The AMAZING RACE

Five couples, one goal, to win the Race. But in the race to the finish, each couple discovers that they share more than just the drive and determination to win as they are forced to work intimately together and in the process realize it's not just about winning the race but winning the heart of your one true love. Olicity, Dyla, Theroy, Merlance, Nysara and more…very AU.

No definite timeline since this is AU. Tommy Merlyn obviously is alive. All the couples are established acquaintances but not all are established couples at the start of the race.

Oliver Queen and Tommy Merlyn are best buddies. Oliver never stepped foot on the Queen's Gambit with his father.

Laurel Lance is a high school ex-girlfriend of Oliver but is not in any way at all romantically link with Tommy Merlyn at the start of this story.

Sara Lance and Nyssa Raatko are an established couple here.

John Diggle is Oliver's bodyguard.

Thea Queen and Roy Harper meet in the same way as established in the TV series.

Felicity Smoak and Oliver Queen do not know one another.

Robert Queen is alive since the Queen's Gambit accident never happened. He and Moira are happily married and Thea is their child. Malcolm Merlyn is the best friend of Robert Queen in this story.

If I decide to write in Walter Steele, he will have a different role altogether.

And, Oliver Queen is NOT the Arrow.

Disclaimer: Obviously, I don't own Arrow or any of the characters.

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Chapter 1 – Cupid's Bow

"I think it's a good idea. It will bring some positive media for a change. Anytime the Queen and the Merlyn names are mentioned it's always news. Lately, not all news has been good news. Maybe this is the opportunity we need. It's also a good opportunity for the people of Starling City to participate by rallying behind their favorite team, whichever team that is. We've never had something like this before," Mayor Sebastian Blood said.

Moira Queen and Malcolm Merlyn both nodded, "I think that's a good idea," Moira answered for both of them.

"Okay, it's settled then," Slade Wilson said with a smile. "Then there is nothing else to do but sign the contract Mr. Mayor and of course have our co-sponsors for the Starling City edition sign too," after Mayor Sebastian Blood signed the contract, Slade had pushed the contract toward both Moira and Malcolm.

"Well Moira, I know who I will be rooting for, I think Quentin would be on my side won't you, Captain?" Malcolm gave Moira a snarky grin.

Quentin rolled his eyes, "I don't know why both my daughters have to get roped into this ridiculous reality show. Since I have both my daughters in this contest, I obviously won't show favorites."

"Exactly my dilemma Quentin, both Oliver and Thea are part of this. Although, Mr. Wilson I still don't know who my children would be partnering with," Moira turned her attention to Slade.

"Ah, the final teams will be announced during the official launch at Starling Grand Hotel. That's confidential even from the sponsors and the Mayor I'm afraid. Only the producers know, it's a reality show after all, fanfare and drama is expected. The announcement will of course be broadcasted live, but since you all with be there as sponsors you will get to know the same time as your children," Slade answered Moira a bit smugly.

"Well Mr. Wilson, I hope with all the preparation we put into this we get the results we aimed for. Please work out the security details with our Captain Lance, Mr. Slade," Major Blood said before shaking hands with Mr. Wilson.

"Will do, I'll take my leave now. Have a lot of things to do prior to the launch of the race." With one last nod at Mayor Sebastian Blood, Moira Queen, Malcolm Merlyn and Captain Quentin Lance, Slade took his leave.

"My Dad has roped me into this city project that Merlyn Industries is co-sponsoring," Tommy told Oliver as he slumped down on a chair having just arrived at the Queen Mansion.

"Yeah, same here, Dad and Mom reminded both Thea and me to be at Starling Grand Hotel dressed up and not to be late. I think Queen Consolidated is co-sponsoring this project endorsed by the City Mayor," Oliver answered Tommy while fixing his best friend a drink.

"Do you know what it's about?" Tommy asked.

"Ollie knows as much as I do, which is nothing! I don't get the secrecy. I've never seen our parents this tight-lipped in a very long time. All I know is that it's some kind of launch and it will be good for our City," Thea walked into the room as slumped down beside Tommy.

