Oliver knew Dig was right. He needed to show Felicity how important she was to him, not only professionally but personally. His brain was telling him he did not want Felicity any more involved with is messy life than she already was and he was not good enough for her but his heart was telling him something much different. Once he finally admitted he thought of Felicity more than an EA, it was like the floodgates of feelings opened up. Suddenly, he thought about the times she made him smile, how he listened to her when she called him out on his BS, how just a touch or talking to her calmed him down no matter how amped up he was, how great she looked in those skirts, how long her legs were and how he could picture them around him in a very non-platonic way, how her lips with her colorful lipstick would feel when he kissed them, what sounds would she make when he tasted her, licked his way up and down her body, made her come apart under him. He was getting hard just thinking of this new vision of her. How could he be so blind to push back all the feelings about her? No wonder Wayne was able to come in and steal what was his and now that he realized, she was his and he would make sure Felicity was his in all ways possible. The visions now in his head about Felicity would haunt his dreams tonight but tomorrow he was going into battle mode. He knew Felicity much better than Wayne and he had no problems using all that knowledge to bring her back to him.

Felicity was surprised to see Oliver so early again. Normally he ran in at the last moment and just made his meeting but the last few days he has been on time and actually early. Huh? This will make things much easier for the new EA. Just because she did extra things for Oliver does not mean the new girl or guy should be expected to do so. Maybe this would be easier than she thought. She was in her blender head (as she thought of her mind) when she felt Oliver's presence.

"Good morning, Felicity. You look nice today. New dress?" Oliver sauntered over to her.

"Thank you. Yes, I bought it while I was in Gotham. I had one afternoon free so I decided to check out the shopping." Felicity was suspicious of his new behavior. He never mentioned her outfits before so why now?

Oliver nervously asked, "Felicity, there is a charity event on Saturday that I am required to attend. Would you go with me?"

She is taken back. Is there something going on that she missed? "Is this mission related? Or do you need me for QC?"

"No, I am asking you to be my plus one. I would like for us to be in a setting for pleasure, not just work, for a change." Oliver smiled at her look of confusion.

"I am sorry, Oliver but I already have plans. Bruce asked me to go to and I already accepted. Thank you for thinking of me." Felicity was blushing bright red.

"I always think of you, Felicity. I just don't tell you often enough." He told her gently.

With that statement, Oliver walked back into his office. Felicity was trying to understand what that conversation was about when the elevator opened. Felicity signed for the delivery and opened the big box she just received. A beautiful blue dress with matching shoes and clutch was inside along with a card.

I saw this dress and thought of you. You look beautiful in anything but I hope you will wear this Saturday. I am counting the hours until then.
Bruce.

She put the dress back in and stuck the box under her desk. The dress was absolutely gorgeous. She normally would not agree to keep such an expensive present and would need to speak with Bruce about this. She was looking forward to Saturday.

Oliver saw the delivery, dress, and Felicity's reaction through the glass wall. Dig was right that Wayne was going to do everything he could to get Felicity. It grated on him that Wayne managed to ask Felicity to the event first. Since when did Wayne concern himself with Starling charity events anyway. It was going to be torture to see Felicity with Wayne all night but Dig already warned him not to try the jealous or another woman routine with Felicity. Dig said this would only convince Felicity that she meant nothing to him. So he pulled out his phone and did a quick text to Thea.

OQ: Would you be my plus one Saturday night?

TQ: Why? Did Laurel have plans already?

OQ: I did not ask her. I asked Felicity but Wayne beat me to it. I don't want to take someone else but I hate to be there alone.

TQ: Do you mean you are finally getting your head out and going after Felicity?

OQ: Yes, Thea. I am not losing Felicity to Wayne. I am not going to have the team or QC lose her either. Happy?

TQ: Finally, Okay, you will need my help for Operation Olicity so yes, I will go with you.

OQ: Operation Olicity?

TQ: You really do need to catch up on the new culture, brother. I will explain it later. What is your next move?

