"People generally see what they look for, and hear what they listen for." - To Kill A Mockingbird

Growing up, Grant Burns had never been much interested in life. He'd always found things boring. It wasn't until he'd been changed by the particle accelerator that really felt like he'd found his calling. It wasn't only by accident that he'd figured out his ability. From that point on, he'd used it to his advantage in one way or another. Now locked up in STAR Labs, Grant was subjected to tests and occasional 'readings'.

At least he had moments of amusement…

When the cover to his cell door rolled open, Grant knew that today was going to be one of those days. Meals and everything else were routine and his internal clock knew that this was an unusual event. Grant got to his feet and waited to see who was coming for a visit. He knew them all. Some were easier to mess with than others, which only made it a better time. He'd even nearly escaped once…but Barry Allen hadn't let that happen.

"Doctor Snow! Can I call you Caitlin yet?" Grant's voice practically boomed with excitement.

But Caitlin wasn't alone, Doctor Wells was there with her…and then Allen and Queen were not far behind them. Caitlin was an easy target, but so was Allen… Wells and Queen were not so easy, even though Grant knew exactly who to get to Queen. There was just one person in that world that Oliver Queen longed for… Even if it was just a clue.

Felicity Smoak.

For years, they'd been doing this dance. Oliver Queen would come and want to have a 'reading' and would get glimpses of something about his beloved and apparently that would be enough to keep him hoping until the next time he showed up in Central City. It was pathetic really. Since Grant could see everything that Oliver could, there was no use in him hiding that he was the Arrow. In all honesty, Grant didn't understand how Barry or Oliver could be these great heroes with how easily they could be affected by people in their lives.

"Really? Again?" Grant practically complained, his attention at Queen.

"Last time," Oliver spoke up.

"Really?" Grant chuckled. "One last time and then you'll just give up on your search for this woman that you love?"

His comments seemed to anger Queen, but Grant really didn't care. They were all pathetic. They needed him, so Grant didn't feel like he was in any danger. Plus, Caitlin liked to investigate the abilities of all of the metahumans in that prison far too much.

"Yes," he said as he moved closer to Doctors Snow and Wells. "And if I get nothing more…nothing substantial…then we'll take different steps."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Grant questioned. Queen's statement had seemed sort of ominous. Grant didn't like it. Oliver Queen always seemed…content to know where he was. Why had that changed? Was he just at his wits end waiting and looking for Felicity Smoak? Could he not stand it anymore? Was he crumbling? He knew all of those questions would be answered the moment that they started the 'reading'.

"Apparently, I'll be forced to hand you over to ARGUS…and they have…well," Wells spoke up. "Let's just say that their accommodations, staff, and treatment are far different than what you've become accustom to…"

Grant really didn't like the sound of that.

"I can't control WHAT Queen sees," Grant reminded them.

"We actually don't concretely KNOW that," Caitlin voiced.

She was right.

But she was wrong, too.

His ability seemed to change the more he used it. Maybe it was the control over the pace or the recall of the vision. Whatever it was, one thing Grant knew for sure…he couldn't control it like they wanted. If he'd been able to do that, to show them where Felicity Smoak was…he would have used that as leverage a long time ago. He actually didn't mind his accommodations, but he really didn't want to be moved to this…ARGUS place…

"We actually do," Grant said as he took a step out of his prison. He tapped the side of his head as he walked towards the waiting group, and then he hands raised slightly up in mock surrender. "Because I'm telling you. I can't control it like that…"

"Maybe not yet," Wells said.

Maybe never.

"Felicity?" Oliver's voice echoed through their minds.

This was always the first thing that happened. Burns thought of it as Queen's way of making sure that she was still alive, his slight panic was their minds were both black for a long moment before the color slowly filled in and formed shapes. Black remaining meant that the person was dead, or at least that had been Grant's experience.

His mind lit up with color and the scene slowly formed. It was probably the most concrete reading that he'd ever had with Oliver Queen. Maybe it was because he was the one person that he'd read the most. Grant couldn't be sure, so he just watched as it formed. Wherever Felicity Smoak was, it didn't seem like a place that saw much light…at least not sunlight. It was a room. That much could be told from the vision. Bits of furniture could be seen. The edge of a neatly made bed, chairs, a table. It was like the scene was still coming into focus. Under the table, there was a huddled figure who was curled up. The mixed sounds of screaming and crying filled ears. Grant could feel Oliver's anxiety build, but the vision ended abruptly as a symbol came into sight.

"There has to be more!" Oliver yelled.

Grant had a feeling that Oliver Queen's need for answers only made him want more. This vision had given him the best glimpse of Felicity Smoak in three years. For Oliver Queen, that didn't seem enough. Unfortunately, it was all Grant could give. Now, though, he was a little worried as to where that would leave him.

Just because he preferred the prison he stayed in currently over what he could imagine would wait for him if he was turned over, Grant hoped that what Queen saw would be enough. He hoped that once he had time to truly process things that he would see things…that Queen would have the clues that would led him to this woman he'd been pining over all these years.

For his sake.

TBC…