Once again thank you for reading and I really hope you enjoy this. Also comments are the thing I live for so I really appreciate them. Enjoy :)

P.S. In my stories Tommy will always be alive, also Oliver's mother didn't know anything about the undertaking

Oliver feels nervous, his heart beating way above normal rate from anxiety. His palms are sweaty and he keeps tossing his phone from one hand to another, scowling at it as though the phone is somehow personally insulting him. He keeps replaying the conversation he had with his mother in his head and tries to convince himself that he has to do this, that there's simply no other way. Even though there is, he just doesn't want another way. Or simply saying he doesn't want someone else. It isn't even a date not really. They would be going out as friends. There is no harm in that. People do it all the time, right? "Yeah when they are not in love with that friend" a thought flashes in his mind. He swallows and takes in a deep breath. There goes nothing. He dials Felicity's number and she picks up after a few beeps, three to be precise. Maybe he counted okay? It helps him deal with the situation and it is not desperate. At all.

"Hi, Oliver. What's up?" Felicity's cheery voice rings from the phone and Oliver can feel his heart skip a beat. They haven't talked in a week not since he left her apartment after that hell of a confusing night. He didn't really realized just how much he missed her. Just hearing her voice spends shivers down his spine and it punches out all the courage from him so he starts stuttering like a school boy he is. Apparently.

"I... Well, I wanted. I mean I was wondering that. You that you like... If you are not busy that is..." He braces himself. He can do this. He is Oliver fucking Queen, he had asked out hundreds of girls before. He's got it. What's the worst that could happen? "She could say no" his dickish inner voice suggests which fuck him. He needs a new inner self. He takes a deep breath and spills out "Would you go with me to the charity gala my mother is throwing to honour my father?" he sighs and waits patiently for a reply. Felicity is silent for a minute.

"Well, Oliver I don't think I'm the best candidate for such a thing. I mean I've never in my life been to such an event. I will just end up embarrassing you."

"There is nothing you can do to embarrass me" he says before he can think about it.

"Um, Oliver, I..." Felicity hesitates "Maybe you should take someone else, someone from your world" the words to his ear sound forced out like she doesn't want to say them but rather has to. Maybe it's just his imagination taking leaps and letting him see what he wants? Oliver swallows the urge to tell her "you are my world" and goes for a safer, more neutral option.

"Felicity, I don't want someone else." He whispers, his voice raw with honesty and fear that she might still say no. "I want you there cause I need a friend and you are the only one I've got besides Diggle and Tommy. And well since Tommy is taking Laurel I can't really ask him, you know." he tries to joke but all he gets from Felicity is a muttered:

"Oh, I see" her voice sounds hurt and Oliver doesn't know what he said wrong but before he can start apologizing (even though he has no clue what he did) Felicity caves "Okay, I will go." She sounds kinda sad and he has no idea why. He tries to put all his gratitude in his voice when he says:

"Thank you. It means a lot." She is silent for a second and Oliver starts thinking maybe she hung up on him. He almost throws his phone when Felicity suddenly squeals:

"Oh my god what will I wear? OH MY GOD!" Oliver can hear how freaked out she is and can already see her eyebrows knitted together, delicate fingers playing with her hair when she's trying to come up with a solution. He smiles to himself and tries to calm her down.

"Well, don't worry you will look cute no matter what you're wearing" instantly he wants to slap himself for saying this. How can he pull the whole 'just friends' thing when he can't even keep his mouth shut for a few seconds. "Thea will be at your place to take you shopping" his voice hitches at the end but she doesn't seem to notice because he can hear Felicity's sigh of relief at the other end and a muttered

"Oh wow. I have a fairy godmother. All I need now is a pumpkin and a few rats." Oliver tries to tease her a bit (cause that's what friends do, right?) and says

"Well sorry that I'm not your prince."

"Yeah, not mine" is all Felicity says her voice very thoughtful and sad. Oliver doesn't know what to say to that so he simply says goodbye. As soon as he hangs up his mind goes into overdrive trying to figure out what did she mean by that and at the end he thinks that he either has a very active imagination or there was something in that one short sentence. He really hopes for the latter.

He changes his suit for the third time and he already lost count of how many ties are tossed into a pile on his bed. He's so nervous he feels like it's high school all over again and he is going to the prom with his crush. Except that in high school he wasn't so nervous, not even close. 'She's just a friend' he tries to convince himself over and over again. No more, no less. He finally decides on a black 'Armani' suit and a white button up shirt. You can never go wrong with the classics. He picks out a black handmade tie and puts on cufflinks with his initials (a gift from his mother). He puts on some cologne which Felicity may or may not have mentioned to be her favourite. You want to smell nice for friends too, okay? He almost runs late to pick up Felicity in the haste of his preparation and feels like an idiot. When the black limo pulls up in front of Felicity's apartment building he gets out from the back seat and leans at the door waiting for her to emerge.

