AN – THANK YOU! To those that reviewed, I am sorry for not replying to all of them I would read them get excited and start writing more then forget to reply. I hope you can forgive because you helped me continue writing this next piece. See reviews are useful they distract me from what I am meant to be doing and get me writing. More THANKS to new followers and favorites.
I apologise about the time again but I hope that the quantity and quality make up for it. IGNORE mistakes this is fresh of the press and I can hardly keep my eyes open so I bet there will be errors (one day I will proof read and correct)
As per usual I do not own Arrow or Thunderbirds if I did Jolicity would totally happen hehe
Hope you enjoy and maybe even review
CHAPTER 25
It had been a stressful and busy month for Felicity and of course Team Arrow, Slade Wilson had been giving them the run around for weeks he always knew how to be a few steps ahead of them. Right now they were really in deep waters. Slade's Mirakuru goons were attacking the city and it was complete chaos, they couldn't stop them. Oliver had suggested a cure but Felicity's reach out to STAR Labs had been unsuccessful and now she found herself moving through the devastated city to find one last hope.
Felicity made it to the outskirts of the city and filtered into the masses trying to get out. She expertly weaved in between people moving forward swiftly time was key to saving everyone. A loud roaring engine noise grew over head and Felicity spared a moment to glance up a huge illuminated white 2 told her all she needed to know and she pushed forward with more resolve.
Eventually she made it through the cordon and ran as fast as she could to the now grounded Thunderbird 2. As she neared the hatch it opened and in the doorway stood Virgil, he was not looking at Felicity more past her and she glanced behind her to see what had his attention. There was nothing there only back in the distance panicked people rushing about moving away from the city. When she turned to face forward again Virgil was calling her forward and she made her feet move quicker.
As she made it to the door Virgil grabbed hold of her shoulders and she heard the door hiss shut behind her. Felicity heaved large amounts of breath after her unusual display of physical activity. Virgil wait patiently until she caught her breath. Once Felicity had enough oxygen to talk she slid her hand into her pocket and pulled out a vial and held it up. "That's it?" Virgil asked for confirmation.
"Yep do you think Fermat can make something to stop these thugs?" Felicity asked.
"If anyone can it'll be him and Brains follow me." Virgil replied he turned and led the way into the giant machine.
When they stopped Felicity found herself in a small lab of sorts it was really a mini version of Brains giant lab at the Island. "Do you have the kitchen sink in here too?" Felicity asked as she realised they had everything ever needed on Thunderbird 2.
"We have sinks, not really kitchen ones but it would do the job." Virgil replied with a chuckle. "Never let it be said that we don't come prepared for anything."
"Too true. Fermat this is all we have left." Felicity moved on with business if they stopped this nightmare then there would be plenty of time to joke about being boy scouts.
Fermat came forward to take the vial. "I-it should be e-e-e adequate." Felicity had briefed Fermat earlier when she had asked for help so she watched as Fermat began moving around taking samples from the vial.
"How's John?" Felicity asked unable to keep her curiosity to herself.
"Fine he's with Alan over the far side helping with evac." Virgil replied.
"That's good." Felicity tried not to sound worried but failed.
"Don't worry we are keeping clear of the masks. Do you need a ride back in to the city?" Virgil offered.
"Yes uh didn't think that through very well. Can you get me near the clock tower?" Felicity's worry shifted to fear.
"You've got nothing to fear I'm the best pilot." Virgil boasted trying to cheer Felicity up. "Let's get you buckled in."
Fermat never acknowledged their goodbyes he was completely focused on his task.
PAUSE
John heard the scream for 'Help' and the following explosion. "Alan?" He queried one word expressing all the questions he needed to ask.
"On it, go I'll catch up." Alan replied as he finished leading the last person from another building on fire.
John nodded his acknowledgement and sped off towards the plume of thick smoke.
When he arrived a small crowed stood watching the building, a woman crying and being held back by another lady, and a police officer calling into his radio with no response.
John headed towards the police officer but as he reached him movement caught his eye and he turned toward just is as a figure descended the stairs from the burning building clutching a child.
As the figure neared John he heard the police officer stop his calling. The blonde masked figure seemed to pause for the briefest moment and the eyes grew wide in shock. John realised that he may have made a grave mistake, the figure seemed to match the description Felicity had given him of the Canary. Although John had never met the Canary he had seen Sara the person behind the mask.
Too late to dwell on that now as the Canary continued moving forward and John heard the distressed coughing of the child in her arms. John moved into action and bridged the gap between himself and the child. Before he had time to assess the full condition of the child the Canary had moved the child into his arms and started to leave without a glance behind. John didn't have time to argue or call out to her as the woman he had seen earlier being held back was now at his side fussing over the child.
"It's okay madam are you his mother?" John asked.
"Yes. Is Lukas okay? Why is he coughing so much can you help him?" The mother begged her voice bordering on hysteria.
"I need to examine him but it's not safe here let us move away." John started to turn and move away from the burning building the heat of the flames starting to burn his skin now.
