The Abandoned Hero 8/?

[calie15]

 

Title: The Abandoned Hero 8/?
Rating: NC-17 (not yet)
Summary:Takes place after Season 7. Oliver gets Chloe released from prison and presents her with a proposal. Reluctantly, she must accept. Little does she know of Oliver's other intentions.
Notes: This is almost over. Probably just two more chapter after this. I'm hoping to have it finished by the middle of this week.
 

“As soon as I heard from you I began some research.” Victor begun and took his seat in front of the computer. “I’m surprised Watchtower didn’t beat me to it.”

Oliver ignored the comment about Chloe and joined Victor’s side. “What have you got?”

“Before those guys disappeared from the hospital they were found with some identification. The names on the badges were fake, but the company on them was Star Sky Security. They’re business address is down by the river docks.” Victor pulled up the schematics on the screen and pointed out the location to Oliver. “Kind of a strange location for a security company. I swung past it on the way here; there were a couple of cars but nothing on them or the building identifying it as a Star Sky Security. I mean even if it doesn’t have anything to do with Lex, then we still might find some proof that Lex hired these guys.” Victor glanced at Oliver from the corner of his eyes then continued. “This address is also on our list of closed 33.1 facilities.”

“Is it one we blew?” AC questioned and stepped forward, peeking over Victor’s shoulder.

“No.” Victor shook his head. “It was closed before we started blowing them.”

Even though Oliver wanted to get to the bottom of why Lex was after Chloe he still felt some hesitation at making a move on him. Normally Oliver wasn’t concerned in the least at crossing the boundaries with Lex, but this time he was worried if he pushed, Lex would push back and Chloe would be in the middle.

“Clark is here.”

Oliver looked over to Bart who was staring down to the screen that monitored his entrance. Instead of acknowledging him Oliver turned back to Victor. “Let’s gear up. Fill Clark in and keep him out of my bedroom.” Oliver headed in the direction of his room, not caring about the strange looks the other men gave him. When he opened the door to his room he immediately shut the door and stood there for a moment to let his eyes adjust to the darkened room. The only thing providing light was the flashing of the silent TV. “Are you awake?”

“Yea.”

She was curled up under the large comforter, staring strait ahead at the TV. Their emotional encounter earlier had left him feeling a little wary of her. So instead of asking how she was doing or seeing if she needed anything he jumped strait into business. “Victor has a lead. We’re going to head out as soon as we’re ready. Clark just got here.” Her head finally turned towards him but he couldn’t see her eyes.

“I don’t want to see him.” She felt horrible saying so, but she knew she couldn’t face Clark just yet.

“I told them not to let him in.” Her head nodded then she looked back at the TV. “Chloe, I’m sorry.” Her face turned again.

“You already said that.” The light from the TV illuminated his face perfectly. It was obvious that something was troubling him.

“I know, but I needed to say it again.” After saying his peace he was prepared to finally leave until she shifted into a sitting position, throwing her legs over the edge of the bed, and then standing up. She had only taken a few steps before she was looking up at him.

“You don’t have to do this. Go chasing after Lex.” But she could see the determination in his face and she knew if he didn’t Clark probably would anyway.

“You know I do.” Oliver turned to leave again but her hand touched his arm, making his whole body stiffen at her touch. When he turned around she was looking up at him with those wide eyes that made him feel she was bearing her sole to him. It seemed absolutely ridiculous, but he would have sworn she was pleading with him for sommething. He saw her hand move out of the corner of his eye then felt her fingertips touch his cheek.

After her last attempt at affection were rebuffed Chloe approached him a little fearfully this time. He didn’t pull away, but he did seem ready to bolt at any moment. Once the inside of her palm laid flat against his smooth cheek she breathed more easily.

“Chloe, I can’t…” It was painful to even say so. The last thing he wanted to do was push her away.

“But you want to right?” At first neither one of them moved and then the tables were suddenly turned on her as his head lowered and his hand found a place on her hip to pull her closer.

All of his resolve was slowly beginning to slip away. Her hand slid from his face to around his neck and he felt her body slide against his as she pulled herself against him. “If I knew I wouldn’t get hurt when I have to give you up to Clark.” Her body went rigid against him and he felt his stomach begin to sink as she drew away from him. The pleasant feeling of her warm body pressed against him was gone leaving him cold and aching inside.

“Oliver, I-.”

“Oliver get out here! Now!”

It was Clark, and there would be no stopping him if he decided to come. “Chloe I’ve got to go.”

“It’s fine.” Chloe said and took a few steps back. He stood there for a few moments, seeming as if he wished to say something, but eventually turned and left. As she crawled back into his bed and hugged his pillow she shed a few more tears in addition to the ones she had earlier. If that was what was holding him back then she understood now. It was touching in a way that he wouldn’t be able to share her with Clark. That he was fearful of being with her because he might lose her. But it also meant there was no hope for them.

“Where is she?” Clark stepped forward as Oliver exited the door. When he noticed the darkened room and the flicker of the TV he nodded to Oliver’s bedroom. “Is she in there?”

“Yes, and she’s sleeping.” Oliver lied. He couldn’t very well tell Clark that Chloe didn’t want to see him. Chloe wasn’t the only one that would be hurt if the truth came out. As much as Oliver wanted to resent Clark he couldn’t. Oliver knew if Clark could change things for Chloe he would and he would at least ask her not to risk her life to heal him if it came down to it. The problem was that Chloe wouldn’t listen.

