Talking in Your Sleep-15/21

[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

Previous (Chapter 14)
Next (Chapter 16)

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He's been gone for such a long time
Now he's back and things'll be fine.
You're gonna be sorry you were ever born.
'Cause he's kind of big and he's awful strong.

Hey la, hey la, My boyfriend's back.

My Boyfriend's Back
The Angels

–15–

"Why, Miss Sullivan, what a surprise."

It wasn't a surprise at all. Not remotely. Oliver had called up the editor of the Daily Planet and asked where he could find her. He'd known she would be here. It was pure luck that it meant he could hold up his promise to Hal to make it to the air show if he could.

Wrenching her eyes from the plane soaring over head for the first time, Chloe turned to see Oliver Queen standing before her, shock etched plainly across her face. "Oliver!" she exclaimed.

He grinned, winking at her. "Miss me?"

"I–um–" all she could do was stammer. Wow. I think I forgot how attractive he is...He's...wow. She swallowed tightly, eyes flickering over his physique briefly, though she did her best not too linger too long. "Hi."

Oliver grinned, pleased with her reaction. "How are you?" he asked, glancing up at the plane as Hal did a barrel roll and the crowds oohed and awed, applause rippling through them. He shoved his hands in his pocket to help him resist the incredibly overwhelming urge to reach out and kiss her. God, he'd missed her.

Chloe opened her mouth to reply, but just as she did, a company of four more planes followed after Hal, drowning out any conversation.

Once she was able to speak again, she gave it another shot. "I've been good, thanks. I mean, not perfect or anything. My editor's ticked off with me, but–"

"You?" he asked, genuinely surprise. "Aren't you like his golden goose or something?"

Chloe laughed at the description. "I wouldn't go quite that far, although if that's the case I guess you could say he's dangerously close to cutting me open, figuratively speaking."

"What's the story?"

They paused conversation momentarily as the planes created a V-formation in the sky, each one peeling away separately until only the center plane was left, dropping into a nose-dive suddenly and pulling out of it at the last conceivable second, causing everyone's hearts to stop and her uncle to grin.

"I–um–sorry, what did you ask again?" she laughed, trying to pull the hair from her face in spite of the wind.

"I asked what your editor is harassing you about."

Chloe laughed. "Right. The Green Arrow." She craned her head back, lifting a hand to block the sun from her eyes as she trained them on one of the planes soaring overhead.

Oliver stood still eyeing her warily. "Oh?"

She lifted a shoulder nonchalantly. "It's been a slow news week since the mayor got locked up. He's looking for something to push sales, and since I haven't come up with anything on everyone's favorite archer lately, he's picking on me. It'll pass."

Oliver raised an eyebrow at the sentiment. For some reason, he interpreted it as: Well, the Green Arrow's been avoiding me for weeks so my career is suffering. But I'll get over him. He shifted uncomfortably. "Or a story might come up. You never know."

She tossed him a rare smile. "Maybe." But she didn't sound like she was going to hold her breath.

He shook his thoughts away from that train. He needed to worry less about her relationship with him and more about her relationship with...well, him. He resisted the urge to roll his eyes.

I will never get over my own stupidity.

"So I was wondering whether your free tonight. I believe you owe me a mystery date," he said, grinning at her. She looked completely caught by surprise.

Jeez, did she already forget? I wasn't gone that long...was I?

She bit her lip, looking apologetic. "I'd love to, but I've got plans tonight."

His stomach churned. Plans? With who? Hal? "Oh?"

She nodded. "Yeah. I'm going out to dinner with my Uncle, my cousin, and one of the pilots here."

He felt a minor wave of relief. Until he realized that the pilot was most likely Hal, and Hal was being introduced to her family. Had so much happened in the last couple of days? He hadn't talked to Hal since before he'd left Russia. Maybe he'd finally won Chloe over and–

"I'm free tomorrow night," she suggested.

He snapped out of it. "Tomorrow's perfect."

She grinned, cheeks flushed, though he couldn't be sure it wasn't from the wind. "Okay." She paused. "So...any chance you're going to tell me what we'll be doing this time?"

He smirked. "Nope."

She groaned. "Perhaps I should reintroduce myself here. Hi, I'm Chloe Sullivan, and I hate surprises."

He only looked more amused. "Hi, Chloe, I'm Oliver Queen, and I intend to sweep you off your feet whether you like it or not, and surprises come with the package."

She laughed, and this time he was sure of the blush that crept into her cheeks. "Can't you at least tell me what I should wear? And when are you picking me up for this mystery date? Because I can tell you right now that I'm not a morning person."

"Tomorrow night, and you can wear whatever you want that's comfortable."

She lifted an eyebrow. "Okay, so it's an evening activity..." she said thoughtfully, and he realized that she wasn't asking questions to prepare herself, she was looking for clues to guess what they were doing. "And by 'comfortable' do you mean rock-climbing comfortable or yoga class comfortable."

