AN – so part of this was written during the turning of the blood moon, I feel I am starting to turn into a John personality getting up in the middle of the night to see the stars and moon do magical things. Continuing on this part is written just before publishing see how long I have been at this chapter real life has been a big pain and thrown everything at me sick kittens, another pet (degu) had to be put down, house hunting for first home, work assessments to qualify me as a cycling instructor, extra hours at work, expansion at work to cover another area, oh and my son is starting nursery its very hectic and I can only apologise to you all and hope you are still out there alive and well and wanting to stick with the story.
New TAG on Saturday im well excited but typically ill be starting work when it first airs grrr. New Arrow too I have seen first 2 episodes and loving Felicity but not sure about the rest yet (I wont say much incase you haven't seen I know how frustrating spoilers are) Thank you to all who reviewed last time and the new follows and favorites since then they mean a lot to me. Anyway onwards and forwards with the story
I do not own Arrow or Thunderbirds I just dream about it all the time
CHAPTER 23
Felicity spent a week off work in total and John spent the whole time with her except for her 'disappearances' during a few of their trips to Verdant.
During the daytime Felicity had been working on the computer systems that Tockman had fried, John had helped her. Then using Sara's invitation to try her cocktails at Verdant Felicity had snuck down to the basement to install the new units. John knew exactly what was going on but he played along and Verdant wasn't a bad club to be at, the music was decent and the crowd good.
Now though found John looking out the front window. "City." He shouted. "Is there a reason Diggle is sat outside?"
Felicity entered the room and joined John at the window. "Yeah it's probably the same reason I was back late last night. You know I told you about the Mirakuru and the man in the skull mask problem well last night someone from Oliver and Sara's past came back and he has the Mirakuru plus a grudge against Oliver. It would have mentioned it last night but with being late back I forgot."
"I see, it this person that much of a danger to you?" John queried now worrying about Felicity.
"If Slade Wilson, that's his name, comes after me because of my connection to Oliver nothing will stop him if its what he wants. I'm not worried he's not going to bother with the blonde EA." Felicity brushed it off. "I'll go make him a hot drink, do you want your usual?"
"Sure. I'll come give you a hand and make a start on breakfast while you go out to Diggle." John suggested. They exchanged a kiss before heading towards the kitchen.
Felicity headed outside to Dig she smiled as he turned to look at her and opened up the passenger door before sliding inside handing the mug over.
"Coffee?" Dig asked.
"Hot coco."
"What no marshmallows?" He quipped.
"I'm out." She answered closing the door to the car to keep the heat in. "What are you doing here Dig?"
After taking a swig of his drink he answered. "Just keeping an eye on things."
"Okay. And by things you mean my neck. The one you think Slade Wilson is going to break in my sleep."
"Yeah something like that." He answered seriously. "Look I have extra security details on Oliver's mother, Roy is keeping an eye on Thea, Sara is staying close to Laurel."
"So I get you sitting outside my house like that lacrosse player my freshman year of college." Felicity paused thinking of the best way to put it across to Dig that he wasn't needed. "You know I had a life before your and Oliver. You know?"
"Right. I just want to make sure you're okay, Felicity." Diggle answered.
"I know and I love you for it but if Slade wants to kill me, he can. There is nothing you can do to stop him. So go home John is still here. Okay?" Not waiting for an objection from him she opened the door and clambered out of the car.
"Hey." Dig called. Felicity turned back and accepted the now empty mug from Diggle. "Nice jammies."
Felicity smirked and headed back for the house. As she approached the door she heard a car engine start and as she turned around watched Dig driving away.
Heading inside Felicity went straight to the kitchen, John was leaning with his back against the counter next to the cooker with his hot drink. When he noticed her he broke out into a smile, "How did that go?"
"He reluctantly left somehow adding that your still here didn't seem to give him comfort." Felicity replied moving further into the kitchen. "If only they knew the truth." She joked. "How's breakfast doing?" she asked as she picked up her latte, the coffee shops just weren't good enough anymore John was the best at making her favorite coffee.
