A/N: I would like to point out I am no expert on how the law works when it comes to pressing charges against domestic violence or in general and I am no expert about self-defense training. So please when reading this story try and keep that in mind.
Thank you to everyone who is still interested in this story.
I'm trying to get back into the flow of things when it comes to my writing. I'm really hoping this chapter isn't horrible.
I apologize for any mistakes in advance. Without further ado happy reading.
When Felicity and Oliver arrived at the shelter, Felicity headed straight to her office, on her way she spotted Digg talking with Sara and Roy, the latter who looked at her in concern.
She saw Digg excuse himself. "Good, you're here," he said, approaching her. "Lance called, he wanted to remind you about making a suspect list."
"Right," said Felicity, it wasn't something she really needed reminding about with what happened the night before.
"I have something I need to go do," Oliver said abruptly surprising them both. "You two can handle this."
"Okay." Felicity gave him an odd look. Here she thought she'd have to twist his arm to get him to leave her side with how he'd been constantly on her about her safety. "Good luck with whatever that is."
Oliver shared a look with Digg, silently telling him to look after their girl. Once Diggle nodded, he reached out squeezing Felicity's shoulder. "I'll be back."
Felicity watched him go with a furrowed brow before turning her eyes to Digg. "What do you suppose that was about?"
"I'm sure, it's nothing for you to be concerned about. Besides we have more important things to do than worry about what he's up to at the moment." Digg figured whatever Oliver was up to had to be important but if he wasn't saying what he was doing it was for a reason. "Who do you think could have done this?"
"The amount of enemies I made with what we do is extensive." Though Felicity would not change that. When she made the decision to help women just like her it was the most important decision she ever made.
"Then we need to narrow it down," Digg responded as they walked to her office.
Felicity nodded her agreement. The chances of it being one of the ex's of the women in the shelter were high. "I received anonymous threats before but I never took them seriously." When they reached her office door she unlocked it and pushed it open, stepping inside.
Digg followed, leveling her with his most judging, scolding look.
"You don't need to say it." Felicity sighed, sitting behind her desk. "I'll go through them, maybe they'll help narrow the search down if I can find out who sent them."
"We should look into the most dangerous of the ex's of the women here, the ones with the most possessive history. I believe those would be the ones more likely to be the one to attempt something like this." Digg suggested, leaning against her desk.
Felicity nodded. "I better get to work on narrowing this search down." She pulled her keyboard to her, her fingers tapping away, bringing up names on the screen.
"And while you're doing that you can explain to me about these other threats you received that you neglected to tell me about and why."
Felicity looked up her eyes wide, noting the disapproving big brother look John was giving her. She pressed her lips tightly together in a look of contrition.
After leaving Felicity with Diggle, knowing she was safe with him Oliver got into contact with Gina's mother as he left the shelter.
"You're the man who was with Ms. Smoak, right?" Maria asked. "You are a part of the security team?"
"Yes. I'm Ms. Smoak's bodyguard. I was hoping you could tell me where I might find Gina's boyfriend, Mike?"
Maria had asked questions but he avoided them, but ultimately she told him what she knew, wanting more than anything for Mike to get what he deserved.
Oliver agreed whole-heartedly and that was half the reason he found himself at Mike's door. He rapped his fist on the door in quick succession, growing impatient as he waited for someone to answer. When no one did, he knocked his fist harder on the door.
Finally after what seemed like forever to Oliver but could only be a few minutes the door was pulled open by a man, with unruly curls, tanned skin, a beard and brown eyes. "Michael Landon?
The man's expression was guarded and defiant at the same time. "Do I know you?"
Just the vibe of the man gave him a bad feeling. Oliver liked to think he was a good judge of character and this guy, he already knew was bad but now even more so. "No, and you're going to wish you never saw me." He shoved his way past Mike, inside the man's apartment.
Mike turned around stunned. "What the hell man?!"
Oliver turned, facing him, his jaw clenching. "Last night you attacked someone I care about."
Mike's eyes widened with recollection. "You're that blonde bitches boyfri-"
Oliver's fist slammed into his jaw, sending him stumbling back his head snapping to the side. "Watch your mouth!" his eyes were alight with anger on Felicity's behalf.
