Chapter 18: Avengers Assembled
*****Next Day*****
Steve woke up and realized he was in bed alone. This was a rare occurrence. Normally, Felicity fought getting up like a teenager. "Mornings are the enemy!" she had told him once. However, waking up with his arms wrapped around her made up for it—that's what she'd told him anyway. Last night had been rough. She was terrified that Oliver would do something stupid. She just knew that he'd sneak off and go fight Ra's alone and then get himself killed. After Oliver had left, she'd stayed behind and put tracers on everything he would possibly take with him if he did try to sneak off.
Steve found her in the kitchen on her laptop. The coffee pot was half empty already, so he knew that she'd been awake for a while. "Honey, did you sleep at all?" Steve asked, going to her and kissing her cheek.
"Not really," she admitted. "I went to sleep once and had a nightmare of Oliver dead with a sword through his chest."
"That's not going to happen. We won't let it. I won't," Steve promised.
Felicity gave him a haunted look. "Do you think I want to lose you either? You may be stronger with superhealing, but you're not the Hulk. You can be killed!" she said, a note of panic in her voice. It was clear worry was causing her to unravel.
Steve moved and pulled her out of the chair and sat her in his lap, holding her. "I am not Oliver. I don't do things without careful planning and weighing of the odds. I don't needlessly put myself or others at risk," Steve said.
"Oliver thinks he deserves punishment. He'd rather die or get hurt than have anyone else. I don't know how to make him forgive himself," she said, her eyes filling with tears.
Steve cradled her, brushing his hand through her hair. "You can't heal him, Felicity. You can just be there for him, love and support him," Steve said. He'd felt that helpless with Bucky, so he knew what she was going through.
Felicity knew Steve was right, but she hated feeling helpless. She rested her head against his chest, listening to his heartbeat for a few minutes. Then she looked up at him. "Do you think you could talk to him?" Felicity asked hopefully.
"I will come by on my lunch break," Steve said.
Felicity gave him a grateful smile. "Thanks. I love you," she said.
"I love you, too," Steve said, kissing her. "How about you let me take you to breakfast before we go to work?"
"Waffles! I want some strawberry waffles with a side of bacon!" Felicity said, grinning.
Steve put his hand to her cheek, relieved to see a smile on her face. "Anything you want, doll," he told her. And he meant that. He'd do anything for her, give her anything. Whatever it took to keep that smile on her face.
*****Verdant******
Thea had called Oliver's secretary and was told he wasn't in yet, so she knew where he'd be. She'd watched Clint put the code in on the door to the basement, so she had no trouble getting downstairs. When the door opened, she heard a clanging of metal. When she made it down the stairs, she saw a shirtless Oliver going up some type of raised cross ladder with a metal bar. He was so fit. How did she not notice that before? She moved closer so that he could see her.
Oliver dropped down, eying his sister warily. What did he say to her? Should he tell her that her father made her a killer? If he didn't, Clint might, and she'd hate him more for keeping it from him. All he wanted was to protect her. This would destroy her. He couldn't help but wish Felicity was there. He needed her strength. Rubbing a hand over his face, he stepped toward her. No, this was his problem. He'd deal with it.
"Hey, Thea," he said quietly.
"Ollie, I'm sorry," she said regretfully. She moved and wrapped her arms around him. "Gross! You're a sweaty mess!"
Oliver laughed and reached for a towel and wiped off his chest while she took in his scars.
"You didn't spend five years alone on a deserted island, did you?" she asked.
He shook his head. "I wasn't alone on the island," he admitted. "I was captured by a mad man and tortured a few times. I met others there who helped me, taught me to fight—to survive."
Thea had learned that things weren't always black and white. She had known her brother was too haunted. Now he made a lot more sense to her. "I'm glad you had someone helping you. I'm glad you survived and came back to me," she said.
Oliver put on his shirt, relieved that she felt that way because he'd been so afraid of her rejection. "I'm glad, too," he said with a warm smile.
"I think I made a mistake, Ollie," she said. She wanted to let her big brother tell her everything would be all right.
