A/N: Wow! The response to the first chapter of this blew my mind. Never, have I ever received so much feedback for anything I've ever posted. I wasn't expecting much for this story, so the fact that you guys already love it is incredible. Since this idea is so new, I don't have much of it written out. That just means that you guys will have to be a little more patient with me when it comes to updating. However, if you continue to review like you did last time, then I promise I will try extra hard to get chapters to you guys as soon as possible.

There were a few of you that were concerned that I'd abandoned or will abandon Under the Gun. I would just like to say that that will not be happening. I already have most of that story written out, so there will continue to be regular updates.

Once again, thank you for the amazing response to the first chapter. I hope you enjoy this next one, too! Oh, and if anyone wants to know, this story was named after the song by The Kite String Tangle. Give it a listen if you want. I really feel like the lyrics match the structure of the story!

Chapter Two

At work the next day, Felicity was in a much better mood. She got a good amount of rest the night before, and had plenty of time to stop for coffee in the morning. The doctor's appointment she knew she wasn't going to be able to fit in the time to make, was postponed a few months - it was just a simple check-up, yet she still didn't trust her hectic schedule - when she hoped that the funding cuts wouldn't be as big of an issue for her. Plus, her phone was in her hand instead of on her nightstand, and there was a parking spot right in front of the building. Her morning was nearly perfect.

Until she remembered the funding for her department was being cut.

As she sat behind her desk, she pondered what this was going to mean. Most likely, it would be her breaking the news to her department. Oliver would never climb down from his throne to address a bunch of angry workers. She didn't even want to think about all the projects she was going to have to end or put on hold. After thirty minutes of thinking, she decided she was just going to have to find another way to get the money.

She opened up a new tab on her computer and began to research the largest companies in Starling City. If she was going to get the department money, it was going to have to come from an investor. She definitely didn't have the money to fund it. As she went through the companies, she scribbled down a few possibilities. Though her chances were probably slim, she decided to try anyways. It was worth a shot.

The first company she called told her right off the bat that they weren't interested. That didn't make her lose hope just yet. The next company she called was apparently going bankrupt, and asked her if Queen Consolidated could invest in them. By the fifth call, her hope was basically disintegrated. Still, she dialed the number, crossing her fingers for even the smallest of money.

"Palmer Technologies, how may I help you?" the perky voice on the other end asked.

"Hi, this is Felicity Smoak. I'm the head of the IT Department at Queen Consolidated, and I'd like to speak with someone about investing in our department."

"Okay, I'll transfer you."

"Thank you."

Felicity waited patiently while the calming tune played, gnawing on the end of her pen. When a male voice finally picked up on the other end, she sat up straighter in her seat.

"Hello?"

"Yes, hi," she greeted. "I'm Felicity Smoak. I'm the head of the-"

"My assistant already filled me in," he interrupted.

"Oh," she murmured, waiting for him to say something else.

"I don't have a final answer yet, but it's definitely something I'm considering. Would you mind if I stop by on Thursday for a meeting?"

"Uh, that would be perfect," she agreed, grabbing a sticky note from nearby. "Any specific time?"

"How's 1:30?"

"Perfect," she told him, writing down the time. "Thank you so much, Mr...?"

"Palmer," he finished.

Her jaw dropped. "Palmer? As in Ray Palmer? As in owner of Palmer Technologies?" she questioned, in complete shock.

"Yes, that would be me," he confirmed with a small chuckle. "I'll see you on Thursday, Ms. Smoak."

"Um, okay, and thanks again," she sputtered, already feeling her face begin to heat in embarrassment.

There was a small beep and she knew he had hung up. Despite her embarrassment at the absolute fool she'd made of herself, her joy was overtaking her. She knew that it hadn't been a yes, but that was the farthest she had gotten with getting her department more money. Even if it didn't work out, she could at least say she tried.

And that was all that mattered.

Oliver stepped out of the elevator, his briefcase in hand. He was on his way to an important meeting at one of the Queen Consolidated branches, which would be determining whether or not his project to cut back on the IT Department funding would become a reality. It was 12:30, and the appointment was scheduled at 1:45. He had plenty of time to get there, but he learned right away that punctuality is a priority when it came to life.

