Eternal Wrath: Betrayal (8/15)
Title: Eternal Wrath: Betrayal
Author: Märk Owen
Pairing: Chloe/Oliver (endgame), Chloe/Davis, Oliver/Tess, Clark/Lois
Rating: R for violence and language (Chapter rating: PG-13)
Warnings: None
Timeline: Season 7 (Arctic and beyond)
Disclaimer: Any Smallville or DC Comics related things in this story are the property of their own owners. The only thing that belongs to me here is the storyline, nothing else is mine.
Series summary: A Green Arrow/Watchtower spin-off. Chloe and Oliver have to face several serious threats, Will this trials strengthen their bond or tear them apart?
Story summary: When Oliver Queen is betrayed in the worst way, Lex Luthor's threat rises, an alien beast lashes out in a killing spree that may result in horrific consequences and, in the middle of it all, stands love in the form of a petite blonde.Previous chapters: Prologue | Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7
Chapter 8: ... But Red Is Hell's Favorite
'Now I know why Oliver had such faith in you. He finally met someone who was a match for his confidence.' - Emil Hamilton to Chloe Sullivan, Season 9, Episode 3: "Rabid"
Recap: Lex knows about the JLA and Clark, Davis Bloome is in town, Tess Mercer is CEO of Luthorcorp and an elusive mercenary, Martin Keamy, chases after the team. Despite Chloe hiding her Brainiac infection from everyone and Oliver dealing with the consequences of a dark secret coming back at him, the two grow close.
Regan Matthews makes it clear Lex knows all about the JLA and invites them to a fundraiser. Chloe learns from Lois the existence of a murderous beast. While Lex undergoes major surgery, Regan takes charge and puts a bounty on Tess's head. Keamy captures but refuses to kill Tess while Chloe and Oliver arrive at the fundraiser and learn that Lex is going through major surgery. After being confronted by Regan and the mercenaries, Oliver gets shot and Chloe takes the matter into her own hands.
November 5th 2008. 08:34 PM UTC-6. Minst Hotel, Metropolis, Kansas, USA.
Her thoughts were cut short when in front of her Martin Keamy jumped to his feet with a speed almost inhuman, he threw himself forward. Towards her and Oliver but it was clear in his eyes he was going after the whole Justice League and all of their friends at this very moment.
A gun wouldn't stop him.
Maybe not. Be she'd be damned if she didn't fight him off.
It all happened so fast but the moment a blur of red zoomed through the room, Chloe knew they were safe. As safe as they could be, Oliver was still unconscious and bleeding which was why she didn't give a second thought about seeing Keamy and his men being disposed by Bart, she turned back to focus on her other hero.
"Oliver!" He stirred and groaned in pain, her eyes closed in relief for a moment. He was still alive.
"Holy shit, Chlo I'm sorry, I..." Chloe jerked her head towards a guilt-stricken Bart. "At least you did good getting one down on that bastard!" the youngster gestured in the direction of Keamy's unconscious form.
"What?" her eyebrows furrowed.
He looked at her oddly. "You put him out of the way."
"Oh," Chloe looked back at the mercenary. There was a bloody red streak on his cheek. "I thought it was you." I must have reacted on instinct, Chloe figured.
"Nope, you did all the job on that one." Bart announced as he crouched down at Oliver's side. "I saw you strike your gun's canon on his face. Knocked him out right away." Another groan of pain caught their attention. "Oh man, that looks bad!"
Indeed, the blood was now darkening as it flowed out of Oliver's gushing wound. It stressed Chloe out even more, her mind worked at full potential to deal both with her emotions and to make out a plan to save him. She would save him, Oliver Queen was too valuable to die.
Think Chloe, think! She did manage to do that well for AC in Iran, why couldn't she do that now? Her eyes widened asfresh memory came back upfront her mind. "Hamilton!" she let out, her tone nothing but hopeful. "Dr. Emil Hamilton, Bart you have to get Oliver at this man's house rigth now!" she spoke rapidly. "He's living down the MacArthur Avenue, number 332!"
"Doctor, what?" Bart asked. "Who's that guy?"
"Bart there's no time! Do it, it's our only way to save Oliver!"
The speedster swallowed heavily and nodded. He did his best to carry his mentor as comfortably as he could and stood up, only stopping at Chloe's spot. "I'll be back for you in a second." With that he took off.
November 5th 2008. 10:44 PM UTC-6. Hamilton Residence, MacArthur Avenue, Metropolis, Kansas, USA.
Emil Hamilton walked down the corridor in a hurry, a displeased frown on his face. The constant ringing had drawn him away from the pile of paperwork he had been working on, it waswork that had to be done before Monday for the university.
