DISCLAIMER: Characters aren't mine(sadly), only borrowing. This may not follow any info on A.C, this is my take on him.

Like a Fish Out of Water

A.C sat on the couch in his Miami pad reading a magazine. He had had a heck of week. JL missions across the globe. It was time to chill. Ollie had granted them leave for the week allowing for the new recruits to gain some more experience and run the show. He yawned and was contemplating a nap on the beach when there was a knock on his door. He yawned and stretched and padded toward the door. He looked into the peep hole and smiled.

"Chloe what are you doing here?" he asked as the tiny blond walked passed him into his apartment; suitcase in hand and her face red from crying. He shut the door and followed her. He put his hand on her shoulder and stopped her and she dropped everything and turned and hugged him and cried. "Shhhh, what is it Tower?"

She pulled back and sniffed. "I.." she shook her head and moved to flop onto his couch. He grabbed a box of tissues and then came and knelt in front of her. She took a tissue and blew her nose loudly. He only smiled, it was cute—'where did that come from?' He thought.

"Alright Chlo,. What are you doing here?" he spoke now very curious.

"I left the Tower and was going to the mall. Ollie was with Dinah, Clark was with Lois and so I …..Anyway I ran into Jimmy and his new Wife. She's pregnant…as big as a house. That could have been me! Look at me den mother to a bunch of superheroes. I don't date, how could I? Who would want me? I'm never around; my life is one big secret! So Bart brought me here before his date. I needed to well talk to someone who wasn't in a relationship."

"Thanks, I think." He smiled. A.C reached and wiped a stray tear off of her face. "Chlo listen; you and Jimmy weren't meant for each other. Do you think it would have worked even with kids? That would have been harder. I was gonna go out to the beach. Put on your suit and come with and after I'll buy ya dinner."

"K" she stood and grabbed her suitcase and went into his bathroom. Chloe's phone rang and it was Clark. A.C against his better judgment answered it.

"Hey Clark."

"A.C why are you answering her phone?"

"She's in the bathroom changing. She was pretty upset when she got here."

"She's in Miami?"

"Yeah Bart brought her."

"Well…have her call me when she wants to come home. Take care of her."

"Dude who do you think I am?" he asked.

"Sorry."

"Accepted. Look I gotta run, bye." A.C hung up and set her phone down just before she came out of the bathroom. Chloe was in an Orange sun dress. It was short and light and hugged her in all the right places. "Wow." He whispered. He came and walked around surveying her. "Very nice." Chloe blushed furiously.

"Thanks. Did my phone ring?"

"Yeah it was Clark. I answered it; I wasn't sure if you were calm enough to talk to him. He said to call when you're ready to head back."

"Thanks."

He held his hand out to her and she took it willingly. She couldn't believe how perfect her hand felt in his. He squeezed it and led her to the door. He slipped on some flip flops and grabbed the towel he had hanging by the door and they exited, heading toward the beach…..

They found a really good spot. A.C spread the towel Chloe handed him from her bag. He then put his next to hers. She sat down leaving her dress on. She was looking at all the statuesque bikini clad model types walking around.

"God like a fish out of water." She mumbled under her breath.

"I don't think so." A.C spoke sitting next to her. "You forget I have excellent hearing as well. Chlo you have to know you're beautiful. You have an incredible body and are so super smart. The guys treat me like I'm the dumb surfer, but you actually talk to me and make me use my brain and Miami education. Don't think about these girls here, you out class them by miles."

"Thanks, A.C I needed that."

"Did you bring sunscreen?"

"Yeah." She dug it out of her bag and handed to A.C.

"This will work a lot better if you get out of that dress." Realizing what he said he blushed. "Err, you know what I mean." Chloe chuckled at his embarrassment. She stood and took of her dress to reveal a green biking with orange polka dots. His jaw went slack. She sat down. He sat down next to her and squirted some lotion into his palms. "Turn." He spoke and she moved so her back was facing him. He began to massage the lotion onto her neck and shoulders and down her back.

"Why don't you have a girlfriend A.C?" she asked.

"I've had a couple here and there, but honestly my lifestyle's different. I am very earth conscious as you know and that can seem a little odd to some. I protest and rally and girls that share that with me only dig that. I'm much more than that."

"I guess I never thought of it like that. I know you're vegan."

"Well that's an assumption. I'm more of a picky eater. Every now and again and it's rare that it happens but I do enjoy a good steak. I like sea food, there are some in the cycle of life that are meant for food. There are those that should be left alone. The ecosystem is a very balanced thing. I know my place, in it and respect all others place in it."

"Wow." She spoke in part to his speech and the other to his magical hands. "You never talk about your family."

"That's a lot more complicated really and not really for public consumption. But my Dad is an officer with the Coast Guard, soon to retire. You want to meet him? I'm sure he'd be glad to get out of the house for awhile and have dinner with us."

"Sure!"

"Cool finish slathering, we may be close but not that close I could do your front. I'm gonna go get a surf board for us and we can go play." He smiled.

"Uh, A.C?"

"Don't say it Chloe, there is no better life guard than me" he smiled and winked at her then dashed off.