Chapter 2 – Discretion

AN – So here's the first real chapter just to get us started! Again, I haven't settled on an actual plan so this will probably be a loose collection of one-shots that revolve around the Lessons. And again, I'm open to suggestions! BTW, I skipped the beta process so all mistakes are definitely mine - sorry!

DISCLAIMER – I've never had a legal claim on CW's Arrow or any DC Comics character and I'm guessing that won't change anytime soon!

SPOILER WARNING - Just to restate it, any season of Arrow is fair game to be included so skip this story if you are spoiler free for S3!

Felicity picked up baby Sara and put her in the playpen they kept in the lair despite Oliver's protests. The baby gurgled happily as she picked up a fluffy rabbit and stuffed one long ear into her mouth. Turning back to her desk, Felicity paused and picked the latest chew toy she had just rescued from the little girl. She smiled as she ran a hand over the laminated copy of the Lessons that looked a little worse for the wear – like Team Arrow, it had seen a lot of action over the last year or so.

Chuckling over the Lessons and toying with some possible revisions, Felicity didn't acknowledge the beep of the security door which signaled the entrance of at least one Team member. She barely noticed the conversation flowing around her either. However, she did notice when a pair of strong arms slid around her waist to pull her tightly against a warm, hard body that she easily recognized even as her heart rate still sped up.

"Felicity, we need to work on your self-defense skills since you let just anyone get close." Thea taunted her brother who didn't even acknowledge her as he nuzzled Felicity's neck.

Grinning at Thea, Felicity intentionally turned and pretended surprise when she saw it was Oliver holding her. Smiling at Oliver's frowning response, she leaned in for a quick kiss before turning and leaning back against him as his arms stayed in place and held her close.

"Did you guys resolve everything? Are you expanding the club?"

Thea and Oliver with Diggle and Roy accompanying them had taken a meeting with QC, the bank and some City Council members to discuss opening a second Verdant location. Everything the Queens did still came under close scrutiny so they always took extra care in their business dealings. It helped that they continued to give money to charity…even if it was Merlyn's money now.

"Yep, we have the green light complete with permits and a credit line. Hopefully we'll start renovations in the next few months." Thea responded. While she had never expected to be a legitimate business owner, it was something she took seriously even if it was routine now. Surprisingly enough, being on Team Arrow had also become routine as well. The only thing missing for her was a relationship like Oliver and Felicity had. She had dated since returning to Starling City but no one serious – no one that she found really interesting, no one that she felt more than a passing attraction to, no one that would ever understand her life. In short, no one like Roy. Shaking her head at the thoughts that replayed more frequently in her head, Thea focused on the man in question as he had started speaking to Felicity.

"That's not the big story though – your Oliver here saved the day." Roy grinned as he updated Felicity and mocked Oliver at the same time.

"He was a hero even without a mask." Diggle added his own taunt as he picked up baby Sara and smiled at her.

"What? What happened?" Felicity immediately turned back and stepped away from Oliver so she could visually check him for injuries.

"I'm fine. It wasn't a big deal." Oliver started to explain but Roy had moved to Felicity's computer and brought up the news feed.

"Check it out Felicity. It was all caught on tape!" Roy chuckled even though Oliver glared.

Moving quickly around Roy, Felicity watched the impromptu rescue unfold during a live news program. The group had just left the meeting at the bank and had walked onto the street when Oliver turned at the sound of a woman's scream. He then moved quickly to push the woman back toward Diggle before turning to scoop up the child. With the child in his arms, he jumped up and landed on the roof of the car that had come barreling through the crowds to crash into a road sign where the woman and child had just been standing. Barely bothered, Oliver then smiled at the kid in his arms as he leapt down from the car in one fluid motion. Applause erupted from bystanders as the reporter jumped in immediately to interview Oliver.

Felicity watched the television coverage one more time as she had it playing on a loop for the last several minutes. Oliver stepped forward to block her view and smiled even as she glared.

"Felicity. What could have I have done? Let the kid get hit by the car?" Oliver wanted nothing more than to lean in and kiss her frown away but after having known Felicity for several years and having dated her for a year, he had learned several hard lessons about just how tough the woman could be. Therefore, he knew that she was still too angry to be receptive.

