A/N: Finally, it's finished!
I just want to thank everyone who read and reviewed!
Also, I'd like to thank Blondiewithaloudvioce who PMed me a few weeks ago and encouraged me to finish it.
I've recently read an Olicity fic that I think is very interesting and different. So if you're in the mood to read a good Olicity fic you should check out "oh feel our bodies grow and our souls they play" by webbythyme
Hope you enjoy this last chapter and thank you again for the support!
Felicity kept checking the door to the lair, waiting for Oliver to arrive but when he finally did she jumped in her chair as if surprised.
Once he climbed down the stairs she turned to look at Diggle and Roy who were sparing a few feet away and sighed. This was it.
"Uhm.. guys… I need to talk to you," she started nervously as she fiddled with her hands and shifted from one foot to the other.
"Is everything okay?" Oliver asked worriedly.
"Yeah, everything is fine," she assured him before closing her eyes and sighing. "I don't know how to say this," she paused. "I want you to know that I've put a lot of thought to this and it wasn't a decision that I made lightly and it breaks my heart but it's what I've got to do."
"Felicity, what's going on?" it was Diggle's turn to ask.
"I'm moving to Gotham," she blurted out with wide eyes, holding her breath to their reaction.
There was a heavy silence in the room as everyone looked shocked at her.
Oliver was the first to blink and say, "You can't. I mean, we need you-"
Felicity swallowed, having known this argument would be brought up, "No, you don't. When there was the undertaking going on and even while Slade was targeting us then maybe you needed me. But we don't have an archenemy anymore. The work I do now is not that hard. Anyone with some training can do it; I could teach Diggle and he would be able to do pretty much everything I do. And if something happens and you need my help I'll be available… I can do my job from anywhere; I can do it from Gotham."
"But you're part of the team," Oliver insisted.
Felicity sighed and couldn't help putting a hand over her heart, "And it means so much to me. You guys have no idea how much you mean to me and how important it was to be part of the team and make a difference to the city. But now I need to do this for me."
Diggle gave her a small sad smile, "We'll miss you but if that's what's going to make you happy then I'm glad for you."
"Thanks, Dig," she answered with a smile of her own and teary eyes.
Roy took a step closer and enveloped her in a hug, "What am I gonna do without you blondie? You better answer all my calls on the first ring. I won't have that Bruce guy keeping you all to himself."
She chuckled as he let go of her, "Don't worry, we'll talk all the time. You'll even get tired of me."
She turned back to Oliver waiting for him to say something but he just looked at her with a lost expression before finally whispering, "I can't do this right now." He turned around and left without another word as the small group watched.
"He'll come around," Diggle tried to comfort her but she knew better.
"I'm not sure he'll but that's fine. I'm glad you two can understand it."
He nodded and broke the awkward moment, "So, how do you two feel about having a burger on Big Belly right now? I think it's time to celebrate Felicity's new journey even if it isn't with us anymore."
"I think burgers are always a great idea," Roy chimed in, grabbing his coat.
Felicity stared at her cell biting her lip and sighed for the tenth time in the last five minutes.
She knew he had meant what he said but she couldn't help but wonder if he had really meant it.
Screw it! She had already made her choice and told the team she'd be moving to Gotham so he better have meant it, she thought as she finally called him.
"Okay, so, do you remember when you told me you'd love for me to move to Gotham?" she said before even greeting him, in a nervous tone.
She could hear the smile on his voice as he answered a short, "Yes", ignoring her very blunt start.
She closed her eyes tightly, "Well, I really hope you haven't changed your mind because I've already quit my job and Team Arrow."
Bruce couldn't say anything for a moment as stunned as he was, "Are you serious? Please tell me you aren't joking." And by the tone in his voice she knew he was just excited as she was.
She giggled, "So, I'm guessing you haven't changed your mind?"
"You've just made me the happiest man in the world!"
"Of course I still have to stay a few weeks. I have to find a replacement at Queen Consolidated and I have to show Diggle how to do what I do. In a smaller escale. And I have to see about my lease and a lot of very practical stuff I'm not looking forward to."
"I could help with the lease and hiring a moving company and whatever else you need," he offered quickly.
"You could help with that?" she asked in a suspicious voice.
"Maybe it'd be Alfred, but still I would have asked him to arrange everything."
She laughed joyfully, "It's fine. I can do everything. If I need help I'll let you know."
