Chloe cringed as Oliver guided her past the long line of bleary-eyed tourists and envious locals who awaited the next available agent at the customs.
They'd cleared their entry paperwork aboard Oliver's plane, then been ushered toward a discreet counter normally reserved for diplomats to pick up their visas. Now, Oliver was marching toward one of the car rental' agency, almost unaware of the jealous and/or hungry looks following them. Well, him. Chloe did feel the prick in her back but Oliver's firm hand forbad any hint at hunching to make herself a somewhat smaller target.
The car rental office was half-full. One glance when they entered had a young man jumped off his seat to escort them to a small room, where he offered coffee, tea, pastries and a panel of elegant sports cars. Chloe wondered if Oliver's EA had made some arrangements ahead of time, or if everyone knew him on sight no matter where he was in the world. For the first time, she realized she pitied him if that was the case.
"Teşekkürler. Thank you. But we need something a bit more versatile. And discreet."
The request puzzled the poor man. "Versatile?"
"And discreet," Oliver repeated with an encouraging smile.
Chloe admitted she was as surprised by the request as their help.
"I… We have SUVs… But they are small… And not new…"
The man flipped nervously through his catalogue, until Oliver spoke, "That one will do just fine."
Chloe startled. The car he'd selected looked like a two doors miniature jeep as square as a Lego block. It was sturdy, anonymous, and, like the man had said, clearly showed some mileage. She returned her attention toward Oliver who seemed unconcerned with the frazzled looks the clerk shot in his direction and simply sat in his chair with one hand tapping his knee lightly, the other on the back of her chair so he could play with her hair. She didn't blame the clerk for his chagrined expression. The SUV actually looked like something she would have chosen.
"We would like to be on our way quickly, it's late already…"
"Of course Bay Queen. If you give me one instant, I will fill the documents."
"Great. Thank you."
Chloe stopped listening as the two men chatter about insurance, signs and roadways. Now he was sure he was not the butt of some billionaire's absurd joke, the clerk beamed like a loon.
She leaned back in her seat to watch outside the small office into the arrival hall. People milled or rushed about, looking for loved ones, or in quest for directions to continue their journey. Travelling with Oliver was an extraterrestrial experience, she decided. One of those things you dreamed about in the bleak midwinter while praying your car would survive until Spring and fearing the next electricity bill.
"Chloe?"
"Yes, right here."
She nodded politely to the other man and smiled at Oliver who was holding the door for her. His ingrained good manners were yet another thing she'd have to get used to.
"Thank you."
They stepped outside the building into the balmy air of a May evening in Izmir. Oliver stood on the sidewalk, rolling his head on his shoulders. She couldn't hold it any longer. "I am surprised you didn't go for the flashy car."
"I doubt a Lamborghini Huracan would do well if we want to roam the back country. Plus that one is named after you…"
She opened her mouth to ask when she caught sight of a green Suzuki slowing in front of them. The valet gave a timid smile to Oliver and hurried to load their luggage on the back. The name was printed in brass on the sides. "Sidekic— Oliver! That's not funny!"
He guffawed while she resisted the urge to stomp her foot. Barely. "It's a little funny. Come on, climb in, we have about an hour drive to reach the house."
"What house?" She had to stand on tiptoe to get into the elevated car. "Oliver, you didn't have to rent a full house for the two of us, a hotel would have done just fin—"
"Let's make a deal, Chloe."
She felt the look he pinned her with down to her toes. Her mouth felt very dry all a sudden. Chloe wet her lips, nodding for him to talk.
"You don't assume I do anything out of obligation, and I spend my money how I see fit so we are both comfortable."
She started to nod in approval then her stubborn strake kicked in. "How is that fair? You win on both accounts."
His trademark grin broke free, and Chloe regained her composure at the familiar sight. Friendly, silly Oliver she could handle. It was the smoldering, commandeering part that turned her head. "Proof that I am an excellent businessman, won't you say?"
Oliver put the car in gear and slid in the airport traffic without waiting for an answer. The exotic surroundings caught her attention so thinking clearly became a little easier.
Oliver was just being Oliver. He was used to travel in style, and could afford it. He didn't see it as a bribe or a way to affirm his power over her.
Every magic comes with a price, dearie.
Just saying thank you was not going to cover her debt. Oliver made it clear he refused to consider she owed him anything. Chloe squirmed on her seat to find a more comfortable position. How was she supposed to repay him for his generosity?
An exasperated sigh from her left jolted her out of her thoughts.
"All right, let's hear it."
"Hear what?"
"The argument you're having with yourself right now about how you'll never be able to pay me back. You take the money easily enough for Watchtower, what's so different about this?"
She pursed her lips, amazed—annoyed— he'd read her so easily.
"We're not helping people now."
"Yes, we are."
A truck fishtailed them. Oliver jerked the wheel to the right in surprise. The tires growled until he got them off the uneven shoulder and back on their lane. "Sorry."
He stared back in front of them rather than her. "We are helping you. And we are helping me, too."
Chloe cocked her head toward him at that.
"I'm tired, Chloe. QI employs thousands of people, and every single decision I make affect them. I play with the lives of others as the Green Arrow, too. Both are needed and I can't quit either job. And when I'm not here nor there, my name requires that I go and show my face to every single stupid social event that exists. That's work too, at least for me. All in all, I haven't stopped in the past five years. So this…" He waved at the bizarre arrangement of ultramodern buildings and old painted houses with their burnt-red roofs. "This is a real treat."
