A/N: Hey guys I'm back! Things are getting crazy in my life, I have to work everyday from now till next Tuesday so my updates might be random. I was planning on updating tomorrow morning (I am hoping I still have time) but they asked me to go to work a couple hours early so I'm not sure I'll be able to update but I will try my best because you are ALL so awesome! Thanks for it all honestly you all surprise me :)...
Anyway I hope you enjoy Chapter 11... though I will admit I struggle to write Laurel a little (and yes I do like Laurel, she's just a mix bag on the TV show made it hard for me to pinpoint) so any comments on her are welcome and anything else of course :) but yes let me know what you think :)
Oliver spent the whole weekend with Felicity. She did as asked and set up files for the decorators; including a list of where to buy the cheapest materials. They spent time in the lair making alterations to most of the security systems Oliver had put in place, as though they were effective, they could easily be hacked revealing his secret.
Oliver never mentioned the bridge matter after Felicity admitted it was her. He could tell she was debating to talk about it all weekend. But he didn't want to, not yet, because it meant she'd need more explanations; which right now he didn't want to divulge. So he kept her at arm's length with that information instead talking to her about the Hood activities. He told her all about Isabel Rochev and her involvement in bringing down his father but with no idea why. Then about various bad guys, including the kid he helped, anything but the time they actually first met.
A week later the club was complete. It had been a slow week for the Hood catching a few petty criminals, but not killing any to prove to Felicity it wasn't about that. Oliver spent some time with Thea and his mother, informing them of his club plans and inviting them to the grand opening on Saturday night. Both seemed happy and pleased, though Thea wasn't impressed when Oliver made it clear the staff had been informed to serve her no alcohol.
He and Tommy sent out all the exclusive invites for VIPs and left the rest to the public. It wasn't hard to promote. As most people wanted to see them fail, or at least make fools of themselves. But Felicity was there for both men, making sure all would go off without a hitch.
So Friday night. seeing as business as the Hood was slow, Oliver sent Diggle home early and took Felicity and Tommy out
"Where are we going? I need to know to dress appropriately... I can't exactly wear jeans and a T-shirt or a tight fitting dress for a good meal or if we go dancing..."
"Felicity I am taking you and Tommy for something to eat, it's really no big deal"
"Yeh but where? Is it an expensive one 'cause I don't wanna feel out of place..."
"Felicity you're with me and Tommy you won't be out of place..."
"But..."
"Smoaky wear a nice dress that will cover all sorts of occasions, and we are doing this discreetly. So there will be no press, no prying eyes, so no need to be nervous" Tommy cut them both off calmly
"Okay thanks. I told you, you should give me a time, so I knew when to be ready by! Rather than you both turning up here in suits" she said shaking her head going into her room closing the door behind her
"Seriously dude, I know she's your friend and all that, but she's still a bloody woman" Oliver raised an eyebrow "I mean in the sense of they need to know plans to dress accordingly. We just throw on suits and bam we're ready. But girls, even IT ones, like to look stunning" he smiled at his friend
"Fair point... I also forget we're the supposed playboys of this city and what that must be like for her" his smile faded
"Dude she knows we aren't like that, all the time" he winked "but seriously she knows what it's like with just us, you have to remember our private lives aren't always exactly private and she's getting pulled into that..."
"I know that's why I made it all discreet and backdoors, you know the drill" he smiled, and Tommy gave him a knowing look "I'll apologise" he got up off the sofa and gently tapped on Felicity's bedroom door
"Come in" she replied after some time
"I'm sorry I don't think about how different our lives are and..." He stepped in to see Felicity wearing a blue figure hugging dress the same colour as her eyes, her legs seemed longer than usual and he completely lost his train of thought
"It's okay... I was just freaking out for no reason" she saw his face, there was no smile just a blank look "guessing I chose the wrong dress?" Her expression fading slightly
"No" he said back with force, her eyes widening "you look amazing" his smile came wide now "and I am being serious"
"Thank you" she blushed turning away from him pulling her bobble out her hair, letting it cascade down her shoulders. She brushed it to make it look smarter, then she pulled off her glasses and used contacts instead
"I am sorry, but we're just going to a nice Italian restaurant. We'll have a private booth in the back away from prying eyes but if you wanna go dancing after that's okay with me" he smiled at her as she finished getting ready
"Oliver it's all good with me, as long as I have you and Tommy for company I'm good" she smiled applying the last bit of her makeup. She put on her silver heels to match her makeup and stood in front of him smiling
"Same to you Felicity" she walked out her bedroom and Oliver followed. Tommy wolf whistled
"Looks like Smoaks smoking!" She blushed
"Oh shut up you" she said tapping him slightly with her clutch
"Hey I ain't even joking am I Queen?" He smiled in his direction noticing the smile he had plastered on his face
"He really isn't Felicity, you look beautiful" she flushed even further now
"Well you 2 don't scrub up too bad yourselves" she winked
"Oh we know we don't" winked Tommy as he stood up placing an arm around her shoulder jokingly, she shrugged him off laughing making her way to the door.
