn't you? You knew Digg would never tackle you if you were carrying me."

Oliver shrugged, which was really weird because it kinda made Felicity bounce a little and an hour ago that would have terrified her but now she just rolled her eyes as Oliver drawled, "It might have occurred to me. It wasn't my main reason for bringing you in, but…"

Had Felicity ever mentioned that Oliver might just be a tactical genius? And it was sexy as frak, god help her. And, also, what was the main reason? That was question that was sure to keep her up all night.

Oliver hands clenched Felicity's knees as he yelled out, "Come on, you damn Aussie. We gonna finish this game or are you admitting defeat!"

Ah damn. This game was never gonna end. Felicity was tired, sweaty and, well, she didn't know how long she could sit up here with her dignity intact.

So why was she smiling?

"Never!" Slade yelled back in his usual menacing voice. It must be terrifying when he was wielding a sword, instead of just struggling to put five and half feet of blond back on his shoulders.

It didn't look like he was having nearly as easy a time of it as he had a few hours ago. Felicity could see that the muscles in Slade's arms were actually spasming as he lifted Sara. The man was strong, no one would ever question that, but this game had been going on for a very long time. Maybe it was time to call it quits. Felicity was perfectly fine in calling it a draw. Actually, that sounded like an excellent plan.

"Hey, man, I think they may have won," Digg told Slade, very reasonably, locking eyes with Sara, who just shrugged. She seemed game for just about anything.

But Digg's words just pissed Slade off even more. Apparently, a teammate considering forfeiting was a special kind of betrayal. Felicity was starting to worry that Oliver was going to have to knock him unconscious if they ever wanted to end this.

"Not yet!" Slade screamed, stubbornly standing with Sara on his shoulders, letting out a grunt that had Roy and Oliver exchanging amused, and triumphant, smiles. "I'll have you remember I've been carrying Sara longer, you wanker!"

"I'm not tired," Oliver yelled back and Felicity could tell by his tone he was smiling. "I could go all night."

And, lord, did he have to use phrases like that? As if Felicity's already overactive imagination needed any help. Because Oliver could go all night. It was something Felicity knew first hand…and those thoughts just had her squirming uncomfortably on top off him and praying that The Game ended before he realized what was going on.

But, then, mother nature decided for all of them.

The promised rain of earlier finally broke the oppressive humidity and the skies opened up. There were no warning showers, just an instant deluge that had them all soaked before they could even comprehend what was happening.

Which may have been lucky because, not only did it end a potentially endless game, it power-washed eight sweaty and, well, filthy individuals who otherwise may have gone a week or more without a shower. Though, bye-bye straight hair. That was the end of that. For this mission anyway.

Also, now Felicity remembered why she preferred contacts for the field. Being able to see was useful, well, all the time and as cool as Cisco's glasses were they didn't come with windshield wipers.

There was moment where everyone just stood there, shocked. Then Sara let out a loud guffaw that was barely heard over the pounding rain and everyone dispersed, running in every direction at once to save their gear (most of which was water proof anyway. ARGUS wasn't stupid).

Oliver lifted Felicity off his shoulders slowly and carefully, which she appreciated, and she stumbled on legs that she hadn't realized were as sore and cramped as they were. It just showed how distracting he was. Though, maybe, Oliver's body had just served a heating pads for her tired muscles.

His hand found her elbow, steadying her. And Felicity just wanted to let go. To fall into Oliver, tilt her head up for a kiss. If she let herself, she could forget the last five years ever happened.

"Are you okay!?" Oliver yelled over the roar of the rain. The downpour was loud enough that Felicity barely made out the words. And she had to blink herself back to reality to remind herself her fantasy wasn't already a reality, that she was standing several feet away and not in his arms.

The world was distorted by the heavy rivulets of water running down her glasses but, somehow, she was still able to catch a really good look at Oliver's rain drenched skin. If there was ever a moment Felicity wanted to turn back time, this was it, because once upon a time she would have had every right to drink the rain from Oliver's neck and it looked very, very lickable right now.

They'd had sex in a heavy summer rain before. Felicity had forgotten. Or hadn't thought about it in years, at least. But, right then, she couldn't think about anything else. It had been fantastic.

"Felicity? You okay?" Oliver repeated, looking concerned and she had to wonder if he had any clue that she was standing there, frozen from sexual frustration. Would he do anything different if he knew?

"Yeah. I'm good!" Felicity yelled back, because she really couldn't yell, 'I need to climb you like a tree. Can we forget about the last five years and find somewhere to fuck in the rain?'

Not that she ever would have said something so crude, but…

Felicity wiped off her glasses and…oh dear god, Oliver was staring at her chest. His eyes were fixated on where her shirt had become soaked through and, eh hem, see-through. And the look in his eyes gave Felicity the distinct impression that he wouldn't be opposed to any tree climbing she might suggest. The way his chest rose and fell, his breathing harder than it was when he was running full tilt with her on his shoulders told a similar story.

Was she actually considering this? That Felicity realized now how much she still wanted him physically was one thing, but the fact that she was now actually contemplating…but if Oliver initiated something, in that moment, she couldn't imagine where she would find the strength to deny him—

"Oi! You two going to stand there having eye-sex all night in a bloody flood or are you going to help!" Slade yelled.

And, yeah, if anything was going to break the spell it was that.

Thank you, Slade. Now, please go jump off a cliff. Felicity knew there was a reason he was her least favorite member if the team.

Out of the corner of her eye, Felicity did get the pleasure of witnessing both Caitlin and Sara take the time to smack Slade on the back of his stubborn Aussie head.