"Just waiting on everything to finish cooking now. Hmm I'm not sure I like either of us being here if this Slade is as dangerous as you say. Do you think I can convince you to have another holiday on Tracy Island."
"As tempting as that sounds Oliver needs the help and I promised to help him, Slade won't bother with me. As soon as Slade is locked up I will come home with you." Felicity felt the pangs of missing the island along with its occupants at its mention and the use of home to refer to it didn't escape her notice, or John's as his face seemed to radiate happiness. He didn't press her on the use of term and she brushed it away hoping in the future her mouth would be more careful what it spouted.
The cooking timer started to jingle and John sprang into action he removed the pan from the hob and fished out the eggs drying them on paper towel. Next he removed the muffins from the grill and placed them on the two waiting plates followed by the bacon that had been sizzling away before adding the now dry eggs on top. To finish he poured over the sauce and repositioned the plates into the waiting placements on the bar.
Felicity sat opposite John and boggled at his culinary talents, everyday had been a different breakfast and each one she had helped but John insisted on cooking. Grandma Tracy had sent more meals with John and they were covering the evening feasts.
Another week passed and Slade had remained elusive however the Huntress had made her return and caused a huge fiasco. Felicity pulled up outside her house half awake it was late and all she wanted was her nice warm bed.
She missed the return of a familiar car outside of her home in her tiredness and hurry to collapse into bed.
Inside she didn't bother with the light just dumped her things and dragged herself up stairs. In her room she stripped and changed into her usual pajamas. Now practically dead on her feet Felicity stumbled over to the bed and literally collapsed into it.
As her head connected with something hard rather than soft did she return to alertness. "Ouch." She hissed rubbing the sore spot on her head with one hand while fumbling for the light.
Something wasn't right. She heard a groan and froze, that defiantly wasn't right she was supposed to be alone John was away for a few days collecting parts.
"If you are going to jump into bed can I have a warning next time." The soft tones of a voice Felicity knew well filled the dark room. Instantly she relaxed and let out the break she had been holding.
"How about a little warning that your back would have been nice then I wouldn't collapse on top of you." She replied the exhaustion hitting her once more. "Can we have this conversation in the morning too tired." Felicity didn't finish she had half pulled back the duvet and lay down before instantly snoring.
John sat up and carefully finished tucking Felicity in, it must have been a busy night he thought to himself. When that was done he settled himself back down and checked his alarm was set, he had a business meeting in the morning he couldn't miss.
When John's alarm started to beep away Felicity grumbled and moaned about not going to work before burying her head under the pillow. As the sleep faded away and her mind began to function she realised something was moving in the bed next to her and the alarm was not hers but John's. Quick as a flash she unburied her head blinking to adjust to the bright light and met John sinking back onto his pillow with a big grin on his face.
"You seriously have to stop appearing in my bed without warning one of these times I'll think you're a burglar and hit you." She scolded.
"You already did last night. Do you remember falling into bed?" John replied his smile growing wider.
"No, uh, is that why my head hurts?" she said thinking about it, she remember getting home and clambering upstairs but the rest is a blur.
"Yes, I think you dive bombed the bed and your head hit my shoulder. Is it hurting a lot?" He asked concerned now.
"It's fine, is your shoulder alright?" Felicity asked worried she may have done damage. She repositioned herself to sitting rather than a skew-if cobra.
"I'm sure it did more damage to you than you did to me, it's fine honest." And John moved his arm and shoulder all ways to demonstrate that it was fine.
"What are you doing back early, I wasn't expecting you till next week." Felicity asked.
"Well the training is going well I'm ahead of the program and there is a board meeting at QC, which I'm sure you know about that Father asked me to attend with his rep seeing as he can't make it due to other commitments." John quoted the other commitments, as they both knew what that was.
"Eugh I have to try and convince Oliver to attend he's only interested in Slade now he barely visits the office anymore."
"So want to tell me about last night?" John pried very curious about the reasons behind Felicity's state last night.
