Fighting Echoes (16/?)
Author: 
serafina19
Title: Fighting Echoes
Summary: As identities and affiliations are exposed, the Justice League begins to form. But once an old foe re-emerges and raises the stakes, Evie is forced to determine how much she is willing to sacrifice to protect everyone she cares about. Sequel to “Notbroken,” and the final multi-chapter in the "Calendar Girl" verse.
Rating: NC-17
Warnings: Coarse language, violence and adult content.
Special thanks to:
552158 for the amazing banners that I couldn’t stop admiring when you sent them to me. Also, big love to
slytherinpunk, without you, I probably wouldn’t have the guts to try this.
August p.1 August p.2 September p.1 September p.2 October p.1 October p.2 October p.3 November p.1 November p.2 December p.1 December p.2 January p.1 January p.2 February p.1 February p.2
March
March 1
Victor had been quiet initially, as Evie went first, explaining the things she hadn’t told him yet. Her rationale for burning the uniform, even the emergence of Dr. Lee’s body. So he just sat at the kitchen table of her apartment, waiting for her to finish. He took everything calmly, even replied calmly; however the words he spoke weren’t of a calm nature, not even close.
They had to go their separate ways.
They both knew it, yet they didn’t want to say it. In fact, Vic barely managed to say the words. However, that knowledge didn’t mean that Evie wanted to believe it. “No,” she said confidently, trying to hold onto the last shred of hope she had, desperately trying to find a last-second way to avoid this.
Unfortunately, luck wasn’t on their side.
“If you’re worried about Watchtower, then I’m even worse,” Victor replied, again, not wanting to admit it, but he had no choice. “He knows who I am Evie, and he knows we were 33.1 inmates.” Taking one of her hands in his, purely out of reassurance, he added, “Let’s face it, I’m the biggest connection he knows.”
Evie pulled her hand back, even pulled the chair away as she stood up again. She couldn’t... he couldn’t... not now, especially not now. “But you live with Bart...”
Victor was surprised by her recoil and the way she distanced herself. Evie couldn’t even look at him now, so his gaze moved downwards, towards the table. “I’m moving out of the apartment and into Watchtower for the time being.” Victor hadn’t told Bart his plan yet, but upon seeing the measures Evie was going to erase herself from this life, he knew he had to make the executive decision in this case. If Lex could link him to any part of her life, even Bart, he would use it against her. Besides, there was no way Victor was willing to compromise Bart either. It wasn’t fair to him.
Staring at her feet, Evie whispered, “How long?”
“You mean how long do we have to avoid each other?” Risking a glance up, Victor noticed that Evie was looking at him, biting her lip just barely. Getting out of his chair, he finally answered, “As long as it takes.”
Evie squeezed her eyes shut as she heard the chair drag against the floor. “It’s not fair.”
“I hate it too, but you know I’m right.” Reaching out towards her shoulders, when Victor’s fingers collided with her bare shoulder and Evie didn’t back away, he came closer, slowly embracing her. “We’ve risked enough as it is.”
Again, she wanted to back away, but his arms around her allowed Evie to relax as she leaned towards Victor. “I know.” Leaning her forehead down against his shoulder, she added with what little strength she had, “I just... I wish there was another way.”
Taking a deep breath in, Victor sighed. He wanted to tell her that there was, because this was just as hard for him as it was for her. Taking care of each other had almost become as natural as breathing, and since Evie had re-emerged in his life, Victor could sense that things were... changing. He couldn’t explain what was happening, but it didn’t seem to matter anymore, because it had to end. “I’ve thought about it... I can’t...”
“I know,” Evie interjected, not wanting to hear the pain in his voice any longer than she had to.
Carefully, they both began to lift their hands off each other’s back, the draft settling in fast as the chill was sent through their bodies. Time seemed to continue in slow motion as they stepped back, their eyes flickering up at each other. The stare lasted a minute, maybe two, before Victor turned his back for good. Walking towards the door, he wanted to look back, but he couldn’t do it. He had to stay true to his word. He had to continue to protect her, even if it was in the shadows.
Opening the door, he walked out of the apartment, and upon hearing it click shut, his hand lingered on the doorknob. Taking one last peek towards the door, Victor barely found it within himself to take a step away.
March 3
Looking up from his desk as the door opened, it took everything Oliver had not to roll his eyes or lose his cool. “You’ve got some nerve showing up here.”
“I’d call it courage, but I don’t have time for semantics.” Tess strolled quickly into Oliver’s Queen Industries office, not an easy feat, but a necessary one. She had waited twenty minutes for Lauren to go to the bathroom, as she was more than away of his assistant’s loyalty. “If it wasn’t me telling you, it would have been Lex, and trust me, you didn’t-”
“Why would you be any better?”
That answer was easy. “Because I knew this last year, but I couldn’t tell you then... it would have broken you.” The look in Oliver’s eyes when they met in Kansas before... even though they dated for a short period of time, Tess still had a way of reading him. Just like now. “I can see that you don’t believe me, not that I blame you.”
Leaning back in his chair, Oliver crossed his arms. “Why are you here?”
Seeing her opening, Tess took it. “You look at me now... and all you see is a puppet, a pawn in Lex’s sick game... which is exactly what I am and I’m sick of it.” She was tempted to sit down, but she decided against it. The plan was to get it over with and walk out. “It started with cameras in my optic nerve and it only escalated from there.”
Oliver’s eyes widened, for while Evie had told him as much he never expected to hear Tess admit it to him. “What makes you think that I can do anything?”
“You’re on the backburner with the company going back under Lex’s name, but I want your word that you’re not giving up on getting your shares back.”
“I’m not.”
It wasn’t much to ask of Oliver, but Tess was still glad to hear the strong conviction in his voice. “Good, because without the company, his capital resources decrease.”
“For what exactly?”
She should have prepared for such a question, but she wasn’t exactly sure how a person explained what 33.1 did to people. Not to mention the fact that Oliver wasn’t the person to tell the truth to anyway. “Something... something I can’t prove, which is why I want this so badly.”
“This doesn’t happen to be about those buildings blowing up around the world, do they?”
Tess smirked, slightly impressed by the way Oliver had narrowed that down. Then again, there had been a spike in incidents in the last few months. “Work of the Green Arrow, enemy number one at the Luthor mansion.” Reaching into his purse, Tess pulled a file folder out, hoping that she was about to do the right thing. “But even that’s secondary now.”
Eyes narrowing, Oliver asked, “Second to what?” Based on the past few days, he had a suspicion, but he had to be sure.
Opening the folder, Tess’ expression turned serious. “If you have resources to find this woman, please use them. I’ve never seen Lex so determined in my life.” Which made Tess even more determined to ensure the woman’s safety.
Looking over the files, Oliver could easily put the pieces together based on the pieces of conversations Evie had sent him. It looked like her precautions were justified. “Why do you care?”
A fair question, but one Tess could confidently answer. “I’ve never seen her in person, but she saved my life Oliver... I owe her the same courtesy.” Waiting as Oliver looked up again, she added, “Tell me that I can count on you.”
