Awww, you guys *blushes* you're so sweet. I have the best reviewers EVER!

You're all so amazing, and the reviews have been fantastic! I hope you all have a wonderful xmas this wednesday! MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone, hope you have a fabby day with family and friends.

Until then, I hope this picks up your Monday. I'm currently wrapped up on the sofa in front of the fireplace, without a voice (illness sucks) and with plenty of DVD's, so don't you worry about me; I'm happy (even if I am silent).

Happy Monday! Much love for ALL my readers.
Xx

Previously; After a nightmare about how Lex killed Oliver, Chloe is back at the mansion. This time, in the midst of plotting against Arrow, a mad gunman comes in, shooting half the staff in an attempt to avenge his daughter. Darren gets shot and Chloe finds a new hidden talent emerge when she saves his life. While Chloe's 'dead', Lex spends some quality annoying time with Lana (shame all women don't come with contracts for obedience, huh?), Oliver finds himself missing Chloe and Dinah meets Bruce (I like Dinah and Bruce together... don't quite know why...). It all ended with Chloe realising Lex's interests were getting dangerous, so with a flashdrive of all his secrets in hand, she arranges to meet Arrow.

*Dramatic music*

Chapter Thirty-Seven; Changing Hands

'Oh, there are lots of sex, lies and videotapes in Lex's vault. Problem is; he sleeps with the key under the pillow.'- Chloe Sullivan (Season Five, Episode Solitude)

It was cold. Winter was closing in for sure and Chloe felt herself wrap the coat even tighter, cursing the lack of thought for a scarf or gloves before rushing out. She knew where her scarf was as well, sitting over the arm of the sofa, mocking her inside her mind. Chloe paced, more for warmth than nerves. But the nerves played the circuit too.

She had to run, and she couldn't have Arrow follow.

The moonlight illuminated that which the streetlights missed, the trees cast shadows of dark figurines but she still was amiss Arrow.

Where was he?

She tugged her hand from the pocket making a speedy time check to the mobile then shoving it back into the warmth. She was early, a little eager to get lost perhaps, but the flashdrive in her pocket felt like a beacon for criminals. If anyone got their hands on it, they'd have a hell of a lot of power.

A dog walker passed her, her eyes followed him. Tonight would be the worst night to get mugged, and with that thought it made the flashdrive feel a million times heavier. Chloe wrapped her fingers tighter around it, watching the only other patron of the park walk into the distance, the small yappy dog silent on his heels. Not the dog she would have thought he'd chose for himself though, maybe he was walking the girlfriend's pooch while she slept. Good man.

Chloe smiled, loosening her fingers as he completely disappeared from sight.

"Eager aren't you?"

Chloe's back shot ramrod straight at the voice. Her fingers squeezed the drive in her pocket and she whirled around to find herself in the personal space of Arrow. No… Oliver. How had she not heard him approach?

Panicked, she scanned the area quickly, there was no-one else. At least she hadn't been ambushed.

"I could say the same." she replied and stepped back, feeling her palms sweat under what she could only presume was an intense gaze. Even in the moonlight, with shadows across his features, he didn't look menacing. He looked… well, he looked like a saviour. And that broke her heart a little more, how much she wanted to stay… how much she wanted the future he'd laid out before her. But, it was impossible. She couldn't stay without him losing his identity and becoming Lex's plaything. And, if he came with her… it just couldn't happen. So, they had to part.

"Want to tell me where you've been for the last week?" he asked, he seemed annoyed. She'd bet she had it worse; she'd been dead for god's sake.

"I'm leaving." she spoke instead, choosing the safer direction of conversation. "I found a way out of the contract and Lex has agreed." she continued, watching his reactions the best she could in the little light. He seemed angry… possibly confused. But, didn't he want this for her anyway? Then it clicked, he didn't want her to leave either. She smiled to cover the same need, to hide the want to stay with him. "It's true." she breathed, her hands turning the flashdrive in her pocket, checking it was still there. "I told him I couldn't finish the mystery of the Green Arrow."

"Bet that went down well." The anger in his voice remained. It cut her further, but she knew she had to carry on. For him. For her.

