Chapter: 3 - Rapport
Word Count: 6284

Notes: I am so sorry about the slight delay in posting. I left a post on Tumblr earlier today to let y'all know when I could, but my modem and wireless router went out. Because I'm lucky like that. :P So I didn't have a chance to post in the morning, like usual. Anyway, here it is now. :)

I hope the chapter makes up for the delay. I always love to hear your thoughts, but thanks for being awesome enough to read! :)

Time moves fast in the Shatterdome. Oliver always knew that, but last week's Category Four feels like a lifetime ago now. Instead, there's a new, red mech sitting in Crimson Typhoon's hangar, less than half finished with the same basic design as his Green Arrow. Next to it are the thin, black-and-purple legs of another new Jaeger. The entire place is now whispering with the rumor that Oliver Queen is returning to a Jaeger after a year away.

Despite the changes, most things stay the same. Most of the Rangers and would-be pilots are terrified of him, and Felicity is the only co-worker who will look him in the eyes. She eats lunch with him every day, and they're sometimes joined on overlook by Thea and Roy. For the most part, he keeps to himself and no one asks inane questions about his time as a Ranger.

The chances of keeping to himself today, however, are small. The minute he enters the trial arena to test out his potential co-pilots, he's met with most of the Shatterdome's population, all angling for the best spots to watch. Apparently they don't restrict clearance here any longer. He shoulders his way through the crowd with a sigh, only stopping when he's met with both his mother and sister.

Apparently they're here to watch his "return to glory," too.

Instead of treating him like he's returning home, Thea just hugs him before asking, "Ollie, are you sure you want to do this?" She swallows, and Oliver watches both her fear and determination flicker across her face. In the last week, she's cut her hair short, and he's seen her in the arena after hours, practicing. She may have lost a father and a second brother to this attack, but it seems that his sister is ready to fight, too. "I know how hard it hit you after Tommy." Unlike anyone else, she never hesitates or flinches over his name. It just is what it is, and it's one of his favorite qualities about his baby sister.

In answer, Oliver kisses her forehead. "When you're a pilot, you'll understand," he replies evenly, watching as the implications of his words dawn on her. Quieter, so their mother won't hear, he adds, "You need to raise your guard a little, but you're doing good." With a partial smile, he asks her, "You know you'd be my first choice, right?" Even without a combat trial, he knows they wouldn't be suited; Thea is too impulsive, even for him.

She nods before his mother turns to him, a proud smile on her face. It makes him frown; he's done nothing except watch as four co-pilots have been killed, and now he's ready to take a fifth to likely end the same way. "I always knew you'd come back to this, Oliver," Moira declares. "You were always a good pilot."

Instead of answering, he moves closer to the ring. Sin—his assistant—gives him a nod and a slight smile from one edge of the ring, and he returns it before crossing to where Digg and Felicity stand. While Digg is there in an official capacity, Felicity holds a clipboard, wearing her black jumpsuit with a purple tank and a wide smile. Her hair is pulled into a ponytail again, and he can see the comm device clipped over her ear.

The blonde has no hesitance about walking up to him as she stands on the edge of the ring She throws him a smile that makes him automatically return it. "I hope you trust my judgment," Felicity breathes out. "Because, well, we don't have that many candidates, and it's hard to find anyone who seems complementary." She pushes her glasses further up her nose. "I mean, I watched the tapes of your missions. All one hundred and five of them." Oliver's eyebrows shoot up; even he didn't know how many missions he'd piloted.

She taps the chart with her pen, talking faster with her enthusiasm. "And I decided to discount the first thirty-eight because they were so different. It was clear that you were letting the most experienced pilot take control, but I could see the first moment that you took control. It was after Slade was injured in Deathstroke. You—"

While he loves the way her eyes light up with her passion, Oliver doesn't really have all day. Because of that, he cuts in, "Felicity."

He doesn't say more because it isn't required. She knows what he means, nodding several times before launching into, "Anyway. I have three candidates that I thought might work." She points to the chart. "Which do you want first: the most likely, the wild card, or the long shot?"

Feeling the need to tease her, he leans over to see the clipboard. Felicity holds it tighter to her chest, keeping it a secret. "Are any of them you?" Oliver asks with a smile. They both know that's an impossibility, but he likes to remind her that she'll make a damn good Ranger someday. Maybe he'll pair her and Thea up tomorrow.

