Chapter 3: Recovery Park

Sunday, September 3, 2017

Laurel leaned back into the soft, leather seat of the PalmerTech jet, closing her eyes and trying to calm her still racing heart.

Laurel loved Thea. She had watched her grow from a little girl into a bright preteen, thinking during those years that, someday, Thea would become her sister-in-law. That she would stand beside her at her wedding to Oliver.

In the shared trauma of losing Oliver, and in Laurel's hurt of betrayal, Laurel still couldn't find it in her heart to dislike the sharp-tongued younger Queen. And then Oliver returned, and she had taken Thea under her wing at CNRI, then into her home. And over these last four years, Thea had somehow wriggled her way deep into Laurel's heart. The thought of losing Thea took Laurel's breath away.

Roy's call had set off a panic deep in her chest. The regional hospital didn't seem to have a good grasp on Thea's condition, and Laurel was all too aware of how quickly Thea's health could go from fine to being in crisis. Would the hospital in Galatz even be able to give Thea the help she needed if things went from bad to worse? Were things already dire, and they just didn't know it yet? Could she … already be beyond help?

"Laurel," Oliver called out softly as if reading her thoughts. Laurel opened her eyes to look across the aisle at Oliver. Oliver stood up and took a seat so he was facing Laurel.

Oliver studied her for a moment and Laurel knew that she wasn't the only one who was gripped by that fear – the fear that, right now, they were losing her. Instead, Oliver reminded Laurel, "Dr. Ruiz promised he would call into the hospital with a translator as soon as we were off the phone. He'll make sure they know what they need to do to help her."

Oliver didn't need to say anything further – Laurel knew that he could read the doubt on her face.

Unbidden, tears sparked into Laurel's eyes and she abruptly turned to look out the window, willing them to recede.

Laurel had encouraged Thea to go to Europe - pushed her, even. And it had been as unselfish of an act as Laurel had ever done, because there was no part of Laurel that liked the idea of Thea being so far from them.

And now she couldn't stop thinking that, when she had said goodbye to Thea in the Bunker just a month and a half ago, could that have been it? Was that the last time?

"The fear never really goes away," Oliver said softly and Laurel turned from the window to find Oliver studying his hands in his lap. He said thoughtfully, "Really, any of it. The first time she came home from school crying because some boy had teased her about her last name and knowing that we just had to send her out the next day to face him again. When I returned from Lian Yu and she would vanish with those kids she was using with in high school. When she'd leave the Bunker as Speedy, or Arae."

He shrugged sadly. "But now – with her HIV – its always. There." His eyes darted up to meet Laurel's. "I worry every day, all the time. When she wouldn't eat, or when she'd come around with circles under her eyes, or when she'd lose her breath getting to the top of a set of stairs."

He added, "I have gotten really good at pretending that I'm not – I know it bothers Thea when we make a fuss. But – Europe." Oliver shook his head slowly. "The entire time she has been gone, I have been waiting for that call. I didn't want one, but – I knew…"

In spite of sharing the same sense of foreboding as Oliver, Laurel reminded him, "This was something Thea really wanted. She wanted to see Europe. To travel with Roy. Spending time someplace special with the man she loves."

"And she just had to go to Bulgravia," Oliver added sharply.

Laurel swallowed and nodded. "She said your dad took you all to Bulgravia to Stansko to ski as a family when she was a kid. And how he used to talk about Galatz and Ilinchenko fortress."

"Like that was enough of a reason to go somewhere without a strong medical center?" Oliver bit out angrily.

Laurel couldn't help but agree, even if Thea had planned her trip to Europe to ensure she had as best of a safety net as she could. The risk had felt too great before – now it just felt ….

Instead, Laurel said, "Planning this trip to Europe made a huge difference to Thea. It gave her something to focus on – a goal to help her get strong."

"And will it still be worth it if she dies?" Oliver asked darkly. "Thinking that if she had just stayed home, she would be fine?"

Laurel's eyes shut at the words, bringing into focus her fears. She shook her head and said, "We can't know what would have happened if she had stayed at home. She's had six hospitalizations and three surgeries in a year, and all of those happened while she was in Star City."

Oliver shook his head and turned to look out the window.

"Look," Laurel said, taking a breath. "We don't have an update right now. Maybe things aren't as dire as they seem."

"I don't think you believe that anymore than I do," Oliver said in a low voice. "I saw your face when Roy called. I know you are every bit as afraid as I am."

Laurel couldn't deny it. She swallowed back her emotion and then reached out to grasp Oliver's hand to squeeze it. Dropping his hand back, she turned to look out the window at the dark ocean below.

