Fic: Start Over (13/17), Chloe/Oliver, PG

[isdon_isgood9]

Fic: Start Over (13/17)
Author: me
Rating: PG
Spoilers: 6.05
Word Count This Chapter: 6367
Word Count Story So Far:  43, 533
Summary: What if Oliver had been a supporter of Senator Kent from the very beginning of his campaign?
Character/Pairing: Oliver/Chloe, Lex, Lana, Alden, Geoffrey, Clark
Disclaimer: I’m an idiot who keeps forgetting to do this so please don’t sue me. I understand that these characters aren’t mine.
Author’s Note: Thanks to < miss_morrygan> who made me the banner below. I really do love it and thanks so much again : ) Sorry this took so long, my muse seems to be a little dead, forgive me and tell me if it wasn’t worth the wait ok. I like to know these things.
Enjoy and feel free to comment.




Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chpater 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6   Chapter 7  Chapter 8  Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11  Chapter 12

“Now this is how I could wake up every morning.”
Looking at her from his position at on the ground, chest extend and his arms holding him as he pushed for the sky, Oliver smiled at Chloe before dropping down from his position. Standing he walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her against him.
“You know if we didn’t have to go to this reunion we could go back to bed.”
Laughing at him, she pushed Oliver away saying, “I still have to go to work you know. Pick me up from the Planet at midday.”
“So I’ll call you at midday and you’ll come out and meet me,” Oliver replied with a smirk.
“Exactly,” Chloe said, moving from his arms into the kitchen.
“There’s something I need to tell you.” Oliver called, “I need to head to Japan for a couple of days. Bart has found a super friend who he thinks will join the club.”
“Really?’ Chloe asked, “And does this super friend have a name? Do we know his power?”
“I don’t know a name. Bart wants a dossier on him but I do know that he can hold breath underwater for a long time. Some people even think he’s a fish he can hold it for that long.”
“A dossier? Really?” Chloe asked, watching as Oliver shrugged, “Oh well you should go, have fun in Japan, but don’t get a geisha, ok?”
Laughing Oliver said, “You know a better way to wake up is yoga,” as he took his place back on the mat. Centring himself he took a deep breath before springing up onto his hands.
“You keep telling yourself that Romeo but the only thing I like about it is that fact that I get to see you half naked.” Chloe replied, moving back into the room.
“You know one of these days I’m going to convince you to give yoga a try.”
“Well bendy man when that day comes, and it won’t, I’ll do whatever you want in the bedroom.” Chloe said as she grabbed her bag, “Now you can either, get down here and kiss me before I leave or I’ll just kiss you twice as hard when you pick me up.”
Dropping down Oliver said, “As tempting you kissing me twice as hard sounds I’m going to have to kiss you now. I don’t think I could survive til midday,” he continued before lowering his lips to hers.
*********
Looking around the crowded park Chloe couldn’t believe the turn out to the reunion. It defiant wasn’t something she was use to. All these men crowded around in a courtyard with their trophy wives or girlfriends trying to make as many connections as possible. And while Oliver had promised to take her on a tour of the school he had been dragged away the second they had arrived and she had been left, standing in the middle, looking from the outside in, while waiting for Oliver to come back.
“Did your billionaire drag you to this thing too?”
Chloe spun at the familiar face over her shoulder and smiled when she was greeted with a beautifully dressed Lana. It made her midnight blue cocktail gown look like a rag from the shelf.
“Lex’s here?” Chloe asked as the pair hugged.
“Yes, just there,” Lana said pointing him out, “I must say though some of these rich boys are still acting like teenagers.”
“I don’t know, I think Oliver turned out ok,” Chloe replied as an arm wrapped around his waist.
“I’m glad you think so,” Oliver whispered, placing a kiss on her cheek, “Miss Lang.”
“I can only speak for myself,” Lex said, placing his hand on the small of Lana’s back.
Turning so she was only facing Oliver she smiled at him and opened her mouth to speak as two men joined their small group.
“Geoffrey, Alden... how’s business?” Lex asked.