"Good. Damn, I can't wait until you're here with me."
Felicity smiled coyly even though he couldn't see it, the warmth in her chest growing, "Me neither."
It wasn't exactly a surprise when Felicity arrived at work the next day to find Oliver already waiting for her, even if it was first time he arrived before her at the office since they started working together.
She was still taking off her coat when he approached her with a pleading look and what obviously was a practiced speech.
"Look, I know things have been difficult lately, specially for you, and it's mostly my fault. I've put a lot of pressure on you and I know the whole thing with Isabel and Sarah… well, they hurt you and I could have handled it better. And then you were shot and Slade complicated things even more-"
She sighed, "Oliver-" she tried to interrupt him but he continued.
"Please, let me finish. I've been thinking about everything and now that things calmed down you could go back to IT here at Queen Consolidated. Or some other department if you prefer. I know being my personal assistant wasn't your dream job but we can change that; just as I can do better outside work." He paused and took a deep breath, "Things have changed. I think- I think that maybe now that my life isn't as dangerous, maybe we could try," he left the rest unsaid but it was clear he was referring to his rejecting her after sleeping with Isabel in Russia.
Felicity stared at him shocked for a minute before saying, "You're an idiot and an asshole." She laughed without humor. "I've been getting offers from other companies since I I started working for Queen Consolidate. But I always refused them because I had a career plan in my mind. And I was going to become the head of Queen Consolidate's Applied Science Division in a a couple of years… that was until I was promoted to serving you coffee; which, okay, I never did." She acknowledged before continuing, "I started at Queen Consolidated because I wanted to become the head of one of the best Applied Science Division in the country. The first woman to do that, by the way. So, it's not surprising that when I became your executive assistant other companies thought you were a moron and started sending me even better offers. But I always said no because I believed in our cause. However, now I can help someone who I also believe in and at the same time have my dream job in a company with an Applied Science Division just as amazing."
"I can do that, too. You can be the head of the Applied Science Division; effective immediately."
She gave him a sad smile while looking at him with pity and some disappointment, "The thing is this was not your idea. You're just trying to up his offer because you want me to stay. You never considered that I was good enough for the job."
"I've always known you were good enough for the job," he paused. "I just needed you close so we could work on the mission."
"He needs me just as close to him… to help him with everything. And still he offered me a job that made me feel valued for my work. Made me feel appreciated for my talent and skills. That all my hard work was not for nothing. The way you're doing this now… it feels like charity."
He blinked, "Felicity, I need you. Not just in the company or as part of the team. I need you in my life. Please."
She shook her head again, "Oliver you don't need me. You've already proved it time and again. If you really did you wouldn't have hurt me like you did. I wouldn't have to see you in a hotel room with Isabel even though she was in the list or in the security cameras in the lair with Sarah despite all your very disturbing history with her and Laurel. You just want me now because I've moved on", she paused for a moment before confessing. "If you had said that to me a couple of months ago I would be over the moon. I'd be the happiest woman in the world and I would have been shamefully and secretly thinking about names for our kids," she gave him a sad smile. "But now it's different. I'm with Bruce now and I never thought I could be this happy with-" she cut herself for a second before choosing to go ahead and tell him, "with anyone other than you." She swallowed hard, "I love him and there's nothing you can say or offer me that is gonna change my mind."
Oliver looked at her for a long moment and could see she was being serious. She really had made her mind and she was leaving him. Bruce had won. And what killed him was that he could have had her if only he had made his move earlier. If he hadn't waited until someone else treated her the way he knew he should have all along. All his bad choices, all the hurt he had knowingly afflicted on her, all his shortcomings had made her give up on a future with him.
Realising there was nothing to do but accept her decision even if it was painful, he looked down before quietly asking, "Do you think about names for your kids?"
She looked away for a moment before looking back at him. She didn't want to hurt him but he was asking her a straight question, "I think Thomas for a boy. Bruce's dad was called Thomas and though he doesn't talk much about his parents I think it would mean a lot to him. I've always liked Megan for a girl. I guess it's the feminist in me since it's my middle name."
Oliver thought hard for a moment before asking, "If we'd had a son you would have named him Robert, wouldn't you?"
She nodded in confirmation with a seriousness that made him regret his actions even more, "Yes, I would have."
"And if it was a girl?" he asked, wondering if she had thought that far.
"Anne," she answered in a whisper.
