Tracking down dl_greenarrow.

[chloesullivan]

Chloe took a deep breath as she walked into the dimly lit bar, it smelled like sweat and pee and even though she couldn't see the reason why she was there just yet, she could hear the cheering and yelling that was coming from the back of it.

Pursing her lips together, she shoved her hands in her pockets and wrapped her fingers around her small taser. Sure, it was California and she was wearing a heavy jacket, that should look suspicious enough but she didn't care, she had to do this.

As she pushed her way through the bar and toward the crowded back room, she did her best to avoid eye contact, the hat she was wearing should hopefully conceal the fact that she was a girl long enough so that she could get to her goal without calling too much attention to herself or having to have to call 'rape' or something equally disturbing.

It seemed to have worked, because just a moment later, she could see the cage, partially anyway but it was enough for her to see him in there. The crowd was growing more and more excited with each punch and each kick that he took, she couldn't help but wince or the fact that her stomach was turning as she watched him fall to the ground. The most disturbing part was that he wasn't fighting back at all, he was just... taking it, like he deserved it and she had no doubt in her mind that he thought he did.

Which was why she was there, to find him and tell him the truth and bring him home.

Comments

[dl-greenarrow.livejournal.com]

He laid his head down on the ground for a moment, shutting his eyes as the other man landed another kick to his ribs. Nothing a bottle of whiskey and a few vicodin wouldn't help cure. He was starting to look forward to that. He slowly lifted his head up, opening his eyes once more and spitting blood out on the floor. His vision swam a little, but it didn't stop him from getting back up.

"That all you got?" he taunted.

[chloeas.livejournal.com]

Chloe shook her head when he swayed he could barely stand anymore, "get out of there, Ollie," she whispered, pushing herself closer to the ring, this time not being able to hold back a gasp as the other man punched him full on the stomach then elbowed him on the head.

[dl-greenarrow.livejournal.com]

This time he stayed on the ground, giving in for the time being. Maybe enough was enough for one night. The coppery taste of blood in his mouth made him grimace.

"Get back up, little rich boy. I dare you," the other man taunted.

His jaw tightened at that.

[chloeas.livejournal.com]

"Don't get up," she murmured, watching him closely, she didn't want him to see her because she didn't want him to try and run away again, but she also didn't think he could at this point.

[dl-greenarrow.livejournal.com]

At that moment the man running the fights blew the whistle. "This one's over. Get him out of here." He motioned toward Oliver.

He didn't bother trying to struggle as two of the men from the crowd entered the cage and yanked him up none-too-gently. He forced himself to take a deep, shuddering breath as they dragged him out of the cage and dumped him just outside of it to recover as another man stepped inside.

[chloeas.livejournal.com]

Chloe pushed her way through the crowd as quickly as possible, her heart beating fast against her chest as she approached him, he was still on the floor so she didn't hesitate before reaching for his arm to help him up without giving him a choice in the matter, "c'mon," she said, "I'm getting you out of here."

[dl-greenarrow.livejournal.com]

His eyebrows furrowed a little as someone grabbed his arm. At first he thought they were going to toss him back inside the cage, but when he turned his head, he blinked, wondering if he was dreaming when he saw Chloe instead. He smiled faintly at her without thinking about it. "Hey, Beautiful." God his head hurt.

[chloeas.livejournal.com]

"Come on." She said again, urging him up, even if she tried, she couldn't exactly carry him, "you have to help me out, Ollie."

[dl-greenarrow.livejournal.com]

The smile left his face and he shut his eyes. "You shouldn't be here."

[chloeas.livejournal.com]

"Neither should you," she told him, gently trying to get him up not to hurt him anymore than he already was.

[dl-greenarrow.livejournal.com]

Oliver winced a little, pulling his arm away from her. If the others found out there was a woman in the room, there was no telling what they might do to her. And he was in no shape to be successful at protecting her. Fuck.

He let out a breath and gritted his teeth together as he pushed his body off the dirty floor with his hands.

[chloeas.livejournal.com]

Even though he pulled away from her, she still reached for him again and helped his to his feet, her stomach turning as blood dripped from his mouth and nose, "you need a doctor."

[dl-greenarrow.livejournal.com]

"I'm fine," he responded, his voice rough. "Let's just get out of here." He eyed the other men wearily, glad that they weren't paying any attention to him or her, or the fact that they were heading toward the door.

[chloeas.livejournal.com]

Chloe frowned and shook her head but followed him outside silently, but kept her hands on him in case he had trouble standing.

