Author's note: Okay, spoilers up to Justice in general, up to Freak for Chloe. Goes kinda AU from that.

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"Chloe."

She swallowed hard. The last time she'd heard her name from those lips, she'd been in Clark Kent's barn and she'd watched the four heroes walk out, intent on their path, intent on destroying the evil marks Lex Luthor was planning on leaving on the world. He'd smirked at her and said her name. It hit her like a punch in the gut – there was so much more than just her name yet at the same time the risk of nothing at all. She'd ignored it, tried to forget it, for the past two months until the fateful day her phone rang and he'd opened his mouth again. "Yes?"

"I need your help, Watchtower."

Chloe closed her eyes. The second memory swooped in, just as vivid as the first. The second last time they'd spoken. He'd been brusque and abrupt but she knew it was part of his mask, part of his job. He had to be the immovable leader. No one would be able to make those decisions unless they were just as emotionless about it. It had angered her, frustrated her. As if he didn't trust her enough to give him good direction. Yet, at the same time, it was breathtaking. A man who knew what he wanted and took it without regret, without apology. "What do you need?"

"You."

She shivered. Emotions ran through her. Lois' face swam into view, Clark's, Jimmy's… "Excuse me?"

"Your skills, Watchtower. I can't talk long. This might not be a secure line. Be at the airport in twenty minutes. Hangar 3." A click and he was gone.

She frowned. No way was she going to be ordered around. Not by some good-looking, overly-protective, over confident, selfish son of a –

The phone cut off her train of thought. She picked it up and without thought said, "Daily Planet, Chloe Sullivan speaking."

"Don't even think of not coming, Chloe. We need your help." Another click. Dead air.

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She stood stupidly in the hanger for ten minutes, wondering if someone was just playing an elaborate joke when she felt wind brush past her. She'd had enough experience with Clark to know that Bart was probably standing right behind her. Before she could turn around though, his arm slid around her waist.

"Milady," Bart whispered, grinning. "Hang on."

And then they were speeding away.

She was put down and looked up. Hangar 13. On the other side of the airstrip. Rolling her eyes, she turned to face him. "You guys are 'oh so sneaky'."

Bart grinned. "Not my plan, seniorita. You'll have to talk to the boss man…" He turned towards the darkened entrance of the hangar. "They'll be here in a few minutes. We might as well jump on the plane and get the good seats." And he was gone.

She stayed, refusing to be pushed around at Oliver's beck and call. No way was she able to get time off at the Planet without even knowing what it's for. And then there was Jimmy… who seemed to be on her mind less and less as of late…

But she didn't have long to wait for answers.

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He rolled up on his motorcycle. A.C. and Victor were still ten minutes back and Bart was probably stuffing himself full of food in the plane. Chloe was standing beside the plane, her foot unconsciously tapping against the pavement. "Chloe, you should get on the plane. It's safer than out here." He angled the motorcycle so he was shielding her from the outside. Just in case.

Her eyes snapped up to his and narrowed. "You're not my protector."

"Yeah, you've already got one of those," he snarked back gently. He wheeled the motorcycle into the parking area within the hangar then came back.

She ignored the dig against Clark. "What do you want, Oliver? I never said that I'd go anywhere with you."

He smirked good naturedly at her. "But your interest is piqued, isn't it?"

She shrugged. "I have enough mystery in my life to keep me satisfied for the moment, thank you very much. I'm past my monthly quota." She started to push past Oliver but he grabbed her by the arm, spinning her around. They stood face to face. Too close, she thought. She could feel his heartbeat against her chest, strong and steady. His eyes bore down into her, passion burning in them.

He bent towards her and for a second, she thought he was going to kiss her. But all he said was, "Hear me out."

She pulled away self-consciously. "Talk."

He sensed it and took a step backwards. "We've located a 33.1 lab in Tokyo but the encryption to get in has proved to be more than a little difficult."

She surveyed him with an aloof expression on her face, hiding the conflicting emotions racing through her mind. "And your personal can opener couldn't even get through to it?"

He grinned. "Well, we all have our limits, don't we, Miss Sullivan…"

She almost blushed. Was he hitting on her? No, he wouldn't dare after what he'd done to Lois… She looked up to meet his eyes, seeing the confidence of a man who always got his way, no matter how long it took to convince the unsuspecting victim. Well… "Some of us are more limited by our own egos than others," she snapped back.

He gestured to the plane. "Care to share your anger in a more productive way?"

"The Planet…" she said lamely.

"… is taken care of. I have your homework inside." He grinned.

Of course. Of course he'd figure out every angle. "And Jimmy? You have a plan for him too? What? You got Victor to make you a robot that looks just like me and you thought Jimmy was dumb as a post and wouldn't notice?"

"Of course not." He stared at her, freezing her in place. "I just told him you were on assignment."

"And he bought it? You do think he's an idiot."

"Your words, not mine. Now can we go?" He checked his watch. "We're kind of on a schedule here."

She shot him one last feeble glare and boarded the plane.

He unconsciously placed his hand on the small of her back to guide her in. She stiffened then with a sigh of defeat, relaxed.

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"You want me to what?"

A.C. and Bart smirked at Chloe, Victor looked impassive and Oliver had his back to her, studying the maps on the wall.

Luckily, Chloe thought darkly. If he was wearing that stupid smirk on his face, she would have slapped it right off.

He turned back, his face neutral. "We have to do recon and this is the simplest way. It would look too suspicious if a couple of guys were loitering down by the docks." Sitting down at the table, he clasped his hands and looked at her over them. "If you can't do this, Chloe, just say so."

Her face burned. "I can do it."

"Good." He stood and turned to the guys as they got up and started to get things ready. "Plane touches down in two hours, boys." Then he turned back to Chloe. "Can you be ready in that time?"

"Of course." She stood and moved off towards the plane's bathroom. "Contrary to your usual blond bimbos, I don't have to put my face on."

Bart grinned. "Good luck with that, Oliver."

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