Title: A Two-Front War (1/?)
Spoilers: Through season 9 up to Checkmate
Summary: There are those that threaten Chloe and those she loves. Sequel to 'Baby Proofing'
Author Note: I have no Betas so all mistakes are entirely my own. All comments and reviews are appreciated, including the "you suck" variety.
Chapter One
Three months had passed since Chloe had moved in and the disagreements had started almost immediately. She was still insisting on finding a new apartment and Oliver had thought he would have plenty of time to convince her to stay with him. Yet again he had underestimated just how stubborn she could be, and the pregnancy hormones just seemed to fuel that.
Chloe had wanted to rent but there was nothing available that they could both agree on. Finally they had found an apartment located ten minutes from Oliver's place and it was the cause of the biggest argument they had had since she moved in with him. The new apartment was well beyond her price range but Oliver had insisted on contributing financially. When she had argued that she didn't need to be taken care of 'like some mistress', he had pointed out that it was mainly for the benefit and security of the baby. She finally conceded and only allowed Oliver to buy the place if she could pay him rent. He wondered just how far the 'baby excuse' would get him his way in the future. It had potential.
Now, here they were two weeks since she had collected the keys, and the apartment would soon be ready for her to move in. He was desperately trying to think of a way to keep her with him. He had grown accustom to waking up beside her every morning, arguing for the morning paper over breakfast, having her waiting at home when he returned from patrol. He was going to miss all of it, and he was sure she would too. He just had to find a way to make her realise it.
Oliver walked into Chloe's new apartment carrying the tray of coffee cups she had requested.
"Chloe?" He called out
"Put them in the kitchen I'll be right out!" She called from the bathroom.
Oliver walked into the sparsely furnished kitchen to find Bart sat at the breakfast bar eating a sandwich.
"Since we found this apartment I've been seeing more and more of you Bart. You care to tell me why you feel the need to spend every possible minute with my girlfriend?"
"Chloelicious has needs that only I can fulfil, amigo. No need to feel bad about it, doesn't make you any less of a man."
"Stop teasing him Bart!" Chloe told him as she walked into the kitchen, giving Oliver a brief kiss hello on his cheek.
"I say nothing but the truth. Only I can give you what you need when you need it."
"You're still craving fajitas?" Oliver asked.
"And red apples." She acknowledged as she opened a paper bag waiting for her on the counter.
"Don't forget the barbeque ribs." Bart said around a mouthful of his own sandwich.
"There is no way this kid is going to be vegetarian." She said as she pulled a beef fajita from the bag. "I swear I have never eaten so much red meat in my life."
"Emil said that it was just the baby's way of telling you what he needs."
"Or she" Chloe said over a mouthful of food
"You guys should just put yourselves out of your misery. What's so wrong about finding out the sex?" Bart asked, eyeing Chloe's Mexican feast.
"We could find out in a couple of weeks at the scan, but Chloe is insisting we find out when the baby is born." He fixed her with his eyes. He badly wanted to know but she wasn't giving an inch.
"Pouting is so unattractive in a man." Chloe said picking up her cup of coffee.
"I seem to remember you getting your own way a lot lately. Would it kill you to let me have this?" Oliver asked, trying to give her his most charming smile.
"Getting my own way? I've not been getting away with as much as you seem to think. I've been living with you for three months, remember?"
"It's not too late to run away with me, mamacita." Bart encouraged. "Me, you, Mexico, and a whole tray of fajitas…"
Chloe laughed "As appealing as that sounds I still have a lot of work to do here."
"Victor said that he had finished setting up the security system yesterday. What else do you need to do?" Oliver asked, drinking his own coffee.
"Relocating my things for a start. And finish the decorating. I'd rather not move into a place that reeks of pain fumes, its not healthy for the baby."
"Painting the rooms by yourself isn't going to be any healthier. Why don't you let me take care of it?" Oliver asked.
"Because I don't want to walk in tomorrow thinking I've landed in the Emerald City. I'd have to start calling you Toto."
She recalled his so-called 'input' as she had been sorting through paint chips for the baby's room. Apparently there was no such thing as 'too much green'.
"Is this your way of telling me you aren't ready to move in yet? Because I have no problem with that." Oliver tried his best to sound nonchalant. Chloe just sent him a warning glare.
"I can have this place finished in a flash. You just have to say the word 'licious." Bart suggested.
"Sounds like a worthwhile use of league resources to me." She said sarcastically.
"You're using Bart as your personal delivery boy, sending him to Mexico for food, but you have a problem with him helping to paint?"
"In my defence he was probably heading there for lunch anyway." She shyly suggested while finishing up her coffee.
"It's two against one, and you know I'm right. Go home and let us finish up here today."
"Technically I am home." She grinned at her own comeback.
Oliver threw his hands in the air. "That's it! Bart, a trip on the Impulse-express if you please!"
A wide grin broke over Bart's face. Chloe looked like a deer caught in headlights as she caught his expression. "Oh no. No, no, no. If I'm heading back to the clocktower I'll take my car thank you."
"Awww, c'mon beautiful. You're hurting my feelings here." Bart said as he held out his hand to her.
"If you want to be wearing my lunch then I'll go right ahead and take you up on your offer."
Bart's grin faltered slightly "How about I just walk you to your car instead?"
"That's what I thought." She stood close to Oliver and looked up at him. "You sure you'll be ok finishing up here?"
Oliver kissed the top of her head while gently rubbing her protruding stomach. "We'll be fine. Give me a call when you get back."
"Ok." She smiled before pausing to grab her take-out bag from the counter "I'll see you in a couple of hours."
Two men sat in a car opposite Chloe's new apartment building, eyes fixed on the door. The younger man took a picture as Chloe and Bart walked through the doors and approached her car.
"The kid's here again. We have anything on him yet? A name even?" He asked
"White Queen ordered that he be placed under surveillance, but they haven't had much luck. He gives them the slip every time."
"Meta human?"
"Probably."
Chloe was safely in her car. She gave Bart a short wave before driving off. Neither noticed the car that followed shortly.