To Dance with a Prince

Untitled Part 22

Oliver kept looking at Felicity out of the corner of his eye. He noticed how quiet she had become and knowing everything she had learned over the past few hours, he was not surprised. Ray had been brutal to her and the thought of him being close to her again without anyone knowing still made absolute rage flow through him. The thought of her in pain or scared was something that made his stomach turn and he placed his hand gently on her knee, just wanting her to know he was there, by her side.

She jumped slightly when she felt Oliver touch her knee and the look he gave her was a mixture of compassion and hurt. He knew she was not flinching because of him. She was flinching because the memories of Ray and what he had done to her were swarming back into her mind. She felt Oliver start to pull his hand away and she grabbed it holding on tightly as they continued to eat in silence. Her appetite had left her earlier, so she just picked at her food, biding her time until they could leave and go back to his chambers.

Oliver squeezed her hand in comfort as he noticed she was not eating. He wanted to tell her to eat something; to take care of her any way he could, but he also knew that the feelings she was fighting were something he could do nothing about. He stood and pulled her to her feet, knowing she did not want to be there, and he let the servants know they were done before he took her hand and led her to his chambers. He opened the door and she walked in and walked over to one of the large windows. She looked out over the grounds, hugging her arms around her as she dealt with the memories flooding her mind.

She tensed as she felt Oliver walk up behind her, but when he put his arms around her waist and pulled her back to his chest, her muscles relaxed and she leaned into him. He was quietly offering her his strength and love and she drew from it before she started to talk.

"All of this talk about Ray is bringing back the feelings of helplessness and loss of control that I felt. When he put me in the hospital, I was humiliated. I thought I was so stupid because I had believed his lies. I had believed that he had changed."

Oliver listened as she leaned back against him, her eyes distant as they looked out the window. "I told myself as I lay in the hospital that I would never allow anyone to make me feel those feelings again. Ever. Now here he is bringing them back to the surface. I feel like he is in control again, pulling the strings."

Oliver could feel her shaking and he held her tighter, not speaking, just listening. "I am not the same woman I was then Oliver. I know I am stronger. So why is it that he can bring those feelings back to the surface?" She asked the question quietly, but earnestly.

"I wish I knew Felicity. But I want you to know that I love you. You are not alone this time, and no matter what happens, I will always love you."

She turned in his arms and placing her arms around his neck she kissed him softly, ever so sweetly. "Will you promise me something Oliver?"

"Anything."

"Promise me that you will tell me everything. That you will keep me in the loop during this whole thing." Oliver sighed but he nodded his head. "And you will let me have a moment with Ray when he is eventually caught." She looked steadily into his eyes and Oliver felt an immediate no come to his lips. But as she looked at him and he saw the look on her face, he knew in that moment that for her to let those feelings go, she needed closure.

He cupped her face with his hands and leaned his forehead against hers for a moment before he pulled back and looked at her. "I will give you a moment with him Felicity, but I will be by your side. I am not going to let you do this alone."

She looked at him for a moment and finally agreed. She could concede to that and he pulled her close and buried his face in her neck as they both clung to each other.

***

Slade walked into the bar and looked around. He did not see anyone suspicious but recognized Sara and Nyssa and approached them with a nod of recognition.

"Well aren't you ladies a sight for sore eyes." He smiled as they looked at him and rolled their eyes.

"Slade Wilson, you handsome devil, what are you doing here? Felicity is not working tonight." He gave Sara and Nyssa a hug and then lifted his hand to order a beer. He was going to hang out a little while to see if Ray showed up this evening so seeing these two delightful ladies was welcome company.

Sara glanced around the bar. "So where is that handsome Prince you protect?"

"He's at the Palace with Felicity. I thought I would come out and have a drink before calling it a night."

Nyssa gave him a curious look. "You seem a little tense. Is everything ok?"

These two ladies were astute and Slade decided that having three sets of eyes was better than one so he proceeded to tell them about Ray hanging around the bar. He saw anger fill their eyes as Felicity had told them about Ray one evening when she had a little too much to drink. It made them furious to think that he was stalking her and Sara leaned in close to Slade.

"You had better hope you find that bastard first because if I lay eyes on him, he's going to wish he had stayed in the States." Slade looked at them both with admiration and laughed.

"Oh, trust me Sara, he is going to wish that anyway once Prince Oliver gets a hold of him."

Nyssa gave him a serious look. "How can we help?"

"Just keep your eyes and ears open. Felicity said there has been a man that has come in a few times with a lap top. He usually sits in a booth at the back. We think that might be him."

He took a sip of his beer and glanced around the room. They all tensed when they heard the bar door open, but when a young couple walked in Sara took a sip of her beer and turned to Slade.

"So, Mr. Wilson. Why is a handsome bruiser like you hanging with us instead of passing the time with a beautiful woman? You losing your touch?"

Slade glanced around the room and smiled, "Why spend the evening with one beautiful lady when I can spend time with two?"

Nyssa nudged his shoulder, "Bad line there Wilson. No wonder you are hanging with us."

They all laughed and as the evening passed he realized that Ray was not going to show. It was growing late so he paid their tab and wished them a good night before heading back to the Palace. Based on the evening he had a feeling that Ray only showed on nights that Felicity actually worked and he knew he was going to have to propose something to the Prince that he was not going to like.

Slade made his way to his room with a heaviness in his chest. He didn't like the idea that was forming in his mind but he knew at this point they really did not have a choice. If they wanted to draw Ray out then they needed to give him something or someone that would make him show himself.

Felicity was going to have to go back to work at the bar.