"Yes! I'm coming, I'm coming..." The man shouted as he arrived at his door. "I swear it's got to be urgent, if this is some prank..."
As soon as his hand turned the knob, a young looking man carrying a much larger one came barging inside and sped down his aisle towards the nearest room: his living room.
"What is this? Mister? Mister!" Emil scurried after the stranger, getting angrier by the second. "What do you think you're doing in my home?!"
The young boy turned back towards him, he didn't look like he wanted any harm. "You're Emil Hamilton, right?" he asked hopefully.
The other man huffed aloud and pushed his glasses up his nose as he glanced at his assailant warily. "That would be me," he answered. "I hope you're not here to crash down with you-" his rant died when his eyes fell on the second man immobile on his couch, there was blood all over his shirt. "This is Oliver Queen!" he exclaimed. "Oh my god, what happened to him?"
Seeing the doctor rush to Oliver's side reassured Bart in a strange way. "Look I don't know what I can tell you, Doc. Sorry." he looked anxiously down to his friend's side and then back at Emil again. "Can you fix him?"
The hope in the kid's voice brought something out of him that he wished he had forgotten. He was stunned for a second, still trying to catch up with everything that was happening. "I am not a doctor anymore, I'm a physicist!" he protested. "I can't do anything, you have to get him to the hospital!"
"No hospital, Doc." Bart interrupted, raising his hands in a stopping gesture. "Come on, there's gotta be something you can do, right? Please?"
There again, this hope... Emil took a second to observe the young man. He looked like he was two seconds away from panicking, his hands were blood stained and shaking. Clearly, he was a close relative to Oliver Queen. The worse was the look in his eyes, he had had the same when... "Oh god!" Emil looked down for a second and closed his eyes.
I really shouldn't... "Alright." He spoke again quickly when the kid's eyes lit up. "Don't think I'll be able to fix him, I'll do what I can but I can't promise anything!"
"Dude, no problem just do your thing I'll be back in a sec'!"
Emil stood up as the other man was about to run off. "Wait where are you going? I need some equipment! Towel, bandages, antiseptic, scalpels..."
Bart sent him a blank look. "Whatever man, I'll get your stuff I just have to drop someone here quickly."
"But you'll never be able to do that on time, your friend might die when-" Emil didn't have the chance to finish his sentence, his words failed him when the kid disappeared in a blur of red and yellow colors right in front of him. "...Or maybe not." he deadpanned.
November 5th 2008. 10:47 PM UTC-6. Minst Hotel, Metropolis, Kansas, USA.
Chloe had just finished gathering information from the computer when a strong wind blew through the room. Her heart beat faster instantly as her eyes found Bart. "How is he? You found the place? Is Hamilton okay with it?" she shot questions after questions.
Bart moved towards her, looking a bit breathless -because of the stress, she knew- "I dropped him off at the doc's place and he looks like he's okay with helping but I don't know if Ollie's gonna make it." He looked down, jaw tight.
"He's gonna make it!" Chloe replied firmly. "He has to! Come on, bring me to him now."
Bart looked at her for a moment and held his breath. "Chloe... there's something going on between you two, right?" The look on Chloe's face was all the answer he neededbut he let her speak for herself.
The young woman, looked at him with wide eyes and then fled his gaze for a moment as if searching for answers. "I..." What could she say? Would it even hurt him to admit she felt something, something different for their leader? "Not yet." she admitted, her eyes downward.
Bart smiled sadly. "It's okay Chloe, I've seen you as a friend for years now." he reassured her. She looked up at him at his admission. "I just like teasing you."
She cracked a faint smile at that. "I like it too." Then it died. "Can we go now...?"
Bart nodded, understanding her impatience. He was feeling the same, he just knew she felt it stronger. "We're ready to go." He confirmed and gathered her in his arms for the take off. "He'll be okay, Chlo." he slipped in his ear.
They left in a gust of wind, papers flying in their trail, leaving a group of unconscious men behind them.
November 5th 2008. 10:50 PM UTC-6. Hamilton Residence, MacArthur Avenue, Metropolis, Kansas, USA.
The ride was short, as soon as things stopped rushing around her Chloe found herself standing in the middle of the Hamilton's apartment. Her eyes looked for anyone but it seemed Bart and her were alone. At least the dried blood on the sofa was proof Oliver had been here. There was a lot of it. She swallowed hard.
Chloe sharply turned around when the sound of footsteps preceded the arrival of a middle-aged man about Bart's height, Emil Hamilton she recognized him from the pictures. The physicist stopped promptly when he spotted her.
