Disclaimer: I do not own Smallville or any of these characters

AN: Update, had fun diving into Moira past hope you guys like it. I think its interesting.

Chapter 24:Cinder's of the Darkness Part II

"Oh, excuse me miss, I'm so sorry." Robert Queen said apologizing for knocking the few books she was holding out of her hand.

"Oh, no need to apologize Mr. Queen. I should have been looking where I was going." A young Moira Sullivan replied leaning down to retrieve her fallen text books. Being ever the gentlemen the billionaire followed suit.

"Please, call me Robert." His hand reached the text book before hers could and his gaze fell to the title.

"Ancient Languages: The similarities and the differences." Moira echoed the name of the book as she watched his eyes scan the cover.

"Light reading?" His voice had a note of sarcasm. "Oh...How rude of me. I'm Robert Queen, but you already know that."

She didn't say anything, just giggled like a school girl at his words, he held out his hand next and it surprised Moira when she returned the gesture shaking it, being normally the shy one.

"Your reputation precedes you Mr. Queen. And I am Moira, Moira Lane." She introduced herself.

"I hope it's a good reputation." Robert was about to let go of the younger woman's petite hand when he noticed the small diamond ring on her ring finger. "You're engaged, I bet he's a lucky man."

"He thinks so." Moira's eyes fell on the precious stone as it shimmered in the sunlight. The sudden easy conversation fell to an awkward silence and she noticed that the billionaire was looking her up and down studying her.

"If it's not to forward may I ask what someone like you is doing at an institution like this?" He motioned between her and the towering building they were standing in front of and to the plaque that that read 'Excelsior school for boys'. "You don't look like a boy."

"I hope not," She giggled again at his attempt to figure her out.

"If not a student, then a professor?" The older man quirked an eyebrow in mock curiosity.

"Close, but no cigar, I'm actually a…." Moira tried to answer the question but was cut off by a hand on her shoulder.

"Moira we're going to late, we have to meet the caterer in an hour." Gabriel Sullivan interrupted reminding his bride to be that they had to be somewhere.

"Oh yes, I almost forgot. Sorry Mr. Queen, but I have to go it was nice bumping into you." Moira bid the billionaire goodbye taking her fiance's hand letting him lead her away.

"He bumped into you? I remember him being more graceful then that." Oliver Queen handed the older woman a cup of hot chocolate he had gotten for the both of them, it wasn't too cold outside but it was cool enough for the hot beverage.

"He had a lot on his mind, I remember him mumbling something about how his son wasn't even born and he was already enrolled in high school. He only wanted the best for you." Moira took a sip of her hot chocolate enjoying the warm feeling it gave her. She took a moment to study the blonde billionaire smiling at how much he reminded her of both his mother and father. She had admired the Queens for more than just looks they were good people. "It wasn't long after that, we started writing letters back and forth, that's how my friendship with both your parents started. They were interested in my knack for seeing the similarities between ancient languages and myths when others only saw differences."

"Was that when you started helping with Veritas?" Oliver said trying to make a time line of events in his head.

"Close enough, it wasn't your father that recruited me, it was Lionel Luthor. But I was glad when I found out your parents were a part of it all." A scowl came over her face as she said the name Lionel Luthor but softened again at the thought of the Queens.

"He's not going to be a problem for you anymore. Neither of those devils will ever harm you or your daughter again." The sympathy and honesty in his eyes was enough to make the older woman want to cry. In the last half an hour the awkwardness between them had faded. "You're safe here Mrs. Sullivan."

"You know, I can't get over how much you sound like your mother, always so protective of those around you. You know she was going to come to my wedding. We weren't really close, but I did value her friendship and your mother knew that." Moira took another sip of her hot beverage.

"She was a lady. Wait you said 'was', what happened?" He asked another question.

"You did," Her answer made him quirk another eyebrow, "She went into premature labor about an hour before she was suppose to leave Star City." Moira smiled at the memory of one of the happiest days of her life.

"I'd say sorry, but I'm sure I didn't have a choice in the matter either." Normally when he talked about his parents it was a touchy subject for Oliver and he got that sad feeling. But hearing even a small memory about them that wasn't his own made him want to smile.

