No More Wishing 1/12

[ihearttvsnark]

banner by: jennyspring

Title: No More Wishing
Chapter: 1/12
Fandom: Smallville
Pairing: Chloe Sullivan and Oliver Queen
Rating: NC-17 (eventually)
Word Count: 4,897
Summary: After escaping from the VRA, Oliver decides to cash in his wish with Zatanna to undo his mistake. But things don't exactly work out the way he planned.
Warning: Canon through Patriot with 2 exceptions - Mera does not exist (because she sucked) and the final Watchtower scene with Clark telling Ollie, Lois and Tess about the darkness did not happen.





banner by: geek_or_unique

"Take it from me...living without love is not really living...it's just sort of...existing." -Oliver Queen

Chapter One: Sleepwalker
     “Mr. Queen, I just spoke with the control tower and we’re going to be in a holding pattern for the next twenty minutes before we have clearance to land.”

“Thanks, Kevin.” Oliver turned off the intercom and pressed his forehead to the small window of his jet, wincing when the contact of the cool glass against his skin made him shiver. Even though it had been nearly twenty-four hours since AC had dragged him through the ice cold water to safety, he still didn’t feel like he would ever be warm again.

Clark had shown up at the VRA prison seconds after Slade had flipped the switch to throw him back into the water tank, his hands bound as he’d struggled to hold his breath and keep his lungs from filling up with water. Once AC had been rehydrated and his strength returned, Clark had taken off after Slade and Oliver had barely recovered from being in the tank before AC had pulled him into the ocean and sped off like a torpedo as the facility went up in flames behind them.

His lungs had been on fire from holding his breath by the time AC brought him back to the surface in the Metropolis harbor. Oliver had fallen to his knees; his skin had turned blue, his teeth chattering uncontrollably as his entire body shook from being submerged in the ice cold water. He’d barely felt it when AC had helped him up and Clark arrived minutes later to whisk him back to the clock tower, past the ever present paparazzi and the angry mob of hero haters who relentlessly followed his every move.

Oliver had stood under the spray in his shower for nearly an hour, letting the hot water scald his skin until it turned an angry shade of red. Even then, he had still felt completely numb. But he knew that had nothing to do with the cold and everything to do with the bad decisions he had made.

Shifting his thoughts back to the present, Oliver’s eyes took in the bright neon lights of the Las Vegas strip spread out miles below against the backdrop of the dark desert sky. He knew the sight was supposed to be enticing, an adult playground where the possibilities were endless and the consequences were few and far between. But despite the playboy lifestyle that had once been his only claim to fame, Oliver had never been a huge fan of Vegas. It was the kind of place where it was easy to get lost in the crowd and he’d always preferred to be the center of attention, especially when he’d been on one of his infamous benders.

Or when he’d decided it was a good idea to let the world know who he really was.

A lot of good that had done him, Oliver thought bitterly. Leaning back in his seat to keep himself from banging his head against the window, Oliver sighed, disgusted with himself for letting things spiral so far out of control. He’d been so sure telling the world he was Green Arrow was the right decision. He’d wanted to stop living a double life and show everyone that heroes didn’t have to keep their identities hidden away or worry that someone would find out the truth and hold it over their heads. He’d wanted to prove that heroes could come forward and live their lives out in the open and people would embrace them for it.

He’d wanted Chloe to see that it was safe to come back to him.

Oliver’s chest tightened as he imagined how disappointed she must be in him. Not only had he compromised his own identity, but he had risked their friends and everything they had worked so hard to build. The VRA wasn’t going to stop just because they had managed to escape from Slade; if anything they were only going to be more determined to bring in the entire Justice League.

He knew how much it meant to Chloe to see all of them working together as a team and his selfish mistake had blown it all to hell. Most of the team had already dropped off the grid and cut communications once he’d revealed himself as Green Arrow. He couldn’t blame them and the latest disaster proved they were right to distance themselves from him.

Some leader he had turned out to be.

AC and Clark both had targets on their backs because of him and he had no doubt that if he continued to stay in Metropolis and go about his life, Tess, Emil and Lois would end up on the VRA’s radar too. Oliver wasn’t about to let that happen. It was why he’d known exactly what he needed to do when he’d stepped out of the shower.

Oliver dressed quickly, pulling on dark jeans, a black shirt and a dark hoodie. He made his way down the spiral staircase, doing his best to make as little noise as possible so he wouldn’t disturb AC who was sleeping in the guest room. He tugged his hood up over his head and grabbed his black jacket before stepping into the elevator and pressing the button for the parking garage.

