Hey, how are you all?

I'm considering killing all my electronics; Just got my Laptop fixed and my iPod dies... makes me wonder what will break when I get my iPod fixed. Makes me bloody grateful for a student loan right now though.

Anyway, Reviews have been AMAZING! I seem to have a few of you hooked to almost addiction, I apologize but here's another hit for you.

Previously; Chloe found Oliver's research into her. They fought, she left. After a quick chic flick session, she explores the clocktower and finds Green Arrow hanging around. A little advice later and she's prepared to forgive Oliver, but oh no! Lex sends her a text; he's changing the Nexus plans. Chloe drives to Lex's to find the new plans to give to Arrow, only she finds something else much more disturbing. After catching Lex in bed with Lana, she gets her second dose of Luthor as she finds Lionel in Lex's study. Her emotions send her speeding to Oliver's arms. But... he's not there.

Chapter Twenty-Eight; The Next Step

'All my life I've had to second guess the intention of others' - Lex Luthor (season Two, Episode Heat)

"Changing?" Victor asked, eyes bulging from his head. "You've got to be kidding me?!"

"I saw her get the text from Lex. Sorry guys."

"Changing to what?" Dinah spoke up from her seat on her couch. Green Bean had invaded and soon everyone was here in her small apartment.

"She's finding out now."

"And she'll tell you?"

"She will." he confirmed.

Dinah sighed, she couldn't believe all of this shit.

"Not to be the one to say this, but this could be all a very elaborate play." AC spoke up.

"It's not." Arrow disagreed.

"You say that based on what? Her ability to fuck you?" Oliver's gaze cut Dinah's words to silence, driving her tongue back into her mouth.

"Chloe's cool, she knows Lex is not to be trusted. If she's giving Oliver the plans, then they're the plans." Bart's loyalty was strong, to Chloe and the team.

"As the only one here not thinking with their dicks when they see her, can we really trust her?"

"I don't see why not." But this was Victor speaking before Arrow or Impulse could find words. "We'll still be cautious, and a plan is only a plan, we all know things can go wrong and yet we can still roll with it." Eyes tracked him from the window ledge where he'd perched to the group and into their conversation. "The first plan she gave us… we'd have been dead without it. Guaranteed." He hated how vulnerable they were before Lex. "If she brings us a revised plan, then we'll look at it, take on board some advice and prepare for it. Worst case scenario; we have to think on our feet. Nothing we haven't done before. Best case scenario; we find we have a friend on the inside."

Ac shrugged, he could accept this, it was logical, structured and Vic was right, it was only ever an advantage, without it they'd be going in expecting anything anyway.

"I don't like it. I don't like her. I don-"

"We know." Bart groaned, interrupting Dinah, much to her annoyance. Her eyes slitted dangerously to him.

"Fine. It's changed. Is that all?" she hissed, annoyed with the boys yet again. Whenever it came down to Chloe, she could only trust her own judgement.

"We still need to discuss Emil." AC offered. "Are we giving him the watchtower code or not?"

"He's trustworthy. I vote yes." Oliver was first to reply. He'd met the man, he trusted him with his life.

"Yeah, he seems cool."

But Bart's words weren't followed by similar ones from Dinah or Vic.

"What the hell is it with you two trusting every misfit you pick up from the streets?!" she snapped.

"It could tie his hands, implications, aiding abetting ect." Vic thought aloud.

"That's what you're bothered about? Protecting the Doc?! What about us?!" Oliver sighed, letting Dinah have at Victor. He tuned it out, he often did whenever Dinah had a stick up her ass about something.

"So… How's Chlo?" Oliver was surprised to find the small voice from Bart who had zapped to his side.

"She's good." he answered simply.

"Just… ummm, I know you've been looking for her. Her real identity, I mean." Oliver turned to the boy… where was this going? "If you find out… tell me?"

"Yeah. Sure."

Both men turned back to Dinah as she picked the vase from the end table, Victor raising his arms in defence. Bart rolled his eyes, but plucked the vase from the air with superspeed as she launched it across the room. Dinah didn't seem to acknowledge the lack of smash as she continued to yell at Victor and now AC too since he was supporting his friend. Bart set the vase in the kitchen then returned to his spot by the window.

