Warnings: This chapter has sexual content.
Summary: AU. Chloe seeks out a new life in Star City, far from the painful reminders of her life in Smallville. Set around seasons 6 & 7
Author Note: All comments and reviews are appreciated. They are my addiction, so please feed it! I need to know if I am doing things right. To make up for it being so long between chapters, this one is a little longer than normal.
A big thank you to Chloesilvers for being my beta on this project, and to selene2 for my fab banner.
Oliver had rushed home after receiving AC's call. There was no shame in admitting to himself that the failed attempt on Chloe's life had sent him into a panic. They were now ten days into Merlyn's challenge - Oliver should have realised that the man would begin to intensify his efforts. They were counting down to the fourteenth day, and it was likely to make the other man increasingly desperate and more dangerous as a result.
AC had also told him of Chloe's threat to flee back to Metropolis, back to the impenetrable Clark Kent. He was jealous and angry – and felt completely justified. After everything that they had gone through so far, she was still willing to trust Clark with her safety more than him.
It was ridiculous to feel this way, but he couldn't help it. She was too important to him and the thought of her half way across the country leading a confined and lonely life hurt him. He was pretty sure he would be just as miserable as she would. It wasn't her fault that she didn't know this would be over within four days. It was his.
AC and Bart had searched the grounds before he had arrived home. Bart had informed him that she had moved herself from the panic room to her bedroom, and asked not to be disturbed. She had even refused the speeders offer of fresh Italian coffee. From Italy itself.
Oliver didn't wait for a response after he knocked on her door. Looking around the room he saw her sat at her desk with her lap top open, typing away furiously.
Chloe looked up as she saw the intrusion. She was about to ask if he had ever been taught manners at that expensive boarding school of his, but he didn't give her the opportunity. He ran over to her and practically pulled her out of the seat before scooping her face in his hands, and fiercely taking her lips with his own.
It was by far the most passionate kiss they had shared, erasing any thoughts from her mind. His hands moved to her waist before he wrapped his arms tightly around her. He held her close, not giving her the chance to break away until he was ready. She trembled slightly at his intensity.
Finally they broke away, both of them panting just a little. Chloe knew that it was not completely the result of a lack of oxygen on her part.
He helped her to sit back down before sitting on the edge of her desk. "I don't want you going back to Metropolis."
She opened her mouth to speak, but he cut her off with a motion of his hands. "Please hear me out first."
Chloe nodded and allowed him to continue uninterrupted.
"I don't want you to go back to Metropolis, and not just for my own selfish reasons. I know you want to be close to Clark because not much can touch the guy, and we all have vulnerabilities here. I get that, I really do, but the guy is too preoccupied to protect you. You are my number one priority, and now that I have you, there is no chance of me being distracted."
He took a breath before continuing, hoping he didn't sound as pathetic as he felt. "You're safe here, and I want you to feel that way. The guys and I have come up with a plan to bring in Merlyn that will work. All I ask is that you give me one day, and I will wrap up my work at Queen Industries to be with you all day, every day until we get him. Day and night, I'm willing to stay joined at the hip to make you feel secure."
Chloe waited to make sure Oliver had finished. "You need to catch your breath there, Romeo?"
Oliver visibly relaxed, relieved that she wasn't about to jump into an argument. "I'm good."
"You know, twenty-four hour bodyguard duty could be problematic." She nodded towards her injured arm still covered in the taped trash bag. "Now AC has waterproofed me, I was hoping to take advantage of that Jacuzzi tub offer for at least three hours."
He smiled at the mental image she had willingly provided. "That wouldn't be a problem. I have a lifesaving badge from school; you would be safer with me there. I might even have to join you, just to make sure. "
She laughed softly at his lack of subtlety.
He cringed at her amused response. "Too much?"
"Maybe, if you actually intend on watching me."
Looking back over her now waterproofed arm, he smiled at the crude covering. "You know, I think we can do better than that."
He hopped down from the desk to take a closer look. He couldn't believe that AC had used duct tape to secure the bag.
