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blackkudos · 6 years ago

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Jackie Wilson

Jack Leroy Wilson Jr. (June 9, 1934 – January 21, 1984) was an American soul singer-songwriter and performer. A tenor with a four octave vocal range, he was nicknamed "Mr. Excitement", and was important in the transition of rhythm and blues into soul. He was considered a master showman, and one of the most dynamic and influential singers and performers in R&B and rock 'n' roll history. Gaining fame in his early years as a member of the R&B vocal group Billy Ward and His Dominoes, he went solo in 1957 and recorded over 50 hit singles that spanned R&B, pop, soul, doo-wop and easy listening. This included 16 R&B Top 10 hits, including six R&B number ones. On the Billboard Hot 100, he scored 14 Top 20 Pop hits, six of which made it into the Pop Top 10. On September 29, 1975, while headlining a Dick Clark Oldies Concert, he collapsed on stage from what was later determined to be a massive heart attack, and subsequently slipped into a coma, slowly awakening over a period of 8 months. He remained semi-comatose for the nine years until his death in 1984, at the age of 49. Wilson was an inspiration to Elvis Presley, Bruce Springsteen, James Brown and Michael Jackson to name a few. He was one of the most influential artists of his generation.

A two-time Grammy Hall of Fame Inductee, Wilson was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked Jackie Wilson #69 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.

Early years and career

Jack Leroy Wilson Jr. was born on June 9, 1934, in Detroit, Michigan, the only son of singer-songwriter, Jack Leroy Wilson, Sr. (1903–1983) and Eliza Mae Wilson (1907–1984), as she lost two previous children. Eliza Mae was born on the Billups-Whitfield Place in Columbus, Mississippi. Her parents were Tom and Virginia Ransom. Jackie often visited his family in Columbus and was greatly influenced by the choir at Billups Chapel. Growing up in the rough Detroit area of Highland Park, Wilson joined a gang called the Shakers and often got himself in trouble. Wilson's alcoholic father was frequently absent and usually out of work. Wilson began singing at an early age, accompanying his mother, once a choir singer, to church. In his early teens Jackie joined a quartet, the Ever Ready Gospel Singers, which became a popular feature of churches in the area. Jackie was not religious, but he enjoyed singing; the money he and his group earned from performing usually was spent on cheap wine, which Wilson began drinking at age nine. Jack Sr. and Eliza separated shortly after Jackie turned nine.

Wilson dropped out of high school at the age of 15, having already been sentenced to detention in the Lansing Corrections system for juveniles twice. During his second stint in detention, he learned to box and began competing around the Detroit amateur circuit at the age of 16. His record in the Golden Gloves was 2 and 8. After his mother forced him to quit boxing, Wilson married Freda Hood and became a father at 17. It is estimated that Wilson fathered at least 10 other children prior to getting married, and that he was forced to marry Hood by her father. He gave up boxing for music, first working at Lee's Sensation club as a solo singer, then forming a group called the Falcons (The same Falcons Wilson Pickett was later a part of), that included cousin Levi Stubbs, who later went on to lead the Four Tops (two more of Wilson's cousins, Hubert Johnson and Levi's brother Joe, later became members of the Contours). The other members joined Hank Ballard as part of the Midnighters. including Alonzo Tucker & Billy Davis, who would work with Wilson several years later as a solo artist. Tucker and Wilson collaborated as songwriters on a few songs Wilson recorded.

Jackie was soon discovered by talent agent Johnny Otis, who assigned him to join a group called the Thrillers. That group would later be known as the Royals (who would later evolve into R&B group, the Midnighters, but Wilson wasn't part of the group when it changed its name and signed with King Records). LaVern Baker, Little Willie John, Johnnie Ray and Della Reese were acts managed by Al Green (not to be confused with R&B singer Al Green, nor Albert "Al" Green of the now defunct National Records). Al Green owned two music publishing companies, Pearl Music and Merrimac Music, and Detroit's Flame Show Bar where Wilson met Baker.

After recording his first version of "Danny Boy" and a few other tracks on Dizzy Gillespie's record label Dee Gee Records under the name Sonny Wilson (his nickname), Wilson was eventually hired by Billy Ward in 1953 to join a group Ward formed in 1950 called the Dominoes, after Wilson's successful audition to replace the immensely popular Clyde McPhatter, who left the Dominoes and formed his own group, the Drifters. Wilson almost blew his chance that day, showing up calling himself "Shit" Wilson and bragging about being a better singer than McPhatter.

Billy Ward felt a stage name would fit the Dominoes' image, hence Jackie Wilson. Prior to leaving the Dominoes, McPhatter coached Wilson on the sound Billy Ward wanted for his group, influencing Wilson's singing style and stage presence. "I learned a lot from Clyde, that high-pitched choke he used and other things...Clyde McPhatter was my man. Clyde and Billy Ward." Forties blues singer Roy Brown was also a major influence on him, and Wilson grew up listening to the Mills Brothers, the Ink Spots, Louis Jordan and Al Jolson.

Wilson was the group's lead singer for three years, but the Dominoes lost some of their stride with the departure of McPhatter. They were able to make appearances riding on the strength of the group's earlier hits, until 1956 when the Dominoes recorded Wilson with an unlikely interpretation of the pop hit "St. Therese of the Roses", giving the Dominoes another brief moment in the spotlight (Their only other post-McPhatter/Wilson successes were "Stardust", released July 15, 1957, and "Deep Purple", released October 7, 1957.) In 1957 Wilson set out to begin a solo career, leaving the Dominoes and collaborating with cousin Levi and got work at Detroit's Flame Show Bar. Later, Al Green worked out a deal with Decca Records, and Wilson was signed to their subsidiary label, Brunswick.

Solo stardom

Shortly after Wilson signed a solo contract with Brunswick, Green suddenly died. Green's business partner, Nat Tarnopol, took over as Wilson's manager (and later rose to president of Brunswick). Wilson's first single was released, "Reet Petite" from the album He's So Fine, which became a modest R&B success (and many years later, an international smash hit). The song was written by another former boxer, Berry Gordy Jr., who co-wrote it with partner Roquel "Billy" Davis (who also went by the pseudonym Tyran Carlo) and Gordy's sister Gwendolyn. The trio composed and produced six further singles for Wilson, which included "To Be Loved", "I'm Wanderin'", "We Have Love", "That's Why (I Love You So)", "I'll Be Satisfied" and his late-1958 signature song, "Lonely Teardrops", which peaked at No. 7 on the pop charts, No. 1 on the R&B charts in the U.S., and established him as an R&B superstar known for his extraordinary, operatic multi-octave vocal range. "Lonely Teardrops" sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc by the RIAA.

