A/N: So, it's been ages since I've written anything, which means this fic will probably be a little rough, but I've been struck by Olicity ship and chapter 3 of Anthfan's fantastic story Dust to Dust inspired this fic.
I have been over it several times, but it isn't beta'd so apologies for any glaring mistakes re spelling/grammar...other than that, enjoy :)
Future Possibilities
It had been nearly three years since Felicity Smoak had joined Team Arrow, and it was, she recognised, the beginning of the end.
They'd worked relentlessly to cross off every name within the book left to Oliver by his father and they were finally at the point where the end was in sight – only a couple more pages remained.
Crime was down; the city was nearly back on its feet and in the not so distant future there would be little need for Oliver to continue his charade of The Hood.
Although the three of them would always be bonded together in ways it would be impossible for outsiders to understand, and would, without a doubt stay in touch, eventually they would start to grow apart as their own lives took priority outside of the basement of Verdant and the secrets they'd shared there.
It was a sad, uncomfortable truth but Felicity wasn't stupid. The only constant in life was change.
In some ways it had already started happening.
Diggle had finally married Carly six months ago and from her conversations with the older woman it wouldn't be long until they decided to start trying for a baby and provide AJ with a younger sibling.
As for Oliver…well, Felicity supposed, he would likely have more time for Laurel and their on again, off again relationship saga which had been going on for the past two years.
It was exhausting being put through it as Oliver's friend; she couldn't even begin to imagine what it must be like to be one of the two people involved.
There were times she wanted to shake the pair of them for being so stupid and putting themselves through it over and over again.
What would it take for Oliver to realise that the Laurel in front of him wasn't the one he'd made up in his head during his time on the island?
When would Laurel realise that Oliver wasn't the same person that ran off with her sister? That even though she'd managed to forgive him for his sins, some actions would irrevocably damage a relationship ensuring that it would never be the same again?
Not that Oliver would be prepared to hear anything anyone had to say regarding his relationship with Laurel. As far as he was concerned she could do no wrong, and anything she did that hurt him… well that was his own fault for the numerous stunts he'd pulled in the past.
It was one of the reasons she'd never voiced her own feelings on the subject of their relationship. She knew that doing so would only result in a fight with Oliver which would damage their friendship, but also because of her own feelings towards him.
How could she possibly give Oliver advice regarding Laurel when she was unsure of how much her disapproval over their relationship as a couple stemmed from her own feelings about him?
Oh, she knew nothing would ever happen between the two of them.
She'd known that since the moment they had first met.
She hadn't dwelt on the matter. Instead she choose to admire from afar, counted herself lucky that she was his friend, that she knew the true person underneath the persona he presented to the world; to Laurel.
Everything else she tucked into a metaphoric box that remained undisturbed.
She went on dates, met new people and actively worked on getting past those feelings for him completely. She refused to give up her chances of happiness over a dream that would never come true.
Now though, more than ever before, knowing that Oliver's time as a vigilante was coming to an end had forced her to focus on the direction her own life was taking.
Felicity was determined that she wasn't going to be left behind. She'd seen and done too much to be happy about the thought of going back to the life she'd led before becoming part of Team Arrow.
With that in mind, Felicity took a deep breath and smoothed a hand down over the front of the black dress she was wearing before studying herself in the mirror. The black lace midi dress hugged her curves with a smooth bodycon fit which left her arms bare and dropped down just below her knees. The rather demure neckline ensured that it was both elegant and sexy while still being suitable for a business dinner.
She'd pulled her hair back into a loose, wavy updo and done away with her usual pink lipstick for the might, opting for a deeper, more sophisticated red instead.
It was, she hoped, a look that portrayed confidence.
When she'd put out a few feelers to get an idea of potential jobs that were available, she never, not for one moment imagined that a month later she would be going out with Bruce Wayne to discuss a new role within his company he was hoping she'd be interested in.
But as crazy as it seemed - she was.
