Anything But Ordinary
Chapter 21
“Are you all right?” she asked lifting a tremulous palm to his cheek. In the dimness Chloe could see his fading black eye. “What happened? Where’s everyone? The creature?” She glanced around noting her surroundings for the first time. “Where are we?”
He realized she must not remember the events of days ago, or perhaps she thought she’d healed him completely. “One question at a time, Sidekick.” Oliver murmured, pressing warm, lips to her forehead. “I’m fine. Clark is here,” Oliver’s voice trailed off, as he lifted his head, eyes searching the darkness, noting Clark was not where he’d seen him last. “Clark?”
“Oliver! Over here.” Clark’s voice sounded near the place where Tess’s body had landed near the side of the building.
“I’m okay, Ollie, you can put me down,” Chloe whispered, and he set her on her feet, holding onto her as she took a moment to adjust to bearing her own weight again. Oliver arranged his over-sized leather jacket around her shoulders protectively. He wanted nothing more than to take her home and hold her close against him through the rest of the night. She nodded her readiness, and he clasped her hand as they both walked toward the sound of Clark’s voice. “What happened to your leg?” she asked as he hobbled next to her.
“Just twisted my knee,” he shrugged, brushing off her concern, noting that her steps were shaky as well, having been weakened.
“Ollie… What…?”
He squeezed her hand gently, effectively quieting her. “I promise I’ll tell you everything later, Mistress Watchtower.” His voice was soft, and she sought his eyes, his expression telling her he was simply glad she was back among the living.
The look on his face warmed her, yet she burned even more with questions. She remembered seeing him that day in the lab, remembered kneeling next to him, remembered her attempt to heal him, but that was it. He’d tell her what had happened she had no doubt, and so she schooled her curiosity for now. Chloe reciprocated his gesture, her fingers tightening around his momentarily. “You’d better,” she smiled up at him.
Clark was kneeling beside Tess’s body. At their approach, he lifted his head. “She’s alive. Barely.”
Oliver pulled Chloe into his arms. She immediately wrapped her arms around his waist, her cheek coming to rest against the warm hardness of his chest, her eyes never leaving Tess’s body. She’d nearly been gutted, not unlike Oliver had been that night they’d broken into Luthorcorp. Dark crimson seeped through a blouse torn to shreds. The creature had done this, but where was he now?
“We need to get her out of here,” Clark said, noting their shocked, silent expressions. He thought to ask Chloe if she could help Tess in any way, then thought better of it. Chloe had only recovered, and after all that had happened, he wasn’t certain she would willingly attempt to heal the woman who’d been responsible for all she’d suffered recently.
Clark watched her expression. She bit her lip, uncertain.
Oliver’s arms tightened around her, as though divining her thoughts. “You don’t have to do it, Chloe,” he whispered. “I don’t want you to.”
Chloe lifted her head from his chest, searching his eyes. “She’ll die.”
Oliver pressed his lips together, flustered. “I just got you back...”
“And in spite of all she’s done, I don’t know if I could live with myself, Ollie, knowing I could have helped her and didn’t.”
She shifted sideways, gazing down at Tess, attempting to step out of his arms, even as they clenched around her pulling her back. “Damn it, Chloe…” he growled.
Chloe turned in his arms gazing up at him, her eyes shining with resolve. Her first words surprised him. “I hate Tess Mercer,” she admitted coldly. “I despise her not only for what she’s done to me, but to you, to Davis Bloom, to everyone,” Through the anger in her voice, Oliver sensed she was on the verge of tears. “She’s Lex Luthor’s protégé, and yes that makes her just as bad as he is, and yes if I help her, there’s no guarantee it won’t come back to bite us all in the ass, but Oliver… we’re supposed to be the good guys.”
He sighed, feeling helpless. “Chloe…”
“You’ve wondered what all this was for. You’ve tortured yourself these last months wanting to know why, wanting to know if it’s all worth it, why you should care anymore…” She gestured behind her at Tess’s prone form. “Ollie, this, this right here is what sets us apart, it’s what makes Oliver Queen a hero and not another Lex Luthor.”
Oliver’s arms enveloped her like a vise, unwilling and unable to let her go. He pressed his forehead against hers, his eyes squeezing shut. “No… Chloe…” He knew she was right, but that didn’t mean he wanted her to be right. Nothing he could think of made Tess Mercer’s life worth more than Chloe’s. But Lex Luthor would let Tess Mercer die, and he wasn’t Lex and neither was Chloe. He knew it was about doing the right thing, even when it felt wrong.