Due to his fervor when performing, with his dynamic dance moves, singing and impeccable dress, he was soon christened "Mr. Excitement", a title he would keep for the remainder of his career. His stagecraft in his live shows inspired James Brown, Michael Jackson and Elvis Presley, as well as a host of other artists that followed. Presley was so impressed with Wilson that he made it a point to meet him, and the two instantly became good friends. In a photo of the two posing together, Presley's caption in the autograph reads "You got you a friend for life." Wilson was sometimes called "The Black Elvis". Reportedly, when asked about this Presley said, "I guess that makes me the white Jackie Wilson." Wilson also said he was influenced by Presley too, saying "A lot of people have accused Elvis of stealing the black man's music, when in fact, almost every black solo entertainer copied his stage mannerisms from Elvis."

Wilson's powerful, electrifying live performances rarely failed to bring audiences to a state of frenzy. His live performances consisted of knee-drops, splits, spins, back-flips, one-footed across-the-floor slides, removing his tie and jacket and throwing them off the stage, a lot of basic boxing steps (advance and retreat shuffling) and one of his favorite routines, getting some of the less attractive girls in the audience to come up and kiss him. "If I kiss the ugliest girl in the audience," Wilson often said, "they'll all think they can have me and keep coming back and buying my records." Having women come up to kiss him is one reason Wilson kept bottles of mouthwash in his dressing room. Another reason was probably his attempt to hide the alcohol on his breath.

Wilson was also a regular on TV, making regular appearances on such shows as The Ed Sullivan Show, American Bandstand, Shindig, Shivaree and Hullabaloo. His only movie appearance was in the forgettable rock and roll film "Go Johnny Go", where he performed his 1959 hit song "You Better Know It".

In 1958, Davis and Gordy left Wilson and Brunswick after royalty disputes escalated between them and Nat Tarnopol. Davis soon became a successful staff songwriter and producer for Chess Records, while Gordy borrowed $800 from his family and used money he earned from royalties writing for Wilson to start his own recording studio, Hitsville USA, the foundation of Motown Records in his native Detroit. Meanwhile, convinced that Wilson could venture out of R&B and rock and roll, Tarnopol had the singer record operatic ballads and easy listening material, pairing him with Decca Records' veteran arranger Dick Jacobs.

Wilson scored hits as he entered the 1960s with the No. 15 "Doggin' Around", the No. 1 pop ballad "Night", another million-seller, and "Baby Workout", another Top 10 hit (No. 5), which he composed with Midnighters member Alonzo Tucker. His songwriting alliance with Tucker also turned out other songs, including "No Pity (In The Naked City)" and "I'm So Lonely." Top 10 hits continued with "Alone At Last" (No. 8 in 1960) and "My Empty Arms" (No. 9 in 1961).

Also in 1961, Wilson recorded a tribute album to Al Jolson, Nowstalgia ... You Ain't Heard Nothin' Yet, which included the only album liner notes he ever wrote: "... to the greatest entertainer of this or any other era ... I guess I have just about every recording he's ever made, and I rarely missed listening to him on the radio ... During the three years I've been making records, I've had the ambition to do an album of songs, which, to me, represent the great Jolson heritage ... This is simply my humble tribute to the one man I admire most in this business ... to keep the heritage of Jolson alive." The album was a commercial failure.

Following the success of "Baby Workout", Wilson experienced a lull in his career between 1964 and 1966 as Tarnopol and Brunswick Records released a succession of unsuccessful albums and singles. Despite the lack of sales success, he still made artistic gains as he recorded an album with Count Basie, as well as a series of duets with rhythm and blues legend Lavern Baker and gospel singer Linda Hopkins.

In 1966, he scored the first of two big comeback singles with established Chicago soul producer Carl Davis with "Whispers (Gettin' Louder)" and "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher", a No. 6 Pop smash in 1967, which became one of his final pop hits. This was followed by "I Get the Sweetest Feeling", which, despite its modest initial chart success in the US (Billboard Pop #34), has since become one of his biggest international chart successes, becoming a Top 10 hit in the UK twice, in 1972 and in 1987, and a Top 20 hit in the Dutch Top 40, and has spawned numerous cover versions by other artists such as Edwin Starr, Will Young, Erma Franklin (Aretha's sister) and Liz McClarnon.

A key to his musical rebirth was that Davis insisted that Wilson no longer record with Brunswick's musicians in New York; instead, he would record with legendary Detroit musicians normally employed by Motown Records and also Davis' own Chicago-based session players. The Detroit musicians, known as the Funk Brothers, participated on Wilson's recordings due to their respect for Davis and Wilson.

By 1975, Wilson and the Chi-Lites were the only significant artists left on Brunswick's roster. Wilson had continued to record singles that found success on the R&B chart, but found no significant pop chart success. His final hit, "You Got Me Walkin'", written by Eugene Record of the Chi-Lites, was released in 1972 with the Chi-Lites backing him on vocals and instruments.

Personal life

Wilson's personal life was laced with tragedy. In 1960 in New Orleans, he was arrested and charged with assaulting a police officer when fans tried to climb on stage. He assaulted a policeman who had shoved one of the fans. Wilson had a reputation for being short-tempered.

On February 15, 1961, in Manhattan, Wilson was injured in a shooting. It is said the real story behind this incident is that one of his girlfriends, Juanita Jones, shot and wounded him in a jealous rage when he returned to his Manhattan apartment with another woman, fashion model Harlean Harris, an ex-girlfriend of Sam Cooke's. Wilson's management supposedly concocted a story to protect Wilson's reputation; that Jones was an obsessed fan who had threatened to shoot herself, and that Wilson's intervention resulted in him being shot. Wilson was shot in the stomach: The bullet would result in the loss of a kidney, and lodged too close to his spine to be operated on. In early 1975, during an interview with author Arnold Shaw, Wilson maintained it actually was a zealous fan whom he did not know that shot him. "We also had some trouble in 1961. That was when some crazy chick took a shot at me and nearly put me away for good..." The story of the zealous fan was accepted, and no charges were brought against Jones. A month and a half later after the shooting incident, Jackie was discharged from the hospital.

At the time Jackie had declared annual earnings of $263,000, while the average salary a man earned then was just $5,000 a year. But he discovered that, despite being at the peak of success, he was broke. Around this time the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) seized Jackie's Detroit family home. Tarnopol and his accountants were supposed to take care of such matters. Fortunately, Jackie made arrangements with the IRS to make restitution on the unpaid taxes; he also re-purchased the family home at auction. As far as money troubles went, this was not even the beginning for Wilson. Nat Tarnopol had taken advantage of Wilson's naïveté, mismanaging his money since becoming his manager. Tarnopol also had power-of-attorney over Wilson's finances, giving him complete control over Wilson's money. Unfortunately, Wilson was a rather trusting soul, trusting people he shouldn't have like Tarnopol and some of Wilson's other managers.

Tarnopol and 18 other Brunswick executives were indicted on federal charges of mail fraud and tax evasion stemming from bribery and payola scandals in 1975. Also in the indictment was the charge that Tarnopol owed at least $1 million in royalties to Wilson. In 1976 Tarnopol and the others were found guilty; an appeals court overturned their conviction 18 months later. Although the conviction was overturned, judges went into detail, outlining that Tarnopol and Brunswick Records did defraud their artists of royalties, and that they were satisfied that there was sufficient evidence for Wilson to file a lawsuit. However, a trial to sue Tarnopol for royalties never took place, as Wilson lay in a nursing home semi-comatose. Tarnopol never paid Wilson monies he had coming to him, and Wilson died riddled with debt to the IRS and Brunswick Records.

