" !" Someone called her name, she turned in the chair she was sitting in and saw it was Detective Lance.

"You're free to go," said the officer who had taken her statement.

"Are you alright?" asked Lance as he made his way over to her. She nodded, her throat too thick to speak. He looked at the broken window and at the broken body all those stories below. "Well so much for trying another way."

"He had no other choice Detective," she finally found her voice. "It was the Count or me this time. It wasn't easy for him." He looked around the office littered with glass.

"Guess Queen couldn't even show up."

"Mr. Queen is busy with his mothers trial. He has a lot on his mind."

"I'll just bet he does," Lance says under his breath.

"You should give him more credit Detective. He's not the man you think he is."

"Two daughters with broken hearts indicate otherwise."

"He's changed," she said simply. He just sighed heavily and started to walk away. "Detective?" He turned back to her. "Can you...uh can you take me to the hospital?"

"Why? I thought you were okay?" He asked voice tight with concern.

"I am..I-"

"Did he hurt you?" he asked and it took her a moment to understand his meaning.

"No! No, no. He didn't. I just need proof that I'm really okay, for my own peace of mind." Her hand had moved to her stomach without her knowledge. Lance looked at her and a moment later his eyes widened as he realized the meaning behind her words. "Does he know?" She swallowed and shook her head. "No, if he did he wouldn't have left."

He shakes his head. "This is dangerous territory you're in Ms. Smoak."

"You don't think I know that Detective? I have a job to do and nothing and no one will keep me from doing it. Not you. Not even him." She let out a breath. "I'm sorry, I've been kinda cranky lately."

"You forget I have two daughters, I know all about cranky, and with what you've been going through this past month? Well I think you have every right to be a little exasperated." He held his hand out to help her up. "Come on, let's get you through those vultures." Her eyebrows rose. "Reporters," he said in explanation.

He drove her to the hospital and on the way she explained to him about the flu vaccination truck. He assured he would get the sample himself and run it to the lab. He dropped her off at the front entrance and she got out and he rolled down the passenger window. "You want me to come in with you?"

She smiled. "No, but thank you Detective."

"You know as much as we see each other you should just call me Quinton. I think helping me disable a earthquake machine had earned you the right." She nodded and started to move towards the sliding doors before she turned back. "Thank you...Quinton."

After she got inside they took her name and she waited in the waiting room until her name was called and a Ultasound Tech named Cassidy took her to a room and had her lay on a table. She pulled up her shirt and the Tech put a warm gel onto her stomach and started moving the wand around while looking at her computer screen. She couldn't see it and it made her quake with anxiety. Was her baby okay? Logically she knew the baby was protected more inside her womb in early pregnancy than in later stages but she still needed to know. She didn't know when she had gotten so paranoid. When she had first found out she was pregnant she was in shock, she still kind of was and she didn't really know how to feel but as the week passed she had grown more used to the idea of becoming a Mother, excited even. It wasn't the most ideal situation she knew but it was happening and she already knew she would never take it back for the world. Even if she could never have Oliver, she had a piece of him. She knew if he ever found out he would be furious she had kept such a thing from him. But tonight she had saw something in his eyes. Resignation. He had chosen his life as the Arrow over his life as Oliver Queen. He had accepted that he could never live a normal life, could never protect the ones he cares about because they would be in danger by both of the lives he led. That look had broken her a little inside and made a rushing sound fill her ears. That's when she made the decision. So he didn't have to make it for her. He would never know that he was the Father. She had never wanted to lie to him but for his sake and the safety of their baby she would. She had been waffling between letting the chips fall where they may and hiding it for the rest of her life. Neither options were very attractive to her. What would she tell her child when they asked who their father was? Who would she tell Oliver the father was? Oh boy had she made a mess.

"How far along did you say you were?" The Tech interrupted her inner monologue.

"Seven weeks," she said as she watched her press the wand to her lower abdomen and move it around a bit more. "Is there something wrong," she asked panic seeping into her voice and her heart sped up.

Cassidy shook her head. "No dear, it's still a little early, babies are only about the size of a blueberry at this stage so sometimes they like to hide. Oh there you are," she exclaimed as she stopped moving the wand and hit a few keys on her computer then turned the screen and pointed to a dark blob.

"Is that-"

"You're baby?" Sure is. Congratulations Mama, you're little blueberry is just fine."

She covered her face with her hands. "Thank God," she said before she looked down at her belly. "You hear that little munchkin? You're okay, my little blueberry. Hey...I think that's what I'll call you. At least until I find out if you're a boy or a girl," she looked back at Cassidy. "Sorry, I have a bad habit of talking to myself." She chuckled.

"You're not doing anything me and a billion other mother's haven't done. Besides, you're not talking to yourself anymore," she said while wiping the gel from her stomach and pulling her shirt back down.

