Chapter Three

Trying to upload as fast I as I can, enjoy the third chapter!

The Quiver Star City 1:07:01 AM

"This just in breaking news, this is Vicki Vale, I'm in front of Gotham General Hospital which we believe Felicity Smoak was admitted less than 20 minutes ago. This is a developing story; we'll get back to you thank you."

Dig quickly turn on his comms to inform Oliver but he was engaging an enemy.

"Where's Joker?" He threatened the thug, over time the Hood and Arrow became more and more brutal with their takedowns. The thug ran away only to be stopped by an arrow, he turned to see the Green Arrow, took out his gun and tried to shoot his way out. Green Arrow took out another arrow, that made the criminal's hands tied, dropping his weapon, and being hung on. Green Arrow was in between the Hood and Arrow, naturally he wasn't sure which frightened people more.

"Joker." Green Arrow punched him, making the thug move closer to the edge, as he swung over the ground. "I want a location!"

"No, I can't he'll kill me."

"What do you think I'm going to do?" He punched him harder, pushing further from a generous amount of space from the edge of the building.

"You're not going to do it." The criminal spat out, he wasn't sure what he was more afraid of, him being used as a human punching bag swing, the height, or the man in green with an intimidation skill.

"Give me a location and I won't have to." He snarled.

"Word's out on you, man. You'll kill but only when you have to." Right after that sentenced Green Arrow pushed him until he was swinging right off the building, he looked down it was a hell of a fall, not enough to kill, enough to hurt.

"Son of a bitch!" The thug yelled frightened and tried to swing free.

"Oh, don't worry. You'll live."

Green Arrow turned his back and walked away knowing that he will talk soon.

"All right! All right. He's out of the city, I think in Gotham." Green Arrow stopped dead in his tracks and turned to him.

"Where can I find him?"

"I don't know I picked up a package for him, on a different corner each night never directly to him."

"What's in the package?"

"Explosives, Stardust, and supplies, last night was last delivery."

"Give me a location."

"Sure, it's on my phone, in my pocket." Green Arrow checked his pocket took out his phone and was about to walk away, until the idiot decided to push his buttons one last time.

"Good idea, you could use a high and a laugh, chill out a bit."

He turned to face the criminal looking into his eyes before informing him,

"I'm not going to kill you, but I can't guarantee you'll walk away from this." Green Arrow threw an arrow star at the rope, making the thug scream and fall, walked away from him.

"Spartan, I'm heading back to the lair, I got some information on Joker's whereabouts."

"I got better news; Felicity is in Gotham General Hospital the news broke out while you were interrogating."

Just before he can ask, he got an incoming call from an unknown source, he let the line in.

"Oracle here, Green Arrow, she's recovering in Gotham General. Private jet hanger 7, 1 hour." Then the line went dead, Oliver felt like he could breathe again, but first things first. He must head back to the lair to change and head to Gotham.

"Diggle I'm on my way back, pack a bag we're going to Gotham. Oh, be sure to call an ambulance, our friend, says he can't feel his legs."

Once Oliver made it back to the lair, the whole team was there talking all at once, but the same name was being used, "Felicity". Once they noticed Oliver, they all stopped talking and waited for him to say a few words.

"Alright Digg and I need to go we have a jet to catch." Which caused the group to once again to start talking all at once.

"Oliver you just became the mayor!"

"What do you mean you and Dig? I'm going!"

"I want to go see Felicity."

"Dammit Felicity is going to have fun with me being a delivery boy."

"Enough!" Oliver yelled over the noise to welcoming silence.

"Thea, Lance I need you to stay and cover for me while I'm out. The city will go into panic if the mayor is missing. I know there is a meeting about housing but since both of you are well informed, I am positive that you will do well. Laurel, Roy, the city needs you two, keep it light since we do not have the manpower or womanpower. If you see something do some recon, Felicity and Cisco managed to make some trackers, also Sara will be coming in while I'm gone give her a briefing." Oliver turned to face his sister. "Thea, do you think you can be Speedy? It's only if it's necessary, if not we understand, we'll manage."

"Only if it's necessary I'll do it." Oliver nodded proudly at his sister and faced the others before continuing. "We don't know how long we will be gone but please take care of each other and the city. If you need us immediately give us a call. Dig, we have to leave now."

"Ollie be safe and tell Felicity we will be waiting." Thea hugged her brother, he hugged her back as well.

