Hello, it's me. I was wondering if after all this time you'd like to meet, to go over everything. Okay I'm joking all rights of that go to Adele. But, I'm sorry for keeping you so long I think I had major writers block which is dead surprising considering where I'm up to with this story. However you lot don't know because you're like 7 chapters behind. Mwahaha.

Hope you like this chapter and don't forget to review, favorite or whatever.

Chapter 8

Moira, Robert, Thea and every other person in the car's parent beamed at then when the door opened all the way. They all climbed out and on her way out Laurel kissed both her and Sara on the forehead before taking her place next to Detective Lance and his wife. Oliver squeezed her hand once more and walked over to his parents and sister sporting an encouraging smile.

"You all look so beautiful!" Mrs. Lance cried when they had all finally climbed out. Barry, Eddie and Cisco coughed slightly and she laughed "and so handsome, of course!" they grinned and everyone thanked her.

Thea bounded over and hugged her tightly before they were ushered to a long queue outside the huge hell some considered school. Fortunately Felicity was one of the fair few that actually enjoyed school, which was good because in all her other schools she didn't exactly have heaps of friends or any at all for that matter. At that moment though she was more frightened of school than she had ever been before even when it consisted of jeering, pointing and laughs.

As if feeling her fear, Sara gripped her hand squeezed lightly before letting go. The queue was in alphabetical order and thankfully there was only one person between Caitlin and herself. Felicity was shaking. First she recognized Barry's name gets called and then a huge round of applause, a few calling his name but that was probably detective west. The queue was getting shorter still. Next were Sara and she found herself clapping along with the bigger round of applause? There were shouts and calls.

More names and her shaking never stilled.

Cisco was next and then it was her. She felt Caitlin hug her and push her towards the door. Towards the masses of people and she couldn't see those who she knew from where she was behind the curtain. The hysteria rose still but she pushed it down, pushed it down with all her might.

"Felicity Smoak!" The principle called and she made her way onto the stage. As she walked her eyes found the Queens, West's and Lances but most importantly found Oliver and Laurel who were both beaming at her calling out her name. She accepted the diploma and practically ran off of stage which is where she waited for Caitlin.

When she also came out she caught her friend in a huge hug "I'm going to miss you Caitlin" she whispered and she felt her smile as she reciprocated Felicity's statement. "Promise we'll stay in touch?" Caitlin nodded softly and pulled away smiling brightly.

They were both then caught in a huge group hug of smiles and words of comfort. She pulled away noticing Oliver and the rest of the Queens off to the side. She darted to Oliver hugging him tight "That was so scary" she whispered and he chuckled.

"I could tell" her eyes widened at him and he shook his head "just a thing I've noticed you do when you get nervous, no one else could don't worry" she nodded and moved to Thea hugging her tightly. Then she hugged Moira who radiated Pride and finally Robert.

Robert grinned "see, I told you that you could do it didn't I kiddo?" he smiles and she nods pulling at the ends of her hair.

Sara and her swapped parents and Felicity made her way down the Lances hugging Laurel tighter than the others "Thank you so much Laurel" she whispered into the hug.

"No problem Felicity, don't leave him too long though" Felicity smiled slightly and nodded both of them looking back at Oliver. He brought his eyes to threes and smiled sheepishly when he saw them both staring at him intently. "We're going out now by the way!" the older girl laughed and passed her an ID card. "I had them made a few weeks back"

Looking at the card she saw that her birthday was knocked up a year so she was grinned silently and passed Sara's to her. Cisco had provided the rest of them with their fake ID's so as soon as the adults had gone they were gone. Someone was throwing a party so all their group included Laurel and Oliver made their way to the party holders house. When they got there they were immediately passed a drink that probably contained alcohol and Oliver grabbed her hand.

"Tell me if it gets too much" he warned and she nodded quietly squeezing his hand before letting go. Felicity disappeared with Sara on her arm leaving Laurel and Oliver staring after them "I'm worried about her" he stated when they were out of sight.

Laurel smiled at him, wrapping a comforting arm around his waist "You're always worried about her" he looked at her seriously "I know, I know what drunk males are like I've been around you for god knows how many years but I think she's smarter than me" He nodded carefully "And even if she's not, Sara will come and find us and you'll make her okay. You're good at that" he nodded again and took a drink then a look at the food buffet.

