I do not own Arrow or Thunderbirds I am not that lucky but I am grateful to be borrowing them :)
AN1 – Right okay so firstly I am really sorry this update has taken so long, I have been busy with my hobby a few friends needed presents making. Then I had the opportunity to train to be a cycling proficiency instructor for free so I have been working hard with that and well now I need a rest so you are getting a new chapter which I hope you like.
AN2 – I have been doing lots of thinking and along with suggestions I am going with a Jolicity but when I set out this this fic I wanted it to be a prequel to my other fic HOWEVER after season 3 has ended I am not feeling the love for arrow and oliver as I once was so this is going to be a stand alone. I have lots of ideas to get written down and I will try to be more regular updating but no promises as I will hopefully be a working individual soon eek exciting.
PS - been really naughty and not proof read it so please be gentle if there are mistakes i wanted to get it to you quickly
Sorry on with the show I mean story enjoy guys
Undertaking Rescue Continued
John woke to his alarm clock blaring. Still unused to the routine of using it he mistook the noise for the emergency klaxon on Thunderbird 5. He dived from the bed and headed in the direction of where he would have found the control room, only when his mind caught up he found himself in the bathroom. Grumbling he trudged back to the bedroom and turned off the alarm.
John then returned to the bathroom and readied himself for the day. Once ready John called his dad to check in and see if Lady Penelope had been in touch.
"John how are you? Jeff answered cheerily.
"Morning Dad. I'm okay thanks. You're cheery today. Tonight even." John corrected as he remembered the time difference.
"Do i?" Jeff pretended ignorance. "Penny called in while you were sleeping."
"And? What did she say?" John asked sounding very eager and excited.
Jeff couldn't help himself his second eldest's behaviour was rather out of character, he imagined more was riding on his answer than just International Rescue business. "I'm sorry John it's not good news I'm afraid to say Penny uncovered Felicity's true nature." He struggled to keep a serious face as he watched John.
John looked shocked then disappointed, "How bad is it? She's not involved with the Hood is she?" He asked.
"Penny's exact words I quote 'she is brave, head strong, smart and loyal. We would be silly to let her go."
John nodded listening to the words being said until the meaning of the words registered and his eyes nearly leapt out of their sockets. "She's cleared?" He clarified.
"Yes with an impressed Penny. Now we need to arrange her induction."
"That was a dirty trick worthy of Gordon. I will never question where he gets it from again." John grumbled at his father annoyed at the trickery for a brief moment then he let the happiness at the news take over and think up a plan of action. "Could she come back with me tomorrow?"
"Sure son. I will have Penny come by for when you arrive. Let me know if there are any changes."
"Thanks Dad I will. I will check in again tonight."
"FAB John. Have a good day." Jeff cut the call a smile spreading over his face. He was happy to be recruiting such a lovely lady to their Organisation but even more so John seemed very happy that Felicity was around.
He decided to call Penny and give her the news, then he would get some rest before letting the rest of the family know about the incoming visitor.
John had a spring in his step as he walked to meet Felicity. As he approached the building he saw her waiting at the same spot they said goodnight.
As he drew closer he noticed how worried she looked. "Morning Felicity. Is everything alright?" He asked concerned.
"Hi John. Yes, no, sort of. Here is your jacket thanks for the loan." She nervously handed the jacket to John who took it from Felicity patiently waiting for a further explanation of her behaviour. "Do you know a Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward?" She asked hesitantly unsure whether she should tell John or not about last nights events.
At the mention of the name John was instantly alert what had Lady P been up to? "Yes why? What happened after I left you last night?"
The tone in John's voice silenced her worries, "Uh what didn't happen might be a better topic. Can we walk and talk if I'm late work will most defiantly kill me."
"Sure." John offered his arm and Felicity gratefully accepted enjoying the feeling of security it gave.
"I was jumped when I got into my room, gagged and tied up. A woman with a British accent wanted to know if I was me and information about International Rescue. I denied everything about being rescued. Then she threatened you if I refused to hack International Rescue systems. I hacked her phone instead and she had a contact on there under Jeff Tracy. I prank called her to distract her and I got her gun that's when she turned really nice. She apologised, told me her name and that she in an International Rescue agent protecting its secrets. A guy she called Parker made me a drink while she explained what she was doing. She said I had passed her loyalty test and that I was no risk to you all, then left. Oh and she explained that the Jeff Tracy number in her phone was because they are friends and she's a shareholder in Tracy Engineering. I'm confused, it feels like I had a crazy dream but its got to be real otherwise how would I know that name I don't remember you mentioning it. And I remember her chatting to me at the conference yesterday before your seminar claiming to be a reporter covering the conference."
"Felicity breathe, I know what's gone on and I'm sorry you were subjected to Lady Penelope's methods she is eccentric but efficient. Lady P is the head agent in a network of in the know people protecting us from those wanting to hurt us or steal our equipment. And she is a long standing family friend."
"I'm glad I'm not crazy enough to imagine that but I did lie to her."
"Oh what about?" John asked curious not many could lie to Lady P undetected.