The J-Tech officer shoves his shoulder in response. "Of course not," she answers with a roll of her eyes. She cuts a dark look at Marshal Diggle. "He's still trying to sabotage me so I'll stay safe and locked up in the tech dungeon all day." Her expression sours, and he wishes he hadn't brought it up. "Make your choice, Oliver. We don't have all day."

"My loss," he answers with a shrug. "You'll be a great pilot someday, and I'll never be able to say I was your co-pilot."

It does the trick, causing those fuchsia lips to turn upward again. She might be rolling her eyes, but Felicity is still in a better humor, which Oliver finds infectious. "Stop trying to butter me up, Queen," she barks, "and make your choice."

"Most likely," he answers her question. "I'm ready to get this over with."

Sarcastically, she replies, "That's the spirit." Louder, she calls, "Ted Grant."

Already Oliver knows that he isn't going to find a co-pilot today. He's watched Grant fight, and, while he's a great fighter, their styles don't match. But, then again, Felicity must have poured over hours of footage to select him, so he takes the staff Diggle offers him and steps into the ring. "Begin," he calls out after both men are in position.

To call it a fight would be a joke. It's more like a massacre. Grant gets a few points in, but it's still a four-to-two that ends in less than ten minutes. Because the trials are all about rapport, Oliver knows that isn't enough. They can't communicate in a fight. Beating Grant isn't a challenge at all.

The next two aren't any better. Oliver wipes the floor with Ray Palmer, at an easy four-to-zero that isn't even a fight. Sebastian Blood puts up a much better fight than the other two, but he doesn't know when to take a winning hit, so Oliver wins that one at a four-to-one.

As he stands in the middle of the mats panting, he takes a moment to think through his previous partners and why they worked together in the trials. When he fought his father on these mats, Robert had been slow and Oliver fast. With Slade, it was about watching and learning, about discovering more about himself. He and Maseo had been equals with very different fighting styles, and he and Tommy were mostly polar opposites who complemented each other. Oliver had never meshed well with the obvious choice, but instead been the wild card.

That realization puts a dangerous thought in his head.

With the staff he collected from Blood in his hand as well, he moves off the mat, wiping the small amount of sweat off his brow. "Well that was a disaster," Felicity declares. "The way you fight on the mats is different than how you move in a Jaeger, so maybe I can correct and…" She trails off when he offers her the staff, her brows knitting together in irritation. "That's not funny, Oliver," she declares. "I get you're trying to be supportive—and I appreciate that, but—"

"This isn't me trying to be supportive, Felicity," he assures her, and her eyes widen as she realizes this isn't a joke. "When I began to understand to learn what it is to be a Jaeger pilot, Slade and I started falling out of alignment." That was part of it, but, well, Oliver blew that partnership, too. "Maseo and Tommy were never the likely choice. Maseo became my co-pilot out of necessity." He looks down at her. "Tommy and I never would have been paired if we didn't train together and realize it. My co-pilot has never been the predictable choice, but they have been the right one." Offering her the staff again, he admits, "I think you could be the right one."

Before she can agree or not, Diggle cuts in, "Not happening." Felicity turns to protest, but he doesn't let her. "You're Drift compatible, Felicity, but there also has to be a physical compatibility, as well." He motions between them, letting their differences in stature make the point for him. Oliver is over six feet tall and broad-shouldered, whereas Felicity only reaches above his shoulder in heels and has a very slim build.

Felicity opens her mouth to argue, but Oliver is faster this once. "Marshal," he insists in a firm tone, "it isn't just about that. You know as well as I do that it's about being complementary, not alike. I'm a fighter, but Felicity is a thinker. We could match up in a fight." He holds up his hands. "I'm not asking you to release her from J-Tech." Yet, he adds in his head. "I'm asking you to give this a shot." He shrugs. "If it isn't going to work, what do you have to lose?"

This time when he offers the staff, Felicity takes it, passing the clipboard off to the Marshal and handing him her comm link. There's a sharp intake of breath from their audience as she steps into the ring, but Oliver ignores it. Instead, he watches the meticulous way she folds the jumpsuit when she steps out of it, standing in that purple tank and a pair of cotton pants. Her shoes go next to it, and he smiles at her blue toenails when they curl into the mat.

