A/N: Look at that guys, it's only been a like month since I last updated! I'm sorry. I know I said I would update "soon". Anyways, I hope this chapter meets (or exceeds) expectations. :) Oh and this is my first chapter to have almost 3.5k words! (ps to everyone that's followed/favorited/reviewed this story- I love each and everyone one of you)

*ding*

*ding*

*beep*

*DING* *DING* *DING* *BEEEEEEP*

"Felicity, I think there's an alert going off on your computer," Laurel said, stating the obvious as the computer got louder. She wheeled the chair away from the desk as Felicity quickly jumped off the med table and rushed over.

She glanced at Laurel who was still sitting in her chair and debated whether or not she should ask for her to move. Felicity was capable of standing, but she was more "in her zone" when she was sitting in her chair. At the same time, she didn't want to seem rude, like she was kicking Laurel out.

Felicity ended up standing awkwardly between the computers and her chair that Laurel was currently occupying. Laurel gave her a strange look when she continued to stand there instead of tending to her beeping computers.

Felicity started to speak, but Diggle cut her off. "Felicity," he said. She turned around and saw that Diggle and pushed another chair in front of the computers for her.

She walked over and smiled gratefully at him. "Thank you," she said, sitting down and turning towards her computers. Dig stood next to Felicity as her fingers flew over the keyboard, and both Oliver and Roy walked over and stood by her, too.

All of a sudden, Felicity stopped typing and her eyes went wide."I got it!" she breathed, turning around to see a row of confused faces. "This morning I set up a program to track Ruther's digital and electronic presence since I couldn't track his physical self ," Felicity explained to them over her shoulder as she resumed typing. "And I just managed to get into a call that he made a few hours ago, and if I can get through this, we should be able to..." She trailed off and scowled at the screen. "The call was to a burner phone, and the phone was destroyed or something so I can't figure out who he was calling," Felicity said frustratedly. "But what I can do is access his side of the line." She pressed a few more keys and a warped voice came through the speakers and filled the foundry.

Who is this?

Yes, I know!

You've already gotten the 35 thous-

There was a pause and then static.

"Was that Ruther?" Laurel asked, walking over so she could hear better. She went next to Oliver and squeezed herself into the tight circle that had formed around Felicity. Diggle raised an eyebrow when he saw her press up against Oliver.

"Yes, that was," Felicity answered, once again furiously typing. "I just need to get past this stupid wall, and then we'll be able hear the whole thing," she growled.

"Do you want us to come back once you've figured this out?" Roy asked warily, noticing how Felicity was continuously getting angrier and more frustrated by the second.

"No!" She practically shouted. "Sorry... But I got this," Felicity said a little quieter. There was a little more static and then the voice was there again.

Who is this?

Yes, I know!

You've already gotten the 35 thousand, do you really need this?

Just for one case!? How am I going to manage to get the rest of it by Thursday?

I've been doing all of the dirty work! You go find a bank that has 50k laying around.

North Ridge Bank? That place has some of the tightest security in Starling.

Fine. Tonight at 10.

Oliver abruptly straightened up and stepped back. "That's it," he said with a finality in his voice. "We are going to get him in the act tonight."

Felicity stopped the program that was playing the call and turned around to face him. "Do you really think it's going to be that simple?" She asked honestly. "We've spent so long tracking this guy, and we went pretty far," she glanced at Laurel, "to get info. Maybe we should put more time into it because who knows if you're actually gonna be able to get him tonight."

Laurel stepped forward so she was directly in front of Oliver. "I agree with Felicity," she said, crossing her arms. "What if it's a trap? Or what if that was a fake call? I don't want you to get injured, or even worse, killed."

"We actually have a specific location and a time!" Oliver said incredulously. "Since when have we turned down an opportunity to intercept a crime?" He looked around at his team. No one answered him.

"You're right," Diggle said, speaking up and filling the silence. Oliver turned and looked at Diggle. "We should take advantage of the information and check out the bank, but like Felicity said, don't get it in your head that we're definitely going to catch Ruther tonight. You never know what's going to happen."