Standing in front of his building, he waited for his limo to come around. It usually took a few minutes, but he never minded the wait. He pulled out his phone, skimming through his email for any important messages he might have missed. Then, he got that feeling in the pit of his stomach, the one that told him she was near. He didn't know why, but ever since they'd spoken, he'd sensed her presence around the office.

Turning around, he spotted her walking out of the front entrance of the building. His heart stuttered a little at the sight of her, and he blamed it on the damn skirt she wore, which was really starting to send his thoughts a very private route. Without his own control, he made his way towards her, a new mission on his mind.

"Hey," he said, and she startled at his sudden greeting.

One look from her, and he knew he was still on her Shit List. She purposefully faced the other way, but didn't make any other move. So, he angled himself so that he was now facing her again, grinning in success when she stayed in her same spot.

"Where you headed?" he asked, noticing that she had her purse with her.

"Lunch break," she explained, like he'd asked a stupid question. "You're not going to cut those, too, are you?"

Yeah, that hurt. He shook his head, thinking of something he could say that wouldn't piss her off.

"You look nice today," he blurted, that not being what he'd intended to come out, but her beauty was like a siren in his face.

She seemed taken aback by his compliment, but he saw her lips twitch in an almost-smile. "Thank you."

He felt like he'd won the lottery, and that was saying a lot considering he could buy an island right now and still feel comfortable with his bank account. He racked his brain for something else he could say that would get him that full smile, but she spoke before he could.

"Where are you off to?"

He followed her eyes to the briefcase in his hand. "Oh, I have a meeting at one of the other branches. I hate attending those things, but they're kind of mandatory for me. Sometimes I think of making up some excuse and skipping out on them, but I always chicken out before I actually go through with it." He realized what he'd just said, and his eyes widened. "Shit, I was not supposed to say that."

Felicity laughed, like, actually laughed, and his heart stopped at the noise. "It's okay. Trust me, I'm with you on that one. Meetings are the worst. All those people looking at you like you don't belong in there but in some rip-off franchise... Yeah, not fun."

He smiled, trying to keep this conversation going. "It's good to know I'm not the only one wishing I could spontaneously combust during one of those things. But to be fair, when Cheryl brings donuts, it is a little fun."

Again, she laughed, this one more full than the one before. "I actually play this game in my head to keep from going insane," she confessed, and he stepped closer to her beyond his own knowledge.

If she noticed or cared, she didn't say anything.

"What's the game?" he questioned, curious now, and even more so since she was already grinning at the idea of it.

"Every time Thomas says the word 'um', I add a tally to my notepad. And every time Meredith starts clicking her pen really fast but catches herself, I add a tally. Basically, I know everyone's annoying habit in that conference room, and every time they do it, I mark it down. Then, by the end of the meeting, I add them all up and see who the winner is."

He grinned, somehow even more drawn to her for it. "What's my annoying habit?" he asked, and she swallowed noticeably.

"Um..." she trailed off, biting her lower lip as she gazed down at the ground.

He locked in on it, feeling a surge of desire shoot through his veins. He could feel his heart rate quickening, and knew he had to look away if he was going to maintain his professionalism. Why the fuck was she so sexy? He wasn't used to this, and something told him he never would be.

"Is it really that bad?" he questioned, and she glanced up at him, humor in her eyes.

She tucked her lips in, shaking her head back and forth. He wanted to back her into the nearest pillar and rip every scrap of clothing from her body. Seriously, he had to clench his fists to keep from kissing the lipstick off of her. He was certain he'd never wanted someone like this before. Ever.

"No, it's not bad," she said, bringing him back to their conversation. "It's just..." She exhaled, blurting it out all at once. "You just do this thing where you tap your fingers together, almost as if you're counting them all to make sure they're still there."

The breath was knocked out of him, because even he himself hadn't realized he did that. Now here she was, the woman he was undeniably attracted to, pointing out things that she noticed about him.

"Felicity..." he started, and her eyes flashed at the way he said her name.

Her phone rang from its place in her purse, ruining the moment between them. She focused on the ringing, digging through her bag until she pulled it out. Swiping the screen, she brought the phone to her ear, speaking into it without checking who it was. Oliver watched her.

