Disclaimer: I do not own Smallville or any of these characters

AN: Thank you for all the reviews and such,love you guys. Laying out things a little different in this chapter and it's a little longer then a normal time hehe... Enjoy!

Chapter 19: Flickering sparks

MONDAY 9:00 A.M

OLIVER QUEEN SHOT BY GREEN ARROW The words were printed in black and white across the front page of the Daily Planet for the whole world to see. Oliver looked at the headline and down to his arm resting in a sling wondering how the hell this had happened. The arrow went right through his shoulder not hitting any major organs or arteries, he only suffered minor physical damage. But his ego and reputation was another story. That story was reported by one Chloe Sullivan, he read her name and smirked at the irony and then frowned looking at his arm once again. How did things like this happen?

SUNDAY 10:00 A.M 8 hours to engagement party

Chloe Sullivan opened the door to the Talon apartment not surprised of the mess the place had become in her absence. Her eyes followed the path of accessories, shoe's, and purses spread out across the floor to her cousin standing in front of the full length mirror on the other side of the room.

"I like the dress, but I thought you said blue wasn't your color?" Chloe made Lois aware of her presence looking at her cousin through the reflection in the mirror.

"Chloe oh my goodness, I'm so glad you're okay Smallville told me about your mental break. Why didn't you tell me that Dark Thursday was still affecting you so much? Were family Chlo we could have worked it out instead you go off on me." Lois started her normal rambling crushing Chloe to her in a loving bear hug. "You're not still mad at me are you?"

"Um... There wasn't much I felt I could say Lois," She mentally vowed later to thank Clark in the most violent way for the excuse. "I mean so many others were affected by that day that my pain didn't seem to matter I guess it just piled up. But I'm fine now no more blowing up like volcano for no reason, I promise everything is fine. "

"I'm glad, speaking of things waiting to explode are you going to the engagement party tonight?" Lois went back to the mirror a pair of scissors in her hand as she stared at the too long dress, the intent to remedy the situation on her face.

"Yeah that's actually why I'm here, I needed a few things before heading to Metropolis." She went to unpacking her bag.

"Metropolis? I thought the party was at the mansion here in Smallville?" Lois said picking up her own invite to the occasion looking it over thoroughly and thanking the stars that she did. "Oh, you're right it is in the city at the Luthor Penthouse. Thanks for helping avoid that awkward silence. I would have shown up at the mansion and it would have been party of one."

Lois went back to eying her dress in her reflection as Chloe went to unpacking her bag and heading for the bathroom to retrieve a few person items to take back to Oliver's. It was unbelievable that she hadn't been home in the past two and a half weeks. After she went to confront the viper she didn't think she was coming back so she had packed accordingly. She would have come back after saving her mother, but Chloe didn't want to leave her mother's side at all for the past two weeks she just couldn't bring herself to, not yet. And she wasn't going to bring the older Sullivan anywhere near Smallville where Lex would probably find her.

"How was the farm? Clark is right you know sometimes good old fresh air is all you need to rejuvenate your engines." Lois asked popping her head in the doorway of the small bathroom.

"Oh yeah the Farm, it was great he taught me how to milk a cow," Farm, what a great cover Clark had come up with. "Hey Lo why is there a blue t-shirt hanging up in the shower."

"Um... oh that no reason, no reason at all" The brunette ran past the blonde taking the garment down and hiding it behind her back trying to hide it from Chloe. "Does that happen to belong to a certain farmboy you can't stand?"

"I never said I can't stand him." She tried denying her obvious annoyance she had always had when it came to Clark Kent.

"Yes you have like a dozen times. What is it doing our shower? Oh my god did you and Clark…" Chloe wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.

"No...of course not. Well almost." The tone in her words was remorseful.

"Almost, how do you almost do the horizontal mambo?" Chloe knew more than a few ways that you could almost do it and not get there all the way. Being that every time she finally got Oliver to give into her advances they were interrupted by something or other. "And when did you even start to see him that way?"

"Well, I don't know I was just going along and somewhere down the road I just…it's weird the way I feel around him. I can't explain it. I've never felt this way before, but after last night. " She was rambling again this was not good, her cousin normally knew what she was thinking and didn't hesitate to speak her mind, But now Clark seem to have Lois tongue tied.

