Chapter 10

The Convict

From Central

Part 3

Disclaimer: Say what!? I've updated!? Why yes, yes I have! Despite my thinking of leaving this alone a good long while since there's barely any feedback from any of you aside from Phillipe, I figured I'd go ahead and do up a chapter for this story. Anyways, I own nothing but what you see here.

A few days had passed since Barry, Joe, and Chyre had arrived in Starling City and so far they had yet to catch Marrick. Something that was making Joe increasingly more worried as time went on as it meant to him that either Marrick was planning on something major or he was just waiting for a good moment to strike out while he could. One of the other worrisome things was the race war currently going on thanks to a White Supremacist group that had been around for awhile. Joe himself had even seen a few cops get into it over differences of opinion and Chyre had thought it was stupid and a complete waste of their time. Barry on the other hand had spent his time talking and hanging out with Felicity and finding himself liking her more and more. Problem is he wasn't sure how she felt about him but the fact she enjoyed his company told him that she liked him enough to want to have him around. Of course he made sure not to mention to Iris about Felicity as he didn't want his best friend getting any crazy ideas. The fact she wanted him to get Oliver Queen's autograph was already crazy enough as it is!

Never mind the fact that he was unlikely to come across the guy! And on the fourth day of their stay in Starling, Barry had gathered enough courage to actually try his luck in asking out Felicity. The fact she gave out an excited 'yes!' made him feel a whole heck of a lot of relief! Joe had been a little surprised but very happy with his surrogate son for actually putting himself out there! Chyre had grumbled a little about it being unprofessional but that was more for joking then anything actually serious. The two men then proceeded to tease and even offer some dating advice for the young man. Leading to some mild blushing on the future Speedster's part as he tried to say something but came up short. And when he took a cab over to Felicity's, Barry could admit for a certainty that he was nervous as Hell! The fact she looked stunning in a purple dress that went to her knees had him gaping at her in amazement. "Uhh… Wow, you… You look, you look beautiful."

Felicity blushed and lowered her head bashfully for a few seconds before looking back up. "You look handsome too Barry." She told him with a smile and causing him to blush that time.

He was wearing khaki slacks, dress shoes, a dress shirt, and one of Joe's ties after going out and buying the clothes earlier that day. His hair was slicked back and Felicity was really liking the whole look. "Thanks." Mumbled Barry as he scratched the back of his neck nervously.

Silence went on between the two for a short period of time until Felicity spoke up again. "Well, ready to go?"

That startled him, making him blush once more and not knowing that his date thought it was rather cute. "Uhh, yeah, totally ready to go!" Came his response and he stepped back to let her come out of her apartment.

Barry then put out his elbow and she smiled before wrapping her arm around it and the two were then off. He even opened her door for her when they got to her car and then closed it after she got in the driver's seat before making his way to the passenger side. The car took then took off with neither of the two realizing that they were being followed. And it wasn't by Oliver, Joe, or Chyre either but someone with less then friendly intentions. The figure was even smiling a little sadistically as well. The figure continued to follow them until they got to a little restaurant and he chose to stay where he was even if it was rather boring as Hell. But better to be bored then getting himself in to some trouble. He watched as a couple of wheelchaired individuals spoke with his two targets and the girl seemed to be quite familiar with them. Even defending West's little project from the looks of things when they seemed to be giving him crap. Though it was probably good natured crap but whatever.

The restaurant was known as Sal's and it was a place out in Little Vibe that Felicity had found about two months after moving to the city and had quickly come to enjoy it. As the atmosphere and the staff were all welcoming and very friendly. Even offering advice from time to time if it was needed since the staff were all older and usually had the right kind of advice. The IT Tech had thought it would be a good idea to take Barry there for their date. A date she would call their first if it wasn't for the fact he was more than likely going back to Central once they found that creep Marrick. Once they were seated and their orders taken, Barry asked the question on his mind. "So those guys in the wheelchairs… Friends of yours?"

He got a grin in return from her for his question. "Yeah, you could say that. One thing led to another and well, yeah. They might like to cause problems from time to time but other then that they are a good bunch of people who had some rotten luck."

The warmth and affection in her voice had him smiling as he realized then and there that she cared for those people. And it was something he liked quite a bit. "Sounds like people I wouldn't mind getting to know more then." Hell, he knew what it was like to have some rotten luck too!