"An old girlfriend of Oliver's, not a nice one or even sane one, came back to Starling she's after blood. Her father had her fiancé killed over leaks to the FBI when it was her doing it and when she found out she tried to destroy his mob reputation before he went missing. Oliver trained her to fight and shoot better but she only wanted to kill those in the way of her goal. She went looking for her father and I kept tabs on her until he was arrested two nights ago here and she came after him. Laurel was set to run the trial and Helena attached the courthouse and took hostages Oliver got her father out. It all went a little south after that until the police shot Frank, her father. Helena's locked up now but it was a long day. I have the feeling today is going to be another one with the board meeting and then Moira's campaign thing."
"Just a usual day at the office for you then." John joked until Felicity shot a look that could kill at him. He reached over and pulled her over to lie on his chest. "Sorry. At least you don't have to sit in the meeting." John tried to back track but failed.
"No I do and take notes apparently as Oliver is head CEO its his EA that does the minutes." Felicity huffed.
"Oh I could get our PA to do it?" John offered.
"Don't worry I'll need something to distract me from staring at you through out the meeting." Felicity teased.
"Why City are you flirting with me?" John pretended to be surprised.
Instead of answering Felicity leant up on John's chest and attacked his mouth with hers. She had missed him while he had been gone but she knew it was important for him and when in perspective the world who was she to hog him all the time, just whenever she could.
Felicity felt hands running up and down her back and she shifted her weight onto the one arm releasing the other so she could roam as well. A hand started to wind itself into her hair and she felt a moan escape her lips into John's mouth, and she felt him shiver under her.
She moved her hand down his side carefully tracing the pink scar there before moving it up to cup his face. They continued kissing as though it could be their last, both fighting to explore the other.
With John now on the last leg of recovery and Felicity's shoulder knitting well they weren't afraid of breaking the other and with the events of late they wanted to convey how much they meant to the other without words.
Eventually though breath was needed and when they pulled apart both were panting heavily and in between breaths they continued to exchange brief kisses.
Felicity slid her hand further around John until she felt it engulfed with his soft hair, she scratched her nails gently across his scalp earning a growl from John.
Suddenly a ringing tone cut into the quiet of the room and broke the moment for the pair. Felicity gave John a stare before sliding off him freeing him up to answer the incoming call.
"John here." He said as he picked up his watch. Felicity peered over to see who would be calling at this time of the morning.
"J-John I have pl-pl-pl made another parts order. C-c-could you collect it a-a-a quickly." Brains stuttered on the screen, Felicity noticed he looked exhausted with bags under his eyes and stubble across his face.
"Yes Brains, when was the last time you slept, ate and got changed?" John asked.
Brains seemed to stop and actually look at the screen this time.
"D-did I w-w-w disturb you?" he asked.
"No Brains but I think you need to go and get some sleep. Stop burning the candle at both ends. It won't be long before I'm back and we can get a good pace on with building." John tried to convince Brains.
"S-s-s okay John." Brains replied before the screen went blank.
"Is he okay?" Felicity asked worried.
"This usually happens when he has a project that he can't stop working on, normally Fermat or Tin-Tin drag him away at least for a wash and food if he refuses to sleep. I wonder what's stopped them?" John replied.
Felicity reached over for her phone and opened up an app she had created to compile news feeds on International Rescue. There were no recent news on the Organisation but it didn't always mean there were no rescues. "Nothing's going on that the news know about." She commented.
"What you got there?" John asked curious as to how Felicity knew that so quickly.
Flicking the phone around to show John the screen she answered. "Made an app that compiles news feeds from facebook, twitter, newspapers, radio etc mentioning International Rescue."
"That is a clever tool and also a little disturbing." John replied as he flicked about the app.
"Well it only finds what's put up on the internet there are times you have been out and know one has known about it."
"If you didn't work for us I think I would be worried you were a stalker." John joked not realising how close to the truth he almost was.
"Uh sure I'll not mention that I made it after you rescued me and before I met you at the conference then." Felicity admitted blushing deep red.
John looked surprised before chuckling. "I wondered why you never appeared in the computers again, you were too busy stalking us." He joked.