“I’ll handle it.” These files, Tess’ words, they only increased Oliver’s concern for his friend, but he still believed that they could keep Evie safe.
March 5
“You called?”
Oliver looked up and gestured for his employee to enter his office. “Close the door.” What they were about to talk about was about as confidential as it got.
Victor obliged before sitting down. “What’s up?” When Oliver had called him up to his office, Victor could sense a nervousness to his tone, so whatever it was, it couldn’t be good.
“Tess came by to give me this a couple of days ago.” Pulling the folder out of the drawer, Oliver placed it in front of Victor. “I waited because I didn’t want to arouse any suspicion, but I think she’s finally clear of trackers from Lex.”
“What’s on it?”
“Every piece of correspondence between Tess and Evie.” There were other little details, but Victor would know about them soon enough. “If you can access Lex’s server and see what’s he’s digging into, do it. But you can’t leave a trace.”
“She’s on his radar,” Victor said slowly, an air of defeat in his voice. It made the decisions they had made easier to bear, but this didn’t reassure the worry that they acted too little, too late.
“Is it true? About her leaving Watchtower for good over the weekend?” Chloe had told him about it, but Oliver thought the declaration would break and things weren’t as bad as they seemed. Considering her close friendship with Victor, Oliver figured he would know better than anyone.
“Among other things,” Victor admitted, as he realized that they never disclosed the full story to anyone else. “I’m keeping my distance from her and Bart.”
Oliver’s eyes widened. “Oh.”
Victor shook his head, not surprised by the reaction. “I have to,” he replied calmly, pulling his chair back while staring at the folder in his hands. “If he found her because of me... I’d never forgive myself.”
Feeling himself swallow hard, Oliver could only say, “I understand the feeling.” As it wasn’t long ago that he worried for Chloe’s safety due to his double life.
Standing up, Victor cleared his throat, knowing there was no time to dwell anymore. “So decrypt this secretly?”
“Yeah,” Oliver replied. “No one can know.” It wasn’t that he didn’t want to tell Chloe, but he was mostly hoping that it was a false alarm, or possibly that Lex was on the wrong trail. He didn’t want to worry Chloe or Evie if he didn’t have to.
March 7
“Are you coming out today, or do I have to come and drag you out?”
“I’m coming,” Evie replied, still looking at the mirror. Taking a deep breath, she finally turned around and unlocked the door. It had been awhile since she wore a dress, not to mention one this beautiful. She had to hand it to Lois, she had a great eye for what Evie would like.
Opening the door, she noticed Lois’ smug expression as she approached Evie in her wedding gown. This would be the first time that Evie would see it on Lois, and it looked perfect. It was her mother’s gown, the ‘something borrowed’ of the wedding clichés, but it really worked. Lois looked happy, and for a woman as tough as nails, Evie could swear she could see a bridal glow in her friend.
Yet her mannerisms it seemed would never change as Lois dragged her to a mirror. “You wanted to hide from us when you look like that?”
“Maybe I didn’t want to outshine you,” Evie fired back, knowing that Lois would sense the joke in that statement.
“Please,” Lois scoffed, “you’d have to try a little harder than that.”
“Yeah... I would.” Turning her head over her shoulder, Evie furrowed her eyebrows as she searched for the third woman in their party.
“Chloe will be back in a sec... Oliver called.” Seeing Evie nod, the two women continued to stare at the mirror in front of them, but Lois glanced and noticed the increasing worry in her friends face. “Are you okay?”
Shaking from her trance, Evie sighed softly. “That seems to be my catchphrase.”
“You’ve... sort of clammed up lately.”
Evie threw her hands to her side in frustration. “I just don’t know what to say.” Things had been quiet lately, almost too quiet. Since escaping 33.1, the other shoe was always tempting to drop, but for the last few weeks, Evie could feel her anxiety increasing. “But I’m scared Lois, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t.”
Wrapping her arms around her friend, Lois flashed her a smile. “You’ve fought through plenty.” It was quite the understatement, but it was all she could tell Evie at this moment. “Everything will be okay.”
~0~
Closing the door to her apartment, Evie moved to the bedroom to hang up her coat. The measurements for the dresses were all set, so it was just a matter of time before the real dress came. But as she looked down at her hands, shaking frantically, Evie couldn’t help but wonder if she would ever have the chance to wear it.
She didn’t have long to dwell on that thought as the door opened again, followed by a solid slam, causing Evie to quickly exit the bedroom, wondering what was going on. Chloe was standing in the main area, almost on a mission it seemed, as the moment they met eyes, she said, “I quit, Lex didn’t fire me.”
Evie rolled her eyes. “Hello to you too.” She walked past her friend and settled on the couch, as she had a feeling this conversation was going to take a while.
Chloe didn’t mean to be so blunt, but Evie had gone radio silent, and she figured it had something to do with her. After all, Evie did everything in her power to avoid the subject, so Chloe thought it was best to get this out in the open. “Who told you?”
“No one had to,” Evie replied, shaking her head slowly. “It wasn’t hard to realize that my screw-up ended up costing you more than me.”
“Lex will get what he deserves, I promise you that.” Reaching across to grab her friend’s hand, Chloe said reassuringly, “And if I really wanted to keep being a journalist, I could practically start my own paper. Right now, my priority is taking a different direction.”
Evie appreciated that, she appreciated what everyone had done already, but there was no need for this to become priority number one in everyone’s life. They deserved more than that. “Chloe you don’t have to involve yourself in my mess more than you already have.”
Chloe narrowed her eyes, not believing how much guilt Evie still carried. “Last I checked, it’s all of our mess, Evie. It’s about protecting you, my mom, everyone.” Risking a smile in her direction, Chloe quipped, “Not everything bad that happens is about you, you know. And I’ll always have your back.” Taking a breath as she realized that her attempt to lighten the mood feel on deaf ears, Chloe pressed on. “So why don’t you tell me what’s really bothering you?”
If she had to be honest, Evie didn’t know where to start. “I feel like I’m saying the same script over and over.” The questions, the responses, the reactions, everything was starting to spin faster around her and it was back to the days where Evie was constantly looking over her shoulder. “It’s not getter better and I don’t want it to get any worse.”
Evie knew that she couldn’t save everyone, but it wasn’t as easy as that. She had a lot more to lose this time, as Lex wouldn’t hesitate to use anyone in her life as leverage. If she could help it, it wouldn’t come to that, but Evie wasn’t confident that option would be available to her.
Finding her voice, just barely, Evie added quietly, “I’m scared Chloe... and I don’t know if I can save everyone this time.”
March 20
It had been another long eight-hour shift at the cafe, so Evie wanted nothing more than to go home, have a shower and relax the night away. However, just when she was approaching her building, she noticed a familiar face waiting outside. It just wasn’t a face she ever expected to see again.
Feeling a little speechless once their eyes met, Evie blinked in disbelief. By the time she reached the door, the fact had sunk in, so she asked calmly, “How are you John?”