Mike turned his head spitting out blood, his lip split, he chuckled, looking back up at Oliver. "I don't know what that whor-"
Oliver struck him again knocking him to the floor, he yanked Mike up right after, slamming him into the wall. "If I hear one more disrespectful word about her come out of your mouth, you'll be picking your teeth up off the floor." He growled, shoving him against the wall again for good measure, making the back of Mike' head knock into the wall.
Mike glared. "I didn't attack her."
Oliver felt a fresh wave of anger flow through him at the obvious lie. "Don't lie to me, you put your hands on her when you confronted her at a diner last night." His eyes darkened just remembering the mark on her wrist. "Did you follow her home?"
"No." Mike's face twisted up into a sneer. "I only confronted her at the diner. I was just giving her a warning."
Oliver grabbed his arm, twisting him around and slamming him face first into the wall, wrenching his arm behind his back until he heard a sickening pop.
Mike cried out in pain from his arm being forcefully dislocated. It felt like it was on fire the pain was so intense.
"Consider this your one and only warning," Oliver growled, his voice dropping, threatening, taking on a darker edge. "You go near her again and I promise you, a broken wrist would be the least of your worries."
Mike frowned, Oliver's dark tone had a sliver of fear creeping beneath his skin. "My wrist isn't broken."
Oliver grabbed his wrist, applying the right amount of pressure with his strength, and Mike's wrist snapped like a weak twig, the bone breaking beneath his hand.
Mike cried out in agony, pain shooting through his hand.
Oliver released his hold on him, shoving him harshly away. "It is now."
Mike sunk to the floor against the wall, clutching his broken wrist, pain shooting up his entire arm from his dislocated shoulder to his broken wrist, it was so painful, agonizing. "Are you insane?!" Mike demanded. "You can't go into someone's home and attack them!"
Oliver expression darkened at the scumbag's audacity. "But you can beat your girlfriend?"
Mike clenched his jaw, glaring at that.
Oliver crouched down in front of him, looming over him. "Speaking of your girlfriend you're going to stay away from her, too. I hate to have to come back here to get my point across on how deadly serious I am about this." he looked at him in disgust before straightening up and walking to the door and pausing. "One more thing, I wouldn't go to the police about what just happened. You'll only make things worse on yourself."
Oliver leveled him with a hard stare, one that had Mike recoiling away. Oliver shook his head, feeling disgusted just looking at the man and quickly walked out before he did something worse than break the bastard's hand.
Digg arched an eyebrow at Felicity. Waiting. "Well?"
"Death threats with my job is common." Felicity dismissed, focusing her attention on going through her computer files.
Digg sighed, pushing off her desk and stared her down. "Felicity. This isn't something you can just dismiss. You can't be so caliver with your safety or the safety of the women who seek shelter here."
Felicity looked away from her computer screen, turning toward him in her chair. "If I thought for one second they were in danger I would have told you." She said defensively, tension setting in her shoulders at the implication that she would ever put any of the women at the shelter in danger on purpose.
"But not if you were the one in danger?" Digg challenged and shook his head. "You see, that doesn't make any sense to me."
Felicity frowned, tilting her head at him. "This talk is reminding me about the talk I had with Oliver."
"And what talk is tha-" Digg stated but then cut himself off abruptly shooting her a pointed look, knowing exactly what she was doing. "Don't change the subject, Felicity."
Felicity fell silent for a moment before admitting. "I don't want you to feel obligated to protect me all the time." She didn't want to be a burden to the people around her.
"I have never felt obligated to protect you," Digg stated honestly. "I look out for you because you're one of my closest friends Felicity. I'd take a bullet for you."
"You already did." Felicity reminded, smiling faintly.
"And I'd do it again if I had to," Diggle vowed strongly.
Felicity's lips pulled down into a frown, looking troubled. "I wouldn't want you to though."
"Then it would be better if I was prepared for whatever comes our way." Digg pointed out logically. "So I ask again what other threats have you received?"
Felicity nodded to herself knowing he was right. It was always better to be prepared than not. She turned her chair back around opening the bottom drawer of her desk and reaching into the bottom, beneath some papers, she pulled out an unmarked folder.
She held it for a moment before turning back around to Digg holding the folder out to him. "I categorized them, marked the date I received it and the name of who I thought sent them is on every note of a specific threat."
