Thanks very much for all the support you have given, it means so much! I don't own Arrow or any of the characters mentioned.
Chapter 3: Reunion with a Winchester
They weren't friends.
The revelation came to her one afternoon as she watched Oliver and Diggle interact with each other through the glass wall leading to the office they were in. Both men had a lot in common, a dark past that they could both share in, and as much as it killed her to admit it, Felicity couldn't even begin to understand exactly what the two men had been through, she wasn't sure she wanted to. It had never made her feel less than the two, in fact she often believed that she brought more to the team than just her hacking skills, they weren't friends.
Oliver and Diggle often went out to Big Belly after a mission either leaving her with her computers, they always offered to bring something back, but she honestly couldn't remember a time that she had been asked along. She supposed in a way it made sense, Diggle was Oliver's bodyguard, it would be strange for the two not to be seen together majority of the time. Felicity was the assistant. There was no need for her to be seen with either of them. Blue eyes flickered to the room once more, before glancing back at the word document opened in front of her. It would not be the first time she had sat at this very desk and typed up her resignation form, often trying to go over the excuses Oliver had given her when he had originally placed her in the position.
They needed to be able to get a hold of each other at any time.
It would be easier to plan any missions if she was near.
It would make his life easier.
So far none of the excuses had applied, and she had been working at this desk for four months. A sigh escaped her as she slumped back in her chair. Felicity angrily closed the document again, she didn't want to be in this position anymore, frustration causing a physical throb to start behind her eyes. They weren't friends. She vaguely hear the ding of the elevator sounding the arrival, heavy steps made their way towards her desk, she glanced up briefly before having to do a double take a strangled gasp caught in her throat. The man in front of her smiled, his own eyes filling with emotion.
"Hey Smoaky." He whispered, his voice cracking slightly.
"Dean?" She croaked back, her own eyes filling with tears.
"It's me." He replied, smiling slightly. His smile only grew as she launched out of her chair, causing it to propel backwards and crash against the glass startling the two in the office, his arms opened as he caught her round the waist and crushed her against him. Felicity laughed as he picked her up, her heeled shoes knocking against his knees. Their reunion was short lived at the interruption of a pointed cough coming from Oliver's office. Dean reluctantly placed her back on his feet but didn't seem willing to let her stray far from his side, as he kept one hand on her elbow. Felicity looked towards the pointed looks that both Diggle and Oliver sent her, trying to keep the frustration she felt building in check, they weren't friends.
"Dean Winchester, this is my boss, Oliver Queen and his bodyguard, John Diggle." She watched as confusion washed over Diggle's face followed by a flash of hurt before he extended his hand towards Dean. Oliver didn't seem to register the formal interaction, seemingly more interested in Dean.
"So, Dean, how is it that you know Felicity?" Oliver questioned with his 'CEO smile' firmly in place. Felicity couldn't stop the slight smile as Dean beamed down at her.
"Oh, me and Smoaky go way back! She saved my life more than once." Dean couldn't help but chuckle at the flush that spread across the blonde's face while eyebrows rose the two men's faces but Dean interrupted again before either could say anything, "So, you think you could ditch work a bit early?" He questioned with an encouraging grin. Felicity turned questioning eyes towards Oliver who looked conflicted for a second before slipping his fake smile back in place.
"Sure, you can have the rest of the day off." Oliver stated with a slightly strained voice that Felicity either didn't notice or chose to ignore. She sent a smile towards the two before moving to gather her things, with a brief goodbye, Felicity and Dean turned towards the elevator.
Felicity couldn't contain the laughter as Dean moaned happily after the first bite of his burger.
"That is so good! Why have I never had one of these before?" He questioned before going back to demolishing the burger in front of him causing Felicity to laugh again, however it trailed off quickly a confused look crossing her face.
"Why are you here Dean?" Her question caused him to pause and glance up at her, she seemed genuinely confused as to why he had come to see her.
"We were working a case a few miles from here, thought I would pop by and see you." He cleared his throat slightly as she stared at him, "Last time we spoke you weren't yourself, I wanted to make sure that you were alright." The last part caused a smile to spread across her face, a smile, that didn't reach her eyes.
"I'm alright." Dean raised a disbelieving eyebrow at that statement, "I am. I could be better, but I'm doing alright."
"What's going on with you Smoaky?" Dean questioned, sliding a hand across the table to grasp hers. He watched as she turned her hand so she could better grasp his but made no move to answer, "Is this anything to do with your sudden career change?" The slump of her head was all the answer he needed.
"Oliver thought it would be the best move, have someone he knew he could trust working with him."
"And it has nothing to do with him being the vigilante?" Felicity's head whipped up so fast he was surprised she didn't get whiplash. He tightened his hand when she tried to pull away.
"How did…?" She questioned, not even trying to deny the accusation, there was really no point lying to him anyway she thought. At his laugh she screwed her eyes up in frustration, "I said that out loud, didn't I?"
"Yeah, you did." He replied with a smile, "It didn't take that much to figure out if I am being honest, lost billionaire returns at the same time a masked vigilante turns up? You tell me you work with the Arrow and next thing I know you have a new job, a job that you absolutely despise, working with Mr Oliver Queen?" He questioned a hint of disbelief shining through and Felicity had to crack a smile at that.
"Well, when you say it like that it just sounds so obvious." She replied, Dean gave a chuckle, she paused as the waitress strolled over to top up the coffee cups.
"Smoaky, you can't keep living like this. You worked far too hard to get through school for you to be someone's assistant. Hell you should have your own assistant!" He knew he wasn't exactly being fair, but his frustration at the situation was growing and she deserved a hell of a lot better than this, "Look I know they are your friends…"
"They're not." She cut him off and Dean was startled to see the hurt growing behind her eyes, "We aren't friends." There seemed to be a realisation cross over her face, she had been saying the same words over and over in her head for the past few months but actually saying them out loud made it more real, "They are friends and I am the IT girl."
It wasn't until Dean slipped into the chair beside her that she realised she was crying, his arm wrapped around her, grounding her to the here and now. She turned her head into his neck, the scent of soap and metal giving her a comfort she desperately needed. Neither noticed Oliver and Diggle walk through the door, or the confused look that crossed their faces as they headed toward the pair.
"Felicity?" Her name caused her to pull away from Dean slightly, blue eyes widening at the two men in front of her, concern covering their faces. "What happened? What's wrong?" Diggle questioned sliding into the chair directly across from her, Oliver following behind.
"Nothing." Felicity croaked as she wiped her eyes with the napkin Dean handed her.
"This doesn't look like noting." Diggle stated concerned, his confusion grew as Felicity did nothing but send a small smile in his direction before standing up and grabbing her coat and bag with Dean following close behind.
"I'm fine, thanks for asking." She replied with a tight smile, before giving a short wave to both men and walking out with Dean.
"Something is going on with her." Diggle muttered, not really surprised when he didn't receive a response. There was something wrong with their resident IT girl, and he was going to find out.
To be continued…
And that is part one done and dusted, please leave a review if you enjoyed it! I look forward to hearing and thank you for sticking with me