“The Green Arrow would help someone in need,” Chloe continued. “He wouldn’t let someone die if there was a chance he could help them.” Chloe dipped her head urging him to look at her. “Even his enemies.”
Oliver shook his head. What he wanted right now was vengeance. “I’m not that good, Chloe, I’m not that noble, or forgiving.”
Chloe cupped his cheek in her palm, her voice soft yet determined. “Neither am I, but as much as I’d like to walk away from her right now, let her die and never look back, some small part won’t let me. You and I both know that not saving her would haunt us eventually. It’s not up to us to decide her fate this way, and our consciences would never be clear if we didn’t at least try to do the right thing. I don’t want that hanging over our heads, do you?”
Clark waited; knowing every moment that passed, meant that the life slowly ebbed from Tess’s body. He watched as Oliver’s expression turned to a near grimace of pain at the thought of what she was about to do; the thought of putting herself in danger for Tess was killing him. Oliver finally offered her a slight shake of his head in reluctant agreement with her. Suddenly, his lips met hers swiftly, hard, pouring all his anguish, all of his fear, and all of his love for her into that one kiss. He pulled away then, breathing heavily, his arms slowly falling away from Chloe’s waist.
Gentle fingertips stroked his cheek. “I love you,” she whispered.
Chloe turned and fell to her knees beside Tess as Clark moved aside to give her some room. She lay her hands over Tess’s wounds, not knowing how much of her power she could call upon. Dim flickers of light radiated from her fingertips, healing the deep gashes. Chloe grimaced in pain, and Oliver knelt beside her, catching her up in his arms before she fell sideways.
“There’s no more left in me,” she gasped out of breath.
“It might be enough to save her life,” Clark answered, gathering Tess up in his arms. “I’ll take her to the hospital. You did what you could. The rest isn’t up to us.”
Chloe nodded, reaching for Oliver’s arm weakly, comforted by the feel of his bicep beneath her palm, his strength surrounding her. “Let’s go home, Ollie.”
She slept on the ride home. Oliver carried her into the penthouse. Both exhausted, they slept peacefully, and when the first rays of light filtered into the bedroom, he felt her shift against him, knowing she was awake.
“Ollie?”
He pulled her close, his fingers brushing over her arm, stroking her, pressing a kiss to her hair in answer.
“We did the right thing,” she said, more to convince herself than anything else.
“I hope so.”
“Tell me what happened,” she whispered, nestling her cheek against his chest.
Oliver told her about how she’d tried to heal him, and the days she spent unconscious, purposely leaving out his visit to Tess to bargain for her life. He told her about the beast bringing her to the facility to help her, and how Tess shot at it, causing the creature to lash out against her. He told her of the crystal Clark had, that magically drew in the beast, sending it to the Phantom Zone.
He felt her nod. She was silent for long moments, then finally spoke. “Brainiac’s gone.”
“What do you mean?”
“I no longer have super-intelligence. Something changed after I used my abilities to keep Davis immobile for the DNA transfer, and now that the creature is gone, I don’t feel Brainiac’s presence.”
“Don’t worry,” he whispered with a slight chuckle. “You’re still the smartest person I know.”
She smiled, giving him a squeeze. “Thanks.”
“I’m just glad it’s over, and that we’re both still in one piece.”
“What happens now?” She mused aloud.
“I’ve been thinking…. I want to go back to Star City,” he began, his words causing Chloe to lift her head from him. She looked down at him, all tousled and sleepy and beautiful. Oliver couldn’t help but lift a hand to touch her cheek, and brush the hair back from her face.
“For how long?” she asked, trying to hide her anxiety.
“It’s where I belong. I want you to come with me,” his fingers threaded through the golden strands of hair. “To live there… with me.”
“But…”
“What’s left for you here, Chloe?”
“I… what about Lois? Clark?”
“What about you?”
Chloe glanced away, uncertain. She’d not thought of the possibility of leaving.
