Saturday night rapidly approached and Chloe was beginning to feel excited about the upcoming gala. Sure, she was going as Laura Smith but she would be able to feel a semblance of her old life. While Chloe didn't resent having to leave and frankly enjoyed life in Gotham, it was agony having to deny her past, to be incapable of being completely open with anyone. Almost all of her co workers were completely jealous of her for getting invite to what was being called "the event of the year". Larry himself patted Laura on the back and told her "she would be able to write a great story about it."
Oliver appeared to be right about people concerning the two of them as well. Every time someone asked her how she got the invite, Laura simply told them that they were friends in Star City and this was a chance to catch up. People seemed satisfied and never really questioned it.
At precisely 7 PM on Saturday night, Oliver Queen arrived on Laura's doorstep. Laura's first reaction was utter excitement. While the nature of the date was embarrassing, it was always great to spend quality time with people from her past. Lois always had to be more careful and she had never had the opportunity to get that close to the other members of the team. So the idea of going out for the night with someone from the days of being Chloe Sullivan and it being relaxed and non business related was the best thing to happen in weeks.
"Oliver!" Laura exclaimed ramming into him for a hug.
"Chloe – I mean Laura it's so good to see you!" Oliver corrected himself.
"You know, you've actually known me longer as Laura than you have as Chloe…so I don't see why this is so hard." Chloe pointed out.
"I guess you just seem like a Chloe." Oliver said somewhat matter of factly.
"Well, maybe you should have thought about that when you chose my name." Laura pointed out. The two chuckled and locked elbows heading to Oliver's limo. Instead of drinking the bottle of champagne left for them, the two spent the fifteen minute car ride catching up on their lives.
"Still trying to get yourself killed, aren't you Laura." Oliver sighed after Laura regaled him with one of her theories on gangs in Gotham.
"I wouldn't say that exactly. I'm just trying to uncover the truth – to force the people to recognize it and fight back. It's not easy. I just wish someone – anyone would do something about it." Laura went on, speaking more to the city than her friend, "So enough about me, how's the super hero business going?"
"Well," Oliver started, "not that great." After seeing Laura's face of guilt he immediately spoke up, "No! Your research has been top of the line, couldn't ask for a better Watchtower, it's just…the world seems to not care anymore. People seem to be okay with crime and view us a nuisance. Of course, that's until one of us saves them."
"You know, I still feel guilty for taking a smaller role. I loved being your guide, but it was so risky; it's how the government was able to track me in the first place." Laura admitted.
"Trust me – Lex would have caught all of us by now. Lowering communications while in gear and in action was the best decision we ever made", Oliver continued, "Speaking of Lex, that's that on thing that is going well. You know that strange document you intercepted by accident last week? Well, if we deciphered it right, I think we might finally be able to gather enough evidence to arrest him." Oliver finished proudly.
"That's wonderful," Laura said, genuinely happy, "but how? I mean, we've caught Lex red handed before and he just weasles his way out every time."
"Well this time, we've got a guy on the inside of both Luthorcorp and the police," Laura looked at Oliver skeptically, "don't worry, the guys one of us – Detective Jones. Apparently he's from mars. Has this weird thing for oreos. Anyways, he convinced a few honest feds to take an interest in the case. If all goes well, at the right time all the right people will have all the information."
"The feds? They're willing to trust capes?" Laura asked, still suspicious.
"Not exactly. They're willing to trust the Luthorcorp guy. We're really the invisible middle men who are making it all happen – and trying to keep everyone involved alive." Oliver told her.
"Wow." Was all Laura could say. Then she suddenly realized this was the reason Oliver was so insistent on taking her out – to tell her the news they'd waited for years to hear. "I'm glad you got to tell me this in person." Laura said, hugging her friend in relief, "so, what does Lois know about all of this?"
"Oh, you mean your rival over at the Daily Planet? She's ecstatic! And not only because she's going to break the story first. Don't be mad, but she told me a few months back that she suspected Lex was the one causing you grief, and I didn't say anything to make her think otherwise. I know I know," Oliver put up a hand to stop Laura from protesting, "Lex wasn't your only concern when you left and you still have a reason to stay Laura Smith. All I'm saying, is maybe once Lex is locked away you can visit Metropolis one day, see Lois more than every other month. I at least wanted her to have the hope that it was possible."
Chloe gave a small smirk to her friend, "You know, you make it impossible for me to stay mad at you." The car slowly pulled up to the front of the Wayne mansion and a valet came and opened the door for them.
