Fragments Chapter (2/12)

Chapter 2

Chapter 1
From The Ashes We Are Reborn
Three Months Later
(Oliver POV)




I balanced two coffee cups in my hand as I grabbed for the knob to the door. My eyebrows scrunched in concentration as I tried to get the door open without spilling any of the coffee. Ah ha…success. I walked into the apartment and called out.

“Chlo, you here?”

I heard something fall and I frowned as I slid the drinks onto the table. I moved toward the stairs, but before I could make my way up, Chloe appeared and leaned slightly over the railing with a towel wrapped around her.

She looked a little frazzled and I saw her give me a sheepish smile.

“Hey Oliver”

She frowned and then glanced at the clock on the opposite side of the room. She gave me an apologetic look.

“Did we have plans today?”

I chuckled and raised an eyebrow at her.

“No…I’m here to pick you up. We have an office emergency.”

She sighed, but smiled.

“You could have called. It’s 7:30 in the morning Oliver…that key I gave you is not so you can burst in here at all hours of the day. It’s for emergencies only.”

I grinned.

“This is an emergency. We need our Watchtower.”

She rolled her eyes and sighed good naturedly. I caught the tail end of her voice as she made her way back into the bedroom.

“You better have brought me a cup of coffee if you expect me to help you out this early in the morning.”

My grin widened as I glanced around the apartment.

“No worries, I got your favorite from that small café down the road.”

I heard a muffled reply, tuned out the noise she was making while getting ready and glanced down at the wood floor that now covered the ground of the apartment. About two months ago I helped Chloe remodel and redecorate the apartment that now served as her home and the base of our operations for the League..

All of the computers from the Isis Foundation have been relocated here and updated for her use with Queen Industries and LuthorCorp technology. My eyes found the familiar spot on the floor where below the wood lay a stain of blood.

Evidence of the pain we all lived through. My thought’s drifted back to the day of Jimmy’s funeral…

*Flashback*

I stood there looking down on the casket and I couldn’t help the emotions that overwhelmed me. What happened to me? Ever since I came to Metropolis it’s been one thing after another…one mistake bigger than the next…and now this…Jimmy is dead and I can’t help but feel that I contributed to his downfall.

I might not have impaled him, but I got him involved…this is all my fault. The ceremony ended and people started moving away. I watched as Dinah and Bart walked with Chloe and when I glanced up I saw Clark down by the water and for a minute I wondered why he hadn’t come up and stood with Chloe.

I saw his stance and he inclined his head in my direction and then turned his back and walked away. I felt a lone tear cascade down my check as I turned away from the grave and slowly walked in the direction of my car.

I’ve done some horrible things in my life, but nothing was worse than ending Lex Luthor’s life. I’ve been traveling a downward spiral since then and it ends now. I can’t change the decisions I’ve made in the past few months, but I can change what I do from here on out.

Jimmy is dead and Lois is missing…I’ll never forgive myself if anything happens to her. I’ve been so preoccupied with Tess and the past she brought with her, that I forgot how dangerous she really was. That obsession ends now. From here on out I’d be a true hero…

I’d take a page from Clark’s book and if I needed to have people in my life to help me…then I would…I’d no longer handle this alone…

……

When I got back to Queen Industries I moved found Dinah and Bart waiting for me in my office. They both had solemn looks on their faces. I made my way around my desk, sat down and rubbed my hand over my face. I glanced up at them and waited for them to say something.

Bart was the first to break the silence.

“I haven’t seen stretch…it’s not like him to leave Chloilicious hanging…”

I nodded and my voice came out in a serious tone.

“I don’t think Clark is exactly himself at the moment. Do you two plan on staying in town for a while?”

I watched Bart glance at Dinah and she hesitated before speaking.

“There’s a lot to be done Oliver. We can’t just stay here…you know that. It’s different for you. You are taking care of things at the business end, but we need to keep fighting.”

I nodded. I wasn’t surprised. I didn’t think they would stay and I promised I’d leave with them for a few months to try and get things under control a little. I was startled out of my thoughts by Bart’s voice. I frowned.

“What did you say Bart?”

He shook his head.

“I said the jet’s ready, are you coming?”

I opened my mouth and then closed it. I stood up, grabbed my jacket and spoke quickly.

“Yes, but not right this second. There’s something I need to do. I’ll meet you guys back in Star City.”

I watched Dinah frown as I hurried out of my office.

