A/N: Thank you to everyone who has reviewed, followed or favorite this story.
Warnings: For mention of physical abuse.
It had been almost a month since Oliver had started working at the shelter alongside Diggle.
Seeing these women who were looking for a safe place, so terrified of going home, of their husbands or boyfriends, it was difficult for someone like him. He couldn't stand for violence against women and children.
But it was also humbling to see how Felicity Smoak went to bat for them without a moment's hesitation and holding nothing back.
At first glance, you wouldn't picture her being someone to square off against anyone let alone run a shelter for abused women but appearances could be deceiving.
Felicity, she was small and her bright personality made her seem almost unassuming but Oliver had come to know her a little better in his short time working for her. She was strong-willed, beautiful, unbelievably smart, selfless, kind to a fault, she had a fortitude about her that you didn't see in many people. She possessed a spine of steel. She had a strength about her that if you weren't looking you would miss.
Once you got to know her even just a little bit it wasn't hard to see how she could inspire such loyalty from the people she chose to surround herself with.
He glanced at his watch, Roy and Sara would be showing up to switch shifts with him and Diggle.
"About time for you to get home to the wife, isn't it?" Roy smirked at Diggle as he came through the door.
"Ha, ha, Harper." Said Diggle. "Don't go scaring anyone off with that mug of yours." He returned jokingly.
He brushed past him, looking at Sara in mock sympathy. "How you put up with him is beyond me."
"I have the patience of a saint." Sara returned jokingly. "Have a good night, Digg. Tell Lyla I said, Hi."
"Will do." Digg pushed his way into Felicity's office. "Hey, Roy and Sara just showed up for their shift. I was about to head out. I can walk you to your car if you're planning on calling it a night."
"No, that's alright. I still got a few things to do here before I head out but have a good night. Tell Lyla I said hi and give baby Sara my love."
"Try not to work too hard," Digg responded, pushing back out of her office just as Oliver was approaching the door.
"Heading out?" Asked Oliver.
Digg nodded. "Yeah, you?"
"Not yet. I want to make sure Felicity makes it home."
"Could be a while. She's determined to get a bit more work done." Digg informed him.
"I don't mind waiting her out." Oliver clapped him on the back. "Go home to your family."
"Make sure our girl gets home safely." Said Diggle in reply over his shoulder as he left. When he had first introduced Oliver and Felicity he hadn't expected Oliver to take to Felicity as well as he did. But he was glad there was someone always looking out for her other than himself.
"Of course." Oliver murmured. He wasn't exactly sure when Felicity became their girl. Somewhere between his first week on the job and when he first met her. He had never had someone become important to him in such a short time.
He pushed his way into her office not bothering with knocking and settled in the seat across from her desk, waiting for her to look up from some papers she was going over, glancing at her desktop screen every few seconds.
When five minutes passed without her noticing he was in the room with her, he deliberately cleared his throat.
Felicity yelped in surprise, jumping in her seat, her hand instinctively grabbing up her stapler like it was a weapon. "Oliver!" She exclaimed staring at him in shock. "Don't you knock?"
"No." Oliver smiled at her, eyes bright, amused by her reaction. "You know, a stapler wouldn't do much against me, don't you?"
"You know, this is my office, don't you?" Felicity shot back. "And in case you weren't aware you knock before entering someone's office. Not sit across from them without their knowing, watching them work."
Oliver smiled at her words, seeing the teasing glint in her eye. "And one would think you would be more observant of your surroundings with what you do."
"Touché." Felicity smiled wryly.
"But on a more serious note, you really do need to learn to be more observant." Sometimes it worried Oliver how unobservant she was. Even if she was safely tucked away in her office. It didn't mean trouble wouldn't find her one day.
"You sound like, Digg." It wasn't anything Felicity hadn't heard before. "Next you'll be offering to teach me self-defense classes in case a situation arises and I have to defend myself."
