Hello All! Thank you so so very much for all the new alerts and faves, and the feedbacks I'm so happy lots of you enjoy my story this much. I enjoyed writing this chapter quite a lot, I hope you're all gonna feel the same when reading it.
A lot of thanks to Hip Karma for correcting my mistakes, and pointing out the flaws in logic when needed!
"Do you want to come in?" Laurel smiled at me as she stopped in front of her door. I knew what the look in her eyes meant.
We have spent a lot of time together since she figured out who I was. I trained her every day so she'd be able to defend herself if a situation got out of hand. She also tried to help with getting the company back. However, we didn't go further than being friends. I wasn't sure if we should at all.
We tried to be together more than once, and it never worked out. First, I wasn't ready for a serious relationship, and after I got back from the island everything was too complicated. She didn't know who I was, and I didn't know her anymore. Laurel had changed a lot, become someone else just like me.
I could see she looked at me differently since she found out about my secret life. She realized that I wasn't that irresponsible, spoilt brat I used to be. However, I couldn't help but wonder if she wanted to get to know me again, or if she liked the idea of being with the Arrow.
"I'm sorry, Laurel, I think it would be better if I left now," I placed a soft kiss to her cheek, and turned to leave.
I saw disappointment crossing her face but I was trying to think rationally, and at the moment my mind was full of someone else, someone who was important to me, Felicity.
I knew I made a mistake when I crashed her date with Bruce. I knew it the moment her features turned hard, and her eyes darkened. Still, I couldn't believe she decided to accept his offer. I felt cheated, and let down in a way.
I asked her not to agree to that nonsense. I might not have put my request to her in the nicest way, but my emotions got the best of me. I had to admit, it has been a long time ago since someone could push me off balance like Felicity did. She has something in her that affects me more than anything since I sailed away on that boat.
When she asked me to give her a reason to decline Wayne's offer I saw the sparkle of hope in her eyes, I heard the desperation in her voice, and I wanted to tell her what she wanted to hear. I wanted to give her what she craved but I couldn't. I wasn't convinced that what she wanted was also what she needed, that she needed me.
Our relationship has been a little awkward since I had to use her as bait against Slade. That move was the unthinkable for me. Making that decision was something I was hoping I'd never have to face again. How I had to put her life at stake almost killed me. It was for the best that I had no time to think about it because a few more minutes, and I'd have changed my mind.
I couldn't forget that look she gave me when I told her I loved her. She believed me. She believed me because it wasn't a lie. I meant every word I said, and I hated to see the light disappear from her eyes for a moment when I handed her the cure. I never wanted to see that again.
I was well aware of her feelings. But I was worried I'd break her, that the sparkle in her eyes would slowly diminish. I didn't want risk losing that, losing her. Felicity saw something in me, something even I didn't think I still possessed.
After all those years I turned into a monster, something almost inhuman, and for a long time I thought it would be impossible for me to turn back. Against all odds she put her faith into me, and I'd always be grateful for that because she showed me I wasn't a lost cause.
These feelings were the reason why I acted the way I did. I was overprotective but she should have understood after all that we'd been through together. I didn't trust Bruce, and I couldn't understand why she even gave him a chance. I knew she was angry with me for showing up without any good reason, and telling her not to accept the job but it still felt like she slapped me on the face when she said yes.
I thought Felicity would have more sense than to be this irresponsible. Unlike me, she knew nothing about Bruce. She should have listened to me when I told her he couldn't be trusted. On the other hand, I had no idea how she planned to work for him, and be a part of our team at the same time. Working for Wayne Enterprises, or any other company made it almost impossible for her to help us as she wouldn't be able to use company gadgets, she wouldn't have time, wouldn't be available any time when needed.
One would think a genius like Felicity would also think of how it could be a possibility that Wayne wanted to buy out Queen Consolidated. Wayne Enterprises was always known for their aggressive incorporations, and without a real CEO in charge, the company would be easy prey for them. If that was the reason why Bruce was in the city, Felicity would get into an awkward position. I knew her enough to trust she'd have Queen Consolidated's best interest close to her heart but her hands would be tied by her current employer, and she could do nothing to stop the process without consequences.
