Oliver POV
Well that was not the homecoming I had planned. I've pissed off Laurel, pissed off her dad and now it seemed like Aubrey was mad at me too. Granted that probably had something to do with me demanding that she lie to the police, but it was all for a bigger purpose and I would have to let her in on that purpose if I ever hoped for her to forgive me. I decided it would probably be best to give her some space, but she had been up there for a while and it wasn't even quite five o'clock yet. I headed up to her room and checked on her, just to make sure everything was alright. When I came to her bedroom door it was slightly ajar and I could see that she had dozed off sitting on the window seat. Knowing from experience how uncomfortable sleeping sitting up can be I decided it was probably a good idea to move her to the bed before I headed out to get my hideout ready. I felt her sort of stir once I had secured her in my arms, so I took the opportunity to place a soft kiss on her forehead and whispered " It's okay Bri, I've got you.". She was so beautiful when she slept, hell she was beautiful every second of everyday. Even more so than I had remembered while on the island. Remembering her, and thinking of her, along with Thea, was really what kept me going. Those two kept me fighting to get back, even when the odds were stacked against me. After a few moments of staring down at Aubrey's sleeping form, I began to feel that I was bordering on creepy. So I took that as my cue to leave. I had a lot of work to do to get this mission up and running, but if I learned anything from my time away, it was that I was capable of so much more than I ever imagined.
I had spent the night at the foundry, setting up computers for surveillance and recon, and unpacking some of the items that I had managed to get my hands on in terms of weapons. It was a small operation to be sure, but one that I was determined to use to make this city safer. I had been so wrapped up in the task at hand that I had not even noticed what time it was. The ringing of my phone pulled me out of my focus. I looked and saw that it was Tommy. I had really missed him too, but it felt like he was hiding something from me, I wasn't sure what it could be, but I guess being the guy that I am I would eventually find out.
"Hey Tommy, What's up?" I said with a smile into the phone.
"A party! I am throwing you a welcome home party that will put to shame all other parties we have ever thrown my friend. I mean my best friend has come back from the dead...I cannot think of a better reason to throw a rager." Tommy said enthusiastically.
"Tommy, isn't that kind of in poor taste?" I said knowing I had already got a bit of information on a shooter taking out what seemed to be investors in this major bidding war coming up, one my mothers new husband and close family friend Walter seemed to be working on as well.
"Man, since when does Oliver Queen turn down a chance to get wild and let's not forget laid?" Tommy said. Realizing he was right, the old Oliver wouldn't have even hesitated at the chance to attend a party, let alone be the guest of honour. And I had to at least attempt to keep up appearances if I wanted to keep my identity separate from the hood.
"You know what, you're right! I came back from the dead, that's definitely a reason to party." I said with a laugh. "Make sure you tell Bri about it too!" I added, trying to ensure I got to spend more time with her.
"Already texted her the details. See you at 9 my friend." Tommy said before hanging up. I glanced at the clock on my phone before putting it back in my pocket. It read 12:30, wow it was noon already, how long had I been down here? I guess I was a little more focused than I had thought. I figured I better head back to the manor, and at least make the appearance that I was not hiding out it my room. I had just entered the house when my mom, who was sitting in the front room, called my name.
"Oliver honey, can you come here for a moment?" She said with a sigh.
"Sure Mom, what's up?" I asked as I slipped my hands into my pockets and walked into the room.
"Are you doing okay?" She asked me as her hand came up to place a hand on my cheek. "I just want to make sure you are adjusting to being back."
"I'm doing okay mom. I'll be just fine I promise. Just need some time to figure out where my place is now." I said with a sad smile.
"Oh honey, you're place is with this family, and at the head of QC just like you and your father always talked about." My mom said as she led me over to the couch. "Once we get this business with the court taken care of we will work on transferring the company from Walter's leadership to you."
"One thing at a time mom." I said with a smirk.
"How are you and Aubrey doing?" She asked with a glimmer of some kind of plan in her eyes.
"Mom, we're just friends. Besides you said she had a boyfriend or whatever." I said reminding her that Aubrey had been on a date the night I came home.
"That doesn't change the fact that you love her honey. You always have. Even throughout all the Laurel and Sara drama that you brought into your life Aubrey has been the only woman to stick around." My mom said with a smile.
"I just don't think she feels that way mom, and it's really not the right time. I have to figure out how to be Oliver Queen again before I could even begin to think of being with someone right now." I said with a sigh. "And she deserves better than me mom."
"Oh my beautiful boy, you don't see how she looks at you do you? You are a handsome, smart, loving man and she would be so lucky to be with you." My mom said before placing a kiss to my cheek.
"You're sort of obligated to say that being my mother and all." I said with a smile. "I love you mom. Thank you."
