AN – so another chapter at long last. Thank you for all of the reviews and favorites and new followers. This is hot of the press again so please turn a blind eye to any mistakes I formerly apologise now.

I do not own Arrow or Thunderbirds (I have ordered my own… I mean my toddler the fleet of Thunderbrids and Tracy island and that is as close as I'll ever get.)

CHAPTER 22

John pulled up outside of Felicity's house. He clambered out of the hire car, it was extremely late but he could see a light on so he knew Felicity was home. Her hours working for the Arrow could be erratic he had become used to them from the timings of Felicity's calls.

He had spoken to Felicity the previous night and had been quieter than normal, he was hiding something from her a good something and his being there was part of that something.

After grabbing his bag from the trunk he headed up towards the front door feeling the butterflies build with each step. He had seen her almost every day since she had left with Scott in Thunderbird 1 but in person was a lot more different than through his communicator.

At the door he knocked a few taps before waiting. The wait seemed to be a lifetime in length to John when really it was just minutes. The door lock clicked and John felt a beaming smile spread over his face in anticipation of seeing his City. As the door opened and a face appeared that smile slipped from his face to be replaced with confusion and worry.

John recognized the face it was Diggle. "Where is Felicity?" John heard the words and realised they were from him.

"John. She's inside asleep." Diggle answered but he showed no signs of letting him in.

"Why are you here?" John asked he tried to keep the accusing tones out of his voice but he was unsuccessful.

"She needed a ride." Came the reply but John didn't believe that.

"Can I come in?" John asked.

"I think you should come back in the morning." Diggle suggested.

John felt tendrils of jealousy start to grow, he knew Felicity was friends with Diggle and that he helped with the Arrow but the way he was behaving now seemed very secretive and it was not sitting right with him.

"Felicity gave me a key so you can either let me in now or I'll wait until you leave and let myself in." John replied he battled with himself to keep the tones in his voice light when inside he wanted to growl. He had never felt this protective over anyone before.

He watched as Diggle seemed to look him over and fight his own internal battle over what to do. In the end Diggle stepped back and opened the door wider. John stepped through and in a much friendlier tone thanked him.

He dropped his bag at the foot of the stairs and started to climb with Diggle hot on his heels. "I don't think you should disturb her." Diggle suggested.

John ignored him and entered Felicity's room. The light from the hallway illuminated the bed and the figure lying within the sheets. His eyes ghosted over her face she looked fine and he felt the worry slowly recede until he spotted the gauze on her shoulder.

He turned around to glare at Diggle. "What happened?" He said more calmly than he felt.

"She had an accident." Diggle started to explain.

"Before you go any further with that explanation maybe I should say that I know she's involved with helping the Arrow." John added.

He saw Diggle's face flicker with shock. "She called me for a ride. When I picked her up the Arrow explained that she was shot saving the Canary."

"Did she go to the hospital?"

"No, she refused by all accounts. The Canary patched her up."

"Have they given her anything?" John asked.

"Oxycodone, three doses so far. " Diggle informed.

"Okay. That'll knock her out till morning." John stated. "You look beat too why don't you go home and I'll look out for Felicity." He offered.

"You sure man?"

"Yeah I have some basic first aid training and my brother is a qualified field medic if I have any problems, and I had intended to surprise Felicity." John explained.

"Alright, but if I find out you weren't supposed to be here there will be trouble." Diggle threatened.

John held his hands up in surrender. "Understood and thanks for looking out for her." John replied sinseriously.

"It's no problem she's a good friend. I'll see myself out."

"Thanks." John said as he heard Diggle move away back down the stairs. He moved further into Felicity's room until he reached her bed and he bent down over her. He stroked his fingers through her hair before placing a soft kiss to her forehead. "I'll be back in a minute."

