Chapter 2
Why Oliver decided to follow her, he couldn't exactly explain. All he knew was that their first encounter was the most fun he had in a while, which, considering the circumstances, was quite impressive.
Then again, it wouldn't have taken too much skill to find her as she drove to a familiar place, sat at the same bar where he first saw her. The dress was upscale enough that she stood out, but not too over the top that she seemed overdressed.
"Fancy meeting you here."
Chloe groaned as she watched Oliver sit next to her. She hardly went out ever, yet now it felt like she was getting into a pattern. "So you're following me now?"
He knew better than to try and disagree with her, but he wasn't giving in either. "Trust me, you go to as many of those events than I do... exiting stage right happens earlier than you think."
"And this is your substitution?" There were fancier establishments in town, more playboy-esque experiences to be had, but no, he had to come here, again. And Chloe knew this was far from a coincidence.
"It works for you."
She couldn't blame him for saying that, as here she sat, dwelling and swirling another drink. Chloe honestly couldn't remember the last time in her life where she drank this much. "Explain something to me Mr. Queen. How is it you're still in Metropolis when you were supposed to leave for California three days ago?"
Oliver laughed, knowing the reaction would result in a glare in his direction, but he couldn't avoid saying, "You're reading up on me... I'm flattered." Noticing how she rolled her eyes, followed by her ordering another shot, the humour drained from his expression to ask, "Chloe, how much have you had to drink?"
"Does it matter?" she immediately replied, not sure why all of a sudden he was pretending to care about her. Chloe wasn't stupid, because a guy like him didn't follow her because he cared. Part of her felt flattered that he did follow her, but she wasn't going home with him again. She knew that much for sure.
Yet, to her surprise, Oliver pressed on after her shot glass was placed in front of her. "It does if you want to avoid getting alcohol poisoning. I can speak from personal experience, it's not fun."
Part of the playboy persona required the nights of drinking like he didn't care, except there was a time where he didn't care, when he just wanted to... forget what he knew. It was his fault, not letting sleeping dogs lie, only to find out that there was nothing he could do about it.
However, the only thing she gave was a confused expression. "Are you joining me... or are you only good for fake concern?" Chloe had no idea where that had come from, and if they were getting to deeper conversations, she was better off at home, attempting to sleep. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she wished that she had stuck with her original plan.
"I'll bite," Oliver said as he gestured towards Chloe's shot glass when he caught the barkeep's attention. Seconds later, a shot glass of his own was in front of him, of what he could only assume consisted of tequila. He paid the bartender nonetheless, holding the glass towards Chloe. "What are we drinking to?"
Lifting her glass off the counter, she stared at it for a minute. What was she drinking for? With a sigh, she finally suggested, "To failing your expectations?"
Oliver brought up his own glass. "I can definitely drink to that." To his surprise, Chloe humoured him, clinking her glass to his and shooting it down. Yep, cheap tequila was on the menu tonight, which matches the mood of her response, but Oliver had to work to hold the cough that wanted to break out.
As the alcohol did its work, both Chloe and Oliver let the silence settle in, the failures filling their minds. It wasn't a healthy thing to dwell on, but little did they know they had that in common. Finally Chloe blurted, "Did you know I was voted most likely to succeed in high school?"
Spinning his empty shot glass on the counter, Oliver nodded. "Can't say that I'm surprised."
"One minute, I'm living the dream," she said quietly, reminiscing of the days doing what she always imagined. Finding the truth, printing it... and doing a damn good job of it. "The next, I'm suddenly Oliver Queen's drinking buddy."
Even worse was that she had focused on this path for so long that she almost didn't know who she was without a scoop. Worse case scenario, there was freelance, but it wasn't the same as walking into that bullpen, feeling the rush of knowing there's a strong chance of being published. But even before she was fired, Lex had been trying to kill the dream, demoting her to the basement. Chloe had been ready to prove him wrong, but seeing herself outside of that work life, she realized that she had no idea who she was outside of her work.
"There are worse fates," Oliver said hopefully before pushing his glass from his fingers. "Although I'm not sure there's a worse alcohol on the menu."
Raising her hand in the air for another shot, Chloe was quick to remark, "Not all of us have the funds to purchase six-figure scotch by the glass." Seeing the bartender appear in front of her, Chloe figured that she'd be taking a cab home anyway, might as well make it worth her while. Nights like these were rare, even rarer now that she was unemployed.
Watching as Chloe held up two fingers, slapping the appropriate bills on the table, the bartender was quick to pour the shots. Oliver narrowed his eyes, not entirely sure what she was doing. "Regardless, I really don't think you should be –"
"Really?" she asked in disbelief, not noticing how harsh the question sounded. "You're going to tell me not to drink this." It wasn't like he hadn't done worse things in her life. Sure, there was the whole 'personal experience' thing, but Chloe didn't buy it.