One of the highlights of the federal tax fraud trial of Tarnopol and several Brunswick executives came when Eugene Record of The Chi-Lites testified that he had been assaulted during a contract negotiation at Brunswick's New York office. Record stated that he asked Tarnopol for advanced money on a recording in 1972 when an associate of Tarnopol's, whom Record identified as Johnny Roberts, asked Tarnopol "should I twist his nose off?" Before any answer came, Record said Roberts "suddenly began to twist my nose, and when I pushed his arm away he punched me in the face, knocking my glasses off." A similar story concerns Wilson, who reportedly was hung out of Tarnopol's office window by his feet when Wilson asked about money, according to Chuck Barksdale of The Dells.

In March 1967, Wilson and friend/drummer Jimmy Smith were arrested in South Carolina on "morals charges"; the two were entertaining two 24-year-old white women in their motel room.

Freda Hood, Wilson's first wife, with whom he had four children, divorced him in 1965 after 14 years of marriage, frustrated with his notorious womanizing. Although the divorce was amicable, Freda would regret her decision. His 16-year-old son, Jackie Jr, was shot and killed on a neighbor's porch in 1970. The death of Jackie Jr. devastated Wilson. He sank into a period of depression, and for the next couple of years remained mostly a recluse.

More tragedy hit when two of Wilson's daughters died at a young age. His daughter Sandra died in 1977 at the age of 24 of an apparent heart attack. Jacqueline Wilson was killed in 1988 in a drug-related incident in Highland Park, Michigan. Wilson's second marriage was to model Harlean Harris in 1967 with whom he had three children, but they too separated in 1970. Wilson later met and lived with Lynn Guidry, a woman who would have two children with him. There was also a woman named Joyce McCrae, a fan who tried to take the role of Wilson's caregiver while he was in the nursing home. He was with Guidry, who was under the impression that she was his legal wife, until his heart attack in 1975. However, as he and Harris never officially divorced, Harris took the role of Wilson's caregiver for the singer's remaining nine years.

Wilson converted to Judaism as an adult.

Death

On September 29, 1975, Wilson was one of the featured acts in Dick Clark's Good Ol' Rock and Roll Revue, hosted by the Latin Casino in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. He was in the middle of singing "Lonely Teardrops" when he suffered a heart attack. When he collapsed on stage, audience members initially thought it was part of the act. Clark sensed something was wrong, then ordered the musicians to stop the music. Cornell Gunter of the Coasters, who was backstage, noticed Wilson was not breathing. Gunter was able to resuscitate him and Wilson was then rushed to a nearby hospital.

Medical personnel worked to stabilize his vital signs, but the lack of oxygen to his brain caused him to slip into a coma. He briefly recovered in early 1976, and was even able to take a few wobbly steps but slipped back into a semi-comatose state. He was deemed conscious but incapacitated in early June 1976, unable to speak but aware of his surroundings. He was a resident of the Medford Leas Retirement Center in Medford, New Jersey, when he was admitted into Memorial Hospital of Burlington County in Mount Holly, New Jersey, due to having trouble taking nourishment, according to Wilson's attorney John Mulkerin.

Jackie Wilson died on January 21, 1984, at age 49 from complications of pneumonia. He was initially buried in an unmarked grave at Westlawn Cemetery near Detroit. In 1987, a fundraiser by a Detroit radio station collected enough money to purchase a headstone.

Tributes and legacy

On August 17, 2013 in Cleveland, Ohio, Jackie Wilson was inducted into the Official R&B Music Hall of Fame.

In 1985, the Commodores recorded "Nightshift" in memory of Wilson and soul singer Marvin Gaye, who had both died in 1984. Reaching No. 1 R&B and No. 3 pop in the U.S., and topping the Dutch singles chart, it was the group's biggest hit after the departure of Lionel Richie.

Van Morrison recorded a tribute song called "Jackie Wilson Said (I'm in Heaven When You Smile)" on his 1972 album Saint Dominic's Preview. This was later covered by Dexy's Midnight Runners. When the track was performed on the British TV show Top of the Pops, a picture of darts player Jocky Wilson was used instead. This has often been speculated to be a mistake but Dexy's frontman Kevin Rowland stated that it was a deliberate joke by the band.

Michael Jackson honored Jackie Wilson at the 1984 Grammy Awards. Jackson dedicated his Album of the Year Grammy for Thriller to Wilson, saying, "In the entertainment business, there are leaders and there are followers. And I just want to say that I think Jackie Wilson was a wonderful entertainer...Jackie, where you are I want to say I love you and thank you so much."

Until Jackson's comments, Wilson's recording legacy had been dormant for almost a decade. Tarnopol owned Wilson's recordings due to Brunswick's separation from MCA, but the label had closed down, essentially deleting Wilson's considerable recorded legacy. When Jackson praised Wilson at the Grammys, interest in the legendary singer stirred, and Tarnopol released the first Wilson album (a two-record compilation) in almost nine years through Epic Records, Jackson's label at the time. Through Tarnopol's son, Wilson's music has become more available.

In the VH-1 5-part television special, Say It Loud: A Celebration of Black Music in America, fellow Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Smokey Robinson and Bobby Womack both paid tribute to Wilson. Smokey explained that "Jackie Wilson was the most dynamic singer and performer that I think I've ever seen. Bobby added "He was the real Elvis Presley, as far as I'm concerned...and Elvis took a lot from him too."

In his autobiography To Be Loved (named for one of the hit tunes he wrote for Wilson) Motown founder Berry Gordy stated that Wilson was "The greatest singer I've ever heard. The epitome of natural greatness. Unfortunately for some, he set the standard I'd be looking for in singers forever".

Wilson is mentioned in the song "Gone But Not Forgotten" sung by artist TQ, which is a song dedicated to the memory of famous musicians who have died. The lyric goes "..and Jackie, will you teach me how to glide across the stage?"

Wilson is mentioned in the rap song "Thugz Mansion" by 2Pac. The lyric is:

Wilson scored a posthumous hit when "Reet Petite" reached number one in the United Kingdom, Ireland and the Netherlands in 1986. This success was likely due in part to a new animated video made for the song, featuring a clay model of Wilson, that became popular on television. The following year he hit the UK charts again with "I Get the Sweetest Feeling" (No. 3), and "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher" (No. 15).

Rita Coolidge covered "Higher and Higher" in 1977; her version reached No. 2 on the US pop charts, earning a gold record.

In 1999, Wilson's original version of "Higher and Higher" and "Lonely Teardrops" were inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame; both are on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

Wilson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987; that same year, he was portrayed in the Ritchie Valens biopic La Bamba by Howard Huntsberry.

Wilson is referenced in the 1986 song "R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A." by John Mellencamp.

