You have no idea how much it means to me that any of you take the time to comment. I'm not looking for praise, but it sure does let me know you are reading and that means the world.

As I promised, in the last chapter you found out why the breakup happened. It wasn't an easy situation to write and I only hope I did it justice. I myself was pleased with it and truthfully if the writer is happy it shows.

So about the wedding. Yes this is the chapter where Laurel and Tommy make it official. Of course you know Oliver is bringing a date to the wedding and well Felicity is too. I am a major fan of jealous Oliver and hunt for fics that he's jealous in. It's a sickness really, but I freaking love it and because of that I'm putting it in. Come on, admit it. Who the heck doesn't love it when he's jealous of Barry or better yet when he pushes things off the desk after seeing Ray and Felicity kiss. Love it when Roy says "Are you ok?" and his answer back is "Not really" with that shaky voice. It was heaven. Yes I admit I watched it multiple times.

Now I have to say as I'm writing I have Pandora blaring in my ear. I hear 5 million songs that I want to include in every chapter. I only wish I could put real theme music to certain scenes. Maybe another fiction who knows.

Ok now I could continue to babble on and on, but really I have been waiting for this freaking chapter since I started writing this damn fic. So here it goes….

Chapter 10

Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now)

/m_qgSs65-mY

With so many guests Laurel and Tommy opted to skip the receiving line. They mingled through the crowd greeting every guest as they sipped their drinks and had their choice of hors d'oeuvres. A chef was stationed all around the room making the guest small plates of appetizers. Guests had their choice of Chinese, Italian or French food to snack on before the meal. On the liter side an assortment of cheese crackers fruit and vegetables was also available.

Oliver stood at the bar talking to Shado as he took a bite of a small vegetable pizza. "You're right that is good." He said as he chewed.

Shado nodded. "I told you. Slade and I had these at a wedding last ear and they were fantastic." She smiled taking a bite. She had told Oliver that she had found Slade and was leaving next week to join him in Australia, telling Oliver that this time she wasn't going to lose him again. Since they were both invited to the wedding they decided to go together, saying that everyone has more fun at a wedding when you have a date.

Oliver looked around the room to see Thea standing and laughing with Roy who had flown in to accompany her for the weekend. Next to her was His mother and Walter who were chatting with some of Starlings elite. On the other side of the room was Quinten Lance and his youngest daughter Sara and her girlfriend Nyssa. Sara caught his eye as she was talking and gave him a wave before she turned back to her father.

He smiled and turned catching sight of Tommy and Laurel. His smile quickly faded. All he could see was the back of her head, but he knew it was her. Her head and curls bobbing across the bare back as she spoke. The red dress hugging her hips and flowing down around her, red was her color. He excused himself as he walked towards them.

As he approached she turned. Her face freezing as their eyes locked. He walked up next to her. "Everything ok over here?" He asked eyes still locked with hers.

Tommy put his arm on Oliver's shoulder. "Couldn't be better. Hey Oliver, you remember Bruce Wayne." Tommy pointed him towards the man to Felicity's right. "He came with Felicity."

Oliver's turned to face him. His stomach felt sick. Of all the people on the planet she brought Bruce Wayne.

"Queen, it's good to see you again." Bruce put his hand out for Oliver to shake.

"Felicity, Bruce." Oliver snarled. "I didn't know you be here." Oliver shook his hand firmly and pulled it away.

Bruce smirked at Oliver and put his arm around Felicity. "Now I couldn't pass it up when Merlin invited me." Felicity leaned into him with and uncomfortable smile. Her eyes sad as she looked to Oliver. "You know honestly I had second thoughts at first, but when Felicity here told me she was going I changed my mind."

Bruce Wayne, billionaire from Gotham city and one of Oliver's least favorite people, even more so now that he was standing there pawing at Felicity. Oliver detested him more now that Bruce was clearly trying to aggravate Oliver with his actions.

Shado came over to them. Oliver turned to face her putting an arm around her trying to get some kind of reaction from Felicity. "Hi. Shado, you remember Felicity and this is-"

"Bruce!" She exclaimed as she leaned in to hug him.