That reaction ensured to Oliver that he couldn't change her mind, so he turned around in his bar stool, staring out in the crowd. "Do what you want... it's your life."
"Thank you," she replied, but she paused on drinking her shots, thinking about what he said. It was never the context that she wanted to hear those words being spoken to her, and sure, the guy could take a hint. But the fact remained: he was letting Chloe decide.
Unfortunately, she had been caught staring and Oliver turned back to look at her. So Chloe quickly stumbled to say the first thing she could think of. "Are you –?"
"No," he replied, noticing how she tilted her shot glass slightly. "One's enough for me tonight."
Chloe quickly grinned as she downed her first shot, although it was far her first of the night. At this point, she wasn't sure how many that had been. "Are you this crappy of a playboy... or is that just around me?"
"If memory serves, I did close the deal." Oliver noticed how her expression soured, but it only caused him to chuckle under his breath in response. She really didn't like him. "Considering your nature around people such as myself, even you said it was a victory."
"And on that note," Chloe said before taking care of her final shot and slamming it on the table, "I'm going home." But as she stood up, things started to get fuzzy and she momentarily lost her balance.
Oliver noticed it, and was about to help when she regained her footing. Part of him wanted to let her leave, but based on her staggered path throughout the club, Oliver knew she was more drunk than she realized.
Getting off his seat, he figured the least he could do was get her into the cab safely... and probably walk her up.
The elevator door almost shut in his face, but his hand stopped it in time, although she wasn't happy to see him following her again. "Seriously?"
Standing beside her as the door closed this time, Oliver tried to justify his actions. "You can't walk in a straight line."
Soon after, they exited the elevator, and Chloe figured she'd wait the silence out until they got outside, but she couldn't. The echo of footsteps in her ears just behind her was enough for her to break it. "I'm fine."
Unfortunately, the timing on that comment was a little off, as Chloe's shoe slipped under the mat in the entryway. Reaching forward, Oliver caught her arm and pulled her back before she tripped. But he pulled her back almost too much as her back collided with his chest. "Yeah, you're just fine."
Walking away from him, Chloe replied sarcastically, "Well, aren't you a knight in shining armour." It wasn't like she had far to go, because she knew that, "You're... you're still not driving me anywhere."
"I figured that. That's why I'm hailing this cab." Oliver was just grateful that there was one coming, so he stepped out onto the street to successfully get the driver's attention. Opening the door, Oliver held his hand out for Chloe, but she just stood there, shaking her head. Rolling his eyes, he walked back to her and guided her towards the cab.
Knowing that once she was settled in the back seat, the last thing she would want is him sitting next to her, so Oliver got into the front seat, grinning at the cab driver. "Where do you live?" he asked, hoping she would cooperate now.
"Not telling," was the muffed response from the back seat.
Sighing as he closed the door, Oliver said. "You have to tell the driver somewhere to go if you – " His voice immediately stopped as he noticed Chloe fast asleep in the back seat.
It was safe to say that Oliver hadn't seen this twist coming. He couldn't drive her to a hotel and he couldn't wait for her to wake up. There really seemed like there was only one option, so Oliver told the cabbie his address, as he had already sent his car home for the night.
Stopping at the entrance of the building, Oliver paid the driver well before exiting the front seat. He walked around to the back seat, opening the door, where she was still sleeping peacefully, causing Oliver to crack a grin. She was different from many women he had met, that much was sure.
Leaning down, Oliver carefully scooped her up from the cab, trying not to wake her up. He gave the driver one last grin before he closed the door with his foot. Getting inside was a little easier, as Oliver tipped his head to his long-time doorman. The elevator ride was quiet, so was the sound of emptiness when it arrived at its destination.
Peering towards the entryway, he noticed how her coat was still on the floor, left behind when she wanted nothing more but to get out of here. There was a chance she would kill him for bringing her back here, but he didn't want anything bad to happen to her when he could have done something. Besides, Oliver was pretty sure he was to blame for some of her drinking.
With each step taken towards his guest room, he couldn't help but think back to how they met, how things would have been different with just a few more details known, but also how things would have changed if Oliver had gone home on schedule. He was still trying to figure out if running into Chloe again was a good or bad thing.
Laying her down on the bed, he noticed how she curled on her side, her hand gripping the base of the pillow. Knowing what he had to do was done, he whispered, "'Night," before leaving the room.
