I do not own Arrow or Mutant X but I sure like them working together
AN: so here I go on my knees grovelling forgiveness for how long I took on this chapter. I can't believe how busy life can get. Anyway a HUGE thanks for sticking with me and returning. And lastly THANKS for the reviews totally make my day when I get them and inspire me to continue albeit slowly (again so sorry) right on with the story. Enjoy guys
Chapter 17 - Felicity
Felicity didn't want to leave Oliver, she hadn't realised how much she missed him until she saw him again, but she'd heard the telltale noises of the door. It only took her several seconds to retrace her pathway back and she was staring at the door as it opened revealing Slade. He was still dressed in his battle gear and an angry face. He moved so quick Felicity had no time to register or react when she found his face mere inches from her own and his hand clenched around her throat depriving her of oxygen.
"It seems you have been keeping your own secrets Ms Smoak. What were you doing?" He ground out through clenched teeth barely holding his temper in check from snapping her neck. "N...noth...ing." Felicity rasped out finding both breathing and talking difficult and painful. Slade gripped harder believing Felicity to be lying. "What were you DOING?!" He shouted at her. She now couldn't get any air into her lungs to breath or even speak she just gasped. Slade didn't relent he kept the pressure on until he saw the blackness start to take over then he released her standing back to watch.
Felicity gulped in air and sobbed in pain from breathing and fright. She imagined seeing her life flash before her eyes being so close to dying but all she saw was Oliver, when she saved him that first time, to when he held her in the elevator shaft, to when he saved her on Lian Yu and his face after she revealed her real self. Oliver changed her life she wasn't going to give up and let Slade win. She steeled herself and slowly brought the sobbing to a stop and stared Slade down.
"You won't win." She rasped her throat raw, she saw the rage consume his eyes and he leapt towards her and again his hands engulfed her throat choking the air supply she needed. Her hands came up to his in a feeble attempt to get him to loosen his hold. Her mouth opened and closed rapidly trying to suck in much needed air but to no avail. Slowly she lost her strength and her arms dropped to her sides and her vision blurred into darkness.
Pain. That's all she could think and feel. Her leg, her throat and her head. She tried to return to the peaceful darkness but fortune wasn't favoring her currently. She remembered Slade choking her, if this is the afterlife I need a refund it hurts like hell, she thought. Carefully she cracked her eyes open adjusting to the brightness of the room. However revealing she was awake was a bad idea.
Slade towered over her his foot resting on her injured leg. "How nice of you to join me Ms Smoak." Felicity let her eyes fall shut she didn't want to face him anymore. PAIN! Slade pressed his weight down onto Felicity's leg causing her to scream. "If I were you you will open your eyes and look at me while I'm talking." He paused his torturing and waited until Felicity's eyes opened. "Much better, the truth is much easier to see in ones eyes. Now then you were telling me exactly what you were doing yesterday." Slade demanded.
Yesterday Felicity thought, its been a day, Oliver should be close I just need to hold on for him. "Answer Ms Smoak unless you want further damage to your leg or maybe that clever brain of yours." He sneered. Think Felicity distract him. "I do...n't kn...ow w...hat it...'s ca...lled." Felicity rasped her throat felt like razor blades were being raked up and down as she spoke. "Wrong answer Ms Smoak." Slade stomped down on her leg, the white hot pain making her scream. Then snapping echoed through the room and the blackness took her away from the torment and pain.
+.+.+.+
This was what Oliver had been waiting for. He was going to get Felicity back. "Dig." The mans name was a whole order and from just inside the doorway he nodded his understanding and went to slip past Jesse. "Wait." Adam's commanding voice rang out halting John's movements and all heads turning to him. Oliver was about to object before anything was said but Adam silenced him by holding his hand up in the universal stop sign. "Your emotions are high. Stop and think this through before you get yourself or Felicity killed. Shal, Bren." "Slade won't hesitate to kill her at any moment I'm going to get her now!" Oliver challenged Adam to stop him his Arrow voice ringing loud through the room.
He went to follow Dig into the corridor but was confronted by Jesse blocking the doorway his breathlessness gone. "Move." Oliver ordered in his fierce Arrow tone. Jesse just stood his ground watching Oliver's movements carefully. Oliver tensed his muscles and pushed forward to shove Jesse out the way only he hit a hard surface and stumbled backwards and onto his backside dazed.