“I grew up in Queen Manor,” he went on, fingers caressing her skin. “But I don’t spend much time there. It’s this huge, warm place. I’ve never really had anyone to share it with.” His head shifted on the pillow as he regarded her; thumb stroking her cheekbone, the action causing her eyes to meet his, dark and warm as they drifted over her face thoughtfully. The manor house was the perfect place to raise a family. He remembered running through its halls as a carefree, happy child when his parents were still alive. It was a perfect place start again, only this time it would be with the woman he loved. He wanted to fill those empty rooms with love and laughter once again. He wouldn’t tell her that part yet. Instead he said simply, “I want to share it with you.”
* * * * *
Chloe had healed Tess of visible wounds left by the creature, and though her condition was stable, she’d not regained consciousness. Tess Mercer spent all of one day in the hospital. She’d disappeared mysteriously after that day, and no one, neither doctors nor hospital staff could explain what had happened. Authorities were baffled. There was no way she could have walked out of the hospital on her own. Both Chloe and Oliver were initially alarmed over her disappearance, and wondered when she’d show up unexpected, but after a week of searches, there had been no sign of her, and after two months had passed with still no sign of Tess, or any clues as to her whereabouts they hoped perhaps it was indeed over.
Oliver had whisked her away to Paris as he’d promised. They spent two glorious weeks there, and Chloe had to admit that the trip had done them both a world of good. He’d continue to extol the virtues and beauty and peace of Queen Manor, and tell her how much she’d love it there. And then one day it all just seemed to hit her at once, and she’d wondered why she’d hesitated. He was right. There really was not much left for her in Smallville. And truth be told, she’d missed writing, and investigative reporting, and thought perhaps she could get her foot into the door of the Star City Gazette. Chloe felt a sense of hope and purpose return full force, making her realize that she’d be crazy to pass up a new life with Oliver Queen. He was offering her everything she’d ever wanted. And over the past few months, Oliver Queen had proven himself to be everything she wanted.
She’d started on packing her second suitcase at the Talon apartment, when Lois dropped down on the bed.
“I can’t believe Queen talked you in to moving to Star City,” Lois mused as she picked up one of Chloe’s pajama tank tops, folding it.
Chloe turned from her dresser, pushing the drawer closed. “I have an interview at the Gazette on Monday,” She smiled, one of those beaming smiles of hers, and Lois couldn’t help but realize that her cousin was the happiest she’d seen her in a long time. Who’d have thought her ex-boyfriend would be the cause of it all?
“You’ll get the job, I’m sure of it,” Lois couldn’t help but return her smile, handing her the folded shirt. Lois paused, picking up another article of clothing. “Remember that day at the dress shop, when I asked if you were happy with Jimmy?”
“Yeah,” Chloe answered, stuffing a few toiletries into a side compartment of the suitcase.
“I’ll admit, I didn’t think that you were.” Lois reached up to clasp Chloe’s hand. “But now, somehow I get the feeling, I don’t need to ask that question.”
Chloe squeezed her cousin’s hand gently, smiling. “I’m that obvious, huh?”
“You’re glowing, even.” Lois laughed lightly, standing to wrap Chloe in a hug. “I’m glad. And don’t think I’ll miss you at all, because I’ll be calling you every day.”
A knock sounded on the door, and Lois moved to answer it. Her mouth hung open briefly before she found her voice. “Olsen… uh…”
“Is Chloe here?”
“Uh… yeah, but...”
“I just want to talk to her for a few minutes, I won’t keep her.”
Lois opened the door wider, allowing him to enter, remaining discreetly in the background, trying to give them some privacy.
“So, it’s true then.”
Chloe turned at the sound of his voice. “Jimmy.” She sounded too surprised, as though she’d just gotten caught doing something illegal.
“It’s true? You’re leaving?”
Chloe lifted a shoulder, not really knowing what to say. “Yeah. Moving to Star City.”
Jimmy nodded thoughtfully. “Oliver Queen?” He stepped closer. “I thought it was just a rumor, but… then I’d seen a few photographs of the two of you and… well, here you are, packing.” He’d done his best to stay away from her, hadn’t contacted her or seen her since their break up. But when he’d heard she was leaving, he had to see her one last time.
Chloe remained silent, again at a loss for words. The awkward factor here was beginning to rise by the second.
“When are you leaving?”
“In about an hour.” She gestured toward her opened suitcase. “I’m just packing a few things, most of my stuff is already at the manor house.”
“You’re going to work for him, or… live with him?”
