Talking in Your Sleep-9/?

[bluesuedeshoes]

Author:  BlueSuede
Title:  Talking in Your Sleep
Rating: NC17
Genre: Friendship/Romance
Pairings:  Chloe/Oliver, Chloe/Green Arrow, Lois/Bruce, Lois/Clark
Summary:  Intrepid reporter for the Daily Planet, Chloe Sullivan, has her heart stolen by the masked hero, Green Arrow, but can she be satisfied with not knowing his real identity?
Warnings: There will probably be some minor spoilers, particularly for Season 6.  There will also be a ridiculously unnecessary amount of smut.  You've been warned.



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Chapter 1

Previoius (Chapter 8)
Next (Chapter 10)

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Tell me why we're all gluttons for pain.
The girl is totally insane.
She doesn't know the meaning of tame;
Still I can't put out the flame.

Diggin' Your Scene
Smashmouth

-9-

From: emeraldarch... Subject: (none)

It was the first full day in Gotham, and Chloe hadn't heard from the Green Arrow since seeing him in person. She held her breath as her mouse hovered over the e-mail, working up the nerve to open it.

Finally, with no little internal effort, she opened it.

Sidekick,

I'm so sorry I couldn't be there when you woke up the other morning. You can't imagine how much I wanted to be. If it's any comfort, just know I've been thinking about you ALL day. ...and all last night, too.

I hope you enjoy your trip this weekend, and I really hope I hear from you. We definitely have things to talk about.

Can't wait until I see you again,

Arrow

Chloe jumped at the sound of the lock on the hotel door clicking, signaling Lois's entrance.

"Hey, Lo. How was lunch?"

Lois smiled dreamily. "I think I'm going to kidnap Bruce's butler."

Chloe laughed. "O-kay?"

Lois waved a dismissive hand. "We had lunch at his mansion - which was completely weird for me, by the way - and his butler - also weird - made us lunch and it was the most delicious thing ever. I never knew I liked tea until I had his tea. I think it might almost be better than coffee."

Chloe gave her a shocked look.

"Almost," she emphasized, and Chloe glanced back at her computer, mollified. She was about to log out when the fact that her computer was open caught Lois's attention. "Oh my gosh, is that him? Have you been talking to him while I was out? What'd he say?"

Chloe smiled glancing at his message, before looking up at Lois. "What?" she asked blankly, not having heard.

Lois rolled her eyes. "Maybe if I put on green leather that would help hold your attention."

Chloe smirked. "It couldn't hurt anything."

"I asked what he had to say," she repeated, glancing at the back of the computer suspiciously.

Chloe flushed. "That he can't wait to see me again."

"Oh brother," Lois rolled her eyes, but even Chloe caught the amusement there. "I'll bet he can't. He just wants to get you naked again. Anything else?"

"Nothing important. Just...I don't know; the usual flirting." She closed the screen hurriedly to remove it from Lois's probing eyes.

She huffed. "Fine. Be that way. Anyway, we need to get going. We need dresses."

"I beg your pardon?" Chloe deadpanned.

"Policeman's Ball Fundraiser Thing," she said by way of explanation.

"Aw, Lo," Chloe whined. "Are you serious?"

She nodded.

"Couldn't you have mentioned this before we left Metropolis? I've got at least three perfectly good dresses at home."

She shrugged embarrassedly. "I didn't know? Oh come on, Bruce is buying." She waggled her eyebrows.

"No. No way am I taking handouts from your boyfriend."

"It's not a handout," Lois said, handing Chloe her purse. "It's a gift. Learn the difference. And anyway we haven't got a choice, so move it or lose it, cuz," she announced, heading back for the apartment door.

Chloe watched her go, debating her options. Then she sighed and followed after. If Bruce insisted on paying for the dresses, which he probably would, seeing as it was all his fault for not telling them they needed formal wear, then she would just have to be frugal.

