A/N: Massive thank you as always for all the support, I do see you I promise I just don't think this site has the best way for me to respond... so SORRY... Anyway this is chapter 9, I'm hoping I have one more chapter and an epilogue, it all depends how long chapter 10 gets but yeh... we're getting to the end guys! now saying that... I AM SORRY in advance...

After a long week Felicity found herself looking forward to Oliver's house party, technically apartment party, but she couldn't help the feeling of joy and happiness she felt at the thought of seeing him again. She couldn't help but smile to herself, as she glanced at the clock in the office, 5pm. She would leave in an hour and then be at his for 8pm. Sara and Lyla were stood in the doorway watching, their eyes on her.

"Someone seems happy." Lyla commented as she waddled into the room dropping into the chair.

"Why wouldn't I be? I have some great friends, a good career..."

"And a guy." Sara stated.

"I don't have a guy."

"Girl, you can try to convince me all you want but Oliver is so into you." Felicity found her cheeks flushing and her heart beating a little quicker.

"I... I don't think so Sara." She shook her head in disbelief.

"Really?" Lyla asked, rubbing her hand over her bump.

"Yes, I mean he hasn't kissed me or anything..." She felt her cheeks grow even warmer as her words settled over her, she wanted him too though.

"Felicity, he spent a whole 24 hours with you and took care of you. I've seen the photos remember." She winked.

"Wait photos?"

"Yes Nyssa has a copy..." Sara took her phone out, typing away.

"Wait how can she have a copy?"

"A lot of the press do but they all know not to mess with you." Sara winked, as she placed her phone down.

"But that was him being friendly."

"Oh yes cause friends look at each other like that, and friends share their tattered pasts in the way you did." Felicity could feel her cheeks heating up yet again remembering the scars on his god like body, remembering his hands in her hair as he massaged her scalp and how they shared a bed. She shifted slightly in her chair.

"What are you thinking about?" Lyla asked with a knowing smirk.

"Nothing." Felicity spluttered out. Sara chuckled shaking her head.

"You can't fool us Felicity; we can tell there is something between you both." Felicity shook her head, but the images of him leaning towards her outside her door had her mind racing, could he like her?

"I... I don't know."

"There's your answer." Lyla said with a smile. "You clearly feel something." She lifted herself out the chair. "I mean with the smile you've had on your face all day because you're going to his party says it all... And I bet you any money he's feeling the same." Lyla smiled as she made her way to the exit. "I'll see you guys later this little monster is pressing on my bladder." Both women chuckled as she disappeared.

"I don't know what you two are like when you're together, but Jesus Felicity if those photos are anything to go by, I'd say you're both feeling it." Sara stood up then.

"Oh check your email, and then try to tell me there isn't something there." Sara winked as she left the room closing the door behind her. Felicity turned to her computer easily accessing her email, she found one from Nyssa. She clicked it open downloading the file.

There were the pictures of Oliver carrying her into the park on his back. He was grinning so much just as she was, they looked like lovers. Then there were the pictures on the park, the picnic, and various angles of her staring at him and him at her whilst the other wasn't looking. There were pictures of them laughing, joking; looking care free, then there was the pictures of the milkshake. She stared at them as she was clearly telling him about her father, the way he was staring at her so intently had her heart hammering.

She stopped taking a shaky breath. She liked Oliver frigging Queen and with how he had been acting lately she had an inkling that maybe he feel the same too. That thought alone had her smiling even wider, her mind thinking of all the things he'd done to help her, to be there for her these past few weeks, months, and she couldn't help wondering if he felt it too.

Felicity was just finishing her makeup, after opting for something a little dressier than usual meaning she had contacts in instead of wearing her glasses, when she heard a laugh coming from her living room. She couldn't help but smile at hearing her younger brother sounding so content. His voice carried to her room.

"Yes I'd love to meet you in person Thea, if you're anything like your voice than I'll probably be drooling." She heard him chuckle again. "Yes I just don't think your brother's party would be an appropriate place for us to meet; I mean I'll be nervous enough let alone meeting your brother." Felicity shook her head smiling at her own brother. She grabbed her clutch then headed out, Roy bolted up right when he saw her, his eyes widening. "I have to go, yes well have fun, bye." He hung up glancing at Felicity.

"I take it that's the girl you like?" He blushed slightly choosing to ignore her questions.

"You're dressed up aren't you? Is it another date?"

"No... A.. Friends party actually... You still didn't answer my question." She said placing her hand on her hip tilting her head, her loose curls falling off her shoulder. He raised an eyebrow.