“Not bad,” John replied with a smile. It had been a long time since he had seen his college friend, and while the surprise was expected, John was kind of glad that she looked well. “I hope you don’t mind, I ran into Lois at the Daily Planet... she gave me the address.” She wasn’t someone John knew well, but it was the only way he knew that he could find Evie, as he no longer kept in touch with any of his college friends that lived in Kansas.
“Well… come on up.” Evie sold him a smile as she held the door open for him, all while trying to figure out a reason for the sudden visit. Standing in the elevator, she turned her head towards him. “Could you take a coffee?”
“Absolutely.”
“Teaspoon of sugar, no cream?”
John chuckled at the speed of Evie’s reply. “You still remember?”
“Yeah, and it helps that I’ve been practicing my barista habits in my most recent job.” Feeling much more relaxed, Evie smiled more genuinely this time. “I work in a cafe nearby if you’re planning on being here for awhile.”
“Thanks, but I’m not staying long.”
Evie’s smile quickly fell, as suddenly, everything became clear. “So… I take it this is Scott-related?”
John nodded, not surprised that she came to that conclusion so easily. Things had been... shaky since her and Scott broke up. They used to text each other, but that fell by the wayside months ago. In a way, John regretted every setting the two of them up, because if he could believe the stuff he received from the pair, the last year of their relationship wasn’t pretty.
Not to mention the place Scott had gone since the break-up, which is probably what John blamed Evie for the most, even if Scott technically pulled the plug. But despite all that, he knew that she was the only one who could help now. “He learned the truth about his father.”
That was not what Evie was expected, as she paused her progress in unlocking her door. The truth? What was that supposed to mean? It probably meant her secret was safe for now, or else it would have been Scott at her door, but how much longer would that be now?
“The truth?”
John scoffed as they entered the apartment. “Apparently you were right. He wasn’t dead beat, he was a fed.” They had grown up together, so John knew all about the nights that Scott’s father wasn’t around, how his friend had given up on his dad altogether when he missed his thirteenth birthday. So the news was a shock to John, but the proof was there... and it eventually made a lot of sense.
Meanwhile, Evie was thanking her lucky stars that John was focused on a piece of paper in his hand. That way, he didn’t notice the way she was outright panicking inside. “How... how could he possibly learn this?” While her voice eventually found fluidity, the fact that Scott was being fed information on his father meant only one thing... and this wasn’t good.
“I took this from Scott… to show you the severity of this, and the sincerity.”
Evie took the paper from John’s hands after placing his cup on the table. No doubt about it, it was Riley Kane’s handwriting, but the timing of it all caused Evie to somehow contain the shiver that was tempting to let loose.
John noticed the nerves in her face, but he chalked it off as surprise, which caught his curiosity. “You were the only one who insisted that his dad was better... what made you say that?”
She knew him, plain and simple. But Scott always figured there was some other ‘kid’ his dad loved more, Evie didn’t have the heart to ever say that kid was her. “I always had this theory Scott was his father’s son.” That much was true. “I figured his dad couldn’t be as bad as you guys made him sound.”
The letter detailed everything, how he protected FBI assets, changing his assignments when he found out Scott’s mother was pregnant. The rest was the usual apology, saying how much he loved Scott and that he wished he could be there for him, but it was enough for Evie to feel tears coming. “But what’s the big deal?” Blinking back the tears, she tried to maintain her strength. “Sure, he knows the truth now, but... I don’t see what would bring you here.”
Taking a large sip of coffee, John smirked as the liquid reminded him of better days, but he had to stay focused. “He got the name of his father’s final asset, the person he was...”
“I know what an asset is,” Evie interjected, knowing that this was officially going in the direction she didn’t want it to. If this got any further, the shoe would officially drop.
“Scott thinks there’s some sort of conspiracy with this person, and he’s looking into it.”
“What?” Evie blurted, hardly believing her ears. “Why?”
John began explaining how Riley’s former partner came to visit Scott, explaining that he promised Riley that one day he would come to visit. From there, it was explaining the things that Evie already knew, leading to the idea that the fire was set to protect his asset, or more specifically, her. “Her new identity was never disclosed at the bureau, so it’s thought that his asset is still alive.” Next was Scott’s grand plan to figure this out, which hit a little too close to home for Evie, as apparently the partner had given Scott the address of her childhood home. “Scott wants to know what his father sacrificed himself for.”
Her mouth gaping by the second, Evie said the only thing she could. “He’s insane.” Even if she didn’t know anything, this mission wasn’t something she wanted Scott to explore.
“Thank you,” John replied. It was a noble thing, sure, but it was also incredibly stupid, so he was grateful that Evie agreed. It would make it easier to ask her the favour he needed from her.
However, despite filling the blanks on what John wanted, Evie was a little more skeptical. “But what makes your think he’ll want to listen to anything I have to say? It’s been a year.”
John sighed. “He’ll probably listen to you, even now.”
“It’s really come to this point?”
Downing the rest of his coffee, John slammed his cup on the table. “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t serious, and I saw no other option.” A call or text wouldn’t work either. He had to come, even for just this small visit. If it saved his friend, it would all be worth it.
“I’ll...I’ll try my best. But no guarantees.”
“I’ll take anything,” John admitted as he jotted down Scott’s new phone number. Seeing her take it, he didn’t see any point in further small talk. “Thanks for the coffee.”
Evie watched silently as he left her apartment, as the only thought on her mind was:
Shit.
The moment the door closed, Evie dashed for her phone, dialling Chloe’s number and putting it to her ear. When the familiar voice came on the line, Evie wasted little time.
“Chloe, I need you to run something for me.”
March 21
Her hands were actually shaking as she dialled the number. How were you supposed to call someone after radio silence for so long? She was over him, that wasn’t the problem, but she still cared. The last thing she wanted was for him to stumble into dangerous territory and if what John told her was right, then that was exactly where he was going to.
But she finished dialling, completing the call and bringing the phone to her ear. The worst part was that she couldn’t leave a message. This was something she had to speak to him directly for.
Three rings and still nothing and Evie could feel her heartbeat increase, hoping she wasn’t too late. But before the fourth link, she found relief. “Hello?”
“Scott?” she said softly, surprised at how she said the word, so she cleared her throat. “Hi.”
What she wasn’t expecting was Scott laughing on the other end. “Wow! John’s so desperate that he’s going to you?”
There it was, the snark she had gotten so used to in the darker days of their relationship. “He’s got a reason to, you know?”
Unfortunately for her, Scott didn’t see it that way. “You told me that I deserved the truth about him.”
“And you got it, you idiot!” Evie snapped, not surprised that it came out that way. “John told me about you planning a trip to her hometown, but also that the asset was dead according to the world. What do you expect to figure out without talking to anyone?”
She heard him breathe to respond, but Evie wasn’t up for any of his excuses. “How many lives are you willing to mess up on this mission?”
“What are you -”
“Your dad was a hero! Leave it at that!”
