Author's Note: This idea came to me after looking through a list of Green Arrow villians. There was one that sounded interesting, but I could find nothing on him when I googled the name. So I decided to work with the vague description given in the list and write this story. And I promise, there will be romance in this story. I can't write something without a little romance.

Things began to feel normal again. Or, at least, as normal as things could feel after losing someone Felicity had started calling a friend. Felicity didn't know when Sara had gone from secret rival to best friend, but it happened swiftly and the only one to question the change was Oliver. Suddenly the women in his life were chatting, going out for drinks and developing inside jokes. The looks he gave them were priceless.

That friendship ended with a gunshot. One meant for Felicity. She could still hear the shot ringing in her ears and could still feel the vibration of Sara's body hitting the floor in front of her. Slade had longed for Oliver to make the same impossible choice as the one that ended Shado's life, but he never imagined Oliver would stand his ground.

"I won't do this again, Slade," he had shouted. With his hood thrown back, Felicity glimpsed tears welling up in Oliver's blue eyes; something he rarely let show or escape. "Don't do this."

Slade had let out a laugh, almost a growl, as he waved the gun between Sara and Felicity. "Who will you save, Mr. Queen?" He pointed the gun in front of Felicity and her heart stopped. She closed her eyes tight, waiting for the shot that would end her life. She heard Oliver beg for Slade to stop; no one needed to die. But Slade didn't listen. And then the gun fired. Felicity realized she was still alive and the noises she heard were of someone else falling.

Sara's last moments were full of Oliver's anger and Sara's satisfaction in her sacrifice. Felicity looked on in sadness as Oliver wept for Sara. She wondered if he would have wept for her had Sara not stepped in. She'd never know for sure.

What she was sure of was that Slade would never bother them again. She didn't know what Oliver had done, but Slade no longer taunted them, no longer supported Moira's campaign, and no longer seemed to be a citizen of Starling City. Felicity ignored the biting suspicion that Oliver had actually killed Slade.

The team slid back into their normal routines. Oliver patiently trained Roy. John looked on, worry written on his face, never quite able to trust the mirakuru-infected boy. Felicity worked her magic at her computers and assisted Oliver at QC, enjoying almost every minute.

And I deliver Big Belly Burger to the guys. Lets not forget that, she thought with annoyance as she hurried up the street, her hands full of take-out bags. She resisted the urge to stop and dig her hands into the cartons of fries. The greasy, salty smell was almost intoxicating.

Along the sidewalk, brick walls and fences were covered with campaign posters, handouts for parties and advertisements for businesses in the area. Moira's campaign posters all around the city never failed to be covered with graffiti, especially in the Glades. Felicity passed one with large black lettering covering Moira's smiling face: Murderous Bitch!

Felicity smirked. Surprisingly good spelling for graffiti.

She kept walking, making her way towards Verdant. It looked shabby in the daylight, lacking all the extravagance nightlife brought to it. Felicity glanced to the side and found unfamiliar graffiti lining one length of brick wall: Follow the clues, find The Master.

She stopped for a moment and read the message over a couple times, her eyebrows raised. "Well, guess we've got some very pious gang members out there."

She slipped into Verdant through a back service entrance and quickly made her way down the stairs to the lair. She smiled as she saw Oliver on the salmon ladder. She tried to keep her eyes from ogling his body, but failed miserably. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Diggle grinning at her.

"Dinner has arrived," she shouted as she set the bags on a table. Oliver jumped down from the midway point on the ladder, landing with perfect ease. Roy came running over from his place on the sparring mats. All three men began rummaging through the bags like raccoons through trashcans. "Ahem…"

Oliver looked up and Felicity blushed slightly. "Yes, Felicity?" he asked with amusement.

"Does the delivery girl get a tip?" She held out her hand. Roy laughed, his mind clearly going into inappropriate territory. Diggle chuckled. "I mean… well… ugh. Whatever guys. At least save me some fries.

They didn't.

Meetings took hold of the entire work day, leaving Felicity bored to death sitting at her desk outside of Oliver's office. She twiddled her thumbs, checked her phone and tried to look busy. Through the glass wall, she saw Oliver nodding impatiently as he listened to proposals from inventors, investors and other fools who thought Starling City was the best place to bring their business. If they only knew the dangers that stalked the city.

One by one, Oliver escorted his guests out and left them in Felicity's care. She put on a smile and asked them if they needed anything before they left the building and told them the have a nice day. After each encounter she looked into the office to find Oliver slumped in his chair, face in hands.

After the last meeting, she decided to talk to him.

She knocked on the door as she entered and he glanced up, his lips twitching as he kept a smile hidden. "Is everything okay?" she asked as she leaned against his desk.

He let out a long sigh. "I suppose being the Arrow is a lot more entertaining than listening to business proposals all day." He grabbed a pen and spun it around between his fingers. "I'm sure being the assistant isn't any better."

Felicity grinned. "Well, I wouldn't say it's the best job in the world. At least I don't have to get my boss coffee." She winked, and immediately regretted it. The awkwardness after the action was palpable. But Oliver simply kept fiddling with the pen.

The mail cart came up and tossed envelopes and one box onto Felicity's desk. "I suppose I should sort through that."

"Go ahead and bring it in. We can sort through it together," Oliver said, sitting up a little straighter.

She brought the mail into the office and they began opening each one. Felicity kept glancing at the box, finding it odd. Oliver rarely received such things, and when he did, she was usually the one who had ordered the contents for him. She slid the package toward her and looked for a return address. There wasn't one. She sliced through the packing tape and folded the cardboard to the side.

Inside, sitting atop a pile of packing peanuts was a simple figurine of an archer, bowstring pulled back tight. Beneath the figure was a note. She dug it out and read it, her eyes locking on the signature.

Hello Mr. Queen.

This is your first clue.

Courtesy of The Master

"Oliver, I think we have a problem."

Author's Note: Thanks for reading. It has been a long time since I've written lengthy fanfiction, so please leave a review. Any feedback is appreciated.