Author's note: Hey so here is the next chapter of this story... my muse is stuck on this story and is tempting me with a Bratva story that has been bouncing around in my head for two weeks now so I hope that if I just write a little of it she will let me work on this story again! Fingers crossed!

As always much love and thanks to all my readers... I love reading your reviews and enjoy when I get to meet a new reader... got one in the last few weeks... so keep them coming

Thanks again for all the support warehouseluver13. You are a gem!

Disclosure: I own nothing of Arrow but loved the finale! On to season 5!

They were sitting in the breakfast nook in the kitchen, sipping the last of their coffees, as Felicity finished her pastry. She moaned one final time as she placed the final bite in her mouth and tasted the raspberry and cream filling melt across her tongue. When she finished chewing, she glanced at Oliver only to find him smile brightly at her. She blushed lightly, forgetting that she was not alone as she enjoyed the sweet treat. She sipped down a bit more of her coffee, savoring the flood of energy she felt wash through her as its caramel goodness flowed into her body.

Oliver sat across from her and studied the blonde, taking in every small detail and storing it away to further dissect. He was just amazed that her interest in computers had somehow brought her into his life. Had she chosen another profession there was no telling if he would have ever met her. He then realized he didn't know one very important detail about her. "You know I never asked but why computers?"

"What?"

"Why computers? You seem to be able to do just about anything you put your mind to so what pulled you to computers?"

"Oh!" Felicity smiled warmly as wiped her lips clear of the final crumbs from her pastry and placed the napkin back into her lap. "Well I always loved computers. I guess that leads back to my dad."

"I'm sorry Felicity. You don't have to tell me. Just forget I asked." Oliver lowered his gaze, ashamed he was drawing up painful memories that had only re-emerged that morning in a torturous way.

Felicity shook her head and smiled at him. "It's fine Oliver. I'm okay. My dad was a computer genius. He could do all kinds of things on them. When I was a kid, I thought of it like magic. He was always trying to show me how to use them and build them. After he left, Mom was so busy working that I was alone a lot. Sure I had babysitters but no one my age to play with. So I started working on the computers; learning all I could about them. I built my first one when I was 7 and from then on it was a love affair for me. As I grew up, I was so much smarter than the other kids in school that I actually skipped a few grades. Being a 16 year old Senior in high school is not easy and making friends was not something that happened with me. Kids saw me as a freak or a loner so I stuck to my computers. They never were rude, said mean things about me or acted like I didn't exist. It was okay with me that way. Mom hated it. She always wanted me to be 'normal' as she called it. She tried to get me to dress and shop like a normal girl and worry about boys and all but I never saw the appeal. She never accepted me for who I really was. Never saw the real me. When I got accepted into MIT, she acted like me leaving was like I was abandoning her and maybe in a way it was. But by that time, she was either at work or guy hunting so I never saw her either. I left for Cambridge and my first Fall break, I went home only to spend most of the week yelling and fighting with her. When the winter break come up I decided to stay there and get a part time job at a local coffee shop. And that was how I spent that rest of my breaks through college. During the Spring of my freshman year, I met my college boyfriend Cooper."

"The thief?" Oliver asked as he showed that he was not only listening but recalling past conversations.

"Yep. He was apart of this…. group. Hacktivists. We thought we could save the world by hacking into organizations and systems and shining light on corruption and illegal activities. I created a program that they called my super virus that could penetrate any firewall and system in the world. Once inside we planned to copy the files and release them on the net for everyone to see. Well Cooper used it to wipe out a bunch of student loans and the FBI traced it back to him. They arrested him and because I was in love, or I thought I was, I was willing to turn myself in and tell them that I created the program. I was willing to wait for Cooper. But he didn't want that. He killed himself in prison before his trial started. Before I could turn myself in. After that I changed. I left the group and decided that I would use my skills to improve lives. Save them. I saw that QC was beginning to look into green technologies as well as technological advances in the medical and lifestyle fields that could enhance a person's life so I decided to call it home."

"Well I am sorry you went through all that but if changing one thing meant I wouldn't meet you than I wouldn't wish to change a thing. Meeting you, getting to know you, has been the best thing to happen in my life for a very long time." Oliver smiled as he picked up his empty coffee mug and stood the take it to the sink. He nodded down at her empty mug and she handed it to him, watching him in amazement at how relaxed and open he seemed to be around her now.

"Well I do believe my sister is waiting for us to watch a movie with her." Oliver smiled at her as he held the kitchen door open for her. Felicity stood and crossed through the kitchen, passing him and felt something inside her lock into place. Like this was always meant to be apart of her life.

