A/N: As usual I am sorry for being so slow with updates! We're still slightly off the film plot as I try to make these 2 bond more, so I hope you don't mind we finally learn about their pasts and this chapter is longer than usual, SO I hope you enjoy... as always thank you for your continued support!

It was the throbbing in her head that woke her, but it was the hand rubbing her scalp soothing it slightly that made her eyes flutter open. She blinked a few times to find Oliver Queen, shirtless, his eyes closed. One of his hands was in her hair gently massaging her, whilst the other was on top of hers on his chest. Their legs were tangled and she could see his bare skin, his glorious 6, well 8 pack moving as he slept. She frowned slightly remembering last night.

"I didn't want to wake you." He whispered, his hand coming from her head and her eyes snapped to his.

"What?"

"You were moaning in your sleep, and I know from last night that when I massage your scalp it eases you." He shrugged. She pulled away slightly, trying to detangle her legs. She winced in pain, and immediately Oliver was up and out of bed. He looked a little uncomfortable.

"You don't have to stay Oliver." She whispered as she lay her head back on the pillows.

"Yes I do. 24 hours remember." She grunted.

"Yeh but if you're uncomfortable..."

"No I just... It's been a long time since I've woke up in bed with someone." She glanced up at him then eyes wide. "Platonically Felicity." She chuckled then as she sat up, realising she was wearing Oliver's shirt and blushing slightly. She stood up limping slightly, and Oliver was by her side.

"I'm fine."

"Clearly." He replied and she glared at him. "Let me help."

"Fine." He linked his arm around her back taking some of the weight as they walked into the kitchen. Without hesitation Oliver got her a glass of water and pain killers. "Thank you."

"No problem. Are you going to try to have a bath?"

"Why?" She asked raising an eyebrow. "Please tell me you are not joining me!"

"No! It's the dried blood in your hair."

"Oh... Yes I'll have one in a bit." She sank down into the chair. "Do you need a shower or anything?"

"Well if you don't mind?" He asked.

"Of course not, I mean you're stuck with me all day so… there are fresh towels under the sink. Use what you want." He nodded, as he turned his back to her. She gasped and instantly he froze.

His back was littered in an array of scars, before she even thought of it she limped slowly towards him as she saw his thumb and forefinger rubbing together, with his chin on his chest. She brought her hand up following the different lines; she could feel his muscles relaxing instantly. She trailed them all, before slowly moving in front of him. He let out a shaky breath when he didn't see disgust or pain in her eyes, merely intrigue.

She tilted her head as she noticed a mark on his hip trailing down. She reached out and touched it, she watched his abs contract. She followed the marred flesh down till it reached the hem of his jeans, where she swallowed and slowly removed her hand. He was marvelled at the fact she was caressing his scars, no-one had done that ever, most were disgusted by them or avoided them or acted as if they weren't there but Felicity was different. It was as if she was trying to figure him all out just from her touch. The air between them had changed, and Oliver blinked as he stood frozen staring at her in his shirt.

"I should probably..." He nodded in the direction of the bathroom and walked off closing the door behind him. Felicity stood there in complete and utter shock. What the hell had happened to Oliver Queen?

When Oliver appeared in his jeans and black t-shirt combo, he insisted that she keep the bathroom door open just in case. So she obviously obliged, but she took her time, not trying to rush for the sake of her injuries. After she was done washing her hair, the smell of food caught her attention. She was out and dressed in jeans and a tank top before she had a chance to second guess what it was.

She slowly limped from the bathroom, her ankle feeling less strained after the relaxing warm water. As she made her way to the kitchen she found Oliver stood there, various items out but no mess, easily flipping pancakes.

"So you can cook?" She asked he turned his head to look at her, her damp hair drying into loose curls already.

"Well I do own a restaurant and bar." He smiled, he looked slightly nervous as if he was waiting for her to ask something.

"Yes but that doesn't mean you know how to cook." She said her hand falling to her hip. He chuckled slightly.

"Fair comment, well Felicity I can cook."

"I just wasn't expecting it with your history, by that I mean the whole rich and had maids, probably butlers not your past with women... I really need to stop talking." She dropped into a chair lifting her leg onto the chair at the side of her. When she finally looked up Oliver was holding a bag of peas and a towel. He wrapped the peas before placing it on her ankle.

