A/N: I went through the comments and reviews for Chapter 9 and I have to say highlander348, you hit it the nail right on the head with the way I was trying to build Moira's character. I too have viewed Moira as a complex and dynamic character whose motivation has ultimately always been to protect her family but has not always been a straight arrow (pardon the pun) in getting there.
That's the reason why I mentioned in my Chapter 8 A/N that Oliver has a lot to think about regarding his Vigilante/Arrow persona…deep thinking, soul searching kind of thinking.
Well for Tommy on the other hand, most reviews have been a toss-up on my take on Tommy, it's unclear to many whether Tommy is good or bad at this point and that is also deliberate because Oliver himself is still conflicted on his read on his best friend being the son of Malcolm.
Well Malcolm…what can I say, his motivations will be spelled out in the next Chapter.
This story gets a little darker before it gets lighter, this was not originally how I envisioned it to be but this seems to be where my magic writing fingers are taking me. I hope you will be with me for this sometimes bumpy and free-fall ride.
As usual, I do not own anything…again if I did then Moira and Tommy would still be alive and Olicity would probably be sprouting little Olicitylets as early as Season 2. Oh, and all the mistakes are mine because sometimes my mind runs faster than my fingers resulting in a puddle of writing errors.
Thank you again to all 350+ follers and those who bothered to leave comments: annependragon, sinceriouslysmoaking, MrsLMGallego, misspsycho24, HotHybridSex, sakura-blossom62, Frenchie12, and all the guests…
Read on and spread the love shippers….
EXPOSED
Chapter 10
"So, how's the Club business doing? I've not been back there again since opening night," Tommy asked Oliver to break the ice.
Oliver shrugged, "it's doing…we've had full houses almost every night but my accountants are telling me we're a long way from at least breaking even, you know capital investments and monthly overhead expenses and stuff…"
Tommy leaned back with a smirk, "well look at you, never thought I'd see the day, Oliver Queen a serious businessman. I envy you man. Would've wanted to get into setting up my own business myself but…you know my Dad, wouldn't hear of it, threatened several times to cut me off. Maybe someday…." giving a wishful thinking expression.
Felicity was absently rubbing Oliver's thigh since he had been highly strung since they had sat down to dinner with Tommy about thirty minutes ago, you would thing they were strangers not best friends the way they were conversing. It made Felicity uncomfortable and uneasy to be the third leg in the table.
"Well if I know one thing I remember about you, once you put your mind into something you end up making sure it gets done. Your single-minded determination got us both out of several situations in the past. It should stop you now." Oliver told Tommy.
Tommy shrugged, "That's the best friend I remember, someone who always had my back. It's just that working with Dad is something I never expected to be this tough. He's been demanding. It's always been expected that I'd take over the business one day, just like you would take over the reins for QC, but my Dad and I, we're different people."
Oliver drank from his wine before he answered Tommy, "why don't you go against what has been mapped out for you, maybe it will turn out to be better for you in the end."
Tommy just exhaled then turned his attention to Felicity, "you on the other hand, wow! I mean, the presentation you gave a few days ago blew my mind even if I didn't understand more than half of it. But I tell you, our IT head and Dad were definitely impressed. Wouldn't want to give away any corporate information but I'm sure you'll be hearing from them in the next few days."
Felicity smiled at Tommy because she couldn't help it, she had always been a sucker for compliments about her abilities, "thank you, that's nice to hear. But the credit should go to my team who really worked hard on that one."
"No matter how good your crew is, you still need a Captain to steer the boat. I like that about you. I don't get to meet a lot of people our age who has got it all together already."
Felicity blushed at the compliment Tommy was giving her and gave him a warm smile, "I don't know about being that all together, but really you don't have to constantly shower me with compliments."
Tommy leaned forward from his seat and parked his elbows on the table, "it more speaking the truth than spitting out flower compliments."
Oliver had been quiet the whole time of the exchange between Tommy and Felicity that Felicity had to pause and give him a once over for a few seconds to gauge his mood before she decided that she should step out for a bit to give the two friends the time they needed even though they didn't want it, "let me just go to the powder room for a bit and…powder my nose, because that's what the powder room is suppose to be for right?" Standing up and giving both the boys a glance, "don't try to kill one another while I'm away, not that I think you would but really, if my best friend and I would be having dinner right now, it wouldn't look anything like this. I know both of you can do better. And I expect it to be a lot better when I come back."
Tommy swallowed the rest of his drink and put his glass down with a thud before he proceeded, "so what's your problem Ollie?"
"I don't have one," Oliver answered him.
