Author's note: here it is... the Gala! I am having a lot of fun reading your comments about my story so keep them coming... next chapter will definitely be NSFW and full of Olicity goodness to get us through the next month of waiting for the show to return!
Big thanks to my incredible beta warehouseluver13 for all your hard work
Disclosure: I own nothing of Arrow and am waiting on my Code 8 postcard as patiently as possible!
"Damn this stupid tie!" Oliver grumbled as he tried for the fourth time to tie his bowtie. He huffed out a deep breath. Oliver was beyond nervous. Tonight had to go perfectly.
Not only was his first chance to show the investors and others his role in QC and what that meant for the company's future. But he was also showing the world his new role as committed boyfriend. To say his mother was livid when she read the article this morning would not do her reaction justice. She had never been as upset with him as she was today. But the point was mute. Damage had been done in her eyes so now she was focusing on what she could control, the gala. Oliver knew that this was not over as far as his mother was concerned but she would show a united front in front of the press and investors in order to prevent any scandals or drama. He also had not told her yet that he would be moving out. Oliver had signed the lease on a penthouse just a few blocks from QC just yesterday afternoon and already had one very vital piece of furniture installed; a bed. He was tired of staying at a hotel and after tonight he knew he would slowly but surely make the penthouse his new home.
And he hoped a certain blonde genius would help him do so.
"Wow! Ollie it's just a tie!" Thea snickered from his doorway. Oliver had opted to get ready at his childhood home and riding with his family to the gala, a not so optional request given by his mother.
Oliver turned to face his sister and smiled. Nights like tonight helped remind him that his little sister was so little anymore. She was elegantly dressed in a vibrant red lace strapless gown with touches of nude satin underneath. Her hair was pulled back but still loose so it flowed down her back. Completing the look with stunning drop earrings and stilettos, Thea was the picture of refined beauty. "Speedy, you look amazing."
"Thanks but any chance you can stop calling me that? I'm not a little kid anymore."
Oliver looked his sister over once more as she stepped up and started to tie his tie for him. "No. No you're not. But you will always be Speedy to me. You will always be my little sister and have a place in my life. You know that right?"
Thea shrugged. "Of course Ollie. Where's this coming from?"
"Just don't want you to feel like I'm leaving you behind or something. Just because I'm busy with school or QC or Felicity doesn't mean I won't be here if you need me. Okay?" Oliver gazed into his sister's eyes, hoping to reiterate his words there.
Thea swallowed a ball of emotions that hung in her throat and nodded. "Nervous? About tonight I mean."
"Which part? The presentation in front of most of the influential investors for QC or showing the world's press that I am off the market?" Oliver laughed disheartedly.
Thea finished tying his tie and patted it down into place. "Ollie, the investors will see the merit of the project in it's results and the concept alone. Not to mention how it can be sold to other companies and personalized to fit each one's needs. You and Lis did an incredible job with it. I may not understand half of what she said but the way Lis described it, this could set QC apart from the pack."
"Make that two of us. Half of this still goes well over my head." Oliver shook his head as he adjusted his suspenders and pressed his white tuxedo shirt down smooth.
Thea chuckled as she handed him his cuff links. "And that's why you have the genius that is Lis working at your company. And as for showing the press you as a boyfriend that's an easy thing. Just put you next to Lis and it will all fall into place. I don't know what it is about the two of you but when you two are near each other, you can just see how perfect you are for each other. I saw it during lunch last week as well as while shopping with her this weekend. I could always tell when she was talking to you cause she gets this adorable smile that only shows up when you're involved in the moment. You have one too. You two make googoo eyes for each other. Like something out of a Disney cartoon. 5 minutes of that and the press will believe you are fully committed to her. Hell they may think she has drugged you or brainwashed you or something. So don't stress. Just enjoy tonight. It's your night, no matter what Mom thinks."
Oliver had slipped his jacket on while she spoke and as she finished, he turned to find Thea seemed to have aged right before his eyes. Standing in front of him now as a poised and polished young woman with a grounded head and lighthearted spirit. He was in awe of who his sister had become. "Thea, thank you. You really are incredible, you know that right?"
"Well one of us has to be a functioning human being. I had almost lost all hope on you a few years ago." Thea teased.