It was just after midnight. Felicity was aware that the smart thing to do while awaiting news on Thea and the arrival of Oliver and Laurel in Galatz was to go to bed, bringing the morning and an update faster; but a sense of dread continued to linger, keeping Felicity wide awake.

Josh hadn't seemed any more interested in returning to his and Laurel's apartment after they had watched the jet with Laurel and Oliver take off. He murmured softly, more to himself than to Felicity, as the plane faded into the night sky, "I don't know what she'll do if …." Felicity pretended she hadn't heard, because she didn't want to dwell on those 'what ifs' either. So, Josh and Felicity had met up with Digg in the Bunker to review their information – or lack of information – on the 'Clock King'.

With his paralegal background, Josh had proved himself time and time again to be an efficient researcher; in this case, his law background had helped him dig up a case filing against Helix, the name of the company whose cargo Roy had unwittingly been hauling when he was attacked in June.

Josh spoke loudly, ensuring that Felicity, sitting next to him on the Hub, and Digg, checking over his equipment below them, could hear. "Helix was sued three years ago by Arak Wind-Walker. He claimed that his mother was intentionally denied appropriate prenatal care and, instead, was used as an unwitting test subject in experiments by a Dr. Benjamin Love. Dr. Love is the Helix practice's founder and director. Mr. Wind-Walker claimed that, due to Dr. Love's inadequate care, his mother, Bitsy Free-Song, died soon after Mr. Wind-Walker's birth. Mr. Wind-Walker further claims that some resultant birth defects which have caused Mr. Wind-Walker to seek ongoing medical treatment were caused by Dr. Love's experiments. Mr. Wind-Walker was suing for Wrongful Death and Medical Malpractice. He lost both cases."

Felicity choked back a yawn, adding, "It looks like the suits didn't hurt Dr. Love's reputation too much. His practice and his medical equipment company are still filing taxes on revenue in the amount of millions of dollars annually.

Digg stepped closer to the Hub, noting, "I feel like we are looking at the wrong villain here – maybe the guys we should be looking at are Helix."

Josh asked, "What do you think the Clock Watchers want with Helix? Do we still think they were going after the medical supplies and it was a happy accident that they picked a less than credible company as a target? Or do we think this was intentional?"

Digg said darkly, "If there's one thing I've learned doing this work: there are rarely coincidences."

Felicity nodded. "I think we can assume that our Clock Watchers are aware of Helix's history. They either targeted them because they needed the supplies and felt okay about taking it from an unscrupulous company; or Helix is the target because of their practice."

Felicity rubbed at bleary eyes, trying to ignore the heavy sense of foreboding settled in her chest. She had thought sitting at Thea's bedside while she was ill had been hard; harder still had been the experience of witnessing a code blue during Thea's infusion from a perforated ulcer. But waiting for a phone call was a new and special kind of hell. Thea and Roy were a world away and there was literally nothing Felicity could do to help. And there was also no way she would know if Thea took a turn for the worst until it was too late to say goodbye.

Felicity's cell phone rang out piercing the Bunker's unusual silence, causing Felicity and Josh to startle in their seats. Felicity's heart pounded with adrenaline as she grabbed at her phone, nearly dropping it in her rush. Her heart sank when she caught sight of the screen. The call said it was coming from "Thea".

Of course, it wasn't. It had to be Roy. Roy had used Thea's phone to contact Oliver earlier. But why would Roy be calling Felicity, except….

Drawing in a shaky breath as the world blurred white around her, Felicity answered with alarm, "Roy? What's wrong?"

"Felicity," Roy gasped out, his tone causing Felicity's heart to sink. "You've gotta help me! I don't know what to do!"

The cry for assistance pushed Felicity from panic mode to fix it mode. Playing the call through the Hub's speakers, she asked, this time her voice calm, but deep. "What do you need?" Digg turned off his radio and stepped towards the Hub to listen and Josh spun his chair to face the phone.

"The doctors are trying to take Thea back to do a craniectomy!" Fear laced Roy's words. "They want to cut into her head and take a piece of her skull out to help with the swelling."

Felicity's eyes widened at the description. Oliver's last update was that, when imaging was done, it revealed that Thea's seizures had been caused by swelling of her brain. Dr. Ruiz had spoken with the medical team at the Galatz Regional Medical Center and stated that he was certain that the sudden changes were caused by an opportunistic infection. He advised Thea's medical team to begin testing to discover the type of infection so they could treat it.

Roy added, "Just a few hours ago, when they suggested a craniectomy or to drill holes in her head or something, Dr. Ruiz told them in no uncertain terms that she didn't need it, and the procedure was dangerous! Especially because they are just a regional center – they don't do procedures like this regularly. They could screw up and literally cut into her brain!"

