AN – so started this at 6am and here I am at 10pm updating. I couldn't put my laptop down today and have had season 2 episode 1 of arrow playing on repeat all day to get the bits I needed and get it all flowing together well I hope.

Fresh off the press so please I apologise for the errors

I do not own Arrow or Thunderbirds just mixing them up a little

CHAPTER 13

Felicity finally arrived back home 5 days after she left. She was exhausted. Lian Yu had been an experience she didn't fancy ever repeating again. Plus she had missed John. They had been successful in convincing Oliver to come home but only to deal with the company.

Felicity still hadn't had any luck in revealing who the second interested buyer was but she had briefed Oliver on Isobel Rochev and Stellmor International.

While Oliver went off checking on Thea, Diggle dropped Felicity back at home. She noticed the hire car was missing from outside, disappointed Felicity trudged up into the house waving by to Dig.

Inside she left her case at the door and headed straight for the kitchen she needed coffee otherwise she was going to keel over. On the breakfast bar she noticed a note, feeling a smile creep onto her face at who left it she picked it up and began to read it.

'Felicity, I collected all of the parts we ordered while you were away. I hung on for a long as possible but needed to get back home. Sorry I didn't get to see you before but when you get back call me regardless of the time. Missing you John.'

Felicity felt a swell of sadness as well as the flutter of butterflies in her stomach reading the note. With all of the travelling she had been out of service range since she left Starling, she had managed to send an email with her expected time back stateside but hadn't had chance to see if John had replied. I guess this is my answer.

She absentmindedly laid her hand over the locket, even though it was given as a tool for working for International Rescue she felt it connected her to John in a way. I need to sort some pictures for it, she mused. Sighing she put the note back down and puller her phone from her jacket and started to make herself a coffee while the phone tried to connect to John.

Just as the kettle boiled the ringing ended with a voice mail message. It was John's voice. "John Tracy's line, sorry I could not take your call right now. Leave me a message and I will get back to you as soon as I can." It sounded very formal almost business like and Felicity felt herself giggling remembering him on stage when she first recognized him.

She made her drink and headed upstairs to unpack and get prepared for tomorrow it was going to be a long day helping Oliver.

John hadn't rung Felicity back, she was disappointed but she knew with him travelling and then if he had a call out he would be out of contact for a while.

Now she found herself on the executive floor of Queen consolidated impatiently waiting for Oliver. She had organised the conference room this morning and it was now filled with Isobel Rochev and her advisors. The mystery buyer still had yet to show which had Felicity on edge she was hoping to get some information on them before Oliver arrived.

Felicity heard the ding of the lift. She opened the glass door and saw Oliver emerge. "Stellmor is in the conference room. We are waiting on the second party. FYI no one is eating the bagels." Oliver charged past Felicity with a nod and into the conference room. He spotted Isobel Rochev and strode straight to her.

As she rose she extended her hand out. "Isobel Rochev." She said taking Oliver's hand.

"Oliver Queen. Sorry I'm late." Oliver apologised.

"For this meeting or a career in business." She shot back.

"I didn't realise that hostile takes were filled with so much hostility." Oliver said.

"Not at all I am actually in quite a good mood." She replied as both took their seats.

"So destroying companies agrees with you?" Oliver queried.

"Winning agrees with me." Isobel replied with a small smirk.

"You haven't won yet." Oliver replied.

"Since you majored in dropping out of college let me put this into words that are easy for you to understand you control 45% of Queen Consolidated stock, I control 45% of the other stock, leaving 10%outstanding . In two days the board will release the final 10%." Isobel explained.

"And I will buy it before you do." Oliver interjected.

"With what money. I doubt your trust fund is that large and no angel investor will go near the company that made the machine that nearly destroyed the City. Companies rise and fall Mr Queen your company has fallen."

Oliver had no reply she was right. Just then the conference doors opened and two men walked in. "Our apologies for the late arrival we were just finishing with the board downstairs." A deep baritone voice announced to the room.

Felicity's head snapped up from her tablet at the sound of the voice. She knew that voice but it couldn't be. Oliver turned around to see who had entered and stood to greet them. Isobel rose from her seat a look of surprise on her face. "Mr Tracy, I did not know you were attending this meeting."

Felicity felt her mouth drop open in shock at the men stood in the doorway to the conference room. The man in the lead was much older, with dark brown hair and an air of command about him. The second man had bleach blonde hair that Felicity would never ever forget anywhere. Before they noticed her looking she went back to writing on her tablet, John Tracy you are in so much trouble she thought.

"Miss Rochev a pleasure as always." The baritone voice responded. "Mr Queen." The man held his hand out.