Oliver rolled his eyes at his sister's quip. "I'm serious. I know it has been tough with me being so busy recently but I know just how much you do around here and I never really thank you for that. And I'm sure Dad would be so proud of the woman you have become. Just try to hold off growing up too fast. For my sake. Okay?" Oliver pulled her into a side hug, trying not to mess up her hair too much because he knew he would never hear the end of it.
"Can't promise anything, Ollie."
/OQ\
/OQ\
/OQ\
The room oozed of opulence as you stepped into it. Moira had rented out the largest ballroom in town, at the Sterling Plaza. The room had high vaulted ceilings that were decked out with a large crystal chandelier just over the center of the dance floor and several smaller ones surrounding it to help coat the room in soft light. She had the room filled with round tables covered with shining glassware, sparkling flatware, and fine china. Each had soft satin tablecloths that seemed to float to the floor and draw your eyes away from the large centerpiece candelabras on each table. To enter the main part of the room, you had to move down a large rounded and bellowing staircase, which had people sporadically spaced down it.
Felicity felt her heart pick up as she stepped into the room. There was no going back now. This was how the other half lived and celebrated and she was now apart of this world because she was officially Oliver Queen's girlfriend. The write up had been printed this morning and she had read over it several times. It was tastefully done and the photos includes showed a professional but soft side of both of them. She had seen one that made her stop. In it she was discussing an issue that had come up during their interview with Patrick. But that wasn't made her stop and gasp. It was Oliver's gaze in the photo. His eyes were locked on her and she could see in that one moment all the love and adoration he had for her. It had sucked the wind out of her lungs when she saw it that morning. She knew that look but to see in print for the world to see was new. New but welcomed. Ruby had demanded a link to the story and as soon as Felicity sent it to her and she was able. After reading through it, Ruby had noted that she refused to wear pastel colors so those were out when it came to the wedding plans.
Felicity stepped up to the balcony overlooking the ballroom, hoping to catch a glimpse of Oliver and draw his attention to her presence. Not that she was being ignored. It seemed all the eyes around her were focused on her, as if they were trying to place her. Granted she looked a lot different now than she had in the write up on them. She had her hair up in a pinup style do. Her eyes were touched with soft colors to help them pop and her lips were her favorite light pink color, her power color. She had also chosen her contacts over her glasses.
She had a deep sapphire, sweetheart neckline gown that was form fitting until it reached just above her knees where it bellowed outward. It was strapless and had decorative lace sleeves that hung halfway down her biceps, leaving her neck and shoulders open. She had covered up the dress with a light weight, champagne colored shawl that wrapped beautifully around her shoulders. She had finished the look with a new pair of pumps that Thea had chosen out. She felt like she might just look like she belonged here.
Her eyes scanned the space below and just as she was about to give up, her eyes crossed over Thea's. She saw the warm welcoming smile then watched as Thea drew Oliver's attention away from the investor he was talking to and towards Felicity. The moment his eyes locked with her, she felt her cheeks warm from the heat he was directing towards her. Felicity smiled sweetly as she watched his lips fall open. He was stunned. Her heart flipped and she fought back a giggle at his reaction. It was better than she ever expected and he hadn't even seen her dress yet. She watched as he excused himself, his eyes never leaving her form, then he was moving towards her, through the crowd without resistance as if they all knew where he was being drawn. When he got close to the foot of the stairs, Felicity started to float down them, slipping the shawl open and down her arms as she moved. She could see the heat grow in his gaze as he could now see her bare shoulders and neck as well as the neckline that showcased the tops of her breasts perfectly. She suppressed another giggle as Oliver's jaw drop open for a moment before he caught himself. He was gawking her and her blush deepen. When she reached the final step, Oliver smiled.
"Hi!"
Felicity let the giggle loose. "Wow! Is that how you usually charm your dates? Short, one syllable greetings and a devilish smirk?"
Oliver huffed a chuckle, feeling his nerves easing instantly. "One, it's a grin not a smirk. And two, I would have been able to say more if my date wasn't the most gorgeous woman I have ever seen. And before you say it, that's not a lie. Not where you are concern. You look like a dream."
"You are not so bad yourself, Mr. Queen. So how are things going so far? What is everyone saying about the project?"
Oliver turned and held his arm out for her to take, slipping her shawl into his other arm. As he moved her through the crowds and to the table, she could see that the attention of the room had shifted to them but when she looked back at Oliver, he only had his eyes on her. "All good things. Most are anxious to see not only what it could mean for QC as far internal progress and how it can stand up to our growth, but what it could mean for the market and as a commodity for the company. But most of the talk is everything but QC. It's usually how these things go. Gossip and complaining or comparing about their latest cars or homes or vacations."
