Hey guys!

So, this is rounding up to four chapters now. I honestly don't know how long it'll take me to write it because, believe it or not, this is actually hard for me to write. I've discovered with this story that I'm in my own head about it a lot, and it's something I'm not used to. I've thought far more about this story than, say, Get Fit and my style of writing this has changed. I've put it down and come back to it a dozen times, changing things every time, and that is very new to me. I'm more of a sit down and write it out all at once.

What I'm trying to say is that, while none of my stories are updated regularly because of life (and the current amount of post-grad I'm doing - why does nobody tell you that you'll have more mental breakdowns in post-grad than undergrad!?), this one is the trickiest to update which is the reason that this one took so long.

Motorbike Man, I'm trying to get a number of chapters ahead so I can just post it all when it's done. And, strangely, I've been getting reviews for Leather Pants - which I'm going to consolidate into one story on - and it's tickling my muse a little. No promises but my muse has been itching to go back to season one for a little while, so I'll see how that goes.

I hope everyone enjoys this new chapter!

(Title's from James Bay's 'Need the Sun to Break' off the Chaos & Calm album.)

Part II: The Next Step

It begins to change on a Thursday.

Felicity isn't surprised that her relationship with Oliver is changing, not really. There was an inevitability to it that came from his quiet confession and her deepening feelings for him.

Felicity thinks that if it hadn't begun to morph again then it would peter out slowly until those few weeks were nothing but fantasy.

There's no danger of that happening though.

Not with that way he looks at her when she steps into his office at lunchtime to help fix the internet connectivity problem he'd called down to ask about that morning.

He'd called down to the IT department a little before eleven-thirty, requesting someone to come up and check his Internet connection. Her supervisor had somehow remembered that the last time the CEO had called, he'd asked for her and Felicity couldn't really protest.

It wasn't like her supervisor knew what was going on between them.

It occurs to Felicity that it's surprising no one has noticed Oliver Queens interest in the lowly IT girl or Felicity's own interest in him. Then again, it's not like they'd been advertising it to the world.

If anything, they've kept it to themselves.

Felicity's sure this is because this thing between her and Oliver, this growing, wonderful thing, is too fragile to be shown to anyone else and, Felicity can admit, it's something she doesn't want anyone else to know about.

Not yet.

Felicity wants to be selfish just a little bit longer.

Just until they figure out themselves where this is going.

Still, it's surprising that not even Oliver's Executive Assistant doesn't know. Not when she's sure it's obvious the second she walks into Oliver's glassed office and she sees Oliver sitting at his desk, his brow furrowed in concentration and his tie just a little too loose to be professional, she knows her face lights up.

She can't help it.

Felicity is sure she's now programmed to smile the second she sees him and, when Oliver looks up and spots her, Felicity embraces the jolt she feels as his eyes brighten and a secret half smile forms that is just for her.

"Hey you." Oliver's voice is warm as Felicity steps further into his office.

There are files spread over the leather couch that sits on the opposite wall to his desk, and Felicity's reminded that Oliver's in the middle of a takeover on a scale she can't really comprehend.

This is despite Oliver's analogies and the fact that she's received phone calls from him, late at night, where he's exploded with frustration over the setbacks they've had with the deal.

It had occurred to Felicity, after she'd listened to a particularly irritated Oliver blast the solicitor for the other company, that not only is she learning about how the business that employs her operates, she also probably shouldn't know half the things Oliver's telling her.

Felicity thinks it's a sign of his trust in her that he would tell her anything at all.

"Hi. Internet problems?" Felicity asks, wiping her palms on the tomato red pencil skirt she chose to wear to work today.

Oliver's still watching her with warm eyes and that little half smile and Felicity wonders if he's aware of the way her skin prickles with heat when he looks at her like that.

"Ah, yes, I have no idea what I've done." Oliver speaks before Felicity finds herself saying anything more and he gestures at his computer.

He doesn't move out of the way when she walks over to lean down and Felicity is overly aware of how close she is to him as she looks at his computer and Oliver turns his attention back to what he's reading.

It's a strange sensation, really, being this close to him in a way that's so casual. There's an intimacy to it that surprises Felicity, him doing his work while she does hers. It's…cozy, comforting, like something they've done a thousand times together.

