A/N-Hello readers, sorry I haven't posted in a while. It's taken me this long to write this chapter because this chapter and it's second part are both action packed and while I do love good action sequences and what not, I've been in more of a fluff mood lately. I'm wanting to write the mushy stuff when I need to be finishing this chapter so I apologize about that. This will be a two part chapter, I've already got a chunk of part 2 done so it won't be too long before I post that. I hope that the delay hasn't caused any of you to lose interest in this story because I do plan on continuing it for a while longer. Thanks again to all of you for your wonderful support!

Here Goes Nothing-Part1

My name is John Diggle," John's voice rang out from the television.

Felicity's hands shot up to cover her mouth, "Oh my god John."

"This is a message for Oliver Queen."

Thea placed a hand on Felicity's shoulder and crouched down beside her. "Look at all those bruises, and the blood, what happened to him?"

"I have no clue, I-I talked to him just this morning and he was fine. John was supposed to come into work today but he changed his mind at the last minute. I told him he should spend the day at home with Lyla and Sarah and he took me up on it, or at least, that's what he messaged me back. Now look at him," Felicity looked from Thea's face to the screen as tears welled up in her eyes. Both women grabbed for each others hands and squeezed as they watched.

"Mr. Queen," John continued as his eyes moved back and forth, it was obvious he was being forced to read from a script. "I speak to you on behalf of someone who you have not yet met, but someone who's affairs you have greatly disrupted over the last couple of months."

"The count!" Thea and Felicity whispered in unison

"The incident that occurred between you, Ms. Smoak and my man Lonnie Machin some weeks ago has brought a lot of, unwanted attention to my little operation." The video continued, "I tried to ignore it, I didn't really consider you much of a threat at first. However, my sources inside the SCPD are telling me that there has been an investigation launched to discover my whereabouts, it seems Mr. Queen that you have brought the dogs of war to my doorstep and that is something I simply cannot tolerate."

Felicity and Thea looked on in horror, they squeezed each other's hands so tight that they began to tingle. Thea turned her head and rested it on Felicity's shoulder, the young girl couldn't bare to watch but Felicity kept her gaze focused on John as he spoke.

"So I began to think to myself about how best to eliminate this threat that you've so graciously laid at my feet. I mulled over several options. Killing you out right would work but that wouldn't last long enough, torture would be fun but that just doesn't seem harsh enough, then suddenly it came to me. You seem like one of those selfless hero types who always puts the well being of others before your own, so what could be worse than causing you incredible amounts of physical pain? Inflicting that pain on the ones you love."

Thea and Felicity looked at each other, it wasn't hard to guess who The Count was referring to.

"As you can see I already have Mr. Diggle in my clutches," John continued. "Next I'll be coming for that pesky CEO of your's Ms. Smoak and your precious little sister. One by one they'll disappear from your life, and from this plane of existence…Unless…" A low growl began to rumble in John's throat, "I'm not reading that." He mumbled to someone behind the camera.

"Read it or they die!" A low ominous voice replied.

John let out a heavy sigh, "Screw you," he uttered under his breath as he turned his eyes back to the camera. "Unless you turn yourself into me."

Thea gasped as her head shot up to the television screen, "No Ollie, you didn't!" More tears began to flow and she was helpless to hold them back.

Felicity gripped the young girl's hand tighter, "Shh, it'll be ok," she rubbed Thea's back in an attempt to comfort her as the video continued to play.

"Willingly trade your life for their's and all will be forgiven. Mr. Diggle will be set free and I promise you that no harm will come to Ms. Smoak or anyone else you care about. If you choose to accept my offer then be at the abandoned juvenile detention center by the bay in one hour. You know what's at stake here Mr. Queen, so don't try to play any games with me. Nobody follows you, and No cops or your life won't be the only one I take tonight. Make your choice."

"Well done Johnny," the voice of one of John's captors rang out.

John frantically looked back at the screen, "Oliver I'm sorry, I never would have done this but they have my-" The camera was cut before he could finish.

Felicity stared at the static on the screen as Thea buried her face in her hands and continued to sob. "Damnit Oliver."

"What are we gonna do?" Thea uttered through her tears. "You know Ollie, he's probably on his way there right now. My brother is gonna sacrifice himself to save us, we can't let that happen!"

"I know Thea, I know," Felicity replied. "Alright Smoak pull yourself together," Felicity ordered herself. "Think, think, come on! You heard what The Count said, no cops. You can't get the SCPD involved this time, you're gonna have to do this yourself. Oliver's been to Hell and back for you, now it's your turn to save him, the only question is how you're going to do it.

"A better question is what in the world are you thinking!" The voice of Felicity's mother crashed against her skull. "Felicity darling why would you ever even consider doing something so dangerous? This isn't a game on one of your computers, this is real life! If you die out there you don't get another chance, you're just gone! That's a chance you just can't afford to take sweeti-"

"Shut up mom!" Felicity exclaimed.

