Sometimes A Surprise Is Just What You Need

Untitled Part 4

Oliver snuck a glance at Felicity. He had wanted to approach her, introduce himself, but passengers had been going up to her non-stop since she sat down. Each one thanking her for saving them. She was taking it in kind. He could see a blush on her face as each one enthusiastically shook her hand. Some of the male passengers were lingering around and for some reason he could not explain, it annoyed him. Crossing his arms across his broad chest, Oliver bided his time. He would talk to her soon. Obviously she was going to be on their flight. He wondered was she going to see family? Friends? A boyfriend?

Finally they started to board the passengers. Felicity sighed in relief. She didn't mind being thanked for doing her job, but it made her uncomfortable. She wasn't an agent for the thanks. She just enjoyed the excitement and adrenaline. Helping others.

Boarding the plane, Felicity moved to a seat towards the front. Luckily, like the last flight this one was only half full. She settled into a window seat, her body finally starting to relax. As she buckled her seatbelt, Felicity's gaze shifted to the door, and before she could blink locked gazes with the man who had been distracting her in the waiting area. He held her gaze as he moved confidently down the aisle, and giving her the most beautiful smile she had ever seen on a man, he indicated the aisle seat on her row.

"Is this seat reserved for someone?" His voice was soft but deep. Felicity gave him a small smile, shaking her head no.

"Um, no. Please....", she indicated the seat with her hand.

In her line of work, Felicity had flown many times. She always came prepared with headphones, having learned early on that some people were talkers and putting in headphones usually dissuaded them. She had grabbed her carry on from one of the agents who had been kind enough to hang onto it for her while she was working, and unzipping the side, removed her headphones getting ready to plug them in and just zone out to the in-flight movie. But before she could untangle them, a hand appeared in front of her. It was the man sitting with her.

"Oliver Queen." He said, his blue eyes intense, but kind.

"Felicity Smoak, nice to meet you." Felicity took his hand, an electricity passing between them as his hand engulfed hers.

Oliver held her hand a second longer than he should, their eyes locking briefly again. She really is beautiful.

Slipping her hand away, Felicity placed it in her lap. Her skin already missing his warmth.

"So Miss Smoak, are you traveling to Star City for business or pleasure?"

"Actually a little of both. I am technically starting my vacation today, but I am going to be apartment hunting while I am there." Felicity tugged on the skirt of her dress. Did her skirt suddenly seem shorter?, she thought.

Oliver's eyes slid down to her legs, a smirk curving his lips as he noticed her tugging the hem. He quirked an eyebrow, turning slightly toward her in his seat. Now that was an interesting tidbit of information.

"Are you moving to Star City?", he asked. His hands moving to buckle his seatbelt. He has nice hands, Felicity thought.

Before she could respond, the stewardess was standing, demanding everyones's attention to start the in-flight instructions.

Soon the plane was moving, and Felicity felt her grip tighten on the arms of her seat. She hated this part of flying. As the plane left the ground, the back dipping as it took to the air, Felicity's knuckles whitened. Oliver glanced over, ready to resume their conversation when he was caught by surprise. Suddenly her hand was gripping his forearm. Oliver's eyes widened in surprise. This beautiful woman, who worked for the FBI, who had just taken out a highjacker with only a knife, was afraid of flying. Then he was taken by surprise again when she adorably started to babble.

"You would think after having traveled several times a month over the last few years that this would get easier....I mean not that it is hard, like your forearm....which is a nice forearm, by the way....but each time I fly my brain immediately registers the fact that we are leaving the ground. I like the ground. It is solid. Steady. You can't plunge thousands of feet to your death on the ground. Right?, Felicity gulped, her eyes wide, staring straight ahead.

Oliver grinned. She was enchanting him more and more. Laying his right hand over hers he said her name, softly.

"Felicity..?"

"Wha....what?" She swallowed.

"Look at me", his voice soft but insistent.

Swallowing, Felicity swung her gaze toward him. His blue eyes captured hers and he just started talking. He told her about himself. That he is the CEO of a company called Queen Consolidated. He has a sister named Thea, who despite being a thorn in his side, he adores. He had been in Central City on business. And as he continues talking, his voice soothing, Felicity starts to relax.

Soon she is telling him about her job and her partner. How she and Lyla are being transferred to the Star City branch of the FBI, and she is going to scout out a possible apartment for them. How she grew up in Las Vegas, with no siblings. The stewardess comes by asking for their drink order, but they are so engrossed in each other, that they wave her on, not wanting to destroy the bubble they have created. Felicity can feel his thumb softly rubbing her fingers. His gaze is still intense, but it settles her, calming her nerves. Felicity realizes she is enjoying their conversation. It has been too long since she has just sat, holding hands with someone, talking.

Before either one realizes it, the stewardess is telling everyone to prepare for landing. Wow they had been talking for two hours straight.

Suddenly becoming self-conscious, Felicity slips her hand from his arm, smiling shyly. Normally she is a confident woman, but Oliver makes her feel very aware of herself.

"Thank you Oliver for distracting me. You are very good at it.", she smiles. "I hope I didn't draw blood.", she jokes.

Oliver laughed, his smile wide and genuine. God he is beautiful when he smiles. She never knew a man could be beautiful.

"Well it is the least I could do after you saved my life", he smirks.

As the plane taxi's to the gate, Felicity shifts in her seat. She really wants to ask for his number, to see if he wants to meet for drinks or maybe dinner.

Little does she know, Oliver is having the same thoughts. He really wants to ask her out, see her while she is in town, but before he can ask, she is pulling her carry on out from under the seat in front of her. Standing she gives him a shy smile.

"Well it was nice to meet you Oliver. Thank you again for everything."

Oliver frowns. For the first time in his life he is unsure. Maybe she had not felt the same things he did while with her. She seems awfully eager to get off the plane, away from him. Giving her his Ollie Queen smile, his nerves causing him to fall back into old patterns, Oliver shifts out into the aisle to let her pass.

"It was great meeting you Felicity. And you are welcome." Throwing him an uncertain smile, Felicity pauses, wanting to say more. But before she can she is being swept down the aisle by the other passengers.

She is gone.