Chapter Text
Chapter 1
“It’s going to be fine, Felicity.” Oliver rests his hand on her shoulder, stilling her nervous fluttering as the elevator finally reaches the top floors of Queen Consolidated. His lips twist upwards in a grin at her nervous energy and his heart skips a beat when her blue eyes meet his. The connection nearly makes him forget how to breathe.
It’s been getting stronger since his confession: this feeling drawing him to Felicity like a fish on a line, like two magnets. The ‘I love you’ brought his feelings out into the open and he couldn’t hold them back anymore. He’s tried. It takes all his focus to keep his hands to himself when they’re alone. He looks for any excuse to touch her, but he’s not regretting his decision. He’s practically walking on air because for the first time, he sees the possibility for a relationship and he wants it. He wants it so much it hurts.
“You keep saying that, but I’m just waiting for the other shoe to drop. Something else is going to happen.” She fiddles with her necklace, sliding it back and forth on its chain.
He reaches out and takes her hand, pulling it away from the charm, the other hand tilting her head up to his. “Hey, it’s going to be okay.” He does it unconsciously. It’s his normal reaction to comfort her. He doesn’t consider how kissable she looks staring up at him with her lips slightly parted.
The overwhelming urge to kiss her washes over him, pulling him irresistibly closer to her, thumb moving over her lower lip as his head naturally starts to incline. Her eyes flutter closed and his follow a second later. He can feel her breath on his face, millimeters away from kissing, but the chime of the bell dings and she startles away from him, the moment ruined.
Felicity edges away from him, worrying her bottom lip with her teeth as she glances at him. Oliver sighs, running a frustrated hand through his hair. He can’t keep doing this, keeping her at a distance when all he wants to do is pull her close. He follows her in to the office that until recently belonged to him. His hand lands on the small of Felicity’s back as they approach the elderly lawyer with his balding head.
“Mr. Queen, it’s good to see you again. And you two, Miss Smoak.” The man shakes their hands with a polite smile glued to his face.
“Good to see you too, Mr. Harding. Why don’t we sign those papers?” The feeling of relief nearly crashing into him. Today was the day, after three months that he finally signed the papers to get his company back. Finally.
“Actually, Mr. Queen, we’ve run into a bit of an issue.” The lawyer shifts uncomfortably under the former-CEO’s gaze. Oliver watches as the man nervously straightens his tie. “There’s been another bid for the company.”
Oliver’s eyes dart back to Felicity, but she’s just as surprised as he is. She frowns at the new information, brows drawn together.
“Sorry, I’m late, Mr. Harding!” Oliver turns towards the door as a black haired man comes sauntering in, adjusting his black tie as he does. He spares a wink for Felicity and Oliver decides he doesn’t like this guy, whoever he is. As if hearing Oliver’s thoughts the man turns to face him. “Hi, I’m Ray Palmer. You must be Oliver Queen.”
“Must be,” Oliver mutters, but he’s already been forgotten.
“And who are you? I wasn’t expecting to run into a stunningly beautiful woman.” He takes Felicity’s hand and lifts it to his lips, placing a kiss to the back of her hand.
“Felicity...Smoak. I work in IT – actually, worked. I used to work there, but then he made me his EA, which means I worked up here.” She pops her lips and smiles at the abrupt end of her little rant. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Palmer.”
“Please, call me Ray.”
Oliver coughs, drawing attention back to him. He struggles to keep his hands from curling into fists, although three of his fingers on his left hand rub together, imaging aiming an arrow at the man who waltzed in and started flirting with his Felicity.
“Mr. Palmer, here, is the other bidder for Queen Consolidated, Mr. Queen.” Mr. Harding glances between the two men and Felicity shifts slightly closer to Oliver. He feels more grounded just by her reassuring presence and the acknowledgement that she is with him, despite the flirting of the man trying to buy his company.
“Really?”
Ray smiles, eyes twinkling in amusement. “You can’t really be surprised, Mr. Queen. It was under your control that the company fell into the hands of Isabel Rochev. You weren’t exactly a huge success with the Board. I see the potential in Queen Consolidated to lead the world into a new age of technology. I have the experience to do just that, while you, frankly, don’t. No offense intended, I mean, you have done a good job considering you never graduated college, but I’m guessing that your EA played a big part in any success the company had. Am I right?”
