My name is Oliver Queen. For 5 years, I was stranded on an island with only one goal-survive. Now I will fulfill my father's dying wish to use the list of names he left me and bring down those who are poisoning my city. To do this, I must become someone else. I must become something else.

Guillermo Barrera is just another assassin and when his body falls, Oliver feels nothing. He simply steals the cell phone and leaves to meet up with his team. For the past few days he has been feeling off and he's not sure why. He is used to this feeling from the island and it usually means something big is coming. Even Felicity has picked up on it. She often shakes him awake from his nightmares before letting him cuddle into her for comfort.

He tosses her the phone upon entering the lair and watches as she messes with it for a moment. Sighing she plugs it in and starts running a decryption program. She doesn't have time to handle it tonight since they both need to go to Tommy's birthday celebration. Diggle is standing behind her and for a second Oliver feels irrationally jealous. Diggle's hand is on Felicity's lower back and all he wants to do is punch him.

"I love you in a suit," Felicity says straightening. She pulls away from Diggle and moves to Oliver, rubbing her hand over his scruff. "I like this too."

"Yeah? I thought about shaving it off," he says running his hands down her sides.

"Don't you dare," she says firmly. "John said he'll call if the decryption goes through so we're fine for the evening."

They leave together and he gets the greatest pleasure out of watching her walk up the stairs in front of him. She looks amazing in this pink dress. The pearl earrings he gave her dangle from her ears and his tracking bracelet clangs against the metal railing. He's never considered himself a possessive man. In fact he rarely cared what his dates did at the end of the night. With her, he feels possessive. He feels jealous and insecure. She's so brilliant and he cannot understand why she chooses to be with him.

In the car they barely talk. He's still on edge and he still doesn't know why. In quiet answer she slips her left hand over his thigh. He glances over at her but she's looking out the window. He reaches down and lays his hand over hers. They stay that way the rest of the drive and he can feel his anxiety draining away.

In the hallway outside of Laurel's apartment he cannot help himself any longer. He sweeps her against the wall and kisses her while allowing his hand to slide around her hip. She makes a pleasured sigh and slips her hands under his suit jacket. In the back of his mind he knows Tommy and Laurel are waiting for them but right now he just wants this.

"We need to stop doing this," she whispers. "We're late for everything."

"I have five years of this to make up for."

"You didn't even know me five years ago."

"Trust me, it counts." He does release her and help her fix her hair. With the gift in hand the two head for the door and Oliver knows this might end poorly tonight. He hasn't had the chance to talk to Laurel yet about her feelings or the fact she always is a little mean to Felicity. It's not the type of thing that is easy to call her out on but something that will need to be addressed moving forward.

"Happy Birthday!" they both say when Tommy opens the door. Felicity hugs him and Tommy looks to Oliver gratefully. Felicity is smoothing Tommy's lapel and kissing his cheek.

"Welcome. Oh...this feels like a Chateauneuf de Pape," Tommy says lifting the gift bag.

"It's going to taste like one too," Oliver says.

Laurel hangs back but moves forward to take the wine bottle and leaves to get glasses. Felicity moves to look at the pictures. She lifts one of them and smiles.

"She looks so young here," she says. "Is this Laurel?"

"No...Sara," Oliver replies. He slips his arms around her as she picks up the next photo. "That was Sara's canary. It made noise 24/7."

"Mmm…" He rests his chin on her shoulder and he glances to Tommy. Tommy is just watching them with pure longing on his face and Oliver realizes he needs to talk to Tommy too. Tommy needs to know what is really going on with Laurel.

"So Felicity, I hear you are letting this guy move in officially," Tommy says. "Are you sure? You still have a chance to run far, far away."

"Actually Oliver wants to buy a house," Felicity explains. "I told him we'd discuss it over the summer."

"I'm not changing my mind," Oliver says. "I just have to convince this one."

"Wine's ready…" Laurel says quietly. Felicity brightens at that statement and turns to take one of the glasses. As Oliver and Tommy grab theirs, the tray tips and spills wine down Felicity's pink dress and she gasps. The glass clatters to the floor but remains intact. "Oh I'm so sorry Felicity."

"It's fine," Felicity says laughing. "I probably upset the balance. Where's your bathroom?"

Laurel gestures and Oliver looks down at the glass before back at Laurel. He has the suspicion Laurel did that on purpose but he has no proof. So he turns to go after Felicity. Instead there is a knock on the door and they all freeze. Tommy is not happy to see his father standing there.