"That's okay, I forgive you. Even though she couldn't make it she still sent me a gift." Reaching for her pocket Moira pulled out the charm bracelet that she had clung to during her captivity, showing him the piece of jewelry.

"She sent you a bracelet?" His brawl furrowed in confusion.

"Not the bracelet, look at the first charm." Doing as he was told Oliver took in the sight of the small Sagittarius Charm, of all the things in the world. "They would have been proud of the path you have chosen."

"I've tried to live my life the way they would have wanted me too." It was an automatic response, his heroic side was born partly out of Oliver's grief for his parents.

"It shows." The older Sullivan placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

Silence fell over them and they both turned back to the Metropolis skyline deep in thought. Moira's heart was filled with guilt at the thought of what she had to do next and Oliver was still taking in everything she had just told him. Everything she said had to have been true, she had no reason to lie to him. Not to mention, she was Chloe's mother, he had no reason not to believe her words, but Oliver couldn't help but question the answers he was getting from Moira.

"I believe it when you say you knew my parents, but…." He paused trying to figure out what to say. "I don't remember you. You talk about them like you knew them well, but I don't remember ever meeting you or them ever mentioning the name Sullivan."

"They wouldn't have mentioned my name while you were around. Like Veritas, my association with them was something not many knew about." It made sense, a rich family like his own wouldn't want the fact they believed in an alien savior to be common knowledge. "And the last time we met before Chloe found me again was not exactly the happiest of times."

"You were at the funeral." Realization dawned over Oliver's eyes as his mind flashed back to one of the worst days of his life. "You were blonde then? Your hair was cut similar to the way Chloe's is now."

"Yes, I was born blonde. Over the years it's gotten darker." Her hand subconiously went to her hair running her fingers through it. "I never thanked you for taking care of Chloe, for being there for her and helping her save me."

"I would do anything for Chloe." Oliver looked from the city to the older woman's eyes. "I love your daughter more than words can say Mrs. Sullivan."

"I know Oliver, and that's good. Chloe's going to need someone she can lean on for after I'm gone." What was that suppose to mean?

"Gone what do you mean gone? Chloe just got you back you can't just…" Oliver went straight to standing up for the woman he loved ready to try and convince her mother of how much she was needed in the younger Sullivan's life. But was cut off by Moira putting her hand in the air.

"You know better than the rest of them how dangerous Lex Luthor can be and he is starting a war. He wanted me to be the greatest weapon in that war." She looked back to the cityscape trying to find comfort in the in it again.

"But…Chloe loves you...she's going to need you here when the baby's born. She's work so hard to save you from that monster, sacrificed so much and I can guarantee your safe here no one will…" He was right she knew it, Chloe would need her but the best way to safe her daughter was to let her go for now.

"I know more than anyone what my daughter has sacrificed and what she is willing to sacrifice to keep me safe. But the harsh reality is this, that snake will never stop until he has what he wants." She turned a steely gaze on him to back the seriousness of her point. "It's not safe for anyone while I'm around. That's why I have to leave."

Chloe rolled over in the large bed to find the warm body she had been clinging to gone and then wondered where said body was. It wasn't odd for Oliver to be out of bed at such a late hour, but they both had had such a tiring day. She was about to get up and search the penthouse for her blonde bombshell of a hero when Chloe felt the sudden urge too…

Why did they call it morning sickness if it hit any time of day or night? Chloe leaned back away from the porcelain bowl and stood up to brush her teeth. This pregnancy was going to be her undoing, she knew it, and thank goodness she had her mother there to help her. The mirror was partially fogged up like someone had taken a shower not too long ago. Chloe wiped the reflective surface with the sleeve of her robe and caught a glimpse of her reflection.

Her belly wasn't to big yet in fact it was kind of still flat. But now looking in the mirror it was obvious that she wasn't going to be able to hide her condition for too much longer. People were going to ask questions in the next month, questions. There were so many questions rolling around in her head. Chloe thought her own life was full of secrets but it was nothing in comparison to her mothers past.

