AN – wehey another chapter finished, I hope this is alright I found it another challenge and wanting the story to make a bit of headway. Hot of the press so sorry for any mistakes.
I do not own Arrow or Thunderbirds just borrowing for a while
CHAPTER 12
Felicity had been on Tracy Island for seven days when Lady Penelope finally made contact. Felicity was just getting ready for breakfast when her phone started to ring with an unknown contact.
"Hello." Felicity answered.
"Felicity dear it's Lady Penelope. I have the information you requested. It has been emailed securely I am sure you can access it."
"Thank you. If there is anything you ever need from me please just ask." Felicity thanked.
"That's quite alright. I apologise for the delay in retrieving the information our subject didn't want to be found."
"Yeah that's what worries me." Felicity fretted.
"It will work itself out. Now I must dash take care Felicity."
"You too Lady Penelope and thanks again."
The call ended. Felicity went straight for her inbox and read the email. Lady Penelope had tracked flights for an Eli Evro Quen from Starling City to China where a private charter took a single passenger over the North China Sea and on return did not offload any passenger. When Felicity concentrated on the name she finally realised why she couldn't track Oliver he had donned an alias to travel under.
Felicity closed down the email finished checking her other ones. A new notification had come through about a second buyer for Queen Consolidated but the company's details were being withheld. Looking at the time Felicity didn't have long before John would be arriving. She decided to put that on hold and let Diggle know the new development.
FS – Found Oliver he's gone back. We need to go get him. Things have changed with QC another buyer has made an offer but details are unavailable at the moment. FS
JD – Son of gun. I will make some enquiries see what I can arrange. Are you still enjoying your time away? Dig
FS – Yeah brilliant time will make arrangements to return I have another week of work to get Oliver. FS
JD – Will see what favors I can pull. Keep you posted. JD
Just then a knock at the door sounded. Felicity jumped up and answered it to find John on the other side. He had a warm smile until he met Felicity's gaze and it dropped to a frown.
"Is everything okay?" He asked concerned.
"Yeah and no. Lady Penelope called she found Oliver, he's gone back to Lian Yu." Felicity answered. She stepped back to let John in to the room. John followed Felicity in and shut the door before enveloping Felicity into a huge hug.
"A friend is arranging transport so we can go convince him to come home and sort QC out and maybe help with the rising crime in the Glades. QC is also getting worse there is another buyer on the scene but they are keeping under the radar." Felicity continued explaining, feeling the worry recede being secure in John's arms.
John felt a knowing smirk grace his face before he schooled it back into a neutral expression. He knew who the second company was and why it was flying under the radar.
"So one problem at a time, we need to get you back home right?"
Felicity nodded her head.
"Would you like another day here and fly back tonight or we can fly back straight after breakfast? Or tomorrow?" John threw out ideas.
"What time will we arrive if we left tonight?"
John mumbled about flight time and time zones before arriving at an answer. "If we leave after dinner about 19:00hrs it will be 03:00 when we get there."
"That's a bit late especially for you piloting after being up all day. Tomorrow morning would that be okay? I don't think anything sooner will make much of a difference. Do you want to still visit Starling City until I have to race off to China?"
"Tomorrow is fine we can let everyone know at breakfast. Yes I will stay until you need to leave I owe you dinner remember?"
"Yes how could I forget." The bubbliness of John was so used to was back.
"Right breakfast I don't want to be the last one there all the pancakes will be gone."
They shared a kiss before heading to join the rest of the family.
The next day found all of the inhabitants of Tracy Island in the hanger giving their goodbyes to Felicity and John.
Kyrano gave a little bow. "Until next time Miss Smoak."
"Bye Kyrano and thank you for the recipe." She awkwardly copied his bow before being engulfed in a hug from Onaha.
"Sweet Felicity you take care of yourself."
"Thank you Onaha and you too."
Next Tin-Tin pulled her in for a hug. "Don't be a stranger its nice to have another girl around."
"I won't. Maybe next time John's back. If you ever need to escape Starling City does have some great shops."