Tommy scoffed, "oh come on bro, give me a little more credit than that. You are the closest thing to a brother to me. I think I know you well enough. Don't think I haven't notice you giving me the brush-off, or being treated with this fake friendly small talk. Spit it out! You know your girl is right, we can do a lot better than this painful one-liner conversation we are having."
Oliver gave him a measured look, "I have a lot going on right now Tommy. It's best that we keep our distance in the meantime."
"That's it, just like that. You get to decide you don't want me as a best friend, a friend anymore because you have a lot going on?" Tommy answered him a lot insulted.
Oliver clenched his hands on the table, an action Tommy noticed, "It's complicated. There are a lot of things you don't know Tommy."
"That I've noticed, believe me," Tommy shook his head, "it's as if you don't trust me anymore. We use to be able to tell each other anything…everything Ollie. I knew more about your secrets than anyone. What happened to us?"
Oliver looked at Tommy painfully, "I'm sorry Tommy, it's just that a lot of things have happened since I came back. I'm different now."
"I know, believe me I know, but I miss my best friend. You aren't the only one with a complicated life. Sometimes I feel I'm in over my head. I just thought…." Giving Oliver an expression of regret before Tommy continued, "I'm happy for you. Felicity is good for you. Leave it to you to find someone like her. That one's definitely a keeper."
Oliver gave him a small smile which Tommy saw as encouragement to go on, "I just missed you bro. I know it can't be like old times anymore because hell, we've both done some growing up and then some. But, I'd like to get to know the new, improved Oliver Queen 2.0, I got a spot open for a best friend, I'm wondering if you would be interested to apply for the position?"
Oliver gave Tommy his first genuine smile, patting his arm across the table, "I've never replaced you as my best friend, and you're right…I missed you too. And you're right, Felicity has been great, she's been great."
"That I do believe. I've never seen you smile as much in the whole time I have known you every time a girl's name was mentioned. One of these days, you will finally tell me about how the two of you met. But I won't push it for now. I'm just glad we've sorted out what's between us first."
"The dinner wasn't so bad in the end wasn't it?" Felicity asked him as they made their way to the lair later that night.
He looked at Felicity with a faint smile, "no it wasn't. Thank you by the way."
"For what?"
Oliver gave her a look, "you know for what. You deliberately left Tommy and I alone so we would have no choice but to talk to one another."
"Oh yeah, it was getting a little too painful even for me. And Tommy's okay, I finally saw the real Tommy tonight after you guys talk. I bet you both had a lot of fun together before. Seems like the two of you are the perfect fit together," Felicity told him.
"We definitely had a lot of adventures growing up together. He was right, I realized it tonight. I'm not the only one with struggles. I have to talk to him about what's bugging him next time, looks like he needs someone to talk with himself," Oliver shared with Felicity.
"That's what a best friend is for. You're doing the right thing with Tommy," Felicity told him.
Two days later…..
"Oliver I don't see why I need to be here too. I'm perfectly fine in my house. It's safe there. Besides I've been on my own in that house before I even met you, I think I can take care of myself," Felicity argued with him.
Oliver rubbed his face, a trait she had come to interpret as a sign he was getting worked up, "please just don't try to fight me on this. I told you what Tommy said. You heard what Mom said about Malcolm and I wouldn't want to take any chance at all. Thea, Mom and…..you, you three are the most important persons in my life right now. With what I plan to do, I need all of you secure so I have one less thing to worry about."
Felicity turned to her side to face Oliver, one of her hands on his thigh. As confined as the back seat of a car was, she had tried to be as comfortable as possible, "you don't have to worry about me. You have enough people to worry about."
"Felicity," he started, "I…I can't help it. I worry about you, you're not just my friend…you've become something more than that. Please just don't ask me to explain that right now, please," he laced his hand to the hand that was on his thigh.
Felicity searched his face for a few seconds before she nodded and inhaled, "okay…for now. But we'll need to talk about this," pointing between the two of them with her free hand, "soon."
Oliver squeezed the hand that was still laced with his and nodded at her then straightened up as the Mansion came into view.
"Felicity dear," Moira came forward to peck her on the cheek.
Surprised as Felicity was, she recovered and gave Moira a small smile before stepping back.
"Well, well, well…Ollie your back home and you brought someone back with you," came a voice from the staircase beyond the foyer.
"Speedy," Oliver stepped away from his Mother and Felicity to embrace his baby sister.
"Hmmm…" eyeing Felicity beyond her brother with a raised eyebrow. Sidestepping her brother she stepped in front of Felicity, "well since my brother forgot his manners, let me introduce myself, I'm Thea his sister and you must be the Felicity I've been hearing a lot about from my Mom and nothing at all from my dear brother considering you are his girlfriend."
