A/N: Firstly before anything I have to thank laurabelle2930 for making me a lovely edit that I can not put on here :(... still can not thank her enough and fangirlfromthenorthcountry to be thanked for some of the things that happen in this chapter ;) :P (all wonderful things I promise the angst is next chapter) but we do get to see some different sides to these 2 and some more back story ;) :P... so as always I hope you enjoy :).


Felicity sat in her trailer picking at her lunch after filming all morning. She could have gone home seeing as she had nothing else to do but she had promised to hang out on set with Oliver and the cast. She had changed into her casual clothes and was having a quick bite to eat before she went on set to watch some of the filming.

"Felicity?" Ray's voice carried through the door as he tapped on it.

"Come on in," she called and he opened the door stepping in.

"Hey," he said with a smile as he made to sit opposite her at the table.

"Hi Ray, how are you doing?"

"I'm great, really good. Me and Anna decided to give it another go."

"Wait Anna from college?"

"Yes."

"Oh my god! Congratulations I am so happy for you guys! I always thought you'd make it... I mean you two were smitten in college. You were one of the only ones everyone thought would make it."

He smiled softly. "Well her job got relocated here, and so... she got in touch." He shrugged with a dopey smile and Felicity couldn't help but smile too.

"Well I'm happy for you," she responded. "You deserve it Ray, you've worked so hard for me."

"And on that note I have some more news."

"Okay?" she replied with genuine intrigue.

"I've had multiple offers from several different companies, writers, directors. I have no idea what they've heard from people but I am literally sitting on 100s of scripts, well not 100s but you understand."

"What? Seriously?" she asked a little stunned.

"Yep, I've had offers for voice overs, animation, dramas, scifi, comedy... Seriously Felicity they all seem to want a piece of you and I guess it's your choice what you want to do."

"I can't... Wow, do you have some scripts I need to read?"

"I do, I'm having them all sent to your apartment, there are quite a few that are more concepts than actual scripts so you'll need to come to the office at some point soon but I also have something you might be interested in."

"More interested than I already am?"

"I got a call today from Quentin Lance."

Felicity froze. "W... What?"

"He said that he's in talks about a new film that he is writing and directing, it's not anytime soon but he's interested in you starring in it."

"Really?"

"Yeh he didn't give me many details, he just wanted you to call him so you could discuss things casually."

"But why me?"

"He just said it might be something you can relate to." He shrugged. "But he said he was really interested in you Felicity."

"I can't believe it..."

"I think you should give him a call and then we can discuss some of the other films another time." She nodded enthusiastically.

"Do you think I should call right now?"

"I don't see why not!" he said as he pulled out his phone. "Here you can use my phone." He handed it to her, with Quentin's name and number on screen. She tapped dial and listened to it ring.

"It's ringing," she whispered unable to help her nerves and excitement. Ray merely smiled back at her with all the enthusiasm he could muster.

"Hello Quentin Lance here, how may I help you?"

"Wow Mr Lance? I mean I thought you'd have a PA or someone who answers your calls." she rambled despite herself. "I mean not that I think you can't answer a phone just you're always so busy and oh wow... I am rambling and I am sorry."

"Miss Smoak?" he asked with a glint of laughter.

"Yes, you can call me Felicity."

"Felicity you sound very much like your mother," his tone sounding a little sad.

"Well the apple doesn't fall far from the tree," she remarked. "My agent said you were interested in me for something?"

"Yes, I've... I wrote a script, it's about fraud, a man so desperate for power and greed he forgets the people around him, leaving them to deal with the fall out."

"Oh."

"I know how close to home that is for you, but that's why I wanted you, no, I need you. You can bring something to this film, something raw and organic-"

"So you wrote this based on my father's life?"

"Oh no no, not at all. This is about a man from a poor background who ends up getting mixed up in things above his head, leading to fraud and power trips... But it's about redemption too."

"How so?"

"Well the man at first doesn't realise what is happening and when he finds out he gets greedy and continues, but before he gets caught he goes on the run. But he loves his wife, you, too much and he hands himself in, he gives up all the corruption only to guarantee your safety, to save you."

"Wow, that sounds intense."

"It is, but I'd like you to read a script."

"Of course!"