"Hey," Diggle greeted me as I entered the lair. He was sitting in front of the TV again.
"Should I start getting worried about you?" I asked, dropping my jacket to the chair. He was definitely watching too much daytime programmes lately.
"Only when I start putting on the same amount of weight as Lyla," he laughed, surfing between channels before stopping at a football game.
"How is she doing?" I grabbed my bow, and a couple of arrows, trying to pass the time, and practicing always helped to clear my mind as well.
"Good, good, eating the weirdest stuff all the time and being stubborn about when it's time for her to take a break," he explained, putting his hands behind his head as he leant back on the chair. "They should warn men about strong willed women."
I let the arrow fly across the room, only to miss the middle of the target.
"Yes, they should," I growled in frustration, staring at the arrow what landed in the wall instead of in the bulleye.
"Still worried about Felicity?" Dig asked, glancing at the arrow as well then moving his eyes back to me.
"I have a bad feeling about this, Dig," I explained, reaching for another arrow, trying to concentrate more this time.
"I told you man, it was one of your worse ideas lately to crash that meeting," he lectured me, not for the first time since that evening ended up with Felicity working for Bruce Wayne.
"You telling me this for the hundredth time won't help," I growled at him, missing the target in front of me again.
"Oliver," I glanced at him, alarmed by the change in his voice. I followed his gaze to the TV.
"Call Felicity," I ordered, reaching for my hood.
I was sitting at my desk, making a list of all the things that I thought were needed to establish the IT department. My work at the new company was exhausting but exciting at the same time. I enjoyed having the responsibility of starting up something from scratch.
I didn't see Bruce a lot through the week as he didn't even come to the company, for that I was grateful. I was hoping it would stay that way as that would mean whatever he was hiding, was in no way related to me. Lucius was a great help. That man was a genius, spending time with him reminded me of my years in college when I was so inspired by my newly gained knowledge that I turned up with fresh ideas at every class.
Fortunately, my non-existent personal assistant skills hadn't been needed so far. The company had just started to hire people so there must have been only around a dozen insiders who even knew about Bruce Wayne being in Starling.
"You work too hard, Felicity," speak of the devil, I thought as my boss stopped in front of my desk.
"Hello, Bruce," I moved my gaze to him, confused when I saw some food bags in his hands. "Did you mistake your company for a restaurant again? I mean, that's fine, not surprising considering the time you spend here... or don't spend here."
"I thought we could have dinner together," he held his finger up before I could say a word. "Lucius told me you work overtime everyday, and as your boss, I don't want that bright mind of yours to burn out too quickly."
It was true that I spent more time at work than was necessary but I had my reasons for that. For one, this was something new, and I was thrilled about it. And two, after my last encounter with Oliver, and no criminal masterminds showing up my nights were lonely, and boring. I hadn't been to the lair since I accepted the position. I told Diggle that I went through with my decision, and that was it. I was actually even wondering if Oliver still considered me as part of the team, or had he gotten so mad at me that I was fired.
"You really don't have to do this, I'm sure there are more entertaining things for you to do... like crashing charity parties with an army of beauty contestants in your limousine," I said, referring to his last over the top act when he stopped by a charity event in Gotham, with the latest 'It girls'.
"To be fair Alfred was in the back, and I was driving," he grinned at me but I noticed that the expression didn't reach his eyes. "You gotta pay attention to how you let people know you're back on the scene. Public image is everything."
"You aren't back on the scene, at least not in Gotham," I tilted my head to the side, his last sentence echoing in my mind. That single line made me even more certain that Bruce Wayne wasn't who he tried to appear.
"They don't have to know that," he shrugged. "Put those papers away, and relax a little bit."
I let out a sigh, and put the papers away. He waited for me at the door of his office, holding it open for me. Moving my gaze around I recognized one change in the room. There was an enormous TV on the wall, as far as I could tell the newest type that can be found, an Ultra HD. I didn't see a brand name on it though, it was possible that the TV like many other things among these walls was manufactured by the company itself.