"About what?"
"Malcolm," she replied. "I shouldn't have trusted him. I've lost some time. I think he did something to me."
Oliver's stomach clenched at the sight of her worried face. He wished he could assure her that there was nothing to worry about. However, he couldn't. He took her hand and led her to one of the chairs and sat down across from her.
"Your instincts are correct," Oliver said sorrowfully.
Thea's heart beat faster at her brother's expression. It was really bad. "Tell me, Ollie! I have to know!" she exclaimed.
"I don't want you to worry because I'm going to take care of it," he assured her.
"Take care of what? Tell me!" she said, a note of hysteria in her voice.
"You lost time because Malcolm gave you a plant called ventura. It allows you to be open to suggestion with no memory of what you did," Oliver said.
"How do you know this?" she asked, dreading his answer, feeling sick.
"Because last night after you left, Malcolm came here and told me what he did," Oliver said. "Then he showed me a video of what you did after he gave you the plant."
"What did I do, Ollie?" she asked fearfully.
"You gotta know that it wasn't your fault! You didn't know what you were doing. He is using you to get to me. He wants me dead. He's trying to pit me against the League of Assassins," Oliver shared.
"Why would the League of Assassins have anything to do with me?" she asked confused.
Oliver didn't know if telling her would be better than showing her the video. However, he decided that if she had no memory, seeing would be believing. He pushed the chair to Felicity's computer and typed in some keys, pulling up the video. "He sent this video to my phone. It's from the night Sara died," Oliver said.
Thea watched in horror as arrows flew into Sara Lance. However, she was immobilized when the killer turned, and she saw her own face. "Oh my God! How can this be? What did I do?" she asked as anguish filled her.
"It wasn't you. It was Malcolm. He wants me to claim responsibility and fight Ra's al Ghul to the death, so he can be free from their death sentence," Oliver explained.
Thea was reeling. She was a murderer, and her father wanted her brother to die.
Suddenly, she jumped up and went to the nearest trashcan and threw up.
Oliver hated to see her so upset and wanted to cause Malcolm Merlyn a lot of pain. He handed her a bottle of water and a towel.
"How could he do that to me?" she asked, her eyes burning with both pain and rage.
"I don't think he was thinking about doing anything to you, Thea. In his mind, it was about hurting me and freeing him," Oliver said. "Now that you know I'm the Arrow, you should know that I thought I'd killed him during the Undertaking. He considers me his enemy."
A look of revulsion came over her. "Why did I think he'd be okay? How did I let myself forget all the people he slaughtered in the Glades? Tommy's dead because of him, but I still went off with him!" she exclaimed, filled with self-loathing.
"No one blames you for wanting to know your father. You were upset. The city was a nightmare. This is not your fault!" Oliver insisted.
"You may not blame me, Ollie, but I blame me. I was a fool," she said bitterly.
Oliver went and pulled her into his chest, hugging her. "We're going to get through this, Thea. Together," he vowed.
"What are we going to do?" Thea asked.
"I'm not sure yet," Oliver admitted.
"We should tell the League what happened," Thea said.
Oliver looked alarmed. "No! They cannot know you fired the arrows, Thea! It won't matter to Ra's. You will die!" he exclaimed.
"We can tell them Malcolm did it. 'Cause let's face it. He basically did," she said.
"I'm not going to have you responsible for your own father's death, Thea," Oliver said, shaking his head. "You have enough burdens to bear."
"So we just let him get away with it? How is that fair?" Thea said, upset.
"Will you give me a day? I need to plan. I promise to let you know as soon as I figure it out," Oliver said. "But I promise you, Malcolm's victims will see justice. The people of the Glade deserve that."
Oliver and Thea walked out of the club together. Thea gave her brother one final hug. She was glad to have him in her life and hated to think what her life would be like if the only family she had left was Malcolm.
Oliver made it to work a half hour late. Felicity pounced on him as soon as he made it to their floor. Concern and worry filled her face.
"Are you okay? Why are you late? Did you get my messages?" she asked following him into his office.
