Dear Readers,

Again, thank you for your comments and feedback. As I mentioned, this story is geared toward Oliver and Felicity finding one another. However, there are ways to change an ending and I've given it a lot of thought. The cool thing about it is, if that's not the ending you're looking for, you don't have to read it; the choice is completely yours.

To Nocturnalrites, you are the best sounding board in the world. Thank you for all the encouragement and assistance you've provided. :)

LadyG

Felicity sat outside the glass enclosed conference venue and watched Oliver as he presented his vision for Queen Consolidated to the Board. While she couldn't hear what he was saying, she could detect from his relaxed demeanor that things were going well. She'd spent about half an hour that morning tweaking a few things here and there until she was satisfied that they'd be impressed with his labours. She'd certainly been. Oliver must have spent a considerable amount of time and effort preparing for his meeting because it showed. She'd expected figures and statistics, the solid and irrefutable facts about the company. But he's put more than that in, he'd added some heart too, the one thing that showed that his interest was more than just casual and fleeting. Queen Consolidated meant something to him and whatever had brought about the change in his outlook, she was certainly glad for it.

Watching as the men in the room shook hands with him, their responses eager and enthusiastic, she felt a surge of pride. He wasn't the same man she'd thought she knew inside out; the guy who'd slept with Isabel because the opportunity had presented itself, who'd gone after his ex-girlfriend knowing that his best friend was still in love with her, who'd shirked his responsibilities to his legacy because it hadn't ranked high enough on his list of priorities. Apparently now it did.

Closing her tablet she placed it back in her bag and caught sight of her hotel room key. As promised, she'd been relocated earlier that morning to a room much smaller than Oliver's, but more than sufficient for her needs. After last night's weird encounter, she knew that she couldn't stay in such close proximity to him. For a split second she'd thought he was going to kiss her. Silly she knew, but when he'd been so close, looking at her so intently, she'd half imagined that he could read her mind. Caught off guard, she was afraid that she might have betrayed herself, revealed too much. But then he'd pulled away and she'd been relieved. And disappointed? Arguing with her conscience was always frustrating because she couldn't lie to herself. Thinking back, there had been a flicker of regret before relief had coursed through her. Kissing him would have changed everything between them, at least for her, and it would have ruined her relationship with Adam. In the end, as planned, she'd slept in the bedroom and Oliver had stayed in the lounge. She was almost certain that she'd heard him leave at some point, but since she'd thought it wise not to face him again, she'd let it go. Regardless, the world had righted itself again and they were back to being just Oliver and Felicity. Nothing more, nothing less. Right.

Okay, so maybe there was more to it. Maybe after last night her heart felt as though it was at war. All the feelings she'd been burying, pushing down deep inside in the hopes that it would simply disappear were fighting to once more take root within her. This Oliver, the one who was kind to Sara and attentive to Roy and unselfish with his time, was messing with her head and her heart. He was making her doubt herself, doubt her feelings and her choices. He was making her wonder if she'd ever really managed to purge him from her system, or if he'd always been there, lurking in the shadows, waiting for the right moment to pounce and catch her unawares. Lately she'd been feeling more and more confused and the events of the last day hadn't helped make things any clearer. If anything, the picture was murkier than ever and the fuzzier it became, the guiltier she felt. She didn't want to have a resurgence of feelings for this apparently changed man. She wanted to be cured, over it, moving on. Having romantic feelings for Oliver Queen was like waiting for rain in a desert; useless and disappointing.

She was roused from her bothersome thoughts when the conference door opened and a dozen or so men filed out, dispersing in different directions. Oliver brought up the rear.

"And?" she asked anxiously, jumping to her feet and instantly forgetting her troubles.

He smiled. "I'll know their decision by tomorrow, but I think it's looking good."

With an excited yelp, she spontaneously launched herself at him, standing on her toes as she threw her arms around his neck, wrapping him in a tight embrace. "I knew you could do it!"

Slowly, almost reluctantly she noted, his arms enclosed around her as he held her lightly against him. "I couldn't have done it without you," he whispered, the warmth of his breath tickling her ear.

Pulling back slightly, she beamed at him. "No, Oliver, this was all you. I made it look pretty, but those were your words up there. Your ideas."

"I'm not out of the woods yet. They could still vote in Isabel's favour," he reminded her judiciously.

She rolled her eyes at him. "Not a chance," she countered. "But if you'd prefer we can hold off on all celebrations until it's official."