Felicity shook hands with Fermat and Brains. "N-n-n lovely to m-meet you F-F-Felicity. T-t-t your help was m-m-much appreciated." Brains said.
"S-s-see you around F-F-Felicity."
"Nice to meet you both and work with you."
The three Tracy brothers all enveloped Felicity in a giant group hug. All three had enjoyed Felicity's company during her stay and they had seen the difference in their space-loving brother with her around.
When their little huddle broke apart Grandma Tracy pulled Felicity into yet another hug with fierceness that belied her age. "You both are a perfect match. Look after each other." Grandma whispered to Felicity before stepping backwards and continuing, "Now take care of yourself dear. There is a hamper on the plane full of meals, put them in the freezer and make sure you eat properly takeaways are no good for you." She scolded.
"Yes Grandma Tracy, you shouldn't have but thank you I will enjoy everyone of them. Your cooking is the best."
Felicity moved on to Jeff, the patriarch of the family and head of International Rescue. Felicity held out her hand to shake his but Jeff had other ideas, he pulled her in for a hug. Jeff had seen the changes in his first blonde son just as the rest had and he felt a parental draw towards Felicity. When he pulled back he spoke to a shocked looking Felicity. "Thank you for what you have done for the Organisation and for our family. You are welcome here any time just call us."
"Thank you for saving me and inviting me here and just everything it's been amazing and I'm sorry I can't stay longer but work commitments." Felicity replied.
"That's alright I am sure we will see you again. Now have a safe flight you two and let me know when you land."
"Will do Dad. See you in a few days. John replied before he and Felicity boarded his plane.
All of the pre flight checks had been completed before the goodbyes so John closed the door behind them and they exchanged a kiss before Felicity went to buckle in and John headed into the cockpit. He had tried to convince Felicity to ride up front but she refused for the time being.
Once the engine started up Felicity peeked out of the window and waved at all of the faces stood in line with large smiles. When they noticed her they all waved back. Then the plane started to roll forward and Felicity closed down the blind not feeling brave enough to continue watching.
She settled back and pressed play on the TV continuing where she had left off on the flight over.
After arriving in Starling City at the expected time of 5:30pm they had disembarked from the plane with luggage and Grandma Tracy's food hamper in tow and checked through the private terminal collecting the keys for the pre booked car.
Outside John led them both to the hire car parking lot and over to a deep brown coloured hatchback. Felicity didn't take much notice until they approached the trunk and she read the makers badge and model. Tracy Juliet. John lifted the lid before placing his case and then the hamper, he then slid Felicity's from her grasp and place that in too.
"Would you like to have a drive?" John offered, he could see her weighing up the idea.
"Can I? I see why you would have preferred this to the pickup truck."
"Sure here." John handed the keys to Felicity.
They moved to the respective sides of the car and got it. Felicity sunk into the seat and savored the new car smell. She missed that in hers especially since Oliver had left the bloodstains the fabric cleaner's all smelt nasty and still hasn't removed the stains. The seat felt comfortable, she altered it slightly to reach the pedals then put the key in the ignition.
She started the engine and it purred to life. The dash was a lot more basic than the prototype model John had had at MIT. When she heard John's belt click she started to head for home. The car handled beautifully, it was smooth and light for a bigish car. Felicity was used to having smaller compact cars but she liked this car and could see why would too. "I think when I know my job is safe and things settle down I am going car shopping for a Tracy car."
John chuckled. "We do a range of small cars too the Tango range. There are eight model ranges to choose from and within them sub-categories. This is the standard Juliet there is the XL, and reentry too for those who want more space or speed."
Something struck Felicity at that moment. "Did you design this car?"
"Yes we all have a model dad insisted on it because we all have different likes he imagined it would cover the scope of the market and it does."
"Who designed the test one we were in?" She asked.
"Fermat, he likes the gadget side of cars. It will be the Foxtrot Deluxe when commissioned."
"That is so awesome. Well I like your car even the colour it reminds me of Thunderbird 5."
