All characters and all rights at 'Arrow' belong to CW Network, Berlanti Productions, DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Television. The following story does not serve any commercial purposes, but was written only for pleasure. An injury of Copyright is not intended. All further persons belong to the authoress.

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Chapter 10

Julia looked around, frowning. Again, she glanced at the newspaper, but she could not find the address that was given there. Julia picked up the phone to call the number indicated in the advertisement when she was jostled by a running young man and almost knocked over by him.

"He has my purse! Stop him! Hello! Hold the thief!"

A somewhat corpulent woman in her late fifties tried to follow the man, while waving her arms wildly and continuously furiously screaming. Julia dropped the paper, put away the phone and sprinted off. The sidewalk was full of people, business owners had built up tables and booths in front of their stores, cars half parked on the sidewalk. All this made the walkway to an obstacle course. With his prey the young man tried to wriggle himself through everything and also switched to the other side of the street. Julia did not think twice about it and jumped over a newspaper stand and a stroller, slid over the hood of a car, jumped over the wagon of a flying dealer and the by the fleeing overturned pedestrians. Finally, Julia made the run to an end, by using a parked pickup truck that was being unloaded by two craftsmen as a ski jump. On the landing she knocked the thief down. With one smooth motion, Julia pressed her knee into the man's back and turned his arms backwards. Julia looked around seeking. One of the men in the pickup came grinning up at her.

"I think these might be useful."

He gave Julia a bundle of cable ties that she took with a laugh.

"They are perfect! Thank you!"

Skilled Julia tied the thief's hands behind his back, before she pulled him up. After a quick look around, she urged the man to a bench by the roadside. There, Julia tied his feet together before tying him on the bench with other cable ties. Some passers-by had stopped and observed Julia. Now they laughed and applauded.

Panting, the robbed woman finally arrived at the bench. She pounced cursing on the thief. The second craftsmen came up to the group, which had now formed around the bench.

"I think that belongs to you."

He had lifted the handbag of the woman which the thief had lost out of hand while his rough landing. Unfortunately, that did not calm the woman at all. Instead, she emphasized her rants, by beating the young man round the head with her purse. Julia shook her head, grinning.

"That was good work."

Julia turned to the voice.

"Just a sporting exercise."

The man laughed.

"You are modest too. I like that. What else talents do you have?"

"I do not think that my talents do concern you."

"I guess so. As your potential new employer I should know about it."

"I beg your pardon?"

"You have applied to me. We had an appointment five minutes ago, Miss Schmidt."

Julia just pulled the eyebrow. The man laughed again.

"In addition to the bail bonds I earn my living with investigations. Your name sounded familiar. A few clicks on the Internet showed me why. There's one or the other nice photo of you."

"Well, under other circumstances, I would suspect you being a stalker. But as my potential employer, Mr. Miller, I will once ignore it. What interests me more, is this remarkable address in your ad."

Allen Miller smiled.

"I thought, if a potential employee will find my office anyway, this is a good prerequisite for working in an investigation office. Unfortunately, I could not determine whether you have passed this test. However, I'm willing to consider the arrest of a handbag thief as an alternative qualification. Let's go into my office and realize what other skills you have."

Julia looked at the row of houses and then smiled.

"How is working over the fruit and vegetable market? Do you live healthier thereby?"

This time, Miller laughed heartily.

"I'm afraid I prefer arterial occlusive food. But we should really go to my office."

…

"And so I'm starting tomorrow as the girl Friday at 'Miller Bail Bonds and Investigations'."

"And what are you doing exactly?"

"Everything that arises in the office: filing, correspondence, telephone service, tapping monitoring reports, creating paperwork for court, lead the diary, make inquiries." Julia shrugged. "Nothing special, just office work."

"You'll get an office job because you have made a handbag thief?" Diggle shook his head, grinning. "It's a topsy-turvy world. He should have given you a job as an investigator or bail officer."

Julia laughed heartily.

"Sure, me as a bail officer. What an idea! You're a bit crazy, John."

Shaking her head, Julia turned to Felicity and so did not see the meaningful look, which Diggle and Oliver exchanged.

"Felicity, I need your help. Can you give me a crash course in computer search? My skills limit themselves to ask Google. I don't think this is sufficient in the long run. "

"Sure, no problem."

Diggle and Oliver quickly realized that she was finished with them. Tonight Julia would not train with them but with Felicity.

…

The following weeks demanded Julia very much, but that made her beaming. Finally she had to use her head again. Only now Julia realized how unhappy she had been the months in Germany.

