What may have been, what could have been Chapter 10, an arrow fanfic

A/N thanks again to my beta reader and good friend olicityalways. Thanks for putting up with me.

This is not the last chapter. I have 1 or maybe 2 more. Thanks. Don't forget to leave a review

What may have been, What could have Been

Chapter 10

Even with Diggle's help, it was a struggle for Felicity to get Oliver to where Barry was waiting. Half of the time he was dead weight, his arms and legs were hanging completely limp at his sides. The other half, Oliver was almost delirious as he fought to block out the increasing number of hallucinations he was seeing.

She did not know what it was that he was seeing, but the frightened look in his eyes almost made her wish that she would never find out. Almost. While she was absolutely terrified of seeing anything that would drive some as strong as Oliver into a maddened frenzy, she would do absolutely anything to help ease his suffering.

Their progress to the foundry was slow and halting. Felicity could see Diggle nervously glance back through the rear view mirror every few seconds to make sure that Oliver did not accidentally injure Felicity while in the midst of one his delusions. Felicity, on the other hand, never strayed from his side. She sat as close to him as possible, hoping that her presence would have provided at least some level of comfort.

Felicity kept her fingers of one hand interlaced with his while her other hand stroked his cheek slowly. She whispered to him the whole time. We are almost there. Hold on a just a little longer, she told him. Felicity let out a gasp when Oliver suddenly swiped at an unseen foe in front of him. She grabbed at his arm as she tried to let him know that there was no one there and that he was seeing things again. When he realized this, he dropped his arm and his large hand gripped Felicity's upper leg, just below the hem of her skirt. A skirt that she now realizes was way too short especially the way it had ridden up her leg.

Even though their situation was getting increasingly desperate, Felicity blushed when his hand wrapped around the bare skin of her leg. He had held her hand, he had touched her cheek, he had left lingering touches on her shoulder, and he had even pressed her entire body to his as they zipped down a line or swung from one point to another. He, however, had never had his hand up her leg. It wasn't that she was opposed to the idea, she was all for it in fact. She just wished it was in a different situation, a situation was in no way platonic. With her luck he wouldn't even remember where it was she was touching her. She, on the other hand, would probably not be forgetting any time soon. It would be so easy for him to move his hand just a little higher and he would be able to feel...

"Everything okay back there?" Diggle called out, interrupting fantasy that she way too often.

Felicity's face reddened as she yelled a little too loudly that everything was fine. She was thankful that his view of them through the mirror was limited. She shuddered because explaining that to Dig would be like telling an older brother that Oliver's hand had wandered way past acceptable territory and that she didn't mind that one bit at all.

"Good. We're here." He said as the car came to a halt near the back alley of Verdant. Felicity couldn't help letting out a sigh of disappointment as she peeled Oliver's fingers away from her.

She waited until Diggle had opened the door on Oliver's side before getting out. She hastily walked over to join Diggle in wrapping one of Oliver's arms over her shoulders to make sure that he didn't lose his balance.

Felicity had toyed with the idea of using Oliver's back-up foundry as the location where they would administer the serum, but decided that their original lair would be the most practical place to use. The secondary foundry was rudimentary at best and Felicity wasn't even sure that the electrical grid was set up well enough to power all the equipment Barry had brought along.

It would have been a strain to get Oliver down the steel steps of the foundry in his condition, but luckily enough he seemed to come back to himself as they began to walk through the halls. Perhaps it was the familiarity of it all, something like his body and mind was associating the foundry with doing vigilante work so his mind instinctively blocked out anything that would distract him from what needed to be done. Felicity's arm tightened around him when she realized what kind of trauma a person had to endure that would cause such an instinct. She promised herself that she would add it to the list of things that she would help him work through when their life together finally started.

And they would have a life together. She had already convinced herself of that. In her mind, there was absolutely no scenario where he did not survive what lay ahead. He was a survivor, after all; a hero and even heroes need peace. Even now, it was unthinkable to her. The very idea of them together seemed ludicrous, but it seemed that in her effort to convince herself that she wasn't in love with Oliver Queen, she blinded herself to the fact that she was the person he had wanted all along. As impossible as it seemed, Oliver had deemed that if he was to be happy then Felicity would be a part of that happily ever after.