Even though it was early and still dark outside, Oliver knew it was too risky to attempt to take one of his cars or even his bike. Instead, he slipped on his sunglasses, shoved his hands in his pockets and kept his head down as he walked out the access door that led to the alley behind the clock tower. Relieved that there were no reporters in sight, Oliver scaled the fence that separated his property from the neighboring building and cut through several parking lots as he navigated the six block trek to the Daily Planet.

Ten minutes later, he stood across the street from the main entrance, taking a moment to consider his options. The area was fairly deserted and he knew it wouldn’t stay that way for long so he decided to just make a break for it and hope for the best. Oliver jogged up the steps and walked through the front door, keeping his body close to the wall as he headed for the elevator. He pressed the button for the executive floor and waited impatiently to reach his destination.

He was relieved to see Tess already seated behind her desk sorting through a stack of mockups. Coming to the Planet had been a gamble, but Oliver knew making the drive to Smallville would have been next to impossible and he couldn’t carry out his plan without telling at least one person and he knew Tess was his only option. She glanced up at him, arching an eyebrow as he closed and locked the door at his back before sliding into the seat across from her.

“Glad you made it back in one piece, but shouldn’t you be catching up on sleep right now instead of masquerading as a homeless man?” Tess asked.

“Funny,” Oliver replied. He pulled his glasses off, hooking them on the front of his jacket and met Tess’s gaze. “I’m doing you a favor. After what happened in Alaska, it’s probably not a good idea for you or anyone else to be seen with me,” he said.

“That’s an understatement, Oliver.” Tess set the mockups down and leaned forward in her chair, folding her hands in front of her. “The VRA is calling you a terrorist and asking the FBI to bring criminal charges against you for the explosion in Alaska.”

Oliver’s eyes widened. “A terrorist?” he repeated in disbelief. He knew the VRA wasn’t going to go quietly into the night, but he certainly hadn’t expected anything like that. “Can they do that?”

“I don’t know,” Tess replied honestly. “My government contacts aren’t what they used to be now that Checkmate is gone, but it sounds like the VRA is planning a full scale attack starting with manipulating the public. It might be a good idea for you to lay low for awhile,” she suggested.

“So much for being the good guy,” Oliver muttered. He leaned back in his chair, his jaw tightening with tension. He had already made up his mind, but he couldn’t help feeling disheartened by the new information. He’d wanted to make a difference in the world and it was all blowing up in his face.

Tess’s expression softened. “Oliver,” she started.

He shook his head. The last thing he deserved was any kind of comfort or kind words when it was his own fault that this was happenings. “Don’t bother, Tess. I have no one to blame for this mess but myself and now I need to clean it up.” Oliver sat up straighter, familiar resolve settling in. “That’s why I’m here. I came to tell you that I was leaving.”

She stared at him for a moment, not saying anything. “You don’t have to do that,” she said finally.

“Yes, I do,” Oliver replied firmly. His mind flashed back to seeing AC wilting in chains and Slade’s threats to hunt down the rest of the team. “I won’t be the reason anymore of my friends end up in cages or worse.”

Tess sat back in her chair, folding her arms across her chest. She’d known Oliver for a long time. She’d seen him at his best and at his absolute worst. She knew he had a tendency to run away from his problems, but the determined look in his eyes told her that wasn’t what he was doing this time.

“You have a plan,” she stated.

Oliver wasn’t surprised that she had come to the right conclusion. After everything they had been through over the years, they had finally gotten to a good place where they understood each other and could be friends. It was why he was there. “For the first time in a long time, I know what I’m doing, Tess,” he said.

His tone made it clear that he wasn’t going to get into the specifics and there was no point in pushing him. Tess respected that, but she wasn’t ready to let the matter go entirely. She wasn’t sure it was safe for him to be on his own, especially when he was feeling guilty. “There’s a reason you’re sitting in my office and not Clark’s living room right now,” she said.

He smirked at her choice of tactics. He should have guessed that Tess wasn’t willing to just let the matter drop and wish him safe travels. “Clark wouldn’t understand. Neither would Lois,” Oliver replied. “They mean well, but if I told them I was planning on leaving town, they would try and stop me.”

She knew he was right. Lois and Clark would assume he was leaving to protect them and do whatever it took to stop him, including playing the one card that Tess was not about to touch. “What am I supposed to tell them?” she asked.

“Nothing for now,” Oliver replied, relieved that she seemed to have already accepted the inevitable.  He was fairly certain Lois and Clark wouldn’t realize he was missing for a few days and would just assume he was hiding out in his apartment to avoid the press. If things worked out the way he wanted them to, he hoped they would never have to know he had been gone.