"A friend really? And well..." He ran a hand at the back of his neck. "Yes, I like Thea."

"Yes a friend... Am I not allowed to want to look good? And Thea, as in the PR lady?"

"Of course but you don't usually dress up unless it's, you know meeting someone... And yes, she's really cool."

"Well if I meet someone at the party then I'm prepared." She said smiling to herself thinking about Oliver. "Oh and good, but you've just come out of a serious relationship don't rush into something else so soon."

"I'm not Fliss; we're just talking and getting to know each other. There isn't anything to worry about."

"Good, well have fun tonight, don't wait up for me." She winked playfully.

"Oh believe me I won't, and stay safe, have fun!" He waved as he turned the TV on and she made for the exit.

She could hear the hum of music coming from behind the closed door. The chatter of voices, lots of voices, as she took a deep breath feeling unusually nervous before knocking on the door. It flew open after a short while.

"Tommy, no! You are not ordering pizza! I have food." Oliver shouted as he stood there, not even glancing at her. He was wearing a black suit, and a crisp white dress shirt with the top few buttons open. She swallowed thickly at the way the material fit him perfectly, his muscles looking so big and bulging. "Sorry about that-" He stopped short when he looked at her. His eyes travelling the length of her body, she shifted slightly under his gaze. She wasn't sure whether the short sparkling gold dress was a good idea any more. Then his eyes met hers and she could swear she saw his Adams apple bobbing as he licked his licks.

"Well hello to you too, Oliver." She said her brain finally catching up with her.

"I..." He ran a hand at the back of his neck. "Sorry, come in." He gestured to the room as she stepped in, and he closed the door behind her. "You look... Beautiful." He said with a really soft smile.

"You don't look too bad yourself mister." She stood there staring at the mass of people in the room; the party was evidently in full swing.

"Well welcome to my… errr home." He gestured all around him. "Dig said he might pop in later, but yeh make yourself at home, circle the crowd, just have fun-"

"Ollie!" A brunette shouted, waving enthusiastically.

"Oh and if anyone catches your eye just talk to me, I'm sure I can help." He smiled then as he took a step to the mystery woman. "Oh and help yourself to food and drink." He waved in the direction of the kitchen.

"Ollie!"

"I'm coming Helena!" He snapped leaving her there. Felicity watched as he walked over to the brunette and gently shook the hand of some of the people she was with; all were dressed up in suits. In fact most of the room were in suits and dresses, so clearly Oliver's definition of casual was very different to hers. She made her way over to the kitchen, finding an unopened bottle of red and then went on the hunt for a corkscrew.

"Here." She glanced around to see a petite brunette in a bright blue dress, a smile on her lips bright and welcoming.

"Oh thank you." Felicity grinned back, taking it from her.

"So how do you know Ollie?" She asked, leaning against the counter beside her.

"I... I'm a friend." She answered honestly, fiddling with the corkscrew.

"A friend? Ollie doesn't really do female friends." She said tilting her head crossing her arms. Felicity looked up then taking in the young ladies appearance. She glanced around the room an array of different women all around.

"Well then what about the rest of the women in this room?" Thea's eyes shifted around, shaking her head.

"Ex's, or should I say conquests, business associates, friend's partners... No actual friends."

"And which category do you fall under?" Felicity couldn't help the question slipping from her lips. "I don't mean to be nosey, god I just I was wondering that's all and now I'm babbling, I'm such an idiot." The younger girl's laughter cut her off.

"No you aren't... I don't fall under any of those categories." With a pop the cork came out and she poured herself a glass.

"Oh..."

"I'm his sister."

"Oh! You're Thea!" Thea smiled nodding sticking out her hand, "Thea Queen, student and advertising consultant." Felicity frowned at her slightly tilting her head.

"For Demons Head publishing's?"

"Yes, how did you know that?"

"Oh my god you're THAT Thea, and you're Olivers sister too... Oh wow! I... Wow." Felicity stood there completely stunned as Thea frowned looking confused.

"I don't underst-"

"FELICITY!" Thea was cut off by the call of Tommy who was walking towards them.

"You're Felicity?" Thea asked her eyes wide as she looked her up and down, a wide grin spreading across her face. Now Felicity was the one frowning as Tommy stood before them.

"Firstly I'm sorry for the whole ditching you on our date."

"Tommy its fine, you clearly have someone out there who's more important." He gave her a half heartered smile.

