So many glorious spoilers going around about 3x08 and 3x09, that I can no longer handle my feels so you guys get another chapter ;). That and the fact that I had a crisis of confidence (if you follow me on tumblr you may have seen it) where I actually considered giving up writing (don't worry I am not) but seriously this is why your reviews, favourites and follows mean so much, they keep me going, so THANK YOU all of you... anyway you might notice the title of the story is in this chapter ;) :P, and as always I hope you enjoy!


It took a full week of coercion from Felicity, plus her crazy organisational skills, to finally get Oliver to see Tommy. He agreed after he saw how hard she had worked on it all, for them. It was early in the morning and Oliver looked a little nervous sat in his chair unable to look at Felicity

"Oliver" he didn't respond "Oliver" she said taking a step closer, his head shot up and he looked a little pale "are you okay?"

"I'm fine" he said automatically, she knelt down in front of him placing her hand over his

"Hey this is Tommy, Tommy Merlyn your best friend since nursery"

"Exactly" he said not meeting her gaze

"He won't care Oliver. You're still you, with or without a leg" His head shot up then

"Really? I see how they look at me, with sympathy, glad it isn't them, but they all treat me differently"

"Oliver, the person they love, care about is going through something major and they don't know how to act because..." She took a deep breath and squeezed his hand "you shut them out, you stayed in bed, you just aren't bothered... I mean look at your hair and stubble, well more like a beard now but still... They don't want to offend you"

"I'm not the same anymore! I can't do what I used to, that's why I wasn't bothered... This has changed me!" He snapped pulling his hand away

"No! You know what NO!" She snapped, as his eyes met hers with a blank expression on his face "yes your life has changed, yes it will be harder but no, that doesn't change you. It doesn't mean you can't do things... I know right now it's hard, I know it's a shock and it's horrible but I... We are all here to support and help you, if you just let us" she stood up then walking to the door "we'll be in the living room if you want to join us" Oliver stared as the door closed behind her, leaving him alone with his leant with her back against the door, taking a deep breath and exhaling sharply. She shouldn't have snapped, she knows that, but he was being so negative.

Felicity walked into the living room to find Tommy and Thea sat together
"Hey" she said slowly

"Hello Fliss! I still can't believe you talked my brother into coming out of his room and in here to be honest..." Thea grinned

"Thank you for that by the way" Tommy smiled, Felicity nodded standing there

"Where is Oliver?" Thea asked tilting her head in confusion

"He... Well I..."

"I'm here" Olivers voice echoed from behind her. She turned her head to look at him, unable to stop the grin from spreading across her face. She saw the tension is his arms and his face, but all faded slightly as he returned with a grin of his own. Before either knew it Thea was up and threw her arms around him, he hesitated slightly before he wrapped his arms around her too. As she pulled back he could see the tears in hers eyes

"Sorry I just, I've missed you..." He frowned then feeling a pang of guilt in his chest

"It's not your fault... Someone reminded me I need to let people in" he smiled a little "plus you should be at university, what about your course?"

"Good!" She said straightening up "and my course is fine, I've been doing stuff from home but I'm going back soon I just wanted to see you" she smiled

"I'm always here Thea but you need to live your life too"

"Yes and so do you" she said crossing her arms "anyway I should be heading out, I have work to do" she bent down and gave him a peck on the cheek "love you bro"

"Love you too Speedy"

"Bye Tommy" she waved as she stepped towards the door "bye Felicity" and with that she was gone. Oliver looked at Felicity with a sad smile and he rolled forward into the living room to a waiting Tommy. Felicity smiled as Tommy stood up and embraced his friend in a man hug. Tommys smile never faltered

"I've missed you man but you could do with a hair cut" he teased patting him on the back as he sat back down. Oliver chuckled, nothing like his hearty laughs that Felicity remembered but it was a start. She watched as Olivers tension slowly dissipated as Tommy never looked at him any differently. She couldn't help but smile. This might only be something small to anyone else, but compared to the man who wasn't getting out of bed a few weeks ago, this was a huge step

"You joining us Smoak? Or are you going to stare at our handsome faces all day?" Tommy winked. It's not just the faces that are worth looking at. Laughter from both men caused her eyes to widen

"Please tell me I did not say that out loud?" She blushed with a cringe

"I always knew that was the real reason you helped us all those years ago" Tommy teased, Felicity noticed the slight tick in Olivers jaw

"Oh yes, I just wanted to spend all my time staring at you all, not once did I actually help you graduate" she said sarcastically grabbing her tablet and sitting on the sofa between both men "let's get started shall we" she smiled at Oliver, who merely nodded.


