Hey guys! Thank you all for the new feedbacks, faves/alerts! Hope you're gonna enjoy this chapter as well!

Thanks for Hip Karma for correcting my work!

REPLY TO THE GUEST REVIEWS:

Kim: I don't know how the story will end yet. I don't want to force her to stay with Oliver if it works better with Bruce :) I hope you're gonna enjoy the rest. Thanks for the feedback!

Tapping my pen on my desk, I was trying to concentrate on the task in front of me. Lucius had asked me to test the newest environmentally sound batteries the company made for laptops. It was supposed to run for a longer time than the average ones, and instead of electricity, it could be charged with solar power. I was excited about this new thing in my hands but I wasn't able to dive into it as I'd usually do.

My mind was still full of questions, and doubts about my new found secret. I spent the night trying to figure out what to do, and in the end, I decided to keep the information to myself. I didn't want to get involved with another vigilante, wouldn't have the time for it, and knew it would only cause more issues with Oliver.

There was the question of whether I should let Oliver know Batman's identity. He was angry with both Bruce and Batman, I could only imagine the kind of reaction he'd have if he figured out the two men were actually one and the same.

It might be cowardly but I decided to just pretend I knew nothing. Not about Bruce Wayne, not about Batman. I wanted to be an employee, and that's it. My life had turned upside down since Oliver entered it, and even though, I didn't regret anything, nor would I change a single thing, it gave me more than enough excitement.

"Good morning, Felicity," Bruce stepped to my desk, pulling me back from my thoughts. "Have you heard what happened yesterday?"

"Yes, I did," I nodded, trying to say as little as possible. Knowing me I'd end up saying something I didn't want to as soon as I said more than five words.

"Look, I understand if you're concerned about the attack against the company, and its employees, if you need a bodyguard..."

"Thanks, but no," I shook my head, trying to maintain my attention on the battery in front of me. When I didn't get a response, I glanced up, to where Bruce still stood, eyebrows raised. "I have a friend looking after me."

What I said was the truth, and not a tactic to make him go away. Diggle was my bodyguard until we figured out if this was only a one time attack –unfortunately, that was rather unlikely- or if the terrorists had bigger plans.

"Perfect," he nodded, as he watched me closely, suspicion in his eyes. "Hopefully, everyone will be safe soon... Almost all of them were captured yesterday, except one. The police are trying to find victims, to determine if anyone saw something that could give away his identity, unique tattoos, scars and such."

"Why don't you help them? You were close enough to see, weren't you?" I mumbled under my breath and rolled my eyes slightly, only to realize my terrible mistake.

"Excuse me? What did you just say?"

I stared at him, my blood suddenly cold as he looked at me hard, most certainly having no doubt about the words left my mouth.

"Nothing... I mean, no one really has Ultra HD TV other than you, so you could get a better picture..."

"Felicity," he cut me off, a commanding tone in his voice, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Fine," I sighed frustrated. "Really? It isn't suspicious at all that Bruce Wayne starts going out, becomes a playboy right at the time when Batman shows up. Then Bruce Wayne locks himself up in a tower and that actually makes you sound like a damsel in distress. Anyway, so you lock yourself up, Batman disappears. Then Bruce Wayne is suddenly back just like Batman. Batman allegedly dies, and you disappear. You show up in Starling, and boom, Batman is here."

"Sounds rather obvious the way you explain it. Still, not many have figured it out," he said, scanning the space to see if anyone overheard our conversation.

"Maybe your enemies aren't as experienced with Google as myself," I shrugged slightly, biting my lip.

"They tend to prefer AK-47s," he said and mirrored my shrug.

"Come on." Bruce said, expecting me to follow him without question.

I remained still in my seat, thinking I should stop him right there and then. I had made up my mind, and didn't want to get involved with Batman. What if he thought I was a threat to him? He didn't exactly seem to be happy, judging by his face.

"Felicity, follow me, please," he commanded again, standing in the door of the elevator, impatiently. I let out a frustrated sigh, walked to him quickly and stepped into the lift.

"Look, I can keep a secret. You can trust me, I'm the best secret keeper ever. Just ask the Arrow... or thinking about it, don't... he didn't seem too happy with you yesterday," I rambled as the door closed in front of us.

