What Happens In Russia, Stays In Russia

[Felicity Smoak]

Felicity stood inside the hotel room and watched out the window. She could not see Diggle any longer, and knew that now it was only a waiting game. Later Oliver would go buy the truck or car thing and then they would let someone paint it and do other hero-rescuer things but she could only wait. What would they do to him?

She could hear Oliver behind her, and she wanted to ask him a million questions and make him tell her it all would be ok, but Oliver never lied to her and she was a bit afraid that he would lie to her now for the first time--and that would be worse then him being honest.

At first this had been exciting, but that was before they put Diggle in a prison and she found out he had a ex-wife and so much more. She wanted to do something, hack something and magically make this better. Order her release. But everything was different here, and it would not work that way.

[Oliver Queen]

Thus far, everything was going according to plan. But Oliver was well aware that getting Diggle into the prison wasn't the hard part; it was getting him out that would prove to be more challenging. But he had confidence in their plan. And they had no choice. Whatever it took, according to the plan or not, Oliver was going to make sure they achieved what they came here to do. Entering the room, he noticed Felicity standing by the window, pensively looking outside it. When Felicity was quiet like this . . . well, it wasn't exactly a good sign. Surely she had heard him. But she was not talking, or asking things, or speaking for the sake of talking, which is what she usually did. She had expressed her misgivings about this plan earlier and knew she was worried for Diggle. They were in another country, with new rules, laws and restrictions and . . . a corrupt prison was involved. He could understand her concern, but he also knew that saying anything, reassuring her, would not help. So instead, he would distract her.

Going to her closet he took out her hat and coat and walked over to her. Standing beside her to make sure she saw him -- at the very least from her peripheral vision -- he held out her coat and hat for her to take. She had once told him that she didn't travel much, and since they were here and there wasn't anything they could do right now besides wait, she might as well take in the sights. Or rather, they might as well. "How often will you come to Russia?" He asked with a bit of a smile. He wanted her to know that they were not going out to do work, but rather, to just spend time touring the city. "We may as well enjoy what we can of it," he added, to further indicate the nature of this outing and it would not be centered around business.

[Felicity Smoak]

She didn't hear Oliver moving around, until he was right beside her. Turning her head she saw her coat and hair in his hands. Was it time already? Though his words said it wasn't, and that they were going out to sight see? Apart of her did not want to go, but she knew it was better then standing here looking for Diggle, when she knew she would not see him coming right. "Where are we going?"

Taking the coat from him, she pulled it on, before taking her hat. It was too late to ask about another way to do this, but her mind was still looking for something to do to help. "Do you think he is alright?" She hoped so, but prison. A Russian one with very bad and scary people and Oliver not there to help him.

[Oliver Queen]

Oliver could understand her concern. Of course he could. But he wanted to ease her mind for it was the waiting that was the worst. The not knowing. Which was why he wanted to distract her as much as he could because it would help pass the time and give her sonething else to focus on. She asked where they were going and then further inquired as to whether he thought Diggle was alright. He put both his hands on either side of her shoulder, so that she would look at him and focus on his words. "Felicity, Diggle will be fine." Oliver knew he was more than capable. "No matter what it takes, I will make sure that he gets out of there with who he came for." Whether Oliver wore a hood or not , he would not be leaving without Diggle.

Lowering his hands, he hoped she accepted his attempt at reassuring her. Now, came the distraction part. "We are going to see what Russia has to offer a couple of tourists." This was not something he would do on his own, but it was something he wanted to do for her. Readying himself, he walked to the door, opening it and waiting for her to step out. Clearly, he wasn't giving her the option of saying no.

[Felicity Smoak]

Felicity knew that Oliver would do everything in his considerable amount of power to assure that Diggle came home with them. It was the fact that Diggle was in there alone which worried Felicity. No one to watch his back, and make sure he stayed safe between when he left and when they got him back. AND they didn't have cameras or records for her to hack! It made her feel helpless and that wasn't something she'd ever felt since joining with Oliver. She didn't like the feeling.