John laughed, "Nothing much gets past you 5's colour is brown/orange."
"And now a whole lot more just became clear. Your ties and the stripes on your plane were orange."
"Yes a little Tracy joke when we go anywhere we try to wear something with our colour on.
Felicity pulled up outside the Walmart. "Is it alright to stop and get milk?"
"If it means coffee in the morning I don't mind." John answered.
Parking up the two went shopping. Twenty minutes later they returned to the car, Felicity had managed to buy two bags full of food. Once the groceries were added to the trunk they set of again to Felicity's.
They finally arrived at Felicity's apartment an hour after leaving the airport. Felicity carried the groceries in to the house while John brought the luggage and then Grandma Tracy's food hamper. Felicity put away the food and meals before any of it could spoil and John watched from the breakfast bar, he had tried to help but Felicity knew where everything belonged he just kept getting in the way.
"I have a reservation for 8 at Table Salt." John announced, as Felicity was finishing cramming the last of Grandma Tracy's meals in the freezer.
Felicity turned sharply to face John. "That's the most expensive restaurant in Starling with a waiting list of months." Felicity squeaked out.
"Is it?" John looked surprised. "It had the best reviews online so I booked a table. If you want to go somewhere else?" He backtracked, know knowing how much Felicity didn't like money to be spent on her the restaurant may not be a good choice.
"It's okay I just uh forget it. I would love to have dinner there thank you." Felicity jammed the last tub in the freezer and closed the door with a push. "Your Grandma sent enough food for half the year."
"Grandma likes to look after everyone."
"She didn't have to but I am looking forward to enjoying her cooking instead of Big Belly Burgers." Felicity had walked over to John by this point and wrapped her arms around his neck and lent in to deliver a long kiss to his lips. "Sorry I didn't mean to sound ungrateful. I'm not used to dating someone with money or having money spent on me, not that I see you as money or a meal ticket and I am defiantly not after your money." Felicity started to get babbly and flustered.
John silenced Felicity before she could dig herself into a bigger preverbal hole with another kiss. When they broke apart for air Felicity looked a lot calmer. "Are you sure you want to eat there?" He asked.
"Yes as long as you want to take me there."
"I would spend every penny I had if it brought a smile to your face." John replied.
Felicity felt her face burn intensely at John's words. "Your pennies are safe but your company might need to pick up the bill." Felicity retorted.
"I am sure I can manage that." John replied finding himself grinning before reaching forward again to kiss Felicity.
When they broke apart this time Felicity now had a panicked look. " What's wrong?" John queried.
"I need to find a dress." She admitted.
"That blue one you wore at MIT. You looked very beautiful in it."
"Yeah its not been cleaned yet, I was whisked away to a tropical island before I could sort out my laundry." Felicity joked.
"Oh." John looked a little disappointed.
"I need to go rummage. Do you want to use the bathroom first to get ready?"
"Yes sure. Lead the way."
Felicity reluctantly removed her hold on John and started to lead the way upstairs. She collected her case from the hallway and John copied, he had to stop himself from offering to carry hers.
Upstairs there were 3 doors on the landing. The first on they passed at the top of stairs was open and John saw the bathroom, inside. The next door they met was ajar and Felicity walked straight inside. John paused in the doorway when he saw inside. There was a double bed inside against the far wall, on the right John saw a large wardrobe unit and at the other end of the room was a large window, with a dresser next to it.
"Come in, I only have the one room. The second bedroom I turned into an office its full of computers." Felicity called out from by the wardrobe, she had dumped her suitcase on the bed and was unzipping it.
John stepped in and placed his case on the opposite side of the bed. He unzipped it and dug out his wash bag, towel and suit. He lay the suit on the bed while he removed the shoes from the case.
"There are hooks on the wall over there if want to hang it up." Felicity said as she rummaged through a cupboard.
John looked at the only wall he hadn't yet seen properly and sure enough were a row of hooks, seven he counted. He went and hung his suit up, when he turned back around to the bed Felicity had disappeared until John noticed the feet sticking out of the open door of the wardrobe. He chuckled. "Are you okay? You're not running away to Narnia are you?" He joked.
