People Make Mistakes Chapter (13/13)

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Epilogue
August 22th 2010



The sound of a rhythmic beeping had her prying open her eyes. The bright fluorescent lights hurt them as she blinked several times to try and clear her vision. She shifted and winced. A light groan left her lips as she glanced to the side of what she now realized was a hospital bed.

She caught sight of the blonde head leaning forward against her bed and she frowned. She wiggled her fingers for a few seconds before nudging the head resting there. He groaned, eyes slipping open as he yawned.

He glanced up and when he saw her eyes open he straightened up body alert. Oliver gave her a small grin.

“Look who finally decided to wake up.”

“What happened?”

He reached over, poured some water for her and then handed Mia the cup.

“Someone broke into the penthouse…took you and Nathan.”

Worry crossed Mia’s face as her body jerked up at the mention of Nathan. Oliver stood gently pushing her back down.

“Is he okay?”

“He’s fine…and don’t you even think about leaving this bed. You can see him as soon as he and Chloe get back. They went to get some coffee.”

She nodded and settled back against the pillows.

“How bad was it?”

He watched her closely and sighed, humor leaving his face.

“Pretty bad. You gave us quite a scare.”

“How long have I been out?”

“Three days.”

Tears pooled in Mia’s eyes as she spoke softly.

“Oliver, I’m so sorry. You trusted me to take care of Nathan while you guys were gone and I blew it. I let them take him and if anything would have happened…just…god I’m sorry.”

He got up and moved so he was sitting in the chair closer to her. He gripped her hand frown on his face as he lifted her chin so she was looking at him.

“Don’t you dare apologize. I am so proud of you. You stuck with him. Nathan said you were so awesome…he said you pushed him behind you and wouldn’t let the bad men intimidate you. His words…You’re his hero Mia…that kid loves you more than you know.”

Oliver tensed slightly as he continued speaking.

“When Chloe and I got back to the apartment…god Mia. You had her terrified I don’t think I’ve ever seen her so scared before…and me. I don’t know what I would have done if you didn’t wake up. We are not going to make a habit of this you hear? The way the women in my life attract trouble I’ll be gray before I’m thirty.”

She chuckled lightly and nodded.

“Got it. No more near death experiences. I’ll add it to the list.”

Oliver sat back in his seat eyebrow raised.

“While we’re on the topic of lists things to and not to do…let’s talk about the Bart situation.”

Mia blushed.

“What?”

“Mmm…he brought you a very nice bouquet of get well flowers.”

She glanced around the room and noticed there were several bouquets littering the room.

“Well it seems like a lot of people might have done that.”

“Yes well none of them blushed and stuttered the way he did. Is this something I’m going to have to worry about?”

Mia rolled her eyes.

“Please I’m not five and it’s not like I’m some inexperienced school girl.”

“True…but you aren’t that girl anymore Mia. You’re 17…and you have people who are looking out for your well being now. Who care where you are and what you’re doing. Bart’s a good guy, but if that’s something you want to pursue I expect there to be dates…and him picking you up at the house and me getting to polish my arrows in front of him so he knows I’ll shoot him with one if he hurts you.”

Her face softened and she tilted her head to the side and nodded.

“I guess I can live with that.”

“Good.”

Mia glanced up at the sound of the door being pushed open. Chloe, Nathan and Lois walked in the room coffee in hand. Mia grinned.

“Wow that smells good.”

Three heads shot up and relief filled Chloe’s face. Nathan ran toward the bed and jumped up.

“MIA you’re awake!”

“oomph…careful kiddo. Don’t break me.”

He hugged her gently.

“I’m so glad you’re okay. Does this mean we can go home now?”

He glanced around the room as Chloe walked over and pulled the younger woman into a careful hug.

“Welcome back to the land of the living…you gave us quite a scare.”

She nodded.

“So I’ve heard.”

“Don’t do it again.”

Mia smiled.

“I wouldn’t dream of it.”

Nathan bounced slightly as he covered his mouth and whispered to Mia.

“Did you know Oliver was the Green Arrow?”

Her eyes widened slightly as she glanced between Chloe and Oliver who shrugged.

“Apparently our family isn’t real great with keeping secrets from each other.”

Mia chuckled and winced slightly. She caught sight of Lois and waved. Lois smiled.

“Thank god you're okay, these two were practically unbearable to be around. I think they’re planning on locking you in the house until you're thirty to prevent any further damage from coming to you.”

Mia groaned.

“Oh god…save me.”

“You’re always welcome at the farm if you need a break from the hover crafts.”

“Thanks.”

