Author's Note: Again, I apologize for the extreme gap of time between updates. I have received a few messages/reviews worried in one way or another that I've abandoned this fic. Obviously I have not and I will see this through to the end, which is subsequently in about three or four chapters. Rest assured it is all planned out. I just have to find time to write it down.

Happy reading!

….

Chapter 18: Winds Begin to Shift as Clouds Come Rolling In

"I changed my mind. I don't want to do this anymore. Let's go."

Oliver stands outside of the town car, holding the door open for Felicity who is sitting in the backseat, nervously tugging on her orange blazer as she surveys the area outside of the detention center. She's been second-guessing herself the entire ride over, although not for the reasons he wishes she were.

"What if she doesn't want to see me? Does she even remember what I look like? Of course she does. She hasn't been living in a cave, just a prison cell for a few months."

"Felicity."

The blonde jerks her gaze towards him, worry evident in her eyes before she subtly shakes her head to clear the thoughts running around inside. Grabbing her purse, Felicity squares her shoulders and steps out of the car.

"Sorry. I'm ready. Let's go."

As she moves to walk past him, Oliver reaches out to gently grasp Felicity's forearm. Her actions instantly halt and she turns to look at him questioningly.

"You don't have to do this if you're not ready. We can tell them you got sick, put it off a few days."

Selfishly, he wants her to take the out. This whole plan has him on edge, instincts telling him that something is bound to go wrong.

"Yes I do, Oliver. We've talked about this. I'm just nervous to see her after everything that's happened."

"I know. I just can't help but think that this is a bad idea."

Felicity releases a soft sigh and shifts her stance so that she's fully facing him, placing a comforting hand on the inside of his elbow while a small smile graces her lips.

"And I acknowledge that. But this is my life and ultimately my decision."

"Ms. Smoak, Mr. Queen, we need to head inside now if we want to be on time."

Digg's soft reminder puts the exhausted conversation to bed. It's not a new topic of discussion for any of them and Oliver knows his protests are futile. Felicity's mind is made up. A bout of nerves isn't going to deter her from her goal. She's stubborn in that sense and even though this is a time during which he wishes she wasn't, Oliver can't help but admire her perseverance.

A small hand slips into his for a moment, squeezing tightly before falling away as Felicity takes a step back from him. The whole exchange lasts less than ten seconds, but the warmth in Oliver's hand remains for much longer. It's a reminder that they are going into this together. The two of them along with Digg are a team of sorts, providing support and comfort in their own ways when needed. And right now, Felicity needs his support more than he needs hers.

Keeping that in mind, Oliver falls into line with Felicity and Diggle, the older man on her right while Oliver flanks her left. The trio begins their journey, crossing the parking lot to enter the prison facility holding one Karen Smoak.

It takes them a few minutes to check in and go through security. Oliver doesn't miss the way Diggle side-eyes him when the metal detector goes off and he has to show the guard Felicity's ring that's currently hanging around his neck on a chain. It's not a look of judgment or disdain, just one of interest and somewhat calculating. But that's his friend's expression a majority of the time. Always observing, always assessing.

"Ms. Smoak."

At the sound of her name, both Felicity and the two men beside her turn towards the voice. An older woman with ashen blonde hair fashioned into a bob and deep, cutting eyes walks towards them. She has a pleasant smile on her face as she reaches them and extends a hand in Felicity's direction.

"Hi, Jean Loring, your mother's primary lawyer on the case."

Felicity takes up the woman's offered hand and shakes it in greeting.

"Hi, I'm Felicity. Smoak. But you obviously knew that. These are Oliver – "

"Oh I know who they are. Oliver Queen, son of Robert and Moira Queen of Queen Consolidated, number twenty-three on the Fortune 500. Also a former member of the U.S. Army recently returned from an extended, five-year tour in Afghanistan. Not always known for abiding by the law but I'm sure you're a hell of a stand up guy now, Mr. Queen."

