Felicity's P.O.V.
I'm sitting in my comfy chair, fingers flying over the keyboard, while my eyes are glued to the screens. The past few weeks have been nothing but dead ends as I've searched for a someone who can shock people to death by using a 'shocking' suit. Tonight has been the first break through, and I'm stuck here giving directions like some babbling GPS.
"Turn left now," I say, eyes still focused on my beloved babies-uh computers.
"I see them." Oliver's growly 'Arrow' voice breaks through my thoughts as I watch the bleeping green dot I know is him on my screen. Those trackers in their boots sure do come in handy right about now.
"Ok, Blondie, where do I go," Roy asks, and then I'm searching for the red dot to make sure I know where he is so I can tell him where to go. It all get's so confusing sometimes… So many dots to keep up with!
"Roy, take a right and go straight for two blocks then take a hard right. You should be able to cut them off there," I say confidently, knowing that a lot is riding on this mission.
"Thanks Blondie," Roy chirps, and I allow myself a moment of fond affection for the younger man. He's the closest thing I have to a younger brother here in star city, and I'll admit the nickname was a bit loathsome at first, but I've long since grown used to being called names by an annoying little brother.
"I see him!"
Ray Palmer- billionaire businessman by day and crime fighting flying machine by night. I'll admit his addition to the team took some convincing on Oliver's part, but I'm glad I finally persuaded him. It's nice to have air support, allows less worry on my part.
"Ok, Ray, stay up there," I order before turning my attention on the two flashing dots in the van, "Digg, Sara, are you in position?"
"Yeah, but never make me wait in the van with her ever again," Digg complains, his deep voice sounding more like that of a petulant child.
"I can't help it that I'd rather be in the field, but I'll learn to deal with it. ok cutie, got any info to help take him down?"
I can't help but cringe at the memories that being called 'cutie' drudges up- both good and bad- "Yeah, Sara, I went over the autopsies and what we know, which isn't much, but then again we've taken down criminals knowing less. Fighting criminals isn't easy, not that I would know personally but-" i roll my eyes at the end.
"Breathe Felicity," Sara says, and I can hear the smile in her voice as she cuts off my word vomit.
I take a deep breath before answering, "Right, sorry…. Ok, what I have figured out is that if he touches you with one hand you'll receive an electrical shock- not enough to kill you, but it could stun you. However, if he touches you with both hands, he will complete the circuit and you'll die," As an afterthought I mumbled to myself, so lost in my explanation I'd forgotten about the comms, "Is it just me, or did that sound dirty?"
I hear a few low rumbles of laughter and one snorted giggle, and all I want to do is bury my face in my hands- cheeks heated in pure mortification. Unfortunately, Roy breaks in with his own observations.
"Got it, no touching," Roy says, his voice pitched in such a way that I know he's fighting back laughter.
"Focus Roy," I groan, my hands moving to my blushing cheeks.
"Here we go," I hear Digg say, his voice hushed.
Then the comms are blaring with the sound of screeching tires and rapid gunfire. I hate this, not having eyes on them. All I know is what I hear, and that isn't good. I wait, biting my nails until I'm sure my bright pink nail polish is chipped and cracking. It seems like forever, but in actuality it's only twenty minutes until the police sirens sound and I know that it's over for tonight.
Then Digg's voice sends a chill down my spine, "Get the med-bay ready, Felicity!"
I freeze, for a moment, terrified. It's a good thing that i've learned deal with the blood and gore that comes with the job again since finding Oliver in the back of my car, but that doesn't mean I don't fear it anymore.
I hear Diggle order Sara to get Oliver's bike, and that's when I know it's him. I gulp, my hands turning to ice and my legs to jelly. A severe sense of urgency overwhelms me, and I rise on shaky legs to prepare what I know will be needed when they return.
"Roy, you ok to get back," Diggle asks, and I can't help but be thankful that he's there with them. Any time something goes wrong, he's always so steady. He never gives in to the fear I know he must feel, he just handles everything with this cool calmness that I'll never be able to muster.
I sigh when Roy gives a ragged, "I'll live", and the motorcycles flare to life. This only increases my harried pace, fumbling with bandages and medicines. I know I have to be prepared for the worst, all the while hoping for the best.
When they finally arrive, Digg is half carrying half dragging Oliver. I can tell he's in pain by the darkness of his usually calm blue eyes, and I grimace at the dark patches of bloody green leather.
Roy enters next, looking a bit better but still swaying on his feet. I notice a cut on Sara's cheek, and Ray- well he just looks happy.
"Is he ok," I ask as Diggle gets Oliver onto the stainless steel examination table.
Oliver looks pretty out of it, which worries me. It must show on my face because Diggle's eyes soften, and he places a comforting hand on my shoulder.
"He's going to be fine, Felicity. It's only a few minor cuts. We'll get them sewn up, and he'll be his old brooding self in no time," Digg assures me; reaching for the medical supplies I'd already laid out.
