It had been an hour since Oliver left. Time dragged on, seconds felts like minutes, minutes like hours. She signed the necessary forms to be temporary CEO and voted for the officers. Her mind was whirling and it took everything in her not to scream at the top of her lungs. Thea was in danger, a madman was holding her hostage and just the thought of something happening to her...it was unthinkable. She shuttered, her hands trembling as she held her phone in a death grip. Moira was standing at the window, staring out at the city. Lance sat a one of Oliver's guest chairs, his eyes on his hands.

She paced the room, back and forth, back and forth. Her heels clicking against the floor the only sound in the room. The hum of reporters in the lobby was filled in the white noise. A hand on her shoulder made her jump.

"Sorry," said Lance apologetically. She sucked in a breath, her heart pounding.

"It's okay, I'm just a bit on edge."

"Understandable, given the circumstances." Lance stood in front of her, with hesitant look on his face, like he wanted to ask something but wasn't sure.

"Spit it out Detective." She wouldn't usually be so blunt, but her patience was wore thin.

"I'm not stupid Felicity. Five months ago you were taken by the count, the hood killed for you, then you told me you were pregnant, I thought it was his." She swallowed at his mention of the Arrow and her whole body tensed. Lance stepped closer to her and lowered his voice.

"He said he was trying another way, but as soon as you're the one in danger he breaks that vow. Now you're married to Queen, having his child, you're friends with my daughter who happens to be a Assassin who also dated Oliver. Harper... who is your sister-in-laws boyfriend is helping the hood-"

"He likes to be called the Arrow now." Lance continued on as if she hadn't interrupted.

"And now Thea is kidnapped by some mysterious man with a grudge against the Queen family. Oliver and his bodyguard, who also happens to work with the...Arrow took off at a time his family needs him most. Now... you tell me Felicity, where is your husband?"

"You've got it all wrong Quinton-" She started.

"Don't insult my intelligence, I've been a Detective a very long time." She wrapped her arms around herself and took a step back. He stepped forward and placed a hand on her arm. "I know you can't confirm or deny. It's not your secret to tell. But don't lie to me Felicity, I'm in your corner, I can help, all you have to do is trust me." Her eyes roved his face searching to see if he was telling the truth. He squeezed her arm. "There's more than one path to justice...especially theses days."

"Why keep our secret? It could ruin your career, your life if anyone found out."

"Because my daughter trust him...because you trust him. Two strong women with independent minds believing in one man and his mission. Now that he has you and your kid, he had a reason to fight, to keep looking for another way. That's why."

Tears stung the backs of her eyes and her whole body started trembling. Quinton pulled her into a hug and rubbed her back. "It's going to be alright," he soothed. "They'll bring her home, they'll bring him home."

She clung to him, her hands digging into the back of his coat as she cried out all of her pent up emotions. She had never had a father, oddly enough Lance was the closest thing she had at the moment. Pain shot through her chest. How had she ever thought that she could keep Oliver's child from him? How stupid and selfish she had been. She tried not to imagine what her sons life without his father would have been like but failed. A life full of unanswered questions, loneliness, of lessons that would never be learned, innumerable insecurities, the constant feeling that lurked just beneath the surface... that you weren't wanted. Oliver would have never had read him a bedtime story or taught him how to play baseball or God forbid, how to ride a motorcycle, how to handle a weapon safely, how to treat a woman with respect, how to shoot a bow, the list went on and on. She had missed out on so much because her father had walked out on her. She sucked in a shaky breath. Now wasn't the time to delve into her scars from her past. She pulled away from him and swept her fingers under her eyes, wiping away running mascara.

"Thank you Quinton." She said her voice still a little shaky.

"Anytime," he said gruffly. Her phone rung and she nearly dropped it in her haste to pick it up. "Oliver..."

"I'm okay, I found Slade, I questioned him but he wouldn't crack, knocked him out with viper venom...Thea wasn't there. I don't know what to do next. I don't know what to do..." She ran her hands through her hair in frustration. She kneaded her temple.

"There has to be something we can...wait. I have an idea."

"I'm all ears."

"Let him wake up, he's sure to go back to her soon, follow him."

"It's dangerous."

"We don't have any other options."

"You always say-"

"I know what I said, but this time...there are no other options. I hate this just as much as you do. We have to get her back Oliver."

The other end of the line was silent for a moment.

"Okay." She nodded until she realized he couldn't see her. "Are you okay?" He asked her. She glanced at Lance, standing just a few feet away from her, giving her the semblance of privacy for her call but she knew he could hear everything she was saying.