"The jobs pretty much yours Miss- Felicity, I just need your go ahead once you read the script."

"I just can't believe you want me! I just can't believe it... Thank you Mr Lance."

"Please call me Quentin."

"Thank you Quentin."

"Well Sara has told me many great things about you and I just felt with your history you'd fit perfectly."

"I just can not thank you enough!"

"Honestly Felicity you don't need to thank me, I try to support the young talent out there-"

"Plus my mom."

"Your mom?" he asked with intrigue.

"Yeh well you knew my mom, you and her... had... chemistry," she mumbled the last part and he laughed a little.

"Your mother had nothing to do with this, I think your talent is worthy of investment."

"Good, I'm glad," she answered feeling her cheeks flush a little.

"How is Donna?" he asked.

"She's... She's okay," Felicity answered. "She's just enjoying her free time now that I'm no longer around and she sold the winery."

"Winery?"

"Yeh, she once said her favourite memories were at a winery and she wanted to get back to that."

"Really?" He seemed a little more happy.

"Yep, she loved it."

"I'm glad she was happy."

"I'm sure she'd say the same about you Quentin."

"Would you wish her well from me?"

"Of course I will, I could always pass your number on if you want me to?"

"I don't want to interrupt her life-"

"I think she'd like to hear from you," Felicity responded with a smile.

"Well if you think so then of course, please let me know about the script."

"Of course I will."

"Goodbye Felicity."

"Bye." With that she hung up unable to stop the smile plastered on her face.

"So?" Ray asked as she handed him the phone back.

"HE'S SENDING ME A SCRIPT!" she bellowed completely in awe as she stood up, jumping up and down.

"I knew you'd make it big Felicity!" he said standing up too and hugging her.

"Hey I haven't got there just yet," she responded.

"Always so humble! Just enjoy this moment," he replied.

"I plan on," she teased, just as a tap came at her door.

"I'll leave you to the rest of your day," Ray said as he walked towards the door.

"Remember you need to come to the office too."

"I promise, I only have another week of filming so as soon as that's over I'll be there."

"Talk soon Felicity."

"See you Ray." Felicity stood by the door as he opened it to find Curtis and Roy stood there.

"We heard squealing you alright?" Curtis asked.

"Yep! I got offered a film role, apparently quite a few." She smiled brightly.

"Wow blondie! Congrats!" Roy said with a proud smile.

"And on that note I'll leave you to your friends," Ray said smiling.

"How about we go out and celebrate?" Curtis suggested.

"Tonight?" Roy added.

"Won't you get asked for ID?" Felicity said playfully.

"Haha, I can have fun and not drink."

"Let's go clubbing!" Curtis jumped in. "We can dance and drink, well some of us, and I can bring Paul."

"We could make it a cast thing, if you want?" Felicity asked.

"Sure why not?"

"Cool! I'll invite a few friends too, one just got back in town." She smiled then as the pair nodded enthusiastically.

"Well I know a nice private club, private room for us..." Curtis added.

"Great!" Felicity responded.

"I guess we just have to invite people now!" Roy said with a smile.

"Cool I'll speak to Oliver after lunch."

"Okay, good well we'll leave you to it and invite some people and I'll book the room," Curtis responded.

"Sounds like a plan," Felicity responded as the pair nodded heading off to the canteen.


"So explain to me again why I'm here and why Caitlin and Ronnie aren't?" Iris asked as the pair stood at the bar.

"They are both busy, they had a formal work thing, it was about Caits film. And you're here because I haven't seen you in like forever, and I wanted to celebrate," Felicity responded as the loud music played around them.

"I know but you have a private room up there and a private bar so why are you down here?"

"Because I can still get away with dancing in here and people not recognising me," Felicity said giving her a small wink.

"Felicity Smoak, are you avoiding your colleagues?"

"No! They have had my attention for the last 3 hours and now I'd like to dance some more, right here." She pointed to the dance floor where there was a sea of bodies.

"Well I think they all seem amazing."

"That's because they are," Felicity replied looking once more at the entrance.

"Yes because that's why you've had your eyes on the doors all night."

"I have not."

"Yeh you have, who are you waiting for?"

"No one, why have you been staring at Barry all night?"

"I have not," Iris responded crossing her arms over her chest.