He turned toward her, a fond smile on his face. He put his hand on her shoulder. "I'm okay, Felicity," he assured her. "Sorry I didn't return your messages. I had Thea drop in on me at the foundry."
"Is she okay? Is she mad still? Did you tell her about the video?" she asked. Then she gave him a sheepish smile. "I'm sorry!"
He laughed. She never failed to bring levity to his world. He sat down in his chair and gestured for her to sit across from him. He filled her in on his talk with Thea.
"It's good that she knows the truth. She can't keep trusting a man that would do such a thing to his own daughter," Felicity said.
"Yeah, I know," Oliver warily. "I just hated to be the one to tell her that her father is more than just a killer."
"You'd think that'd be enough," Felicity said dryly.
"I've got to make contact with the League. Tell Ra's that I killed Sara," Oliver said.
"You can't! Not only would Laurel go nuts and not believe it, you can't take that burden upon yourself!" Felicity exclaimed.
"What other choice do I have?" Oliver said. "I can't tell them Thea did it. I won't tell them Malcolm did. I can't serve her father up to them like that."
"You have to let Steve and the rest of the Avengers help you," Felicity said.
"It's not really their fight, Felicity. I'm not going to get the man you love killed," Oliver said flatly.
"It's not really your call to make," Steve said, coming into the room.
Felicity got up. "Is it lunch time already?" she asked, happy to see him.
"I responded to a call down the block, so I thought I'd stop by now," Steve said, kissing Felicity's cheek.
"I'll leave you two to talk," Felicity said. She glared at Oliver. "You are my family, Oliver. Not by blood like Thea, but by choice. It'd break my heart if you died needlessly. Steve is not Roy, and he's not Diggle. He has been to war. He has fought aliens for God's sake! He can very well take care of himself!" After making that little speech, she flounced out of the room.
The two men grinned at each other in mutual understanding. "She's incredible," Steve said in admiration.
"I have thought so a time or two," Oliver said, the smile still on her face as they watched her go to her office.
"She's my world, Oliver," Steve said.
"I know," Oliver said in understanding.
"You went through something on that island. I know that," Steve said. "But you can't know what it's like to be frozen for ninety years after fighting Nazis and Hydra. To wake up and have your entire world gone. Everyone you know dead. The woman you loved and hoped to marry dying of old age. All I had was the fight. The world had changed but evil hadn't. Then I met her, and everything changed again for me. Keeping her happy and living my life with her is my new goal. Everything else is secondary."
"It's not a bad goal," Oliver said with a smile. He did truly admire the man. Oliver didn't understand how he remained so positive, so full of light after what he'd gone through, however. He should be angry or bitter, but he wasn't. Steve really was the perfect match for Felicity because he carried the same light inside of him that Felicity did.
"I want to marry her," Steve shared.
Oliver was surprised. "You're engaged? She didn't say," he admitted, ignoring the pang of regret that filled him. She could never be his, and he had accepted that. She deserved a guy like Steve.
"No, I haven't asked her yet. I want it to be a happy occasion with all the people she loves there to celebrate the news," Steve shared. "You are an important part of her happiness, Oliver. She loves you and considers you family. So that means, you and I will be connected for the rest of our lives. We will be family, and I always protect my family."
"That's not so bad. You keep the paparazzi off of me," Oliver said, grinning. Since Steve came to town, he was their prime focus. Felicity, of course, hadn't appreciated that new development since she was now a primary focus, too.
"Glad to be of service," he said dryly. Then he got serious. "What are you planning?"
"Telling Ra's that I did it. Deal with the consequences," Oliver said.
"How about we try something else?" Steve suggested.
"I'm not going to let you fight my battle," Oliver said stubbornly.
"If my plan works, the fight will be over before it begins," Steve said.
"Tell me what you're thinking," Oliver replied.
"So I was thinking…" Steve began.
*****The Next Day*****
Felicity was a nervous wreck. The plan was a good one, but she still worried. Ra's wasn't used to things not going his way. He commanded an entire League of trained killers. There was no way they'd go without a fight.