"Finally!" Barry called out as they entered the lair and as he attempted to take Oliver's arm from her. She was about to refuse, but it was Oliver who declined. He straightened himself as best he could while letting Diggle release his hold. Felicity was about to the same, but Oliver's fingers founded their way to hers before she could completely let go. They had been dancing around their feelings for so long that it almost surprised her that he would allow himself such a public display of affection.

Oliver squeezed her fingers as if he was asking if it was alright that he was holding onto her, that he didn't want to let her go. She smiled and squeezed back reassuringly, but then froze when their eyes met. It was there only for an instant, gone as soon as he noticed that she was looking. He tried to hide it behind the calm demeanor, but it was too late. He was afraid.

She wasn't quite sure if he was afraid of the serum failing or if it succeeding. Perhaps it was a little bit both. All of a sudden, the room felt too small for the number of people in it. She suddenly felt an ache in her heart when it registered in her mind that she would not get a moment alone with Oliver before they started. Abruptly, felicity's breath started hitching in her throat as she fought the well of panic that was threatening to overtake her. She wanted to be strong for him, yet the thought of this being the last time she would ever speak to him made her eyes glisten.

She felt absolutely ridiculous when he moved closer to her and tried to assuage her fear by running his fingers through her wet hair. She should be the one attempting to alleviate his fear and not the other way around.

His name was about to escape her lips when Barry interjected.

"The chances of this working decrease the longer we wait," he said apologetically.

Felicity nodded ever so slightly. As much as she hated the interruption, she knew Barry was right and that right now time was their enemy.

"Valerie, please help Oliver onto the gurney and start hooking him up to the EKG machine," Barry said as he grabbed a cart filled with vials.

Oliver's eyes went wide when he heard a name he didn't recognize. He searched the room until his gaze fell on a spot behind Barry. Felicity followed his gaze and saw the young woman Oliver was staring at. She was wearing bright blue scrubs, white shoes, and a stethoscope draped around her neck.

One of her earlier conversations with Barry suddenly came back to her. Barry had told her that he had brought someone from star labs to help out, but at the time Felicity's attention was solely focused on finding Oliver.

"Barry," Oliver whispered dangerously.

"Who is she?" Felicity asked belatedly. If she hadn't been so distracted earlier she would have done her research on the girl. What her name was, where she lived, and what she did for a living. Felicity would have had everything about her, down to her credit history, wrapped up in a little file.

Barry heard their question, but he also understood the inquiry that was also imbedded with it. Can she be trusted? This was one more person who knew the location of their once top secret lair. Not only that, but this woman might also become privy to some rather sensitive information regarding who Oliver really was.

"This is Valerie. She's a nursing student at Star Labs. It's okay, you guys can trust her."

"And why is that?" Oliver asked, brow raised.

"Because I can vouch for her. I would never bring anyone here if I thought even for a minute they would betray your secret. Besides, I need all the help I can get and despite your team's experience at patching you up, I needed someone whose medical training is a little more recent and who already knows how to use the equipment I brought."

Valerie listened nervously as they debated, but let out a relieved sigh when Barry nodded in her direction to tell her that it was okay to proceed. Earlier she didn't understand when Barry had told her that Oliver Queen wasn't the most welcoming person in the world, especially since Barry had worked feverishly hard to develope the serum. It wasn't just Barry that had worked on it. At Barry's behest, Cisco and Caitlin worked day and night on it as well.

Understanding did flood her though once they arrived and she saw the vigilante outfit in the glass case as well as the bow and quiver sitting in their respective racks. Even in Central City she had heard of Starling City's hooded guardian and just like Barry, she was a fan.

The young nurse approached cautiously, but she saw that once Oliver and Felicity had come to terms with her presence, they returned their full attention in each other. She worked quietly around the two, placing electrodes and starting an I.V, as well as several other monitoring devices. Although she tried not to intrude on the silent conversations the two seemed to be having, Valerie couldn't help noticing the deep connection Felicity and Oliver shared.

