AN: thanks to all the new follows and favorites. I apologise for any mistakes. Since I posted the first chapter I've seen episodes 17 and 18. I have decided that currently the story is taking place after episode 17 but before 18. I shall be using 18's plot in this story but with my own twist something for you to look forward to. Sorry if I have confused anyone I managed to confuse myself but its all straightened out now I think.

I do not own Arrow or Mutant X I just wanted to try something new.

CHAPTER 3 - Friends

Oliver sat bolt up right in bed a cold sweat on his brow. He saw the yellow eyes just before he woke up, why were they bothering him so much, something didn't feel right.

He looked at the clock 5:50AM nearly 3hrs sleep, better than nothing. Oliver looked over to Felicity she was lightly snoring facing away from him snuggling up into the quilt. He carefully slid out of the bed and softly padded over to her side. Grabbing her phone he switched of the alarm for 6AM, she deserved a lie in especially after last night.

He headed out to the kitchen to make coffee he needed the caffeine and some thinking time. How had she managed to keep this hidden so well, actually she's the best liar out of them all he's the bad liar, never mind. At least she trusted him now to tell him even if it took prompting from that blond woman, she bothered him though she seemed to anticipate his movements before he made them that is a tough enemy to fight. He had enough problems with Slade being imminent and almost indestructible.

He would always stick by her this didn't change anything she was still his girl just now she seems even more real like he finally knows her. That must have been how she felt after all of his lies with the laptop, black arrow and sports drink. When he turned up in her car bleeding and rather green, the pieces fitting together she must have felt a relief at finally knowing all of him.

The team needs to know and he will help her tell them when she's ready he won't rush her just like she never rushes him to reveal what happened on the island. He finished the last of his coffee and looked over at the clock 6:30AM. He stood and headed for the kitchen with the intention of making pancakes and coffee for her.

Placing the plates on the breakfast bar with the syrup and chocolate spread he checked his watch 7AM. An extra hour in bed should be acceptable any longer and they will be late for Isabel and her morning meeting to bash his CEO ass about the company and his failings.

Oliver snuck into the bedroom and moved over to Felicity's side of the bed kneeling down on the floor in front of her face. He brushed his fingers through her hair causing her to stir. She rolled onto her back and Oliver leant over gently placing his lips on hers. "Mmm something smells yummy." She mumbled against his lips. Oliver chuckled as he leaned back.

"Morning, yes I cooked breakfast and coffee is waiting. I thought you deserved a lie in after last night." "Thank you." Felicity smiled. "It's the least I can do." Oliver replied. "No not breakfast or the lie in although I am grateful. Thank you for not running away or giving me the 'OMG she's grown two heads' look." "Anything for my girl." He responded as he stood up holding a hand out to help her. She took it and dragged herself out of bed following Oliver to the kitchen.

Telling Oliver had taken a huge weight of her mind she felt more at home than she ever could have imagined. Oliver took it all in his stride maybe the others won't react that badly they know me, but then again my dad more than knew me and he couldn't handle it. I'll work round it I've avoided it this far Oliver will keep it secret.

Felicity sat at the table breathing in the smell nothing better than starting off the day with coffee and pancakes. "You are too good to be true." She said through the first mouth full waving her fork in his direction with a huge grin on her face. "Well I do try." He replied. They ate in peaceful silence both happy to be there.

When Oliver finished he cleared his throat to speak, "Are you going to show the team?" Struggling to swallow Felicity coughed on the bite she had, she took a few gulps of coffee before replying. "I really want to, you coped with it but well people in the past, well my parents especially, didn't. When they saw that what I could do my dad freaked out he tried to beat it from me but I couldn't stop it happening. He left in the end and my mum never forgave me. I worked really hard to control it so that I wouldn't have to face anything like that again, I couldn't bear it if anyone else gave me that look." Felicity was almost in tears Oliver stood up and took her into an embrace.

"It's okay shh, we will go one step at a time. How about telling John he accepted me when I told him I was the killer vigilante. Well in the end he did take some time processing but you're his friend and he knows you much more than he did me when I told him." Felicity half sobbed half laughed "Okay tonight us three at the cave." Oliver nodded in agreement.

He gave felicity one final squeeze and placed a kiss on her head. They went their separate ways to get ready for their day jobs at Queen Consolidated.

-§-

It was a typical day at QC Oliver had several meetings and conference calls; he had lunch with Diggle and Felicity in his office and then paperwork filing in the afternoon. Felicity kept her head down all day; she hardly spoke during lunch causing Oliver to worry and Dig to ask questions which Oliver only replied with "We'll talk tonight."

