N.B.: Again, THANK YOU so much for reading, reviewing, following, favouriting, etc.: YOU ARE ALL SO AWESOME! I truly appreciate the time you take to do all that.

To OllielovesDinah, your words brought me so much joy and inspiration; you are just a precious gem, so thank very, very much. Your review definitely made my day! :)

To Joan89, atlan2007, MRG101, and Manuela, thank you so much for your kind words; you all are just such sweethearts! :)

To CamJ, it's not that he doesn't trust them fully. He does, but Laurel is a special case because she is his everything and she knows him better than anyone (I hope that didn't make it more confusing, lol).

Disclaimer: I do not own anything. Arrow, its characters, and everything that relates to it and to them belong to their rightful owners.

Chapter 10: My Old Fickle Friend

It was a little before sunrise when Laurel had finally left Oliver's house. He tried to convince her to stay with him so that they could spend the rest of the day together, but she simply refused to stay any longer, reminding him that he still owed her space. The painful look he had given her once she reminded him made her heart painfully ache with agony for him. She wished she could tell him how desperately she wanted to remain in his arms forever, but she could not. She simply had no right to tell him that.

When she finally arrived at her apartment building, she took a long and heavy sigh as she stood in the elevator, waiting for it to reach her floor. Once the elevator doors opened, she slowly walked down the long hallway to get to her door. With her keys in her hand, she placed them in the lock and slowly unlocked the door. Once she unlocked her door, she walked inside, closing it behind her.

"Where on Earth have you been?" Laurel immediately got into self-defense mode upon hearing the voice. The voice sounded a lot like Felicity's, but she needed to keep herself safe just in case it was not her. "Okay, please don't hurt me! You don't have your gun out do you?" Once Felicity saw Laurel standing in a fighting position, she immediately covered her face with her hands.

"Felicity, what the hell are you doing here?" Laurel asked, her voice loud and serious.

"Waiting for you…" Felicity responded, still covering her face.

"I was just about to beat the hell out of you! How did you get in here?" Laurel immediately sobered up.

"This is why it was a good idea that I forced myself to pull an all-nighter..." Felicity gave her an adorable smile and brought her hands back down before continuing. "I used the emergency key that you gave me."

"Crap, I forgot that you still had that." Laurel quickly started to free herself from her coat and purse. After placing both items into a nearby closet, she returned her focus back on Felicity. "What exactly was the emergency?" Laurel raised both her eyebrows at her.

"Well, there was no…Actually, yes, there was an emergency. You see, I really needed you to know how truly sorry I am." Felicity pushed her shades up and then gave Laurel a sad frown.

"You lied to me." Laurel reminded her.

"I know, and I'm truly sorry about that. I should have stopped myself from getting too close to you, but I was too selfish. I guess you're just too awesome of a person to give up on. Honestly, Laurel, if you don't think we can be friends anymore, then I completely understand, but please don't put us both in that position. Please?" Felicity pleaded, fearfully looking into Laurel's eyes.

Laurel stood silently for a few minutes before speaking. "Aw…I wouldn't want you to give up on our friendship. Besides, who else would want to put up with my crazy life situations?" Still too tired and weak to stand, Laurel quickly walked over to the couch and sat on it. Despite only knowing each other for a few months, the two women had been through a lot together. Laurel had already realized how much Felicity meant to her, and she was not going to let the revelation of Oliver's secret ruin their friendship.

"Especially now since we both know about Oliver's secret. Nobody would want to put up with the craziness up in here." Felicity added, using her index finger to point to her head and then joining Laurel on the couch. "Can I just express how truly happy and relieved I am that you finally know. I mean, I wish he had told you himself, you know, without you getting kidnapped, almost killed and…" Laurel gave her a horrified look. "Sorry...I just wish it had been done differently."

"Felicity, keeping Oliver's secret from me was not right. I deserved to know, and it truly breaks my heart that the three of you were lying to me the entire time."