"Laugh it up some of us have to live in the real work and work for a living." Felicity teased.
"Work?!" John said mocking hurt. "I can assure you I work hard rescuing people is a taxing career." He puffed his chest up to look manly. "Speaking of rescuing I had best try calling Scott see if they are out on a call."
John raised his watch again and started to speak to it. "John calling Scott." A few moments passed before the watch screen illuminated with a grimy looking face.
"What's up John?" Scott replied.
"No need to ask the first question, are you busy a moment?" John politely asked. The grimy face told John that Scott was on a rescue.
"Just heading home. Hey Felicity." Scott answered.
"Great. Is everyone out on the call?" John asked and Felicity waved at Scott.
"Yeah another big one hotel fire." Scott replied now sounding a little down.
"Sorry Scott I'm sure you did everything you could." At the lack of reply from Scott he carried on. "When you get back if someone can remove Brains from the lab, I've just had a call from him and he looks exhausted."
"Already in hand John, he was in charge of command and control when I noticed the signs." Scott replied.
"Okay Scott. Safe trip back." John drew the call to an end, he knew what mood Scott was in and it was not a talkative one at the moment.
"FAB." The screen went blank.
John dropped his arm down and let his head roll back to rest against the headboard. Felicity turned concerned for Scott initially and then John as she watched his reaction. "Is everything alright?" She whispered.
John twisted his head to face Felicity and tried to smile reassuringly. "Yeah I just, its just I'm not used to being away so much especially through the bad rescues, I'm usually there all the way through and afterwards."
"What do you mean by a bad rescue? Scott's not hurt is he?" Felicity asked really concerned for the oldest Tracy.
"No he's physically fine. We don't have many bad rescues the last one was here it's when we can't save everyone. All of us take it badly but Scott is usually the worst affected. I don't think it is helping with 5 being out of action and everyone working around the clock to build the new one."
"Oh." Felicity didn't know what to say, Scott had always seemed strong and fearless. "Look why don't I go make myself scarce and you can ring him back and talk to him." She offered.
John smiled at the offer. "You are wonderful but Scott won't talk at least not yet when the debrief is over he usually waits a few hours before calling me. I'll get the meeting over with before calling him."
Another ringing erupted in the room this time is was Felicity's phone, she rolled over and went for her phone but it wasn't on the table then she realised it was ringing from the pile of clothes on the floor. Sliding out of bed she moved towards the doorway and dug out her phone from her discarded bag and turned off the alarm. She checked the time on the screen and groaned it was only 6am being oblivious to the time had made her feel a lot more awake than now.
"I need to get moving I have to try and drag Oliver from Verdant for the meeting today along with all of the usual EA tasks." Felicity groaned as she dropped her phone on the bed and collected up her clothes from the previous day and popped them in the hamper.
"Maybe Oliver should get a PA to free you up for these extra duties. If your running out on me at breakfast do you think you can spare some time for dinner?" John asked watching Felicity move around the room he was in awe at what she managed to do to help others.
Felicity paused a moment at the bedroom door thinking about what she had that day and the times of the campaign debate. "Sure I would love that, I've got to attend Moira's debate tonight so after that?"
"FAB it's a date." John said with a huge smile.
Felicity slipped through the door then popped her head back something bugging her. "What exactly does FAB mean?"
John looked back over to Felicity and smirked. "Depending on who you ask officially its Fully Acknowledged Broadcast." John answered.
"And to International Rescue?" She probed.
"When we finished operation creation, building our 'birds we celebrated and Gordon came up with a toast 'for always brothers' and it stuck. As well as being our confirmation of orders it's also our way of saying we love each other and to be careful while remaining professional and not revealing our family ties." John explained.
"The second meaning is much better than the official." She replied she never imagined a back-story like that. "Love you." She finished a she slipped away to get her shower she was running late now.
Felicity made it to the office on time, Oliver had been difficult to motivate into the office and she was still unsure if he actually would turn up, Slade Wilson, had a lot to answer for she thought.
