An Origin Story: 6/23
Author: BlueSuede
Title: An Origin Story
Rating: R/M
Genre: Friendship/Romance
Pairings: Chloe/Oliver
Summary: AU in which Oliver's parents never died
Warnings: minor spoilers for most early seasons
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Prologue
Previous (Chapter 5)
Next (Chapter 7)
Chapter 6:
Proclamations and Propositions
A World in Need of Heroes
by Chloe A. Sullivan
In the last couple of years, a strange trend has taken over the country. A series of vigilantes, ranging from fools in ski masks to awe-inspiring men with superhuman powers, have stepped out of the shadows in an effort to reduce crime in America.
In Gotham, a dark, mysterious man has saved the entire city numerous times from homicidal maniacs with such names as the Joker, Two-Face, and the Riddler. In Metropolis, a man who can move faster than speeding bullets-among other things-has saved too many lives to count, yet never slows down enough for a thank you. Across the country, people have reported being rescued by a range of so-called heroes, from the Green Lantern to Wonder Woman.
Neither is Star City behind the times. We, too, have our very own hometown hero, known as the Green Arrow, a man recognizable by his Robin Hood-inspired costume and activities.
The new fashion of wearing masks and stopping crime has had a variety of results. Unfortunately, it draws out many imitators, who often get themselves into more trouble than they prevent. Happily, it has also brought the rate of crime in the United States down 30% in the past year alone. Some people view the development positively, others question it or even condemn it.
A member of the Metropolis Police Department, Mark Finley, commented, "I appreciate the idea. Everyone wants to be a hero, and I think in general, these guys have their hearts in the right place. Still, that doesn't change the fact that taking the law into your own hands is illegal."
Finley also expressed concern that many of these heroes wield too much power for their own good. "It's a fine line that they're walking and what concerns me is that some of them, The Blur, for instance, clearly have enough power that they could easily believe themselves to be above the law. Cops, not capes," he summed it up.
In Officer Finley's opinion, it's only a matter of time before things get out of hand. And yet, a member of the Gotham Police Department, who wished to remain anonymous, said on the contrary that, "Sometimes I think we need all the help we can get. Batman has saved our asses more times than I can count, and while I agree that there's a balance to be maintained, I don't think he's taking justice into his own hands any more than a man leaving the police an anonymous tip. Heroes like Batman capture criminals and hand them over. They don't punish them."
Many civilians seem to be as split as the police. While hate sites have popped up on the internet such as "Where Was the Blur?"-a web page devoted to those who blame heroes for not being there when they were needed-ten times as many fan pages devoted to favorite heroes span the internet.
"They're role-models," said Carrie Luellen, a woman who was rescued by the Blur last month, when her car stalled on a set of train tracks. "My son traipses around in a mask and cape and claims he's going to be the Blur when he grows up. I have a nephew who runs around with a toy bow and arrow like the Green Arrow. Personally, I'm forever indebted. The Blur saved my life, and I wouldn't be talking to you now if he hadn't. I see where the police are coming from, but it's hardly a crime to rescue someone from danger."
So the question is whether or not we allow the trend to continue. Is this development for the best? Or does it allow men to exist above the law? The answer: It will be a happy day indeed when America no longer needs heroes like Batman, the Blur, and the Green Arrow; but today, here and now, we do. Luellen and those like her are proof of that. Perhaps some day law enforcement will rise to the challenge and make superheroes obsolete, a day I suspect the Green Arrow and those like him will be glad to see. Until then, however, we must do our best as citizens to put a stop to crime and to be there for each other, and we owe those who go beyond that our gratitude and love.
Oliver put the paper down, grinning at the woman across from him. She was fiddling nervously with a straw wrapper.
It had been several months since he'd danced with Chloe at the charity ball. Shortly afterward, he had met her for coffee, and although his original intention had been to find out if she didn't know who "the Blur" was, he'd quickly lost track of his ulterior motive and the two had become instant friends. Coffee once a week had become a must, and they frequently caught meals together among other things.
"Well," Chloe said impatiently. "What do you think?"
"I think you should start working on your Pulitzer acceptance speech," he told her, admiration in his voice.
"You liked it, then?" she asked anxiously, looking at the front page article. "I wasn't sure what to think. That article is the first thing I've written for the Gazette that George had nothing to say over. I swear he'd lost his tongue. I didn't know what it meant."
"He ran it on the front page," Oliver pointed out, glancing at the giant title stamped across the front of the paper.
She shrugged. "That could have meant a slow news day."
"Chloe, the article is phenomenal. What gave you the idea?"
