Author's Note (just me opening my heart about the show, so you can just skip it): Okay, so I have to open my heart and say I'm really glad Felicity and Ray are getting along so well and that he kissed her. I really ship them. I've heard a lot of people criticize Felicity's choice but really, in three season she watched Oliver screwed a psycho who bounded and gagged Felicity (Helena), a cop who was trying to catch him (McKenna), an assassin (Sarah), not to mention the psycho who turned out to be a vilain and was quite mean to Felicity (Isobel), while Felicity had no romance in her life and just pinned for him while she watched him hop into bed with pretty much any female character he was not related to. And I'm very mad that Diggle went to Felicity to tell her her "relationship" with Ray was messing with Oliver's mind when they didn't even had anything going on at the time. I don't remember him talking to Oliver about how Felicity felt when he was screwing any of his past lovers or when he just decided to screw Sarah in the middle of the lair and started dating her just after Felicity told him who Thea's father really was. And she got shot trying to prove herself - that's how messed up she was over the whole thing. And finally, I've heard people criticize Felicity for accepting working for Ray, but really, what should she do? Keep working at Tech Village? Besides, while "hero" Oliver hired Felicity as his EA, underapreciated and snapped at her, Ray hired her as vice-president, said on television she was more intelligent and dedicated than him and gave her an assistent. Ray really values Felicity while Oliver, when he was in the same position, didn't value her or showed his appreciation for evething she did for him. And still, there are people who think she shouldn't start a relationship with Ray and wait for Oliver... to do what? Start a relationship with a new psycho. He made his choice to not have a relationship with Felicity and considering the last two season I really doubt he will stay celibate for long. He says he can't be with her, so he expects her not to be with anyone else? All I know is that Ray treats her much better than Oliver and that he is a good guy. I really ship Raylicity and I hope they start dating soon because she really deserves to be happy. And I would love to write Raylicity fics, specially cause I haven't found any to read so far but for some reason I just can't write Ray the right way.
Chap 10
At ten thirty Felicity sighed and decided to call it a night. For the last few hours she had been following the money trail that Slade had left for the first two years after he left the island and there was still another year to go, which would probably take her another day. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, she was just too tired and anxious about keep going. She looked at the screen to her right and smiled as she watched Bruce having a drink at bar. As promised he had arrived at ten and since then she had kept an eye on him through the security cameras in the club. She watched as a handful of women approached him and shamelessly flirted with him, trying to touch his arm or chest and getting too close to Felicity's taste, obviously having recognized him. But she had to smile a little as she saw Bruce take a step back each time and quickly dismiss every single one of them. His posture showed he had no intention to socialize with anyone as he kept to himself, focusing on his drink that he had yet to finish.
Felicity stood up and took the red dress she left in the lair in case she had to go undercover in a mission, like the underground casino last year. There was no one else in the lair and she had made a lot of progress that night so she felt okay turning off her computers early to go spend some quality time with her boyfriend. She quickly dressed up and put on some make up before climbing the stairs to the club.
She knew she would probably meet at least one of the guys before the night was over. Roy was working in the club and Diggle was helping since a bouncer had called saying he would be late for work, Oliver and Sarah had been patroling the city for the last hour and a half.
Felicity walked to Bruce, who was turned away from her, and mock imitated the women who hit on him so far, putting her hand on his arm and saying in a sweet voice, "Hey there, handsome. Are you alone? Maybe you can buy me a drink..."
Bruce turned around, obviously ready to turn down the woman, when he saw Felicity trying not to laugh.
He put an arm around her waist and pulled her closer to him, "Let me guess... security cameras?"
She nodded with a smile. "I would have come rescue early but it was quite funny to watch you trying to get away from those women. I have to warn you, though, I think your are tainting your playboy image."
He closed the distance between them and kissed her for longer than it was considered normal public display. "Well, I am a commited man now. It's time people know I'm not in the market anymore."
