Chapter 18
“You want me to what?”
“Come on Smallville. It’s for a good cause.” Lois socked his arm.
Clark glanced between Chloe and Lois. He was going to lose this one too, he could feel it.
“Clark, you know Lex will figure out that Oliver is the Green Arrow, we need you to do this. Please.” Chloe pressed the button that opened the wall concealing Oliver’s Green Arrow room. “Come on Clark, it’s just a few photos and a bit of stealing from the rich to give to the poor kind of thing. You just have to be seen.”
“Where’s Oliver?”
“He’s in Star City. He’s meeting with someone from Wayne Enterprises about a business merger. He’s also meeting with Dr. Reynolds, remember, about that situation several days ago?"
Dr. Reynolds had issued a press release regarding Oliver’s disappearance from the hospital, saying that he’d had him transferred to a private facility, and that Oliver’s injuries were minor. A story was also fabricated and released to the media regarding the circumstances of the “accident”, and now the official report was that he’d incurred minor injuries while skiing in Colorado. Somehow all of Oliver’s hospital records from that day were mysteriously missing. Chloe had sent along any information she’d found regarding the death of Principal Reynolds pointing to Lionel as a prime suspect, but with no definite proof. It was the best she could do, but she wanted Ollie to give the doctor what she had.
“Oh and don’t forget he’s got a hot drunken nightclub date with Paris Hilton,” Lois deadpanned.
“What?”
Chloe waved off the comment with a short laugh. “Never mind. Come on Clark. We need you to do this for us.”
The strongest, super powered alien on earth didn’t stand a chance against the Sullivan-Lane girls. But now, he simply wanted to give them a hard time of it.
“What if the suit doesn’t fit?
Chloe gave him a look. She knew he’d worn it before. “Clark.”
“I don’t know how to shoot an arrow.”
“Clark!” This from both women.
“Fine, fine,” he acquiesced.
Lois nearly jumped him in delight. Then seemed to realize what she was about to do, composed herself quickly, and coughed. “Start changing,” she ordered brusquely.
Clark emerged moments later from Oliver’s bedroom in full Green Arrow gear, hood up, dark glasses in place.
Chloe grinned as he walked into the living room, then elbowed Lois, whispering. “Close your mouth.”
“Wow, Smallville. You’re the Green Arrow!” Lois’s eyes raked boldly over him. She then circled around him. “Little snug, but it works,” she added. Lois then stepped around to face him once again, looking up into his hooded face. She wondered what it would be like to kiss him. Woah! What? She shook her head to clear it. Must be the costume, it was kind of sexy after all.
Lois turned away from him, flustered. The slow knowing smile that appeared on Clark’s lips did not go unnoticed by Chloe.
“Okay, let’s go make some news.” Lois turned to glance over her shoulder at Clark. “And don’t screw it up, Smallville.”
* * * * *
Two days later, Lex, his arm in a sling, looked up from the photographs of the Green Arrow in his hand, as his assistant entered the room. The bruise on the side of her face noticeable, a small bandage adorning her temple. “What have you got?” he asked, tossing the photos and the draft of Lois’s article on his desk.
“Mr. Queen is indeed in Star City. In fact,” she placed the morning edition of the Star City Gazette onto his desk. “he’s just merged one of his smaller business interests with Wayne Enterprises, it’s front page news there.”
The paper showed a photograph of Oliver Queen and Bruce Wayne in a photo op handshake, both smiling genially for the cameras. Well, Oliver was smiling, Bruce simply appeared rather mildly amused. Lex scanned the article. Apparently the two had joined forces, merging small technologies research and development companies, and twenty percent of all the company proceeds would go to various charitable organizations. Lex grunted derisively.
He looked up at his assistant. “And Lois’s story checks out.”
“Yes sir. Several witnesses did see the Green Arrow fleeing the scene. A priceless gem was taken from the residence of one Walt Masterson, recently released from prison. He’d been a jewel thief years ago.” She paused to show him another report. “And then this morning, this came over the wires. Looks as though the very same jewel has been delivered, returned to its rightful owner in Paris. So, perhaps our suspicions about Mr. Queen have been unwarranted.”
“That doesn’t explain how he’s able to run around. I’m certain that I shot him.”
“Either way, Mr. Queen is alive and well, and in Star City. If he was the man you shot, he’d hardly be in the Star City Gazette this morning, looking quite pleased with himself, now would he?”
Lex rubbed his chin thoughtfully as he perused the report, then picked up the photographs of the Green Arrow once again. It was impossible to see the man’s face clearly. There was also a slight motion blur on the photo that was taken evidently as the Arrow fled the scene. Lex hadn’t trusted Lois’s story initially, knowing she’d probably do anything to cover up any connection her cousin might have with the elusive Emerald Archer. He’d since had his own investigators follow up, and thus far the story checked out.
“Perhaps you’re right.” He handed the photos and the draft of Lois’s article to his assistant. “Print it. Looks like Ms. Lane’s got her first front page story.”
* * * * *
Chloe, Lois, and Clark celebrated their victory at the Talon apartment over a large pepperoni pizza. Chloe, completely full, lay on the bed talking on the phone to Oliver. Clark and Lois sat on the futon, inadvertently picking up snippets of her side of the conversation. “Thank you for not going clubbing with any bimbo hotel heiresses..”
Oliver must have said something humorous in response, because Chloe’s giggle was infectious, causing Lois to smile sadly. “She sounds really happy,” she commented idly.
“Yeah,” Clark answered uncomfortably, then asked. “How are you with all of this Lois?”
Lois looked down at her lap, her hands folded there. “At first it shocked me, I’ll admit. I’m still getting used to the idea, and believe me, Queen isn’t out of the woods with me yet. I’m still going to give him a piece of my mind.” She glanced over at Chloe listening to whatever Oliver was telling her. She had that Chloe trademark light-up-the-room smile on her face. Gazing back at her hands, Lois continued. “But, it was over a long time ago between us, and I can’t really blame Chloe for falling for him, nor can I blame him falling for her. What’s not to love about either of them?” She shrugged. “If they’re meant to be together, who am I to stand in the way?”
Clark nodded, giving her a small comforting smile, remembering that he’d said similar words to Oliver once regarding Lois.
“Chloe can handle the secret identity thing, I couldn’t. He loves her. She deserves that.” She patted Clark’s hand before rising to put away the leftover pizza. “I’ll be fine, Clark.” She turned to look back at him, a knowing compassion in her eyes. “And so will you.”
End Chapter 18
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