Adrenaline was still fueling her body and emotions, as they were pulled up from the shaft her brain was still sure she was going to die. That they were all going to die. She'd been ready for it; she needed him to live, so she wanted him to let her go.

As the ledge approached the team was there to drag them up. Diggle was panting with the effort of helping to get both of them to safety, both hands now helping Oliver over the edge.

Felicity landed in a heap on top of Oliver, his whole body trembling underneath her from the effort. She kept holding on to him, afraid he would disappear if she let him go.

Hands were suddenly there pulling her away from him, prying him away from her grip. She felt strong arms scoop her up, and she had Diggs broad chest against her side.

"Oliver! You need to help him. He's bleeding!"

Oliver wasn't moving, his chest rising told her he was breathing, but he looked like the adrenaline shot she'd given him was leaving his system.

"I know, we're getting him out of here. There's a med team waiting for him upstairs." John turned around and started walking while Rene and Dinah grabbed Oliver and hoisted him up on his feet.

Felicity lost Oliver from her sight, but tried to look over Johns shoulder to still be able to see him, but she lost him.

Suddenly there were people running towards them, a stretcher and what looked to be medical equipment. Felicity felt relieved as Oliver would finally get the medical attention he needed. Not just sloppy stiches on the surface that did nothing fix the internal bleeding that was killing Oliver.

"Help him!" She screamed with what little energy she had left. John turned around as they passed them to see how Oliver was doing.

Rene and Dinah were just about to lever Oliver down to the floor, his head hanging low between his shoulders.

"Please, Oliver, please!" Felicity whispered, as John's arms tightened around her as they watched the medics swarm Oliver's prone form.

**A**

Oliver's vision went dark as soon as they were on safe ground. He could feel Felicity's body on top of him, warm and solid against his slick and cold back, her breathing fast. His head was swimming; the floor felt like it was swaying from side to side. It was hard to focus and time kept skipping, as he seemed to lose time. Felicity was gone.

He was being lifted up on his feet, but his legs betrayed him, not able to support his weight. Going from horizontal to vertical he lost time, the surroundings blurring and then fading out completely. There was still sound, and he could still discriminate between his friends voices; Felicity's standing out from the other's.

They were moving, his arms around his friend's backs, and their arms around his. He felt sick to his stomach, there was also a blinding pain making it hard to focus on moving his feet.

Oliver didn't know how far they had moved before he was moved down on his back again, hands suddenly everywhere, touching and pulling. Scissors cutting his clothes, voices talking above him, asking him questions he couldn't answer as his mouth didn't seem to work. There were needles poking his veins, cool fluid flowing into his body from blurry bags held by Rene looking down at him from far away.

Someone poked is back and hit the spot where every nerve in his body seemed to end in a fire. He groaned and tried to move away from the pain. A hand was on his brow, and made him long for Felicity's gentle touch. He tried opening his eyes to see who was there, but the world was spinning before he lost time again.

**A**

Felicity didn't care about what Curtis was doing to her back. All she wanted to know was that Oliver was going to be okay. He'd looked too pale as they'd rushed him past her to the medical bay where a team of doctors were waiting for him.

The doctor that had briefed them on Oliver's condition had mentioned kidney injury and internal bleeding, but it had all been a blur of medical jargon that she had trouble deciphering. Oliver was in critical condition, but his physique and incredible will to live was working for him.

Curtis did his magic, suddenly feeling was returning to her legs, starting with a tingle in her thighs, spreading down in increments, finally her toes were moving in her shoes.

As soon as she was able, she was in her feet, looking for someone to give her an update on Oliver.

Felicity desperately needed to tell Oliver that she understood, that she could finally see why he did what he did. He needed to know this, she needed him to know, she needed him to live!

When Lyla finally told her that Oliver was going to be okay and was asking for her, she couldn't get to him fast enough.

Baring her soul to him, seeing tears form in his eyes, she knew they had reached a new level of understanding of each other. But first and foremost she hoped he knew how much she admired his will to live and keep going no matter what obstacle he was faced with. Being it torture or the death of his friends and family.

She was unable to leave his side that night. Oliver slept a drug induced slumber, forcing him to rest and help him heal.

Hopefully they would come out on the other side of this stronger than before.