A/N: Thank you all so much for the wonderful reviews. So far this chapter was the hardest to write. There are a lot of flashbacks and time jumps, so if any of it confuses you please be sure to let me know. I also wanted to let you all know that I have finished the overall plan/plot outline of this story and now I know exactly who Felicity will be ending up with. I am not going to tell you who just yet…but, if any of you want to hazard a guess or try to talk me into one or the other, please let me know and I'll see what I can do.

Also, for those of you who have some serious questions on Felicity's back story, all will be revealed and answered in this chapter. As I have mentioned in previous chapters she does not remember he past do to some serious repressed memory issues – suffice it to say, she didn't want to remember so…she simply doesn't. The mind is very powerful that way and as those of you who understand psychology can see why.

As of now, we are officially half way through the story. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy reading this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it, and please review; I am always welcome to hear your thoughts.

Chapter Seven: Child of Darkness

"The fear of the unknown can overwhelm and change a person."

-Anonymous

Bruce Thomas Wayne, son of Thomas and Martha Wayne, was an intelligent man, committed, and driven, so it made sense that it would not take him long at all to learn that Oliver Queen was Starling City's vigilante – the Arrow. However, it did take him a while to figure out that Mr. Queen had neither the intelligence nor the ambition to truly do what he did on his own – he could try, but it was clear that he had help in his crusade against the criminal underbelly of Starling City. Therefore, Mr. Wayne had spent that last few months doing everything he could to figure out exactly who was helping.

Once he had learned that Oliver was the Arrow, and clearly did not need a bodyguard of the caliber of John Diggle, and ex-Army Ranger, which made it easy for him to conclude that John Diggle – the black driver/bodyguard – was more then he seemed. Indeed, John Diggle was a sidekick of sorts, but he too did not have the mind power to hack into what Oliver/Arrow had gone through. Which left one other person at least that was helping the Starling City Vigilante.

This was the night that he had figured it out, the reason behind the Arrows hacking inactivity for the last three and a half months and the reason behind why the Arrow was not…performing…his best for a while. It all started the day that Mr. Wayne had met the intelligent, intoxicating, and enigma known as Felicity Smoak…the same day that she had left Queen Consolidated for good.

Felicity Smoak was, or had been, clearly the brains behind the Arrow personality. So, perhaps – if she was willing to help one vigilante – she'd be willing to aid him in finding a certain Cat burglar.

That was how he found himself later that night inside the apartment of one Felicity Smoak. She had just left her bathroom after showering and had a towel wrapped around her head, which prevented him from seeing her beautifully bright blond curling locks. Her black and gold silk kimono robe hung against her body like a thin veil that barely separated her wet naked body from his heated gaze. Even in her shocked and wide-eyed innocent gaze when she saw him lurking in a dark corner of her living room she was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. She awoke emotions in him that the Catwoman seemed to do just as well.

Felicity Smoak was more then she appeared.

"Batman…" Felicity gasped. How had she not heard him sneak in? With the Mirakuru advanced with Cat blood her sense of hearing had increased and yet she had not sensed him at all. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"From what I have heard, you are out of a job, and I'm here to offer you one," said Batman with a rough growling voice that did not need the aid of a voice modifier like Oliver. It was thrilling, sending a shiver down Felicity's spine.

"I'm listening."

"While I am talented myself in the art of…hacking…I am not nearly as gifted as you, and I would very much like to acquire your gift for the good of others, of course, in helping me discover who the Catwoman is. Would you be willing to help me with this task?" His voice had altered and grown more soft as he spoke to her. While she awoke something primal and predatory inside of him, she also seemed to draw out the softer and more human side of him just by being in her presence.

"The Catwoman? You mean the Cat burglar that had been…terrorizing Gotham and Starling City? Well, I am living quite comfortably and do not exactly need any help financially, so there would be no need to pay me…that is if your were being specific to the 'job offer' of your question. I will…see what I can find out for you," said Felicity, her mind turning like a clock at what she knew she would have to start planning as Roy's words of advice echoed through her mind.