Jesse saw Oliver prepare to move and he took his deep breath and massed, his entire body lacing with a red net pattern. Oliver impacted with him but he remained cemented in place however he watched as Oliver landed on his ass and he unmassed.
Adam moved forward and rested a firm hand onto Oliver's shoulder keeping him there as Shalimar and Brennan arrived at the doorway. Jesse moved to allow entry to his team mates before returning to guard the doorway.
"We need a plan of attack that is smart and we can do two objectives in one the first being priority rescue Felicity the second we take Slade down if we can. You'll need our help and we are offering it but you need to act smart Oliver for her sake and ours." Adam said and received a small almost reluctant nod from Oliver who was still sat unceremoniously on the floor.
+.+.+.+
Felicity heard a high pitched klaxon. The pain filling her head and body fogged her thinking capabilities and on instinct she reached to her side for her phone to turn the alarm off. She couldn't find the bedside table, realisation flooded her mind and her eyes flew wide open to see Slade with a wicked grin plastered on his face. "We have company Ms Smoak, are you ready to host." His wicked laugh echoed as he turned and left the room locking the door. She needed to try and help Oliver, how did she get herself into the hardware last time. She wracked her brain trying to think but the klaxon noise was making her already pounding head worse. Think Felicity think, she scolded herself as her frustration rose.
+.+.+.+
In the middle of seemingly nowhere Slade had built a log cabin and currently he stood in front of the only entrance to it. He was armed in his battle gear, katana sword and TiSAS Zigana Sport hand gun drawn ready for this fight.
Oliver, Diggle, Shalimar, Jesse and Brennan stood opposite Slade fanning out ready for Slade's first move. The tension rose and little movements of adjustment passed between everyone before Slade impatience won out and he made his move. "So Oliver Queen has friends now. I hope he has told you what you are walking into. I made a promise kid and I will keep it." He sneered before subtly aiming his Zigana at Shalimar.
BANG! The bullet flew across the open ground between Slade and Shalimar, he picked the wrong person to shoot. She threw her top half back until her hands rested on the floor and she was in the crab position. Remaining there until the bullet flew past at which point she kicked her legs up and cartwheeled over into a crouch ready for action.
As the bullet fired Arrow released his strung bow and Brennan threw a single handed charge in a two pronged attack. Slade hadn't done his homework on his new enemies, he anticipated Oliver's attack and twisted his body to face left avoiding the arrow. However Brennan caught Slade square on his shoulder with his electrical charge. Slade convulsed slightly his big muscles and enhanced strength only minorly affected by the voltage used.
Slade turned to face the direction of the attack and aiming his Zigana fired at Brennan's chest. Jesse standing on Brennan's right grabbed his arm and pulled himself in front of Brennan massing during the movement. The bullet clinked as it struck Jesse's back and dropped harmlessly to the floor. Jesse unmassed and returned to his spot in the lineup.
Diggle's aimed his glock 17 2nd gen and fired at Slade's shoulder provoking the proverbial tiger. Slade took the bullet without blinking. "I expected more of a challenge, you let yourself and her down kid. You don't deserve anyones love!" Slade shouted as he raced forward firing at Diggle and Oliver and swinging the katana around readying to use it.
Arrow released as many arrows as he could before Slade was upon them then he used his bow to defend the katana blows and to land his own. Diggle took two bullets from Slade, he kept on the outskirts of the fight ready to back up if they needed it. Jesse phased avoiding the first strike of the katana and leaving Slade's side unguarded which Brennan used to strike another charge to. He upped the voltage and this time Slade's entire side convulsed, his hand released the katana which clattered to the ground and he lost his footing stumbling to his knees.
Shalimar spun and kicked his Zigana from his left hand onto the ground out of the way. Arrow wrapped the bow around his neck pulling his head violently backwards and tilting upwards to keep him fairly immobile. Brennan lay his hand on Slade's shoulder keeping a constant current to prevent any struggling while Jesse pulled a loaded syringe from his pocket. He stabbed the needle into Slade's neck and pushed the plunger down.
