Lair,

Diggle jogged down the stairs whistling. He was definitely in a good mood. Last night had been … wow! A smug smile planted itself on his lips only to disappear instantly as he reached the base of the steps. His weapon flew into his hands and he was in shooting stance in an instant scanning the room for a potential target. The place was empty, completely overturned but void of any human presence. Glass littered the floor mingled with arrowheads and wires, the computer screens flickered desperately still clinging to the searches Felicity had launched hours before. The showcase where Oliver's compound bow usually resided lay in pieces, some shards stained red. The one where the Arrow suit usually was displayed didn't fare any better. Diggle was at a loss for words… What the hell…?

Yesterday evening everything had been all right. There wasn't any mission planned. That's why he had taken the night off. He clearly remembered leaving Felicity humming happily while running updates and searches. Oliver had joined his family for dinner and had only planned to come in for some training later on.

Taking in the desolation around him, he walked aimlessly through the remnants of their haven. A constant buzzing interrupted his musings. His phone!

"Oliver? What…? Detective Lance?" Had someone been present, the person would have seen him pale and stagger as the officer explained him why he called and what had happened. Absentmindedly he ended the call. Lance had been worried about the Arrow's state of mind and the actions he might take, but Diggle didn't have any clues so he had promised to join Lance at the hospital as soon as possible. With one last look at the remains of the Lair, he left as fast as he'd come. Surely there was an explanation to this madness…

Hospital,

When Diggle burst through the ER doors Lance was waiting for him pacing in front of the waiting room. His head had shot up when he had heard the commotion outside. The look on the other man's face wasn't exactly a friendly one reminding Lance not to get on the wrong side of the bodyguard. He was sure the Arrow would have to forward some real good reason for the state Felicity was in.

"Does Oliver Queen know? I haven't been able to reach him. He isn't answering his phone…"

Diggle shook his head.

"I haven't been able to contact Mr Queen yet… He had given me last night off, so I haven't been accompanying him. So, are there any news on Felicity Smoak yet?"

Lance shot a worried glance around the man towering in front of him before continuing.

"I think we may have a bigger problems at hand right now… I told you Miss Smoak was shot, but I didn't tell you by what…" As his voice trailed off he fumbled with the inner pocket of his uniform jacket retrieving an object from it. Diggle's eyes widened as the man handed him the end of an arrow with the fletchings and the nock. The distinctive green of the feathers screamed at him that this was impossible. There was no way Oliver would willingly shoot their IT girl… He would have sworn that the man would have preferred to arrow himself before hurting anyone close to him; especially "his girl".

Lance could see the storm raging in Diggle's eyes. So he felt the need to clarify things.

"I'm sure there has to be an explanation to this mess. When I found them he was so out of it he didn't even realize I was there till I touched his shoulder and talked to him…"

Diggle nodded at the words his mind racing at a zillion miles a minute. Oliver what happened out there? Why did problems always find them? Why Felicity? Well that one was obvious … except maybe to one green leather clad archer. There was no easier way to get to him than by hurting the one he constantly relied on, cared for … loved?

Somebody clearing his throat nearby interrupted his musings. Turning he saw a man wearing scrubs standing there.

"Family of Felicity Smoak?" He queried.

"We are her emergency contacts, yes? Diggle answered feeling tension build in his gut as he tried to gauge the doctors expression.

"It seems she was lucky, if one can say so of a person that has been shot. Fortunately the projectile was kept in place or she rapidly would have bled out and we wouldn't be having this conversation. She suffered a very important blood loss. That might cause some complications. So we will be monitoring her very closely for the next days. She'll be settled in a room soon. You can see her then. Any questions?"

Lance nodded. "Will she make a full recovery?"

"Yes, probably. There shouldn't be any long time consequences give the necessary time and some appropriate therapy …"

"Thank you." Diggle turned towards Lance as the doctor walked away.

"Well that will make things somewhat easier …" The detective muttered.

A snort interrupted him, his astonished expression making Diggle shake his head in disbelief.

"Oh man! You don't know the Arrow then … He'll feel responsible for every single drop of blood she lost. And that will push him to do some really crazy things."

"He really cares for her then?"

"More than he was aware of … before this happened."

"Really crazy things, huh?"

"Yeah…"

"Then he'll need some help…"

"Definitely."

"Can you track him down?"

"Thanks to our miss Smoak I might..."