Oliver tries not to flinch at the last sentence. Anything that brings up his past is a sore spot for him but it's the mention of his character at present that has him shifting in his stance. Most people wouldn't say such things of him if they knew what he had been doing this morning, no less than three hours ago. Or who he had been doing to be more precise.

Nonetheless Oliver steps forward and politely takes the woman's outstretched hand before her swift gaze cuts over to Diggle.

"And you must be John Diggle, bodyguard for Ms. Smoak and a former member of the U.S. Army as well. It's nice to put a name to the face."

Digg's greeting is decidedly more pleasant than the one Oliver was met with.

"Likewise, ma'am."

"Now that that is all out of the way, follow me."

Turning sharply on her heels, Jean doesn't even glance back as she begins to make her way down the hall. Felicity, Digg, and Oliver are all quick to follow her, exchanging a few glances as they go. They immediately fall back into their now habitual formation, Felicity in the middle with the two men on her sides. It's something that at first Oliver had seen Felicity roll her eyes at. But now she merely accepts it, doesn't even bat an eyelash.

"Now Ms. Smoak – "

"You can call me Felicity. If you want. That is. Ms. Loring."

"As I was saying, Ms. Smoak, your mother is currently being moved to the visiting center. You'll have fifteen minutes to talk to her before we take your witness statement in a separate room. I'm under the impression that whatever you have to say is a game changer or at least holds a great deal of significance. I can't promise this is going to be quick and easy. In fact, plan on it being a few hours. We might have to call you in tomorrow for some more questioning. I hope your hotel reservations are extendable."

Oliver's head is swimming with the information and he can only imagine how Felicity is feeling. He glances over, attempting to read her features, and finds his girl staring straight ahead, chin up with a determined expression firmly in place. It isn't as surprising as he thought it would be. Felicity is a fighter. She's strong. She takes whatever life throws at her and chucks it right back full force.

"Of course neither Mr. Diggle nor Mr. Queen will be allowed in the questioning room with you as they aren't witnesses or a member of the legal team. You will however, be accompanied by a security detail we have spoken about with Mr. Diggle already."

"Robert Teller. I might have looked into him a little bit."

The older woman glances at Felicity over her shoulder, amused yet somewhat approving smirk on her face.

"Yes. Our legal office partners with Central's most renowned security division for our clients who desire a certain degree of discretion."

Discretion? Oliver's fists clench by his sides at how easily this woman disregards what Felicity has been going through, what she is still going through.

"I'm not trying to be rude here but this isn't about discretion, Ms. Loring. This is about my safety. I don't know if you've turned on the TV or read a newspaper or listened to the radio recently, but I've been shot at twice within the past two months, me specifically. The information I have in my possession is putting my life in serious peril, as is this entire case with my mother. I'm not some corrupt government official who needs a bodyguard to accompany him to brothels in the shadiest parts of town. I'm a college student whose name is out there on someone's hit list. Correct me if I'm wrong, but that sounds like something that necessitates personal security."

The clacking of high heels on linoleum ends quickly as the lawyer comes to a halt in front of a grey door. Her gaze quickly scans over Felicity, as if truly looking at her for the first time, assessing her. Whatever Jean finds must be enough because the look she gives the younger woman is almost approving in nature.

"Of course, Ms. Smoak. I didn't mean to speak so frivolously of what you have been through. Clearly it is not something to be taken lightly, which is why we honored your bodyguard's request for an additional detail."

Felicity only nods her head in response before her attention shifts to a large, broad-shouldered man approaching them. He's tall, taller than Oliver's six-foot-one by at least two inches, and he's sporting a grey, tailored suit. His olive skin is accompanied by even darker hair and Oliver doesn't miss the gun holster secured to his leather belt.