~0~
Opening her eyes, Chloe quickly groaned into the pillow, not the least bit aware of where she is. She just had to go out and drink again. At least this time though... she was still wearing her dress.
"I come in peace," a familiar, yet unwelcome voice calls out. She almost has half a mind to close her eyes again to and convince herself this isn't happening. But her mind changes when she hears, "And with coffee."
Her eyes finally used to the light, she feels grateful that she didn't get wasted enough to feel the after-effects in the morning. "Okay," she says groggily, sitting up on the bed. It was a different one from the other time she was here, which almost caused her to sigh in relief.
Oliver entered the room, approaching her carefully to pass her the mug of steaming coffee, which, if it tasted as good as it smelt, Chloe would likely wish she never drank it because she could never afford it. But she did regardless, enjoying the short-term side of things before whispering, "Thanks."
"You're welcome," he replies before heading towards the door again, pausing once to gesture towards the dresser. "The bag contains casual clothing; you can choose to wear it if you want. Breakfast will be ready when you are." He knew better than to overstay his welcome in her space so he headed back to the kitchen. Even though he has no idea what she ate for breakfast, he decides to cover his bases and he would eat whatever was left.
Apparently, it didn't take long for Chloe to get ready, as not long after he left, he noticed her entering the kitchen, rubbing her eyes.
She had taken the clothes, stashing her dress in the bag. The black yoga pants and green t-shirt fit perfectly, but honestly, she was just glad that she didn't have to walk home in the dress. But she stopped suddenly upon seeing the food in front of her. "A little overkill don't you think?"
Overkill? Probably, as he had practically done an arrangement of breakfast foods on the table. But based on the way her fingers gripped her mug, she seemed to be enjoying it, which was a step in the right direction. Turning around, Oliver grabbed his coffee pot and walked to her, offering a top-up. When she held her cup out, he said calmly, "A simple thank you would suffice."
She thought about saying it as he let up on filling up her coffee, but instead she said, "Honestly, I don't eat much. The toast would have been enough."
Since Oliver had left the bedroom, the night was slowly coming back to her. Not one she was proud of, but at least she woke up in the morning with most of her dignity intact this time. Sitting down at the table, she grabbed the toast and started to butter it. If she could help it, she didn't want to inconvenience him anymore than she already had.
"Not after last night," Oliver grinned as he flipped the final pancake. "It'll help, but you'll need more than that." After turning off his stove element, he walked the plate of pancakes to the table.
"Based on personal experience?" She still didn't understand why Oliver would tell her something like that, but it was something that stuck.
Noticing how her eyes popped up to ask that question, Oliver knew she was looking for a reaction, but he didn't give it to her. "Which is why you should eat up."
Chloe sighed as she looked back at the food in front of her. It did smell really good and having a solid meal probably couldn't hurt. Shaking her head slightly, she said quietly, "Thank you."
Pausing, Oliver grinned as he looked back at her. "Now... was that so hard?" he asked innocently, but he flashbacked to their first night, when he teased her with a similar question with that tone. However, Oliver had no intention of dwelling on it, so he slapped his hands lightly on the table before walking away. "I'll be in the shower, so help yourself." He was going to leave it at that, but he paused in the doorway. "I don't expect to see you when I get out so... try to avoid hitting the alcohol next time. Despite what happened... it's not your solution."
Chloe felt herself swallow hard as she turned her head over her shoulder. "You're not going to tell Lois... about... you know."
He shook his head. "I don't see a point in that. Do you?"
She smiled, but it faded once she pulled out her buzzing phone and noticed the caller id. "Her ears must be burning."
Oliver watched her pick up the phone and address her cousin, so he figured that he'd let them talk, but he was stopped by a harsh, "What?" Re-entering the kitchen, he noticed the nervous nature in her stature as she had jumped up from her seat. "Calm down and let me explain for a second."
Their eyes met momentarily and Chloe quickly put a finger over her mouth. He put his hands up in surrender, but Chloe didn't see it as her eyes widened. "No Lois, you don't have to –" She stopped her sentence momentarily, only to say, "Lois?"
She had been hung up on, just great. Closing up her phone, Chloe stared at it. "We have five minutes to get out stories straight. Lois is coming."
"And you caved?"
She shrugged because she had no choice. When Lois said there was indisputable proof, Chloe knew they were both screwed. This was one story that Lois would never think to make up. "Where's your computer?"
He narrowed his eyes, wondering what she wanted with it, but he tilted his head towards the main area. "This way." Whatever it was couldn't be good, as Chloe was right behind him every step of the way. After firing up the screen, ensuring nothing confidential was running, Oliver stepped aside. "Mind filling me in?"
