Dear Readers,

There are a few things I wanted to clarify since I've had some questions about it:

a) I always try, as far as possible, and to the best of my abilities to keep the characters as close to their true natures as possible. Felicity is no ho-bag. I would never create a story in which I felt she was sleeping around in the hopes of making Oliver, or anyone else, jealous. Felicity is an emotional, sensitive character. Should she ever sleep with someone, (Oliver included) I imagine it would be because she wanted to and not because she felt the need to even the score.

b) My introduction of Adam, specifically, was purposeful. For one thing, the guy is hot. I'm tired of Felicity always being paired with the geeky guy who's super intelligent but as socially awkward as she is. Also, there are some great stories here which include Slade and Bruce Wayne, so I didn't want to go that route. I wanted the guy who rivals her affections for Oliver to be a genuine adversary – in looks, in personality, in charm, in smarts. I think Adam is all of those things. It's true that there was a hint of something between Adam and Laurel – but for the purpose of my story, Adam isn't hung up on any woman – Laurel included.

c) While aspects of this story delve into Oliver's relationship with Sara, the story is not about Sara. She's merely a way for me to continue to explore Oliver's feelings in relation to Felicity.

d) That being said, I have no idea where this story is taking me or how it's going to develop. I hope you will all stick with me as I muddle through. :) I sincerely appreciate all the wonderful feedback (both positive and negative) and I hope you continue to let me know what you think. Sometimes your thoughts inspire me to head in a direction I wasn't initially planning to.

Thanks very much for taking the time to read my stories. :)

LadyG

Oliver was furious. He'd arranged to meet Sara for breakfast before heading to the office and hadn't expected to see Felicity sitting cosy with the man who'd tried to send his mother to jail. When he'd walked in they'd been all smiles, their bodies leaning toward one other as though they were exchanging confidences. If he hadn't known better, he would have assumed that Felicity had been flirting with the DA. Irrationally annoyed at the thought, he swept it aside.

Glancing at her, he was rather pleased at the surprised look on her face. Moving along, he shifted his attention to Adam Donner. He was an arrogant, egotistical piece of work. It didn't take much to know that the guy thought too highly of himself. Clearly he had no self esteem issues.

Oliver's eyes locked with the attorney's, his cool and calculating, the other man's slightly mocking and insolent. That alone made him want to ram his fist through the DA's pretty face.

"Donner," he said by way of greeting.

"Queen," came the expected acknowledgement.

Clenching his fists reflexively, he looked at Felicity. "Can we talk?" he asked with a deceptive calm.

She'd regained her composure while he'd been taking Adam's measure. "Not at the moment."

Oliver couldn't hide his astonishment. "Felic-"

"I think the lady said no," Adam chipped in, turning in his chair to face Oliver.

He felt a crushing desire to wipe the smug smile off the other man's face. "I don't recall asking your permission."

Adam raised an eyebrow. "Correct. You asked her. She said no. Did you miss that part?"

Felicity just watched them, her eyes swinging from one to the other nervously. "Look, I'll see you at the office," she said to him.

Oliver took a step closer to Adam, not exactly sure what he was planning to do when he felt a hand settle into the crook of his arm. Sara was standing beside him, clearly concerned. "Oliver?"

Felicity gave them what looked to be a beaming smile, but somehow he sensed that it wasn't completely sincere. His eyes narrowed.

"Enjoy your meal," she quipped.

Steering him away, Sara sat down at a corner table forcing him to do the same. Staring daggers at the couple sitting at the counter, Oliver didn't hear Sara speak until she waved a hand in front of his face. "Who's that guy?"

Oliver dragged his gaze across the room to meet hers. "Adam Donner. The DA."

Sara's eyes lit in recognition. "Laurel's ex boss?"

"One and the same."

"So what's Felicity doing with him?" she asked curiously.

Gritting his teeth he looked back at the smiling pair, his gut tightening unpleasantly. "I don't know." But I plan to find out.

Adam ignored the hole burning into the back of his head. "A pretty over-protective boss you have."

Felicity waved a hand dismissively. "Ignore Oliver. He doesn't like you because of his mother, but that's not completely unexpected," she replied frankly. Then, "Oh, I'm sorry, that was a horrible thing to say." She looked slightly mortified which made him smile.

She was pretty in a sweet, wholesome, girl-next-door kind of way. She was also rather refreshing. He didn't know many people who said exactly what they thought without it coming off as mean-spirited. He could appreciate her brand of honesty.

"That's okay. I wouldn't have expected anything less. Had our positions been reversed, I guess I would feel the same way." Which was true. He understood Oliver's aversion and it didn't bother him in the least.

He watched her wrap her hands around her coffee cup, absorbing its warmth. "That's rather gracious of you."

Shrugging, he replied, "I'm generally the bad guy. In my line of work, I can't afford to sit on the fence. If I have an opinion on something, everyone knows about it. That doesn't make me very popular, but I've learnt not to take it personally."

She looked at him curiously, her blue eyes large behind her spectacles. "You don't mind that people hate you?"

He sent her a teasing grin. "Hate's a strong word. I prefer dislike." She looked unconvinced that it was somehow a better alternative. "It comes with the territory. Besides, I choose to see it as a compliment. Must mean that I'm doing my job right."He watched her closely and then asked rather spontaneously, "Why don't you dislike me?"