"As well as could be expected." she agreed, shuffling on her feet to try and find some warmth again. She had no idea how Oliver was warm, he was barely wearing anything. He didn't even have goosebumps.

"How'd you get out?"

"I offered him my little black book." She laughed at the name, though it was without spirit. "All my contacts, all my dirty names, all the people who owe me favours."

"That's it?" he questioned, the anger looking like it was staying for a while.

"There are important people in that book. People who could bring down city hall with a phone call. People who could spill secrets and put others in jail for life." she continued. "It's not something I'd give lightly."

"Then why?" She understood he wanted her to stay, but to stay locked to Lex?!

"Freedom." she argued, her own anger fueled by his. "Do I not deserve a life?!" she hissed, though the entire argument was based on a lie. Lex wouldn't ever let her go, not even for all her contacts and their secrets.

"Of course you do, but taking everyone else down with you?!" he barely kept control to stop shouting the remark.

"Either way. It's done." she shrugged off, annoyed with Oliver now. He could never understand, and yet she'd thought he would be the only one to. How wrong was she… "Look, this should help." And she took the hand from her pocket into the night air. "I came to give you this." And she uncurled the fingers to a small black drive. Arrow made no movements to take it.

"No. You came to tell me about the contract." he corrected.

"What does it matter, I'm free now anyway. Just take the damn drive." She pushed it forward to him, but he stepped back.

"Tell me first."

She sighed heavily, grumbled under her breath a curse word or two and then shoved the hand back into the pocket.

"Fine. You wanna know. You can know." What difference would it make anyway? She was running as soon as she was finished with him. "I used to live in Smallville." she began. "Family, school, friends. The usual teenage fun." She was bitter was she spoke, resentful of his question almost. "I wanted to work for the daily planet and made a hobby out of snooping where I didn't belong. I stumbled around the wrong place and ended up with some… I don't know, this 24 hours thing… but people couldn't lie to me. It was physically impossible." To this, he rose an eyebrow. "Naturally, I go straight to Lionel, and end up with his dirty confessions on tape." She rolled her eyes at the memory, she thought she was so clever at the time, when really, it was the worst mistake of her life.

"Then what?" he prompted, hearing her pause in the tale. Her eyes narrowed to him, but she continued.

"What do you think?" she challenged, rocking back on her heels. "Lionel came, gun in hand."

"You understand I have very few options laid out before me Miss Sullivan." Lionel spoke, having her backed into the farmhouse wall. She'd told him she had extra copies of the file, she hoped to hell he bought it.

"Killing me won't fix anything." Chloe felt the fear wrap around her heart at his mere presence. He looked like he had no care towards her future or his actions. Heartless. And with the truth serum flowing from her words, she knew he had no objections to putting a bullet in her.

"Maybe not. But you could always be trying to bluff your way out." he guessed, his free hand stroking his chin as he thought.

"You can always try it." she spat, and he was sadistic enough to grin at her response. Strong women didn't cave and cry, Lionel could admire strong women. Strong women had a fight to them, they put their own lives above the dark deeds they would do. Survival of the fittest, and this little miss certainly liked to fight.

"I have another idea." Lionel finally spoke. "We'll make a deal." he proposed, shocking Chloe. "You'll bring me the evidence. All of it. And you'll submit yourself under my employment." Chloe couldn't believe the words she heard. He wanted what? "In exchange, I won't pull this trigger and call your bluff." Truth rang in his words, the cocktail still swimming in her blood. Lionel would let her live.

"…You want to hire me?" Maybe the fear had destroyed her hearing.

"You have skills. Potential. Fight." The words were intended as compliments. "I need an assistant and somewhere I can keep an eye on you. It solves my problem."

"I'll never work for a murderer." she hissed.

"Then I suppose you'll have to rely on those extra files you have." Lionel raised the gun again, giving her the time to change her mind in those few slow seconds.

"Fine. Yes." she agreed.

"What was that Miss Sullivan?" His free hand cupped his ear though he heard perfectly well.

"I'll give you the evidence and work for you." Chloe watched the gun lower a few centimetres, her hands sweating, her pulse pounding, her head throwing everything at her at once.

"I don't want a reluctant employee." Lionel stated.