Slade couldn't talk his muscles were completely unresponsive and then he felt blackness take over his conscious. As Slade's eyes closed Brennan stopped the current and Jesse removed the syringe then Arrow released his bow from holding him and they watched as he dropped backwards to the floor.
Seeing Slade go down John relaxed and as the adrenaline faded the pain kicked in and he took note of his injuries. One bullet to the shoulder and one in his thigh. He limped towards the group.
Jesse surveyed the area, checking on the group and for signs of any other unfriendlies, then he spotted John. "Hey!" He called as he jumped over Slade to help John walk. He slipped himself under John's unharmed right side. "Let's get you in the Helix and patched up." Jesse said. "It's just a scratch, I've had worse." Diggle replied but still let Jesse lead him into the plane. Arrow moved over to Diggle, "Go get Felicity I'm fine." Dig waved his hand that was draped over Jesse's shoulder, still holding the gun, in the direction of the cabin and Felicity.
Arrow didn't need telling twice he took of at a run for the cabin door. "Bren watch his back." Jesse ordered,Brennan nodded and jogged after the Arrow.
+.+.+.+
Felicity heard muffled bangs, she sat straining her hearing trying to catch any other noises. She was still trying to connect with the hidden camera but it wasn't working she only knew how to touch to make the link.
The silence suddenly broke as she heard the door catch moving. She steeled herself for the inevitable appearance of Slade. The door creaked slowly open almost tentatively, Felicity mentally noted that that was unusual for Slade. Then she saw green peek between the increasing gap. "Ol...Arrow!" She croaked, her throat sore and mouth dry. The door flew open and a figure clad in green leather rushed in.
Felicity remained silent, her relief at seeing him keeping her speechless as well as the pain in her throat. She watched him stride to her side shouldering his bow and kneeling at her thigh. His hands moved to her injured leg and hovered appearing unsure where was safe to touch. Then his whole body shifted to face her, "We're getting you out of here." He simply stated. She nodded and went to make an attempt to stand. "Don't." Arrow commanded as he rocked on his feet forward sliding an arm under her knees and the other along her back.
Before Felicity could try to protest she felt weightless as her body flew upwards and her mind relaxed as she came into contact with his leather clad body. She knew she was safe now, everything would be okay. Then the pain registered from her leg being jostled about, she clenched her teeth and kept quiet until it calmed to a bearable ache. Twisting her head up slightly she could see under the hood and found Oliver's concerned and worried eyes focussed on her. She gave a small nod and he moved to leave the room. Her head dropped to rest on his shoulder and she placed a hand over his heart.
At the door Felicity noticed Brennan stood waiting and as they approached he warmly smiled at Felicity, "Not the best getaway in this city, you should ask for a refund." He joked bringing a smile and half chuckle before a pained sob. "Sorry." Brennan apologised and Felicity lifted her hand from Arrow's chest and waved Brennan's apology as not needed she appreciated the gesture.
Brennan lead the way out, they had cleared the building on the way through and about a minute later they were leaving the cabin. Felicity saw Slade's unconscious form and Shalimar leaning over him with purple gloves on and a vial. Brennan went to join Shalimar crouching opposite her on Slade's other side. Arrow continued walking past them both and seemingly into the woods. He weaved between trees for several minutes before they thinned out to reveal another clearing. It was a beautiful sight but Felicity was confused. Arrow continued striding forward into the clearing and just as Felicity was mustering the energy to voice her questions the soft crunch of grass changed to a clunk of metal grating and it felt like they were walking up hill. Then suddenly the clearing disappeared and the familiar surroundings of the Double Helix appeared.
Something changed in Felicity at the sight of known surroundings and the adrenaline and fight mode she had been running on vanished and her eyes shut as she fell unconscious.
Oliver felt Felicity suddenly slump against him. "Hey." He gently whispered then kissed the top of her head. No movement or reaction. "Felicity." He said slightly louder and with more worry in his tone. Still no response.
Jesse looked up from finishing Diggle's arm wound, his leg one already finished, to see Arrow boarding with Felicity in his arms. He straightened up and headed towards them. "Something's wrong, she's not answering me." He heard Arrow say as he approached. Instantly on alert he hurried his last step to them. He saw her leg was badly mangled, bone exposed, dried starting to heal wound and boot sole shaped bruising. Then his attention travelled up her body looking for other injuries, she seemed okay except her eyes were shut and her breathing was very deep and slow. "She's just unconscious. Don't worry but I think that leg was a lot for her to handle." He said to Arrow then leaned in closer to Felicity.
