Title: Read Between the Lines
Pairing: Chloe/Oliver, implied Chloe/Bruce
Rating: M - (no under 18s please)
Author Note: I have no Betas so all mistakes are entirely my own. All comments and reviews are appreciated, including the "you suck" variety. Based on a prompt by elemaria_91.
Oliver was really starting to dislike Bruce Wayne. He could forgive that Wayne Enterprises beat out Queen Industries for a multi-million dollar pharmaceutical contract last week - that was just business. He could forgive that Bruce's alter ego had shunned the JLA repeatedly - not all heroes work well with others. But the Gotham billionaire had gone too far this time.
The way he held his hand lightly on the small of her back while guiding her across the room. The way he whispered into her ear, making her laugh loudly causing her eyes to sparkle. The way they danced together attracting the attention of the room. All totally unforgivable.
He was sure that they hadn't seen him yet. After all, they wouldn't be expecting him to be here tonight. He had only confirmed his attendance that morning. He finished the last of his champagne and placed the glass on the bar.
The plum coloured silk dress she wore clung to her curves in all the right places. She looked beautiful. He wished that it had all been for him. Any other night before it may have been, but he had messed up and tonight he had to settle for watching someone else's hands touch her and appreciate her beauty close up.
He didn't know what game she was playing, but he intended on stopping it tonight. Chloe Sullivan was in his crosshairs whether she wanted to be or not.
Yesterday
Chloe's heels clicked angrily as she went about her work at watchtower. She was seething. Apart from the one time Oliver had referred to their arrangement as a booty call, Chloe had never felt dirty about their 'friends with benefits' relationship. That had all changed tonight. Thanks to Clark and his big mouth, Bart, AC and Victor were no longer in the dark over what was happening between the Green Arrow and their Watchtower.
It wasn't just his frequent declarations that they were only friends having fun, it was the vehemence with which he spoke that had cut through Chloe like a knife. It was if the very thought of them having anything like a real relationship was laughable.
She felt dirty, and now she was sure that the boys saw her in a new way. Even Bart's beaming smiles had faded into awkward grins. She felt like she had hit a new low. But what hurt the most? With every denial that crossed his lips came a small realisation that she had been falling in love with Oliver.
She always knew they had a no commitment rule to their relationship that she herself had insisted on, but the more time they spent together she felt her affection grow for him. She had mistakenly thought that maybe he was starting to feel the same way too. She mentally steeled herself. She wasn't going to go down that unrequited road like a foolhardy teenager, she knew only too well where that path led.
"Have the others gone already?" Oliver walked in from the adjoining room.
"Yes." She replied curtly.
He frowned at her. "Everything ok, sidekick?"
"Yes. I'm fine." She bit out.
Chloe began gathering her printouts ready for her conference call with Bruce Wayne. She had information on a suspected Checkmate agent working at Wayne Enterprises and wanted to give him the heads up. If they were lucky Bruce may give her the permission they needed to turn the tables on the operative and use him to find out more about the secret organisation.
"You don't seem fine to me, you seem pissed." He had hoped the awkwardness with the guys earlier hadn't upset her. No such luck it seemed.
Oliver knew that she was adamant about keeping this thing between them fun without the attachments. He was certain that if she even had the slightest idea of how he really felt she would pull the plug on their 'relationship' without a second thought. That was why he had tried hard to give the impression that this was something they both wanted when the team starting asking questions. He didn't want her finding an excuse to end things. The problem was he had fallen for his Watchtower and he was willing to sacrifice how he felt if it meant he could at least have a part of her. He would take what he could get.
'You're being too obvious Sullivan. Reign in the attitude.' She thought to herself. She took a deep, cleansing breath.
"I am not pissed Oliver, I just have a lot of work to do and I could really do without the distraction." She sat at her desk in front of the largest monitor. The call should be coming through at any time now. "You know that speaking to the big, black bat is not the easiest thing to do."
"I can take the call if you want." He offered.
"No, its fine. Victor said that he needed your assistance tonight before you do your normal patrol. You had better go get ready."
Oliver leaned towards her and gave her a light kiss on her cheek while she carried on typing. "Just don't let him get you too frustrated." Something had changed and he couldn't put his finger on it. He left Chloe to get ready, an uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach.
The information tablet on the desk alerted her that there was a call incoming. With a couple of clicks the monitor in front of her displayed the video feed of Gotham's very own playboy billionaire.
"Mister Wayne! Well this is a pleasant surprise." She greeted him with a small smirk.
"You were expecting someone else? Because I am sure we scheduled this call for tonight."
She laughed softly "I think I was expecting to have this conversation with your alter ego." This was the first time Chloe had spoken to him without his disguise. "It was a bit of a surprise to see the civilian behind the bat."
"I am having to take this call at my office. If my assistant walks in to see Batman taking a meeting it may be hard to explain away. "
Chloe nodded in amusement.