Following him, as he spoke and for ready, and even opened the door for her; it was his words that made her come out of her thoughts. "We are going sight seeing?" Did he have something he needed to do to help Diggle, or was he trying to help pass the time because he too was worried? Walking toward the elevator she pressed the button with her first two fingers and reached up to check her hat in the reflection. "We better make sure Isabel does not see us, because she told me to remind you of all these meetings. . . The ones we are missing." To help their friend. Isabel had to think she was like the worst PA in the world--and while it had not been a job she wanted, she hated to look bad at it.

[Oliver Queen]

Isabel. She was the least of his concerns, yet a hinderance on this trip. For it meant that he would have to attend whatever meetings she set up. And forced him to be that much more cautious about not being seen by her. But if there was one thing Oliver managed, it was sneaking around. "Don't worry about Isabel," he assured Felicity. He certainly wasn't concerned about her. He knew she worked hard and was extremely ambitious . . . but Oliver didn't have the time to play CEO. He had come to Russia to fulfill a grander purpose. Besides, he doubted it was even possible for Isabel to like him any less than she already did. He would find a way to make up for his lacking presence during the meetings.

When the elevator doors opened, they stepped inside, and Oliver proceeded to press the button that would take them to the lobby, going back to Felicity's first question before her mention of Isabel. "I thought we could explore Russia. You have never been before, and I want you to have at least one positive memory of this international journey." One that didn't involve prisons, the Russian mob, or anything else work related. When she looked back on her time in this foreign country, maybe she would recall some of the more relaxing times, rather than only the intense and dangerous ones.

[Felicity Smoak]

Not worry about her? Felicity wasn't as used to slipping in and out of places as Oliver was, so even though he said not to worry, she knew that she would. She was the type who looked over her shoulder to make sure no one was watching, when she was about to do something sneaky. Which of course, make her look guilty and get caught.

It was his words about their purpose that distracted her more, and that was something that caused her to feel warm inside. He was not distracting himself as she had assumed--he was distracting her. Fighting a smile she looked ahead, and watched him in the reflection on the elevator walls. "Thank you," She told him in Russian, thank you being one of the few words she had managed to learn on the flight over here. Thank you, please, and where is the bathroom. Important ones.

[Oliver Queen]

Oliver gave a small smile when she thanked him in Russian. She was a fast learner so he wasn't surprised that she had already picked up that much. "You're welcome," he responded, keeping to English. He would turn to Russian if neeed be. When they arrived he waited for her to step out first before following her out, doing the same when they got to the main door as the doorman opened it for them and Oliver gave him a rather expensive handshake. When they got outside, he was relieved that the air wasn't too cold -- relieved more for Felicity's sake than his own. It would allow them to walk around rather than drive everywhere. Besides, he knew a few places that could be of interest to her and there was a small street fair way up ahead.

"There are some boutiques, cafes and other unique shops along this street," he began to tell her. He had no interest in shopping for himself. The pre Island Oliver may have. He would have most certainly flaunted his extravagance and showing off to others with extreme purchases. But now . . . he had no need for anything. His only need, was to distract Felicity from the grave circumstances that had brought them here. He watched her as they walked, seeing if any of the stores peaked her interest and ready to stop for any that did . . . just in case she did not ask to see inside.

[Felicity Smoak]

When they left the elevator Felicity looked around, and tried to make sure that a 'certain someone' didn't see them. She didn't stop until they were outside and free from the hotel. He had been right! No need to worry! "Alright," She said excitedly while letting him lead them to where to go. Everything was exciting when you were some place new. On one hand every little thing was fun and cool--on the other, it also looked like a big city.

"Did you ever come here before?" She asked, "Before everything changed." The island, his mission, his father. What had that Oliver done to a poor city like this? She could only imagine how much big boy fun he must have had.

The stores this close to the hotel were as expected--way out of her budget! They were clearly in the more pricy part of the city, and while everything was beautiful it was more then she was used to spending. She did however, notice something amusing. There was a news box along the street, and on one of the papers was a bad blurry imagine of a man on a roof top--clearly taken with someone's phone. The man however was a blur of green, and she could only imagine what Russia was saying about Starling City and it's hooded hero. Shooting him a highly amused grin, she kept walking.

