Chapter 6: A Beginning or an End

Felicity sat in deep thought as her limo drove towards Starling General for what felt like the hundredth time this week. Several days had passed since Oliver's surgery and he was still recovering. Originally the doctors had told him he could go home last Wednesday, but his wound unexpectedly became infected and he had been forced to spend an extra week in that hospital bed so that the doctors could get it under control. Thankfully Dr. Elisa Schwartz had stepped in last night and let him know that he could be discharged sometime today. While Felicity had initially been excited about her night in shining armor, she now found that a part of herself was feeling disappointed.

Oliver was going home, would she still have a reason to see him? Would that be considered inappropriate? Would people care? Should she care if people care? Would he care? Would he even want to see her again? All of these questions circled around and around in her mind and made her feel uncertain about what would happen next. The only thing she was sure of was that she felt like there was something special between her and her gallant hero. It was something that they were both just now discovering, and it was something she desperately wanted to hold onto.

As she stared out the window and watched drops of rain slowly trickle down the glass, Felicity replayed her time with Oliver in her mind. They had spent hours talking about anything and everything, or rather Felicity had talked and Oliver had listened. Felicity had been concerned that she was talking too much and that she was annoying him, but then she'd look into his eyes and something about them seemed to tell her that he was perfectly happy letting her guide the conversation. That was something Felicity desperately needed in her life, someone who would sit there and listen without judgment while she let her mind wander and go on the crazy adventures it seemed to create. He made her feel relaxed in a way nothing and no one else had before.

"Felicity?" Oliver had asked her one of the few times he'd actually managed to get a word in, "Not that I don't enjoy your company, believe me, I do, but you're the CEO of a multi-billion dollar corporation. Don't you have more important things to do than sit around in a hospital room with me all day?"

Felicity brushed a lock of hair out of her face and smiled up at him, "No," she replied without hesitation."

Oliver returned her shy smile, "What about the board of directors, I doubt they're ok with you spending so much of the company's time on a foot soldier like me. I don't want you getting into trouble on my account."

"Oliver hush," Felicity ordered softly. "The board may be a bunch of stuffy old businessmen with egos just as big as their wallets, but I've trained them well during my time in the big chair." Felicity sat up straight and smiled proudly, "They know better than to try and mess with me," she gave him a playful wink. Oliver chuckled. "Besides," Felicity rolled up to the head of the bed and nudged Oliver's shoulder, "Every single soldier can make a difference in battle, and I see a promotion in your future, maybe to lieutenant or even general!"

"Well thank you," Oliver replied shyly.

"Oh, you should get a metal!" Felicity suddenly blurted out. "What's that one they give to wounded soldiers?" She looked at him and tried to find the words.

Oliver grinned and laughed, "Felicity I highly doubt I qualify for a Purple Heart."

"Purple Heart?" Felicity thought to herself, "I'd rather give you mine." she finished her thought and quickly analyzed Oliver's expression, hoping she hadn't said that out loud.

"You ok?"

"I'm fine," Felicity replied. "You're fine? No girl, he is fine, like real fine, like hotter than An active Volcano and the core of the sun combined fine," her brain interjected. "Hey, you should tell him that! Come on tell him that, right now! Tell him that he's the most beautiful human being on the face of the earth and that your falling head over heels for him and that you wanna kiss his face come on tell him! Tell him! Tell him to tell him to tell hi-" Felicity pressed her palm to her forehead and groaned.

"You sure you're alright?" Oliver questioned.

"Just a small headache," Felicity replied, she pursed her lips tightly and prayed she could keep her mouth from vocalizing what was going on in her head.

"Ms. Felicity?" Eli her driver called, rousing her from the memory. "We've arrived."

Felicity checked her watch as the car came to a halt at the hospital's entrance, 8:05. "Ok," she told herself, "This could be the last time you have an excuse to spend time with Oliver outside of a professional setting. You'd better make the most of it."

She was right. While Felicity had taken these two weeks and allowed her mind and heart to run away with themselves, the fantasy was coming to an end. After today Felicity couldn't throw caution to the wind and say "To Hell with everyone else," like she had been doing, and that saddened her. While She hadn't completely ignored the side of her brain that was telling her how crazy risky this whole thing was, Felicity had enjoyed putting what she thought and felt first for once. The habit of putting others before one's self was one of the many things she had discovered that she and Oliver shared. Felicitywas going to miss their visits and their talks she didn't want this to end, but if it had to she was going to take full advantage of the time they had left. Which is why she was incredibly disappointed when John rolled her into Oliver's room minutes later to find him fast asleep.

