The Fall 8/?
Title: The Fall 8/?
Fandom: Smallville
Rating: NC17
Summary: Sometimes even a hero needs to be saved.
Notes: Reviews please. I think I am hittinng a writer's block.
“Come on Chloe.” Lois tapped at the mouse pad of the laptop bringing it back to life only to have Chloe slap her hands away. “Look you’re my cousin. You have to come. I’m getting an award. The least you could do was show up.”
“I know, I’m just busy and-.”
“Yea I know. But I already guilted Oliver into showing up. At least for an hour. Look at it this way, he’s there and you can keep an eye on him.” She walked away from the desk and took a seat on the sofa.
Chloe turned and followed Lois. “How did you do that? He hasn’t exactly been the most agreeable person lately.”
“Yea well. Considering the time I’ve been putting in to find Lex. I told him having the CEO of Queen Enterprises show up at my awards ceremony would make it all the more important.” Crossing her legs and throwing an arm over the back of the sofa she looked pointedly at Chloe. “So if the guy with the target on his back can show up so can you.”
“Lois…” Chloe sunk into the cushions knowing it was a losing battle. “I guess.”
“Perfect.” Springing up Lois grabbed her purse and pulled out an invitation. “Here ya go. And they’ll be a party after which of course you’ll be expected to attend.”
Chloe took the invitation reluctantly. She hated wasting a night that she could be working when she knew she’d probably only see Lois for about five seconds of it.
Lois had left immediately after, leaving Chloe to her work. It had been weeks since they discovered it was Lex behind the attempt on Oliver’s life. And they hadn’t gotten any closer to finding him. To Chloe’s relief there had not been any other attempts on Oliver, but that didn’t mean they weren’t waiting for one.
Chloe walked away from the bar and sipped her third glass of wine greedily. At the rate she was going she’d probably need a cab or the Superman express to get her home. The awards ceremony had been boring, filled with a bunch of uppity intellectuals. There was a point in her life where Chloe had wanted to be Lois, up there accepting that journalism award. Now Chloe just wanted to get home to her research. Writing had been her passion, now it just seemed like a past life.
“Have I missed anything?”
Chloe turned at the familiar voice and couldn’t help but smile. “No, unless you consider me drinking too much wine something.”
“I’m sure that would be more entertaining.” Oliver looked over the crowd and found Lois. “I guess I better say hello.”
“Yea, if she doesn’t see you you’ll never hear the end of it.” He walked away from her and she watched him make his way Lois. Chloe watched their exchange in silence. Lois, being her usual self, made a big production at Oliver’s arrival hugging him and kissing him on the cheek. Chloe shook her head and took another sip. Oliver smiled back and Chloe couldn’t ignore the sting. For the life of her she couldn’t remember the last time she’d seen him smile. At least not in her presence. For reasons that she didn’t understand she found herself needing to turn away and head back to the bar. At least she’d be closer to it when she needed to order another drink.
“Scotch.”
She turned her head again and couldn’t ignore the way her heart jumped. “I thought you were talking to Lois.”
“She doesn’t exactly have a very good attention span right now.” Oliver shrugged. He took his drink from the bar tender and turned so that he could lean back against the bar. “Besides, there are people here she wants to impress. I think she’s over impressing me.”
Chloe nodded, not really agreeing with him, just more as an acknowledgement. “She is a busy body.”
Oliver looked over his shoulder, watching Chloe as she drank from her glass. There was something going on with her, but he couldn’t quite pin point it. If Clark was around he probably would have asked him. But Lois had made a point to complain to him about Clark’s sudden disappearance. Oliver could only imagine what it was that took Clark away. Asking Chloe was out of the question, maybe at one point in their lives he would have, but where they were now…it just didn’t seem right. “I would have thought you would have liked to have off for the night.” He commented.
Chloe spun on the bar stool and leaned back against the bar, looking out over the crowd with Oliver. “Yea, me too. But I can’t help but be a little bored.” The prospect of really dressing up for the first time since before Jimmy had died seemed promising; it turned out to be a disappointment. Lois’ awards ceremony came a little too close to Chloe’s failed birthday party over a year ago. She looked to the man beside her, noting the difference in his demeanor. Back then he had been different. Easy going, joking. Not the hard, stoic person that was with her now. She finished her wine glass and turned back to the bar.
“Are you going to be able to drive?”
She laughed at his question, but it held no humor. “Probably not.” She waited for him to say something else, but he was quite. After all, what could he say? He’d spent the last year at the bottom of a bottle. With a fresh glass of wine in her hand she turned back around. “Look who decided to show up.”
Oliver followed her line of site to find Clark heading across the dance floor towards Lois. They met and he wasn’t surprised to see Lois’ frown. The music changed to something slower and Clark held his hand out to her, and that boyish smile covering his face. The corners of Lois’ mouth turned up and she laid her hand in his, allowing him to lead her to the dance floor. Just over a month ago he’d pathetically begged for Lois to return to him, he should have known better. It didn’t really bother him, seeing them together. They probably deserved one another. Lois always wanted the best, that would be Clark. The man of steel, no faults. Oliver wouldn’t have been able to compete with that. Downing the remainder of his drink he placed it on the bar and turned to Chloe. Taking the wine from her hand he took her hand in his. “Come on.”