Oliver’s jaw clenches along with his fists, because he really dislikes this condescending man, who he’s never heard of before. Before he can form a coherent response, Ray Palmer continues, turning towards the window and the stunning skyline before them.
“Miss Smoak really is the model employee. She helped you run this company and probably stopped it from going under. EA might be her title, but I’m willing to bet that on some days she ran the company more than you did. I bet she knows the inner workings of this company better than anyone.” He offers her a stunning smile, ignoring the effect his words were having on Oliver. “So, yes Mr. Queen, I have looked into your company and you. And here I see the opportunity to create something revolutionary. With the right guidance, this company can be transformed and with it the entire city.
“I know this business has been in your family since its creation – it is your name on the building – but this is a time for building and growth. It’s time for a new face.” He beams at Oliver then and it takes all Oliver’s training not to knock that smug grin off the bastard’s face. “So, I will outbid you because this company, with me, is the future of Starling City.”
...
Felicity finds Oliver in the new Lair, unsurprisingly. He left immediately following the meeting with Mr. Harding and Ray Palmer, leaving her behind with the man trying to take over the company. He was charming and suave. He had a smile that belonged on the cover of magazines, but it never made her heart skip a beat. No, that pleasure belonged to one blonde-haired former-billionaire who had a nasty habit of shooting arrows into people.
He had nearly kissed her in the elevator today and what had scared her most was that she would have let him. She would have melted into his arms at the first chance, without any regrets. Ever since the incident with Slade, they seemed to be always on the brink of crossing that final threshold, but neither wanted to be the one to make the move. There were too many reasons against them. They wanted it, but they kept telling themselves it would never work.
So Felicity simply slides into her new chair at the desk full of rescued computer equipment and starts typing away on her keyboard. Oliver’s hits to the dummy pause for a beat longer than normal before resuming their pattern. It’s enough that she knows he’s aware of her presence. She smiles to her computers. This place already feels like home.
The old police radio they set up in the corner provides white noise in the background as the two work in their separate sections. They could have worked for countless hours if they weren’t interrupted by the shrill ringing of a cell phone. Felicity, unthinking, reaches for her phone next to her keyboard, but when she finally looks over, she realizes the noise isn’t coming from her phone.
She turns until her eyes land on Oliver’s phone sitting on the metal table holding his arrows. He steps slowly away from the dummy, eyes meeting Felicity’s startled ones as he grabs the phone, lifting it to his ear.
“Hello?”
Felicity turns away, back to her computers, but her concentration has been ruined. Once again, she’s aware of Oliver’s presence in a way she never was before the incident with Slade. That entire night is on a constant look in her head. Yes, he told her he loved her as a ploy, but more than that she realized he had complete faith in her. He trusted her. The man who isolated himself because he couldn’t trust anyone, because he had spent five years where trust was impossible: that man trusted her.
She looks up as his hand lands on her shoulder. Oliver smiles down at her, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes.
“We need to head back to the office. Mr. Harding claims Ray Palmer has offered a deal.”
Felicity tilts her head up at him, unimpressed at his words. After he ran out of QC earlier, Ray offered her a job in the company, one far more impressive than being his EA. The company wasn’t even his and he was already making job offers. But Felicity’s torn: it’s a good job and it’s something she wants to do. The chance to run the Applied Sciences division: it’s the chance of a lifetime and she doesn’t want to give it up, but she wouldn’t give up her work with the Arrow either.
Oliver sighs and squeezes her shoulder. “According to Mr. Harding, Palmer wants us to stay involved in the company and he wants to talk to us.”
Felicity snorts, but stands and grabs her bag. Turning on her heel, she leads the way from the lair, feeling Oliver’s hand hovering just over the small of her back. Up the metal stairs, through the padlocked door and then finally the second, deadbolt-ed door, Felicity finally emerges into the alley outside their lair.
In the alley, her internal debate comes to a head and she stops short. Oliver’s hand finally makes contact with her back, the place of contact nearly burning in intensity. He rubs her back in a small circle as he comes around to face her, blue eyes burning into her.
“Felicity? What is it?”