"T-shirt and jeans comfortable, and that's all you're getting." He paused before adding, "Although, if you wanted to wear that green dress, I wouldn't protest..."

She shoved his shoulder amusedly. "Uh huh. God, what is it with you and that dress? I swear, I'm never letting my cousin pick my clothes ever again."

He arched his brow. And here he thought she'd picked green that weekend specifically for him...well, the other him, but...anyway. "So your cousin was to blame for that, huh? iI figured you were showing solidarity for your headline-maker," he joked, fishing a little.

She laughed, eyes back on the sky again. Oliver looked up as well, remembering that, in theory, he was there for Hal. It might be a nice gesture to actually watch the show. "I think it was more like Lois's gesture. She's obsessed with my relationship with the gu–" She stopped abruptly.

Oliver could have thrown himself a small parade. Instead he asked casually, "Your relationship with him? Should I be worried about some competition?"

Chloe's face turned at least seven different shades of red before finally settling on a deep carmine that crept right out to her ears.

"I didn't mean...I mean he...it's not really a relationship; it's more like...well, it is a relationship in the business sense...sort of..." she stammered and grinned in amusement at her. "We, I mean, he...you know, nothing. He's just...a source."

"And occasionally subject matter," Oliver supplied, tilting his head toward her as he spoke and then back. His expression was one of unspeakable amusement, but Chloe was too busy being embarrassed to notice.

"Right. That, too."

"So what would you do if you knew who he was?" he continued nonchalantly, in spite of the vital importance of the question.

She raised an eyebrow at him. "Worried he might unmask so we can elope together?" she teased. "Considering you haven't even taken me on a date, yet, I don't think you really get to be jealous here."

He shrugged. "I was just curious. After all, you're a reporter."

She looked somewhat affronted. "Just because I work for a newspaper, Queen, doesn't mean I don't know when to keep my mouth shut. Some stories need to be published because they help people. They bring justice. Some stories should be kept to yourself because keeping them a secret is what protects people. I'm not some selfish gossip columnist who prints everything she hears just to see her name in the paper. And–"

"Woah, woah, woah. No offense meant. I didn't think you were. I was just honestly curious. I like that you wouldn't sell the guy out. It's admirable."

She relaxed slightly, her defenses dropping. Then she gave a chuckle. "Just don't tell my editor. I don't think he would be quite as amused."

He was about to reply when someone else called Chloe's name. They both looked up to see Lois flagging Chloe down, looking determined. Clark was standing to the side, looking awkward and adorable as usual. A gust of wind picked up and blew his tie in his face. Chloe chuckled. She turned to Oliver, "It was nice to see you again, Oliver...umm, call me about tomorrow?"

He nodded, reluctant to let her go when he still just wanted to carry her off and take her to bed with him.

One step at a time. One step at a time... he repeated his recent mantra. At least he'd had an entire conversation with her that hadn't gone up in flames.

Chloe left him and headed for Lois, noticing, the closer she got that Lois clearly looked upset about something. Slinging her arm around her cousin's shoulder, Lois excused herself to Clark and guided Chloe away a few yards.

Chloe was looking at Clark in amusement. "You came with Clark? Interesting."

"Enough about that. I've been looking all over for you. Would you like to explain this to me?"

Wary of the fact that Lois hadn't even seemed to notice that she'd caught Chloe mid-conversation with Oliver Queen, she looked down at the item Lois was waving frantically in her face. A white, unmarked envelope aside from Chloe's name written across it. Her face paled a little. "Where did you get that?"

"I found it in your trash. Why didn't you tell me about this?"

Chloe rolled her eyes. "Why were you going through my trash?"

"I was...you know what, that's not the point. The point is someone's sending you threatening mail, and you didn't mention it. Tell me you at least told the police." Lois looked at her pleadingly.

"Of course not, Lois. You know as well as I do that this comes with the job. It's no big deal. It just means I ruffled someone's feathers."

Lois looked at her sternly. "Yes, it comes with the job, but so does being careful, Chlo. I'd never forgive myself if you were to get yourself shot or something. I know half these things are just meant to scare you, but for all you know, it could be serious. Promise me you're going to talk to the police about this."

Chloe sighed. "If it will make you happy, I'll drop by the station tomorrow," she placated, thinking she'd drop the letter off, answer a few of the usual questions with the usual answers.

"Miss Sullivan, do you know of anyone who might have a grudge against you or a reason to harm you?"

"Well, are we talking within the city, state, country, planet, or galaxy?"

Chloe resisted an urge to roll her eyes.

Lois nodded. "It will."

"So have you seen the General yet?" Chloe asked.

Lois nodded, looking please. "You know what's ten times more fun than watching Bruce Wayne try to impress the General?" she asked.

