A/N: So… I'm not dead. I'm sorry for taking so long to update. I swear I couldn't believe I started this story six years ago. It feels like it's been just a couple of years and I definitely didn't notice I haven't update for so long. Truth is I haven't had any inspiration to write in a long time. I've had some scenes written but I just couldn't put them together and I didn't really have an ending. I mean I've always known how it would end but had no idea about the specifics. Anyway, here it is: chap 17. There will probably only be another couple of chapters, so it shouldn't take too long.
And I just want to say thank you to all the unknown heroes… doctors, nurses, police officers and so many others that risk their lives to take care of us. Now more than ever it's time to show our appreciation for their hard work and bravery.
The only thing Felicity could think as she walked to the coffee shop down the street of her place was that Starling had never seemed so sunless. The days just didn't feel warm anymore even though the weather channel told her there had been no change since before she left Starling to visit Bruce in Gotham. But all the same for some reason it felt…awkward to walk around in the city. The city that had been her home for so long.
She looked to her right to the small park that she spent every other Sunday enjoying the sun and couldn't help but remember the park Bruce had taken her to the week before in Gotham. A smile graced her face without her noticing it and a giggle escaped her as she remembered how he had insisted on buying them ice cream cones as they strolled around as if they had not a care in the world.
She sighed coming to one conclusion: Bruce had spoiled her. He had made things feel just… lighter. He seemed so peaceful and content; which made her feel peaceful and content in return. When she had pointed it out to him he had chuckled and shook his had, saying it was her who had caused this reaction on him. She had not believed him at first, thinking he was trying to flatter her. But when Alfred had confirmed it later in the day while Bruce was at the office she had no choice but to believe him. And knowing she had that kind of effect on Bruce just made her feel even happier.
She sighed again, something that seemed to have become a habit to her and finally reached the coffee shop. After waiting in line as her eyes wandered aimless around the place. She took her to go cup of the steaming fancy drink but sat on a couch in the corner of the shop. When she takes a sip of her favorite coffee even that seemed tasteless.
Felicity walked into the lair that afternoon knowing no one was supposed to be there and she could work alone and in peace. So she was very surprised when she found Roy sitting at the bottom of the stairs looking defeated.
She climbed down the stairs and sat next to him, pushing him a little with the side of her body in a sisterly greeting, "Hey you've been distant and closed off lately. Why are you so sad?"
He just shook his head, showing he didn't want company.
"You know you can talk to me, right? I'm your friend and I know we all don't have that many people in our lives outside the team, so we have to take care of each other." When he remained silent she bumped onto his side again, "Come on, talk to me."
After a minute Roy ran his hand over his hair and finally said, "Oliver told me that I am a threat to Thea, that I could be dangerous to her. Not just in the bad boy kind of way but in the get crazy and kill her kind of way. He ordered me to break up with her and even though I hate it I have to admit he is right. But when I tried to break up with her she just said no, she said she refused to break up with me," he looked at Felicity lost and sighed. "I don't know what to do," he paused, "I was thinking- maybe- maybe if she caught me cheating on her..."
Felicity frowned and slapped him behind the head.
"Hey," Roy protested and rubbed the back of his head even though it didn't really hurt.
"Well, you deserved that if you were considering cheating on Thea," Felicity told him matter-of-factly. "That girl is the best thing to ever happen to you and she is probably what keeps you grounded the most so the idea that it would be better if you were apart is just incredibly stupid. It would just serve to hurt her and make you miserable and volatile."
Roy frowned, "But Oliver said-"
Felicity cut him off firmly, "Oliver is not always right! I do believe in him as Arrow and I keep working in the team because I believe in the good he can do to this city but come on, with his dating record it is ridiculous that you would take advice from him!" She paused and continued more softly, trying to explain, "He is thinking about one problem only: keeping his little sister safe. But he is not thinking about the big picture, about how he can't just manipulate and control her life, or yours for that matter, about how hurt and miserable it would make you both, how badly it could affect you and how dangerous it could be for you to be away from her..."
"So you think I shouldn't break up with her?" he confirmed even though it was obvious.
"I know it would be the biggest mistake you've ever made if you broke up with her." She put a hand on his shoulder, "I know you see Oliver as a mentor in many ways... but he is flawed too and sometimes he is completely wrong even if he means well. Look at the sick relationships he has with the Lance sisters. And he has been in that mess for a decade if you consider he started dating Laurel as a bratty playboy around ten years ago. Not to mention his psycho ex-girlfriend, the Huntress, who by the way shot arrows at him. He is definitely not the guy to hear when it comes to relationships."
Roy chuckled considering Felicity's words before sobering up, "He won't just let it go, you know."
