Author's Note: Sorry for the delay and not posting it sooner. But I wanted to wait for my beta to finish the editing. ;) And I wanted to say thank you to everyone who has read, reviewed and favourited the story. You are all so kind. This is the next chapter and I hope you like it.
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Once again, a big thanks goes out to "I Fancy Hugh Dancy", for taking the time to beta my piece of work, THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
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Chapter 2: THE ELEVATOR
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A voice through the intercom appeared. "Hello there, I hope you are all right. I'm sorry to tell you that there is a disturbing frequency, but we're working on the problem and trying to get you out of there as soon as possible."
"Brilliant. This is just freaking brilliant." Felicity said sarcastically.
"Well, I guess we are stuck here for a while, then." Oliver said. He noticed that she was breathing very hard. "Hey, are you all right?"
"What?" Felicity's eyes snapped up to him and he saw how panicked she looked. "Um, I just don't like to be in a tight, closed place, you know."
"You mean you're claustrophobic?"
She blushed and lowered her head. "Well, no...yes." she murmured. "It's okay. I mean they are going to fix this anytime soon. It's not like we're going to die in here, right?" she babbled nervously. Then, a look of realization crossed her face and her eyes widened. "Oh my God. They know. They know about me. I'm next. They are after me. They are going to kill me!"
"They? Who? What are you talking about?"
"The elevator…this-. They did this. I'm so sorry, Oliver."
Felicity couldn't - didn't - want to believe it. They knew about her. She hoped no one would know about her involvement as long as possible –never. Who are you kidding, Felicity? They would have find out eventually. She remembered the night she had spoken to Mr. Steele on the phone. His final words to her: "I'm stepping into an elevator, so I'll probably lose you…" Six weeks had passed and he hadn't been seen since then. She couldn't help but laugh hysterically. Unbelievable. They really have a thing for elevators. The last time she heard from Mr. Steele, he was taking the elevator. Now she is in an elevator and she was going to die in there. How ironic is that?
Oliver saw that Felicity was starting to hyperventilate. He had to find a way to calm her down, even if he didn't know how. Still, he couldn't stop thinking about what she had said. They are after her? Who wants her dead? He guessed that had something to do with Walter's disappearance and the research she had to do. Oh, they are going to have a long talk. She will tell him everything. He will make sure of that. Later. Besides, a panicked IT employee wouldn't be helpful to him right now. Trying to make conversation and bringing Felicity's mind somewhere else, he teased, "Well, wouldn't you like to share? I could use a laugh after all."
She laughed even harder. Then, looking at him with tears in her eyes and shaking her head, she said, "I'm sorry."
Seeing her like that, the smile on his face immediately disappeared. The young man honestly didn't know what to do. Since he came back, he had lied to his family and friends. He had his emotions locked away and always kept his distance. But after months, he had opened up. To Helena. And, he had to admit, it was such a relief not to pretend around her and be completely himself with her. He thought that together, they would fight criminals. Defend and make a difference in Starling City – his city. Perhaps even have a future together. But that didn't turn out as well as he hoped.
Oliver sighed and looked at the blonde woman in front of him. They stared each other for a few seconds, before Felicity turned away from him and began to pace. Saying it was her fault. If she were more careful, all of that wouldn't have happened.
Even if Oliver didn't really understand what she meant, he moved towards her, reaching out so that his hands rested on her shoulders. "Felicity, look at me." When she didn't react, he used more pressure: "Felicity." She looked up at him. "It's a frequency problem. Nothing that can't be fixed. We'll get out of here. Everything is going to be fine, you'll see. No one – we are not going to die, Felicity." He caressed her shoulders and arms, "Trust me."
She nodded, "Yes, I-you're right. This is just a frequency problem."
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At first, Felicity was stiff and unresponsive to Oliver's touch while her mind and body dealt with the fact of dying, the possibility that was related to the investigation into the list and Mr. Steele's disappearance. But then she found herself slowly relaxing and enjoying the embrace. Oliver had wrapped his arms around her now, caressing her back and reassuring her that there was nothing to be worried about. His face was near to hers, allowing his warm breath to touch her face. Goosebumps rose on her forearms. Slightly surprised, she took a step back.
Oh crap. This is not good. If his intentions were to bring my mind somewhere else then he was very successful. She wasn't freaking out anymore, but she felt her body getting warm and couldn't help but blushing. She needed to get out of there. Now. Oh God, this is embarrassing. Please, don't let him see it.
When she brought her eyes to his deep blue ones, she could see they had a confused look in them. "You okay?"
She swallowed and stuttered, "Yes, I-I'm fine, thank you". LIE.
"I'm not sure about that." The billionaire playboy frowned at her. "You're blushing."
Shit. "No, I'm not."
"You might be the best IT employee in the Queen Consolidated, but you are not good at lying…" he chuckled.