"Wha-what?" Thea asked still crying

Felicity opened her eyes and looked at the young girl apologetically, "Sorry, did I say that out loud?"

"Yeah," Thea replied and gave Felicity a small smile as she wiped a tear.

"I do that sometimes."

"I've noticed," a small laugh escaped Thea's lips. "I can see why Ollie thinks it's cute." Thea scrubbed her hands over her face and looked back to Felicity. "What are we gonna do about my brother?" She asked as her smile curved back into a frown.

Felicity took in a deep breath and let it out, "We're gonna go get our Ollie, that's what."

"We need to hurry!" Felicity urged as her limo pulled into its usual spot in Smoak Tech's parking deck. Eli stopped the car and hurried around to grab Felicity's chair from the trunk and open her door for her. "Thank you Eli."

"Of course ma'am," Eli replied as he held the wheel chair steady for Felicity. Thea opened her door and hurried around to the other side of the car, once Felicity was secure in her chair the two women hurried off towards the other side of the deck. "…Miss Felicity?" Eli called after them.

"Yes Eli?" Felicity answered with a hint of frustration in her voice.

"Is something the matter? Both of you were uncharacteristically quiet on the way over, and I can see the worry on your faces. Is there anything I can do to help? Does it have anything to do with why you had me run that light?"

Felicity smiled, "No, thank you Eli but that will be all. I'm sorry I kept you up so late, and made you break the law. Take tomorrow off and get some rest. I'll have Jerry drive me."

"Very well then. Goodnight ma'am," Eli replied and headed off to his own vehicle.

After wishing Eli a goodnight Felicity turned back to Thea and pointed frantically, "There, we've gotta take that van over there!"

Thea looked confused, "A van, what do we need a van for?"

"It's the Smoak Tech public event command center," Felicity explained as they neared the vehicle. "Whenever I'm attending a promo event or making a public appearance we use it for tech support and to coordinate all of our employees." Felicity rolled herself around to the back of the van and gestured to Thea, "Open the doors," Thea did as instructed and gasped when she peered inside. The small space was stuffed with enough computer equipment to run a small country. Several monitors were mounted on the walls and wiring ran through the entire vehicle. To top it all of they had still managed to somehow fit a small desk and chair in there too.

"You guys ever use this thing for a stake out?" Thea joked.

"We probably could," Felicity chuckled. She reached inside and pressed a button set at her level on the wall. A whirring sound and a few bumps were heard as a wheel chair ramp emerged from under the vehicle and unfolded itself. Once that was complete Thea helped Felicity inside and Felicity moved from her wheelchair to the seat at the small desk. "Ok, let's get a move on."

"Who's driving?" Thea inquired.

"You are of course!"

Thea paused to make sure she had heard that correctly, "Really? You're serious?"

"Duh," Felicity joked. "Do you see anyone else around?"

"…Awesome!" Thea exclaimed as she hurriedly closed the doors and ran around to the driver's side.

"Just try not to turn me into a crash test dummy ok?" Felicity chuckled as the younger woman hopped into the driver's seat."

"Keys?"

"In the visor," Felicity pointed with one hand and began typing with the other. Suddenly a loud screeching sound rang throughout the parking deck followed by slamming car doors. "Oh crap."

"What? What is it?" Thea asked as she put the key in the ignition. Moments later the vans rear doors flew open, Thea and Felicity both turned there heads to see Beck and the other guard staring back at them. The men were obviously in distress and out of breath from running.

"Miss Felicity, what the hell is going on?" Beck asked? First you come flying out of that apartment at lightning speed and when I ask you what's wrong you say nothing. Then you call off your police escort, then to top it all off you have Eli ditch us at a frikin red light and almost cause an accident. What in the world is so urgent?"

Felicity pondered a moment, "I did almost get Eli into a wreck didn't I? I should probably give him the rest of the week off." Felicity kept her focus on the screen in front of her and continued typing.

"Miss Felicity?" Beck prodded but got no response. "…Miss Felicity!"

Felicity huffed as she turned to face beck and Kevin, "Fine, I'll level with you. John and Oliver are in trouble, big trouble, like life or death trouble. We found a DVD in the apartment, it was a message from The Count that he relayed through John."

Beck tensed up, "Dig's been taken?"

"Mhm," Felicity replied solemnly

"We need to call the SCPD!" Kevin blurted out and produced his phone from his pocket.

"Don't!" Felicity cried desperately.

Beck reached over and pushed Kevin's arm back down to his side. "I'm guessing by that reaction and the way that you two are gearing up for battle that the cops aren't invited to this party?" He looked at Felicity inquisitively, she nodded in response.

"What are you talking about?" Kevin asked confused.