"Roy, it's up to you and Thea what happens in your relationship. Ultimately he can't break you two up unless you let him."
He nodded and smiled at her grateful, "Thank you. You really are the sister I never had."
She returned the smile and ruffled his hair, "I do think of you as my little brother."
"So, how is everything going with Bruce since you came back from Gotham?"
Felicity smiled shyly and blushed, "It's good. It's really good."
"I'm glad you're happy. He treats you well, right? Because I can always have a few words with him. After all, I have to play my role as the protective brother."
She rolled her eyes, "He treats me like a princess. But like an equal at the same time. He doesn't think I'm weak or a liability... I guess he sees me in a way no one else has before."
"Hey, I take offence on that!"
She rolled her eyes again at his dramatics, "In a romantic way!"
"That's better. So, not to be an asshole after you've been so great to me but how are you two going to make it work when you don't live in the same city?"
She shrugged and bit her lip, "He asked me to move in with him. Or at least consider moving to Gotham." She looked down, "I told him I need some time to think. To be honest I have no idea what to do. I mean… I miss him all the time but at the same time Starling is home. I feel like I'm needed here." She sighed, "At least he's not rushing me."
He looked at her carefully, "Are you considering it? Your stay in Gotham was that good?"
"I don't know how seriously I'm considering it," Felicity shrugged and then a huge smile spread in her face. "But yeah, Gotham was great. I met Alfred who works as his butler but is actually the closest thing he has to family. And also Mr. Fox, who helps him with his mission and works at Wayne's Applied Science Division. We had such interesting conversations. He's wicked smart and creates all this amazing gadgets… Bruce showed me around Wayne Enterprise; he works so hard on the company. But we also spent a lot of time just the two of us. Dinner out, stroll in the park, staying home in bed. Just getting to know each other better."
He smirked at the expression on her face, "You sound smitten."
She shrugged, "He makes me feel happy and alive and overwhelmed and special and-"
"In love?" he suggested.
She looked at him for a moment, hesitant to admit, but then nodded in agreement, "In love."
Another week passed and she missed Bruce more each day. Even though they video chatted everyday - usually at least twice a day - it still wasn't enough. She just wished he was there, with her. It was not just about sex or having cozy dinners with him. It was about him quietly laughing when she said something embarrassing and pushing a strand of hair behind her ear just because he wanted an excuse to touch her in public without giving too much away.
So when Bruce called her that night and she saw the big smile on his face she immediately grinned, even though she had no idea why he was excited.
"Do you have any good news? Or is that smile just because of me?"
His smile grew wider, "Can't it be both?"
She rolled her eyes at his flirting, something she had learned he could do easily and flawlessly. "So, what is it?"
"I finally managed to close my calendar for three days next week so I can visit you in Starling."
She made an undignifying shilling sound as she waved her hands around in what should be some kind of happy dance that made him laugh out loud and his eyes glint in adoration.
"So I take you're happy with my news."
"Are you kidding! That's the best news ever," she paused. "After the internet and-," she paused. "Okay, I'll stop there because that rambling could go a really really long way."
He laughed quietly again and reached to touch the screen then stopped, like he had done numerous times in the last two weeks. "I'm glad you're also excited. I can't wait to see you."
"When are you coming? I can try to get some time off. Probably not at the night gig; at least if there is something going on. And I'll have to check in at the office at least once a day. But maybe I can do half time or work from home or something…" she rambled and he gently cut her off.
"I'll arrive on Thursday night. We'll have Friday and the weekend. Officially, I'll be attending a benefit at the Starling Museum and if you're up to it you can be my plus one. But I can get food poisoning just as well and send a bigger check. You decide."
"What kind of benefit is it?"
"Doctor's without borders."
"Oh, we are going. No matter how big the check is your presence there will make a difference. Specially if you charm your rich friends into donating big checks as well."
He raised his eyebrows in surprise, "I didn't know you felt so passionate about it."
She shrugged, "I know you're Gotham's hero just like Oliver is Starling's hero. But neither Gotham nor Starling would be anything with doctors and nurses and police officer and teachers and all these non celebrity heroes that are so under-appreciated. So, yeah, I feel pretty passionated about it. We are going and you're gonna give a big check and encourage others to do the same and at the end of the night I'll show you my appreciation since I don't have a bank account quite as big as yours."
His smiled because downright sinful as he got closer to the screen, "I'll give you a blank check. With that kind of incentive you can write whatever number you want on it."
She blushed but mirrored his expression with just as much lust. "You'd get lucky anyway but now you'll get extra lucky."
He gave her a sincere smile, "I'm lucky just by having you in my life."