"You so have, sweetie," Felicity said giving her a soft smile whilst touching her arm.

"Fine, he seems nice okay? From when I've interviewed him and now seeing him here..."

"Go and speak to him," Felicity replied.

"He's a film star Felicity, I'm a journalist-"

"Tonight you're just Barry and Iris, get up those stairs and talk to him."

"Only if you come back up there too."

"Fine but one dance down here first?"

"Fine," Iris mumbled as the bartender handed them their pink cocktails. The girls clinked their glasses together before downing the sweet liquid in one. They placed their glasses back on the bar and turned towards the crowded dance floor.

Felicity gave Iris a beaming grin as she pulled her to the middle, pushing through the people. They smiled and laughed as they threw their arms up in the air. They danced and span, swaying their hips in time to the music. Felicity closed her eyes forgetting the people around them as she tried to not think of Oliver. He of course had been invited but he didn't seem thrilled at the idea of going to a club. She understood why, he was after all a big celebrity, even the enticement of the private room hadn't caused him to give in. He had simply said if he had time and he felt like it he'd be there. So Iris may had noticed her wandering eye, but she had still had fun laughing and joking with her co workers.

She span around running her hands through her hair and back up into the air. The music and people pulsated around her, that she barely noticed the chatter of people, the ignorant crowd buzzing for an entirely different reason.

"Oh my god Felicity!" Iris said grasping onto her and whispering in her ear. Her eyes snapped open and she looked at her friend.

"Iris, what is it?"

"Oliver Queen just walked in!"

"What he did?" She asked trying to look around through the crowd.

"YES! And he couldn't keep his eyes off of you..."

"Really?" she asked trying to sound surprised. She saw him then heading up the stairs to the private room. He stopped on the stairs, looking back and straight at her. He didn't smile, or frown, his face remained completely neutral and Felicity couldn't help the rush of warmth she felt.

"Felicity, tell me what is going on with you two right now?" Iris practically shouted and snapping her attention from him.

"We're just friends."

"Yes cause friends look at each other like that."

"Like what?"

"EYE SEX!" she practically squealed and Felicity laughed.

"You're as bad as Caitlin!"

"Oh so she's seen this too?"

"Yes, but nothings happening, not yet anyway."

"Yet?" she asked, her face full of excitement.

"Iris, no," she said staring at her.

"Felicity, I am not making this into a story. I just want you to be happy with the hot actor, who is one of my free passes."

"I did not need to know that," Felicity mumbled as Iris grabbed her hand heading towards the stairs where a crowd had congregated.

"We're going up there now so you can talk."

"And so can you," Felicity countered and Iris merely laughed.

The security at the bottom of the stairs held back a throng of women trying to get up. "Ladies please, you aren't allowed up there, private party."

"Come on, just for a bit."

"No private entry only." Many of the women groaned, and even Felicity wondered if the men would remember them. "Ah Miss Smoak, Miss West the parties been missing you." He held the rope open for them as they slipped up and Felicity smiled.

"Thanks, you're doing a great job," Iris said as they headed upstairs.

They pushed through the double doors and instantly the pulsating music from downstairs disappeared replaced by a softer sound. It was similar just with less loudness and bass.

"So Barry is over by the bar, I think that's where you should go," Felicity said nudging Iris in that direction.

"Ah and Oliver seems to be ordering a drink, sooo." She pulled her along and Felicity smiled as the room around them was filled with cheer. Not everyone had attended, many filming late or the next day but it was enough for the room to be over half full with cast and crew alike.

"Barry," Felicity said softly and she could see Oliver staring at her out the corner of his eye on the other side of the bar.

"Eh, hey Felicity," He said holding his beer up.

"Barry I'd like to introduce my friend and journalist, I-"

"Iris West," Barry finished smiling so broadly his eyes sparkled as he moved to shake her hand.

"Barry Allen, a pleasure as always."

"So I guess introductions were pointless?" Felicity joked and the pair laughed.

"Yeh, well Iris has interviewed me several times."

"I have, and can I say you seem like a normal guy."

He chuckled a little. "Because I am."

"Just to clarify I am here for Felicity tonight, no work, so you are safe to say anything."

"Well in that case," he rubbed a hand nervously at the back of his neck, "you look stunning."

