Felicity woke up that next morning to find Sara gone and her blanket folded over the back of her couch. Ever since that day they had either hung out or talked on the phone every night. Sara would show up to take her to lunch a few times a week and texted her sporadically throughout the day. When they were at Sunday dinner they acted as normal as possible. Which was hard considering there was an electric current between them everytime they tried not to touch. Felicity compared it to the arcade game when she was a kid. The one where you hold onto the metal rods and the game ups the electricity little by little. It was that tingling feeling that she felt every time she was near Sara but couldn't touch her like she wanted to. Sara had laughed but agreed that was what it felt like. When they were alone they always seemed to be touching. They hadn't moved any further in their relationship, Sara wasn't ready. Sara had started seeing someone about everything. Usually the days she went to therapy where the days she ended up on Felicity's couch just watching t.v. while Felicity did whatever it was she did on her computer and tablet. Tonight was supposed to be their first real date. Sara had planned it all and they were meeting at the restaurant. Felicity had arrived early because she was nervous and didn't want to sit at home alone. She was starting to second guess her decision because if anything she was getting more nervous sitting at the restaurant. She had was considering ordering a glass of wine when she got the same tingly feeling as being near Sara and when she turned around there she stood. Felicity felt her breath catch, Sara was beautiful. She was wearing slacks with a fitted button up and a loose tie. Felicity licked her lips, she loved a woman in a tie. Sara smiled at Felicity and Felicity stood to greet her.

"You look amazing Sara."

Sara blushed but replied, "Thank you, and you look absolutely gorgeous." After they hugged and sat down the waiter came by asking what they would like to drink. They agreed on a bottle of red wine and as the waiter walked away Sara looked at Felicity, "Sorry about not wanting to meet at your house. I just wanted to make sure we actually made it dinner. Seeing you in that dress I realize I made the right decision."

Felicity laughed, "Sara if you had showed up to my house in that tie we would have never made it past the living room, if that."

Sara smirked, "Something told me you had a thing for ties." The waiter returned with the wine and they took the time to look over the menus and place their order. Once the waiter had left to put their order in Felicity took a sip of her wine and said, "So what made you suddenly ready for a date?"

"Honestly, I've wanted to since the first night but I wasn't sure I could handle the setting and the noise. Recently I've realized I can handle more than I think as long as I know that you're with me. Not that I'm using you as a crutch, more like I know that its okay to mess up around you."

Felicity smiled, "I'm glad you did, ask me out that is. Not that I wasn't enjoying where we were its just this is a nice change as well."

The date went well for the rest of the evening. Felicity talked a bit about work and told some stories about herself. Sara mostly listened and laughed with Felicity over the stories. By the end of the dinner they were both ready to just be at Felicity's relaxing. While the restaurant was a nice change of pace neither of them were really into places with lots of people. When they got back to Felicity's house she invited Sara in for some hot chocolate. Sara started the hot chocolate while Felicity went to change and when she came out of her room she was carrying a t shirt and night shorts for Sara.

"I love you in that outfit but I'm going to need you to change."

Sara laughed, "Too tempting for you?"

Felicity smacked Sara's arm, "Look here missy we're going at your pace and if you want to keep that pace slow you need to change."

Sara was quiet for a moment, "Does it bother you to take things slow?"

Felicity reached for Sara's hand, "It doesn't bother me. I actually don't mind it at all but Sara you are beautiful and I'm very attracted to you. Sometimes that attraction just makes me want to drag you to the bedroom but that doesn't mean I mind. I just have to remind myself and you in that tie is not helping me remind myself."

Sara nodded and went to change while Felicity finished the hot chocolate. When Sara came out from Felicity's bathroom she placed her clothes on the counter and went and sat beside Felicity on the couch. They sat there sipping on hot chocolate until Felicity finally broke the silence, "Did I upset you?"

Sara turned to her with a look of surprise said, "What?"

"Because I wanted you to change, did I upset you?"

Sara set her mug down, "No sweet girl. You just got me thinking about things is all."

"May I ask what things?"

Sara turned towards Felicity and sat Indian Style so Felicity did the same. "I was thinking how you said you were attracted to me."

"Sara I..."

Sara placed her finger on Felicity's lips to stop her, "Let me finish." Felicity nodded, "Felicity you are the absolute most gorgeous woman I have ever met. You steal my breath every day and I don't even think you realize it. I know we are taking it slow and I know how hard it is to stop with just second base. Trust me the other night when you were laying under me in nothing but your bra and night shorts, it wasn't easy. I know you though so when we have sex you're going to want to, lets say return the favor. I want to be ready to accept that from you. I want to be able to give all of myself to you at the same time you give all of your self to me." Sara could see Felicity's eyes watering with tears, "I'm not trying to be sappy I just wanted you to know."