A muffled reply came back. "No just trying to find something if I still have it. Help yourself to the bathroom I may be a while. Towels are in the cupboard I you need one."
"Okay shout if you get swallowed up and need rescuing I have relevant experience in that area." He quipped as he removed his shoes socks and shirt.
A muffled laugh reached his ears. He collected his wash bag and towel before heading to the bathroom.
Felicity hadn't realised she had accumulated so many clothes. She tended to keep her evening dresses at the back because she would treat herself in the sales to one but never use it, she was either at work or home. The Christmas party would be the only time she ever needed them. Now though she hoped she had one that would be suitable for Table Salt.
Finally reaching the few dresses she had she pulled them out and threw them over the bed. John had gone and she could hear the shower running. She saw the dress bag hanging on the first hook like she had suggested. Looking down at the bed Felicity gave a sigh there were bright pinks, blues and a green, she lifted the first pink dress and shook her head immediately before throwing it on the pillows.
She worked through the pile and for the first time she was worried about what she was going to be wearing. Nothing she had she liked or wanted to wear for John. The last time I worried about what I was wearing I was trying to choose the right shade of black, she mused. All of the dresses she had removed she didn't like. Frustrated she returned to the wardrobe and started to flick through all of the clothes.
A shiny orange caught her eye and she grabbed the corner before it vanished back into the folds of the other clothes. Following the dress she reached the hanger and unhooked it from the rail pulling it free.
It was a similar colour to John's waistcoat and she smiled remembering what John had said earlier about their colours, this was the dress. She had brought it several months back in a sale, it had caught her eye in the window of a shop and she went in and bought it, her mind supplied the x-files tune for a moment.
Felicity draped the dress on the bed before collecting the discarded garments and hanging them back in the wardrobe. She found some black heels that would suit and a black purse. Sneakily she placed the dress back in the wardrobe hanging it on the door before shutting the door. She didn't want John to see.
Suddenly the bathroom door opened and Felicity jumped in panic as though she would be caught doing something she shouldn't be even though she wasn't doing anything. She started unpacking her case as John walked into the bedroom. Looking up to say hi Felicity felt herself freeze. John was naked from the waste up with only his towel wrapped around his middle. She had seen him shirtless before but always in the pool on Tracy Island. Feeling the heat creep on her cheeks she moved her gaze back to her case.
"Did you find something?" John asked as he approached his case.
"Uh yeah all sorted." Felicity replied as she bundled up her used clothes from her case and walked them over to the basket near the door. "I'm going to shower now I won't be long." She called as she almost ran from the room and into the bathroom.
Inside the bathroom Felicity took several deep breaths while leaning against the door. She was ogling John in her head. His toned muscles on his arms and abs, they were not as defined as Oliver's but they stirred a reaction in Felicity that Oliver never had. Okay maybe a cold shower, she thought. She set the shower up on cool and undressed before jumping in.
When Felicity left the bathroom and headed to the bedroom she tiptoed and peeked into the room before walking in. John had left and the dress bag on the bed and it was empty, he must have gone downstairs. She checked the time before starting to get ready. She had a half an hour, plenty long enough she thought. She went and sat at the dresser and started to work on her hair drying it the styling it. She then fitted her contacts before applying some makeup then finally she slipped on the dress and shoes.
Downstairs Felicity found John he was in the kitchen again perched on the bar stool concentrating on his phone. When she stepped onto the tiled floor her shoe made a clunk and caught his attention. The reaction made Felicity's heart swell and the butterflies in her stomach go in crazy mode.
John's eyes almost popped out of their sockets at the sight he beheld walking into the kitchen. Felicity Smoak was one beautiful woman, he thought. She had taken her glasses of and styled her hair into a quiff with soft curls down her shoulders. Her dress was the colour of his Thunderbird and he felt a proud smile grow across his face. The dress was sleeveless and the skirt ended above the knee. John noticed the locket sat higher on Felicity's chest, it was framed elegantly by the dress and he marveled at how well it suited her.