"Thank you," she said sincerely. "Do you have a bathroom? Cause I really have to pee." She chuckled again. "Sure hon, it's down the hall and to the left."

"Thanks again," she said as she rushed from the room and down the hall. She didn't realized just how bad she needed to use the bathroom. In her deference she was pregnant and had been held hostage for awhile. She made a mental note to always take every opportunity to pee for no on. You never knew with the life she led. After she had finished she walked out the restroom door and right into a brick wall. Well obviously it wasn't literally a brick wall but it was a person who felt like one. She looked up and started to apologize when she saw the persons face. "Digg?" She gasped. "What are you doing here?"

"Detective Lance called, said you could use a friend." That rat, she thought as she cursed under her breath.

"Thanks, I could use a ride home." They started to move towards the door when Cassidy came bustling down the hall calling her name.

"Ms. Smoak, I'm glad you're still here. You forgot your pictures." She shoved them into her hands said "Have a great night" and hustled off leaving her standing with her mouth gaping watching her leave and trying to avoid Digg's questioning stare.

"You ready to go?" She asked hoping he would just drop it, but she should have known better.

"Felicity what's going on?" She opened her mouth but he stopped her. "Don't lie to me. We're done with that. This isn't you Felicity. So I'm going to give you two options. You either tell me what's been going on with you or two, I find out on my own and I will find out. Don't underestimate me, especially since I have a girlfriend who works for Argus." She debated for a moment but in the end just handed Diggle the envelope containing her scans. He glanced at her before he opened it and pulled out the ultrasound photos. "Is this what I think it is?"

"Yep," she shrugged. "I'm pregnant."

He looked at her, face unreadable for a moment. "So are we happy about this or.."

"At first? No. I was terrified. But now? I wouldn't change it for the world," she finished with a smile stretching her face. Diggle joined in and soon pulled her into his arms for a hug before he pulled back a second later. "Wait tonight-"

"I'm okay... we're okay."

"Thank God," he exclaimed.

"You got that right."

"Is it weird I'm not freaking out? I mean after everything that happened with Mathis I thought I would be panicking right now. But I feel oddly calm, it's strange. You know the whole time he had me all I could think about was my baby. Not about what was going to happy to me, not on the future I was missing out on, except being a mother. I thought about what he or she would miss, what Oliver would miss. Is that weird?"

"I think that's called being a mother Felicity."

"It's a heavy feeling."

"There's a lot of things I don't know about you Felicity but I do know that you're one of the strongest, bravest women I know and I'm happy you're a part of my family and I know you're going to make a wonderful mom." She teared up and pulled him back in for another huh.

"Sorry," she said against his shirt. "I've been an emotional wreck." He laughed.

"You think Big Belly Burger would help?"

"Oh, I have no doubts. Can I get a large milkshake?"

"Hmm...I think I can handle that." He wrapped his arms around her shoulder and together they left the hospital.

They sat on the couch eating Big Belly takeout when the phone rang. Felicity moved to get it. It was Oliver.

"Oliver?"

"Hey, are you okay?"

"I'm fine, Digg's with me." There was silence on the other end of the line a moment before he replied quietly. "That's good."

"I heard about your Mom. Congratulations..." She thought about how that sounded." Is that appropriate?"

"She should have been convicted. I expected her too."

"Still, she must be thrilled."

"It's more like shock I think. They're processing her now. I just wanted to check in on you...and Digg."

"We're fine, if the piles of Big Belly wrappers are any indication," she said as she looked over her shoulder at Digg who was stretched out on the couch. "I told Lance about the tainted vaccines, he said he would get it to the lab."

"That's good."

"Are you okay?"

"Hmm.."

"You sound...well-."

"I'm fine Felicity. I promise. It's just a lot in one night to take in." She sighed.

"I know and I'm so-"

"Don't you dare say you're sorry. Not for saving your life Felicity. Ever. Because I'm not sorry and I never will be." He paused. "Do you understand?" A lone tear rolled down her cheek and she was glad he couldn't see it.

"Yes," she managed to get out. He sighed heavily.

"Try and get some sleep. Call me if you need anything... and I mean everything."

"I'll be fine," she checked back on Diggle who was snoring on the couch. "I don't think Diggle's going anywhere."

"Good night Felicity."

"Good night Oliver."

She hung up and before she moved to her room to shower and crash in her bed she grabbed a throw from the back of her couch and repaid Diggle the favor he had done for her on the plane. Little did she know Oliver had covered her both times.

"Good morning sleepy head!" Said Felicity cheerfully. Diggle groaned.

"Are you always this cheerful in the morning?"

"Lately? No. But this morning I don't feel like puking my guts up and that means it's going to be a good day. I could eat a horse...well not an actual horse cause that would be gross although people did eat horses at one time because-" She stopped her ramble herself. "Anyways...I could eat a horses weight in food. So...breakfast?"

