Chapter 3 – Public Personas

AN – Before we continue, I have to say thanks for the reviews, faves, and follows: THANK YOU! I love my little Olicity fantasy world but it would get lonely without you guys so I'm very glad that you are along for the ride!

DISCLAIMER – No change to the legal status, I play without profit or infringement.

Thea and Roy had been assigned the task of picking up Felicity before the charity costume ball. Oliver had late meetings scheduled with several citizens groups which had kept him at the office. Diggle had stuck with Oliver in the interest of maintaining their public personas but Lyla would be joining for the party as they were using it as a "date night".

Thea used her key to let herself into Felicity's place, calling out as she entered. "Hey Felicity! It's time to party so get your little…" Her voice trailed off as she stared at Felicity in shock then busted out laughing.

Roy had remained just outside and was scanning the street for trouble, but as it was still rare for Thea to laugh freely anymore, he was drawn to her side immediately. After a moment, she pointed and he followed her gesture to a now blushing Felicity. Roy's eyes didn't remain on her face long though and he let out a long wolf whistle of appreciation for her costume.

"Felicity, that's definitely a statement piece! I love it!" Thea recovered enough to reassure the other woman who now looked distinctively uncomfortable in light of their reaction.

"So it's not too much, I shouldn't change—"

"No!" Both Thea and Roy loudly interrupted to deny her suggestion. Roy smirked but remained silent as he gestured for Thea to explain instead. He still took care in these situations as Oliver remained very protective (aka jealous) of Felicity even though he thought of the blond as a sister.

Grinning, Thea knew exactly why Roy was keeping his mouth shut. There were still some things that one didn't mention to Oliver without a death wish and even appearing to hit on Felicity would always be on that list.

"You look sinfully beautiful and while it disturbs me to say this, I am sure my brother will fully appreciate your costume…probably several times." Thea pretended to shudder although she really did prefer not to know just how appreciative Oliver would be…just as she assumed he wouldn't want to know about all the things she and Roy used to do. Pulling her thoughts back to the present, Thea grabbed a coat from the stand and moved across the room to Felicity.

"Seriously, breathtaking so let's get you covered up and get you to the ball Cinderella!" Thea draped the coat around a still blushing and silent Felicity and tried to usher her out the door that Roy held open for them.

"No, no, no. This was a bad idea! I should have been more conservative like you guys, wait, Roy! Oh no, please tell that you aren't dressed like the League of Assassins?" Felicity paused mid-ramble as she finally actually looked at his costume. The black robes, hood, and very real sword strapped to his back certainly appeared to similar to what League members wore.

"Relax Felicity…I'm a ninja!" Roy couldn't resist teasing her and even grinned when he motioned to Thea. "She wouldn't wear the geisha make-up."

Felicity turned back to Thea and noted her silk robes and the fact that she had pinned up hair now that it was long enough to do so again. Thea was smiling coyly as she flicked open a fan and responded.

"Ancient Chinese geisha are very different from their Japanese counterparts. They offered intellectual stimulation—"

"Okay, stop bickering." Felicity had enough to worry about without them distracting her but she was still focused on Thea's costume. It was rare that the young woman went out unarmed but she wasn't sure where anything could be hidden and still remain useful.

Seeing Felicity's confusion, Thea pulled a hair comb out to reveal the dagger design and grinned once more before she pushed her friend into the car.

There was little conversation once they were in the car as Felicity started to have second thoughts…well, fourth and fifth thoughts really. She had wanted to make a statement to the press who continued to label her either as Oliver's "assistant" which always sounded synonymous with tramp or "wallflower" which always sounded synonymous with clueless cover story. Oliver had never made her feel like either but it still bothered her that the public just couldn't imagine someone like Oliver falling for someone like her. All too quickly though, Thea was opening the door and pulling her out even as Felicity considered making a run back to her house.

"Come on, now is not the time to be shy and that's not the costume for it anyway." Thea couldn't wait to see Oliver's reaction but she did wonder if it would help their attempt to stay under the radar if he started taking out party guests who got a little too close to his girl.

