Chapter 21 - Chasing Cars

Oliver never pictured himself living in Metropolis. Star City was his home. But he knew how much it meant to Zoey. He saw how much effort she went through to prove that she was moving forward with her life. So, when he learned that Queen Industries had the only working satellite on Dark Thursday, the day when a massive virus spread and cause riots all over the world, he looked through the footage. Seeing the footage of what Lex had done, well, he considered looking into the younger Luthor's actions as an extra benefit to moving to Metropolis. Plus, buying the building their new home resided in allowed him to show her that he was taking her actions seriously. So, when security had told him he had a visitor, Oliver wasn't surprised to see Lionel.

"Lionel Luthor," Oliver loudly greets, walking down the stairs from his and Zoey's bedroom. "All those hostile takeovers haven't aged you a bit. Tell me, what's your secret?"

"Well, perhaps I should give some credit to a nightly nip. This forty-year-old Highland Scotch certainly helps to smooth the stress. I vigorously recommend it," Lionel replies, handing Oliver a bottle of Scotch. "Welcome to Metropolis, Oliver."

Oliver takes the bottle with a smile and sets it on his desk, making a mental note to throw it away later. "It's a nice gesture. So, I guess, I shouldn't be surprised, should I? You've always been so generous."

"You know, Oliver, when I read in the papers, 'Oliver Queen moves to Metropolis' I was very curious. You've made such a name for yourself in Star City. Why would you relocate?"

"Well, how can you resist these views? Not to mention the crisp, midwestern air. Plus my wife lives here."

"Have you had a chance to touch base with my son yet?"

"Haven't had a chance. Been meaning to. How is old Lex doing, by the way? Has he finally managed to step out of your shadow?"

"Oh, he's changed a lot since your, uh, boarding school days together."

"Hmm. Well, we all have. You know what, Lionel? You've inspired me. I'm gonna give him a call. Yeah. I'll call him today."

"You could have a hard time reaching him. Lex, it seems, has been abducted."

"He's been abducted. My god."

"Oh. Oh, Oliver, I remember in the Excelsior School plays, you were always so good. So convincing."

"Lionel, I'm involved in a lot of business ventures, as you know. But I can assure you, kidnapping is not one of them."

"I remember you have an unpleasant history with my son. And I know Queen Industries had the only working satellite on Dark Thursday." Oliver stares at Lionel, waiting. "I know. I know, Oliver. You've suffered through a lot in your young life, but if you have so much as laid a hand on Lex, the word suffer will take on a whole new meaning to you."

"Sounds like a threat."

"Have a pleasant stay in Metropolis, Oliver, however brief it is."

Lionel walks over to the elevators as the doors open. Zoey stares at the elder Luthor, wondering what he was doing in her home. "Mrs. Queen," Lionel greets. Zoey nods and walks over to where Oliver was standing.

Zoey waits until the elevator doors are closed and the sound is going down is heard. "So, what was Pervert Senior doing here?"

Oliver motions to the bottle of Scotch sitting on the desk. "Giving us a housewarming present. How was your lunch?"

Zoey smiles. "Well, apparently Lana has moved in with Lex. Which I didn't even realize they were a thing. I missed a shit ton last year."

Oliver laughs, pulling her against his chest. "You are allowed to have your own life, Zo. In fact, it's required." Zoey leans up and softly kisses him.

That night, Zoey is standing on the balcony overlooking Metropolis. Oliver was fiddling with one of his bows. Zoey hadn't said anything listening to what Wagner was telling them. "Thought I made myself clear. You were only to use violence if you were in danger," Oliver says, not looking away from his new bow.

"Mr. Queen, I told you. Brock went rogue. I tried to stop him, but he would have killed me too," Wagner argues.

"Well, we couldn't have that now, could we? I guess I'm just gonna have to start being more careful as to who I trust. Speaking of which, how's my old buddy Lex doing?"

"Whatever powers he had are clearly gone. But, sir, there was someone else in the warehouse…someone who seems to have other abilities."

"Find him," Oliver orders. Wagner nods and walks away leaving Oliver and Zoey alone on the balcony. "You don't have to be involved in this, Zo."

Zoey rolls her eyes. "Fuck you. I'm involved. Besides, I own half the company. I saw the footage."