OQ: I have a flower delivery that should be here any moment.

TQ: Good start but you will need to amp your game up more than just that, you know.

OQ: I am aware, Thea. Thank you.

TQ: :)

Thea was right. Wayne was pulling out the big guns and he needed to make sure he pulled out bigger ones. Putting on the fake smile, using the old Ollie charm and buying things like he used to was not going to work with Felicity. Maybe understanding that would give him an edge that Wayne did not have. Wayne did send a dress to Felicity. Felicity would use her loud voice and reject that gesture.

Bruce sent the dress to Felicity but he knew she would not want to be treated like the other women he dated. They loved gifts and the more expensive the better. Felicity would be offended with expensive gifts. That is why he was going to text Felicity to gauge her reaction to the dress.

BW: I hope you liked the gift.

FS: It is beautiful but I am able to buy my own dress.

BW: I know but I hope you will indulge me this one time. The dress seemed so Felicity to me.

FS: Thank you. I will agree this one time and the dress is stunning.

BW: Not as stunning as the woman who will be wearing it. See you Saturday.

FS: See you then.

Bruce was very happy that he understood Felicity's need to be independent and not be treated like the other woman he dated. He was also glad he texted so he could make sure she was okay and see what he should or should not do in the future. He saw very plainly that "one time" so he would make sure he did not step over that line and scare Felicity away. Bruce had to admit that besting Queen was a nice perk to this situation. The main focus was Felicity but if he could take something as precious as Felicity from Queen, why should he not enjoy that bonus as well?

Oliver saw Felicity with her phone texting someone. He would bet Wayne was texting her to brag about that dress he sent her. He knew Felicity was too independent to accept that playboy ruse. Wayne would help him by not understanding how different Felicity was and treating her like other women he dated. This would upset Felicity and show her what Wayne was really like. He watched as the delivery man arrived again. The colorful arrangement in a vase shaped like a panda arrived. He saw Felicity open the card and smile. She came into the office and thanked him for the flowers. She asked him how he knew she loved those and pandas.

"You wear panda flats, Felicity. I am not a genius like you but I can see that much," he told her amused.

"That was so sweet and yes, I would love to go to lunch with you. You did not have to send flowers to have me do lunch. Should we invite Dig with us?" The three team members often had lunch together.

"No, I would like to have lunch with just us. Is 12:30 okay? The afternoon is light so we could just go directly to the foundry after." He wanted to get her alone to talk.

"We have some interviews this afternoon." Picking up the calendar showing him the names of the prospective candidates.

Oliver had no intention of letting her get back to that. "Felicity, I asked HR to do a screen and let us know. That is not something you need to have on your plate."

"Okay, I will be ready at 12:30," Lyla told her to give Oliver a chance so why not.

Oliver smiled to himself as she left the office. He had to take it slow but make Felicity understand how much he wanted her and not Laurel. He was going to show Wayne that he could not just walk in and take Felicity away.

Felicity was surprised when Oliver picked a quiet bistro for lunch instead of Big Belly Burger. She had to admit that the flowers and vase were a pleasant surprise for her. She loved pandas and it made her heart swell to know Oliver noticed the shoes. Oliver was surprising her lately. Oliver insisted they avoid talking about QC and the lair. He started telling her about Thea.

"The first time I saw Thea I fell in love with her and vowed I would protect her always. She ran around after me and that is how she got the nickname Speedy." He laughed at the memory.

Felicity reached over and took his hand. "She is lucky to have you. My mom and I did not get along very well when I was growing up. She worked a lot and I was very different from her."

"I am sure she was very proud of you." He told her sincerely.

"She was and she worked so hard to keep a roof over our heads after my father left. I did not appreciate how much she did back then."

The lunch was fun and easy.