"Last night, what happen last night?" Chloe was curious what she had missed not that she wanted a front row seat to the Lois Clark operetta.

"I don't know he finally made his move and well he walked out when it was just getting good. But what else should I expect from the great Clark Kent? He seems to run out at the last second on everything." Lois' gaze fell back to the invitation to the party eying it like it was a pariah. "I knew he still wasn't over her."

"Lois if Clark left at the last minute I'm sure he had a good reason. Maybe he's not ready give him time. I'm sure he'll come around." Chloe placed a comforting hand on her cousin's shoulder trying to make her feel better.

"I feel so guilty. I don't hate or blame Lana for anything. But I'm torn Chloe, Lana is my, our friend I want to be there for her. I feel like I'm betraying Clark if I go to the party. She hurt him." There were now tears forming in her eyes at the thought of betraying Clark.

"Whatever happened between them should not affect what's happening or going to happen between you and Clark. However, Clark's issues are just that Lo. His issue's don't let them affect your decision to support Lana. Anyway I'm sure she needs us more right now." Chloe didn't like putting her best friend down like that, but Lana did need them now more than ever after losing something so important to her. Not to mention that sooner or later Lex was going down for good, or Chloe was going to try and take him down and hopefully Lana would side with them when it came down to it.

"The operetta aside, what are you wearing to this little celebration, too soon to be wedded bliss?" Lois wiped the tears of remorse away and questioned Chloe's fashion sense.

"Don't worry I have something, but hey I have to go I have some things to do before the party actually starts. You know no rest for the maid of honor." It was true she had some things to do, but things that wear more related to the Green Arrow more than the party. "See you there Lo."

"Wait my cars been impounded I swear the sheriff has it out for me. I thought we could ride in together get some more much needed Chlo-Lo time." Her down cast expression was enough to make Chloe sigh. "I mean we have a lot to talk about like for example your defense of the Green Arrow Bandit."

"Lois don't start that again please. I know everything I need to know about the Green Arrow and so does the rest of the world, as a favor to me just drop it.. Now if you'll excuse me the bride is calling." With that Chloe headed for the door putting her phone to her ear and slinging her black bag over her shoulder. "I'm sure Mrs. K can give you a lift. Bye Lo. "

SUNDAY 10:30 A.M 71/2 hours to engagement party

"Hey, Lana what are you up to?" Chloe answered her cell on her way down the stairs to the Talon Coffee shop.

"Just making the final preparations for the party, are you coming tonight?" Her friend sounded like a happy cheery bride like she was supposed to, But Chloe could sense the undertone of unhappiness in Lana's voice.

"Yes of course I'll be there and I'm bringing a man so I won't be flying solo tonight like I thought. I hope that's okay?" She said thinking of how good Oliver looked in a tux, damn she couldn't wait to get back to him.

"Oh yes that's just fine Chloe, I'm so happy you found somebody. Who is he? What's his name? What does he do for a living? Do I know him?" Lana said asking all the questions a girl's best friend was suppose to ask.

"I'm sure you've heard of him, but just to keep it a surprise I'm gonna let him play mysterious until tonight." She smirked as she replied.

"Okay fine don't tell me. I can wait to find out who put that smirk on your face. Yes I know your smirking from the way you're talking." Lana did know her to well. "I just wish Lex wasn't all held up in his office playing dark and mysterious."

"What is he up to? Lex find another spaceship?" Chloe laughed knowing perfectly well that the possibility of what she just said were high. But Lex was preoccupied with 33.1 at the moment she was sure of it.

"It's not alien related but it is green." Green? No it couldn't be, but sadly it was. "He's obsessed with that Green Arrow bandit for some reason. Lex didn't come out and tell me anything. But I caught a glimpse of a security report he was looking at."

"Security report?" What did that have to do with her hero, Chloe questioned.

"Yeah, I don't know what any of it means but from what I can tell Lex thinks that Oliver Queen could be the Green Arrow." Lana's tone was sarcastic like she couldn't believe it either. "Personally I think it's absurd there's no reason for a billionaire to prance around in tights waving around a compound bow."

"There not tights" Was all Chloe said and then covered her mouth realizing her mistake, luckily it flew over Lana's head. "Um… I mean from what I heard its more like leather body armor. Anyway I'm getting another call I'll see you tonight."