Thinking of everything, she had almost given up to save the older woman Chloe was overcome with the overwhelming urge to check on her mother. As she made her way down the spiral staircase to the main floor of the penthouse Chloe heard voices from the balcony. She recognized both those tones, standing in the doorway she watched two of the people that met the most to her in the world finishing a conversation.

"...that's why I have to leave." She heard her mother's words and Chloe's heart broke, it was time to go.

"I knew this day was coming. I just didn't know it was coming so soon," Chloe looked to Oliver seeing the heartbreaking but understanding expression on his chiseled features and was reminded of the brief conversation they had had right before they save her mother. "But my plans are still in place. Everything is going to be okay mom we'll be saf…"

"No Chloe" Her mother cut her off mid sentence.

"No…What do you mean no? I guarantee your safety mom. I know what I'm doing. Where we're going, not even that snake will fi…" Chloe tried to convince her mother of the worth of her plans and that everything was going to be okay.

"I meant no you're not coming with me. You need to stay here the safest place for you is with the father of your child. Being here with you…" Moira sighed, not meaning to but knowing she was breaking Chloe's heart with every word she was saying. "…it's the greatest gift I could have ever been given. But I'm dangerous, Chloe. I have to go…"

"But mom…I..." Chloe stammered. Her mother just hugged her savoring what short time she had left with her daughter before John Jones came for her.

"Goodbye Chloe..."

The pain was still fresh from that night, he could tell by the way she just stood there and watched the rain hit the balcony through the large glass windows. The balcony was the last place Chloe saw her mother before the Martian Manhunter took the older Sullivan away. Where to, they didn't say, besides the mournful goodbyes between mother and daughter not much else was said.

Oliver ran the towel through his hair again drying it. He had just gotten home from his patrol and showered. It was still early morning and the sun had not risen yet and from the way the weather was going wasn't going to show itself anytime soon. Chloe wasn't there when he walked through the door, but now she was. Dressed for work, ready to start her day, her presence lacked the normal feeling of joy and happiness that Chloe put out.

The sight of her lonely form was more than Oliver could bear any longer, he wanted to rush to her, hold her, let Chloe know she wasn't as alone as she felt, but Chloe was like a frightened cat if he moved to fast she would run. Brush him off and walk out the door. He had to movie slowly, Chloe had barely talked in the last week and a half. She just went to work, helped Clark, tried to put up with her cousin, but from what knew they had some fight about Clark and secret identities. Nothing too big, just big enough for the two normal close cousins not to be on talking terms.

Chloe was starting to push those close to her away, Oliver knew the feeling all to well. He use to do the same thing, those feelings were born out of fear. The Chloe Sullivan he knew was fearless and he wanted the feisty, snarky, fearless blonde he fell in love with back.

"Aren't you normally the one to break the awkward silence?" Oliver said hoping that she heard him, and trying to lighten the mood.

"Huh…What..." Chloe mumbled leaving the trance she seem to be in. "Ollie? I didn't see you come in. How long have you been standing there?"

"Not as long as you've been standing there. Chloe, I know you miss her, but you shouldn't do this to yourself. It's not good for you or the baby." He finally gave into his urge to hold her, but Chloe pulled away turning her around to face him.

"And why shouldn't I? She's gone Oliver, she left, I wasn't strong enough to protect her." Her tone was soft and it sounded like she was about to cry.

"You can't blame yourself for your mothers decision Chloe." He tried to comfort her putting both his hands on her shoulders squeezing softly and messaging them.

"Yes I can. I played guardian and sidekick to Clark then I found out Lex was using my mother. From that moment on everything I've done has been to save her and protect her. I thought we would be a family again, but I'm not the hero I thought I was. I failed her." Chloe turned finally giving into Oliver's attempts at making her feel better and hugged his torso laying her her head on his chest.

"Listen to me." Oliver pulled back putting a hand under her chin and making her look him in the eye. "Your mother did what she thought was best to protect the one person in the world she loves the most."

"Speaking from experience Mr. Queen?" There it was that subtle humor he fell in love with. His one man mission to make her happy wasn't finished but he was making progress.

"Something like that Ms. Sullivan. You know You're not alone, Chloe you got me."He leaned in taking her lips in a small soothing kiss.