The police officer and the other woman that had been holding the mother back now joined him.
"Anything I can do to help?" The officer asked.
"Can you hold him while I examine him, his breathing is very labored." John instructed relieved at the offered help. The officer held out his arms and took the child freeing John to make his checks.
John did what he could while they continued to move away from the building and once they reached the other side of the road the officer stopped and John finished. He determined the worst of the injuries to the child was smoke inhalation causing the coughing.
"Thunderbird 3 what's you ETA?" John asked. He caught the officers eye and the confusion there he knew what question was waiting. "My team mate he's got the medical bag."
In John's ear came the reply from Alan. "ETA will be a few minutes I'm waiting for Virgil."
"FAB get here as soon as you can I need oxygen ASAP." John replied. As he listened to his brothers FAB he realised that he had a quick fix on him.
John reached behind his back and unhooked his helmet from his belt. As he lifted it he set the oxygen tank to release a steady flow. "Lukas I'm just going to put this on your head for a few minutes okay?" John asked the child and he received a nod between coughs.
John slid the helmet over and watched as the breathing of the child eased and slowed. The panic in the child's eyes faded and John let his held breath go.
Now it was a waiting game for Virgil to arrive. "Just keep taking those deep slow breathes for me. Do you know about Thunderbird 2?" John spoke to Lukas. He received another nod. "It's on the way and will take you and your mom to safety." John watched as a smile broke out on his face.
The mother suddenly joined in then and started her fussing over the lad and John took a step backwards drawing level with the other lady. "Thanks for your help there."
"No problem its good that you were around we couldn't get any medics here. I'm Laurel and the Officer there is my Dad Quentin." The woman offered a hand in greeting.
John shook it and responded in kind. "John. It's why we are here to do what we can. But the masked woman did the hard work." John had recognized the names from Felicity they were the father and sister of Sara.
"That was the Canary." Laurel seemed to boast. Before more could be exchanged the rumbling of engines could be heard and John looked up to the angry orange sky.
His comms piece started to talk. "Thunderbird 2 to John, we are collecting Alan as we speak will be with you momentarily." Virgil announced.
"FAB Thunderbird 2 I have two passengers one child casualty needs oxygen and mother uninjured."
"Received John we have plenty of space two minutes ETA."
"Officer our ride is almost here I'll take Lukas and his mother out of the city to the safe zone we have set up." John said approaching the officer and readying to take the child.
"Sure thing." Detective Lance handed over the child into John's arms. "Hey be careful out there these masks are indestructible." Lance paused as the International Rescue man nodded. "And thanks for all of your help. You guys are brave SOB's." He concluded.
John frowned for a moment at the Detective's final words before he realised the abbreviation of the term he was using. "All in a day's work for us and no thanks needed but gratefully received."
The engine noise overhead grew louder to the point that talking and hearing would have been useless. The comm. channel sprang to life in John's ear. "Thunderbird 2 to John we are coming in overhead now. I have a visual." There was a pause on the line and John heard the engines change tone. He didn't bother to look up but flicked his head to the Detective and Laurel to carry on.
One final mouthed thanks from the Detective and a half wave from Laurel as they moved away both watching with amazement.
"John I'm lowering the platform down to you now it's unmanned can you manage getting on? Virgil asked, he could see John stood alongside a woman and with a child curled up in his arms.
"FAB." John replied as he now looked upwards and saw the yellow platform descending. He would find out why Fermat wasn't around later.
Once the platform touched down on the ground John shifted the lad slightly freeing an arm to unlock the opening and he signaled for the mother to get on before he followed her in. When he had the opening secured he activated the control panel and raised the platform.
The dull clunk of the platform reaching its dock echoed about the bright green painted room. "Thunderbird 2 we are onboard." John informed Virgil even though the sensor for the hatch door would have told him long before now.
"FAB. Will take a steady route over to safe zone. Alan is in the med bay." Virgil responded.
"On way now." John replied. He opened the gateway to the platform and stepped out turning to assist the mother in her decent. When she was safely down he checked on the youngster in his arms, he now looked exhausted but his wide excited eyes were scanning the room.
"Let's get you two seated." John announced and started to head towards the open doorway into the bowls of Thunderbird 2. He was going to say follow me but the mother was sticking to his side like glue but unlike her son she paid no attention to where they were.
A few short corridors and they entered the medical bay, Alan had laid out a small oxygen tank and mask on one bed which John approached and gently lowered Lukas down onto it. "Thanks Alan." John said as he looked about the room for his youngest brother, he found him alongside another bed with a casualty lying strapped down with they feet up.
"No problem can you manage?" Came the reply as the other blond looked away from his charge and met John's eyes briefly.
"FAB." John replied before turning back. "Lukas I'm going to take off my helmet now okay?" The lad nodded and John carefully placed his hands on either side and slide the helmet off. "I want you to try breathing normally for a few minutes, if it gets difficult tell me straight away and we can put this mask on." John pointed to the smaller mask lying on the bed.