"Celina." Bruce hugged her. "So good to see you again. It's been too long." He looked at Oliver with a raised eyebrow. "I didn't know you'd be here and with Queen." He turned to Oliver. "Well, Queen it appears we have more than one woman in common."

One punch is all he needed. Tommy saw the look on Oliver's face and put his hand on his shoulder to lead him away. "I'm thirsty. Let's get a drink." They headed towards the bar.

Oliver looked back to see Felicity taking a step away from Bruce. "Why didn't you tell me she was coming with Wayne Tommy?"

Tommy ordered his drinks. "Ollie, listen, they weren't coming together. Bruce is just being Bruce and besides you have a date. Now relax will ya. It's my wedding and we're supposed to be having fun."

Dinner was served and oh joy Bruce Wayne was at a table right in front of the head table. How lucky could Oliver be to have the perfect view of Bruce trying to grope Felicity right in front of him? Oliver felt as though Bruce was purposely trying to get a reaction out of him. Regardless all Oliver could see was Felicity. Her hair pushed to the side and her dress hugging all the right parts and of course that damn lipstick again.

When dinner was done the traditional dances and cake cutting took place. The bride and groom danced to the song of their choice and the party began. Oliver was never much of a dancer, but Thea had forced him to do a slow dance with her but Oliver quickly turned her over to Roy when the dance was done and headed to the bar.

Oliver scanned the room. Bruce and Malcolm stood at the other end of the bar talking, his mother and Walter were on the dance floor and Shado was on the balcony talking with some friends she had run into.

When he turned the other way he saw her. She sat at her table watching the couples sway across the floor to the music. He ordered a red wine. Taking a deep breath and blowing it out he picked up the glass and headed to her table.

Oliver crossed in front of her and set the wine on the table next to her. "I thought you might like a glass of wine." He smiled nervously. Why did he feel like a teenager trying to ask a girl out for the first time?

Felicity smiled back. "Thank you." She picked up the glass and sipped it. "Perfect." She pulled her lips in.

Oliver stood with his hands in his pockets rocking on his feet. After everything that's happened he needed to at least try to talk to her. "Not dancing tonight?"

Felicity took a sip of her wine. She nodded her head. "I don't know." She looked at the dance floor motioning with her head to where Thea and Roy were dancing. "I don't think your sister has let Roy stop."

Oliver looked at them arms wrapped around each other as they danced. He turned to Felicity. "Felicity…" He said looking down at his feet shuffling. She looked up at him. "Would you like to dance?"

She blinked at him in surprise. "Oliver, you don't dance." She said a little shocked.

Oliver looked her in the eye. "I know, but maybe it's time I did." He gave a small smile.

Felicity bit her bottom lip. "OK." She said as she stood up. He took her hand and led her to the dance floor. Oliver was completely out of his comfort zone as the music started. His hand on her hip, her hand resting on his shoulder and their hands clasped together. The music started and they began to sway.

He could feel his heart pounding. They hadn't been this close in what seemed like forever. He could feel her hand drawing him in closer and his arm wrapped around her back. He swallowed hard intoxicated by her scent as they rocked to the music.

He pulled away slightly so they could look in each other's eyes. He could see her chest rising and falling from her breathing. "Felicity." He whispered.

She quickly pulled him close again nearly burying her head into his chest. "Don't Oliver." She pleaded softly. "Please….let just be here for right now. Please?"

Oliver's lips rested near her ear and he nodded his head. "Ok." After everything that had happened between them this moment seemed like the only one that mattered. Holding her in his arms again felt so natural, it felt like home. He felt her relax in his arms, his arms pulling her in as close as he could get her.

He looked down as she tilted her head up. They stood still their eyes locked. She licked her lips as he leaned in closer. They were drawn together like magnets, lips so close to touching.

"May I cut in?" A man's voice interrupted them.

Felicity stepped away. Her eyes still locked with Oliver's. "Bruce." She said, her forehead wrinkling as she turned away to look at him. "I think I've danced enough for the night." She turned back to Oliver, her mouth opened as if she had to say something. "I have to go." She said walking to the hallway near the exit. Oliver and Bruce followed.

