Left In Ruins

Smallville

Pairing: Tess/Ollie

Spoilers: 8x03- Tess' POV during her scene with Lois in the start of the episode.

Summary: The question of, 'did he love me like I loved him?' was never present because Tess knew the answer and had always known. Implied Tess/Ollie set during Toxic.

Author's Note: So this story was born out of my feeling that Oliver was in love with Tess. I have many reasons for this but this was also born out of the fact that I never (even before Tess) thought that he cared as deeply for Lois as she did for him. I like to get into Tess' head especially before anyone really knew her so I just wondered what it would be like for her to stand there with Lois having that conversation when Lois had no way of knowing that she was staring into the eyes of the only woman Oliver had ever loved and all of that ignorance gives Tess the upper hand. I also wanted this scene to fit the actual scene. I hope that if you watch the scene then my version of what she was thinking could fit into it.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

She verbally cut down the woman before her from behind an expertly worn veil of indifference. She could do this because the woman in front of her had no way of knowing how her heart broke at just the pictures of him in such a state or how her stomach turned at the thought that this woman was proof that Oliver had either moved on or never changed.

From the flashes of heartbreak almost as expertly hidden in the brunette's eyes it was most likely the second option. Oliver never changed.

Lois would never understand that Tess could relate. She also caught the tension in the other's shoulders and the fake smile of confidence plastered across her lips spoke volumes.

Tess felt a swelling of vindication rise in her chest knowing that Lois had been left and not the one to leave like she had been. That was something, at least, that she held over the brunette while she had to stand there pretending that Oliver was just another story for the morning edition and not what he was. She had to be collected and calm as to never give away the fact that she knew Oliver better than most. Most certainly, better than the woman before her but she couldn't let that show.

The other difference between the two women that favored the redhead was that when Tess looked into the mirror and saw a similar heartbroken expression over the very same man, there was no question reflecting back at her like it was in this moment from Lois' eyes.

The question of, 'did he love me like I loved him?' was never present because Tess knew the answer and had always known. The answer was yes; he had loved her because if he had not then they would probably still be together.

And as heartbroken as she had been at the time they split and as heartbroken as she would continue being, knowing that the reason they could not be together was because he had loved her so damn much that it had scared him, she couldn't escape something very important that came along with all of that.

Oliver had loved her.

Tess carried that around with a sick satisfaction and a swagger in her step. The brunette before her tried very hard to pretend she was neutral and that very act led Tess to one conclusion. He still loved her. Otherwise, things would have been different between him and the woman standing before her now and Lois would still be in those gossip columns they had spoken of moments ago.

Tess smirked slightly to herself as she finished the conversation about the story regarding the billionaire and let Lois walk out of the office never knowing of the victory she had just given away.

Tess's smirked turned into a smile. He had ruined her for other men and it gave her great joy knowing that she had returned the favor.

End.

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