He gently tipped her chin up exposing her neck and revealing deep purple hand marks. Lowering her chin back he faced Arrow, "I can recline the seat back..." He started saying but was interrupted, "I will keep her close." Arrow said. Jesse nodded, "Shalimar is finished and on her way." Arrow sat down on the left side of the plane and used the wall to prop his arm against keeping Felicity tucked into his shoulder. He lifted his right hand up and stroked her cheek. Jesse moved to the front of the plane and settled into the seat on the right where he had been on the way over. He started flicking switches and pushing buttons to operate the aircraft.
Footsteps sounded on the ramp and looking over his shoulder he saw Shalimar closely followed by Brennan entering. Shalimar took her seat in front of Arrow and Brennan joined Jesse in the other front seat and began his preflight checks readying for takeoff.
+.+.+.+
A small bump rocked the passengers of the Double Helix, the telltale sign of its landing. Brennan and Jesse pressed buttons and flicked switches shutting the craft down. A low shh noise sounded followed by a clunk and Shalimar leapt up from her seat in time with Brennan and both moved towards the rear of the craft. Shalimar jogged down the ramp and opened the rooftop escape door and disappeared inside. Brennan hung back waiting for Jesse who was a few seconds behind him.
Jesse stopped at Diggle's seat and helped the ex soldier up tucking himself under his right shoulder again. As they slowly moved to the ramp Oliver stood cradling Felicity protectively close and followed. Brennan held the doors open for the injured parties to pass through until they made it to the lab.
Jesse helped Diggle hobble over and sit on the newly added fold out cot at the foot of the scanning chair. Oliver followed and on instruction from Adam placed Felicity on the chair under the scanner. Adam was taking the items from Shalimar and organising them in a tray before placing the tray inside a counter top fridge.
Next he picked up the tablet and moved across the room to Diggle and handed Jesse the tablet. "I need full assessment of injuries while I handle this." Adam instructed Jesse then turned his full attention to Diggle. "Is it okay if I take a look at the wounds?" He asked. "Yeah." Diggle replied. Adam reached to the workbench nearest and pulled out a pair of gloves and slipped them on. "I will do your shoulder first as you're already sitting." Adam informed John. He began unwinding the bandage Jesse had applied earlier.
Once the wound was exposed he gently but firmly pressed down in several different areas assessing the damage. Diggle hissed through clenched teeth at the assault of pain that followed. "Sorry. Can you rotate your shoulder please." Adam apologised. Diggle gingerly moved his shoulder around. It was less painful than he expected and Adam seemed pleased. "Thanks. It appears to have avoided anything vital and there are no concerns with your movement. I think its best to leave the bullet in there, if I tried removing it there is a chance of causing more damage." He explained. "Sure it'll be added to the collection." Diggle half joked.
Adam picked up a pen from the workbench and held it above the bullet wound. As he clicked the end with his thumb the pen emitted a pink beam onto the wound. Adam steadily moved the beam around the wound until the skin knitted back together then he clicked the end shutting the beam down. "I've activated the healing genes to speed up the process, the wound has closed but it will be bruised and sore for a few days. Now lets look at that leg."
Returning the pen to the workbench Adam helped John lie down on the cot. Adam placed his hands on John's lower leg to help him lay it flat but after an inch of movement Diggle was crying out in agony. Placing the foot back down on the cot at a 45 degree angle Adam gently unwound the bandage and removed the gauze. Next he applied pressure at different positions around the wound establishing the position of the bullet. The exam caused the wound to open up so Adam placed a fresh gauze over the wound, "Can you keep pressure on I need to dig the bullet out it's trapped between the muscle fibres." Adam explained. "Sure thing doc." He replied placing his palm over the gauze and wincing at the extra pressure he added.
During Diggle's initial treatment Jesse had conducted the scan on Felicity and was scrutinizing the results on the tablet while Oliver had returned to her side. Oliver heard John's cry of pain and Adams assessment of his wound and turned to watch, over his friend while protecting Felicity.