"Nope, I've changed a mind, it's a woman's prerogative to change her mind and I've changed mine. Roy, take me back home now!" Felicity quickly moved around Thea to try and get back into the car. Thea and Roy exchanged a look as they weren't sure how to change Felicity's mind but both moved to block her entrance to the car anyway.

"Shouldn't we take this party inside?" Diggle saw his Team minus Oliver and moved toward them with Lyla at his side. When Felicity shrugged off her friendly captors and turned to Diggle for help her unbuttoned coat opened. His mouth just fell open and she quickly pulled her coat closed and looked away. When she looked up he was grinning, as were Thea, Roy, and Lyla.

"Ah, so that's why all of those meetings suddenly made it on Oliver's schedule at the last minute. You wanted to surprise him…or kill him…or have him kill others." Diggle teased his friend with a smile.

At Diggle's words, Thea and Roy turned in surprise as they hadn't realized the full depth of Felicity's deception. As pink color flooded her face, everyone started laughing. Diggle moved over to pull his partner in for a one-armed hug as he kissed her temple and offered his support even as he prevented her obvious attempt to retreat.

"Good plan Felicity – now let's put it into action!"

"Plan A never works though so what if this doesn't either?" Felicity couldn't help the doubt. "I really think we should go back and I'll change into something else. Something that will match you guys…" Felicity's voice trailed off as she was again late in checking out her friends' costumes. She immediately started laughing even though Roy and Thea looked confused as they too finally looked at Digg and Lyla.

"Who are you anyway?" Roy asked as Felicity continued to laugh. The group surrounded Felicity moved together toward the entrance even as they spoke.

"Captain Mal – Firefly, Roy! Digg, that's perfect!" Felicity had gotten Diggle to watch the show the summer that Oliver had left them after the Undertaking. She was surprised to see his costume now but she did appreciate it. She also realized that as a space cowboy he was able to be armed and appear in character. Grinning, she turned to check out Lyla and voiced her enthusiastic support once more.

"And, of course, you are Inara…" Felicity leaned in closer so her next comment wouldn't be overheard. "Let me guess, you are hiding a weapon somewhere in that fabulous dress!"

Lyla just grinned but didn't answer. She had actually concealed a couple guns on her person as her flowing skirts and scarves did provide some coverage.

"Looks like I'm not the only one aiming to misbehave tonight Felicity." Digg couldn't resist teasing Felicity again as he quoted Captain Mal, but unfortunately, in addition to blushing she tried to turn back and beat a hasty retreat.

"Felicity, it's the perfect costume and you are the perfect match for Oliver. I've always known that." Diggle smiled as he tugged her relentlessly toward the door. He knew she had issues with the public view of her as Oliver's girlfriend and he was glad that she was staking her claim. The other three continued to grin as they moved forward as well. Just as they got inside, Felicity's phone rang.

Oliver paced restlessly waiting on Felicity and the rest of their Team to arrive. If he was going to have to suffer through this party, then he refused to do so alone. He pressed one for Felicity and heard her ring tone just behind him. Turning he saw her blond head angled down as she fumbled for her phone. Her coat gaped open with her movements and his jaw dropped.

Diggle and Roy immediately saw Oliver and quickly moved to get out of his way. Both grabbed the women who smirked when they saw Oliver's expression. An oblivious Felicity was still fumbling for her phone even though it had stopped ringing when Oliver had abruptly hung up. She finally pulled the phone out and looked up just in time to see Oliver take the final step to her.

Roy grabbed the phone that fell from Felicity's hands as Oliver captured her mouth in a hungry kiss. Meeting Thea's eyes, he grinned and pointedly looked away from the kissing couple. Diggle pulled Lyla against him and exchanged a warm smile with her as he also avoided looking at his friends.

Felicity couldn't seem to remember that they were in public and that they never displayed any real affection openly. All she could focus on was Oliver's mouth on hers – his tongue seeking entrance, his hands moving from her face to grasp her hips, the feel of full body contact as he pulled her against him.