Beck responded with a frustrated look, "If you call the SCPD Dig and Mr. Queen are dead, that's what I'm talking about!" Kevin looked at the ground and put his phone back in his pocket. "Well then," Beck sighed, "I guess it's up to us to save them huh?"

"Beck I can't ask you to do that."

"You don't have to ask Miss Felicity, you've been a god send to me ever since Ellie died. You gave me a job, a home and a family. You never wavered in your trust or support of me. I'd follow you to Hell and back if need be. You've always been the kind of person who would walk into the lion's den for someone you care about. There's absolutely no chance that I'm letting you walk in there alone."

"Felicity smiled warmly and placed a hand over her heart,"Thank you Beck."

"Of course ma'am. Besides, you and Dig are family, I guess that includes Oliver now as well." The two stared at each other a moment. Although no words were spoken they were both reminded of how much they meant to one another, Beck broke the silence first. "Ok let's get it done," he gave Felicity a reassuring nod before shutting the back doors and hurrying around to the drivers side. Beck flung the door open and scowled when he saw Thea sitting in the driver's seat, "I'm driving!"

"Ok, ok!" Thea threw her hands up in surrender and hopped down. "You're no fun," she ran around and hopped up into the passenger seat.

"Where am I headed ma'am?" Beck turned to ask Felicity.

"For the bay!" Felicity ordered without looking away from her monitor.

As Beck turned back to start the van he noticed Thea staring blankly ahead, she was obviously worried about her brother. "Hey," Beck spoke up, "Don't worry, if anyone can find your brother it's her," he nodded towards the blonde super genius.

Thea looked over at him and smiled, "I know, thanks."

"Let's get a move on people, drug lords to stop hunky heroes to save!" Felicity ordered.

"Hunky?" Thea perked up.

Felicity frowned, "Crap I said that out loud didn't I?"

"Mhm," Thea chuckled

"Just drive." Felicity sighed

Oliver breathed deeply as he hid behind a tree, he peered over slightly and attempted to read the sign on the large building that lay before him. It was almost pitch black on the stretch of road leading up to the place but there were two guards posted at the entrance and the gate was equipped with flood lights. The remains of the words "Juvenile Detention Center," could still be made out. "This is the place." Oliver thought to himself, he shivered as a cool breeze rolled over him. Oliver turned and slumped back down against the tree and rubbed his hands together, "Ok you can do this." He told himself as he tried to shake off the cold. "Diggle is one of Felicity's closest friends, he's your friend now too and you don't turn your back on friends. He needs you to be strong, they all do. If giving yourself up is the only way to keep them safe," Oliver drew in a deep breath and let it out, "Then that's what you're gonna do."

Oliver drew in one last deep breath and pushed his foot off the ground as he exhaled. Oliver cautiously advanced towards the guard post, he prayed with each step that he wouldn't hear a gunshot.

After what felt like an eternity Oliver reached the edge that separated the light from the darkness, he stopped in his tracks and looked ahead. Part of Oliver was too scared to move while the other barked at him to man up and do what needed to be done, he stood motionless as the two sides waged an internal war. Eventually though, Oliver knew what side had won so he stood up straight, rolled his shoulders and looked straight ahead. "Just remember who your doing this for," Oliver told himself as he took a step into the light.

"Hey who the hell are you?" One of the guards yelled as Oliver drew near, the man lifted his rifle and aimed the laser sight right between Oliver's eyes. The second guard followed suit.

"Don't shoot, don't shoot!" Oliver pleaded. "My name is Oliver Queen, I believe your boss is expecting me."

The two guards looked at each other, the first must've recognized the name, he nodded and lowered his rifle. The other guard hesitantly complied and lowered his as well. "Mr. Queen, you decided to take the Count up his offer eh?"

"Smart choice," the other guard continued as the two advanced towards Oliver. Each man quickly grabbed an arm and together they began to escort Oliver to the chain like fence gate.

"You know this really is a sweet deal your getting, trading your life for the lives of ya loved ones."

"I don't know If I'd call it a deal," Oliver replied. "If it's what keeps them safe, then it's what has to happen."

"How honorable," the guard replied.

"Either way you're pretty lucky," the other guard chimed in. "If the Count hadn't offered you this deal, what Machin tried to do to your little girlfriend would've been the least of her problems."

"Yeah," the other guard chuckled. "If the count had gotten his hands on her, that Smoak bitch would've died horrible and slow."

Oliver's gaze shot to the guard. "Don't talk about her like that!" Without even realizing what he was doing Oliver threw his foot into the man's groin. The guard toppled over in pain, the second guard attempted to restrain Oliver but it was no use. Consumed by rage Oliver drove his fist into the man's gut as hard as he could then grabbed him by the face and smacked his head into a near by metal fence post. As his opponent sunk to the ground Oliver turned back to the first guard, the one who had insulted Felicity, his Felicity. This monster thought he could just casually curse Felicity's name and get away with it? Not if Oliver had anything to say about it. "Don't, you ever, talk, about, her, like, that, again!" Oliver yelled as he repeatedly drove his foot into the man's ribs, he was seeing red.

