Getting closer to the present day so just stick with me a little longer.

Disclaimer: I own nothing of Arrow or it's characters don't I wish.

Chapter 12: Things change

3 months ago…

"You're what? How can you be in love with him you barely know him." Rose's voice was like ice as her voice resonated in my head. She was right I did barely know him but in the past three months it seemed like I did. One month ago I "found" out he was the Hood. One month ago he gave me the three conditions for us continuing in a relationship, but tonight he told me he loved me and then broke my heart.

24 hrs earlier…

"Oliver if you don't stop doing that our relationship is going to move much faster than you and I would both prefer." I could feel his smile against my neck as he once again used his tongue and his lips to form a seal over my pulse point. My head fell back allowing him even greater access to my thoroughly kissed and sucked neck. "Oliver…," I moaned again louder than even five minutes before than I felt his hands…

For the past almost month I just couldn't get enough of him. Every morning we'd have our "coffee date". Since we were in public he kept the pda to purely innocent gestures. His hand would graze mine, or he'd take a finger and brush a stray strand of hair out of my eyes. He was very careful not to attract any kind of attention. Once we left however the touches would change, as with our first date his hand always sought out mine. Our fingers would entwine and we'd walk hand in hand to QC. Once we'd entered the elevator that's when his free hand would grab my waist pulling me towards his chest, then his lips were on mine. His fingers would start to knead the skin of my waist as his mouth completely consumed mine. The kisses always started off sweet and gentle and they never really became rough but once his tongue started dueling with mine I ached for more. I ached for the hand that was still interlocked to be traveling up my back and towards my neck to bring our bodies even closer together. Once the door pinged we'd separate my lips flushed and bright red from his attentions, his usually bore the color of whatever lipstick I was wearing that day. I loved every second of it. He'd walk me to my office door and did the same thing every time. "I enjoyed our date. I'll text you later on today for our evening plans." I leaned forward and kissed the corner of his mouth smiling like an idiot a fact I'm sure my voice conveyed "Alright… so what plans do we have tonight? Fun plans or business plans?" Smiling and slightly rubbing his thumb back and forth over one spot on my waist "Both." My eyes widened and my smile doubled in size. "Really?" His voice was laced with humor and adoration. "Yes really, I'll text you this afternoon." With that he kissed my forehead as he now always did before we parted and walked for the elevator.

My day was busy and not like crazy I'm about to pull my hair out kind of busy but busy as in I felt that my day was flying by instead of standing still. I was working on something for Mr. Steele when my phone vibrated glancing down I frowned. I had hoped it was Oliver instead it was Rose. Over the past month Rose's presence in my life had about doubled. Instead of just seeing me once a week she had upped the frequency to twice and now texted me almost everyday. Todays text was short, sweet, and to the point.

"I do hope you haven't forgotten your true purpose in getting closer to Oliver Queen. The information you've given us won't cut it. Get more Intel or my presence is going to triple." RD

I scowled, but she was right I had been spending almost every night in the lair and the only information I had given her was he's expanding his targets. His latest target was the Count who we have now learned is responsible for the drug Vertigo. This of course has Oliver's attention since Thea almost died while under its influence. I had been spending the past three days going over every police report in every database looking for other cases or any connection to his identity. That along with the current theory about his mother had Oliver slightly tweaked. Needless to say I hadn't been giving Rose any of this information and that was beginning to really show.

Returning her text I was careful not to her alert her to the fact that I was deliberately withholding her precious information.

"I know Rose, I'm working on it. Need I remind you I have real feelings for this man so pumping him for information in order to betray him isn't as easy as flossing my teeth." FS

Her response as always made my eyes roll and my head hurt. "Enough with your excuses get it done or someone will be sent in who can." RD

That didn't need a response so I placed the phone on my desk and continued to type away. One hour later however it chimed again this time my face was beaming.

"Hey baby, how about after you do your research for me on both Vertigo and my mother we go on a date."