Oliver chuckles. He grabs an arrow and hooks it onto the bow. "Pick a country."

Zoey smirks. "Borneo." She watches as he fires the arrow into the dark sky. "How do you know if you made it?"

"I made it."

"You sound very confident of that fact." She shoots him a smile. "I'm heading to bed." Her laughter rings out when he scoops her up.

Oliver knocks on the door of the Kent farmhouse. He was there to deliver a check to Martha for her platform. Zoey was originally going to deliver the check to her godmother but got roped into a last-minute meeting at the Rosewood Metropolis. Max had put her in charge of the repairs. So, he had volunteered to deliver the check. He's not expecting the young dark-haired woman to open the door. "Hi," he greets, with the check in hand.

She grabs it out out of his hand. "Queen Industries," she reads. "Must have caught a strong headwind. Mrs. Kent's been waiting for this for weeks. "Thanks."

"You're welcome."

"Oh, crap." The young woman hands a five-dollar bill. "I'm sorry. Just so you know, with a face like that, you can do a whole lot better than playing errand boy to the rich and arrogant. Here."

Oliver frowns, taking the money. "Thank you very much. What is, uh, this?"

"It's a tip."

"A tip. Oh. Okay."

"Seriously, aim higher."

"Listen, um…" Oliver trails off when the door is slammed in his face. He shrugs and walks back to Zoey's Porsche. She had given him the keys. He knew that she would clear up any confusion he had about what had just occurred.

Inside, Lois walks into the kitchen with the check in hand. Martha walks down the stairs. "I thought I heard the door," Martha says.

"Yeah, your pledge finally sailed in from Queen Industries," Lois replies, handing Martha the check.

Martha stares at Lois. "Where's the man who came with it?"

"The courier? Oh, I gave him his tip and sent him on his merry little way."

"Handsome, chiseled features, with a smile that could light up a barn?"

"Mrs. Kent, you have a crush on the courier?"

"You mean the billionaire CEO who's married to my goddaughter…who stopped by to talk about their financial support of my platform? No, Lois, I don't," Martha tells her.

Lois freezes. "That was Oliver Queen," she states. Martha nods, confirming the identity of the courier. Lois lets out a breath. "Who knew Malibu Barbie had such good taste."

Zoey bursts out laughing. Listening to Oliver's story of his trip to the Kent Farm and his run-in with Lois had made her feel so much better after having to deal with the contractors conducting the repairs on the Rosewood. "Oh my god," she breathes. "That's fucking hilarious. I wish I could have been there."

"You should come do yoga with me, Zo," Oliver says from where he was doing his daily yoga routine.

"You already know how flexible I am."

Oliver smirks. He stands up and walks over to her. He pulls her against his chest. "You are very flexible. But that's not why you should do yoga with me."

Zoey wraps her arms around his neck. "And why should I do yoga with you?"

"Because it's good for other activities."

"And what would these other activities be, Mr. Queen?"

"I believe you know what they are, Mrs. Queen."

"I think you need to remind me."

"I do, do I?"

Zoey nods and pulls him into a kiss. He lifts her up and walks over to the couch in the living room. She lands with a soft thud and he quickly covers her body with his. Her hands go to the bottom of the tank top he was wearing and they break apart long enough for her to yank it off of him. He shoves the bottom of her skirt up. Her hips lift up, letting him tug her panties off.

"Miss, you cannot go in there," Jackson, the assistant that Zoey had hired loudly says, stepping out of the elevator with Lois. Oliver quickly pulls back. Zoey runs a hand over her hair. She sits up to see Jackson trying to block Lois, who had a large gift basket in her hands. "I'm so sorry, Mrs. Queen. This woman does not have an appointment."

Zoey jumps up from the couch and walks over to them. "It's fine, Jackson. I figured Lois would be popping up."

Oliver frowns. "You knew?"

Zoey smiles taking the gift basket from Lois. "Aunt Martha called and told me. It's just a really funny story."

Lois forces a smile. "I came to apologize."

"Lois, it's fine. You've never met Ollie. How were you to know what he looked like? And don't worry. I told Aunt Martha she still has our support," Zoey replies, looking through the basket. She pulls out a can of peanuts and hands it to Lois. "We can't have this. Ollie is allergic."

