Someone to Save You, ch. 9
Chapter Nine
The helo landed a couple of miles from the river. Victor quickly cut the engine as the others climbed out. Once the rotors stopped spinning, he followed, jogging to catch up with them - well Oliver and AC anyway. Bart, of course, had taken off to do a perimeter search. The four members of the Justice League met at the rendezvous point a minute later.
“Status, Impulse?” Oliver asked.
“Just as we thought, boss. Electric perimeter fence. It’s quiet.”
Oliver nodded. He flipped his comm. “How’s it overhead, Watchtower?”
Back in Oliver’s penthouse, Chloe scanned the infrared satellite display. “It’s clear, Arrow.”
“Okay, everyone knows the drill. Let’s get it done.”
Oliver scanned the faces of his team. He was surprised at how somber and serious they were. Usually there was a wisecrack, a laugh. They all knew their jobs were dangerous, but those jobs were also fun. Maybe fun was the wrong word. They enjoyed what they did. It brought satisfaction in ways that few things could. But this was different. This time they were there to protect one of their own. Clark was a friend. He’d shown each one of them kindness when no one else did. He understood how their powers made them different and he didn’t judge. Truth be told this was the least they could do for him.
AC turned and headed for the river. He jumped in silently and swam for the transformer at the far end of the compound. Less than a minute later he successfully powered down the fence to give the others access to the grounds.
Chloe watched as the heat signatures of Oliver, Victor and Bart crossed the grounds. Once they went underground to the lab itself she wouldn’t be able to see them anymore. The comm would be the only way to keep track of them. Thankfully everything was still quiet.
Victor hacked into the compound’s security system, shutting it down. Oliver flipped his comm again. “Watchtower, security system’s down. We’re going in.”
“Copy that, Arrow. Good luck.”
Oliver pulled open the hatch that led down to the lab. Soft blue light shown at the bottom. Oliver was the first down the ladder followed by Victor and Bart. AC followed suit on the river side. The hall immediately in front of them appeared deserted but Oliver knew that wouldn’t last. He turned to Victor and Bart.
“Check in when your area is clear. Go.”
Bart grinned and was gone in a flash down the right corridor. Victor nodded and took off the opposite way. Oliver took the hall directly in front of him. It appeared to be a series of offices. Both sides of the hall had glass doors lining its length. Oliver gave each a glance to make sure they were empty. They were which wasn’t unusual. It was the middle of the night. The people who worked there would have kept banker’s hours most likely. Every fifty feet Oliver placed a small explosive device. The hall ended at a T junction. Scanning left and right it appeared to be more offices. At the far right, however, was a large set of double doors. Oliver cautiously approached them, crossbow drawn. With his left hand he slowly pushed the door open; the room was dark. Once again Oliver was thankful for his night vision glasses. After scanning the room to make sure it was deserted, Oliver stowed his crossbow. The room looked like some sort of operating room. There was a metal table in the center, complete with Velcro straps and a surgical lamp. One wall was lined with cabinets that upon closer inspection contained surgical tools and refrigerated blood. Oliver shuddered. This must be were they did the experiments. Well, not anymore. Oliver set up the last of his explosives and flipped his comm.
“Watchtower, Arrow. Area three secure.”
Before Chloe could acknowledge him, AC cut in. “Tower, Aquaman. Area five secure.”
Bart and Victor checked in seconds later. “Arrow, Watchtower. All areas secure.”
“Copy, Tower. Impulse, are the civilians clear?” Bart had taken the two sectors most likely to have people; Oliver didn’t want to wait to blow the place sky high.
“Negative, Arrow.”
“Impulse, what the hell is going on over there?!”
“Calm down, amigo. The place is deserted.”
“Is this a joke, Impulse?”
“Would I joke about this? This place is more deserted than the Sahara, man. I’m serious.”
Everyone had the same thought at the exact same time. Trap. Oliver reacted first. “Everybody out. Now.”
Chloe kept her eyes focused on the sat feed. As if in confirmation of her worst fears, a large heat signature came into the picture and settled by the entrance Oliver, Victor and Bart had used earlier. Her voice shook slightly as she reported to the guys on the ground. “Arrow, you have a welcoming committee.”
Calmly Oliver replied, “Copy, Tower. We’re on our way out.”
Oliver ran down the hall uncurling his compound bow as he ran. He hoped he wouldn’t need it. He heard scuffling sounds in the hall with the explosives as he passed it. Fortunately, he’d never considered backtracking. He reached the end of the corridor and hung a right intent on reaching the river entrance. He never saw the punch coming. Oliver’s face exploded in pain as his cheekbone shattered and he crashed to the floor. He skidded along his back until his head hit the wall behind him. Dazed, he tried to regain his footing. A sharp blow to his wrist sent the bow flying. Grunting a curse, Oliver got to his knees and peered at his attacker.
