Summary: For the Chlollie LJ community 'Chlolliedays' celebration. Chloe has gone and Oliver is facing his first Christmas without her. This is Oliver's version of 'A Christmas Carol'.

Author Note: All comments and reviews are appreciated. They are my addiction, so please feed it.

Chloe had once told him that this was her favourite time of the year. The music, the decorations, and the inevitable indigestion; there was nothing she loved more than throwing herself wholeheartedly into the festivities. In Oliver's opinion the season sucked and he couldn't wait to see the back of it.

If you believed the hype, Christmas was a time of joy; a time of giving and sharing. Children eagerly awaited the arrival of a fat stranger, dressed in red, to sneak into their houses while they slept, and the general population spent more money than they earned. Bah humbug.

In his memory he had never experienced a traditional Christmas, and foolishly he had been looking forward to this year. It was a first for him, and he had allowed himself to become excited at the plans Chloe had made months in advance. It was going to be their first Christmas as a couple; they were even going to decorate his place together.

Except fate intervened, and everything changed. Chloe was no longer here; she had traded her life for his, and now he was alone, wishing she were here.

Oliver looked around his Clocktower apartment. It had never felt so empty.

He couldn't stay there, he needed to get out. He headed towards his secret arrow room. A patrol of the city would help him to forget for a while. Only with a surge of adrenaline would he forget that she was no longer talking in his ear; that she wouldn't be waiting for him warm and half naked upon his return.

He stepped into the room and pulled his uniform from where it was hanging and started pulling on the leather trousers. He was halfway dressed when he felt a familiar breeze blow past him.

"Oliver."

"Hey, Clark. I was about to head out on patrol, but I guess I wouldn't mind the Blur joining the fun." He zipped up the vest before turning towards his guest.

"It's more of a social call really."

Oliver raised his eyebrows. Clark wasn't known for his social interactions lately; he rarely had time for anyone but Lois.

"Social call?"

"It's Christmas tomorrow, and since finding out about the league Lois has wanted an excuse to get everyone together. She wanted a RSVP on your invitation to dinner."

"I've told Lois already, Christmas isn't my thing. I'm going to patrol the city so you can enjoy the day with Lois."

He had told Lois repeatedly that he wouldn't be joining them at the Kent farm. Having to wear a fake smile all day and eating her inedible food might have been bearable, but watching the team enjoy the day with their loved ones? It was something even he couldn't smile his way through. Chloe should be there with him, and her family and friends should be missing her too. Oliver didn't want to be reminded that the only one feeling her loss was him.

"It would really mean a lot to us if you were there. You're part of the family."

Oliver snatched up his glasses. Family. He could laugh. Chloe was family, and yet Clark hadn't lifted a finger to help in the search for her. "No offense Clark, but I'm really not in a celebrating mood."

Clark put his hands in his pockets, watching Oliver finish gearing up for the night. "This isn't what she would want, Oliver."

"She would want me to concentrate on my job, so that's what I'm doing." Oliver opened the balcony doors, ready to head out onto the nearby rooftops.

"The offer still stands, if you change your mind."

He wouldn't, he knew that. "Thanks."

Oliver inserted an arrow into his compound bow and fired the line into the night before disappearing.

Clark watched his exit quietly. He may not be drinking and womanising, but Oliver was on another kind of downward spiral. When he wasn't working at Queen Industries, he was throwing himself into the role of Green Arrow, leaving little time between.

Clark turned to head towards the elevator. Wherever Chloe was, he hoped she knew what she was doing.

At one in the morning, Oliver stumbled through Watchtower's doors. He had been pushing himself too hard lately, and he was at the point of exhaustion.

Having a quick glance at the quiet room he was thankful that Tess was nowhere to be found. Walking over to the couch he pulled a worn photograph from his tunic before lying down.

He had taken the photo from the Talon weeks before, and it hadn't left his person since. It was Chloe how he remembered her. She was relaxed, her hair was tussled and there was that soft smile he fell in love with.

Oliver yawned as he continued to look at the picture. There were only two things he needed in his life right now – Chloe, and sleep.

Oliver buried his head further into the feather pillow. He hadn't felt this comfortable in a long while and the reluctance to move was overwhelming.

The sensation of fingers running through his hair had his eyes snapping open in an instant. He looked at his surroundings, immediately recognising the furnished room with an overbearing tartan theme. The McDougal Inn.

He turned towards his bed mate, already knowing her identity.

Chloe was lying amongst the rumpled covers, staring at him with a smile. She was wearing the green silk babydoll he had bought her for the vacation. He had negotiated the 'no gifts rule' by claiming it was more of a present for himself. She really was beautiful.

In the back of his mind he knew that it was a dream, that she wasn't really there, but he didn't care. If he could only be with her in his dreams, then that would be fine until he could find her in the real world. He needed her so much it hurt.

Turning towards her he pulled her close, holding her tightly. Even in his dreams she smelt the same; vanilla shampoo and coffee.

She sighed as she settled into his embrace, her small fingers tracing patterns on his back. "You're right, Romeo. It's just a dream."

"Can't we pretend we're really here?"

"You can't live your life like this, Ollie. I'm not there, but you have people that are. They care for you."

He relaxed as he felt her fingers move up his arms, soothing any tension away. He nuzzled into her neck, kissing the soft skin above her pulse. "I miss you too much. Is that a crime?"

"When you stop living your life because of me? Yes. You know I wouldn't want you to be like this."

"It's not worth living without you."

Chloe pushed away from his embrace before slapping his bare chest hard. "Hey! I didn't bust my ass to bring you back from the brink just for you to try throwing yourself off again."

"Just let me enjoy my dream." Oliver pulled her close again and continued to kiss her like before. "I'm hoping it will turn into a sex one. Remind me to dream you up a Green Arrow outfit of your own for next time."

Chloe seemed to be ignoring his physical advances; she just stared at him until he finally gave up and looked at her face.

"Dreams are temporary, but friendships can last forever. You need to be reminded of that. There is a life outside of this waiting for you." She leant forward and cupped his cheek with her hand before kissing him softly on the lips. "You're a stubborn pain in the ass, but I do love you. It's time for you to wake up and realise that I am not the only one."

This dream Chloe wasn't nearly as much fun as the others. He gently rolled her over onto her back before covering her body with his. "I refuse to wake up. I have you here, I'm good."

"Wake up, Oliver."

"No."

"Wake up, Oliver!"

"No!"

"Oliver! Get your ass up!"

A shove to his shoulder brought Oliver round with a start. He caught himself from falling from the couch but was unable to avoid the disapproving look Tess was giving him. She thrust a cup of coffee into his hands before walking back over to her desk.

'Chloe's desk' He thought to himself.

"I was having a great dream Tess – way to go."

"I know. I've had to endure your 'happy noises' for the past fifteen minutes. Waking you was the only way to shut you up."

Oliver glanced at the clock. It was only two in the morning. "Isn't it a little late for you to be here?"

"Watchtower alerted me to your arrival. Given your avoidance of this place lately I thought you might have been injured."

"Yeah, well I'm fine. You can head off, crisis averted."

"I suggest you do the same, you look like hell." Tess said taking in his appearance.

"Yeah. Good idea." He was still feeling the loss of his dream. She had been right there in his arms, even if it was only in his mind.

Oliver stood up from the couch and headed in the direction of the elevator. The sooner he got home, the sooner he could get back to his dreams of Chloe.