But this time, Oliver crossed the room to Bart.

"Any chance you know her favourite movie?"

"Seriously?" he chuckled for a reason Oliver couldn't fathom. "You're going to regret it."

"That bad huh?"

"Oh, no. Her movie taste is excellent. But… you'll regret choosing a movie."

"She a talker?" He liked his movie in quiet with salted popcorn and a beer, people who talked through films deserved shooting, but… maybe he'd pardon Chloe.

"Nope, she's almost a perfect cinema goer."

"But…"

"But, she wriggles. A lot." he laughed, he never minded. He had the energy to tackle her back down every time she started to move. He'd chase her around the sofa to try and pin her while the movie happened. She just batted her eyelashes and he let her go. She knew she wriggled, but she had a comfort thing.

"That's it?"

"Oh, trust me. You'll be regretting it."

"I think I can deal with a little wriggling." Bart smiled widely. It wasn't just a little wriggling. Maybe all that caffeine made her unable to sit still. "Her favourite movie?" Oliver probed again.

"Oh. Uhhh. Well, it depends on her mood. I know her guilty pleasure is Disney's Hercules."

"A woman indebted to Hades falls for the hero." he summed. "How fitting."

"Yeah." Bart agreed with a laugh. "But, she'll watch anything. Actions are usually preferred though. No soppy endings, no romantic plot lines." Bart explained.

"Got it." Both watched Dinah jab her finger at AC for fighting Vic's battle. She'd calm down in a few minutes. "Favourite food?"

"Nah, sorry. That's a little something me and her have. Can't share that man."

"Dessert?" Oliver tried. Bart laughed again.

"Yeah, it's that… oh, that cold one with the coffee in it." Oliver watched him pull faces, trying to remember the name. "It's got layers of cream and coffee and tastes horrible."

"Tiramasu?"

"Yeah, that's the one. Tastes rank, but she loves the stuff." Bart stuck his tongue out in disgust at the memory. "She usually orders it for her birthday, with coffee liqueur and ice-cream added for that extra 'zing'." As much as Oliver tolerated coffee to stay alive, she was starting to change his tastebuds too, because this was starting to sound fantastic.

"Fine! You know what; I give in, let in the entire Metropolis police department." Dinah huffed. "And if there isn't anything else, you can get the fuck out of my apartment. Unlike the majority of you slobs, I have work tomorrow!" The boys passed a secret smile around, taking their leave.

Chloe returned back to her apartment feeling empty, she didn't bother calling Oliver's cell, just left him a hand scribbled note saying she'd called. She left out that she'd hung around for almost an hour just to see if he'd come home.

She sat on the bed, another yawn taking her as she copied across the nexus files. Lex had changed a few of the traps around, adding a refined green meteor dust to one, though she didn't know why. After making a copy, she re-wrote the information she'd noted from Queen into legible format with her own notes attached. She dropped the flashdrive and information down to the front desk night staff, asking for a personal delivery to the Luthor mansion tomorrow morning. They promised it would be done by 10am. The perks of posh living; people did everything for you.

But as she came back up to the room and stood before the bed, she wondered if she would be able to sleep at all. Lionel had been in her dreams, and her reality. But, she'd barely managed a few hours over the last two days, and it was really pulling at her. Chloe decided to give sleep a good try and without bothering to get changed into pyjamas, she slipped into the duvet, fully expecting to wake up in a few hours due to a nightmare.

But Chloe's awakening was to sunlight in her window. She'd slept dreamlessly, and she felt truly awake. Lex had sent her a message to confirm he had her delivery and was happy with what information she had delivered.

At least she'd satisfied him; that was a big plus to her day. Without bothering to get changed first, Chloe started her day with the morning paper and coffee, swinging her legs under the bar stool in a content way.

Things were going to work out. She already had a plan for her day. She'd start her laptop on the first archery range's database and she'd visit the second higher class one while it worked its magic. Then, she find a link to Arrow and hand him over to Lex. Lex would be happy and set her free, she'd live happily ever after with Oliver. And thus was that, her entire happiness started with today.