"Oh, you're back." he said as he removed blood stained plastic gloves from his hands and moved towards Chloe, his hand extended. "I suppose you're this young man's friend," he pointed to Bart. "I'm Emil Hamilton."
"I know." she replied quickly. "I'm sorry, I really don't want to appear rude to you but I need to know how Oliver's doing. Please."
The doctor seemed to understand. He nodded but didn't say more to her as he turned to the younger man in the room who was watching him anxiously. "I'm going to need some tools." Emil announced. "Here." he handed him a sheet of paper on which was scrabbled a list of surgical instruments. "I'm going to need those very soon, do you think you'll be able to find them?"
Bart nodded several, his eyes shining. "I'll manage." he rasped.
"Good." Emil glanced back at Chloe before stepping out of the room while gesturing her to follow him inside. She heard the whoosh of Bart's take off and took a deep breath before walking forward.
She crossed the corridor with a few strides and arrived in what she deduced was usually the man's office. In the middle of the room lay Oliver's unconscious form on a white draped desk which had been cleared out of everything.
The hero's unresponsive body and the blood still seeping on the white blanket was like a blow to her stomach. She didn't think twice and rushed to his side, taking his hand in hers.
"He already lost a lot of blood."
The doctor's voice made her jump in surprise. He was behind her, preparing cottons of antiseptic. Emil stopped when he noticed her reaction. "I'm sorry."
"It's nothing." Chloe waved her hand off. "Can you tell me what his situation is?" she asked, her eyes falling back on the other man.
Emil watched her for a second before going back to his task. "Where you here when he got shot?"
She closed her eyes. "Yes." she nodded.
The doctor hummed. "He took the bullet in the left side of his abdomen. That's where the stomach and the pancreas are." he explained as he put the cottons in a box and took it with him when he moved at Oliver's side across Chloe.
Chloe met his eyes before he looked down and began to wipe clean the area of Oliver's wound. "I don't know why you chose me specifically but I hope you knew I'm not a surgeon anymore when you made that choice."
"Yes, I know that." Chloe confirmed. "The reason I chose you was because I already knew Saigon Al-Hinnawi from a previous encounter in Syria a few months back." She locked eyes with him, he didn't look surprised. "I needed medical support in Metropolis in case anything happened, like tonight..." she looked away and licked her lips nervously. "He recommended you, said you were the best." she finished softly.
He smiled slightly and finished preparing Oliver. "Sai and I go way back and I hope I'll be able to live up to his words tonight." The dirty cottons were tossed togarbage, Emil's face found a grave expression once again. "What's your name?"
Chloe blinked, feeling horrible for not realizing he didn't know her at alland she was forcing him to treat her friend. "Chloe Sullivan."
"Well Chloe, I'm going to be brutally honest here." Emil cautioned, both his hands gripping the table. "I think the bullet went through Mr. Queen's left kidney. I'm honestly unable to repair it here so you'll have to make a choice. Either you take him to MetGen and he walks out almost unscathed in two days from now..." Emil stopped for a second, sighing deeply. "Or I operate him now and I'll have to perform a nephrectomy."
She shifted on her feet, her eyebrows furrowing. Her head hurt a lot of a sudden and then it was gone. "A nephrectomy. You're going to remove his kidney!" she gasped.
Emil's eyes widened a little at her knowledge but recovered quickly. "I have no other choice." he confirmed.
"I... I can't let him go the hospital." she admitted, tears welling in her eyes as she looked at Oliver's face. Her hand stoking his hair as she whispered to him. "I'm sorry." Looking up again, there was a question on her lips. "Will he be able to live normally with only one kidney?"
"It depends." Emil conceded. "Does he smoke or do any drugs?" At Chloe's vehement negation movement, he nodded. "He's obviously in a marvelous shape, so... If I do this right, he might be able to live his life like nothing's changed, absolutely nothing."
"Do it." The words were out of her mouth not even a second later.
"Fine." Emil accepted.
At that moment, a strong wind blew through the room. Bart was besides Emil, a bag full of instruments in his hands.
"That was fast." the older man commented. "You got everything?"
"Yea." Bart confirmed, glancing at Oliver. "How is he?"
Chloe gave him a reassuring smile. "Emil will have to operate him but he'll be alright."
Bart's swallow was evident, his head turned towards the other man, his eyes questioning.
"I'll do my best, the operation is current in general surgery. We will save him." Emil assured firmly.
"O.. Okay."
"Now please, wait outside I'm going to need Chloe to assist me." he said, a comprehensive hand on the younger man's shoulder. "I'll tell you everything when it's over."