"Oh," Felicity mouthed.
"Speedy…." Oliver challenged his sister with a look.
"Not his fault. My fault, I didn't want Oliver and I to be sharing the information about us just yet. I mean not until we both had more time. He…I…we, this thing between us is quite new and I…we, didn't want to put too much pressure on one another until we were sure. You know you brother, I'm sure you do since he's your brother…" Felicity was rambling but Thea cut her off.
"Yes, I do actually, I know my brother quite well," giving Oliver a pointed look, "that's why I was surprised. I mean hello, you where practically living together for a month," Thea said tactlessly.
"Speedy please," Oliver told her exasperatedly.
Moira inserted herself into the conversation, "Felicity dear, Oliver has been telling me that both of you will be staying for the next few days," Moira knew why exactly but was keeping up appearances for Thea's sake.
"Ah yes, I'm really sorry for the intrusion," Felicity apologized.
Moira waved off Felicity's statement, "nonsense dear, now let's get you settled in." Glancing at Oliver, "son, you got Felicity's things taken cared of? Why don't you meet us in the study when you are done. In the meantime, us three girls will have some girl talk among ourselves."
Felicity glanced helplessly at Oliver while she was being whisked away by Oliver's mother and sister.
The night before….
"Thank God you answered Ollie! I need…can you meet me," Tommy asked him in a not quite stable voice.
Oliver was in the lair with Felicity and Diggle, "Tommy, what's wrong?"
"Ollie, can you meet me in an hour…maybe your Club is the best place," Tommy quickly answered him.
"Tommy, what's wrong?"
"Ollie, I got to go. I'll see you in an hour."
Almost two hours later at his office inside the Club, Oliver and Tommy where inside, Tommy was seated with a tumbler of scotch in his hand and Oliver was pacing the floor.
"Tommy, does your Dad suspect anything?"
"No, Yes, I don't know. He's been…different during the last few years but he was getting worst these last few months. Earlier, he had threatened to disinherit me…" shaking his head, "believe me, at the moment that is the least bit that is troubling me," Tommy shared.
"Tommy," Oliver sat down on the table facing the couch Tommy was seated on, "my Mom told me something recently, barely a few days ago, I think between what you told me and what she said, it looks like your Dad is planning something really big."
Tommy looked at Oliver, "wow, how did it all come to this. Dad has always been a little dramatic, for a while I thought that he would never recover from Mom's death. I thought he was doing fine, but he said something earlier that scared me. He said that it was his duty to avenge Mom's death and that that time has come. He said, all should be clear to me soon and that I should be proud of him."
Tommy gulped the remainder of his drink before he continued, "he said…he said, those who did this to Mom and their families, all of them shall suffer. I asked him what he was talking about because he was scaring me…I've seen him all worked up before, but never like earlier…never like that."
Tommy placed his hands behind his head as he dipped his head, elbows on his thighs, "he pushed me to a wall, in my office, tried to strangle me before he came to his senses when I told him he was crazy…I don't think I can go back there…not after today."
Looking up at Oliver, "I don't even know what set him off, "one moment we were fine…but when I brought up the undisclosed warehouses we were paying for that was brought to our attention by our accountants, the next thing Dad was shouting at the top of his voice that it was none of their business, none of my business and that I shouldn't say anything about it to anyone. That's when he physically assaulted me."
Oliver reached out to touch Tommy's shoulder and squeeze it hoping to give his friend a little assurance that he was there for him.
"Why don't you stay with us tonight, I'm sure Felicity wouldn't mind unless you prefer to stay at the Queen Mansion?"
Tommy exhaled and snorted, "really, you want me to invade your love nest?"
Oliver smirked at his friend then rolled his eyes, "Tommy, I'm sorry I wasn't there for you before. But, now more than ever, we need to stick together. I need my best friend back and I think you need yours too. So what do you say?"
Tommy chortled, "shouldn't you be asking the lady of the house first if she's fine with me staying over?"
Present day, later that night….
"Are you sure this is fine? You can use any one of the guest rooms if you want," Oliver asked Felicity who was busily looking at her tablet.
Felicity looked up from what she was doing, "this is fine. It isn't as if it's the first time we would be sleeping together, not that kind of sleeping sleeping, just sleeping…you know what I mean…"
"I do…." Oliver answered quickly.
"and, it's not the first time we would be in your bed together. Although I think this time the handcuffs wouldn't be necessary unless you plan a repeat of the first time. Because I would expect something more original from Oliver Queen, did I say I expect because I don't…not really, but you wouldn't be Oliver Queen if you didn't try something. Do you want to…no please don't answer that, oh god! Why didn't you stop me," Felicity face palmed.
