Chapter 3 – Plan of Attack

AN – My apologies for the delay but I took the w-end off to celebrate Mother's Day. BTW, happy belated Mother's Day wishes to all the mothers out there! Thank you for all that you do!

AN2 – I will probably post Chapter 4 rather quickly with Chs 5-6 coming tomorrow and Wed. I may need a 7th chapter to wrap it up but all will be completed by Wed's finale episode! Thank you all for your continued support and patience! I truly do appreciate all the reads, reviews, faves, & follows! Mic, thank you for the continuing support and excellent beta efforts!

DISCLAIMER – Absolutely no right whatsoever to play with others' toys but I'm doing it anyway!

The cold water served as a wake-up call for Oliver though and brought him back to the present. He realized he was far from camp now as he had again left his friends alone as he tried to outrun his own demons. He understood Felicity's pain, grief, and guilt as those same emotions were suffocating him as well. Oliver buried those feelings though as he again started to run again. This time he ran back to camp, back to Felicity.

Diggle was up and guarding camp when Oliver ran back into view. A quick scan revealed the wet clothes and a few new scrapes to Diggle, but otherwise it seemed to him that Oliver managed to outrun his demons for a little longer. Diggle gave him a silent look of inquiry just to be sure, but Oliver merely nodded before he moved toward Felicity. As Diggle watched Oliver began his nightly ritual again.

Oliver knelt beside Felicity and again spoke to her. This time he avoided the usual comments and simply told her about his run through the woods. He shared how thoughts of her invaded his mind and how his fear for her was nearly overwhelming. He also admitted to her he was trying to avoid his own pain even as he tried to force her to acknowledge what she felt. Oliver didn't think Felicity was actually hearing him so he told her more of his pain and guilt – not just for Lance's death but for her own suffering. He told her he would do anything to stop her pain. Oliver whispered to Felicity that he would do anything for her if only she would ask but he stopped short of telling her he loved her.

At Felicity's expected silence Oliver pulled her to her feet and led her to her sleeping bag. Her bag was between his and the fire with Diggle on the other side. Once she was tucked in and had closed her eyes Oliver brushed a stray hair back and pressed a kiss to her temple before he stood up.

"Get some sleep. I'll take watch." Oliver positioned his weapons around him even as he took his post near Felicity.

"Wake me up in a couple so you can sleep." Diggle said the same words each night even though he knew he would wake up several hours later with Oliver still awake and on guard.

The early morning routine remained the same until Diggle nodded to Oliver and they moved back to Felicity. She was still seated on the rocky outcropping near the impromptu training course they had created on their first morning.

"Felicity." Oliver called lightly to her as he took her hand and pulled her forward. He exchanged another look with Diggle before he continued. "Watch John's movements as I strike. You are going to do this yourself."

Oliver jabbed slowly twice at Diggle's face before he added a roundhouse with his right hand. He then directed a punch at Diggle's midsection only to return and strike twice more at his head with a straight punch and another roundhouse. Diggle performed slow blocks for each strike but didn't return any of the blows.

"See how he uses his forearms and even his upper arms instead of meeting me fist for fist." Oliver spoke before he and Diggle repeated the kata.

"Once more and then it is your turn." Oliver spoke again even though he knew he was stalling, he knew they needed to force her to try it now.

Diggle just gave Oliver an understanding nod before he again demonstrated the proper block sequence. He felt the tension in his own body as well as the waves rolling off of Oliver's stiff frame. Only Felicity seemed unaffected by nerves.

"Okay, Oliver – it's her turn." Diggle was supposed to be the attacker as he didn't think Oliver could do it but Oliver surprised him.

"No!" Oliver spoke more loudly than he intended but he had to stop Diggle. "Yes, it's her turn but I'll do it." Oliver trusted Diggle not to hurt Felicity but he still needed to be the one to push her, he needed to be there with her. He moved in front of Felicity but avoided her blank stare. Instead Oliver focused on dropping his weight and assuming an offensive stance. He took a single deep breath and only exhaled to speak Felcity's name once before he started a slow jab toward her face.

Diggle watched Oliver strike in slow motion and held his own breath as he waited for Felicity to move, to react in any way. He almost fell to his knees in gratitude when she raised an arm to block the jab. He still continued to hold his breath as Oliver continued the sequence of attacks with Felicity performing the appropriate blocks. After the final block Diggle closed his eyes in relief and finally exhaled. He opened his eyes again as he heard Oliver's quiet words.

"That's it – that's my girl." Oliver's breathed a sigh of relief and met Diggle's eyes. He couldn't stop the wide smile of relief as Felicity finally engaged even in such a small way.

"Yeah, not bad Ms. Smoak!" Diggle had to laugh in relief before he continued. "This time he's going to move faster though and you need a little more tension in your form." He knew they needed to continue to push her and if this was their only small window to reach her then he was scrambling all the way through it.

