A/N: Hey guys! I'm sorry it took me so long to post a new chap but I haven't watched the series in quite a while (probably since Felicity and Palmer broke up) so I wasn't very inspired. However, I've just finished my Gilmore Girls fix (Sex or Love) and felt like going back to writing. I'll try to update more often since there are only about three chapters or so left in this story. Thank you for sticking with this fic and I hope you'll enjoy. And please, review!
Monday came too soon in Felicity's opinion, but it was time to face reality. She spent her day like any other working as Oliver's EA but when her day job was over she went straight to the lair to wait for the rest of the team.
She nervously paced from one side to the other as she waited for the others to arrive, trying to figure out how was the best way to break the news.
Dig was the first to arrive and though he asked Felicity what was wrong she just mumbled something about waiting for the other before they started talking. A few minutes later Roy arrived and Dig delivered the message to him while Felicity continued to pace around and quietly talk to herself. When Oliver finally arrived to the lair she stopped pacing, facing all three men and sighed.
"What is going on here?" Oliver asked, noticing the obvious tension in the room.
"Guys, I have to tell you something. And I need you not to interrupt me until I finish. Unless I start babbling and not making sense, then you can interrupt me so I can finish what I have to say-"
"Babbling like you're doing now?" Roy interrupted.
She pointed at him, "Right. Just like I am doing." She sighed again, "So, you guys know that I have helped Batman recently and that he came to Starling and caught Magpie."
"Yes, we know all that," Diggle said once she paused. "Did he ask your help again?" he asked suspiciously.
"Oh, no, he doesn't need help right now."
"And how do you know that?" Oliver asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Well," she started as she gesticulated wildly with her hands, "that's actually a funny story. You see, after I've helped Batman we talked and I kind of figured out his identity…"
"Kinda figured out?" Dig repeated.
"I know who Batman really is."
Diggle was the first to react, standing up, "Does he know that? Did he threaten you?"
Felicity shook her head emphatically, "Oh, no, nothing like that. But now I feel the need to tell you who he is because he also figured out who you guys are…"
"What?" Oliver asked in his Arrow voice, "How did he figure it out?"
"So… the thing is… Bruce is Batman," Felicity finally blurted out.
All three men looked at her shocked but Roy was the first to speak up, "Wow! Is it just me or can we see a pattern here? Is it a billionaire playboy thing to become a vigilante or something?"
"There is no way Bruce Wayne is Batman. He can't be Batman!" Oliver told her loudly, walking towards her.
She shrugged, "Well, I don't know what to say because he is."
"You're wrong!"
At his accusation she furrowed her eyebrows, "I'm not wrong! He confessed. I mean, not confessed, I actually confronted him and he confirmed my suspicious."
"He's fooling you," Oliver tried again.
"I know he is Batman."
"And how do you know that?"
"Because I've seen his scars!" she said heatedly.
The men were shocked silent again and Felicity blushed faintly before continuing.
"I've seen his scars but it's not only that… everything just made sense. Batman obviously had to be rich to have a Bat-movel thing and all his weapons are very advanced technologically. It's expensive and custom made. Besides, Batman was born right after Bruce went back to Gotham after being presumed dead for years."
"Again, is it just me or there is a pattern here?" Roy asked again at the obvious similarities between Oliver and Bruce.
Felicity glared at Roy but couldn't deny the obvious.
"How long have you know?" Oliver asked, finally accepting that Bruce was Gotham's vigilante.
Felicity bit her lip, "I've found out a couple of days after the ball where he caught Magpie.
"You've known for a week!" he accused her.
"It was not my secret to tell!" she defended.
"But you had no problem telling him about our identities," he said sarcastic tone.
"He found out by himself about you guys. I would never tell anyone. But when he approached me he already knew I worked with Arrow. And like Roy pointed out there are quite a few similarities between you two vigilantes. Besides, that was the only explanation he could find for why I accepted a job as your secretary when I was about to be promoted to head of the IT department."
Oliver looked genuinely surprised at the last information, "You were?"
"Well, it's not like you asked me about my career or if my dream was to fetch you coffee while I worked my as of at MIT when you demoted to your EA."
"Felicity-" he started but she could feel an empty apology from him miles away, so she just shook her head and continued.
"Anyways, since Bruce knows about your identity and we getting serious in our relationship, I told him I needed to tell you guys who he really is."
Roy chuckled, "So let me get this straight. You're not only dating a playboy billionaire; you're dating a billionaire who is also a vigilante and was voted bachelor of the year?"
"How do you even know that?" Diggle asked Roy, finally coming out of his stupor.
"Thea made me read his profile in a magazine after she found out Felicity was dating him," he pause. "FYI he was voted bachelor of the year four times in a row."
"Yeah, I've known that; thanks," Felicity answered rolling her eyes.
"So, what now, Felicity?" Diggle finally asked.
"Now I'd like you guys to have dinner with us so you can meet him for real. Like for real. I know you've already met him but…" she trailed off, feeling nervous again.
