Author's notes: I should probably change the title of this fic because it's quickly turning into a dumping ground for my post-episode drabbles. Please leave new Olicity-themed title suggestions in the reviews! N.B. This is not a continuation of the second chapter of this fic. It's a wholly new story that follows up on 3x20. Anyway, I thought the Felicity/Laurel scene from 3x20 was all too short, so the attached is an expansion on that premise. I know I said I wouldn't be adding any more to this because of my Ph.D. responsibilities, but I had a good writing day (the first in AGES) and managed to produce about 10 pages of solid scholarship. I think that warrants a bit of fanfiction indulgence, no? The following is told from Felicity's perspective, simply because I really don't want to try swimming around in Laurel's head. I mean, I love Katie Cassidy and all (she was a great as Ruby on Supernatural and even better in the Scribbler), but Laurel...? Ick.

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Felicity knocked hesitantly on the door frame of Laurel's office.

"Sorry to interrupt."

"Is everything alright?" Laurel responded.

"No. It's not." It was becoming difficult to hold back the tears that threatened to burst forth.

"Felicity?"

"Oliver's... He's gone."

"What are you talking about?"

"He joined the League. He's not coming back."

Laurel embraced her and she broke. There was nothing she could do to hold back the tears. It was strange to be there, confiding in one of Oliver's former lovers. Yet, she also knew Laurel was the only person who could truly understand. Laurel loved Oliver once upon a time. A different Oliver, yes, but Oliver nonetheless.

When her tears began to run dry and she gained control of her breathing once more, Laurel broke the silence.

"What happened, Felicity? I don't even understand why Oliver would do this..."

"Ra's killed Thea."

Laurel was left stammering.

"Well, almost. Oliver was devastated, but there was a way to save her. We brought her to Nanda Parbat. There was this ritual where they lowered her body into this water they call the Lazarus Pit and she came out healed. I don't understand it, but the water healed her. Oliver had to give up his life in exchange for hers."

The look on Laurel's face said she knew there was more. She waited for Felicity to continue.

"When we were there... I... Laurel, it was my last chance. I had to tell him that I love him. I couldn't live with myself if I didn't tell him."

"Oh, Felicity." The concern in her voice told her she needn't continue. Laurel understood in a way only she could.

Felicity descended into tears again and the two women embraced each other as they coped with losing Oliver for what felt like the umpteenth time.

"Felicity, Oliver is strong. He might be thick-headed, but he's also smart. He'll find a way to come back to you—to come back to us. I know it's hard, but you've got to have faith. You've got to believe in him."

Felicity mulled over her words for a long time. She would never stop believing in Oliver, but her faith was broken. Oliver had as good as told her to move on, but she knew her heart would never let her.

"I told him, before we left, that leaving him behind would destroy me, Laurel. But I didn't realize it would hurt this much. I've never been so... so broken."

Laurel broke their embrace so she could look her in the eyes.

"I don't think I can live without him. I don't want to live without him."

"Don't say that," Laurel responded.

"Why not? It's true. I feel empty, Laurel. I know it sound cliché, but there's a piece of me missing. What's worse is that I know the Oliver I love is dying out there. The League is going to turn him into something terrible. He's going to lose himself and then he's going to become Ra's al Ghul and even if he did come back he wouldn't be Oliver anymore. He'd be Al Sah-him, heir to the Demon."

"But he'll still be Oliver. You knew him as the Hood. You saw him become the Arrow. Oliver Queen was always in there, Felicity. He'll come back to Starling. He'll come back to you and make this right. Just believe in him."

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Author's notes (continued): I hope you all enjoyed this short little piece! Please leave suggestions for a new title for the fic. Like I said in the pre-story notes, I'm going to make this the spot for my post-episode drabble one-shots. Stay tuned for next week!