As she finished and returned to stand with Barry, she felt an ache in her heart at what she was witnessing. Barry had warned her that what they were attempting was experimental and highly dangerous for the patient. There was a very possible chance that what they were doing could end up very badly. Regardless of the risks, Barry was adamant that they at least try. She couldn't comprehend why he was willing to take such risks, but she did now.

Barry idolized the a Arrow, that much she knew. This went far deeper than that. He was doing this for them, Oliver and Felicity. He was desperate to give them a chance and now she knew why. She had just met them and knew almost nothing about them, but already Valerie knew that if there were any two people deserving of love, it was these two.

It was written all over their faces. It was a love that was born of friendship and trust then had blossomed into something so much more. It was the way they stared at each other that gave it away the most, but it was also there when she trailed her hand over the scars. It was there when she refused to let go of his hand even though they warned her that holding onto him could be dangerous during the procedure. Most of all, it was there in what Oliver was willing to do for his Felicity.

She had read Barry's notes. She knew the torment he was about to endure. Even without the guarantee of succeeding, he was willing to go through with it. Valerie knew that Oliver would give up everything for Felicity and for some reason she felt like Oliver already had.

It was awe inspiring to see. Awe-inspiring, and yet also terrifying. Barry touched her shoulder to get her attention and gave her a small smile when she turned in his direction with her mouth still agape. He saw that she understood now why he had felt so strongly about trying to help them.

The young nurse approached cautiously, but she saw that once Oliver and Felicity had come to terms with her presence, they returned their full attention in each other. She worked quietly around the two, placing electrodes and starting I.V, as well as several other monitoring devices. Although she tried not to intrude at the silent conversations the two seemed to be having, Valerie couldn't help noticing the deep connection Felicity and Oliver shared.

Barry idolized the Arrow, that much she knew. This went far deeper than that. He was doing this for them, Oliver and Felicity. He was desperate to give them a chance and now she knew why. She had just met them and knew almost nothing about them, but already Valerie knew that if there were any two people deserving of love, it was these two.

It was awe inspiring to see. Awe inspiring, yet also terrifying. Barry touched her shoulder to get her attention and gave her a small smile when she turned in his direction with her mouth still agape. He saw that she understood now why he had felt so strongly about trying to help them.

The loud ring of Diggle's cell phone tore everyone's focus away from what they were doing. Normally he would have just rejected the call, but it was Layla on the other end so he answered with every intention of letting her know that he would call her back later. Her frantic voice changed all that.

"Layla, slow down. I can't understand what you're saying." Dig squinted as he tried to make out what Layla was telling him. Then his eyes went wide. "WHAT?!"

"What is it?" Oliver sat up from the gurney just as Dig was ending the call.

"Thanks Lyla. I want you out of here. No excuses and no coming for me this time. You have someone else more important relying on you." They argued a moment more until Diggle breathed out a sigh of relief, indicating that his ex-wife had finally agreed.

"The news," was all he said as he turned to his friends.

Felicity rushed over to her computers and within a few key strokes, a live news feed appeared on her monitor.

Breaking news

A masked man, similar to those that had recently decimated the city, is terrorizing the Glades. He claims that if the Arrow does not surrender to him in the next 15 minutes he will detonate 30 bombs he had planted all over the city. This cannot be confirmed but already the death toll is rising with SCPD unable to make a move in fear of provoking him to detonate those bombs.

"That's impossible we got all of them." Felicity whispered as she watched what appeared to be one of Slade's minions flip over a Mini Cooper as it were made of paper mâché.

"Obviously not," Oliver began ripping the electrodes off his chest.

Felicity turned at the sound and dashed over to try and stop him. "What are you doing?"

"What I have to do," Oliver pulled the I.V. out of his own arm, much to the chagrin of Felicity and the others.

"You can't!" Felicity was hysterical as she futilely tried to keep him from moving.

"I don't have a choice," Oliver whispered.

Felicity was shaking openly now. Why was this happening to them? Why now? They had only been moments away from giving him the serum. She stifled a cry as she remembered that this conversation was eerily similar to the one they had when he left to fight Cyrus Gould. Only this time, Oliver was in no way shape or form, in a condition to fight. How could he be expected to win when only minutes before, he had been barely able to tell his hallucinations apart from reality.