She looked startled by the question. "Who says I don't?" she replied humorously.

He acknowledged her response with an up-tilt of his lips.

Grinning, she continued, "I have no reason to. I understand that you were merely doing what was necessary. I can't fault you for that." She took a tentative sip of her coffee. "Also, I don't actually know you. You may be very different to what your public persona suggests."

Blonde, blue-eyed and petite, Felicity definitely wasn't his usual type, but for some reason he instinctively liked her. A little uncomfortable under her scrutiny, he changed tack. "So, are your computer skills as legendary as you claim?"

Her face lit up. "You're going to have to try me." Then she went scarlet. "I-I don't mean literally…of course…I meant try my skills." At his raised eyebrow, she flushed even more, stammering, "N-not that skills."

Adam burst out laughing. It was the first time in 24 hours and it felt good. Reaching into his jacket pocket, he stood, pulling out his card. "I have to go, but if you're serious about helping, I'd like to take you up on the offer. Give me a call when you have some free time. I'd appreciate it." He threw a large bill onto the counter, indicating to the waitress that he was paying for both of their beverages.

It probably wasn't necessary to have her consult for the department since they had their own IT specialists. But since it gave him an excuse to see her again, he didn't see the harm in extending the invitation. If she didn't call though, he'd have to think about his next move.

Felicity accepted the card and read the bold black lettering on the front. She smiled up at him. "I may just do that."

"Then I look forward to it." Adam inclined his head and moved toward the door, conscious of the fact that the hole in the back of his head seemed larger than ever.

Felicity sat at her desk at the foundry reconnecting computer screens to hard drives and all other kinds of paraphernalia. It had taken her hours, but she'd managed to get them back online. There was still a lot of work to do and they were nowhere near their previous level of efficiency, but she was satisfied that it was adequate for now.

As far as she was aware, Oliver had been stuck in board meetings all day and was currently escorting his mother to some charity event while Sara was working the bar upstairs. She was relieved to have avoided him thus far.

Stretching, she rolled the kinks out of her shoulders. Diggle collapsed into the vacant chair beside her. "I don't think I've ever felt this tired," he moaned.

Felicity grinned at him. "I'd high five you, but I don't think I can muster enough strength to lift another finger, never mind my entire hand."

He grunted in agreement. A comfortable silence lingered between them. Diggle cleared his throat. "Oliver said that he saw you at Big Belly with Adam Donner this morning."

Felicity frowned, suddenly annoyed. "Why would he tell you that? It wasn't a big deal. Or any of his business for that matter," she added as an afterthought.

Diggle shrugged. "He just mentioned it. Seemed a little cheesed off, a little concerned."

There was a time when that news might have given her hope. But not anymore. "Adam is-"

"Adam, is it?" Diggle teased.

Felicity rolled her eyes at him, but she couldn't keep the smile off her face. "We met by chance and struck up a conversation. He asked me to help out with the server in their office building if I had time. They're apparently dealing with some major worms."

"You like him?" Diggle pried.

She glanced at him, a little exasperated. "Did you hear me say that I just met him? I don't know him well enough to have formed any opinions." She reached for a paper clip and played with it.

Diggle gave her the side-eye. "But of course you've already formed an opinion," he countered knowingly.

Sometimes Felicity forgot how well Diggle knew her. Since they'd met, he'd been like her protector, her concerned older brother. She knew they shared a special bond that was different to either of their relationships with Oliver.

"I may have," she hedged.

A soft burst of laughter escaped from Diggle's lips. "Out with it."

She scoffed. "Am I allowed no secrets?"

"Not from me," he deadpanned.

Felicity laughed. She couldn't help it. Diggle was her best friend. "He seems nice and not at all what I expected."

Gently, Diggle said, "You seem a lot better than you were last night."

Felicity didn't bother to pretend that she didn't know what he was talking about. She wouldn't insult his intelligence that way. "I just needed a time-out. To gain some perspective. I'm alright now."

He looked at her skeptically. "Really." It was a statement, not a question.

She returned his stare. "Yes, really. I…I've re-evaluated. There are some dreams that are not meant to come true, Dig. So they remain just that – a dream. Now that I've accepted that, I can move on," she finished softly.

He reached over and squeezed her hand. "You deserve the best."

Genuinely touched, Felicity returned his gesture. "Thanks."

Diggle smiled and leaned his head back against his chair. "So, you going to help Adam out or what?"

Before Felicity could respond, Oliver's voice infiltrated their quiet moment. "Not if I have anything to say about it."

Felicity swiveled around in her chair to face the man who'd broken her heart for the last time. Ready to do battle, and yet surprisingly calm she replied, "You have got to stop with these dramatic one-liners."

"Dig, Felicity and I need to talk."

Felicity met Diggle's gaze. She appreciated that he wanted her okay. She smiled at him reassuringly and nodded. Without a word to either of them, he stood, sending Oliver a warning glance before departing.

Feeling at a distinct disadvantage with Oliver nearly towering over her, Felicity stood too. She'd known this moment was coming from the second she'd left the foundry the night before. She hadn't been ready to face Oliver then, but she was more than ready now.

Steeling herself against the concern mingled with confusion clearly evident in his eyes, she took a steadying breath, "Well? Let's hear it."