Pulling a random kid to the side he glared at him and asked "does anything on that buffet contain nuts?" The boy shrugged and attempted to pull away but Oliver's grip was too strong and his glare was getting harder "I said does anything on that buffet contain nuts?" He shrugged but managed to stutter out an answer.

"I-I don't know! The brownies might? There are peanut bowls but if you have an allergy I think you'd be smart enough to stay away from them!" Oliver let the kid pull away before pulling Laurel into the crowd. It was all warm bodies, drunken slurs and sweat but he pushed on making sure Laurel was okay every few seconds. It took a while but he finally found them standing at the side of the room.

Pulling Laurel to him "The brownies might have nuts in and there are peanut bowls" he told her earning a small giggle.

"I know Ollie" she giggled sharing a look with Sara before collapsing into laughter. Oliver looked at Laurel for help but she shrugged "You're quite pretty y'know" she said addressing them both "Hmm, I'm glad we're best friends" She continued to talk, Sara imputing a few things before Oliver took Laurel away.

Laurel turned to Oliver "This is going to be funny" he nodded smiling slightly but his smile wavered and concern flooded his features "c'mon Oliver this is a party!" he nodded and she watched in fascination as his limbs began to loosen. He grinned down at her, kissed her on the lips, once, twice before grabbing two more drinks.

They stayed there drinking for who knows how much time while the new graduates partied on, getting drunk or getting high. Oliver was still worried especially after Felicity's past encounters with Alcohol but when he began to consume the drinks his mind got more and more fuzzy. That was until Sara came running up a panicked look on her face.

"It's Felicity… come" then she was gone and it took all his effort to keep up with her. Laurel followed quickly on his heals there expressions so similar yet so different.

He arrived quickly to find her huddled in a corner, knees up to her chest and her head burrowed in her arms that formed a shield around her hair. Oliver let out a shuddering breath and walked forward slowly allowing her to predict his next move in hope he didn't startle her further. When he was directly in front of her he dropped to a squat and then to his knees reaching forward with hesitant hands to pull her palms from her face. She put up a slight resistance before allowing herself to cave. Her face was soaked with tears, her eyes and angry watery red, they were also Oliver's worst nightmare. Filled with fear and doubt, guilt and panic. She looked up at him and launched herself in his open arms sobbing heavily into his chest.

"I'm so sorry" she cried, Oliver said nothing just rubbed her back and caressed her hair. Laurel looked down at him and pointed to Sara then to the door. He nodded softly and Sara ran off towards the door. Felicity had always been light and fortunately for Oliver he was used to carrying her so when he picked her up to carry her out it didn't take much effort. "I didn't mean to ruin your night… I'm so sorry" she repeated.

He took them outside and then round the block where he sat the two of them on the floor, the coolness of the gravel making it easier to clear his hazy mind. "What happened Felicity?" She shook her head clutching his top tighter "Fe-lic-it-y" again she said nothing, reaching up a hand to wipe her eyes. Her eyes looked up to meet him and she noticed how worried he really was.

Pulling her hair back from where it was sticking to her face "I… He-He was talking to me, just talking, and then. Th-then he moved forward to do something and I wasn't at the party anymore. I was… I was back there and it wasn't him. It wasn't him, Oliver! They won't stop, everything I do he's there haunting me. I want him to go away, Ollie, I really want him to go away" she sobbed. Oliver's finger clenched into a fist but as much as wanting to go and smack to guy that made her like this he knew it wasn't the poor teen at fault.

"I'll protect you, okay, I'll… I'll never let anyone hurt you again! Say the word and whoever's hurting you is gone. I swear." He offered and Oliver felt Felicity smile into his neck. It was wobbly and wet but it was a smile and that's what counted.

Laurel had stood watching the two from the corner with a sad smile. Felicity relied on Oliver almost as much as she anchored him. She loved Oliver enough to know that he'd never love her like he does Felicity but maybe that's a good thing. He looked up at her and smiled. It was broken, shattered but it was a smile and he smiled for her, for Felicity.

