Anything But Ordinary Chapter 20

Anything But Ordinary
Chapter 20

No longer concerned about Davis, leaving him to the doctors, Chloe walked numbly toward her fallen heroes “Take him outside! Hurry!” she gestured toward Clark upon seeing him more closely, calling to her bedraggled group of boys as they entered the partially destroyed warehouse. Victor’s robotic arm hung loosely, disconnected against his side, and Chloe winced inwardly at the sight of multi-colored wires like spaghetti strings protruding from his shoulder. Bart was badly bruised, his bottom lip bleeding, his red suit torn in places, but he seemed no worse for wear, thankfully. A.C. was the only one left unscathed. After he’d helped her to stay on her feet, he began tossing debris from both Clark and Oliver as Chloe anxiously looked on until she could reach her Archer and heal him.

She cast worried glances at Bart and Victor. “Are you all right?”

“No worries, chica. Would take more than that fugly bastard to bring Impulse down,” he gestured toward himself, offering her a cocky, puffy-lipped, reassuring grin to prove his point.

“It’s all right, Tower. Doesn’t hurt a bit.” Victor grunted as he reached for Clark with his good hand. “Nothing a good electrician can’t fix.” He and A.C. carried Clark out through the huge hole in the wall and lay him on the soft grass outside, exposing him to healing sunlight.

She felt completely drained, but she dredged up what strength she had left, and sank weakly to her knees beside Oliver, who remained unmoving. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, and she noted that his dark glasses must have flown off somewhere. “It’ll be all right,” she whispered, stroking his dirty cheek with trembling fingertips. She closed her eyes, placing her hands over his chest, not certain where his injuries were, thinking they must be internal as there were no other signs of outward injury. The briefest flicker of light emanated from her hands, but nothing more.

Panic and confusion began building and swirling in her belly. She gazed down at Oliver, lifeless as before, and lifted terrified eyes to Bart who knelt opposite. “It’s not working!” Determined, Chloe slipped her hand beneath his shoulders, trying desperately to lift his weight in her arms. Oliver’s head lolled back with the movement, his eyes remained closed. “No! Oliver!” she cried, cradling him, closing her eyes, tears squeezing from beneath her lids slipping down her cheeks. She buried her face against his neck. “Nooo,” her grief-stricken voice emerged muffled against him. “It’s not working!” Brief flashes of static, pulsing light washed over them both and then flickered dead.

Chloe thought she heard Bart’s urgent voice from somewhere far away, but she was beyond hearing, beyond caring about anything else but the man in her arms, and using everything she had left to give him to bring him back to her. She wasn’t aware that Davis Bloom had now begun reacting to the DNA transfer, and once again had started a transformation that no one expected. She didn’t hear the shouts of doctors scrambling for safety around her, the crash of equipment, nor feel the shaking of the ground beneath her, the walls trembling and crumbling around her. Oliver. Her world was full of only him and the desperate need to bring him back to her. Chloe felt a dizziness wash over her, as though she were falling, spinning in a maelstrom of nothingness. Nothing else existed. There was only Oliver.

“Chloe!”

“Let’s get them out of here!” It was Clark’s voice reaching her through the rumbling chaotic din. It was the last thing she heard before blackness overtook her.

The creature appeared unstoppable. Clark called for the other team members to help clear everyone out, and then scooped up both Chloe and Oliver, speeding them a safe distance away. The small group reassembled, and watched as the creature, now equipped with heat vision, burned the warehouse to the ground. He then tipped his monstrous head skyward, and in the blink of an eye he was off the ground and soaring through the air in flight, leaving them awestruck. What had they done? The creature now appeared to have Clark’s abilities, with none of his inhibitions. He was more dangerous now than ever and none of them had any idea where he was headed.

They looked at one another, no one certain what to say. Bart suddenly took off without warning, and was back within a minute. “He’s gone back to the facility. Back to Tess.”

A low moan was heard from the ground. Clark knelt beside Oliver. His eyes flitted open. “Chloe.”

“She’s here, right next to you.” Clark shook his head. “But she’s still out. She tried to heal you…”

“She did,” Oliver groaned holding his head as he moved to a sitting position, hood and glasses forgotten. “But…” he grunted then gasped in pain. “Not completely,” he murmured, briefly searching for her momentarily disoriented, then finding her next to him, he rolled to his side, cupping her cheek. His breathing was labored, fighting against the pain in his leg and throbbing in his head. “Chloe?”

“Keeping Davis immobile took a lot out of her,” Bart offered. “She barely had any juice left to bring your green butt back.”

“She was pretty weak, Ollie,” A.C. interjected. “She might need more time to recover,” he added hopefully.

Oliver didn’t hear them. “Chloe?” His breath caught in a throat that began to constrict with fear. Her skin was cold to the touch. Not the way she was the last time, weak but still conscious, able to talk to him. His gut clenched. Something wasn’t right. “Chloe?”

The others saw his panic rising. “Oliver, let’s get back to the Tower,” Clark soothed. “We’ll figure out what to do then. If Davis went back to Tess, it’s doubtful he’ll do anything right now.”

Oliver lifted his eyes from Chloe to his friends, his face stricken. Words failed him and he simply nodded. Bart and A.C. helped him up, finding he was unable to walk unaided, he leaned on his friends for support as they made their way back to what was left of the parking lot, hoping none of the cars were destroyed. She’d healed him, maybe even brought him back from death. Oliver glanced over his shoulder at Chloe, her limbs hanging limp and lifeless as Clark carried her. She’d come back. She always did, didn’t she? She’d come back to him and he’d take her away, maybe she’d come with him, back to Star City, maybe he’d convince her to be his Watchtower forever. Maybe he’d take her on a vacation somewhere, anywhere but here, someplace they could find some peace for a while. She’d come back. She had to.

* * * * * *

“What do you want?”

“I think you know.”

Tess lifted a manicured brow, knowing she had Oliver Queen right where she wanted him. He hated it. Hated having to come to her for anything. She knew it, and this knowledge gave her an invigorating sense of power.

“What makes you think I’d help you, even if I could?”

Oliver pursed his lips, licking them briefly before glancing away. Three days had passed, and still Chloe remained in some comatose state. Not dead, not alive; hanging somewhere in the balance between life and death in some netherworld that he could neither extricate her from nor enter. He’d stayed by her side, hoping, waiting. He’d flown in the best doctors from around the country to see to her welfare, but nothing and no one could release her from the bonds that held her in that empty place. But Tess; Tess might have some answers. She’d been keeping Davis Bloom hidden, had access to him and to the creature, and Oliver would do anything at this moment. If there was some connection between Davis and Chloe, maybe… just maybe something could be done to help her. Or if not, maybe Tess’s scientists could do something, having worked extensively with the alien beast. Oliver was out of ideas, and Tess was his last resort, his last hope for saving Chloe’s life and bringing her out of her vegetative state, and back among the living. “I have something you want.”

Her eyes thinned, scrutinizing him as she rose from behind her desk, rounding it casually with the sway of her hips. The handsome billionaire looked worn and haggard as though he’d not slept in some time. He sported a fading black eye. Tess knew why he’d come. “And what might that be?”

“Me.” He took a few halting steps toward her desk. His limp was only slightly noticeable now, that and the fading bruise around his eye, evidence of his ordeal against the creature three days ago. “You’ve been wanting my death for some time now, haven’t you?” Oliver shrugged, lifting his arms out beside him in a gesture of surrender. “Now’s your chance.”

“Oh, Oliver.” Tess mocked, her voice laced with faux sympathy. She stepped up closer, her eyes boring into his. “So dramatic. And all for the love of some slip of a girl, who will be nothing but a footnote in the great soap opera of the many loves of Oliver Queen.” She pouted dramatically. “But you take all the joy out of it by making it too easy for me, being so noble and all…”

Oliver stopped her words, shocking her with the strong grip of his fist clutching her collar, and pulling her up by the throat. “Do you want me dead or not?” He ground out between clenched teeth, his eyes were wild, and because he’d not slept in days, his gaze reminded her of one gone mad.

Tess shoved him away, stepping back, surprised and relieved that he’d released her. “Your desperation is showing, Mr. Queen,” she said, trying to sound as noncommittal and unemotional as possible, smoothing her blouse down casually. The truth was, she was shaking inside. She’d never seen him so rattled and undone. “After all you’ve done to me, and to Lex,” she made a haughty sound in the back of her throat. “I’d love nothing more than to see you dead. But you know what I’d enjoy more?” she asked, taking a few steps around him, like a shark circling its prey. “I’d love nothing more than to see you live to suffer over the loss of the woman you love. Yes. That would give me much more pleasure. To watch you grow into some twisted version of yourself as you visit her every day, knowing she can’t hear you, see you or respond to you in any way.” Tess’s eyes began to glaze over with the vision of Oliver peering forlornly at Chloe through some hermetically sealed glass case as though he were an orphan peering through a toy store window at Christmas. She laughed out loud at the thought. “Knowing it’s hopeless, knowing she gave herself for you, and your wretched excuse of a life. Yes. I think I much prefer that a shell of you merely exists in the world, than have you die to save her.”

Oliver swallowed convulsively, his Adam’s apple bobbing lightly. “Maybe you’re right. But maybe the truth is, you can’t save her, just as you’re unable to control Davis Bloom.”

“My leash is far reaching,” Tess scoffed. “He owes me a great debt. I’m not worried, Mr. Queen. Now, if there’s nothing further to discuss, I believe you know the way out.”

Tess strode back to her desk, taking a seat, leaving Oliver to stand alone, dejected. He inhaled deeply, filling his lungs, releasing the pent up breath on a soft sigh. It had been a gamble, coming here in the first place, and he silently berated himself for doing it. But, he’d not be thwarted. He’d find a way to get Chloe back. With nothing more to do, he left quietly, returning to his Metropolis penthouse. He’d have to make arrangements to take Chloe back to Star City with him. He’d never give up trying to awaken his sleeping beauty.

Davis Bloom watched from a discreet distance as Queen limped out through the mansion’s double doors and entered his limousine. He waited until the car had pulled away, before entering Tess’s office.

“You didn’t tell me she needed help.”

She didn’t wonder how he’d overheard the conversation as he’d apparently discovered some superhearing ability only yesterday, that along with a few other new tricks he’d picked up somehow. Tess nearly rolled her eyes. She was becoming bored with Bloom’s obsession with Chloe Sullivan. First Queen, then Bloom. Tess couldn’t figure what was so special about the woman. Certainly she was intelligent and useful, but beyond that, Tess couldn’t understand it. “She’s of no consequence to you now, Davis. We’ve got more important work to do. And you’ve only just recuperated from whatever it was they’ve done to you. No need to worry about Ms. Sullivan.”

His eyes flashed red. “Don’t tell me what I should and shouldn’t worry about, Ms. Mercer.”

“She’s Oliver Queen’s problem now.”

Davis felt a sense of sadness wash over him and cast his eyes downward. Chloe Sullivan belonged to Oliver Queen, and there was nothing he could do about it.

“You can help her.”

“Maybe. But I won’t.” Tess shrugged, returning her attention to the file in front of her.

