Oliver turned the lights of at the club, and followed Maseo to the car. He was excited to celebrate his sister's birthday, and to spend time with all of the people he loved, but ever since Felicity told him she had invited Ray he was also dreading the party. He loved Felicity, but he had let her go, and he needed to move on. But having to see her with that man, the man who not only took over his company, but also took away Felicity, hurt worse than he wanted to admit.

When they arrived at the apartment, he took a deep breath and rang the doorbell. Felicity answered, and he awkwardly gave her the ice she had asked him to bring. They exchanged a few words, but she was acting so weird, he decided to go check in with Roy and Dig instead.

"Hey Dig, where's your wife?

"She's at home, with Sara. She was too tired to come, but not too tired to ask me to save her some cake."

"Well hey, no one's ever too tired for cake right?" A few minutes later, the doorbell rang again, and Oliver watched as Felicity checked her hair and her dress one more time, then opened the door. The way her face lit up, he knew it had to be Ray out there, and he had brought her flowers. A darkness stretched itself out in Oliver's stomach, turning it to acid. But something was weird. Felicity was being introduced to someone, a woman by the sound of it. A small flutter of selfish hope developed in Oliver. Could he have brought a date maybe? But no, he and Felicity were a thing now. She wouldn't have invited him if her were going to bring another girl.

Just then Ray and the young woman entered the apartment. Immediately, his stomach clenched when he say Ray. There he was. But then he saw the woman he had brought with him. She was young, probably around Felicity's age. Maybe a few years younger. And very peculiar. She was thin and pale, like she had recently been sick. Even from afar, he could tell she had some scars around her neck and face, and also some fresh marks. He had spent enough time on the island to know that the semi-circular marks along the front of her neck were from a wire, or a string that had been pulled around her neck from behind. As if someone had tried to choke her, or maybe even kill her. She was obviously trying to hide them as she kept pulling on her jacket, and moving her hair around as she inspected the apartment. He noticed the way her eyes flitted from one thing to another. Like she was looking for threats, or maybe a way out.

He immediately got the feeling that she wasn't someone to be trusted. And he tried to decide if he felt that way because of her appearance, or because she was someone tied to Ray Palmer. Just then Dig went to introduce herself to him, and Ray introduced her to everyone. Oliver's mind got hung up on the "sister" part. They looked nothing alike, aside from having dark hair. Was this why Felicity seemed so on edge?

Maseo seemed to notice her appearance as well, since his eyes also skimmed over her neck and wrists as his back stiffened, alerting Oliver that he thought something was off, too. He realized it was his turn to shake her hand, and he took in the bruises on her face, and the same marks around her wrists as she reached to shake his hands. Her hands had been bound, frequently in seemed by the number of marks. His mind was trying to take it all in and make sense of it. Was she some kind of a threat? Was this a greater plan of Ray's somehow? Take over my company, steal Felicity, then send in some sort of woman involved in God know's what? Or maybe he was just being paranoid.

When Roy came down to ask for help, Oliver gladly offered. He, Dig, and Roy were trying to put together a dresser that Roy had gotten for Thea when a crash alerted them downstairs. He heard Felicity cussing, and they went down to make sure everyone was okay. Once on the first floor, he saw Felicity trying to pick up the glass on the floor with a towel. The flowers Ray had gotten her were strewn across the floor too, and Oliver felt oddly satisfied. Until Felicity suddenly looked worried, and he followed her gaze over to Ray and his sister.

He was trying to get her attention, calling her name over and over again. But her face was one of pure fear; her gaze no where near Ray. She clung, white-knuckled, to the couch, using it to support her weight. He watched her chest rise and fall as she frantically drew shallow breaths. A few moments later, her eyes moved to Ray, and she seemed to realize where she was again. A hand reached up to her forehead as if checking for something. Oliver thought she must have been having some sort of flashback, and his skepticism about her increased.

Who was this person that was now going to be in Felicity's life? Could someone as seemingly unstable as she was be trusted around Felicity? What if this happened again, but next time she thought Felicity was trying to hurt her, so she hurts Felicity instead? Just then Bennett's eyes found his, and he realized he must be glaring at her as her eyes hardened in response.

Bennett excused herself to the bathroom, and Ray started to help Felicity clean up the rest of the glass.

"Is she alright?" Felicity seemed somewhere between concern and confusion.