Thea, Roy, and Clint arrived in the foundry. Thea looked like she'd not slept a wink. Clint has his bow and arrow, ready to fight.
"How are you holding up?" Felicity asked her.
She shrugged. "About as well as can be expected when your father made you into a killer, and you're about to face a showdown with the League of Assassins," she said with a grimace.
"Ra's is no fool. He'll take the deal," Clint said.
"Did you see Malcolm last night?" Felicity asked.
"No. I managed to avoid him," Thea admitted. "I don't trust myself, and I don't want to tip our hand. He has to come to me at the right time. Everything depends on that."
"Not everything," Clint countered. "We can manage just fine if he no shows."
Felicity's phone beeped. She looked down and smiled as she read the message. "Dig is bringing Tony and Bruce down now," she shared.
"I cannot believe you called the freakin' Hulk!" Roy exclaimed, shaking his head.
"We called Bruce," Felicity said. "We hope we won't need the Hulk."
"The threat of him is usually enough," Clint said.
They heard the door open and watched the two men come down with Dig.
"The cavalry has arrived!" Tony said, his arms outstretched, a grin on his face.
"You're not the cavalry," Clint informed him as he pointed at Bruce. "He is!"
Tony grinned and embraced Felicity.
"Dr. Banner, I'm so glad you could come. This is Roy and Thea," she introduced.
Thea, never one to forget her mom's training, held out her hand to shake Bruce's.
"I'm Tony," Tony said, shaking Thea's.
"Oh, I forgot you weren't here the last time Tony came!" Felicity said apologetically.
"Thea Queen. It's nice to meet you," Thea said smiling at the famous billionaire. He was the exact opposite of Oliver. He'd been captured and tortured and came out of it Iron Man. However, he didn't lie, but he went against all advice, sharing his secret with the world. The man was who he was and made no apologies. Thea couldn't help but admire him.
Roy just stood there staring at Bruce, entranced. Thea elbowed him. "Roy!" she scolded.
"Sorry!" he said with a sheepish smile. "It's just he seems so normal and mild."
"He is," Tony said, slapping him on the back. "He's also brilliant and turns into a giant rage monster when provoked. It's one of his best qualities!"
Roy, not used to Tony's off beat sense of humor, gave him a puzzled look.
Bruce understood the poor young man's confusion and frowned at Tony. "Tony," he said in disapproval. His one word conveying ten.
"I wish Pepper could've came. I'd like to see her," Felicity said.
"I'm sure she'll be in for the wedding," Tony said.
Felicity looked puzzled. "What wedding?" she asked.
"You mean you and the old man aren't engaged yet? I know he's old-fashioned, but since you're shacking up, I figured a wedding was coming soon!" Tony said with a wink.
Felicity felt her face get hot. "We-we've not talked about it," she stammered. She hadn't realized that it was unusual for her very traditional boyfriend to not propose. It hadn't bothered her because they'd been so happy. Leave it to Tony to make things awkward.
"I'm sure he's waiting for the perfect moment," Dig said, giving her a reassuring smile.
"Which isn't now," Thea pointed out. "A girl wants a proposal to be romantic and a memory she never forgets. I'd imagine that the Captain is as romantic as they come."
"Yes, he is," Felicity said, brightening.
"So did we miss your and Penny's engagement announce?" Clint said pointedly.
"Pepper says I'm not house broken yet," Tony replied with a grin. Clint snickered.
Her phone beeped. "That's Oliver. Ra's is in town. Everything is ready," Felicity said.
"Is Nat with him?" Clint asked.
"Yes," Felicity replied. "We have everyone."
"Almost," Tony said with a wink.
"Let's move out," Dig said, leading the way.
Already waiting outside the meeting spot was Oliver and Natasha. They were at stockyard on the edge of town. This gave both parties an open view, so they couldn't be ambushed. There were large metal crates scattered around and various size boats tied to the docks.
"So are we going to talk about what happened with us?" Natasha asked him.
"Do you really think now is the time?" Oliver asked pointedly.
