Breakeven (4/9)

[serafina19]

Author: serafina19
Title: Breakeven
Rating: PG-13

Summary:  When Chloe and Oliver’s path unexpectedly cross, they soon realize that letting go of what happened between them is harder than they thought.  Sequel to “In the Grip of a Hurricane.”
Timeline: AU, but I dabble (and mess) with canon events.
Warning:  Coarse language
Thanks to: poetgirl925 who has been an amazing support system on this fic, and kachica for the beautiful banner

Chapter 1   Chapter 2   Chapter 3
 

Chapter 4

It had been a month since Chloe had seen Oliver and the job had mostly gone well.  The beneficial part of desperation was that, with her work ethic, the sneers died down quickly.  Most people figured she was just a name in the paper, but when she was outperforming most of her department, people backed down and Chloe could just do her work.  Sure, there were skeptics, there were always going to be, but then again, her current situation wasn’t helping her case.

For as much as Chloe wanted this whole thing to die down, it hadn’t.  News had been slow-going lately and some figured Oliver’s lack of partying had something to do with her, but it couldn’t be further from the truth.  It was a crazy time for Queen Industries, so when Oliver did go out, the tabloids claimed there was trouble in so-called paradise.

Chloe was pretty sure that she was a potential baby mama in at least two of them and all of them implied she was jealous.  She wanted to ignore the headlines, but it wasn’t easy.  The second wave of paparazzi that followed her would ask her questions, and with her curiosity streak, she would find that her character was being completely misunderstood.  Not that it should surprise her, but now it seemed like all this was too much for the board of Queen Industries.  They wanted to meet their company’s unintentional celebrity, so here she was, on Oliver’s plane no less, about to head to Star City to meet them.

“Miss Sullivan?” a female voice called out from the doorway.  Chloe looked up and noticed a brunette woman coming on the plane.  “I’m sorry, but there’s a delay and... I didn’t feel like sitting in the cockpit by myself.”  She cracked a smile before adding, “Do you mind?”

Chloe shook her head, pointing towards the seat across from her.  “Not as long as you call me Chloe.”

“Captain Harmon,” she replied, taking the seat, but quickly correcting herself. “Julia.”   Leaning forward in her seat, she added, “And can I just say how nice it is to have someone ordinary on this plane?”

“I take it this isn’t standard protocol for Queen Industries employees?” Chloe joked, having a feeling that was a rhetorical question.

But Julia replied nonetheless.  “You mean getting a private jet to Star City to meet the board?” Granted the whole reason she was here was because Oliver insisted on it.  He didn’t want Chloe to feel pampered, but he wanted a friendly face, someone he could trust, helping her out, because this wasn’t exactly what Chloe wanted either.  Except there was no way Julia was flying passenger on some commercial flight.  “Not unless you want me to lie.”

“Got it,” Chloe replied, appreciating the honesty.

“Considering the buzz around your employment... they want to make sure you’re legit.  And they’re not going to come to you.”  She had actually seen the meeting unfold, as the papers were ruthless against Chloe, and no matter how much Oliver tried to defend the situation or make it die down, it wasn’t happening. If he stopped partying, it might have helped, but in a twisted way, he had actually hoped it would help the media forget about Chloe.  “It’s not Oliver’s fault, trust me, but he got overruled.”

Chloe knew that, as the reporters weren’t completely off on their story.  She hadn’t seen him, but they had been keeping in touch since Oliver left Metropolis.  Once he managed to find her number from her employee files, he called her up, initially just as a joke.  But the joke turned into real conversation and soon enough, when Oliver was bored, he’d text Chloe.  Then it wasn't long until she’d return the favour when she noticed a dumb headline. Phone calls were usually about talking shop, but Chloe really felt a strong camaraderie when they talked, as to her surprise, they saw the world really similarly.

The funny thing though, was that he rarely mentioned Julia, and talking to her now, Chloe had this sense that she was far more than just his pilot.  “You two are really close aren’t you?”

Julia nodded, having a strange feeling of where this questioning was going to. “But before you ask... I’ve never slept with him, nor do I plan to.”  It wasn’t something she expected Chloe to believe, because no one did.

However, Chloe was quick to shake her head, surprised by Julia’s continuing candour.  “I honestly wasn’t going there.”  The few times he did mention her name, Chloe never got that impression from him.