"Oh wow, thanks. You're pretty handsome yourself." She winked and he smiled.

"Can I buy you a drink? Buy you both a drink."

"Oh no I need to go talk to someone, but you two should totally get a drink! I'll talk to you later," She said giving Iris a wink before she walked around the bar to Oliver who was staring as Barry and Iris.

"So you're a matchmaker now?" he asked.

She shrugged. "Nice to see you made it."

He turned his head to look at her then. "For you, of course. I'm just sorry I couldn't get here sooner and see the full display downstairs." His eyes never faltered from hers as she saw the flicker of longing.

"Well if you danced-"

"I don't dance."

"I'd let you put your hands on me," she practically blurted it out and his smile widened as much as her eyes. "I didn't mean like that, I meant dancing, I'd let you touch me... Whilst dancing! But not like... Oh god I should just shut up," she grumbled to herself turning her gaze away from him.

"How much have you had to drink?" he asked.

"You wouldn't believe I've only had 2 alcoholic drinks."

"Well I like the rambling," he repeated again and she shook her head.

"I have no idea why."

"Because it's just so you." She smiled up at him then as he stepped a little closer, their arms brushing against each other. Instantly both felt the electric charge hum between where they touched. "So congratulations," he whispered tilting his glass towards her.

"Thanks."

"Working with Lance is a big a deal, I wouldn't mention me though, a bit of a sore spot with his daughters." He looked a little sad, not meeting her eyes.

"Hey, that's between us. Plus there are other films too, no pity, we're celebrating tonight." She smiled placing her hand over his on the bar.

"We'll be celebrating again in a week or so."

"Yeh but that's everyone, and that's when the film is done, which is for a whole other thing."

"Yes and I look forward to what comes next," he said with a quirk of his eyebrow. She felt her cheeks flush slightly at the insinuation hidden behind the words.

"God it's hot in here," she commented.

"Yeh, you are."

"What?" she asked blinking and he merely smirked as he sipped his whiskey.

"So what have I missed? Other than your dancing and match making skills."

"My amazing dancing skills with both Curtis and Roy, Slade and Shado getting pretty cosy, a lot of laughter by the crew and basically a really good time," she said playfully.

"Oh well we'll have an even better time at the wrap party."

"Is that a promise?"

"Yep," he answered staring at her.

"So not only am I promised a date but also an amazing wrap party too?" she asked feeling a little bolder.

"Yep, only the best," he teased.

"Well I look forward to it all," she replied with a smile. "Now are you going to mingle or are you going to stand at the bar nursing a drink?"

"I guess I have to mingle." He shrugged with a smile.

"Maybe if you play your cards right we can go home together."

He swallowed a little thickly. "I'm not sure that's a good idea," he answered.

"Well I'm not drunk, neither are you. You could always come back for a nightcap, you don't have to stay or decide just yet." She shrugged. "I'm just leaving the choice there."

"What about Iris?" he asked and Felicity glanced over at her and Barry laughing.

"I think she has someone else to take her home tonight."

"We'll see."

"Okay." She nodded. "Now come on and let's mingle." She grasped his hand pulling him towards the bulk of the cast and crew. Their hands still locked together even after they had arrived there and no one, not even each other, seemed to mind.


"Your apartment is tiny," he whispered as he stood in the doorway glancing around.

"Well not everyone is a rich actor who can buy a luxury home."

"Touché," he answered with a smile.

"This was all I could afford," she responded the locking the door behind them. "Make yourself at home." She gestured towards the sofa as she headed into the kitchen area.

"It's very colourful, just like you," he stated as he pulled his jacket off placing it on the back of the sofa as he sat down.

"Well I like things to be bright and cheerful," she responded with a shrug as she kicked her heels off. "Would you like some wine?" she asked.

"Sure," he replied beaming at her as he watched her manoeuvre around the space. She poured out two glasses from the bottle she had open. She walked towards Oliver handing him one as she placed the other on the coffee table.

"I'm just going to get changed out of this." She gestured towards her sequin dress. She watched as Oliver's eyes widened and he choked on the wine.

"What?" he asked.

"Not... Oh god, not like that! I just want to be able to lounge around which I can't do in a dress, you know? Like pyjamas and stuff, I would offer you some but I'm certain I have nothing that would fit you."

