Usual disclaimer applies...
Chloe's Batman story had been published. That was both a good and bad thing. Unwittingly, she stirred up immense controversy. It seemed like Batman was the only subject being discussed. Her article reminded people about what he had done for them and Chloe felt good about that, but she had to admit that she was feeling guilty about Oliver. She was hoping that he hadn't seen the article, but she was pretty sure he had.
She had been tense all day thinking about his reaction. It hadn't come, so she breathed a sigh of relief as she entered her apartment. Her peace was soon disrupted by a knock at her door.
"Gratitude, I see, is a fleeting thing." Oliver spit out as he stormed into Chloe's apartment, he slammed a copy of the newspaper down on her counter.
"What did you expect? You're moving in on someone else's superhero territory." Chloe told him and shut the door. Oliver just glared at her.
"And possibly something else." Oliver said with a smirk.
"What does that mean?" Chloe asked carefully, because she didn't want Oliver to know that she knew Batman's true identity. She was trying to display a puzzled expression. It must have been pretty convincing because he actually seemed to buy it.
"You don't ever wonder who Batman is?" Oliver said his name with scorn.
"Who doesn't?" Chloe poured herself a cup of coffee. She lifted the carafe to offer him a cup. He shook his head no.
"Good question. So where are all your reporter instincts now? You figured out that I was Green Arrow with frightening speed. So, why the hesitation with Batman?"
"I'm not hesitating, Oliver. No one who has met him will talk to me. They clam up and frankly, I'm not surprised. He's a little…frightening." Chloe finished lamely. "Besides I didn't turn on you once I figured it out remember? I kept your secret and still do." She reminded him pointedly.
Oliver laughed because she had a point. He walked over to Chloe and rubbed his hand up her arm.
"What did Bruce think about you being saved by me?" Oliver asked.
Chloe made an annoyed sound. "Obviously, he has no idea that it was you who saved me. He thinks I was saved by the anonymous Green Arrow."
"Does he? He doesn't know who I am? A man with all that technology at his fingertips?" Oliver asked.
Chloe shrugged, "I don't know. If you're that concerned you should ask him yourself, because apparently he doesn't want anything to do with me." Chloe paused and looked Oliver straight in the eyes. "He broke up with me."
Oliver remained silent for a moment. "I don't know what to say."
Chloe rolled her eyes. "I thought you'd be overjoyed at the new development."
Oliver moved closer to her. "I can't be happy that you're hurt. I've thought about what you said to me that night in my room." He looked down, searching for the right words. "I honestly hadn't thought about everything from your perspective. For me, I knew that Katrina and I weren't in love. I wanted you, only you. That was clear and I knew it was just a matter of time before I had you back." He rubbed his face with his hands. "But now, I realize that you didn't have that perspective. I know it sounds silly, but until you spelled it out for me, I didn't understand your point of view. You didn't have the luxury of knowing that Katrina and I were a farce, that we weren't even sleeping in the same room." He looked at her with heartbroken and bewildered eyes. "Now I think, 'why didn't I just tell her?' I know that you would have supported me and stayed with me, had I told you what was really going on. I just didn't understand it then. Now, it's too late."
Chloe reached out to him, but he pulled away. "No, don't. For me, my heart is breaking now; I unwittingly broke yours months ago and it's now healed. I understand it, and I hope that someday, I will find someone; that I will be able to love someone again."
Chloe tried to swallow her tears and gave him a watery smile. "You will find someone. You're too wonderful not to. And Oliver, I still want to be part of your life. I'm still Watchtower, you know." Chloe laughed a little. "You can always count on me for that."
Oliver gave her a small grin. "I know." He looked sad and lonely and it pulled at her heart, but only because he was her friend. She loved Bruce and intended to see that through. Even if right now he wasn't convinced that she could handle his secret, she was persistent and would make him trust her.
Chloe was unsure of how to proceed with Bruce. She settled on the idea that forcing him to see her everyday was a good idea. She decided to put her plan into action when she saw that Bruce was in the editor's office.
"Knock, Knock." She said as she walked to the partially open door. Bruce's posture stiffened at the sound of her voice.
"Just the woman I was looking for!" Her editor greeted her. "Mr. Wayne was commenting on your story about Batman."
Chloe smiled and turned her full attention to Bruce. "Did you like it?"
"It was interesting. Your opinion seems to have stirred something among the citizens of Gotham, they have grown more tolerant of Batman." He looked at her seriously.
"Mr. Wayne was just asking if he could have a meeting with you. Not that he needs to ask my permission." The editor chastised Bruce for his formality. Chloe knew why he suddenly was following the office rules. He was trying to show her that he meant business and only business.
"I'm free now, Mr. Wayne. If that's ok with you of course." Chloe smiled a little too sweetly at him.
"Sure. Why don't you come up to my office in fifteen minutes. I have a little more to discuss here." Bruce told her and looked at the editor, dismissing her.
Chloe let out a sigh. She managed to kill time and finally found herself on her way up to Bruce's office. She unbuttoned the highest button on her shirt to show a little cleavage. Maybe that would rattle him a little.
After being shown in by his secretary, Chloe smiled at Bruce and sat across from him.
"You liked the story then?" Chloe asked with a smile.
"It was interesting. A very impassioned plea for someone who didn't deserve it. Batman couldn't save you that night, why do you defend him so fiercely?" Bruce looked at her seriously.
"I've told you this before. Just because he couldn't save me doesn't mean that he isn't good. I was stupid. I was in a place that I had no business going to, why should I expect someone to save me? Every choice has a consequence." Chloe stated.
Bruce shook his head at her attitude. Chloe walked around his desk and sat on it in front of him. She put her hand on his face, cupping his cheek. "Bruce, will you please not treat me like a stranger? I love you, you know."
He closed his eyes and inhaled, turning his face into her caress. "Chloe, I don't want you to get hurt. You're a reporter, I'm a celebrity; those things do not mix."
"You should trust me enough to know that I would never print anything that would hurt you. Besides you have more than enough money, I'd never have to work again." She said it with a grin. He laughed softly.
"We both know that you would never be content to sit around and spend our money." Bruce removed her hand from his face and sat back a little.
"Well, I wouldn't mind being a stay at home mom."
"Oh, Chloe." Bruce looked at her and she could see the pain in his eyes. "Kids…you're going to be a wonderful mother someday."
"You're going to be an amazing father, too. You could teach them about kindness, strength, intelligence, and every other wonderful thing that you are."
"Chloe -" He started to say something, some sort of denial, but Chloe cut him off.
"I'll get another job. I love being a reporter, but honestly, I love you more." Chloe told him.
"I can't let you do that. It's your life." Bruce was clearly shocked by her declaration.
"No, you can't LET me do anything. I don't need your permission. The thing I love about reporting is the logic of it, and the writing. Maybe I can redirect that somehow. I'm willing to try." Chloe was pleading him to think about her proposition with her eyes. "At least think about it. Compromise is key to any relationship." She knew that she wouldn't be able to push him and further today. She kissed his forehead gently and left the room.
A/N: I tried to convey that Oliver realized what he'd done, hopefully it all makes sense. I'm working on the next chapter right now! Thanks for any reviews!!