As usual Chloe wrapped her arms around his neck and allowed him to lift her up as her legs followed the path of her arms and wrapped themselves around his toned body. Oliver moved them to the couch laying her down gently and then taking off his shirt before kissing her again. This was the farthest they had gotten since that night.

Chloe's hand tangled in his hair as his lips made there way from her own and traveled down her chin to her collarbone and lower. Oliver helped her shrug off the blouse she was wearing and as it hit the floor he paused like realization about something important was dawning on him.

"If this is going where I think it's going, you're going to be late for work?" He grinned that boyish grin causing Chloe to roll her eyes.

She didn't reply to the inquiry just pulled him back to her moaning when he pressed his body into hers. Chloe let his hands roam her body removing her clothes as they did. The feel of his touch was always immobilizing to her and she could see the love and affection behind the act in Oliver's hungry dark gaze.

He loved her more then Oliver ever thought was possible. He kissed his way down the space between her breasts and her abdomen stopping to kiss the top of the baby bump that was starting to show. Their eyes locked causing both of the young lovers to smile and Chloe to pull him back up her body kissing him again.

"I love you, Archer." Chloe broke the kiss whispering softly the feeling they were both showing one another.

"I love you too, Professor." Oliver returned the declaration of love using his favorite nickname for her and went back to proving just what he said.

"Aquaman to Cyborg." Author Curry said into the small communication device.

"Why do you always contact him first?" It wasn't the one he called but it would do.

"Because Impulse, with him I get answers to my questions. Not stupid fish jokes…most of the time." He answered the question demanding the younger hero to get there cybernetic teammate.

"Fine, here he is." Bart handed the com-link to victor.

"Cyborg here, what can I do for you?" Victor spoke into the com-link.

"What do you know about somewhere called Reeves damn?" A.C asked the question just as he opened a trapped door into the old water facility. He knew he should have told the team about what he was doing. But the boss was distracted and the other two were on a well deserved week off in Mexico.

"I know its a Lexcorpe. Property and that it's near Smallville. Aren't you supposed to be taking a vacation. What are you doing in Kansas, bossman is keeping an eye out that way." Victor quirked an eyebrow in curiosity at the aquatic hero.

"I was following a lead and I was right." This was wrong, experimenting on people, was the only thought going through his mind as he walked into one of many labs in the hidden facility to see a body laying on a table and read the file on the clipboard hanging at the end of the bed. "Besides Arrow has his hands full right now."

"Your right about that." He heard Bart in the background from the other side of the comlink.

"Our boss' person life aside, what did you fined Aquaman?" He was in full hero mode now.

"More than I thought I would. But I should get out of here before they find me. I'll see you boys in a few days." With that he cut communication and grabbed all the files the team would need to take down the facility before escaping without a trace.

"SULLIVAN..." The new editor said her name loudly as Chloe entered his office. "You're late again."

"Well sir, the only excuse I have is traffic." Chloe smiled putting her hands up and shrugging her shoulders.

"Well, its good your one of Daily Planet's rising stars and my favorite blonde reporter otherwise I might just have to fire you." The man smiled motioning for her to sit down in one of the leather chairs in front of his large desk.

"I hope not sir I can…" She put her finger up intent on defending herself, though the real reason she was late was not traffic but a tall blonde billionaire who couldn't keep his hands to himself. That was the third time this week she was late thanks to Oliver.

"Don't worry Sullivan, I didn't call you up here to fire you and please call me Grant, sir makes me feel like my father. I called you here because I want to give you a promotion."This was not going how she thought it was.

"You do? But..." He cut her off and waved his hand telling her she had nothing to worry about.

"But nothing you know your stuff. I've been noticing you've been spending a lot of time out of the office." Grant said not letting her finish her sentence yet again.

"Yes actually I…" Why couldn't he let her finish a anything she was saying, this was starting to infuriate Chloe.

"That shows me you're beyond the basement. Your last article was riveting I love your views on heroes. But I think it's time you changed gears." He rested his chin on his knuckles looking at her like he was about to give her an opportunity of a life time.