"Speaking of, Ms. Smoak, Mr. Diggle, Mr. Queen, this is Mr. Robert Teller. He's one of the best in his department, just transferred over from a firm on the east coast based in Washington, D.C. I've never had the chance to work with him personally but his transcripts and resume are some of the most impressive I've seen in his line of work."

"You speak too highly of me, Jean. I'm just doing my job." The man transitions his amiable grin from Jean to Felicity and briefly grasps her hand. "Hi, you must be Ms. Smoak. I'm very sorry to hear about your situation. It's not something anyone, let alone a young lady such as yourself, should ever have to go through. I promise I'll be close by at all times."

Something in this man's initial gaze triggers warning bells in Oliver's head. The look in his eyes only lasts a fraction of a second, but it's enough to put the former soldier on alert. Of course, he considers everything in the vicinity beside himself and Digg to be a threat to Felicity's safety.

"It's nice to meet you, Mr. Teller. You can just call me Felicity."

"Then please, call me Rob."

"Okay, Rob. These are John Diggle and Oliver Queen, my personal detail from Starling and good friends of mine."

Felicity takes care not to draw attention to either individual by introducing them together and under the same category, but it's a futile attempt for nonchalance as Rob greets Oliver with one-sided familiarity.

"Ah yes, Mr. Queen. I'm a big fan of your company. The technology your Applied Sciences department is developing for DefenseTech is groundbreaking. It could change the entire weapons industry as we know it."

"Seems like you're pretty well informed there, Rob."

"I'm known to read a newspaper every once in awhile."

Oliver's grip tightens around the bodyguard's hand for a moment before releasing it and allowing the man to introduce himself to Digg. The feeling of unease has calmed but still gnaws at the pit of his stomach even as Teller takes a step back.

"Now that we have introductions out of the way, Ms. Smoak, are you ready to see Karen?"

"Like right now? This second? As in a 'she is behind this door and once I open it there's not turning back' type thing?"

"That is part of what you came her for, right? Or have you changed your mind about seeing your mother? We haven't got all day so I suggest you come to a decision quickly."

Anyone looking at Felicity could see that she's nervous. Her teeth tug at her full bottom lip, fingers absently running over the place where the ring situated on a chain around Oliver's neck usually resides. The prospect of seeing her mother again is something Felicity has expressed her qualms about quite a few times since she made the choice to come here. They've been separated for so long… It's a feeling Oliver can easily relate to.

"No, sorry. I just needed a moment. I'm ready to see her."

Felicity moves to take another step towards the door with Digg and Oliver following closely behind. They're stopped, however, when Jean raises a hand indicating for them to pause.

"I'm sorry but you can't all go in there with her. The facility has a strict two-visitor policy unless under the age of four. One of you will have to stay out here while Ms. Smoak meets with her mother."

It doesn't take a genius to realize whom Felicity will ask to join her and Oliver is already moving closer to her when Digg speaks up.

"I'll stay out here. The new guy and I need to talk about some details for your safety anyway."

Felicity smiles gratefully at the older man, pushing up on her toes to place a quick kiss against his cheek.

"Thanks, John."

"You need him more than you need me right now. Good luck."

Oliver is the only one close enough to the pair to hear the exchange and it serves to remind him that his comrade has come to care for Felicity almost as much as he does. There's not doubt in his mind that if it came to it, Diggle would take a bullet for this girl.

Stepping back, Felicity smooths a hand over her golden locks, slicked back in her signature ponytail. Her hands pull at the hem of her blazer and then travel down the length of her dress in apprehension, making sure that everything is perfectly situated.

"Hey." Oliver waits until he has Felicity's attention to continue. "It's going to be fine. She's your mother."

"That's exactly why I'm worried."

"I know this is a little nerve-wracking, Ms. Smoak, but we really do need to get going. Visiting hours end in twenty minutes and if you want to get out of here at a decent hour, it's in your best interest that we start the questioning as early as possible."

Throwing a glare in the lawyer's direction, Oliver inches closer still to Felicity.