"I broke my arm a few years ago, and I was given as waterproof cast cover. I'm sure it would be more secure than a trash bag and tape. I'll see if I can dig it out for you if you'd like?"
"That would be great."
"Maybe if I find it you'll be able to use the indoor pool. I think it would be best to leave the outside one alone for the time being, but the swimming would help with your leg."
"I'd like to. I can't let Merlyn ruin all my fun now, can I?"
"Well, there's no time like the present. I'll grab the cover, you grab your costume."
Chloe glared at him playfully. "I don't have a costume, Ollie. You know that, you helped me pack."
"I might have sneaked something in while packing your bags." His face clearly displayed the look of a guilty man. "I thought you'd be tempted to use the pools. Living under the same roof as AC can do that to a person."
"I experienced that first hand today. Hence the…" she looked at the black bag monstrosity on her arm, "…well, this!"
Oliver laughed. "How about I help you to your room so you can get ready? It'll give me time to find the cover."
"Thanks. I'd like that."
Chloe had surprised herself in accepting Oliver's offer of help. There was something about accepting help from others that had always made her feel particularly vulnerable.
The feeling of vulnerability was short lived as she found the bikini he had chosen in the bottom of the bag, and was replaced by the urge to throttle a certain bow-toting hero. She had held up the scraps of material and winced at the thought of putting it on.
The suit was brand new and was something that Chloe never would have chosen for herself. Lois was shopping for a trip to Monte Carlo ages ago, and although she never did get on the plane, the purchases remained – this outfit included. In her excitement, Lois had picked up the wrong size, and found its way into Chloe's drawer later as a result.
She could see why Oliver had picked this one from amongst the dozen that shared its drawer. It was a deep shade of green, and barely covered anything. Oliver Queen really was a living, breathing cliché.
It had taken every ounce of willpower she had not to put a t-shirt on over the costume. She knew that he would only laugh at her obvious self-consciousness and demand that it be removed, just to prove a point.
That was why she was now standing in the doorway to the pool room with the thickest robe she could find pulled around her body. It was her form of protest, and by god was she going to cling to it.
Closing the door gently behind her, she gently limped into the room, leaning on her crutch as much as possible.
Her eyes scanned the room, hoping that she would be able to get into the water before Oliver arrived. Lady luck wasn't smiling on her- Oliver was stood under the small shower on the wall, rinsing before he got into the pool.
Chloe had to remind herself to breathe. She had never seen him without a shirt on before; she had only ever heard the vivid details from Lois.
It was then that she realised her cousin needed a better thesaurus. Her descriptions didn't even come close to the real thing. Even with the bruising and cuts from the accident, his body was worth staring at. Her fantasies didn't do the man justice.
Oliver turned off the water, and Chloe managed to avert her eyes before he turned to face her.
"I was starting to think you'd chickened out," He said, smiling as he approached her.
"It just took a little while getting dressed. It's not so easy with only one good arm."
He took in the sight of the thick robe, tightly closed around her petite frame. "So are you going to wear the robe in the water?"
She knew he'd pick up on her discomfort, and begrudgingly began to disrobe. To his credit, Oliver didn't stare at her nearly bare form.
Chloe felt the urge to pull at the material of her bikini bottoms, unsuccessfully trying to cover the exposed flesh of her ass. "I never really intended on wearing this in public, you know. It's not exactly decent."
"And just exactly where were you planning on wearing it, if not in public? The tub? I don't see the reason why you're so shy about being seen in it."
"I wasn't planning to wear it at all. I didn't buy it."
"All that matters is that we get your leg moving today, not what you're wearing. Besides, that's the beauty of a private pool – the privacy."
"I guess." She was painfully aware that it wasn't completely private, not with him there.
Oliver smiled and turned to dive into the pool.
Chloe watched as he surfaced and began to swim back towards her. There was just something very sexy about wet, half naked men and Oliver was far from an exception.
"You stare like a fish, sidekick. How about we find out if you can swim like one?"
"I was not staring! I was just wondering how I was going to get into the water." It was a blatant lie, and they both knew it.