He closed his eyes and sighed deeply. "Of all the mistakes I've made in my life, and they weren't few, this is the one I'm gonna regret the most. For the rest of my life."
She shrugged uncomfortably, "I don't know what to say to that."
He looked at her for a minutes that felt would never end, "Tell me he will make you happier than I could."
She gave him a small smile, "He will make me the happiest I could ever be."
"Not happier than me?" he raised an eyebrow.
"I think we could have been just as happy. If things were different."
"If I was different."
"No. I've always accepted you just the way you are. If you had chosen to see me as an equal. If you had really loved me. Loved me enough to trust and respect that I wanted to be with you. If you hadn't knowingly chosen to hurt me. If you had chosen to fight for us. If you had just… chosen me."
"So he won because he was wiser."
She sighed and shook her head, correcting hm, "So I fell out of love with you and in love with him because he told me he loved me and that it was a big risk but he respected whatever choice I made instead of pushing me away and punishing me when I was obviously in love; like you did."
"I'm sorry. So sorry."
She nodded, "I believe you."
"But it's too late."
She nodded in confirmation again, "It's too late." She stayed quiet for a moment before continuing, "Look, I know this probably isn't the best moment for me to leave but I don't think there would ever be a good moment. And truth to be told I can't wait for the right moment when happiness is knocking on my door right now. So I'm sorry but I have to go."
"I guess I should understand but I really don't want you to."
She nodded again with a sad smile, "I understand and it's okay. It's always been kinda obvious that you never expected me to move on. And I want you to know that I'll be there for you and Team Arrow if you ever need me. You guys are my family in so many ways. But I have this chance to build a family of my own and I'm so excited about that," she said with such a joyful expression. "I know it's not what you want to hear and I guess I'm sorry about that but I think we have to be honest right now and that's how I feel."
"I've always just wanted you to be happy."
"And now I am. So just be happy for me."
"Okay," he said, even though things couldn't be any further than okay. He just couldn't hold her back anymore. And so he accepted that his foolishness and selfishness had pushed her away. And as he said, he would regret it forever.
The next week went by so fast and so slowly at same time.
On one hand it was surprisingly easy to find a replacement for her. Well, not really. It wasn't surprising. She was never meant to be an executive assistant and to be honest her replacement was way better than her. She didn't really have to train the middle aged woman who had worked with many executives before. Her only real job was teaching her Oliver's moods, when to approach him and when to just let him be and, as what she hoped he would see as an inside joke, telling her she should never serve him coffee.
However, at the same time it felt like time had slowed down because it was just so hard to be away from Bruce. They talked every night after she taught Diggle how to work on her computers. Well, the computers in the lair but it would take her some time to think of them as anyone else's. And she also worked on making it easier to safely access them remotely, in case she ever had to help them from Gotham.
Diggle had been supportive even though he felt unsure about his new role on the team. Also, he worried about losing half of Team Arrow at once. Roy had quit a week before Felicity - even though it felt more like Oliver had thrown him out - but a couple of days after Felicity's announcement Roy told them he would also be moving to Gotham with Thea.
Oliver was obviously less than thrilled and had no problem telling Roy so, but thankfully Roy stood his ground and reminded Oliver that he and Thea didn't need his approval; specially now that he wasn't on the team anymore.
Felicity suspected Oliver greatly regretted trying to make Roy break up with Thea. It soon became clear to everyone just how strained his relationship with his little sister was when she stormed into his office to yell at him about meddling on her relationship with Roy and how disrespectful it was. She definitely put her brother on his place and their conversation ended with her saying she needed some time and space before they could talk again.
In the midst of all this Felicity did her best to constantly reassure Diggle that he'd be great replacing her and that she'd always be just a phone call away. Also, she tried to mend her relationship with Oliver as best as she could, finally getting to a point that she saw him just as a friend and nothing more. It was important to her that he knew she'd always be there for him whenever he needed her and that their relationship wasn't defined by their mission. She also tried to spend as much time with the team as possible, just hanging out and having fun; her way to say goodbye. It was scary the thought that she wouldn't see them everyday anymore and she knew the memories she was making with them these last few weeks would stay with her for the rest of her life.
When she was not with the team or wrapping up her work at Queen Consolidated and the lair she was working on everything she needed to do before moving. Her landlord was understanding but she still had to pay a couple of fees for breaking the contract before it was up. She had given her two weeks notice the same day she had talked to Oliver and it was very easy to hire a moving company. Packing, however, was a lot harder.
