Chapter 1 The Truth
Oliver
Diggle was right no matter how much Oliver wanted to deny it. He needed to man up and just tell Felicity how he felt. He was lying to himself and lying to her about how much she really meant to him. Seeing her with Palmer was eating him up inside and making him vulnerable in the field. He needed her and not just as a part of the team. She was his light in the darkness and she made him a better person. Without her he was lost.
He knew what he said to Cupid must have hurt Felicity and part of him truly meant it. Being alone was the safest option for everyone, even him. If he lost her he would completely lose himself and he didn't want to risk that. He also didn't want to hurt her; he didn't have the best track record with women. But the other part of him wanted to try, wanted to try and work this out with Felicity because she made him happy and he needed that in his life. Everything was different with her and he thought for the first time in his life he could see a future with someone, that someone being Felicity.
So no more backing down no more excuses, he was going to tell her how he felt and tell her that he wants to be with her. He knows he was the one who prevented them from being together in the first place but he would tell her he made a mistake. If she rejects him then he will let her go no matter how much it hurts him. But if she says yes he will be the happiest man on the face of the earth. This was his last chance and he wasn't going to blow it. So he got on his Ducati and headed to Queen Consolidated or Palmer Tech. He already hated the sound of that.
Felicity
The drive back to Palmer Tech was a lonely one for Felicity. She should have been thinking about what she would say to Ray about leaving but all she could think about was Oliver. Hearing what he said about being alone broke her heart and infuriated her at the same time. He wasn't destined to be alone no matter how much he thought he should be. He always thought it was up to him to protect everyone but it wasn't, other people had the right to make decisions.
He was a good person who deserved to be happy. She had tried to tell him time and time again but he never let himself believe it. He had done so much for her and many others, and changed her life for the better. He let her know that she could make a difference in the world. It was hard work but she was good at what she did and with Oliver and Diggle they made a perfect team. They balanced each other out and each had their purpose.
She knew Oliver didn't want to put her in harms way and being with him would be a risk but she was willing to try. But they had already tried that and with one explosion of a date he had already given up. She wasn't surprised when he ended things but she had just wished he had tried a little harder to fight for them. They were good for each other and given the chance she thought they could be something really great. Some days she could even picture a future with him but she would never admit that to anyone, not yet anyway.
But as she pulled up to Palmer Tech she tried to put the thought of Oliver out of her head. Easier said then done because when she got out of the limo Ray had sent for her she saw Oliver waiting at the entrance to the building. He didn't see her yet because he was trying to convince the security guard to let him in which wasn't going very well. She could tell by his posture he was about 2 seconds from knocking this guy out so it was time for her to intervene and see what the hell he was doing there.
Oliver
"YOU HAVE TO LET ME IN?" Oliver was about 2 seconds away from knocking this guy on his ass.
"Sir I already told you the building is closed and you do not have clearance to be here."
"It's okay he's with me Ben."
He would know that voice anywhere, he heard it enough over the comms, and it immediately relaxed him. His shoulders dropped and a smile formed on his face. He turned around and his breath was taken away by how beautiful she looked in the form fitting blue dress. Even though he was partial to her wearing red.
"Sorry Ms. Smoak."
"No problem Ben I'm sorry he was causing so much trouble he is usually more civil."
She gave him the flirty smile that she reserved only for him. Ben opened the door for them to enter but he stopped her before she went in.
"Can we actually talk out here in private?" Felicity scrunched her face like she did when she was thinking but after a pause she finally nodded her head in assent.
He knew it was now or never he needed to tell her the truth and just accept what came after.
