"Are you sure you don't want more?" Oliver asks, gesturing to the final few slices of pizza.

Felicity shakes her head. "Oh no," she says, trying not to pat her tummy to show how stuffed she is. "I've had my fill."

Oliver signals for the servers to take the food away, then turns his attention back to her. She's mesmerized by his attentiveness, always finding his eyes meeting hers no matter what is being said. Or not said... It is impossible to ignore how he says so many things with just his eyes. He doesn't need words. I guess that's what makes him such an amazing actor...

She takes a sip of her champagne and then assaults him with a pointed gaze, hoping it is as intense as she thinks it is. His reaction is one of pure amusement, letting her know that her attempt has failed. She goes forward with her choice of conversation anyway. "So, what really got you into acting?" she asks, winking awkwardly. "Because I know that story about not wanting to run your family's company and wanting to make out with hot actresses was complete B.S."

He chuckles and she can see he finds her assumption surprising. You might be able to charm me, but I can see lies a mile away. "How'd you know I was lying?" he asks, eyebrow arched and a smirk etched onto his lips. She loves that face. The one that is all curiosity and interest and amused discomfort. So far it is her favorite look he has.

"Please," she scoffs, taking another sip of the champagne. "Seriously. It came off as totally rehearsed. I know there's something else to it. Maybe the action star perks sounded nice, but what actually led you down that road?" She knows she's being forceful now, more so than she had planned, but she can tell he's not offended. His eyes are still bright and entertained, albeit slightly nervous at her question. "Sorry. I'm being totally rude. You don't have t-"

"No, you're right," he interrupts, waving off her apology. He looks away, out at the water churning and lapping against the yacht. When he returns his gaze to hers, she can see he is someplace else, back to a time difficult to discuss. She regrets bringing it up. "I'm sure you know I was a bit of a playboy in my teens and early twenties..."

She nods, recalling his face plastered upon every tabloid in the supermarkets. "A bit" seems like an understatement...

"Well, some of my antics weren't very well-received by the shareholders at Queen Consolidated. My parents knew I wasn't going to change easily, so they cut me off."

Felicity's eyes widen at his words, having never thought of that as a possibility. "Really?"

"Yeah," he answers, taking his own sip of champagne before continuing. "I left home and spent some time with my friend Tommy. We partied and, after a while, that lifestyle didn't satisfy me. I understood why my parents had to do what they did. It was to teach me a lesson."

"But since you learned your lesson, why didn't you get your place in the family back?"

She watches as his face grows slightly prideful. "I realized I needed to earn my own living - do something that would make a name for myself without the company at my back. Tommy pointed out that my lies to women seemed to prove I was good enough to be an actor. So, I got an agent, auditioned for some roles, and the rest is history." He holds up his hands, as if gesturing to the boat and the decorations as examples.

"But isn't this your family's boat?" she asks.

He laughs. "It is for family use, but I bought it." When she nods and keeps her gaze locked with his. "I haven't relied on my family for years."

The knowledge of his independence hangs in the air, feeling heavy and strangely important. Felicity stands and walks over to the rail, looking out over the water scattered with reflections of the multitude of fairy lights strung about the boat. Does it matter if he relied on his parents? she asks herself. She knows the answer. If he relied on his parents, he wouldn't understand hard work or worry or anything of that sort. And, really, he wouldn't understand me. And she knows very well that he understood her. She knows he can read her like a book, which scares her slightly. People can read her babbles but never her silences. He can read both.

Suddenly his arm wraps around her waist, spinning her around and pulling her closer to him. And then they are dancing, light instrumental music hitting her ears and soothing her nervousness. She glances up to find him watching her, his blue eyes glowing with the twinkling lights. She feels like she's drowning in them.

He clears his throat and grins playfully. "I had a conversation with your agent today."

She raises an eyebrow, confusion setting in. But she takes a breath and responds just as playfully. "Oh yeah? What about?"

"Let's just say there's a script floating around to dozens of sought-after actresses right now for a movie that I'm part of," he explains, wagging his eyebrows in the most adorable way she's ever seen. "But I'd prefer acting alongside you."

