A/N: Congratulations on making it this far. This was actually the first thing I wrote for this story and where I got the idea for the multiple points of view.
No warnings apply.
LAUREL LANCE
It was Oliver Queen's birthday party so of course anyone who was someone was at Verdant to help him celebrate. And, Felicity thought, her as well.
Her cab dropped her off at the well-lit club entrance where the line to enter was already spilling out onto the pavement. She climbed out slowly, her hemline a little shorter and her heels a little higher than she was accustomed to. This was one of the few times she was here for the nightclub and not what was underneath.
She eyed the long line as she uncertainly walked up to the bouncer with the guest list. A few girls in the line, wearing the usual short skirts and low tops, glared at her and Felicity hoped that she wouldn't have to turn around and find the back of the line. Though if that was the case she would probably just sneak in through the basement.
"Your name, miss?" asked the bouncer.
"Felicity Smoak."
He didn't even look at the list before he lifted up the rope barrier. "Right this way, Ms Smoak. If you head over to the VIP section Mr Queen has arranged for a private table."
"Thank you," she responded with a smile, which had nothing to do with the glares from the girls in the line, nothing at all.
It was a warm night and she didn't have a coat to check so she headed straight over to the VIP section. Skirting the seething mass that was the dance floor, yet another popular DJ standing on the stage, she headed up the stairs to the top level.
She was directed to her table and broke into a smile when she was the man that was waiting for her.
"John," she said in greeting. "You've got the night off too?"
"Not quite," he laughed. "I volunteered to keep an eye on things downstairs in case there was an emergency." On the table next to his beer was a tablet showing the various feeds that were usually found on the computers in the basement.
"I figured that I would do the same," Felicity shrugged. "There is no way that we fit in with this crowd." She looked around briefly and just in that glance she spotted a senator's son, an actress and several models. Anyone who was someone, and Felicity and Diggle she amended.
"Come on, Felicity," Diggle joked, "surely you know most of these people by now. You do schedule all of Oliver's meetings."
"Not funny," she said stealing his beer and taking a swig.
"Hey," he protested.
"Pass me the tablet."
He complied and they spent the next hour running background checks on the people around them. Or at least Felicity did, pointing out their latest scandals or trying to figure out their secrets while Diggle watched on fondly or laughed, depending on how farfetched she got.
"You do realise that I am not your girlfriend and I will not be braiding your hair at the end of the night," he said deadpan.
Felicity rolled her eyes. "Like men don't gossip. Besides this is just people-watching with a little tech help. We can talk about football or baseball if it helps."
"You follow sport?"
"No, but I can do statistics."
It wasn't until Felicity had been there for two hours that she saw Oliver, if only briefly. They made eye contact as he walked past, dragged by his sister, and he offered a regretful smile as she waved a greeting.
It was nearing midnight when Felicity decided it was time to go; her feet were killing her and the constant music had given her a headache. She never had been a club girl but she had done her dues by showing up, having a drink or two and convincing Diggle to dance one dance with her. She just had one last thing left to do before she went home.
Saying goodbye to Diggle she grabbed her purse and wound her way through the people in the VIP section heading towards where she had last seen Oliver. Spotting him finally, he was at a table looking out over the dance floor with all its flashing lights.
She hesitated for a second when she saw that it was Laurel standing next to him. They were currently not together but they still looked like a couple. Their body language was too familiar with Laurel leaning in to hear what Oliver said, resting a hand on his arm to steady herself in her sky-high heels. That was the other thing; they looked perfect together. Tonight she was wearing a tight blue number that was dignified but hugged her curves to accentuate her figure and it matched perfectly to Oliver's usual, but never unpleasant, outfit of a blue shirt and suit pants.
It was at that point that Oliver looked up and caught her eye. She had no choice but to walk over now.
"Am I interrupting?" she asked voice a little louder to be heard over the music.
"No," Oliver smiled. "I'm sorry I haven't found a moment to talk to you and Diggle."