“Ollie…”

I stopped and turned slightly.

“Everything is fine. I just need to tie up a few ends before I go. I’ll meet you guys there. Tomorrow at the latest.”

I gave her a small smile before leaving the building. I got in my car and drove the 10-block distance before turning right and parking in front of the large building. I got out of the car, walked up the walkway and frowned at the open door.

I heard voices inside and I slid over by the corner of the door and listened as the voices grew louder. I recognized Chloe’s voice and could tell it held relief in it. I peaked through the edge of the door and saw her in Clark’s arms. It’s about time he saw her…

“How did you survive the geothermal explosion?”

I watched him gently push her out of his arms and when he spoke his voice was distant. I frowned. That’s not like him…

“Just before Dinah pushed the button I…”

He hesitated. I watched as she waited for him to continue…since when does Clark have a hard time talking to Chloe…something isn’t right.

“I don’t know….I got out before the blast…but not fast enough to save anyone else…”

I watched him look away from her, and thought I was caught when his head turned in my direction. But he wasn’t looking at me. I saw a look of guilt cross his face before it quickly disappeared. I could hear her sniffle slightly and I then Clark’s low voice broke the silence.

“Chloe…I’ve searched everywhere…there’s no sign of Lois…”

I watched her nod and I could tell how upset she was from where I was standing outside the door. I watched as a few tears fell down her cheeks. Oh man Chloe…I didn’t even realize how bad this must be for her…I didn’t even think to make sure she was okay before right now. Lois is her cousin…as much as it’s killing me it has to be worse for her. Her voice startled me out of my thoughts.

“I saw someone tacking her photo on a missing person’s board…”

She gave Clark a half hearted laugh before continuing, but I could see how upset she really was.

“…and I keep thinking that maybe…you know maybe I haven’t…”

She couldn’t finish her sentence and then I heard Clark cut in.

“Lost everyone…”

My jaw tensed, I swallowed hard and watched as he walked around her to the other side of the room. I shifted my body so it was further behind the door because Chloe was now facing me and I didn’t want her to think I was eavesdropping…even though I was...sort of.

I’m actually surprised Clark hasn’t caught me yet; he must be preoccupied with some heavy thoughts to have missed me. Her next words made me focus back on their conversation.

“You were there today Clark…weren’t you?”

I watched him keep his back to her even though there were sobs in her voice. I think this is one of the only times I’ve wanted to hit Clark Kent. He’s supposed to be her best friend and he’s not even going to comfort her? She ignored the fact that he hadn’t answered and kept on talking.

“I really needed you…why didn’t you come to me?”

I could hear the desperation in her voice and I saw pain briefly cross Clark’s face again. His back was still facing her. It was almost as if he refused to face her. Coward…

I watched him open and close his mouth a few times before his deep voice finally broke the silence and words made their way out.

“I’m the reason Jimmy’s dead…”

At this point I watched him swivel around and face her. I could see shock and a little bit of horror on her face. She paled slightly. Her mouth opened, but before she could say anything I saw Clark’s frame tense and he spoke again in a clipped voice.

“Oliver was right. I put humanity on a pedestal.”

His words cause me to stumble back slightly. Oh no…he was acting like this because of me? No that can’t be right…I saw a crease form between her eyes and a frown cross her face. He didn’t even pause to let her speak.

“It wasn’t a Kryptonian beast that killed Jimmy. It was a human.”

I watched Chloe take a deep breath and her face hardened slightly as she turned, walked over to the blood stain and glanced down. Her voice was calm when she spoke, but I could see she was close to the edge. Jesus Clark…can’t you see she’s about to break?

“I was standing right here Clark…”

She faced him and I could hear the tears in her voice even though it was still calm.

“I know full well who killed Jimmy.”

I watched as he turned away from her again. Dammit Clark! Now you’re starting to piss me off…look at her…she deserves that…He looked as hurt and she sounded and for the life of me I couldn’t understand why he was doing this to her…or himself.

“This place Chloe…just get rid of it…just walk away and don’t look back.”

They were both facing away from me now and I shook my head. Wrong thing to say Clark…I saw her walk toward him as she spoke in a wounded voice.

“You don’t get it…Clark…Jimmy is here…”

She walked in front of him and I saw them looking at the same spot before she continued.

“He’s watching over me. He knew me so well…he knew this place would be perfect.”

I moved my head slightly to get a better view and I saw them finally look at each other.