Diggle smiled at her, "We'd love to meet him 'for real', Felicity."
Felicity broke a smile and walked to Diggle to hug him, "Thanks. It means a lot to me."
Roy looked at her and also smiled, "So, when are we doing this?"
"Maybe we could do it later tonight? After Slade there isn't really much to do," she suggested and both men nodded. She turned around, "Oliver?"
"Yes, tonight is fine. There are some things I want to ask Bruce anyway," he told her and it was clear he had no intention of being civil with Bruce.
Felicity stood up straight and put her arms on her hips, "Look, Bruce is my boyfriend! More importantly he is a good guy and he intends to stay in my life long term. And I want him in my life long term! So you better behave because I won't tolerate you being rude to him for no reason whatsoever."
Roy murmured lowly, "Oh, I bet he can find a reason."
Felicity turned around and glared at Roy, he looked down after being caught.
Diggle was the one to control the situation by touching Felicity's arm and reassuring her, "We'll all be in our best behavior. Right, guys?"
Roy quickly agreed while Oliver reluctantly nodded a few moments later.
Felicity sighed again, "Good. So I guess we're not working tonight. How about we meet at Big Belly Burger in an hour?"
"Sounds good," Diggle answered for all of them.
She grinned. "Good. Then I'm on my way," she told them as she grabbed her purse and car keys. "See you in a bit," she waved on her way up the stairs.
Once the door shut close both Diggle and Roy watched as Oliver walked towards the punching bag to work out his frustration for the next 45 minutes.
An hour later Team Arrow arrived at the restaurant to find Felicity and Bruce already sat on a table as far away as possible from the other customs. She was excitedly talking - or rather, babbling - with Bruce, and it was obvious she was a nervous wreck at everybody sitting on the same table.
The men approached the table and the couple stood up to greet them, "Hey, guys! I'm glad you're here. You already know Bruce," Felicity said as the men shook each other's hand.
Once everyone was sat Carly quickly approached the table with a surprised look and took their orders before leaving again. The table remained quiet until she brought their food a few minutes later.
"So…" Felicity tried to break the ice but didn't know what to say next and the awkward silence continued.
Bruce took her hand under the table and took over for her, "I'm glad you all could come. You're so important to Felicity and I hope we can all get along, after all we are on the same side."
Diggle was the first to speak up, trying to be diplomatic, "Of course. And we're sorry if we didn't look very… welcoming before. But we tend to be overprotective of Felicity."
"Yeah, man. Sorry about that. But blondie is like a sister," Roy complemented.
Everyone expected Oliver to add something but he remained silent.
"It's fine. I'm happy that she has people looking out for her," Bruce politely answered.
"Felicity told us about your hobby," Oliver changed the subject drastically. "How do you intend to have a relationship with her when you put yourself in danger like that? You would be putting her in danger."
The tension fell upon the table and everyone was suddenly quiet.
Felicity glared at Oliver and was about to answer when Bruce squeezed her hand in a gesture that he was fine and could answer on his own, "We've talked about this. I've told her the risks, though she obviously already knew. She showed me her scar where she was shot."
At the mention of Felicity being hurt while working with him Oliver tensed his jaw, but Bruce ignored and continued, "She knows how dangerous what I do is and that she could become a target. And still she wants to be with me. The least I can do is respect her choice," he paused and looked at her lovingly. "To be honest, I'm just very thankful to have found someone so incredible and who wants to be with me."
"What about Gotham? Is it going to be a long distance relationship?"
This time Felicity was too fed up with Oliver's atitude and answered before Bruce could open his mouth, "Gotham needs Bruce, that much is obvious. But I want to be with him and he wants to be with me, so we'll find a way to make it work. Any more inappropriate rude question can be left unasked."
Oliver realized he had gone too far with his line of question and had pissed off Felicity so he wisely decided to back off before things got out of control.
"So… I imagine not many people know your secret?" Roy tentatively asked, trying to bring the topic to a somewhat easier subject.
Bruce turned to him with a warm smile, "No, just a couple of people. One used to help with hacking and gadgets but he decided to retire. The other helps me with advice and takes care of me when I'm hurt. But I don't have a team like you."
Diggle chuckled, "If you have Felicity on your side you already have the heart of the team."
Bruce put his arm around her bringing her close and kissing her hair, while Felicity smiled and blushed faintly at the display of affection.
A moment later Bruce's cell started to ring and he looked at display, frowning, before looking at Felicity with an apologetic face, "I'm sorry but I have to take this."
She nodded in understanding and he left the table to take the call outside.
"I have to say your guy is pretty cool, Blondie," Roy told her with approval, once Bruce was out of earshot.
She beamed, "He is, isn't he?" she agreed proudly.
Dig chuckled with a nod, "And he seems to be very taken with you."