“All right,” Tess agreed. She reached under her desk and pushed the button to open the secret door hidden in the wall. “This will take you to the basement and you can sneak out the door there. Less chance of people seeing you,” she added.

Oliver nodded and rose to his feet. “Take care, Tess,” he said.

“You too, Oliver,” Tess replied. She watched him slide down the chute and disappear from sight. As she pushed the button to close the door behind him, she really hoped he knew what he was doing.

The sun was rising by the time he made his way out of the Planet through Tess’s secret exit and it took Oliver an extra ten minutes to get back to the clock tower. He had to wait for a reporter to leave the alley before he was able to enter the code and let himself into the parking garage.

He shrugged off his jacket and hoodie when he walked into the penthouse, dropping both on the couch along with his glasses and sat down at his desk. He logged into his computer, bypassed the overflowing email box and tapped into the secure database system. He typed in the search criteria and waited for the computer to do its thing.

Watching the hourglass turn on the screen, he tried to ignore the ache that crept into his chest as he thought about all the times he’d stood over Chloe’s shoulder, his arms wrapped around her waist, his lips pressed against her neck while she worked her magic. She’d scold him for distracting her, even as her head lolled to the side to give him better access to her skin.

Oliver swallowed hard, the ache in his chest deepening as the sound of Chloe’s laughter echoed in his head. Scrubbing his hands over his face, he forced himself not to get swept up in the memories. It was too easy sometimes to relive a certain moment. He could almost convince himself that everything was good again and Chloe was still there with him instead of…wherever she was.

The computer beeped, commanding his attention to let him know the search was complete. Oliver scanned through the information, a small smile playing on his lips when he found the location he was looking for. He reached for his cell phone and placed a quick call to his pilot letting him know that he wanted to leave for Nevada as soon as the sun went down again, but he made it clear that the flight plan could not reflect his destination. Since Kevin had been his employee for years, he wasn’t the slightest bit phased by the request.

Satisfied that his plan was coming together, Oliver was about to go up to his room and attempt to sleep when he heard AC coming down the hallway. He turned to his friend, not sure how he was supposed to apologize for all the ways he had screwed up his life.

“Hey,” AC greeted him with a quick nod. “Did you get any sleep?” he asked.

Oliver shook his head. The truth was he couldn’t remember the last time he’d gotten a decent night’s sleep, but he didn’t think AC wanted to listen to him complain. “I had to go to the Planet and see Tess and then I came back here to make some arrangements. You?” he asked.

“A little,” AC replied with a shrug. “I don’t need a lot of sleep. I think I’m going to head out and take a morning swim.”

“Sounds good,” Oliver said. He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, wishing he knew what to say. He couldn’t help missing the days when they’d been as close as brothers, traveling the world and shutting down Lex’s 33.1 sites. Things had changed so much since then and not for the better. Now they were practically strangers and thanks to him, AC couldn’t even go back to Miami because the VRA was after him.

AC started toward the elevator, but stopped before opening the grate and turned back to face Oliver. “What kind of arrangements?” he asked.

“I need to leave town,” Oliver replied. There was no point in lying even if he didn’t plan on telling AC anymore than he had told Tess. “But feel free to stay here as long as want. If you need anything, just call Tess.”

“Okay,” AC said. He hesitated for a moment, clearing his throat. “What happened to me isn’t your fault, Ollie,” he said. “I’m the one who blew up that facility in Florida. They were coming after me anyway.”

“But you got caught rescuing me from something I signed up for,” Oliver countered. He appreciated AC trying to take some of the blame, but he knew there wouldn’t have been a facility to blow up if he hadn’t announced himself to the world. “I’m sorry.”

AC shrugged. “It’s not about blame or apologizes. We can’t undo what happened but we’re in this together. Do you want to fill me in on what you’re planning?” he asked. “Maybe I can help.”

Oliver shook his head. There was only one person who could help him now. “I’ve got this one,” he said.

“All right,” AC said. He pushed the grate aside and stepped into the elevator. “I’ll be here if you change your mind.”

“Mr. Queen?”

Oliver snapped back to reality at the sound of Kevin’s voice coming from the intercom. He reached over and pressed the button. “Yes?”

“We’ve been given clearance to land and we should be on the ground shortly,” Kevin replied.

“Thanks,” Oliver said. He turned to the window again, anticipation rising in his chest. This was his last chance to make things right.

***

Three hours later, Oliver found himself seated in the back corner of the hotel’s private lounge. The lights were dim and the music was just loud enough to keep people from eavesdropping on one another. It was a little after midnight and the place was mostly empty aside from two celebrities (who Oliver was pretty sure were married to other people) making out and a small group of businessmen playing Keno near the bar.