A cursory glance told him this was one of Lex’s reconstituted super soldiers. His body moved instinctively. Oliver swung his leg toward the man’s knees bringing him down with a thump. Oliver dove for his fallen bow and stood panting. He wasted no time in drawing an arrow and loading it. The soldier scrambled to his feet gaining his full height just as Oliver released the arrow.
Oliver didn’t bother to see if he hit the guy; he turned and sprinted down the hall trying to ignore the pain in his face. He half grinned at the grunt that came when his arrow hit home in the soldier’s shoulder. Enraged, the soldier launched himself at Oliver’s retreating figure. Tackled from behind, Oliver yelled in pain as he felt his arm break with an audible snap as he hit the floor.
All Chloe could hear on the channel was a series of curses and grunts as the boys fought their way out. Bart, not surprisingly, had the easiest time since he was the fastest. He arrived at the empty river entrance a mere fifteen seconds after Oliver’s order. “Watchtower, this is Impulse. Where’s everyone?”
“Still inside, I think,” Chloe replied, clearly worried.
A minute passed. Two minutes. “I’m here, Tower.” It was AC.
“Aquaman, any sign of Cyborg or Arrow?”
“Negative, Tower.”
“This is Cyborg. I’ll be there in a sec.”
Seconds passed. A full minute. Damn it, Oliver, where are you? Chloe thought. “Anyone see Arrow?” Silence.
Bart spoke first. “I’m going after him.” Victor and AC tried to argue. “No, guys, let me. Someone’s got to stay here and make sure we can get off this rock, OK? We’ll be back before you can say enchilada.”
Bart took off in a blur. AC and Victor exchanged a worried look. Bart virtually flew through the lab. None of the soldiers could get a read on him or where he was headed; he was just too fast. Bart saw a flash of green down one of the corridors and took off. There he found Oliver wrestling with a guy nearly twice his size. Bart knew they only had a minute at most; as soon as he stopped their welcoming party could get a read on him. He saw Oliver’s bow lying on the floor and picked it up. He swung it at the soldier’s exposed head. What Bart lacked in strength he more than made up for in speed. The soldier collapsed in a heap.
Bart rolled him off Oliver; what he saw caused his eyes to widen in horror. Oliver’s right cheek was black and blue, his right arm was broken and the front of his leather suit was covered in blood. A broken arrow shaft protruded from Oliver’s chest. Oh god.
Oliver focused his eyes on the figure in front of him. “Bart,” he said weakly, “you shouldn’t be here.”
Bart crouched down next to his friend. “I don’t think you’re in a position to give orders, amigo. I’m getting you out of here. Can you stand?”
“I think.”
Bart helped Oliver to his feet. The sounds of their pursuers were getting closer. Bart supported most of Oliver’s weight as they slowly made their way down the hall. After about ten paces Oliver had to stop. The pain was too much.
“Bart, you go. I’m not gonna make it. I’m just slowing you down.”
Bart shook his head stubbornly. “Don’t think so, amigo.” He pulled Oliver into a fireman’s carry and took off. With the extra weight Bart could only go a quarter of his top speed, but it was enough. As he turned the last corner he saw AC and Victor felling a few more of Lex’s super goons.
“I got him!” Bart called. When he reached the others, Bart handed Oliver off to Victor. Wordlessly, AC jumped in the river and swam back to where they had parked the helo. Victor and Bart followed along the shore. They dodged bullets fired from the roof of the lab. By the time they reached the helo the rotors were turning and gaining speed. Carefully, Victor and Bart carried Oliver into the helo. AC immediately lifted off.
“Tower, Aquaman. We’re away.”
Relief washed over Chloe. “Did you get him, Bart?” she asked, completely disregarding League protocol.
“Yeah.”
Chloe heard the worry in his voice. Whatever it was, it wasn’t good. Bart didn’t worry easily. Dreading the answer, she asked, “How bad is he?”
It was Victor, whose hands were covered in Oliver’s blood as he tried vainly to stop the bleeding, who answered. “It’s bad, Chlo. He’s fading. There’s too much blood loss.”
“No!” Chloe screamed. She took a breath and continued, “Listen to me. No matter what happens, you get him here. No one’s dying today.”
“Copy that.”
