Before you say anything. Hear me out. I know I shouldn't post this now because I haven't finished the chapter I'm midway writing and this isn't how I normally do things but I really want to speed this along because I'm so excited for you to read where I'm up to writing at the moment. I seriously just can't wait.

Also, don't forget to show your love in the box below.

So, on with the show.

Chapter 9

The credits rolls and Felicity is still sleeping. She woke up about half an hour ago from a nightmare but with Oliver's scent surrounding her and his familiar body close to her own she soon falls back to sleep. Her dreams are empty filled with snippets of her past each one better and worse than the next.

It's after a particular bad one that she wakes, sweating and teary.

Tears seep from her eyes, falling down her face and soaking the collar of her school shirt. He's standing over Felicity an angry look on his face and her ankle is throbbing from where it hit the corner of the sofa. A pale hand is raised and quickly hits her face, making it fall backwards with the force. She raises a shaking hand to her reddening cheek and look at him in shock.

"Stop crying" he growls "I hate crying"

Felicity nods quickly, hurrying to dry her cheeks with a trembling hand. Her eyes however aren't as compliant as she'd have hoped they're quick to replace said tears and she wills herself to stop. It's hard and whatever I think about brings more tears but they stop-somehow.

He's looming figure is closer to her own now "I'm sorry I had to do that, my sweet girl. I never wanted to hurt you. Think of it as a warning my darling" he coo's his rough fingers trailing across her sticky face. "How about we tuck you in bed?" Felicity stares up at him her whole body still quivering with the shock of the blow. "C'mon I'll help you up"

He walks to her room, the mattress was a bunch of springs with a thin sheet atop of it and the duvet was plain simple and feels like a canvas. There's nothing else in the room except a broken dresser and the stained carpet that's fraying at the walls. Felicity walks to the bed stumbling at the weight on her ankle and climbs into the duvet moving at the itchiness on her bare skin.

He sits by her side "That's a good girl" he smiles, it's endearing and harsh. Especially crooked. His dark hair is messy and his sharp features make his glare all the more daring. "You stay in here now"

It's more of a warning. She nods and sinks lower into the bed. He follows her movements easily "And you'll be quiet too won't you" again she nods.

Oliver's hands tighten around her waist "its okay. Felicity look at me, you're fine, I'm not going to let anyone hurt you"

Her blue eyes flutter open wet and frightened, meeting his almost instantly. The familiarity brings her to ease and she slowly sinks back into the couch melting into the panes of his body. A firm hand grips her own and his thumb stroking back and forth across her knuckles gently lulls her back to sleep. He fiddles with her hair, plaiting and twirling random curls loving the way the soft silkiness feels beneath his rough fingers.

The next time her eyes open they're clear and bright. Not as bright as he would've thought they once were but they were a lot lighter than when she first arrived and that thought in its self makes him grin.

"What's up?" she asks, her voice not yet void of sleep. Instead of answering he smiles at her- a soft smile she realizes he saves for her and Thea- and brushes a hand against her cheek. "Have you thought about it? Laurel?"

Oliver wants to groan. How could he explain why and what was stopping him taking the next step. However, much to his delight, she gives him one last scrutinizing look before getting up, taking him with her. "It's Cisco's birthday and he's throwing a party. He said I could invite you but I need to go shopping" Oliver raises an eye brow "Yes, I know, I wouldn't if I didn't really need to get out of the house" Oliver nods in understanding and follows her to the hall.

She pulls on a pair of black high top converse and reaches for her parka jacket when suddenly he's in front of her. Felicity looks up at him questioningly "Hurry up Oliver, I want to get some coffee" He nods and pulls on a black leather jacket, tying his vans quickly before dragging her to the garage. "You can drive" He smiles at her softly and nods leading them to his midnight black Vanquish. The seats have a cool touch but immediately heat when he turns the car on. She switches on the radio instinctively and smiles when familiar tune floats out of the speakers.