"Sure," he answered. "I know a good diner we can go too." They dropped by Diggle's house and he changed and then went straight to the diner called Huffman's. The bell jangled as the came in and a waitress came floating by. "Morning John, you brought a friend today? Do I need to tell Lyla?" He chuckled. "No, This is Felicity, she's family."
"Aww well then I'll let is slide. Normal table?"

"I was thinking the booth in the back room. Is that okay?"

"No problem," the waitress smacked her gum. "Go on back. Coffee?" Diggle nodded and she said "None for me thanks. But can I get some OJ?" "Sure hon," she said before scurrying off.

"Still not drinking coffee?" He asked as they moved into the back room and sat down at a cozy booth with soft leather seats. "You know you can have decaf."

"Oh it's not that. Anytime I smell it I want to... well I won't say what I want to do in light of the breakfast we're about to eat."

"I'm not squeamish Felicity. I have a nephew. If it makes you sick I'll get Sue to get me some orange juice."

"No, it's fine. You're across the table. I'll be fine." She picked up her menu and by the time Sue came back she had decided what she wanted. After they had both ordered she settled back into the booth and sighed. "It's so comfortable here."

"Yeah, that's one of the reasons I love it. I used to come here with Andy. Had some great conversations in these booths." She smiled at him softly. "But..we're not here to talk about me." She sighed. "I know I'm being a broken record but you need to tell Oliver and soon."

"I will...just not yet, I need more time."

"How much more? Until you pop? Boy's not stupid, he wouldn't dare say anything about you gaining weight but he would notice when you start resembling a whale."

"Hey!"

"A very cute whale," he continued. "All I'm saying is the man needs to step up to the plate. I'm sure it'll be a shock but after some time he'll get used to the idea of being a dad-"

"I'm not telling him John."

"What? Wait you just said that you were."

"I'm going to tell him I'm pregnant just not that he's the father."
"Felicity, what is going on in that big brain of yours? This is Oliver's baby. He has a right to know."

"He's made his choice John."

"What are you talking about?"

"Last night. After he saved me from...The Count." She closed her eyes, remembering the moment. "I saw it in his eyes. He's chosen to give up any possibility of having a normal life. He's chosen the Arrow. A baby doesn't fit into that kind of life Digg." She pleaded with him. "My baby deserves better than that. I deserve better than that."

"Do you love him?" She shook her head tears starting to pool in her eyes. When had she turned into a leaky faucet?

"I can't Digg."

"Felicity," he reached across the table and took her hand.

"I can't say it Digg, because if I do...it makes it real. And I can't handle that. I'm already cracked, if I say those words? I'll break. I can never have him and now I'm going to be having his child. How do you think that makes me feel Digg? I don't even know what he feels for me and I'm pregnant With. His. Baby!" She whisper yells. "No," she shakes her head vehemently. "I've always made my own decisions, you've always respected that, I only ask that you let me make this choice now." he sighs deeply.

"This isn't going to turn out well." He pauses. "What are you going to do about work?"

"Work-work or secret work-work?"

"Both."

"I'll continue working in the foundry at nights, I won't do any more fieldwork or get kidnapped anymore hopefully. The rest will stay the same. As for work at QC, I've been thinking about that... I thought about quitting. I mean with all the rumors already going around that's the last thing Oliver needs is a pregnant secretary when he's trying to get the company back from Isabi- sorry baby ears, Isawitch."

"Felicity, Oliver would have a aneurysm if he could hear you right now." She groaned and leaned her arms on the table.

"I know, that's why I thought I'd wait awhile. Some women barely show until they're about three and a half months and it'll be winter so that will give me the excuse to wear big clothes and jackets."

"Wow, you've certainly thought it out."

"What do you think I do when I'm up at night with heartburn?" Sue brought their food and Felicity looked down at her bacon, eggs, hash browns and orange juice. "Speaking of heartburn..." She dug in and sighed in contentment when the bacon hit her taste-buds.
"Speaking of taste-buds, did you know that at eight weeks a baby develops theirs?" She looks down at her stomach. "Please like this because it's too delicious to throw up." She heard laughter and looked up at Digg to find him covering his face. "What?"

"It's just so bizarre," he said as he waved his hand at her. "The whole thing."

She forked some eggs into her mouth. "Tell me about it."

They spent the day together. Oliver insisted she not come into the office. He wasn't either so she acquiesced but it didn't keep her from doing some work on her tablet. She and Digg pigged out on the couch and watch old movies all day. She had to say it was the best day she had had since she found out she was pregnant. She could say it was because she wasn't nauseous but it was purely that she wasn't alone in all of this anymore. Since she had another four to five weeks she did some more research and by the time she went to bed she had found a lot of remedies to try for her morning, (rather all day) sickness.

Tomorrow's going to be a good day, she thought before she slipped off to sleep.