Chloe switched off the comm. There wasn’t anything she could do until they returned. She gripped the edge of the table tightly, turning her knuckles white. Oliver couldn’t die on her. He couldn’t. Not right when they were starting…whatever it was they were starting. Things had happened so fast that they’d never gotten a chance to figure out what they were to each other. Chloe was beginning to strongly suspect that she was in love with him. Tears welled up in her eyes. Oh god. She loved Oliver Queen. She really did. The idea of losing him plunged her heart into an icy bottomless pit. Well, she wasn’t going to let it happen, not when she had the power to stop it. She knew or at least suspected that her meteor powers weren’t limitless. There was a real chance that she’d go to the well once too often and not survive it. But it still she didn’t hesitate. She knew that if she let Oliver die she’s never forgive herself. So Chloe did the only thing she could in that moment. She picked up her phone and dialed Clark’s number. It went directly to voice mail; Chloe was a little disappointed but not really surprised. It was probably better this way. Clark would try and stop her anyway.
“Clark, it’s Chloe. When you get this please don’t do anything rash. This is my choice. Oliver will fill you in. I just wanted to let you know that no one could have a better friend than you. I love you, Clark.”
She snapped the phone shut and waited. Nearly a half hour later AC stepped out of the elevator followed by Bart and an Oliver carrying Victor. Chloe’s heart broke as she took in Oliver’s broken, lifeless form. Silently, she pointed to the bedroom. “Take him in there.”
Victor nodded and carried Oliver to the bedroom. Chloe followed him. After Victor laid Oliver on the green sheets, Chloe shooed him away. Victor, Bart and AC stood outside the door looking worried. Before she shut the door, Chloe tried to encourage them. “It’s gonna be okay, guys. I’ll see you soon.”
Chloe shut the door quietly. She climbed into the bed next to Oliver and carefully removed the green leather from his body. After tossing it aside she went to work on the arrow in his chest. It took some wiggling but she got it out. Chloe laid the bloody broken arrow on the nightstand and finally allowed herself to survey Oliver’s injuries. Rage and grief boiled over as she gazed at his beautiful broken body. Blinking away tears, Chloe placed her hand over the hole next to his heart and bent to kiss his cold lips. Chloe felt the energy wash over her as her skin glowed incandescent; then everything was black.
Oliver’s eyes flew open. His heart hammered in his chest as he sucked in a harsh breath. He sat up with a start. He was in his darkened bedroom. What happened? The last thing he remembered was the helo taking off; then…nothing. He looked down; he was naked except for his boxer briefs. What the hell? He reached up to his cheek and pressed. No pain. His arm was okay too. There was no hole in his chest. He was alive. Fear gripped his stomach. Oh god, if he was alive then that meant…no, she wouldn’t do that. But even as he thought it Oliver knew that she would. His beautiful, stubborn Chloe would save him if she could. Oliver didn’t want to look but knew he had to. He had to see what he’d done to her.
She was deathly pale. Her eyes were closed. Her body was curled from where she’d crouched over him. Her right cheek had a slightly darker cast, a bruise from his broken cheekbone. Oliver was sure that her arm was broken too. That was the way it worked. She took on the injuries of the one she healed. Swallowing his grief, Oliver gently unfolded her ball like body across the stained green sheets. He brushed his lips across her forehead and pulled the duvet up to her chest. There was nothing more he could do except wait.
After pulling on a shirt and some pants, Oliver headed out to the living room. There he found AC, Victor and Bart waiting quietly.
“Hey guys.”
Three heads shot up. All of them smiled in relief at the sight of Oliver standing there healthy and whole. Bart jumped up first. He unashamedly hugged Oliver tight. “You had us worried, man,” he said into Oliver’s shoulder.
Oliver released him and said, “I suppose I have you to thank for…”
“Carrying your green leather clad ass out of harm’s way? Damn right you do.”
Grinning, Bart stepped back. Victor and AC hugged him as well. Victor joked, “Don’t worry, Oliver. If Bart hadn’t we would have. We lose you we’re all out of a job!”
Oliver tried to smile at the joke but his heart wasn’t in it. The others noticed and grew serious again. “How’s Chloelicious?” Bart asked quietly.
Oliver sighed. “About as well as can be expected considering I was…,” his voice trailed off; he was unwilling to use the d-word.
“Anything we can do?” Victor asked.
“Not really. All we can do is wait.” Oliver paused. “If you guys don’t mind I’m going to go sit with her.”
“Sure, man, go ahead. We’ll be here.”