"Right?" Felicity asked in surprise agreement, as if she was talking to a girlfriend. "And I have no idea how that happen. I mean, he is such an amazing guy and he probably could have any woman in the world. And I know I'm smart and all that… but I babble a lot! I've already said some stuff that were probably not very appropriate and he is just fine with it. He likes me just the way I am," she continued gesticulating wildly, "He's so incredible. He is just like… prince charming, I guess."
Both Roy and Diggle started laughing at Felicity's awe struck babble while Oliver quietly watched her. Bruce returned at the end of her monologue but if he hear anything he didn't show. Instead he sat besides her putting a hand in her arm, "I'm so sorry to cut this short but I have to go. There has been a series of bank robberies and the police was taking care of it but last take they took hostages. I have to go back to Gotham to take care of it."
"So, you're leaving? Now?"
"I'll go to the hotel get things ready but I'll have to leave in a few hours. I'm really sorry," he said and by the expression on his face it was clear that he meant it.
Felicity shook her head, "It's fine. Can I see you before you leave?"
"Of course. I imagine you'll want to finish dinner with your friends but come over to the hotel afterwards. You already have the room key so just let yourself in."
She nodded with a smile, "Okay, I'll be there in a hour?"
"I'll be waiting for you," he replied giving her a quick kiss before turning to the other men on the table. " I'm sorry I had to cut this short but I hope we can do this again sometime. It was really nice to see you again," he politely said his goodbye before putting a fill bills on the table and leaving.
Felicity shrugged, "Sorry about that guys, but you know how it is…"
Roy and Diggle nodded in understanding but it was Oliver's voice that surprised her.
"Guys, could you give us a moment?" he asked, looking at his two friends.
Diggle was the first to look from Oliver to Felicity before clearing his throat, "I should probably go anyway. It's getting late," he said as he stood up.
Roy followed his lead, also standing up and faking a yawn, "Yeah, I have to go to. I have this thing early in the morning…"
Felicity looked at both men and rolled her eyes in disappointment but they ignored and quickly left the restaurant, leaving Felicity and Oliver alone.
Felicity looked around the restaurant, unsure about what was going on. Then she looked at Oliver and sighed, but refused to break the silence.
Sensing he would have to be the one to start the conversation, he out his hand over hers as he asked in a soft voice, "Felicity, what are you doing?"
She frowned at the question and took her hand away, "What?"
"Dating Bruce? Putting yourself in danger?"
"I'm living my life. I've decided to be happy and Bruce makes me happy."
"You barely know him. He's just another playboy millionaire and he is going to hurt you," he warned.
"Like you?" she questioned boldly. "Don't worry Oliver, he's nothing like you. Of course, he is a billionaire and the CEO of company that has his name and has the reputation of a playboy just like you. And he has hobby of doing the right thing even if it puts him in danger like you. But other than that you both are completely different."
"Felicity-" Oliver tried to interrupt but she continued as if he hadn't said anything.
"He won't hurt. He cares about me."
"I also care about you."
"You care about looking the good guy. Bruce is open and honest with me. He talks to me, even about his past. He talks about his parents, his friends, why he became who he is, his ambitions, his plans for the future, his worries. Even about his time away, though he is reluctant to talk about it he is careful not to shut me out. He shares his life with me. And it doesn't feel like it's pulling teeth to him."
"You know I care about you! But my past, everything I've been through… it's hard to open up about that. The life I lead, the choice's I've made-"
"Yes, the choices you've made. You chose to shut me out of your life and completely ignore my feelings. You chose not to share anything about your past or how you feel in these almost three years. You've chose over and over again to hurt and just pretend that you hadn't when you knew what you were doing," she paused, shaking her head in disappointment. "It's like you've punished me for being honest with you. I tell you that your mother lied to you and everyone else about who your sister's father is and the next day you start dating Sara after telling me you couldn't be with someone you care about? I felt betrayed Oliver! And hurt, because I expected better from you. I mean, of course you can date whoever you want, but I thought you wouldn't use a line like that on me to look as a hero while friend-zonig me."
"Felicity, that's not what I tried to do. I really didn't think it would be a good idea to date someone I care about but Sara was different. She could take care of herself; I never had to worry about her safety."
"If thinking that makes you feel better about yourself, good for you. The fact is you never even tried," she said before shaking her head again. "Whatever. It's in the past now. I don't even know why we're bringing all this up. I'm with someone now and you're…" She sighed, "To be honest, I never know who you're with. Maybe with a Lance sister or a cop who wanted to arrest you or a psychopath who tried to kill you. Who knows? Either way, I was always the last one to know. It shouldn't be different tonight."
"Please, Felicity, it's not like that. I'm-"
Felicity interrupted him, "No. This conversation is over. Your love life was never up to debate. I've never said anything about your choices or the women you chose to date. Not even after what you've done in Russia or what you said afterwards. So, this conversation is over because my love life is none of your business and it's not up to discussion for you. Now I have to go; Bruce is waiting for me," she told him firmly before grabbing her purse and leaving the restaurant.
Oliver looked out of the window as Felicity entered her car and drove away and his fists clenched because the only person he had to be mad at was himself.