Her good arm gripped tightly onto the small rail by the tiled steps, leaning heavily on it as she slowly began to make her way into the water. Oliver had reached her by the time the water was above her knees.
"Just take it slowly." He reached out to hold her hips, gently guiding her into the water. She felt a jolt as his skin made contact with hers, and was unable to repress the shiver.
"Water too cold?" The playful look on his face let her know he knew he was playing dumb, and that her physical responses had nothing to do with the pool's temperature.
"Just a little. I'm sure I'll get used to it in a minute or so."
Oliver gently led her out into the water, all the while keeping her at the shallow end.
"Just move your legs gently, I've got you." He kept hold of her hands as she began to kick.
She was surprised at how effortless the small exercise was, and more surprising was how the sharp pain she was used to was replaced by a dull ache. "It's not really hurting at all."
"It's because the water is supporting you. The bad news is that you'll feel it later once you're out.
"Great. I guess I know why you waited until now to tell me."
"I'll make it up to you and help you massage out the muscles to prevent them from seizing up," he offered as he continued to lead her through the water.
"Wanting to give massages and finding a way to get me into this ridiculous costume? I'm beginning to suspect you have ulterior motives in helping me. "
"Perhaps," he confessed with a laugh "But you do have to take some of the blame. Most of my indecent thoughts have been because of those damn shorts of yours."
The confusion was clear on see on her face. "Shorts? I didn't bring any with me."
Oliver stopped in the water. He had shot himself in the foot, and she would never let the conversation drop. Only honesty could save him at this point, and he prayed for mercy. "I may have looked in on your apartment while on patrol on occasion…"
There were only one pair of shorts that she wore regularly at home, and they only covered a little more than what she was wearing now. "You were perving on me?"
"I'm only human, Chloe. If I see, I look! But I swear I was only checking in on your place to make sure you were okay." He held his hands up in surrender before realising she might need them for balance.
Chloe resisted the urge to hug her arms to her body. She knew part of her should be flattered, but there was still the chill of knowing she had been watched without her knowledge. "Great, now I'm feeling really exposed."
Oliver fought the urge not to roll his eyes. "You're not exposed."
"You're not the one wearing a skimpy two piece after being told you were ogled by a leather wearing stalker!"
This was seriously going to hamper the rest of her stay here if he didn't do something about it. As comfortable as she had been lately, it was obvious that her underlying self-consciousness was still there.
"Fine - there's one way to even the playing field!"
Chloe watched as he submerged himself under the water for a few seconds, before he came up with his shorts in his hands. Grinning like an idiot, he threw them to the edge of the pool with a wet 'plop'.
"There. Now I'm the one overly exposed."
Chloe couldn't believe him, and instantly clapped a hand over her eyes, all while trying to tread water. "I can't believe you just did that."
"Oh come on, you can't see anything. Now concentrate, you've got work to do." He took her hands again and led her back into the deeper water, Chloe keeping her eyes tightly shut all the while.
"You know, you can open your eyes." Oliver said, grinning at the look on her face.
She cracked one eye open. "You're naked and helping me swim. You don't think that's awkward?"
"You're making it awkward. Now just relax, and swim."
There was a pause before she finally opened her eyes. "It's distracting."
Oliver couldn't help bursting into laughter before nodding his head. "It's been called something along those lines in the past."
She rolled her eyes at the implied description. "There's no shaking that ego of yours, is there?"
"Warning noted. I promise to behave."
Chloe returned his smile, and was just glad that he was unable to read her thoughts. Oliver might be able to behave; she just had to hope that she could do the same. The previous night's dream was still fresh in her mind, and no matter how much she might want to, jumping Oliver out of the blue was no way to start a relationship. So, she kept on swimming in silence, resisting the urge to look beneath the water
"Are you okay? You zoned out on me there. Is it your leg?"
His question snapped her from her thoughts. "Sorry, I was just trying to concentrate."
"Maybe we should call it a day. You don't want to push yourself; we can try again tomorrow morning."
Getting some distance between the two of them sounded a good idea to her. She could feel her cheeks getting warmer, and only hoped that Oliver would put it down to physical exertion. "Okay."
