Title: Through the Sands of Time
Author: Miranda Aurelia
Pairing: Chloe/Oliver

Rating: PG-13
Summary: A betrayal sends a battle-weary Connor Queen hurtling through time into the past. Soon, the JL gang discovers that potentially messing up the timeline is the least of his worries.

Spoilers for various Season 9 episodes (I tend to add bits of random scenes in just because I can).

A/N: What do fight scenes and love scenes have in common? According to the instructor of the only creative writing course I've ever taken, they both tend to feature floating body parts (especially when the author loses track of which limbs are where). What she didn't mention was that they're also great to read but a pain in the ass to write.

Thanks for much for all the kind comments, everyone! They really brighten my day. =)

Chapter 6

His father was in danger.

Connor's mind kicked into action and he practically flew over the rooftops as his hands reached for an arrow.

Meanwhile, Oliver was still a bit pre-occupied with locating the missing time-traveller. "Watchtower, can you get me any leads on him?"

"He must have removed the tracking device, because the location I'm getting is Queen Plaza."

Suddenly, his senses screamed at him and he turned around just as Connor's arrow grazed the unknown assassin's sword-arm.

However, that failed to deter the assassin, who promptly swung at Green Arrow with the sharp blade.

Oliver dodged to the side, only to see Connor flying through the air to tackle the attacker.

The two of them landed near the edge of the roof, with Connor trying to wrestle the blade away. Oliver just tightened his fingers on the arrow, unable to shoot since there was a good chance he might accidentally hit Connor.

The unknown attacker slammed his head against the ground and Connor swore he saw stars. Right at that moment, his fingers closed around his opponent's uncovered forearm.

Connor could sense the other man's shock as the energy transfer began, but another punch loosened his grip.

Oliver got his chance when the attacker got up from a now unmoving Connor on the ground, but to his amazement, the guy managed to catch the arrow with his bare hands.

Not another one, thought Oliver. Please tell me this guy's not related to Clark.

Shaking his head, Connor staggered to his feet as the assassin charged towards his father.

"Arrow!" Back at the tower, Chloe was trying to remain calm, but it seemed to be a losing battle. What was happening?

Suddenly she heard more shouting and then there just silence.

Landing heavily on the floor, Oliver brought up an arm to shield his face as glass shards rained down around him.

I am really getting sick of being throw through windows all the time, he thought irritably as he tried to catch his breathe.

Even as the assassin leapt off the roof, Connor was rushing towards the broken skylight where Green Arrow had gone through.

Landing with a thump onto the ground, he hurried towards his father, the latter of whom was slowly struggling to his feet.

"Where did he go?" was the first thing Oliver asked.

"He got away," Connor said as his father leaned heavily on him. "Who was that?"

Oliver just shook his head. "I have no idea. C'mon, let's head back."

If Connor was curious about why Oliver happened to be in the area in the first place, he didn't voice it.

"Oliver, stop being so stubborn!" Connor could tell it wasn't the first time they'd had this argument. "You have a meeting tomorrow and you're flying out to the other side of the country in two days. You can't just walk in with that huge gash across your face! People'll ask questions!"

"It's just a tiny scratch," Oliver countered as Chloe dabbed at his wounds, "Ow!"

"Then you should have no problem with me healing it."

The two of them seemed to be engaged in a silent battle of wills.

Oliver finally relented. "Fine. But only that one."

"But-"

"I mean it, sidekick."

Chloe just pressed her hand against his cheek before he could change his mind. A warm feeling washed over him before the gash disappeared only to appear on Chloe's cheek. She winced.

"I'm sorry," he said softly, his hand slowly coming up to cover hers.

"It's okay."

His parents seemed to be having a moment, so Connor took that opportunity to slip quietly out the doors of his mother's work area. His wounds were less obvious and while Chloe offered to heal them for him, he had thanked her, but refused. After all, he was a quick healer.

What he didn't tell them was that he did manage to catch a few stray thoughts from the attacker. He didn't recognize the other two men, but he did recognize the interior – the prominent Queen Industries logo gave it away.