~0~
Leaning his head against the headrest of his car seat, Scott found it in himself to smile. “I haven’t heard this much passion in your voice in awhile.”
He heard her sigh on the other side. “Despite everything...I do still care about you.”
Clicking his seat belt in place, Scott said calmly, “If it makes you feel better... I’m leaving now.”
“Good.”
“It was really nice hearing from you.” Looking down at the picture in his hands, Scott’s thumb smoothed against the surface. “Remind me again, why did we break up?”
“I... there’s a part of my life that I’ll never feel comfortable sharing with you.” There was an awkward pause between them on the line before Evie eventually added, “Besides, you deserved better than me anyway.”
Nodding, even though she couldn’t see it, Scott replied, “Take care Evie,” before hanging up.
The girl always had interesting timing, but nothing more intriguing than now. It didn’t surprise Scott that John would eventually reach out, after all, nothing would beat the ultimate surprise of today. Years and years of mysteries between the two people that he wanted nothing more than to figure out. And to think that they were all solved by a smiling face in an old photograph.
March 25
Hearing the door open, Evie quickly tied a towel around her body as she wasn’t expecting anyone just yet. As she approached the main room, she heard whistling, so she slowed her pace, peering out the bedroom door at her unexpected guest.
However, it seemed like her guest was just early, as she opened the door fully. “Bart?”
Bart whooshed in front of his cousin, not planning on taking more time than he had to. “It’s... a burner cell. I thought I’d come early to drop it off so you can call him.” Seeing the hesitation in her eyes, Bart pressed on, “I covered my bases, trust me... please.”
Taking the phone from his hands, Evie smirked as Bart zipped out of the room. She walked back to her bedroom, falling hard against her bed as she stared up at the phone. All she could think was that this was insane, but before she knew it, her phone rang.
Laughing momentarily, she brought the phone to her ear. “How come my cousin can figure out burner cells... and we can’t?”
Victor chuckled on the other end. “Because sacrifice is almost second nature to us?” For a minute, there were no words, as they were just happy to hear each other’s voices, but Victor eventually broke the silence. “You’re going to Chloe’s birthday tonight?"
“That’s the plan,” Evie replied sitting up again and walking over to the mirror, knowing that she had to get ready some point. “I’m sorry you can’t go.”
“I don’t think I’ve had the shorter end of the stick when it comes to sacrifices.” He likely knew that she would disagree so he was quick to add, “But it’s like you said once... this isn’t the end of our story.”
It was probably wrong that those moments didn’t feel that long away anymore, those few moments that Evie didn’t mind remembering 33.1. “You really think I’m going to get away with this?”
“I have to believe that. Giving up means that they win, right?”
Rolling her eyes at his responses, recognizing another concept she once told Victor in 33.1. But it was oddly fitting, so she felt herself smiling soon after. “I miss you.”
“Trust me, I miss you too.” She heard him sigh on the other end, clearing his throat before adding, “But when this is all done... things will be different. It will be worth it, trust me.”
~0~
Pulling up to the Talon, Evie was glad that Bart agreed to let her drive to Smallville instead of taking her on the Allen express. She wanted to clear her head and the drive was definitely worth it.
As she closed the car door, she looked into the coffee house, full of happy faces, and she almost turned around. But she stopped and headed inside, just in time for Lois to say, “Good to know when you guys are actually dating that he can make your birthday.”
“Funny,” Oliver replied, rolling his eyes. “I attended last year’s, remember?”
“Okay, that true,” Lois said, as that fact had slipped her mind. “But where’s your sense of creativity?” Since the first time Oliver tried to host this party, this was what Chloe wanted to do, not that Lois was complaining on the free coffee, but she couldn’t resist giving them a hard time.
“This... oddly gives us privacy,” Chloe replied before her boyfriend had a chance to. It was her idea to do this again after all. “Everyone expects a fancy restaurant or club since Ollie and I got together... but a small-town coffee house?” Smiling as she looked up at Oliver, she added, “It’s perfectly fitting.”
Oliver leaned down to kiss Chloe gently. “Happy Birthday.”
Smiling as she returned to her natural height, Chloe turned her head to see Evie approaching her with a cupcake. “And on that note, it’s time to make a wish.”
Chloe looked around, thinking about what she could possibly wish for. Shaking her head, she came up empty, so she just blew out the candle, grateful for the status quo.
March 30
The evening rush was at its peak when Evie found herself at the counter again, just barely managing to keep up with the orders. Straightening up her apron, she asked, “Okay, who’s next?”
“Large half-fat mocha latté.”
She froze. Her finger lay just barely over the correct button on the till, but her finger was shaking in place. Risking a glance up, her world seemed like it was on pause when she saw him standing in front of her.
“Is that everything?” she asked shakily.
“To stay,” he said with a nod before laying his money on the counter and walking away. Normally, she’d be more than happy to keep the change, but instead, she was just blown away. What was he doing here?
Letting a co-worker take over the till, Evie went to make his drink as ordered, and walked over to where he was sitting, not exactly sure what to say to him. It was hard enough making that phone call, let alone seeing him like this.
She decided on, “Here’s your change,” not waiting for him to look up as she set the money and the drink on the table before walking away. She had tables to clean, so as much as she wanted to know why he was here, it would have to wait.
“I thought you were done with this job,” Scott replied, sipping the first of his coffee before getting up from his seat.
“Not all of us can live the dream. I realized that I wasn’t as good as I thought I was.”
“Bullshit,” was his response, one that caused Evie to take a step back. “When John mentioned you working at a cafe not far from your apartment, I thought he was kidding.”
She never expected the line to work, but that dream was a lifetime ago, and Evie knew that lifestyle was never going to happen for her. “Scott, what are you doing here?”
“I need to talk to you... in private,” Scott whispered, so quiet in fact that Evie barely heard it.
Looking over her shoulder at the line-up, Evie bit her tongue. “You caught me at a bad time. As you can see, I can’t exactly bail on work.”
Reaching into his pocket, Scott slid a hotel key on the table. “Room 915. See me when you can.”
Evie knew it wasn’t a good idea, but he had come all this way and she knew there was no way to convince him otherwise. “What is it?”
“I can’t talk about it here. Please.”
Swallowing hard, Evie picked up the key and shoved it in her pocket. “I’ll see what I can do.”
~0~
Evie wasn’t sure exactly why she was here. Sure, part of her was excited to see him, as she convinced her boss to let her off an hour early, but her curiosity and desire were waning once she stopped to stand in front of room 915. Behind that door were so many questions, but part of her wanted to let it be, to let him know that they were over, and whatever reason he had for seeing her, she couldn’t risk changing her mind. For his sake or hers.
After all, Scott deserved closure, even if every word out of Evie’s mouth would be a lie. She hated her circumstances, but the whole hurt-him-to-save-him argument was the only choice she had left.
A step closer to the door, she slid the hotel room key in the slot, watching the green dot light up, but before she could grab the handle, the door was opened for her.
“Why hello Miss Chambers. Please... come inside.”