She avoided eye contact and Oliver suppressed a smirk. He had a feeling he knew. Chloe had had her first run-in with the Green Arrow about a week prior.
Finally, biting her lip-something she always did when she was choosing her words carefully-she said, "Last Tuesday a mugger snuck up behind me on my way home. Normally I can handle that stuff, and I would have been fine, but the Green Arrow sort of saved me the trouble. Shot an arrow straight through the guy's hand. It was unbelievable," she shook her head, recalling the incident. "Didn't even stick around for a thank you," she added.
Oliver had to hide his grin. He gave her a concerned look instead. "You were almost mugged? Jeez, Chloe, you should have told me. I still don't like you walking home from the Gazette every night. It's not safe."
She waved a dismissive hand. "I'm fine."
"You should let me give you a ride."
"Everyday?" she laughed. "Talk about a waste of gasoline."
"I'll have you know I drive a hybrid."
She rolled her eyes.
"Well, I own one at least," he chuckled. "Well anyway," he went on, "this article is one impressive piece of prose. You should be really proud of it."
She beamed. "Thanks, Ollie."
"So just out of curiosity, is this your real opinion or is this just the logical conclusion for the article?"
He noticed her cheeks tinging pink. "Definitely my actual opinion."
Oliver was starting to wonder how many women there could be in the world like Chloe Sullivan. It couldn't be many, that was certain. He was lucky to have her friendship.
And so was the Traveller. Though he hadn't been able to get her to talk much about the Blur, he'd put a few pieces together and come to the conclusion that she knew more than she let on. Besides that, he had some distinct suspicions about her alleged best friend, Clark Kent. All signs pointed to the fact that he had to be the Blur and that the Blur had to be the Traveler. Chloe carefully covered for him, and a lesser man would never have figured it out, but Oliver was almost positive he was right.
Which brought forth an entirely separate onslaught of questions. Did Lionel Luthor know who it was? Considering his son's strange history with Clark Kent, it was certain that they'd at least been thrown into each other's paths. What about Oliver's parents? Had they, too, put the pieces together? Since the death of Patricia Swann, Oliver's parents had spent more and more time in Metropolis, and until Oliver's fateful visit from Hal Jordan, it had never occurred to him why. Now it was beginning to make sense.
"What are you thinking about?" Chloe interrupted his thoughts.
"Nothing," he dismissed.
"So have you talked to Bruce recently?" Chloe asked casually. Since becoming friends with Oliver, Chloe had met Bruce on a handful of occasions, and Bruce flirted heavily every time without fail. Chloe liked to ask Oliver about him because she knew it ruffled his feathers. Oliver didn't exactly approve the match.
"Nope, don't think so," Oliver said in a tone that implied that even if he had, he wouldn't tell her.
Chloe rolled her eyes. "Aw, darn. I miss him. I like that man," she sighed, purposefully provoking him.
"Can't imagine why."
"I don't know. He's chivalrous, gentlemanly, handsome, rich," she ticked the items off on her fingers, "and he never fails to tell me how stunning I look."
"All qualities that could be attributed to me," Oliver pointed out.
She laughed. "Maybe I just prefer brunettes," she teased.
"So what are you doing this weekend?" he asked. "I need a date."
Chloe quirked a brow, tilting her head. "Again?" she mocked.
He shrugged. "What can I say? My mother gets practically giddy when I take you places. I think she's started planning our wedding."
Chloe laughed. "Well as sorry as I always am to disappoint Laura Queen, I'm afraid I can't help you."
"Why not?"
"I'll be gone all weekend."
"Oh? Where are you going?"
"Back to Metropolis. I'm overdue for a visit to my cousin, and I'm dying to see Clark."
Oliver looked absolutely delighted.
"What?" she asked, confused.
"The function is in Metropolis."
"You wanted to take me out of town?" Chloe asked, startled.
"What?" he asked innocently. "I thought you'd enjoy a weekend retreat, and apparently I was right. Think you can combine my plans with yours?"
Chloe thought carefully. She and Lois had no definite plans, so it was quite possible that her cousin wouldn't mind if Chloe split her time between Lois and Oliver. And of course Clark would find time for her regardless. Why not? "Sure, I think so."
"Great. My jet leaves Friday at 6:00."
"What?"
"Well you get off work at 5, so-"
"No, I meant, we're taking a private jet?" She'd been planning on having Clark pick her up, and even now it hadn't occurred to her that Oliver expected her to travel with him.
He laughed at her face. "I know this will come as a shock to you, but I'm rich," he informed her.
Chloe scoffed at his arrogance. "Sorry, no, I just...I guess I was prepping myself for a long, painful car ride. This is so much better."
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