She stares at him, open-mouthed with shock and amazement. "Uh, me? You want me to work on a movie with you?"

He nods excitedly. "Of course."

"But I have my show to work on and-"

He pulls her in closer and chuckles as he interrupts her. "That's why I spoke with your agent," he explains. "I told him the timeframe for the movie and he found the perfect way to fit it into your schedule. If you're interested, of course."

How can I not be interested!? It is a film with the Oliver Queen... She tries to hide her excitement, keeping the fangirl inside from bursting forth and flailing and freaking out. She takes another deep breath and smiles. "What's the movie about?" she asks, feigning mild interest to mask her intense desire to accept the offer without any information.

"I'd rather you read the script for yourself like I did. It is an amazing story, and I really think the female lead role would be perfect for you," he says, tracing circles along her spine. The touch is so intimate and soothing, sending shivers throughout her body.

"You want me as the female lead?"

"What else would you expect?" he asks, confused. "You're remarkable, Felicity. You know how to really get in touch with your character, and I love that." They stare at one another for a few moments. She doesn't hear the music anymore, only his breathing and her heart pounding in her chest. He is so close and his lips are hovering near her forehead. She leans in, desperate to make contact, and he obliges. He kisses her forehead, his lips warm and gentle against her skin. When he pulls back, she looks up to find him grinning like a child who just won a prize. "Just promise me you'll read the script? It will be waiting for you when you get back tonight."

She laughs then, unable to stop it. When he eyes her questioningly, she stops for a moment to gasp out: "So you're saying we aren't staying on this boat or going back to your place?"

As soon as the words leave her mouth she regrets them. Hiding her face in her hands, she buries her face in his chest, unable to leave his arms but scared to look at his face or into his eyes. Oh. My. God. But he rubs her back and laughs. A hearty laugh. An honest laugh. She takes a slight step back and peeks out from her hands to see him smiling, his eyes bright with the same amusement he has kept through the whole conversation. Before she can explain herself, he is waving off her words. "Contrary to my old reputation, I prefer to not have sex on a first date."

She nods and lets her hands fall, relaxing just a bit. "I can't believe I said that."

"Don't worry about it," he murmurs, pulling her close again and starting another dance. He brushes his fingers through her hair with one hand while twining the fingers of the other with hers. She glances at their hands and grins, liking the sight.

She doesn't know how long they dance like that, but soon the servers return with dessert. They uncover their individual trays to reveal an assortment of chocolate confections: chocolate covered strawberries, chocolate smothered cheesecake, chocolate gelato and two chocolate martinis. She can't help but giggle. "You really know the way to a girl's heart, don't you?"

"I figured I'd give you options and then you can take the others back with you. Late night snacks?" he winks as he takes both martini glasses, handing her one. She sips the drink and almost moans with delight. It is the definition of chocolate and alcohol perfection, warming her throat and giving her a sugar high. He watches her as she eyes the desserts, waiting for her to choose. She just looks at the choices, amazed by it all. I'll wait until he picks one. And as if he knows, she watches as he grabs a strawberry and brings it to her lips. She takes a bite, unable to keep it from looking seductive. Or maybe I look totally ridiculous... oh god. But when she looks into his eyes, she sees the color darkening and she can tell he's regretting the decision to let her go back to her hotel.

They continue dining on the chocolate until all that's left is the gelato, which has softened, the bottom of the glass bowls a rich pool. The servers take the trays away, leaving them alone once more. They sit in silence and Felicity fears her babbling will ruin the moment. She keeps her lips tightly closed, unwilling to risk anything. But finally, Oliver clears his throat and stands, offering her a hand. She takes it, loving the sensation of his skin on hers.

He leads her to the front of the yacht and she can see the San Diego skyline in the distance, signaling the looming end of the date. She knows then that she doesn't want to leave. She wants to stay with him. Smoak, pull it together. You have a script to read!