“Jimmy wanted to know that no matter where I was in this city I could look up here and see this beacon.”

She paused and I saw a sad smile grace her features.

“The Watchtower…Now look…Dinah, Oliver, and Bart all disappeared. Maybe it’s up to us to bring them back home.”

Amazing…even after everything that’s happened, the hurt, pain, anger, loss, death…she is still willing to be our support system. She’s willing to be the solid ‘home’ that we all need to keep our merry band of ‘heroes’ together. I have met a lot of people in my life…but no one like Chloe.

I could hear the desperation in her voice and for the first time I realized what it must be like for her. She’s given up so much for Clark, and I know he cares about her a lot, but I don’t think he understands how much she’s done for him. How much she continues to do for all of us. How did I not see it?

I’ve been so consumed with ‘fighting’ the injustice of the world and ‘taking care’ of the problem that I forgot the mission. I forgot what we are about…what we fight for and how we do it. I had the best intentions, but then again the road to hell is paved with good intentions…

I watched Clark make a conscious decision as he threw her words back at her. I watched her wince with every word he spoke.

“Home…I don’t have a home.”

Her eyebrows pulled together, eyes glistening with unshed tears and disbelief on her face.

“I don’t like the way that sounds.”

Yeah…neither did I...I can’t say I’m too crazy about this new side of Clark that I’m seeing.

“I’ve always tried to forget I was an alien. Or a creature.”

I watched as he turned away from her and walked a few feet in front of where I was hiding.

“I’ve always tried to pretend I was human. I was raised to believe it was my Kryptonian part that was dangerous Chloe, but I was wrong.”

By this time his back was about 10 feet in front of me.

“It’s my human side that…it’s the side that get’s attached. The side that makes decisions based on emotions, that’s my enemy, and Davis proved that to me.”

I could see her starting to shake her head. I saw the intense emotions building on her face and he looked away. I stood there flabbergasted. I couldn’t believe that after everything that’s happened in the past few weeks that he’s putting her through this. He can’t be serious…he doesn’t mean what he’s saying…they’re just words…

I could see a spark of anger on her face and I felt myself rooting for her to get mad. To yell at him and tell him he’s being crazy. Her voice came out with the ferocity that I was hoping for.

“So because of some psychopath you’re going to cut the rest of us out of your life…Clark.”

Her voice was passionate and her pain was tangible. When she spoke her voice was loud, full of pain…pleading with Clark to understand, to hear what she was saying…to not walk away when she needed him the most.

“Human emotion is what made you the hero that you are today.”

I watched him send her what can only be described as a small glare as his hard voice grew stronger as he spoke.

“They’re what’s stopping me from being the hero I could be.”

It hurt me to look at her. Clark man…you’re heading down the road of no return here…His voice stayed steady when he spoke again.

“It’s what the world needs now.”

I caught a glimpse of a tear falling down her cheek and my heart broke for her. Her voice was lower then before, strained.

“What are you saying?”

He paused, almost as if he was preparing himself for what he was about to do next.

“Clark Kent is dead….”

He held her eyes, and if it was possible he voice grew colder.

“Goodbye Chloe.”

I pushed my body against the wall behind the door as I watched him walk out. I moved my head back to the crack in between the door and watched as her breathing increased and I saw her gasping for breath before a loud sob erupted from her mouth.

I watched as her body hit the ground and she used her hands to break the fall. Her cries were loud and I couldn’t stand there and listen anymore. She started coughing and I could tell she was having trouble getting air into her lungs because of the crying.

I called out to her, but there was no answer. She couldn’t hear me…it was like she was in a bubble and nothing could penetrate it. In the midst of her sobs I heard Clarks name a few times. I moved around so I was on her left side and bent down.

I reached my arms out and grasped her waist and pulled her back against me. I saw her head move up slightly before she went limp in my arms. I lost my balance and kneeled before picking her up in my arms and standing. I made my way out of the dark, cold apartment and into the light.

I watched the sun hit her tear-stained face and at that moment I promised myself I wouldn’t leave her. I wouldn’t be like everyone else and take off. I’d make sure she came out of this in one piece because I think I need her as much as she’s going to need me…

Present Time

I felt a jolt against my arm and I shook myself out of my thoughts. Chloe was looking at me with a raised eyebrow.

“Earth to Oliver…come in Oliver…what was that? I called you like four times. You were practically comatose.”