/OQ\

/OQ\

/OQ\

"So we have a good selection to choose from. My sister prides herself on being a big movie and TV buff. She really likes staying on top of all things popular in the world today." Oliver teased as they entered the TV room. The room itself was large with a vaulted ceiling and wood paneling on the walls, a trait that was shared with the other rooms in the house. In the middle of the room they found a large entertainment stand with a huge TV resting on it as well as shelves on either side of the TV filled with dvd cases.

Felicity gazed over the room in awe. "Wow! This is a serious TV room." She walked around the room and towards the shelves to sift through the collection of disks she had found.

"Yeah but I never spend much time in here. I get a few hours once a week to spend with Thea and I try to get her out of the house and active. Every once in awhile we do movie marathons in here and it's great."

"And today is no exception." Thea chimed in as she entered the room, dressed in hot pink leggings and a black sweater with an enlarged neck hole so that the sweater seemed to fall off one shoulder. The sweater had a print design on it of a large set of metallic looking lips on the front. She was carrying a basket full of nail supplies as well as some hair ties and her hair brush. "Now I get to choose the first movie!"

"Speedy, we have a guest. Don't you think it would be nice to let her choose?" Oliver scolded his little sister for her rudeness.

"Oliver, it's fine. I only really watch sci-fi movies and shows so I'm not sure you guys would like it." Felicity brushed off his offer after seeing very few sci-fi titles amongst the collection in the room.

"Well he does like his comic book movies. Seems like the only thing I can get him to watch without complaints." Thea laughed.

Oliver glared after her as he watched her take her place on one of the sofas in the room. She sat all the way on one side, leaving the rest of the couch available for him and Felicity. "Hey! I'm taking you to see that wolf and vampire movie you want to see in a few weeks."

"Only because I begged you unmercifully for days after I finished the books. Twilight is going to be awesome and you will thank me for making you see it later." Thea noted as she sorted through the basket to get out all she needed for Oliver to do her nails.

Oliver just rolled his eyes as Felicity attempted to suppress her giggle at the thought of Oliver Queen in a movie theater with a bunch of teens watching a teen drama like Twilight. "I take it you haven't read the books?"

"No time to. Is it really going to be bad?" Oliver asked as Felicity made her way to the sofa, sitting against the other armrest and saving the spot in the middle for him.

"It will be an experience is all I am going to say." Felicity giggled sweetly under her breath as she tried not to undo all Thea's hard work.

Oliver plopped down in the middle of the couch feeling like he was being taken for a ride with this deal but knowing Thea would be happy afterwards made him not care. He would sit through any teen drama if it meant bringing a smile to his little sister's face. "So what are we watching?"

"P.S. I love you."

"Again Speedy? Haven't you seen it like 13 times? I swear you watch that almost as much as you watch The Notebook. And you always cry at the end of both of them. Why watch it again if you know how it will end?"

"You keep watching those Die Hard films over and over and they never change."

"Yes but they don't make me want to blow my head up because of the overly sappy dialogue and over dramatic make out scenes. I mean, who really would spend minutes in the rain in the middle of a huge storm yelling at each other only to be making out the next second? Seriously?" Oliver huffed as Thea handed him a bottle of nail polish and glared at him.

Felicity chuckled softly next to him. When the two siblings turned to glance at her she laughed a bit louder. "Well then it seems that you have no idea how to sweep a girl off her feet. Guess romance is dead in terms of you."

Oliver puffed up annoyed by the accusations she was throwing his way. "I will have you know I know perfectly well how to romance a woman if I want to."

"Like sending flowers to her work that say 'Wanna repeat?'" Thea laughed as she rolled her eyes and started the movie. Oliver and Felicity both stared at her stunned that she commented on their almost second date so easily. "What?! That was definitely not your finest moment Ollie."

Oliver wanted to challenge her but he stopped himself. He knew she was right but he just ignored it and went about his task of painting Thea's nails while they sat back and enjoyed the film. Halfway through, Thea sat down on the floor in front of him so that he could brush her hair and braid it for her. Oliver offered to braid Felicity's as well so the girls traded spots and he took a bit more time brushing through Felicity's blonde locks, enjoying the sensation of her hair between his fingers. At one point she had become so relaxed that she actually pressed her cheek to the inside of his knee and rested her head against his leg. A warmth filled him at the sight and touch as well as a sense of rightness bloomed inside him.

