Chapter Two: Sentinel

Metropolis Plaza Hotel, The Skye Room…

Bruce Wayne had been aware from the minute he'd met Lois Lane that she wasn't the girl for him. It didn't make saying goodbye to her any easier, though. And Bruce, being someone who didn't bond so quickly, was surprised at how fast Lois had become a friend. It made Lois an interesting companion, and a comfortable one, because she wasn't constantly sizing up her left ring finger for a diamond ring or trying out the sound of the name 'Wayne' with her first name. Maybe, it was the fact that she talked about Clark…a lot. It could additionally be that when she did talk about Clark, Lois wasn't aware how often she was talking about him. They were dancing now, at the restaurant atop the Metropolis Plaza. The wide windows looked out onto Centennial Park, which was still white with leftover snow. Lois sighed in his arms, looking out onto the cityscape and then gazed at Bruce with a thoughtful expression.

"Gotham City isn't quite so pretty as Metropolis, is it?" Her observation made Bruce chuckle. In the muted light of the supper club, Lois was spectacularly radiant. Admiring Lois was never a problem for Bruce, and he might have been tempted to let his imagination get the best of him. Her long hair was up, exposing her long neck, and her black dress was elegant and revealed just enough to make every man in the room look twice at her. Lois was looking out the window, her gold-hazel eyes sad, letting Bruce lead them in the dance, her mind elsewhere.

""No, but it's an older city, too. Metropolis is newer, more optimistic." Bruce replied, and Lois smiled politely. "Gotham City has been there since the Dutch landed. Everything is old."

"Maybe." She tipped her head and looked at him. "Do you really have to go back so soon?"

"I do. I can't be away so long. I know Oliver has made himself mobile, but I'm not so lucky." Bruce told her. "But, Oliver and I closed the satellite deal, so you can come to Gotham with Mr. Queen and your cousin for the big deal closing festivities. You've done a pretty good job on my arm the last few days. I think I can trust you in Gotham City." He teased her a little, and her smile widened slightly.

"I'd like that." Lois agreed and then thought a moment. "Is Clark invited?" Bruce pretended to give this some thought, finally shaking his head slowly.

"Not unless he's on the board of directors of Queen Industries or Wayne Enterprises. Or part of the team of lawyers who were totally unnecessary, but on retainer." His answer seemed to cheer her a little, and Bruce added, "That's not a problem, is it?"

"No, not at all. Well, then I'd be glad to go." Lois tipped her chin at Bruce flirtatiously. "But isn't there some debutante or supermodel who will be upset that you're blocking up your time with me?"

"Maybe." The music ended, leaving polite applause in it's wake. "My friends take priority." Bruce smiled down at Lois. "Why not spread some of that charm on the right guy, Lois?" The orchestra immediately began a new song, and Bruce and Lois stayed on the dance floor.

"Right guy?" Lois asked, and Bruce nodded solemnly. "Who do you mean?"

Bruce grinned. "I'm a realist enough to know that I'm not really who you're interested in. The actual guy is about six feet, 4 inches tall, black hair, lives on a farm…"

"Clark? Yeah, right." Lois scoffed, and Bruce led her from the dance floor and to the windows. "He's busy with Diana." Lois turned to look out the window, looking up at the darkening sky. "What she sees in him, I don't know."

Bruce nodded, reading Lois' face and seeing what her words did not say. "You don't see the attraction? If nothing else, they are both extremely good-looking people. Most times, that's all it takes, but they also have a lot in common. I know they say opposites attract, but people aren't magnets, even if relationships most times work that same way."

"Yes." Lois admitted grudgingly. "I suppose…"

"So, for you and I, left out of that little loop, we get to sit back and watch." Bruce smiled. "Waiting for the magnet to swing around again and find it's opposite pole." Without meaning to, Bruce let a bit of his façade slip, and Lois studied him carefully, taking in a deep breath as her face lit with realization.

"You have a thing for Diana?" Lois whispered, amused. "You do!"

Bruce shook his head. "Not the point. We were talking about you and Clark."

"Yes, it is." Lois grinned, and she playfully poked Bruce's chest. "It is exactly the point." The billionaire looked at Lois in shock, and then laughed, shaking his head. "You are only bringing up Clark so the field for Diana is clear."

