Author Note: All comments and reviews are appreciated. They are my addiction, so please feed it!

Chloe knew that there was no real thought needed to Oliver's question, but he would only have ignored any answer given to him earlier that day. It was almost nine o'clock in the evening and she was sure he would listen to her now. It's not like she would change her mind any time soon.

Chloe was taking charge of her life, and she knew that this would be different to how things were back in Metropolis. There was a difference between being involved and being an observer, she just needed to maintain that balance. Picking up her phone she quickly typed out the message before hitting send.

Oliver had started his patrol as Green Arrow early that night. He was sticking close to Chloe's neighbourhood knowing that Merlyn would take any opportunity he could to get to her, and he was the only one who had a shot at protecting her from a distance.

Landing softly on the building across from Chloe's apartment, Oliver put his bow away. Chloe's apartment was directly in his line of sight and the view made him thankful he had invested in re-enforced windows for her. The lights were on without the curtains drawn, and he could see her walking throughout the small space dressed in her cotton camisole and shorts.

Either she had no sense of self preservation or she was just that confident in the security measures he had installed. Oliver thought that she would have at least realised someone would be watching her in the coming days, and dress a little more modestly - or at least pull the curtains. Those shorts were verging on underwear.

Oliver watched as she grabbed a cup of coffee, turning her back completely to him. He had never realised what a beautiful body the little blond had. The few times he had actually been in her company she covered herself with loose blouses and trousers. She was so unlike her cousin where nothing in her wardrobe left anything to the imagination. His eyes followed her as she made her way to the couch, grabbing her phone before propping her feet on the coffee table. He couldn't understand why she always kept those legs under wraps, it was such a waste.

A beep brought him back to reality. He couldn't believe he'd caught himself staring at Chloe's ass and legs. Shaking his head free from the images he retrieved his phone.

I'm in, whatever it takes.

The message was from her. He smirked at the response, Chloe Sullivan would always be attracted to trouble, even if she was in denial about how much she loved to be in the thick of things.

"Incoming, Bossman." Came the message across his earpiece. Oliver braced himself as he felt the inevitable wake from Bart's speed.

"What's up, Impulse?" Oliver asked glancing over at the speedster. Bart had obviously been on a patrol of his own, dressed in his red hoodie and matching glasses.

Bart focused on the apartments across the street, quickly seeing what interested Oliver so much. "Dude, this is so unfair. If I can't even call Chloelicious, no way should you be able to stalk her."

"I'm not stalking her. Chloe's digging herself into trouble, I'm just making sure she stays safe." Oliver turned his attention back to the building across from him.

"She's walking around her apartment in the sexiest pair of shorts I have ever seen, and she doesn't know you're here watching. I call that stalking."

Oliver quirked an eyebrow to look at the jealous man. "Really?"

Bart just gave a shrug and continued to watch Chloe as she settled down to watch television. Oliver pulled out his phone again, hitting a few buttons before replacing it again. A familiar beep came from Bart's pocket. He retrieved it before giving Oliver a puzzled look.

"It's Chloe's number. She gave me her permission to pass it on to you. Just promise me you won't abuse it."

"Awesome." Bart was grinning like a maniac. "I think I can do one better than a promise. I'll tell her myself!"

Oliver put his hand out to stop him but only managed to grab air. Turning his attention back to Chloe's apartment he watched as she got up from her couch and grabbing a robe before answering her door. At least she used the security monitor he had installed.

Bart appeared in her doorway, it seemed that in the two seconds it took him to get there he had managed to grab a change of clothes. It still amazed Oliver that in the brief time it took him to run he could still pull off a costume change. Oliver watched as the young man gave her a tight hug before being invited in.

Bart looked up in Oliver's direction offering a wink and a 'thumbs up'. Oliver had no chance to retort as Chloe caught Bart mid-hand action and swiftly gave him 'the look'. For someone so petite she really did look scary with her now aggressive stance. To Oliver, all it did was draw his eyes more firmly to her hips. He caught himself licking his lips and turned his attention to the interaction in her home, his mouth suddenly very dry.

It seemed as if Bart was apologising now, waving his hand towards the window with a smile on his face. Chloe's posture relaxed before she playfully slapped Bart on the chest. Oliver assumed all had been forgiven in the Sullivan household. Chloe held her hand out to Bart and seemed to be asking him for something. Oliver watched as he placed something in the palm of her hand which Chloe swiftly attached to her ear. He had a sinking feeling; he knew where this was going.

His communicator beeped into his ear as he watched her stand closer to her window. He pressed a small button on his ear piece. "Hello Chloe."

His voice was deeper than she was used to thanks to the voice distorter he wore. "Just how long have you been out there?"

"Long enough to know that short shorts really become you."

Oliver watched as she became flustered, pulling her robe tighter around her body. "You're nothing more than an over-equipped voyeur with a Daisy Duke kink."

Olive couldn't help laughing. He zoomed the night vision o his glasses. He swore if they were in colour he would be able to see the flush creeping across her cheeks.

"I take it your lack of a real answer means you've been out there fro far too long. You should patrol elsewhere Arrow, you have a whole city to protect, not just one woman."

"You could have died last night."

"But I didn't. Besides, Bart is with me now. I'll be safe as long as he is around, right? You should take the opportunity to watch over the city."