Stepping into a black pair of killer high heel shoes, Felicity grabbed her clutch bag, gave herself one last look over in the mirror before double checking that she had everything she needed. The weather was warm, so she made the decision to not to take a coat and headed out of her apartment to where a cab would be waiting providing the driver was on time.
Desperately trying to not fidget or show the slightest hint of unease Felicity entered Noir, an exclusive French restaurant where she'd agreed to meet with Bruce Wayne and approached the hostess stand.
There was no reason for her to be nervous, she reminded herself. This was not a date. This was just a business dinner.
"Good evening. Welcome to Noir." The blonde behind the podium greeted her with a polite smile.
"Good evening, I'm Felicity Smoak, I'm here to meet with Mr Wayne."
"Of course, Mr Wayne advised that he was expecting you. He is at the bar awaiting your arrival."
"Thank you." A sudden burst of confidence surged through her at the knowledge that business dinner or not, she wasn't about to be stood up or have to sit awkwardly at the bar by herself while waiting for him to arrive.
Turning her attention to the direction in which the hostess had motioned, Felicity entered the bar area of the restaurant and scanned its occupants for Bruce Wayne.
Almost instantly she spotted him and as though he knew that she had just arrived, he turned in his seat, dark eyes fixing on her with a burning intensity.
As she approached him the billionaire stood, his face smoothly transforming into a charming smile. It was the kind of mask she'd witnessed Oliver present to people time and time again.
"Mr Wayne, it's very nice to meet you." Felicity said as she offered her hand towards him suddenly feeling relatively short despite the pair of heels she was wearing. Wow, he was tall. And good looking. It was the eye's she decided. The way they appeared to delve into your very soul. It was very easy to see why he'd been voted Gotham's number one bachelor; despite his proclaimed list of rather unusual hobbies. Really, who on earth would want to go pot-holing?
"The pleasure is all mine," he assured her. Then instead of shaking her hand as she'd expected he raised it to his lips and pressed a kiss to her knuckles.
The action had her stifling a gasp of surprise; although given the knowing gleam in his eyes she doubted she'd hidden her reaction particularly well. Damn it! She hated acting in the same manner, which was no doubt, exactly the same way hundreds of other women reacted – but it was so difficult when faced with such a man.
"But please, call me Bruce." His eyes trailed the length of her body approvingly before returning to her face. "You look beautiful Miss Smoak, I'm sure to be the envy of more than one man tonight."
The compliment caused her to blush, but also brought a genuine smile to her face. "Thank you. But if I'm to call you Bruce, it is only fair that you call me Felicity."
"Absolutely, I was hoping you'd say that." And there it was again, a devilish glint in his eyes as he raised her hand to his lips for a second time and brushed another kiss to her knuckles before letting her go. "I hope you don't mind, but I took the liberty of ordering a bottle of red before you arrived. I understand that you are fond of it. Would you care for a glass?" Bruce asked as he gestured to the bar.
"That sounds perfect." Felicity replied as she took a seat at the bar while Bruce poured them both a glass of red wine that had been opened and left to breathe. She wanted to peak at the label but it was turned away and she felt that it could come across as being a little rude to ask.
It would probably be amazing anyway.
Billionaires could afford high quality red wine.
"A toast," Bruce announced as he handed Felicity her glass of wine and picked up his own. "To working together, which I hope after tonight, will be a very real possibility."
Felicity smiled at him and raised her glass. She could do this; she could get through the evening without making a complete cake of herself.
Dealing with Oliver, Digg and the various scenario's they'd found themselves in over the past few years had helped grow her poise and confidence.
"To the possibility of working together," she echoed as they sealed the toast with a gentle clink of their glasses.
Besides, she reminded herself as she took a sip of wine; you already know his most important secret. And if anything does go wrong tonight, it cannot possibly be any more embarrassing than running around Gotham dressed in a bat costume…even if it was as a vigilante.
A/N: So..thoughts, reviews? A smiley face will do!