Around 3PM a middle aged man arrived on the executive suite. Felicity looked up and greeted him with a smile, "Can I help you?" "Yes I'm looking for Moira Queen. I'm passing through on business and it's been a while since we last made acquaintances." He responded. "May I ask who you are?" "Oh, my apologies It's Adam Kane." He answered stopping in front of Felicity's desk. "I'm sorry Mrs Queen is running a campaign election talk this afternoon. I can book a meeting with her tomorrow morning if you would like?" "Yes that would be great t. I'm sorry how rude of me I didn't catch your name?" Adam asked. "I've got you booked in at 10AM Mr Kane and I'm Felicity Smoak." "Thank you. I will see you tomorrow Miss Smoak." He said nodding his good bye before turning and entering the elevator he arrived on.

As the elevator door closed Oliver emerged from his office, "Who was that Felicity?" "An old acquaintance of Moira's dropping by, he will be back tomorrow at 10AM." She replied. "I'm all caught up do you fancy an early finish, grab some dinner then head to Verdant. There are some body snatchers for us to find." He said attempting to cheer her up. Felicity gave a small forced smile and nodded, oh crap she thought.

-§-

Oliver, Diggle and Felicity ate at Big Belly Burger, both men were chatting away about tactics and fighting styles. Felicity was focused on her tablet nibbling on her fries every now and then her burger sat untouched. Dig noticed her behaviour and looked at Oliver giving him a silent look of what did you do to her? Oliver touched her shoulder bringing her attention to him, "It's okay. Do you want to get this over with and eat later?" He enquired. Felicity gave a weak small smile and shrugged her shoulders, "I guess."

Dig stood up "I'll meet you there." Things were too awkward for him but what were they hiding, he'd better not have gotten her pregnant he thought as he walked out. "He knows something's wrong, he' worried about you and he thinks I'm the cause. Everything will work out fine, he loves you almost as much as I do, and he'll accept you." Felicity didn't reply she just packed her tablet into her bag and stood along with Oliver heading out of the restaurant.

-§-

Oliver held felicity's hand all the way into Verdant and down into the Cave. She was dragging her feet a little and Oliver tried to calm and reassure her by stroking his thumb over the back of her hand.

Dig was perched on the corner of the arrow desk watching them enter. He had a warm smile on his face trying to reassure Felicity, he really couldn't understand what had her so out of character. As Felicity passed Dig he reached out to touch her shoulder but she shrugged him off, when did he upset her. "Please don't… I can't… Not yet." She whispered.

Oliver let Felicity continue to her computers he rested a hand on John's shoulder giving a silent look of wait. He chuckled to himself suddenly he understood why she was so protective over her computers they really were her babies. The no touching rule was more understandable now too they were like additional limbs to her.

Felicity turned on her computers and spun her chair to face John and nodding when she made eye contact with Oliver. He nudged Diggle over to the training mats so he was behind the computers and facing Felicity. "Both of you are now scaring the hell out of me. What happened after I left last night?" Felicity leveled her eyes to his, "I told Oliver about my past and now I'm telling you but it's not easy to tell or process."

Before Felicity could continue Oliver had an idea, "Last night that woman I confronted." "You mean kicked your ass man." Dig interjected. "Hmph she was different anticipating my moves as I decided them and at one point when she had me restrained her eyes flashed a yellow colour. Only a second so I thought I was going crazy but apparently Felicity proved otherwise." Oliver explained. "How could Fel…" Dig started but Felicity interrupted him. "I, my parents made a decision to save my life when I was a baby but it had consequences and lets just say my computer genius isn't all learnt at MIT. Oliver" At the mention of his name Oliver nodded and placed his hand on Dig's shoulder.

Felicity touched the keyboard and her eyes changed to the static pattern and Dig inhaled sharply before turning to Oliver with wide eyes and mouth to the floor. Oliver knowingly smiled, "I know but it's still our Felicity just better explained." Dig smiled genuinely his eyes relaxing and he turned back to Felicity his smile growing wider she truly was special.

Felicity returned looking straight at John who was genuinely smiling at her, she blushed. His reaction was even better than Oliver's but then again he had someone supporting him through it. Oliver left Dig and moved over to Felicity, "One down two to go." He said. "Thank you both of you. I've never been accepted before not the whole me I just can't explain what it." Oliver kissed her before she could finish and Dig came over and gave her a huge hug. "We all have a past and parts we can't/don't show to protect ourselves or others, we know this more than most. You are so bright Felicity you should never hide that." Felicity felt so happy tears pricked her eyes but as always the good moments get interrupted.

BEEP, BEEP, BEEP the computers blared, all three turned towards the monitors and Felicity started to type away furiously. Oliver touched her shoulder leaning forward he spoke softly, "You can go o'natural if you want." Felicity giggled and her hands stopped moving and the screens started dancing widely with different screens and programs that neither of them could follow.

"There has been another body found by police with blood from the eyes." Oliver was moving into action collecting his leathers before she could finish. "Call Roy I want him as backup."