"I know. I know. Let's get this over with then, shall we?"

Jean swipes her ID in the keypad by the door, then signals for them to follow her inside. They walk through a small room with yet another metal detector and show their IDs to the guards before the woman guides them into a relatively empty room, filled with steel tables and overhead lighting. Inmates sit across from their loved ones, some talking animatedly and others taking part in somber exchanges. A woman to the side is playing with her baby across the table, held by a man with a dejected look on his face. And there, in a corner of the room, is a woman Oliver just barely recognizes as Karen Smoak.

It's been years since he's seen her in person but even Oliver can spot the obvious changes in her appearance. Her usually glowing, attention-demanding demeanor has dimmed along with the pallor of her skin, the white blonde hair he remembers always being perfectly in place pulled back into a ponytail, dark roots peeking out in front. But most of all she just looks tired.

Felicity comes to an abrupt stop beside him.

"Felicity?"

It's like the older Smoak woman can hear Oliver from the opposite end of the room because her gaze snaps to where he and Felicity are standing as soon as the name escapes his lips. The two women stare at each other cautiously, assessing one another until Karen finally offers her daughter a sad smile.

"How am I supposed to be mad at her when she looks like that?"

"Maybe you don't have to be."

"Stop being rational and let me stew in my teenage angst."

Despite the current surroundings, Oliver can't help but release a brief laugh at Felicity's reply even as he gently places a hand on her lower back to urge her forward. By the time the pair reaches Karen, Jean has already come to stand by the table, engaging the other woman in a low-voiced conversation. The lawyer abruptly ends whatever she was saying once Oliver and Felicity are within hearing distance.

Karen's line of sight has not strayed far from her daughter since she first noticed her in the room. For a moment her icy cool gaze, the same color as Felicity's but somehow completely different, briefly flickers to Oliver. Shock rolls across her features before they go decidedly blank, attention shifting back to the younger blonde at his side.

"Hi, darling."

"Mom."

There's a tense beat of silence between them. Neither mother nor daughter knows exactly what to say, which is a rare occurrence for two women with such a penchant for talking. Karen is the one to finally break the silence.

"How are you?"

"Well considering I've been shot at twice, my mother is in jail, and I was almost run over by a taxi cab all within the past two months, I'd say I've been better."

Karen sighs heavily before turning to address Jean by her side.

"Could you give us a minute? My daughter and I have a few things to discuss that I would like to keep as private and personal as possible given the current setting."

The woman's gaze moves to Oliver at the end of her statement, signaling that the request applies to him as well. He's about to tell Felicity that he'll be waiting a few feet away when she speaks up.

"Oliver stays."

Felicity's mother looks slightly taken aback by the sudden demand but nonetheless nods her head after a moment in acquiesce.

"Alright. Jean, a minute if you please?"

"Of course, Karen. I'll go talk with Rob and Mr. Diggle about the proceedings and come back in a few minutes."

With a comforting touch to Karen's shoulder, Jean pivots on her feet and makes her way out of the visiting center. Her absence does nothing to ease the tension around the table. If anything, it makes it worse.

"Felicity, stop being so stubborn and take a seat. Standing on those heels cannot be comfortable."

For a brief moment it seems like Felicity contemplates doing the exact opposite, just to spite her mother. Oliver gently nudges her side and the blonde finally complies, lowering herself into a chair across the table from Karen. He quickly takes a seat next to her in a show of support.

"I have to say, I'm a little surprised to find you here, Oliver. I heard you had returned from Afghanistan in one piece. I'm glad to see it. Although I am a little confused as to why you're here with my daughter. Out of any of the Queens, I would have expected Thea to accompany her."

"He's here as a favor to me."

"I see… And what kind of favor would that be exactly?"

There's no implication in the words, just simple curiosity and Oliver is able to relax a little at that. At least he isn't being extremely obvious about his feelings.

"I trust him to keep me safe."

