Author: Joy Blue

Title: The Trouble with Love 3/?

Rating: T

Summary: Because sometimes, not all scars can heal with time.

Spoilers: Up to season 9 is fair game

Standard Disclaimers Apply

Warning: mild violence, adult situation in future chapters

Feedback: Yes please!

The Trouble with Love 3/?

Connor slept soundly in the bed, and AC watched as Oliver walked back from his patrol. He watched as Oliver discarded of the hood and his glasses and sat next to
Connor on the bed. "Everything good?"

"He's been googling a guy named George Dean. Currently working as a detective for the Metropolis Police Department, top of his class in when he did a Bachelor of Science,
currently doing a Juris Doctor at Metropolis University and spends time in one of those Big Brother programs. Just in case you wanted to know too."

AC watched for any reaction from Oliver, and wasn't surprised when all he got was a small nod and an almost melancholic smile as he brushed his son's hair. "Are you going
to tell him about you? About us?"

"Not yet." Oliver replied as he stood up and kissed Connor on the forehead. "Thanks for looking after him, AC. I just need to get changed."

"Take your time, man. I don't mind hanging around Connor." AC replied as Oliver made his way to the secret room in his penthouse to change. He looked at Connor and ruffled
the boy's hair and sighed.

Finding about Sandra was a big blow, not only because Chloe was their friend, but it changed the whole team dynamic. Watchtower duties were shared between Victor and
Chloe, with Victor at watchtower and Chloe at Isis. They wouldn't blame Chloe if she walked away, but Chloe wasn't like that. When he asked her why she still continued her
role as Watchtower even if she downgraded her role, she simply shrugged.

"There are bigger issues out there compared to a broken heart."

Oliver walked out, dressed in his pyjama pants and a simple white shirt. "Thanks again, AC."

AC scratched the back of his neck before he spoke. "Uh, Chloe and Victor tracked down a possible 33.1 site in Mexico. Victor's got all the information; you want to call a
team meeting?"

"I'll speak to him tomorrow. I want to find out what we have first."

Alone with his son, Oliver looked around him and saw Sandra's picture on the night stand. Connor was only a few months old when Sandra died, and Oliver felt guilty that
he couldn't tell Connor more about his mother.

Meeting Sandra Hawke made him felt normal... like he was simply Oliver Queen. Not the billionaire, not the Green Arrow. He'd been surrounded with people who knew his
dual identity and being with someone who didn't know anything about aliens and evil billionaires experimenting on innocent people was like a breath of fresh air.

He couldn't remember what it felt like to see the world through innocent eyes, and spending time with Sandra, hearing her fight passionately for the island and the
environment and the community...

Oliver sighed as he stood up. It happened a long time ago, and perhaps the biggest guilt of all was that even if he knew he broke Chloe's heart, he wouldn't have
changed a thing. Connor was a gift to him, and he would never regret what happened between him and Sandra.

In Smallville, Clark watched in disapproval as Chloe logged of her laptop and faced him.

"I still don't see why you continue to help him."

"I'm not helping him, Clark. I'm helping the league. Besides, you should talk; you keep on showing up giving them a hand."

"That's different." Clark replied as he crossed his arms. "It's my responsibility to make sure that the world is safe."

"And it's not mine?" Chloe asked as she looked at Clark and crossed her own arms. "Clark, I can't just walk away from everything. I was on that lab, strapped being
experimented on. I can't walk away and know that there's someone out there who's suffering the same way and not do anything about it."

Clark still kept his stance before he relaxed his posture. "It's not just about that Chloe. How can you be taking care of his son with that woman? Oliver cheated on you..."

"Yes, Clark. He did, but you know what? It's not Connor's fault that his father chose somebody else over me." Chloe replied as she took a picture of Connor from her desk.
"Can you really say no?"

Clark took the picture from Chloe's hands. Even after all the hurt and the changes she'd been through, she was still the same girl in high school who cared more about other
people than she cared about herself.

"I just don't want you to keep on hurting, Chloe."

"I haven't Clark." Chloe replied as she took the picture back from Clark. "I haven't felt any hurt in a long time."

Clark just nodded and looked at the fresh flowers that were on the table. "Did you tell your new friend you're not a fan of roses?"

Chloe rolled her eyes, but still grateful for the change of topic. "He just wanted to say thank you for helping him out on the missing twins."

Clark nodded his head; he remembered meeting Detective George Dean when he interviewed him in regards how the case was progressing along. Well, he was trying
to interview him; Lois was just on the warpath.

What impressed him though, was the fact that he impressed Lois. He was calm, polite, and answered as much questions as possible. He still couldn't believe Lois giving
the detective Chloe's number in the guise of her cousin being able to help with his case.

George accepted the card and Clark started to worry when he saw the smug, satisfied expression on his girlfriend's face.

"You do realise Lois isn't going to stop, right?" Clark asked Chloe as she returned Connor's picture on the table. "She's hell bent on making sure you move on."

"I have moved on, Clark. Just because I'm not dating it doesn't mean I'm still wallowing in self pity."

She replied as she leaned against the counter. "He's very sweet, but I don't think I can be more than friends with him."

"Just thought I should give you the heads up. Lois is planning on a double date tomorrow night."

Chloe groaned and Clark just smiled. "She just wants you to be happy, Chloe. So do I. If this is the guy to do it, then maybe... maybe you should give him a chance."

"You, Clark Kent, asking me to give a guy a chance? Whatever happened to the same Clark Kent who warned me that every guy I meet can be a meteor infected who'd
ended up trying to kill me?"

Clark looked at her defensively before he replied. "I was right in most cases! Besides, Lois already did her research on him. She's pretty happy with what she's found so far."

Chloe looked at Clark suspiciously as he tried to avoid his gaze. "Please tell me you haven't been following him around."

"I just wanted to make sure he's good enough for you, Chloe."

"Really?" Chloe asked amused at the earnest expression on his face. "Did Detective George Dean pass the test?"

Clark smiled as he approached Chloe and gave her a friendly kiss on the forehead. "He did, Chloe. With flying colors."

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