"I'm fine...as I can be right now. Oliver..."

"Yeah?"

"I could be of more help if I was at the foundry," she said softly.

"Absolutely not."

"But-"

"No, you're not to leave that building, you promised."

"I know but Oliver this is your sister we're talking about...you and I both know I get more work done in a basement than at the top of a high-rise."

"I know I just..."

"Lance can take me. He won't let anything happen to me," she assured him.

"Does he-"

"The cat's out of the bag, or the arrows out of the quiver, whatever you want to call it. He's smart...I didn't confirm or deny, but he is Sara's father and you know Sara..." She trailed of knowing she didn't need to elaborate. Once Sara got an idea it was practically impossible for it to be changed. It must be a trait Lance passed down since Sara and Laurel possessed it. "I'm sorry-"

"Don't apologize, it isn't your fault. It was just a matter of time Felicity. Just so happens our time ran out tonight."

"So does that mean I can work from the foundry? I'll be a lot more help inside you...and by that I mean your ear, not any other way. Though I have been in that way before and it was nice but oh crap I'm doing it again. How is it possible to get caught in the same innuendo twice?"

"Felicity." He said sternly without anger.

"I know not helping."

"Give the phone to Lance."

She handed him the phone and whatever Oliver said to him must have been scary and threatening because his face drained of color and his spine went ramrod straight. "Understood," Quinton only said the one word before he handed the phone back to her.

"Felicity, I'm trusting him to get you there, please don't let my trust be misplaced." He pleaded with her.

"I made a promise Oliver, I intend to keep it."

"Call me when you get there."

"Okay," she hung up and paced quickly over to Moira.

"Moira?" She turned and took Felicity's hand in hers. "Everything is going to be okay, I promise. But I have to leave now."

"Why? Oliver already left, not you too."

Lance stepped forward. "Felicity had extensive knowledge with computers and finding things that don't want to be found. Something our tech department don't know how to o as well, Felicity offered her assistance."

"I'm going to do everything I can to find her Moira...I love her too." When she spoke it she knew it was true. She had only known Thea for a short time but just like with her brother it had only taken an impromptu office meeting to fall in love with her new sister. It shocked her when Moira pulled her into a hug and held her tight.

"Thank you...so much." She pulled away and nodded a fresh wave of tears pressing against the backs of her eyes.

Lance got her through the crown of reporters yet again and drove her to the Club in the Glades. "I always knew this was his base of operation, just didn't have any proof."

"Detective-"

"I know...he swore me to secrecy. My daughter works here with you I presume? I would never do anything to put her or your little family in danger. I said you could trust me. I meant it." She reached across the seat and squeezed his hand before climbing from the car and leading him down the alley to the entrance of their not so secret anymore lair.

Quinton looked around in wonder, much as Barry had upon his entrance into the room. He strolled around and started touching things that if Oliver had been here would have sent him on a irate tirade of 'Don't touch that, or that.' She went straight to her computers and booted them up. She dialed up Oliver's number and slipped her comm in her ear.

He answered immediately. "I'm here safe. What's happening?"

"Slade's should be waking up now. All that's left it to follow him." She connected the comm to to Sara, Roy and Diggle's frequencies.

"Sara?"

"Loud and clear," she answered.

"Digg?"

"10-2."

"What?" She asked.

"It means his reception is good," Lance piped up from behind her. She shook her head at the sight of a SCPD Detective standing the middle of their work zone and not running out of the building to call a swat team. Truly unbelievably, but her life was filled with mostly unbelievable things wasn't it?

"Roy?"
"All good."

Everything was quiet for a few minutes until Dig opened his comm's again.

"This is Dig, I've got the follow."

"Tracker on his car is active," she replied. "Roy? He's coming up in your position."

"Got him, he's turning up Warner."

"I see him, heading north," she said to no one in particular.

There was a muttered curse and squealing tires on the other end of the line. "I lost him!" said Digg.

"It's alright, I still have eyes on him." She assured him. Lance came up to stand beside her. "Sara. Cut right onto Downey."

"Got em," Sara replied.

"Be careful baby," Lance's told his daughter.

"I'm coming up on the vehicle...wait.."

"What's wrong?" Oliver's worried voice called.

"He's gone! Felicity where is he." She started typing but suddenly her screen was filled with dozens of other pings. Oh no.

"How is this possible! I just had him!" She yelled.

"Felicity!" Oliver called.

"He cloned the trackers signal. I...I don't know where he is." A wave of dizziness crashed over her and she started to sway.