"Changed gears?" Chloe furrowed her brawl in confusion and curiosity. "How so sir?"

"Well I think you should…" She was listening intently, but the editor stopped what he was telling her at the sight of his office door opening and a tall brunette woman strutting through it.

"Lois..What are you doing here?" Chloe asked getting out of the chair and going over to her cousin. "I know you're mad at me right now, but can't we talk about this later."

"Don't worry Chlo I'm not here to ruin your career or anything." Lois hugged the petite blonde reassuring her everything was fine.

"Then please explain yourself Ms." Grant cut in feeling a bit ignored.

"Lane, Lois Lane." Side stepping Chloe the older of the two cousins took out a paper from her bag. "And I'm here to make you print a retraction of this article. It's unfair and bias, whoever wrote this knows nothing about Senator Kent or the meaning of integrity."

He didn't respond to her verbally just took the paper overlooking the article and looked back to Lois and then handed the paper to Chloe.

"What do you think Sullivan? Do you agree with Ms. Lane here?" Chloe did as the editor had done and skimmed the offending article.

"I'm sorry, but if I told you what I thought about this shabby pathetic excuse for an article my opinion would be nothing but bias." She handed it back to him and then handed her soon to be ex-boss another paper. "She's my cousin and the senator is my best friend's mother."

"Oh. You've been holding out on me." Grant smiled this was perfect for what he had in mind for the young reporter, oh wait maybe not. "Hey, what is this?"

"My resignation Mr. Gabriel," Chloe answered saying the words she thought she would never say, but it was time to leave. Her life had beyond the Daily Planet.

"But…" It was her turn to verbally cut him off.

"I didn't come here because you called me up here. I came here to quit." She didn't stutter as the words left her mouth.

"Quit?" Both Grant and Lois said simultaneously.

"But The Planet has always been your dream, Chlo." Lois tried to stop her from leaving.

"What she said and I was about to give you a promotion. You can't quit on me now Sullivan." Grant added to the effort.

"I'm not quitting. I'm…How do I say this…Moving on. Now if you will let go of my arm Lo I have a work space to clean out." With that she turned to leave.

"Wait, I'll raise your salary." Maybe if he buttered her up she wouldn't leave. "Where am I going to find another reporter like you?"

"If you're that desperate, look to your right." Just as she said Grant looked to Lois and vice versa.

"You're a reporter?" He asked hopeful.

"I dapple" Chloe heard her cousin say just before the elevator doors closed.

She was free now of her work, not all of it. Chloe was a writer it was in her blood, she would never stop writing. But she was right when she told them it was time to move on. The kind of life she was about to lead had no room for a 9 to 5 job. And it wasn't like money was an issue, not that she was going to rely on Oliver. But she wasn't the poor struggling college student she once was.

However, if she ever told Clark how she earned the money currently stashed in an undisclosed location then he might give her a lecture about gambling. But a sure thing was never a crime, how did he think she paid for college in the first place? Oliver would understand, not that she was going to tell him. Money had never been an issue and wouldn't be one now. In truth she had earned most of it from journalism, but Chloe just doubled the amount she had saved up and then doubled it again. Now just to tell Oliver, what was he going to say?

"I bought sandwiches from the deli and I got your favorite." Chloe said setting the bags on the desk and starting to get out the food when she paused at seeing Oliver staring contemplative into the distance. "Hey I thought we were done with the brooding. Or do I have to return the favor and distract you from whatever it is that's got you in Clark mode."

Chloe placed her arms around his neck and he gave into her embrace. How was he going to tell her about what the boys found and that he was going to have to leave. It wasn't fair, Oliver knew he wouldn't be away for too long. But he was going to have to make trips out of town. He would ask her to come with him but her life was here and it wasn't fair to ask her to leave a stable life to go gallivanting around the world especially when one was pregnant. What were they going to do?

AN: Almost to a hundred reviews, Yay! But there's more reasons to writing a fanfic then just for reviews…LOL! Sorry I haven't replied to the most recent reviews. My e-mail is acting funky but I promise to everyone that reviews I will reply to you. Thanks for reading and holding on this long. Only like 5 more chapters and this fic will be done.