AN: Thank you so much for the reviews, follows and favorites. My mind is set on a definite plot now thanks to tealrose and her inspiring my muse.
I do not own Arrow/Mutant X/The Frey I just wanted to try something new.
Chapter 10 - Saturday
Felicity stirred in her sleep she felt like something was wrong but her mind was too exhausted after the days events. She tried to ignore the nagging feeling and was almost successful if she hadn't felt Oliver violently twist under her arm. Awake instantly she sat upright in bed reaching for her glasses. She could hear him mumbling and crying out. When she finally got her glasses on and cleared the sleep from her eyes she focussed on Oliver. He was asleep his eyes shut but he was thrashing about in a nightmare. Felicity slid from the bed making sure she kept away from his violent movements she didn't want him to catch her as he'd never live the guilt down.
His nightmares had stopped since they had been sleeping together but the reappearance of Slade had brought them back with a vengeance. She learnt the hard way not to touch him. That first one she had woken up confused and tried to wake him the next moment she was on the floor choking and him on top. It took her 2 weeks to convince him she was okay and they could sleep in the same room and bed again.
This one was worse and if she said she wasn't a little frightened she'd be lying. She was more frightened for him and what he must be going through to be so animated and violent. Then she understood when he cried out her name, her heart nearly breaking. He was dreaming about her. She remembered what John had said about singing something calming can help. Felicity's mind went blank as she tried to recall a song any song. "Slade!" Oliver cried out making Felicity jump, well that solves who he's fighting she thought. She forgot about singing and her mouth started working on its own.
"Some things we don't talk about, better do without just hold the smile." She hesitantly started. "Falling in and out of love, the same damn problem together all the while." Her voice grew steadier and she kept the tone soft. "You can never say never while we don't know when, but time and time again younger now than we were before." She took a breath and carried on. "Don't let me go, don't let me go, don't let me gooo." Oliver seemed to calm down a little so she continued. "Don't let me go, don't let me go, don't let me goooo. Oliver I'm right here were at home Slade doesn't have me I'm, we're safe." She cooed.
"FeliCITY!" He cried out. "Shhhh. Picture you're the queen of everything, far as the eye can see under your command. I will be your guardian when all is crumbling, I'll steady your hand." Oliver started to relax his arms. "You can never say never while we don't know when, but time and time and time again younger now than we were before. Don't let me go, don't let me go, don't let me gooo, don't let me go, don't let me go, don't let me goooo." She took a breath Oliver had relaxed completely back into the bed but his face still seemed troubled.
"We're falling apart, and coming together again and again. We're coming apart but we hold it together, hold it together together again. Shh I'm here safe by your side were at home everything's alright." She cooed. Oliver's expression softened, "Felicity?" He seemed to ask, she knelt back on the bed and touched his cheek with her hand hoping to ground him back in the present. She continued singing, "Don't let me go, don't let me go, don't let me gooo. Don't let me go, don't let me go, don't let me gooo." His hand reached up and rested over hers. "Don't let me go, don't let me go, don't let me gooo. Don't let me go, don't let me go, don't let me gooooo." She quietly finished the song. His eyes opened and immediately found hers, "I won't let you go I promise." He grabbed her and pulled her down to his chest and kissed her deeply trying to push the nightmare from his mind.
After a while of just lying there Oliver's curiosity got the better of him, "What were you singing?" Blushing Felicity replied, "The Fray - Never say never. John said if I ever got stuck singing was a good idea to help and it was the only thing that popped in my head." "It worked. I prefer waking up to your singing than..." He trailed off not wanting to think about the alternative of him hurting her if she touched him. "You spoke to John." "I yes it's not that, I didn't tell him about what happened I just mentioned you have nightmares and if he knew how to help. He ordered me to not touch you which I figured out the hard way. He said singing could help or talking to try and bring you back. It was bad this time I thought you might hurt yourself." She babbled she knew he wouldn't talk about it but she tried to give him an opening anyway.
