She could feel the coldness starting to dissipate. She could feel the warmth not only in her hands but through her body as it tickled her feel, tingling all the way up to her stomach. The water was starting to evaporate and her head poked above the water.
She was floating. Just floating. But it was okay.

It was better than drowning.

She could hear again. She could hear voices, but more importantly she could hear his voice.
They said a lot of things. She tried to remember them and somewhat engage in their conversations but then she'd lose the battle and go under again.
Not for long though. Not as long and painful as it used to because his voice and his warmth always entranced her.

She always found him.

But all too suddenly the waters started draining away, taking her along with the pressure. She tried to swim against the current to no avail.
The water was shallow enough now that her feet could touch the ground. She tried to plant them firmly but she was just whisked again.
She hit something rough, but it wasn't painful. All she could remember were the white caps, the roaring waves, and the rocks they lap.

When she opened her eyes everything was white.
White walls. White sheets.
And everything was cold.

"It's been 3 weeks. I can't just sit here anymore."
"What are you going to do Oliver? All that we can do is sit here and wait."
"I need to do something. I need to find something. A lead maybe! I don't know-"
"Oliver?" John interrupted, standing in the doorway. "I may have found something. I'm not completely sure what it means, but maybe you do."
"What is that?" Tommy asked, confused.
"Um. Nothing I had John try and find a lead on who might have wanted Felicity and you as a target."
"And? What did you find?"

John looked to Oliver asking for a go signal. Oliver nodded at the gesture.

"It might have been, like who Oliver suspected, Slade Wilson, but it was an interesting thing that the Curare was laced with Belladonna. Not only that but in a RIP Bullet. These things individually are custom made and not even sold in the black market. So it's a little weird that Slade Wilson would have access to this. The Belladonna, its dosage and the way it's manufactured is from this group called HIVE. It's leader Damien Darhk," John explained as he laid various pictures and finally a headshot of two men on the hospital room's table, "is known as one of the most notorious businessmen. For years there had been whispers that Slade and Damien were in cahoots with each other for this big project but it has only been whispers. The Curare by Slade and Belladonna by Damien is the only solid proof, if it even is, that these two men are working with each other."
"I don't understand what would these men want with me or with Felicity?"
"Well your fathers if I'm right, wanted to out Robert making the deal with Slade. So before they could get the upper hand, Slade and Robert turned the tables on Malcolm and Noah. They couldn't finish their project without another man and I'm thinking that's where Damien comes into the picture. Something must have went wrong and both Slade and Damien turned their backs on Robert and had him killed. It works out for them, to take the empire all three of your fathers started."

Oliver bowed his head at the mention of his father's death. Felicity and Tommy's father might have been in prison but his was dead. And though pain and remorse should surface up in him, there was just numbness. How can Oliver ever forgive him when all he has done is sabotage and betray and lie to his family and friends? Was anything about him ever real?

"One more thing," Diggle added. "I found this. I'm not sure what it means, but I think you might."

Oliver inspected the picture thoroughly. His eyes scanned over it again and again. It was an overhead shot of men in suits, a party held at the Hyatt years ago.

"I don't know any of these men." Oliver said, confused. Tommy stood next to him also examining the picture.
"Yup. Neither do I."
"Are these men people who have worked for our fathers before? Or are they accompli—" Oliver halted mid-sentence. Something in the lower right hand corner of the picture caught his attention. He held it to his eyes more closely, squinting, hoping it will help him see better.
"Oliver? What is it? What do you see?" Tommy asked.
"Do you see that?" Oliver pointed.
"Uhh no. I don't. That's not a guy right? What is it?"
"I can't believe it." Oliver shook his head incredulously, not hearing Tommy's question above the hammering of his heart.
"Oliver?"
"I have to go. I have to check this out." Oliver quickly gathered all the papers John laid on the the table and grabbed his coat.
"Oliver! Where are you going?!" Tommy shouted, confusion laced in every syllable.
"I'll be back. I have to check this out!" Adrenaline shot through his veins, making him antsy, jumpy.
"Oliver, what about Felicity!" Tommy pointed.
"I'm doing this for her! For you! If— When she wakes up there is still the threat to her life and to yours. Just because they've targeted her doesn't mean they won't target her or you again. It's not safe and never will until I get to the root of this."

Tommy just shook his head. His hands coming up to his face trying to rub away the escalating worries working up his body.

"I'll be back. I'll come back." Oliver declared, this time more stern. Trying to convince not only Tommy and Diggle, but also himself.
"This is crazy Oliver." Tommy pleaded for his best friend to stay.
"Tommy, I have to do this."
Diggle grabbed his arm halfway through the door. "Are you sure about this Oliver?"
"I am."
"Take care man. Come back."

Oliver looked past the guy who has become his right hand man these past 3 years and into the room where his best friend stood agitated and confused. Finally his eyes laid on the girl laying on the hospital bed fighting for her life. And if everything wasn't clear before, it was now. He's doing this because he's fighting for her life— their life.

"I will."