Eternal Wrath: Betrayal (9/15)
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 | Part 8
Chapter 9: Caught In The Net
'A lot of women have used me for my money, I never expect it coming from you.' - Oliver Queen to Chloe Sullivan, Season 9, Episode 14: "Conspiracy"
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.
Oliver gets hurt during a mission, Chloe calls Emil Hamilton to fix him up. Regan Matthews makes a deal with Martin Keamy involving Tess. The mercenary has other orders though and tricks Regan into getting more info about the JLA. Shortly after Chloe and Oliver admit their attraction to each other, she's visited by Davis Bloome.
November 10th 2008. 09:14 AM UTC-6. Isis Foundation, Metropolis, Kansas, USA.
Oliver locked his car and pocketed his keys before walking towards the Isis Foundation, a slight bounce to his steps. It had been three days since the gala, three days since he'd gotten shot and had his kidney removed and yet, he was back to one hundred percent.
Emil himself had been surprised and possibly suspicious of his recovery, the man probably had his theories about that but hadn't voiced them yet. Oliver knew the other man was a Cartesian mind and wanted to find evidence before coming clear to him on such an important topic but that wasn't the thing on his mind right now.
Chloe was. A few hours after leaving Oliver's side at Emil's apartment she'd called, telling him she couldn't get back and probably wouldn't of the entire week end. He had been disappointed, more than ever for as long as he could remember, but to her defense, she'd sounded genuinely sorry and Oliver couldn't blame her for wanting to protect the team. Moving an entire database and every trace of their work to a secure place on the Internet was no easy task and took time so, he understood.
Which was why he was both nervous and excited at the idea of being reunited with her again for the first time since they admitted their attraction towards each other after his surgery. Oliver knew he was grinning like an idiot as he typed the password to unlock the Foundation's doors and even through there was no reason to be happy especially after knowing Keamy was targeting them and could be spying on him right now, he couldn't help it.
Chloe had this effect on him and the young man shook his head at himself for being so impatient. He'd never felt like this before, ever. His heart beat a little faster with every step he took to climb the stairs that would ultimately lead him to her.
His throat was dry as his hand found the handle of the only obstacle that remained between them, he swallowed hard and summoned himself for his silliness. He exhaled shortly, almost letting out a laugh despite himself. He couldn't help himself, he felt so light, so happy.
He pushed open the door, a huge grin on his face, fully expecting to find Chloe absorbed in her work just like she always was. The sight that greeted him, however, was something he hadn't even imagined. Oliver's happiness died on spot, something broke in his chest as shock overcame him.
There, standing in the middle of the room, stood Chloe caught in an obviously passionate kiss with another man, a dark-haired one. Bloome, Oliver's blood boiled. The couple hadn't heard him come in, they didn't even stop, somehow that made it worse on the billionaire. A myriad of emotions went through him at the moment. Shock, hurt, jealousy, anger, rage... betrayal.
Seeing Chloe kiss another man had almost destroyed him but when he noticed her lips twitch in a smile, his stomach turned. It was too much. Reacting with his emotions, he launched himself towards the couple, grabbing the other man and hurling him as far away from Chloe as he could. Davis crashed into the wall at the other end of the room, literally making a hole in it.
"Oh my god!" she exclaimed.
Oliver turned towards her. "What the hell is that?!" he yelled.
Chloe jumped, her eyes immediately taking in the rage on his face. "Oliver?" She looked confused for a second. "I..."
His jaw tightened. "So when you called me the other day, you were with him?!" he pointed a finger to the other man still recovering on the ground. "You made me believe there was something between us and then you lied to me, you betrayed me!"
She gasped as she noticed his eyes shining, the hurt and anger that mixed together in a dangerous fuel. Still, she was unable to voice her actions.
"What? He's a good fuck? That's it, that the reason?" he kept gesturing wildly and screaming, Chloe was honestly scared of what he could do.