"I'd like to know how you figured me out so fast." Bruce wondered, and Lois just grinned more widely.

"It's a gift. Now, come on and dance with me some more." Lois dragged Bruce back to the dance floor.

Kent Farm – Smallville….

"You really want to help Oliver in this quest of his." Diana said, holding a steaming mug of hot chocolate in her hands, watching Clark as he stirred the contents of his cup thoughtfully. They had indeed been arguing since the meeting ended earlier that evening, but had settled into a quiet discussion of the issues instead. "As misguided as it might be."

"It's not misguided, Diana. What Lex is doing in his lab is wrong." Clark shook his head. "Helping Oliver with this is really about helping the people being held against their will."

"This is why I fail to understand why you, Bruce and Oliver are against a global effort!" Diana set her mug down. "Are the people suffering under vicious circumstances in all around the world beneath your notice? Only what happens in Metropolis, Gotham City and Star City matters?"

"I told you, you're being unfair to all of us, Diana. We're not gods." Clark got up and let Shelby into the house. The dog ran to Diana and dropped at her feet. "Thanks, you traitor." Clark said to Shelby, who simply thumped his tail on the floor twice and then settled into sleep.

"Not gods." Diana rolled her eyes. "As close then as your world has to them. Don't you see it, Clark? All the things you can do…there is a larger purpose for them than standing sentinel over Metropolis! Bruce and Oliver are mortals, but look at what they have done, how far they push their limits to the extreme to be more than just men. Surely that kind of strength of purpose means more for them than being vigilantes on the border of the law in their cities! There is a reason we have all finally started to seek each other out. It cannot possibly be an accident."

"Divine intervention, Diana?" Clark shook his head, cutting into a pie his mother had left for him. "A destiny already planned for us?"

"Yes." She said, standing. "You told me your Kryptonian father had plans for you…"

"Plans that I need to devote myself to training to be ready for." Clark said, handing Diana a plate. "Even if I thought J'onn's ideas were brilliant, I'm not even ready to handle Metropolis on my own. So, I'll have to do what I can in the meantime."

Diana looked down at the pie on her plate and sighed. "I hope you will someday see that it's not enough. That there is more to be done…." She placed the plate on the counter with a small clink and pushed it away.

"Yes, someday, I'll be able to do more." Clark nodded. "This has to be enough right now, Diana. I care about the people in the world that need help." He took her hand in his. "I do."

Their eyes met and Diana smiled, squeezing Clark's hand. "So, about this 33.1, what else is there to know about it?"

"You know what I know." Clark told her. "Chloe discovered it, and it seemed to disappear, but it's not gone. Just moved. Oliver's satellites found something on land owned by Luthorcorp, but there's something down there keeping the satellites from getting a clear picture. It's as if Lex knew someone would be looking for him eventually. Oliver has the coordinates, though."

"Well, then, identifying the exact facility is crucial." Diana nodded. "If it's being hidden in a hospital or a university, innocent civilians could be injured."

"Exactly." Clark said, picking at the food on his plate. "The last location was in an office building. Full of innocent people. "

"So a hospital or university wouldn't be much of a leap." Diana looked at Clark, her blue eyes glinting. "I find it incredible that even in this enlightened day and age men still think nothing of destroying that which needs protecting to shield themselves." She pushed a hand into her pocket, and Clark thought again of the thin golden rope Diana had used to help stop the bank robbers the night of Bruce's party. "We must speak to Oliver and Bruce at once."

"You call Bruce, I'll call Oliver." Clark opened his cell phone as Diana pulled hers from her pocket. "We'll need to get hold of the others, too."

Sullivan-Queen Residence, Queen Industries Tower – Metropolis….

Oliver hung up his phone and stared at Chloe. "That was Clark. He said Diana wants to be involved in shutting 33.1 down. They're on their way." He ran his hands through his hair and exhaled. "Wow…"

Chloe, nodded, scooping up the Scrabble tiles and dropped them in the red velveteen bag. "When will they be here?"

