Chlollie Fanfic: Love For Realsies, Chapter 13
*hangs head in shame*
Er...I lied.
There is no smut in this chapter. :-/ *ducks defensively*
But wait! Wait!! Before you pelt me with rotten fruit, you'll be pleased to hear that there is lots of nice nookie in Chapter 14, which is currently on the final edit and should be posted before I go to work in the morning. Is that okay?
Anyway, here's Chapter 13. Enjoy!
Title: Love for Realsies
Author: BabyDee
Pairing: Chlollie
Rating: PG-13; but not for long. ;-)
Warnings: Checkmate Spoilers; more of a personal retelling of such
Timeline: Season 9 (Conspiracy - Checkmate), sequel to Just for Funsies
Disclaimer: All characters belong to the CW & DC comics.
Summary: Chloe finds it increasingly difficult to resist Ollie’s affections.
Feedback: gives me goosebumps - nice ones. J
Read previous chapter here.
Read story from the beginning here.
Chapter 13
Chloe squeezed her eyes shut as Clark whisked her across town in his own inimitable style. Within seconds, they were at the Talon Apartment, and he came to a sudden stop and deposited her on the couch.
“Boy, am I glad to see a friendly face,” she breathed. He glanced up at her and smiled - a real smile, she noticed - before reaching down and breaking off the handcuffs that had bound her.
“Did you, er…?” she asked hesitantly, expecting the worst.
He shook his head. “No. I didn’t tell her anything.”
She nodded, satisfied. “At least we have that.” She pulled the scarf from her neck and rubbed her aching wrists, frowning when she noticed Clark looking at her with an odd expression on his face.
“What?” she asked in alarm, her mind immediately going to Oliver. “What is it?”
He swallowed. “I’m sorry, Chloe,” he whispered, his voice laced with regret. “I’m sorry for everything.”
She blinked, startled by his sudden change of heart. Clark had certainly picked a strange time to apologise for the simmering resentment between them, considering the fact that he didn’t particularly care about her anymore. Sure, she’d expected him to rescue her, or at least make an attempt to; one rescue was pretty much like the next, these days, as far as he was concerned.
But if she didn’t know better, she’d swear that she could see genuine emotion lurking behind Clark’s eyes.
Once upon a time, that look would have been enough to send her flying into his arms for a warm hug, but this time…she felt strangely empty. It was as if that part of her heart had either been sealed off, or reallocated, but there was nothing left for Clark.
And then she realised what had happened; it was gone. Finally, the love she’d carried in her heart for him for just over a decade was gone, never to return. And she wasn’t afraid to admit it; to herself, or to him.
“I think we’re both a day late and a dollar short in that department,” she said flatly as she rose to her feet and crossed the room. “Do you have a cellphone handy, by any chance? I need to call Oliver.”
She pulled a bottle of water out of the fridge, frowning when she realised that Clark had failed to give her an answer. She turned, surprised to see him frozen, still kneeling at the same spot where he’d deposited her.
“Clark?” she urged.
Slowly he got to his feet and reached into his pocket then walked across the room and held his arm out.
“Here you go,” he said, keeping his eyes averted.
“Thanks.” She dialled Oliver’s number, pleased when he picked it up on the first ring.
“Do you have her?” he barked down the phone. “Give me good news, man.”
Wincing, she held the handset away from her ear. “Do you have to shatter my eardrum, Ollie?” she said with a smile.
“Chloe!” he exclaimed. “Oh, thank God you’re safe!”
She grinned. “I’m safe,” she confirmed, in a direct parallel to the very same conversation they’d had earlier this evening.
“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice full of concern. “Did they hurt you?”
“No, I’m all in one piece, thanks to Clark,” she said, turning to him and mouthing a thank-you which he acknowledged with a curt nod. Ah, that was the Clark she’d come to know; back in his shell like a hermit crab.
“You’re still at Watchtower, right?” she asked Oliver.
“Yes, but tell Clark to bring you to the Coffee Shop,” he replied. “I need to sort out a few things, but I’ll be down there in a few minutes.”
“Okay,” she said. “We’ll probably get there before you, so I’ll wait for you. See you soon, okay?”
“See you soon,” he replied. “Chloe, I…”
“Yeah?” she probed at his hesitation.
He sighed. “Nothing. See you in a few.” He hung up, and she disconnected the call and handed Clark back his cell.
“Thanks.”
“You’re welcome,” he replied flatly. “Ready to go?”
“Just a moment…” She unbuttoned her coat and quickly checked her gold blouse to make sure it had survived the incident with no smears or tears. Much to her delight, it was still as good as new.
“Okay, I’m ready,” she said, a happy smile on her face.
As Clark whooshed her away, she realised she was feeling as giddy as a schoolgirl about to go on her first date, simply because Oliver was about to see her in the blouse he’d gotten her.
She snorted to herself. Nothing to be concerned about; intense situations often did a number on her psyche.
***
There she was.
Oliver turned the corner with a leashed Onyx and saw her standing by the door of the Coffee Shop, looking radiant. He was pleased to see that she was in one of her many green jackets, and even more pleased to see that she was wearing her new blouse, as evidenced by the hint of shimmering gold at her collar.
He swallowed hard, drinking in the sight of her. She was so beautiful. Beautiful and amazingly resilient. Looking at her, no one would ever guess the harrowing ordeal she’d just been through.
He tried to control his emotions, but couldn’t stop the huge, goofy grin that spread across his face as she smiled and walked towards him.
“Hi,” she said brightly, bending to nuzzle her pup before straightening to greet him with a smile.
“Hey,” he replied, grateful to see her alive and well. He extended his hand to her and she took it willingly, squeezing his fingers.
“Thanks for keeping my seat warm at Watchtower,” she said. Clark had briefed her about Tess’s involvement in her rescue, and whilst he guessed she wasn’t happy to realise she owed Tess her life, she was probably more pleased to actually have a life to speak of.
Besides, he was sure that Tess would never be a threat to them again. She had too much to lose by exposing them, and they had information about her that she definitely didn’t want getting out in the open. So he’d given Tess her marching orders, safe in the knowledge that Chloe, and Watchtower’s secrets, had been granted a huge reprieve.
He smiled down at her indulgently. “You’re welcome, but don’t get used to it.”
“Oh, but your timing is so good,” she wheedled with a giggle. “I mean, if you hadn’t disabled the Castle’s security when you did…”
“Chloe,” he said in a warning tone.
She continued blithely, sweeping a hand through the air. “You know, I kind of liked being out in the field, knowing I had a warm bed to come home to…”
“That’s very, very funny,” he said, not feeling the least bit humorous. He tugged on her hand and she swung around, facing him expectantly.
I love you, he thought desperately. I want to hold you and never let you go. When I thought I might lose you, I didn’t want to go on living.
“You scared the life out of me,” he finally whispered, skipping the other words for now. He didn’t care if she saw how he felt, and it seemed she might have, considering her next words to him.
“You’d better be careful, Ollie,” she warned, her eyes alight with mischief. “I might start to think you’re falling for me.”
He noted with satisfaction that for the first time since the start of their relationship, she didn’t seem too displeased or terrified at the prospect. His grin widened, and she tugged on his hand, signalling for him to follow.
And follow he did, gladly. Forget falling for her…he was already there; hook, line, sinker, and loving it.
“Let’s go back to my place,” he whispered suddenly in her ear. She glanced up at him curiously.
“I need to make love to you,” he explained simply. “Right now.”
Chloe’s eyes sparkled in understanding and acquiescence, and she nodded without hesitation.
“Let’s go.”
***
Chapter 14…