A/N: This chapter has themes of inappropriate sexual comments and sexual harassment. So if that's triggering for you, you might want to skip past the club scene.


Linda hastened her steps as she walked through her parent's house making her way to the dining room to find her parents seated at the dinner table already with looks of disapproval etched across their features.

"You're late." Her father Gregory Parks said before she even sat down. "You know dinner is mandatory at least once a week."

"I know but I was at Adrian's." Linda looked down at her phone, checking the time, she frowned. "And I'm only ten minutes late."

"Ten minutes is still late." Her mother Amanda Parks said sharply. "And what are you wearing?"

Linda glanced down at her tank top and button up shirt, and old faded jeans. "Casual clothes."

"If you expect to be taken more seriously you need to dress like you care about your appearance." Her mother said, eyeing her clothes distastefully.

"There's nothing wrong with how I dress." Linda defended. "Just because I don't dress the way you want me to doesn't mean there's anything wrong with what I'm wearing."

"Do not talk back to your mother," her father said sharply. "If she said there's something wrong with how you dress, you should listen. Your mother is a successful businesswoman with the perfect image. You'd be wise to take her advice."

Amanda shot her husband a sweet smile. "Thank you, Gregory."

Linda pursed her lips, falling silent.

"Well, don't let your dinner get cold. Start eating." Her mother ordered.

Linda picked up her fork, looking down at her plate of pasta. She twirled her fork around on her plate, pushing food around, slowly eating her food.

"Where's Adrian tonight?" Her father asked.

"He started taking some extra night classes," Linda answered, before taking a bite of her food and chewing slowly.

"Smart man. The more classes he takes the sooner he can become a lawyer." Gregory commented in approval. He pointed his fork at his daughter. "You should take your cues from your boyfriend. He has his life put together."

"My life is planned out," she retorted. "By the both of you. You wanted me to pursue a career as a lawyer just like you and that is what I'm doing. I'm doing the best I can to live up to both your expectations."

"Well, it's not good enough," her father snapped. "You need to do better. I won't have you disgracing this family. The only thing you have done right was choosing to be with Adrian."

"He's not as perfect as you make him out to be," Linda mumbled, looking down at her food.

Her father's eyes narrowed on her, as he set his silverware down. "What exactly is that supposed to mean?"

Linda slowly looked up from her plate and across the table at her parents both who were looking at her expectantly, waiting for her to elaborate.

"Nothing." she shook her head. Just forget I said anything." Her parents would probably just make excuses for him. They liked him better than they did their own daughter. She knew that.

"No, I want to know what you meant." Gregory's tone was hard as nails and filled with authority.

Linda pressed her lips into a thin line, falling silent.

"Young lady, your father is talking to you. You better answer him." Amanda's voice took on a cold edge.

Linda looked between them their displeasure obvious. She sighed, setting her fork down. "Adrian's abusive," she said point blank. "Whenever he gets angry, he takes it out on me."

Gregory and Amanda stared at her, expressions unchanging.

Linda frowned, she had expected something else. A reaction at least but nothing. "He's not a good man. He beats me. I want out but I-"

"No," her father said abruptly. "You are not leaving Adrian. He's the best thing to ever happen to you."

Linda blinked, her lips pulling down into a frown. "I tell you that Adrian beats me and you want me to stay with him?" God, what was wrong with her parents? "You actually think he's the best thing to ever happen to me?"

"Yes," her father answered. "Adrian is the son, I've always wanted. He smart, he's talented, he's determined. He knows what he wants and he has the drive to go after it."

"And we want to unite or two families," Amanda added, lifting her glass of wine. "You are not going to screw that up simply because you have a habit of angering Adrian and can't take your punishment for doing so."

"Punishment?" Linda's voice echoed back flatly, unable to believe what she was hearing. "You think I needed to be punished?"

"You should know better than to anger him," her mother said, sipping her drink. "Maybe then he wouldn't have to teach you a lesson."

Linda slumped back in her chair, deflating, having trouble wrapping her mind around their reactions to what she had told them. They didn't care. They thought she was to blame. They still thought the world of Adrian.

It was so messed up.

