April

An: I do not own Arrow. Thank you to all my guests who reviewed, Laura, Ann, Cxxxx and others. I added a scene to this chapter just for JayMerlin17 on Ao3.

The beginning of April signalled the beginning of their plans to pack up. With Tommy staying on, it meant that they no longer needed to pack up the furniture in the apartment. Oliver had talked to his mother about finding an apartment in the city. She wasn't very happy about that idea but she accepted it. She said if he needed furniture he could take from the mansion since she was thinking of redecorating again. He did agree to stay at the Mansion until they found an appropriate place to live in.

Apr-2

Bob had decided to update some of the furniture in the bar. The delivery truck was arriving at 8:30am and Oliver needed to get there early to help Bob. When Oliver arrived he found Bob in the back, breathing heavily and sweating profusely. Oliver rushed Bob into the ER of the nearest hospital. Bob was conscious and protesting the whole way that he didn't need treatment but Oliver didn't listen. The triage doctor suspected Bob was having a heart attack and hooked him up to an EKG to confirm. Not finding his phone, he borrowed a phone for a nurse to call Diggle. He asked him to receive the furniture at the bar and they would see about arranging it later. He also asked him to call Felicity for him.

Oliver was left to fill out the paper work while they monitored Bob. He knew Bob didn't have any health insurance. The old man had neglected to renew it a few years ago and never bothered with it even when it became mandatory. He somehow managed to slip through the cracks of the system. The hospital was threatening to withhold treatment since Bob had stabilised and wasn't in a life threatening situation. They wanted to know if he could pay. Bob was ready to leave, saying that the pain was gone and he was fine now but Oliver refused. Bob needed treatment and tests. Oliver reached into his wallet and pulled out a card he hadn't used in 11 months, his black Amex card. He carried it for emergencies only and this qualified as an emergency. The hospital clerk's eyes widened at the sight of the card.

"Charge it to this," he said handing it to her. He knew he was a couple of weeks away from winning the challenge but Bob's life was more important than some silly game with his father.

Four hours later Oliver, Diggle, Felicity, and Tommy were seated in the private room that Oliver secured for Bob. The bar was going to be closed for the next few days. Initial tests revealed that Bob had four clogged arteries but the episodes he had been having hadn't damaged any heart tissue yet so they were very hopeful. They scheduled him for an angioplasty the next day to put stents in. The door burst open and Robert and Moira Queen arrived in the room.

"Oliver," his father said looking at the bed to see Bob instead.

"Dad?" Oliver questioned standing up.

"Son, are you alright?" his father said, his eyes frantically scanning over his son.

"I'm fine," Oliver said his mother making a bee line for him and hugging him tight.

"The credit card company notified me that your card was used here. I tried calling your phone and when I didn't get through I assumed the worse. We boarded the jet and came here right away. I couldn't get through to Mr. Diggle either."

"I think my phone fell out of my pocket at the bar when I was trying to get Bob here. He needed treatment and the hospital wasn't going to help him unless they received payment! I had to help."

"I'm sorry Mr. Queen," Diggle said, "In the rush to get to the bar this morning, I probably left my phone home."

"You're Robert Queen," Bob said from the hospital bed.

"Yes my son Oliver has been working for you. I'm sorry about the deception but he needed to learn a few lessons,"

"Oh I think we all knew who he was. Donna was always watching those gossip channels in the early afternoon. I did think he looked familiar but it wasn't till they had that special on 'Six Months Without Oliver Queen' did I put it together. I figured Felicity knew when she applied for a job at Queen Consolidated."

"Oh, about that Ms. Smoak," Robert said looking intently at her, "Walter wanted to inform you himself, you got the job. Welcome to QC,"

"Well done kid!" Bob exclaimed only to have the machines start to beep because his blood pressure rose in the excitement.

The nurse came running in to check on him. "I think this is too much excitement for you. Everyone but one person should leave,"

"I'll stay," Diggle said. "You guys go on,"

A limo pulled up and Felicity looked hesitantly at the car. "We can come back for the mini later," Oliver said placing his hand on the small of her back to guide her in. Tommy had already jumped right in. Once they were all settled inside, the conversation started up again.