Awkwardly Oliver and Laurel stand there while Tommy goes into the hall with his father. Oliver glances down at the wine glass again before spinning to go check on Felicity. He pushes into the tiny bathroom and looks at her patting the wine stain.

"I'm pretty sure this dress might be ruined. I can try and save it at home but it might be dead. It's sad because I really like this dress."

"I'll replace it," Oliver offers.

"Oh...I don't think they make them anymore. My mother bought it for me when I graduated college. I think the designer went under. It's okay. It was an accident."

"Mmm…"

"Oliver...Laurel didn't spill wine on me on purpose!"

"Sure."

The night never really gets better. Tommy is withdrawn after his father's visit and Laurel barely says anything. Felicity tries to carry the conversation but Oliver knows it is a lost cause. He only relaxes when Felicity curls up next to him on the couch and puts on Netflix. She falls asleep halfway through the first episode of some show and he just sits there. His friends are miserable and he's not really sure if either of them know it.


"This is one paranoid assassin. Barrera's got cobolt-level encryption on his phone. It's not going to be easy to break but codebreaker is my middle name. Actually it's Megan…"

"Felicity, can you get anything off of it?" Oliver and Diggle are leaning forward staring at the gibberish on the screen. She didn't have the heart to tell them she couldn't read that stuff either. It was all just gibberish until she cracked it.

"The last number he dialed was a restaurant in Chinatown. Jade Dragon. I guess even hired killers enjoy the city's best chow mien," Felicity explained.

"That's a front for the Chinese mafia," Diggle says.

"Call the restaurant and make a reservation for two. I'll talk Tommy out for his birthday," Oliver says. He tugs out his phone to text Tommy. "You need to decrypt that phone."

"Aye aye Captain!" She mock salutes him as he leave. "Dig? I kind of want Chinese now…"

"I'll do a run," he sighs following Oliver out.

Oliver meets Tommy at the Jade Dragon. Oliver tries not to laugh when Tommy orders a fried fish but he keeps it under wrap. He knows that is not what Tommy thought he was getting. The two dig in and just enjoy their company.

"I wanted to make sure your birthday was properly celebrated. It seemed a bit tense the other night," Oliver says.

"Well trust my dad to run all the smiles out of the room."

"Well he did come by, and it seemed like he was trying to act a little dad-like."

"Dad-like," Tommy says bitterly. "That sums him up."

"I know the two of you have never been close. I'm not defending him Tommy, but it couldn't have been easy for him after your mom was killed."

"You probably don't remember this because we were eight. After her funeral he left for a few years and when he came back, we barely spoke. I spent so much time at your house and from the outside it looked like I had a father. But it was your Dad who took us to our first R-rated movie and our first hockey game."

"He wasn't perfect Tommy. We haven't talked about it but I have a lot of anger towards him. But I would give anything to have him back because he's my dad."

"I'm really glad you're back even though I have to compete with your genius girlfriend," Tommy says. "Geez look at your face. How did this happen to you? Five years ago this kind of thing would have sent you running."

"I think part of it is because she didn't know me. She has no expectations of me and she sees me for me. She looks at me and I feel like maybe those five years were worth it because without them I wouldn't have met her or at least, she wouldn't have liked me."

"I want that," Tommy admits softly. "I want what you two have so much."

"Have you talked to Laurel?"

"I'm afraid to push. Any time I bring up future plans or more commitment she gets spooked."

"Maybe that should you something," Oliver says. "I have to hit the restroom."

In the back he gets the little information he wants. His Mandarin is a bit rustier than he would like but he gets by. They both leave the restaurant and head towards what will be "Verdant" and pause outside.

"Do you think I should go to my father's thing?" Tommy asks.

"I think that's up to you. He's your dad and it depends what kind of relationship you want moving forward."

"That island really changed you…"

"You have no idea."


"Are you getting any closer?" Oliver asks, leaning over Felicity. He knows she hasn't but that doesn't stop him from asking. She shoots him a glare and goes back to typing. She's been working on it almost nonstop for days now. Shrugging he heads for his workout area. He moves through the training dummy to target practice to general chin ups. It's only when he's moved to the salmon ladder, he notices he has her attention.

She's leaning back in her chair and she's watching him. Her cheeks are flushed and her eyes look glassy. Her hair is falling out of her ponytail and she looks flushed. He goes up and down a few more times, getting good and sweaty before hopping down to the floor. He leaves the bar on the bottom rung and moves to stand in front of him.

Her hand reaches out and touches his abs. He holds himself still as she touches his sweat slicked skin. Her fingers ghost over a few of his scars before pressing more insistently.