"Thank you. If you do, however, decide that you would like a sort of compensation for your work, just let me know. I am very well…funded," said Batman as he made to leave via her open window, which had been securely locked when she'd jumped into her shower moments ago.

"Just out of curiosity. How did you know to ask me? That I would even consider helping you?"

"You helped the Arrow; I figured you'd be willing to help someone with a similar goal as Mr. Queen."

Felicity's body stiffened at his words. "Wait, how did you…" When she glanced to where Batman had been standing moments before was now nowhere to be seen. "So, that's what that feels like."

Felicity's confrontation as herself with Batman had been eliminating to say the least, especially considering it wasn't just Oliver and Digg that were trying to figure out just who Catwoman was. She knew she could trust Roy to keep her secret, but she didn't want him to have to lie to his supposed team members. Ever since he had suggested she come up with another identity or something else to at least hide the Catwoman side of her, Felicity had been thinking about how she was going to do that. Now it was clear that no matter what she would have to. She needed another identity to use as the Catwoman's alter-ego.

A pinging noise from her cell phone on the side table next to the couch alerted her to a new incoming text message. With a quick look she saw that it had come from Tabitha who had been absent for the last few hours, ever since she had left to go meet with Roy. It read, "Come to the Palisades, Egypt St. NW 221. Meet me in an hour."

She didn't know what exactly Tabitha wanted her to do once they met, but she had made it very clear to Felicity that it was time she faced the darkness and ghosts of her past. Felicity took a deep breath as she threw simple clothes on: a t-shirt, keds shoes, a pair of skinny jeans, and she finished her outfit off with a black leather jacket and hid her hair with a dark purple baseball cap. She was out her door, with a wave goodbye to Isis, in less than ten minutes. It took her thirty to get to the address location that Tabitha had sent her.

Once she reached the old driveway entrance to the location a sense of familiarity came over Felicity as she drove her car slowly through the property and up to the abandoned house. It was wealthy and old, like a mini version of Wayne Manor from what she could tell.

It was the home of her childhood.

Felicity parked her car and hesitated only for a brief second before she climbed out and slowly went up the stone steps to the front door. She pushed it open with bated breath, afraid of what she would see inside…memories…death…heartache? The list went on and on as her emotions bombarded her. She slowly walked through the front room of the house, everything seemed to be covered with white sheets – furniture, light fixtures, and wall décor – draping over everything like lazy ghosts welcoming her home.

"Child…" Felicity spun around at Tabitha's voice. "It is time." Felicity nodded her head as she followed Tabitha up the stairs to the master bedroom…her parents' bedroom. "Lie down and trust me."

Felicity did as she was told, because Tabitha – in that moment and time – was the only person she trusted implicitly. She glanced to where Tabitha was working, the side table, which held a series of medicine bottles and a musical time keeper. "What are you going to do?"

"I am going to give you some herbs, which will put you under a deep sleep an allow you to see the memories that you've blocked, but first I must put you under hypnosis so that you know which memories you need to revisit…what you need to remember." Felicity nodded to Tabitha's deep soothing voice. "Are you ready?"

She took a deep breath…once…twice…

"Yes."

Felicity: Five Years Old…

Henri lifted his daughter into his arms as he walked her and his wife, Selena, to the back of the house where a safe room was hidden behind the far wall of the master bedroom. It was supplied with enough food and drink to last them a weak. When they reached the safe room, Henri watched as his wife sat on the small cot that was placed in the corner of the room. He gently lowered their daughter into Selena's arms.

"But Papa, I want to go with you," whimpered the child as she clung to her mother's frame.

"You can't, sweetheart. You must stay with mommy. Daddy must go, so that you and mommy will be safe," said Henri as he caressed his daughter's face.

"Papa…will you come back?" the child pleaded, her face just as innocent and angelic as her mother's.