It was Julia’s turn to feel confused, as she admitted, “You’d be the first.  It’s sad how many mile-high club jokes I get.” Because apparently a guy and a girl weren’t allowed to be friends without some form of agenda, which is what Oliver wanted Julia to believe about Chloe.  She only hoped he was right.

“From what I understand, Oliver’s pretty loyal to your family.”

“Oliver’s like my little brother,” Julia admitted with a grin, thinking about how they grew up together.  Back then, he was just a kid, like anyone else.  However, her face fell as they both had to grow up quickly.  “My mom, she made sure he was taken care of after the plane crash.”

She was Oliver’s real guardian, no matter what the legal system said.  They could send him to boarding school, try to build a leader, but her mom reminded him about the importance of growing up at his pace.  For while the board wanted a solution, Oliver was just a boy, wondering why his parents weren’t coming home.

Chloe watched as the other woman reminisced over the past.  It was a facet of Oliver’s life that she didn’t envy.  For while she lost her mother when she was young, her dad had been there for her, even though he worked hard.  “Did you know his parents?”

“As much as teenagers pay attention to their parent’s bosses.”  It wasn’t much, but Julia knew they were good people from the way her parents talked about them.  That, and she owed them more than she could ever repay them.  “Two months before their accident, they came to my thirteenth birthday party, wished me the best.  I didn’t learn until after I received my Masters from Stanford that they had come to give my mom a cheque for my college tuition.”

Looking around, Chloe found herself shaking her head.  Julia’s resume was impressive for someone who ended up as a pilot. “What are you doing here?”

It was an understandable question, one that many people asked her.  Some saw Oliver as her crutch, but in truth, they were each other’s rocks.   “When I was a little girl, I told my dad that I would work for Queen Industries, become the greatest employee they had ever seen.” 

The day of her graduation, Oliver offered her a position with Queen Industries and she was determined to earn what might seem like a favour.  Walking into that office with that briefcase was a surreal experience, but the dream slowly faded in her eyes. “I soon realized that it wasn’t what I wanted, so I quit and joined the California Flight Academy.” 

All those days talking about planes with her father, she figured her interest in flight was just a hobby.  But one her first work-related trip, Julia was antsy, wanting nothing more than to sit in the cockpit like she did with her dad.  “This... is where I’m supposed to be, because it isn’t me living my dad’s life.  It’s sharing something we loved even though he’s gone.”

Julia soon realized that she may have gotten a little too nostalgic. “I’m sorry; that was probably way too much information.”

But Chloe found herself enthralled by her story, as Julia was someone who had stumbled in finding her place, but had found happiness through it all.  It was admirable, and with any luck, relatable. “No, don’t apologize.”

Looking up, Julia grinned, seeing in a short exchange, a small hint of what Oliver saw in Chloe.  However, that wasn’t going to be enough to ease her just yet.  “Tell me about yourself.”

“I’m not that exciting.”  Or at least, Chloe didn’t feel that way after hearing Julia speak.  “Quarter-life crisis pretty much describes my life... even if I’m sitting in a private plane.”

“You must have done something right to get the job.”

Chloe shook her head, as it was handed to her, likely out of desperation.  In fact, it wouldn’t surprise her if Oliver lied about having an opening.  “Right place right time.”  Or rather, something along the lines of the contrary.

In many cases, Julia would have believed her.  But the stories around this hiring didn’t add up.  “You know, Oliver never told me how you got this job.”  He was way too casual about it, or if nothing else, it was way too abrupt of a hiring.

This was a question Chloe should have prepared for, but the truth was, she didn’t expect to answer it so soon.  Lois and Clark bought the excuse of Oliver trying to make up for past mistakes and seeing Chloe’s potential, but Julia was clearly smart enough to see past that.  “Um... this is going to sound pathetic but I think it’s a Queen/Luthor rivalry thing.  Oliver found out Lex fired me and decided what the hell.”  The sad part was that was a lot closer to the truth than a lot of what Chloe had been saying.

And Julia could sense her honesty, so she backed off a little.  No doubt her situation wasn't an easy one, and as skeptical as Julia had become, she felt it waver.  “You have a strong resume for someone who stumbled into a position like yours.”

That got Chloe to laugh, as suddenly Oliver’s comments about the Torch made sense.  Julia was clearly thorough and she wasn’t about to underestimate Chloe.  “Let me guess, you ran the background check.”

