Felicity Smoak looked nervously between her phone and Oliver. She wasn't ready to talk about what happened, especially not in front of Oliver. He was standing by her door, leaning on the frame with his strong arms crossed and his thick brow furrowed, like he was angry before she'd even said anything.

"Detective," she swallowed, her saliva providing no comfort to her suddenly dry throat. "I'm still on medication, do you think it's wise I make my statement now?"

"While it's fresh in your head, Miss Smoak, I would appreciate it."

Felicity looked to Oliver helplessly and let out a breath, she didn't want to do this. Not yet, she wasn't ready.

"Start at the beginning." Lance said, prompting her.

And so she did, as she spoke about how Isobel tricked her and Slade hurt her, she could see the anger and pain on Oliver's face as his jaw tightened and he made white knuckled fists at his side. By the time she'd finished making her statement- she was in tears and Lance apologized. He thought he'd pushed her too hard by asking her simple questions, he was just doing his job but she knew he had a soft spot in his heart for her and he'd feel guilty for prying for information. Felicity said goodbye to Officer Lance and gave Oliver back the phone to hang up.

"Felicity," Oliver said, his bottom lip quivering as he blinked away his tears, clearly trying to stay strong so Felicity didn't feel weak. "I'm so sorry."

"It's not your fault." Felicity said, wiping her eyes, "He was a psychopath, he had a sick mind, that's not your fault, Oliver."

Oliver ran his hand through his hair and moved to the end of her bed, sitting down but not moving to touch her. "I should have known you were gone sooner. The day was nearly up before I asked Dig how you were doing and you'd already been taken."

Felicity shook her head, "You couldn't have known, Oliver," she sniffled, "and I'm back now anyway, I'm safe. Slade is dead. We'll be okay."

Oliver hung his head and let out a shaky breath, "This never would have happened if I didn't bring you into this," he said, clenching his fists and Felicity saw his eyes darken, "I should have let you lead the life you had."

"Oliver! How can you say that?" Felicity gasped, "We are in this together, through thick and thin, Oliver. That's what partners do, remember?"

Oliver turned to her, his eyes red and watery, "The marks he gave you, they're probably going to leave a scar and you'll get dressed every morning and be reminded of what he did. How is that okay?"

"It's life Oliver, bad things happen, but apart from a few cuts and bruises, I'm okay. I'm here and all I really want right now is for us not to fight." She huffed; determine not to let her desperation and anger get the better of her. "Why are you sitting so far away?" She reached out to him slow and her body ached in protest.

"I don't want to hurt you." He said, "I just want you to feel better."

"I'll feel better when you get in here," she motioned to the other half of her bed, "and hold me like you should be." She said, matter-of-factly.

"Felicity, I-''

"Oliver!" She bit back, and Oliver stood up and moved to the other side of her bed. "Seriously?"

"What if I bump you by accident?" He worried.

Felicity groaned and rolled her eyes, "You've put me on something incredibly drowsy, so I'm sure I won't even feel it." She felt the bed dip as Oliver sat down and kicked off his shoes, slipping into the blankets beside her. She wished she could roll onto her side and wrap her arms around him but her ribs hurt too much to do that, so she settled for second best and took his large, long fingered hand in hers. "Where's my welcome back kiss?" She asked, looking at him expectantly.

Oliver gave her a sad smile and leaned over her, careful not to put any weight on her body, and looked down at her lips, "Try and get some sleep," he said, kissing her soft lips gently, "I'll be here."

"Good." Felicity replied, kissing him once more, a little stronger to see if he'd take things further. She wasn't surprised when he pulled away and settled by her side. It was worth a try.

The next morning Felicity woke in pain, her shoulders and wrists hurt from the way she'd be restrained and more than anything she wanted a hot bath and something good to eat.

"How did you sleep?" Oliver said and her heart skipped a beat, she didn't realize he'd woken, but she wasn't surprised. She knew he'd be weary of her.

"My shoulders hurt a little." She said, trying to roll them back, "I need a bath," she felt dirty; she wanted to wash Slades hands off her. "I feel disgusting."

Oliver sat up and looked her over, when he brought her back he'd only been able to wipe over her wounds and clean her face and hands, he was too scared he'd hurt her if he tried to clean her. He was scared even now that just by kissing her soft pink lips that she'd crumble beneath him.

"I don't know if taking you into the bathroom yet is wise, you're pretty banged up." He said, her bruises had gotten darker since the night before and he wondered how much worse they would get until they vanished.

"I just want to clean myself, where he touched me, Oliver," she said and he felt a spike of anger rush through his body, he had to help her, "please."

"Okay, but I'm joining you." He said, trying to lighten the mood with one of his charming smiles, her cheeks turned red and she nodded quickly, looking a little happier than before. He got out of bed and headed for the bathroom to run the bath. "How hot do you like it?" He asked, knowing that he liked his almost scolding because he didn't feel clean otherwise.

"Really hot," she said and he smiled, "Steamy hot." She called.

When the bath was full Oliver returned and helped Felicity out of bed, he thought she looked thinner as she walked slowly to the bathroom, holding on to him for support. He took off his shirt and helped her out of hers as she dipped her fingers in the water, "Perfect." She said, turning back to him, his eyes were hooded when she looked at him.

He had a worried look on his face that was one purse of his lips away from being furious. She took a moment to look her body over, and at first glance she realized that it wasn't as bad as she thought it would be. While she had cuts across her body, it was mainly the bruising that ached her. Her pale breasts were surrounded by tones of blue and purple and the odd smear of blood. She turned to inspect her back, the damage from Barry's push had not yet healed and her back looked like it'd been through the chop shop.

"Are you okay?" Oliver asked as he stepped out of his pants, now leaving him in his underwear. Heat filled her belly, deep and fiery. They'd both have scars now, she thought as Oliver awaited her reply.

She nodded, her eyes on the waistband of his boxer briefs. Her hands slowly moved to her underwear and a shy expression flushed her face.

"You can leave them on if you want, Felicity." Oliver said. "I'll leave mine on too."

"I want to be clean." She said, stepping towards him and placing her hands on his lower stomach, "I have to be."

Sadness welled up inside Oliver, he never wanted this for her. He dreamt that when he finally saw her bare and standing before him, it would be in a happier, less wounded way. He dreamed of passion and heated stares, slow undressing and gasps and moans. He didn't dream of blood and bruising and pain.

"I won't look." He said, trying to convince himself that she would prefer that.

"Oliver," She said, her voice soft, "I'm not afraid that you'll see me naked," she looked at him through her thick and full lashes, "I'm afraid you'll feel sorry for me," her hands moved to his and she brought them toward herself, placing them on her hips and she saw his face stiffen, "We've got a chance to make this situation better," she pushed at his fingers until they looped in the waistband of her underwear, "let's just make it better."

Oliver sucked in a breath and let it out slowly, even in her injured state she tried to see the light at the end of the tunnel. He loved that about her. He pulled at her panties, the lace falling to her ankles as she held onto his shoulders and stepped out of them. His hand was at the small of her back, leading her to the bath as she lifted one foot in and then the other. Oliver followed, helping her down into the water and pulling her to his chest.