"Perhaps you need to make some changes to yourself." Her father picked up his silverware, preparing to take a bite of his food, he chewed slowly and swallowed before speaking again. "Change whatever it is about yourself that makes him angry and do your best to keep him happy."

Linda couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Being with him is hell and you want me to try and keep him happy? How am I supposed to do that when he makes me miserable?"

"Don't be selfish, Linda," her mother snapped. "We raised you better than that. This is bigger than you. Are two families together will be the most well-known Lawyers in the state. We're working on building our own law firm with Edward and Katherine Chase and we won't have you ruining this for us because you can't work things out with Adrian."

"Now, eat your dinner before it gets cold and I don't want to hear you badmouthing Adrian again." Her father ordered.

Linda pushed her plate away her appetite gone. "I'm no longer hungry."

"Your father told you to eat." Her mother responded. "So eat."

Linda sighed, knowing there was no point in arguing further. She pulled her plate back toward her and started eating. The sooner she finished her food, the sooner she could excuse herself and escape the presence of her parents and their expectations of her.


The past couple days were bad for Linda, trying to focus on her classes dealing with her not only her parents but Adrian's as well who were just as bad as her own and tip-toeing around Adrian doing her best not to piss him off. Her only saving grace was meeting up with her friends and meeting up with Oliver for Coffee at Jitters in between her classes during his break hour.

Ever since he walked her to her class last week they had started meeting up regularly for coffee. They talked a lot, it didn't matter what it was whether it was about her classes or his work, small things like what kind of foods they enjoyed, simple things like the weather. She just enjoyed talking to him. It felt like the only time she could truly let her guard down and relax.

He hadn't ask further about her and Adrian not pushing her and she really appreciated that.

On some level, she knew he was waiting for her to want to talk to him about it on her own. She had thought about it but she just wasn't ready to.

She wanted to keep her friendship with Oliver separated from her drama with Adrian. He had a way of brightening her day making her feel lighter in a way she was no longer used to feeling anymore.

When Caitlin suggested they all go out for a night. It sounded like a great way to get rid of some of the stress she was feeling. Adrian had another late class and he told her he was meeting up with some of his peers for a late study session and possibly some drinks. She wouldn't have to worry about him. She could just be herself, let her guard down and just enjoy being out with her friends for the night.

No one's expectations weighing her down for the night sounded perfect. She was quick to agree.

Felicity had offered for her to get ready at her place, knowing full well what Linda's parents were like. And Felicity had no shortage on dresses when it came to proper club attire. Donna Smoak loved to try and get her daughter to dress up a little more.

Linda had browsed through Felicity's dress and had settled on a dark purple number. It had a v neckline, with a cut out back, the front of the bottom half of the dress clung to her curves ending a little above her knee.

It was more daring than anything she wore before but she loved the dress. She felt in control for once wearing it, knowing Adrian would have made her wear something else. But tonight she got to wear what she wanted and having that little bit of control back was what she needed no matter how small.

She let her black hair fall freely down her back and around her shoulders, most of her current bruises had faded and were easy to cover up with a little bit of make-up. Her split lip had healed up nicely. Felicity had helped with her makeup.

Felicity had thrown on a little black dress with cutouts on the side and had let her blonde hair fall around her shoulders in flattering curls.

After they had finished getting ready Linda and Felicity left Felicity's place planning on meeting everyone at the club, Lux.

They drove in Linda's car, she parked just around the block from it.

They had to show their Id to get into the club. It was a good thing Felicity had made them fake Id's at the beginning of the year since they both were only nineteen and not the legal age to be getting into a club.

Linda looked around once they were inside the club, the bar was off to one side, the dance floor dominated most of the bottom floor. There was a slightly raised platform for the DJ and on-stage music acts. There was a set of stairs that led up to a second floor that led off into two separate sections.

One she could tell was the VIP Section with its couches and chairs and mini bar. the other half was a second dance floor and a nearby balcony to overlook the dancefloor below.

She felt Felicity's hand wrap around her wrist. "C'mon, let's find the others."

Linda let herself be pulled through the club, the club lights flashing, music blaring, feeling the clubs energy, a promise of a good time.