Oliver sat down beside her on the couch chuckling, "would you believe I wanted to find out where you were going with it?"
Felicity punched his chest, "I just ramble when I'm nervous."
Oliver faced her, "what worried you? The bed?" pointing at the California King sized bed.
Felicity blushed, her eyes popped before she covered her face with her hands again, "will you just stop your teasing. We aren't really together together. We are just together together for show, but I think we've been doing fine, cohabiting…"
"Cohabiting? That's quite a word. I'll have to look that one up…"
Felicity rolled her eyes at Oliver, "living together, sharing space…don't play dumb. This should be fine. We are both adults. We can be adults sharing a bed and just be sleeping sleeping, not doing acrobatic, sweaty things…" Felicity's voice trailed off.
Oliver was quietly amused by Felicity and decided to further try to embarrass her, "acrobatics…that sounds interesting….."
Felicity stood up abruptly and glared at Oliver, "stop it! You're deliberately trying to goad me. We have to go to the lair now, we need to verify the information Tommy fed us about the warehouse."
"Oliver…Oliver! Answer me, what happened?" Felicity asked him frantic.
"There's nothing here, nothing but an empty warehouse," Oliver answered. "If there was something here, it was moved."
"Looks like it," Diggle joined in, "the outside is clear, no guards, nothing at all too."
"Well, that was quick work. Tommy just told you about the warehouse yesterday. Unless it was really empty. Just a distraction?" Felicity rambled.
"Digg and I are heading back to the lair Felicity," Oliver told her.
"Okay, I'll be here…where else would I be? Let me try to track some cameras to the day before, to check if anything was moved out of the warehouse," Felicity said.
"Good idea," Oliver responded in his comm.
"Um, Oliver…you told me to track Tommy's phone…um…Tommy's in Merlyn Global, I can't get a fix on which floor though…" Felicity said into the comm.
"Damn it!" Oliver swerved his bike suddenly, "Digg, meet you at Merlyn's. I told Tommy not to go back and confront his Dad, best guess they are both in Malcolm's office right now."
"Okay…let me try the cameras in the executive office…and Oliver…" Felicity said the last two words quietly.
"I know Felicity, I know…I'll try, but Tommy needs our help, my help. I promised him," Oliver answered her just as quietly.
Felicity inhaled, "I know Oliver, just…be safe. You are doing the right thing. Maybe it's time Tommy realizes who Oliver Queen is now, he's not just a Vigilante…he's also capable of being a hero, of being just like the Green Arrow, you know the one in the DC Comics. The one who does good, who is good."
"I'm not a hero…I'm.," Oliver answered her.
"Yes you are Oliver. I know this, Digg knows this. If the whole world is in on the secret then they would also see you as a hero, because that's what you are. You are a good man Oliver, the Arrow, he's a good man too," Felicity quickly responded.
"She's right you know…," Diggle finally interjected.
All that was heard for the next few seconds was a hard exhale as Oliver contemplated what both his partners had told him. The Arrow, the Green Arrow, even he was familiar with the comic book character. Maybe, he could be the hero Felicity thought he was, maybe. But now was not the time to psychoanalyze himself, right now, his best friend needed him. And while he may not be ready to reveal his identity to his best friend, if it would come to it, he might need too, for the greater good. There is was again…Felicity's word…good.
"Digg, top floor in 3 minutes," Oliver told him.
"I'll be there, I'll cover you," Digg responded.
"Okay, the firewalls of Merlyn are unbreakable but I was able to redirect a camera from across, I see to figures in what is most probably Malcolm's office. Oliver…" Felicity continued in a slight panic, "looks like Malcolm is pointing something at Tommy, you have to hurry!"
As Oliver swung from across the building into Malcolm's office breaking through the glass window in the process, Malcolm's attention was suddenly on the man in green. Quickly throwing the knife he had in the direction of Oliver who was able to barely sidestep the knife and avoid being injured.
"The Vigilante, Starling City's very own hero…well, I've been expecting a visit from you," Malcolm taunted him.
Oliver's only response with his voice modulator on was, "Malcolm Merlyn, you have failed this city!"
As he was about to release an arrow on Malcolm, Tommy interrupted, "no! don't! That's my father."
The disruption proved to be enough distraction for Malcolm to get hold of a gun and shoot at Oliver who was hit square on the stomach, the force push him to the floor. As Malcolm moved closer to finish off the Vigilante, Tommy shouted, "Dad, please don't!"
Malcolm turned to his son, "you are weak son! He will just get in the way of my plans. You would rather side him over your own father!"