"I asked if she knew who you all were, I was trying to make sure I wasn't being tricked into revealing anything. Anyway I said I wasn't interested in knowing who you all were. If I didn't already I was curious right up until you walked out on stage yesterday."
"I'm afraid we all seem to be pulling white lies at the moment to protect each other. Listen I have a crazy idea but it will put an end to all the lies except how we met. Would you like to visit Tracy Island, my home and meet everyone?"
"I." Felicity's mouth resembled a fish out of water while she processed a non-silly answer. "What type of island is it?" She managed unsuccessfully.
John laughed, "You Felicity are priceless. It's a tropical island."
"Hot sun." She said dreamily. "Wait do we have to fly there?"
"Yes." John answered.
"I'm scared of flying." She admitted.
"What if I said I'm the pilot?"
"I don't know whether to be impressed your both an astronaught and pilot or more scared."
"Hey I am an excellent pilot." John pretended his ego had been hurt.
"I trust you. Not sure I trust flying. I'd like to meet everyone again. I would have to book holiday time from work. When were you thinking?"
Both sat down at a table in the dining room. They had both grabbed food from the counter during their conversation. Felicity went straight for her coffee letting the warm liquid wake her up.
"Tomorrow when I head back."
Felicity choked on the mouthful of coffee she had just taken. She managed to not spray John but at the cost of a prolonged coughing spree. John tried to help feeling guilty he took the cup from her hands and passed over a napkin.
When Felicity finally caught her breath and calmed down she answered, "I don't know if work will give me time off with such short notice. I thought it might have been in a few weeks or your next time off."
"Sorry we can leave it if you would like but I'll be posted back in three weeks. Then it will be three months until I have anymore spare time." John was careful of his choice of words as the room had started to fill and delegates were sitting closer to their section of the table. He couldn't help the sadness that had crept into his voice and eyes.
Felicity felt bad John was so happy a moment ago and she did really want to meet everyone properly even if she had to pretend to only know then as John's family. "Let me call into work see if I can sort something out. It's not like I have anything important going to anyway. This would be much more fun except the flying part."
John's smile returned warming Felicity's heart.
At this point Rebecca, Victoria, Markus and Tobias descended upon the immediate chairs surrounding them. Hello's and good morning's were exchanged before a pleasant silence took over as they all settled into eating breakfast.
When Felicity finished she excused herself from the group and stepped outside to ring into work. She argued that she needed two weeks to get through a personal emergency. Her manager was unhappy at the short notice and the inopportune moment as she was to present a summary of the conference to the department. She compromised and it was settled that she would produce a report and submit a video presentation.
After the phone call she messaged Diggle,
FS – Had a change of plans will be away a few more days. Met a friend going back to visit them. Will keep checking in. Felicity.
Then she returned to the dining hall just as the announcement speakers came to life "The seminar for Advanced Imaging and Sensing Technologies presented by Lexcorp will commence in 10 minutes. Please make your way to hall 3. Thank you."
Felicity decided against fighting through the hoard of people and stood off to the side and waited for John. Her phone buzzed and she checked it.
JD – Sure thing. Enjoy your time away. One missed check in I will be looking for you. Dig
Felicity jumped when a hand rested gently on her shoulder. "Sorry it's only me." John said.
"I'm jumpier than normal." She explained.
They began walking towards the hall being part of the last few stragglers. "How did your call go?" John asked eagerly.
Felicity was torn she didn't know whether to say it was all sorted or wait until later. She needed to visit home to get fresh clothes and with the flying maybe she should forget the whole thing and say no now. Her mouth had other ideas, "Work finally agreed but I've got to write a report ASAP for them and a video presentation for the department." She looked depressed. "I'll be spending the time working, maybe I should visit another time."
John looked excited at first then his face fell by her finishing words. "Oh if that's what you want. The flight over is several hours you could do your work then and it might take your mind off the flying?" He said hopeful again.
They took their seats a few rows back from the stage joining John's research colleagues and in time for the speaker to walk out on stage. Felicity decided to postpone answering and took out her tablet and readied to take notes.
John realized Felicity wasn't going to answer and settled back to listen to the presentation.
During the seminar John stole glances at Felicity. She was completely absorbed in her tablet her fingers hardly pausing. The pauses she did take were filled with glances to the stage before continuing on furiously typing. John wondered whether he had been more interesting because Felicity had watched him present or if he was less interesting because of the lack of notes she had taken.
At the end of the presentation John's colleagues left to grab coffee's and Felicity grabbed at the chance to answer John, her earlier concern's now forgotten. "Okay." She said cheerily.
John looked puzzled at Felicity who expanded on her answer. "I will leave with you tomorrow. I've got half of the report finished. I will only have the afternoon's presentation to cover and the video to do. It won't take me long." She watched as John's face broke out into a huge smile. It made his baby blues brighten and she returned the smile.
"That is brilliant." John beamed. "So that explains what you were typing during the presentation. I was worried I hadn't been interesting enough." He joked.
"Oh no I enjoyed your presentation, I got some useful tips to use when I get back home. Speaking of going back I need to get some clean clothes, I didn't pack for a tropical island." Felicity said.
