Hey guys! Sorry it's been a while, I've had a pretty bad week and then I got side tracked by Arrow spoilers which lead to me writing a one-shot but I didn't want to leave you guys in the lurch either, so as usual thank for all the reviews, favourites and follows you have no idea how much they keep me going on weeks like this. Oh and i wanted to add, this story is slightly planned out you will EVENTUALLY find out what happened between Oliver and Felicity but you'll have to wait and see :P ;) (sorry I don't want to give anything away)... So anyway I hope you enjoy this chapter :).
The week had got easier on Felicity. Oliver, although still guarded, seemed more open. He asked her to look at things for him, actually talked to her and Barry's presence helped remind her she still had a life to live too.
It was Thursday evening, Ray and Chloe had gone out, leaving Barry and Felicity to have a takeout and watch a film before he departed the next day
"I still can't believe you work for Oliver" he said out of nowhere
"Barry..." She said softly eating her pizza, he turned to look at her
"I know, I know you said you didn't want to talk about... That, the past is the past but unresolved issues have a way of creeping back up" she pulled her eyes away from his staring blankly at the screen, he gently placed his hand on hers "I remember what you were like after him last time, not that I think it will go that way again... I just..."
"I'll be okay, he's... This is different this time" she said still not looking at him
"You really think Oliver can change?"
"He has changed Barry, he is different"
"Okay" he smiled softly and she looked at him "just remember I am always here for you and I don't mean as just sex, which by the way I am not expecting unlike what Chloe thinks" Felicity chuckled a little
"I know you aren't Barry I mean nothing happened this week, we are grown up enough to share a bed and not have sex, and I know you're there for me... And I am here for you too" she smiled "I still think you should tell Iris how you feel"
"I know I just want you to know there's never any pressure or expectations with me"
"I know and nice dodge on my last remark" he chuckled a little
"Well I can't turn around now and say Iris I love you, I've loved you for years and I want more, how unfair is that when she's with Eddie? I'd rather she was happy with me as her best friend than destroy her happiness for something more"
"But what if you make her happier, more than anything else, isn't it worth the risk?"
"I see your point but it would destroy years of friendship-"
"No it would make those years mean more, be more... And if you don't tell her soon she'll settle with Eddie, and can you live knowing that she isn't yours?" He looked away then blinking slightly
"It isn't about that Felicity, I can live with myself knowing she's happy..."
"But you won't be"
"No but at least I'll still be a part of her life"
"So the risk of telling her the truth scares you because you don't want to lose her?" He nodded still not looking "but you do realise you'll lose her anyway if she is with another man, no matter how you justify it, you'll never be as close because her heart will belong to someone else" They sat in silence for awhile whilst he thought things through, Felicitys phone ringing snapped them back
"Hello"
"Hi, Felicity?" She recognised the voice instantly
"Tommy?"
"Yes… I think I must have called the wrong number" Barry looked at her, Tommy Merlyn he mouthed and she nodded as he shook his head with a grin, she rolled her eyes at him
"Oh so not calling for a chat then" she heard him chuckle
"Sorry I've been busy, trying to sort out the clubs and personal stuff"
"Tommy you don't need to explain, who were you after anyway?"
"Olivers EA, Moira mentioned she hired someone who would be able to liaise between the two of us but I must have called you by accident"
"Oh..."
"Anyway I should-"
"I'm Oliver's EA"
"What?"
"I'm Oliver's executive assistant, Moira asked me to do it after how she saw how I was with Oliver, remember when I took Thea home, and I was unemployed and she offered me a lot of money, not that I'm just money motivated... I mean he was so... So different lost and I wanted to help him and I-"
"Felicity" she stopped
"Sorry" he chuckled again
"You don't need to explain anything, I understand" his voice went softer and she could hear the sadness behind it "I was just calling to see if I could book a meeting?"
"Oh... To be honest Tommy he won't see anyone, it's taken we awhile to get him to talk to me a little..."
"I see is there any way I could just try? And if not I'll do it all with you?"
"Of course, how about tomorrow morning?"
"Sure what time?"
"About 9.30? I can't promise anything though Tommy not where Oliver is concerned"
"I know but thank you Felicity"
"It's okay, I'll see you tomorrow"
"Indeed and I won't mention the old cliché of boss and EAs sleeping together" she shook her head
"You never change Merlyn"
"You wouldn't have it any other way Smoak" he teased
"Bye Tommy"
"Bye Fliss" she hung up and turned to Barry
"So not only Oliver then?" He teased
"Oh don't you start as well" she picked up a pillow hitting him lightly in the chest, as the pizza in his hands fell to the floor "that's karma for you" she winked and both found themselves laughing.