Felicity set her mug down and hugged Sara, "When you say things like that it makes it harder to resist you." They both laughed as Felicity pulled away and wiped the few tears away. "Sara, my little bird, I told you we will do this at your pace. I want you to be ready just as much as you want to be ready."

Sara nodded, "I know you do. I just wanted you to know why I was waiting."

Felicity got up and put the mugs in the sink and then held her hand out to Sara, "Come on, you're not sleeping on the couch tonight. I want to cuddle."

Sara laughed but took Felicity's hand and they walked into her bedroom. Felicity crawled into be and patted it for Sara to get in. Once Sara got in and was situated on her back Felicity cuddled into her side and rested her head right where she could hear Sara's heart beat. Sara had one arm behind her head and the other was lightly drawing circles on Felicity's side where her shirt had ridden up. "Hey Felicity can I ask you something?"

Felicity just hummed, "Why don't you tell people about how you and Oliver really met?"

Felicity started tracing Sara's collar bone, "At first it was because I couldn't talk about it. Oliver told Tommy he had left his jacket at the cafe and had called about it and thats how I knew it was his. Oliver was the one who started the whole met at the cafe deal with Tommy. I went along with it and by the time I was okay to talk about what had happened everyone had been told we met at the cafe. It took me over a year to stop denying it even happened at all and honestly that was your brother as well. He made me face it because I was spiraling. I don't mean to keep it from people and Oliver is such a gentleman he would never reveal it."

"You were sort of right about what happened to me. I still have nightmares because of it. It wasn't just that though. It was the fact that is was my fault. I was a stupid kid hanging out with the wrong crowd and the more my parents hated it the more I did it. I didn't disappear and I wasn't kidnapped per se. I left on my own that night. I met a guy at a bar and we were drinking and he asked if I wanted to ride with him up to Central City. He had a motorcycle and I figured why not if all else failed I would call Ollie to come and get me. We never made it to Central City. We pulled over at this run down bar off the highway and he bought us a round and I remember suddenly feeling really dizzy and lightheaded and I tried to get to my phone to call Ollie but I passed out. When I woke up I was in a some sleazy hotel room and my mouth was dry and my head was pounding. When I went to get up I realized there was someone beside me and that I was naked and sore. The person beside me wasn't even the guy I had started the night off with. I put on my clothes as quietly as I could but I was crying and I guess I woke him and he was mad I was trying to leave. He started hitting me and I tried to fight back but I blacked out again. They next time I woke up I was in a basement like room with nothing but a mattress." Sara had tears running down her face and she could feel Felicity's on her chest. She paused to try and stop the tears. Felicity whispered, "Little bird don't push yourself okay. I'll be here for the rest of the story when you're ready." Sara sobbed and said, "That is the story. Same thing over and over. I didn't escape they got tired of me after a few years, beat the shit of me and stabbed me. I was Jane Doe in a coma for months before I woke up. I told them a bogus name because I wasn't ready to come home. After I was released from the hospital I talked one of the nurses into giving me a ride into the next town over. I lived on the streets for about a year, got a few small scars from that. After a year I saw Oliver and Tommy on some show about the best looking bachelors. That's when I knew I had to come home. I had to see my family and I had to let them know I was alive, so I did. I walked to the police station told them who I was and that I didn't remember how I got there. They called mom and she was flew in and got me. Now I'm here with you."

Felicity lifted her head and gently kissed Sara, "I love you and it wasn't your fault. I'm glad you survived and I'm glad I got to meet you. I hate that it happened to you and I wish there was something I could do to punish them."

Sara smiled through the tears, "I love you too and you just being here, supporting me, thats all I need. I want to kill them most days and I hate myself a lot but around you its a little easier."

"Can I ask you a question Sara?" Sara nodded, "Why did you decide to tell me?"

"I didn't, it just came out. It seemed like the right time and I know I can trust you so I try not to hold back with you anymore. You may get more slips so be prepared."

Felicity kissed Sara's nose before nuzzling back into her chest to listen to her heartbeat, "I'll always listen."

Sara kissed the top of Felicity's head, "Goodnight Felicity"

She chuckled when she heard Felicity quietly mumble "Goodnight Little Bird."

I apologize for the delay in updates. It has been a busy week. I also wanted to let everyone know that this story is not outlined or thought out. I literally read the previous chapter and start typing and post as soon as I'm done. There are a few things I plan to have happen in the story but they may or may not. It literally is just whatever is typed out. I didn't know what happened to Sara until tonight either. All I knew was Sara was going to wear a tie for some reason and Felicity was going to really like it. Hope everyone is still enjoying it and have a wonderful day.

~ crazyspazperson