A/N: Brian and Tammy are my first original characters… which I thoroughly enjoyed writing. Any resemblance to an existing character is purely coincidence. Also... there's a teeny amount of coarse language in this chapter... you've been warned.

Chapter 6

I didn't normally do this. I mean, nothing happened, but waking up on the floor with my head resting on Oliver's shoulder was not something that I had expected when we first met. Furthermore, while it was likely my hero complex kicking in, his arm tightly wrapped around my body made me feel safe.

So why was I so worried?

Timing wasn't an issue, it had been a long time since Jimmy died. No...it was him. Not too long ago, I hated Oliver Queen. I hated everything about him, the way he exploited his name and bank account, the air about him that meant that he owned the world.

But that wasn't who I was, dare I say, cuddling on the floor with. It made no sense to me, but Oliver Queen was not Oliver.

Oliver worried about his company, the consequences of his actions, but most importantly, he was a man terrified of letting his parents down. It was clear that he wasn't satisfied with the way he was living his life, yet for some reason, he seemed relaxed in my presence. I wasn't sure how to react to that because while enjoying the moment is nice, the truth was that the moment had to end eventually and I wasn't sure either one of us was willing to face that yet.

"Morning," I heard him whisper.

I titled my head up to see him grinning at me. "Morning. You haven't been staring at me for long, have you?"

"Honestly, I was waiting for what I thought was the inevitable reaction."

"What's that?"

There was a knock on the door, followed by a male voice. "Chloe, you there?"

Sliding his arm off me, I started to get up. "Sorry… I have to get that."

He squinted his eyes. "Really? You have to?"

I turned back and kissed his forehead. "You did say that it was inevitable." Walking to the door, I put my hand over my mouth. Even though I hardly knew him, kissing him almost felt natural.

Opening the door, I was greeted by a familiar face. "Bryan, hey."

"Thought I might stop by to see how you survived during the power outage. My girlfriend's been a little worried about her favourite customer."

"You tell Tammy that I was stuck here and you were here to save the day."

"What seems to be the problem?"

"My car..."

Bryan rolled his eyes before interrupting me. "I should have known. You should have replaced that bucket of bolts ages ago."

"Hey, it's been running fine since you fixed it last time."

Bryan crossed his arms and chuckled. "What's wrong now?"

I gritted my teeth for a moment before responding, "Oliver said that the engine was flooded."

He raised an eyebrow. "Oliver?"

Oliver walked over and held his hand to Bryan. "Nice to meet you. It was Bryan right?"

Proudly shaking his hand, Bryan answered, "It's a pleasure Mr. Queen."

"Please call me Oliver."

Noticing Bryan's awestruck expression, I tried to get the conversation back on track. "Now... about the cars, do you think that you could tow them to your Dad's repair shop?"

Bryan turned back to me. "Cars? So that means you two have been stuck here the entire time?"

I nodded. "With no cell reception, no power and no transportation, we really didn't have a choice."

After taking a quick glance between Oliver and I, Bryan shook his head. "Well, it'll take some time to fix them, but I can definitely get them to the shop. You two want a lift to Smallville beforehand? You're probably getting tired of this place."

Oliver draped his arm around my shoulders. "That sounds like a great idea; you can show me the sights."

I turned my head to face Oliver. "This is Smallville. It doesn't take that long to go through town."

As Bryan walked down the steps, he turned back for a moment. "Just make sure you stop by the Talon to visit Tammy."

"I have things to do at home anyways, so that's a given."

While Oliver followed Bryan to his truck, I quickly went back inside and turned off the forgotten lights. Locking the front door, I took a deep breath trying to prepare myself to step back into the real world.

Walking up the steps, I spread out my arms and said, "Welcome to Smallville High."

Oliver smiled. "It's nice."

"Oh please... it's no Excelsior."

He opened the door and gestured me to go inside. "It's normal, nothing wrong with that."

"Admit it; you enjoyed running the show at high school."

"It had it perks, but there were things that I wished I handled differently."

"That's the point of high school isn't it?"

Oliver stopped in front of a school event bulletin board. "So what were you in high school? Cheerleader? Nerd? Activist?"

"Editor."

"Figures."

"Although... I was a cheerleader for one game." In hindsight, it probably wasn't the best idea to tell him that, but seeing Oliver's mouth slowly widen in shock was worth it.

"Really? You wore short skirts and shook pom poms? Now that's something I'd pay to see."

Reaching with my arm to tap his chin up, I smirked at him. "I'm up here, Romeo, and before you ask, there's no amount of money you could pay to get me back in it."

"So you still have it?"

"God, I hope not."

"Why did you do it? Clark?"

I contemplated how to answer that. Clark played a role in most events in my life, including that one, but the exact truth Oliver would never believe..