"Felicity!" Sara emerged from the crowd making a beeline for her.

Felicity released Linda's wrist as Sara took her by the arms. "You look amazing."

"Thank you." Felicity grinned, she looked Sara over in her short leather skirt and the tight red tank top she wore, her blonde hair, flowing freely. "So do you, leather is definitely a look for you."

Sara grinned, pulling Felicity forward, sinking her hands into her hair and pressing her mouth to hers.

Linda raised a brow. Well, it definitely seemed like things were going well. Felicity hadn't talked to her much about it though. They were going to have to get together soon, catch up on their personal lives.

Felicity broke away from the kiss, smiling, her cheeks flushed.

Sara looked at Linda. "Hey, Linda, you look great."

"Thanks," Linda replied.

Sara grabbed Felicity's hand. "C'mon, We got a secluded booth in the back."

Linda followed behind Sara and Felicity to their friends, Caitlin sat with her boyfriend Ronnie's arm around her, Iris was tucked into Barry's side, Cisco was talking animatedly.

Oliver sat on the edge of the booth, nursing a drink.

"Look who I found." Sara tugged Felicity forward, sliding into the booth on Barry and Iris's side.

Oliver looked up his eyes widening at the sight of Linda in her dress. She looked beautiful and sexy. He stood up to greet her. "You look...wow!"

Linda blushed and pushed her hair back over her shoulder. "Thanks."

"You can sit with me." Oliver gestured to his end of the booth.

Linda nodded her thanks, moving to slide into his side of the booth, her body brushing against his as she passed.

Once she was seated he slid into the booth beside her, his leg pressed against hers. Their booth was completely full. The group settled in easily, conversation following between them as they shared drinks and commented on the music and what their plans were for the rest of the weekend.

Oliver was telling Linda about how he had a weekend plan with Thea. His friend Tommy was going to be visiting and the three of them were going to catch up.

"I love this song!" Iris said suddenly, she looked at the other girls around the table. "C'mon." Let's go dance."

Sara and Felicity both nodded in agreement and the three got up and slid out of the booth to head to the dance floor.

"Scoot, Barry, I wanna go dance," Caitlin told him, sliding Ronnie's arm off her shoulder.

Barry chuckled. "How is it that your just as bossy outside of class as you are in class?" He slid out of the booth, letting her out.

Caitlin smiled at him in response. "Being bossy is in my nature." she glanced at Linda. "You coming?"

Honestly, Linda wanted to stay behind and just sit with Oliver but when she saw Caitlin looking at her with a hopeful expression, she didn't want to disappoint her. And it wasn't very often that she got to just dance and have fun with her friends. "Yeah," she looked at Oliver. "Would you mind letting me out?"

Oliver slid out of the booth and she slid out after him. "Have fun," Oliver told her.

She smiled and followed Caitlin out onto the dance floor to join, Sara, Felicity, and Iris.

The girls had formed their own little circle amongst the dancing crowd moving to the beat of the music.

Caitlin moved slowly and only from side to side.

"C'mon, Snow you can dance better than a two-step." Iris encouraged with a grin.

"Not without some liquid courage." Caitlin retorted.

Iris saw a waitress passing by with a tray of drinks, she quickly grabbed a shot while her back was turned and handed the drink to Caitlin. "Drink up."

Caitlin shook her head but was smiling. She tipped the glass back, downing it in one go. She immediately started to feel the effects and realized that was one of the more fast working shots. She started to swerve her hips, matching Iris movements.

Linda grinned as Iris pulled her forward to dance with them, she swung her hips to the beat, smiling and laughing with her friends.

She saw Felicity and Sara had drifted off to the side to dance closely together. Sara's hands were on Felicity's hips, pulling her forward, Felicity's arm was looped around Sara's neck, the length of their bodies slid together with each move they made.

Sara pushed Felicity's hair back, leaning in and whispering something in Felicity's ear that had a pink flush covering Felicity's cheeks, she bit down on her lip, eyes locked on Sara's.

Linda glanced away not wanting to intrude on their moment, instead she allowed her eyes to slide close, her head tipping back as she lost herself in the music and dancing, feeling more relaxed than she had in a long time.