---

Oliver swirled the drink in his glass glumly. It had been an interesting dilemma, one that had never occurred to him until that morning when he was packing a small bag for an overnight in Gotham. He was currently dateless at the Police Commissioner's fundraiser for multiple reasons. First it had been a last minute decision to go at all, and second, it had suddenly occurred to him that for Oliver Queen to bring a date to a function would be strangely unfair to Chloe. It was a somewhat bizarre predicament. On the one hand, Chloe didn't even know it was him, so for him to have a date wouldn't hurt her any, at least as long as she didn't know, that is. But he would still feel like a heel for it. And on the other hand, if she did know, there was a distinct possibility she would be hurt. He knew that he for one didn't like the idea of her going out with other men, especially after the other night.

This was bad. That was all there was to it. How on earth had he gotten into this situation? More importantly, how had he gotten Chloe into this situation?

Since when does the Green Arrow have a personal life? he chided himself. Of all the stupid things to run off and do...it was bad enough to kiss her...that was one thing...but sleeping with her? Have you completely lost your mind? He rolled his eyes at himself. How idiotic. How utterly stupid. To get himself involved in a situation that couldn't possibly do anything but blow up in his face...and to bring Chloe down with him. What had he been thinking? Part of him knew that he should put serious consideration into ending it for both their sakes. The other part of him selfishly and stubbornly blanched at the very idea of not being able to see or talk to Chloe any more. She'd become the best part of his day, and the idea of not being able to touch her again? It was borderline frightening to him. He was in way over his head.

There was only one thing for it. He was going to have to tell her who he was and pray for the best.

"What's with the sour puss, Queen? Your drink do something to offend you?" a familiar voice asked.

Oliver looked up and grinned. "Bruce Wayne. Long time, no see. Didn't get a chance to talk to you much when you were in Metropolis. How are you?" He shook hands with his old friend.

Bruce shrugged. "Doing well. At least, as well as I'm ever doing," he raised a meaningful eyebrow at Oliver who nodded his understanding.

"As well as any of us are ever doing," he added with a shrewd smile. "You here with anyone?" he added, glancing around for a sign of Bruce's date.

Bruce nodded, grinning. "She's on the other side of her room talking to her cousin about something under the pretense of getting drinks."

Oliver, who had been taking a sip of his drink, choked on it a little.

Bruce quirked a brow at him. "You okay?"

Oliver stared at him. "Did you say her cousin?" No. There was no way. It wasn't possible. It would be too big of a coincidence.

"Yeah she brought her cousin with her on the visit. Something about needing more 'cousin time.' You know women. Anyway, I'm sorry I didn't get back to the message you left about drinks tonight, but if you don't mind a little extra company, then I'd be up for it." He grinned. "If it helps any, her cousin is pretty cute, and single from what I understand."

Oliver forced himself to answer, though his throat was suddenly quite dry at the impossible coincidence. "What did you say their names were?"

"Lois Lane and Chloe Sullivan. Here, I think they're coming over now. I'll introduce you." He paused, adding as an afterthought. "And I think this should go without saying, but it's you, so...yeah, be nice. I happen to like this one, and her cousin's a really good kid. Do anything stupid and I'll be forced to strangle you and make it look like an accident." He clapped him on a back, saying this with a smile and in a cheerful tone as Lois and Chloe approached them, fresh drinks in hand, as if Oliver's very thoughts had conjured them out of thin air.

...and what a conjuring it was. He could feel his entire throat go dry as he took her in...as he took in the dress she was wearing. Normally he would have felt smug at seeing her wearing green, given the circumstances, but there wasn't room for smugness in his body. There wasn't room for much coherent thought other than, "Damn."

She was a goddess. A goddess in green silk. Creamy skin exposed, the fabric sliding against her body in a scintillating fashion that had him aching to touch her, to hold her like he had the other night. To kiss her, to run his hands over her. To do wonderfully unnameable things to her. To hear her cry out his name, his real name.

"Lois," Bruce said, tugging the brunette to his side. "I'd like you to meet Oliver Queen, an old friend of mine. Oliver, this is Lois Lane and her cousin Chloe Sullivan."

"We've met," Chloe said, sounding less than enthused.

And that was when he felt his heart sink into his stomach, libido almost entirely forgotten in the moment of sudden wretchedness. Here he was planning to tell her his real identity, and he'd forgotten one very important detail: Chloe hated Oliver Queen. Well, perhaps 'hate' was a strong word. But she certainly regarded him with unreasonable contempt. Shaking these bleak thoughts away, he plastered on a friendly grin. "How could I ever forget?" he teased. "It's a pleasure, Miss Sullivan."

