Chapter 9: Confrontations

I walked up to the receptionist desk at Queen Industries, hoping to have a chance to talk to Oliver before heading to Watchtower.

"Is Mr. Queen busy?"

The woman looked up from her computer and asked, "Do you have an appointment?"

Right, I forgot that behind the society headlines, the green leather, and our friendship, that Oliver Queen was still a prominent businessman. You couldn't just walk in and see him. "No, but it's okay. I'll come back later."

I turned to walk away, but she stopped me. "Don't go miss. Just give me a minute and I'll see if he's available.

"Thank you."

She dialled his number. "Mr. Queen, Miss…."

"Chloe Sullivan."

"Miss Sullivan is here to see you." She nodded as she hung up the phone. "You're in luck, if you head down that hallway, his office is the last door on your left."

I read the pin on her sweater and smiled. "Thanks Sara." She smiled back at me before turning her head back to her computer.

I walked down the hallway and was about to open the door when I heard him arguing with someone. So much for being available. I was about to leave when I heard a familiar voice.

"I thought I made it clear that you were to stay away from her." While the voice explained Oliver 'availability,' what was Clark doing here?

"As Green Arrow, not as Oliver Queen, not that it matters. She found out last night." Oliver replied in a much softer voice, but he was lucky that no one else was around. "Chloe also figured out you've been sabotaging her recruitment attempts despite us working together during the Doomsday saga."

I shook my head. Oliver knew about Doomsday? I must have seemed so stupid that day, trying to find the right words when he knew exactly what I was talking about.

Oliver continued, "Although I'm wondering why I listened to you; she's a lot stronger of a person than you give her credit."

"I was trying to protect her from you. You had too much blood on your hands and a tendency to make the wrong decisions."

Oliver Queen, a killer? I couldn't believe the words coming from my best friend's mouth.

"Then why did you use her to try to save me?" Clark looked stunned, then again, why wouldn't he? I never told him that he wasn't the only one who witnessed Oliver's suicide attempt. "Come on, Clark. You know that I would eventually figure it out. Sure the pressure plate was a fake, but it wouldn't take long for someone with her talent to break into the building's software and mess with the PA system. Besides, she said that she wrote the article because I needed some positivity in my life. How else would she know what I was going through?"

Obviously, Clark didn't have an answer, so the two men just stared at each other. I had a lot of explaining to do, and I could only stand outside the door for so long before they would realize that I had been eavesdropping.

I tried to keep myself calm as I knocked on the door. "Sorry I'm early, but I thought...Clark?"

"Chloe, hey. Clark was just..."

Clark interrupted him. "How much of that did you hear Chloe?"

I tried to play the clueless card. "What?"

"Don't play dumb, Chloe. A man doesn't need superpowers to know you were eavesdropping."

Busted. "Fine. But you both need to realize that speaking about these things in an office building is a bad idea."

Staring at his desk, Oliver asked, "Am I right?"

"About what exactly?"

"What do you think?"

I sighed. "I didn't cut off the cameras in time. I'm sorry."

"Chloe, I distinctly told you..."

I turned to look at Clark. "I'm sorry Clark. Truly I am, but I need a moment to talk to Oliver."

Clark shook his head and left the room without a word.

I walked closer to Oliver. "You okay?"

"A little disappointed, but yeah."

"I meant it when I said that I wanted to help. Sure, I may have lied, but it was never about your... extracurricular activities or your money." He maintained his expression, so I turned my back to him. "Now I guess it's my turn to say that if you want to part ways, I'd understand."

He put his hand on my shoulder. "I trust you."

"You knew about Doomsday... is that when you met the team?"

"I had met some of the team beforehand actually, and I'm still willing to join if Clark is..."

"Don't worry about him; it's not just his decision. I'll talk to the team and I'll let you know. Any luck finding Mia?"

Oliver nodded. "It's going down tonight."

"So who was he?"

"When I was too young to take over the company, I did the normal rich-orphan rebellious act- I joined a cult. Vordigan was my master. Even though I had left that life in my rear-view mirror, when I noticed someone was following me, I figured it was him, especially after I found out Lois was attacked. I figured you were Watchtower, so I told Clark to keep you out of it."

"What gave me away?"

"It took me a while to figure it out, but… in order to run Watchtower, you would need computers, a secret hideout and a hard-working trustworthy person. I couldn't find anyone else in Clark's life who fits that description better than you."

"How did you know where I was last night?"

"Clark told me that you... that Watchtower was missing. He didn't want to leave Lois and he knew I was still patrolling. Clark got someone, probably Vic, to trace your cell phone records and find the meeting place. I was hoping that Vordigan didn't find you... but he did, so I had to think quickly in order to keep you safe."

"For what it's worth, thank you."

He grinned for a moment before restoring his solemn expression. "I'm just glad that I got to you in time."

"So... no lovers, allies, and disciples, I'm guessing Mia is the 'disciple' in this case?"

He nodded. "The final piece. He's baiting me to embrace my dark side. The cult's rule is the disciple kills the master. He's using Mia to do it."

"Can I help?"

He sighed and pointed at the door. "You heard Clark. I've probably disturbed your life enough."

"Hey, it's my life."

"Thanks for the offer, but I'll handle it."