"I'm not blushing and I'm not lying! It's a little bit warm in here. So what?" she snapped, raising her hands to her hips. Felicity realized that she had raised her voice and was surprised at her action. Where did that come from?
Oliver was astonished at Felicity's behavior and amused at the same time. "O-okay."
She frowned at him, "What is that supposed to mean?" Imitating him. "O-okay."
He shrugged and pushed his hands in his pockets, "It's not okay?"
"You said that like you don't believe me."
"Is there any reason not to?" asking with an innocent voice like he didn't know better.
Felicity inhaled slowly, fighting herself not to answer him back. She knew that he knew. So there was no reason to continue with this. "Whatever," she muttered under her breath.
Oliver pretended not to have heard. "I'm sorry, did you say something?"
Gritting her teeth, she muttered, "No."
"Mhmm," he smirked.
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Out of nowhere, the elevator began moving downward. The round L was blinking on the bank of call buttons. Felicity figured the elevator was resetting itself by returning to the ground floor and at that moment she realized that all the time she had been in the elevator she didn't panic. Oliver, whether intentionally or not, made sure of that. At least, he is useful for something. She sighed. You've to admit, without him you'd not have made it.
The billionaire, who leaned against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest, was staring at her. "Thank you," she waved her hand vaguely, indicating the elevator, "for this."
Smiling at her, he said, "You're welcome."
When the elevator came to a stop, they both glanced at the doors, which finally eased open. Felicity leaned down to pick up her things and by saying "After you," Oliver let her out of the elevator first.
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After reassuring the security that they were okay, they left the building. Oliver insisted to accompany Felicity to her car, which was parked in the underground parking of the building. Felicity put her staff in the backseat while Oliver opened the door for her. Before getting in the car, she paused, "Oliver, I wanted to thank you for what you did in there. Whatever it was."
Looking at him, a smile was starting to appear on his face. The kind of smile which means trouble. "Well, if you really mean it. You can thank me by going out with me."
She gasped. "Excuse me?"
"Well, after spending some time with you today, I really would like to know you better. You know, getting to know each other. I have this feeling we have a lot of things to tell." The IT nerd didn't trust her ears. "Let's say tomorrow? For lunch? I know a lovely place. You are going to like it."
Felicity was stoned. Oliver Queen, the billionaire playboy. The hottest available bachelor in town is asking me out? ME? Trying to clear her mind, she shook her head. No, no…there is absolutely no way that he... "Mr. Qu-Oliver, I don't think this is a good idea-"
"I'm not taking no for an answer, Felicity."
"But, but-"
"No buts." Adding after a slight pause, "I'll pick you up." Oliver's tone left no room for argument.
Without realizing, she just nodded.
"Good, then I see you tomorrow," he motioned for her to get into the car. "Drive safe." He closed the door behind her. With that, Felicity pulled her car out of the parking lot and was on her way home.
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After Felicity's departure, Oliver went back to the entrance of the "Queen Consolidated" building, where Diggle was waiting for him. "Where have you been? The fundraising party is in a few hours."
"Maybe we have a new lead about Walter."
"What?"
"Felicity Smoak, who works in the IT department. She knows something."
"What makes you think so?"
"According to Walter's assistant, Walter gave to Felicity some tasks that even the assistant doesn't know about. Like she said, it seemed strange to her, since she is usually filled in."
"And you think that could have something to do with his disappearance?" Diggle asked.
"Yes, I'm certain of that. Especially now that I know someone is after Felicity."
"She told you that?"
"Well, the more accurate word is "blurting out" while we were stuck in the elevator. But yes. She said some people were after her, trying to kill her and that she is going to be next."
"Wait, what-? Stuck in the elevator?"
"Yes, there was some technical problem. It doesn't matter now. You're missing the point, Dig. I think Walter and Felicity have found something. Something that someone doesn't want it to be found. Walter has been missing for six weeks." The billionaire exhaled slowly. "Felicity could be next. She isn't safe."
Oliver didn't need to tell to Diggle, but it was clear. If the IT worker really did know something, it's only a matter of time before that someone knew about her.
"So, what are you going to do?" the ex-soldier asked.
"I'm working on that." Oliver smiled. "I'm going to take her out for lunch tomorrow and-"
"You want to use your charm on her?" Diggle interrupted him. "Do you think with that she will talk?"
"I know I've been absent for a while, but I think I can still be very persuasive."
"I'm not saying that you are not, Oliver. It's just- maybe you should use another approach. She is not the kind of woman that you are used to."
"She is a woman, Dig." As if it would explain everything.
"I know she is a woman." Diggle sighed. "Fine," raising his hands up in surrender. "If you think it'll work on her, then do it. You are the expert here."
The young man arched his eyebrow. "Is that supposed to be funny? Because truly, it wasn't."
His partner raised his eyebrows and looked at him.
"Let's go. I have to be somewhere tonight."