"Yeah, she'll be alright. I told you, things are a little bit weird right now for her. But she's okay, really. Sometimes she just gets a little lost, that's all."

"Does she have PTSD?" Oliver was surprised to hear Maseo asking Ray a question. Even more surprised to see that he seemed concerned.

"Umm, yes. She does. I guess. She doesn't really…she won't talk to me about anything. About any of it. So I don't know what happens, or where she goes, but I know it's not a good place. Sometimes she's gone for a few seconds, and sometimes it's minutes. This was one of the worse times. So, I'm sorry you all had to see it."

"No, no, don't apologize, Ray." The darkness in Oliver sparked up again as Felicity put her hand on Ray's arm, comforting him. "I'm just glad she's okay. And she'll talk when she's ready." Ray smiled up at Felicity, and he seemed to relax at her touch.

Just then the lock in the front door jingled, and Laurel came rushing in, half out of breath.

"Thea's on her way up."

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Felicity was glad to see everyone having a fun time at the party. Thea had arrived, and actually seemed to be surprised. Everyone was getting along, and so far Oliver and Ray hadn't punched each other, no one had mentioned the Arrow, and Bennett hadn't had another episode. Felicity felt sad not only for Bennett, but also Ray. She wondered what it must be like to have you sister (who you thought was dead) come home, only to be riddled with bruises and mental pains. She had seen Bennett's face after she broke the vase, and couldn't help but feel slightly guilty that it had been her fault.

She decided to pull Bennett aside and apologize to her. Felicity found her sitting on one of the couches in the living room next to Ray, patiently listening to everyone around her tell stories about Thea.

"Hey Bennett, do you wanna help me with something in the kitchen?" She leaned over and whispered in her ear.

"Yeah, of course." Bennett's gold-green eyes met hers and followed her to the kitchen.

"I'm gonna try and decorate Thea's cake, but I'm not sure how. Any thoughts?" Bennett picked up the letters that spelled "happy birthday" in bright colors, and began placing them on the cake. Felicity noticed how her hands slightly shook.

"Hey I just wanted to say that I'm sorry…for earlier." Bennett looked up at her quizzically. "You know, when I broke that vase? I didn't…I didn't know…I mean not that it matters but Ray didn't tell me…much about you. If I had known I would have been more careful and-" Bennett dropped the letters and reached over to take Felicity's hands in hers.

"Felicity, you are so sweet and thoughtful. I knew before I even met you that you must be a special person since my brother is so taken with you, but you're even more amazing than I imagined." Felicity was too stunned to reply, and was about to say something when Bennett wrapped Felicity in a warm embrace, resting her head on Felicity's shoulder. Afterwards, Bennett finished applying the letters, turning the cake to make sure Felicity deemed it a good enough job. Felicity nodded her head, but found herself a little choked up. Now she felt guilty for having thought that Bennett might be a cruel, selfish person and keep her from Ray, but now she saw how loving she was, even after whatever she had been through.

Felicity pulled out the candles and called everyone to come over. She lit the candles, and laughed with her friends as everyone sang Thea "Happy Birthday" a little off key.

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I found myself actually enjoying the company of Ray's (or as I found out, rather Felicity's) friends. Everyone was kind to me, even though I noticed some sideways looks and obviously filtered comments after my attack. I liked Thea and Laurel. They were both very beautiful and strong. I learned through Diggle that Laurel recently lost her sister, Sara, and that they were all very close. I knew what it was like to lose a family member, and wanted to try and comfort Laurel, but I knew there was nothing beneficial I could say as an outsider.

A few times I felt my mind slipping from underneath me, but I managed to bring myself back. After my moment with Felicity, I felt something I hadn't in a long time. Hope. That there were still good-hearted people out there who could still see me as a person, who could maybe still love me. My heart was a little too swollen, and I separated myself from the group to gaze out the window again.

A few minutes later, I heard the group laughing at some joke Ray had made, and I smiled, happy he found someone to love. Felicity really was a wonderful human being. And she was lucky to have someone like Ray to love her, too.

I felt someone coming up behind me before I heard him, he really moved silently.

"Did you want some cake?" I turned to see Maseo holding out a piece of cake, fork and all.

"Oh, no thank you. I don't eat dairy, but I appreciate the offer."