"Any minute. Diana had called Bruce while Clark and I were talking to each other. I'd better call Hal." Oliver stood, picked up the phone again and sighed. "Sorry, Goldilocks. We were trying to break that tie, too." He looked down regretfully at the Scrabble board. "The Scrabble grudge match of the new year.."

"No reason to be sorry." Chloe told Oliver sincerely. "This is important, and it's not like I don't live here. We can play the tie breaker game another time." She finished putting the game in it's box. "Do you want me to leave for awhile?"

"I don't, but Bruce and Diana might feel more comfortable." Oliver said, as a soft knock came at the glass door of the balcony. Clark and Diana stood there, smiling, as if they'd come for a normal visit by the front door. "Or, Diana may not care." Oliver laughed, waving them in. "It's open."

"Hey." Clark said, sliding the door open. "You really need to keep this locked." Genuine concern washed over Clark's face. "This isn't the country…"

"I'll remember to do that from now on. Never considered locking a balcony door on the top of a sky scraper a priority. " Oliver quipped, dialing Hal's cell phone number. "Make yourselves at home..."

Clark nodded, and opened the door the rest of the way for Diana. He grinned at Chloe, slightly embarrassed. "Hey, Chloe."

"Hey, Clark." Chloe grinned, folding her arms over her chest. "Hi, Diana. I was going to leave to preserve your privacy, but…landing on the balcony kills the mystery a little."

"Hello." Diana waved, smiling shyly as she followed Clark into the room. "No, please don't leave on my account. Clark trusts you. That's good enough for me. Bruce will be here shortly. He had to drop Lois off at your father's apartment."

"Oh good." Chloe sighed. "She's got an early class tomorrow."

"Okay." Oliver hung up his phone and put his arm around Chloe. "Hal's on his way with Bart and A.C." The elevator gears churned. "That must be Bruce."

"Or Victor Stone." Clark said. "I heard from him just before we left Smallville and told him to come here first."

The elevator came to a stop, it's doors opening. Bruce emerged, still in his dark suit, his face somber.

"Well, looks like another meeting." Bruce said, nodding to Clark and Oliver. "Think this one will be more productive than the last?"

"I think so." Diana smiled, folding her arms. "Because, it seems there will be a common goal and not as sweeping a scope to cover after all."

"Really?" Bruce dropped his neatly folded overcoat on the railing. "This should be very interesting then." He smiled at Chloe. "Well, I wondered about you. So, invisibility, able to shapeshift?" He raised an eyebrow in askance. "Because in researching you, Chloe, all I came up with were your birth records, your articles and your college transcripts."

"Invisibility would be an asset for an aspiring reporter." Chloe replied, laughing at the idea of being invisible. "But no. I'm actually just an ordinary girl surrounded by extraordinary people."

"Chloe is going to be the reporter that makes the Luthors wish they'd never thought of 33.1 after we shut it down." Oliver said proudly, watching Bruce's face as it settled into the usual serious expression. Bruce studied Chloe a minute and nodded curtly.

"Fair enough." Bruce looked around the room. "Who isn't here that needs to be?"

"A.C., Bart, Hal, and Victor Stone." Clark counted off as the elevator opened again. Hal Jordan, flanked by A.C. and Bart appeared. "And now, just Victor."

"So," Hal said, when he got to Oliver and Chloe. "You must be Chloe."

"Must be?" Chloe laughed. "What gave me away?"

"Well, the fact that I saw your picture earlier, for one." Hal smiled as Chloe shook his hand. "But, the absolutely stupid look on Oliver's face completely gave it away. It's nice to meet you, Chloe."

Chloe looked up into Oliver's face and they both laughed. "I didn't think he looked stupid, but then I guess love is blind." Chloe said, and then squinted, studying Oliver's face more closely. "Well, maybe a little silly…but so cute..." She giggled, resting her head briefly on Oliver's shoulder. "I'm going to start coffee for the non powered types. This looks like it's going to be an all-nighter." Chloe walked away, and Hal nodded approvingly at her retreating back.

"Yup, she's perfect." Hal said, slapping Oliver on the shoulder. "Good job. You won't get away with anything with her around."

"Thanks." Oliver shook his head as a young black man got off the elevator, looking lost. "Victor Stone?"

