Title: The matter of trust

Author: Jusperson

Rating: M (Adult content, language)

Genre: Romance/Angst

Pairing: Chloe/Oliver

Summary: She always knew that sooner or later she would have to pay for her abilities. But she had never imagined what the price would be like that. To wake up without the memory of four years of her life married to an ex of her cousin?

Disclaimer: No, they are not mine.

Spoilers: everything up to 08.05 Commitment

A/N: I am really sorry that it took me so long to update. My studies and work kept me very busy. I'd like to thank everyone who reviewed and wished me good luck with my operation.

Huge thanks to my wonderful beta sarahol1

Chapter 8. Facts and faces from the past

"Lionel Luthor made me his heiress? How is it possible? I mean I know it's possible, but why?" Chloe sat on the couch in Clark's living room dressed in Lois's sweatpants and sweater.

"Good question, Chloe," Clark shook his head. "But I'm afraid the man that could answer died more than five years ago."

"Alright, I can accept the fact that I own Lionel's share in LuthorCorp but Queen Industries belongs to Oliver."

"No, it turns out that Lionel bought Queen Industries shortly before his death."

"What? But Oliver would never sell…"

"It wasn't in Oliver's power to change anything," interrupted Clark. "The company was going bankrupt because of some serious failure and Lionel bought all the shares at fire sale prices."

"Wow, I can imagine how Oliver must have felt."

"No, you can't," said Clark gloomily. "You're lucky not to remember it."

"And what about our marriage? Did he seduce me into marrying him or what?"

"No, everything was much more complicated," sighed Clark. He did not look at Chloe and his hesitation made her frown.

"You see, Chloe," Clark finally spoke, "I don't know how exactly, but Lionel learnt Oliver's secret."

"He knew that Oliver was Green Arrow!"

"Yes, I don't know how, but… Well, in short, in his will Lionel mentioned that Oliver either married you or his secret identity would be revealed."

"What! No! What the hell? Did Lionel go crazy at the end of his life?!"

"That's actually the most popular theory," Clark was not impressed by Chloe's outburst as he had gone through one already. "In his video letter Lionel said that he caused Oliver a lot of pain when he took his family from him. And he wanted to redress everything by giving him a new one."

"Yeah, the bastard definitely went crazy. I can't imagine what Oliver thought," Chloe shook her head. "He had to follow the orders of his parents' murderer."

"Well, actually he almost did not participate in it."

"What do you mean?" Chloe was confused.

"You see, when Lionel's will was announced Oliver said that he'd rather rot in prison than dance to Lionel's tune."

"But… but we're married. Did he change his mind?" asked Chloe doubtfully.

"No, you and I changed it for him," Clark was almost forcing himself to speak.

"Meaning?"

Clark sighed.

"We drugged him. We drugged him into marrying you."

Chloe was too shocked to speak.

"What? Don't look at me like that, Chloe. It was your plan to begin with."

Chloe was silent trying to swallow the information.

"He didn't want to follow Lionel's orders and we didn't want him to go to prison. Lionel made a very complex marriage contract for Oliver and you. As far as I know you can't divorce."

"I can't leave him?" Chloe gasped now realizing that Oliver's threats were not so empty.

"It works for both sides. Once the marriage is consummated, a divorce is not possible."

"Oh God," Chloe moaned, the gravity of the situation finally sinking in.

"Chloe? You are so pale! What is wrong?"

"WHAT IS WRONG? WHAT IS WRONG? Clark, are you crazy or what? I don't remember anything about four years of my life! Someone kidnapped and tried to kill me! Oliver threatened to put me in an asylum if I behaved badly. And you're asking what's wrong? Everything is!" Chloe covered her face with her hands.

"Chloe," Clark started hesitantly. "About 'Oliver's threats'… Are you sure you got him right?"

Chloe put her hands out of her face and looked at Clark.

"What do you mean?"

Clark shrugged.

"Well, about the asylum. Surely he would never say such a thing… He loved you and Laura so much…"

"Loved? Clark, whatever feelings Oliver has for me it's not love. It's jealousy, possessiveness, the fear of losing his fortune… I don't know… Anything but love!"

"Alright, alright. Take it easy. You probably misunderstood each other…" Clark turned to Chloe who was looking daggers at him and quickly added, "or maybe Oliver said something that he didn't mean. You know he's gone through a lot of things while you were… eh… ill…"

"My heart is bleeding for him! Enough about Oliver! I don't want to hear about him. So how were you doing all these years?" Chloe looked at Clark expectantly.