"Please stop this, Dad. Mom wouldn't want this…" Tommy pleaded with his father as Oliver pressed on his stomach. He knew he was losing a lot of blood. He however knew that Diggle heard everything and he told Oliver over the comm that we was directly outside the door of the office of Malcolm ready to burst in.
Oliver knew that they didn't have a second to waste as Malcolm proved to be unstable, carefully whispering into the comm for Diggle to burst in immediately.
As Diggle pushed the door open, Malcolm started to fire again this time focusing his attention on Diggle. Within seconds Malcolm had shoved Tommy in front of Diggle making it impossible for Digg to continue to shoot before he leaped out of the broken window Oliver had entered from. Both Diggle and Tommy recovered and ran to the window to check for a body below and were both confused to see none.
"Um, Oliver, Digg, Malcolm used the rope you used to swing across from the other building, I lost track of where he is now. But, I'll try to check other cameras. Oliver…where were you hit? Oliver!" Felicity asked a pitch higher than usual.
"It's nothing major," Oliver answered Felicity as he looked at Diggle as if daring him to contradict the statement, "nothing that can't be stitched up."
"Tommy, how's Tommy?' Felicity redirected.
Oliver tried to stand up and he was quickly helped up by Diggle as Tommy looked on. He recognized Digg as Oliver's bodyguard and frowned as he tried to piece everything that happened together.
"Ollie, is that you? Are you the Vigilante?" Tommy asked haltingly as if not quite believing he was even asking the question.
With Oliver's left hand still pressing down in his stomach he turned to Tommy, lowering his hood, "Felicity prefers the Arrow, the Green Arrow."
"Oh my God, Oliver, it is you. How? Why? What?" Tommy asked in succession.
"Why don't we continue this revelation elsewhere, preferably in a place where I can take care of your gunshot wound, you are losing a lot of blood Oliver," Diggle interjected.
"Thank you," Tommy gave Felicity a small smile as she handed him a bottle of water as both of them looked on while Diggle worked on the wound of Oliver.
"I still can't wrap it around my head. My best friend is the Vigilante…I mean the Arrow. Ollie said you prefer calling him the Arrow," Tommy chuckled.
"Yeah, it has a more positive spin on it. How are you Tommy?" Felicity asked him.
"I'm….I've been better. Today has been confusing, really confusing."
"I've had days like those," Felicity tried to lift Tommy's mood.
Tommy instead focused on looking at Oliver while conversing with Felicity, "so, how long have you known…about Ollie's hidden identity I mean."
Felicity was also looking at Oliver when she answered Tommy, "a little over a month."
"Is that the reason why he's been distant, with me at least, because of this Arrow thing," Tommy asked her.
"You'll have to talk to Oliver about that. But Tommy, you'll have to cut Oliver some slack. There are things, a lot of things, things that happened to him that he still isn't ready to talk about. You being there for him, it will help. Carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders is a lot of burden," Felicity finished.
Tommy turned to Felicity studying her for a few seconds, "I understand now, why Ollie wanted to keep you for himself, why you are important to him. You understand him, more so than anyone. You're good for him. I told him that by the way. Now I'm telling you the same thing. I know you were the one who convinced him to talk to me. For that I will forever be grateful to you."
"Tommy, you don't have to thank me. You have a very stubborn best friend, but he knew it was the right thing to do," Felicity told him back.
Digg approached Felicity, "I don't know if it's wise to go back to the Mansion tonight with his injury and all."
All of them looked back to where Oliver was lying down on top of a metallic table still asleep, "the way I see it, we let him continue to sleep it off here or we move him to my house where no one will bother us," she looked questioningly at Diggle.
Digg shrugged, looking around the lair, "I've just stabilized him, best that he not be moved until he wakes up naturally which I see is about right now," as they all saw Oliver open his eyes only to close it again blinded by the lights temporarily.
All three of them approached Oliver who finally turned to all of them, "so, I didn't die, again. Cool."
I know, I know. I changed up a few…okay okay, a lot of things. In this story, it was Malcolm who shot the Vigilante not Moira. And Oliver came clean with Tommy. Malcolm is as sneaky as ever.
Hope you like the Chapter, it's a long and winding one…next one concluding part 1 of this story (the Malcolm chronicles before I move forward)…will get inspiration from ArrowSeason3…just like everyone else!
Another shout-out! To all PinoyOlicityShippers...again, you know who you are. Friends at twitterverse who are Olicity Shippers are organizing a chapter in Asia, so please if you want to be part of this please follow any of the following for more info: (my twitter) lollipopsays or joisunny, DElenaBelle.
THANK YOU TO ALL...next chapter will be next Thursday!