When she finally walks out the door he stares at her for a few minutes. Only when Felicity is standing at an arm's length from him and puts her hand on his face does he realize his jaw is hanging open.

"Here. Let me close that for you." She chuckles and Oliver swears she let her hand linger on his face for a bit. Or is it just wishfull thinking? She looks stunning. Not that she doesn't look gorgeous everyday but THIS. Wow. She is wearing a long sleek strapless dress which is hugging her waist and breasts in all the right places. The dress is black and it compliments the fairness of her skin and her blond curls which are cascading down her shoulders. Oliver can feel the surge of want flooding him and he has to use all his restraint to not extend his arm and run his fingers (or preferably lips) over her collarbone. He has no words, no way to express how amazing she looks. He doesn't know whether he wants to thank his sister or murder her. This evening is going to be way harder than he anticipated.

"Shall we go?" Felicity asks feeling a little squirmish under his gaze, her cheeks a bit flushed. Oliver snaps back from his thoughts and clears his throat:

"Yes but first I have something for you" he smiles, opens the car door and produces a package wrapped in a nice paper.

"Oliver, you didn't need to. I mean. I... thank you" Felicity sounds shocked and Oliver smiles at her

"Well you kinda said that I did have to" Felicity flushes and looks at him eyes wide from shock

"What? I never! I never said you had to buy me things. I..." her voice breaks at the end. Oliver puts a hand on her shoulder and doesn't miss how Felicity shudders under his touch

"Just open it. Please" Felicity looks at him still bewildered but does as she's told.

"Sheets? You got me sheets?" she stares at him amusement on her face

"Well I didn't want to lose our friendship over some linen so..." he laughs at her expression which is amusement mixed with relief.

"Well, that's some innuendo." Oliver looks at her puzzled and Felicity goes even redder trying to correct herself "I didn't. I didn't mean that you were implying. I meant that... I'm not saying that you would like that. Not that you don't like that. Just not with me. Not that I wouldn't... I mean..." her arms start flailing all around the place and Oliver doesn't seem to find the right words so he just puts his hands on her shoulders and says

"We should go" he opens the car door for her and helps her get in. They ride in silence both lost deep in thought.

When they arrive the paparazzi are already swarming all around the place and as soon as they get out of the car there's cameras being pushed in their faces, bright flashes almost blinding him. He takes Felicity's warm palm in his and Oliver helps them make their way to the entrance. They stop at the top of the stairs. Oliver leans in close to Felicity's ear and whispers

"Just smile. Everything will be fine" he squeezes her hand reassuringly and she squeezes right back. He doesn't miss the sharp intake of breath from her when his lips are mere inches away from her ear. Interesting he thinks. His head is full of thoughts 'Could it be that? But maybe? No.' He tells himself and he pushes the thought aside, he's being stupid. That's all.

When they finally go inside they are swallowed by a crowd of people. He snakes his arm around Felicity's waist unwilling to let go. He needs her. He needs to anchor himself, to keep calm as all these strangers start coming around and asking questions about his father, questions he doesn't want to answer. They all want to shake his hand and ask him what exactly happened on that island. Get the word straight from the horses mouth so they can later leak it to the press. They are like predators and he is their prey. They want exciting Robinsone Crusoe stories, drama and some gruesome details. He plasters on a fake smile cause it's a charity gala and he's the main entertainment. He needs to play nice and pretend to be interested in their chatter. He thanks high heavens Felicity is here. She feels how tense he is and puts her hand on his, he smiles at her gratefully. He can do this.

After an hour or so he spots Laurel and she walks up to him

"Hi, Oliver. Nice to see you." She leans in and kisses him on the cheek. Felicity quickly entangles herself from him and Oliver winces at the loss of contact.

"You too." He smiles politely. "Where's Tommy?"

"He's talking with someone. Could we maybe talk?" she glances at Felicity who is standing by Oliver's side but now she has put some distance between them and Oliver doesn't like that.

"Privately" Laurel emphasises the word and he feels a surge of anger at her for ignoring Felicity like that.

"Okay." He says "Just make it quick." He turns to Felicity and asks "Do you mind? It will be just a few seconds." She looks at him and nods.

"It's fine. Go. Take as long as you need" her eyes are sad and her voice sounds hurt. Oliver gives her one questioning look but can't really give it more thought cause Laurel is already by his side putting her arm around his. He walks away with her upstairs and throws Felicity one look over his shoulder but he can only see her back as she is heading for the bar.

"So..." Laurel starts looking a bit uncomfortable "Is that your new girlfriend?" Her voice sounds resentful and Oliver doesn't want anyone talking about Felicity like that

"No. She's a friend." He says voice cold and distant. He realizes that for the first time, he doesn't feel anything for Laurel, he respects her as a lawyer and his best friend's girlfriend but that's it. She's the past. He knows he wouldn't run after her if she called, not anymore. She is standing in front of him and all he can think about is Felicity. He really wants to get back to her and maybe dance for a bit, bodies flushed close together, her face in the crook of his neck. He knows he can't have the real thing that it will be just as friends but he will take what he can get. He looks at Laurel impatiently and asks: "What did you want to talk to me about?"