"Felicity!" Lance exclaimed worriedly as he grabbed her arm and helped lower her into her chair. "Are you-"

"I'm fine. I just need to find Thea." she said with her teeth clenched. She drew a shaky hand to her forehead, a moment later she felt a flutter in her stomach and sucked in a breath.

"Are you sure you're alright?" asked Lance, his brows furrowed. She opened her mouth to reassure him again with Oliver's rather the arrows voice came through the comms.

"Talk to me Felicity."

"I lost him...I'm sorry... he's gone." He cursed. Lance squeezed her shoulder.

"We'll find them. If there's a way you'll find it." She nodded and closed her eyes for a moment.

"On our way back," said Sara.

Thirty minutes later the team returned to the foundry. Oliver and Roy both paced the room. Sara leaned against a table whispering to her father. Another odd sight. Diggle kept unloading his glock and reloading it, a nervous tick of his.

There was another flutter in her stomach and her hand jerked to her belly, her other hand turned into a fist and tears stung the backs of her eyes. She was okay, her baby was fine, she assured herself. She needed to find a way to calm her nerves so she rose intending to walk around a little. Another wave of dizziness cause her vision to darken around the edges and she stumbled forward but luckily the time Oliver rushed forward and caught her. "Felicity-"

"I'm okay, " she said. The room was spinning so she closed her eyes. "I just need to sit down." She would not be a wilted flower. She reached her hand out for his. "Help me to my chair."

"Felicity, maybe we should take you to the hospital," Oliver said, his blue eyes wide.

"I agree, that's the second time that's happened."

"What?!" Oliver said as he turned to Lance. She tugged on his jacket to get him to look at her again.

"I'm not going to the hospital. I'll be fine as soon as we find her."

"Thea wouldn't want you to-"

"Thea's not here!" She said using her loud voice. Oliver just stared at her. "I am not leaving here until we find her. I will not stop working until we find her, so don't even try to make me Oliver or I so help me I'll-" A thought struck her. "Wait a second." She hit a few keys then the tracker was back on line.

"I have him!" She yelled.

"How?" Oliver asked already grabbing his bow.

"His tracker reactivated when I sent a signal boost."

"Wait Oliver...this could be a trap. Think about it, Slade likes to play games."

"I can't just sit here and do nothing Sara." Sara sighed before grabbing her jacket to leave, Digg put his gun in his holster followed after her and so did Roy, hands in fist and shaking with anger.

"Felicity." Oliver put a hand on her cheek.

"Bring her home," she said softly before placing a kiss on his palm. He took and deep breath, kissed her and strode from the foundry, leaving her and Quinton alone again.

"Do you think it's a trap?" She asked him.

"I don't know," he said as he started to pace the room.

"Oliver will do anything to protect them, all of them, especially Sara." Lance stopped pacing.

"Will he? Maybe when he didn't have a family to take care of but-"

"He's the same man Detective, just because he has a family now doesn't mean he stops fighting. In fact now he fights harder, because he has something to come back too. You of all people should know what that feels like."

He nods solemnly. "I do."

The comms were silent for a long time. Oliver having turned it off. She hated it when he did it but she understood why. It was a way for him to focus, to have him mind completely clear. He hadn't done it since the early days of their vigilante work, back when he had killed ruthlessly. She had been right when she told Lance he would do anything. She couldn't find it in her to dislike the idea. It was Thea.

Time passed and she ran her hands through her hair and hung her head. The comm switched on and Oliver's voice filled her ears making her jump.
"We've got her, Digg's taking her to the station now."

"Oh thank God."

"I'll be there in a few minutes, we'll go to the station together."

"Okay." She said before clicking the comms off and turning to Lance. "It was too easy."

"His plan failed, that means he's going to be after another target," he said.

"That's what worries me."

Lance sighed and nodded. "We got her back safe, that's all that matters for the moment."

Oliver returned and drove them to the station. Lance went ahead so as not to arrive at the same time as them.

Thea dove into her arms when she saw her. She stood there and stroked the brunettes hair and murmured to her that it was alright and that she was safe. Tears soaked through her blouse as she sobbed. "Shhh.." She looked over her head at Oliver who was standing at a distance. Moira came into the room crying. "Thea! Thank God!"

Suddenly Thea jerked back and turned to look at both her Mom and Brother. She shrunk into her side.

"You lied to me! Both of you!" She screamed. They all flinched at her words.

"Thea what are you talking about?" Asked Moira tears rolling down her cheeks.

""How could you not tell me Malcolm Merlyn was my father!"

"Thea-"

"I don't want to hear anything you have to say." She left the room leaving them all standing there frozen.

Maybe Slade had accomplished his mission after all.