Once Oliver had changed into his suit, he went to a maintenace door and climbed to the roof. There, he pressed his finger to his earpiece and asked Diggle, "What room are they in?"
Diggle's voice crackled back in his ear. "Go to the left side of the roof and climb down. I'll tell you when to stop."
Oliver pulled out an arrow and slammed it into the edge of the roof. Attaching a rope to it, he grappled down the side of the building. The night sky concealed him well.
"Stop," Diggle said. "They're just behind that wall."
Oliver pulled out another arrow and set it to explode. Just before it did, he pushed off the building with his legs. The concrete exploded and created a small hole big enough for Oliver to swing through. He tackled Victor Sukov and held his body in front of his.
"No one move," he growled in a deep voice.
There were two body guards with their guns out. Victor's colleague had his hands up but looked prepared for a fight. His body was encased in shadows, so Oliver was unable to see his face.
"What do you want?" the colleague said.
"What do you know about Mirakuru?" Oliver asked, not relaxing his grip on Sukov.
Victor's colleague took a step forward. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Oliver was about to speak when a bodyguard raised his gun. Oliver spun and dropped Sukov, then dodge the bullets as he tried to stop them. He shot an arrow at one of them but the other one kept shooting. He took cover behind a metal desk and shot another arrow that exploded next to the shooter. All was silent.
He stood up, bow at the ready, and examined the scene. Victor Sukov was on the ground, bleeding. His colleague was no where to be seen. "Diggle, where's Sukov's friend?"
"I see him running down the hallway. It looks like he's headed for the elevators."
Oliver rushed over to Sukov and checked his pulse. "Damn. Sukov is dead." He left him and ran down the hallway. "Digg, what floor is he on now?"
"One below you. Take the elevator."
Once Oliver was on the lower level, he said, "Cut the power on this floor." The lights went off, only a few emergency ones left on. It gave off a green glow to the hallway.
"He went into his room. It's room 524."
Oliver made his way down the hall and found the room. He kicked it open and found a dark room. He pulled out his bow and walked forward. A creak in the wooden floor drew his attention to a corner. The colleague rushed out and attacked Oliver. He released and arrow into the man's arm.
Tackling him to the ground, he held his neck against the floor. "What do you know!" Oliver yelled.
The man tried to roll away, but Oliver kept his grip. "You'll never find that serum!"
"I already have, that's the problem."
The man's eyes widened. "How?"
"It's made it's way to Starling City. Now, tell me how to stop it!"
"I don't know how. It was meant to save the human race."
Oliver paused. Through all the chaos he hadn't recognized the man's voice. "Ivo?"
The man shifted his head as Oliver released his grip. His face moved into the faint light. "Oliver Queen," he breathed.
Oliver arose, but pulled Ivo up with him. "How are you alive?" he growled.
"There are ways of escaping death," he stated vaguely.
Oliver slammed him into the wall. "Tell me about the Mirakuru! I know you know more!"
He shook his head. "No, I don't. The island was a disaster with Slade. We never made a cure, because we thought it would work. There is no cure, Oliver."
"NO!" Oliver protested. "You have to know a way!"
"I don't."
Oliver twitched and snapped, punching Ivo in the face, knocking him unconcious. His body collapsed to the ground. Diggle came in his earpiece. "Oliver, what's happening?"
"I'll explain later. But for tonight, we're done."
He searched the room for something, anything that would give him the means of finding a cure. Or finding someone who could make one. Then he heard a crash outside in the hall. He ducked out of the room and raised his bow, pointing down the hall.
A man was running towards him. A big man. Oliver shot an arrow then another but the man dodged them. He tackled Oliver and threw a punch. Oliver reacted quickly and knocked out the man. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a body go into Ivo's room.
He shot up and entered the room just as Ivo and the man jumped through the window.
"Dammit," Oliver muttered as he rushed to the window. They had swung down to the street below and climbed into a car. Then they were gone.
Oliver knew there was no finding him, at least not tonight. So he changed back into his suit and tie then returned to the auction downstairs.
Back in the ballroom, he saw Felicity sitting by herself at their table while others were dancing to the jazz band and looking at the art. He smiled when he saw her then walked over.
As soon as she saw him, she stood and touched his arm. "What happened? Diggle said you chased down his colleague but then said you would explain later?"
"Felicity," he said, putting a hand on her waist, "everything is fine. I'll tell you about it later."
She frowned. "What's on your face." Squinting, she rubbed his chin. "Oh, just some blood, classic Oliver Queen." She smiled and rested her fingers on his face.
They gazed at each other for a moment before the woman from the admission line came up to them. They immediately broke eye contact and looked to her.
"Having fun?" she asked them.
"Yes," Oliver said, plastering a smile on his face. He put his arm back around Felicity's waist and pulled her closer.
"Well, these two are for you," she said as a waiter came with champagne on a tray. "Compliments from us." She smiled and left as they took their champagne.
"Too bad I don't like champagne," Felicity said to Oliver, holding her glass.
"Me niether," he admitted. "How about we go back upstairs and order some red wine. I know you love it."
"You remembered that?" she asked, surprised.
He laughed. "Let's go, Felicity."
Back in their room, Diggle had gone to bed. Oliver had called room service for a glass of their finest red wine. Now, they sat at the small bar in their room, pouring the wine into two glasses.
"Tonight was fun, too bad you didn't get a cure," Felicity said.
Shaking his head, Oliver said, "I don't want to talk about business tonight."
"Okay," she smiled and took a sip of her wine. "My God, this is amazing." She took another sip.
Oliver just smiled and watched her. "I'm sorry you had to be there alone while I left. I hope you still had fun," he said.
"Well, someone did ask me to dance, but he was very shady looking. He had a beard and was tall and smelled wierd," she explained.
He chuckled and nodded his head to the side. "Why don't we dance now?" His voice was soft, velvet-like.
She seemed surprised. "Dance?"
Oliver nodded with a smile and went to the T.V. There was a stereo there and he turned it on. Smooth jazz played softly as he walked back over to her sitting in her seat. He held out his hand. "Shall we?"
She blushed and smiled down at her feet. He led her out into the open space of the living room. He brought her in close as he placed his hand on her back. His other hand held hers. At first, she seemed like she didn't know what she was doing. Her other hand awkwardly touched his shoulder.
"Felicity?" he asked in a hushed voice.
"What?" Her voice was shaking.
"Don't be nervous. It's just me."
She nodded and her hands tightened on him. Leaning closer, her breath touched his neck and he was now the one with a shaky voice.
"I haven't danced like this in forever."
She laughed nervously. "Nobody's ever danced with me like this."
Oliver noticed how close their bodies had gotten. They were pressed against each other, sharing warmth, sharing air.
They could have danced all night. Until he remembered his nightmares. He couldn't get this close to someone. He pulled away and took a deep breath, trying to compose himself.
"I uhh. . . should be getting to bed. We have an early flight home tomorrow."
Felicity looked away. "Right, home." A disappointed look filled her face.
"Goodnight Felicity," Oliver mumbled as he rushed to his room.
Behind his closed door, he took another deep breath. Fear hit him like a brick wall.
