NOTE - Here we are again another chapter. Some Jolicity mush time so hope you all enjoy.
REVIEWS & READERS - A huge HUGE thank you to all of the readers and the love your showing by still being here and checking this out. A massive thank you too Elucidator83 for the review, they mean so much to me to have the ping that one is there. Hop you like some more Felicity/John moments to come.
As always I do not own anything to do with Arrow or Thunderbirds and am but a mere fan playing around.
CHAPTER 44
Felicity pulled up outside Verdant. It had been over a week since Felicity last saw the team and although Dig had messaged her a few times to say all was well she knew nothing else, she hadn't even checked into the computer setup.
As she walked across the carpark towards the back entrance a dark clad figure rounded the corner of the building and Felicity jumped in fright. She reacted a moment later in a defensive stance just as the figure went to lunge at her.
"Nyssa?" Felicity blabbed as she recognised the face and League of Assassin attire. She dropped her stance to be more relaxed and Nyssa followed.
"Felicity Smoke of MIT." Nyssa confirmed with a small nod of her head, she had an angry undertone to her voice that Felicity noticed.
"I am so sorry for your loss. Sara was so special to you I cannot begin to know your pain. I mean she was a special friend to us all but more so for you, so I do know the loss just not how much the loss is to you… I will stop in 3..2..1" Felicity tried to offer her condolences to Nyssa but her nerves got the better of her and gave free reign to her mouth.
A small smile graced Nyssa relaxing her features. "Your empathy is accepted and appreciated. Sara often talked fondly of you and cared of your friendship deeply. I am still indebted to you for saving her and Laurel told me of what you did for Sara after her demise."
Felicity, in a second of complete bravery, enveloped Nyssa into a hug. She might be a hardened assassin, but she was hurting and now alone, Felicity was also deeply touched to her of how Sara thought of her, it brought back so many memories and the deep feelings of loss that had started to heal. Arms gingerly wrapped around her back and returned the hug which surprised Felicity and she hugged a little bit firmer.
"You need to leave Starling City." Felicity pulled back shocked at Nyssa's words.
"Why?" She asked.
"Oliver has chosen poorly, the league will come for him and anyone who stands with him." Nyssa stated looking angry once more.
"I mean Oliver does make questionable choices but Nyssa…" Felicity was cut off.
"Sara would not want any harm to befall you. I have warned you in kind for your care of Sara. There is no more to be said." Nyssa replied, the anger in her voice once more, she stepped around Felicity and slipped into the depths of the night.
Confused Felicity proceeded into the building and to the lair finding everyone already gathered serious expressions on all of their faces and announced her arrival. "What did I miss?"
Oliver turned to look at her his frown deepening before he walked off to the changing area. Felicity turned to survey the remaining occupants of the room for answers. Laurel excused herself and left quickly. Roy smiled warmly at Felicity but also excused himself to check on Thea leaving Diggle the last one standing. Felicity put her hands on her hips and stared him down.
"Are you going to run too?" She challenged.
Dig smirked and then moved to hug Felicity. "Its good that your back. How was your time away?"
"You're not changing the topic, but it was nice and I went to see Barry. I'm now worried what the heck happened while I was gone?" Felicity scolded Diggle lightly.
"Nyssa came looking for Sara, turns out Sara was here looking for Merlyn. Nyssa thinks Merlyn killed Sara and Oliver believes Merlyn didn't do it and swore to protect Merlyn against the League." Dig surmised.
"HE DID WHAT!" Felicity bellowed. "Wait Merlyn is alive?"
"Yeah, Nyssa kidnapped Thea to drawn him out after Oliver lost him on a recon mission and he slipped the nano trackers. Thea is okay." Dig explained more.
"I am going back to Tracy Island." Felicity half joked, how stupid could Oliver get. Now what Nyssa had said made sense. Was protecting Merlyn worth it, pfft no. "Did Oliver get his really hard in the head?" She asked Diggle.
There was a snigger from Diggle. "If that was the case this would make a lot more sense."
"Yea. On second thoughts I am going back to my vacation and pretend that none of this happened for another couple weeks." Felicity replied, before walking towards the stairs. "If the world ends call me."
"Stay safe." Dig called after her.
PAUSE
The next day found Felicity outside the City about an hours drive with John leading the days activities, all she had been told was to dress comfortably so she had opted for leggings, a light brown camisole and John's dark brown hoodie as there was a chill on the air being as it was quite an early start.
John pulled off the main road into a smaller road that was sign posted as Wings Airport. Felicity turned to start at John, she saw him trying to hide a smile. "What are we doing?" She demanded.
"Now if I told you that would negate the purpose of a surprise." John replied he was trying not to laugh as he replied.
