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"Wow, Chloe, isn't this cool?" Alli whispered at Chloe. They were sitting in the front seat of Alli's car. Luckily, it was a crappy car, so it fit in with the scenery. Chloe had managed to talk Alli out of going to the narrows like she'd wanted. They ended up in the slums that surrounded the narrows. It was still a dangerous area, but not nearly to the degree of the narrows.
"Yes. Very exciting." Chloe smiled at Alli. "Why do you waste you time on the gossip, you seem like you're having so much fun."
"The other beats are for the established reporters. They've been here for years and I have to work my way up. Besides, just because you don't appreciate fashion and gossip doesn't mean nobody else does." Alli said defensively. That was not the way that Chloe had meant it.
"I just meant that you have so much more talent than that. You could be a great investigative reporter," Chloe told her and Alli nodded uncomfortably.
"We need a decoy, some bait," Alli changed the subject completely.
"Yeah, not a good idea. What if the Green Arrow is nowhere near here?"
"Well, then Batman will be. How can there be two heroes in town and it not be safe?" Alli asked dumbly.
Just then, a knock thundered through the car. Chloe looked unbelieving at the man knocking on the window with the butt of a pistol.
"What were you saying about two heroes making it safe?' Chloe asked.
"Get out of the car!" The man yelled at them. He had greasy hair and his skin was dirty, like he hadn't taken a bath in months.
"Do we get out of the car?" Alli asked Chloe, but before Chloe could answer, the man shot the gun off into the air. It was a warning that Chloe didn't need to have to twice.
"Yes, out, now!" Chloe opened her door and bailed out the car. Alli followed suit, but the man wouldn't let her out the car easily.
"You're a pretty lady," Alli could smell the alcohol on the man's breath.
"Please, the car is yours," Alli was trembling she was so terrified and she was desperately wondering where her heroes were.
"I don't want the car, little lady," The man leered at Alli ran his hand down her body. Chloe began toward them, pulling out her pepper spay on the way.
"Hey!" she shouted, but felt herself being grabbed from behind and shoved up against the hood of the car, knocking the pepper spray out her hand.
"I need company too," Another goon had pinned Chloe to the car. Chloe could hear Alli sniff and knew that she was crying. For some reason that was what pissed her off the most.
"Oh, no. This isn't happening." Chloe said and clenched her teeth as she kicked her assailant firmly in the crotch. She saw him crumple then jumped off the car and grabbed the man that was in front of Alli. He easily flung Chloe to the ground.
Everything else happened too quickly for Chloe to realize it all. There was a woosh of air as the man in front of Chloe crumpled to the ground. The second attacker rose feebly, but fell back down almost immediately as an arrow shot through his shoulder and he screamed in pain.
Chloe closed her eyes in relief. Oliver was here, she was safe. Dimly, Chloe realized that Alli was also now in a heap on the ground.
"Don't worry, she just fainted." Oliver stepped of the shadows. Chloe tried to get up, but found that her legs didn't want to obey her just yet. Oliver grabbed her hand and pulled her up, instead of moving away when he released her, she wrapped her arms around him quickly and just held on for a while. She felt tears begin to well up in her eyes.
"I'm used to people trying to kill me, but this was different. They didn't want to just kill me, Oliver," she whispered quietly as she realized how close she'd been.
"I'm know, Chloe." Oliver kissed the top of her head and felt himself ache. When he'd heard the gunshot, he hadn't imagined he'd find Chloe and her friend. It took all the self-control he had not to aim his arrow a little left and shoot the man through the heart.
"Usually Clark saves me, but he wasn't here this time." Chloe let out a soft sob and squeezed Oliver tighter.
"I know, Chlo. It's ok now. I've got you." Oliver soothed, rubbing her back gently.
"Chloe?" she heard Alli's voice and looked over at her. Oliver turned to her and released Chloe.
"Are you all right?" Oliver asked Alli.
"What?" She had a glazed look in her eye.
"She needs to go to the hospital. She's in shock."
Chloe nodded. Oliver picked Alli up and put her into the car, shutting the door behind her. "Will you two be safe from here?"
"Hey," Chloe wanted to say something, but she didn't know what.
"I'll call the police to get these two." Oliver nudged one of the men with his foot.
"Thanks," Chloe knew it was lame because he'd just saved her from something that could have been so much more horrible than it was. Oliver hesitated, but couldn't resist moving in and gently kissing her on the lips.