"You're going to argue until I leave, aren't you?" He asked, watching the lips transform into a triumphant smile.

"Now you're getting the idea."

Oliver took a deep breath before releasing it slowly. He knew he could trust Bart to keep her safe. If any arrows came her way he'd be able to snatch them out of the air before they even got close to her.

"I'll leave if you promise me one thing, and believe me, if you don't tomorrow I am patrolling from your couch."

"Name your price."

"I want to be told the minute Bart leaves your side tonight."

"It's a deal."

"And close your curtains." Oliver could see her rolling her eyes, but he also caught view of Bart trying to get a look at her ass. "On second thoughts, just leave them how they are until Bart leaves."

"Not a problem. Enjoy your evening, Arrow." With a beep the connection terminated. Bart gave him a playful wave before turning his full attention to Chloe. Oliver felt the unexplainable need to go over to that apartment and drag Bart out by his collar, and give him a swift slap for good measure.

Oliver had spent the better part of that afternoon figuring out how he could plan his patrols around Chloe, and now that work had been thrown spectacularly out the window. It wasn't as if he could just spontaneously decide to spend the evening with her like Bart had, someone had to look after the streets at night.

"Damn!" The thought had hit him far too late to count. He could have had Bart patrol the city instead of himself. That could be him now sat next to Chloe in the warm, enjoying her company.

"I'll keep that in mind for tomorrow." He muttered to himself. Maybe he could invite himself round with a more detailed biography of Merlyn? Unlike Bart he wouldn't be turning up empty handed, and if anyone appreciated a little extra effort with research, it was Chloe.

Bart flopped down on Chloe's couch. "You know, if you don't want the Green Arrow as your very own stalker I'll gladly move in with you. Purely for your own safety, of course."

"You're not fooling anyone, Bart. Although I think Ollie might have a point about the curtains. Anyone could be watching." Chloe opened her refrigerator and pulled out a couple of sodas.

"You've got nothing to fear while I'm here 'licious. Besides, you in your jammies might put a bit of excitement back into his life."

Sitting down next to Bart she handed him a soda. "The last thing Oliver needs is more excitement."

"You're joking - the dude is all about work these days. He's had a day off since we left Kansas."

"The break up with Lois hit both of them hard. He's probably just trying to work through it." For a week Lois had lived off of ice cream and brownies before moving her interest elsewhere. Despite her reassurances to Bart she knew that Oliver had probably been more affected out of the two. Her cousin rarely brooded over lost loves for long. Lois had loved her once too, and look how that had turned out.

"It could have been about Lois and their break-up. I don't know." Bart had a far away look on his face. Chloe had never seen him so deep in thought. "Maybe it's a good thing you're in Star City too. You could be just the distraction he needs - you could get him to have fun again!"

"I'm hardly the epitome of fun these days, I'm not quite the girl you left in Smallville." Chloe took a sip of her cold drink. "Besides, you're brimming with energy. Why can't you and the guys get him out and enjoying himself?"

"We've tried, but he won't listen to us. He just can't switch off being the bossman. But with you? There's no way he could say no."

Chloe smirked. "And what makes you think that?"

"Because I couldn't!" Bart said, grinning madly at her before taking hold of her hand and kissing the back of it. Chloe laughed out loud before playfully slapping him on the shoulder.

"Seriously Beautiful, You shouldn't underestimate your womanly mojo. The force is strong with you!"

Chloe rolled her eyes. The guy hadn't changed - all cheesy lines and compliments. "I've missed having you around, Bart. It's nice to have company that knows how to smile."

"Stretch not so much fun to be around lately?" He asked but inwardly cringed at the warning look she was giving him. "Oliver mentioned things weren't so great back in Smallville."

"Clark and Smallville are all topics of conversation I would rather not be talking about right now."

"No problem." Bart said positively before holding her hand yet again. He pulled her so quickly to her feet she was almost dizzy. "So how about we ignore the topic of el groucho and take a run down to Mexico for some authentic eats? My treat!"

Chloe gave him a small nod of her head, but pulled her hand away before Bart could carry her off. "And how about I throw on some appropriate clothing and we check out the Mexican restaurant six blocks over."

"Nothing wrong with what you're wearing now in my opinion." Chloe shot him an unimpressed look. "But changing would probably be a good idea. You don't want to be arrested!"

"Now you're thinking." Chloe patted him on the arm as she made her way to her bedroom. As she entered the room she made sure the curtains were closed before she began to undress.

Four hours had passed since the Green Arrow had left Chloe's neighbourhood to patrol the city, and now he found himself right back where his evening had started. He wanted to make sure that everything was fine before he headed back home. Bart had called him thirty minutes earlier, right after he had dropped Chloe at her door. Oliver had had to restrain himself from verbally berating his team mate for taking her out for the evening. It hadn't helped that Bart had referred to it as a date either.

The apartment seemed quiet. Chloe had turned the lights off and finally pulled the curtains closed. She should be safe for the night, he would just have to trust the security system to alert him to any intruders for the rest of the night.

As Oliver made to leave he felt an itch between his shoulder blades. He was being watched, and they were close. As he turned he had his bow, ready with an arrow, aimed in the direction he faced. Thirty feet in front of him Merlyn stood, with his own bow by his side.

The older man didn't seem bothered by the weapon aimed in his direction, instead smirking at the younger man in front of him. "Green Arrow. It's been a long time."