“Not as good as you, but, hey,” Alden said with a shrug as he downed the rest of his drink.
Watching carefully as Lex’s gaze seemed to narrow Chloe turned to the boy, “And you guys were all friends?”
“Something like that,” Lex replied with a shrug.
“Man after 10 years the gang’s all here,” Geoffrey said slapping Oliver on the shoulder.
“Except Duncan,” Alden said, taking a sip out of the new glass he had gotten from somewhere.
“Who’s Duncan?” Lana asked, not noticing the looks on Lex and Oliver’s faces. Squeezing his arm Chloe watched Oliver compose himself carefully.
“You know what?” Oliver whispered, taking the drink out of Alden’s hand, “Maybe you ought to lay off, huh?”
“What?” He spat, “It’s not like you all weren’t thinking about it.”
“Alden,” Oliver said with a reprimanding tone in his voice.
Watching as Geoffrey took Alden’s upper arm he said, “C’mon Alden,” and dragged the boy away.
“Yeah, whatever. Good to see you, Lex. You did alright for yourself,” Alden said and as Geoffrey pulled him Lana he reached out and pinched her behind.
Turning into Oliver’s chest Chloe stifled a laugh, trying not to laugh at the look on Lex’s face as he tried not to punch Alden as the boy disappear. Pulling back Chloe smiled at Oliver when he realised he was trying to do the same thing. Saying goodbye to the other couple she pulled Oliver away.
Whispering into his ear she said, “Why don’t you show me the make out place here? ‘Cause a place like this has to have one.”
Chuckling Oliver wrapped both arms around her and said, “I like the way you think, Miss Sullivan.”
Lowering his lips down to hers they barely grazed when there was a bang behind them. Jumping apart they turned to where they were sure that the noise had come from. Seeing a piece of the ledge by Alden’s feet the pair ran over to where the boy was.
Reaching out and touching Alden’s arm, Oliver asked, “You alright?”
Gasping Alden said, “It just missed me. Must be my lucky day,” he spread his arms as he said that, turning to look up at where the brick had come from, just as the sword that the angel was holding flew to the ground and impaled itself into Alden chest.
Her eyes bulging in shock Chloe watched as blood splattered over Lex and Oliver turned his back to Alden, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her into his chest so that she could no longer see the body. Pulling her phone out of her bag she placed it into Oliver’s hand before wrapping her arms around him and proceeding to hide from the rest of the world.
*********
Wrapping his arms around Chloe he pulled her as close as he could, not wanting to let go for a second. The thought of losing an old friend was scary and right now he just needed to remind himself that Chloe was still there. That he hadn’t lost her too. Not yet anyway. Though he was sure that once the full story of his Excelsior days came out she would run for the hills, especially since he hadn’t been truthful with her. So for now he just held her, hoping it would be enough, even though he was sure it wasn’t.
Giving Geoffrey a half smile as he came out of the autopsy room Oliver moved forward so that he was walking between Chloe and Geoffrey. Not speaking the trio left the hospital kind of shell shocked. It wasn’t everyday that someone died in front of them, even in Oliver’s other line of business. Listening as the ambulance sirens wailed around them he turned slightly to Geoffrey as he started to speak.
“Seeing somebody you laughed with... shared so many good times together... seeing him laid out on the table like that....”
“They say he didn’t suffer,” Chloe whispered, “It’s not much but it’s better than thinking that he died that way in pain.”
“Yeah, but I’m guessing it didn’t tickle either,” Geoffrey scoffed.
“I’m just trying to help,” Chloe said, curling further into Oliver’s chest.
“I know I’m sorry,” Geoffrey whispered, “I’m just...”
“In pain, I know,” Chloe said.
“Alden called me,” Oliver interjected, “A couple of months ago.”
Rubbing her hand down his arm Chloe waited patiently for Oliver to continue. She didn’t like the glazed over impression that his eyes were giving at the moment. It was like he wasn’t there, like he had somehow removed himself from the situation.
“He just wanted to go for a drink,” Oliver continued, “I told him... I told him I was busy. I said I’d catch him later.”