She ignored the black pessimistic cloud that pointed out the flaws in her plan and she dressed in her black skirt and white blouse combination, throwing a jacket on top and fixing the fake press badge to the lapel. Everyone loved good press, people rarely said no to their business being in the paper. Chloe looked down at the badge, reciting her name to the mirror, Angela Claydon. And Miss Claydon was a reporter for the Daily Planet, columnist on current events in the entertainment section of Metropolis. Miss Claydon did actually exist, but she was a brunette and Chloe was convinced she was sleeping with the boss to get the position, consider she'd only been working there a year. But, Miss Claydon got the job done.

Chloe tapped out her commanded into the laptop and left it running as she slipped out of the door, letting her guards drive her to the archery range.

Chloe stood at the reception to the club. It catered for a lot of areas, golf being the biggest, but a considerable archery range was also boasted in the flyer Chloe held in her hand as she waited for the receptionist to finish with briefing the new members.

"How may I help you miss?" she called as Chloe watched the new couple leave. "Ah, I see you're a reporter." The receptionist smiled, Chloe copied, reading off the nametag. Claire.

"Hello Claire, my name is Angela Claydon, I write the current events of the entertainment section for the Daily Planet."

"Oh, well that's lovely, do you have a booking to tour the grounds?"

"Actually, my last piece had to be turned over." Chloe leaned in, spinning the lies. "It turned out the business owner was caught in a little police matter. And well, my boss can't print it, but I need something desperately to write. I've been trying to call here for weeks to get an appointment, but times have always clashed. I was wondering if I could just explore around myself."

"Oh, well, I don't know…"

"I know it's a terrible position to put you in, but I'm lined up for a promotion, and I really need to get this piece done. It'll take less than 15 minutes and it's just a quick peek at the archery, a few photo's here and there of the set-up. Maybe a word with some members to get a quote and I'll be out of here before you know it."

"Alright. That sounds fine."

"Oh, Claire, you're a lifesaver."

"It's, it's okay." She smiled and handed over a visitors badge to Chloe "The archery range is the immediate right as you leave through those double doors. Follow the path and you'll be fine."

"I cannot thank you enough." Chloe returned a smile and took herself through the directions she was given, instantly on the alert for the bodies she passed, she found herself one of the maintenance staff first and cornered him. "Hi, I'm writing for the Daily Planet, I was just wondering if you had a few 5 minutes to answer a few questions." The best source of information was from the staff, they saw things, they knew things. And if they were male and straight, they would look straight into her cleavage and tell her these things.

"Ummm, sure, why not?" The teen scratched the back of his head, trying to lift his eyes to her face and failing.

"Great. Now, how long have you been working here?"

"Ummmm, a few years I suppose."

"So, you know the members well would you say?" Chloe pretended to be writing in her notebook, not that the teen would notice if she wasn't.

"Yeah, the staff are told to be friendly and get to know them."

"Wonderful." she praised. "I wonder…" She tapped the pen against her lip and drawing up his eyes. Chloe sighed internally, she didn't even know why she was playing the act, the teen was clearly under the control of his hormones. He wouldn't remember anything of the encounter but the way her breasts moved when she breathed anyway. She rolled her eyes and tapped the pen again, watching the way his lips parted slightly. "Could you tell who is the best shot out of your members?"

"Oh yeah, that's easy. David." He was pleased at being able to answer her questions, that was clear.

"Is he here today?"

"Here most days. He's the one at the end range."

"Thank you. I'll be sure to find you after I have a chat with David." she lied with a wink.

Had she found her target? His back was to her as she approached. She didn't even realise, but her heart was beating faster with each step. She was almost… giddy. Finally he came into full sight. He was tall, about Arrow height.

Oh god, she couldn't think of anything but Arrow pressing over her, his fingers slipping into her heat as he pinned her against that dirty alley wall.

Yes, David was the right height. She watched him pull back the bow, his fingers light on the metal of the frame. She followed the arm, it was straight, strong… muscled. Things were slotting into place. She watched him draw a side-ways stance, the arrow nock pulling back the string as he drew back the shaft between his fingers. She stood, amazed at the dance of his muscles as the string reached its tension. There he was, the sight lined with the middle of the target, half a football field away. He would hit the middle. She knew it, she could feel it. And then there it was, the release, the arrow cutting the air with a swift slice and slamming into the dead centre of the board. She felt her heart skip as it sliced the air… it did something for her sex drive she couldn't logically explain.

