People Make Mistakes Chapter (10/10)

Banner By: Andrea

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Chapter 10
August 18th 2010



Tess glanced at the email in front of her reading it over and trying to decide if there was anything else she should add. If she gave her too much information Lex would know where she got it, which would leave her in a problematic spot.

She ran the email through an encryption program before sending it out and right as she clicked the button the door to the study was pushed open an angry looking Lex making his way into the room. She didn’t bother closing her laptop not wanting him to think she was doing something he’d have to worry about.

She raised an eyebrow as he walked straight to the liquor pouring a small amount of scotch and downing it in one sip.

“Something wrong?”

“My petition for adoption was denied. They gave Nathan Bingham to someone else. They felt he needed to be in a more stable home. It doesn’t matter though. We’ll just move on to plan ‘B’. Call Bartlett and tell him I need him to find out who adopted Nathan and when he’ll be going home with them.”

Tess frowned.

“Why does it matter where some kid is going again?”

“Because Tess as I explained before Nathan isn’t just some kid. He’s the key to our plan working. Why do you think we worked so hard to get his Mother out of the way?”

Her stomach sank at his words. He was never after Karen Bingham…from the very beginning it had been about her son. She swallowed hard and nodded. He motioned to the manila envelope on her desk.

“That’s the footage from the experiments done on the Bingham woman. Take a look at it while I’m gone. Is everything ready for the event tomorrow night?”

“Yes.”

“Good. I’ve got to head out. Make sure Bartlett calls me with updates.”

“Not a problem.”

He nodded and was gone. Tess let out a breath she didn’t even realize she was holding. She glanced at the envelope, reached out and pulled it open. Obviously if Lex had spent time experimenting on Karen Bingham it meant she was a meta-human.

Tess needed to figure out what kind of power she had and if it was passed onto Nathan. There were a lot of things she would do, but kidnapping a child…doing god knows what to him. Even she had her limits. She sighed as she popped the CD into her computer. It was going to be a long morning.





_____

Oliver glanced in the mirror as he worked his tie into a knot. Rebecca Chase and one other person who he hadn’t met yet would be there around noon and he was nervous. What if they didn’t like his place? What if he didn’t have everything he needed?

He felt a pair of arms wrap around him from behind and he sighed. Green eyes met his through the mirror and she smiled. He returned it and she rubbed his arms gently while speaking.

“Don’t be nervous. Everything will be fine. Mia and Bart are finishing up the bedroom now and I just finished unpacking the last of my stuff. He chose you Ollie…you have nothing to worry about. You hungry?”

He raised an eyebrow and spun around so they were facing each other as he pulled her closer placing a chaste kiss against her lips.

“Mmm why did you cook? Can you cook?”

She smacked him lightly and moved out of his arms while he chuckled.

“What? You know I had to ask I mean you are related to Lois.”

Chloe smirked.

“I’ll have you know Mrs. Kent taught me how to cook.”

“Is that so.”

“Mmm hmm.”

“And I’m just hearing about this now why? We’ve been together over a year…you’ve never cooked for me before.”

“Well I wouldn’t want to spoil you. If I cooked for you all the time you’d come to expect it and I’m so not Susie Homemaker.”

He watched her with a smile on his face as she finished getting ready. This was the first day they were officially living together as a family and tomorrow they’d be adding Nathan to the mix. Oliver was excited. He hadn’t felt this happy in a while. He still couldn’t believe it was all real.

“What?”

He shook himself out of his thoughts as she stood there with a curious look on her face.

“Huh?”

“You were staring at me, so I said what…”

He gave her half a smile and shrugged.

“I just can’t believe we were approved. I mean this is what I set out to accomplish when I put this plan in motion, but it’s real now and I dunno. It feels…good…right. You know?”

She could see the hope in his face and she closed the distance between them, voice soft when she spoke.

“Yeah I do know.”

He brushed a piece of hair behind her ear, eyes turning serious for a minute as she let out a heavy breath and spoke.

