Next day, late afternoon,

A sigh left Felicity's lips as she tried to stretch the kinks out of her stiffened muscles. The screen had been glaring back at her for hours all the while obediently running updates and security checks. Whoever had wormed his way into the QC network had been good, but she was way better.

This morning when she had come into the office, a senior member of the board had summoned her to inform her that the board had been worried about some inconsistencies in the financial records. Combined with the latest security breach they had felt nervous enough to task her to verify the accuracy of the computerized transactions. As Mister Queen was absent, he concluded, they were sure she could handle the extra workload. She hadn't so much as twitched at the barely hidden barb, but immediately set to do as she had been told.

At first everything had seemed legit, but upon scratching the surface she'd come across some very disturbing facts. Someone had been very discreetly syphoning off money from diverse QC subsidiaries. She'd stumbled, well not literally, over the inconsistencies by accident, but like every mystery, the detail had captured her attention to the point where time had become irrelevant.

The thing wasn't recent; it must have been going on for months. As the hours passed the problem became more concrete. She hadn't noticed it initially, but a name had kept popping up during her search. It was the name of a new Applied Sciences project. So it hadn't been about the money or at least not only. … Muramasa … The name sounded familiar, but she couldn't pin it. Where had she seen or heard it before? She couldn't remember, so she quickly opened the file reserved for the board meeting and briefly describing the new research. The contents weren't very clear: something about a metal alloy with special qualities. She would need more intel and to get it she had to find it at the source: the Applied Sciences Division. She shut down her computer and left her office.

The activity in the building was winding down already. Most offices were dark; it was Friday after all… So much for getting home early she thought as the elevator doors closed on her.

After speaking with the head scientist she was exceptionally granted access to the more detailed research files that were kept offline in a secluded part of the research facility. Now she was sitting in front of yet another computer screen trying to understand what it was exactly that she was looking at and why someone felt the necessity to spy on this project. Her eyes stared at the screen, but her brains refused to follow the meanders of the text. Time for a cup of coffee she thought. She was familiar enough with these offices to navigate her way to the break room without help. On her way she noticed the offices were completely deserted now. A peculiar feeling of dread settled in her guts. Something was going to happen and not something good. Hurriedly she filled her cup with steaming coffee and then she returned to her temporary desk. She had barely set down the mug when she heard a noise outside the room. She whirled around. Someone was out there and judging by the muffled sounds it wasn't one of the usual occupants. Her back now turned to the desk she fished for a weapon to defend the computers and herself should the need arise. Her fingers closed around a metal ruler. Nervously she shifted from one foot to the other taking a deep breath. Seconds ticked by morphed into what felt like minutes but nothing happened so Felicity decided to make sure that indeed her mind had been playing tricks on her.

She inched toward the door trying to peek around the corner but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Both sides of the hallway were deserted, so taking a calming breath she turned to go back to her computer. The instant she was past the office door somebody grabbed her from behind and she felt a pinprick on her neck and almost instantly her legs buckled. She wanted to scream, but no sound left her lips. She was lowered to the floor in an almost gentle way and instants before her world faded into darkness she could see a dark clad figure walking to the computer desk. She wanted to reach out, to stop him, but her limbs simply wouldn't cooperate and soon she had to give in to the warm and fuzzy sensation flowing through her veins.

The man threw a glance toward the blonde. She was out, so he could get to work without having to worry about her interference. What was she even doing here? His intel had said that at this hour the whole office would be deserted. Thankfully he'd brought his tranquilizer darts or else he might have had to use some more drastic method to get her out of the way…

As he deactivated the screensaver he was surprised to see the file he was searching for was actually already displayed on the screen. Wasting no time he inserted a USB stick and started downloading the files he had come for. While the files were transferred to the FOB he knelt next to Felicity.

"Who are you? And what are you doing here?" He grumbled, not expecting a response. Was someone following him? He had had that vague sensation earlier before getting to this location, but he hadn't been able to detect anybody. He'd taken precautions: detours and backtracking to see if he was followed. Nothing! And now, this! Apparently she was searching for the same thing he was. Had he been double-crossed? A ping interrupted his musings. He quickly retrieved his USB device and pocketed it. What was he to do with the unconscious woman? He needed to know more about her, so he would take her to his hideout and question her. She would be sedated long enough for them to get to a secure location. Yamane would be happy about every supplementary intel…

He hefted her on his shoulders and prepared to leave when suddenly the lights went out on the whole floor. The emergency lights flickered to life almost immediately and the security doors locked automatically locking him in. He was trapped! Turning on himself to locate a new escape route he looked ahead. The windows in the main office space! Rapidly he crossed the central hall and he already saw his route to liberty traced when the skylight above him gave in and a downpour of shattered security glass rained down on him. Relaying on instinct, he ducked briefly to protect his face. When he stood again a dark clad figure had appeared out of thin air.

"Set her down!" The synthesized voice growled menacingly.

"Or else?" He taunted.

"Wait and you'll see!" The dark figure grabbed behind his back and drew a katana.

Seeing there was no time to lose the man dropped Felicity rather unceremoniously to the floor to draw his own weapons. His opponent launched himself at him with an angry cry leaving him only time to cross his blades to avoid being cleft in two. Parrying he deviated the powerful hit to the left before rapidly turning around to aim for the abdomen while protecting himself with the second kodachi. Inwardly he cursed. Why hadn't he come better prepared? He completed his attack by a roundkick giving his adversary no time to swing again. The kodachi being shorter than a katana he was at an advantage momentarily due to their proximity.