Felicity turned back into her seat surveying the area they were moving into, unhappy as not knowing and more unhappy that it involved an airport. She maybe okay with flying and knew it was now going to be a necessity but she didn't want to be doing more than she needed to.
The trees cleared into huge open fields with buildings all to the left and aeroplanes outside in front. There were some people around the planes and as John drove closer he headed towards the start of the buildings where there was already a congregation of cars. Felicity noticed that the planes were all small with some having no propellor blades on the nose.
John cut the engine and got out the car, coming around to Felicity's side, she remained in the car until he practically scooped her out.
"You said you wanted to experience my piloting prowess, I am delivering on that with some added extra more. Are you ready for an adventure?" John explained albeit cryptically.
"Were going flying? I saw you pilot on the way from Central City." Felicity argued.
"We are going soaring." John explained, Felicity saw his face light up at the idea and he seemed so much younger, and her heart melted.
"Fine." She agreed not knowing what soaring was but trusting in John and unable to deny him with those eyes.
John led them over to the first building, it was half the height of all the rest and was more like offices, John booked them in, and they had to sit through an induction explaining the layout of the airfield, the procedures for operations and what to do in the event of emergency. Felicity felt it ironic to go through that when John was a Thunderbird and probably the most qualified in the entire airport for dealing with an emergency, yet no one knew except them, she had to cough to cover up almost laughing at the thought.
After the briefing and signing the waiver paperwork they moved on to get fitted for parachutes. Felicity started to panic remembering back to her visit to Lian Yu and jumping out of that plane.
"Hey City it's fine, the glider is cockpit only and this is the only way to have the parachutes with us. The likelihood of a glider being in any emergency situation is less than 5%. It is more of a club policy to wear them, there are no regulations." John reassured Felicity.
She took a few deep breaths and nodded calming down, she might be getting more comfortable with flying but jumping out was never again on her to do list.
John fitted the parachute and made small talk with Felicity which she was very grateful for taking her mind off everything. She watched him fit and secure his own and both were checked by a staff member before they could go out onto the airfield.
As they left the offices another staff member called Tom escorted them to the aircraft. He spoke mostly to John asking about John's experience and explaining once again the launch procedure they would be following. Felicity made sure to keep a firm hold of John's hand and listened to Tom.
They came to the glider and up close Felicity realised exactly how small they were, the cockpit was roomy enough for one in front and one behind, no elbow room at all. There was no propeller at the nose as she had seen earlier and she now understood why Tom had been instructing on a tow plane. She took deep breaths and dropped back as John went with Tom to have a run down of the cockpit.
Gliders had no engines, Felicity was trying her hardest not to freak out in panic. This was completely unexpected and crazy, why would you go up in an engineless plane?
Suddenly John was in front of her, he cupped her cheek and caught her eye. "Do you trust me?" He asked, he could see the fear and panic on her face. He knew she would enjoy the experience and she would be far safer than that trip to get Oliver.
Felicity heard the sincerity in John's voice, she trusted him with her life. She had only just started to be okay with flying in a plane.
"You have been in far more dangerous places and situations than this will ever be, but if its too much we can leave now it's okay." John tried to reassure.
John made a valid point, absolutely logical but the fear was strong. She took several deep breaths, if she could handle being a vigilante's partner she can face this and she wasn't alone. She timidly nodded her head and lifted her hand to rest over John's that was still on her cheek.
A smile appeared on his face and he pulled Felicity into his arms. "I promise nothing will happen. I love you." He kissed the top of her head.
Felicity firmly hugged John back and after she felt the kiss on her head she pulled back and reached up to kiss him. "I love you too and I know you will, it's just there's no engine."
"That's why it's called soaring, let me show you just like flying, it's nothing to fear." John released Felicity and took her hand walking her to the glider. He helped her into the front seat of the cockpit and strapped her in.
He showed her the controls and levers, explained the dials many of which she recognised now from her lessons. Then he set himself into the rear seat closing the cockpit up.
"City Tom is our towing pilot, do you see the yellow plane ahead and the tow line between us and it?" John explained.
"Yeah." Felicity answered nervously.
"When I radio over we will be pulled forward out onto the runway and then into the air. Around 2500 altitude we will disengage the tow line and be on our own. It might be a little bumpy on the tow and when we catch the thermals. Are you ready?" He explained further.
Felicity nodded then realised John couldn't see her, "I guess."
"At any point you want to stop we can you just have to say." John reassured.
"Okay." Felicity acknowledged. She was breathing deep and slowly trying to keep the fear from taking over.
"Glider 247 to tow plane." John radioed.
"Tow plane receiving over." Tom came through.
"Glider 247 ready to launch." John continued.
"Roger, roger."
Felicity noticed movement and saw someone approach the wing on the ground lifting it. She faced forward again and saw the tow line slack disappearing, she watched as the line went taught and a small tug went through the plane and they crawled forward following the tow plane.