Oliver looked a little confused he was expecting another company but he didn't know who this man was but apparently Isobel did. Ingrained with manners Oliver took the outstretched hand. "Yes and you are?"

"Jeff Tracy CEO of Tracy Engineering. We are looking to invest in the company. This is my son John Tracy." Jeff introduced the blond man behind him, who held his hand out to Oliver.

"Nice to meet you Mr Queen." John said.

"And you Mr Tracy?" Oliver replied confused, two Mr Tracy's would get complicated.

"Call me John." John responded.

"John. Call me Oliver my father was Mr Queen."

The two newcomers chucked joining in with Oliver's joke.

Suddenly at the opposite end of the conference room three hooded and masked men stormed the room armed with guns.

"OLIVER QUEEN! You have failed this city." A male muffled voice shouted into the room.

Everyone around the conference table stared in disbelief. Then gunfire rang out causing everyone to drop to the floor.

Diggle charged into the room from where the Tracy men had entered firing shots at the hooded gunmen. Dig hit the middle one taking him down, and he dropped to cover at the end of the table.

Under the table Oliver was assessing the situation he was closest to Isobel so he decided to get her out of there first. He glanced over to Felicity she caught his gaze but turned to look at the Tracy men. Oliver followed her gaze and saw her looking at the blonde one John who was shuffling forward to her side.

"FALL BACK!" Oliver heard Diggle shout and he made to get up with Isobel and they fled the room. John helped Felicity to her feet in a crouch and they followed Oliver out with Jeff leading. Suddenly another gunman appeared, Jeff brought his hands up linked them together and swung them down on to the back of the shooter knocking him to the ground.

He met Oliver's gaze for a second before more gunfire rained down, Jeff dived forward into the office area landing on the floor. Oliver went forward and grabbed Felicity who had been behind Jeff and he pulled her to the ground with John behind.

As soon as the bullets took a pause all three were back on their feet moving to the office where Jeff was regaining his feet. As they ran a fourth gunman entered the office and started raining bullets. Jeff and John were behind Oliver and Felicity, Jeff saw the gunman and lunged towards him while John dropped to the ground. He heard the sound of breaking glass and a scream. "FELICITY!" He called out but glancing up he could no longer see her or Oliver.

Jeff tackled the gunman to the ground but a sharp knock to the side of the head knocked Jeff back and the gunman made a run for it along with the other three.

Jeff pulled himself into a sitting position and surveyed the office it was trashed. From the conference room emerged a man holstering his firearm, "You okay?" Jeff heard as the man approached and offered a hand to him.

"I am alright been through much worse." Jeff replied.

"John!" Jeff called as he spotted his oldest blonde lying still on the floor. He was by his side in a few steps. "Are you alright son?" He asked as he crouched down and touched his arm.

John tore his eyes away from the window. "Yeah I'm fine, where did Felicity and Oliver go? I heard the window smash and a scream." John explained as his dad helped him to his feet. He surveyed the office and conference room.

"We will find her. Mr?" Jeff asked as he turned to the other occupant of the room.

"Diggle." Dig filled in."

"Mr Diggle, could you contact security and the police."

"Yes Sir, security are already aware and on their way. Do either of you need any medical attention?"

"No I'm fine. John?" Jeff answered.

"I'm alright." John said, glancing back to the broken window he moved over to look outside. Below the pavement was empty of commotion he hoped Oliver had taken care of her.

"That was some shooting." Jeff commented.

"Army Sir, deployed for three tours of duty." Dig answered. "You handled yourself very well Sir."

"Air Force, many years ago but you never forget your training." Jeff answered.

"No Sir." Dig agreed.

An hour later the office was abuzz with police and forensics. Felicity was talking to Officer Lance when she felt a hand rest on her shoulder. She would recognize that touch from anywhere. Turning sharply she excused herself from Lance's company and clung to John.

"I don't know whether to be mad that you lied to me again or relieved that your still here." She mumbled into his jacket.

John hugged her back before letting her go to answer her. "Technically when I left you the note I was heading home. I was at the airport then Dad phoned and said the meeting had been arranged here and he wanted me to stay seeing as I had brought it to his attention. Scott's postponed his work for a couple of weeks until Alan's home."

"I'm glad your still here I missed you." She said as she leant up and kissed John.

Oliver was talking to Isobel when we saw the blonde Tracy man approach Felicity. He watched the exchange between them and was shocked to see them hugging and then kissing. How did Felicity know the man and was she dating him?

"I know your back at work now but we are staying in town at the Plaza Hotel if you want to go to dinner again tonight?" John asked.

"Yes that would be really nice."

John caught Oliver walking over. "I will see you later." He said before stealing another quick kiss.

