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babydee1Hola, my Doves!
Sorry this is coming late; LJ was down yesterday.
Enjoy! 
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peachmacaroons
Runner by go_clo
Title: Disintegration
Author: BabyDee1
Pairing: Chlollie
Rating: NC-17 (this chapter PG-13)
Warnings: Episodes re-writes for 8.17 (Hex)
Timeline: Season 8 episodes, from Odyssey - Doomsday
Disclaimer: All characters belong to the CW & DC comics.
Summary: Chloe and Ollie’s relationship gets fractured through a series of miscommunications and interferences. Fourth Book in the Chlollie series, sequel to Slingshot, Trajectory and Misdirection.
Feedback: …in spades. :-)
Read previous chapter here.
Read story from the beginning here.
Chapter 35
Chloe’s message popped up on his phone just as he was about leaving LuthorCorp Plaza for the day. He stepped into the elevator and pressed the button for the descent, then checked the message that had just come through.
Need to see you, she’d written. Meet me at Isis in about an hour?
Oliver frowned and glanced at his watch; it was just gone ten o’clock. What was she doing coming out to Metropolis so late in the evening? Unless of course she was already in the city…
Do you need a pick-up? he offered.
No, I’m not too far away, she replied. See you soon - got a big announcement.
His eyes narrowed suspiciously on the last word, and his heart gave a sudden leap. Had her annulment papers come through? Common sense told him it was too soon, but still…
Good announcement? Bad announcement? he queried. Two seconds later, she texted back a reply.
Depends on what you think. :-) See you in an hour.
Oliver smiled; something about the tone of her voice seemed to imply it was something positive, at least.
The elevator dinged and the doors slid open to the underground car park. Oliver made a few quick phone calls before slipping his phone into his pocket and getting into the Ferrari.
He only had an hour to get things ready, but if he hustled, he would just about make it.
***
He was putting the finishing touches to the Isis office when Chloe walked in.
“Hey,” he greeted. “You wanted to meet me here?”
“I did,” she said, clasping her hands. “I’ve made an important life decision, and I wanted you to be the first to know.”
He folded his arms and focused his gaze on her. “Let’s hear it.”
She took a deep breath. “I want to resume my full-time position as the Justice League’s Watchtower,” she declared.
Oliver blinked. “You’re giving up on being a Daily Planet reporter?” he gasped.
“I will never give up on the DP, let’s just get that clear,” she replied with a smile. “Nor will I give up on reporting in general. For now, though, I’d like to be Watchtower to the Justice League on a full-time basis.” She paused. “If you’ll have me back, of course—”
“You start on Monday.”
She smiled up at him. “Thank you.”
He narrowed his eyes and studied her intently. “Can I ask why the sudden change?” he asked.
She inhaled deeply before replying. “I took an unexpected 24-hour walk in my reporter shoes, and whilst it brought back memories, I’m not sure that’s the path I’m supposed to take right at this moment,” she replied. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m a reporter. It’s in my blood, and it will always be a huge part of who I am, but for now…” she glanced at the large central computer screen. “…this is where I’m meant to be.”
Oliver stared at her for several seconds, and then picked up the universal control and started to hand it over to her.
“You’re sure?” he said, holding it just out of her reach. “There’s still time to change your mind.”
“I’m sure.” She took the device from his hands and activated it, and the multiple screens flickered to life.
“Watchtower is now online,” she said with a smile.
“It’s good to have you back,” he said softly. “We’ve missed you. I’ve missed you.”
She blushed. “If I’m completely honest, I’ve missed working for you, too,” she admitted.
“You don’t work for me, Chloe, you work with me,” he replied. “There’s a huge difference.”
Her cheeks warmed at the endorsement. “Thanks.”
They stared at each other for a while before Oliver broke the silence.
“Plus, you’re a whizz at blocking all those telemarketing lines, and they have been driving us crazy with calls ever since you left,” he added, and they both laughed.
“It really is good to be back,” she said softly. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Oh - and since I didn’t get to give this to you yesterday…” he picked up a fairly large flat box and handed it to her. “Happy Birthday.”
Her eyes softened and she smiled. “Oliver, you didn’t have to get me anything,” she chided as she took the package from his hands. “You already emptied your pockets on the party.”
“Well, my pockets are fairly deep, as you very well know,” he chuckled. “And you didn’t really enjoy the party, so it’s only fair I make good on that.”
He perched on the edge of the desk and watched her as she unwrapped her present.
“Besides,” he continued, “I’ve wanted to give you this for a while now; ever since we brought you back from Black Creek.”
He watched as Chloe opened the box, and she gasped and stared at the gift with wide eyes.
