Disclaimer: Although I'd love to, I do not own these characters and only get to play around with them when inspiration strikes.


Good People

"Remember, Oliver, I need to have enough time to pick up my dress at Sequinistas before it closes." Felicity said as they climbed out of the black Lincoln company car that Diggle expertly snaked through the afternoon Friday traffic.

"Oh, right," Oliver mused. "Which dress did you end up with anyway?"

"Like I'm telling you," Felicity smirked in his direction as they entered the gleaming lobby of Starling Plaza, Starling City's premier hotel. "Not that I wouldn't tell you, but you don't need to know this thing, this one tiny, minute, insignificant thing I'm keeping from you." Felicity figured that he didn't need to know about the floor-length deep ruby red open back, form-fitting chiffon A-line gown with narrow sequined straps that crisscrossed in the back and had a slit so high over her right leg that she was seriously considering not sitting all night long . . . or the shimmering silver strappy sandals with stiletto heels. Nope, he didn't need to know that either. He also didn't need to know that she was secretly reveling in attending these functions now as his executive assistant. Come to think of it, there was a lot he didn't need to know!

To hide a chuckle, Oliver quickly coughed and placed his hand on the small of Felicity's back to guide her to the bank of elevators. He knew he could have easily placed a phone call to the boutique and found out, but Felicity was right. He didn't need to know everything, and he always looked forward to seeing what Felicity wore. Not just to galas and other Queen Consolidated events or even to clandestine casinos for Arrow, but for every day work as well. Her style was as unique as her name and personality.

Still, this was her first official event as Oliver's Executive Assistant, and he wanted to make sure it was special for her.

"So . . . I'm taking that as a no," said Oliver.

"Yep, take it as a no," quipped Felicity forcing Oliver to turn away from her so she wouldn't see his widening smile.

They entered one of the elevators, and Oliver pressed an oblong button at the top of the panel labeled "Palladium Ballroom."

Normally, ballrooms were on the lower levels of hotels, but Starling Plaza was unique. To showcase its cylindrical shape and 360-degree panoramic view of Starling City's twinkling skyline, the architect designed its largest ballroom, the Palladium Ballroom, at the top of the 72-floor building. To add to the anticipation of reaching the top floor, guests rode in the elevators that were designed on the outside of the building and surrounded by glass. It was quite an experience for guests as they felt as though they were floating to the top of the world.

During the two-minute elevator ride, Felicity was busy opening her tablet for the listing of last minute details they needed to check on when they got to the ballroom, and that gave Oliver time to reflect on his alter ego's actions from just a few short months ago during the disastrous Undertaking. By the time the elevator doors opened up, his mood had soured considerably, something that he knew Diggle and Felicity would pounce on like a cheetah chasing a gazelle in the African savanna on a warm summer day. They had really been watching him closely since they brought him back from the island he'd retreated to for several weeks afterward.

As the elevator doors opened, Oliver sighed. Felicity's eyes immediately darted to him.

"Oh, no – don't even think of telling me you're thinking back to that." Felicity knew she had insinuated correctly.

Oliver sighed again.

"Okay – stop. Just stop right there mister. There's no reason on earth why you . . . why you . . . should be . . . " Felicity, stepping in the Palladium Ballroom for the first time, couldn't help but be distracted by the opulence that the 35,000 square foot facility offered with its plush large swirling patterned carpet, elegant chandeliers, and magnificent skyline view. Her eyes swept over the room as she completed a slow 360-degree turnaround.

"Did you forget that you were in the middle of reprimanding me?" Oliver asked with a half-smile playing across his face. He couldn't help but think her eyes sparkled more than the chandeliers.

"Wow . . . well, it's just that I've never been here. Oliver, it's . . . huge and totally fabulous!" Felicity remarked. Remembering why they were there – and that Oliver was starting to reflect back on the Undertaking – Felicity continued, "But let's tackle what needs to be done."

Opting to revisit Oliver's evident angst when Diggle arrived, she lifted her tablet cover back up and used her stylus to start checking off things from the list as they walked around the room stopping by the bar.

"Ahh, the bar is already fully stocked. Looks like the gala will be a big hit tomorrow night," she laughed as she marked things off like the tables being set up and decked out with the catering company's finest linens and dishes. Nodding to herself about the progress before her eyes, Felicity added, "The florist team from Avondale Florists will arrive tomorrow before 4:00 and put out all the centerpieces as well as greenery around the dance floor, cash bar, and podium."

"Yeah, well, I had nothing to do with the reason for the celebration tomorrow night." Oliver pointed out, his expression tight and his voice quiet.

"Oliver, while that may be true since this fiscal celebration is from the time Walter and then Moira were CEOs, there is no doubt in my mind you'll do just as well." Oliver rolled his eyes making Felicity counter, "You are much more business savvy than people think, and you are most assuredly a quick learner and very confident in your decisions."

"Time will tell."

