Teamwork

Chapter 3 - Stitches

"Ollie's been shot?" Thea asked, clearly concerned for her brother. 

"Oliver?" Felicity asked, clearly worried for him.

"I'm fine, it's just a graze." Oliver replied, hoping that that answer would suffice until he got back to the lair. "Don't worry Felicity. We'll be back in a few minutes."

"What can we do to be of assistance?" Walter asked as he walked up to Felicity and placed a hand on her shoulder, trying to offer some support and comfort to the blonde IT tech. "What will he need?"

"Um…. He will need a bowl of clean water, some bandages, and the suture kit. Oh, and the forceps as well." She responded. It was difficult to think clearly when she was worried about Oliver now that the mission was over.

"It's probably all in the medical area." Moira stated, thankful that they now had something to do while they were waiting for the Team to get back to the lair. I wonder how badly he is hurt. I can't believe that he is injured again already, so soon after we escaped from Malcolm. Will my boy ever catch a break? She thought as she helped Walter locate the items that would be needed and placed them on the medical table.

Everyone turned suddenly when the door at the top of the lair opened and they heard footsteps on the stairs.

"Oliver?" Thea called, hoping her brother was finally back and that he really was fine like he said. She couldn't help the feeling of disappointment when she realized that it was Roy and Diggle who had returned to the lair. "Where's Oliver?" She asked the men.

"Right here." Oliver said from the top of the stairs before either Roy or Diggle could answer. All eyes turned at the sounds of his voice. As soon as he reached the bottom of the stairs Laurel started to walk his direction to see if he was okay. Before she even took two steps across the floor there was a blur of blonde that rushed past her.

Felicity ran to Oliver. She had to see for herself that it was just a graze, had to know how seriously he was injured, needed to touch him to remind herself that he really was there, alive and okay.

"Oliver." Felicity said simply, allowing him to hear all the worry and relief that she felt at that moment. He placed a hand on her shoulder as she looked him over, trying to see where and how badly he was hurt. "Where are you hurt? How bad?"

"Like I said, it's really just a graze. Here on my arm." Oliver replied as he pointed to his right arm where there was a bullet hole in his leather. "It's nothing that a couple of stitches won't fix."

"We have the medical supplies ready. Let's get you patched up." Felicity said as she led him back over to the medical area while maintaining physical contact with him at all times.

Laurel walked right behind Felicity and Oliver back to the medical area. She wanted to see for herself that he really was okay but the obsessed blonde wouldn't move out of her way. This girl really needs to give it a rest. She will never be Oliver's type. She thought as she noticed that Felicity kept a hand on his arm the whole time. 

"Okay guys, as much as I appreciate your concern you need to give me some space. Just take a step back or have a seat and let me deal with this please." Oliver said, trying to remain calm. The group had closed in around him and Felicity and he felt like he was being smothered. I just need some space to breathe for minute. He thought as thankfully everyone moved back a bit, all except Laurel.

"Do you want Sara or me to take care of that for you?" Diggle asked. He knew that Oliver would probably decline the offer, however he wanted his partner to remember that there were people here to help him if and when he needed it.