3. Failure

It was 10:35 P.M. when Felicity finally lifted her eyes out of the hazy sleep she was under. She knew because the clock was the only thing in the dark room that she could see.

The red numbers seemed to bore into her skull, and she felt dizzy. She had a major headache and was cable tied to a stiff chair, not to mention she couldn't even see her own hands. To make matters worse, she was worried Hypothermia would set in if she didn't get into some dry clothing soon. The rain had dampened her clothing so much it must have added an additional ten pounds to her weight.

'Well', she thought. 'At least I know the time'. She sighed and sat back.

It must have been a good thirty seconds before the realization hit her.

'Oh my gosh! What happened? Why am I in this room? I remember sticking cameras...' She stopped. She knew she failed at her mission.

'One simple job and you couldn't even manage to stay awake, Felicity? Nice job'. She laughed slightly, her throat immediately regretting it, and coughed.

Now that she came to the conclusion that she was a failure to her own team, she had to focus on the matter at hand. She couldn't see a darn thing except for that clock in front of her, and her body was shaking so badly, her screaming probably wouldn't do anybody any good.

'I don't even know why I decided to take lessons from Digg,' she thought. 'I guess ninja fighting only worked if you were awake to do it. Leave it to Felicity Smoak to be the exception' she scoffed.

Felicity wished she could just be at home, forget this ever happened, and get on with her life. Unfortunately, she knew that was only wishful thinking.

The life balancing the work between Queen Consolidated and the Vigilante night-job has been a never-ending occupation. Her 'daily' routine is not what anybody would call 'normal'

Waking up at 5AM every morning, fetching coffee for herself (and..VERY occasionally, Oliver), finding a parking spot in the cramped parking complex. Sitting at a computer all day taking commands from Mr. CEO while trying to keep things under control in the IT Department, and on top of that, going directly to the Verdant after work to have mini heart attacks while her partners put their lives on the line for Starling city', and maybe having a few spare hours of sleep before the cycle repeated.

Felicity wondered if Oliver wasn't going through what she was or worse. He had his family, which, his mother and him are not on speaking terms, he has to lie to his sister every day, and has to put up with Moira's campaign for Mayor. Work isn't any better, with Isabel Rochev at his every turn, criticizing how he never shows up for any meetings or important events, but only because he is trying to save the city of Starling, and almost getting killed himself for doing it.

She didn't even want to think about the Lance sisters, because she knew that was all his fault for that family being a so critical part in his life. But, everybody makes mistakes, and you should forgive them, she thought.

Yeah, Oliver seriously messed up with taking Sara on that boat while being in a relationship with Laurel. Yeah, when he got back he pretty much slept with every girl he met (well, besides her, but that's not the point here). But, nearly 6 six years later, getting into a relationship with the very girl that got him into trouble in the first place? No wonder Laurel was mad...well...she had other things to be angry about too, but that's Laurel's problem.

And now, the Grand Finale, Oliver will have to come rescue his little, defenseless IT girl because she had to prove her worth on the team. If he even figured she was gone by now. Which, if he knew, he's probably had to blow off the Welcome-home part for Sara. 'Great' she thought. Another thing I have to apologize for...'

"Ugghh why does my life have to be so complicated?" Felicity annoyingly spoke.

A door that she didn't know was there before now, opened slightly.

"I'd like to find out, dear, if you'll let me come in?"

Luckily, Mrs. Lance had the grit to excuse her family from dinner after an hour of everybody sitting in silent thought.

"I think it is about time we retire to our own house for the night. Thank you Oliver, for the evening" Mrs. Lance said.

Oliver threw a grateful glance her way, and nodded politely. "Of course. I am very happy the Lances' are united again."

Sara smiled apologetically in Oliver's direction. If not for the circumstances of the night, Oliver would have walked Sara out, but, decided it was safer for both of their hides if he only mouthed to her a silent "goodnight, Sara."

After the crowd was gone, Oliver took a deep breath. Digg sighed loudly. "Great party Oliver. I didn't know you liked to play the silent game."

However, he didn't press the issue when he saw the look on Oliver's face. He looked ashamed.

"Don't let it get to you, man. I mean, you had to know this was coming. Her sister just came back from the dead with a man who (indirectly) put her in the grave in the first place." he regretted the words as soon as he said them.

"I know, Okay! I just...I just can't get anything straight. It's hard enough trying to be CEO of a major company and killing people overnight." Oliver hollered.

Digg straightened up. "Yeah. A job which YOU decided to get involved with, and you think you are the only one with problems living two lives?"

Oliver started to say something, but Diggle beat him to the punch.

"Man, You think everything is centered around you. I know its hard having an alter-ego, but you seem to block out what everyone else goes through when you focus on your 'job'. I mean look at Felicity. She stays by your side day and night, listens to your problems, and still greets you every morning with a smile on her face."

"Speaking of which, where is she? God forbid you give her a night off once in a while."

"Alright, lay off, I get it." Oliver huffed. "Last time I checked she was still working on the whereabouts of Tockman (Clock King). I sent her a text at dinner but she didn't respond. You know how she gets caught up in her work."

"I bet I know that better than you do. "John puts his hands up in surrender. Alright, alright, I'm done with the speech. I think she would have left a long time ago, but I know her too well to think she wouldn't pass the time with how involved she gets in her babies. Let's go."

They arrived at the Verdant at around 11 P.M, stopping to get a bottle of wine they could all share (they probably all needed it), pressed in the code, and went downstairs. All of the lights were on, so they figured she was at her desk. "Hey, Felicity, thought you might want a glass of wine! We sure..."

Oliver went still for a moment, and Diggle immediately pulled out his gun and looked intensely at Oliver, and then to the basement. He noticed she wasn't at her desk, but the computer screen was blinking. Both of them walked down the steps, still cautious. "Felicity?"

"Maybe she went to get take-out after all" Oliver proposed.

"No, probably just taking a break, her coffee is still..."

Oliver looked quickly to the man who froze. He walked over to Felicity's desk and found out why.

The blinking screen had huge, red bolded words printed across it. Next to it was a monitor showing their IT girl strapped to a chair, unconscious, showing a ventilator with Carbon Dioxide carved into the machine, and a clock next to it that said 1:12:59.

The words on the screen read "HURRY UP...THE CLOCK IS TICKING" -Tick Tock

Sorry, I l LOVE cliffhangers! :) So, What are they going to do now? And how will Oliver react? Questions to be answered in the next chapter...tomorrow...dundunDUN!

P.S. Is anybody else besides me GOING INSANE waiting for the next Arrow episode?