"Don't worry it is all taken care of." John replied.
Felicity dropped the conversation, she wanted to question further but the return of John's work colleagues prevented her. Her annoyance only lasted seconds as Rebecca produced a coffee and a lunchbox for her.
"Thanks." Felicity said gratefully taking the offered coffee and lunchbox.
"Cheers Markus." John thanked as he received his.
The four sat down at the table and in a comfortable silence everyone tucked into their coffee's and food. Different topics of conversation floated about the group while they ate it was a nice atmosphere until Tobias started asking Felicity about the Starling City vigilante. "So what's it like being in a city with a hooded killer on the loose?"
Felicity almost swallowed her half chewed mouthful at the question. She hated talking about Oliver's alter ego to anyone not in the know in case she slipped up and revealed anything. She kept her gaze on the table and as casually as she could manage answered, "No different to any other city except he's always on the news instead of corrupt politicians." Phew, she thought.
"Have you ever seen him?" Tobias eagerly questioned.
Feeling her cheeks heat under the scrutiny she tried to think of the best response. "I work long hours and watch a lot of TV so no I haven't seen him, I'm never outside long enough." Please let the lunch break be over soon, she pleaded to the cosmic forces that be.
"Aw that's a bummer would be cool to meet a real life vigilante. I wonder why he uses such an outdated weapon though. I guess if the news is to be believed we will never know they say he's not been seen since the earthquake fiasco. Did you see International Rescue? You couldn't have been inside then the whole city was being evacuated." Tobias ranted on.
Felicity just wanted the floor to open up and swallow her whole. John watched with fascination as Felicity was questioned by the youngest of the research team. He was curious about the vigilante ever since Felicity had revealed her involvement with him. He didn't want to question her directly but listening to her answer Tobias questions wouldn't do any harm. Until he started asking about International Rescue John decided to step in and help Felicity out but he was a second too slow.
"The KVD Marketing seminar on Content distribution, the Role of Providers and Operators and Supply Chain Optimization will begin in 10 minutes. Please make your way to Hall 2. Thank you." Felicity gave a huge sigh, saved by the announcer she thought. John noticed Felicity relax at the announcement. Tobias forgot his questioning of Felicity over his joy at hearing the announcement of the last seminar "Last one of the day. Hurray!"
"I just need to make a quick call. I will see you all in there." John said standing and taking his phone from his pocket left the dining room.
Felicity along with Victoria, Rebecca, Markus and Tobias headed into the hall. They chose the third row back and as soon as she was sitting Felicity dug her tablet out and began typing up the previous seminar's report. This seminar didn't have much appeal to her or QC's IT department.
Just as the speaker began to talk Felicity felt someone slip into the seat next to her. As she glanced across she saw John settling back in the seat.
"Everything okay?" She whispered.
"Yes just finalizing arrangements. Everyone at home is expecting us." John replied with a huge smile as he glanced across at Felicity.
Felicity suddenly felt really shy and nervous. She turned her attention back to the presentation and her tablet. She concentrated on listening and typing ignoring her racing thoughts about being crazy, accepting John's offer of visiting his home and the base of International Rescue and flying to get there. No she ignored all these thoughts pushing them to the back of her mind and ploughed through the report.
By the end of the seminar Felicity had the report finished except for final checks. She packed away her tablet and turned towards John, before she could ask her own question John had started talking asking his own, "Are you ready?"
"Yes but what's the plan?" she replied asking her question as they started walking out.
John didn't get chance to answer as goodbyes were shouted from behind. "Don't say goodbye then John. You carry on and forget about us." Tobias teased.
John and Felicity turned facing the group. "How could I forget about you Tobias your loud enough that if I was still working for NASA I wouldn't need the communication systems to hear you." John teased back.
"I'm not sure if I should be hurt by that." Tobias faked sniffling. Rebecca cuffed him across the shoulder playfully.
Goodbyes and well wishes were exchanged between the two groups; Felicity received hugs from everyone while John had back slapping man hugs from the guys and traditional hugs from Rebecca and Victoria. Then they all parted company.
"How do you do R&D work?" Felicity blurted out when they were outside and relatively alone.
John chuckled at the question, "Easy stuck up there gives me loads of time not like I can go outside for a walk. I take up work with me before I leave and if anything needs getting to me outside of my change over we have a care package system. I video conference their lab often too." He replied. "So answering your earlier question the plan."
"Yeah I need to get changed and finish packing." She replied.
"Well I've got take off booked for half five. It's a three hour flight to Starling City which with the time difference will put us back to half five landing. Do you want to eat before we leave or when we land." John explained.
"So glad I didn't drive here. I will skip eating before flying just in case and I know the perfect place if you like burgers."
"Like? I love them. You don't get much take out on a space station or tropical island." He joked.
"I've been living off them for months since I started helping the vigilante. Not had much time to cook."
"Wait till you try Grandma's cooking. It's the first thing I go after when I get home."
They approached the accommodation building where Felicity had been staying. "Want to come up and wait, it won't take me too long."