"Honey you never have to thank me." She said before patting my knee and standing up to head out of the room. Before she left the room she turned back to look at me. "Honey make sure you don't get too wild tonight at Tommy's party, I'd hate to give the press any more juice on the Queen family for right now."
"I'll behave I promise." I said before heading up to my own room to get ready. I threw on a dark grey fitted suit, white button up shirt and headed out to see if Aubrey was ready to head out yet. I hadn't spoken to her yet today, but I had assumed that we would be heading over together. "Bri? You ready to head out?" I hadn't heard a response and once again the door was slightly ajar. I quietly opened the door and could see her from the reflection in the walk in closet mirror. I don't think she could tell I could see her but without looking up she responded.
"I'll be out in a second Ollie." She yelled as she reached up to pull a dress down. When she did I saw the muscles in her back contract and then she turned to the side to slip the dress on. It appeared to be a sliver dress, but I couldn't really tell you much more about it, because it was her body that had pulled my focus. Through the mirror I couold see she was wearing white lace panties, that hugged every curve of her behind perfectly. And I could also see that she was wearing a corset style bra that dipped low in the back. I tried my best to regain my composure when I saw her pull the dress up and head out of the closet. "You look very handsome."
"Thanks, you look stunning. That's quite a dress." I said taking a big gulp to try and bring my thoughts back from the very R rated place they were travelling to.
"Thanks, can you zip me up?" She asked as she turned her back to me and pulled her long hair out of the way. I froze for a moment, just staring at her soft porcelain skin. She really had no idea that kind of effect she had on men did she? "Earth to Oliver? Can you zip me up so we can head out?"
"Yeah, sure." I said once again swallowing all the very ungentlemanly thoughts going through my mind. I let my one hand sit on her hip, while the other did up the very short zipper that caused the dress to cover up the bustier that she was wearing, and then allowed my fingers to graze up her back to fasten the button that sat at the top to secure her straps. As I did I felt her shiver in response. Perhaps my mother had been right, maybe Aubrey did feel something for me. I guess I would just have to give it time to find out.
"Thanks." She whispered as she turned back to face me. When she had turned her body she must have taken a step forward because she was a lot closer to me then she had just been. She looked up to me slowly, our eyes meeting and for a brief moment it looked as though she was about to lean up and kiss me. I allowed myself to believe that was what was going to happen so I too leaned towards her lips, but Rasia's voice at the doorway interrupted us.
"So sorry Mr. Oliver, Miss Aubrey, but Mr Masterson is here to see you." Rasia said with a soft smile.
"Thank you Rasia, can you tell him I will be down in a moment?" Aubrey said as she rushed over to grab her clutch and put on her heels. "Sorry, I hope it's okay that I invited Mark. I sort of ran out on him the other night."
"Yeah that is fine. Of course you could bring whoever you want." I said trying to brush off the hurt. Hoping she hadn't seen it in my eyes. "I guess we should get going, can't have a party without the guest of honour now can we."
"No we cannot." She said looking up at me once more. "Okay ready?"
"As I'll ever be." I said with a smile, as I placed a hand on her bare back and led her out of the room.
"Mark, sorry to keep you waiting. You remember Oliver don't you?" Aubrey said as she walked up and placed a kiss on his cheek.
"Yes, Oliver it was so great to hear of your miraculous return. We were all so sad to hear about the Gambit going down five years ago." Mark said as he extended his hand for me to shake.
"Thanks man. Great to be back." I replied happily taking his hand. "Great to see you again, shall we head out? I'd hate to keep you two from your date night." I said sarcastically.
"Shall we all ride together?" Aubrey suggested turning to look at me for approval.
"Sure." I said my voice clearly showing I was not thrilled by the idea.
The car ride was incredibly awkward as we all sat in silence, each looking out our respective windows. So when we pulled up to the club I practically jumped out of the limo and headed inside without waiting for Mark and Aubrey. I couldn't sit there and watch them together. Him helping her out of the car and be there with her like I want to be. So I just headed inside and found Tommy.
"Hey man, finally. Where have you been?" Tommy asked.
"In the most awkward car ride of my life." I said signally to the doorway where Aubrey and Mark were now entering the club.
"Well I have just the thing to make that better, and the way I see it...tonight it is my duty to get you laid and to turn that frown upside down." Tommy said handing me a shot of tequila. "Why don't you stand up and say a few words?" I rolled my eyes at him and stepped up on to the stage and took my shot.
"Well I missed tequila!" I yelled before hopping off and looking down at my watch. It was getting close to "hood time", so I headed out to the stairwell that I had hidden my suit. I felt someone's eyes on me as I made my way through the crowd but I decided not to turn back to see who it was. I didn't sense them following me so I wasn't concerned about being caught. I quickly grabbed my suit and headed for the roof. I had bigger things to deal with now, so my issues with Aubrey and Mark would have to wait. The city needed the hood tonight and Oliver Queen's love life or lack thereof could wait.