[Oliver Queen]

She asked if he had ever been to Russia before and . . . well, Oliver doubted that was a story she wanted to hear. It had been in the old days, before he had responsibility and priorites and . . . well, overall maturity. "I did. But not before everything changed." A long time ago. Over six years ago. And under entirely different circumstances. This was not exactly a pleasure trip, regardless of what Isabel may think. It was strictly business -- both as Oliver CEO and The Arrow. Oliver noticed her smile and glanced in the direction she had been looking in as they walked by. He didn't have to take a good look at it to know what it was. It caused him to slightly shake his head, having to force himself to hold back an amused smile himself. Apparently, he had made international headlines.

He knew he would have to say more to distract her, or at least take her to one of the stores that would catch her interest, since it had yet to be discovered. He couldn't ask her the same question for he knew she had not been to Russia before. "Where is the one place you would most like to travel to?" He asked, wanting her to think on something positive to further keep her mind from resting on thoughts of Diggle and thus, causing the overwhelming concern to re-emerge.

[Felicity Smoak]

His question was simpler to answer, though in truth he had not even answered her own. Not that she had expected him too--It was Oliver Queen, after all. He played everything tight against his chest. She knew why, and even understood it to a point. "Tahiti." She told him, knowing that was where she'd given to Isabel when asked where they were going. It was a place like the expected answer. It was her vacation answer.

There were other places she could go--wanted to go. But they were all geek places, and she wanted to be cool. Like Central City was going to turn on a participial accelerator! That would be cool to see. But her work with Oliver and Dig kept her in Starling city, even though she could try to go see the event.

The reminder of Dig caused her smile to fade some, until they past a expensive hat store, and saw some of the popular Russian hats that everyone wore on TV, and in photos. It looked to cost a lot, but she liked the look of them.

[Oliver Queen]

Tahiti. That was an interesting choice. He was about to inquire further, but he noticed the way her head had turned, looking at the displayed items in the window. It was a hat boutique. Without her needing to ask -- as he saw the clear interest in her eyes -- he stopped in front of the door, opening it so that she could enter before he followed inside. When they were in, he took advantage of her becoming distracted by seeing all the different hates. He walked to the counter, making sure Felicity did not see, and spoke in a low voice so that Felicity would not hear . . . not that she would understand anyway, for he was speaking Russian to the store owner.

"Put anything she likes on this card." With those words, he subtly passed her his credit card. The woman smiled and gave a nod. He knew Felicity would never ask, but he wanted to buy something for her. A positive reminder of this trip. Oliver casually rejoined Felicity, his eyes looking over whatever she was. The store worker came up to them -- clearly aware that they were the kind of customers she liked. "Is there something you would like to try on?" She politely asked Felicity. Oliver stood silently, his gaze going to Felicity. This was not exactly his field of expertise since well . . . he wasn't a woman.

[Felicity Smoak]

Oliver must have saw something in the same store that she had just been looking at, because he turned to go, and held the door for her. "Didn't see you as a hat man." She joked, but wondered deeper into the store, assuming he was behind her as she kept talking her voice dropping lower for her words. "Didn't really see you as a hoodie guy either, but I have been wrong before." Looking up she noticed he was gone, and turned around to find him standing on the other side of her.

He had apparently not followed her but gone away and come back from another direction. She should be used to looking up and finding him gone or there, but it was always a surprise to see how such a big man could be so darn quite. The sales woman came up then, and asked if they wanted to try anything on--in English too, so she must be used to tourist or have heard Felicity talking. "Oh, no. Thank you. I'm just looking." While she could spend money on dresses for her new role as Oliver's PA, a hat that cost about as much was not with in her budget.

[Oliver Queen]

Oliver's eyes looked over the various hats with minimal interest. Though he knew that Felicity was interested in them, and that was what had brought them in this store and kept them here. Until she bought one that is. A small souvenir from Russia. "If I may . . . " The saleswoman began to say as she reached for one of the more expensive and exquisite looking hats. Oliver was not surprised that she selected that one. He had after all practically handed her a blank check. But he could not put a price on something that Felicity deserved.

For after all that she had been through, and continued to go through because of his vigilante activities . . . she deserved to smile. And if could do something or give her something that made her do so, then it was absolutely priceless for no amount of money could define its worth. She gently placed the hat on Felicity's head, smiling at her. "Beautiful!" She stated, as he motioned toward the mirror for her to take a look. Oliver gave a small smile. He couldn't recall ever seeing Felicity with a hat on before. "It suits you well," he complimented, genuine in his words.

