Chapter 9: The Aftermath

Hi guys! New chapter up! It's short, but necessary for what's coming next!

As always can't wait to hear your feedback

P.S. Have you seen the new trailer for Arrow Season 4? Can't wait!

Oliver burst through the door of the lair, his anger barely contained. He was furious with what had happened on that rooftop. His fists were clenched as he stomped down the stairs – the others following closely behind. They were quiet as they went about taking their gear off.

Felicity was wondering what had happened – she had heard the fighting sounds when Oliver had turned his comm back on, the conversation that went on and some swearing when the sounds stopped. They all had reported back okay, but after three years she had learned that physically okay did not mean all was well. But it was something at least.

'What happened out there?' she asked, looking at all of them from her chair with a piercing look.

Diggle told her briefly what had happened, speaking quietly and glancing from time to time towards Oliver who went about pacing up and down the room, while the others sat around listening in. Felicity nodded as he spoke, not saying much, her heart sinking with every word she heard. Oliver had said that they would come for him, she had known all this time; but it was one thing knowing and another thing for it to be happening right before her eyes. She knew he was doing better, he had questioned everything less and less over the past few days and he smiled more. She – in fact - had caught him smiling with little things they were doing when he thought no one was looking.

Well everything should be going to hell right about now. She thought to herself with a small sad laugh.

'Felicity' she heard Oliver's voice, dangerously low coming from the corner.

He moved towards her just as she spun around in her chair to look at her computers, showing him she was ready to find whatever he needed.

'I need you to check possible locations for where they might be hiding.' He said moving closer to her right side as Diggle came to stand on her left and she started running searches on the screens.

'You think they are still here?' Diggle asked crossing his hands over his chest.

'They won't leave till I leave with them.' Oliver said. 'I also need location on Nyssa. Find if she's still in Starling.'

'On it. Search running, will let you know when I have something.' She said finishing off typing and turning around, finding herself looking at the two men on either side of her. She gave them her best smile, trying not to let what was happening get to her.

'I need you to finish those security updates.' Oliver continued, looking straight at her and she felt her heart race.

'Actually, already done. New protocol for entering the lair - which we can go over tomorrow - and getting a secondary location - just in case - ready.' She said still looking at him and he saw his eyes widen just a bit.

'Had a bit of time when you guys left' she shrugged feeling kind of proud but also self conscious.

He remained quiet for a second before finally saying 'Thank you' and turning round.

'You are welcome' she said leaning back in her chair. She would do everything in her power not to let him go back to that hell. She'd kill Ra's herself if she had to.

Well if he used anything digital he would have already been dead. She murmured to herself, thoughts of planting things and sending CIA and Interpol after him and making him disappear in their dungeons forever, in her mind. Well they wouldn't have dungeons, but she still hoped.

Lost in her thoughts she suddenly caught sight of the blood running down Roy's lip as he fixed a hole in his suit and looking around, a cut on Oliver's forehead as he went back to pacing the room.

She left her computers to run the search and stood up walking briskly towards the medical bay. She took an ice pack out of the cabined and opened it, moving towards Roy.

'Sit' she said and he obeyed immediately not saying a word. Felicity cleaned his cut and gave him the ice pack to put on top of his split lip.

She moved towards Oliver, stopping a couple of feet away from where he was still pacing up and down.

'Let me take a look at that cut' she said softly but firmly.

He turned to look at her, his gaze blazing, anger written all over his face and she almost took a step back, but refused to give in. He was still thinking about the league and what he would have to do.

He sat abruptly at the chair not really looking at anything, lost in thought.

Felicity walked closer to him holding the medical supplies. She touched him very lightly, the softest of touch, putting her left hand lightly on his cheek to keep him still and with her right one started to clean the wound on his forehead, using a clean cloth.

He flinched at her touch but didn't move. He just looked up at her face as she cleaned the wound.

When she finished she looked back at him and stroked his cheek lightly before going back to her computers, leaving him to his own thoughts.

She kept searching for hours, even though it was late and she had to be at the company in a few hours. Laurel had left, going back to her office and Roy had fallen asleep in the corner.

Oliver had started training, using the dummy and Diggle had soon joined him moving to using bamboo sticks. He kept coming over every few minutes, but Felicity would just shake her head. She knew he was on edge, but she was doing everything she could.

Right on cue with her thoughts she saw him take a swig of water and come towards her.

'Oliver, I'll tell you when I have something, but it doesn't look good if it's taking this long' she said barely looking up.

'I need location yesterday Felicity!' he snapped back and his voice woke Roy up from the corner, who sat up and looked around, a confused look on his young face.

'Oliver, there's nothing there, I can't find them – they are practically ghosts! They don't use technology and I've tried security cameras from shops and companies, traffic cameras, everything, but so far nothing!' she retorted turning round and coming face to, well, abs, with Oliver and she lost her train of thought.

Every damn time. She scowled internally.

'You need a better plan!' he snapped again, walking back to take his towel.

'Oliver!' Diggle's voice boomed around the lair and Oliver looked at him angrily, before closing his eyes. Diggle looked at Felicity and she nodded; she was okay, but clearly Oliver wasn't.

'We need to find them!' Oliver continued, his voice a bit calmer, oblivious to the others' interaction.

'Oliver we will.' Felicity said standing up.

'We are all tired. We need to get some rest and come up with a plan. There's no point in finding them if we don't have a plan to get them to leave.' Diggle added and Oliver leaned on the medical table at his words.

'With your wedding in a few days I just…' Oliver's voice trailed off. 'I'm supposed to be the best man. Maybe I shouldn't come.'

'Oliver!' Felicity said.

Great back to the same kind of thinking, she thought to herself.

'Man, the only reason we are having a wedding is so we can spend this day with the people we care about. Both Lyla and me knew the risks of what could happen, but we both agreed that this is what we wanted. I knew all the possibilities when I asked you to be my best man and I still stand by my decision. I want you there. We'll figure everything else out.' Diggle said coming to stand next to him, putting his hand on his friends' shoulder.

'Let's get some rest and figure this out tomorrow, okay?' Diggle insisted.

Oliver looked up to Diggle silently and Felicity could see how much weight he felt was on his shoulders. She feared he would run all the way to Nanda Parbat if he felt that this situation put one of the rest of them in danger.

And Felicity prayed to all the gods (or anything and anyone listening for that matter) to find a way out of this.