Hugging Oliver tighter Chloe whispered, “You couldn’t have known that something like this was going to happen.”
Geoffrey nodded in agreement, “It’s just all the more reason to live for today and keep in touch with old friend.”
Oliver nodded, “How long are you in town for? We should do dinner or something?”
“I actually have to get to Gotham tonight but I’ll call you tomorrow. We’ll set it up sometime soon and you’ll have to bring Chloe so I can get to know her better.” Geoffrey said, “Don’t screw it up, from what I’ve seen so far she’s pretty amazing.”
Oliver laughed and pulled Chloe closer than what she already was. Smiling Chloe said, “He’s a smart guy. You should listen.”
Kissing her lightly Oliver replied, “I think I just might.”
Waving to Geoffrey the pair cross the street to Oliver’s car. Unnoticed to them the driver of Geoffrey’s car takes a final puff of his cigarette before throwing it to the ground and preparing to get in the car. The cigarette rolled from where it was thrown straight into a puddle, igniting it within seconds. Hearing a noise Oliver glanced over his shoulder, back at the car, and seeing the flames run across the road towards it he grabbed onto Chloe tighter, pulling her into front of him and dropping to the ground, just as the car exploded. Looking back he was shocked to see the car in pieces. Oliver knew just how lucky they were, if they had walked slower or paused for a second, they could have been gone too.
And he thanked his lucky stars that they hadn’t.
*********
“You know you can go to work,” Oliver said as he placed the arrow on his bow. Pulling the string back he took a deep breath before lining up the shoot and realising it. Smiling, knowing it had hit the bullseye without even looking at it, he turned to face Chloe, “I don’t need a babysitter.”
Placing her laptop on the coffee table Chloe walked to where he was and wrapped her arms around him, “Two of your closest friends just died. I think I can work from the couch for a day.”
“Look I’m fine.”
“Then tell me who Duncan is. Tell why you’ve never mentioned him before in any of your stories about Excelsior? Why did you and Lex get that look in your eye when he was mentioned?” Chloe said pulling back.
“I’m not in the mood to play that game at the moment.”
“Or could it be that you don’t think I’ll like the answers.” Chloe said crossing her arms over her chest, “Does this have anything to do with why you and Lex hate each other? The real reason not the stupid ones you come up with when I ask.”
“You know there fake,” Oliver said, shocked.
“Yeah. I know most of your secrets Oliver and I can tell when you’re lying.”
Picking up another arrow Oliver sighed and prepared to shoot again. Closing his eyes he fired off the shot and waited for the sound of the impact into the target. When it doesn’t come he opens his eyes carefully to Clark standing in front of the target, holding the arrow in one hand.
“I was wondering if my security system would keep someone like you out.” Oliver said, lowering the bow again.
Clark laughed, “Looks like you need an upgrade.”
“Or you need to learn how to knock,” Oliver replied, “It’s ok though. You can keep that one, I got a new arrow.” Oliver continued opening a case and pulling out the arrow inside, “I was thinking about developing a boxing glove arrow and then I thought ‘come up with a little something fancier.’”
Placing the arrow onto the bow he pulled back, aiming at the stereo that Chloe had put on at some point. Firing he waited as the electromagnetic pulse surged through the area, knocking out all of his electrical equipment within an eight foot radius.
“A contained electromagnet pulse,” Chloe whispered, “I’m impressed.”
Winking at her Oliver said, “It knocks out everything electrical within an eight foot radius. Cameras, laser systems, pacemakers,” smiling when Chloe laughed he turned to see Clark not looking impressed, “That last one was a joke, Clark.”
“I’m laughing on the inside.”
“Maybe we’ll get lucky one day and it’ll bubble to the surface. So what do I owe the pleasure of your visit too?” Oliver asked, placing the arrow down.
“Well Lois covered the story of your friends for Inquisitor and I thought I’d drop around to make sure your ok.” Clark said with a tight smile.
“I’m fine Clark,” Oliver said with a sigh.
“That’s the line he keeps telling me too,” Chloe said with a shrug.
