Bound

Chapter 16 - Destiny Part 2

Chapter 16 - Destiny Part 2

AN: So here's the happily ever after conclusion for OTA and Olicity and probably my last update until next summer! Many thanks for the joining me and for sharing your thoughts! BTW, I actually believe both Felicity and Barry are right about Destiny! ;)

*Please see Chapter 2 for SPOILER ALERT and DISCLAIMER!*

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Scrubbing a hand over his face, Oliver decided not to push. "If you're sure everything is okay then go. We're here if you need us, Barry."

Barry actually chuckled since the other Felicity had been the one to express that sentiment previously. He took a moment to look at all them. They were all bruised and scarred but they were still together and still fighting. They were superheroes...and friends, family really, regardless of the timeline. Another glance brought his eyes to Lillian Worth's scowling image on the screen. It seemed there would always be villains too regardless of the timeline. Felicity might not believe in Destiny but he wasn't sure he didn't. With a final nod, Barry sped away.

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"What do we know about Adrian Chase?" Diggle changed the subject after Barry's departure and nodded toward the screen.

"Why are you worried about him? Isn't Rose Wilson our main concern? If her mother is the brains then maybe she's the brawn." Roy asked curiously even as he watched Felicity pull up a second bio for the new DA.

"Anonymous source is what Lance always said when he worked with the Vigilante." Diggle's words brought all eyes to him and he continued before they asked any questions. "A job here can't be on anyone's wish list. Lyla mentioned that you were tracking new activity which everyone assumed was a power struggle to fill Darhk's shoes. It could be someone else has been tracking activity too and doing something about it."

Felicity's fingers froze. "To sum that up...we may have Slade's daughter hyped up on his serum and at large, the new DA may not be clean and law-abiding, and the only thing stopping a new criminal kingpin could be a new vigilante or two. How did we miss all of this happening in our own city?"

Seeing looks of guilt flash over many faces, Felicity covered her face with her hands. She took a deep breath before trying again. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean, I'm not blaming anyone—"

"No, you're right. We left and we should have remembered that things got ugly fast without you and Oliver here." Thea interrupted but smiled at the blonde woman. "You don't need to apologize."

"I do because I was thinking more about how I missed it. I've been here but I didn't see what was happening around me. I was too wrapped up in my own head." Felicity knew she had been struggling but she hadn't realized until that moment how her choices had impacted others. It really was time to make some changes.

Oliver moved close enough to touch her shoulder as he spoke only to her. "You aren't the only one who has been here, Felicity. It's not just your job either. We are partners in this, remember?"

Felicity remembered her conversation with Barry, remembered her own words about not moving forward alone. It wasn't just about her choosing to stay by Oliver's side but also about his choice to stay by hers. They were partners and it was time she remembered that and acted on it. Giving him a decisive nod even though her head was spinning with new thoughts, she turned and spoke to the others.

"I'll start searches and then we'll create another board and get organized. It'll take time but I think we can..."

Her voice trailed off and her eyes flew to Oliver's. Both of them had chosen to stay but the others had chosen to leave. There was no reason to believe their choices had changed even though they had returned to provide much needed assistance. Felicity did turn back to them though. There wasn't reason to believe but there was always reason to hope.