It was Thursday night when Felicity finally finished decoding the files Batman had sent her and making the connection between Magpie's bank accounts and Margaret Pye. She smiled satisfied at her work and stretched her arms above her head from her spot on the couch. She couldn't wait to tell Batman they had made it and that he could go after Magpie knowing there was enough proof for her to be convicted for her crimes.

She stared tiredly into space as she thought back her last few weeks.

It is a little odd how sometimes we meet someone and things go in a way that makes you expect to have one kind of relationship with that person just to realize for the hundredth time that things don't happen the way you expect.

Until a few weeks ago she had been getting closer and closer to Oliver, letting herself believe that when he said he "couldn't be with someone he cared about" it meant her and that when he told her she was his "partner" it meant more than just a partner in Team Arrow. However, being told he was dating Sara Lance had quickly made the bubble she had been in pop and she couldn't completely hide her disappointment on him. Of course, she would still work on the Team because she truly believed on the work they did. And thankfully she had Dig and Roy to lean on as they made her life a little lighter. Still, she couldn't help but think that all the signs Oliver gave her led her to expect that their relationship would turn into something more eventually.

Instead, now she felt disappointed and uncomfortable around him. It was obvious she had been avoiding him as much as she could in the last couple of weeks, which in all honesty wasn't all that much since they worked a glass wall away from each other the whole day and together most night. But she was starting to suspect he was avoiding her as well.

Before, when it was only Oliver, Diggle and her, going to the lair made her smile and feel content; now she found that feeling when she was slouching on her couch, in front of her computer, talking to a different vigilante. She hadn't expected to enjoy so much chatting with a vigilante she hadn't even met in person, but she truly did.

She took a sip of the wine she had poured herself when she got home and opened a chat box to talk to the new vigilante in her life, "Good evening, Batman".

"Good evening, Miss Smoak. How are you?"

"I'm good. A glass of wine always helps to make a night better."

"So you're a wine woman?" he questioned.

"I guess you could say that," she agreed. To say she liked wine could be the understatement of the century. "What about you? Are you a wine guy?"

"I can appreciate a good bottle of wine but I don't drink all that much," he told her.

She smiled and looked at her glass before taking another sip. For some reason, talking to him was so easy and she wondered how ofter they would still talk or how much their relationship would change after she told him she was done with the files and he didn't need her anymore. She sat her glass next to her computer and started typing, "Well, I have good news. I've finally been able to decrypt all the files. It took a little while but I also connected Magpie's bank accounts to Margaret Pye. Sending it to you now," she quickly sent him the files.

"Thank you very much but I'm afraid I have bad news. I've learned this afternoon that Margaret Pye has taken some time off from Gotham's Museum and no one knows where she is."

Felicity felt her jaw drop in shock, "Damn it! I knew I should have worked harder on this!" she told herself.

"So, it was all for nothing?" she asked, sadly.

"Of course not. I'd like to think meeting you already made the chase to catch Magpie worth it," he answered charmingly then added, "Also, I'll contact the police department and give them all the information so when I catch Magpie she can be tried for all the crimes she has committed. I just won't be able to stop her before she goes to Starling City."

"And what does that mean?" she asked though she already suspected she knew.

"It means I'll be visiting Starling this weekend."

For some reason her palms started sweating and she bit her lip, "Will you need my help? I may be able to get you an invitation to the ball."

"Don't worry. I don't think I'll need help with the mission while I'm in Starling."

"Okay," she replied, feeling a little rejected.

"But we could meet, if you have time. I still need to thank you for all your help."

"It's not necessary. And to be honest, I'm not sure it would be a good idea to meet you."

"Why? Because I'm a vigilante?" he asked jokingly.

"Well... yeah. I promised my friend I wouldn't meet you by myself," she told him honestly.

"You mean Arrow?" he clarified.

"No, another friend."

"Who you talked to about me?"

She wasn't particularly excited about answering his question and she wasn't sure if he wouldn't get pissed off at her, but he deserved an answer. "Uhm... yes. I needed to talk to someone."

It took him a minute to reply, "Is she trustworthy?"

"It's a he. And I trust him with my life."

"Then that's good enough for me."

Felicity smiled at how easily he put his trust on her even though he barely knew her. Of course, they had talked daily since they met but they had met less than a week ago and never met in person. Granted he knew much more about her than the other way around since he had done a background check on her, but still, it just wasn't normal for a vigilante to be so trusting!

She thought back on their conversation and frowned, "If there is going to be heist in Starling and you are coming to town, then I have to tell Arrow."

"I figured as much. Does he know about Magpie?"

"No. Why?"

"I imagined you would have told him everything you've done to help me, that's all."

"I don't talk to him about the work I do for you just like I don't talk to you abut the work I do for him. It's only fair."

"Most people don't care much about being fair," he pointed out.

She shrugged to herself, "Well, I do."

"And I'm glad for that ; )"

She chuckled seeing the wink/smile he sent her. He had always been polite and somewhat caring in their conversations, but also a little formal. It was nice when he became a little playful.

