author's note: chapter 2 of 4 of major upload... enjoy... I am trying to figure out polovore and may be creating a feed on there for this story... first time using it so not sure yet

Disclosure: I wish I could have owned arrow this year but I don't

"Thea?!" Oliver barged through the main door of Verdant. He glanced around the the open space. Finding it empty and not hearing a response, Oliver started to scan every dark corner and passageway. He was looking for signs that she was in distress. That's when he heard laughter coming from the back hallway of the club. Suddenly he saw as Thea walked in, walking backwards as she talked to someone else.

"Ollie! There you are finally. What took you so long?"

"I had to get a cab." Oliver relaxed as he saw who she was talking to. Barry Allen stood just behind her, still on his Flash suit but with the hood down around his neck. "What are you doing here?"

Barry laughed and stuck his hand out for Oliver to shake. "Well I heard the news about Palmer Tech and Ray. Then I heard that Felicity was back and I thought you would be here trying to figure out what happened to Ray. So I figured I would come help. Guess I should have called first. Seems like I missed out on something."

"A lot actually." Thea chuckled and Oliver just glared at her. "What? You guys forgot to mention that you were on first name, no mask standings with the Flash. He was lucky I didn't have my bow when I caught him downstairs. Are there any other super heroes I need to know about?"

"No Thea. No others. Barry and I have worked together a few times and he sometimes comes to Starling to train."

"Yeah he told me. He is crazy fast. He showed me what he can do on your salmon ladder thing. I don't get why Felicity likes to watch you on it so much. It was all a blur."

"That's because he does it without the super speed. Or a shirt." Barry laughed then tried to dodge the glare that Oliver sent him, one that would be in equal standings for some the Arrow had given in the past. "So Thea was filling me in on the happenings of Starling in the last few months. Oliver I didn't know how bad it was. Why did you not call? I would have come help."

"You had you own things going on. I did call when there was no way I could complete the mission without your help and you were there. I never got to thank you for that so thanks."

"Okay who are you and what have you done with the broody, moody Oliver Queen I know so well."

"Creepy huh? He has been like this for days. Since he finished Ra's, told Felicity he wanted her FINALLY, hung up his hood for a while and took a vacation that has no boat in it." Thea joked as they moved to the bar and she went to fix them something to drink. She grabbed 3 water bottles and sat 2 in front of the guys before opening hers.

"What? Really?" Barry's jaw was wide open as he stared at Oliver waiting for confirmation.

Oliver nodded his agreement to Thea's statement. "Yes Barry. Ra's is dead, I am taking a short break to figure out what the next step in my life is and Felicity and I are together. Although I don't know what Thea means by 'finally'."

"She means it is about time. We all knew you two loved each other and was supposed to be together. I was surprised when she said she didn't have a boyfriend when she came to Central City alone last fall. Then a few months later you guys show up and you tell me 'guys like us don't get the girl' and I guessed that you were staying away from her. Then she showed up with Ray and called him her boyfriend. I was confused and even asked her about it."

"What?"

"Yeah. I may have tried to ask her about it but said he was too tall for her. She thought I was jealous." Barry chuckled and shook his head at the memory.

"Were you?" Thea asked, curious of this new friend of both Oliver's and Felicity's. He had knowing about her brother's interest in the spunky IT specialist longer than she had?

"No way. I had other stuff going on. A lot. Plus I had a thing for another girl. Felicity and I knew that we weren't right for each other. The one kiss we had proved that."

"Kiss?!" Oliver shot straight up at the uttering of the short word.

Barry threw his hands up in defense and stated, "Before you get mad, it was one very short very innocent kiss when she came last fall. Iris had tried to set us up and when she was leaving, I ran onto her train and we were talking. She could tell that I was interested in someone and when I asked how she knew she told me because how I acted around them. That's when I asked her about you two. She laughed and said we were perfect for each other except that we were pining for people we couldn't have. I said I would help her no matter what and said goodbye then we kissed. Nothing more to it. We both knew the second it was over it was never in the cards. She was always yours."

