A Love beyond Barriers:

Felicity waited with awaited breath in the van parked a block away from the station. She had the news on a constant re-run on her tablet and things weren't looking good. The police precinct had also been taken by Slade's army and when Felicity called Detective Lance to make sure that he was okay, she could hear the painful groans in his voice. He definitely had a few broken bones. Some areas had complete blackouts and the list of casualties seem to be growing. Felicity was going to make him pay; she would make sure that Slade would wish that he was never born. She didn't know how but she was going to figure out a way right after she had Thea safely by her side. This side of the city had not been affected except the station but Felicity knew that things were going to turn bad pretty soon and that's how when Merlyn knocked on the window of the van, she literally jumped a few feet.

"Open the door, Blondie."

Felicity opened the door but she couldn't help but put as much distance as she could between them. Slade was a psychopath but so was Merlyn.

"So what are we looking at?"

"I hacked into the satellite images of the station and was able to pull up thermals. The building opposite can give us a good vantage point. There are two emergency exits which lead down to the basement and out through the back of the station but to go through the exit you will have to pass through the front of the station which is guarded by one of the soldiers. So I suggest you go through the top. The roof has an access panel which leads to the ventilation unit. The building is old so it should have one. According to Thea, there are six of those junkheads. I scouted through the thermal images. There seems to be six inside and one at the entrance…"

"And when you said that they can't be killed and have superhuman strength, how do you expect me to fight seven of them?"

"Aim for their throats. That will cause enough blood loss to slow them down or inject the viper venom. That usually slows them down."

"Did you speak to Thea? Is she okay?"

"She is fine. If we do this the right way, she will come back to me safely."

"I have to ask though. Where is Oliver in all of this? Because you do realize that I am a murderer, don't you?"

"You forgot to mention mass murderer. And Oliver is out there saving people by risking his life. The least I can do is save his sister and you might be a psychopath, Merlyn, but you and I both know that when it comes to their children no parent will give up. I lost a friend in the earthquake that day and you lost a son; so I am sure as hell not going to lose Thea who is your daughter. So you are either in or out because I will save her at no cost."

And that's how 15 minutes later Felicity found herself on the roof of the building opposite to the station with a laptop on her thigh and a tab in her hand. The air was chilly and was biting into her but she didn't care. She picked up her phone and dialled Thea.

"Hello, Thea. Are you okay?"

"Yes, we are fine."

"Thea, I need you to listen to me very carefully from now. Can you see the ticket booths?"

"Yes."

"Good. Now turn to your head to your right. Do you see a door? Does it say maintenance stairwell?"

"Yes but it appears to be locked. I can't see so clearly from here."

"It has an electronic keypad. Thea, now you need to be brave okay? Two minutes from now the lights of that station will blackout and that's when you need to walk five steps away from the pillar, turn right and keep on walking straight for another thirty steps. You will reach the door. After that the lights will be back on and the TVs in the station will start blaring. When they do, you open the door to the door to the stairwell, climb up one floor and turn into the corridor. You will find a machine room there. Get there and call me back? Did you get all of that?"

"Yes, I did. I think so."

"Good. Now take off your shoes and tell Sin to do it too and after I keep the phone count to 60. Don't be scared, it's all over. I am going to keep the phone now. Be safe. I am right outside waiting for you."

And with that Felicity cut the call. She would get her back; she knew it in his gut. Thea was a strong girl so was Sin. They would be okay.

"Merlyn, are you there?"

"I am in the ventilation unit though it's hard to breathe in here."

"Can you see her?"

"I can see her."

"Here it goes. And the lights go out in 3, 2, and 1."

Felicity could hear the panicked screams from the people inside the station but it didn't last long. The back-up generators were on in a minute, just enough time for Thea and Sin to make it to the door.

"They made it to the door, Blondie. Flare up the noise."

