Betrayal
"Oliver we need to discuss your mother."
"No Dig, we really don't." Oliver turned and walked away from him. Ever since Felicity had given him the book a seed of doubt had been growing in his soul.
He wanted to blame Walter, some shady group, anything but Moira.
She was his mother.
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"Hey John." Chloe smiled as the older man sat down at the counter of the diner. It had finally slowed down and she had a few minutes to spare. "business or pleasure.?"
"Little bit of both." Chloe watched him curiously.
"Coffee and some assistance." Chloe smiled and poured a cup for John and for herself and waited for him to spill. "Moira has a copy of the list."
Chloe couldn't hide the surprise at his words. "Did you talk to Oliver about it?"
"Yes and he doesn't want to hear it. I was thinking…"
"Stop right there. We are not teaming up against him and his mom."
"That isn't what I want to do."
"I know that John, but that is the way he will see it. We can't ignore this information if for no other reason than to keep Oliver safe but let me talk to him. Let me do some digging."
"I'm following her." Chloe shouldn't have been surprised but she was. If Ollie found out second hand he was going to freak out. He held loyalty above all else. It was why he refused to see any connection between his mother and the list.
"Be careful John. Can you tell Carly I was suddenly feeling unwell?" Chloe nodded towards the back room before ducking out the front door.
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She headed straight for the Queen mansion. Normally she avoided his home but this discussion couldn't wait. She was pretty sure Thea was at school and Moira was at Queen Consolidated.
Oliver answered the door and pulled her inside. "What are you doing here?"
"We need to talk." Before she could continue he sighed and ran his hand over his face. He knew why she was here.
"So you are Diggle are in agreement that my mother is a criminal mastermind?" She took a step forward and put her hands on his forearms. Holding him close to her.
"Oliver we need to look into this. If it was anyone else…"
"It isn't someone else Chloe. She's my mother." She could hear the pain in his voice, the confusion, the fear.
"I know. Let me and John look into it. I know you have doubts. John and I will be fair. We'll be objective. Information is power. Lets figure out what she knows and then we can keep her safe."
He nodded. He knew she was right but it didn't make it any easier.
"I'm sorry Ollie. Truly I am." She hated that sad look on his face. That lost little boy look that had always been her weakness. She slid her hands from his arms around his waist and pressed herself against him. Turning her head to hear the steady beat of his heart.
It only took a moment but she felt his arms wrap around her. She could only hope her presence offered him some of the comfort his offered her. That sense of peace and home that she associated with being next to him.
They stayed like that for a moment. Chloe let her eyes close and her mind wander as she breathed in his scent. That familiar mix of leather and something entirely Oliver. She pulled back slightly and smiled up at him wishing he would smile back.
She stopped short when their eyes met. Lightning sizzled across her skin and made her aware or every inch of Oliver's hard body that was currently pressed against her. She wanted to pull away but his arms tightened around her. His head started to move down slowly towards her and she felt a flush move up her cheeks.
"Oliver." She hoped his name on her lips would stop him but he only smiled.
"Yes Chloe?" He didn't pull back. He wanted it to be simple. The attraction he felt, his life, everything. The truth was just the opposite so he stopped and took a step back.
Sadness washed over her face and guilt. He couldn't understand why that seemed to be her regular state of being in his presence.
"I'll tell you whatever we find." He nodded and watched as she walked out. He wasn't happy about it but a part of him needed to know even if the truth might destroy him.
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"50th birthday party?" Chloe laughed as John confessed his embarrassment. "And how long will Moira's driver be 'sick'?"
"At least till the end of the week. If I haven't found anything by then I'll have to follow her in secret."
Chloe frowned at him. "You sound like you are certain you are going to find something."
"She had a copy of the list, Walter is missing, her first husband is dead. That's a lot of bad luck for one lady. The coincidences keep piling up."
Chloe only nodded. She hated to admit that she agreed with him. Perhaps it was just her feelings for Oliver that were clouding her judgment?
"Okay, let me know if you need anything."
"Blue tooth bug?" Chloe just nodded and slipped the small black case across the table. Just one of the many items she always had with her.
"Anything for you Bond."
"Thanks Q." John smiled at Chloe and turned to leave.
"I always felt more like a Moneypenny."
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Chloe stood next to Diggle as he played the tape for Oliver and her heart ached. She had already heard it a dozen times. So far she hadn't been able to identify the other voice on the tape but there was no question it was Moira. She had run it through everything. Looking for any hint of coercion of manipulation but the recording was authentic.
Of course she didn't doubt John. She just wanted to believe in some ridiculous conspiracy rather than the obvious truth that Moira was involved in some shadowy group running Starling City.
She watched as he played the audio over and over. Torturing himself with the sound. Letting it tear apart his soul. He refused to let it defeat him though. He was going to save this city and with it his mother and she was going to be given the opportunity to repent whatever sins she had committed.
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He left Laurel in the arms of Tommy and it hurt. It felt like a door closing. His past falling further and further away and his future seemed impossible.
"How can it be her voice Chloe?" She had walked into their base to find him listening to the tape again. She hadn't made a sound and yet he had know she was there.
She moved towards him. The shadows hiding his face until she got closer but she knew what she would find. Pain and loss. She had heard that in his voice and her heart had gone out to him. He slid his chair back and their eyes locked. She felt her voice die in her throat. The words of comfort left her.
His arms wrapped around her waist and pulled her into his lap. He rested his head against her chest and she instinctively wrapped her arms around him. "We'll figure this out Ollie. I promise."
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An sorry for the delay. Was trying to figure out what to do about Felicity and Chloe! Got a plan now though and the next chapter is almost done. THANK YOU! to everyone who is reading and reviewing this story. You guys are awesome!