[Felicity Smoak]

The lady seemed instant, and Felicity gave in. What could it hurt to try on the hat? She wanted to wear it for a little bit anyway, and see how warm they really were! Pulling off her hat, she let the woman put it on, before turning to look in the mirror. Smiling at herself she looked over at Oliver.

"Do I look Russian?" She whispered when the woman stepped back for a moment. She didn't even want to know what kind of fur this was, or the price of it. It was so soft! And yes, so warm! Turning she picked up one of the others, and moved to put it on Oliver's head, "Now you'll blend in." Grabbing her phone she took his photo real quick, and smiled at it. "That will be your caller ID photo now."

[Oliver Queen]

Oliver slightly smiled and shook his head, though her actions were more amusing than annoying. As he had wanted, she was smiling. Momentarily forgetting about everything else, apart from the clear amusement she took in seeing Oliver wear a hat. And apparently, that was his new ID picture. His mind went to the time he had taken a picture of her to make it her id. Odd, how such small things brought such amusement and lightened the mood.

"As you said, I'm more of a hood guy," he said smiling, taking the hat off his head and putting it back on the shelf. Just because he hadn't been near her when she said it, didn't mean he hadn't heard her. "Which one is your favorite?" He asked, looking over the selection. "I was thinking of getting one for Thea." That was a bit of a lie. He was planning on getting her a few souvenirs, but really, he just wanted to see which one Felicity would pick out so that he could get her something without her knowing his true intentions. "I need a woman's perspective," he added with a smile.

[Felicity Smoak]

"Yeah but having a photo of you in a hood might not be the best decision ever." She whispered in a joke, before he spoke of wanting to buy one for his sister! Awww! For Thea! She liked it when Oliver got all big bad brother, and did things for or with Thea. Made him look sweet! "This one is like really soft!" She told him, reaching up to run her fingers over it.

"I like this one, but Thea has darker features." She turned to look over Oliver, "Unlike you and your parents." Thea must take after a grandparent or aunt or something. "You might want a lighter color for her. Off set things." She looked to the mirror and looked at his reflection, before looking at her hat again. Using her phone she took a selfie--knowing he'd be there in the background--just so she could have this memory of them in the store.

Turning back to him she pulled it off, "I must look like a tourist so bad."

[Oliver Queen]

That was true. Him in a hood might be fairly obvious. Especially if the wrong people got a hold of her phone. Even as a joke, it was unwise to do anything like that. He noticed the way she described the hat she had on right now, stating that she liked it, and how she had taken a picture of it before finally removing it. She was going on about details of what would suit Thea, and as always, was putting far too much thought into his question. Though, that was something that he rather liked. Her considerate nature. As long as she was enjoying herself, whether it was trying on hats, or taking pictures . . . he just wanted her to have at least a few fond memories of this trip.

When she took the hat off, Oliver gave a small nod to the saleswoman and she slowly took the hat from Felicity, and walked over to the counter. "There's nothing wrong with being a tourist," Oliver reassured her. "Especially since that is exactly what we are," he added. Most capitols catered to tourists and this was no exception. He turned to the saleswoman, returning to speaking Russian and telling her that there was no need to wrap the hat. The woman seemed to understand. She walked toward Oliver with the hat, receipt and his card; he pocketed the latter two items. "Spaseebo," he said as the woman gave him everything. He then gently placed the hat on Felicity's head, a small smile playing on his lips. "It's a bit cold outside."

[Felicity Smoak]

True, they were. Which made her feel better about taking photos of hats she would never buy. Oliver handed the hat off, and she looked around for a moment, while waiting for him ti pick one for Thea. Then the woman brought the hat back, and Oliver got all sexy with his Russian. It was then she noticed things, and began to catch on. Walking over to them, she reached out as if to stop everything but her hand just stopped in the air.

"No, wait!" She said, while trying to figure out what was happening. Her face was surprised, and her eyes wide. These were crazy expensive and wasn't exactly something she'd wear in Starling City! He put the hat on her head, and she reached up to keep his hands there--as if that would stop what was already done. "No, no, no! These are like, really expensive, Oliver!"