At her desk Felicity powered up her computer and put her bag down before picking up a stack of papers and walking into the conference room.
Once had had laid out all of the relevant documents for the attendees she then organised glasses and several jugs of water across the table before finishing up. When she returned to her desk there was a takeout cup sat in the middle of her desk.
On alert immediately Felicity glanced up to look about the room and met bright blue eyes that she recognized instantly. John was sat in the waiting chairs across the room from her desk.
"Hey, thought you might need breakfast seeing as you left so early." He said standing and carrying over a takeout bag.
"How did I get so lucky?" She replied moving to meet John half way and leaning up to kiss him.
"By ignoring an evacuation plan." He bluntly answered. "And being extremely special." He continued winking and holding out the bag to Felicity.
She took the bag and moved over to her desk before diving into the bag and pulling out warm croissants.
"Thank you." She said as her stomach growled loudly ready to enjoy the tasty breakfast.
John chuckled and took the seat in front of Felicity's desk. Felicity tucked into her food while her free hand scrolled through the masses of emails that had come through.
The lift dinged announcing that someone had arrived on the level. Felicity and John both glanced over and saw Isobel Rochev stride into the room. She seemed to stumble in her stride as she glanced at John, then she scowled at Felicity.
Felicity went back to scrolling through her emails and eating. Isobel disappeared into the conference room. "Is she always like that?" John asked, his father had warned him she was a vicious character when it came to business.
"Unless you're sleeping with her yes and she hates me." Felicity answered.
John was about to ask why when Isobel came back out of the conference room with a very determined look. "Miss Smoak." She hissed. "A word." She finished before retreating back into the room.
Felicity rolled her eyes then let out a huge breath. "Welcome to a day in the life of me." She stated sarcastically as she stood up. "If I'm not out in 10 minutes come and rescue me."
"I'll give it five before I send out the call for backup."
Felicity headed into the conference room bracing herself for what was to come. Inside Isobel was sat at the table to the right of the head placement with her things laid out in front of her and she appeared to be reading.
"You wanted to speak to me." Felicity asked after a few minutes, she knew Isobel was trying to show dominance by ignoring her but she didn't have the patience for it anymore.
Isobel finally looked up and seemed to smirk. "Do you think it is appropriate behaviour to be eating at your desk when there is a board of directors meeting approaching. What example is it setting about the company?"
"I uh, skipped breakfast this morning to make sure everything was ready for this important meeting and you're the first to arrive for the meeting which isn't set to start for another 45 minutes." Felicity answered annoyed at what Isobel had decided to pick fault with.
"I am not the first to arrive apparently Mr Tracy is sat at your desk is he not? Or did you forget that his Father bought 10% of the company?"
"No I didn't forget it won't happen again."
"See that it does not, this company already has a dire reputation. See to it that Mr Tracy has a drink and looked after until Mr Queen arrives." Isobel responded.
"Yes Miss Rochev." Felicity almost growled out her affirmation. She started to storm off back to her desk.
"I will have a black coffee." Isobel seemed to purr. Felicity just continued out of the room and back to John.
"That woman is infuriating." Felicity's outburst brought John's attention from his phone back to her. "Sorry." She apologised. "She's seriously got it in for me and I'm seriously not paid enough to keep putting up with her." She vented.
"What happened?" John asked concerned.
"She called me in for eating around you because you're an owner I should be setting an example of how well we behave here. Then to top it off she demanded a coffee. Would you like a coffee before the machine breaks down?" Felicity asked as she paced behind her desk.
John hadn't seen Felicity this riled up before. He rose out of his chair and strode to her stopping her pacing by blocking her path and taking hold of her upper arms to keep her there. When she looked up he started talking. "Did you tell her who I am to you?" he asked.
"No but she already thinks I'm sleeping with Oliver. It shouldn't matter who I am dating I don't want special treatment just a bit more respect I know I'm just an EA but to be treated as though I've not been scraped of her shoe would improve my day." She babbled.
"Sit down and finish your breakfast and I'll work my magic on the coffee machine see if I can get it working." John suggested with a wink.