Chloe stepped up and took control of the keyboard. "Apparently someone followed our cab last night." Opening the internet browser, she did a quick search, pausing as the incriminating photo stared her in the face. Lois was right, as there he was, carrying her. Sure, last night was hazy at best, and there were only so many ways that she could get up here, but it was still a surprise. A fake scoff later, all Chloe could manage to say was, "Tabloid garbage."
Oliver was just as surprised, as he hadn't seen a flash of any kind or noticed any other person in the area. However, what was done was done. Turning to Chloe, he could see her brain working, so he asked, "What's the plan?"
That was the thing, Chloe was thinking hard about a plan, but her answer was, "I don't know."
Well, at least he could say that he gave her a chance to come up with something. "I might," he said, watching her head pop up in consequence. "But you won't like it."
~0~
Hearing the elevator chain, Oliver prepped himself for Lois storming out of there. He knew this explanation wasn't going to be easy.
"Where's my cousin?" Lois asked once she saw him. She had gone through a crowd of paparazzi just to get into the darn building and the only reason she got in was because she had called Chloe and the doorman recognized Lois' picture from the paper.
But now that she was here, she wanted answers. It was safe to say that when she got up this morning, the sight of her cousin getting carried by her ex was far from what she expected.
"Bathroom." Oliver pointed his thumb towards the hallway that led there, hoping she would get out soon. "You know the way she drinks coffee."
"I do," Lois replied with a slow nod as she crossed her arms. "How do you know that?"
Honestly, he didn't know until Chloe told him a couple of minutes ago, but this was all about the cover story, including the little white lie of, "Lois, it's not what you think." Because technically, it wasn't this morning, but their meeting was another story.
Unfortunately for him, Lois wasn't willing to wait. "Start talking, Oliver. Explain to me how on earth your night ends with carrying my cousin up here."
The bright spot about his plan was that most of it was true. If experience had taught him anything, it was that the less you lied to Lois Lane, the better. "We talked a little at the event and she mentioned she was out of work, so I offered her a position in our tech department."
Lois narrowed her eyes. This was supposed to be good news, as it was a great opportunity for Chloe, but it still seemed a little sudden on Oliver's part. "Just like that?"
"We did have an opening," Oliver said with a shrug, as again, it was the truth. They just hadn't advertised the position yet, so in a way, Chloe had just saved his company money. "Besides, just because Lex fired her... doesn't mean I don't see her potential."
The scary thing was that he did. It was easy to see why she was fired as she had determination running through her veins. Mix that with a desire to know the truth and you have a great journalist. However, with a boss like Lex Luthor, qualities like that probably were a threat to him.
But Lois still wasn't buying it. "Professional or personal?" For while he was faithful during their relationship, and she trusted Chloe, Lois didn't know what he was trying to accomplish here. Five days after they finally closed the book on their relationship, three months after she him left Star City, and suddenly, he's photographed alongside her cousin. "You know it's the first question the Inquisitor is going to ask."
"Let them speculate," Chloe announced, entering the room. "Regardless of our story, their story is going to stay the same."
"So nice of you to join us," Lois said with a grin before looking back to Oliver. "You know… this doesn't explain the photo." Even if what he said was true, the circumstance seemed far from co-worker territory.
"Chloe was drunk… I was trying to get her home, but she passed out in the cab." Holding his hands out his side, he asked, "What was I supposed to do?"
"A hotel would have sufficed."
He scoffed quickly in response. "Oliver Queen checks in random stranger into hotel room. Yeah, that's a much better headline."
A solid point, but Lois had a better question. "Okay, genius, why didn't you call me?" She knew he had her number, he knew they were related. In fact, it should have been the first thing to cross his mind.
But it wasn't. Once Oliver entered the Ace of Clubs again, it was like seeing Chloe all over again. She wasn't Lois' cousin, just a random stranger that he happened to know. Looking at Chloe now, with her widened eyes in disbelief, Oliver wanted to say he had a good reason for not calling Lois, but he didn't.
Seeing that, Chloe answered for him. "I told him not to," she lied quietly. "I was embarrassed and I just wanted to get home." Looking back at Oliver, she met his eye momentarily before adding, "I never expected Oliver Queen's word to be that strong."
Lois sighed, knowing there was more to the story, but it would suffice for now. "Well, you're safe and I guess that's what matters." Approaching her cousin, she gave her a quick hug as she said, "At least this kind of publicity didn't happen last time, right? Even if he was a nine."
Chloe's eyes widened as she never expected Lois to go there. Glancing at Oliver, it was clear that he had heard her cousin as he gave Chloe a knowing look, causing her to blush.