"Sure." John replied and followed Felicity into the building.
John waited in the room while Felicity went into the bathroom. He checked his emails to pass the time and before long Felicity was back wearing skinny jeans and a Dr Who TARDIS top. John smiled, "Nice choice."
"Sorry I only packed for a lonely train journey."
"It's good, one of the few shows I do watch. Who's your favorite regeneration?"
"12. Yours?"
"Snap 12 as well." Both laughed together.
"Perfect match." Felicity blurted out and as soon as her brain registered what she had said her face turned crimson. She rushed over to her bag on the bed and busied herself with packing away her now discarded clothes. Once packed she perched on the bed and laced up her rainbow converse all the while avoiding looking at John. When she was completely ready she couldn't avoid him any longer she looked up and saw he was concentrating on his phone screen. "Ready. Is everything okay?"
John looked up and slid his phone into his inside jacket pocket. "Yes fine just checking emails." He replied. He moved across to grab Felicity's bag and at the same time she turned to do the same thing and both parties bumped heads. "Sorry." They both apologised then burst into laughter at the situation, all awkwardness forgotten from Felicity's earlier comment.
"Let me get this." John politely offered to carry Felicity's bag.
"It's okay I can carry it I packed light."
"Now you wouldn't turn down a gentlemanly request to carry a ladies bag. Father will kill me if he finds out."
Felicity gave in and moved away from the bag giving John space to pick it up. It was such a difference to meet a billionaire with manners than being a playboy or at least pretending to be one.
John lifted the back and slid one strap over his shoulder, he almost toppled over expecting it to weigh more than it actually did. "Light packer, Lady P's bags are a crippler."
Felicity collected her day bag and as she opened the door she cast a glance over the room checking that she had packed everything. She let John go first and locked the door behind them.
They chatted about other TV shows they both watch as they walked over to John's building. Felicity followed John inside, she mimicked John's earlier actions of checking her emails while he got changed. He emerged in casual clothes, he wore a pale orange polo neck shirt, faded jeans and a black pair of slip on shoes. She was so absorbed in her emails she jumped when she heard John, "Ready. Sorry. I am all set, are you ready?"
"Yeah in a world of my own then. How are we getting to the airport?" she asked.
"My car is in the main visitors lot so we can drop our keys off at reception and head to it."
"Let me have my backpack you have your case to carry. I won't tell if you don't." She said as she made a move to get her discarded backpack on the bed.
John dramatically signed, "All right but if he does find out I will tell him how scary you are when mad."
Felicity thought back to all the times she had confronted Oliver on his choices, "You have know idea." She mumbled as she hefted her backpack over onto her shoulders then moved towards the door. John reached passed her and opened the door for her to exit then he followed through locking it behind him.
They walked over to the reception and handed in the keys. Then John showed Felicity to his car. It was a sleek black car with no makers marks on it. As they approached it unlocked and John moved to the trunk popping it open and placing his suitcase inside before taking Felicity's and doing the same with hers.
Felicity opened the passenger door and slid inside at the same time John entered on the driver's side. The interior was as sleek looking as the outside. The centre console had a digital screen and evenly placed buttons about it.
John started the car and the screen came to life with a welcome message before listing all the control features it held. John clicked his belt in and turned to Felicity seeing her ogling the tech.
"It is a new design the touch screen controls all the features but in the event of a failure the discreet buttons round the edge can operate everything. The screen will default with the button descriptions."
"Who makes it? Not that I'm a car fanatic but it is very nice. I haven't seen one before."
"You won't see many yet, this is a test model only 5 have been made so far by Tracy Automotive Engineering. A new range is being tested before launch. The perks of being an employee."
"Wow." Felicity mouthed. She absentmindedly clicked her belt in and settled back for the ride. The traffic was just starting to get heavy with the rush hour approaching so it took john 30 minutes to reach the airport.
John booked in at the welcome desk and Felicity admired the very posh quiet waiting area. It was filled with sofa's, a restaurant and gift shop. One wall was glass from floor to ceiling and faced the runway. She watched as the commercial aircraft took off and landed in their predetermined orders.
John snuck up on her unknowingly and when he spoke he watched as she jumped a mile high. "The plane is ready if you want to head over. Sorry."
"What is it with billionaires having ninja skills. Lead the way." She replied as she clutched her chest and calmed her racing heart rate.
John took Felicity's hand in his gaining her full attention. "Ninja skills?"
"I'll explain later." She replied her nerves kicking in now that it was imminent that she was going to be flying.
"Don't worry I won't let anything bad happen. Your flying in the safest aircraft manufactured to date."
"Felicity felt her cheeks heating up at the closeness they were sharing and how kind John was being. Focus she chided herself as she concentrated on the way they began walking instead of thinking how nice it felt being so close to John. The last person who had made her feel this way had vanished.
"Who built the safest aircraft?" She tried to sound normal but she was sure her voice was a little high.
"Tracy Aviation Engineering of course." John replied in a boasting matter of fact way.
"I should have seen that coming really. Do you ever use anything not Tracy built?"
