She smiled again today. It was becoming a regular thing and she was glad. After Jimmy's death she had almost forgotten how to. Without her best friends and her cousin to help her through she had sunk pretty low. Lois was missing, Clark was busy looking for her and Oliver and the team kept themselves at a distance. They felt she had chosen Clark over them. She couldn't blame them but it didn't make it any easier. At least she had learned just how strong she could be. She was Chloe Sullivan and she would not lie down and die for anyone. Especially not some horned alien intent on destroying the world.

Doomsday. Just another bump in the road she called her life. She remembered a time when all she cared about was uncovering the truth but these days things were so complicated. Her wall of weird was now a world of weird. She had agreed to become Watchtower in an attempt to get back some of the control over her life, and it had helped for a while. Too bad she hadn't seen the signs. Of course there was another bump. Her life was like being stuck in a perpetual circle or school zones and road construction.

She refused to give up. Sitting at the corner café she smiled as she breathed in the rich aroma of her dark roast Sumatra blend coffee. They came easier with time, the smiles. She didn't have to force them as much. Just this morning she had offered some witty banter to the barista making her coffee.

So many months of struggling and she was finally starting to recognize herself in the mirror again. She had worked hard to be the intrepid sidekick again, quick to offer assistance, or snark as the occasion warranted.

Startled by the ringing of her cell phone she flipped it open.

"Chloe I need you to go to Gotham." Oliver's voice was cool. He was all business these days.

"Sure Oliver. Send me the details." Normally her curious nature would have gotten the better of her and she would have asked him questions but right now it didn't matter. She still needed the distraction of work. Too bad he hadn't asked her to go to Bermuda. Gotham wasn't exactly known for its sunshine. She had only been there once when she was much younger but she remembered the darkness and despair that seemed to permeate everything in the city. It was like the sun just couldn't reach the streets.

She sighed, getting up she dropped some money on the table to cover her tab and walked back to her car. It would be a quick drive over to Isis and her secure server. She wondered what was so important in Gotham that Oliver would send her. These days he wasn't big into asking for help. She knew he was dealing with his own inner demons and she wanted to help him but he was still holding her at arms length. He wasn't quick to forgive what he perceived as disloyalty.

She settled herself in front of the computer and began the logon process. No sooner than the last firewall was disabled did the message from Oliver pop up.

Sidekick,

I need your help. I'm going to try and expand the League. I'm sure you've read about Gotham's own "vigilante". Any chance you can track him down and teach him the secret handshake?

Oliver

The note was more personal than they had been in months and she found herself missing how comfortable they had been around each other. They had a special bond. She knew all of his secrets and he knew hers. It was nice to not have to make excuses all the time for the work they did. She hoped time really did heal all wounds. She wanted her boys back. She printed out the plane tickets and the hotel reservations. A slight smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. First class all the way. She was actually surprised he hadn't offered the private Queen jet.

Chloe headed back to her apartment to pack. Determined to make the best of this trip. She couldn't change the past but she was the master of her own destiny. She vowed to enjoy herself. Gotham had some of the best shopping on the east coast and she was going to take advantage of it. Some retail therapy would be just what Lois would tell her to do.

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The flight was short and uneventful. As the plane taxied to the gate Chloe gazed out the window at the gloomy sky. It was threatening to rain. She hoped it would wait until she was at least at the hotel; she had no desire to get wet. True to his controlling nature Oliver had arranged everything. She didn't even have to pick up her baggage; her driver advised her it would be delivered to her hotel shortly. Oliver had left the ticket open ended. He wasn't sure how long it would take Chloe to accomplish her mission. As the car pulled in front of the hotel the sky that had been threatening her since she landed opened up. Chloe ran from the door to the lobby but it didn't matter she was drenched to the skin.

As she walked to the front desk she wondered if people were staring because her wet shoes were squeaking on the marble tiles or because dressed in wet jeans and a t shirt she looked a bit out of place in the lobby of a hotel that boasted royalty and Presidents as previous guests. She cursed Oliver under her breath. She would have been fine with a Best Western, provided it had WiFi of course.

She walked to the front desk and tried not to get offended at the look the clerk was giving her

"Chloe Sullivan checking in" She passed him her ID. As soon as her name popped up on the screen his whole attitude changed.

