Chapter 7

Felicity was in the QC offices a few months later. She was fielding calls from different division leaders as their reports were due for the annual reports for Queen Consolidated. She sighed as one more tried to dismiss her in order to gain access to Oliver. She slammed down the phone and rubbed the bridge of her nose. She worked as hard as Oliver and invested into Queen Consolidated. But the Department heads still viewed her as a silly girl who just slept with Oliver to gain her position. Their condescending attitude was wearing on her today. She knew that Oliver and Diggle knew the truth but today having others judge her was hurtful. She dropped her head slightly closing her eyes. A deep breath filled the sound of her office.

She looked up and saw security escorting a Floral Delivery person to her office. He was bringing a large bouquet of various colored roses in a beautiful vase. The security guard told her, "Got a delivery for you, Ms. Smoak."

Felicity stood from her desk and blushed, "Wow, these are gorgeous."

"Looks like a guy is very appreciative of you, Ms. Smoak. I think he is very lucky." He said to her as the delivery guy placed the vase on her desk.

"I am a very flattered lady." She said as he turned to leave with the delivery guy. She smiled as she breathed in the scent of the flowers. She saw the card displayed in the flowers. She quickly pulled the card and read it to herself. "I couldn't find ones in just green so I thought all the colors would be a good substitute. Enjoy. Thank you for all your work." She smiled and blushed as she placed the card in her purse and returned to her forms on her desk. Her smile stayed on her face and in her eyes all day.

She was at her apartment with a glass of wine later that night, the lair was quiet and the guys all sent her home. She sighed as she looked out her window to the stars. It was quiet in the city that night. She started to feel her fatigue set in. She knew she had an early morning at QC so she closed all her windows with their locks and checked her locks before she headed off to bed.

It was several hours later her sleep was broken by the sound of breaking glass and her alarm going off. She threw the covers off of her and quietly stepped from her room to the hall way. She tried to tell which window broke. She heard movement in her living room. She peeked into the room and saw two men who had entered and were searching for something in her home. Her fear rose and she crept back into her bedroom. She quietly entered her closet trying to find a spot to hide.

She quietly listened as the voices began to come closer. She worried they would find her. Her fear grew in her stomach as they entered her room. She heard one comment about the bed. They knew she was home. She saw as their shadows came closer to the closet door. She knew she was in trouble if they opened the door. One maybe she could fight off but not two. Her thoughts raced about what she could do.

Suddenly the door was ripped open in front of her causing her to shriek. One grabbed her by her arm and forced her out. "Look what I found guys. The pretty lady was hiding from us. How should we repay her? Huh?" She shivered as he ran his fingers down the side of her face. He laughed as he watched her, "Oh, what's wrong, sweet thing? Feeling lonely? We'll keep you company." He said as he drew her to his side. She shrieked again as she heard more crashes from new windows. At least 2, she was sure of. The leader dragged her against her will with him.

Suddenly a familiar voice spoke out of the dark. "Release the woman. And you just might get out unharmed."

The one holding Felicity laughed, "There is one of you and two of us. And my blade here might slip and cut the pretty lady's skin. You still want to threaten us."

She then heard a voice behind her, "He's not alone. Let her go, the odds are growing against you."

Her eyes lit up realizing the voices were Roy and Diggle, but where was he? She felt the blade as it grazed her cheek and the man pulled her to his chest. "The lady and I are still getting acquainted and your presence is not wanted."

Diggle spoke again, "You've run out of time, guy. We might have just let it go but HE won't."

The second guy spoke up, "He? He who?"

A third voice filled the darkness, "Me." Felicity felt her fear fade as the first guy pulled her closer. The Arrow pulled an arrow back in his bow. "Last warning, release her." He said.

Felicity felt her body be shoved in the path of the arrow Oliver had ready. The two intruders ran back out the window they had entered. Diggle and Roy gave chase as Oliver stayed behind. He pushed his hood back and helped Felicity to her feet. "How did you know?" she whispered.

"Diggle linked your alarm into the lair sensors. Let us know when you might need us." He said as he looked over the apartment. "Do you know what they wanted?"

She looked around as her eyes adjusted to the room around her. "No. I don't. I don't even think they knew who I was. It seemed like a random theft."

"I don't like it. I want us to look in to this more. Call SCPD. Let them know what happened and that the Arrow scared them off. Call my cell as your second call. I'll be right back." He said walking to her window.

"I will." She whispered as he turned to go.

Less than an hour later, she was drained. Detective Lance was present running the investigation. Oliver entered as Lance was giving directions seal the windows and doors. She sat quietly on the couch as he walked to her. He placed his arms around her as Lance observed. "We'll be out of here shortly, Ms. Smoak. We are just securing the broken windows."

She sighed as his presence calmed her, "Thank you, Detective." She stayed curled against his chest as the police left. Oliver rose only to say good night to the Detective and returned to her.

"Are you sure you are okay?"He whispered into her hair.

"I am now." She said as her head was against his chest. She felt her eyes droop as she listened to the beating of his calming heart and felt the warmth of his arms holding her close to him.