Chapter 3 - Clues
Chloe calibrated and re-calibrated every system she had. She was trying desperately to find anything that could locate Ollie; visual recognition, radio waves from his communicator, police radio reports of strange occurrences. Her frantic running back and forth had worked her up into such an emotional state the when Clark suddenly appeared in front of her she jumped and screamed.
"Has anyone made it here yet?" he asked.
"Yeah, Bart collected everyone on this continent and they are already off looking. I'm not sure how Star Girl took the ride though," Chloe commented.
"Right, I'll set off out now," Clark turned to leave but then noticed Chloe's distraught face. "Hey," turned back and hugged her, "We'll find him. I promise."
"Yeah, I know Clark," Chloe said scraping her finger under an eyelid to catch a single tear. "Keep in touch, ok?" she asked.
Clark nodded and then blurred off. Chloe absently wondered what he was wearing on his Blur duties since his top was ruined and his coat was missing. Maybe he would go back to the red and blue combo, although it wouldn't seem right without the symbol of the House of El.
She wandered over to a screen and punched up some pictures.
"Ok, let's try this again," and she began updating the links to the new satellite once more. As the night wore on she got calls from Impulse, Canary and Star Girl. All gave the same report.
"No sign of Arrow, Watchtower."
Chloe continued trying to tighten the links to the satellite and suddenly a screen on the far side of Watchtower sprang to life. She raced over and smiled at the data streaming through. She was tracking the group. There, that's Hawkman, gosh he's nearly back home. That's Bart. That's ... wait a minute. That's Ollie. Chloe stared at a point indicating Green Arrow. Shaking herself out of the shock she opened contact frequencies.
"Arrow, this is Watchtower. Do you copy?" Static was the only reply she got. "Arrow, this is Watchtower. Respond, please?" she pleaded. Her heart sank again. "Impulse, this is Watchtower."
"Yes, baby?" came back the reply. Chloe sighed.
"I've got a location on Arrow's communicator but no response. Can you take a look?"
"Where is it Watchtower, I'll get there in seconds." Bart wasn't exaggerating, Chloe knew.
"Star City."
"On it Watchtower, Impulse out."
Chloe felt her heart lighten a bit at the discovery and the smile crept back onto her face. She waited impatiently, pacing back and forth, muttering to herself. Come on Bart, report. After only a few minutes the communicator burst to life again.
"Watchtower, I've found Green Arrow's communicator, but it's not on Green Arrow."
"What, shouted Chloe incredulously.
"Erm, did he have this particular one on him when he disappeared?" asked Bart.
"Yes, it's the one embedded in the collar of his costume," said Chloe.
"Then I'm sure he survived whatever attacked him because it looks like he's visited home. I'm in his apartment."
Chloe frowned. "Metropolis ... I sent you to Star City."
"Exactly. His Star City apartment. Oll .. er Arrow had been here and left his communicator." Chloe didn't know what to say. It didn't seem to make sense.
"Watchtower?" came the question from Bart.
"Oh, sorry Impulse. I'm a bit confused. So there is no sign of Arrow there? None at all?"
"Correct. Shall I come back to Metropolis or stay here as this is our latest lead."
"Stay there Impulse. Search around and keep in touch. Watchtower out."
Thanks Bart, she silently added. There was some kind of relief in the knowledge that Ollie made it past the attack but the confusion over where he was or why he would leave his communicator tempered the joy she would have felt otherwise.
Lois called in at work the following morning just to check in before setting off to investigate the missing doctor. She refused to acknowledge that she was stopping at the bullpen in the hopes of seeing a certain farm boy. It was now over 36 hours since she last saw him and she was getting worried. What had happened on that rooftop? Whose blood had spilled to the ground and why had Clark removed his coat? His coat and the Book of Rao were safely stashed at the back of her wardrobe. She had put them away, tenderly, next to the telescope that should have been Clark's "L-bomb" present after getting home from the Kent farm yesterday.
The whole situation made her worried. What if the blood had been his, how was that possible? What if he knew something was going to happen and that's why he had said and done those things. Suddenly, her eyes widening, she realised. He was saying goodbye.
No, what if Clark was gone? It was him, he disappeared in that yellow light. Lois collapsed into her chair and rested her arm on her desk. Her eyes wandered over to his desk in sorrow. I've lost him, she though. Then she frowned. Someone had put today's edition purposely in the centre of his desk. Lois got up and walked round. As she got closer she noticed the headline: the front page headline. BLUR BANISHES TERRORISTS by Clark Kent.
