The Capua was only three blocks from the Queen Tower, so they decided to go on foot despite the leaden sky. The wind gave the air a fresh kick. Oliver resisted the need to arrange Chloe's pink and gold scarf around her neck. Her mood swung from flustered to annoyed to enthusiastic in the spam of a two minutes conversation. He listened while she talked about her work for the Oasis then the prospective profile of a former child actress who'd chosen to retire from the spotlights to follow in her father's footsteps.

"I've never been much into comics, but Hal and Lex are big fans."

"She's practically a pioneer in the field, Ollie! There are very few female illustrators, even less writing those things…"

Oliver smiled as she rattled names and dates and weighted the pros and cons of taking on such a legacy. He knew a bit about the pressure that came with a last name, himself.

"I can relate."

Chloe squeezed his hand in return. Oliver entwined their fingers. They walked in silence for a couple of minutes, lost in their own calm bubble. People hurried past them, anxious to finish shopping or to go home to start their holidays early. Oliver tugged her into his side just in time to save her from the stampede of four children, the father hot in pursuit.

"It'll be less chaotic in the summer."

"Oh sure… I look forward walking down three blocks when I'm so big I can't see my feet and I waddle like an ugly duck."

His mouth twitched. "The ugly duckling was a swan, I believe. Chloe…" She shook her head, inching away from him. Oliver used the hold he had on her hand to twirl her around, uncaring about them blocking the sidewalk. He lifted her face with one knuckle under her chin so that he could meet her stare. "You're beautiful now, you'll be beautiful in six months and in fifty years from now. You shine from the inside out, Chlo…"

Her green eyes glittered. Darn. He was going to make her cry. Time to lighten the mood. Oliver released her so they could close the street. "Of course, the plumage is far from hurting the eye…"

She elbowed him in the side. "Way to ruin a very sweet compliment, Queen."

"Well then. After you…"

He held the door of the restaurant open for her, amused by her bashful smile at his display of manners. Her amusement fell when she took in the upscale décor. Chloe balked.

"Oliver, I'm not dressed for this kind of place…"

Her opened coat revealed the simply wool dress he'd admired to distraction earlier. She'd coupled it with a thin leather belt and knee-high boots. The result was a casual-chic display that hint at mouthwatering curves. He pressed one hand in the small of her back, efficiently propelling her forward.

"Nonsense. You look lovely. Ciao Elena."

The mid-aged woman at the bar pivoted on her heel and looked at him from head to toe. Her perfect eyebrow crooked up. Then she cocked her head to the side and gave Chloe the same once-over. Knowing what was coming, Oliver grinned, hands up as a peace offering.

"I know. I'm too thin, I'm not coming often enough, and you're still waiting for my lasagna recipe."

"I'll believe that you can actually cook when I'll have that recipe." The brunette slanted a glance toward Chloe. "Men tend to think that chopping vegetables and grilling steaks makes them a chef."

"Grazie mille, Elena."

Oliver escorted Chloe toward his favorite spot in a quiet corner. In the spring, it opened to the back garden. At the moment, the bay windows were closed with discreet snowflakes painted at random.

"Do you want some calamari to start?"

Chloe looked distressed. Oliver shook his head. "I might have sung the praise of your bruschetta. A variety, if you please?"

"Si. And to drink?"

"May I have a San Pellegrino®?"

"Of course, bella."

"Same for me, Elena. Grazie."

The woman nodded and left with their order. Oliver pulled her chair for Chloe then sat in turn next to her. "Sorry. I should have known she would suggest seafood. I generally order those."

"It's my favorite antipasto, too, but I am not sure yet what I can eat or not…" Chloe answered with a forlorn sigh. Oliver covered her hand with his to give it a little squeeze. "I will take you to Italy so you can taste the original recipe. It's wonderful there in the fall."

"Tell me who taught you how to cook lasagna."

He offered a grissini from the basket. "We had an italian cook/housekeeper, Sabrina. The only way she could keep me out of trouble or stop sulking when my parents went out without me was to seat me in the kitchen with her. She stayed until I entered Excelsior."