"It'll help with the swelling." She nodded.

"Thank you." She whispered and he nodded turning back to the food.

Felicity couldn't help staring, the easy way he just moved around like he belonged, but then she found herself staring at his back, her mind flashing back to earlier. His scars. She hadn't expected Oliver to have them, and the way he had looked at her it was as if no-one had ever looked at his scars with such, well curiosity. When she blinked again she realised that Oliver was now sitting opposite her, a stack of pancakes in the middle. He was watching her carefully as she slowly slid a pancake onto her plate.

"Wait these don't have nuts do they?"

"No why?"

"I'm allergic."

"No, no nuts what so ever." She nodded as she took the first bite. Her senses came to life as she sighed pulling another piece to her lips. They were the best pancakes she had ever tasted. The smile that over took his face made her heart beat a little quicker.

"Wow! Like wow." She said between mouthfuls. He grinned as he ate his own. They sat in a now easy silent enjoying their breakfast. "I mean where'd you learn to cook like this?" She asked tilting her head.

"I... Errmm." He looked suddenly nervous, as he rubbed a hand at the back of his neck.

"Hey... You can tell me anything... If you want to of course." She smiled softly and he glanced at her.

"Last night you said you wanted to know about my past."

"I am so sorry. Drugs make me kinda-"

"No it's okay I... I get it, you don't know my past and you don't know if you can trust me-"

"I trust you." It escaped her lips without even a second thought because she did trust him. His eyes widened in surprise and he looked clearly taken aback.

"I... Wow well I don't want to tarnish that trust. I wasn't a good person back then Felicity, I'm still not that great now." She frowned.

"You just spent hours in a hospital with me, and are spending 24 hours with me to make sure I'm okay... Plus you have a thriving business."

"That doesn't make me a good person Felicity." She tilted her head.

"Maybe not to you but to me… I see that good heart of yours." He smiled before he looked serious as he took a deep breath.

"It's a long story."

"Good job we have all day then." She tried to joke but she saw the sadness in his eyes. "I'm sorry, if you don't want to share you don't have to, I understand... I truly do." She reached her hand out across the table her finger tips gently touching his hand before she leant back.

"I was a mess, I mean a real mess. I cheated on my girlfriend constantly, I partied, I did drugs, drank copious amount of alcohol, failed all classes, was kicked out of 4 colleges." He sighed not meeting her eyes. "5 years ago, I was kicked out of my 4th college. My girlfriend wasn't happy, and my parents, especially my father, were seething. I was told the only option I had left was to join the company or I'd be cut from everything."

"But you didn't join?" She asked instinctively.

"With my girlfriend's insistence and my parent's yeh I did." Felicitys eyes widened. "And I hated it. Within a week I felt like my soul was being crushed. So I stupidly decided a night out with Tommy was called for. Boy was I wrong." He sighed running a hand down his face.

"Tommy was like you?"

"Oh no Tommy didn't do drugs, the alcohol yes but the drugs not since the first year in college which by the way he hadn't been kicked out of."

"I see." She nodded him to continue.

"Anyway I decided to mix my drugs, cannabis, ecstasy, cocaine plus all the alcohol, I didn't even know my own name let alone all the problems I had. I'd had sex with various women in the different clubs, me and Tommy just living it up. But then..." He stopped his eyes closing briefly, as he hunched over slightly."

"But then?" She whispered.

"I remembered it was my sister's birthday, she was 16. It was gone midnight and I don't know what I was thinking, I went back to my car and drove." He was waiting for her to react waiting for something but she just looked at him.

"Right."

"The scars..." He gestured behind him. "They were thanks to my own foolishness. I crashed the car; it hit several parked cars before hitting a tree. I totalled my car, dislocated my knee, shoulder and some fingers. I cracked rips, but my back and the scar you saw on my hip... They were from the metal of the car; they pierced my skin I had to be cut out of it." He watched as her eyes shone with tears, he looked away quickly looking down at his hands.

"Did it hurt?"