Oliver continued to watch him for a second and then nodded.

"Well," Roy said, walking over to the training mats, "We've got 5 hours to kill until the bank gets robbed. What heck are we gonna do for 5 hours?"

"We can work on your hand-to-hand combat," Oliver answered, giving him a pointed look and walking over.

He raised his eyebrows. "For 5 hours?" he asked.

"We'll see," Oliver said with a grin as Roy groaned.

"Or," Diggle said, "you could start planning your party."

This time Oliver groaned, and Roy laughed.

Diggle continued, "You're the one that said this party would 'make or break your company'."

Oliver huffed. "Fine," he said, as he turned to to Felicity. "Felicity, could you pull up some possible locations?"

"Already on it," she replied.

Laurel walked over to Oliver. "Wait what's this 'party' you guys are talking about?" She asked.

"He needs a party to attract investors for QC," Diggle answered.

"And why wasn't I informed about this?" Laurel asked, annoyance creeping into her voice.

Before Oliver could answer, Felicity's voice rang out. "Um Oliver, I hate to break it to you, but I have looked all over Starling and beyond, and you can't afford anything. So unless you want to throw you party in a high school gym... We're in a little bit of trouble." She shrugged apologetically.

Oliver ran a hand through his hair. "How about the Queen mansion?" He asked.

"No. You don't even own it anymore," Felicity stated matter-of-factly.

"We could have it at the park," Roy offered. "Just bring out some tables, food, and boom-instant party."

"You have to pay to rent out the park," Diggle replied.

Roy looked incredulous. "Are you serious?" He asked.

"Or we could throw your party at the city hall," Laurel cut in. Everyone stopped and looked at her.

"I'm pretty sure renting out the city hall costs more than the park," Roy said, still standing by his park idea.

"Well, I am the Assistant District Attorney, and my dad does work for the police, so I think I'll be able to get it for a day." She said, smiling. "And anyways, I think you'll get more investors if they aren't being attacked by squirrels in the park."

"Hey!" Roy said, offended. Diggle laughed and gave him a friendly punch in the shoulder.

"Will the city hall work?" Oliver asked Felicity.

"Will it work?" Felicity said, "It's perfect!"

Oliver smiled and turned to Laurel. "Thank you," he said, "You've been helping out so much, I don't know how to repay you."

"You don't have to repay me, it's my pleasure to help out," Laurel replied, reaching out and giving Oliver's arm a squeeze.

For the next few hours, the team helped Oliver plan his party while the guys sparred. They picked out catering companies, drinks, music, invitations, table settings- everyone's heads were spinning by the time they finished.

"Remind me to never help plan a party again. Ever," Roy said, as he sat down on the training mats rubbing his shoulder.

"It wasn't that ba-" Felicity started, but a loud chime from her computer cut her off. Her fingers flew over the keys. After a moment, she swiveled around in her chair to face the team. "Do you guys remember Andrew Whitlock?" She asked.

"Yeah... He was the guy that did stuff to girls right?" Roy said, trying to remember.

"Human trafficking. And it wasn't just girls," Oliver corrected. "What about him, Felicity? Is he back?"

She nodded solemnly. "He just bought an office space on 21st and Woodward," she said, pulling up the location.

Oliver growled and walked over to grab his bow.

"Oliver you can't go," Felicity said. He turned and raised an eyebrow at her. "Ruther, the bank," she reminded him. "It's already a quarter past 9, you're not going to be able to get from one end of Starling to the other that fast."

"I'll go check out the apartment," Diggle said, getting up and holstering his gun. "Roy can go with you as back up."

"No," Oliver replied, pointing at Roy. "Roy's going with you. I don't want what happened last time to happen again. We can't let him get away."

Diggle relented-remembering how the last time Oliver dealt with Whitlock he came back bloody and bruised with a bullet in his arm.

"Are you sure you can handle this robber without back up?" Diggle asked as he and Roy got ready to leave.