April
serafina19
Title: Fighting Echoes
Summary: As identities and affiliations are exposed, the Justice League begins to form. But once an old foe re-emerges and raises the stakes, Evie is forced to determine how much she is willing to sacrifice to protect everyone she cares about. Sequel to “Notbroken,” and the final multi-chapter in the "Calendar Girl" verse.
Rating: NC-17
Warnings: Coarse language, violence and adult content.
Special thanks to:
552158 for the amazing banners that I couldn’t stop admiring when you sent them to me. Also, big love to
slytherinpunk, without you, I probably wouldn’t have the guts to try this.
August p.1 August p.2 September p.1 September p.2 October p.1 October p.2 October p.3 November p.1 November p.2 December p.1 December p.2 January p.1 January p.2 February p.1 February p.2
March
March 1
Victor had been quiet initially, as Evie went first, explaining the things she hadn’t told him yet. Her rationale for burning the uniform, even the emergence of Dr. Lee’s body. So he just sat at the kitchen table of her apartment, waiting for her to finish. He took everything calmly, even replied calmly; however the words he spoke weren’t of a calm nature, not even close.
They had to go their separate ways.
They both knew it, yet they didn’t want to say it. In fact, Vic barely managed to say the words. However, that knowledge didn’t mean that Evie wanted to believe it. “No,” she said confidently, trying to hold onto the last shred of hope she had, desperately trying to find a last-second way to avoid this.
Unfortunately, luck wasn’t on their side.
“If you’re worried about Watchtower, then I’m even worse,” Victor replied, again, not wanting to admit it, but he had no choice. “He knows who I am Evie, and he knows we were 33.1 inmates.” Taking one of her hands in his, purely out of reassurance, he added, “Let’s face it, I’m the biggest connection he knows.”
Evie pulled her hand back, even pulled the chair away as she stood up again. She couldn’t... he couldn’t... not now, especially not now. “But you live with Bart...”
Victor was surprised by her recoil and the way she distanced herself. Evie couldn’t even look at him now, so his gaze moved downwards, towards the table. “I’m moving out of the apartment and into Watchtower for the time being.” Victor hadn’t told Bart his plan yet, but upon seeing the measures Evie was going to erase herself from this life, he knew he had to make the executive decision in this case. If Lex could link him to any part of her life, even Bart, he would use it against her. Besides, there was no way Victor was willing to compromise Bart either. It wasn’t fair to him.
Staring at her feet, Evie whispered, “How long?”
“You mean how long do we have to avoid each other?” Risking a glance up, Victor noticed that Evie was looking at him, biting her lip just barely. Getting out of his chair, he finally answered, “As long as it takes.”
Evie squeezed her eyes shut as she heard the chair drag against the floor. “It’s not fair.”
“I hate it too, but you know I’m right.” Reaching out towards her shoulders, when Victor’s fingers collided with her bare shoulder and Evie didn’t back away, he came closer, slowly embracing her. “We’ve risked enough as it is.”
Again, she wanted to back away, but his arms around her allowed Evie to relax as she leaned towards Victor. “I know.” Leaning her forehead down against his shoulder, she added with what little strength she had, “I just... I wish there was another way.”
Taking a deep breath in, Victor sighed. He wanted to tell her that there was, because this was just as hard for him as it was for her. Taking care of each other had almost become as natural as breathing, and since Evie had re-emerged in his life, Victor could sense that things were... changing. He couldn’t explain what was happening, but it didn’t seem to matter anymore, because it had to end. “I’ve thought about it... I can’t...”
“I know,” Evie interjected, not wanting to hear the pain in his voice any longer than she had to.
Carefully, they both began to lift their hands off each other’s back, the draft settling in fast as the chill was sent through their bodies. Time seemed to continue in slow motion as they stepped back, their eyes flickering up at each other. The stare lasted a minute, maybe two, before Victor turned his back for good. Walking towards the door, he wanted to look back, but he couldn’t do it. He had to stay true to his word. He had to continue to protect her, even if it was in the shadows.
Opening the door, he walked out of the apartment, and upon hearing it click shut, his hand lingered on the doorknob. Taking one last peek towards the door, Victor barely found it within himself to take a step away.
March 3
Looking up from his desk as the door opened, it took everything Oliver had not to roll his eyes or lose his cool. “You’ve got some nerve showing up here.”
“I’d call it courage, but I don’t have time for semantics.” Tess strolled quickly into Oliver’s Queen Industries office, not an easy feat, but a necessary one. She had waited twenty minutes for Lauren to go to the bathroom, as she was more than away of his assistant’s loyalty. “If it wasn’t me telling you, it would have been Lex, and trust me, you didn’t-”
“Why would you be any better?”
That answer was easy. “Because I knew this last year, but I couldn’t tell you then... it would have broken you.” The look in Oliver’s eyes when they met in Kansas before... even though they dated for a short period of time, Tess still had a way of reading him. Just like now. “I can see that you don’t believe me, not that I blame you.”
Leaning back in his chair, Oliver crossed his arms. “Why are you here?”
Seeing her opening, Tess took it. “You look at me now... and all you see is a puppet, a pawn in Lex’s sick game... which is exactly what I am and I’m sick of it.” She was tempted to sit down, but she decided against it. The plan was to get it over with and walk out. “It started with cameras in my optic nerve and it only escalated from there.”
Oliver’s eyes widened, for while Evie had told him as much he never expected to hear Tess admit it to him. “What makes you think that I can do anything?”
“You’re on the backburner with the company going back under Lex’s name, but I want your word that you’re not giving up on getting your shares back.”
“I’m not.”
It wasn’t much to ask of Oliver, but Tess was still glad to hear the strong conviction in his voice. “Good, because without the company, his capital resources decrease.”
“For what exactly?”
She should have prepared for such a question, but she wasn’t exactly sure how a person explained what 33.1 did to people. Not to mention the fact that Oliver wasn’t the person to tell the truth to anyway. “Something... something I can’t prove, which is why I want this so badly.”
“This doesn’t happen to be about those buildings blowing up around the world, do they?”
Tess smirked, slightly impressed by the way Oliver had narrowed that down. Then again, there had been a spike in incidents in the last few months. “Work of the Green Arrow, enemy number one at the Luthor mansion.” Reaching into his purse, Tess pulled a file folder out, hoping that she was about to do the right thing. “But even that’s secondary now.”
Eyes narrowing, Oliver asked, “Second to what?” Based on the past few days, he had a suspicion, but he had to be sure.
Opening the folder, Tess’ expression turned serious. “If you have resources to find this woman, please use them. I’ve never seen Lex so determined in my life.” Which made Tess even more determined to ensure the woman’s safety.
Looking over the files, Oliver could easily put the pieces together based on the pieces of conversations Evie had sent him. It looked like her precautions were justified. “Why do you care?”
A fair question, but one Tess could confidently answer. “I’ve never seen her in person, but she saved my life Oliver... I owe her the same courtesy.” Waiting as Oliver looked up again, she added, “Tell me that I can count on you.”