After she tucks her dog tags into her tank, she steps into position and gives him a nod.

Despite how much he likes Felicity, Oliver isn't merciful. He flies at her, but Felicity is both smart and fast, stepping out of the way and tapping him lightly on the back with her staff. A triumphant smile is on her face when she declares, "One, zero, Queen." Though he should probably be upset, it only makes him grin in return.

They fall back into position to go again, and this time Felicity is the one to go at him. He catches her swing with his staff easily, catching her foot and dropping her. Just to make it clear she's lost, he points the end of the staff at her throat before offering her a hand up. "One, one, Smoak," he counters. A taunting edge enters his voice, and he has to remind himself this isn't a competition. It's a dialogue, and neither one of them are carrying on a conversation well.

"I wanted to make you feel better about yourself," she answers with a cheeky smile as she falls back to starting position. The two of them circle each other this time, wary and aware of the kind of fighter they're facing. It feels like forever as they make a full three hundred sixty degree turn around the mats.

Finally, he lashes out, but Felicity catches his staff. The impact is a little strong for her, he can tell, so he goes for another swing, attempting to force her to the defensive. Instead, she taps his abdomen with the staff again. "Two, one." She makes a face. "You better not be going easy on me, Oliver."

"Never," he promises, moving back into starting position. "You fight differently than I expected." It's the truth; Felicity is a cunning fighter, one who knows she's at a disadvantage against her opponent. Instead of using force, she uses her brain. He thought she'd fight more like Cooper—choppy movements and short, tense blocks—but she really fights more like Sara than anyone else he's gone up against.

When they circle again, he makes a better move and catches her in the shoulder. "Two, two, Smoak," he offers with a smile. "Better watch it."

This time when they clash, it's fast, brutal, and intense. She moves first, catching him off-guard, and it sends him launching into a series of blocks and counterattacks. The sound of wooden staves knocking against each other creates an erratic, wild rhythm.

When he wins the point, it isn't pretty. Both of them are breathing hard and he's sweating with the exertion. What Felicity lacks in strength, she more than makes up for in speed. "Three, two," he offers with a nod and a smile of appreciation.

Now that the both know what they're facing, their next round feels like an eternity. Just when he thinks he has a victory, she counters and pushes him into submission with a smile gracing her features. Felicity Smoak is a woman who knows when she's won. "Three, three," she declares with a wide smile.

Oliver returns it without hesitation. Despite who wins this point, it doesn't matter anymore. The two of them are going to end at a four-to-three, which means they're going to qualify for a test run in the Green Arrow. All of his life, he's always believed that male and female pilots who don't share a blood relation aren't compatible, but they've just destroyed that theory with two red staves and several furious blows.

Despite the fact that they've already won, Oliver fights that much harder. Win or lose doesn't matter now, so he has no reason to back down. Apparently Felicity reaches the same conclusion because her attacks come faster than before. Though she could probably put him on the defensive and take him down, she doesn't. Felicity is careful in the face of a victory, letting him tire with the weight of his own swings. She has barely broken a sweat, even now, and she takes her time with him.

Finally the defeat comes, but not the way he expects. She dodges one of his swings completely, slipping under him to knock his feet entirely out from under him. The red staff prods the middle of his chest, just under his breastbone. "Four to three," she declares, panting.

The arena is silent as she offers him a hand, and Oliver takes it without any hesitation. He's immediately wrapped into a tight hug that knocks what little breath he has left out of him, and he tenses when he feels her lips on his cheek. "Sorry," Felicity says as she pulls back, not quite meeting his eyes as her cheeks flush. "I just got excited because I'm finally going to be a Jaeger pilot. I've been working for this for years, and I…"

She grows quiet as Oliver throws his arm over her shoulders, pulling her into his side. For a long moment, all they do is share goofy grins, the blonde's eyes sparkling with the same excitement he knows she sees in his, too. He's excited for her; all these years of wanting to be a Jaeger pilot must have seemed like an impossible dream to her, but now it's never seemed closer. "It never goes away," he warns her. Leaning down, he presses a kiss to her temple before adding, "Thanks for taking the chance."

"Marshal Diggle," Oliver declares between heavy breaths, "this is me asking you to release Felicity from J-Tech."

