Laurel wasn't nervous. Felicity was on her way over, and Laurel was absolutely not freaking out. Sure, she'd changed clothes four times, retouched her makeup twice, and spent the last twenty minutes pacing by the door; but she definitely wasn't nervous. When she heard the soft knock on the door, her heart jumped right into her throat.

Felicity wore a pink blouse and a white flowered skirt. Her blond hair fell softly over her shoulders. She looked petrified. "Here," she pushed a little cardboard box into Laurel's hands. "These are for later, but I wanted you to see them now. It's sort of a theme date." She grimaced apologetically.

Laurel set the box on the kitchen counter, and sliced open the string holding it closed. Inside were two decorated cookies. They had thick, colored icing; the type you would buy for a child's birthday party. One was made to look like the Hulk, and the other resembled an Iron Man mask.

"Sorry if it's completely lame," Felicity was saying.

Laurel was beaming as she turned back around. "Are we going to see the Avengers movie?"

"If that's okay."

"Yes, absolutely!"

The two stood smiling at each other for a long moment. Felicity broke the silence. "You look nice."

Laurel smoothed her hands over her slacks. "Thanks. You were probably worried I'd wear sweatpants."

Felicity looked confused. "No, why?"

"Every time I see you, I'm dressed like a slob. I swear I don't normally look like that."

"You mean at the restaurant? Oh-" Her expression softened, and she glanced away, biting her lip. When she met Laurel's eyes again, there was a raw honesty in her gaze. "Actually, I thought you looked beautiful."

Laurel's eyes grew wide. "What?" She couldn't help but smile. "Are you serious? I hadn't put on makeup, my hair was gross…"

Felicity shrugged. "I don't care."

The way this woman was looking at her made Laurel's heart stick in her throat. If they didn't leave right now… Laurel quickly turned to grab the box of cookies and tuck it under her arm. "Ready?"

The drive to the movie theater was quick. As they walked up the sidewalk, Laurel pulled out her wallet. Felicity reached out to stop her. "Hey, I asked you, so it's my treat."

Laurel insisted. "But you already paid for dessert. Let me get this."

"How about you buy the tickets, I'll get the popcorn and drinks." Her fingers still rested lightly on Laurel's.

"Deal."

Felicity started to let her hand drop, but Laurel caught it up in hers. They laced their fingers together, and Laurel felt herself grinning stupidly.

It wasn't until they were seated in the theater, and the previews were about to begin, that Laurel decided to make a confession. She turned to Felicity. "I need to tell you something," she spoke in a hushed voice.

Felicity's eyebrows shot up in concern. "What's wrong?"

"I've already seen this movie."

Felicity bit her lip. "Uh, me too."

"I'm fine with watching it again, though," Laurel assured her. "I loved it."

"Me too." Felicity laughed.

The lights went down as the movie started. Laurel found herself grateful she'd watched it before, as she kept finding herself distracted by the woman beside her. Occasionally their hands would bump in the box of popcorn, and Laurel's stomach would flip like she was fifteen again. Once the popcorn was gone, she pulled the cookies out of her purse, and they both stole quick bites, peering around guiltily to make sure no one noticed.

When the finally lights came up, Felicity looked down and groaned. "Oh, great." She started to brush at her lap.

Laurel looked over to see flakes of red and green icing all over Felicity's white skirt. She scooped up Felicity's hands, stopping her. "Wait, you'll rub it in!" Instead, Laurel pulled the material taut, carefully flicking the icing away with her fingernail. "There," she finally announced, and looked up to see Felicity watching her with a curious expression. Laurel pulled her hands back, mortified at herself. "Oh God, I wasn't trying to cop a feel, I swear. I'm really sorry."

"I know you weren't!" She examined her skirt, now free of icing crumbs, then looked up with a smug grin. "My hero."

Walking to the parking lot, they debated which Avenger was the hottest. Felicity thought Natasha Romanoff was the obvious choice, but Laurel preferred Agent Maria Hill. The conversation was interrupted when Laurel's phone started chiming with text alerts. She checked the screen. "It's Thea," she said, as her phone chimed once again.

Felicity frowned over her shoulder. "Is something wrong?"

"Might be. She says her dad's away, so she invited some friends over. I'm guessing things got a bit out of hand; it seems like she's flipping out."

"Does she want us to come by? I know where her father's place is."

Laurel texted the question to Thea. The response came immediately, and Laurel laughed as she showed it to Felicity. "That would be a yes." Both ladies got in the car, and Felicity drove them to the Merlins' home.

When they arrived, Cin greeted them in the driveway. "Hey! I didn't think you'd come!" She hooked her arm around Laurel's neck.

Felicity's face was tight with concern. "Is everyone okay? Where is Mr. Merlin?"

"I think he's upstairs, why?"

Laurel shot a confused look at Felicity. Untangling herself from the girl's arm, she asked, "Have you seen Thea?"

Cin frowned, puzzled at the onslaught of questions. "She's inside. Come on."

They followed her around to the back of the house, where Felicity spotted a few of her students lounging around a swimming pool. Roy shouted to them from the diving board before doing an impressive backflip into the water. Laurel chuckled as she shook her head. This was not the out-of-control mess she'd anticipated from Thea's frantic messages.

Cin led them up a flight of wooden steps to a large deck that overlooked the pool. A handsome middle-aged man was coming out of the house with a glass in his hand. When he spotted the two women, his expression was a mixture of surprise and concern. "Hello," he said cautiously.