"Are you still working with him?" He raised an eyebrow and turned to me.

"No, definitely not," I stated as convincingly as I could. "I just saw your encounter on the TV, and his body language didn't scream happiness. As you've already noticed, I'm a great observer, it's my super power. An ability, a gift, and a burden at the same time, almost as much of a burden as my wonderful communication skills."

The space in the elevator seemed to shrink smaller and smaller with every second that passed, it also seemed to lack of air. That wasn't true literally, but I still felt like starting to hyperventilate.

"Don't worry, I just want to talk to you somewhere more private," he said, still looking at me doubtfully.

My lack of a brain to mouth filter was going to get me killed one day. Why couldn't I just shut my mouth like any normal person?

I drove through the city with Felicity sitting by my side. She was a genius. Far brighter than her impressive qualifications would suggest. Lucius was very satisfied with her only after a few days. I watched her as well, and she seemed to have acclimated quite quickly. Her wits entertained me. Her only flaw was that she rambled on and on about almost everything. But to be honest, I found that adorable.

I knew I could trust her with my secret. However, it concerned me that she worked with the Arrow. Of course, she denied it but after her rant it was more obvious than ever. I had no doubt about her loyalty towards the man but would this include selling me out to him? She'd have no reason to do so. After all, I wasn't a threat to him. Though, she was right, he clearly wasn't happy with my presence. He had been quite clear about that yesterday when he ordered me out of his city. But where did Felicity Smoak fit? I had to figure out her intentions soon.

"We're here," I announced as I stopped the car in front of the building where I purchased a penthouse for my stays in Starling. I got out of the car, and walked to the other side of it to open the door for her. "I'm not going to hurt you, Felicity. Relax," I told her, trying to soothe her as she had been uncharacteristically silent all the way here.

The last thing I wanted her to think was that I was some psychopath who would try to hurt her because of her relationship with Oliver, or the Arrow. I didn't want her to believe that I was a threat to her anyway.

"I just don't want..." She started as she gracefully got out of the car.

"We can talk about it when we got upstairs," I cut her off. These conversations shouldn't be had at the street.

Alfred was in the living room when we arrived, his eyebrows raised for a moment but his face showed the usual calm expression in only a second. I knew what he was going to say when I told him Felicity had already worked out my secret identity.

"Master Wayne," he nodded to me, question in his eyes. "Miss Felicity, what a pleasant surprise."

"Good morning, Alfred," she smiled at him as her eyes gazed about the place. I could see the curiosity in her look.

It wasn't a meaningless compliment when I told her she was a good observer. I had no doubt she already had more of an idea about my true personality just by looking around, and seeing the design. There wasn't anything outstanding about it, discounting the fact that it was a penthouse in a luxury building. I preferred the minimalistic style, black and dark metallic colours.

"She figured it out," I told Alfred who stood there, waiting for an explanation of our sudden appearance.

"And that's why you date the not so smart women," he replied with a hint of sarcasm in his voice. "I told you it wouldn't take too much for her."

"Indeed, you did," I nodded. At least it wasn't one of those times he had predicted something terrible. "Alfred always had faith in your abilities to quickly uncover my secret."

"Thank you, Alfred," she smiled at him then moved her gaze back to me. "Listen, I understand you'd like to talk about this but there's something I want to make clear."

"May I offer you a cup of tea before you talk this through?" Alfred asked, not even waiting for the answer as he headed to the kitchen. There were many things he didn't take lightly, but tea was sacred.

"He won't take no for an answer," I nodded to Felicity to sit to the table. Her discomfort evident, I smiled at her encouragingly.

The sun, high in the sky, threw a perfect ray of light on her blonde hair as she took her seat at the table. She was nervous, I could tell, but she was also confident. It was clear she knew what she wanted.

"What do you plan to do with this information?" I asked as Alfred placed the informal tea service on the table with a cup in front of me.

"Nothing," she answered bluntly, making circles with her fingers on the edge of her cup. "This was what I was trying to tell you."

"I see," I nodded, glanced at Alfred who stood there and let out a deep sigh.