SUNDAY 12:00 P.M 6 hours to engagement party

"Knock knock…anyone home." Oliver Queen knocked on the door of the Kent farm walking through it at the sight of Clark Kent sitting at the kitchen island.

"Oliver what you doing here? Where's Chloe? She detach you from her hip for a few hours?" Clark remarked putting the finishing touches on his sandwich. Oliver quirked an eyebrow noticing the unhappiness in Clark's tone.

"We don't spend all our time together. But I will confess I haven't been out of the penthouse in the last two week accept for my patrol and a few business meetings." Oliver took a seat beside the farmboy setting his elbow on the counter and leaning on his hand.

"So whats you turning into a homebody have to do with you being here? It's Sunday and my mom has a strict policy about not working on a Sunday. Besides she has to go to that party tonight." He clenched his jaw at the thought of the engagement party and who it was for.

"Nothing and I'm not here to see your mom. Chloe sent me over to ask you if you would make an appearance at Lex's blessed little event tonight."Oliver said like he was forced into coming over here and truth be told he was.

"Why does she think I would be caught with in a hundred miles of that party? Tell her thanks but no thanks. I wasn't even invited." The dumbfounded look on his face was not unexpected.

"Neither was I, but I'm going." The billionaire smirked at the thought of a smug Lex Luthor being put in his place. His anger over what Lex had done to Chloe when she confronted him was still there. But if he couldn't physically damage the snake crashing his engagement party would have to do for now. "Besides Chloe doesn't want Clark Kent to crash the party she wants The Green Arrow to."

"But you're the Green Arrow and you just said you were already going, you're not making any sense Oliver. What's really going on here?" This was not making sense to the farmboy and the billionaire finally decided to come out and present Chloe's brilliant idea to protect his identity.

"I need you to dress up as the Green Arrow tonight and crash the engagement party so Lex will stop barking up the Oliver Queen is the Green Arrow tree." It was a mouthful and a big favor, but since the request came from Chloe Oliver hoped Clark would say yes.

"So you want me to prance around in your tights hoping that Lex will believe that I'm your alter ego?" Clark took a bite of his sandwich hoping that somehow it would stop him from saying yes, but he knew the point was mute. He could never say no to Chloe.

"There not tights." Oliver replied like it was a reflex. "And I don't prance."

SUNDAY 5:30 P.M 30 minutes to engagement party

She was a vision in the purple satin dress, Oliver watched as Chloe tried without much success to zip up the zipper. She had said earlier that she gained weight, he hadn't noticed much, Chloe always looked good to him and always would. She wasn't showing much at all, maybe a few pound here and there. No one at the party would notice all the attention would be on Lana Lang the blushing bride to be.

"Here let me help you with that." Oliver pushed off from the door frame he was leaning on and made his way over to where Chloe was standing in front of the full length mirror in his walk in closet.

"Thank you." Chloe said as she felt the zipper being pulled in place and didn't fail to notice the way Oliver's hand skimmed crossed her expose flesh.

"Are you sure you're ready for this?" The strain in his tone was enough for her to know what he was referring to and that he could see the apprehension written all over her face.

"Yes, more than ready. It's time the world knows what we are too each other." Chloe tangled her arms around his neck placing a chaste kiss to his lips.

"You really think the world is going to believe the little love story you concocted?" Oliver returned the embrace nuzzling his nose into the crook of her neck. "I know I can't wait to see the look on Lex's face when he hears the fairy tale of the emerald archer and sexy cyber savior."

"For the sake of keeping our secret lives secret, it's going to be that ballad of the Billionaire playboy and intrepid reporter that he met at a senator's thanksgiving dinner, and I think the one we should be worried about is Clark and how well he can pull off your green leather." Chloe brought her lips to his again in an intense kiss causing Oliver to back her up into the nearest wall.

His passion for her had been rekindled in the past few hours as he watched her dress and do her hair. Her golden locks had grown a few inches sense he had first met her. Oliver noted the way she always drove him wild and as she wrapped her legs around his hips, he suddenly got the inkling they were going to be running late tonight.

"Knock…Knock." Damn. Why were they always interrupted at the best part?