The two young people locked eyes and Chloe smile softly again. "Go."she said. "Call the boys and tell them what's going on, they have to know."
Bart nodded and walked out of the room mechanically, closing the door behind himself. Both Chloe and Emil were silent for a moment until he turned towards her. "Is that alright? That you assist me, do you think you can handle that?"
"I'll do anything you want me to do." Chloe stressed assuredly.
"Let's start then, it's going to last for hours we can't lose time."
Oliver had been stripped to his underwear. Emil was planting an IV into his arm to pump anesthetics into his blood while Chloe was washing her hands before joining them.
"What now?" she asked dreadfully.
"The product will keep him asleep until dawn, at least. In the meantime we'll open his flank, remove the bullet, isolate his kidney and then take it out. Ready?" Emil looked at her, admiring her for her strength. The woman had no medical formation and yet it she wasn't running away.
Her body shook faintly as she nodded. "As much as I can be."
"Good then, let's move him to his side."
Chloe helped the doctor put Oliver into position. He instructed her to put on her mask as he did his and turned on the light linked to his surgical glasses.
"Scalpel, the thin one." Emil hold his hand out.
Chloe gave it to him, her eyes following his hand at it guided the tool through Oliver's skin, conducting a neat five inches long cut. This was it, she knew they'd crossed the point of no return.
The next hour was spent washing the blood away and removing the bullet. Chloe realized how hard it was for Emil to actually perform the surgery, it had been six years since his last one. She'd caught him a few times looking unsure of himself but so far he was doing an outstanding job and she hada feeling he was going to keep it that way.
"Okay, now that's one done." Emil announced victorious as the bullet hit loudly the stainless steel of the basin in Chloe's hand. "I'll clamp the veins and arteries of his kidney now, I'm going to need the towel clamps, that's a pair of small scissors with a curved blade, yes this one!" he said when her hand grabbed it.
Chloe's arm was shaking when she handed the tool to him. He had seem to notice it because next thing she knew, his hand engulfed hers warmly. "Chloe..." he spoke quietly, waiting for her to look at him. "Is the blood too much for you?"
She exhaled shortly, her eyes burning. "I wish..." she replied weakly.
Emil watched her for a moment. "I see." he eventually said as his hand loosened around her and took the clamps, continuing the surgery. "You and Mr. Queen are close, am I right?" he asked after a few seconds.
Chloe swallowed nervously before answering. "I think..." she replied, unsure.
There was a faint chuckle. "Think?" he repeated. "I didn't realize it sooner but it's quite obvious now." he didn't expand on his words. "Don't worry Chloe, he's going to make it... if..."
"If?" her head jerked up worriedly. "What is it?" she pressed when he didn't answer right away.
Emil titled his head from side to side. "He had lost a lot of blood before arriving here and there is more flowing out during the operation..." he explained professionally. "He is going to need a blood transfusion."
Her silence brought him to look at her, the look of panic in her eyes made his own widen. "Oh, I didn't... He still has a few hours, Chloe don't panic on me now I need you to finish this."
"I can't lose him..."
"You won't. We'll send Bart out to find a compatible donor." Emil reassured.
"No, no!" Chloe stopped him. "I can do it, I'm O negative, I'm universal."
"Oh, that's good." He nodded. "Wait," Emil stopped her from moving away. "Like I said he still has time. You'll give him your blood when the surgery's over. He'll be back on his feet in no time then."
November 5th 2008. 10:59 PM UTC-6. Minst Hotel, Metropolis, Kansas, USA.
Martin Keamy made a face as he rubbed the injury on his cheek, coming up with blood on his hand. "Oh that bitch! They had back up, of course they had one." he mumbled as he got to his feet, looking down around him he saw his men coming out of their daze, cursing the little red devil working for Queen.
"Aahh... fuck it!"
Keamy smirked as his eyes fell on Regan's figure laying on the ground, a superficial wound in his thigh. The man pressed his hands on it and moaned in pain before glaring up at the mercenary.
"Why didn't you do anything? You let him shoot me!"
"I just thought you deserved that much."
"What the hell, Keamy? You think you can play me?" Regan raged.
The other man walked purposely towards him before grabbing his neck, pulling him up with the sheer strength of one arm. Regan coughed and struggled against his grip but Keamy kept glaring."If I were you I'd be very careful right now, Matthews. You are in no position to give me orders anymore."
"There will be consequences!" Regan croaked, his hands trying vainly to free himself.
Keamy smirked and raised his voice so his men could hear him. "You heard that? He's one hell of a son of a bitch to talk about consequences!" The ungraceful laughter of the mercenary broke the icy atmosphere. "Or did you just forget about Miss Mercer, Mr. Matthews?"