"Okay." Lukas spoke for the first time, his voice was almost angelic sounding not rough as John had expected from the smoke trauma, that was a promising sign that he would be just fine.
"Good boy. I will get you some water to wash out the taste of smoke. He received a nod.
The journey only took a few minutes to get from the centre of the City to the safe zone. "We are coming in for landing." Virgil announced over the comm. lines.
Lukas had continued to breathe well without oxygen and he sat sipping water from the bottle John had given him with his mother next to him wrapping him into her side. "A couple more minutes and you will be with a medical team." John informed them both.
As promised two minutes passed and Virgil walked into the medical bay followed by 4 medics with stretchers between them. One set went over to Alan and the other came alongside John and Lukas. John briefed them. "Young male called Lukas and this is his mother. Pulled from a burning apartment building struggling to breathe on scene. Given Oxygen mixture for 10 minutes and since then he has been breathing well without. He has had around 200ml water and remained conscious and aware."
"Thanks." One of the paramedics said jotting down the info, they had dropped the stretcher against another bed and busied about their routine. "No problem."
While the medics checked Lukas over them selves and hooked him to up their monitors ready for moving John said his goodbyes to them both. When they were ready to leave Lukas walked out with his mum and medics surrounding him and Virgil escorted them out.
John packed away the oxygen tank and mask before changing the oxygen cylinder in his helmet with a new one and clipping it back on him.
When he had done this Virgil was back and the casualty with Alan was now ready to be moved by stretcher with the remaining medics. John watched them leave following Virgil and once they were out of sight he moved over to help Alan tidy up.
"Any idea where Fermat is?" He asked.
"No I had been thinking the same thing. Let's ask Virgil when he gets back." Alan replied. "Have you heard from Felicity?"
John tried to hide the worry he felt at Alan's question, he hadn't heard from Felicity for a few days. It wasn't all her fault mind he had been up in space with Alan and Fermat working on the new Thunderbird 5 thankfully when the call for help came through they had just landed back on Tracy Island. "No." He simply answered.
"I'm sure she's fine John and I bet the Arrow is watching her back." Alan tried to cheer his older brother up. Felicity had grown on them all in the time they had known her but to Alan she was the first big sister he had ever had.
"Come on let's find Virgil and get moving." John said changing the topic he didn't want to dwell on what trouble the Arrow was getting Felicity into, or even what trouble she was finding for herself.
John moved out of the med bay followed by Alan they navigated around the corridors heading towards the flight deck. Virgil was in the pilots seat arms moving around the various panels altering controls to suit his needs.
"Bout time you two. Preparing to take off Dad's radioed in he's got a group of wounded that need evac." Virgil spoke without even turning away from his ship controls.
John and Alan parted ways and headed towards vacant seats that they strapped them selves into, John took the co-pilots one and Alan had the one to Virgil's other side.
"Where is Fermat?" John asked once they were air born
"He uh, he's in the lab working on a cure to stop these masks. Felicity called and asked for a favor." Virgil answered. "She's fine John, she did ask about you."
John felt a smile grace his lips at Virgil's final comment and his heart fluttered. "How is he getting on with it? I know she is Virgil, thanks."
"I haven't asked decided it was best to leave him to it that and it's been hectic on the evac side." Virgil replied concentrating on piloting the huge craft into the air.
"I'll go check on Fermat. Let me know when we're close to Dad's location." Alan announced unbuckling his harness and heading out of the flight deck.
"FAB." Virgil and John both replied in complete unison.
PAUSE
The pickup and transport of Jeff's casualties was uneventful, John and Alan stayed onboard due to the severity of the injuries. After they had everyone safely in the hands of the medics things seemed to happen at once.
Fermat made contact with Virgil proclaiming he had made the reversal formula to counteract the effects of the masks. "That's great Fermat can you get a rendezvous location from her?" Virgil replied.
Before Fermat could respond another call came through the comm. to everyone. "Thunderbird 1 I have eyes on a situation here. Need urgent backup." Scott sounded strained and it put everyone on edge instantly.
"Thunderbird 2 to Thunderbird 1 I have your location ETA two minutes." Virgil responded.
"What exactly is the situation Thunderbird 1?" Jeff added.
"I have eyes on five masks surrounding an upturned van which the Arrow is defending." Scott replied. The silence from the information seemed to drag for a lifetime as it registered with each member who might be in serious danger.
Virgil was the first to break from his thoughts and he powered Thunderbird 2's engines to maximum allowed at that altitude.
"Scott can you use your defensive missiles?" Jeff asked next the jolt from 2's increase of speed bringing him to his senses.
"Negative targets are too close. John can you get into his comm. line?" Scott reported.
At the mention of his name John came back to the present from this own spiraling thoughts. He pushed his biggest fear to the back of his mind to concentrate on what was needed of him now. "On it Scott." He rotated the chair to face squarely onto a section of the control panels and started to work at the computer unit there.
He located their transmission frequency and synced into it. "Thunderbird 1 you have a channel to the Arrow." John stated matter of factly.
"FAB" Scott replied.