He laughed then, shaking his head smiling at her. "Felicity, I understand. It's your home, go get comfortable."

"Good, well you get comfy too," she said, her hand moving around the space and Oliver simply nodded his smile so gorgeous.

Felicity stepped back out her bedroom, a pair of cotton pyjama pants and a tank top now on. Her glasses were placed on the end of her nose with her hair still down around her shoulders. She walked back to Oliver on the sofa whose eyes roamed up and down her body. She plonked down on the sofa grasping her wine glass as she took a gulp.

"Ah..."

"Better?" Oliver asked his voice sounding a little tighter.

"Better." She nodded. She looked at Oliver noting how he had removed his shoes and rolled the sleeves of his Henley up. "So, you wanted to get to know me better, and you're here in my home..."

"Yep." He nodded as he turned himself towards her.

"Sooo?" she said running a finger around the rim of her glass.

"Did you get your mom a gift? From London I mean," Oliver asked and Felicity beamed.

"Yep, I got her some wine because well she loves wine, she used to own a winery."

"That's pretty cool."

"It was and I got her some silly things too like when she used to travel when I was a kid," she answered unable to stop herself thinking of the times when her mom came back with trinkets from all around the world.

"Did you travel a lot?"

"Apparently when I was little yes but as I got older she preferred to travel less, plus," she hesitated then not looking in his eyes, "after my dad we moved constantly for awhile."

"I guess the press just can't leave things alone," he commented.

"Nope, but that doesn't matter now."

"Oh?"

"Yeh because they aren't chasing after us anymore." She shrugged. "I'm in the spotlight now and so at least my mom isn't."

"I see," he responded with a nod.

"Did you get Thea a present? And your parents?"

"I did, I had it sent over. I've spoken to Thea quite a lot lately. We're going to hang out when this films finished."

"Good," Felicity said with genuine joy.

"And I spoke to my parents too, both of them, I put all my cards on the table and I told them the truth about not wanting a degree."

"How'd that go?" she asked resting her arm on the back of the couch.

"They were a little disheartened but they," he took a deep breath as he turned to smile at her, "said they were proud of me. That I had proved that I was taking this seriously after all and that they supported me in this."

"Oliver that's wonderful!" She stretched her arm out landing on his knee and squeezing tenderly. "I'm so glad they saw it that way. That they finally see the real you."

"Thank you," he replied placing his hand over hers. Slowly he entwined their fingers as he raised it to rest on the back of the sofa. Both turned to face each other. Felicity could feel his fingers holding her tenderly and she couldn't help but squeeze back. "I want to tell you something, before we go any further. I thought I wouldn't need to tell you but the truth is I want to, I don't want there to be things that could get between whatever this is."

"Okay," she responded hesitantly, tilting her head.

"The reason Laurel and I broke up was because of you."

"Wait what? But... I... we weren't... I." She tried to move her hand from his but he held onto her.

"Wait. Listen, please." She stopped fighting him instead just staring at him, her heart pounding in her chest. "It wasn't because of you, I didn't end things with her with the intention of any of this happening. I ended it because she was the leak Felicity, she was the one that told the press about your mom and dad."

"What? How did she even know?"

"She didn't, she had a reporter "friend", Sebastian Blood, dig up dirt; she literally told him to find anything."

"Wow, I... Why?"

"I honestly don't know Felicity, but I knew what that would do to you, what the press can do to people and I couldn't agree with her on that."

"Did she leak the chemistry test too?"

"No, not that I am aware of, she wouldn't want that. That made you look better than her and she wouldn't want that at all. I have no idea who really did that." He shrugged

"So you and her broke up because of what she did to me?"

"Yes, and I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner, I didn't want you to think it was your fault or that I ended it because I wanted you... I just... I didn't know she would stoop so low."

"It's okay." His eyes locked onto hers then. "I mean what she did, not so much but I understand why you didn't tell me at the time and in all honesty your relationship, well break up, really is none of my business."

"I can't believe you're so understanding Felicity."

"It isn't your fault that Laurel did that, and I'm just sorry that it caused you to break up," she responded with a sad smile.

