Bruce was conducting a search when the phone in his hotel suite rang. He picked it up. "Yes?" He growled.

"I'm sorry to disturb you Mr. Wayne, but you asked to be informed should a Felicity Smoak arrive?" The man at the front desk said. Bruce sat up. He hadn't expected to see her so soon. She'd been furious and he thought she would need more time to figure out how she felt. A hasty decision wouldn't be good...at least not for him.

He realized that he hadn't responded to the desk clerk. "Send her up." He said, hanging up. He hoped she wouldn't push him away. A few minutes later there was a knock on the door. He opened it and there she was. Her eyes were wide and she seemed nervous, but her expression hardened. "Felicity." He said. "Come in." He stepped aside. She walked in.

"I'm here because I need your help." She said, full of determination.

"Oh?" He asked.

"I was fired today." She said. Bruce felt a rush of guilt; this was his fault. "Moira and Isabel Rochev believe I'm a corporate spy and are suing. They've also alerted the IRS to the fact that I've falsely filed as single for the last 3 years which means they're going to investigate me." She paused. Bruce should have realized that this was a possible outcome. He stepped towards her.

"Felicity."

She held up a hand, moving away from him. "This is because of you. I don't have a job. My friend thinks I'm a liar and the government might be after me and I have no means of hiring a lawyer or..." She paused. "So, I'm here because...I literally have nowhere else to turn."

This wasn't what he had wanted. Of course he'd wanted her to leave QC, but of her own accord. He'd wanted her to choose him over Oliver. To choose to work with Batman over the Arrow. He hadn't wanted the decision to be forced on her.

"I can talk to Moira." He said. "She's not without reason. She went after you because of some family history associated with that necklace."

Felicity's eyes flickered away from him; she was hiding something.

"Of course, I could be mistaken." He said slowly. "Felicity, if I'm going to help you, you need to tell me everything."

She sighed, moving further into the room rubbing her forehead. "I found out something...something, that could cause a lot of trouble for Moira and...I guess she wanted me out of the way...and away from Oliver." She looked at Bruce. "I wanted her to tell him, but she threatened me instead. I was planning on telling him, but..." she shook her head,unwilling to tell him more.

"What was it?" He prompted.

She looked out the window, remaining silent; her shoulders tense.

"Felicity."

"It's not my secret to tell." She frowned. "At least I shouldn't tell you."

Bruce wanted to press, but knew it wouldn't get him anywhere. In addition, he wanted Felicity to trust him. Forcing her to tell him was an overreach. Whatever Moira was hiding, he could find on his own. "You're probably right." He said. "And if I know when I go talk to Moira it'll strengthen the idea that you've been passing information to me."

She huffed, but nodded, fidgeting slightly.

"Don't worry about the IRS." He said, moved so he was standing about a foot behind her. "I'll handle them." His voice grew lower and she shivered slightly. "You can't be held responsible for circumstances you weren't aware of."

"Thank you." She murmured, not looking at him. He hesitated, before reaching for her. "Don't." She pulled away, turning to look at her. "Just because you're helping me doesn't mean I've changed my mind. I want out."

"You haven't even given me a chance." Bruce said. She looked at him in disbelief.

"Why should I?" She said. There was hurt in her eyes as she looked up at him. "You had 3 years and you didn't think I was worth telling."

He'd hurt her more than he'd initially realized. It had never been his intention, he'd...he'd been trying to protect his identity as Batman and...eventually he'd been trying to protect her. It hadn't been because he hadn't thought her worthy; quite the opposite.

"That's not true." He said. "There are things in my life that are complicated-"

"Let me guess." She interrupted. "It has to do with you being Batman. Because of the life you lead, you need to distance yourself because it would be too dangerous to truly care about someone." She shook her head. "Why go through with it, then? Why stay married to me and when were you planning on telling me?"