"So where are we going?" Tommy asked excitedly.

"I didn't realise you were here," Robert admitted to the younger Merlyn.

"Diggle actually didn't report on something," Oliver said bitterly. He was still sore over that.

Tommy ignored Oliver's comment and answered the elder Queen, "When dad kicked me out, I made a bee line for Oliver. Felicity so kindly took me in."

"Felicity tends to feel sorry for us spoiled billionaire brats," Oliver added to Tommy's explanation.

"Play nice," Moira warned in that motherly tone she used to use so often when they were younger. "Oliver, are you going to introduce me to your friend? I gather everyone else has already met her."

"Mother this is Felicity Smoak. She is so much more than just my girlfriend," Felicity blushed. Oliver squeezed her side in a sign of support.

"Felicity this is my mother. I believe you met my father briefly before the interview,"

"Felicity it is a pleasure to finally meet you," Moira said.

"The pleasure is all mine, Mrs. Queen,"

"Please call me Moira dear." Felicity smiled.

The car stopped and they all got out in front of the MGM Grand.

"We will be staying the night in the suit. Please join us for dinner tonight," Robert said to his son.

"Sounds fantastic," Tommy said.

"Not you Thomas. I am sure your father will not appreciate us taking you out but don't worry I will make sure to send Oliver and Felicity back with a nice doggy bag for you," Moira said.

Apr-3

They both dressed up, Felicity deciding to wear the blue Couture dress Thea had given her, Oliver in a suit and tie. They went to the most expensive restaurant in Las Vegas. It took all of Felicity's self control not to gawk at everything. She could only imagine her mother's reaction if she were still around. Dinner went splendidly well. Just before desert, Felicity and his mother excused themselves from the table, leaving him alone with his father. He decided to grab the bull by the horn.

"Dad about the deal,"

"It's ok son. I understand that it was an emergency. I am willing to ignore it once you stick to the terms of the deal for the rest of the month."

"No dad. A deal is a deal. I'm ready to join the company,"

"Does this have anything to do with Felicity?"

"No and yes. I know it's time for me to step up. I want to be the man that Felicity sees. I want to live and work in the same city as her. It's just luck that we will both be at QC. Felicity started looking for a job in Starling City in January because she knew that was where I was going to be. I didn't encourage her to look anywhere else in the country because I wanted her there with me. I also want to do something more meaningful with my life and I realise that QC has the potential to touch the lives of many people. My salary can also help me fund my side project. This is our future. I am embracing it but I want to finish off the month with Bob,"

Robert smiled widely. Of all of his business ventures the challenge he issued Oliver had been his most successful. Oliver was now the man his father always knew he could be.

"Very well, I'm proud of you son. You and Felicity will start on May 1st."

"We look forward to it," Oliver smiled truly meaning what he said.

When the ladies returned to the table, Felicity was all smiles. Later that night, Felicity would confess to him that Moira said she approved of their relationship and she had been waiting to meet her since Thea had come home in December. She had also thanked her for Thea's passing grade in algebra.

Apr-4

They were all in the waiting room while Bob underwent the angioplasty. One of his daughters and her son, Bob's grandson, had flown in the night before. His other daughter was making arrangements to fly in later that day. Once Bob was out they would observe him for twenty four hours before they sent him home. After which, Bob had firmly stated he was going back to work.

The doctor came out, "Family of Bob Schneider,"

They all stepped forward, "You're all family?" he asked particularly eyeing Diggle.

"Yes," Bob's daughter said.

"He's fine."

The cheers were loud.

"He's very strong. It was a success but he's going to be on medication for the rest of his life. He's also going to have to change his diet," the Doctor explained.

"Can we see him?" Felicity asked.

"He's in recovery right now. In half an hour we'll start letting you in to see him one at a time,"

Apr-5

Oliver found Felicity staring out the living room window sombrely while she played with something in her hands.

"What wrong?" he asked sitting next to her.