"I know, and we are truly sorry, but this was his secret to tell, Laurel...And, honestly, this secret is bigger than all of us. He has sacrificed so much of his life by taking on this role. He's a true hero, and the only reason he did not tell you was because he did not want you to get hurt in any way. Trust me, if he could continue to be this other person without anyone knowing, then he would definitely never tell anyone, but it would completely destroy him, and I guess it would be slightly impossible also..." Felicity informed her, trying her best to make her understand why they had lied to her.

Laurel took a heavy sigh before speaking. "I know and understand all of that, but it still hurts. I don't like being lied to, Felicity."

"I know, no one does…Again, I'm truly, truly sorry." Felicity apologetically said, giving Laurel a devastating smile.

"I'm not surprised. With everything that's happened this past year…It all finally makes sense." Laurel gave Felicity a comforting glance before continuing. "Okay, new rule for the two of us: No more secrets, okay?"

"No more secrets, I promise!" Felicity happily promised, giving Laurel a heart-melting smile.

"No more secrets." Laurel repeated, smiling back.

There was a short moment of silence that followed before Felicity started to study her intently, finally noticing her slightly disheveled appearance. "Okay, wait a minute. Where the hell have you been?"

"I was out." Laurel replied, getting a bit uncomfortable.

"Until six in the morning…Where exactly did you go?" Felicity questioned, her eyes interrogatingly glaring at Laurel.

"I was out...Somewhere…" Laurel became nervous, so she started to twiddle her fingers to keep herself calm.

"You were doing the walk of shame!" Felicity moved her body closer to Laurel's so that she could playfully poke her arm.

"I was not!" Laurel fearfully defended.

"You weren't? Is that why you look like you've just been attacked by a bear?" Laurel let out a light chuckle at her comment as Felicity continued. "Your hair is a knotted mess, your clothes are wrinkled, and, wait, that's not your shirt!" Felicity started to inspect Laurel scrupulously, touching the cottony fabric. "This is a guy's T-shirt!" Felicity let out a huge gasp.

"It's not a guy's shirt." Laurel tried to straighten out her hair and then her clothes.

"Really, it's not? Is that why it looks like it's ten sizes too big for you?" Felicity crossed her arms over her chest and then stared intently at Laurel.

"I knew I should have continued to look for my damn sweater!" Laurel sighed and then leaned back on the couch, feeling defeated.

"Who's the guy?" Laurel was silent for a minute, but Felicity immediately knew who it was just by looking into her eyes. "Oliver! You didn't…"

"We did..." Laurel gave her a tired smile.

"How was it?" Felicity brought her shades back up as she gave Laurel a caring smirk.

Laurel looked at Felicity with annoyance before giving in. "It was…Well, it's always amazing with Oliver. Except, tonight was different…"

"Because you two finally smartened up and realized that you belong with no one else but each other, so that allowed for the most passionate love reunion ever?" Felicity gave her a hopeful smile, her eyes sparkling.

"No, that's not what happened. I went there to yell at him, and I did. I was very angry with him. Anyway, to make a long story short, I opened my eyes and there I was, in his bed, completely sans clothing. I mean, it has always been intense and rough between the two of us, but tonight, I just wanted to kill him. Honestly, I think we both wanted to kill each other." Laurel revealed as she quickly closed her eyes and then opened her eyes again with frustration.

"I guess that explains that bruise right below your collarbone..." Felicity said when she noticed the evident mark.

"I'm probably bruised all over, but I could care less, really." Laurel gave her a tired shrug.

"Wow, I'm surprised you can still walk." Felicity gave her an evil smirk before continuing. "So, you two are…Well, what are you two now exactly?"

"Well, we're two people who have decided to 'play tennis' I guess…" Laurel explained as Felicity angrily gasped.