Oliver nodded his thanks and turned back toward the bedroom. It was late but he wasn’t tired. He supposed that being brought back from the dead did that to a person. Oliver sat on the edge of the bed. He took Chloe’s cold hand in his and stared at her pale form. It was just a matter of time. She was going to wake up. She had to. If she didn’t…no, his brain refused to go there. She’d wake up with a smile and a quip and he’d tell her all the things he wanted to say.
Hours passed. Oliver refused to keep track of how many for the sake of his own sanity. His stomach growled, demanding sustenance, but he ignored it. Eventually his eyelids grew heavy. Oliver curled up next to Chloe in the bed still holding her hand. He didn’t intend of fall asleep, but his exhausted body betrayed him as he fell into a fitful slumber.
Oliver woke to the sound of the bedroom door slamming. He sat up in alarm and found a very angry Clark Kent at the foot of his bed. Clark did nothing but stare at Chloe for a full minute. Then he turned his gaze to Oliver.
“Oliver, what happened?” Clark asked.
Oliver ignored him. Instead he climbed out of the bed and rearranged the covers over Chloe. When that was finished, he faced Clark.
“Before you jump down my throat, you need to know that I didn’t ask her to do this. You know as well as I do how I feel about Chloe using her powers.”
Clark nodded. Yes, Clark knew. It was one of the things they agreed on. “So who was it?”
“Who was who?”
“Who did Chloe save?”
Oh. Oliver swallowed. “Me.”
Clark looked confused. “Wait, you said that you didn’t ask her to…save you. Does that mean you were…”
“Dead?” It was the first time he’d said that out loud. He ignored the queasiness in his stomach and continued, “Yeah. We were on a mission. There was an ambush.”
Clark raised an eyebrow. “Oliver, in all the time I’ve known you you’ve never gotten ambushed. What is going on? There’s something you’re not telling me.”
Oliver sighed. Time to fess up. “Clark, have a seat. This is going to take a while.”
A couple of hours later the whole story was out. Seeing Lex. Breaking into Luthor mansion. The charity ball and their narrow escape. Learning that Lionel had killed his parents. (Clark had flinched slightly at that, but Oliver didn’t notice.) Chloe stopping him from doing something he’d regret. Lex’s plans. The ambush. The fight that nearly killed him. All the while Clark kept glancing at Chloe. It was as if he was trying to will her awake. Oliver could have told him not to bother; he’d been trying that since he woke up.
“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” Clark asked. There was no judgment in his voice only curiosity.
“I didn’t want you charging off unprepared. We were trying to protect you.”
“Chloe -“
“She wanted to tell you right away. But I insisted. It’s my fault.”
Clark looked back at Chloe. This was no one’s fault. If Clark was honest with himself, he knew that Oliver was probably right. He’d have gone in charging. Clark thought about the message Chloe had left him. This is my choice. Clark knew Chloe better than anyone. He knew that there was no way she’d have let Oliver die. She was stubborn like that. As he gazed at his best friend, Clark saw that she wasn’t the only stubborn one. Oliver had kept a tight hold on her hand throughout his explanation. He’d suspected for a while that something was going on between his two friends. Now he had some proof. Clark nodded at their hands.
“You really care about her, don’t you?” he asked quietly.
Oliver dropped his gaze back to Chloe’s face. “Yeah, I do.”
Clark gave him a soft smile. “I suspected as much.”
Oliver looked over at him in surprise. “You’re not as cool a customer as you think, Oliver. It was written all over your face at the charity ball.”
“Oh.” Oliver let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding. “Are you…okay with this?”
Clark’s smile grew bigger. “Do you think she’d listen to me if I wasn’t?”
Oliver couldn’t help but return the smile. “Probably not.”
“Then as long as Chloe’s okay with it, I’m okay with it.” Clark paused. “Have you told Lois yet?”
Oliver’s back stiffened. With everything that had happened, he’d completely forgotten about Lois. “I take it you haven’t seen Lois in the last twenty-four hours.”
“She’s supposed to be covering a story in Topeka. What happened?”
Oliver sighed. “Yesterday morning, Lois walked in on us. She left before we could explain. Chloe wanted to go talk to her, but…”
“It’s always better to let Lois cool off, before trying to reason with her,” Clark finished. “I should go find her.” He looked back down at Chloe. He hated choosing between Chloe and Lois. There wasn’t anything he could do for Chloe. He could be there for Lois. Oliver saw the conflict in his friend’s eyes.
“Clark, Lois needs you. If there’s any change, I’ll call. I promise.”
Clark nodded, grateful. He squeezed Chloe’s hand gently. A second later he was gone. Oliver resumed his silent vigil at Chloe’s side.