Wilson and "Lonely Teardrops" are referenced in the 1993 song "Jupiter and Teardrop" by Grant Lee Buffalo on their debut album Fuzzy.

In 1988, his version of "To Be Loved" was featured in the film Coming to America, when Akeem and Lisa were falling in love. Akeem (Eddie Murphy) later came back home singing the song loudly, waking up and infuriating his neighbors.

In 1989, "Higher and Higher" was featured in the film Ghostbusters II, the soundtrack album of which featured a cover version of the song by Howard Huntsberry. "Higher and higher" was also featured in Eddie Murphy's 2007 movie "Norbit."

"(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher" was also featured in the 2000 Disney film "Disney's The Kid".

In 1992, Wilson was portrayed in the ABC miniseries by Grady Harrell in The Jacksons: An American Dream.

In 1994, Monkee Peter Tork recorded a bluegrass-rock cover of "Higher and Higher" on his first solo album Stranger Things Have Happened. Tork regularly performs the song in concert.

In 2007, Wilson's music was featured in a film adaptation of Irvine Welsh's book Ecstasy: Three Tales of Chemical Romance.

In September 2010, Wilson's song "That's Why (I Love You So)" appeared on Dick Clark's Dick Clark's Rock, Roll and Remember.

On November 18, 2011, the Black Ensemble Theater of Chicago produced a musical about Wilson's life.

In 2014, artist Hozier released a song titled "Jackie and Wilson", a play on Wilson's name. The song includes the lyrics "We'll name our children Jackie and Wilson and raise them on rhythm and blues."

The Jackie Wilson Hologram Tour 2017 announced by Hologram USA on Billboard:

"Seen a show with Marvin Gaye last night, It had me shook, sippin' peppermint schnapps With Jackie Wilson, and Sam Cooke."

The singer behind ‘Higher and Higher’ and other hits joins the growing Hologram USA roster.

Add another name to the growing list of artist recreations by Hologram USA: Jackie Wilson. The R&B legend will star in a full stage show with a tour launching in 2017, co-produced by FilmOn TV Networks and distributed online by FilmOn.com. Nicknamed Mr. Excitement, Wilson was a dynamic entertainer whose mesmerizing dance moves and pioneering crossover success influenced a host of future stars including Michael Jackson. In fact, after Thriller won the Grammy for album of the year in 1984, Jackson dedicated his award to Wilson.

Between 1958 and 1970, Wilson charted 16 top 10 R&B hits and six top 10 pop hits. He topped the R&B singles chart six times, starting with 1958's "Lonely Teardrops" (No. 7 on pop). The Detroit native's additional No. 1's included "You Better Know It," "Doggin’ Around," "A Woman, a Lover, a Friend," "Baby Workout" and radio perennial "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher." Wilson, inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, slipped into a coma after collapsing onstage in 1975. He died in 1984.

In a statement announcing Hologram USA's latest artist recreation, CEO Alki David said, "Everything you expect from an exciting ‘rock star’ stage show was invented by Jackie Wilson: the leaps, spins and back-flips, not to mention his amazing four-octave range." David's partners in mounting the new show are Plateau Music Nashville CEO Tony Mantor, who is the Artist Manager for Bobby Brooks Wilson (son of Jackie) and the Heirs of Jackie Wilson.

A ceremony was held on Saturday, August 20, 2016 at WHPR TV & Radio. At the ceremony, Cottage Grove Street officially became Jackie Wilson Lane.

Wikipedia

#Jackie Wilson #06-09 #01-21

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bushlaboo · 7 years ago

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DotN: Chapter 2

Note: I'm back! Road trip/conference was amazing – I am in love with Wyoming and Utah (if I could move to Provo I would!), but my lovely beta Becky (@nvwhovian) can keep Vegas. This will probably be the longest individual chapter of this fic, well unless anticipated chapters 7-9 get away from me. I may have to travel again in early July, a much shorter trip this time, just to NY so I don't know if that will effect my hope/plan of posting every two weeks or not -- it depends how much progress I can make on the outstanding chapters. I didn't get a lick of writing time in during my recent travels so I'm still stuck halfway through chapter 7. On a happier note, I do have some gorgeous new art to share with you all thanks to my lovely and talented wifey, Lexi (@alexiablackbriar13).

Awakening, Part II (AO3)

Oliver only needed to look out over the expanse of Starling City from his perch atop the castle to know that the world had changed drastically. The weapons they faced the night before, small metal objects that shot beams of lights Tommy Merlyn referred to as lasers, was only one tangible difference he had experienced in the short time he’d been awake. Talk of technology, little pieces of magic that held equivalents of great libraries, was something he struggled to understand. Even with the living tapestry on Merlyn’s wall – the so called television – on which Merlyn played back their battle, Oliver grappled with the enormity of this advanced age.

He felt a debt of gratitude to Merlyn for allowing his curiosity in a long ago tale to inspire taking a chance to lift their curse. Oliver knew that without the monumental efforts Merlyn had undertaken, he and his clan would still be trapped in stone. And yet, there was something about the man’s countenance that made Oliver question his motives. Unlike like the detective he encountered within the castle last night, he only sensed a veneer of sincerity to Merlyn. Or it could be the actions of the last man he’d trusted making him overly wary. Either way, until he could get a better grasp upon this new city they were to call home and those who inhabited it, Oliver felt caution was in order.

The last time he left the castle on a mission, his clan had been devastated. Doing as Merlyn asked; going after what he termed flash drives - held in three different locations - would separate his brothers and leave the castle undefended. It was a risk he was unwilling to take. Oliver felt little better giving Roy, Barry and Curtis permission to explore the city together as long as they did not stray too far from the castle. Hiding away in their home would do them no good. If they were to live in this new world, they needed to learn to navigate it without being seen.

Oliver shook those thoughts from his head as he took a final swoop around the roof he’d indicated to Felicity. The ambient light of the city allowed him to see her clearly standing alone as she waited for him. Putting any sort of faith into an unknown individual, particularly a human, was a dangerous calculation; but Oliver felt a connection to the detective as they were both protectors.

He landed on the rooftop silently, out of sight of Felicity, so he could make his approach unbeknownst to her. Just because it appeared that she was alone, did not mean that was the case. He’d preached prudence to his brothers; as their leader, Oliver knew he should follow his own advice.

“Felicity,” he hailed, emerging out of the shadows.

Felicity let out a short gasp of surprise, her periwinkle eyes widening as she soaked him again. The way her eyes kept drifting to his wings, she seemed almost disappointed that they were not open to their full span. “I was starting to doubt you’d come,” she greeted him with a nervous chuckle and wave of her hand.

Diggle dropped down unexpectedly, preventing Oliver from replying. His friend’s sudden appearance startled Felicity, causing her to edge closer to him. Though he was uncertain about trusting her, it seemed that she trusted him; at least when it came to being in the presence of other gargoyles. “What are you doing here?” he queried.

“Making certain you’ve not walked into a trap,” Diggle replied as he folded his wings over his chest.

