Author' notes :

It's been a long while since I wrote fanfictions. I was still around, but reading more than writing. Last year was difficult for all sort of reasons, not just the global wake-up-call we got. I survived it diving back into Smallville and fanfics' world. This is my way to thank all the wonderful authors, here and on AO3, whose stories helped me through a very difficult time. From the bottom of my heart, thank you so very much. You have no idea how much I owe you.

Now, some context. I mostly write AU stories. And I rearrange the show timeline to suit my needs, as well as the characters' backstories, and probably their personalities as well. The story focuses mostly on Chloe and Oliver (obviously), but others make an appearance.

Oliver never went to Metropolis, never dated Tess, nor Lois. Overall, Lex is not a bad guy. Some might even call him, well maybe not nice, but definitely cool. You have to thank the amazing Michael Rosenbaum for that.

Some characters are my own, the rest belong to CW, Alfred Gough, Miles Millar, and the wonderful actors who portrayed them for ten years.

You will notice the influence of others' works here and there. I mean it as a compliment, always.

The story is finished. I wanted to complete it before posting. Also, it's quite long.

No beta. All mistakes are my own. Enjoy, and thanks for reading.


Oliver padded toward the glass doors, barefoot. Uncapping a water bottle, he chugged down half of its content and exhaled slowly. It'd been a weird day. Hell, make that a weird week. One moment he was in Copenhagen, discussing transatlantic logistics with Maersk, and the next, the board called him back to the States to strengthen up the mess with Metron Pharmaceuticals.

Not for the first time, he wondered if the old crows had defied his father as much as they did him. He would never measure up to Robert Queen in their eyes. Maybe the problem was he knew he would never measure up to his father in his own eyes, too. With another sigh, Oliver pushed the thought aside and stretched. His shoulders rolled with a satisfying little pop. He should have stayed in Kansas. At least get a decent night of sleep before flight-jump to California. But then, Hal had showed up at the penthouse he used when he was in Metropolis…

"Ollie."

The blonde man spun. His head kick bounced on a glowing shield. The backlash almost sent him tumbling down. Oliver glared. "Can't you use the door like a normal person? I nearly beheaded you!"

"Sure you did."

Oliver ignored the snickering and bent to grab his shirt on the floor before he headed back inside. Behind him, Hal's Green Lantern suit shimmered in the night lights of Metropolis. His mask vanished, but he kept the costume on.

Oliver wiped his torso and face with a towel before he slipped the shirt on. "What are you doing here?"

"What, no 'Hey, it's been a while, I am glad to see you, let's hang out?' I am hurt."

"Hi Hal, I've been in meetings, or planes, or both at the same time for the past 24h. I am really glad to see you but all I dream about is to pass out on a bed and not come up for a week. So, what's up?"

His best friend's eyes studied him for a moment, no doubt taking in the bloodshot eyes, the tired dimple around his mouth, and tensed posture. "You're right. This is not a social call. There's a problem in California."

And so they went.

Oliver stepped onto the balcony. With the moon set, so high above the city, the space was plunged in darkness. In contrast, the world at his feet glittered. The ocean in the background reflected Star City's lights, as if billions of tiny diamonds had fallen down from the sky to float on the ever-moving surface. The overall effect was eerie and calming all at once. He breathed in the fresh air, willing the exhaustion away. Oliver grabbed his head in both hands to press his palms to the sides of his head, stretching again. His system was still on European time. He should head to bed, try to snooze for a couple of hours to be at least functional in the morning. His mind wouldn't let him.

Blast the board for overruling him and then expecting him to fix every single one of their mistakes afterward with the blink of an eye. Blast Lionel and his twisted quest for power.

'There's a problem in California.' Blast Hal and his blasted flair for dramatics. And blast him for falling for all of it. He hadn't even asked. He had just grabbed the phone, left a message to his EA that he was heading back to the west coast ahead of schedule and that Ferris Aircraft had arranged for a private flight for him.

"Oliver?"

"Outside."

Hal joined in him four strides, this time dressed like himself in sweat pants and a tank top. He had a box of Kellogg's in his hand and munched happily on dry cereals. Oliver crooked an eyebrow.

"I have Mini Wheats?"

"Good things happen when you lend your penthouse for your best friend' sister. She does the marketing with three kids under six in tow." His friend offered the blue box of little cereal squares. Those were filled with chocolate, apparently. "Want some?"

"Huh, no thanks."

Oliver brought his bottle to his mouth for a sip. Neither man said anything for a moment, one munching happily, the other pondering why he'd been brought back in a hurry. Finally, Hal said, "Lex came to see me in Coast City yesterday."

Oliver sputtered, "Lex? As in Luthor? That Lex?"