"The drugs made everything painless, which was dangerous for the doctors as you can imagine. But everything hurt once the drugs had left my system, it was... Excruciating but what I deserved." She frowned staring into his eyes. "I was in hospital for several weeks, my parents dealt with the press paying them all off and paid for all the damage I had caused, they even somehow managed to get the charges dropped."

"So then what happened?"

"They told me I was to stop everything, to go back to QC and that was it. I refused and the next day, my father came to the hospital my bag packed and told me I was no longer apart of the Queen family, I was no longer his son, and that I was to leave the hospital by the end of the day." Felicity gasped then her heart aching for him. "It's okay, I deserved it." She frowned; she hated the way he spoke about himself.

"So Dig helped you?"

"Yes he was our bodyguard had been for awhile, and he was there, he watched it all unfold. My girlfriend was still finishing college and refused me to live with her so he offered." She nodded in understanding. "I was useless, terrible in fact I felt sorry for myself, the pain, the fear... I didn't have anything to do and in the end Dig got sick of it so he got me a job helping at Big Belly Burger where is sister-in-law worked."

"Is that where you learnt to cook?"

"Yep, I enjoyed it, I was earning money again helping pay my way with Dig. My girlfriend was happy I was doing something with my life and in fact I used some of the money to pay for cooking classes. I found I enjoyed it so much."

"That's good." She smiled then. "See you turned your life aroun-"

"I'm not finished..." She closed her mouth waiting for him to continue. "Dig obviously left to live with Lyla, and so I decided to find my own apartment, it was tiny god awful! But it was my space you know?" She nodded in understanding. "So yes I was working at Big Belly, had a girlfriend who I'd hardly seen, a best friend who was getting his act together and I messed up."

"How?"

"My girlfriend was trying to push me to reconnect with my family, saying that QC would be my better option than my dream of a restaurant. I didn't have the money, it wouldn't work... So one night her sister, Tommy, herself and I, went out for a few drinks. It didn't take long for me to get drunk as I hardly drank anymore and she and I got into a massive argument about her not paying for me to be a junk food chef." He sighed and Felicity couldn't help but feel his frustration.

"But you aren't now."

"No, thanks to Digs help, and getting a bank loan, again thanks to Dig I managed to get Verdant dirt cheap and do it all up, just me and him." He smiled then at the memory.

"See." She grinned but then his eyes went sorrowful.

"But that night we argued, I did the worst thing possible I slept with her sister." He heard her slight gasp, and his head dropped. "We both regretted it in the morning and she caught us in bed together. I broke her heart, her trust... That's why I don't get involved anymore, why I stay single." She stared at him unsure what to say, he had done so much in those 5 years and he had somehow completely changed his life around.

Suddenly he was standing up, the chair scraping across the tiled floor.

"I can call Dig he can come look after you; I understand if you don't want me here, I understand if you can't trust me to help find a guy who isn't like me..." He never met her eyes as she carried on staring at him he rushed passed her, she could see his forefingers and thumbs rubbing together and she caught his wrist. Instantly he froze, his eyes snapping to hers.

"We all make mistakes; we all have bad pasts... But you changed. No matter what you say I can see it right there on your face and in your heart." She smiled softly. "You feel guilt and remorse, and that's good enough for me. But it must have been hard."

"What?"

"Your family abandoning you like that?"

"It was my own faul-"

"No okay, I get you want to blame yourself but abandoning you when you needed them the most... That's not good."

"I know." He whispered his head dropping and suddenly she was up on her feet, the bag of peas long forgotten, and her hand cupping his cheek. His head lifted and she smiled.

"Well you can always talk to me about any of it."

"Thank you. I still have my sister she never stopped visiting."

"But both your parents…" They stared into each other's eyes her hand unmoving from his cheek. The air changed between them and suddenly Felicity became very aware of how close they actually were. She pulled her hand from him taking a step back. "Come on might as well watch something." She said stepping slowly towards the sofa.

It was several hours later when Felicity woke with a start. Her eyes searching the room around her, she had fallen asleep on the sofa a throw now placed over her and her glasses missing. She looked over seeing a blur in the kitchen; she could tell was Oliver from his frame.

"Why didn't you wake me?" She asked her voice hoarse from sleep.

"I thought you deserved some rest." She leant over to the coffee table scooping her glasses up and popping them on her face. When she looked back at him, he was packing a large basket with food.

