Author's Comment: Another response to a prompt from livejournal:

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This one's from liasonmorgan, so thank you for the inspiration! We'll see how this goes!

--Prologue--

No. Way.

It couldn't be her...could it?

He recognized the smile and the eyes...it had to be her. But then, it had been years. They'd been what? Ten years old?

In spite of the unlikelihood of the situation, Oliver was certain. The blonde standing across the room had to be Chloe Sullivan, the girl you might call his childhood sweetheart in a way. At least, he'd looked at her one day as a seven-year-old and told her frankly--and with a hint of exasperation--that he was going to have to marry her someday.

He chuckled, remembering the deep frown that had graced her innocent, six-year-old features in response. "Why?"

"Because you can't take care of yourself, so it's up to me," he'd said gravely.

He shook his head, wondering what she was doing at the Excelsior Academy ten year reunion. She'd moved away to Smallville when they were still kids. He couldn't believe the odds of running into her here of all places. She looked amazing, dressed in a simple black cocktail dress that showed off her now mouth-watering figure. Who knew the scrawny little girl would grow up to be so gorgeous?

He was making his way across the room to her, trying to side-step old acquaintances that he wasn't really friends with and whose names he didn't really care to try and fail to remember. Half way there, he stopped short, feeling all the blood drain from his face.

Luthor? Luthor?

Yes, it was him. None other than Lex Luthor had just walked up to her, two drinks in his hands. He'd handed her one and then slid a hand around her waste so possessively Oliver felt himself grinding his teeth in response.

What in the name of all that was just in this world was Chloe Sullivan doing on the arm of that disgusting, murderous piece of slime?

He hesitated now, rethinking his strategy. He wanted badly to go talk to her, to see how she was doing, and to find out why in her right mind she was with Luthor, but he also wanted to avoid Luthor. Just being in the same room as that foul low-life was making his hand itch to slug him.

The desire to see Chloe again won out, and the next thing he knew he was approaching his worst enemy, a friendly smile plastered on his face.

"Lex!" Oliver said genially, extending a hand.

Luthor raised an eyebrow and accepted the handed coldly. "Oliver Queen. I hope you're well." His tone implied otherwise, although technically Luthor's reason to dislike Oliver was much less fresh. Oliver hated Luthor because he was an enemy to the Green Arrow. Luthor hated Oliver because Oliver had been a bully in junior high. Oliver couldn't help but think Luthor was pathetic for not being able to let go of something so stupid and so long ago, but he reminded himself that it was easy for the bully to say that. He hated to admit it, but Luthor had been the victim.

Oliver was about to respond, but Chloe interrupted them.

"Ollie?" she asked in a delighted voice, a glowing smile spreading slowly across her face.

Ding ding ding. Mission accomplished.

Oliver feigned slight scrutiny followed by recognition. "My god, Chloe Sullivan?" he asked, matching her smile.

Luthor looked between the two of them, a dark expression flitting across his face.

"You two know each other?"

"We were kids together!" Chloe said, positively beaming. She released her light hold on Luthor's elbow to embrace Oliver. "I can't believe it! My gosh, how many years has it been now?" she shook her head in disbelief.

He grinned. "Too many. How are you doing?"

"Really well," she gave a smile that Oliver found difficult to decipher, as though something were hidden behind it. She glanced up at Luthor happily. "You two were friends in school?" she asked.

Oliver shifted uncomfortably as Luthor responded. "Something like that," he said, a little curtly.

Oliver scratched his head. "I was kind of a jerk, but Lex was a nice kid." He felt disgusted with himself for saying it, but essentially it was true. He had been a jerk, and Luthor hadn't been totally consumed by evil until he got older.

Chloe was still smiling, oblivious. "Why do I have the feeling that you were a total jock who spent too much time fixing his hair?" she teased Oliver.

He shrugged sheepishly. "What can I say? Hormones did a number on me."

She laughed lightly, a sound he'd thought he'd never hear again. "I'll say. I feel like you're still ten years old in my mind. When did you grow up?" she asked.

"Don't worry. I only look like an adult. I still act half my age most days."

"Chloe, dear, I think I see an old professor I'd like to talk to," Luthor interrupted purposefully, trying to draw her away.

Chloe bit her lip regretfully, then, working up her nerve, said, "Why don't I come find you in a moment. I'd really like to catch up with Ollie."

Oliver watched Luthor carefully. If he was angry, he hid it well. He kissed her on the cheek and left them.

"So," Chloe said, once he was gone. "Tell me what you've been up to."

Oliver shrugged. "Running the parents' business. A little of this, a little of that." Running around at night fighting crime in a leather suit. Occasionally drinking more than I should and sleeping with women I shouldn't give the time of day. "You?"

She smiled that mysterious smile again, and Oliver found himself almost desperate to know what it meant. "Well, Lex and I are engaged."