"At least that's something to go on. " Digg accepted the folder.
Felicity sighed, she felt Digg's disapproval and disappointment keenly. "I'm sorry, I didn't want you to worry. Not once has a threat ever been followed through on. Most are all bluster and empty threats."
"That may have been the case before last night but not any longer. You need to take every precaution there is." Digg cautioned her. Death threats weren't anything to take lightly.
Felicity nodded, knowing there was no point in arguing, plus, she knew Digg was right. She was being irresponsible and not as smart as she should be.
"Speaking of last night, you should have made a report on Gina's ex. You even have a witness." Digg pointed out while looking through the folder she'd given him. "It would have been the smart thing to do."
"I know you're right. I guess at the time I wasn't thinking straight." Felicity admitted. "I was focused on you and Oliver not finding out about it and I wasn't thinking about how pressing charges against him would have been better for myself and for Gina. It would hopefully keep him away." Though she doubted it would be that easy.
"You still can," Digg said, closing the folder. "We're going to see Lance when we're done here. All we will need is for Jessie to come in and give his testimony." And he had no doubt Jessie wouldn't mind.
Felicity nodded. "I'll give him a call, see if he can meet us down at the station."
Digg's eyes shown with approval. "Good."
When Felicity and John arrived at the station Felicity took a moment on the steps to speak with Digg. "I thought Oliver was going to meet us here?" Felicity looked around in concern.
"He sent me a text that he meet us here," Digg assured her.
Before Felicity could respond the familiar sound of Oliver's motorbike filled the air, she turned and saw him pull up just outside of the station.
Felicity turned catching sight of Oliver on his bike, watching as he climbed off it, removing his helmet and jogging up the steps to her and Digg. "Hey, sorry I'm late." he apologized.
Felicity eyed him curiously. "Where were you?"
"I had something to take care of. A personal problem." Oliver replied, keeping his answer short hoping she wouldn't ask any more questions on the matter.
Felicity nodded, not prying further though she was curious. After this morning she thought it best for her and Oliver not to cross any personal lines.
Digg, however, narrowed his eyes in suspicion to which Oliver pointedly ignored. "Are you ready to see Lance? Did you narrow down the list."
"You can say that." Diggle nodded. "We need to talk later."
"Why am I getting the impression that talk has everything to do with me and nothing else?" Felicity looked at them.
"Cause it does," Digg responded.
Felicity opened her mouth to respond but was cut off by Jessie calling out her name as he jogged up to them. "Felicity, hey. You ready to do this?"
Oliver looked at him, frowning in confusion. "To do what?"
"Pressing charges against Gina's ex for last night. Jessie's here to give his statement as a witness." Felicity rubbed at her wrist absentmindedly.
"Good." Oliver smiled. "That's a good idea."
Felicity started walking up the steps, Oliver followed close behind, his hand instinctively going to her lower back as he walked with her. He paused at her side, pulling the door open for her and then held it open for Digg and Jessie as well, following them inside.
Lance looked up and saw them approaching, taking notice of Jessie. "Felicity, how are you doing?" he asked in concern after last nights events.
"I'm fine." at his dry look she admitted. "I've been better but I'm gonna be okay. I actually want to press charges against Mike for assault. Jessie," she motioned to Jessie at her side. "he was a witness."
"It's really good you're pressing charges. I'll get the paperwork started right away." Lance was going to enjoy bringing the bastard in.
From the first day, Lance had met Felicity he felt this fierce wave of protectiveness toward her. He knew she was strong and survived her own demons but that only made him want to protect her more.
Once Felicity and Lance were done with the proper paperwork to get the process against Mike going she sat down with him, giving her list of suspects and what she knew about them, she also handed over all the threats she received that she hadn't really taken seriously.
Lance had not been silent about being disappointed that she hadn't been taking this as serious as she should have. "You should increase your security. And you need someone guarding you at all times."
Felicity didn't like the idea of full-time security, it made her feel like she wasn't strong enough to protect herself but Diggle responded before she could.
"As the head of Security, I'll be making sure that's taken care of."
"Good," Lance said gruffly, nodding. "I'll sleep a little easier."