John headed down stairs where he switched off the lights locked up and took his bag upstairs. After getting changed he settled into bed with Felicity cuddling up to her. She stirred for a moment fidgeted around until she had her head on his chest and her hand rested over his healed scar. John shuddered at the heat from Felicity's touch it made him feel cold for a few moments. He relaxed into the bed and snuggled his face into the top of Felicity's head. "Not the surprise I had imagined for tonight. I love you with all my heart." He placed a gentle kiss to her hair before closing his eyes. Just as he was drifting off he heard Felicity whisper his name.

Felicity stirred, her shoulder was throbbing with pain and it was growing with intensity the closer she found herself to consciousness. She replayed the nights events she remembered getting shot and saving Sara then the trip back to Verdant with Oliver being moody and over protective of her. In the end she told him to go away and let Sara deal with it, then Dig had handed her some aspirin. After that things were very hazy nothing she recalled seemed to be in focus or have sound and she defiantly didn't have a clue where she was now.

She fidgeted a little trying to ease the pain in her shoulder, she tried to roll onto her back but something was wrapped around her neck and along her back. Carefully she moved forward and realised that there was something in front of her too and it was warm. Panic flooded her mind and she wrenched her tired eyes open, the room was bathed in some light so she knew it was morning. With that light she could make out that it was a person lying next to her. Worried now at what could have happened to lead to this awkward situation Felicity gently tilted her head back careful of her shoulder.

When she finally twisted enough to see the head that connected to the body Felicity felt a sob of joy and relief rush out of her mouth along with one word, "John." Bright blue eyes were focused down on her and the mane of blond hair that she loved so much was in a bushy mess but it was her John and… "Oh god when did you get here?" She blurted. Who had brought her home and had John already been there or did he arrive after they had left and what must he think she had been shot.

Felicity heard a soft shushing and felt John's hand cup her cheek. "Don't worry about that how are you feeling?" John asked concerned.

Felicity thought about it. The moving she had done so far hadn't made the throbbing any worse than it already was and it wasn't as bad as she imagined getting shot would be. "I'm okay its not so bad. The aspirin Dig gave me has worn off." Felicity answered.

John laughed. "That wasn't aspirin but I can get you some." He offered.

"Not aspirin, I'm going to kill Diggle. I'm okay for now." Felicity replied yawning.

"Get some more rest Oliver called and said you can have a few days off. I hope you don't mind that I answered your phone. I don't think Oliver was happy." John said encouraging Felicity to settle down.

Felicity sank back down onto John's chest her eyes getting heavy. "Sure." She mumbled already succumbing to the pull of sleep.

A few hours later Felicity heard banging, as she realised it was her door she sat up rather hurriedly wincing as the pain returned in her shoulder. "Ouch." She hissed.

Once the pain had dulled back to an annoying throb she realised that John wasn't in bed with her and that the banging had now stopped being replaced with talking.

Slowly Felicity clambered out of bed grabbed her fluffy nightgown and headed out the bedroom towards the stairs where she could hear the talking more clearly.

"I need to see Felicity and check her dressing." A female voice demanded.

"And as I have just said she's sleeping the Oxycodone has made her very drowsy. Why not come back later." Felicity heard John reply.

"Listen I said that I would come by and check on Felicity when I heard." The female voice started to sound angry and Felicity realised why it was, she couldn't believe she hadn't recognized it earlier.

She made her way down the stairs as the argument continued between John and Sara. "John let Sara in it's okay." Felicity announced her presence as well as halting the escalating argument.

John moved away from the door letting Sara in and stood in front of Felicity before she could reach the bottom step. "You shouldn't be up." He gently scolded her.

Felicity rolled her eyes. "Well someone needed to stop the fight between you two." She mocked.

"Felicity how are you feeling?" Sara asked.

"Not so bad. I thought getting shot would be much more painful."

"First one is always the hardest, through and through are a cleaner job. Do you mind if I take a look? I just want to make sure the stitches are holding and that infection hasn't set in." Sara asked.

"Sure. Go through to the TV room I'll follow you in."