Oliver grabbed her wrist to stop her. She didn't turn to face him. "Felicity, you can't keep running from me and everything that's happened." He tried to stay calm. He wanted to tell her that he didn't want her to go, but what he wanted to say and what actually came out was a different story.

Felicity looked down. "I can't-" She turned to him.

Oliver cut her off. "Can't what? Can't face me. Well, here's a news flash for you. You aren't the only one that is hurting from what happened. It was my baby too." He dropped her wrist.

Oliver's eyes narrow as he watches her turn to Bruce then back to him. He huffed a laugh. "Of course. This makes perfect sense now. " He shook his head. "I don't know what the hell I was thinking. I mean, I was a complete idiot. Everyone was telling me…..I actually thought that you might actually care. What a joke." He squeezed his eyes shut.

"Oliver I-" She began.

Oliver raised his hand in the stop position. "Let me guess you have to go right? Of course." He looked at her tears welling in her eyes. "Don't let me stop you from what you're best at…..Leave." He snapped.

She closed her eyes tight trying to fight the tears and then darted towards the exit.

"You're and asshole Queen." Bruce huffed shaking his head as Oliver started to walk away.

Oliver turned with a look of irritation. "What the hell do you know? Why don't you go chase after your girlfriend." He motioned to where she had disappeared.

Bruce curled his lip with a look of disgust. "You have no idea what you're talking about. Felicity is not my girlfriend and if you had a brain you'd know that she's still in love with you." Oliver looked at him confused. "You really don't see it do you Queen, but why would I think you would. You're a coward. You let one of your girlfriends do your dirty work for you." Bruce turned to where Felicity had run to.

"What the hell are you talking about Wayne?" Oliver snapped through clenched teeth.

Bruce curled his lip in disgust as he turned around to face Oliver. "Don't play stupid Queen. She called you repeatedly until you had her number blocked. Then she flew into Starling to see you, but again your fiancé at the time took care of it again for you."

"You're a fucking liar Wayne." Oliver snapped. She would have said something to their friends and they would have told him. Why wouldn't they have told him? Maybe they did tell him and he just didn't listen.

Bruce looked at him with a raised eyebrow. He took a deep breath and in that moment Oliver knew none of this was a lie. His hand ran down his face as his memory came back to him.

Oliver stood by the window elbow pressed against it with his hand stroking his stubble as he looked at the skyline of the city. There was no more procrastinating now, it had to be done. His friends and family had had enough of her, they had even said she tried calling Felicity unsuccessfully. She followed him constantly and her accusations of cheating and checking up on him was the last straw. She was out of control and he couldn't do this anymore. There was no time like the present.

Oliver turned to face her. "Carrie, I can't do this anymore. You need to stay away from me." He snapped angrily. She obviously wasn't taking this well.

Carrie walked over to him and put her hand on his arm. "Oh lover, stop it. This is just another one of our silly fights. Now we could go back home and make up and this will be all better." She cooed.

Oliver pushed her hand away. "Carrie you told my friends and family we were engaged, you stalk me no matter where I go and you are constantly checking my phone for messages from other girls." Oliver yelled. "This is over. I don't want to see you anymore. We are done."

Carrie gave him a pleading look. "You don't mean that Ollie. We can work this out. I can make you happy." She begged.

Oliver's jaw clenched. "It's over Carrie. Stay away from me, stay away from my family and get out of my office or I'll have security remove you." He walked over to the door and opened it for her to leave. "Now Carrie."

She picked up her purse and headed to the door. "I'll just give you a few days and when you're ready you'll call me. I love you Ollie." She smiled nervously before turning to leave.

Oliver shut the door and raised his arms to rub his temples. Carrie Cutter was a crazy woman. She stalked him and his friends and multiple times he had caught her with his phone scrolling through his text messages and phone numbers. Her obsession with him was out of control and breaking up with her was the only way out. He was even contemplating a restraining order at this point.