Felicity looked from Lance to Diggle than to Oliver than to Jessie. She sighed to herself the men in her life were going to drive her crazy with their need to protect her. She believed she was capable of protecting herself.
Felicity grunted as she hit the mat with a thud, she laid there for a moment, breathing heavily. "I can't remember the last time I workout this hard."
Digg chuckled, reaching his hand out, helping her back to her feet. "Again."
"Can't we take a break?" Felicity asked. When they got back to the shelter Digg had insisted on teaching her more self-defense, kicking her training up a notch. They had been training for a little over an hour which was a record for her.
"5 minutes." Diggle tone left no room for negotiation. "We can't afford to go easy on this. You need to be prepared for whatever comes your way."
"I think we can all agree on that." Oliver had been leaning in the doorway for the last ten minutes.
"How long have you been there?" Felicity asked in surprise.
"Long enough," he pushed off the doorway, stepping further into the room.
"I'll be back." Diggle chugged down half a bottle of water and wiped the accessed drops away. "I want to check in with Lyla." He didn't wait for a response passing by Oliver as he left.
Felicity frowned after him, noticing that he seemed to leave her alone with Oliver a lot. She wondered what that was about. She turned her focus back on Oliver. "DId you decide to sit in and see me struggle with self-defense lessons."
"No, I'm here to help you learn," Oliver said surprising her.
"I thought you weren't too comfortable with the prospect of training me." She remembered Oliver saying that just a couple nights ago.
In truth, he wasn't. He was becoming increasingly aware that he cared for Felicity more than he should since she was his boss and friend but he couldn't help it. Doing something that physical with her he didn't know if it was possible for him to fight his instincts, his impulses when it came to her. But her safety was far more important to him than his own comfort and he was willing to risk it if it meant she would be safe.
"Your safety is the most important thing."
Felicity's eyes widen slightly stunned by his words and it took her a moment to shake it off, ignoring the feeling she could feel building in her chest. A feeling of something deep and profound.
Oliver moved closer to her and Felicity felt like the air thicken at his close proximity, the sexual tension becoming hard to ignore when they were alone, making them both more aware of the other's presence, their every move, their every breath.
Digg had called a staff meeting with every member of the Shelter's security rather they were on shift or not and they were all acquired to be there no exceptions. Except in Roy's case and Slade's situation, who were both working special cases and couldn't be in attendance.
Felicity started the meeting off by explaining the threats that she'd been receiving and the break-in into her home, stating that they were to increase security and not to take anything lightly. Because if they were bold enough to come for her at her house, they sure as hell would have no qualms about trying to attack the home base and from what she knew they were aware she was behind the protection of everyone. The one pulling the strings as it were.
"I can't believe someone would be stupid enough to try something like this." Nyssa crossed her arms over her chest, clenching her jaw.
Sara shifted restlessly on her feet. "I want to rip whoever it was apart." The thought of anyone coming after her friend had her on edge.
"Get in line." Oliver told her, rolling his shoulders as he felt the tension setting in from just thinking about someone issuing threats directed at Felicity, "If anyone is going to be the first one to make them pay it'll be me."
"This can't go unanswered. We must make an example of whoever was behind this." Nyssa stated, her tone sharp and angry.
"And we will, however, the safety of every woman and child here is what is our first priority," Digg stated
Felicity nodded in full agreement. The women who came to the shelter with their children for help had to come first.
"And Felicity," Oliver added.
Felicity turned her eyes to him, fighting off the urge to sigh.
Diggle, however, nodded in agreement with Oliver. "And Felicity."
Felicity felt both flattered and frustrated with Oliver protectiveness toward her.
"We will be tightening rounds, and Oliver, Lyla and I will be making a few calls to some service buddies on leave that are in starling. Perhaps they liked to lend a hand." Diggle informed each of them, getting back on topic. "Secondly, we will be holding a mandatory self-defense class for all women. Sara, Nyssa, I'd like you two to spearhead the classes and teach them all they need to know to protect themselves should the occasion arise."
"What about Felicity's safety?" Sara questioned her voice laced in concern. "Someone should be protecting her at all times."
Felicity frowned, taking a step forward. "I am more than capable-"
"That is already taken care of." Digg interrupted Felicity answering Sara's question.