As she argues with herself, Oliver converses with the captain about the amount of time left until they make it to their destination. Felicity leaves, heading back toward the stern, unwilling to know how much longer she has with him. Once she reaches the table, a thick fog begins to cover the boat, enveloping her in blinding moisture. She can't see her hand in front of her face, let alone the table or anything else. Oh no... "Oliver?" she shouts, her heart threatening to break out of her chest. "Oliver?"

"I'm here," he whispers from right behind her. He takes her hand and spins her around to face him, but she can't see. But she forces herself close, and he responds, somehow pulling her in, wrapping his arms around her. And then his lips are on hers and they're kissing. She has no time to panic and no time to prepare, and it is magical. Her knees go weak and it doesn't matter because he is holding her up, supporting her.

Their lips move in perfect sync together, their tongues exploring tentatively. She reaches up and cups his face in her hands, his stubble tickling her palms in the best way possible. She can feel everything, all electricity and chemistry and she's lost. Lost in his embrace and kiss. She feels it everywhere, all the way down to her toes.

When they part, the fog is gone and she can see his eyes boring into her, dark and sultry. They lure her in, causing her to kiss him again and again. Yep. He's most definitely a warlock!

They leave the marina and walk through the streets of downtown San Diego toward her hotel, hand-in-hand. They chat about meaningless things, their laughter carrying off the sidewalk beneath their feet. They reach the front, revolving doors of her hotel and she frowns. The end of the date is so close and she doesn't want it to stop. She wants him to come in. She wants his lips on hers. She wants other things to happen. Sexier things. But she can see he's being respectful, and somehow she loves that. "Can you walk me to my door?" she asks, knowing how silly the question sounds.

"Of course," he answers, grinning like a fool. They enter the hotel and head for the elevator, ignoring the stares and mumbled interest from the night staff. Oliver presses the button and all too quickly the elevator doors open and they are stepping in. Once they close once more and he presses the button for her floor, he moves in. He grasps her face and pulls her forward, into him. Their lips meet and, once again, she feels the fire and sparks everywhere. He loses his balance and soon they are pressed against the elevator wall. She glances sideways and clicks the button to stop the elevator. She knows it will signal the staff. She knows there are cameras watching them. But she doesn't care. She wants the moment to last a little longer.

His hands trail down her cheeks and to her neck, then even farther until they are at her waist and his fingers are toying with the hem of her shirt. She reaches into his jacket, burying her hands inside, relishing the warmth as he lets a hand slip beneath her shirt, drawing spirals on the skin at her waist. Their tongues dance and explore, causing her to pull him closer. He growls into her mouth and she sighs. Am I up for elevator sex? Before she can answer her own question, the elevator begins moving once more and he backs away, keeping his eyes on her as he leans against the opposite wall. He smiles and she smiles back, blushing slightly.

The doors open and he takes her hand, leading her to her room. Once they arrive at her threshold, she digs her key out of her purse and unlocks the door, hesitating before entering the room. She turns around, her lips sliding into a frown.

"I hope you enjoyed the date," he says, pressing a light kiss onto her forehead. "And I really hope you enjoy the script."

She nods, reaching out to caress his cheek. He leans into her touch. "I'm sure I will."

"Good night, Felicity Smoak," he says with a wink. And then he's walking away and she's closing the door, longing for his lips to brush hers again.

Once the door clicks shut and she turns the lock, Felicity runs into the room and jumps onto the bed, giggling like a madwoman. On her bedside table is the script, mysterious and inviting. But she stays away from it, knowing she needs to get into a more serious mindset to begin reading. She turns onto her back and digs her phone out of her purse. She looks at the lockscreen to find a message from Caitlin.

Caitlin: HOW WAS THE DATE!? GIVE ME ALL OF THE DETAILS!

-10:47pm

Felicity types a quick response, then tosses her phone aside.

Me: Too perfect for words. And I now have a script to read.

-11:53pm

She changes into her pajamas and removes her makeup, then brushes her teeth. She grabs a bottle of water out of the hotel room fridge and then snuggles into bed, fluffing the multiple pillows. Once she's comfortable, she grabs the script and eyes the title excitedly.

From Darkness Into Light

With a deep breath, she opens it and begins reading, instantly sucked in.