One Year Ago

He was surprised to see her there, standing by her car in front of the clinic.

"You're free," Felicity joked as she walked toward him.

Oliver stared at her with wonder. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to pick you up." She opened her arms and pulled him into a hug.

Oliver wrapped his arms around her tiny body, still in shock. "I thought John was picking me up."

"I made a deal with him," she murmured, holding on to him tight.

He stopped thinking and took comfort in her warmth, letting her scent wash over him and seep into his heart. "It's so good to see you." He pulled back and frowned at her. "I thought you were still mad at me."

"Oh, I was mad at you for a while," she nodded, "but it's been six months. And I didn't like the way we ended our last conversation, so I wanted to make up with you."

Oliver let out a breath, feeling incredibly undeserving of her forgiveness. He pulled her in for another hug. "I don't know what to say."

"You're still important to me, Oliver Queen. That will never change."

He was ready to give in to his feelings, to tell her he was wrong, that they loved each other and should be together. He was ready to discover the taste of her lips, the feel of her body, the sounds she would make when he made her feel good. Six months of intense healing had made him a new man, and for the first time since his rescue, he was finally ready to live.

Oliver pulled back from the hug and captured her hands. "You're important to me, too," he started, and then his face fell when he felt it.

He lifted her left hand, and there it was: a gold band with a solitary diamond on her third finger.

"You're engaged," he said, a little breathlessly.

Felicity stared up at him and swallowed. "I am."

Oliver blinked several times, and tried to regain his composure. "Ray?"

She bit her lip and nodded.

He let go of her hands and took a step back. "Congratulations," he murmured, speaking around the lump in his throat.

She stepped toward him and grasped his hands. "We're still friends, right? I can't imagine my life without you in it."

His heart shattered at that word, but he managed to repeat it, for her sake. "Friends. Always."

Present Day

Time seemed to stand still. Oliver stared at Felicity, and Felicity stared at Oliver. Donna was caught in between, completely ignored by the pair. Tension crackled in the air, and then Oliver spoke.

"Can I have a moment with your daughter, Donna?" he asked, not taking his eyes off Felicity.

"Of course," she said, and darted out of the room, closing the door behind her.

"You made it," Felicity said after a moment.

"You look beautiful," he replied.

Felicity's paralysis finally broke, and she ran toward him for a hug. "I'm glad you're here."

"I'm sorry I'm late," he whispered into her hair.

She gave him one more squeeze before pulling back. She took in his scruffy appearance and smiled. "You look like shit."

Oliver ducked his head and laughed. "Sorry."

"You haven't…" She made a drinking motion, unable to verbalize her question.

"No," he answered immediately. "No...but I thought about it."

Felicity was keenly aware of why he would want to, and suddenly she was nervous. "Oh?"

Oliver took a hold of her hands and gazed deeply into her eyes, and the butterflies in Felicity's stomach took flight. "I went as far as buying a bottle," he continued, "but every time I went to open it, I saw…Thea. In the hospital. I saw my parents. I saw you."

"Me?"

"I saw how badly I scared you. And I couldn't do it. I couldn't open the bottle."

Tension or not, she was incredibly proud of Oliver. "That's amazing," she said. "You've come a long way."

He gave her a little smile. "I have. And it's because I have so many people in my life that love me. I couldn't have done it without all of you."

Felicity smiled as warmth bloomed in her chest.

"Especially you," he continued, his eyes taking on a soulfulness that pierced through to her core.

Felicity blinked, unsure of where this was going. "Oh?"

"Near the end of my rehab, I had something of a breakthrough. My therapist told me that for years, I learned how to survive, against impossible odds. But she told me I forgot how to live. So she asked me if there was anything on the outside that would make me want to live again, and I thought of you."

Felicity's heart thudded in her chest just as her stomach sank. He wasn't really doing this now, was he? Minutes before her wedding? She took a step back, but her hands stayed caught in Oliver's grip.

He spoke more rapidly. "I know it might be too late, and I know this is terrible timing, but I'm ready to admit that I'm in love with you, and I want to be with you, more than anything."

Felicity started shaking her head. "You want to be with me. Are you kidding me? Why didn't you say something a year ago?"

His expression fell in dismay at her response, but he didn't give up. "Honestly, I thought I was too late. I thought-"

"Too late? You thought a year ago was too late? And you're telling me this ten minutes before my wedding?!" She pulled away from him and stalked to the window.

