Title: Everything Changes With Time
Author: brittany34
Rating: PG-13 for now, but that may change in later chapters
Summary: 4 years after the events of Lazarus, Chloe Sullivan suddenly comes back to Metropolis. But her relief to be home is short lived when she realizes how long she's been gone and how much has changed…
Main Characters: Chloe Sullivan, Oliver Queen, Lois Lane, Clark Kent
Secondary characters: Dinah Lance, Bart Allen, Victor Stone, Author Curry, John Jones, And Perry White
Pairings: Chloe/Oliver and Lois/Clark
Genre: Angst/Romance
Words: 3267
Warnings: Mild Violence/Language
This story follows canon up through episode 10x2 Shield. Everything after that is AU.
Okay so last chapter brought the JL Boys into play, this time it's Perry White.
Special thanks to all4chlollie for taking the time to Beta this chapter for me. She really had her work cut out for her with this one. It was a complete mess, but I think she did an amazing job.
A/N After the last chapter I had a reviewer raise a couple of questions that I'm sure others have had so I'm gonna respond to them now had hopefully clear up any confusion.
1. Why weren't the JL boys told sooner about Chloe's return?
Honestly in the original version they were told almost immediately, the day after the Chlollie scene on the balcony. I later realized that with how overprotective Oliver, Lois and Clark were being they probably would have wanted to give her a chance to become comfortable with her life again. I'm not saying they were right, but their hearts were in the right place.
2. Why didn't anyone stop the Oliver/Dinah thing when it was obvious to everyone that he wasn't truly over Chloe?
The reason why everyone stayed quiet was that at that point they truly believed that Chloe was gone. To them Oliver starting something new with Dinah showed them that he had at least moved on to acceptance over Chloe's 'death'. They also knew that Dinah was aware that Oliver wasn't over Chloe, but was willing to take what she could get. Everyone just wanted him to have what little happiness he could find.
So there you go. Any more questions feel free to leave them and I'll do my best to answer them.
Chapter 12
Chloe continued to make her tally marks to track the days. As soon as the guard brought in her breakfast tray and would turn from the room, she would move to the wall and scratch another line to mark yet another day.
It had been fifteen days since Waller had shot Felix. The sound of his scream as the bullet had ripped through the flesh of his leg still haunted her. After all he had done for her, she had failed him.
It was something she wasn't used to, failing her heroes. Sure Felix wasn't a hero in the same sense as Oliver, Clark or any of the other members of the JL, but after all he'd done for her there was no doubt that he was one in his own right.
Time continued to pass since that fateful day, and as those tiny marks on the wall grew, Chloe's fear over what had become of her only friend here did to.
Fifteen days turned to thirty… then fifty… seventy. It was only on the seventy third day that she finally received any confirmation that he was still alive. Even then it was only a quick glimpse of him as he was led past her room by one of the guards. He was limping and didn't even glance in her direction.
So she continued to count.
Eighty… then ninety… it was on the hundred and sixth day she saw Felix for a second time. Again he was led by a guard. His limp was a little less pronounced, but when you looked you could tell he'd had some kind of trauma to one of his lower limbs. His once confident stride wasn't there anymore. Just like the first time she'd seen him he didn't spare a glance in her direction, but even his profile showed the differences in him. He seemed harder as he moved past her.
After two sightings of Felix and no indication from him to her that he was still someone she could count on Chloe truly began to worry. What if she'd had it wrong that day? What if she misunderstood the look she could have sworn she saw in his eyes ? Maybe he hadn't been pleading with her to not let anyone else end up like him. Maybe he had been pleading with her to save him after all.
Chloe carefully made her way through the crowded sidewalk outside the front door of the Daily Planet. With a quick glance down to her watch she realized she was due to meet Mr. White in twenty minutes and was going to make it there a little later then she had been hoping to. She'd hoped she'd have the opportunity to check in with Lois and Clark for a few minutes before her meeting, now she wasn't so sure she'd have the time.
Chloe hated running this far behind especially on such an important day, but after her latest nightmare the night before she had spent half the night trying to fall back asleep. Only to have sleep find her at four am. Four am when she had to be up at six. It hadn't been the best morning so far.
Adding to that the fact that she had been dragging. There had been no coffee left at the farmhouse. Not even a drop.
It was just a few weeks before that Lois had told her that the Talon was forever done for. Apparently thanks to Rick Flagg. Only a few months after her 'death' Flagg had tried to take out the General, and in his assassination attempt, destroyed the only place in Smallville to get a decent cup of coffee.
So after already leaving half an hour late and having to speed the entire way into the city she then had to fight her way through the morning crowd of others trying to get their caffeine fix as well.
It had been hell.
This had been her first time in the city since the day she had come across those damn tabloids and she had spent the past couple of weeks doing everything in her power to stay as far away as possible. She had no desire to hear any more media speculation on the divorce of Star City's most beloved couple, the Queens.