"What?"

"Watching Clark Kent try to impress the General."

"So Jordan, how long have you been flying?" General Lane asked across the round booth, sawing into his sirloin, where Chloe was seated almost uncomfortably close to Hal.

Lois, meanwhile, was shooting the two of them looks, as if she couldn't make up her mind whether she was offended that the General hadn't invited Clark to dinner, offended that Chloe hadn't told her about this Hal Jordan character, or absolutely delighted by the presence of a new potential love interest in Chloe's life.

She seemed to have settled on the last one eventually, but the vague notion that she'd seen Oliver Queen with Chloe earlier that day was nagging at the back of her mind.

Hal promptly swallowed the bite of steak he'd just taken and wiped a napkin over his mouth. "For about nine years, Sir, if you don't count school."

"Well I've got to say I was thoroughly impressed with your flying this afternoon. And I'm looking forward to talking to Ferris about doing business. Those are some particularly fine aircraft."

"Yes, Sir," Hal agreed eagerly, while Chloe and Lois exchanged amused looks. Here it went: Men and there toys. "Ferris Aircraft has some of the finest innovative flying technology this side of the galaxy."

They all gave him an odd look and Hal laughed awkwardly.

"Meant it as a joke, Sir. But still, they are an excellent company. I've been fortunate to be able to work for them." Then, in an attempt to turn the conversation away from himself, "How long have the two of you been working for the Planet?"

"Well, I've only been there for a few years, but Chloe's had an internship since her freshman year of college already."

"Really? That's very impressive," Hal said, looking at Chloe, who was blushing slightly as she stabbed a piece of asparagus. "I'm sure you're very proud, Sir."

As a matter of fact the General was beaming.

"Especially with their renown in this city," Hal continued, lifting a forkful of sweet potato. "The two of these women have done a lot for the heroes of the world."

Lois choked on her wine and Chloe swallowed the asparagus the wrong way, both of them shooting looks at Hal.

The General, however, was in a particularly amiable mood that evening. "Yes, well, they know how to find a story. And I may not like everything they write, but I raised Lois to be independent and think for herself, and Chloe's cut from the same cloth. I wouldn't have them any other way."

Both women sighed in relief as the General leaned forward to continue.

"But I think you and I both know who the real heroes in this country are, Jordan."

"Sir?"

"Men and women in uniform," he said proudly taking a sip of his drink. "Not folks who run around in masks and capes."

Chloe lifted her eyes to the ceiling while Lois's dropped to her lap. Hal glanced at them curiously.

"Of course, Sir, but, well...the Green Lantern, for instance–"

"Who's that?"

Hal shrugged. "Guy who hangs around Coast City. He's saved a lot of lives."

Chloe's ears perked up and she glanced at Hal, raising an eyebrow in curiosity. Lois, on the other hand was shooting daggers at him and wondering why he didn't know when to shut his trap.

"Hogwash," the General said. "A man who's a true hero doesn't have to hide his face."

Chloe saw the muscle in Hal's jaw twitch. "But, when you think about it, isn't it a lot like the military?"

Chloe and Lois's eyes widened to the size of saucers and both their heads turned to the General for reaction. The man in question narrowed his eyes, but his interest was piqued if nothing else. His expression, however, was completely devoid of amusement. "Explain."

"Well," Hal continued cautiously, properly alarmed by the General's tone, "just that, you know, uniform. I was in the Airforce ROTC program in school and then flew for a full six years afterwards before I went to work for Ferris. And ah...well, uniforms are designed to create anonymity, eliminate pride, all the same stuff. Soldiers aren't meant to have an individual identity because they're one unit, but also because the last thing anyone wants is to let an individual stick out to the enemy. And why does any soldier go to war? To protect the people he loves and the ideas he upholds. That's exactly the same things a hero wants to do, only he's fighting alone, so in order to not be an individual and protect those connected to him, he puts on a mask."

Chloe and Lois held their breath as they turned to the General for his response. He leaned back in his seat, crossing his arms across his chest. "And what ideas do these masked men uphold, exactly?"

Hal, whose bravado was holding up admirably, turned to Chloe and Lois. "Well you two have gotten the interviews and written the articles. Why don't one of you ladies field that one?" he asked amicably.

Chloe was scrutinizing him as if she was seeing him in a whole new light. Lois, in the meantime, dropped her jaw to stare at him like he had lost his mind. Noticing Lois's gaping jaw, Hal looked to Chloe.

"Chloe? What would you say the Green Arrow stands for? You've written a lot of articles supporting him. You've probably put a lot of thought into this."

Chloe narrowed her eyes at Hal momentarily, her mouth forming a thin line. After an undetectable pause, she turned toward her uncle, but kept her eyes trained on Hal. "I'd say that the Green Arrow wants to look out for the weak, to protect those who can't help themselves."