She snapped out of her state of shock when Davis stood up, unscathed, and began to walk up purposely towards Oliver. The two men stared each other down, she knew it could get ugly. "Stop!" she yelled, interposing herself between them before they could do anything.
Davis immediately calmed down at her presence but Oliver didn't, quite the contrary. He was breathing harshly, looking like he wanted to kill his rival and Chloe knew that he wasn't kidding. Still, she couldn't bring herself to look away from him, she felt confused, scared and revolted at herself for being the source of the obvious pain he was going through right now.
After several long moment of silence, Oliver huffed. The only thing that kept him from breaking the other man's jaw was the look of pleading Chloe sent him. He was stunned and unable to understand why she was acting like this but he couldn't ignore the scorching pain in his chest anymore.
"Obviously I'm not welcome here anymore." he seethed at Davis and sent a dirty look to the woman who'd caused this situation before storming out, closing the door with a loud bang that shattered its tinted window as if meaning everything was ruined.
She stood, aghast, for a long moment looking at the broken door, feeling like two parts of herself conflicted and warred with each other for divergent interest until one of them took the advantage and a name came out of throat.
"Oliver!" she shouted, running after him.
He was still walking down the stairs when she caught up with him, he didn't stop, didn't even look at her anymore.
"Oliver please, wait! I beg you!" She grabbed his arm gently to stop him. "Ollie!"
At that, he shook his arm out of her grasp in disgust, glancing back at her. "Don't call me that! You-" he closed his eyes, looking away. "Just don't." he said, afraid he might collapse if she said his nickname again.
"I'm so sorry, I don't understand... I just..."
"You don't understand?" he laughed mirthlessly. "You know Chloe I've met a lot of people who screwed me over in my life and I never thought you would be one of them... I never thought you could be such a bitch!" He spat out, looking her in the eye.
She looked hurt, tears made their way to her eyes and he didn't know if that should comfort him but it actually made him feel worse. She looked like she was about to say something when another voice interrupted them.
"Chloe!" It was Davis calling her from the other room, he hadn't moved and sounded almost scared.
Oliver didn't dwell on it, instead he took it as his cue. "Looks like Prince Charming needs you, don't keep him waiting!" he said cynically before rushing out without looking back.
Chloe stayed frozen and hurt at his words, self-loathing began to boil up in herself but before it could get any further, Davis called her name again. Suddenly, her emotions were gone and she walked back towards him, a blank look on her face.
Oliver walked up to his car like an automaton, he couldn't wrap his mind around the fact that Chloe had clearly turned on him. He had truly believed they had a shot of something unique together and then he'd learned the truth, realized she'd never planned on being with him. Who could blame her? He was so messed up.
But then why did she lie to him? Why?! That didn't make sense. Had she toyed with him just for fun? Could she be so cruel? That didn't match with the Chloe he knew, the Chloe he liked and wanted a chance with. That woman was gone, he needed to accept that no matter how much it stung.
The ringtone of his cellphone surprised him. His mind still fueled by his anger, he fished the phone out of his pocket and brought it to his ear without checking the caller's ID. "What?!" he snapped.
The other end was silent for a moment. "... Oliver? Is everything okay?" came the voice uncertainly.
"Oh, Clark." Oliver said, pinching the bridge of his nose to try to contain himself. The poor man had nothing to do with this. "I'm sorry, I just... I think I just started one of my worst days ever."
"I think it's about to get worse."
Can it? Oliver thought. "I'm listening."
"I really think you should come, this isn't really something we can talk over the phone." Clark told him.
Despite everything, Oliver's interest was picked and he desperately needed something to busy his mind that had no ties with Chloe or Davis. "What is it?" he insisted.
"I'm at Cadmus Labs, the Daily Planet just assigned me on a case of several murders. I think Lex did it." the alien explained.
