The Fall 13/?
Title: The Fall 13/?
Fandom: Smallville
Rating: NC17
Summary: Sometimes even a hero needs to be saved.
Notes: Not a super great chapter, and not long. But at least it's an update. So what do yall think about me turning this into two stories?
“Ms. Mercer.”
Tess frowned at her phone and curled her fingers away from the keyboard, tucking them into a loose fist.
“I have Mr. Queen in the lobby demanding to see you. Would you like me to have him escorted out?”
She pictured him bruised and battered. Somehow she found it surprising that he would venture out so early. “No, send him in. But have security on standby just in case.” The speaker clicked as the call ended and she lounged back into her chair, crossing her legs just perfectly so the slit of her skirt split provocatively up her thigh. He claimed he wanted to kill her, but considering he kept coming back for more she seriously doubted that. The door opened moments later, her assistant watching him with a mix of awe and speculation. Tess was all ready with a snarky comment until she noted his appearance, or lack thereof. He looked just as he had when he left her at the bar. “You are looking remarkably well.”
“I actually feel great.” Oliver said in false amazement. “It is rather remarkable.” Taking a seat in one of the leather chair across from her desk he raised a questioning eyebrow at her. “Why, did you think I wouldn’t be?”
“Well you never know.” She knew her confusion was showing on her face and she did her best to wipe it away, instead concentrating on what he was doing in her office, a rather bold and public move on his part. “What can I do for you Oliver? Not drunk are you?”
“Not yet. I’ve actually come to propose something to you.”
“Now Oliver, the way you’ve been tanking Queen Industries lately I don’t think I’m very interested in any of your business offers. I’m not in the habit of bailing people out, even if I have slept with them.” She noted the way he bristled at the last comment and she couldn’t help but take some pleasure in it.
“Trust me Tess. Be sure that I’d rather be dirt poor in a gutter before accepting your help, especially considering I slept with you.” Her demeanor didn’t change, but Oliver could see her eyes harden. “Now if we’re through, my proposal is not business related, but I do need your help.” She laughed as he expected she would, too bad the joke was on her.
“Anything to do with your little escapade into Havana?”
“Perhaps. Have you heard anything about Lex lately?” The smirk left her face, replaced by firm, pursed lips.
“No, why?” The name alone froze her blood.
“Because I have it on good authority that he was behind my attack in Havana.” She held his eyes for only a few moments before looking away.
Tess forced herself to meet his knowing gaze. “If what you are saying is true, which I seriously doubt it is, he seems to be after you. What’s that to me?”
“For now.” Oliver leaned forward and propped his elbows on his knees. “I would be the first person in line to stop him. Who do you think killed him the first time?”
“You didn’t-.” She shook her head, looking at the man she once thought she knew. He’d changed so many times since she’d known him, but she’d never believed him of cold blooded murder, herself maybe, but not him.
“Tess, I stood there and watched him blow up without batting an eyelash.” After letting the words sink in he continued. “Not only does Lex have it out for me just on principle, but he knows that I would be the first one to stand against him if he does return.”
Tess pushed thoughts of Oliver and murder from her mind and shrugged. “So what. You’re dead, what does that have to do with me. I’ll wear a red dress to your funeral.”
“If I’m dead who do you think is next?” He could see her jaw tense at his question. Sitting back, Oliver through his arm over the back of the chair. “Don’t you think he’ll want control again? You know too much about him now. You would be a liability.”
“I can handle my own problems.”
“Maybe.” Oliver shrugged and studied her, watching the way she stared off, not really seeing him. “But wouldn’t you rather I take care of him before he even gets to you?”
“You aren’t doing me any favors.” Tess bit out nastily. “So what do you want?”
“I need help finding him.”
“I didn’t even know he was alive.”
“No. But you know other things about Lex. You might even have a better idea of where he may hide.” She seemed to be thinking it over silently. Oliver didn’t have to wonder if she would accept his offer, he knew she would. With enough time she’d conjure all kinds of scenarios of how Lex would do away with her.
“Is that why your little blond has been in my business?” She didn’t miss how he narrowed his eyes. It lasted only a second, but she caught it. She didn’t think much on it, but decided it best to remember that bit of information. He didn’t say anything in response. “I’ll think about it.”
“Don’t wait too long.” Oliver stood and looked down at her. “Both of our lives are on the line.”
Tess watched him make his exit. She could tell he was confident in her answer. She could risk it, let Lex take out Oliver. Sure she’d miss him a bit, but it wouldn’t affect her that much. The odds weren’t in her favor though. Tess had grown since Lex’s demise. She wouldn’t lie idly by letting him lead her around on an invisible leash as he had before. He would know be aware of how much she’d changed. Her other option would be to try to take on Lex on her own, rid herself of him without Oliver’s help. The problem with that plan was that it put her life in danger. Oliver knew she wouldn’t do that, he knew that she’d rather put his life in danger than her own.
Chloe yawned and stretched as she slowly began to wake. In a last ditch effort she buried deeper into her pillow, turning her head into it to hide from the sun. A knock sounded and she realized slowly that it that noise that had woken her. Squinting against the sun light in her room she glanced at the alarm clock. “Shit.” She exclaimed suddenly as she sat up. It was after ten, she never slept that late. She supposed it could have been because after returning home the previous night she’d stayed up until four in the morning catching up on all the work she missed the previous day.