"Well, not really, she's... It's complicated."

"It always is with you Merlyn." Thea added with a wink.

"Least I'm not dating a client."

"She isn't."

"I'm not!" They both said in unison, Thea glanced at Felicity. "How do you know?" She asked.

"Well, I... I'm..." She took a deep breath. "Well your client, he's my brother." Her mouth fell open as did Tommy's.

"Your brother is Roy? Roy Harper?" She nodded.

"Wait! Your new guy is Laurels ex!" Tommy added staring in disbelief.

"Wait what?" She said shaking her head.

"Yes Roy is my brother and he dated Laurel, they ended things recently..." Felicity added as both of them stared at her. "So I'm guessing neither of you knew about the other then? And guessing your lady is Laurel?" Both nodded in a still stunned silence. Felicity stood there sipping her drink feeling the atmosphere around her change.

"But he and Laurel are over right?" Thea asked first.

"Oh yes, they both want very different things from life right now and Roy wants to focus on his career..."

"Your brothers insane, he surely can see what life he could have had, how beautiful their kids could be, of a brilliant future he could have..."

"Sounds to me more like you want that." Thea stated giving him a look. Tommy's face fell for a second before the smile reappeared on his face.

"Well I'm not what she wants, and there are some lovely ladies like yourselves to entertain tonight, so... Later ladies." With that Tommy grabbed a beer off the side and headed back to the thick of the party, whilst Thea rolled her eyes at him.

"Sorry about him, he's had it bad for Laurel for years even before Ollie and she were a thing."

"I see... Maybe he needs to talk to her."

"Exactly what I said!" Thea spoke using her hands animatedly with a wide smile.

"So anyway you're Felicity?"

"Yes... I mean I don't know if Roy's mentioned me-"

"Oh Roy mentions his big sis all the time." She smiled even wider then. "But I know you from Ollie." She said pointing in his direction; Felicity looked over to find him chatting to a group of guys. He raised his beer smiling with a nod in their direction.

"Wait Olli- Oliver has spoken about me?"

"Yep, I don't think he realises how much he actually speaks about you." Felicity blushed then stealing another glance at Oliver to find him already staring at her.

"We're just friends Thea." She said trying to hide her feelings, choosing to take a sip of her drink.

"Oh please, if my friends looked at me like that I'm pretty sure I'd be climbing them like a tree." Felicity coughed slightly choking on her red wine.

"Oh my god, he doesn't look at me like anything." She spluttered out turning away from his gaze placing her glass down.

"Girl please, you two have been exchanging eye sex since he opened the door and saw you in that dress and him in that suit." Thea raised her eyebrow crossing her arms over her chest.

"Wow you're blunt." Thea smiled and shrugged lightly. "We are friends Thea but, well that doesn't mean I can't appreciate the fact your brother could be a male model or stripper with that body... I mean not that I like him just for his looks, he's a good guy and with how he's turned his life around how could I not like him? Wait I... I didn't mean to-"

"Felicity I like you." Thea said with a soft chuckle. "But you clearly have some kind of effect on him; I've never seen my brother like this." Felicity felt herself blush as she smiled at her softly.

"Well we're friends." Thea rolled her eyes as the two started to talk some more changing the topic.

It was several hours later, the party was dying off and the remaining handful were helping Oliver to tidy up. Tommy was passed out on one of the sofas, Felicity and Thea both a little drunk themselves managed to round up all the bottles as Oliver and Helena had given up instead playing on some game on his xbox.

"It was really nice getting to know you Felicity." Thea said softly as she headed to the spare room. "You should totally stay here!" She said grabbing her by the hand.

"I'm sure Ollie won't mind, it is his apartment and I'm crashing here anyway. You don't mind do you?" She shouted in Oliver's direction but his eyes were glued onto the screen.

"Nope." He replied absentmindedly.

"Thank you but I'm going to take you to bed, and sort Tommy then I'll go." She smiled softly.

"Felicity! Come on, I might be dating your brother soon." Felicity smiled helping Thea into bed, as soon as she lay down, she fell asleep. Felicity shook her head gently pulling off Theas heels before wrapping the sheets around her. She gently closed the door behind her heading to the kitchen. She got a glass of water, ignoring the way Helena was leaning into Oliver's side and headed back to Thea's room. Thea was snoring slightly looking so young and peaceful as she stepped back out into the living room. She made her way to Tommy pulling him onto his side, checking he was still okay.

"So the bottles are collected up, Thea's in bed and Tommy well he's passed out, I'll just put some water and painkillers beside him for when he wakes up."