"God, I haven't heard this song in… years" Oliver smiles and Felicity nods. Her mom used to sing this song all the time; it used to be the song her parents danced to when she was small. The familiar lyrics seep through her like a massage and she sighs softly. "...you tell all the boys no, makes you feel good" he sings along and she's yet again surprised at the quality of his voice. " you've built your walls so high that no one can climb it" he turns to her, eyes off the road and she panics a little "but I'm gonna try" She smiles but points to the road and he nods letting out a tiny chuckle.

Felicity stares out the window, signs and houses flying past, letting him sing along quietly. Finally the car stops and she realizes they're here-at the mall, and he's there staring at her expectantly. She smiles sheepishly and climbs out the car coming to his side almost immediately.

Most of the shops were empty which made it much easier for Felicity to act normal. Every time she fingered something Oliver would be quick to see if she wanted it making her laugh at his eagerness. She's found a few tops and a couple of pairs of jeans when she heard a familiar giggle sending shivers down her spine. Oliver noticed and looked at her questionably to which she shook her head and made to walk out the shop.

"Oh! Girls, look who it is! Felicity, how nice to see you!" Oliver watched Felicity's face drain of color and become a stony façade. She closed her eyes and when they reopened they were darker, emptier than only seconds before. He grabbed her hand and thankfully she didn't pull away but he felt her pulse beneath his finger quicken at the sight of them.

It was then they walked into view, there were five of them each one worse than the rest. The first was wearing a nasty smirk, her orange skin standing out horrifically under the lighting. Her hair was in some stupid bun on the top of her head and was an outstanding shade of blonde. Her clothes screamed cheap and her whole aura yelled bitch. The next one was brunette with dull brown eyes and a tanned face. Her lipstick was bright and her bag was bigger than her whole torso, she looked to the first with some sort of… awe! The third and fourth seemed to be twins, both with bright ginger curls and blue eyes. They were pretty but the snigger escaping their bright lips was an immediate turn off. The last, blond with green eyes was small and cute. Her face was void of emotion as she watched the scene unfold.

Felicity squeezed Oliver's hand and he watched as every single pair of eyes flickered down to their joined hands "God," the first one starts and she turns to look at Oliver with a flirtatious smile "She's only with you for your money y'know?" she practically purrs making both Oliver and Felicity want to puke.

"Actually," He starts, a smug smile playing at his lips "She's my best friend and my parents adopted her so she's not with me for my money because it's her money as much as it is mine…" The group look at him in shock and then at her with a surprised glance. His fingers are still resting on her pulse and it's going quicker still. He turns to her sharply noting her quick breaths. "Felicity, are you okay?"

She's about to shrug when Ginger one sneers "Haha, that's the funniest thing I've heard for a while. Felicity Smoak isn't okay and never will be! She's mental, absolutely bat crazy." Oliver turns to her with a sharp glare making her gulp and shuffle back.

"Felicity, answer me" he whispers.

Her eyes are wide as they meet his similarly blue ones. "I… I'm" she looks at the group of girls standing around them snickering "Yes, I'm fine" His forefinger never leaves her pulse but he turns away, pulling her closer but in a way so only she notices.

"You talk!" One of them screams and then ads "You shouldn't" Oliver is close to punching them all disregarding the NEVER HIT A GIRL rule. Felicity turns to him but her eyes catch on something over his shoulder which makes her smile. He turns confused but she stops him quickly.

With a small smile "Stay here, for one minute, and don't look. Promise?" He nods confused and turns the other way watching the group of girls bitch about Felicity which only fuels his anger. Meanwhile, Felicity makes her way over to the couple at the other end of the store. "Hey, Thea, don't let your brother catch you doing that again" She grins when Felicity is in hearing range.

Thea turns with wide eyes to her, A boy around 5, 8 stood behind her with a deep red face. "Now I won't tell him if you'll do me a favor" Felicity whispers to which Thea nods desperately. "There's a group of girls over there that I need to go away so if you can make a big scene over something with me then we have a deal?" She nods with a smile and turns to the boy who's staring at Felicity confused.