"Laurel! No, no, no…We both agreed after watching that movie that, 'playing tennis,' is a really bad idea; someone always ends up getting hurt in the end!" Felicity reminded her. Laurel remembered their first movie night together vividly. She smiled at the memory. She remembered how they both could not decide on a movie to watch until Laurel had randomly mentioned her love for Justin Timberlake, immediately giving Felicity an idea of what to watch. Felicity had suggested they watch Friends with Benefits and once she had, Laurel had given her the warmest and happiest smile and then brought her hands together, clapping with joy.

"Well, it won't be for long anyway." Laurel added, sighing sadly.

"What do you mean?" Felicity gave her a confused glare.

"I went to New York a few days ago. For…Um…A job interview..." Laurel started to reveal.

"I so don't like where this is going..." Felicity worriedly shook her head.

"I got offered a job as a legal analyst for NBC; they called me yesterday morning." Laurel continued to inform her.

"You're going to be on TV?" Felicity was a little excited for her best friend, but she still knew that this would definitely be a bad idea.

"Well, sort of." Laurel casually replied.

"But you love being a lawyer." Felicity reminded her.

"It's still a legal position…" Laurel added.

"But you won't be taking on actual cases." Felicity worriedly stated.

"No, but it's still a job that deals with the legal system and the pay is actually really, really good and it's in New York, at Rockefeller Plaza, you know, in the iconic GE Building…" Laurel started to ramble.

"Yes, I know where NBC Studios are located, and hey, it may be a great position and all, but you are, first and for most, a lawyer who loves to fight for the disadvantaged, the wronged. Are you sure you're not just running away from Oliver?"

"Well, not really…I mean it's a welcomed coincidence. Felicity, he needs to move on and he can't do that if I continue to be in his life." Laurel said, trying to sound as honest as possible, however, Felicity could see right through her.

"I'm sorry, but have you not already realized that he can't move on without you in his life? You're his everything, Laurel." Tears immediately started to glisten in Laurel's eyes. "You can't be serious right now."

"I am. I need to leave, Felicity, and this job is the best way to do that." Her unshed tears finally started to stream down her face. "I don't deserve him. He deserves someone who can give him everything…Everything that I can't give him."

"You're the only one who can give him everything, Laurel. When are you going to get that?" Felicity retorted.

"I can't…" Her cries started to become stronger. Felicity immediately put her arm around her, pulling her closer into her body.

"Laurel, you didn't tell him did you?" Felicity asked, worried about what Laurel's response would be.

"Felicity, he can never know." Laurel reminded her in a scolding manner.

"Laurel, you can't keep it from him forever; he has a right to know. He deserves to know that…"

"Know what? That I failed him…He doesn't need to know that." Laurel immediately interrupted her.

"Laurel, you didn't fail…"

Laurel immediately brought up her hand to stop her. "Felicity, please, you know how hard this is for me. He can never find out, please understand that."

"Laurel…" Felicity started.

"Felicity, please…" Laurel pleaded, her eyes still glistening with wet tears.

Felicity took a heavy breath, reluctantly granting Laurel's wish. "Fine, you can run away as far as you want, but, just so you know, sooner or later, the truth always catches up with you."

"Felicity…" Laurel was tearfully trembling, her tired body shaking uncontrollably, falling even deeper into Felicity's arms out of frustration. She knew that Felicity was right, but she was going to continue to be in denial.

Felicity became afraid for her friend, holding her as tight as she possibly could so that she could comfort her. "Laurel, hey, I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. I just want you to realize that Oliver will not hate you if you tell him…He could never hate you."

"I just can't…" Laurel started, crying hysterically, becoming incapable of continuing.

"Laurel, please breathe, okay. Just take a deep breath." Felicity rubbed Laurel's back comfortingly. After a few minutes, she could feel Laurel's body start to slightly calm down. Once Laurel pulled away from Felicity's embrace, she felt the beautiful blonde bring her hand up to her cheeks to wipe away the wet tears. "Laurel…" After placing a gentle kiss on the right side of her forehead, Felicity pulled her back into a hug. "I'm so sorry…" Felicity really was not sure what else she could say to change Laurel's mind. She definitely understood her devastation though, and it broke her heart that someone so close to her was going through something so painful. She held her as she continued to cry.