"Welcome to the Plaza Miss Sullivan, I see you are staying with us indefinitely in the presidential suite. My name is Peter and if there is anything you need at all please just say the word." Chloe just smiled at the man. She could only imagine what Oliver had told them when he had the reservations set up. The Queen name went along way to move past her current appearance.

"My bags are being brought from the airport. Can you please make sure they get sent right up?"

"Yes Miss Sullivan, I will have the bell hop bring them up as soon as they arrive."

"Oh and what time is the kitchen open till?"

"The presidential suite comes with 24hour room service. Just dial 12 from your phone and our chef will be happy to assist you." Chloe tried not to think too much about what that would cost. League business aside, she didn't like spending Oliver's money.

"Thanks. Can you have them send up some coffee?" Chloe didn't wait for a response, Taking the key card from him and walking to the elevators. She opened the door to her suite she looked around. She should be used to Oliver's eccentricities by now but this was ridiculous even for him. The room she could see was bigger than her whole apartment and that didn't include the bedroom or the bathroom. She could only imagine what this cost.

"Dam it Ollie" she knew this was him trying to make up for the tension between them of the last few months. She would have been happy with a simple hug but she knew that wasn't how he worked. She grabbed her phone to call him, Let him know she had safely arrived.

"Voicemail," She waited for the beap "Oliver this is ridiculous." she paused not sure how to continue. "I'll let you know what I find and Ollie….Thank you." She didn't know what else to say. She just hoped this was the first step to them getting back to the way they used to be.

An hour later Chloe's dinner was being delivered along with her bags from the airport, She settled herself in front of her laptop at the ridiculous Louis the XIVth desk, She was fairly certain the gold leaf alone could pay her rent for a year. She had drank three cups of coffee and read countless articles about her target. No one had been able to get a decent photo never mind an actual quote. She found most articles were biased against him but even his most vocal opponents begrudgingly admitted the crime rate had dropped since his arrival on the scene and despite his dark appearance and gruff demeanor the people who had to walk the streets at night appreciated that.

"Who are you? Vigilante or hero?" If she was going to talk to this guy she needed a plan. It wasn't like she could just give him a call. She figured her first stop would be Detective Gordon tomorrow. He seemed to have an uncanny ability to be in the same place as her masked man too often for it to be coincidence. She thought if she was lucky enough Gordon would pass on that someone was looking for him and he would come looking for her. Here's hoping. She switched the laptop off and crawled into bed. The clock said it was 315am.

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It was going to be a long night. Bruce cursed under his breath as yet another socialite threw themselves in his lap. He couldn't even remember what charity was throwing this party. All he knew was that he had written a big check and they were going to name him as philanthropist of the year. He found a small amount of comfort in all the ways his money was able to help people but he would have preferred to do it anonymously. Despite the show he put on Bruce was never comfortable with public adoration. He had gotten used to it. It was a necessary part of the duplicity that he lived. That was why he was standing in the grand ballroom of the Plaza hotel. Trapped for at least another hour until he could make excuses to leave and begin his nightly patrol.

The blond to his right giggled at something he said. He wasn't even sure what it was. He had played this game so many times it was like turning on auto pilot. Joke about money, laugh about some exotic place he had visited. Make an uninformed comment about current events. Sip champagne. Sip champagne. Sip champagne. He had mastered the art of appearing to drink without actually consuming any alcohol. Just another trick he employed to keep up the act. More shrill giggling. He needed a break. Making excuses he exited the ballroom and stepped into the lobby. He was just in time to see a petite blond come through the door drenched to the bone. Her clothes clung to her, letting him see all her delicious curves. He found himself admiring her backside while she checked in at the front desk. He was about to dismiss her as just another spoiled heiress when she turned and scanned the room as she waited for the elevator doors to open. When her green eyes touched on his for a moment, Bruce felt a chill. Her eyes held wisdom beyond her years. There was sorrow there and strength and something else. Something that called to him. Before he could react he felt someone tug his arm. He turned to find a frail older woman standing before him; searching his memory he remembered she was the head of the charity, Kathy something. He turned on the famous charm.

"Kathy darling it's so nice to see you." His smile never touched his eyes but no one ever noticed. Most were too busy wondering about his bank account or what it would be like to bed him.

