Chapter Twelve
The second tests of the A.T.O.M. suit went better than the first. Ray managed to test six of his weapons and would have tested his flight capability, if he had the room inside the test lab. Felicity assisted him in taking the suit off. He was smiling, as she took off his gauntlets.
"You know you are the prettiest assistant I've ever had," he said.
"Thank you," she smiled.
"So, am I almost ready to meet Team Arrow and train with them?" he asked. "I am especially excited about meeting the Arrow himself."
Felicity frowned. That wasn't going to happen. The only time she heard from Oliver lately was when he interacted with the team. He no longer spent time at the foundry. She no longer saw much of him, even though she still thought he was wrong for working with Malcolm Merlyn, she missed him.
"We'll test the flight capabilities first then you can meet the team," she said.
"I'm going have to build a control and command center for you. I'm thinking something state of the art and very cutting edge," said Ray. "Of course, you'll be in charge of the control and command."
"You expect me to be your control and command," Felicity said softly.
"Of course, I do. We are a team, right?" Ray asked with a smile.
He grabbed her by the hips and pulled her in close. Felicity wrinkled her brow.
"Right?" he asked again.
"I'll have to think about that, Ray," she said.
He smiled then kissed her. Felicity blushed after the kiss then adjusted her glasses and walked behind.
"I need to undo some plating back here," she said.
"I'm definitely going to have to figure out an easy method to get the suit on and off," Ray commented.
"Uh huh," she replied.
Could I leave the team completely? No more Roy, Laurel, or Diggle? No more, Oliver. Damn it, Oliver, why can't you change? Why do you have to be so stubborn? And why did you have to team up with Malcolm Merlyn?
"Felicity, how about dinner tonight?" Ray asked her.
"Dinner? Sure," she said.
"Chinese?"
"Whatever you want," she answered.
"Let's get this suit off," he said.
Arrow
Oliver was seated at the computer console researching Nirvana. It appeared that the dealer behind this new drug was someone by the name of Wilhelm Rot. Now all he needed to do was find where Rot rested his head. He started the search by using the facial recognition software. Setting the parameters and using every CCTV and security camera in Starling City that he could access, he began the search.
His smart phone rang. Oliver looked at it lying on the table. It was Diggle. He put it on speakerphone.
"Hey, Dig," Oliver said.
"Oliver, it's been a while since we talked. Lyla is going away with Sara for a few days, so I was hoping that we could have dinner and spend some time together," said Diggle.
"Why don't you pick some Big Belly Burgers up and come over here to my place? I think I can convince Tatsu to eat badly for once," Oliver offered.
"I'll be there in an hour," said Diggle. "Do you mind if I bring Roy?"
"No Problem, but have him bring his gear," said Oliver. "He can come out with me tonight and you can act as our C&C."
"I wouldn't mind that," said Diggle, who then hung up.
Oliver sat back in his chair and smiled. The freight elevator door opened then the security door and Tatsu came on to the floor.
"Oliver," she greeted him.
"Diggle and Roy are coming over and they are bringing dinner," he said.
She raised an eyebrow showing curiosity.
"Big Belly Burger," he told her.
"That is not food. It is bad for you," she said. "I'm trying to get you to eat healthy always. It will be better for you."
"And having Big Belly Burger will make me feel better," said Oliver. "Plus, you are having it for dinner, too. It's about time that you try something different, something that you eat for the flavor and not the health reasons."
She looked at him with annoyance.
"If you don't like Big Belly Burger then I make a promise that I will never eat it again. How does that sound?" he asked her.
"I will try it," she said. "Are you going out tonight?"
"If I get a lead on Wilhelm Rot," he said.
He turned back to the computer and looked at the screen to see if facial recognition had picked anything up yet.
Arrow
Laurel arrived at the foundry to find only Felicity there. It was quiet without Roy and Diggle training. Felicity was working on tracing military grade weapons.
"Felicity, where are Roy and Dig?" Laurel asked.
"I guess it's a boys' night out. They left a message that they're with Oliver tonight," she said, trying not to sound a little pissed off.
"Are they patrolling tonight?" asked Laurel.
"They're on their smart phones if needed," stated Felicity.
"I wonder who Oliver is going after?" asked Laurel.
She looked at Felicity with a devious smile playing on her lips. Felicity understood that Laurel wanted to prove to Oliver that she was worthy to be out there like he was.
"I could always hack into his system and find out," said Felicity entering into the conspiracy.
Laurel grinned. She liked the idea of getting Oliver's prey before him. It would help to prove herself skills were improving.
"Let's find out who he is after," said Laurel.
"I like it. The women team up," Felicity boasted.
Felicity started to check Oliver's phone numbers to check which were used for data only. She was going to use her skill on Oliver not for him for a change.
"The boys can have a night out, so why not us?" said Laurel.
Felicity giggled.
Arrow
They had finished up their burgers and fries. Oliver looked over at Tatsu, who had eaten her meal. He was going to tell her that he told her so, but doesn't not to do so. She'd probably make him live on broth and herbs for a week. He looked over the dining table, that he had recently bought, at Roy.