Davis looked up at her now, wonderingly, as though he couldn’t fathom why she’d not want to offer her help. “Why not?”

“Are you all right, Davis?” Her brows furrowed at his question. Davis was acting strangely.

“You have to help her!”

“Why should I?”

“Be…because, it’s what you should do.”

“And if I don’t?”

Davis shook his head, clearly becoming agitated and flustered. “But… but you have a healing serum that you’ve developed from her blood. You took her blood when you captured her. You can help her!”

Tess stood abruptly from her chair moving to stand in front of him. His behavior was more than cause for concern. Since when had her killing machine gone soft? “Davis. Davis! Look at me,” she began, waiting until he lifted his eyes to hers. “Those people are our enemies. They’ve hurt us, they’ve done something to you, how can you want to help them?”

He shook his head. “Not them. Chloe.” He said, and in the blink of an eye, the air swirled around her, tossing her hair about her face. Davis was gone. Tess headed toward her desk picking up her cell phone, dialing angrily. This would not do. Whatever they’d done to Davis, she’d put a stop to it.

* * * * * *

Oliver stood on the tarmac, ready to board his private jet. Chloe was already inside, along with a private nurse, two doctors, and medical equipment.

“You’ll let us know as soon as anything changes, right?” Clark asked nervously. He wasn’t certain of the wisdom of having Chloe transported to Star City, but it seemed to ease some of the despondency Oliver felt, and Clark knew she’d be in good hands.

Oliver nodded. “Yeah,” he whispered. “It’s safer there for her.” He cast a backward glance at the opened jet, dark, tired eyes returned to Clark. “You let me know the same. Just because we haven’t found him yet, doesn’t mean he’s not out there. If that creature shows up again, I’ll do what I can to help.”

Clark pulled a Kryptonian crystal from his jacket pocket, showing it to Oliver. “This might be the only thing we have left that that’ll work.”

Oliver gazed down numbly at the crystal. He wasn’t certain what it was for, and didn’t ask, but if Clark thought it would help, then he’d have to trust him.

Their attention was diverted by shouts coming from the jet. A sidewall of the plane billowed out and exploded, as the creature plowed through it, Chloe’s limp body in its arms.

“Chloe!” Oliver shouted. “No!” He hobbled toward the beast, it’s red eyes glowing, it stared at Oliver momentarily, and then gazed down at the small woman in its arms. Lifting its head once more it let out a deep growl. “Clark! Do something! Use that damned alien crystal!”

“I can’t! That thing’s got Chloe, if I use it now, it’ll take her to the Phantom Zone too.”

Before Oliver could answer there was a whoosh of air, and it was gone, Clark taking off in hot pursuit.

“Mr. Queen!” It was the nurse running toward him. Oliver turned, dumbstruck over what he’d seen and his inability to react or do anything about it. “Mr. Queen,” she struggled for breath. “He said… he said he was taking her to Tess… to her facility... and that… that you should follow him. Does that mean anything to you? Does that make sense? And then…. and then he just… transformed. Oh, it was terrible! Mr. Queen?”

Oliver blinked. “Yes. Makes perfect sense. Thanks,” he said doing his best to trot with a banged up knee, over quickly to where his car was parked.

It was growing dark by the time he reached the site. He drove like a maniac to the facility, but upon exiting the car he wondered if he’d been too late. There was extensive damage to the exterior. Having no time to gear up, Oliver simply retrieved his compound bow from the car, and made his way inside. It was quiet. Too quiet; as though he’d come upon the aftermath of some disaster, or perhaps it was the calm before the storm? Oliver tread carefully down a corridor, pivoting swiftly around the corner, bow at the ready. His heart pounding wildly with every step he took, he entered the main lab, his eyes widening in horror at the bloodbath before him. Several people in white coats covered in blood, lay strewn about the room, their bodies torn and shredded. Equipment upturned and surgical instruments helter-skelter everywhere he turned. He scanned for any sign of Chloe, thinking he’d wretch at any moment at the sight of such human devastation, when a loud screeching noise sounded on the air, and Oliver, almost grateful to be out of the room, headed toward it. It lead to the opposite side of the building seeming to come from outside.

Shouldering an exit door open, he came upon the sight of the beast, still clutching Chloe’s pajama clad body in one arm about the waist, her body slung over, arms and legs dangling, her golden hair tousled over her head. Dread and fear rioted within him at the sight of her, but he needed to remain calm. Someone called his name softly, and Oliver moved toward the sound finding Clark some twenty feet away, tossed carelessly to the ground near some underbrush. Oliver crept over toward Clark, crouching low, keeping his eyes on the creature who continued to howl as though in pain.

“What happened?” Oliver whispered breathlessly, sinking to his knees beside his friend, panicked eyes still on Chloe, searching for signs that she was unharmed.

“He’s killed everyone inside…” Clark gasped. “He made them do something to her. Injected her with something, I don’t know what…” Clark swallowed, wincing in pain. “I couldn’t stop them. Too much Kryptonite in the room…. Then, when nothing happened he went berserk. Everyone’s dead.”

“How’d you get out here?”

Clark motioned with his head toward a gaping hole in the side of the building. “He tossed me through it.” He shook his head. “I can’t beat him. He’s stronger than me, has my abilities, only more powerful.”

“He might be strong, but he has a weakness,” Oliver said, his voice determined, rising to his feet. “Chloe.”

“No. Wait. Oliver…”

“Davis!” A shout sounded from the building exit, causing both men to turn toward the voice. It was Tess. She waited until the creature lifted his head in her direction, a low growl escaping its throat. “Put her down.” Tess moved slowly toward him. “Come inside,” she continued, her tone soothing. “We’ll fix her. We’ll fix her and then you can keep her, all right? That’s what you want, isn’t it?”

The creature only growled more loudly at this, tossing its head from side to side.

“I promise.” Tess stepped closer, stealthily slipping a pistol loaded with Kryptonite tipped bullets from behind her, tucked in the waistband of her jeans. “Your own little pet. You’d like that, wouldn’t you?”

“Bitch,” Oliver muttered beneath his breath as he listened to Tess. She hadn’t seen them near the bushes in the growing darkness, and he had half a mind to send an arrow flying in her direction.

“Easy Oliver,” Clark warned. “Just wait. Watch him. I think he’s listening to her.”

“Come on,” Tess crooned, urging him as though talking to a petulant child. “Come on, put her down. That’s it. Easy.”

The beast lowered Chloe to the ground carefully, and Oliver was struck by the tenderness it seemed to show her, even stroking her cheek as he settled her onto the soft earth.

The beast lifted its head once more, and as it did, Tess fired off six shots in rapid succession. The Kryptonite bullets penetrated the creature’s gray cast skin, but did not stop him. Enraged, it flew at Tess. Oliver fired off several arrows in a vain attempt to stop it, but it clawed at her, and flung her around tossing her into the brick wall, her limp body falling to the ground in a broken heap after impact. The beast, satisfied that Tess was no longer a threat, stomped back toward where he’d left Chloe, finding Oliver already kneeling at her side. He’d removed his leather jacket covering her against the chilled night air. The monster simply stared at them with those red eyes, a low, almost ghostly sound emerging from its chest. Oliver stared back wide eyed, slowly, carefully gathering Chloe in his arms. He wouldn’t attempt any sudden moves, but now he’d just made himself a sitting duck. The beast could easily attack them now, but for some reason, he didn’t, and Oliver, his pulse pounding, body frozen, could do nothing but wait for the killing blow. Still, the beast did nothing, and Oliver wondered if he’d let them go. Adjusting Chloe in his arms, he rose to his feet, never taking his eyes from the beast. Seeing that it made no move toward him, Oliver took one step back, then another, inching further away. Red glowing eyes simply watched him.

Slowly the creature turned its head in Clark’s direction, as though expecting him, as though knowing what lay ahead. A blue-white beam of light hit him, and Oliver watched, awestruck as Clark held up the crystal in his hand. The creature spread his arms, and lifted his head, emitting a heart-rending howl, as he seemed to accept his fate, and his entire body swirled before Oliver’s eyes, the crystal like a vacuum, pulling, drawing the creature’s body inside, and then abruptly sealing itself up.

Exhausted, Clark fell to his knees, and slipped the crystal back into his pocket.

“Ollie?” Chloe’s soft voice broke the silence. He blinked and looked down at her in his arms, relief flooding him.

“Chloe,” he could barely breath, so overcome with emotion at her recovery. “It’s all right now. Everything’s going to be all right.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck, gladly accepting his every kiss.

End Chapter 20

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Anything But Ordinary Chapter 19

Anything But Ordinary
Chapter 19

Davis stormed out of the facility and headed for the nearest car. He promptly knocked both Tess’s waiting attendant and driver, tossing them aside as though they were weightless, and slid into the seat. He knew where Chloe was. How he knew didn’t matter. The sexual urge for her was overwhelming. No one and nothing would stand in his way. He would have her. Even now as he drove toward the place where she was, he could feel the beast overtaking him. Flashes of it appeared as he grew nearer to Chloe’s location. In this heightened state of awareness he sensed her arousal. He knew Queen was with her. It didn’t matter that Queen was the one responsible for her reactions. She was ready. The time was now for planting his seed, and from that seed would grow the vessel of Zod. Instinct. In the way that male creatures in the animal kingdom of earth knew when a mate was ready to reproduce. His mate was ready and he’d find her.

Tess spoke into her cell phone as she trotted through the facility, her heeled footsteps echoing from the corridor walls. “I don’t care what it takes! Stop him!” She found her way to the nearest exit, shoving the heavy door open, squinting as bright sunlight engulfed her. Shading her eyes, she watched anxiously, as her men scrambled toward vehicles in pursuit of Davis Bloom. She paused momentarily, listening. “What do you mean, you’ve lost him! Find him now! I want a team to head over to Queen Towers. Don’t ask questions, just get over there.” Tess snapped her cell phone shut and headed toward her own car, gravel crunching angrily under her feet. When she’d reached her parking space she’d found only her driver and her assistant lying unconscious. So infuriated over Davis’s leaving, and intent on finding him, she didn’t notice one of her men drive off in the opposite direction.

* * * * * * *

“Is everything ready?” Oliver spoke into his cell phone as he drove along the highway. He cast a glance at Chloe in the passenger seat. She was biting her bottom lip as she gazed anxiously out the window, not really seeing the rural countryside pass by before her. “And the samples?” Oliver listened patiently, his eyes returning to the road ahead. “Good. Remain on standby until we get there, we’re a few minutes away.” Oliver closed his phone, slipped it back into his jacket pocket, and blindly reached for Chloe’s hand over the console that separated them. Her hand was cold, and he squeezed it reassuringly, entwining his fingers with hers, pulling her closer.

“It’ll be all right, Ollie,” she said with more conviction than she felt. “If everything Jor El has told Clark at the Fortress is true, this is our only hope.”

Oliver gripped the steering wheel. “I can’t lose you.” The phrase had become a mantra in his head since the whole plan had been realized. He couldn’t lose her, he simply could not.

“Hey,” she whispered, leaning against him over the console, and resting her cheek on his arm. “As long as your team knows what we’re dealing with, and the transfer can take place, we should be able to stop Davis. And if not, there might be one more trick up our sleeves.”