This overwhelming anger was a strange feeling for Oliver, he wasn't normally the type of person to be set off so easily. Then again Oliver rarely found himself in situations that would provoke such hostility, but lately there had been a lot for him to be angry about. For the most part Oliver had done what he always did, he pushed his anger down, so far down that no one else could find it or be burdened by it. This time was different though, this piece of scum had unfortunately caught Oliver at a time where all that anger and emotion had floated to the surface. Staring death in the face had turned Oliver into a ticking time bomb of kept up rage. Oliver was a bomb, and by Insulting the woman he cared about, this piece of crap had given him the perfect opportunity to go off.

After several more kicks to the guard's torso Oliver stopped and dropped to his knees, he panted as he sat on all fours and looked at his two victims. Oliver wasn't happy about what he had just done, that kind of brutality was something he had never wanted any part of and up until now he had never desired it, but there was something about her, something about Felicity that brought it out of him. It scared Oliver that a person could have that deep an effect on him. His feelings for Felicity were definitely unlike anything Oliver had felt before, he dismissed the fear, shook his head to regain his senses and slowly rose to his feet. As he did something fell from the sky and landed directly in his eye

"Really?" Oliver exclaimed as he recoiled and his hand shot up to his eye. "Damn rain." Another drop landed on his shoulder, then another and another. Within seconds there was steady rain fall. "Just what I need right now." Oliver eyed the rest of the path leading to the building, there didn't seem to be anymore guards around, at least none that he could see. Oliver sighed, scrubbed his face with his hands and put one foot in front of the other as he made his way to the steps at the end of the path. After conquering the last step Oliver leaned into the building's double doors and shoved them open. Oliver groaned as the doors screeched loudly, and rubbed his ear in pain. Once he was inside Oliver released the doors and quickly covered both ears as they scraped and squealed back into place. Once the painful noise subsided he raised his head and looked around but there wasn't much to see, the lobby seemed to be deserted. The entire first floor seemed to be empty. Muffled sounds could, however, be heard coming from upstairs.

Oliver took a few more steps forward, "Uh, Hello?"

"Ah Mr. Queen," a modulated voice answered.

Oliver's eyes shot up as two men emerged from the darkness and began approaching him. They were both wearing masks just like the ones on the guards out front. Their armor covered anything that could have been used to help identify them.

"The count's been expecting you," the men slowly walked up to Oliver, he eyed them up and down.

"I know he has captain obvious," Oliver smirked

One of the guards turned to the other and chuckled, "He makes jokes! Even if the face of death."

The other guard laughed for a moment before his tone changed and he turned his head back to Oliver, "Death is no joke Mr. Queen, especially for you!"

Before Oliver could blink he was blindsided by the butt of a rifle, his head throbbed as he fell to the ground. Oliver was unconscious in seconds.

"Are we close? Please tell me we're close!" Thea pleaded as she looked back at Felicity who was still typing furiously.

"We're close," Felicity replied. "Beck take your next left and drive for a couple miles. We'll come up to a bridge, The Count's hideout is on the other side."

"Yes ma'am."

Thea and Felicity both held on for dear life as Beck turned abruptly then slammed on the gas to head for the bridge.

"Holy crap!" Thea exclaimed. "Were you a NASCAR driver in a past life or something?" Beck smirked at that.

"This is why Eli's my driver," Felicity joked.

"Crap," Beck sighed.

"What? What's wrong?" Thea asked as she turned to face forward. "Crap," Thea repeated when she realized what it was. The bridge that they needed to cross was a draw bridge, capable of being pulled up to allow boats to pass through. The bridge was in the up position.

Beck brought the van to a halt, "Wait here, I'll go check the operator's station." Both women nodded as Beck hopped out and jogged over to the tiny building not too far away.

As Beck left Kevin, Felicity's other bodyguard walked over from his vehicle that he'd been following in."You alright ladies?" Kevin asked through the rolled down driver side window.

"Not really," Thea replied somberly.

Felicity glanced over at Thea as they waited, it was obvious through the young girl's body language that she was on edge. Who could blame her? If this rescue mission didn't go well Thea could be facing the possibility that she might never see her brother alive again, that would cause anybody distress. Felicity quickly ran a hand through her hair and dismissed the thought, she couldn't think like that, she had to be strong for Thea, and Oliver. "Hey," Felicity spoke softly.

Thea turned her head and wiped a tear with her hand, "Yeah?"

"We're going to find him, he's going to be ok."

"You think so?"

Felicity reached out to Thea who accepted her hand, "I know so. You two just came into my life, I'm not letting go without a fight."