“About last night…”

Oliver shook his head.

“It’s not a night I want to rehash.”

He went to turn away but she stopped him eyes searching his.

“You know I love you, don’t you?”

His face softened and he nodded.

“Yes and you know I love you. Clark…was just being Clark. He isn’t someone I want to think about today. Today is about us.”

Chloe grinned and patted his shirt before moving out of his arms.

“I’m gonna go check on Mia and Bart. I left coffee and a bagel in the kitchen for you. We’ve got a little less than an hour before they get here.”

She was halfway out the door when he called out to her.

“Look at us go Sidekick. We got the domestic thing down already.”

She rolled her eyes good naturedly while continuing down the hall. She moved towards the room that they’d been getting ready for Nathan when she heard a loud bang and an ‘oomph’. She frowned, reached forward, and pushed the door open.

She was startled by the sight in front of her. She opened and closed her mouth a few times as she glanced down at the floor Mia on her back with Bart on top of her, his palms gripping her thighs. Their heads jerked towards the door.

Mia blushed as Bart shook his head frantically. She could see the panic on his face as he stood yanking Mia up in one movement.

“Chloelicious…it’s not what it looks like…I fell.”

Chloe raised an eyebrow and looked toward Mia. Who nodded and pointed to the dresser.

“We were moving it and then…well and it happened so fast and then bam! We were on the floor…and…I hit my head and you opened the door and then well yeah.”

Chloe bit her lip as she tried to keep from laughing at the teenagers in front of her. She opened her mouth as Oliver called out from the kitchen.

“Mia, Bart, if you want food I suggest you come get it now before I eat it all.”

Bart paled.

“Don’t tell Bossman…I know I’m fast, but I’d hate to have to runaway every time I see him.”

Chloe took pity on them and chuckled.

“Your secrets safe with me…the room looks great guys. Thanks so much for helping out Bart.”

He grinned, sped over, kissed her hand, and winked.

“No problem senorita.”

Before Chloe could say anything else Bart was gone. She shook her head as Mia walked over and wound an arm around the girl’s shoulders. They moved down the hall and Chloe spoke softly.

“So…Bart huh?”

Mia’s eyes widened.

“I…I don’t know what you’re talking about…”

“Please…rule number one. No lies. It’s okay you know…if you like him. Bart’s a great guy. And he already knows all your secrets.”

She peered at Chloe through heavy lashes and swallowed hard.

“You think so?”

“I know so.”

“Think he likes me?”

Chloe nudged her and smiled.

“Who wouldn’t? You’re an amazing girl Mia. Smart, beautiful…terrific fighter. He’d be lucky to have you.”

Right as they made it to the kitchen Mia wrapped Chloe in a tight hug. Seconds later she was bounding around the island and pulling the fridge open. Oliver raised an eyebrow at Chloe and she shrugged. Bart tossed another piece of bagel into his mouth as he watched Mia with a smile on his face.

Mia nudged Oliver out of her way as she poured a bowl of cereal for herself and grabbed a banana before sitting next to Bart and speaking.

“So what’s the plan for today. They check the house and then Nathan get’s to come here?”

“Pretty much.”

“Cool.”

Chloe lifted her mug from the counter as she moved towards Oliver and sighed.

“We need to meet with the General today. We need to figure out who was after Karen and he still wants to see my Mom.”

Oliver rubbed her back soothingly.

“Are you okay with that? I know it’s hard having her awake for a few hours and then having her slip back.”

Chloe took a deep breath and shrugged.

“We do what we have to right?”

He frowned.

“I suppose. Do you want me to come?”

She pursed her lips together as she thought about it. She wasn’t sure if Clark would be there or not and they really didn’t need to add another fight on top of an already complicated situation.

“No, it’s fine. Besides I think it’s best for…everyone if it’s just me and Lois.”

Oliver nodded and glanced towards Mia and Bart who were watching them closely. He knew Chloe didn’t want a repeat of yesterday and neither did he. As far as he was concerned until Clark could start acting like the guy he was when they first met he didn’t want him around his family.

