The Bottom of the Glass--7/13

[bluesuedeshoes]

Author:  BlueSuede
Title:  The Bottom of the Glass
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Angst/Romance/Drama
Pairings:  Chloe/Oliver
Summary: Chloe's meteor powers return with reinforcements. Instead of talking to anyone about it, even Oliver, she finds a different refuge.
Warnings: mild OOC on Chloe's part


Chapter 1

Previous (Chapter 6)
Next (Chapter 8)

-7-

Oliver was doing target practice when the phone rang the next morning, so he put it on speaker.

"Oliver?"

"Um, hey, Lois. What's up?"

"Why is my cousin drinking?"

The arrow feel distinctly left of the mark. "What?" he asked darkly.

"Last night. She didn't have a lot. Two glasses, but she almost never drinks, and she didn't even look phased by what she had. When did this start?"

"Couple of days ago," he said through gritted teeth, abandoning his bow and lifting the phone from the hook to hear her better.

"Please tell me you're doing something about this."

"Working on it."

"Good. Is this all because of the meteor thing?"

"She told you, then? That's good. And yeah, that's why she started." He left out the fact that he thought they'd agreed she was going to go sober for a good month before she touched anything again.

"Yeah she told me. How long have you known about this, may I ask?"

He was glad she wasn't there to see the rueful expression that passed across his face. "Almost from the beginning, but I promise, she didn't tell me right away because I was all trustworthy or anything. It was purely because we work together and it was a liability that I needed to know about."

"My cousin having superhuman powers was a liability?" Lois deadpanned in return. Then she dismissed it. "Whatever, I'm not interested in why she told you. I just want to make sure she really is doing everything possible about this. Who's this doctor friend of yours?"

"His name is Hamilton, and he's the best in his field. Don't worry. I'm going with Chloe to see him tomorrow."

"Good."

"So where is our little candy-striper now?"

"She left for an early lunch with Clark. Says it's only a matter of time before he figures it out anyway, so she might as well have the big confrontation now."

Oliver chuckled. He'd love to be a fly on that wall. "Great. She planning to stay with you or me tonight?"

Lois made a noncommittal sound. "She didn't mention, but she's mostly been staying at your place lately anyway. My money's on that."

"Thanks, Lois. And thanks for the head's up on the drinking."

"Yeah, yeah. Just don't tell her I went all tattle-tale on her, okay?"

Oliver smirked. "Right. No problem."

---

"I'll double you whatever Queen is paying you."

"Miss Mercer, for the thousandth time, you cannot buy information on Chloe Sullivan off of me. I have loyalties. What is it that has you so interested in her anyway? I thought your chess club days were over."

Tess didn't dignify the comment with a response, but narrowed her eyes at Hamilton, turning on her heel to leave, deterred only for the moment.

---

Chloe drummed her fingers anxiously on Clark's desk at the Daily Planet. It was a bit odd, sitting in that desk, recalling that once upon a time the name plate had read her name.

She lifted the one that said Clark Kent on it and heaved a sigh as she looked at it. She would never regret the decision to become Watchtower full time. She knew that journalism was a thing of her past, but she still couldn't quite ignore the nostalgic voice somewhere inside of her who missed that world. She had liked being a reporter, even if her knew world was far more meaningful.

"Hey, Chloe," Clark's voice said, making her jump. "You're...early." He looked uncomfortable, and Chloe smiled almost inapparently, knowing he was undoubtedly very concerned about why on earth she would call him for lunch. She hadn't exactly been seeking his company out for several months.

The door swings both ways, Kent, she thought with a grimace. She quickly replaced it with a warm, friendly smile. "Yeah, I know, I just didn't have anywhere better to be. Anyway, I'm sure you've gotten far too accustomed to Lois being late for everything. I'm not that early."

Clark still wasn't quite returning her grin with equal warmth. "Is something going on? Why did you want to have lunch?"

Chloe could have tossed his name plate at his face. Knowing it wouldn't do any satisfying damage, she put it back down instead. "You know, the whole point of lunch was to discuss that then. If I told you now, what would be the point?"

Clark didn't look amused. "So you admit something's going on. It's Oliver, isn't it? What's he done?"

Chloe's temper flickered at the remark. "What makes you assume Oliver's done something wrong?"

Clark resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "This is Oliver Queen we're talking about. Your relationship with him is like a ticking time bomb."

She rose from the chair without noticing. "What on earth makes you say that? Oliver hasn't done anything wrong, you idiot!"

Unimpressed by the icy warning in her voice, Clark dug himself a deeper hole. "It's a perfectly logical assumption, Chloe. We both know what he's like?"

"What? Cold, distant, self-righteo-oh no, wait. That's you, isn't it?" Chloe fired back sarcastically.

Clark glowered. "That's hardly fair. We both know I have a lot to keep in balance."

Chloe rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah. I know. If you ask me, Lois is lucky you make time for her."

Before she could make any further remarks on his relationship with Lois, Clark interrupted her. "Why don't you just tell me what's going on if it's not Oliver, Chloe?"

She sucked in a calming breath. "You know, I'm not sure why I even thought it was worth telling you," she said coldly, grabbing her purse to leave.

Chloe caught her arm but quickly released it at the look of daggers she shot him. "Look, Chloe, I'm sorry I shot accusations at Oliver. I'm glad he hasn't upset you. Would you please tell me what's going on, though?"

Chloe appraised him, weighing in her mind the reasons to tell him against the ones not to tell him. "I thought you should know that my meteor power came back with reinforcements a couple of days ago. You don't need to worry, though. I'm working with Hamilton on a cure." She turned to leave him standing in shock. "And don't you dare superspeed after me," she added under her breath, knowing he could hear it. She pulled out her phone.

"Ollie?" she asked feebly when he answered.

"Hey, Chloe, what's wrong?" Oliver asked, concern evident in his voice. "I thought you were with Clark."

"Lunch fell through. Come get me?" she pleaded.

"I'll be there in a minute. You okay with the bike?" he asked.

"Anything," Chloe conceded desperately. She didn't normally care for riding the motorcycle, but she'd take that over being stranded at the Planet any day.

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