She let out a deep sigh, "Crap."

Oliver drew in a deep breath as his eyes slowly opened and blinked. As he roused from sleep he looked around his hospital room. The lights were dimmed and the blinds were closed but he could see the light from out outside attempting to stream through. As he rolled his head Oliver noticed that the TV was turned on to the local news. The volume was faint, almost silent, but he could see the banner at the bottom of the screen, "Smoak Tech Assassin continues to evade the law's reach after the attack at SCPD precinct."

"No," Oliver muttered under his breath as his chest tightened up.

"Well good morning sleepy head," Felicity cooed as she wheeled over to greet him. "Well, it's morning for you anyway, for the rest of us it's just passed lunch," she smiled playfully. "Sorry about the TV, I hope it didn't wake you."

Oliver ignored her and focused on the TV, he watched intently. It seemed that Lonnie Machin, the man who had attacked Felicity at the Starling Grand, had escaped and he had help.

"Hey, look at me," Felicity interrupted as if she had read his mind. When Oliver didn't obey she lifted the remote and shut the TV off. "Oliver," he turned his head and looked her in the eyes, Felicity could see the fear growing in him. "I'll be ok, really. John's posted extra guys on me and the SCPD has officers escorting me everywhere."

"When did this happen?" Oliver asked not breaking his gaze.

Felicity looked down and twiddled her thumbs, "last Thursday," she looked back up at him sheepishly.

"Almost a week ago?" Oliver shot up in bed, "He's been out there for six days and I'm just now finding out about it? You've been here every day and you haven't thought to mention it to me? Not even once?" Oliver's breathing became frantic and his chest tightened up again.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry!" Felicity repeated and took hold of his hand. "The doctor mentioned that keeping your stress levels down could help the healing process. I wanted you to get better as soon as possible, so I may have enlisted Thea's help to keep you from finding out."

"Thea knew about it too?" Oliver thought back to his interactions with his sister over the past several days, no wonder she had refused to let him have control of the remote. "Where's my sister?"

"She's safe don't worry, I sent John with her to make sure the apartment is ready when you get home. Oliver, I'm really sorry, please forgive me, and don't get upset with Thea. We both just want what's best for you." Felicity put a hand on Oliver's chest, "Lay back."

a curious look washed over Oliver's face, "What about the detectives, Lance and Wilson? They never came back. Didn't the want to question me?"

"They tried," Felicity replied as she stared at him. "Thea fought them off, with Dr. Schwartz's help. Now please lay back."

Even though Oliver was upset he sighed and did what he was told. They had only known each other on a personal level for a short time, but Felicity had already developed away with him that he couldn't ignore. It didn't really matter what was being asked of him, if it was her asking, he would do it. As he gave in to the soft pressure Felicity was placing on his chest A knock came at the door, it was Dr. Schwartz.

"Ah finally awake I see, good afternoon Mr. Queen, Ms. Smoak." Dr. Schwartz smiled as she entered the room. "How are you feeling?"

"Well I'm a little tired to be honest," Felicity replied and stretched in her chair. "Haven't had my morning coffee yet and- Oh, you were talking to him weren't you?" She joked and nudged Oliver playfully. Felicity didn't get the laugh she had hoped for but she did see a tiny smile start to form in the corner of Oliver's mouth.

"I'm doing fine doctor," Oliver answered

"Well then, while it's been lovely having you with us I think you've just about worn out your welcome don't you?" The doctor joked.

"Couldn't agree more," Oliver replied and smiled

"Ready to head home?"

"Does he have to?" Felicity silently asked, then immediately scolded herself .

"More than you know," Oliver replied.

"Well alright then, I want to take one more look at you just to make sure everything's still as it should be and then I think we can let you go. How does that sound?"

"Wonderful."

Dr. Schwartz moved to Oliver's bedside, she glanced from her patient to Felicity then back. "Oliver, I know that Ms. Smoak's visits have been your favorite part of your time here, and she's been around so much that she might as well be considered family at this point. However, I'm going to have to ask her to wait outside this time." They both turned to Felicity with pouty faces.