Lois and Clark seemed to not only understand but also completely respected and followed her little Oliver Queen and/or Dinah Lance embargo. Their names hadn't been mentioned in her presence once since that night at the clock tower. There had been several times she had walked into the room only to have the two of them instantly become silent, but she forced herself to believe that they were discussing something of a personal nature.
Anything was better than giving in and begging them to give her information.
Chloe choked back a humorless chuckle. She never thought she'd see a day when she, Chloe Sullivan, shied away knowing anything and everything. She had to guess that was just another thing that she could blame Oliver for taking from her.
Yes, she was still angry with him. When that first initial feeling of anger had surged through her she had been surprised. That night on his balcony when she'd told him she wasn't angry with him she'd meant it. The heartbreak was still there too of course, but the anger was coursing just beneath it.
It was like once she let the emotion in, there was no letting go of it. It wasn't such an intense anger that she found herself fighting the urge to fly to Star City and give him a piece of her mind, but she was fairly certain that if they came across one another in passing she wouldn't be able to hold back her biting words.
It had been difficult for her, there was no denying that. Finally seeing evidence of the growth and ultimate demise of their relationship with her own eyes was unbearable. Add to that the guilt of obviously being responsible for their failure at marriage, and she was left with an emotional combination likely to send even the strongest of women to the brink.
That day had been horrible for her. One good thing had happened though. She'd landed an interview with her childhood hero. Perry White had been surprised to run into her on the Daily Planet elevator. By the time they reached the top floor where the offices were, he had promised her in interview.
It had taken two weeks, but she was finally here, and within an hour she was certain she was going to have her dream job.
She would get the opportunity to work with the best Editor the Daily Planet had ever seen. Chloe had never imagined that the short conversation she'd had with Perry White all those years ago would end up leaving such a lasting impression on the legend, but it had. Lois certainly hadn't been exaggerating when she said that Perry remembered her fondly.
As she walked into the elevator she pressed the top button, and waited patiently as people crowded in around her. She backed up several steps until she was pressed against the wall. Smoothing down her skirt she waited as several people got on and off, the elevator stopping on each floor on its assent. When they reached the second to last floor the only other person still on stepped off leaving Chloe alone. Once the doors closed she took several deep breaths to calm herself.
This was it. If this interview went well she would finally be working as a full fledged investigative reporter for the Daily Planet. Not an intern, and not the person that was forced to stay all night several times a week to answer the late night tip line. Perry had practically guaranteed her a regular staff position. She'd be living the dream. She forced away the tiny bit of pain in her chest that made itself known and reminded her that, while in her professional life things were falling into place, her personal life was still in shambles.
When the elevator finally stopped and the doors opened she stepped off, and glanced at her watch. She still had fifteen minutes until she was supposed to meet with Perry. She decided to stop by and at least say a quick hello to Lois and Clark. It was only as she approached the door that she realized that Clark wasn't there and that Lois already had company.
"I don't know why you're being so difficult about this Lois," a high pitched female voice whined. "Everyone here knows you're friends with Oliver Queen and yet you can't just help a co-worker out and give me one little sound bite on this latest scandal?"
"No can do Cat. It's not my job to give you the latest bit of garbage you'll try and pass off as news. You're on your own."
They were silent for several minutes before Chloe heard the other woman chuckle, "You actually know who this mystery woman is, don't you?"
"What 'mystery woman' are you referring too, Cat?"
"Whatever woman is responsible for the divorce. It makes perfect sense that there was someone else, especially given Queen's reputation…"
"I think you should go now." Lois cut her off, her voice hard.
Cat carried on as if Lois hadn't spoken, "And since there have been no sightings of him around town with anyone that means that it wasn't just a random woman. He'd be back out there by now. Besides my sources…"
"The voices in your head don't count as sources. Now for the last time, Get. Out."
"Oh I heard you the first time." Cat snapped and Chloe's eyes widened. There weren't many people out there who talked that way to Lois Lane, "but what I'm trying to figure out is who would you care enough about to protect. Who is so important that you willingly ignore the fact that she's basically a home wrecker?"
Chloe swallowed heavily, it wasn't that she hadn't been thinking the same thing about herself. That's what she felt like, a phantom home wrecker. Yet for some reason hearing someone else refer to her that way was almost too much to bear.
"You don't know what you're talking about," Lois ground out and Chloe silently prayed that Lois would keep her cool and not lash out at this woman.
"My first guess was Tess Mercer. After all they did have that whole meeting on a deserted island romance thing going on. Plus there was the merger of their companies a few years back, add to that Queen's recent move to our fair city, and it all made sense."
Chloe felt like the room was spinning. What was this woman talking about? Oliver was in Metropolis? Then why hadn't the papers picked up on it? It was then that she remembered that she was avoiding any kind of news publication or broadcast in the fear of having to hear anything about him.