As Diggle works, Oliver begins to look more coherent. His blue eyes lose their cloudiness, clearing to the crystalline sharpness I'm used to. I can tell he's still in pain, but as he rolls his shoulders I can tell he's going to be fine- his broodiness already descending to furrow his brow.
"What about you," I ask, turning to Roy.
"Ah, I've had worse," Roy replies with a wince, favoring his right shoulder.
"What happened? Are you ok," comes a new voice from the top of the stairs of our new 'foundry'.
I look up, and to my utter disappointment, I spot 'gorgeous' Laurel. I can't help the bitter, 'Great…', that slips into my thoughts- thankful that it didn't slip out of my mouth. The more time I'm forced to share oxygen with the woman, the more I wonder what Oliver ever saw in her. She is condescending, spiteful, and sometimes just plain mean- but most of that is aimed in my direction, so perhaps I'm not the best to judge. This is the part where I often question 'pre-Arrow' Oliver's judgment.
I take a deep breath, calming myself before I do something that I won't necessarily regret but will raise a lot of questions. It's not that I don't know the answers to those questions; I just never want to answer them- a lot like Oliver with questions about his five years on the Island.
"Well, what happened," Laurel asks again interrupting my train of thought.
She's impatient, that I can tell from her arms crossed over her chest and the incessant tapping of her shoe. Deep breath, Felicity.
"Another failed attempt to capture the person who's electrocuting the criminals that don't go to jail," I answer, trying and failing to keep my aggravation from my voice.
I hear the shuffle of Thea's feet as she steps away from the wall, her expression one of keen disappointment
"Why didn't you call us," Thea asks, her voice pleading, "We could've helped. You said it yourself Ollie that Laurel and I are getting better."
At Thea's mention of their improvement, Laurel turns to me with a triumphant look in her eyes. One brow arches as her lips twist into a satisfied smirk, a challenge. What she doesn't know is that I don't need 'team arrow' to best her, I can do that all on my own with a few well placed keystrokes. or if she wants to get physical i can best her easy but no one knows that except for a few people in gotham.
"I know that Speedy, but I don't want to risk you out in the field just yet," Oliver says, and I can't help the fondness the rises up with in me. Even I can see the change in him after five years away and I didn't even know him then, but there's one thing that will never change- Oliver will always be a great big brother. Before thea can make her retort the beeping of one of my computers cuts her off. I look at Ray who's smiling like he just found the answer to world peace."I set up a search a few weeks ago to see if I could find anything that might help defeat our guy in suit that can electrocute people we need a better name for him, and guess what I found," Ray said, his eyes alight with excitement.
"Can you just tell us already," Laurel asks, annoyed.
Ray deflates with a sigh, "Fine, so I found some reports matching his description and M.O. a few years ago, but here's where it gets interesting… He just disappears according to G.C.P.D."
"G.C.P.D," Diggle asks.
"Gotham City Police Department," I reply.
Everyone stares at me, and suddenly I realize why. I'd forgotten to mention a few minor details about my 'pre-Arrow' days."I interned at Wayne Corp. while I was at M.I.T," I explain, still omitting a few things here and there.
"What do you mean he just disappeared," Thea asks the question on everyone's mind.
Except mine… I know what happened, but telling them will lead to more questions that I don't want to answer so I keep my mouth shut.
"I know," Roy says excitedly, everyone turning to look at him as he begins to bounce on the balls of his feet.
"Well," Laurel snaps, causing me to scoff and Roy to roll his eyes.
"It was BATMAN," Roy says, Laurel's outburst doing nothing to curb his enthusiasm.
At Roy's announcement Sara looks intrigued, Digg seems to find something familiar about the name, and everyone else just looks confused. I infuse my own features with a look of awe, hoping no one catches on to my masquerade.I'm too good of an actress, but it's been a few years and i'm rusty.
"That's what I was thinking," Ray says finally, his excitement mirroring Roy's.
Then Laurel spoke up, "What is a bat man?"
Roy and Ray both roll their eyes, an annoyed huff echoing between them.
"Well, Laurel, Batman is the vigilante protector of Gotham. He has a bunch of cool gadgets, he works with the G.C.P.D. and they even have a bat-signal. He's also got a whole team of vigilantes who help him like Batgirl, Batwoman, Batwing, Nightwing, Robin, and, my personal favorite, Scarlett! Man, does she know how to wear leather…" Roy trails off. "So, I was thinking that since Bruce Wayne 'please don't say what i think your going to say' is hosting 'no' a gala for the Children's Hospital 'no!' we could go. It would give us 'please god help me' a plausible reason to go to Gotham 'god no!' to check things out. Plus maybe Batman could help us out," Ray suggests.
After hearing Ray's suggestion all I can think is NOOOO! I do not want to go to Gotham. We all have things to hide, but I don't exactly want any of my secrets to come to light just yet.
I look to Oliver, begging him with my eyes to refuse. However, there's that light of the chase in his eyes, and I know that all my begging is for naught.
"As much as I hate to admit it, we could use help," Oliver says finally, his words sealing my fate.
'FRACK!' We're going to Gotham…