"After you, miss," Oliver said with half a smile.
"Oh why, thank you Mr. Queen," Laura responded choking down laughs.
The first thing Laura noticed when she walked into the mansion was how unnecessarily large it was. She recalled her days of being at the Luthor mansion and decided she already liked Wayne for making Lex's place look insignificant. The place was gorgeous yet it all seemed decorative. It was obvious no one had really lived there in many years.
The two kept walking until they reached a large ballroom filled with hundreds of guests. Laura smiled to herself as she thought about how Oliver described this as a small get together. Then again, perhaps it was – she didn't make it a hobby to keep up with the rich and famous.
Oliver immediately led Laura towards a few colleagues. The two politely chit chatted for about twenty minutes until they could no longer handle the mundane conversation. After a quick trip to the bar to grab some drinks, the two snuck out of the ballroom into a small living room down the hall.
"So this is really one happening party," Laura commented dully, "I can see the headline now – Reporter So Bored: A night at the Wayne Mansion," Oliver chuckled at her statement, "it's got Pulitzer written all over it," Laura concluded.
"These things aren't usually all that exciting. I was hoping to talk to Bruce though, I haven't seen the guy since college…" Oliver contemplated.
"Well we're not that far from the ballroom I'm sure when the prince of Gotham himself shows up – we'll know." Laura pointed out.
Laura was right, and about ten minutes after they sat down, excited hushes could be heard coming from inside the ballroom. Oliver and Laura quietly snuck back in and quickly found their seats. Moments later, the room had died down and Bruce Wayne stood with a glass of champagne ready to speak, "I wanted to thank you all for coming out tonight. It's always good to know how many people care for you," he looked down thoughtfully and continued, "well, I'm not one for long laborious speeches so let's eat, catch up, and have a good time!" Wayne concluded his speech to polite applause and began to walk around the room to talk with people.
"You know who he reminds me of a little?" Laura asked Oliver inquisitively.
"Don't say Lex-" Oliver began before he was cut off.
"Not Lex – you. The overdone playboy I mean, I knew he has a reputation but does he have to flaunt it", Laura noticed Oliver looked both a little confused and embarrassed, "oh no, don't worry I know you maintain an image as part of your Green Arrow cover, but the way he does it, it's like he wants to keep people at a distance. I don't get it." Laura finished musing.
"He hasn't had the best life – his parents were shot in front of him when he was a kid, I think maybe he's just decided to hell with it – have a good life, don't make attachments that could cause pain, and he happy." Oliver shrugged and told her. Laura gave a half smile and continued looking around the room, hoping something would make this story a little less dull besides her imagination.
"Oliver! It's been to long!" Wayne's exclamation abruptly awoke Laura from her thoughts and she turned to face the billionaire.
"It defiantly has," Oliver responded, shaking his hand with a big grin, "this is Laura, she and I were real close before she got to Gotham. I'd watch out though – she's the Gazette's star reporter."
"Nice to meet you Laura," Bruce said with a superficially friendly smile.
"Same here", Laura said, giving a smile Oliver knew was sarcastic. Bruce moved on to the next table, but promised to return later to catch up. The night went on rather pleasantly. Oliver and Laura for the most part kept to themselves and talked about the league and other issues going on in their lives. Suddenly, Oliver's left front pocket started buzzing. He gave a small frown before picking up his League phone.
"Hello?...I'm in Gotham…what?...Why?...Thanks for calling Dinah. Yeah I hope so, bye." Oliver grabbed Laura's elbow and started steering her away from the party before he had even pressed end.
"Oliver, what's going on?" Laura asked, suddenly concerned.
"The League just got a message. Apparently, Lex knows we're close to bagging him and therefore he's going back to an old project…"
"Bagging me," Chloe asked somewhat confused.
"Exactly, only not for you power. A little bird told him that you know who the Green Arrow is. Well, the point of the matter is, Lex's plane just left for Gotham an hour and ½ ago. My guess is he's on his way here." Oliver said, his face burning in concern.
Laura wasn't quite sure was to do or how to react. "Will he recognize me?" She asked Oliver, "I mean think about it, everyone here knows me as Laura, I mean, I only vaguely resemble the Chloe Sullivan of five years ago. If he comes in, we act normal, then maybe he'll just move on." Laura suggested.
Oliver contemplated Laura's suggestion, "it's a good idea, but it's risky. I mean, what if anything about you sets him off? He'll be all over you."
