A/N: Thank you to all my reviewers, favouriters, and followers out there - I always appreciate the support =). The idea for this chapter comes from Rane (Guest) - thanks for the suggestion! I had fun with it, so I hope you like the finished product =).

Also, if you are enjoying this fic, you should check out my new Olicity story, "The Island."

"I'm sorry, Ollie." Those were the first words Laurel said to him as she opened the door to her apartment. "I know I shouldn't have called, but.."

"It's fine," Oliver interrupted, stepping into her apartment.

He had been surprised when Laurel had called him a couple hours ago. There had been something in her voice, something that he could identify with - loneliness. As he trailed behind Laurel on their way to the living room, he reflected on how his feelings have changed since returning from his isolation on the island.

Back then, he had thought that Laurel was his dream girl. An invitation to her apartment for a late dinner would have been his dream shortly after returning home. Now, however, there was nothing more than friendship on his mind towards the pretty brunette.

"I just ordered Chinese," Laurel said, gesturing to the unopened take-out containers on her coffee table.

"Thanks." Oliver sat down on the couch, ignoring the food for the moment. This situation was a little out of his comfort zone. He was aware that Laurel needed to talk, but he was much more suited to shooting arrows into people than he was to being sensitive. "Uh," he faltered, drawing a blank. "Is everything okay, Laurel?"

"Yeah," she replied a little too quickly, her tone light. "Just great."

Not knowing whether or not to push further, Oliver accepted her answer and reached towards the containers of Chinese. The one he picked was hot enough to sting his calloused hands a little, but he ignored it and opened the container to let some steam out. Laurel handed him a pair of chopsticks, which he accepted with a muttered 'thank you.'

Grabbing her own container, Laurel settled on the couch next to him, one of her long legs curled up under her body.

They ate mostly in silence, the sound of the chopsticks the only noise. It was unusual for him to feel so uncomfortable around his childhood friend, but Oliver just couldn't relax.

Laurel had changed. That was the conclusion he reached by the time he reached the bottom of his take-out container. Their relationship was no longer fun and easy-going. There was too much history now between them to ever regain that, and that realization left Oliver with a bitter taste in his mouth.

"I don't know why I called you here." Laurel's voice, low and subdued, broke into Oliver's thoughts.

"I'm glad you did." It was a lie, but Oliver figured that she needed to hear that. "I don't see you often anymore."

"I know." Even though they were talking, Oliver felt like Laurel had closed herself off to him and didn't really want to open up.

"Laurel," he started, but before he could continue, he heard the familiar sound of his ringtone break the tense air. "Can I?"

Laurel immediately nodded, her expression subtly relieved. "Yeah, of course."

Oliver stood up and walked a couple steps away, pulling his phone out of his pocket. The caller ID read 'Felicity.' His heart jumped to his throat and his mind started spinning, creating theory after theory. She could have been kidnapped (again). What if she was lying in a ditch somewhere with a broken leg? Or maybe she could be… Stop it. He told himself sharply. Answer the phone.

"Hello?" He winced at how urgently it came out.

"Oliver?" Felicity's voice asked. "It's Felicity. I don't suppose you are free right now?"

"If you need me, I'm there," he replied without thinking. Then he looked over at Laurel. He could only see the back of her head from where he was, but a brief flash of guilt rose at the sight of her when he realized how easily he would ditch her to see Felicity. I'll only go if it's important, he compromised with himself.

"That's great," Felicity said hopefully, "because I really need you." He heard a sharp intake of breath on her end. "I mean, I need your help," she corrected herself. "Not you. But, you know, your help kind of requires that you are there, too."

Oliver couldn't help but smile. He could imagine her, her eyes closed and a look of horrified exasperation on her face as she realized what she had said. The mental picture was adorable - he loved it when she made that face. "What do you need, Felicity?"

"My car broke down," she confessed. "And it's late. Would you come get me and I'll call a tow truck in the morning."

"Where?"