"How long was this before you guys began to date, Ollie?"

"It was a couple weeks after it." Oliver stared deeply into the bartop.

"Date? You guys went on a date. Dude I didn't know. She just always said that things with you it was complicated when ever I asked. I had even asked her about when I was here before and saved your life. She always seemed to worry a lot about you. Everyone saw it, I'm surprised you didn't."

"I am learning my brother is very dense and oblivious to things when it comes to Felicity."

"Speedy!"

"What you told him you couldn't get the girl when you know all you had to do was be honest with her and yourself and you could have been this happy months ago!"

"Fine! You're right but I am getting better."

"Yes because she stopped letting you push her away and be broody. I still think she kicked your butt in Nanda Parbat. It's the only way to get your head out your butt most of the time." They all started to laugh as Oliver shook his head at the image in his head.

"Well I am glad you guys are happy. Are you back to put the hood on and help find Ray?"

"No not exactly. Felicity got a call from a lawyer at Palmer Tech yesterday asking her to come here to discuss the company."

"I thought she quit?"

"She did but turns out Ray signed over ownership of Palmer Tech to her days before so now that he is gone, she has to clean up the mess. She has a lot on her plate right now so I told her I would check in with the team to see what they had on Ray and the missing suit. She made me promise the only fighting I do is sparing for training."

"And you did?" Thea was shocked that he brother was really willing to walk away for her like he had. Oliver nodded and smile. "Wow. So last night went well?"

"It was great. It was exactly what she needed. What we needed. We talked over dinner and just was there for each other. We talked over what is going to happen with the company and the vacation and after."

"So what is the plan for Palmer Tech?" Barry asked, curious to see what it's future was.

"She had a couple things to nail down before we can tell anyone. How's about we all meet at Big Belly tonight for dinner and we can tell everyone together? Thea will you get in touch with Laurel and Nyssa to invite them?"

"Sure bro but feels kind of weird. I mean I am calling your ex and your wife to invite them to a dinner with you and your girlfriend."

"Wife?!"

"It was a ceremony in Nanda Parbat to play Ra's and make him believe I had become Al Sa-him. It has already been taken care of." Oliver growled to his sister.

"So you got an annulment almost as fast as Britney Spears did. Wow. The billionaire playboy strikes again. If only the gossip rags knew, maybe they would ease up on poor Felicity."

"We have a plan to hand that as well. Speaking of which." Oliver looked down at his phone and saw that it was already almost noon. "I have to go. Thea will you get the news to the team and also text what we have on Ray?"

"What's the hurry?"

"Having lunch with Felicity so got to go."

"Okay bro. Love ya. See you tonight. Let me know what time for dinner." Thea rounded the bar and hugged Oliver goodbye.

"Let's say around 6. We should be done by then."

"Sounds good."

"Will do." He turned to Barry and held out his hand again. "Thanks again for the help."

"Hey it's what friends and partners do. Tell Felicity hi for me as well. I've got to get back to Central City."

"Okay. Will you do me a favor?"

"Sure anything." Oliver pulled him away from the bar and watched his sister start the prep for tonight's club goers.

Once they were far enough away that she wouldn't overhear them, Oliver asked, "Could you keep an eye on Starling for the next few months? I know you have a lot going on in Central City but if they get bad off here and need help could you come if able."

"Of course, Oliver. I know she is your sister and you're going to be worried. It won't be a problem. Plus Cisco has some ideas for new arrowheads so I can get him in touch with her. I know he will love it. He loved helping out on your hood before. He could step up that Thea's now."

"Thanks Barry. For everything."

"No problem man now get out of here. Don't want to keep your girl waiting to long." With that, Barry waved goodbye the bolted out of the front door.

"Do you ever get used to that?" Thea asked as she walked up next to Oliver.

"No. Never. I just wonder if I will ever have a normal life again." Oliver laughed then leaned down and pecked Thea's cheek and left himself, smiling as he knew he was heading to see the person who get him as close to a normal life as he possible could get.