Felicity had chosen to wear a purple dress with a cut out in the chest; she felt confident and ready for business with her hair pulled up and glasses on. She walked straight into the Queen mansion, straight into Olivers room finding him in his new usual spot at the window
"Good morning Mr Queen"
"Good morning-" he stopped as he span the chair around. He couldn't help but admire the woman in front of him. The dress clung at all the right places, showing off her glorious legs "Felicity" he managed to get out slightly breathlessly, he shook his head slightly. He was not having those thoughts about Felicity especially as she was only here because she was paid to be
"Right, no schedule as usual the press seem to have gone quiet on your accident again, though there are often photos of your bedroom" he nodded in response "but you have a meeting today"
"Meeting?" He said slowly wheeling over to where she stood
"Yes Mr Merlyn would like to talk to you about the clubs"
"I don't want to see him, I don't want to see anyone I told you THAT" his voice rising with each word
"Mr Queen please"
"No! Okay I told you!" He turned around rolling a few steps ahead
"Oliver" her voice softened as she stepped forward placing a hand on his shoulder, she tried to hide the shiver it gave her "you don't have to do it, this isn't about pushing you into something you don't feel ready for" he looked up to meet her eyes and he saw the genuine tenderness in them she smiled softly "you built a business with your best friend, a business that's thriving... I don't want you to lose that because of this situation" he looked away then "I don't want you do something now, that you will regret later" she took her hand from his shoulder as she stepped back a little "and I might be paid to be here Oliver, but it's me who decides how hard I work. I want to help, and I don't mean with just the chair, I mean with" she turned her back to him unsure about her own words but they slipped out anyway "everything" the silence was deafening, she felt awkward.
How had her brain told him that she wanted to help with everything? She'd only been here 2 weeks. She closed her eyes; she could hear Barry's words unresolved issues. She let out a breath. No she wasn't going back to those years.
A hand on her forearm snapped her eyes open. She turned to see Olivers bright blue eyes shining up at her, a small smile on his face
"Thank you" he said in a whisper looking away from her and pulling his hand from her arm
"I..." The door opening seemed to end the moment
"Hey man, I know I'm a little early today but how about some training? And good morning Felicity"
"Morning John" she smiled pulling out her tablet from her bag
"Ermm okay" Oliver said staring at Felicity
"I'll handle all the things with Mr Merlyn, Mr Queen" she said not looking at him "I won't do anything till I've ran it all by you okay?"
"Thank you, Felicity" he didn't want it to be professional. But he could see it on her face, whatever that moment they just had, had clearly caused her to put a wall up which he couldn't blame her for. Not really. He did the same thing to her
"No problem" she smiled as he wheeled passed her.
When the doorbell rang Felicity beat Raisa to it, knowing full well it would be Tommy. She smiled sadly as she opened the door for him
"He doesn't want to see me does he?" She shook her head slowly
"I'm sorry... Don't take it personally he won't see anyone"
"But he sees you" Felicity frowned
"Leave the poor woman alone Tommy, she has enough to deal with let alone you saying that" Felicity whipped her head round to see Thea walking down the steps
"Oh shut it Thea" he teased as she walked over and embraced him
"Thank you Felicity" she frowned "I never got to thank you for bringing me home that night"
"Oh it was nothing"
"But it seemed to work out well for you" the brunette smiled at her
"I..."
"Now who's teasing her?" Tommy said crossing his arms, Thea laughed and something in Felicity snapped
"You can both stop it right now, I took this job because you're mum offered and I thought I might be able to help Oliver, much to his apparent annoyance of me. And he only sees me because he has to, I'm pretty sure if I didn't turn up he'd be much happier" she sighed heavily
"Hey" Thea frowned stepping forward "we're sorry"
"It's okay... I'm sorry I snapped I just I'm sick of justifying why I took the job and he doesn't want me here not really" she dropped her head
"I'm sorry too Fliss, we didn't mean to upset you" Tommy said placing an arm round her shoulders for a one armed hug
"And he might not want you here Felicity but god does he need you here. Did you know Tommy, that this week Oliver got out of bed? And he's been doing the physical therapy?"
"Really?"
