Author Note: I have no Betas so all mistakes are entirely my own. All comments and reviews are appreciated - they are like crack to me!
Pictures of the masks and chloe's dress are available on my livejournal. they are linked within this chapter on LJ if you are interested in seeing them.
Chloe entered the ballroom of The Grand Hotel on the arm of one Bart Allen. She had to slide her arm through his to prevent him from fidgeting with his mask and tie. He had been playing with them for the entire journey over and it was starting to drive her crazy.
"Would you leave them alone?" She asked.
"Bossman may be used to this kind of get up, but I am way out of my comfort zone here. And I feel ridiculous in this mask. Who the hell came up with the idea? No one likes to wear these things." He said adjusting the red and gold eye mask on his face.
"Well I think you look great. So stop complaining!"
"Not that I mind the compliment 'licious, but it would have been nice if you wore one to match." He said as he escorted her into the main room. Chloe didn't miss the fact that he had positioned them fairly close to the buffet.
"I don't think it would match my outfit. I wasn't originally your date remember?" Chloe said looking down at her flowing green dress. It had been worth every penny and she just hoped that Oliver would be able to recognise her tonight so he could fully appreciate it. "At least my mask compliments yours."
Bart reached out to tweak her dirty gold mask, decorated with its fake diamonds and pearls. "Well, you're my date now so I'm not going to complain too much. " He pulled his arm from hers with a wide eyed expression on his face. "If you're my date tonight, does that mean I can at least try for first base?"
Chloe laughed and smacked him on the arm. "Don't even think about it. Oliver may have forgotten, but I'm still with him."
"I'm sure there's a rule about the guy you're on a date with having some perks."
"You have perks. I already promised you that you can try and sneak out all the food you could fit into my purse." She grinned.
Chloe was sure Bart was about to try his luck when she saw another two of her favourite people walking towards them.
"Well, there's a sight that's sure to have a certain farm boy pouting." She said as Lois and AC approached them. "I think this is the first time I have seen you in something other than shorts! Although I have to say the colour scheme doesn't surprise me." She said pointing to his orange mask before embracing the water loving hero.
"Well if Smallville doesn't have the connections or sophistication to get into a gig like this, then that's his problem." Lois swiped a couple of glasses of champagne from a passing waitress, downing one before starting to sip on the other.
Chloe smiled, Lois was clearly jittery. There had always been some underlying sexual tension between her and AC and she was wondering if her cousin was starting to regret asking him for tonight's favour. Either way, she was sure that by the end of the evening Clark would probably be paying a little more attention to the beautiful brunette.
"Any sign of Oliver?" AC asked.
Chloe stood beside Bart who was already scanning the crowd. "We just got here. But I'm sure he's here already, it's just the task of finding him."
"Just find the red head with the horns growing out of her mask and I'm sure he'll be nearby."
"You promised not to make a scene Lois." Chloe warned.
"I promised no such thing. There's a difference between kicking someone's ass and making a scene." She said draining the rest of her drink.
AC slid an arm around her waist. "Come on Lois, let's see if we can find you a beer."
"Ooh, good idea."
Chloe smiled as she watched her friend easily diffuse Lois' gathering attitude and sweep her over to the bar.
"I see him 'licious." Bart pointed over towards the other edge of the room. Chloe followed his gaze to see Oliver and Tess standing close to someone who looked a lot like the Mayor, deep in conversation.
"So how are we going to get his attention?" Bart asked
"I don't know." Chloe said. Her plan was just to get into the building without being thrown out by one of Tess' goons. She hadn't thought so far as to how to get Oliver's attention if he didn't spot her first. It wasn't as if she could just walk right up to him while he was standing there with Tess.
"I got an idea beautiful, but it's going to be risky." Bart said before taking her hand and walking her to the middle of the dance floor. He placed her arms around him and began to move slowly to the music.
"And how is a dancing with you risky?"
"Have you seen me dance before? It's taken Oliver a months worth of pointers not to get me to step on my partner's toes. Even he gave up in the end and sent me for professional lessons."
Chloe laughed loudly. "He sent you for dance lessons?"
"He and the guys said they didn't want me embarrassing them when I had to go into undercover situations like this. They also thought it might help me get a girlfriend."
"And I can't believe you let them tease you like that."
"Believe me, your toes will be thanking them later. Just be glad I no longer have to count the steps out loud."
Oliver and Tess had been cornered by the Mayor for the past five minutes, being forced to make polite small talk about the evening's event. Tess was laying the charm on thick and his concentration wandered as he looked around the room.
A familiar laugh caught his attention and his eyes drifted to where the sound was coming from. He knew it was her. No mask could disguise the woman who had been haunting his memory flashes from the past few days. Beautiful was simply the wrong word for how she looked that evening. She looked simply breath taking.
"Excuse me, I'm just going to get Miss Mercer here a drink. I won't be two moments."
"Thank you Oliver." Tess smiled before continuing her conversation.