"We'll keep you posted."

As Dig speeds through the traffic of Star City, Oliver got to thinking about how Joker knew about Felicity. She was trying to create a better place for Star City, affordable housing, giving electricity to people who cannot afford it, and Oliver knows about how Felicity is creating a chip for damaged spinal cords. The people of Star City call her a saint, but Felicity said it should not be about making a profit it should be for the people and by the people. That comment made her even more popular but even before then she was connected working with the Arrow.

Everything you touch dies, you are being selfish, you are going to bring death and pain to her door. The voice inside Oliver's head. She will die a painful death; she will suffer because you brought this to her.

No, I can protect her. He argued with himself. Felicity and I deserve to be happy even if it is tough, I can protect her.

Really? What have you accomplished? The voice continued. You've lost Shado, Sara twice before Laurel saved her. Crime's not down and Thea is in ten different kinds of pain right now. You couldn't even save your own mother. You brought monsters from your world into their world if you really loved Felicity let her go before, she becomes one of your ghosts.

Ghost. Oliver felt cold as he heard that word, the voice was right Felicity will suffer with him.

"We're here. I know what you're thinking don't go there. Don't go there." Dig said.

"Really? How can I not blame myself, I told her I will always protect her but I failed." Oliver grabbed his bag and walked towards the jet.

"Oliver Queen and John Diggle, I presume." An older British gentleman greeted. Both men said yes at the same time. "My name is Alfred Pennyworth and I will be driving you to see Miss Smoak once we arrive to Gotham. Master Bruce wanted you to use his personal jet."

"Bruce Wayne?" Oliver raised an eyebrow. "How does he know Oracle?" Until it dawned to him, son of-

"Really? What is it with billionaires wanting to get shot at and jumping from rooftops?" Dig sarcastically asked causing Alfred to chuckle lightly.

"I believe it's the adrenaline rush they seek, Sergeant Diggle."

"You can call me John or Dig."

"Very well before you ask Mr. Queen, I do not know the status of Miss Smoak, but we do know your team and their alias, of course. We have no intention of revealing secrets since we also have a habit of keeping secrets. So, your secret is safe with us, assuming ours as well." Alfred poured some tea for men, handing a cup to Dig and handing one out to Oliver.

"Yes, it's not my secret to tell and thank you for this." Oliver taking the tea from Alfred.

"It was Oracle's idea; you'll meet her soon." With that Alfred walked away, leaving the two men settling in before takeoff.

"Oliver, you know this wasn't your fault. Felicity is one of the smartest and bravest woman, I had the honor to know but you cannot blame yourself."

"How can you say that? It's my fault for not protecting her not just physically, there's people out there for Oliver Queen and for the Green Arrow."
"Felicity is smart, and she knows how to squeeze from tight situations. It's her life and her choice, if she chooses to go out in the field, she'll do it. Felicity knows the risks and she'll take them."

"Yeah but I'm not willing to watch that when she does. I lost my mother, Tommy, Sara twice if it hadn't been for Laurel, she would have been gone the third time. Thea is in different levels type of pain and I know I can't protect them. At least with Felicity, I have a choice to end it before it's too late."
"It's a mistake, Oliver, you push her away then you will lose her in another form."

"At least she'll be alive, John, even if she hates me, I will rather lose a part of me than for her to be dead. If she walks away and I lose her completely but alive it makes it all worth it."

"Oliver-" Dig began but was cut off by Oliver.

"Dig, I already made up my mind, please don't make this harder for me than it already is." The engine of plane purred, and it began to move towards the runway.

"Alright just remember, you will regret this, and it'll be too late for you."

"Like I said Dig", as the plane took off into the sky and Oliver turned to the window and started to look at the dark clouds looming over the city, "As long she is alive, it'll be worth it."

Gotham General Hospital

"There are some scars that will be healed and disappear but not all of them. A few will remain but Miss Smoak has numerous of broken bones, internal bleeding, broken ribs, thankfully none of them punctured her lung." Doctor Thompkins grimly listed all the injuries to Bruce, Jim, and Barbara. "She is going to need a lot of healing, physical therapy, almost all the works. I am also placing a strict order for her no traveling, her body will not be able to handle the stress, because of the amount of the internal bleeding there's no telling how the pressure will be able to handle it. I'm not risking it but I don't want to assume. Does she have a place can stay."

