Oh my... i realized it's been 3 months since I've written a new chapter in this series. Do I have a good excuse? No, not really. None other than 'inspiration failed me'... I've written some chapters in other stories, so I haven't been completely inactive, but still...

BUT... I've recently accuired a new CD, and that makes me really happy. This particular CD - or more specifically the singer - is one of my favorites of all time. The CD is titled 'X' and this story is based on a song he sings called 'Tenerife Sea'...

I hope you like it.. and if you still care, you'll leave a comment.. pretty please? (still unbeta'd so all mistakes are my own)

disclaimer: I do not own Arrow or any of it's characters,nor do I own the song on which this is based... please, I'm to pretty to go to jail ;)

- Love, Ellen

The banquet hall looked wonderful this evening, even Oliver Queen could agree to that. Usually he didn't really care what the party looked like, as long as there was good scotch at the bar. This time however, he noticed the twinkling lights strung across the ceiling, elegantly draped above the guests heads. There were beautiful flower arrangements everywhere and the air had a faint perfume of rose and lily.

It's not like it should come as a surprise to Oliver, this was a Thea Queen party after all. And if there was one thing the woman of the Queen family knew how to do, it was throw a party. The only thing that was bothering him right at that moment, was the unbelievably boring man he was currently pretending to listen to. In order to stay awake during the monotone of the man's monologue his eyes had traveled across the hall, which was probably the only reason he noticed the lights above. Oliver knew it was a necessary part of 'networking', interacting with every boring invitee at every function he happened to attend. But that didn't mean he had to like it.

He once again let his eyes wander, telling himself he wasn't looking for anything specific. Or anyone specific. But even to himself he was a bad liar. His eyes caught Digg's from where he was standing at the bar, his left hand curled around a tumbler-glass and his right hand firmly in place on Lyla's hip. He looked very much at ease and had a happy grin slapped across his face. Oliver couldn't help but smile at the sight. His best friend was happy. He had a beautiful little girl and his relationship with Lyla was strong as ever. And if there was one thing he could admit to himself now, it was that good people deserved good things in life. It had taken him several years and a lot of arguments before he could believe he was good –despite what happened to him when he was away those 5 years. And it had taken several more years to finally agree that he too deserved good things. And if it hadn't been for a certain IT girl, he might not have ever believed any of that.

His eyes caught a flash of blond hair and his head turned, focused completely on his partner. His 'conversation' partner didn't notice, to engrossed in his own speech to notice anything around him. She was standing there, hair pulled to one side, held back with a diamond and sapphire encrusted clip. She looked beautiful in the dress she was wearing. A strapless draped bodice with a sweetheart neckline and a flowing floor length dress decorated with crystal beading.

She was in conversation with some of the wives of QC's Board members and she looked as bored as Oliver did. He excused himself and made his way to her side, dropping in on the conversation at hand, which had certainly taken a more interesting turn. "… believe the police aren't doing anything. He keeps attacking Starling's Elite and as if he is punishing us because we are wealthy." Felicity glanced up at him, and her eyes shone with secrets only they shared. "Well," she said "I think he's doing a wonderful job of keeping the criminal elements of Starling at bay. I for one feel a lot safer walking across the street at night, knowing he's out there keeping us all safe." The Board-wives – or as she liked to refer to them, the Boring-wives – all stared at her in shock and disgust. One of them cleared her throat and said, "well, I guess everybody is entitled to their opinion. And of course there are those people who he doesn't bother…" she said it with such distain in her voice, Oliver felt the urge to step in. "Mrs Davies, I know you are not implying that people who aren't born with a golden spoon in their mouths are somehow less than others. But I'm going to steal away Felicity before you finish your sentence, because I'm pretty sure I won't like where it was heading. And I wouldn't want to have to throw anybody out on a joyous occasion such as this one." Oliver smiled a tight, fake smile at the women in the group and led Felicity to the dance floor. Leaving the Board-wives to stand there, gaping between Oliver and Mrs. Davies and even slightly distancing themselves from her. It was one thing to insult the bubbly EA and her lowly upbringing. But it was another thing to imply those kinds of things in the presence of Oliver Queen. And if there was one infectious disease every socialite was scared of catching, it was most definitely 'social decent'. And being associated with somebody on Oliver Queen's blacklist, was a sure way to lose one's social standing.

"They talk too much. About nothing, but their own stuck up worldly views. I figured it was safer to get you out of there, before their bank accounts would show a little less zero's. Too bad they don't realize that the Arrow isn't the one they should fear." He whispered it in her ear and she smiled in return. Swaying softly to the music, Oliver thought that this was the most perfect moment of his life. And if it were to end right then and there, it would be enough for him. He'd die a happy man, wrapped in the soft arms of the only person who ever believed in him completely. If there was any moment in the past where he was more in love with her than right this moment, he couldn't remember.

He gazed in her eyes while dancing, the blue so startling, he half expected to see colorful fish swimming in their depths. He didn't notice it when Digg came up beside him and it startled him half to death when the man tapped on his shoulder. "Mind if I cut in for a moment?" he asked, smiling lovingly at Felicity. Oliver took a few breaths to steady his wildly beating heart and nodded to his best friend. "I'm going to find Thea, persuade her to dance with me. If I stand next to the dance floor alone for too long, one of the old bitties might attack." Digg laughed his deep belly laugh at that. "Never thought I'd see the day that Oliver Queen was afraid of innocent old ladies." Oliver threw him a look, eyebrows raised. "Innocent old ladies? Have you met those sharks? They look at me like I'm dinner. Or desert." He shuddered to emphasize his words. His eye fell on Mrs. Devon, making her way over to them and he made a break for it.

A few songs later found Felicity back in Oliver's embrace, again staring intently in each other's eyes. Like the world outside of them didn't exist. "You look so wonderful in your dress." He whispered to her, while his hand rubbed circles on her back. "Thank you Oliver, you look quite dashing yourself." She replied with a content smile on her face. "You always look amazing though" he continued "more stunning every time I see you. But this night, right now, you… I – I want you to know it's enough for me. I don't need anything except for you in my arms. All that you are, is all that I'll ever need." She placed her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. "You're all I need as well, no matter where we are, as long as we're together we'll be alright. I love you Mr. Queen."

He smiled at her and let her twirl around. The white wedding gown spreading out across the dance floor. "I love you to, Mrs. Queen."