The final chapter. I hoped you enjoyed this interlude. I'm not making any promises, but don't be surprised if I write a longer story some day! Thanks for reading.
Chapter 3: The Best Kind of Stand
*******The Next Day*******
Felicity slept later than she normally did. It felt good. It seemed like she'd not gotten any real sleep in months. Not since Slade Wilson made his appearance in Starling had she rested well. He was the boogie man who could strike at them at any moment. Finally, defeating him had been such a relief. However, the new tension between her and Oliver had kept her from resting well. Now that she'd left Starling City behind, she was finding it easier and easier to rest.
She'd slept past the breakfast offered at the bed and breakfast, so she walked to the diner Stefan had introduced her to. After a leisure breakfast and two good cups of coffee, she walked to the car shop where Stefan worked to see the news about her car.
Stefan had been half watching for her, so when her scent came through the open shop door, he pulled his head away from the engine and reached for the rag he kept in his back pocket. He couldn't help but smile at the shy smile Felicity gave him. God, she was cute. Although he knew that she was several years older than Elena was when he met her, she carried the same youthful energy and sweet innocence. There was just something about her that drew people to her. He waved at her and walked toward her as he wiped his hands clean.
"Hi!" she said. "Any word on my car?"
"Good morning," Stefan said, smiling warmly at her. "It should be ready to go before we close around five. Will that work?"
"That's great!" she said. "Did the rental company agree to fit the bill?"
Stefan nodded. "Yes, so you won't have to worry," he said. "Do you have to head out today or are you going to stay another night?"
Feeling bold, she replied, "That depends."
"On what?" he asked.
"On whether or not you're free for dinner," she said with a grin.
Stefan's smile brightened. He really wanted another night with her. Being around her pushed away the dark cloud he had lived under since his brother died. "I'd love to have dinner with you," he said. "If you will let me go home and clean up after you pick up the car, I'll knock on your room when I'm ready."
"That sounds perfect," Felicity said happily.
Stefan watched her walked away. He'd been away from his friends for weeks. He'd avoided all of Caroline's calls, so he'd not had anyone to talk to—he'd not wanted to talk. Now, however, something was stirring in him. There was a desire to connect, to share. With a sigh, he turned back to her car. Who was he kidding? He couldn't share his life with her. She'd run screaming if he did.
******That Evening******
Felicity was trying to decide on how to handle the night. A big part of her was so sick of being the wallflower, the girl never loved enough. She was tired of not taking chances in her personal life. Working with Oliver and Dig had taught her to live life on the edge. She knew now more than ever that life was fleeting. Happiness was even more so. For once, Felicity wanted to do something as daring in her personal life as she had done with Slade. She wanted to throw caution to the wind and make a really great memory with Stefan. It'd been way too long since she'd been with a man. She had only one dissatisfying interlude with a guy she'd met and dated for a short time when she'd first arrived in Starling City since her first love Cooper had died.
The past year working as Oliver's assistant had given her a huge pay raise. She'd updated her wardrobe, and she'd begun to feel like she was really coming into her own skin. Some days she even felt beautiful. Not being one of Oliver's girls, though, sometimes really hurt. It seemed it was everyone but her that Oliver loved. Sometimes, though, his touch on her shoulder or the lingering touch of his hand felt like more. It felt like something. But was she supposed to wait forever? And what would happen if he did have real feelings for her? He was a hot mess, and she knew that better than anyone. Could she ever truly find happiness with him?
Felicity decided to take a risk. She was leaving tomorrow. Why shouldn't she have a great time with Stefan and go wherever it takes her?
Thinking about dinner, she grabbed the sheet on the nightstand that had a list of local restaurants that delivered. The town actually had a Chinese restaurant. It probably wasn't very good. However, she picked up the phone and ordered a variety of things. It was a gamble. What if he didn't like Chinese? Regretting her impulse, she groaned. Then she got up. What was done is done. She wasn't going to obsess about it.