His foe was skilled though and it took him no time to recover from the blow. He launched himself forward and the three blades clashed hard again making the two men crash into a nearby desk. Increasing the pressure on his blade Oliver made the twin blades nick his opponents' neck. Panic rose in the man's expression.

"Tell me! Did Yamane send you here?" The push augmented deepening the cut on the man's neck. The second man frowned. How did he know?

"Y-Yes…" He stammered. "Who are you?"

"What does he want with QC's Applied Sciences Division?"

"Muramasa…"

The pressure lessened somewhat giving the man some reprieve. He took a shuddering breath.

"Where does he hide?"

"I can't tell. He'll kill me!"

The blades slid closer to his throat again with a metallic screech.

"No … no … Stop! He'll be here in Starling City in two days to retrieve something."

"Where?"

"Poison."

"What?"

"The nightclub."

Suddenly the pressure on his throat disappeared completely. He lost no time, drew one of his swords horizontally, biting deep into the other man's vest. Sensing the impending danger Oliver threw himself backwards and the intruder took the opportunity to roll over his shoulder and disappear into the night. There was no reason to follow the man. He finally had the intel he had been hunting for so long.

It was pure instinct and Kevlar that had saved his life. With an angry roar, he slammed his fist into the desk. Damn you Waller! It took him a moment to process what he had learned and to catch his breath. He bowed to retrieve his katana that had slipped from his hand when he had thrown himself backwards.

At that moment he heard a low moan behind him. Instantly on alert again he whirled around. Felicity! In two strides he was at her side. Almost on autopilot his hands checked her for injuries. His heart raced and beads of sweat formed on his brow, his breathing sped up considerably. He pulled down his face scarf to be able to breathe easier. Not again! Please, be all right!

Except for what looked like a pinprick on the side of her neck he couldn't detect any lesions. A sigh of relief escaped his lips and his shoulders sagged the tension all gone all of a sudden. Of its own volition his hand cupped her cheek. She probably would have one hell of a headache in the morning and a few bruises and bumps to go along with it. But otherwise she was okay. Nothing to remind him of what had happened that night… and yet… She had been hurt. Again. Her life was constantly endangered because of him, because of his family business…

Without him noticing it his gloved fingers had slipped farther down her face to rest over the pulse point on her neck. He drew comfort from the strong beating he found there. His eyes closed as he tried to get his emotions under control.

He needed to get them out of there before security came swarming in. But first… He briefly disappeared into the office Felicity had so valiantly tried to defend. Retrieving his katana from where he had deposited it next to her he pushed it securely into its scabbard. Carefully he lifted the unconscious IT expert from the floor and carried her to the already broken window.

He rapidly fired his grapple gun to secure a way out before all hell broke lose. Briefly looking back he could already see the sparks flying inside the compute room. An ominous fizzling could be heard and then the alarms started blaring. Taking it as his cue to leave, he rappelled down the building with his precious cargo. He landed them softly in a dimly lit side street. He would carry her to a safe spot before calling Diggle to bring her home.

Slowly, very slowly her senses attempted to reboot. There was a feeling of security enveloping her and a familiar scent reached her nostrils. She tried to rise her head and open her eyes but the task was too exhausting at the moment so she simply let herself be flooded by all the information her other senses provided. She could feel the breath of the person carrying her tickle her cheek, but it wasn't heavy so the person must be quite strong. Someone was carrying her… Intrigued she fought harder to open her leaden eyelids. Her blurry gaze met a stubble-covered jaw that seemed familiar too… The pull of the drug was stronger and even as the name left her lips, she was pulled under again. She didn't notice the sharp intake of breath or the tightening of the arms around her as surprise and panic coursed through his tense body. Noticing she was out again he let out a breath he'd subconsciously held. This wasn't getting any easier…

"Thought I would find you here…" A voice behind him made him whirl around.

"Lance." He simply stated.

The man pushed out of the shadows and as soon as he saw whom Oliver was carrying he approached worry lacing his voice. "What happened to Miss Smoak?"

"I found her unconscious in the offices, someone was trying to abduct her."

"And you simply happened to be there … Oliver?"

At the direct address, Oliver's eyes flew to the detective's. "How?"

"Oh, please. I'm a detective after all … I knew … even before … I guess hoods and grease paint aren't the best ways of hiding your identity, neither are scarves by the way…" Lance commented dryly.

A low chuckle escaped the hooded man. "Yeah, someone already told me that…" Oliver carefully lowered Felicity down. "Could you please take care of her, detective? I need to take care of something… of someone else..."

Despite his words it took him some effort to leave. Quentin Lance could clearly see that.

Maybe he could use the moment to his advantage, to make the younger man see he had something worth fighting for.

"Why do you impose yourself this purgatory?"

"Because this is who I've become, Lance. You yourself rightfully came to that conclusion years ago."

Not wanting to give up as easily Lance pushed on. "For how long do you intend to pursue this game of hide and seek?"

"It isn't a game. You should know that. I'll continue as long as it takes."

"As long as it takes to do what? News flash: You won't get happy with this life in the shadows and you know that perfectly well."

"But me being happy isn't what's important right now." The tone was almost resigned, despondent even. Shaking his head, lips tightly pressed together it had taken him a moment to answer.

"What about Felicity Smoak? Do you think she's happy the way things are?"

"She'll get over it. All that counts is that she's safe." With that he disappeared into darkness leaving Lance standing there open mouthed.

"Young fool!" He still grumbled shaking his head as he carefully tucked the IT expert into a blanket after he'd seated her on the backseat of his car.

A/N: Not satisfied with the outcome of this chapter… But not reworking it … again ...