"You bring your gear, Arsenal?" he asked.
"I need to borrow some arrows," Roy said.
"I have some red arrows tricked out for you upstairs. I also have a space for you so that you can keep some extra gear here," said Oliver.
"Thanks," smiled Roy.
"What do you have for me?" asked Dig.
"A system that would make Felicity jealous," said Oliver.
"I've been wanting to take a long look at that system you put together," said Diggle.
Arrow
Felicity didn't take long to hack into Oliver's system and find out who he was searching for. While she started her own search for Wilhelm Rot, Laurel got into her gear. By the time she was dressed as the Black Canary, Felicity had used the information gathered by Oliver and started to expand on it.
"I'll be out the field," said Laurel.
"Okay," mumbled Felicity.
"When I have something I'll comm you," said Felicity.
"Good," said Laurel then she smirked. "I think I'll take out Roy's backup bike."
"Don't ruin it. He'll kill you," remarked Felicity, drawing a laugh from Laurel.
"Just tell me where I can find Wilhelm Rot," said Laurel.
Arrow
Oliver and Arsenal raced to abandoned factory in the Glades. Felicity had contacted Dig to let him know that she found Rot and that Laurel was going in alone to get him. Oliver was furious. He was furious at Laurel for endangering herself and he was furious at Felicity for hacking into his system.
They skidded their bikes to a halt. Grabbing bows and racing into the factory, they came upon Laurel being pursued by some of Rot's men. They let fly their arrows quickly taking down five men. Laurel took down the sixth man herself. She looked at Oliver.
"Rot is packing up three vans with his drug," she said.
"Arsenal, pick up strays," he ordered. "Rot is mine."
"What about me?" asked Laurel.
He wanted to tell her off, but bit his tongue.
"Help Arsenal," he barked then he went after Rot.
Laurel looked at Roy, who was notching up and arrow.
"I wanted to prove to Oliver that I can do this," she said.
"You have nothing to prove," said Roy. "But, you and I aren't Oliver. He's the only one of us who can do this by himself if he wanted to and he chose Dig to be his backup because he knows that a team works better. Now let's get to work."
Arrow
They had most of Rot's men and all of his drugs in hand. Rot got away, though Oliver was able to hit him with a tracer. He decided that he'd give the tracer information to Lance and let the police take him into custody.
As Laurel and Roy chased down a few of Rot's men, who bolted. Oliver took this time to confront Felicity. There was no way he was going to let her hack him again. Arriving in the back alley of Verdant, he punched in the code for the side door and entered the foundry. Felicity had her back to him, as she worked on her computer. Using the stealth he learned the hard way, he walked up right behind her.
"Don't ever hack my system again," he growled.
Felicity almost jumped out of her skin. She stood up and turned to face Oliver.
"What are you doing here?" she asked.
"Making a point, Felicity," he said. "You might be able to hack, but I can sneak up on someone. Don't hack my system again."
"Don't threaten me, Oliver, or I'll make your trust fund go away again," she replied.
"I have no doubt that you can do that," he said.
"And if I did what would you do, huh? Put an arrow in me," she growled back at him.
He looked at her for a moment. Oliver didn't want to admit it but she could do whatever she wanted to do to him and he wouldn't fight. He loved her.
"I know you don't want to be a woman that I love, but you are, so you know that I'd never hurt you," he said softly calming down.
"Too late, Oliver, you've already hurt me," she said, even though she didn't want to. The words just came out of her.
Instinctively, he reached over and touched her cheek like he used to her. She flinched at his touch, which hurt him more than Ra's Al Ghul's sword in the gut. He took a deep breath then released.
"I only want you to be happy, Felicity. If Ray makes you happy, then I'm satisfied. I know I've hurt you. I can't change that, though. I can only hope your happiness with Ray lasts as long as you wish it to," he said.
"I don't want to talk about Ray with you," she said defensively.
"I understand. You love him," he said with a hint of sadness in his voice. "You deserve to be loved by someone that you can love."
He once again reached up and touched her cheek. This time she didn't flinch. What she did do was work hard not to react at all, even though part of her melted to his touch.
"You may not want me to love you, but I do. And I always will love you," he said then he moved his hand to the back of her neck and brought her close to him. Oliver didn't hesitate or ask permission, but he did capture her mouth his own. He kissed her with all the passion that was smoldering inside of him. This was probably his last chance to kiss her, so he gave her his all.
Felicity's insides turned to liquid because of the kiss. She didn't want to respond to it, but she couldn't help herself. Felicity didn't want the kiss to end but it did. She stood there in a state of shock unable to respond.
"I leave in a few weeks to face Ra's Al Ghul again," he told her. "If I return then we'll straighten things out. I know that you'll want to work with Ray once his exo-suit is ready. I don't blame you."
They stood their silently for a moment. Felicity still couldn't speak because of the kiss. All she could was stare at him.
"I know I failed you. I'm sorry for that. Hopefully, someday you'll be able to forgive me," he said then he walked away.
He was gone too fast for her to say a word. Felicity finally fell out of her trance and cried.