Felicity could see Josh pale out of the corner of her eye. She could now understand the stress in Roy's tone, but she grasped for the reason behind Galatz's sudden urgency to start the procedure. "Why do they want to do it now?"

Roy sounded frustrated and explained, "Because they don't understand enough about her HIV, so they are accusing me of having assaulted Thea. They think I hit her in the head, and that's what is causing her head trauma and seizures!"

Digg stepped back, one hand shooting up to grasp at his forehead at the dire news, before the hand dropped to cover his mouth to continue listening. Felicity's eyes widened. "But didn't Dr. Ruiz talk to them? Why aren't they listening to her doctor?"

"They just came in here and accused me and Dr. Ruiz of creating a cover up," Roy explained. "They're accusing me of rejecting their medical advice because I want her to die!"

Felicity murmured in horror, "Oh my god." She got herself together quickly, remembering that Roy was calling for help. "So, wait – are they still checking for infection?"

"No!" Roy exclaimed in clear agitation. "And they're telling me that if I stand between them and their plan to do a craniectomy, that they will arrest me on assault charges and attempted murder charges!" Felicity's heart pounded – both Thea and Roy were in danger. "And I don't even care about that right now," Roy said, flippant about his own safety, "but if they take me, they will cut into her head and if they don't find the infection, she is going to die! Every fricking second they waste, the more time her brain is being damaged from the swelling!"

"Okay," Felicity said, mind spinning. "Okay, not that I'm not flattered," Felicity said at a loss for how to help, "but why did you call me?"

"I can't get through to Dr. Ruiz!" Roy gasped out, "Or Oliver. Felicity, I need someone to back me up with these doctors before they do something to Thea that we can't take back!"

Felicity's mind spun, quickly forming a plan. Felicity spoke authoritatively, "Roy – I am going to get hold of Dr. Ruiz, and Oliver, and contact the US Embassy to support you."

"And what do I do?" Roy demanded.

"Don't let them take her," Felicity said with determination.

"That's easier said than done, Felicity," Roy noted. "If they come in here with handcuffs – what do I do? I can't protect her! She needs to be in the hospital – it's not like I can take her and run!"

"And that's why it's your only job." Felicity released a breath. "You know how to use more than your fists, Roy – argue, plead, bar the doors – whatever you have to do. Oliver and Laurel are nine hours away from you. Right now, the only one who can physically keep Thea safe is you."

"Okay," Roy said. He took a deep breath, and this time his voice rang with determination, "Okay – I've got her. Just – hurry."

"Yep," Felicity said. She ended the call and said to Digg, "John! I need you to get on the phone with Dr. Ruiz."

Digg noted, "It's afterhours. The nursing team could screen my call."

Felicity wrote a number down on a piece of paper. "Then tell them that if you can't get Dr. Ruiz on the phone, that Thea Queen is going to die," Felicity said firmly, ignoring the way her eyes filled. John nodded in understanding and accepted the paper from Felicity, dialing on his cell as he walked away.

Felicity turned to Josh. "You are going to call Laurel, then call Oliver – as many times as you need to until you get through to one of them. Once you have them, keep them on the phone." Josh nodded, dropping his eyes to the phone in his hand.

Felicity pulled her headset on, then searched on her computer until she located the phone number for the US Embassy in Bulgravia. The phone rang as Felicity's heart raced.

"Hello," a cheerful voice greeted. "You've reached the Embassy of the United States of America, located in Smiritz, Bulgravia. How may I direct your call?"

Felicity intentionally pushed aside the fear in her gut, focusing on sounding like the CEO of a Fortune 500 company that she was. "This is Felicity Smoak, CEO of PalmerTech. I am calling to speak with Ambassador Mitchell regarding a US citizen in danger in Galatz. Thea Queen is in a hospital in Galatz and medical advice from her physician stateside is being ignored, imperiling her life. There is talk of arresting her partner, Rob Cooper, for interfering in their medical care. I am sure Ambassador Mitchell would like to get ahead of what could become an international incident between the US and Bulgravia."

The receptionist agreed to place Felicity on-hold while she attempted to reach the ambassador. Felicity called out for updates. "Digg?"

Digg wandered back, the phone at his side. "The nurse said she would have Dr. Ruiz call me back. It might be a minute."

Felicity nodded and turned next to her. "Josh?" she asked.

"Roy was right," Josh said. "They must be in a dead zone. I keep calling, but I'm not getting through." Felicity squeezed her eyes shut. They really needed Oliver to get involved right now – they needed someone with his authority and connection to Thea to speak as her advocate.