“I’ll handle it.” These files, Tess’ words, they only increased Oliver’s concern for his friend, but he still believed that they could keep Evie safe.
March 5
“You called?”
Oliver looked up and gestured for his employee to enter his office. “Close the door.” What they were about to talk about was about as confidential as it got.
Victor obliged before sitting down. “What’s up?” When Oliver had called him up to his office, Victor could sense a nervousness to his tone, so whatever it was, it couldn’t be good.
“Tess came by to give me this a couple of days ago.” Pulling the folder out of the drawer, Oliver placed it in front of Victor. “I waited because I didn’t want to arouse any suspicion, but I think she’s finally clear of trackers from Lex.”
“What’s on it?”
“Every piece of correspondence between Tess and Evie.” There were other little details, but Victor would know about them soon enough. “If you can access Lex’s server and see what’s he’s digging into, do it. But you can’t leave a trace.”
“She’s on his radar,” Victor said slowly, an air of defeat in his voice. It made the decisions they had made easier to bear, but this didn’t reassure the worry that they acted too little, too late.
“Is it true? About her leaving Watchtower for good over the weekend?” Chloe had told him about it, but Oliver thought the declaration would break and things weren’t as bad as they seemed. Considering her close friendship with Victor, Oliver figured he would know better than anyone.
“Among other things,” Victor admitted, as he realized that they never disclosed the full story to anyone else. “I’m keeping my distance from her and Bart.”
Oliver’s eyes widened. “Oh.”
Victor shook his head, not surprised by the reaction. “I have to,” he replied calmly, pulling his chair back while staring at the folder in his hands. “If he found her because of me... I’d never forgive myself.”
Feeling himself swallow hard, Oliver could only say, “I understand the feeling.” As it wasn’t long ago that he worried for Chloe’s safety due to his double life.
Standing up, Victor cleared his throat, knowing there was no time to dwell anymore. “So decrypt this secretly?”
“Yeah,” Oliver replied. “No one can know.” It wasn’t that he didn’t want to tell Chloe, but he was mostly hoping that it was a false alarm, or possibly that Lex was on the wrong trail. He didn’t want to worry Chloe or Evie if he didn’t have to.
March 7
“Are you coming out today, or do I have to come and drag you out?”
“I’m coming,” Evie replied, still looking at the mirror. Taking a deep breath, she finally turned around and unlocked the door. It had been awhile since she wore a dress, not to mention one this beautiful. She had to hand it to Lois, she had a great eye for what Evie would like.
Opening the door, she noticed Lois’ smug expression as she approached Evie in her wedding gown. This would be the first time that Evie would see it on Lois, and it looked perfect. It was her mother’s gown, the ‘something borrowed’ of the wedding clichés, but it really worked. Lois looked happy, and for a woman as tough as nails, Evie could swear she could see a bridal glow in her friend.
Yet her mannerisms it seemed would never change as Lois dragged her to a mirror. “You wanted to hide from us when you look like that?”
“Maybe I didn’t want to outshine you,” Evie fired back, knowing that Lois would sense the joke in that statement.
“Please,” Lois scoffed, “you’d have to try a little harder than that.”
“Yeah... I would.” Turning her head over her shoulder, Evie furrowed her eyebrows as she searched for the third woman in their party.
“Chloe will be back in a sec... Oliver called.” Seeing Evie nod, the two women continued to stare at the mirror in front of them, but Lois glanced and noticed the increasing worry in her friends face. “Are you okay?”
Shaking from her trance, Evie sighed softly. “That seems to be my catchphrase.”
“You’ve... sort of clammed up lately.”
Evie threw her hands to her side in frustration. “I just don’t know what to say.” Things had been quiet lately, almost too quiet. Since escaping 33.1, the other shoe was always tempting to drop, but for the last few weeks, Evie could feel her anxiety increasing. “But I’m scared Lois, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t.”
Wrapping her arms around her friend, Lois flashed her a smile. “You’ve fought through plenty.” It was quite the understatement, but it was all she could tell Evie at this moment. “Everything will be okay.”
~0~
Closing the door to her apartment, Evie moved to the bedroom to hang up her coat. The measurements for the dresses were all set, so it was just a matter of time before the real dress came. But as she looked down at her hands, shaking frantically, Evie couldn’t help but wonder if she would ever have the chance to wear it.
She didn’t have long to dwell on that thought as the door opened again, followed by a solid slam, causing Evie to quickly exit the bedroom, wondering what was going on. Chloe was standing in the main area, almost on a mission it seemed, as the moment they met eyes, she said, “I quit, Lex didn’t fire me.”
Evie rolled her eyes. “Hello to you too.” She walked past her friend and settled on the couch, as she had a feeling this conversation was going to take a while.
Chloe didn’t mean to be so blunt, but Evie had gone radio silent, and she figured it had something to do with her. After all, Evie did everything in her power to avoid the subject, so Chloe thought it was best to get this out in the open. “Who told you?”
“No one had to,” Evie replied, shaking her head slowly. “It wasn’t hard to realize that my screw-up ended up costing you more than me.”
“Lex will get what he deserves, I promise you that.” Reaching across to grab her friend’s hand, Chloe said reassuringly, “And if I really wanted to keep being a journalist, I could practically start my own paper. Right now, my priority is taking a different direction.”
Evie appreciated that, she appreciated what everyone had done already, but there was no need for this to become priority number one in everyone’s life. They deserved more than that. “Chloe you don’t have to involve yourself in my mess more than you already have.”
Chloe narrowed her eyes, not believing how much guilt Evie still carried. “Last I checked, it’s all of our mess, Evie. It’s about protecting you, my mom, everyone.” Risking a smile in her direction, Chloe quipped, “Not everything bad that happens is about you, you know. And I’ll always have your back.” Taking a breath as she realized that her attempt to lighten the mood feel on deaf ears, Chloe pressed on. “So why don’t you tell me what’s really bothering you?”
If she had to be honest, Evie didn’t know where to start. “I feel like I’m saying the same script over and over.” The questions, the responses, the reactions, everything was starting to spin faster around her and it was back to the days where Evie was constantly looking over her shoulder. “It’s not getter better and I don’t want it to get any worse.”
Evie knew that she couldn’t save everyone, but it wasn’t as easy as that. She had a lot more to lose this time, as Lex wouldn’t hesitate to use anyone in her life as leverage. If she could help it, it wouldn’t come to that, but Evie wasn’t confident that option would be available to her.
Finding her voice, just barely, Evie added quietly, “I’m scared Chloe... and I don’t know if I can save everyone this time.”
March 20
It had been another long eight-hour shift at the cafe, so Evie wanted nothing more than to go home, have a shower and relax the night away. However, just when she was approaching her building, she noticed a familiar face waiting outside. It just wasn’t a face she ever expected to see again.
Feeling a little speechless once their eyes met, Evie blinked in disbelief. By the time she reached the door, the fact had sunk in, so she asked calmly, “How are you John?”