A shadow of sadness passes over Karen's face at the declaration. She's the reason Felicity is in danger. She's the reason her daughter has a target painted on her back.

"I've been worried about you. Jean told me about what happened as soon as word got out. She assured me that you were okay and no bodily harm had been done but I needed to know. I needed to see you for myself. So thank you for coming here. I wasn't too sure you would."

"I didn't come here because you asked me to."

"Oh. I thought…"

Karen's eyebrows draw together in confusion, hands clasping together in front of her on the cool steel table. Her gaze searches Felicity's questioningly, trying to discern the reason for her daughter's visit. It doesn't take long for realization to dawn over Karen, eyes widening for a fraction of a second before the collected façade Oliver associates her with is firmly back in place. Her icy gaze cuts to him as she leans forward onto the table.

"Oliver, would you kindly give my daughter and I a moment alone?"

"There's no point, Mom. He knows, too."

When the older woman responds, her voice is low and steady.

"What do you know, Felicity?"

In his peripheral Oliver observes the steady rise and fall of the younger woman's chest before she speaks up.

"Everything. And I'm going to tell Jean."

A beat passes between them; Felicity looking at her mother with steely resolve while Karen matches her with an equally determined stare of her own.

"Absolutely not."

"You can't control this. I found the information. I connected all the dots. I'm telling them."

"Felicity, don't be stupid. You know as well as I do that this is only putting you in more danger. Bertinelli is a powerful man. If you expose him, he will take you out. Just like me."

Shock registers over both Felicity and Oliver's features at that last bit of information. A small, near condescending smile spreads across Karen's face at their surprise.

"I didn't ended up in here because someone stumbled upon my transactions on accident. He leaked the information to eliminate me from the field and then used you to keep my mouth shut. So please, please don't do this, Felicity. If something happened to you because of me I don't know how I would live with myself. Take Oliver and your bodyguard and go back to Starling. This isn't your war to fight."

"Bertinelli made it my war when he shot at me and endangered the people I love."

Delicate fingers slide along Oliver's wrist, seeking out strength in the form of his callused hand, one he's quick to flip over in invitation. Their fingers intertwine beneath the table and Oliver squeezes gently. The movement is subtle, going unnoticed by the woman sitting across from them.

"Felicity, don't be foolish. This isn't a game. He will find you and he will hurt you if you turn him in. I'm trying to look out for you in the best way that I can by giving myself up. I know I haven't always been the best mother to you but this… this is nothing compared to your safety and wellbeing."

Part of Oliver wants to agree. He wants Felicity to see the logic in what Karen is doing and saying, to realize that this is her life at stake and for once act selfishly in order to protect herself. But he knows she won't. Felicity will always try to do what she thinks is right, despite the possible outcomes. It's one of the many reasons he loves her.

"I'm sorry, Mom. I can't."

"Baby, please –"

"I've already made up my mind. I just thought you should know before I told Jean."

Felicity's hold tightens in his grasp and Oliver begins to draw soothing circles over the top of her hand. Despite the surety in her voice, he knows this is hard for her. But she's determined and he's here to support her as much as he is to protect her.

"There's absolutely nothing I can say to change your mind, is there?"

The younger blonde merely shakes her head in response, causing Karen to heavily exhale and slump back in her seat. The posture is alien on her body. Karen Smoak isn't one for defeat or dejection.

"I can't lose you, too."

Felicity's breath hitches slightly, tears beginning to shine behind her expressive eyes.

"You won't."

Then in a move surprising to everyone gathered around the table, Felicity pulls her hand from Oliver's and reaches across the smooth expanse to hold onto her mother's.

"I have to do this, Mom. It's what Dad would do."

A tear slips down Karen's face, a sad smile coloring her features.

"You and your father, both so stubborn and always trying to do the right thing. Don't you realize that's what got him killed?"

Felicity takes a shuddering breath as hot tears of her own silently slide down her cheeks before she quickly brushes them away with her free hand.