"Yes and you do realise that's because of you Felicity"
"No it's not" she shook her head. Oliver was not influenced by her at all. Tommy smiled down at her
"You were always the good influence Fliss even back then, don't ever forget that okay?" She frowned "seriously you pushed both of us, you're more good for him than you think"
"I agree with what he said" Thea smiled and joined the group hug, squeezing before they all broke free
"Thanks guys, I'm just going to grab my tablet, I'll see you in the living room" Tommy nodded
"I'll see you soon I have plans with some girlfriends" she smiled before exiting the building
"I hope you don't mind but I brought someone else with me" Oliver said grinning as Felicity opened the door to her room, just then Tommy stepped forward
"Oh great! Not only did I agree to help him but I now have to help you too" she pointed at Tommy winking, who grinned in response "come on in" she opened the door wide for the two guys to step in. Her room was decorated with a variety of colours, keeping things bright and fresh. The guys exchanged looks at the lack of places to sit
"Errmm where do we?"
"Where ever, floor, desk, bed, I'm easy" both guys looked at her with smirks whilst stifling their laughter "not like that, I'm most definitely not that easy... Oh my god my brain says the worst things, especially with 2 hot guys in my room, not that I think you're hot and not that you aren't-"
"Felicity" Oliver said slowly stopping her with a gentle smile
"Okay... Sorry"
"Oh don't apologise that was hysterical" Tommy grinned "and it's nice to know what you really think Smoak" he winked, and she naturally rolled her eyes as she plonked on her bed
"Ground rules" both men looked at each other before sitting on the floor side by side, legs stretched out and their books at their sides
"Yes Miss Smoak" Tommy teased, she glared at him
"Firstly, if you aren't going to take this seriously you might as well leave now" her tone was stern which through both men "I'm not wasting my time on EITHER of you if you aren't willing to put the effort in, you clearly are both bright and the reason you aren't doing well is due to all your EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, so you gonna blow me off for whatever unimportant reason then don't bother..." They both nodded
"Secondly that doesn't mean we can't have fun or you guys can't, I'm just saying respect yourselves and me enough to do this right" they nodded again "I really do wanna help you" she smiled softly
"Finally, if you don't want to tell people about this arrangement fine but don't make up pointless drama, like you're sleeping with me because people won't believe it and I can't be bothered to be seen as just another one of either of yours bimbos"
"Well straight to the point Smoak" Tommy chuckled
"I am being deadly serious" she said looking over her large framed glasses
"He knows" Oliver replied "we both know and I promise I'll try" Tommy looked at his friend then back to the dark haired girl
"I will too"
"Good" she smiled "now let's get this started"
Several hours later, Felicity had helped plan the guys a revision and study schedule, breaking things down for them with or without her, into 30 minute chunks with breaks
"How about I go get us some coffees and lunch from the campus restaurant?" Oliver said standing up and stretching his legs
"Sure" Felicity and Tommy said together, she stood up too, reaching for her purse
"Hey it's on me, it's the least I can do, you know after all this" he smiled softly
"You don't need to pay for me" she said
"I'm not it's a thank you" she smiled then too
"Well thank you"
"Any food preference guys? Or just bring bits of everything?" Felicity looked at Tommy who grinned, then back to Oliver
"I'm going with everything"
"Okay I'll be back soon" he made for her door
"Wait take my keys to let yourself back in" he stared at the keys then her, slightly shocked she trusted him that much
"Okay..." She turned back to Tommy joining him on the floor as the door closed behind him
"You've really made an impression on him" Tommy said slowly looking at her taking in her appearance
"I doubt that, I mean no offence Tommy but you two are clearly the popular frat boys here and the playboy womanising idiots back in Starling... I don't really fit in either of those roles" she said tilting her head and giving him a look "oh and I just saw you giving me the once over, I'm not stupid Tommy, so please drop the act okay?"
"Wow straight to the point Smoak and what act might that be sweetheart?"
"You know full well... You might be able to fool a lot of people into thinking you guys have it all but I can see it in your eyes there's a lot of unspoken pain, trouble and you cover it up with this" she gestured towards him "doesn't it get tiring pretending to be something you aren't?" His mouth was agape as he stared at her
"You really are something else" he smiled at her "I see why he acts differently around you"
"He doesn't act different" she said turning her head slightly
"He ended a relationship, which he has been in and out of for the past what? 3 years because you pretty much handed his arse to him on a plate, as you just did to me too. Told him to man up and do the right thing"
"Yes and you can do the same as well" she smiled at him then and he returned it
"You really do bring out the best in him you know?"
"I doubt that Tommy, I just want to help... both of you"
"Well you are more than you realise, maybe I won't disappoint my father as much as he thinks"
"Hey like I said to Oliver, you have to do this for you Tommy... I mean you are both studying business it doesn't mean it has to be your parents" he nodded smiling a little then
"Seriously Smoak you truly are unlike anyone else" he grinned "thank you for helping with all this"
"It's no problem" she said standing up to stretch her legs
"I do think it was good for Oliver to end things with Laurel though" Tommy said not looking at her
"Really?" She said tilting her head "because I didn't tell him to do that you know"
"You didn't?"