It takes Felicity a second to force herself to concentrate on what Oliver has her up here for and it's only a quick fix really. It doesn't take her long and Oliver's shoulder brushes hers, as she's finishing so Felicity turns to look at him only to find him watching her.

Felicity finds herself quirking an eyebrow at his look and he tilts his head to the side, a proper smile pulling at his lips.

"What are you doing Sunday?"

The question surprises Felicity and she shrugs after a second, not entirely sure why he's asking.

"The cleaning I told you I was going to do last weekend?"

Oliver huffs a little at her words. "Do you think you can put it off until next weekend?"

"Yes. Do you know how much I don't want to clean?" She asks with a grin and Oliver, who's been on the receiving end of her complaints about the cleaning, just shakes his head slightly.

"Want to take a drive with me instead?"

Felicity will wonder later why she doesn't pause at his question, why she doesn't realize then that this is a step forward. That his request to see her on Sunday is important because it's something they've never done before.

She'll think about it later, she knows, when it occurs to her that Sunday is a day he takes for himself every week. A day that he often spends alone, relaxing away from the demands of his jobs and other aspects of his life.

Felicity doesn't think of it though not when he's looking at her like he hopes she agrees and Felicity knows she can't deny him, at all.

"Yes."

It takes Felicity a day and a half to truly wrap her mind around spending the day with Oliver.

She's in the middle of tearing apart her closet when she realizes just how important this is going to be. Still clutching a shirt she didn't know she had, Felicity sits down on her bed and stares unseeingly at the mess that she's made trying to find something to wear for tomorrow.

Oliver's taking her on a date tomorrow.

A date that's somehow different from the dinners and the coffees because it means that something's changing. This isn't going to be a first date of tentative beginnings and new discoveries.

This is going to be a first date of being together. A first date that, Felicity hopes, will fulfill the promises of their dinners, the tentative touches they've begun to enjoy and the growing knowledge of each other.

Felicity's sure she already knows the important things about Oliver Queen; she even knows the unimportant things like how he takes his coffee and the smile he's reserved just for his sister. It's impossible to think that there's anything left for her to learn and, somehow, Felicity knows this isn't true.

Oh, she knows what he's like when they're having dinner or coffee.

Felicity knows that when they have Italian for dinner, Oliver orders first because she always makes a last minute decision. If they're at Indian, she orders first because he never knows if he wants a chicken or lamb curry.

They both know each other's coffee orders and Oliver always seems to know the days when she needs an extra shot or a hot chocolate.

They've begun to anticipate each other at dinners too, knowing which topics to avoid and finishing each other's sentences without thought. Oliver seems to delight in whatever accidental entendre she makes and Felicity finds that making him laugh is quickly becoming one of her life's missions.

He touches her now, too.

It's always a gentle hand to her back or a taking her hand as they walk back to their cars. Sometimes, too, he strokes a hair away from her face and all Felicity can think of is what's next whenever he does that.

She touches him, too. A hand slid along his arm as they get coffee or turning her hand under his when he rests it on top of hers. It's exciting to touch him, Felicity thinks, because she can.

But that's dinner and coffee in the bubble that is Starling City where there's always a chance Oliver will be recognized.

They're cautious in the city and, somehow, Felicity knows they won't be on Sunday and she's sure that being with Oliver when he's away from Starling will be a revelation.

She doesn't know Oliver outside of Starling City and away from him company and Felicity thinks that it's the next thing she has to learn about him.

She's so excited to learn new things about him.

Felicity's phone vibrates as she thinks about all the things she's going to learn about Oliver and she finds herself smiling foolishly at the screen when she picks it up to read the text from Oliver, telling her what time he's picking her up.

There's a smiley face at the end of his text that makes Felicity swallow a giggle as she replies before standing up again to continue her search for something to wear.

Tomorrow's lessons, Felicity thinks, can't come fast enough.

Oliver picks her up at nine o'clock the next morning.

He'd refused to tell her where they were going. Something that had driven Felicity a little crazy since she'd seen the half-smile that told her everything she needed to know before he'd confirmed their drive was a surprise.

His refusal to tell her had led to the dismantling of her wardrobe and Felicity is half considering bringing it up jokingly when the time is right.

