Thank you for the great reviews again and with the patience in the update. I wasn't sure if the last chapter would be the end but I decided to end with this Epilogue. I just couldn't let my babies go. Please drop a review if you liked it.
The Dark of Night Chapter 9
Oliver had woken up in a huge variety of different places in his life. He had woken in the plush surroundings of his four-poster bed in the Mansion. During his wild youth he had woken in many strange bedrooms and hotel rooms from which he had to make a quick exit. He'd once or twice woken up in parks and beaches that required a hurried phone-call to and rescue from Tommy. For five years he woke up in increasingly more bizarre locations on the island- Yao Fe's cave, Fyer's cage, Slade's camp in the plane. The last place made Oliver shudder now.
Oliver now lay in the warm bed contently thinking through all these places and realizing this had to be his favorite place to wake up. He had woken early with images of Slade's maniacal face resonating in his head which he tried to brush to the back of his consciousness with the plethora of his other bad memories.
The light had just started to peak in the window but he lay happily for the past hour with the warm body pressed in against him. Blonde curls spilled over his chest and small arms wrapped around his waist, on hand lazily entwined with his. He would happily lie there watching her sleep all day.
The previous day had been so filled with emotion that he knew Felicity must have been physically and mentally exhausted. When they had returned to the Foundry after escaping from the warehouse where Slade had brought them, Oliver had told Felicity how he felt about her.
They had kissed until Oliver realized that Felicity was faltering on her feet. He realized that she must have been drained after the day and possibly the residual effects of the sedative Slade had given her.
When Oliver realized that Felicity's legs were shaking, he sat down in a nearby chair and pulled her onto his lap. He drew her as tight into him as he could and her head nestled into the side of his neck. They didn't need to talk more right now- there would be time for that later. Oliver unconsciously rubbed circles into Felicity's knee as she brushed one hand lightly up and down his chest, her other hand instinctively gripping the material of his shirt tightly.
After sitting like this until Oliver felt his lids were heavy, he suddenly realized Felicity was still in the dress Slade had made her and Laurel wear. It was torn and dirty now but he suddenly wanted her to be wearing anything but the simple white cotton dress.
Oliver reluctantly pulled back slightly and looked Felicity in the eye. "Why don't we see is there any other clothes around here for you?"
Felicity voice was hoarse when she responded and he wondered was it due to the fatigue or possibly the smoke in the warehouse earlier. "I have my training gear around here somewhere. I'll pop into the shower. But not before you let me clean those wounds on your back."
Oliver looked ready to protest but when he saw her determined look, he could only smile in response. "Okay so."
Felicity hopped up from his lap and Oliver realized he felt bereft already without her. She pulled a small trolley over to them with first aid supplies on it. When she returned, Oliver hadn't moved from his position but his eyes never left her. Felicity stood looking down at him for a moment before walking in between in legs. The intimacy of the action sent shivers down through Oliver.
Felicity stared down at Oliver and saw him with all his vulnerability laid bare. His eyes were heavy with fatigue. As she stood in between his legs, he moved his hands to her hips, rubbing small circles through the thin material.
When he didn't make any move to remove his shirt, Felicity leant down and started opening the remainder of his shirt buttons. He silently watched her face, absent of all makeup or accessories and as beautiful as he had ever seen her. When she had undone all the buttons, she cautiously slipped her hands just under the material to push it down off his shoulders. When her fingers hit his skin, his ministrations on her hip stopped. Her breath hitched as he raised a hand to her face and pulled her down into a kiss. It was a more chaste kiss than their earlier embrace but a warm feeling spread through Felicity at the tenderness he showed as his lips brushed over hers. When his fingers went to the back of her head he pulled back slightly. Oliver looked at Felicity but her eyes were still rolled shut. "Don't let me forget to put ice on the back of your head later, ok?"
"Um-hmm," was all that Felicity could muster but after a moment her eyes flitted open and she saw Oliver smiling fondly at her. "Only after we get you cleaned up first."
Felicity silently cleaned the wounds on his back which were thankfully all superficial but a few needed some bandages. When she had applied the dressings, her hands took extra time to run over the scars on his back and without thinking, she leant down to lay soft kisses over some of the old scars. She felt Oliver stiffen for a brief second before his muscles relaxed again and leant a hand behind his back to grab hold of her hand. He pulled her into him and her face moved to the crook of his neck where she placed a delicate kiss before resting her face nestling into his skin. Her other arm came around so that she was now hugging him tightly from behind and he gripped her two hands hard, like he was scared she might disappear.
Oliver reluctantly let go but spun around in the chair to capture her lips once more. He leant back only slightly from their kiss so that his breath still coasted over her lips. "Why don't you get changed and I'll take you home?"