“And if we can’t stop him?”

Chloe stretched up pressing her lips to his smooth cheek in answer. The truth was, she had no other answer for him. If Bloom was unstoppable, they both knew what the outcome would be. Oliver turned onto the gravel road leading to the Granville site. It had been hastily set up in an empty warehouse in anticipation of Bloom’s arrival. Chloe was using herself as bait, and then, it would take all she had, all her meteor powered and Brainiac induced strength to keep him there long enough for the transfer to take place. Oliver pulled into a spot near the entrance, turning off the car. They sat together for long moments, huddled close. He wished he could postpone the inevitable, and simply sit here with her forever.

“It’s called lateral or horizontal gene transfer. Recombinant DNA technology.” Chloe went over it with him again softly in his ear in an effort to sooth his anxiety. Her hand rose to his chest, sliding over his shirt, under his leather jacket, and up over his collar. “It’s common among bacteria, fungi and viruses, even unrelated ones. It’s recognized as part of the evolutionary process. Clark’s DNA should be of a similar structure to Davis’s. They’re both from Krypton. We infuse that with Davis’s using a carrier molecule called a vector to deliver Clark’s therapeutic gene, and when we genetically alter Davis; he evolves.”

Oliver turned slightly in his seat, taking her face in his hands, the pads of his thumbs brushing over her cheeks; her eyes so earnest, so hopeful. He couldn’t help but grin just a little, in spite of it all. “God, I love it when you talk dirty to me, Mistress Watchtower,” Oliver murmured huskily, in what he thought was a poor attempt at humor in an effort to hide his fears.

Chloe understood him, offering him a sweet, comforting smile. “Don’t worry Ollie. When this is over, I’ll whisper all the dirty things you’d like.” Her lashes fluttered downward, eyes lowering to the tempting fullness of his lips.

“I’m holding you to that.” His parted lips then found hers in a kiss that was both soft yet demanding. Mouths met, sealing all the promises made and those yet to be fulfilled. The kiss deepened, tongues seeking and finding reassurance in one another. A vague thought entered his mind. This could be the last kiss he’d ever share with her. He dismissed the thought, yet it had already fueled the intensity of his kisses. He had to kiss her like there was no tomorrow. Chloe felt the same urgency, threading her fingers into the blonde strands of his hair, tugging on them, pulling him closer.

“Whoa! This is no time for making out!” A voice sounded from outside the car. Bart had been informed of the change in relationship status for Oliver and Chloe, but he’d yet to see them go at it the way they were right now. He rolled his eyes, they were worse than two horny teen-agers at some make-out point.

Oliver pressed soft kisses to her lips, before lifting his mouth from hers slightly, taking a moment to gaze down at her. They had to go. Oliver threaded fingers into her hair, whispering words he had to say one more time before they exited the car. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

“Hey, lovebirds. Car driving up the road. We need to get inside,” Bart called to them again, and reluctantly, they let each other go and scrambled out of the vehicle.

“Check it out, while we go inside. I need to gear up,” Oliver said, stepping toward the trunk of the car, removing his Green Arrow gear.

Bart was gone and back in seconds. “It’s that Luthorcorp dude. Belton.”

Belton had contacted Chloe days ago, saying he had valuable information about Davis. Oliver was wary of the man, knowing he’d worked for Tess. Belton claimed he was concerned about Tess’s methods and said he felt she’d gone too far. He knew the creature was more dangerous than anyone had originally thought, and so he decided to help anyone wanting to destroy it. Tess didn’t know what she was dealing with, he’d said. Oliver didn’t buy the man’s story at first. Belton came through, however, providing data on the tests being conducted in the facility, names of doctors, scientists, and a list of other meteor infected still housed there. He’d also informed Oliver of the creature’s growing strength, and ability to adapt and grow stronger from whatever injured it. He’d been there the night they’d escaped, he’d said, and witnessed Tess murdering her own guard over their departure. Oliver still didn’t trust the man completely, not knowing exactly why Belton would switch sides, but thus far, everything he’d said seemed to check out upon further investigation. Oliver waited until the black Luthorcorp sedan came to a halt in front of them.

Belton exited the car, his brow furrowed, his expression panicked. “Mr. Queen. He’s on his way. Not ten minutes behind me.”

Chloe and Oliver exchanged glances. “Get inside Chloe,” he urged quietly. She nodded, knowing where she had to go, and what she had to do. She turned toward the building entrance, glancing back only once to find Oliver’s gaze following her. He watched her enter, and the door closed behind her. Oliver turned to Bart. “Is everyone ready?”

“Clark and Vic are inside. A.C.’s running comm..”

Oliver hoisted his gear more securely on his shoulder. He nodded to Belton before turning toward the entrance. “Thanks.”

“Is there anything I can do?”

Oliver cast a backward glance at the man, indicating with his head that Belton should follow him. “Yeah. Don’t get yourself killed.”

* * * * * * *

“You okay, Sidekick?”

Chloe stood nervously waiting in the dim laboratory. Oliver’s distorted voice sounding in her ear. “Yeah.”

“It’s going to be okay, Tower, we’re all here,” Victor added.

A scream. Unearthly, ear piercing screeches and growls caused Chloe to jump out of her skin. Moments later she heard the sounds of thunderous footfalls as the creature tore down doors, and burst through walls. Chloe’s heart beat rapidly in her chest, her breathing stuttered, grew heavier. She glanced at the doctors waiting nearby. They too were frightened, but determined as well. Then silence. Long moments of silence.

“Arrow?” she whispered.

“Target approaching. I’ve got him.”

Oliver fired off a Kryptonite tipped arrow, piercing the beast. Chloe could hear the screams and harsh growls emanating from it, just outside the door.

Wounded thusly, the Kryptonite weakening him, the beast transformed, and Davis returned. His clothes were torn and tattered, revealing much of his body. Chloe. She was here. Davis pulled the arrow from his chest, and rose from the floor. He stood for a few moments as his body healed from the invasion.

“Looking for someone?”

Davis turned to find the Green Arrow blocking his path; the path to Chloe. Arrow’s crossbow was poised, more Kryptonite tipped arrows nocked and ready to fire. A slow, mocking smile spread on Davis’s lips. “You can’t keep her from me. You know that, right?” His voice was low and smooth, casual, too confident.

“You’ll have to get through me first.”

“Oh, I plan on it.” Davis nearly laughed, his eyes raking over Oliver, taking in his costume. “She doesn’t love you. You’re nothing, Queen. Look at you, dressed up like some comic book character. You’re pathetic. You’re no hero. You’re just a man…”

“And you’re not.” Oliver finished for him.

“Chloe’s mine.”

“Says the intergalactic beast.”

Davis ignored the comment. “In the grand scheme of things, you’re simply a minor obstacle in my way.”

“Get past me then,” Oliver dared, unflinchingly.

Davis charged forward, eyes flashing red. Oliver fired his crossbow, three arrows piercing Davis’s chest at once. The impact slowed Davis, but not enough. With a feral, unearthly growl, Davis plowed through Oliver, taking him with the force of his body, crashing through the door, chunks of the walls and debris crashing down on top of them both. Chloe screamed, attempting to run toward them, as they fell into the lab, but Clark, Victor and Bart. appeared, blocking her path. Davis rose up from the rubble, transforming into the monster before their eyes. It was then that Chloe saw Oliver lying sprawled on his back on the ground beneath the chunks of wall, motionless, his face bloodied, his body broken.

“Oliver!”

The creature sent Victor through the concrete wall with one powerful swipe of a hand, causing the supporting joists to creak ominously, and leaving a jagged, gaping hole in the side of the building, a flood of light casting it’s glow on all. Chloe wanted desperately to run to Oliver, but before she could move, the creature had swatted Bart away as though he were a pesky fly buzzing around, and had begun to wrestle with Clark.

Chloe watched in horror as the two fought one another. The beast was tossing Clark around like a rag doll. Clark with all his strength was no match for Davis as the creature incarnate. He tossed Clark aside, making his way toward Chloe. Clark recovered, leaping onto his back, breaking one of the bony protrusions from the creature’s body, causing it to scream out in pain. The beast thrashed about, throwing Clark from his back, causing him to land heavily against another wall creating a huge dent in the concrete, pieces to fall and crumble atop him. The beast then thundered toward a prone Clark before he could recover, grabbing him by the throat with one monstrous hand, picking him up and tossing him toward the fallen debris where Oliver still lay unmoving. The entire building shook. Clark was astounded by the creature’s strength. He couldn’t recall ever encountering an adversary with such power. He felt himself weakening, but wouldn’t give up. They had to stop this creature before he destroyed or killed again. Clark rolled, blood flowing freely from his nose and mouth, leaning against the broken wall not far from Oliver’s body. Though weakened, he reached inside of himself, finding what strength he had left, two glowing beams streamed from his eyes as his heat vision activated, severely burning and incapacitating Davis. Clark felt himself falling into oblivion, as he used the last bit of himself, hoping it would be enough.

The screams were coming from everywhere at once it seemed. Chloe, the doctors hunched behind damaged equipment, and the creature emitting ear piercing screeches as flames engulfed it. Soon the flames died down, the creature’s body lying in a heap, turning ashen, smoldering. Chloe had to act before he recovered. She cast a glance at Oliver who had not moved at all. Her heart wrenched, fearing the worst. She turned her terrified gaze toward Clark who lay not far from him.

“Go,” he gasped, his strength ebbing away, his eyes glazed over, closing. “Do it.”

Chloe stepped cautiously toward the creature, standing over it and extending a tentative hand to hover over him. She closed her eyes and summoned all her meteor induced healing powers, her Braniac induced powers, concentrating every ounce of energy she could. After some moments, her nose began to bleed, and when she opened her eyes, they were stark white. Slowly the creature transformed, and Davis Bloom began to reappear.

“Chloe,” he gasped, writhing on the floor under her hand. “Please…”

The doctors moved in and began their work.

Chloe, now severely weakened, lowered her hand. Her knees nearly gave out, and when she recovered she knew she was changed somehow. A.C. was suddenly there holding her up, telling her everything was going to be all right, but she didn’t hear him. Lifting her eyes, she sought both Oliver and Clark; both of them still collapsed and unmoving. She moved away from A.C. slowing in her steps as she approached the two men who meant more to her than anything, not wanting to believe, too shocked to even think it… no. No. They couldn’t be, but they looked… they looked… cold and lifeless, and … dead.

End Chapter 19

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Anything But Ordinary Chapter 18

Anything But Ordinary
Chapter 18

“How are you feeling?”

Davis sat up in bed at the sound of Tess’s voice from the doorway, a wary expression on his face. “Better, thanks.” He’d been housed at the facility for over a week, had undergone a myriad of tests, and had been practicing, calling upon the beast at will. He’d found it quite easy to call upon the creature. It was more difficult however to turn it off. One doctor had been killed, and the lab nearly destroyed not two days ago. Guards had shot him, but he’d recovered and grown stronger from it. So strong, that now bullets barely slowed him down.

Doctors had discovered that carefully controlled dosages of a serum infused with kryptonite allowed Davis to rein in the creature and release it at will. It took several attempts, but they’d finally found the correct amount needed, and thus far Tess’s plan was moving along smoothly.

