Title: Penance 7/?

Author: Smileeface

Fandom: Smallville AU

Pairings: Chloe/Oliver,

Rating: PG(for now)

Disclaimer: I do not own Smallville/DC or the characters. I am just playing with them.

Summary: Penance: an act of self-abasement, mortification, or devotion performed to show sorrow or repentance for sin. I am really not like Chloe's story arc so I've decided to change it a little to suit my own needs. That's what fan fiction is right? LOL

A/N: Hey Guys, Sorry this is soo short, but I hope you like it none the less.

I've got the next chapter almost done...the much anticipated reunion between Chloe and Oliver. :)

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Clark sped back to his farm, Chloe had moved from the kitchen to the living room. The TV on CNN as she scanned the news channels for any news or information on Davis. She was standing in the middle of the room in front of the TV, remote in hand; ready to change the channel again when she heard the back door open and close. She knew it was Clark. His footsteps had a distinctive sound as he walked across the kitchen linoleum floor. She turned when she heard Clark enter the living room, though her focus was still mainly on the news, she didn't notice his stricken expression.

"Clark, I have to get to either Oliver's or to Isis. I have to get on the computer so that we can find Davis and figure out a plan. I am sure that Oliver will have the team ready for this mission…Clark, what's wrong?" She had finally turned and centered her full focus on him…he was just standing there looking at her. He obviously had received bad news and was not looking forward to telling her about it.

"Chloe…I'm really not sure how to tell you this. Maybe you want to sit down."

"Oh God Clark, just tell me that something hasn't happen to Oliver or to the boys or Dinah. Please just tell me that they are ok." She said as she remained standing.

"Yes, they are fine. But Oliver, he's…Chloe, I just…Well," Clark stuttered. He really didn't want to be the one to tell her what Oliver had said to him.

"Spit it out, Clark. Just like a band aide if you pull it off quickly the pain doesn't last as long."

"Chloe, Oliver said that you were," he just couldn't bring himself to use the word, 'fired' "that he doesn't want you to be Watchtower any longer."

"What?" She said softly. Her disappointment and heart break shown on her face. She stumbled backwards until the back of her knees were up against the coffee table. She slowly sank down so that she was sitting on the coffee table, she wasn't sure if her legs would support her. 'They hated her now,' kept running at 'Clark' speed through her brain. She let it sink in, Clark's words, before she spoke again. Her head sunk into her hands as she felt the familiar wetness begin to gather behind her lids. She knew she had to get this crying thing under control and soon. She struggled to keep her composure, she would not let the tears fall this time. Her hurt and anger would be her fuel for the up and coming battle.

"Why?" She asked already knowing the answer but wanting to hear it nonetheless. She pulled her head out of her hands; her watery eyes looked straight into Clark's remorseful ones. "Why, Clark? Tell me why he doesn't want me back."

"Chloe, he thinks that you are untrustworthy and that you've betrayed the team by leaving with Davis."

"Betrayed the team? Untrustworthy? Clark, is he serious! I left with Davis for the team and for you, for him!"

"Ah, there's the other thing." Clark shook his head in bemusement. "Chloe, I am not sure how or why but this has something to do with me too. It was in the way he said things, the way he looked at me; I am not sure what that is, Chloe. He's bitter. He's angry and hurt." He watched her gather her courage and stand up from where she sat. She looked around her, spotting her jacket on the chair off to the side she went and retrieved it. He knew what she was going to do as she put her arms into the sleeves and made her way to the door. "Maybe it's wise to give him time to come to terms with his emotions before you go off and confront him." He said as she reached for the door knob.

"Clark, I have to straighten this out. He has to know that nothing happened between Davis and me. He has to know that I the only reason I left with Davis was to protect the people I care about, not because I loved him like I told you. I only said that so that you all wouldn't waste your time searching for me. That idea has certainly blown up in my face. This could ruin everything. God, Clark this was the worst mistake of my life; it could have cost me the one and only thing I have ever…never mind. I have to go. I have to go see him. I have to try to straighten this out." She looked at him willing him to understand without her having to speak the words.

"Chloe, I am really not sure if that is such a good idea. You are both too emotional right now and we all need to keep clear heads. We have to come up with a way to defeat Doomsday and save Davis in the process. Oliver wants me to just kill Davis. He's changed Chlo, over night or rather in the last five days since you've been gone. He's changed into someone, I don't know. Someone cold. Someone cut off. He was willing to sacrifice Davis and anyone else for that matter. I don't know what happened but he's not the Ollie that we know and love. He's become someone, something different…darker."

"That is why I have to go see him. Oliver's still in there, maybe I can reach him. He must be having a meeting soon with the guys." Her brain was spinning trying to figure out the quickest way to reach Oliver. "Clark take me to his penthouse, please. I need to see him face to face. I need to talk to him. Clark I need this, Oliver needs this." She pleaded urgently already opening the door. She'd walk all the way to Metropolis if she had to.