"When we have no other choice." John took a subtle glance around the airstrip they were now walking across before continuing. "Tracy Engineering built all of our equipment without knowing it."
"That is genius." Felicity replied.
John led Felicity up to a waiting plane, it was a shiny white colour with a thick blue and thin orange stripe running from the nose to tail along the sides. Felicity noticed the colour was the same as the tie and waistcoat John had been wearing and she realized her was now wearing a pastel shade now.
When they reached the side of the craft in front of the wing John released Felicity and placed his case of the floor freeing up his hands to open the door to the plane. The panel fell away from the plane and gracefully swept towards the floor before stopping just a few inches short of the ground. The inside of the panel was shaped like steps leading into the plane.
The nerves returned to Felicity with a vengeance. She really hated flying. John turned back to Felicity and saw how pale she now looked. He took her hand again, "Come on you won't even know your flying when inside I promise." John reassured.
Felicity felt calmer when she felt the pressure of John's hand in hers. She remained silent as his comment not fully believing him but followed him as he moved them towards and then up the steps into the plane.
Inside was nothing like Felicity expected. They entered into what appeared to be a luxurious lounge area. The side they had entered on had a leather sofa long enough to fit about 5 people on it. On the opposite side were 2 leather chairs that looked like swivel arm chairs and in between them was a table. At the furthest end was a wall with a TV on it and next to that a door. Between where they stood and a door marked flight deck was a little kitchenette area and cupboards.
John released Felicity again, "Shall I take your bag?" Felicity shrugged out of the backpack and handed it over to John, she was still in awe of the plane.
John packed the luggage away in one of the large cupboards. "I've got to do the preflight checks. Make yourself at home there are drinks in the fridge if you want anything. I won't be long."
"Okay thanks." Felicity replied as she watched John head into the space past the door marked flight deck.
Felicity wandered round the lounge wondering if she should sit down and wait. She decided to perch on the sofa and wait, distracting herself she pulled out her phone and started surfing the net.
About 5 minutes later John emerged from the flight deck and headed straight outside. Felicity looked up and they exchanged a smile before John left and Felicity returned to her phone. She was checking out the companies making plays for the stocks being sold from Queen Consolidated. It was like hungry ducks to breadcrumbs. If Oliver didn't come back soon he might not have a company to return to.
Another 15 minutes passed before John reentered the plane and this time he pulled the steps up and closed the entry to the plane. "Almost there. You alright?" He asked worried about leaving Felicity alone with her flying fears.
"Yeah got my phone and the internet couldn't be happier." She replied cheerfully, her fears a long way away at the moment.
"That's good. I just have some paperwork to finish off then we will be ready and almost time for departure."
"Okay." Felicity replied and John headed back into the flight deck.
Felicity decided to get a drink she had a very dry mouth from her nerves. She headed to the fridge and had a look inside, there were cans of fizzy drinks, bottles of fruit juice and water. She grabbed a bottle of water, as she went to close the fridge she had second thoughts and picked up another bottle. Then she headed to the doorway of the flight deck.
"I grabbed a water and brought one for you if you want one." She softly called into the cockpit.
John looked up and over his shoulder when he heard Felicity. Turning slightly he rested the paperwork into his lap and reached for the offered bottle. "Thanks." He said. "Do you want to stay out there for the flight or join me in here?"
"I might just work on my video presentation for work it might take me mind off the flying, I'm not sure how long its going to take and better its done now than forget and be antisocial when your family are around. If that's okay with you? Seeing the plane take off might not be a good idea, there are seat belts in the back right." Felicity babbled on.
"That's okay. Give me a minute and I'll come back and show you how to buckle in." John replied turning back to his paperwork.
Felicity headed back into the plane. She picked up her day bag from the sofa and transferred to the forward facing leather chair. She slid into the chair and placed the water down on the table then emptied her tablet and phone onto the table. She pulled out headphones and clicked them into her phone and opened up her music playlist. Next she opened the report on her tablet ready for the final read. Not wanting to get started till John had finished she looked out the window watching the planes taking off. After the third one she pulled the blind down thinking if she couldn't see it would be less scary.
Movement caught her attention and as she looked over John was walking towards her. Both smiled at the other before crimson blushes broke out on their cheeks and they looked away. "All ready I see." John broke the awkward tension that had descended.
"Yeah." Felicity replied.
"Right I'll show you what's thought here in case you need to use anything." John said as he led Felicity towards the back of the plane and through the closed door. Felicity's mouth fell open as she saw into a bathroom with a shower and just past the bathroom a bedroom with a double bed. "You may want to catch some Zzz's on the next flight it's a 6 hour trip." John casually commented.
"Oh how the other half live." Felicity offhandedly replied.
"Huh yeah but we never get to use them we usually pilot ourselves and it is rare we go out in a larger group than two except on mission." John replied.
"Oh I never thought about that."
"No worries, the world think were rich, flamboyant and that's the best way really no one suspects who we really are. Come on I'll show you the TV and electronics."
"Don't forget the seatbelt."
John laughed, "You have a thing for safety."
"Yeah it'll keep me safe and inside the plane." She replied the nerves building again.