Henri stood from his kneeling position before his wife and daughter, his one and only great love, and walked away. He shut the door of the safe room and put it on lockdown. The beeping sound of the door and security system of the safe room activating was swiftly fallowed by the front door of the house being kicked in.

That was the last time she saw her father…at least the man she knew to be her father…after that he had been forever changed. That was the day that Henri Ducard had died, and something else in his place had been reborn.

It was another nine days before they were finally discovered and taken. Her mother spoke to her in their native language, Hebrew, and offered her words of love, wisdom, and reassurance. Even as they were being lowered into a large pit surrounded by chanting men.

Six Years Old…

Her mother didn't live past the first year, when one day a fellow prisoner – a doctor – left the door to their open. But she…Talia…had lived. Her protector, Bane, had kept her safe.

Talia: Twelve Years Old…

I was twelve years old when I climbed from the pit. I used my own fear to my advantage and made the climb…without the rope. I made my way for two months as a pick pocket before I was found and taken by a woman with dark skin and a mysterious air about her. Tabitha White. She said her she went by another name – the White Tiger.

She wanted to use me as a bartering tool. Apparently she had been running from my father – whom she called Rhas Al Ghul, even though his name was Henri Ducard – and a people known as the League of Shadows. They wouldn't grant her freedom, so she hoped that if she turned me over to my father that he would let her go…alive.

In spite of what she intended to use me for, we grew to respect and even love each other during the month long trip it took us to get the home of the League of Shadows.

I was shocked to see what my father had become and even a little frightened, but I had been so glad to be reunited with him that it hadn't mattered at the time. He granted Tabitha her freedom in exchange for me and I was sad to see her go…but she didn't leave me…not completely. She was always watching me from afar. Even then.

So, I had found my father…I told him of my life and what I had endured…I told him of my mother's death…of how my protector saved me.

He returned to the pit with the League of Shadows so that he could exact terrible vengeance on the men who had raped and murdered my mother, and to bring my protector home to me.

We, Bane and I, stayed with the League for a total of six months, until my thirteenth birthday. That was the day everything truly changed, the day that I realized that the father I had loved so long ago was gone and dead…and in his place was just a shell of a man hell bent on revenge against his own idea of evil.

It was Bane, when he truly joined the League that had me fleeing the League. I could not forgive my father for what he had done to my protector, my friend…my brother. He had turned him into himself. Into a murderer with the same goal. A shared darkness.

So, I ran…and Tabitha found me once again and took me in. But my grief at losing the remainder of my family had been too much for child's mind. I forgot…everything…because I could not bear the truth.

Until now.

I had been born Talia Felicity Ducard.

I was raised as Talia Al Ghul.

I had changed and grown into Felicity Smoak.

Now…now I knew who I was…and the name no longer mattered.

I was just…Talia.

Present Time…

It took some time readjusting with the unveiled memories of her past. Tabitha had talked her into moving back into her parent's home since it was a better fit and a better place to hide her nightly activities. She used the basement as her Lair. It was equipped with a high and low hanging trapeze bar and swings, a balance beam, a set of obstacle courses and dummies for her to improve her pick pocketing skills. A large sand and rock filled punching bag hung in the center along with practice matts – Tabitha had re-established the training that she had started with the League – and some targets hanging all over the room so she could practice her aim with throwing knives, swords, archery, shooting…anything that you could aim at a target. They even had a set of spears that she practiced with from time to time.

Talia…Felicity… had been so absorbed in her own little world that it came as a surprise when Oliver finally called her to ask if they could meet and finally talk about…well, them.

For the life of her she didn't know why she had agreed to meet with him, but it needed to be done. There were things that needed to be said between them.

So, that was where she found herself that Friday night, sitting in a booth in Big Belly Burger – it was late enough for her and Oliver to be the only remaining customers, but early enough for them to still be open – across from a nervous looking Oliver.

She had worn a simple pair of dress pants that were dark red and a black silk button-up blouse to their little meeting, along with her blond wig and a pair of fake glasses she had picked up for herself.

"So, you wanted to talk. Let's talk," said Felicity as she stared him down with a neutral expression.

