A/N: Action next chapter, I swear! Needed a little more set up for the ending I've planned.
Tell me what you guys think!
Nerd on!
Chapter 9: Felicity
Felicity both hated and thrived at this point in her "job description". She hated seeing people she loved, people she cared about, go out and risk their necks to protect people who would never even say thank you. But she also knew that this is where she could be the most help. Both for her friends, and for the people of Starling.
Oliver, Digg and Dean were suited up and ready to head out into a freakin' vampire's nest. Felicity shook her head, still hoping she'd wake up from this nightmare. Three Harry Potter quotes, and a couple other nerdy ones came to mind, but she kept them to herself. If they only knew how many she really did keep to herself. . . She looked at Diggle and Oliver in turn, and they both made their usual and unspoken promise of coming back safe. Oliver lingered a little longer, as if he wanted to say something. Instead he have her a small smile and turned away. Deep down she knew that they couldn't really promise to come back, but it made her feel better on the surface.
She looked over and saw Dean say something to Sam that must have been reassuring because Sam punched Dean softly in the shoulder. Dean was about to pass by her, looking like he didn't have a care in the world. She reached out and grabbed his arm. He stopped, looked down at her hand on his arm and studied it like he'd never seen the like before. He brought his eyes up to hers slowly.
Jesus. He really does have the prettiest green eyes. "Bring them back to me," she said. His lips twitched like he knew she was going to say that. But she didn't miss the quick flash of hurt that spread through those green eyes.
"Anything for you darlin'," he quipped back with a fake smile and started to pull away, but Felicity held on and squeezed.
She peeked up to Oliver, but he was already up the stairs and out the door. So she reached up and placed a slow, soft kiss on Dean's cheek. "You come back to me too, Dean Winchester," she whispered near his ear. Felicity had a feeling that not too many people had said that to him in his life. And although she'd only known him for a day, she felt connected to him somehow. And it was a rule of hers to let people she cared about know how she felt about them.
When she pulled away Dean had a surprised glint in his eyes. One side of his mouth came up in a genuine and satisfied half smile. "If I deliver, do I get another kiss?" he deadpanned bringing some much needed levity.
She shook her head and said with her own half smile, "We'll see. First, come back, all of you."
She watched Dean walk up the stairs and out of the Arrow Cave, then turned back and found Sam putting on a good show like he hadn't heard or seen anything that just happened.
"You know. Oliver and I aren't together," she said a little defensively.
"I saw nothing. I heard nothing. I am staying out of it."
I didn't do anything wrong, she thought. I reacted honestly. That look in his eyes? That was a blatant no-one-ever-thinks-of-me look if I ever saw one. And so what if I have been thinking of him? He's gorgeous. He saved my life, and based on my research, he's saved a lot of people's lives. A lot. Plus, I deserve to be desired, dammit. And Dean desires me. Well, maybe. Could be all for show to get under Oliver's skin. . .
Felicity cut off that line of thought and brought herself back to the present. She brought up the coms and said, "Alright, everybody with us?" Oliver and Digg both replied with their usual "Copy That."
While Dean replied with, "Man, Sammy. We've got to get us some of these. This is so awesome."
Sam laughed and said, "Maybe Felicity can hook it up."
"If you come back Dean, I'll give you anything you want." Felicity said and then immediately recognized the double entendre. "Blurg! I mean-"
Dean laughed aloud.
"Hey. You focused Winchester?" Oliver's voice broke in.
"I shouldn't have to remind you, Queeny, that I've killed more vampires and big bad nasties than you've ever dreamed about, right?"
"So act like it." Oliver growled out.
"I am!"
"Remember Winchester, we're going into unknown territory here. We're counting on you man," Diggle cut in reasonably.
"Alright, guys!" Felicity said, taking control again. "We're focusing now!" She reached out and muted her's and Sam's side of the coms. She took a breath and watched each of their GPS trackers move through a map on her computer. She peeked over at Sam and said, "You know, I think Oliver and Dean would get along better if they realized how similar they actually are."
Sam just raised his eyebrows.
"Really how similar all three of you are."
Sam glanced at the computer, then back to her. "Oh, do go on," he said with a laugh.
"Well, the need to save everyone for instance. The need to protect the innocent is so deeply ingrained in you three, I think you all think that it's a normal trait. It's not, by the way. But also, the bone deep regret and the responsibility you all feel when you don't save the day. It's all on you, it's all on your guy's shoulders. And although you all have mighty fine, broad shoulders, it takes it's toll," Felicity laughed without humor. "But you take that toll without much complaint, because who else is going to do it? Who else is going to save the day? And Jesus, not mention the loss of your guy's parents, right in front of you. Past girlfriends and lovers, either dead or you left behind because you want to keep them safe." She looked down and studied her hands. She shook her head once before looking back up to Sam. "All three of you blame yourselves for every bad thing that's ever happened. And because of that, you won't allow yourselves to be happy. You all are one in the same, you've just been fighting different battles."
It was Sam's turn to look down. He took his time before saying, "You learn all of that from the computer?"
"No. From experience. I see the same look in Dean's and your eyes, as I see in Oliver's all the time. A computer can't give you that information." She cleared her throat and unmuted the coms. "Based on my GPS, you're almost there."
She brought up three different street cameras and saw Oliver and Diggle's bikes pull up, and Dean's Impala right behind them.
Sam had started fidgeting the moment the guys left, but as soon as he saw them get off their bikes and Dean out of his car, he stood and started pacing. Felicity looked at the cameras and laughed.
"What?" Sam asked, still pacing.
"The Arrow, Diggle and Dean. Sounds like a terrible boy band."
That did the trick and made Sam laugh. He sat back down and said into the coms, "Alright guys, you ready?"