"Let's just say that it's not one of my proudest moments." Seeing the door to the Torch, I opened it and smiled. "This, however, is. This room is where it all started, even though I almost got expelled a couple of times for my liberal publishing habits."

"It looks abandoned."

Oliver was right. I coughed into my arm, trying to ignore the mountain of dust on the sheets that covered the furniture. Then my expression softened once I saw that the only thing on the bulletin board that defined my teenage years was highlighted dust outlines.

"It does, doesn't it?"

Then I heard an unfamiliar female voice from outside of the door. "No... it can't be. Clayton, you won't believe who's here."

I couldn't help but roll my eyes. I guess that no matter where we went, Oliver would always have groupies. However when I turned around, I found Oliver alone in the other corner of the room while I had two students staring at me like I was their hero.

"You're Chloe Sullivan, right?"

Completely dumbstruck, I said the first word that came to mind. "Yes..."

The girl grinned widely. "I'm Zoe... and this is Clayton. We're co-editors for the Torch. This is incredible...we never thought that we'd meet you in person."

I looked over at Oliver, who was doing everything to hold back his laughter. Trying to maintain my own composure, my lips cracked into a surprised smile. "Can't say that I ever thought I would be welcomed with open arms here."

Clayton pulled out his phone and started fiddling with it. "Are you kidding? You made the Torch what it is today." Handing the phone to me, he continued, "Take a look at this. The Wall of Weird is more than a bulletin board now... it's out there, on the web."

"Wow...I can't believe you did this." It was a silly project... I never thought it would be touched, let alone, continued.

The class bell rung, and both Zoe and Clayton rotated their heads towards the door.

"Come on Zoe... we've got class."

Zoe frowned as she turned back to face me. "Can you come back some time? Please?"

I handed Clayton back his phone. "I'll see what I can do."

Shaking each of their hands, Zoe said quickly before taking off. "It was amazing meeting you."

After waving to them as they entered the hallways to head to class, I looked back at Oliver across the room.

"The Wall of Weird?"

Rolling my eyes at him, I quickly replied, "Don't ask."

"Something to do with the liberal publishing habits I suppose."

"Among other things."

Oliver took my hand to lead me out of the room. "Well I have to say… it was nice seeing someone else got ogled."

I squeezed his hand as I took one last look inside the Torch. "Believe me, it doesn't happen often."

"Whatever you say, Sidekick. You hung the moon for those kids."

"How about we move on to our next stop?"

"After... wait." He quickly released my hand to walk back a couple steps to a bulletin board.

"You okay, Oliver?"

He poked the glass over the board. "You were prom queen?"

At that moment, I'm pretty sure that my face went past embarrassed-pink into mortified-purple. It has been over three years since I graduated. What was that photo still doing there?

"Yeah... not proud of that either."

"You look pretty happy."

"I wasn't, believe me... I wasn't... myself... that day."

"What other secrets does this place hold for you?"

The truth? Hundreds... he just managed to scratch the surface.

"None more that I am willing to tell you. So let's get out here."

"I don't know... I kind of like this place. It's like learning a completely different side to you."

"Oliver, please."

"Fine. Lead the way, Sidekick."

"Well, here we are. Home sweet home."

"This is a coffee shop."

I turned around and dialled up the sarcasm. "Really? I hadn't noticed."

Oliver simply nodded. "You live in a coffee shop."

"No, but with the amount of coffee that I normally drink, that wouldn't be too much of a stretch. I live above the coffee shop, and coincidentally the best coffee you can buy."

"Is that so?"

I opened the door and entered the Talon. "I'm willing to bet that it is better than any $300 European blend that you drink."

"Really? What do I get if you're wrong?"

I turned my head to grin at him with narrowed eyes. "Believe me, you won't win."

Walking to the counter, I was grateful that Tammy was working today. She was the only one who made the coffee I mentioned to Oliver, and I couldn't let him down after I hyped it up.

"Hey Tammy, two Talon specials; I have a wager to settle."

Tammy smiled after punching the order into the register. "What's in it for me?"

"If I win, I promise to average three a day for the next month."

She snickered as she picked up my money from the counter. "You do that already."

I rolled my eyes. "I do, don't I?"

"No worries, I'm just glad to see that you survived the power outage. What do you get if you win?"

"You know what? We never actually established stakes. Bragging rights, I guess."

She said sarcastically, "Sure."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

When Tammy looked up at me, I could see a glint in her eyes. "That you're a sneaky woman, Chloe Sullivan."

"What?"

"You know, setting up Clark and Lois to get them out of town so you can have a little rendezvous with Star City's most eligible bachelor. Can't say I saw that coming. What's he like? Do the papers give the man justice?"

"Stick to brewing Tammy. He's at the farm because he wants to talk to Clark. Purely coincidence that I happened to be there."

"So nothing's going on?"

"We got stuck together because of the power outage and two broken-down cars."