Another knock.
Forgetting the fact that she had slept in, Chloe threw the sheets to the side and headed to the living room. “Who is it?”
“Me.”
Her breath quickened and she tried to ignore how her heart fluttered at the familiar voice. Quickly ,Chloe undid the alarm and locks and pulled at the door knowb. When she opened the door there stood Oliver, hair neatly spiked, freshly shaven, and clad in a very expensive suit.
“Did you just wake up?” She nodded up at him and brushed a piece of wavy hair behind her ear. He’d seen already what she looked like in the morning, but it was a different story when it had been over twelve hours. “Can I come in?”
Chloe silently cursed herself for making him stand in the hallway and quickly stepped to the side. When the door was locked again she turned back to him. “Is something wrong?”
His eyes once again took in her appearance, from her freshly cleaned face to the long expanse of bare leg. What she’d worn to his house the day before hadn’t been near so short and this time he couldn’t help but notice that she didn’t wear a bra. He tried not to stare, but he couldn’t help but notice how her nipples pressed against the material.
For the first time she became fully aware of her state of dress. She tried to fight down the feeling of excitement at the look in his eyes. “Ollie? What’s going on?” She asked, trying her best to pretend she didn’t notice how he looked at her.
“In a minute.” He reached out for her waist, encircling it in his hand, and pulled her to him.
Chloe tilted her head up just as his lips came crashing down to her own. She grabbed onto his arms for support when he pulled her flush against him, forcing her back to arch and tilt her head and an odd angle. The fact of the matter was that Oliver was much too tall for her. Whether he thought the same thing or not she wasn’t sure, but in just moments his hands were wrapping around her thighs and lifting her. Chloe wrapped her legs around his waist and gasped as her back hit the wall. Hands were under her shirt, sliding over her ribs, thumbs brushing against the sides of her breast.
Oliver ignored the sharp pain from the roots of his hair as she yanked at it. He didn’t care as he slid his hands over her breast, rubbing the pads of his thumbs over her nipples. She arched into him, forcing her breasts into his hands. Oliver squeezed gently, massaging her breast, pinching her nipples. As she whimpered into his mouth he pushed away thoughts of yanking her shirt over her head so that he could have his first look of her bare breasts. Yanking his mouth from her own he breathed heavily, sliding his hands from her breasts and settling them on her hips. “Sorry.”
Chloe groaned and dropped her head back; wincing as the back of it hit what she finally realized was the wall she was pressed against. As she closed her eyes she fought to gain control over her breathing again. What didn’t help was when he buried his face in the crook of her neck, his warmth breath brushing over the exposed skin. Eventually he stepped back and she uncrossed her legs from around him allowing him to lower her back to the ground. Stepping back, Chloe put some distance between them. “You didn’t come over here for that.”
“Not just for that.” She cocked an eyebrow, seeming to be amused at his response. “I spoke to Tess.”
Chloe sighed and stepped away from him. “Maybe we should sit.” She led him to the sofa and without turning around took a seat, folding her legs and pulling a blanket over herself. “How did it go?”
“I think she was surprised that I didn’t look bruised and beaten.” Oliver shrugged off his coat and threw it to the side. Taking a seat next to her he laid his arm behind her stretching it across the back of the sofa. “But she didn’t ask.”
“Probably knew you wouldn’t tell. And what about the rest of it.” He shrugged, not seeming to be all that concerne, which rather worried her. After all, he’d just gone to make a deal with Tess.
“I don’t think she had any clue about Lex. She didn’t give me an answer, but eventually she’s going to realize that the best way to keep herself alive is to help me.” He watched her for a response, but none came. “What?”
“I still don’t like it.” She heard him sigh. “I’m sorry, but I don’t like it. I mean maybe you know her better than I do, but any woman who can do the kinds of things she does, I don’t trust her.”
He felt a moment of shame that even after the horrible things that Tess had done he had still sought her, tried his damndest to get her back. Half of the reason was because he knew he had his own faults and he couldn’t blame her for her own, the other half was that he had been blind. But what did that say about him; he’d done some pretty horrible things. It made him wonder if he should be included in the same category that Chloe placed Tess. He wanted to voice his fears to her, tell her that he had foolishly pursued Tess regardless of her faults, and ask her if he was just as guilty as Tess. The problem was he didn’t want her to even think about it. If she did then she might finally realize he wasn’t worth it. “Do you trust me?”
Chloe looked up into his eyes, noting the hard demanding look. “Yes.”
He knew she did. She’d kept after him this long, regardless of his anger and resentment towards her. It was disconcerting for him to suddenly realize he trusted her more than any other person in the world. Regardless of his sins she’d be there pulling him through it. He was grateful for it, and it had taken him that long to realize that was why she’d never given up on Davis. Chloe couldn’t give up, it wasn’t part of her. It made him almost ashamed that she had more strength then she did. “It’ll be fine.”
Chloe shook her head. There was such strong conviction in on his face and in his voioce. She knew he was determined to make her believe it, even if he didn’t. “Ollie, you don’t have to tell me-.”
“Yes, I do.” She closed her mouth. He hoped she was finally realizing his need to comfort her without bringing it up.
Chloe nodded. “Okay.” His eyes searched her face and when his hand wrapped around the back of her neck she didn’t fight him as he pulled her head forward to meet her lips with his.