Over her fright, Felicity turned to stand square to Diggle and remarked, “Not very trusting.”

“That’s earned lass.”

Her eyes flashed as her chin rose slightly, but she conceded the point before asking, “Are you joining us on this tour?”

“No,” Diggle replied as he shuffled towards the ledge. “Now that I know you’ve kept your word I’ll be returning to the castle to see it’s defended.” His mentor leapt up onto the ledge, his wings expanding out as he did. Diggle cast a quick look over his shoulder and without words conveyed the message for Oliver to be mindful. An ambush, they both knew, was still possible.

Satisfied, Diggle allowed a strong blast of air to lift him and he used the winds to glide back towards the castle. “I don’t know that I’ll ever get use to that,” Felicity murmured in awe as she watched Diggle soaring. She waited until Diggle landed on one of the castle’s parapets before making Oliver the center of her focus again. “Not sure how we’re going to move you around down there.”

“Not to worry,” Oliver replied opening his wings.

“It may have escaped your notice, but I don’t come with pair of wings.”

He chuckled. It was a foreign sound to his own ears. Not that he was ill-humored. Oliver had often found joy in life and had found delight with another, but after returning to the near total annihilation of his clan, he figured he was done experiencing amusement. That Felicity had given him that so quickly … it was an unexpected gift. “I noticed,” Oliver assured her.

“Then how—” Oliver cut off her question but lifting Felicity into his arms and bringing her close to his chest.

A flush spread over her cheeks as she gazed up at him. “I’m kind of afraid of heights,” Felicity admitted as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

“I won’t drop you,” he vowed as he allowed a gust to carry them up into the night air.

Felicity tensed at the sound of a lone pair of feet hitting the worn, but well-maintained jogging path in Plesa, the city’s central park. She shifted to a crouch and prepared to pounce defensively if needed. The unsuspecting jogger bit back a yelp after taking notice of her. He ran in place as he goggled at the picture she made squatting next to a stone figure. “I don’t think,” he panted with a southern accent - clearly a transplanted citizen of Starling - “I’ve noticed that statute before. And I’ve run this path for the past two years.”

“This park is full of surprises,” she offered with her best ‘who’d of thought it’ chuckle, hoping the runner would move on without further comment. Dark eyes trailed over a stone gargoyle once more before he shrugged his shoulders and continued on his way. Felicity let out a sigh of relief as she leaned back against Oliver’s solid form. His encasement was cool against her back and Felicity found herself missing the warmth he radiated when he was flesh.

And how crazy was that? she thought again. Felicity had been thrown for a loop upon learning that creatures like gargoyles existed, but the discovery that the species turned to stone during the day was not only highly inconvenient given the armed pursuers they’d met in the park; but a shock. One minute she’d been struggling to haul a drugged Oliver through a thicket of trees and underbrush, and the next he was wheezing out, “Too late,” as he dropped to the ground. She fought him on that assessment - granted they were in some dire straits with him tranquilized and her having lost her weapon - but Felicity had never been one to give up or back down. There was always another way; she only needed to find it.

Of course there had been no way to anticipate that her sole means of backup, she had already vowed never to leave her cell again when meeting with the gargoyles, would turn to stone before her eyes. Oliver was completely defenseless in that state. If she’d had more time to freak out about that earlier Felicity would have, but luck continued to conspire against her. The tracker she found on Oliver and transferred to a stray dog had not led their attackers far enough afield. She was reacting before she had a plan in place, drawing their assailants’ attention to her and away from a frozen Oliver.

The park became an asset and she managed to use the well-known nooks and crannies to divide the team tracking her and disable them one-by-one. Felicity managed to get soaked - she was grateful for the warm beams of sunlight filtering through the trees as she guarded Oliver - in the process and she didn’t look forward to hearing speculation about the boathouse that exploded amongst the ranks of her police brethren later. She had already concluded before meeting Oliver on the roof the night before that there would be a lot she’d have to leave unsaid in the coming days. The world wasn’t ready for gargoyles, and now knowing their vulnerability Felicity was determined to keep them safe.

She wished again for her phone, it would have allowed her to do research while she waited for Oliver to wake, but as she shifted again the damp material of her jeans reminded Felicity that the device would have been ruined in her swim. She made a mental note for future gargoyle occasions: phone off, safely ensconced in a plastic baggie. That way it would actually work if she needed it.

Resolved not to waste her entire day, Felicity started to consider the story she’d use in her report about losing her backup piece. Her captain was not going to be happy about that and the reprimand she’d receive was undoubtedly going to be unpleasant. “You’re so going to owe me,” she muttered, poking her elbow into Oliver. Striking the hard, solid surface of his stone skin made pain shoot throughout her arm. Felicity bit back a cry as she rubbed at the painful spot on right arm. “Double.”

As the sun dipped behind the horizon, fissures broke out like spider webs across the breadth of Oliver’s form. It was hard to describe, even to his kin, the sensation of waking from stone sleep. As long as a gargoyle was breathing, whatever ailment they suffered healed during the day. It went beyond physical rejuvenation or restoration; there was usually a peacefulness to their sleep that could clear most disturbances from their mind. He’d only found two things sleep could not help ease: the sense of danger and white-hot rage.

Emerging from his nightly cocoon Oliver’s senses were on full alert, his coiled muscles ready to release should a threat present itself. Given the circumstances of how he dropped into slumber Oliver had honestly not anticipated seeing the night sky again. To find himself alive and whole, with Felicity at his side relief written in her smile was a marvel.

That a tiny human he barely knew had risked her life to protect him -- the ache in his heart from Slade’s betrayal and the Mage’s rash actions, which his long sleep had eased the most ragged edges of, began to truly heal with the knowledge that there was still honor in mankind if you knew where to look and if one was open to seeing it. That sentiment reminded Oliver of a comment Felicity made about the city itself last night. It didn’t always show a pretty face, she’d told him, but it was worth protecting. He’d seen the worst of mankind, but looking into Felicity’s exhausted eyes as she confirmed that she’d spent the day watching over him, Oliver felt like he was genuinely experiencing the best of them for the first time.

He took great satisfaction in the fact that Felicity did not flinch at his touch. In fact she seemed to lean into his hand, as he told her, “You need to rest.”

“Probably,” she agreed through a yawn with a slight nod, but her eyes turned sharp again when he told her that he planned to return to the castle.

“Oliver there’s no way to know how that tracker got placed on you. I know Merlyn’s responsible for you being here, being alive … or awake, or I don’t know animated again,” Felicity babbled as she scrubbed her eyes. “I get why you’d be grateful to him but you have be careful about trusting him. He’s charming and can be generous, but he’s tricky and ruthless too, and I don’t want to see him use you.”

Her tone was earnest and the appeal heartfelt. It was obvious to Oliver that Felicity was wary of Merlyn. Her take on the man added weight to his own misgivings, but the castle was his home. It was his to protect, as the city was Felicity’s and more importantly his clan was there, worried and waiting for him. When he said as much Felicity relented, but implored him to be vigilant in Merlyn’s presence. Oliver assured her that he would and given the danger they faced the night before he got Felicity to agree, after a short argument about her ability to look out for herself, to him shadowing her home.

