Chapter Seven
Felicity entered the foundry to find Oliver was there by himself. He was dressed in dress pants, a dress blue shirt, and leather jacket. Taking off her red coat she strode by him and went immediately to her computers.
"Felicity," he said.
"Oliver," was her reply. "Why are you here?"
"I'm Dig's best man. Tonight is his bachelor party," he answered.
There was an awkward silence between Oliver and Felicity. Oliver knew when he came home to become the vigilante that the simpler things in life were not going to be his, like normalcy and love. He was now looking at someone who he loved and couldn't have because of what he did and what he'd become.
"Who is going?" she asked.
"Me… Dig, and Roy," he said. "I admit it not going to be a big crowd. I guess I've kept Dig busy the past few years. Friends are hard to keep when you live the life we do."
Felicity opened her mouth to speak, but stopped herself. Her feelings were tugging at her. Ray was better for her than Oliver. Oliver would forever fall back behind his masks and walls. She turned around and started to work on the computer and Oliver stood there feeling awkward. He took a deep breath then released the air.
"We need to talk," he said.
"No, we don't," she replied not bothering to turn around.
"Felicity, you have to understand…" he started, but she cut him off.
She whipped around in her chair and glared at him.
"Oliver, I don't need to understand anything about you anymore," she said.
"But…," he stopped and bit his tongue. He once told Barry that love of right woman wasn't going to happen for them because of the life they chose. It was time to stop being a hypocrite and let her go, even though he knew he couldn't stop loving her. "How's Ray?"
Her glare intensified. An angry Felicity could be a scary one.
"I want you to resign from the board of directors," she said.
"No," he replied.
"Why not? You aren't interested in business, Oliver. You are just doing to push Ray's button."
"I'm doing it because I'm interested in what happens to my family's business, which he bought from underneath me, and I want to keep a close eye on the A.T.O.M. suit. I don't trust it," he said.
"You are a hypocrite. You know it, don't you?" she accused him. "You are the Arrow, but you are going to keep an eye on a man who wants to help the city like you, but he wants to wear a suit that gives him an edge and protects him. Hypocrite."
She stared into his eyes and saw that her words hurt him then she saw the wall go up. It was the wall he lived behind in order to survive, but it was also the wall that kept him from being more than the Arrow.
"I'm sorry you feel that way, Felicity," he spat then gritted his teeth in order to gain control. "Your boyfriend has no experience and no training, but he does have almost limitless wealth. I'm keeping an eye on him, regardless what you think of me. Tell Dig I'm waiting for him upstairs. There is no reason for me to be here."
With those words, he stormed up the stairs and was gone. Felicity felt her eyes to start sting. Her feelings for Ray were growing, but she was too smart not to admit that she still had feelings for Oliver.
"Hey, Felicity, are you alright?" came the calming voice of John Diggle.
He had entered through the side door and was dressed for his bachelor night. She looked at him.
"I had a fight with Oliver. He's upstairs waiting for you," she said.
"Felicity," he sighed. "You two have to come to terms with each other."
"He's… I… it's difficult, Dig," she said.
"Both of you care too much about each other to keep this up," he said. "It's not right."
"I need to do some work," she said.
"I'll go find Oliver and Roy upstairs then," he said then started to leave.
"Dig," she stopped him.
"Yes, Felicity," he said.
"Have a good time tonight," she smiled.
"Thank you."
Arrow
Out of nowhere there was her brother. She had been worried about him, feared something happened to him, but now he was home. Thea gave Oliver a long hug then she backed away from him and punched him in the arm.
"Where have you been?" she asked.
"I had some business, Speedy. I've gotten part of my trust back, as well as a few other things that belonged to the family," he told her. "Mother's diamond earrings, bracelet, and necklace that she loved I have. I want to give them to you along with her engagement ring from Dad."
"Oliver," she said with tears in her eyes. "I'd love to have them."
"I'll bring them by your place tomorrow. We can catch up then," he said.
She hugged him then stepped back.
"You're looking good. Where are you going tonight?" she asked.
"Diggle is getting married in two days and I'm his best man. I'm taking him out tonight, a sort of bachelor's party," he told her.
Roy came walking up to them. Thea turned around and saw that he was dressed to go out.
"You going out, too?" she asked.
"Dig's bachelor party," he answered.
"Oh," she said then looked at her brother suspiciously. Roy, Oliver, and Diggle spent a great deal of time together. It seemed odd to her.
"There you are," they heard the deep baritone of John Diggle's voice.
Roy and Oliver faced their friend and partner.
"You ready?" asked Oliver.
"Where are we going?" he asked.
"We are starting with a fine steak dinner then we are going to someplace for drinks and cigars," smiled Oliver, who then turned and looked at Thea. "Tomorrow around one. I'll be there at your place."
"Okay, Ollie," she said.
Roy smirked, "We're not splitting the bill, right?"
"No, it's all on me," said Oliver.
Arrow
Keene's Steakhouse was the most exclusive one on Starling City. It was a dark leather and mahogany wood kind of place. When they arrived they were immediately seated and a waiter showed up to start their order.
"How may I start your meal?" the waiter asked.
"We'll start with a Roger Craig 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon," Oliver ordered.
Oliver looked at his friends and asked, "Can I order for us?"