A waitress appeared at his table, setting down the glass of scotch he’d ordered. Oliver looked up at her and nodded in acknowledgement, pleased to see that she didn’t seem the slightest bit put off by the hat and sunglasses he wore with his dark suit. He was grateful that even with the ridiculous disguise, blending in was a lot easier in Vegas than it was in Metropolis.

“Can I get you anything else, Sir?”

“Whatever the lady would like,” Oliver replied.

Surprised, the waitress turned her attention to the bright eyed brunette who had just slid into the seat across from Oliver. She shook her head and offered the waitress a polite smile, effectively dismissing her. Once the waitress was out of earshot, she raised one perfectly sculpted eyebrow at the man on the other side of the table.

“Are you here to audition for a part in a show? A Blues Brothers revival, perhaps?” she suggested.

“Very funny.” Oliver slipped off his sunglasses and met her amused gaze. “It’s been awhile, Zatanna.”

“It has,” Zatanna Zatara agreed. She leaned back in her seat, amused smile still in place. “I’m sorry I missed you last time I was in Metropolis. Our first encounter was so much fun,” she teased.

Oliver rolled his eyes and took a sip of his scotch. Being chained to a pole for hours while he’d tried to decipher the spell she’d cast on him wasn’t exactly one of his fondest memories. “How’s the magic show thing treating you?” he asked. The search he’d run on her confirmed she’d been performing a one woman magic act at Treasure Island for the past two months. “Do you ever saw yourself in half? I bet that would be a big draw,” he quipped.

“It pays the bills,” Zatanna replied coolly, her smile quickly fading. “Mock me if you will, Oliver, but I’d rather be performing in front of a crowd than hiding in a corner,” she said pointedly.

“Touché,” Oliver muttered, reaching for his scotch again. The conversation was off to a great start and he knew he needed to rein in his attitude before he pissed her off any further and she walked away. “I’m sorry,” he said. “It’s been a long few days.” Months, he corrected himself.

“You’re the one who called me, Oliver,” Zatanna reminded him. She shifted in her chair, crossing her long legs under the table and leaned forward slightly. “I take it this isn’t a social call,” she said.

“Points to you,” Oliver replied. He finished his drink, but didn’t bother signaling the waitress for another one. Instead, he leaned forward as well, lowering his voice as he got straight to the point. “Last time we saw each other, you told me you would grant me one wish for helping you. I need to cash it in.”

Her eyes sparkled with interest, but her voice was still cold when she spoke. “I didn’t think you were a believer in my particular brand of hocus pocus,” she said snidely.

He winced at her tone. Obviously she had no intention of making this easy for him and Oliver supposed he couldn’t blame her. “Look, it’s no secret that I’m a jackass. But I know you turned Chloe into Lois once and helped turn a fake superhero back into a kid. Not to mention that nifty little stunt you pulled on me with the chains. You’re the only one who can help me, Zatanna. Please,” he added desperately.

Her expression softened at the pleading in his voice and she nodded. “I never go back on my word, Oliver and I promised you one wish, big or small.” Zatanna gave him a once over, her lips curving into a smile when her eyes met his again. “I’m guessing big.”

Oliver rolled his eyes, but he offered her a brief smile. At least if she was back to teasing him, she wasn’t mad anymore. “You told me that you could undo something I regretted,” he paused, waiting for her confirmation.

She simply nodded, her eyes never leaving his. “What do you want, Oliver?”

Chloe, his brain answered automatically. His chest tightened suddenly, a rare feeling of hope coursing through him and for a brief moment, he considered it. He could ask Zatanna to send him back to that moment in Watchtower when he had walked away from her to go set up the satellite feed except this time he wouldn’t leave. Rick Flag would never have captured him and Chloe wouldn’t have to trade herself to save his worthless life. They would be together and Oliver would make sure he never lost her again.

But the hope died in his chest as quickly as it had sprung up. If Chloe had wanted to come back, if she wanted to be part of his life and everyone else’s, she would have done it already. He knew she had faked her death to get away from the Suicide Squad, but that wasn’t the only reason she was staying away. She had made her choice and he had to love her enough to trust her and let her go, no matter how much it hurt.

He swallowed hard, his throat suddenly very dry as fresh emotions swirled through him. The pain never went away, but there were times he could keep it to a dull ache and focus on whatever needed to be done. Apparently, this was not one of those times. He shook his head to clear his thoughts, blinking in surprise at Zatanna when he felt her hand cover his.

“Are you all right?” she asked quietly. Concern had replaced the humor in her blue eyes.