They got into the restaurant via the back entrance no press and nobody stared. Yet Felicity couldn't help feeling out of place and uncomfortable especially when she noticed the prices. She couldn't help going quiet and fidgeting nervously. She was sat in the middle of both men in this booth when Oliver placed his hand on hers squeezing lightly
"Felicity I am paying, the prices don't matter. Relax. Seriously it's just me and Tommy, like when we were at his" she returned his warm smile nodding and somehow she felt herself relaxing under his touch. They ate and drank a lot more than they should have Felicity was a sucker for a good red wine and the guys clearly enjoyed themselves too. The conversation flowed naturally never struggling; they joked about their past antics and Felicity's time at QC. Once they had finished Tommy had a call and left the two on their own
"I want to show you something" he smiled taking Felicity back to the car he hired. A 10 minute drive later they pulled up outside Verdant "I wanted you to be the first to see it" his smile was drunken and soft. He hadn't drunk this much since way before the island, but tonight with good company, he let himself go. Oliver walked to the doors and made his way inside. He turned on the lights and the place looked exactly as Felicity had planned
"Beautiful" she smiled "now you have a business and a great cover for your other work"
"Thank you..." He chuckled softly, then he stuck out his hand "care for this dance?"
"There is no music Mr Queen?"
"We don't need music Miss Smoak" he gave her a cheeky grin. She placed her hand in his and he twirled her, pulling her in close, swaying gently from side to side doing little circles and twirls until his forehead rested on hers. They looked into each other's blue eyes getting lost in them they could feel each other's breathes. Then something in Felicity clicked, this was her bosses son, who was the Hood, who was damaged and needed help. Not like this, he clearly loved Laurel. She took a step back still smiling and she saw his smile fade for awhile then a slight one return "We best get you home" he said slowly exiting the building turning off the lights and locking up. They drove in silence all the way to Felicity's flat, and then she turned to him as the car pulled up
"Thank you for a great evening Oliver... You and Tommy of course I mean obviously you paid but the company of you both and..." He could see her mentally counting down before she smiled looking up at him and gave him a peck on the cheek before getting out
"Goodnight Felicity" he said rolling down the window watching her walk inside
"Goodnight Oliver" she said glancing back to see a wide grin on his face. Both were a little tipsy, and yet both knew the other wouldn't mention all of this evening, because the drink must have got the better of them.
Verdants opening night went off without a hitch, everyone invited turned up including Tommy's father who even though skeptical praised him. However Robert was nowhere to be seen working at QC as usual. Tommy and Oliver spent the whole night running the club, entertaining the guests and keeping the staff and punters happy. Thea did not drink and she didn't even try to. Moira stayed for a little while till the music was too much and she returned home. Laurel and her work friends turned up dancing and drinking. Finally when the night was coming to an end Felicity turned up
"Seems like someone is a good manager Mr Merlyn" she joked having had found Tommy first
"Well Miss Smoak finally nice of you to join us" he teased back
"Hey some people get dragged into work you know"
"At weekends? Should be a crime… except here" he winked
"You truly seem to be in your element Tommy"
"I am glad you think so Felicity, and I must say none of this would be possible without you" she blushed
"Where is he then? We both know he'll moan if he doesn't see me here" he let out a loud chuckle
"He's in the VIP box, you know schmoozing the important people" she laughed rolling her eyes heading over to the staircase up to the VIP balcony. She didn't even say her name and the bouncer let her in; she walked upstairs to find a very drunk Laurel hugging Oliver
"Crap" she said softly. She had the worst timing in the world
"YOU!" Laurel exclaimed pointing towards Felicity. Then she flew at her, rapping her arms around her in a tight hug. Felicity stood there unsure what to do looking at Oliver for guidance, who gave her a sympathetic look and shrugged
"Yes Laurel?"
