Sometimes A Surprise Is Just What You Need

Untitled Part 23

Felicity took a moment to look around the room, noting things like where exits were located, that there were silent auction tables along the far right wall, and a band along the back, with a dance floor taking up the center of the room. Tables were scattered throughout the room, and the food was to the left with the bar. She also made note of where each team member was throughout. As she walked with Oliver toward the bar, she made a point to note where Thea was as well. She saw thea talking to Roy.

She grinned. "So does your sister always give you a hard time Oliver?", she asked.

Groaning, a small smile lifted his lips. "Yes. When we were younger, she would follow me around everywhere. I didn't mind of course but when you are 16 and trying to impress the girls, having your baby sister around was not all that cool."

Felicity laughed as she imagined a 16 year old Oliver trying to be cool around a group of girls with his baby sister in tow. When they reached the bar, Oliver ordered a scotch and ordered Felicity a red wine. Impressed that he remembered her favorite wine, she leaned closer, whispering in his ear. "You ordered my favorite wine Oliver, are you trying to get me drunk?"

"No Miss Smoak. I want you completely sober for the plans I have for you later tonight", he whispered, sending a shiver down her spine.

John and Lyla were walking near the silent auction tables that were on the right side of the room. They were taking their time, acting like they were looking at what was for auction. Every few minutes John's eyes would scan through the room. He noted that Slade and Shado on the dance floor and he could tell the man was scanning the room as well as they danced. Good.

He noted Oliver and Felicity standing near the bar, their eyes glancing around casually as they talked. However, he frowned as he noticed that one person was missing. He could not see Roy anywhere in the room. Pulling his phone out, he used the tracking software that Felicity had installed on each of their phones the night before. The tracker showed Roy on the patio. Relaxing a little he turned back to Lyla.

"Everyone seems to be in a good position around the room," he said. "However, Roy seems to be out on the balcony."

Lyla glanced around the room, a knowing smirk crossing her lips.

"It seems Miss Thea Queen is AWOL too." She looked at John. "Should you go talk to him. Make sure Thea is not distracting him?

"No, let's let him navigate this on his own for a while. We need to know we can trust him to stay focused." Nodding, she smiled. "Would you like to dance?"

John smiled, moving to let her lead the way. "It would be my pleasure Miss Michaels".

Roy was looking around nervously. Thea had cornered him right after the others had dispersed and had invited him to meet her on the balcony. He really liked her and he thought she was absolutely the most beautiful, enchanting young lady he had every seen. But he was hesitant for two reasons. One, he was suppose to be keeping his focus on the room, and keeping an eye out for members of the Triad. And two, Oliver would kill him. Howver, he WAS enjoying their conversation, and when Thea realized that he was distracted and not paying her close attention, she had grabbed his face, and kissed him senseless.

"Thea!!!!", he said, grabbing her upper arms to push her back slightly and looking around to see if anyone had noticed. "I can't be dong this right now. Your brother will kill me." He really wanted to keep kissing her, but now was not the time or place.

Laughing, Thea, looked him in the eye. "Roy, I don't give a shit, what my brother thinks. I am 17, and I can make my own choices about who I spend my time with." She watched him as he glanced around, almost as if he was looking for someone. "Is something else wrong Roy? You seem distracted."

Sighing, Roy contemplated whether he should tell her his real reason for being there.

Deciding it would be better to keep that for another time, he smiled at her. Maybe distracting her with a dance would help. "Thea, would you care to dance with me?" He figured if they danced, he could go back into the room, and it would give him a good vantage point.

"Why Roy Harper. I would love to." Thea smiled as he held out his arm to her. Placing her hand into the crook of his elbow he lead her back into the room. As they walked through the doors, he exchanged glances with Diggle who just gave him a nod. Whew, he dodged one there.

Felicity looked around. So far everything was going smoothly. The silent auction was about to start and they had no sign of any Triad members. Felicity excused herself to head to the ladies room. As she walked towards the doors and out into the hallway, something caught her eye. She had noticed a flash of white. Was that white hair? She had seen the person go into the the ladies room, so moving quickly, she shifted her mind to Agent Smoak. If the hair she had seen was white, it could be China White. Oliver and Diggle had told the team about her. She was a high ranking member of the Triad, and she was dangerous. Hitting her comm, Felicity spoke into the microphone.

"Hey guys. I think I just saw China White heading into the ladies room. I am about to head in and see if I can catch her on the phone", she whispered.

Felicity heard Oliver hiss loudly, "Felicity!!!!!!!! Stand down. Wait until she comes out, and if you see her do not engage her, understand?"

Felicity gritted her teeth. "I am not going to do something stupid Oliver. I need to use the ladies room and that is what I am going to do."

Clicking off her comm, she opened the door, stepping into the room. Doing her business quickly she could hear someone moving around outside near the sink. Felicity opened her stall door, and sure enough standing at the mirror was China White. Felicity steeled her nerves, giving her a small smile as their eyes met in the mirror. Felicity washed her hands and touched up her lipstick as China headed for the door.

"Felicity!!!!!", Oliver hissed, "Felicity!!!!" Dammit! She had turned off her comm. John had looked over at him, as had Roy, Slade and Lyla, after hearing the exchange. Everyone hurried to his side, John reaching him first. Oliver was about to explode.

"Dammit John, she turned off her comm", he whispered.

"Oliver calm down. Let's not panic. Felicity is smart. She is not gong to engage China White if it is not necessary", John whispered back.

Seeing Slade, Roy and Lyla, Oliver leaned in closer. "i want each of you to take a door. Stay there and don't let China White out of your sight. She can only be here for one reason and that reason cannot be good", he gritted his teeth, his voice tight. "I am going to go after Felicity."

Lyla looked at John, her eyes saying this is not good.

As China White passed behind her, Felicity noticed her pull something out of her purse. Oh my god that is a bomb detonator.

Felicity moved quickly, exiting the bathroom, and staying not far behind her. China walked down the hall, the detonator in her hand. Skirting close to the wall, Felicity saw China take out a small device, speaking into it in Chinese.

"我到位了，一切都准备好了吗". (I am in place. Is everything set?'

Damn, Felicity thought. What was she sayng?

Obviously satisfied with whatever the person said on the other end, Felicity saw her slip into the ballroom. Felicity was about to hit her comm to let the others know what she had observed, when she suddenly gasped. A hand covered her mouth, and she was pulled back against a hard chest.