/OQ\

/OQ\

/OQ\

"So tell me Felicity, how are you liking working at QC? Oliver told us that you are in the IT department and have only been at the company a few weeks." Moira asked as she paused from eating her salad.

Felicity finished chewing quickly and swallowed before answering, feeling the eyes of the room on her. "Yes. I graduated MIT this past summer, finishing up my Master's degree just a few months ago. I was offered the position at QC just a week later. That was how Oliver and I actually met. I was running late for my interview and he was kind enough to show me where to go. Nearly caused a security guard to hunt me down before he stopped me and straightened me out."

"I thought you met her while studying?" Thea asked confused a bit.

"Well technically I met her at QC before her interview. It was about 3 weeks later that she found me studying under a tree near QC. I was getting frustrated and she was on her lunch break. She ended up sharing her lunch with me and helping me out. When I passed my test, I had to tell her and thank her for all she did for me so I invited her out for drinks and dinner."

"And that's where I met Tommy."

"Who you called gay." Thea added laughing a bit at it as well. When Felicity blushed, Thea waved her hand. "Don't worry it is not the first time and definitely won't be the last time he is called gay by a woman. Tommy tends to be too… metrosexual for his own good. Too worried about fashion and his looks so girls question him a lot. You're just the first to do it straight to his face while he was hitting on you."

"Thea!" Oliver and Moira scorn her at the same time as Felicity's blush deepens. She studies the table top and her plate, trying to avoid any eyes that may still be on her.

"Anyway, as I was asking, what do you think of QC?" Moira asking wanting to see what the young blonde felt about her family's company and her late husband's legacy.

Felicity glanced up at Oliver for a second before answering. "To be honest, I have been so busy with work that I really haven't had a chance to meet many people outside the team I am working with. Oliver's team that is. Well for this project. Not that he couldn't be leading other teams or projects along with ours or that I am special just because I am on his team."

Oliver smiled softly at her babble, knowing that she was still quite nervous around his mother. He could see the stern gaze his mother had pointed at the young blonde beside him and knew that she was sizing up the young woman. A trait he hated in his mother. She would never accept anyone below their social status to be associated with her children. "Felicity is helping revitalize the security and server systems at QC for Walter. He wants the data on our servers and computers to be safe and sound in the future. Felicity has implemented several great programs to do not only that but make our systems more efficient as well. Like creating a networked communications system between several different departments as well as the Board so that while one group is working on a project others can see any advancements or changes a lot faster than we do now. As soon as one department updates the database, everyone involved can see the update. This will reduce the need for weekly meetings with reps from each department for updates as well as cut down on email and paperwork transfers. And it is very easy to use. Walter will be showing it to the Board Monday actually. He is very proud of all her hard work." Oliver gushed causing Felicity to blush in astonishment. She had no idea he had focused so much on her babbles about their new programming.

Moira stared at her son then back at the small blonde before glancing down at her plate, gathering food for her next bite. "I'm sure he is excited about such an outstanding program but I think there were others involved in its creation, Oliver. I don't think Felicity was the only mind behind that idea." Oliver could feel the disdain his mother had for the blonde in her every word. He bristled up to defend Felicity and her hard work but Felicity caught on and shook her head, silently asking him to leave it be. She knew exactly what his mother thought of her. She saw her as a corporate-ladder climbing, gold digging, nobody. Felicity knew that this would be a possibility, if not from his mom then his sister or both. She didn't want to start any kind of fight or drama in the house. She knew how much his family meant to him and she refused to get between him and them.

The conversation died down for a bit, each finishing their meal in a thoughtful silence, until Thea giggled and looked at Oliver. "So not only have you turned my brother into a good and studious guy - something I thought I would never see in my lifetime - but he is actually also concerned with QC and focusing on his work and responsibilities there. To the point that he can actually describe the latest program in the works there. Wow! How did you do it? Brainwashing? Alien abduction? Blackmail? That's it! You have some really bad dirt on him that no one knows and he doesn't want getting out like he really like sappy chick flicks or something."

Felicity laughed at the accusations while Oliver snapped his eyes at his sister and fixed her with a look that felt like he was trying to damage her with his eyes. Now that is a look that could kill. Felicity thought as she brought her laughter under control. "No Thea. Nothing like that. I think Oliver really wants to be successful at school as well at QC. He wants to earn his place and achievements in both areas of his life. Something can be said about that. Everyone struggles but he won't let that stop him. He is driven. Determined. Really! To move past his past and image and truly be seen for who he is and always has been." As Felicity spoke, her lips curved into a tender smile that just barely tugged the corners of her lips up but set a shimmer in her eyes off. Oliver felt his heart leap forward as if it was trying to jump out of his chest and into Felicity's hands. Her words struck him and caused a gentle smile to fall upon his lips as well. He stared at her, amazed that she was even apart of his life.