She still isn't sure where they're going when she steps onto the curb outside her townhouse to wait for him. She has a feeling that it was a deliberate decision on Oliver's part to not tell her, though. He knows her well enough to know mysteries irritate her and she'd spend the three days since he asked her to come with him, driving herself to distraction by trying to figure it out.

It was clever of him, really because by driving herself crazy over where he's taking her, Felicity hasn't had the time to drive herself crazy over the what-ifs that came after the initial excitement of learning something new about Oliver faded.

What if they don't get along as well as they do at dinner? What if, after today, he decides she isn't worth it? What if she decides she hates his driving and she needs to walk away from him? What if they don't get along as well as she thinks they do? Now that they're going to be spending an unlimited amount of time together, what if Oliver decides he doesn't find her as adorable as he thinks he does?

If she'd had time to obsess over any of these thoughts, Felicity is sure she would have been second guessing her third guesses; driving herself to distraction because she doesn't really have enough time to be anything but excited and consumed by the mystery of where they're going.

Those questions are borne of a moment of irrationality over her morning coffee; Felicity knows there's no possible way that any of that would eventuate. But if she obsesses over these hastily thought of 'what-ifs' then she doesn't have to obsess over the fact that this is important.

Oliver asking to spend the day with her is important.

Felicity had thought she'd understood that last night, when she was in her room and she found herself caught in the fact that they were spending the day together.

What she hadn't realized was how important this was and how ready she is for the importance of it to bleed into their relationship.

It's a step beyond the dinners after work, rushed coffee meetings and long phone calls and its one Felicity's so ready to take, it frightens her a little bit. This is change on a scale beyond slowly recognized feelings and tentative beginnings. They've both chosen to take this step and Felicity can't help but feel like they're moving towards that intangible thing their beginning promised.

Felicity doesn't know if she's ever been this ready to be with someone and is terrified by this knowledge.

The irrational what-ifs and the excitement over learning something new about Oliver keep the terror at bay so Felicity doesn't have to examine it too closely.

It's one thing, she realizes, to know you're falling in love with someone, it's another thing entirely to be ready to fully throw yourself in a relationship with that person.

Especially because Felicity has the feeling that a relationship with Oliver will not only be all consuming but a lifelong commitment that promises all those things that comes with it, things Felicity had only thought about in abstract terms at the best of times.

And Felicity thinks she's ready for that.

This thought is swirling in her head when she steps out onto her curb as Oliver pulls up in dark grey Porsche with it's roof down, making the most of the brilliant morning sunshine. Nervously, Felicity passes a hand over the skirt of her simple white sundress she'd unearthed from her closet, at the sight of the car and clutches the strap of her bag as she steps closer to the car to see Oliver.

Her mouth goes dry as Oliver unfolds himself from the car.

Dressed in a white Henley with the sleeves pulled to the elbows and dark wash jeans with aviators settled on his nose and his stubble just a little too long, he is the epitome of attractive, successful male and he's here for her.

"Good morning." He greets her with a smile and Felicity swallows hard.

She wasn't aware it was possible for Oliver to be more attractive than he was in his tailored suits but Felicity thinks she might have been mistaken.

It's the first thing she learns about him.

"Hi." She breathes.

"Ready?"

Felicity knows that he's not asking if she's ready to be with him or even if she's ready for anything beyond the drive he's asked her on.

It still doesn't change the fact that it's all she can help think about and there's only one answer to give him.

"Yes."

Oliver's grin has Felicity realizing that she might be saying 'yes' to Oliver Queen for a lot longer than today.

He takes her to a vineyard.

Felicity wants to be surprised by where he takes her but she can only delight in the fact that he's thought about this. Oliver is more than aware of her appreciation for excellent red wine, something Felicity wishes she could indulge in more than she does.

Oliver has a habit of indulging that appreciation when it's his turn to pay for dinner but only when he pays for dinner.

Felicity had fought for that early on when it occurred to her that while she and Oliver may find themselves on opposite ends of the scale in many things, paying for dinner was something that she could do.

He'd argued half heartedly before seeming to recognize that this was something that was important to her and giving in. He'd then, almost smugly, turned the argument around on her when he ordered that first bottle of beautiful wine, telling her that it was his turn to pay for dinner therefore she couldn't argue with what he chose to pay for.