"Mr. Wayne, I'm glad I found you. We are about to start the speeches." Bruce followed her blindly back into the ballroom. The petit blond already vanishing from his mind. According to his internal clock he had another hour before he could leave without causing too much talk. If he didn't stay long enough to keep up the playboy charade Alfred would give him hell.

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She had been arguing with the desk Sergeant for ten minutes when she finally spotted Gordon. She made a bee line for the detective. Leaving the desk sergeant calling after her.

"Detective Gordon?" She already knew it was him from the photos in the paper but there are pleasantries that must be followed before you pump someone for information.

"Yes what can I do for you?" He smiled at her.

"Is there someplace we can talk privately?" She asked him in a hushed voice.

"If you want to report a crime my desk would be the best place to talk." He started to steer her towards the back of the room, presumably to his desk but he stopped when she grabbed his arm.

"This isn't police business. I want to talk to you about someone I would like to meet, someone I think you know very well." She waited until he turned his attention back to her. "Someone with a penchant for black rubber and theatrics?" She said the last part so softly no one else could have possibly heard.

Gordon eye's widened at her statement and he led her into the darkened hallway. "I have no idea what you are talking about miss?"

"Sullivan, Chloe Sullivan. And if that's the position you want to take that's fine. I won't contradict you but you should hear me out."

Gordon just stood there. Let her think whatever she wanted. He was already unliked in the department for his uncompromising integrity. It certainly wouldn't improve his standing if they found out he supported the bat.

"I represent some people who appreciate the work he does. Who see him as a necessity in this day and age of public apathy towards criminals. Give him my name; I'm staying at the plaza if he wants to meet with me." She turned and walked away. Gordon would either pass on the message as an honest offer or he would warn him that someone was asking questions. Either way she hoped it would earn her a visit. Perhaps it was a risk to be so upfront about her intentions but she had a feeling he wasn't into silencing people just for asking questions

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Time for some retail therapy. Making her way downtown Chloe weighted the advantages of new shoes vs. a new purse. She would have to thank Oliver when she got back. Nothing lifted her spirits faster than a mission except for shopping, combining the two was a sure fire way to get her back to her old self, or as close as was possible with Lois still missing.

While she walked past the shops glancing in the windows her mind was going a million miles a minute thinking about how her first meeting with him would play out. Based on everything she knew so far she was pretty sure he wasn't going to agree to join right away but she could be very convincing when she needed to be.

Her eyes scanned the windows of the stores as she passed. Finally landing on the perfect shoes. They were a dark green faux snake skin platform heel. Chloe was in love. Walking in she found a sales person and asked for them in her size. Trying them on she felt like Cinderella. They were perfect. The price did make her pause but they were so cute and they fit so perfect. How could she resist when they were practically singing her name?

Bruce had just finished his appointment with his tailor when he saw her across the street. The same blond from the Plaza last night. He had completely forgotten her. Now he found himself following her into the store, he was intrigued. The minute he walked into the store he was recognized. He amused himself by sending the associate all over the store looking for various foolish items. He would buy them all of course. He wouldn't torture her for nothing. It was a small price to pay when he saw the blond smile. She was walking back and forth in front of the mirror checking her shoes from every angle. She had rolled her pants up and he marveled at how tiny she was. Even in those heels she would barely reach his shoulder. When she sat back down he decided to talk to her. Dinner with her would be nice and then she would go back to wherever she came from and he wouldn't be forced to make excuses about not seeing her again. Walking over her sat across from her and watched as she put the shoes back in the box, she frowned slightly at the price and Bruce was surprised. Why would someone staying at the Plaza even look at the price of shoes? As she sat back her eyes met his.

Chloe was taken back but the handsome man sitting across from her. He looked familiar but she couldn't place him. Odd, she was usually good with that sort of thing. She smiled shyly at him.

"They looked lovely on you." Bruce smiled conspiratorially at her.

"Thanks, I'll just take them over to the register then." her brain was still trying to work out why he was familiar when the sales lady rushed over.

"Mr. Wayne I found the green tie with the elephants on it like you asked." Oh course. Bruce Wayne, Gotham's resident playboy billionaire. She had seen him in the paper last night, something about building a new wing at the hospital.