"What are you doing?" She asked tilting her head. He smiled at her.

"Well you kept complaining about being locked in, so I thought why not have lunch, well dinner out?"

"Right..."

"If you're feeling up to it of course? How's the head? You're due more painkillers."

"Just aches a little." He walked over to her handing her the tablets and a glass of water.

"You might want to wear flats." She nodded swallowing the pills. "Oh and if at any point I think you need to be carried, I will be carry you." Her mouth fell open.

"Oliver I can take care of my-"

"Today I am your carer so enjoy it." She crossed her arms over her chest.

"Fine. I'll just go get a cardigan, cover up these scratches." He nodded as she slowly rose from the sofa and walked to her bedroom. Oliver grabbed the homemade milkshakes out the fridge placing them in the cool bag and in the basket. When he heard footsteps he turned to see her, a purple woollen cardigan on, and panda flats. He couldn't help smile at her quirkiness that just made her, her.

"Ready?"

"Yep." He gently picked up the basket as they made their way to the door.

It was literally a 10 minute car drive to the park that Oliver wanted to take her too. He got out his seat, taking the blanket out the boot when he saw her stumble out the car. He caught her just before she hit the ground.

"Are you okay?" He asked instantly pulling her to her feet, giving her a quick glance.

"I'm fine." He went to scoop her up. "What are you doing!?" She screeched pulling away.

"Either I carry you bride style, fireman style or piggy back, they are your only options Miss Smoak." He said standing taller. She glared at him.

"I dunno."

"Piggyback? Then I can carry the other stuff too."

"I don't want to hurt you, not that I could I bet that's all muscle-" She stopped when he bent down slightly in front of her, and she jumped onto his back her arms draped around his neck as her legs wrapped around him. She could feel all his muscles against her. "Wow you really are all muscle."

"Yes." He chuckled handing her the blanket which she placed at the back of his neck, as he scooped the basket and headed for the park.

It was beautiful and serene, families laughing, lovers on benches chatting, dog walkers enjoying the sun. The sky was bright and only just starting to dim slightly. He slowly set her feet down on the ground, and then spread the blanket out in front of her. He beckoned her to sit as he placed the picnic basket between them. She looked up then to see they were sat before a beautiful lake, quiet but people all still visible.

"Wow it's beautiful."

"I used to come here as a kid with Thea."

"And your parents?" She asked.

"No." He replied not looking her way but still removing food. "My parents they... They loved us but we had nannies for these things."

"Oh." She replied softly, realising how lonely it must have been for them. A silence fell and it felt kind of awkward. "Where did all the food come from?"

"You were asleep for like 3 hours."

"What so you cooked all this? Mini burgers, sandwiches, kebabs, salad, pastas..."

"Yep I had time plus it's all small." She smiled at him as they both sat eating, chatting away easily as if they had known each other for years.

Once Oliver got his cookies and cakes out Felicity stared at him in disbelief.

"I made milkshakes too." He handed her a cup and he watched in fascination as her face fell. Her eyes shining with tears as she faced the lake. "Are you okay?" She merely nodded not looking at him.

"Thank you." She whispered.

"Felicity?" She still didn't look but he continued. "You said you were there for me, to talk to I mean, well same goes to you too." Her eyes snapped to his then. "I don't always do female friends well but if you ever need to tell anyone about your day, you can tell me." The corners of her lips curved up a little before she looked away taking a sip of her milkshake.

"The last time... The last time I had a picnic and milkshakes was the day my dad left." She stated plainly. "He just up and left us, no warning, no note and no goodbye. It wasn't till after we learnt about all the debt."

"I'm sorry Felicity."

"What for? It isn't your fault."

"I'm sorry that, that man never got the opportunity to get to know the amazing woman you are." She blushed then shaking her head.

"I wouldn't be the same if it wasn't for Dig and Lyla."

"What happened?"

"The debt was crazy so my mum moved from guy to guy, place to place; we never settled anywhere properly in Vegas so when I got the scholarship for MIT I jumped at the chance but my brother couldn't come. What I didn't realise was that mums latest squeeze was an abusive drunk."

"Oh."