"What do you want to do now?" He asked the now calmer girl in his lap. She shrugged nonchalantly and he sighed softly "Felicity, I don't want to force you into anything that you don't want to do. If you want to go home I'll take you home and we can leave everyone else here, if you want to stay we can do that but I'm not getting anything out of a shrug" Again she shrugged but wearing a small smile that to Oliver was quite the success.

She was scared, anyone in a five mile distance could tell that, but with Oliver the fear seemed to seep out of her body replacing itself with a new found confidence. "I'll… we can go back inside? Just please don't leave me" she whispered and he clutched her a little bit tighter shaking his head.

"I'll never leave you Felicity" she looked up at him through watery eyes filled with disbelief "Never" she sighed in skepticism but stood her hand never leaving Oliver's. They walked over to Laurel who stayed silent but grasped Oliver's other hand. "Let's get this party started!" he whisper/ yelled as they walked in.

Sara ran over quickly taking Felicity from Oliver's tight grasp to pull her into a hug "I was so scared" Sara muttered and Felicity looked at the floor hearing her friend's worries aloud. "C'mon let's give my sister and your brother some time alone." Sara gave a giggle and Oliver looked at her in question. Felicity gave him a serious look before nodding her head at Laurel and following Sara shakily into the crowd. "Do you think he'll go back to his old ways, not forever, but tonight?" Sara asked as they sat at the kitchen island surrounded by their mostly drunk friends.

"Hey 'lisity. Heard about… y'know. You're accident. I hope you're okay but this is SO COOL!" Cisco shouted when she was seated. A glass of water slid across the table in her direction and she smiled gratefully in Eddie's direction. "Oh, oh, oh! I like this song! Come Caitlin, come dance with me!" A drunken, staggering Caitlin followed him giggling. She looked at Sara quickly who was laughing quietly.

Barry was sat at the table, a bottle of bear in his hand and a soft lazy smile on his face. Felicity presumed it was due to the alcohol that he was aiming his smile at her but she couldn't quite figure it out. Eddie grinned at her fiddling with a twisted plastic cup in his hand. As the twists got tighter the noise got louder and it didn't take long for Sara to yell at him much to Felicity's amusement. Iris sat squished in the middle of Barry and Eddie a confused grin on her face whenever either boy aimed their attention at her. They both had feelings for her yet she couldn't figure that out.

"Sara?" Felicity asked. Said girl turned her blond locks at her in question "How come you're not drinking?" She smiled at Felicity softly and shook her head.

After a few minutes Felicity asked her again with a grin and then again until she finally answered "I'm not drinking because someone has to make sure these guys get home safely and god knows what would happen if you had a panic attack and there was no one sober around…" Felicity looked at the floor-she was the reason her friend wasn't having a good time at her own graduation "Felicity" Sara pulled her chin up "You're not stopping me drinking. I'd drink if I wanted to but I… I mean, look at them!" she pointed across the room to where Oliver had Laurel pinned against the wall, pressing kisses along her neck "They aren't sober enough to make sure we all get home safely so someone has to do it. I decided to let them have their fun for once, they haven't gone out in ages and I think it's well deserved… I'd just rather they weren't in my eyesight…" Felicity nodded unable to tare her eyes from the two.

Sara shrugged, winced and then stood up walking towards the main living room. Felicity followed nervously and found Cisco on the floor, one hand on his head the other around his stomach as he gasped for breath. Sara helped Cisco up taking him over to where the boys and Iris sat. "Felicity, could you go and find Caitlin for me, I don't trust her on her own"

She set off into the crowd keeping her head where the oxygen came easy. Sweaty bodies, loud music and yells weren't her favorite things and to be honest Felicity couldn't wait until she could go home and lay in bed. It was then she found Caitlin sat on the couch next to another girl with bubblegum pink hair. "-okay y'know. You just need to tell your parents and they should be able to help you" Caitlin was assuring the other girl but her words were slurred.

"I know but I don't want them to kick me out because of one stupid mishap!" pink haired girl cried throwing herself at Caitlin.

Felicity decided then would be good time to make herself known "Hey Caitlin, who's this?"