Their relation with the youngest Luthor was rickety most of the times. The best thing Oliver could say about the man was that he didn't stand in their way. If it suited his own agenda, he even passed along information, generally through Hal, whom he seemed to tolerate more than any other member of what he'd dubbed the 'ragtag of starry-eyed fools'. As if vigilantes were members of some justice society.

"Yes," Hal answered.

"Why? What did he want?"

He took another swig of his water.

"He wants your help."

The liquid went down the wrong pipe, and Oliver doubled over. Hal slapped him hard in a back laughing. "You still can't hold your drinks."

The snort worsened the coughing fit. "Garg— Huh— St—stop hit—ting… me, Mmmm… I'm fine." Oliver took a tentative breath, wiped his nose with the back of his hand. "I'm fine. You better explain why Lex Luthor is asking us for help."

"Not our help. Yours. I don't have all the details. He just told me he needed you in Star City as soon as possible."

"Then why the hell didn't he call me directly? Or came to see me? I was right there as he full well knew since LuthorCorp is pawing off their mess to me!"

Hal cocked his head to the side without a word.

"Right. Fine. I cheated on his sister." Hal rolled his eyes. Or Oliver thought he did. "But it's not like we were planning to live happy-ever-after. Lena forgave me."

Sort of. After he had called in several favors he was sure to regret at some point to stonewall some developers to move forward with their project for an empty piece of land on the beachside, and pushed even more buttons to buy them out. Then there was the small matter of convincing Queen Industries' board to sponsor Luthorcorp' solar energy pet project in Metropolis, and that deal with Metron Pharmaceuticals… Overall, the breakup had cost him close to twenty-four millions.

"I don't think Lena is the only thing fueling your little pissing contest with Lex," Hal pointed out. "Anyway. He seemed agitated. So expect a visit soon."

"Lex is never agitated."

"Yesterday he was." Hal paused, his eyes fixed on the dark velvet of the sky. In the city, it was impossible to see the stars. That's the only thing Oliver missed from his unplanned vacation in the Pacific. "At least this time try to get information before antagonizing him, will you? I have a bad feeling about this."

Oliver concurred. Whatever rattled a Luthor could not be good news.

Lex showed up two days later.

"Please hold my calls, Mark."

"Yes Sir."

Lex crooked an eyebrow as Oliver closed the door of his office. "Male EA?"

"Less drama. And the HR actually liked the idea, progressive image and all that."

Oliver hesitated. Hal was right. Something wasn't right. Lex had been in for two minutes, and was yet to make a comment especially designed to annoy him. Well, if the young Luthor could be civil, so could he.

Oliver walked to the mini-fridge in the corner and pulled out two bottles of water. He handed one to his visitor before he leaned a hip against his desk, waiting. Lex uncapped his bottle and took a long pull without a word. "What brings you to my neck of the woods, Lex?"

There was no point in dwelling. If he hadn't known the other man so well, Oliver would have sworn he was stalling.

Lex stood to walk to the window, hands locked behind his back. "A friend of mine is relocating here. Living in Metropolis is... unhealthy for her."

"Her?" Oliver couldn't help the smirk. "Who is she? Friend? Lover? What would doe-eyed Ariane say if she knew?"

Lex glared but refused to take the bait. Oliver wanted to keep annoying the man, but he didn't. Maybe seeing his frenemy ill-at-ease was getting to him too. Normally he would needle Lex until the other man lost patience.

Oliver crossed his arms over his chest. "You told Hal you needed my help. We both know you wouldn't be here if you had a choice. So why don't you tell me what you want from me, and be done with it?"

Lex pinched his lips. "She… That girl is a magnet for trouble. She can't stay in Metropolis or the Blur…" Lex trailed off.

"What about him? All I know is that he zips through the city and is apparently impervious to bullets," Oliver interrupted with a hint of envy. "Unless your mysterious girlfriend's a baddie, she has nothing to fear from your Doddley-do-Good."

"She's not my girlfriend. Quit it. I'm serious."

The bald man met Oliver's curious glance dead on for the first time since he'd walked in. Oliver nodded for him to go on.

"Keep an eye on her. Stop her from getting the wrong kind of attention."

The question was obvious, yet it needed to be asked. "Why me?"

"Star City is your turf. I pulled some strings to get her settled, but I cannot do anything else. She must not be associated with me in any way. All I am asking is that you make sure she's all right, and keep her out of trouble. That girl has no sense of self-preservation."

That made Oliver even more curious. But of course Lex was not going to answer his questions. He never did. Drat the Luthors and their games. "Do I at least get a name?"

Lex stared for a second longer then bowed his head slightly, as much as a thank-you he would ever get from the man. "Dorothy Gale."