"Please." People do a lot of different things when face to face with death. Chloe did what she needed to survive, even if that meant cowering and submitting.

"You understand this contract is binding and there will be consequences for incompetence."

"Yes." she breathed, wishing only to be free again, to not feel the rush of blood pushing adrenaline around her body. To not worry about when he would shoot her.

"Good. Come with me Miss Sullivan."

"He made me his soldier, and I'd signed for it. The contract made me property of Lionel. He owned me, in all sense. Like a table or TV. Just property." She kicked the gravel under her shoes, she hated it more than she could say. "He made me the perfect assistant, for all deals, legal and not. He sent me to schools across the world, taught me like his own little plaything and I couldn't do a thing to complain."

"You didn't know?"

"Oh, I'm sorry." she snapped violently. "With a gun to my head and knowing Lionel had no qualms about killing me, I signed rather fast instead of reading the pages of documentation. My mistake." she scoffed and turned. "Look, whatever, it's done. Just take this." She yanked out her hand and thrust the flashdrive at him.

He refused to take it, looking at her like she was playing another trick. "Oh my god!" she hissed. "It's Lex's computer. Everything." she explained annoyed with his reluctance. She was handing him the holy grail of everything he wanted and he was standing there like it was just another day at the office. "No passwords, no virus. Everything is there, all clean and I'm handing it to you." She pushed again, shoving against his chest with the drive. He took a breath, steadied his feet and lifted a hand to accept it.

Chloe felt a weight lift from her as the drive changed hands. Time to run.

"How did Lex get you?" She froze at the question, not expecting it. She expected a question about the files maybe, but… Lex?

"Why do you care?"

"How?" he repeated, unsatisfied. She huffed, rolled her eyes, but answered.

"Lionel found out he was dying of liver cancer. He took every drug under the sun and it did nothing for him. Incurable." she summed. "He knew his death would free me from the contract and the sick bastard couldn't stand the thought of me being happy ever again. So, he opened up a little window for his son. Lex dove for it, and I was passed along like property." She scoffed. "He thought he'd finally outsmarted his father. Until Daddy dearest came clear with his plan. Lex had lost thousands buying into the sinking ship where my contract was buried, and now he'd lost to his father in their eternal chess game. He told me to get lost and that he'd find me when he needed me."

"What did you do?" he pushed. She had no clue for his interest, but answered.

"Travelled. Watched my cousin go to work and come home. I was going to tell her what happened… but she was happy, I didn't want to dump that on her. Besides, Lionel was still alive, if there was a chance he could own me again, he could kill anyone I told. So I kept shut and went travelling." she admitted honestly. "I couldn't get work; Lionel had made sure I would be entirely reliant on him. So I was left with criminals and dirty jobs. Things got bad, so when Lex called; I came running. He wasn't anywhere as bad as his father." Those months meant a lot to her, it was where she met her friends in the slums of Metropolis, where she'd met Alfie. It was where she'd grown to accept her life as it was; tethered to the Luthor line.

"Doesn't make him a good man." Yes, Chloe knew that…

"I have my freedom now."

"Where will you go?" The anger had gone, hurt had replaced it in those few words. She nearly cracked herself.

"I don't know." she answered, the truth in the statement ringing clear.

"Stay." he tried. But her mind was made up, she knew what she had to do.

"I won't stay here." She stepped back. "That drive. It's got everything you need to lock up the Luthors. For life." She brushed back her hair. "But… it's not free from implications towards me. I want you to use it. But… I need to be long gone."

"The Luthors will get what's coming towards them. Without this." he swore.

"Perhaps. But how many lives will they take in the mean time?" she challenged softly. "Use it. I'll be safe." she promised.

"What about Queen?" he asked and she couldn't hide the smile at the secret she knew. Queen… you mean 'you'…

"Believe in destiny Arrow?" she asked with a grin.

"In parts."

"Then I'll leave Queen down to the fates." And she turned back to the streets. He called for her, she heard her name slip from those lips again and she felt the same rush. But she needed to leave, not get lost in that 'one last kiss' that would never end if she gave into it.

She kept walking, the weight lifting higher and higher from her shoulders. Freedom.

