A/N: The song I chose for their first dance is from the Agent Carter s2 finale. Wonderful song. Also, some of you may not agree with a decision that Oliver makes in this chapter, but he wouldn't allow me to write him any other way.

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Oliver Queen was just as stunning from behind as he was from the front, Felicity mused as she followed him to a spot at the edge of the crowd of couples moving on the dance floor.

How did she end up here? Who would have thought her week would end in the company of such an attractive man. His uniform was crisp and straight and his profile was swoon worthy as she stared at him while he led her along. He was an officer, the Captain bars on his lapel gave that away. She liked the fact that he hadn't shown off his rank when he'd introduced himself. Oliver Queen was an interesting man.

The orchestra began to play one of Felicity's favorite songs called, 'Oh, But I do' and a wave of adrenaline coursed through her. She loved music, but perhaps her excitement was caused by more than just the song she thought with a smile. The cheers from the crowd reflected what a favorite the tune was to many others as well. It was dreamy and romantic and it made Felicity think of love and..flying. Life could be full of coincidences and memorable moments and Felicity knew... that this dance, with this handsome american pilot, to a song that talked of flying high on love, was going to go into her diary as soon as she got home.

He still held her hand, his fingers intertwined loosely with hers. Small tingles ran up her arm as he turned back to face her and slowly pulled her towards him. Goodness, he was handsome. He lifted her hand and cradled it in his own while he placed his other hand gently on the middle of her back as he started to sway them to the music. His touch on the small of her back...it felt, nice. It felt..right. Why was he so different from any other man she had met before? She didn't know the answer to that, but he was.

He was also a wonderful dancer and they both got lost in the music. As they merged into the crowd, Felicity was pushed closer to the warm, firm planes of his body and couldn't hide her reaction. Wow, her hormones were on overdrive.

"You're shaking," he whispered down to her as she lifted her face up to his. "Are you okay? I'm harmless, just a Yank who enjoys dancing with a beautiful woman."

Felicity's heart fluttered faster at his compliment and the way his eyes twinkled with light humor and yet, she could still see something behind all of it. A seriousness, a heaviness that she wanted to soothe away.

"I'm not nervous. I'm excited. I mean who wouldn't be. You're the one who's beautiful." Felicity said before she could stop the words from coming out. As she turned pink in embarrassment she watched as her words made this very masculine man, blush too.

"And goodness you smell good, like wonderful chocolate...I just said that out-loud didn't I? I am going to just stop talking now."

A brilliant smile lit up his entire face and his eyes, those gorgeous blue eyes held, they held not a tinge of melancholy, just pure pleasure now.

He leaned closer and said, "Yes, you did and I just received a care package from home. It's my new handkerchief,"

At Felicity's look of confusion Oliver continued.

"My mother works at a candy factory and everything from home always smells of sugar or cocoa and...love," he replied softly with a tender, wistful look. A look full of good memories. Felicity could relate to that.

"My mom likes to bake. Not as often now with all the war rationing, but every time I go home she somehow pulls something together as a treat for me and the house smells so good. What does your Dad do?"

"He died when I was little, so I don't remember him. We have pictures around the house and my family likes to tell me stories about him, so in a small way I feel like I know him."

"I'm sorry Oliver, I couldn't imagine not having my father around. He's a bit of a bookworm and he loves music. I think my love for it comes from him. Some of my fondest memories are of him dancing with my Mom in our small living room. He has the habit of taking her in his arms at the oddest moments and just humming a tune. "

"Don't be sorry. Your family sounds wonderful."

The next second the fast tempo of a Duke Ellington tune started and Oliver surprised Felicity by swinging her into a turn and then dipping her. Laughter came out of both of them as thoughts of the danger and fears of war disappeared and feelings of family and love and fun took over.

They danced some more and talked with the others back at the table for most of the evening. Felicity got to meet the flirty American soldier, Tommy, Oliver's best friend, who only had eyes for Laurel. Felicity had a moment of trepidation at the joy of the evening and the way both she and her best friend were caught up in the wonder of meeting someone special. She thought of girlfriends who had lost their beaus to the war and before the fear took too much hold...she pushed it aside. Tonight wasn't the night to think of possible loss or regrets for having grown attached to someone...it was a night of magic.