"Nice shot." she complimented. Slowly, he turned to her. As he took her in, a smirk grew on his lips.

"Well hello there." The voice was sultry. Was it because he knew they'd finally met, or was it just flirtation? Chloe took in the features. He had dark eyes, almost black they were so brown, a straight nose, and a strong jaw.

"Hello to you too."

"And what have we here?" His hand reached out to the press badge, lifting it gently from the lapel. "Angela Claydon." he read aloud. "Pleased to meet you Miss Claydon. The name's David Fox, but you can just call me Foxy." With a wink he rested his bow to the ground. "So what brings you here?"

She hadn't made her mind up. The nose matched, but the jaw looked a little less than what she saw in Arrow… But, trick of the light? Maybe he wore some sort of mechanism than elongated his jaw. Okay, now this was turning into sci-fi.

"Writing an article on archery." she simply spoke, stepping closer. "You're a fantastic shot. Did you learn here?"

"My dad mostly." His eyes followed her, his smirk ever-present.

"Ah. Can I ask where you work when you're not here?"

"Of course, ask me anything babe." he purred. "I woke management at Tray's digs. It's a building firm." She'd seen their scaffolding in developing parts of the city. Management would give him flexible hours.

"What do you think of the Green Arrow?"

"Oh, he's a legend." Foxy laughed a hand in his black short hair. "Everyone is dying to know who taught him, we keep guessing, but it keeps coming up wrong."

"Guessing? Based on what?"

"Fletching." he answered, then seeing her lack of understanding he expanded. "Every archer does it different." He lifted an arrow from his own quiver at this feet. "See the fletching, flickers of gold in the feathers. Most archers take the same fletching style as their teacher, as a way to honour them. Long tradition. My dad used the same feathers but with silver. I use Gold. Small twist." He was proud… but Chloe was looking further from the link to GA. Something told her it wasn't Fox. And if her gut told her it wasn't him… it wasn't him.

"Thanks. I have to go… but, your number might come in useful." she spoke, shamelessly flirting, just in case she had any other questions.

"Of course darling." He took the pen and notepad from her, scribbling some numbers. "I look forward to your call, day or night."

With a smile, she took her exit swiftly, handed back the badge with no more than a thanks and shuffled into the back seat of her driven car, reeling off the address for the inquisitor before she could buckle up.

If Vordigan really was his tutor, she needed to see his fletching. His arrows had been stolen, but there had been two people who'd captured an eternal image of them. The police, and the sole lucky reporter from the inquisitor. The image would be in archives in the basement. The paper was much easier to access than a police record, so she knew where she had to be.

Chloe stopped outside the coffee cart of the inquisitor, hiding the fake press badge away from eyes. But as she walked into the building, she failed to notice the eyes that tracked her. She bustled herself into the basement without so much as a look her way, she'd lifted a key from a junior member piled high with files and let herself in. The computer quickly gave her the filing code and she started her way through the aisles. Easy peasy. She flicked through the box with ease, finding the photo's she wanted with speed. But… then everything slowed. She'd seen Green Arrow's arrows, she'd been pinned to the wall by them, the fletching wasn't even remotely close. It seemed Arrow had done nothing but steal the smaller arrow idea from him. He probably hadn't even known Vordigan. Vordigan was not Arrow's tutor. Chloe sighed, sliding the photo from the box and into her pocket. Evidence.

She made her way through the heavy people traffic easily, but on her way up a women almost collided with her.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I was looking for a reporter."

"Head for the den." Chloe grinned, pointing the woman to the main hall filled with junior reporters.

"Do you work here?"

"Not really, no."

"Oh, well, do you think they'll take a story about Oliver Queen?" Chloe's lack of interest suddenly U-turned and hugged the woman.

"Queen? I'm not a reporter, but I can get your story out there faster and without spinning lies twisting your words." The womans eyes lit up. "How about coffee?"

"Coffee sounds great."

"What's your name?" Chloe asked, leading the woman with her inbuilt coffee navigation system to the nearest coffee shop.

"Dinah." she spoke with a grin.

"So, there I am being fired because my sister dropped off a package and skipped security, and he's got the ass to fire me when he's inviting criminals in." Dinah hissed over coffee. Chloe rose an eyebrow.