Chuckling, he leaned forward slightly. "Thank you, Felicity. For everything."

It was at that moment that she realized that they were still locked in an embrace, her arms resting on his shoulders while his hands splayed around her waist, their weight like hot brands on her skin. Looking at him, she knew the instant he realized it too. He stiffened slightly, his hands lifting away from her just as hers slid away from him. Blushing, she nervously adjusted her spectacles. "It was nothing, really."

Awkwardly facing one another, he half turned toward the boardroom. "I need to pack up." Glancing at his watch, he gestured for her to precede him. "My next meeting isn't for another hour and a half. Feel like grabbing a drink?"

Her heart rate returning to normal, she asked, "I thought we weren't celebrating yet?"

"Technically we're not. It's more of a let's-remain-positive kind of thing."

Smiling, she grabbed her purse as they exited the room. "Whatever. Sounds like a celebration to me."

"Or perhaps it's an excuse to," he said, returning her grin.

"You say it like it's a bad thing?"

Side by side they walked down a long corridor. "There hasn't been much to celebrate lately."

She cast a sympathetic glance in his direction. "How are things with your mother?"

He shrugged. "Tense. We don't really see that much of each other at the moment."

"You can't avoid her forever, you know," she reminded him gently as they took a seat at the bar on the ground floor.

He caught a waitress's eye. "There's not much left to say, Felicity. She knows how I feel and she just keeps making these self-absorbed choices."

Felicity quirked an eyebrow. "Seriously? I get why you're mad at her, but it's not like you haven't made some decisions in your life that you wish you could change."

"You're defending my mother?" he asked in disbelief as he removed his suit jacket and hung it over the back of his chair.

She held a hand up. "I wouldn't call it that, exactly. I'm merely trying to point out that she's made some mistakes. Surely you can identify with that? She's done some bad things, Oliver, but that doesn't make her a bad person."

He acknowledged her words with a faint nod. "I just keep thinking about Thea and how this would tear her apart."

"Why haven't you told her?" she asked curiously.

He went so still that she thought he wasn't going to respond. To her surprise, he did. "Because I'm afraid of what knowing the truth will do to her."

Felicity could understand that. Oliver had always been very protective of Thea. It made sense that he'd want to shelter her from any pain. "You can't protect her forever and I think that she's stronger than you give her credit for. Besides, secrets have a nasty way of coming out and I think you'd prefer that she heard it from someone she loved rather than someone with an agenda."

Oliver looked away, as though he couldn't meet her eyes. "The same could be said for you," he said softly.

Her stomach dropped to the floor. "What do you mean?"

The waitress placed their orders in front of them. "Adam?"

Her throat suddenly parched, she took a cautious sip. "Are you saying my relationship with him is doomed to fail?"

"There's no way I could know that, Felicity. I'm just saying that there is a big lie that exists between you."

She knew he was right and she wasn't offended that he'd raised it. After all, he had a fair point. It just felt strange discussing her current life choices with the man she'd once had, or rather still had, feelings for.

Scowling, she sat back, peering at him. "You know that I would never betray your trus-"

"Felicity, please. The thought never even crossed my mind." He appeared to hesitate for a second. "But if you had the choice, would you want to tell him the truth?"

Oliver held his breath as he waited for her answer. It came swift and sure.

"Yes," she said unequivocally. "You, better than anyone else know what it's like to keep secrets from the people closest to you and how damaging that can be. Trust," she said, her gaze unwavering, "is as important to me as breathing. That's why I told you about Thea. Because I know how much it means to you too." She looked down at her glass. "I'm not naïve, you know. I realize that at some point there might be a choice that I have to make, but right now, I'm not quite ready to make it."

Her words chilled him. "Choice?"

She squirmed a little in her seat. "Come on, Oliver. You know what I mean."

"You'd actually consider leaving…" Me. Instead, he said, "Queen Consolidated?" He knew she'd assume he meant their vigilantism, among other things.

He watched her fidget with her straw. "Honestly, I don't know. Maybe. I haven't really given it much thought."

Oliver felt his heart sink. "You care that much about him?"

"I do care about him but as of this second my staying or leaving is not a reality I have to face just yet."

"But it may become one," he stated.

Their eyes locked. "It may," she admitted. "Someday."

Oliver felt his mind reel. He'd known she cared about Donner and he'd resigned himself to the fact that they were in a relationship and that it was important to her. But for some foolish reason he'd never, not for one second, considered that she might want a life with Adam more than she wanted to fight at his side.

