Chapter 3

Figuring Oliver was still asleep; I quietly walked down the stairs and found Shelby standing at the front door. Poor dog hadn't enjoyed a lot of outside time during the rain. Then again, he wasn't the only one who was getting housebound, and it was finally nice outside.

As I turned to go outside after putting on my shoes, I saw Oliver standing in the doorway, holding the door open for me. "Good morning Chloe."

I pointed to his shirt, covered in black smear marks. "What's the untold skill that I'm finding out today?"

Oliver turned his head towards the driveway. "I pushed my car up and tried to fix it. Unfortunately, it'll need as much work as yours."

My eyes widened in hope that he didn't put the nail in my car's coffin. "You tried to fix my car?"

Seeing my expression, he raised a hand up in defence. "I only looked at it, but the engine's flooded and it's probably been running on a thread for quite some time."

"So what you're saying is that we're stuck here until the power's up?"

"Well, we could walk into Smallville."

I stepped around him and walked down the porch steps. "The repair shop's pretty far on foot... but be my guest. There's probably a map inside the house somewhere."

"Where are you going?"

"I'm getting some fresh air while I still can."

Letting go of the door, he asked, "Mind if I join you?"

"It's a free country."

"Chloe?"

I shook my head. "No, course I don't mind."

We walked out to the end of the Kent property and leaned against the fence while watching Shelby enjoy his freedom. It was funny watching him chasing the crows. The Kent never needed a scarecrow as long as they had Shelby.

"Do you really know how to fix cars?"

"The basics, nothing major. Unfortunately, our cars' problems are in the latter category."

"Honestly, it's a miracle that car didn't break down two years ago."

"Why don't you get a new one?"

"Not all of us have money to burn on cars." I shrugged. "It gets me from point A to point B.; that's all I need. Speaking of cars, I'm surprised on your rental choice."

"I'm travelling back roads and secondary highways; I didn't think a Ferrari fit the bill. Besides, I don't always need something flashy. Point A to point B, right?"

"Says the man who was baffled by a poncho."

He grinned slightly. "I'm more familiar with this crazy invention they call a raincoat."

"You don't have your own personal umbrella holder?"

"If people hold their umbrella for me, they're paid by someone else. I honestly don't understand why they exist, but if it pays the bills, I have no problem with them. I just don't get why people can't handle a little rain."

"Why do I find that hard to believe?"

"If you're talking about yesterday's random escapade in the rain, keep in mind I lacked a raincoat or a poncho. And it was not by any means 'a little' rain."

We both laughed for a moment, but after that, neither of us spoke for a while. . Every now and then, we would turn and look at each other, but there was no expectation for conversation, which to be honest, was nice for a change. Quiet didn't exist when Clark and Lois were around, and if nothing else, I had gotten used to hearing the sound of typing into a computer.

Eventually, Oliver did break the silence. "Was your passion always with journalism?"

"Yeah, I always wanted to know the truth and let the world know about the injustices around the city."

"Must be nice living the dream."

I nodded. "It is pretty satisfying, but a lot of hard work. What were your dreams when you were younger?'

"I didn't have time for dreams. My life was pretty much laid out for me after my parents died. When I was younger, I counted down the time until I inevitably took over Queen Industries."

"You make it sound like you were being punished."

"I just never had time to be a real kid."

"Neither did I. My father tried his best after my mom left, but in the end, I had to learn how to take care of myself."

"You turned out well, if you don't mind me saying so."

"Thanks."

"I admire what you do, bringing the dirt up to the surface and allowing justice to be served."

I blushed before responding, "You make me sound like I'm some sort of hero."

"You don't have to be the Blur in order to be a hero. Sometimes the greater heroes aren't the ones on the front page headlines, but rather the names written under it." Noticing my continued blushing, he asked, "You alright?"

"I'm not usually noticed in that way. I make more than my share of enemies, and I'm not usually on that front page."

