Coming home to dl_greenarrow and <lj site="livejournal.com" user=

[chloesullivan]

Chloe got home a little later than she'd been expecting to, she had expected to be there nearly two hours ago and she was relieved Oliver was living with them now and felt comfortable enough to stay with Maddie, but she didn't want to abuse him or even for Maddie to get too attached to him only for them to have to go their separate ways again.

She had missed dinner time and she was glad she had bathed Maddie before she left for her work meeting and the to go see Lois, which had turned into her seeing Clark instead, but it was almost Maddie's bedtime and she couldn't help but wonder how behind on her schedule her daughter would be.

With a deep breath, Chloe unlocked the door and stepped inside, stilling when she saw her daughter leaning sleepily against Oliver even as she colored whatever drawing that was in front of her. Chloe took a deep breath and pursed her lips together, for someone who had never had a father figure in her life, Maddie seemed to like having him around a lot.

"Hey," she said quietly, "sorry I'm late."

Comments

[dl-greenarrow.livejournal.com]

Oliver nodded slowly at that. "Because of Maddie," he murmured, searching her eyes.

[chloeas.livejournal.com]

Chloe nodded, watching him closely, "I didn't want Clark to be able to find me, especially before I knew for sure if she was going to be okay."

[dl-greenarrow.livejournal.com]

He held her gaze without waver, then held his hand out to her wordlessly, nodding toward the sofa.

[chloeas.livejournal.com]

She raised her eyebrows a little then took a deep breath and took his hand then sat back down, her eyes still on his face.

[dl-greenarrow.livejournal.com]

"I'm sorry you had to go through all of this alone," he whispered, not letting go of her hand.

[chloeas.livejournal.com]

"Ollie," she let out a breath and shook her head, squeezing his hand, "you don't have to apologize, I didn't want anyone around," she admitted quietly.

[dl-greenarrow.livejournal.com]

"You were scared." His voice was quiet. Because of them. Because of him. His chest tightened at that.

[chloeas.livejournal.com]

"Yes," she agreed, searching his face, "but not of you."

[dl-greenarrow.livejournal.com]

He turned his head to gaze at her, his eyes intense. "I'll do everything in my power to help you keep her safe," he said quietly.

[chloeas.livejournal.com]

Chloe held her breath and her grip tightened around his hand, "thank you," she said quietly, searching his eyes, "that means a lot to me."

[dl-greenarrow.livejournal.com]

He nodded slightly, holding her gaze. "She'll be all right," he whispered.

[chloeas.livejournal.com]

She looked at him for a long moment, her own gaze intense, "I know." She said, her jaw clenching, "I'll do whatever I have to to make sure of that."

[dl-greenarrow.livejournal.com]

"We both will," he said firmly, gazing at her intently. Because he wasn't going to make the same mistakes twice.

[chloeas.livejournal.com]

Chloe stared at him for a full moment, she had no idea why he seemed to care so much, but she was glad he did, because she knew she would need all the help she could get to keep Maddie safe from everyone and everything else.

"Can I ask you something?" She asked quietly. If they were going to lean on each other like this, some things had to be cleared up.

[dl-greenarrow.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, of course. Anything you want." He held his breath, wondering if that had been a wise choice of words.

[chloeas.livejournal.com]

Chloe took a deep breath and looked at him for a moment, she had asked him this before and he hadn't answered her, but she needed to know. "Why did you retire?"

[dl-greenarrow.livejournal.com]

Oliver fell silent for a moment, slowly leaning back against the sofa and exhaling slowly. "Because I didn't trust my judgment anymore. It just didn't feel right anymore."

[chloeas.livejournal.com]

Her hand tightened around his once more as she turned on the couch to look at him better, "do you think that will ever change?"

[dl-greenarrow.livejournal.com]

"I don't know," he admitted softly, not looking at her. "Maybe someday. Maybe not."

[chloeas.livejournal.com]

"Ollie," she took a deep breath, "I have to be honest with you, I meant it when I said I trust you, but I don't know if I want you out there."

[dl-greenarrow.livejournal.com]

He blinked a few times. "What do you mean?"

[chloeas.livejournal.com]

"You haven't been out there in four years from what I can tell," she told him quietly, watching him closely, "and I'm afraid you will not do everything you can to protect yourself if you find yourself in a dangerous situation."

[dl-greenarrow.livejournal.com]

He looked down at that. "I gotta be honest with you, Chloe. Getting back out there wasn't really on my short list of things to do."

[chloeas.livejournal.com]

Chloe took a deep breath and nodded a little, "I figured as much, which is why if you're planning on doing any field work, we need to build your confidence back up."

[dl-greenarrow.livejournal.com]

"Like I said it's...not a priority," he said quietly, glancing over at her.