"I'll be fine, John," he said.

Felicity stood up and fussed over the two of them, making sure they had comms and having them promise to call her if they needed help.

"Good luck," Laurel said, giving them a small smile.

Diggle gave her a nod, and he walked out of he foundry.

"We'll be back before you know it," Roy reassured, as he followed Diggle out.

A moment after the door closed behind them, Laurel spoke up. "It's almost as if they're going off to war," she said quietly. Felicity turned in her seat to face her. "Who knows what could happen to them." Laurel continued, "Did you ever think about that, Felicity? Every time they go out, there's a chance they won't come back. I don't even know John and Roy as well as you do, and I'm still worrying."

Felicity gave her a tight lipped smile. "I know what you mean," she said as she nodded slowly. "I thought over time I'd get used to it, but every night when they go out on a mission, I can't seem to keep those thoughts from my head." She paused. "I guess it's just part of what we do, sometimes we lose." Hope, people, ourselves. She let her gaze slide over to Oliver. Those were just a few of the things that Oliver had lost.

Laurel's gaze also went to Oliver as she thought about Felicity's words. Lose. Over the past year Laurel had experienced many times over what it was like to lose. She did not want to lose Oliver-again.

Oliver, already decked out in his Arrow gear, came over to stand by Felicity.

Laurel watched as Felicity handed him a comm and spoke quietly to him. "You've got the blueprints, right?" Oliver asked as he put the comm into his ear.

Felicity nodded and pulled them up on the computer. "As long as you stay on your comms, I'll be able to walk you through it," she said, as she reached up and adjusted his mask. "Don't do anything stupid, Oliver," Felicity said.

He cracked a small grin. "Wouldn't dare," he replied as he headed to the door.

"Ollie, wait," Laurel said, quickly walking over to where he had paused and turned around. "Please, please be careful," she said as she looked up into his eyes.

"Laurel, I've gone after countless robbers before. I promise you I'll be fine," Oliver said placing a reassuring hand on her arm.

"I know... It's just," she reached up and cupped his face with her hand, "I don't want to lose you." She finished.

Felicity watched from across the room as Oliver uttered the same words he had said to her not too long ago.

"You're not going to lose me," he said, but this time it was directed at Laurel, and as he said those words, Laurel stretched up and pressed a kiss onto his cheek.

Felicity bit her lip and turned away when Oliver tried to catch her eye before he left. For so long she had thought there was something special between them- an understanding of sorts, but looking at how he interacted so comfortably with Laurel made all those thoughts seem stupid. Of course the small touches didn't mean anything; of course his voice didn't soften when he talked to her; of course he didn't say Felicity's name a special way. Why did she ever think those things?

Felicity got so carried away in her thoughts that she didn't even hear Oliver leave, but the sound of his voice in her ear quickly made her snap out of her thoughts.

"Felicity," he said. No reply. "Felicity...? Felicity!"

"Yes! Oliver, what... What do you need?" Felicity said, slightly flustered.

Oliver revved the engine on his motorcycle. Right away Oliver could tell she was lost in thought; he couldn't blame her- he had a billion thoughts floating around his head, too.

"I'm two blocks away from the bank," he said, forcing himself not to ask Felicity what was going on with her. "Which entrance should I go in?"

"East side of the building. It's the door closest to the front. I'll unlock it from here," Felicity answered.

Oliver wondered how he was going to be able to complete this mission while he was so distracted. He couldn't help thinking about the way Felicity had looked away after Laurel had kissed him. Oliver was aware of Felicity's feelings for him, but what truly scared him was the feelings he had for her. When Laurel kissed him, he didn't push her away because he still did care for her, and being with Laurel was a safer route. Their relationship was steady and he already understood the flow of it, but with Felicity, it would be a whole new ride.

Oliver slowed his motorcycle to a stop behind the building that was next to the bank. "Talk to me, Felicity," he said as he walked towards the designated door.

"Once you go through the door turn lef..." The rest of her instructions were drowned out by static.