"Hello?" she said, her eyes brightening at whoever's voice sounded at the other end. "Hey! Oh, yeah. I'm still coming... I just got a little sidetracked... Yeah, I'll be right there... Okay, bye."

She hung up, slipping her phone back into her purse. Oliver eyed her, anger flaring through him. His first thought was that she was speaking to a man. A man who, as far as Oliver was concerned, didn't deserve to be having a second of Felicity's time. His suspicions only became more realistic as he took in the slight flush on her cheeks, and the way she was already inching away from him.

"Hey, I have to go," she said, taking wider steps now. "Lunch time is limited, you know?"

He nodded, not saying another word. He couldn't. He didn't trust himself to speak. The only words going through his mind right now were the least bit friendly, and they had no right to be directed towards Felicity, but at whoever was on the other end of that phone. He had no idea what the hell was happening to him. She wasn't his, and yet, he wanted to claim her.

Fuck, he wanted to bend her over his desk and make her say his name until it came out naturally for her. So far, she'd only said his first name once, and he wanted to hear her say it again. It sounded nice falling from her lips, more nice than its ever sounded from anyone else.

They'd only spoken for the first time a couple of days ago, yet he was aching for her. He was drawn to her like a moth to a flame, and fighting off the urge to be near her was getting harder to do. And now, he had to deal with the thought of her fucking some other guy?

The limo pulled up along the side of the road, and Oliver stepped in, barricading himself from the driver as he let himself sulk in his sinful thoughts of all the ways he could make Felicity his own, even though getting her to talk to him was still a nearly impossible mission.

At about 12:30 the next day, Felicity grabbed her purse and left her office for lunch. Barry was eating something out of a plastic container, but he seemed pretty content with that. He sat up in his seat when he saw her leave, blushing at how comfortable he had seemed.

"I'll see you at 1:30, Barry," she told him, smiling so he would know she didn't mind his relaxed state. "Want me to bring you back something?"

"No, I'm fine, Ms. Smoak. Thank you."

She nodded, turning away from him to walk towards the elevators. She was so focused on getting out of there, she didn't notice the figure fast approaching. An arm reached out to grip her wrist, and she nearly jumped into the air.

"Whoa, it's just me, Felicity," Oliver said, making her roll her eyes as she placed a hand over her rapidly beating heart.

Of course it was him. She just couldn't get rid of him, it seemed. If it wasn't him passing by her in the hallways, then it was her running into him on her way out of the building. Yesterday, their conversation had almost been enjoyable, but then she'd remembered how difficult he was making her life, and her hatred for him had come back full force.

"What do you want?"

The amused smile returned, and he was obviously not fazed by her dislike towards him. "I came to see you."

"Well, I don't need you coming for me," she responded, letting out a deep breath as his lips twitched. "Okay, let's just get something straight here."

"Oh, come on. Now you're just doing it on purpose," he grinned.

"Actually, I'm not. I tend to say things that aren't meant to sound the way that they do. It's something I hate, but have come to terms with."

"Well I think it's endearing," he admitted, ignoring the glare she shot his way.

Yeah, she really didn't have time for this. "I'm going to lunch. You can come bother me in an hour," she dismissed, starting for the elevator again.

Luckily, someone had just gotten off of it. She stepped on before it could close, pushing a button that would bring her to the main floor. Oliver slipped inside before she could get away, and she was tempted to punch the wall out of pure frustration.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" she questioned, facing him with fire in her eyes.

"This is my lunch hour, too. If you're grabbing something to eat, I thought I might as well tag along."

She shook her head, voicing her disagreement. "There is no way you are going to intrude on the only hour I get to myself."

"You'd really rather be alone than with me?" he asked, probably thinking the answer was very clear.

Her next words came out naturally for her, and she had no idea why. "Who said anything about me being alone?"

She could see the smile fall off his face and found that satisfying. If it were anyone else, she would have thought he was jealous at the idea of her meeting up with another man. But no, it was Oliver Queen, billionaire playboy who had a different girl on his arm every night of the week. She knew better.

"Do you have a boyfriend?" he blatantly asked.

She scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest. "That really is none of your business."