“You know what. If you want to do something for me I can think of something,” Oliver replied. “Help me figure out how Lex caused the accidental death of two of my friends.”
“You think Lex is behind this?” Chloe asked, “He standing in front of us when Alden was killed.”
“So? It’s Lex.”Oliver said with a shrug, “And I’ve known him longer than you two. I’ve seen who he really is.”
*********
Standing in the corridor Chloe waited patiently. She knew the second Lana landed in hospital that Oliver’s theory about Lex was ridiculous. There was no way that Lex would endanger Lana, he loved her too much for that, and Chloe just didn’t know how to tell Oliver that. So here she stood, waiting in the hospital corridor for Lex to let her see her best friend.
Smiling as Lex exited the room she asked, “Can I see her now?”
“She’s trying to sleep Chloe. Why don’t you come back tomorrow?”
“So you can think of another way to keep me out of the room,” Chloe said, “I don’t think so. Just let me see her now. I’m a big girl so I won’t wake her.”
Pushing past Lex she entered the room, smiling when she saw Lana sleeping, she placed the flowers on the table in the corner. Looking her friend over Chloe was glad that the only visible injury was on her forehead. At least it hadn’t been too bad, then again she was sure that the only reason Lana was hurt at all was because Lex whatever connection he had to this Duncan character. Squeezing her hand gently she turned and left the room, hoping this mystery would be solved soon.
*********
Sitting on Oliver’s lounge with her laptop in her lap and Clark pacing in front of her, Chloe couldn’t help but wonder how her life had come to this. She was so worried about Oliver but she didn’t have the heart to stop him from trying to find out who had murdered his friends. So she sat with her new laptop tracking his every move. It gave her some piece of mind but she would feel better if Clark wasn’t ranting in front of her.
“...It’s not like he’s wrong though. I’ve hurt Lana more than anyone else. She wouldn’t even be with Lex if it wasn’t for me,” he said, pacing backwards and forwards so fast that Chloe couldn’t look at him without getting a headache.
“Lana made that choice by herself Clark and it’s time you realise that. She chose to be with Lex after you chose to lie to her about cheating on her.” Chloe replied with a sigh, not in the mood to sugar coat it.
“Thanks Chloe I appreciate the harshness of that reality.” Clark snapped.
“Don’t take this out on me Clark,” Chloe argued, “I’m sick of this need you have to blame yourself when Lana makes decisions for herself. She got into this with Lex knowing who he was. There was nothing you could do to stop that so you need to stop blaming yourself.”
Clark sighed and plopped down onto one of Oliver’s armchairs, “I just don’t understand.”
“You don’t have to Clark. It’s just like I don’t understand why Ollie needs to go find out who murdered his friends or why he won’t tell me who this Duncan person is but I support him and I trust him to be making the right decisions. And more importantly I know that he would come to me if he needed me.” Chloe replied leaning over and taking his hand, “And now it’s time for you to trust Lana to do the same.”
Smiling Clark said, “You’ve been in a relationship for seven months and now you’re an expert.”
Chloe laughed, “Seven and a half actually. But I wouldn’t say I’m a relationship expert. Ollie makes it so easy for me at times and I hope I make it easy for him. Honestly though should the relationship you’re meant to be in be hard. Should you always make it difficult to be with the other person? Sure there should be rough patches, like now for you and Lana and most likely between Oliver and I, but if you’re ready to work for it should it matter whether or not they come as long as they go.”
Standing up Clark pulled Chloe into a hug, “Thanks.”
“That’s ok,” She replied as she heard the elevator coming up. Turning she smiled when she saw Oliver. “Hey. I wasn’t expecting you to come home so soon.”
“Oh, I thought you’d know where I was since you’re keeping tabs on me,” Oliver replied with a smiled.
Standing Chloe walked over and hugged him before saying, “Well I was worried and it didn’t hurt.”
Kissing her once Oliver turned to Clark and asked, “Is Lana going to be ok?”
“I think so. Looks like you were wrong about Lex being the one behind the attacks.” Clark replied.