“Not bad,” John replied with a smile. It had been a long time since he had seen his college friend, and while the surprise was expected, John was kind of glad that she looked well. “I hope you don’t mind, I ran into Lois at the Daily Planet... she gave me the address.” She wasn’t someone John knew well, but it was the only way he knew that he could find Evie, as he no longer kept in touch with any of his college friends that lived in Kansas.
“Well… come on up.” Evie sold him a smile as she held the door open for him, all while trying to figure out a reason for the sudden visit. Standing in the elevator, she turned her head towards him. “Could you take a coffee?”
“Absolutely.”
“Teaspoon of sugar, no cream?”
John chuckled at the speed of Evie’s reply. “You still remember?”
“Yeah, and it helps that I’ve been practicing my barista habits in my most recent job.” Feeling much more relaxed, Evie smiled more genuinely this time. “I work in a cafe nearby if you’re planning on being here for awhile.”
“Thanks, but I’m not staying long.”
Evie’s smile quickly fell, as suddenly, everything became clear. “So… I take it this is Scott-related?”
John nodded, not surprised that she came to that conclusion so easily. Things had been... shaky since her and Scott broke up. They used to text each other, but that fell by the wayside months ago. In a way, John regretted every setting the two of them up, because if he could believe the stuff he received from the pair, the last year of their relationship wasn’t pretty.
Not to mention the place Scott had gone since the break-up, which is probably what John blamed Evie for the most, even if Scott technically pulled the plug. But despite all that, he knew that she was the only one who could help now. “He learned the truth about his father.”
That was not what Evie was expected, as she paused her progress in unlocking her door. The truth? What was that supposed to mean? It probably meant her secret was safe for now, or else it would have been Scott at her door, but how much longer would that be now?
“The truth?”
John scoffed as they entered the apartment. “Apparently you were right. He wasn’t dead beat, he was a fed.” They had grown up together, so John knew all about the nights that Scott’s father wasn’t around, how his friend had given up on his dad altogether when he missed his thirteenth birthday. So the news was a shock to John, but the proof was there... and it eventually made a lot of sense.
Meanwhile, Evie was thanking her lucky stars that John was focused on a piece of paper in his hand. That way, he didn’t notice the way she was outright panicking inside. “How... how could he possibly learn this?” While her voice eventually found fluidity, the fact that Scott was being fed information on his father meant only one thing... and this wasn’t good.
“I took this from Scott… to show you the severity of this, and the sincerity.”
Evie took the paper from John’s hands after placing his cup on the table. No doubt about it, it was Riley Kane’s handwriting, but the timing of it all caused Evie to somehow contain the shiver that was tempting to let loose.
John noticed the nerves in her face, but he chalked it off as surprise, which caught his curiosity. “You were the only one who insisted that his dad was better... what made you say that?”
She knew him, plain and simple. But Scott always figured there was some other ‘kid’ his dad loved more, Evie didn’t have the heart to ever say that kid was her. “I always had this theory Scott was his father’s son.” That much was true. “I figured his dad couldn’t be as bad as you guys made him sound.”
The letter detailed everything, how he protected FBI assets, changing his assignments when he found out Scott’s mother was pregnant. The rest was the usual apology, saying how much he loved Scott and that he wished he could be there for him, but it was enough for Evie to feel tears coming. “But what’s the big deal?” Blinking back the tears, she tried to maintain her strength. “Sure, he knows the truth now, but... I don’t see what would bring you here.”
Taking a large sip of coffee, John smirked as the liquid reminded him of better days, but he had to stay focused. “He got the name of his father’s final asset, the person he was...”
“I know what an asset is,” Evie interjected, knowing that this was officially going in the direction she didn’t want it to. If this got any further, the shoe would officially drop.
“Scott thinks there’s some sort of conspiracy with this person, and he’s looking into it.”
“What?” Evie blurted, hardly believing her ears. “Why?”
John began explaining how Riley’s former partner came to visit Scott, explaining that he promised Riley that one day he would come to visit. From there, it was explaining the things that Evie already knew, leading to the idea that the fire was set to protect his asset, or more specifically, her. “Her new identity was never disclosed at the bureau, so it’s thought that his asset is still alive.” Next was Scott’s grand plan to figure this out, which hit a little too close to home for Evie, as apparently the partner had given Scott the address of her childhood home. “Scott wants to know what his father sacrificed himself for.”
Her mouth gaping by the second, Evie said the only thing she could. “He’s insane.” Even if she didn’t know anything, this mission wasn’t something she wanted Scott to explore.
“Thank you,” John replied. It was a noble thing, sure, but it was also incredibly stupid, so he was grateful that Evie agreed. It would make it easier to ask her the favour he needed from her.
However, despite filling the blanks on what John wanted, Evie was a little more skeptical. “But what makes your think he’ll want to listen to anything I have to say? It’s been a year.”
John sighed. “He’ll probably listen to you, even now.”
“It’s really come to this point?”
Downing the rest of his coffee, John slammed his cup on the table. “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t serious, and I saw no other option.” A call or text wouldn’t work either. He had to come, even for just this small visit. If it saved his friend, it would all be worth it.
“I’ll...I’ll try my best. But no guarantees.”
“I’ll take anything,” John admitted as he jotted down Scott’s new phone number. Seeing her take it, he didn’t see any point in further small talk. “Thanks for the coffee.”
Evie watched silently as he left her apartment, as the only thought on her mind was:
Shit.
The moment the door closed, Evie dashed for her phone, dialling Chloe’s number and putting it to her ear. When the familiar voice came on the line, Evie wasted little time.
“Chloe, I need you to run something for me.”
March 21
Her hands were actually shaking as she dialled the number. How were you supposed to call someone after radio silence for so long? She was over him, that wasn’t the problem, but she still cared. The last thing she wanted was for him to stumble into dangerous territory and if what John told her was right, then that was exactly where he was going to.
But she finished dialling, completing the call and bringing the phone to her ear. The worst part was that she couldn’t leave a message. This was something she had to speak to him directly for.
Three rings and still nothing and Evie could feel her heartbeat increase, hoping she wasn’t too late. But before the fourth link, she found relief. “Hello?”
“Scott?” she said softly, surprised at how she said the word, so she cleared her throat. “Hi.”
What she wasn’t expecting was Scott laughing on the other end. “Wow! John’s so desperate that he’s going to you?”
There it was, the snark she had gotten so used to in the darker days of their relationship. “He’s got a reason to, you know?”
Unfortunately for her, Scott didn’t see it that way. “You told me that I deserved the truth about him.”
“And you got it, you idiot!” Evie snapped, not surprised that it came out that way. “John told me about you planning a trip to her hometown, but also that the asset was dead according to the world. What do you expect to figure out without talking to anyone?”
She heard him breathe to respond, but Evie wasn’t up for any of his excuses. “How many lives are you willing to mess up on this mission?”
“What are you -”
“Your dad was a hero! Leave it at that!”