Her eyes flew back open. "We need to call Walter," Felicity said. Walter Steele was Thea's ex-stepfather, but continued to treat Thea as his own. He was also a formidable presence, as the CEO of Starling National Bank. When Felicity had worked for Walter, she had witnessed the effortless way he controlled rooms full of international heavy-hitters.

Felicity texted Walter's number to Josh. "Call him until he picks up," Felicity ordered.

Josh was nodding in understanding as Felicity heard a voice return through her headset. "Ms. Smoak? I am putting Ambassador Mitchell through to you right now."

"Ms. Smoak," a warm voice greeted. "What is this that I hear about a possible international incident?" Minutes later, Felicity hung up, knowing that Ambassador Mitchell was sending a consul from the US Consulate in Galatz to the hospital, and was personally calling the hospital's administrator to intercede on behalf of Roy – "Rob" – and Thea.

Felicity spun her chair around at Josh's voice saying, "Mr. Steele? My name is Josh Waverly, I'm the partner of Laurel Lance. I'm calling about Thea." There was a pause. "You are aware Thea and Ro – Rob are in Europe? Yes – Thea is in the hospital, and -"

Felicity said, "Hand me the phone." Josh obeyed and Felicity said, "Walter? Thea needs your help."

The grim, but ever polite voice of Walter Steele responded, "Tell me what I can do."

October 12, 2017 – 1 month later

Barry sped first to Oliver and Felicity's Loft, then to PalmerTech. There was no sign of Felicity. From Felicity's office, Barry peered out her window at the park across the street. From this height, he could mostly see tree leaves, and, every once in awhile, a dot of color as someone passed under the boughs. That must be 'Recovery Park'.

Barry turned and ran until he stood atop a small hill at the base of the park. He looked below him.

Alone on a park bench, was a heavily pregnant Felicity Smoak. Even from the distance, she seemed so still. Feeling the weight of grief on the little scene before him, Barry walked slowly towards the bench.

As he neared, he ensured he approached Felicity in her line of sight, but she seemed to take no notice, lost in her thoughts. Her face was somber, lips downturned and eyes bright.

When he was about ten feet away, Barry said quietly with a soft smile, "Hi, Felicity."

Felicity gasped, hands flying up to cover her mouth. Felicity stood up and groaned out his name, "Barry!"

Suddenly, Barry found himself clutched into a forceful hug. Barry lifted his arms to draw Felicity closer and he felt the shaking of her body as Felicity began to sob into his shoulder.

Barry murmured gently, "Oh, Felicity," as his heart broke for her. He couldn't be sure how many of her tears were for him. Barry was sure that, at the moment, not even Felicity knew.

Felicity mumbled into his shoulder, "I am so glad you are back. I missed you."

"I'm so sorry," Barry apologized, feeling his own eyes swim at his friend's hurt. Every person he talked to reminded him that, when he walked into the Speedforce, that he had left behind a lot of people who loved him.

Felicity abruptly pulled herself out of Barry's hold and punched his arm. "Ow!" Barry cried out. Not that it really hurt, but it was still a surprise.

"That's for sacrificing yourself by going off into Speedforce purgatory," Felicity declared fiercely. Her face softened and tears filled her eyes. "We were all so worried about you."

Felicity let out a sniff and said, "I just wish – Thea could know you made it home. She was so upset when you left." Felicity shot Barry a watery smile. "She made us hold a little 'remembrance' service for you."

Barry wasn't ready for the sharp pain that shot through his chest with Felicity's words. Oh, Thea. How Barry wished he could have seen her again too.

His throat thickened with the thought and he choked out, "Felicity, I'm – so, so, sorry about Thea. I can't even believe it."

The tears which had hovered without falling in Felicity's eyes began to run, unchecked down her cheeks. Felicity nodded in understanding.

Voice thick, Felicity said, "We … we were supposed to have more time."

Barry couldn't stand to see her hurt, and wrapped her again in a hug and Felicity began to sob harshly, as if the hurt was completely fresh. As her tears slowed, Barry guided Felicity to sit on the park bench beside him.

Felicity said, voice shaking, "It all still feels like a horrible, awful dream." Barry fixed sympathetic eyes on her, encouraging her to continue. "Thea and Roy had been making plans because it looked like she had time. Her viral counts were dropping, she was getting stronger." Felicity paused. She said, her voice sounding lost, "We … we should have had time."

Breathlessly, Barry asked, "Felicity – what happened?"

Felicity turned red eyes on him and shook her head, as Barry braced himself.