Chapter Text
Oliver struggled through the Children’s Charity Gala. He was used to having Felicity at these events, letting him know small personal facts about the people that he was chatting to, keeping him on time with his schedule, making sure he knew his speech, and generally just there with him. He wasn’t sure when Felicity being present in every corner of his life became normal. But now, when she wasn’t with him it was a glaring omission in his world. After experiencing the Gala without her, he knew he wasn’t dependant on her. Oliver knew that he could live his life without her being around, he just really really didn’t want to.
By the time Monday came around he was looking forward to seeing Felicity. He didn’t care if she wasn’t really talking to him at the moment, or if she needed space, or if she didn’t want him to show that he cared about her anymore. He just needed to see her. Felicity made his life….better, Oliver didn’t know how else to describe it. She was his friend. Felicity and Diggle were his best friends. So when he walked out of the elevator and into the reception area before his office, he not only expected to see Felicity sitting behind her desk, but was eagerly anticipating it. Except she wasn’t there. There was a young, slim, brunette sitting in Felicity’s chair.
Oliver generally prided himself on how well he could control his emotions. It was a skill that he learnt quick and fast on the island; one that had saved his life numerous time. But in that moment the confusion must have shown on his face as clear as day.
‘Mr Queen. My name is Trish Macintosh.’ The brunette said while smiling and walking towards him. Her arms full of folders, no doubt containing his schedule for the day and the reports that Felicity had pre-read for him last week.
‘What are you doing here Ms Macintosh?’ Oliver asked far more gruffly than he intended.
Trish looked confused, ‘Call me Trish, please.’ Trish responded flirtatiously, and then paused as if expecting Oliver to respond likewise. When he didn’t she added, I’m your EA for the day Mr Queen.’
‘I gathered that much, but why do I need you as my EA for the day, Ms Macintosh. Where is Felicity?’
‘Oh, I thought she would have let you know’ Trish said, ‘You two always seem to know where the other is’, she muttered half under her breath.
Oliver caught the second half of the sentence, and the implication it held about his relationship with Felicity.
‘Ms Macintosh?’ Oliver asked tersely. This morning was not going the way he planned.
Trish wavered for a moment. Obviously re-evaluating the way Oliver, and the way in which she was interacting with him. Seemingly coming to a quick conclusion, she straightened herself and put on a highly professional tone of voice to reply, ‘She called in sick this morning Mr Queen. She asked me personally to take over being your EA for the day. I am completely prepped and up to date on your schedule for the day. Here are the meeting agendas, and reports that have been marked for you to view. I have prepared the Executive Meeting room for your morning meeting with the department heads. I have also arranged for a new coffee machine to be purchased and installed- I noticed this morning that the current one appears to be broken. Is there anything else you require?’
Oliver felt a little bad about his gruff attitude, but appreciated her change to a professional attitude. ‘No, nothing else at the moment. Thank you Ms Macintosh’, he continued as he took the folders from her and talked into his office. Oliver had never felt more frustrated by the glass wall that surrounded his office. He just wanted to slump into his chair and groan about the turn the day had taken. He didn’t have to pretend to be someone else when Felicity was around, now he had to convincingly be CEO Oliver all day, with no moments of respite.
Oliver sat at his desk and placed the folders next to him. Flipping open the top one he couldn’t help but smile. Felicity’s ‘cheat sheet’ was attached to the top of the report. He didn’t know how she did it; the work at the Foundry, all of her work here, and to be honest half of his QC work as well. He would have never been able to run QC without her. Without her report synopses he would have certainly not been able to understand half of what was happening at QC. She truly was remarkable. No wonder she was sick. She had probably run herself into the ground juggling everything she did. He should give her more time off.
Oliver sat at his desk reading through his morning agenda, and Felicity’s notes on his meetings for the day. He should check on her. He didn’t want to impose, or be pushy. He wanted to give her space, but if she was sick maybe he could send Digg around with some soup or something for her. He didn’t want her to be home alone needing anything.
Oliver grabbed his desk phone, and called the number he knew off by heart. It rang several times before he heard her voice croak an answer.
‘Hello? Oliver?’
‘Felicity, how are you feeling? I just walked in and there was this other lady sitting at your desk…’
‘Trish.’
‘Yeah, Trish. She said you weren’t feeling well. Are you okay?’
‘I’m fine really Oliver. Just a little flu-y and run down after the weekend. I didn’t want to come into the office and give it to you; because The Arrow having a cold doesn’t really work does it. Can you just imagine, you standing there in the leather, aiming an arrow at the bad guy, and then sneezing your head off. It wouldn’t make for the most imposing figure. Not that you aren’t always imposing. You could impose the shit out of any one, anytime. But you sneezing mid bad guy capture, would decrease the imposingness of you. ‘ Felicity finished her ramble a little out of breath and wheezing.
‘I understand. You deserve a day off. I can send Digg round with some soup, or cold and flu medication? Do you need anything?’
‘No!’ Felicity half yelled. ‘I mean, no.’ She said more quietly. ‘I don’t want to get Digg sick either. I’m fine Oliver. I don’t need anything. I will be in tomorrow. It’s not that bad.’