“I will be,” Oliver replied. He pushed his emotions aside and met her eyes with fresh determination in his. “I want to take back telling the world I’m Green Arrow,” he said. “Rewind time or whatever you have to do to stop me from making that announcement.”

Her eyes widened in surprise, her hand falling away from his. “I guess I was right about it being big. You don’t do anything halfway, do you, Oliver?” she asked.

“Not if I can help it,” Oliver replied. He leaned back in his chair, his expression dark. “It’s what got me into this mess in the first place.”

Zatanna was quiet for a moment, her eyes watching him carefully like she was searching for something. She sighed quietly before reaching out for his glass. She moved her hand over the top of it, a quiet incantation falling from her lips and Oliver’s jaw dropped when the glass was suddenly full again. She brought it to her lips, taking a long sip of the dark liquid.

“Impressive,” he muttered appreciatively.

She grinned. “It’s faster than calling for the waitress,” Zatanna replied. Her smile faded and her expression sobered as she leaned forward again, lowering her voice to a near whisper. “Oliver, have you thought this through?” she asked. “Altering such a big event will have a ripple effect on not only your life, but everyone around you.”

“I have to fix my mistake,” Oliver replied firmly. “By coming out as Green Arrow, I put everyone in danger including you if the VRA finds out we have a connection.” His thoughts drifted back to Chloe and everything she had given up to protect him and his secret. He’d failed her and everyone else in so many ways. “I need to take it back,” he said. “Can you make it happen?”

“I can,” Zatanna said softly. She reached across the table and took his hand again, this time she squeezed it firmly. “But I need you to be sure that this is the wish you want, Oliver. When was the last time you slept?” she asked.

Oliver raised an eyebrow, confused by the question. “It’s been a few days, but things have been hectic.”

Zatanna shook her head. “That’s not what I mean. When was the last time you really slept, Oliver?” she asked, her eyes searching his.

“I don’t remember,” Oliver admitted.

Pursing her lips, she nodded as if coming to a decision. “I want you to sleep on this, Oliver.” She held up the hand that wasn’t holding his, sensing the protest. “If you’re sure this is what you want when you wake up tomorrow, I will grant it for you.”

Oliver wanted to argue with her, tell her that he’d made up his mind and one night’s sleep was not going to sway him. But he was exhausted and figured there was no point in arguing with her. The last thing he needed was for her to pull one of her disappearing acts and leave him back at square one. “Tomorrow then,” he said.

“Tomorrow,” Zatanna agreed. She finished off the drink and rose to her feet. “Really think about what you want to wish for, Oliver. It has to be what you truly want or it won’t work.” She held his gaze for a moment before turning and walking out of the lounge.

Reaching for his wallet, Oliver tossed some money on the table to cover his drink and made his way to the elevator. He pushed the button for his floor while Zatanna’s words ran through his mind. He knew what he wanted. He wanted to go back and make everything right again and she was the only person who could give him that.

He let himself into his hotel room, not bothering to turn on the lights as he stripped down to his boxers. He tossed his clothes and hat on a chair, grabbed his cell phone out of his pocket and climbed into the king sized bed. His muscles relaxed against the cool sheets, his body giving in to the exhaustion he’d been fighting for days. But even as he rested his head on the pillow, his mind remained wide awake.

Oliver pushed the button on his phone to light up the screen, Chloe’s face staring back at him. “I miss you, Sidekick,” he whispered hoarsely as his fingers traced her image. He squeezed his eyes shut, the pain in his chest overwhelming him as the familiar lump settled in his throat.

Even though he knew he was torturing himself, Oliver couldn’t stop himself from pressing another button. He held his breath while he waited and seconds later, her voice filled the quiet room.

“Hey Ollie, it’s me. I know I’m supposed to be there already, but it’s been a crazy day. AC had a few problems with the mission, but I sent Bart to help him. I’m sure you can imagine how much he’s gloating over saving the day. Anyway, I’m running into the elevator now and I’ll be at your place soon. I can’t wait to see you…bye.”

The message ended and Oliver felt like his heart was being ripped out all over again. He’d listened to it so many times since the day Flag had let him go and he’d returned to find her gone that he didn’t even need to play it back to hear her words ringing in his head. But he couldn’t resist playing it, sometimes for hours at a time, his mind automatically picturing her rushing out of Watchtower and remembering her showing up at his place and practically jumping into his arms.

He opened his eyes again, his vision blurry as he stared at her picture on his phone. “I wish we could go back, Chloe. We wasted so much time. I wasted so much time. I wish we had another chance to do things differently.” Oliver traced his finger over her face again. “I love you,” he whispered.

Setting the phone on the nightstand, Oliver settled back against the pillows and closed his eyes.

Two.