~0~
Leaning his head against the headrest of his car seat, Scott found it in himself to smile. “I haven’t heard this much passion in your voice in awhile.”
He heard her sigh on the other side. “Despite everything...I do still care about you.”
Clicking his seat belt in place, Scott said calmly, “If it makes you feel better... I’m leaving now.”
“Good.”
“It was really nice hearing from you.” Looking down at the picture in his hands, Scott’s thumb smoothed against the surface. “Remind me again, why did we break up?”
“I... there’s a part of my life that I’ll never feel comfortable sharing with you.” There was an awkward pause between them on the line before Evie eventually added, “Besides, you deserved better than me anyway.”
Nodding, even though she couldn’t see it, Scott replied, “Take care Evie,” before hanging up.
The girl always had interesting timing, but nothing more intriguing than now. It didn’t surprise Scott that John would eventually reach out, after all, nothing would beat the ultimate surprise of today. Years and years of mysteries between the two people that he wanted nothing more than to figure out. And to think that they were all solved by a smiling face in an old photograph.
March 25
Hearing the door open, Evie quickly tied a towel around her body as she wasn’t expecting anyone just yet. As she approached the main room, she heard whistling, so she slowed her pace, peering out the bedroom door at her unexpected guest.
However, it seemed like her guest was just early, as she opened the door fully. “Bart?”
Bart whooshed in front of his cousin, not planning on taking more time than he had to. “It’s... a burner cell. I thought I’d come early to drop it off so you can call him.” Seeing the hesitation in her eyes, Bart pressed on, “I covered my bases, trust me... please.”
Taking the phone from his hands, Evie smirked as Bart zipped out of the room. She walked back to her bedroom, falling hard against her bed as she stared up at the phone. All she could think was that this was insane, but before she knew it, her phone rang.
Laughing momentarily, she brought the phone to her ear. “How come my cousin can figure out burner cells... and we can’t?”
Victor chuckled on the other end. “Because sacrifice is almost second nature to us?” For a minute, there were no words, as they were just happy to hear each other’s voices, but Victor eventually broke the silence. “You’re going to Chloe’s birthday tonight?"
“That’s the plan,” Evie replied sitting up again and walking over to the mirror, knowing that she had to get ready some point. “I’m sorry you can’t go.”
“I don’t think I’ve had the shorter end of the stick when it comes to sacrifices.” He likely knew that she would disagree so he was quick to add, “But it’s like you said once... this isn’t the end of our story.”
It was probably wrong that those moments didn’t feel that long away anymore, those few moments that Evie didn’t mind remembering 33.1. “You really think I’m going to get away with this?”
“I have to believe that. Giving up means that they win, right?”
Rolling her eyes at his responses, recognizing another concept she once told Victor in 33.1. But it was oddly fitting, so she felt herself smiling soon after. “I miss you.”
“Trust me, I miss you too.” She heard him sigh on the other end, clearing his throat before adding, “But when this is all done... things will be different. It will be worth it, trust me.”
~0~
Pulling up to the Talon, Evie was glad that Bart agreed to let her drive to Smallville instead of taking her on the Allen express. She wanted to clear her head and the drive was definitely worth it.
As she closed the car door, she looked into the coffee house, full of happy faces, and she almost turned around. But she stopped and headed inside, just in time for Lois to say, “Good to know when you guys are actually dating that he can make your birthday.”
“Funny,” Oliver replied, rolling his eyes. “I attended last year’s, remember?”
“Okay, that true,” Lois said, as that fact had slipped her mind. “But where’s your sense of creativity?” Since the first time Oliver tried to host this party, this was what Chloe wanted to do, not that Lois was complaining on the free coffee, but she couldn’t resist giving them a hard time.
“This... oddly gives us privacy,” Chloe replied before her boyfriend had a chance to. It was her idea to do this again after all. “Everyone expects a fancy restaurant or club since Ollie and I got together... but a small-town coffee house?” Smiling as she looked up at Oliver, she added, “It’s perfectly fitting.”
Oliver leaned down to kiss Chloe gently. “Happy Birthday.”
Smiling as she returned to her natural height, Chloe turned her head to see Evie approaching her with a cupcake. “And on that note, it’s time to make a wish.”
Chloe looked around, thinking about what she could possibly wish for. Shaking her head, she came up empty, so she just blew out the candle, grateful for the status quo.
March 30
The evening rush was at its peak when Evie found herself at the counter again, just barely managing to keep up with the orders. Straightening up her apron, she asked, “Okay, who’s next?”
“Large half-fat mocha latté.”
She froze. Her finger lay just barely over the correct button on the till, but her finger was shaking in place. Risking a glance up, her world seemed like it was on pause when she saw him standing in front of her.
“Is that everything?” she asked shakily.
“To stay,” he said with a nod before laying his money on the counter and walking away. Normally, she’d be more than happy to keep the change, but instead, she was just blown away. What was he doing here?
Letting a co-worker take over the till, Evie went to make his drink as ordered, and walked over to where he was sitting, not exactly sure what to say to him. It was hard enough making that phone call, let alone seeing him like this.
She decided on, “Here’s your change,” not waiting for him to look up as she set the money and the drink on the table before walking away. She had tables to clean, so as much as she wanted to know why he was here, it would have to wait.
“I thought you were done with this job,” Scott replied, sipping the first of his coffee before getting up from his seat.
“Not all of us can live the dream. I realized that I wasn’t as good as I thought I was.”
“Bullshit,” was his response, one that caused Evie to take a step back. “When John mentioned you working at a cafe not far from your apartment, I thought he was kidding.”
She never expected the line to work, but that dream was a lifetime ago, and Evie knew that lifestyle was never going to happen for her. “Scott, what are you doing here?”
“I need to talk to you... in private,” Scott whispered, so quiet in fact that Evie barely heard it.
Looking over her shoulder at the line-up, Evie bit her tongue. “You caught me at a bad time. As you can see, I can’t exactly bail on work.”
Reaching into his pocket, Scott slid a hotel key on the table. “Room 915. See me when you can.”
Evie knew it wasn’t a good idea, but he had come all this way and she knew there was no way to convince him otherwise. “What is it?”
“I can’t talk about it here. Please.”
Swallowing hard, Evie picked up the key and shoved it in her pocket. “I’ll see what I can do.”
~0~
Evie wasn’t sure exactly why she was here. Sure, part of her was excited to see him, as she convinced her boss to let her off an hour early, but her curiosity and desire were waning once she stopped to stand in front of room 915. Behind that door were so many questions, but part of her wanted to let it be, to let him know that they were over, and whatever reason he had for seeing her, she couldn’t risk changing her mind. For his sake or hers.
After all, Scott deserved closure, even if every word out of Evie’s mouth would be a lie. She hated her circumstances, but the whole hurt-him-to-save-him argument was the only choice she had left.
A step closer to the door, she slid the hotel room key in the slot, watching the green dot light up, but before she could grab the handle, the door was opened for her.
“Why hello Miss Chambers. Please... come inside.”
April