It could have been minutes or it could have been longer, she didn't know, when she felt the heat of someone's body moving up behind her.

"Mind if I join you?" the sound of Oliver's voice so close to her ear had butterflies erupting in her stomach, his hot breath fanning across her skin had a shiver chorusing through her.

She turned slowly and shook her head. "no, I don't mind."

Oliver smiled and started to move with her to the thumping music. He enjoyed seeing her relax and have and wanted to be a part of that with her.

Linda smiled up at him, moving to the beat, having him this close, dancing with her had her heart beating faster in her chest. His blue eyes were bright, shining with life.

When the song change they drifted closer, brushing against each other with every move they made. At one point Oliver slipped one arm around her, his palm flat against her lower back, she gripped his arm with one hand and she could feel his bicep flex with every move he made matching her for every swerve of her hips.

They danced together for several songs before Caitlin, Iris, Felicity, and Sara appeared at her side and dragged her off toward the bar for more drinks.

She headed over to the bar with friends but couldn't keep herself from glancing back over her shoulder searching for Oliver and saw him following slowly behind them with Ronnie and Barry who at some point followed their girlfriends onto the dance floor.

"What's going on with you and Oliver?" Felicity wondered as they approached the bar.

"Nothing. We're just friends." Linda responded.

Sara snorted. "Those were not platonic looks you were giving one another. And it definitely wasn't platonic dancing. Just watching the two of you made me want to drag Felicity away and give her-"

"Sara!" Felicity cut her off blushing, already knowing where she was going with that.

Sara grinned. "You're too cute." She squeezed Felicity around the waist and place a kiss on the back of her neck.

Linda smiled at the two blondes, what they had was new but it was clear to her that they were enjoying their newly discovered relationship.

Felicity turned her head and pressed her lips to Sara's when she pulled back her lips brushed Sara's as she spoke. "Behave until we get back to your place."

"What do I get if I do?" Sara asked suggestively.

Felicity laughed, "your incorrigible," she pulled away from Sara to lean against the bar and wave down the bartender who was pouring drinks at the end of the bar.

"Hard to imagine they've only been dating for a few weeks," Oliver commented, coming to stand beside Linda.

"Maybe but Felicity and Sara apparently have known each other since the start of the semester," Linda commented, giving a small smile. "If they're happy then I think that's all that should matter."

Felicity frowned, leaning further over the bar to try and catch the bartender's attention.

"I got you covered." a male voice said at her side, a shot sliding over to her. Felicity frowned, pulling back and pushing the glass back. "I can get my own drink."

The man slid up close to her crowding her into the bar. "Don't be like that. I saw you on the dance floor with your hot girlfriend."

Felicity glanced at Sara who was distracted, talking to Iris. She turned back to the man. "What's your point?"

The man leaned in closer, whispering in her ear, his hot breath fanning against her skin making her flinch back in disgust. "The two of you are unbelievably hot together. I could get off just watching the two of you but the thing is I can give you what your girlfriend never could. You may think you enjoy women but I promise a night with me and the only thing you'll ever want is my big-"

Felicity brought her hands up having heard enough of his vile insults, shoving at him. "Get away from me."

He barely budged, he was over twice her size and easily overpowered her smaller frame. "Don't play hard to get, I know you want it." His hand slid around to her ass, gripping it hard and yanking her roughly against him.

Felicity's eyes widened, fear traveling through her, she opened her mouth to scream, create a scene, anything to get him to let her go and get away from her but suddenly he was being ripped away from her, his back knocking into the bar.

Felicity's breath left her in a rush, relief flowing through her as Oliver came to stand beside her. She felt a hand grip her arm and she jumped.

"It's just me," Linda said, soothingly she hadn't noticed the guy harassing Felicity, she had been distracted by Oliver but when she did she was instantly concerned for her friend. "Are you okay?"

Felicity nodded shakily. "Yeah. I'm okay."

"What happened?" Sara inched between them, gaze filled with concern.

"This guy he was getting really handsy," Felicity told her, shivering in disgust.