"Well, did I mention that things were complicated now?"

"Well…"

"Does this have something to do with Lex?"

"Lex… Not exactly."

"Are you crazy, Smallville, or what? Everything that is happening in Smallville and Metropolis has something to do with Luthor," Lois Lane entered the room, loud and feisty as usual, and carrying a cup of coffee for Chloe. Grateful, Chloe accepted the drink, finding it a little strange that Lois was wearing pajamas. Well, it was late…

"Not everything," corrected Clark softly. "But a lot…"

"How did he manage to survive at all? I thought he was dead."

"Jor-El saved him," answered Clark darkly.

"What?! Why?"

"He said that Lex had an important role to play in my destiny. Without him I wouldn't be able to become whom I should become," judging by Clark's tone he did not understand the logic of his biological father.

"But Lex knows your secret, doesn't he?"

"No, not anymore. Jor-El made sure of it. He erased all Lex's memories about me…"

"All…"

"Yes, everything Lex knew and remembered about me. Our first meeting, car crash, Smallville, our friendship… All that Lex knows about Clark Kent is that he is one of the reporters at Daily Planet," Clark's neutral tone did not allow Chloe to ascertain whether Jor-El's interference with Lex's memory was a good or bad thing.

"Alright, cuz. I know you probably have a million questions but some people have to work tomorrow," she yawned.

"Yes, Chloe. You can sleep in my old bedroom. I prepared everything…"

"Alright, thanks… Wait a second, where is Lois going to sleep? Here on the couch?"

The uncomfortable silence fell upon the room.

"Smallville, surely you told her…"

"I was going to… I just wanted to deliver the news… tactfully."

"For someone who is faster than a speeding bullet you sure are slow," snorted Lois.

"I just wanted to prepare her!" Clark turned his attention to Lois.

"At this pace she would turn eighty before you told her anything!"

"Uhh, guys," Chloe tried in vain to attract their attention.

"Oh, yes, and your approach is to shoot first and ask questions later!"

"And when did it turn out badly?"

"Oh, should I remind you of all the times?"

"GUYS!" cried Chloe.

"WHAT?" asked Lois and Clark at the same time.

"Err, you wanted to tell me something."

Lois and Clark looked rather nervously at each other.

"You see, Chloe, things got rather complicated these last few years and…"

"And you were not the only one who got married during these four years, cuz. Surprise!" Los smiled at Chloe rather nervously and showed her hand with a modest, yet beautiful ring with a small brilliant cut diamond, probably a piece of coal in its last life.

"Oh my!" gasped Chloe.

***

"He was right," said Chloe quietly to herself. After everything she had learned for the past two hours, she needed some time alone to swallow the information. That's why she came to Clark's barn. She understood why Clark liked it here so much. The place had some kind of aura. It never failed to calm Chloe down.

It was past midnight. The darkness consumed everything and even stars were not able to fight its power over everything.

"Who?"

Chloe turned around to see Clark. He fit perfectly in the picturesque scene of the barn. The tousled dark hair, sincere blue eyes, the same blue and red colours Chloe used to see on him. The past five years did not leave any marks on Clark Kent—no visible marks, at least. Chloe suddenly got sad when she realized that Clark was probably a different person inside.

"You said: he was right. Who?"

"Oliver," answered Chloe, feeling the strange taste the name left on her tongue.

Clark came up to her waiting for the continuation.

"He said… that he couldn't tell me everything that had happened during these years because the story would be too long."

"I'm sorry, Chloe."

"Don't be, it's not your fault."

"You are my best friend. I shouldn't have let this happen to you."

"Oh, it's good to know that some things about Clark Kent didn't change. He still blames himself for everything bad that happens in the world. Clark, you can't save everyone even if you wear a cape and call yourself Super… ehhh… Once again, what is your hero nickname?"

"Superman."

Chloe frowned.

"No offence, Clark, but that sounds… weird, I guess."

"It sounded better than red-blue blur," answered Clark annoyingly. "And in any way it was Lois' idea. I didn't have any say in the matter…"

"Oh, Lois…"

"Yes, Lois."

"That explains… Lois…" Chloe looked at Clark curiously.