About half an hour later, Laurel's body had subsided, regaining a more calm state. "I am all cried out. Please change the subject, please." They both pulled away as Laurel gave her a sad laugh, her cheeks terribly stained with tears and her eyes swollen with devastation. "Please tell me that you and Tommy are, somehow, together now, please. I need happy news." Laurel quickly tried to change the subject.

"Laurel, are you sure…" Felicity started.

Laurel immediately brought her hand up to stop her. "Yes, please, let's change the subject, because it's…It's still too much…Now, you and Tommy, any happy news that you can give me?"

Felicity understood, so she decided to change the subject just as Laurel had requested. "Well, I can't give you any, unfortunately."

"Oh, no…" Laurel started before Felicity interrupted her.

"No, it's…Look, I was not the most pleasant person to be around these last two weeks. I mean, just yesterday, I yelled at Oliver for bringing me coffee. I made the poor guy feel absolutely terrible for doing something nice." Laurel lightly gasped. "I know…I was basically nit-picking at every single thing, and the boys were very scared to be around me, so they tried to stay out of my hair as much as possible. Anyways, back to Tommy…I simply am not ready to start seeing someone again; I stopped believing in love a long time ago." Felicity gave Laurel a sad smile.

"There's more to that, 'first date ever' story, isn't there?" Laurel gave her a serious look as she pulled her legs up on the couch, tucking them under her.

"It's truly crazy how we see right through each other." Felicity shook her head in disbelief. "It's been quite a long night for the both of us and…"

"Nope, I cried my heart out tonight. Now it's your turn to tell me what's really keeping you from taking the next step with Tommy."

Felicity gave her a long sigh. She had not spoken about him for years, but for once in her life, she actually felt comfortable talking about her past with someone; she had never felt comfortable being open with anyone. She quickly brought her legs up on the couch also, giving Laurel a very fond smile before speaking. "Four years ago, I was in a relationship with this bastard of guy. His name was Owen Harrington." She had not uttered his name in four years. Just hearing his name made her feel sick to her stomach. "We met in my sophomore year of college and we were together for three years. Turthfully, I was never really in love with him. I'd never had anyone actually invest any romantic interest in me, so I completely jumped at the opportunity of being in a relationship."

Laurel watched as her eyes started to well up with tears. "Felicity, I hope you know that if you don't want to talk about this, you don't have to. I was just kidding when I…"

"No, it's definitely time to tell someone…It's been way too long since I've spoken about…Him…" Laurel immediately shifted her body closer to Felicity's so that she could put a comforting arm around her. "He was so awful, Laurel. He was verbally abusive, constantly making me feel like I wasn't good enough, like I was incapable of accomplishing anything. He made me feel like without him, no one would want me and I would be alone, so, and this is according to him, he was doing me a favor." The next thing Felicity felt was Laurel's grip getting tighter. "Anyway, one night, I came home from my night class, and there he was, screwing my roommate, in my bed, nonetheless. That was the straw that finally broke the camel's back, I guess."

"Oh my God, Felicity, sweetie, we are going to find this 'dick-douche' so that I can beat the hell out of him, and we'll get Oliver to put a few arrows in him too." Laurel brought her hands up to Felicity's cheeks, wiping away the tears that continued to fall.

"Laurel, that happened in my senior year of college. Right after graduating, I immediately moved back to Starling City. I completely disconnected myself from everyone and everything. I ran away from Boston, not looking back once. When I came back home, for years, I refused to let anyone enter my life. I simply drowned myself in my work. Then Oliver decided to bring me into his life, and, well, you know what happened after that." Felicity explained as she rested her head on Laurel's shoulder.