The muscles in Oliver's body clenched automatically at the thought of her ever being in danger. A thought he despised instantly. He couldn't even entertain the thought that he wouldn't be there to keep her safe from harm.
And even though he knew knowing how to defend herself would be really good for Felicity he couldn't voluntary offer to train her. Because the truth was over the time he had started to get to know her he realized he was very much attracted to her. But it wasn't just physical attraction but he was also attracted to the remarkable woman she was.
He could never train her, he doubted he would be able to keep himself from doing something stupid. Being that close to her, working up a sweat, feeling her body against his own even if it was for teaching her how to be able to fight back should she ever need to would just be too tempting. He wouldn't be able to keep himself from showing her just how attracted to her he was.
"No. I would never offer to train you though that is a good idea."
Felicity frowned at him. "You wouldn't train me? Not even if I asked you to?"
"Not even then."
"Why not?" Felicity couldn't help but ask. Oliver nagged her just as much as Digg did if not more about her safety. She would think he would nag her less if he knew she could defend herself.
"I rather not say." Oliver avoided her gaze.
Felicity wasn't sure what to make of that. But she wasn't going to push him about it. "It's a moot point anyway. Digg gives me self-defense lessons twice a week much to my dismay."
Digg had taught her self-defense after they became friends and he insisted on continuing their lessons to keep her sharp. It wasn't that she didn't like knowing how to defend herself cause she really did. She just disliked how much energy the lessons took.
"Shouldn't you be heading out? Your shift is up." Felicity wondered. "Or is there something you need?" If not she needed to get back to what she was working on.
"I'll head out when you do."
Felicity looked at him with a quirked eyebrow. "Then we could be here all night." She blushed, realizing how that could be misconstrued. "Be here all night working, doing nothing else but working."
Oliver's lips ticked up into a smile. He loved her accidental double entendre's. It was one of the most endearing things about her.
"My point being you should just head on home." Felicity continued. "It's been a long day and you deserve the chance to relax. So go home, eat something, get some rest, it's getting late, you know."
"Exactly. Bad things happen to women out alone, late at night, especially in the Glades." Oliver eyes hardened with the thought of something ever happening to her. "I want to make sure you make it home safely. So I'll be by your side until then."
Felicity pursed her lips. There was a time that she didn't have anyone looking out for her wellbeing besides her mother but now she had a hand full of people that she knew were protective of her but none were as protective as Diggle and Oliver, out of the two of them she was never left alone in the Glades. They were a bit too overprotective at times. She wasn't sure who was worse Digg or Oliver. She was currently leaning more toward Oliver on that one, though.
"I haven't decided whether I find it sweet or annoying over how overprotective you are."
"If you're undecided, I'd like to suggest sweet," Oliver suggested and watched pleased as she shook her head and laughed, a light that shined bright in her eyes and her smile that never failed to warm his heart.
"You're clearly not going to leave here until I do." Oliver nodded at her words because she wasn't wrong. "So give me an hour to get most of this done, then you can walk me out."
"Sounds good." Oliver agreed.
Felicity gave a nod, turning back to her work but when ten minutes later and he was still sitting in her office, she found herself distracted by just being in the room with him. "Oliver, go do something."
Oliver frowned. "Is my presence bothering you?"
"Yes, you're too distracting, I can't concentrate on working when you're sitting across from my desk. You try concentrating when you have someone who is too gorgeous to be real sitting across from you when you're trying to finish up your work."
Oliver couldn't stifle his grin as a wave of male pride hit him at her admittance that she was distracted because she found him so attractive.
Felicity's eyes widened. "Not that I noticed how gorgeous you are because why would I? I mean, why would I even bother looking?" She said before realizing what she was saying. "Not that your not worth looking at because you are. A lot."
Oliver was unable to hold back his laughter any longer, giving a breathy chuckle.
"Ugh. Just forget anything I just said in the last two minutes." She slapped her hand to her forehead.