Almost. She'd be running from the law, running from the Luthors and running from the truth. But in her own rights; she'd be free.

So she kept walking, walking back to the apartment, where she'd get ready to run.

It was dark when she arrived, dark when she was ready to leave. It didn't take her much time at all, she knew what little she would need. She'd hit the remote to turn off the cameras the instant she hit the lobby on the way in, the later Lex found out, the better head start she had.

Her first room was the bedroom, unpacking the drawers and wardrobe onto the bed and shoving what clothes she wanted and could use into one of two duffel bags she kept for travel like this. But as her hand flew back into the wardrobe she caught her finger on something sharp. She yanked the hand back from the offending object to find it had nicked the skin. A quick curse and she slipped the digit into her mouth, her free hand carefully rummaging for the cause.

And there it was, a forgotten memory in the back of the closet. Things had gotten so crazy she'd lost track of it, but there they lay, Arrow's arrows. She'd hidden them on instinct, and then… well, everything sort of went crazy with Lionel visiting, and then Oliver 'missing' their fourth date, she hadn't even thought of them. They were of little use now though, he wouldn't have been stupid enough to personally hand her arrows with his fingerprints on. She shook her head at her own stupidity yet again and lifted to throw them out. But she paused as her fingers wrapped around the shafts. They were the only things she had left of him. She knew they were nothing but a memory now, but she found the idea of throwing them out wrong. Maybe she could keep them; a memento for the long ride out of hell. She knew logically she should leave them, she was only taking what she would need and these didn't fit that bill, but somewhere in her mind, she thought she'd fall apart without them. She smiled, swaddling the arrows in a towel and laying them like a secret beneath the clothes and money.

With what clothing she deemed appropriate packed, she raided the bathroom, again, just for necessities. Then came the money. She'd learned to stash a long time again, old habits and the like, so she turned the room upside down, taking out the wads of cash from her hiding places and split between the bags.
Besides clothes, hygiene and money, there was only her laptop that remained. Her laptop had been with her across the globe before, and this was turning out to be a repeat trip. She smiled at the familiar object, packing it into the carry case and then turned to the bags before her. Everything going with her was in the kitchen, where she stood.

This was it, she was breaking out. Breaking free and breaking away from Lex's reach. But, it also felt like she was breaking her own heart. She sighed, she had to do this, she knew she did. She'd swapped the heels for the flats she had long held preference for and slung a jacket over her shoulder.

"This is it." she whispered to herself. She'd never fled Lex before. He'd always sent her away, and brought her back. It had always been agreed. She'd never ran from him. She was scared, it was true. To what lengths would Lex go? To get back his cash cow… it was scary even to think.

She looked down where she stood. Two bags, her laptop and a car, that was all she needed. The picklocks and hacking gear rested snuggly between rolls of money, a handgun in the handbag and in her pockets, nothing but the sole photo of her parents from the back of her phone.

She was leaving both phones behind, she'd pick up a new one with her new life. For now, they both sat on the counter. Silence came down over the apartment. This was truly it. Chloe sighed, re-adjusting the wig and lifting the scarf and coat from the chair. The bags came next, lifted onto her shoulder. She turned back, feeling sentimental for an unknown reason.

The feeling passed though, as quick as it came, and she yanked open the door with her free hand, only… there was Lex.

"Lex." She stumbled over words in her mind. Lie, was the only solid thought. "I was just coming to see you." She backed up into the apartment again.

"With all your belongings?" he questioned with a cock of his head, pushing himself into the apartment. And then she saw the two brutes stepping in behind him as well. It wasn't good. The door shut softly, but the click of the latch shot a danger through her bones.

"I figured I'd move back into the mansion." she tried again. This time, he rose an eyebrow and stepped into the kitchen space, the brutes stationed by the door.

"Really? You thought you'd move back into the mansion. Tonight." he repeated. Chloe swallowed, catching his glimpse to the phones on the counter.

"I guess I should have called, saved you a journey." she attempted to laugh it off, but the tension was palpable. "But, since you're here, I guess you can help with the bags." Better to be stuck at the mansion rather than stuck in a cell for trying to run.