"Of course," Felicity acknowledged and smiled at Oliver. "I'll be right outside."

"Don't worry Ms. Smoak, I won't keep him from you for too long," Dr. Schwartz assured.

Felicity reluctantly wheeled herself out into the hall and the door shut behind her.

"Ok all done!" Dr. Schwartz exclaimed as she dried her hands with a towel and moved to open the door.

The second the door swung open Oliver could see both Thea's and Felicity's faces peek around the door frame, it made him smile. "Well don't just stand there, come on in."

Felicity quirked an eyebrow and chuckled.

Olivers eyebrows shot up. "Don't just stand there? Really Oliver? Great choice of words." He kicked himself mentally but Felicity didn't seem to be upset.

Thea quickly took hold of the wheelchair's handles and pushed Felicity into the room followed by John. "So what's the verdict?" She asked hopefully, "Do we get to go home?"

"You sure do!" The doctor chirped.

"Thank God!"

Dr. Schwartz chuckled, "I just need to finalize some paperwork and the nurse will be in shortly to take you down to discharge." Dr. Schwartz quickly stepped out of the room and returned moments later with a bag of Oliver's personal items from the nurse's station "Here you are, I'll leave you to get situated. Oliver, while I wish it had been under better circumstances it was very nice meeting you."

"You as well Dr. Schwartz, and thank you again for saving my life." Oliver smiled

"Just doing my job Mr. Queen." The doctor smiled again Shook both Oliver's and Thea's hand before exiting the room.

"Well big man," John exclaimed as he walked over and clapped Oliver on the shoulder, "You ready to go home?"

"Definitely, Oliver replied and looked over at Thea. "Speedy can you book us a cab?"

"I don't think so!" John interrupted, "you got yourself first class service right here!" He laughed and pointed to himself.

"Thank you, John, but you've already done more than enough, both of you have," Oliver replied and looked over at Felicity.

"Look, man, I'm not really too keen on the idea myself, but I think you and I both know that neither one of us has a choice in the matter." John chuckled and followed Oliver's gaze. An awkward silence came over the room as Oliver and Felicity looked into each other's eyes. When it became unbearable John finally spoke up. "Thea, why don't we give these two a minute, you wanna see all the cool stuff Eli's got for us in the limo?"

Thea gave him a confused look but quickly caught on, "Oh absolutely! Is there a mini bar in there? Maybe I'll sneak myself a little something-something!" She turned and winked at Oliver.

"Don't you dare!"

Thea waved him off and followed John out into the hall. After stopping to speak to the two bodyguards posted outside of the room she and john disappeared.

Felicity quickly turned back to Oliver and tried to put on her best serious face. "Ok look here mister now that the doctor's been by it's my turn to give out orders, I don't want to see you within a hundred miles of a Smoak Tech facility until you are back to one hundred percent got it?" Felicity pointed at Oliver and scrunched her eyebrows. "And don't you try to slip past me cause I'll be watching, like a hawk!"

Oliver failed to hold back a smile and chuckled, although he knew he should be taking Felicity's words seriously he couldn't help but find her extremely adorable when she was laying down the law. "Oh really?"

Felicity blushed, "Well, I don't mean literally watching you, that would be creepy and inappropriate, I am your boss after all. I just meant I'll be keeping an eye out for you, not a literal eye, of course, that would require a lot of surgery and I kind of need both my eyes and…" she looked at Oliver as his smile grew into a grin. "…Look you know what I mean ok? Just don't come to work until I say it's ok!"

"Yes, ma'am." Oliver conceded.

"Good boy," Felicity smiled. It took her a moment to realize what she had just said. "Crap, it'll be a miracle if this guy doesn't sue me!"

Oliver simply smiled and adjusted himself in bed so Felicity pressed on. "Now, I know the doctor said you might be able to return to work within six weeks but you're going to take longer than that, not optional. Also, you're going to be taking paid leave, also not optional. Oliver opened his mouth to protest. "No no no no no!" Felicity interrupted wagging her finger. "I said not optional." Oliver sighed and zipped his lip, he had grown quite accustomed to the quirky blonde's rants over the past two weeks and he knew that once she got started there was no stopping her. Instead, he opted to sit in silence and let Felicity do what she did best, talk, and at that moment that was Good enough for him.