Chloe cleared her throat uneasily. “Both. We’re partners.” Of course Chloe couldn’t tell him she was the Watchtower to Oliver’s Green Arrow.
“In more ways than one…”
“Jimmy…”
“No. It’s okay.” He held up a hand to keep her from further explanations. “I guess I just came here to see for myself. See that you were all right, and… and to say good-bye.”
“Thanks, Jimmy.”
Jimmy turned to leave, then stopped suddenly, looking back. “Do you love him?”
“Jimmy… that’s really not… any of your…”
“Do you?”
Chloe looked down at her hands for a long moment, and then lifted her eyes to his, facing him squarely. “Yes.”
Jimmy dipped his head in a nervous nod, glancing away, then back at her. “Take care of yourself, Chloe,” he whispered. Turning on his heel, he strode from the apartment before she could answer. As he reached the door, he came face-to-face with a stoic Oliver Queen. Taken aback momentarily, Jimmy quickly recovered, fumbling for something to say, he extended his hand. Mumbled a quiet “Good luck,” and then was on his way.
Chloe stepped forward, grinning shyly. “How long have you been standing there?”
Oliver slid his hands over her hips, nudging her forward, right up against him. “Long enough to say… I love you too.”
Chloe wrapped her arms around his neck, stretching up, touching her lips to his chin.
“Are you ready?” he asked, and Chloe could see his dark eyes dance, and she knew that he was just as excited as she was, for their new life together to begin. A life that would be anything but ordinary.
“Yes.”
“Took me,” he kissed her eyes. “Long enough,” he kissed the tip of her nose. “To convince you,” he brushed his lips over hers, feather-light.
Chloe smiled as she clung to his neck. “I told you it wasn’t going to be easy, Archer,” she murmured, her voice a husky whisper.
Oliver pulled her closer, their lower bodies swaying in unison. “Good thing all the gear in my arsenal is in perfect working order.”
“Ahem.”
Chloe and Oliver pulled apart slightly, heads turning toward Lois. They’d been lost in their own world for a few moments and had forgotten she was there.
“You two lovebirds want to get a move on? You can work on filling up those Queen mansion rooms up later, you know, like when I’m not around?” She rolled her eyes playfully, and closed up Chloe’s suitcase.
Chloe laughed. “Lois!”
“Are you kidding me? The way you two go at it, I’ll be an aunt, or would that be a second cousin? In no time.” She handed the suitcase to Oliver. “Remember what I said Green Bean. Be good to her, or else.” She elbowed Oliver in the ribs. “And remember who hooked you two up. I expect to be the maid of honor, whenever you decide to make it legal.”
Leave it to Lois to make a superhero blush profusely. “Uh… you’ll be the first to know, Lois.”
“Good. Now, where’s Clark, he’s supposed to be going with us to the airport. I swear he’s never around when you need him!”
* * * * *
The doctor waited nervously for the man to arrive. He stood in the private facility, next to the bed of his young patient, wiping the moisture from his brow, then stuffing his handkerchief in his lab coat pocket. His patient had been comatose for over two months, and her benefactor was becoming increasingly anxious over her well-being. The doctor didn’t have to wait long for his arrival. Minutes later, the man, dressed in a dark suit and long black overcoat, swept purposefully into the room, along with two of his bodyguards.
“How is she?”
“Still not responding, sir.”
“What of the healing serum her scientists developed?”
“We’ve been unable to find any trace of it. Nor do we know how it was developed. Everything was destroyed at the time of her… accident. I’m beginning to think there was no such serum.” The doctor hesitated, noting the man’s darkening expression. “Truthfully sir, we don’t hold out much hope for her.”
“Find that serum, or find some other way to cure her. Tess Mercer is too important.”
“We’re doing our best, sir.”
“Your best isn’t good enough. For what I’m paying you, I expect a full recovery.”
“You’re asking for a miracle.”
“I don’t believe in miracles, doctor. Tess is a fighter. I believe in her.” The man moved toward the bed, stroking Tess’s cheek with a forefinger, gazing down at her for long moments. He lifted blue eyes once more, his stare piercing the doctor. “Keep her stable. Continue your work.”
The doctor nodded as he watched the man head toward the door.
“Let me know if there are any changes. I’ll be back in a week.”
“Yes, Mr. Luthor.”
The End!
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