Felicity forced a polite smile. "Hello Malcolm."

"Ms. Smoak!" He smiled and set down his glass. "Good to see you! And who is this?"

"Laurel Lance," she held out her hand.

He wrapped his large hand around hers. "Ah, yes, the mentor. I've heard so much about you." He eased his grip, and Laurel pulled her hand away quickly. He studied them. "Thea didn't tell me you two were coming. Can I get you something to drink?"

"No," they both answered at the same time.

"We won't be here long," Felicity added. Laurel reached for her hand.

He looked disappointed. "You're welcome to stay. With all these kids taking over my house, I could do for some adult company."

"We really can't. Thank you anyway." His smiled faded. Laurel felt Felicity's hand tighten around hers.

To their relief, Sara appeared in the doorway. "Hey, when did you get here? We've got a game going downstairs, come on!"

They were more than glad to follow. She led them in past the kitchen, through a hallway, and down a flight of stairs to the den. The room was set up in a cozy arrangement, with several couches pushed around a low table. Cin hopped over the back of a couch to sit by Nyssa, as Thea ran over to greet the new arrivals. "I'm so glad you're here!"

Laurel hugged Thea, then made a stern face. "We only came by to make sure you were okay, which you are."

"Oh, won't you stay for just a little while?"

Felicity narrowed her eyes, pretending to be angry. "Five minutes, and that's it." Thea made an exaggerated pouting face, and Felicity sighed. "Okay, ten minutes!" Sara dragged her over to join the card game.

Thea turned to Laurel. "You guys are super cute together. How was the date?"

Laurel's mouth dropped open. "Wait, you knew?"

"Everybody knows, silly."

Felicity was laughing over a hand she'd just lost. Laurel felt herself grinning. She tried not to think about what sort of gossip had gone around.

Thea lowered her voice to a loud whisper. "So, did she kiss you yet?"

Laurel shot her a look. "I'm not going to answer that," she whispered back.

"Does that mean no?"

"We are so not talking about this." She walked over to the couches to get a closer look. Everyone was slapping cards down frantically. "What are you guys playing?" Laurel asked.

Sara glanced up between moves. "Egyptian Ratscrew." She laughed at Laurel's reaction. "Just watch, you'll figure it out." The kids continued throwing down cards in a pattern she couldn't make heads or tails of.

Felicity peered up at Laurel. "They taught me during late rehearsals."

Nyssa brought her hand down loudly against the table, scooping up a pile of cards. Everyone groaned in protest, but kept playing. Next, Felicity slapped another pile. "Hey," Cin complained. "Just because you're our teacher doesn't mean you can cheat!"

"I don't have to cheat." Felicity spread the top few cards. "How about that!" She laughed as she pushed away from the table. "Alright, somebody take my spot." She joined Laurel by the foot of the stairs.

Thea followed, and grabbed her by the arm, her eyes wide. "Ms. Smoak wait, I need to talk to you. It's important."

Felicity handed Laurel her car keys with an apologetic look. "I'll be right there."

"No problem." Laurel waved at the girls around the table. "See you on Tuesday!" She made her way back to around the house to Felicity's car. This had been a first date unlike any other. As she waited, she tried not to dwell on Thea's question. It didn't matter if they hadn't kissed. Even if Felicity only liked her as a friend, Laurel still wanted her as a best friend. They were simply too perfectly matched to not be part of each other's lives. She couldn't recall the last time she'd felt so comfortable spending time with anyone.

Before long, Felicity joined her and they drove away. On the drive back, they compared notes about the students they had each worked with, and the parents they had met. All too soon they were back at Laurel's apartment. Felicity parked in front of the building, and they both got out of the car.

Laurel's heart was pounding in her ears. "I had such a great time."

"Me too. Can we do this again?"

"Sure, I'd love that." They both stood grinning at one another.

Felicity gave an embarrassed smile. "Thea said something after you left, and I can't stop thinking about it."

"Oh no, what did she do?"

Felicity grew serious. "She told me... I had to kiss you, or else."

Laurel burst into laughter. "Or else what!"

A smile spread across Felicity lips. "I have no idea." She let her gaze wander over Laurel's face. "It's silly."

"Ridiculous," Laurel agreed. She felt giddy.

Felicity reached up to touch Laurel's face, soft fingers brushing down her cheek. Without thinking, Laurel stepped closer. She cupped Felicity's delicate face in both hands. They both leaned in, hardly breathing. Their lips met, and it was gentle, and confident. Absolutely perfect. Laurel inhaled deeply, letting the taste and feel and smell of this woman push aside everything else. She smoothed her hand over Felicity's hair, trying to pull her closer.

Felicity wrapped her fingers in the front of Laurel's jacket, tugging their bodies together. As she moved in, her shoe turned on a pebble. Her foot slipped just enough to throw her off balance, and she stumbled forward. Laurel managed to catch her, only by falling back against the side of the car with a hollow thud. Felicity stared up at her, breathless.

They both started to laugh. Holding on to one another, they giggled helplessly, still balanced against the car. Laurel helped Felicity get her footing, but they didn't let go. When they leaned in for a second kiss, neither could stop smiling. It just felt right.

Not too soon after, Laurel watched from her window as the car drove away. Felicity had already promised to call once she got home, and Laurel was already missing her voice.

For the next two years, nearly every day finished with a phone call. After that, they didn't have to pick up the phone to talk until the wee hours, ever again.