Chloe let him pull her off the bar stood and to the dance floor, to shocked to even stop him. She barely had time to find her footing as he pulled her into his arms and led her. “This isn’t in response to Lois is it? Because I already know all about that.” He frowned down at her, obviously displeased with her comment. “I’m just asking.”
“That was a lapse in judgment.”
“Right.” She said knowingly, feeling that familiar pang of jealousy when it came to Lois.
“I just don’t see the point of both of us standing there looking miserable.”
“I really doubt I’m going to alleviate your mood.” The look he gave her she really couldn’t describe except for confused. “Have I ever?”
“I thought I was supposed to be the one with the negativity?” He cocked an eyebrow, and although it was supposed to be a joke she only sighed and looked away.
“I don’t know what my problem is.” He didn’t say anything in response. But seconds later his hand slid lower down her back and pulled her closer. Her heart thudded in her chest as she leaned into him. There was a certain amount of distance that people who weren’t romantically involved kept between one another when they danced. Even if she danced with Clark she would have kept that distance. That distance wasn’t there with Oliver. But regardless of the strangeness of the situation she didn’t mind it. Not even when he brought the hand he held in his own against his chest.
Oliver was a lot of things, but he wasn’t thick. He never lied to himself. Which meant he wasn’t going to lie too himself and try to tell himself that he didn’t like the feel of her against him. That he hadn’t purposely slid his hand down her back, pulling her closer.. The song came to an end and he slowly released her, allowing her to step back and put distance between them.
“You two would make cute little blond babies.”
Chloe looked to her cousin who had an evil glint in her eye. Chloe knew it was a joke, because Lois knew there wasn’t anything going on between herself and Oliver. But that didn’t stop Chloe from blushing. “Excuse me.” Turning away she headed to the exit.
Oliver frowned as he watched her leave, and then turned to Lois. “Good job.”
“Oh, she knew it was a joke. I mean please, you and Chloe.” She laughed and gave him a friendly slap on the arm before moving on.
The problem was until she said it he hadn’t thought it. Him and Chloe. Maybe he was slightly thick. Oliver watched Chloe grab a glass of wine from one of the bars and head towards the exit. A man she passed followed her with his head and Oliver couldn’t help but frown. Just as he was about to turn away and head to the bar he stopped and watched the man follow her out the door.
“Stupid Lois.” Chloe grabbed a glass of wine and headed towards the exit. If anything Oliver should have felt the brunt of the embarrassment. He was the one asked her to dance. He was the one who held her close. It was his fauly. But instead Chloe was running away, escaping to the bathroom to collect her thoughts. She never got to the bathroom though as a hand on her shoulder yanked her around and slammed her against the wall. Just as she moved to scream another hand surrounded her throat, cutting off her ability to breath.
“I’m not sure why you are so interested in Tess Mercer, but it would be wise of you to keep your nose out of her business.”
Chloe grabbed at his hand, clawed at his face. Anything to release the grip on her throat.
“You’re messing with things you should have stayed out of Ms. Sullivan. You know what they say…” He brought another hand up to her throat, pressing both thumbs into her wind pipe. “Curiosity killed the cat.”
She choked, trying to pull in breath, pull his hands from her throat. But there were already dark spots taking over her vision. Then suddenly she was falling to the floor, coughing, gasping greedily for breath. There was a loud snap and a scream. When she looked up her attacker was pressed face first against the wall, his arm twisted unnaturally behind his back. Oliver. She would have cried for relief if it wasn’t for the fact she couldn’t stop coughing.
“Who sent you?” Oliver growled angrily. When the man shook his head Oliver twisted his arm again. It was already broken, but it was bound to hurt like hell. He screamed. “I will break the other one. And if I have to I’ll take you into that room and break your legs.” Pressing him into the wall and twisting his arm harder he asked again. “Who sent you?”
“Tess Mercer.”
Oliver spun him around, wrapping his hand around the other man throat. “You or anyone else who threatens her will have to deal with me. And I’m warning you, it won’t be nice and you won’t like it.”
Chloe watched as the man grabbed at Oliver with his good arm, gasping for breath just as she had only moments ago. She tried to stand to pull Oliver away, but the movement caused her vision to swim and she found herself falling back to the ground. When it cleared she looked back up to find the man already slumped over. Oliver grabbed him from behind, and drug him down the hall to the bathroom. Chloe watched in panic as Oliver pushed open the door. She wasn’t sure if she was more worried at Oliver leaving her alone or what he would do with her attacker. But just as quickly as the door closed it opened against and Oliver was heading back towards her.
“You okay?” Oliver kneeled down in front of her and looked at her with concern. She nodded, but he still took her chin in his hand and tilted it up gently. Her throat was red and would most likely be bruised. “Come on.” Wrapping his arm around her waist he lifted her up. “We need to get you checked out.”
“No, no hospital.” Chloe forced out, her voice scratchy, and her throat achy.
“I know. I’ll call Dr. Emil in the car.” He hurried her out of there, not wanting to draw attention from anyone. He’d have to call Clark at some point, but his main concern was getting her out of there.