Oliver rolled his shoulders back and swallowed hard as he prepared to move more quickly through the sequence. He met Diggle's eyes once and the other man gave him an encouraging nod. Dropping his center lower Oliver started with the first jab again and smiled as Felicity again met his strike.

The day continued with the trio training together as a team for several hours. Oliver and Diggle would demonstrate each kata several times before Oliver would pair up with Felicity and start the attack. They hadn't gotten her to actually be the attacker yet, but they were still very relieved by her participation on any level.

"Let's break for a late lunch. You want to check the traps. Maybe Felicity and I can take a walk?" Oliver spoke tentatively. He and Diggle again exchanged looks before Oliver moved away from Felicity without prompting her own movement. He fought the desire to glance over his shoulder but Oliver did release several quick breaths when he heard Felicity take the first step on her own.

He continued to walk along the path without glancing back even though he monitored her progress by the sounds of her steps. Oliver chose an easier path that took them quickly to the beach. He then paused long enough for Felicity to reach his side and as he couldn't resist the urge any longer he took her hand as he turned to look at her. Oliver felt the sharp stab of disappointment as Felicity continued to look forward without meeting his eyes but he knew that they had still made progress today.

Diggle moved quickly to check their traps and reset them as needed. They would have fresh game for lunch but he still stopped and grabbed some berries and roots as well. He was happy to prepare their lunch as it would give Oliver and Felicity sometime in the bright light of day instead of them only really speaking during the darkness of night.

He replayed the morning's success in his mind as he worked on their lunch at camp even as he planned what they should do this afternoon. He still had his own plan in mind but he hoped this morning's success meant it would not be necessary. Felicity wasn't back yet but it was a step in the right direction. Diggle also thought it was a step in the right direction for Oliver too. Maybe tonight his friend would even sleep for more than an hour as he wouldn't have to fear Felicity slipping completely away from them during the night.

Oliver was still feeling relief at their progress and it allowed him to focus on hope instead of fear. He had told Felicity much of his experiences on the Island while she (and Diggle) had slept each night but now he found he wanted to share what he wanted for the future. Oliver told her that he wanted them to return to help rebuild Starling City. He told her he still believed in them, in their cause and that he didn't want to do it alone. He told her he couldn't do it alone so she had to return with him, to him. He still stopped short of telling her that he loved her.

As both Oliver and Diggle remained hopeful their shared lunch was more lively than usual. They discussed what martial arts and training would be best for Felicity and her smaller frame. The subject of the Arrow also arose as part of their desire to train Felicity was to help keep her safe in their very dangerous world. They then segued into a discussion of the second location. The foundry had been thoroughly compromised now and neither felt it was safe. They had already relocated some things to the clock tower, but both knew they needed to make the second location their new permanent home when they returned. Both wanted changes made to the security and set-up so they discussed several options.

They were also concerned about the sheer number of people who knew Oliver's identity especially as both men thought Felicity would remain a target for those hoping to reach both Oliver and the Arrow. Felicity and Diggle remained at Oliver's side in public, but Felicity had also been linked to the Arrow in police records and even by the Count. Neither man considered her a weak link as they saw her as their partner, but they were concerned with how others would see her and try to use her.

"That's how Detective Lance figured out your identity."

Felicity's softly spoken words brought their lunch conversation to a screeching halt. Oliver and Diggle exchanged looks before Oliver moved to kneel in front of her. He took both of her hands in his as he spoke.

"Felicity, are you saying Lance knew that I'm the Arrow?" Oliver had to clarify but he almost stuttered over the words when Felicity met his eyes.

"He told me to continue to take care of Oliver Queen as the city needed the Arrow."

Oliver tightened his grip in response to Felicity's seemingly cognizant participation in the discussion - the fact that Lance had known his identity was basically irrelevant in comparison to the fact that Felicity was speaking to him. He wanted to hear her voice again so he opened his mouth to ask another question, any question but she beat him to it.

"He also said to remind you that what happened that night wasn't your fault. He said, 'not every death is this city is your fault'. He needed you to know that."

Oliver was still staring at Felicity when she dropped her eyes to her food. He released her hands but remained kneeling in front of her as she continued to eat. For the first time since Lance's death Oliver felt that band around his heart ease just a bit and he was able to take a deep breath. He accepted Lance's words and was grateful for them even as he remained focused on Felicity. He couldn't help but hope that Felicity didn't blame him for her own pain and loss either. Even if she did though, he could accept that burden if only she returned to him, to them.

Diggle had watched and listened in surprise as Felicity had revealed more words from Lance. Her voice was still bland, quiet but it looked like she had briefly met Oliver's eyes. Maybe it would take both Lance and Oliver to help bring her back but Diggle had to believe she was returning to them.