"What?" Oliver asked in shock. "I'm... I'll be there in ten minutes." Not letting his friend say anything else, he hung up and hopped into his car. The engine roared to life and sped the car away, barely avoiding collision with another driver. Honks sounded loudly after him as he gave no regard to the law and kept pressing the pedal harder to make him forget his problems.
He had something to do and the sooner he'd be at Cadmus Labs, the sooner he could forget about Chloe's betrayal.
November 10th2008. 09:47 AM UTC-6. Cadmus Labs, Metropolis, Kansas, USA.
Clark looked back as he heard a sports car making an abrupt halt, he frowned as Oliver got out and walked up towards him.
"Are you sure you're alright, Oliver?" he questioned, noticing the other man's attitude.
"Yeah I'm peachy Clark." the blond retorted dryly. "What have you got?"
The alien's frown deepened but he didn't comment, instead he led his friend closer to the group of journalists and policemen stationed in front of Cadmus Labs' main tower. "Lois is trying to get answers from a police agent, we don't know much yet." Clark admitted. "Just that there are several dead bodies all dressed up in medical uniforms."
"It's a lab, Lex's lab so it could have been an accident." Oliver dismissed. "Tell me you didn't call me just because of this?"
Clark's brows furrowed as he looked at Oliver. "I'm sorry the deaths of the people in this lab aren't worthy of your attention, I didn't realize you had more important business." he replied slowly, blandly.
The other man sighed and brought a hand to his face. That made Clark look at him in concern, he put a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Honestly Oliver, Is everything okay? I would understand if you weren't up to it, you just went through massive surgery. It's-"
"I'm okay." Oliver assured, looking up at his friend. "It's okay... I need this, I do."
They looked at each other quietly until Clark nodded. "Yes um.. sorry for asking... I was just worried."
"No big deal." Oliver was quick to jump subjects. "So you said over the phone that Lex could have done it."
"One of the things we were told was that the bodies were found by a cleaning maid in an underground level, apparently the doors had been left open." The alien explained. "It seems like there was some kind of clandestine operating room down there which is odd since Cadmus Labs is only supposed to experience on vegetals."
"Like I said, Lex's lab." Oliver replied before thinking for a moment. "It could have been where Lex had been hiding all this time."
"Okay so I just finished talking that officer into giving me more info and you're never gonna believe this!" Another voice invited itself, both men turned around to see Lois approaching until she finally noticed Oliver standing there. "Oh, hey stranger it's been a while." she grinned.
"Sorry Lois, I've been busy." Oliver mumbled.
"Wow looks like you're in a pissy mood, something wrong?" the reported inquired with her usual bluntness.
"Lois!" Clark warned earning himself an innocent look sent his way.
"What? I'm just stating facts!" she continued. "Did Chloe send you here?"
Oliver's jaw clenched at the name. "No she did not." he replied darkly surprising both of his friends. "Why don't you tell me what you know so I can get the fuck out of here already?" he added heatedly, his anger renewed unknowingly by Lois's words.
"Easy there Hulk, don't get green on me!" she kept pushing and usually it would have amused him but not today. "Jesus Oliver! Are you sure you're alright?" Lois noticed the vein at his neck that had began twitching, concern filling her tone.
He felt sick of hearing this question already. "I'm fine!" he snapped. "Tell me what I need to know, right now Lois!"
Clark and Lois shared a look. "There are twelve dead bodies including guards and surgeons. They were all strangled to death except one who was shot in the head. His name is Edward Groll he used to work for Lex on his shady projects." Lois explained, her tone clearly implying she was unhappy with Oliver at the moment. "There, is that good enough for your highness?"
"Perfect!" Oliver shot back before walking away, pissed. It wasn't long before the sound of hurried footsteps followed him.
"Smallville!" he heard Lois call angrily and he instantly knew Clark was following him.
"Lex has executed any witnesses that could have confronted him, he wants a fresh start. I'll take care of this, you stay on the beast case and let Lois out of the loop!" The billionaire ordered as he arrived at his car.