"I know."

The familiar sound of heels on linoleum alerts the group to Jean's approach before she arrives at the table. Felicity and Karen pull away from each other in almost mirroring movements as the lawyer addresses them.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but visiting hours are about to end and we really do need to start the questioning, Ms. Smoak."

"Right, okay. Let me just say goodbye."

"Of course."

Felicity turns back to face her mother but neither of them speaks, still not completely sure of what to say to each other. Eventually Karen breaks the silence.

"I may not be the best mother in the world but I love you, sweetheart. You know that, right?"

"Yeah, I do. I love you, too, Mom."

Another tear makes a track down Felicity's face before she pushes her seat backwards in order to stand. Oliver rises along with her as a guard steps forward seemingly out of thin air, a pair of handcuffs in his grasp. He takes another stride towards Karen who in turn whirls around to face him.

"Could I please have a moment to hug my daughter before you slap those manacles around my wrists?"

The burly man contemplates the request and then nods his head.

"Sure. But make it quick."

They don't come together in a dramatic display of affection. Truth is they don't even rush towards one another. Instead both Karen and Felicity take careful, measured steps until the space between them has been erased and all that's left to do is fold their arms around one another. It's awkward at first and even Oliver can feel the nervous energy between mother and daughter. But something shifts after a few moments and the two women melt into the embrace. Karen lifts a hand to smooth over her daughter's hair as Felicity buries her face into the crook of her mother's neck. From this angle Oliver can only see the older woman's face, see her eyes falling shut as she breathes in deeply and exhales slowly.

The hug lasts a few seconds longer before they break apart, but not without exchanging whispered words that Oliver is too far away to hear. Then Felicity slips out of her mother's hold and returns to his side as the guard moves to lock the handcuffs around Karen's wrists and lead her away.

Oliver reaches for Felicity as she approaches him, hand settling on her shoulder to offer a supporting squeeze. To his surprise, however, the blonde falls into his chest, arms wrapping tightly around his waist as she hides her face into his shirt. Oliver responds in kind, immediately banding his muscled arms around her tiny shoulders and allowing Felicity to take comfort in his embrace. Her breathing is initially unsteady against his chest and Oliver knows she's using this contact to keep it together. They break apart after an amount of time appropriate enough to be considered nothing more than comfort between close friends, not wanting to cause any suspicions.

As the two turn away to exit the room with Jean, Karen calls out behind them.

"Oliver." He pauses, body slightly canted to face the older woman. "That's my daughter you have right there. You better protect her with your life."

With a solemn nod of agreement, Oliver pivots back around to face Felicity as her mother is guided out of the room by the prison guard. His hand settles on the small of her back as Jean leads them out of the visitation room. Small tremors rake through Felicity's body, almost imperceptible, and Oliver wants nothing more than to wrap his arms around her and protect her from all the evils in the world that she never deserved to be acquainted with.

"Ms. Smoak, I understand this is a very… emotional time for you. But this inquiry will go best if you remain clinical, unattached. We won't be asking you any particularly in depth questions today seeing as we haven't the slightest idea what to prepare ourselves for. Like I mentioned earlier, we will most likely need to call you in tomorrow for further testimony."

"Okay."

The short, quiet reply causes a pang in his chest. He can't be there for her during the questioning and it's slowly tearing him up inside.

"Now, as I said, Mr. Queen will not be allowed to accompany you inside the questioning room. He and Mr. Diggle will, however, be permitted to wait just outside as a security detail."

Jean guides them down a hallway and towards a slate grey door at the end of it. Standing on either side are Digg and Mr. Teller, the former quickly gauging the atmosphere and checking Felicity over for signs of distress. He frowns for a moment before smoothing his expression over as the approaching trio comes to a stop in front of him.

"Are you ready, Ms. Smoak, or shall I give you a few minutes to compose yourself?"

"No, I'm ready. I don't need anymore time to overthink things."