"Hey boss man the car is ready when you are." Victor Stone who would be playing the role of Limo Driver tonight said through the bedroom door. Oliver wouldn't have normally taken his Limo, but he thought it would keep up the appearances and he didn't want to take a pregnant Chloe anywhere in his sports car.

"Thanks Vic, We'll be there in a sec." Oliver called back through the door and then turned to Chloe helping her fix the floor length dress and grabbed her heels handing them to her. He started on his cuff links and fixing his own appearance.

SUNDAY 5:45 P.M 15 minute to engagement party

"Hey what's momma bear up to tonight?" Chloe asked as she grabbed her purse off the kitchen counter, that everyone was still avoiding and then came to sit next to her mother on the small sofa that sat by the balcony doors.

"Nothing I'm thinking I'm going to finish my book." Moira replied and took in the sight of her daughter and complimented Chloe on her appearance. "You really have grown into a beautiful young woman."

"I'm sure she gets her looks from her mother's side." Oliver complimented them both as he helped Chloe into her coat.

"Always with the compliments Mr. Queen." Moira remarked and cut herself off from saying what she really wanted to say. Oliver Queen looked so much like his mother, she still hadn't told either Chloe or Oliver the real reason she let Lionel Luthor send her away or the fact that Lionel Luthor was even involvement in her leaving her family.

"Only when it's the truth Mrs. Sullivan." He was truly a sweet young man even if he had been a playboy. Oliver Queen was a good man for Chloe and he still treated both of them with such respect.

SUNDAY 6:45 P.M 45 minutes into engagement party

"Lois are you sure Chloe said she was on her way?" Lana questioned Lois who was sitting at the open bar trying to get another drink.

"On her way, I thought she was here already? She said earlier that she was helping you with setting up?" Lois took the wine glass she was handed taking a sip.

"Oh yeah she was, but she went to get some ice." Lana covered for one of her oldest friends not wanting to hear Lois ramble on about Chloe and her secrets. She would asked Chloe later about where she really was.

The party decor for the celebration was sophisticated, expensive, and somewhat lack luster. But only the best for a Luthor, Oliver mentally noted everyone that entered the large ball room as he watched the door from the hall waiting to go in.

"If it isn't Oliver Queen I don't recall inviting you. How did you get in here?" Lex Luthor stood at the entrance greeting his guesses as they arrived. "And aren't you a little late to crash the party?"

"I wasn't invited Lex she was." Oliver glanced towards the doorway as Chloe's petite blond form walked through it and came to stand next to them interlocking her arm with Oliver's. "Lex I believe you know my Ms. Sullivan."

"Chloe…" Lex looked from one blond to the other as if wondering just how much of a charade this was and bit back an insult.

SUNDAY 8:17 P.M 2 hours 17 minutes into engagement party

Damn why did it have to be so small? Chloe cursed and adjusted her dress as she riffled through everything in the feign sports car looking for something incriminating against the bald viper. Billionaires and their toys, she shook her head smirking Lex's toy collection was nothing compared to Oliver's. Dinner had been pleasant besides the oohs and awes about her choice of date. Both Lana and Mrs. K just smiled a knowing smile and Lois somehow kept her rambling at a minimum about the whole thing. Lex was another story, constantly sending a scowl in Oliver and her's direction.

After dinner the party continued every guest was making small talk congratulating the happy couple and dancing away to a live band Lex had hired. The whole thing was a little extravagant for an engagement party and seem like more of a corporate function for Lex than a celebration of his engagement to Lana. Thankfully that heartlessness though, everyone was perfectly distracted for Chloe to slip away.

"Hey what are you doing in here?" A low masculine voice brought Chloe out of her thoughts and made her jump as the door opened.

"Damn it Ollie you scared me." Her heartbeat slowed down from freight as Oliver closed the door taking a seat in the driver's side. "I thought I told you not to play all dark and mysterious tonight?"

"Dark and mysterious," He quirked an eyebrow at her statement and then smirked at her. "How about cyber super sleuth? What are you doing in here? Placing a few bugs or something?"