"Anything you want." Oliver smiled warmly, feeling a lightness in his chest. He stood up, walking toward the door. "I'll see you in an hour." He left her office with one last look at her blushing face before heading off to see how everyone was doing. Maybe he would step out and give Tommy a call. Something to keep him occupied for an hour.
An hour later Oliver knocked on Felicity's office before pushing the door open not bothering with waiting for a response. Hey, at least he knocked this time.
"He knocks after all." Felicity teased, putting her files away and shutting her computer down. "Just let me grabbed my things and then I'll be ready to go."
Oliver walked forward grabbing up her coat and walking over to her holding it open for her.
Felicity looked at him in surprise at the gesture but thanked him nonetheless as he helped her into her coat. Felicity had just scooped up her keys and bag when suddenly her stomach rumbled loudly.
He chuckled in amusement as Felicity blushed, embarrassed. "We should stop and get a late dinner."
Usually, Felicity would say no. Mainly cause she didn't like to mix her business life with her personal one, sure if Digg would be there she wouldn't worry too much. But when it was just Oliver and her, she didn't want to cross boundaries that would complicate their working relationship.
But she was really hungry so it couldn't hurt to make an exception this one time. "Big Belly Burger?" She suggested.
"Sounds good." Oliver nodded, pulling the door open and holding it for her.
"Thank you." Felicity walked past him and he pulled the door shut behind them, stepping back so Felicity could lock it.
"Oh, I just remembered I was supposed to speak to Emilia but it's late. I'll talk to her tomorrow." Felicity said as they made their way through the halls and toward the exit.
"Heading out for the night, Felicity?" Asked Sara as they rounded the back exit of the place.
"I am. If something comes up that requires my immediate attention I want you to contact me immediately. Also in the morning could you relay a message to Emilia that I wish to speak with her in my office around 11."
Sara nodded, from her guarding spot. "I'll let her know."
"Is something wrong?" Roy wondered, after walking rounds around the building and making sure nothing was out of the ordinary.
"I'm not sure. But in any case, I do not wish to alarm her unnecessarily. Our job here is to help the women who come here feel safe and secure, where they don't have to look over their shoulder every five minutes terrified for their safety." Felicity paused. "But if there is a problem all of you will be the first to hear of it. We don't want nor need any surprises." Felicity told him. "I'll see you two, tomorrow."
After bidding the two of them goodbye, Felicity walked out to her car with Oliver, she glanced at him to see him watching her carefully as they reached her car. "What?"
"Is the matter with Emilia that serious?"
"I don't like to talk about others situations unless necessary out of respect for their privacy but we may need to boost up security in the coming days." She unlocked her car door and Oliver opened the door for her. Felicity tossed her bag into the passenger seat. "Right now, I'm just being cautious. I'm hoping it's nothing to worry about."
"It never hurts to be cautious, especially with what we do." Oliver gripped the door as Felicity got settled into the driver seat. "If you're worried you should trust your judgment. I do."
Felicity smiled up at him. "I appreciate the vote of confidence."
Oliver had the utmost confidence in her but he didn't want to tell her that if there was a chance it would make things awkward between them. "I'll follow you on my bike." He told her before closing her car door.
Felicity watched as he got on his bike that was parked a few spaces over before she pulled out of the backlot and onto the road, glancing through her rearview mirror to see Oliver following behind her on his bike like he said he would.
Oliver glanced around as Felicity settled into their usual booth when they came here with Digg for lunch. It's where they went most of the time when the three of them would get lunch together.
His eyes scanned the dineR, with how late it was there weren't that many other patrons. Two couples and a small family but other than that it looked like things were slow going.
Felicity glanced at Oliver noticing his focus was elsewhere as he scanned the diner for threats. She wasn't surprised, he was always alert, always scanning to determine potential threats and escape exits. Always making sure his back was never to the door. She reached for the menu more out of habit than anything else not really needing to look at it since she knew the menu off the top of her head and she already knew what she would like to order.
"Felicity, you're in here late?" A familiar voice said.
"Hello, Amanda." Felicity smiled at the middle age woman. "How are you doing?"