“Unless he orchestrated this one to throw off suspicion,” Oliver said as he walked over to the fridge and pulled out a bottle of water.
“If Lex was the only one hurt then I’d probably think the same thing,” Clark agreed with a shrug.
“There is one thing you guys are forgetting,” Chloe interjected, “He loves Lana too much to risk her life.” Noticing as Clark wiped the stricken look off his face Chloe couldn’t help but feel a little bad for saying it. “These attacks aren’t random. Could it have something to do with a kid you went to school with back at Excelsior - Duncan?” Chloe asked.
“It’s not Duncan,” Oliver whispered.
“How can you be sure?” Clark asked, “There has to be a reason you both acted that way at the reunion after he was brought up.”
“It’s because Lex and I killed him ten years ago,” Oliver replied.
“Ollie, you can’t be serious?” Chloe protested, “I know you, you wouldn’t kill anyone.”
Oliver shrugged a shoulder before telling them the story of Duncan Allenmeyer. It almost killed him to admit it, especially to the girl he was sure he loved, but it was time for truth to come out no matter how much he wanted to shelter Chloe from it.
“Duncan suffered massive brain injuries,” Oliver whispered, wrapping up his story. He couldn’t look at Chloe so instead he stared at his hands hoping the look on her face wasn’t going to make him regret telling the story.
“Is there anything else you haven’t told me?” Chloe asked.
Oliver sighed, “Just the denouement - Lionel Luther sweeping in with the best doctors in the world to save Duncan.”
“Lionel?” Clark asked.
“I thought it was an act of kindness. Now that I’m older I realize that it was just an act. Lionel was trying to cover up what happened between Lex and Duncan. He was just trying to save the Luthor name.”
“How did he know about all this?” Clark asked.
Finally looking up at Chloe he was shocked to see that her face was blank. He was sure she would be asking questions but she wasn’t. Turning to Clark he said, “He got the whole story from Lex. Duncan was a scholarship student and his parents couldn’t afford a band-aid let alone a team of neurosurgeons, so Lionel promised to take care of the whole thing.”
Clark nodded in understanding, “As long as everyone kept quiet.”
“Not that it mattered. Duncan died two days later.”
Placing his hand on Oliver’s shoulder Clark said, “It was an accident. It just happened.”
Oliver shook his head, “I’ve told myself that lie for years. The truth is all of us might as well have pushed him in front of the car. Alden, Geoffrey, Lex, me - we all killed Duncan.”
Clark nodded, knowing there was no way to him to comfort Oliver. He just hoped that after he left Chloe would be able too. Casting his mind back to the subject at hand he asked, “What about his family? If they believe you killed him, one of them might be behind this.”
“I thought about that but the only relative I could find was his mother,” Oliver said.
“Where’s she?”
“Grandville Cemetery. She passed away a month ago.”
Clark nodded, “Ok, I’ll go see what I can find and I’ll leave you two to talk.”
Standing Oliver walked Clark to the door hoping to put the conversation with Chloe off but it only took him a minute. Waving goodbye to him he paused, hoping to put off the inevitable for a second longer, before turning back to Chloe. He was shocked when he saw the majority of her face devoid of emotions and her eyes holding traces of anger. Making his way over slowly he started to think about ways in which he could fix what was happening between them, not that he was entirely sure what that was. Moving a hand towards her arm his shock grew when she flinched away from him.
“How could you not tell me?” she whispered.
“Tell you what?”
“About Duncan, about where the mutual hatred between you and Lex grew exponentially.”
“I didn’t want you to know that yet.”
“Even though we have a trust game, those questions you’re supposed to answer truthfully.” Chloe whispered.
“Chloe- ”
Chloe shook her head, “No we can fight later. There’s a murderer to stop.” She said before heading up to the bedroom where she intended to stay until Lex arrived.