I rubbed my hand on his arm and said, "Be careful, okay. I'll tell the team to expect you tomorrow." I turned away and walked out his office.

As much I wanted to help him, it was clear he didn't want my involvement. I had to save my energy on the inevitable clash with Clark, so I went straight to Watchtower. Fortunately, Clark was there waiting for me when I opened the doors.

"You knew Oliver was Green Arrow."

Clark nodded. "Yes."

"Why did you want him to stay away from me?"

"You know why."

I raised my eyebrow. "Because he has blood on his hands? Sorry if I'm a little skeptical."

"He killed Lex, Chloe."

Everything in my head stopped at that statement. That wasn't exactly the response I was expecting. No, it couldn't be true. I scoffed, "Are you kidding me?"

"I wouldn't lie about this. The hospital footage you sent me around the time Lex died proves it. He's carrying a toy bomb and he set up Toyman. That's why Schott went after Oliver that night at the Ace of Clubs. Ask him, he'll admit to it."

It made sense, but all I could think about was Sebastian Kane, and about how Clark didn't know I killed a man protecting him. Not to mention Davis' and Jimmy's deaths are likely on my conscience. It was another thing Oliver and I seemed to have in common.

I took a moment to collect my thoughts. "Do you trust me?"

"Of course, Chloe."

"Well... I trust him. Jimmy trusted him; then again, you probably knew that too. He knows all of our identities Clark and he never told anyone. He may have his faults, but you're not perfect either, and I've always given you faith that you will learn from your mistakes. I want to give him the same courtesy." I paused for a moment before continuing. "He said that he worked with the team. What did they think of him?"

He said begrudgingly, "They liked him."

"Then maybe let them have a say, okay?"

"Lois knows about Oliver."

Way to avoid the question, Clark. "He told me."

"And... there's something else." Clark paced around Watchtower, clearly trying to find the right words.

"No offence Clark but spit it out. I'm not the one who can read minds."

"Tess wanted to know the truth about where Lois was when she disappeared. I was able to see most of her memories. Chloe, she accidentally put on the Legion ring and saw the future when the solar tower is functioning."

"Does she remember everything?"

"No, I had Emil wipe her memory clean."

"What happens?"

"The tower turns the sun red, disabling my abilities, and Zod enslaves the human race. You're the leader of the resistance... with Oliver."

"How long have you known this?"

"About a week. I'm been deliberating the proper course of action, but now that Oliver is in the picture, I..."

"Is that why you told him to stay away from me Clark because that is..."

He shook his head before interrupting, "No, I didn't want you to get caught up in his lifestyle."

"Really Clark? You had that little faith in me?"

"That's not the point Chloe. You, me, Oliver... in this future, we all die."

I nodded my head slowly, trying to understand everything. I looked back up at Clark, who seemed genuinely worried. "So what are you going to do?"

He started walking towards the window and looked out to Metropolis. "I'm going to join Zod, try to save him from himself. It's what Jor-El wanted."

"That's supposed to help the human race?"

"I don't see another option, Chloe. Facing Zod as my enemy isn't the answer. However, if Oliver wants to join, I'm fine with it. You probably could use his money to help finish Watchtower."

"Clark, that's not the reason I want him on the team."

He turned around to face me. "I know, but it would help right?"

"Thanks for understanding, Clark. He could be really useful if Zod decides to declare war."

"I'm sorry for lying to you Chloe, but I was afraid of you getting caught up in his reputation and his recklessness."

I walked over to the couch and sat down. "So why have me save him?"

"Despite everything that had transpired between us, I saw that night that the hero needed to be saved in Oliver. He needed to re-learn what suiting up as Green Arrow meant in his life."

"Why not get Vic to do it?"

As Clark sat down next to me, he responded, "I would have, but I couldn't get a hold of him – you were my only option. Look, I know that you're more than capable of handling things, but that doesn't stop me from looking out for you. Just be grateful that you'll have someone to tell your frustrations to."

I placed my hand on his shoulder and looked into his eyes. "Clark, I'm not looking for a new best friend. I'll always be here for you."

"You know what I mean."

Removing my hand I said, "I do, but one day you will be able to tell Lois everything, and she will understand. However, don't start comparing you and Lois to me and Oliver."

"You've just...really helped him turn around as a person."

I shrugged. "That's what friends do, Clark. Besides, that was Jimmy, not me."

"Believe me Chloe, Jimmy may have helped Oliver, but you truly saved him."

"You do remember that the bomb was a fake, right?"

"No, you saved him. Your friendship gave him hope and meaning. I know I may have sounded frustrated earlier, but I just wanted to keep you safe. Now that I've heard from both sides of your friendship, I'll try a little more supportive."

"I'd appreciate that."

Clark's phone started buzzing. "It's probably Lois."

"Go ahead, Clark. I'm fine."

I looked around at Watchtower. Tomorrow was going to be an interesting day, seeing everyone's reaction to the fact that I knew the truth about Oliver. If I was able to convince Clark that Oliver could be a valuable asset, I figured that everyone else would follow suit. However, looking at Clark, I couldn't help but think there was something he wasn't telling me.

A/N: And... we're back. Good news for "Never" fans, your patience has paid off. The next chapter will hopefully be up by the end of the week.