Oliver felt his blood run cold as he saw Slade standing there, only feet from them. He had promised to come back and kill the person he loves most and, right now, that person was standing right behind him.
Oliver stepped forward and leveled his gaze on Slade all while trying to make sure he focused on him, not Felicity.
"What do you want, Slade?" Oliver asked, using the most intimidating voice he could muster up. Slade wasn't easily intimidated, and Oliver knew he couldn't get Felicity out of here before things got worse. All he could do was prepare himself for the tornado that was Slade Wilson.
"I made you a promise, kid. I told you I keep my promises, and here I am, intending to fulfill that promise." Slade said, his voice even and strong.
Oliver saw Felicity move in his peripheral vision and stand next to him. He wanted to tell her to run, to call Diggle or, even better, A.R.G.U.S., but he knew she wouldn't leave him there. The strength she always showed in times of danger was one of the many reasons he loved her. He just hoped it didn't get her killed.
Oliver watched as Slade looked at Felicity and said, "I see you're still alive, Felicity. How sad. I had hoped someone else had finished what I started!"
Slade lunged at them with his sword drawn and Oliver pushed Felicity out the way. He couldn't worry about her getting hurt while fighting Slade. Slade required all of his attention. He did teach Oliver how to fight, after all.
Oliver landed on his back with Slade pushing his sword to his throat. Oliver had one hand on each end of the sword, trying to keep it as far from his neck as possible.
Oliver heard a loud crashing noise and felt broken glass hit his face. He looked up to see Slade falter just long enough to push him off balance and switch their positions. He threw the sword across the room as he straddled Slade and pinned his hands above his head. He wasn't stronger than Slade, he knew that, but he was smarter.
While Slade was fighting for no one but himself, Oliver was fighting for the woman he loved.
Felicity.
Oliver was struggling against Slade and he knew he couldn't hold him for much longer. His mind was racing for something to do that would impair Slade long enough for Oliver to get Felicity out of there.
He felt Felicity next to him before he saw her. She was holding what remained of a lamp and he realized she had hit Slade with it, which allowed Oliver to switch their positions. He had never been more proud of her. She had tears in her eyes and looked petrified. He knew she was still getting over the first time she had been attacked, so this would only set her back even more at getting better.
She took a deep breath before looking away from Slade and moving her gaze to Oliver. She put her hand on his shoulder and said, "Oliver, what do you need me to do?"
Oliver looked at her and tried to focus on the task at hand. It was hard with her so close, but he knew Slade. He knew if he didn't find a way to make him unconscious, and soon, things would get bloody.
"I need you to find something big and heavy that I can use to knock him out. That's our only chance here." Oliver told her, never looking away from the blue orbs looking back at him.
Oliver returned his attention to a still struggling Slade as Felicity hurried to the kitchen. She wasn't in there long when she came back with a frying pan and Oliver smirked. Of all the things…
She reached Oliver just when he lost his grip on Slade's wrist and Slade punched him square in the jaw. Oliver flinched back long enough for Slade to get from under him and on his feet. Oliver scurried to his feet and stood in front of Felicity, waiting for Slade's next move.
"I'll be back, kid. When I am, you'll wish you had killed me all those months ago." Slade said before jumping out of the nearby window.
Oliver felt all of the air rush out of his lungs as he stared out the window. Slade was back. How was this possible? He turned to see Felicity staring out the window where Slade had left. She wasn't crying like Oliver had thought she would be. She looked… pissed.
"Felicity… are you okay?" Oliver asked, coming to her side and turning her face to look at him.
"We're going to catch him, Oliver. And when we do, this will all be over. I'm done feeling unsafe because of that psychopath! He had to have been the one who attacked me in the foundry. He's the reason I can't go anywhere without being scared! I can't even tell you I love you without someone getting in the way! It's ridiculous!" Felicity almost yelled, visibly mad and upset.
Oliver smiled at her words. She had finally said those three words he had been waiting to hear and, while it wasn't perfect timing, he didn't care. Screw perfect timing.
He leaned down and kissed her. He felt her sink into him as his arms wound around her waist and he deepened the kiss. He tasted the salt from her tears, but it was perfect. She responded to him immediately and stood on her tip toes to be closer to him. He felt her arms go around his neck and he smiled against her lips.
Finally, he thought. They continued like that for what seemed like seconds, but was probably almost ten minutes before breaking apart, breathless. He rested his forehead against hers and smiled.
He opened his eyes to see hers already staring at him and a cheeky grin on her face. He kissed her nose before he pulled away and said, "Come on. You obviously aren't safe here. You're staying with me."
They packed some things and made their way to his apartment. It felt so right, having her there. When she sat on his couch, feet propped up on the coffee table and tablet in hand, he thought he could come home to this, to her, forever.
He knew Slade was still out there and that he needed to devote all of his time and energy to finding Slade. But, for now, he was going to enjoy his time with Felicity. It wasn't often they got to just spend time together without Arrow or Queen Consolidated business.
He sat right next to her on the couch, put his arm around her, and brought her to rest on his shoulder.
She fit perfectly.