“Oliver!” she exclaimed. “This isn’t even on the market yet! How did you get this?”
He smiled sheepishly. “I have my sources.”
“My very own 4D touchscreen MacBook Pro,” she breathed, brushing her fingers over the sleek design and lifting the lid.
“Victor’s programmed it to respond to you, and only you,” he replied. “It’s been loaded up with all the add-ons and features you can imagine, and then some. Oh, and if you check in the side compartments, you have a sleek tablet computer that’s completely synced to this one, so you can use it on the go without being too conspicuous, and - wait for it - a brand new iPhone 6. Yes, you heard me - Six. You’re gonna love it.” He smiled and puffed out his chest. “Eat yer heart out, Brainiac.”
“Oliver, this is…wow,” she breathed, still in shock and awe. “I’m totally speechless right now…thank you. Thank you so much.”
She reached up and kissed his cheek, her lips dangerously close to his. He pulled her to him in a warm hug, careful to let her go before the obvious signs of arousal gave him away.
“You’re welcome,” he said, his voice low and gravelly.
“You seem to have a knack for picking out gifts that I absolutely love,” she declared, her eyes glittering as she returned to her new computer and started trying out the new features. “I don’t know how you do it.”
“Yeah, I do believe I’m now…” he counted briefly on his fingers “…seven for seven in the gift-giving sweepstakes,” he said proudly. His eyes travelled over her, noting with some smugness that she was wearing the green leather jacket he’d bought for her, and was also wearing her Chloé scarf and carrying her Chloé bag.
“And I just realised I’ve never gotten you anything,” she said in dismay.
He smiled. “That’s okay, I already have everything I want,” he reassured her. “Or at least, I soon will.”
She looked up at him with wide eyes, and it took all his willpower not to take her into his arms, lay her down on the coffee table and make love to her until she couldn’t walk for a week. But he’d agreed to wait until the annulment papers came back, so wait he would. Maybe not patiently…but he’d wait; he and the coffee table.
Speaking of which…
“One more thing…” he took her hand and led her across the room to the coffee table by the window which was set for two and romantically lit by the glow of a scented candle. “I believe someone ordered the burger and fries?”
“Oliver, you didn’t!” she squealed as he bowed and led her to the couch.
“I did,” he said. “But these aren’t just any old burgers, you know. I don’t do MacDonalds.”
“Gee, why am I not surprised?” she said wryly. “Where are they from, and how much do they cost?”
He grinned. “These are bespoke burgers hand-prepared by a British chef using fresh focaccia bread, succulent Japanese wagnu beef and white truffle topped with Stilton cheese, and tempura onion rings prepared in a blend of France’s Cristal champagne and Italy’s finest Pata Negra prosciutto.” He took a deep breath and bowed elegantly. “I’ve been practicing that all evening.”
Her brow briefly creased in thought. “We’re looking at roughly two-hundred dollars each, right?” she guessed.
He winked. “Close. One-eighty-five.”
She whistled slowly. “That’s a lot of money for a piece of meat, even if it has been soaked in champagne.”
“I admit, they’re on the pricey side,” he admitted, “But in my defence, all proceeds go to charity, so it’s for a good cause.”
She grinned. “You always have a loophole, don’t you?” She stared at the table and frowned. “Where’s my diet soda?”
Oliver wrinkled his nose in distaste. “Soda, my dear, is bad for you - Diet or otherwise,” he declared. “I met you halfway and picked up a burger, but I had to draw the line somewhere.”
She pouted. “Fine. So, what are we drinking?”
He lifted an ice bucket out from behind the counter within which a magnum of Dom Perignon sat coolly in the ice. She watched in fascination as he popped the cork and poured two flutes of champagne, then passed one to her.
“Here’s to new beginnings,” he said warmly.
She clinked his glass with hers, and smiled. “To a new tomorrow.”
***
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no subject
Date: 2012-12-19 04:58 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-12-19 05:39 pm (UTC)Glad you like, Leanne! I really appreciate all the wonderful comments. *cuddles*
no subject
Date: 2012-12-19 05:03 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-12-19 05:41 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-12-19 05:54 pm (UTC)Do you remember if there is some other nc-17 episode in this fic? ;-P
no subject
Date: 2013-03-09 10:43 am (UTC)"Do you remember if there is some other nc-17 episode in this fic? ;-P"
Unfortunately there isn't in this installment, but there will be in the sequels. :-)
Thanks for commenting!
no subject
Date: 2012-12-19 05:58 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-12-19 06:25 pm (UTC)Thanks for commenting, babes! *huggles*
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Date: 2012-12-19 06:05 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-12-19 06:23 pm (UTC)