Felicity ran to the door at the sound of Oliver's knock. She smiled at how gorgeous he looked in his navy pinstripe suit, light blue button-up, and matching tie.

"You're a little over-dressed," she said, sliding the suit coat off his arms and pulling him into her apartment by his tie.

His eyes twinkled mischievously. "I didn't think clothing would be removed until after dinner."

They hadn't had sex yet, it had only been a couple of weeks. They hadn't really talked about it either, but Felicity knew they would need to. And soon. She pulled his tie loose. "Believe me we do not want to be late. Eliza would never forgive you."

"Me?"

She undid his top button, her fingers lingering on the next one. "If we're late she'll blame you. I don't want that to happen since you already have two strikes against you."

"Two?" Oliver put her hands on her hips and pulled her closer. "I haven't even met her, how can I have two strikes already?"

"Your reputation precedes you."

"And the second strike?"

Felicity laughed. "Your past antics are worth two strikes." Her hands rested on his chest. He twined his fingers through hers.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" he asked.

"Are you nervous?"

"Very."

"Really?" Felicity wrinkled her nose. "You don't look nervous at all. You look cool as a cucumber."

"I hide it well." His tone was serious. "I don't want to mess this up."

She felt butterflies in her stomach at his sincerity. "You couldn't possibly mess this up. Eliza and Johnny will love you and we'll have fun. Now let's go or we really will be late." She pushed him toward the door.

"Wait." He wrapped his arms around her and gave her a long kiss. "I forgot to tell you how beautiful you look."

She opened her eyes slowly. "You too."

#

Johnny and Eliza lived in an apartment a few streets too east to be considered the Glades. It wasn't the nicest neighborhood economically speaking, but it was friendly and the neighbors all looked out for one another.

Felicity had, on more than one occasion, considered moving into their apartment complex, but always changed her mind in the end. They were newlyweds and needed their space.

She and Oliver had decided to take her car since Oliver's would stand out too much in the lower middle-class neighborhood. Felicity had barely shut her car door when Eliza's apartment door opened.

"Hey honey!" Eliza called. "Come on in!"

Oliver reached for Felicity's hand and she gave a reassuring squeeze.

"Hi E!" Felicity gave her a kiss on the cheek. "This is Oliver."

"I've heard a lot about you." Eliza shook his hand. "And read. And watched."

"Well you can't really trust the media for reliable information." Oliver gave her his most disarming smile.

"So none of it's true?" Eliza led them to the living room.

"Recently only about 10 percent is true." The two of them sat down on the loveseat.

"And before recently?"

"Let's change the subject," Felicity jumped in. "Where's Johnny?"

"He'll be back in a minute. He had to pick up the wine."

As if waiting for his cue, Johnny walked in.

"You guys are already here." He leaned down and gave Felicity a kiss on the cheek. "Nice to see you again, Oliver."

"You too." The two men nodded at each other.

Johnny smiled at his wife. "Haven't scared him off yet? Must be losing your edge."

"You know I save the hard questions for dessert," Eliza said.

"What would everyone like to drink?" Johnny rubbed his hands together.

"Wine for me," Felicity said.

"Same," Eliza said.

"Oliver?"

"I'll take a beer, thanks."

Eliza made a disapproving sound.

"What?" Felicity demanded.

"Nothing," Eliza said. "I'm sure our wine isn't up to Oliver's standards. It makes sense for him to have beer."

"I didn't mean to offend you," Oliver said. "I'll take some wine too."

"Don't suffer on my account," Eliza said. "Whatever makes you happy."

Felicity squeezed his leg. He gave her a little nod.

"I was actually just going to have one drink so Felicity could enjoy the wine. I wanted to be able to drive her home tonight. And beer has less alcohol than wine." Oliver gave Eliza a pointed, but polite, look.

She smiled, as if he'd passed a test, and looked over at Johnny. "Oliver will have a beer, baby."

"Hey babe," Johnny called from the kitchen. "I think this is done."

When Eliza left the room Felicity turned to Oliver. "I'm so sorry. It's going to get worse though, just so you know."

He gave her a quick kiss. "Nothing I can't handle."

"I'm sorry," She said again.

"You're worth it."

Her heart swelled and she leaned forward and kissed him again.

Eliza cleared her throat. "Dinner's on, you two. I'm not much of a cook, so I hope this isn't too bad."

"Whatever!" Felicity turned to Oliver. "Eliza could have been a chef if she'd wanted to be."

Johnny reached over and took Eliza's hand. "I am a lucky, well-fed guy, that's for sure."

"Please," Felicity said. "No one barbecues like you. Between the two of you you'd be able to start the best restaurant in Starling City."

"Well I guess Oliver will have to be the judge of that." Eliza leveled her gaze at him. "You're the only one of us who eaten at the nicest places in Starling."

It was a dig, but Oliver didn't react. "I can't wait to try it."

"This is amazing!" Felicity enthused after her first bite. She looked over at Oliver to see what he thought.

His mouth was full, but he raised his eyebrows and tried to smile.

"I think that means he likes it," she told Eliza with a laugh.

After he swallowed he echoed her words. "Where did you learn to cook?"

"Self-taught. I had great friends in college who let me practice on them."

Felicity smiled.

"Not all of us have a mommy and daddy to foot the bill."

"So what do you guys do?" Oliver changed the subject.

Eliza looked down at the table. "Johnny was actually just laid off."

"I was going to a job interview when I saw you guys."

Felicity was shocked. "When did that happen?"

"About a month ago." Eliza cleared her throat. "But, to answer your question, I am currently part of the accounting department at Merlyn."

There were a few minutes of awkward silence. Oliver cleared his throat. "So what was it you used to do, Johnny? I have a lot of connections, I might be able to help you find something."

Johnny was about to speak when Eliza slammed her fork down. "We don't need charity, Oliver. And offering something like that to people you hardly know is obviously some sort of compensation for your incredible selfishness and excess."

Felicity realized Eliza had been waiting for a chance to say something like that and it pissed her off. She slapped her hand on the table and stood up. "You can call Oliver a lot of things, but selfish isn't one of them. You don't know the first thing about him and you can stop being a bitch and shut up right now or we're leaving."

The air crackled with tension. Oliver reached over and put a hand on her back.

Eliza nodded. "I'll play nice."

Felicity's heart was still beating in her ears as she sat down. "Thank you," she said quietly.

After a few seconds Johnny smiled at Oliver. "Congratulations, you just joined the most exclusive club I know of."

"What do you mean?" Oliver asked.

Eliza smiled. "You're the first guy Felicity's ever stood up to me for."

Felicity stared at Eliza with wide eyes. "Is that true?"

Eliza nodded and looked at Oliver. "You're welcome any time. And I promise I won't be such a bitch in the future."

Under the table Oliver put his hand on her knee. She bit her lip, embarrassed, but he winked at her.