"Yes, you're right – time will tell. And what it will say to you, Oliver Queen, is that you can run this business. And fight crime," Felicity said and paused before continuing, enunciating each word, "Oliver, you are an amazing man."

"Felicity . . ." Oliver started.

"Wha—" Felicity started.

The hotel's event management team placed the last few stacks of chairs around the tables in the farthest corner of the room and wheeled the hand trucks toward the service elevator leaving them alone.

"It's just that I feel time will tell that I've failed the city. Being appointed CEO of Queen Consolidated is one thing, but I . . ." his voice trailed off, but he pressed himself to continue the thought. "I just failed the city. I should have stopped Merlyn – all the way. I should have known there would be one more trick up his rotten sleeve."

Felicity's heart crumbled like a pastry hearing Oliver speak of himself like that. "Oliver, you are a good person – one of the best I've ever met. You want this city safe. You care about it – and not just from the Arrow's viewpoint, but also from a businessman's viewpoint. I've seen that in just these past few weeks of you taking the helm as CEO of this company." Felicity reached up and ran her hand over his left shoulder. "You are a good person."

Oliver looked down into her eyes, only just now realizing how much he needed to hear these words. Reaching his hand up to cover her hand on his shoulder, he held it gently and brought it down his chest to where it covered his heart. "Thank you, Felicity."

So engrossed were the pair in their conversation, they didn't notice the elevators open. Diggle walked out, his eyes immediately falling on the area where the band would be set up by the dance floor. He never could pass up a piano, and this set included a grand piano no less. Figuring that Oliver and Felicity were having a moment judging from the close proximity they were enjoying, he slipped toward the piano and slid onto the tufted leather bench. He lifted the keyboard cover and let his fingers take over playing across the black and white ivory keys. It was like he'd never skipped a day – let alone several hundred days – of playing.

The music caught Felicity's and Oliver's attention, and they looked in the direction of the piano, jaws dropping open when they noticed it was Diggle playing.

"Did you -" asked Felicity.

"No - did you?

"Negative, Ghost Rider, er, Arrow," Felicity couldn't help herself even in the midst of a serious conversation. "Um," she added, "That's from Top Gun, by the way."

"I know that reference, Felicity," Oliver said, rolling his eyes.

Felicity left her tablet on the bar and they walked over to the piano to join Diggle. He was running through several songs of various length and difficulty. Felicity noticed they had a jazzy, bluesy feel to them and thought the perfect complement to the atmosphere of the three of them around a grand piano in a high rise ball room while Diggle showed off this secret side to himself was a round of drinks.

She went back over to the bar and grabbed three tumblers, opened up a bottle of scotch, and poured three ample servings. When she got back to the piano Diggle took a break as they relished the warmth of the scotch.

"So, Digg. When d'ya learn to play the piano?" asked Oliver.

"They sure didn't teach me in Special Ops school," Diggle replied.

Felicity chuckled and took another sip of her drink.

"No, I started playing when I was seven years old as a Christmas present from my grandmother. A friend of hers had an old beat up Wurlitzer she got free from a church when they were renovating and was looking to make a few hundred dollars by selling it." Diggle chuckled at the memory of it. "It had more scratches than two girls in a playground fight, and some punk kid had etched his name on it . . . five times, but I loved it. I took lessons all the way through high school and played in a blues band to make a few bucks in college." He took another drink of the Bowmore scotch.

"It's funny how muscle memory works - some things you just don't forget," he mused as he played another quick refrain.

"Hey - that one is really catchy," Oliver said as Diggle finished. "What's that song called?"

"It's an old call and response tune, and it's name is . . . 'Good People', Oliver," Diggle said. "And, you know what? That's what we are - good people. All of us."

Felicity caught Oliver's gaze and nodded.

"I know you've been thinking, Oliver. Been thinkin' way too much, and it's dangerous. Bottom line is that the three of us do good work for this city."

Oliver looked at them both and nodded. He had learned he could talk to Felicity and Diggle and really trust, not only their advice, but their guidance as well. Felicity was right. And Diggle was right.

He raised his tumbler and said, "To good people."

"To good people," Felicity and Diggle responded, raising their glasses in unison.

They drank to the toast and, in the backdrop of Starling City's skyline, Diggle played an encore of their new theme song while Felicity's ever-active mind made a mental note to buy a keyboard for their Arrow Cave.


A/N: Thank you for taking the time to read my story, and reviews are very much appreciated since this is my first story to publish on this site. Even if you don't have a fanfic account, you can still leave feedback - thanks!

A/N: I had fun researching the perfect dress. Too bad it was just online and not in person. :D

A/N: Also, the cylindrical hotel in this story is fashioned after Westin Peachtree Plaza in Atlanta, Georgia. It's one of the tallest hotel skyscrapers in the world. I don't know about the ballroom being on the top floor, but they do have a restaurant called the Sundial that slowly spins around while you eat.