Turning around he met face to face with the other man, rolling his eyes at the look on his face. "You'll have to apologize to her." the ex-farmboy crossed his arms over his chest. "You should-"
"Look, enough with your moralizing bullshit! I don't have time for that, I'll take care of Lex and when it's done I'll see what you think I should or should not do, until then... stay out of my way!" Oliver's temper got the best of him, he was too angry for regretting his words yet as he got his car and sped away the same way he arrived under Clark's eyes.
Lois soon joined her partner who was still looking at the last spot Oliver was seen. "Come on." she grabbed his arm and tried to pull him towards the crime scene. "Leave him be deal with whatever's got him so spooked, he can be such a prick sometimes!" she said irritatedly.
Clark, however, was still frowning. "I've never seen him like this, Lois." he looked down at her. "I think he's got problems. It has to be something important."
Lois rolled her eyes. "Whatever, Smallville, you're looking too much into things here. Come on enough talking about that douchebag, we got a case to solve!"
November 11th2008. 00:35 AM UTC-6. Groll Family House, Granville, Kansas, USA.
It was way past midnight when Oliver slipped inside Edward Groll's house dressed as the Green Arrow. His mood was even worse now, he had had the whole day to rehash what happened between him and Chloe, his argument with Clark and Lois, plus adding on the top of that a long day at Queen Industries and it gave a very pissed off archer.
But this wasn't about him, Oliver summoned himself. Right now, it was about finding out why Lex had needed Groll and why he'd given him a last treatment of favor by shooting him dead instead of strangulation.
The house was quiet but Oliver knew it wasn't empty, there was Groll's wife and one of their daughters sleeping in their rooms. He needed to be extra cautious about not waking them up. The last thing he needed was to scare them especially since he wasn't keen on being gentle that night.
A quick patrol earlier had sent two thief to the hospital with a broken arm and ribs, none of whom really deserved what they got but they had been unfortunate enough to cross his way.
The Green Arrow walked silently on the wooden floor until he found the door of what was the home office. The desk was messy with papers laying there and even on the ground, carelessly. Edward Groll hadn't been a clean worker apparently. Oliver shrugged, whatever to get the work done, he thought.
One paper though, caught his eye. He approached the desk and looked at what he first thought was a blueprint only to realize it was much more than that. There was the outline of a male human body with indications about microscopical robots being inserted under the skin. Under it, there was a handwritten note:
PROMETHEUS SUIT
A sufficient quantity of nanites injected between the epidermis and the basement membrane could potentially make the subject an invulnerable being to virtually anything. The samples of alien DNA contained in the nanites would supposedly be the source of the appearance of superhuman abilities: enhanced strength, developed speed (spine broken), and heightened stamina.
The experimental nature of this experience makes this project unstable and to be treated with caution, tests are needed notably about the nanites's effects on human health and the consequences of skin tearing (implausible but a potential risk nonetheless).
A light being turned on pulled Oliver out of his reading, he immediately rolled the paper and inserted it in a safe pocket before taking a few steps back as he heard someone walking up the corridor unsuspectingly.
The vigilante tensed as he crouched down and waited for the person to get closer. He didn't have to wait too long since a few seconds later he caught sight through the door left ajar of a fifty-something woman drying her tears with a tissue as she passed by the office down the stairs. He sighed both in relief and empathy.
It was Groll's wife who clearly couldn't sleep which was understandable considering she'd just lost her husband. Oliver felt bad however when he realized he hadn't exactly thought of the family when he learned of Edward Groll's death, it had been more of a way to catch Lex than to get justice for the scientists and his loved ones.
Lex will get what he deserves. Oliver vowed as he slipped out the window before the woman could come up again and spot him. Edward Groll was another one of the many lives the Luthor dynasty had destroyed and he wouldn't let his own personal grudge against them stir him from his path.
