Disclaimer: I don't own these characters.

Richard Grayson suddenly felt nervous when he caught sight of Felicity Smoak. The picture in his file did not do her justice. The photo before him featured a girl whose hair was pulled back into a tight ponytail, with an insincere smile plastered on her face presumably for the camera. This was in stark contrast to the woman standing before him.

Due to time constraints, which were becoming more common these days as her night "shifts" stretched into the early hours of the morning, Felicity had run out of her house with wet hair. She had opted to leave it down (at least until it dried), and decided that make-up was also something that would have to be applied later in the day. Coffee, however, was something she needed now, and she flashed the barista her most earnest smile as she placed her usual order.

He hadn't expected her to be so naturally striking. She navigated the room with quiet confidence, clearly oblivious to the fact that he wasn't the only one who noticed her. He watched as she made her way to a nearby table, pulling the chair out without even glancing at it, her eyes glued to her tablet the entire time. Her light blue fingernails were visible from across the cafe as she clutched the device at eye level.

"Felicity Smoak?" he asked, adjusting his tie as he approached her. His hands felt cool and clammy, and he was suddenly aware of the sound of his heartbeat in his ear.

She looked up, head slightly tilted, and with a hint of jest in her voice, drawled, "You're not my cappuccino..."

Her blue eyes scanned his curiously. He held out his hand and despite the nervous energy coursing through him, flashed her his most confident smile. "I'm Richard Grayson. I work for Wayne Enterprises."

"What can I do for you?" she asked, pursing her lips and smiling as her hand clasped his in a firm handshake.

"I'm here to offer you a job."

He was disappointed at how quickly she pulled her fingers away, raking them through her hair, her eyes darting sideways and then back down to her tablet.

"I have a job," she told him, matter-of-factly, refusing to meet his eyes.

"I meant a job you're actually qualified for." He kept his voice even, watching her intently, already considering his next move.

She took a deep breath. "I'm not interested."

He laughed, incorrectly assuming that she was playing hard-to-get, a game he was particularly adept at winning. He straightened his shoulders, like a peacock puffing its feathers, and held out an envelope with the written offer.

"Tall Cappuccino with two extra shots," a voice behind them called out.

Felicity jumped up, and ran to grab her coffee. He furrowed his eyebrows, trying to decide whether this was an act or she was actually as annoyed as she looked.

"I think you'll be very happy with what our company has prepared…" he continued, following her. She ignored him and headed out of the coffee shop.

"Uh…I haven't even told you what the offer is…" he found himself throwing his arms up in the air, bewildered. This wasn't the usual reaction he got when he offered people the opportunity to work at Wayne Enterprises. He had a perfect record of recruitment, which is why Bruce had asked him, personally, to deliver this offer. Felicity Smoak had graduated at the top of her class from MIT, at an age when most people were just entering college.

Her steps quickened, and Richard found himself jogging to keep up. She moved exceptionally fast, even in four-inch heels. "I know," she responded, not turning to look at him. "See, the way it works, Mr. Grayson, is when a person says they're not interested, that's a polite way of telling you to stop talking." She whipped around, pointed to herself, and repeated in a measured voice, "Not. Interested." For a second, she held his gaze, as if to emphasize her resolve, and then she was facing forward again and walking away.

"Mr. Wayne is willing to offer you double your current salary," he said, finally falling into step with her.

Felicity laughed, almost as though she were mocking him. "I already work for a billionaire. If I wanted a raise, I'd ask Oliver."

"Ms. Smoak, you are currently an executive assistant." He didn't mean to sound condescending, although he realized as soon as the words left his mouth that she might take it this way. "I'm offering you, on behalf of Wayne Enterprises, the opportunity to head our Applied Sciences Division…"

There, that would get her. It was a killer job offer, and she'd be crazy not to engage him now. He was dumbfounded when her steps hastened. She called out, "I told you, I have a job…that I am now late for. Have a good day, Mr. Grayson."

With that, he watched Felicity Smoak enter the doors of Queen Consolidated without slowing down or looking back.