Chapter 9
Felicity walked into the room in her workout clothes in order to work out with Diggle and Roy. They had agreed to help her up her fighting and defense skills in order to boost her self-confidence. They all knew now just how much the break-in at her apartment had shaken her. The guys were working her skills and found she was a good student once you helped her feel the action she needed to take. Her hacking had found the flaw and network issue that was effecting the SCPD and the Fire Services. Her confidence in herself and the team was growing as the city worked to repair and rebuild. Queen Consolidated needed just as much rebuilding the damage from Slade's army and Isabelle.
After about 20 minutes, Diggle was pleased with how she had fought back against Roy and dealt with his sneak-up attacks on her. They took a break as Felicity went to check the computers that had been searching on a recent set of attacks on businesses in the Glades. Her search was still running as she turned to open her water bottle. She sighed as she rested and let her muscles rest from the work out she just had. The sensor on the entrance let them know someone was coming in. Felicity again glanced at her screens and then turned to head back to work on her skills with Roy and Diggle.
It was as Laurel came to the bottom of the stairs, she heard Diggle mention how things would change and Diggle himself would be working one on one with Felicity. Laurel stood back and watched as Felicity worked to fight back against Diggle in different attacks and listened as Roy gave pointers to Felicity. Felicity was in mid process of fending off Diggle when the sensors indicated a new entry into the lair. She was distracted enough that Diggle was able to gain the upper hand and placed Felicity on her back. "You have to keep your focus, Felicity. It made it too easy that time." Diggle told her.
Felicity blushed as Roy helped her up, "Didn't realize we had an audience." She said motioning over to Laurel. Felicity returned to her chair to find her search had come up with some useful information but not enough. She placed her glasses back on her face and her fingers began to type quickly as the sounds filled the lair. Oliver walked down the stairs and found Diggle drying off and Felicity typing away at the computers. Oliver walked past Laurel to see what Felicity was working on when he noticed the goose bumps on her back and the drop of sweat that ran down her back.
He placed his hand on her shoulder. She paused and looked up at him, "How's it coming?"
"I have a few leads but have to get the search going."
"Get the searches going and then go clean up. It's cold down here. We don't need you sick on top of trying to keep us straight." He said smiling at her.
"Let me get this set and then I will." Felicity said turning back to her computers.
Laurel walked up and caught Oliver's attention. "Ollie, I wanted to come and check on you. It has been awhile and I know I've been busy with my dad's recovery." She said placing her hand on his arm.
"Thank you, Laurel. We are okay. Had a few minor crime sprees to deal with as well as Felicity's apartment was broken into by some guys the SCPD caught before I could get to them. She is still dealing with it. She still is not confident about her safety yet." He said to her watching over Felicity.
"So that is why she was fighting with Diggle and Roy?" Laurel asked.
"They are teaching her to protect herself. Roy has had to battle back against people on his own when he was fighting in the Glades. Diggle with his military training can teach her defensive moves that Roy may not. We are trying to work as a team more and more." He said quietly.
Felicity rose from her chair and went to the bathroom to clean up and change. She let out a small grunt of discomfort. She placed her hand on her back and rubbed slightly. It caught Oliver's attention. He walked from Laurel to her. He placed his hand on her shoulder, "Are you okay, Felicity?"
"Yeah. I'm okay. I was distracted and Diggle took my feet out from under me. I guess my back aches from the impact. Not used to it." She said stretching out trying to relieve the pain.
"Okay. Just be careful. Let me know if the shower helps the pain, if not there are things we can do without drugs." He said as she stood and walked to the bathroom to clean up and change.