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Felicity stared up at Oliver as he took her hand in his, and swallowed the knot in his throat. He was nervous about the whole situation, Felicity almost died just 32 hours ago; and he hated the thought that her life was still in danger. As perceptive as Felicity was, she was struggling to understand why Oliver was acting so strange. Damien had tried and failed to kill them, but it was clear that the ordeal had taken much more from Oliver than it had from her.

"Hey, do you want to talk to me and tell me what is on your mind?" They were alone together at the moment, the others had been in and out all day; and they were finally together, just the two of them; for the first time since she had woken up. Truthfully Oliver didn't want to upset Felicity with what was really on his mind. Laurel, Diggle, Donna and him had agreed that he should be the one to talk to Felicity about the plan. Another thing he realized was that if he was going to commit to her in marriage, he would have to be honest about William. She had almost died, and the thought that she could have been killed without knowing the truth about his son woke Oliver to the reality that he was only being a coward by keeping such a monumental secret from Felicity. Oliver looked up and caught her gaze, for a moment he wanted to pretend that everything was fine, but he decided to do the hard thing instead and be honest with her.

"Felicity," He looked at her, and a weak smile formed on his face. "I have something pretty big that I have to tell you; and almost losing you has given me more than enough reason to stop hiding it from you." She looked into his eyes, clearly confused,

"What is it Oliver? You know you can tell me anything." He swallowed hard, and began to speak; his voice was soft,

"I … have a son, his name is William and he is ten years old. I am so, so sorry I didn't tell you sooner." She just stared at him for a few seconds, stunned, and visibly upset.

"Wow, you have a ten year old son, named William … how long have you known?" Oliver felt his throat tighten at her question, if he was truly resolved to be honest then he had to be in everything he said to her, from this point forward.

"I found out the last time we were in Central City, I wanted to tell you; you have to know that." Felicity's face contorted with frustration.

"Really, then why didn't you, and don't tell me it was because you were protecting me; I have heard that from you far too many times Oliver!" He shook his head agreeing that he had lied to her more times than he ever should have.

"His mother told me that she would keep him from me if I told anyone I had a son. I couldn't risk the chance of him continuing to grow up without me, but I know now that losing you, would hurt even more; and so I decided to tell you the truth." The look of anger on Felicity's face slowly turned to compassion, then she spoke.

"Oliver, I am shocked that you have a child, and I am angry that you didn't tell me sooner, but like it or not I made a commitment to you; and it will take a lot more than a surprise son to get rid of me." Her eyes found his in a glance, and he smiled, amazed at her composure.

"Can I ask you a question?" Her brow arched in interest at his request,

"Of course you can, what is it?" She was sure she could answer him, no matter how ridiculous the question.

"Why do you love me?" A look of shock suddenly dominated her features, his words weren't forced; he honestly wanted to know. Felicity inhaled deeply, and confidently replied,

"I love you because of who you are, an imperfect man, who tries every day to be the best version of himself that he can possibly be. I love you because you are a human being who lives selflessly, and constantly tries to put other's needs before his own. I love you Oliver, because of who you are, and what's in here;" she slowly placed her hand over his heart … "do you understand?" He stared into her eyes, and replied.

"Yes," he was sure that when he told her, he was going to lose her; but he was wrong. Unfortunately their tender moment faded fast as anxiety rose like vile from his stomach suddenly and overtook him. Oliver remembered that a certain proposition still needed to be brought to Felicity's attention. He had just cleared a major hurdle by telling her about William; this couldn't possibly be as bad … could it? He knew putting it off would only make it more difficult, so he spoke up once again.

"Do you remember when Roy faked his death to make sure that my identity and the cause would survive?" Felicity felt a strange shiver travel up her spine, she remembered, but why was Roy's heroism the decided conversation starter?

"Of course I remember, but that is kind of random Oliver," Felicity started to panic a bit; "Is Roy alright?!" She struggled to lift her body up in a sitting position, every inch of her frame racked with pain. Oliver clearly didn't want her moving around too much, she was in no state to push herself, and he held his free hand out to steady her.

