I think you're all going to like this chapter ;)


Skating Away Stresses

Felicity jumped in her seat as Oliver and Diggle stormed down the stairs into the Foundry. Their voices clearly carried over to her and she winced at the tone. Oliver was definitely grumpy.

"Oliver you need to calm down," Diggle said and Felicity watched as he didn't flinch under the glare Oliver sent his way.

"Calm down? Slade is still one step ahead of me because the person we were after tonight got away." Oliver said as he slammed his bow down on the table. Diggle and Felicity exchanged a look. They knew better than to try and reason with him until he had cooled off. Felicity stood up out of her chair and walked over to Diggle.

"What happened?" she asked, making sure to keep her voice soft. Diggle sighed.

"The lead we got was a set up. They were waiting for us when we got there and knew exactly what to say to wind Oliver up." The sound of Oliver on the salmon ladder caused Felicity to turn around and frown. "If I were you, I would leave him to work off his anger."

"Goodnight Dig," Felicity said with a smile. Diggle pressed a kiss to the side of her head and with one last glance at Oliver, he began to climb the steps out of the basement. Felicity took a deep breath before heading to her desk to grab her things. She looked back at Oliver and made a sudden decision.

"Are you going to bite my head off if I suggest something to you?" Felicity questioned, crossing her arms over her chest. Oliver looked down at her from the top of the salmon ladder.

"I'm really not in the mood Felicity," Oliver said.

"So what? You're just going sit in here and brood all night? Work yourself to the point of exhaustion?"

"What do you expect me to do Felicity? I'm fighting a loosing battle,"

"I'm not expecting you to do anything tonight. Just trust me."

"Just drop it Felicity," Oliver grunted as he fell to the floor. Felicity narrowed her eyes.

"Oliver," she started and Oliver paused as the use of her loud voice. "If you don't like my idea, you can come back here and be all growly but just let me try and help you."

Oliver sighed and Felicity felt her heart break at the defeated look in his posture.

"I won't be long," Oliver said as he headed off to change. Felicity nodded and set about closing down her workstation for the night.

When Oliver emerged in his casual clothes, Felicity gestured silently for him to follow her out to her car. Despite his mood, Oliver still stepped forward to open the door for Felicity. Felicity smiled in thanks before seating herself behind the wheel. She released a breath as she waited for Oliver to settle down into the passenger seat. It had been a couple of weeks since her birthday and Oliver had yet to do anything about the date he had been promising her.

"So where are we going?" Oliver asked once he was in the car.

"To get your mind off of things," Felicity answered as she started the car. Oliver once again fell silent as Felicity drove. Within minutes they had arrived at their destination and Oliver sighed as he realised where they were.

"Ice skating?"

"Trust me," Felicity repeated as she opened her door and stepped out. Oliver, clearly not interested in the idea, decided to humour her. He stepped out and trailed behind Felicity as she stepped inside.


As Felicity stepped onto the ice, she felt a smile overtake her face. She couldn't help herself as her body and feet automatically fell into formation and she spin.

"Something you want to share with the class Miss Smoak?" Oliver asked, leaning against the railing. Felicity raised an eyebrow.

"If you want the story, you're going to have to step onto the ice," she challenged. Oliver narrowed his eyes and Felicity bit back a smile. Oliver really didn't want to be there and he was doing a terrible job at trying not to show it.

"Why are we here?" Oliver asked, sighing as he slowly stepped onto the ice. Felicity skated over to him and after a moment of hesitation, reached out and grabbed his hands.

"Because Oliver, you need a moment to de-stress. If you relax for a bit, maybe we can revise our strategy and come up with a new plan."

"And you think ice skating is the way to do that?" Oliver questioned. It was at that point that Felicity blushed bright red and Oliver's curiosity was piqued. He removed his hand from Felicity's and brought it up to brush against her cheek. "Felicity,"

"I just thought it would be a nice way help you get your mind off things and introduce you a part of my life,"

"Thank you," Oliver said after a moment, a small smile gracing his face. Felicity returned the smile before skating out of his hold.

"Well, come on Queen. Show me what you got," Felicity challenged and throwing a look back at Oliver, decided to show off some of her jumps.

The pair skated around for almost an hour. Felicity taught Oliver a couple of beginner moves and as per Oliver's request, she recreated a routine that had once won her a place at a national championship.

"Why didn't you ever continue?" Oliver asked as they slowed down to a leisurely skate. Somehow their hands had managed to grab a hold of each other and neither was willing to let go just yet.

"It just wasn't something I really wanted to pursue and one day my mother made me make a choice. It was either skating or computer science. Obviously she wasn't too pleased with my decision," Felicity explained with a shrug. Oliver opened his mouth to say something but found himself lost for words. Felicity noticed and smiled. "I'm happy with my choice Oliver. If I had chosen differently, we wouldn't be here right now."

"You are remarkable Felicity Smoak and I'm sorry that I don't say it enough."

"You say plenty," Felicity replied, ducking to hide the blush at Oliver's praise. Oliver stopped skating, causing Felicity to jerk forward before being spun around and tugged into Oliver's chest. Felicity brought her hands up to brace herself with a gasp and was unsteady for a minute before she regained her balance.

"I don't say enough," Oliver stated. Felicity smiled up at him.

"You don't have to Oliver."

"But I should," Oliver took a deep breath before speaking again. "I know that things have been changing between the two of us and that I've been saying I'm going to take you out on this amazing date."

Felicity held her breath as Oliver spoke. Her heart started to beat faster in her chest and her eyes widened slightly.

"Mostly I've been putting it off because in all honestly, this...and you...scare me. I thought that the longer I left it, it might all just disappear and we could chalk it up to something that was happening in the moment but I was wrong. Nothing has changed and so Felicity, would you do me the honour of accompanying me to dinner tomorrow night?"

Felicity was sure that her heart had stopped by now. She had been thinking the opposite of Oliver. She wasn't going to give up and she was willing to wait for him. He was worth the wait and finally her waiting had paid off. A brilliant smile lit up her face as she nodded.

"I thought you would never ask," Felicity answered with a laugh. Oliver smiled in return. A sudden bang echoed throughout the rink causing the two of them to jump in surprise. Unfortunately, Felicity's skate slipped and she quickly fell down to the ice and brought Oliver down with her. They paused for a moment before Felicity found herself laughing. Oliver joined her while shaking his head.

"I saw this going much smoother in my head," Felicity admitted with a smile.

"Under different circumstances?" Oliver asked, unable to keep the amused spark out of his eye. Felicity glared at him.

"That was one time!"