HOLDING OUT pt3

Pairings - Not sure yet, Clark and Chloe most likely
Spoilers - It would help if you've ever Watched Smallville
Disclaimer - As much as I'd like to, I own nothing and will in no way make profit from this piece of fiction from the depths of my imagination.

NOTE – Sort of surprises by the "instant feedback" that part 2 got. No, obviously it's not done there. I just forgot to add the "End of Pt2" when I wrote "END" No worries. Glad I surprised a few of you with Bart in place. Big Flash mark, just finished re-watching the complete series on DVD (kinda silly, but Mark Hamill as the Trickster is MONEY!) so I had to elevate him from Impulse to The Flash. Had to be done. Enjoy!

September 23, 2013

11:18pm

Metropolis General Hospital

God I am so sick of hospitals.

Weaving through the hallways at a very cautious yet determined pace, Chloe kept out of sight as much as possible. Staying close to the walls and stepping behind open doors at any sign of life. She continually checked her watch, as she hustled along.

Sporting a long, white doctor's lab coat and carrying a clipboard (That lunchroom'll never miss it) Chloe made every attempt to blend in as she stepped into the Intensive Care Ward.

Barely glancing at the distracted-by-Conan-on-the-tube security guard, Chloe kept her eyes as neutral as possible while striding determinately down the hallway. After turning a corner without any alarm being raised she allowed herself a sigh of relief and hurried on.

455 … 457 … 601!

After taking a quick peek at the docket to make certain that this was the right room, Chloe quietly opened the door and slipped inside.

Her carefully masked facial expression crumbled into one of dismay at the sight before her.

Jimmy was lying on the bed hooked up to more machines than she even had names for. One fed him fluids through the I.V., another was attached to his nostrils to assist his breathing. A heart rate monitor beeped softly and steadily to one side. Already, there were cards and flowers from well-wishers at the Planet decorating the dressing table and windowsill next to his bed.

He looks so …. Pale.

Chloe sat down in the nearby chair and gripped his hand softly. "I am so sorry, Jimmy."

Some time passed. Eventually the events of the day began to catch up with her and she found herself beginning to nod off.

A new beeping began to catch her attention. Forcing back the clouds of dreamland, Chloe opened her eyes and immediately sought out the heart rate monitor. Seeing that machine still maintaining it's pace, her brows crinkled in momentary confusion. The beeping got more insistent.

Oh Crap.

Reaching under her acquired lab coat, Chloe scrabbled at her pocket and pulled out her cell phone. Hitting the sequence to unlock her keypad and silence the beeping, she scrolled through her text messages.

Babe – U were told to stay put!

Chloe grimaced faintly as she replied.

Couldn't hide anymore. Had to know if J was ok.

With that she snapped her phone shut and stood up to leave. Been here too long already. Someone might find …

A familiar blast of air whipped the hair out of her face and billowed her coat like a flowing white cape. Closing her eyes to adjust her mood, she clenched her fists and took an aggressive step forward. "Look Bart… "

Two small but strong hands gently grabbed her shoulders. Opening her eyes, she saw Bart standing before her sans fire alarm red lycra outfit. Dressed in a dark pair of khakis and matching long sleeved Tee with a backpack slung over one shoulder, Bart looked less super-hero and more art student as he gave her a fierce look.

"Babe, Ollie's worried sick." When she tried to turn away he tightened his grip slightly. "Chloe we're all worried. Someone came very close to killing you today."

"They came closer to killing Jimmy."

"Ollie's got the med reports. He'll be fine."

"Is that supposed to make me feel better?"

"It's supposed to make you careful!"

Silence.

I'm so sick of crying today.

Wiping frantically at her eyes, Chloe turned away, breaking Bart's grip.

He sighed, placing a hand on his forehead and massaging at one temple. "Babe … Chloe … Look. We know you were doing the right thing. Going after InterGang, calling them on their shenanigans. But we can't always be there to back you."

Chloe nodded, her voice barely a whisper. "I know."

Running his fingers through her dark curls he stepped in front of her again. "It's not that we don't want to, but we're spread thin right now. Ollie's got us in all four corners. And even I have a hard time getting here from Australia on a moment's notice."

She shook her head. "I'm glad you did come Bart. I really am." She paused. "But I can't be the 'damsel in distress'. It's just not in me. I have to be out there, finding out who's causing the problem and exposing them."

He grinned dashingly. "And that's why we love you."

She smiled slightly. "So how am I supposed to do that holed up in a safe house?"

"How are you supposed to do that from the city morgue?"

She narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "When did you get all logical and stuff?"

He quirked an eyebrow. "What? I can't have layers?"

In spite of herself she laughed softly.

Sensing victory, Bart placed a surprisingly solid arm across her shoulders. "So what do you say I zip you over to Star City? You can hide out in the JLHQ. Keep in contact with the Planet from there. Update your files. Hang out with the crew." He smiled knowingly. "Get to know why I'm called 'The Flash' now."