To be continued…
The helo landed a couple of miles from the river. Victor quickly cut the engine as the others climbed out. Once the rotors stopped spinning, he followed, jogging to catch up with them - well Oliver and AC anyway. Bart, of course, had taken off to do a perimeter search. The four members of the Justice League met at the rendezvous point a minute later.
“Status, Impulse?” Oliver asked.
“Just as we thought, boss. Electric perimeter fence. It’s quiet.”
Oliver nodded. He flipped his comm. “How’s it overhead, Watchtower?”
Back in Oliver’s penthouse, Chloe scanned the infrared satellite display. “It’s clear, Arrow.”
“Okay, everyone knows the drill. Let’s get it done.”
Oliver scanned the faces of his team. He was surprised at how somber and serious they were. Usually there was a wisecrack, a laugh. They all knew their jobs were dangerous, but those jobs were also fun. Maybe fun was the wrong word. They enjoyed what they did. It brought satisfaction in ways that few things could. But this was different. This time they were there to protect one of their own. Clark was a friend. He’d shown each one of them kindness when no one else did. He understood how their powers made them different and he didn’t judge. Truth be told this was the least they could do for him.
AC turned and headed for the river. He jumped in silently and swam for the transformer at the far end of the compound. Less than a minute later he successfully powered down the fence to give the others access to the grounds.
Chloe watched as the heat signatures of Oliver, Victor and Bart crossed the grounds. Once they went underground to the lab itself she wouldn’t be able to see them anymore. The comm would be the only way to keep track of them. Thankfully everything was still quiet.
Victor hacked into the compound’s security system, shutting it down. Oliver flipped his comm again. “Watchtower, security system’s down. We’re going in.”
“Copy that, Arrow. Good luck.”
Oliver pulled open the hatch that led down to the lab. Soft blue light shown at the bottom. Oliver was the first down the ladder followed by Victor and Bart. AC followed suit on the river side. The hall immediately in front of them appeared deserted but Oliver knew that wouldn’t last. He turned to Victor and Bart.
“Check in when your area is clear. Go.”
Bart grinned and was gone in a flash down the right corridor. Victor nodded and took off the opposite way. Oliver took the hall directly in front of him. It appeared to be a series of offices. Both sides of the hall had glass doors lining its length. Oliver gave each a glance to make sure they were empty. They were which wasn’t unusual. It was the middle of the night. The people who worked there would have kept banker’s hours most likely. Every fifty feet Oliver placed a small explosive device. The hall ended at a T junction. Scanning left and right it appeared to be more offices. At the far right, however, was a large set of double doors. Oliver cautiously approached them, crossbow drawn. With his left hand he slowly pushed the door open; the room was dark. Once again Oliver was thankful for his night vision glasses. After scanning the room to make sure it was deserted, Oliver stowed his crossbow. The room looked like some sort of operating room. There was a metal table in the center, complete with Velcro straps and a surgical lamp. One wall was lined with cabinets that upon closer inspection contained surgical tools and refrigerated blood. Oliver shuddered. This must be were they did the experiments. Well, not anymore. Oliver set up the last of his explosives and flipped his comm.
“Watchtower, Arrow. Area three secure.”
Before Chloe could acknowledge him, AC cut in. “Tower, Aquaman. Area five secure.”
Bart and Victor checked in seconds later. “Arrow, Watchtower. All areas secure.”
“Copy, Tower. Impulse, are the civilians clear?” Bart had taken the two sectors most likely to have people; Oliver didn’t want to wait to blow the place sky high.
“Negative, Arrow.”
“Impulse, what the hell is going on over there?!”
“Calm down, amigo. The place is deserted.”
“Is this a joke, Impulse?”
“Would I joke about this? This place is more deserted than the Sahara, man. I’m serious.”
Everyone had the same thought at the exact same time. Trap. Oliver reacted first. “Everybody out. Now.”
Chloe kept her eyes focused on the sat feed. As if in confirmation of her worst fears, a large heat signature came into the picture and settled by the entrance Oliver, Victor and Bart had used earlier. Her voice shook slightly as she reported to the guys on the ground. “Arrow, you have a welcoming committee.”
Calmly Oliver replied, “Copy, Tower. We’re on our way out.”
Oliver ran down the hall uncurling his compound bow as he ran. He hoped he wouldn’t need it. He heard scuffling sounds in the hall with the explosives as he passed it. Fortunately, he’d never considered backtracking. He reached the end of the corridor and hung a right intent on reaching the river entrance. He never saw the punch coming. Oliver’s face exploded in pain as his cheekbone shattered and he crashed to the floor. He skidded along his back until his head hit the wall behind him. Dazed, he tried to regain his footing. A sharp blow to his wrist sent the bow flying. Grunting a curse, Oliver got to his knees and peered at his attacker.