Felicity hacked into the broadcasting station and in less than forty seconds every TV in the station started playing the oath of Blood as Mayor in full volume; irony if you asked her. After a minute, they all died down. Now all she had to do was wait for Thea's call. Each second felt like a century and when her phone buzzed, Felicity could swear that she had the biggest smile ever on her face.

"Did you both make it?"

"Yes. Felicity, what's happening? What about the other people in there?"

"Thea, I need you to trust me and wait in that room. I will call you. Just trust me, okay?"

"Okay, we will wait. Felicity, you are not thinking of doing anything stupid, are you?"

"Stupid. No way, I don't do stupid. Just stay there for now."

Stupid. Yup, what she was about to do was far beyond the stupid category.

"Merlyn, you are on."

"Remind me again why I am helping you save these people. Our deal was to save Thea."

"Because if it weren't for me; you would be dead by now. Moira would have fed you to The League and let's not forget how you have been hiding so well for the past few months. That's all me so you know what I am capable of. If you don't help me, I swear to God, I will put your name in every Wanted List in this world and lead the League right to you."

"If I help you, I am as good as dead anyways."

"Then at least you will die cleaning some of the blood off your hands which Tommy died for too. I only helped you because your son's last words to me were to save you. Never forget that."

One and a half years ago: Felicity could not believe that the son of her company's CEO; step-son to be precise; Oliver Queen was back after five years. Must have been hell of a trip for him. She understood that the entire QC would be rejoicing especially her amazing boss Walter but she had work to do. Taking a day off and celebrating a person's return; who she never knew was not on her agenda for the day so she settled down on her chair and resumed working. Computers, that's where she belonged; her haven.

"Wow, look what the cat dragged in. Aren't these colors a bit too bold for office attire?"

She really couldn't catch a break, could she? She whirled around his her chair ready to give this lame ass a piece of her mind but all she was a big box of donuts being held by a man with deep brown eyes wearing the most idiotic grin on his face.

"I am giving out donughts; free of cost. My best friend just came back from the dead you see. Apparently that also happens. Come on, try them. I swear they don't bite. My name is Tommy by the way, Tommy Merlyn and you are?"

"Felicity Smoak." She had a wide grin on her face too.

And that's how Tommy Merlin and a mere IT girl became friends. Tommy was the usual flirty and charming self with her but he also valued their friendship. When Tommy had told her that he was in love with Laurel, she had been happy for him. When he felt insecure about himself and thought he was beneath everyone, Felicity cried with him. They were friends. Oliver never knew that because Tommy's visits to her became rarer as days passed; partly due to her nightly activities and they usually hung outside her work. Tommy was someone who wanted to show her off because he thought people won't believe he knew someone smart but Felicity was content in being with him whenever he needed her. When the Glades fell, Felicity was in the lair crying as the ceiling began to crumble. She had been at fault. She should have known there was another device or thought about it at least and as she cried and begged all of it to go away; she heard the police scanners talking about a male with brown hair rushing into the DA's office. And that's when she knew. By the time she got to Laurel's office the building had crumbled completely and Tommy was nowhere to be seen. So she just started digging through the rubble in desperation. The rescue workers tried to pull her off but she did everything to cling on and that's when she found him. She wanted to take him to the hospital but he held her there taking his hands in hers.

"Hey, Smoak. Don't worry, Merlyns don't die so easy. I need you to do something for me though. Will you promise me?"

"Anything; Tommy." Felicity bit back the tears. She needed him to see her happy. She could not cry.

"I know who Oliver really is. I know you help him. Can you make him believe that he is not a killer? That he is a hero and don't let him make my death be his guilt forever. Remind him every time what he is meant to me. Be his light, okay?"

"Tommy, you are not going to die. I won't let that happen."

"And about my father. Don't hate him too much, you can do that right? If he needs to be saved, then redeem him."

"I will, I will."

"Take care of the people I love for me, Lis. And no matter what, I will always love you. You are remarkable, Felicity Smoak."