Oliver eased his way through the crowded dance floor, completely focused on her as she was led in a simple dance. As she was turned to face him her eyes drifted upwards and locked her gaze with his. Her smile became just that little bit brighter.
"Can I cut in?" He said tapping on the shorter man's shoulder.
"Sure can, Bossman."
Chloe could see Oliver's brow furrow and the younger man. "Oliver, this is Bart Allen. He's a mutual friend. He's been known to work with you when you decide to let that other side of you come out to play."
"I'll let you two lovebirds catch up. I'm going to let fish boy know you've found jolly green over here." Bart quickly left the dance floor, allowing Oliver to pick up the dance form where Chloe had stopped. Her arms naturally wrapped around his neck as they swayed to the music.
"Well that was a quick exit."
She smiled knowingly up at him. "Believe me, he's been known to be quicker."
"Should I be bothered that you found a replacement for me so easily at such short notice?"
"Bart is not a replacement, just a good friend who wanted to make sure you were just as fine as I told him you were."
"Speaking of fine." He slowly slid his hand down to her lower back "You look absolutely beautiful."
"Thank you Mr Queen, you don't look too bad yourself." She brought a hand round to slightly adjust his mask "And like I said to you yesterday, a little bit predictable. Who would have thought you would pick green?"
"I could say the same about this dress. Did you pick this colour out for me?"
"I'll have you know I have always looked good in green. The fact that it makes the caveman in you that little bit happier is just a bonus."
"That's good to know." He smiled. Being with her just felt so right, how had he fooled himself into thinking he was still with Tess he had no idea. "I was wondering if I could pick that equally wonderful brain of yours?"
"Whatever you need hero."
Oliver shook the image of her in that silk camisole and focused on the question in hand. "Tess has been urging me to take part in an experimental memory retrieval project. She's had the doctors modify some equipment they already had and they are apparently ready for me to begin tomorrow."
"Oliver you can't go through with it!"
"Believe me, I don't intend to. I've been keeping her close to find up what she is really up to but I have come up with nothing. I was wondering if you could try researching the project for me? I want to see if she has been lying about that too."
"I don't need to, I know about the technology you're referring to. Tess used it on my cousin a couple of months ago. To cut a long story short she manipulated Lois' memories to read her mind and she intended on wiping them clean from her. If she hadn't been stopped in time she could have been left catatonic."
"Why do I have a feeling she doesn't want me to undergo treatment to bring me back completely?"
"Because you're not stupid. Just promise me that you will keep far, far away from any LuthorCorp laboratory."
"You have my word. Tess doesn't exactly register in my circle of trust at the moment."
"Speaking of the Luthor wannabe, what is she going to say if she sees her date dancing with one of her least favourite people?"
"To be honest, I really don't care. I am moving out of the mansion tomorrow. As much as I want to find out the truth from her, I just can't stand looking at her knowing that she has been trying to manipulate me this whole week."
Chloe rested her head on Oliver's shoulder. "That is the best news I have had all day."
"So does that mean you'll be waiting for me when I come home? It's pretty obvious you know how to get in by now."
"It's safe to say that I've known my way around your security system for a while now." She smiled to herself before looking up at him.
"I had a feeling that was the case. Because if that wasn't true I would have to seriously consider seeking professional help. I've never thought that I would be tempted to wear green silk lingerie."
"If that's the worst that you found hero, you didn't look through your bedroom as thoroughly as you thought."
He smiled back. "Is that an offer to come back to my place and show me a few things?"
"I wouldn't want you thinking I was taking advantage of a man in your condition."
"And what if this man would like to be taken advantage of by you?" He whispered in her ear.
Chloe turned her head so their noses were almost touching. "Well, when you put it like that, how can a girl say no?"
Oliver closed the small gap between them and pulled Chloe towards him, kissing her like he needed her lips to live. Chloe melted into his muscular frame and almost pouted when he ended the kiss, his forehead resting against hers.
"Maybe I should consider moving out tonight instead."
Chloe nodded, momentarily trying to remember how to breathe. "I think that would be a really good idea. Maybe I should help you, you know, just in case you forget your alarm code or something."
"That sounds like a good idea." He slowly lifted his head from hers and took her hands in his "Give me five minutes. I'm going to tell Tess that I'm leaving. She's less likely to make a scene in front of all these people."
"Okay. I'll go let Bart know."
Oliver gave her a final peck on the cheek before disappearing into the crowd.
Tess had seen the entire sickening display as she stood to the side of the room. She couldn't believe that Oliver had the nerve to kiss some random woman in public all the while that he was supposed to be there as her date. She clenched her teeth and resisted the urge to ball her hands into fists.
Even without his memories he had done it again. He had cheated on her and to top it off, this time he had done so publicly. She was never going to forgive herself for allowing this to happen. Public humiliation was not in her plans for the evening.
When he approached after making his way through the heaving throng of the dance floor she was proud that she had resisted the temptation to slap him there and then.
"Tess, we need to talk."