She was desperate. She wanted to beg him not to go. She wanted to tell him that if he truly cared for her then he would stay. She wanted to, but couldn't.

"I can go."

They all turned to see the young scientist stepping forward. Before Oliver could say no, Barry disappeared from where he had been standing only seconds before and reappeared next to Oliver's gurney.

They all stared at him as he tried to steady himself. Barry was still not used to his speed and controlling it proved difficult at times.

"The lightning strike," he began to explain. "It did something to me, I can run faster than-"

A scream from the monitor prevented him from finishing his sentence. The last thing they saw on the screen before it turned to static was a street sign hurtling toward the camera. Explanations would have to wait for another time.

"I can beat him," Barry said with a confidence that they had not previously seen.

"No," Oliver had stood and had walked over to the casing that held his weapons. He softly traced his fingers over the contours of his bow. The shape and feel of it was oddly comforting to him. He wondered if it was because it had been his companion through many fights or if it was because he knew Felicity had designed it specifically for him.

"If you can move as fast as you say you can then I need you to find those bombs. Slade's goons weren't that smart, but they weren't idiots either. He would never keep the bomb trigger on him. If he did then SPCD would have just him with a rocket launcher or at the very least a couple dozen armor piercing sniper rounds."

"Oliver, Felicity is right. You can't go out there. If that goon doesn't kill you, the strain surely will." Although Barry tried to make his point, he could see that there was no dissuading Oliver from his decision.

"I'll be fine," Oliver lied. "All I need to do is buy you enough time to get to the trigger."

He could tell that no one believed him, but none of them spoke up. It wasn't like that they had any alternatives. Barry was gone in instant, not willing to wait any longer to begin his search. He was very aware of the fact that every second he wasted could spell Oliver's demise.

Ignoring that Oliver would most certainly have to remove his pants to change into his Arrow gear, Felicity followed him into the other room. She watched his every move carefully. Perhaps she was hoping to find some excuse to keep him from going out there.

She had no such luck. He stood in front of Felicity once he was dressed and ready. To others he may have looked every bit of the imposing figure that he always been, but saw Felicity saw deeper than that. His shoulders sagged just a little, his breaths were quicker, and the fire that normally consumed his eyes before going on a mission was tempered with fatigue and remorse.

"There's no hope of convincing you to stay here is there?" Oliver asked, futilely.

"Sure there is. Just as much hope as I have of convincing you to stay," Felicity reached around his neck and let her fingers linger around him for a second before she pulled his hood over his head.

She wanted to tell him to promise her he would come back, but just like the last time she had asked, Felicity knew that he could not.

"Promise me that all you will do is try and buy some time for Barry. Don't risk yourself unnecessarily, okay?" She hoped that he could promise her at least much.

He kissed her forehead and with his stubble scratching her, he whispered, "Isn't there anything I wouldn't do you for you, Felicity Smoak?"

"There better not be," Felicity declared. She breathed in as she pressed herself against him. She expected the scent of his leather to fill her nostrils, but instead she was greeted with the smell of dirt and dried blood. She swallowed hard, fighting back the tears, as she was reminded of how much he had already given for this city.

Even though Oliver pulled away from her far sooner than she would have liked, she didn't fight him on it. They kept there hands entangled together as she let Oliver lead her from the room, all the while cringing as she realized that Oliver had never given her his promise.

They re-entered the main room of the foundry just in time to hear the whispered voices of Diggle and the nurse, Valerie.

"He can't seriously believe he is going out there, can he?" She was idly fingering the black and gold necklace at her neck as she argued with who she had thought at first was a simple driver. Now Valerie wasn't sure who was who anymore. She hadn't signed up for any of this when she agreed to help Barry. She was a nurse, still a student in fact. She didn't belong in the world of vigilantes, powers, or murderers. Despite the feeling of being out of place, she couldn't not give her two cents about what was happening. Oliver's life was literally ticking away and she couldn't simply let him walk out.

"This is who he is, who we are. He's only doing what he believes is right," Diggle agreed with her, but it was a moot point. Oliver had made his decision and Dig learned from the first day he was hired that there was no stopping Oliver from doing what he wanted to do.