It was fortuitous that Felicity’s home, an apartment she called it, was on the top floor of the building with a skylight. He had not understood the term, but when he caught sight of Felicity entering the dwelling from a window in the roof he put the pieces together. He watched as a small, furry form raced towards her and wound itself between her legs. Oliver stayed long enough to see her bend over to pick up the animal, cuddling it to her chest before the light from the hallway disappeared as her door closed and the apartment fell dark.

As he circled away from the building and back towards the castle concern for Felicity weighed on his mind. She had proven herself capable, but their attackers had been persistent. Oliver had his brothers to rely on; he had no idea if there was anyone Felicity could depend upon. He hated the idea of leaving her vulnerable.

The only solace Oliver had during his trip back to the castle was the hopeful way Felicity had asked, “I’ll see you tomorrow night, right?” before he’d taken to the sky to see her home. He would see with his own eyes the following evening that Felicity was as he left her. In fact, she would be better after a night’s rest.

His trepidation got swept aside in a tide of joyful greetings from his brothers upon his return. Longbow, jumped up on his hind legs so his massive front paws braced against his chest as the mutt licked at his chin as his clan surrounded him, bombarding him with questions about why he hadn’t returned while Barry and Curtis talked over his explanation with a recounting of their explorations and a piece of machinery called a motorcycle.

Oliver had been gearing up to lecture his young kin about risk they’d taken being seen when Merlyn interrupted them. He fought back his reflex to frown at the man as Oliver did not want Merlyn to be able to gage how he perceived him. For his part, Merlyn was all congeniality as he welcomed him back, though Oliver found his smile - unlike Felicity’s - to be predatory and false. Everything about Tommy Merlyn, from his charcoal suit to his genial charm, came off as calculated.

“There is someone anxious to see you,” Merlyn’s tone was warm and his grey eyes danced with delight. Oliver could see the appeal of his veneer, but he did not trust it.

But as a familiar form slipped from the shadows his world narrowed down to nothing but the vision in front of him. The raven haired warrior who’d captured his heart, who he’d believed smashed to fragments with the remainder of their clan, stood beautifully before him. Oliver barely registered the happy shouts of “Helena!” as Diggle swooped her up in a joyful embrace as the others danced around them, awaiting their turn to greet their sister.

Helena looked exactly as he remembered her. Her trim form remained sharp and honed for battle, the gold bracelet he’d made for her still coiled around her upper left arm - it offset her lavender skin gorgeously. Her blue eyes shone with merriment below the crown she had fashioned herself, along with a pair of hoop earrings.

Her voice was music to Oliver’s ears, a cherished sound he thought lost to him. His heart constricted, afraid to believe what he was witnessing because he could not understand how she survived. Diggle had been the only one to accompany him the night they’d been betrayed and the others had only lived because he’d ordered them to the rookery as punishment for their antics with the refugees.

His voice shook with emotion as he crooned lowly, “My Angel of the Night?” Helena’s eyes went wide and started to shimmer with unshed tears at the use of his endearment for her. The others immediately stepped back, giving her room to cross the short distance that separated them. He reacted without thought, lifting his hand to cup her cheek, and Helena nuzzled his palm as they continued to erase the space between them.

“Oliver,” she sighed wrapping her arms around him. With his free arm he encircled her frame, holding Helena close against him. Oliver relished the feel of being in his beloved’s presence once again.

Awed by the moment he asked, “How?”

“Merlyn,” she answered with quick glance to the human over her shoulder.

“I’d acquired a magnificent statue a few years back,” Merlyn explained. He held Oliver’s gaze as he continued. “After you all awoke, I thought bringing her here might have the same outcome. I am pleased the inclination paid off.”

Helena dragged a hand low across his back to his front drawing his attention back to her, her talons drew gently up his chest causing a slight shudder throughout his body, before she brought her hand up to rest against his jaw. “We owe him much Oliver,” Helena murmured.

Oliver saw something else in her iridescent eyes, something beyond her love for him, if it had been any other he would have called it a darkness. But that was not his Helena so he chocked it up to her settling into a new time and though his instincts screamed otherwise, Oliver could not deny the great gift of having his love back in his arms. “Yes,” he agreed begrudgingly, keeping Helena his focus, “we do.”

Something flared in her eyes - triumph perhaps - as she spoke, “I know just the way to repay Merlyn’s kindness. While we awaited your return we spoke of the attack on the castle and the flash drives stolen.”

Oliver could not stop his frown of displeasure. He sensed Merlyn’s manipulation of the situation, of Helena and it grated him. He had trouble stomaching the appreciation he owed the human when he could not find it in himself to trust the man. There had been little he’d denied Helena when she asked, and while he desperately wanted to say no to this request - had she not argued their last night together that human affairs were not their concerns - Oliver found himself agreeing to aid Merlyn because the last time he denied Helena he thought she had been lost to him forever. It was a regret he believed he’d have to live with forever, a pain that would never heal and, yet, miraculously he had a chance to correct that mistake. Misgivings or not, Oliver could not allow that opportunity to escape him.

After a quick snuggle with Cagney and splitting a can of tuna with the stray cat that had adopted her, Felicity peeled off her jeans, set her alarm, and crawled into bed to sleep off the brunt of her exhaustion. Knowing that she had to meet with her captain before her shift, Felicity she left for the precinct extra early so she could still make a stop at Jitters. She needed at least one decent cup of coffee a day, one which she usually brewed herself, but after yesterday Felicity knew her morning cup needed an extra shot or two of espresso. Her favorite barista, Kendra, was behind the counter that morning -- over the eight months she had been working at Jitters the striking beauty with a wide smile, had learned to anticipate her order just by looking at her, something Felicity was extremely grateful for when the extra-large, plain latte with two additional shots was waiting for her when she reached the counter instead of having to place an order. “You’re my hero,” she said appreciatively as Kendra ran her card.

“Are you talking to me or the coffee?” the barista asked with a good-natured laugh.

“Both,” she replied with a sheepish shrug of her shoulders as she took her first bracing slip of her drink. The caffeine helped fortify her for the meeting with her captain which Felicity had predicted correctly on how things shook out. She bristled under the thought of her first write up and the added punishment of being assigned to babysit the new transfer when they arrived next week. The headaches were worth it though because Oliver was safe, at least for now.

It was that sentiment and her mistrust of Tommy Merlyn that had her working a stop at Palmer Technologies into her already hectic day of follow up on her open cases. Unlike Merlyn, Ray Palmer came across as honest, not to mention awkward. He also got super amped up when he realized that she could follow his techno-speak. Under normal circumstances Felicity would have enjoyed delving back into that world, but after learning that the programming on the flash drives Merlyn was telling Oliver had been stolen was proprietary to PT she’d been itching to leave so that she could share the truth with the gargoyles. She didn’t want them acting on false information.