Scanning the article as quickly as she could she found her smile returning and her joy rising. He was fine and he'd submitted a fabulous piece about whatever had happened on that rooftop.
"Small Ville hit the Big League," Lois muttered to herself. So where is he? Why has he not come to find me? She felt a frown start on her face and she started to doubt herself. What if he hadn't been saying goodbye because he worried something would happen? What if he had just been saying goodbye? Maybe he really wanted her to go to Africa.
She hung around the basement for half an hour before the worry and second guessing overwhelmed her. She gave herself a mental shake and picked up her bags.
"Ok, Dr D. Let's find out what's happened to you."
Clark felt a little awkward using his Blur persona to turn in stories but he needed as much free time as possible to search for Ollie. Thankfully, presenting stories about the Blur's saves last night, a by-product of being out searching, fulfilled his job responsibilities and then left him free to search the rest of today. After dropping off his copy he went to the basement. Sitting in his chair he stared across at the empty desk opposite. She must be on a story. Could I face seeing her yet? She never actually said that the relationship was back on. What if it wasn't. What if she didn't want him now that the Blur had kissed her?
Who do you love?
Clark had a silent conversation with the empty chair opposite.
Is it me? You said you'd stay for me.
Is it him? You kissed him back and you told him he was the most important thing in your life.
Who do you love, Lois?
"Whoa, Clark, you'll burn a hole in her chair if you continue staring like that." Clark looked up to see Jeff walking past. Jeff had no idea how real that statement could have been rather than metaphorical.
"Jeff," Clark smiled, "have you seen Lois lately?"
"Yes, she was here yesterday afternoon then set off for the hospital after she heard about Tess." Clark thought he really should visit Tess in hospital and let her know that Zod was gone. "Oh, and you just missed her this morning, she was here about ten minutes ago but she left chasing after some doctor."
Damn, thought Clark and he hit the desk with his fist. Oops, he said when he heard a slight crack of wood. I guess I do wasn't to see her, even in the confusion of our relationship. Well, if she's gone off after a story she won't be back soon so I may as well get to searching for Ollie.
After the revelations of the previous evening at Watchtower Clark decided a run to Star City would be in order.
Lois arrived at the missing doctor's apartment and immediately knew she would strike lucky when the neighbour wouldn't stop talking about him.
"He's an eccentric one, Dr Donovan," she said. "Odd, yes."
Lois tried to take notes but it was actually hard to keep up with all the information that the lady was giving. One useful comment led Lois to her next destination. Apparently Dr D was working on a genetic project at Star Labs. On the journey there she ran over the pertinent information in her head. The doctor claimed to be able to manipulate DNA on the smallest level and was heading up a project looking at the medical benefits. He had admitted Tess as one of the benefits of the DNA manipulation was regrowth of skin. Unfortunately she hadn't survived long enough to start the treatment.
Arriving at Star Labs she was met by a member of Dr Donovan's team.
"Hi, I'm Kitty," the young woman said. "What do you want to know about Dr Donovan?"
"Well," said Lois, "He's been missing for two days along with the last patient he admitted into Met Gen. Can you think of a reason for this?"
"Missing!" Kitty's eyes widened.
"You didn't know?" Lois was confused.
"No, he only come in once a week at the moment, we weren't expecting him for two days so we didn't realise."
Lois wondered why the police hadn't been already as part of their missing person investigation. "So, Kitty, I guess the most important question is, do you think he was taken because of his work here?"
"I can't see why. We are working on things that will benefit medical science. There is nothing to steal, there is nothing dangerous about what we are doing. I don't understand it."
"Then do you know of any personal reason?"
"Miss Lane, I don't really know Dr Donovan very well. At the moment he's just supervising the project."
"Is there anyone who does know him well?
"Yes, I suppose you could talk to his partner, the one he started the project with; Dr Victor Fries."
"Thank you, Kitty. Where can I find him? And how can I get back in touch with you if I have more questions?"
"He's in his lab upstairs at the moment. Oh, if you want to contact me then here is the best place. Just ask for Kitty Faulkner."
"Thanks," said Lois and set off in the direction of Dr Fries' lab.