He guided her slowly towards the stairs until she could grab the handrail.
"You need a hand?"
"Haven't you forgotten something?" She teased.
Oliver followed her eyes towards his discarded swimwear. "Yeah, probably a good idea. I don't think the guys would react well to me walking around naked."
Chloe smiled back as he swam to the other side to retrieve his shorts. She couldn't help but admire his body, and she was sure that he was deliberately putting on a show; showing her his ass as he reached out of the water.
She had to be dreaming again, because none of this could be real. The Chloe Sullivan she knew would never be here with Oliver, in what seemed like the plot of a cheesy soft porn movie.
Then again, if this were her dream, it could very well turn into something more heated. Just thinking back to her previous fantasies had the heat rising in her cheeks.
He swam towards her after putting the shorts back on, and began to gently help her back towards the stairs.
"Are you okay?" Oliver asked, looking at her flushed face. "I've embarrassed you, haven't I?"
She answered too quickly. "No!"
"So you're not blushing?"
"It's just from the swimming. It's hard work with half of your limbs out of commission."
"You know, we're kind of lucky that they are. They're keeping me from acting on all the un-gentlemanly thoughts I'm having about you and that bikini."
"Well, your little show back there hasn't exactly kept my thoughts of you pure."
Mentally, Chloe wanted to kick herself. She swore that all of this personal attention was turning her brain into mush, because there was no way she would have admitted as much a week ago.
"You're flirting with me?" He asked in surprise, wondering where her false denial and bravado had disappeared to.
"I wouldn't call it flirting, just telling you the truth."
Oliver eased her back onto the tiled steps, the warm water lapping at her breasts as she sat.
"The truth, huh? I'm not sure you've been completely honest with me, Chloe." He sat next to her on the steps and traced her cheeks with the back of his hand, "Because I don't think that your flushed cheeks are from exercise."
She didn't reply – she couldn't. Her traitorous body was giving away all of her dirty little secrets, and she prayed silently that he didn't see her nipples hardening in response to his small touch. It was okay for him to know how she felt, but it was another thing for him to know just how much her body reacted to him; how much it wanted him.
So she decided to remain silent. If she protested too much, he would see straight through her and know her thoughts for sure. It was scary how well he could read her sometimes.
"I knew I was right."
She almost growled in frustration. "You and your ego, Queen…"
"Ego has nothing to do with us." Oliver quickly captured her lips with his own, teasing hers open with his tongue.
She was sure she was ready to wave her white flag and give in, pride be damned. Why should she hold back? There was no point in using the excuses about protecting herself; Oliver clearly knew how she felt, no matter how cool she played it. If this ended, she would hurt. Denial about her feelings wouldn't stop her heart from breaking in the future. She was already falling in love.
Raising her own hand to the back of his neck, she pulled him harder towards her. Their kiss intensified as she felt his arms wrap around her, pulling her body flush with his.
The support of the water allowed for her to easily wrap her good leg around his body, bringing her into contact with his hardening arousal.
Oliver groaned at the feel of her against his hardening cock, and moved them back towards the side of the pool, putting his back against the tiles.
Chloe shivered as she felt his hands trail her sides, his hot skin burning into the cool flesh of her back. She couldn't remember the last time she had been this turned on by so little foreplay.
She rolled her hips against his, finding friction from his clothed, hard cock against her clit.
Oliver managed to drag his lips away from hers and meet her lust filled eyes with his own. "Chloe?"
"Shhh. No more talking." She whispered against his mouth before again rubbing her groin against his.
Taking her actions as the answer to his unspoken question, Oliver turned them around, pressing Chloe against the tile. He felt for the tie at the back of her bikini top, and easily pulled the knot apart.
With her breasts exposed to the water, Chloe felt her nipples harden further. He left her no time to feel the anticipation of his touch, as he sank further into the water and latched his mouth onto her breast. The shift in position had taken the beautiful friction away from her groin, only to be replaced by the teasing licks and the firm sucking action of Oliver's lips.