"No seafood for you," he smiled at me, pushing one of the bags in front of me lightly.
I'd be lying if I said I wasn't impressed that he remembered. It was something no one would expect from Bruce Wayne.
"Thank you," I returned his smile, digging into the bag, happy with the cheeseburger that I found in it.
The phone of course had to ring right before the moment that I could take a bite at least. Now that the food was in front of me, I realized that I was starving. I was so caught up in my work that I forgot to eat. That wasn't something what happened everyday.
"You can answer it here," Bruce put the phone in front of me so I wouldn't have to go out to the hall.
"Good evening, Wayne Enterprises. What may I help you with?" I answered the phone, wondering who could be on the other end. It was the first call we received in a week as not many people knew yet that the company was expanding to Starling. I didn't believe many people knew this number at all.
"Hello, this is Blake. Is Mr. Wayne there?" It was a young man at the line.
"Please, wait a minute. I have to see if Mr. Wayne is in the office," I lied, muting the microphone for a moment. "A Blake is looking for you. Would you like to talk to him?"
"Yes," he answered simply. I could see his features changing, hardening as I said the name. He pushed a few buttons on his phone, redirecting the call to his cell.
He stood up, walking to the darkened windows. I was watching him closely, noticing how the muscles in his body tensed, it was so obvious even through his clothes I could recognize it. His whole posture changed as soon as the name left my lips.
Bruce was talking quietly but I managed to catch a few words such as 'great', or 'well done' but nothing too catchy, nothing what would have given away who this Blake was. I saw his body relaxing as he talked, a little bit like when I expected to get bad news but then ended up with good ones.
"Let's eat," he turned back to me as he finished the call.
"Who was it? Someone who's gonna work here?" I asked taking a bite from my burger.
"Just a friend," he replied, holding my gaze. I couldn't help but blush. I might not have been as tricky as I thought.
"I thought Alfred was your only friend," I said, sipping my Coke. I didn't expect I'd ever get over my fast food and soda addictions.
"Is that the impression you get? That I'm a loner?" He stared at me puzzled.
"You have your butler in a nondisclosure agreement, other than short term, and I mean one night stands you have no woman in your life, and there are no articles, or photos of you with another male so yes, that's the impression I get," I explained as a matter of fact, only realizing he was staring at me stunned when I finished.
"You're quite a good observer, aren't you?" He asked, leaning back in his chair. "Money doesn't necessarily come with friends, certainly gives you enemies though."
"I figured that much," I nodded, picking up some fries.
We sat there not talking for a few minutes. Bruce seemed to be lost in thought. His eyes were on the TV but I could tell he wasn't really paying attention to the football game that was aired. Suddenly, I saw his body tensing up again. His fists tightened around the arms of the chair.
"Excuse me, Felicity. I realized I have a meeting. I have to go," he said, quickly starting out from the office.
"I'm your assistant, I'd know if you... had a meeting," I called after him but he was already long gone by the time I finished.
This was odd. I moved my eyes to the TV, and I gasped, feeling a knot in my stomach. There were people tied to five cars, two to each. Their faces were hidden behind different type of masks. A few masked men were standing above them with machine guns in their hands. My cell buzzed on the desk, it was Diggle.
"I'm on my way," I answered the phone, hurridly, starting out from the office. I picked my tablet and bag up from my chair on the way out. "Put me through to Oliver."
"Alright," Dig said before I heard him cursing a few times at the phone as he struggled to redirect me to Oliver.
"Felicity?" Oliver's voice urged me from the other end of the line. "Where are you?"
"Two blocks away," I panted as I hurried my steps, watching the events on every TV that I could take a look at in the pubs, in the shopwindows of electrics stores. One of the television channels sent out a helicopter so I could see every single move of what was happening. One of the men was talking into a megaphone but I couldn't hear a single word. "Oh my God... They're taking off, Oliver."