A cursory glance told him this was one of Lex’s reconstituted super soldiers. His body moved instinctively. Oliver swung his leg toward the man’s knees bringing him down with a thump. Oliver dove for his fallen bow and stood panting. He wasted no time in drawing an arrow and loading it. The soldier scrambled to his feet gaining his full height just as Oliver released the arrow.
Oliver didn’t bother to see if he hit the guy; he turned and sprinted down the hall trying to ignore the pain in his face. He half grinned at the grunt that came when his arrow hit home in the soldier’s shoulder. Enraged, the soldier launched himself at Oliver’s retreating figure. Tackled from behind, Oliver yelled in pain as he felt his arm break with an audible snap as he hit the floor.
All Chloe could hear on the channel was a series of curses and grunts as the boys fought their way out. Bart, not surprisingly, had the easiest time since he was the fastest. He arrived at the empty river entrance a mere fifteen seconds after Oliver’s order. “Watchtower, this is Impulse. Where’s everyone?”
“Still inside, I think,” Chloe replied, clearly worried.
A minute passed. Two minutes. “I’m here, Tower.” It was AC.
“Aquaman, any sign of Cyborg or Arrow?”
“Negative, Tower.”
“This is Cyborg. I’ll be there in a sec.”
Seconds passed. A full minute. Damn it, Oliver, where are you? Chloe thought. “Anyone see Arrow?” Silence.
Bart spoke first. “I’m going after him.” Victor and AC tried to argue. “No, guys, let me. Someone’s got to stay here and make sure we can get off this rock, OK? We’ll be back before you can say enchilada.”
Bart took off in a blur. AC and Victor exchanged a worried look. Bart virtually flew through the lab. None of the soldiers could get a read on him or where he was headed; he was just too fast. Bart saw a flash of green down one of the corridors and took off. There he found Oliver wrestling with a guy nearly twice his size. Bart knew they only had a minute at most; as soon as he stopped their welcoming party could get a read on him. He saw Oliver’s bow lying on the floor and picked it up. He swung it at the soldier’s exposed head. What Bart lacked in strength he more than made up for in speed. The soldier collapsed in a heap.
Bart rolled him off Oliver; what he saw caused his eyes to widen in horror. Oliver’s right cheek was black and blue, his right arm was broken and the front of his leather suit was covered in blood. A broken arrow shaft protruded from Oliver’s chest. Oh god.
Oliver focused his eyes on the figure in front of him. “Bart,” he said weakly, “you shouldn’t be here.”
Bart crouched down next to his friend. “I don’t think you’re in a position to give orders, amigo. I’m getting you out of here. Can you stand?”
“I think.”
Bart helped Oliver to his feet. The sounds of their pursuers were getting closer. Bart supported most of Oliver’s weight as they slowly made their way down the hall. After about ten paces Oliver had to stop. The pain was too much.
“Bart, you go. I’m not gonna make it. I’m just slowing you down.”
Bart shook his head stubbornly. “Don’t think so, amigo.” He pulled Oliver into a fireman’s carry and took off. With the extra weight Bart could only go a quarter of his top speed, but it was enough. As he turned the last corner he saw AC and Victor felling a few more of Lex’s super goons.
“I got him!” Bart called. When he reached the others, Bart handed Oliver off to Victor. Wordlessly, AC jumped in the river and swam back to where they had parked the helo. Victor and Bart followed along the shore. They dodged bullets fired from the roof of the lab. By the time they reached the helo the rotors were turning and gaining speed. Carefully, Victor and Bart carried Oliver into the helo. AC immediately lifted off.
“Tower, Aquaman. We’re away.”
Relief washed over Chloe. “Did you get him, Bart?” she asked, completely disregarding League protocol.
“Yeah.”
Chloe heard the worry in his voice. Whatever it was, it wasn’t good. Bart didn’t worry easily. Dreading the answer, she asked, “How bad is he?”
It was Victor, whose hands were covered in Oliver’s blood as he tried vainly to stop the bleeding, who answered. “It’s bad, Chlo. He’s fading. There’s too much blood loss.”
“No!” Chloe screamed. She took a breath and continued, “Listen to me. No matter what happens, you get him here. No one’s dying today.”
“Copy that.”