"So I hear you have some information for me."
"I take it you have read through the files I sent you about Checkmate?" She asked
"Yes. It certainly made for interesting reading. You really think they will be expanding their reach as far as Gotham?"
"I'm afraid they already have. We have reason to believe that one of your employees, a Marshall Kennedy, is a Checkmate operative. We suspect that he has been for almost two years. Sending you over the file now." She clicked a couple of buttons sending the information instantly.
Bruce paused while reading the evidence Chloe had sent through. "Marshall Kennedy has been a Vice President with Wayne Enterprises for almost seven years." He sighed and shook his head "Is he the only one you suspect?"
"If he has been activated there is a good chance he is looking to recruit Batman and he won't be doing it alone. Gotham is your territory and with your permission I would like to set up surveillance on Kennedy."
"Are you really asking my permission?" He flashed her a smile "You're telling me the infamous Watchtower is willing to respect my wishes if I refuse?"
She couldn't help but return his smile. "Probably not, but it's always nice to ask."
"Will I have the pleasure of your company or should I be expecting your league to grace my doorstep?"
Bruce Wayne certainly had the dual identity down perfectly. While he still appeared to be brooding in nature, Bruce did not seem to be half as dark and threatening compared to his alter ego. He actually appeared to be charming! And if Chloe wasn't mistaken, was he actually trying to flirt with her?
"I will have to call in Impulse to place certain trackers but the majority of the work I can do myself. Within twenty four hours I can have the surveillance set up and ready to go if you are able to give me access to Wayne Enterprises headquarters. I should be able to monitor his movements from Watchtower, and I will of course make sure you have access to the live feeds."
"I have to say I am surprised that your Robin Hood is willing to let you out of your tower."
"I'm hardly Maid Marion, I can take care of myself when I need to. And I'm sure I will have the advantage of having a certain Dark Knight watching over my shoulder during my visit to Gotham."
"Of that I have no doubt." Chloe saw him recline slightly in his chair. "I do however, have some conditions for your visit to Gotham."
"Conditions?" She raised her eyebrow.
"Tomorrow I am attending a Wayne Foundation Charity Gala in Gotham. I would like you to join me as my date for the evening."
Chloe actually laughed out loud but his smile did not waver. Was he serious?
"If you are seen with me in public then there are going to be fewer questions asked when you are seen at my offices. Plus it will give me the rare opportunity to get to know the woman behind the watchtower. Who knows, maybe you will even have the opportunity to sweet talk me into joining your merry band of men?"
"We're continuing with the Robin Hood allegory? Really?"
"So what do you say Miss Sullivan? One date and I will let you have free access to Gotham City."
"Umm." For once Chloe was at a loss for words.
A date. Given her current mood and circumstances that seemed like the last thing she should consider. She had allowed herself to fall for Oliver and it was only a matter of time before she started to suffer the consequences. Maybe spending an evening with Bruce would provide a pleasant distraction. If Oliver was adamant that they were really just friends then maybe she should take the opportunity to be out in the world again, no matter how briefly.
"Yeah. Sure, why not. But you keep your hands to yourself. I've heard all about Bruce Wayne's reputation with the ladies."
"I promise you that my hands will not go anywhere you wouldn't want them too."
'Seriously?' She thought. He was definitely flirting and worst still she could feel the blush rising in her cheeks.
Chloe attempted to put on her business face. "We should arrive in Gotham by tomorrow afternoon."
"I look forward to seeing you then." Bruce then cut the feed.
"Well that was unexpected." She said to herself as she began shutting down the monitors. She started to make a mental list of all the things she needed to pack for her short trip as she sent Bart a text message detailing their itinerary.
Oliver had heard most of the conversation and was still reeling in the shock. He couldn't believe that Chloe had just accepted a date with Bruce Wayne of all people. "Chloe, did I really just hear you accept a date with Wayne or was I hearing things?"
He startled her, causing her to almost drop her phone "Jeez Oliver, sneak up much?"
"So?"
"What? Yes, I'm going on a date with him. There are worse things I could do with my time there and besides, it will help with my cover while in Gotham."
"You don't have to go. I'm sure Victor and Bart could set up the trackers for you."
"He didn't blackmail me Ollie, I want to go. I'm thinking it'll be nice to be romanced for an evening."
Oliver took his glasses off "Are you saying I can't romance you?"
'You could, so easily.' She snapped herself out of the thought "Come on Ollie, you know that romance has nothing to do with us."
"I kind of feel like I'm being cheated on." Even he had to shake his head at his words. This was turning into one complicated mess.
"Don't be ridiculous. We would have to be in a real relationship for that, and we both know that that is something you don't want." She grabbed her bag and jacket. She gave him a swift kiss on the cheek "Be careful out there tonight Arrow." She gave him a smile as she shut the door behind herself.
His feet were planted to the spot, his mind was a mess. "What the hell just happened?"