She pulled out one of her summer dresses that would be easy to take off. Her face got hot just thinking about it. It was yellow with spaghetti straps and stopped several inches above her knee. She kept her hair down and curly. The past year she'd been wearing it straight because it seemed to suit her position. The sleeked look help her deal with that ice bitch Isabel with more confidence. It was a silly thing, but it helped somehow. Tonight, though, she put on very little make-up, wanting him to see the real her. Her glasses were perched on her face; she decided against her contacts. Their familiar presence gave her comfort.
A knock on the door made her jump—she'd been lost in thought. She got up and smoothed down her dress before opening the door.
"Hi," she said, smiling warmly at him.
"Hi, yourself," he said.
Felicity stepped back and let him in. "I hope it's okay, but I ordered us some Chinese food. I thought we could stay here to eat," she said, trying not to show how nervous she was.
What she didn't know was that it was impossible to keep your nervousness from a vampire. Stefan was blown away by how utterly adorable she looked. His attraction for her grew even stronger. He reached out and took her hand, giving it a squeeze. "I think that's a great idea," he said.
"I wish we had some wine," she said.
"I actually have a bottle in my room," Stefan said. "I'll go back and get it."
While she was gone, she took a deep breath and told herself to relax. It was strange how he made her feel. She didn't know him the way she did Oliver, but she still felt a strong attraction. He didn't have the muscles of Oliver, but his face was so flawless. Those eyes and the smile—she sighed just thinking about it.
The door opened and Stefan came through it with a smile, holding the wine. Felicity was surprised to see two wine glasses.
"You had glasses?" she asked in surprise.
She couldn't know that he used his vamp speed to pilfer them from the kitchen downstairs. "I got them from the kitchen," he admitted.
"You move fast!" she said, grinning.
She had no idea. "Oh, I got them a while ago. Just had no one to share it with," he said with a shrug. He opened the bottle and poured them both a half glass. There was a knock at the door.
"There's our food," she said. She grabbed her wallet and went to the door. "I'm buying, so no arguing."
"Fine," he said. He couldn't remember the last time anyone bought him dinner besides his brother or Lexie. With Caroline and Elena it was always his treat. This felt strange, but he accepted it graciously.
She paid for the food and turned to sit it on the small dining table the rooms all sported. Felicity helped him unpack and organize the food. Soon they were sitting, eating, and laughing. There was so much laughter. Stefan couldn't remember ever laughing so much, but Felicity was one of the funniest women he'd ever met. Her rambles were always brilliant and loaded with biting humor. Then she'd get embarrassed and flush red. It was an incredible turn on. The temptation of all that blood rushing through her was calling to him. He worked hard to ignore and focus on her face. Her intelligence kept drawing him in.
Then she really shocked him when she drained her second glass of wine and blurted out, "I think we should have sex."
His face must have registered his surprise because she flushed again while he blinked, trying to make sure he'd heard her right.
"I mean, if you want to have sex with me, I'd be happy to have sex with you. It's been a while for me. Not that I'm desperate. I'm not. I just work a lot. You know. Work with my incredibly hot boss who makes all other men disappear when he's around. But you're special. You're like an angel. So pretty. And you have kind eyes. They say the eyes are the window to the soul. I think you have a good soul," she said, finally coming to a stop.
Stefan could tell she felt really embarrassed and was bracing herself for his rejection. That more than anything compelled him to move his chair closer to hers. He reached for her hand. "I'm no angel, Felicity. Far from it. I try hard to do the right thing, though. However, I don't always succeed," he admitted with a grimace. "I think you're an incredible woman. I've never met anyone like you. You're brilliant and beautiful and funny. A rare combination."
Felicity gave him a nervous smile and pushed up her glasses. "Thanks," she said softly.
Stefan carefully took off her glasses and sat them on the table. They gazed at one another in silence. He reached out and cupped her cheek. "Don't ever be nervous or afraid of me," he said, using some compulsion. "I would never do anything to hurt you. You're always safe with me." He said the words like a vow. One he'd swear to keep. This woman was special. She deserved a life of sunshine and roses. She could never be kept in the dark with someone like him. He hoped her boss would wise up and see what a treasure she was. Some woman were worth fighting for. In another life, Stefan would've gladly fought for her. Instead, he'd be content with this moment.
