Business as Usual
Putting her surrogate daughter to bed had actually proved easier than Felicity had originally thought. When she had initially broken the news to the little girl that she would be leaving never to return (she was adamant on that point, regardless of what Oliver had said, and for good reason and anyway it wasn’t like it was her choice, not that she had one in any case) ANYWAY she had thought it would be easier. Easy in the way that she had hoped she would be able to break it to each Queen individually and that way they wouldn’t be able to gang up on her. So much for that plan. Trust Oliver to come home earlier than planned and she was faced with two sets of identical puppy dog eyes and she nearly wasn’t strong enough for such an onslaught damn it. But she had to be. She had to be.
After their hot chocolate, Felicity had insisted that it was time for little girls to bed. Oliver had made some wise crack about her height and how she better get going and as was her way Felicity somehow had managed to turn it into an innuendo. Needless to say she had effectively bolted with Tia bundled under arms to avoid the child asking why her cheeks were red as well as the infuriatingly disarming twinkle in a certain CEO’s eyes. After that it had been smooth sailing, Felicity had read Florentia a chapter of the first Harry Potter (with all the voices) and the little girl had fallen asleep as she always did; with her head in Felicity’s lap having her hair stroked.
Felicity blamed Oliver really for making it so hard for her to leave. It was his entire fault anyway, what with his stupid eyes and back muscles and that adorable grin that betrayed the fact that he knew he was a charming little shit, thank you very much that Felicity always had to fight the urge to collar him and kiss it away. She should never have taken this job for the Queens all those years ago. In her defence she’d never meant to stay this long, but it had seemed like a good idea, to move as far away from Las Vegas and Massachusetts as it was possible to get. In the end thought, even though it had begun as a temporary measure, it was all too perfect, being the au pair to Florentia Queen, the perfect child of the cute dead billionaire who turned out not to be dead. Tia made it especially hard to leave. Logically, Felicity knew that, at 6 years old, in a couple of years, Florentia will forget her and she’ll be mentioned in memories and seen in old photographs as someone who used to look after Tia when she was young. But in her heart, Felicity loved the girl as if she were her own daughter. And her attraction to Oliver only complicated matters. She had been able to pretend, just for a little bit, that this life could be hers. But, just like always, she’d had to wake up eventually.
Oliver had once, to his peril called her Florrie the Flurrie, because she was always rushing everywhere; never finishing a game, never sitting through a story. Tia had stood there, looking absurdly adorable. Hands on hips, dark gold pigtails sticking out, paint on her pinafore, pouting away before deciding that “No” she did not like the new nickname and then proceeded to kick her father hard in the shins. Oliver had been grinning too hard at the picture his daughter made to reprimand her reaction – and it wasn’t like her little powder blue Mary Janes could have hurt him in any case, Oliver was insanely ripped, like what on God’s earth was that and 3,2,1. Point was, he had picked her up and smothered her face in proud kisses until the little one had begged for mercy and Felicity had melted a little bit at the two of them. She still had the video on her phone.
Around Tia, Oliver became filled with a light and warmth like no other, she imagined it was a more sincere version of the man he’d been before the Island, that had dominated the tabloids. Felicity may not have been in Starling for very long at that point, but even she had become aware of Oliver’s near constant media presence. When she’d mentioned this thought to Raisa, the older woman had smiled saying that her boy had always had a good heart and was becoming the man she always knew he would, before giving Felicity an oddly wistful smile.
The main problem was that Felicity was in love with Oliver and Florentia Queen. That’s what makes all of this so frackin’ complicated. They were hers and she was theirs and she just knew that Tia was waiting for Daddy and Lissy to ‘pull their heads out their asses’ (she’d used Tommy’s words and hadn’t Oliver given his best friend/brother hell when he’d found out where his daughter’s choice of words had originated from) and fall into each other’s arms so they could all live happily ever after. Except Tia’s only 6 years old and doesn’t understand that billionaire playboy philanthropist CEO’s, who are not as exciting as Marvel made them out to be thank you very much, because she totally gets where Pepper Potts was coming from on that now, anyway, boys like Oliver don’t marry genius au pair hacktivists. Not that Felicity’s a hacker. Anymore. Much.
A long time ago, back when Felicity wore, what is with hindsight, way too much black, a group of men had found out she had graduated top of her class at MIT at only 19 and decided that she was the one who was going to help them decrypt a hard drive. In their defence, and she really shouldn’t be defending such slimy reptiles, they had posed as legitimate business men and said that it had belonged to a dead colleague but possessed highly required and classified business information. What they should of realised is that a girl as smart as Felicity had realised what a load of bullshit this was the minute she decoded the drive. In actuality they worked for a cyber terrorism organisation known as Brother Eye and Felicity had majorly aided and abetted. She’s been undercover ever since, given that she’s now on their wanted list and therefore their allies wanted lists to boot. Yippee. That had been just over 6 years ago and now it looked like Felicity’s past was finally catching up with her.