Caitlin looked up wide eyed and back down the girl "She's a good guy! Can I tell her?" crying girl nodded and Caitlin looked dup her doughy brown eyes sad "She's pregnant but doesn't want to tell her parents in case they kick her out. I was saying that they won't but she doesn't believe me!" Caitlin rambled. Felicity nodded in understanding and sat edgily on the end of the sofa. "She's called Isla. It's a very pretty name isn't it-yes, I thought so too!"

"Okay, Caitlin, we have to go?" Felicity said and Caitlin looked up at her sadly. "Why don't you give her your number and you can keep in touch with her?" She nodded smiling and brought a pen out of her pocket scrawling her number on the poor girl's hand. "Now come on, Sara is wondering where you got to after Cisco threw up"

Caitlin nodded and stood unbalanced staggering over to her clumsily "Wait a minute!" Felicity stopped looking at her friend in confusion "Is that… no! That's Oliver and Laurel!" Caitlin laughed pointing to the corner where Oliver and Laurel where mid make out.

"Yes, that is. Now come on we have to go" Felicity pulled her friend away while Caitlin gave her a funny look.

"Why are you jealous?" Caitlin asked laughing.

Felicity looked at her shocked "I'm not-"

"Yes you are, I'm not an idiot 'lisity!" She cut her off and Felicity scowled. "You shouldn't be because Oliver loves you" Felicity looked back at the couple-like a sister- she thought and then shook her head That's how I think of him-like a brother! "Why are you talking to yourself?" She whisper/ laughed.

"I'm not jealous and you're drunk" Felicity told her walking her to Sara. "Help me" she groaned to the blond girl in front of her.

Caitlin bounced on the chair a giddy smile playing at her lips "Sara, Sara, Sara! 'Lisity is jealous!" Sara looked over at her eyebrows raised and her face wearing nothing but amusement.

"Really?"

"Yeah! When I showed her Oliver and Laurel she got all defensive but I told her not to worry because Oliver loves her too, which is the truth right because I may be a little drunk but I'm definitely not blind and he loves her almost as much as he loves Laurel. Felicity being Felicity thinks he loves her like a sister but she's wrong again. God, I thought Felicity was smart, well she is at computers but not in this department this is our department Sara" she looked up at the blond who wasn't even paying attention but her eyes flickered between the couple and Felicity multiple times "Sara, Sara, Sara!" finally her eyes flicked down to meet Caitlin's.

"Right" Sara mumbled. Felicity looked at her confused but brushed it off. "c'mon let's get you five into a cab and back home" Felicity dawdled behind them listening as Sara told the driver every house he needed to go to as he looked at her bewildered. "Now, I'll come back to yours and get Ollie's stuff, he's probably staying at mine tonight" Felicity nodded silently, uncomfortably.

They got in a seconds cab and drove to the Queens mansion. Moira opened the door with a small smile "Hello, dears, what are you doing here Sara?" Sara gave her a careful smile.

"I'm grabbing Ollie's stuff, he's…err, staying with Laurel tonight" she muttered as the older women stepped aside to let them both through. They headed straight to Oliver's rom and while Sara riffled through his closet Felicity laid back on his bed, fighting the exhaustion that crept in her limbs. When she was done, a duffle bag in hand Sara turned to Felicity seriously "You're going to be okay tonight, without him?" Felicity fought the urge to roll her eyes and nodded softly. "Okay, text me if you get… if you have a nightmare or whatever" Felicity nodded again. Sara moved to the door and before she escaped out of sight Felicity stood and enveloped her friend in a hug.

"Thankyou… for looking after us, Oliver, the guys." Sara nodded softly and smiled. "Bye Sara"

She got to the end of the hall and then stopped, turned don her heel to find the hallway empty. Walking back to Ollie's room Sara knocked carefully on the door. Felicity opened the door "Aren't you going back to your room?" Sara asked and Felicity's eyes widened before nodding and scurrying out the room. "I won't tell anyone" Sara whispered nodding to his room.

Sara watched her friend visibly relax and she smiled at her "Thankyou… again" Sara nodded again before walking down the stairs, out the door and into the awaiting cab.

Once Sara was gone Felicity sighed and changed into her spare PJ's she had eft in Oliver's room a few weeks ago. There she brought out her phone and began to google random facts-anything to keep her mind busy and the tiredness away. Her eyes were beginning to close when her phone started vibrating; Felicity picked it up not checking the name on the front.