"Even if it costs him his life?!" She hissed. Valerie was angry that they were not listening to her, but inside she couldn't help but feel a certain amount of admiration. She had thought that such self-sacrificing people only existed in comics or television shows. Never in her wildest dreams did she expect to meet such heroic people.

"Shhh," Diggle tried to hush her when he heard Oliver and Felicity walk back in. Dig could tell from the anxious look Felicity was throwing in Oliver's direction, that they had heard it all.

"I didn't mean- he isn't-" she tried to think of something to say, anything really, to offer them some hope.

Oliver waved her off. "We still have several of those mirakuru cure arrows right?"

Dig nodded. "We have three left." He went to retrieve them, but Oliver held out a hand to stop him.

"No, he mustn't even suspect that I have cure arrows. We don't want whoever he is working with to have an extra reason to blow the bombs. This city has already suffered way too much because of the mirakuru. I know you want to come along, but you have to stay out of sight until we get confirmation from Barry that is safe to take him down. We have to play by his rules until then."

He looked at all of them to make sure they understood what was expected of them. His gaze lingered on Felicity the longest. He knew that this was going to be hardest on her, but he needed her to remain out of sight until everything was ready despite what was going to happen to him.

"You don't have to come," Valerie shifted her weight uneasily when it dawned on her that it was no longer Oliver who addressing her, but the vigilante.

Her first instinct was to agree with him. There was no way in hell that she was going to put herself in harm's way. Especially if there was a crazed, super drug induced mass murderer out there. She was only 21 years old, she had her whole life ahead of her.

She opened her mouth to say that she was getting on the first train back to Central City, but then she caught the pleading look in Felicity's eyes. She didn't say the words, but she might as well have.

"I'll go." She said too quickly for her own comfort. She prayed she would not regret that decision. Or better yet she prayed that she would actually live to regret it.

The utter chaos that greeted them when they reached the location of the broadcast was maddening. Water from broken fire hydrants sprayed several feet into the air. Several fires burned across the streets. There was a crowd of people desperate to rush forward to reach the injured loved ones, but for their own good, they were being held back by a line of police officers.

The frantic shouting, however, died down once the Arrow walked into view. Many stared open mouthed that he would show up to what was clearly a trap. Once he had ensured that his three companions were well hidden in the midst of the crowd, Oliver stepped forward from where he had concealed himself. His steps were small but steady, it was clear to any that was watching that he was injured.

Slade's minion turned in his direction and beckoned him forward. Without hesitation, Oliver complied and did not stop until he was only several feet away from his enemy.

"You were right. He came."

Oliver's eyes narrowed at what he had heard. His would be opponent was speaking to someone. He had guessed right. There was someone else behind all this.

"Slade's dead. Why are you doing this?"

Oliver's foe motioned Oliver to lower his bow to the ground.

Instead Oliver continued with his questions. "Why don't you tell me what you really want? Or rather what does the person speaking to you want?"

"Me? I'm just following orders. My partner- WHAT? OF COURSE I DIDNT TELL HIM ABOUT YOU? What do you mean he is trying to distract me?"

Oliver steeled himself for what he knew was about to happen. Whoever was controlling this minion was smart. He had figured Oliver was trying to buy some time.

Without warning Oliver's opponent launched himself forward in a maddened rage. Oliver had barely enough time to sidestep the incoming fist. The gloved hand hit the ground with such force that a small crater was formed. Years of experience had told Oliver to keep moving. One missed attack would not deter an enemy like the one he now faced.

Oliver's instincts proved right as he dodged another blow. His opponent may have increased strength and speed from the mirakuru, but he was no fighter. He telegraphed his movements that it was easy for Oliver to predict when and where the next attack was coming from.

Street lamps, cars, and even glass windows of the surrounding stores felt the unbridled power of the mirakuru. Not the Arrow, though. His enemy screamed in frustration as blow after blow, punch after punch, kick after kick failed to find their mark.

Oliver was tiring, but so was his enemy. The mirakuru did not make him immune to fatigue. Oliver knew without a doubt that all the energy his foe was expending on these failed attacks would eventually drain. All he had to do was bid his time until Barry came through for him. It gave him hope that he may actually survive this.