"Nothing, I was just thinking about life. Do you remember I told you about the man that sent us those Hanukkah decorations?"

"Yes,"

"On the last day of Hanukkah, after you left to go to the bar, a package arrived from him. I wrote to him at the beginning of Hanukkah informing him of my mom's death so he wouldn't feel the need to send anything but he still sent this letter," she said reaching over the coffee table where the letter was. "I sort of read it then but I had put it aside. I don't think I was in the mood for it at the time. I found it again when I was packing up. He sent this beautiful 14K gold dreidel pendant with it. He said I was to give it to my daughter, for her to know the story of her grandmother and how she let a stranger into her home to celebrate Hanukkah. He also said that it would be his last gift to us but he thought it would be his most enduring gift of all. It just got me thinking about my mom. Not only did she raise me, but she helped me meet you,"

Oliver sat next to Felicity and kissed her on her temple, "I love you," he said.

"I love you too," she said leaning forward to kiss him softly. She then returned to staring out the window.

It wasn't the first time that they had said the words to each other. Those three little words had first been said after a very passionate night. He had been the first one to say it. Now they said it to each other frequently. He gave her a quick hug before standing and leaving her alone. When Felicity was upset, particularly if they were fighting, she would always say she needed air. Hours later she would come to him and they would talk it out. Even though months had passed she was still grieving for her mother and he would give her the space she needed. She knew where he was, when she needed him.

Apr-6

Oliver had one week left before his last day of work. In three minutes they would be closing the bar. Bob, Tommy, Carl, and Diggle were in the back cleaning down the kitchen. Tommy had somehow dropped one of Bob's chef knives behind a counter in the kitchen and he needed Diggle to move it a bit so he could get the knife out. The girls were in front wiping down the tables and Felicity was seated in front of the bar telling him about a conversation she had with Thea earlier in the night. It was the middle of the week and the crowd had left already. No one was there but them.

Two guys with hoodies came through the door. Oliver went on alert immediately noting where the girls were.

"Hey guys sorry, the bar is about to close," Oliver said as they approached.

They pulled out guns, the girls screamed, Felicity, in an act of true athleticism that he would later be very proud of, jumped over the bar to where he was. Those defence classes and yoga sessions were really working. Bob, Carl and Tommy came running out, the latter with the chef knife in his hand.

"Give me all your cash," one of the guys in the hoodie said moving over to the girls while his partner kept his gun trained on the men that came from the kitchen.

The man held on to Samantha's arm roughly.

"Hey, leave her alone," Carl said stepping forward.

"What you going to do?" the man goaded squeezing Samantha's arm. "I might just take her for a little fun later," he said pulling her away from Alice.

Carl ran at the man and the man shot him the shoulder, sending Carl to the floor. Samantha and Alice ran towards the boy while Oliver tugged Felicity closer to him.

"Cash now!" the man that had his gun trained on the guys said.

Bob glanced towards his office where his shot gun was but Diggle shook his head. Carl was already shot, they didn't need to make the situation worse. Oliver moved over to the register, the man that shot Carl put a bag on the counter, Oliver filled it with cash.

"And the tip jar!" the other one said.

Oliver picked up the jar and tipped the contents into the bag. The man walked away from the bar but Carl reached out and tripped him up, sending him tumbling forward the gun flying out of his hand. Those two started fighting on the ground, Carl clearly losing the fight but both Alice and Samantha jumped in. The other man took his eyes off the guys to look at his partner and Diggle took that opportunity to strike, throwing the nearest bar stool at him and quickly closing the distance between them. Tommy moved behind the bar and Bob went into his office for the shot gun.

The other man managed to push Alice and Samantha off of him and retrieve his gun. Just as he was about to take aim at Diggle who had just finished knocking out the other guy, Oliver took the knife from Tommy and without thinking about what he was about to do, he through it across the bar into the shoulder of the man. He dropped the gun again and that gave Diggle the opportunity he needed to close the distance and disarm the man that man as well. Bob had come back out of the office by then with the loaded shot gun and kept it trained on the two men.