November 11th2008. 00:59 AM UTC-6. 532 Adams Court, Granville, Kansas, USA.
Now out of the house, Oliver cautiously closed the window without attracting any attention and climbed down the roof to land on the back lawn. His bike was hidden close-by, he straddled it and revved the engine to lead him down the road and back to his penthouse where he could study the documents safely.
A set of headlights flashed up in front of him, catching him off guard he noticed at the last moment a dark SUV driving up to block his path.
"Shit!"
Bending the bike dangerously on its left side, leaving his knee only inches above the asphalt, he barely managed to duck the vehicle. He took a shortcut on an neighbor's lawn and rushed down the main street before looking back. The SUV was on his tail and apparently gave everything it had to keep up with him. That wasn't good.
Oliver had a chance though, he was less likely to be slowed down by another car and decided to lead his pursuit towards another street where he could have the advantage. The chase lasted for long moments and the Green Arrow found himself unable to shake them off, the SUV's powerful engine always catching up with his speed but it wasn't until shots were fired that he began to ponder calling in Chloe for help no matter how bad he didn't want to.
Another bullet hit a mirror, surprising him. One glance back confirmed his suspicions, it was Martin Keamy's face that was poking out of the car's window, a submachine gun in his hands. Damn it! Oliver throttled his bike, pushing it into a corner, knowing he couldn't zigzag to escape the bullets or he'd lose ground.
Another blast flew up his head and he resigned himself to make contact. "Watchtower!" he called urgently, hoping she would be there.
After several long moments where he held his breath, a voice answered. "What is it Arrow?" Chloe sounded annoyed.
Oliver's jaw clenched but didn't comment, he had a much bigger problem at the moment. "I'm being chased by Keamy, I need an escape route ASAP!" he shouted so he could be heard over the yelling engine and the sound of gunshots.
At the other end of the line Chloe huffed. "What happened to keeping a low profile?" she jabbed but worked on pulling up a map of his location anyway.
The other blond's rage came back at full speed. "Keamy is a trained assassin, he knows all about discretion, Chloe!" he snapped. "Now are you going to guide me or what?!"
"You know what, Arrow? I don't have time for you." Chloe declared. "Davis' shift is going to end soon and I'm gonna meet him then, you're just going to make me late."
The hero couldn't believe his ears. "I'm sorry, what?" he asked dubiously. Surely he couldn't have heard her right.
"You've got plenty of ways to escape, you'll manage."
"Wha..." Oliver's words failed him for a second. "Are you out of your mind?! Are you really considering leaving me there? Chloe?"
"Yes I do." came her impatient reply.
Oliver arrived at a crossway at full speed but his attention was on his coms. "Do you want my death, Chloe?" he demanded. "Chloe? Chloe!"
"Goodbye, Oliver." The telltale sound of the communication being ended stunned him.
"Chloe! Ah!" An intense pain surged in his back forcing him to deviate his bike, he was heading straight for another car when the sound of his rear tire going off under Keamy's shots filled his ears.
The green motorcycle went up in the air, propelling him out of his seat. Oliver flew past the car at an impressive speed, his brain hadn't even registered everything that he was on the ground, rolling until he hit a tree.
He was still out of it when his blurry vision caught sight of the black SUV pulling over a few yards in front of him. Six men climbed out, each of them heavily equipped with deadly weapons. A bystander who had witnessed the accident also got out of his car to check on Oliver only to be mercilessly shot down by the mercenaries. He fell under a rain of metallic tears of death and the deafening detonation of each one of them.
"Go get me the body bag and the chains in the trunk." It was Keamy's voice Oliver noticed as a large shape towered over him. "The Emerald Archer is ours!" he announced victorious, followed by the sound of his men cheering as they walked back to their vehicle to get their stuff.
Oliver was beginning to recover when Keamy forced him to roll on his belly, pulling his arms in his back and restraining him that way until his soldiers came back with the chains.