Felicity looked at him in surprise. "It is?" They hadn't discussed any change in her security detail.
"So who will be the lucky one to guard the boss?" Asked Sara.
"Somone I know is perfect for the job" he answered.
Sara looked to Oliver and saw the determined look in his eyes and knew it would be him. She nodded, looking satisfied with that plan.
Felicity didn't think she needed more guarding. Oliver already guarded her throughout the day and the fact that she was currently staying with him. She didn't need to be guarded every second of the day.
Digg's eyes settled on Felicity, knowing she wanted to argue. "Trust me on this. "
Felicity crossed her arms grumbling about the overprotective men in her life, making Sara snicker and Nyssa smile amused.
Oliver stepped toward Felicity, his body nearly brushing against hers, surprising almost everyone with the unnecessary close proximity. "Nothing is going to happen to you." He wanted to reach out and take her hand in his own but refrained from doing so. Just barely. "Not on my watch. I won't let it. I won't."
Felicity felt something deep and meaningful, an emotion she refused to name course through her at how strongly he sounded. Like he was making a vow to keep her safe not only to her but to himself.
She tried to push the emotion away because damn could he make her feel something with his promises and intensity.
Digg, Oliver, and Felicity returned to her office once their meeting with the others was over, Felicity took a seat in her chair while Oliver and Diggle lingered in front of it.
"You said you had my security covered?" Felicity asked looking to Diggle. "I hope you don't mean yourself. I love you, Digg but I don't want to keep you away from your wife and daughter all the time." Diggle spent so much time at the shelter already and had even mentioned to her about wanting to spend more time with his family.
Digg nodded with a knowing look. "I thought you would say something like that which is why Oliver will be the one who would be your personal security here on out until we take care of our current security problem."
Felicity coughed on air, caught off guard though she shouldn't have been.
"Oliver, can't watch over me every hour of the day." She protested with wide eyes.
"Why not?" Oliver threw out. "You're already staying with me and I've been your guard since you hired me."
"Yeah but that's different, it's during work hours." Spending the entire day and night with Oliver was daunting. She was already feeling things for him she knew she shouldn't be feeling. She needed to keep things as professional as possible. Spending any more time together than they already were would be like testing how long she could hold out. "What about downtime? I'm sure you don't want to spend every waking moment in my company."
"You'd be surprised," Oliver said, his lips pulling up into a barely there smile. "You make it sound like a punishment. It's not. I enjoy spending time with you."
Felicity felt her stomach flutter, feeling flustered as her cheeks heated. "Oliver, I don't want to be a problem for you."
"You could never be a problem," Oliver said, his voice low and meaningful. "I want to protect you. I want to be there." He looked at her intently. "Just let me do my job."
Felicity found herself giving into his unwavering gaze. "Okay."
Diggle cleared his throat, dragging their attention to him. "I'm still in the room, you know? You're not alone."
Oliver rolled his eyes and Felicity blushed, her skin heated.
Diggle had gotten a call from Lance to meet up with him, having found another girl that was in need of help which left just Oliver to train Felicity.
Felicity was nervous to begin training with Oliver alone, she was worried she was going to say or do something inappropriate. How in the hell was she supposed to work with Oliver every day if that happened?
"Alright, so I think we should work on self-defense moves first then work our way slowly up to offensive moves." Oliver began, trying to stay focus and not let his eyes linger on how the black yoga pants Felicity wore clung to her like a second skin or the sport's top she wore that bared her stomach to his gaze, her beautiful skin on display.
He frowned however when he caught sight of a jagged scar along her abdomen and with what he now knew of her history he knew on some level that her abusive ex was the cause for the scar. He pushed the rising anger down, just thinking about how Felicity must have gotten it.
"Digg's already been teaching me self-defense." Felicity interrupted his thoughts.
"He's been teaching you the basics so you can get away but sometimes you can't always escape," Oliver said in a matter of fact tone. "And I want to know that when you can't you're going to be okay."
Felicity was touched by his words but shook it off, not wanting Oliver to see the effect he had on her. It was something she needed to put a stop to if it was even possible at this point.
"Okay, then let's get started," Felicity said, wanting to get down to business.
"Okay so the first thing, turn around." Oliver made a motion with his hand for her to turn.