"Felicity you okay?" John asked, he couldn't see her and she was unusually quiet.
"I'm okay." She replied, she glanced to the left and saw the person still supporting the wing walking along with them.
It was a slow crawl and a few minutes later they were on the main runway.
"Tow plane to Glider 247." The radio announced.
"Glider 247 receiving." John replied.
"Prepare for launch." Tom said.
"Received and understood." John replied.
Felicity tensed waiting for the rough ride John had forwarded.
The tow plane and the glider began to move, Felicity looked over to the wing and saw the person walk a few steps, then go into a jog before releasing the wing which tipped towards the ground before rising and stabilising. Felicity looked forward and the ground was whizzing by she glanced down to the dials and saw the speedometer rising rapidly.
Suddenly there was a flutter of butterflies in her tummy as the glider rose, the tow plan was still on the ground, they bobbed a few times before levelling out.
The runway passed by faster and then the tow plane gently rose up off the tarmac. It was very quiet in the cockpit, the wind was whistling past the cockpit. The weight of fear started to lesson on Felicity, this wasn't so bad. There was the occasional bump as the tow line snatched with the movement of the tow plane. The ground was getting further away from them, Felicity looked around the plane taking in the scenery.
"City you okay?" John questioned, now that they had settled into a steady climb on the tow he could check on Felicity.
"I'm okay, it's not so bad. The towing is not so bad either." She replied.
"Tom is a good tow pilot, he also saw that you were worried, he said he would be as gentle as possible on the tow. Sometimes especially with new tow pilots it can be very bumpy and a fight to keep the glider level." John replied.
"It's appreciated." She replied, she found herself just in awe of the view as they climbed higher and higher, the fields of different shades of green interlock across the ground. The patches of trees scattered about with roadways cross crossing intermittently. The sun was rising in the sky and there was a dusting of fluffy white clouds, it cast long shadows along the ground and as the glider gently turned on its incline would be blinding but felicity only had to squint a little against the onslaught.
"You ready." John checked on Felicity, they had just reached 2500 altitude.
"Yes." She said with more certainty than she had felt since they drove into the airfield.
"Tow plane to Glider 247." The radio came to life.
"Glider 247 receiving over." John replied.
"Altitude of 2500 reached, prepare to disengage." Tom instructed.
"Understood we are ready to disengage over." John answered.
"Tow plane will bank left to return, follow evasive pathway." Tom continued.
"Acknowledged."
"Glider 247 you are clear to disengage tow line."
John pulled the lever and Felicity watched as the tow line dropped down and the tow plane tilted left, the glider tilted right.
"Tow plane we have successfully disengaged." John radioed.
"Glider 247 have a nice flight, see you on the ground, Tow plane out." The radio went silent.
"We are on our own." John stated.
The glider straightened up briefly before Felicity felt a minor turbulence and the glider banked sharp left before levelling out with a continued bumpy ride.
"First thermal, how's the turbulence?" John asked.
Felicity felt herself start to smile, it wasn't bad at all. "It's fine. It's so beautiful up here, and quiet, peaceful and calm even the wind noise is almost relaxing when you don't think about the lack of engine." She babbled.
John laughed and the sound made Felicity smile more and feel calmer still. She might be having to face far more ingrained fears since knowing John but each one was well worth it.
"We can climb up a little bit higher then explore." John replied.
"Sure I am just along for the ride…. Flight I mean flight I am not riding anything." Felicity covered her face in embarrassment as she heard John laughing loudly behind.
They soared for over an hour, Felicity had taken a short go of controlling the glider before handing back over to John. John now decided it was now or never to show off a little to Felicity seeing as she was more relaxed and used to the glider experience. "Just going to make a left bank." He stated.
"Sure." Felicity acknowledged.
John banked the glider a very sharp left tipping the left wing to point straight to the ground. There was a scream from Felicity and John slackened the bank back to flying level.
"JOHN!" She screamed clutching her harness for dear life trying to catch her breath from the sudden sharp movement the glider had just taken.
"City." John replied with all the innocence he could muster into his tone.
"Don't you play innocent with me John Tracy!" She growled out starting to calm back down.
"I am innocent in all things." He replied between laughing fits. "You've been up here experiencing the calm soaring I haven't exactly shown much prowess piloting yet."
"John…" Felicity started to say before she cut herself of with another scream as the glider nosedived forward. By the time Felicity ran out of air to scream the glider nose rose to look up at the sky, the beautiful blue colours distracted Felicity from what had just happened and she caught her breath before realising that she felt much lighter in the seat and she was looking at the ground through the top of the cockpit. Before she even had the time to process and react the glider had continued through the upside-down roll and was back on the level.
