A/N Hey there peeps, I'm really sorry about the gap between posting the last two chapters...Life! Whatcha gonna do eh? It's really tricky trying to fit in this writing when I've a 40 hour work week and the bringing up of small children to do. My poor hubby is getting neglected for your enjoyment...lol so enjoy. I'm so honoured by all the reviews and favourites...makes a girl happy. so thanks x

His lips pressed against hers with fervor and his hands pressed sensuously against both sides of her face. Felicity found herself giving in and buckling against the torrid of emotions; from Elation to down right horny, so she begrudgingly pulled away allowing him to keep hold of her as she fought to catch her breath. Oliver remained pressed against her not completely unaware of Diggle's presence in adjoining office. Felicity was the first to speak "Do you think he saw us?"

"I don't think so" Oliver offered reassuringly, positive by the smirk Diggle was sending in his direction that he had been watching the entire time. Doing his best to ignore Diggle who was now sat with his arms crossed enjoying the display, he concentrated on brushing his right thumb gently upon the side of her face, his lips only inches from hers. He could still see how swollen they were and wanted nothing more than to taste her again. "Felicity, If you are willing to take the risk then so am I"

Felicity pushed herself up on to her tiptoes and tugged him towards her by pulling on his tie, before kissing him with as much intensity as he had her. It was Oliver that broke the kiss this time, his forehead resting on hers as he rubbed small circles on her lower back.

"Felicity, There is nothing that you could tell me that would change how much I love you." Oliver searched for her understanding and she gave it to him in the form of a nod. Wiping a tear from behind her lenses she pressed a small featherlight kiss upon his lips before whispering "Thank you" into his ear. Oliver watched her intently as she consciously took a step backwards so she could gain some perspective.

"Oliver I'll talk to you I promise but there is something I need to do first, can I take the rest of the day off? I'll meet you at the foundry later."

Oliver considered Felicity for a moment wanting desperately for her to open up and trust him, but he knew above all else that he trusted that she was good to her word, they would do this in her own time and on her own terms. He nodded chivalrously "of course" before pulling her closer and pressing hips lips to her forehead.

As Oliver watched Felicity leave the confines of the office his gaze met Diggle's and an unspoken stream of communication passed between them. Diggle grabbed his jacket making his way to follow Felicity at a safe distance so not to be seen.

Diggle had on several occasions been called upon for Recon. With Oliver's nightly activities, recon had become a regular occurrence but this felt a world apart from the usual dregs of society that were normally the target. He couldn't help the tug on his conscience and the feeling of guilt that washed over him as he followed Felicity's little red mini through the streets of Starling and kept telling himself he was only keeping her safe even though she would probably see it as a betrayal of trust. When she made a right at the second stop sign it suddenly dawned on him where she might be going, his suspicions confirmed as she pulled up outside his building. When Felicity emerged half an hour later with Izzy in toe, Diggle found himself bewildered by the turn of events. Why was she taking out his daughter? He didn't mind, Felicity usually took Izzy out once a week to give Lyla a rest, but this was unscheduled and unexpected. Maybe after this morning she'd had she needed a a break and who better to spend her time with then Izzy, he thought to himself. After all Izzy was insanely cute, and always made him feel better after a heavy day. He watched with complete admiration as Felicity carefully strapped in Izzy's car seat and proceeded to check it's security three times before driving off in the direction of Central City.

After a solid 25 minutes drive they reached the outskirts of Starling City where Felicity pulled up near a children's park. A little far to drive for a children's playground Diggle pondered, however reclined his seat from across the road and watched patiently while Felicity and his daughter enjoyed their outing

Felicity placed Izzy into the sand pit and removed her pumps, taking up a seat beside her god daughter. "You know Isabella, I am going to protect you from everything, I am never going to let anyone hurt you. You are so lucky you have so many people around you that love you with everything they have, and you have no idea." Felicty picked up a handful of the sand before sprinkling it down into Izzy's palm eliciting an eruption of giggles from the babbling girl. With one eye fixed on Izzy she found her other wondering to a brown curled girl on the other side of the park, watching intently as the little girl played.

