Lessons: Becoming the Green Arrow

Episode 15 - Infernos (Part 1)

Episode 15 - Infernos (Part 1)

AN - This is the Olicity first date and definitely a little angst and fluff!!

DISCLAIMER - Continued disavowals of any ownership of CW's Arrow!

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PREVIOUSLY...Starling City had remained fairly quiet with fewer villains and heroes alike in town. Team Arrow had used the time to catch up on their day jobs as well as to work on continued training and some technological improvements at both locations.

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Despite another slower than normal week, Felicity and Oliver's first date didn't go as planned. Diggle and Roy had arranged to cover the nightly patrols so they did have the night off. The couple did get dressed up and Oliver picked Felicity up for dinner on time. Both had put considerable time and effort into planning for the night but both had been too nervous to enjoy it. The conversation in the car ride was awkward and stilted as they tried to avoid discussing work. As they waited for their table they were uncharacteristically silent and stood several feet apart. Felicity was chewing nervously on her bottom lip when her eyes met Walter's and she smiled.

"Oliver, Felicity - perfect! Mr. Palmer and I were just about to have a drink. Would you like to join us?" Walter was afraid he was interrupting something but both actually appeared slightly relieved to see him.

Exchanging a quick look and falling back into their natural working relationship, Oliver and Felicity stepped closer together as he rested a hand at the small of her back. Both smiled and turned their attention to the man beside Walter as Oliver replied.

"We would love to join you for a drink, Walter."

"Brilliant! Oliver, Felicity - this is Ray Palmer." Walter smiled as he made the introductions as it was easy to see Oliver and Felicity understood who this was and immediately assumed their public roles.

"Mr. Palmer." Oliver extended his hand and smiled.

"It's a pleasure to meet you." Felicity smiled as she studied the good looking man in front of her. He had brown hair and blue eyes and it was easy to see he had money. She had done her research on him and in a lot of ways he reminded her of Oliver - there were even tabloid reports that he liked to arrive at business meetings via helicopter.

"The pleasure is mine, Ms. Smoak. I've heard wonderful things about you from Mr. Steele so don't be surprised when I try to steal you away from Mr. Queen. I'm always looking for smart people, free thinkers and that is clearly you. Of course, it doesn't hurt that you're beautiful as well." Ray smiled charmingly at the young blonde. He had done his research on the group and knew she was well within Oliver Queen's inner circle but he was serious about getting her to work for him.

Unfortunately, the meeting went downhill after that and even with both Walter and Felicity running interference Ray and Oliver both wore superficial smiles as they exchanged subtle digs. Felicity had to force herself not to wince at Oliver's polite tone and bored expression - this was the man who had first come to Starling City and she had always been more uncomfortable around him than the Arrow.

The topic remained focused on Queen Consolidated and the mutual benefits of an alliance; however, that didn't stop the men from actively disliking one another. It was nearly two tense hours later when the group finally stood up to go their separate ways. Felicity breathed a sigh of relief at the mere thought of escaping the tension but she quickly realized she wasn't free yet when she found Ray staring at her intently.

"Now that business has been concluded...Ms. Smoak, would you like to go somewhere for dessert?" Ray had seen the chemistry between the pair but as nothing in his intel pointed to an intimate relationship, he assumed Felicity was available. As he watched her now though and she gasped slightly as she looked at Oliver, he realized his intel had been mistaken. Oliver wore a blank expression but he still managed to appear angry and even dangerous. Whether it was public knowledge or not, it was obvious that there was something hidden there. Before Felicity even stuttered her response, Ray started adjusting his strategy for not only the night but also in pursuing Queen Consolidated.