"See. I knew something was wrong when I started getting blank feed on the cameras." he started and nodded to brute A. He approached Chloe and extended a hand to take the bag from her shoulder. It took all her strength not to fight. Fighting would automatically make her guilty. Lex accepted the bag from the brute and knelt to the floor, unzipping the first bag. "Lot of money here Chloe." he commented, lifting his eyes to hers. "But this isn't enough to live on." No… she was planning to use Queen for that. "In fact, this will barely buy you a smuggling across a border." The guard set the next bag down to Lex. "Oh, wait, I see." And with a mocking grin, he slid the newest bag before him, unzipping. "More money." He smirked, but dug deeper and pulled out a towel from the bottom of the bag, almost like he knew it would be there. "What's this Chloe?" he asked, curiosity ripe, but knowledge firm anyway.

"What I was bringing to you." she lied.

"Really?" he questioned with humour. "Bringing me arrows." And he uncovered them to reveal the arrows. Chloe knew there was no escape, he knew where they were because he had extras camera in her apartment. She cursed herself mentally. How could she be so stupid? It seemed to be a running theme recently. She was going to have to buck up if she wanted to live. But… Lex knew too much, she would see it in the way he was playing with her.

"I found them on Arrow. Figured we could run for prints." she continued to lie, but knew it would be of no avail.

"Or, you could tell me who he is." he stood, raising to stand directly in front of her.

"I would, if I knew."

"See, now I know you're lying to me." He lifted the laptop bag from her shoulder, set it on the floor. "I've had a little chat with a technician, and… well, he was kind enough to fix the little mechanical error you've had with these cameras." Chloe felt her heart cracking her chest, galloping at an alarming speed. It was all over. Lex took the coat and scarf from her arm and dropped them too. He came in close. "I had a little look into the secret life of my property." he admitted. "Imagine my surprise…" His breath fanned her ear, sending chills through her. Then he was gone, stepping back, rounding her like she was his prey. "When I find out my property is not only in love with her job… but she's conspiring with him against me."

"It's not what you think Lex." She turned to him, hoping she could lie her ass off and win. "I was just getting close, false trust, luring him into-"

"Your bed?" he finished for her. He grinned. "How about we cut the bullshit?" He nodded and a brute came to stand a little too close for comfort, she stepped back and he followed her until she was sat in the chair brute B provided. A hand came down on either shoulder as she sat and Lex knelt before her, he looked like he was enjoying this. "I know you know who Green Arrow is. And I know you know who the rest of his cohort are, including the Blur." She felt a chill drip down her spine. "And I know I still own you… despite how much you long to run away." He smirked, tapping a finger to her knee and making her jump. "So you're going to take this opportunity to give me the names. All of them. Or… you're going to regret it."

"I don't know who they are." But her lie was useless. Lex sighed and stood, dusting off his hands.

"I won't ask nicely again Chloe."

"I don't know!" she exclaimed. Lex narrowed his eyes.

"Final answer?"

"Final answer?! I can't answer something I don't know the answer to!" she hissed. "Damn it Lex. Let me go!" She struggled against the hands, but they held her fast, pinned her back down.

"Just because I like you-" he started and he stepped closer. "Just because you've been a good fuck over the years, I'll ask one. Last. Time." His fingers glided under her jaw, stroking along her jawline. In his eyes, it could be either a caress or a torment, it depend on what day. Today, it was a torment, intended to show she was his property, that she should fear him… that she was fragile. "Who are they?" She locked her jaw, remained silent. "Who is the Green Arrow?"

Her silence annoyed him.

He stepped back, closed his eyes and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "I took you from my father's hand. If he still had years left, I'd put you right back with him." he spat and nodded to the brutes.

Chloe knew that nod could mean nothing good. She had to get out, she had to leave. It was her life. Screw the laptop, screw the money, life was enough.

She grabbed the hands on her shoulders, digging her nails into the flesh and dashing from the chair as their grip loosened. Her hand was an inch from the doorhandle before legs and arms came in her way. Her screams must have carried down the entire corridor and even the entire block, but no-one came. Not as she battled fist to fist, biting and scratching for her freedom.