Chloe switched off the comm. There wasn’t anything she could do until they returned. She gripped the edge of the table tightly, turning her knuckles white. Oliver couldn’t die on her. He couldn’t. Not right when they were starting…whatever it was they were starting. Things had happened so fast that they’d never gotten a chance to figure out what they were to each other. Chloe was beginning to strongly suspect that she was in love with him. Tears welled up in her eyes. Oh god. She loved Oliver Queen. She really did. The idea of losing him plunged her heart into an icy bottomless pit. Well, she wasn’t going to let it happen, not when she had the power to stop it. She knew or at least suspected that her meteor powers weren’t limitless. There was a real chance that she’d go to the well once too often and not survive it. But it still she didn’t hesitate. She knew that if she let Oliver die she’s never forgive herself. So Chloe did the only thing she could in that moment. She picked up her phone and dialed Clark’s number. It went directly to voice mail; Chloe was a little disappointed but not really surprised. It was probably better this way. Clark would try and stop her anyway.
“Clark, it’s Chloe. When you get this please don’t do anything rash. This is my choice. Oliver will fill you in. I just wanted to let you know that no one could have a better friend than you. I love you, Clark.”
She snapped the phone shut and waited. Nearly a half hour later AC stepped out of the elevator followed by Bart and an Oliver carrying Victor. Chloe’s heart broke as she took in Oliver’s broken, lifeless form. Silently, she pointed to the bedroom. “Take him in there.”
Victor nodded and carried Oliver to the bedroom. Chloe followed him. After Victor laid Oliver on the green sheets, Chloe shooed him away. Victor, Bart and AC stood outside the door looking worried. Before she shut the door, Chloe tried to encourage them. “It’s gonna be okay, guys. I’ll see you soon.”
Chloe shut the door quietly. She climbed into the bed next to Oliver and carefully removed the green leather from his body. After tossing it aside she went to work on the arrow in his chest. It took some wiggling but she got it out. Chloe laid the bloody broken arrow on the nightstand and finally allowed herself to survey Oliver’s injuries. Rage and grief boiled over as she gazed at his beautiful broken body. Blinking away tears, Chloe placed her hand over the hole next to his heart and bent to kiss his cold lips. Chloe felt the energy wash over her as her skin glowed incandescent; then everything was black.
Oliver’s eyes flew open. His heart hammered in his chest as he sucked in a harsh breath. He sat up with a start. He was in his darkened bedroom. What happened? The last thing he remembered was the helo taking off; then…nothing. He looked down; he was naked except for his boxer briefs. What the hell? He reached up to his cheek and pressed. No pain. His arm was okay too. There was no hole in his chest. He was alive. Fear gripped his stomach. Oh god, if he was alive then that meant…no, she wouldn’t do that. But even as he thought it Oliver knew that she would. His beautiful, stubborn Chloe would save him if she could. Oliver didn’t want to look but knew he had to. He had to see what he’d done to her.
She was deathly pale. Her eyes were closed. Her body was curled from where she’d crouched over him. Her right cheek had a slightly darker cast, a bruise from his broken cheekbone. Oliver was sure that her arm was broken too. That was the way it worked. She took on the injuries of the one she healed. Swallowing his grief, Oliver gently unfolded her ball like body across the stained green sheets. He brushed his lips across her forehead and pulled the duvet up to her chest. There was nothing more he could do except wait.
After pulling on a shirt and some pants, Oliver headed out to the living room. There he found AC, Victor and Bart waiting quietly.
“Hey guys.”
Three heads shot up. All of them smiled in relief at the sight of Oliver standing there healthy and whole. Bart jumped up first. He unashamedly hugged Oliver tight. “You had us worried, man,” he said into Oliver’s shoulder.
Oliver released him and said, “I suppose I have you to thank for…”
“Carrying your green leather clad ass out of harm’s way? Damn right you do.”
Grinning, Bart stepped back. Victor and AC hugged him as well. Victor joked, “Don’t worry, Oliver. If Bart hadn’t we would have. We lose you we’re all out of a job!”
Oliver tried to smile at the joke but his heart wasn’t in it. The others noticed and grew serious again. “How’s Chloelicious?” Bart asked quietly.
Oliver sighed. “About as well as can be expected considering I was…,” his voice trailed off; he was unwilling to use the d-word.
“Anything we can do?” Victor asked.
“Not really. All we can do is wait.” Oliver paused. “If you guys don’t mind I’m going to go sit with her.”
“Sure, man, go ahead. We’ll be here.”