"You will have to thank John he gave you good advice." He replied. The silence between them was not uncomfortable but Felicity knew it was the line ending what had just happened. Felicity listened to his steady beating heart as her head lay on his chest. Her eyes were just starting to feel heavy when he spoke, "It was Slade. He had you and Laurel on the Island and he wanted me to choose like I had to with Shado." He stopped leaving the silence to loom again. Felicity felt pride towards him he was opening up to her even if it was about his horrible nightmare. She moved her hand up to his cheek to comfort him and keep him in the present with her.
"There isn't any choice to make I threw myself on you he had the gun at your back. He shot Laurel and dragged me from you and shot you. I can't lose you to him." He half sobbed remembering the worst part of his nightmare. Felicity's heart broke again she hated seeing him so vulnerable he was her hooded green hero. She lifted herself up to look at him, "He will never take me away. You will always find me. I won't leave without a fight. And I love you." Its the first time she had admitted her true feelings for him but she felt like it was right. He lifted his arms to stroke her hair back from her face as if looking at her for the first time. "I love you too." And he kissed her deeply again.
Both awoke to the sun shining in through the polka dotted curtain casting the room in a pink glow. Oliver wasn't sure when he drifted off to sleep he normally just held Felicity until morning but last night had been an unusual night. Felicity took a deep breath and opened her eyes she was met with Oliver's chin. She pushed herself up and saw he was awake his eyes moving to look at her. She smiled, "You look happy not your usual broody self." She goaded. "I fell back asleep your singing has quite a spell on it." He joked.
He pulled her down for a quick kiss, "What plans do you have with Thea today?" He asked. "Were having lunch after WE finish our chores." She said poking his chest. Groaning he pouted and said, "One of these days you'll let me bring Raisa here you'll love it more time in bed." Tapping his shoulder, "I'm not rich and you live with me so we do our own chores. You know you enjoy it really." She teased remembering their bubble fight in the kitchen last week.
Felicity snuggled back down on Oliver's chest listening to his heart and slow steady breathing. "What time is it?" She asked. Oliver reached for his phone he illuminated the screen and read the time, "Would you believe 11am." Felicity panicked and shot out of bed, "I'm seriously going to be late." She said running to the bathroom. Oliver sniggered. He started to send a text to Diggle, 'Last night another body and Slade. We need to talk. Can you meet for lunch Big Belly Burger 1PM?' He then sent one to Roy and Sara, 'We need to talk. Big Belly Burger 1PM.' Oliver swung his legs out of bed just as the replies came back all agreeing they would be there. Oliver headed towards the bathroom to join Felicity and get ready for the day.
Oliver walked in to Big Belly Burger to see Diggle, Roy and Sara sat around talking and waiting for him. Diggle noticed him first as he was facing the door and nodded his head. Oliver walked over and set next to him, "Have you all ordered?" He asked. "Yes and I got your usual. You can pay me back." Diggle answered. "Now what happened last night?" "What did Felicity tell you?" Oliver asked Diggle. "Nothing she said you were both safe in the orphanage and not to send in the cavalry. Oh and to take the night off." Oliver nodded then thought about where to start his story.
"There was another body dumped. I accompanied Adam Kane and 2 of his team to retrieve it. SCPD are on to the bodies going missing so we need to see Detective Lance about that. Then Slade showed up, he threatened Adam and his team if I continued working with them they would needlessly suffer then he vanished." Oliver half explained. "Are you working with this Adam Kane." Sara asked. "Yes and before you argue Felicity has looked into it and he appears to be a good guy and his team are new mutants. I can't say anymore as I don't know but Felicity trusts them and even after I shot one of them they treated me kindly. I want all of you to meet them I think they can help you Roy." Roy got over excited, "Help me how? He's not making me a new mutant." "Roy calm down. Adam seems to think he can alter the adverse effects of the Mirakuru but he needs you and Slade." Oliver explained.