Felicity saw Sara glare at John before heading down the hall and out of sight.

"Is this Canary Sara?" John asked.

Felicity nodded as John took her arm and she descended the last step. "Why didn't you let her in?" She whispered.

"If I let a 'stranger' into my girlfriends house it would look suspicious especially when I'm not supposed to know who they are. I thought it would help keep you out of trouble." John explained.

"I think I need coffee it's getting really complicated remembering who knows what and who." Felicity grumbled as they entered the TV room.

"I'll go make you one. Sara was it would you like a drink?" John asked politely.

"What ever your making Felicity. Thanks." Sara answered.

Felicity pointed to John, "Sara meet John my boyfriend." Then she pointed to Sara, "John meet Sara Oliver's girlfriend."

The two shook hands. "Nice to meet you." John stated.

"You too, Felicity hasn't mentioned you before." She said eyeing Felicity suspiciously.

"No well we uh." Felicity stumbled over what to say she didn't want to talk about John incase she exposed who he really was.

"We haven't told many people only family and close friends because the media can be very in your face with certain information." John answered.

"Yeah I know how that feels being with Oliver. Why would the media be interested in you two?" Sara asked clueless.

"My Father owns shares in Queen Consolidated and he is also the CEO of Tracy Engineering. When ever we are stateside or in the outback just anywhere with reporters we usually get followed and reported on." John replied.

"Oh I'm sorry that I don't know more about you, I've been away for a while." Sara apologised.

"It's fine its nice to not be prejudged or known for my Father or other brothers achievements. Felicity did mention your circumstances. I'll be back in a few minutes." John excused himself and left the room.

When out of ear shot Sara concentrated on Felicity. "And how did you forget to mention the hottie?"

"Uh he just never came up in conversation. He works a lot with his Father's company so I don't see him very often, I didn't even know he was flying in to see me."

"The romantic type too. Sounds like you have a keeper there."

"Yeah if he's not mad at me for getting shot."

"And on that note I think we should take a look at your wound." Sara quickly changed the subject back onto a safer topic.

John came in at that moment with a red bag with a large white cross on the one side. "Thought you might need this, it's well stocked Felicity." John stated as Felicity met his eye he winked at her.

"You can never been too careful especially living in a City with hero's and crazy things like the Undertaking."

John handed the bag over to Sara who looked puzzled at him before leaving again.

"What was that about?" Sara asked as she unzipped the bag and laid it out on the coffee table.

"He uh knows I do some freelance work for the Arrow, don't worry I haven't said too much and he knows how to keep secrets." Felicity admitted.

"Good job it's me that came round to check on you. Does Oliver know about him?"

"He knows we're dating but I haven't made it public knowledge that I've told him I help the Arrow. If I hadn't sooner or later something like this." Felicity pointed to her shoulder. "Would have given it away. Please don't tell Oliver."

"Maybe. Your secret is safe for now." Sara replied just in time as John entered the room again this time with a tray holding three mugs of steaming beverages and a plate of toast.

Sara pulled out some gloves from the bag before returning to Felicity. "Shall we get this done?"

"Sure." Felicity slid her right arm out of her robe exposing the bandages for Sara to work on. John quietly placed the tray on the table before watching Sara from afar.

Gently Sara peeled back the front one and peered at the wound. "Looks good. No signs of infection and the stitches are still in place." Sara noted aloud. She gently pressed the gauze back before checking the exit wound. "Same here too. When you shower put a new set of gauze on and keep changing it every few days. Me or Dig can take the stitches out when it's ready."

"Thanks." Felicity slid her arm back and snuggled into her robe.

John sat next to her and handed over her drink. She took a quick taste before breaking into a beaming smile. "My favorite."

John smiled back then handed Sara her cup before taking his own and settling back into the sofa Felicity snuggled up to his side while clutching her warm mug.

"So how long have you two been together? Felicity hasn't mentioned much about you." Sara pried.