Bart finished up his food and glanced at his watch.

“I’ve gotta jet. I’m hookin' up with Cyborg in a bit to check out some suspicious activity in Gotham City.”

Oliver made a face.

“Did you contact Bruce to let him know?”

Chloe spoke as she scrolled through a few emails on her phone.

“I did. He said it was fine as long as they didn’t cause any trouble in his town. I told him it shouldn’t take more than a couple of hours at most.”

Mia saw a pout form on Oliver’s face as he watched the blonde go through her phone.

“You talk to Bruce? Since when?”

“Since the job Canary did in Gotham six months ago where she ran into Batman. Remember I told you about it.”

“You said he pulled her out of some hot water, you didn’t however say you were fraternizing with the enemy."

Three heads glanced at him in unison amusement coloring their faces. Chloe arched an eyebrow at Oliver’s obvious jealousy.

“Since when is Bruce the enemy?”

“Since…since I said so.”

She grinned and he rolled his eyes.

“Oh wipe the smirk off your face. So I don’t like Bruce Wayne. Big deal it’s not like that’s shocking or anything besides don’t we have more important things to discuss?”

He turned away from her and Mia smirked at Chloe as Bart spoke.

“Well I’ll leave you two to your domestic dispute, I’ve gotta run. You still down to hang with us guys this weekend Mia? We’ll be in town.”

She nodded.

“Sure.”

He grinned, gave a short salute and took off, the quick breeze the only sign that he’d been standing there seconds ago. Not long later there was a knock on the door and Oliver swallowed hard as he glanced at his girls.

“Here we go, everyone ready?”

They nodded as he moved towards the door.





_____

Lois sat with the general at a small coffee shop near the Planet waiting for Chloe to get there. She let out a huff as she glanced at her watch and sighed.

“I swear that girl is always late.”

Sam chuckled.

“I remember a time when that used to be you.”

Lois gave him half a grin.

“Yeah well, I grew out of that phase.”

He nodded and caught sight of Chloe down the street. He motioned behind Lois and she turned and let out an exasperated breathe.

“Bout time cuz’ I was beginning to think you stood us up.”

“Sorry the home inspection ran longer than we expected.”

She took her seat, pulled out a few papers, and handed them to the general. He gazed over them and then back at her.

“These are classified documents.”

“Yeah…I sort of stumbled across them…”

He raised an eyebrow at his niece.

“What is it you said you did again?”

“I work for Queen Industries. I head up their technology and security department. But yeah back to business. We have a few decisions we need to make. We know Karen was running from something or someone. That’s why she came here to find you. Any ideas who was after her?”

Sam shook his head.

“No.”

Lois chimed in, voice soft.

“Do you think they were after her power? Maybe that's how she died. Maybe they found a way to harvest it from her.”

Chloe nodded.

“That’s a possibility. Her ability…could she heal other people? Or just herself?”

Sam cleared his throat and spoke.

“Just herself.”

Chloe frowned.

“So what? They take her power so they can heal themselves if they get hurt? I don’t know…it just feels wrong. Like they wouldn’t have gone through so much trouble just for that.”

“People can surprise you.”

She nodded.

“I guess you’re right.”

She took another look over the papers, but nothing more stood out to her. She felt like she was missing something, like she wasn’t getting the whole picture. Her phone beeped and she pulled it out and scrolled through her messages.

This morning she received an encrypted email that she’d spent the better part of the day decoding and it had finally finished. She opened it and frowned at the words. Lois nudged her and she glanced up.

“Hmm.”

“What’s got your attention?”

“Nothing…just an email someone sent me. Hey Lo’ you have a connection inside the orphanage right? That’s how you found out Nathan was brought there after the accident?”

“Yeah.”

“Can you do me a favor?”

“Sure…”

“Is there any chance you can find out who the other person was that tried to adopt Nathan?”