"Yeah, we live in a society where it's all about even numbers. It's unfortunate that you take a back seat to Clark and Lois, you're just as good of a writer."

My head perked up. "You've familiar my work?"

"Your Dark Thursday article was one of my personal favourites."

I rolled my eyes. "Tooting your own horn there, Mr. Queen? It was your satellite photos that made that article even possible."

He shrugged. "What can I say? You made the most of the photos. And really, we're back to last name formalities already?"

I didn't have an answer for him because the truth was I was becoming comfortable hanging out with him... almost too comfortable.

Clearly taking the hint, Oliver straightened up and started walking to the house. "How about I make us some lunch?"

I looked at my watch. How did it get to be lunchtime already? "Shouldn't it be my turn to cook?"

"I don't mind. In fact it's the least I can do since I crashed your vacation plans."

"Actually, you probably kept them intact. To be honest, I probably would have been back at the Planet, regardless of how I had to get there. If anything, I crashed your holiday."

"Believe me, you're a refreshing change from Clark. He's a neat guy, but he doesn't relax much does he?"

If only Oliver knew. "No, but he has good reasons for that."

"Like what?"

"No offence, but I'm going to play the best friend card here."

"You admire him a lot, don't you?"

I nodded as I drummed my fingers against the fence. "There are days that I wish I could do more, but Clark and Lois deserve to be on that pedestal. I work best in the shadows."

He smiled before turning to walk towards the house. "A true diamond in the rough." I heard him whisper.

Me? A diamond? I think he had his metaphors mixed up. I wasn't anything near a diamond, too many rough edges. Besides, I don't think the Daily Planet or Metropolis was a 'rough' by any means.

The wind whistled in my ears as I looked out onto the farm. It was weird that I'd been to this place so many times, but I never really looked at it and appreciated it for what it was.

Sure, Smallville had been the city where I molded from a disillusioned teen to a helper of the weird and unexplained, but I never embraced what I had here until I started working in Metropolis. Oliver was right, while it was a beautiful city, there were days where I couldn't wait to get of there and relax in the Talon. However, those days were getting more limited with Watchtower becoming a higher priority.

Shelby rubbed up next to me and I figured it was time to check in on lunch. As I walked back to the house, I saw Oliver to laying a grilled cheese sandwich on a plate.

"Has anyone told you that you have impeccable timing?"

"I'm a journalist; timing is part of the job description."

After passing me the plate, he wiped the sweat off his forehead with his arm. "Go back outside. It's probably cooler out on the porch. I'll be out in a minute."

Settling on the porch steps, I slipped off my shoes to let the sun dry my feet, as both my socks and shoes were soaked from walking in the wet field. Shelby, meanwhile, was trying to find a way to steal my lunch. Right before I was going to give in, Oliver came outside and gave Shelby a corner of his sandwich.

"I figured he was entitled to have a little taste."

I shrugged. "Why not? Thanks again for cooking."

Oliver sat next to me and smiled. "My pleasure."

"Just out of curiosity, how are you keeping everything cold with the power out?"

"Fortunately, there wasn't too much food that needed to be chilled, so I put the necessities inside of a cooler. I hadn't opened the freezer, so hopefully everything in there is still good."

"Wait... where did you get the bacon from? Clark knows I don't cook."

"I brought it."

I raised an eyebrow. "You brought bacon with you on a road trip?"

"My contribution for borrowing a couch for one night... well, it was supposed to be one night here. I thought about staying a little longer in Smallville… hence the multitude of shirts."

After exchanging grins, I said, "Hopefully the power comes back on soon or else we're going to run out of food."

"You forget who you're dealing with here. I survived without power on an island for two years. Your menu plans just become a little more creative."

I said with a smile before taking a bite of my sandwich. "No offence, but I'd rather eat my cooking than experience that kind of 'creativity.'"

A/N: I've just noticed that in all of my chapters that I've started for this story, they're always food or drink involved. So I apologize if I'm making any of you hungry, it's not intentional I swear.