"He is fine Felicity, I talked to him yesterday, Thea reached out and told him about what happened, he is sorry he couldn't be here. The reason I brought up what Roy did, is because I need you to do the same thing for me, that he did … I need you to fake your death." Oliver's words hung thick in the air, and Felicity glared at him half confused and half mad; but before she could respond a familiar voice sounded from the door way.

"Hey beautiful, mind if I steal him away for a bit?" Diggle looked at Felicity then glanced at Oliver.

"No Dig, you can take him, I don't mind." The pain medication was making her drowsy, and even though she wanted nothing more than to ask Oliver about his ridiculous proposition, she just shook her head, laid back, and happily let her eyes close. Oliver kissed her forehead and headed toward Dig. The two men walked down the hall in silence before John finally spoke.

"Oliver, Lance wants to talk to you about everything that has happened in the last 32 hours, he says that the DA's office is asking about how you and your new fiancée are doing. No one outside of the hospital staff knows about the attack, them, and of course all of us. I told him I would be sure to let you know." Oliver looked at his dear friend and with a soft voice he answered.

"Dig I told Felicity about the plan, I didn't mention you or Laurel, as far as she knows it was all my idea. I need to get back and talk to her about it before I can talk to the DA, I am hoping that I can convince her to do it, it is the safest option. She isn't big on running away though, she looked angry when I told her; then you walked in."

"Okay, then I suggest you go and wait for her to wake up, because you're going to need every minute you can get to convince her the plan is worth a try." John placed a hand on Oliver's shoulder to reassure him, nodded, then slowly turned to leave. He didn't get far before Oliver said his name.

"John," Dig turned and met his friend's gaze, "Thank you for being here."

Diggle smiled and spoke with unshakable confidence, "you would do the same for me, besides you're my brother Oliver."

As Dig walked away, the intensity of the knot in Oliver's throat grew worse and he became anxious knowing he had to talk to Felicity about the plan. Still, he realized that it had to be done, and so he turned and headed toward his fiancée's hospital room, hoping that she would wake up in an agreeable mood.

"Oliver," Donna greeted him at the door with a soft hug, "she is out cold ha-ha, my poor baby is so tired." He smiled at her, and walked around the bed, sitting in his normal spot.

"I told her before she fell asleep," Donna met Oliver's gaze as he spoke, looking slightly confused, it had been a long 32 hours. "I told her about the plan, she didn't seem too happy about it." Donna nodded, and then gently grabbed her daughter's right hand.

"Well she will just have to get over it won't she, I won't risk losing her again on account of her pint sized ego rearing its ugly head." Her comment made Oliver smile, it was true that Felicity was incredibly humble, even though she had the power and position to be the complete opposite, he loved that about her; and so many other things.

"I am going to leave you to do your persuading," Donna smiled, kissed her daughter's hand and walked out, leaving a doubtful Oliver to fend for himself. He looked down at her, taking her hand in his, he lightly ran his thumb over her engagement ring, he had put it back on not long after she woke up, and he was glad to see it was back where it belonged.

"Felicity," he spoke softly afraid he might wake her, "I know that you feel like you have to show everyone how brave you are, but you have nothing to prove. Damien is dangerous and no matter how much I try, he will keep coming after the people I love, starting with you." Oliver tightened his hold on her hand, and she started to stir, it was time to talk.

Felicity opened her eyes to see the love of her life looking back down at her, but the tender moment was short lived, because she remembered his ridiculous plan, and she was entirely irritated about it. How could he ask her to do something that screamed coward? "I won't do it Oliver, I refuse to run scared while that monster and his brainwashed comrades rip our city apart. Don't ask me to do this, please, I can't." Tears threatened her eyes, and she placed her right hand on top of his before speaking again, "Do you remember when you told me that the essence of heroism was dying so that others could live?" Oliver nodded, "Just like you, I am willing to die for what I believe in, and now you're asking me to hide …I won't do it." Tears fell from her eyes as she spoke her peace, then she inhaled sharply, looking at Oliver through blurred vision.