"She can stay with me; Felicity is like a daughter to me." Jim said.

"Dad no offense but your place is basically all stairs, she can stay with me at the Clocktower, there's elevators and the security are top notch." Barbara said, Jim grunted but nodded. Barbara's phone started ring, she excused herself to take the call.

"Commissioner Gordon, there is something else that you should be concerned." The doctor hesitated, she composed herself.

"Leslie, what is it?" Bruce asked.

"We had to run a rape test kit." Jim stiffened and Bruce's composure kept still.

"They were close, but I stopped it from happening. They're in GCPD lockup right now but Joker ran off, setting some explosions before we can catch him."

"How close were they, Bruce?" Jim asked coldly staring at the wall, his knuckles turned white from the pressure of how tight his fists were.

"Jim-" Leslie began but Jim cut her.

"Bruce please."

"Just the tearing of her shirt nothing else happened."

"Hey, doc, it's been a while." Jason walked towards the group along with the rest of the Bat family.

"Hello, Jason, you doing well? Of course, you are since you aren't doing anything reckless."

"More like stupidity and even more reckless." Dick added.

"I get results." Jason shrugged.

"Dr. Thompkins, I can assure you that Jason is still reckless maybe even more so from our last encounter; but he does have new collection of scar tissue and maybe it's the brain damage that caught up to him." Damien said.

"Well that was a very formal burn, little bird, I like that." Barbara lightly laughed, causing Tim to turn to her. It's been a while since he heard her laugh, he missed it, as if reading his mind Barbara looked at him and they both stared at each other smiling.

"Jason, before you leave, I expect you to be in my office, you are due for a physical." It caused Jason to mutter but abruptly agreeing. "That goes for all of you, Damien I'll see you first because I have another show I want you watch. You may see but don't overwhelm her, I'll have a nurse check on her vitals. Damien." The young boy past the others and held out his shoulder to escort the doctor.

"Dr. Thompskin, I enjoy our talks, have you finished Titus Andronicus?" Damien asked.

"I enjoy our talks as well, Damien. I finished re-reading Titus Andronicus, it's not my favorite works of Shakespeare but in a sense, it was very opening."

"How do you mean?" As they walked along the halls of the hospital, Damien hated the way they smelled, it runs in the family. Leslie opened the door to her office, getting some supplies from her secret cabinet. She opened her mini fridge to get some fruit snacks for Damien and herself, meanwhile Damien is already prepping some hot water for some tea.

"Well back then times were so different, the law of men, murdering, cannibalism, blasphemy, and "honor" killings, were a huge normal even to this day for some other countries. I don't understand how this play is your favorite, Damien, but I understand the realism behind it.".

"It's my favorite for that reasoning, Dr., violence doesn't solve anything, in fact it creates more violence and tragedies. In a way, I was like Titus, granted I never did anything horrific as he did but I was trained to kill now living with Bruce, I see life differently. I believe re-reading this reminds me how far I came along."

Leslie smiled and nodded at him as she began to start checking Damien's blood pressure.

"Well Damien, for what's worth I like how you've grown." She wrote down his blood pressure and took out a syringe. "Now let's begin the real test."

Felicity's Room

"So, how bad is it?" Felicity croaked; she didn't mean to sound weak but, in her defense, and circumstances, she just woke up.

"You know if this going to be our thing, visiting each other only in the hospital we should at least do it once a month."

"Barbara." Jim warned.

"I'm only joking to lighten the tension, you know. Well, girlie, let's just say we have rewind you up."

"What?"

"Felicity, you're going to have stay in Gotham for a while." Jim said.

"What no! I can't my job, my team!" Felicity said.

"Hey, calm down don't worry about that. I made some calls for you while you were being um yeah. Plus, we get to be roommates!"

"Before you say, these are the doctor's strict orders, no traveling, nothing she doesn't want to risk the stress of traveling due to your injuries." Jim hesitated but needed to be said. "Felicity, you have numerous of injurie, some of them requires physical therapy, and therapy."

"I…er…I tried to defend myself, but I was chained up." Felicity eyes started to water; a rollercoaster of emotions started to roll all at once, but shame was the strongest one.

"It's okay, Felicity. You don't have to talk about it until you are ready. You shouldn't be ashamed of yourself; he may have taken you but at least he didn't take the most important thing from me." Barbara soothed her and hugged her gently as possible, Felicity loved her hugs from Barbara it was warm and comforting, it reminded something from her childhood.