It felt good. Really good. But as her pleasure built, so did her frustration. She wanted to touch him; really touch him, but her reach was limited in this position.
"Ollie." She hated the almost whine to her voice.
She tried to pull at his shoulders without much luck, and he could see her struggle. She could tell he just wanted to see just how much she wanted him in that moment.
Releasing her breast he raised himself to her eye level. "What do you want, Chloe?"
Her finger found the waist band of his shorts, tugging them down. "These…off."
"You're sure I won't embarrass you again?" He asked with a knowing smile.
"Very sure." Her hands found their way inside his shorts, gripping his cock firmly.
He drew in a sharp breath at the feel of her small hands holding him. As she began to stroke him he pulled her towards him and kissed her.
It felt good to touch him so intimately. The tension his body held let her know that it wouldn't be long for him to lose it. Just how long had it been since he had been with a woman?
Her movements were limited as the kiss continued, so Oliver removed her hand and pressed her more firmly against the wall. Lifting her good leg, he hooked her knee around his waist before pressing against her.
Chloe sighed at the renewed contact of him rubbing himself against her clothed pussy, but it wasn't enough anymore. She knew pool sex was next to impossible, but if she couldn't have the real thing she'd get as close as she could. Slipping a hand to her left hip, she undid the bow that rested there before pulling at the material.
Being able to feel him moving against her sensitive flesh brought groans from both of them. She had wanted to feel him this intimately for a while and her inappropriate dreams and just heightened the need.
Every thrust of his hips was met with one of her own and despite the water splashing around them, she managed to keep eye contact. His lust blown eyes never left hers, and what she could see there made her chest ache. It was the first time that anyone had ever looked at her with such love and desire.
"Ollie…"
She wanted to tell him what he meant to her, that he was her rock and her home. Instead she rocked against him faster, pressing herself away from the wall to feel more of him move between her folds.
"Chloe…I- I can't…"
She didn't have to hear the end of his sentence, because she was there herself. Her orgasm had slowly built from the delicious friction, and was now fast approaching.
A few more strokes against her clit and she was coming; her hands gripped at him as her hips jerked wildly against his. The sound of her name and Oliver's hands clutching her ass tightly let her know he was right there with her.
He held her close as they came down from their high. The water was starting to feel too cool against her heated skin, but for the moment she didn't want to move from the comfort of his embrace.
"So much for taking things slowly." He whispered into her hair, "I'm sorry Chloe, I really didn't mean to break my promise to you."
"Promise?"
"About taking things slow. We've not even been on a date yet, and I've already screwed things up."
"Nothing's screwed up, Oliver. I thought it was my job to be the pessimist here, but you're just jumping right into my shoes." She smiled at him affectionately. "It might be out of character for me to become this intimate so soon, but I'm just as much to blame here. I'm a grown woman, and I'm not going to feel guilty over something that felt so good, and neither should you. If we're in a relationship, what's the problem?"
She was telling the truth, and there was no sign of her waiting to flee from both his arms and the room. Smiling, he kissed her briefly, glad that she really was okay about it.
"I -" He caught his words before he finishing the sentence. "If you're okay with this, then I am more than happy."
The slip hadn't gone unnoticed, but she let it slide. "Good."
"Seeing as we're continuing with our honesty streak, I have to confess, I was kind of worried I'd make a fool out of myself there. It's been a long time for me."
She kissed him again. For some reason a part of her was glad about that information. "There's nothing hotter than seeing you lose control. You'll receive no complaints from me."
"Yeah, well the same can't be said for AC. He's going to be pissed that he can't use this pool either.
Chloe cringed as Oliver handed her the bikini top. "We'll just have to come up with a really good reason why it needs to be cleaned again so soon."
"I'll just say the water was over chlorinated. No big deal." Oliver said as he pulled his shorts back over his hips.
Oliver helped to tie her top back up as she stood, ready to get out of the pool.
She gently made her way out of the water, her leg feeling sore but not as painful as her session with the physical therapist had her feeling.
Perhaps there would be more than one pleasant consequence of having Oliver by her side…