Drawing one stuttering breath, she sighs, finally lifting her eyes to meet his. “Oliver, I have to tell you something.” He lets her continue and for that Felicity is grateful. “After you left today, Ray Palmer offered me a job, a good job, but that’s assuming he gets the company and I know you don’t want that, but I am going to need a job. I don’t really want to work for another arrogant asshole but like I said, it’s a really, really good job. And-“
Oliver chuckles. “Felicity, do you want to go out to dinner? Tonight...as in a date...you and me on a date.”
Felicity stares at him in shock, mouth falling slightly open as her eyes widen. In front her Oliver shifts nervously, unsure until the moment the smile begins to bloom on Felicity’s face. She can see it in his face the moment he knows what her answer is going to be because his face lights up and a matching smile appears on his face. She nods at the warmth swells within her, starting somewhere near her heart and extending to her fingertips and toes in a warm bubble. “Yes, Oliver, I’d love to go to dinner with you.”
They stand there like lovestruck idiots, swaying slightly in some unseen breeze, until Felicity remembers what she was saying before the impromptu and altogether unexpected question from Oliver.
She reaches out and punches Oliver in the arm with all her strength, knowing he can take a wimpy hit from her without so much as a wince. “And what the hell kind of timing do you call that?! I was trying to tell you something important.”
She tries, but she can’t keep the scowl on her face as Oliver laughs and pulls her along to the car waiting for them on the curb. He even opens the passenger door for her, gesturing her in. Felicity turns to face him instead, unintentionally pinned between him and the car.
“He really could take the company from you; you do realize that, right?”
Felicity watches as he smiles, shaking his head as he leans in. “Right now, I couldn’t care less.”
Her lips part to argue with him. His company is important to him and to the memory of his parents. He should be worried about the upstart Ray Palmer. He shouldn’t be asking girls on dates, even if she’s jittery with excitement right now. This is not the time.
But all thoughts cease as Oliver’s lips press against her in a kiss, his hands moving up to cup her face. One of her hands reaches up to grab his wrist, not to stop him but to ground herself because she feels like she’s falling and the ground will do nothing to catch her.
The kiss is tender, gentle, like he’s afraid to break her. Felicity pushes back into him slightly and the kiss gains strength, purpose. They’re teetering on the edge and when she opens her mouth to his tongue, they fall and they both know there’s no going back.
...
Oliver couldn’t keep the idiotic smile off his face as he walks into the lawyer’s office, resisting the urge to glance sideways to see if the same smile is plastered on Felicity’s face. Even the sight of Ray Palmer fails to dim Oliver’s bright smile. He’s still a thousand miles high on the taste of Felicity’s lips.
“Good of you to join us, Mr. Queen. We’re here to discuss Mr. Palmer’s new proposal.” Mr. Harding’s eyes dart between the two business men across from him before landing with a hint of disapproval at the only woman in the room.
Oliver notices but ignores it grandly as always. Underestimating Felicity is a huge mistake for the lawyer, just like it was for Slade. He steps to the side to let Felicity sit first before taking his own seat between her and Palmer.
“So what’s this new proposal?” Oliver glances between Palmer and Harding. Harding appears done with his antics, but Palmer regards him with interest, clearly seeing the shift, but not knowing what to make of it.
“Well, Mr. Queen, it appears that your two bids for the company are keeping it in limbo. In the interest of the preservation of the company, Mr. Palmer thinks the two of you should work together, splitting control of the company.” Harding glances uncomfortably at Felicity and Oliver frowns. Yes, she’s always in the meetings, but she doesn’t overtly have anything to do with the company, not that Harding is aware of anyway.
“He will allow you to remain on as a silent partner, while he takes over the position of CEO.” Oliver scowls at the suggestion. It’s not the money he wants, which is really all he would get as a silent partner. Harding glances back at Ray Palmer, clearly uncomfortable with the path of this conversation. “And Ms. Smoak will return as Director of Applied Sciences. Mr. Palmer wants to expand that branch of Queen Consolidated and believe that Ms. Smoak’s leadership will allow it to flourish.”