"That sounds like an offer too good to refuse," Felicity replied with a tinge of mirth in her voice. She was amused by the thought that many women would jump at the chance of being taken home by Oliver Queen but he was hers and she wasn't going to let him go. "I'll just jump in the shower and change so I'll be back in a few minutes."
When Felicity came out of the shower, she stomped the white dress as far as she could into the bin, a mental reminder to herself to burn it as soon as she could. When she exited the bathroom, she saw Oliver had obviously washed up too and he wore clean jeans and a simple white T-shirt covering the bandages.
Oliver drove them from the foundry. They sat in comfortable silence, each just glad that they were safe and together. Oliver reached his hand across and held Felicity's hand. When they neared her apartment building, Oliver spoke. "You know that time we were in the foundry and I tried to drive you away and you wouldn't let me? Thank you. I know I would ideally prefer you to be somewhere else altogether and never to have put you into danger but I selfishly don't think I could be without you."
Felicity laughed. "You're not selfish. You gave me that chance to run away and I don't blame you for the danger this life brings. I choose this life. And I choose you. So we can face the obstacles together. Okay?"
Oliver could see out of the corner of his eye Felicity's bright eyes reflecting the street-lights outside but the spark in them let him know, Slade hadn't killed her spirit.
When they entered Felicity's apartment, she noted the door lock was broken but she was still able to lock it with the deadbolt. She turned to see Oliver staring vacantly into her sitting room. He looked like he saw a ghost and knew that he must have been thinking of Slade. She took his hand gently. "It's ok. He can't hurt us ever again."
Still in the dark Felicity pulled him down the hall and into her bedroom. He had never been in here before and through the limited light coming in the window, he couldn't make out much. She pushed him gently down onto the bed and he could make out her toeing off her shoes. "Get yours off too." Oliver thought that he could almost feel her blush in the dark. "I meant your shoes. Well you can take off whatever you like. I mean whatever you sleep in usually. Unless you sleep naked? Well I don't mind if you want to sleep naked but between my lumpy head and your sore back I don't think either of us would be up to much. Not that I'm suggesting anything. And we're exhausted too. Well I'm not saying you couldn't perform just because you're tired. And I'm going to shut up in 3…2…1."
Oliver could be heard laughing in the darkness of the room. He couldn't believe that after all they had been through that day, she was still his old Felicity, rambling away. "You really are remarkable." Oliver pulled her towards where he sat on the bed. Felicity leant down towards him and he captured her lips in his. After they pulled apart breathless Oliver added, "Maybe I'll just take my jeans off, if that's ok."
"It's definitely ok," she responded, running her finger along his bottom lip.
As he took his shoes and jeans off he could sense her rummaging in a drawer and in the dark he could make out the faint silhouette of her stripping off her training gear and throwing an oversized T-shirt over her head. As tired as he was, he couldn't help be slightly aroused by the outline of her form. There would be plenty of time for their passion later, tonight they both just needed comfort. As Oliver folder his jeans and put them at the side of the bed, Felicity brushed past him and hopped onto the bed. She extended a hand to him and pulled him under the thick duvet. He lay down on the pillows that smelled distinctly Felicity and when he was comfortable, he pulled her close into him. Her head nestled on his chest. She would have loved to lay her head on his bare chest but guessed he didn't want to take the chance of his back bleeding all over her bed.
She idly wrapped one of her legs around his and cuddled herself into him, his strong arms making her feel supremely safe. Felicity enjoyed the feel of Oliver's skin against her in a way they had never really allowed themselves enjoy previously. It was only minutes before her eyes became too heavy and she fell asleep in the arms of the man she loved.
When Felicity woke the next morning, she stretched her hand out to the pillow next to hers. She leapt up onto her knees when she found it empty. A small screech escaped her lips. Like lightening, Oliver sprang through her bedroom door, dressed in just his white T-shirt and boxers. He ran towards her and pulled her quickly into his arms.
"What's wrong? Were you having a nightmare?" When he pulled back, she was breathing heavily. She leant up and began stroking his face like she was seeing if he was real. "You didn't think I had left, did you?" Oliver didn't know should he feel slightly hurt.
"No. It's just…if it wasn't for the sore bump on my head, I would have thought for a moment, I had dreamed all this."
Oliver pulled her back into his embrace. "I'm sorry. I was just in the bathroom cleaning myself up a bit. I didn't mean to scare you." Oliver climbed onto the bed next to her, pulling her into his side. "How's the head?"
"Just a little sore. How's the back?" Felicity voice was still a little hoarse and he tried not to find it the sexiest thing he'd ever heard.
