Please Don't Take My Sunshine Away

Part 1

Author's note: It has become public knowledge that there was a kiss in the 'I love you' scene from 2x23. It was cut. But for story purposes, the kiss is canon. I hope you all enjoy!

Oliver Queen gripped Felicity's wrist and spun her into a tight hold. "What do you do if your attacker holds you like this?" 

Felicity stomped her foot on Oliver's then elbowed him in the stomach when his grip loosened. She turned and held up her fists, prepared for a fight.

He sucked in a breath. "Good. That was really good, exactly how I taught you." 

Seeing his distress, she held her hands up to her face. "Oh my god, did I hit you really hard? Sorry, I didn't mean to." 

Shaking his head, he laughed. "Felicity, I face hard criminals every night, I think I can take a jab in the stomach from you." He was wearing a loose gray shirt and his cargo pants. 

Felicity made a pouting face then walked over to the steel table to get a drink of water. "I bet I could do more damage with my computers in one minute than what they do to you every night." 

They had been training the passed few days in the new headquarters; the place Oliver had kept a secret until now. It was a month since Slade had been captured. Team Arrow had been busy ever since then finding Thea. Just a week ago, Oliver had captured her from Merlin's clutches. To say the least, she was not the same.

Also, with Oliver's financial struggles, he was staying in the warehouse where they trained now. His bed was pushed in the back corner, hidden by Felicity's one computer. The money loss had taken a toll on the Arrow's nightly activities. 

"Diggle just texted me a picture of Lyla's sonogram." Felicity held up her phone to show Oliver.

"That's nice," he smiled at the picture. "Will he be in the rest of the night?"

"Most likey. Maybe we shouldn't go out tonight." Felicity's tone was worried.

Oliver sighed. "Malcom is hell bent on revenge for me taking Thea. I don't know when he will strike next. We need to figure out his plan."

Felicity, who was wearing a black tank top and black workout shorts, came up to him. "Hey, I think you need some rest. You've been out every night this week. Your body can't take that much."

"I suppose you're right."

She gasped dramatically. "Did Oliver Queen just admit he was wrong?" 

He let off a little smile that was so rarely seen. "Do you want to keep training?"

"Will you let me try the bow?"

"Why? It takes years to master that."

Felicity stepped back onto the matt which they had been training on. "Because it'll be fun. Learning proper stances and techniques for two hours can get boring." 

"Fine." Oliver grabbed his bow and stood behind her. She took it in her hands. He placed his fingers along hers and guided them to the nocking point. "Pull the string back with these fingers," he directed, "then hold it like this. Good." Once she was holding it correctly, he let her pull the string back. With his hands, he put her elbow in the right place. "Breathe from the core," he whispered, feeling her stomach. "Good."

Felicity could hardly listen to his directions. His hands were touching her in so many places, and his chest was right against her back. When he whispered in her ear, it sent a shiver down her spine. But she kept herself together, he had made it clear long ago that he did not want a relationship. 

"Now when you release," he breathed, "your fingers should come back to your shoulder." His rough fingers traced a line from the bow to her shoulder. "You can release now."