When Felicity found herself in the foundry later that afternoon the usual serenity she found there, sat behind her screens was hastened by the confession looming over her. She knew she had to bare all, but the idea that Oliver and Diggle would think less of her, consumed her thoughts entirely. As she bounced Izzy up and down on her knee singing gleefully out of tune, Diggle appeared gym clad and ready to spar. Bending forward to caress his daughter he addressed Felicity. "Oliver not here yet?"

"Yes I am" Came the reply from the stairs. "Sorry investors meeting, felt like it was ne-ver gonna end"

Felicity caught his gaze and with look of pure guilt she began to speak "Sorry, I should have been there"

Oliver made his way in her direction and after brushing Izzys cheek in form of a greeting he placed his kiss on Felicity's, whispering "No you shouldn't have. Its fine"

The feeling of his Breath filtering through into her ear and the words with it sent her heart soaring, giving the slightest bit of confidence she needed in that moment. As she internally began to muster up the rest of the self-assurance she needed Diggle cleared his throat and bent forward to retrieve his daughter who jumped excitedly towards him "We'll give you two a moment"

Felicity reached out taking a grip on his hugely oversized bicep.. "No, it's ok, you should hear this too, from me. I owe you that"

Diggle nodded and leant against the workbench next to Oliver, squirming baby in tow. After a few seconds with her daddy, Izzy settled and curled up into the crook of his neck, eyes droopy. Felicity took this as her cue to begin. With her mouth poised open to speak, she fiddled with the hem of her peplum dress and stood nervously allowing her to put some much needed distance between her and the most important men in her life. As Felicity tried to force the words from her mouth all that left it was a strangled noise that had had Oliver rasing from his position at the workbench. Felicity held her hand up in a gesture to stop him and he sat back against the bench she cleared her throat.

"We met 2009 at MIT." Felicity rubbed the back of her neck and hesitantly continued "My Friend at the time; Martha, she wanted to go to this Alpha Kappa Frat Party. I had a midterm the next day so I told her I didn't want to go but she kept on about how she was so desperate to go because there was this guy that was going to be there. Anyway I went along just to shut her up" Felicity let out a small huff of exasperation that bordered on a laugh, before she continued. "Not more than five minutes after we got there she ditched me like a hot potato. Anyway Jed started hanging around me like a bad smell, I couldn't shift him. He kept trying to talk to me and when I blew him off I could feel his eyes on me from the across the room" Felicity closed her eyes and took a step backwards every word she spoke becoming more laden with emotion than the last. "The Next thing I remember was waking up with him on top of me" She let go of the sob that was pushing its way up her throat watching intently for Oliver's reaction upon hearing the last words tumble from her mouth. He swiftly reached for his bow and quiver from its resting place in the glass case only hesitating at the sound of Felicity's footsteps as she hurried towards him.

"Oliver NO!"

Oliver stilled his eyes refusing to meet hers as his alter ego consumed him.

"He has to pay Fe-lic-it-y" he Growled.

She shot a glance to Diggle whose face was ridden with Anger, hurt, and enormous amounts of restraint. He nodded, signalling that he was in agreement with Oliver whilst painfully hugging his daughter just that little bit tighter. Felicity rested her hand on Oliver's upper arm, shuddering as sobs continued to overcome her.

"Oliver. Not for me. Never for me" Felicity Pleaded. Oliver stood, seemingly unmoved by her statement. She raised her hand to his face, his gaze on the wall behind her. "You promised this wouldn't change anything" Felicity whimpered, seeking reassurance. The vacant look of a killer slipped away but with his bow still in his hand he reached for her. His other hand let go of his quiver and poised itself on the cusp of her hairline as his blue orbs bored into her soul.

"I Love you" he whispered so quietly that only she could her it "But he has to Pay"

With her eyes still locked on his, Felicity wrapped her slender fingers around his bow and channelled all her weight, attempting to pry the bow away from him

"He Will. But not Like this"