Lois frowned.

“Yeah probably why what’s going on?”

She shook her head and glanced at her phone again.

“I got the strangest email about it. I could look into it myself, but I’m a little tied up at the moment.”

Lois nodded, glanced at her cell phone and grabbed her bag.

“Not a problem. I’ve gotta get going though. Keep me updated with what’s going on. That goes for both of you got it?”

She gave them stern looks and they both nodded. She gave her Father a tight smile before heading down the road back towards the Planet. Sam watched Chloe curiosity on his face. She could feel his eyes on her and she took a deep breath.

She spoke with Oliver last night about taking her Uncle to Watchtower, but now she wasn’t so sure. She knew he’d never do anything to hurt her, but it wasn’t just about her and she wasn’t sure she was willing to risk the team’s safety.

He cleared his throat and she looked up.

“I feel like there’s more going on that what you’re telling me.”

She shrugged.

“That makes two of us.”

“Then I guess we’re at a stale mate.”

“I guess so.”

He sighed.

“I should head out then…see if I can get any more information on who was after her.”

“I should do the same.”

The general studied her for another minute before getting up, squeezing her shoulder lightly and walking away. Chloe watched him go and she let out a heavy breath. She needed to head back to Watchtower and run through Karen’s files again.

If there was one thing she hated it was feeling like she was missing something. It all seemed too easy and unfortunately Chloe knew from experience that it things seemed too easy then there was probably a lot more to it and that was never good.





_____

Nathan stood in the doorway to his new bedroom, duffle bag in hand, eyes wide. He turned his head quickly in the direction of Oliver and Mia as he spoke.

“This…this is my room?”

Mia grinned.

“Sure is kid. You like it?”

He took a few steps into the large room different shades of blue and green weaved strategically through the room with a few stenciled airplanes on the wall and a couple of model ones above the desk. He dropped his bag and moved toward them, his hand gently reaching out to lift one up.

“Wow…this is cool.”

Oliver smiled.

“I’m glad you like it. I was surprised when Rebecca said you could come home today. I hope you had enough time to get all your stuff.”

Nathan just turned towards Oliver, voice soft when he spoke.

“Home?”

Oliver’s heart clenched at the unsure tone of the eight year olds voice.

“Yeah buddy. This is your home.”

Nathan could feel his eyes burn and he looked down at his hands. He hadn’t had a home in so long. Not since his Dad died. Not really anyway. They were always too busy running away from the newest threat to settle down. Oliver frowned and moved into the room kneeling next to him. He rubbed Nathan’s arm lightly as he spoke.

“Hey everything okay?”

He sniffled and nodded before throwing his arms around Oliver’s neck and hugging him.

“Thanks Oliver.”

He met Mia’s eyes over Nathan’s head and he could see her biting her lip. He pulled back and ruffled the boy’s hair affectionately causing him to grin.

“So what do you want to do your first night here?”

He nibbled on his bottom lip before a smile broke out on his face.

“Play games!”

Mia laughed before speaking.

“If you wanna play a game you gotta catch me first.”

Nathan turned in her direction as Mia took off down the hall. He grinned before bolting out of the room and following her. Oliver stood while shaking his head. He let out a light sigh as he moved into the hall. It was definitely going to be an interesting night.

Chloe walked into the building and past the door man giving him a tired smile before stepping into the elevator and pressing the button for the penthouse. It had been a long day and she was happy to be home. It was strange thinking of Oliver’s place as home, but at the same time it was nice knowing she had someone to come home to.

As the elevator got closer to the penthouse Chloe could swear she heard music and sure enough when the doors slipped open the sound of Mia’s techno music could be heard throughout the apartment. She raised an eyebrow as she moved into the room.

She put her purse down, pulled her jacket off and walked into the living room, the sight in front of her bringing a warm smile to her face. Oliver was in a pair of jeans and a short sleeve t-shirt sitting on the floor with Nathan building what could only be described as a fort.

