An: I do not own Arrow.
February
It was February; the month of the year he had always hated the most. Whoever he was dating at the time would always put pressure on him for Valentine's day. Usually it was Laurel. She would cause him to spiral, ditching whatever date he had planned with her and bedding the nearest attractive woman instead. He could now look back on it and put the blame squarely on himself. He chose to do the things he did. Laurel never forced it upon him. It was his own cowardice and immaturity to deal with the situation that caused most of the debacles in his life.
This month was different. He found himself looking forward to Valentine's day. Felicity had promised him that she had something special planned for him. She had also declared no gifts. They had just finished the holiday season as well as pay for gifts for a baby shower and wedding. They were splitting the bills evenly between them and she wanted to save a little money to pay for the move to Starling City and pay the first month's rent at whatever apartment they decided to live in. Oliver did not point out to her that he would have his trust fund back in May and they could buy a place. He was apprehensive what the sudden influx of cash would do to their relationship.
Feb-2
It was Super Bowl Sunday, the bar was crowded with football aficionados. Samantha was back, she had lost most of the weight from the pregnancy so she could squeeze between customers easily now. Occasionally the baby monitor at the bar would blink and he would signal to her to take a break. Right as she was heading into the back, Bob would come out from the kitchen to tell her that William was crying.
Felicity was again helping him behind the bar so when his Starling City phone vibrated in his pocket and the caller id indicated it was Walter Steele, a close friend of the family's, he thought something terrible had happened. He gave Felicity a sympathetic look, he didn't like leaving her behind the bar alone but she told him to go on. She would be fine.
Oliver walked quickly out to the dumpster in the back.
"Walter what's wrong?" Oliver asked. All sorts of worries about something happening to his parents and sister cross his mind.
"Nothing's wrong. I finally got out of your father what you've been up to and I just wanted to call you to tell you I was proud of you," Walter said.
"Oh," Oliver replied relieved that nothing had happened to his parents and sister.
"Keep up the good work," Walter said before hanging up.
The sentiment warmed Oliver. Walter had always been a calming presence in his life, always trying to guide him to the right decision but then he realised that his father had told yet another person! Was his father deliberately trying to undermine Oliver's secret identity?
He angrily dialled his father's cell phone. The man answered after one ring. He didn't wait for his father to greet him.
"Dad, I am changing the terms and conditions of the challenge. If you tell one more person where I am, you void the agreement and I earn my extra two years of freedom. You have no choice but to agree to the modification because as I've proven, I don't need the Queen name to live a happy life. Goodbye," Oliver said hanging up without waiting for his father's response.
Miles away on the top floor of Queen Consolidated, Robert Queen sat with his best friend Walter Steele. Both men had proud looks on their face.
"Robert, one day Oliver is going to make a fine CEO," Walter said confidently.
"I know," Robert replied.
Feb-3
"What ya doing," Oliver asked Felicity. He had just come home from the grocery. He had picked up a few extra ingredients to make an extra special Valentine's lunch along with some scented candles for other activities. Just because Felicity said no gifts, didn't mean he couldn't spoil her some other way.
"Flipping through the pictures we took in August. I've been thinking of printing a few like this one with you in between me and my mom. I think I want a big print of it to put above our fireplace."
"We don't have a fireplace, Felicity," Oliver pointed out.
"Not yet but I was thinking perhaps our new place could have one. On cold nights we could cuddle up in front of it with smores or something,"
"Are you sure we'll only be cuddling?" Oliver asked with a suggestive look.
Felicity swatted at his arm and he took a seat next to her to look at the screen. He remembered that day. A tourist had taken the picture of the three of them. Donna wanted to go to a nearby fair. Oliver had won the shooting game twice. He got a big fluffy dog for Donna and a Panda for Felicity. Both stuffed animals were still in their room. Felicity put in on their bed every morning after she made it. That was the first thing he had ever given her. The next set of pictures were of Felicity and Donna at the bar. Alice had taken it after the bar had closed. They were dancing. They looked carefree and happy. Another picture caught his eye.
"When was that taken?"
"I guess the same night as the others?"
"I remember you helping me put away some of the bottles but I don't remember anyone taking a picture,"
"I guess we were totally oblivious. Must have been a good conversation, we are totally focused on each other."
"Even then, we were smitten with each other," Oliver admitted.
"Smitten?" Felicity protested "I had a tinsy winsy crush on you?"
"That's why you kept bumping into furniture when I was shirtless?" he teased her causing her to flush.
"It might have grown a little bit bigger by then," Felicity admitted.