"It's pretty good. You did a good job dressing it."
"Oh my god look at the time," Felicity tried to move from Oliver's arms but he wouldn't let her.
"It doesn't matter what time it is. I rang into the office and said we both have some terrible food poisoning."
"But what will people think?"
"I don't care what people think. Isabel did not sound amused on the phone…" Oliver stopped as he felt Felicity bristle at the sound of Isabel's name. "But I don't give a damn about that woman and what she thinks." Felicity relaxed again into his embrace.
"You know you'll have to go talk to Laurel."
"I think maybe I should leave it a day or two. I don't think she wants to talk to me right now."
"I can phone her later and see if she's ok."
"Thank you Felicity."
"And I must try to contact Sara and thank her too. I didn't really get a chance to yesterday."
"She really came through for us."
"Yes she did," Felicity whispered. After a while, Felicity reluctantly enfolded herself from Oliver's embrace. "You should probably check in at home. They might be worried about you."
"Yeah I suppose I had better." Oliver bent forward to kiss Felicity's nose. "You know I think both us deserve a break away from crime-fighting for a few days. What do you think?"
"Yeah I think you're right." Felicity smiled sweetly up at him.
"I'd love to take you out on a proper date you know?"
"Aren't we supposed to have food poisoning?"
"Good point. Well I know some of the best chefs in top restaurants in Starling City so why don't I ring one of them up and for a nice little tip, I'm sure they can make up a takeaway and when I've shown my face at home, I can collect it and bring it back here this evening. Maybe watch a movie. Do things that normal couples do."
"So we're a couple then?" Felicity jested.
"I thought you were going to pick on the fact that we're most definitely not 'normal'," Oliver laughed. "Why don't you have a long bath or something and I'll bring back some overpriced wine with the food and see you at six?"
"Sounds perfect." Oliver could see that Felicity wasn't going to let Slade ruin her strong spirit.
"No, you're perfect Miss Smoak," Oliver said as he started to pepper kisses down Felicity's jaw and onto her neck.
"Charmer! Get your ass back here later Mr Queen. I'll be waiting anxiously for you," Oliver could hear the seductive lilt in her voice and knew he needed to go now or his arousal would be too overwhelming to leave.
Oliver hopped off the bed and Felicity lay back on the pillows watching him put on his jeans. "Voyeur," he joked, winking at her. He couldn't help but think the sight of Felicity reclining in nothing but a shirt that hung down off her shoulder and with her perfect legs peaking out from underneath was the most spectacular thing he had ever witnessed.
"Well I don't have to pretend I'm not looking any more. I can drool at you on the salmon ladder all I want now." Felicity climbed forward on all fours towards the edge of the bed to meet Oliver where he gave her one last passionate kiss before reluctantly leaving.
Felicity spent the day lounging in the bath and on the bed she had shared with Oliver last night thinking over everything that had happened in recent days. It sometimes takes the worst of events to bring forth the best of occurrences. Not that she would willfully go through the hell she and Laurel had went through yesterday again but without this horrific situation occurring, she wondered how long is would have been before Oliver admitted how he felt.
The two of them had been dancing around their emotions for too long. She hadn't allowed herself think too much about it lest her feelings go unmatched. She would have preferred to continue meandering the path they had been on than admit her feelings and risk losing Oliver altogether. She knew Oliver had cared a great deal about her but he was a master of concealing his emotions so she would never had thought that he would tell her he loved her.
Late in the afternoon Felicity started to get a bit nervous. It had been a while since she had slept with anyone and going by the huge amount of unresolved sexual tension between them over the past year and a half, she was sure that if Oliver felt similarly, she would be more than happy to make love to him tonight. The thought of sex with Oliver sent simultaneous sparks of arousal and tendrils of apprehension through her. She expected Oliver to be more experienced than her and what if she didn't live up to expectations? After half an hour of staring at her wardrobe looking for something that said I'm a sexy seductress balanced with But I'm not easy either, she choose a semi-casual pink dress with thin straps. She knew all too well what she was doing though because she choose something that showed off her best attributes. She caught Oliver looking at her legs more than once and she thinks she caught he checking her ass also. She might have found it pervy in someone else but she would let Oliver away with it.
After her little pep talk with herself to calm a slight panic attack at the thought of sex with Oliver, she tidied the apartment and fixed her hair. She spoke to Laurel and to Dig on the phone and before she realized it, it was nearly six.
Right on time the doorbell went. She peeped out through the spy hole and saw Oliver laden down with bags of food and wine.