"Felicity" the voice on the other end sighed in relief "I'm so sorry! I know you didn't want me to leave you and I promised but I broke that promise and now I'm in bed with Laurel, not like that she's asleep, and you're by yourself. I'll talk to you all night if you like and then you aren't alone?" He rambled and she sighed sadly her feelings diverse.

With a sigh "I'm not mad Oliver. It's not your job to look after me and Sara said she thought you two deserve some alone time, hence why she didn't drink, and I agree. Over the last few months you've been fussing around me and have neglected your friends/ girlfriend. So I'm sorry. Anyway, it's fine. Go to sleep Oliver, I'll see you tom-when I see you" What Felicity didn't say and wanted to was "Plus in a few weeks I won't have you by my side every night so I've got to get used to battling my own demons alone. Vice Versa."

"Nope, I'm not putting the phone down Felicity" he muttered "And anyway, I like being with you" Felicity sighed and muttered "fine" before pressing the red button signaling the end of the call.

Secretly, she's not sure why she put the phone down but as soon as she did the events from earlier caught up with her. How the hell is she supposed to live alone with three strangers who she doesn't know while fighting sleep, as well as keeping up with her grades. As well as that she'll be constantly worrying about Oliver and how he's going on as well as Thea!

Her phone buzzed singly I'm sorry, Felicity, really.-O

Felicity groaned: If it helps and it isn't too weird, I'm in your room so I'm not really alone-ish? - F

Moments passed without a reply and then hours. He fell asleep or she took it too far, either way he wasn't talking to her anymore and was with Laurel. What she wanted, kind of.

Eventually her eyes closed and the dreams returned, only this time Oliver wasn't there. She awoke three times each time covered in sweat and each time with tears leaking from her squeezed lids. Then the last time she awoke it was due to the sunlight shining through the windows.

There was a timid knock on the door and Thea's face appeared in the door way. She grinned when she saw Felicity's open eyes and ran across the room jumping on the bed next to her. Thea lay down and stared at Felicity curiously. "How come you're here and not at someone's house?" She asked.

"No one's house to go to. Everyone was really drunk, except Sara and Oliver slept at her house" Thea nodded and wiggled close to Felicity under the duvet. "How come you're awake at… 6:30 in the morning" The younger girl squirmed uncomfortably "nightmare?" Felicity asked softly and Thea nodded burrowing her hair in the pillow close to Felicity's head.

Thea looked torn for a few minutes "It was... You had gone to college and Oliver was with Laurel and Sara was at College. It's silly really but everyone was gone, I was alone" Felicity stared at her in shock and pulled her into a small hug.

"You're never going to be alone Thea, ever" She scoffed and Felicity stared at her seriously "Really, you've got your mom and dad, you're brother looks at you like you're the best thing that's ever happened and you've got me! If you're ever feeling alone ring me up and I'll come back. We can spend the day together or work on homework or whatever you have to do, okay?" Thea nodded quietly and stayed still in her embrace.

Then Thea looked up at Felicity "Did you sleep alone last night?" Felicity winced and nodded "Did you have nightmares last night?" again Felicity nodded "next time you have to sleep alone or Ollie's out come and stay with me!" Felicity smiled at her offer thankfully.

"I think I might take you up on that!" Thea grinned and sat up holding out her hand when she was stood on the floor. "Where are we going?" The grinned again and pulled her outside to the garden.

She walked her through a lot of trees until they came to a stop and Thea walked around it crying in glee when she found the steps. "Come up here" Felicity followed her up the tree extremely confused but silent still. "It's beautiful up here" Thea mumbled when they finally stopped climbing.

The ladder came to a halt on a thick branch far up the tree. There was a barrier around the branch and the floor had been slated with wooden slabs. Thea leant on one of the wooden barriers looking out at the view with a soft sleepy smile. She wasn't wrong the view was impeccable. The sky was blue and the sun was still rising through the tree's casting an orange haze over them. The mansion glowed in the early morning light and the drive way glistened from where the light refracted off the stones.

God knows how long they stayed up there sharing small talk before there was a muttering from the direction of the drive "This is the best part!" Thea grinned and pressed a button the side. Oliver came into view but his voice came first, echoing through the open topped tree house.