As was her talk to Bruce when she had to decide where she would live in Gotham. He had been just as accepting of whatever decision she made as he had promised when she had stayed with him in Gotham, offering her a place in one of the building he owned or helping her look for an apartment somewhere else. But he couldn't help reminding her whenever he could that he would prefer she moved to his apartment. There were a lot of not so subtle hints about his apartment being considerable large, very well located and with a great great roommate. He also suggested they could move somewhere else if she didn't like his place or she could redecorate it however she wanted.
The truth is that it wasn't about the apartment but about moving too fast. At least that's what she thought until she realized that even though it probably would be moving too fast, that's what she wanted to do. Also, if she changed her mind she could always move out. So, on one of their late night conversations she told Bruce she had decided to move in with him on a trial basis. They would live together for a month and then see how it went. Bruce was sure things would go perfectly; she wasn't so sure, but had to admit she was hopeful everything would go as smoothly as Bruce believed.
Three weeks later Felicity stood between Bruce's arms as they both looked at the closet.
"I can't believe you actually made all this space in your closet for me," Felicity said with joy.
"It's our closet and of course I did. I've heard women appreciate that. Though it wasn't easy to make enough space to fit your whole wardrobe."
She looked at him with furrowed eyebrows, "I'm not that bad."
He laughed, "Yes, you are. But it's fine. I'd have put my clothes in boxes if that's what it took for you to move in."
She rolled her eyes but held a smile, "You're so dramatic. But sweet."
"So… you're all moved in. How do you feel?"
She looked around their room slowly, "Surprisingly settled. I thought it would feel weird and uncomfortable but so far I'm good. Still, don't panic if it only hits me a week from now. It's quite possible that will happen."
He chuckled, "I'll write it down on my calendar." He gave her a quick kiss on the lips before looking her in the eye, "So, no regrets so far?"
She smiled at him sweetly shaking her head, "Just a lot of happiness."
"And have you talked to your friends from Starling?"
She grinned at him, "You know, you're usually so smooth."
Bruce wrapped his arms around her pulling her closer, "I know they are important to you and that things didn't go exactly how you wished."
Felicity sighed and wrapped her arms around him too, "It didn't go as I wished but it happened how I expected. I've talked to Dig yesterday and things are okay in Starling. We've talked every couple of days and things are fine between us. Oliver… well, it'll take some time for him to get used to this but he'll have to eventually."
"That's good."
"Soooo… when does Roy start work? You haven't told me anything about your conversation with him yet. Did something go wrong?" she asked slightly apprehensive.
"Quite on the contrary," he told her stepping away. "He'll be my executive assistant. And before you say anything, yes, I can see the irony. But he's not a computer genius that can easily run the applied division of the company and he's very happy being an assistant for now. But I've told him that if he would feel better in another position in the company or elsewhere, he's free to apply." Bruce shrugged, "I think he'll probably apply to work on another department in a few months; this is just a stepping stone."
Felicity walked to him putting her hands on his chest. "You're a very good man."
"I try," he answered with a smirk but then became serious. "About the vigilante thing, we'll give it a try and see how it works out. The dynamic has to be good and we have to learn to trust each other. If we can't do that in a couple of months we'll follow our own paths on that matter."
"Sounds fair," she agreed. She sighed and looked around again, "So, this is us. Living together. Like a couple. I mean, we were already a couple before but now we're living together like a married couple. Not that we're married, of course. I mean, it's too soon, it'll still take us a couple of years to get married. Not that I'm planning on us getting married. You don't have to get married to me. Though I think it's a nice thought, in the future, of course-"
Bruce cut her off with a kiss and a smile, "Yes, this is us living together as a very happy couple."
She grinned, "How can you just put in a sentence what I'm trying to say in a few paragraphs?"
"I guess we just fit like that."
She stood on her tip toes and kissed him again with warmness, "I guess we do."
EPILOGUE
Oliver stood a few feet from the party sipping his flute of champagne and watching people talking and dancing. Thea was beautiful in her long white dress beaming at Roy as they danced on the dance floor set on the middle of the garden.
The wedding had been small, just family and close friends. Thea had chosen to do an afternoon wedding in the garden of their childhood home. It had more than enough space, it was very private and the decoration was exactly how his little sister wanted.