Tess moved casually toward the window, lifting the shade. Davis squinted against the light and turned his head away. The sunlight was merely a reminder of another day spent here. He had to leave. The time was now. Tess stepped near his hospital bed, but remained at the foot, too hesitant to actually get much closer. She hid her fear well, but Davis could smell it on her skin, hear it in her unsteady breathing, almost feel it emanating from her every pore. He imagined this heightened sense of awareness about others had something to do with the predator within. “The doctors say you’re improving. That you’re able to control it better.”

He shrugged. “I suppose.” He didn’t want to discuss it, but had another pressing subject on his mind. “Where’s Chloe?”

Her lips curved in a brief smile. He’d been asking about Chloe for days, and somehow had known she was at the facility the night of the escape. Tess couldn’t imagine how he’d known, and had wondered over the possible connection between Davis Bloom, and the petite blonde. She knew they were friends, but Davis appeared to have some abnormal, inexplicable attachment. “Ms. Sullivan is well guarded. Oliver Queen is keeping his precious possession under wraps.”

Davis eyes darkened, a combination of jealousy and rage building in him. Tess thought she saw a flash of red, light his eyes.

She tipped her head thoughtfully, running a finger along the cool stainless steel frame of the bedpost. “You know about them, then?” When his only answer was a deep scowl, she continued, her voice smooth and taunting. “She’s been staying with him at his penthouse.” Tess moved closer; her steps slow and deliberate, as was her voice. “Sleeps in the same bed with him too, I imagine.” Davis clenched the sheets beneath him in his fists. “Calls his name… wakes up in his arms…”

“I get it!” Davis snapped, flipping off the covers, rising from the bed. He brushed past her to the closet, retrieving his clothes, shaking them free of their hangers. He began removing his hospital gown, heedless of her presence.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

“I’m leaving.”

“You can’t leave now, we’ve only just begun to make progress,” Tess balked.

“I need to see Chloe,” he mumbled, slipping on his pants, then reaching for his shirt.

“But…”

“Try and make me stay.”

“You need that serum in order to control the creature within you.”

Davis continued buttoning his shirt. “Maybe I don’t need controlling, Ms. Mercer.”

“We both know that you do. How do you know that the beast inside you won’t kill her?”

“I know I won’t.”

“You can’t be certain.”

“I am. And I’m leaving.”

“No,” Tess said firmly, forgetting herself for a moment reaching and grasping his forearm as he stepped toward the opened door.

Davis spun, his eyes glowing red momentarily, causing Tess to gasp and take a faltering step backward. “She’s ready now. I have to see her.”

“What do you mean, she’s ready?”

“She’s ready for me. Her body is ready. It’s time.”

“You’d better start making sense, Davis. Because you’re not leaving here until you do.”

“If any of this made sense, I wouldn’t be here in the first place.” Davis looked away, as though he could find the answers written on the wall in the distant corner of the room. “All I know is that I have to find her. I don’t know why. Call it instinct, call it whatever you’d like.” Davis pinned her with a menacing look, daring her to stop him. “I’m out of here.”

* * * * * * * *

She stood at the counter in front of the coffee pot, trying to stifle a yawn as she waited for the last drops of dark, aromatic brew to fill up the pot. Just as she reached for the handle, Oliver stepped up behind her quietly, slipping his arms around her waist, pulling her back against him. The warmth and strength of his body at her back had Chloe smiling, tipping her head to the side giving his nuzzling better access as his lips brushed the edge of her ear, sending shivers up her spine. “Good morning,” he whispered.

“It won’t be a good morning if I accidentally burn you with hot coffee, sleepy head,” she purred, sliding the decanter back into its place.

“Let’s stay in bed all day, and pretend the rest of the world doesn’t exist.”

Chloe turned in his arms, smiling up at him playfully, placing her hands on his bare chest, caressing him. Since that first night together, and over the past few days and nights in between researching Davis Bloom, Tess Mercer, and coming up with a plan for dealing with them, Chloe and Oliver had been exploring and learning each other’s bodies. Her palms seemed to move without conscious thought over the now familiar hard contours and muscles, fingers sliding over his neck and broad shoulders. She marveled at his hardness; the way his body felt against hers. She loved touching him. She craved him. “We did that yesterday, remember?”

Oliver kissed the tip of her nose, half growling, half laughing; he pulled her even closer. He didn’t want to contemplate anything other than her right now. Didn’t want to consider what lay ahead. They had work to do, but for the first time in his life, Oliver was deathly afraid, unsure of the outcome. He kept it to himself, not wanting to worry her any more than she already was. He wanted to prolong these moments with her for as long as possible. They’d disagreed over the plan; the one they’d devised was far from foolproof, but if it meant keeping Chloe safe, and finally ridding themselves of the threat of Davis Bloom, he was willing to go on a little faith. Just… not yet. He didn’t want to let her go yet, not now. Not when he’d finally found her, after he’d been too blind to see that she’d been in front of him all along.

“Ollie?”

“Hmm,” he murmured, as his lips moved over her cheek, pressing soft, warm, drugging, kisses. His hands wandered down her spine over the lush curves of her body through her tank top, fingers slipping inside the elastic rim of her pajama bottoms. He marveled at her softness; the way her body felt against his. He loved touching her. He craved her.

“He’s coming for me. Soon.”

Oliver lifted his head, searching her eyes. There was no need to ask who ‘he’ was. “How do you know this?” His caressing hands stilled on her body and then his arms tightened around her, as though he’d never let go, as though the sheer act of holding her closer would keep her safe from Bloom.

Worry creased her brow. “I don’t know how I know. I just do.”

He tipped her chin up with his fingers. “I won’t let him take you, Chloe.”

She gazed up into dark eyes, full of love; so determined in his resolve to keep her safe from Davis. She hadn’t the will to disagree, though she knew if he were ever up against the beast in Davis Bloom, there’d be no chance for him. Oliver would be killed, and there’d be no way for her to bring him back from death this time. She offered him a small, reassuring smile. “I know you won’t.” But no matter what he did, Davis or his creature incarnate would take her away, and there was nothing Oliver could do about it if their plan didn’t work. She divined that something in him knew this too, and when his arms tightened around her, she sensed his near desperation under the calm façade.

“Let’s go away. Get out of here, where he won’t ever find you…”

“You know we can’t do that.”

“I don’t like this, Chloe. Not one bit.”

“It’s the only way, Oliver. There is no door number two, it’s our only option.”

“No.”

“It’ll be fine, Oliver. I know what I’m doing.”

Oliver’s eyes probed hers, and then drifted over her face. “What are you not telling me, Chloe?”

“Trust me, Ollie. This has to work.” At his worried, skeptical look, she continued. “The team will be here, right? They’ve been keeping an eye on the facility where Davis is housed. They’ll have our backs. Clark will be there. Everything will be fine.” She blinked, then turned her smile up a notch in an effort to cover her own doubts, her own fears. No matter what happened, she’d protect Oliver at any cost. Slipping her fingers into the hair at his nape, she pulled him down, her parted lips meeting his, wishing she could kiss away his concerns.

“I won’t let him take you,” he breathed in between kisses that grew increasingly fevered and frantic. Oliver slipped his hands further inside her pajama pants, pushing them down over the curve of her bottom, grasping her rounded flesh as he did so. Chloe felt them brush over her legs and pool around her ankles. She kicked one foot out of the loose pants as he lifted her, carrying her effortlessly to the sofa.

Oliver lowered her onto the cushions, pinning her beneath his hard, aching body. “He won’t,” she sighed, barely able to speak; his kisses leaving her breathless, ravishing her with lips and teeth and tongue. Yet at the same time, an inner torment began to gnaw at her. She wouldn’t let Oliver be hurt or killed trying to protect her from Davis. She had to protect him.

Keeping her safe had become his obsession. Davis was coming for her she’d said. Soon. How she knew this didn’t matter, Oliver believed her, but he knew she was his, and he wouldn’t let anyone hurt her or take her from him. All at once, a sudden sense of urgency flooded, coursing through him, and Oliver never wanted anything more in his life, as much as he wanted to bury himself deep inside her. Stunned by the force of need pulsating through his blood, he freed himself from the confines of boxer-briefs “I won’t let you go…” he guided himself, and sank deeply within her body; restless, impatient, and a little rough. They both shuddered, each of them drawing in fast, harsh breaths.

Hearing the desperation in his voice, Chloe couldn’t deny him. She whimpered breathlessly into his mouth, as his lips found hers once more, hungry for the feel of his hands on her body, and the imperative need to have him inside her. Her heels dug into the small of his back as she lifted, accepting the thick fullness of him. She didn’t want to acknowledge the dull ache of foreboding, but disquieting thoughts raced through her mind as Oliver plunged into her, hard and hot, filling her over and over again, until she met his eyes, his stare drilling into her. She saw his thoughts mirroring her own. The war of emotions and turmoil raging in them both fueled their desires, desperately giving and taking from one another. She’d never experienced such intense emotion, pleasure and chemistry all at once with anyone but Oliver Queen. Thoughts of what was to come made her heart wrench painfully. What if it didn’t work? What if she never saw him again? Chloe fought hard against the tears she’d refuse to let fall. “I love you, Oliver… no matter what happens… I love you,” she cried; as she dug her nails into his shoulder blades, arching hungrily up to meet his thrusts rhythmic, pounding, again, again, again.

Neither of them wanted slow and sweet. This was urgent, desperate, hard and fast. The air shimmered around them, grew taut. Her words. It was her words, and the way she said them. No woman had ever uttered those words in that way while in the throes of passion for him. They’d reached inside him, wrapping around his heart, permeating and filling him to near bursting. Words that made him want to possess her, take her harder, deeper, make her a part of him that no one could ever take away. Sensations assaulted him; the first tremors began inside, moving along his manhood in tiny convulsive jerks. She surrounded him, her cries of ecstasy filling him, her silken heat pulsing around him. He was lost in her. Oliver couldn’t form a coherent thought. He didn’t know where he ended and she began. His head fell forward, touching hers as he felt her body clutching his. And then he knew she was there, the pleasure curling through her like a tidal wave and pushing her into rapture. He shook from the exertion of his release, his voice, guttural and strained with passion calling her name.

They struggled for breath, hearts racing. Oliver slipped his arms beneath her and shifted, sitting up taking her with him, so that she straddled him, still buried inside her. Chloe brushed away tiny beads of sweat from his brow, and ran fingers through his hair kissing him gently, before laying her cheek on his shoulder, limp as a rag doll against him. They were both trembling with aftershocks, soft sighs on stuttered breaths sounded in the room.

“I love you too, Chloe,” he breathed into her hair, his hands soothing her heated skin.

Her breath tingled over his chest. “That’s all that matters, Ollie,” she whispered.

“I know,” was all he said, but nothing would matter if their plan didn’t work. Nothing would matter if he lost her.

The phone rang, yet neither of them moved. Moments later the buzzer sounded.

“It’s Bart,” Oliver murmured, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

“How do you know?”

“I’m psychic.”

A short laugh burst from her lips. “A new super power?”

