Chapter 4

The phone rang insistently, Chloe turned over and blindly grabbed the phone.

"Hello…"

"Spill it, Chloe.."

Chloe sighed, "Lois…"

"Don't you dare, Chloe Sullivan..Did we not have the big girl panty discussion last night?"

"Why are you home?"

" And SLEEPING?" "You should be pulling covers with Mr. Queen, making him forget that any other woman exists.

Chloe sighed. It was going to be one of those days.

"Lois, I'm…..last night…Ollie..I don't…

"Enough, Chloe Sullivan. You are fearless, big girl panties, remember?" "I'm coming over and you are taking yours truly to breakfast." "We are plotting strategy." Oliver won't know what hit him."

"Wheels up in 15, cuz."

Chloe hung up the phone, and sighed once more. She had slept fitfully last night, unable to stop thinking about Ollie and his impassioned kisses and her equally impassioned response. She had never experienced passion on that level before. She knew that a line had been crossed last night. Various scenarios swirled in her mind, raising her already heightened anxiety level. Chloe took a deep breath, released it, and with determination picked up her phone and dialed Oliver's number. Chloe's heart was in her throat as she listened to Oliver's voice mail. She abruptly hung up the phone.

A few moments later, her phone buzzed. A text. From Oliver.

"Be ready at 8. I'll pick you up. Wear something green." "Tonight."

God, he was not going to make this easy. Chloe remained in bed seeking inner serenity and tranquility and failing miserably.

Suddenly, Chloe heard her door open and the whirlwind that was Lois entered her bedroom.

"Chloe, what are you still doing in bed?"

"Just thinking."

"About Oliver whispering sweet nothings in your ear last night?, Lois smirked. "Tell all, she said impatiently."

"Lois, there is nothing to tell!, Chloe snapped."

"What? Nothing to tell?, Lois inquired. "Are you auditioning for the part of his sister?"

"God, Chloe, you so need me, "Get dressed, we have work to do."

"Work?" Lois….I ..Chloe stammered."

"Shhh….no back talk." "What happened after you two disappeared from the dance floor?"

"What do you mean?"

"Chloe, please." "You two were on the dance floor one moment, and the next you were nowhere to be found." Lois crossed her arms and fixed Chloe with knowing look. "If I didn't know better, I would think you had been abducted by aliens."

Chloe felt her face flush. "Really, Lois…"

Lois smirked, "Yes, really, Chloe." "What are you wearing tonight?"

"I'll find something…"

"No, we will find something, up and at 'em, Chlo." Lois opened Chloe's closet in search of suitable outfits. "You are going to knock Ollie's socks off."

"It's not his socks I'm worried about", Chloe quietly whispered.

Lois stopped rummaging through Chloe's closet and turned to face her cousin. Chloe's expression was not one she expected. Lois expected excitement, trepidation, anticipation, but not this fear and doubt.

"Chloe, what's wrong?"

"I can't do this….I'm going to call Oliver and cancel."

Lois crossed the room, sat on the edge of the bed and took Chloe's hand.

"Chloe, there are moments in our lives when we are at a crossroads. You have been sleepwalking through life for a while now. Time to wake up and join the human race." "I know you are scared. You love control and you cannot control this situation. You have to move forward. Chloe Sullivan, do you care for Oliver?"

"Well…" Chloe opened her mouth only to close it quickly.

"Chloe…"

"Yes, but", Chloe immediately averted her eyes, afraid of what secrets they might divulge to Lois.

"No, buts….Life is for the living, no regrets, Chloe. Look, you come to life when you are with Oliver. Please…do you think that we all haven't seen you two silently communicating with each other? Your connection is powerful and passionate. Don't pass this up, Lois advised."

"Do you know how many women would kill to be in your position?, Lois inquired.

"You just raise an eyebrow at Oliver, and he falls over himself rushing to do your bidding, Lois laughed."

"I want my lil cuz to be happy and I think Oliver could make you happy. He'd better or I will kick his ass!"

Lois gets up and puts out her hand to Chloe.

"Ready?"

Chloe laughed, shook her head, started to prepare for her date with Ollie.

Damn, he couldn't get her out of his mind. All day, he was consumed by memories of their passionate encounter of the night before. Just the though of how perfectly she fit in his arms endangered his usual composure.

Oliver couldn't contain his delight at the though of having Chloe all to himself, no interruptions, no Watchtower/Green Arrow business, no Justice League, and damn it, no Clark!

Oliver was convinced that Clark was trying to block his pursuit of Chloe with his oh so inconvenient appearances. Clark's timing left much to be desired. Oliver had no intention of letting Clark's perpetual sour puss expression and frowns divert him from his plan to woo and win Chloe.

Tonight, Chloe was going to be his, and now that he had her within his grasp, he was never letting her go.

With that thought, Oliver smiled and prepared to meet his destiny.

TBC