She barely met his eyes as Lois interjected. "You two have met?" she asked curiously, looking at Chloe in surprise.

"At one of Senator Kent's fundraisers," Oliver supplied, smirking. "It was...memorable," he settled on the word, enjoying Chloe's obvious discomfort in spite of himself.

Bruce quirked an eyebrow, his mouth thinning. Lois, meanwhile, looked confused. "Wait, where was I?"

Chloe lifted a shoulder, letting it drop again in a graceful movement. Oliver noticed she was determinedly looking anywhere but at him, her cheeks slightly flushed. "You were off somewhere with Bruce, I think." She looked as if she was hoping someone would change the subject, but Oliver simply continued smirking, unwilling to do anything to help her.

Bruce jumped in, now a little uncertain of himself as he said, "I hope you don't mind, but since Oliver was in town, I've invited him to join us for drinks at the manor after the evening is over."

Lois, who looked thoroughly amused, smirked evilly. "Oh, we don't mind at all. I think that sounds perfect. Now we're an even number," she glanced at Chloe, raising a meaningful eyebrow at her cousin.

Chloe pretended not to notice, but seemed resigned that she was going to have to be polite. So she simply sipped her drink.

Chloe was mortified. She'd felt guilty for days after first meeting Oliver at Mrs. Kent's function, but she'd consoled herself with the fact that it was unlikely she'd ever encounter him again. Now here she was forced to spend an evening with him. Lois would undoubtedly try to play matchmaker, in spite of the fact that she knew Chloe was...well, for lack of a better word, involved with someone.

She was terribly embarrassed about the way she'd behaved herself that first meeting. He'd caught her at a bad moment. Yes, she tended to be a bit cynical about the crowd that politics attracted, and Mr. Douglas had put her in a mood of disapproval. But it had been no excuse to be so horribly judgmental towards him. She couldn't even bring herself to look at him properly.

In her mind it was only too certain that he detested her, thinking her a closed-minded snob, and when she got a glimpse of him smirking at her, she imagined with utmost conviction that he was mocking her, that he was enjoying holding over her head what an insufferable little fool she was.

Of course, he was enjoying himself, but not for any of the reasons she imagined. And it absolutely did not occur to her that more than anything, he was just enjoying the way she looked in the dress Lois had forced on her.

So with all of her imaginings swirling about in her head, it was really no wonder that Chloe very nearly got the worst shock of her life at Oliver's next statement.

"Would you like to dance?"

She blinked, convinced he wasn't talking to her and that another woman must be standing nearby.

He chuckled when she looked around as if expecting to see someone else, and he leaned forward, a twinkle of amusement in his eyes at her surprise. Unconsciously, she retreated a step, caught off guard by his proximity.

Her mouth opened but very little actually came out. "I - well..." she glanced away from him nervously, trying to regain her countenance. This was ridiculous. Yes, she was embarrassed, but there was no reason she couldn't start fresh, right? Right, she told herself.

He appeared amused by her failure to properly respond. "I'll take your lack of protest as a yes, then?" he asked, and she wished the floor would swallow her whole. There was no starting fresh, not with that...that...tall person. She momentarily wondered if she was forever cursed to be surrounded by giants. Between Lois, Clark, Bruce, and now Oliver Queen, she felt positively dwarfish.

By the time these thoughts had concluded, Chloe was suddenly aware of the fact that he had managed to swindle her out onto the dance floor, and he was placing a hand around her waist. She jolted in surprise, her face flushing at the feeling of his warm hand on her lower back, skin against skin, evoking images of the previous night when the Green Arrow's leather-gloved hand had slipped around her back to raise her hips a little higher and -

Stop right there, Sullivan, she informed herself. The last thing you need to be doing is standing here, dancing with Oliver Queen and thinking about having sex with another man. Oh god, I wonder if he can tell I'm thinking about sex. Oh...hell...

She closed her eyes in horror, wondering what he must think of her.

"Are you all right?"

She started slightly. "What?" she forced herself to meet his eyes, trying not to think about how horribly attractive he was. Just look at his eyes. Just look at his eyes. Just look at his eyes.