I was responding before I could even form a coherent thought. "A date like a date, date? With me in a nice dress, in a nice restaurant, with wine and candles, and witnesses?"

"Yes an actual date with you in whatever makes you feel beautiful, in a nice restaurant with wine and candles, and yes with actual witnesses."

"Are you sure? I mean a month ago you told me that you're life was complicated to say the least so this just seems like a huge change in thinking. Not that I mind by the way."

"Let's put it this way I've decided that I would like to try "us" in a place other than the foundry. So Felicity would you like to go to dinner with me?"

"Yes."

"Good we have reservations at 8, so come to the foundry after work and we can leave from there."

"Great I'll see you there. Oh and Oliver I'm glad this is happening."

"Me too. Xoxo"

"xoxo"

I left the office at 4 and went straight home to grab my favorite red dress that would be perfect for tonight and my favorite earrings. I was to the foundry by 5 on the dot. Walking down the stairs I half expected Oliver to be there working out or sparing with Digg as they usually were. However Digg was the only one there when I arrived. "Hey Felicity, he'll be right back he's doing an early patrol before you're dinner tonight. I just nodded and proceeded down the stairs to my babies. Sitting down and getting comfortable I started my searches for the evening.

"He's really looking forward to tonight." We'd been sitting in silence for the past 20 minutes when he spoke his voice startling me away from my thoughts. I swiveled the chair towards his direction at the left desk curiosity written across my face. "Is he now and why may I ask are you giving this privileged information out?" His face remained impassive for a minute until his face cracked into a small smile.

"Oliver's been through a lot in the past 5 years. Granted both you and I know about .5% of that information he seems to trust us to know even that." Nodding I urged him to continue suddenly feeling like this man before me might be giving me the key to unlocking part of Oliver's heart, the part that might have real feelings for me.

"He's had one sort of girlfriend since he's returned. Helena was a disaster waiting to happen. His own lost soul saw himself in her damage and her grief." He stopped when he saw my face shift from curious to sad and a little disappointed. "Before you go thinking something that's not true his hesitance with you as nothing to do with how he feels towards you. Helena was easy, he was lonely and so was she. Their connection wasn't built on something that could last. The one he's building with you is." I once again nodded with more clarity than I had had even 5 minutes prior.

"I know he also mentioned his relationship with Laurel. Not that I will ever tell him this but that relationship was toxic then and it is still toxic now. He loved her of course but the man that loved her is very different than the man he became." Tilting my head and slightly chewing my bottom lip I opened my mouth to ask why, why was he telling me this and why now. "Why are you telling me all this Digg, why a month into my becoming part of this team are you giving me all this insight?"

His smile was soft and gentle as was his overall nature. In the short month that we'd been working together this man had quickly become the big brother I never had. I was beginning to sense that the feeling was mutual. "He's different with you. He actually smiles with you; he talks about his past, Tommy, and Thea with you. Also he chose to be honest with you about everything. He hasn't done that with anyone since his return even me."

My smile grew slightly but my questioning nature pressed on. "He tells you everything, so much more than he tells me." I was looking down and ringing my hands as I uttered those words. "Yes he does, but he tells you what's in his heart, the real one that isn't damaged by five years of hell. Whether he knows it or not he's falling in love with you and I for one am glad to see it." My head snapped up towards his face with the falling in love. My gaze was attached to his seeking out more meaning than that sentence could provide.

Sensing my need for clarification he went on. "Yes Felicity I already knew that you were falling but I didn't think he was. I wasn't completely sure until today when he asked you out on this date. He feels something for you and for once he seems to want to follow it through to the end." Before I could respond we heard the upper door click and then open followed by Oliver's steps as he headed down the stairs. I smiled and so did he as he walked towards me lightly touching his gloved hand to my cheek while pressing his lips to mine in greeting. "Hi" "Hi back" We were both still smiling like idiots when Digg cleared his throat to remind us that he was indeed still in the room. We both blushed and parted. Digg once more spoke "So quiet night for me while you two are out on the town?" Oliver was putting his gear away when he turned around to respond. "Yeah not much was going on hopefully it stays that way at least for a few hours."