"You're sure it was Green Arrow?"

"Yeah, standing in his office, chatting with the bastard."

"How do you know?" Chloe had sat down with this woman for a coffee and she'd unknowingly captured her attention on every front. She couldn't believe her luck.

"Like I can't figure out his password to his video files. The man's so self-obsessed he input his own birthday into it." Dinah stated, tearing another chunk from her bagel and popping it into his mouth.

Oliver was working with Arrow. To what degree? Chloe supposed it was just finalising the details of the agreement over Lionels arrest.

"Any idea what they were talking about?" Chloe asked, but surely he luck couldn't stretch this far, right?

"No audio, he likes to keep it that way in case of break-ins." Of course, her luck had limits. Annoying limits. "But it was amicable. No-one yelling or pointing fingers. They clearly knew each other previously. But… I'm the one losing her job for violating security protocol. I'd like to know what would happen if the investors found out he's shaking hands with that criminal." If this went to the press Oliver would be a lot of trouble. Possibly lose his business.

"Does anyone else know?" Chloe suddenly found herself needing to protect him.

"Just you and me at the moment." Chloe was relieved, but Dinah seemed too relaxed about the whole situation… rather than an enraged employee looking for a payday.

"How about we keep it that way until I can get some proof?" Although Chloe spoke the words, she didn't expect Dinah to agree first try, not without bartering, so her next words seemed very strange.

"Probably the logical choice." Chloe pulled out a smile, but inside she was trying to figure out the woman sat across from her. Then again… maybe Chloe had been away from people too long, maybe she wasn't as 'off' as Chloe thought. But the question remained; was she just spinning Chloe a story? If so, why? "Well, you've got my number. Call if you find anything, yeah?" Chloe watched the long legs rise from the seat. "Got to dash, need to interview all over again." And then she was gone.

Chloe leant back in the chair, watching the woman battle the people traffic of midday metropolis. Something was off, but the story made logical sense. Oliver would have to meet Arrow at some point, but why his own office? Surely that was too risky, and how would Arrow even get in un-noticed? Something wasn't adding up.

The Green Arrow mystery was getting more and more complex the further she looked. Just when she thought she had something, it slipped from her fingers just as quickly.

Her mobile vibrated and she paid it attention quickly, welcoming the distraction before she went insane.

'Hack QI, find out if he's interested.'

From Lex. Wanting her to finally tap into Queen Industries and look at his records to see if he'd taken interest with the company yet.

She'd do it later, she had a date to plan for.

Chloe smiled, her mind set on a bubble bath and the black lingerie that made her look positively stunning.

Chloe stepped into the marble hall from the elevator and found herself her man. There he was, white shirt, black leather jacket, old snug jeans. Oh baby. Her grin found his mirroring and she twirled herself from him as she approach.

"You like?" she asked as she closed in, but she didn't give him a chance to answer, just seemed to fall apart in his arms as she got closer. "Oh, god you smell great."

"I had a wrestling accident with a jar of coffee." he admitted with a slight blush. He hadn't expected the Tiramasu to put up quite a fight.

"Oh, it's delicious." she purred against him, kissing at his neck like a cat after catnip.

"Alright kitten, I'll shower."

And she pouted. "Get in the car." he ordered with a laugh.

With a twinkling laugher she grabbed his hand and headed to the car.

"Let me-"

"I'm driving. No argument." he cut her off, knowing her words as her eyes turned on his. "Or, no date." The mock threat was enough. Both knew he wouldn't go through with it, but the idea of it was enough to prevent the argument. Besides, both knew what tonight was; the third date.

"Fine, you can drive." she fake grumbled and danced her way to the other side of the car. "Where were you last night?" she immediately asked as she pulled across the seatbelt.

"Sorry. Work called. There was a break-in."

"Oh. Sorry." Chloe wondered half heartedly if it was Lex arranged. But maybe Green Arrow had turned the tables, or Oliver had more people messing with him and his business.

"Sorry I missed you." He turned to her eyes. She looked amazing tonight. Her eyes looked huge, no doubt some talent of make-up because with the exception of bush-babies, no eyes were that big and beautiful. Red lips were already drawing him in, and he was trying so hard to ignore her outfit. He wanted her already. There she sat black heels, long creamy legs, loose black shorts and a white blouse he could see the black bra through. Her beige coat hung open, drifting below her knees and giving the illusion of nakedness from the rear view. How was she even keeping warm? It was freezing outside.