"Hey Speedy," Tommy teased her knowing she was likely to get pissed.

"Not you too! I told you repeatedly that Ollie's childhood nickname for me makes me sick," Thea pouted.

"And that's why I continue to tease you with it, just to get a reaction from you….Speedy," Tommy wisecracked.

Thea playfully punched Tommy arm before she jumped back up, "well, I don't know about you guys, but I have somewhere to be. If anyone even cares to ask, I'll be shopping for a new gown and all for tomorrow night."

"Are you really going shopping or just sneaking out to see that kid again, what's his name? Maybe I should have Diggle drive you," Oliver said, crossing his arms.

"His name is Roy and no, I don't need your bodyguard John Diggle stalking me," she moved forward to give her brother then Tommy a kiss on the cheek before leaving.

"Yeah, about that Harper kid, let me just state for the record that I don't approve at all," Tommy told Oliver.

"You and me both Tommy, you and me both, but as you can see there is nothing I can really do about it except repeatedly try to talk Thea out of it," Oliver told his best friend before he sat down too.

"Laurel are you home!" Sara called out to her sister as she entered her sister's apartment.

"Bedroom," came her sister's reply.

Sara entered the bedroom and went straight for her sister's closet.

"So common courtesies like hello are forgotten, where has the sister love gone," Laurel teased her sister.

Sara turned her back on her sister's closet to smile sheepishly at her sister, "sorry sis, hello, looking beautiful as usual. I don't mean to ignore you but I still haven't found anything to wear for this stupid thing that Dad has us going to tomorrow night. He demanded that Nyssa also be present, well not so much him but he said it was the Mayor's orders. Since when does the Mayor demand our presence in a city event. Wait, do you think it's something to do with Dad, he's not up for an award or promotion you think?" Sara asked her sister suddenly curious.

Laurel frowned, "not that I'm aware of. I mean I should at least be informed. I work at the DA's office after all."

Sara abandoned her train of thought and went back to her gown hunting task, "can you help me? I still don't have anything to wear for tomorrow night. Nyssa and I were planning to skip it until Dad gave me a lecture."

Laurel finally stood by her sister and pulled out a gown still wrapped inside a bag, "here, I think this would suit you more than me," unzipping the bag.

"No, I don't agree with you Isabel, I think," Slade took the photos of the prospective contestants from Isabel Rochev, the Associate Producer of the show.

One by one, Slade lined-up on the long table the photos of Oliver and his sister Thea Queen, Tommy Merlyn, Laurel and Sara Lance. He also placed a few more photos of some of Starling's finest and more controversial citizens along with a few others who were at one time or another associated with the names already shortlisted as part of the ten participants.

"I asked you for profiles of the following," throwing a list of names on a paper toward Isabel.

"And as usual I have them, I am nothing but efficient after all. It's part of my charm," selecting a few folders from a pile to her right. She opened one folder. "I can see why this one is part of the list," Isabel pointed to the photo of Roy Harper as she opened the folder. "This one has several run-ins with the law and is rumored to be in a relationship with the younger Queen so this one is a safe bet."

Slade nodded, "I agree. I was going that direction with Thea Queen, young bratty heiress and the juvenile kid. The younger demographic will go for them. That's one team down."

"Next, we have an unconventional couple, Sara Lance and her partner Nyssa Raatko. Both are fitness gurus, have the brawn to duke it out with another couple I'm seriously thinking of including in this show," Slade said leaning back on his chair.

"You're referring to John Diggle and Lyla Michaels?" Isabel opened both folders, "that's the reason for you including them in the extra list? John is Oliver Queen bodyguard, a former military man and Lyla Michaels his ex-wife and current girlfriend is also former military."

"Yes, not only can they go toe-to-toe with the women's team of Sara and Nyssa, but they have the capability to outrace his boss, Oliver Queen. Everyone loves an underdog winning against the moneyed and god like competitor."