If she could just make the door, if she could just land a hit. But the brutes were effective as a team, they met flesh with every punch and a swift blow to her midsection paired with a swiped leg had her face down on the floor. A knee came to rest over her neck and another over her knees and she was pinned. She heard footsteps come closer, she couldn't see. But then she felt it; a stab to the back. Seconds later the knees were gone, the weight was lifted, but try as she might, she couldn't move a finger. She couldn't push herself up.

"Fast. Isn't it?" Lex's voice came through the veil of clouds that appeared in her mind. She cracked open her eyes to see him crouch before her, a gun in his hand. He lifted it so she could see it better. The barrel was loaded with darts of dark green liquid. "Paralytic." he explained. Slowly, he took away the gun and she found his eyes in the haze. Dark, sinister voids. He'd flipped the switch and finished with all emotions. He had gone. There was no more Lex… the light had gone, completely. "You were a valuable asset Chloe. And believe me when I say it pains me to do this. But I can't have you taking what you know to Green Arrow."

"T… ll.." she tried to speak, to utter the words that it was too late, but the words were mush.

"What's that?" he cooed. "Doesn't matter. You'll tell me everything I need to know."

Chloe tried to stay alert, she tried to hang on, but that drug was mixed with a heavy sedative and she was slipping away. Lex's face was the last thing she saw, cold, callous and god damn scary.

Lionel was right.

Oliver leant back in the chair. Dinah sat to his right. The computer was on its latest document, barely 1% of the drive looked at yet.

"You're kidding?" she asked, eyes wide at the screen. Oliver had called, told her he had a drive from Chloe. Vic was on a date, as was Clark, Ac and Bart were drinking and this left Dinah being the representative of his 'team' in his apartment.

"Nope." he answered. No matter how great this was, he wanted Chloe more.

"This is the jackpot!" she exclaimed. "This is the graveyard of Luthor skeletons!" she continued. She could barely sit still. "We could have them in jail until they're mummified."

"No."

"What do you mean 'no'?!" she lashed out, catching Oliver's arm with her slap. "This is the holy grail. This is what we want!"

"And Chloe?"

"She's free! She practically shoved this into your hand and told you to do this. It's what she wants!" Dinah enthused.

"But she'll have this over her head." He'd spent the last hour with Dinah over the computer, looking at the files. They hadn't even finished a folder yet and they could already ruin the Luthors.

"She wants you to do this." Dinah repeated. But she saw Oliver's eyes and she softened. "It doesn't mean she can't come back."

"If we do this it does." he voiced.

"Not necessarily."

"You think the Luthors will stay quiet about her if we pick and choose out evidence?" Dinah had to agree he had a point.

"She's free." she whispered, an arm around his shoulders. "It's what she wanted… right?"

"Yeah. I guess."

"Besides, it's not like you could have had any future without her knowing about you." Dinah leant back. She was as torn as Oliver looked. She liked Chloe, Oliver clearly was head over heels for her and the two would be amazing. But… the files… it was more than enough to drag the Luthors through the mud and into a jail cell… even if it did the same to Chloe.

"I'll tell her." he spoke, and as he did, the idea became more pronounced. It started making sense. "She's free from Lex, she has no reason to tell him anymore. She's free!" and he stood, the chair falling behind him with the force. "I can tell her!" and he rushed to the elevator.

"Woah, wait. Oliver, you can't be sure." Dinah stood, racing after him.

"You said yourself. She had the opportunity and she didn't take it."

"That's different."

"How?" he challenged, but nothing was ruining his mood. This was his solution!

"I don't know… but… there's no way we can be sure…" she hated herself for saying it, for bursting his bubble. But the bubble stayed.

"I can. I know her." he swore, tugging on a jacket at the elevator came. "She'll understand."

Dinah saw his smile, saw the belief and wanted to buy into the theory herself. She didn't know what made her trust him so, maybe it was all the adventures they'd shared against Lex. But she put her faith in him wholeheartedly.

"You better hurry Prince Charming." She grinned, crossing the floor to wish the man luck. "Go get your happily ever after." And she gave him a hug before the doors opened and he rushed through.

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Poor Prince Charming, the Princess is with the Dark Lord...

It's all kicking off now kiddies. Sadly, it does take a turn into darker territory after this chapter, but all will end well.
Xx