"I hope she's okay. God, she probably had nightmares and I wasn't there… I feel so bad! What do I tell her? She put the phone down phone down on me! Maybe she was angry or maybe she really meant what she said on the phone… God. I didn't mean to hurt her" Oliver grumbled through the speaker. He obviously didn't realize the two girls were listening to him but carried on muttering anyway.

Then he disappeared inside and ran straight to his room. Everything was quiet and then he ran passed a window that they could see. "He's looking for you" Thea whispered.

Then voices trailed from the open kitchen window "Where's Felicity, mom?"

"Good morning to you too, son" Moira chucked "I don't know have you checked Thea's room?" His footsteps quietened and Thea grabbed Felicity's hand pointing down the tree and beckoning her to follow. She obliged quickly and then snuck through the kitchen where Moira was leaning against the breakfast bar a coffee in one hand and newspaper in the other. "Hey girls, he's looking for you, where've you been?" she asked but before they could answer a frantic Oliver shot through the door.

"She's not the-oh…thank god!" He walked over and gathered Felicity in a hug "I'm so sorry! I had no right especially after what happened. I'll make it up to you, promise" She hugged him back breathing in his scent, Laurels perfume evident on his shirt.

Thea laughed "morning speedy, good to see you. Have a nice sleep, yeah me too" Oliver let her go and glared at his sister before hugging her softly too.

"Morning speedy, it's good to see you. Did you have a nice sleep?" He mirrored her words earning a light slap on the arm and a giggle from Felicity. "Yeah me too" he turned around; about to say something to Moira to find her gone "Jesus, have you all acquired the power to transport over night?" he joked laughing quietly.

"I'll leave you two alone, Felicity remembers what I said and I'm going to Roy's house Ollie. Tell mom or dad will you?" She smiled and then left. Not 10 minutes later the front door slammed shut and it was quiet once again.

Felicity smiled at him but Oliver noticed that it didn't reach her eyes. He's been at Gala's all his life everyone portraying happy smiles and eagar looks but they were all fake, every single one of them. He stared at her worried and clutched her hand in his pulling her into the living room and onto the couch. "What wrong?" he asked softly.

When she didn't answer he repeated the question "Nothing… Oliver?" He stared at her questioningly "Has Laurel talked to you about moving on with your relationship?" He froze and looked at her. "Tell me, Oliver, please?"

"She asked how I felt about us getting our own apartment and I told her I'd think about it, that's it?" He frowned. "Why?"

Felicity shrugged thinking silently "I think you should go for it" Oliver looked at her in surprise "I'm not going to be here in a few weeks and I don't want you to be alone. If you're with Laurel you'll be happy and around people all the time. What are you scared of?"

"Do you not think we're taking it a bit fast?" She grinned at him shaking her head "I don't want to go back to how I was before and mess everything up…" Felicity frowned and shook her hair

"You won't, if you really want this then you're not going to mess this up" He bit his lip and rubbed his forefinger and thumb together, again with the nervous tick. "Oliver, think about it… for me?" He sighed and nodded "Okay, now movie time. A, you're choosing. B, I might fall asleep" he laughed and nodded.

In the end he chose The Incredibles and it was really good. Well the first bit was… When the movie started Oliver had pulled them into a lying position on the couch and he was really warm and comfy. Felicity fell asleep with her head on his chest her cool hands against the panes of his chest. He smiled down at her sleeping form and kissed her head softly.

This.

This moment right now was what was stopping his moving in with Laurel, the thought of not being able to do this with her put an immediate spanner in the works.

So, what do you think? Felicity's first encounter with Alcohol around the Queens and Felicity's plan is slowly progressing. How do you guys feel about said plan? And aren't Sara and Felicity so f*****g adorable! They'd be like my favorite ship if Olicity wasn't a thing and Felicity bent the other way.

Thea is adorable as well and I think the latest Thea is a bit… I don't know too aggressive. I know it's the Lazarus pit at works but I think she could be such an amazing character and they're putting too many of her amazing qualities into fighting and anger.

By the way, if any of you are into Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D then check out my latest story because I have a feeling you're gonna like it!

Let me know what you thought about this in the box below, thanks guys.

Maisi

Xx