Oliver couldn't seem to remember that they were in public and that they never displayed any real affection openly. All he could focus on was Felicity's mouth on his – her soft lips parting and allowing him entrance, her soft gasp of surprise which changed to a soft moan of pleasure, the feminine curves of her body as he skimmed his hands down to her hips and pulled her against him.

"Felicity!"

It was Walter's voice that finally broke the couple apart. They didn't realize that it was the man's second attempt as Oliver hadn't responded to his own name. Walter moved closer and Oliver instinctively put Felicity behind him and growled as his head was still hazy with lust. Felicity pinched Oliver's side and moved to stand next to him – despite her flushed cheeks and fast breathing, she wasn't going to hide behind him.

"What is going on? I thought that you guys were going to keep a low profile…" Walter's voice trailed off and his eyes widened as he finally noted Felicity's costume. Smiling with understanding, he moved forward to give her a hug as he spoke softly enough for only the Team and Lyla to hear him.

"You came as the Green Arrow…that's just perfect."

Felicity heard the pride in Walter's voice and smiled at him. She then looked around at Team Arrow – she saw and finally accepted their support as well. Taking a deep breath, she turned to Oliver and shrugged off her coat as she met his eyes.

Oliver's eyes immediately slid over her body once more. The green leather pants clung to her body and displayed her slim feminine curves beautifully. Unlike Oliver's jacket though, hers was lower cut and displayed enough cleavage to even make her mom proud. She completed the costume with a training bow Oliver had created for her and a quiver of arrows as well.

"You look very beautiful…and very tough. I'm glad you're my partner Felicity." Now that the first pull of lust had been somewhat assuaged, Oliver could see that she was nervous. He even thought that he understood the reason for her nerves and her costume choice too. While he ignored the press as he had always dealt with them, Felicity was still new to that part of the game. Their public personas came under harsh scrutiny and it bothered her how they sometimes portrayed her. He had tried to convince her that the public's ignorance was a strategic advantage. When that had failed he suggested alternate means of silencing them but she had vetoed those ideas too. She then tried to convince him that she could was fine and could handle it and he had let her.

When Felicity smiled back and continued to hold his eyes, Oliver couldn't resist another kiss – a much more innocent, sweet kiss as their friends and family immediately grumbled their reminders of their public setting. Pulling back, he saw and returned her smile. Keeping his eyes on Felicity, he took her hand as he spoke to the group.

"We'll be back." Oliver cut easily through the dancing couples until he and Felicity were in the middle of the room with all eyes on them. He then stopped and bowed low as he made his request.

"May I have this dance, Ms. Smoak?"

Felicity smiled and stepped closer as she nodded. Despite feeling everyone's eyes on them and even hearing the flash of cameras from the press, she ignored them and focused on the man in front of her. She had planned to wear the costume as a statement for others but now she had eyes only for Oliver. She was his and she knew he was hers – it wasn't just lust shining in his eyes but also love and even some amusement. He had her back even in something like this and she couldn't resist nuzzling his neck and whispering in his ear.

"I can see why you like your Arrow suit – the leather is empowering, freeing. Thank you Oliver."

Oliver grinned at Felicity's words and pulled her in closer but he kept his hands positioned respectfully despite his desire to have her alone and away from the prying eyes. This was her night and he wasn't going to do anything to derail her plan. He also simply appreciated the image of her in leather. Green leather, his green. He knew that she was staking a claim and he had no problem with that – he was hers, just as she was his.

Feeling the leather against his hands, Oliver rubbed gently and pulled back as the song came to an end. "Leather can be tricky, difficult to get off…I'll be happy to volunteer my services though."

Both smiled as heat sparked in both of their eyes but neither realized just what an impact her costume would have on their evening nor that they would have need of it later in the night… TBC

AN2 – Yes, this chapter is a two parter and we will get jealous/ protective Oliver in part 2 but I had to set the stage!