"Oh yeah, this is Roy. Roy this is my sister-Felicity" He waves at her shyly and she smiles back before walking over to Oliver.

He turns to her anger written all over his face "Where did you go?" His voice is calm but she knows he's using it to mask his annoyance at the girls in front of him. Felicity shakes her head and grips his hand again shooting him a small smile that literally screams TRUST ME! "They were telling me about… how you met each other" He says with a small grimace and the hate that had previously built in her stomach grows bigger.

She masks her face and turns to the girls "Oh, remember that time you woke the whole Orphanage up or that time when-"

"Felicity! Oliver!" Thea screams from behind them and Oliver turns just in time to catch Thea who launches into his arms. Roy's following her a little behind and Thea is soon in Felicity's arms whispering a small "You're welcome"

Oliver welcomes the distraction "Oh, we should all go out for lunch!" he smiles and everyone nods "Sorry we couldn't stay and chat" he says to the girls as they walk away.

"Who were they?" Thea asks when they're seated in a posh restaurant at the other end of the shopping center.

Felicity winced "People from the orphanage I went too"

Oliver had been quiet since they left and his grip had only gotten stronger "God, they were horrible! I'm so sorry you were put through that Felicity" he mumbles when she questions him on it. "Did everything that they said happen?" he asks and she nods making him frown and stare at the table.

She places a small hand over his own "its okay, I've… I've been through worse" He glowers at the table making her feel worse. "That didn't help. Erm, you can make it up to me?" she offers and his head snaps up the question clear across his features. "You can buy me a coffee?" and he nods slightly happier much to Thea and Roy's confusion.

Roy turns to Thea "How long have they been together? Is it even legal?" Thea snickers at him and shakes her head softly watching the two interact in their own way.

"They aren't together, but yes it is legal because they aren't related by blood. They're best friends, kind of inseparable, even Laurel knows better than to get in between them and she's his girlfriend!" Roy nods carefully but she carries on "They're like perfect for each other though, you know, they sleep together, eat together, go everywhere together! Sometimes they're so in sync it's scary, like listen…

So what were you two doing here? I didn't think you liked shopping… either of you" she asks and the two turn to her to answer.

"Well, Cisco has a party tonight and I needed a dress-" Felicity begins with a smile but stops when Oliver begins.

"Plus, we both needed to get out the house and I promised her that I would be a good second opinion-"

"To be fair, you already said you'd buy e a coffee so our deals off" Felicity says thoughtfully to him and he scowls.

"No, I'll just buy you another one when you least expect it-"

"NOT in the middle of the night, Queen or I will-"

"Yes you'll kill me I know the drill"

Thea and Roy watch their ping-pong like conversation in fasciation. Roy turns to her in shock and she nods laughing and falls into his side. Felicity and Oliver turn silent as Roy wraps and arm around Thea and kisses her head affectionately. The four of them sit in comfortable silence until heir food comes, Felicity whispering to Oliver every now and again.

The waitress that comes with their food smiles at them softly "double date-that's cute" but before any of them could correct her she's gone to get the other two meals.

Felicity steals a few chips from Oliver's plate which he swaps for a few mouthfuls of spaghetti. "God, can you two stop acting all couple-y, we're getting smoldering looks!" Thea groans and Felicity notices she's right when her eyes dance from one side to the other. She looked at Oliver with a blush to find him laughing silently, almost choking on his food.

"This is not funny!" Felicity screamed quietly and he nodded chuckling verbally while Roy joined in, soon Thea and Felicity were blushing bright red while their dates tried to remain upright while laughing. "Oliver, if you don't stop laughing I'll go to MIT early!" she warned and Oliver looked at her hurt for a moment before he recovered with relief written all over his face.

He ran a hand through his already messy hair "I actually thought you were serious then, don't scare me like that Felicity" She nodded and leaned into him softly.

