Save Me

Felicity looked at Oliver with eyes wide, mouth open, in pure shock.

"What......what did you just say?"

"I said I love you Felicity." Oliver knew it was futile to try to deny it. The words had been spoken and he could not take them back, in fact he didn't want to take them back.

Felicity quickly got up from the bed and pulled on his shirt, her nerves in overdrive. "You barely know me Oliver how can you say you love me? It doesn't make any sense."

She was trying to stay rational, thinking he was still caught up in the moment. Their coming together had been amazing and if Felicity had to admit it to herself she had feelings for him that she did not want to acknowledge right now. Having only been out of her relationship with David for a little over a year she was still very skittish about starting anything new. But she had not been able to deny her feelings for Oliver and did not regret acting on them.

"I can't explain it myself Felicity, but I know what I feel. My lifestyle is not exactly ideal and so I never had any plans to get into anything serious or even get married for that matter." He stood and pulled on his pants before approaching her. "You have completely taken me by surprise Felicity. From the moment I saw your picture I felt drawn to you."

"I know in my heart that you are nothing like David, but I'm scared. I thought when I married David that it was forever...."

"And he betrayed you in the worst possible way. I get that Felicity." Oliver gently cupped her cheeks in that way he had that made her look at only him.

"I cannot guarantee that I won't ever hurt you, and I can't guarantee you a future. I can only offer you right now." Her eyes searched his and she could see the sincerity there. This man was standing before her telling her that he loved her, but he could not offer her any type of future. She thought for a moment considering was that what she wanted? A few nights between the sheets? No. She wanted more, and she found as he looked into her eyes that she wanted to explore more with him. They did not know what their future held, that was a surety, but she also knew in that moment that she could not walk away from him.

"Oliver, I know deep in my heart that I have feelings for you. Is it love? I don't know. I don't trust myself with my feelings right now. But I do know that I want to be with you for whatever time we do have."

He leaned down and kissed her deeply, their feelings for each other held in that one kiss.

***

Slade leaned over the shoulder of the young woman at the computer and stared at the screen. He had hired Alena to track Felicity Adams for him and she had done a super job. They had not pinpointed her exact location, but she had been able to track her to within 50 miles of Star City. Now it was just a matter of him traveling to each of the surrounding towns until he hit the right one.

He left an envelope of money on Alena's desk and walked out the door. He needed to go home and pack because he was going to be on the road for the next few weeks.

He walked into his apartment and immediately went to his stash of weapons. He preferred to use a gun for this type of work, but he always carried several knives as well, in case something went wrong. He gathered his things and placed them in his duffel bag before he set about collecting his clothes.

Oliver Queen. He had not heard that name in years. He met Queen just after his sister had died, during a time when the man was lost and unsure. He had liked him instantly and so he had taken him under his wing and taught him the tricks of the trade. Slade had managed to keep a few trade secrets to himself but over the years Oliver had built a solid reputation of being one of the best and so Slade needed to be prepared for surprises.