She got a sudden flash to the day before, and the way he'd looked at her when she'd received that phone call. It was only Sara's sister, Laurel, confirming their lunch plans. He'd distracted her - how that even happened was beyond her - and Laurel had gotten worried she'd forgotten. Now that Felicity was thinking about it, from Oliver's perspective, it really could have been anyone on the other end of that line.

Even her potentially fake boyfriend that she definitely did not have. Interesting.

The elevator doors opened, saving her from having to stand alone with him in a confined space for any longer. She walked fast despite the high heels, but he kept up with her easily. Damn him and his huge feet. She put as much distance between them as she could, but it was pointless. He seemed determined to make her life a living hell.

"So, are you driving, or am I?" he asked, following her down the pavement to where she had parked.

"I'm driving myself. What you do from here on out, I really couldn't care less about."

He chuckled, making her wonder what it would take to really piss him off. "I guess I'll go behind you."

She shot a glare his way, and he raised his hand in defense. "Hey, I didn't mean it like that. I just meant I'll follow you in my car. Your dirty mouth is starting to rub off on me, Ms. Smoak."

Her jaw dropped at the ulterior meaning in that as well, and he threw his head back in a laugh. She didn't say another word to him as she reached her car. For some reason, she didn't jet off like she normally would have to avoid someone she hated. Instead, she found herself waiting for him to reach his car that was only a few spaces down. Then, she started her car, heading for the small deli she had discovered her first year at Queen Consolidated.

He stayed behind her car the whole time, and she actually caught herself glancing in her mirror to make sure he was still there a few times. She didn't know what was happening to her, but she was going to have a lot of thinking to do later. There was just no way she'd ever be looking forward to spending time with him. It just wasn't going to happen.

As soon as she pulled into the parking lot, his car was parking into the space next to hers. She didn't wait for him, and she didn't need to. He got out of his car, treading up to her as she almost reached the door, pulling it open for her like the perfect gentleman she knew he wasn't. The place was pretty packed, but she didn't expect anything less at this time of the day. The line wasn't that long, which meant less time she'd have to spend talking to him. She didn't know if she should be happy about that or not.

Thankfully, he didn't speak as they stood there. He read over the menu above the vegetables, eyebrows furrowed as he made his decision. She caught herself studying his face, recognizing the attractive features he possessed. She could hate him all she wanted, but she couldn't deny that he was extremely good looking. He glanced down at her - their height difference would be humorous if it wasn't so arousing - and she turned away quickly. The worker behind the counter signaled her to him, saving her from an expected awkward exchange with Oliver. He'd probably be really smug about it, she she'd had enough of that from him for the year.

"What can I get for you today?" the man asked.

She placed her usual order, watching as they prepared her sandwich right in front of her. When it was finished, it was set neatly in a little red basket, and handed to her with an empty cup and a few napkins. She went over to the beverage fountain, filling her cup up with sweet tea. Oliver was fast behind her, filling his up with Pepsi. She didn't wait for him as she found an empty table, setting her purse down in the chair next to her so that he wasn't tempted to take his seat there. He slid into the seat across from her instead, not showing any sign that he noticed.

"This looks great," he said, eyeing the food.

"It is," she confirmed, giving him a weird look. "You've never been here before?"

He shook his head. "Do you come here a lot?"

"I guess," she shrugged.

He didn't say anything else as he leaned forward to take his first bite of his sandwich. She did the same, closing her eyes as the familiar tastes filled her mouth. After a few minutes of uninterrupted eating, he spoke up.

"So, I don't see a guy," he observed, drawing her back to their conversation on the elevator. "Does that mean you don't have a boyfriend?"

"If I didn't answer you on the elevator, what makes you think I would now?"

He shrugged, something she noticed he did quite often. "I guess I'm just hoping if I ask enough, you'll give me an honest answer."

She sighed. "Fine. I'm currently not involved with anyone."

His face remained neutral as he took another bite of his sandwich, but she could tell he was fighting the urge to grin. Rolling her eyes, she fought back her own smile. Why should she be happy that he found joy in her loneliness?

Once he finished chewing, he wiped his hands on his napkin and took a drink of his soda. She watched him the entire time, not sure why he was so hypnotizing for her today. It just didn't make any sense.

"Well, just so you know, I'm single, too," he informed her, using that infamous smirk that drove her wild.

Okay, yeah right.