And she can’t let them get anywhere near the Queens or their friends. There’s a reason she never brings Barry here, a reason she never goes back to Vegas because it protects her loved ones. If she wasn’t as needy, she’d have severed ties with her family completely but she’d been so young that she’d panicked and if she could count on anyone it was her brother Barry. He had told her that because she’d changed her look and her last name (she had lived under his name of Allen for a while round her time both during and after MIT) and moved way, way across country that she should be safe. The Brotherhood would only be concerned that she’d open her mouth and reveal them which Felicity had never done. Felicity herself was never entirely sure of this explanation because she still had that flash drive, she’d never handed over the information they had paid her for and she knew they’d want to claim it one day. She just wondered if the Brotherhood themselves realised what they’d had in their possession and if maybe she could destroy it before it fell into the wrong hands. Even though Felicity had felt safe finally, the alerts and security she had surrounded herself with had started to go off. She’d only been able to throw them off the scent for so long and if her information was correct, they were close to finally finding her. Here. In Starling.
So that’s why the next 24 hours are so important, that’s all the time she can afford she thinks, to say her goodbyes before the net closes. She has to leave tomorrow morning, before Oliver or Tommy or anyone else can convince her otherwise.
Breakfast proceeds just like most days – Tia is a little fussy, a little hesitant but given the circumstances, neither Felicity nor Oliver can bring themselves to reprimand her and it seems to set the tone for the day, a sad acceptance that this is the last time they’ll all be together. Even Diggle seems sensitive to it when he arrives to drive them into the city. She’d bet her bottom dollar Oliver and he snuck over to the bar across the street last night when they’d all gone to bed going by the look John’s giving her. It’s warm and sad and maybe just a little bit pissed off that he wasn’t kept in the loop. She imagines she’s gunna get that look a lot today.
When they stop outside Tia’s school, the little girl plants herself in Felicity’s lap in stubborn refusal, clinging to the lapels of her turquoise coat. Covering Tia’s head and little hands with kisses, trying fruitlessly to keep the tears out of her eyes, Felicity promises Florentia that she’ll be right here to pick her up and all the way home too, right till when she closes her eyes to go to sleep. It mollifies her because to a little girl that is a lot of time to convince Lissy not to leave her but it still puts a time limit on things. Felicity hates lies, she sucks at it, even with kids. Oliver, who has been watching the whole exchange in silence simply lifts his daughter off her lap so they can all get out of the car and walk Tia to class like they do every morning.
The drive to Verdant, the club Oliver owns which is managed by Tommy, is awkwardly silent without Tia’s excited chatter. Although she has nothing to be ashamed of, Felicity can’t bring herself to look at Oliver; embarrassed at how badly she had handled last night but she can feel his eyes on her. She knows Oliver, or at least she’d like to think she does having lived and worked with the man for nearly a year. Talking to him now is of no use, she can’t reach him, he’s too deep in his thoughts, thinking how to act. And as for how he will react, she won’t even try to predict. Oh, he had smiled and laughed to distract Florentia last night and they had gone on as if she’d never said anything but Oliver seemed to rarely show anyone the full picture anymore, no doubt she’d learn his real thoughts soon enough. But as of right now, Felicity needs to take care of herself first. With a deep breath she reaches across the car in order to garner Oliver’s attention, gently squeezing his knee for a moment.
“Oliver?” his eyes finally meet her own, eyebrows quirked upwards in askance.
“Can you – I, I’d rather if you didn’t tell the others that I’m leaving I-“
Before she can finish, Oliver shoots her a soft, disarming smile, covering her hand with his own larger one, gently squeezing her fingers. “Of course not Felicity” his voice his gentler still “It’s not my news to tell. Besides –“ and here, just for a moment she sees a flash of hurt in his eyes, as if she’s betrayed him somehow by leaving “I’m sure you don’t want everyone telling you how sorely you’ll be missed”
It’s like there’s another spell on them, the same one from last night; an intensity between the two of them that neither can bear to break. It’s almost like it’s a dare and they’re waiting for each other to go first. Oliver’s deep blue eyes stare in hers, challenging, waiting but for what Felicity doesn’t understand. As far as he’s aware her mother is sick and she’s doing the right thing, going home to take care of her. But he was fine with that. Helpful even her brain supplies It was when I told him I wasn’t coming back. I don’t understand, I’m only the au pair, it’s not like I’m irreplaceable.