“Who else can call one minute and be here the next?”

“True,” she conceded, lifting her head to gaze down at him.

Oliver took her face in his hands, thumbs stroking her cheeks, still flushed with passion. “Guess there’s no spending the day in bed, huh?”

Chloe rolled her eyes, grinning playfully. “I’ll get it,” she said, placing her hands on his chest for leverage as she started to rise up off of him.

“I’ll get the door. As much as he’d love it, Bart doesn’t need to see you… like this.”

She laughed. “I wouldn’t answer the door half naked.” She protested, searching the floor for her pajama bottoms, scooping them up. “Well, maybe for you I would,” she kissed his cheek, then grinned over her shoulder on her way to his bedroom, noting that he’d become utterly speechless admiring the view she provided.

He watched her walk away. “God, she has a great ass.”

The buzzer sounded impatiently once more, rousing Oliver from his momentary reverie. He slipped on his boxer-briefs and stepped over to the monitor. He was right. It was Bart, waiting anxiously, looking as though he’d bounce off the elevator walls if he could.

“Ollie. I’ve got some news. It’s about that Davis Bloom dude. I saw him leave the facility.”

End Chapter 18

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Anything But Ordinary Chapter 17

Anything But Ordinary
Chapter 17

Tess stood over the body of the guard she’d just terminated, no longer requiring his services; her pistol still aimed at the prone figure lifelessly sprawled face down on the ground. She lifted cold eyes to the two remaining guards, who stood rooted in disbelief at what they’d just witnessed. They were hardened men, but neither of them could ever recall seeing anyone they’d ever worked for react in such a way. Even in the predawn dimness, bearing witness to the wildness in her eyes had them more than just a bit alarmed. The Green Arrow and the blonde woman had escaped. Tess was beyond livid. “Anyone else have ideas about disobeying my orders?” she snapped. Each of them shifted lightly on their feet, but neither one of them spoke. “Get rid of him,” Tess indicated the fallen guard with a disdainful inclination of her head, then turned at the sound of another guard approaching as the two remaining guards did her bidding, lifting the body and carrying it away.

He was out of breath. Tess couldn’t tell if it was from running or from fright. “Ms. Mercer,” he panted, stopping for a moment to collect himself. “The beast is gone. Mr. Bloom is inside, he’s demanding to see you.” The beastly screeching, screaming sounds emanating from the facility had stopped, yet no one wanted to enter until now.

“Well done.” She murmured. This guard was worth having around if he was willing to brave a chance at encountering the beast. “Tell him I’ll be there shortly. Have a crew clean up any messes he’s made, and notify the team of doctors that we’ll need to resume our experiments soon.”

“Ms. Mercer, if I may…” he began, his breathing now under control. “We’ve already lost three…”

Tess lifted a brow waiting for him to continue.

“This just seems too dangerous, even for Luthorcorp, ma’am. Whatever it is… this thing is uncontrollable and unstoppable.”

She tipped her head to the side, regarding him. Perhaps she’d been wrong about him. “Mr… what is your name again?”

“Belton.”

“Mr. Belton, I appreciate your concern, but these are drastic times, and they call for drastic measures. We’re building something here, an army of our own, so that we may defend ourselves from the impending war that’s about to begin. You’ve seen it coming; you’ve seen the talents of others I’ve recruited. This creature will be our most valuable asset, our most powerful ally against the Traveler and those like him. Luthorcorp will lead the way in defending our world. It starts here, now.”

“With all due respect, Ms. Mercer…”

“Lex wouldn’t give up!” Tess silenced him, moving rather menacingly into his personal space. Her eyes hard, she peered up at him. “Either you are with us, or you are against us. The two that escaped tonight are part of a team who’d see us defeated.” She lifted her arm, pointing toward the building entrance. “That creature in there can stop them. All of them.”

The guard was not intimidated, something Tess immediately noted. He stared down at her for a long moment, assessing her, pausing as though he wanted to say more, but deciding against it. He swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he did so. “Well then, let’s hope for all our sakes, you can control it,” was all he said. He turned then, and strode toward the building entrance, leaving Tess to ponder his words. A tinge of worry passed over her features ever so briefly before the hardened, determined expression returned. She’d find a way to control the creature inside Davis Bloom. Lex wouldn’t give up, and neither would she.

She’d convinced Bloom to come to the facility, and he’d reluctantly agreed to submit to testing by her team of doctors. The experiment went horribly awry, and Bloom transformed into a hideous creature before their eyes, breaking out of the confines of the lab, killing two technicians and a guard, crushing bone, and tearing their bodies to pieces. They’d all run for their lives after that, gathering up other ‘guests’, as Tess was wont to call those living in the facility, and finally retrieving the Green Arrow and Chloe. Not wanting further complications from either of them, she’d wanted to put her plan in motion, having Chloe shipped to a facility out west, and keeping Oliver locked up nearby, to deal with him at her leisure. She hadn’t expected their escape, and now she not only had the creature to contend with, but the addition of trying to anticipate the Green Arrow’s next move was like trying to fight a battle on two fronts. It was a chess game she’d usually enjoy, and Tess steeled herself for the conflict to come, knowing she’d face the Green Arrow again soon.

* * * * * * *

They slept soundly, feeling warm and more content than either of them had ever remembered, arms and legs entwined, wrapped up in each other. After their first lovemaking, they’d lain together, unable to keep wandering hands from caressing and sliding over smooth skin as they talked in quiet tones. They wouldn’t talk about what had happened. Not now. It was as though each of them didn’t want to taint the moment with discussion of Tess or Bloom. They’d deal with those things later. This moment was for Chloe and Oliver and nothing else.

To say the night had been eventful was an understatement, and though each of them was tired in these early morning hours, after some moments of soothing and touching, Chloe could feel that he was aroused again. Oliver held her close, reveling in the feel of her as he cradled her with his body. He was already hard for her, wanting to taste her again. Desires rose, passion filling them, and after finding delicious completion in each other once more, breaths heaving, their eyes met, and they broke into laughter from their utter exhaustion, able to forget the events of the night for awhile, capturing some bit of joy in each other. When their laughter subsided, Oliver pulled her close, and Chloe fell asleep almost immediately in the comfort and safety of his arms. He smoothed her hair between his fingers as she slept warm and soft against him; pondering the many ways fate had changed his life. She shifted in his arms, snuggling closer to him, and he saw his future so clearly. Having her in his arms was like coming home. Emotions swept through him as he pushed concerns about the night’s events away. He’d think about Tess and Bloom later. Right now he wanted to enjoy some moments of peace and drift into sweet slumber with the woman he loved.

Hours later, Chloe awoke to the sound of the buzzer. She blinked, her mind still swimming around in a fog for a moment, wondering if it had all been a dream. A strong arm around her waist, a large warm body curved protectively at her back, his soft, even breath at her neck confirmed it. It was no dream. She was in Oliver Queen’s bed, wrapped lovingly in him. The penthouse buzzer sounded once more and Chloe attempted to leave his arms. Even as he slept, she felt his muscles constrict, resisting, not wanting to let her go.

“Chloe? Oliver?” It was Clark. He must have decided to super-jump onto the balcony when no one buzzed him in through the elevator. If he came in through the bedroom, he’d see them.

“Ollie,” she whispered, fingertips stroking the arm at her waist, and then nudging him gently.

He lifted his head, then pressed a kiss to her hair. “Hmm.”

“Clark’s here.”

“Chloe?” Clark called again, this time his voice sounded from just outside the bedroom door. There was a pause. She heard Clark clear his throat uncomfortably. “Oh…uh… sorry…” his voice trailed off, and Chloe couldn’t stifle the blush that crept up to her cheeks, or the smile from her lips, knowing Clark must have just used his X-ray vision to peer into Oliver’s room.

They both sat up, Oliver rubbing sleep from his eyes and ruffling a hand through his hair. “Uh… hang on Clark.” He and Chloe turned to one another, wide-eyed and grinning. Her face was now completely healed of all injury. Oliver couldn’t stop himself. Eyes full of love, he reached over, cupping her cheek in his palm, the smile still on his face as he leaned in and kissed her forehead. Chloe threw an arm around his neck, as he then nuzzled her, rubbing his lightly stubbled cheek against hers. It wasn’t as though they could pretend they hadn’t just spent the night together. Oliver shrugged inwardly. Oh well. They all would just have to get over the awkwardness.

“I didn’t think you’d still be… sleeping, it’s almost noon,” Clark’s voice drifted to them from beyond the door.

“It was kind of a rough night…” Oliver offered, as he rose from the bed, hastily throwing on his sweats, searching the floor, and handing Chloe the white t-shirt she’d worn. They dressed quickly, feeling like two kids caught with their hands in the proverbial cookie jar.

“I’ll bet.”

“No, really Clark. It was a rough night,” Oliver said, opening the door to the room once Chloe was covered in his knee-length t-shirt.

Clark expected to see a smug expression on Oliver’s face at the joke, but was surprised to find his expression quite serious.

“The Fortress?” Chloe asked, coming up to stand just beside Oliver, peering from behind his bare arm. Clark blushed profusely once more, glanced at the floor between his feet, his eyes then darting to the side as though he wasn’t certain where to put them. “Clark?” she prodded, noting his discomfort, but now was not the time. They had a killer to stop, and the matter of Tess to deal with.

Clark nodded, a sigh of relief leaving his lips. “It’s back.” He lifted his eyes once more to hers. She was tousled and sleepy and beautiful. She literally glowed. It was the look of a woman who’d been loved well. “And I’ve got some important information from the AI.”

Chloe smiled. “Good. We’ll exchange stories of our adventures… well, not exactly every detail,” she added quickly, lifting her shoulders, her grin turning sheepish. Oliver wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her against his side. Chloe lifted her eyes to his in silent communication, her palm lightly stroking his chest; Clark witnessing the look of deep love and affection that passed between them. She turned her gaze back to Clark. “But…. Um… Just give us a few minutes.”

A crooked grin appeared on Clark’s handsome face. “I’ll go put on the coffee,” he murmured, rolling his eyes, gesturing toward the kitchen before he turned away.

Chloe grabbed Oliver by the wrist, pulling him to the shower.

Oliver emerged before Chloe, fully dressed now in blue jeans and black t-shirt. He took a seat at the counter, Clark placing a steaming mug in front of him. “Hey… Clark, I’m sorry about… that,” he gestured toward the bedroom. “I didn’t realize how late it was. Things didn’t go exactly as planned, and Chloe and I didn’t get home right away.” At Clark’s questioning look, Oliver went on to explain what happened after Clark left for the Arctic.

The anxiety on Clark’s face grew with each detail; he barely noticed when Chloe came to sit beside Oliver wearing another one of his shirts along with her jeans. He turned to her concernedly. “Chloe, are you sure you’re all right?”

“I’m fine, Clark,” she assured him with a small smile. “You left me in good hands.” She slipped her hand in the crook of Oliver’s arm, and he immediately covered her hand with his. They exchanged glances, and Clark tried to keep from rolling his eyes again, wondering if he’d be able to keep them in their sockets. Truthfully though, he was happy for them. In fact he hadn’t seen either of them this happy in some time.