"It's as good a time as any. We're just standing here waiting," she said, smiling that coy smile of hers.
It'd been a long time since anyone's smile but Felicity's affected his mood. Her smile hinted of naughty things and got him hot. He frowned. "Now's not the time," he said, looking away.
She ran her hand down his arm, wishing it wasn't encased in leather. She grabbed his hand, holding it. "You know, only having the fight and the missions gets old after a while," she said. "I'm not going to be young and beautiful forever."
That statement made him smile. "I disagree. Someday, you're going to be the hottest senior on the planet," he told her.
Her smile lost its coyness and became filled with warmth. "You say the sweetest things!" she exclaimed. "Do you think they'll be someone in the rocker next to me?"
Oliver gazed down at her, longing filling him. On the island, he'd pictured growing old with Laurel. When he came back to Starling and met Felicity, that dream had faded. She'd replaced Laurel so easily that he hadn't even been aware it was happening. However, he'd not wanted to damage her with his baggage and lost her to a better man. Natasha was a complete and unexpected surprise. She was deadly and beautiful and brilliant—a seductive combination. Could she be a part of his future? Did he even have a future?
He raised the hand she wasn't holding to her cheek, cupping it. "I hope so," he said quietly. Then he couldn't resist anymore, kissing her hungrily.
Her arms went around his neck, and she returned his kiss with equal ardor. However, sounds of an engine signaling the approach of their friends had it ending. They stood there staring at one another, neither sure what the kiss meant.
"The gangs all here," Tony said as he approached with Bruce and Oliver's team. He greeted Nat and Oliver.
"Is Thea with Felicity?" Oliver asked. A voice in his ear answered.
"She's here with me, Oliver. Don't worry," Felicity told him.
Oliver let out a relieved breath. She hadn't wanted to stay behind. However, he wasn't taking any chances with her life.
"Malcolm should be there soon," Thea said into the comms.
"Will he run off when he sees that she's not here?" Roy wondered.
"I can't see him doing that," Oliver said.
A lone figure approached. "There he is!" Roy said, pointing.
Malcolm faced the assembled group with some trepidation. However, he put on an indifferent mask.
"I didn't realize such illustrious company would be here," he said, looking at the faces. "Where's Thea?"
"I decided that she'd be safer not being involved in this. Ra's should be here soon," Oliver shared.
Malcolm looked alarmed and took a step back. Steve had moved behind him. "We would like you to stay," Steve said, blocking his path.
Tony smirked. "Not fun being surrounded by people that you don't intimidate, is it?" he asked.
Malcolm gave him a dark look and said nothing. Then suddenly they were surrounded by fifty of Ra's men. They seemed to appear out of nowhere. The Avengers, along with Roy and Dig, closed ranks around Oliver and Malcolm. Ra's and Nyssa slowly made their way toward them.
"Oliver Queen, I see you brought my wayward student with you," he said looking coldly at Malcolm.
"You cannot have him," Oliver said.
"Did he kill my Sara?" Nyssa asked, giving him a deadly glare.
"Not by his own hand," Oliver said. "He wants me to confess to doing it in order to protect someone I love who was drugged and unknowingly used as his instrument."
"Who? Who killed her?" Nyssa demanded. "Tell us, or you and your friends will die."
Tony grinned at her. "She's brave," he observed to Bruce. "I guess being they're not Americans, they don't recognize us."
"I know who you are, Tony Stark. A man who hides behind a suit of metal," Ra's said, his lip curling in distaste.
Steve stepped forward. "I don't hide behind anything," he said boldly.
Ra's examined Steve a moment. "America's greatest hero, aligning himself with a vigilante," Ra's said with derision.
"Oliver protects this city. It's now my home, and I work for the police in this city and him to keep this city safe. You will not be harming any of its citizens today or any other day," Steve announced.
"I am not afraid of you," Ra's said. "You are not immortal."
Tony elbowed Bruce. "Maybe not. But he is," Tony said, with a smirk.
"And you are?" Ra's asked, looking at Bruce.
