In the Bar

Chloe

Am I actually trying to seduce her? This question was foremost in Chloe's mind as she took another gulp of her drink, taking in the woman sitting next to her. It seemed a valid question – one that was surely unpinning all of the events that had led up to this particular point - but right now she didn't have an answer. Maybe because she didn't want to think that deeply about it or maybe just because, right now, she was actually really enjoying herself. Which, though she'd never admit it to anyone, was a rare thing in her life. Elena was going on about the political situation in some country that Chloe truly didn't care about but she had no desire to stop her just yet. It clearly meant something to Elena if the bright animation of her features was anything to go by. Funny; over the phone or by message Chloe had never really thought about how expressive she was, and yet it fascinated her for some reason.

"What, something on my face?" asked Elena slightly unsteadily, seeming suddenly conscious of Chloe's close study, her cheeks adorably flushed. Or maybe it was just the drink – she was on her third one after all.

"Not at all my pet," said Chloe, giving her what she hoped was an encouraging smile, "just riveted on your tale."

"Ha, as if you're really interested in the minutia of international politics," she shot back, a small smile adorning her cute mouth, "don't think I've never caught you trying to change the subject when we talk on the phone."

"Fine, you've got me," said Chloe, throwing up her hands in mock surrender, before saying, with an appropriate wink, "it's just your voice I want to hear. Thats all."

"You're the worst," replied Elena with a snort, trying to wave that off but another little blush showed Chloe that she'd scored another mark. Ha, it really was fun seeing what effect she had. For someone so clearly worldly and tough (petite blondness withstanding) Elena did seem to have a weakness for direct and flirty compliments if her reactions were anything to go by. Was that why she was doing this?, she wondered, do I just enjoying getting a reaction? Or was it something more?

"I mean it, I actually am a little interested," Chloe said to Elena, choosing to focus on her rather than that thought for the moment, "in my line of work you'll never know where you'll end up next. Maybe good to know the lay of...wherever it is you were talking about."

"I knew you weren't listening!" accused Elena, but good naturedly if her smile was anything to go by, "you're just as bad as Nat...other people I talk to. When I talk about work." she finished badly.

Chloe felt a small sour taste at back of her throat at almost hearing his name but she quickly suppressed it; didn't want Elena feeling uncomfortable which she surely was if the guilty expression that had flashed across her face was anything to go by.

"The other day you were telling me about the blog you've started up," she swiftly said, changing the subject as best as possible, "how's that up and running. Computer's are much more my speed."

The look Elena gave Chloe was filled with such gratefulness that Chloe couldn't stop herself from resting her hand on hers and giving it a small stroke. The skin was compellingly smooth, something she had noticed when she was teasing her earlier, and she found herself loathe to let go. It was only upon seeing how flushed Elena was suddenly getting that she released her with a chuckle and gave her a little wave to begin talking. After visibly pulling herself together Elena took another gulp of her increasingly empty drink (wow, I really am making her nervous aren't I, flashed a thought in Chloe's mind) before beginning to explain how she'd started to set up her site.

Unfortunately Elena had barely started talking and Chloe listening when a very male presence interrupted them. She'd seen him out of the corner of her eye - casing the room was a hard habit to break out of - and his interest was clear but she'd been hoping he'd feel out of his league. No such luck apparently; now there was this to deal with.

"I know its a corny line," said the brown haired, hazel eyed and goddamn infuriating intruder, flashing what he probably thought was a charming smile, "but me and my friend were wondering if we could buy you lovely ladies a drink; maybe have a little conversation and see where it goes."

Chloe gave him credit for the opening: clear intent with minimum of creepiness. And the guy was a bit of a looker really and his apparent friend had an attractive young man thing going for him. All in all, maybe 7/8 out of 10. Still, Chloe felt no hesitation in opening her mouth and saying,

"This is a very girls night and we are both very taken I'm afraid" with a quick movement she put her arm around Elena, secretly enjoying the feeling of pulling her close, "and we are enjoying our drinks and our conversation. So, thanks but no thanks."

Even though she tried to make her rejection friendly - nothing wrong with making a move and it wasn't like she wasn't used to it from guys in bars - there was maybe more bite to her words than she'd intended. That's the only reason she could think of for the young man's very quick retreat. Or maybe it hadn't been her. Because when she took her arm from Elena and turned back to her she did catch a glimpse of the strong glare that she had on her face. Luckily it didn't seem to be aimed at Chloe; her face cleared up as soon as they exchanged looks and she even chuckled a little before picking up her drink again. Chloe considered letting the moment pass but decided that, in the end, she was curious. Besides, conversation was conversation.

"That was quite the death glare there," she said, taking another pull of her lager, "something you want to share there Sunshine."

"It's nothing really, not even his fault really," replied Elena, looking a little embarrassed and pointedly not looking over in the two guys direction "just get a little sick of it is all. Whenever I'm on the job I have to deal with it all the time as well, even when I'm in the middle of reporting."