"Well I do believe that it is getting rather late. Oliver, you need to get back to studying for your midterms, don't you?" Moira tried to pull the two young adults back to reality and place some distance between them. She knew her son was smitten but now that she had seen them together, she knew just how far he had fallen. Moira felt like this young woman would undo all the good she had done the last year and half with Oliver as well as QC. A scandal like this was not what the company needed. Robert had his own flirtations but always returned to her in the end. She hoped that this was just that, a flirtation, and that Oliver would be righted back on course once it ran it's course. But now seeing them together, Moira knew it was more than just that for at least Oliver and possibly Felicity as well.

Moira stood from the table followed shortly by Felicity and Thea. Oliver was the last to stand, not wanting to day to be over. He always felt like he couldn't spend enough time with Felicity. "You're right, Mrs. Queen. I have a busy day tomorrow making sure the program is ready to present to the Board. Plus I have other duties at QC to do as well as things around my house."

"Of course, dear. It was a pleasure to meet you. I hope everything goes well for you and Walter." Moira smiled but Oliver could tell it was not genuine. Something had changed in her over the course of dinner and now she was brushing Felicity off as if she didn't matter at all. Moira moved around the table, kissing Thea on the cheek and saying goodnight to her before stepping to Oliver. "I think I will head to the study to do a bit more work before bed. Goodnight son."

"Goodnight Mom." Oliver answered, his tone not harsh but also not as tender as it had been earlier either. He knew they needed to discuss what had changed over dinner and how she was treating Felicity but that was a conversation he would hold in private. They watched the matriarch leave the room and move down the hall towards the study.

"Well not sure what crawled up her and died but whatever." Thea huffed as she turned towards Felicity and Oliver. "Oliie, I'm off to do my own homework. You can be better than me at everything." Thea reached up and hugged her brother then upon releasing him turned and embraced Felicity as well. "Felicity, it was great meeting you today and I will be looking forward to hanging out again. We should go shopping one day. Just us girls. I could give you all the dirt I have on Ollie and Tommy so if they start to act up you can put them in their places."

"Speedy!" Oliver growled, annoyed, while rolling his eyes.

Felicity let a soft giggle escape at the offer. "Sounds like a plan Thea. It was great meeting you too. Thank you for being so welcoming today."

"My pleasure." Thea answered sweetly. She knew her brother was taken by the woman before her but seeing him today, it was like the old Ollie was back. Not the playboy one or the college dropout. But the one that she grew up with. The one that let her sleep in his bed when she had bad dreams and helped chase away monsters out of her closet. The one that would swing in on their swing set until his arms felt like they were going to fall off only to spend the next hour running after her in the backyard. Her real brother. Not the one created by popularity and the press and drinking and clubbing. And she liked having him home again.

Once Thea had left and bounced up the stairs to her room, Oliver turned to Felicity. "I'm so sorry for my mom. She has no right…"

Felicity interrupted him, shaking her head. "It's fine Oliver. I get it. I'm actually used to that type of reaction to me. Growing up a genius, I was always seen as a suck up or trying to get ahead somehow. It's okay. I had fun today so let's just finish on a good note, okay?" Felicity hoped that he would not read too much into her words about her past. He had already seen enough of the hurt that she held back from the world that day.

Oliver wanted to fight her. Fight for her. But he just held his tongue and nodded. "You don't have to go yet. We could hang out a bit longer. Maybe watch another movie and eat some ice cream?"

"Maybe next time. I really do need to get home and get ready for work this week and you need to get back to studying. Don't want those good grades to start slipping, now do we?"

Oliver chuckled warmly and the lighthearted feeling that had surrounded them both for most of the afternoon returned in a flash. "Well then I guess I should get you home."

"You don't have to. I can call a cab."

"Felicity, it's okay. I want to make sure you get home safe and I did invite you out today. It would only be right that I return you home." Oliver noted as he helped her gather her coat and small clutch. He walked her towards the front door, his hand finding the curve of her lower back and not leaving until he had helped her into the passenger seat of his Audi. The drive back to her place was filled with whimsical banter and jokes and laughter. He had not felt his heart so light in weeks. No longer. Years. If ever. That feeling stayed with him as he fell asleep that night dreaming of more days like today.