Chapter 5

"This place is amazing," Felicity said staring out of the car window at all the lights and people in front of the building where the charity ball was being held.

Diggle chuckled from behind the wheel, "Wait until you see inside."

Felicity turned back to the inside of the car. Oliver had been silent for the ride over but he had a small smile on his face as he looked between her and Diggle. She honestly couldn't remember the last time she had seen him smile for so long. "Are you sure you want me at this thing?" she asked again. "We all know I'm going to say something awkward."

"You'll be fine, Felicity," Diggle reassured her.

Felicity arched an eye at Oliver when he didn't say anything.

"Diggle's right," Oliver admitted. "But if it makes you feel better I'll double my donation each time you ramble – hey!" He put his arms up in defence as she whacked him with her bag.

"You're up, guys," Diggle announced as he pulled up to the entrance. "Felicity, you look lovely and despite what you think you can charm anyone. If at any time you want to leave, just say the word."

"Thanks, John."

"Oliver," he said warned, "remember what I said."

"I remember," he answered as Diggle got out of the car and went to open the door for him.

Felicity gave him a look.

"Diggle may have given me the 'hurt her and I'll hurt you' talk," Oliver shrugged sheepishly before Diggle opened the car door for him.

It was because of that that when Oliver reached into the car to help Felicity out that she was smiling genuinely and not panicked by the prospect of the photographers.

Taking in everything at once proved to be impossible for Felicity and Oliver ended up holding her close to his side as they walked up to the doors, the media and some of the public held off to the sides behind barriers. Diggle took up a place on the other side of Felicity as a valet took the car, the plan being to stop the photographers getting a good shot of her.

Once inside Diggle branched off to the edge of the huge ballroom where most of the other bodyguards were hovering. Oliver and Felicity paused on the threshold.

"You ready for this?" Oliver asked giving her one more chance to back out.

"I wouldn't miss this for the world," Felicity laughed softly.

Oliver offered her his hand and she gratefully took it. She looked down at their joined hands in wonder. When she looked up at Oliver's she found him looking down at their hands as well with a soft smile on his face. Oliver raised his eyes to meet hers and she held them for a moment seeing that he wasn't wearing a mask for once.

Together they stepped into the room.

Once Felicity got over her nerves and most people had drunk enough to find anything funny she found herself enjoying the party. She expected Oliver to mingle more, not because he was the type but because it was expected of him, but after the speeches and the barest of introductions he was content to spend time with just her.

Thea and Roy stopped by to talk a few times throughout the night. The younger Queen warmed to Felicity immediately when she found out she was responsible for Roy's newfound dancing abilities, the way her brother was looking at Felicity notwithstanding.

Oliver nearly got Felicity onto the dance floor but she spotted the food table first.

"Do you mind?" she asked. "I kind of forgot to eat I was so nervous about tonight."

Oliver gave her a disapproving glare but linked arms with her and escorted her over to the table.

"Do you recommend anything, Mr Queen?" Felicity asked, looking over the food. "I can't actually tell what it is." It looked good, but it was all fancy bite size pieces that didn't look anything like the food it was made of. They had obviously employed an artsy chef.

"Oliver," an older gentleman called and approached them, "how are you?"

"I'll just be a minute," Oliver apologised, leaning into her to murmur in her ear. "Try the green ones."

Felicity spent the next five minutes sampling the food while Oliver was dragged through a business conversation with one of his father's old friends. Looking around the room Felicity recognised several of Starling City's elite.

Felicity was amazed that she could fit in to a degree amongst all the fine gowns and sparkling jewellery. She supposed she stood out to those who knew the associated price tags for her outfit but that didn't worry her and never had. She'd always chosen clothing that she liked and didn't care about other's opinions.

She wasn't the only one that stood out somewhat. She had noticed a few of the suited up bodyguards around the room keeping an eye on a shabbily dressed, middle-aged man. It was not nearly as bad as wearing a power blue tuxedo, but his suit was out of style and worn. He had obviously scored an invite to the event based on how much the other guests were eying him and he hadn't been thrown out, but he was an anomaly.

She watched Roy and Thea for a while as they were dancing. Roy was doing an adequate job but judging by the shared smiles of the couple they couldn't care less about how good they were at dancing. She met Diggle's eyes from where he was standing at the side of the room and they shared a smile.

Turning back to the food, Felicity decided she would grab one more piece before she rescued Oliver from his conversation. Facing the room once more she noticed someone else approaching the table. It was the guy in the worn suit. She glanced at him and something shiny caught her attention.

He was only a few meters away when she recognised that there was a knife in his hand. He wasn't looking at her but at someone else behind her. She immediately looked behind her to see the intended target, only to find Oliver with his back to her and the man.

There was no time to think and Felicity immediately did the only thing she could. She stepped forward and intercepted the man as he rushed forward and tried to stab Oliver in the back. She met the man's eyes, wide in shock, for just a second before he stepped back and ran.

Felicity slowly looked down to see that she had unconsciously grabbed the knife from where it was protruding from her stomach. There was already blood coating her hands and a strange rushing noise filled her ears. Her knees buckled and she was grabbed from behind.

The next thing she knew was that she was on the floor. Diggle was kneeling next to her pressing down on her stomach. He was saying something to her, a constant stream of words that she couldn't understand. Looking away she found Oliver. He had eyes only for her as he cushioned her head, stroking her hair or touching her face. The last thing she remembered was the look of desperation on his face.