He picked up the phone and called Tommy explaining to him what had just happened. The sigh of relief from Dig was enough for him to know he made the right decision. He chatted with Dig as he headed out of his office, to meet the locksmith that was going to change the locks in his apartment. It needed to be done since he didn't want crazy Carrie letting herself in to steal his clothes. He'd had enough of that.

Weeks had gone by Oliver was still dealing with Carrie's constant calls and texts. She was everywhere from showing up at the club and his office to appearing at the restaurant he met Dig and Lyla at for dinner. If it continued a restraining order would be his next step.

As he walked down the street he turned towards his car. He did a double take as he saw Carrie talking to a woman with a blonde ponytail at the end of the block across the street. He blinked. Was Carrie talking to Felicity? He must be seeing things. He blinked and shook his head and started walking towards them. He went to take a step on the curb when an approaching truck honked its horn. He stepped back to the curb quickly waiting for it to pass before crossing the street to find Carrie standing alone smiling at him.

He looked around searching for who she was talking to. "I knew you'd be back lover." She smiled putting her hand on his cheek and kissing him.

He grabbed her wrist pulling her hand away from his face. "Carrie where is the woman you were talking to?" He snapped.

Carrie looked at him confused. "What woman?"

"The blonde woman you were just speaking to. Who was she and where did she go." He snapped.

Carrie's smile faded. "Why would you care about some stranger that was asking for directions? That doesn't have any effect on us." Carrie smiled at him coyly. "I know what you need lover, now let's go back to your place and-"

Oliver dropped her wrist. "Carrie, Get it through your head. There is no us. If you don't stop stalking me and anyone else in my life I will get the police involved." He backed away from her. "Go home Carrie."

Oliver turned and walked away still searching for the woman he swore was Felicity. He was beginning to think he lost his mind at this point, even calling John to see if she was in for a visit. Maybe he was just seeing things now. He even made an attempt to call her, but his calls and texts came back undelivered. He was crazy to try since she obviously blocked his number.

When he reached his car he set both hands on the hood and looked at his reflection trying to shake the feeling of being watched off. He shook his head giving a breathy laugh. Carrie had messed with his head for the last time. He got in the car and dialed his phone. "Detective Lance, I need to obtain a restraining order…."

Oliver looked up at Bruce unsure of what to say next. "Carrie." He whispered angrily to himself.

"What's the matter Queen? Can't take the truth?" Bruce said huffed.

Just as Oliver was about to speak one of the guests came in from the front entrance yelling to the door man. "I need a doctor! She's been hit!"

Bruce and Oliver quickly turned and headed towards the door. Police and ambulance sirens were quickly approaching. Someone had been hit by a car. The driver sat on the of the side walk talking to another man. His hand resting on his forehead as he spoke. "She came out of nowhere. I tried to stop, but it was too late. Please let her be ok. Please." He pleaded as he began crying.

Wedding guests had started to come outside to see what was going on. Oliver pushed his way through the crowd that was gathered around the car with Bruce close behind, unaware that Dig was also following. When they reached the front of the crowd he could see one of the doctors attending the wedding was working on the victim as the ambulance had arrived. He craned his neck for a better view when suddenly he saw it. The red dress draped across the pavement and her blood covered arm outstretched.

Oliver's heart raced and he froze as he watched the doctor stand up giving instructions to the EMT's while they began to slide her onto the gurney, the police blocking off the area. In one swift move he hopped up trying to make his way to where she was, the police holding him back. "Let me go!" He yelled. "I need to get over there."

The officer holding him back. "Sir, I'm sorry but you cannot cross this line."

He watched as they loaded her into the back of the ambulance closing the doors. Dig grabbed Oliver's arm pulling him away. "Calm down Oliver. Lance told us where they are taking her. Bruce has cars waiting for everyone to go, you can ride with Lyla and I." He pulled Oliver to the car loading him in the back seat.

Oliver stared out the window. In his mind this was his fault. He would never forgive himself for what happened tonight…

Here I was looking forward to this chapter and it was a beast to write. I'm still not happy with it, but I'm posting it anyways. Hope it'll do til the next one is posted xxoo