4. Until It's Gone...

Thank you for the reviews..this is my first fanfic so I get ecstatic even if only 5 or 6 people comment on my story :) FYI this will be the last chapter I post before Arrow returns tomorrow night (Woohoo!). Enjoy!

"Now tell me, dear, why do you feel the need to spy on me? I know you have tried to severe my firewalls, and I must say, you are pretty good, too."

Felicity took a deep breath, trying to lean as far away from the ticking man as she could. "I wouldn't pry, but murdering city officials aren't exactly on my 'let-go-of-it-and-get-on-with-your-life' list'. She was exhausted. This man had only been in the room for 10 minutes, mostly just staring at her features. 'It goes against my teams' mission".

"So, you must be very loyal to this 'team' of your, hmm?"

She didn't know why he was asking all of these stupid questions. She just wanted to get some warm clothes on and go to sleep!

"YES. I am. Please, tell me what you want. I'm tired, I am drenched in water, and I just want to go HOME." Felicity hastilly said.

"Well, Ms. Smoak, I would let you go, but you have become a liability to me. Though I must say, I am surprised your associates have not come to rescue you, yet. I hope they got my message?"

Felicity perked her head up at this. "What? What message?"

"Let me explain this to you." The Clock King points to a ventilator in the corner of the room. "This is a machine that creates carbon dioxide, which of course, I am sure you are familiar with." He smiled cynically.

Felicity knew where this was going, and shuddered involuntarily.

"I have a video camera set up here, that is recording this entire room. The footage can be seen live from your little 'lair'.

Felicity mouthed "Oh no..."

"Yes, Ms. Smoak, you don't want to miss the next part. Starting in five minutes, every hour you will be inhaling a generous amount of Carbon Dioxide. Your 'friends' will be watching you, and they can't do a thing about it."

"Yes they will!" Felicity said with a voice she didn't know she had. "You don't know them. They will come for me. There's always a way."

"It's what I am hoping for! Oh, to see the mighty vigilante, begging on his hands and knees to let his precious partner in crime go." He laughed.

"What is even better is, I already have another agenda for tonight, and your Arrow will be so caught up in saving the city, I doubt he would give it up for someone like you."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Felicity muttered in disgust.

I've heard your conversations. I can tell Oliver doesn't appreciate what you do. Everyone else can kick-ass and you are sitting behind a computer the whole time. You have no way to defend yourself and you'll always be just his 'damsel in distress'. Now excuse me, I have other matters to attend to."

Felicity sighed in defeat, as a tear slipped out of her glassy eyes. She knew the city was the first priority. She also knew that even if Oliver did come to her rescue, it would just prove again that she was helpless. She just HAD to find a way out of here.

"Oliver, you can't help her by just sitting here looking at a screen."

He was totally helpless. Felicity is about to get the life sucked out of her and he could do nothing. Oliver watched as she sat there helplessly while the Clock King was breaking her apart. He almost couldn't stand it when he saw the tears in her eyes. He wanted to hit something.

"OLIVER! What are we going to do?"

" I don't know what to DO!" Oliver was throwing a fit. "How could she go out into the field alone? Did she know how DANGEROUS that was? She can hardly defend herself, and what was she thinking!?"

"Now, wait a minute, man. I doubt she was doing this just to get a rise out of you. But if she were, she'd be succeeding at..." Oliver threw him a death glare.

"Fine. But don't you think just for a minute that she just wanted to help? She sees us risking our lives everyday for the city while she is here worried sick. And you and Sara getting back together does not help this any."

Oliver huffed. "What does THAT have to do with anything?"

"It has EVERYTHING to do with it, Oliver. I don't care if you notice it or not, but you always put the Lance's first. Whether it is Laurel, or Sara. Look, I know you two have a history, but getting into a relationship with a girl that got you on the bad side of Laurel in the first place doesn't sound very smart."

He hated to admit it, but Digg had a point. If Sara didn't go on that boat with him, Laurel probably wouldn't be where she was now. The whole Lance family, actually. And he didn't even think how this 'thing' they had would affect Felicity. They were partners, and she trusted him. Now he took off for a meaningless party while she is fighting for her life.

"Oliver, Wait. I think I remember the address Felicity told us right before we left. Ocean and...Grand! Ocean and Grand!"

"I'm going to suit up now!" Oliver said as he ran to get his gear.

When Oliver looked at the clock before he left, the signal showed that the first round of Carbon Dioxide was seeping into the room. Felicity was sitting awkwardly in her chair, drenched and attempting to stay alert for the gas. Even through the screen he could see the dark circles under her eyes that showed she hadn't slept in a while. 'Why didn't I notice that before?' he thought. He needed to get to her, fast. "I am coming, Felicity." He whispered.

It took ten minutes, speeding, to get to the building. Oliver rushed inside, John not far behind. They both raced up the stairs slamming down every door on their way, looking for any sign of Felicity or the Clock King. Just as he was making his way up the third flight of stairs, his 'secret' phone rang.

"What is it?" He asked, annoyed that Mr. Lance was calling him at this 'precise' moment, he noted.

"Are you in the glades? There has been an explosion at Riverside and Lot. Another is about to go off but I see the intruder now. Can you get here? Hello?"

He was torn. He couldn't be in two places at once. Digg wasn't in any identity-sealing uniform and he couldn't just leave Felicity here.

Digg was looking at him, confused, but when he saw his face, he knew.

"Man, you can't! Felicity needs you!"

Oliver turned to the man, and laid a hand on his shoulder. "I have to go. Find her. I will come as soon as I can."

He ran out the door before he could change his mind, with John staring at him, anger tensed all his features. Though he wanted to know what was going on, he knew Felicity needed help. He proceeded up the stairs to look for her.

I apologize sincerely for not updating yesterday, but you know, life happens. Will try to get another chapter done by tomorrow :)