Party time!

[chloeas]

(Backdated to Wednesday night. Tag whoever you want and meet other people IC.)As far as she knew, Chloe had managed to keep this a surprise. She had been planning on driving to the Ace of Clubs with Lois and Hal but since the cake had been delayed, she had had to change her plans, leave early to pick it up at the very last possible minute and go

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[lutessamercer]

Tess just wanted a drink. A big one. It had been the day from Hell - scratch that; it had been the month from Hell - and she was not inclined to make the three hour drive to Smallville right now. A strong, cold drink and the anonymous company that came with a place like the Ace of Clubs were exactly what she needed.

Suffice it to say, when Tess stepped off the elevator and her eyes caught the decorations, she silently cursed. According to the over-sized banner over the bar, Lois Lane was having a birthday party here tonight. Lovely. The redhead had a vague recollection of an invitation - likely, another one of Sullivan's attempts to be cute.

If she stayed, she could kiss those stolen moments of mild relaxation she had planned goodbye. With that in mind, Tess turned and pushed the down button on the elevator. She figured she had maybe thirty seconds for it to arrive before someone noticed her.

[chloeas]

And of course she wouldn't get away that easily. Not with the Sullivan-Lane duo around. "Tess," Chloe called, not bothering with formalities, it was a party after all and although she and her boss didn't have a relationship that even resembled anything like a social one, she was sure that her reaction to Chloe using her first name would be worth it.

"You can leave the Planet after all, I didn't think it would ever happen."

[lutessamercer]

Of course Chloe would be the one to see her. And of course it took the blonde all of five seconds to irritate her, which she didn't doubt was on purpose. If Sullivan wasn't such a capable reporter, Tess would have fired her on Day One. "Chloe," she replied, turning to face the younger woman and arching an eyebrow.

"You know, if you're trying to mock me, you really should find new material. I'm feeling generous, so I'll help clear something up for you: having a strong work ethic is not a bad thing."

[chloeas]

"Oh, I know all about a strong work ethic, Tess." Chloe grinned a little then shrugged, "but it's good to know even you need to get out and relax sometimes. Besides, I'm sure Lois will like seeing you here."

Chloe didn't dislike the woman completely, she was kind of a bitch but she really didn't seem to have much of a life outside of work and it was kind of... sad. Not that Chloe herself had much of a life that didn't involve the Planet, but at least she had Lois.

[lutessamercer]

"I'm sure. Contrary to what you seem to think, I am, in fact, human. I'm just of the belief other things are usually more important than my desire for down time," she corrected Chloe. Tess might need relaxation, but she wasn't about to admit it or anything else that could remotely be considered a weakness. That required trust; something which she learned a long time ago not to give out.

Tess looked around the room for the taller, brunette cousin. "Speaking of Lois, where is the birthday girl? I would imagine she'd want to be the first one in the door of the party."

[chloeas]

"I might need to teach you a thing or two about how surprise parties work, Tess," Chloe smirked, "she's supposed to be the last one here, see and when she actually does walk in through the door, everyone will surprise her by already being here to celebrate her birthday, hence surprise party." She explained and this time, she wasn't as nice as before.

She may not hate the woman, but that didn't mean she had patience for her either.

[lutessamercer]

The urge to roll her eyes was almost irresistible, but Tess took a deep breath and reined in that urge. Instead, she adopted a blank expression and spoke dryly. "That's very helpful of you, Chloe. There couldn't possibly be another explanation for my question. The workings of surprise parties must just be beyond my comprehension. I'll be sure to have my secretary send you the best thank you fruit basket she can find."

More than content to end the farce of a conversation, she gestured to the people around them. "In the meantime, why don't I let you get back to playing the gracious hostess? I should go find your cousin and give her my regards. Have a lovely night, Miss Sullivan."

She snagged a champagne from a passing waiter and left the blonde to it.

[chloeas]

Chloe just smirked and let her go, surely Lois would keep Tess entertained long enough once she got there. And besides, she had more interesting guests to talk to.

[dl_greenarrow]

It only took him about twenty-eight seconds to spot her and he blinked a couple of times, completely caught off guard. He hadn't exactly expcted to see Tess at Lois' birthday party of all places. He ordered a second drink and slowly made his way over to her, raising his eyebrow a little.

"Mercy," he greeted.

[lutessamercer]

To say that Tess hadn't expected Oliver to be there would be an understatement. Perhaps she should have, though, all things considered. She ignored the way her body tensed instinctively upon hearing his voice, simply raising an answering eyebrow and taking a sip of her champagne.

"Oliver," she acknowledged his greeting.

[dl_greenarrow]

"How's it going?" His words were quiet even as he lifted his own drink to his mouth, taking a long sip.

[lutessamercer]

She blinked. If she didn't know better, she might think he was being genuine. "It's going fine. I'm fine. Always am," she lied smoothly. "And you?"