Felicity gave him a confused look but did as he said, turning around her back to him. "What now?"
She felt Oliver come up close behind her, her heart beat harder in her chest in a result, she sucked in a sharp breath, letting it out slowly, trying not to be affected by his nearness.
"Now, I'm going to grab you from behind and you're going to flip me over," Oliver said from behind her his breath brushing against the skin of her neck.
"By using your own momentum against you?" Felicity asked, resisting the urge to look over her shoulder at him.
"Exactly," Oliver said in approval.
"Alright so when I grab you, you're going to reached up grab my arm and lean forward and with all your strength I want you to pull me forward and then roll me off your hip, with the right momentum and speed it will send me crashing to the floor on my back, do not let go until I hit the ground," Oliver explained in detail. "Do you understand?"
Felicity hummed in understanding, nodding. It sounded simple enough.
Oliver grab her, his arms wrapping around her and Felicity froze at first but then she felt Oliver's arms tightened around her. She moved, leaning forward and did her best to flip him over as he had explained but fumbled, losing her balance she fell to the side.
Oliver twisted them around, turning his body with Felicity in his arms just in time for him to take the brunt of the fall, he grunted his arms falling away from her.
Felicity looked at him, her body pressing into every hard plane of his, she swallowed, and quickly pushed off him, her cheeks heating as she stared down at him. "Are you alright?" she asked, concerned.
Oliver pushed back to his feet. "You hesitated. Let's try this again."
"Right away?" Felicity asked she had been hoping for a break, some time to compose herself.
"You have to be prepared." Oliver stepped back and motioned for her to turn around. "Again."
"Alright. Alright." Felicity grumbled rolling her eyes. "No need to get demanding on me."
Oliver snorted as she turned back around. "Remember, You can't hesitate."
He grabbed her from behind and this time Felicity did not hesitate, leaning forward, reaching behind her, grabbing his arm and pulled him forward, using his own body weight against him to roll him off her hip and flip him over her.
Oliver hit the floor with a thud.
Felicity released her hold on his arm, standing over him. "Huh? That was easier than I thought it would be."
Felicity extended her hand, offering to help pull him up, Oliver accepted, his hand wrapped around hers and he pulled himself to his feet, Felicity stumbled forward and her body brushed against him, he steadied her with his hands on her shoulders.
Felicity swallowed, her face flushing as she looked down taking a step back.
Oliver's hands fell to his sides and he turned away from her, running a hand through his hair. After a moment he cleared his throat and turned back to her, all business. "Again."
"But I got it that time." Felicity protested, lips pulling down into a frown.
"Yes, and I want it to be second nature to you. Again." He said, his eyes hardening over with steel.
Felicity groaned. Oliver was an even harder trainer than Diggle. She honestly didn't know how she was going to survive, especially with Oliver shirtless and sweaty, distracting her all the while. How in the hell was she supposed to stay focused?
After training with Oliver to the point of exhaustion, Felicity took a shower to rid herself of all the sweat, the hot water had felt amazing on her sore overworked muscles. She had almost been tempted to take a shower that had nothing to do with her overworked muscles. She swore to herself that from now on training with Oliver was going to be a last resort.
She had returned to her work back in her office, working on writing a new code for a security program for one of her freelance jobs when a knock sounded on her office door. Oliver who was station outside of her office, opened the door, letting Sara inside.
"Hey, I wanted to see if you wanted to get drinks after my shift? It's been a while and I think you could use a night out with a friend."
"Actually, yeah, I'd like that." With everything going on Felicity felt like she could use a drink. She had spent most of the day with Oliver training with him. His constant state of being shirtless and sweaty and in very close proximity had her flustered all day and don't even get her started on how training went.
She swore he was a harder trainer than Digg.
"I don't think that's a good thing." Oliver protested stepping forward. Honestly, he hated the idea. He didn't want Felicity taking unnecessary risk. "For all, we know whoever broke into your home is watching you and are just waiting to catch you alone."
"She won't be alone. She'll be with me." Sara argued.
"Not a good idea." Oliver didn't think it would be the right time until everything was settled down and whoever was threatening Felicity was either behind bars, in a coma or six feet under whichever option kept Felicity the safest.