His eyes wondered around, watching Diggle and Lyla fussing over their newborn, Bruce talking to some man Oliver didn't know and suspect was from Gotham and finally his eyes landed on Felicity walking towards him.
She stood in front of him with a kind smile, "Hey."
"Hi," he answered softly. "Long time no see."
She stepped next to him to watch people mingling in front of them and shrugged at him, "I know it's been a while since I've last come to Starling but it's not like you went to Gotham in the last two years. And I'm glad we were able to keep in touch and work everything out. To be honest I was a little scared things would change after I left."
"Things did change but I know what you mean. I'm also glad everything is good between us."
She gave a deep sigh, "I've heard about the Arrow last adventure with the mob. If you need help you know all you have to do is ask.
"Things are under control," he assured her. "It's not just me and Diggle on the Team anymore and there has been nothing like the undertaking or Slade. But if we need help we'll call; don't worry."
"Good," she paused.
"How is Thea and Roy doing? Really?"
"They're good. Thea is happy at the fashion magazine, says she's learning a lot. She really seems excited about college and work. Roy interviewed for a position on PR last week; don't tell him that but he got the job. And he's doing good at his night job; Thea was surprisingly supportive when she found out. Of course she still worries, but she took it better than we all expected."
"Good. I know we've made up but she still isn't as open to me as she used to be."
"I'm sure things will get back to normal between you two eventually." She turned to really look at him, "So, how've you been?"
He glanced at her for a brief moment but didn't turn around, "I'm good. Queen Consolidated is doing better and that's what I've been focused on. Also crime rate is low which is always a good things. Things are just fine."
"I'm glad," she nodded.
"So, I've heard Batman is hanging the cape," Oliver changed the subject not so subtly.
"Yeah, he decided it was time. He'll still help but now in the backstage and working on gadgets that can be useful to Roy instead of going out every night."
"I didn't expect him to do that so soon. You sounded excited to help him on his mission when you moved to Gotham."
Felicity smiled with warmth, "Well, things change."
Oliver turned to fully look at her and raised an eyebrow in question.
She looked at him and then down at her hand resting on her stomach.
He sincerely looked shocked, "You're pregnant?"
"It's still early, just a few weeks. I didn't ask him to quit but once I told him he just said it was time, that the risk wasn't worth it anymore. And I couldn't find it in me to disagree."
Oliver remained quiet for a long moment before finally pulling himself together, "Well, congratulations."
Felicity's smile widened, "Thank you. It was unexpected but we're really happy about it."
"I can only imagine."
"You'll find someone, I know that," she said in a comforting way resting a hand on his arm and smirked. "And also I've seen you in quite a few gossip columns on dates with a mysterious brunette."
Oliver's eyes remained shadowed and he gave a small shrug, "The press is making out to be something a lot more serious. I've just met her a couple of weeks ago. Diggle introduced us, actually."
"That's good. If Diggle introduced you two I'm sure I'd also approve of her."
When Oliver didn't answered, just remained with a forlorn look she took his hand, which made him raise his eyes to find hers, "You have to stop hiding behind the hood and let yourself be happy. Diggle told me you've been seeing this woman for over two months and that she's pretty nice. And if she puts up with you she really must be special," Felicity tried to finish in a joking tone.
He gave a self-depreciating smile but nodded, "Thank you. For everything."
"You're very welcome. Maybe we could all have dinner together next month when Bruce and I come to Starling?"
"I'd like that," he paused. "And in case I haven't said it I am happy that you're happy."
Felicity's smile widened, "Thank you. And I'm glad you found someone even though you still can't admit it." She bit her lip in such a Felicity way and then advised, "Don't take too long; you never know how long she'll be willing to wait for you."
Oliver nodded, "I'll keep that in mind." He looked around at all the guests dancing around the happy newlyweds and offered Felicity a hand, "So, can I ask you for a dance?"
She rested her hand over his, "I'd love to dance with you."
And just like that Oliver led her to the dance floor, the air cleared between them and both happy for the other. Their relationship had changed, but more than that, it had been resolved. That's what they needed. It wasn't what either of them had imagined a couple of years ago but back them they each had very different ideas of how things would turn out.
Life was surprising like that but in the end all that mattered was that both of them were happy and found a way to have a real and healthy friendship. They finally were really friends and that though unexpected, that was their real happy ending.
THE END
A/N: Please review!
I'd love to hear your thoughts on the story!