Maybe even could be a bonding experience with them! Hearing that surprised Felicity but also made her pretty happy! "Really?"

"Yeah, really. I mean if you're vouchin' for em they can't be all that bad now can they?"

The smile he got for that made him feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside. The two continued to chat about various things until their meal arrived, which proved to be very delicious and it made Barry want to try and come back sometime soon just to have it again! Even saying as much and witnessing the sight of Felicity cheering in happiness that she had made him a convert to the way of Sal. Something that got a pleased smile from Sal's daughter Elaine. Who also took a picture of the two with their heads close together and put it up on a wall that she dubbed 'The Couples Wall'. Something that shocked the two and even had them blushing when Elaine made a remark about how cute they looked together and hoped for all the best for them. It did make Barry bold enough to reach over and take her hand into his, making her blush and smile happily at him over it. Her reaction made him quite happy too since he'd been slightly worried how she might react.

Boy, I seriously need to just relax or I really will mess things up!

Eventually, the two made their way out of the restaurant hand in hand and even saying a few last words to Sal and Elaine before leaving. "I'm not gonna lie, I LOVE that place and I really wouldn't mind coming back in the future."

"Really?" Well color her surprised but happy!

He smiled and nodded at her, causing her to smile back in happiness. "Well then, we'll have to try and do so before you leave."

"Sounds good. I can always take a train to here too even."

"Hmm… You'd need a place to stay."

"Always a hotel."

Felicity shook her head in disgust at that idea. "Ick, no! No telling what you'd come across in one of those rooms!" Barry just chuckled as he knew was right.

"Alright then Miss Resident, where would you suggest I stay? I'm perfectly wiling to stay in a box for a few days, but its gotta be a pretty wow worthy box."

She ended up swatting him on the arm for that and causing him to laugh at it. "I was thinking you could stay with me at my place but if you want, I'm sure could find you that wow worthy box." Replied the woman in a serious voice that held a lot of playfulness to it.

"Hmm..." Started Barry and he started to pretend to think on that for a moment.

Earning himself another swat on the arm from his date and causing him to chuckle again. "You drive a hard bargain Miss Smoak but I think a warm invite to your place is way better than that wow worthy box."

"You sure about that? Cause I may ramble your ear off."

"I think I can handle it."

"Hmm, I guess we'll find out when the time comes then." And boy was she looking forward to that!

As it really sounded like it'd be a ton of fun! Once at her car, she unlocked it and like the gentleman Barry is, he opened the door for her. "Why thank you kind sir."

"Why you're quite welcome kind ma'am."

Once she was in, he closed the door and made his way to the passenger side. "So, what do you wanna do?"

"Could always go for the cliché theater movie experience."

Barry thought about that for a moment. "Sure, I'm in!"

Pleased with the plan, Felicity started up the engine. "Heh, gotta love cliches." Spoke up a voice that definitely was NOT Barry's! Or her's for that matter!

Looking to her right, she caught sight of a knife and it made her eyes widen in fear and she could see the same look in Barry's eyes too. Looking up, she could see the face of the knife holder and it made her gulp as it was none other than Marrick himself! "Oh God, oh God, oh God." Repeated the woman in a freaked out way.

"God's not gonna help either of ya I'm afraid. And kid? You even try and call or text ol' West and I'll gut your pretty little giflfriend here and now."

That scared the crap out of Barry and he instantly took his hand out of his pocket where his cell was. "Don't hurt her! Please!"

"You do as I tell ya boy and I won't." Well, for now anyway but later? Later's fair game.

And boy would that be fun! "S-so what do you want from us?" Asked a frightened Felicity.

"Well I want ya to start driving. After that, I'll give ya the directions to a place I have in mind."

Nodding, she put her car in drive, backed out of the parking spot, and out of the lot. Wherever they were going, she could only hope both her and Barry somehow made it out of all this alive!

Author's Notes: Well that's certainly not good! Joe is definitely not gonna be happy about that turn of events when he learns of it! And to be honest, my motivation was really lacking with this chapter but despite that, hopefully who ever reads this will have enjoyed it regardless of a lack of motivation! R and R!