"Whatever you say love," he declared.
"I hope you remember that later in life when I tell you to change the kid's diapers," she said before realising exactly what she said and turning around to clutch his shirt, "not that I'm saying we will have kids,"
Oliver laughed, "It's ok to plan our future, besides I thought you weren't giving birth,"
"I don't know. William's kind of adorable and I feel like I might want one of my own someday," she admitted.
He wrapped his arms around her, "how about we practice making one for the future,"
"Practice," she looked at him with a gleam in her eye.
"Yes practice makes perfect,"
Feb-4
Felicity had received responses from Kord Industries, Palmer Technologies and Queen Consolidated. They had all short listed her and wanted to conduct a skype interview with her. She had applied for high level positions at all three companies so Oliver knew that the skype interview was just the first round. It would probably be done by someone in HR to ensure that she wasn't crazy or had any weird tics that would affect the employees she worked with. The positions all required you to run a unit. Oliver had helped Felicity write a brilliant cover letter where he made it sound like she managed the IT staff at the casinos. He knew how to play the corporate game, he knew what people like his father looked for in new recruits and he made sure each of those qualities were highlighted in Felicity's resume and cover letter.
His father had always told him QC deserved the best and brightest employees, nothing less. He supposed that was why he was so deadest against working at QC. He was not the best or the brightest. He had struggled through several business schools. Up to last month, Laurel was pointing out lessons he hadn't learned. Oliver had always thought he was a screw up and if he worked at QC then everyone at the company would see firsthand just how much of a screw up he was.
Felicity was moving forward with her life and it was time for him to start thinking seriously what he was going to do with the two years he had before he had to join the company.
Feb-5
It was Valentine's morning and the bed was very cold. He reached for Felicity and realised she wasn't there. That was probably why the bed felt cold. He padded quietly through the apartment to find her sitting on the kitchen counter next to the stove, stirring something she had cooking in the frying pan.
"Felicity?" he questioned.
Her whole face lit up and she jumped down from the counter and walked over to a plate, tipping a burnt omelette out on it.
"I cooked breakfast for you," she said holding the plate out to him. He picked up the fork on the plate and sampled a piece of the omelette.
"Felicity Smoak," Oliver said, her features looking very hopeful, "you have failed this omelette,"
Her shoulders fell and she stared at the omelette in disappointment. "Really?"
"but I still love it anyway because you made it for me," Oliver said taking another bite of the omelette. It was at least edible; she had obviously been practicing because the last time she attempted a culinary dish not even the dogs in the pound would eat it.
They were interrupted by the doorbell. Both of them frowned. They weren't expecting any visitors.
"I'll get it," Oliver said putting the plate down and patting her hand in reassurance that he did appreciate her surprise.
He peeked through the peephole to see who was standing at the door. He didn't recognise the man. He was shorter than Oliver with a slim build and slicked back dark hair. The doorbell rang again. Oliver cracked the door open an inch.
"Hello," he said pleasantly.
The man seemed taken aback by his presence. He double checked the number on the door.
"I'm looking for Felicity," the man said.
"What do you want with her?" Oliver asked. He wasn't letting a strange man in.
"I'm here to see her," was the man's reply.
"What for?" Oliver persisted.
"None of your business," the man threw back at him.
Oliver was losing his patience with this man.
"Oliver who is it?" Felicity asked from behind him.
He felt her come to his side and peek through the door below him,
"Cooper," she whispered in shock.
"Hi babe, care to tell your guard dog to back down. Your boyfriend would like to come in,"
Oliver let out a low growl, he yanked the door open and before Cooper could blink, his right fist connected with the left side of Cooper's face, the force of the blow knocking Cooper backwards.
'Damn that felt good,' Oliver thought as he slammed the door shut behind him, making sure it was securely locked.
"Oliver!" Felicity exclaimed.
He slid his hand into hers and pulled her back towards the kitchen.
Felicity looked between him and the door. "We're just going to leave him out there?"
"Yeap," Oliver said getting some ice for his hand. The jerks face was harder than he thought.
"Oliver,"
"Felicity," he looked at her earnestly.
"Ok," she relented taking the ice from him and wrapping it in a cloth that she then put on his knuckles.
An hour later there was more knocking at the door, a look through the peephole revealed a police officer. Oliver was thankful Felicity was in the shower.
"Good morning Officer," Oliver said, "Is there something I can help you with," He had dealt with cops before, he knew he could handle this.
"There was a report of an assault here," The officer said,
"Here?" Oliver asked confused.
