A/N I'm going to stop making promises to you because that's when murphy's law decides to mess with me.

Also, I'm starting a second story. Feel free to check out " Permanent Stain", my take on Malcolm and Moira's past. I'll be trying to update once an week on each.

Disclaimer: CW & DC own all the fun stuff.

They met in the lobby of the hotel Tommy was currently living in. He was doing rehab at the hospital daily but felt more comfortable having a non-medical space for the business meetings that occupied several hours of his routine as well. Eventually, he would move back to the Merlyn estate but it was under massive renovation to accommodate his new needs.

He was already waiting at their table when Felicity was escorted over by the hostess. "And if the winner of 'the luckiest billionaire in town' cannot fulfill his obligations, the first place runner up will happily escort the lovely girlfriend to dinner once in awhile." Felicity gave Tommy a hug before sitting down. " It's a rough job, but somebody's got to do it."

"Consider it community service." She said. " I'm trying to get out more. My theory is that if I go out regularly the probability of me having a complete spaz or meltdown at the wrong time goes down."

"Well so far so good then." They made small talk and bantered about their absent partners while they decided on dinner. Once they ordered, Felicity turned the topic towards her eventual goal.

"So Oliver was telling me we should be able to get Verdant back up and running in another month or two. It's passed all its safety tests."

"That's great." Tommy smiled. " I just feel bad I can't run it. I had wanted to ask Oliver for my old job back before, well everything."

"I know he would rather you help him with the big, city fixing stuff. You are a good team."

" Yeah and it seems like there is more and more every day. We take two steps forward and one back. "

"It's almost like the city is missing something. Or someone, with something" Tommy eyed his friend suspiciously.

"What are you up to Smoak?"

"I want to start again." Felicity offered as an explanation. Tommy looked just as lost as he had before. " I want to get into Verdant, get back into basement and convince Oliver to start again." Tommy got wide eyed and leaned back in his chair.

"You can't be serious." Felicity looked down at her plate and picked at her food. "What would be the point? It was all that list, the undertaking."

" But don't you think we could do more?" Felicity asked quietly "We could go after the criminals still out there. The triad, bank robbers, anyone hurting people."

"Does Oliver want to?" Tommy asked. Felicity shook her head. "Then why are we even discussing it?"

"Because I think he needs it." Felicity leaned forward "You haven't seen him when he lets his guard down Tommy. He thinks he failed. He blames himself for everything that happened. He barely sleeps, I wake up at least twice a week to him just standing at the window looking out at the city."

"Then what's stopping him?"

"You." Tommy was thrown by the bluntness. "He won't do it if it means losing you."

" So I'm supposed to be ok with him running around putting arrows in random people?" Tommy whispered.

"You know that's not how it is." Felicity snapped quietly. "Oliver only goes after people who deserve it and only hurts them when he absolutely had no choice." Tommy looked out the window.

"He does what he has to do." Felicity recognized the phrase from Malcolm confessing his deeds to his son . He knew exactly what Tommy was scared of.

"Tommy," She leaned over and put her hand on his to get him to look at her. "He won't go over the edge if we are there to pull him back." She could see emotion beginning to overwhelm him. Tommy took his napkin out of his lap and placed it next to his half eaten dinner.

" I'm, um, going to need some time to process this. I think I'll skip dessert tonight. " Felicity nodded silently. " I already charged dinner to the room so that you didn't get a chance to argue with me." He tried to smile. She smiled weakly back.

" I didn't mean to-" She started to apologize but Tommy waved her off.

"I know, and don't go thinking you did the wrong thing because I'm glad you came to me. I just" Tommy trailed off again. " I've got to go." Tommy pushed himself back from the table and made his way out of the restaurant. Felicity sat there until she was sure that they wouldn't run into each other in the lobby, then made her way home.

Homesickness didn't really hit Oliver until they were gone for about 3 weeks. He was sitting in Heathrow airport and had just gotten off the phone when Walter arrived with two coffees.

"So how is Felicity today?" The older man asked.

"She's good, keeping busy. She says hi." Oliver looked down at the phone in his hand as if he was willing her to step through it.

"Oliver, I've been meaning to tell you, you are doing quite well." Walter began. "You are learning on your feet and grasping the idea of leadership faster than most. You are running circles around people your father and I worked with for a decade." He put a hand on Oliver's shoulder. " I'm proud of you Son."

" Thanks. It's not as bad as I thought it was going to be. But I'm still glad you came back. I don't think I would have handled it as well without you." Oliver's phone flashed with a text. He broke into a smile so big it could only be from one person.

"He would like her. " Oliver looked up, a flash of grief passing his face.

"I think so too." He laughed. " He would mess with her though."

"Yes he would. Every verbal misstep would be fodder." The CEO smiled remembering Robert's dry mocking humour. "She's quite the woman." Oliver nodded. Walter pulled out his work portfolio.

"Now, we've had to redo some of the scheduling for Melbourne. It turns out there is a bank holiday Monday so we won't be able to start until Tuesday leaving us with a five day window." He shifted some papers and pulled out a plane ticket to Starling City. He handed it to Oliver. " You won't have much time"

"Are you sure?"

"Just promise me you actually will be in Melbourne on Tuesday. Take one of your planes." Oliver's face morphed into a kid on Christmas morning as he gathered his bags and headed for his new gate.

Oliver took a cab to Felicity's armed with roses and a bottle of red wine. He hadn't called her, hoping to surprise her. He lucked out and didn't even have to buzz up, following one of her neighbors who recognized him into the building.

He walked up to the door and knocked twice. He heard her shuffle to the door, pause as she checked the peephole and swing the door open.

" Oliver? What are you-" he placed the flowers and wine down on the floor before grabbing her and kissing her. She kissed back but seemed to be trying to step back.

"Felicity you're out of, Oh!" An older female voice caught Oliver attention and he broke away. A brown haired woman with very familiar features stood shielding her eyes in the hallway. "I'll just-"

" No, it's ok." Felicity began as she straightened herself . She turned to her confused boyfriend. " Um Oliver, this is my mother, Denise Smoak."