“You are not replaceable to me, Felicity” Oliver’s voice is like iron; speaking with such resolute conviction that it shocks her. His fingers tighten around her own, drawing her attention and Felicity can’t help but stare at the difference between her soft, small hands with the brightly coloured nails compared to his; large, calloused digits.
Holy Admiral Grace Hopper I said that out loud?!
Before she can wait for the ground to swallow her hole or even process what Oliver just said, the car pulls to a standstill and Diggle’s voice comes over the intercom “We’ve just pulled up at Verdant Mr. Queen”
And then the moment is over once again and Oliver is climbing out of the vehicle before she can stop him. Felicity slumps back in the seat, feeling frazzled. And it’s not even 10am With a sigh, she follows after.
Oliver had suggested about 3 months ago that if Felicity wanted to keep herself entertained and earn a little extra on the side whilst her charge is at school, she could help out with the technical stuff at Verdant given that Tommy’s always been a little useless with it and Oliver himself –
“You don’t have to excuse yourself Oliver. You brought me a bullet ridden laptop remember, I think that speaks for itself regarding your capability with computers don’t you?”
And after that little jibe, which had apparently forever earned her Tommy’s respect, Felicity had begun to spend time at the club as the technical manager. Generally speaking she was only there during the daytime and so was Tommy, whereas Oliver only really went at night. When the clientele were around. The only rule Felicity ever had about Oliver and women was that he was not to bring any one night stands back to the apartment. Once was quite enough and they’d probably prefer to see the inside of the Queen mansion over Oliver’s bachelor pad complete with child and nanny.
True to form, the minute they enter the club Felicity loses Oliver and Diggle from view, which is odd given that it’s morning but that little mystery will have to wait. Instead, Felicity focuses on her two best friends who are stood bickering by the bar; Tommy Merlyn and Sara Lance.
Whereas Tommy manages the club, Sara manages the bar, which is a skill Felicity hadn’t thought they taught you either in a deserted Island o r the afterlife; wherever Sara had been for the past six years. She’d gotten on the Queen’s Gambit with Oliver all those years ago and, like Oliver, been presumed dead. To say that things were tense between her and Laurel right now was a bit of an understatement. But then Laurel seemed to hate all the women in Oliver’s life who weren’t a blood relation.
When they spotted Felicity, Tommy reached out, grabbed hold and tucked her under his arm in a quick hug before drawing her towards the bar “Liss, thank goodness, I need you to tell Sara here she’s crazy. Talk some sense into her, I’m begging you!”
“Alright, alright, what exactly is going on here?” Felicity laughed “What did you do?”
Sara looked personally offended by the question before her expression changed into one of mock innocence “Me? Nothing more than usual. It’s all Tommy.”
Felicity grinned, pulling free of Tommy’s grasp to repeat the question, trying to sound disappointed and failing miserably.
“Fine! No need to interrogate me Smoak, geez. I’ve been saying all morning that the reason you guys were late is because you were telling Oliver that you couldn’t possibly stay because you and I are going to run away together and Sara said that that was bullshit because it’s completely obvious from the blush on your face paired with the fact that Ollie went home earlier last night that you two finally jumped each other!”
Felicity had just about recovered from the thought that her decision to leave had been discovered when Tommy had said ‘couldn’t possibly stay’ and was flabberghasted “We – he – how did you know that?!”
Sara clapped her hands in delight and crowed “I knew it!” from her place, sitting on top of the bar “Pay up!” Tommy meanwhile, dug his wallet out his jeans was about to shell out what looked like a fifty when Felicity managed to say “We still haven’t jumped each other!” Realising how that sounded she huffed in frustration before trying again “Oliver is my boss and my friend not my hanky panky buddy guys! I meant how did you know that he left the office early last night?”
“Did you really just use the words ‘hanky panky buddy’?” Tommy laughs, pulling Felicity to him again for a moment to hug her again “Don’t ever change” Once she’d been released once more, Felicity tried her hardest to look annoyed at Tommy but it melted into a soft smile, she could never resist his boyish good humor, the little shit.
Sara leaned over to tuck a stray lock of hair that had worked its way free of her trademark ponytail during her little outburst “She did. You’re cute when you’re mad Felicity, you should try that out on Ollie sometime?”
“Whose trying what out on me?” Speak of the devil. Actually if I did that maybe I would get swallowed up by the Earth like I keep wanting to! Felicity cringed at the sound of Oliver’s voice across the large space, from the open door of the back office. So that’s where he went.