"I was only going to seduce you." she brushed off with a smile. "But, tonight is the third date."

He didn't need her to point that out, it had been in his mind from the second he woke up. And every second after that.

"So it is." he agreed. "You're aware I said after the third date… right?"

"M'hmmm. But, you are aware I have this need to crack you before that. Right?" And those eyes turned on his again, locking with his and starting sparks throughout his body.

"What happened to playing nice?"

"The same thing that happened to the thing we won't talk about that happened the last time I saw you."

"Ah. Right." He nodded to her verbal twist of words and joined the light traffic.

"So, what film did you decide on?"

Truthfully, Oliver had spent a lot of time thinking over that. But, there were too many variables. She was too difficult to predict.

"I figured you could choose one. You know what you like."

"Oh, com'on, I thought we agreed this was your date." she mocked, throwing a light, joking punch to his bicep.

"I'm only human." he laughed.

"Alright. I'll choose, but regardless of if you like it or not, you're watching it with me."

"Deal."

"Good, because you can consider this punishment for failing me." She grinned. "We'll watch Crank."

"Never heard of it."

"Then you will enjoy it." But some part of him felt it would be wise of him to have chosen a film he knew of.

"You have an ulterior motive." he spoke. "I think we should choose another film."

"Well, you had that opportunity all last night but failed. Besides, you just agreed!"

"Fight club." she suggested after a prolonged silence.

"So you can fantasise about Brad Pitt?" he chuckled.

"Ocean's Eleven." she smiled.

"Did you miss my point?"

"I'm just saying, if I wanted some fantasy. Ocean's Eleven has Clooney and Pitt."

"We're not watching that." He was strict to that point.

"Triple X?"

"Vin Diesel?" he guessed and her smile answered for her. "So who stars in this Crank film?"

"Well, it doesn't have Clooney in. Or Brad Pitt, or Mr Diesel." she offered.

"Ryan Gosling?"

"It's an action film." she answered. "I wouldn't be so mean to subject you to a chic flick."

"There's nothing wrong with a good chic flick." he laughed, sending her a smirk.

"I could always insist upon you watching the Notebook." She batted her eyelashes, the devil sneaking up out of those orbs.

"Alright, so who does this Crank have in?"

"Statham."

"No."

"Oh Com'on, why not?"

"Please, I know why women love him."

"Really? And why do we fall head over heels for this bad boy?" She played along, her cheeks warm, filled with the corners of her lips in another wide smile.

"Well, there's point one straight off. The bad boy allure."

"Says the man who picked me up in a leather jacket" she muttered gleefully. He heard, but chose to ignore it.

"And then there's that voice, which women just seem to be captivated by."

"He has a lovely voice." she purred, relaxing dreamingly into his seat again. "But if you want a voice that draws in people. Alan Rickman has magical vocal chords. And then there's Morgan Freeman. That man should read to me every night before bed, that way I would get sweet dreams." She laughed, enjoying his torment.

"And you're adding more and more names to the list of actors you're never watching again."

"I'm guessing you're also thinking of adding that rocking body to the list of reasons women are powerless to Statham," she continued fighting her point. "But… then there's Channing Tatum, Matt Bomer, Ian Somerhalder, Tom Hardy, Jensen Ackles, Christian Bale, and not to mention every male in any film to take his short off in slow motion."

"Really…" he droned, his jealousy feeding his immediate thought of hunting down every other man she'd set her eyes on and taking them out. The film industry would take a huge hit…

"Or maybe it's his presence, that consuming aura. Statham walks into a room and eyes just turn to him. But then there's men like Leonardo DiCaprio, Alexander Skarsgard, Josh Holloway, Tom Cruise and let's not forget Robert Downey Junior, oh, maybe we should watch IronMan!" she enthused.