They stood staring at one another for a few silent moments. The other men in the room stood at the outside, waiting for one of them to strike. There was a change in Oliver’s attitude towards Chloe, Clark could see it. He was protecting her. “Alright. But I want to see her when I get back. It was bad enough I had to make Lois stay behind.”

Oliver nodded. Chloe wouldn’t be able to avoid him forever. At least he’d been able to keep Lois at bay. She still had no clue about Chloe’s power and the last thing he needed was for Lois to see the tension between Chloe and himself.

“Victor filled me in. Is there anything else I should be aware of?”

Oliver felt a small bit of relief that they were finally back to business. Business was good, he could deal with that. “No. But I don’t have a good feeling about this. Bart, you’re staying behind.” When the young man opened his mouth Oliver held his hand up. “I’m not screwing around Bart. I need someone here with Chloe. If we find out something and need to get her out of then at least you’ll be here to do it. Plus, I need someone on the other end.” It should have been Chloe, but Oliver knew she would be sitting out of this one. When Bart nodded Oliver turned back to Clark. “I have one other concern. Lex knows the Green Arrow rescued Chloe and I’m sure he suspects she is staying here. He has to at least suspect I am in league with the Green Arrow, even if he doesn’t know that I am the Green Arrow.”

It not only created a dangerous situation for Oliver but one for Chloe as well. “If he does, then Chloe may not even be safe with you.”

Clark’s assumption drew out the worry that had already been brewing inside Oliver. He’d already thought of that and it only made him angry to hear Clark voice it out loud. Oliver was supposed to protect her; he didn’t want to know that it was his alter ego that was going to finally put her in danger. “I need to know for sure. Let’s get ready to go.”
______________

“Boy scout in.” Clark’s voice crackled over the earpiece.

Oliver took his cue and made his entrance through one of the upper windows. Victor and AC were most likely doing the same. Oliver stood warily in the large loading area. Empty crates and tables were toppled over, littering the floor, but besides that there was nothing there. It was possible not all of the facility was in use but so far it didn’t look to promising. “Anything?” After receiving all negative answers Oliver continued on. “Impulse, where to now?” No response. “Impuls?.”

“Continue towards the back of the loading area. There will be a hallway. Follow it and make you’re first right. It will lead to a couple of offices. Aquaman and Cyborg, continue in the same direction your heading in now, you’ll meet each other head on. Head down to the basement. Boyscount, x-ray for any evidence of recent activity.”

That wasn’t Bart. “Copy Watchtower.” Although he wasn’t out of the woods yet, Oliver found himself able to relax at the sound of her voice on the other end. They all continued their search for some time. Aquaman and Cyborg were the first to report in, proclaiming the small basement held nothing but empty boxes. Clark also soon came across his earpiece reporting no sign of anything besides a few pieces of furniture. Oliver had long ago examined the empty offices and had been directed by Chloe to another room, which at some point appeared to hold some medical equipment but whatever was there was long gone. “Everyone meet at the rally point. Abort the mission.” Chloe’s voice followed his, directing everyone were to exit. “Arrow out.”
_____________

Oliver was grateful that because of his bike he was forced to return on his own. It gave him a few moments to collect his thoughts. Their mission had given him nothing but more frustration. If they didn’t get to Lex soon Oliver had no idea what he was going to do with Chloe. As much as he hated to think about it he finally began considering the though of sending her away. She wasn’t safe with him or with Clark. Perhaps the best thing would be to hide her somewhere. The problem would be not just convincing her of that but convincing himself also.

By the time Oliver had returned there was no sign that the others had arrived yet so he made the ride up by himself. He was a little relieved to be back first. Clark was going to want answers and Oliver really needed to talk to Chloe first. The doors slid open and at first look everything appeared okay except for the fact that there was no sign of Bart or Chloe. Chloe could have escaped back to his room, but Bart….. Oliver glanced around and found the younger man lying on the floor. Oliver rushed forward and dropped to his side. “Bart!” There was no response but after checking the boys pulse he was assured Bart was still alive. Oliver glanced around nervously and stood up. “Chloe!” No response. As he ran through his place, throwing open doors and screaming her name he steadily became more panicked.

“Oliver.”

The voice wasn’t Chloe’s though. Oliver spun around to find Clark, with AC and Victor standing just behind him. Before he could respond a groan broke the silence and Bart stirred. Oliver dropped to the ground at Bart’s side and pulled him up. “What happened?”

Bart scooted back and rested his head against the table behind him, trying to get his bearings and move past the pain in his head. “They got in somehow.” Bart squeezed his eyes shut and opened them again and did his best to focus on Oliver. “Chloe.” For the first time, he forgot about his head and looked around. “They took her.”

Oliver bolted to his computer and began typing away furiously. Clark was already by his side.

“Do you now where she is?” Clark asked him, his voice hard and slightly panicked.

“I installed a tracking device on one of her rings a few months back. She didn’t know about it.” It only took moments for her location to come up. “Here.” Oliver turned away from the computer and grabbed his bow from where he dropped it at Bart’s side. “We’re leaving.”