Job Insecurity

Felicity is sitting at her desk, her cell phone is still in her hand. She is looking off into the distance, but it is obvious she is not seeing anything, but rather is caught up in her own thoughts.

Oliver stops his work out, walks closer to where Felicity is sitting and with a hint of concern asks her, "What's up? Why that look?"

Felicity tosses her cell phone into her purse and confesses, "A friend of mine, Cicso, called to tell me about a job that is available over at Applied Sciences." She stands and walks over toward another computer monitor adding casually, "It would be a killer professional opportunity for me. And it wouldn't involve any actual killing either."

Oliver's face shows only an instant of shock, fear even, but he quickly recovers putting forth his best blank look face forward. Felicity knew she saw something register on his face, but it was gone so fast, she couldn't be sure.

She sits back in her chair and swivels it to face Oliver. In a both matter-of-fact and reassuring voice she tells Oliver, "Hey, no matter where my day job takes me, my nights are always yours." Felicity extends her hand up to her forehead and exchanging a knowing look with Oliver, raises one eyebrow and adds, "Besides, it's not safe to send me out into the real world where I could get sued for sexual harassment in the workplace."

Oliver sits on the desk next to her stating, "I'm no genius Felicity, but I know the difference between loyalty and harassment. Don't be so hard on yourself. I love working with you Felicity. And I love everything you say."

With the slightest bit of embarrassment, Felicity stands out of her chair and grabs her purse. "Dig will be here in fifteen and I will be back in about two hours. Got a lunch. A hungry thing to take care of." Felicity turns away from Oliver, rolling her eyes and somewhat annoyed that she seems to be incapable of telling Oliver whenever she has a date with Ted.

Diggle walks into the lair and sees a very pensive Oliver looking somewhat frazzled.

"What's that look on your face man?" Diggle's tone is one of concern.

"Diggle, I've been terrorized, brutalized, beaten, tortured and betrayed. I thought I could never, would never - ever - feel fear again. But today Felicity said something and I swear, what I felt—my initial, true response- was fear."

Diggle likes to have a little fun at Oliver's expense, so he responds playfully, "What did she say? That Ted proposed?"

Oliver finds himself looking up and inhaling with intention before responding with, "She told me about a friend of hers who is recommending her for some amazing professional experience at Applied Sciences. Work would be just so completely different without her."

Diggle looks at Oliver with amazement as his denial and somewhat snarkily repeats, "Work, huh?" Then he drops the judgment and confidently tells Oliver, "I've got three words for you Oliver. And it's not 'I love you'. Three words."

Oliver looks at Diggle is anticipation.

Diggle raises one finger for each word, stating. "High. Tech. Arrows."

Oliver is not following. "The kind that kill?"

Diggle rolls his eyes, clarifying, and "The kind that Felicity can create. Have her take you to the next level. She's up for the challenge."

Oliver is pleased with Diggle's suggestion. He is smiling and shaking his head up and down in agreement.

He is more relaxed now. He sits in a chair, leans back and places his feet up on a table adding, "Ooooh, how about a hi-tech motorcycle!"

Diggle is now in full bro-mode states, "With a side car."

"Oooohhh," Oliver states, adding, "And rocket launchers that are activated with mind control."

Diggle points to Oliver saying, "Now you're thinking."

"Not with the head on your shoulders, you're not." Felicity's voice interjects as she walks into the lair.

Oliver and Diggle straighten up, like two kids caught with their hands in the cookie jar.

Felicity pleased with her timely entrance continues nonchalantly to walk directly to her computer adding, "I've got a lot to do and I've only got four hours to do it in. Because at midnight, Cinderella here turns into a pumpkin."

Oliver innocently states, "But it's only four o'clock. So that leaves 8 hours until midnight. Why do you only have 4 hours?"

Felicity playfully counters, "You're scoring points for good math and for not knowing that I just crucified the Cinderella story. I only have 4 hours because I have a dinner. To be at. At eight. Eating food." Felicity really can't determine why she always feels so awkward whenever talking to Oliver about her dating plans with Ted.

Oliver, oddly sheepishly asks, "Let me know when you'll have some time tomorrow, Felicity. I've been wanting to talk to you about creating some high tech arrows."

Felicity dead-stops what she is doing and looks up at Oliver with excitement and joy. "Sounds great. You've got a meeting with Walter at noon. So let's talk tech arrows after that. Let's say around 2."

With his usual air of confidence Oliver states, "It's a date then."

Felicity buckles down in front of her computer to get her work done before her evening with Ted. Oliver looks over at Diggle and the two share a knowing and supportive glance.