Oliver nodded his thanks and turned back toward the bedroom. It was late but he wasn’t tired. He supposed that being brought back from the dead did that to a person. Oliver sat on the edge of the bed. He took Chloe’s cold hand in his and stared at her pale form. It was just a matter of time. She was going to wake up. She had to. If she didn’t…no, his brain refused to go there. She’d wake up with a smile and a quip and he’d tell her all the things he wanted to say.
Hours passed. Oliver refused to keep track of how many for the sake of his own sanity. His stomach growled, demanding sustenance, but he ignored it. Eventually his eyelids grew heavy. Oliver curled up next to Chloe in the bed still holding her hand. He didn’t intend of fall asleep, but his exhausted body betrayed him as he fell into a fitful slumber.
Oliver woke to the sound of the bedroom door slamming. He sat up in alarm and found a very angry Clark Kent at the foot of his bed. Clark did nothing but stare at Chloe for a full minute. Then he turned his gaze to Oliver.
“Oliver, what happened?” Clark asked.
Oliver ignored him. Instead he climbed out of the bed and rearranged the covers over Chloe. When that was finished, he faced Clark.
“Before you jump down my throat, you need to know that I didn’t ask her to do this. You know as well as I do how I feel about Chloe using her powers.”
Clark nodded. Yes, Clark knew. It was one of the things they agreed on. “So who was it?”
“Who was who?”
“Who did Chloe save?”
Oh. Oliver swallowed. “Me.”
Clark looked confused. “Wait, you said that you didn’t ask her to…save you. Does that mean you were…”
“Dead?” It was the first time he’d said that out loud. He ignored the queasiness in his stomach and continued, “Yeah. We were on a mission. There was an ambush.”
Clark raised an eyebrow. “Oliver, in all the time I’ve known you you’ve never gotten ambushed. What is going on? There’s something you’re not telling me.”
Oliver sighed. Time to fess up. “Clark, have a seat. This is going to take a while.”
A couple of hours later the whole story was out. Seeing Lex. Breaking into Luthor mansion. The charity ball and their narrow escape. Learning that Lionel had killed his parents. (Clark had flinched slightly at that, but Oliver didn’t notice.) Chloe stopping him from doing something he’d regret. Lex’s plans. The ambush. The fight that nearly killed him. All the while Clark kept glancing at Chloe. It was as if he was trying to will her awake. Oliver could have told him not to bother; he’d been trying that since he woke up.
“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” Clark asked. There was no judgment in his voice only curiosity.
“I didn’t want you charging off unprepared. We were trying to protect you.”
“Chloe -“
“She wanted to tell you right away. But I insisted. It’s my fault.”
Clark looked back at Chloe. This was no one’s fault. If Clark was honest with himself, he knew that Oliver was probably right. He’d have gone in charging. Clark thought about the message Chloe had left him. This is my choice. Clark knew Chloe better than anyone. He knew that there was no way she’d have let Oliver die. She was stubborn like that. As he gazed at his best friend, Clark saw that she wasn’t the only stubborn one. Oliver had kept a tight hold on her hand throughout his explanation. He’d suspected for a while that something was going on between his two friends. Now he had some proof. Clark nodded at their hands.
“You really care about her, don’t you?” he asked quietly.
Oliver dropped his gaze back to Chloe’s face. “Yeah, I do.”
Clark gave him a soft smile. “I suspected as much.”
Oliver looked over at him in surprise. “You’re not as cool a customer as you think, Oliver. It was written all over your face at the charity ball.”
“Oh.” Oliver let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding. “Are you…okay with this?”
Clark’s smile grew bigger. “Do you think she’d listen to me if I wasn’t?”
Oliver couldn’t help but return the smile. “Probably not.”
“Then as long as Chloe’s okay with it, I’m okay with it.” Clark paused. “Have you told Lois yet?”
Oliver’s back stiffened. With everything that had happened, he’d completely forgotten about Lois. “I take it you haven’t seen Lois in the last twenty-four hours.”
“She’s supposed to be covering a story in Topeka. What happened?”
Oliver sighed. “Yesterday morning, Lois walked in on us. She left before we could explain. Chloe wanted to go talk to her, but…”
“It’s always better to let Lois cool off, before trying to reason with her,” Clark finished. “I should go find her.” He looked back down at Chloe. He hated choosing between Chloe and Lois. There wasn’t anything he could do for Chloe. He could be there for Lois. Oliver saw the conflict in his friend’s eyes.
“Clark, Lois needs you. If there’s any change, I’ll call. I promise.”
Clark nodded, grateful. He squeezed Chloe’s hand gently. A second later he was gone. Oliver resumed his silent vigil at Chloe’s side.
To be continued…