Missing the exchange as she pulled out her phone to check the time, Lois realized that it was time for her to head out. "Okay, I've got to meet a source, but don't think this conversation is over."
"Bye Lois," Oliver said, watching as she approached the elevator. "Make sure to take the side entrance out."
"Got it Oliver, thanks."
Once Lois shut the elevator gate, causing its descent, Chloe could feel a sigh of relief coming over her. Looking at him again, she said, "I suppose I owe you a thank you too. I really do appreciate the chance you're taking here."
"I think I know what I'm getting into." The board wasn't going to be overly impressed, but in the end, Queen Industries was his company. Furthermore, with Chloe's work ethic, he knew this whole thing would die down in days.
"But why are you here?" Chloe asked, not wanting to ask that question again, but her curiosity kept her from biting her tongue.
Oliver smirked as he stared down at his feet. "My pilot had an emergency the morning after... you know. Giving time off seemed to be the thing to do." It didn't even happen that much longer after Chloe had left, as he remembered the phone call from his pilot, letting Oliver know that a close friend had passed away. The funeral was the next day, meaning wheels had to be up before Oliver was ready to leave. "Besides, there's always work to be done around here."
"Can't you just hire another guy to fly you home?"
"I could...except herfather was my parent's pilot." Oliver had expected as much of a question from her, along with her resulting reaction as his words sunk in. "This may sound hard to believe, but I do understand what loyalty means."
It was enough to make Chloe feel awful for even asking. It was far from the explanation she thought she would hear, but it added to the mystery that was Oliver Queen. "I'm sorry."
"Just... relish the victory," Oliver said, remembering her words, even if giving her a job was a slightly different context. "Don't try to justify it."
Laughing, Chloe looked up at him with a smile. "Okay."
Seeing an end on that particular conversation, Oliver decided it was probably best to let Chloe get on with her day. "Anyway, you start Monday. 8 a.m. sharp. I'll text you the address."
Chloe narrowed her eyes in confusion. "I think I know where Queen towers are."
Oliver knew that, because she would know this city better than him, but he still wanted to have some sort of intrigue for her. It wasn't every day that Oliver tried to hide his indiscretions through his company, but more importantly, he wanted Chloe to know all the facets of the company, especially considering she didn't even want this job hours ago. "Special assignment for your first day."
That was fine, but there was one problem with that theory. "You don't have my number."
"Well," he replied as he flashed his signature smile. "You should change that."
Spotting a pad of paper nearby, Chloe grabbed a pen from her purse and handed them both to Oliver. "Call me old-fashioned." She knew it would only be a matter of time before Oliver got her number, but Chloe was willing to delay that as long as possible.
Oliver obliged, writing down the address on the pad and then handing it back Chloe. "Only a nine?"
Taking the pad, Chloe ripped off the page. "I have no idea what you're talking about," she replied before tossing the notepad back at Oliver, which he caught with ease. With a playful smile, Chloe looked away from him, taking a final scan of the room, hoping she wouldn't be back anytime soon.
The elevator ride down was fairly uneventful, but that was made up by the obvious presence of media at the front door. But Chloe had remembered something about a side entrance, so she blindly walked away from the elevator until one of the doorman came to her, informing her that Oliver had a car waiting for her.
With his help, Chloe found the door, and sure enough, there was a driver waiting there. Initially, Chloe thought about refusing, but she didn't think she could outrun that many press members, so she reached for the door of the car.
"Wait."
Chloe obliged, turning her head over her shoulder to see Oliver approaching her. She furrowed her eyebrows, but she soon realized why he was here. In his hand was the coat she had left the night she had met. With everything that had happened, she had completely forgotten about it, but apparently, he hadn't.
Holding it out to her, he said, "I... figured you might want this back." Noticing the tiniest of smiles on her face as she took it from him, Oliver couldn't help but smile back at her.
"Thanks."
Again, she tried to open the door, but Oliver reached across and opened the door for her, gesturing for her to enter. "I'm not following you this time, I swear."
Chloe didn't consider that this time, but she laughed nonetheless and got in the car. Looking back up at him, she said, "I'll see you Monday, I guess."
With a bow of his head, Oliver replied, "Until then." He then closed the door and tapped the roof of the car, taking Chloe back home with something she didn't have before. Then again, she never expected to have Oliver Queen practically hand her a job. Maybe, in the strangest way, things were starting to take a turn for the better.
Sera's Scribbles: This was supposed to be up yesterday, but this chapter ended up a lot longer than I thought. I also thought about cutting it in half, but then I decided against it. Also, a little honesty. I've never actually been drunk before, so if any of Chloe's reactions here are terribly unrealistic, I'm chalking it up to lack of empirical experience.