"He's the Hulk," Tony said. "Your little band of ninja warriors don't scare us."
One of Ra's men took offense and shot an arrow at Tony.
Tony wasn't cocky without reason. He held up his hand, activating a magnet as his hand was encased in his suit. The arrow was caught. "Nice try," he said. "Looks like you need to take one of your boys to the woodshed and teach him some manners."
"Are you prepared to unleash the League onto this city over your enemy?" Ra's asked Oliver, gesturing to Malcolm.
"He's my sister Thea's father," Oliver said. "I can't let you kill him."
"Then we have a problem," Ra's said coldly.
A clap of thunder was heard, and a bolt of lightning hit the ground. Thor had arrived.
Ra's men jumped back as the man appeared from the sky.
"Thor, old buddy, glad you could join us," Tony said with a grin.
"I heard the Avengers were assembling. What foe would you have me defeat?" Thor asked, looking with interest at the men in black.
Steve smiled at him. "Thor, you arrived just in time. I was just telling Ra's here how he would be foolish to try to challenge us because this city is under our protection," Steve said.
"The god of thunder is here!" Roy whispered to Dig, totally blown away. "Thea is going to die!"
Dig wouldn't admit it, but he was more than a little bit in awe himself. He suddenly felt very human.
"One of my people have been taken from me!" Ra's exclaimed angrily. "I will have blood! If Malcolm Merlyn is responsible for taking my daughter's beloved, then he must die!"
"I can promise you that Malcolm will pay. You will have your justice," Steve said. "I will arrest him, and he will stand trial for the hundreds of people he killed in this city. He will not go unpunished."
"Your courts are not reliable. No guilty verdict is ever guaranteed as Moira Queen proved," Ra's pointed out.
"He will pay for his crime. You have my word," Steve said.
"We have room in my father's prison in Asgard," Thor offered with a grin.
Malcolm gave him a look of horror and took a step back as if to flee. This time Roy and Dig caged him in. Roy aimed his arrow.
"There's nowhere for you to run, Malcolm," Oliver said.
"Thea isn't going to like you throwing her father in jail," Malcolm said.
"I showed her that video you sent me," Oliver said with a cold smile. "She knows what you did. I don't think she'll be visiting you in prison."
Ra's examined the group, weighing the odds. However, he hadn't been a leader so long without learning wisdom. Making enemies out of the Avengers was not a wise move. He would lose too many. If the Hulk was loosed on them, they're be no escape. He looked at Oliver. "If your courts set him free, we will come for him," he vowed. Then he turned and left, his soldiers falling after him.
"It worked!" Roy exclaimed in relief.
"Was there any doubt?" Tony asked, grinning.
"Not from me," Clint said.
"I had some," Oliver admitted.
"Me, too," Dig said.
"Malcolm Merlyn, you are under arrest," Steve said, handcuffing him and reading him his rights.
"So party at Captain's?" Tony suggested.
"I could use a drink," Thor said, slapping him on the back.
"What's new?" Clint said with a smirk.
"My place is Felicity's. Gotta ask the lady of the house," Steve said.
"Ask me what?" Felicity asked, listening on the comms. Tony didn't have comms, so she didn't hear his remark.
"We can go to my place," Oliver tentatively suggested.
"Your club?" Tony asked, eyes bright.
"Well, no, it's not back open yet," Oliver said. "But we still have alcohol there."
"Works for me!" Tony said. "I'll have JARVIS bring in some food."
Steve called Captain Lance to send a car to pick up Starling City's most wanted man. Quentin was so thrilled that he was coming in person.
A short time later, they handed Malcolm off to an excited Captain Lance. Naturally, the Arrow team was gone before he arrived.
******Verdant*******
Steve, Oliver, Dig, and Roy headed down to the basement while Tony directed a group of caterers that had driven up as they all had arrived back at Verdant.
Felicity and Thea looked relived to see them all. Felicity hugged Steve while Thea hugged Oliver. Oliver told her about her father's arrest.
"Good," she said, a sullen look on her face.
