Chapter 2: Arrangements

Felicity didnt exactly know what to say to this man. It was foreign to her to walk around with a man who she didnt know, nor talked to her. She had tried to ask him if he needed anything, but he stayed stone-faced and Felicity retreated into not talking. Now that was a foreign feeling. Felicity turned around, and began to walk backwards down the street to the carpark, where Oliver said a car will be waiting . Oliver seemed to be paying attention to where Felicity was stepping so she wasnt too fussed about tripping.

So, do you work out? I mean, you obviously do, you re a bodyguard, but like how often and do I have to be around if you do? Cause I really wouldnt mind if I had...to...be. Felicity began to fumble over her words as he side-glanced her. The side of his lip picked up slightly, smirking at Felicity as she was digging herself into a hole that she wished she could bury herself in. I tend to over-talk when I have no idea what I m supposed to say to someone. She explained, and Oliver simply nodded his head, smirking, knowing already how talkative Felicity was.

Felicity stumbled back a bit, and began to fall backwards towards the pavement. Oliver was quick though, catching her, a hand sliding up her waist, and the other behind her back, cradling her neck. Felicity was in shock for the moment, but finally looked at Oliver, who was showing concern all over his face, investigating her for injuries. Felicity was just stunned, looking at his eyes as they wandered; they were a brilliant blue that made Felicity sigh in a state of wonder.

If there were cameras around, I think that should have been classified as a romantic moment , don t you Oliver? The pair were shocked when a man started talking nearby. A tall, dark man stood beside a black car with a smirk pinned to his lips. Oliver must have known who this was, because this person referred to him by name; plus the fact that Oliver sighed and rolled his eyes at the man. Oliver stepped back quickly, and brought Felicity up to his chest. Felicity stumbled around in her heels for a second before fixing up her hair and making sure her glasses were on her face properly.

Excuse me, who are you? Felicity asked, tugging on the bottom of her shirt and straightening out her skirt.

I m your driver, John Diggle. But just call me Diggle. He said, extending a hand to Felicity. She shook it lightly, accompanied it with a smile. He smiled back, and Felicity felt so much more relaxed around him, not as nervous as she was when she was around Oliver. The only reason Oliver made Felicity nervous was because he didn t talk, and she didn t know how to get to know people if they never talk. Was she making a fool of herself? Most likely, but it was easier to tell when the person showed they were witnessing it. He was so cold sometimes, but god was it hot.

I have to have a driver as well? She smiled, turned to Oliver who smiled at her as she fluttered her eyes in mocking awe. He chuckled lightly, which was the first time she had ever heard him do it, or seem relatively happy; she liked seeing him happy. Oliver went to the car door and opened it up for Felicity.

I m like a stand in if Mr Queen can t make it one day. John said as they were all getting into the car. Felicity hadn t been in a car like this one before; it had three seats facing another three seats and a partition between the driver and the passengers in the backseat. It was very spacious, Felicity quite enjoyed it as she sat on the side facing the driver, and Oliver sat on the other, facing the back windshield. Oliver had unbuttoned his blazer jacket, and had spread himself casually along the seat. It was unusual to see him so relaxed. How could he go from a strict and cold bodyguard to a suave and relaxed guy just by sitting down? Felicity was going to have a hard time staying focused with him around.

So I technically have two bodyguards. Great. Felicity smirked, and relaxed into her seat, reluctant to get more people to follow her around, but had finally accepted this thing.

Why are we even protecting you, if I might ask? Aren t you just a computer programmer or something? Diggle asked, starting the car, and looking back at her as he backed up the car. Felicity shrugged and began playing with her nails.

Yes, but I can be classified as a genius in my field. I fired someone from my department and they blew up half my building because of it. She remarked, her mood shifting to annoyance;
just the thought of being responsible in some way was annoying, that wasn t who Felicity was. She didn t want to be blamed for this when all she wanted to do was protect her company and the people inside of it.

And you re angry because we re protecting you? Diggle asked, sensing her tone, and huffed slightly, picking herself up from her seat. Oliver was watching her, just a constant look of analysis and wonder at her. She didn t know if it was wonder like I wonder how this person operates or I am in wonder of this person . They really could have been the same thing with his face. It was a hard face to read. He could be good at poker. Or possibly very bad.

I feel like I can take care of myself, why should I rely on you two. She said, trying not to sound mean, but there was no way around it; she was going to offend them. The boys didn t react at first, they merely exchanged a look in the rear-view mirror than seemed to agree with what she had to say. Diggle, you seem to talk more than Queen over here. Any reason for it? Felicity asked as the trip to her house had become a conversation between her and Diggle, but Oliver never said a word, not even to put in anything.

He s staying focused. He s like that. Diggle dismissed, and Felicity chuckled to herself.

Right. I have one bodyguard that is my driver and the other that doesn t talk to a talkative tech genius. I m in paradise. Felicity joked and Diggle stifled a small laugh.

Miss Smoak, I do talk, I just don t talk often. Oliver finally said, his voice rich to Felicity s ears. It was odd that Felicity could miss a voice; Oliver s voice was rough and deep, with a strong confidence that Felicity enjoyed hearing.

I m Felicity. Please don t call me Miss Smoak. I hate it, Mr Queen. Felicity smiled, and Oliver huffed, an obvious smile finally appearing fully on his lips.

Well then Felicity, if I can call you by your first name, you can call me by mine. He suggested, his foot nudging hers in the back seat.

Thank you Oliver. Felicity bit the end of her nail and avoided looking at her. She felt like she was 15 all over again and had a pathetic crush on the school jock. She really wanted this infatuation to go away as quickly as possible.