She chuckled and her happiness showed in her eyes.
"So, what do you want to do? Have a drink? Dance?"
"A glass of champagne, please. And we can go to the VIP lounge. I don't feel like standing for the rest of the night."
Bruce ordered two glasses of champagne and Felicity walked him to the VIP lounge to which she had free access as well as any guests she took.
They sat at a small high table with a couple of booths so there was less chance of them being interrupted.
"So, this is where you spend your nights?" he asked as he sipped his champagne.
"Actually, this is not really my scene. I spend my nights downstairs and usually come up here just during the day."
"Not a party girl then?"
"Did you think I was a party girl?" she asked in surprise.
He chuckled, "Not really but you never know."
"A night well spent to me usually involves my couch, a series marathon or a book and pizza, ice cream or wine... or all of them together," she paused. "Sorry to disappoint."
He smiled at her with adoration, "I'm not disappointed. It's refreshing, really."
"What about you? What do you consider a night well spent?"
He leaned closer to her and started playing with a lose strand of her hair. "A night spent in your bed seems like a night very well spent to me."
She blushed furiosly and bit her lip.
"But spending time on your couch sounds fun too... even if it's reading and watching TV."
She rolled her eyes at him, "So you're not the party animal that everyone believes you to be?"
He shrugged, "Being a millionaire playboy you have an image to uphold. Most times I would rather stay home than go out." He stroke her cheek before continuing, "But now that I have a girlfriend it's acceptale that my party days are over. Though I'll still have to attend business functions and charity balls."
"I don't mind going to those," she said before she could think. At his expression she quickly added, "Not that I have to go. I mean, you didn't invite me to be your plus one and I don't want to assume anything. It's probably not a good idea anyway. I would embarrass you in front of everyone, like I've just embarrassed myself in front of you, it'd be tragic."
He laughed and shook his head, "You're always welcome to accompany me to any event I'm invited to. I'm not hiding our relationship and I don't want you to feel like you stay in the shadows; I want you by my side."
"Bruce..." she started but was cutt off by a voice approaching them.
"So, this is wehere you are hiding," Roy said as he got closer. "And you look hot, Blondie."
Felicity stood up and Bruce did the same, "I've already told you not to call me Blondie."
"But it suits you so well..." he said in an innocent tone before turning to Bruce and sizing him up. He looked at Felicity again and raised an eyebrown.
"Uhm... right... Bruce this is my friend Roy, Roy this is my boyfriend Bruce."
Roy looked surprised but after a moment he smiled, "Boyfriend, huh?"
Bruce shook Roy's hand, "Yes, boyfriend. Do you want to join us?"
Roy grabbed a booth that was next to them and sat down next to Felicity, "I have to warn you, you better take care of Felicity. If you break her heart, I'll break your face - and I don't care what you last name is."
Felicity slapped Roy behind the head before turning to Bruce, "Don't mind him. He's like my little brother."
"Protective little brother," Roy corrected and she glared at him.
"I can assure you I have no intention of hurting Felicity. But it's good to know she has more people looking out for her."
The silence that fell soon became uncomfortable to Felicity and she turned to Roy, "Where is Diggle anyway?"
"We were looking for you. The bartender said you were at the bar all dressed up and since you never come up here we wanted to check if you were okay. I'll text him and let him know we are here."
Roy got another booth for Diggle and a minute later Diggle reached their table and looked at each person at the table for a moment, staring at Felicity last.
"Well, Bruce, this is my friend Diggle, and Diggle this is-"
Before Felicity could finish the sentence Roy cut her off with a grin, "Her boyfriend."
Diggle frowned, staring hard at Bruce. "Boyfriend? That was fast," he said and it was obvious he was suspicious of Bruce.
Bruce put an arm around Felicity, pulling her even closer, and answered, "Well, when you know you know," he said and then turned to Feicity. "Life is short. I don't want to waste time alone when I could be with someone I really care about."