"Sure." Oliver replied still not looking away from the screen.

"Well after that I should really get going I mean it's nearly 3am." She walked over to the kitchen once again.

"Suck it Queen!" Helena shouted, Oliver shook his head in disbelief throwing the controller onto the sofa beside him.

"You are sensational." She heard him tell her, and then Felicity looked round to see him staring at her.

"Wait did you say it's nearly 3?" Helena asked as Felicity walked back to Tommy.

"Yep." She said placing the stuff down on the coffee table beside him.

"Crap I gotta go." She jumped up leaning down, kissing Oliver on the cheek.

"Amazing party as always Queen, hopefully see you again soon." She winked then as she rushed to the door. Felicity couldn't help but cringe at the cocky smile on Oliver's face. She walked around dropping onto the sofa beside him.

"Thank you." He said softly turning the TV off before turning to look at her with a dopey smile. "For staying, cleaning, and taking care of my sister, and Tommy." He reached over taking her hand in his and squeezing softly. "But I have to go to bed."

"Is that an invitation?" Felicity replied instantly, the alcohol in her system giving her courage.

"What?" He said tilting his head, releasing her hand.

"I know that was cheesy, I'm not good at things like this." Oliver frowned and before Felicity even had time to process anything she was straddling his lap her lips crashing into his. She kissed him hard and it took her a moment to realise he wasn't responding. She pulled back a little breathless and stared at him where he was frozen in place. She leant forward to kiss him again, when he pulled away. His hands that had landed on her hips pulled her off of him, and placed her back on the sofa.

"What the hell?" He asked turning towards her.

"I... I... Thought you liked me?" He stared at her in shock.

"I do Felicity, but throwing yourself at me? You're drunk you'll regret this in the morning."

"I won't." She replied sitting straighter.

"Felicity, I told you I'm not a commitment kind of guy."

"But I thought I was different, that we could build a relationship together." She looked down at her hands.

"Why would you think that exactly?"

"Because there were you know - signs."

"Really? Like what?" He asked turning more fully to look at her. She hesitated slightly his frown hitting her straight in the heart.

"You... You looked after me when no-one else could, you... you spent the night in my bed, you told me about your past, you helped me..." She could see him shaking his head trying to steady his breathing with each word. "I felt something." She whispered and suddenly he was up on his feet.

"What have I been saying since we met? If a guy wants to date you he will make it happen! Have I asked you out?"

"No." She glances up at him then. "But then Ray conveniently didn't show the other night." He stared at her in utter disbelief yet again and it's starting to get to her.

"He couldn't make it; I didn't want to leave you alone in a bar!" His voice rose and Tommy shuffled a little in his sleep. "I told you I wasn't a commitment kind of guy, I told you what I'm like, I don't want you to be just another shag, another notch of my bed post. I wanted to be your friend." He sighed heavily running a hand down his face. "Why do women do this? Why do they take every little thing a guy does and twist it in their minds."

He threw his hands up in frustration before he stomped off to his fridge grabbing a beer out of it. Felicity is sat there frozen in place, her mind going crazy. She'd imagined it all, they were all wrong. She could feel the embarrassment and tears rising, she took a shaky breath as she watched him take a gulp of his beer. Then her mind finally started to work, started to catch up.

"I'd rather be like that than be like you." She said not even looking at him. Oliver's eyes went wide as he stepped closer.

"Excuse me?" Suddenly Felicity was up on her feet, the anger and hurt slipping out.

"Maybe I do dissect each little thing, and put myself out there too much, and maybe I even thrive on the drama of it all… but at least that means I still care. You think you've got it all figured out because women are... expendable to you? Sure, you don't get hurt or make an ass of yourself that way, but you don't fall in love that way, either. You don't have it figured out Oliver. You're alone."

She walked passed him heading for the door as he stood there mouth agape completely speechless. He took a step closer, his hand shot out towards her, because the tears are starting to run down her cheeks and it's killing him that he caused this. She shook her head taking a step back, grabbing her clutch and his outstretched arm dropped to his side.

"I might do a lot of crazy... Shit. But I know I'm a lot closer to finding someone than you are."

The tears were falling freely now, her voice cracking as she slammed the door behind her. Oliver stood there his head dropping to his chest as he took a shaking breath; the look on her face was going to haunt him. That's when he realised he deserved it, he'd hurt her after everything, he'd hurt her even if it was unintentional and his heart ached like it never had before.