Author's note: just so that you know, I'm not really taking into account some of the things that happened to the characters in the actual series (at least for as far as I got in the series, as I'm sure I'll discover more things as I keep watching). For example, Tommy is still alive, Slade was never burned by the explosion on the island, etc…

JUMP TO 2 MONTHS LATER

Felicity walked out of her bedroom, beautifully dressed in a short red off the shoulder cocktail dress and black heels. Her hair was down, she had put in her contact lenses and her make-up was subtle but perfect. She walked around the empty apartment frowning as she looked at her watch.

She exited the apartment and went up a flight of stairs to the rooftop. Emma was sitting on the canopy swing reading a book by Dr. Paul Ekman "Emotions Revealed".

"What are you doing"? asked Felicity.

It was 6PM and the sun was still shining. Emma removed her sunglasses and gave Felicity an undisturbed look.

"I'm reading. Why"?

"John is going to be here in 10 minutes and you're not even dressed yet".

Seeing that Emma was not reacting she resumed. "You haven't forgotten that tonight is the Queen Consolidated Charity Gala, have you"?

Emma put her sunglasses back on and resumed her reading which sent Felicity's blood boiling.

"I'm not going".

"You're what"?

"I'm not going, Felicity".

Felicity looked at her watch. T minus 7 minutes. She grabbed one of the chairs and placed it across from Emma and sat down.

"Why"?

"First of all, I've got nothing to do with Queen Consolidated, unlike you, I'm not one of their employees. Secondly, you know I'm not into those kinds of huge parties, where you need to drink and mingle and constantly hear people having the all too usual 'my horse is bigger than your horse' type of conversation".

Felicity sighed as she looked at her watch. T minus 5 minutes. "OK I get that you are not part of the company, but Oliver and you are partners nonetheless. And you won't have to mingle since we'll stay together the entire evening. Come on Emma, you've got to come, I know Oliver would be disappointed if you didn't and so would I. If you don't come for him at least come for me. You are the closest thing I have, to a best friend. John won't always be with me and you and I can keep each other company and stay away from the vultures".

Oliver would be disappointed if you didn't come. That was a bunch of BS. Ever since their 'moment' on that same rooftop two months ago, Oliver had been nothing but distant, even cold with her. Most of the time he spoke in monosyllabic words to her. He was trying to send a message across and Emma had received it loud and clear. Heck, he probably wouldn't even notice that she wasn't there. Yet, there was a sound of begging and plea in Felicity's voice.

"I'll think about it".

"You don't have time to think about it. John's going to be here in 2 minutes"!

"Would you relax. If I decide to come, I'll get there when I get there. This gala is not going to start if I'm not there. So, off you go. Don't keep John waiting".

Felicity realized that there was no point in discussing it any further. She stood, put the chair back in its original place and left. She stopped by the apartment to grab her clutch bag and headed downstairs to wait for John who was already waiting for her in an elegant black suit, white shirt and bowtie.

Felicity smiled. "Well aren't you handsome".

He took her into his arms and kissed her. "And you are mesmerizing"!

He gave a quick look behind her. "Where's Emma"?

"She's running a little late. She'll meet us there".

John nodded and they walked towards the limo. The chauffeur opened the door for them and they settled into the backseat. Within minutes they were on route to the gala.

When they arrived at the venue, Oliver was talking to Laurel and Tommy. Seeing them come in, he politely excused himself to greet his friends.

"John, Felicity, you both look amazing. I'm glad you're here".

"This place is amazing Oliver. The Queens have outdone themselves again", said Felicity as she looked around the room.

John put his arm around Felicity. "I'll be right back, I'm going to go and get us some drinks".

She smiled and nodded.

Oliver scanned the room. "Where's Emma"?

Felicity swallowed uncomfortably. "Um…".

His eyes narrowed. "Felicity"?

"I, um, don't think she's coming".

He raised his eyebrows. "I see. Did she mention why"?

Felicity shook her head. "No, not really. She was very busy reading a book".

"Reading a book"?

She bit her lip. "Yes, but it was work related. I mean it's about reading emotions, that kind of thing, so I guess you can say it's for work….". Seeing Oliver's face get more tense she stopped.

"I think I'll go find John and then head over to our table".

She shuffled away leaving Oliver in a mix of emotions.

He was about to analyze them when Tommy came to him. "You alright"?

Oliver smiled. "Of course, why wouldn't I be"?

Tommy shrugged. "I don't know. You seem somewhere else. Other business issues"?

Oliver shook his head. "No, not tonight".

"Then it must be issues with a person of the opposite sex. She stood you up"?

Oliver tilted his head slightly to the side. She hadn't stood him up and couldn't have, since he hadn't officially invited her at his plus 1, but he felt somehow disappointed and guilty that she wasn't there.

Tommy put his arm on his shoulder. "Don't worry, half the women in this room are dying to spend the night with The Oliver Queen! You won't be going home alone tonight my friend"!

As fun and tempting that would have sounded years ago, it no longer was the case.

The lights started to flicker to indicate that people had to head for their tables, as the official speech that Oliver was going to give, was about to start.