"I am so happy that he chose you to help him with his mission. The one good thing that came from Moira shooting him…" Felicity brought her head back up and gave Laurel a puzzled glare. "He told me about how you found out his secret." Laurel gave her a caring grin before continuing. "Felicity, I will not allow you to continue to let this bastard have control over your life. He doesn't deserve to consume not even a smidgen of your thoughts. I know it's hard for you to take the next step with Tommy, but I only want you to take the next step with him because he is actually a good guy, and you deserve to finally have someone who will make you happy. I would never let you get even remotely close to a guy that wasn't good enough for you; you deserve the utmost best, Miss Smoak."

Felicity gave Laurel a heartbreaking smile."It's just still so hard to forget all that and move on; he completely left me shattered." Felicity sadly declared.

"I know it's hard, but, again, if you keep letting him control your life, then you are still letting him win. He still has this power and control over you. He doesn't deserve to have that power and control. If you give him that, then he wins, and we definitely can't let him win, Missy." Laurel gave Felicity a kind smile before continuing. "Why don't you go on one date with Tommy, and then see where that takes you. He's an amazing guy, so please don't close the door to this opportunity with him because of that damn bastard." Laurel informed her.

Felicity took a long and heavy breath. She remained silent, not knowing how to respond.

"Hey, let's take this one step at a time, okay?" Laurel added, giving her a caring smile.

"You are so trying to get us together, aren't you?" Felicity gave Laurel an evil glare and then smiled through her tear-stained face.

"Maybe…" Laurel responded, giving Felicity a wide grin.

"One step at a time…" Felicity imperatively repeated.

"One step at a time, and I'll guide you every step of the way, I promise." Laurel reassured her, pulling her in for a hug.

After ending their hug, Laurel still left an arm around Felicity as a slightly long moment of silence befell them before Felicity broke it. "But you'll be leaving me."

"No, I will not be leaving you. New York is only less than three hours away by plane…" Laurel reminded her.

"And about twelve hours away by car…That's not close enough…" Felicity raised an eyebrow at her out of frustration.

"Felicity, it's not that far away. Look it at this way, if you ever need to get away from the boys, you have a place to escape to for as long as you want." Laurel informed her, trying to sound as positive as possible.

"Yeah, I don't think my schedule will allow for any vacation time. Working for Oliver Queen doesn't give you any time off since crime never sleeps, as Oliver always says." Felicity sadly laughed.

"Yes, but Oliver would never prevent you from taking some time off, you know that. Also, working for and being friends with Oliver Queen and his family has its perks, you know." Laurel said, her eyes sparkling with joy.

"Oh…I see, by perks, you mean borrowing one of their private jets." Felicity responded, nodding her head slowly.

"Yes, he will be more than happy to let you use one so that you can visit me." Laurel added, smiling brightly.

"So how did Oliver take the news?" Felicity asked, as Laurel shifted her gaze away from Felicity. "Wait a minute…You didn't tell him did you?" Felicity was now angrily glaring at her.

"Well, I'll tell him…At some point…" Laurel nervously mumbled.

"Let me guess, on your next 'tennis' date?" Felicity retorted.

"Felicity, no, I'll tell him…Soon enough, he'll know." Laurel responded sadly.

"I am so not getting in this one…" Felicity started to shake her head with annoyance. "Just please tell him before you officially leave; he deserves to know that you're leaving beforehand. At least give each other a proper farewell. Also, I'm honestly surprised your dad is letting you go..." Felicity said as Laurel gave her a troubling smile. "He doesn't know too! Laurel…"

"He's in Chicago visiting my grandmother. I'll tell him when he gets back Wednesday night." Laurel informed her, trying her best to keep Felicity calm.

"So you'll tell him the night before Thanksgiving? Oh boy, that will definitely play out well. When do you exactly leave for New York?" Felicity questioned, as she brought her shades up closer to her eyes.

"They want me to start on the second…" Laurel started.

"Of December…" Felicity interrupted her.

"Yes…" Laurel responded, smiling warmly at Felicity.

"Please tell me it's December 2014…" Felicity said, giving Laurel a hopeful smile.

"Felicity…" Laurel scolded.