Then without warning, the attacks stopped. His opponent stood frozen as he stared behind Oliver.

"Where? I don't see her." He said in silent conversation with his partner.

Oliver's eyes went wide with horror. He turned backwards to follow his enemy's gaze, already knowing what he would find. There she was, Felicity was half hidden in the sea of people, watching with tear filled eyes as Slade's minion attempted to tear his target apart.

Only, Oliver wasn't his target not really. Oliver had been so consumed with his own plan that he failed to grasp the true nature of his opponent's scheme. An insane laugh filled the air as Oliver found himself flying through the air. Pain raced up his spine as his back slammed against a brick wall a few feet away. Unable to control his fall, Oliver landed on his right knee. His leg immediately buckled beneath him as he cried with agony. It didn't end there. The impact caused the wall behind him to crumble and brick after brick fell on him, adding to his already injured body.

Blood sputtered from his gritted teeth as he attempted to rise. Brick and dust fell from his back as he tried to push himself up. He opened his eyes to a spinning world making it impossible for him to find his balance. He tried to control his breath, he needed a few minutes to compose himself.

Unfortunately for Oliver, he did not have a few minutes. The screaming crowd caused Oliver to force himself up, disregarding the utter torment that now coursed through him. It took longer than he wanted for his eyes to regain focus, but when it did he yelled in fury at what he saw.

Felicity could hear herself shout as she watched Oliver being thrown aside like a rag doll. She was already moving forward, trying to push her way through the crowd when she saw the enemy Oliver had been squaring off against start barreling his way full speed towards her and the crowd.

All hell broke loose, as people started running in every direction imaginable in an attempt to evade the masked behemoth coming towards them. Those unfortunate enough to be caught in his path died almost instantly. He tossed them aside, necks broken. Before Felicity even had time to get more than a few feet away, Slade's minion was in front of her.

He would have crushed her if it wasn't for Valerie. The young woman pulled Felicity aside just enough so that they were hit by a glancing blow instead of the full force of the strike. Still, it was strong enough to send both of them reeling. Felicity was sent sprawling across the hard concrete, her broken glasses flying off her head. Valerie slammed shoulder first into an over turned car.

The nurse clawed her way into a sitting position and placed her hand on her shoulder. The once blue scrubs were now torn and soaked red. She would have passed out if it wasn't for Diggle. From out of nowhere he was beside her. With one arm he was lifting her to his feet and with the other he was firing shot after shot of his pistol. Even had their enemy not been in full body armor, Diggle had doubted the bullets would have done much damage. All Diggle cared about was distracting him from the blonde woman who lay unconscious at his feet.

"Run!" Dig said as he pushed Valerie away from him.

Without a single thought regarding his own safety, Diggle tackled their foe. It was like watching a man trying to take down a rampaging rhino. Large as he was, Diggle had no chance.

Felicity regained consciousness just as Diggle was being dragged to the edge of the street. With ease their adversary ripped a metal sign of the street and aimed the jagged edge at Diggle's heart. What Felicity saw next made her wish that she had never regained consciousness. She would have rather died right then and there than witness the horrific act that followed.

The metal pole never hit its intended target. Oliver jumped behind then and grabbed his foe by the neck and encased him in a choke hold. The combatants wrestled around mercilessly, each trying desperately to gain the upper hand.

"Felicity? I got him! I got the trigger! I'm on my way there!"

Until that moment Felicity had all forgotten about the communicator lodged in her ear.

"Dig? Valerie? Barry got the trigger. Where are the cure arrows?" She yelled desperately.

She knew almost instantly that she had made a mistake. Upon hearing that his partner had been captured and that the team possessed an arrow filled with the cure, their foe went into an uncontrollable frenzy. He pushed himself and Oliver against a concrete building. He slammed himself backwards over and over again against the wall, but still Oliver refused to let go. He just had to hold on a few seconds longer-

Oliver's eyes glazed over as he felt the metal pierce his abdomen. Unable to dislodge Oliver, the minion did the only thing he could. He drove the metal pole through upper chest, close to his shoulder. He stabbed himself so hard that the metal piece slid right through him and into Oliver's unarmored body.