"You look out of this world." He finally managed to say.
"Thanks." Felicity gave a little twirl. "Is the colour okay?" She smirked knowingly.
"Yes defiantly yes. Orange suits you." John stood up and moved towards Felicity and scooped her into his arms. Felicity noticed John had an orange hankie in his top pocket before her lips were claimed by his. This time the kiss was different more heated and Felicity found herself wrapped up in the moment and she opened her mouth and felt John begin to explore her. It felt like their kiss lasted hours they were lost to the world until the need for oxygen burned their lungs. Breaking apart and panting heavily Felicity and John remained wrapped together until their breathing calmed down.
"We should get going otherwise we will be late." Felicity blurted.
"Yes." John answered before stealing another kiss from Felicity. They left the house hand in hand both with love struck grins and flushed cheeks.
The meal went well. Felicity had never been in such a busy restaurant with the elite of Starling City. The food was great but both had agreed Grandma Tracy's was still the best. They had laughed and joked throughout the evening just chatting about everyday things now that they were in the public and it was nice, both of them enjoyed the normalcy of it.
They arrived back at Felicity's just after 10pm. "Would you like a drink?" Felicity asked.
"Sure I'll have what you're having." John replied.
"Okay."
John grabbed Felicity and pulled her in for another deep kiss like the shared earlier. They both pulled apart panting and happy.
"I'll go sort that drink out. Make yourself at home the seating in there is comfier than the kitchen stools." Felicity said after she regained her breath.
"Alright." John swooped in for another peck before letting Felicity go. He felt like the luckiest man in the universe right now.
Felicity headed into the kitchen, she felt like she was walking on cloud nine. She hadn't been on a date in years and this topped the list in fact it obliterated her few experiences into dust. John knew how to make her feel like a million dollars and she liked it. She usually preferred to be on the sidelines but with John she was happy to be the centre of attention.
Felicity selected a wine from the wrack in the cupboard, then retrieved two glasses. She was interrupted by he phone ringing. She grabbed it from her purse on the breakfast bar and answered it.
"Felicity I've got transport sorted."
"Hey Dig, That's great when?" Felicity replied happy to hear from Diggle she had missed seeing him this last week.
"Tomorrow morning 10:30 take off."
"Oh."
"Pick you up at 9:30?"
"Yeah thanks. See you tomorrow Dig."
"See you tomorrow, pack something for trekking in."
"Okay. Night Dig."
"Night Felicity"
The call ended. Felicity put back the wine, she wanted a clear head for tomorrow. Instead she set the kettle to boil and made some mugs of hot chocolate with cream and marshmallows.
She headed into the lounge and found John at the far end of the sofa with his jacket off, tie removed and top few shirt buttons undone. He looked very hot, Felicity thought. She didn't want to leave tomorrow but she had agreed before ever meeting John or International Rescue to always help Oliver, and in truth even though he acted like a jerk she still cared for him as a friend the same as she does for Diggle.
She handed John the hot chocolate and flopped down next to him. "The transport has been arranged to get to Oliver." Felicity started to say, she glared at the melting cream.
"That's good right?" John checked, Felicity seemed rather depressed about it.
"The flight out is tomorrow at 10:30." She answered.
"Well the sooner you get him home the better for Queen Consolidated right?" John tried to turn the news into a positive, he didn't life seeing Felicity sad. It was bad timing he must admit he was hoping to see some of the city and go shopping for the parts for their project.
"Yeah I will know if I still have a job or if I need to start canvassing companies." She glanced over her shoulder. "Do you think Tracy Engineering needs any more IT Specialists?" She joked.
"I am sure we could find a spot for you somewhere. It could mean moving? Possibly somewhere more exotic." John teased. He knew everything was going to work out fine.
Catching on to what John was hinting at she played along. "Oh I don't know, I'd need relocation expenses and a first class flight."