And with that the last breath left Tommy Merlyn. Felicity cradled him in her arms and cried till her tears were dry. She lost her friend that day but even while dying Tommy Merlyn forgave and redeemed damned souls.

Felicity wiped a tear rolling down her cheek. She needed to be strong right now. She heard Merlyn's voice crack at the end of the comm. Even if Merlyn did some things which could never be forgiven, there was no denying the fact that he loved Tommy too.

"So, Blondie. What do I have to do?"

"I need you to distract them. I will take care of the one at the entrance. You take care of the rest. At my signal, okay?"

"Okay."

And with that Felicity did her most sexy walk possible combined with flipping her hair and licking her lips to get his attention. As she walked up to him, she could see his dilated pupils through the mask. She had his attention, all right. She walked up to him and placed her hand on his.

"Hey, there. I noticed you were standing here all alone. I am digging the mask but why don't you show me what you really look like, you handsome man."

Felicity reached up and started removing his mask but he wasn't about to be fooled easily. He caught hold of her wrist and brought her hand down by her side and to her surprise; he started removing the mask himself. Felicity did not waste a breath and plunged the taser at his exposed throat. Electricity coursed through him and he went limp. That should be enough for now. She really had to thank Detective Lance for the taser though. His paranoia of keeping her out of harms' way really did help her after all.

"Now, Merlyn."

"Nice going there, Blondie. Maybe this might not be that boring after all."

The next few minutes were total chaos. Merlyn started thrusting his arrows into the knuckleheads and Felicity started helping people out. She called up Thea and asked her to come out with Sin through the emergency exit away from all the fight and more importantly Merlyn's line of view. She did not want to lie to Thea; she will tell her the truth after she got her to safety. When Felicity spotted both the girls coming out, she embraced them too tight for her own good. She led them to the van but she had one more thing to do before driving away.

"I could really use some help right now, Blondie. These men are too strong."

"The power will go off in two. Make your escape then."

And with that Felicity plunged the station into darkness again and turned all her attention to Thea and Sin.

"Are you both hurt?"

"No, Felicity we are fine. I knew you could hack but you were amazing back there but I heard Arrows in there though I couldn't get a good look. Who was that?"

"I will tell you everything, I promise. First, let's get you both out of here."

But before she could even put in the keys, her phone buzzed. It was S.T.A.R Labs.

"Cisco, tell me you have good news. We could really use some right now."

"Felicity, I am watching the news. The entire city is being ravaged. Are you okay?"

"Ya, I am fine. Did you find a cure?"

"Okay, I have good news and bad news. Which do you want to hear first?"

"Cisco, don't test my patience."

"Okay, wildcat. So the good news is, this Mirakuru or whatever you gave me has all the properties of a drug; chemotherupatic to be exact but the drug was exposed to very adverse conditions and that's how some of the components of it changed completely. We identified what it is but this can take longer than usual."

"Cisco, I don't hear any good news."

"Bear with me another minute. So drugs kill cancer by stopping their division and what this drug is doing is the complete opposite. It's causing the cells to divide so they heal faster and it's affecting the hypothalamus in the brain so they feel no pain and no guilt so they are becoming into killing machines and it's rather funny…."

"Cisco, English! I am going to ask you again, is there a cure?"

"There is but that's where it goes a bit complicated. This drug is evolving from one person to another, forming a new identity in everyone. We think that this is because whoever made this drug encoded their DNA in it so their blood will be like the kill switch to all its effects!"

"You want me to find the blood of a dead Japanese scientist from the God knows what era? That's what you are telling me to do here?"

"No but that's the way to end all of this permanently. We have come up with a temporary cure though. It will slow down the healing process and make them experience pain so if you cut one of the major arteries like the jagular vein they might die but it will be very hard to kill the first person infected with this. The longer this stays in a person's system, the more it becomes a part of them."

"Finally; we really need that cure. Someone from QC will be there to pick it up as soon as possible; keep it ready. And Cisco, thank you."