Their food arrived and everyone tucked in for a few moments processing what he had said. "You still think Slade can be saved?" Sara venomously said. "Why should I trust this Dr guy?" Roy queried. Oliver sighed, "I have to try Sara he saved me at the cost of his own life. Roy if you don't do something you're going to lose Thea either hurt her in your rage or you'll have to leave her to avoid the former do you really want that. Isn't she worth fighting for?" Roy slumped his shoulders in defeat Thea was his everything he knew he'd rather kill himself than hurt her. "Alright when are we meeting them?" He asked. "It has to be today Adam said Slade was close to successfully replicating the serum again. There is another issue." Oliver paused assessing their reactions before continuing. "My identity was compromised with one of the team members and she won't keep it from her team indefinitely." That silenced everyone again, keeping their identities secret was key to protecting their families. "You do what you need to man I'm behind you." Diggle voiced his support. Roy nodded his backing but Sara just remarked, "Let's just meet them first as our night selves. Don't forget I'm working tonight." "And me Thea will kill me if I skip out again." Roy added.
"Fine I'll get Felicity to arrange a meeting this afternoon as soon as and I'll text you the details." Everyone resumed eating and Oliver texted Felicity, 'Arrange the meet for ASAP. OX' "Do you want to get some sparring practice in while we wait?" Diggle asked Oliver. "Always." "What about you two?" Diggle looked at Roy and Sara. "Sure." Roy said. "I haven't got any plans." Sara said. When they finished eating the 4 of them made their way to Verdant.
Felicity had joined Thea at an Italian pizzeria. They were enjoying their pizza when Felicity's phone started jingling. "Sorry I need to answer that I've been expecting it." She apologised to Thea, "No worries as long as it's not that brother of mine wanting you back already." She joked rolling her eyes and taking another slice of pizza to eat. "No just an old family friend is in town so I said I'd meet them later on today." She lied while reading Olivers text, 'Arrange the meeting for ASAP. OX' She texted Adam, 'The team wish to meet this afternoon ASAP. Felicity.' She kept her phone in her hand waiting for a reply and turned her attention back to Thea.
"You don't talk a lot about your family or friends much." Thea observed, "This must be a good friend for you to make time as you're always working for Ollie." Felicity blushed under the innocent scrutiny of Thea she was so observant at times. "Growing up was hard, my dad left and mum didn't take it well. I'd rather live in the here and now why drag up the past you can't change it." Felicity vaguely answered Thea. Her phone jingled again and she turned her attention to it, 'Great. Would you prefer neutral ground or here? I can complete your DNA recoding too while you're here. Adam' She checked the time before replying, '2:30PM at yours please. I'll have the comm on. Felicity.' Then she quickly texted Oliver, '2:30PM orphanage. I'll be at Verdant ASAP. FX'
She put her phone away everything sorted now she just had to survive Thea and her questions. "Are you meeting her then?" Thea innocently queried. "Yes after I'm done here. And its a he." Felicity replied thinking stick to the truth where possible you'll be fine. She took a slice of pizza hoping to use eating to delay her answering. "Oh should Ollie be worried. And old 'family' friend dropping by." Thea jokingly said using quote marks in the air for family. "OH NO!" Felicity cried out nearly choking on her pizza, "He's old enough to be my dad. He helped me out when things were tough." She lied. "O sorry I was only joking I know you love Ollie to much to do that to him. Anyway you'd have me to deal with if you did and I'm not nice if you hurt my big brother." Thea teased putting on a fierce face and flexing her fingers like they had claws.
Felicity giggled, "You should get a mask and join the vigilante group your scary enough like that." Felicity jibed back. They both picked up their last slices of pizza and silently ate. "Nah being a vigilante seems like hard work and with the club when would I patrol the streets?" Thea mused. "Yeah who ever they are they must sleep by day and stalk all night." Felicity added.