[dl-greenarrow.livejournal.com]

The moment they were outside, he glanced around, spotting her car. He moved over toward it, limping slightly, and guiding her to it. "Now go home."

[chloeas.livejournal.com]

"No," she told him, moving to standing in front of him, "not unless you come with me."

[dl-greenarrow.livejournal.com]

His jaw tightened just a little and he didn't look at her. "I don't have a home." He shifted slightly, trying to move around her.

[chloeas.livejournal.com]

"Yes you do, Oliver," she said, placing her hands on his arms, "please, stop and listen to me."

[dl-greenarrow.livejournal.com]

His expression was blank as he looked at her, his eyes completely devoid of emotion. "I killed a man."

[chloeas.livejournal.com]

"Not here, Ollie," she said, lowering her voice, "at least get in the car."

[dl-greenarrow.livejournal.com]

"I'm not coming back with you." His voice was flat.

[chloeas.livejournal.com]

"I won't take you anywhere," she promised, "I just want to talk to you about that and we shouldn't do that outside." She told him, watching him closely.

[dl-greenarrow.livejournal.com]

He was silent for a moment. Frankly he was too tired, and in too much pain to try and argue with her. The faster he got into her car and listened to what she had to say, the faster he could get back to the motel room and pass out.

"Fine." He rubbed a hand over his bruised face and moved to get in the passenger seat.

[chloeas.livejournal.com]

Chloe unlocked the car and once she made sure he wasn't going to try and leave, she rushed to the driver's side and got in too, she wasn't going to trap him into anything, at least he was willing to listen.

"Why are you doing this to yourself, Ollie?"

[dl-greenarrow.livejournal.com]

"It doesn't matter. What is it you want to say?" Sitting up hurt. God, his ribs were throbbing. He wouldn't be surprised if one was cracked.

[chloeas.livejournal.com]

"It does matter because you're blaming yourself for an accident," she told him, wincing when he tried to move.

[dl-greenarrow.livejournal.com]

He grew still at that, then slowly turned his head to look at her, pinning her with an intense stare.

[chloeas.livejournal.com]

Chloe didn't look away, she wasn't intimidated by him in the least. Searching his eyes, she shook her head a little, "I know you would never do that on purpose and I saw the satellite footage, I erased it from as many sources as I could, but I know it was an accident, Ollie."

[dl-greenarrow.livejournal.com]

"It doesn't matter whether it was on purpose or not. He's dead, Chloe. That's all that matters."

[chloeas.livejournal.com]

"That isn't all that matters, Ollie. I know you feel guilty but it was an accident, you can't blame yourself for making a mistake, cops do it all the time, so do doctors. They feel guilty but they move on and keep doing their jobs!" She told him, "you can't blame yourself for this forever, people need you out there, we need you."

[dl-greenarrow.livejournal.com]

His expression didn't change. "Are you done?"

[chloeas.livejournal.com]

Her face fell and her chest tightened but she shook her head and reached behind her seat, pulling out a folder, "this is the kind of man he was, he had no family, he was a dealer, a murderer and he was part of a distribution ring for child pornography so before you destroy your life over this, at least read about what he was capable of and whether the world is a better place without him or not."

[dl-greenarrow.livejournal.com]

Oliver didn't take the folder from her, simply swallowed hard and stared out the window.

[chloeas.livejournal.com]

Chloe took a deep breath and watched him closely, "let me take you back, Ollie." She said quietly, dropping the folder to her lap.

[dl-greenarrow.livejournal.com]

"No," he said just as quietly, reaching for the car door without looking at her.

[chloeas.livejournal.com]

"Ollie," she whispered, reaching for his hand to stop him, "the others don't have to know if you don't want to, I can take you somewhere else, they don't know I'm here, but let me take care of you, please."

[dl-greenarrow.livejournal.com]

"So what? Now that you think I'm in trouble you actually care?" His voice was flat. "I don't need your help. I don't need anyone's help. Leave me alone, Chloe. Go back to Kansas and your job, and Lois and Clark and find some nice guy to settle down with." He pulled away from her touch, opening the door and wincing as he forced himself out of the passenger seat.

[chloeas.livejournal.com]

Her chest and jaw clenched and she held her breath, she deserved that and she knew it, so she didn't try to stop him, but she didn't look at him either, "take this, at least," she said, holding out the folder but not looking at him.

[dl-greenarrow.livejournal.com]

"Keep it. It doesn't matter." He shut the door behind him, wrapping an arm around his ribs as he started to head away, down the sidewalk, not looking back.