"Alright, I'll go to the bathroom, put on makeup in a way that my face is barely…anything. Then act like I have a thing for Lex Luther. It's the last thing he'd expect from Chloe Sullivan." Laura proposed.
Though still skeptical, Oliver conceded it was a good idea. He was grateful he had decided to come out to Gotham and was here in case not everything goes as planed.
"Besides, we're assuming he's going to come here. He might just go searching for me without stopping by!" Laura stated optimistically.
"I doubt it. It would look bad for Lex to come to Gotham without stopping by to welcome back Bruce." Oliver pointed out with a slight frown. Though the two were antsy, Oliver and Chloe attempted to blend in and appear as though nothing was wrong. However, every time a man spoke loudly or they heard anything remotely funny, their heads would immediately start turning in search for Lex. Hence, they were surprised when he showed up right behind them.
"Oliver Queen," Lex stated causing both of them to jump slightly before putting on their calm faces, "nice of you to be here. It's like a school reunion." He finished, sounding utterly bored he had to waste his time at such an event.
"Lex." Oliver said. Then he noticed Lex nodding to Laura and he immediately jumped in, "Oh Lex, this is Laura Smith, reporter at the Gotham Gazette."
"Hi. It's quite an.,honor to meet you." Laura stampered out. She started blushing and immediately tried to turn away.
"I think I may have read a few of your stories. It's good to meet you," Lex said somewhat flirtatiously, Laura returned with a wide out of character smile. Playing along, Oliver put on a face of annoyed jealously.
"It was good seeing you Lex, but we have to go talk to some other people – I promised them." Oliver stated quickly.
"It was sooo nice meeting you Mr. Luthor." Laura stated girly before being dragged away by Oliver.
Lex watched the couple leave and laughed quietly to himself. For a moment, he thought that Laura looked a lot like Chloe but then realized that Chloe would never be invited to such an event. This realization was confirmed by the girl's obvious crush on him. He continued on, making the rounds, before stepping outside to talk to his team.
"Have you hacked into the city video cameras yet?" He asked anxiously. He wanted the answers he needed so he could get rid of Green Arrow and his team forever. "Good. Now call me if you have an update." He paced for a moment, hoping to clear his mind and then his phone rang. "Yes?...I know Gotham is a big city, I want you searching anything that could remotely concern Chloe Sullivan. Her cousin has been flying here at least once every other month. Look. She's here…Use all my resources if you have to. Find her!" Lex said, wishing it wasn't a cell phone so he could dramatically hang it up.
Lex spent another twenty minutes at the party until he was too anxious to stay any longer. He left to personally oversee the search. The moment he was out the door, Oliver and Laura both sighed in relief.
"Seriously, I thought he was never going to leave," Laura said, "Were you able to hear what he was saying on the phone? I tried to read his lips and all I got was 'watermelon'."
"No luck. However, I did notice something." Oliver pointed to a spot on the wall that looked a little to newly painted, "I know it's a long shot but just maybe our good old Bruce Wayne has video surveillance in this place?"
Laura smiled slyly at him, "Oliver, you're a genius!" After another thirty minutes or so, the two decided it was about time to leave. It had been a tiring night but Laura felt relatively awake with all the anticipation. As soon as she arrived home, Laura decided to immediately start attempting to hack in to the Wayne Mansion's security system – she was anxious to hear what exactly it was that Lex was saying on the phone.
When she first started she was optimistic and somewhat excited but after about 20 minutes she started to feel useless and discouraged. About twenty minutes after that, she decided to call up backup.
"Victor? It's me, Laura… No, not that Laura, Laura Smith… look I need your help… Your heading here anyways?... Why that sunofa-… ya ya ya I'll see you in the morning." Annoyed, Chloe nodded her head. Oliver decided to rotate a member of the team to Gotham to keep a far away eye on Chloe. Sure it was sweet, but unnecessary and had an incredibly high possibility of back firing. On the bright side, with Victor in Gotham, hacking in will be much easier.
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A/N: Alright that line where Lex goes, "use all my resources?" that actually an inside joke I figure the world needs to know. My friend and I were watching Smallville and we noticed how it seems like every episode Lex is giving permission for one of this assistants to use all of his resources to ensure the success of some unprofitable venture. Well, I hope at least someone else finds this funny. I put up this chapter about 24 hrs after the first so people could begin to get the idea of where the stories heading. I hope to put up a chapter every day but I'm not making any promises.