"Felicity…" His voice was strangled with pain. He walked up behind her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Please-"

She whirled on him. "I can't believe you! Is it because you just don't want to share me with anyone? You won't be with me, but you don't want anyone else with me either?"

"I do want to be with you," he pleaded. "I'm still terrified I'll hurt you or mess this up, but I've been getting better, feeling better about myself, and I finally found the courage to try. Please, Felicity, just promise me you'll think about it."

"Think about it?" She gaped at him incredulously. "I'm getting married in a few minutes!"

He gripped her arms and stared at her desperately. "I love you, and I know you love me too. You can't deny it."

She narrowed her eyes and frowned. "That's dirty, Queen, using my own words against me."

"I'm sorry," he said, lowering his head. "But you know it's the truth." He closed the final distance between them, and cradled her head in his hands. "I'm madly in love with you, Felicity Smoak." Then he lowered his lips onto hers.

Felicity gasped, despite herself, and froze at the moment of contact. Her heart stuttered and her nerves sparked to life when she felt Oliver's surprisingly full lips press gently against hers. She clutched the fabric on his arm compulsively, and she felt tingling all the way down to her toes, making them curl. A moan escaped from her throat, which triggered one from Oliver. He pressed into her lips a little harder, and his breath grew shaky. Her arms wrapped around the back of his neck of their own accord, and her hips swayed into his. The tip of his tongue breached her lips, asking for permission. She opened her mouth, letting him in, and the guttural groan that came from Oliver shuddered straight through her body and into her core. Her fingers flew up into Oliver's hair, and her nails grazed his scalp, drawing even more groans that lit her on fire.

And then she remembered herself, a bride-to-be, kissing a man who wasn't her groom.

Felicity pulled away, shocked at her actions. She stared up at Oliver, who stared back at her with his eyes half-lidded, his lips swollen and his pupils blown. The combination stirred her arousal even more. Her body wanted to continue, but her mind was filled with static. She had to get away. She had to think.

Felicity picked up the hem of her gown and ran out of the bridal suite.

Objectively, one could look at Thea's actions and consider them morally gray, and she would agree. Tugging on loose strings to unravel a marriage-that-shouldn't-be would definitely fall into the category of less than honorable things to do. But Thea took after her mother, in that her family always came first, even if that meant doing things that were morally questionable. But, honestly, who could blame her? Felicity was already like a sister, and there were sparks between her and Oliver when they first met. In that moment, Thea caught a glimpse of a future that could be, and fell in love. Ever since then, she'd done whatever she could to make that future come true.

Of course, Oliver had to be difficult. Understandable, considering his mental and emotional state. The rough couple of years after his homecoming had threatened Thea's dream future. When Felicity got engaged to Mr. Perfect Teeth, that future seemed even bleaker.

But then, she got the distinct feeling that Oliver had come out of rehab ready to pursue Felicity, and had backed off as soon as he realized she was taken. It became a matter of miscommunication, one that Thea tried to fix for an entire year.

Now it was down to the wire, and if Oliver didn't make his move soon, Thea's dream future would shatter irrevocably. Well, there was always divorce, but then that would get messy, and what if they had kids? No, it was now or never.

So, she did what she had to do, by recruiting Diggle to knock some sense into Oliver, while she planted seeds of doubt in Felicity's mind.

It didn't seem to be going well, as evidenced by Felicity fleeing from the bridal suite like her ass was on fire, with Oliver chasing after her, calling her name.

Felicity disappeared into the women's restroom, and Oliver pleaded with her from the outside.

Thea growled in frustration. "What happened?"

Her brother tapped his forehead against the wall. "I fucked up."

"Let me talk to her." She pushed the door open and peeked inside. "Felicity? It's me."

There was no sound, so she entered the restroom and let the door shut behind her. Past the first hallway was a large sitting area, with plush couches and ornate decorations. Felicity stood leaning against the counter, staring at her reflection.

"You okay?" Thea ventured.

"I just need a minute," Felicity rasped, closing her eyes.

"What happened?"

"Please, Thea," she said. "I need a minute."

"Okay." She was able to stay silent for all of fifteen seconds. "It's three o'clock."

Felicity threw a hand up, halting Thea from speaking further. "Not now. I can't think about that."

"What happened in there?"

"I can't think about that either!" Felicity spun around and began pacing, clenching and unclenching her fists. "I can't go backward but I can't go forward. I can't…" She threw her hands into her hair, messing up her updo. "I just need to pause the world for one minute. Can everything stop just for a minute?"