"That could defiantly be arranged." The mood brightened. Felicity relaxed back into the sofa and sipped at her drink.
"I know we were going to go pick up all of the parts together but if you want to start getting them yourself I won't mind." Felicity suggested. "You are welcome to stay here while I'm gone I will sort the spare key out for you."
"Thank you." John wrapped his arm around Felicity and she slid to snuggle into John. "I will stay until you get back and then I will have to go back. Scott has some test flights to do for Tracy Aviation so I need to cover his leave." The gloom settled into the atmosphere again.
"A month really isn't very long is it? I suppose if Oliver resumes his night activities I will be kept busy until you're on leave again."
"It was always long enough before but then I didn't know you." John replied kissing the top of Felicity's head. She felt the butterflies stir again and her heart flutter.
They finished their drinks in silence each thinking about the what the next three months will be like.
"When I get back on 5 I will adjust the security system to grant you access to the system so you can come visit when ever you like." John said.
"That would be really nice, as long as I won't be disturbing you."
"No but as a failsafe I will put in an I'm busy mode if someone else is onboard so you know not to suddenly appear."
"Alright." Felicity agreed. She suddenly gave in to a huge yawn. "And on that note I think I should go to bed especially with more flying tomorrow. Eugh I have avoided flying most of my life and now I am flying all around the world."
"Think of it as practice to get you used to visiting me." John smiled down at Felicity.
"Yeah I like the sound of that." She agreed.
"Here let me take these and you go and get changed."
"Thanks." Felicity yawned again as she passed the mug over to John and stood up heading to her room.
Upstairs she quickly slid out of the dress and into her cotton shorts and a pale peach camisole before heading into the bathroom and washing off her makeup and readying for bed.
She walked back into her room almost as a zombie and nearly collapsed at the sight of John in grey cotton bottoms and his top half naked again. I have seriously got to stop doing this, she thought.
"Sorry, I didn't know how long you would be so I thought I would get changed now." He apologised blushing slightly, the colouring creeping down his neck and onto his pale chest. Felicity felt her heart fluttering again.
She directed herself to the dresser table trying to hide her own blush now. "It's okay I should of checked not used to guests."
She sat down and started to remove her contacts, only once had she fallen asleep with them in and that was a big mistake she found her eyes dried together the next morning. She heard John moving about behind her and when she had her glasses finally back on she turned to see him sat on the bed.
Felicity realised she hadn't thought this through quite, she had never had any friends let alone anyone stay over and all she had was the bed or the sofa which wasn't that comfortable to sleep on all night long she had tried.
"Uh I didn't think this through very well." She started to setup the sleeping arrangements.
"I'll take the sofa if you have a blanket." John offered.
"Oh. No its uncomfortable trust me on that the amount of late night reruns I've had and fallen asleep I always regret it the next day. I don't mind sharing the bed if you don't." Felicity felt her heart start to pound like a beating drum she was sure if she had been near John he would have heard it.
For the first time in his life John was lost for words. His stomach was doing flips, ever since he spent the night with Felicity in the observatory.
The silence from John worried Felicity, had she over stepped the mark been too presumptuous with the offer. Ever since she fell to sleep in John's arms on her first night on Tracy Island she had missed that feeling on the nights. "Sorry the idea seemed like a good one in my head. I'll take the sofa…." Felicity started to babble but John interrupted her.
Finally finding his voice John spoke up. "I like that idea, you just took me by surprise."
Felicity found a smile growing on her face at John's reply. She left the dresser seat and headed over to the bed and John.
John stood as Felicity approached and encircled her with his arms before kissing her deeply. She returned the hug and kiss. When they broke apart John steered them both to the head of the bed and releasing Felicity pulled back the duvet. Felicity crawled in followed by John, she pulled the light cord plummeting the room into darkness. She curled up in his arms and he wrapped himself around her placing soft kisses into her hair. They both drifted off to sleep happy and content.
AN – I really hope this went okay, it was difficult to get it to go where I needed it to. Please let me know what you think good or bad I love those reviews.