Extracting herself from Palmer had been more difficult than Felicity had anticipated. The dark-haired genius trailed her through his headquarters, continuing their conversation all the way to company’s visitors parking garage. He was still talking as she climbed into her bright red Mini Cooper. “Look, Mr. Palmer-”

“Ray,” he insisted again with a toothy smile.

“Ray,” she acquiesced her tone just shy of long-suffering, “I appreciate your enthusiasm, but I am on duty and have places to be.” The sun had gone down while she’d been in the building and she needed to get to Oliver before Merlyn talked him into doing anything foolish. Like breaking into Palmer Technologies to reclaim supposedly stolen proprietary technology.

His face fell and his shoulders stooped as he let out a disappointed, “Oh, of course.” The hangdog expression only last a moment before he brighten again, bringing his hand to rest on her open car door. “You’re welcome back anytime Detective.”

Feeling like she kicked a puppy she replied, “It’s Felicity, and I might just take you up on your generous offer.”

His smile returned full force then and he swung her door wider. “Until then Felicity.”

“Ray,” she said with a nod as means of farewell. The tech guru shut her door and offered a wave as her engine purred to life. Felicity returned the gesture before backing out of the parking spot. She didn’t look forward to fighting rush hour traffic, even if it was only forty blocks to get to the Merlyn Global building. Felicity knew well enough that harried drivers would ignore her undercover vehicle, unwilling to accept that the police siren was being emitted from her small car. She’d received plenty of razzing about it from her fellow officers, but she remained stubborn about giving up her beloved Mini.

Her prediction had been spot on; after twenty minutes got her roughly fifteen blocks and gifted her with a low thrum of a headache from the blaring siren. Felicity considered silencing the ignored alarm when her radio squawked to life announcing heists at three Palmer Tech locations including the one she’d just left. “Son of bitch,” she cursed under her breath as she laid on her horn and stopped playing nice with the horde of commuters that surrounded her.

She was on the receiving end of a number angry shouts and rude gestures, but her aggressive maneuvering allowed her to navigate the clogged streets with more progress, she ate up the final twenty plus blocks in ten minutes. Ignoring the no parking signs and the burst of annoyed horns as she popped out of her car, Felicity raced through the wide plaza entry to the Merlyn Global building. She’d dug her badge out, so she could flash it at the guard, before bounding through the security turnstile. The high end machine beeped its notice of unauthorized access in tandem with the sentry barking out, “Hey!”

Felicity jabbed the elevator button and was thankful when one slid open immediately. The building’s public access elevator wouldn’t get her all the way up to the castle, meaning she’d have to hack a keypad into the stairwell and climb. She wasn’t thrilled by the idea of the unexpected cardio but she preferred it to the anxious wait on the upward ascent of the elevator. Not wanting to expend too much energy unnecessarily Felicity tapped her foot as the floors crawled slowly by.

The moment the doors began to slide open Felicity edged herself out, her phone had replaced her badge during the seemly endless ride up, her fingers continued to fly as she worked her way to a stairway. She cracked the security just as she reached the doorway and threw up a fist in celebration as she flipped the phone in her other hand pressing it to the pad to scan. The lock released allowing her to push open the door. Felicity took a second to stare up at the twisting row of steps - they just kept going - and had a momentary flash of Escher’s famous painting before she shook the fanciful notion from her mind as she tackled the first flight of stairs.

Sounds of fighting got louder the closer Felicity got to the building’s uppermost echelon. Though she was panting the odd gunfire sounds she heard kept her pressing forward with speed. She was determined to reach Oliver and the other gargoyles and to stop Merlyn from causing them more harm. When she finally surged into the main open air courtyard of the castle the sight that Felicity beheld caused her to come to an abrupt stop. The gargoyles soared in the air battling metal versions of Oliver – her earlier conversation with Ray Palmer flashed through her mind – AI programming code. Robots.

Frakking robots.

The sci-fi geek in her was awed. That sentiment was quickly replaced when Felicity watched horrified as the red skinned gargoyle, Roy if she remembered correctly, got hit low on his wing where it connect to his back by laser fire. The blast caused him to tumble from the sky and slam into a stone battlement. Lasers, no wonder the gunfire sounded off Felicity thought as she finally moved, heading towards the unconscious gargoyle.

She didn’t get the chance to reach him, as the battle between the older gargoyle Diggle and another machine crossed in front of her. The blade of his sword cut halfway through a metal arm with a screech. Felicity wasn’t certain what her gun could do against the machine but she drew hers to take a shot at the robot heading towards Roy. The dog-like creature Oliver called Longbow jumped from above, landing on the encroaching machine a few feet from the downed gargoyle. Its strong jaw tore into the robot’s neck, and with a few sharp tugs, the automaton was beheaded.

Diggle used his considerable strength to split the machine he was battling jaggedly down the middle. Sparks flew and the bitter scent of melting rubber filled the air around her as the smallest gargoyle managed to crash two air-bound robots together. The collision resulted in a concussive blast that threw him into one of the towers. Felicity flinched as he hit the ground. She was torn as to whether she should attempt to stand guard over him or Roy, but when she caught Merlyn out of the corner of her eye Felicity figured she’d be more useful and successful handing the human threat.

Merlyn was going for a weapon, by the looks of it, it was a laser gun similar to the ones in use by the robots and Felicity succeeded at shooting the weapon from his hands. “I’d think carefully about reaching for another one,” she warned him, as she kept him in her sights.

“You’re sure this is the play you want to make Detective?” Merlyn asked as he raised his hands just above his shoulders, palms facing out towards her. His tone clearly indicated that he wouldn't be disturbed by her answer, no matter what it turned out to be.

“I’ve been looking forward to arresting you,” she replied biting back a smile.

He sighed, “So be it,” before turning around slowly and placing his hands behind his back. Felicity holstered her gun and stepped toward Merlyn, reading him his rights, as she withdrew her handcuffs. She’d just finished cuffing the billionaire when a fierce roar filled the air. Felicity whipped towards the sound and saw Oliver clawing through a collapsed pile of wall. He was so intent on his frantic search that he left himself open to attack from an unfamiliar gargoyle.

Felicity couldn’t understand why the dark haired figure was striking out against one of it’s own, but they moved viciously and from her vantage she could tell Oliver was pulling his blows. He was reacting defensively, trying not to harm the other gargoyle that seemed determined to end him. Reacting on instinct she raced to assist him since Oliver seemed determine to not actually fight back.

Since she couldn’t risk hitting Oliver, the two gargoyles were a whirl of movement - wings and tails snapping back and forth in a flurry pivots and twists - Felicity kept her piece sheathed. While she waited for her opportunity to enter the fray, Felicity had a chance to get a better look at the new gargoyle and she was startled by the realization that Oliver was tangling with a female. It shouldn’t have come as such a surprise to her, most species had males and females after all, but having only met male gargoyles she’d made an erroneous assumption. There would be time to censure herself for that later, right now she needed to concentrate on helping Oliver.