As Adam moved across the lab to retrieve a set of surgical grips Jesse approached his side and whispered what he had found so far. "She's in a bad way, her tibia and fibula are fractured in several places and the healing has started. Her vitals are stable but she's severely dehydrated and malnourished." Turning from the drawers holding the implement he needed and searching out his next objective, "Shalimar." He paused waiting for her attention. "Can you swap with Emma please." Shalimar nodded and silently left the room. "She's not in immediate danger so let me finish with Mr Diggle and we will help Felicity. Monitor her closely if she changes let me know." Adam instructed Jesse as he strode back to John.
"Ready?" Adam asked John as he stood over the injured leg steeling himself to remove the bullet. He prefered dealing with genetics than practicing medicine any day. Oliver watched Adam's body language and even though he couldn't bare to leave Felicity's side he also couldn't watch either man suffer. "Let me do it." He said moving over to join them.
At this moment Emma appeared. Adam relaxed slightly he had Felicity's injuries to deal with but bone setting was something he has experience with. "Are you sure?" He checked with Oliver. Oliver nodded through his removal of the hood and mask from his face. Adam placed the grips on the table and stepped aside, Oliver moved to fill the space removing his leather gloves. Adam touched Diggle's shoulder, "Do you want some pain relief while Emma is here?" "I'm good." John replied. Adam made eye contact with Oliver who gave a subtle nod suggesting Adam follow through on his own thoughts.
Oliver picked up the surgical grips and gently placed his hands on Diggle's knee and hip bone ready to start. Adam waved his hand calling Emma over to help them, she stopped at Adam's side at the head end of the cot. Diggle's attention was on Oliver and he didn't see Emma charge a psychic hit on her forehead and shoot it at him. Instantly John's whole body relaxed into the cot and his eyes closed. "Jesse will come over to help you while we help Felicity." Adam moved away with Emma taking the tablet from Jesse as he passed to help Oliver.
Oliver lifted his left hand to rest below the wound and he carefully placed his thumb and index finger on opposite sides of the hole. Gently applying pressure Oliver felt the position of the bullet. While keeping the pressure there he moved his right hand down from the knee and positioned the tip of the surgical grips at the entrance to the hole. Slowly he pushed the grips inside until he felt the bullet. Opening the grips he placed more pressure down on the bullet so as when the tips moved past the edge of the bullet they slid forward and he quickly clamped down on the metal. Delicately Oliver twisted left and right while pulling back to slide the bullet from between the muscle layers and out of Diggle's leg.
Jesse watched Oliver's precision on removing the bullet, there was no hesitation or doubt over what he was doing. As he noted Oliver's hand pulling back he reached over to the table and brought back a kidney dish. Just as the bullet was lifted out of Diggle's leg Jesse slid the dish under and the metal clanged into it. He returned the dish to the side and retrieved the pen, "That is impressive work. Some surgeon's would be jealous of how steady and sure your hands work." Jesse commented trying to make conversation. "Practice, I'd show off my needle work but your gadget made it redundant." Oliver quipped back. Jesse placed the pens tip over the wound and clicked the laser beam. "Not a holiday hotspot I fancy trying, Lian Yu. Once shot is more than enough for me, one too many really." He joked. "I was first shot with an arrow it hurts. Bullets are not much better." Oliver replied. "That is one I plan on never finding out. All done." Jesse shut of the laser and returned the pen to the bench. He maneuvered Diggle's leg ensuring it still worked.
"If you want to stay with Felicity I'll take Diggle somewhere to rest." Jesse asked. "Yes." Was his only response as Oliver moved back towards Felicity and Adam. Jesse firmly laid his hand on John's shoulder and gently shook, "Come on there is a more comfortable bed waiting." This roused John to open his eyes. "I passed out?" He asked confused. "Afraid not, you were overruled in the option of pain relief. Can you sit up?" Jesse explained. "Son of a... Yeah just let me." Diggle answered. He pushed himself up with his arms, wincing a little from the remaining soreness in his left shoulder. Once up he swung his legs over the cot and slid down to his feet. This time he was ready for the throb in his leg and clenched his jaw. "Here I'll help just until its fully healed." Jesse offered and slid under Diggle's right shoulder.