Regan's eyes widened. "You.. you didn't kill her?"
"Imagine my surprise when Lex Luthor's right hand called me, putting a price on the head of the woman whom his employer clearly told me was off limits!"
"Oh god... she knows it's me!" Regan's eyes were suddenly filled with fear. If Lex heard about that...
"Worse." Keamy replied. "She thinks Luthor wants her dead. I'm just dying to see what it will be like for you when he learns Mercer is going after him because of that. Who do you think will be first on his shitlist?"
"You... you were the one with the gun!"
"Oh please!" The mercenary chuckled. "He will know I just played along to humor you, I would never have shot Mercer. Lex gave me strict orders and I always follow them!"
"Fuck you Keamy!" Regan wriggled and the other man's hand let him fallon the ground. "You will never know the identities of the Justice League!"
Once again, the other men laughed. "You're so blinded by your fear and anger you don't even see that tonight's events gave me a free pass for everything." Keamy grinned at the expression on his face. "You don't think I understood Queen is linked to the Green Arrow's team after tonight? Hell he might even be the Great Archer himself, he's got the physique and the resources after all. Plus I know he's helped by a little blonde woman named Chloe Sullivan whose friends' identities surely will let me know more than I ever dreamed of." At the shocked looked on the other man's face, Keamy's eyes narrowed. "Never underestimate a mercenary."
After a moment of tense silence, he added. "I guess I'll see you when Lex wakes up from his surgery then? It promises to be... interesting to say the least!"
"He can't know..."
"Oh, he will. I'll tell him myself trust me on that." Keamy sent him one last look of disdain before leaving.
"He can't know... he won't know!" Regan shouted after them.
November 6th 2008. 01:41AM UTC-6. Hamilton Residence, MacArthur Avenue, Metropolis, Kansas, USA.
Two and a half hour later, they were still working on Oliver's kidney. Emil was having issues making sure the organ to be removed was completely isolated from the rest of the system. They both knew that if he made a mistake and pulled it out now he could section an artery, Oliver would bleed out in minutes without any of them being able to do anything about it.
Grabbing a piece of gaze, Emil dried the sweat on his forehead and blinked tiredly. "I'm losing my focus." he confided. "Talk to me or I might end up doing something fatal."
Chloe had witnessed and felt the same thing but despite the tiredness, she still felt restless. "Why don't you talk?" she shot back.
The doctor kept his eyes on his work. "I've lived alone for a few years already, I'm afraid making conversation is an art I've forgotten all about."
"No... I mean you haven't asked me any questions about what happened to Oliver or who I am or why I know one of your old friends from Syria." Chloe explained her thoughts. "You know, don't you?"
Emil stopped his movement and looked at her before shaking his head and going back to his task. "Almost three years ago, I had just gotten out of a late chemotherapy of my wife's... She had a brain tumor that had quickly evolved into a deep rooted cancer." he said, to Chloe it was clear it was the beginning of a long story.
"I'm sorry." she added softly.
He acknowledged her words by stopping his work for a second before continuing all the while explaining his adventure. "She was already at terminal stage that night, you know it was the dry chilly bite of January that made it hard for her. Somehow, the chemo always made her sensitive to temperature, that made it hell for her. I was helping her walk towards the car, she could barely stand up by herself anymore but Sonia insisted to stay at home until the end." His eyebrows furrowed for a second. Chloe could not see it through his glasses but she knew he was feeling the pain all over again.
-Flashback-
"Here you go." Emil Hamilton kissed his wife's forehead as he backed out of the car to get to his seat besides his wife, Sonia.
He didn't hear her scream at him to turn around when a hard metallic piece connected with the back of his head. The blow didn't knock him out but he was shocked and groggy whentwo hands forced him face-down on the hood of his car before searching for his wallet and anything of value. "What are you-?"
"Shut up, dickhead!" the mugger shouted to him.
The sound of hard slaps filled Emil's ears. His eyes found another man hitting his wife as hard as he could while she screamed for mercy. "Where's the money, bitch?!" he yelled.
"Please, no!"
"Shut up!"
"Leave her alone!" Emil begged hating himself for being unable to fight off the other guy. He'd never been a very muscular man but today he regretted that fact. "I'll give you everythingyou want but please,leave her alone!"
"You hear that, Brian?" The man behind him spoke. "I think I'll make him my bitch!"
"And I'll see what the slut's packin'!" Brian replied, wicked laughter filled his tone.
"Please!" Sonia sobbed, unable to do anything she did try to resist to her attacker's assault vainly.