Oliver pushed a few feet of distance between himself and the female gargoyle and recognizing her opening Felicity charged and began grappling with the other female. She managed to land a number of solid blows but for all her training and the hours of practice she put in, Felicity was not a battle-hardened warrior like the gargoyle she was dueling. For all her experience she was unprepared for getting her feet got knocked out from underneath her by a gargoyle's tail. And really that seemed unfair. Guys twice her size she could handle, but a swiftly moving third appendage that was hard to keep tabs on was not something she'd ever trained for - that would change tomorrow Felicity vowed thumping to the ground.

She scrambled backwards as the livid female hovered over her, dark eyes flashing with malice.

"Helena no!" Oliver shouted as he leapt into the narrow space that divided them on the rampart.

"You would protect this human?" she fumed rearing back slightly in disgust. "After what their kind did to us!"

"Our betrayer is long dead," he reasoned. Felicity didn't need to hear Helena's derisive laugh to know that the gargoyle would not welcome his logic. She was lost in rage that she’d wrapped up in a quest for vengeance that could not be found a millennia later.

"You’re a fool Oliver," she spat, "but then again you always were." Helena slashed out at him, going for his eyes. Oliver turned quickly enough so she got his cheek, but she used that movement to knock him off balance and Felicity had to twist herself so she wouldn't be crushed under him as he fell.

Helena used their time getting back up on their feet to reacquire the laser gun Oliver had relieved her of; taking aim at them she told him, "You'll join in their fate."

A boulder flew out of nowhere just before Helena fired, spinning her around so the laser hit one of towers bringing it down upon them. Felicity felt the castle shift and heard the groan of splitting stone as the walkway gave way beneath her feet. The world spun out and she once again found herself falling from the great height of the massive skyscraper.

Frantic her eyes ping-ponged and she caught sight of Helena not far below her twirling in the air. Her wings fluttered around her, it almost appeared as if they danced, making Felicity aware that gargoyle was unconscious otherwise she was certain Helena would have caught a draft to stop her descent.

The racing wind ate up the full sound of her name, but she managed to catch Oliver's voice. He was diving towards her, hands out stretched. Though it seemed comical Felicity did her best to lunge in his direction, her hands straining to meet his. Their fingers briefly ghosted over each other and she saw determination harden his jaw as Oliver angled himself more, picking up speed to close the distance between them.

Their hands met as the wind changed. After flying — gliding she mentally corrected herself — with him previously Felicity knew that he needed a certain strength of air to carry him, particularly with a passenger. If they got much lower Oliver would be unable to prevent their fall. Once she was hauled into the safety of his chest, Felicity watched Oliver’s eyes drifted towards Helena. She could tell by the mournful howl he let loose as he expanded his wings to counter their downward spiral that she was too far away for him to help.

Oliver’s heart felt heavy in his chest. Just a night ago he’d been rejoicing in the return of his beloved Angel of the Night, basking in the ability to soar through the sky again with her. Reveling being able to hold her hand and stroke her face, relishing the scent of her hair and the feel of her in his arms … after so long, after believing that Helena had been reduced to rubble. It was more than a dream come true. While Oliver still mourned those they’d lost, he been unable to feel anything but elated.

He’d awoken this very night still feeling that way. Though he’d been uncertain about their mission to reclaim Merlyn’s stolen technology, he’d been excited to tackle a foe with Helena again. To be at her side in all aspects.

Wariness began to set in when he’d witnessed her disregard for human life during their breach of one of the three locations they needed to simultaneously attack in order to retrieve the missing tech. Helena had been cold, bloodthirsty even. She had never been one to shy away from battle, but had only taken life when necessary. That she actively sought to kill any human they came across disturbed Oliver. He managed to prevent death, but Helena had made it known how disappointed she was in him for interfering.

Realizing that she was so changed from the gargoyle he remembered had not been the biggest blow of evening. He’d been hit by so much: her lies, both then and now, which had led to their clan’s destruction and made them thieves. Her turning on them, aligning herself with Merlyn, and allowing the man to sic his metal beasts on them. Helena striking out at him with her own hand, her intent lethal. Each event brutalized his heart.

Had his love always been a stranger he’d been unable to truly see, Oliver wondered as dawn began to creep towards the horizon. Or had he failed to protect her from the worst of humanity’s traits? That question could never be answered now. In saving a life he’d condemned Helena. She was beyond his reach now and they were both past the others forgiveness. That hurt him most of all.

Below him his brothers took their places for the rising of the sun in the now quiet castle; Felicity had watched over the teams of police officers collecting evidence to make certain they were not discovered. Their injuries though severe would heal as they slept, but the deeper wounds Oliver feared may never mend.

At the quiet tread of Felicity’s approach Oliver turned to face the detective. The long night left darkening circles under her eyes which shimmered with sympathy. He bristled slightly under her gaze, unready to accept that emotion from someone outside of his clan, particularly the human he managed to save in lieu of Helena. It had been his choice, a debt repaid, though Oliver knew Felicity had no expectation of him returning her gesture in kind. Still it was a decision that would take some time to come to terms with.

“Everyone has cleared out,” she informed him. “Though I am sure Cisco Ramon will back before too long. You’ll need to be careful with him around.”

“We will be,” he assured her.

Felicity fidgeted nervously in front of him. “Look, Oliver,” she said brushing some of her blonde flyway locks from her eyes, “we haven’t known each other very long, but you’ve got to trust somebody in this world.” She steadied as she spoke and her eyes landed on his, open and heartfelt. “I promise you won’t regret trusting me.”

He studied her for a long minute and she never wavered under his penetrating gaze. “No, I don’t believe you will,” Oliver replied. “You have my trust Felicity.”

Tagging: @almondblossomme

#arrow #olicity #arrow fic #olicity fic #dotn #ofbb2017 #my fanfiction

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blackkudos · 8 years ago

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Jackie Wilson

Jack Leroy "Jackie" Wilson Jr. (June 9, 1934 – January 21, 1984) was an American soul singer-songwriter and performer. A tenor with a four octave vocal range, he was nicknamed "Mr. Excitement", and was important in the transition of rhythm and blues into soul. He was considered a master showman, and one of the most dynamic and influential singers and performers in R&B and rock 'n' roll history. Gaining fame in his early years as a member of the R&B vocal group Billy Ward and His Dominoes, he went solo in 1957 and recorded over 50 hit singles that spanned R&B, pop, soul, doo-wop and easy listening. This included 16 R&B Top 10 hits, including six R&B number ones. On the

Billboard

Hot 100, he scored 14 Top 20 Pop hits, six of which made it into the Pop Top 10. On September 29, 1975, while headlining a Dick Clark Oldies Concert, he collapsed on stage from what was later determined to be a massive heart attack, and subsequently slipped into a coma, slowly awakening over a period of 8 months. He remained semi-comatose for the nine years until his death in 1984, at the age of 49. Wilson was an inspiration to Elvis Presley, Bruce Springsteen, James Brown and Michael Jackson to name a few. He was one of the most influential artists of his generation.