He moved closer and kissed her. The kiss was gentle and sweet. Then he pulled back, smiling at her as he stood up and tugged her up.
For once, Felicity was frozen silent. She couldn't believe this was happening. This beautiful man really wanted her. It'd been so long since anyone had looked at her with true desire. She reached up and put her arms around his neck and kissed him. This time there was nothing sweet about the kiss. It was all passion and raw hunger. For once, she didn't think; she just felt.
Stefan was surprised by her initiative, but he didn't hesitate. He returned her kiss with equal ardor. When her hands slipped under his shirt and brushed across his chest, a growl of approval came from him. He pulled back and let her pull off his shirt. Then he returned the favor by reaching down and pulling her dress up in one swoop. He looked a bit shocked to see her naked breasts. His surprise must've showed because Felicity moved to cover herself, blushing.
"The dress had a built in bra. I don't normally go braless," she said, feeling vulnerable for the first time.
Stefan reached out for her hands to pull them away, baring her breasts. "You're beautiful," he told her honestly as his hand reached out to stroke them into harden pebbles.
Gaining back her confidence, she moved closer to him, and then she worked on unbuckling his pants. Soon, he stood in front of her in his underwear. They stared at one another for a moment; each appreciating the near naked view of the other. Then it was like a silent agreement occurred. They came together without hesitation. Lips and tongues fused together. Stefan worked hard to keep his lips from her neck. Instead, he walked her backward to the bed. She got on it, and he wasted no time in covering her body with his own.
Felicity couldn't believe it was happening. This incredibly sexy man wanted her, and he wasn't wasting time showing her how much. His lips moved down her body and wrapped around her breast, sucking hard. She gasped in response. When he moved to the other, she felt like she was going to burst into flames. It'd been too long.
"How about you get inside me and then later make time to go slow?" she suggested, giving him a coy smile.
Stefan laughed and moved down her body, removing her panties as he went. Instinctively, her legs spread apart, allowing him access. He wasted no time in kissing her there until she was screaming his name.
"Do you have protection?" she gasped as she was coming down. She couldn't wait another minute.
Stefan covered his impressive length with a condom and then surged inside her. He could feel his fangs dropping and knew any moment she'd notice that he wasn't exactly human. He kept moving inside her, his head on the side of her neck so that she couldn't see his face. However, she wanted to feel more connected. She moved her hand to his face.
"Kiss me," she ordered.
He moved until his lips met hers again. Somehow it didn't seem to matter that she saw his true face. When she finally did, she looked startled but not afraid. "What's wrong?" she asked in concern at his strange appearance.
"I'm a vampire," he confessed. For some unexplainable reason, he wanted her to know him.
"Seriously?" she asked, finding it hard to concentrate. She knew she should be afraid, but she somehow felt no fear.
"Yes," he said, not hiding his face.
Her hand went to his face. "Are you going to bite me?" she asked, curious.
"I try to stick to animal blood," he said as he surged in her once again.
As he moved, her mind couldn't focus on the crazy thing he confessed. All she could think about was the way he made her feel and the orgasm that was coming closer.
When she finally clenched around him signaling her release, he let go. It'd been a long time for him, too, so his release seemed to last forever. Finally spent, he collapsed next to her, both breathing heavily.
After Felicity caught her breath, she said, "So you're a creature of the night? What's that like?"
"Painful and lonely," he confessed. "Sometimes exciting and intoxicating."
"So how old are you really? Have you had a centennial or two?" she asked, curious.
"Not quite two," he admitted. He looked down at her. "You're taking this well."
"Well, I've experienced a lot of weird things this past year. You being a vampire is pretty freaky, but it's not the first freaky thing I've heard," she shared.
Now Stefan was really curious. He pulled her close, so her head was on his chest. "Do you want to share?" he asked.
Felicity felt a strong desire to unburden herself. She felt safe with him. His weird condition seemed to make it easier to confess the past year, things that she'd went through. And Stefan just listened.