"No I told him to man up, and either commit or walk away... Because it's not fair to be left hanging"
"Ah I see, well for once he did the right thing" he stood up too "and that was mainly down to you" Felicity shook her head with a little smile. She was not that much of an influence.Was she? She knew Oliver had ended things with Laurel awhile ago but she had bounced back throwing herself in to work, whilst he was studying harder. It wasn't down to her; Oliver had done this all by himself. But for some reason the thought of her being able to make Oliver into this better man made her heart flutter a little.
A slamming of a door and raised voices brought Felicity back from her bubble
"I know you're sleeping with her Oliver! That's why you ended things with me!" Felicity knew it was Laurel from her voice
"I am not sleeping with anyone Laurel and even if I was it's over, it's nothing to do with you anymore"
"Yes but my roommate Oliver, how low can you get!" Her voice was filled with anger "I bet she's in bed right now isn't she?"
"Laurel..." The door flew open as Felicity and Tommy stood there looking at the brunette bursting in. She was clearly angry, her posture and heavy breaths evident. She scanned the room, her anger seeming to dissipate as she looked at a fully clothes Felicity and Tommy, stood with all papers, books and cleared timetabled revision sessions, plus all stationary equipment around them
"Er, hi Laurel" Felicity said cautiously
"What's going on?" She replied the anger now gone as she straightened up
"Well er, the guys are... Well it's a funny story really..." Felicity's brained failed her as she tried to think of a good lie
"What do you think we're doing Laurel?" Oliver said stepping passed her, placing Felicitys keys on the desk, along with 3 cups of coffee and several bags full of boxed up food
"I..." She looked at the entire situation "well it looks like you're doing a study session" she said clearly confused
"That's because that's what we are doing" Oliver replied staring at her
"Why didn't you say?"
"Because you jumped to other conclusions first... And honestly Laurel it's nothing to do with you anymore" hurt flashed across her face and then guilt
"I'm sorry"
"I don't need an apology... I'm pretty sure Felicity does, you did just accuse her of having an affair with me" he said crossing his arms, Laurel turned her head to face Felicity
"I'm sorry Felicity" Felicity stepped forward automatically hugging her, at first she was tense but slowly she relaxed
"No need to apologise, seriously I understand but me and Oliver, no. I mean look at him he's like a god and look at me, IT nerd. He's more suited to someone like you gorgeous Laurel" she smiled at her and Laurel smiled tentatively not looking at Oliver, he exchanged a frown with Tommy not quite understanding why Felicity down played her worth "oh but you deserve so much more than him" she waved in his general direction "not that I don't think you are a nice person or anything" she aimed at Oliver "I just think you two aren't you know..." Tommys laugh stopped her abruptly. She closed her eyes taking a step back; as the other 2 joined in with their laughter and Felicity couldn't help but join in too. The awkward atmosphere slowly disappeared
"I am sorry for what I said, and I will leave you guys to work" she stepped out closing the door behind her
"I'll go get us some silverware" Tommy said leaving the pair
"I am sorry about that"
"Don't be, with your reputation it's not really a surprise... Not that I listen to all the gossip and I know you really are a nice guy"
"Felicity" she stopped turning her head to look in his eyes "I don't know why you talk yourself down like that... You see the good, the potential in me and yet you don't see how remarkable you are" Felicity stared into his blue eyes feeling herself getting lost, her heart was fluttering again.
Oliver could hear his heart pounding, something it hadn't done in such a long time, as he smiled at her taking a tiny step closer. Just then the door opened and automatically the pair put some distance between them
"Back" Tommy said smiling at the pair who both looked a little flushed.
Felicity smiled to herself remembering those old times as she stepped into the living room
"Right what do you need? What do you want to talk about?"
"Well we have an expansion project, another club in central city, it's all gone though and all I need is the design ideas so we can get the builders in" she nodded
"Right that's absolutely fine" she pulled up documents on the project with a few swipes of her fingers
"God you really are amazing" he said shaking his head
"You ever doubted my brilliance?" She teased and he laughed
"We also had plans to revamp Verdant but obviously we didn't get far with that either"
"Right that's fine, how about we sit and plan things, then I'll go through stuff with Oliver, tweak stuff then go from there depending on what you guys want?"
"Sounds like a plan" he smiled "you really are better for him than you think" she rolled her eyes. Those familiar flutters in her heart slowly reappearing. No she couldn't, shouldn't do this again.