Felicity isn't likely to admit that she'd huffed at his logic but had conceded to it only because she was aware that he could have made the dinner thing an issue.

She supposes she could have made it an issue but there was something indulgent about allowing Oliver to spoil her when it became clear he wanted to spoil her because it made him smile.

Felicity is slowly discovering there's not a lot she won't do to see Oliver smile.

It's an unspoken agreement that makes Felicity feel warm all over every time she thinks about it. Because it's something so inconsequential and yet, Felicity likes to think that it's a reflection of what they're building together.

They can compromise and respect each other's choices and opinions while balancing the happiness of the other. It's a balancing act Felicity's sure won't always be this easy but she thinks they're off to a pretty good start.

Oliver's choice of vineyard somehow means that much more because of that, as if it's something that he thinks is important as well.

The vineyard is beautiful. It's a landscape of rising hills divided by rows of winding vines. The house, built in the style of a Tuscan villa, looks out over that view. Felicity is in awe of it the moment she sees the house and discreetly pinches herself to make sure it's real.

Strangely, Oliver seems to be more excited than she is when they pull up and Felicity only has a moment to consider that before he takes her hand and leads her into the house for a private tour of the winery.

Felicity twines her fingers through his as Oliver matches his steps to hers and, when he squeezes her hand, Felicity decides she's not going to let him go from now on.

Not now and, probably, not ever.

The tour is extensive and through it, Felicity learns that Oliver is far more tactile than she'd originally thought.

In Starling, Oliver leans close and it's subtle caresses and discreet hand holding on their way back to the car. He's never in constant contact with her in a way that has Felicity so fundamentally aware of him; she finds it distracting.

The vineyard is a revelation for her then, a new thing to add to her facts about Oliver.

He's constantly touching her.

Felicity's skin has been prickling with awareness since the first time he'd had to let go of her hand and had settled his hand on the small of her back instead. The heat from his hand had seeped through the thin cotton of her dress and Felicity had been left with spreading warmth even after Oliver had dropped his hand to take hers again.

He spends the entire tour alternating between her hand and the small of her back and Felicity had found herself bereft the few moments he isn't touching her. Bereft enough to start reaching for him halfway through the tour.

It's something she learns about herself, Felicity thinks with surprise. That she can want to touch someone continuously, that she wants that connection she feels every time Oliver touches her.

Oliver's startled but pleased smile had quashed any hesitation Felicity may have had about touching him and it makes her bolder as the tour goes on. When he drops his hand, she finds some way to touch him, her body brushing his when they can't hold onto each other, grasping his hand when they slink past wine barrels, one after the other.

It's a day spent in near constant contact with each other and Felicity finds she still shivers from delight every time Oliver reaches for her.

By the time they finish the tour, Felicity's a little drunk on Oliver's touch and the warmth of his body pressed against hers.

She doesn't remember the moment Oliver had slid his arms around her shoulders to pull her into his side but, as they slowly walk back towards the house, Felicity knows she doesn't want to be anywhere else but where she is.

When they reach the house, their guide steps away to find them some wine to taste, and Felicity turns to look up at Oliver.

He'd taken off his aviators halfway through the tour and they now dangle from his shirt and Felicity is pleasantly surprised by the jolt she feels when she meets his warm gaze. He doesn't let go of her shoulders as she wraps her other arm around his waist to hold him tightly.

"Oliver, this is amazing." Felicity tells him honestly and he smiles.

"Good." He lifts his hand to stroke down the hair she's left to tumble around her shoulders. "I want you to have a good time."

Felicity smiles up at him brilliantly. "You've taken me to a vineyard. A good time is always going to be had by me."

Oliver laughs at her words and Felicity embraces the little glow she feels when she manages to make him laugh.

Oliver doesn't laugh enough.

"I want you to have a good time, too."

She blurts it out because Felicity doesn't think he knows how important that it is to her. He might want her to have a good time but Felicity doesn't want him to think that she doesn't want the same for him.

If she could, Felicity wants to makes sure Oliver always has a good time.

The grin that came from his laugh softens into a smile at her words and Felicity bites her lip, as his eyes grow impossibly warm as he looks at her.