"It's about Tommy." She starts and sounds a bit uncertain. Oliver feels uneasy feeling creeping into his chest and asks

"Is he okay?" Laurel looks at him with a fond expression and nods

"Yeah. I guess. I mean he's been really secretive lately and I'm scared that he might get into trouble. I mean after what his father did to the city he lost all of his wealth, he doesn't have a job and..." she swallows looking a bit uncertain "and I think he feels like he lost you too. You haven't talked to him since that night in Glades and it's been almost a year now." Oliver feels guilty that he have abandoned Tommy like that after everything that's happened so he says

"He will never lose me. He can talk to me whenever he wants and I can give him a job if he wants one" he would really like to have Tommy at the club again but he's almost sure that he wouldn't take the offer because he still feels betrayed that Oliver didn't tell him about The Hood.

"I will tell him that" Laurel smiles at him "and Oliver, thank you."

"Anytime" he squeezes her shoulder and smiles at her. "Well I have a friend downstairs to get back to"

"Sure. A friend" Laurel laughs at him and he wonders whether he's that transparent.

When Oliver comes downstairs he can't see Felicity anywhere so he goes to the bar to order a drink. While he makes his way through the dance floor he can feel girls oogling him and one of them even squeezes his ass. In the past he would have revelled in such attention but now he just feels uncomfortable and tries to get away faster. When he finally gets to the bar and orders scotch he notices Felicity at the other end of the bar flirting with some guy. His stomach flips and his breath becomes harsh and shallow, his hands automatically curl into fists at his sides, itching to swing out and put a dent in the wall beside him. He downs his whiskey in one gulp and puts the glass on the table harder than he intended to. He startles some guy who murmurs something similar to "asshole" but he doesn't care. He looks as Felicity throws her head back and laughs at something that idiot said. Okay, maybe he doesn't have any grounds to hate the guy's guts but he doesn't care. He looks like an asshole. Somewhere in the back of his mind he knows he hates the guy just because he's flirting with Felicity but at the moment it doesn't matter. Oliver scowls at the pair and he feels the need to go there and kiss Felicity, claim her as his. The rational side of his brain knows he doesn't have any right to do that but the feeling of jealousy is slowly growing into his skin, filling his blood. It makes his eyes go dark, and his mouth becomes a straight line. The guy leans into her personal space, even from afar looking seductive and Oliver can't take it anymore. He makes his way towards them against his better judgement. He stops behind the guy and Felicity looks uncomfortable when she notices him

"Oliver!" she exclaims louder than necessary and the guy turns around to face him looking irritated that he was interrupted. Oliver feels smug.

"So whose your friend?" Oliver purposely emphasises the word friend, his voice dark and dangerous. Felicity giggles at him.

"I like it when you're all broody" she chuckles "Makes you look seeeexyyyy" only now Oliver realizes that Felicity is completely drunk which doesn't make sense cause he was gone for no longer than 40 minutes. Oliver can feel anger rising in him but now for a whole different reason

"What did you give her?" he stabs his finger into the guys chest.

"Chill man. I didn't know she had a boyfriend" he holds up his arms in defence. Felicity pushes herself from the wall and tries to walk but stumbles, Oliver catches her just in time and she giggles fisting her hands into his shirt.

"I'm not his girlfriend."Felicity pouts "He looooves Laurel" Oliver looks at her and sees that she's frowning "I don't like her" she mutters in his ear and under different circumstances he would be jumping up and down the place. He knows Felicity isn't herself so he holds her closer to himself and focuses on the guy

"Even though she isn't my girlfriend, what the fuck are you doing slipping drugs to girls, you piece of shit?"

"How do you know she didn't ask for it?" the guy looks at him smugly.

"Cause I know her you dumb shit. You are lucky I'm holding her or otherwise I would kick your stupid ass" Oliver takes deep breathes trying to calm down and suddenly Felicity kisses his cheek and chuckles

"But you are my prince" she puts her head on his shoulder and falls asleep. Oliver is so shocked that he doesn't even notice when the guy slips away.

He takes Felicity in his arms and carries her outside. He walks up to the limo that is parked just in front of the entrance. He gently lays Felicity on the car seat and climbs in. He taps on the window between driver's and passenger's seats and says

"Take me to my apartment" he sits back and puts Felicity's head on his lap. He starts running his fingers through her hair trying to calm down and to forget the asshole who did this to her. He looks out the window and sees an unfamiliar landscape. He knocks on the window again

"Hey, why did you change the route?" there's no answer from the driver and an uneasy feeling starts building in his chest. He taps on the window again but there's no response. Suddenly white smoke starts filling the car and Oliver desperately grabs the door handle even though he already knows it will be locked. He starts coughing as he inhales the white smoke and he feels his senses dulling. After a few seconds there's only blackness.