"It's the best thing for everyone. The city can put it behind them once he's brought to trial," Steve said.
"So Tony's upstairs directing caterers," Roy told Thea.
"Huh?" she asked, frowning.
"He wanted an excuse to throw a party," Oliver said.
"Tony doesn't need an excuse," Steve said. "And expect people you've never met to show up. Tony doesn't know how to do things small."
"He's not throwing a party in my club without me," Thea said, heading to the door.
"Remember, he's both your brothers trapped in a genius's body!" Felicity called after her.
"So are you saying I'm not smart?" Oliver teased.
"No! It's just the only one that can handle Tony is Pepper, and she's not here," Felicity said.
"He'll be fine, honey. Relax," Steve assured her, smiling.
Roy followed Thea upstairs. Diggle went to call Lyla while Oliver took off his suit.
"I can't believe it worked!" Felicity said, throwing herself in her chair in relief.
"Me either," Oliver said. "But Ra's is no fool. Thor showed up. I forgot to prepare Thea."
Felicity sat up, grinning. "Thor? He's here? Is he as beautiful in person as on TV?" she asked excitedly.
Steve and Oliver exchanged a look. "Men aren't beautiful," Steve said.
She laughed. "You two need to look in the mirror some time!" Felicity said. She got up and walked between them, patting them both as she walked by. "Let's join the party!"
An hour later, the party was in full swing. Tony somehow managed to invite most of Oliver and Felicity's board and many co-workers. Felicity assumed that JARVIS hacked into her files. She was going to have to beef up her firewalls.
She was dancing with Steve, watching Oliver and Natasha dancing nearby. Oliver was actually smiling. "Look at that!" she told Steve. "Oliver looks happy!"
"Good for him. Nat is a good woman," Steve observed.
"Yes, she's great. But is she a stay in one place kind of woman?" Felicity asked. "Oliver's pretty much planted here."
"I think they can work it out," Steve said. The song ended. He took her hand and pulled her away from the music. "I was hoping to talk you."
"Sure. What's wrong?" she asked.
"Not a thing," he said, smiling down at her. "I've been wanting to talk to you about something for the past few weeks. I was waiting for the perfect time. Now that Oliver and Thea are in a good place and your company is on track, I thought it'd be the perfect time to ask you a question."
Felicity gave him a puzzled look, and then her mouth fell open in shock when he got down on one knee. He opened up a box with a diamond ring in it.
"Felicity Megan Smoak. I love you more than I knew I could ever love someone. You make this new world I've woken into heaven on Earth. I'm hoping you would do me the great honor of being my wife," Steve said.
Felicity couldn't believe this was happening. He'd never mentioned marriage and until Tony made a comment, she hadn't thought much about it. She figured that they'd get there someday, though. Tears rolled down her cheek as she looked down at the ring and his face so full of love. She nodded and wiped her cheeks. "Yes! Yes! Yes!" she exclaimed, throwing her arms around him.
Steve kissed her, joy filling him. Then he put the ring on her finger.
"I love you!" Felicity said. "I can't believe you bought a ring and I had no idea!" She looked down at it in awe. It was perfect. It wasn't flashy at all. A small round diamond on a gold band. Although the diamond was small, it wasn't too small.
"I want you to be my family in the eyes of the law and God," he said simply.
"My mom is going to be ecstatic," Felicity said grinning. She hugged him.
"Why are you two hiding in the hallway?" Thea asked, spotting them.
Felicity held out her newly engaged hand. "Steve just asked me to marry him!" she shared.
"Oh my God! That's awesome!" Thea said. "Congratulations! We totally have to make an announcement!" Before Steve and Felicity could respond, she was out on the floor, making her way to the DJ.
"Well, let's face the music," Felicity said, grinning. Steve grabbed her hand and walked with her.
Thea silenced the music. "Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to introduce our newly engaged couple: Steve Rogers and Felicity Smoak!"
There were a few gasps and shocked looks by acquaintances. However, their friends were all smiles and clapping as they surrounded the couple.