Diggle had managed to find Felicity s house relatively easily, and Felicity stepped out, rummaging for her keys as she walked up the steps to her house. She turned around to see Oliver and Diggle getting bags from the trunk of the car. At first it didn t make any sense, why did Oliver have bags...unless he was going to be staying with her. Oliver, whom Felicity had just met was going to be living with her, watching her every minute until this guy was caught. Felicity shook it off; it was for her own protection, they wouldn t put her through this unless it was completely necessary.

Diggle waved them both off, getting back in the car and driving off down her street. Felicity unlocked the door, but stopped mid-open, and turned to Oliver. Please, don t mind the mess. It s worse in more rooms than others. She warned, and Oliver shrugged at the idea of a messy room or two.

They walked inside and she thanked herself for having a moment of procrastination the day after the explosion and had the house clean every since. Oliver was about to put his bags down, but he straightened up and looked over at Felicity.

Do I have to sleep on the couch, or is there another room? He asked respectfully, making Felicity think for a moment.

Uh, She started, taking off her heels, tossing her blazer and bags on the kitchen counter. She turned to Oliver, who gained a significant amount of height once Felicity removed her heels. Right. Uh. The spare room has a heap of boxes in it at the moment, but I have another small mattress in my room. We ll set it up later. She said taking him to her room, which was a strange thing for Felicity to do, but she shook it off. Oliver followed her, looking at everything as he passed by each new section of her house.

I know I m your bodyguard, but I don t think I have to be with you all the time. I ve done this quite a lot. He joked, and Felicity could only feel her face flush as she tried to fake a laugh.

Felicity hated sitting around in her work clothes, so after they had set up Oliver s bed, she changed straight into a tank top and a pair of long flannel pants. She threw her hair up into a messy bun and walked to her kitchen. Oliver hadn t relaxed much, other than taking off his blazer and rolling up his sleeves. He had microwaved himself and Felicity a frozen meal and hers was resting on the kitchen counter, waiting for her. Oliver had seated himself at the dining room table, but Felicity took her plate of food to the lounge, tucking her feet up on the couch and started to eat her meal whilst watching TV.

Oliver seemed to be strict with himself, making sure he was polite when needed, but Felicity wouldn t have minded if he acted how he wanted; she wanted him to just relax and not care, he was going to be there for a while by the sounds of things. Felicity turned to him and gestured for him to sit next to her, and as her fluttering eyelashes began, he rolled his eyes and took the seat beside her, his food resting on one of his knees.

Felicity s phone started to ring, and she groaned with her mouth full of food. She answered and heard a sweet voice on the other end.

Uh, hello, is this Felicity Smoak? They asked, and Felicity readjusted her phone to her ear.

Yes, who is this? Felicity asked, a mouth still full of food. She swallowed and waited for a moment for the person to reply.

It s Caitlin Snow, we met- Felicity interrupted Caitlin quickly, laughing at the thought of not remembering who Caitlin was.

Last week, yes, I remember. How have you been? Felicity asked, eyeing off the food on her plate; she was starving.

Good. I was just wondering, I have the day off tomorrow, did you want to catch up for a coffee? Caitlin asked cautiously, but there was no contemplation really necessary.

I have to check in at my office in the morning, but sure, I ll meet you there. And there was a favourite coffee-spot for most of the people in their building. Caitlin sounded relieved on the other end of the phone call, which made Felicity happy.

Cool. See you tomorrow, Felicity. Caitlin said quickly, hanging up and Felicity smiled down at her phone. She turned to Oliver who had made himself comfortable, one leg tucked underneath his other, which was propped up on the coffee table.

He smiled over at her, finishing off his food, nice and relaxed.

Felicity got into bed quite early, just sitting up and reading more of her book. She had managed to talk to Oliver, who had become less stoick as the hours led on. He chatted more of what he does, which was protecting people of importance and has a very strict reign of how he does things to keep his clients safe. He expressed great concern for Felicity though, because she managed tripped over a rock when was she s being threatened by a bomber.

Oliver laughed at that, which surprised Felicity; he seemed like he was an unmovable force, but he was complicated and Felicity was only seeing glimpses of who he actually was.

You know, you re very odd, Oliver. Felicity said watching Oliver move into the room. He had changed out of his suit into a pair of boxers and a white t-shirt, which he seemed irritated by as he tugged on the collar; He most likely didn t wear a shirt to bed, he was doing it to be decent.

How do you figure? He asked, stepping into his make-shift bed on the floor. Felicity put her book down, took off her glasses and rolled on her side to face Oliver.

You seem like this tough guy who can t be broken, but then I see you smiling, and you seem to enjoy yourself more than you let on. She said, and Oliver sighed like she had discovered a dark mystery of who Oliver was.

Here s a secret. He said turning towards her. I m paid to do my job, and my job is to be the tough guy that can t be broken. He said, simply relaying her words back to her, but they were sharp with a sort of seriousness. I don t usually get jobs like this. I mostly have day things; I m never on 24 hour watch. So, I guess when I have the suit on, I m your security, but after that, I m just Ollie. He smiled at her, and Felicity giggled to herself. She bit her lip and perked up a bit in her bed, rising on her elbows in faked excitement.

Oh, my god, can I call you Ollie? She asked playfully. Oliver groaned, letting his head hit the pillow beneath him.

I have a feeling I m going to regret telling you that. He smiled, side glancing Felicity. She nodded and could take the smile off her face.

Oh yes you are, Ollie. She squealed lightly. She had gotten him to open up; not a lot, but he was joking around with her and was trying get her to understand him a little better. At least they were getting somewhere.