"And flattery will get you everywhere," she answered teasingly.
He sighed as she heard a beeping sound on his side that meant something bad was going on in Gotham.
"I'm sorry but I have to go."
She bit her lip, "It's fine. Talk to you tomorrow?"
"You can bet on it."
"Be careful!" she warned him firmly.
He winked at her, "Always. I have to go. Love you."
He ended the call before she could finally say 'I love you, too'.
Felicity waked into Queen Consolidated the next day with a huge smile on her face. She was sure nothing could spoil her good mood. So when she walked out of the elevator on the top floor to see Oliver and Thea fighting in his office through the glass walls she accepted that maybe her mood could get a damper after all.
She took less than five steps out of the elevator before Thea stormed out of Oliver's office and towards the lady's room in the corner with tears in her eyes.
Felicity walked to his office with more purpose, her heels clinking louder and stronger. When she opened the door he instantly looked up but softened when he realised it wasn't Thea coming for round two, but Felicity.
She closed the door behind her with a frown before turning back to him asking, "What was that all about?"
Oliver shook his head dismissively, "Nothing."
She huffed, "I doubt Thea would react like that over nothing."
He sighed, "She is mad over something and being completely unreasonable." He looked around angrily, "Can't she see I just want what's best for her?"
Felicity raised her eyebrows and put her hands on her waist in an angry pose having a good idea what this was about. "And you know what is best for her?"
"Well, I know what's not good for her."
"Let me guess: Roy."
Oliver stared hard at her but she looked at him nonplussed.
"What did you do?"
He glared at her before turning around to the glass wall that oversaw the city, "I didn't do anything. It seems that Roy can't keep his mouth shut and told her about a conversation we had a while ago."
"I'm betting that conversation revolved around their relationship; maybe how he wasn't good enough for her, a danger, that he should just break up with her for her own good."
He turned around looking baffled at how she had guessed it right and at the annoyance in her tone.
"If you told them 'It's better to not be with someone that you could really care about', so help me God-"
"It's the truth!" he shouted at her angrily.
"It's not!" she shouted back just as loud. "It's you being stupid and so self-righteous that you don't even give people the chance to try and be happy!"
He watched her as if seeing her for the first time. He couldn't remember the last time she had acted like this and he didn't like the way she was looking at him at the moment at all.
She took a deep breath to calm down and then looked back at him, "You think you know what is right and wrong; you think you have the right to meddle and impose on other people's lives. But you don't. If you don't want to take a chance and be happy that's your problem. You obviously think it's fine to spend your life alone and brooding and that's your choice. But don't think you can make other people do the same just because you're fine with being miserable," she paused. "Roy loves Thea and Thea loves Roy. It's their lives; you have no right to interfere on that."
"Never heard wiser words," someone said behind them and both turned around to see Thea standing by the door with a small smile, obviously from having heard Felicity's finishing speech. "I'm sorry you feel the way you do, Ollie. I really am. But it just feels like you don't want me to actually be happy. Roy loves me just the way I am. Do you know how rare that is? He doesn't care about money or baggage or crazy family or DUI or anything else to be honest. He accepts it all and he embraces it. And I love him just the same. So what is so wrong in that?"
Oliver could only look at her, lost for words, so she continued.
"You're my brother and you know I love you. But right now I can't even look at you. I think we need some time apart. You need to learn that I'm a grown woman that decides what to do with her own life and I-" she paused, "I need some time to find a way to forgive you after you tried to take away the best thing in my life." With that Thea took the purse that was laying on the couch and walked out without looking back.
Oliver ran a hand through his short hair, "I have to go find and talk to her."
Felicity shook her head, "I don't think it's a good idea right now; she is mad and hurt and she has every right to." At seeing him moving towards the door anyway she scoffed, "But you always do whatever you want no matter what others say, right?"
At that Oliver stopped and looked at her again, suddenly noticing how much she really had changed in the last few weeks. He had seen the changes; small things at first, bigger afterwards. But until that moment he hadn't understood just how far it had gone.
"She's my sister. I don't want her to get hurt," he said as if it explained everything.
Felicity looked at him with pitying eyes because she could see he just didn't get it, so she had to spell it out for him, "Then you shouldn't have hurt her."
She walked out of his office and to her chair. She sat down and looked at the picture that now adorned her desk and a smile came to her face. It was a picture of her and Bruce at the ball they had attended almost a month ago. It was taken by some paparazzi though she would never admit she had downloaded and printed a photo that came from some cheap gossip magazine. But it wasn't her fault they took such a spontaneous heartfelt picture of them. She looked at Oliver's office and back to the picture biting her lip and decided she definitely wouldn't let anything spoil her good mood for the day.
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