“Not a thing Ollie” Sara sang back across at him, taking his appearance as a cue to hop down on the other side of the bar. Oliver only appeared out of the office when he wanted Felicity to do something technical for him that usually had nothing whatsoever to do with the club. Sure enough Oliver gestures for Felicity “Come into my office”
As Felicity and Tommy, who despite probably having better things to do will never pass up an opportunity to ridicule his two closest friends about their attraction cross the floor Felicity can’t help but remark about how she’s always wondered why people say that line, particularly given the connotations attached these days and it would never work on her. Tommy waits the minute or two it always takes for Felicity to catch up with what she’s just said before pointing out that it obviously did.
As they entered, Oliver moved away from the desk where he had been puzzling over his laptop to make way for Felicity.
“Felicity, before you get started I really need your help cracking open this flash drive. It belonged to my father, I found it among his possessions the other day and none of my family can remember the password.” He gestured at the expensive looking device protruding out of the sleek laptop. “I was hoping you could break into it?”
Pushing her spectacles securely into place, Felicity took her seat. Flash drives caused nothing but trouble in her experience. “Shouldn’t be too much of a problem. Although remembering the password is usually far better, hacking these programmes can usually cause more harm than good, you should really ask Mrs. Queen” After a few keystrokes, Felicity expected the window to pop up saying ‘Access granted’ but nothing happened. Frowning, Felicity’s fingers swept across the keyboard more rapidly and the deeper she got into the code she recognised the software. She hadn’t had this much trouble since.... “I don’t know where your father got this laptop Oliver but the technology is military grade. It’ll take me a little while longer.”
Oliver’s lips grew noticeably thinner “I’ve got time. Keep going”
Noticing this, Tommy started up a conversation about the recent game between the Starling City Rockets and the Bluejays, who were Oliver’s favourite team. Felicity and Tommy share a secret smile as Oliver’s shoulder’s managed to loosen just a smidgen, his eyes never leaving Felicity and her work all the same.
There it was! The flash drive opened up its secrets like a lover. “Felicity for the Win....Oswin!”
Tommy cracked up at her words and upon seeing Oliver looking at him in confused annoyance for the distraction, sobered enough to say “Doctor Who reference.” When Oliver’s look morphed into one of disbelief that his best friend knew that piece of information Tommy adopted a look of mock innocence, pointing at the blonde tech genius “Blame Liss, she put me up to it when you were MIA and now I can’t stop. It’s like my own personal brand of heroin”
Given the way he says those last few words Oliver can tell this is another reference, one that Felicity finds particularly insulting if the way she spins in her chair looking appalled is anything to go by. “How dare you quote Twilight in my presence! And about Doctor Who!”
Tommy’s full on grinning now, completely undaunted by the blonde’s wrath (although if it were Sara that would the complete opposite, Tommy has admitted to Oliver he finds both Oliver and Sara a little intimidating these days), saunters forward to lean on the back of her chair “But I thought you loved Twilight, Bella Felicity?”
Even though Oliver knows there’s nothing in it, that Tommy is madly in love with Laurel, far more than he himself ever was, something he recognises as jealousy momentarily snakes through his stomach. Felicity meanwhile snatches her laptop up, hands Oliver a post-it note with the information about Tia’s play and dives out of the room yelling “IT WAS A PHASE, I WAS YOUNG AND INNOCENT, I DIDN’T KNOW WHAT I WAS DOING!”
Once she’d stopped talking Oliver came towards her, his hand coming up to cup her cheek, “Thank you Felicity, I don’t know what I’d do without you”
Felicity looks up at him – the height difference between them ignites something in his stomach that he doesn’t care to name just yet, as surprised by the remark as she was in the car. She blinks, returning his smile uncertainly, like he’s given her a gift before it fades and she’s looking as worried as she did when he asked her to look up Derek Reston. He’s guessing she might have seen something on that drive. Which is worrying, given that even he doesn’t know what the thug Digg took it off was involved in. But if he knows Felicity, and he does, she won’t mention it. At all. “I should – go...check on Sara. I’ll be back to get started on the security cameras....later”. Adorably flustered, the beautiful blonde ducked out of Oliver’s hold and scurried out the door.
Tommy laughed at their antics and upon seeing Oliver looking truly confused by the spectacle before him, only says “See? Everyone gets a little experimental sometimes. Oh, and do yourself a favour, don’t even bother looking Twilight up. One of the things I wish I could have been on that damned Island for”
Clapping Oliver on the back, Tommy heads for the office door, casually throwing over his shoulder “But you should definitely mention it to Thea. That shit was hilarious while it lasted” With a characteristic wink, one of Oliver’s brothers is gone.
The next thing he hears is Felicity and Sara’s conversation being interrupted by the crash from glass breaking. Oliver is instantly on his feet, thinking of various assassins or assailants before hearing Sara scream “YOU’RE WHAT?!”
A grin forms on Oliver’s face before he can stop it. The List will have to wait because his day just got a hell of a lot more interesting.