"I'm sorry, I wouldn't do that. I value our time as much as you do" he nodded and wrapped an arm around her shoulders gently "It shut you up though, and you… you have a loud laugh!" she muttered towards Ray making him cough down another laugh. "Thea, you'll help me get ready for Cisco's won't you?" She nodded and once they were done she jumped up grabbing her hand and pulling her towards a shop, shouting their whereabouts behind her.

By the time Oliver and Roy had paid and caught up Thea had thrown her several dresses and she was only through an eighth of them. She walked out of the changing room with a glum face before noticing Oliver and blushing slightly. "I like that" he muttered and Thea smiled.

"Great, you can be here security while I wait here" He looked at his sister questioningly "She can't change unless there's someone there, seriously been there done that right 'lis?" Felicity nodded softly and looked at the floor with a frown. "Pick one of those they're all you so it doesn't really matter, or better yet let Ollie pick one"

Thankfully Oliver chose quickly and shoved her into the cubical with a red dress. She put it on and walked out "zip me up" when he didn't she turned to him, hands on her hips to find him looking at her in awe. His mouth was dropped open and his eyes slightly glazed. She chuckled "This one then" he nodded dumbly and she giggled before changing out of it.

He paid for it and they headed out of the mall back home to the comfort of the Queen mansion.

They went straight to her room exchanging small talk and flopped casually on her bed landing in a big heap of bodies and shopping bags. They both disentangled themselves before falling into heaps of laughter. "Game time!" she cheered and he frowned.

"No… I kind of took up your offer of focusing more on my relationship with Laurel; we're going out for dinner and then back to hers, or here. I'm not too sure about that yet, Sorry Felicity" She grinned at him encouragingly pushing down the fear building in her chest.

"Its fine, in fact it's great. I hope you have a great time, and I'll stay out your way if you come back here, don't feel guilty this time though" He nodded at her gratefully and pulled her in for a hug before going to shower and get ready. Felicity sat on the edge of the bed picking at the loose thread coming from her cover swallowing the despondent feeling in her throat. She was happy for him and made a mental note to thank Laurel for taking her advice or whatever but she wasn't joking when she said she valued their remaining time.

Oh well, I need to start this program anyway and catch up on the stuff for MIT… I'll be too busy to miss him, I don't need him, and I've lived without him for all but two years of my life I can do it for the rest of it. She thinks to herself while he compute is waking up yes but he's changed your life, your whole aspect of life has shifted thanks to him and the other Queens.

"Shut up" she mutters and then rolls her eyes "I'm going crazy too…"

Felicity is quick to start up her program and begins to type quickly, writing and re-writing old problems that she never bothered to change. Then after a few minutes she clicked YOUTUBE and played a random playlist that came up on her channel to try and rid the room of that empty feeling.

She was half way through a college problem when the sound of the front door opening echoed through the silent house. A giggle broke through the echoes and they only got louder as the owner walked upstairs. Felicity sighed and pulled out her headphones, she may have made the problem but doesn't mean she has to suffer through it. It was only half an hour later when her bladder demanded attention and as she opened the door loud noises came from the familiar room at the end of the hall. Felicity grimaced and hurried back to her room throwing on her headphones and turning up the volume.

With the rest of the night to herself Felicity got extremely bored. Last time she was alone she went into Oliver's room and played some video games this time when she was alone Felicity sat in her room and tried to not get depressed by searching the internet in hope of something exchanging.

In the end she resulted in sitting behind her screen learning Russian because why the hell not. It was silly how bored she was but with Thea out and Oliver busy there wasn't much for her to do. "Dobraye ootro" she mumbled "good morning"

It was a long night spent learning random Russian phrases and wandering the mansion in a one man game of hide and seeks in hope of avoiding Oliver and Laurels… noises.

The next morning she was dancing round the kitchen gathering ingredients for pancakes and throwing those together in the beat of Kelly Clarkson Mr. know it all. In the end she had produced a lot of pancakes and a two man audience.

Felicity turned and gave a cry of surprise when she noticed the other two people in the room watching her with a strange look. "Yeah, I'll… leave you two, sorry" she muttered before almost running to the living room to switch on the TV. They came in moments later carrying three drinks, Oliver with two and Laurel sipping hers sighing in delight as the fresh fruit flavor slipped down her throat.

