Felicity Smoak, only child and a late in life surprise to an older couple, who encouraged her to reach for her dreams, sat at a table with her co-workers chatting and enjoying her evening out. The local town hall had live music every Friday night where lots of alcohol, flirting and dancing happened amongst the military, civil servant personnel based nearby and the local population. The stresses of the war needed to be relieved if not forgotten for a few hours. The sounds of a full orchestra playing current hits from Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman and Tommy Dorsey filled the room which got Felicity's toe tapping and her evening started off on a perfect note.
She rubbed the stiff muscles of her neck as she giggled at a joke made about the canteen food at the tech lab she worked at. 'Mystery meat, Friday' was always a topic of fun. The effects of too many hours of bending over a stereoscope, which in essence allowed you to read photo images with increased depth perception and was a tool of Felicity's trade; added up after a long shift and what she wouldn't give for a shoulder rub right now.
Felicity worked in the Photographic Reconnaissance Unit (PRU) based in Bassingbourn. She performed careful analysis of reconnaissance aerial photographs and she loved what she did. The war was horrible with terrible losses of life and if she could help prevent even one death she was incredibly fulfilled. She had volunteered for the British Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) right out of University and was assigned to this job of a lifetime. The photographs she and her co-workers studied and analyzed with the help of geologists, mapmakers and mathematicians helped upper command make important troop and battle decisions. She marveled at the risks pilots took to get the aerial photographs of enemy territory to her department, so the least she could do was be as fearless and do her best to protect the military forces involved in the battles by being as detailed and meticulous in her review of enemy land mass and troop movements as she could be.
"Here come the flyboys, Felicity. Hold onto your knickers," her friend Laurel said, as they watched a group of boisterous American soldiers from the local pilot squadron walk in. Their distinctive four pocket olive green uniforms with brass buttons and bomber squadron patches stood out in the crowd of blue British uniforms.
There weren't too many things more gorgeous in life than a man in uniform, but Felicity had grown to be a lot more guarded with her heart. A few of her friends had met and fallen in love with men they met during the war and so many of them had been killed. So many good men were dying for the safety and security of their countries.
"No worries Laurel, I haven't met one yet who could even get close to my knickers," Felicity replied as she took a sip of her beer and laughed with her good friend.
Felicity had met Laurel Lance on her first day at work at the PRU lab and after learning they had grown up only a few villages away from each other, they had bonded over shared country life experiences and being young, intelligent woman wanting more out of life than just getting married and raising kids. Not that Felicity didn't want those things, but she wanted them and more.
Both women had yearned to do their part in the war movement and to protect their country and the soldiers who marched into the danger. The excitement generated by the need for women outside of the kitchen was exhilarating as well as profound and satisfying. The fact that their country now acknowledged a woman's worth beyond raising a family was heartening to those who had wanted more opportunities and jobs for both sexes.
Women now contributed to over 36% of the work force in Britain as their fathers, husbands and brothers had gone off to fight in the battle front.
They now worked in munitions, shipbuilding and airplane factories and as air-raid wardens, fire and evacuation officers. They even drove fire engines, trains and trams. Even some trade unions like those representing engineers began to admit female members.
So, even if life felt like it was falling apart because of the war, it also was a time of remarkable change.
And then there were things that would never, ever change.
"Well, hello ladies," came a flirty american accent from behind Felicity and Laurel as an attractive soldier, with dark hair and blue eyes, leaned in between them. Felicity started to roll her eyes as the Yank turned on his charm and smiled at Laurel. A Yankee or Yank for short, was a term 'affectionately' used for American soldiers by the British.
Felicity didn't have anything against the Americans, in fact the entire country was grateful to have the support of many of their Allies across the world, but the Yanks could have a certain forwardness that depending on the man dishing it out could be found entertaining or a bother. And apparently, this American was most certainly not bothering Laurel as she agreed to have him bring over the rest of his friends to join them at their table.
Chairs were being moved and brought over as four more pilots came to sit down. Felicity was watching all the commotion when a deep, velvety voice asked if the seat next to her was taken. As Felicity looked up the long, trousered legs and followed the lean, fit line of the man's uniformed body she was about to say no, till she met his eyes and then couldn't say a word. Not one single word.
My god the man was incredibly handsome. Dirty blond hair cut short and close to his head with a jawline that was pure male and slightly darkened for the need of a shave. His eyes were bluer than any beach Felicity had ever visited as a child and even though there were laugh lines around them, they held what seemed to be the weight of tremendous responsibilities.
"Yes..I mean...no, I...sit," Felicity was finally able to spit out as the man seemed to drink in everything about her. A shiver of awareness ran across her body as if he had physically touched her. It was odd, that instead of making her feel uncomfortable, his attentions made Felicity feel...safe. How could a man who was a complete stranger make her instantly feel at ease?
He was tall and as he folded himself into the chair next to her, Felicity felt like the entire room disappeared. She didn't hear any more of the orchestra playing or the noises of the crowd. Everything seemed to narrow down to one fine focal point and then that exquisite focal point said, "Hello,"
"I'm, Oliver Queen. It's very nice to meet you,"
"Oh," Felicity said as she automatically placed her hand into the large one he offered in greeting and his warm, slightly calloused skin met hers.
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Oliver sat smiling at the beautiful blonde, who wasn't much of a talker and who still held onto his hand with a soft grip, and just took in the moment. She wore the uniform of the British Women's Auxiliary Air Force very, very well. She was lovely with her hair parted on the side with curls that flowed around her face and beckoned to be touched. He loved how her eyes darkened into a gray blue when they had touched and the way her lips, that were a deep shade of ruby red, parted with a sigh as she smiled back at him. She seemed to be just as taken with him as he was with her.
"And your name is?" Oliver prompted as he looked into her eyes and gently squeezed her hand.
"Smoak, Felicity Smoak. Sorry, I'm quite embarrassed. I normally never have a problem with talking. In fact, most of the time people tell me I tend to ramble and have to tell me to...stop,"
Oliver couldn't help a small laugh as she realized she had in fact been rambling and had stopped. She really didn't need to stop he thought. He had been enjoying her accent and the way her face was so openly expressive. She was endearing and a breath of fresh air. Oliver felt lighter and freer than he had in a long time.
"Nice to meet you, Felicity Smoak. May I buy you a drink?"
"I'm okay right now, thank you," She replied as she realized that they were still holding hands. She started to pull her hand from his and Oliver...didn't want the connection to end so soon. He hoped it wouldn't.
"Then, would you like to dance?"
"I...I would like that very much," Felicity said before he stood up and while still holding her hand helped her out of her seat and led her to the dance floor.