AN: Sorry if this chapter isn't up to scratch.

Chapter 3

Chloe

Her smile was grateful but with a tinge of curiosity, why would Oliver offer to take her away? And just how was he going to convince Pauline Kahn, she who must be obeyed? "What's going on Oliver? Not that I don't trust you of course," she tempered her words with humour.

"Honestly, can't a guy do something for a girl without there being strings?" He gave her a sad puppy dog stare that lasted all of thirty seconds under Chloe's laughing eyes, "Look, you need a break, that's obvious and I could do with some friendly company on my trip, it's a win win situation. But I'm not telling you what exactly, you'll just have to find out."

She pulled a face in mock defeat, he had her attention from the minute he said trip, she was trying to figure out a way to say no but none was coming to mind, the puppy dog eyes had won her over completely. "Okay I give in," throwing her arms up in surrender, "I could do with a few days away, but I still don't know how you're going to make this work with my editor."

"I'm a billionaire Chloe, trust me, it'll work." With that he turned and walked away to one of the rooms out back leaving Chloe shaking her head as she stared out of the window. Now all she had to do was speak to Clark or Lois to let one of them know she was alright.

Moving she picked her phone up from the floor and stared at it for a few minutes before dialling her answering service, "you have 12 new messages," the monotone voice announced, "first new message," she began to delete them already aware they were from Clark. Once the task was done she hit his speed dial number and waited, one ring, two rings, and there he was. "Chloe? Where are you? Are you ok?" His words were rushed, panicked and she was secretly pleased she could still make him worry like that. "I've been calling you for hours."

"Clark, slow down, I'm fine, I'm in Metropolis and I know, my phone wasn't um working, I just got your messages." There was a huge sigh of relief on the other end, "Do you need me to come get you?" "No Clark, listen, somethings come up I've got to go out of town for a few days, I just wanted to let you know so you could stop worrying." It was true, just not the whole truth, she didn't feel like letting him know about Ollie. "Chloe?" He was obviously aware she wasn't telling him everything so before the questioning could begin she cut him off again, "Clark, I've gotta go, I'll call you when I get back, could you" she paused, "could you let Lois know for me. Thanks. Bye Clark." And with that she hung up not wanting to get into a big debate with him.

She figured switching her phone off for now was the best plan, he or Lois would only try and call her again and she wasn't ready to talk to either of them properly, not until she had her head figured out properly. Her heart had already spoken, it was just the idea of them together had crossed her mind seeing it was a whole other ballgame.

Lost in her thoughts it was only when Ollie thudded back into the seat next to her she realised he had returned. "Well?" she asked turning towards him admiring his brown eyes again, "how'd it go with the dragon?"

Grinning he stood and took a bow, "You are now on assignment, how the rich half lives an expose." Cocking her head she looked at him thoughtfully, it might even get her a decent byline. "Thanks Ollie. So where and when are we going?"

Oliver

Winning over Pauline Kahn had been easy enough, promise an editor a juicy enough story and they'll go for pretty much anything. She'd been surprised when he told her he would accept no one but Chloe but in the end had folded when he'd threatened to take the story elsewhere. Organising dinner and coffee had been slightly more complex, but he'd ordered a few different choices so Chloe could eat properly, ice-cream wasn't enough food for that brain of hers.

"Tomorrow morning, earlier than I planned but that's fine, I just rang and let them know we'd be arriving early. And you're going to Gotham. That's enough for now." He laughed watching the pleading look on her face, he knew she'd try and get it out of him as the evening wore on but he wasn't ready to give up all his secrets just yet.

"As for tonight, I have ordered dinner and more coffee for you," he gave her a half crooked smile, "I'm sure everything will figure itself out." He resisted the temptation to ruffle her hair, settling instead for lying back on the couch and letting out a long sigh of relief, at last a few hours to relax.

"Ollie," his eyes were closed and he could feel her breath on his cheek, "You look exhausted. I'm sorry for ruining your me time." Opening one eye he looked at her, "Chloe, it's ok, don't worry about it, besides, you're going to be doing me a big favour, now I think I'll sleep until dinner gets here." With that he closed his eye once more and his breathing quickly slowed until he was out cold.

His dreams were plagued by images of the faces of those he'd had to hurt, or worse, while trying to destroy the 33.1 facilities, killing those involved wasn't something he wanted nor planned to do but sometimes it was the price he had to pay. Without his knowing he was shifting and twitching violently in his sleep, mumbling words but somehow a soothing voice found its way into his slumber calming him.

Oliver woke with a start finding Chloe's head on his shoulder, her hand on his lap. Her hair smelt of mint and she was snoring quietly making him smile. He felt more rested than he had for a while. It took a couple of seconds for him to realise that a buzzing noise had woken him, shifting Chloe's head gently he moved over to the lift, dinner had arrived it seemed. Taking in the delivery he set it all out on the table while Chloe continued to sleep before wafting a fresh cup of coffee under her nose. "Wake up sleeping beauty."

Looking at her face he smiled softly as he watched her wake slowly, "hmmm," she yawned and grabbed the coffee from him, "must have been tired," she mumbled before looking at the table bleery eyed. "You really didn't know what to get did you?" She smiled sleepily before scratching the side of her head and starting to eat. Ollie watched her for her few second before joining in, their trip should be interesting, Gotham was always full of surprises.