He passed her one of the drinks which she accepted with a confused smile. The three of them sat in silence watching but not listening to whatever program was playing until Felicity sighed and walked to the kitchen with an empty plate and half-finished drink. She washed the plate, put it away, drank the rest of her drink and washed that too before going upstairs.

However before her feet reached the first step a cool hand wrapped around her wrist making her squeak in shock. She looked at Oliver questioningly "what are you doing?" he asked her confused and she stared at him in hesitancy.

"Giving you space?" He didn't answer but the question was clear in his eyes "Oliver, I'm not blind nor am I deaf…" she muttered referring to the previous night. A blush exploded in his cheeks and he rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly making her sigh in frustration. "That's good though, right? You progressing your relationship with Laurel, which was the point of everything?" He nodded unconvinced.

"Felicity, that doesn't explain why you're hurrying from the room every time I enter it?" the hurt in his voice was a surprise and Felicity sighed because this was all going wrong. "Have I done something? Was it because I didn't tell you about my date with Laurel and left you? Was it because of last night?" She shook her head softly.

With a sigh she reached forward and stroked his cheek softly "You haven't done anything, the opposite really I'm seriously trying to give you space, I'm not avoiding you. I wouldn't ever do that" He nodded against her palm "Now, you're going to go back in there with Laurel and have a great time aren't you?" He looked at her, his expression torn, before nodding defeated.

Felicity flew upstairs quickly and dived onto her bed. This was harder than it seemed, tears gathered in her eyes and with one look around to assess her surroundings she let them fall. How was she meant to push him away if he kept pulling her in again? She was truly happy for him but it was hard after a year of his undivided attention to watch him with someone else. Oh god she thought I sound like the jealous girlfriend!

She picked up her laptop and scrolled through some files with watery eyes when a knock on the door broker her out of her reverie as she rushed to dry eyes. She walked up to the door slowly and attentively opening the door wincing when she saw Laurel at the other side of it.

The older girl looked at her, eyes dancing from her red eyes to tear stained collar before pulling her in for a hug.

When they pulled away Laurel placed her on the bed and took a seat next to her, moving her laptop to the floor with a sharp breath. "This is about Oliver" she murmured and Felicity looked at her feet nodding slightly "What happened?" She asked and Felicity ran over the few hazards with telling her before running a hand over her sticky face and turning to face Laurel.

"It all went wrong" she started "I was meant to make sure that when I left for college or whatever he wouldn't get hurt or at least it wouldn't be that big of a deal. So I talked to you about taking the next step in your relationship, spoke to Tommy and Thea. Making sure he'd be busy and wouldn't have the time to miss me but now he's out with you or Tommy and I'm by myself-which was kind of the point but he keeps blaming himself, or he's certain that I'm avoiding him…"

She sighed and pulled Felicity in for another hug clutched the younger girl. Surprisingly the tears that built in Felicity's eyes never fell but Laurel noted the shuddering breaths. "Do you want my advice?" Laurel asked when they pulled away for the second time. Felicity shrugged "If you really want to make this easier, don't bother. You're only an hour away and you'll be home every other week. He loves you Felicity and it would kill him if you weren't in his life…" Felicity nodded silently.

"That doesn't mean I have to sit with you when you're in couple mode, does it?" she asked quickly and Laurel laughed loudly shaking her head in amusement.

"No Felicity you don't have to sit with us when we're in couple mode… whatever that is" Felicity sighed in relief "But, we're about to watch a film and we were wondering if you want to watch it with us, in fact, you don't have much of a choice Oliver is ready to drag you down there." Felicity nodded slowly and followed Laurel down the stairs.

When she got in the living room Oliver turned to smile at her but was quick to notice the tear tracks on face. Laurel moved quickly, in time for Oliver to wrap Felicity in a hug and not catch her with the force. She watched with a small smile as Oliver played a one sided game of 20 questions with the younger girl. In the end he sat her next to him on the couch Laurel snug on his other side.