"Honestly, they didn't get a chance to do anything, but I was able to headbutt Cobblepot." She frowned. "I think I just made the bottle go deeper into his eye."

"I think whoever beats up, Cobblepot, earns my respect. He's simply just annoying to be dealt with." Jason said as he walked towards the bed along with Tim, Dick, and Damien. Felicity turned to her side and saw Bruce Wayne sitting on the couch, observing her more like it, she wanted to fidget but remained composed.

"Although if you think about it the bottle should be in his brain by now, given the beat downs we've given him. Bruce did punch all of those goons like a fire breaking out in the jungle." Jason continued.

"They had it coming, if Father didn't intervene then Todd and I will not be placing handcuffs on them tonight."

Felicity was about to say something but someone else spoke before she could say anything.

"I believe I had raised all you to have manners towards ladies present, especially if they don't even know your names." Alfred said entering the room with Oliver Dig.

Oliver couldn't believe it, she was alive and awake, but so small with all the machines connected to her.

"Oliver. Dig." She cried out the trio hugged. "OTA forever."

"OTA." They both said and hugged her having their bubbly IT girl back. Oliver broke the hug and turned to the Bat family.

"Thank you, all of you for bringing her back to us."

"It was a team effort and don't thank us Barbara was the one who found her. We just happened to be there nearby." Jason commented. Tim and Dick rolled their eyes.

"Oliver Queen, I didn't think we'll meet again." Bruce said standing and holding out his hand.

"Bruce Wayne it has been awhile." Oliver took his hand shook it before releasing it.

"You two know each other?" Dick asked.

"We ran into each other in social junctions not much about that." Oliver answered.

"I'm sorry about Moira and Tommy." Bruce said, Oliver nodded and left it with that. Bruce started doing the introductions.

"So, let me see if I got this correct." Oliver said. He walked towards Tim.

"Tim."

"Red Robin." Tim said and nodded.

"Richard or Dick."

"Nightwing and an unfortunate childhood name." He said lightly.

"Damien."

"Robin." The young boy said as he crossed his arms, Oliver noticed that his stance is former league, he made a mental note to ask Wayne about that.

"Jason."

"Red Hood, don't steal my name now." Jason said.

"Alfred."

"Yes, sir but in comms you can call me the Gentleman."

"Commissioner Gordon."

"Or Jim." He grunted but nodded at Oliver.

"Barbara Gordon, nice to see you."

"Same by the way do you have a laptop with bullet holes because you spilled it with a latte."

Oliver groaned, Dig and Felicity chuckled, while everyone was still confused over that.

"That's twice you made that joke, tell us the story." Jason said.

"Not now." Barbara hissed, Felicity rolled her eyes and looked at Tim.

"Tim, how are you? It's finally nice to meet all of you." Felicity asked.

"Shouldn't I be the one asking you? I'm well Barbara and I got our place refurbished, but I have to call the-"

"Ghostbusters." Jason supplied, causing Felicity to smile at him. Jason gave her wink.

"Wait what? I'm not sleeping in a place where pests make sudden movements. I already housebroken one and I can barely handle them." Barbara pointed at Dick, Jason, and Damien.

"You know you're welcome to stay at the Wayne manor." Bruce looked at Alfred.

"Master Tim your bedroom is in order and we've put elevators in the manor, so you don't need to worry about Miss Gordon. Miss Smoak, we have a bedroom prepared for you as well, it'll be close to Master Tim and Miss Gordon."

"I need to speak to Felicity alone." Oliver said.

"I need to make some calls, starting with Lucius." Bruce said and eyed everyone to follow him.

"Come on, dad, let's get some Big Belly Burger I'm sure Felicity will want some food." Barbara said.

"You always want Big Belly Burger." Jim said standing up to follow her.

"They have good burgers."

"Good music." Dick and Dig said it at the same time.

"Black and white milkshake is the best with fries." Tim followed behind them leaving Damien the last one to close the door before asking.

"What's a black and white?"

"Can you help me up? In a few moments I will need to use the bathroom." Oliver carefully helped Felicity, he grabbed a wheelchair, placing her gently.

"Are you alright?" Oliver asked.

"I could be better but what about you? No offense but you look like you had some rounds with Malcolm Merlyn."

"Felicity we have to talk." The way Oliver spoke was vaguely like the conversation they had about Russia.