When she opened the door Oliver was examining the damage he had done to her door. "I must fix that properly tomorrow. I'll…" He was cut off by Felicity launching herself at him. She threw her arms around his neck like she hadn't seen him in years and devoured his lips. Oliver leaned his head at an angle to oblige her further and his tongue coasted over her lips before a moan escaped her lips. She kissed him ferociously as the sight of him standing in her doorway was arousing just in itself. When she pulled back Oliver spoke in husky tones. "If you keep doing that I'm going to just have to drop this food on the ground and have you here in the hallway. I'm ok with that but I'm not sure how your neighbors will feel."
Felicity sheepishly led Oliver into the apartment with a slight blushing hue rising in her cheeks. He followed her into the kitchen and she could see the cheeky smile curling his lips. When he put the bags on her kitchen counter, he took her hand and spun her around. "Come here. I didn't get a chance to fully appreciate you with my hands full."
Felicity smiled before being pulled into his embrace. With a hand holding her tight on the hip and one caressing her hair lightly, he kissed her with such a desire that it made her stomach flutter. If she ever had any doubts about how he felt, his soul was laid bare in this one kiss. He pulled her into him as close as he could. When he sensed she was struggling on her toes to meet his height, he easily lifted her onto a nearby stool. He continued to consume her lips until she was slightly tilted back off the stool and her leg wrapped around one of his thighs to anchor herself. Adorable mewling noises escaped Felicity's throat every now and again and a small, amused sound from Oliver's lips made Felicity pull apart. She looked at him with the most seductive look he had ever seen. "Everything ok?"
"Everything is more than ok," he said placing a small kiss to her bare shoulder. "It's just if we keep doing this, I don't think I'll be able to control myself much longer and I think you deserve a proper date before we go any further."
"Well I don't want all that nice food going to waste," Felicity said with a smile. "But you've brought me out to eat plenty of times. Just they weren't officially dates, I suppose."
"You deserve to be treated like the most important person in the world and wined and dined- the whole package. I don't want you to think that I would just want you for sex."
"I would usually find that sentiment endearing but I think we've had over a year of foreplay so we can forego some of the preamble dating." Felicity hopped off the stool and started to rummage through the bag. "But then again anticipation is good too." She let a small squeak escape from her as Oliver hugged her from behind as she unloaded the bags.
"Do you know how irresistible you are?" Oliver nipped playfully down her neck- she pretended not to be affected while unloading the food.
Her head fell back and her eyes rolled shut before she added, "Ok. I think we need a touching amnesty for at least two hours or this lovely food will go to waste."
Oliver spun her around and pouted adorably. "Ok so. But it's going to be a long two hours."
Felicity and Oliver sat at her kitchen table for the next few hours in easy conversation. Not that they didn't always have chats but they were both afraid that they might be uncomfortable with their new relationship status. Oliver really came through with the food. It was a dozen small Tapas tasters with a half dozen small tasting deserts and some of the best wine Felicity had even tasted.
When all the food was eaten and the kitchen tidied, Felicity spied Oliver looking at his watch. "Should I be concerned that you're bored already?"
"Definitely not bored but as of…" he paused and looked at his watch again, "now, it's eight pm." Oliver pulled Felicity towards him with firm hands on her waist. "So where was I?" Oliver started trailing kisses down her jaw and neck before moving to her shoulder, the strap of her dress easily moving out of the way. Heat shot through Felicity's body as she caressed Oliver's hair, her thumbs tickling his ears.
Felicity moved backwards until her body came in contact with the kitchen table. Oliver easily lifted her by the thighs onto the table, his thumbs caressing the skin just below the hem of her dress. "Maybe we should move this somewhere more comfortable," Oliver suggested, his lips setting a fiery line down her neck.
"What's wrong with right here?" Felicity asked playfully.
Oliver pulled back slightly. "I don't think this table can take all the things I have planned for you." With that Oliver swept her into his arms and carried her to the bedroom.
For the second morning in a row Oliver woke contented. Felicity was again still nestled into his side, though this side she was completely naked. Images of her writhing in pleasure beneath him brought a smile to his lips. Felicity stirred and looked up at him. "Hey," she said simply.
"Hi there," Oliver replied, leaning a soft kiss on her nose. "Thank you for last night. I had a great time."
"Me too," she responded, a slight blush in her cheeks. "So no regrets?"
Oliver pulled her in closer to him still. "Definitely no regrets. You make me a happier man than I ever thought I could be."
"You deserve to be happy and you make me feel happy too." Felicity stroked his chest with a finger, her eyes suddenly downcast. "I know today is going to be a hard day- the anniversary of the earthquake."
"It will be hard but with you by my side, everything is so much easier."
Felicity leant up and grabbed his face between her hands, kissing him. They both knew that there would be tough times but together it would be alright.