Felicity's heels clicked against the tile as she headed towards her office. She reached into her purse with shaky hands and was all fingers and thumbs as she searched for her cellphone. What the hell could he possibly want? She sat down at her desk and scrolled through her emails until she found the one from Ray. Sucking in a deep breath, she tapped to open it. Here we go.

FROM: Ray Palmer

SUBJECT: Second chances

TO: Felicity Smoak fsmoak

Felicity,

I find that I am having a hard time signing divorce papers without you hearing what I have to say first. I understand that you are upset with me — you have every right to be. I want you to know that I have stopped seeing that woman in hopes that we can reconcile and perhaps consider giving our marriage a second chance. Regardless of your opinion on that, I would like to speak to you before the mediation. I do hope this will not have to go to court.

P.S. I would also like to see Mia. Try to remember she is my child too.

Ray

She had to force herself to swallow the bile that had risen in her throat. A second chance? Was he crazy? Second chances were for couples that fought over finances and mother-in-laws. They were not intended for husbands that screwed twenty year olds while his wife was at work. Felicity's bright blue thumbnails hovered over her phone's keyboard as she thought out a reply. Would it be unprofessional to just say "Fuck you"?

FROM: Felicity Smoak fsmoak

SUBJECT:

TO: Ray Palmer

Ray,

I'm not entirely sure what world you're living in…but clearly it is one where CHEATING ON YOUR WIFE is something that can be fixed with a few apologies. I hate to inform you that the real world does not work like that. I am not interested in anything that you have to say, so sign your papers and let's get on with our lives. You are welcome to see Mia anytime you wish. If she isn't answering your calls, I'm sure it has something to do with her disgust towards you and your unfaithful actions. Maybe next time you will think about the possible repercussions before doing something like this again. I will see you next Wednesday at the mediation. I'd like to avoid court as well.

Felicity

Whew. Chew on that, Palmer. She threw her phone back in her purse and turned on her computer. She had to approve a few blueprints for projects and then deal with human resources. A secretary had dropped a sexual harassment complaint on one of her IT specialists, making her life significantly more difficult than it already was.

"Ms. Smoak," Avery mumbled, interrupting her thoughts, "You have a Skype meeting in five minutes."

"Thank you, Avery. Please set it up for me in the conference room. I will be there shortly."

"Yes, Ms. Smoak."

Sighing, Felicity gathered her notes and stood up from her desk. Conducting the sexual harassment investigation sounds better than this meeting. You should've had an extra cup of coffee.

By the time she walked into the conference room, Avery already had the entire room ready to go and was out of sight. As if her assistant could read her mind, a coffee mug sat waiting for Felicity as she sunk down into her chair and logged into the company Skype account. Man, that girl needs a raise.

Glancing at the time on the corner of the screen, Felicity pursed her lips. The meeting was scheduled for 10:30 and it was 10:32. Not that Merlyn is ever on time. Does the man own a watch?

Malcolm Merlyn was a shady businessman and an even shadier human being. Felicity had known him in her formative years as the dad of Oliver's best friend, Tommy. All she knew back then was that he was an asshole. Eleven years later, his company was able to offer SmoakTech a very beneficial partnership. Unfortunately, he was still an asshole.

But when the shrill ring of the Skype call began playing through the speakers, it was music to Felicity's ears. Let's get this show on the road.

"Hello Malcolm," she shot the webcam a stiff smile, "punctual as ever."

"Consider it fashionably late," he shrugged. "Tell me, have you enjoyed being the face of the tabloids for the last week? I am sorry to hear about your divorce. I quite liked Ray."

"I'm afraid that I have no clue what you're talking about," she dismissed, "but I think we have more important things to cover than my marriage."

"You're one of the most powerful women in the world and you thought news of your divorce wouldn't make headlines? My wife recorded a segment on E! News of them discussing Ray's mysterious mistress and your upcoming custody battle."

Felicity gulped. She hated that her personal life was on display for the entire world to see. Especially for Mia's sake. A custody battle? What the hell?

Shaking her head, Felicity forced herself to focus on the screen in front of her, "It's all a bunch of horse shit, Malcolm. You know that people in this city have nothing better to do than to pry into our lives."

A slow, cheshire grin spread across his face, "I'm sorry, did I strike a nerve?"

Taking in a deep breath, she avoided the urge to roll her eyes, "Do you have any information on the I76 shipment? We'd like to start production within the next week."

The meeting with Malcolm was dull — as usual — but productive. This time next week, Merlyn Global would be sending Felicity the technology her company needed to test Artificial Intelligence systems. After exchanging goodbyes, Felicity unplugged her laptop from the conference screen and powered everything down.

"How was your meeting, Ms. Smoak?" Avery smiled, greeting Felicity as she entered the lobby.

"As well as meetings with Merlyn go," she grumbled. "Will you please order a salad to my office? Thousand Island, please."

Avery blushed, "Uh, Ms. Smoak," she paused, gesturing behind Felicity.

She turned to see Oliver, distracted on his phone, with a bag of Big Belly in his lap.

"He said you two had plans for lunch," Avery explained, nervously, "I know it's not in the calendar, but I figured Oliver Queen wasn't just anybody."