Felicity called 911, within five minutes the police and two ambulances were there. Carl was rushed to the hospital immediately. Felicity told one of the paramedics about Bob's heart attack earlier in the month and they thought it was best he went in to be monitored for a 24 hour period. The stress of the robbery could trigger another heart attack so the second ambulance that was supposed to take the suspect that had been stabbed was commandeered to take Bob to the hospital. The suspect complained bitterly but it was hard to feel sympathy for him after he threatened to shoot them. A third ambulance arrived to take him to the hospital to have the knife removed from his shoulder. The rest of the crew had to give statements to the cops.

Apr-7

As soon as they finished with their statements they headed to the hospital. The closest thing to family Carl had was Bob. After much convincing, the Doctor agreed to update them on Carl's progress. They had removed the bullet and they were stitching him up. He was lucky because it didn't hit anything vital and had lodged just behind his should blade. He would go to the ICU first and depending on his stats, then they would send him to a recovery ward. Oliver's black Amex card again came out triggering another panic call from his parents.

That night Oliver found it particularly difficult to let Felicity out of his sight for more than two seconds. If things had gone differently, any one of them could have been shot. The thought that Felicity could have been taken away from him that night shook him to his core. He couldn't imagine his life without her. He decided that he needed to learn more than self defence. He needed to learn how to use weapons so that he could properly protect his family.

Apr-8

The next day they were all in Carl's hospital room. Because of his drug history and suspected addictions, the hospital did not give him pain killers.

"This is why drugs is bad kid. It permanently damages brain cells so that when a loaded gun is pointed at you, you do stupid shit," Bob said.

"I don't know, I kinda of thought it was brave," Samantha said.

"What is wrong with this new generation?" Bob asked.

Oliver and Tommy laughed. Their father's were always asking the same question.

The bar would have been short a bus boy but Bob's grandson decided to come out and spend some time with his grandfather so he was going to pick up Carl's duties until Carl recovered. Carl was actually responsible enough to realise he couldn't take too long recovering because he had to make money to pay back Anatoly.

Apr-9

Diggle had been apologising profusely for the incident. It was his job to keep the bar secure but Bob waved him off. If he had confronted them at the door, Bob was sure that they would have shot him and killed him. Bob hired Diggle to keep the drunks in line, not stop armed robberies. If his bar was becoming a target because of its improved success he needed more security. The next day some of Diggle's buddies arrived. There was Floyd Lawton, a man in desperate need of a job to take care of his wife and daughter, Ted Gaynor, Diggle's former Commanding Officer and Paul Knox another former member of Diggle's unit. One guy would be stationed at the door and the other two inside the bar. They fit right in. It was particularly cute when Floyd's daughter would come by around six to see her dad before she went to sleep. Bob would put her on a bar school and give her a tall glass of milk on the house.

Apr-10

The end of the month came quicker than they imagined. Their bags were packed and a limo was waiting to pick them up at the end of the night to go to the Queen Mansion. Felicity had provided Tommy with a detailed list of when each bill was due. She was crossing her fingers that Tommy would remember.

Diggle was going to continue on as a bodyguard for the Queen family and Lyla was going to join him. Diggle had been living off his salary at the bar and sank his entire salary from his contract with Mr. Queen into a beautiful three bedroom townhouse for him and Lyla. They were thinking of expanding their family soon in a few months now that Lyla seemed more settled and their marriage was again on sturdy grounds.

Bob was throwing a big party to celebrate his 'best' employee Oliver Arrow and Oliver didn't have to work. Tommy had mixed a special cocktail for the night called "The Green Arrow". It sold well and Bob added it permanently to the menu in honour of Oliver. There were many heartfelt goodbyes. The regulars were going to miss him and Felicity. They promised they would be back. Tommy was still there and Off the Beaten Strip was a special to both of them.

The challenge was officially over now but a new part of his life was opening up and it seemed more daunting than that challenge ever was.

An: Laura I hope even though you guessed the ending of the challenge correctly that it was still a good read.

An 2: There is another chapter and an epilogue to come.