Oliver looked satisfied at this change. Julia appeared more alert, cheerful and reported enthusiastically about her work. Even her training was changing. Julia's reflexes became faster and she often countered with unexpected maneuvers. Thanks to the training by Slade, Shado and Oliver she had never been an easy opponent, even not for Oliver. With this new enthusiasm and the extra confidence in herself, Julia was no longer satisfied with a draw. Now she wanted to win during training.

So much Julia's change pleased him, so much distressed Oliver her job location. 'Miller Investigations and Bail Bonds' was in the middle of the Glades. Between home and work, there was no direct bus. Julia had to change busses and even walk a bit. Even more difficult was when Julia wanted come to the Verdant after work. This was in the Glades, too, but at the other end. If possible, one of the three took Julia home after her workout. But often 'The Hood' had an operation and it was not possible. Finally, Oliver made a decision, in the knowledge that Julia would be pretty mad at him. However, he could live with that, as she would be safer on the road in the future.

"Jules, could you please come for a second? I would like to show you something."

"For sure."

Curious, Julia followed Oliver in the small, little-hidden alley behind the club. Oliver walked purposefully toward the motorcycle parked there.

"Do you want to go for a ride now?"

"No, Jules. Even at the risk that you will slay me now, but that's your motorcycle. Helmet and protective clothing I have inside. I know you love your job and you also don't want to move out of the motel. But I don't want to ask myself constantly whether you are raided on your ways between job location, motel and club."

Julia did not show what she thought. Her eyes wandered between the bike and Oliver back and forth.

"You're aware that I can take care of myself?"

"For sure. But against a stray bullet you can do nothing. Just as little against a majority of opponents. Jules, I know, you want to work for everything on your own and accept no financial support of me. But this is for my inner peace. No matter how cross you are with me now, please take the bike. I can live with the fact that you do not talk with me for a while, if I may reduce the risk to see you in the hospital or, even worse, in the morgue."

"There are people who would say that you just increased the risk enormously with this gift."

"Then they apparently don't know that I have taught you motorcycling and know exactly that you are a safe driver who takes no unnecessary risks."

Since Julia had neither yelled at him nor turned on her heel, in Oliver grew the hope that this action could maybe go out without a quarrel.

Julia still maintained a blank expression, but she found it harder by the minute. The Ducati was stunning. In order to be able to afford a motorcycle, Julia would have to save her money for an eternity. She made a decision.

"I'm really mad at you because you interfere again in my life. I thought we had clarified that."

Julia shot a sparkling look at Oliver, who withstood this. Then she allowed that the radiant smile that she felt in herself, to appear on her face.

"But because this one is a real beauty of which I could only probably dream all my life, I will award you. In addition, your argument was brilliant. Did you get help by Laurel?"

Lovingly, Julia gave Oliver a blow to the side, before turning to the club.

"Come on, I want to try it. Thereto I need the helmet and, above all, the key."

Oliver grabbed Julia's arm and held her back. His face was serious.

"Is everything okay between us?"

"Oliver, this gift is totally crazy. A well-maintained used car would have served the same purpose and would have been much cheaper. But I love it already. You don't get back this beauty, in no case! And now I want to ride it!"

…

As the evening was quiet, the four went to Big Belly Burger. Julia was crazy about her motorcycle. The radiant smile did not disappear from her face. Which led to a permanent chuckle with Diggle, while Felicity was rather confused. She did not understand the fascination with motorcycles.

"I'm going home and try to catch up on some sleep. See you tomorrow."

"I'll take you to your car, Felicity."

"Thank you, John."

Julia nibbled on her last frits. Oliver smiled at her.

"Thank you, that you're not mad at me, Jules."

"Why should I? Nevertheless, we agreed that we may worry about each other. Your gift is originated from this worry. That's fine for me."

For the first time this evening the smile disappeared from Julia's face and she became serious.

"I had firmly planned, never to take advantage from the fact that my best friend is a millionaire. That's why I didn't want you to buy me all these things in Hong Kong and to set up an account for me at the Starling National Bank. And above all to fill it. I feel guilty and am afraid that at some point you'll reproach me to be only interested in your money. What are probably many who claim to be your friend."

Oliver leaned forward, looked directly into Julia eyes.

"These are not my friends, Jules. I may be rich, but not stupid. And I know exactly how you feel about my money. Precisely for this reason, it is not only easy for me to let yourself enjoy things that you yourself cannot afford. But also it makes me happy. Since I have given you the bike, you are continuously beaming. That alone was worth every penny."

Then his gaze became thoughtfully.

"How often do I still have to discuss with you that my friendship to you has nothing to do with my money?"

"Probably just as often as I have to discuss with you that I don't blame you because of my time alone on Lian Yu."