Oliver strokes a hair from her eyes. "Felicity. I'm with you. I'll always have a good time."

Felicity thinks that if she weren't already halfway in love with Oliver Queen at that moment, she would have tumbled head first into love at his words.

There's something about the conviction in his voice that is so utterly amazing. Conviction that tells her that she's important to him and Felicity can't help but believe him. She's sure if he told her the sky was purple in that tone, she'd simply nod and agree with him.

As it is, she believes him and the feelings that his words always imply.

Felicity doesn't pretend to understand what this man feels about her to inspire such conviction. She only knows it's just as big as what she feels for him and Felicity marvels at this knowledge.

Oliver feels that for her and, god, she's so ready for this to grow into something more.

She's so ready for them, Felicity knows.

Before she can tell Oliver this, before she can even tell him that this tour is so much more wonderful because of him, their tour guide returns with the wine.

It breaks the moment but Felicity isn't disappointed.

Somehow, she knows there are going to be so many more moments for them from here on out.

Felicity can't wait to enjoy them.

He takes her to a little, out of the way, café on their leisurely drive home along the coast.

Felicity warm and content as he drives, Oliver's hand firmly secured in hers and resting on her thigh. She doesn't know where they are or why they're driving along the coast, she knows they didn't come this way but she can't find it in herself to care.

Her day is slowly turning into one of the best days she's ever had and she knows it's due to the man confidently steering the car along the coastline with a small smile pulling at his lips.

She doesn't want this day to end and it doesn't surprise her when Oliver suddenly pulls into the little café with a balcony that looks out over the ocean.

There are a few people in the café, all quietly sipping coffee and looking out over the ocean and she and Oliver let each other go long enough for him to order as Felicity browses the knick-knacks the café has on display in the middle of the shop.

They settle at a table out on the balcony, overlooking the coastal view and Felicity watches as Oliver lean back in his chair, his big body lounging comfortably, his face lacking stress lines as he looks out at the view and she realizes that she's never seen him so relaxed before.

She likes that. She likes that he's relaxed and Felicity likes to think that it's partly because of her.

This day, Felicity realizes suddenly, has been the best day.

"Oliver." She says suddenly, needing him to know this as he looks over at he quizzically. "This is the best day I've had in a long time."

His answering smile is brilliant and Felicity blinks at it. It's stunning to see him smile like that and Felicity thinks she would be happy if she saw that smile every day for the rest of her life.

"It has been a good day, hasn't it?"

Their coffees come before Felicity can reply and, as she takes a sip of her latte, all she can think is that she doesn't want this day to end.

She doesn't want it to end at all.

Oliver walks her to her door in the late, late afternoon.

Felicity is still warm from his touch and the brilliant smile, and a little sleepy from the day but content. She's so content as she walks up the steps to her apartment because Oliver's behind her and, somehow, that's everything.

When they reach her door, Felicity turns to face him and she smiles at him.

Oliver's watching her with a small smile and, for a moment, they just look at each other. Felicity leans back against her front door as the quiet moment stretches and she realizes that she doesn't want him to go home.

God, she wants him to stay with her tonight.

It's not that startling but Felicity doesn't want to push this change too fast but…she's not ready to tell Oliver goodbye and, for the first time since she realized it, she has a chance to say that.

"Felicity." Oliver says suddenly and Felicity focuses on him again only to find him incredibly close to her.

"Hmm." She tilts her head to look up at him and has only a split second to realize what he's about to do before Oliver kisses her.

His kiss is firm and steady, his hands rising to cradle her face, and it's everything Felicity expected it to be but better.

It's like coming home and fireworks and happily-ever-after all wrapped into one. Felicity sighs at the scratch of his stubble and the feel of the calluses on his hands as Oliver pulls her a little closer and strokes at thumb across her cheek.

She grasps one of his wrists and sways into him as he kisses her and she doesn't ever want this to stop.

When Oliver eventually pulls away, Felicity's eyes drift open to meet the brilliant blue and she smiles.

"Don't go tonight. Stay with me." She says softly and Oliver's thumb traces her cheekbone again.

"Yes."

It's a Sunday when it changes permanently.

Felicity couldn't have been more ready.

Well, that's chapter two down. Phew. I hope you guys liked it!