"Thanks Smoaky," Thea replied. "You're the best."

"I try," Felicity shrugged and smiled. Moments later Beck ran back up to the van and leaned in,

"Any luck?" Felicity inquired.

"No," Beck replied disappointed. "You want to give it a shot?"

"Way ahead of you," Felicity answered as her fingers returned to the keyboard. "Ok here we go," Felicity mumbled as she worked. "Accessing the city's power grid... pin pointing our location…need to pull up the schematics for the bridge…"

"What are you doing Felici-"

"Shhh," Beck brought a finger to his lips. "She's in the zone right now, let her focus."

Thea nodded in understanding and zipped her lips, she watched as Felicity's fingers flew effortlessly from key to key and her eyes darted from monitor to monitor, it was obvious that Beck's statement had been true.

"Reroute that…bypass that and…there!" Felicity hit enter and looked out the windshield at the bridge, the others followed suit and as they did lights on the bridge began to flicker to life. Creaks and groans could be heard as gears tried to turn. "Come on, come on," Felicity whispered. They all watched in anticipation, and just when Felicity started to think she'd failed a loud groan rang out and the bridge began to lower. "Boom drop the mic!" Felicity exclaimed as she threw her hands up and dropped the figurative object.

"Way to go Smoaky!" Thea cheered. Beck hopped up into the driver's seat and Kevin darted back to his vehicle. "Let's go get my brother."

"You heard the lady Beck, onward!" Felicity chirped. As the vehicle advanced Felicity stared out the windshield at the road ahead, her stomach began to knot when she felt the van jostle once they had crossed. Felicity's anxiety grew and grew the closer they got to their destination, but she tried to calm her nerves by reinterpreting the situation. "Just think of it this way, you're not headed towards a madman's evil lair that's filled to the brim with armed mercenaries who wouldn't hesitate to put a bullet in you on sight…you're headed towards him." Felicity drew in a deep breath and let it out, "You're headed towards him…you're headed towards him," she repeated to herself. Even though the fearful calculated side of her wouldn't have admitted it, thinking of it like that was helping a bit.

Oliver groaned as he reluctantly rejoined the land of the living, as his eyes fluttered open he tried to look around but he couldn't see much. Wherever he was, it was very dimly lit and the only windows were all boarded up. Oliver planted his feet under himself and groaned as he slowly got to his feet, everything was sore, especially his head. Oliver felt like he'd been hit by a truck, he pressed a hand to his forehead and was surprised to feel something wet. Oliver quickly brought his hand back down to find blood smeared over his palm, he wiped it on his pants and squinted around the room. As he looked at one of the walls Oliver could make out the shape of a door, he willed himself towards it as he took a few ragged breaths. When he reached the door Oliver grabbed the doorknob and tried to turn it but had no luck. He groaned in frustration as he tried a few more times.

"It's no use," a voice called from the other side of the room. Oliver's eyes widened and he stood still as a statue, he thought he'd been alone. "There's no way out."

For a split second Oliver could have sworn he recognized the voice, "That sounds like…no that couldn't be right." Oliver slowly turned and peered at the pitch black corner of the room that the voice was emanating from. "Who are you?"

"Oh I think you know, Mr. Queen," the voice replied sarcastically.

That voice, it was ragged and labored, but Oliver could still hear a hint of familiarity. "Who are you?" Oliver repeated more firmly, he cautiously took a few steps forward. Some shuffling could be heard as the stranger rose to their feet, Oliver squinted as the stranger approached him and as they stepped out into the dim light the blinding rage that he had felt earlier returned. Standing before him, bruised bloody and bound in a straight jacket, was Lonnie Machin.

Without hesitating Oliver grabbed Machin around the neck and squeezed, "You monster!" Oliver forced the younger man up against a nearby wall and drove his fist into Lonnie's gut, "You tried to kill her!" Oliver delivered another blow, Lonnie cried out in pain but the cry soon turned into a chuckle and then a laugh. The more Oliver hit him the louder Lonnie laughed, "You think this is funny?"Lonnie ignored him and continued to cackle so loudly it began to hurt Oliver's ears.

"That's it, get it all out!" Lonnie exclaimed after a particularly hard punch to the face. "Take revenge for your precious Felicity!"

Oliver froze at the mention of her name, his fist only a few inches away from Machin's face. "Felicity." Oliver thought to himself as his fist unclenched and his arm dropped to his side.

"What are you waiting for? Come on end it Queen!" Lonnie shouted at him, Oliver ignored him and released his grip on the younger man. Lonnie slumped down onto the floor as Oliver turned and took a few steps away.