"You're not allowed to pick costumes anymore," Zoey whispers as they walk into the costume ball Lex was hosting. She shoots a smile to the other guests before turning back to her husband. "Robin Hood and Maid Marian? Seriously?"

Oliver places a hand on the small of her back. "And what would you have picked?"

"Austin introduced me to this book series called Outlander. I think you would look great in a kilt."

"You should see him in a tutu."

Zoey and Oliver turn to see Lex standing with Lana. "Lex Luthor, with a girl that he doesn't have to inflate," Oliver greets. He ignores the half-hearted slap to the arm that Zoey delivers. She had told him about the incident with Lex that occurred a couple of years earlier. The accident that had caused Lex to split into evil and good versions with the evil version paying her a visit and nearly raping her.

"Lana Lang, Oliver Queen. We went to boarding school together," Lex introduces.

"Talked to any of the old gang lately?"

"Enjoy the party," Lex tells him before walking away with Lana.

"I always do."

"I told you to play nice," Zoey softly reminds.

Oliver softly kisses him. "You know I don't play nice with people who have hurt you, Zo."

"And fact that you went to boarding school together has nothing to do with it?"

"None at all."

"Yeah, I don't believe you." She drapes her arms around his shoulders. "This is why you should let me pick the costumes, Hood. You're way more Jamie Fraser right now."

"Kilts aren't really my thing, Marion."

When Zoey sees Lois talking to Simon Westcott at the fundraiser that Lionel was holding for Martha to help raise funds for a congressional campaign, she quickly makes her way over. "So, I wanted to tell you that I thought you were so eloquent—" Lois begins.

"Mr. Westcott," Zoey interrupts, shooting Lois a look, warning her to be quiet. "How have you and Candice been? I apologize. I've been so busy with the repairs that I have not gotten a chance to talk with any of our most important guests."

Mr. Westcott smiles. "It's quite all right, Mrs. Queen. Where is your husband?"

Zoey waves a hand. "He went to go grab us a couple of drinks." She threads her arm through Lois' arm. "If you'll excuse us." She guides Lois away from the couple. "Um, rule number one Lois, don't talk about public humiliation. Rule number two. Don't mention people's affairs."

"Can you even drink at these cocktail parties," Lois counters, pulling out Zoey's grasp.

Zoey raises her hands. "Look, I was just trying to help you not embarrass Aunt Martha."

A glass clinking causes the crowd to fall quiet. Lionel was standing next to Martha, who wore a very expensive diamond necklace. "I'd like to thank you all for coming tonight. I hope you're having a splendid time and that you've had a chance to reconnect with some old friends. Right now, though, I'd like to introduce you to someone who I hope will be a new friend, a valuable new friend, someone I'm sure you'll be glad to have on your side. Ladies and gentlemen, may I introduce to you our Kansas State Senator and your future United States Senator, Martha Kent."

The crowd politely claps as Martha steps forward. "Thank you very much," she says to the crowd. Zoey sighs when Lois lets out a yell. Suddenly, the lights go out. Zoey looks around the room. A hooded figure runs into the room. The figure runs up to Martha and snatches the necklace off of her neck. Zoey sees Lois start to follow the hood figure. She steps on the back of Lois' dress, causing her to trip and fall. Zoey quickly makes her way out of the room. She easily recognized Green Arrow.

"Go," Zoey mouths. She stands there and watches as he takes off down the hallway with the diamond necklace in hand.

Zoey stares at the head of Safetex Security. His name was Milo. Someone had seen her run out of the cocktail party and told Lionel. When Lionel had confronted her, Zoey had said she ran to get a good look at the guy. "You told Mr. Luthor that you got a good look at the guy," Milo argues. Oliver places a hand on her shoulder.

"But I didn't see his face," Zoey reminds. "He wore a mask."

"My wife has told you everything that she knows," Oliver protectively says. "If she remembers anything else, she'll give you a call."

Milo stares at them, then makes his way out of the penthouse. Zoey buries her face in her hands. "I'm so fucking tired."

Oliver rubs her back. "Let's go to bed." Zoey stands up and they start towards the stairs.