Bruce was sure this was the first of many long explanations, but the fact that she was asking these questions gave him hope. He could might be able to make her hate him less if he was honest with her...or not. He motioned for her to take a seat. "I was in Vegas to stop a group of bank robbers. My time in the casino was meant to establish my cover..." He waited until she sat down before continuing. "It wasn't my intention to marry you...I didn't even want to go to the chapel, but...I guess the minister got confused and thought we were getting married. You weren't...you didn't say no and I..." He let out a laugh. There was no way to explain and not sound like a monster. "Talking to you was liberating. You had no idea who I was. You weren't after my name or money and...I got swept up in the moment."

Felicity put her hand to her throat where she was still wearing the necklace. "Then why give me this?" She murmured. He glanced down at it.

"I'm not exactly sure." He admitted. "But I don't regret it." It was true. As terrible as the results of his decisions were, that necklace had been instrumental in bringing him to her. Even in light of recent revelations...which reminded him. There were some questions he needed answers to. "Felicity." He hesitated. "Why do you work for the Arrow?"

She turned away from him and he knew that he'd have to tread carefully if he wanted to maintain any of the goodwill he might have garnered. "I don't think we've gotten to that point yet." She mumbled.

"He's a killer." Bruce growled. "Forgive me if I don't feel comfortable with the idea of someone knowing my identity being a murderer."

Felicity shrank back. "I'm not a murderer." She hissed. "Oliver...I refused to help him kill people and I'm not going to defend what he did. I..." She bit her lip. "I tried to get him to stop but it took the earthquake for him to listen." She shook her head, standing. "I don't know if I'm comfortable discussing this...or being alone with you for too long."

There was a knock on the door. Bruce frowned; he hadn't been expecting company. Glancing back at Felicity, he walked over to the door and glanced through the peep hole, letting out a sigh of exasperation as he saw who was on the other side. "I should have known." He muttered, opening the door. Alfred walked in, carrying a suitcase.

"Master Bruce, I sincerely hope you haven't caused to much damage between you and-" He stopped, having caught sight of Felicity. Felicity was standing, looking at him with wide eyes. "Ms. Smoak." He said, giving her a warm smile. "I'm overjoyed to finally meet you. Alfred Pennyworth, butler of Wayne Manor." He dropped the suitcase and held out his hand. Felicity shook it.

"It's good to meet you, Mr. Pennyworth, even if you seem to know way more about me than I do about you. Which is kind of creepy. Not that I think you're creepy, you seem like a nice guy. I've just-"

"I suppose Master Bruce has made a complete fool of himself and you've rightfully yelled at him for hiding from you for 3 years." Alfred asked. Felicity gave him a surprised smile. Bruce shook his head.

"Alfred." He warned. Alfred's expression was amused as he continued.

"Master Bruce, your wife doesn't even have a refreshment, I believe I raised you better." He walked over to the bar and gave Felicity a questioning look.

"I was actually just about to leave-" Felicity began.

"Nonsense. The last thing I need is another dinner with only Master Bruce's forehead wrinkles to accompany us." He looked at Felicity. "Would you please rescue me from my misery?"

Felicity glanced nervously at Bruce, unsure. "I don't know if that's a good idea." She murmured, "under the circumstances." She smiled at Alfred. "Maybe some other time."

Alfred nodded. "I understand." The look he gave Bruce told him he wanted him to convince her to stay, but Bruce couldn't do it; pushing Felicity to spend time with him was too much too soon. Bruce shook his head, turning to Felicity.

"I'll walk you out." He murmured. Felicity nodded, following him out the door. Pausing in the doorway, he looked down at her. "I'll talk to Moira and...I'll keep the IRS off your back."

"Thank you, Mr. Wayne." She said.

"Call me Bruce."

The request hung in the air between them as they looked at each other. She swallowed, shifting slightly, unsure how to say goodbye. He was content to look at her. She was beautiful.

"The offer for dinner." He continued. "Whenever you want to...all you need to do is tell me."

"I'll think about it, Mr..." She paused, regrouping. "Bruce." Turning, she opened the door and left.

"Well that was painful." Alfred remarked. "What's this about the IRS?"

Bruce shut the door and turned to frown at his butler. "Before I explain, I want to make it clear that you are not allowed to say you warned me."