Chapter 1: The Deal
Felicity couldnt believe what she was hearing. It was just insane. Her life at risk? They must have been joking. She just sat in shock as her the (director of the company) chatted on about getting new security details that would protect their leading members of the company; which Felicity happened to be one of.
But, I don t understand why I m being singled out. Felicity finally managed to make her voice come out of her throat. Everyone turned to her, and she felt her mouth go dry, like someone had taken all the water out of her body. She sunk back into her chair and hoped to disappear, and to hopefully melt into her chair so that she no longer existed in this particular moment in time. The person leading the meeting, a dark haired middle-aged man, leant down, and rested his hands firmly on the large conference table.
Because, Miss Smoak, this particular individual has set off an explosive device in one of our leading research divisions which we were close to releasing for further development. He said, standing up straight, pulling on his blazer, buttoning it back up, and his eyes narrowed towards Felicity. Not to mention that he was in your department, and you were one of the members that voted against his employment here numerous times for his unpredictable behaviour, which in turn forced his job termination as well as the explosion last Monday. He is not thrilled with you, to say the least. He said sharply, and Felicity was wishing that she could dissolve into the chair once more.
Well, when you put it like that, it makes much more sense. She muttered under her breath, looking at her nails and avoiding the gaze of every person in the room.
So, it is all agreed. Every leading member of each sector will have a personal bodyguard once they travel to work, they will stand close by and then make sure you have a safe return home. The director said, and everyone seemed to agree in hushed tones. You may all return to your research. He hummed and everyone stood. Felicity began to stand, taking her lab coat from the back of her chair when the director gestured for her to stay seated. Felicity froze in a state of confusion and took a few moments before sitting down again, still looking around to her other colleagues for some sort of reassurance. One colleague Felicity saw look back at her was the only other female staff member she knew, Catalina Snow, and she looked so worried for Felicity.
Felicity had to admit, she was becoming fearful herself.
Monday was like every other day, a few more looks, but Felicity always got odd looks. She was a computer genius in an environment full of condescending men who stared too much at her as she made her way to her lab every morning. She had gotten used to it. Well, not used to it, it still irritated her, but she managed.
Felicity had hidden herself away in her lab, her legs tucked up onto her seat as her chair twirled around. She liked the movement more than she would like to admit, it provided a great sense of zen, but also, it did make her feel sick. Felicity was looking over a computer algorithm on her tablet when her mind began to race with many possibilities. She turned to her desk, pulling herself into the gap and began to type out furiously against her keyboard. It wasn t like she was mad, she just needed to get this down as to not forget this genius idea that she just managed to get.
As she typed, away in her own world, she heard shouting down the hall, which wasn t abnormal, she just didn t pay attention. Then, it was like she was trapped inside a movie scene. A loud sound boomed across Felicity s floor, knocking everything around and the tinted glass walls of her office shattered around her. Felicity was thrown to the floor and could only hear ringing in her ears, everything else was muted or muffled.
Felicity didn t remember much else of being on the floor, but she did remember walking down what remained of the hallway filled with the putrid smell of smoke, and the glared vision of just the same thing. Felicity was stumbling over in her heels, and as she looked behind her, the hall was ablaze, creeping higher in the building.
She turned around to continue down the emergency exit when several firefighters appeared through the doors and down the hall. One came to her, talking to her through his helmet but it only sounded like muffled words to her still aching ears. He gripped her elbow and her waist, guiding her down the fire exist and out of the building.
They emerged outside, and Felicity could finally breathe, coughing as the fresh air was encountering with the fire soaked smoke in her lungs. A red headed woman came over to Felicity as the firefighter let go of Felicity.
I m Caitlin Snow, I m the medical examiner for the building, you have a bit of blood of the side of your head. Do you want me to take a look? She said slowly, her voice starting out as muffles but turned to true words as she continued to talk. Felicity nodded, touching her head, looking at her hand and seeing glimmers of blood on her fingertips.
Could you just? I m a little bit shaken around, but at least I m not a martini. Felicity managed to say, though it didn t make much sense, she still wanted to make sure she had her wit. Caitlin laughed, cleaning Felicity s wound and taking a general look at her health. Caitlin gave a last nod and smiled at Felicity.
