Chapter 14.

Chloe

She didn't ask about the call, she knew that he would tell her when they were alone, you just couldn't tell who might be listening. The hand that contained her own smaller one was warm to touch, she could feel a small pulse at the base of his thumb. His skin was soft but hard as well, a contradiction just like the man himself. She allowed him to lead her outside, the air was cool against her skin and it was only then she realised just how warm it had been inside. The car was already waiting for them and it was only then Oliver let go of her hand to climb in before her. Her eyes drifted over his frame as he got in and once more she wondered at it. How had Lois let him go?

Sliding in with a vain attempt at lady like grace still nothing was said. The partition between the driver and themselves was sliding up as she heard the door closing giving them privacy should they need it. Turning her head a little she glanced at Oliver's face and noted the steely determination that had etched itself across his features. Fingers crept across and lay gently over the back of his hand, a silent gesture to remind him that she was there, and that she would listen when he spoke. That he would speak eventually she was certain, after all The Green Arrow did need his Watchtower.

Once again she marvelled at how comfortable the silence was even though the ingrained curiosity was bubbling just beneath the surface. As Chloe glanced to look at him again she noted his head turning away almost as if he had been looking at her. He was probably just thinking about the information he had been given.

She turned her head to look out of the window not moving her hand, leaving it in easy contact with his, and she noted the small movement that placed his thumb over hers before a gentle rubbing motion commenced. It was a struggle not to pull her hand away, not because she didn't want this, wasn't enjoying this but she had no idea why it was happening.

Their journey was over almost as quickly as it had been yet so much thought had occurred in her mind, and a pang of desire that was unbidden seemed to have begun to fire inside her. She liked him. Chloe was pondering this aspect of knowledge when the door was opened for her.

It wasn't even that the idea of it bothered her, after all what wasn't to like but he was her cousins ex. The ex that had broken Lois's heart, and Chloe would know she was the one who had helped pick up the pieces afterwards. One of the reasons her relationship with Jimmy had ended, but just a small one. Stepping out of the car she shook her head, what was she thinking? She was Watchtower, he was Green Arrow, they were friends and that was all. Her mind was just running away with her since they were spending so much time alone together.

His tall figure appeared next to her and he slid her arm into his as he led her inside. "Thank god thats over," he muttered quietly in her ear. "Now we can get back to some real work." At that she nodded and flashed her trademark grin. That was more like it.

Oliver

He had seen the thoughtful look on her face but had no clue what was going on in her mind. Taking her up to the suite he let them into the living area only to be greeted by a sea of flowers. "Wow," he said his voice echoing his internal surprise. "You're sending me flowers now?" he asked slightly teasing while his eyes searched for the card that undoubtably came with it.

A few seconds search found the object and he plucked it out handing it over to her. "From Bruce right?" he didn't really need to have her confirm it, it was hardly likely to be anyone else. "Yeah," came the reply as she moved through the blooms and he saw her dip down to inhale the scent. "They're beautiful." And he couldn't disagree but it didn't mean he had to like it. "I'll get them to send them to the hospital, there's no way we can take them home." With that he walked right past and into the bedroom shrugging off his jacket before moving to unbutton his shirt.

"Can you unzip me?" She came into his line of sight again her back towards him, her head turned to peer over her shoulder at him, "Can't quite get it." Fingers moved from the half undone shirt to the metal fastener and as he pulled it down he allowed himself to graze a knuckle against her skin while he looked at the nape of her neck. "All done," he pronounced when it was all the way down and then she was gone, the shirt she had taken in hand, disappeared into the bathroom to change in private. He stared at the door blankly for what seemed like an eternity before he finished changing and waited to gain access.

A quick change over and when he was done he emerged to find her already beneath the covers, he stared at her intently, "no nighttime escapades." It was both a statement and a plea. Her eyes twinkled as she looked at him, "no nighttime escapades." Moving he slipped in next to her flicking a switch to turn off the lights. A quietness enveloped the room until all he could hear was the combined noise of their breathing, "night Chloe." He heard a mumble in return.

It felt like hours before he slept but in actuality is was a matter of minutes and for once Oliver slept soundly, no nightmares plagued his dreams only thoughts of a blonde reporter teasing him relentlessly about his fetish for green leather.

The morning past much quicker than he had hoped, the last few hours of peace and quiet before returning to the fray and resuming the fight against evil. Or at least against Lex and whatever else unpleasant happened to pass his way. Once they were on his jet he would tell her about the phone call, he could tell she was itching to know but he didn't want to talk about it here.

When they were finally on board and airborne he told her about the new facility the boys had found. Russia, more experimentation but what kind he didn't know, the person who had informed them about the facility had been killed before he could meet up with A.C. Information was limited but as soon as they reached Metropolis he would be leaving again. It was just another 33.1 hellhole to take out.

He made sure to remind her to be careful, told her not to worry about the bills at the Watchtower and said he would be in touch. "Say hi to Clark and Lois for me," he said finally as he left her on the tarmac and headed back inside headed to his next destination. He'd called a car for her and saw her waiting by it while his jet taxied by, his last glimpse of her was her had over her eyes as she squinted to watch them pass by.