Oliver doesn’t doubt that it will: Felicity is amazing beyond compare. It’s the only thing that stops him from throwing the deal in Palmer’s face. He can’t just throw away this opportunity for her. If only he had a punching bag to work through this decision, it would be so much easier.
“So, let me get this straight: Mr. Palmer wants to run the company and give me a job I’m not qualified for, but is willing to give Oliver a cut of the money the company makes?”
Oliver recognizes the tone of Felicity’s voice. She hasn’t quite reached her loud voice, but the question is a lead in. He knows Harding has no answer that’s going to get him out of the hole he probably doesn’t even realize he’s in.
Mr. Harding glances at Ray Palmer, checking to make sure that’s exactly what he meant. Oliver keeps his face a mask. Palmer is at least smart enough to show some trepidation before nodding. Oliver sighs.
“That’s correct, Ms Smoak.”
She smiles politely and grabs her purse as she stands. “Thank you for the offer. We decline.” She turns and Oliver rises to join her.
“You can’t be serious?” Ray demands, staring at her in shock.
“Ms. Smoak, you do not have the authority to make such a declaration.” Harding glances at Oliver Queen, clearly bewildered.
Oliver shrugs. “Let me know where we go next with negotiations.”
“Ms. Smoak, it’s a good deal. The best you’re going to get.” Ray moves to face her, annoyance in his eyes. Oliver steps forward to intercept him, but Felicity’s flinty gaze stops him short. She doesn’t need his help with this.
“Mr. Palmer, I’m happy you want to give me such an amazing job, but I also know what happens with these kinds of take overs. You’re offering Oliver money so that he’s not poor, but you’re going to gut his company, which means the firing of thousands of employees, employees that at this moment still have their jobs. You say you want to expand, but how much are you going to downsize other departments?” She crosses her arms and steps closer, lowering her voice into a scarier whisper and Oliver’s glad that for once it’s not directed at him.
“You told me you’re aware that I did much of the running of the company as Oliver’s executive assistant, Mr. Palmer. Did you know I could name every single employee at Queen Consolidated? I have a photographic memory so it’s really not that hard. I can tell you who needs the money they make to survive and who probably should be fired because they use their free time to look up porn on the company computers. I also know how many people you would have to step on to complete this vision of yours. You’ll bring in your own people in a takeover and you won’t give the same benefits or consideration that the Queen family does to their employees. There’s a reason I chose to work here instead of elsewhere. I had lots of offers. I can find my own job. Oliver, of course, is able to make his own decisions, but I won’t let him accept a crap deal for my sake. So, your answer from me is no.”
All three men watch as Felicity strides from the room and down the hall. Oliver smirks and glances at the dumbfounded men. He walks to the door and pulls it open.
“I think you have your answer. I guess this thing will just have to drag on for a little longer.” He offers them a beaming smile. “I’ll be the first to admit I’m not the best CEO, but I can’t let you leave thousands of people jobless. Good talk, gentlemen.”
He felt free as he walked from the office. Making the choice to stick by his morals as Oliver Queen and not just the Arrow allowed him to stand tall as he ventured down the hallway to where Felicity waited by the elevator, nervously pacing and wringing her hands. This time as they entered the elevator together, Oliver didn’t bother keeping his distance.
His hand brushes hers and out of the corner of his eye, he watches her bite her lip in an attempt to stop her smile as their fingers interlace, locking them together. She leans into him, letting out a breath as Oliver rubs his thumb in circles over the back of her hand.
“I did the right thing, right?” She sounds unsure, small.
Oliver laughs, turning her to face him. “I didn’t even think about the people who would lose their jobs. I would have said yes just so you could get your dream job. If you hadn’t spoken up, I would have made a huge mistake. You’re amazing, you know that?”
She blushes at his words, averting her eyes under his scrutiny. Oliver smiles quietly as he reaches up and brushes her hair back from her face to tuck it behind her ear. Her face lifts back up to his and this time he fights the urge to kiss her for a different reason: he wants to do this right. He wants to take her out to dinner and then walk her to her door for that first kiss. He doesn’t want to mess this up despite how kissable she looks right now.
She groans as the doors ding open and he drags her out without a kiss. He smiles at the sound, glad he’s not the only one who wants it. He throws a smirk over his shoulder and she merely shakes her head, walking faster to take the lead back to the car.