Felicity didn't know how to process what had just happened, the fear had spiked as the glider plummeted towards the ground but the adrenaline rush along with the weightlessness as they rolled over, seeing the world that way just blew Felicity's mind.
"Felicity." John's worried call to her brought her back out of her thoughts. "Are you still with me?"
"I am going to personally sic the Arrow onto you when we get back to the City." She replied.
John let out a breath of relief, he was worried that the G-force might have caused her to black out. "I fully accept my punishment but hear me out and let me show you more." He tried.
More was what he promised her, and they both needed together, their lives were filled with danger and situations that showed the worst the world had to offer, it hadn't exactly been that bad after the initial shock.
"Fine." She rolled her eyes even though John wouldn't see.
John dropped the nose of the glider down towards the ground for a few seconds before pulling it back up towards the sky into another loop, he heard Felicity squeal again although it sounded much less frightened this time. As they came out of the loop John soared on the level for a short while before he tipped the right wing to the ground sending the glider into a roll. As they hit completely upside-down Felicity's latest squeal died out and he stayed in this orientation for a few extra seconds before continuing and righting the glider.
Straight out of the roll he pulled the nose to the sky for a short few seconds before entering a left side dive back down and levelling out again.
Every time Felicity felt the glider sharply change direction she would squeal as her body reacted to the different feelings, then the adrenaline would spike, and she felt the excitement, the world looked so very different upside down. Her fear was so far to the back of her mind as she experienced all different emotions and feelings that were rushing by as fast as the glider's manoeuvres. Some she recognised from Oliver's Tarzan moments with her, but the crimpling fear of those situations was not here, she felt safe with John, knew he would do anything to protect her.
She heard him call from behind, "Had enough yet?" and she didn't even think or process what he said, she just replied with, "No." John's resulting joyous laugh helped squash the spike in fear she had at her answer.
John took the glider into another loop, this time he held it upside down longer before going into a roll to end, extending it into a second roll straight away. As they came out of that John pulled them back up into a climb and at almost the stall point, he tipped to the right into a nosedive towards the ground before pulling out into another loop.
After about twenty minutes of almost constant aerobatics John began soaring once more. They had reached a low altitude now and it was approaching late morning, he adjusted the heading to face towards the direction of the airport. "Time to head back." He let Felicity know.
Felicity was almost breathless from the excitement, she felt the glider level off and after a short while it didn't enter any other manoeuvres. She started to take deeper slower breaths in the respite. She heard John say it was time to return, she wouldn't admit it out loud, but she felt a pang of disappointment at his words. "Sure." She replied trying to sound normal and not out of breath. John didn't remark further so she must have managed it.
She heard John radio their intention to return and then things went quiet. She watched the ground rising to meet them as they neared the runway. The tarmac rushed up underneath them. "Small bump." John called out before there was a sharp jolt followed by a few smaller bumps as the wheels touched down. Felicity felt the speed sharply decrease and as they slowed the glider turned off the tarmac onto the grass sides, as it came to a stop it tipped to the left and Felicity looked to see the wing tip resting on the ground.
"Glider 247 stop, stop, stop, Runway clear over." John radioed.
"Glider 247 received over and out."
Felicity relaxed back in the seat, her mind was processing the whole morning and she felt exhausted but hyped at the same time. She heard movement from the back and the cockpit top opened, Felicity saw John above climbing out of the cockpit.
John came to stand at the side of Felicity, she gazed up into his face, he looked so happy his eyes were so bright and he had a huge smile. "So am I still at risk of facing down the Arrow?" He queried not even looking the least bit worried.
"I am still mad at you for not warning me before you pulled those aerobatic stunts." She almost growled at John, "No I'm not going to sic the Arrow on you I'll see what Gordon can conjure up." Now Felicity saw a flicker of worry in John's eyes, she felt bad. "Don't worry revenge is best served cold." She added mockingly.
"You are scary." John said with a nervous chuckle, he started to unbuckle Felicity's harness before helping her clamber out of the cockpit.
Felicity hugged John extra, tight albeit slightly awkwardly with the parachute on his back still, as he set her down on the ground and she felt him squeeze her back. "Thank you." She mumbled as her face was buried into John's neck, there was an even tighter squeeze from him.
"Let's go and get signed out and find somewhere for brunch." John said before placing a kiss to Felicity's head. As she pulled back John ran his hands down her arms and caught her one hand in his, interlocking their fingers. They started to walk along the edge of the field back towards the hangars and the office block.
NOTE - Next installment is a biggy and its taking me some thought to get it all working together and i so hope you will like it but it may still be a little wait while its completely finessed. I'm still working out if it should be a huge chapter or split to create some suspense amongst you all to be a bit evil hehe. Once again thank you all for the love and support of this fic and we are almost at the 200k words too crazy.