Emil truly thought it was the end when out of nowhere, an arrow flew, sizzling the air before embedding itself deep into the shoulder of his wife's mugger.
-End of flashback-
Chloe's eyes widened. "You've met the Green Arrow?" she asked in disbelief.
The doctor's smile said it all. "He saved us that night." then a sour expression took over. "But the man I met then seemed... off. He was taking out his anger on the first guy when the one behind me threw me back before taking out a blade." Emil's hand put his clamps on the table and pointed to a deep scar close to Oliver's shoulder.
Realization dawned in Chloe's eyes as he continued to talk. "He was so caught up in the beating he didn't see him approach." Showing the scar clinically, he talked again. "The blade went through his scapula and out the other way."
"When did you know Oliver was him?" Chloe asked quietly.
"Tonight." Emil replied. "When I was preparing him for surgery before you came in, I saw the scar, I immediately understood and suddenly everything that was happening made sense."
"But.. it could have been a coincidence."
"I sewed his scar myself." The physicist pressed. "Right after behind stabbed, I put down the attacker and brought him to my home. He was calmer when I treated him but it was evident he wasn't himself."
Chloe sighed softly."This isn't what you think." she interrupted calmly. "Oliver was having issues with the vulnerability that comes with being human. He wanted to be invincible to do more so he began using an experimental drug which could heal every kind of wound extremely fast." Her eyes fall back on the hero's face. "I guess he'd been running out of it that night."
There was silence for a long moment and Emil seemed to hesitate. "Is he... still using?" he finally daredto asked.
"No, I can tell you he's not." Chloe fiercely denied. "Hasn't been for years. Plus the drug had been destroyed."
"It might be for the best." Emil agreed before going back to his work. "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. I owe him too much to do that."
She smiled softly. "Another reason why I chose you."
Emil nodded. Another ten minutes went by, spent in silence. There was only the sound of Emil's tool working inside Oliver's wound as their companion. In a way it was satisfying, there had been no major problem yet and Chloe hoped with everything she had that there wouldn't be.
Eventually, Emil's eyes grew tired again. He blinked and looked around him to exercise them. He found the clock pinned on the wall. "Chloe." he spoke.
"Yeah?" she immediately replied, her heart beating faster of its own accord.
"Now might be a good time to start his blood transfusion." he announced. "Will you be able to sting yourself?"
"That won't be a problem." the blonde replied, already moving towards the needles and small sterilized bags waiting to be filled with her blood before going into Oliver's body.
"Good, do it now I'll manage to finish it alone." Emil's tone went medical once again. "I'm almost done anyway.
Soon they would know if Oliver Queen was safe. Five hours of surgery, almost, that had to count for something, something good. The last sprint was in sight, Chloe knew that. She was out of breath and strength but her mind wouldn't let her body give up. Not for him.
November 7th 2008. 03:05AM UTC-6. Queen Tower, Metropolis, Kansas, USA.
Hours later Chloe sat quietly at Oliver's side who lay still asleep on a large bed inside Emil Hamilton's apartment. The doctor had been able to complete the procedure without any noticeable issues and while Chloe knew thatshe would be relieved only when Oliver woke up, there was hope.
It was late, the streets were silent outside and her eyes were heavy but sleeping was the last thing on her mind. The anesthetics were beginning to fade in Oliver's blood, it wouldn't be long until he woke up, finally.
Her heart skipped a beat when his breath itched. She stood immobile, watching him as his body began to stretch slowly. He mumbled inherent things for a moment and it wasn't long beforehis eyelids opened.
Chloe moved closer to him she he could see her face. She smiled, her fears vanishing the moment his eyes focused on her. "Hey," she whispered softly.
There was a hint of relief and joy in his eyes when he smiled back at her silently and raised a hand to touch her face. "Ouch!" he grimaced and stopped midair, he noticed the IV drip planted in his hand. "That hurts!" he whined.
Her face split into a bright grin. "Aww you poor baby!" she teased, laughter filling her voice.
"No, I just hate needles, that's all." His words of protest were emphasized by his pout before he gave her a groggy grin.
The joy dimmed a little in her. "You just went through massive surgery, Oliver." she frowned, leaning towards him as if to tell him a secret. "You lost a kidney..." she murmured, her breath now shaky.
It was his turn to frown, his eyes spotted the patch on his side. "Wow," he breathed, his hand hovering over the incision.
"Does it hurt?" she asked, holding her breath.
His attention snapped back to her. "No, just my hand." he shook his head. "And it doesn't even hurt, it just... feels weird you know." Failing to see the frown leaving her face he gave her his best charming smile, hoping to ease her fears. "I'm alright, almost feeling like taking a walk!"