"Yes." Victor nodded, seeming relieved. "I'm in the right place, I see." He waved to Clark. "Are you Oliver Queen?"

"I am." Oliver shook Victor's hand. "Good to meet you." He looked around, and whistled sharply. "Okay, Victor is here. Let's get this moving."

As predicted, everyone seemed to fall in line with a common goal in mind. By one a.m., Diana and Clark had taken the coordinates gathered by Oliver's satellites and flown off to investigate. By two, Bruce and Oliver had detailed a complete overhaul of Oliver's computer systems, making them more inline with Bruce's network in Gotham City. By three, everyone had gone except Hal and Bruce, going through Chloe's scrapbooks of articles with Oliver while they waited for Clark and Diana to return. Chloe stood, stretching, blinking sleep out of her eyes.

"Anyone want anything?" Chloe asked. "I'm getting myself some tea."

"No coffee?" Oliver asked, taking her hand.

"It's too much effort to make more." She smiled, and he kissed her hand gently.

"Why not go up to bed, Chloe? I don't know when Clark's going to be back, and I can work from up here tomorrow…" Oliver said, and Chloe shook her head.

"I want to wait for Clark, too." Hearing a gentle tap on the glass of the balcony door, Chloe turned and smiled. "There he is."

Clark and Diana walked in, looking tired. "Well, we found it." Clark said, shaking his head. He set a gas station map on the coffee table. "Here. It's a hotel that Luthorcorp bought and refurbished."

"Hotel?" Oliver and Bruce sat forward and looked at the map. "Were there guests?"

"It seems so." Diana nodded. "Which in and of itself is a frightening thought. What if these people in this facility are dangerous?"

"If these articles are any indication, they are." Bruce said, setting down one of the scrapbooks and looking at Clark. "And all with grudges against you, Clark. I'm half tempted make sure you don't go on this mission."

"Are you team leader now?" Clark asked, frowning. Chloe recognized that look and she raised a hand to her mouth, stopping herself from interfering. Diana was the one that placed the restraining hand on Clark's arm. Clark looked down at her hand, and then nodded. "It's just we never did get around to drawing straws for team leader."

"It's simple." Bruce said, looking at Oliver. "Ollie is team leader. I'm just tech support." He stood and stretched. "I'm thinking that if these people know your weaknesses, Clark, and there is a supply of Kryptonite on hand there, you could be in serious trouble. I don't want to see you hurt."

"I'm sorry, Bruce." Clark nodded. "I understand, but I can't let that stop me. It's possible that 33.1 exists because of me." Oliver started to speak, and Clark turned to his friend and smiled. "I know you were kidding, Oliver, but I think you might be right." Oliver looked at Clark and nodded, not saying anything. "If it's because of me, I need to be there to shut it down."

Hal sighed. "Look, Clark, Bruce might be right. It could be too dangerous for you."

"I'm going." Clark's voice held a note of authority that made all of them look up at him. "I can't stand by and let this continue because I might be in danger. Those people need me." Even Diana let her hand fall from Clark's arm to gaze up at him in surprised awe. "That's final."

"Fine." Bruce sighed, looking at his watch. "I'm going back to the hotel." He turned to Hal. "Can I drop you off?"

"Nah." Hal shook his head. "I'll walk. It's not that far to the Parkside, and I need to clear my head."

"Okay." Bruce shook his hand. "Nice to meet you, Hal." He turned to Oliver. "Let's get your system synched up with mine before we make this mission a go, Ollie. I want whomever is here on the com to be able to contact me instantly." Bruce frowned, thoughtfully. "Who is running the com? That was never really established."

"That'd be me." Chloe smiled, raising her hand slightly, watching Clark and Oliver burst into identical wide smiles. "I may be the reporter whose going to get the story, but I just sat here all night and heard everything. I know more about the people in that place than any of you could. If the systems there are anything like what Luthorcorp has used historically, I'll be able to bypass it. Lex spends a lot of money on everything but the security is always lacking."

Bruce looked at Oliver, who shrugged, taking Chloe's hand in his. "I can't refuse her a thing. To tell the truth, I'm thrilled she's not planning on coming with us." He grinned at Chloe and reached over to brush the hair from her eyes. "The prettiest hacker I know."

