By rule he didn't check the tabloid's but just the day before they had harassed Felicity and she was coy about what they asked her so he needed to see.

Unsurprisingly Felicity's face was plastered all over the front covers. "Minor IT Expert caught Oliver Queen heart. Is this the end of the playboy life?" was one of the softer titles. But Oliver immediately recognized the one that upset Felicity "Oliver Queen new girlfriend surprised by Sara Lance relationship" Holy mother of God… How did they get this scoop?

Inside the details went further. A troubled Sara had confided in the wrong person. Fortunately most of the details were so far fetch they were unreal and impossible, but Oliver knew that didn't matter to tabloid readers.

He called Tommy.

"Hi, Tommy."

"Oliver, I had a feeling you would call. How's Felicity?"

"She's better than I would expect after I read this. Laurel?"

"She's pissed, Oliver. She never saw it. She's taking it out on Sara, hard."

Oliver really didn't know what to say. He never expected Laurel to find out and especially not this way.

"Her own sister, Oliver." Tommy was trying not to question Oliver. He now knew Oliver and Laurel relationship was a strange one, he was happy even Laurel had started to recognized that. This last piece of news was just the hardest for Laurel to take.

"I know Tommy. I know. I really messed up big time back then."

He hang up has the car approached Queen's Mansion.

The security guard opened the door. He had asked Diggle to stay with Felicity for the day, she needed extra security and Oliver only trusted Diggle to give it to her.

He now sat in the Queen Mansion living room waiting for his mother. It had been a while since he was there. Has he looked around him he was surprised to acknowledge he really didn't miss it, he was happy in that small apartment in the city center.

"Oliver, my beautiful baby boy."

He got up and holder tight in his arms.

"Mom" he smiled and kissed her.

"How are you? I never see you anymore. I miss our chats."

"I'm great, mom. I'm happy and Queen Consolidated is a big company to manage it takes a lot of my time."

Moira sat down on the couch and Oliver followed suit.

"I see. That's why you are here. Walter told you."

"How are you, Mom?"

"Sad. I love Walter, Oliver. Maybe not has a young me loved your father once, but I love him, in a quieter and calm fashion. Nevertheless it runs deep inside me just the same."

He listened to her voice falter and he pulled her to him.

"Mom, I'm sorry."

It was so comfortable being embraced by her son like that.

"Don't be. It's not your fault. If anyone is to be blamed it's me not you, Oliver."

"Nevertheless, I'm sorry I wasn't here."

Moira smiled "You are here now, Oliver. That's what matters. Will you stay for dinner?"

"Mom, I…"

"Call, Felicity. Have her come too."

This was definitely not the way he wanted to formally present Felicity to his family has his girlfriend. But it was Moira and she needed her family right now.

"I will call her."

Felicity was at Queen's Mansion door and hadn't raised her hand to knock yet. She was nervous and fidgeting, she had never been there. The Queen's Mansion was the Starling City equivalent to Buckingham Palace in London. She didn't belong there.

But he recalled Oliver's voice over the phone

"I know, I know. I never plan this to happen this way. But my Mom really needs to feel her family is with her. And I will be here, with you."

Has he put it like that how could she refuse? She also had a mother and she understood the need to have family support in an emotional crisis as the one Moira was going through.

With that in mind she knocked.

"Good afternoon. How my I help you?" The maid asked with what Felicity thought was her most professional and cold stance.

"Felicity Smoak for Mr. Queen."

She felt measured ever so slightly but it lasted just a few seconds has Oliver's voice was heard.

"Felicity."

She got pass the maid without even looking at her. She knew it was rude but she needed to just touch Oliver. A touch would suffice but he kissed her. He was nervous too, she smile at him.

"Hi"

He was glad she was here, smiling at him. But that night he had to be the strong one, for her. Moira was a hard woman and he didn't know how she was going to take on Felicity.

"Ollie, did Felicity arrive yet?"

Thea was coming down the stairs. Opposite Moira, Thea was ecstatic to meet Felicity.

"Yes, Thea. She's here. Felicity, my baby sister Thea better known as Speedy. Thea, Felicity"

"I'm so glad to meet you" Thea kissed both Felicity cheeks "I really wanted to see for myself the woman that makes my brother smile like he had lost a few brain cells every time we say her name."

"Thea…" Oliver admonished

Felicity just laugh "It's a pleasure to meet you to, Thea."

"Now Oliver asked me two things that I fully intend to do and there's another one I really will drag you to do because I just want to."

This time Oliver didn't bother to say anything he just exhale audibly and looked grimly at Thea.

"Oh don't fret. I'll be gentle… Promise." She kissed Oliver's cheek.

"You better, Speedy."

"So first, come let's sit down. Oliver, go be pretty elsewhere, ladies talk."

He turned to Felicity, who was having way too much fun with his sister, and then to Thea.

"I won't be far, Felicity. If you need me shout I will come immediately."

Thea was a bit surprised really. She understood when he asked her to help Felicity that night, Moira could be an uptight rich bitch if she wanted too, but she never expected this overprotective Oliver. Felicity must be really it for him.

Felicity was waiting for her so she smiled

"First he asked me to stay close to you tonight because if Walter comes to dinner he figures they will talk work and you could feel neglected. I fully intend to do that even if I don't believe Walter will dine with us. Secondly he asked me to talk to you on how to handle the tabloid pricks. They are challenging, Felicity, I've been living with them after me since I was born and I must say I really don't know why Oliver asked me to do this for I don't deal with them at all I just avoid them like plague."

"Yesterday one of them was especially mean and when Oliver got home I was upset. I really don't mind what they say, I knew Oliver before, I know how he was and how he is. They can't hurt me with any words they say or stories they tell. It's just the nuisance really. But Oliver want's to protect me, I understand that. And I'm glad he asked you to help me and not…"

Felicity didn't finish the sentence has Moira walked in and she immediately got up with Thea following suit. Where was Oliver? She could shout for him now.

"Ms Smoak, I'm Moira Queen."