"I have never seen him or Tommy for that matter, compliment a girl… for her mind" Felicity stood there unsure what to say "it's not a bad thing, oh no it's good because it means they're finally growing up…" she leant in and whispered "finally ready to maybe stop messing around and commit to one girl… completely" Felicity could feel her pain in every word and in an instance she hugged her back "I want us to be friends"
"I want that too Laurel" Felicity smiled warmly. Then someone on the dance floor called Laurel and she let go sauntering off down the stairs
"I am so sorry, she is very drunk. I should get her home but obviously I can't leave this place"
"Oliver" he looked at her blue eyes "It's okay, she's drunk and not everything is your responsibility" he smiled at her
"You're wearing work attire?"
"Yes I got called in, your dad. He asked me to analyse some data from a prospective company to help make him look better… But that doesn't matter, that's work stuff that is not related to you… well clearly you're related but you don't work there… I promise I'll stop" Oliver smiled at her even more
"Hey it's okay… you should have gone home slept. You look tired"
"No because this is your first night, and with the buzz online… yes I have been checking at work… it looks like you are a hit" she smiles softly
"Thank you for coming Felicity" he put his hand on her shoulder giving it a quick squeeze then letting go "and my father's company, I'm guessing Miss Rochev is really taking its toll?"
"My pleasure and yes she seems to be getting a lot of investors on her side. That girls got a lot of thumbs in a lot of pies… your dad needs someone she can't touch" Oliver stood there thinking
"I might have an idea but… I don't think my dad will trust me with his business"
"Hey! Oliver Queen just proved he is serious so all you can do is try" she grinned at him "but I am going to go sorry, I am just too tired"
"Thank you and go! Sleep. It's been a long day for you. Goodnight Felicity"
"Goodnight Oliver" she said walking off. Oliver watched her leave the club as the dwindling crowds started to be let out as well. When the place was empty and the staff all left, Tommy and Oliver hugged
"We did it!" Tommy grinned
"Yes and now we have to keep doing it" Oliver smirked back
"Want me to lock up?"
"No you go home, get some rest and I'll lock up. I'll put the money in the safe so goodnight"
"Night queen" Tommy said exiting the bar. Oliver locked himself in not wanting anyone to sneak in whilst he was sorting the money. He went to the office door, down a corridor round the back, punching in his code then stepped inside turning the lights on. He went over to the safe that Felicity had recommended, one of the hardest to crack, and placed the money inside
"I think we should do more talking..." Oliver spun round quickly, closing the safe as he did
"Laurel..." She was stood in the doorway a look in her eyes that he knew all too well
"Ollie" she said slowly enticingly. She walked gradually towards him swaying her hips, in a second she grabbed him kissing him hard. Oliver didn't even react; he just let it happen. When he felt her hands move to his belt, he grabbed her wrists with a little strength, enough to stop but not hurt her, then he pulled away
"Laurel you're drunk..."
"Yes I am, and it's never stopped you before" she said bitterly. Oliver felt those words like knives to his chest. He knew how awful he was back then but hearing it now from his first love was hard
"Yes I was a jackass back then, we have established this, but I'm not that anymore... So come on let's get you home"
"Oh trying to get me into my own bed now how noble of you" she said pulling away from him
"No Laurel you need to sleep this off" he grabbed her by the arm tightly enough to be able to control her. He locked up and turned off all the lights.
He drove Laurel home and took her to the door. She again jumped on him as soon as they entered her home, he pulled back immediately this time
"Laurel! You are drunk and I am sober, you will regret this in the morning..."
"No I won't! I never regretted it back then, when we got drunk and slept together, making up after every time we broke up!"
"This isn't like those times... I'm not drunk Laurel..."
"Oh so because you're sober you don't really want me!"
"I never said that. You aren't sober Laurel is this really what you want? Or is it just because I've come back its opened up old wounds? Because Laurel this isn't a break up that can be fixed. I was gone for 3 years..."
"Don't you think I know that Ollie. I spent a year wondering what happened to you, then a year after that believing you might be dead and grieving then finding out about you and Sara... And now you just pop back up"
"Okay. I don't know what to say Laurel; I can't change what happened no matter how much I wish I could. I'm sorry but I know that doesn't matter right now. I am not sleeping with you because in the morning, when you are sober, you will regret it and I don't want to be responsible for more of that. So night" and with that Oliver walked out her flat with a sigh of relief heading home for the night.