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I looked at Laurel who was sitting in Felicity's chair, and I let out a sigh. I wished it had been the blonde sitting there instead. I missed her babbling, those dreamy eyes she had when I was training, missed hearing her fingers tapping on the desk while she waited for some data to download. I missed her presence in general. I had gotten used to her being around me all the time, and now that she rarely ever spent time in the lair, the place felt empty.

"Hey, I thought I'd check on you to see if everything went well," I heard Diggle talking on the phone. He must have called Felicity. I was concerned about her myself.

I wasn't happy that she had to use company equipment as the risk was high for her getting caught. However, we couldn't wait for the police to analyze the blood. If we managed to figure out what kind of poison the terrorists used for their suicide action, we might get one step closer to them. A part of me still hoped that this was only a one time attack. Though I was aware the chances for that were tiny, especially since Sara shared that information with us about the cult-like underground society.

I had asked around but no one seemed to know anything about the cult. It concerned me even more. It would be hard to capture them, and we had no idea what they were up to.

"Are these kids voices I hear?" Diggle asked with a surprised expression on his face. "Oh… I see…" He nodded, glancing at me.

I didn't even try to hide that I was eavesdropping to his conversation. What kids? Where was Felicity? Wasn't she supposed to be at work? At least she hadn't gotten into trouble as far as I could tell from what I heard from Dig's part. It concerned me though that he looked worried, like something was bothering him.

"Oliver, how about we go and have lunch?" Diggle asked, moved his gaze between Laurel and me, clear sign that he had something to tell me in private. I didn't understand what it could be that he couldn't share in front of Laurel.

"It's a good idea, we could go to this…"

"I'm sorry, Laurel but I have some things to discuss with Oliver," he stated firmly. caused Laurel to have a disappointed face.

"What's there to talk about what I couldn't hear, I'm a part of this team now," she said, sent him a quizzical look.

"There are some things that need to be discussed between men," I forced a smile to my face and nodded Diggle to go. I didn't want to get into an argument with Laurel about this. She was right, she was part of the team but I knew Dig must have good reasons to want me away.

"Oh, I see," she narrowed her eyes as I started after Diggle. Sometimes I wondered if it was a good idea to have involved her in this underground life. She didn't seem to be able to settle into our dynamic.

We walked to the small restaurant around the corner in silence. I couldn't help but growl quietly as I saw the daily magazines, and newspapers on the newsstands, Felicity's face looking back at me from each and every of them. I couldn't understand how she could be so careless about this whole situation. I found it to be very degrading for her. When people had been talking about us, it was completely different. The rumours hadn't been caused by her parading around in barely nothing at a swimming pool party next to me.

"Good afternoon," we smiled to the waitress behind the counter as we entered the restaurant, and headed to our usual booth in the corner.

Both Diggle and I preferred that booth as it was right next to the window, also faced the entrance so we were able to keep an eye on everything that happened on the street, and in the restaurant.

"So what is this about?" I asked Diggle as we took our seats. I could tell something was bothering him, and I really started to become concerned that Felicity got into trouble while using the Mass Spec.

"Let's order first," he said, waving to the waitress. I shook my head, rather impatient.

"Is Felicity in trouble?" I asked quietly, not wanting anyone to hear what we were talking about.

"No but you are," he said as the waitress stopped at our desk.

We both asked a burger, and water. I was tapping on the table, not taking my eyes off the man in front of me. If he had something to say then say it. What did he mean that I was in trouble?

"Look, Oliver," he started as the waitress walked back to kitchen after saying it would take a few minutes to deliver our lunch. "I understand after what happened with Slade things have gotten a little bit difficult…"

"I don't know what you're talking about," I said, crossing my arms over my chest. If he wanted to talk about that, there was no point. What happened, had happened. Both Felicity and I were adults, and knew that we did what we had to do to win the war against the monster that Slade had become.

"I also understand that you don't want to talk about it," he sighed, and shook his head as he leant back against the back of his seat. "You know by now that I'm not one for caring and sharing either but you have to stop for a moment, and think."

"Think about what?" This talking about something that we'd never really discussed before thing didn't seem to work too well. I had a feeling where he was heading with this but that wasn't something I wanted to discuss.

"Listen, I can tell you're trying to steal some time and space but man, open your eyes, you're digging yourself a deep hole," he explained quietly, putting his arms to the table so he wouldn't have to talk loudly. "We're going to lose her if you keep this up."

"I don't think a couple of arguments would drive her away from us," I replied, more to convince myself than him. Felicity was loyal to the team, to Diggle, to me, I couldn't see her parting ways from us. It wasn't possible.

"You're pushing her away, Oliver. I'd pay attention to this if I were you. Just saying," he said, not wanting to let go of the topic. "I don't mind Laurel being around but I'd mind her having Felicity's chair for good."

The waitress arrived with our food, and drinks so I didn't have a chance to reply. What was this sudden concern about Felicity leaving us? Did something happen that I didn't know about? Of course, I didn't want to lose her, or replace her with Laurel, or anyone for that matter. Felicity was irreplaceable.

"What is this sudden concern, Diggle? Is there something I should know about?" I asked again when the waitress left. It was odd that he felt the need to talk about this. Like he said, we'd never done it before, and I hadn't thought, there would have been a time when we would.

"I just have eyes, Oliver," he answered, taking a bite of his burger. "She's drifting, and you don't seem to realize it."

I nodded but I thought there was something he didn't tell me. He became strange after he talked to her before lunch. Felicity must have told him something that made him think this way, that made him bring up the topic.