I stretched my arms and placed one around her shoulder as I smirked and spoke in a silky voice.

“Well…my thoughts were consumed by this sexy little blonde vixen in a very small towel…I think she might have been an Angel…”

I felt her elbow dig into my ribs and I grunted as she moved away from me with a silly grin on her face.

“Cut it out Oliver. So tell me about this little emergency. It’s not Bart again is it? Because I refuse to bale him out of another vacation gone wrong…”

I chuckled as I handed her the purse that was on the table next to her coffee.

“No. Bart is doing some recon off the coast of Barbados with A.C.; they won’t be back until later in the week.”

We moved out of the apartment and she bolted the door behind us. She gave me an odd look as we walked to my car. I opened the door for her, she got in and I jogged over to the other side, got in and started the car.

I watched her take a sip of her coffee out of the corner of my eye and chuckled when I saw her eyes slip closed and a small groan escape her lips. When she swallowed, she opened her eyes and glared in my direction.

“Real funny…now are you going to tell me what’s going on or do I have to beat it out of you? Because normally I don’t have to come with you to run missions I can do it from home.”

I smiled. I enjoyed sparring with Chloe…there aren’t many things lately that are more fun to do while passing the time. I cleared my throat and spoke in my business tone even though I kept the grin firmly planted on my face.

“We’ve hit several 33.1 facilities in the past year and most of them are gone since Lex isn’t around anymore, but one of the old facilities we shut down last year had some recent activity. So Dinah and Victor are going to look into it. I need you to be their eyes and ears.”

She nodded and then frowned.

“Why’d you need me in the main office then?”

I shrugged and spoke in a calm voice.

“It’s no big deal. I just need you to hold down the fort in Star City for a day or two. I need to go away on business and I can’t be in two places at once. So…I thought maybe you could stay in the penthouse at the Star City control center and hang out until I get back.”

I discreetly glanced to my right and watched her take a deep breath. It’s been three months since Clark left and it’s was hard getting Chloe to this point…she wasn’t back to normal, but everyday she made more progress. She was a part of the team and more importantly she was my friend, and I cared about her…

This is the first time since that day that I’d be leaving for an extended amount of time and I wasn’t exactly sure how she was going to take it…that wasn’t even the worst part…I had business to take care of, just not the kind she thought it was…

After three months of having the team scour the globe we finally found Clark…and from what Bart said over the phone…he isn’t what we remember, and I’m not so sure that’s a good thing…I will tell you this…no matter what happens he WILL NOT hurt Chloe again…I wouldn’t allow it…

I could see her taking the effort to consciously slow down her heart beat. She gave me a tight smile.

“Sure Oliver, no problem. You probably should have told me before we left though so I could get some clothes from my apartment.”

I raised an eyebrow at her as we headed onto the highway toward Star City. My voice held a slightly cautious tone to it when I spoke.

“Chloe…”

She sighed. There was no way she was fooling me. I’ve spent these past three months getting to know all her quirks and expressions…learning how to read what she struggles to keep hidden…her shoulders deflated and her voice came out softer then I would have liked.

“I know this sounds ridiculous, but do you have to leave?”

I shook my head, reached over and clasped her hand in mine. I tried my best to convey warmth in my voice when I spoke.

“It’s not ridiculous Chloe, and I’m not ‘leaving’. Just going away for a business meeting for a day or so. Nothing life threatening or crazy. I will be back. I promise.”

She nodded her head and leaned back against the seat. It really did kill me when she got like this, and it makes me increasingly mad to know that Clark was a large part of her newly developed overwhelming insecurity. I gave her a small smile and spoke in a quiet voice.

“It’s going to take us a little while to get to Star City. Why don’t you get some rest?”

She grinned.

“Sounds good to me. To Star City Jeeves!”

I chuckled as her eyes closed and she squeezed my hand for a brief second before loosening her grip, but not letting go. I glanced at her and swallowed hard. I’m pretty sure if she finds out that I found Clark and didn’t tell her she’d be mad…but I’m doing what I feel is best for her. Until I know exactly what’s going on with Clark, I’m not letting him near her.

I won’t risk it. She’s finally showing signs of getting back to normal. She opened up the Isis Foundation again and hired more help, she started writing again for the Daily Planet under Lois’ name and she’s our Watchtower…It’s been a journey to get her to this point and I wasn’t about to ruin that.

I hope you’re ready to be found Clark…because it’s time for you to get over your hang ups and come home…for good…