Almost as if he hadn't heard Chloe, the General kept his eyes on Hal as well. "And more importantly, what gives these vigilantes the right to uphold whatever ideas they may have at the expense of the law? There's a reason we have police forces."

Hal nodded in consent. "I agree about the police. They're an important part of a just society. But they also can't be everywhere. Don't you agree, Lois?" Hal asked, raising his eyebrows at the gaping brunette.

"I–um–"

"And you know," Hal plowed ahead, not waiting for Lois's response, "I wouldn't use the term 'vigilante' to describe most of them."

"Oh?" the General challenged, unimpressed.

Hal nodded, pausing a moment to take swig of water. "No more than any other citizen of the country who upholds the law. If any man on the street intervenes in a mugging to help someone, you don't call them a vigilante and sic the law on them, do you?"

"I think these men do a lot more than just intervene in muggings."

Hal raised his glass in agreement. "That's fair, but my point is, most of them don't break laws. Assisting an arrest isn't against the law. Now, I'll grant you, there are some out there who think it's okay to pass judgement or carry out sentences, and that's not right."

"The line is thin."

"That it is. Your friend the archer," Hal said with a smirk, and Chloe felt her defenses rising, "he toes that line pretty finely for instance, although," he paused thoughtfully, and Chloe couldn't help thinking the smirk became more pronounce, "I've noticed a slight change in what he deems acceptable behavior in the last few months." He took another drink of water. "And personally, I'm not supporting those who think it's acceptable to carry out sentences. But as for standing up for someone whose weaker than you, well, that's part of what living in America means."

There was silence as no one but the General breathed. Finally, he reached for his drink a took a swig. He set the glass down, and Chloe released the tiniest breath of relief when she spotted the gleam in his eyes. She felt Lois's muscles unclench beside her. "Well, Jordan, I can't say I see eye to eye with you, but–" he paused, "you make a good argument."

Interesting, Chloe thought, raising her wine glass back to her lips, Well, Mr. Jordan, I would bet my next headline that you know the Green Lantern personally.

Across town, as Chloe, Lois, Hal, and General Lane debated over dessert, Oliver was suiting up. He knew the only way to keep his mind off of the fact that somewhere on the other side of Metropolis, Hal was charming the pants off of Chloe and her family.

Bad choice of phrase, he added ruefully, zipping up the leather tunic. She was happy to see me, and she went out of her way to arrange plans with me, he reassured himself for the hundredth time.

He slid on his sunglasses and headed for the balcony.

For the most part, things were typical. Part of him had missed it. Russia had its own heroes, and he couldn't afford for the Green Arrow to be spotted among them.

He stopped a bank robbery, a couple of muggings, and a break-and-enter. He wasn't far from his apartment when he heard the car alarm go off. He gave it a few seconds to see if it was a misfire. Owners accidentally set off their own alarms all the time. It didn't stop, and then he heard a cry for help.

Time moved in chunks: his arrival on the scene of the crime, moving the woman to safety, turning on the car-jacker and preparing to knock him out, the bullet ripping through his chest.

He could still hear the car-alarm as his vision blurred and he clutched his chest, falling to his knees. He managed to register the second man not hanging around to see what happened next as he shook and his partner made a run for it. He coughed, tasting the bitter coppery flavor of his own blood in his mouth.

"Can I take you home, Chloe?" the General offered at the end of the night, but Chloe shook her head as Hal helped her into her coat.

"I'm only a block away so I'm going to walk. I'll be fine."

Hal raised an eyebrow. "This late at night? You should at least take a cab, Chloe."

Lois nodded in agreement. "I agree," she shot Chloe a meaningful look, undoubtedly thinking of the threatening letter Chloe had received. "As a matter of fact, I'll go with you, since the men are going to be talking business anyway."

Chloe sighed at the protective gesture. Apparently Lois was more concerned than Chloe realized if she was missing an opportunity to throw Chloe and Hal together. Not that her best efforts would have mattered. Hal and the General were both going in the opposite direction.

So Chloe said goodbye to Hal and her uncle, and hopped in a cab with Lois. The driver brought Lois to her apartment a block away from Chloe. Comfortable that Chloe would be safe since she was driving home.

"See you tomorrow morning?" Lois asked, hugging Chloe before stepping out of the cab.

"Not first thing," Chloe said. "I'll probably be holed up in the police station most of the morning," she sighed resignedly.

Lois smirked. "Good. Bye, cuz."

Chloe waved through the window before giving the driver her address. Ten minutes later they pulled up to her apartment complex. Chloe paid the driver, buzzed herself in, and climbed the several flights of stairs to her apartment, looking forward to taking off her heels and climbing into bed.

The last thing she remembered was opening her door, her head down as she put her keys back in her purse, just as something connected with her head with a loud thud and everything went black.

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Next (Chapter 16)