They started a few steps before John caught movement and followed it to see Felicity, Oliver, Adam and Emma. "How is she?" He asked Jesse." Adam will fix her up. She's okay, stable. Let's just get you out and sorted then you can look after her too." Jesse smoothly avoided saying how bad she was and speedily got Diggle out of the room before they began.
Adam was all set and in place, he had Oliver reluctantly ready to restrain Felicity if needed, Emma poised to keep her calm and the image of the bones in her leg projected on the wall. The calcium buildup was manageable so he could do a simple re break then set the bones back. He braced himself as Jesse and Mr Diggle left, then after giving a few more seconds for them to get further away he went for the first break.
SNAP! Felicity's head and shoulders raised as the most ear splitting scream erupted from her mouth. Her eyes were wide and full of panic and pain. Oliver firmly pushed her back down into the chair and the scream slowly died on her lips. Her eyes remained open but had a spaced look as though she wasn't there. Suddenly her body started to shake and convulse. "Emma she's going into shock." Adam stated in a calm tone. Emma needed no further prompt and charged a empathic hit up and immediately sent it to Felicity. Almost instantly Felicity's body calmed and her eyes gently closed and her face looked peaceful once more.
Adam stepped back and initiated the EDD scanner to scan the injured leg. One pass of the laser beam and an image appeared next to the first on the wall. It looked the same except for one difference, one of the two fibula breaks was now inline. "One down three more to go." Adam carefully placed his hands on Felicity's leg and squeezing gently he felt for the realigned break and then the next break. After several adjustments he was ready. SNAP! This time Felicity remained quiet and looking peacefully asleep. Adam repeated the scanning to check his work and then continued on to the next break.
Once all 4 fractures were inline Adam started the healing scan. It closed the open wound on her leg and triggered the calcification of the bones but she needed to keep the leg still to heal properly. Adam dug around in one of the cupboards before pulling out a large traditional looking first aid kit. Placing it on the counter he unzipped the kit bag and rummaged around. Once successful he walked back to Felicity and knelt at her feet. He unravelled a yellow foam euro splint and placed the middle point on the bottom of her foot and the remainder of the splint settled along her lower leg. Holding the split where it rested on her foot Adam picked up the first bandage and started to wrap it around the splint and Felicity's ankle. Once finished he repeated and bandaged just under her knee securing the splint and immobilizing her leg.
"We've got somewhere more comfortable for her to rest. If we get her settled there I'll put an IV in to build her fluids up. Oliver..." Adam suggested but before he could finish Oliver cut him off. "I'll carry her." Adam figured that would be the case. "Follow me." He moved away and back to the first aid box taking out the IV kit and headed out of the lab.
Oliver gently scooped Felicity into his arms and followed Adam with Emma trailing behind. There was a door opposite the entrance to the lab and Adam waited in the opening. Oliver slipped through the lab doorway sideways then rotated and went into the dimly lit room on his other side.
Inside he saw Roy sat at the other end holding Thea's hand and met his gaze as he moved into the room. Slowly he lowered Felicity onto the empty bed along the wall opposite to Thea. "How is she?" Roy whispered. Oliver stood back and turned his attention to Thea, eyes checking her for any harm, he didn't really know what to say. "Adam's giving her an IV. He's treated her injuries. Now she needs to rest." He vaguely answered.
Adam knelt at Felicity's side and inserted the IV line to her left arm. Once finished he placed a clear coloured disk to her temple and then moved away. "The disk will monitor her vitals, Thea has one too. We will leave you together. If you need us just call." Adam explained then left the room, holding the door open for Emma and Shalimar, who had been behind the door, to leave.
Oliver grabbed the chair at the foot of Felicity's bed and placed it facing Roy alongside her bed. After slipping off the bow and quiver resting then on the corner of the backrest he sat heavily in the chair. The weariness settling deep into his bones as he watched Felicity sleep and listened to the two sets of breathing.
+.+.+.+
Oliver didn't know when he had drifted to sleep or how long he had been asleep but he was startled awake by the sound of Thea's voice.
AN: I know the ending is a cliffhanger but I wanted to set the next chapter up without giving too much away. I hope you liked this chapter even with the wait please let me know what you think I totally love the reviews they make me really happy!