"Oh, no, that's a week from this Monday! So, you aren't even going to be here for Thanksgiving?" Felicity sadly asked.

"I'll be here for Thanksgiving; I'll be leaving the following Saturday. I have yet to start packing though…Better get a move on it." Laurel laughed while Felicity's face remained serious.

"Just out of curiosity, why New York…I mean, did you apply to this job a while back? How exactly did you hear about this opportunity?" Felicity worriedly asked.

"Well, about a week and a half ago, I ran into Carter at Starbucks…" Laurel began.

"Oy vey…Please tell me that you're referring to a different Carter and not to Carter Bowen..." Felicity interrupted her.

"Felicity…" Laurel warned her.

"Uh…" Felicity took a heavy sigh before continuing. "Let me guess, he told you about this opportunity?"

"Yes, as you know, he has his own talk show now on NBC, and he was telling me that his family is really good friends with the president of NBC Studios, so…" Laurel tried to explain.

"Wow, how surprising…Mr. Doctor has connections." Felicity sarcastically interjected.

"Felicity, he was just trying to help. Anyway, he made a few calls, and then a day later I got the call to come down to New York for an interview, and, well, you know the rest." Laurel finished, sighing heavily.

"Why can't you work here? I'm sure Carter and even Oliver could get you something here…Not that you need connections to score a job because you definitely are one badass lawyer with exceptional qualifications." Felicity stopped to give Laurel a fond smile before continuing. "And if it's the television industry you want to get into, I'm sure they both could…"

"No, Felicity, this isn't about connections or wanting to get into the television industry. I just need to start fresh in a new city. I truly need this. It's only a one year contract position with the possibility of renewal, so it might only be for one year." Laurel interjected.

"Knowing you, you'll never come back; they'll fall in love with you and keep you working there forever." Felicity sadly stated as she leaned her head slightly on Laurel's, the tops of their heads connecting.

"Felicity, wherever, whenever…I'll always be there for you, no matter what…" Laurel reassured her.

"Same here, but I'll still miss you lots. We have to promise to see each other at least once a month." Felicity raised both eyebrows at her.

"Yes, once a month at least, and, again, from now on, no more secrets…" Laurel added, giving Felicity a scolding look.

"Yes, no more secrets, as promised!" Felicity gave Laurel a reassuring nod as they both laughed.

"Okay, I am going to get those polka-dot pajamas that you love oh so very much so that we can both get some sleep because we both desperately need sleep." Laurel stated, before giving Felicity a comforting smile and then letting her go so that she could get off the couch and stand on her feet. Felicity simply smiled back. "I'll be right back." Laurel started to walk away slowly before Felicity stopped her.

"Laurel?" Felicity asked worriedly.

"Yes?" Laurel responded as she stopped and turned around to face her again.

"Everything will be okay, right? I mean, it has to be…" Felicity devastatingly wondered.

Laurel took a deep and heavy breath before responding. "Honestly, I don't know, but I hope that everything works out for the people I love." Laurel kindly winked at Felicity before continuing. "I don't know why, but I just know that you'll be okay...I just can feel it. I can't really explain it, but I'll do my utmost best to make sure that you, Felicity Smoak, get your happily ever after. I secretly think it will be with Tommy, but…" She watched as Felicity gave her an annoyed glare. "Okay, forget I said that…Yes, it will all be okay, in time." If I can't have my happily ever after, then I'll do everything imaginable to make sure that you do.

Felicity's annoyed glare disappeared and she was now smiling warmly and fondly at Laurel. Deep down, Felicity knew that Laurel was using New York as a way to escape life, but knowing Laurel, she would never directly admit to that. Feeling helpless, she was going to let her best friend embark on this new chapter in her life, even though she knew that it was not the best idea. She was truly fearful of the impact that Laurel's departure would have on their lives, however, she was mostly fearful of the impact it would have on Oliver once she officially left. Unfortunately, the only thing she could do now was to try to stay positive; it would definitely not be easy though.