Takes place 6 months after The Day After.

She wished she could say it had been easy after Bruce's injury. She wished she could say working with him had gone smoothly. But anything that didn't involve analogies like blood from a stone would just be a lie.

He made her work hard. Tested her at every turn as if she hadn't been the one doing this since she was 15. As if she hadn't been the one fighting bad guys when he was still an angry young man bent on self destruction.

But she played. Passed every test he threw her way. He stopped having to hide his surprise around month three but by then she was enjoying showing off. Enjoyed the satisfied feeling she got whenever she finished another one of his 'little tasks'.

It was time though. The Suicide Squad was gone. Bruce had taken them down as soon as he was well enough. It was the moment she had been waiting for. With them gone she should have been able to return. Go back to him. Now she was going back but it wasn't for the homecoming she had dreamed about. It was time say goodbye to her old life and that meant she had to come back from the dead.

Just the thought of it made her sick. The thought of seeing him again made her shake with fear in a way no evil megalomaniac could. But she had no choice. The longer she waited the worse the consequences were going to be. She was fully committed to this new life but in order to move on she needed to close the door on her old life.

"I need some time off."

"Why yes Miss Connolly, please come right into my office." Bruce's tone dripped with sarcasm and Chloe supposed most people would have cringed but she was way past the point where he made her nervous.

"I'm heading back to metropolis."

He immediately got up from behind his desk and made his way over to her. "Are you sure?" His tone softer.

She looked up and smiled sadly. "I need to do this." It surprised her every time the way his proximity calmed her. Their relationship was so confusing. He made her work so hard when they were training and in the office he was cold and distant unless it was just the two of them. And even then he was only marginally more civil. But there were times; times when no one else was around when she caught him watching her with a far away stare. More confusing though was the comfort that gave her. His presence calmed her, warmed her, there was just something about him that quieted her inner turmoil. Like an echo of something better.

He nodded his head. "I'll have the jet fueled."

"That will make my low key entrance much harder." Her sarcasm was comforting. He had come to realize it was who she was. The shy, quiet mouse he had met in that alley what felt like a lifetime ago was not Chloe. That was Chloe's ghost. Chloe was vibrant and bold. Smart and sassy and …. Bruce tried not to think about it. He already spent too much time on her. Too much time watching, worrying, wondering.

"It will also ensure you get back here as soon as possible."

"You'll miss me." She offered him an exaggerated pout and batted her eyelashes.

"Only the part of you that keeps Wayne Tech in the black." He was trying really hard not to acknowledge the pit that formed in his stomach the moment she had said she was leaving.

"So not my smile?"

"Just be safe." She nodded and walked out.

Safe? Did he mean physical danger or emotional? She was pretty sure a trip back wasn't going to end in a broken leg.

A ripped open chest? A nice fresh gaping emotional wound? She was pretty sure there was no avoiding them though. It just wasn't possible any meeting with Oliver and the boys would end well.

Stepping off the plane she held her breath. At what point had she thought this was a good idea? She smiled slightly at the limo waiting on the runway. Of course Bruce wouldn't let her fend for herself. She could only assume the car would be taking her to a 5 star hotel. No doubt she was booked in the penthouse. He was gruff and unforgiving and he could be downright cruel sometimes but if you watched closely, if you paid attention you saw he had a softer side. She wouldn't call him soft because that would be foolish but he could be kind, even gentle on occasion.

Oliver looked up at the knock at the door. "Come in" His first thought as the door opened was the dark hair. It looked like warm chocolate and certainly wasn't attached to his octogenarian secretary then his heart stopped.

"Hey." he wasn't sure how he got his voice to work.

"Hey." Her voice was soft and went straight to his soul. He had always hoped and prayed. Prayed even when he wasn't even remotely certain there was anyone to pray to. God those first few weeks had been hell. He ached, pain to the point where he wasn't sure he could get out of bed in the morning. But he did.

"Chloe." God how long had she waited to hear him say her name again. "Are you real?" He stood up slowly and walked towards her. Stopping right in front of her afraid to touch her. Afraid the illusion would shatter.

"Ollie." He had thought never to hear her voice again. And now she was standing in front of him and whispering his name. It was more than the man could take. He closed the gap between them and grabbed her. Wrapping his arms around her and pulling her against him. His lips descended and pressed against hers and he felt the same zing he always felt. Nearly seven years vanished in the blink of an eye as her arms went around his neck. She melted into him for only a moment before she remembered. She pulled back slightly and Oliver immediately released her.