"She'll be fine. I would never let any harm come to her. " Sara vowed.
"I am right here and I can speak for myself," Felicity said with an undertone of annoyance. "Oliver, I get that you're looking out for me but I really would like to get drinks with Sara and that is what I'm going to do. I can take care of myself. It's what you and Digg have started training me to do but even if I couldn't I trust Sara with my safety."
"Felicity.." Oliver started.
"I'll be fine." Felicity locked her gaze with his concerned one. "I promise. It's just a few drinks. I'll be back at your place before the night is over."
Oliver sighed after a moment, relenting knowing this was Felicity's choice and not only was she capable of making her own decisions but it was her right, no matter how much he rather lock her away somewhere safe and secure to ensure she was never hurt.
"Just be safe." he pleaded. "Please."
"I will," Felicity promised.
Sara placed her hand on Oliver's shoulder. "Don't worry, I'll have your girl back to you before you can miss her."
Oliver doubted that was possible, whenever Felicity wasn't around he felt her absence.
Sara found it very telling that he didn't deny that he thought of Felicity's as his girl or the way Felicity blushed.
Sara and Felicity were at Sara's favorite bar, throwing back shots. Okay, Felicity was having a few shots and Sara was only sipping at her second. Sara wanted to stay alert.
"So what's going on with you and Oliver?" Sara wondered, tracing the rim of her glass with her finger.
"Nothing," Felicity said quickly, the question surprised her.
"I doubt that," said Sara unconvinced. "The way Oliver's been looking at you lately, it's like you're all he can focus on."
"I don't know what to tell you," Felicity said, the quiet buzz she felt, made it easy to speak candidly. "There isn't really anything going on. It obvious that he cares about me, I mean, he's made that pretty clear but.."
"But what?" Sara asked when Felicity trailed off.
"He's my employee and I'm his boss. Mixing you're personal life with your business one can get so complicated." No matter what she might feel for Oliver she couldn't cross that line.
"But sometimes those complications are worth it," said Sara, her lips pulling into a soft smile. "I mean, look at me and Nyssa, we work together and we are together and I can honestly say I've never been happier with anyone else."
Felicity fell silent, thinking over what Sara said but after a beat, she asked. "You think Oliver and I are like you and Nyssa?"
"I think you could be," said Sara, she had seen Oliver and Felicity together and it was obvious there was a spark there that could burn bright if given the opportunity. "If that was something you wanted to give a chance. How do you feel about Oliver?"
"I don't know." It wasn't necessarily true, Felicity knew but there was a part of her that held herself back, the same part of her that noticed words going unsaid between Oliver and her all the time but still she couldn't bring herself to do anything other than pull away whenever they had a moment or started to grow closer.
"I think you do know but you just won't admit it to yourself," Sara responded knowingly. "I think you're afraid to take a chance on him cause the last time you took a chance on someone he turned out to be a complete scumbag who shouldn't have the right to breathe air."
Felicity looked away from Sara, her stomach twisting in knots.
"But Oliver isn't like that," said Sara, waiting until Felicity turned back to her. "He's a good guy and he cares about you. I think you should give him a chance or at least consider it."
Felicity felt emotion weigh on her chest but she couldn't help but remember the last time she opened her heart to someone romantically. Cooper tore her down, made her feel like she was less of a person and didn't deserve to be treated like a decent human being. He almost killed her.
"I think it best Oliver and I keep things as professional as possible," she said, her expression shuttered.
Sara made a sound of disagreement but said nothing further on the subject. She wasn't going to push the matter further. If she was right she had a feeling Felicity could only deny her feelings for so long before giving in.
"I'm sorry to intrude but I was hoping to buy you a drink?"
Felicity turned to see a raven-haired male had slid into the open seat next to her. Felicity thought he seemed harmless enough with his square jaw, green eyes but she wasn't looking to be hit on, no matter how handsome the man might be. "That's very kind of you, but no. I'm just trying to enjoy a night out with my friend."
"That's perfectly okay." The man smiled politely. "I'm sorry to have bothered you."
"No, bother," Felicity assured him.
"In case you change your mind, I'll be at the end of the bar." He stood moving to said end of the bar.
Sara watch him go, her eyes narrowing as he waved the bartender down. "I don't like him."