"Chloe, I know it's none of my business, but is there something more going on between Oliver and you?" He said as he stood in front of her studying her.

"I don't know anymore, Clark. I don't know. If Oliver is reacting the way that you said he is then I really, honestly don't know." Her bottom lip curled up over her top lip in a pout as she tried to hold back her dread. But her eyes, her expressive green eyes, conveyed the fear and trepidation that she was feeling, to Clark. This was not going to be pretty between Chloe and Oliver. Clark just knew it.

Clark scooped Chloe up into his arms and ran her to Oliver's place. He reached the penthouse just as the guys were getting there too. They must have already been on their way over to Oliver's when they got the text. Their elation over seeing Chloe morphed into a welcome home celebration on the street in front of Oliver's building.

"CHLOE!" Bart tackled the woman as he appeared out of thin air.

"Bart!" She cried out as she was twirled in the air, slowly for Bart, quickly for Chloe. "I've missed you too!" She exclaimed dizzily as Bart put her two feet back on the ground. Victor and AC each grabbed her, sandwiching her in between them then Bart jumped back in on the hugging action. Clark just chuckled at their awkward group hug. This was how it was supposed to be when Chloe returned, Clark thought…the missing piece back in its rightful place.

"Chloe! Chica! Where have you been? Why'd you leave us?" Bart asked the question on all the guys' minds.

"Ahh, before you answer that, Chloe, why don't we head inside? Guys," Victor said to Bart and AC, "Don't you think we should do the Q&A inside instead of out here on the street?"

"Oh Yeah! I bet Ollie is going to be beside him self. He's been practically out of his mind about this whole thing. You really pulled a number on him this time, Chloelicious."

"Yeah, so I've been told." She said as she looked over her shoulder at Clark. AC looped his arm over Chloe's shoulder in a big brother kind of manner as they walked through the doors that lead to the lobby of Oliver's building. They were all glad that she was back. Chloe and the boys waved 'hello' to Fred the security guard and headed off to Oliver's private elevator that lead to his personal apartment. As the doors of the elevator closed Chloe pressed the emergency stop button, stalling their arrival to Oliver's apartment and spoke again to all the guys. "Look guys, I think that there might be some issues that will come up between Oliver and me that I want you all to stay out of, ok? We'll work them out ourselves. No matter what happens or what is said up here today, I want you all to know; I am and always shall be your Watchtower and your friend. I love all of you; you've all become part of my family."

"Chloe, what's going on? You're talking like you're leaving again." Bart said worriedly.

"I don't want to leave again but I just may have to. I have a feeling that things between Oliver and me are going to get heated…and not in a good way," she said pointedly at Bart and AC as they both looked like they were about to crack a joke. "But if I have to leave," she said seriously, looking at all her 'boys,' "I want you all to promise me that you will take care of each other and especially of Oliver. He's really hurting right now and he's really going to need you. But you need to always remember that if you need me, no matter what, I will always be there for you. There are going to be NO taking sides in this. You will all stand behind Oliver. Promise me."

All the guys shook their heads no, not wanting to let her go again.

"Chloe," Clark said, "regardless of what happens between you and Ollie I am your friend. It's going to be you and me always…do you understand? If Oliver doesn't want you to come back well, that's his loss and he's a fool, but I am NOT giving you up again."

All the guys agreed with Clark. They loved Oliver but they also fell in love with Chloe. They knew that they should be loyal to Oliver, he being their friend and benefactor, hell he was their leader…but he was wrong if he was going to make Chloe leave the team. They weren't complete before she arrived; they certainly won't be complete if she has to leave.

"Clark's right, Licious. We've just got you back! I don't want you to leave." Bart pouted like a child who's been told he couldn't have something.

"Look guys, I appreciate all of this, I really do. I wasn't expecting for everyone to welcome me back with open arms the way that you all have. I've missed you, all of you. My heart was aching for you while I was with Davis, but Oliver is our leader and whatever he says goes. Got it. If that means that I am off the team, then that means that I am off the team. You are his team, his family. You will support him. You will not choose between us, there is no choice. Things will go back to the way they were before I joined the team, understood. It will be like I've never existed. You will do this for Oliver especially after all that he's done for you."

"Chloe, you are talking like you already know the outcome of this meeting with Oliver. Is there something that you aren't telling us that we should know?" Victor asked.

"I know Oliver." She said quietly and backed up into the far corner of the elevator after she hit the button that would reactivate it. The conversation that they were having ended abruptly as the elevator carried them up to the penthouse. The morose group waited for the doors to open, dreading what was about to transpire between Oliver and Chloe. No one had a good feeling about this confrontation.

Tbc…

A/N: Constructive feedback is always appreciated! Thanks for reading! :)