Bruce knew she was going to be there. Oliver had called ahead and let him know they would be in town. There was of course, some JL business he wanted to go over in person. He should have been prepared to see her but when the doors opened and she stepped off Bruce felt like he had been punched in the stomach. If it was possible she had become more beautiful. He could easily remember their one night together all those years ago. He knew he had hurt her but he would do it again if it meant keeping her safe. Every time they had to run an op together for the JL he felt his guilt return. When she had started dating the leader of the JL Bruce had barely been able to control his jealously. He knew he had no right. He had given her up but it still hurt to think about her in the arms of another man. Logically he wanted her to be happy and if Queen could do that for her he would be glad of it but emotionally he had thought of her as his the moment he had pressed her against the door in his home. Dam her. Why couldn't she just stay in Metropolis? It was hard enough to hear her voice over his coms. Now she was standing only feet away and he found himself walking towards her. He knew it was a bad idea and yet he couldn't stop himself. Dam if he didn't feel a spike of jealousy when she tipped her head up at Oliver and smiled.

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Oliver saw him first and pulled Chloe closer. She never said a word about what had happened on her little recruiting trip. It had been almost another year before Bruce had revealed himself to Oliver. He had told him that no one else was to know who he was. Oliver assumed Chloe was unaware. He had assumed Chloe's cool demeanor towards him was based on his gruff attitude. He thought it odd that she never warmed up to him like she had with all the other new members but he had just assumed their first meeting had so turned her off that she wasn't able to get past it. He had assumed her sadness upon her return was still because of Jimmy and Lois. He had assumed a lot of things because they were still trying to patch up their friendship and Oliver didn't want to push her to talk about anything he felt personally responsible for.

For the first time since he asked her to the ball he wondered if the real reason she had tried to say no was purposefully striding towards them now. Had he hurt her that bad? Chloe wasn't the type to overreact.

"Mr. Queen, Miss Sullivan." Chloe turned at the sound of his voice. She felt the same jolt she had the first time she had looked up to see his smiling face. His eyes held a sadness beyond comprehension and she wanted to go to him and pull him into her arms, comforting him. Chloe was suddenly very angry. Why didn't she feel this way about Oliver? He was a man who loved her, accepted her and wanted her to be happy no matter what. He would never walk away from her like Bruce had done. And yet, it was the thought of Bruce's lips on her skin that sent a shiver up her spine.

"Bruce, it's so nice to see you." Oliver shook his hand and tried to ignore the sparks he saw as Bruce looked at Chloe. When he looked down to see her reaction he felt his heart break. She had never looked at him like that. The anger and the passion made her eyes sparkle and it occurred to him that she knew. She must have known all along. He wanted to kick himself for not seeing it sooner. Batman's attitude wasn't the reason for her coolness it was Bruce. She had fallen for another Hero. He was an idiot for underestimating her. Hadn't she been the one to figure him out?

Bruce met his eyes while they shook hands but his attention was immediately drawn back to the petite blond. "I'm glad you two could make it. I'm sure there will be plenty of time to catch up later, if you'll excuse me I need a word with Commissioner Gordon." He turned and walked away as casual as he could manage. His self control was ready to break. The fire he had seen in her eyes made him want to drag her up against him and kiss her till she was breathless. Why did she still have such a hold over him? 5 years of hard won distance had vanished the minute their eyes met.

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Chloe followed Oliver towards the bar and smiled as he handed her a glass of wine. He always knew exactly what she wanted. Taking a sip she felt the cool liquid slide down her throat but it did nothing to ease the tension she felt in part thanks to Bruce. She knew she should have found a way to stay home. Any number of the new female recruits would have jumped at the chance to be on the arm of Oliver Queen for the night.

She heard the band start into a slow number with waning horns and soft strings and she swayed slightly with the beat. She put her empty wine glass back on the bar

"Could I have this dance milady?" Chloe smiled at Oliver's formal bow.

"That sounds lovely." Chloe placed her small hand in his and followed him to the dance floor. He pulled her into his arms and twirled her around the floor like a professional. Just one more thing he was excellent at. She smiled up at him as she enjoyed the slow steps. She felt the hair on the back of her neck stand up and looked up to try and find the cause. Standing in the corner of room was Bruce. His face was a mask of barely controlled rage and she shivered. She turned back to Oliver as her own anger bubbled up. What was his problem? She had managed to be polite and there he was scowling at Oliver. She was busy trying to forget him when the music stopped and she took a half step back from Oliver smiling up at him.

"You always were a wonderful dancer. I think you make even me look graceful out there."

"It's all in the partner." Chloe saw the hope in his eyes and she didn't want to crush it but she couldn't lead him on.

"Oliver, we already talked about this."

He cut her off with his lips. His kiss was soft and warm but there was no sizzle. When he pulled back he frowned slightly at her. "No spark huh?"

She knew what he meant. "I'm so sorry. I don't know what's wrong with me. You are such an amazing person. I care about you so much Oliver but you should be with someone that thinks the sun rises and sets on you only." She felt a tear trickle down her cheek. He reached up and wiped it away.