She named her location - a lonely road just off the highway. Right away, Oliver's protective instincts kicked in - he had to go get her.

"On my way."

Breaking the news to Laurel was easier than he had imagined. She look just as relieved as he felt with the interruption to their one-on-one time.

"We can catch up later?" He was in the doorway, impatient to leave, but not wanting to be rude.

"Don't worry about it, Ollie. Go help your friend."

"Thanks, Laurel." Hugging her goodbye, he nearly ran to his car.

...

"Thank goodness," Oliver muttered as he finally saw Felicity's familiar figure illuminated in his headlights. She was standing on the side of the road next to her car, her arms crossed tightly across her body. He pulled over and paused, thanking his lucky stars that she was okay, that some creep hadn't stopped and attacked her.

"Oliver," Felicity's relieved voice met him as soon as he opened his door. "Thank you so much."

"Of course." Automatically, he enfolded her in his arms, holding her close. For a second, she seemed surprised, but then she relaxed into his embrace. "I'm just glad that you're safe," he mumbled into her hair. He held her there for a moment longer, then reluctantly released her. "I should probably get you home," he muttered, staring into her eyes.

"Yeah," she breathed.

The ride was short. Blessedly so, because having her in such close proximity, with her scent filling his car, distracted him like nothing else. It was also mostly silent, because Oliver was afraid that if he spoke and heard her voice, or laugh, he might lose concentration completely and send them right off the road.

Finally, they were at the door to her apartment.

"I'm sorry again for ruining your date with Laurel," Felicity said with a guilty smile.

Oliver frowned, wishing again that he hadn't mentioned that in their only real conversation in the car. "Don't be," he said, putting one hand on her shoulder. The gesture felt much more intimate than it should have. "I'm not. In fact," he smiled, "I'm grateful. I'd rather be with you anyway."

"Really?" There was a vulnerable, hopeful look in her eyes that just made him want to kiss her. But he didn't - he wanted to save that for a more romantic moment than this.

"Yeah."

"Do you want to come in?" She gestured towards the doorway with her key.

Shooting her an amused glance, he replied, "I'd love to."

"I'm in the mood for "A Knight's Tale," she chattered as they entered. "Any thoughts?"

"Sounds fun." Looking around, Oliver realized that this was the first time he had ever been in her apartment. It was neat and organized, just like he would have expected of her. The couch looked comfortable and there were a couple pick throw pillows scattered on the furniture and on the floor. The decorations were simple, but homey. There was a sense of down-to-earth comfort about her home that put Oliver right at ease.

"Oliver?" Her voice brought his attention back to her. She was regarding him expectantly, obviously waiting for an answer to a question that he hadn't heard.

"Sorry, what?"

"Ice-cream?"

"Oh, yes," he replied, belatedly noting the ice-cream scoop in her hand. "Thanks."

"I'll dish up if you put the movie on," she told him, gesturing with the scoop towards the small entertainment center in front of the couch.

"Deal."

Kneeling in front of her TV, he popped the movie in and then settled onto the couch to wait for Felicity. Unbidden, a thought rose up in his head that this would be what it would be like if they were a couple - casual movie nights, an easy atmosphere.

"Alright," Felicity handed him a cone and then plopped down next to him, close enough that their thighs were touching.

"Rocky road. My favourite." Oliver licked it, savouring the taste.

"I know," she commented. "I bought it for you."

Startled, he glanced at her. Her cheeks were bright red and she wouldn't meet his eyes.

"Not that I was expecting you to come here or anything," she hurriedly added, "But just in case?"

Oliver just shook his head and started laughing. "You're the best, Felicity," he managed through his laughter.

"Thanks?"

"I mean it." He brushed his fingers gently against hers, feeling the sparks that the contact created.

Her lips curved up in a smile as his hand caught hers fully.

The movie started playing, but Oliver was sure that neither of them paid any attention to anything other than the feel of her hand in his.

Wow...that turned out much longer than I expected… Anyway, please review!