"I'm sweaty."

"I know. It's...amazing," she breathes. "Your muscles…"

"Mmm…" He watches pleased as she leaves the computer behind and focuses solely on him. Her eyes are still glazed over as she runs her hands over him. He's still amazed she finds him attractive with his scars and tattoos but she's always touching him. She's told him she usually goes for smaller guys, less muscled but his body makes her weak-in-the-knees. He enjoys the fact she feels slight next to him. He enjoys the fact her eyes darken when she looks at him. He wants to be the only man she looks at like this.

"I think you need to take your pants off," she whispers.

"Not yet." He slips down to his knees and tugs her chair closer to him. The wheels squeak in the silence. "You should lock the doors."

As she reaches back to hit the button he starts kissing her thigh, sliding her dress up inch by inch. He hears her mash the button and turn back to him. Lifting her one leg over his shoulder he continues on his slow, agonizing trek up her inner thigh. Her breathing deepens and her fingers clutch at the arm rests.

He pauses just long enough to rip the seams of her underwear, tugging the material away from her. Her hips buck as he throws the fabric to the floor, pressing his mouth to her. She jolts and then sighs in pleasure. He lets the skirt of her dress fall over his head and she relaxes against the chair. He loves her like this when she surrenders to what they have. She never lets him get away with anything but when they're like this, he's the one in control.

He can feel the stiletto against his back but he lets the soft bite press against him. He's too focused on making her forget about the cell phone and the hands hold her down as he takes his fill of her. Only when she finally slumps back in relaxation does he pull back. Her hands are limp against the armrests and her breath is uneven.

He takes her distraction and uses the time to strip his pants off. Still clothed, she looks spent and well pleasured. He can't wait to finish the job. She's in his arms before she can make a sound and then they're moving. Her hands clutch at his shoulders as he moves her towards the salmon ladder.

"Grasp the bar." She looks at him sleepily and then complies. He waits until she's holding the bar before pulling her down on top of him. Her fingers hold the bar but he knows if he pushes her hard enough, she'll let go. Instead he keeps the rhythm slow and watches as the earlier sleepiness leaves her.

Suddenly he feels like he's fulfilling some weird teenage fantasy with a stereotypical librarian or a school teacher. Her hair is back and her glasses are askew on her nose. Her blue dress is pooled over his hips and he can feel her heels against the backs of his naked legs. She throws her head back and lets him lead and he takes every moment he can to make her feel pleasure.

Finally she loses all composure. Her hands drop the bar and she clutches his head instead. He keeps the pace, standing under the bar. She watches him in surprise, expecting him to fall or push her against something. Finally his legs turn to jelly and they collapse to the floor in a heap. The mat is cold against him but she's warm all over.

"Did I distract you?" he asks softly.

"Mmm?"

"Good."

After a ridiculously long amount of time Felicity gets up and helps him dress. That takes a lot longer than either of them expect when she gets distracted by kissing him again. They pick up some take-out on the way home and eat in bed, together.


Tommy doesn't know what to expect at the awards thing. He figures he'll stand in the audience and applaud as his father accepts an award he doesn't deserve or care about. He's gotten good at knowing when his father is being sincere. This is not one of those times. Tommy knows inviting him wasn't sincere either. It's all about appearances with Malcolm now.

He doesn't know any of these people and that tires him. He feels more out of touch with the world. Before Oliver got marooned Tommy knew exactly who he was and his role in the world. He knew where he fit. He knew what his "job" was. Now he's lost. Oliver is moving on and looks so put together. He's got a serious girlfriend and a new career. He seems stable. Tommy is the one adrift. Cut off from his money he's dependent on Laurel letting him spend the night and live out of a bag. He's dependent on Oliver giving him a job. His other friends are nowhere to be found. He's just here, alone.

"Oh Tommy," Moira Queen says, touching his arm. "I didn't expect to see you."

"My father asked me to be here and Ollie convinced me to come," he says. "He's got a different perspective on fathers than I do."

"Is he here? I haven't seen Oliver in weeks. He never seems to be at home," Moira asks sipping her champagne.

"He's probably at Felicity's. I thought he moved in there," Tommy says absently. "He's there all the time."

"Felicity?"

"I really like her. She's not who I would have expected for Ollie to go for but she fits him. A computer genius and Oliver? It's unexpected."

"You've met her?" Moira asks.

"Yeah. I have dinner with them at least once a week. Oliver made this pasta dish the other day and it was better than that Italian restaurant downtown.."