Disquiet chased uneasiness around in the pit of her stomach. She pouted. "Are you trying to guilt-trip me for each time I've asked you to take an extra turn at patrol? Because it's effective."
Oliver chuckled. "No. I'm trying to tell you that I'm going to spoil you and you're going to let me."
"Why?"
Why spoiling me?
"Because I want to, you don't and that makes it even more fun."
If he hadn't been driving, she would have shoved him just for that stupid smirk. "You're terrible."
"You like me anyway."
"Says who?"
"Your cousin, for one. And the smile which is fighting to show… Ah! Here it is…"
Chloe tried to scowl but Oliver's antics made it impossible. She was smiling, giggling even, God help her. As much as she wanted to scold him, his good humor was infectious. Chloe rolled her eyes.
"You realize I'm probably gonna be an emotional mess in less than two days, right?"
"Then I'll fly us to Italy. We'll hole up in the villa I own near Capua. I'll teach you how to shoot the long bow and you'll show me how to count cards."
Chloe hooted a laugh. "I don't know what to address first, the fact you would trust me with your favorite toy, or that you know that I know how to rig a card game."
"You do?" Oliver gaped at her. "I thought Lois was exaggerating!"
She grinned like the Cheshire Cat. Then a blue gemstone caught her attention and she forgot all about retorting Lois never exaggerate when it came to her.
"Oh… It looks like a postcard…"
"Yes, it does… I've never been to this part of Turkey before. It's nice."
Nice was too bland a word for the sultry spectacle in front of her eyes. With the sun gone, night was finally claiming back the sky in a rainbow ranging from soft pastel to the deepest indigo. The land dipped a toe in the water which reflected the darkening sky. Chloe squinted to better see a couple of ships anchored in the bay like two white pelicans.
Then the view played peek-a-boo with the windshield and disappeared behind a small hill, so she returned her attention to the man next to her. Oliver's half-smile could have been for the landscape, or the bubbling pleasure she took from it. Chloe smiled softly to herself. She could allow some pampering if it helped him relax and enjoy himself. As long as it stayed within reason.
Daylight faded completely so he had to flip the lights on. Finally, jetlag settled in.
Chloe covered her mouth with one hand. Oliver yawned in turn with a grimace. "Don't do that… It's contagious…"
"Sorry. Are we there yet?"
"Not sure. Half an hour maybe? I have the address on my phone, if you can activate the GPS." He handed her the contraption without looking. "The code is 2807."
"2807, okay."
The screen lit up to a dozen text messages and three missed calls, all from her cousin. Chloe frowned. "Lois is trying to reach you."
Her brows knit further when Oliver blew out air through his nostrils with what sounded very much with a curse. "Call her back, Chloe. She's probably panicking because you didn't call her the minute we landed and she won't leave us alone until she's sure I haven't lost you somehow."
"All right."
She dialed and put the phone on speakers. Lois picked up on the first ring.
"About time you call back, Queen! Put my cousin on."
"Lois what's wrong?"
"Chloe! I've been trying to reach you for hours. When I told you to get it on with Ollie, I didn't mean to stop answering your phone!"
Chloe chanced a glimpse at Oliver's face in the mirror, her cheeks burning. He'd lost that amused expression he had on earlier and stared at the road intently. Wonderful.
"Lois!" She hissed, hoping against all hope her cousin took the hint and moved on.
"Your contact at the MMA called. Hall will be at the Isis exhibition gala next week."
"Really? When?"
She winced at the shrill in her own voice. Oliver's knuckles wrapped around the wheel regained some colors.
"I don't know. Prof is to email you the details."
"All right… Thanks, Lois."
"You're welcome, lil' cuz. Since we're at it, Oliver, you should tell your friend to keep his lips to himself."
Chloe rubbed a hand over her forehead. "What now…"
"We were walking back to Tess' place the other night, and by the way really what does a girl have to do to get a cab at two in the morning? Walking in heels is Hell. Anyway as I was saying, we were walking home and a couple of idiots tried to get frisky. I was handling it but Hal crashed their party dressed as the Green Arrow. All fine and dandy until he decided to grab Tess and kissed her stupid in the middle of the street."
"It must have been some kiss…" Chloe muttered.
She glanced at Oliver. His mouth was twitching, as if he was trying not to laugh.
"I say. Tess was weird the whole day after."
"Thanks for letting us know, Lois. And for the heads-up. I'll call you soon, okay?"
"Sure thing. Oh and don't forget about—"
Chloe disconnected the call without letting Lois finished whatever inappropriate remark she was going for. Oliver's hand on her knee gave her a jolt.
"Tess is the only one of our friends out of the loop. It would be easier all around if she knew."
"Clark will have a fit."
"Clark will get over it."
Oliver returned his hand to the wheel. The weight of his touch lingered. "I bet you whatever you want that she'd already put two and two and ended up with Hal Jordan."
"You're taking this really well."
Oliver shrugged. "You wouldn't let Tess around Isis if you didn't trust her."
And I trust you…
Chloe stared at her companion in amazement. Oliver 2, Chloe 0.