I felt his hands lightly grasp my shoulders as he came up from behind to look at the screens in front of me. "Any new information or leads on either Vertigo or my mother?" I stated not yet before resting one of my hands atop his. "Nope… so since its quiet and I have no other work for this evening I'm going to get ready… if that's alright with you." Releasing me so I could stand he moved out of my way a silent way of saying yes. I headed off to the small washroom to prepare for my first public date with Oliver Queen. I had no real resources so I had to make do with what I had. I released my hair from its ponytail confines and shook it. Once my hair was showing a bit more volume I removed my work clothes so I was now standing there in just my underwear. I applied a light amount of make-up just to make my now contact wearing eyes. Then I slipped on the red dress that had a perfect v-neck design, it came down enough to attract attention but not enough to sell the cow. The straps came up and around my neck leaving my back mostly bare. It was bright ruby red and came down to just above my knees. Paired with my crystal earrings and my crème colored pumps I was set. Finally I applied the red lipstick that matched perfectly with my dress and proceeded out the door.

His face was perfect; his expression made me shudder but his eyes they made my entire body flare up with desire. I could hear the dryness of his throat as he spoke, I could see his eyes running up and down my body filling with desire as they traveled up and down slowly. "You're breathtaking." I could have imploded right there from how much I wanted this man. Thankfully I was able to keep my body from igniting and replied with an equally dry throat "Thank you, you look beautiful… I mean handsome right handsome you are a boy… man after all." I blushed because yet again my mouth had ruined my one chance to sound sexy. He was wearing a charcoal grey suit, with a crisp white shirt and a matching tie. I didn't know which turned me on more the leathers or the suits. He snickered indicating that last thought was vocalized. I blushed once again and this time it traveled across my entire body. "You turn me on as well just so you know." He was walking towards me his eyes darkening with each step he took. Clasping our hands together he lightly kissed the corner of my mouth and then my forehead his favorite spot. "Are you ready to go?" I simply nodded as he led me to his waiting ride complete with driver.

We walked in hand in hand and I had expected all eyes to be on us. Thankfully I was wrong. The restaurant was perfect. The waiters all were wearing black pants with white shirts and black ties. The tablecloths were white with red candles in the center of each. The restaurant itself was filled with room for about 20 tables and each one except for ours was filled. Our table was in the back with a window that had us seeing the street as various people milled past. The ceiling was black with white twinkle lights hung across it creating the night sky. It was perfect and in that moment so were we.

Our left hands were entangled together as the waiter came by to take our order. Water for me and scotch for him. We were both nervous and it showed "Why are we so nervous I mean we've sort of done this before." His nod and amused filled eyes let me know he agreed. "Maybe because we both know that tonight might be the start of something new, something better than we've each had before." I smiled "Oliver…" "Wait before this goes any further I have to tell you something and it's something I should have told you sooner but I was scared. I haven't felt this way about someone since before the island and even then it was nothing like what I'm feeling now. I spent five years fighting for my life, doing whatever I had to do to survive. I've made mistakes and with them I made enemies…" He paused taking a breath so I just lightly squeezed his hand and waited. "Sorry I'm slightly out of my element. I came back to Starling with one goal to save my city. I had every intention of doing it alone, but then Digg and now you entered my life and showed me that I didn't have too. I walked into your office with minimal expectations to get the information I needed and then leave. You changed everything with a babble and a head nod. I spent years seeing people as targets to the point that I could see nothing else. But then there you were a living breathing person, who smiled and babbled and softened my heart. You were the first person I could see as an actual person." He paused once more and smiled slightly with an unknown emotion in his voice "There was just something about you in that moment that changed everything for me."