"Fermat how is your antidote administered?" Virgil asked a plan formulating in his mind.
"I-i-injection, I have an idea send Gordon down." Fermat replied.
"FAB ETA 1 minute." Virgil informed Fermat. "Gordon." He shouted over his shoulder. "Fermat needs you in the lab ASAP he has a plan."
"Ookay." Gordon replied confused as he unbuckled himself and leapt from the seat, time was not on their side at the moment.
"Thunderbird 1 we have eyes on you any news?" Jeff asked his eyes scanning the buildings trying to see below the sleek silver craft to what his eldest son was seeing.
"Yes, I have contact we have four on the ground three in the van only one conscious. The conscious one is trapped. We may have a security issue." Scott replied.
"What's the problem?" Jeff asked. The craft slowed and came to a hover over the area and those present on deck unbuckled and leant over the controls to get the best view.
It was not good. The Arrow was surrounded by three of the masks and he was fighting them off bearly, no matter the blow or where he struck with an arrow then continued to advance. The other two were moving towards the rear of the van but every time they got within touching distance the Arrow sent an exploding charge towards them knocking both back 10 or so yards.
"The conscious man is on the comms line and the Arrow called him Dig. I'm going on a gut feeling with some background information to back it up but I think the Arrow is Oliver Queen and if that's right Dad and John can't be seen." Scott aired his suspicion.
"John is Scott right?" Jeff barked in his commanding baritones.
John dropped his head and sighed, busted. "Yes but officially I don't know, Felicity confirmed it when I did the same as Scott putting two and two together."
"Right Virgil you and Alan are on platform duties, John you have to stay here with me, I'll pilot 2. Fermat what is this plan of yours things are not looking great down there?" Jeff ordered.
"Gordon has a rifle armed with syringe bullets he's going to shoot and take down the masks. I've loaded the antidote with sedative so they will be out for 12 hours long enough for the authorities to take care of them." Fermat replied flawlessly he was back in field mode.
"Virgil can you swing around and get the side door facing the van?" Gordon asked next.
During this Virgil and Jeff had exchanged places. "FAB." Jeff replied.
"I will inform the Arrow of the plan." Scott announced.
The comm. went quiet while everyone got themselves into place. Gordon jogged along the corridors from the lab to the side door and once there he attached the safety line he had fitted to the building harness in his suit before opening the door and lying down on the floor. Carefully he crawled forward until the barrel of the gun was over the edge and he had a view. "Hold your position Thunderbird 2." Gordon spoke sharply completely focused on the targets below now coming into focus through the sight.
Elsewhere Fermat had joined Virgil and Alan in the platform bay of the pod. Fermat looked concerned and Virgil looked worried but Alan seemed to be excited and slightly more bouncy than usual. "Alan what's gotten into you?" Virgil asked with annoyance.
"We're saving the Arrow how cool is that?" He answered excitement bubbling.
"Gee Alan just when we start to think you're a grown up. Just remember Felicity might be down there trapped and in danger." Virgil replied derailing Alan's excitement instantly.
"Oh man Felicity. Hurry up Gordon." He mumbled returning to the professional attitude he tried to keep during rescues.
"One and two down." Scott's transmission made the three in the platform jump slightly they hadn't been expecting it. "Three down." Quickly followed.
"Two more to go and we're on." Virgil commented filling the now very quiet silence.
"Four." Scott announced again.
"FIVE! WHOOP!" Gordon shrieked over the radio. "Who's the best?" He asked rhetorically but in good Tracy fashion someone answered.
"Squid actually hit a target?" Alan jested he couldn't help it he needed to do something to take the edge off his now mounting worry over Felicity.
"Boy's." Jeff boomed. "Platform from Thunderbird 2 we are in position."
"FAB" Virgil replied before activating the doors switch and platform drop control.
As they descended three heads popped over the sides to survey the scene below. The Arrow was now crouched on the side of the van with the door open and his head inside his bow lying next to him. Scattered around the van were the masked men lying on the floor as though they stopped dead on the spot.
"The antidote and sedative appear to be working." Fermat commented.
"Never doubted you." Virgil replied.
"Thanks." Fermat replied.
They were almost to the ground and Alan had the hatch open and leapt out to the ground running over to the van. Inside he could see a mass of blonde hair spilling over another person in the passenger seat.
Instinct and brains kicking in Alan scanned the windscreen and found it loose about the edges in places. A plan started to grow and he moved over to the Arrow who had now lifted his head out of the van.
"One unconscious and one conscious and trapped in the front. In the back I have someone sedated." The Arrow growled anticipating the forthcoming question.
"Can your conscious one cover their face and the face of the unconscious driver?" Alan asked.
The Arrow glanced back inside receiving a nod from Diggle and he relayed the response. "Yes."
"Help me pull the screen out." Alan instructed. As he turned to repisition himself and give the Arrow room to get down he was met with Virgil and Fermat.
"I'm going to pull the windscreen out give us better access. The rear passenger is unconscious and apparently sedated can you check them out?" He asked.
"FAB." Virgil and Fermat moved around to the back of the van.