"Then we officially have three couples in our line-up so far, Thea Queen and Roy Harper, Sara Lance and Nyssa Raatko, John Diggle and Lyla Michaels. So who does Laurel Lance partner up with, her ex-boyfriend or the other billionaire Tommy Merlyn. It would make great TV for her to be teamed up with the best friend of her ex, Laurel and Tommy, a little controversy is always good for the show. Maybe we could get some sound bites between Oliver and Tommy?" Isabel Rochev gave a knowing smirk.

"That is what I love about you sweetheart, you know exactly how I think." Slade told Isabel. "Now the only one left without a partner is Oliver Queen," Slade laid out the remaining photos in front of him showing some of the Oliver Queen's exes Helena Bertinelli and McKenna Hall among them.

The door opened abruptly interrupting the conversation between Slade and Isabel as both looked on with a mixture of shock and raised eyebrows as a ramble ensured, "oh God, oh sorry. I was pointed this direction by the receptionist and I didn't know this room was occupied. I was told to wait here."

"And who might you be?" Slade asked her leaning forward on his chair curiously.

"I'm Felicity, Felicity Smoak. I'm with the IT department of Queen Consolidated. I was told to report here by my boss to provide some assistance regarding the set-up of some real-time online video for a special project." Felicity frowned, "now that I think about it, that was all I was told. I mean, I'm the best in QC in my department, I also graduated top of my 2009 class at MIT so it's not unthinkable that I'm the one always being asked for consultations," Felicity rambled on.

"Please take a seat Ms. Smoak," Slade Wilson looked at the bespectacled girl speculatively, taking in her golden blond hair in a ponytail then looked at Isabel with a glint in his eye. "So tell me Ms. Smoak, do you know Mr. Queen personally?"

Felicity tilted her head to one side then sarcastically shared, "which Mr. Queen? If you're referring to Robert Queen, CEO of Queen Consolidated then yes, I've met him more than once actually. I've been asked to consult for some other special projects that's why I know him, why he knows me. But it's all work related. Nothing more, I mean he's a happily married man. Oliver Queen on the other hand, I never met, don't know him personally. The man would rather go to a club than down to the IT department. I'm sure he like everyone else would consider us IT nerds as outcasts all in one sweep. I don't think he even knows the difference between a keyboard and a motherboard," finishing another babble with a harsh laugh.

"Really now," Slade answered her giving Isabel another look.

"Tell me, Ms. Smoak. Do you have any desire to travel the world?" Isabel asked her.

"I don't know how this is relevant to me being asked to consult, but yeah I've always wanted to travel the world but the furthest I've traveled is Vegas to Boston then here in Starling. I'm originally from Vegas, or at least my parents are. More to the point my mother is. She's still there, working as a cocktail waitress, head cocktail waitress because according to her their is a big difference being an ordinary one and being the head and I don't know why I'm sharing all that information now, so I'll stop now before I further embarrass myself," Felicity said.

"Felicity honey," Isabel said sweetly, "I think our production crew can take care of any IT related concerns we will be needing," seeing how Felicity's face fell thinking that her rambling had gotten her in trouble again, she quickly continued, "however there is another matter in which your services will be needed. We will need you to be at Starling Grand Hotel at exactly 7:00 in the evening tomorrow at the ballroom, oh and you will need to be in a formal gown, you do have one of those don't you?"

Felicity nervously pushed her glasses up over her eyes, "ah yes, although I'm not really sure why I'll be in need of one."

"Everything will be clearer tomorrow sweetheart," Slade added.

"Okay then, Felicity. Be there on time tomorrow, I hate it when people are late. It's not a good impression to make," Isabel said effectively dismissing her.

Felicity stood up still in a daze as she quickly nodded to both Slade and Isabel before taking her leave.

As the door closed with finality, Slade and Isabel looked at one another, both grinning, "I think that girl will be a ratings winner and Mr. Oliver Queen won't know what hit him," Slade told Isabel.

Isabel stood up from her chair and sat down on Slade's lap, circling her arms around his neck, "I think we did it again, another hit on our hands."

This all came to me like an epiphany last night that I had to buckle down and write this story.

I hope you guys are as equally excited as I am.