Oliver thought he could hear a muffled voice in the background. ‘Is someone else there?’
‘A friend from MIT; they were just dropping off some supplies for me. Today make sure you tell the Head of HR that their new employee contact is not suitable, and needs further consultation with the staff representatives before they implement it at the meeting this morning. Oh and in your meeting with Oscar Parsons this afternoon, remind him that you are well aware that this is the third time there has been a complaint about his conduct towards woman.’
‘I know Felicity. It is all here in the schedule you have written up for me.’
‘I know, I know. I just worry when I’m not there. You need to go to your morning meeting now Oliver, you don’t want to be late. Oh, and Oliver…thank you for checking up on me.'
‘Any time Felicity, any time.’
Oliver hung up the phone and looked at it for a moment. She seemed okay at the moment. He was glad she had a friend over, someone to look after her. Oliver grabbed the file he needed for the meeting about to start, and headed out of his office. He wouldn’t send Digg around at lunch time. He would go himself after work. She would need dinner then, and he wanted to make sure she was okay in person.
The day dragged on, and Felicity was in his thoughts continuously. Trish was very competent at her job, she just wasn’t Felicity. There was no smiley faces on post-it notes on his desk, or scrunched up faces pulled behind stuffy executive’s backs. Trish even brought him coffee; it just didn’t feel right.
Oliver eagerly left the office and picked up a large bowl of pho for Felicity on the way to her place. He walked up the steps and rang the bell, looking forward to seeing Felicity for the first time in days. The door opened and for the second time today his expectations were shattered and he was met with someone who was definitely not Felicity.
‘Hello?’ the tall, muscular, brown haired man who opened Felicity’s door said.
‘You’re not Felicity,’ Oliver responded.
‘No, I’m definitely not.’ The man chuckled. ‘You are?’
‘Oliver, Oliver Queen,’ Oliver responded moving to shake the man’s hand,’… and you are?’
‘Oh you’re the boss.’ The man replied as he recognised the name, leaning forward and shaking Oliver’s hand, a little more firmly than necessary. ‘I’m Cory, and old friend of Flick’s from MIT.’
Cory turned around and called into the house behind him, ‘Flick your boss is here.’
‘Just a minute’ was the muffled response from the depths of the house.
Cory still stood in the doorway, barring Oliver from entering into house. Who the hell was this guy, Oliver thought, opening Felicity’s door, not letting him enter her house, calling her Flick.
Cory and Oliver stood on either side of the door eyeing each other. An awkward, uncomfortable silence fell over them as they waited for Felicity to come to the door.
Oliver spied movement behind Cory, and saw Felicity shuffling towards the door. A blanket was wrapped around her shoulders, fluffy pink slippers on her feet, hair in a messy bun of her head, a bright red nose, and Oliver felt a weight lift off his shoulders. He was never certain she was safe and alright unless he could see it for himself.
Felicity came up and stood next to Cory. Cory leaned toward Felicity and draped his arm around her shoulders.
‘Oliver, what are you doing here?’ Felicity croaked out confused. ‘Is something wrong at the office, or…..the …..club?’
‘No, no, nothing is wrong. I just wanted to check up on you, see if you were feeling any better and drop off dinner for you.’
‘Oh, that is really sweet.’ Felicity replied.
Cory was still standing next to Felicity, listening and watching their interactions.
‘That is really thoughtful.’ Cory added. ‘I guess since you’re here, Flick can just let you know now that she can’t make it in tomorrow as well.’
Oliver stiffened as the other man spoke of Felicity’s behalf.
‘Cory! I don’t need another day off.’ She said to him, her voice breaking as she spoke. Felicity then turned to Oliver, ‘I will be fine to go in tomorrow,’ before starting to cough violently.
‘You’re obviously not well Flick. You always push yourself too hard. Take an extra day off now and get better, or try and push through and you will end up being sick for longer. It’s a no brainer. Plus, I’m here to look after you now. Let me look after you.’
Felicity looked between Cory and Oliver obviously torn.
‘He’s right Felicity. Take an extra day. I promise I will make sure that QC is still standing when you get back,’ Oliver added in softly. He didn’t want to side with Cory, but it was obvious that Felicity needed the time off.
‘Okay, okay. It’s hard enough to say no to one of you, let alone both of you guys!’ Felicity exclaimed. ‘I will go and call let Trish know she will be your EA again tomorrow. Thank you for checking up on me Oliver.’ Felicity smiled at Oliver and affectionately patted Cory’s chest as she detangled herself from his arm to make her way back into the house. Oliver couldn’t help but glare at the scene.
Cory leaned forward, and grabbed the plastic bag with the dinner Oliver had intended on sharing with Felicity in it, taking it from him. ‘Thanks for the dinner. Felicity loves pho when she is sick.’
Oliver scowled at Cory. He knew he was Felicity’s friend, but there was something wrong with him, he just couldn’t put his finger on it.
‘Nice meeting you Mr Queen,’ Cory said as he shut the door.
‘Likewise.’ Oliver mumbled back, as he stepped away from Felicity’s house. He needed to go and punch something.