''Chloe, Chloe!'' Oliver's fist banged onto the vent wall in frustration at Chloe's continued silence. Pressing the button on the side of his sunglasses again, Oliver reviewed the buildings blueprints and noted that firstly, he was only a minute or two away from the files he aimed to obtain, but that there was also a vent hatch just five feet ahead of him with which he could escape from the vent and get to Chloe.
A series of small red lights along the many vent conduits drew Oliver's attention and for a moment he pondered over what they could be. ''Son of a bitch. They have a security network for the vent system too.''
Knowing it would only be a matter of time before someone figured out that Chloe was playing watchtower for an accomplice, Oliver also knew it wouldn't be long before security checked every surveillance network in the building. He needed reinforcements.
Oliver sighed as he awkwardly reached into his pocket and pulled out his cell phone. Hitting the speed-dial one button and listening to the quiet ringing which seemed to echo around the ventilator shaft, Oliver couldn't help but mutter to himself, ''They'll never let me live this down.''
Clark walked into Chloe's dorm without knocking and was met with the warm smile of Lana and the annoyed gaze of Lois. ''Wow Smallville, knock much!''
''Lana, is Chloe here?'' Clark decided he'd rather just pretend Lois was not there and so looked to his girlfriend for an answer.
''No Smallville she's on her big date with Oliver Queen.'' Lois replied anyway.
''What big date?'' Clark asked; again looking at Lana.
''Oliver asked her to go with him to the LuthorCorp shareholders dinner.'' Lana spoke this time. ''I thought she would have told you.''
''No, she didn't. Why would she want to go to a LuthorCorp shareholders meeting anyways; the Luthors aren't exactly on Chloe's Christmas list.''
''Oh come on Smallville, you really think Chloe's going because of the Luthors. Oh no, she's going for the sweet piece of arm candy.'' Clark raised his eyebrows as Lois seemed to be drifting into thought; most likely very adult rated thoughts about Oliver Queen.
Leaving Lois to her thoughts, Clark sat next to Lana on her bed. ''I wonder why she didn't tell me.''
''Don't take it personally Clark,'' Lana smiled at him softly. ''I'm sure she just wanted to avoid you pulling the overprotective act on her and scaring Oliver away.''
''I wouldn't scare him away,'' Clark argued.
''Not intentionally, but if you don't think he's good enough for Chloe then he'll probably know about it. Anyways, like I said, don't worry about it. Did you want to see her for something important?''
''No, I just needed to get out of the farm; things with Dad's campaign are getting a little hectic and I wanted to get away for a while.'' Clark lied. The real reason he was there was because the evening edition of the Daily Planet had featured an article on reoccurring power failures at high security firms (some belonging to LuthorCorp), along with equally reoccurring cases of theft from the same buildings. Certain aspects of the article had been odd and Clark considered them to be eligible for Wall of Weird territory; but he couldn't go into a great amount of detail with Lana about that, and especially not Lois. ''I think I'll go for a drive around the city.''
''I'll come with you, if you like?'' Lana offered.
''Thanks Lana, but it'll be easier for me work things over when I'm alone.'' He lied. Truthfully, he wasn't going to driving at all, he would be running, but neither Lana nor Lois would understand why on Earth Clark came to Metropolis without his truck.
''Okay, I'll see you soon.'' Clark bowed his head down and gave Lana a soft kiss on the lips.
''Bye Lana,'' Clark smiled before walking to the door, only shouting over his shoulder a goodbye to Lois as he closed the door behind him.
''What's going on here?'' Lex enquired as soon as he met with one of his security personnel. ''And the answer better be a good one as my father is currently in a room filled with many questioning people.''
''Sir, we found someone in the security suite. The two men on duty had been knocked out and she was manning the surveillance footage.''
''She?''
''Yes sir, an unidentified young woman. We believe that she might be one of your party.''
''Take me there.''
In the security suite, John, the security guard who had found Chloe was waiting impatiently with the barrel end of his gun pointing at her head. ''Are you going to tell me who you're working with?''
''I already told you, no.'' Chloe's face remained defiant. If he thought he was going to make her scared then he was going to be disappointed.
''I wonder if you'll be so confident once Mr Luthor gets here. Since it's very possible that he knows who you are.'' A sudden look of fear crossed Chloe's eyes and he laughed. ''Let me change that; it's certain that he knows who you are.''
''They're on their way now,'' Another member of security had joined them as backup and was watching the surveillance footage to see if he could spot the unidentified second party. ''And I've looked over every camera, none of them show someone else in the building.''
''She was talking to someone when I came in. Have you tried the extra surveillance footage for the building?''
''No not yet, you thing her buddy could be taking an alternative route through the building.''
Beyond his companion, John noticed the cover of the ventilator shaft had been removed. ''I'm positive. Check the vents.''
Chloe looked around desperately to find anyway of stopping them from finding Oliver, but the gun pointed directly at her head prevented her from doing anything.
The man typed on the computer and suddenly the footage on the many computer screens changed from the many corridors and rooms of LuthorCorp, to the many empty vents of the building and then, nothing.
The three occupants in the room looked in confusion as the computers died and went to black before they were all suddenly plunged into complete darkness.
''What the hell is going on here?''
Despite not being able to see in the pitch black, Chloe could tell that she was the one being addressed. ''I don't know I swear.''
''What's happening?'' Lex asked as the corridor he and the security personnel were walking down suddenly went into darkness.
''Something must be wrong with the power Sir.''
''This building has three backup power supplies; if the power has been shut off for this building then it was fully intentional. We need to get to the security suite and meet our unwanted guest.''
''Sir, I'm afraid that isn't possible. The whole building will be in total darkness, there is no way we'll be able to find our way upstairs without risking serious injury, and Sir, I cannot allow you to take that risk.''