He reached up and gently caught the tears on her cheeks with his thumb, he hated seeing her cry. "I know who you are, and you're the most courageous woman I have ever met, this idea, I know you think it is what a coward would do, but it isn't. This plan is one that will keep you safe, we will gain an upper hand on Darhk, and then we can beat him. I can't focus if you're still in danger, this is the best plan of action, don't you get it, I can't let him hurt you again." Felicity interrupted him with fury, and she was clearly upset.

"Oliver, I may not be a Military vet, someone trained in martial arts, or a girl with Ras A Ghul for a father, but I am strong in other ways … and you are not going to tell me what to do! You may be my fiancée but what makes you think you can lord over my life like this, tell me; what is it that has you diluted into believing I will do this?" Oliver took a deep breath tears welling in his eyes, he was losing her, she was shutting down; he had to tell her the truth about what she really meant to him.

"Felicity, you're the light that keeps me from being the monster I once was, if I lose you, I could lose myself. Everything I stand on, all that I fight for, I do it for the ones I love, which includes you. I can't fight without a reason to fight, if he kills you, I will lose part of who I am; and my crusade will lose meaning." His words clearly caught her off guard, because she was silent, just staring at him with intense blue eyes, and he continued. "The reason I am willing to die is because I am expendable, you're not. This world needs you, Star City cannot afford to lose a hero like you. This city will always have some kind of vigilante, but you cannot be replaced; so please … do this for me?" He matched her intense stare and finally she let her guard down.

"This is an insane idea, and I hate everything about it, but I trust you; almost as much as I trust myself." Oliver started to become hopeful, was she willing to go through with it? "I want to do this with you, and I refuse to go anywhere that I can't still help you and the others fight Darhk." Oliver readily nodded in agreement, he was fine with whatever she wanted to do, as long as she was safe from Darhk and his brainwashed brutes. She suddenly glared at him, "by the way, you're not expendable; your life is just as valuable as mine." He loved it when she made sure to correct him, it reminded him that he was still human.

"Okay, we will do it together, you have my word." Oliver was so happy to hear her agree to go through with the plan that he gladly agreed to her conditions. "I have to tell all of Star City that you were killed in an attack on us by Damien Darhk, you're okay with that?" He paused and waited for her reply, seeing that she was a bit thrown about the idea of being dead but not really being dead.

"Yeah, I think so," she was still doubtful, and a bit irritated, but willing to do what was necessary. "So you will have to have a funeral for me and everything, to really sell it right … I mean Darhk isn't stupid Oliver." He shook his head before standing to his feet.

"I am going to meet with the DA's office and let everyone know about what has happened, it has almost been two days, and everyone is wondering how Star City's favorite newly engaged couple is doing. I will arrange the funeral plans with Dig and Thea, Laurel, Lance and I will help in informing the DA and SCPD about your death, while you and I also brainstorm about where to put you. We have three days to make arrangements to get you out of the city to some place safe." All of the information was enough to make her head spin, she laid back and starred up at the ceiling.

"I have only ever wondered about what my death would be like a few times in my life, I fell into the deep end of our local pool when I was seven, and I thought I was going to drown. The other times came after I met you." She looked back down at Oliver to see his reaction, and he was frowning, she smiled to reassure him she didn't mind facing near death experiences; they made her a stronger person.

Oliver felt her grip tighten, and he responded with a memory. "You have taught me, that sometimes the best way to beat a villain is to make them out-think you, but we are going to out-think him this time." Oliver smiled, reminded of how great a team him and Felicity make, thankful for her constant quick-witted ideas. "I am going to make him think he has killed you, and I will sell it, even though last time with Slade, I was only fooling myself by trying to hide how I truly felt about you." He leaned in and kissed her forehead. "Oh I wanted to let you know your mother is totally on board with all of this, she wanted me to tell you, she approves of you being safe." Felicity smiled, and closed her eyes in an attempt to hide her irritation.