"Go right ahead," smiled Diggle.
"Sure," added Roy.
"We'll have three aged porterhouse steaks with creamed spinach and baked potatoes. For dessert we'll have the German chocolate cake, and with our coffee with have a glass of your best Port," ordered Oliver.
"Excellent, sir," said the waiter. "I'll bring your wine."
"Thank you," said Oliver.
"Must be nice to have some of your money back," said Roy.
"Only in that I can treat my friends," smiled Oliver.
"Where are we going after dinner, someplace to work out?" asked Diggle.
"No, we are going to Monte Cristo's, for some fine single malt scotch and an expensive cigar. I thought that would be better than a strip joint," said Oliver.
"Lyla will appreciate it," chuckled Diggle.
"I feel out of place here," said Roy.
"You belong here, Roy. You're my protégé, so you go where I go," said Oliver.
"Even though you have your own Arrow Cave now?" asked Roy.
"Once Ray is up and running in his exo-suit, he'll take up most of Felicity's time. You'll either have to become part of his team, or you can join me," said Oliver. "I hope you join me, Roy. We work well together."
"You think Felicity will choose Ray over… you," said Diggle.
"She already has," replied Oliver trying not to sound bitter.
"Oliver, you two need to talk," said Diggle.
"She doesn't want to talk, Dig," smiled Oliver. "Anyways, I've got a few days left before Nyssa returns for my answer and I have to face Ra's Al Ghul again."
"You'll defeat him this time," stated Roy.
Oliver smiled then said, "I intend on defeating him. Tatsu is helping. My swordsmanship has improved."
"Beat the bastard so we can get back to normal. We are a team," said Diggle.
"I agree," added Roy.
"And don't count Felicity out, yet," said Diggle. "She belongs with this team."
"Just like Laurel," added Roy.
Oliver growled at him. He didn't like the fact that Laurel had followed in Sara's footsteps. She just didn't have the skills and that could get you killed.
"Let's change the topic and enjoy tonight," offered Diggle.
"Good idea," Oliver agreed.
Arrow
Monte Christo's was the kind of cigar bar where you sat around in well broken in leather armchairs drinking hard alcohol while expensive bottles of whiskey and scotch were displayed along with a specially enclosed humidor room. Oliver, Diggle, and Roy were seated by the hostess then a waitress arrived. She was attractive and flirted with Oliver, who took it in stride.
"Do you know what you'd like this evening?" she asked him.
Roy chuckled along with Diggle. Oliver gave her his best playboy smile and placed their order.
"We'll start with three Cuban cigars. As for something to drink, I'd like to purchase a 25 year old bottle of Bowmore. I believe you should have one or two left," he said.
"A whole bottle. That is $800 dollars," she said.
"The whole bottle," smiled Oliver.
"Yes, sir," she said then hustled off.
"Oliver, this is too much," said Diggle.
"Dig, it's only money," he said. "Believe me when I tell you that money has never done me any good."
"Well, a lack of money has never done me any good," grinned Roy.
"Then enjoy yourself. This will be one of the best single malt scotches you'll ever drink," Oliver pointed out.
The waitress brought the three cigars on a tray along with a box of wooden matches. Each man took a cigar and Oliver grabbed the box of matches.
"The bottle of 25 year old Bowmore is retrieved by the manager. He'll bring it by himself," she said.
"Thank you," said Oliver.
He tossed the box of wooden matches to Dig, so that he could light up first. Dig lit up his cigar then tossed the matches to Roy. It was then the manager showed up with the bottle of Bowmore and three crystal glasses on a tray.
"Oliver Queen," the manager said, "I should have known."
"Douglas," said Oliver.
"Should I have water, soda, or ice supplied?" he asked.
"We'll be drinking this straight," said Oliver, who caught the box of matches which he saw out of the corner of his eye.
"I think you'll find this Bowmore one of the better drinking experiences you'll ever have," said the manager.
"Thank you, Douglas," said Oliver.
The manager left them alone. Oliver lit up his cigar, as Dig cracked open the bottle and poured them a drink. Each one of them lifted a glass.
"To John Diggle, a man who started as my bodyguard and has become my brother," said Oliver.
They clinked glasses and took a sip of the scotch. A big smile cracked Diggle's face.
"Wow, that's good," he said.
"Definitely better than the cheap stuff I've had," said Roy.
Oliver grinned then took another sip of his drink.
"I hope you like this better than a strip club," said Oliver.
"I most definitely do," said Diggle.
Arrow
In the middle of her large living room, Thea sparred with Malcolm. They kept making passes at each other with their swords. With speed and grace, they attacked and defended. Pass after pass, they sparred until Malcolm disarmed her.
"Well done," he said with pride.
Suddenly, they heard applause. Both turned and saw Oliver standing there.
"I let myself in," he said. "Very impressive, Speedy."
"Your sister is a natural," said Malcolm.
"Oliver I didn't expect you until one," said Thea nervously.
"Oliver likes to surprise people," said Malcolm. "Don't you, Arrow?"
Thea looked at her brother in shock then she mumbled, "Arrow?"
"It's time that your sister gets to know just how extraordinary a brother she has," said Malcolm.
Oliver didn't respond. He just stood there keeping a calm exterior and wondering what Malcolm Merlyn's end game was.