**********
Walking along the long hallway the nurse paused outside her last door. Sighing she grabbed the syringe. She had been working nine hours straight and she was looking forward to being able to go home and curling up with a movie and her cat. Pushing into the room she couldn’t help but feel sad for the boy inside. He had spent the majority of his life in the chair, in a coma, not experiencing anything at all. It made her sad that this could happen to someone so young. Walking over to him she rested a hand on his shoulder. It was patients like him that made her realise how much she had to live for.
Glancing over the syringe for a final time to ensure that the liquid was loaded correctly, she smiled at the boy, “It’s time for your treatment, Duncan.”
Placing the needle into the IV she pushed on the end and injected the green fluid into Duncan’s arm, not noticing as a green tint ran over Duncan’s eyes.
**********
Walking down the stairs Chloe took a deep breath to try to control her anger. She couldn’t believe that Oliver had thought not to mention that at all, like it was a minor part in his life. Obviously it had changed both Oliver and Lex and why he didn’t think it was important to tell her confused her. Especially since she had spent a lot of time asking why he and Lex didn’t get along. Oliver had chalked it up to a lot difference in the boy’s personality and numerous other things.
Hearing the phone beep she stopped at the bottom of the stairs and watched Oliver answer.
“Yes?”
“He’s arriving now Mr Queen,” Miss Button said.
“Thank you,” Oliver replied before pulling his finger off the button. Straightening his jacket he turned and smiled at Chloe, “Lex is coming.”
Chloe nodded, heading over to stand near him, “I heard.”
“You still mad?”
“Yes Oliver, I’m still mad. I deserve to be as far as I’m concerned.” Chloe sighed as Lex walked in.
“Lex, I was wondering how long it was going to take for you to pop up.”
“I’ve been busy,” Lex said, staring Oliver straight in the eye, “At the hospital.”
“How is Lana? I only saw her for a moment last night?” Chloe asked.
“She’ll be fine,” Lex replied, finally looking at Chloe. “So you guys Siamese twins now?”
“I’d rather not have Oliver kill you. I fear I’ll miss him too much if you do.”
Oliver smiled at that, glad that Chloe could at least admit that. It made him feel like there could be hope for their relationship to survive this.
“Ever since Oliver’s been in Metropolis, I’ve been kidnapped, my life put in jeopardy and the woman I love is lying in a hospital bed.”
“And you think that’s my fault?” Oliver asked, “It sounds like a case of bad karma to me.”
“Go back to Star City. In fact take Chloe with you then I’ll be rid of two thorns in my side.” Lex sneered, a look of rage twinkling in his eyes.
“I’ve seen that look before,” Oliver said, looking into Lex’s eyes, “When was it? Oh yeah - when you almost beat your only to death.”
“Oliver!” Chloe cried, just as Lex’s fist collided with Oliver’s face.
Laughing Oliver said, “That’s good but just so you know the first one’s free. Next one’s going to cost.”
Gasping as Les swung at Oliver again Chloe watched on as Oliver ducked the punch and grabbed his waist, tossing him across the room. Watching as Lex landed on the glass table, shattering it, Chloe gasped and moved to help him as Oliver moved across the room in front of him.
“Poor little Lex,” he sneered, “Always blaming everyone else for his problems.”
“Only when they’re the cause of it,” Lex cried, pulling himself to his feet before taking another swing at Oliver only to get Chloe’s check.
Watching as Chloe crumbled Oliver pushed Lex backwards so he stumbled into a chair before turning and grabbing Chloe’s shoulders, pulling her so she was standing up and he could inspect the damage. Running a hand over her check he sighed and pulled her into the kitchen, moving to pull an icepack from the freezer as Lex got to his feet. Placing the pack on her face he left it there before leaving to deal with Lex.
“You could never take responsibility for what happened to Duncan.” Oliver said.
“Like your hands were clean,” Lex yelled, as Chloe re-entered the room, “And now you’re bringing down Miss Sullivan with you.”
“You want to know the difference between us Lex. I realised I made a mistake and I’ve been scrubbing my hands real hard ever since. You just keep getting your dirtier.”
Turning when she heard a rattle Chloe was startled as the windows began to shake. Knowing that the boys were too caught up in their fighting to notice she inched closer to Oliver as the shaking got worse. She may be mad at him at the moment but that didn’t mean that she didn’t care about him, it would never mean that she didn’t care about him, just that he could still make her mad.