Despite his obvious objections to the idea, Digg still smiles at the two of them. "I think you're putting the cart before the horse, Mr. Queen," he answers with a tinge of warning. "I want to see the two of you Drift before I go that far. Miss Smoak?" Felicity pulls away from her sparring partner, standing almost at attention while waiting for the rest of his words. "Can you have the Arrow's cockpit modified for our newest Ranger by tomorrow?"

The blonde beams, and Oliver finds her good humor contagious. "I'll work all night if I have to," she promises with a nod. The two of them share some sort of silent communication before she runs up and hugs Diggle, too. He seems a little stunned, but when Oliver laughs for the first time in years, it seems to break the spell and the Marshal returns the hug.

"You've worked hard today, Smoak," is all Digg says to her when he pulls away. "Go hit the showers and take the rest of the day off." His eyes light up with amusement. "I want you rested and prepared to Drift tomorrow at eleven hundred hours." He glances at Oliver over the top of her head. "That includes you, too, Queen."

He responds with a nod, helping Felicity gather her things before they head for the communal showers off to one side of the arena. She's already speaking into her comm, directing other members of the J-Tech team and explaining the situation. There's a new bounce in her step, and he actually laughs as she terminates the link while attempting to seem blasé about the entire ordeal.

"It was a crazy choice, Oliver," she declares out of nowhere, "but I'm glad you convinced me to join you on the mats." As they enter the locker room and go to their respective lockers, she continues, "This is something we never predicted about the Drift. When the design team started testing the idea, we found that Drift compatibility was a fragile thing. Identical twins were best, obviously, but then we discovered that siblings and familial groups could bond, but we thought Drift compatibility is best with a shared past."

Oliver walks into one of the shower stalls and locks it, and he can hear Felicity do the same in the stall next to him. "From what we know about the Drift, it doesn't make sense that we have an established rapport. I met you three weeks ago. People have to know each other for years before—" She immediately stops, and he can hear the rustling of clothes in the silence. "And you probably still don't want to listen to me babble about Jaeger tech."

"Before they can Drift," Oliver finishes for her, stepping under the spray of hot water. He ignores her last sentence; the Drift is important to him, too, as a pilot. Maybe he doesn't find it as fascinating, but Felicity's enthusiasm is infectious and he's happy to indulge her. "I think there's more to it than anyone really understands at this point. I've never worked well with the obvious choice. No one thought Tommy and I would work, either."

"You two had a ninety-six percent link," she states over the roar of her own shower, sounding surprised by the confession. "That's one of the highest in Jaeger history. No one's ever heard of a link over ninety-six percent." Her voice turns quiet. "If we're able to Drift, it might change what we know about the Jaeger program and the Drift completely. I hate to admit it, but maybe J-Tech doesn't know everything."

Before Oliver can answer, a shrill ringing comes out of nowhere. "Oh, that's me," she calls, sighing. "I'm so glad I was important enough to deserve one of the waterproof comms." There's a short pause and a few clattering sounds before she picks up with, "Technician Smoak, Starling J-Tech. …Oh, hey, Mom."

Even though it's probably rude to eavesdrop on her conversation, Oliver can't help but listen a little closer at that. Felicity hasn't really spoken about her family in the time he's known her, even though she's almost always talking about something. Even now, she doesn't seem particularly pleased to hear from her mother, but that could be the timing.

Her enthusiasm picks up, though, as she continues, "Everything is going well. Really well, actually." A slight pause, as if she's steeling herself before adding, "I finally got a chance on the mats today." This time the pause is longer, and she sighs through it. "I didn't get it out of my system, Mom. I have a partner." The silence permeates through the entire locker room. "We're doing a trial run tomorrow at eleven. I know you don't approve, but this is kind of a big moment. Your Shatterdome pass is still valid. You could come, if you want."

More than anything, her words make Oliver hurt for her. He knows that tone, the tone of a child who is afraid to want something from their parent because they expect to be disappointed. He'd never want her to experience that, as something he became accustomed to while growing up as the Queen family disappointment.

"The Jaeger I'll be controlling?" she asks, sounding as though she repeats it. "No, of course it isn't Striker Eureka. I may have designed her, but there's no way I'm making my first Drift in a Jaeger that hasn't been tested." This time there's some hope in her voice, her tone taking on a subtle hint of pride. "You've heard of her, though. She's an old Mark Four. One of mine, actually—the best I ever built. I'll be piloting the Green Arrow."