Alan and the Arrow stood almost side-by-side and wiggled their fingers into the gaps around the screen. "On the count of three. One, two, three!" Alan instructed and both men pulled hard with several grunts. The glass shattered more and glass flew off in different directions and showering the passengers of the vehicle. It did however come away completely with the one pull and Alan released his grip before sprinting forward into the open space to check over the unconscious passenger.
"All clear, we are going to get you out but we need to move – what's her name?" Alan caught himself just in time he had almost said Felicity's name.
"It's Felicity." The male trapped underneath the blonde mass of hair said.
Alan carefully brushed back the hair to clear her face. "Felicity can you hear me?" He asked loudly trying to rouse her. He noticed a small blood trail down her forehead from a cut in her hairline, possible head trauma he thought. Resting his hand on her shoulder he firmly shook her. "Felicity?" Still no response. Alan leaned in closer to her and positioned his ear close to her mouth listening all the time. There was a faint but regular breathing from her so she was just unconscious.
"Okay she is just unconscious, possible head trauma." Alan noted out loud before continuing with his secondary survey. He trailed his hands quickly over Felicity's shoulders and arms, then down her ribs and back. He couldn't reach her legs so they would need to be careful when pulling her out.
Glancing over his shoulder he saw the Arrow hovering. "I need you to take her weight and lift her up while I release her belt. Then can you guide her out and I'll take her legs."
The Arrow moved forward and carefully fed his arms under Felicity's underarms and took her weight up of the other passenger. Alan slid in the growing gap and reached out for the buckle. CLICK. He shuffled back out and fed the belt around Felicity and the Arrow until she was free. "Okay slowly move her this way. I haven't checked her legs yet." Alan instructed.
Carefully inch-by-inch the Arrow moved Felicity out and Alan continued his secondary survey and guided her legs out. Everything was fine, she would maybe have some bruising but nothing more serious.
When Felicity was clear there was another CLICK sound and a grunt. Alan glanced over his shoulder and the other man was hauling himself out of the van. "Hey wait for some help." Alan instructed.
"I'm okay." The guy argued dismissing Alan's concern. "Been through worse."
Carefully the Arrow and Alan lay Felicity down on the ground but she didn't remain there very long before the Arrow lifted her up into his arms.
Alan reluctantly moved over to the other guy to check him over. "What's your name fella?" He asked checking for any head injuries.
"Dig." He replied. "I'm fine. Thanks though for the help." He finished less gruffly.
"No problem. Join your friends over there we will give you a lift out of here. I'll just check on my colleagues." Alan said before jogging to the back of the van.
Virgil and Fermat were just lifting the unconscious male between them on a stretcher. "Is he alright?" Alan asked.
"He hasn't a scratch on him but he is too heavy to carry alone." Virgil replied. Alan strode and grabbed a corner of the stretcher alongside Fermat. "Gee thanks Alan." Virgil replied sarcastically.
They moved forward and around the van back towards the platform. Dig moved away from where he was waiting and joined the three Thunderbirds taking a corner from Virgil with his free hand. "You shouldn't be exerting yourself." Virgil scolded.
"We take care of our own when we can." Dig replied. Virgil nodded his approval of the man's morals and who was he to really argue they had all done far worse when injured to help strangers and also each other.
Once everyone was loaded onto the platform Virgil operated the controls and sent them all upwards. "Why is he sedated?" Fermat asked the Arrow.
"He's infected with the Mirakuru like the masked men. How did you take down the masks so easily?" The Arrow replied in his gruff voice.
"Felicity extended a communication out to us for help, I've been working on a sample for a few hours and seem to have devised an antidote. I have also laced it with a sedative to ensure the authorities have time to collect the miscreants.
"Smart move. But you shouldn't get involved it's too dangerous and it's my problem to deal with." Arrow growled out, he didn't want any else suffering.
"I think we can judge for ourselves if it's too dangerous, we're not newbie's at this game." Virgil replied sharply, this guy was grating on his nerves already with his attitude.
"You say you made a cure? Do you have enough to take down at least 50 of these guys?" Arrow changed the situation there wasn't time to argue.
The platform same to a stop inside the bowels of Virgil's 'Bird and he closed the doors and locked the platform into place before opening the gate to let everyone out.
"Let's get your friend here to the med bay and Felicity before we discuss this any further." Virgil ordered repositioning himself to carry the stretcher again.
The Arrow opened his mouth to argue but closed it with a snap when Virgil squared himself ready to be challenged. He was a lot stockier than the Arrow and even though he knew he could take him on it wouldn't achieve anything.
"Thunderbird 2 we are aboard." Virgil announced. Arrow and Dig made eye contact before feeling a slight movement through the floor. Virgil started to move forward and the group followed. Arrow let them past then followed, he took notice of his surroundings carefully assessing where any danger could come from or if he needed to make a hasty retreat.
"Man how do you find your way around?" Dig asked as they turned this was and that around the corridors before finally entering the med bay.