His eyes never left hers when he spoke to the saleslady. "That's great. Have it all added to my tab and sent over to my office." Chloe watched her smile. She must have just made a hefty commission. Knowing who he was she took a closer look. Everything about him said money. He shouldn't have a care in the world and yet his eyes were tired and haunted and when he smiled at her it never quite reached them. Not that she knew many billionaires but the only other one she had been spending time with lately had the same hard look. She wondered what secrets this one held.

He reached his hand out. "Bruce Wayne" Chloe smiled and took it. She wasn't about to let him know she had been sizing him up.

"Chloe Sullivan." He saw recognition cross her face at his name but it didn't hold the same predatory edge that he had seem countless times on other woman.

"Business or pleasure?" He smirked at her.

"I'm sorry?" She was flustered again. Why was he having this effect of her?

"What brings you to our fair city?"

"Actually a little bit of both." Of course he had been just trying to make pleasant chit chat. Men like him didn't talk to her. No doubt the pile of things the saleslady had collected would be handed out to his flavor of the month.

"Would it be terribly forward of me to ask you to dinner tonight?" He should have walked away. There was nothing vapid or cloying about her. There was no way she was some foolish heiress spending daddy's money. There was something about her that pulled him in. Something that he should have avoided. She had lightness in her soul that called to him.

"I think that would be just the right amount of forward" She knew she was in Gotham on League business but that didn't mean she couldn't enjoy a dinner with a very handsome and very eligible bachelor. It's not like Batman was even going to get her message until after dark.

"Great I will pick you up at 7." Before she could tell him where she was staying his phone rang, answering it he got up and walked out. So much for a nice dinner. He didn't even ask were she was staying. Oh well. Room service it was again. She paid for the shoes and made her way back to her hotel. She refused to let his dismissal ruin the shoe high she was feeling. It wasn't like it was anything new. Men that good looking didn't notice the Chloes of the world when there were still Lanas and Loises. She frowned at the thought of her cousin. She missed her so much. She hoped she was okay.

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She was sitting in her room compiling all her notes when there was a knock at the door. She glanced at the clock. It was just after 3. She had already eaten her lunch and it was way too early for dinner. Getting up she walked to the door and glanced through the peephole. Standing there was the bell hop that had brought her luggage up last night; she stood back and opened the door.

"Miss Sullivan?" He asked expectantly.

"Yes." Hadn't they already been through this last night? Was she so forgettable?

"I have a package here for you. It was just delivered. If you could just sign I will put in on the table for you." She was confused. She didn't order anything. Oliver? He was the only one that knew she was here.

She was deep in thought as the bellhop walked out. She tried to tip him but he wouldn't accept it. Saying he had already been tipped. It didn't make any sense.

As the door closed softly behind her Chloe walked over to the table and lifted the lid off the box and gasped. Inside, nestled in tissue paper, was a dark emerald green dress. It had delicate beadwork the entire bodice and flared into a fishtail skirt. The neck line was daring enough to make her blush but still tasteful and she was afraid to guess what the price tag looked like. Tucked in the corner she noticed a little white envelope with her name on it. Pulling it out she broke the seal. If she thought she felt like Cinderella when she tried on the shoes that feeling had just increased tenfold.

Miss Sullivan

I'm sorry I was forced to leave you so rudely at our meeting earlier today. I look forward to our dinner this evening. This might be a bit more than the right amount of forward but I saw this dress and thought it would look wonderful with your shoes. I'll see you tonight at 7.

Till then

Bruce

Was he kidding? How did he know where she was staying and her dress size? Things like this just didn't happen to Chloe. She wasn't sure she would even know what to do. Shouldn't she be angry at his hubris? Who did he think he was, telling her what to wear? Maybe she should send it back? She didn't want him thinking she was that easily persuaded. But it was so pretty…. She ran her fingers over the fabric reverently. Apparently all it took to erase all the strides the women's lib movement had made was a pretty dress from a handsome man. She sighed and gave in to wearing the dress and going. Things like this didn't happen in her life and she was going to take advantage of it. A handsome and interesting man wanted to have dinner with her. She would enjoy being the center of his attention for one night. It's not like she was in the market for anything more than a nice evening. She had work to do. Sighing at how her life had gone off the tracks she hung the dress up and walked in the bathroom. She had a lot to do if she was going to make that dress look like it belonged on her.