Maybe he could just threaten them, to keep them from ever meeting her. "But, despite all of these wonderful men…" Her eyes turned back to him, jealousy obvious. "These wonderful men who would have no problem stripping off my clothing and taking me hard in the backseat of their limos." No, he'd have to kill them! "It's still you who I want." Make sure they can never touch her… wait. Oliver turned sharp to her, had he imaged the words? "Heard that bit did you?" she teased. With a smile she turned to look out of the window. "What can I say? You rub me the right way."

Maybe he'd let this long list of actors live after all. Besides, they didn't have a chance at tying her down, not compared to him anyway. He'd beat them to the punch every time.

"So, what's Crank about?" he finally asked after his ego managed to get over the compliment.

"Hm?" she turned back, her thoughts clearly off track. "Oh, Statham gets injected with a manufactured poison, his heart will slow to death unless he keeps it high with adrenaline. So, think fast cars, lots of gun fights and lots of blood and there's your movie."

"And what aren't you telling me?"

"That would be to spoil it." She grinned. "Besides… if you play your card right, we might not make it to the movie."

"End of the date." he reminded.

"During." she corrected. "I will crack you."

"You'll behave."

"We'll see." She turned back to the window, eyes following the pattern of streets and pedestrians. "So, how was your day?"

"Better now." he answered. "Had some employee trouble I'd rather like to forget."

"Bad?"

He sighed.

"It seems my security needs tightening." Her mind went back to Dinah's story about being fired for violating security protocol, was she telling the truth? "But that's another day. Now, I have you all night."

"So you do." she agreed "And what are you going to do with me all night?"

"How was your day?" he asked instead, trying to ignore the blood call she summoned with that tone.

"Good. I explored the city a little. It's been a while since I've been here. Did you know it had two archery ranges?"

"Hunting Green Arrow huh?"

But Chloe felt sceptical about this type of conversation with him, especially considering he was hiring Arrow and possibly chatting away in his office with him. What did they talk about? Her?

"Work is work." she simply answered, closing the conversation.

"You have any leads on him?"

"A few things to look into." she agreed. Was he pressing on to ensure his job gets done before he's unveiled. "Aren't you interesting in who he is?" she asked, turning on him, trying to figure him out. He breathed a short laugh at her question. "What?"

"I just think it would ruin a lot of mystery. I like a good mystery."

"But the best part of a mystery is solving it" she expanded.

"But once you solve it, it's not there to enjoy anymore."

"But then the puzzle is forever left incomplete." she argued, well aware his reason for hunting her identity was to solve the mystery of her. Had his mind changed so quickly?

"Just my opinion." he defended, a hand to her bare knee as he felt her temper rise. The motion seemed to work, dissipating all of her words in the touch. "I don't smell too badly of coffee do I?" The question worked in easing the atmosphere.

"It's wonderful." She laughed and cosied into him, her head slumping to his shoulder. "You smell like those rich foreign coffee shops, a mix of blends." Then she paused and lifted herself from him "Actually, you do smell like a mix. How many jars did you fight with?"

"That would be spoiling the surprise." he mimicked.

"Oh god, you made me coffee flavoured dessert!" she exclaimed, her arms wrapping around him without any warning. "What is it? What is it?!" She was like a kid at Christmas.

"Patience." he chastised. She pulled a face at him, but a smile crept back fast, her mood elated so quickly. The woman had a love for coffee that needed therapeutic intervention. But, until a brave (very very brave) therapist took the challenge, he felt no shame exploiting it. "I should tell you; dessert comes after the movie. At the end of the date." She whipped around, the loose hair left hanging down spun around her.

"Bastard." she hissed, but couldn't help but laugh.

Chloe took his hand as he walked her to the elevator, he felt it squeeze that little bit tighter as the doors closed and it jutted into action. Okay, so maybe he'd look into some maintenance so she felt more comfortable around here… though, he enjoyed how she unconsciously crept closer towards him as it carried them up.

"If I die in this thing tonight… I'm going to haunt you for the rest of your miserable crippled life." she muttered.

"I'd probably die with you." But his words had the opposite effect and did nothing to calm her.

"I knew this elevator was lethal." Okay, so yes, he'd get it looked at. He could hardly have her breaking every bone in his hand every time she came over.

"I'll have it looked at." he spoke, pressing a kiss to their joined hands.

The motion finally stopped and she released a breath of tension. The doors opened and she found herself staring at a vase of red roses in the centre of the room. "For you." he whispered to her ear.

