Ch 2 – Old Married Couple

Story AN – I've posted more notes in Ch 1 but if you are jumping ahead… Charlie (OC) is a security guard at QC and has appeared in another story of mine (parts are repeated below)! Picture a gruff, no-nonsense former Marine who married his high school sweetheart (Lucy), dotes on his granddaughter (Mae) and happens to enjoy watching Team Arrow and sharing his thoughts. Of course, he's s pro Olicity! Each new chapter will follow the current Season 2 episodes now airing.

Chapter AN and SPOILER WARNING – This follows S2, episode #10 (Blast Radius) which just aired in the US on 1/15/14. There are only vague references but if you haven't watched and choose to read anyway, well, don't say I didn't warn you! :)

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY TO LIGHTENINGPRINCESSR!

Charlie knew the betting pools were going wild in QC right now. For the last five weeks, Ms. Felicity Smoak had not only missed several days of work but was even seen carrying an overnight bag at times. The gossips couldn't seem to decide if she was leaving Mr. Queen or if he was forcing her out. See, many thought Ms. Smoak had slept her way into the position as Mr. Queen's EA…as if that smart young woman would just jump in the sack with Mr. Queen, Charlie was insulted on her behalf. Charlie had always liked Ms. Smoak and knew she was smart enough to earn her way into any promotion she wanted…assuming you thought being Mr. Queen's assistant was even a promotion for her. Charlie grumbled a bit to himself, just not sure if I would want my daughter to be his assistant, Charlie didn't think that was being disrespectful, just honest.

Charlie had to admit to being curious just as the rest of QC was but unlike the rest he didn't just buy what was on the surface or the rumors from the gutters. He had been watching not just Mr. Queen and Ms. Smoak but also Mr. John Diggle. It seemed the trio had gotten extremely close but Charlie didn't think it wasn't any of his business or anyone else's what they did behind closed doors…though I would bet there wasn't any bed hopping from Ms. Smoak. Charlie smiled as he figured out pretty quickly that Ms. Smoak was a classy young lady and that she wielded considerable influence within the group.

When Mr. Queen first returned he was rarely in the building and then in and out quickly. His bodyguard/ driver was often with him but neither men spoke nor really even showed emotion. As a veteran, he recognized the signs of trauma in others – watchful eyes, muscle tension and even the protection of personal space. Sure, there were false smiles for others in passing but it didn't seem anyone really noticed the hollowness of either man's expression. Both seemed haunted and Charlie could understand those types of scars as he had some himself.

Soon they were about more often and while their body language changed some it was still only with one another. You could tell when they spoke they were using the opportunity away from others to actually talk. As soon as anyone else joined they were again watchful and on guard but they seemed to recognize the other as a fellow soldier now even if they remained ready for battle.

The addition of Ms. Smoak to the group was a surprise but the effects weren't really surprising. Charlie had had a wonderful mother himself, married his high school sweetheart who he always said was smarter and braver than he was. He and Lucy even raised a smart and sassy girl who was now raising her own daughter (little Mae was bright and shiny as a new penny herself even if she was only 4 years old). Charlie was a man who fully appreciated the fact that behind a lot of good men stood an even better woman.

He also genuinely liked Ms. Smoak – she had always been bright and friendly and that hadn't changed despite her new position and friends. It was clear the three were certainly friends and that's what spurred all the gossiping busybodies, Charlie thought with a grimace.

At first the gentlemen walked slightly ahead of her or she was in between them. It appeared they were trying to protect her and rarely was there conversation. Almost immediately the trio closed the distances and while she was still often sandwiched between them it was easy to see they were talking, even chatting easily.

You could even begin to see emotions more readily displayed by both men, clearly subtle in comparison to Ms. Smoak but visible nonetheless. And now the trio was often together and worked long hours here at QC – all three seemed happier and were usually in each other's company.

That happy dynamic had shifted recently and the gossips were eating it up. There were numerous betting pools on when Ms. Smoak would be fired, if she was in the family way or if she would run from the building in tears after a dramatic fight. People have too much time on their hands and not enough sense, Charlie thought in annoyance. Some had even been so bold as to ask Charlie if anything was on the security cameras and even offered to pay for the information. Charlie steadfastly rejected all such offers and stood guard tenaciously over his post in his efforts to protect Ms. Smoak and even Mr. Queen though he didn't appear to need it.

That's not to say there haven't been things to witness if you knew where to look, Charlie thought as he laughed to himself. It was hard to believe anyone could think Ms. Smoak and Mr. Queen were sleeping together considering all their heated looks were always when the other wasn't looking. Ok, Ms. Smoak sometimes was a bit more obvious but it seemed all three ignored those lapses so Charlie did too.

Right now though the heated looks seemed to be of annoyance and usually aimed at the other's back. It was the avoidance of eye contact that really stood out to Charlie as these were people that Charlie has witnessed carry on completely silent conversations with only their eyes when around others. Charlie also noticed there were fewer touches and several feet of space between them now. Additionally, often Mr. Diggle appeared to be caught in the middle though he never appeared happy about that fact. Whereas the abundance of touching and looking has spurred the initial rumors it was the lack of the same that captured everyone's attention now. Suddenly there was nothing – no touches, no looks, nothing.

Clearly most believed that Mr. Queen was the one breaking it off but Charlie knew the man wasn't that stupid…Ms. Smoak is the best thing in your life, Charlie directed that silent message to Mr. Queen as he watched him pace his office. He had taken to pacing whenever Ms. Smoak wasn't in the office but that nervous energy was never displayed in public. He continued to be the suave, charming CEO to the public.

At that moment, Ms. Smoak entered the building again carrying an overnight bag and Charlie returned her smile and wave gladly. He also adjusted his camera feed to show Mr. Queen's office.

Still awkward, Charlie noted to himself as he watched their interaction, again with Mr. Diggle in the middle, but she always comes back and he always lets her. It was that that cinched it in Charlie's mind, they may not be in bed together (yet) but they act like an old married couple and not solely because they don't appear happy and in love at the moment. Charlie chuckled quietly to himself. It's not like marriage kills the passion like some say, Charlie always thought those people must have married the wrong person. Ah Lucy, still miss you my dear.

Marriage is more than just passion: it's friendship, it's work, it's a choice and it's a partnership. Anger is sometimes just a step away from passion – those heated looks of theirs help further the rumors but they are more than that thankfully. No one could ignore that they have been friends for quite a while or the fact that she makes him smile. Now is just a period of work and both making the choice to stay. And that's what the gossipmongers don't get, Charlie thought with a wry smile.

Things certainly appear rough between Ms. Smoak and Mr. Queen but they chose to stay together. Sure, Ms. Smoak has bills to pay, Charlie thought but he still believed she could do whatever she wanted so something or someone else must be the reason she stays. Likewise, no one would be surprised if Mr. Queen walked away and lead a life of debauchery but he chooses stays as well.

It's obvious even to my old eyes that they are partners…and that's something no one seems to be betting on. Charlie couldn't help but smile at that thought.

AN3 – I have to give props to all the wonderful authors who write episode tags as it is much harder than working in the fantasy world of my own creation! Hopefully this little Charlie experiment goes well but I would ask that you be patient as I figure this out! As always, I'm open to suggestions so pls review and share your thoughts!