"Oliver, are you alright?" Her face was filled with concern as she reached out and lightly touched his hand.

The contact jarred him, his fingers wanting nothing more than to twine with hers and never let go. "What?"

"You look pale," she insisted.

Taking a deep breath despite the tightness in his chest, he forced a smile. "I'm okay. Brain freeze," he explained, pointing to his drink.

Not quite convinced, she asked, "Are you sure?"

"Yeah." He moved his hand away from hers. "So, how's Adam's preparation going for the Davis hearing?"

She hesitated and he knew that she felt awkward discussing Donner with him. "Okay, last time we talked. He's pretty happy that all the data he's got is solid. It should be pretty straight forward."

"You did great work on that," he complimented, sincerely. Felicity had a way of finding information in places he wouldn't even think to look.

"Thank you," she replied, clearly pleased at his praise. "I'm sure it's enough to convince a judge to set a date for the trial."

"It is," he agreed. She'd been thorough. There was no way Davis would get off.

"By the way, I think you're doing a great job with Roy." It didn't go unnoticed that she changed the subject.

He thought back to the last conversation he'd had with the younger man. In hindsight, Roy was the one who'd done a good job with him. "He's not so bad," he admitted.

"That's what we've all been telling you."

He laughed. "True. Roy is surprisingly insightful."

"Oh?" she asked taking another sip of her drink while she waited for him to elaborate.

"It's nothing particular," he evaded. "Just some things we spoke about a couple of days ago."

"You're finally accepting his place in Thea's life?"

He was. Roy loved his sister. "Yeah, I am. They're good for each other."

Her mouth fell open.

"What?" he asked defensively.

She blinked. "Wow. I guess I just never thought I'd hear you say it."

"You don't agree?"

"Of course I do. I," she said, pointing a bright blue nail at herself, "always knew that. What changed your mind?"

He shrugged. "I guess I realized that I needed to stop trying to control Thea's life. If she wants to be with Roy, then I should respect her decision."

Felicity stared at him in shock. "Oliver," she asked, suddenly serious. "What's happened to you?"

He pretended to misunderstand. "What are you talking about?"

She glared at him, seeing through his attempt at subterfuge. "You know what I mean. You're different. Less irritable, for one," she said, attempting to jest before turning serious again. "But it's more than that. You seem to be more…attentive. Why?"

Because of you. Because you've made me see things in a way I've never seen them before. He stalled. "It's nothing."

"Oliver! Stop pretending like something isn't going on with you, because we both know that's not true." Her anger took him aback.

"Felic-"

"Why? Why the change?" she asked, imploringly.

He looked at her, her blue eyes staring at him keenly, willing him to be honest. His throat clogged up, making it difficult to speak. His mouth moved, but no words were forthcoming. He didn't want to lie to her, but what was he supposed to say when the truth clearly wasn't an option?

"I-" I think I'm in love with you? I've realized that I've been the biggest fool on the planet and I'd give anything to have things between us be as easy and uncomplicated as they once were before I messed it up? That I spend every conceivable moment thinking about you and wondering how I could ever have been so blind?

She stared at him for so long that for one panic stricken moment he thought he'd actually said those words out loud. "F-"

"Nevermind. I'm sorry." She raised her hands apologetically. "I have no right to pry and you certainly owe me no explanations." Her smile was contrite, but he sensed a tinge of distress too.

Shaking his head, he replied, "Felicity, you don't have to apologise-"

"Oliver Queen? Is that you?"

Annoyed at the interruption, he glanced to the side and saw a tall blonde standing beside their table. She looked vaguely familiar. "Hi," he said, distractedly, standing to greet the woman while his eyes swung back to look at Felicity. He had to make her understand.

"You remember me, right? Kim Wilson? We dated in our senior year?" She gave him a huge smile before flinging herself at him, planting an ardent kiss on his lips. Taken by surprise, he grabbed hold of her to steady himself as she continued to kiss him.

"I should go," he heard Felicity say.

Breaking the kiss, he glared at Kim, setting her aside roughly. "Felicity, wait."

She didn't meet his eyes. "No, you carry on with your…reunion. I'll see you later." Grabbing her coat and purse, he cursed as he watched her hurrying from the bar. Closing his eyes briefly he couldn't shake the feeling that he'd unintentionally hurt her in some fundamental way.