They made it to the car without incident and he helped her in, hurrying around to the driver’s side. As soon as he started the engine he was on the phone with the doctor. After waking Dr. Emil up and demanding he be ready in five minutes you turned back to Chloe. “You okay?” He turned to her and watched her nod, but she wasn’t looking at him. “Chloe?” He could hear her breathing heavily and on closer inspection noticed her chest heaving. “What’s wrong?” When she didn’t respond, and instead hunched, burying her face in her hand, he yanked his car to the side and put it into park. “Hey.” Placing a hand on her back he could feel her shaking.
When she felt his hand on her arm, pulling her back up, she sat up.
“It’s okay.” She nodded, but he could tell by the fear in her eyes she didn’t believe him. “Listen to me.” Taking her face in his hand he forced her to look at him. He could feel her teeth chattering under his palms and when she blinked tears escaped her watery eyes. “You’re fine. Nothing was going to happen to you. From the moment you stepped out that door I saw him following you, nothing was going to happen to you. And no one else will be hurting you.” Brushing the tears away with his thumbs he felt his chest tighten. It was his fault. She kept getting hurt and it was his fault. “Okay?” She nodded but she was still shaking. “Breath Chloe.”
Still all she could do was nod. He released her and wrapped a hand around the back over her head, pulling her closer until she had her face buried in his neck. It was awkward in his car, but that didn’t stop her from clinging to his shirt. It didn’t take long for her to catch her breath. “I’m always crying on you.” Her voice was still scratchy. She heard him laugh. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d heard him laugh.
“I think I can handle it.” She pulled away, and he dropped his hand from her. “You okay?” She nodded again, but this time he believed her. “Okay. Let’s get you to Dr. Emil.”
Chloe turned the key in her door and proceeded to tap her fingers over the key pad. Just as she turned the knob a hand covered her. Turning behind her she looked up into Oliver’s brown eyes. “What?”
“Let me go in first.” She nodded and took a step back. Chloe wasn’t sure what good he would do unarmed, but his reflexes would probably be better then hers. She waited in the hallway for a few moments before he was standing in her doorway again.
“All clear.” Opening the door fully for her, he stepped out the way to allow her in. She looked around, still seeming hesitant. “I think you’ll be safer hear. You might not want to go out alone tomorrow though.” She turned to him with a growing frown.
“More babysitting? If you don’t have to walk around with a bodyguard than I don’t see why-.”
“I didn’t say anything about babysitting. It’s just a precaution. You shouldn’t be going anywhere tomorrow anyway. You heard Dr. Emil. Get some rest.” The fight seemed to leave her to his relief. “Why didn’t you use your ability?” He’d wanted to know all along, but hated to, worried that it would sound like he was blaming her for what happened. “What happened?”
“I couldn’t concentrate. And I started losing consciousness so quickly….it was too late.” He didn’t say anything, seemingly satisfied with her answer. When he closed the distance between them and came to stand only a few inches away she felt her breath catch in her throat.
“Let me see.” Oliver grabbed her chin with his hand and tipped it back gently. Sliding his hand behind her head as she leaned her head back he brought his other hand up to her neck. “It’s already bruising.”
Chloe felt him brush his thumbs over her throat. Her body began to tense as thoughts of being strangled came back to her, but she quickly pushed them away. The hand on her neck weren’t the same. His hand rested against the base over her throat and slid down until his palm rested against her chest.
Oliver let his eyes slide down her neck, the bruises stirring his anger again. They traveled to his hand as it went and then went lower until he found himself looking at the smooth expanse of cleavage that was exposed by her strapless dress. What the hell was he doing? Oliver released her probably quicker than he should have. “I should get going. You need to get some sleep.”
Everything was different, she tried to tell herself that his behavior was normal, but it wasn’t. There was nothing normal about his sudden change in attitude. “Yea.” But the walls were back up, and his face had that guarded look again.
“I’ve got something for you.” He dug in his pocket and held out a wallet. “I snagged this from you attacker. You might be able to find something with it.” She just stared at it. “I could get Victor to do it.”
“No.” Chloe said firmly and took the wallet from him. Gripping it tightly in her hand. “I’m going to take care of it.”
He eyed her suspiciously. There was something in her eye that he didn’t quite get. There was more in her intention then just finding out who the guy was. That he was sure of. Then he just shrugged. “Do whatever you want with him. Lock up behind me.”
He headed to the door and she followed. “Oliver.” Stopping in the open doorway he turned to face her. “Thanks. I mean for being there. If you hadn’t...” He only stared. Shaking her head she continued. “Look on the bright side; you’ll be paid up for me saving your life in no time. No debts.” She tried to smile, making a joke of it.
“When your life is in danger because you saved mine I think that puts me in deeper.” But that was beside the point. “But that isn’t why I did it.”
She felt her with her heart hammer in her chest. It didn’t mean anything, all he most likely meant was he was saving the life of a friend. Just like she had done for him. But still, he’d admitted it, didn’t hide behind excuses that he was just paying her back. “Still, thanks.” He only nodded, face void of any emotion, and then left.