She yawned and suddenly became aware of how tired she really was, "I should probably go to bed. Having a day job and two night jobs is pretty exhausting."

"Of course. Good night, Miss Smoak."

"Felicity," she typed before she could think twice.

"?"

"You can call me Felicity," she elaborated and blushed. She could roll her eyes at herself at that moment, trying to become more personal with a vigilante when her work with him was practically done. He most probably would come to Starling, catch Magpie, go back to Gotham and never talk to her again. Then again, if there was one thing she had learned with Oliver it was that things most often didn't happen the way you expected.

"Good night, Felicity : )" he typed.

She laughed lightly at the smily face and turned off her computer before going to bed. She fell asleep the minute her head hit the pillows.

The next day was busy as usual as Felicity answered e-mail on behalf of Oliver and tried to summarize all the information he had to know about the company as he went from a meeting to another. Queen Consolidated was still far from safe, specially considering Isabel Rochev was still co-CEO, and meetings with investors was a necessary evil.

It was almost noon when someone called Felicity from reception to tell her there was a package for her to sign and she told them to send the delivery guy up without a second thought.

A few minute later she watched as the elevator doors opened and the young man walked towards her with a package wrapped in brown paper. "Delivery to Miss Smoak," he announced.

She looked at him with a frown, "Are you sure it's for Miss Smoak?"

"I'm pretty sure that's what is written on the package, ma'am."

"Who is it from?" she asked, not able to think about a single person who would send a package to her work.

The man checked a paper before handing it to her to sign. "B.A.T. Security Company," he read the sender to her and she quickly took the papers from him before signing and handing them back.

"Thank you and have a nice day," she told him, quietly asking him to leave.

The delivery guy just nodded and went back to the elevators without another word. As soon as he was gone Felicity checked the package again and sure enough the sender was B.A.T. Security Company. She had to laugh out loud; finally there was a vigilante with a sense of humor.

She opened the package and inside found a lot of bubble wrap around a bottle of 1972 Petrus and a small card. Inside it was written, "I hope the wine is to your taste. Thank you for everything. B."

She put the wine on her desk and sat back on her chair, just staring at it with a smile. It was a really nice gesture and it was nice to know Batman appreciated all the hard work she had done to help him catch Magpie.

She knew Batman had told her he wouldn't need her help while he was in Starling and once she told Oliver about the heist and Batman's visit on the weekend he would probably want to attend the ball. Still, as she looked at the bottle of 1972 Petrus sitting on her desk all she wanted to do was go to the ball even if she usually hated attending those types of function.

Biting her lip she finally came to a decision and quickly wrote an e-mail to the Warren Foundation, asking for an extra invitation, telling a white lie about accompanying Oliver to the ball as his EA. A few hours later she received an e-mail letting her know her name had been added to the guest list.

Once she was officially invited to the ball and her work in Queen Consolidated was done, it was time to go shopping. Surprisingly, it took her less than an hour to choose a long blue dress that was open in the back and a pair of silver high heels to wear to the ball.

Entering her car when she was done shopping, she took a minute to prepare herself before heading to the lair. As much as she would love to postpone telling Team Arrow the news about the heist and Batman until the last moment, she knew it had to be done. She was just thankful there was a good bottle of wine to drink afterwards.

The entire team was in the lair by the time Felicity arrived. Oliver and Roy were sparring on the mats as Diggle and Sara walked around them, making comments on their technique.

Felicity put her purse on her desk and cleared her throat loudly, "Hey guys, can I talk to you for a moment?" she asked, making the other team members stop what they were doing to walk closer to her, as she stood in front of her computers a little nervous.

"Uhm, so...I have an announcement to make," she started. "Actually, it isn't really an announcement. There is just something I have to tell you. And I think it's kind of important and I know not all of you will be as excited about it as me-" she kept talking, while gesticulating widely with her hands.

She was completely unaware of the curious looks the rest of the team was giving her. They had been used to her babbling but when it came to important news she usually got anxious to the point she would boldly and directly tell them whatever was going on.

Oliver stepped closer to her to get her attention and lightly touched her arm, "Felicity, why don't you just tell us what's going on?"

"Sure. Right. I can do that," she agreed. "So, you guys remember how I've been helping Batman this last week?"

They all nodded, some more enthusiastically than others, except for Sara who apparently had no idea.

"Well," she continued, "he asked me to decrypt some files that would link a jewel thief to some high profile robberies. He was hoping he would be able to catch her before her next heist but she has disappeared."

"Does Batman have any idea of when or where will be her next heist?" Diggle asked her.

She nodded hesitantly, "It will be here in Starling. Tomorrow night."

Oliver crossed his arms in front of his chest, "So, now he wants our help," he deduced somewhat arrogantly.