"You've got a lot of friends," Felicity said looking at Laurel from the corner of her eye. Yeah, she was a little defensive when it came to Laurel. "I figured I should come say hello to you before I left."
Oliver frowned in surprise, "Already?"
"I got Diggle to dance with me, so I figured my night couldn't get any better."
"I saw," Oliver laughed. "I might have gotten a picture or two for evidence."
"You did not," she exclaimed. "Delete them now. I can't dance and I bet I looked horrible."
"You never look horrible, Felicity," he assured her, voice dropping with his sincerity.
"Thanks," she mumbled. "Um, but yeah, I came here for a reason." Pulling a small parcel out of her purse she passed it over with a smile. "Happy birthday, Oliver."
"Felicity, you shouldn't have," he started to say but Felicity cut him off.
"Just open it, Queen."
Ripping open the wrapping paper he took a second to look at the gift before he let out a shocked laugh.
"I hope you like it," Felicity said. "When I realised your birthday was coming up I freaked out, because what do you get someone who has everything, not that you actually have everything. At first I was going offer you a complete service but I already do that." She looked at Laurel's blank face and Oliver's amused grin. "…Computer service. I said computer service." She coughed. "Like I was saying, I hope you like it – eep."
Felicity squeaked as Oliver suddenly reached forward and pulled her into a hug, lifting her off the ground. "It's perfect," he whispered in her ear before setting her down.
"Glad you like it," she smiled, looking down to hide her blush. "Anyways, I'll just be leaving now." Laurel was looking at her weird and it was making her feel more awkward than usual when she was in the same room as both Laurel and Oliver.
"I'll walk you out," Oliver offered.
"Oh, no, that's…"
"I insist."
Pushing her ahead, Oliver turned to Laurel, "I'll be back in a minute, if that's okay?"
"No, that's fine." She pointed to the birthday present. "Do you mind? I'll put it in your office for you, before it gets lost."
"That would be great, thanks."
Oliver disappeared after Felicity.
Laurel didn't look at the birthday present until she was safely in Verdant's office.
She had been taken by surprise when the blonde woman had wandered up to her and Oliver. It had taken a moment for her to recognise Felicity Smoak. She had always been in the background at Queen Consolidated when Laurel went to visit, sitting behind the desk outside Oliver's office. She always seemed to wear bright colours but Laurel realised that she had toned it down for the office. The magenta dress Felicity wore that night, with its respectable hemline but a sheer lace back, coupled with the bouncing blonde hair and lack of glasses was far, far away from what she remembered of the IT girl.
But what had really thrown her was the smile Oliver had graced her with and the hug. Oliver relaxing and being himself was a rare sight, usually she only caught it when they were together, just her and him, talking about the old days. The fact that this girl had inspired a true Oliver smile and a meaningful hug, not just a polite thank you kind of hug was astounding. Whatever this present was, it had to be huge. She was almost afraid to look at it.
But look at it she did and … she understood.
It was a photograph, framed in a nice wooden frame, with a sticky note attached to the side. Looking at the photo it was hard to appreciate why it had such an effect unless you really knew Oliver. It was taken at Big Belly Burger, the centre of the photo taken up by a garish looking piñata, Felicity standing to the side with a stick, blindfold on with her glasses sitting on top. On her head was a party hat with 'Birthday Girl' written on the side with glitter. John Diggle was standing in the background, arms crossed and leaning against the counter, looking like he was shaking his head at the madness but enjoying it nonetheless. At the bottom of the picture in the foreground was Oliver, ducking as if Felicity's last swing had come awfully close to hitting him. It was an action shot, half blurred at points, the flash meant that Oliver was almost washed out and the background was too dark and no one was actually facing the camera. On paper it sounded like a bad picture, one you delete not frame. But the beautiful thing, the one thing that had made Felicity choose this picture, was that they were all laughing.
Laurel read the accompanying note again.
'Because you need to smile more.'
She understood now that Oliver Queen was no longer hers.