******************************8

Dig was with Lyla so when they got to the lair so it was just her and Oliver. Oliver immediately got changed and started doing the salmon ladder. Felicity could not help but look at him on the ladder. Hello, abs. She kept an eye on the alerts but with not much going on she had a front row seat to Oliver and his workout. Her mind started going places she should avoid. She noticed the sweat going down his stomach and her mind betrayed her by thinking of her licking that off him. She thought of his strong arms holding her against a wall as he pushed into her. How his lips would feel on her lips. Wait, what was she doing? This is exactly why she was moving on. Those thoughts were not going to become reality and she had to stop herself from that idea. She turned her head back to the computers and forced herself not to look at Oliver. Her mind needed something else to focus on. Okay, thinking of kangaroos who scared her to no end should force her traitorous mind off Oliver. That was better. She grimaced as she thought of being forced to a zoo where only kangaroos lived.

Oliver knew Felicity watched him do his workouts. He may have been blind to his feelings but he noticed her watching him especially on the ladder. So the first thing he did was remove his shirt and start on the ladder. He saw her watching him and could see the desire across her face. He would love to be inside her head right now to see where her thoughts were taking her. Was she picturing him laying on top of her kissing her and licking all her favorite spots? Was she imagining him sucking on her neck or her ear? Okay, now Oliver was getting hard imagining what she is thinking about. Then Felicity turned her head, shook it and soon she was ignoring him instead. Oh, no. That won't do. He needed her to know how he felt and he had the perfect opportunity. He walked up to Felicity and bent down so his body was touching hers. He touched her shoulder but more intimately than he normally does. He felt her jump from surprise and then shudder. He started to rub her neck while staying in the same place.

"Anything going on?" he huskily whispered.

"ummm..what….no, nothing right now but I am sure the criminals are not taking a holiday so something should be coming soon. I mean, I should get some physical activity...activity soon. Kangaroos are scary….."

"Are they?" he whispers in her ear. "I never knew that." he kissed her ear and licked lightly.

Oliver admitted to himself that he planned on leaving his alpha scent on her. He can feel Felicity and see the blush going from her face. He would love to see how far that blush went and what else he could do to bring it on.

"What are you doing, Oliver?" Felicity moaned.

"Acting on some things that I have been thinking about for months but refused to let myself do. Am I bothering you?" He brushed his lips against her hair.

"Yes, no, what do you mean by bothering me? Do you mean inconvenience because making me your executive assistant did that? Or maybe you mean standing in my workspace making me feel excited...I mean, 3..2..1"

Oliver moved near her ear and she can feel his breath glossing over her ear. "You bother me, Felicity. You excite me. Can't you tell?"

"I, umm, bother you?" Felicity's mind is not working when he is so close to her.

Oliver turned her around so he was standing between her legs.

Bending down, his lips brush against hers. Shocked at the action, Felicity did not react. He nipped at her bottom lip and deepened the kiss. When a soft moan escaped her and her arms wrapped around his neck, he reached down and pulled her up. Her legs wrapped around him and they continued the kiss. Moving her over to the table and stepping between her legs, he continued to kiss and nibble down her neck and sucked on her industrial earring. Running her hands down over the abs and arms she fantasized about, Felicity moaned again. Oliver wanted to hear that moan over and over. The alpha in him wanted to claim and mark her so every other alpha would know she was his. Mine, mine, mine was repeating in his head. Soon he noticed she is pulling away instead of coming closer.

"Oh, I am so stupid. You are just doing this because of Bruce and the job. You wanting me is so unreal. What was I thinking?"

"No, Felicity. You should be able to tell how much I want you. You have been there all along but I kept telling myself you deserve better…." His fingers keep running down her arm and over her shoulders softly.

"Would you have realized if I was not dating Bruce? What about Laurel? You are in love with her. I need some air."

With that, she ran out of the foundry. Oliver took a deep breath. He realizes several things. 1. He is in love with Felicity. 2. He will never let her go to Bruce Wayne. 3. He needs to make her see he is not in love with Laurel. 4. Felicity wants him as much as he wants her. Now he just needs to let her see they belong together.

