Chapter 6 – FLASHPOINT: Oliver
AN: WARNING, WARNING, WARNING! Here's where we get the AU thing started so don't freak out that it breaks from the last chapter! ;) We will get back to that story after these next 6 Flashpoint postings. Again, all of the pieces should come together and make sense but if you're still confused then just send me a message/ leave a comment and we'll chat! The next 3 chapters explore the Alternate Timeline lives of Oliver, Felicity, and Diggle before we get into the action! Info will come out slowly - be patient, my friends!
*Please see Chapter 2 for SPOILER ALERT and DISCLAIMER!*
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A bright light flashed hotly…but for just a single brief moment before there was only darkness once again.
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ARE TWO MASKS BETTER THAN ONE?
Oliver Queen barely scanned the newspaper headline before tossing it on his desk. He had finished his morning workout and had back-to-back meetings for the remainder of the day. There was also another fundraiser to attend in the evening - wear the suit, smile, and promise to make the city better. It was part of the family business agreement his father had demanded several years prior. Oliver hadn't been in a good place then and he knew his father had saved him. He still hadn't forgiven Robert Queen for the absentee childhood or the lies but the man was his father. Oliver hadn't found a way to forgive himself either though. His mother was still dead and no one had been able to protect her.
Again, his eyes drifted back to the paper as he tried to ignore thoughts of darkness and death that continued to plague him. There were definitely times he felt like he was wearing a mask that couldn't be removed. Determined to leave the past behind, he forced himself to focus on what was in front of him. It was yet another article discussing the presence of the Vigilante in Starling City and even the possibility of a woman in black helping him.
He was still reading it minutes later when his father entered the office without knocking. "You don't believe we have two masked vigilantes trying to save Starling City, do you?"
"I'm not sure how many there are but I don't think they are trying to save us. Is it time for the meeting with Lillian Worth?" Oliver put down the paper and stood up. Regardless of what he wanted, duty came first.
Robert Queen blocked the door and changed the subject back again. "We've got a minute or two. What do you mean they aren't trying to save us? They stopped Merlyn's earthquake machines—"
"After half of the Glades was destroyed and hundreds died." Oliver tried to interrupt.
"Half is better than all. Sometimes sacrifices must be made." Robert looked away briefly and then turned back as he continued proudly. "There's still a lot of work to be done though and soon there will be a Queen as mayor to lead the city."
The men shared a half smile before turning to find their way to the conference room. Oliver's day continued with multiple meetings and conferences until much later in the evening. Even away from the QC office, he was still working. A quick, hard workout and shower had cleared his head but the words on yet another research project report soon blurred as he tried to make sense of the technical jargon. He was scrubbing a hand over his tired eyes when he heard his office door open. Very few entered his personal office without knocking so he wasn't surprised to see the familiar face of his oldest friend.
"I remember a time when it was clubbing that kept you up late. Now it's paperwork?" Tommy Merlyn teased with a smile and plopped into the visitor chair. He was actually glad to see Oliver remained clean and sober. The darkness of the past years was something both preferred to ignore though so he didn't comment further.
"Between the campaign and QC work, there just isn't enough time to get everything done. Dad was right though - the name gets attention." Oliver dropped the papers he had been reading on his desk. "Sometimes having the family name and obligations—"
The facade of amusement dropped from Tommy's face and Oliver cursed under his breath. He knew he must be tired to bring up a subject they both avoided.
"I'm sorry, Tommy."
Tommy stood up and paced a few steps. "It's not your fault. Neither of us knew my dad wanted to destroy the Glades to avenge Mom's death. That's not a family business I want to pursue."
Both men shrugged off the emotional topic with only a nod. After a few moments, Oliver tried to get the conversation going again. Tommy always pretended his father's death was a fitting punishment for his crimes. Oliver didn't believe him - any more than he believed his sister was okay finding out Merlyn was her father too. It wasn't just their city but their personal lives that had fallen apart that day four years ago and they all bore scars.