"I'm not Felicity, I'm not sorry. I'm glad it happened because otherwise I wouldn't be here." He squeezed her hand and smiled at her. She nodded staring at him, searching his face. "Are you okay?" he asked as she ever so carefully freed her hand from his.

"Yes, I was just thinking about what you said… about wanting to not let anything get in the way between whatever this is." she gestured between them. "If that's the case then I guess you should know about my dad."

"I already know about your dad," he responded frowning at her.

"Not everything," she answered truthfully gulping down the last of her wine and setting it on the coffee table.

"You don't have to tell me Felicity."

"No I want to, I want you to understand."

"Okay, well I'm here." He went to reach out and touch her but instead she pulled her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around her legs.

"I told you my dad was in prison."

"Yep."

"He is, now but, he… he was released after his initial crime about a year and half after his sentencing. My mother had filed for divorce, we had settled in Vegas for nearly 6 months and he just turned up out of the blue. He pleaded he'd changed, that he wouldn't do anything like that again but my mother refused, she said she couldn't do it anymore and she wanted him out of her life."

"And so out of yours?"

"No, she said he could stay for me, but it would be on her terms."

"And he agreed?" Oliver asked.

"Yes, and within 3 months it fell apart again," she answered taking a shaky breath. "He used me and my mom to gain access to the casinos, my mother found him trying to steal money again and it was her that turned him in. But this time he ran."

"Oh." She saw him fidgeting out the corner of her eye.

"And he kept on running, for years. So my mother never let us settle, we moved constantly, different states, different friends… it was hard but manageable."

"What happened with your dad?" he asked. "How'd he get caught?"

"Me," she replied with a shaky breath. "He managed to get my email, he wanted to meet up with me without mom knowing, and so I went. He asked me to help him, help him leave the country and go with him, leave everything behind and start a fresh…" she fell silent then. "And at 16 with nothing, I considered it, I genuinely foolishly considered it."

"You were a kid."

"Who should have known better." She sighed. "So I searched what he was running from, I'm not bad with a computer. It turns out he'd been hacking into government systems, trying to access major banks, he'd remarried whilst still married to my mom to a leading banking lady. He'd lied about his identity, he'd lied about his marriage status and he somehow managed to hack several governmental agencies. He was everything he had claimed not to be. He hadn't changed Oliver, and he never would. At 16 I realised my father would never be the man I remember as a child."

"Felicity," he whispered her name moving closer to her.

"So I told my mother, and I told the FBI, CIA and police. Then I turned up to meet him, I told him how I had hoped with all my heart he'd changed, but he hadn't. I told I knew everything, and I was so sorry." Her bottom lip trembled as she tried to control her emotions. "I gave up my own father." Her voice broke at the end and instantly she felt Oliver's strong arms wrap around her. He pulled her towards his chest as she felt the tears releasing.

"It's okay, it's all okay," he said so softly into her hair as his hands soothing rubbed against her arms. She slumped against his warmth, letting him comfort her even just for a minute.

"It was a long time ago Oliver-"

"No but it didn't help with Laurel bringing up the initial pain. I am so sorry."

"Don't be," she whispered against his chest.

"I never should have asked about you not speaking to him, I just... I never knew and I'm just so sorry."

"For a long time I blamed myself, that I wasn't good enough, that there was something so wrong with me-" She felt Oliver's hands move then landing on her cheeks lifting her head up to look him in the eyes.

"Don't ever believe that Felicity. Your dad loved you but he had issues."

"He loved money more," she responded jokingly and he shook his head.

"You don't have to be funny with me."

"I know," she whispered as his thumbs wiped away the tears under her glasses. "I just don't know if I could ever give him another chance again."

"Then don't," he responded. "You gave him chances, and it was he that blew them. Don't ever feel bad for protecting yourself and your mom." She nodded then her lip trembling again but this time from the kindness of his words.

"Thank you."

"God you're so strong Felicity, I can't even believe you gave me another chance after all that."

"You aren't my father," she whispered. "Not everyone is like my father."

"You are truly remarkable Felicity Smoak."

"Thanks for remarking on it." She said with a teary smile. He pulled her once more into his arms, holding her tightly and she placed her head on his chest. She felt him relax into the cushions his arms still securely around her as her eyes grew heavy. She relaxed completely to the rhythmic beat of his heart in her ear as sleep welcomed her.