John shut the door and they moved to the chair and table. John had removed the TV remote from the holder next to the TV after he shut the door and he placed it on the table.
"Don't worry I can figure out the TV, if not I shouldn't be calling myself a tech expert at work." Felicity joked.
"Okay. On the wall there." John pointed to the panel above where the table joined the wall. There was a speaker, microphone and buttons. "This is the intercom system for you to contact me if you need anything and if I need to call though to you. Just push this button and it opens a 2-way channel. That LED will flash if the system is active in case you're listening to your music too loud." Jon explained and looked pointedly at the headphones. "If you want you can put music through the TV we have en extensive library, we all have different tastes. There is a movies and shows database too on there."
"Okay thanks I may have a look when I've got the presentation finished. Now the important bit." She said settling back in the seat.
John slid his fingers into the fold of the chair that ran at neck height and pulled out a clip, he repeated the action on the other side, pulling the clips down to Felicity's middle. Next he slid his fingers down into the seat corner at the back of the chair and pulled out a buckle and on the opposite side another clip. He then inserted the clips into the buckle and strapped Felicity in. "If you want to get out once were cruising press this button." He demonstrated and the clips released and retracted into their hiding places. "Want to try buckling in so we both know you can."
Felicity reached over her one shoulder first and copied John's actions. She dug out one clip and then repeated on the other side. Next she dug out the buckle and the opposite lap clip and connected them all together.
"Easy. Now are you okay and happy? If not you can always come sit up front?" He checked.
"No I'm okay just don't tell me when we actually leaving the ground I really don't want to know." Felicity replied her voice quivering slightly.
"I won't I can leave the intercom open so you can hear me?" John offered.
"No thanks, I will put my earphones in and go to my happy place." Felicity tried to joke a little but with the shakiness of her voice it failed.
"Alright. Any problems you shout though okay."
Felicity nodded and lifted up he earphones. John hesitantly strode towards the flight deck, when he entered he fully turned round and watched Felicity as he slowly closed the door. He didn't want to leave her alone but someone had to fly the plane. Hopefully there would be no turbulence and she wouldn't even know she was flying.
Felicity turned on her playlist and had the volume up high. She then lifted her tablet off the table and settled back in the seat and began reading her report. After a few minutes she felt the vibration of the engines as they started but she didn't feel any movement and ignored where she was losing herself in the music and information.
In the first 45 minutes Felicity had read the report and had it ready to send. She then spent the next 2 hours videoing herself almost reciting the report. Just as she hit the stop button the LED light on the intercom started flashing and she heard John's voice, "This is your captain speaking would all passenger please ensure they are buckled in securely." The humor could be heard in his voice and Felicity found herself giggling which the microphone picked up and transmitted back to John. "You heard that I thought you might still have your music on." He almost groaned.
"I just finished my video report, didn't take as long as I expected. I am guessing it might be time to go back to my happy place." She replied.
"If you want to, are you still strapped in?" John asked.
"Yes never moved and not going to until I know I'm back on the ground."
"Alright. When we are sorted I will come and get you from your happy place." John replied.
"Yes please."
"Okay over and out." John finished and cut the transmission.
Felicity stuck her headphones in and cranked up the music again. She was going to close her eyes and pretend to be in anywhere but here then she remembered the LED. She wouldn't hear John on the intercom and she could watch the light but she needed distracting. Deciding against her current idea she unplugged the earphones and swiveled the chair around to face the TV. Having swiped up the remote she turned it on and started browsing the music.
There was current chart music, stuff from the sixty's through to the naughty's. There was classical, jazz, rock and loads more genre's, then she came across a section marked Virgil. She remembered one of the thunderbirds has been called Virgil. Curious she opened up the folder and scanned the next list of folders consisting of concertos, compilations and covers. She opened the covers folder and scanned the titles. She recognized a lot of the music many of them her favorites so she decided to just hit play on the first and listen. She cranked up the music and closed her eyes she would hear John if he called out over the intercom.
The tracks that she knew the words to she sang forgetting John was only in the next room. It was sound proofed and John didn't hear anything until he opened the door to let Felicity know they had landed. He instantly recognized his younger brothers work the beautiful female vocals however he did not recognize. He moved into the plane saw the playlist on the TV displaying Virgil's covers and the chair he had left Felicity sitting in was facing the TV. He assumed it was her singing.
Quietly he listened as she sang along to Coldplay – Sky Full of Stars. He was completely absorbed in her singing. The song drew to an end and another one started, John remained quiet waiting to hear more but when the vocals would have started Felicity remained silent. Deciding he should make his presence known he moved up towards the back of the chair and spoke loudly enough to be heard over the music. "So I see you found Virgil's covers."
If Felicity hadn't been strapped in she would have reached the ceiling. "Sorry I keep making you jump." John apologised.
"No I was listening and pretending I'm not on a plane I think I actually forgot where I was." Suddenly remembering she had been singing aloud she blushed slightly, "How long have you been out here?"
"Oh not very long." John played dump but as he saw the blush deepening he felt a little bad. "Just long enough to hear Sky Full of Stars. Lovely singing. You have an amazing voice." He watched as the blush deepened.
