Chapter 9 is up for you guys hope you like it. ;)

Thanks for every review and special thanks to the best translator and friend Niagaraweasel so happy that we met here.

Felicity was lying on a gurney in the ER. Oliver held her uninjured hand, while a nurse prepared the infusion.

The CEO grinned at his girlfriend. "Felicity, it isn't that bad, just a little prick and then the cleaning and dressing of your hand won't hurt."

"No, I can manage, really," Felicity pleaded.

The nurse came over to them, carrying a tray. "Ms. Smoak, trust me, this is not going to hurt. Getting the splinters out of your arm won't be a walk in the park and we have no other way to numb the area, we have to do it with an infusion."

Felicity swallowed hard and nodded. "Okay, I'll try to be brave."

Oliver gave her a kiss and let go of her hand.

"Close your eyes, Ms. Smoak, it'll be over in a second," the nurse said, quickly and efficiently putting in the in-dwelling cannula and attaching the infusion.

It took less than ten minutes for Felicity's eyes to grow heavy. "Oliver…."

"I'm right here, Felicity, don't worry, I won't leave you alone"

"Please don't go away when the doctor comes."

"Don't worry, just close your eyes and go to sleep, I will stay here and make sure that they do a good job," Oliver reassured his girlfriend, gently stroking her hair.

The pain meds had Felicity drifting off into a deep sleep, where all of the tension of the last few days completely disappeared.

The CEO didn't move an inch from her side. The doctor told him to leave several times, but a few well-chosen words from the billionaire soon took care of that. Felicity's injuries were worse than suspected. Definitely third degree burns and although she would regain full mobility of her hand and wrist, the burns would probably leave permanent scars. When they were finished, the doctor spoke to Oliver. "Mr. Queen, we would like to keep Ms. Smoak overnight for observation, just in case she develops a fever. Burns like these have a tendency to get infected. You've seen yourself just how many splinters we had to remove and that significantly increases the risk of an infection"

"Ms. Smoak isn't exactly the biggest fan of hospitals. Isn't there a way for her to go home right away?"

"Someone needs to check every few hours if she is developing a fever or nausea and according to her file, Ms. Smoak does not have family here in Starling City, so outside of the hospital this level of observation cannot be guaranteed. It is admirable of you as her boss to be so concerned for her, but under the given circumstances I really can't allow it."

"I think you're getting something wrong here, Doctor. Ms. Smoak isn't just an employee, she is my partner. It is true that she does not have any blood relatives here, but she does have family – me."

A smile appeared on the doctor's face. He had already wondered about the CEO's obvious concern.

"That explains a lot, Mr. Queen. Under these circumstances I can let Ms. Smoak go home. Please come into my office and I can explain what you need to look out for."

Oliver nodded and followed the doctor.

Felicity's head was pounding. Where was she? Slowly and carefully she opened her eyes, but everything around her was dark. She felt something holding her down, raised her hand to find out what it was and discovered that it was an arm. "Oliver…." she breathed.

Immediately a light came on. "Felicity, are you okay?"

"Yes….of course, but where am I? How did I get here?" she asked, confused.

Oliver sat up and gently stroked a strand of hair out of her face. God, she was even more beautiful sitting before him sleepily and confused, her hair tousled. "I brought you home with me from the hospital. They gave you pretty strong pain meds and you slept for the past twelve hours."

"Twelve hours?! Oh my God, I slept the whole day!"

Oliver had to laugh. That was so Felicity not to worry ab out her hand, even though she had no idea yet, how bad it was, but that she had slept away the whole day.

"Hey, that's not important. The important thing is that you're here with me and that you're okay." Oliver looked at her and felt her forehead.

"What are you doing?" the IT girl asked, surprised.

"Checking to see if you have developed a fever. The doctor said you're only allowed to go home if someone watches over you and checks your temperature every two hours."

Felicity's expression became more serious. "How bad is it?" she asked, looking down at her bandaged hand.

"Third degree burns and you had a lot of splinters in your hand. The doctor said you should be able to move your hand again in about eight weeks, but you might have permanent scars." With every word Oliver watched Felicity closely.

"Eight weeks…." Felicity repeated, lost in thought.

"Hey, it's not so bad, we'll get through it together, right? I will find Tockman and he'll get his punishment."

"How are you going to catch him? You don't know enough about computers and even I couldn't stop him."

"Sara is on her way, I called her and asked her to help."

Felicity shook her head and a sad smile appeared on her face as she stood up. "Sara, of course, who else."

"Felicity, I can't do this alone, how can I catch the guy who did this to you and protect you at the same time? I can do a lot of things, but I can't be in two places at once."

"You don't need to protect me, Oliver." Felicity got dressed, finding it more difficult than she had expected with just one hand.

Oliver stood up. "What are you doing?" He came around the bed and over to her.

"I'm getting dressed, what else should I do?"

Oliver tried to put his hand on her shoulder, but Felicity shook it off. "Please, Oliver, don't."

"What's this supposed to mean? You and I both know I won't let you go."

"Really?" Felicity glared at him. "You and I both know that I'm totally superfluous when Sara's around. I don't want to just stand there like a stupid little idiot again." Felicity put on her coat and grabbed her handbag.

Oliver raked a hand through his hair. "I love you, Felicity Smoak, and you are not going to walk out that door."

Felicity stopped for a moment. "I love you too, Oliver, but all that pain is still too fresh. Every time I'll see you and Sara, all I will be able to think about is the two of you together, naked and kissing. It's frightening how close together grief and happiness can be if you love someone. When I woke up, my life was all sunshine and roses, but right now the sunshine is gone and the roses have wilted."

Felicity opened the door and left.