Bruce kissed her hair and she smiled at him, putting her hand over his where it lay on her waist.
Roy and Diggle watched the couple carefully, trying to find any indication that Bruce wasn't the real thing and was just playing with Felicity but could find none.
Felicity sighed and turned to her friends, "Guys, we are happy. I know you are worried but I am happy. Can't you just be good friends and be happy for me?"
Both men looked apologetic at her and Diggle spoke for both of them, "You're right. We're sorry. We're just a little overprotective of you because we care."
"I know and I appreciate it. But you have to trust me on this one."
Diggle nodded, "As you said, if you're happy then we're happy."
Bruce smiled at the men and jokingly asked, "Any other friend I should be worried about disapproving our relationship?"
Diggle and Roy answered at the same time, "Oliver."
Felicity rest her hand on Bruce's leg to get his attention, "But you're not meeting him tonight, so let's go dance and have some fun before the night is over," she told him, pulling him along with her to the dance floor.
Less than an hour later Felicity and Bruce arrived at her apartment taking each other's clothes off so desperately it was almost clumsy. She laughed between kisses, feeling like a teenager all over again.
If anyone had told her a week before that she would be incredibly happy in a relationship with someone other than Oliver she would have never believed them but that is what had happened.
They stumbled their way into her room and Bruce pulled her hair free as he kissed his way down her body and she had never felt so adored. He was so loving with her, worshiping her body as if it would be their last time together. Having him over her, inside her, all around her... it felt so intense and breathtaking she could barely believe it was real. And all she wanted to do was make him feel the same way.
After hours learning each other's body and what the other enjoyed they were finally too exhausted to move. They quietly held each other for a long time, just listening each other's heartbeat and watching their chests rise and fall.
The sun was barely rising when Felicity sighed and turned, laying half on top of his back as they both laid on their bellies facing each other, "That was... wow..."
He chuckled, holding her hand and playing with her fingers, "I'm glad you agree."
"And the whole working out thing... it really pays off. Keep it up."
He laughed loudly and kissed her hand, "Good to know you appreciate all my hard work."
She nodded, "Your body gives the song Your body is a Wonderland a whole new meaning," she commented.
"You do know we had sex before, right?" he asked grinning.
"It isn't the same thing. At your hotel I was too nervous and distracted to really pay attention to how hot you are. Now I had an entire night to pay attention to it."
"Well, I paid attention to your body the first time around and I enjoyed very much every part of you."
She looked at him blushing and rolled her eyes, resting her hand on his shoulderblade. She looked where her hand laid and her smile turned sad.
He looked at her worried, "What is it? What are you thinking?"
She shook her head and bit her lip. "You have a lot of scars," she stated as she looked down at his back and arms.
"Yeah," he also looked at his arms, self-consciously. "Do they bother you?" he asked hesitantly.
This might be a deal breaker for her. He knew he looked good in a suit and that his work out routine kept him fit and with a six-pack but his night job often gave him reminders that he was mortal in the form of scars. He knew Felicity obviously appreciated how fit he was but without any clothes on to hide his scars and bruises things were very different and for the first time she was actually noticing them. Not only that but he was pretty certain there would still be quite a few scars and bruises to come in the future.
She shook her head still looking at his scars, "No. It's just... they must have hurt. Each scar was an injure once and they must have hurt as hell to look like this now." She then looks up at him, meeting his eyes, "I'm sorry you've been hurt."
The sincerity and care he found both in her voice and her eyes took his breath away. He leaned closer and brushed his lips against hers in a soft kiss. "I'm glad you are here. I'm glad I have you now."
She kissed him back and ran her fingers through his hair, "You know, if you have me then it's only fair that I have you too," she joked.
He grinned and told her as if it was the most obvious thing in the world, "Maybe you don't know that but you already do."
A/N: I'm sorry it took me so long to update. Thank you everyone who reads and reviews this story. And please review! I love reading what you think about this story.