I was on the verge of tears, Digg was right he did feel something for me, looking deep into his eyes I knew what that emotion was…love. Oliver Queen was in love with me and that's when the explosion happened…

I woke up with a start and my first thought was Oliver… "OLIVER!" His hand was around my hand within seconds. He rubbed over my wounded head gently softly whispering that he was here and I was safe. It took him 10 minutes to convince me as I slowly laid back down with his hand firmly pressed in mine. My head was slightly cut up as was my right arm but otherwise no real damage had been done. Oliver had given me a pair of his sweatpants and a tee shirt to change into. The pants were far too large for my small frame so I rolled the waist over several times until they no longer slipped when I walked. The shirt well it was far too large but it smelled like Oliver so it was perfect. I walked back out into the main part of the foundry to find Oliver sitting in his as I dubbed it his thinking chair with no Diggle in sight. Coming up and attempting to kiss his cheek I asked "Digg go home?" I didn't comment when he turned his face away from my advance.

"Yeah he left about 10 minutes ago; he wanted to check on Carly before heading home." Instead of attempting to initiate any more physical contact I went towards my chair and sat down waiting for my happiness to be broken. 10 minutes became 20 and that soon became 30. I had enough so standing up and bring my arms around his seated form I pressed my chest to his solid back and with my chin resting on his shoulder I broke our little cold war. "Oliver it wasn't your fault and by the by I've had far worse first dates I swear." His body slumped forward until his head was resting in his hands. Letting out an exasperated sigh he finally spoke. "It is my fault they followed me because I was out being Oliver Queen, they almost killed you because of Oliver Queen how long will it be until they come after you because of the Hood. How long will it be until I lose you?" I attempted to tighten my grasp but failed when he walked away creating multiple distances between us. "Oliver what are you saying and don't talk around it just say what you're thinking and break my heart. I'd rather it be done quickly than slowly." His expression told me I had hit the nail on the head. He turned towards me and walked until no more than 3 inches separated us. Our breaths were intermingling and my heart began to race.

"You have no idea what that felt like, seeing you knocked out and bleeding on the ground because of me. I had just told you how I felt about you and then just like that we were attacked." His anger was rising and he was now even closer so that I could feel his breath against my skin as it came out in rattled gasps. "You were hurt because of me and I won't let that happen again." My own anger had been slowly rising until I exploded. "SO… SO WHAT I COULD HAVE BEEN HURT ANYTIME OVER THE LAST THREE MONTHS AND IT DIDN'T BOTHER YOU UNTIL JUST NOW. IF YOU DON'T WANT TO BE WITH ME THAN JUST SAY IT BUT DON'T DANGLE MAYBES OR SOMEDAYS…" His mouth had latched onto mine before I could finish my angry rant. I felt his hands come up to release my hair from its bun as his tongue plunged into my mouth forcing me to deepen his already fueled filled kiss. We went on like this for many minutes until we had to separate both gasping for air. My hands remained wrapped around his waist as his came down to rest aside my face. Looking into my eyes I found so many emotions swirling within them. I was lost in those damn beautiful blue eyes. His voice was raw and still the effect would be felt long after he had gone. "I love you don't you see that? You are very quickly becoming everything to me…if I had lost you I don't know what I would do." His forehead was resting against mine his lips so achingly close. "I won't risk you, I won't lose anyone else that I love and that will always include you." With that he lightly kissed my lips and walked away. I was right he had broken my heart and made it grow stronger all in the same phrase.

My anger, my desire, and my love for Oliver Queen had me marching into Rose's office at 10:30 in the evening. I was done, this was it, I'd known that I was in love with him, but now he had said the words and that meant all bets were off. Rose's face was impassive and annoyed. "You called for this meeting so what is it." Her tone clipped as ever. Not missing a beat or batting an eyelash I put my heart on the line and possibly ended my life. "I'm done, I'm in love with him and he said it back. So no more, assign someone else I can't do this anymore." With that I laid my file on her desk and sat. I was ready let her do her worst.