Oliver never lets go of her hand for the remainder of the drive home. It took longer than it should, wanting to be on the safe side in case anyone was following them. He had begun to worry during the ride that Felicity was uncharacteristically quiet. He had wanted to ask her if she was alright many times but chose not to as he focused on getting them to the safe house. Finally pulling up on the driveway near an abandoned road Oliver rolled down his window to show his face to a couple of his trusted men as they allowed him access and lowered their guns. Turning off the engine, Oliver turned and addressed Felicity. "Hey were here" he whispers tucking a loose strand of her hair behind her ear. Felicity looked at the safe house and then looked at Oliver giving him a small smile. When they got out of the car there was no time for anything as Roy ran out of the house and embraced his sister tightly. Felicity almost lost her balance but the moment his arms flew around her she let go and held him tightly as tears poured down her cheeks.

Oliver had no time to watch their interaction as he got his own welcoming when his mother and sister attacked him with brutal hugs and kisses. He smiled and held his family whispering to them that he was okay, that they were okay. Once they got inside Felicity didn't let go of Roy all of a sudden feeling overwhelmed and nauseous about everything. Sensing this, Oliver stared at Felicity silently asking her if she was ok. She nodded her slowly, she didn't know what had brought it on. When Felicity's eyes met with Thea's and Moira's the nauseous feeling came back, she sprinted back outside to throw up as she had no clue where the bathroom was. Oliver and Roy were right behind her, Roy stayed back as Oliver rubbed circles in her back and she continued being sick. Roy then went towards her with a bottle of water, she quickly took it and rinsed out her mouth, thankful for getting rid of the horrible after taste. Oliver led her back into the house placing a kiss on her temple and whispered if she was alright.

Felicity didn't answer but only stared at Thea and Moira, "I..." she looked at the two women and then at Oliver. "I'm so sorry about Robert... I ... He ... hid me and ..." she tried to explain through sobs which attacked her uncontrollably. She was apologising because she had witnessed him die, he had sacrificed himself for her and she didn't know why, she did not deserve it. Felicity watched the young woman cry as Roy placed a comforting arm around her. Her own comfort continued as Oliver continued his ministrations on her back. Felicity held her breath as the older woman walked up to her, she was preparing herself for anything, shouting, screaming, slapping. Instead, the older woman surprised her as she embraced her tightly. Unknowing what to do Felicity held her arms out and after a few seconds of realization they closed around her. The two women cried in each others embrace both for the loss they shared with Robert and for Donna. Pulling back, Moira cupped Felicity 's cheek.

"This family has been through a lot" she addressed everyone. "Now, we need to fix this because we can't lose anyone else, I can't lose my children" Moira looked at Felicity trying to convey that she meant her as well. "No more loss," she says sternly.

"No more loss," Oliver says pulling the two important women in his life close to his chest. Thea the third most important woman in his life joined and Oliver held them all as tightly as he could. Felicity pulled back slowly her hand searching for Roy. He quickly joined them and the Smoak-Queens held each other all basking in their own grief but slowly healing each other through their presence.

When they finished with a whole load of crying Oliver had left to discuss things with Diggle as Felicity went to her room and ran herself a hot bath washing away everything that happened. As she sat in the bath relishing in the hot water, Oliver came in slowly. His stealthy ninja skills were no match for her spider senses she always knew when he was there. Felicity kept her eyes closed and hummed when he cupped her cheek.

"How are you feeling?" he asked slowly caressing the bruise on her cheek as the anger seeped through him again with the fact that somebody had hurt her.

"Stop brooding I'm fine" she smiled, her eyes still remained closed but she knew that he was angry.

"I thought I had lost you" he admits pure softness and pain in his voice. Felicity opens her eyes and takes hold of his wrist. "I thought I got you back, and when that woman said you were dead ... I ..." Oliver shook his head clenching his lips trying to form the right words.

"I'm here" she whispered placing a kiss on his pulse point on his wrist. "I'm here" she repeated.

Oliver took hold of her other cheek and pulled her towards him slanting his lips all over hers. He wasn't quite sure how and when they had reached this point in their relationship where they were so open with their feelings. He didn't know when they reached the moment in their relationship where they could touch each other like this. He didn't know when they had become so close when his feelings for her had become so undeniable, how his feelings for her had come to the point where he was lost without her. Felicity grabbed his wrists pulling him as close as she could not able to get enough.