"Yes, Lois," Clark nodded.

"So, Lois…" Chloe stopped.

"Lois…" Clark repeated becoming uncomfortable under Chloe's gaze.

"Yes, Lois…" Chloe looked at Clark expectantly.

"Chloe, stop it! What about Lois?"

"That's what I want to know, Clark. What about Lois. The formatted disk of my memory is not working properly at the moment, but five years ago you couldn't stand each other!"

"Yes?"

"And?"

"And we… eh… we kind of… it's just… just…"

"It's just another long story," finished Chloe with a sigh.

"It is."

"I hate Oliver for being so right."

"Eh, Chloe," Clark called hesitantly. "I… I wanted to ask… It's about Oliver…" Clark bit his lower lip. "Are you sure that you got it right?"

"Got what right?"

"Well, you said that Oliver… uh…"

"…threatened to put me in an asylum if I try to leave him," finished Chloe in a firm voice looking at Clark suspiciously.

"Are you sure that was what he meant?"

"Clark! I… I know what I'm saying. I… I did lose my memory, but I'm not crazy! I… I know what Oliver said. He… he… I don't know…"

"Chloe, please, don't be upset. I didn't mean to offend you," Clark rushed to Chloe and hugged her. "I know that you aren't crazy," Chloe pressed her face into Clark's shoulder, grateful for the comfort his embrace provided. "It's probably just Oliver… I don't know…"

The sound of the brakes interrupted their conversation. They looked at each other, both realizing who it was.

"Oliver…"

Panic rose in Chloe. She felt like a criminal caught red-handed. Fighting the stupid desire to run away from the farm, she looked at Clark.

"Just stay here. I'll talk to him myself."

***

"Where is she?!"

"Who?" asked Clark, trying to keep his voice neutral.

"Don't give me that shit, Clark! Chloe! I'm talking about my wife! I know that you helped her to escape. Now tell me where is she or I…"

"You what, Oliver? Put me in an asylum like you threatened to do to Chloe?"

Oliver got silent for a moment.

"What is it, Oliver? Cat got your tongue? How could you say something like that to her? You of all people should know…"

"I know, I know, I didn't mean it that way!"

"Well, she is obviously thinking otherwise," Clark couldn't keep the sarcasm from his voice.

"I didn't mean it to put it that way. She… she kept asking questions about our past. And I… I… What was I supposed to say?"

"The truth, Oliver. You could always tell her the truth."

"I wanted to, Clark. God knows how many times I prepared myself to. But then… Do you know how this truth sounds? The first year of our marriage, Lex, Tess, that idiot Jimmy, Bloom, her father… I… I just couldn't make myself…" He rubbed his hands over his face.

Clark looked at Oliver feeling pity for the young man. He looked tired and stressed. Unshaven, his clothes rumpled; he probably rushed from Star City immediately after Chloe's escape. Clark knew that Oliver was a hothead and sometimes his temper made him do things he regretted later.

"I know, Oliver," sighed Clark. "I understand you. But threatening Chloe with an asylum…"

"I know, I know, I went too far… I just got scared, Clark. She told me that she would leave me, and I reacted without thinking. You know that I'm not capable of doing such a thing!"

"Unfortunately, Oliver, we both know that you are quite capable when you want to."

Instead of blowing up, Oliver just smirked bitterly and shook his head.

"Another fact from our happy married life that I'm glad Chloe forgot about."

Oliver stared at the floor for a few seconds.

"She is safe, isn't she?"

"She's in the barn, Oliver."

"And, I guess, she doesn't want to hear anything about me," Oliver fell on the couch as if under all the pressure he was going through.

"I'm sorry, Oliver."

"This is my fault, not yours," Oliver rubbed his forehead. "I really screwed up this time," said he more to himself.

"You and Chloe had your moments before. I'm sure you'll figure this out."

"Yes, but before Chloe loved me. And now she doesn't even remember how she fell in love with me. Hell, I even don't know why she did in the first place!"

"Oliver, she just needs some time."

"I'll wait, Clark," said Oliver, determination in his voice. "I've already told you that I'd wait my whole life to have her back and I…"

A strange sound interrupted their conversation. As if someone wanted to cry at the top of his voice but choked.

"It's in the barn…"

***

Clark got there first thanks to his super speed. Chloe was lying on the floor of the barn, face down, a dark red spot spreading from under her head.