Her Exception

Title: Her Exception
Rating: PG-13
Author: Reportergirl13
Fandom: Smallville
Pairing: Oliver/Chloe
Word Count: 1220
Song: “The Only Exception” Paramore from Chlarks_Cupid

And I've always lived like this
keeping a comfortable, distance
Chloe sat outside the McDougal Inn, bags packed, ready and waiting for Oliver. She held the thin box glancing down at it with trepidation as she turned it over in her hands. They’d set ground rules, boundaries and sure their little weekend away broke the no spending the night rule, but that wasn’t too big a deal.

It’s not like they had gone away to spend a romantic weekend together. It was more so they wouldn’t be interrupted while having copious amounts of sex…or at least that’s what she kept telling herself. She slowly reached out pulling lightly at the bow.

As it came lose she stopped. What was she doing? Why was she ready to open up Pandora’s Box? Sure it was just a gift, but accepting it, opening it…it was like she was letting him worm his way into her heart and that was something that she just couldn’t do.

Ever since Jimmy, or if she was really being honest with herself, since Clark broke her heart that first time, she’d lived like this. Keeping a comfortable distance from people so she could spare her heart of the ache she knew all too well.

She swallowed hard and pushed all her curiosity aside before pulling the bag next to her open and slipping the small box inside. She was startled when Oliver’s voice broke the silence on the empty porch.

“Umm it’s a spoon…”

Chloe turned her head and smiled as confusion settled on her features. He shrugged and tried to explain as he took a few steps toward her.

“I bought you a spoon. One of those little…people collect them. I thought about getting you a…some of those little decorative soaps, but ultimately you didn’t really need either one of them did you?”

He was standing a few feet away from her, hands in his pocket, smile on his face. People who didn’t know Oliver Queen the way she did would see the confidence in his step, the charm in his smile.

And though she saw those things she also saw the nervous hand gestures, the loss of words and the shifting of feet. He was anxious and she couldn’t help wanting to reassure him and a small part of that scared her.
And up until now



I had sworn to myself that I'm
Content with loneliness
This wasn’t supposed to be serious. This was supposed to be two friends helping each other out and she had been okay with that. Up until now she’d sworn to herself that she was content with loneliness, as she looked into his smiling face though, Chloe just wasn’t sure anymore.

She stood and grinned, small hands sliding into her pockets. When all else failed and she needed to get out of a tight situation she always fell back on humor or sarcasm. It looked like this would be the perfect time to bring the amusement back into their arrangement.

“Well I don’t know about that. I mean I’m more partial to sporks myself, but a girl can never have too many…spoons.”

He shrugged and waved a hand towards where she’d put his gift. She couldn’t be sure, but it looked like a flicker of disappointment crossed his face for a second before he was speaking.

“Yeah well I never should have wrapped up that Pandora’s Box to begin with and second guessed myself, or us. From now on…I won’t.”



Because none of it was ever worth the risk
Well, You, are, the only exception
It happened in a split second, but it was in that split second that his words hit her. Us…she and Oliver were an ‘us’ and truth be told the notion didn’t make her cringe. Oliver knew her. He’d seen her at her worst and best, just like she’d seen him.

She’d been scared for so long that she’d forgotten what it was like to be in a relationship with someone she didn’t have to hide from or lie to.

Chloe had never tried to make it work with any of the random men that had crossed her path since Jimmy because none of it was ever worth the risk, but well, Oliver…it’s possible he was worth the risk. He might very well be her exception.

“Maybe we should just say that next time you won’t take advice about relationships from Clark Kent.”

Oliver pursed his lips together, nodding as he moved into her personal space.

“You know, speaking of Clark. For future reference and you know strictly for environmental purposes next time you want to take a shower with someone Chloe you can just ask me.”

She chuckled softly.

“I can’t remember blacking out and I wish I could forget waking up.”

“Really? Well it couldn’t have been that bad right? Wasn’t there a time when you would have given just about anything to stare at that farmers tan in all its glory I’m guessing?”

Chloe could see the smile and amusement on his face, but she also caught the hint of vulnerability in his eyes. It looked like she wasn’t the only one with insecurities.

“That was a long time ago. Like in a Smallville far, far away. I mean okay yeah, I loved Clark, a lot and I waited for years for him to see that. To see me, but even with his X-ray vision he never did. I think more than that I wanted someone who would get me and as good a friend that Clark is…he’s never gonna be that person, which is fine…really. I mean those wounds healed over a thousand super-saves ago. Now there’s just scars.”

She could see the anxiousness slowly leave his body as he gave her a warm smile.

“It’s Clark’s loss.”

He made a face and she almost rolled her eyes. She moved away and sat against the railing as she spoke.

“What about your loss? I’m sure that Lois didn’t have to drag you into the woods kicking and screaming.”

He answered her as he followed her over to the railing sitting beside her.

“Ahh…funny thing about scars they’re always there.”

Chloe swallowed hard and looked away. Oliver nudged her lightly with his foot with his next words.

“It doesn’t mean they haven’t healed.”

A grin slid on to his face as he bumped her shoulder with his.

“Sometimes they can be kinda cute too…”

A smirked appeared on Chloe’s face as she realized what he was getting at. When she didn’t say anything he kept on talking.

“You have one imparticular that I’m partial t…”

She leaned in grabbing him as she planted a rough kiss on his lips to shut him up. Oliver softened this kiss and a few seconds later they pulled apart noses touching.

His eyes bore into hers. She could see a hint playfulness in them along with something else she wasn’t sure she wanted to name. Chloe’s voice was soft.

“Shhh…”

They shared a smile as they sat there enjoying the moment. She’d opened herself up to him in a way she hadn’t to anyone in a long time. She was taking a chance and though she was terrified, she had a good feeling about Oliver. It was hopeful and honest. Something she hadn’t had in a long time.