[Oliver Queen]

Oliver smiled at Felicity's reaction. It was the fact that she didn't expect this, nor took it for granted, that made him all the more willing. In his pre island days, he would often flaunt and flash his money to impress women. He had found more value in materialistic things. But now, the value remained in seeing her happy. It was odd, how his perspective had so drastically changed. It was all thanks to the island and the experiences it had put him through. He knew in some ways it had destroyed him and killed him in ways that he would never be able to recover from. But on the other hand . . . it taught him about life. Those on it, taught him about what truly mattered in the world. And it wasn't what Oliver had previously believed. He'd had no honor, responsibility, humility and so many others things that he severely lacked.

Even returning to Starling, he continued to learn from those closest to him. He could easily name things that even just Diggle and Felicity had taught him. He'd thought he would be doing all this alone, fighting the battle against injustice. But instead, he had found two allies that he trusted emphatically. So yes. He wanted to see her smile. He wanted to give her what small token of appreciation he could. Though words, and gifts, would never be enough to truly express how grateful he was for her. "Irrelevant," he said, not about to make a big deal about the price. "You like it." And that was all that mattered. He moved his hands and reached for the door, holding it open for Felicity to step out first.

[Felicity Smoak]

She knew he had money, but it wasn't her money. It was one thing if it was earned but another when it wasn't. He walked to the door, and she just stood there for a moment, silently debating on what to do, before turning and walking to the door. Once they were out in the street she stood there and looked up at him.

"Thank you." And she meant it. Oliver had never bought her anything before. Not like this. Reaching up she adjusted it to fit better, then smiled up at him. Moving to his side, they began walking down the street. "But I am so buying lunch." It was said in a jesting manner, but she hoped he let her too.

[Oliver Queen]

Oliver lightly smiled when Felicity thanked him. He didn't doubt for a moment the sincerity of her words. After all, she never took things like this for granted, as he had previously thought about. They continued to walk down the street, with her stating that she was going to be buying lunch. "Actually, all meals are on Queen Consolidated," he told her with a slight tease, yet with truth. Ish.

"This is afterall, a business trip." That was what Isabel had made it . . . for while Felicity, Diggle and himself were here on business, it was not the kind of business Isabel had in mind. With the meetings she had lined up though, it became that. And he knew it would be written off on company expenses. "Company policy," he added in the same tone as his previous words, perhaps a bit more teasing.

[Felicity Smoak]

Ha! Haha! He was so smart! She looked over, and up at him with a mocking glare, before looking back where she was going. As more people filled the streets she moved closer to him, and walked near his side. "You think you've won this round, Queen, but I will find something!"

Felicity watched as everyone seemed to moved around Oliver. Like they could tell he was a man of power, and they moved for him rather then he for them. Oh the arrogance of being rich could be to blamed for some of it, but she knew the rest came from how he walked, how he talked and moved and breathed. There by his side, she was no longer side stepping people, and walking along the edge of the sidewalks as she might have done in Starling City. By his side they moved for her.

[Oliver Queen]

Oliver slightly smirked when she spoke of how she would find something. He knew better than to underestimate his words. "I don't doubt you will," he said a bit teasingly. As the crowd filled the streets, Oliver could see their next destination coming into view. "There's a street fair up ahead," he told her, assuming that the vendors would be selling things more geared toward her interests. For it was mostly for tourists: souvenirs, some traditional foods, and so on.

"Here you don't have to feel self concious about being a tourist, since this area is filled with them." She could take all the pictures she wanted, ask all the questions she had . . . he wanted her to feel fully at ease and not worry about what others may think. Or more importantly, not worry about Diggle.

[Felicity Smoak]

A street fair! Felicity smiled with some excitement, and walked a little faster without even knowing it. "Really?!" When they got closer, she began to smell the food! Everything was busy, and packed so full of people you were almost pushing your way through. Colors filled every sight, and the smells of breaks and stews changed every few feet! Crafts, and other handmade things were at every table.

Laughing as she got swept away with the crowd, Felicity tried to see every table, and sample every pot. She knew if not for Oliver then she would get pushed along much quicker in the crowd. She was much smaller then him, and he seemed unmovable at times. "Here! Try this!" She offered up some of the bread she was buying. Diggle would be hungry when he got out of that horrid place, and she wanted him to have some good food!