Felicity frowned at his tone and put her hands on her hips, "Actually, he doesn't." Her pissed off tone made the others turn to take a better look at her before she continued. "He's doing fine on his own. But since there will be a heist in Starling and he is coming to stop it I asked him to tell the vigilante in town, you know, out of courtesy. And he is nice enough to not mind. So, get off of your high horse because he doesn't need your help; he has me."

All team members kept staring at Felicity, unsure if she realized she had implied that Batman had her on his team.

Diggle walked closer to Felicity and softly asked her, "So, what's the plan?"

"Uhm... there is no plan. I just wanted to tell you there will be a heist tomorrow evening and that Batman will stop it."

"Who is the target?" was Oliver's turn to ask.

Felicity walked to her computers and after typing for a few seconds the screen showed the invitation for Warren's Fundraising Ball. "Warren's Foundation is throwing a ball to raise money for the Glades. They will be auctioning some jewelry. Batman believes Magpie will try to rob the Hummingbird diamond during the ball."

"And who is Magpie?" Sara questioned in a neutral tone.

"Magpie is her alias. Margaret Pie is the curator of Gotham's Museum and apparently an accomplished jewelry thief. Batman wanted to arrest her before she came to Starling but she has disappeared."

"And are we sure Batman has the right person? That this woman is really Magpie?" Oliver wanted to confirm.

"Yes. I followed the money trail. It's her."

"Then tomorrow night we'll also be there," Oliver stated.

"Batman got this. This is his criminal," Felicity protested.

Oliver completely ignored her as he continued, "Sara and I will go to the ball. Felicity will stay in the lair to give us information and directions through the coms. Dig and Roy are on back up duty."

Felicity crossed her arms in front of her chest and furrowed her eyebrows, "I'm not working tomorrow. I'm going to the ball," she declared.

Oliver slowly turned towards her and hissed, "What?"

"I said I'm going to the ball."

Oliver took a step towards her, trying to looking intimidating, "No, you're not. You don't work the field. Besides, I need you helping us here in the lair."

Oliver's highhandedness and bossy attitude only worked to make Felicity even angrier as she also took a step closer to him, refusing to be intimidated, "You don't need me in the lair, you want me here. And I'm not your employee when it comes to Team Arrow, I'm a member of this team. So, when I tell I'm not helping you get in Batman's way and try to steal his criminal from him, I mean it and there is nothing you can do change my mind. Tomorrow I'm going to the ball and that's it."

"Felicity..." he tried again, in a warning tone.

"You know what? I'm done for tonight. It's been a slow week and Team Arrow doesn't need me right now so I think I'll just go home and drink some extremely expensive wine," she told him as she grabbed her purse and then muttered under her breath, "At least one vigilante keeps his promises when it comes to wine."

Felicity walked to the stair and Oliver started to follow but Diggle grabbed his arm and shook his head, "Let her go, man. Right now anything you say will only make things worse."

They all heard the door slam shut and Oliver took a deep breath before turning to Diggle, "She doesn't know this vigilante and she is not trained to go in the field. This is dangerous, Dig. She shouldn't be fighting me on this. This is not like her."

Diggle shrugged, "She is a smart woman and she has been in the field before. Besides, she is right; it's not up to you to decide what she does with her life."

Diggle walked back to the mats telling Roy, "Let's go kid, I'll train with you." Sara quickly followed the two men, leaving Oliver behind to wonder how things had changed so drastically so fast.

Felicity arrived home half an hour later, still frustrated at Oliver and his bossiness. She threw her new dress and shoes on her bed and called the pizza place around the block to make an order. Tonight she just needed to catch up with her favorite series while eating pizza and drinking some very expensive wine.

She opened the bottle while she waited for the pizza and drinking the first sip she moaned softly. It was even better than she expected. She quickly took her phone and sent a message to her new vigilante, "Thanks for the wine. You didn't have to."

A few minutes later she got a reply, "Did you like it?"

She rolled her eyes wondering who wouldn't enjoy such an amazing wine, "Of course."

"Then it was my pleasure. Still working?"

She slouched on the couch and sighed, "No, gave myself the night off."

"Good for you."

She wondered if she should tell him that she would be attending the ball but decided against it, after all he had told her he wouldn't need her help. Still, she felt obliged to tell him Oliver would be there.

"I told Arrow about the heist and you coming to town. He said he would attend the ball. Sorry I couldn't convince him otherwise."

"It's fine. I expect as much."

As she took another sip of her wine she heard her interphone buzz, "I have to go. Pizza has arrived."

"Okay. Enjoy your night, Felicity."

She smiled and put her phone in silent mode. She didn't want to talk to anyone else tonight.

A/N: Hey guys! I'm sorry this took longer than expected to update. Two things happened: first, I usually write out of order so though I have half of chap 05 written I just couldn't finish chap 04; second, I had the chapter almost done when I listened to a song that inspired me and suddenly I had to change some things in this chap, which took longer than I expected.

Some people asked me who I imagine as Batman. In my mind, Batman is Christian Bale after "The Dark Knight" and the third movie never happened. There will be reference to things that happened in the movie later on.

Please, review and let me know what you think!