Sara pulled Felicity into her arms and rubbed her hand up and down her back.

Oliver glared at the man who had been harassing Felicity. "You owe my friend an apology."

"I don't owe that blonde bitch anything." The man pushed off the bar with a sneer.

"I said to apologize, you had no right trying to force yourself on her. She deserves to be treated with respect just like anyone else." Oliver stepped forward. "And I don't want to hear you calling her a bitch again. The next words out of your mouth better be an apology or you're not going to like my response."

"Screw you man, that bitch should appreciate I wanted to give her my di-" The man's words got cut off as Oliver's fist slammed into his jaw followed by another one to his stomach, making him double over.

Linda gasped watching as things escalated.

The man groaned, straightening up he swung on Oliver blindly, Oliver caught his fist and twisted his arm before swinging him around and tossing him into the bar, his back crashing against the hard surface.

People were jumping back even as they gather around to watch the fight.

Oliver yanked the man up by his shirt. "I told you to apologize."

The man pushed Oliver off him and caught Oliver across the jaw with his fist, Oliver stumbled back and the man ran forward spearing Oliver to the floor, he clambered on top of Oliver, bringing his fist back and connecting with his ribs.

Linda stepped forward in concern but Barry's hand clamped down on her shoulder and he shook his head at her. She bit her lip worriedly as she turned her gaze back to the fight just in time to see Oliver bring up both his legs and kick the man off him, sending the guy stumbling back.

Oliver quickly got back to his feet, advancing on the guy, hitting him with his right fist twice than his left and followed with an even harder right, sending him crashing to the floor.

Oliver moved forward, fully intending to make the guy apologize or he was gonna knock all his teeth down his throat, suddenly he was turned and a fist was coming straight at him from a second guy. Oliver ducked and shoved the guy away from him, a third came on his right but before he could reach him, Ronnie had appeared, turning the guy toward him and slammed his fist into his jaw.

Linda watched stunned as a full bar brawl broke out as more and more people started to fight, Linda pressed back against the bar with Iris, Caitlin, Sara, and Felicity.

She frowned in concern as things escalated but everything came to a halt when several bouncers appeared, breaking up the fight. "All of you out! Now!"

The four different bouncers started throwing the people out. The first go was the guy who harrassed Felicity.

One of the bouncers grabbed Oliver but he jerked out of his grasp. "I can leave on my own!" he snapped, pushing his way to the exit.

Linda glanced back at her friend's eyes lingering on her blonde friend in concern but she looked to be in good hands with Sara before she quickly followed after Oliver.


Oliver breather out harshly from the lingering feeling of anger flowing through him. He breathed out, trying to calm down. He shook his hand out, his knuckles throbbing.

"Oliver, are you alright?" he turned to see Linda approaching with a look of concern.

He dropped his hand to his side. "I'm fine."

Linda stepped closer to him, reaching out for his hand, examining his split knuckles, her thumb ran across the top of his hand. "What you did for Felicity in there, it was amazing."

Oliver watched her. "I would do it for you too."

Linda looked up her lips pulling into a smile, Oliver took a step closer to her, closing the distance between them just as Barry and the others appeared, exiting the club. "Hell of a way to end the night."

Linda dropped his hand and took a step back from him now that they were no longer alone.

"I wasn't gonna let that asshole get away with harassing Felicity," Oliver stated his jaw clenching.

"Thank you." Felicity stepped forward. "Thank you for doing that for me. He was awful."

"Of course." Oliver nodded.

"I think we should all call it a night," said Caitlin. "This was a bit too much excitement than I had planned tonight."

Caitlin and Ronnie told everyone goodbye, Cisco leaving with them.

Linda turned Felicity. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yeah, I was just gonna head back to my dorm, Sara's gonna stay with me tonight," Felicity replied, clutching Sara's hand.

"Okay," Linda nodded. "But if you need me I'm just a call away."
"I know," Felicity said, letting go of Sara's hand long enough to hug her friend.

Linda released her after a moment and looked at Sara. "Take care of her."

"Of course," Sara took Felicity's hand, tangling their hands. "C'mon, Smoak. Let's get some mint chocolate chip ice cream and head back to your place."