"You get used to it. Stops the sightseers escaping or getting very far." Virgil replied leading the group to a bed nearest the back of the room and the storage cupboards. Once the stretcher was down he called out to the Arrow. "Put Felicity on that one." He said pointing to the bed diagonally opposite.
Quickly Virgil started to open cupboards and collect an assortment of bits to attach to the youngster that was sedated. "What's his name?" He called over his shoulder.
"Speedy." Arrow answered quickly throwing a quick look to Dig.
"Hmm interesting code name." Virgil replied scribbling something down on a clipboard he had collected. Once his notes were made he started to attach a few monitors to Speedy. "Fermat can you get a dose of that antidote minus the sedative for this chap." Virgil suggested.
"Right." Fermat responded before leaving.
When Virgil was finished with Speedy he moved on to check Felicity over. He took much longer checking her over making sure for himself that we was indeed fine and also so he could assure John who was no doubt going out of his mind with worry. "Thunderbird 1 and 2 passengers secure in med bay. No major injuries found so no medical assistance required." He informed the rest of the family.
"Good news Virgil." Scott replied.
"FAB Son. Will reposition over the outskirts while you finish up." Jeff replied.
"Is Felicity conscious yet?" John's worried voice came over the comm. line and it pulled at Virgil's heart.
"Negative. Don't worry I will continue to update." Virgil replied as casual as possible.
"Alan keep obs on Felicity while we fix this young fella." Virgil said.
"FAB." Alan said moving around to Felicity's side, he pulled out a stool from under the bed and plonked himself down heavily. He watched Felicity and from the corner of his eye he kept watch on the Arrow and Dig.
Fermat returned then with a syringe filled with luminous liquid and joined the standing group around the sedated man.
"Are you sure that is works?" Arrow asked concerned for Roy, he was now trusting complete strangers, at least STAR labs had been familiar to Felicity this had been a last stab in the dark for help.
"Y-y-yes it has been t-t placed under vigorous sim-sim tests." Fermat replied his stutter remerging.
Arrow frowned, where had the stutter come from? It did not place confidence in him to trust this man with Roy's life. "No I think we need to wait and see that is has worked on someone else first." He insisted.
"There isn't time to waste, the City is almost destroyed by these hooligans, most of the citizens are injured or evacuated. Some how I don't think they will stay here when there is nothing left they will move on to the next City." Virgil argued.
Saved by the bell from answering Arrow pulled his phone from his pocket and glanced at the screen it was Detective Lance. He answered the call. "Detective."
As soon as the Arrow and Dig became distracted with Fermat Alan grabbed Felicity's hand. "Felicity." He whispered leaning closer to her. "Come on you need to wake up. John is worried about you, we all are." He rubbed circles on the back of her hand.
An argument seemed to be building over the antidote and voices raising, Alan looked over making sure he was still unnoticed. He missed Felicity's eyelids flutter. He didn't however miss the twitch in her fingers.
A phone ringing interrupted the arguing and Felicity opened her eyes wide focusing on Alan's. He felt himself smile in relief. "Hey am I glad to see you." Alan whispered. "Alan? Where's John?" Confusion then panic flooded Felicity and she sat up abruptly.
Alan heard the Arrow answer his phone. "Shhh. It's alright we stepped in when your van was ambushed John's up front with Dad." Alan explained briefly.
"Oli- Arrow?" Felicity asked turning around to face the direction she had heard his voice.
"She's with me." The Detective had asked if he knew what was going on at the entrances and exits of the City, when he had expressed confusion Lance had asked is he was with Felicity.
Arrow turned to look where his tech girl had been lain down only to find her sitting and facing his direction. As their eyes met he answered the Detective.
"Put her on." Lance has demanded.
Arrow took a few steps towards Felicity. "Are you ok?" He asked concerned.
Regaining her bearings she answered. "Yeah."
"Detective Lance wants to speak to you." He handed the phone over.
"Detective." She called into the phone.
"Have you got access to a TV?" He asked.
"Hold on." She said looking around her bag was missing probably back in the van.
Virgil had moved around the bed towards Felicity. "What do you need?" He asked noticing her searching eyes.
"Tablet." She mouthed.
Virgil spun and returned to the cupboards, he opened one and unhooked a tablet from its dock. As he turned back Felicity was behind him. "Thanks." She mouthed.
Quick as a flash she had a screen up. "What am I looking for?" She asked the phone.
"Any news station." Came the reply. Everyone awake in the room was watching her as she flicked through some settings and opened up a news channel.
It was showing images of Starling city from the air, roads that led to and from the City had black armored vehicles in convoys rolling up to the crowds of people. Other pictures shows some spots already had the convoys parked and a roadblock stationed with people dressed in army style clothing but black in colour.
"Detective." Felicity started to speak but she was cut off.
"That's not the army is it?" Lance asked.
Felicity turned the screen around to show the others in the room. Arrow moved closer, along with Dig. "Why is the army now making check points?" Alan asked.
"That's not the army and those are not check points." Arrow answered. "It's A.R.G.U.S and they are barricading the City."