He raised an eyebrow. "I can't make up my mind if you're miserable just being here, or if you're miserable just being with me," he joked, and for a second time she wished the ground would swallow her whole.

She looked down at her feet, wishing for the life of her that she could just stop blushing. "I'm so sorry, I'm just...God, I'm just constantly rude to you, aren't I?" she looked up at him helplessly.

He chuckled, "Well, I'm glad it's not just my imagination." He paused, smiling ironically at his own statement. "...I think."

She laughed nervously. "I think I can safely blame you. You have a habit of catching me at all the wrong moments."

He quirked an eyebrow, "And here I thought running into you this evening was positively fortuitous."

She wanted to die. Why had he even asked her to dance? He obviously thought she was horrible. Why was this song taking so long to finish? Hadn't they been dancing to it for a painfully long time?

This is punishment, isn't it? It's punishment for sleeping with a man whose name I don't even know. I wonder which sin that is...probably something related to lust. And now I'm doing penance with the worst kind of death possible: embarrassment.

"I've lost you again. I'm sorry I'm so boring apparently."

Her attention snapped back to the man whose arms she was resting so stiffly in, too nervous to relax in his hold for even a moment. "It's not you. I'm sorry; it's like I said, I'm just...distracted at the moment."

"Yeah, that's what I was asking about."

"Sorry?"

"I mean I asked what you were so distracted about and why apparently I've caught you at the wrong time."

"Oh," she said, still staring mostly at their feet, not wanting to look at his face for fear of being blinded by his smile, which was utterly unbearable. "I've just...um...you know what, let's talk about something other than me. Please?" she managed to shoot him a pleading look before averting her eyes again.

He looked at the ceiling briefly, seemingly asking for help. Then he managed to find some neutral ground. "How is Senator Kent's re-election campaign going?" he asked. "I haven't checked in with her lately."

"It's going really well," she said, eagerly seizing the friendly topic. "She's leading in the polls and the fundraisers for her campaign have all been successful, and...but I won't jinx it for her. But I think it's honestly going well."

He grinned broadly and she immediately looked away. Damn smile. Damn attractive man. God, I shouldn't even be thinking about his being attractive. I'm practically seeing someone else. I think. Oh, God, my life has gotten weird.

"Well that's fantastic," Oliver said, and she caught herself being surprised at how genuine he sounded. So much for not judging him, she nearly rolled her eyes at herself. "I really like the Senator. I think she's done some wonderful things in office. I'd like to see her continue."

Chloe nodded, not sure what else to say on the matter.

By divine providence, the song finally ended, and Chloe drew back from his arms immediately, barely containing a sigh of relief that her torment was over.

She didn't catch the look of disappointment that flashed across Oliver's face, too busy thinking about how badly she needed another drink.

"Can I get you a drink?" he offered, and she nearly groaned. Hadn't he done his duty? He'd been polite to her in spite of the fact that she was incorrigibly rude to him. Did he have to persist in torturing her?

She shook her head. "I think I need a bit of air. I'm so sorry," she said, and with that, she slipped off into the crowd, desperate to get away.

Oliver frowned watching her go. Had he thought she regarded him with contempt? He was a fool. It was evident that he disgusted her, and for no apparent reason. She obviously thought him insufferable. She'd made it clear that she couldn't get away from him fast enough.

He rubbed his hand over his face. What exactly was it about him that she found so insufferable? He hadn't even done anything to her.

He looked around the room and spotted Bruce and Lois dancing away happily, Lois resting her cheek against his shoulder, a dreamy look on her face, her eyes closed. He glanced at his watch.

This is going to be a long night.

Previoius (Chapter 8)
Next (Chapter 10)

Comments

[jediyoda99.livejournal.com]

Just a little more effort Oliver. He really needs to talk to her to get her to open. With a little talk and clearance, they could have their happily ever after.

[iluvaqt.livejournal.com]

Aww this whole chapter I just wanted to hug him, poor guy. He's so conflicted and tormented. :) I like his train of thought in his argument though. It really has to be tell her the truth or end it... I'm going for the first. :D I wonder how intuitive Alfred's going to be when he sees them together.

Do anything stupid and I'll be forced to strangle you and make it look like an accident. < haha, classic Bruce. Loved their interaction.