When she was done, she felt empty but in a good way. He stroked her arm, soothing her. Finally, he spoke, "I'm sorry you had to go through that, but it sounds like you've made some amazing friends. This Oliver sounds like he's been through a lot." Stefan couldn't believe her tale. She'd been fighting real battles. Unlike what he and his friends did, she wasn't just surviving and keeping her friends alive. She was trying to make a difference. She risked her life to protect her city. Listening to her story made him a bit ashamed. He'd been merely existing while she'd be truly living. His admiration for her grew.
"You really are something special, Felicity Smoak," he told her. "I'm really glad I met you."
Felicity looked up at him, smiling. "I feel the same way. I just have one question," she said.
"Ask me anything," he said, willing to be open with her the way she'd been with him.
"Do you sparkle in the sun?" she asked eagerly.
Stefan looked at her in shock; her question was not what he expected. Then he laughed and laughed. Finally, he said, "My brother would totally love you." It made him sad that they'd ever get to meet. But he was determined to make his brother proud and not waste the rest of the night.
******The Next Morning******
Felicity had woken up in the arms of a man-slash-hot vampire-sex god. She may be going to hell, but she didn't regret a single moment of it. Stefan shared his own incredible year and how his brother had died. It was an unbelievable tale. He also confessed that he'd used mild compulsion on her so that she wouldn't be afraid of him. Instead of being upset, she was grateful. The night had been so perfect, and she thought finding out who he really was only made it more perfect. He treated her to breakfast. Neither wanted to say goodbye.
Stefan felt lighter than he had in a long time. Talking to Felicity made something inside him unclench. Although he didn't know how to deal with the loss of his brother, he knew he had to live. He had to live for both of them now. Damon would want that. Maybe Alaric would find a way to find Damon and bring him back. Maybe he wouldn't. Either way, Stefan knew that his life had to go on one way or another.
Now he had to find a way to say goodbye to this remarkable woman who in so brief a time impacted his life.
She was leaning against her car rental looking up, reluctant to leave. The past two days had been so amazing. She wasn't ready for it to end.
"I don't want to say goodbye," she said, feeling emotional.
"How about we make it a see you later instead?" he suggested.
"Well, Mystic Falls isn't anywhere near Starling City," she said.
"You could drive back through on your way back," he said with a grin.
She brightened at the thought. "True!"
"If things ever get really bad in Starling like more super soldiers or crazies that are too much for you and your friends, call me," he said. They had exchanged numbers, which Felicity thought might violate the one night stand rule. However, she'd mostly become a rule breaker since meeting Oliver.
"If you ever need any hacking done, I'm your girl," Felicity said with a grin.
Stefan smiled. "In case you're still unsure, let me answer a question of yours," he said, putting his hands on her shoulders. "Your boss is totally in love with you."
"How do you know?" Felicity asked, frowning up at him.
"No man could work so closely with you for so long and not fall for you," Stefan said confidently. Then he kissed her one last time.
When he pulled back, Felicity gave a happy sigh. "You are so good at that," she remarked, making him laugh.
"I wasn't sure I'd ever laugh again," he told her. "I've laughed more the past two days than I have the past year. Thank you. You are remarkable."
A ghost of a smile came over her face. "So I've been told," she said. She gave him one final hug. Then she turned and opened her car door.
He watched her until her car drove away. Then his phone rang. He pulled it out. It was Caroline. For the first time since he left, he answered her call.
Felicity watched Stefan in her rearview mirror until he faded from sight. She still couldn't believe she'd had a one night stand. She couldn't believe it was with a vampire. OMG! Vampires were real!
Suddenly, the insanity of the experience hit her. Then she laughed.
Life was a funny thing sometimes. You just never knew what journey it was going to take you on. She smiled as she drove down the highway.
She couldn't wait to see what happened next.
******The End******
I hope you enjoyed this short tale. I used Stefan and Felicity as a way to get them both through a difficult time. I'm not sure I'd want them as a long term couple. However, I can see the possibility of their worlds colliding once again. I'd love to hear if you liked this or not. Thanks so much for reading. Happy Easter!