Felicity snorted. "You don't even know him."
"Don't need to. I have a sixth sense about these things." And something about the guy gave Sara a bad feeling.
Felicity frowned, turning to glance at the man at the other end of the bar, nursing a beer, he looked up, their gazes caught, he offered up a charming smile. Felicity returned it with a small one of her own before turning back to Sara. "I don't see it. He seems harmless."
Sara clicked her tongue. "You just look for the good in people but that guy? I'm telling you he's bad news."
Felicity shrugged. "Doesn't matter. I'm not interested."
"Good," Sara responded and waved down the bartender ordering them two more shots however they left the bar shortly after.
"You know you don't have to walk me to the door," Felicity told Sara after she walked her to Oliver's doorstep after pulling up outside his place.
"Of course I did. I'm sure Oliver would be jumping down my throat otherwise, the man thinks he's the only one who wants to protect you." Sara rolled her eyes goodnaturedly.
Felicity couldn't argue there, she moved to open his apartment door but before she could it was swung open by a worried looking Oliver, however, he sighed in relief at the sight of her. "I was getting worried."
"No need to be." Felicity smiled at Sara. "I'll see you tomorrow."
Sara nodded. "Think about what I said," she said before turning to head back to her car.
Oliver closed the door behind Felicity as she stepped inside. "What did Sara mean?"
Felicity shrugged. "Nothing. She was just messing around."
Oliver nodded, following her further into his home. "Did you have a good time?"
"I did." Felicity nodded. "It's was nice to get drinks with a friend." She covered her mouth as she yawned. "Look it's late, I was going to head to bed but we can talk more over breakfast."
"Okay," Oliver nodded. "Hey, um, I know I was against you going out but I was just worried."
"I know." Felicity's expression softened, her hand reached out and landed on his chest. "it might drive me crazy but I am grateful that you care."
Oliver glanced down at her hand then back at her as he lifted his hand and placed it over hers. "Still, I know I can be a little overbearing."
"A little?" Felicity couldn't help but tease and Oliver gave a small surprised laugh.
"Fine, maybe more than a little," he conceded, fighting back a smile.
Felicity shook her head and pulled her hand from beneath his. "Goodnight, Oliver." She walked around him.
"Good night." he murmured, following her with his eyes.
Felicity never saw the longing look in his eyes as she disappeared into her room, shutting the door behind her.
There were times when Felicity would make Oliver laugh suddenly and it surprised him every time. She surprised him. He didn't think she would ever stop surprising him and he found he didn't want her to. The way she always surprised him was something he really enjoyed about her. She was unexpected and he wouldn't have it any other way.
Felicity had spent the morning, reviewing one of the cases of the sheltered women in case she missed something in her suspect list. Oliver and Digg were both stationed by her door. She shifted through her digital files on her computer, nothing was popping up until unexpectedly it did.
When she came across a photo of a dark-haired man. The man staring back at her was familiar to her.
An involuntarily gasped escaped her as her lips parted in surprise.
Oliver aware of everything that she did was at her side in seconds. "What is it?"
She stared at the picture of the man.
He was the same man who had approached her the night before when she was out with Sara.
Warning bells went off in her head with everything that was going on it couldn't be a coincidence that he had approached her the night before.
"I saw this man last night. He approach me when I was out with Sara last night."
Digg had moved to stand at her other side, both men looking at the picture of the man on screen.
Flashing lights went off in her head like a warning with everything that was going on there was no way this was a mere coincidence. It couldn't be.
Felicity couldn't help but wonder if he was the one who sent her the threat or maybe he was the one who tried to break into her home.
If he was the one stalking her. Maybe last night was him playing some kind of mind game. Maybe all this boiled down to him.
She looked at Diggle for a moment then Oliver, her eyes settling on his blue ones, the tension was coming off him in waves. "What if he's the one who is behind everything?"
Oliver's jaw clenched. "Then Digg and I will take care of it."
He looked to Diggle and the larger man nodded. "Consider it done."
Felicity bit her bottom lip. While she suspected this man was behind everything she feared there might be something bigger at play.
She felt like she was missing something and she needed to figure it out before disaster struck and someone got hurt.
A/N: Thanks for reading! Reviews feed the muse.