"Oliver, I don't want to talk." Felicity said, although it was childish in her part, she knew the words that were coming out of his mouth. "As soon as we talk, it'll be over."

"I'm so sorry." Oliver said as Felicity gave a small hurt smile, nodded, and looked down. "I thought I could be me and the Green Arrow, but I can't. Not now, maybe not ever."

"Then say never, stop dangling maybes. Say it's never going to workout between us, say you never loved me. Say-"

"Felicity." He said it so intense, in a way she never heard from him before; it was a line between Oliver and Green Arrow. He was careful and gentle grabbed her face and kissed her, he wanted to kiss her and for her to understand that he loves her enough to do this. He only hoped this kiss was strong enough to say that since words failed him. He broke the kiss, he opened his eyes and waited until she opened hers. "Don't ask me to say that I don't love you."

"You're giving up on us before even giving us a chance." She pulled her wheelchair back a bit. "I told when we talk it'll be over." She said opening the door to the bathroom and closing it.

She wanted to cry but she didn't want to risk Oliver listening, she went on to do her business, and after washing her hands, she heard Oliver leaving the room. Felicity wanted to stay strong, but her emotions were overwhelming her, she brushed her teeth, and suddenly she just wanted to be cleaned.

She hurried to the shower and turned on the water not bothering taking of her gown, she needed to be cleaned. She grabbed the soap and started scrubbing, she hissed as the soap contacted her wounds, but she didn't care she needed to clean. She sobbed and tried to wash away the nightmare she faced, first being taken and then tortured in a cave, almost being sexually assaulted, and Oliver giving up hope on them. The water was full hot, steam was flooding the room, the floor was extremely slippery, but Felicity needed to be clean. The wheelchair was entangled with the curtain, Felicity fell making her yelp in pain, she tried to get up but failed.

"Felicity?" A voice was heard behind the door.

"Help…please…" She managed to say but couldn't say much else due to the pain, but the door was locked. "Locked."

"Get away from the door."

The door was slammed down before Felicity can register what was happening, Bruce carried Felicity into the wheelchair, and grabbed some towels, being mindful on her injuries and he held up a towel for her to dry on some intimate parts, he turned around to give her some privacy and walked to the bathroom to turn off the water.

"You need to take the gown off or you'll get sick. Luckily, Barbara got you some clothes that will be more comfortable for you, I'll get them."

He held out his hand blocking Felicity from his view, trying to be a gentleman, as much as possible. He was looking through the bags but could not find a night shirt instead he found one of his long shirts, it'll do. He held out the shirt for her, still facing the other way.

"Thank you." She said softly towards him, he nodded. Felicity hurried to put the shirt on but smelled so good, it was mesmerizing. It had an oakmoss, woody, smell to it, she can't describe the smell, but she enjoyed it very much.

"You can turn around now." Felicity said. "Can you help me to the bed please?"

"Yes, I-" Bruce stopped once he saw Felicity wearing his shirt, she was small, and the shirt just engulfed her frame. A lot of primal instincts came to him, but he cleared his throat and walked towards her, he carried her to the bed.

She fits into my arms; I don't want to let her go. Bruce thought to himself, he stopped himself because he shouldn't be thinking about that when he has an injured woman in his arms.

"Are you alright?" Bruce asked.

"No."

"That's okay, you'll be okay."

"How do you know that?"

"If time has taught me anything it's to be patient. Joker almost broke me, and Jason is trying to wrap his head around his encounter with the Joker. So far he's in control but he has his bad days."

"There were times that I thought I was so close to death." Felicity began shaking slightly, Bruce knew that Felicity wants to talk about it, but it'll end up being a panic attack. He grabbed a blanket and wrapped her with it.

"May I?" He asked, Felicity wasn't sure what he was asking permission for, but she nodded at him. Out of all the "expect the unexpected" Felicity did not expect Bruce Wayne hugging her, wrapping his arms around her, being comforting. She didn't expect it but she welcomed the warm feeling, of being comforted, how can she deny the comfort of the man that saved her.

Whatever it was she didn't want to let go, either it was the hug, the trauma she endured, or how heartbroken she felt, this was singly the best offer someone gave her, even though it was from someone unexpected. She finally let out the pain escaped, meanwhile Bruce was there to hold her and giving her some comfort that she needed.

Unbeknownst to them, the Bat family and Dig, were watching from the door window.