"I'm doing well since the last time you ask." Amanda smiled.
"Good, I'm glad but if you ever need anything all you have to do is ask." Felicity offered.
"I know but honestly, I'm doing well. And you already did so much for me." Amanda was one of the women Felicity had helped at the shelter. She had been in a controlling relationship with her ex, Greg, but thanks to Felicity she was able to get Greg out of her life and start fresh. She would always be grateful to the younger woman.
"That doesn't matter," Felicity assured her. "I'm still here as a friend if you ever need anything."
"Thank you." Amanda smiled, she glanced over at Oliver. "Hello Oliver, no Digg tonight?" She wondered looking between the two.
"Afraid not. He's at home with his family." Oliver offered up a polite smile. He had met Amanda a few times. By the time he came to work at the shelter she had already moved on from there, her controlling ex no longer in the picture.
"Be sure to tell him I said hi. Now, what can I get you two?" She had been working at Big Belly Burger since she had left the shelter and started her life over.
"I'll have a cheeseburger and a side of cheese fries." Felicity looked to Oliver. "Don't judge. I'll be working off the calories during the next self-defense lesson with Digg."
"I wasn't judging, I'll have the same but I want bacon with the cheeseburger and make it a double also no cheese with the fries."
Amanda nodded, writing their order down. "And for drinks?"
"Soda's fine, coke," Felicity told her.
"I'll have the same." Oliver agreed.
Amanda nodded. "It shouldn't be too long."
"I know you said you were just being cautious but is this something Digg and I should be worried about?" Oliver asked once it was just the two of them.
Felicity was glad the diner was almost empty, but she still spoke in low tones so only Oliver could hear her.
"Daron Anders, he's Emilia's husband that she's been on the run from for a few weeks before she found us but anyway I think he might have found her. There's been threatening notes. He knows that she's being sheltered."
"How does he know about the shelter? Where to find it?" Oliver questioned. Not many knew of the shelter but he had noticed that more and more women were coming in which meant that word of their shelter was getting out there. At this rate it was only a matter of time before the location of the shelter was no longer a well kept secret and when that happened they would either need to move their location or they were going to need to increase security. At any rate, it was something he would need to discuss with Digg and Felicity.
"I don't know. He want's Emilia and he wants little Henry. But we can't let him near her the last time he laid a hand on her she was in the hospital with a fractured skull, broken ribs and a hairline fracture and don't even get me started on the fact that he ripped his son's arm from the socket, I mean, he's six years old. His father is meant to protect him not hurt him." Felicity shook her head in disgust. "Men like that.. I hate men who think they can get away with hurting women and children."
"We'll protect them." Oliver reached across the table and grasped her forearm. "I promise he's not going to get the chance to hurt his family again. You've given them a safe place to stay and I'll be damned if I let him take that away."
Felicity smiled, placing her hand over his and giving it a squeeze in thanks. "Good. I'm glad to hear that. They've been through so much already. Amelia and Henry deserve better and I hope with the shelter and our help, soon we'll be able to help her get a fresh start where she won't have to worry about her abusive husband."
"She'll have that fresh start. Her and Henry." Oliver said, pulling his hand back just as Amanda arrived with their food.
"Enjoy." She smiled at them before moving back behind the counter of the diner.
Felicity immediately grabbed up a fry. taking a bite, taking another moment to chew and swallow. "We'll fill Digg in on the situation tomorrow before we discuss what we're going to do and then we'll talk with Amelia."
Oliver nodded, taking a bite of his burger, chewing thoughtfully as he watched her. He swallowed his bite of food. "Can I ask you something?"
Felicity looked up from her food, picking up her sandwich. "Sure."
"I was wondering how you got into this? Helping women and children? What made you decide to open up a shelter?"
"Didn't Digg tell you how we met?"
"Not entirely, he just said something about being in the right place at the right time but he didn't go into further details." He responded.
"Right. Well, it's kind of a personal story. I mean, it's not every day you meet someone because they saved your life."