"You know me too well." Chloe leaned over giving him a peck on the lips and then went back to placing the GPS, and tiny microphones in hidden locations. Hopefully Lex wouldn't find them. Even if he did they wouldn't be traceable back to her or Oliver. "I just figured you know were here and I couldn't stand another second listening to the rich and arrogant talk about who has a bigger ego."

"And you called me a workaholic. Wait I'm rich and arrogant and you said my over inflated ego was one of your favorite things about me." Wining was not a good look on him and without warning Chloe brought her lips back to his using the kiss to wipe away the unhappy expression on his face. Oliver happily responded to the kiss the only way he knew how. Chloe ran a hand through Oliver's hair grasping at it as his mouth left hers and trailed down her neck to her collarbone. Oliver was about to groan in pleasure, but as sudden as thought of pleasure entered his mind he abruptly stopped his seductive assault on Chloe's exposed skin.

"Ollie…Hey!" As he pulled back from her Chloe did the same and wondered for a second how she ended up straddling Oliver's hips. "Why did you stop?...Ollie?"

"Every time things start getting good we're interrupted. I just don't want to go too far only to get shot down before we can finish.I don't think I can take that heart break again. Not to mention, this isn't exactly a place or the time for..." Oliver groaned in frustration when Chloe didn't say a word and instead just shifted her hips rubbing herself against him. His pants were already too tight and she wasn't helping the situation. "Chloe…you're not…"

"Shhh…we have plenty of time and you already know how flexible I can be." Chloe whispered seductively in his ear sending a chill of anticipation down Oliver's back. Of all the places and times in the world, Chloe had turned into quite the little minx.

SUNDAY 9:01 P.M 3 hours into engagement party

Lex Luthor scanned over the crowd looking for Oliver Queen and couldn't find his fellow billionaire anywhere in the ball room until he caught sight of the devious blonde making a discreet return to the festivities. Just like he thought, this was going to be easier than he thought. His security camera's had just caught glimpse of a hooded figure on the upper floor of the penthouse in a private study. Lex told his security not to intervene just yet that he would take care of it.

How stupid did that Queen think he was? Probably as stupid as the rest of the city. How they didn't see through his facade and how it took so long for him to realize the true identity of the Green Arrow menace. Now that Lex thought about it. Everything made perfect sense. Oliver had always had it out for him.

"Excuse me ladies, Oliver I believe we have some unfinished business." Lex said breaking up a flowing conversation that his fellow billionaire was having with Lana, Lois, and Martha. But not Chloe, where was that little snoop? He would have to figure out that bit later.

"Yes I believe we do Lex. Ladies you understand," Oliver politely excused himself from the conversation and followed Lex as the bald viper nodded his head towards a door that led up to the private study.

SUNDAY 9:04 P.M 18 minutes to the shooting of Oliver Queen

"I don't know how you talked me into this." Clark talked into the comlink that was connected to Chloe's phone.

"I didn't Oliver did, its revenge for you telling Lois I went crazy. Now stop the wining and focus. Lets got over the plan again." When had she become so demanding, oh that's right she always was.

"Okay…Okay I know the plan run in grab the necklace off your neck and get out." The farmboy sighed this was just not his night at all. He was not happy at all after the whole thing with Lois going wrong life was just not fair.

"Yep, that's it. You don't even have to touch an arrow. See you in a few, good luck Boyscout." With that she hung up her cell and turned back to the party expecting to see Oliver talking to her cousin and Lana. Wait where was he?

SUNDAY 9:05 P.M 17 minutes to the shooting of Oliver Queen

"I've been waiting for this moment all night Lex, it's not every day I get invited into the lion's den. So tell me why does the great Lex Luthor want one on one time with me? It can't be to kick me out for crashing your little celebration here." Oliver took a swig from his wine glass putting on a face of not caring what Lex had to say. "As you recall I came with Ms. Sullivan and she was invited."

"Being kicked out of this blissful event is the last thing you need to worry about Queen." Lex said pulling out a gun and pointing it in Oliver's direction. "I know your secret Oliver and I'm going to expose you to the world."

AN: Thanks for staying tuned this long. Next Chapter The Green Arrow shoots Oliver Queen!As always thanks for reading and please review. I do reply to all reviews and I love hearing from Fellow Smallville fans. And when reviewing please do be honest. But no flaming if you don't agree with what I'm writing that's ok, but negativity is a downer.