A/N: The credit for this chapter goes to zozebo - thanks for the fun idea! I hope you liked how it turned out =).

The steady pounding of her fists against the firm punching bag mixed in with her ragged breathing created an odd rhythm. She found that she really liked the sound, actually, now that Oliver had taught her to punch so that her blows landed with a fair amount of force.

Blowing a sweaty strand of hair out of her eyes, she danced around the punching bag, focusing so that she could master the light footwork that he had told her would work best - agility was apparently her strong point, or would be once she figured it out.

"What are you doing?"

Gasping in surprise, Felicity spun around, fists at the ready.

It was just Laurel. She sometimes forgot that Oliver's ex-girlfriend was now in on the secret as well and would now come down to the lab to see him.

"Laurel," she greeted her coolly, hiding her embarrassment at her startled initial reaction to the woman's presence. Wiping sweat from her brow, she paused her training practice to walk over to the table and grab a drink from her water bottle. Once hydrated, she asked, "What brings you down here? Oliver isn't around."

"Felicity," Laurel smiled at her warmly, "I thought that you and I could get to know each other a little better?"

Felicity smiled back only slightly sourly. Although she respected Laurel for her courage, she didn't have to particularly like the woman. She had never quite identified the reason for her apathy towards Laurel - it might have something to do with the fact that Oliver kept falling in love with her. Jealously was valid, she supposed, wiping her face with a towel. Finally, she sighed and replied, "Sure. Anything in particular in mind?"

Standing, she returned to the punching bag and settled into her stance.

"I was thinking that we could, you know, talk," she clarified, stepping around the bag to face Felicity again. "Since we both know his secret, I assume that we will spend a lot more time together."

"Great," Felicity gritted through her teeth, smacking the bag with slightly more force than necessary. It felt good.

Not giving up, Laurel asked, "So, do you do this often? Train?" she gestured to the punching bag. "It doesn't really fit the image of the IT girl."

Pausing, Felicity panted, "I guess I'm just full of surprises, then." With a small laugh, she added, "Also, I'm tired of being the helpless female that constantly needs rescuing." Giving Laurel a pointed look, she resumed her regime.

One of Laurel's perfectly sculpted eyebrows rose a fraction. "What does that mean?"

"Nothing," Felicity gasped in between blows. "Just that I don't want to be a liability to Oliver, is all."

"And you think I am." Laurel folded her arms over her chest and glared at Felicity.

Felicity just shrugged, unwilling to get into a full argument with her during her workout.

"Why don't you like me?" Laurel demanded, approaching the bag, though careful to stay far enough away to avoid a blow.

"Who said that I didn't like you?" she retorted, immediately on the defensive.

Suddenly, Laurel's expression changed and she smiled, widening her eyes. "It's Oliver, isn't it?"

Freezing, Felicity tried her best to school her features. "What?" The word came out weakly, and Felicity mentally cursed her lack of acting skills.

"It is," Laurel gasped, her eyes twinkling. "This is great."

Grunting, Felicity sped up her attack, ignoring the irritating woman. Even though Laurel was right, it didn't make her any happier.

"I won't tell him," Laurel said, her voice more serious now and her gaze intent on Felicity.

"Really?" Felicity finally met her eyes questionly, confused.

"Really," Laurel affirmed, smiling.

For the first time since they started talking, Felicity smiled, a genuine smile, at Laurel. Maybe they could be friends after all.

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