She cocked her head to the side. "Having a different girl in your bed every night doesn't make you single."

He cleared his throat, looking down at the table. "That's not who I am anymore."

She scoffed. "Right. Just because your father dies, everyone is supposed to believe that you got your act together? Sorry if I'm not that dense."

When he looked up at her again, she was taken aback. He seemed genuinely hurt. His eyes were confused, almost as if he couldn't believe the words had come from her. She couldn't believe it herself. Never, did she talk to anyone like that. It just wasn't who she was. She tried to take back what she said, but he was speaking before she could.

"The tabloids don't believe it. The investors don't believe it. Hell, my own mother doesn't believe it. Why would I expect you to?" he questioned, and that pain was replaced with frustration.

She knew that she'd crossed a line, because even he didn't deserve to be spoken to like that. "Oliver-"

"No, it's fine," he interrupted, but she knew it was the exact opposite of fine. "Seeing is believing, right? I guess I'll just have to prove it to everyone."

She couldn't explain the guilt that ran through her at the moment. She had never felt more like a bitch. The worst part was, she didn't even know why. Everyone in Starling City knew about Oliver's colorful past. It wasn't her fault that him suddenly changing was a little hard to fathom.

"Have you told your department about the cuts yet?" he asked, changing the subject.

And just like that, she was reminded of why she hated him. Just as she had thought, he was expecting her to break the news to them. With a new found rage, she decided to tell him of her plan to fix what he couldn't.

"Actually, I'm thinking I won't have to." His eyebrows knitted together in question as she continued. "I set up a meeting with a possible investor tomorrow. If things go as well as I plan, the IT Department won't have to suffer any cuts in our funding. And you can go on with your plan to piss me off without actually pissing me off anymore."

He seemed angered by that. "Felicity, you can't just go behind my back to do something like that."

"Like hell I can't!" she exclaimed, just as angry as him at this point. "There's nothing that says I can't seek investors for the company. I'm doing you a favor here."

"You should have talked to me about it!"

"So what, you could shoot me down? Yeah, I don't think so. With what I've done, my department has an actual chance of keeping all of our projects funded."

He sighed, seeming to consider this. "Who's the meeting with?"

She evened her breathing, becoming civil as well. "Ray Palmer."

If she thought he was angry before, she didn't have a clue. At the mention of that name, his whole face hardened. She could see his fists clench from their place on the table, his jaw locking as well. She'd actually be intimidated if she wasn't still so pissed off herself.

"There's no way in hell I'm letting you do this."

"Excuse me?!" she all but screamed, making him flinch. "For your information, Oliver, this isn't up to you!"

"He's our rival, Felicity. Accepting money from him would ruin my image. How bad would it look if I have to take help from him?"

"I'm sorry, Oliver, but I don't have a choice. You're cutting off our funding and he's potentially offering to keep it going. Whatever little feud you have going on with him, keep me out of it."

He stared at her, startling her when he stood from his seat. "Enjoy the rest of your lunch, Ms. Smoak."

And then he was gone.

He should have known better. She had made it perfectly clear that she wanted nothing to do with him. Her harsh comments had done nothing to bruise his ego, though she hadn't shown signs of letting up any time soon. Still, he pursued her, ignoring the voice in his head that was telling him to just stay away.

Damn it, he really should have listened to that voice. Now, he was sitting at his desk, pissed at her for going behind his back with an investor - his rival nonetheless - and more pissed at himself for not trusting his own instincts.

He wasn't sure what it was about her that kept drawing him in. Sure, she was attractive. Her ponytail and glasses were the perfect mixture of smart and sexy. She had legs that went on for days and made him imagine what they would feel like wrapped around his waist. Her skirts seemed to be there only to make his blood race, and her frame was lean, yet petite.

She was damn near perfect.

But that wasn't all there was to it. She was also smart, confident, and incredibly witty when it came to him. No matter what angle he approached her from, she always seemed to have a response back. Talking to her was something he found he enjoyed doing when it didn't involve her pissing him off. Maybe that was why he kept coming back.

A few days before, he was angry with her outspokenness at his meeting. Then, when he was walking out of the building and saw her lights still on, he was curious. No one he knew ever worked so late when they didn't have to. Without much input, his feet lead him to her office. Their conversation struck something inside of him, making him realize that his anger had become more of a fascination.