As Oliver and Tommy got up to order a few more drinks at the bar, Laurel and Felicity shared a smile and bent their heads together for some quick girl talk.

"Oliver seems really nice, Felicity. A little quiet for my taste, but dreamy,"

"He's really dreamy isn't he Laurel?" Felicity replied back as she watched the men chatting at the bar.

Laurel placed her hand over Felicity's and with serious eyes quietly whispered, "Tommy mentioned they have a dangerous mission tomorrow, Felicity. Did Oliver tell you?"

"No, he didn't. Tomorrow?"

Why hadn't he said something to her? Was he afraid to talk about it? She knew pilots could be very superstitious. A friend had dated a pilot who always carried a lucky stone in his pocket during missions. Perhaps Oliver had come tonight to forget tomorrow for a few hours. Felicity could understand that. The flashes of solemness she had seen in his eyes now made sense.

"Yes, first thing in the morning," Laurel replied as she squeezed Felicity's hand in reassurance.

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Oliver glanced down at his watch, as Tommy asked for two beers from the bartender, then back at the table where Felicity and the others sat. He struggled with wanting to stay as long as he could with Felicity in this bubble of wonderful and the need to get back to base and go through the mission specs one more time. He wanted to be completely prepared for tomorrow and not just for himself, but for his crew. He needed to bring them home safely and he would. His responsibilities won out.

"Tommy, I'm going to head back to base. I just need to do one more review of the mission," Oliver said as Tommy turned around with his hands full of beer glasses.

There was a short pause as both men shared a look of understanding and Tommy replied, "I'll see you soon. I just want to stay a little longer,"

"Okay,"

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Felicity could tell something had changed when Oliver sat back down. His light heartedness had turned serious.

"Do you need to go?" Felicity asked softly, as she looked into his eyes. Eyes that showed a gratefulness for her insight.

Oliver shook his head yes and asked, "Walk with me to the bus stop?"

Felicity nodded yes and they stood up to leave.

"Laurel, I'll be back, okay?" Felicity said as Oliver said his goodbyes to Tommy and those left at the table.

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Oliver strolled quietly beside Felicity as they walked the one block to the town square where a military bus came every hour to take soldiers back to the base. The night was so peaceful and the sky so clear the stars blinked overhead brightly. A calm before a storm he thought. Tomorrow loomed close.

Oliver stole quick, shy glances at Felicity. He wanted to memorize every curve and nuance of her. He hadn't wanted to talk about tomorrow and the risks and his fears. He had gone out tonight to enjoy life and to hopefully make good memories. And she had done that for him. She was a moment in time that would stay with him.

As they reached the bus that was idling nearby while a small group of people lingered outside, some of them smoking or laughing and kissing their dates goodbye, Oliver gently touched Felicity's hand to get her to stop and turn to him.

"I really enjoyed meeting you, Felicity,"

"I really enjoyed meeting you too, Oliver," Felicity replied and after a second she slowly moved closer and stood up on the tips of her toes and kissed him on the cheek.

Oliver wasn't expecting a kiss and it was...perfect.

"Um, would you like to meet up next Friday for a dance?" She asked, a hopefulness in her voice that Oliver didn't have the heart to spoil or take away. He wanted to have that hopefulness too. She shared that with him just like she had generously shared her laughter and enjoyment of the evening with him tonight. He wanted to believe he would come home tomorrow. He didn't want to lie to her, but he didn't want to worry her either. She deserved better than that.

"I would like that very much. If I'm off duty, I'll be there,"

"Then it's a date. I mean not a date date, I mean it's a day we're deciding on," Felicity nervously rambled on as Oliver gave her one last smile.

"Be safe, Felicity," Oliver said softly as the bus horn went off and the other soldiers begun to board.

Oliver sat down in the back seat and waved to Felicity as the bus pulled away. He stayed watching till he could no longer see her.