"Oh it couldn't have been more perfect!" The leader boasted. "I, finally, get my hands on the evasive Archer almost right under my doorstep and that was quite a fight you gave us!"
Keamy laughed as his prisoner struggled. "I hate to break it to you, poor freedom fighter but it's over, you lost, I win!" He sounded so satisfied. "I do wonder though..." His hand grabbed the back of his hood. "Who is the man hidden beneath the mask? Queen? Or is he the one paying you?" Oliver felt the hood beginning to be pulled back, his hair hit by the wind and bite of the night until...
A loud whamming sound broke both men apart, Keamy was knocked off the Green Arrow's back by his surprise and the blast of the explosion. The hero and the mercenary readjusted themselves to look at where the blaze had taken place.
There, in the distance, flames danced with the wind upon the remaining pieces of the mercenaries' SUV, an immense column of dark smoke rising up in the sky. Keamy's soldiers of fortune discarded, blown up, in the whiff as they had just pulled out their hardware.
As surprised as he was, Oliver's adrenaline had kicked in a long while earlier and he used that to his advantage. Keamy was too astonished to see the blow coming, he was knocked out with a simple punch. The vigilante's breaths quickened, he had to leave before the mercenary woke up.
His eyes fell on a winking screen in the other man's pocket, pulling it out he realized it was a GPS beacon.
'I, finally, get my hands on the evasive Archer almost right under my doorstep.'
Doorstep... That meant his hideout had to be close. He now had the way to find the place with the device in his hand and it might be his only shot at finding out what was the extent of the mercenary's ties with Lex.
But he had so little time...
Oliver struggled for a moment, he could be risking his life even more if he came up to the soldier's place now but would he ever have another shot at it?
The decision was made, he took off on foot towards the lion's den.
The door was steeled and heavy but the window was weak. It broke quickly and gave Oliver the opening he needed to slip inside the building. It was an old, obviously ramshackled building, something you would never look at twice.
The first floor was empty, bare of any feature save the iron stair case at the other end of the room. Even the ground tiles had been removed and the concrete broken, instead, there was dirt. Oliver moved forward and up the stairs stealthily. He fell on another door, wooden this time, it was locked. Sticking his ears to it, he listened for a long moment.
Nothing.
He was about to kick it open when a hand grabbed his feet from behind, making him crash face first again the door. Oliver groaned in pain and felt himself being grabbed and moved. Keamy came into view, he didn't look happy at all.
"You wanna come in?" The man pulled Oliver up effortlessly. "Come in!" he roared before tossing him back forcefully. The door broke against the hero's back and he hit the ground once more.
Martin Keamy came to grab again, his face a spectacle of madness. "You didn't kill my men but you know who did, tell me! Tell me now or you won't have your eyes anymore to see Luthor's face when I hand you over to him!" he barked.
Oliver wrapped his hands around the other man's wrists as he took several harsh breaths as all of the negative emotions he'd felt during the day washing over him, he figured he could channel them for something useful. "You chose the wrong night to mess with me, buddy!" The metallic sound of his distorter filled the room as he ground every word through his teeth.
It took a considerable amount of strength on Oliver's end to take Keamy's hands off him and kick him away but he did it and quickly stood up only to barely escape a fast blow sent his way.
The archer responded in kind, leading Keamy's arm out of the way and wrapping his own around the other man's neck before kneeing him strongly in the abs. The mercenary doubled over in pain but didn't surrender.
A second later, Oliver was pushed back against the wall and suffered a severe counter-attack to his jaw, ripping a cry of pain out of him. Two more fists smashing into his stomach rendered him dizzy. He didn't see Keamy stepping back to grab a golf club and went to hit horizontally with it.
Fortunately, the Green Arrow ducked it at the last moment and moved to the other end of the room, looking around for something that could help him. He didn't count on the mercenary's long legs kicking him towards a large piece of furniture before hitting him with the club on the shoulder.