Felicity bid her friends goodbye and left with Sara.

"Do you have a ride home?" Oliver asked Linda when it just the two of them, Barry and Iris.

"No, I parked my car just a block over." Linda shook her head.

"I'll be fine."

"Streets are dangerous at night. I'd feel better if you let me walk you to your car."

"I would really feel better if you'd let me walk you to your car." Oliver insisted.

"Okay," Linda nodded. "If it'll give you a piece of mind."

"It will," Oliver responded, glad that she accepted his offer. He would hate if something happened to her. He didn't want her suffering more than she already did.

"Are you heading home after that?" Barry asked his friend.

"Yeah, that was the plan." Oliver nodded. He would probably call and check in on Thea, maybe get a work out in to get the remaining adrenaline out of his system.

"Maybe you should get that hand looked at," Iris suggested nodding at his hand.

"I can take care of that myself." Oliver waved off her concern. "Don't worry about me so much, West."

"Kinda have to," Iris told him with a small grin. "Your Barry's family which makes you my family too."

Linda smiled at their exchange finding how close Barry and Oliver were sweet.

"Alright, I'll see you later, Oliver," Barry said, hugging Oliver briefly and clapping him on the back.

Oliver watched Barry and Iris get into Barry's car and driveway. He liked to say he wasn't much a hugger but that wasn't exactly true. He didn't mind hugs from the people he cared about.

"So my car's just around the corner on the next block over." Linda pointed down the street.

"Alright, let's go," he placed his hand on her back as they started to walk.

"Did you have fun tonight?" he asked after a moment.

"I did." She had really enjoyed dancing with him. Having his body almost pressing against hers excited her in a way she could never remember feeling with Adrian even before the abuse started.

A part of her felt like she should feel guilty. That it was wrong to have these thoughts and feelings for someone who wasn't Adrian but he was awful to her.

It didn't make it right she knew that but she felt what she felt and it wasn't like you could tell yourself how to feel about someone. Emotions didn't work like that.

"I'm glad. It was nice to see you have fun. You're a good dancer." he complimented.

"Thanks," she said as they reached her car. "This is me."

Oliver waited till she unlocked it before opening the driver door for her.

Linda paused about to get in the car but turned back toward Oliver last minute. "Thanks again for what you did for Felicity back there. She didn't deserve that guy pushing on her like that."

"No, she didn't." he agreed. He didn't know the blonde that well but she seemed like a good person and no girl deserved to be treated disrespectfully. He wanted to tell her she didn't deserve to be mistreated by Adrian but he had already made his opinion on her relationship with Adrian pretty clear. She would be better off without him.

"Well, Good night." Linda offered up a smile.

"Good night." Oliver returned. "Can I expect to see you at Jitters, Monday?"

"I wouldn't miss it." She had really come to enjoy spending time talking with him during his breaks at Jitters.

"Good." He leaned in, his lips skimming her cheek.

She ducked her head, blushing, and got into her car and Oliver shut her door. She had just turned her keys in the ignition when something occurred to her. "Do you need a ride?"

"No, I'm good, I drove here on my bike."

Linda wasn't surprised he drove a motorcycle. He looked the type.

"Have you ever ridden on one?" Oliver asked her, tilting his head curiously.

"No, but I've always wondered what it was like."

"Maybe sometime I'll take you on a ride."

Linda was sure he meant it innocently and not the double meaning it sounded to her. If she let herself she could totally see herself riding him.

She looked away from him as her blush deepened. "Maybe someday."

"You can count on it." Oliver stepped away from her car. "Drive safe."

"You too," she murmured, pulling away from the curb and driving away, telling herself silently she needed to reign in her attraction to him.

Oliver watched her car disappear down the road before making his to where he parked his bike. He climbed on his bike, revving the engine before speeding down the street, hoping Linda got home safely and looking forward to seeing her smile at him when he saw her on Monday. He really liked it when she smiled at him because when she did he felt like it was just the two of them and everything else just fell away.


A/N: My actions scenes need some work. Hopefully, it wasn't too terrible. Thanks for reading. Reviews are encouraged.