"Oh the difficult trials of the one percenters." Felicity giggled as Oliver stopped near their seats.
"Exactly. Very boring and humdrum so very long drawn out parties. Which is why I always tried to avoid them as much as possible. And usually had a guest with me to help keep entertained."
"I am hoping you are speaking of the female presence you had with you. If it was Tommy I may have to start worrying."
"You think you are just so funny don't you, Miss Smoak?" Oliver turned and pulled her close to him, his eyes staring deep into hers.
Felicity felt her tongue slip free before her mind could stop it, wetting her dry feeling lips. "Haven't heard you complain about it before."
Oliver laughed boastfully, so much so that Felicity could feel it shake in his chest where her hands rested.
"Alright you two, break it up. No overly sweet PDAs tonight. There are kids present." Tommy teased from the other side of the table.
"Hey! I'm not that much younger than you." Thea grumbled as she slugged Tommy in the arm. "But Tommy is right. They haven't invented brain bleach yet so I can't unsee things and this" She gestured to their private embrace, "is one of those things. So Ollie stop manhandling my friend. You will ruin the dress."
Felicity and Oliver blushed as they pulled apart, Oliver mumbling something under his breath that even Felicity couldn't make out. "Thea, you look beautiful. And Tommy, handsome as ever." Felicity smiled at them both in greeting since Oliver refused to release her completely.
"Thanks Lis. Love you hair. So Ollie, did we do good? Is she good enough to hang on your arm?" Thea teased.
Oliver glance down her back, feeling bare skin for the first time. The back of the dress had a cross piece across her shoulders but had a cut out from the middle of her back to just above the curve of her ass. The sight made his mouth water. Oh yeah. This woman was definitely worthy of his arm. Question was, was he worthy to have her?
Sensing the heated silence, Tommy laughed. "Are you kidding Speedy? Ollie, better be careful where he leaves this one. He might lose her to someone a lot more impressive and smart. I mean, look at her. She's a knockout."
"I would have to agree with Mr. Merlyn." a deep voice came from behind them. The couple turned to find Walter walking up to them. "Though not the word choice I would have selected. Oliver." Walter held his hand out to shake Oliver's before turning his attention back to Felicity. "Miss Smoak, you are beautiful."
"Thank you Mr. Steele." Felicity blushed at the attention and praise she was drawing.
"Now I thought we had agreed on you calling me Walter."
"Yes we did. But we also agreed on Felicity instead of Miss Smoak." Felicity challenged.
Walter laughed warmly and smiled. "True Felicity. My apologies. I saw the write up this morning. Seems that the reporter was quite smitten with you two. Painted you as the ideal team. Perfect partners to lead QC in the near future."
"Yeah we didn't know what the write up would say. We left that to PR but I was happy with the results. I'm glad that they didn't focus too much on Oliver's past or our differences. We wanted everyone to see that we are not our pasts. We have grown past them. And that we overlook our differences to see how we fit together instead."
Walter nodded in agreement. "I agree my dear and I think the piece did a great job in showing that. Unfortunately there will still be those looking for that type of story but I don't think they will ever find it. Not with you two at least."
Oliver's smile grew. Gaining Walter's approval and blessing was the closest he would get to a father figure and it meant more than he could say to have it now. "Thank you Walter. For your support. Both with our relationship and with the project. I know you took a chance supporting it with the Board."
Walter shrugged. "I knew it would pan out and I had faith that the two of you would do great things together. I just never expected anything romantic would come from the pairing. Though now that I think about it, I see it. You fit well and will do many more great things. So enjoy your night." Walter smiled as he moved to leave them and start to mingle again. He turned and called over his shoulder, "Oh and Felicity, make sure he doesn't try to sneak off to blow off the investors. We need them to get to know the future CEO after all."
"I will, Walter. I promise." Felicity smiled after him and waved as he moved to another group of people. She turned back to Oliver and smiled. "Guess that's our cue. After you, Mr. Queen."
"Of course, Miss Smoak." Oliver grinned in return.
/OQ\
/OQ\
/OQ\
"Exactly! The process to personalize is simple enough. It is just a few settings in the coding that must be changed. We could build an interface that does the same thing as a programmer would so that other companies could purchase the program from us, install it into their systems, answer a few questions about how they will be using the setup as well as how many will have access and the program will do the rest. If they want something a bit more complex then we may have to service out a tech for the implication and training as well as servicing. But that wouldn't be that bad either." Felicity explained as she sipped a glass of club soda.