“Ollie,” she called, pointing to the glass. Watching as he noticed what she had seen she watched as he pulled Lex out of the way as the glass on the window began to shatter. Dropping to the ground she wasn’t surprised when she felt a body on hers. Knowing from just his scent that it was Oliver she waited until all the glass had fallen before lifting herself up.
Seeing Lex she walked over to him, checking his pulse as she took in the room. All the glass from the balcony doors and the clock face had shattered, leaving the room exposed. Shaking Lex gently she stood when she was convinced that he wasn’t going to wake up and learn all of Oliver’s secrets.
Moving towards Oliver she asked, “Do you think that’s it?”
“I don’t think so,” he whispered, “You should get out of here.”
“I’m not leaving you,” she replied, not noticing as an arrow from Oliver’s stash flew across the room, just as she moved so it was in line with her shoulder. Gasping as it embed itself in, she stumbled forward into Oliver, in too much pain to notice anything else that was happening around her.
“Chloe,” Oliver cried, “Oh God. Hold on ok.” Leading her over to the wall he watched as her eyes shut, “No stay with me,” he continued, shrugging off his jacket and placing it over her wound. Placing a hand over the jacket to hold it in place he turned to watch where the next attack could come from.
“Come on then, come get me. I’m the one you want. Just leave her alone, she has nothing to do with it.”
Watching as his new arrow was lifted from its case Oliver took a deep breath, closed his eyes and waited for the impact from the arrow. Feeling a gust of wind Oliver opened his eyes in time to see the arrow strike Clark in the chest, setting off the electromagnetic charge and causing a figure made of electricity to appear for a second then disappearing.
Sighing, glad that was over he turned back to Chloe, calling over his shoulder to Clark, “You need to get her to a hospital,” he said as he pulled the arrow out to remove any trace of the Green Arrow. Not needing to be told twice Clark grabbed Chloe and was gone in a matter of seconds.
*************
Moving around the room Lex was nervous. He’d never shared this part of his life with anyone. It made him feel weak and embarrassed that he could ever let go that much but he knew what secrets did to a relationship and he wasn’t prepared to keep anymore from Lana. Pouring himself half a glass of scotch he figured that that would help him when he went to tell her. Looking up as the door to his study opened he smiled as Lana entered. Walking over to the couch, drink still in hand, he motioned for her to sit on the couch before he took the seat next to her.
Trying to find the words to tell her what had happened he was shocked when she opened her mouth first, “Lex, whatever it is you can tell me and it won’t change my opinion of you.”
Smiling he placed a hand on her arm and decided to start from the beginning, “I wasn’t the most popular kid at Excelsior - the way I looked and the rumours about what happened to my brother made it almost impossible. But Duncan didn’t care. He was my only friend and I betrayed him.”
Rubbing his arm Lana replied, “Lex you were just a boy. What matters is the man you’ve become.”
Giving her a half smile he said, “Duncan was just a boy and he knew what the right thing to do was. I just wish I had listened to him.”
Lana opened her mouth to say something else as the study doors flew open. Oliver walked through like he owned the place and it made Lex’s angry for the man boil. Noticing he had stopped a few feet in Lex rose to his feet and said, “You’re early,” while trying not to sound rude.
Oliver shrugged in a casual way, “It’s not often I get invited into the lines den. I didn’t want you changing your mind.”
Lana smiled politely before standing, “I’m sure you two have a lot to discuss.” Leaning down she kissed Lex’s forehead before turning to leave, nodding at Oliver on the way out and saying to him, “Mr Queen.”
“Miss Lang,” Oliver replied with a small tilt of his head as she left, closing the doors behind her. “You’re a lucky man.”
Lex nodded, “In more ways than one but then again so are you. I should be dead but here I stand.”
“I’m very blessed to have Chloe,” Oliver replied with a small smile, “And I’m sure you would have done the same thing for me.”