[sxymami0909.livejournal.com]

Aww this was a great chapter hun I completely love their miscommunication him thinking she hates him and her thingking OMG he's attractive why am I so rude LOL it was so Chlollie for them to miscommunicate. Sorry the comment is so short today, but I'm strapped for time. Great chapter can't wait until the next :)

[lali-lewicki.livejournal.com]

I'm feeling very sympathetic towards Oliver right now... Poor guy! There he is trying to do the right thing and make Chloe at least like Oliver Queen before he does the big reveal and Chloe starts feeling like she's cheating on the Arrow and the whole thing just backfires on him. Oh my... but I still have a feeling that Chloe is going to find out before he tells her. And I think her tip is going to be the Queen family ring! :D

But that's just my guess... lol... I've been pretty wrong in all my guesses so far, so I figure that I'll have to get it right eventually! =D

In any manner, I was happy to see that you had updated, I needed a little "pick me up" after some recent events. My uni professors just declared themselves in strike (it's a public university and the governor froze their salaries until 2015), so that means I'm on an impromptu vacation I didn't really want. (I just really want to graduate, I'm only two semesters away!!) Oh well... more time to read and write fanfic, right?

Make sure you tell Oliver I'm rooting for him! ;)

Great job as usual!

[amazing-07.livejournal.com]

Absolutely love it! I love how vividly you describe how they are feeling.

[nivieniv.livejournal.com]

aw, poor Oliver! But it was fun seeing them like this! I've been curious to see Chloe interact with Oliver more, so this chapter was a great read :D Now I wonder (among other things) whether Chloe will find out on her own, smart girl that she is, or if Oliver ends up telling her that he's the Green arrow.

Great update as always :)

[thegrin.livejournal.com]

Great chapter ! I felt bad for Oliver, he's pratically in love with Chloe and in a way she doesn't really like a part of him ... aww poor thing !!!
I really loved their interactions, the awkwardness and the miscommunication were really well written ! It's really interesting to see the difference in their interactions when Ollie is the GA and when he's Oliver Queen !
I loved it and I can't wait to read more, thanks for sharing :)

[greenteam4ever.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad you've finally updated! Aaand Chloe meets Oliver again, I was waiting for it! 'Afterparty' would be very interesting to read about. To my mind it's time for Chlor to understand Oliver don't hate her at all. I agree that they should talk more. She got to know him better. Poor Ollie, can't even imagine what he feels. Such a complicated situation.
-------------------------------------------------
She thinks he's gorgeous!Yay!But wait, who doesn't? LoL

[purple-moon123.livejournal.com]

Poor Ollie he just keeps catching Chloe at the wrong times!! And he keeps thinking that she despises him!!! Oh these tangled webs!!!

When I saw the manip of the Atonement dress I'll admit that I had the scene of the library running though my head!!! XDD

[greenlover-13.livejournal.com]

Yeah!!! an update, i love you soooooo much right now,
i have such a crappy day at work and this just what i need
i really enjoy this chapter, to bad they can't seem to got it together without the green leather lol :)
i love bruce threatening oliver and lois saying she wants to kidnap alfred (i truly can see that happening lol)
awww poor Ollie feeling so unwanted and chloe so confuse and torn, i just love this story so much
i hope you don't get tired to hear it 'cause i just have have have yo say it: Amazing work, great chapter, love the story, love your writing : )

[jenwin23.livejournal.com]

Poor Ollie. Chloe needs to just tell him that she's sorry and feels embarrassed. But where's the drama in that...

Can't wait for more.

[butter-me-up.livejournal.com]

ugh poor Ollie. I loved the inner angst on both part though, very well written. Great update!

[mia805.livejournal.com]

Poor Chloe, poor Oliver, another great chapter of a amzing fic, this story is really interesting and just fantastic to read.

[phoenix-173.livejournal.com]

Great update. And since you are SUCH a fantastic writer, you are totally forgiven for withholding chapter 10 until you are happy with it. :D

Galen

[babaojay.livejournal.com]

I'm not as patient as Galen...UPDATE PLEASE!!! We are always our own worst critics...your fic is so well written. Please put us out of our misery and post Ch. 10 soon! Pretty please? Cherries? Yes? Okay, that's settled. ;-)