"I know. I've know for a while but I guess I just wasn't ready to let you go. I had to give it one more try. Friends?" His face was sad but hopeful.

"Always." She wrapped her arms around him hugging him close. "I don't know what I would do with out you Ollie"

"And I without you sidekick." She smiled at the nickname. Remembering all they had shared in the time they had know each other. He was so much more than her friend. He was her brother and her partner and she would have been lost without him.

The music had started up again and he twirled her around causing her to let out a girlish giggle. Her green eyes sparkled and he wondered if there would ever be anyone that could compare with her.

As the song came to a close Chloe saw a frown cross Oliver's face. Before she could ask what was wrong she heard him speak. "Mind if I cut in?"

"That would be up to the lady." He looked down at her and she smiled up at him. Typical overprotective Oliver. She would have preferred to avoid him all night but she wouldn't make a scene and to refuse him would cause tongues to wag. Not something she enjoyed at all.

"One dance Mr. Wayne. I don't want to desert my date." Oliver gave her a half bow and kissed her hand. She smiled warmly at him. As she turned towards Bruce the band started a haunting melody. She looked up into his eyes as he brought his arms around her. Her skin sizzled with his contact. She was suddenly very aware how slinky her dress was and of every part where they were pressed together as he spun her around the dance floor. He was as proficient as Oliver but he was less graceful. He more closely resembled a caged tiger. She was still amazed that people fell for the careless playboy act. He didn't pull it off nearly as well as Oliver. There was always an aura of danger around him.

"You look beautiful tonight Chloe." His voice was a husky whisper in her ear. She felt her heart speed up.

"Oh it's Chloe now? Not Miss Sullivan." Anger was her friend. She wouldn't open herself up to him again only to have him step on her heart.

"This was a mistake." His teeth were clenched as he pulled back to look at her face. He was trapped in this dance until the song ended. He should never have approached her. How did he expect her to react?

"Yes, it seems I do that a lot when I am with you." She was safe. That was why he had pushed her away. Tomorrow she would be back in Metropolis and he would only have to hear her voice on the infrequent times he teamed up with the JL.

"I won't apologize for what happened between us." He wouldn't regret it either. He wanted her to understand that he did it for her own good but he wasn't stupid enough to say it out loud. She would only argue that he was patronizing her. And maybe he was a bit but he couldn't care less. He had thought she was amazing the day he met her and at every turn she had shown him that she was so much more. He heard the other members of the JL talk about her with such reverence and love and he couldn't help but wonder what if? What if he was just Bruce Wayne and she was just Chloe Sullivan?

"Of course you won't because to apologize would imply that you made a mistake and the great Bruce Wayne does not do that." Her voice was a hissed whisper, she was trying to keep her face a mask of calm but she didn't think she was succeeding based on the way Bruce frowned. She knew she sounded like jilted lover and that annoyed her the most. She didn't want to be a bitter person. The past was the past. "I'm sorry, that was uncalled for. I knew exactly what I was getting myself in to." She looked down. Not wanting to meet his eyes. She didn't want to see the shame or worse pity in his eyes.

"Chloe" She tipped her head up only when his hand came under her chin. She was tired and she didn't like all this drama. It wasn't how she lived her life. She preferred her excitement to be of a physical persuasion. She found this emotional roller coaster more draining that her worst training sessions with Oliver. "I won't apologize for what happened but I will say I'm sorry I wasn't stronger. I should have stayed away. It wasn't fair"

Her jaw dropped. "Well of all the egotistical things to say. What, because after one night with you no woman can live without you? Too bad you couldn't protect my fragile heart from your charm. And here I thought you were such a hero." She regretted it as soon as it left her mouth. She felt his grip grow tighter around her waist as he tried to keep his anger in check.

"Yes I am quite the rogue with women's hearts." he growled the words out as the last few cords of the song came to an end. Chloe pulled back from him as if his touch was suddenly burning her. She turned and made her way towards the balcony hoping he wouldn't follow. She needed air. She hated herself for the things she had said to him. Despite what had happened he didn't deserve it. She would apologize later, again. She didn't trust herself to remain calm right now.

As she pushed past the crowd at the bar she stepped out into the cool night air. She took a few deep breaths to calm herself. 5 years. 5 long years and after one dance all her hard won distance was gone. She felt the spark. She felt it sizzle across her skin with every movement he made and when they touched she felt the fire he created within her burn brighter. There was something about him that drew her in and yet he brought out the worst in her. She had been mean and petty and she hated herself for it. How could she be angry at the outcome when she had gone willingly to him knowing it could only end that way? It suddenly occurred to her that she had been using him as a benchmark for every relationship she had been in since. It was the reason she had never given herself to Oliver. She was suddenly aware that she had been waiting for him. Waiting for him to step up and be her prince charming all the while knowing it was impossible. How sad. She had made her happiness dependant on an impossible dream.

That was going to stop tonight. Self realization wasn't fun but at least it helped her to figure out what had been holding her back.

"Goodbye Bruce." She whispered the words into the night. Tomorrow she would figure out what she wanted and she would go after it. She wouldn't be waiting anymore.

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