"Ow!" The pain was strong and forced Oliver down to one knee. He rose again, though, only to be hit a second time. This time, both of his knees hit the ground. He knew he was finished when Keamy lifted his weapon for the final blow, both men caught each other's gaze in defiance.
"Good nig-" A gunshot echoed, cutting the mercenary's words instantly. Keamy's eyes were wide as he looked down at the hole in his chest. Blood began gushing out of the wound be he didn't pay attention to that, instead, he turned around.
Standing in the doorway, the smoking gun still in his hand and pointed at them, was Regan.
"He will never know." Regan said and Keamy seemed to understand the meaning of the words because he left Oliver's side to walk towards the new visitor dangerously, the club, discarded. The bullet that went through him didn't seem to phase him that much as he began to close in on Regan and seethed at him.
"Your boss won't get to end you... I'll kill you with my bare hands!"
Oliver, having a hard time standing up after his beating, limped towards the closest door. He winced as his hand turned the handle and sighed in relief when it turned out to be unlocked.
Three more gunshots came from the other room and he quickly closed the door after himself. His eyes widening when he came face to face with a gaged up redhead woman.
Tess?
A yell followed by another shot could be heard. That kicked Oliver out of his trance. He rushed at Tess's side and began to untie her. "I'm here to help," he reassured. "I'm going to let you walk but you have to promise me you'll be silent and you won't try to fight me off, okay?"
When she nodded enthusiastically, he cut off the zip ties restraining her and helped her stand up. "You're gonna be able to walk by yourself?" he asked.
"Yes... I just... I'll make it work." she rasped, obviously she'd been there for a while. How come no one had noticed she was gone? Not even Clark or Lois had talked about her disappearance. Oliver's mind wondered as he led her to the closest window and pulled it open.
Using the zip line of his bow as a rope, he wrapped it around one of her hands. "Hold it tight, I'll pull you down." he said.
Tess climbed on the other side of the window with his help and nodded at him. "Thank you." she whispered sincerely.
Her savior only nodded back and proceeded to move her down until her feet hit the ground. It was at that moment that a loud thud followed by the sound of wood cracking could be heard. Oliver decided to check what was going on there. He pulled the door open just a little.
It was enough to see Martin Keamy laying on the parquet, a large pool of blood under him. He was still alive, still reaching up at Regan who was looking down at him, determined. Oliver's hand instinctively went to pat for his crossbow behind him only to realize he'd lost it during his fight with the mercenary.
It was too late for anything when Regan aimed at the other man's head and shot without an ounce of hesitation. Blood and brain matter splattered everywhere, chilling the young hero's blood. His eyes widened when the murderer saw him and raised his gun in his direction, an insane, morbid expression on his face.
"Where is Tess Mercer?" he asked quietly.
Oliver chose not to answer and instead, run. He wasn't in shape to handle another fight tonight and Chloe had cut all communications from him. He was alone, hurt and hunted as several shots were fired probably after him when he jumped out the same window Tess escaped from.
When his feet met the pavement, his knees gave way and his whole body crashed.
November 11th2008. 05:41 AM UTC-6. Isis Foundation, Metropolis, Kansas, USA.
Hours later, Oliver, still dressed as his alter ego, was sitting down in the middle of Isis. Angrily waiting for Chloe to come back. His suit was torn, burnt and stained, his arms and legs were sprinkled of cuts and bruises and he was barely able to stand up anymore.
Exhausted yet lucky, Oliver realized that if it hadn't been for Emil's advice to wear a Kevlar vest to protect his kidney and other vital organs, he would have died tonight.
Not that he had anything to live for anymore, he thought disturbingly as his mind wandered towards a certain blonde who had turned on him and left him for dead. How could she do that? How?!
Obviously I missed my deadline but that was to be expected, wasn't it? Sorry! Hope I did okay with this one because I honestly can't say when the next update will happen (it could be months).
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