A pained expression appeared for a moment on Oliver's face. No matter how much time passed, he still wondered whether there had been a way for him, to get Julia from Lian Yu without the knowledge of A.R.G.U.S. He would have been more than happy to have spared her this time. But always the answer was that it had not given this opportunity. He had to live with that.

"Okay, goodbye to the murky times, Oliver. You should better consider when you can spare time for a common motorcycle tour."

Julia's impish grin made Oliver smile again.

…

Julia stood hunched over in front of the filing cabinet and looked for a folder. Allen Miller might be a good private investigator and very successful in the repatriation of bail jumpers, but he failed completely with the paperwork. In the past three weeks, she had begun to organize the chaos, but there was still a lot of work in her face. The daily business had to be looked after, finally. However, Julia more and more often put the question to herself, how Miller could still exist with this mess.

Julia heard someone came in. But before she could emerge from the filing cabinet, she got a violent slap on her backside.

"Hey, toots, get me fast some coffee. Black, no sugar. I am quite sweet enough, finally."

The man wanted to give Julia another slap when she intercepted his arm and turned it with a quick movement on his back. Then Julia grabbed one of the fingers.

"I'm not your 'toots'. If you want a coffee, go downstairs. On the corner there is a coffee shop where one certainly will be happy to assist you. And if you ever lay a hand on me again, I'll break you every one of your fingers individually. Bone by bone. Do you understand me?"

To give emphasis to her words, she twisted the arm just a little bit further and turned the finger near to breaking it.

"Ouch!" The man jumped out of reach, as Julia let him go. "Are you crazy? You almost broke my arm! Can't you take a joke, huh?" Then he turned to the closed door to Allen Miller's office and yelled quite loudly. "Hey, Miller, which dragon did you pull yourself?"

Julia's boss jerked the door open and briefly glanced into the room.

"What did you do, Anderson? Oh, I know. You have given Miss Schmidt your usual 'welcome', right? A slap on her ass, I bet."

Julia's eyes flashed sparks with anger, whereupon her boss nodded in satisfaction.

"Well done, Miss Schmidt. As I told you, you don't need to take any shit from anybody. The men occupationally forget their good manners. And you, Anderson, should well watch what you are doing. I have no problem with Miss Schmidt breaking you some bones. You all right?"

Muttering to himself Anderson followed Miller in his office. Julia's sparkle turned into a grin after the door was closed. This Anderson was not the first to try something, but the others had been some less 'violent' and they had instead showered her with stupid sayings. Julia could handle easily with both situations. She would have to educate the men to a better behavior.

With a wry view, and a safe distance from her desk, Anderson came out of Miller's office after a short time. Watchful waiting, he stopped.

"What can I do for you, Mr. Anderson?"

Julia was the politeness in person and let follow her words a welcoming and inviting smile. Still a little leery, Anderson went to her desk and handed her documents.

"Salazar, I finally got him. These are the papers thereto."

After careful examination, Julia nodded. She opened a drawer and noted with amusement that Anderson with a suspicious look receded somewhat. Julia put the checkbook on the table and smiled furthermore kindly at Anderson.

"One moment please, I only get Mr. Miller's signature."

When Julia handed over the check to him, Anderson looked for a moment as intensely on his hand as if he had to convince himself that all fingers were still present and healthy. Julia fought with a laugh.

"If you would please even now acknowledge the receipt of the check, Mr. Anderson." Julia pushed the receipt book on her desk. "And I can assure you I don't have a gun in my desk. This is much too unsafe for me. All weapons are properly included in the gun cabinet."

Julia looked serious at Anderson, but the twitch around her mouth corners revealed her.

"Not that you would need a gun..." Anderson quickly signed the document. "That's it?"

"From my side already, Mr. Anderson. You can go."

With a majestic head movement Julia dismissed the bond agent. One moment Anderson was pretty confused, then the penny dropped and he left. At the door he paused and turned to Julia.

"Yes?"

Expectantly, she looked at Anderson. But he just shook his head and walked away.

…

"You really let him have it, Miss Schmidt." Miller laughed heartily. "Probably such thing never happened to Anderson. Usually the women are crazy for him. Therefore, they put up with a lot of bad behavior."

Julia wrinkled her nose.

"For sure, Mr. Anderson is not just ugly. But nothing excuses bad behavior, good looks at the very least. Moreover, his behavior was very disrespectful and sexist, something to which I respond really allergic."

Miller laughed again. "I've noticed." He quickly became serious again, however. "He's a good bond agent. No matter whom Jeffrey Anderson is looking for, he always is finding him. He is like a dog that has bitten into a bone. And he almost always looks for the really dangerous guys. I'm surprised, which impression you make at him. It seemed almost as if he was afraid of you."

Julia shrugged.

"He's only got what he deserved."