"It's time to make an appearance at the fundraiser. You want to join?" Standing up, Oliver grabbed his tuxedo jacket off the chair.
"Another Queen for Mayor event? No, I don't think my face or name is the type of recognition you need, Ollie. Is Laurel still helping you?" Tommy glanced away even as he asked the question.
Oliver didn't have time to answer as a knock sounded at the door. "Come in."
A slim blonde dressed in a patterned silk blouse and bright pink skirt stepped in. Her eyes were glued to the tablet in her hands even though she smiled and greeted him. "I should be able to finish up the set-up tonight. You shouldn't have another cyber-attack with my security system in place. I'm all over you…I mean this, I've got you, I've got this, this…oh, you have company."
Neither man spoke since she continued in a much softer voice. "And male company. I didn't think Oliver Queen knew anyone but beautiful women."
Tommy laughed and jumped up from his chair. He took the woman's hand and chivalrously raised it to his lips. "Clearly he knows one more beautiful woman than I do. I'm Tommy, Ollie's best friend."
"Oh, okay. I didn't realize I was speaking out loud. Usually it's just me and Oliver, I mean Mr. Queen. I wasn't expecting—" She turned to meet Oliver's eyes and he interrupted her ramble to complete the introduction.
"This is Felicity Smoak. She's the IT genius from Queen Consolidated that my dad is promoting to senior executive level. After the campaign was hacked for the second time, she was recommended to save me." Oliver stepped close enough to take her elbow and lead her away from a still grinning Tommy. "We are heading out so you'll have the office to yourself...unless you need me...to stay "
The pair had stopped just outside his door. Oliver's hand remained on her elbow and her hand moved to rest on his arm. They continued to stare into one another's eyes until Felicity's gaze slid away to trace his mouth before moving on to the line of his jaw.
"You must have cut yourself shaving. Here, let me." Felicity licked her thumb and then gently wiped at the small fleck of blood on Oliver's jaw. "There, all better. You can't go to the ball without looking perfect, can you? I don't mean like Cinderella and the ball because really I would be a better fit for the princess role than you. Not that you aren't beautiful, you are but you're totally male...and I'm stopping now."
"Do you want to go to the ball?" Oliver hadn't intended to ask but the words slid out anyway as he pictured her in a formal dress - something bright and short.
Felicity glanced up in surprise and then laughed. "No, no ball for me. Cinderella doesn't have anything to wear. It's okay. I like spending my nights at your place. And by your place, I mean your office. Your IT closet, actually. I should probably get there now."
She stepped neatly around Oliver and flew down the hall.
"Seriously, who is that woman?" Tommy asked with a grin while he watched the short, pink skirt sway with each click of her heels.
"I already told you. She's the IT tech." Oliver replied. He knew Tommy would be watching the young woman too. In the last weeks that she had been working for him, he found himself watching her frequently. Too frequently for his own comfort. His mind immediately conjured various images of Felicity Smoak laughing, chewing on a pen, fingers flying over a keyboard.
After a few moments of silence, Oliver finally realized Tommy hadn't responded and turned. He found his best friend watching him with a comical look of surprise.
"You're smiling, actually smiling. Not the fake one you've worn since you divorced Laurel and caved to your dad's demands about the family business after my dad tried to destroy the city. A real smile. Anything you want to share, Ollie?"
Oliver frowned and looked away, back down at the empty hallway. He tried to ignore friend's teasing question and the possibilities of answers. His thoughts again moved easily to Felicity - the bright colors, sweet smile, quirky rambles. The same smile Tommy had noted again lifted his lips.
"She's not your usual type, you know?" Tommy shook his head but still clapped a friendly hand of support on Oliver's shoulder. He had no problem with changes. There were a few he had made too after all.
Turning to meet Tommy's eyes, Oliver was still smiling as he replied. "I know. Maybe it's time for a change.
Tommy grinned when he gave a final bit of advice. "Just don't make her your chili, okay?"