And I may have woken up this morning with my head on his shoulder... but that was a one-time thing and coincidentally the last thing I wanted Tammy to know.

As she handed me the coffees, she peered over my shoulder, probably to look at Oliver. "Well… I can think of worse ways of being stuck in a farm house."

"Tammy, this is me we're talking about here, not you. Besides, you already have a boyfriend."

Tammy was clearly in a trance, so I continued, "You know... six foot tall…baby-blue puppy-dog eyes…thinks you're way cooler than sliced bread." Still ignoring me, I grabbed her arm to shake her out of it. "The name Bryan ring a bell?" It was then I noticed a ring on her finger. "Oh..."

She finally snapped out of her gaze to look at her ring. "It's beautiful isn't it?"

"I'm surprised Bryan didn't mention anything."

"Well, you know boys."

"Don't I ever, but you may want to lecture him on titles, he called you his girlfriend this morning."

"I'm not too worried about it. I'm not too used to the idea myself."

"Well, tell him I said congratulations."

"I will, but enough about me. You're the one who has a hot, single billionaire falling head over heels for her."

"He's not, Tammy." Seeing that she was clearly unconvinced, I repeated quietly, "He's not!"

"Could have fooled me."

"Later Tam." I grabbed the coffees, but Tammy grabbed my arm to stop me. "What?"

Her eyes softened as she patted my hand before releasing it. "You're like family Chloe, and it's been a year since the accident. You deserve to be happy."

"I appreciate that, but I'm not sure I'm ready for that kind of happiness yet."

I looked away from Tammy to see Oliver likely turning down a girl at the table. He held a good front, but I could tell that he was uncomfortable with the attention. I strolled over to the table and slammed the coffee down.

"I dare you to not like this coffee." The girl shook her head and stormed out of the Talon. Tipping my head in her direction, I asked. "I wasn't interrupting, was I?"

"Hardly, and even if you were, I welcome it with open arms. So I take it this is the world's best coffee."

"That it is." I looked around and started to feel uncomfortable with the eyes staring at us. "I don't mean to be rude but, do you mind if I run upstairs to do a couple things while you deliberate your decision?"

Oliver took his coffee and brought it to his lips. "Take your time."

"Thanks."

I grabbed my coffee and headed upstairs. I felt bad because I honestly didn't have anything to do, but I needed a moment alone to think.

Looking around the Talon, it felt empty. I had gotten so used to Oliver's company during the blackout that seeing the vacant apartment felt weird to me. Yet it shouldn't. Lois and I hardly spent any time together in the apartment, in fact I had gotten used to being alone after Jimmy died.

Walking towards my room, I looked at the sparkle from the wedding ring on my dresser. Lois told me I shouldn't keep it in plain sight, but I didn't mind. That way I didn't forget him.

I picked up the ring and slipped it on my finger. In some ways it felt so right, but in others, so wrong. I was never honest with Jimmy because there were way too many secrets... the ring simply reminded me of what happens when I opened my heart to someone. Even though he died of 'normal' causes, honesty, or lack there of, would eventually kill any relationship that I could ever hope to have.

Taking the ring off my finger, I sighed. In the life I had chosen, there were sacrifices, but I never thought it would be a personal life, or a life of my own.

"Chloe!"

My ring fell out of my palm as I turned to face Tammy at the doorway. "You scared me."

"Where were you just now?"

"Nowhere important."

"I said your name three times."

"Really? Tammy, I'm sorry..."

Tammy quickly interrupted, "Sorry you didn't tell me about the marketing deal? You should be, I would have put more effort into it had I known the stakes were that high."

"What?"

"Oh, you don't have to be so coy about it, Oliver told me everything."

"You talked to Oliver?" Great, I probably had some explaining to do now.

"Yep, I thought I would keep him company until you got back." I opened my mouth to protest, but she cut me off. "No need to thank me, I was on my break anyway."

"So he liked your blend?"

She nodded. "He said that if you won, he would talk to his contacts within Starbucks about selling my coffee in their stores."

"Well, if anyone deserves it Tam... it's you."

The door opened again and Oliver gave me a smile as he shut the door.

"It's all thanks to you." She gave me a quick hug. "You are the best friend slash customer a girl could have."

As she left the room, she pointed at Oliver, "and you... you need a better publicist. You are way nicer in person." Tammy winked at me as she left the room.

I raised an eyebrow at Oliver. "A marketing deal?"

Scratching his head, he answered, "I couldn't think of a better idea than you being able to get her coffee no matter where you go." His gaze lifted to my eyes. "Unless you wanted something else."

"No, I ..."

"Good, because I like her, and she could use the money to help plan for her wedding."

"That's a really sweet thing for you to do."

"Oh, don't worry; she was more than willing to return the favour."

"What did she tell you?"