The next time she speaks, Felicity sounds a little more cautious. "No, it's not McKenna. John didn't think we were Drift compatible, remember?" She releases a breathy laugh as Oliver switches off the spray and reaches for a towel. "It's…" She sighs. "It… well, it goes against everything we know about Drift compatibility. I was pulled into the ring because I never thought it would work, but…"

Knowing she's stalling, Oliver calls out, "Are you already ashamed of me, Felicity? Usually it takes longer."

Her response is almost instant, declaring, "I am trying to have a private conversation here, Oliver. So unless you're my mother, at least attempt to mind your own business." She's trying her best to sound stern, but he can hear the smile in her voice. "And if anyone here should be ashamed of their Drift partner, it should be you. I'm the rookie and you're the veteran pilot."

"You're the genius and I'm the screw-up," he counters without missing a beat.

"Armchair scientist and war hero," she retorts after a laugh.

"Promising beginner and retired failure."

"Spark chaser and decorated soldier."

"Brilliant technician and blatant womanizer."

"Dreamer and realist," Felicity suggests.

"Idealist and pessimist," Oliver corrects.

"Indiscreet chatterbox and careful observer."

"Young and hopeful versus scarred and jaded."

"Naïve Jaeger artist versus brilliant Jaeger tactician." It's a compliment Oliver doesn't expect; he didn't do a lot in last week's failure. He sure as hell didn't save Yao Fei, but he supposes they did win. It was the first time a two-Jaeger team ever took down a Category Four, so maybe she isn't just being nice and overstating his skills—just this once. Before he can counter with another set, she turns off the water and demands loudly, "How the hell did we match up again?"

It must be a rhetorical question because she tells her mother, "My new partner is Oliver Queen." There's another pause. "Yes, Mom, that Oliver Queen. How did you think I was going to pilot the Green Arrow? No way would I trust anyone other than him to pilot her." Oliver smiles at the compliment as he dries his hair off with a towel.

"Well, yeah," Felicity retorts to something her mother says. "We're going to Drift. I'll be in his head, and he'll be in mine." Whatever her mother retorts next causes her to scoff. "We don't need a neural handshake to figure that one out, Mom. I'm straight and he's Oliver Queen. Everyone in this building who is attracted to men finds him insanely beautiful to look at." He drops his dog tags at that declaration, and they clatter against the tile floor. This is a complication he didn't think of when leading a potential female co-pilot onto the field today. "But, more importantly, he also happens to be my friend. The fact that he's nice to look at is just a bonus."

Before he can do more than breathe a sigh of relief that this isn't going to turn into another relationship with an odd sexual undercurrent, Felicity calls out to him, "Oliver, my mom wants to come tomorrow and she wants to meet you. Before you make a decision, you should know that she's twice as bad as me and will probably say something embarrassing." As an afterthought, she offers, "I added that last part, not her. You are under no obligation to meet her. In fact, I'd strongly suggest you say no."

Releasing a breathy chuckle, he calls loud enough to be heard over the comm line, "I'd love to meet you, Ms. Smoak."

There's another clattering noise, this one a little more violent than a simple pair of dog tags. "Damn it," the blonde swears. "I just dropped my glasses, and they blend in with this black tile floor. I'll see you tomorrow, okay? Love you. Bye."

So she doesn't have to ask, Oliver offers, "If you're dressed, I can pick them up for you." He unlocks the door of his shower stall, stepping out. There's no response, but he hears the rustling of clothes and a few more things hitting the floor. In between, he can hear her mutter a few curses. "Felicity?" he tries again.

"Yeah, hold on," she tells him, sounding distracted. "I'm losing most of my stuff." There's some rustling and clattering before the lock clicks open. With a little caution, he pushes the door open, watching the floor for her glasses. It's a good thing she didn't move; they're right by her her feet.

Only after he picks them up and offers him to her does he even take the opportunity to take in her appearance. She's in a clean pair of uniform pants and a lime green tank with a neckline falling dangerously low. Sapphire blue straps poke out from underneath, and Oliver tries not to focus on the implications of that thought. Her hair damp now, curling at the edges. The pink streaks frame her face, whereas the purple and teal are layered through it. Her feet are bare and her skin is flushed from the hot water. There's something strangely domestic about the entire thing.

