13. Family

Oliver put his jacket around Felicity as they made their way to the Queens' car. She threw a grateful glance his way, for she was sure she would get Hypothermia in this weather if she didn't stop shivering. Oliver held the passenger side of the door open and gently helped her into the car, and proceeded to get in on the other side.

She didn't know what to make of Oliver. She was still reeling from the events of the night, and she noticed the tension between Oliver and John, which she didn't understand. Maybe she was finally going to get that lecture about going out in the field. How stupidly dangerous it was, how he needed her in the lair and nowhere else. 'Ugh' she thought. 'I'd rather sleep'.

However, deep in her mind she knew she wouldn't be able to sleep tonight. The sedatives Sara had given her had put her into a deep, dreamless sleep. But now that the drugs were finally wearing off, she shook from more than just the cold.

"Are you still cold? I have another blanket in the back..." Oliver said, watching her worriedly.

"No, I'll be fine" she replied, her voice still slightly hoarse. Oliver gave her a skeptical look, but turned back to the road.

Felicity laid her head back against the seat, and shut her eyes. "If there's something you want to say, Oliver, say it." she said hastilly, sighing heavily. Oliver was taken aback by this. But he seemed to understand. "Yes, there is something I would like to say to you." She turned her head to look his way.

"I'm sorry..." he began. Felicity stared at him in confusion. This was not what she was expecting. "Why-?"

"You don't know this, but it was my fault your were nearly killed in that building." Felicity tried to interrupt him, but he kept on. "No, it was my fault. When I saw you on your own computer screens, about to have the life taken out of you I-when I brought you onto this team I had promised to protect you, and I broke that promise."

Felicity didn't understand. She knew Oliver might feel slightly responsible, but it wasn't his fault..."Oliver, it was because of you that I was brought out of that place alive. You have no reason to be blaming yourself. Besides, I knew what I was getting into when I joined your team. We all have to make sacrifices."

"Felicity, you don't understand..."

"Yes I do, Mr. Queen, I know you have a lot on your plate but that doesn't mean you are allowed to you can fix everyone else's mistakes! -It's...my fault I got into that situation. I wanted to go out into the field to help...to show that I was strong enough, but I was stupid and irrational...I didn't mean to make you worry, especially since it probably disturbed Sara's party..."

"Don't apologize to me" Oliver growled. It made him sick to think that she was the one who thought they did wrong.

"When we went into that building, I got a call from Lance, saying he had a bomb about to be set off in the Glades, one similar to the one Malcolm Merlyn set up. I made a decision to go, and Digg had tried to stop me. If it weren't for him, you probably wouldn't be here today".

Felicity was trying to understand. She didn't see much of what was going on in that building. All she remembered was Oliver releasing her from her bondage, and Tockman trying to stop them from leaving...

Oliver seemed to know what she was thinking. "I came in through the window after I stopped the criminals from leaving the city. Diggle was the one trying to get past Tockman so he could rescue you." he said this with such defeat in his voice, his eyes not able to reach hers.

"Oh." was all she could manage to say. This was all too much...Oliver really turned his back on her to save the city? She tried not to, but she couldn't help thinking if things would have turned out differently if it was Laurel or Sara in danger.

Oliver apologized again. "I have no excuse for why I did what I did. I honestly don't know why I chose to leave. If you had died..."

She was done. She didn't know what was coming over her, but Felicity Smoak was done. Done caring about Oliver, or his feelings. All those times she held back from him, were being thrown out the window.

"What if I did die? Huh? I bet if it was Sara who was in my place you would have turned the world upside-down to save her." Felicity's voice was slowly rising, and mentioning Sara had caught him off guard. He had to question what he would have done if Sara was the one in peril.

"Hell, or Laurel for that matter!" Her hands went up in the air. "Me and Digg have been by your side since day one, helping you do what you do even if what it is your doing is insane, or unrelated to your 'alter-ego' work. Yet, when Sara shows up, you make sure to do everything in your power to accommodate to the woman. I know you don't always have time to thank us for what we do, which, you shouldn't have to, because we are a team. A FAMILY. And family does not leave a member of it to die! -Just...Just what the hell were you thinking? I gave up my life to help you and your work, and I trusted you with my life. That is all I asked for in return." Her voice became smaller. "Am I really that low on your priority list, Oliver, that you would justify my death to continue being Starling City's hero? Because if it is true, I'd rather you be stuck on that island." She opened her door, for Oliver had pulled up to the front of her house. She finished, "At least then you knew who you cared about."

She shut the door, which felt like Oliver had been slapped in the face. He waited until Felicity went into her house, and drove off, surrounded by his own thoughts, unsure of where he was going next.

Oh I just loved writing Felicity's speech in this chapter! How did you guys like it? You think Oliver deserved Felicity's slap in the face, or was she being too hard on him? Please leave a review, chapter 14 will be up on/or before Wednesday!