He could read the question in Chloe's expressive face, so he answered before she asked. "She went back to Europe. She's taking care of the villa in Campania."

"You mean you outmaneuvered her in a luxurious retirement."

"Or she allows me to believe so."

The beautiful blonde returned his smile for a second until she flushed brick-red when she noticed he was leaning sideways to kiss her. The emergency shrill of his cell phone cut him short. Oliver straightened up. "Queen."

"Sir… Sorry Sir, it's… It's Jake. Jacob Hens, from huh… I'm work in the mail room, Sir. Mr. Henry said I had to…"

"Jake, calm down. Take a deep breath and tell me what's wrong."

Oliver frowned, answering Chloe's mute question with a shrug. On the phone, Hens was stuttering between hiccups. "There's a… I found…"

"Hens." Oliver snapped. The man calmed down instantly. "There's a dead body in the mail room."

Oliver blinked. He stared at Chloe, who was looking back in concerned puzzlement. With the phone glued to his ear, she hadn't heard a word but he guessed his poker face needed work. She opened her mouth and closed it as soon as he lifted one finger.

"I'll there in ten minutes."

Oliver shut down the communication. Chloe was folding her table cloth by her untouched cutlery, her eyes sober and boring into his.

"You—"

"I can either come with you OR stay here by myself and make the front page. Do you need a sidekick or do you need a cover for whatever is happening at Queen Industry?"

Oliver looped one arm around her waist and hauled her out of her seat at the same time he pressed a kiss on her delicious mouth. "I don't know yet. So we're both going."

Elena was coming back with their drinks and finger food. She took one look at them and sighed. "Delivery?"

"Yes. I'm sorry about that Elena. It's an emergency. Just… Surprise us, all right?"

"Si. Let's say… Two hours?"

He sensed the other woman was slightly amused, as if she suspected the emergency had more to do with the kiss she'd interrupted rather than anything else. Oliver allowed his hand to slip a couple of inches down Chloe back, flirting dangerously with her bottom. She bit her lip, caught between annoyance and embarrassment. More to him to make up to.

"Two hours. Put everything on my tab."

"Of course."

Oliver nodded and walked with Chloe toward the exit. Curious eyes (and ears) strained on them. She leaned into his shoulder when he signaled for a cab. "I've sent a text to Barbara. You better call her."

"I will when I know exactly what's going on."

"What do you know?"

"Not here." The driver was staring back and forth between the fifty dollars bill and the couple on his backseat. Oliver pushed it into his hand. "Just get us to Queen Tower. Fast."

"Yes, Sir."

He leaned back into the seat and wrapped one arm around Chloe's shoulder, turning his face so that his face was hidden from the front seat. "A surprise is waiting in the mailroom at QI."

Her thumb found his knee, brushed over it lightly. "What kind of surprise?"

"One which is better suited for Halloween that Christmas."

Her finger missed a bit in her back and forth while she processed the information. "Should I call Clark?"

Oliver gritted his teeth. Ever since she'd reconnected with her past, it seemed that her first reflex was to rely on Clark when things went haywire. He'd handled his business—both of them— for years without super-help. "Oliver?"

"I want you to go up, get your laptop, and get out. I'll let you know if I need more help."

Chloe narrowed her eyes on him. He immediately felt petty and childish. He was letting his ego clouded his judgement. The mail was dispatched twice during the day, once early in the morning and a second time in the afternoon. He had a corpse in the basement of Queen Industries. What if there was more surprises than that scattered all over the building? The Blur could see through walls

"Do as I say, Sidekick. Please." He caught her hand on his knee in a tight grip, which she returned just as fiercely. He prayed she understood what he couldn't say out loud. I need you to be safe. "I'll call Clark."

"We're here, Sir."

"Thank you." Oliver exited the taxi first, then helped Chloe out of the car. "Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones."

"And you, Sir. Ma'am."

The esplanade in front of Queen Industries headquarters was empty. Either the police were still navigating the Friday afternoon traffic, or Henry had managed to get hold of Detective Jones and they had things under wraps, for now.

Oliver braced himself and escorted Chloe inside the building.