You ll be fine. Just a few bumps and bruises. She said, a small smile on her lips, curving up on her rosy cheeks. Felicity smiled back, standing up from the quick little operation that Caitlin had set up. It seemed that Caitlin has quickly set up a medical station with her whole department acting as physicians to those who were coming out of the building. Each medical examiner had their own station with little equipment, just basic stuff to check and clean people s wounds. Caitlin s was the biggest station, with more of the advance equipment around her. Felicity assumed that meant that Caitlin was the head of her department.
Thank you, Caitlin. You were great. Felicity extended a hand to Caitlin and she took it with a generous smile.
At least you weren t a martini. Caitlin joked, and Felicity couldn t help but chuckle at her own joke that was a pathetic excuse for a joke and should not have been considered one.
I m Felicity Smoak, I probably should have said that, you know, before saying that I felt like a martini. Felicity smiled nervously, but Caitlin shook her head, a growing smile still appearing on her lips.
No, you said you were lucky you weren t a martini. Caitlin bit her lip lightly, trying to impress Felicity in some way with her joke. Felicity nodded and turned to the building, her jaw dropping, her hand covering her mouth.
If I was any closer, I could have been worse than a martini. Felicity gasped, noticing how much of her building had actually suffered. It looked like half the building was gone, and Felicity wondered, if her officer had been any closer, or she had left her lab when she heard the yelling, would she ever be there?
It was a hard thought to process.
It had been a week and Felicity remembered nearly every detail clearly as she waited for her boss to finally say something. He took a seat next to Felicity, and he began to lean forward in his chair.
Felicity, there is something very important that we have not told any of the other staff members. He started, and Felicity shifted in her seat uncomfortably. The person has sent us a letter that states that they want to take revenge on the company, as well as the person responsible for his job termination. You. Felicity took a deep breath in before panic was beginning to set in. We want you to not come into work for the next couple of days. He said, and then panic went out the window and anger was in.
That explosion took out my entire computer system, he ruined all my research, I have to start all over again. Felicity argued, sitting upright in her chair.
As does everyone else. You are not the only person this affects, Miss Smoak. Her boss brow narrowed at her, trying to tell her to calm down but she would not listen.
Then why do I have to stay here? She slouched, her own brow creasing at him.
Because your life has been directly threatened. We know you, though. And the board has agreed to put a little extra security on you. Her boss said, and Felicity scoffed at the idea.
Excuse me? She exclaimed.
We are getting the best security we can afford and they will be following you 24 hours a day until this person is caught and you are out of harms way. Felicity crossed her arms, her lips growing tight, and she became angrier.
I do not need a babysitter. She muttered, and her boss finally stood in an angered fit.
This is not a babysitter, Miss Smoak, this person is protecting your life. If you do not take this deal, you will be banned from coming into the office for 2 months, and your research will run cold. He threatened and Felicity could almost cry at the thought of being away from her research and all her equipment.
You can t do that to me! She yelled.
Take the deal, Miss Smoak. Her boss practically begged her, and Felicity huffed.
Fine. But I m going back to my office. Felicity retorted, standing up from her seat and walking out. She stopped just outside the door and combed her hands through her hair, sighing. This is what she got for trying to keep her company safe from a destructive man. More destruction and a her life was being threatened.
Felicity twirled in her chair, a red pen in between her teeth, and she played with her blonde hair, waiting for something to happen. Her system was still down, and most of the power was still being circulated around the building, so she was stuck with her tablet, which didn t have much of her work on it. Instead, she was looking at her newspaper, working out this days sudoku, which was challenging her more than it usually would. A slow knock came to her door, and she ushered for the person to speak, still trying to work out this damn sudoku.
Felicity Smoak? A strong, deep voice asked, and Felicity turned around in her chair, the red pen still hanging out of her mouth. In the broken doorway stood a man, tall in stature, holding himself higher with his hands pinned behind his back. He had almost buzzcut light brown hair, stubble growing across his jaw-line that could almost make Felicity lost for words. It most likely would. He was pinned together in a grey suit, and everything was in perfect condition, like he had never been an inch near dirt.
Uh, yes. I is she - I am she. She stumbled on her words, taking the pen from her mouth and struggling to get out of her chair. She smoothed out her skirt and extended her hand to him. He looked at it and his brow crinkled as he looked at it. Felicity bit her lip nervously and put her hand away behind her back, somewhat reflexing the man in front of her.