Oliver tried not to flinch at her detached tone. "Well, I there are two reasons as to why I need to talk to you. First, I need your help…well, we all…the team…needs your help with something. Second, I wanted to talk about…us…or at least what that entails."

"What do you need help with?" Asked Felicity, she figured they might as well get the easy stuff out of the way.

"As I am sure you are aware of. Starling City has a new resident vigilante running around and I was…we were hoping you could possibly find out what you can about her. The real her."

"You mean…the Catwoman," said Felicity. Boy was Roy right. Talk about the irony of this moment. She thought. Oliver nodded in response. "Very well, I'll see what I can find out." More like what I can create when it comes to fabricating a new identity for myself, she thought sarcastically.

"Thank you," said Oliver as he seemed to try and get his baring's on just how he was going to broach the next part of their conversation. "Felicity…what happened between me and Sara…" he noticed as she stiffened at the reminder at what he had done. "It was a mistake. I know that. She knows that. It didn't mean anything…"

"You know what I kept hearing in my head for the last few months, ever since we got back from Russia…after you…screwed Isabel? I kept hearing the words that you said to me after I asked you why. How you couldn't be with someone you truly cared about. You looked me straight in the eye when you said that. You gave me hope. Why? If you couldn't promise me a future of us being together…then why didn't you at least show me the common courtesy of telling me to my face…that I didn't have a chance? You let me believe from the very beginning…from the moment we first met and you started flirting with me…that there was a chance…that you would choose me. If you could promise me…then why didn't you just let me go?"

"I couldn't…I couldn't let you go. I needed you. As Oliver Queen…as the Arrow…as a man needs a woman. I-I…it was selfish, but it was the truth. I do want a future with you and I promise you that will be better…"

"You were always good with words Oliver…but they are just words. You've made me and Digg a lot of promises but you very rarely ever keep them. I need proof…I need action. I need to know that in the end, when it comes down to choice…that you're going to choose me…as well as Digg. I can't trust that you won't abandon either one of us for Sara or Laurel. Do you understand Oliver? I can't trust you," said Felicity as she rose from her seat and got ready to leave. "I won't live in the shadow of the Lance sister's, Oliver. Figure out who and what you want, until then…stay out of my way." Those were her final words before she left with what little dignity she had. She would not cry in front of him.

"You," whispered Oliver, but Felicity was long gone. "I want you."

A/N: When it came to creating the three parts of Felicity in this story I sort of went with the idea of Freud's "Psychic Apparatus" of the psyche; they are the three theoretical constructs in terms of whose activity and interaction mental life is described: the Id, Ego, and Super-ego.

Id: is the set of uncoordinated instinctual trends…desires, wants, and needs.

Super-ego: can stop you from doing certain things that your Id, or desires, may want you to do; overly logical.

Ego: is the organized, realistic part that mediates between the desires of the Id and the Super-ego.

My idea was that Felicity Smoak was the Super-ego part of her personality (scientific, logical, innocent, naïve, etc.); Selena Kyle/Catwoman part of her personality was the Id of her personality (desire, rage, wants, and needs); while the Talia Al Ghul part of her personality was the balance between the two…the balance. The whole point of the story was her trying to find that balance between what she has to do and what she wants to do with her crazy life. When she re-discovers her past, overcomes and accepts it, she is essentially accepting who she really is, the innocent seductress. I hope you all are able to understand my reasoning.

P.S. – Let me know if anything in this chapter confuses you and if you need me to clarify anything (I know it was on the short side, but I hope it answered some of your questions now that Felicity's past has been revealed). Also, I started a board on Pintrest titled "The Brave & the Bold" under the member name of 'elena jordan'. It's about 26 boards down the list when you look it up (so far as I know of). Check it out. It holds pictures of Felicity's new wardrobe, style, Bruce Wayne, Batman, the new Felicity and how I picture her, the items of her Catwoman suit, etc. Let me know what you all think of it. Thanks for reading and reviewing.