"So are you wanting to run off and meet this old friend and leave me." Thea mocked pretending to be hurt about being abandoned. "No he knows I'm out at lunch I don't have to rush." She replied seriously not noticing Thea's mocking tone. "Don't be silly I'm always here we see each other often enough go and have fun but I want to know more about him or even meet him as I am almost your sister-in-law." Thea said. "How many times me and Oliver are not that, well its still early days. And maybe you will meet him if he's not busy as he's here on business." Felicity replied.
She got her purse out and put her half towards the bill. Thea had finally learnt not to argue as her loud voice in a restaurant caught peoples attention. The girl had good morals at least she would keep Oliver in line Thea thought. Both girls put their coats on and exchanged a hug and kiss on the cheek. Thea settled the bill and Felicity left for her car.
It was 2:15PM when Felicity arrived at Verdant. She tooked her car into a secluded corner keeping it out of sight then headed into the club via the back doors. She keyed in the code and pushed open the secret door to the Cave. She surveyed the scene in the lair. Sara had her blonde wig, black mask and leathers on, Roy just looked like Roy he had yet to put his hood up and John was John. Sara didn't look very happy she had started extending and retracting her bo staff, "You won't need to use that they won't hurt anyone." Felicity commented worried there might be a repeat of Oliver's actions from Sara. "Can never be too careful. We don't know what these people, new mutants are capable of. I want to be prepared." She replied. Felicity felt annoyed at Sara, "Are you still hanging on to what Ivo said about new mutants? Let me tell you one thing these people have been nothing but nice and welcoming to me and even Oliver after he shot Jesse. They are just normal people that are trying to get by and help others out like us. Do not cause them any trouble got it." Felicity confronted Sara in her loud voice.
"Felicity." Oliver said as he emerged from the bathroom in his leathers. "Sara knows. She won't do anything to jeopardise the mission." Felicity turned to see Oliver. "I just don't want anyone getting hurt. Are you ready?" Oliver nodded his face changing from his relaxed lair one to his Arrow stone cold no emotion one. He headed over to the glass case to retrieve his mask, bow and quiver. Felicity followed slipping past him to grab his mask first. "Let me." She said holding it out to put on his face. He closed his eyes and bowed slightly in acceptance of her offer and she slid it over his head and adjusted it around his eyes. He affixed his quiver on his shoulder and obtained the bow. "Roy you go with Diggle in the car, Sara you on your bike, I'll take my bike and Felicity." Arrow ordered. "I'm riding with you." She finished his sentence before he could say another option.
The team moved towards the stairs, Diggle led the way with Roy following. Sara picked up a helmet and followed the two men. Oliver collected a female leather jacket in matching green to his and turned to address Felicity. Felicity had fallen behind remembering to pick up the comms, she fished hers out of box and placed the others in her bag just in case. As she turned to follow the team she placed the comm in her ear turning it on. It was silent. She looked up to see Oliver holding out a green ladies leather jacket matching his and she beamed at him. "Oh Oliver." She speedily covered the ground between them and turned to present her back to him so he could help slide the jacket on. As she zipped it up Oliver commented, "My Girl." He pulled her hair out from the neck of the jacket. She turned and beamed at him again, "Arrow's Girl." She said with a devious smile. They shared a quick kiss then moved to grab helmets and followed the others.
The guys were in the car ready and waiting with Sara along side. Arrow mounted his ducati and started the engine. He pulled it out of its hiding spot behind a dumpster and pulled in front of Felicity who mounted on the back behind Oliver. She held on tight round his middle and nodded her readiness. He pulled forward inline with Sara and nodded before pulling away followed by Sara and the car with Diggle and Roy inside. They took the backstreets where possible and a few blocks from the orphanage Felicity spoke hoping the comms had been joined to Mutant X. "Adam we are en route and 3 blocks out we have 2 bikes and a car. We are on the back roads coming from the east side." "Felicity pull into the garage Emma and Jesse are waiting see you shortly." Adam responded.