"It's okay I will finish the other one this afternoon. Oliver will be arriving soon Isobel has been devious and told him it starts half hour earlier than it actually does to make sure he's on time." Felicity said giggling.
"She has her perks then. I'm fine for coffee but some water would be great."
"No problem I'll be back in a minute." She said. John lent down and pecked Felicity on the lips.
"Don't worry about what she thinks or anyone else you and I know what's really going on. She probably thinks I'm a spoilt rich kid playing at filling my dad's shoes and we both know how true that is."
Felicity felt a lot better, she had never thought about what assumptions John had come across of himself she had only ever known his as a Thunderbird and genuine hero. "Thanks." She said before leaving John and heading to the little staff room they had on that level.
A short time later Felicity returned to the main foyer and her desk to find John and Oliver stood facing off. She moved quickly over to join them and hand John his water.
John smiled as she saw Felicity approach and took his water as she offered it out. "Thank you City." He said smiling brightly.
Felicity felt herself blush at the use of her nickname. She returned John's smile before turning to face Oliver. "Miss Rochev is in the conference room waiting for you."
"Thanks." Oliver replied exchanging glances between Felicity and then John before heading over to the conference room.
When he was out of ear shot Felicity started to speak. "What was that all about?"
"Nothing I think he was surprised to see me." John brushed past Felicity's question.
"It's fine if you don't want to tell me, boys and their macho conversations, I bet he warned you 'if you hurt Felicity I'll hurt you'." Felicity air quoted and tried to deepen her voice to copy Oliver's.
John couldn't help but laugh. "Alright busted." John held up his hands in surrender.
The elevator dinged again and Felicity looked over John's shoulder to see Moira step out and look around the room. "This really isn't going to be my day." She mumbled.
John turned to see what had caused Felicity's comment. Walking from the elevator was a blonde middle-aged woman who looked familiar to John.
"Mrs Queen, Mr Queen is in a meeting at the moment with Miss Rochev." Felicity moved out away from John and into the path of Moira Queen.
At hearing the name John realised why he recognized the woman it was from the news report he had watched about the Undertaking.
"I would like a word with Oliver, tell him his mother is here Miss Rochev can wait." Moira demanded.
Felicity debated a moment about telling her Oliver was too busy but she had incurred Moira's wrath enough. She turned on her heel and headed to the conference room.
"Mrs Queen?" John caught her attention and held out his hand. "John Tracy my Father acquired the 10% of shares during the take over period." John introduced himself.
Moira took his offered hand. "Good to meet you Mr Tracy. Please excuse me I need to speak with my son." She said before moving off down towards the conference centre.
Felicity returned and sat back at her desk, John returned to his seat. "Are you sure you don't want to come and work for the family business?" John offered in a light toned voice.
"I am considering it but I couldn't leave Oliver to deal with Slade alone maybe especially if Rochev and Moira are still haunting the building." She replied.
Moira came storming past at this point and into the elevator. "Are you sure buying into this company was a good idea?"
"Well it means I get to work with you so it was worth every penny." John replied.
John pushed through the press crowding the reception area of the Executive floor and through the doors into Oliver's office, he ignored the shouted question and microphones and cameras shoved in his face. Felicity, Diggle and a young man were stood around the desk talking and watching him as he entered the room. He moved swiftly over to the desk, "Is there any news?" He asked concerned.
"Who are you?" The younger man jumped straight in.
"John this is Roy Thea's boyfriend, Roy this is John my boyfriend." Felicity quickly answered trying to abate Roy's growing frustration and anger.
"Sorry to meet you under such circumstances." John apologised and held out his hand to Roy. Roy seemed reluctant to take the offered hand and when he finally did John wished he had forgone the pleasantries. Felicity had already told him about Roy and the Mirakuru but to feel the strength behind was unexpected.
"There is no further news the police are doing all they can." Felicity answered the initial question watching the exchange between Roy and John like a hawk.