"You wouldn't know anything about that?"
"No officer, I've been cooking lunch for my girlfriend, but if I hear or see anything I'll let you know,"
"Can I see your hands?"
"Sure," Oliver said confidently showing him his hands. The ice stopped any bruising from forming. There would be no physical evidence that he hit Cooper.
"Thank you for your time," the officer said.
"It wasn't a problem. You're just doing your job Officer," Oliver said.
As soon as Oliver closed the door, rage flooded his system. That snake called the cops on him. It was a good thing there was no one around to prove anything. He was grateful that Felicity had planned to spend the evening at the bar preparing for her interviews. He was not leaving her home alone.
Feb-6
When they arrived at the bar, Oliver immediately pulled Bob and Digg aside.
"Guess who showed up at Felicity's apartment today?"
"Your mother?" Digg asked.
"No God forbid, Thea was already enough. This was worse."
"Who could be worse than your mother?" Diggle asked.
"Cooper," Oliver snarled.
"That bastard! What did Felicity say?" Bob asked.
"I didn't give her a chance to talk to him. I decked him and slammed the door in his face. An hour later, the cops turned up. I denied everything but I have a feeling he's going to come here looking for her."
"What does he look like?" Digg asked.
"He's a few inches shorter than Oliver, slim built with this ridiculous slick back hair and hopefully a big nasty bruise on one side of his face," Bob responded. He had seen him a few times before when he had visited Felicity and she brought him to the bar.
"I'll keep an eye out," Diggle said.
Oliver knew he could count on them.
Feb-7
The night was busy and lots of couples were ordering the Valentine's cocktail Oliver had prepared for the night. He would have liked Felicity seated at the bar but she said she needed a table to work. He suggested Bob's office but she said she wanted to enjoy the atmosphere in the bar. He placed her at a table where the three of them had a great view of her despite the crowd. She was reviewing the detailed notes she had compiled on each company, their vision, mission and strategic plans and figuring out how she could fit herself into the mix and she would help move the company forward. She was sure such questions might come up in the first round of interviews.
Oliver had missed when Copper slipped in behind a couple. It was right after Digg helped a drunk couple outside and called them a cab. Oliver's cocktail packed quite a punch. You would be surprised, how many people tried to insist that they could drive. One moment he was placing drinks on Alice's tray, the next everyone was gasping. The band hired specifically for that night stopped playing and the bar fell eerily quiet. There at Felicity's table stood Cooper Sheldon with his hand wrapped tightly around her wrist. A few yards away stood Bob with his double barrelled shot gun pointed straight at Cooper.
"Let her go," Bob said in a dangerously low tone.
"Leave us alone old man, this does not concern you," Cooper responded rudely.
"I will ask you again nicely, let her go,"
"You're not going to shoot me in the middle of your bar full of people," Cooper said.
Bob cocked the gun to load the rounds into the chamber. "The hell I'm not. You're harassing one of my loyal customers, now get the fuck out!"
Diggle had returned at the point and marched right up to Cooper, "let her go or I'll make you," he made a point of flexing those massive biceps of his.
Cooper reluctantly let go of Felicity. Digg grabbed his hand and swung it painfully behind Coopers back, using it as leverage to march the man out of the bar.
"And don't come back!" Bob yelled, "We'll be filing a restraining order."
Oliver made his way quickly to Felicity, "you ok?"
"I'm fine," she said rubbing her wrist.
"He's gone," Diggle said when he returned. He looked down at her hand, "starting tomorrow I'm teaching you basic self defence, both of you,"
"That sounds like a great idea," Felicity said.
Feb-8
The next morning, Felicity groaned as her ass again landed on the training mat in Diggle's apartment.
"This was a horrible idea," she groaned.
Both men chuckled at her. Oliver had been learning fast, Diggle teasing him that he could join the bodyguard industry soon.
"I'm going to get some water," Felicity declared slowly getting up from the matt.
Oliver waited until she was out of earshot before he spoke to Diggle, "Can you extend your bodyguard contract to Felicity? I can pay you in May when I have access to funds again."
"Oliver, you don't need to ask me to look out for Felicity. She is my friend. I will not let anyone hurt her,"
"I just feel better knowing someone is there when I am not. I go to the gym every morning. She's alone for that entire time and now with her preparing for the interviews she's home alone a lot more,"
"I have an idea," Diggle said. "Lyla's having a hard time adjusting to being back. It was like this the first time we came back but it was both of us then. I'm stable now with a stable job. I can ask Lyla to keep an eye on Felicity. Both women get along great and focusing on Felicity might be good for Lyla. Help her sort out the changes in herself. I was serious when I said I wasn't letting Lyla go."