Chloe rolled her eyes knowingly. "Please, Bart. I've already heard that you're a two minute man. Not impressed."

"But those two minutes? Stuff of legend."

"I bet."

"I'll go double or nothing."

"I'm all about the nothing here."

"I'll buy you dinner."

"No."

"Ice cream?"

"No."

"A puppy?"

"So I can have another immature creature to clean up after? Definitely no."

"Straight to the sex then?"

Pinching the bridge of her nose between her thumb and forefinger Chloe sighed heavily. "Bart …"

He removed his arm and held both hands in front of his body, adopting the universally accepted posture of surrender. "Fine, crush my hopes and dreams. I realize I'm not all tall, dark and completely out of your life. But at least I'm here and trying to help."

She met his gaze sadly. "I know Bart. And I am grateful for all your help, and the help that the rest of the crew is offering." She stabbed a finger at his chest and got a glint in her eye. "But I'm not 'ready to put out grateful'. Got it?"

Bart lowered his arms. His smile returned shyly. "I got it, babe." Then surprisingly he caught her hand and brought it to his lips, kissing the back of her knuckles lightly. At her wide eyed expression his smile widened. "So … Star City? Hang at the HQ until we can take the time to clean up Metropolis for you?"

Taking her hand back gingerly Chloe looked at Bart in surprise. Bart? Smooth? Shaking her head to clear it, she replied. "No. Not that far away." Seeing his look of confusion, she elaborated. "I mean, my dad still lives her. Lois'll be back from assignment in a few weeks. I want …" She gripped her hands together fiercely. "I need to be here for them, in case something happens. I can't do that …"

"Out in the Chateau de JL. Gotcha." He frowned, rubbing his chin in thought. "I suppose you've got a place in mind?"

She nodded. "Just waiting to hear back, making sure it's cool to crash and hide out."

"It's not an old dorm room buddy is it? Because if you're trading staying with me to go with some …." He cut off suddenly, eyeing the door carefully.

"Bart, what is …" The careful plodding of footsteps echoed faintly out in the hall.

Multiple footsteps.

"Orderlies?" he whispered.

"Hospital staff wear soft-soled shoes don't they?"

The footsteps stopped on the other side of the door. The faint shadows of more than one person blocked the light from beneath the entranceway.

Chloe looked frantically behind her at Jimmy's unconscious frame. "Bart … What are we …"

Looking back she saw Bart now in full 'Flash Gear' and stuffing the remains of his shirt into his backpack. He winked at her. "Stay put doll. I've got this …"

The door swung open. Two large men wearing dark trench coats started to step into the room, pistols with mounted silencers leading the way before them.

Bart turned toward the men and assumed an arrogant pose. "Hello boys."

The lead thug's eyes' widened as he squeezed on the trigger

Chloe tried to keep an eye on everything that happened next and failed miserably. Softly she heard the sound of muffled gunfire and felt the breeze of displaced air. After several moments, she realized that both thugs had emptied the barrels of their guns and were staring forward in surprise.

The Flash stood there, whistling softly and casually juggling an impossible number of bullets in a complicated triple loop, his hands a complete blur.

Both men looked at each other and turned to bail.

In a crimson streak, suddenly both men were bound together by their own coats at the ankles, wrists and necks and lying back to back on the ground. The wide eyed look of terror in their eyes was something Chloe would never forget.

"Bar … uhm, " Slight pause for forced coughing. "Flash?"

Bart looked up from where he was tightening the last strap on the ankles. "Yeah, doll?"

"Why socks in their mouths?"

"Why not?"

Good point.

Kneeling down next to the closest thug, Chloe looked him hard in the eyes. As she was about to speak, her cell phone beeped. Silencing it with a quick movement, she turned her attention back to the balding man.

"Tell your boss something for me." He glared up at her balefully. Swallowing her fear, she put on a brave face and smiled, showing teeth. "Tell him that they might always find me, but I'll never stop exposing them. One day, very soon, I'm going to stop them." She stood up and glared right back. "The people of Metropolis will get their city back, and I'll be there to make sure it happens."

Bart smirked. "Nice speech." He looked over at the clock on the wall then glanced back at the thugs. "Well, I guess I should zip these guys over to the police station. Not that it'll do much good, but they can't stay here."

"Do that, I'll stay with Jimmy till you come back."

"Okay. I'll talk to Ollie about getting him transferred somewhere safer. Don't want these guys trying to follow through."

"Thanks. I'll be here."

He nodded. Then with a high pitched squeal and a rush of air blurred out of sight, all trace of the men, their weapons and the bullets gone.

Fishing out her cell phone, she quickly scrolled through her messages. Finding the most recent one she smiled in relief. Patting Jimmy's hand reassuringly she dialed a number, pressing the phone to her ear.

"Hello, Senator Kent? … Sorry, I know Mrs … Martha … It's good to hear your voice too … I'm sorry to call so late …. You're right. I do need a favor."

-END of pt3-