Oliver pressed his hand to the comm. "Felicity, I can't hear you." He listened for a response, but all he heard was more static. "Felicity? Is something wrong with the comms?" he asked.

There was a second of static and then Felicity's voice came through in broken fragments saying, "Oliv... Don't mo... Stay still... ad signal."

Back at the foundry Felicity was trying to get their connection back. She let out a frustrated growl when her computers started to lag as well.

Laurel came over and stood beside her. "Is something wrong?" she asked.

Felicity took a second to calm herself before she turned and answered Laurel. "Yes, I'm losing connection with Oliver because the signal down here is too weak," She paused and gathered up her tablet, cellphone, and purse. "I have to go upstairs to get a stronger signal, so you can stay down here if you want." Felicity said, feeling slightly ashamed that she was so grateful to get away from Laurel. She quickly went up the stairs and tried the comms again.

"Oliver can you hear me?" She asked, sitting down at the bar with her stuff.

"Loud and clear," Oliver answered. "What went wrong?"

"The signal was really weak downstairs, so now I'm sitting at the bar." Felicity answered. She looked at the blueprints. "Once you get inside, you have to turn left and go up the stairs. This will lead you right up to the balcony across from the main vault where the big money is stored. You should get a clear view of Ruther when he breaks into the vault."

"Ruther's not in the building yet is he?" Oliver asked.

"No, it's only 9:50. He should be there in a little bit though. Keep your eye out," Felicity replied, wondering whether or not she should go downstairs and check on Laurel.

Right below where Felicity was sitting, Laurel paced around in the foundry feeling useless. She hated feeling useless. Roy and John were across town going after a human trafficker, Oliver was catching a robber, and even Felicity was helping out. Laurel walked around the foundry and her gaze fell on the glass display where Oliver kept all of his arrows. She paused mid step and walked over to it. Looking at all of the different arrows with there sharp, green tips, and thinking about what their potential was made Laurel wonder if this was her calling. Should she train to be a vigilante like Oliver?

A quick succession of beeps from Felicity's computers brought her back from her reverie. She looked over at the computers. Maybe she could help, Laurel thought as she walked over and sat down in front of the computers. If she could find some other valuable information on the robber, she might be able to help Oliver out.

Opening the different tabs and searches that Felicity had left running, Laurel scoured for information. After finding nothing more than basic information, she was ready to give up when a flashing tab at the bottom of the screen caught her eye. It was the call from Ruther that they had listened to earlier. Laurel pulled it up and decided to listen to it again to see if they had missed anything the first time. She clicked the play button.

You don't trust me?

Then we'll do it together. I'll break into vault, take the money, and pass it off to you. You have to stay off the cameras though. They'll go after me, and you'll go in the opposite direction with the money.

They won't catch me.

This is the final time, do you understand?

Okay. See you tonight.

The playback stopped, and Laurel stared at the screen confused. This was a completely different message from the one they heard earlier.

Then it hit her. After they had figured out the place and time, Felicity had paused the call so they could talk to Oliver. None of them realized that the message wasn't over, and according to what she just heard, they had missed some critical information. Ruther wasn't robbing this bank alone, but Oliver didn't know this. He would only be on the lookout for Ruther, and if he tracked Ruther, the person who actually had the money would get away.

She was about to rush upstairs and tell Felicity, when her eyes fell on the arrows once again. This could be her chance.

She got up and scrambled around the foundry trying to remember the tour Felicity gave her of where everything was. After a while, she finally spotted the drawer of handguns and ran over; grabbing a gun and tucking it into the waist of her jeans. Laurel quietly ascended the stairs and eased open the door. Peering around it, she saw that Felicity was preoccupied furiously typing on her tablet and speaking into the comms. Laurel quietly shut the door to the basement and moved along the wall to get to the exit.

Once she was safely out of Verdant, she ran to her car and started the engine. And wiith her foot pressed down firmly on the gas pedal, Laurel sped off towards the bank.