"Felicity," Oliver whispered, he looked around himself. What was he doing? This wasn't like Him at all. Oliver scrubbed his face with his hands as he thought, "Oliver Queen doesn't do things like This, Oliver Queen doesn't go on insanely dangerous escapades. Oliver Queen doesn't take risks or go out of his comfort zone, Oliver Queen doesn't put himself out there for the world to see. Oliver Queen doesn't go blind with rage and beat people within an inch of their lives." Oliver muttered to himself as he paced back and forth. "Oliver Queen isn't a hero."

"Are we gonna get this over with or what?" Machin interrupted and looked at Oliver expectingly. "I'm getting bored."

Oliver threw him a confused look, "Why are you provoking me like that?" You want me to hurt you? You want me to…kill you?"

Lonnie chuckled and licked a bit of blood from his bottom lip, "Trust me, what ever you're gonna do, it's not even half as bad as what he's already done to me."

Oliver took in a deep breath and let it out, he looked Lonnie over and took the time to really access the young man's condition. Machin was covered in bruises, that was obvious, but under that there were scars from recent injuries. Some of them hadn't completely healed yet. There were a number of wounds all over his body that were still fresh, a few were still bleeding. Oliver looked down to Lonnie's legs, although the straight jacket covered his entire torso the young man's ripped and tattered pants revealed several burns on his lower body. Many looked like they had come from cigarettes while others seemed to be inflicted using other, more brutal methods. Oliver's gaze drifted upward and he grimaced when he was greeted by a large bloody bandage covering one of Lonnie's eyes, Oliver hadn't even noticed it just moments ago when he'd been flooded with rage.

"…What did they do to you?" Oliver asked cautiously.

" What didn't they do would be an easier question to answer," Lonnie sighed

"I thought you were The Count's right hand man or something. Why would he do this to you?"

"well incase you couldn't guess he doesn't really appreciate unwanted attention, his business depends on secrecy. The first time I attacked your girlfriend, after she so rudely terminated my employment, I threatened to use The count's men to exact my revenge."

"So I've been told," Oliver replied.

"Well let's just say the big man didn't like that very much."

Oliver raised an eyebrow, "But you weren't working with him at the time, not yet. Why did he even bring you on in the first place after what you did?"

"Because of my connections, I've been dealing since I was sixteen, five years. That's been more than enough time to gain plenty of friends in very high and very low places. Also I can cook a mean batch of Vertigo. With skills like mine The Count had no choice but to bring me on, but I was put on indefinite probation, one more slip up like that and I was done for good."

"You're attack on Felicity at the party, that was your big slip up wasn't it?" Lonnie nodded painfully. Oliver looked down at the ground, he almost felt a pang of pity for the younger man but it was quickly erased from his mind. No matter how dire his situation seemed this was the man who had tried to murder his Felicity in cold blood, and that was something that could never be forgiven. "Why are you telling me all of this?"

"Because, my life is over," Lonnie chuckle sadly. "It doesn't matter anyway, so go ahead hero boy. End my life and take revenge for your beloved, I'd rather it be you than that bastard anyway. And for what it's worth, which I'm sure isn't much," Lonnie let out a long ragged breath, "I'm sorry." Lonnie dropped his head in defeat, Oliver was still furious, but as he looked into the young man's eyes he could have sworn he saw a hint of regret. Oliver rose to his feet and walked over to the cowering boy, he towered over Lonnie as he scrutinized the wannabe killer.

"Go ahead, get it over with," Lonnie urged as he looked up at Oliver.

Oliver couldn't lie to himself, there was a part of him, a small part, that wanted to take Machin up on his offer. Felicity could be six feet under right now because of this poor excuse for a human being, Oliver had never wanted to take a life before but he imagined that this was as close as he was ever going to come to it. Oliver clenched his fist as he stared down at the boy in silence, minutes passed by as they both remained frozen in place. As the moments passed Oliver's mind began to wonder to his bubbly, quirky, blonde beauty and he suddenly realized that this isn't what she would want. Felicity would never want a life to be taken in her name, she was far too pure for that, and even though he wanted to protect her and keep her from any further harm Oliver knew. "I can't."

"Come on!" Lonnie suddenly screamed as he fought back a coughing spell. "Just do it!"

"No."

"No…no?" Lonnie replied dumbfounded. "Are you kidding me? I tried to kill your girlfriend!"

"She's not my girlfriend," Oliver protested.

"Well whatever she is you care about her and I tried to kill her," Lonnie argued. "Don't you want revenge?"

"I'm not a killer," Oliver answered, "I never will be. You're going to face justice for what you've done and I'm going to help make sure that you never see the outside of a jail cell ever again, but we've got to get out of here first."

"You must be joking!" Lonnie cackled, "either that or your insane. You're one bump on the head short of going unconscious again, and I'm in a damn straight jacket. Explain to me how exactly you plan on getting both of us out of here."

"I haven't quite figured that out yet," Oliver sighed, "But I will."