"Don't mention it. You take care of yourself, okay?"

"I will."

Felicity left a quick message to Oliver about the cure and giving a wide smile to Thea and Sin she started towards ARGUS. Maybe things weren't so bleak after all; the sun was going to come up after all.

"Felicity, where are we going? And what's happening? All this is Slade, isn't it?"

"I will tell you everything once we get somewhe…"

And she never completed the sentence. All she felt was the world turning upside down as the van rolled and was pinned to the footpath by a truck. When she finally opened her eyes, she was upside down with glass cutting into her skin, an unconscious Thea with a wide gash on her forehead next to her and Sin bleeding profusely from her middle. She frantically started pulling up the seat belt. She could feel blood draining into her hair with a cut on her head and the inverted position was making her nauseating. She picked up a piece of glass and started cutting through her seatbelt and that's when she heard the crunching of glass. Someone was there to help them and that's why she started screaming but it wasn't a face which looked back at her. It was a mask with murderous eyes that looked straight to her. And that's when all she saw were spots dancing in front of her eyes before she blacked out completely.

When she awoke with the worst headache ever, she was aware of someone dragging her out from the van by her ponytail. Slade, it was Slade; she had no doubts about it. She started thrashing and flailing her hands in the hair and Slade's grip on her became even more painful.

"There is no use fighting, Miss Smoak. Quite a clever one you are, aren't you? Bringing down my men on their knees; and to think all that was done by such a weak thing as you."

"You psychopath; let me go. I will make you regret this; I will make you wish that you were never born."

"Then let's see who can keep the promise better, shall we?"

He started dragging more menacingly now and Felicity was sure she was going to pass out because of the pain and loss of blood. She had to fight but she could feel her resolve breaking. His grip on her was like steel. She knew she couldn't escape so she did what she could do.

"Please, Slade. Let me save them and after that I will go with you. I won't fight; just let me save them."

Felicity knew that there was no getting through to him but she had to try. Slade didn't say anything but instead loosened the grip he had on her ponytail.

"You try anything stupid and I kill them right here."

And with those words ringing in her ears she got into the van and took her phone. Undamaged, Thank God. She couldn't call Oliver or Digg; Slade will know so she called the only person she could think of then.

"What now, Blondie?"

"Merlyn, we are at the intersection of 22nd Westford. Thea is hurt. Take her to her brother and fast."

"What are you talking about? How did she get hurt? What about you?"

"Merlyn, please."

Felicity knew that Merlyn must have heard the desperation in her voice because he just said an okay and hung up.

"Felicity, what happened?"

"Thea, oh Thank God you are okay."

Felicity placed her hand on Thea's cheeks and choked back her tears.

"Thea, look at me. Someone is coming to help you right now. You will let him help you, promise me that."

"What, Felicity? What are you talking about? Where are you going?"

Felicity could not hold back the tears anymore and she could that Thea was crying too.

"I am going somewhere I have to go but I will be back. I need you to be safe first. So don't cry and promise me you will stay safe."

"I promise but I don't understand what's going on. Why are you talking like this? Why are you saying a goodbye?"

"Thea, my little hero. I love you, I will always love you and I will always come for you. But if I can't, I need you to stay strong and always keep me in here, okay?"

Felicity touched Thea's heart and before she could even wipe the tears off Thea's cheeks she was dragged out by Slade. Felicity could see that Thea recognized Slade and when Slade dragged her to the truck Felicity could hear the wailing sobs and screams of Thea. And that's when her knees gave in and her whole world blacked out.

And I am back and I sure hope that it's with a bang. I thought I won't be updating for another two days or so but apparently when you have exams and you drool over books, writing a fanfiction is a sure way to wake you up. This chapter is a bit long because the story just seems to be flowing smoothly so I couldn't really make it shorter. Now things are looking even more bad but we have to remember that's we need the light when it's the darkest. So please do review and let me know what you think! And thanks for all the lovely reviews everyone. Much appreciated.