Suddenly a ping noise erupted from Felicity's computer and she drew her attention straight to the screen. Diggle and Roy adjusted their positions to watch over her shoulder. A screen of quickly scrolling text and photographs sent them both cross-eyed.
After several minutes Felicity stood straight and seemed to charge in the direction of the conference room. Roy watched her confused, "Did she find something?" He asked Diggle.
"Not sure man, let's keep cool I'm sure she will tell us when she's got Oliver." Diggle tried to calm and reassure Roy.
Before long both Oliver and Felicity were walking back towards them. "John." Oliver gruffly stated in greeting.
"Oliver I'm sorry to hear about your sister if there is anything I can do to help please don't hesitate to ask." John ignored the harshness of Oliver and greeted him politely.
Oliver seemed to pause in his stride. "Thank you but I think the police have everything covered." He answered John before turning to face Diggle and Roy. "We need to take care of some other matters."
John guessed what was happening and played along. Diggle and Roy moved around the desk and headed towards the doors while Felicity collected her coat and bag.
Oliver headed out first followed by Diggle and Roy. "Let me know when your heading home alright?"
"I'm sorry to ruin our plans. We have a lead so I will be as quick as I can." She apologised.
"This is much more important. Find Thea and be safe." John pulled Felicity into a quick kiss.
"FAB" Felicity whispered as they broke apart and she caught his smile before rushing off to catch up with Oliver.
John looked about the room taking in what else was going on. Moira was over the far side with the police and the conference room was abuzz with people rushing around. He decided to make some use of himself and headed off in the direction Felicity had earlier. Finding the small staff room John made a mug of tea with several heaped spoons of sugar in it then he returned to Oliver's office and Moira.
"Mrs Queen, this will help with the shock." John grabbed the attention of Moira and gently he placed the warm mug in her hands.
"Thank you Mr Tracy." She replied hugging the mug in her hands and bringing it closer to her chest.
"Call me John my Father is Mr Tracy and with four brothers it gets confusing if we are all Mr Tracy's. How are you holding up?" John tried to ease the situation.
"I imagine it does. You would think after going through this once I would be used to it but." Moira started to answer however she left it open unsure how to put into words the anguish she was feeling.
"I can't say that I know completely what you are going through but I lost my mother as a child and my younger brother almost died from a tragic accident. I don't think you ever get used to it you just learn to cope. Thea is alive and somewhere in the City the police will find her and bring her home you haven't lost her yet."
Moira stared out the window slowly nodding her head acknowledging what John was saying.
John stayed at QC in case Felicity returned with Oliver at some point. After about an hour the police made a speedy exit and sometime after that Moira left with a uniformed officer escort. Not long after Moira's departure Isobel emerged from the conference room and approached John.
"Mr Tracy I have called an emergency board meeting in thirty minutes I trust you can attend." Isobel clipped.
"Yes I can attend can I enquire to the reason for the meeting?" John politely replied.
"It will be discussed at the meeting Mr Tracy." Isobel sharply answered before walking away towards the elevator.
John watched her leave confused as to what was now going on, he pulled out his cell phone and tried to call Felicity but it rang out so he called his Father.
The meeting had not been what John had expected, Isobel had taken control of Oliver's percent share of CEO and now controlled the majority. Both he and his Father on conference call had argued against but with a unanimous board vote it passed. They were now talking about funding for the Applied Science Division and a project to push forward that would help in medical advancement.
Suddenly Oliver burst into the room tailed by a gentleman. "I'm sorry Miss Rochev but he was very insistent." He apologised.
"Can you give us the room please." Isobel asked eyeballing everyone sat around the table.
John started to stand, he caught Oliver's eye and saw a flash of anger before his attention turned elsewhere. John followed the board out of the conference room.
A while later Oliver came storming out of the room, John noticed he looked more ruffled and angrier than when he had entered the conference room. The board members kept their distance away from Oliver and scurried back into the room John decided to try and talk to Oliver.
"Oliver." He called out to him.
There was no reaction and he kept walking towards the elevator.