"Didn't you get the hint about the tulips?" she spoke, ignoring the tightening in her chest as she stepped closer.

"I did. But these seemed more appropriate for tonight." He slipped his hold of her hand, pointing her to the package at the base of the vase. "I think you might appreciate these more though." He walked himself into the kitchen as she stared at the box. It was long and thin. Like what you'd get for an expensive watch, except much longer. What the hell was it?

She lifted the undecorated lid and smiled. Green fletching, smooth metal shafts and three part arrowheads lay before her.

"I'd forgotten about these."

"I thought so." he replied back from the kitchen. "They're exactly as they were when they were in there. Touched only with the gloves of a very talented mechanic." Who'd charged him a fortune to fix his damn car. At least Victor had successfully convinced her… otherwise, he'd be seriously pissed about that price tag.

"Thank you." she answered, her voice closer. He looked up to find her wandering into the kitchen, the coat gone from her and laid over the back of the couch.

"I thought they might go down better than the roses." He smirked.

"How's the cooking Chef?" she teased, stepping into the room. The lack of sound told her she was barefoot. Quick to make herself comfortable too, he liked that. He liked that she felt comfy in his apartment. So she should.

"I have this under control. But it's going to need another half hour of careful attention. I give you control of the tv and coffee maker in the meantime."

"I'll accept the coffee, but I'd rather like to watch."

"Watch?"

"It's a chic thing." She shrugged off and passed him to reach the coffee source. "Besides, it smells delicious in here, and it's not just because this was clearly the coffee explosion site." She laughed. His arms came around her from behind, she didn't jump, just let herself relax against him.

"What's the chic thing?"

"Watching a man cook. It's really something… powerful." she whispered already playing with his mood. "And if he happens to cook shirtless… it gets a whole lot stronger." she purred. He tried his best to ignore the intended effect.

"I'm a messy cook." he retorted.

"Hence the coffee attack." She turned in his arms. "Besides, more chance to get that pesky shirt off you."

"That's your goal is it?"

"While it does smell lovely in here, plus it's nice and hot, an improvement on the view would not go unappreciated."

"The view won't change, but you're welcome to take a seat and watch the master." he allowed. "I'll even sort out your coffee."

Chloe smiled. Had she ever been happier? Here he was cooking for her, taking her caffeine buzz in his stride and she felt like he'd walked out of her dreams and into this perfect world.

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Yey, next chapter is going to be good. I know what happens, hehehehe ;)

Review if you feel like it or want to take a guesses as to who will cave first. Reviewers get... ummm... let's see... imaginary Banoffee cake and... ummm... an imaginary Pokemon of their choice (I'm having Charmander because he's adorable and he has a little flame on his tail- cute!) :D

I wanted to rant; here's where it's going to happen.

So, there I was, some casual midnight fanfiction reading before bed and I come across this wonderful fiction which i'm in love with (the writing is fantastic, the plot is twisty and turny, this writer has the characters down to a T) and then I read the Author Note at the top of the next chapter and I instantly hate it.
This writer has put something along the lines of 'I didn't get enough reviews for the last chapter, so i'm not posting again until i get more' and I'm outraged! How can a writer of fanfiction use something like reviews as blackmail to post chapters?! It's horrific, it soils the art and quite frankly i'm disgusted by it.
For me, I write because I want to share my ideas with other people. I write because that one person who sends me a smiley face is enjoying the fiction and wants to read more of it. I don't care if I get 1 review or 100 reviews for a chapter, if there's even one person that wants more of it or reviews, then i'm going to post the next chapter. It shouldn't be reliant on a certain number of reviews!

Urgh! I mean seriously, that really ticked me off.
It's just... it's not a competition, you don't need 20+ reviews to justify a new chapter. I looked at this writers reviews and they had tonnes, we're talking like 30 for a chapter and yes he/she was a good writer... but demanding more? No, I'm not down with that. I closed the fiction and refused to read anything else by her/him.

I also hate writers that cannot use speech marks properly. For Gods sake people; if it's a new speaker, it's a new line!
The amount of fanfiction I've read where this has been shoddily done is outrageous. Please people, check what you write.

Anything you reviewers want to add to my rant? Agree/disagree?