"I'll always be here to protect you, Watchtower," He whispered and quickly pulled out his phone to call the authorities. Somehow Chloe made it safely to the hospital. She was worried about Alli. The doctors took her off into a room and sedated her. Chloe felt like she sat in the hospital for hours as she gave the police her version of the story. She wanted to call Bruce, and let him help her forget the trauma of the evening, but suddenly she wanted Oliver.
"I'm surprised you called," Oliver said as he walked her up to his room. To say he'd been surprised was an understatement. He'd thought Chloe would immediately go to Bruce, but a few hours later he was the one she contacted.
"I know." Chloe moved and sat on the couch. "Why are you here by the way? I mean, why is the Green Arrow here? This is Batman's city. I'm not sure how he'll take you encroaching on his territory."
Oliver half smiled at her and sat next to her.
"Are you concerned about me?"
"I know that you can handle yourself," Chloe rolled her eyes. "I'm just wondering if you've considered protecting your own city instead of always running to other peoples."
"Star City is doing well without it's protector at the moment." Oliver laid his arm on the couch behind Chloe.
"Ok. How are Katrina and the baby?" Chloe was curious.
"Fine. Katrina is happy. She's always wanted children," Oliver said it easily, like it didn't affect him. It was strange.
"Even without a husband?"
"It happens all the time. I thought that you were a liberated woman, Chloe Sullivan. What happened to 'women don't need men'," Oliver imitated her voice, making her laugh.
"Shut up," Chloe hit him lightly.
"Do you want kids?" Oliver asked, turning serious.
"What kind of question is that?" Chloe asked. "Someday. Why are you offering?" Chloe teased.
"In a heartbeat," Oliver said seriously before breaking into a soft smile. Chloe blinked and shook her head, trying to clear it.
"Oliver, this is ridiculous. I came here because of you saving me earlier, nothing else."
"Nothing else, Chloe?" Oliver asked smoothly and leaned in toward Chloe and pulled her into a heated kiss. For a moment, Chloe kissed him back. She'd forgotten how right it felt with him. And then she thought of Bruce and immediately pulled away, putting space between her and Oliver.
"I'm can't do this, Oliver." Chloe said quietly.
"You can, but you're too honorable a woman to do it. I know that, but can you blame me for trying?" Oliver moved his hand forward and began toying with Chloe's hair. "When I saw you tonight, I wanted to kill that man for hurting you. I know that sounds irrational, but it's true. I can't stand the thought of someone hurting you."
"I know. Thanks," Chloe reached forward and squeezed Oliver's hand. "I don't even want to think about what would have happened if you hadn't come when you did." Chloe closed her eyes as the panic she'd felt earlier began to return to her. Oliver grabbed her hands and squeezed them tightly. He didn't say anything; he just held her hand and gently pulled her into his body. After a while her body stopped shaking. Again, a picture of Bruce exploded in her mind and she felt a little guilty.
Chloe pulled away from Oliver.
"Oliver, we just have to be friends. I care about Bruce, I love Bruce." She added because it was the truth. Oliver looked shocked at her announcement.
"Love him? You haven't known him long enough to love him," Oliver's tone had turned cold.
"I do. I know that's not what you want to hear, I'm sorry." Chloe added and meant it. She cared about Oliver, but not like she felt about Bruce.
"Sorry," Oliver got up and looked down at Chloe. "You're sorry? I'm in love with you, Chloe. How can you just expect me to let you go? I know that it's selfish, but I want you. And don't tell me that if I loved you, I'd let you go because we both know that is crap. When you care about something you fight like hell to hold on to it."
"Oliver, I can't argue about it right now. I do care about you. God, if you'd come to me a few months ago, then it wouldn't be a question. But now there's Bruce and I want to be with him." Chloe explained calmly.
Oliver shook his head and narrowed her eyes, "Your affections seem to change rather quickly. Who's to say that in a few weeks it won't be me that you're in love with? I'm just following your own declarations." His voice was level was growing.
"You're wrong, but this isn't something that I'm going to fight about. Thanks again for saving me," Chloe slowly walked toward the door and gave one last look at Oliver.
"Ok, Chloe. I'll let you walk away from me tonight because I know what you've been through, but this conversation isn't over."
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Oh My Goodness!! All the reviews! You guys made me so happy!! I almost cried, no joke. I have been a little emotionally off kilter lately, so that might be why, but it was really awesome regardless!! I've also been trying not to make these chapters too gloomy, but I'm not sure I succeeded with the next one. So, thanks and please review again. I'll update again in a week.