"Thanks," she says, her voice a little breathy. When she slides them onto her face, her eyes widen a little, openly staring at him. Only then does he realize that he isn't wearing a shirt, standing in front of her in a pair of jeans and bare feet. All of his scars from old Jaeger injuries are on display, something he doesn't like to let anyone see.

"Oh, God, I'm staring," she declares, making them both jump at the sound of her voice after the long silence. "I just made this weird, didn't I? And I was trying so hard not to make this weird because you're going to be in my head tomorrow, and now I'm pretty sure I just checked you out." Her eyes flick downward and back up again. "And I just did it again. I should stop before I make this weird." Felicity makes a small hand motion as she corrects, "Well, weirder. I'm so glad I'm going to pilot a Jaeger before I die of embarrassment."

It forces a breathy laugh out of his throat and a smile onto his face. Oliver's concern is that most people see the scars, but it appears that Felicity's staring had nothing to do with that. "I won't apologize for staring if you won't," he bargains. It causes her eyes to go wide, and the dusting of pink across her cheekbones intensifies. He's also delighted to see that it spreads across her breastbone as well. With a shrug, he adds, "It's an unspoken rule between Jaeger pilots that we don't talk about what we see in the Drift."

Her eyes focus on something above his as she tucks her hair behind one ear and bites her lip. In this moment, there's little more he can do than stare. He always finds her beautiful and charming, but now it's a little overwhelming. (It takes him a moment to realize that thought will enter the Drift, too.) "That's probably a rule that I'll break," Felicity admits with a tentative smile. "If I learn something embarrassing about you, there's no guarantee I won't use it against you later."

"I can live with that," Oliver assures her. "But there's no guarantee I won't do the same to you." His teasing seems to take her by surprise, but she breaks into a slow, wide smile. It might be one of the most beautiful things he's ever seen, so lovely that he can't help but return it. A part of him knows they may not work out—she's never Drifted and he's Drifted far too much—but, no matter what, they're in this together. He holds out a hand for her to shake. "Partners?"

She takes it, but he notices her eyes flick up to his head again for a brief moment. "Partners," she agrees, her eyes lighting up as if she's trying not to laugh. "Your hair is sticking up," Felicity declares before he can ask. "Like a porcupine." She bites her lip before adding, "It's kind of adorable." Before he has a chance to say anything, she's standing on her toes with her hands in his hair.

Though he means to protest, when Oliver looks down at her, it's to find the blonde with her tongue sticking out in concentration on her task. Biting back a laugh, he leans down so she can better reach it. It takes her a while, but then she pulls away with a triumphant grin. "There," she declares, hand dropping to her sides. It's only then that he realizes how close she is, that he can feel her breath on his face. She seems to realize it at the same time he does, her lips parting in surprise. It causes his eyes to flick to them for a long moment.

Before Oliver can do any more than come to that conclusion, she stutters through a breath and reaches for her hair, pulling it up in her hands. "It's times like these that I miss hair dryers," she starts in a conversational tone. Holding her hair in one hand, she turns toward her things, and Oliver barely dodges an elbow in the throat. "Sorry!" She sighs before knocking some more items into the floor. "And of course I can't find my hair tie…"

He spots it a moment before she does, picking up the piece of elastic. "I should get out of here before you decide to throw another elbow," he decides with a slight smile. He ducks back into the shower stall, picking up a gray T-shirt and pulling it on. Unlike Felicity, he barely stays within uniform regulation guidelines, wearing only the black pants, boots, and dog tags.

By the time he throws the rest of his things into his bag and his dirty clothes in the chute, she's fully dressed, too. Her hair is up in a messy bun, tendrils of blonde and brightly colored hair falling out of it. The black PPDC uniform shirt is worn over her tank, tucked into her pants but left open. "I've been thinking," Felicity starts in a contemplative tone.

"Wouldn't be you if you hadn't been," he teases, unable to refrain himself.

His partner retaliates by pinching his shoulder. "I thought I might warn you of what you're going to see in the Drift." Her tone is serious now, her hand motions growing more exaggerated as they walk out of the locker room together. Biting her lip, Felicity adds, "I was here for the first Kaiju attack on Starling City. We were trying to get the Drift technology working."