“You were pretty brave, Sidekick,” Oliver murmured, returning the compliment.

Chloe smiled shyly shrugging it off, then turned to Clark once more. “Tell us what happened in the Fortress. What did Jor-El say?”

“You were right about one thing. This creature is a Kryptonian experiment gone wrong, long before my people became the dominant race on the planet. The AI gave me some information about a creature that had been cloned and destroyed repeatedly. Each time the creature died, some DNA was taken from it to create a new being, so that eventually after repeated deaths, it would become unstoppable, because it adapts to overcome what killed it in its prior life, making him stronger each time. Jor-El says that because of its many deaths, the creature grew to hate all life, and sought to destroy life wherever it existed.”

“Can we stop it?” Oliver asked, his expression anxious. “I mean this thing was in that facility. We don’t know why. Either it’s following Chloe, or Tess knows about Bloom.” The hand covering Chloe’s clasped her fingers.

A chill ran up Chloe’s spine. “It’s unstoppable. Clark, what if this thing is out there, and not even you can stop it?”

Clark shook his head. “This thing was created to be the ultimate life force. Able to survive the most hostile environments.”

“So basically we’re dealing with a mindless, unfeeling, unthinking killing machine.” Oliver was nearly breathless with the thought.

“Maybe not.”

They both looked up at Chloe, gazes expectant.

Her lips thinned and she glanced away, not wanting to voice the words. “I mean, maybe he’s not completely unfeeling.” She lifted green eyes to Oliver. “And… and if he is capable of feeling anything, … love. Then maybe, just maybe he can be stopped.”

“You can’t be serious, Chloe,” Oliver said. “You’re not thinking of putting yourself in his way, on some chance that he feels anything for you, other than wanting to procreate.”

Chloe glanced from one man to the other. “I don’t like the idea any more than you do. But if this creature can hate and be capable of emotion, could he not also love? And if he can feel love, compassion, couldn’t we stop him?”

“Who has time for monster therapy sessions, Chloe?” Clark insisted. “This thing is a killer. Cold blooded, thoughtless…”

“He hasn’t hurt me in any encounter. He knows it’s me, I’m sure of it.”

“Yes, but you can’t be certain what will happen…”

“No, you’re right, I can’t be certain…

“Forget Rosemary’s Baby,” Oliver quipped, yet anxiety filled his voice. “This is sounding more like some alien version of Beauty and the Beast.”

“Ollie…”

“No, Chloe. I won’t let him take you; I won’t let you put yourself in harm’s way like that. It’s just plain reckless. You’ve seen what he’s capable of. There has to be another way.”

Chloe grew silent. She couldn’t blame him, or even be irked at his over protectiveness, heck she wasn’t certain any plan involving using herself as bait would work either. Suddenly she had another thought. “Clark, do you think he’s weakened by Kryptonite? You said he was created there, maybe we can use that.”

“It’s worth a shot, and better than using Chloe Sullivan as a potential weakness, wouldn’t you say?”

Chloe lowered her eyes staring into her coffee mug; both men could almost see the cogs turning in her head, making them both nervous. “Yeah,” she whispered. She lifted determined eyes first to Clark, then Oliver. “But first I’m going to find out why that creature was at the facility, and just how much Tess Mercer knows about Davis Bloom.”

End Chapter 17

Click Here For Chapter 18

Anything But Ordinary Chapter 16

Anything But Ordinary
Chapter 16

Gently, he eased her down onto the bed, his body hovering over hers as he supported his weight on his elbows, the warmth of his mouth, soft and pliant touching her throat and jaw line with languid gentleness. Though he had yet to touch her, other than to kiss her senseless, with his slow, drugging kisses that left her shaking, breathless and yearning for more, Chloe felt the heat and strength of his body radiating through the t-shirt she wore, his muscular power surrounding her. Her arms wrapped around his neck, her thighs holding his hips, she drew his body closer, tilting her hips up, nudging her pelvis against him, meeting him, already hard and swollen cupped by the soft fabric beneath his sweats.

Desire, a pulsing, throbbing need that made him rock hard, filled his every pore, even the air he breathed, and Oliver wondered what happened to his resolve to be patient. What happened to not wanting to rush this part with her, giving her time? He thought to stop this before things went too far. But then she’d pushed her hips against him, her heat permeating a thin layer of clothing, and he nearly lost his mind. She squirmed some more, rubbing herself, shifting so that the hot, hard ridge of his erection was cradled snugly against her slit through her panties. At her movement, a soft grunting-groaning sound escaped him, vibrating against her neck, his breath wobbling against her skin, catching in a sensual way.

He lifted his head from her throat to gaze down at her. Eyes intensely dark, he was nearly trembling with desire for her. “Chloe,” he breathed. A small, sheepish grin formed on his lips. “Believe it or not, was trying for patience here…”

Chloe smiled up at him, her bruises even now fading, her eye almost completely healed. “How long have we known each other, Archer?” she whispered, soft fingertips smoothing the hair at his nape, moving softly over his jaw line, and then stroking his cheek gently.

His brow furrowed in thought, the pulsing heat between them at the juncture of her thighs where their bodies strained against one another, made it difficult to think clearly. He could barely remember his name past the pounding pulse in his groin. “Two years, almost three? I don’t know.”

Chloe tipped her head to the side, regarding him, her lips quirking playfully. “Close enough. We’ve worked side by side together, each of us trusting our lives and our dual identities, and secrets to one another. We’ve laughed together, argued together. We’d do just about anything for one another, right?” Chloe brushed her fingertips over his bottom lip. “We were with different people maybe, but that doesn’t change the friendship and history we already have, not really. You’re still Oliver and I’m still Chloe. Arrow and Watchtower. We know each other. Better than some people who are about to do what we’re about to do, wouldn’t you say?”

“I didn’t want to rush you…” He murmured softly, the restraint and control he’d tried holding on to was slowly loosening as his fingers slid into the hair at her temples, smoothing the soft strands away from her face.

Her smile turned up a notch. “If you were, I’d be sleeping in the guest room right now. And you should know, that I’m still on birth control pills, and disease free,” she volunteered. After all, there were no secrets between them, he knew about Jimmy and could guess that they’d been sexually active.

“No problems here either, Sidekick. Clean bill of health.” It was something he was always careful about, in spite of what others thought, he wasn’t completely reckless, nor did he want Chloe to think less of him in any way. He searched her face, hoping her belief in him was strong enough to overcome whatever Tess had told her about his past, knowing in his heart, he’d prove his love for her if she’d let him. He’d show her every day for as long as she’d have him.

Chloe watched his expression, intense longing in his eyes as he grinned down at her. Her own smile faded somewhat, her green eyes softening, lighting with desire as she gazed up at him, the torture of wanting him becoming so great, she could hardly stand it. Tess was right about one thing. He was indeed a work of art, and Chloe’s arms were filled with a near-naked Adonis. It was no wonder he garnered female attention. But, he loved her; Chloe Sullivan. How she came to this, she didn’t know, it didn’t matter anymore, and she’d not allow those old insecurities to come bubbling to the surface or concerns about his past plague her in any way. Not now. Oliver Queen was here, in her arms, looking at her as though nothing else in the world mattered, wanting her as much as she wanted him. If he touched her she’d incinerate and if he didn’t she’d die. “I want you, Ollie,” she breathed. “All of you. Here. Now.”

His body warmed under her regard, aching for her touch, her seductive whisper stroking over him with the effect of a soft, warm kiss. She nudged him once more with a sensuous movement of her hips, writhing against him. His breath stuttered as he took possession of her mouth with his, seducing her with hot deep glides of his tongue, answering her movement, meeting her instinctively, pushing himself against her warmth.

The first hungry swipe of his tongue took her breath away. Chloe felt him tremble as she slid her hands under his arms and around him, her palms gliding smoothly over the muscles of his back, down over his spine, slipping fingers under the waistband of his sweat pants. She wanted them off, the aching need contracting in her womb, consuming her like a flame sucking up oxygen. She arched her back, impatient with the barrier of clothing between them.

Sliding one hand up beneath the hem of her t-shirt, needing to feel the smooth sweep of her skin against his, Oliver slowly, lingeringly caressed a trail from her hip to her breast, lifting the oversized shirt as he did so. His warm hand cupped her, and her breath caught against his lips. Oliver peeled the shirt up and away, over her head, tossing it aside, her bare breasts tingling as they were exposed, nipples hardened. He wanted to see her, touch her, taste her. Her breasts were the small, perfect handful, perfectly shaped, her nipples rosy, rising and falling with uneven breaths, begging for his touch. Burying his face in her breasts he drew one nipple at a time into his mouth. His firm, wet mouth tugged on her nipples, sucking, tonguing, teasing; her body arching offering him more, her gasp caught between a sigh and a moan, sliding along his senses.

Oliver took his time to kiss and caress almost every part of her, each touch thorough and possessive, branding her as his. Fingers curling around the rim of her panties, he pulled them down, sliding them over her legs. Chloe shivered and fought for air when he dipped a finger inside her, stroking, spreading her slick moisture, leaning over and her kissing her hotly, capturing the sounds of ecstasy that passed her lips as he coaxed her body, maintaining the slow in and out motion of his finger, igniting a bone-melting fire that spread through her entire being.

“One of us is overdressed,” she panted, moaning against his lips, surprised that she could speak at all. She slid her palm over his torso, long and hard and muscular, her eyes alight with curiosity and wonder. Her fingers skimmed down the front of his sweat pants, slipping her hand inside, intense desire making him draw a harsh, ragged breath. A soft laugh left his throat at her words, and Oliver paused to tame his rapid breathing and heartbeat. At the touch of her hand cupping his warm, hard, silky flesh, he held his breath as his groin jerked in greedy expectation, every cell in his body erupting with need. She stroked him, thick and heavy from base to dripping wet tip, sliding her thumb over the head to test the slippery secretion there, delighting in the way his breath caught on a low groan.

He shifted on the bed, rising long enough so that sweats and boxers were shoved down, falling in a whoosh around his ankles. He kicked them off, then dove back onto the bed, stretching out alongside her, smiling down at her. “Better?” he teased, mischief dancing in his eyes.

“Why yes, yes it is.”

“Anything for you, Mistress Watchtower.”

“Anything?”

He pulled her close, growling playfully, as he moved over her once more, fitting himself between her thighs, and molding himself to her. His body was on fire – hot, hard and ready, aching with the need for release, for the ease he knew he could only ever find in her. Oliver wanted to bury himself inside her as deeply as he could, and not come out until they were both mindless and spent. “Anything. Everything.”

“Everything. That’s quite a tall order, but all I really want…” Chloe gasped softly as she felt the iron heat of his erection pressing between her legs. “I just want you, Oliver. That’s enough for me, that’s everything to me,” she whispered, her body arching, thighs opening of their own volition, her heart slamming erratically in anticipation. She needed him inside her. Now.

