Hey guys!

I am sorry for the wait but real life seriously messed things up for me…

I do hope you will like next chapter!

I don't own Arrow.

What is this pulling, tugging at my
Limbs so heavy, dragging me down again
Into the depths of cold blue water
But don't believe me, I swear this isn't me
I just want to feel the sunlight
Warm and soothing on my naked skin
So I'm hoping this cold blue water
Scrubs me clean

Whirlpool-Sea Wolf

Oliver's point of view:

'SLADE!' I shouted and shot up. I looked around and saw I was in a light room with colored curtains and a bed with white sheets. None of this was somehow familiar so I was confused. I ripped the sheets away and looked at my upper body, expecting to see cuts and burns. But there was nothing except those old scars… I saw everything around me slowly start to spin and decided to lie down. As I did so, I heard hurried footsteps outside my room and the door was opened only a second later.

Thea stepped into my room and softly closed the door. She looked tired and worry was etched on her face as she looked at me. 'Hey Ollie' she spoke and grabbed a chair I hadn't noticed before. She sat next to my bed and seemed to be busy trying to calm herself. 'How are you doing?' she asked. 'My head hurts and I believe I have a shoulder wound, but I am fine.'

Thea frowned when I said the word 'fine'. 'They warned me you would say you're fine, gosh, it is creepy how well they know you!' she exclaimed but seemed more amused than angry. 'It is no wonder your head hurts because you were poisoned.' When she saw the questioning look in my eyes she replied: 'the knives were dipped in poison.'

The knives, the fight! All memories suddenly came rushing at me and I looked up at her and said: 'I am sorry I didn't tell you before Thea.' She grabbed my hand and said she understood why. After a second she added: 'Felicity explained it to me.'

Felicity. I thought. 'Are we at Felicity's then? 'cause that would explain why I don't recognize this room.' Thea grinned knowingly and nodded. I felt my eyes grow heavy and sleep take me over.

She stood up and walked toward the door, her footsteps the last thing I registered.

I immediately woke up again but this time it was dark outside. The room was veiled in the darkness and there was no noise to be heard. I sat up slowly, the sheets falling from the bed and I turned so my legs dangle off the side of the bed. But before I could get up, the door opened and a light shone from the hallway into the room.

A dark figure walked through the wall of light and it guided her in. For one moment was the figure enveloped in the light and I had to shield my eyes from the blinding light. When I opened my eyes again, I saw her standing next to me, the light centering around her but not as blinding as before.

'Shado' I whispered, afraid that raising my voice might make her leave.

She nodded and smiled. 'You have done well Oliver.' Her voice seemed to come from everywhere around me.

Before had the burden I carried, the guilt I carried, weighed me down but when she said that I felt relieved.

'Oliver, now you must let me go.' I swallowed and looked her in the eye. 'It was my fault, Shado. I should have died there, not you.' I spoke softly.

'It wasn't Oliver, it never was.' Her voice resonated through my head. She caressed my cheek and then said: 'You need her in your life, she will help you see. I told you she is the heart of the Team. You need to let her in.'

She started to walk away and the moment she walked out of the room she turned around and said: 'trust her.'

'Oliver?' someone shook my arm. A bunch of blonde curls came into view. 'Felicity?' I asked, my head still heavy from sleep.

'You were mumbling in your sleep.' She stated and offered me a glass of water. I asked her to put it on the nightstand.

'I need to tell you..' she interrupted me and said that she knew. 'Digg told me.' She explained. 'I don't blame you Oliver, I knew he wasn't a good man.' After she said that she left the room.

The next time I woke up I decided to get out of bed.

I slowly got up and walked toward the living room. I saw Diggle, Felicity, Roy and Thea sitting there, all chatting. Thea seemed entirely comfortable were she was and it looked like she had become a part of the Team. Felicity and thea were cracking jokes together and laughing.

I leaned against the doorpost and smiled.

'You are remarkable Felicity Smoak.' I whispered into space.

Okay guys! That was the final chapter of 'Staying in the Shadows'! I hope you liked it!

I have some explaining to do because I am a horrible updater. I can't seem to fit in writing so I decided not to write anymore. I will only beta and translate (and of course read) on fanfic.

I do want to thank everyone who reads/reviews/follows/favorites this story! You guys are awesome!

TheOddManOut