Season 3: Rebuilding

3x21: Quarantine

Synopsis: When a strange, white powder is found in the mail at Queen Consolidated, the building is locked down in quarantine with Jane and Felicity on the inside. Oliver and Roy follow a lead in hopes of chasing down Malcolm Merlyn, and Captain Lance offers a helping hand. Meanwhile at A.R.G.U.S, Lyla and Diggle encounter their first struggle as leaders of the organization.

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3x21: Quarantine

Felicity's finger drummed away on her keyboard as she put the finishing touches to her report. So consumed in her task, she barely heard the gentle knock on the doorframe to her office. Her eyes drifted upwards at the sound and Felicity allowed herself a moment to pause at the sight. Oliver stood before her, clad in a dark-grey suit, and an impish grin spread across his strong face as he caught her eyes.

The light of the early day shone in through the panorama windows to her office and bathed the man in a warm, bright glow that matched his widening grin. Felicity couldn't help but be taken by the image. She'd gotten so accustomed to seeing him brood every often than not, that it took her somewhat by surprise to see him this at ease with the world, however fleeting the moment might turn out to be.

Felicity could but return the grin as she breathed, "Hey! I thought you had the day off?"

Oliver shrugged one of his eyebrows in a way Felicity recognized only too well. He was working harder than ever before to earn back his company, for what was left of his family legacy, and it was all he could do now. Felicity was certain it would be enough to turn the tide and change the board's minds. Every board member was more or less impressed by the amount of work Oliver had put in thus far, but yet Oliver didn't seem as certain. He remained on the fence, anxious and prepared for the worst should Simon Cross manage to hold onto the management.

Oliver avoided the subject easily enough as he focused his attention on her, stepping closer into office. His eyes danced across her attire, a red blouse matched with tuxedo pants, as he remarked, "You look lovely today, Felicity... Me and Roy are going to Big Belly Burger for an early lunch. You want to join us? Think QC can spare you for a half hour?"

Felicity grimaced as she waved a hand in the general direction of her computer. "Can't. Jane wanted a meeting on the upcoming update and upgrade of the QC mainframe. I might be here until late tonight, since I'm helping the IT department."

Oliver mutely glanced towards his wrist watch. He didn't argue a word, however, as his eyes once more found hers. Instead, he sighed mildly and offered, "... Want to come over to my place when you're done?"

Felicity smiled coyly as she rose and stepped around her desk, removing the last distance between them. One of her hands came up to play with the undone button to his suit jacket, "I might."

"I could make you dinner," Oliver continued in a soft hum. His eyes roamed across her face, only mildly thankful for the rules the two of them had set up between them. They'd agreed to not get physical at QC (which meant no hugging, no touching and certainly no kissing), in order to separate their personal life from their professional one. As if remembering herself, Felicity's hand fell back to her side.

She met his gaze daringly. "By which you mean takeout from Big Belly Burger or pizza?"

Oliver feigned being appalled by the notion for a second, before his expression slipped into a serious nod. "Yes."

Felicity giggled and rolled her eyes. A soft ping from her personal tablet caught her attention. Without missing a beat, she frowned down at the inanimate object on her desk and couldn't resist the temptation of having a peak. Felicity's face fell into a worried frown as she picked up the tablet and read the information.