"Mr. Queen? Mrs. Queen?" They turn to see Jackson standing in the elevator with Clark.

"Clark," Zoey tiredly greets. "What are you doing here?"

"Mom told me that you got a good look at the guy who stole the necklace," Clark answers. He nods at Oliver.

Zoey sighs. "I didn't see his face. Just green leather and muscles. Can we do this in the morning?"

"I don't want Mom to be indebted to Lionel Luthor."

"She should've thought of that before she accepted his help with her fundraising," Oliver argues. "And if you're championing the cause of pick-pocketed billionaires, you might want to add a few more to the list."

Clark frowns. "Are you saying that Lionel Luthor's not the only victim?"

"Clark, over a dozen of Metropolis' whose who have been robbed recently."

Clark nods. "Good, then there's some leads."

Zoey shakes her head. "Except no one goes to the police. Metropolis' elite are not going to advertise the fact that they got robbed."

Zoey lets out a soft groan as she opens her eyes. The last thing she remembered was walking out of Queen Tower to head to a local bakery to pick up some cookies she had ordered. Lois had hounded Zoey until she gave the new journalist some information on Green Arrow. Of course, she had never expected Lois to use her name in the headline of the article. Two men pick grab her arms and drag Zoey over to a tub filled with water. "Let go of me," Zoey snaps, trying to pull out of their grasp.

One of the men grabs a fist full of her hair. "How much do you know about the Green Arrow?"

Zoey stares at him in disbelief. "What are you talking about? I don't know anything."

He shoves her head into the tub and holds it there for a minute. He yanks her out and Zoey takes a gasping breath. "You know who he is. Give me a name."

"I don't know anything."

Zoey is dunked into the tub once more. She struggles against the tub, but the men don't budge. She's yanked out. "Who's the Green Arrow?"

Zoey coughs. "I don't know anything."

"That's enough." Zoey looks up to see Milo, the head of Safetex Security walk over to them. "Green Arrow has made a joke of the firm I've worked my life to build. He's walked off with more than thirty million from my clients."

"You should probably talk to him and not me."

Milo scoffs. "Sweetheart, you're here to bring him to me. See, I have a buddy who works in Star City. He told me all about this Green Arrow guy. And how whenever you're involved, Green Arrow comes running to save you."

Zoey blinks. "Okay, um, first of all, I've only been saved by Green Arrow twice. Once when I was mugged and on Dark Thursday. Two instances do not make a pattern. And secondly, I don't know anything."

Milo glares at her. He nods at the men and Zoey is dunked into the tub once more. This time she's held under much longer and she passes out. The men pull her out and drop her unceremoniously onto the ground. "Kill her."

One of the men raises his gun and fires at Zoey. An arrow whizzes through the air and knocks the bullet out of the air. Green Arrow jumps down from the rafters and easily renders the three men unconscious. After securing the men, he runs over to where Zoey was lying on the ground. Green Arrow picks her up and carries her out of the warehouse. He fires a grappling gun and they fly up to a nearby roof. He sets her down on the roof. "Zo?"

Green Arrow performs CPR on her. Zoey coughs and spits up water. "Zo, are you okay," he asks.

Zoey nods. "Yeah, yeah, I'll be fine," she coughs. "I think I need a tetanus shot though. That water didn't look real clean."

Green Arrow pulls her up. He places a gloved hand on her cheek. "Are you sure that you're okay?"

"Yes. I promise I'm fine. You should probably go. Lots of other people to save."

"Yeah, I probably should. Go save other people that it is."

Green Arrow leans down and softly kisses her. As Zoey snakes her arms around his neck, the lights on the billboard behind them burst. He pulls away and takes off, leaving her standing there alone.

Down in the alley, Green Arrow climbs onto his motorcycle and starts to speed away. He quickly stops seeing Clark standing at the exit of the alley. "Oliver Queen," Clark begins. "You owe me one."

Green Arrow stares at Clark. "That was you on the roof?"

Clark nods, confirming he was the one who destroyed the light. "I'm not sure Zoey would understand why her husband leads a double life."

Green Arrow can't help the chuckle that escapes. "Or why someone she grew up with does the same? I think we're even."