"Detective thanks we are dealing with it." Felicity spoke into the phone before hanging up.
"Why are they barricading the City?" Virgil asked concerned at the escalating situation.
"Mobile Control we have a problem." Tin-Tin announced over the comms. "Our safe zone has been disbanded, we have been ordered to stop evacuation and leave."
Alan, Virgil and Fermat shared looks between them. Arrow, Felicity and Dig noticed. "What's going on?" Arrow growled.
"A.R.G.U.S have disbanded our safe zone and ordered us to stop and leave."
"Tin-Tin do as you are instructed by them and stand by for further instructions from me." Jeff replied to Tin-Tin's transmission.
"Thunderbird 2 those instructions have come from an organization called A.R.G.U.S the Arrow knows who they are, they are closing down the city." Virgil informed his father and the rest of the team.
"WHAT! There are still people trying to get out and others injured. Who is A.R.G.U.S?" Scott cried out.
Felicity handed the phone back to Arrow who dialed a number, everyone in the room watch him.
"Waller, what are you doing?" He growled. A few moments passed before he started to argue with the phone. "We have a cure, a way to stop them. Give me more time." Another pause. "FINE!" He hung up the phone.
"We have a big problem. Give Speedy the cure." Arrow demanded now there was no time to worry he needed to know it actually worked.
Fermat looked to the Arrow before injecting the syringe he still had hold of into Speedy's arm.
Nothing happened. "It's not working." Arrow stated angrily.
"G-g it needs time to w-w-work." Fermat replied.
"Tell us what's going on this A.R.G.U.S have ordered us to stop evacuations and leave." Virgil demanded.
"You should take that advice we will deal with this." Arrow growled.
"I think you need to take a step down on your pedestal. If we hadn't been here you would have been food for those masks and you also wouldn't have a chance at stopping them so quid pro quo here." Virgil snapped out of his usual peacekeeper mode squaring his shoulders.
The Arrow stood forward to accept the challenge presented by Virgil but stalled when Felicity stepped in front of him. "Do I need to remind you that when you went AWOL during the Undertaking they rescued me from Verdant. They helped save hundreds of people that night and probably as many tonight. Play nice it might give us the edge we need against Deathstroke." Felicity challenged, She was not going to have those she cared about fighting.
Virgil felt a smirk at Felicity's brashness and courage standing up to the Arrow and he was glad she was on their side she was scary when mad.
"Fine." The Arrow growled.
"I'm going to open a line to our other members so this only has to be said once." Virgil informed. "Thunderbird 1, 2 and Mobile Control come in." The Arrow waited for a few moments he wondered how large the organization was that operated International Rescue was. "Go ahead we are all ears." Virgil said.
"A.R.G.U.S don't want the Mirakuru escaping the City. There is a drone strike on its way to level the City and destroy it. I need to take down all of the masks to try and stop it." Arrow explained.
There was a few moments of silence as everyone digested the information. "I'll call Lyla and see if we can change Waller's mind." Dig offered.
"That's one plan but we need to make sure we stop all the masks permanently and Slade. How did you shoot the ones attacking us?" Arrow asked.
"That was another member he's the best marksman we have." Alan joined in the conversation.
"Can you adapt an arrow to administer it?" Arrow continued drawing one of his arrows from his quiver and holding it out towards Fermat.
Fermat leant over and took the arrow examining the head. "Y-y sure. I'll be just a mo-mo-minute." He said walking away.
"So your plan is to just go about the City and shoot down all of the masks?" Virgil asked skeptical.
"Yes my problem I will deal with it. If you want to help keep doing what you have been doing just don't take anyone outside of the perimeter until you hear from me that A.R.G.U.S have backed down." Arrow ordered.
"Virgil agree to that plan. I've spoken to Fermat and we have a side plan. We are not going to leave the City until we know the citizens are out of danger." Jeff said over the comm.
"Alright fine." Virgil agreed, he saw a triumphant smirk grace the Arrows face.
Coughing brought everyone's attention down to the figure lying on the bed now stirring. Arrow and Virgil moved to be either side of the rousing man. "Speedy."
"Uh." A confused reply escaped him as he opened his eyes and tried to focus.
Alan moved to Felicity's side once more and gently touched her arm to get her attention. "John's going a bit frantic do you want to slip away to see him?" He whispered.
Felicity turned her full attention to Alan she cared about Roy but she couldn't give up the opportunity to see John. Eagerly she nodded.
Alan subtly took a step back moving Felicity with him out of the peripheral view of the others. "Gordon's out in the corridor he'll show you where to go."
"Thanks. Cover for me?" She replied.
"Sure thing Sis." Alan called back with a huge innocent grin on his face.
Felicity hesitated at Alan's use of sister but her heart over ruled her head, you can question that later. She threw Alan the biggest smile she could and carefully slunk from the room. No one noticed a pair of watchful eyes catching Felicity's retreating form.
Outside Gordon was leaning up against the wall casual as someone waiting for a bus. "Finally." He cheered quietly. "How are you doing?" He asked concerned.