Felicity was shaking. Why was this going on? Her and Oliver? That was unthinkable. He was with Laurel. Was this just a ploy to keep her as his personal Girl Friday so she did not go to WE? How stupid could she be? This must be the way the old OLLIE got his way. She never met that guy but this guy must be what he looked like. She was not a toy on the playground that got tossed away when not wanted and then picked back up if someone else wanted to play with it. She made the right decision. She must get away from Starling and Oliver as soon as possible.

Oliver got dressed for the gala. Thea said she would be ready in 15 minutes which probably meant 30. He was looking forward to seeing Felicity even if he had to deal with Wayne. Finally, he and Thea are at the gala and he was looking for Felicity. He finally saw her and she looked stunning. He hated that the dress is from Wayne but he cannot help but love the way she looked in it. He saw them coming over to him.

"Queen, I did not expect to see you here. You don't usually come to these types of things."

"I am here to present a check from QC. What about you, Wayne? Aren't you a little out of your area?"

"I am also here with a check. Normally I would just have it mailed but who would miss a chance to spend the evening with a beautiful lady like Felicity?" Bruce wanted to remind Queen that he is the one with her tonight. He knew Queen could sense his alpha smell on Felicity and saw Queen held his glass tight.

"Felicity, you look beautiful."

"Thank you, Oliver. Is Laurel with you?" Felicity really wanted to enjoy the night with Bruce without the drama of Oliver and Laurel.

"No, my date is getting a drink. Oh, here she comes now. Thea, Felicity was just asking about you." Oliver smiled as Thea glides over to them.

"Felicity, you look wonderful. Hello, Bruce."

"Hi, Thea. You look beautiful, as usual." Bruce leaned over to give her a kiss on the cheek.

Bruce spotted a woman walking toward them and smiled.

"Ollie, there you are," Laurel said as she reached them. "Hello, Bruce and Felicity."

Felicity could not believe it. Oliver just lied to her face. He told her he was not with Laurel and there she is.

"Laurel, what are you doing here?" Oliver asked her.

"I came to be with you, Ollie"

"We did not have a date, Laurel. I am here with Thea." Oliver wanted to make sure Felicity did not think he was here with him but before he could explain Bruce asked Felicity to dance and they were gone.

"Laurel, why do you keep pushing yourself on my brother? Don't you have any pride?" Thea was furious. "First, you come to the Lair and try to replace Felicity and now you show up here uninvited. Can't you see Ollie is not interested? Ollie is in love with Felicity, not you."

"Ollie and I are together, Thea. He is my mate now."

"No, Laurel, I am not. For the last time, we are no longer together and I am not interested in getting back together. If you will excuse us." Oliver takes Thea's arm and walks away. He cannot believe that Laurel showed up again. He will never get Felicity to believe him if she constantly sees Laurel around.

"Oliver, if you keep squeezing that glass it will shatter. Deep breath."

"Wayne is so pleased with himself tonight." He grumbled.

"You just worry about your Operation Oliclty and remember this is a bump in the road." Thea had confidence in this ship.

Oliver stared after Felicity while she laughed at something Wayne said. Wayne reached down and kissed her. A short kiss but it made Oliver's blood boil. He just needed to calm down. Felicity was still in Starling so he needed to think about his next move.

Bruce was feeling pretty pleased with himself. Felicity is on his arm wearing the dress he bought. She looks breathtaking as he knew she would. He could not help but shove the date in Queen's face and you could see he was furious. Too bad. He had no intention of letting Felicity go. He could see Laurel Lance's appearance upset Felicity.

"Felicity, would you like to leave now?"

"No, Bruce, I know you have to stay."

"I would rather go to my hotel room and have a nice drink and conversation with you. How about I get your coat and call the driver?"

"Okay."

Felicity left the gala last night with Wayne and Laurel would not go. Oliver was distraught. He could feel Felicity slipping away from him and he felt powerless to stop it. He needed to do something to show her he loved her before it was too late. He decided he would ask her to dinner and show her how important she was to him. When Felicity entered the lair the next day, he followed her to her chair.