"No Mr. Queen, you won't," an ominous voice echoed over the intercom. Oliver's eyes shot up to the corner of the room where a speaker was nestled.

Lonnie began to laugh hysterically, "Oh you've done it now, you can kiss that escape plan of yours goodbye.

Oliver's head turned to the door at the opposite side of the room, the doorknob began to jostle and a key entered the lock. Moments later the door swung open and a lanky man with a greasy smile walked in followed by two of the armed guards Oliver had encountered earlier. As they entered the lanky man, who Oliver assumed was The Count, nodded to his right and the room was flooded with light. Oliver covered his eyes as they adjusted to the brightness.

"Mr. Queen, so glad your finally awake I've been anxious to meet you. My name is-"

"The Count," Oliver finished. "You're the man trying to hurt everyone I care about."

The Count sneered, "Well in my defense you stuck your nose into my business where it doesn't belong, then again in your defense that only happened because this idiot screwed up," he looked down at Lonnie in disgust. "I suppose it's not your fault he tried to kill your girlfriend and you had to save her and that entire debacle put the SCPD back on my trail."

"She's not my girlfriend!" Oliver protested.

The Count waved him off. "My point is that this whole thing is technically not your fault," he explained as he paced back and forth. "My other point, is that I'm still gonna kill you!" The Count smiled and laughed maniacally. Oliver glared at him with all of the anger he could muster but even though he could feel that uncontrollable anger seething up inside of him, this time he tried to remain calm. How long that calmness would last was yet to be determined.

(Minutes earlier)

"How much longer!" Thea asked nervously as the van sped towards the juvenile detention center.

"Look," Beck pointed out of the windshield, the roof of a brick building could be seen over the top of a few trees.

"Were coming Ollie," Thea whispered, but she was jarred from her thoughts as the van slowed to a halt. "What's going on, why have we stopped?"

"Beck?" Felicity questioned.

"This is where you two wait," Beck instructed as he swung his door open and hopped out.

"Like hell!" Felicity exclaimed. "I'm not letting you go in there alone."

"Well I'm not letting you follow me so that's that."

"Beck," Felicity pleaded with equal parts frustration and admiration in her voice.

"Miss Felicity, I'm the only one here who's got any sort of combat training, you two are in no condition to take on armed mercenaries."

"I can take care of myself," Felicity argued.

"So can I!" Thea exclaimed.

Beck smiled at them both, "I don't doubt that, but Miss Felicity what kind of body guard would I be if I allowed my client-no, my friend, to run straight into the face of danger?" I couldn't live with myself if anything happened to you, either of you." Both women gave him sympathetic smiles. "You've done so much for me Ms. Felicity, let me return the favor. I'll have them both back safe and sound before you know it."

"Hold on Beck!" Felicity ordered as she opened one of the desk drawers and pulled out a small circular device. "Here take this," she leaned up and handed it to Thea who handed it to Beck. "It's a wireless body cam, pin it to your shirt. If we can't go with you then we'll at least be able to see what's going on. Beck hesitated before taking the camera and following instructions.

"Mr.-Mr. Beckman?" Thea spoke up.

"Yes Miss Queen?" Beck responded.

"Thank you for helping my brother, for helping our family."

Beck smiled, "Of course ma'am, and my friends call me Beck."

Thea chuckled, "Thank you Beck."

Beck nodded before unholstering his side arm and checking it over, once satisfied he looked up and gave them both one last reassuring wink before heading off into the darkness. Moments later Felicity's second bodyguard Kevin opened the driver's side door and hopped up into the driver's seat.

"What are you doing?" Felicity questioned. "Go help him."

"Can't do that ma'am," Kevin answered. "He ordered me not to leave your side for any reason. You're the number one priority."

Felicity sighed as she stared off in the direction Beck had run. "When will this all be over?"

"If you're so eager to kill me why haven't you done it yet?" Oliver asked impatiently.

"All in due time Mr. Queen," The Count answered. First I have another small Matter to deal with," The Count looked down at Lonnie who was huddled up against the wall. "Mr. Machin," he rubbed his hands together as he approached and an evil smile stretched across his face. "I knew it was a risk when I took you in and made you a member of my little family. After all you did bring an enormous amount of heat down on me." The Count kneeled down and put a hand behind Lonnie's head, Lonnie shuttered as The Count turned his head so they were facing each other. "My men told me not to do it, that it was a mistake," he sighed, "but I believed in you, 'This boy has some real potential,'I told myself." The Count lowered his head in shame. "It seems my trust was misplaced. Once again you have betrayed me and threatened my life's work." The Count reached into his jacket and pulled out a pistol but Lonnie stared him straight in the eyes seeming determined to show no fear. "Your stupidity is something I can no longer tolerate boy!" The count exclaimed as he pointed the gun at Lonnie's head.

"Wait, wait!" Oliver pleaded.