She tried to not feel awkward, really, but with the two curled together the nagging feeling in her stomach could only grow. "I, err, need the bathroom" she muttered escaping the room quickly. They only nodded to engross in the film to do anything else. When she came back Felicity moved to the other end of the couch, so she was no longer in touching range of the two. Laurel looked at her with furrowed eyebrows but Felicity glared back.

She said I don't have to be involved in couple time… Felicity thought like a child this is couple time!

Laurel caught her eye again and started to laugh silently at Felicity's face which was a mix of anger and frustration. To be honest Laurel thought she resembled an angry toddler perfectly. Oliver looked down at Laurel questioningly but when she shook her head he kissed her head softly and switched his attention back to the film.

When Laurel looked up again she found both her and Oliver being silently assessed by Felicity. She raised her eyebrows at the younger girl who shook her head either to herself or Laurels questioning gaze. "Hey, Ollie, I'm going to go and get some drinks, Felicity come help" Oliver nodded silently and unwrapped himself from her to allow her to get up. Felicity trailed behind glumly. "You look like someone's kicked your puppy, what's up?" Laurel asked.

"You promised I didn't have to be involved with couple time!" Felicity whined making Laurel laugh "What?!" she cried.

"You, you're acting like a child" The laughter finally ceased and with three drinks in her hand Laurel moved to the door "What do you want me to do about it?" she asked with a sigh and Felicity shook her head thoughtfully.

With a tight smile "nothing" she muttered and walked ahead of her into the living room. Oliver smiled at her upon her entrance but it was hesitant and lacked the special twinkle that appeared in his eye whenever he used to smile at her. With a set jaw and grit teeth she sat in her previous position at the end of the couch but after a warning look from Laurel she shuffled an inch closer. "This is stupid" she grumbled and the shook their confused glances off.

The films that they watched were mostly horror much to Laurels displeasure but it gave her all the more reason to touch Oliver. She watched in fascination as Oliver and Felicity chuckled at the gory bits while she could barely look. Felicity was still tense and by the looks that she kept receiving not entirely comfortable either. However, as the movie progressed she seemed to be getting more comfortable until she had completely slouched against the back of the couch. The looks never stopped and Oliver began to notice who also looked at her confused.

"Are you okay?" he asked after the umpteenth time of her looking over. Felicity squirmed uncomfortably before nodding slightly "why'd you keep looking over here?" he asked an edge to his tone. Laurel didn't miss the flash of hurt that crossed Felicity's face and immediately felt bad because Oliver didn't either. She shrugged slightly "well, stop."

Felicity took a deep breath, swallowed and murmured "I'm sorry" Oliver looked at her, curled in her seat and as small as physically possible. Barely breathing in an attempt to disappear. He looked down at Laurel who was also looked at Felicity with guilt? "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to intrude. Laurel said that you both invited me and I wouldn't have come down if I knew you weren't okay with it. I wasn't planning on coming down anyway, y'know to give you two space and stuff. I'm sorry" she explained, flinching before getting up and running upstairs.

"Oliver!" Laurel cried when Felicity was out of sight. "Out of the both of us I expected you to be most welcoming…?" He looked at her confused, "She wasn't lying. She truly was trying to give us space and when I finally get her to come down. You do that?!"

Oliver looked at her "I didn't do anything. I asked her a question and she panicked. How is that my fault?!" She glared at him.

"Because you know what does that to her, what buttons to press…"

Upstairs Felicity reached for the notebook Sara had gotten her and began to write.

Dear friend,

I just want Oliver back.

Felicity

Ahhh, this chapter was so angsty. Personally, I think Felicity's being a little silly but I wrote it like this for a reason, I wanted to show her insecurities and how they might get her in to trouble. I'm gonna say something quickly that some of you may disagree with: Oliver is being like that because he's confused and so frustrated he's aggressive about it.

Anyway, let me know down there and thanks for reading guys your support mean everything…

Maisi