Hal and Clark laughed, and Diana nodded, a smile of pride clear on her face. Bruce thought about this somberly and then smiled.

"Welcome to the team, Sullivan." Bruce's dark eyes twinkled with suppressed mirth. "You'll need to be here when Oliver and I are setting the new system up." He winked at Chloe and walked over to his coat. "Until then, goodnight." He pressed the button for the elevator.

Hal nodded, and grabbed his jacket. "I'll hitch a ride in the elevator with you. Good night, everyone." Hal and Bruce left and Diana stretched, with a yawn.

"I need to get some sleep, myself." Diana said, as Clark put an arm around her shoulders. "I'm going back to the dorm."

"I'll go with you." Clark smiled, and they walked to the balcony. "Might as well leave the way we came in." He waved over his shoulder to Chloe and Oliver. "Good night, you guys."

"Night, Clark. Night, Diana..." Chloe and Oliver waved back, and when they were gone, Oliver kissed Chloe twice and then hugged her. The quiet that surrounded them was immediate and welcome.

"Come on, Goldilocks." He smiled at her sleepily. "Let's go up to bed. Tomorrow starts early."

"I know it." Chloe nodded, yawning. She leaned against him and felt his arms go around her. Chloe held him tight, and she could feel Oliver chuckle against her.

"Well, well, well..." Oliver whispered, bending to kiss her at the foot of the stairs. "It looks like the Green Arrow's girl is part of this mission, huh?"

"Looks that way." Chloe replied softly, kissing him again. "Should I get a secret identity now? Maybe wear a cape?" He pulled his shirt off, tossing it on the floor behind them. Chloe ran her hands over his chest, taking in the scent of Oliver's skin, feeling a bit giddy. Something about his own scent and the soap he used was enough to make Chloe feel drunk most times, and tonight was no exception.

Oliver laughed. "Hmm." His hands moved over Chloe, measuring her body languidly. "No cape necessary. Dark green leather…" She felt his lips on her neck, his teeth grazing her collarbone. "Just for at home, of course. "

"Of course." Chloe giggled, loving the tingling chills that swept through her at Oliver's touch. She didn't want him to stop touching her. He reached under her blouse and traced the line of her bra where it met her skin.

"I had an agenda in mind for tonight, Chinese food, Scrabble and what was it again? Oh yeah," Oliver looked up and grinned at her. "There were some interruptions, but I think we're back on track now…This is what you meant when you whispered to me earlier, isn't it?"

"Yes..." Chloe sighed, as Oliver unbuttoned her creamy blouse and pushed it away from her shoulders. She let it fall to the floor. "Keeping to a schedule is so important."

"I think so." Oliver agreed evenly. Her bra came away in his hands, and she closed her eyes as his hands traced her breasts and then glided down to unfasten her pants. When she opened her eyes, Oliver's were locked on her face. Not breaking eye contact, she shimmied out of her khaki cargo pants and let her panties fall with them, stepping out of the pile of clothes at her feet. As always, Oliver's sharp, pleased intake of breath seeing her completely naked made Chloe smile. She reached up to kiss him hungrily, and Oliver's grip tightened on her, his mouth on hers. "Come on." Oliver breathed, leading Chloe upstairs to their room. In the dark room, as Oliver's mouth claimed hers again, Chloe let him lift her onto the bed, losing herself in the feel of his skin against hers, his hands on her. Her fingers glided across his shoulders, down his back, and Chloe giggled as Oliver shuddered and stopped kissing her enough to grin down at her. He kissed her nose, chin and then her lips, just before he pushed himself inside her. They both moaned, Chloe arching her back and moving with him. Chloe could no longer tell where she started and Oliver stopped, but it didn't matter. She reached up to kiss him, pulling him down to her, and Chloe felt the her climax beginning. She giggled a little, clutching at his shoulders as the orgasm took over, his ragged breaths as he came too, just adding to the intensity. He fell against her for a moment, and looked into her eyes again, smiling.

"I love you. Just in case I didn't tell you…" He whispered, leaning on his elbows to reach up and push the hair from her face. "That's too important to let slide."

"Oh, Oliver..." Chloe said, kissing him gently. "I love you, too."