"Almost six months." John answered without hesitation. Felicity felt her mouth drop open at the speed of the reply and the length of time that it had passed, just lately thing's had been really busy to even think about the length of time they had been together.

"You make a cute couple. When Felicity is up to it you should come and get drinks at Verdant I can make a mean cocktail." Sara suggested with a wicked smirk at Felicity.

"Did you get the job?" Felicity asked excited.

"I got an interview." Sara replied.

"So it's guaranteed then. Does Oliver know?"

"Not yet I haven't seen him today." Sara answered.

The conversation seemed to die at that point, the occupants of the room concentrated on their drinks and own thoughts. After a long five minutes Sara broke the silence. "I'm going to hit the road. Thanks for the coffee and nice to meet you John." She stood up.

John stood and took Sara's now empty cup. "Sorry about earlier and yes it was nice meeting you too."

Felicity tried to get up and see Sara out but two pairs of glaring eyes, one full of loving concern and the other showing the deadly assassin warning Felicity leant back into the sofa. "No fair tag teaming and you hardly know each other. It's just a gun shot wound I'm not crippled." Felicity objected.

"No but you could have been. Enjoy the quiet life even for a day." Sara suggested.

"I'll agree with Sara." John added with a devious smirk worrying Felicity.

"See you later. If you have any trouble with it give me or Dig a call." Sara said just before leaving the room with John behind.

Felicity leant forward and plonked her now empty cup on the table and lifted up a slice of toast. Her stomach growled loudly in delight of the prospect of food. Now starving Felicity tucked into the slice and waited for her Thunderbird to return, she tried to make out the conversation she could hear but it wasn't loud enough to make out the words.

By the time John returned Felicity had eaten another two slices of toast however the sight of him carrying a ceramic jug with rising steam distracted Felicity from scolding him on taking his time.

"More Latte?" John asked lifting the jug.

"Do I really need to answer that?" Felicity replied with a cheeky smile.

"Ask a silly question and receive a likewise answer." John said as he refilled both his and Felicity's mugs. He placed the jug on the table and lifted the mugs up before sitting down back next to Felicity handing over her mug once he was settled down.

"So do I get to know the real story?" John pried gently once Felicity had settled back against him as she had been earlier.

She took a long drink from her mug while she formulated the best way of telling John what had happened and reason why it had been the ideal plan which it had been right up until Tockman had tried to shoot Sara.

"So it started out as a typical robbery these goons stole the Skeleton Key that QC Applied Science had been working on." Felicity started.

"I read about that Dad was considering about stopping it but Oliver stepped in before he had a chance." John added.

"Yeah I brought it to his attention what it could be used for although I used different examples than my main concern." Felicity twisted slightly so that she could meet John's eyes, they seemed to contain the same concern she felt. "I guess you both figured that out too. So after looking into the goons, Detective Lance had informed the Arrow that the remaining alive robber was not smart enough to operate the Key. We got looking into it and identified the mastermind, William Tockman, however he had a few more years experience on me he got into the computer systems and blew them up with a virus." Felicity had moved back to resting her head back against John's shoulder as she continued her retelling.

"We knew what he wanted so Oliver had me set up a trap at the bank. With the computers fried I decided being at the bank would help me trace him. Tockman got the better of us again splitting us up, Dig had to open the gas main before we blew up, Oliver went after the hired goons so Sara went after Tockman when I located him and I followed. When we found him he tried to shoot Sara, she hadn't noticed and I just pushed her out of the way and took the bullet. I used the virus he had sent me to fry his phone and it knocked him out. When we got back to Verdant Dig gave me some aspirin and Sara stitched me back up, I don't remember much after that did I mention I'm going to kill Dig for that?" She joked.

"You did but I am guessing he did the best thing for you. Dig brought you home he tried to send me away so I showed him the key you gave me and he let me in. And he warned me if I wasn't supposed to be here I could expect trouble so maybe go easy on him he was trying to look after you."