"Oliver cooking?" Moira asks. He turns to look at her and sees how stunned she is. She doesn't know Felicity. She doesn't seem to know Oliver either. How is that possible?

"He hasn't introduced you two? They've been dating for months. I thought after she went shopping with Thea, the two of you would have gotten together…"

"Thea's met her?"

"You need to talk to Oliver. He's kind of worried he's going to rub it in if he's so happy with Walter missing."

Moira goes quiet at that and she looks down at her glass. Tommy feels bad for bringing up something so...painful.

"Mrs. Queen, I don't think he's trying to cut you out. I think he's just...Oliver's different now. He's really protective of Felicity and what they're building together."

"My son is very secretive," Moira admits. "What is she like?"

"She's tough, I think. She would have to be to be with Oliver. She's soft with him. Comforting I guess but he gets away with nothing around her. She makes him smile in a way he hasn't since he got back…"

"Tell me more about her."

"You should ask him about her. He's...he's getting really serious. Wedding serious."

"Wedding?!"

"He doesn't have a ring or anything. It's just I see the way he looks at her and how she looks at him. She...she accepts him for who he is now."

The two grow silent as Malcolm is called to the stage. He knows Moira will go after the information she wants at some point but for now he's going to focus on his father. He owes him that at least.


The call to Lance does not inspire confidence. Lance refuses to help unless he can deliver a name and Oliver knows it's not going to be that easy. Felicity has been working nonstop for days and still has not cracked the encryption. Between sleep and work, she only has limited hours to do it. He tries not to push her. He knows she's already stressed about this particular situation. She thinks it will prove she belongs on the team.

"I got it!" she yells. "Does anyone read Spanish?"

At their blank stares she sighs and boots up a translation program. Diggle sits next to her while he starts suiting up. He grabs the cell phone to alert Lance when Felicity spins around.

"It's Malcolm Merlyn."

"What?" Oliver asks.

"Malcolm Merlyn at the awards ceremony. Oliver! Tommy's there!"

"I'll call Lance on the way."

He rushes off to reach the awards ceremony in time. When he arrives he knows it has begun. People are running out of the building. Police are swarming. He slips past them and catches Detective Lance's gaze. Malcolm Merlyn is still inside. He can feel it.

China White has not changed. She is just as formidable as she was a few years ago. Her attacks are practiced but there is little improvisation in them. She moves too robotically. She is used to easy targets and this one is nowhere near easy. It's only McKenna's voice that causes him to freeze. China White is not the assassin. She's the coordinator. He needs to keep moving.

He escapes McKenna and pushes forward. Felicity is in his ear warning him of upcoming police or locked doors. The security doors flip to green and he pushes through them. Merlyn would head to his office. Felicity is already explaining the security she's managed to find out about the building. He hears the gunshots before he can get through the door. Out the window and with the use of an arrow he swings into the broken window in Merlyn's office.

Malcolm is on the ground and he's bleeding. Tommy is terrified and turns the gun on Oliver.

"Stay back!" Tommy commands.

"I'm not here to hurt you or your father." He steps forward and reaches for the shell casing. It's covered in curare. "Your father's been poisoned. An assassin named Floyd Lawton laces his bullets with curare. I've dealt with this before. We need to dilute the poison."

"Stay the hell back!"

"In three minutes he's paralyzed. In four minutes, he suffocates. If you don't let me help you now, he's dead before anybody gets here."

"How?"

"He needs your blood. You're out of time and you need to make a decision right now."

"Why should I trust you?"

Oliver has seconds to make his own decision. He has to hope his identity will be enough to convince Tommy. Malcolm will become paralyzed soon and he's not sure how effective new blood will be at that point.

"Because you always have." He slips the hood from his face. Tommy stares at him in shock, mouthing his name. Oliver uses his silence to grab the first aid kit nearby and start rigging up what he needs to give Malcolm, Tommy's blood. He gets to the point where he needs Tommy's cooperation but Tommy is still sitting in stunned silence.

"You're the Vigilante...why?"

"Later Tommy. He's still going to need medical attention to fully clean out his system." He doesn't wait for a response. He just leaves. He makes his way down the stairwell and catches Detective Lance's angry look as he jumps out a window. Across the street on another building he pauses. He watches the paramedics through the window. China White has escaped again but Malcolm Merlyn will live.

He searches the rooftop and finds the shooter's perch. Floyd Lawton is alive. That much is certain.


