Adrenaline!

Untitled Part 4

Oliver smelled the acrid aroma of spilled gas, as he slowly opened his eyes and his head was throbbing. He could hear John and Roy calling his name, and he turned his head to look out the window. As he did he remembered what just happened. He had wrecked. Oliver felt of the lump on his forehead and winced, as he slowly unbuckled his seat belt. John opened the driver's side door and helped Oliver out of the car, as Roy looked at the front of the car. There was definitely some damage.

Slade had turned around and drove up slowly next to them with a smirk. "That was too easy Queen. I was hoping for some actual competition.", he said. Oliver glared at him as he pulled out the money and placed it in his hand.

"I want a re-match Slade.", Oliver said. "Double!"

Slade looked him over considering his offer, then shrugged. "If you want me to take more money from you I can do that.", he said with a laugh.

"I'll contact you when my car is fixed.", Oliver said.

Slade looked over at Felicity. "I'll be seeing you around Smoak.", he said, before driving off. Felicity rolled her eyes and then looked at Oliver in relief. She was glad he was ok. Roy walked back around the car and looked at Oliver.

"The damage is pretty extensive but she can be fixed.", he said and looked at Felicity. "You up to the task Smoak?", Roy asked.

Felicity looked at him then at John in surprise. "You want me to work on the car?", she asked. She didn't dare look at Oliver. Roy and John both nodded at her.

"Your the best there is Felicity.", Roy said.  "Even if you are blonde.", he grinned.

Oliver looked at John and Roy, seeing they were serious. "If it's money that is stopping you, then that will not be a problem.", Oliver said. "I will pay you double your going rate. Or do you have another job to go to?"

Felicity knew this was a good offer. She had quit her last job before going to take care of her mother, so she needed the work.

Felicity looked at all three of them and then looked at the car. She was a beauty and Felicity had been thinking of all kinds of things she could do to improve the cars performance. But could she handle being around Oliver Queen for the next three weeks?

"You realize it is going to take about three weeks.", she said. Oliver quirked an eyebrow at her.

"Are you not up to the task Miss Smoak?", he asked with a grin. Felicity glared.

"Oh I am more than up to the task Mr. Queen. And I will even make you a deal. If I don't have this car running better than 800 hp in three weeks, then you don't have to pay me a dime.", she said, her hands on her hips, her chin lifted. She held out her hand for a shake. Oliver's words had felt like a challenge, and Felicity never backed down from a challenge.

Oliver moved closer to her and clasped her hand. Felicity felt a jolt of awareness as he looked down at her. Wow his eyes are blue!

They shook hands and then he tugged her forward and whispered in her ear, "I have no doubt that you will have my engine racing by that time Felicity." He gave her an intense look before turning to Roy. "Let's get her towed back to the garage."

"Can you start on her tomorrow?, he asked Felicity.

Felicity ignored his earlier remark and rubbed her hands together in glee. "I can't wait to get my hands on you.", she said to the car.

Oliver smirked, before heading back to John's SUV to get cleaned up.

Roy immediately got on the phone and called for the tow truck. He told John he would stay and ride with the tow truck driver. John asked Felicity if she wanted a ride back to the garage, but she smiled and told him she would find her own way.

"Are you sure Felicity?", he asked. "We are not exactly in the best part of town.", he said, looking around.

Felicity had been living in The Glades for the past 5 years and she knew the reputation that it had garnered during that time. But she loved it. It had become her home. Also, she didn't know if she could handle being in the same car as Oliver and she needed some time to think. Luckily she only lived a few blocks away and the fresh air would do her some good. She assured John she would be fine, gave Roy a hug and headed home.

Felicity woke early the next morning and after showering, throwing her hair up in a ponytail, and putting on a tank top with her favorite overalls, she walked to the garage. She wanted to get a good look at the damage so she could map out her plan for fixing it. She had always been a planner and so arriving at the shop she turned on some music and set about making a list of things that needed to be fixed. She had worked her way up under the front of the car, when she heard the door open. Thinking it was Roy, she rolled out from under the car, wiping her hands on her towel. She looked up to see the smiling face of Oliver Queen, and he was not dressed for the garage. She gaped a little as she looked at him in his light grey suit. It was tapered to his broad shoulders, and muscular chest, and he had paired it with a blue tie that brought out his eyes.  Felicity had to admit, the man could wear a suit.

Oliver grinned as he saw Felicity glide out from under the car. She was beautiful on any given day, but today she looked adorable and she had a streak of grease running across her nose from where she must have scratched it with grease on her hand. Felicity stood to her feet and tilted her head.

"I didn't know the dress code here was formal.", she teased.

Oliver looked at her and then at the car. "I thought I would stop by on my way to work. How is it going this morning?", he said looking over the car.

"Well let's see. Your tie rods are broken as well as your control arms, which handle your suspension. Your tires are bulging from where they smacked the curb, both rims are cracked, you need a new front bumper and two side panels, and your radiator is cracked.", she said, looking at him as if he understood every word she said, then she continued. "Your front brakes are going to have to be replaced as well."

Oliver looked at her with concern. Wow, that was a lot of damage.

"And you can guarantee me that you can fix all of this in three weeks?", he said skeptically.

Felicity smirked as she leaned against the car. "Having second thoughts about hiring me Queen?", she asked.

Oliver looked at her for a moment and then walked right up to her. He stood a few inches from her and Felicity's breath hitched. He took her towel, and slowly wiped her face free of the grease. Before handing her back the towel.

"I am not having any doubts at all Miss Smoak. However, if you are going to need more than three weeks, then tell me now.", he said, letting his eyes slide over her face.

Felicity swallowed. She understood his question since he did not know her well, but she was confident in her abilities and knew that three weeks would be plenty of time.

She turned to the car, looking over the engine. She had to stop looking at him before she did something she would regret. Like get grease all over his nice, neat suit. "It is plenty of time Oliver.", she said. He didn't say anything so she looked back over her shoulder, and he was standing right behind her. Placing a hand on either side of her on the car, he leaned in, careful not to touch her.

"Well then we shall be seeing a lot of each other Felicity.", he said. Pushing back from her he turned and walked out of the garage. Felicity let out a breath. It was going to be a long three weeks.