John left as Oliver reached Felicity's side. "Care to tell me what that was."

"Are you going to explain your actions earlier or lack there of." Felicity challenged.

Oliver stormed off and Felicity followed along with Diggle.

John was sat in his hotel room getting ready to take Felicity to dinner when he heard his Father shout from the joining room. "John have you seen the news?"

John finished buttoning his shirt up as he crossed the room and entered the common room area that linked both of their rooms. "No what's wrong?"

"Take a look." Jeff had paused the news story and put it to the beginning for John.

"Earlier tonight the renegade copycat hoods attacked the nightclub Verdant owned by Thea Queen. She was kidnapped from inside the club and has yet to be found or a ransom demand to be made."

"The Queen's don't have much luck." Jeff commented.

"No." John answered. "I'm going to finish getting read if you hear anything else let me know."

"Is there anything else I should know about Oliver Queen?" Jeff asked he had suspicions but Penny had brushed him off when he had mentioned them to her.

"No I don't think so." John answered over his shoulder as he went back into his room.

Once inside he sent a message to Felicity.

JT – Is everything alright just seen the news. J

Almost immediately a reply came through.

FS – He's back and sorting out the problem. I may be late for dinner plans. F

JT – Take as long as you need. Just let me know when you're finished we can do Big Belly Burger? Do you need picking up? J

FS – Thanks that would be brilliant and yes from Verdant please. F

JT – Okay keep me posted.

John sat down and waited for Felicity's night shift to finish.

11pm found John waiting outside Verdant. Felicity emerged from the back alley and slid into the passenger seat. "Thanks. It's a good job you know about Oliver makes cancelling plans so much easier, not that I want to be cancelling plans especially not time with you. Because I know you don't get much time down here and…" She babbled until John stopped her with a kiss.

"Sorry." She apologised.

"You have nothing to apologise for. Did you get Thea back?"

"Yeah Oliver is heading over to get her from the police station. And the four copycat hoods are in jail." She boasted proudly.

"Oh." John remarked surprised as he started the engine and headed to Big Belly Burger.

"He wants to try another way. His friend Tommy died in the earthquake and he had found out who Oliver was but couldn't support it, he called him a murderer. Oliver doesn't want to kill anymore, I don't blame him either." Felicity surmised what Oliver had talked about earlier.

"That's very brave of him, it must be difficult."

"Yeah anyway enough about Oliver I want to know all about your Dad finding out about QC." Felicity turned the attention back on to John.

He blushed, "Uh well I looked into the company the second night you were on the island and spoke to Dad about it. The board won't accept a higher bid now that they have agreed with Stellmor's offer but were hoping to secure the 10% in two days time, Dad is trying to convince them to release the stocks early." John explained.

"Thank you." Felicity said grateful.

"Dad is always looking for fresh investment. He has to keep the 'birds' running some how." John pulled the car up into the Big Belly Burger parking lot.

They went inside and ordered. Once the got their food they sat down and Felicity started to tell John about her trip to Lian Yu.

"So I sat up front on the second plane to the island." Felicity boasted.

"What did you think?" John asked curious.

"The view was amazing, I had to do something more crazy than sit up front when we found the island." John gave Felicity a quizzical look. "I jumped out of a plane."

John almost choked on his burger. "What!" He croaked.

"Yeah thank god it was a ship that collected us."

"You are full of surprises. Like earlier where did you and Oliver disappear to?"

"Uh he did his Tarzan impression out of the window, we landed 3 floors down." Felicity sheepishly admitted.

John's mouth dropped open. Felicity found herself laughing at John's expression, she lent over and using her index finger she placed it under his chin and slid his mouth shut.

"It's not something I want to repeat again I think three times is enough." She continued.

"Three?" John queried finding his voice again.

The first time was when I acquired the plans for the Markov device from Merlyn's computers, we had to get across the elevator shaft not fun. The second time was on Lian Yu I uh stepped on a land mine. Oliver swung from a rope and pulled me from it."

"I owe Oliver several thanks for keeping you safe."

"It's kinda his fault I was in danger in the first place and my own, I should learn to stay at home watching TV." Felicity joked and was rewarded with a smile from John.

"That would probably be like telling me I had to stay on the planet." John continued the line of conversation causing Felicity to giggle more.

"I may have only known you two weeks but I know that would be an impossibility."

They finished off their burgers and were just walking outside with their shakes when they met Diggle walking in.

"Hey Dig, Oliver get home with Thea okay?" Felicity asked.

"Yeah she seemed shook up but they are at the Mansion." Diggle replied, he kept glancing at John and the arm he had around Felicity.

