16. Memories

Yes...I know, double update! I just couldn't get this out of my head so I started writing again. Enjoy, as always!

After the shock of what just happened, Oliver politely excused himself, leaving a confused and drowsy Felicity in the bedroom. He immediately hit Digg's speed dial.

"Diggle. Get over here. Its' Felicity. She doesn't remember anything-I mean, what happened, I just came into her room and she-"

"Whoa, hold on a second, man. Are you at her apartment?" Digg asked, trying to understand the almost incoherent Queen. "Yes. I will explain when you get here. Hurry."

Minutes ticked by like hours as Oliver's heart raced, pacing back and forth, trying to ignore Felicity's feeble questions as she tried not to fall asleep. "For God's sake Oliver if you want to ignore me in my own apartment you can just leave. " She said, louder now. Oliver shut his eyes and breathed deeply. "Please, Felicity. Just go back to bed. You need your rest. I'll-I'll wake you when Digg gets here."

"Fine." she said reluctantly. "But when he does you better tell me what the hell is going on because I hate mysteries, and I need my sleep, unlike you nocturnal Tarzan people. -Oh crap I didn't just call you Tarzan. I am going to shut up -right now."

It seemed no matter what situation they were in, Felicity could always pull a smile out of the Vigilante. He shook his head, and tried to think as calmly as he could reasons why Felicity is experiencing Amnesia.

"Dissociative Amnesia", Digg suddenly said after Oliver explained what happened with Felicity. I've seen it with guys out in the field. A major traumatic event occurs and they can't wrap their head around it, So they forget it altogether. "So, could this be a good thing or a bad thing?" Oliver questioned. He would give anything to have her forget that night, but he knew she would just hate him again if she found out he kept her from knowing what happened yesterday.

"Well, the good news is, she didn't lose any of her normal memory functions except for the events of last night. The bad news is..." he looked into Oliver's eyes, sadness in them. "The disorder doesn't technically involve memory LOSS, but the brain stores the memory deep inside so it cannot be recalled...Unless it is triggered by something in her surroundings."

Oliver let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. Nearly whispering, Oliver asked "So what do you think we should do?". Diggle was silent for a moment, then decided to speak. "I don't think it's my call. But this is Felicity's memory we have in our hands, and I know Felicity. She would want you to tell her before she remembers the hard way..."

Oliver didn't know what to say. The last thing he ever wanted was to relive every moment of yesterday night; it was too much. Having to tell Felicity again how he had abandoned her for a mission, and explaining why she almost died on the way home...shooting Tockman...and reciting her speech on the way home, almost made him run back to the island and forget ever coming home.

Diggle noticed the expression on his face, and put a hand on his shoulder. "You have to do this, man. For Felicity. And...maybe for yourself, too."

"What does that mean?" Oliver spoke, still slightly confounded. "You'll figure it out. As for me, I am going to go back to my place, and I'll meet you at Verdant tomorrow night. It's probably a good idea Felicity takes a few days off. Especially if her memory returns." he eyed Oliver, giving him a silent reassurance. Then Digg went into the bedroom, where Felicity was still trying to get out of bed. "Hey, take it easy, Felicity. It's best if you stay in bed for the moment." Digg said gently.

"Diggle I have been waiting in this bed for a half hour wondering why you and Oliver had to invade my apartment just to ignore me. I need answers. NOW." Felicity said in her loud voice.

"I will explain." came the soft voice of Oliver Queen. A voice which Felicity nor Digg have heard before. With this, Felicity stayed quiet. Diggle said goodnight to Felicity, and headed out.

Oliver's heart was pounding through his ears and he could barely hear himself speak. He didn't want to do this. He'd rather her know everything and hate him, instead of him having to explain his mistakes over again. Guilt was weighing him down like a ton of bricks, and he, at this moment, wouldn't mind if it killed him. but he knew that would be too easy of a release. He began to sweat.

"Oliver..." Felicity said softly, still trying to understand what was going on with Oliver. She had never seen him like this. It looked worse than a nervous breakdown or the look he had when he thought he was going to be killed. It looked like he was about to cry...

Ohh that last part made my heart break a little...I know this chapter wasn't supposed to be up until Wednesday, so this is my little Easter gift to you. I know we all want (NEED) Oliver to suffer, to have him break down to understand what he did to Felicity. So...All I am promising is, this story is NOT over :D