"Just glare like that again, they'll be over the hills before you know it" quipped Chloe.

"I'm being serious, don't make me turn my eyes on you Missy," said Elena, mock glare causing a chuckle from her.

"Missy is it?"

"Well, you've got names for me," said Elena, giving her a charming smile, "and I'm being serious. About the having to deal with being hit on thing. I feel like I'm being hounded sometimes."

"It can get a bit much at times, I'll give you that" commiserated Chloe.

"Honestly, I don't know how you turn down the amount of people who must hit on you with how gorgeous you are" said Elena, causing Chloe to smile at the probably accidental compliment.

"Who says I do turn them down?" said Chloe licking her lips provocatively and giving a wink, deciding to tease her slightly.

However, the teasing had an unintended effect. Almost instantly Elena's face fell and she actually shuffled back a bit from Chloe, a look of, upset?, on her face.

"I'm only joking, I'm only joking! I was teasing, that's all!" said Chloe quickly, taking Elena's hand in hers without a seconds thought. She didn't know why but her heart was suddenly beating very fast; almost panickingly fast.

For a few moments they were both almost frozen, the sounds of the bar rushing over them. Chloe could hear her own heartbeat very loudly and Elena's hand was hot (and oh so soft) in hers. It felt like it lasted forever but it was probably was only seconds before Elena laughed, a little shakily, and smiled at her, meeting her eyes. Chloe smiled back and then, realising how tightly she was actually griping her, let go of Elena's hand as nonchalantly as she could. They shared a few extra moments of silence, this time more embarrassed than tense, before Chloe choose to speak up.

"Truth is," she began, "I'm nowhere near as sexually open as I like to let people believe."

"Chloe, I wasn't trying to make you think that I thought that..."said Elena quickly, an obviously contrite look on her face.

"Its fine Sunshine," she assured her, giving her a smile to let her know she wasn't offended (which she really wasn't) "I know how I act. The swaying, the voice, the sexy lines. The whole sultry temptress thing is, mostly, an act."

"Mostly?" asked Elena raising an eyebrow, having pulled herself together enough to pick up on that.

"Well, when I am interested in someone it can be quite genuine" here she gave Elena her best dirty smile, just to make sure her meaning got across (screw subtlety). The red that flashed across her pale face just made Chloe's smile go all the wider, with it threatening to split her cheeks when Elena swatted at her playfully, an answering smile on her own lips.

"Fine," said Elena eventually, her ducked head hiding her face from Chloe's questing eyes, "then since you obviously wanted to be asked, why the act?"

"It's because of what you were talking about," replied Chloe, choosing to let her tone get serious just to let her know she'd dropped the teasing for now, "in my work, with what I do, I deal with lots of people. A lot of them are men. And a lot of them are of the, let us say ...rougher...type. You act up the part of the sex object, let them think that's all you are, and they underestimate you. Which, well, which can be very useful at times."

"That's a tough way to have to live," said Elena, a very real amount of compassion in her eyes, "so how do you now when you're real if you're always acting."

"I'm not always acting darling," Chloe replied with a snort, doing her best ignore her beautiful stare, "there have been those I can be more me around. People I trust. Maybe not many, but some."

"And yes," she continued, rolling her eyes at the small smile that Elena now sported, "you are one of them. Try not to be too smug about it."

"I'm honoured," said Elena airily, before surprising Chloe by reaching over and resting her hand on her arm, "I mean it. Joking aside I think I actually am honoured. Especially considering how little time we've known one another."

"Feels longer doesn't it" said Chloe with a small smile back. And it did. Already she wondered what it would be like without her around...no, no. Push that thought away. Way too serious for where they were now.

For a short time they lapsed back into some more safe small talk, both clearly feeling the effects of both the drinks they'd had and the unexpected intensity and intimacy of the last few interactions. After starting on her fourth and last drink, or so she said anyway, Elena excused herself to the bathroom, leaving Chloe to watch her walk away appreciatively. Those jeans really did shape her arse very well. Left alone, Chloe decided to do something that she had been actively avoiding. That is, think about what was going on. That damnable question popped up again. Am I seducing her? Chloe finished her pint, her second one, and signalled the now attentive barman for another one, reluctantly deciding to make it a half just in case. Taking a sip of her new drink she pondered. Usually she wasn't even into women; Chloe had no really issue with lady lovers but had never met or desired any of the ladies she'd met throughout her life. That was until Elena. And, here Chloe forced herself to face the main problem and guilt inducing issue of this whole thing, a woman not only with someone else but that someone else being her ex. And not just an ex but THE ex. Nate had been, well, he had been someone very important to her. He still was, just maybe not in the same way. Why had she begun this, why had she decided to even message her, she berated herself. It's not like it was love at first sight or any fairy story bullcrap like that – hell, the first time she'd become acquainted with Elena was in a war zone and her thoughts had been first confusion, then amusement at Nate's little crush and then annoyance at the way he changed their plans on a dime. Actually, she thought, thinking back she didn't really have any feelings associated towards Elena to begin with; what with being so focused on Drake, the mission and that fleabag Harry Flynn there was no space in her mind for anything else. So when had it started? Was it when they were captured together by Lazarevic, seeing how tough she really was, sharing jokes to keep from being terrified? Was it her look of indignation and bloody purity in insisting they 'save the world'? Or was it when they were fighting back to back, keeping up with Drake as they pounded though the ancient city?