"Okay then. Right this way."

Oliver grabs at her wrist, preventing Felicity from following the lawyer into the room. The blonde whirls around to face him, their eyes meeting in a silent conversation. The resolve in them is clear even with the underlying apprehension and Oliver nods his head in understating and support. He'll be right here when she gets out.

Felicity slips from his hold and follows Jean inside, door shutting with a dull thud that somehow echoes within him like an earth-shattering bang.

….

It's been nearly an hour and a half since Felicity walked out of that questioning room, in which she was held for over two hours, and Oliver can count on one hand the number of times she's spoken since. Her uncharacteristic silence has him worried but he has no clue how to go about talking to her about it, unsure of what is safe territory.

After the meeting, Jean had informed both him and Digg that Mr. Teller would be aiding them in their efforts to keep Felicity safe beyond the judicial and detainment buildings, meaning he would be returning with them to the hotel. With a brief discussion and a nod of assent from Felicity, they had agreed it was the best course of action. Digg and Teller would switch off patrols in the hall while Oliver stayed in the room with her for the remainder of the day seeing as he was there as both a friend and a guardian.

As soon as they reached the room, Felicity had grabbed a change of clothes and headed for the shower. The only solace in her actions being that he didn't hear the click of a lock after she closed the door. Thirty minutes later Oliver is beginning to feel anxious so he decides to check in on her.

Rising from the bed, he crosses over to the bathroom door and knocks on it loud enough to be heard over the running water.

"Felicity?"

There's no reply. Oliver knocks again, this time a bit firmer and calls out.

"Felicity, are you okay in there?"

There's a strangled sound from behind the door, a quiet sob that he just barely hears over the sound of the shower, but it's enough to send concern washing over him and Oliver quickly pushes the door open.

"Felicity?"

"Oliver."

Her voice breaks midway through his name and Oliver has the shower curtain pulled back to check on her the next moment.

The sight he finds is heart wrenching.

Felicity sits on the floor of the shower, curled in on herself as sobs wrack through her body. Her shoulders shake with each trembling breath she takes and Oliver reacts swiftly. In a matter of seconds, he has the water shut off and a towel wrapped around her tiny frame, hauling the sobbing blonde into his arms. She's sopping wet but Oliver couldn't care less as he runs a hand over her drenched locks, urging her to take comfort in his presence.

"Hey, hey, hey. Shhhhh… I'm here. It's okay. I'm here."

He doesn't know why she's upset, it could be a number of reasons, and it doesn't matter. The only thing Oliver cares about is making sure she's okay, which she very obviously is not.

Felicity buries her face into his neck, hot tears burning his skin where they land. Oliver tightens his hold on her, rocking them gently back and forth on the bathroom floor. Her gasps and strangled cries pierce Oliver's heart like an LHR combat knife and he does his best to soothe Felicity with softly spoken words and tender caresses.

Eventually her sobs quiet to gentle tears then become small gasps until finally all that's left is the occasional hitch in her breathing. She no longer clings to him like a lifeline but Oliver knows neither of them is ready to let go. He waits for Felicity to initiate the conversation, not wanting to push her.

"I'm sorry. It's just… I never expected any of this to happen to me. No one ever does, but I… It's so much to take in, too much. My mom, Bertinelli, my QC internship, training, Tommy… All of it is just one after another and I feel like I don't have any room to breathe. And please don't take that the wrong way; I love spending the night with you, or the morning, or any time of day really. You do make it easier. You and Digg and Thea… but I don't know how to deal with it all at once. Then we talked to my mother today and even though I know she's been a shitty mother and that we aren't that close, the thought of losing her, of losing another person I care about – "

Callused hands move to cup her cheeks, keeping Felicity steady so that he can hold her gaze.