Though Oliver had been partying his way through East Coast colleges at the time, he remembers the media coverage. They had been in Jaeger trials when the Kaiju they codenamed Scissure came through the Rift and tore through a southwest section of Starling. Most of the city had endured, but it took six days and thirty-five miles of destruction to take the damn thing down. Almost a decade later, the Glades—the area that survived the attack—is still in shambles.

"It wasn't a good time," she adds in a somber tone. "There was mass panic on the streets." She tilts her head up, pointing to an old, white scar under her chin. "That's how I got this." Felicity is uncharacteristically quiet for a moment. "It's not a pleasant memory to bring into the Drift."

Even though he isn't sure he wants to share, Oliver is concerned with the repercussions that might come from remaining quiet. "I'm the reason Laurel and Sara couldn't Drift for two years," he confesses to her in a low voice. At first, he thinks she didn't hear him, but when he looks at her, it's to find Felicity's eyes upon him. "Laurel and I were… together for a long time. I cheated on her with Sara." The blonde's eyes go wide, and he winces. "I ruined their relationship."

By the time he finishes, she's already shaking her head. "I'm not sure you get all the blame for that," she disagrees. "I mean, you were a creep for cheating on your girlfriend, don't get me wrong." If anyone else said it, the words would be laced with judgment, but Felicity's tone is very matter-of-fact. "But Sara knew you were dating her sister and did the horizontal tango with you anyway." Oliver chuckles at her description. "So she was a creep, too, and you should share that blame with her. That doesn't have to define who you are—who either of you are—now."

Shrugging, the blonde concludes, "We've all done stupid things, Oliver." A tentative smile graces her lips as she leads into another tale: "Like hacking the Pentagon for fun—back when we had a Pentagon." This time, his eyes widen at her misspent youth. "I was twelve and stupid, so I got caught. It's a miracle I was tried as a juvenile—sealed record." She shrugs a little. "But I was cute and I cried a lot, so they took it easy on me."

To his own surprise, Oliver can picture a blonde, twelve-year-old Felicity with braces smirking at the Pentagon mainframe on her laptop screen. "I can actually see you hacking a secure government server," he admits to her slowly. Despite that, there is one part of the picture he can't really picture. "I'm not sure I believe you cried."

"Crocodile tears," Felicity replies with a wink.

He shakes his head at her with a smile. Sobering, he confesses a much darker thought: "I… I was still linked with Tommy when he died. We were still aligned in the Drift." She knows this, of course, but few understand the implications of what that means. "I felt his fear and pain. I knew how helpless he felt." She pales with the implications of his words as he stops in the hall, in front of the door to his quarters. "You helped design the Drift. You know that, when you link with someone, you link with all of the people they Drifted with, too." He sighs. "And tomorrow, in order to Drift, you'll have to feel that pain, too."

Felicity nods once, her expression fierce. "I'm sorry you lost Tommy and that you have to live with that, but you can't scare me off that easily," she assures him, knocking her shoulder against his. "You're the only Drift partner I've ever found." They share a small smile at that; no matter what, it seems they're in this together.

"Probably the worst of memories are going to be when my dad left," she admits. Oliver expects a little sadness, but there's a sharp edge to her voice that says she's angry about it now. "He left us when I was six." Looking away, she adds, "I didn't really understand what was happening. There were a lot of hard days. I'm definitely going to bring those into the Drift." She laughs bitterly. "And since most of our recordkeeping systems from before the attacks are gone, I don't even know if he's alive."

Though it's none of his business, Oliver can't let it slide. Despite their flaws, both of his parents were always present in his life. He never had to wonder where they were, if they were alive. She isn't looking at him, and that isn't acceptable, so he places a hand on her shoulder. Felicity turns immediately, and he looks her in the eyes as he assures her, "It's his loss."

Felicity just pokes him again before walking across the hall to her quarters. "I told you to stop buttering me up, Queen."

Playlist:

"Faster" - Within Temptation
"Kids in the Dark" - All Time Low
" ." - Cherri Bomb
"Cinderblock Garden" - All Time Low
"Immortals" - Fall Out Boy
"Stand By You" - Rachel Platten