He got home that same night, finding it impossible to get her off his mind. To say that he was intrigued would be an understatement. Earlier today, he was struggling to fight off the urge to go to her office. His plan was to catch her on her way to lunch, hoping she would let him tag along. Though she objected at first, he knew he had won her over.

He knew she hated him, but their lunch really showed how much. The fact that she would seek help from Ray Palmer made his stomach sick. He knew Ray. He knew how Ray felt about smart girls, and he knew how smart girls felt about him. Just the thought of Ray flirting with Felicity had his fists clenching. Jealousy was not an emotion he was used to, but the fact that it was aimed towards her wasn't surprising.

Too bad he no longer cared.

Well, of course he did. He just knew that he shouldn't. She hated him, and it was probably for the best. Despite his greatest efforts, he was most likely going to fail and soil his family's name. If she hated him, he had one less person to disappoint.

Just then, his cell phone rang, bringing him out of his negative thoughts concerning the future of his company and his future with Felicity. He swiped the screen after discovering it was his mom calling, resisting the urge to chuck his phone at the wall. Though he wasn't in the mood to talk to her - or anyone, for that matter - he knew she would just keep bugging until he answered.

"Mom, hi," he said, plastering on a smile he knew she couldn't see.

"Oliver, is something wrong?"

Was his frustration that severe that it was audible through the phone? Oliver shook his head, attempting to convince his mom that nothing was wrong at all. The last thing he wanted was to be answering questions from her about the woman who was haunting his every thought.

"No, nothing's wrong," he assured. "I'm just swamped with work."

She hummed in understanding, clearly buying his crap. "Yes, Walter told me you were juggling a lot at once right now. Hopefully that'll end soon. I don't like you being so stressed."

Oliver resisted the urge to snort, because it had been his mom who'd braced this job upon him. He actually wasn't as upset about it as he was in the beginning. This job really helped him get his act together. He changed the way he was living his life after taking it, and he wondered from time to time about what he'd be doing had his father never passed, and he'd never been forced to step up.

His mom was a huge help to him along the way, and still was. Though she held no position at the company, she took role in all the huge decisions and kept up with the progression of it. Everything major was fed to her by either him or Walter, and Oliver strove to impress her every chance he got. That's why the funding cuts was something he didn't want her to know about yet, since he wanted her to be impressed by the results it would hopefully bring forth.

"I don't have much time to talk," Oliver lied, just wanting time to himself right now.

"Oh," his mother said, sounding apologetic. "I only wanted to confirm that the charity gala is still on. Top floor of Queen Consolidated, am I right?"

Oliver sighed. "Yes, Mom. Everything is still set."

"Well, I'm just making sure, Oliver. A lot can go wrong before three weeks reaches us."

Oliver knew she was right, but if anything had gone wrong, she would have been the first to hear about it. The charity ball was being held at his company this year, meaning that all of his employees were welcome to attend. Usually, it was one of the rare nights Starling City's elite came out to show that they had some humanity left in them.

Oliver hated it every year. He was always left with too many people to handle on his own, and he wasn't ever allowed to leave until most of the guests had gone on their own. Oliver couldn't help but wonder if Felicity would be attending. It was still three weeks away, but just the thought of her being there made it that much more tolerable. Maybe he could get her to not hate him by then.

"Sweetie, are you still there?" his mother asked, snapping him out of his daze.

"Yeah, I'm still here," he answered, closing his eyes. "Mom, I have a lot of work I need to get through. Can I call you back later?"

"Of course, Oliver," she said, with slight hesitation. "But if something was wrong, you'd tell me, right?"

"Sure," he agreed, not knowing how else to respond to something like that.

Would he ever be comfortable going to his mom with girl problems? Probably not. But she didn't have to know that. Her feelings would just be hurt by it, and upsetting his mom was actually the last thing he wanted to do. The first was Felicity, yet another thing he'd have to keep to himself.

"Okay, then. I love you."

"I love you, too," he responded, giving her a quick goodbye before hanging up.

Oliver exhaled hopelessly. Now he could get back to pining over the only girl he'd ever wanted to this extent, and planning their next encounter.

A/N: Review for more! :)