“I’ll take you back to your apartment and pick you up for dinner at 7?” Confronted with the reality of the date, Oliver feels his insecurities return as he slides behind the wheel.
Felicity nods, but then her phone blasts and Detective Lance’s face lights up the screen. Throwing an alarmed look in Oliver’s direction, she picks up the phone.
“Detective? What’s up?”
...
“What’s the emergency?” Digg jogs down the stairs into the lair, coming to a stop next to Felicity. He looks over one shoulder as Oliver leans over her other one.
“Detective Lance called to let me know that William Tockman has escaped federal prison. Apparently he has reason to believe that Tockman has something big planned. He sent me pictures of Tockman’s cell. There are strings of code on every wall.” Felicity waves towards one screen distractedly. She immediately goes back to typing, eyes fixed to a different screen. “I can’t figure out. I think I’m missing something. But I am trying to track him.”
Her fist pumps into the air in triumph. “GOT HIM!” She points to a blinking red light. “Warehouse district, just off Sierra Drive. Be careful!” Felicity locks eyes with Oliver, thinking how much she would rather be on a date, sipping cheap wine and eating Italian because that’s all they could afford.
His eyes mirror the sentiment as he squeezes her shoulder before turning to change into his gear. He disappears into the bathroom and Felicity turns back to the computer screen with the pictures of Tockman’s cell.
“Digg, I want you to go with him. I don’t like that I don’t know what this code is. I want you watching his back.” Her blue eyes pin him over her glasses.
Digg nods. “What about Roy?”
“Oliver doesn’t want to get him involved for this one.” Felicity focuses back on the screen. “Besides Roy wasn’t involved last time either.”
“Are you okay, Felicity? I know last time...” He trails off, leaving the words unsaid as his eyes land on her shoulder where her dress conceals the scar of her previous gunshot wound.
She huffs. “I just wish this job came with better timing.”
Felicity registers Digg’s confusion at her comment, but she shrugs it off. She’s just frustrated because of course, the night they were going to go out on an official date, there would be a breakout at the maximum security prison housing a horrible criminal. Her luck was just that good. She lets out a huff of air and suddenly Oliver’s now-gloved hand lands on her shoulder, causing her to jump.
He leans forward. “Sorry we have to postpone this date. Maybe we can just get ice cream and a bottle of wine when I get back.”
“That sounds heavenly,” Felicity responds, lips curving upward at the thought. Oliver’s face is closer than she anticipates as she turns. He takes advantage and draws a kiss out of her before leaving her with a final hand squeeze.
Digg raises an eyebrow at her, but smirks as he follows Oliver out of the club and she swears she hears: “About damn time.”
...
“This place looks empty, Felicity.” Oliver slips through the warehouse, sticking to the black shadows everywhere. Scattered crates provide cover as he makes his way through the dilapidated building.
“I’m still getting electrical input into the building. Try looking for a computer or something.” Her voice is slightly static-y in his ear, but it comforts him all the same.
“Digg, how’s it looking outside?”
“A couple of homeless guys. Not much else.”
Oliver scowls at the darkness around him, aggravated by this detour from his original plans. He just wants to get Tockman back into his cell and get back to Felicity. Row after row, the warehouse is empty, until Oliver notices a slight glow coming from a back corner. He nocks an arrow and moves slowly towards the glow of what he assumes to be a computer screen. Before he rounds the corner, he hears a noise behind him.
Spinning on his heel, Oliver lets the arrow fly in the direction he thought he heard noise from, but an incoming box knocks him backwards, bow flying from his hand to slide across the concrete warehouse floor.
“Oliver! Are you alright?” Felicity sounds close to frantic on the other end of the line.
“I’m fine.” The words are chocked as he pushes the box away, crouch to avoid any more falling debris, his legs coiled under him, ready to spring. “I think we’re in the right place.”
He spots his bow in the light of the computer glow, outside of the safety of box shadows.
“Looks like the hero found his way into my little den. Is your little computer genius with you? She’s a gem that one! Where did you find her? I can’t even locate her computer anymore.” Tockman cackles over a speaker, voice echoing through all corners of the warehouse. “She’s special, but I bet even she couldn’t figure out what I did. She’s not going to win this round.”