Cursing at herself, Chloe looked for Elena's return, trying to avoid going there, remembering the time that she knew had solidified her feelings. No such luck, Elena was obviously still stuck in the mob; a gaggle of middle aged woman clearly starting their hen night had grabbed one of the other booths and at least four of them were crowding the toilet. Almost against her will Chloe began to remember.

Her ears still ringing Chloe shook herself, trying to shake some feeling back into her body. The shock wave of the grenade had thrown her back but, thankfully she thought as her body started to respond, nothing seemed hurt. Harry Flynn, useless dick to the end. And then she heard Nate

"No," was all she heard but it was enough. The pain and worry in his voice said it all. Pulling herself off the floor she saw Nate on his feet and rushing away from her. Towards Elena.

"Oh my god," she said, her mind still in shock even if her body was now working, barely able to take in the blondes battered form. Running over after Nate she knelt down and rubbed Elena's leg as gently as possible, avoiding looking at the bloody remains of her one-time lover still slumped up against the wall.

"We're going to be ok, come on. We'll get you out of here," said Nate tensely, pulling her up. Chloe took her other arm to try and distribute the weight, trying as futilely as possible to avoid hurting her anymore.

"Just stop Lazarevic, leave me. Go," said Elena, the pain causing her words to slur.

"Not a chance, come on" said Chloe firmly, barely able to believe this woman. Badly injured, and still trying to be the crusading hero. How bloody infuriating! And, just maybe, a little bit amazing.

Together her and Nate carried her between them, the muggy heat and Elena's weight causing sweat to pour down Chloe and stick her clothes even more to her body. Painfully they made their way down the stone temple steps, Elena's every groan and whimper of agony causing Chloe's heart to clench. At the bottom it only got worse; shouts and yells came from the distance and, even now, Chloe saw soldiers coming closer over the ancient masonry.

"Shit, shit, shit" swore Nate, his hand instinctively twitching to the side before stopping and looking at the woman he was holding.

"I've got her," said Chloe, taking her full weight, "you cover us."

Nate nodded before slipping away and running on ahead, that dark look he got taking over him once more. Wrapping her arm tightly around her Chloe held Elena close, finding her scent still distractingly beautiful despite all of the grime, blood and sweat she had covering her.

"Chloe" Elena said plaintively, her voice so weak and yet so strong at the same time. The way she said her name there, the way she looked across at her, something changed in that moment. Something lurched inside of her and it was all Chloe could do to not burst into to tears as she began having to make Elena move. Something had shifted within her and she didn't know what it was or what it meant.

"Chloe"

Her name said so softly jerked her out of her memories. Wide eyed she stared at Elena, taking in her bemused expression, for some inexplicable reason needing to see that she was...ok.

"Chloe, are you alright," questioned Elena after a few seconds, a small look of worry crossing her face.

Realising that she was still staring Chloe plastered a quick smile onto her face and did her best to laugh it off.

"Just wondering what had happened to you is all. Was wondering if I'd have to call up some contacts, stage a extraction."

"Ha, ha, again," said Elena, sitting back down and flashing her a smile, "the whole 'woman take ages in the toilet' bit is something I thought I'd only get from guys."

Now that Elena was back Chloe tried to put her thoughts behind her and recapture the flirty mood again. After a few failed quips though she conceded it was pretty impossible; her mind was still stuck in 'serious' mode apparently. Elena seemed to notice as well. Eventually Chloe conceded to the inevitable and said,

"Look, do you want to bounce from this place and head elsewhere. Its getting a little crowded and I'm getting done with the leery looks now."

A look of regret seemed to flash across Elena face and then she said, reluctantly at least

"I should probably make it a night now really. I might have an early editor meeting tomorrow."

Despite how clearly reluctant Elena was about ending their time Chloe actually felt her heart drop painfully. Man, did she have it this bad? Her disappointment must have shown however as, fortunately, her heart rose again almost instantly when Elena quickly stammered out

"But I'd love to meet again very soon. Maybe during the day this time; coffee or tea or lunch or something."

Chloe felt herself grin widely and let herself take in how cute she found this woman. With her petite bod, fierce intelligence and personality and that adorable face. Whatever the reason, whatever the obstacles, whatever she had felt before she came to a decision. Was she trying to seduce Elena? If she hadn't been before, she might as well admit to herself that she was now.

"It's a date," she said, putting every ounce of her newly admitted desire into her voice. And if Elena's blush was anything to go by well, maybe she wasn't alone in her feelings.

Just maybe.