Oliver rocked his lower body against her, his thick ridge nudging against her clit with delicious friction, his gaze locked with hers, powerful, hot and steamy. Their skin sizzling where they pressed against one another. “You have me, angel.” Chloe tilted her hips beneath him, causing the breath to rush out of him, as the tip of his manhood slipped between the folds of her slick entrance. “All of me,” he whispered, unable to keep himself apart from her any longer, he watched her eyes widen, and heard her intake of breath as inch by sweet inch she slowly welcomed him into her body. He made a growling sound in the back of his throat as he sheathed himself further inside her heat, stretching and filling her. “Don’t ever doubt it,” he breathed erratically, his body shuddering with involuntary tremors of arousal, and passion. God, she felt so amazingly good; Oliver didn’t think he’d last very long.

He’d barely gotten into her before her hot tunnel began clutching and gripping him. Sliding a hand down to her hips, he lifted her, giving her more, taking all she had to offer and silently demanding that she give even more, her body bombarded by sensation after sensation. Everywhere he touched her, it felt as if an electrical current pulsed beneath her skin. He drove her wild, his slow torturous rhythm, pumping and thrusting, rocking her hips, so deep inside it made her ache, taking all he was giving, absorbing the heat of him. Thrill after thrill shot through her, as he possessed her body. His passion swirled around her, raging through both of them, the rhythm of their bodies moving together, increasing in intensity with every thrust. Her body began to vibrate with liquid fire. “Oh God,” she moaned. “Oliver.” She raised her eyes to find him watching her, his gaze hot, lids closing over in ecstasy. Clutching him, she pulled him down, kissing him hard, lips and teeth and tongues rolling, demanding him, commanding him, they breathed each other’s labored breath, sighs and moans from each of them filling the room.

Without warning, Oliver rolled, pulling her with him, so that she straddled his hips, still inside her tight warmth. He wanted to draw it out, and if he didn’t let her have control now, he’d come before he knew it. Hands reaching for her, needing to touch her everywhere, her hips, the curve of her waist, her back, skimming and cupping her breasts, kneading them, as she moved over him, hips gyrating, varying the pace, rising and falling on his hard length, his hips rising to meet her. He watched her, so beautiful as her eyes closed and her head tipped back, revealing the column of her throat, sounds of pleasure escaping her. He watched himself disappear inside her over and over again, until his eyes rolled back, a guttural sound, deep in his chest mingled with her cries. He pulled her down, cupping her cheeks, fingers threading through the tousled golden hair covering her face, kissing her, taking her mouth as he took her body, he groaned and nearly came up off the bed. “Chloe… Chloe…” he panted, his voice strained in urgent warning.

Chloe knew he was on the precipice; this knowledge somehow edging her onward. She spiraled up and over carrying him with her, whimpering into his mouth, grinding herself down on him, as she tumbled over the last edge of pleasure, dizzying pulsing sensations coursing through her womb, radiating throughout her entire body. Chloe felt a spasmodic tightening of his muscles, shudders wracked his body, and Oliver, unable to stop the long, ragged groan of release, clutched her hips, immersing himself deep-deeper, the heady rush and flow from his groin, spilling inside her.

Chloe slid down to him soft, boneless, limp, her body sprawled atop his, as she fought for air. She never knew passion could feel like this. Oliver held her tight against him as his heart continued to race, his blood simmering, he remained inside her, not wanting leave, wanting to be part of her. “You have me, Chloe. All of me,” he breathed erratically into the soft golden strands of hair that covered his face. “Don’t ever doubt it.”

End Chapter 16

Click Here For Chapter 17

Anything But Ordinary Chapter 15

Anything But Ordinary
Chapter 15

“Let’s get out of here!” One of the guards shouted, shoving Oliver in front of him, out the cell door. Sounds of the murdering beast that were first heard at an echoing distance now seemed to boom ever closer. Chloe’s heart raced as they shoved her through the corridors.

“Hands off of her,” Oliver barked at their rough handling of her. Clearly she was weakened and unable to keep up with the pace they wanted her to maintain.

“You gonna carry her with your hands tied behind your back, lover boy? She needs to keep up, or get torn to pieces.”

Oliver didn’t answer. In their haste, they had not tied him securely, and Oliver bided his time, until they were exiting the building.

Once outside, they were ushered through the darkness to the waiting van. Oliver had to move now or be taken elsewhere. He’d stealthily slipped his wrists from their bonds, and activated the night vision mechanism in his glasses. One guard headed toward the driver’s side, while another opened the hold, two others held their guns on the captive couple.

One guard spoke into a walkie-talkie, assuring someone on the other end that the two captives were ready to be moved. A fuzzy reply came over as a response ordering him to head toward another vehicle. “Separate them.” His voice sounded into the dark stillness. “She’s being taken elsewhere,” he said, and then left them, trotting off to wherever he was needed. One less guard was a good thing.

Chloe searched for Oliver’s tall, hooded frame in the darkness. “No!”

Through is night vision glasses, he saw one guard grab her up, her face registering her terror as she struggled weakly against the man. “Chloe!”

The guard holding her groaned. “We don’t have time for this shit. There’s some kind of fucking monster in there, tearing people apart, and bitch boss wants us to separate these two?” He maintained his hold on a squirming Chloe. “Fuck that, put them in the van together.”

“We have orders,” the second voice said, determined to do his boss’s bidding.

“Fuck orders. I’m not getting my guts ripped out.” The guard holding Chloe shoved her toward the rear van entrance.

What the other guard would say, no one would know. Oliver leapt forward, swinging viciously with his right arm, knocking him squarely in the back, then as the guard doubled over, Arrow upper cut him to the face, then spun with a roundhouse kick to the gut, knocking the man down. Darkness was his ally, as the first guard who’d shoved Chloe, didn’t know what hit him when Oliver lowered his right shoulder and charged, sending him sprawling backward, the gun nearly flying from his hand. “Get in!” Oliver called to Chloe, who did her best to scramble up into the hold of the van with her hands tied behind her back. Oliver moved toward the guard he’d just dropped and delivered a steel fist into the man’s face, retrieved his gun, then trotted over to the driver’s side of the van.

The Green Arrow opened the van door abruptly, startling the man inside, who saw nothing but the barrel of a gun pointed at his face. “What the fuck?”

“Get out.” Oliver’s tone was deadly as he cocked the weapon.

The driver didn’t need to be told twice, and scrambled out of the passenger side. Oliver nearly leapt into the seat. “You okay, Chloe?”

“Can’t shut the doors… just go!”

She slid backward, nearly out the opened rear doors as Oliver gunned it. He’d gotten several yards away, stopped, and then moved quickly to the hold to retrieve her. “Sorry,” he murmured, his expression sheepish. “Come up here,” he said, pulling her up, and setting her in the passenger seat. “We’ll get those bonds off later.”

“It’s okay, Ollie, let’s just get the hell out of here.”

Oliver lowered his hood, and removed his glasses as they sped away, churning up dirt and tires spinning, spitting up gravel in their wake. He found what appeared to be the exit ahead in the distance, an arm gate blocking the way.

“Blow through it,” Chloe urged, bouncing lightly in her seat as the van sped over bumps and dipped into potholes.

He searched for the switch quickly, then disabled the airbags with a push of a button. “Of course, Sidekick,” Oliver answered her, glancing her way, offering her the tiniest hint of his old arrogant smirk. Chloe smiled back as best as she could with her swollen lips and half-opened eye. His foot pushed the pedal to the floor, and Chloe braced her feet on the dashboard in front of her, pressing herself back as far as she could into the seat, crushing her hands tied behind her back.

As they made impact with the gate, she lowered her head onto her knees, hearing the sounds of debris clank and bounce off of the van, the crack of a window as something struck the windshield.

“You okay?”

She lifted her head. “Yeah.”

Oliver continued to speed down the road, not really certain where they were going. He fiddled with the dashboard controls, finding the navigation system screen. “We’re about two hours outside of Metropolis,” he said, his eyes moving back and forth from the road to the small dashboard screen. “And we’ll have to stop somewhere soon, because this baby is Lojacked.”

“Get us to the nearest town, we’ll take care of it there. We don’t have a big jump on them, I’m sure Tess knows we’re gone by now.”

Oliver was comforted by the fact that so far, he’d not seen any approaching headlights in the rear-view mirror. He was troubled by other thoughts however. “Chloe. Why do you think the creature was there?”

“Do you think he followed me, Ollie?” she asked, fearful.

“I don’t know, angel. Tess knows more about it than we think, right?”

“Yeah, but how would she have gotten him there? I don’t think Tess even knows Davis.”

“What if she does?”

“Tess had photographs of us in the alley behind Luthorcorp the night I healed you.”

“So, she might have photos of the creature too,” Oliver mused.

“I have no idea what her interest in him could be.”

“Whatever her interest is, she’s playing with fire.”

Chloe was silent for a long time. “Then let her get burned,” she murmured, her voice cold, void of any emotion.

Oliver glanced over at Chloe, whose head was lowered. It was unlike her to say something like that, and it further solidified his feeling that Tess was the one to hurt her so badly. She’d said that physical wounds healed faster, but emotional ones didn’t disappear as quickly, and he wondered what invisible wounds Tess has inflicted.

They drove the rest of the way to the nearest town mostly in silence. Oliver pulled up into the parking lot of a motel, untied her wrists, and then set about finding and removing the GPS device from the van, tossing it into a dumpster behind the building.

On their way back to the van, he reached for her, pulling her into his arms, holding her briefly before they had to speed off again. He brushed his lips against her forehead. “Let’s go home,” he whispered, but she remained silent, only nodding in agreement at his words. Now that the excitement of their getaway had passed, she’d been noticeably quiet, and his concern grew.

Finally in the safety of the penthouse, Chloe was able to relax. Oliver gave her a white T-shirt to wear, and told her she could shower and sleep in one of the guest rooms, if she wanted. Chloe took him up on his offer, showering quickly and slipping on the shirt. It almost reached her knees. She gazed at herself in the mirror. Her wounds were healing, but she frowned at her reflection. She was certainly a sight, and none too attractive at the moment. There was no help for it. Shrugging lightly, she stepped out into the dimness of the living room, not finding him there. Thinking he must be showering and changing, she padded barefoot, to sit on the edge of the sofa, staring out unseeing into the quiet space in front of her.

* * * * *

Tess wasn’t getting the answers she wanted. Chloe was steadfast in her denial of knowing the whereabouts of the crystal. Tiring of getting nowhere, she decided upon a new tactic. “So, what has he given you? A bracelet? Earrings? A trip to Malibu at sunset?”

Chloe glanced away. “Look Tess, whatever your game is, I’m not playing. What have you done with Oliver?” she demanded.

“Oliver is quick to give away objects, things,” Tess went on, ignoring her question. “But he’s incapable of giving himself.” Tess circled Chloe’s chair, her hands and ankles had been tied securely. She reached out to lift a lock of Chloe’s hair, rubbing the strands between her fingers.

Chloe nearly snorted. If Tess had only known that for most of her engagement to Jimmy, Chloe sported a plastic Cracker Jack ring. “Objects aren’t that important to me.”

“I see. You must be quite the novelty to him then. I’m sure it will wear off soon, and you’ll become another Oliver Queen castoff,” she taunted, moving around her once more, lifting Chloe’s chin with a finger, scrutinizing her features. “You’re quite unlike his usual conquests. He’ll come to his senses and dump you soon enough.” Tess moved a few steps away from her.