Felicity nodded, "I've got it from here. Thank you, Avery."

When she turned back around, Oliver had discarded his phone and was staring at her.

"Hello, Mr. Queen. I'm guessing there's a bacon burger in that bag."

"Ms. Smoak," he smiled, standing up, "I'm glad your order is still the same."

"Please, follow me," she motioned, turning to go to her office.

She watched as Oliver looked around, picking up photographs of Mia on her desk and frowning at the ones with Ray in them.

"Would you like to tell me what you're doing here?" Felicity asked.

"We agreed we were going to talk later," Oliver answered, setting the paper bag down on her desk.

"Yeah, later. As in later tonight, or tomorrow, or next week. In private. Not a couple of hours later! Not in public!" She huffed, "We can't be seen together like this. You're engaged! Today I was told that I am all over the tabloids. Do you think I want or need to give them another reason to chronicle my personal life? I was on freakin E! News! That's national news!"
"I don't think I would consider that news," Oliver chuckled, "that channel is just televised gossip and those god awful Kardashians. I wouldn't worry about anyone taking it too seriously."

"I've got a fourteen year old!" She reminded him, "Those girls live on gossip. Can you imagine seeing your mother on the tabloids instead of some boy band? Or how about Laurel seeing pictures of you bringing me lunch?"

"Alright, alright," he relented, handing her a burger, "I get your point. But this morning had me reminiscing over the good times. I can't think of a Friday night where we didn't go to Big Belly."

"Don't be cute and romantic," she groaned, "I'm supposed to be annoyed with you."

"Shut up and eat your burger," Oliver laughed, "Next time I'll be more secretive."

Felicity couldn't help but frown, "I feel so guilty, Oliver. This is so wrong. Laurel would be crushed. So many people would hate us."

"I know it's wrong, 'Lis," he sighed, "but I don't feel the same way with Laurel as I do with you. Ever since our night together all those years ago, I just have never been able to feel the same way."

"I'll be divorced by the end of the month, Oliver. You could call off your engagement to Laurel and we could be free to feel anything we want."

"It's just not that simple, Felicity."

"Nothing ever is, Oliver. But what kind of a role model am I for my daughter if I pursue a relationship with a man who is in engaged? The only life she has ever known was ripped to pieces because of some woman who couldn't respect a marriage. And now you're expecting me to be the other woman?"

"I don't know what you want me to say, Felicity. I didn't come here to argue. I came here to talk."

"This is us talking! This is what we have to talk about, Oliver! Did you think we could just dive into an affair and there wouldn't be any consequences? This is insane!"

Of course he isn't thinking, Felicity. He's still the same juvenile dipshit he was fourteen years ago. He's thinking with his dick and not his brain. He probably has four other women lined up behind you. Oliver Queen isn't monogamous. It's not in his blood.

"I think I'm going to go," he announced, standing up, "I'm not sure what the hell I was hoping to accomplish here today, but it certainly wasn't this."

"I'm sorry I'm not jumping at the opportunity to be a whore and a home wrecker. Most people with morals typically don't condone cheating."

"You don't condone cheating? Well what the hell would you consider you fucking me and getting pregnant while dating Palmer, Felicity?"

She hadn't realized she had slapped him until they were both staring at each other in shock. Everything after that was a blur. Papers were flying, pens were clattering, clothes were falling to the ground in a heap.

"You're such an asshole," she panted, tearing at his shirt. She could feel his lips curl into a smile as the pressed against her neck.

"I hate you," he mumbled, his teeth grazing her jawline, "so, so, so much."

"Back….atcha…." Her voice trailed off as his fingertips trailed her thigh. Felicity moaned in anticipation. Very deliberately, his fingers traveled to the edge of her panties before pulling away.

"I've waited fourteen years for this to happen again. Now is not the time to be a tease," she whined, bucking her hips as his fingers repeated the same torturous path.

"Now you know what it's like," he murmured, removing her bra, "to have you tell me that you love me, and then say you can't be with me."

"So close," he whispered, this time slipping a finger inside her panties.

"Oliver," she breathed.

"Yet so far away," he removed his hands from her and pulled back, "Upsetting, isn't it?"

"Oliver!" It was a plea this time. She needed him more than she needed air. Every bone in her body ached for his touch.

"Alright, alright," he smiled, slipping off her panties, "No more lessons. I think you get the point."

She reached for his face and pulled his lips down to hers. Hooking two fingers into the waistband of his briefs, she slowly slid them down his thighs and past his knees. Oliver made it easier for her and kicked them off once they reached his ankles.

"Sex. Desk. Now." She mumbled between kisses.

They were skin to skin, their bodies softly grinding as their lips continued moving together.

"You sure?" He asked, positioning himself, "Because if you're not—."
"I'm the one that's supposed to talk too much," she laughed, interrupting him.

Was she sure? Hell no. Once we do this, you've crossed a line that you can't come back from. Can you live with the guilt? The shame?
One look in his eyes and she knew her answer. Regardless of whatever consequences she would be facing, she needed him. She was sick of denying it.

"I'm sure."