"I know. You're not mad at me for getting shot are you?" Felicity asked nervously.

"No why would I be mad? I'm worried that you got hurt but as you said earlier it's expected doing what you do. I am just really glad your okay. It wasn't the surprise I had in mind for when I got here." John answered.

"I just thought I don't know I remember Oliver being mad at hearing I was shot anyway I'm glad your not mad. So why are you here? I'm happy you are here I just thought you would be back on more duties." Felicity queried. She buried herself in the remaining mug of latte pretending she hadn't just babbled like that.

John chuckled. "Virgil gave me the all clear for light duties and piloting, and we need more specialised parts for the new station so here I am." John answered. He bent his head down and kissed Felicity's head then rested his cheek against her hair. "I missed you." He whispered.

Felicity relaxed further back against John, the stress of dealing with Tockman finally dissipating and the current problems Oliver was facing with the Mirakuru became a problem for later. John was back and Felicity wanted to enjoy his company even for a few hours uninterrupted and Oliver had said to take time off.

She twisted around at John's words to face him and she firmly planted her lips to his. Her free hand started to rise to wrap into his hair but half way there the pull on the stitches and sharp pain in her wound had her halting sharply and wincing in pain breaking the kiss.

"That was stupid." Felicity stated twisting back to sitting straight, she tried to put her mug down to grip her shoulder but found it being tugged by John.

"Here." He demanded. "Do you want some meds?"

"I'm alright it'll pass in a minute. I keep forgetting and pulling it." Felicity hissed through the throbbing pain. She now had her good arm clutching the injured shoulder and had leant forward away from John.

John placed the cups on the table then returned his attention back to Felicity he gently rubbed Felicity's back keeping clear of her wound.

After a few minutes he broke the silence. "How is the pain now?"

"It's easing off." Felicity replied speaking rather than hissing now.

"When you feel up to it let's get you back in bed, sleep and rest will do you the world of good." John suggested. Felicity glared at him, "Now its my turn to look after you so no arguments." John chided.

Felicity rolled her eyes, she had jumped on John's back about over doing it during his recovery now she realised Karma was coming after her. "Alright but I'm not sleepy." She argued sounding more her normal self again.

Felicity rose up from the sofa closely followed by John. She headed upstairs and clambered back into bed shedding her robe and snuggling down under the sheets careful of her shoulder.

John slid in his usual side of the bed and carefully moved closer to Felicity mindful of her shoulder. He propped himself up on his arm and gazed at Felicity. Felicity felt her cheeks redden and heart skip a beat at the attention, they may have been dating for almost six months but it hadn't lessened the butterflies and fluttering she felt when she was with him.

She watched as his eyes moved across her face she felt almost mesmerized by the bright blue orbs. Before she had chance to realise that they were growing in size John's lips found hers and Felicity lost all caring except treasuring the fell of the kiss.

Using her good arm this time she wrapped it around John and tangled her fingers into his fluffy locks, she had missed the feel of his hair running through her fingers. She felt John's hand slide up her good side until it found her cheek where it stayed stroking along her cheek bone.

Eventually they had to break apart both breathless and caught up with their turmoil of feelings for the other. Their eyes remained locked as they brought their labored breathing back under control. Felicity lifted her head slightly to try to recapture John's lips once she had caught her breath but she fell short as she felt the beginning of her wound pulling. Before she could choose another way to continue John had closed the gap.

After what could have been hours but was actually minutes the two finally settled down. They had reaffirmed that both were alive and chased away the feelings of loneliness that had developed during their separation. John moved to lying on his back and Felicity settled into the crook of John's arm and she carefully rested her arm on his chest. It only took a few more minutes before both of them had drifted back to sleep.

AN – so I hope this is alright, we are getting closer to the bad guys appearing now so please keep reading. Let me know how you found this chappy good or bad and I hope to get another one up soon for you all because I love writing this fic and hearing (reading) your reviews