"Hey, listen to me. You are one of the strongest people I have ever met, Felicity Smoak, and you are handling this in the best way that you possibly can. I can't promise you anything about your mother and I can't tell you that you won't lose her in one way or another, but I can tell you this: You're not going to lose me. Not if I have anything to say about it. I will be here for you, always. Do you understand?"

Oliver waits for her confirming nod before pulling Felicity back to his chest, pressing a tender kiss to the top of her head.

"I love you. So damn much."

Snuggling further into his now damp dress shirt, Felicity murmurs softly against his chest.

"I love you, too."

Time passes them by as the pair remains in their comforting embrace, giving and taking the love and support that they are both so in need of. Once Oliver feels the majority of the tension leave Felicity's body, he disrupts the silence surrounding them.

"Why don't you put something comfortable on and order room service, pick out a movie for us to watch? I'll take a quick shower and join you in a little bit."

Felicity sniffles into his shirt before briefly voicing her agreement. Oliver pulls them both to standing, careful to keep the plush hotel towel wrapped tightly around her frame as they move. He gives her another lingering kiss, this one on her forehead, and promises to be quick before Felicity exits the bathroom.

His shower, although not considerably lengthy, takes Oliver a little longer than he expected. All of today's events and their implications come raining down on him like the hot water above. He allows himself this time to reflect and compartmentalize all of it, deciding what takes priority and how to handle the myriad of obstacles being thrown at him. The most pressing matter, without a doubt, is Felicity's well being.

Fifteen minutes later, Oliver steps out of the shower, wrapping a towel around his waist. When he enters the bedroom, he's surprised to find the TV on but no Felicity in sight. She must be speaking with Digg in the adjoining room. Quickly, Oliver pulls on a pair of boxers, some sweatpants, and a t-shirt, fully intending on spending the rest of the day and evening in the room with Felicity. He makes his way over to the door that connects the two rooms, knocking firmly before pushing it open and entering.

"Felicity, are you – "

He stops midsentence when he realizes that the blonde is nowhere to be found. Diggle looks up from his place lounging on one of the beds, book in hand.

"Is Felicity in here?"

"No. I thought she was in the room with you."

Dread begins to set in as Oliver realizes the implications of the older man's answer.

"She's not there."

Digg's entire demeanor quickly shifts to high alert as he jumps up from the bed. Every nerve ending in Oliver's body is buzzing with adrenaline, eyes widening in horror. He bolts towards the door and nearly breaks the thing off its hinges in his haste. A voice inside him is already whispering the worst as Oliver strides into the hall.

He finds exactly what he thought he would.

Nothing.

"Digg! Teller's gone!"

"Son of a bitch."

Franticly, Oliver strides back into the room he and Felicity were sharing, door banging against the wall behind him.

"Felicity!"

In an act of desperation he searches the bathroom, wrenching back the shower curtain and growling in frustration. Oliver's footsteps pound heavily against the carpeted floor as he searches the hotel room. A sleek, black object on the ground catches his eye and Oliver bends to pick it up. Felicity's tablet. Pieces of glass fall to the floor, the screen completely shattered.

"Felicity!"

A hand on his shoulder jerks Oliver around, bringing him face to face with Diggle. The older man braces both his hands on his comrade's shoulders in an effort to steady him.

"Oliver! Oliver, look at me."

His frantic gaze meets Digg's for a second but it's enough, enough for his friend to utter the words Oliver has refused even to think.

"She's gone. Felicity is gone."

….

Author's Note: Okay be honest, how many of you saw this coming? I feel like it was fairly obvious, but I might be wrong. I've just had it planned since the very beginning and hindsight bias is 20/20.

What did everyone think of Karen? (Funny story, she was originally named Donna when I outlined this fic months ago. Go figure.) I hope I conveyed the complexity of her character and her relationship with Felicity. Did you like her? Love her? Hate her? I'm anxious to hear from you all.

Share your thoughts in the comments section! I greatly appreciate each and every one. You are all wonderful and thank you so much for reading my writing. Thank you!

- Bri