“And if that happens? So be it. I’ll survive. I won’t hold a grudge like someone else might.”

Tess stopped in mid-step whirling, slapping her hard, causing the blood to flow anew from Chloe’s mouth and nose. She’d already begun to recover from her beating on the Luthor Mansion grounds when they were first captured, but the wounds were still fresh. She and Oliver had been brought to a facility several hours away from Smallville, Chloe wasn’t certain where they were, but this was a place similar to the one she’d been housed in months ago in Montana. Chloe worried. Oliver was still unconscious when they’d been brought here. She didn’t know where he was at the moment or what they’d done to him.

Chloe lifted her head to stare defiantly up at Tess, tongue peeking out to lick the blood away from her top lip before she spoke. “What’s the matter Tess? Can’t let it go after all these years?”

“He lied to me, betrayed me. Caused the deaths of people close to me. Told me he’d help me, told me we’d be together, work together. Lies. All of them.”

“Seems he changed his mind, once he saw your true colors.”

At this, Tess withdrew her pistol, pointing it inches away from Chloe’s face. “And what are your true colors Ms. Sullivan?”

Chloe eyed the pistol. She should be frightened, but instead she was emboldened. “I’m not sure, Ms. Mercer. But evidently they’re unlike yours.”

Tess nearly smiled. “When he hurts you, and he will, I’m sure you’ll see things the way I do.”

“I hope not. Tranquilizing people and tying them up isn’t my style, really.”

Tess lifted the hand wielding the pistol, and struck Chloe with it, the hard metal connecting brutally with the left side of her face, over her eye.

This time she did cry out, the pain explosive and unexpected. Chloe’s head reeled, and she felt herself on the brink of consciousness. Fresh crimson dripped onto her blouse.

Tess shook her head. “No. He needs to pay for what he’s done; to me, to Lex, to Luthorcorp. He needs to pay dearly, and it starts with you.”

Chloe struggled to keep her eyes open. She couldn’t see out of her left eye, knowing it had begun to swell shut. Her head bobbed slightly, as she struggled to lift it, but it seemed to weigh more than her entire body at this moment.

“Why me?” Chloe’s voice croaked, barely a harsh whisper.

“For all your intelligence, Ms. Sullivan, you certainly are quite oblivious, aren’t you?” She flashed Chloe a look of disdain. “Why you?” Tess scoffed, raising her weapon once more. “Because for some reason I can’t begin to fathom, he loves you,” Tess admitted, replying to her own question, her voice tinged with anger and envy, bitter jealousy stirring inside her. Tess spat the words as though they were an accusation. She brought down the pistol once more, effectively sending Chloe into swirling darkness. Her head hung over her chest, blonde, tousled hair covering her face. She didn’t move. Satisfied that Chloe was unconscious, but alive, Tess stepped toward the door, opening it. She cast a glance back at Chloe’s slumped, wilted form. It was time to let the Green Arrow have an exclusive viewing of his newest ladylove.

* * * * *

“Hey,” Oliver’s soft voice broke into her thoughts and she lifted her head to find him moving to kneel in front of her. He was freshly showered, shirtless and barefoot; wearing only a pair of black sweats. He took her hand in his, thumb softly stroking her skin.

“Hey,” she answered, offering him the tiniest of smiles, before her eyes flitted away once more.

“Talk to me Chloe,” he urged gently.

Chloe’s eyes fell to their hands clasped together. She shook her head lightly, her lips thinning briefly. “It’s nothing. I’m just… tired.”

“You’ve forgotten how well I know you,” he whispered, his other hand moving to take both of her hands, now enveloped in the warmth of his. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there to protect you… it’s killing me that I wasn’t there for you…”

“You were drugged and unconscious. There was nothing you could have done, Oliver.”

Oliver moved closer, insinuating himself between her legs on his knees before her, their bodies nearly touching, her breasts brushing against his chest. Oliver lifted a hand; fingers threading the hair back from her cheek. Her injuries were healing, and it looked as though she’d been beaten a week ago instead of a few hours’ prior, bruises turned yellowish-green, cuts healing over, her eyelid much less swollen. He cupped her cheek gently. She did look tired and worry worn, but something weighed heavily on her mind, he knew. “What is it, Sidekick?” he asked, his gut clenching painfully, not completely certain he wanted to know the answer.

Chloe’s breath hitched. She opened her mouth to speak, then closed it again, hesitant. “Tess…” She lifted her eyes to his. “Oliver, maybe this isn’t a good idea. Us.”

Oliver shook his head. “No. She did this, didn’t she?” Oliver asked, a gentle finger trailing from her eyebrow down over her cheek, but Chloe knew he meant more than her exterior wounds. He spoke of her doubt as well.

Chloe looked down at her lap, nodding lightly. “Most of it. Not all.”

“Tess and I had a past, Chloe. As much as I’d like to, I can’t erase it. But I don’t want that past to condemn my present or my future.” Oliver swallowed hard. “Whatever she did or said to you was out of some twisted sense of entitlement and jealousy.”

“And what would give her that sense?”

Oliver felt his heart sinking fast. He was a drowning man, clinging to a lifeline. He couldn’t lose her, not before he’d really had a chance, not now, not ever. “I’m not a perfect man, Chloe, but Tess is not exactly the voice of reason here… she’s speaking from a place of revenge. Please don’t let her destroy something we’ve only just found together. It’s what she wants. To destroy me for what she believes I’ve done to her whether or not I’ve actually done it. I’m guilty of a lot of things, Chloe, I’ve made a lot of mistakes, and paid the price for most of them, but I never loved her.”

Chloe gave him no response. She lifted her eyes to his once more, liquid green, finding his chocolate brown, his gaze pleading.

Oliver watched her face with acute and loving anxiety, trying to read her expression, his eyes danced, searching hers. He needed her to understand, to know. Wetting his lips, he continued. “If I ruin this, us, then let it by my fault, my failure, my regret forever, and then I’ll know there’s no hope for me as an honorable man; that I’m incapable of loving anyone, unable to make a commitment and stay with it…. Let the punishment be mine, but not because of Tess or anyone else who’d try to come between us.”

She lifted trembling fingertips to his lips, her eyes never leaving his. She hated to admit that Tess had aroused old fears and insecurities within her. In the short time they’d been together, Oliver had never once questioned her past with Clark, or Jimmy. Granted, her past was not as riddled as his was, and Jimmy hadn’t taken a pistol to Oliver’s face, but thus far, he hadn’t doubted her, not once.

Oliver’s large, gentle hand surrounded her small one, pressing his lips to her fingertips, then easing her hand to slide down over his neck, his collarbone and finally over the muscles of his bare chest, holding it there. Throughout his past relationships he’d been a master at self-sabotage, ruining his own chances at happiness, for reasons unknown, even to himself. “I’m not going to ruin this. Not this time. Not with you, Chloe.”

“You don’t have to make promises, Oliver,” she whispered.

He shook his head, realizing something he hadn’t before, the thoughts coming to him with sudden clarity. “It’s not about promises, Chloe. It’s about knowing who we are, living honestly, being true to ourselves. We’re together, and now it’s as though it all makes sense. It’s the way it should be, should have been a long time ago, and maybe it took all of this… all of our past mistakes and heartbreak to bring us here.” He pressed her palm over his chest, his fingers lightly stroking hers, his eyes imploring, but she said nothing. “It feels right. The way it’s supposed to feel… in the way that I’m yours and you’re mine… something in my life finally feels honest. Being with you, is being true to myself. If you can tell me it's not the same for you, that it's not the reason you let Jimmy go, then... I don't know...” Her silence worried him. Usually she was the more talkative one between them. Had he frightened her away with his words? Had Tess really gotten to her? Never before had he felt the strings of the new bond between them stretch closely to the breaking point. “I don’t know how else to say it, Chloe,” he whispered, clearly flustered over what he felt was his inability to express himself. Oliver blinked, lowering his eyes. “If you really believe that us… being together is not a good thing…”

She was Chloe Sullivan, Watchtower, truth-seeker, and super-intelligent, meteor-infected healer. Living honestly and authentically was something she could never do with Jimmy or anyone else. He was Oliver Queen, billionaire CEO, philanthropist, the Green Arrow, a crime fighter. And he was kneeling before her, telling her that he belonged to her. Living honestly was something he couldn’t do with Lois or Tess or anyone else. Tess had said that he was incapable of giving himself to anyone, yet as Chloe studied his features in the dimness, her entire being urged her to prove Tess’s words wrong. Chloe’s breath stuttered, her throat constricting in an effort to hold back the tears, as the truth of his words washed over her. “She told me… Tess… told me,” Chloe hesitated swallowing harshly; her eyes shining with unshed tears. “That you loved me. How would she know something like that?”

“I don’t know how. Maybe once she saw us together, she knew, but if she believes I love you, it explains her jealousy, wanting to hurt me by hurting you, and trying to drive a wedge between us.” His broad shoulders lifted as he breathed, and Chloe could feel his heart beat quickening under her palm. He glanced down and away nervously, then lifted dark eyes to hers once more. “You don’t have to say anything, or answer or…” he took another lung-filling, calming breath, exhaling slowly. “I’m in love with you.” There. He’d said it; he’d uttered words rarely spoken to any woman he’d known, and now his heart nearly stopped, waiting for her reaction. He hadn’t thought it was possible to love someone so deeply, so completely in such a short time. Or was it that he had loved her long before this moment, and never knew?

Chloe slid her hand upward over the warm smooth skin of his chest, wrapping both of her arms around his neck. The sweet sensation of her breasts pressed lightly against him through the thin fabric of his T-shirt nearly undid him. Chloe closed her eyes, tears squeezing out from beneath her lashes. Oliver brushed them away gently with the pad of his thumb.

“You’re all I want,” he whispered, his head descended as he touched his parted lips soft as down against hers, hands sliding over her spine, grasping her bottom, scooting her forward on the edge of the couch, increasing the pressure of their bodies against one another. “Let me love you, Chloe.”

His words and his nearness sent her senses into a tailspin. She ached for him, wanted him. His lips trailed down over her cheek softly. Mouth grazing her sensitive skin, he kissed the pulsing hollow of her throat. Chloe’s eyelids fluttered closed, she clung to his neck like a lifeline and on her soft sigh that reached deep inside of him, she gave in to the pleasure he offered. Burying his face in her neck, he breathed more tender kisses there. “Oliver,” she whispered his name, so full of longing and hope, her breath caught on a surge of yearning so abrupt and intense it felt like pain.

Oliver slid his hands beneath her bottom, lifting her from the couch slightly, her thighs wrapping around his waist, her hands plunging into his hair, still damp from his shower. He continued to press slow, gentle kisses over her; her cheeks, her eyes, the tip of her nose, her lips, ever mindful of her fading injuries. His kisses, soft and unhurried, showered down like a cleansing rain into her soul, soothing her doubts, washing away her fears, yet building a smoldering, burning fire of need for him. She moaned softly, a sound of surrender. ‘Let me love you,’ he’d asked. There was only one answer that came to her. “Yes,” she breathed.

Rising from his knees in one fluid motion, Oliver carried her to his room.

End Chapter 15

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