"I'm sorry I shouldn't have done that." She watched as he looked away from her. Guilt in his eyes.

"I know." His eyes shot back to her. Surprise then sadness. "It's okay Ollie. I understand."

"Chloe, I thought you were dead. We all did." She smiled sadly. That had been the point. "I searched."

She moved forward and put her hand on his arm again. "I know."

"Why?" His voice wavered again and Chloe's heart broke.

"I'm so sorry." The first tear fell from her cheek and she took a step back as he reached for her. It was just too easy to forget everything. "I can't. I have to get this out. Please." She turned and walked back towards the door and he just watched. "They were going to use me against you and I couldn't let that happen. I kept waiting. All I wanted to do was to come home. Come back to you."

"Chloe." She raised her hand to cut him off.

" But it wasn't safe. It's never safe. I don't know how the time got away from me." She turned back and looked at him. Tears falling freely now. "And now…" She didn't need to say it.

"I'm so sorry." He moved forward and stopped when she froze.

"It's okay Ollie, It's okay." She swiped at the tears and smiled softly up at him. "I'm happy for you. "

"I didn't…"

"Oliver. Stop. If you had known things would have been different. I know that but since I don't have a time machine this is where we are. I'm okay." He looked at her like that wasn't possible. "Truly." She offered another smile. "I'm glad you found someone."

He stood there. Staring at the woman he thought was the love of his life. The woman he was certain he couldn't live without. The woman he had searched for. He should be furious at her for deceiving him. Furious for all the pain she caused him. But he wasn't. He couldn't be. He couldn't feel anything but joy.

Chloe was alive. Chloe was alive. God the team was going to be so excited.

"I know how hard this is. I'm sorry if there was any other way…"

"Just like a band aid sidekick." He offered her his most charming smile and she took her first deep breath. It was going to take a while but she had hoped they could one day get past this. One day they might be able to get back something that resembled a friendship.

"I can't hide anymore."

"I'll get the watchtower ready." He turned and went to pick up the phone.

"Ollie, stop." She moved towards him and put her hand on his arm. "I'm not coming back."

"But I thought." He turned to her and she couldn't help but notice the pain.

"I can't hide but I'm not coming back. This isn't my home anymore. You have a new life now Ollie." She couldn't say it. Couldn't say her name. Time and circumstances made it only reasonable to understand his life now but that didn't mean it didn't hurt. She was still in love with him.

"Chloe." How many times had she wanted to hear him say her name again? How many times had this moment been the only thing that kept her going?

"I just couldn't let you find out about me from someone else. I couldn't do that to you Ollie." The tears started again. "I want to start working again."

"The team will be thrilled to have you back." She watched as he tried to keep things light.

"Ollie stop. I'm still gone." She smiled sadly at him. "You have your life here and it doesn't include me anymore." He opened his mouth to cut her off and she just kept talking. "I'm staying where I am."

"And where is that exactly?" She noticed the tiny waiver of his voice.

"Gotham." She watched as his eyes got wide. She knew exactly what he was thinking. "I'm going to work with Bruce."

Oliver cursed under his breath. How long had their most isolated member known? Kept her away from him.

"6 Months. He's know for 6 months and I begged him not to tell you." His anger faded for a moment. She could still read him so easily. "I don't want to hide anymore Ollie."

"So come back, please." He had no idea what he would do. How he could handle having her near again. Right now all he could think about was holding her again. Pulling her close. What the hell was wrong with him? He had only just gotten back from his honeymoon with Diana a few days ago. He truly did love his wife. Truly. But Chloe was… He couldn't finish that thought. He was so torn. It had been one thing to move on when she was dead but now that she was standing here in front of him there was no pretending she was his past.

"I can't. Please." She hated the look on his face. "You can tell the team. I think it would be easier coming from you. I'm so sorry. Please give me some time. I just need some time." She turned to leave. She wasn't strong enough to have him look at her like that. "Please forgive me." She ran out of the room and kept running until she was back at the airport. She didn't even bother stopping at her hotel. There was nothing there that couldn't be shipped back.

She had managed to stay in Metropolis for less than 24 hours but at least it was over. She had told him. She wouldn't have to hide anymore and Bruce wouldn't have to lie for her. Hide her. She smiled through the tears at the thought of all he had done for her in the last few months. Even when he was cold and distant he was still helping her. Still watching out for her.

God how she just wanted to go home. She was shocked by her own thoughts. Oliver had always been home. For as long as she could remember the thought of him had always felt safe. Now it was her tiny apartment that called to her. Comforted her. Home. What a nice word.