Felicity rolled her eyes and stepped away from Oliver as she started pacing. She didn't even notice the other three move some distance away to accommodate her movements.

"How is it that you still haven't learned the meaning of a secret identity? Why bother wearing a mask? You could just wear your green leather under your business suit. I'm sure your fan club would love to see you rip your shirt open before you save the day next time!"

Oliver's eyes widened at the angry tirade. While he and Felicity still argued about Arrow plans, they rarely argued about their relationship. Right now, he wasn't even sure what the argument was about though.

"No one is going to connect me to the Arrow. No one is going to connect us to the Arrow. It was a one time incident." When Felicity stopped pacing long enough to glare at him, he raised his arms in surrender and tried to reassure her. "Really Felicity, it's okay."

Thea wanted to laugh as she watched her brother try to charm his blond partner. It hadn't taken her long to see their love and that love gave her hope for her own future. However, the fact that they loved each other didn't mean the fireworks had stopped.

Grinning, Thea chimed in with a loud stage whisper. "I don't think he understands that it's the slutty female reporter swooning at his feet that has Felicity really annoyed."

Thea stopped grinning though when both Oliver and Felicity turned to glare at her. She opened her mouth to defend herself when both Roy and Diggle took several steps away from her. Distracted, Thea turned to glare at Roy before directing the same angry expression at Diggle for their obvious desertion. Neither man reacted though as they remained focused on Oliver and Felicity.

"Is that what's wrong? That's ridiculous Felicity." Oliver realized his mistake as soon as he said the words. Even if he hadn't, the groaning sound effects from his supposed friends would have clued him in before Felicity again pinned him with a glare.

"Your Starling City harem notwithstanding, that's not why I'm annoyed."

Felicity turned away - the angry click of her heels sounding loudly in the quiet room. She again started the video and froze it at the shot she wanted. With only a few clicks, she tossed the image up on the large screen. The female reporter was leaning against Oliver with one hand on his chest as she gazed adoringly at him. The mother and child were on his other side and both looked equally entranced by their rescuer. Oliver stood between them smiling, much like a conquering hero. Felicity knew he wasn't encouraging the women just as she knew that he didn't consider himself a hero. She still found the whole thing annoying though especially as they had been publicly dating for the last year and yet the women still flocked around him. However, she chose to ignore those points and focus on the new intel that she had just discovered instead.

Oliver heard the coughs which did a poor job of hiding the laughter and turned to glare once more at the people who claimed to have his back in dangerous situations. He had understood quickly enough that they usually sided with Felicity but they had only gotten more obvious about that fact over the last year. Roy and Thea both had the decency to look away but Diggle simply quirked a brow as he held baby Sara. Gritting his teeth, Oliver returned his focus to Felicity.

Felicity had ignored the antics of those behind her as she focused on her computer. With only a few more clicks she brought up the research she had done.

"There's a reward for unmasking the Arrow – it's apparently become a popular game. There are whole websites dedicated to tracking you, websites with claims from women who have, well, let's just say, enjoyed demonstrations of your archery skills privately. I haven't been able to find the sponsor of the game though, only the screen name Onomatopoeia. I do think now is the time that you should be more discreet, not more obvious though."

Oliver focused on the words on the screen even as he felt the other members of their Team come forward to do the same. Felicity gave them a few moments before mumbling under her breath about the news reporter.

"Cherry Noller…hmph, you know that can't be her real name anyway."

Hearing her words, Oliver turned back to Felicity and pulled her in for the kiss he had wanted since he had entered the lair. It still amazed him that he could do that and, for a moment, he was lost as she opened her mouth and need pulsed through him as it always did whenever she was close. The loud throat clearing brought him back to reality and reluctantly he pulled back to smile at Felicity's flushed face and bright eyes. Gently cradling her face, he leaned back in for another short kiss before he spoke.

"Does this mean that we don't have to go to the charity costume party next week?"

"Oh no, you are going – we are all going! I have my costume already and I'm not missing the fun!" Felicity grinned now as she thought of her costume and again wondered just how Oliver would react to seeing her in it.

AN2 – So who's in for a little future Olicity fun?! Maybe Oliver getting jealous at the costume party? ;)