"That sounds like something my mother would say, I guess it is true that mother knows best … sometimes," Felicity was sure that her mother wasn't always right in her thinking. Still it was no question that love was beating out her own will to stay and fight, because honestly; it was no use risking her life again. She was a force to be reckoned with, but Darhk was a force beyond anything she had ever encountered.

"Okay, I know that you are mad at me for pushing you into this, and I am sorry that this is the best option; but we wouldn't do it if I wasn't confident that we could pull it off." Oliver spoke sincerely and searched her beautiful blue eyes, heartbreaking tears began to roll from them once again; and he knew why.

"How long will I have to be gone, will I see you at all while this is happening?" The realization of how long it would all take finally began to sink in, it could take a while; and once they started it in motion they wouldn't be able to bring her back until Darhk was dealt with. "I don't know if I can spend that much time away from you, and everyone else I care about." Oliver felt a lump forming in his throat, he wasn't sure how long it would all take. He knew being away from her for a short time wouldn't kill him; but losing her might.

"I would rather be away from you for months, then risk the chance of Darhk hurting you again." Oliver's voice was soft, Felicity starred at him, tears still wet on her face, Oliver continued, "I will miss you, no question, but I'll see you when it is all over." He leaned in and gently placed his hand on the side of her face, "I love you Felicity Meagan Smoak, no amount of time or space will ever change that." Not a second had passed before Felicity closed the space between them, the kiss was soft and gentle, like the first one they had shared in the very same hospital the day Lyla gave birth to Sarah. There was a moment, it was brief, but for a split second everything seemed to be perfect. Oliver moved slowly to embrace Felicity and the kiss ended, but it was followed by something even better; they just held onto each other. Her small arms barely extending the length of his broad shoulders, moved in an odd pattern as she traced the scars through his shirt.

"I love you too Oliver Jonas Queen, more then you know." Her fingers slipped over his shoulders and stopped again on his scruffy cheeks. "We will stop Darhk, the light will win."

He looked at her releasing his hands from around her waist, he didn't want to admit that he hated the plan as much a she did; but it was the truth. Why was the solution something he knew would make both of them miserable? "I know," Oliver brought her hands down and grabbed both of them, stroking her ring once again with the thumb of his right hand. "You deserve to make decisions to, starting with where it is you want to lay low for a while?" A big smile rose to Felicity's face.

"I want to stay on Lian Yu," her response caught him off guard, and he nearly fell backward in his chair. "I know it is far, and remote, and my first visit wasn't ideal; but it could be the perfect place for me to stay." She tried to read his reaction, but Oliver's face was expressionless; he simply looked at her with deep blue eyes. "So, is that a no on the island then?" She waited for what seemed like an eternity for him to respond.

"I … I guess I am just surprised you would choose to go there, of all places," Oliver tried hard to respond in an understanding way. He knew he had blown it by the look on her face when their eyes met once again. "Please don't get mad, I just don't know if it is the best fit for the problem we have." Felicity's stony gaze shifted and her expression turned into something else entirely, she looked sad.

"Oh, Oliver, I wasn't even thinking about how you would feel about me going to Lian Yu, when it holds such awful memories for you; that was so insensitive." She tightened the soft grip she had on his hands, hoping she was not too callused in her planning. "The reason I thought of the island, is because only a select few know of your continued connections to it, Darhk not included; it was wrong to even suggest such a thing. Oliver I am so sorry, I need you to understand that I wasn't trying to be cruel." Felicity looked up, her remorse turning to shock as she looked at Oliver's face. Tears fell from his eyes as a soft smile rose to his cheeks.

"It's okay Felicity, you didn't do anything wrong; I am being selfish." A puzzled gaze over took Felicity's face as she tried to understand what in the world he was talking about. "The farther you are from me, the less likely I will be able to see you while this is all happening." Oliver swallowed hard, and hot tears poured from his eyes, "I just don't know if I am really okay with that." She looked into his gorgeous blue eyes and inhaled deeply before responding.