Felicity and Diggle are silent when he arrives. His face must tell them Malcolm is okay because he can't seem to say the words. Felicity stands to next to him and links her fingers with his.

"John. I...the bullets were laced with curare." Diggle's face contorts in agony for a second and Felicity steps forward. Oliver keeps her steady.

"Lawton."

"He's alive John. I'm sorry." Diggle walks away from them and Felicity looks to Oliver.

"This Lawton kick his dog or something?"

"No. He killed his brother," Oliver whispers. Felicity gasps and moves closer to him. She looks after John and waits.

"You should go to the hospital. You need to make sure Tommy doesn't say anything," she finally says. "I'll keep an eye on John and meet you there a little later."

He leaves her standing there watching John and he changes. Felicity will take care of John. She's good at it. As he climbs the stairs to leave he looks back and sees them hugging. He was unsure about having her down there with them. He was afraid they would bring too much darkness. Instead she grounds them and makes them leave the darkness.

He knows her and John spend time together. The two eat lunch together while he's working on the club and they spend time in the Foundry together. The three of them do things together as well but he likes the two of them becoming friends. Felicity has been so lonely for years and to see her excited about making new friends makes him happy. Plus once Dig's in your corner, he's in your corner.


"My dad's going to be okay, thanks to you," Tommy says quietly. Oliver stands across from him and watches as Tommy gets angry. "I saw you kill those guys who kidnapped us when you first got back, didn't I?"

"Tommy."

"No one has gotten you to tell them what happened on that island. You just say 'a lot' and that doesn't cut it anymore. Were you ever going to tell me?"

"No." Oliver slumps against the wall as Tommy storms off. He should follow him and make sure Tommy's okay. He saw it in Tommy's eyes. They might be done as friends. This might be the end of them.

Tommy storms away, turning the corner and pauses. Oliver has been lying to him. He's been lying to everyone. Tommy looks forward and sees Felicity turning the corner. He can save her some heartache.

"Tommy, how is your father?" Felicity asks. She hugs him and steps back waiting for news. "Oliver called me."

"You should break-up with him," Tommy says softly. "He's lying to you."

"Tommy what are you talking about?"

"Oliver. He's going to hurt you. He's lying to everyone!" Tommy says angrily. "He's hurting people and he's going to get one of us killed. You need to stay away from him."

"Tommy, you've had a shock."

"No! You need to stay away from Oliver. He's lying to you."

She just looks at him and blinks slowly. Her hand slips from his shoulder and she looks at the ground. She seems to be thinking about how to proceed. She squares her shoulders and looks at him.

"Oliver is not lying to me."

"You have no idea what he's capable of Felicity. He's dangerous."

"I know exactly what Oliver is capable of."

"Felicity! Listen to me! He's the Hood!"

"Yes," Felicity says firmly. "I know."

"You knew…" Tommy says. "YOU KNEW?!"

"I've always known Tommy. He didn't have to tell me." Tommy slumps against the wall at that statement. Felicity, the girl who has only been in their lives for six months knew.

"How?"

"He's Oliver," she says simply. "He's terrible at lying. I've seen his scars new and old. He has nightmares. I just knew. I love him Tommy."

"He kills people Felicity."

"I know. He's trying to save the city Tommy. There are always casualties in a war."

"This isn't a war Felicity. This a man suffering from PTSD or something! He's going crazy!"

"Oliver is not crazy Tommy."

"How can you love him? How can you love someone like that?"

"How can you love someone who is in love with my boyfriend?" Felicity asks.

"Shut up."

"Where's Laurel? Where is she Tommy? Why isn't she here right now? You know deep down if Oliver called her...if he called she would be here. You know that. Why are you torturing yourself?"

"Shut up!"

"HEY!" Oliver pushes himself between them. "Don't talk to her like that! I know you're angry but you don't disrespect Felicity because of me."

Tommy straightens his jacket and walks away leaving the two of them standing in the middle of the hospital hallway. Felicity hugs Oliver from behind and he relaxes. Turning in her arms he holds her and tries to find his balance.

"He'll be okay," she whispers. "How's his father?"

"He'll live," Oliver replies.

When they exit the hospital they find Dig waiting for them. The three stand there without speaking before heading off together. It's only when the three slide into a Big Belly Burger booth they all seem feel the exhaustion of the day. They feel like they've been through a battle and maybe they have. Oliver and Felicity are pressed together, her head resting on his shoulder and his head leaning against hers. Diggle has his head leaning back against the booth, his arms spread across the back of the booth. Through it all at least they have each other to help carry the load.