"Are we back in Starling City?" Felicity quickly changed the subject she didn't like singing in front of anyone and wanted some fresh air right about now to cool off.
"Yeah we are all ready." John replied.
Felicity clucked the release button on the buckle and returned her chair to face the table as she collected her tablet and phone slipping them into her day bag. John moved away giving Felicity room to sort herself out and he opened the cupboard to remove Felicity's bag slinging it over his shoulder. He then moved to the exit and opened the hatch to lower the steps down.
John led the way out of the plane and Felicity followed, she took a deep breath of fresh air and instantly felt better. The flying really hadn't been so bad she thought as her feet touched the ground. Not as bad as Oliver's Tarzan moves. Maybe she might just beat her fear of flying one day. John closed up the plane and held out his hand to Felicity to take. When she did he led them both over to the waiting lounge.
There were a few more people in the waiting lounge of Starling City airport than had been at Boston and they were all smartly dressed in business suits, Felicity felt a little under dressed. John gently tugged on their joined hands guiding her over to the desk and Felicity followed. John talked to the attendant at the desk he handed over a set of keys and received a single key in return. Then he released Felicity to complete the paperwork and bid the attendant good bye.
"All set. So it is half past five our next departure is booked for half seven if that's long enough? Do you want to eat first or before we get back here." John asked.
"That will be fine and can we eat first please. We can get take out and eat at mine while I pack."
"Sounds like a good plan. Now to my shame I have never been to Starling City do you want to drive or give me directions?"
John asked as they stepped outside into the parking lot. There were a few cars and John steered them over to a red pickup truck. "You can drive." She hurriedly said.
"Okay, I couldn't get much else at short notice. I would prefer a Tracy Juliet right about now." John replied.
"What's a Tracy Juliet?"
As John released Felicity's hand she moved to the passenger door as he went to the driver's side. He put the backpack in the rear seats before climbing into the front to join Felicity. "It's one of the hatchback models Tracy Automotive Engineering produce."
"I think when my car is due for upgrade I might look into a Tracy, especially if that test model is on the market by then. If it has technology I stand a chance of fixing it, I'm not so great with mechanics."
John laughed, "Which way then before I get us lost." He joked as he pulled up to the exit.
"Left, follow the road then right." She directed. Felicity dug her phone from out of her day bag and started to call Big Belly Burger. Carly answered, "Hi Carly its Felicity. Yeah can I order two of the specials." Covering the mouthpiece she asked John, "What drink?"
"Vanilla milkshake please."
"Go straight on here." She directed then turned back to the call, "Sorry can I get two milkshakes one vanilla and one strawberry thanks. 10 minutes will see you then." Felicity hung up. "Easy sorted. Go left here."
"You weren't kidding about eating out a lot, first name terms with the staff." John remarked.
"Oh no Carly she's the girlfriend of a good friend. I will introduce you if you come over on one of your Earth rotations. Okay that sounded better in my head, that makes you sound like an alien."
"Well I do live out there long enough."
"Turn right up there." John navigated the traffic and turned up the road. "Keep going and just up here on the left. Pull up out front I'll run in and grab the order."
Felicity pulled out her purse and was about to hop out the truck when she saw Carly just walking out the door with a bag. She opened the door and took a step away calling Carly. "You didn't have to come out." She chided Carly.
"It's okay I was being nosey, John's working and Oliver is still away so I wanted to see who the new guy is." She said knowingly.
"Shh." Felicity scolded as she felt a blush coming to her face. She stepped back towards the open door. "Carly meet John, John this is Carly."
"Nice to meet you." John called across the cab of the truck and waved.
"Hi. Enjoy your Big Belly Burger." Carly said cheerily and placed the bag on the seat before stepping back to join Felicity. She turned her back to the truck and while taking the money for the order from Felicity whispered. "He's drop dead gorgeous, how do you find them?"
"You wouldn't believe me." She replied.
"Try me." Carly egged.
"An IT conference at MIT." Felicity replied.
"No way looks and brains. You're a perfect match." Felicity blushed at the comment.
"Bye Carly. Say hi to Dig for me." She waved as she moved back into the truck.
Carly waved, "See you Felicity. Bye John." Carly then turned back towards the entrance to Big Belly Burger and headed inside as the truck drove away.
"Carly seems nice." John said as he pulled the truck into the traffic.
"Yeah, she is always looks after us when we grab food when she's working. Turn left just up here." Felicity said.
They fell into a happy silence, John concentrated on driving and observing the City while Felicity gave the occasional directions when needed. They started to pass through the demolished Glades. "I recognize this area." John said.
"Yeah this is where the earthquake device hit the hardest. Keep going and see that building there?" Felicity said.
"Yeah that says Queen on it." John confirmed.
"That's the one, round the other side is Verdant and underneath was me. Thanks again for saving me." Felicity said.
"It's what we do. But I'm glad you found our transmissions."
"Turn right at this junction. Follow the road to the end then go left."
They carried on driving through the Glades and out the other side into a nice residential side of the City.