But the moment was over. Oliver wouldn't even look at her.

It was probably for the best…what was she thinking? It was definitely for the best! Felicity couldn't have sex with Oliver! Not when he didn't know her secret. He would find out eventually and then he would be devastated…then she would be devastated. No, Slade did her a favor. Damn him.

With nothing better to do, Felicity ran off to gather what was left of their gear and move it to the covered stone pavilion where the Mayan Royals once watched their terrible game.

Most of the work had already been done and the tents, thankfully, put up earlier that evening, so there wasn't much left for Felicity to do. Which was good, because she was pretty much useless and her eyes kept drifting to Oliver's backside as he bent to lift the heavier equipment.

Reminding herself that she couldn't have him didn't seem to stop Felicity's rampaging libido. Was there such thing as a wet shorts contest? There should be. The way the material clung to that ass…

Felicity would have forgotten to come in from the rain (quite literally) if Sara hadn't dragged her inside their tent. Caitlin probably would have left her out there on the off chance that something might still happen. (Felicity still didn't understand how Caitlin, of all people, thought that was a good idea).

But then again, Caitlin's advice was to tell Oliver the truth and the longer they spent together, the more Felicity thought that was unavoidable. Inevitable even.

Her thoughts an increasingly jumbled mess, Felicity found herself standing in the middle of Sara and Caitlin as the three struggled to get out of their soaking wet clothes and muttered about how, though they all wore standard issue quick dry-clothing, they hoped there would be at least some sun tomorrow to dry them.

Imagine if it rained for the rest of this stupid mission? It would be just Felicity's luck that after complaining about the heat, she was stuck wet and miserable for days on end.

"So…" Sara sent Felicity a shrewd little smile as she wriggled out of her shorts. "Things seem to be looking up with Ollie, hmm?"

Sara peeled off her wet bra and, while her nudity didn't bother Felicity in the slightest, she was in such a state that that any bare skin reminded her of Oliver's bare skin and all Felicity could think was that he was in the tent next to theirs pulling off his wet clothes.

Was he completely naked by now? Would he shake off the rain like a wet animal? Oliver sometimes did that. It was so fraking sexy. Was he walking around, his ass beautiful and bare?

Felicity bet he was. The men had even less modesty than Sara. He might even sleep naked on a night like this. What was she saying? He almost always slept naked.

Letting out a low whimper, Felicity could only hope the pounding rain drowned out the sound. She closed her eyes, pulling off her glasses and placing them aside. All she could see was water droplets running down Oliver's tanned chest anyway. Down, down…

"Sara, let her process," Caitlin murmured and Felicity didn't realize that she hadn't answered Sara's question until that moment. It was a good thing that Caitlin seemed to have answered for her because Felicity couldn't for the life of her remember what that question was.

But what was Felicity supposed to process exactly? The fact that she was practically shaking with lust for her ex-boyfriend? Who may or may not be interested in trying something again when the rain cleared and the sun came back up? The one who had every right to never speak to her again once he knew the whole truth? Hell, it was a miracle he was talking to her now!

But Oliver refusing to talk to her after learning the truth was one of the better scenarios, because the truth may also make him sink even further into self-loathing. Which may lead to him going on another of ARGUS' suicide missions in an attempt to further self-flagellate. Was there something out there worse than Russia?

Felicity dried off as quickly as she could, pulled on her pajamas (because she sure as hell wasn't sleeping naked) and climbed into her thin sleeping bag, which (unfortunately) was between her friends.

As soon as Sara was settled next to her, she whispered, "So you done processing, yet? Maybe we can help?"

"Hmmm?" was Felicity's intelligent response because as soon as she got in between the fabric, she imagined Oliver's naked body between the sheets. What if he was aroused? If he was, he certainly couldn't walk around naked…Felicity let out an involuntary whimper.

"Yeah, she's processing all right!" Sara laughed.

"Maybe what I should have said was, 'leave her alone,'" Caitlin hissed, in full Mama Bear mode, likely due to guilt she felt from sending Oliver to fetch her for dinner. Or didn't send. Or…either way Felicity was starting to think maybe she should thank her.

"She's a big girl," Sara argued. "With big girl feeeeelings. In big girl places."

Felicity groaned and hid her head in the tiny pillow.

"Sara!" Caitlin shifted her weight onto her elbows to smack Sara with her pillow, which, since they were so close, ended up hitting Felicity In the back of the head.

Oh god! They were going to bicker over her all night if she let them.

Felicity unburied her head from the pillow and said (quite reasonably if she did say so herself) "I'm just glad Oliver and I are on speaking terms again." Then she very deliberately leaned over to turn out the last battery-operated lantern and said, "Good night."

Sara grumbled, but there was no more arguing. Or harassment for that matter. But then Felicity questioned the intelligence of that move, since the pounding rain was doing nothing to block out her thoughts.

And when she closed her eyes, all she saw was Oliver. Wet Oliver. Smiling Oliver. Oliver handing her chili. Oliver calling her 'Sunshine.'

Dear lord, she was falling in love with a man she had never fallen out of love with. And it really wasn't fair. Lustful thoughts alternated with guilt. And all the terrible ways this could all end.

Then Sara started to snore.

It was going to be a long night.

Author's Note:

Check out supplemental information on TSTS on my Tumblr (Emmilynestill) as well as updates on my posting:

And final shout outs to: Fairytalehearts and ireland1733 for all they do!

Don't forget to let me know what you think!

Emmy