“Oliver, the warehouse is drawing more electricity. Whatever he broke out to do, he’s going it now.” He can practically hear her keyboard tapping through the comms.
“Got it.” Gritting his teeth, he dives into the light of the computers, reaching directly for his discarded bow. As he does, electricity crackles around him and his body buzzes with the rush of energy a million times more powerful than static shock. The world around him goes black with the sensation.
...
“Oliver? OLIVER!” Felicity screams into the comms, jumping to her feet in the cold, lonely lair. Over the comms, all she hears is static so she switches devices and frantically dials his phone. It goes straight to voicemail so she quickly calls Diggle. He picks up on the first ring.
“What happened?”
Felicity breathes a sigh of relief, but anxiety still gnaws at her insides. It still feels like something is wrong. “There was a surge of electricity. It must have blown the comms out. I can’t reach Oliver. Digg...I need you to check on him.”
“Got it.” She hears movement, slow and cautious, just like Diggle, but as each second ticks by Felicity gets more and more nervous. First she just plays with her necklace, next she taps her foot, after that it’s tapping on the keyboard in a vain attempt to get better eyes on the warehouse. Then Digg’s voice returns:
“There’s no one here, Felicity.”
“What do you mean-“
“I mean, there’s no one here.” She freezes at the wariness in his voice, the bewilderment. “No Oliver, no Tockman. There are three computer screens and a giant processor, but no people.” Again she hears movement. “Something’s very wrong here, Felicity.”
“What? What is it?” Felicity sits forward, nails digging into the armrests of her chair.
“His bow.”
Felicity stares into space in shock. “So they must have knocked him out and taken him.” It’s the only solution she can fathom. Oliver would never willingly leave his bow behind. Her body acts without thought, immediately pulling up camera footage and blueprints, searching for Tockman’s escape route. He couldn’t have done this without help, either. He wasn’t anywhere near strong enough to take Oliver out by himself.
“Felicity, they couldn’t have left the building without going past me and I didn’t see anyone.”
“NO! Digg he has to be there! People don’t just disappear.” There has to be a logical explanation. She clings to that knowledge, there must be a logical explanation.
“Wait, Felicity, the computers are running some sort of program.” A pause. “Felicity, listen to this.”
Through the phone comes Tockman’s wheezy voice. “Looks like you’re too late. Your hero has vanished without a trace. I’m sure you’ll understand it in time, but what will you do now? Your city has no guardian. It’s ripe for the picking. You can search all you want, but your hero is gone to you and you will never find him.” His laugh creaks over the speakers. “Give my regards to Slade Wilson. You’ll be seeing him soon. Ta ta for now.”
The blood runs cold in her veins at his name. “Digg...?”
“Shit!” She hears loud noise over the phone and Digg’s labored breathing.
“What’s happening?” Felicity stares at the satellite picture until she sees Digg’s form race out a door. Her voice climbs unnaturally high, shaking against her will.
“He set the hard drive to explode. Sorry I couldn’t get anything.”
“It’s okay, Digg. Just get back here.” Felicity hangs up, collapsing back into her chair.
She finally lets everything go and her whole world tumbles down around her. Tears fall, covering her face in water that she can’t stem no matter how she tries. She fights the despair filling her the only way she knows how: she pours all her worry and pain into her computers. She pulls up all the footage she can of the warehouse, hacking satellites for heat scans. She compares the scans to the blueprints. There has to be something. People don’t just disappear. Oliver doesn’t just disappear. He wouldn’t leave her here alone. He wouldn’t. He always came back for her. Always.
By the time Digg returns, she’s accessed every satellite view of the warehouse, all confirming the same thing: there were people inside the building and then there weren’t. It had something to do with Tockman’s code from his cell. She was sure of it. God, it was like he was laughing in her face! She wanted to pull her hair out and scream in frustration. It was like last time they had gone up against him: she felt useless. Digg doesn’t bother to ask her what she’s found as she taps furiously away at her keyboards. He simply places Oliver’s bow on the desk beside her, squeezing her shoulder before moving to the punching dummy.
Felicity’s eyes land on the green bow, pain lacing through her heart. Oliver, where are you?