How Not to Die (Arrow Fanfiction)

Chapter Seven "Pain and Regrets Over Dinner"

This was a terrible idea. Slade kept telling himself that as he walked into the brightly lit office. He was well aware that desperation made people do stupid things, and he didn't want to be the cause of an innocent person getting hurt. But he couldn't seem to help himself. He had to know if there was a chance to find his family. From the way Oliver had described Felicity Smoak, she seemed the most likely person to help him.

As Slade approached her desk, he got the opportunity to observe her first since she was on the phone with someone. She tapped her pen on the desk as she swiveled back and forth in her chair.

"Yes, you do need to have the power strip plugged into the outlet," she was saying. "Did that fix it? Great. Glad I could help." She got off the phone and looked up at Slade. "You don't work here," she said, then instantly seemed to regret it.

"No," Slade replied. "Is it that obvious?"

"No. I mean, yes, but what I meant was you're the guy from the news. The one they found with Oliver—Mr. Queen—he said to call him Oliver."

"I'm sure he did. Does everyone know who I am?"

"Yeah. Well, I don't know. You looked a lot more rugged in the pictures. Five years without a barbershop, I suppose. And I'm babbling again. Why are you here? Not that I mind, of course, it's just—"

"I don't work here, I know. Oliver mentioned you might be able to help me find something. But I understand if you would rather not. I doubt helping your boss' step-son's friend is in your job description."

"Technically, Mr. Steele is my boss' boss' boss... I think. Anyway, what is it you're looking for? I'll see what I can do."

Slade contemplated the file folder in his hand. Giving it to Felicity would be admitting to someone other than Oliver that his family was alive. He would have to ask her not to tell anyone. It could put her in danger. The alternative was giving up. Slade couldn't give up.

He held up the folder. "First, I have to know you will not speak of this to anyone, not even Oliver."

"Is it illegal?"

"No. I just don't want him worrying about it. Or anyone."

"Okay. I can keep a secret. I know you wouldn't think so with how much I talk, but really, I won't tell anyone."

Slade let out a heavy breath. "It's my family," he said. "As far as most people are concerned, they died five years ago." He handed Felicity the file. "But they're alive, and I need your help finding them."

Felicity stared at the folder in her hands with wide eyes as if it might bite her.

"I have done all I can to find them on my own," Slade continued. "Oliver seemed to think you might be able to dig up more."

"So, Oliver knows your family is alive, but you don't want me talking to him about this?"

"That's right."

"And everyone else thinks they're dead?"

"Yes."

"I can't imagine anyone asking me about this, but I just wanted to be sure I had the story straight."

"Thank you, Miss Smoak." Slade looked her in the eye, wondering if she had any idea the kind of trouble she could get into. "My contact information is in there." He nodded toward the folder.

"Is this the part where you mysteriously disappear?" Felicity asked.

"I was just going to use the door," Slade said.

"Oh, right. Cool. I'll let you know if I find anything."

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Slade was just leaving the IT department when his phone rang. He almost thought to ignore it until he saw that it was Oliver's mother calling.