"Felicity, would you like to have dinner with me?" Oliver asked as he touched her shoulder.

"Dinner? Like Big Belly Burger?" Felicity replied without turning around.

"No, like a dinner date."

"Why? You want to go out on a date with me?"

"Yes, Felicity. As I told you, I realize how much you mean to me. I want to take you to dinner and give us a chance. Will you go out to dinner with me?"

"Okay,"

Felicity looked stunning when he came to pick her up. They went to the restaurant and Oliver decided to be honest with her.

"I was thinking about my time on the island."

"That sounds like a lot of suck."

"When I came back, it was hard for me to see people as people and not targets. Until I walked into your office. You were the first person I could see as a person. There was just something about you. You made me smile, a real smile, for the first time in so long."

"You told me some crazy lies."

"Yes, but I had to keep coming back. You were like a light to my darkness. When you found out about the mission, I vowed to protect you. I vowed to keep you safe. I wanted to make sure your light was not dimmed by my darkness. I kept fighting the draw to you because I wanted to protect you but I just can't. I love you, Felicity."

"You love Laurel."

"No, I don't. I felt guilty about what happened so I wanted to try to make it work. It will not work because I love you. I told Laurel I did not love her."

"You push me away and go to Laurel every time. Laurel always comes first with you. When Dig needed you for Deadshot, you went to help Laurel instead. You will always go back to Laurel."

"I am sorry, Felicity. Please give me another chance. I know I messed up but it was quilt that made me do those things, not love. Laurel is the past. You are the one I look forward to seeing now."

"I believe you need me to help you but love? That seems unlikely and very sudden."

"Can you give it a chance, please?"

Felicity does not reply but gives him a nod.

Oliver walks Felicity to the door when he drives her home. At her door, he bends down and kisses her. Felicity is surprised but soon kisses him back. Oliver wraps his arms around her and deepens the kiss. Felicity pulls his head down and caressed his neck.

"I love you, Felicity. I am sorry I did not realize it sooner but please believe me when I say you are the most important person to me."

Felicity breaks the kiss and opens the door. She kisses him once more before she walks in and closes the door. Oliver would like more but she kissed him back and that would have to be good enough for tonight.

Felicity Smoak did not consider herself someone men fell all over. She had confidence but did not think she was a leggy model type. Now she was being pursued by two different billionaires. She was not sure how this happened to her but it was a reality. They were both different but the same in a lot of ways. She always had feelings for Oliver but the more time she spent with Bruce, the more attracted she became to him. She had only kissed and made out with both of them. She was not the kind that would have two lovers at the same time, even if they knew about each other. Just yuck. It had become very heated with both men but she had been able to stop herself each time. She was not sure how long her control will remain. She was going to have to make some sort of decision and soon. She was afraid to let herself believe Oliver. So far he had been focusing on her and told her daily how much she meant to him. She wanted to believe him but she had men leave her before, including Oliver. Just a short few weeks ago, he was with Laurel. The hurt from the way he ran out to be with Laurel remained. Laurel had not been in the lair which concerned Felicity. The team worried Laurel would give out information on the lair or the Arrow but Laurel remained quiet. She knew Laurel still called Oliver but he said he ignored her calls. Bruce meanwhile sent her with flowers, candy, calls, texts and flew to Starling often to see her. He also sent the jet to pick her up.

She was waiting for the jet to pick her up now for an overnight visit to check on the project and spend time with Bruce. Oliver was not happy with this trip but Felicity reminded him that she had already accepted the offer at Wayne Enterprises and was expected to be there soon. Oliver had an irritated look but agreed.

When Felicity arrived in Gotham, Bruce was waiting for her. He told her he had something important to tell her. He led her to an elevator. They went down and he asked her to close her eyes for a few minutes. She felt his hand leaving hers but he told her to keep her eyes closed. She felt someone reaching out to her and heard a voice telling her to open her eyes.

She looked into the eyes of Batman!