"What? Where are they going?" he asked, desperation echoing through his voice. "Give me a direction, Felicity!"
I glanced at a TV in one of the bars as I passed it. The cars took off, pulling the hostages after them ruthlessly when a black motorbike showed up, going after them.
"Holy cow," I stopped and stared as I realized it was Batman who showed up. It all made sense. That look in Bruce's eye, it was the same that I saw in the look of Oliver, him rushing off the same way as Oliver did when he had to hurry to a crime scene all made sense. Bruce Wayne was Batman.
"Felicity!" Oliver yelled at me, making me wince and snap out of my momentary state of shock.
"They're going north," I told him, running towards the lair that was only a few buildings away.
"Hey," Diggle gave me a concerned look as I entered the lair, and sat in front of my laptop, trying to reach the traffic cams.
"Felicity, I can't see them," Oliver growled, frustrated.
"I'm trying, we're relying on the broadcast this DSL connection sucks, I can't just magically make it faster!" I told him, getting absolutely stressed out. "Okay, they turned west from Starling Boulevard. Go from the east and you'll run into them."
"Keep me updated," he ordered.
"It would make more sense for him to try and catch them from the south," Diggle said, pointing at the map what finally loaded in.
"He's going from the south," I nodded towards the TV screen where they showed Batman riding through Starling in one part of the picture, the other showed Oliver and the third one the cars with the hostages.
"Oliver, you're gonna get company," I announced, knowing him enough to be aware of his reaction. "Batman is here."
I wasn't sure if he heard me at all as he'd just reached the cars at the same moment as Bruce, or Batman got there as well. They were on either side of the road. Oliver shot out an explosive arrow, stopping one of the cars meanwhile the other vigilante cut the ropes that held two hostages.
I could do nothing about it anymore except for watching what was happening with Diggle. Together they freed the hostages, and caught most of the masked criminals, only one got away. It was like watching a videogame in live. I saw them saying a few words to each other before taking off in different directions. Their body language making it clear it wasn't the 'welcome to Starling City' type of chit chat.
Of course, the hostages were badly hurt. There must have been several broken bones, fractures but at least they were all alive.
"That was impressive," Diggle said in awe. "But Oliver isn't gonna be happy about this, let alone about the fact that this attack was directed at Wayne Enterprises."
"What?" I asked confused, trying to gather my thoughts while my heart finally, started to slow down.
"I thought you knew, they said this was some kind of demonstration against Wayne Enterprises. Haven't you heard the statement they made?" he asked.
"I was on my way here when I saw them using the megaphone... What did they exactly say this was about?" I rubbed my temple, my head feeling like a bee hive had moved into it.
"I guess they described someone's paranoid nightmare, claiming they were trying to open people's eyes about the satanic ways of Wayne Enterprises. Also said something about the company extending to Starling City, that they're living off taking advantage of the masses, and that they're going to ruin the infrastructure of Starling as well just like they've done in Gotham, that they're gonna buy out the whole city," he explained, trying to help me to catch up with what I'd missed. "They said they took those people because they were employees of the new company set up by Wayne Enterprises, and that in their view those people were helping to keep the poor under."
"What the hell was that?" Oliver stomped in angrily, throwing his bow into a corner. "What is that flying rat doing here and where the hell have you been when you were supposed to be here, Felicity?"
"Oliver, take a breath, and just calm down. It all ended up fine, no harm, no foul, right," Diggle tried to reason but I knew it would do no good when Oliver was this worked up.
Oliver kept yelling at me but I didn't hear a single word as the realization just hit me full force. Bruce Wayne was really Batman. I had no idea where that left me. Should I keep my mouth shut, and pretend that I had no idea about Bruce's other side? Or should I let him know that I figured him out? Should I keep working for him? Would I be able to balance between the two men? Would I be ready to risk even more?
"Felicity, are you listening to me at all?" Oliver asked, irritated as he realized that I completely zoned out. No, I wasn't listening. His lecturing wouldn't get me closer to the answers I needed and I needed them fast.