They sat for over an hour, Felicity showing them exact plans on the new clubs design, as well as quotes from a variety of businesses. She had done her homework and worked hard trying to incorporate everything they both wanted. By the end everything had been chosen, called through and started. It was agreed Tommy would oversee the work, but if he needed any additional help it would be Felicity who would aid him. They decided the redesign on Verdant should wait till after the launch of the new club

"So that's everything sorted then?" Tommy sat back smiling

"Yes as far as I am aware... Except a name, for the club I mean, they'll have your company logo OQTM but an actual name?"

"We decided on one awhile ago" Oliver said

"And that is?"

"Flash"

"Flash?"

"Yes, it was ironic, you know? The strobe lighting and all that..." Tommy added

"And the flash of the paparazzi cameras. But as always none are welcome in our club..." Oliver added

"Ah fair enough" she smiled "well all you need is to let the designers know how you want the sign to look and they'll sort it" she smiled at each of the guys

"Thank you Felicity" Oliver said softly

"Yep thanks, you always seem to be helping us in our time of need" he winked and she shook her head.

Just then the doorbell rang

"You expecting anyone?" Tommy asked. Oliver looked over at Felicity

"No, Oliver has no appointments with anyone. None at all" she frowned getting up making her way to the door. As she pulled it open the first thing that caught her attention were flashing lights, and then Diggles voice

"This is private property I'll get you all arrested!" Then as if from nowhere a brunette in a black blouse and grey suit stepped in, she never glanced at Felicity and her hair covered her face. She closed the door

"Excuse me? Can I help you?" Felicity asked, the brunettes head span around to meet hers "Laurel?"

"Oh so you know who I am!" She said standing up straight and glaring

"I... Yes..."

"Who was it?" Oliver shouted from the other room. Laurels face turned into a scowl as she stormed off into living room after his voice, Felicity ran quickly after her

"SO!..." She stopped dead seeing Oliver in the wheelchair, hair and beard long and wild, looking nothing like she had remembered all those weeks ago. Felicity saw it; all that tension he had earlier came flooding back as soon as Laurel stopped. She finally saw the sympathetic look first hand

"What are you doing here Laurel?" Oliver said holding the wheels of his chair as if ready to move

"I..." She blinked rapidly as if trying to remember and then the glare came back "what am I doing here? WHAT AM I DOING HERE? What the hell Oliver! I'm your fiancée I should be here!" She spat out, his expression never changed just remaining blank and neutral

"We aren't together anymore Laurel..."

"Your family said it was just the drugs talking, the shock of the accident... That with time you'd come round"

"No, this is nothing to do with my family... I ended things, I don't need time" her face dropped before she shook her head

"I should have known... First chance you get to run you do" she crossed her arms over her chest, his grip on his wheels tightening even more, that his knuckles turned white "and straight into the arms of some blonde bimbo" she said gesturing in Felicitys direction "I thought you'd grown up, ready to settle and commit fully, but looks like I was wrong!" She snapped "Does she make you feel better about yourself? Does she hold you and tell you every things going to be okay? Or is she just something you can shag senselessly to make you feel better?"

"ENOUGH" Olivers voice dropped low and stern

"No you don't get to say when it's enough! I wanted to be here for you, I love you but all you do is cheat and lie, running off with cheap, easy women-"

"STOP!" His voice was loud now anger very much apparent

"Hit a nerve have I? Now you know how much it hurts to see you off with people like her..." She said glaring at Felicity

"Excuse me?" Felicity said stepping forward

"I have nothing to say to you..."