"Oliver!"
"Okay, okay!" he chuckled. "So maybe I'm not up for a walk but it doesn't change the fact that I'm feeling... good, actually." There was a hint of surprise in his voice. "That's a good thing right?"
"Yeah, I guess." she breathed, the band around her chest loosening. He was feeling alright, that was what mattered.
"Thank you."
She blinked, unable to process the words. "... what?"
He smiled softly, his hand cupping her face. "Thank you for saving my life, Chloe." he repeated. "I don't know how you did it and I'm sure it was like hell but you did it and..." he gestured to himself. "I'm here alive so, I know I owe you."
Her mouth parted in shock. "Don't thank me Oliver, it was my fault, It shouldn't have happened." she protested, already a lump appearing in her throat.
Oliver's expression took a more serious turn, he turned her face so they were at eye-level. "I took that bullet willingly, Chloe." he affirmed quietly. "And if I had to, I would do it all over again."
She shook her head, her eyes filling with unshed tears as she pulled away. "You could have died, Ollie!"
His hand grabbed her wrist at the last moment. "And I would have died happily knowing I saved you. Chloe, come on!" he tugged her closer gently.
She didn't even tried to stop the tears flowing down her cheeks. "Did you even think about us, Ollie? What would I have done if you had died on me tonight? What about the guys? Did you think about that?!" Her voice raised with each words, fueled by an anger beyond her control.
Oliver looked taken aback for a moment, yet he didn't let go of her. "And what if it was the other way around? What about what I would do if you ever died? Do you really think I could handle it, knowing..." he closed his eyes, taking a few breaths to calm himself. He was talking about ifs, it didn't happen but the fear of losing her was real. "I care about you, Chlo." he swallowed hard, maintaining eye contact with her. "More than you know."
It was her turn to be surprised. Her eyes widened and she was out of breathfor a moment as she took in his words, all her anger disappeared, replaced with other, better emotions. "I care about you too, Ollie."
None of them knew how long they stared at each other, it could have been seconds, it could have been hours. Yet, they knew when he pulled her close to him, her hands falling on his upper chest to take her weight off his wound. It was her lips that touched his, her allowing him to deepening their kiss and she put all her relief and feelings for Oliver into that demonstration of their affection for one another.
It was too soon when they broke apart, pleading for air. Already her mind registered the fact that she'd just experienced the most intense moment of her life so far, it was mind-blowing, literally, how that kiss overshadowed all of her fears and feelings of self-protection while giving her a glimpse and a promise of a brighter, happier future. It was hers to take, and she couldn't refuse.
"Be with me, Chloe." he said, his breathing still uneven when he mated their foreheads together. "Be with me and I promise you I'll never let youdown," he vowed. "I'll be there for you every second of everyday just as long as you want me, I-"
Her lips connecting to his cut off his words, he immediately responded, almost losing himself in the kiss when she pulled back, smiling brightly at him. They were silent for a moment, watching each other, bumping noses, sharing kisses and relishing in the warmth that settled between them and in their chests the moment they admitted how they felt about each other.
"So... I take it that's a yes, right?" he asked, humor in his eyes. "I mean don't blame me for wanting confirmation because-"
"Shut up!" she laughed, shaking her head affectionately. "The painkillers really messed up your brain, maybe you should lie down and take a nap, my poor wounded hero." her tone was teasing as she let her hand bury itself into his hair, scraping his scalp.
Oliver grumbled. "I'll show you something messed up!" he replied, leaning forward once again intending to capture her lips.
A loud throat being cleared prevented him from doing his heart's wishes. "I'm afraid you'll have to show her later." A voice interrupted from the entryway.
Both young people turned around to see Emil Hamilton standing a few feet in front of us. He looked mildly uncomfortable as he finished drying off his hands with a towel. "Chloe? Sorry to interrupt but you wanted me to tell you when..."
"Oh right!" the blonde woman seemed to have forgotten about it, she turned back to Oliver, apology clear in her eyes. "I... Um, I have to go for a moment, I gotta close Isis and secure the servers before anything happens." She reluctantly back away from Oliver and stood up slowly.
"Oh, wait right there Chloe!" Oliver sat up a little straighter when he noticed she was out of reach. "Isis? This isn't safe anymore, Chloe. With Keamy and all... who knows what could happen?"