She had been mingling and discussing the project with investors for the last hour. Before that there was a short presentation done by Oliver and a dinner served. Before the dinner the press, the few that Moira had invited inside, had cornered her and Oliver with questions and requested photos of them.
At one point, Moira had come and claimed she had someone that Oliver needed to speak with before dragging him away. Felicity had been nervous about being left alone with the small group of investors. Most were older in age so she would have a difficult time discussing things with them. Two were fairly young, close to her age, so she hoped they would catch on with her tech talk. It surprised her when a couple of the older gentlemen were not only able to keep up but question her development steps in terms of the project.
"I must say, it sounds quite difficult to market. I mean why would a company buy a program from a competitor if they could simply developed it themselves?" One of the young men asked. He had been not so easily won over and challenged her on everything she stated as if he was her own personal devil's advocate.
Felicity smiled warmly while suppressing the urge to go off on the narrow minded man. "Well because they already do. Most computers purchased by major companies aren't made by them. Neither are the operating systems. Most companies don't want to spend the money and time developing programs to make the business run better or faster if there is one already on the market."
"Plus to be fair and not boast too much, those companies don't have Felicity. Where this program took her just a few weeks to develop and implement, if the other companies don't have an IT genius who codes as well as she does and understands the inner workings of cyber securities like she does, it could take quite a bit longer for them to create their own." Oliver added as he stepped up to the small group and smiled warmly at her. When he stopped next to her, his arm wrapped around her and drew her into his side like he had done every chance he got for most of the night. He pressed a soft kiss into her temple before turning his attention back to the small group. He found warm or welcoming smiles on most faces then he turned towards the man who had questioned Felicity. "It's good to see you again, Carter."
"You know Mr. Bowen?" Felicity asked politely.
"Yes. His mother and mine are on several charity boards together. We have met on occasion at functions like this on top of attend high school together. How is school going? Still at… which was it Stanford or Harvard medical?"
"Harvard and yes. School is going well. I had a long weekend so I decided to come home and visit. Mother wanted me to join her tonight so I came along. Especially after hearing that you were presenting a new program project that you oversaw. Didn't know your degree path including programming." Carter answered.
"No that would be Lis'. She just graduated a few months ago from MIT with her master's." Thea smiled as she stepped next to her brother. Thea knew about the history her brother had with the man and the disdain he had for him. So stepping in while they were still civil was in the best interest of Oliver's. "Top of her class too."
"You mean her associates degree, don't you?"
"Nope. I mean master's. Lis graduated high school at 16 and was offered a full ride scholarship to MIT where she did dual master's programs and graduated at 19 top of her class. That's why Walter recruited her personally. She impressed him. And has been blowing minds at QC ever since. So of course Ollie left the programming to the pros, in this case Lis." Thea smiled proudly at the small blonde then turned to find a sour look planting itself on Carter's face. She jumped for joy internally at that and saw Oliver bite the inside of his cheek to suppress a laugh. "Carter, your mother was just looking for you and Ollie, I think it's time for you to take your date for a spin on the dance floor, don't you?"
"Very much so Thea. Thank you." Oliver smiled down at his sister for her help getting out of the situation. He leaned in and kissed her cheek, whispering, "I owe you big time."
"Five words. Clothes. Prada. Fall collection. Christmas."
Oliver chuckled warmly at his sister's antics. "Seems like we will have a shopping day coming up then so I know sizes and styles to get you."
"Definitely."
Oliver turned to Felicity to find her hiding a smile behind her hand. "May I have a dance, Felicity?"
"I would love that." She smiled at him. "It was a pleasure speaking with you gentlemen. If you have questions, come by QC and I would love to answer them. Have a goodnight." Felicity smiled and nodded as they said their goodbyes then moved towards the dance floor. When Oliver passed it and kept moving her she glanced up at him as if asking where they were going.
"I never said the dance would be here. I have something I want to show you and I am done sharing you with the rest of the world for the night. Is that okay with you?"
Felicity hear the deep growl he was hiding in his tone and it caused a shiver to run down her spine and stop at her core. All Felicity could do was nod as Oliver snatched up her shawl then moved them both towards the stairs, stopping only briefly to accept a congratulations or thank someone for showing up. Always the host.