"Damn right we need to talk." She grabbed his hand and proceeded to drag him through the crowd. She was glad that she had the foresight to book a suite at the hotel for the night, because this was a conversation she was not willing to have in front of Metropolis' elite.
Tess angrily pulled Oliver into the suite and marched past the bed throwing her mask and purse down. He pinched the bridge of his nose as he felt the similar sensation arise.
Tess dragged Oliver into the bedroom before stalking to the other side of the room. "The only way you'll get me back in here is by force."
Tess responded by throwing a handy ornament in his general direction, causing him to jump and flail wildly. "Don't flatter yourself. The best thing I ever did in this bed was kick you out of it."
"Oh look, something out of your mouth I can believe."
She folded her arms across her chest, a tight smile showing the underlying anger she felt. "So it's you. Parading around in tacky green leather."
"It was me." He smiled smugly. He felt no remorse that he had kept this secret hidden so well from her. He would be lying if he said he didn't feel great satisfaction at how angry she was. He was enjoying this.
"I can't believe you wear tights."
"They're not 'tights'." He approached her. What was with everyone thinking they were tights? They were clearly pants.
Tess saw his movement and grabbed a large knife from behind her. Oliver reacted and found a much smaller letter opener to defend himself with. Tess carefully stalked Oliver in a semi-circle, placing herself nearer the door.
Oliver lowered his knife. "They're not tights."
"They look like tights." She glowered.
"You're keeping more secrets than Lex ever had, ain't that right? Who knows how many deals were sealed right here?" He said indicating the bedroom.
"You buried an arrow into my chest, Oliver."
He held his finger up to her. "Actually, it was a tazer."
"Well it bruised."
"Well, better bruised then dead." He smirked.
Without a second thought Tess threw the knife she was still holding directly at Oliver's head. Oliver's quick reflexes allowed him to grab a book to defend himself from the lethal shot, the knife buried to the hilt in the book.
"What are you crazy? Tess this isn't a cartoon! You're gonna hurt somebody."
"That's the basic idea!"
"Alright then." Oliver began to walk towards her. This had been a long time coming.
"Don't you come near me." She warned.
In a blur, Clark was standing between them dressed in his 'Blur' costume. "Stop!"
"Stay out of this Clark." Tess told him.
"Our little lady here is a Checkmate agent. She knows my identity." Oliver told him.
"What were you thinking Oliver? How could you do that?" Tess demanded.
"I don't think you are in a position to be acting so indignant Tess." He looked at her directly, putting his hands into his pockets.
"I think I am perfectly justified to act like this! You are supposed to be here with me, instead you're kissing the face off of some blonde haired tramp! I guess you haven't changed at all."
"Chloe is not a tramp!" Oliver snapped.
"That was Sullivan?" She stalked closer towards him "Chloe Sullivan?" Her rage was radiating from every inch of her. She snatched her bag back up from the bed and began pacing.
"How long did you think you could get away with lying to me Tess?"
"Is that what she told you? From the beginning I have told you that she and her friends have tried to manipulate you."
"The only one who has been manipulating me here has been you." Oliver invaded her personal space. He has clenching his fists inside his pockets to stop himself from just grabbing her and shaking the truth out of her mouth. "You have been lying to me from the very beginning. You saw an opportunity and took it, what I want to know is why."
"I would never do that! You know I love you Oliver!"
"Don't give me that crap!"
"If you would just consent to trying that treatment then you would know the truth!" She tried pulling out the waterworks. They had worked in the past before, he'd always been a sucker for a damsel in distress.
"I already have some of my memories. And from what I can tell you are not a significant part of my life. There are others that I trust, that I love, before you even become a factor. So why don't you tell me what really is going on in that head of yours."
Tess sat on the bed and rifled through her purse. "What I want is for the Oliver Queen I used to know to come back to me. I want him safe, by my side where he belongs, and away from dangers he surrounds himself with." She finally stilled her hand inside her bag and looked up at him.
"I think you're finally cracked."
"I'm not crazy Oliver, just determined." She pulled the small gun from her purse and shot him with the tranquiliser she had been carrying.
"What?" Oliver pulled the dart from his neck and stumbled a bit
"Didn't you think it was a bit strange that instead of being shot in suicide slums you were drugged instead?"
"It was you?" Oliver tried to swipe at her but she merely stepped out of reach as his legs gave out.
"I intended to just keep you out of harm's way, locked up and away from Checkmate until I could guarantee your safety. I hadn't planned on Clark interrupting so soon. When I discovered however, that you were injured and had been diagnosed with amnesia I was provided with an opportunity that surpassed anything I could have dreamed of."
Oliver struggled against the drowsiness but could feel himself slowly being drawn into the darkness. He sensed rather than saw Tess kneel down beside him. He felt her run her hands through his hair as unconsciousness claimed him.
"It's okay now though Oliver. I am going to make it all better. By tomorrow morning you will be the Oliver Queen you were meant to be."