As people sat at their designated tables, Oliver headed for the podium to pronounce his speech. When the room finally quieted, he started.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, friends and family, I want to thank you all for being here tonight at the 11th Annual Queen Consolidated Charity Gala". He paused for a moment as people applauded.

Felicity turned to look at the doors. She then took her phone out and texted Emma. "Where the hell are you"?

"Starling City has been living hard times these past months. People have lost families, friends, homes, jobs and tonight is all about helping those who have suffered, directly or indirectly, from what happened in the Glades. Tonight, is about giving back to the community, showing them that we are not abandoning them".

He looked up and paused for a moment, breathless, not from speaking but from what he was looking at.

Walking elegantly in the room wearing a long fitted black, beaded neck and open back dress and matching black heels, was none other than Emma. Her hair was up in a bun, she had very natural make-up on and she must have been wearing contact lenses as she wasn't wearing her glasses. There was a slit on the side of her dress that revealed her beautiful leg with every step she took. Not only was he breathless, but he would have been unable to find the word that described how she looked.

Tommy looked at his friend and then trailed his stare to where it was going. He clearly understood that any man on that podium in the same situation, would have reacted exactly as Oliver did. Whoever she was, she was most definitely a beautiful sight to see.

Realizing that people were waiting for him to finish, he turned back his attention to his audience.

Emma arrived at her seat next to Felicity and sat down quietly. Felicity gave her a smile. "Wow.. for someone who wasn't going to come, you've definitely got a few tricks up your sleeve".

Emma simply smiled and turned her attention towards Oliver. In doing so, she inevitably saw that she had raised the attention of two people from different sides of the room. The way both men looked at her made her suddenly feel very self-conscious, especially when both were not only as elite as the Queen family was but also because they were father and son…. Malcom and Tommy Merlyn!

She tried not to pay attention to them but focused on listening to Oliver.

"Someone I care very much about said these words to me not so long ago and I think they take all their meaning and importance here. 'No matter how lonely your world is right now, no matter where you are, we are with you, you are not alone'"!

People applauded and Oliver looked at Emma smiling. She discreetly tilted her head in recognition of what he had just done.

"So, have a wonderful evening, enjoy the food, the music, the dancing, but most of all, let the lightness of the evening open your hearts to a generous donation. Thank you"!

He left the podium under the applause of the room and headed to his table and his seat, which was none other than the empty seat next to Emma.

He put his arm on the back of Emma's chair and leaned in and whispered in her ear.

"I'm glad you finished that book… you're breath-taking"!

She blushed and suddenly felt very hot as Oliver removed his arm and started up a conversation with Alderman Blood who was sitting next to him.

Malcom who had witnessed this little exchange between the two looked at Moira.

"Who is the young woman sitting next to Oliver"?

Moira smiled. She'd had the opportunity of meeting her once, when she had come for a business meeting with Oliver at Queen Consolidated, and the young woman had made a very good first impression on her.

"That's Emmaline Grey. I know she sometimes partners with Oliver on different business deals. She's a very nice young and intelligent woman".

"And very attractive and captivating as well", said Malcom, determined to get to know her better before the end of the evening.

After eating the entrée and the main course, Emma excused herself to go to the restrooms. She walked slowly away from the table and headed down the hallway. Oliver slowly trailed behind her. He needed a moment alone with her. There were so many things he wanted to say. He couldn't let the evening end without sincerely opening up to her.

Emma opened the door to the main hall and bumped into someone. She lost her balance and would have most probably fallen to the ground if the person she had bumped into hadn't caught her in his strong arms. The man helped her back on her feet and immediately apologized.

"I'm terribly sorry".

Emma's ear got into super mode. Now that wasn't an accent you heard a lot around the city.

"No, it's my fault, I should have been more careful and looked at where I was going".

The man was tall, had dark hair, very dark brown eyes and a very seducing smile.

"Well now, no harm done. I'm always ready to rescue knock-out, dead gorgeous women from imminent danger"!

She blushed for the second time that evening.

"Maybe you can help me. I'm not sure I'm at the right place. I'm looking for Oliver Queen".

Emma was curious. She had never seen this man before. "You know Oliver"?

The man smiled. "Yes, we're old friends".

Oliver, who had been following Emma from a distance, passed through the doors and stopped dead in his tracks.

"Well, speak of the devil there he is"!

The two men amicably hugged each other. "What are you doing here"? asked Oliver.

"I was in the area so I thought I'd stop by and see what you were up to these days".

Emma shifted position trying to discreetly leave them and it caught Oliver's attention.

"Emma, I'd like you to meet a dear old friend of mine, Slade Wilson. Slade this is Emmaline Grey".

Slade took Emma's hand in his and brought it up to his lips to kiss it. "It's a pleasure to meet you Miss Grey. Any friend of Oliver's is a friend of mine".

"Come on inside, let's get you a drink".

While Oliver and Slade headed back towards inside the venue, Emma took advantage of the situation to return her focus on going to the lady's room. Just as they passed the door, Slade turned his head around to watch Emma. He hadn't lied when he had said that any friend of Oliver's was a friend of his, but if he had the choice, he would want more than to be friends with her!