"Woah, woah, woah," Thea said as she ran to stop her friend from completely ruining her hair. She shoved a few fancy paper towels into her hands instead. "Mess these up, not your hair."

Felicity proceeded to rip them in half with unseeing eyes, fixated as she was on her own thoughts. "Everything is happening too fast."

"Okay," Thea started in a soothing voice. "Why don't I go out there and announce a change to the order of festivities? Move everyone to cocktail hour now, so you can have some time to breathe?"

Felicity seemed to relax at that. "You can do that?"

Thea shrugged. "Why not? I don't think anyone will complain about it. Except maybe Ray, but I can talk to him."

"No!" Felicity shouted, throwing up her hand. "No, I...I should talk to him. But I can't talk to him yet. I need to get my head on straight."

"Can I help you with that?" Thea offered.

Felicity shook her head. "I really just need to think. But I can't hear myself over the panic in my head."

"Okay. I'll buy you some time. Will that help?"

Felicity breathed a sigh of relief. "Tremendously. Thank you, Thea."

"You know I'm here for you." She gave her a sympathetic smile and left the restroom.

Oliver ambushed her as soon as she came out. "How is she?"

Thea recoiled from his fervor. "Okay, first of all, you need to chill. Go talk to John or something. Second, I'm moving everyone to cocktail hour, 'cause girlfriend needs some time. Once I get people moving, you're gonna tell me what happened."

He nodded.

Felicity took deep breaths, trying to move past her anxiety to a calmer headspace. It was the only way she'd be able to think clearly about her situation. A situation she had hoped for once upon a time, but had given up on long ago.

Oliver wanted to be with her.

Oliver had kissed her.

She had kissed him back.

She was supposed to marry Ray today.

A feeling of doom and dread came with that last thought, twisting up her insides with unease. Even picturing that walk down the aisle made her nauseous, making her body lock up as if she was digging her heels into the ground. That had to be a giant clue as to what she needed to do, but fear of hurting Ray made her heart rebel against it.

Felicity still couldn't wrap her mind around her recent conversation with Oliver. She had convinced herself so thoroughly that it would never happen. Never in a hundred years, she thought, because he was too stubborn.

But he kissed her.

I do want to be with you, he had said, quite adamantly. I finally found the courage to try.

It was everything she ever wanted. But why did it make her anxious?

Felicity shook off those thoughts. She could only deal with one thing at a time.

After stalling for a few more minutes, she gave herself a mental kick. It was going to be as painful later as it was right now. There was no use procrastinating.

When she exited the restroom, both Thea and Oliver stopped mid-conversation to look at her. Oliver started to approach her, but she put a hand up.

"Later," she promised, and left to find her groom.

Oliver stared after Felicity as a feeling of anticipation filled his chest. The way she walked, with firm steps and her head slightly bowed, gave him some hope. That was her game face, her 'I-really-don't-want-to-do-this-but-I-will-because-I-have-to' stride. He gave her a head start, and then trailed after her, leaving a few yards between them.

Thea followed on his heels. "What is she doing?"

"Something good, I hope," he muttered. "Well, not good for one person."

They kept out of sight as they watched Felicity approach Ray, who was chatting with Donna Smoak near the outskirts of the ceremony area. A few words were exchanged with her mother, who left shortly after. Oliver couldn't see Felicity's face, but he could see Ray's. His emotions transitioned from confusion and concern to something darker, stormier. Felicity placed a hand on his arm, which he shook off. Oliver could see him mouth one word: 'Why?' The unmistakable look of a broken heart slipped into his expression, as his frown deepened and his brow furrowed. Oliver almost felt bad for him.

Felicity stretched up on her toes to kiss Ray's cheek, and then headed back toward the main building.

Oliver didn't bother trying to hide his presence. Felicity spared him a single glance as she walked by, but continued on without a word. He trailed after her.

"Felicity!"

She held up a finger without turning around. "Later!"

He watched as she disappeared into the bridal suite, only to emerge with her purse. She went further down the hall toward the exit, and he ran after her again.

"Felicity, please, can we talk?"

She whirled on him. "I said later. I'm not ready to deal with you right now. I just broke up with my fiancée. I need some time."

"How much time?" he asked as dismay filled his heart.

She shook her head. "I don't know, Oliver. Not too long, I promise."

He forced himself to accept that, as he watched her walk away yet again.

A/N: One chapter left. I just finished tweaking the rest of this, and I can't wait to share it with you. Last chap will be posted in an hour or so.