"If this was the reason you hired me then I'll have to disappoint you because it isn't going to happen. I don't want to participate in any of your... crime fighting activities," she explained firmly.

"May I ask why is that?" I raised an eyebrow. I'd have to get used to Felicity telling me exactly what was on her mind, and not sugar coating it like most people. Why had she ruled out the option of helping me so categorically though?

"My life is complicated enough as it is," she answered, momentarily lost in thought

Studying her, I nodded. Why had she declined me before I had even asked? Was it because I already caused issues to her with Oliver? There was something more going on between them, it was clear by the look Oliver had given her when he crashed our dinner meeting. Was it because of the Arrow?

"Of course," I nodded, not wanting to push the subject. She worked with the Arrow, Felicity Smoak was anything but your average IT technician. But if she didn't want to help me, I could accept that. For now. I wasn't happy about it though. I'd have loved to have someone as bright as Felicity to be around me.

"I hope you understand it's nothing to do with you personally..." she said, almost apologizing.

"Thank you for being honest, Felicity. I trust you will handle this confidentially," I stood up, as I could do nothing to change her mind at the moment. "Alfred will see you out when you finished your tea."

It bothered me that she had said no without hesitation. I wasn't used to that. No one ever said no to me in such a definite way. I always saw the hint of hesitance in people but Felicity was certain she didn't want to get involved with me. Actually, she seemed to be more and more certain with each minute that passed.

"Oh, Dig said you weren't here," Felicity said quietly as she entered the lair, stopping at the door for a second before heading to her desk.

I wasn't surprised she didn't want to meet me after the way I acted yesterday but my temper had gotten the best of me. She hadn't been here when I'd needed her, and when I tried to confront her about it, I could tell that she was somewhere far away.

She needed that job, whether I liked it or not. But I was used to her being around me all the time, and it frustrated me that I had to share her time with someone else. Not even mentioning the fact that now she was in danger again because of the terrorist attack against Wayne Enterprises.

Fortunately, she was smart enough to accept Diggle as her bodyguard until we could find out more about the events of yesterday, and the group, or person behind it. I wouldn't have argued about this. She needed protection. I wish I could have been the one looking out for her safety but that would have raised way too much attention.

"I'm sorry," I said, watching her reaction. She startled, surprised to hear those words from me. It didn't happen everyday that I apologized but she deserved it. I had been out of line.

"It's okay," she mumbled, glancing away. Something was off with her, she wouldn't look at me, and I certainly wasn't used to brief answers.

"Hey, I meant it, okay? It really wasn't..."

"Oliver, please, it's fine, you really don't have to keep apologizing. It was just the heat of the moment, you were frustrated, and angry," she looked at me, biting her bottom lip. Felicity wasn't taking this quite the way I'd expected. Had I really hurt her this time? We had worse arguments before, and not once had she acted like this.

"We're going to get around this somehow, we've been through worse, right?" I said, watching her typing away on her laptop.

"Of course," she nodded, trying to look very busy with what she was doing. Her face was all red, her shoulders so tense I could cut wood on them.

"Felicity," I tried to get her attention but the only answer I got was a 'Hmmm'. "Fe-li-ci-ty," I stepped to her, turning her around with her chair. "What is on your mind?"

She stared at me, chewing on her bottom lip. I could almost hear the wheels turning in that brilliant, beautiful head of hers. Seeing her like this reminded me of the time when she struggled with the secret of my mother about Thea being Malcolm's daughter. Was she holding back something like that again?

"I'm just tired, Oliver. Work was rather... exhausting, that's all," I took a step back, nodding but not believing her.

Felicity was a terrible liar. Why was she keeping things from me? Even better question, what she was holding back from me? Did it have something to do with the company? Could it be true that Wayne had intended to buy out Queen Consolidated? Was that the reason for her nervousness that she couldn't tell me company business?

What if she was threatened as well? As I watched her, working on her laptop, searching through yesterday's police information I couldn't help but worry. I didn't think she'd keep something like that from me. I was almost certain she'd let me know if it was something of that nature. I didn't like her this quiet. Something was bothering her and I was going to figure out, sooner rather than later what that something was.