"Excuse me?" The Count looked up befuddled. "This urchin tried to kill your 'Not girlfriend' and you are begging for his life? I don't understand."

Oliver let out a tense breath, "Maybe I'm just not a big fan of death, look you're already going to kill me right?"

"Mhmm," The Count nodded and smiled

Oliver rose an eyebrow, "Well, that's going to bring on a lot of that unwanted attention you keep complaining about. The police will be on you even more than they already are."

The Count's smile twisted into a frown, "Get to the point!"

"Do you really want another body on your hands? That's gonna bring even more heat down on you. Do you really want to have to deal with that?"

The count remained silent, he seemed to be weighing his options. "You make a good point Mr. Queen."Oliver sighed in relief. "…But examples must be made!" The count pointed the gun back at Lonnie.

"No!..." A deafening bang rang out and a flash of light blinded Oliver, he reached for the gun, but it was too late. Oliver fell to his knees and cried out as the young boy's body went lifeless. Oliver's vision was spotty from the gunshot, his stomach was turning and his head was pounding, for a moment he thought he might be sick. After his parent's deaths Oliver had prayed that he would never have to see a dead body ever again. Seeing another person murdered right in front of him was traumatic to say the least, Oliver looked up at the man who had committed that murder and a fire grew in his eyes. Oliver clenched his fist and tried to throw a punch but he never got the chance, one of the counts guards ran his fist into Oliver's head nocking him to the ground.

"Sir we may have a problem," the other guard spoke up. Though Oliver was in a daze he still managed to see the guard pull out a tablet. "It appears there's been an in authorized usage of the bridge."

The count let out an evil laugh, "You must be joking!"

"Afraid not sir."

The Count sighed, "Am I going to have to shoot all of you before this is over?" The guard remained silent. "Well don't just stand there, go take care of it!" The guard hurried off. "Well well Mr Queen it seems you've run across a bit of luck, I may have some use for you yet. Don't go anywhere," The Count joked. "I'll be back soon." Before Oliver could protest he was met with another fist to the face and his vision went black.

Beck cautiously looked around as he emerged from the woods near the chainlink fence that surrounded the building. Beck had decided not to charge headfirst into the compound opting instead to sneak around the perimeter and hope he was lucky enough to find a hole in the defenses, he looked to his left and smiled when he saw his opportunity. It seemed a recent storm had blown down a tree and it had fallen onto the fence. The leaves and branches seemed fence enough that he could climb up and use them to get over the fence without being injured by barbed wire. In less than a minute Beck was over the fence and on the other side.

"Ok Ms. Felicity, I'm in," Beck whispered after tapping an ear piece in his left ear. "Eyes and ears working properly?"

"Hearing you loud and seeing you clear," Felicity answered back. "Well, seeing what's in front of you I mean, the cameras pinned to your shirt so we can't actually see you. The only way to do that would be for you to take a selfie, which I would not deem appropriate at the moment.."

"Shh, he knows what you mean smoaky!" Thea's voice came over the coms.

"Not really a good time to argue ladies," Beck urged.

"Sorry!" The women replied in unison.

"Ok beck I've got our eye in the sky following you, it looks like there are several guards circling the perimeter, I can guide you through them."

Beck cautiously proceeded forward as Felicity gave him instructions, he was lucky, the darkness combined with the rainfall provided him with excellent cover. There was one close encounter, beck had to nock one merc out and hide him behind a stack of crates, but shortly after he approached the brick wall of the building.

Hold on a sec, switching feed from thermal to night vision.

"Whoa!" Thea exclaimed. " Who'd you have to hack to get that?"

"No one," Felicity chuckled. "No hacking required when you've got your own satellite." Thea's jaw dropped. "I know, pretty cool right?" Felicity turned her attention back to the monitor. "Ok Beck I think there's a rear entrance that is currently unguarded, head in that direction."

"Understood," Beck replied and did as instructed when he reached the door he tried to turn the knob but had no luck. "There's an electric lock of some kind, any chance you can help out with that?" Beck heard what sounded like a hundred key strokes fire off.

"Ok try it now," Felicity spoke up. Beck reached for the knob but as he grabbed it sparks flew out from it and he received a brief but painful shock. "Son of a-"

"Sorry, sorry!" Felicity apologized frantically. "Are you ok?"

"Still in one piece," Beck replied. "Care to try again?"

Felicity did just that, "Ok should work this time, I'm really sorry-do your shoes have rubber souls? Maybe test it out with that this time, again I'm sorry," Felicity sighed. "Sorry."

"It's ok Felicity you're doing your best," Beck heard Thea encouraging Felicity over the coms.

"She's right ma'am," he agreed. "I'm fine and you did it. Don't be so hard on yourself."

"Thanks Beck," Felicity replied.

"Ok," Beck stated as he slowly pushed the door open. "Here goes nothing."