The lair was empty when I got there. A short reprieve from everyone. I went straight to my monitors thinking I could check the status on finding a connection between the families when I noticed that my program was not even running. What the hell. I told Laurel how to do it and I know that it would not have finished yet. Oh well, I'll just have to start it now. As I am running the names through the database Oliver and Digg arrive.

"Felicity, just the person I wanted to talk to," said Oliver.

"What's up?"

"I was wondering if you would like to join me at the gala tonight that Walter's company is having."

I was struck speechless. Why is he asking me and not Laurel? I mean I would love to go and see Walter and even though I know I am only setting myself up for disappointment I would love to spend time with Oliver. As I am about to say yes, Laurel comes down.

"Oliver I thought that this would be a good chance for you and I to meet some investors, you know kind of work the room together. This is a great opportunity."

"I know that Laurel but Felicity can do that also. She has been with me since the beginning. She knows everything about the company. And Walter would love to see her too."

And again I am speechless. He is actually sticking up for me instead of Laurel. I wonder if they had fight and I am going to be stuck listening to Oliver complain all night. With that thought in mind.

"Laurel is right Oliver. She has been helping you since the beginning and should be there tonight. I will still go and see Walter but I think that it is better for everyone if you and Laurel stick to each other. By the way, Laurel, what happened to working on the connection between the victims?"

"Why are you asking her about that? That is your area of expertise not hers. Why would she even be working on your computers? And Laurel can still go tonight also, I would just prefer if you went with me."

"Oh that," Laurel said. "I couldn't figure out how to get the program to work so I just left it for you. Like Olie said, it is your job."

"But when you called me at work today, you specifically said that Oliver wanted you to work on it."

At this point Oliver looked pissed. I do not know why but Digg doesn't look any happier.

"I never asked you to do that. Why would you say that? I would never give Felicity's job to you. She is my….IT girl not you."

"I just wanted to help. I thought that if I could find the connection it would be a load off of you guys. That's all."

"Laurel, I appreciate you trying to help but IT and research is Felicity's area of expertise. Please do not do that again."

And in my head I am doing a little giddy dance. He still thinks of me as part of the team. He hasn't forgotten about me.

"Oliver, I will go with you to the gala but Laurel needs to come too. Just in case there are any legal problems. She could help with that."

"Laurel, will that work for you? I am not about to get in yours and Oliver's way tonight. I will just be going to help if I can and to see Walter that is all."

She just beams. I guess that she really wants to be at Oliver's side tonight.

"No, that is not how it is going to work. You, Felicity are going as my date. Laurel, you can come as well and help but tonight I am taking Felicity."

Out of the corner of my eye I can see Digg smirking. I guess that he does not like Laurel butting in either.

"Okay, so now that that is settled I am going to work some more on the connection between victims and then I will meet you at the gala Oliver. That will give me some time to go home and change."

"You can work on the connection for a little while longer but then you are going to go home and change and Digg and I will pick you up."

"That works for me because I need to go home and get ready as well," Laurel said. "What time will you be at my place Olie?"

Digg just shakes his head. Apparently Laurel is bound and determined to not be left out.

"I will leave in an hour and you can pick first Laurel up at 6 and then me. I will be ready by then. Does that work for everyone?"

"That would be great, thanks Felicity. I am going to head home now and get a little work done and then I will see you guys tonight," Laurel said.

"Oliver do you want to work out for a little while? I could use a sparring partner," asked Digg?

Oliver did not answer right away so I turned to look at him and he was looking right at me. I do not know how long we were staring at each other but when I finally looked away I noticed that Digg had gone. Oliver and I were alone.

"Felicity, is everything okay with you? You have been distant lately. In addition, what was all that with pushing me towards Laurel? Laurel and I are just friends. There is not going to be a rekindling of any romance with her."

"What you and Laurel do is none of my business Oliver. I was just trying to help. I have noticed that you and Laurel have gotten closer, over these last few months."

"Just as friends. Nothing more."

He walked over to me and trapped me in my chair. Arms on either side of me.

"Listen well, Felicity, I am not getting back together with Laurel. I am sorry if you have felt that we are ignoring you but that was not my intention. I have just been trying to get my company back and Laurel has been helping with the legal side of things. That is all."

I did not know what to say. He was way to close for me to think coherently.

"Okay, Oliver," I stutter.

He just does that little half smile of his and says, "I will you tonight at 6:30. Do you want to grab dinner before?"

I thought about it and dinner did sound nice but I didn't want to cause any more trouble between Oliver and Laurel so I declined.

"No, not tonight. Maybe some other time. Just pick me up at 6:30. The gala should be fun and cannot wait to see Walter."

"Okay, Felicity. I will hold to the rain check though."

As I was trying to figure out when I gave him a rain check, Digg came back down and the boys started sparring. Well, tonight should be interesting.