"You just said you were willing to spend months apart if it meant not losing me, was that all a front?" Felicity asked the question with a half-smile on her face, and slight sarcasm in her tone. "Do you remember the night I told you that you weren't done fighting? I meant what I said, but I left out the part about fighting to be together. You and I share a love that isn't threatened by time or distance. We are going to fight Darhk, and we will see each other again. Just don't try to fight alone Oliver, because you are not alone."

He starred at her, placing his left hand on her cheek, "I know what I said Felicity, but you should know; this is going to be really difficult for me. It is hard to imagine being apart from you for an undetermined amount of time, I'll miss you … a lot." He felt like such a whiner, and his cheeks burned hot with embarrassment; wasn't he supposed to be the strong one? He wasn't, Felicity had always been so tough, resilient, and courageous; she definitely knew what strength was. "That night when you gave me that pep talk in the tower when the mirakuru soldiers were destroying the city, you made me brave. Can you do that again, because I am really starting to see the cons of this plan now that we are actually going through with it." Felicity let out a small chuckle at Oliver's honesty, then she nodded.

"I am so proud of you, for the man you have become, and I'm so grateful to be your fiancée. I want you to know that it is okay to be doubtful, just as long as you don't dwell in it. Having the courage to admit you are unsure of something, means you also have the courage to get up and do it." Oliver's eyes lit up, and his smile grew to match them. "I believe in you, and I know that we will make it through this.

"You are remarkable," Oliver spoke and then he just starred at her, taking in the fact that soon she would be his wife. "I can keep fighting, just knowing you're in my corner … that is reason enough for me to keep pushing back against the darkness. I love you," his heart swelled with joy as he starred into her eyes, those eyes that could calm him with even the slightest glance. "I think it is time for us to put all of this into motion don't you," he leaned in and kissed her before getting up to leave. She squeezed his hand and he turned back in response.

"Could I maybe have just a few more of those, not sure how long I'll be without your kisses? I mean you can't expect me to let you go that easy." Oliver quickly found himself sharing her hospital bed, he sat close to Felicity, kissing her over and over, savoring every second; and with each kiss they both became more aware of the fact that they were only making it harder on themselves.

"Oh, okay;" Felicity broke the kisses with a soft hand to Oliver's chest, pushing him back slightly. "Ahem," she cleared her throat, "I think that will have to tide me over for now," Oliver breathlessly nodded in agreement, she had more self-control than he did; and she was right to stop him. "I love you, now get over to the DA's office, and let's get this plan set in motion."

"Okay," Oliver gave her one last kiss on the forehead, then got up and started to walk toward the door, but he stopped in the middle of the room. "Felicity, you know what I've been reminded of in light of all that has happened in the last two days," her eyebrows shot up in response, "I am an incredibly blessed man." Felicity smiled wide and watched the love of her life turn and walk swiftly out of the room, a man on a mission.

oOo oOo

"Hey," Lance turned around to see his eldest daughter and Oliver Queen standing in the Lobby of the DA's office, he was there awaiting their arrival. Laurel felt inclined to remind her father of everything that was going to happen, so she continued, "We are here to talk with your division, the DA and everyone else here about Felicity Smoak, Damien Darhk, and all that has occurred in the last 32 hours." They had already discussed all of the details of how they would carry out the plan. A majority of the DA's office staff was present, as well as a slew of reporters, and what seemed like every cop in Star City; all waiting on an update. Oliver walked slowly in to the small and extremely crowded conference room, a blank look on his face, this was it, no turning back. Dig promised Oliver he would keep an eye on Felicity, and Thea promised to do the same, but he was still having a difficult time with the whole situation. He stood in front of the crowd and immediately got a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach, but he knew what had to be done.

"Good evening everyone, I wish I was here under better circumstances," Oliver paused staring down at his hands, they were shaking wildly on the podium, then he looked back up at the sea of faces and continued, "but I am afraid I have some devastating news."

I hope you liked it, it wasn't as long as the first half, but I enjoyed writing it. Thanks for reading!