"Oh I think you do Laurel, I'm Felicity. Felicity Smoak" Laurels eyes widened "I was hired as Olivers executive assistant, you know to help him with his work related needs. So blonde bimbo here, isn't sleeping with him, she's working for him"

"Oh..." she could see the regret flood Laurels face "I'm sorry Fliss"

"I think you should leave" Oliver said rolling his chair to the exit

"This is it you know Ollie" he turned his head slightly "if you walk away now and I leave, that's it, no more chances, no more times, done forever" Oliver didn't even hesitate he rolled off in the direction of his room in silence. Laurels sobs echoed in the hall, as Tommy stepped forward to embrace her

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry" he rubbed her back soothingly

"I... I'm sorry... Felicity" she turned to face her, her makeup smudged and tears streaming down her face

"It's okay... I had no idea you two were engaged" a pang hit her chest from nowhere "I am sorry things ended like this Laurel"

"Better now than when we're married" she sobbed again and Tommy hugged her tighter

"I'll take you home" she nodded as the two made their way to the exit

"Wait" she said softly pulling out of his embrace and walking towards Felicity. She slowly pulled her engagement ring off, it was a gold band with a large solitaire diamond

"I don't want it anymore, you should give it back to him" she placed it gently in Felicity's open palm, she nodded as the pair left.

Felicity stood there with her thoughts. How had she not known Oliver and Laurel were engaged? She was an idiot to think these feelings she was trying not to have were reciprocated. He clearly loved Laurel, they had a stronger history, albeit a shaky one, but he had a made a rash decision to end things due to his injury. He clearly wasn't thinking straight and maybe he'd regret this decision. She clenched her hand around the ring and walked off.


She slowly opened the door. There were books everywhere, chairs overturned, tables, lamps and in the corner was Oliver back against the wall his wheelchair on one side. Felicity ran and was on her knees in seconds

"Are you okay? Are you hurt?" She said placing her free hand on his arm, he looked up and she saw the tears there, the pain, the anguish all of it. Without even a beat passing she wrapped her arms around his neck hugging tightly. She felt him tense up, his arms never touching her. She pulled back, staying right in front of him "Oliver..."

"I'm fine Felicity" he said not looking at her, she looked around the room

"Looks like it" she said sarcastically

"I..."

"You regret leaving her, realise it was all a mistake?" His head shot up

"No..." She frowned "I don't regret ending things, I mean I could have done it better, probably"

"Then, if you don't mind me asking, why all the destruction? Why are you out of your wheelchair on the floor?" Oliver hesitated for one second unsure what to say, so he went with a half truth

"She made me angry and this is what happens... I couldn't control it" he turned his head away from her. She sat beside him then, her back against the wall and so close their shoulders touched

"You do know that's natural right? You have been through something drastic, life altering, you are allowed to be angry, to show ANY emotion you need to" she said it so gently as if they weren't the only ones in the room, and she wanted it aim it just to him "right now, things are still confusing so your emotions are all over, but I promise one day, you'll have control again" he turned to look into her blue eyes "and I'll be here, every step of the way" she smiled and he returned it. His eyes sparkled for a second, as if no-one had ever said that to him before

"I'm sorry you had to witness that, I'm sorry she said those terrible things about you, that really aren't true, I'm sor-" she placed her hand on his and squeezed lightly

"Don't apologise for things out of your control Oliver, I'm a big girl, remember I've been through worse" she cringed then, as she saw his smile and face drop

"She was right though... I'm still that fool from all those years ago, who hurt and cheated, who did stupid things-"

"No you aren't Oliver" she cut him off "that man might have been who you were but this man" she placed her hand over his heart, then pulled away quickly as her own heart thumped in her chest "he's different, he owns his own business, is helping with his family business, he's even admitting his mistakes and apologising for them. I always saw this man. The good guy, behind the front, who was so much more than he and others believed" Oliver turned to look in her eyes seeing nothing but the truth in her features, the utter belief she had in him astounded him completely

"I've done some unforgivable things-"

"It doesn't matter Oliver, here and now counts the most" she opened her hand to reveal the ring "I'm sorry she said she didn't want it" he grabbed it from her and threw it the length of the room hearing the clink as it hit the wooden floor

"I brought it for her, because she didn't like the family heirlooms, any of them... She said they were boring and not her. So I don't need that ring, I don't want it"

"Okay" she smiled "it's all okay Oliver" he nodded.

The two sat in silence together, side by side. Neither spoke nor moved, merely leant gently into each other listening to their heart beats fill the empty space.