Someone To Watch Over Me
Chapter 7
Chapter 7
I’d like to add his initial to my monogram
Tell me, where is the shepherd for this lost lamb?
Chloe needed to go to the Talon to pick up more clothes. Oliver offered to buy her an entire wardrobe and have it brought to her, rather than let her leave the penthouse. Instead, Clark had gone to the Talon with explanations to Lois, that Chloe was on the trail of an important story for the Ledger, and had asked him to pick up a few things for her. At the same time he tried not to pique her curiosity, which was no easy task.
The plan was to have Chloe return to the ISIS Foundation that evening, in the hopes that Garrett would attempt to abduct her. Neither Oliver nor Clark liked anything having to do with putting Chloe in possible danger, but they’d made the necessary preparations, taken all necessary precautions for her safety, and now there was nothing left to do but gear up.
The group was heading out to the communications van, when Chloe stepped into Oliver’s Green Arrow room. She watched him silently as he geared up, zipping up a new leather vest.
“Have you ever thought of Kevlar? It would make more sense than a thin layer of leather wouldn’t it? ”
He turned at the sound of her voice, as he put an armband in place. “Bruce would never let me live it down, he’s already claimed that I’ve yet to have an original idea.”
“So basically it’s your stubborn male pride that keeps you from being smart and practical. I see.” She was grinning at him, as she stepped closer. “In this instance, I’d say copying Batman’s idea wouldn’t be a bad thing.”
He grinned back at her. “I’ll think about it.” His smile then faded, his face growing serious. “Are you ready for this, Sidekick?”
“I’m all wired for sound, and there’s a GPS device tucked away securely in a private place,” she answered, but she knew that wasn’t what he meant. In truth, she wasn’t ready, but it was now or never.
He raised a brow. “How private and secure?”
She colored slightly. “Uh… it’s in my bra.”
“That’s the first place I’d look,” he intoned mischievously.
“It is?” She blanched, thinking he was serious.
Oliver placed his dark glasses over his eyes and raised his hood, then closed the distance between them in two easy strides. The Green Arrow’s gloved hands slipped up her arms, bringing her closer. The mere touch of his hands, sent a warm shiver through her, and she remembered how those same hands had stroked and caressed her body until he’d had her begging for him the night before. “On you, yes,” he whispered, wearing a sly grin.
And then suddenly he was kissing her, his moist firm mouth moving over hers, devouring its softness. Chloe’s mind reeled at the velvet warmth of his kiss. She didn’t want it to end, ever, and felt a small pang in her heart, knowing that whatever this was between them would end soon. He’d be gone, off somewhere doing his hero thing, or back in Star City as the dashing billionaire CEO of his own company. He’d be gone, and all of this would have simply been a pleasant distraction for both of them. No entanglements, that’s what each of them had wanted, wasn’t it?
He raised his head ever so slightly, his lips hovering closely above hers briefly, before he reclaimed them, as he crushed her body to his almost desperately. Finally, raising his mouth from hers, he gazed into her eyes and at last, slowly, reluctantly, they parted a few inches. It was time to go.
* * * * *
Chloe had made it to the ISIS building. To anyone else it looked as though she were alone. But the team had strategically placed themselves around the perimeter, hidden in various places, in shadows, behind dumpsters, or disguised. Hiding from an unseen enemy, the chances of being caught were great. Thus far, nothing seemed unusual. Then again, when your would-be kidnapper was invisible it was difficult to tell. She set about retrieving the files she had started to download previously. Then pretended to go through a file cabinet.
“All’s well. So far no suspicious movements, no one in the building but Watchtower, and no sign of our invisible friend,” Victor’s voice sounded over the comm.. His job was simply to watch Chloe, and for any sign of Garrett approaching her.
Chloe continued to move about the various rooms, straightening things, stopping at the vending machine, doing whatever she thought to do to make her presence known. The waiting was nerve wracking.
The Green Arrow hid behind a dumpster in the alley behind ISIS. His body tense, his senses on full alert. He recalled Chloe’s expression of terror at Garrett’s phone call, her shock and horror over the video they’d seen of her examination, and his blood boiled, causing all the feelings of fierce protectiveness for her to rise within him once again. If they didn’t catch Garrett tonight, there would be another night. Either way, he’d still get his hands on the son of a bitch. He was certain that Garrett was working for Lex, and that Lex was responsible for what had occurred on the video.
“Just the man I was looking for,” Garrett’s voice sounded, and as Arrow pivoted quickly toward the sound, his bow ready to fire, there was a crushing blow to his head, and the world spun into black.
“Something’s wrong!” A.C. bellowed into his comlink from the communications van. “I’m not getting any readings up on my screens, they’re all blank. Move, move, move! Get Chloe out of the building! Boy Scout, Arrow, check in.”
Clark whooshed in, entering ISIS and found Chloe sitting at the computer, bits of her hair blown about her face at his sudden appearance. “Are you okay?” he asked anxiously.
“I’m fine, nothing’s happened yet,” she said, smoothing her hair down. “Why?” She had no comlink in her ear and was not aware of all that transpired.
Clark tapped his comlink. “Watchtower is secure.”
From the communications van, A.C. hailed once again. “Arrow, what’s your status?” When there was no response, he tried again. “Repeat, Arrow, what’s your status? Impulse…,” A.C. began, but Bart cut him off.
“I’m on it.”
“What’s going on Clark?”
Bart’s voice suddenly sounded over the comm.. “Arrow’s gone! He’s not at his designated position.”
“Cyborg, did you see anything?” A.C called.
“Negative, I was focused on Tower’s location and nowhere else.”
“Clark! Tell me what’s happening!”
Clark looked down at her panic-stricken face. “Arrow’s missing.”
Before Chloe could speak, her cell phone rang. She picked it up with trembling hands, checking the caller ID. Again, it was blocked, and she knew. “H-hello?”
“Ms. Sullivan. Don’t speak. Listen. I have a friend of yours here with me. He’s unavailable to speak at the moment, but if you want to see him again, you’ll meet me at a location I will soon disclose to you. If you tell anyone, or have anyone accompany you. I will kill him. After all, it’s what I do.” Garrett closed his cell phone, a satisfied smile spreading slowly on his face. Her friends had thought to protect her, which was thoughtful of them to be sure, but Garrett knew they’d focus on her safety as a target. She was, of course the ultimate target, but they hadn’t thought to take precautions for themselves. Yes, he was closer to having Ms. Chloe Sullivan and her healing abilities at his disposal, and if her green-leathered friend meant anything to her, Garrett wouldn’t have to do a thing. She’d come to him, willingly.
End Chapter 7
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