"What are you guys whispering conspiratorially about?" Felicity asked, her eyes narrowed in an accusing way.
Oliver made an act of looking around for Lyla before signalling for Felicity to come closer.
"Digg's concerned about Lyla's adjustment to being back. Lyla has no friends here so he was wondering if you could spend more time with her. Help her along, help her find a place in a life not dominated by war."
Felicity's eyes widened, "I did think some days she was a little tense. I can invite her over when Oliver's at the gym for some girl talk."
"That would be great," Diggle said smiling.
"Great I'll ask her now," Felicity said wondering out to the little porch on their apartment where Lyla would sit and stare at the horizon.
"Problems solved," Oliver said with a smile.
"One day man, you're going to make a great manager," Diggle said clapping Oliver on the back before adjusting his hands and putting Oliver on his back.
"Hey man I wasn't ready," Oliver protested.
"What did I teach you first? Always be alert."
Feb-9
Oliver entered the gym, Felicity in tow. Lyla had been coming over on mornings and somehow Lyla had taken a liking to teaching Felicity how to be more alert and safe. Lyla thought Oliver's invitation for her to learn yoga would help Felicity with her flexibility. Felicity had reluctantly agreed to go once a week but not to the same class that Oliver did. She didn't want him laughing at her.
She was chewing on bottom her lip nervously when he took her to the exercise room.
"Hi Shado, this is Felicity. She'll be joining your class today,"
"Felicity," the woman said lighting up, "Oliver cannot shut up about you!"
"I hope it's only good things?" Felicity said.
A large heavy hand fell on her shoulder, "trust me the way he talks about you, one would think the sun shines out of your ass!"
"Mr. Wilson," Felicity said.
"Call me Slade. I'm going to borrow Oliver here now. We'll be working on legs today,"
Oliver groaned as he did another set of squats. Slade had him going through a routine with squats, lunges and weights to strengthen his legs. Slade thought that while Oliver had developed his upper body he had neglected his legs. Oliver watched the clock on the wall waiting for the assigned time when the yoga class would finish. He had tried to peek in to see how it was going but Slade had caught him and added an extra set to this routine. Slade had said if he had time to stare at girls he had time to give him another set.
When the class finished, he found Felicity talking with Shado.
"That is so much harder than it looks!"
"You'll get accustomed to it," Shado said.
"Can I steal her for a moment Shado. I want to show her the salmon ladder."
"Show off," Shado teased as he tugged Felicity away.
He walked with the bar up to the ladder and then jumped up to the lowest rung, setting the bar in place. He would have done it shirtless if Slade didn't have a rule about taking off your shirt to work out. He then moved up a rung, then another and another before he paused to look at Felicity.
"As soon as I get my first pay cheque I'm buying one of those for you," she said to him. Her eyes were glued to his body. He really loved showing off for his girl.
A crowd of other women started to form and he could swear he heard Felicity tell them to back off he was hers. They both left the gym with huge smiles on their face.
Feb-10
Later that afternoon as he was getting ready to head to the bar, Felicity had a shocked look on her face as she got off of her cell phone.
"What's wrong?" Oliver asked.
"That was Myron. He was a good friend of Cooper's. They were roommates at MIT."
Oliver clenched his fists, "Did we not make it clear enough to that jerk that we don't want anything to do with him. Is he asking his friends to harass you?"
"No nothing like that. The FBI arrested Cooper today. Apparently, he hacked into some government websites illegally. He came out here to hide from them. When he filed that police report he used an alias that they had found when they examined his computers back in Boston. They tracked him here and found him hiding out in a motel outside of the strip."
"That's one problem solved," Oliver said with no sympathy for Cooper at all.
Felicity gave him a look. "I can't be so callous Oliver. I spent years of my life with him. It's sad for me to see someone I used to care deeply for go to jail."
Oliver walked over to her and took her hands in his, "Cooper made his decision Felicity. He has to take responsibility for it now."
Felicity nodded and hugged him.
Feb-11
Felicity had passed all of her first round interviews and had been invited for a second one with a more technical team at the three companies in Starling City. Obviously, Oliver wanted her to work at QC but he wasn't going to interfere. It was her decision. He had two more months left in the challenge but he was still at a loss with what to do with his two years of freedom. It was a lot harder than he thought to find something that was meaningful to him and kept him close to Felicity in Starling City. Whatever was to come, he was confident that together they would find a solution.