What it meant was that Connor needed a plan into company headquarters.

It had been a slow day for Chloe, what with Oliver away on a business trip for Queen Industries and the boys having left to pursue their own activities for the moment.

Heading out for a coffee run, she was waiting in line when a voice behind her spoke up.

"Almond mocha with extra whip, right?"

Startled, she whipped around to see Connor's smiling expression. Unlike when he first dropped into their lives, he was looking significantly less scruffy and much healthier, though he could still use a haircut. For some reason, Chloe had never noticed how tall he was until now – she had to tilt her head up just to meet his gaze.

"Good guess," She lowered her voice, "So is that something you know from your time or is mind-reading an ability you forgot to mention?"

He shrugged, "I'm just a fountain of information like that."

"And that extends to how I like my coffee?" Chloe sounded skeptical.

"That's just 'cause I started out as the JL coffee boy before I worked my way up the ranks. Someone had to do it."

"Right…" she stretched the word out. "So what brings you out here today?"

Two hours passed before Chloe realized it. Connor had excused himself to run some errands and they'd parted ways outside JL Towers.

After being the listener for so many years, Chloe found it refreshing to be on the other end. Connor had seemed genuinely interested in what she had to say although he was rather reticent about his life.

"Did I know your parents?" Chloe asked suddenly, "I don't know why, but I just feel like I've know you from somewhere."

Connor looked uncomfortable. "Well…"

"Actually, forget I said that," she backtracked, "I know there's only so much you can tell us-"

"You knew my dad," Connor blurted out before he inwardly cursed himself. Why did he say that?

"Oh?"

"Yeah. People are always saying how much I resemble him, especially from far away."

"He must be really worried," Chloe said softly, "It's been more than a week since you've landed here."

Connor sighed, "He's… My father died when I was fourteen."

Chloe's eyes widened in shock, "I'm sorry, I didn't know."

"It's alright. It's been quite a few years ago. He was never quite the same after my mom died." Probably because she died trying to save me.

"Oh my," Chloe felt the urge to give the young man across from her a hug. Has anything ever gone right in your life?

She didn't even realize she'd spoken her thoughts out loud until Connor gave a dry chuckle.

"It's not that bad. My parents were really well-off, so it's not like I ever lacked for money. That and some friends of my parents, they took me in and treated me like one of their own…" Connor shook his head before giving her a rueful smile, "I guess that wasn't what you were expecting when you asked your question."

Looking to change the topic, Chloe stopped on the first thing that came to mind. "Oliver said that you were pretty handy with the crossbow. Coming from him, that's quite a compliment."

A flash of something - pain? - crossed his eyes, but then Chloe blinked and it was gone.

"I had some training," he said vaguely. "Did you manage to figure out who that mysterious attacker was?"

And with that the conversation turned back into shop-talk.


"Shadowhawk here. I've received news that Connor Queen may still be alive."

Head Councilman Akan scowled, "How is that possible?"

"The girl stated that she felt a disruption in the timeline. She thinks it's possible that Queen may have travelled back in time. Kent thinks he may have a way of going back to retrieve him," The spy paused, "What are your orders, sir?"

The councilman tapped his chin thoughtfully. "If Kent is successful, that could cause problems. Keep an eye on him for now, but if it looks like it's going to work, stop him."

"It might get messy," warned the spy, "Kent's not going to back down without a fight."

"Sacrifices must be made sometimes."

"Yes, sir." With that, Akan's image disappeared from the screen of the phone. He sighed.

Meanwhile, his ears picked up the distinct sound of Alana's shoes before she came into sight.

"Jay, there you are! Nathan's back," There was a renewed spark in her eye that had been missing the past few days.

"That was quick," was all Jay said.

Something in this tone must have been off, because Alana gave him a sharp look. "Are you alright?"

"Just sorting out a few things out in my head," he said lightly, "Don't worry about it."

His smile was ironic.

Feed the author! =P (sorry, couldn't resist).