"That Clark isn't completely to blame for your detachment from the world." Pointing at the floor, he gave a slight grin. "It all makes sense now."

Turning to look where he was pointed, I realized he was pointing to the place where I dropped my wedding ring. Leaning over to pick it up, I slipped it in my pocket.

I saw Oliver's expression change as I stood back up. "He was a good man, Chloe."

"No offence, but how would you know? How would a guy like you know the Planet's junior photographer?"

"You remember Jessica Walters?"

"Who could forget the Priss of the Planet?"

"Do you remember how she got fired?"

"Jimmy told me that she wrote an offensive article and Tess tore her to shreds. We all tried to convince Jimmy to tell us who the article was...oh my gosh. You?"

He nodded. "He came to take photos for an article she was writing on me, but it was clear that she didn't like me. Thought I was some weird creature because of... well... the usual things. The interview turned into an attack ad, and although I tried being sarcastic to hold back the frustration, Jimmy could sense it. He tried to intervene, but she told him to shut up and reminded him of his 'place' at the Planet."

"Sounds like her."

"Well, I was fine with her being rude to me because I'm used to it, but Jimmy didn't deserve it. So... I told her that she needed to stop being such a bitch."

My hand flew to my mouth. "You didn't?"

"Oh... I did. She was not pleased, and poor Jimmy burst out into laughter as she stormed out of my office commenting on our lack of professionalism."

"While that answers a lot of questions, I don't see how that explains how you knew Jimmy."

"Jessica gave him a copy of the article to figure out which picture would most accurately depict the sadistic bastard I was. Her words, not mine. But after the article was trashed, he stopped by and gave his copy to me. He thought the rightful owner deserved the proof of how the Wicked Witch was defeated. We celebrated over a beer…that's when he told me about this girl."

He held a sly grin as he continued his story. "You see, they had a history, and he was scared that she wouldn't give him a second chance. I told him to go for it, that love's always worth whatever struggle life throws at you."

"Jimmy never told me that."

"You might say that our friendship had served its purpose, even if it was for only one night. But if there was anything I could say for sure about Jimmy was that he loved you."

"I didn't deserve him. I let... work... get in the way."

"You have to move on from his death; Jimmy would have wanted you to."

"It's …"

"Hard, I know. Believe me, I know. I gave you that story Chloe, and I'm not going to repeat it, but I meant every word. Keeping those emotions inside of you only makes it worse, no matter how strong you are."

"But..."

"But nothing. It's something you have to do. You're an amazing woman, and if there's someone else out there who can make you happy, you just have to let yourself go and let it happen." Walking towards the door, he said, "Just... think about it."

"Where are you going?"

"Back to the farm. My car is here, so I can housesit for you until Clark and Lois come home tomorrow. You probably have things you'd rather be doing here. "

"Yeah, I guess. Thank you for listening."

He glanced up and smiled as he walked out the door. "You too."

Pulling the ring out my pocket I looked at the little piece of jewellery that I let control my life for the past year. However, I wanted to do right by him because I hadn't while he was alive. Then again, I hadn't expected anyone to care about me. After being ignored for years, I thought Jimmy would be the only person who would bother to see me in that light.

Then Oliver came along and it was like my entire world changed, like... like...

there's someone else out there who can make you happy; you just have to let yourself go and let it happen.

I stared at the ceiling and squeezed my eyes shut. How could I have been so blind? There he was, pouring his heart out to me for a chance and I let him walk away. Sure, it would end tomorrow, but it couldn't hurt to enjoy it while it lasted. We're supposed to live in the moment, aren't we?

I looked towards the door... maybe it wasn't too late. I shoved the ring in my jewellery box, hopefully leaving it in the rear-view mirror in the process, and I bolted out the door, not bothering to close it, let alone lock it. I didn't have time.

My phone started to buzz, but instead of answering it, I looked at Tammy behind the espresso machine and said, "Catch."

Her eyes lit up as I tossed my cell phone without a care of whether or not she caught it. All I knew was that I couldn't deal with distractions. On my way out the door, I thought I heard her say something back, but it didn't matter, I had to catch up to him.

I looked up and down the streets, trying to find his car. This was the moment where I wished he had driven a fancier car or at least a more memorable model. He couldn't have left yet. I couldn't have been that slow.

"Looking for someone?"

I nearly jumped out of my skin for the second time in less than an hour when I turned around saw Oliver.

"I thought you left."

Pointing his thumb towards the Talon, he flatly replied, "Bathroom break."

"Oh." That must have been what Tammy was likely trying to tell me.

He nodded before slipping by me to head towards his car. "Well, see you around."

For a moment, I couldn't move or even speak. Why was I letting it happen again?

He was about to open the door when I finally blurted, "Oliver, wait."

"What is it?"

I started walking towards the passenger side before I had the chance to convince myself otherwise. "I'm…. I'm coming with you."