Information. With chloeas.

[dl_greenarrow]

Oliver's mind had not been on work the entire afternoon, especially when he'd gotten a message from Chloe stating that Stuart had woke up, and that she was going to go talk to him. His stomach was tight with unease as he waited on the doorstep. It never felt right to just barge in on her. Watchtower was her place, and while she'd always made it

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[dl_greenarrow]

"No?" There was a hint of uncertainty in his voice and he looked at her sideways.

[chloeas]

"No." She repeated, finally turning to look at him and meeting his eyes, "I like having you around, even when I don't have a bull's eye painted on my forehead." The smile on her lips was very faint, but it was there.

[dl_greenarrow]

He grimaced at her words. "I'm not going to let anything happen to you." His voice was quiet, but serious. "I swear it."

[chloeas]

With a deep breath, she shook her head, "don't," holding his gaze still, Chloe turned on her side so she was facing him fully, "don't make that kind of promise, Oliver, we don't know how different this future is and if it turns out it's not far from the one we know, then it's just what is suppose to happen."

Of course that didn't mean she was just going to sit back and watch the Kandorians take over Earth while she waited for death. She was going to fight them as much as she could, as much as seemed to have to when it was necessary, with or without Clark's help.

[dl_greenarrow]

He stepped closer to her, his eyes narrowing just slightly. "It doesn't matter what kind of future is ahead." His voice was low. "If someone--including Tess--tries to get to you, they're going to have to go through me to do it." His jaw tensed a little.

He shook his head, holding her gaze intently. "Do you understand me, Watchtower?"

[chloeas]

Ever since she had brought him back, it seemed like Oliver had been feeling the need to return the favor and do his best to take care of her, she appreciated that, even though she didn't need him to, not yet anyway. But sometimes, it was hard to let him, it was easier for her to take care of people than to be taken care of.

"That goes both ways," she told him, not wanting to get into an argument about him leaving her behind and doing whatever was best for the bigger picture if something did happen to her. She would when he calmed down.

[dl_greenarrow]

He held her gaze a moment longer, then nodded slightly. "Good," he said quietly, relaxing a little at her semi-agreement. He had a feeling it would be the best he could get, and he was going to take it.

[chloeas]

After looking at him for a moment longer, she turned back to look at the screens, sighing deeply before focusing her eyes on it again, it was definitely going to be an adjustment, but she knew it would be better to have him there with her in the end.

[dl_greenarrow]

Oliver was silent for a moment, then he exhaled slowly, turning to look at the monitor, as well. "Does Clark know about this? About Tess...?"

[chloeas]

Her jaw tensed at the question but she didn't look at him again, the discussion with Oliver had taken her mind off of Clark for all of ten minutes, "no."

[dl_greenarrow]

He missed the tension in her jaw, but the tension in her voice was unmistakable. He frowned and glanced at her sideways. "Why not?"

[chloeas]

"I just got back from the hospital, got here about ten seconds before you did." It was the truth at least, even if it didn't answer his question.

[dl_greenarrow]

"Chloe." His voice was quiet and he cocked his head a little.

[chloeas]

She glanced over at him, raising her eyebrows.

[dl_greenarrow]

Oliver studied her intently. "What's going on?" There were different ways to approach different people at different times. He'd always been a fairly perceptive guy, more so than a lot of other guys. And he'd spent a great deal of time around Chloe lately, and one thing he'd learned was that beating around the bush with her was pointless. If he wanted or needed to know something, it was best to just ask her point blank.

[chloeas]

He was right, it was usually the best way to get her to talk about something she didn't want to, but it didn't mean it always worked, "I don't wanna get into it."

She held his gaze, her voice completely sincere this time. Just because she and Clark were having problems, it didn't mean she wanted to drag Oliver into it or put him in the middle.