Arrow: Visceral Barrage Part 1

Approaching

"So how did you get your job?" Her deeper tone was something Oliver had never heard, and it instantly caught his attention. The board members stifled in response, none of them speaking.

"I may be new at this, but I've had some good mentors. And I've been working here for over five years, learning and adapting with this company. Now I stand behind my decisions and as acting CEO I will see that they are followed." The board looked to her, none dared speak. Oliver watched as the once quiet IT girl had transformed into a powerful business conquer of sorts. His second sincere smile in weeks appeared on his face.

"If you still have any reservations about my new implementations than I recommend you bring them up with a vote. Otherwise I believe this concludes our meeting." Felicity ended, her smile was sincere with a hint of pride. Oliver tilted his head and smiled up at Felicity, he too felt an immense sense of pride.

The sidewalk was filled with busy people rushing to complete there work day. Felicity and Oliver stepped away from Queen Technologies and into the crowded street.

"I can't believe they think Ray just handed me the company because I looked good in a blue dress." Felicity angrily stated as she waved her hands around, speaking with them as much as her mouth. Oliver followed quickly behind her, still amazed from her performance with the board. Her statement sparked a memory of him walking in on her and Palmer while they shared a kiss, her blue dress stood out in paticular. Even though he thought she looked extremely beautiful that night, he still preferred her red dress she had worn on their date.

"I didn't graduate top of my class from MIT and spend multiple years working my way through the IT department just to be scrutinized by a bunch of uptight suits who still use flip phones." She finished, her tiny hands in fists. Oliver laughed as he gently stopped her by hooking his hand under her arm. Felicity felt his hand and breifly imagined him pulling her in for a kiss. She turned and awaited his comment.

"You are amazing. What you did up there was unbelievable." He remarked, his smile still large on his face. Felicity stood somewhat protective, she was taken off guard by Oliver's sudden empathic ways.

"Thank you." He added. Felicity was caught off guard by this, normally a thank you from Oliver was only attainable after saving his life.

"This is the second time in twenty four hours that you've complimented me, which is two compliments more than I've received from you in months. Are you sick or something?" Felicity joked, using her humor a tool to get the truth from Oliver. He smiled, his guard was always at it's fullest around Felicity. He knew she was probing him for an explanation to his recent behavior and he owed it to her.

"It's just...Malcolm Merlyn, the League of Assassins, and Slade are still out there. They're still out there and they're still dangerous...and I can't even find one of them." His words felt like weights lifting off his chest, weights he didn't want to pass onto the Felicity but he knew she would find the right words to help him.

"How am I supposed to stop them if I don't know where to look?" Felicity knew these threats were real, all too real. Just the mention of the League sickened her, after what they had taken from her. She quickly dismissed the negative thoughts.

"Some things are beyond our control, after all it's not like I planned on becoming an acomplance to vigilante-ism but life lead me to you." Felicity stopped, realizing she was getting too close to painful material. Oliver sensed her sudden uncomfort.

"And now I couldn't see myself anywhere else." She added, looking up at Oliver. He wanted nothing more than to pull her close to himself and hold her, but part of being the hero meant sacrificing your needs for others. He instead smiled and nodded to her, a reply she knew and accepted.