As they approached the orphanage Felicity tapped Oliver's left side to indicate that he needed to turn left. They rode along the building and at the end the bike turned right. There was a small building set on the side of the orphanage with several graffiti covered roller shutter doors. Felicity tapped Oliver's right side and he turned the bike in towards the roller doors. Sara pulled alongside and the car stopped behind them.
Sara and Oliver flicked their visors up and waited. A few seconds passed then the shutter rose, as soon as it was high enough both bikes gently rolled into the building and the car followed. The bikes stopped and both Oliver and Sara turned the engines of at the same time and put the stands down. Felicity jumped off the bike taking her helmet off and looked about the garage. Diggle and Roy with his hood up stepped out the car parked behind the bikes. She saw Emma and Jesse stood in the doorway to the orphanage. Oliver dismounted the bike and removed his helmet placing it on the bike seat, he flicked his hood up before turning around and taking Felicity's helmet and placing it on the bike too. He then removed his bow from its mounting on the handlebars and turned to face Emma and Jesse. Canary removed her helmet and flicked her blonde wig about fluffing the hair about a little.
"Follow us everyone is waiting." Jesse said to the people in the garage and he turned and led the way into the orphanage. Arrow followed first with Roy and Diggle next. Canary hesitated but followed Diggle and Felicity brought up the rear of the team and was joined by Emma as she reached the door.
Felicity heard Emma speaking, "Adam. Were heading in now." Curious Felicity just had to ask, "How do you hear anything?" "Adam put a nano chip behind our ear so we hear the transmissions and we can then choose to reply. It's undetectable but only works if we're wearing the rings." "We seriously need tech like yours it would make some parts so much easier." Felicity commented. "Adam is an impressive guy he is the smartest man any of us have ever met." Emma stated.
Felicity and Emma had arrived at the chill out room door just as Adam appeared in the corridor from the lab room. Emma gestured Felicity into the room and she followed. Mutant X were on the left side of the room Brennan and Shalimar were sitting on the sofa and Jesse was standing behind. Team Arrow were all opposite of Mutant X. Arrow had taken a seat on the sofa opposite Shalimar and put his bow on the coffee table in front of him. Canary was standing behind the sofa flanking his left side, Roy was directly behind him and Diggle flanked his right side. Felicity smiled at Brennan and Shalimar as they made eye contact and sat next to the Arrow. As she sat Adam entered the room, he seemed unfazed at all of the masked individuals in the room.
Adam addressed all of Team Arrow, "Thank you for agreeing to meet my name is Adam Kane and this is my team Mutant X. You have met Emma DeLauro and Jesse Kilmartin." He indicated Emma and Jesse who both nodded towards the newcomers. "This is Brennan Mulwray and Shalimar Fox." Brennan and Shalimar copied Emma and Jesse's movements but Shalimar was less smiley.
Arrow spoke next, "This is my team Canary, Roy and Diggle." He deliberately avoided full names at the moment. "We have agreed that working with you to stop the Mirakuru is a good plan but I cannot let you get involved with the Australian." Adam jumped in, "I understand the city is yours to protect and you may think you have an obligation to keep us safe but I assure you we have taken on worse than the product of the Mirakuru." "When I reveal my story you will understand why I want you to keep away." The room went silent Mutant X awaited the Arrow's explanation. Arrow turned to look at Felicity who nodded encouragingly, he met Diggle's eyes who gave his single nod of approval. Next he looked at Roy who squared his shoulders and nodded, Canary however showed no reaction. Arrow decided to leave her details out of the story as best as possible.
He returned his gaze to Mutant X sitting opposite and began.
As Thea left the restaurant she headed towards her car. She was busy digging in her bag looking for her keys so she didn't notice someone approaching her from behind. Her first indication was a cloth being placed over her mouth. She tried to fight but her muscles started to feel heavy then her brain started to feel tired and before she could do any more she slipped into unconsciousness. The assailant hefted Thea over their shoulder and retrieved her hand bag. They found her car keys and car. Putting Thea in the front seat and buckled in they drove off.
AN: Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please let me know what you think