"Uh Dig this is John, John meet John Diggle." Felicity introduced the two men who shook hands.

"We sort of met earlier. Thanks by the way for the cover." John replied.

"Just doing my job man. John huh good choice of name." Diggle brushed off the compliment.

"Named after the astronaut John Glenn from Mercury Seven."

"To save confusion call me Diggle." Dig offered.

"Nice to meet you Diggle."

"Sorry Dig if I had known you were eating out tonight I would have invited you to join us." Felicity apologised.

"No worries it was a last minute decision. See you tomorrow at the office?" Dig replied.

"Yeah hopefully after the next few days things will go back to normal and I can go back to IT, I did not study the secretarial arts at MIT." She stated.

"Have a good night Felicity."

"You too Dig."

"Nice to meet you properly Diggle." John bid farewell.

"And you John."

Felicity and John strolled out of Big Belly Burger, Diggle watched them leave and he found himself smiling, he hadn't seen Felicity that happy looking in the time he had known her.

Felicity woke up to a ringing she didn't recognize. It kept blaring away, opening her eyes she was met with John's pink chest. 'O' she mouthed when she remembered that John had stopped the night. It must be his phone she thought. She moved and rolled reluctantly off his chest, which stirred John into the land of the living. He rubbed sleep from his eyes until the sound registered in his head and he jumped out of bed for his jacket.

He reached the phone and answered it. "Morning Father. Uh no I have other arrangements, sorry I should have left you a message. Yes I will be back for then. Thanks I will and you. Bye." John hung up and glanced over to the bed. Felicity was lying snuggled under the duvet watching him with cute bed hair. "Sorry I forgot to tell dad not to expect me for breakfast."

"It's okay." She said before yawning.

"What time have you got to get up for?" John asked as he returned to the bed putting his phone on the beside table next to Felicity's.

"Uh what time is it."

"Six."

"Ah hour then, do you want to drop me off at the office?"

"Sure I would like that. Wait here." John said, he lent over and kissed Felicity before heading out of the room.

While he was gone Felicity send Diggle a text.

FS – John is dropping me off at the office. Will see you there. Felicity

JD – Okay. You have some explaining to do. Dig

FS – Will tell you later. Felicity

She settled back on the pillows and listened out for John returning. The noises never came though what did was a soft weight pressing on her lips and a gentle brush through her hair.

"Mmmmm." She stirred, she hadn't realised she had fallen back to sleep. Coming back to her senses she deepened the kiss and threaded her fingers into the locks above her.

When the broke apart Felicity stared into the deep blue eyes and she heard a whispered. "Good morning."

"I could wake up to that any day." She replied.

John slid into the bed beside her and Felicity wriggled until she was propped against his chest. It was much more snuggly without the shirt she thought grateful for the impromptu sleep over.

"I made lattes." John said as he stoked his fingers through Felicity's hair.

Felicity was listening to John's heart beating steadily and her fingers were threading through the smattering of almost invisible chest hair John had. "Mm my favorite coffee.

They stayed like that for a few more minutes enjoying each other's ministrations. Eventually Felicity hefted her head from off John's chest and leant against the headboard. John passed her mug over.

"Great mug, the caption is brilliant." John commented.

Felicity glanced at the passage. "Yeah found it in a computer shop and couldn't resist."

Felicity's favorite mug was a classic white with a passage from Douglas Adams written on the side in traditional type font that said, 'A computer terminal is not some clunky old television with a typewriter in front of it. It is an interface where the mind and body can connect with the universe and move bits of it about.'

She lifted the mug to her lips and took a deep drink of the warm milky sweet smelling liquid. "That is the best latte I think I have ever had." She complimented.

"Grandma strikes again." John admitted.

"You can bring me coffee in bed anytime." She leaned over and kissed John her appreciation before settling back to enjoy the rest of her latte and the best start to a morning since her first day on Tracy Island.

John pulled up outside Queen Consolidated at 8:30. He gave Felicity a goodbye kiss before she left the car and watched her as she walked into the building. He left to join up with his dad at the hotel.

At the hotel John found his father in the shared space of their room with papers strewn about the coffee table. "Is everything okay?" He asked.

"Hi John." Jeff greeted his son glancing over at him, he saw he was still in the clothes from the night before but the happiness on his face warmed Jeff's heart. "Everything is going smoothly the board have agreed to release the shares this morning at 9am. I'm just checking through the paperwork checking it is all in order." He replied returning to the papers.

"I'll go and get changed then."

"Yes we have another conference this morning at 11am to meet with the other co-owners. Isobel won't be interested in QC is she doesn't have full control, it won't be long before she withdraws and her shares go on the market again." Jeff detailed what he knew.