"But after this conversation I realize that it can't be her. You may not be locking horns with Tess Mercer anymore, but I highly doubt that you would get so irate about me referring to her as a home wrecker. No this woman whoever she is, is someone you're willing to protect."
Footsteps started her way and Chloe backed up.
"Thanks for the tip Lois you've been a great help." Cat called over her shoulder as she strutted from Lois's office and continued on toward the elevator. Never once did she look Chloe's way.
After the doors closed behind her Chloe finally made her way inside Lois's office and closed the door behind her. There were now only ten minutes remaining until her interview. Not nearly enough time to get all the answers she needed from her cousin, "You okay?" She asked her voice just above a whisper.
Lois's head jerked up and she grimaced, "How much did you hear?"
"Enough to know that after my interview, I would really like for us to go grab a cup of coffee and talk for a bit."
Lois nodded slowly and Chloe gave her a small smile before heading out the door to finally meet with Perry.
Perry stood from his chair and reached his hand across the top of his desk, "Well Sullivan, I have a feeling this is going to work out just fine," he gave her a knowing grin.
"I think so too Sir, thank you." Chloe stood also and clasped his hand with hers. "I'm so excited and grateful for this opportunity."
Perry shrugged. "You being fired all those years ago was a travesty in my book. I'm just glad I get to be the one to help you back to where you belong."
Chloe smiled and thanked him again before walking toward the door.
"Sullivan?"
She turned back to him, "Yes sir."
He hesitated for a moment eying her carefully, "You hang in there."
Chloe stared at Perry for only a second before giving him a single nod and small smile as she made her way out the door.
Lois slid into the booth across from her and stared at her cousin for several seconds not quite sure what to say. "Okay look, I know you're probably mad that I didn't tell you that he was back living in Metropolis, but honestly Chlo, I wasn't sure how exactly to approach the topic with you." Lois picked up her mug and took a slow sip, "I think we both know that the topic of Oliver is off limits right now… I didn't want to upset you."
Chloe gave Lois a weak smile, "I'm not mad Lo."
"You're not?" Lois asked raising a disbelieving eyebrow.
"No," Chloe promised, "I get it. I haven't been handling this very well…"
"You've been handling it better than anyone else I know could… and as you know I have some pretty super acquaintances."
"That you do." Chloe agreed.
"I mean it Chloe," Lois said her face suddenly sullen, "I don't know how you're doing as well as you are… I'm kind of in awe of you Cuz."
"I could be handling it better."
"Is this about the nightmare you had last night?"
"You heard that?! Did Clark…?!"
"Relax. He didn't hear a thing." Lois promised, "He was still out on patrol?"
Chloe let out a heavy sigh of relief.
"Last night was the first time in a while that you had one, wasn't it?"
"It's been awhile," Chloe agreed as she shifted uncomfortably.
Lois noted the shift in her mood and quickly changed the subject, "So, I know this is not what you wanted to talk to me about. What would you like to know?" As awkward as this conversation would no doubt be Lois was happy to finally be having it. She'd been dying to let Chloe know that Oliver had moved to Kansas for the foreseeable future, but had held back. The last thing she had wanted was to push Chloe into any type of reconciliation before she was ready. Though deep down she truly hoped they could eventually find their way back together.
Chloe shot her a disbelieving look. "Do you really need to ask?"
"I guess not." Lois sighed, "Are you sure you want to hear this?"
"Yeah," Chloe replied with a decisive nod.
"Okay… Oliver never went back to Star City Chlo. Well that's not exactly true, he did go back, but only to square away a few things… with the divorce." She added the last words slowly, Unsure how Chloe would react.
Chloe nervously cleared her throat, "How long is he staying for?"
"Chloe, I thought you wanted…"
"Lo, please just tell me," she pleaded.
"Okay. Fine… Oliver isn't here for some extended visit Chloe. He moved here."
Chloe was quiet while they finished their cups and then offered to walk with Lois back to the Daily Planet. The pair made their way up in a surprisingly empty elevator. "So I take it the interview went well?" Lois asked finally breaking the silence."
"It did." Chloe smiled lightly, "I start next week."
"That's great. I can't wait until we're working together."
"It should be fun," Chloe agreed.
They stepped in front of Lois's office door and Lois pulled out a small key.
"You lock it?"
"Kinda have to… you've seen the way certain pseudo journalists are around here," she pushed the key in and turned, "you can never be too careful." She grinned at her cousin as she pushed the door open. She only made it a few steps in before she stopped. "Although there are some people that even locked doors can't deter." She noted eying the man before her.
Lois looked back and forth between Oliver and her cousin nervously as she ushered Chloe the rest of the way inside and peeked out in the hall to make sure there were no prying eyes or ears lurking about. She quickly shut the door and turned to the pair who were staring at one another.
Oliver's gaze was locked on Chloe his eyes showing his uncertainty. While Chloe looked tense, looking at her face Lois noticed the hard edge to Chloe's eyes.
Well this was going to be interesting.