Pillows, couch cushions, and sheets littered the living room floor and Chloe could smell the aroma of chocolate chip cookies coming from the kitchen. She leaned against the wall and watched as Nathan jumped on top of Oliver knocking him into the side of the fort causing the pillows to collapse beneath them.

She leaned against the wall and chuckled bringing their attention to her. Nathan jumped off of Oliver and moved over to her.

“Hi!”

“Hey sweetheart. I didn’t know you were coming tonight. I would have came home earlier.”

He shrugged.

“It’s okay. We made you cookies.”

She grinned.

“Oh yeah?”

He nodded.

“Mia helped.”

“They smell delicious.”

She could see the pride on his face. The difference in him was amazing. He was so quiet and tense in the orphanage, but he seemed to be right at home here and Chloe was glad…after all they were family..even if he didn’t know that yet.

“Want one?”

“Sure.”

He ran into the kitchen calling Mia’s name and Chloe turned to face Oliver. He stood up and moved over to her pulling her into his arms before capturing her lips in a deep kiss. She moaned against him her body relaxing against his. He moved back a couple of seconds later and she tilted her head to the side taking him in.

Like Nathan Oliver seemed a lot happier than he had the last month or so and she was glad. Maybe things would finally start to calm down and go back to their version of normal.

“Welcome home.”

“Mmm a girl could get used to this kind of welcome.”

“Good…sorry I didn’t call you and tell you they let him come tonight. I thought it would be a nice surprise.”

“It was.”

He waggled his eyebrows at her before cupping her face and bringing his lips down to hers again. She had just deepened the kiss when Mia and Nathan walked into the room. The 8-year-old scrunched up his nose and spoke.

“Eww.”

Mia chuckled and nodded.

“I feel you kid.”

Chloe let out a short laugh and Oliver shook his head.

“I think it’s time for anyone under the age of 20 to go to bed.”

Nathan made a face.

“But Chloe didn’t eat a cookie yet.”

She walked toward him and lifted a cookie off the plate he was holding. She took a bite and chewed.

“Wow I think this is the best chocolate chip cookie I’ve ever had.”

She saw his face light up.

“Yeah.”

“Definitely.”

Mia glanced between Oliver and Chloe before looking at Nathan.

“How about we toss the cookies in the cookie jar and I read you a bedtime story.”

“Really?”

“Sure thing kid.”

She took the plate from him and held out her hand. He grabbed it and waved goodnight to Chloe and Oliver before letting Mia lead him out of the room. She watched him go and she swallowed hard. Oliver came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. She placed a hand over his and spoke softly.

“He seems happy.”

“He does doesn’t he?”

“You know…you do too.”

He gave her a light squeeze and kissed her neck.

“I am. I feel…I dunno good.”

“I’m glad.”

“How about you?”

She turned in his arms and caught his eyes with hers.

“Surprisingly…not as freaked out as I thought I’d be.”

Oliver grinned.

“I was hoping you’d say that.”

“Mmm I bet.”

He had just moved his lips to her neck when her cell phone starting ringing. Oliver groaned warm breath sending chills down her spine. She moved out of his grip and gave him a cheeky smile as she held up a finger.

“Hold that thought Romeo.”

She answered the phone on the third ring.

“Hey Lo’ listen this really isn’t a great time--”

“Chloe I spoke with my contact at the orphanage.”

“Okay, we can meet for breakfast tomorrow and talk about it.”

“No, you don’t get it…”

“Lois--”

“Chloe is was Lex…Lex Luthor was the other person trying to adopt Nathan Bingham…”

A chill ran down her spine as her heart rate sped up. She glanced at Oliver as the color drained from her face. He reached out to her, but she barely felt his warm hands against her skin. That had been the missing piece. She’d looked over the papers a million times trying to figure out how Karen and Nathan were found out in Florida.

And it had been staring her in the face the whole time. They weren’t after Karen, the red flags had come from the pediatrician’s office. They were after Nathan…

Chapter 11