"Oliver wait we didn't agree to the vote. Father is working on any loophole to revoke what's been done." John tried to get through to Oliver make him stop and talk. It didn't work however as Oliver reached the elevator he pushed the button and strode straight into the opening doorway. He never even turned around as he pressed a button on the keypad and the doors closed again.
John felt a little annoyed at Oliver's behaviour but he supposed it was to be expected he had just lost his late father's company and his sister was still missing. Reluctantly John returned to the conference room and meeting.
PAUSE
When Felicity finally arrived back home it was the early hours of the morning she found John in the kitchen with a laptop open on the counter and a deep baritone voice projected from the speakers.
In the doorway she waited until John noticed her and called her over with his hand.
"Hi Jeff." She called cheerily as she rounded the breakfast bar and stood at John's side.
"Felicity how are you sweetheart?" Jeff smiled brightly the corners of his eyes crinkled deeply from the joy over his face.
"I'm fine apparently looking for a new job I'm guessing you already know." She replied with a bit too much cheer.
"Yes my representative, me and John all tried to back Oliver but Isobel Rochev has been very busy and through with her work leading up to this. My lawyers are having a difficult job finding any loopholes to reverse the action. There is always a place for you in the family business if you want it." Jeff offered.
Felicity felt a blush creep across her cheeks at the kind offer maybe one day she might but at the moment she had a promise to keep to Oliver. "I would love to accept that offer but when I joined the Arrow I promised to help him and he needs help more than ever now. Isobel is working with an enemy of the Arrow who's connected to the man in the skull mask and responsible for the enhancement drug. When we stop Isobel, Deathstroke and the man in the mask you my have a hard job keeping me away."
"Alright but you need to promise me something." Jeff turned serious.
"That depends on what you're asking."
"You keep yourself safe I don't have a good feeling about this."
"I will be careful, your job offer is something I would not miss out on. I can't promise that the Applied Science Division of Queen Consolidated will survive Isobel. I think she has taken over the company to use the technology to mass-produce the enhancement drug." Felicity revealed her theory.
"I trust your judgment do what you have to." Jeff replied. "Now you two should get yourselves to bed from the stories you have had a long day."
"Okay I will call you when I have a flight plan booked for Brains' latest order. Night Father." John said.
"Say hi to everyone for me and look after yourselves as well as you can doing what you do." Felicity babbled.
"Good night you two." Jeff finished the call and the screen displaying him closed down.
John twisted around in the chair moving away from the laptop and towards Felicity his hands wrapped around her and rested on her back as he guided her to stand between his legs and closer to him.
"I'm sorry about you losing your job and Oliver losing the company he seemed furious earlier when he came over to the office." John apologised.
Felicity allowed herself to be maneuvered and she slid her hands up John's arms until they rested on his shoulders. "It's not your fault, if only we had known about Isobel being a supervillan, I knew I didn't like her for a reason. She's working with Slade Oliver found out when he confronted her and she revealed where Thea was. She's fine back at home."
"I heard on the news Thea was found and the police know Slade was behind it. Are you sure you are safe from him?" John asked concerned.
"He's got a grudge against Oliver I will be fine. Did I hear right your flying out?" Felicity asked.
"I don't like it maybe I should postpone training until…." John started to argue.
"You are not postponing you need to get back to full duties and your space training so you can get the new version of 5 up and running." Felicity cut in putting on her shouty do not argue with me voice.
"Alright." John held up his hands in surrender. "I head back home tomorrow and then fly straight back to training for the three week intensive tour in space."
"Well it's a good job I don't have work in the morning I can make the most of our few hours left but right now though." Felicity broke into a huge yawn. "I really need some sleep."
"Let's get you upstairs." John said before marching her to bed.
AN – I really hope this chapter is okay it's a long one but I just couldn't settle on a stop point earlier on. PLEASE PLEASE if you are still following this and reading I am begging for reviews good or bad even ones with a :) just to help me keep going. Real life problems are zapping my creativity and your reviews brighten my day and help me continue. (I always do a little squeal and dance when I get that email notification.)
PS hopefully another chapter tonight just a tiny one maybe if my eyes stay open long enough