He might have been right though. I should have paid more attention to her. Whether I wanted to admit it or not, I wasn't on good terms with Felicity. There were many reasons for the tension between us; starting from Slade to the presence of Laurel in the lair. Dig was correct when he thought I was trying to put distance between the blonde and me.

It was foolish to think that I could protect her by not being with her after I used her as bait against Slade. However, I could still protect her from myself. I just had to find the perfect balance.

I was in a great mood after spending the day in the orphanage with Bruce and the kids. I had to admit that it was indeed a very nice idea of his to take me there. Almost everyone saw a selfish playboy. Not many bothered to look long enough, even though it was there in the papers and on the internet, to notice just how kindhearted and generous Bruce Wayne was through his many charities. Of course, not many people knew he was a vigilante at night. He even paid attention to take me back to the office in time to pick up the sample. I had to admit, I was impressed by him.

When I entered the lair I found Laurel sat in my chair once again. I knew it was childish of me to feel jealous over a chair but that was my place to be. Without the chair, I felt like I didn't belong here, it was like my sanctuary.

"Good evening," I said as nicely as I could.I did not want to make another scene after what had happened in the morning. With the terrorist attack there was more than enough to deal with, without getting into a cat fight about a chair. However, it felt strange to just stand there, not sure what I was supposed to do; if I should sit in another chair, or just stand there.

I would be lying if I said I was happy to have Laurel in the lair all the time. I wished she'd finally find a job so she'd have something else to do other than sit in my chair. I didn't like that additional stress. It was more than enough Oliver was losing his mind because of Bruce and the nonsense rumours.

"Laurel, could you let Felicity sit down in her chair?" Oliver asked, surprising both Laurel and me. I was a little bit touched that he realized as well that this wasn't right.

"I didn't see her name written on it," Laurel narrowed her eyes, crossing her arms over her chest as she moved her eyes to Oliver.

"It's written in code," I joked, starting to my chair. I sent a thankful look to Oliver. The ice might break for a while between us. He didn't seem to be angry because of the pool party fiasco anymore. At least I didn't think he'd send Laurel away if he was.

"Funny," Laurel glared at me as she stood up from the chair, and moved to Diggle's in front of the TV. He wasn't around because he had some kind of pregnant yoga thing with Lyla. I couldn't wait for the baby to be born. I knew Dig was concerned because of the lives they both lived but I knew for a fact that baby would be cherished more than anything.

"Actually, could you just give us some time alone? I need to talk to Felicity," he turned to Laurel as he passed by me, brushing my shoulder lightly.

I sighed softly and thought 'apology accepted'. I spent more than enough time with Oliver to know this was a clear sign of regret. I knew his temper, and I also recognized there was something going on between Bruce and him, so it was only natural he couldn't hold back when he saw those newspapers. Of course, it didn't give him the right to talk to me the way he had but I couldn't stay angry with him for too long.

"Excuse me?" Laurel stared at him puzzled, outrage and shock echoing in her voice as he heard Oliver's request.

"I have something to talk about with Felicity, Laurel privately," he said with a hard voice, standing next to me. I bit my bottom lip and moved my eyes between Laurel and Oliver. He gave her a hard look, and Laurel sent him a nasty look in return. I didn't think this would help my relationship to get better with the other woman.

"Fine," she hissed quietly, clearly hurt and annoyed. "I'll see you tomorrow."

She grabbed her bag, rushed out of the lair and shut the door behind her. I winced as the door closed with a loud thump. Glancing at Oliver, I saw him staring at the door for a moment before he turned back to me and smiled apologetically.

"You shouldn't have sent her away, really," I mumbled, I always hated to be the source of conflict between anyone.

"We haven't really had a chance to spend time together since… since the events with Slade," he said, and I could tell he was thinking of the same thing. That it became a little bit awkward between us since he lied that he loved me. "How was your day?" He asked, quickly changing the direction of the conversation, taking the chair next to me. I was grateful for that though. I didn't want to discuss whatever happened there. I still had a difficult time with the events from that night anyway.

I was surprised by his question though. I couldn't tell the last time he had asked that. Though, I had to admit he'd have had no reason to do so as we'd spent most of our time together.

I wasn't certain if I should tell him the truth, or not. I didn't want him to get angry again now that he seemed to be in a better place. I hated arguing with him all the time.

"Good," I smiled at him, opted that it would be for the best if I didn't get into details about where and how I spent my day.

"Felicity?" He raised an eyebrow questioningly. I was the worst liar in the world.

"I was in Gotham with Bruce, at his orphanage," I rambled quickly, watching his reaction. For a moment I saw anger darkening his features but instead of lecturing me again, he took a deep breath and nodded.

"I hope you had a good time," he said slowly, almost like he had to force himself not to yell at me. I appreciated that he tried at least. It meant a lot that I saw he put some effort into having a normal conversation with me.

"I did, I love those kids," I smiled at him warmly, intentionally not mentioning the name of Bruce, or that I enjoyed his company as well. I didn't want to push my luck. I couldn't even imagine what could have made him change his mind since the morning anyway. "And I got the results for the blood," following Oliver's lead, I changed the subject as well. I didn't think either of us was ready to have a conversation about this topic either.

"Is it anything we can use as a trail?" He asked, moving his eyes to the screen in front of us. The data was loading in slowly. I should have bought a new laptop by now. I would, from my first month's pay. This machine was getting on my nerves.

"Maybe," I nodded as the data finally loaded from my pendrive to the laptop. I quickly searched on the internet for the flower that was used for the suicides. "Have you heard about it?"

"Not that I can remember. But I might have a friend who has," he shook his head, staring at the screen for a moment. "Nice job."

I smiled at him and felt happy that the dark clouds were gone, for now at least. Only God knew for how long we could keep the peace up.