"I know." she answered softly. "This is why I have to go. Someone has to secure the server or our communications could be monitored by someone else." Her explanation was simple but he didn't like the soundof her going alone. She seemed to have sensed his thought because her next words were the only ones that rationalized his fears, just slightly thought. "I'll be quick, just in and out it'll only take five minutes, I'll be fine." she finished, setting her hand in his, squeezing it lightly.
Oliver sighed. "Be careful." he told her sternly.
She caught his gaze and grinned. "Always." One last look at him and she was on her way out, nodding to Emil before disappearing.
Both men watched her leave before the doctor readjusted his glasses and looked back at the recovering hero. "That's quite an exceptional woman you've found for yourself, Mr. Queen."
Only then Oliver truly noticed the other man, almost feeling guilty for not doing that sooner.. "Quite isn't even the half of it." he declared, the grin on his face brighter than ever before. "Hey... I know you, right?" his eyes squinted to have a better look at the man. "You're-"
"The man you saved with his wife behind the hospital of Metropolis two years ago?" The doctor filled in for him. "Your eyes do not deceive you, that's me."
Oliver looked thoughtful for a moment. "Emil Hamilton!" he declared in a victorious tone.
The other man was a bit taken aback. "So you do remember my name." he said in wonder.
"Damn," Oliver shook his head at the twist of fate. "Small world!"
They laughed quietly. "That it is." Emil agreed. "I also think you should know I learned of our nightly activities earlier that night when one of your friends, uh... Bart, dropped you off."
"Ah, yeah I kinda figured it out when you didn't ask about anything when Chloe was there and she looked pretty relaxed, so..."
"You do have a lot oftrust in her, don't you?" Emil inquired, his own curiosity surprising him.
"I do." Oliver confirmed without hesitation. "I trust her and my team with my life. Plus, there's a reason I'm in your apartment right now, she chose you."
Emil nodded. "It sounded like it when she told me why you were rushed here."
"Sorry for the inconvenience."
"Don't be." the doctor stopped him. "I'll admit it was unusual but the action was welcome and... I'm glad I managed to fix you up." There was a hint of uncertainty on his face. "You do know about your condition, right?"
Oliver raised his eyebrows. "That I'm down a kidney? Yes I do." He bit his tongue lightly, as if pondering his next words. "That won't change anything, right?"
Emil walked to Oliver's side and inspected his injury. "Just that you will need to take extra-care of your last kidney. That means at least some kevlar padding over it when you'll be free to hit the streets again."
Oliver exhaled gratefully. "Thanks Doc." he instantly relaxed. "Being Green Arrow, it means a lot to me. I would hate to stay on the sidelines because of an injury."
"I'm not worried about you in any way." the other man looked at his notes. "If anything I'm surprised you're recovering so well. It's only been a few hours and yet, you look like you could almost go back to your job tomorrow. I said almost." he added quickly when he saw the look the hero was giving him.
Oliver's look of hope died the same second. "You're a tough call, doc!"
"And you might end up being my worst patient ever." Emil shook his head, amused.
"Speaking of..." Oliver looked up, a glint in his eyes. "Feel like having more patients like me on a regular basis?"
November 7th 2008. 04:55AM UTC-6. Isis foundation, Metropolis, Kansas, USA.
Lines of code washed down at an impressive speed in front of Chloe as the stared at the screens before her while her fingers flew over the keyboard in an inhuman fashion. Oliver would be worried if he saw her right now, she thought. It was a necessary evil, thought. She had just finished moving the entire database of the League over to a secure server at an unknown place.
That way, if Keamy, Lex or Regan ever got their hands on her computers at Isis, they wouldn't be able to find any data the team had. It was still going to cost Oliver a lot of money on the server's rent but she figured it was a temporary solution until they managed to find a better, more secure place to house their activities. A headquarter would be great and she'd been thinking about that a lot lately.
The transfer was complete and every information involving the team wiped out from her disks when she heard the door squeak open down by the hall. Reflexively, she locked her computer and moved towards her desk's drawer to grab her taser, hiding it behind her.
Hoping that it wasn't Keamy seeking payback after their last encounter, she walked quietly towards the sounds of footsteps. "Who's there?" she called out. "Anyone? Show yourself!"
"Chloe?"
The sound of that voice triggered something in her brain. There was an intense pain flashing in her head for a second before vanishing just as quickly as it came. Her hand pushed the only doors separating herself from the visitor open. Her eyes widened and she swore she was greeted by two blood-red orbs floating in the dark.
"Davis?"
And another chapter up! This must be my quickiest update so far, what a record! (laughs) Hope you enjoyed that. Next time we'll have more focus on Davis while Lex's return is approaching fast. We'll also tackle the romance/angst part of the story in the next update, things are about to get pretty rocky, hold on until then!
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