A/N: Hey everyone! I'm sorry that it's been a while since I last updated, but I've been busy with school starting and stuff...anyway, here's the next chapter, prompted by Maverick41. It is set after Barry Allen wakes up and becomes the Flash.

Enjoy!

"They're pretty cute together, don't you think?" Laurel's sudden observation broke into Oliver's intense scrutiny. He realized that he had been staring across the room at Barry and Felicity and had let his conversation with Laurel fade into the background, and eventually into silence.

"Hadn't noticed," he finally grunted as he realized that Laurel was waiting for his response. It was a deliberate lie - he didn't want her to know that he had spent the last couple minutes analyzing Barry's every movement, ready to spring into action if he so much as touched Felicity. So far, nothing had happened. But he saw the way Barry looked at her, and he recognized it. He recognized it because it was the look he always directed at Felicity when she wasn't aware he was there.

"Yeah, I can tell," Laurel commented wryly, looking deep into his eyes. "Because you spent the last couple minutes staring at them." She paused and stepped closer, her face full of understanding. "I know you, Oliver," a faint smile graced her lips, "and I've seen that look in your eyes before. It was the same look you used to give me when you found out about me and Tommy."

A sharp pain stabbed Oliver's heart at the mention of his former best friend, but he still saw the truth in Laurel's words. Clearing his throat, he asked, "What do I do?" An explanation wasn't necessary; Laurel had already demonstrated that she could see right through him.

There was a hint of sadness in her eyes as she responded, "What you always do. Be charming."

Oliver nodded and took a deep breath, choosing to pretend that he hadn't seen the brief flash of pain in her eyes. Be charming. "I can do that." He wasn't sure who he was trying to convince.

Laurel smiled and made a shooing gesture. "I know."

It only took a couple of seconds for Oliver to reach Felicity's side. She was laughing at something Barry had said, and he took a moment to appreciate the sound, so full of lighthearted joy. It was something he wished that he could hear more often. If Oliver was being honest with himself, he was slightly jealous that Barry had the ability to bring out her more relaxed and happy side.

"What's so funny?" he broke into their conversation, forcing a smile for Felicity and trying not to glare resentfully at Barry.

"Oh," Felicity replied, trying to keep a straight face, "Barry was just telling me about the time his super speed…"

Oliver tuned out the rest of her story, just smiling automatically at the same times she smiled to make it seem like he was listening. Paying attention to her words was difficult when her face was so animated with laughter and she accompanied her story with fluid gestures. It was remarkable to watch.

"It was just amazing, right Oliver?" Felicity finished her story with a question directed at him, her eyes expectant.

"Uhh," he stalled, trying to think up an appropriate response. He didn't really want to agree that Barry was amazing, but he also didn't want Felicity to think that he was being rude.

"It was nothing," Barry broke in, saving Oliver from the need to respond. "I had to help that poor woman."

Felicity looked at Barry with something akin to hero-worship in her eyes. The sight nearly made Oliver see red, but he pushed down his frustration. Punching Barry just because he was a nice guy who was interested in Felicity probably wasn't very polite. Or charming. He would have to step up his game, though, if he wanted to convince Felicity to choose him.

"It's nice to have someone else looking out for their city," Oliver finally said, straining to keep his voice pleasant. "And it's great that you only have to deal with purse-snatchers and minor criminals instead of Mirakuru drugged maniacs trying to destroy everything. Must be nice."

Felicity's jaw fell open and she stared at him. He stared back, immediately feeling guilty for his comment to Barry, but not sorry enough to apologize. Then she turned away from him and back to Barry. "Barry," she started, laying her hand on his arm.

Shaking his head, Barry stared at the floor. "It's fine, Felicity. I know that Oliver doesn't like me."

"That's not true." Felicity leveled a glare at Oliver. "Right?"

"Right." Oliver's reply was halfhearted.

Hissing in frustration, Felicity asked, "Barry, can you please excuse us? I need to talk to Oliver for a moment."

"Of course." Straightening up, Barry pointed awkwardly towards the other side of the room, where Laurel still stood, trying not to look like she was intently listening to their conversation. "I'll be over there."

"Thanks," Felicity said sweetly with a smile, which stayed on her face only until he was gone. Then, her expression changed to a frown. "What was that?" she demanded heatedly.

"Not here." Oliver grabbed her arm and led her around the corner until they were out of Barry and Laurel's sight.

Once he let go of her, Felicity put her hands on her hips and tapped her foot impatiently, obviously waiting for an explanation for his rude behaviour. Oliver knew that her anger should make him feel even guiltier, but instead, he just found her pursed lips and the heat in her eyes incredibly attractive.

"I...I didn't mean to…" Oliver tried to tear his eyes off her so that he could think, but it was impossible. Against his will, he inched closer to her, closing the distance separating his body from hers.

"Didn't mean to what?" she demanded. He was close enough now to feel her warm breath on his neck as she looked up to maintain eye contact.

"Felicity," he whispered her name, abandoning his attempt to apologize. "I want to be your hero. Not Barry."

The heat in her eyes changed suddenly from anger to passion, softening her face. "Wha-?"

Before she could finish her question, Oliver gave in to the desire to kiss her. The feeling of her surprised lips moving against his was intoxicating, a sensation that he had dreamed of for so long. Automatically, his arms curled around her waist and pulled her up against his body. Amidst the pleasure of the kiss, a part of Oliver's brain marveled at how well her curves molded into him, fitting perfectly.

"You are my hero, Oliver," Felicity breathed as his lips moved to trail kisses down her soft neck.

He paused. "What about Barry?" The heat in his blood made it hard for him to bring up Barry, but he had to know.

"He's nice," she admitted with a fond smile. "But I have a thing for arrows. And green. And-"

Another kiss cut her off again, and she made no attempt to fight it, instead wrapping her arms around his neck.

Finally, Oliver regretfully broke their kiss. He knew that Laurel and Barry would eventually wonder what they were doing, and he wasn't ready for them to know anything. Not yet.

"You could be nicer to Barry," Felicity commented dazedly, leaning against the wall, her breathing still ragged.

Smiling, Oliver replied, "For you? I'll try."

It wasn't an empty promise; now that there was no doubt that Felicity's heart was his, he could give the poor man a break. Maybe.

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