"Saved your life?" Oliver echoed.
"My junior year at MIT, I started seeing this guy, Cooper, and it was good at first we had a lot in common. We both loved working with computers and were in the same courses, studying cybersecurity and computer sciences. We hit it off almost instantly. But then things weren't so good. It started out with small things that I barely noticed. It started out with him tracking my movements, what I did, then it went onto him becoming controlling and verbally abusive."
"Did it escalate from verbal to physical abuse?" Oliver asked as his stomach twisted in knots at hearing that she was mistreated.
Felicity's eyes drifted away from him, she hated thinking back to the time when she allowed herself to be mistreated when she deserved better. As Sara like to say no woman should have to suffer at the hands of a man. "The first time he hit me he said it was an accident but it wasn't it was just something I tried to make myself believe and when it happened again and he apologized I convinced myself he wouldn't do it again but I was wrong. It kept happening and I should have left the first time he laid a hand on me, but I didn't. And the hits turned into beatings and he got so possessive and he was angry all the time and he took it out on me."
Felicity looked down at her plate twirling a fry between her fingers. "But when I ended up in the hospital for two weeks with a broken arm a severe concussion and broken ribs, bruises everywhere I knew I had to leave."
"I was on the run from him, literally when I ran into Digg. Cooper refused to let me leave him and it was like something out of those horror stalker movies. The only way I was going to leave him was in a body bag. I ran, ran as fast as I could to get away. It was just my luck that I ran into Diggle." She looked up at Oliver. "He actually shoved me out of the way and took a bullet for me when he didn't even know me. He's the best man that I know."
Oliver's hand tightened into a fist and he had to force himself to unclench his fist and force down the anger he felt at hearing what Felicity had to go through and that if it wasn't for Diggle she would have probably been dead at her ex's hands. "And Cooper?"
"Despite getting hit in the shoulder with a bullet, Digg was able to take him down, knock him unconscious. He's currently serving time in Iron Heights."
Oliver swore than and there hearing that Cooper was still breathing after what he put Felicity through that if he ever got out he would make him wish that he got the death sentence.
"After everything was over I tracked Digg down and thanked him for saving my life, he told me he was glad to have been there to stop it. It was only a few months later that I decided to open a shelter and I got in touch with Digg and asked him to help me and the rest is history." Felicity reached for her glass taking a drink and setting it back down. "So, in short, I wanted to do for other women what Digg did for me. I want to help them. I want to show them that they don't have to take any man's abuse and that they're not alone in what they're going through. That it's okay to ask for help."
Oliver hung onto her every word. He didn't know where she got her strength from but he knew it took a lot of inner strength to overcome what happened to her and turn such a horrible experience into something positive to help others.
"What?" Felicity asked when he continued to stare at her intensely.
Oliver gave his head a shake, a smile of admiration curving his lips. "You're remarkable."
Felicity's eyes widened, feeling a flutter in her stomach at the look in his eyes and the praise in his voice. "Thank you for remarking on it."
Oliver felt his heart skip a beat as she graced him with a brilliant smile, her cheeks flushing. It literally skipped a beat at just the sight of her smiling face staring back at him.
Later he would think about this moment and he would wonder was this the moment when it happened. The moment where he started to fall in love with Felicity. For her strength, for her courage, for her experiences, for her selflessness, the way she cared for others. How she just wanted to help people not for the glory or the gratitude but just for the sake of helping others in need.
Was this the moment he started to fall for the amazing person that she was? He wasn't sure all he knew was that she had broken through his walls and barriers and there was no rebuilding them where Felicity Smoak was concerned.
And more so he didn't want to. He considered himself one of the luckiest men on the planet for simply knowing her and being a part of her life. And one she clearly trusted. And knew he would never do anything to betray her because just like Roy, Sara or Digg, he was more than willing to put his life on the line for her cause and for her.
He knew then that he would go to the ends of the earth for her because Felicity Smoak was someone worth fighting for.
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