"Alright, give me 30 minutes and you can explain what the meeting is all for." John replied before disappearing back into his room to get ready.

Inside the conference room there was a lot of hostile tension. Isobel started the proceedings. "You can't win this I now own 50% of the stock."

Before Oliver could respond Jeff Tracy interjected. "Actually Miss Rochev, I think you will find that the final 10% of the stocks were all released this morning and Tracy Industries own the full percent."

Isobel looked shocked at Jeff Tracy before glaring at her associates. "I-I'm afraid he is right, we received an email just before the meeting saying we were outbid." Isobel ground her teeth together.

Oliver couldn't help the slight smirk on his face, his mother had warned him of Isobel and the Tracy's involvement now meant she wouldn't have a controlling percentage of his company, there would be hope for him and the company.

"What do you want with a company that is now associated with mass murder?" Isobel sneered at Jeff Tracy.

"A company's reputation can change Miss Rochev, why destroy something that can be rescued." Jeff replied.

Felicity bit back a giggle at the reference and the look of indignation on Isobel's face.

"I know I majored in dropping out, but I'm sure that makes us partners going forward so I guess we will be seeing a lot of each other and Mr Tracy." Oliver surmised.

"You are not what people say about you." She stated.

"Most people fail to see the real me." Oliver retorted.

Isobel and Oliver squared off for a few seconds before she left the room with her associated following in tow.

Once she had left the room Oliver turned to Mr Tracy and John. "Thank you both of you for believing in the company."

"There is proof in the records that this company is very successful when you look past the news stories. I am not someone to believe in everything the news reports only the facts. I will be leaving a trusted representative in the building who will conduct business on my behalf or involve me if required."

"Okay I look forward to meeting him or her." Oliver replied.

"Watch out for Miss Rochev she can be underhanded at times." Jeff Tracy warned Oliver.

"So I have been told."

"I believe that is all for now. I will be heading back to the main office tomorrow, first thing I would like to introduce my representative."

"I will have that scheduled in." Oliver replied.

Jeff held out his hand to Oliver. "Take care Mr Queen." Both shook hands before John and Oliver shook hands. Oliver used the opportunity to show a little of his strength. John however was not threatened by the display.

"Nice meeting you Oliver."

"And you John."

You could cut the testosterone in the air. Eventually the broke apart and the two Tracy men left.

Felicity escorted them to the elevator. "Do you fancy a movie tonight if I get things wrapped up here?" She asked John as they waited.

John turned to his dad, who looked shocked to have been consulted. "Don't look at me your not a teenager anymore. An old man like me can take care of himself." He joked.

John turned back to Felicity. "Sure want me to pick you up here or at home?"

"Here I'll text you when I am almost done."

DING the elevator announced its arrival.

Jeff stepped inside and held the doors. "See you later." John leant in for a kiss and when he pulled back he whispered. "Beautiful." Before stepping into the elevator.

"Bye Felicity."

"Bye Mr Tracy." She smiled a knowing smile as she used his correct title before the doors slid shut.

She retuned to the office and congratulated Oliver. "You did it. Not bad for someone who got a D in 10th-grade algebra." Oliver looked pointedly at her. "If it's online I can find it." Oliver chuckles he forgot how good she is.

Diggle stepped into the room at that point and Oliver turned the conversation around. "So anything you need to share about the new co-owner of my company?"

Felicity blushed. "You did say you would tell Felicity." Diggle joined in.

Felicity backed away a little from the two now ganging up on her.

"You know that conference I went to I said I met an old friend well that was the friend."

"What conference?" Oliver queried.

"While you were gone the rest of us continued working. I was sent to an IT conference at MIT and met John who was presenting."

"You seem more than friends." Oliver pushed.

"Yes we are." Felicity stated simply, she squared her shoulders waiting for Oliver to try and challenge.

"Be careful, not everyone is who they seem." He cautioned.

Feeling hurt at Oliver's words she threw back. "No there not. You would know all about that. At least John as looked after me since we have been together. He doesn't run away when things get hard or go wrong." Felicity made for the door but halted at the sound of her name being called.

"Felicity wait. I didn't mean it like that. I'm sorry I ran off. I couldn't save Tommy and then you got hurt, nearly killed, Dig was injured because of me. I it's no excuse I know I'm sorry."

Felicity turned back and saw the raw hurt for a second in Oliver's eyes, she softened in truth he did have a point but she knew John was a hidden hero.

"As long as he makes you happy." Dig drew away from the awkward tension.

"Yes he does." Felicity stated.

AN – so what do you think? Please leave me a review as they are inspiring me to write so much.