"I'm fine thanks. Let's find John the Arrow won't be distracted for long." Felicity said getting down to business.
"This way ma'am." Gordon stooped his upper half and gestured down the corridor in the direction they needed to take.
"Good to see your still you." She replied moving the way she had been shown.
They walked onto the flight deck and Felicity saw Jeff sat in the spot Virgil had taken earlier and in the seat next to him was a head of blonde hair. Felicity knew from the style that is was John's coupled with the fact that Alan was still in the med bay. Felicity had expected him to be waiting for her, maybe even pacing but he was sat talking with Jeff about strategies to evacuate people past the barricades.
A hand pushed into Felicity's back and she turned to glare at Gordon. He had his mouth covered with one finger in a 'shh' gesture, next he mouthed "surprise". Felicity glowered at him before waggling a finger in warning at him, Gordon held up his hands in a 'not me' way. Felicity rolled her eyes and decided to make the most of the opportunity.
Quietly she walked across the room until she was behind John then she reached over the back of the seat and clutched his shoulders. The man under her hands shot up out of the seat spinning on the spot, Felicity thought it had been in fright but the relief and joy on his face told her otherwise. She found herself in the mother of all bear hugs with Thunderbird 2 in the middle of it.
When they pulled apart John's eyes were glistening and Felicity felt her own getting blurry. Hands cupped her face stroking her cheeks and his blue eyes scanned her. "You had me worried." He simply said.
"Sorry, I'm fine tough as old boots me." She joked making them both smile.
"Glad to hear it." Jeff joined in from his spot. "Good to see you again Felicity."
"Can't get rid of me that easily. I have been reliably told it's an exclusive group that get to know about you I'm not about to trade that in for anything else. You are well and truly stuck with me." She grinned up at John making sure he saw she was being serious, she was here for the long term. Jeff chuckled loudly and Gordon gave his infamous laughter that she had grown to know.
"The Arrow is an interesting individual, he certainly see's things in a particular way." Jeff changed the subject.
"Yes he uh feels responsible for protecting the City and takes it seriously."
"Well he should if its what he wants to do. We will do what we can to help while avoiding actively taking on the masks." Jeff informed her of their intentions.
"Thanks it is appreciated even if he doesn't say or show it."
"Alan reports your lack of presence has been noticed." Jeff added. Felicity felt her happiness dissolve at the news, she knew it would be brief but had hoped for longer. Stupid Oliver and his keen observational skills, she thought.
"Come on Miss I think you need Virgil to look at that head injury you seem a little lost and confused." Gordon piped up.
"Just you wait I will get revenge when this is over." Felicity threatened.
"I'll walk you so far." John said stepping around the chair and entwining his fingers with Felicity's.
"Be careful Felicity." Jeff called after them.
On the walk Gordon mindlessly talked, sounding out different excuses to explain Felicity's wandering. At the corner before the med bay Gordon continued walking around it and John pulled Felicity back into his arms and tight to his chest.
"Don't scare me like that again." He whispered into her hair before kissing the top of her head.
"I'm not sure that is a promise I can make." She replied sadly. "I meant what I said earlier your not getting rid of me and that is a promise I can make."
"It will have to do then. We are not leaving until we know it is all over understood. You need anything call any of us." John demanded.
"I know." She said before leaping onto her tip toes and meeting John's lips. His arms tightened around her waist and he felt her hands slide up his back and into his hair. He shivered at the feeling. The kiss broke far to soon for the pair but both knew they needed to protect their secrets.
"I love you City." John said seriously.
"I love you too John." She replied stepping away from him reluctantly. Their fingertips were the last part of them to separate and Felicity disappeared around the corner. Heavyhearted John returned to the flight deck, there were times when their secrets really were a pain.
Gordon was back in the same spot Felicity had found him earlier. Fermat was walking up the corridor from the other direction carrying a shiny metal case.
"Perfect." Felicity said loud enough for Gordon to hear. She made sure that as she entered the med bay Fermat was level with her and Gordon was behind.
"Felicity." The Arrow stated.
"Sorry, I thought I would try and help Fermat while you, you know…" Felicity insinuated Roy standing now looking better than he had in weeks.
"Hey." He said nodding at Felicity.
"Hiya." Felicity replied back to Roy.
"And?" Arrow asked.
"I could not d-d-devise anything to help you all we have onboard are in-in-injection bullets. I have enough an-an serum for more than the fifty you mentioned so we will arm ourselves as a p-p-precaution." Fermat said holding out the case.
Felicity took the case. "Fine. We need to drop by the basement." Arrow said. "Does your plane land?"
Virgil scoffed. "It's called Thunderbird 2 and yes she does where do you need a ride to?"
"Verdant night club, its in the Glades." Arrow replied ignoring the tone of Virgil.
"Sure on our way now." The comm. has still been active and Jeff acknowledged the request.
AN – phew what a nightmare to write this, so many ideas and getting them to gel together and flow well and keep this story moving. More reviews for this please it's a long chapter and I would be so happy and grateful.