Through the pitch black corridors a small beam of light came through, gaining the attention of two security guards. ''Who's there?''
''Your worst nightmare.'' A deep voice came from behind the light and suddenly both guards were feeling at the arrow that had pierced their skin. ''Don't worry guys, you'll be awake once it's all over.''
''Alright Sir, will do.'' John returned the com to its place in his pocket and spoke to his companion. ''The boss says everyone in the building must stay put while Luthor has his people check out the power failure.''
''It's not as if we could find our way out anyways.'' A response came from somewhere in amongst the darkness.
Chloe squinted her eyes in an attempt to try and make out whether or not the guard's gun was still pointed at her, but instead she noticed a beam of light come through under the door of the room. Before she could begin to think of what the source of the light was, the door swung open and from behind the beam of light, Chloe could make out a tall green silhouette.
All Chloe heard was the sound of something whooshing through the air and then the subsequent cries of pain and discomfort from the two men who were in the room with her before they were heard hitting the floor.
''Hey, Sidekick, hope I didn't keep you waiting.'' As the beam of light drew closer, the handsome features of Oliver were revealed to Chloe. The source of the light was coming from an attachment to his glasses that acted as a makeshift torch.
''Oliver, I have to say, I am so happy to see you.''
''You can kiss me later Chloe, we need to get moving.''
''Did you get the files?''
''No, I came back for you. You're more important.''
''Oliver we need to get those files...''
''I know that Chloe, don't worry I'm handling it.''
''You're handling it, that's rich.'' A new voice came through the room; one that was faintly familiar to Chloe. ''I remember a conversation with you just this morning; 'Hey guys, I can do this by myself. It's only a file, I won't need your help'. You should have seen the smirks on our faces when we got your call.''
''Hey I got close,'' Oliver defended himself.
''Yeah well, I got closer.'' As the new occupant of the room approached Oliver, his face came into the light and Chloe's eyes widened.
''Bart,''
''Hey 'Licious, long time, no see.''
''You know each other?''
''Yeah, me and Chloe go way back.''
Oliver raised an eyebrow at Chloe. ''Oh really,''
''Hey don't look at me like that, what is he doing here?''
''Finishing the job the boss couldn't finish himself,'' Bart held the file he held in his hand up to the light. ''Now are we going to stick around here all day, or are we going to get moving. Cyborg is going to be thinking that we've been caught.''
''Why are you worried? You can run out of this place in five seconds.'' Oliver queried the younger man.
''Hey don't insult me. I can get of here way faster than that.''
''Whoa, what are you guys talking about?'' Chloe asked, thoroughly confused.
Through the blurring lights of Metropolis, Clark did little to acknowledge the many high rise building that he sped past, that was however, until he noticed an unfamiliar block of darkness. Slowing to a human pace, a confused Clark drew to a halt outside of the LuthorCorp plaza. Clark wasn't wise in the knowledge of multi-million corporations, but he knew Lex well enough to know that the building before him wouldn't be completely shut down even on the most important of holidays.
Suddenly, Clark recalled what Lois had told him earlier about Chloe being with Oliver. She was supposed to be inside that building. Fearing the worst, Clark used his super-hearing to zone in on Chloe's voice.
''Whoa, what are you guys talking about?''
''I'll explain later.'' Clark recognised the voice of Oliver Queen.
''Hey hang on a sec, did Clark not tell you anything?'' Clark's eyes widened. What was Bart Allen doing with Chloe and Oliver?
''Look, like you said, we need to get out of here before someone reaches us. You guys can catch up later''
Not willing to risk Chloe's safety, Clark ran as fast as his super-speed could allow him to go, following the three voices into the building.
''Okay, how should we do this? I can carry Chloe out of here while I run and you can roof hop with your bow's grappling attachment.'' Bart considered.
''What do you mean run?''
''Later, Chloe.'' Oliver dismissed her question immediately. ''Impulse, you take Chloe and meet up with Cyborg. I'll leave through the window just outside in the corridor. We'll rendezvous at the Clocktower.''
''Got it boss,'' Bart walked over to Chloe. ''Ready for a ride on the Bart train?''
Chloe recoiled from him slightly and raised her eyebrows. ''Excuse me?''
''Chloe?'' All three turned as yet another voice entered the room. This time, however, Chloe immediately recognised it.
''Clark?''
The light from Oliver's headpiece was walked into by Clark, who immediately breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of seeing Chloe safe and well.
''Clark, how the hell did you get in here?'' Oliver asked, looked perplexed at the sight of Chloe's best friend.
Only then did Clark notice what Oliver was wearing. ''I could ask you the same thing Oliver.'' Looking at him in alarm, Oliver suddenly found himself unable to do anything other than give himself a mental beating for being so reckless as to his identity.
''Okay, guys. Really need to be leaving now.'' Bart nudged for them to leave after several moments of uncomfortable silence.
''Right, yeah.'' Oliver looked between a shocked Clark and a uncomfortable Chloe before turning to Bart. ''Meet you back at the Clocktower. It looks like we're all going to have a lot to explain.''
Next chapter; Oliver formally introduces his team, and Chloe and Clark talk.
I hope this chapter wasn't too crazy. I have never written a chapter with so much action going on at one time.
I promise we will be seeing some Chloe/Oliver development in the next chapter. Also, I have set this story during early - mid season five and I am aware that Cyborg/Victor, doesn't appear until later on in the season. Although he hasn't appeared yet, he will be in the next chapter. For this story, the events of the episde Cyborg have already occured, but with Oliver helping Victor rather than Clark. Things will be explained within the next chapter but I wanted to acknowledge it now due to the reference to Cyborg in this chapter.
Hope everyone continues to enjoy.