Lois cleared her throat and glanced at Nathan.

“Hey favorite little cuz wanna go see Uncle Sam?”

He gave Mia a hesitant glance and she nudged him.

“Go ahead. I’ll be here when you get back.”

He nodded, took Lois’s hand and they went to go find the general. Chloe sat down quietly and before Mia could say anything there was a knock on the door and Clark popped his head in.

“Hey…oh I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

Oliver waved him in.

“You’re not come on in.”

“I uh…I just wanted to see how Mia was doing.”

She gave him half a smile.

“I’m alive so I can’t really complain.”

He laughed lightly and turned to Chloe.

“Uh…I was wondering if I could talk to you for a sec. If that’s okay.”

“Sure.”

She gave Mia’s hand a light squeeze.

“I’ll be right back.”

Oliver shifted in the chair and grabbed the remote.

“We can watch TV. The guys should be here soon with food.”

“Thanks Oliver…you know for everything.”

She could see the warmth in his eyes as they found hers while giving her a small grin.

“That’s what family is for…”



_____

Chloe followed Clark outside and raised an eyebrow as he stood in front of her fidgeting.

“What’s up?”

“I wanted to apologize.”

Chloe sighed and shook her head.

“Clark it’s okay…if it wasn’t for you Nathan and Oliver wouldn’t be here right now. You saved them…I think we can call it even.”

He had heard someone call out his name and got there just in time to cover Oliver who was covering Nathan when the explosion went off. It wasn't pretty and they were knocked unconcious for a few hours, but no permenant damage done thanks to Clark's lack of being destructable. He frowned.

“No…I don’t think we can. Ever since you found out my secret you’ve done everything you could to keep me safe and help me. You’ve sacrificed so much for me and well…I haven’t treated you the way you should be treated in a while now and I’m sorry about that. Honest I am.”

She pursed her lips together and he scratched the back of his head.

“I know that we can’t go back and change things…but I’d really like it if we can move forward from here. Despite everything…you’ll always be my best friend and I’m going to work a lot harder at being yours. You were right you know…somewhere down the line I lost track of who I was.”

He shook his head voice sincere.

“But not anymore. Things are changing…they have been for a while and I think it upset me because I knew you had other priorities in your life…one’s that weren’t me and that’s something I’m not used to. But I can see that you’re happy and I’m happy for you. Oliver’s a good guy.”

She smiled.

“He is. I really do love him…and I’d love it if everyone could get along. I know you love Lois, so inevitably at some point we’re all going to be around each other. Like I said...family isn’t just about blood. You’re a big part of my family too.”

“Same here. So…we’re good?”

Chloe grinned.

“Yeah, we’re good.”

He pulled her into a hug and she wrapped her arms around him relaxing into the embrace. Clark pulled back as a yell and loud laughter echoed through the hall. Nathan was running down the hall Lois and the general following behind him.

He turned to the room and stopped by the door.

“Come on Chloe we’ve gotta get to Mia before cousin Lois and Uncle Sam!”

She chuckled and let the little boy pull her into the room as she gave Clark an apologetic look. The general shook his head and patted Clark on the back before pushing open Mia’s hospital room door. Lois stopped next to Clark and he threw an arm around her pulling her against him.

She smiled, her hand drifting to his stomach and let out a sigh as she watched them through the glass window.

“They look so happy.”

“They are.”

“You know…Oliver said that serum Tess gave Chloe is a formula that has the ability to strip meta-humans of their powers…make them normal people.”

Clark’s eyes widened.

“Really?”

“Yeah…he thinks if he gives it to Aunt Moira…it will cure her.”

“Wow…that’s big.”

“Hopefully it doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.”

“Hopefully.”

“You know…if it does work I think their little family until will be complete. She’s been looking so long for a way to cure her Mom. I’m glad that everything seems to be working out.”

He rubbed her back lightly and nodded.

“Me too.”

Lois turned so they were facing each other, head titled to the side as she spoke softly.

“You think we’ll ever have that?”

“What?”

“What they have.”

“No…I think we’ll have something that’s our own. Something just as good, but at the same time different. Does that make sense?”

She grinned.

“It sure does Smallville.”

“Good.”

She leaned up and captured his lips with hers. He cupped her cheek and deepened the kiss. Chloe watched them from inside the hospital room, her families laughter surrounding her, and she smiled. Things would never be perfect.

There would always be trouble, people would always try to expose them and hurt the people she loved, but at the end of the day it was all worth it. Because doing anything else, living any other way would be a lie and pretending to be someone else well as Oliver proved a few days ago…it was just a waste of the person you were.