Natasha was clapping with everyone else and glanced at Oliver, who looked sad. "Are you okay?" she asked.
"Yes," he said. "I'm happy for them."
"You look sad," she said.
"Maybe a little. I know she doesn't belong to me. She never has, but I don't want to lose her. I'm not sure what I'd do without her," he admitted.
Natasha put her hand on his arm. "You won't lose her. You're too much a part of her," Natasha said.
Oliver smiled at her, glad she understood. "We should go congratulate them," he said. He walked toward the couple, taking in Felicity's beaming face. It did make him happy to see her so full of joy.
"Congratulations," he said to her.
"He wants to marry me! Can you believe that?" she asked, looking over at Steve, who was talking to Thor, Tony, and Bruce.
"Of course, he does. He's a smart man," Oliver said, smiling at her.
Felicity hugged him. Then she hugged Natasha. She just wanted to hug everyone; she was so happy.
Steve joined them, and Oliver held out his hand. "Congratulations," Oliver said.
"Thanks," Steve said, smiling warmly at him. "You know that this won't change anything. She'll still be there for you."
How did he do that? How did he know Oliver's fear? "Yeah," he said. "But things will change a little. They should."
They were still chatting when Tony walked over to them. "Captain, JARVIS just got a beat on a new Hydra cell not too far from Starling. We thought we'd go have some fun. Wanna join?" Tony asked.
Steve pulled Felicity closer. "Not tonight. Tonight, my fiancé is getting all of my attention. Unless you see Bucky, I'm probably not going to chase after Hydra anymore," Steve said. "If it's a global threat, call me."
Tony looked at Oliver. "What about you? Want to come fight in the big leagues? We could always use another archer," Tony said.
Oliver was surprised by the offer and looked at Natasha, who was smiling in encouragement. "Sure," he said.
"Let's suit up!" Tony said, waving them to follow.
Roy and Dig came up to see what was going on. "Where's he going?" Roy asked.
"We're going to take down a Hydra cell," Oliver said, trying not to show his excitement.
Roy's eyes got wide. "We're going to fight with the Avengers? Seriously?" he asked.
"Well, he invited me, but I'm sure he doesn't care if you come. He seems like the more, the merrier kind of guy," Oliver said.
"He totally is," Felicity agreed, grinning.
"Lyla can get a sitter. I'm sure she'll want to come," Dig said, making everyone laugh.
"Party's over, everyone!" Tony called. "We have to go take care of some bad guys."
"It's totally not cool that he can just say that," Oliver grumbled, more than a little envious.
"It must be nice not to have to lie," Felicity said with a sigh.
"There's only one Tony Stark," Steve said, watching Tony expertly work the crowd, shaking hands as he went out. Thor and Clint on his heels.
"Have fun," Felicity said. Oliver squeezed her hand and walked with Natasha. More people stopped to offer final congratulations to her and Steve. After thanking Thea, the couple strolled out of the club.
When they got outside, Felicity looked up at him. "You know that I don't expect you to not go and fight. I understand," she said.
"I know you do," Steve said happily. He was a lucky man.
"Why didn't you go with them?" she asked.
"Because we just got engaged. Because not fighting every battle is okay. Because you're worth it. I have more than the mission to live for now," Steve said, wrapping his arms around her and kissing her.
Felicity looked at him, her mind foggy. She knew that their life would be full of both excitement and danger. However, she knew that whatever happened they would face it together with their friends by their side. Finally, her life was perfect.
******The End******
This chapter had several things in it that I would've wrote for the 3rd season on Arrow. It irks me to no end that Malcolm was walking around Starling after committing mass murder. Thea thought to turn him in to the League, but not to have Captain Lance ARREST THE MAN! The shows continual use of him really soured the show for me. Mass murderers should not be redeemed but should suffer. As I am from Oklahoma, where we had a mass murderer named Timothy McVeigh, I took it really personally.
Reviews are what make me want to keep writing stories you like, so please take a minute and tell me what you think. There is more to come in this series as Oliver still doesn't have his happy ending. Thanks for reading.