“I just want to say thank you.” Lex replied, ignoring his comment and turning his back. “And that’s all I wanted to say. I’m sure you have business to get back to.”
Heading over to his desk he allowed his finger to graze against the bloody emblem on his desk. Giving a half smile he couldn’t help but think of what life would have been like if Duncan had lived and they had gone into business together. Maybe it was time that he took the advice that his friend had tried to impart a long time ago. He didn’t need people who were going to pretend to be his friends or that he had to buy to act that way, like he had with Clark and Oliver. He should have friends who just want to be his friend no matter what. Through good times and bad, who always believe that best in you.
“Lex,” Oliver said, causing Lex to turn back to him having not realised that he was still there, “What happened to Duncan... the way I treated both of you... it’s not something that I’m proud of. I want you to know how much I regret it.”
Lex nodded before saying, “And I regret ever thinking I needed to be friends with you.”
*********
Walking into the barn Oliver was shocked to see Chloe sitting on the barn steps, arm strapped to her chest, talking to Clark as he piled the hay bales together in the back corner. Stopping he just stared at her. He couldn’t believe that he hadn’t seen her in two days. Man how his heart seemed to be aching for her. He had to find a way to make this right with her.
“So that thing that attacked us was Duncan’s astral body or whatever you want to call it.”
Clark nodded, “It must have been an electrical manifestation.”
Making his presence known Oliver said, “But it’s gone now right? Chloe’s safe.”
Clark nodded, “Yeah, it must have been fried by your electromagnetic arrow, taking with it the rest of Duncan’s brain.”
Nodding Oliver went and leaned against the railing on the stairs, trying not to notice when Chloe shifted so she was further away from him.
“You know,” Clark said, “Making the wrong choices and living with the consequences, it isn’t easy, is it?”
Oliver nodded, glancing briefly at Chloe, saying to Clark, “Speaking from experience?”
“More than I’d like.’
“You know we all make bad choices Clark. All we can do is hope that we make the right ones in the future, right?”
“Yeah,” Clark said with a nod patting Oliver on the shoulder before leaving the couple alone in the barn.
Standing Chloe moved off the stairs, “Just ‘cause you say that Oliver doesn’t mean I believe it?”
“How many times can I say sorry Chloe.” Oliver sighed, “’Cause I’m really sorry.”
“That doesn’t change anything! All those times I asked why you and Lex didn’t like each other you never told me the Duncan story. Don’t you think that’s an important part?”
“No I didn’t, obviously,” Oliver cried, “I didn’t want you to know that side of me.”
“Well I want to know every side of you Oliver. Not just the ones you deem important.” Chloe said crossing her arm so it was over her chest.
“Ok, from now on, total honesty.”
“How am I supposed to believe that? I already thought we had total honesty? ‘Cause of the Jimmy thing, remember?”
“Don’t bring up Jimmy now?”
“Why not? You seem to think that that’s where all our issues start. I told you everything that happened between me and Jimmy and everything that has happened since he got to town and you don’t believe me. So is this some form of punishment?”
“No! I didn’t think you had a right to know!”
“Well I didn’t think you had a right to know about me and Jimmy but you seemed to think you did.”
“Yeah well it’s different! Duncan never made a move on me.”
“And I never made a move on Jimmy!”
“We’re just going round in circles!” Oliver cried throwing his hands up in the arm.
“I know. Oliver I think we should take a break, especially while you’re away.”
“Are you breaking up with me?” Oliver asked eyes opened wide in shock.
“No Oliver I’m not, which means that you’re not allowed to bang the first girl or co-ed that you find or stumble across.”
“Like I want to,” Oliver scoffed.
“Please it’s what you did after Tess. I should just be glad that you at least pretend to faithful when you’re with me.”
“I am faithful when I’m with you. There’s not pretending. You’re the only person I want to be with. When will you believe me?”
“Maybe when you stop lying to me,” Chloe replied before turning and leaving Oliver standing alone in the middle of the Kent’s barn.

A/N I’m a little worried about how Oliver came off at the end so let me know if he’s too out of character ok : D.

Chapter 14