The next morning Oliver untangled himself from Felicity and got dressed. He had plans that morning which involved working with the men he had left, finding Slade and finally putting a stop to it. He hadn't really slept thinking everything over in his head. He had come to the realization that the only way to protect his family and go back to their normal lives was to stop him. He glanced at Felicity and her very deep state of sleep and he knew in that moment he was a man that would do anything for her. He was a man who would ensure he went to great lengths to protect the ones he loved. Oliver had three women in his life now and they were the three most important people in his life. He had to do whatever it meant to ensure they were safe. Leaning over he placed a kiss on her forehead and just before he moved away she stirred, her beautiful blue eyes slowly opened. She smiled softly at him cradling his cheek in her hand. "Where you going?" she said in a hoarse voice.

"Need to talk to Diggle come up with a plan," he said softly as he tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear.

"Be careful, I love you" she smiled again. Oliver cursed under his breath, she was breathtakingly beautiful and he loved her so much.

"I love you," he said placing a kiss on her nose and then going for the lips. She pulled back and grumbled that she had morning breath. Oliver chuckled and kissed her anyways. "I love you morning breath and all" he chuckled as he got up to leave.

"You Oliver Queen are a keeper" she laughed. Oliver shook his head and chuckled as he exited their room. Stopping briefly, he rested the back of his head against the door before composing himself on what needed to happen, on what he needed to do.

Oliver picked up his phone and contacted the one person he wished he would never have to contact. Damien Darkh, he was one of the highest ranking captains and he was a lethal man. Oliver knew that once he asks for his help that he would forever be in his debt. However, Oliver could not think of another way out, he could not think of a different solution. He needed to protect his family, he needed to ensure they were safe. It did not matter whether he was in debt or not. The only thing that mattered was their safety.

"I wouldn't do that if I was you" Diggle commented walking into the room. "I'm no fool man, I know you, I know what your play is… if you think this thing with Slade is bad, imagine what it will be like with Darkh" Diggle reasoned.

"I have to do something Dig, I have to keep them safe" he expressed.

"And I get that, they are my family too Oliver, my family is out there with them, that's our family. I will do anything I can to help you make sure we eliminate this threat. But not this. Not Darkh. We do things our way so that once it is done, you can live your life with Felicity and our family is safe, not only from Slade but from Darkh as well" Diggle advised.

"I…."

"No, Oliver, Darkh will not only want things from you, but he will want things from the whole family. How long ago was it when he asked for Thea's hand for his mentally disturbed son. If it had not been for your father, Thea would have married that mad man. Do not get into bed with Darkh, understood?"

"Ok, we try it your way, if it doesn't work, I will call Darkh" Oliver stated as he left the room.

Oliver left needing some air, he ran out the room and went to the back garden. Inhaling the fresh air, he allowed himself a moment of peace so he could come up with a new plan. He knew that Diggle was right, he could not involve Darkh in this, Diggle was right, God only knew what the repercussions of his help would lead to.

"Hi," a soft voice said behind him. Oliver smiled, turning to face her, he tilted his head and stared at her. She was always the one that could calm him and was always the one that could pull him out of the darkness.

"Hi," he said back softly, throwing his arms around her shoulders and pulling her closely into his side, he placed a kiss on her temple.

"What are you going to do?" she asked him as she snuggled into his side.

"I don't know, I just need you safe, all of you safe" he whispered into her hair.

"Don't do anything stupid please" she begged him. Pulling away from him so she could look into his eyes, she tried to convey it with her eyes. Felicity licked her lips, searching for something to say to him. She felt useless, she wanted to help him, help him defeat Slade. The only way to defeat him was for them all to work as a team.

"I'll try" he laughed.

"Let's run away, all of us, I can create us all new identities; we will be safe, we'll go somewhere safe, we can all be together …"

"No" Oliver shook his head, "it is bad enough that we are in this life, but I will not have us run, I will not have us sleep with one eye open all the time. That's not freedom Felicity. I will find a way to stop Slade, I will find a way to get us out of this life, I will find a way for us all to be safe and free" he said with so much conviction. Felicity wanted to believe him, she really did, but she could not see that far ahead for them.

"Be careful… I can't lose you" she told him.

"You won't" he hugged her tightly.

I had a writer's block and I am really not happy with this…. But I'm hoping inspiration will strike for this story. I issue is and has always been too many ideas and then I get ahead of myself and never complete stories erghhhhhhhhhhhhhh… I have written about 3 different new stories with multiple chapters and have come to a stand still with those too … l'm hoping I can continue these stories soon at least give them endings… if anyone has any ideas i am all ears ...