"Wow that's a difference." John commented.
"Yeah the Markov device that caused the earthquake was set to only destroy the Glades. Malcolm Merlyn was mad but not completely insane he did have a conscience when it came to non Glade residence." Felicity drily replied.
"Turn up that road." Felicity pointed. John followed the directions and went to the right. "Half way up on the left." John found a gap and expertly parked the truck in the space. "Here we are my place." Felicity pointed to the house that she lived in. They were parked outside the house next door as her car was directly in front of her house.
John turned the engine off and undid his seatbelt. Felicity unclipped her belt, opened the door and slid out from the truck. John grabbed Felicity's backpack and Felicity headed up to the house with the food and rummaging about her bag to find her house keys.
She opened the door and went in leaving the door open for John. She set about unpacking the food on the breakfast bar in the kitchen. As she heard the front door clunk shut she shouted through to John, "I'm through the back in the kitchen."
John walked into the house and closed the door behind him. He heard Felicity shout though as he placed the backpack at the bottom of the stairs before heading through.
The kitchen was a square shape with counters along two walls and a centre island. At the end where he had walked in one counter had continued along at ninety degrees into a breakfast bar where he found Felicity emptying the fast food bag.
"Nice place you have." John complimented as he slid onto one of the stools.
"Thanks. I hardly see the place these days but its mine." She replied as she unwrapped her burger and tipped the fries onto the paper and began tucking in.
John tucked into his fries and they ate in companionable silence enjoying their food. When john reached his burger he voiced how good it tasted to him, "Mmmm that is so good. Oh how I missed take out." Felicity giggled at John's delight.
When they had finished eating Felicity got up to clear away and John grabbed her hand, "Here I'll do that you go and get sorted."
"Are you sure? Thanks, help yourself to anything and the TV is in the other room if you want to sit in there. I won't be long." She replied blushing at the contact between them.
"Go on I think I can cope." John gently tugged Felicity around the breakfast bar and towards the doorway where he let her go.
Felicity had a spring in her step as she left the kitchen, a guy that could keep house as well as manners and could keep up techno speak with her.
Half an hour later Felicity came down the stairs armed with a medium size pink suitcase that she placed next to the door when she reached the bottom. Next she headed into the TV room in search of John but found it empty so she moved on and went into the kitchen. As she approached the doorway she could hear John talking and guessed he was on the phone. She took a steadying breath and casually walked into the kitchen.
John looked over to Felicity, he stumbled over his words for a second as he took in Felicity's new outfit. She was wearing black skinny jeans, a sleeveless type of blouse that was a peach colour with a tie-dye random pattern flowing across it.
"We, we, I need to go Scott got a departure time to keep. Yes. No, seriously Scott if you dare I will tell Gordon about the food coloring. Not joking Scott, I really have to go. Okay. See you soon. Bye Scott." John hung up the phone looking bright crimson.
"Should I ask what that was about?" Felicity enquired thinking some sibling mischief was afoot judging by how red John had gone she might have been involved.
"Uh probably not. Scott is threatening to dig out the baby albums. This is kind of a new for them and me." He admitted shyly.
"Oh I guess you don't get many visitors being on an island." Felicity assumed.
"Ah no we do get people visiting, friends, agents. Its more." John hesitated and Felicity couldn't believe John was turning a deeper shade of red.
Finally the penny dropped for Felicity. "Oo I'm not the first person you've taken back home?" John nodded his head and looked awkwardly about. Felicity felt herself blush at the importance of this bit of information. "Well we shouldn't keep them waiting how long is the flight?" she diffused the tension that had built up.
"It's six hours so we will be arriving half 11 at night their time." John informed.
"You did say the TV had box sets right?"
"Yes."
"Then let's go." Felicity cheerily turned on her heel and headed to the front door. John followed.
John took the suitcase and Felicity didn't argue she just locked the house up and followed John to the car. They headed off to the airport Felicity giving directions when needed and a quiet silence remained between them on the journey.
At the airport John handed over the key for the hire car and received the plane keys back and they headed over to the plane. Once inside John packed the suitcase away in the cupboard and left Felicity to work the TV while he did the preflight checks.
After about 15 minutes Felicity was settled into the chair facing the TV and had buckled herself in when John's voice came over the intercom. "This is your captain speaking we are ready for departure please ensure you are seated, buckled in and ready to visit your happy place."
Felicity heard the humor in his voice and couldn't keep from laughing, "Yes captain I am all buckled in tight and I am now catching up on Grimm so take me to your tropical island."
"Journey to Tracy Island commencing. Please enjoy your show and you now where I am if you need anything. Over and out."
"Thanks John bye." Felicity replied. She felt the engines fire up and returned to watching the TV turning up the volume a little more.
AN3 – okay I am so sorry this is a huge chapter where not a lot happens but its moved us to the next phase. Please review if you liked, didn't like etc I found this really hard with lots of talking and things developing slowly between Felicity and John so I hope I have kept them in character as much as possible. Not sure how quickly I can have the next chapter up but if you have anything you would like to happen pm me :) Really hope you enjoyed.