Fic: The Great Red K Caper (A Chlollieween Story) - Part Six
Good grief, this took forever. If I can't get the next one up in the next couple of hours, it'll be tomorrow because I have to teach in the morning. Hope you enjoy this chapter :)
Chloe sat down across the desk from Emil and tried not to notice how close Oliver was at he sat beside her.
Emil adjusted his glasses. “I’m still waiting for a complete analysis, but I can already tell you that there are high levels of meteor rock in your system. Chloe, are you aware that you’re meteor infected?”
She supposed she should have seen that coming, but she’d been so caught up in whether or not she’d been dosed with something that she hadn’t considered the fact that Emil would realize she was a meteor freak. She carefully avoided looking at Oliver as she answered, “That doesn’t have anything to do with the blackouts.”
“You’re meteor infected?” Oliver’s tone was even - too even. “And you didn’t think maybe that was something the team should know?”
“Clark knows,” she replied simply before turning her attention back to Emil. “The point is that I know I didn’t use my meteor ability last night, so it’s irrelevant at the moment.”
Emil looked at with a raised brow. “I don’t think I would say it’s irrelevant. May I ask what your ability is?”
She hesitated. “I can… heal people. I heal injuries.”
“And how does that affect you physically?” Emil prodded.
“It’s not pleasant, if that’s what you’re asking,” Chloe said a little testily.
“Empathic healing then. It’s likely a tremendous strain on your body,” he commented.
“Dr. Hamilton, I really don’t need to be counseled on my meteor ability. And if that’s the only information you came up with in the lab, I think we’re back at square one,” she added sarcastically.
Emil folded his hands on his desk. “I’m asking these questions because it could have some bearing on my other findings, especially given that your ability is healing. Are you able to heal yourself of injuries? Your bruises, for example,” he gestured toward her left wrist.
“I don’t think it works that way, but I’ve never actually tried.” Just spit it out Chloe - Oliver already knows you’re a freak. “The first time I used my ability, it was an accident. Lois had been shot and when I found her… when I found her, I think she was dead.”
Emil sat back, surprised. “You healed your cousin after she died?”
Chloe nodded. “I think so, but healing that way is dangerous. I died that day, and I woke up in the morgue. Clark got me out.” She chanced a look at Oliver, but his expression was unreadable. “Oliver, I would have said something if I thought it was important, but after the second time I used my ability, I promised Clark I wouldn’t do it anymore.”
Oliver ignored Chloe and spoke to Emil. “You said this might have a bearing on your other findings.”
Chloe sat back, pushing away the feelings of hurt as Emil continued.
“I found traces of more than one type of meteor rock, Chloe. The second type was…”
“Oh my God - red kryptonite!” Chloe exclaimed. Suddenly this was all making more sense. “But red K doesn’t usually kill anyone, and two girls ended up dead.”
“Yes, but I believe it was refined and mixed with some other chemicals. I can’t be sure until the full breakdown comes back from my lab, but it appeared to me to be similar to other designer drugs I’ve seen in Metropolis.”
“So someone created a new designer drug using red kryptonite, and it’s circulating through the club scene. At least now we have a place to start. How much longer until the full analysis comes back?” Oliver asked.
“I put this at the front of the queue with my lab assistants. I have patients this afternoon, but I’ll rearrange what I can in order to concentrate on this. And Chloe, when this case is over, I’d like for you to come back for a full workup.”
“But…”
“I second that. Every team member has had the same physical, Chloe. No arguments.” Oliver’s tone clearly suggested he wasn’t going to budge on the topic.
“Fine. I’ll call and make an appointment. Are we done for now?” Chloe stood up, feeling a bit like she’d been railroaded and not liking it in the least. At Emil’s nod, she walked back towards the waiting room with Oliver right on her heels.
“You know, Chloe, I think if anyone has a right to be upset, it’s me. You’re a member of my team, and keeping your meteor ability a secret is dangerous.”
She whirled on him so quickly, he retreated a step. “I’m not a danger to you or the team Oliver. The only person my meteor ability can harm is me.”
Chloe jerked the outer office door open and mentally groaned when she saw the stunned faces of Victor, AC and Bart. Clearly, they had just heard everything.
“You’re meteor infected? Since when?” Bart asked, looking confused.
Victor and AC exchanged a look. AC grabbed Bart’s arm. “We’re just gonna go wait outside.”
“Wait a minute, I want to know…”
“Bart, not now,” Victor said as they hurried out of the waiting room.
“Well, this is just perfect. You’re all going to be weird around me now, and that’s exactly why I never said anything.” Chloe felt the burn of tears behind her eyelids, and she headed for the door, jerking it open only to have Oliver push it closed from behind her.
She leaned her head against it for a moment. “Oliver, I don’t want to talk about this right now.” She felt his hands on her shoulders, and she didn’t resist as he turned her around.
Oliver tipped her chin up, forcing her eyes to meet his. “Chloe, I don’t know what you’re thinking, but this doesn’t change anything between us.”
“Really? Because your anger suggests otherwise.”
“I’m angry because you were hiding something that could get you killed Chloe, not because you’re meteor infected. What happens if Lex finds out about your ability? Bringing back the dead would be right up his twisted little alley, and he wouldn’t care how much he hurt you to get what he wanted.”
“That’s one of the reasons Clark doesn’t want me to use it anymore,” Chloe admitted. “But it’s also partly because he’s worried that one day I won’t wake up and… I guess I’m worried about that too. But I can’t promise I'll never use it again because if it meant I could save someone I loved, I probably would.”
Oliver raised one hand up to push her hair back, his fingers caressing down the side of her face. Chloe stilled, afraid if she moved he would stop, and it felt too good for that. A moment later he bent toward her and their lips met in the merest of brushes. Heart pounding, she raised her hands to his shoulders and pressed closer, allowing him to pull her up against him.
Their first kiss months ago had been more urgent, both because of the situation and because the passion erupting between them had taken both of them by surprise. This one was less hurried but no less passionate, and Chloe tightened her arms around Oliver, wanting to be closer still.
When he finally pulled back, they were both breathing heavily. Chloe leaned back against the door, closing her eyes when she felt Oliver’s lips against her forehead. It was a gesture that was caring and sweet, and it shifted something inside her that had long been dormant.
“Your meteor ability doesn’t change anything between us Chloe. But when you kissed me five months ago, that changed things. And what happened just now changes things. And we don’t have to decide anything today, but I’m not backing away from this.”
Chloe took a calming breath before looking at Oliver. “I’m not backing away, it’s just… a little outside my experience.”
His mouth turned up at the corners, and he whispered, “I’ll let you in on a secret - it’s a little outside mine too. But I think we can figure it out together.” He opened the door and held it for her before following her out of the waiting room. “Now, let’s go round up the posse and make a game plan for tonight.”
Oliver held Chloe’s hand securely in his, and she realized something. For the first time in years, she didn’t feel like she had to do everything alone.