To Dance with a Prince

Untitled Part 26

Oliver held Felicity's hand tightly as he drove back to the Palace. He could feel her trembling and she had not said a word since they left. There were tear tracks on her cheeks and Oliver's heart ached every single time he glanced her way. Thinking of Ray getting his hands on her again made Oliver shake and he had to remind himself that the scum was on his way to jail, never to be released, he would make sure of that.

Oliver pulled up to the gates and as they opened, he lifted her hand to his lips and brushed the back of her hand softly in a kiss. She didn't even look his way and Oliver grew more worried that facing Ray had taken more of a toll then Felicity had been ready to pay.

He pulled into the porte cochere and exited the car and rounded to open her door. She sat there unmoving so he picked her up and carried her, nodding to the doorman to move the car to the garage. He felt her shift her face into his neck and he could feel a wet heat from her tears as he walked quickly down the hall to his quarters.

He opened the door and walked in, kicking it closed behind him as he made his way to the couch and then sat down with her on his lap. He held her close as she felt her shudder and rubbing her back, he kissed stroked his hand through her hair giving her what comfort he could.

She finally lifted her face after a few moments and she was wrecked. Her eyes were red and puffy from her crying and as she sniffled and met his gaze a small smile suddenly started to curve her lips.

"Hey." He said the word softly, gently.

"Hey." She responded as he continued to comfort her, his hand drawing lazy circles on her back.

"He's gone." She said the words and it was as if something that had been on her shoulders for years was suddenly lifted and he could tell by the look on her face that she felt lighters, better. "I'm sorry I broke down. I needed to get all of that out. He's finally gone Oliver."

"You never have to apologize to me Felicity." He gently stroked her face and then he looked at her earnestly. "Your ok right? He didn't hurt you? His eyes scanned her from head to toe and she gently touched his cheek leading his eyes back to her.

"I am fine. Something was different this time when I confronted him. Even though he had the gun and he was thinking he had the upper hand, I knew he didn't. I knew I had people who were there looking out for me. I knew that Roy and Slade were there and something told me that you would be there too." She leaned down and kissed him softly on the lips. "My knight in shining armor."

"When I saw him with that gun to your side, I swear to God I wanted to kill him." Felicity felt a shudder run through him and she held him close to her, his head to her chest.

He held her tightly as relief swept through him. She was fine, she was here in his arms and he was finally able to start relaxing. He knew he had to give his testimony, as she would, but they could think about that tomorrow. Tonight, he just wanted to hold her and never let her go.

They stayed that way with her on his lap, his strong arms around her waist holding her close, her cheek against his head for a while, neither moving. They didn't want to.

***

Roy walked to Oliver's wing and knocked on the door. When Oliver opened the door and let him in, he walked in with a nervous, hesitating stride.

"Felicity? Can I talk to you for a moment?" Roy looked at her, seeing her face and the dried tears and he waited as she walked over to him.

"Hey Roy, sure, what's going on?" She placed a hand on his arm. Something seemed to be on his mind and he meant a lot to her, so she wanted to know.

"I just wanted to apologize. We never should have let him get his hands on your again." Oliver and Felicity could her hear the quiet conviction and rage in his voice and Oliver approached him and placed a hand on his shoulder.