Even from where she lay sprawled Felicity could hear the sickening sound of the blood that frothing in Oliver's mouth. His tight grip loosened until his arms hung limp at his sides. The only thing that kept him from falling was the metal piece that still lay embedded in his abdomen.

Their opponent's laugh was cold and cruel. He knew he would be able to heal and that Oliver's already injured body would not withstand such a trauma. He pulled the pole from his own chest and as he did Oliver fell to the ground, unmoving.

He was triumphant, he had defeated the Arrow when mighty Slade and his army had failed to do so. He twisted around to finish off the rest of the Arrow's cursed team when he felt a sting in his left neck. He looked down to see an arrow embedded in the one place his Kevlar did not protect. He had barely realized that he had been struck when he felt a similar pain in his right neck. In the days to come, the media recordings would play that scene repeatedly and no matter how much they slowed down the footage, all they would see is a blur of light.

Without the mirakuru to heal him, Slade's minion fell to the ground in pain. No one rushed to his aid, no one was sympathetic to his suffering.

Barry emerged from an alley not far away, dragging an unconscious man by the collar. He didn't stop until he reached the still unconscious Diggle. He motioned Valerie over to help tend Dig's wounds.

All eyes, including Valerie's, were glued on Felicity. She was kneeling in a growing pool of blood as she whispered words of comfort to Starling City's guardian angel. She didn't care who saw her. It wasn't important anymore.

Very slowly made Barry made his way over to Oliver, but what he saw filled him with despair. It was a sight that would haunt his dreams for years to come. No matter how fast he ran, no matter quickly he could move, Barry would always feel the guilt of knowing that once again he was too late.

"Is it over?" Oliver's voice was weak, barely audible. His blush on his cheek was gone and even the natural color of his lips had vanished, replaced by a sickening pale color. Gently she lifted his head onto her knees. She did her best to ignore the feeling of blood on her bare skin as she stroked his damp hair lovingly.

"We did it. Barry was able to find the trigger." Felicity's falling tears mixed made it hard for her to see. She wanted to wipe them from her eyes, but feared letting her hands leave him. It was if she knew that they were the only things that kept him clinging to life.

Oliver began to spasm as his breaths became increasingly difficult to take. When he could Oliver reached up to trail a finger on her cheek. He knew it would leave a trail of blood on her, but he had to touch her. He had to feel her one more time. He needed it, he didn't want to forget.

"I'm sorry," he could barely speak. "S-sorry, never told you- love you."

"Hush, now. You can make it up to me later." She said, optimistically.

He wouldn't. His hands slackened their grip and his eyes began to glaze over.

"No! Stay with me!"

Felicity's scream snapped Valerie out of her daze and she rushed forward.

"No pulse." She began administering CPR, but Barry already knew it was a futile attempt. They had lost him from his over dose just as much as they had from the gaping hike in his abdomen.

"You promised I wouldn't lose you!" Felicity screamed as she slammed her fists into his chest. "You promised!"

"Come back!" She hit his chest again as if she could bring him back through will alone.

Again and again, she pounded on his chest until at last Felicity had nothing left. She collapsed on him still whimpering that he had promised not to leave her.

It took several people finally to pry her off his body.

The tears never stopped flowing that day. Even later that night, in the comfort of her bed and with Diggle asleep on the sofa next door, Felicity could not stop the grief from overwhelming her. As she lay staring emptily into the ceiling above her, Felicity heard an all too familiar tone from her tablet. It was a tone that was only reserved for messages from Oliver. Even knowing the flood of emotion that it would unlock, Felicity grabbed the tablet from the nightstand. She flicked open the screen to see a saved voice message waiting to be heard. With a trembling hand she pressed play.

Felicity, if you are listening to this then things probably didn't go the way we expected. I know you must be hurting, but I don't want you to feel guilty about what happened. Above all else, you gave me a reason to live. Dig once told me that I can stare down death with something to live for or not. He said he that something to live for is better... and you know what? He was right.
I will love you, Felicity

A/N There we go. The end of the story... I'm just kidding. My beta reader would kill me if I finished with a sad ending. There's just 2 more chapters to go.

I'll reveal who was the mastermind of the whole thing in the next chapter.

Please review, they keep me going.