"I understand. I didn't really eat dairy growing up. It's not really a food staple in my culture." He set the piece of cake down on the side table, and joined me at the window. I could tell he was trying to give me a piece of information about himself, to make me comfortable, probably in hopes that I would disclose something to him as well. "It's a pretty great view, isn't it?"

"Yeah, it really is." I wanted to make sure the conversation stayed focused on him. "So who did you know first here?"

"Oliver, actually. I just met everyone else a few weeks ago. I've known Oliver for many years, though."

"Gotcha. I don't think he likes me very much. Actually, I don't think he likes Ray very much either. Is it because he took over Oliver's company?" He looked at me.

"Oliver is just not really good with people. And yes, probably. Among…other things." At this he glanced at Felicity, and suddenly everything became clear. Male pride could go a very, very long way.

"Ah, I get it now. So Maseo, what do you do?"

"Uh, I work with Oliver." He seemed uncomfortable with the turn in questions, so I decided to switch gears.

"Duh. Sorry, that was a dumb question. I think I'm going to get another drink, do you want anything?"

"I'll get you something, what would you like?" I asked him for a Sprite, or a water if they were out. I turned to watch him walk into the kitchen, when I felt someone else watching me. Not surprisingly, it was Oliver. We made eye contact, and he shifted his gaze back to Diggle, who was impersonating Roy.

Just then Diggle got a call on his cell phone. I gathered that it was his wife, come to give Thea the present Diggle had left out there house. He said something, to which Thea, Laurel, and Felicity all squealed. They all ran for the door with Diggle and Ray behind. I questioned Maseo when he came back with my water, and he informed me that Diggle had a precious baby girl who was downstairs with his wife.

Feeling awkward, I sipped my water and excused myself to the bathroom. Be in a room alone with three guys I barely knew, one of which I suspected hated me? No thanks. I splashed some water on my face and wrists. I turned off the faucet and heard what sounded like a window breaking, and a body hitting the floor. I cautiously opened the bathroom door, and strained to hear what was happening.

I heard someone groaning, and what sounded like a gun with a silencer firing. I heard men talking to each other.

"We have him. Bagging them up now. En route in two minutes. You, check the apartment. Make sure it's clear." My mind froze, and time seemed incredibly slow. Was this real? How could I tell? I opened a drawer and found a pair of nail scissors. I lifted up my sleeve and drew a gash across my wrist. I winced at the pain, then focused. This was real. Shuffling through the drawer again, I grabbed a red lipstick and began scribbling on the bathroom mirror. "SOS I have Thea's phone ca-" They were getting close. I dropped the lipstick and ran through the other door into Thea's room. I remembered her saying earlier she went to plug in her phone, and I detached it from the charger.

Cracking the screen and the phone in half, I managed to pull out the SIM card, fingers bleeding. I tried to prepare myself as I forced the small piece of plastic down my throat and swallowed. I hid the pieces of the phone in a pillow case, and crawled under the bed. I forced myself to focus, and to stay present. Ray told me Felicity was good with computers and technology, so here's to hoping she could work her magic and find Thea's SIM card location. This was, of course, assuming they took me with them and didn't just kill me straight out.

I started counting again. Forty-two seconds later, footsteps entered the room. I gritted my teeth and tried to silence the scream that emerged as I was yanked from my hiding spot. A man in a black suit and mask dragged me to the living room, where I saw Roy, Maseo, and Oliver being gagged and tied. Small syringes were inserted into their necks, with what I'm guessing was some sort of paralytic concoction. They were conscious, but unable to resist.

"Found this one hiding in the bedroom. What should we do with her?" The man who I'm assuming was in charge comes over to me, gun in hand. Silencer in place, it must be the gun he used to tranquilize the others. He lifted my face up by my chin, and looked me in the eyes. I forced myself not to look away.

"If she was with them, she might know something, or be important to someone. Bag her. Let's move. Before the others come back."

I didn't get tranqed, but I did get tied and gagged. Through the window, down the side of the building, they loaded the four of us into a black van, shackling our feet to the floor and hands to the ceiling. A little excessive, I thought. What in the world could these four guys do to them?

But then in a strange moment I remember Maseo. Moving so gracefully, silently. I looked at him now, across the van from me with the others. He said he grew up in a different culture, and that he worked with Oliver. They were both extremely physically fit, including Roy. Could they be some sort of gang members or something? Black market dealers? Drug cartel? What had she gotten herself into?