"Yeh... It wasn't till I graduated and moved here 5 years ago that I found out. Roy turned up on my doorstep beaten black and blue. He was a mess, he lashed out, and he had debts with some bad people... And my mother hadn't even noticed he'd left."

"Your mum sounds... eventful."

"She's married now; this one moves all around the world we get phone calls and post cards. But at the time with the other idiot, she was oblivious. Our dad walking out affected her too." He nodded in understanding. "But yes Roy was a real mess, and my work started to suffer so in stepped Diggle. He trained Roy in self defence, he and Lyla threatened with their army past to the debtors and we haven't seen then since."

"So whilst Dig was helping me, he was helping you two too?" She nodded.

"It would appear so. Roy took longer to settle but he's had his own business for just under 3 years. He went back to school, took classes and met a woman."

"So things are looking up for you guys now?"

"It would appear so." She smiled softly. "But it took us long enough."

"It appears it took us both a long time." He said staring at her softly, his eyes shining brightly.

"Thank you for this Oliver."

"It's no problem Felicity. Not at all." They both sat in silence drinking their milkshakes watching the sunset before them.

"Are you sure you don't want any food?" Oliver asked as they walked up the stairs.

"No Oliver I have eaten way too much, you take it home and enjoy it!" She smiled softly and turned her head back to him as she put the keys in the door. "Thank you for taking care of me Oliver." He stepped closer, the already small space becoming even more confined and for some reason her eyes flickered to his lips as he spoke.

"You never need to thank me for that." He whispered, she pushed the door open and stepped inside. Oliver followed close behind.

"Fliss, where have you been? I thought you'd want a day in after last-" Roy froze when he saw Felicity's face, slight bruises, the stitches in her hair line. "What the hell happened?!" He exclaimed marching towards her.

"Oh my date went wrong." She watched as he glanced up at Oliver, glaring at him as he grabbed her by the tops of her arms and pulled her behind him. "Hey he didn't do anything, this was an accident, my heel got caught in his restaurant. He wouldn't hurt me." She could feel Roy's rage as he stared at Oliver who had a slight frown on his face.

"I would never hurt your sister, I wouldn't hurt Felicity." Oliver said slowly.

"What like you hurt Laurel you mean?" Oliver's eyes widened, regret flooding them to then be replaced by a blank expression. Felicity stared between the two.

"What does Laurel have to do with any-" She stopped dead in her tracks as everything became so unbelievably clear. Laurel was Oliver's ex-girlfriend, Sara was the sister he cheated with and Oliver was the douche who broke Laurels heart. Her mouth fell open.

"Get out." Roy said his hands tightening into fists. Oliver stared at Felicity who was locked in her own mind. He took a step forward and Roy pushed on Oliver's chest. The movement instantly clicked Felicity back and she grabbed Roy pulling him back.

"You heard me get the hell out!"

"Hey... This place is as much mine as it is yours." Roy's face dropped.

"What are you doing with someone like him? Someone who hurts people? Who broke Laurels heart?" He stared into her eyes a look of shock and disbelief. She took a deep breath turning to Oliver.

"I think you should leave." She said softly giving him a half heartened smile. She saw the hurt and pain flash on his features before he nodded, turning around and walking out the door. As soon as it clicked shut Roy started.

"Really Felicity, Oliver Queen? I mean that man is a monster-"

"Roy Harper!" She shouted cutting him off, he turned to look at her and he could see the anger bursting out. "How dare you show me up like that! That man has spent the last day taking care of me when no-one else was-"

"I would have-"

"Well you weren't! So he left his own business to take care of me, he went above and beyond as a friend. Yes friend, F-R-I-E-N-D because Oliver is one now. Yes he broke Laurels heart, but that doesn't mean he can't change." Roy scoffed loudly, shaking his head. "Oh and for a matter of fact where were you 5 years ago?" She asked titling her head and raising her eyebrows in challenge.

"I... You know..."

"Exactly Roy you changed... Why can't he?"

"I suppose." He mumbled looking at his feet.

"So thanks for making him feel completely unwelcome, and judging him for his past because I'm pretty sure if he knew about yours he'd have just as much right to judge you." She turned on her heels storming into her bedroom in complete and utter shock at Roy's behaviour. As he stood there wondering what the hell had just happened.