"We'll be even when you return what you stole from Lionel," Clark tells him, then vanishes with a whoosh of air.

"What is this," Clark asks, looking through the folder that Chloe had handed him as they walk through the basement bullpen of the Daily Planet. It was filled with articles on the Green Arrow and they were all from the Star City Observer.

"In Lois' article, Zoey says that Green Arrow saved her in Star City," Chloe begins. "So I did my own research. All fluff pieces on how Green Arrow is making Star City safer. There's the article and photos that show Green Arrow saving Zoey the summer before sophomore year of high school. Lois probably didn't see the press release that CRC put out on Zoey's behalf thanking Green Arrow. Before that, he was called the Emerald Archer. And he was wanted by the police. Apparently, being a rich kid that gets mugged two blocks away from the family hotel caused the SCPD to rethink its stance on Green Arrow.

"It gets more interesting, Clark. I reached out to the reporter who was the Star City Observer reporter who wrote all the articles. He said he has no idea who Green Arrow is and that he doesn't care. But he said after Dark Thursday, they were prevented from publishing photos of Green Arrow. Apparently, in April, the Star City Observer gained a new owner and they requested that photos of Green Arrow not be published."

"Who's the new owner?"

"Some company named YMG Inc. I haven't been able to find any information on them yet. The reporter sent over the pictures he wanted to print with his article. And one is very interesting."

Chloe sets a photo on top of the file. It was one that showed Green Arrow and Zoey in an intimate embrace. His hands cupped her face. His lips pressed against hers. Her right hand was wrapped in a makeshift bandage.

"For someone who claims to know nothing about the Green Arrow, Zoey sure seems to be familiar enough with him."

"I need to talk with Zoey," Clark tells his best friend, then runs off. He arrives at Zoey and Oliver's apartment, but neither of them are there. The Queen family crest was in the stained glass mural behind Oliver's desk. Clark walks over to it and finds the same photo that Chloe had given him. It was next to one that showed Oliver and Zoey in the same embrace. It was in front of a large house surrounded by trees. Clark looks around the room and notices a map on the computer.

There was a green dot with a 'Z' printed inside of it. The dot was on the other side of the city, in the warehouse district. While Clark didn't want to be snooping on Zoey or Oliver, he needed to find the Green Arrow. He uses his x-ray vision to look around the apartment. Right behind the clock face was a secret room. One filled with various bows and arrows.

"I didn't realize I was such a fascinating subject," Oliver greets, walking up the stairs of the loft in the barn. Clark was sitting on the couch, looking through the articles Chloe had given him. After confirming his suspicions about Green Arrow's identity, Clark had asked Chloe to no longer look into the new hero. "You and Lois ought to start a fan club."

"Are you gonna tell Zoey," Clark asks, standing up.

Oliver chuckles. "Zo's known for a while, Clark. She didn't tell me about you if that's what you're wondering. Even when I asked her about it last night after I got home. I told her about our run-in. All she said was that it wasn't her business to tell." He pulls out the diamond necklace and hands it to Clark. "For the record, Lionel bought that off a notorious Bosnian warlord, used it to launder Luthorcorp money."

"So, why give it to me?"

"Well, you seem to have a crystal clear idea of what's right and what's wrong. You decide who it belongs to."

Clark sighs. "It's not as clear as it used to be. You really think it's right to steal as long as it goes to a good cause?"

"That the end justifies the means? Absolutely, yes."

"I'll never feel that way. You said you didn't owe me one, so why are you really here?"

"Besides the fact that Zo wanted some cookie recipe from Martha? Clark, you have abilities I couldn't even dream of. And I admire that you use them to save the people you're close to."

"But?"

"But there's a whole world of people out there, Clark. They need us. With your potential…you can't wait for them to come to you. When you're ready to do something about that…you let me know."

"Ollie," Zoey calls, walking into the barn. Oliver nods at Clark, then makes his way down to her. Zoey holds up a small Tupperware container. She waves at Clark. "I got the recipe and cookies."

"Now, are you going to actually let me have some of these cookies," Oliver asks, draping an arm over her shoulders as they walk out of the barn. "Or do I need to get some of my own?"

If I lay here

If I just lay here

Would you lie with me and just forget the world?