“I might have seen the results.”  Julia knew it wasn’t in her place to look up this stuff, but ensuring Oliver was making the right decision was like breathing to her.  With no parents in sight, someone had to check on him.  Chloe’s case was special, but it was one she didn’t take lightly.

“The truth is you were one of the few journalists I could stand in Metropolis, impressive considering your age and short tenure at the Daily Planet.  Although it doesn’t hurt that you’ve got more courage in your fingers than most journalists have in their lives.” 

It may seem strange that Julia knew about Chloe’s work, but she was diligent when it came to covering media.  She wanted to be aware of what was going on, no matter where the news was coming from.  “In fact, I was shocked Lex had hired a decent journalist before your demotion.” 

Chloe was understandably surprised, and she didn’t have the heart to tell Julia that not only did Lex not hire her, but she also regretted the reason she got the job in the first place.  It was never the way she wanted to live the dream.  “I’m sensing a ‘but’ here."

Julia smiled in response, glad Chloe caught that because  it meant she could cut right to her point.  “A journalist of your skills isn’t one to be caught dead in a tabloid scandal, no offence.” The fact that Oliver knew nothing about her before his last trip surprised Julia, but it was also reassuring of the company.  If there was a leak or flaw of any kind, Chloe Sullivan had proved that she could find it.

So her eyes peered up with a serious expression.  “You had to wonder if it wasn’t an accident.”  Oliver had been through enough and the last thing he needed was for Chloe's intentions to be less than honourable.

Chloe’s mouth gaped slightly, but it was the only giveaway reaction from Julia’s comment.  It was an angle she hadn’t considered, although thinking about it, she wasn’t sure why not.   However, she didn’t back down either, trying to get an idea of what Julia thought of her now.  “And... what do you think?”

Julia had to admit, she liked Chloe’s confidence.  It was a different kind from a lot of women she had seen Oliver associated with.  Leaning back in her seat, never losing eye contact, she replied simply, “I didn’t think the Luthor factor was that large, but the fact you piss Lex off is a perk.  Otherwise —”

“Captain?”

Julia turned around and noticed a guy from the ground crew peeking inside the plane.  Giving Chloe a grin, she stood up and adjusted her uniform.  “Looks like we’re ready to take to the skies Chloe.  Buckle your seatbelt and enjoy the flight.”
 

~0~

Chloe waited patiently after the plane landed, so when the door finally opened, she was more than willing to get off the plan, get this over with.  But when she reached the bottom of the ladder, she noticed her luggage getting unloaded into a red Ferrari on the runway.

She approached the car carefully, wondering what was going on.  Coming around the car was Julia, who gestured her head towards the passenger seat.  “This isn’t a limo, and I don’t bite, I swear.”

"So you're a driver too?" Chloe quipped, opening the passenger door as she didn’t see herself having much of a choice.

"This was my idea... although he does know how much I love to drive this car."  Sitting in the driver seat, Julia enclosed her hands on the steering wheel with a grin.  "Besides, cabs are expensive and the last thing you want is to be dropped off without a clue of where you're going."

Chloe matched her smile as she got in the car, not noticing her phone slipping out of her bag.  Hearing the resulting clink, Julia turned her head, surprised by the face on the phone, a face she knew all too well.

Picking up the phone, she watched as Chloe quickly pressed the ignore button.  However, that didn’t stop her from asking, “How do you know Lois?”

“She’s… my cousin.”  Chloe felt bad for ignoring the call, but she knew it probably wasn’t a great idea to take the call right now either.

Julia’s eyes immediately widened.  “Seriously?”  Realizing that was probably a little over-the-top, she dialled it back a notch as she fit the key in the ignition. “I’m sorry; I have a hard time that you’re related to her.”

While it was true that Lois and her had different tendencies, Chloe realized this was an opportunity.  For six months, Lois and Oliver dated, yet she knew nothing about their relationship, or the fallout that caused Chloe to meet him in the first place.  “What happened... between them?”

“Wish I knew,” Julia said honestly, turning the key. “But I can say that Lois pulling the plug was the best thing that happened to them.”

“Really?”

Julia immediately nodded, as every time she saw them, it was the same sense of bickering, which she didn't think would work in a romantic relationship. As time went by, Julia thought about intervening, but she held back, as it was a tough time in Oliver’s life, and oddly enough, he needed some form of stability. Regardless, Julia still believed Lois made the right call.   “I only met Lois a couple of times and I’m sure she’s a nice person, but she isn’t Oliver’s match.”

“Oh.”

She knew Chloe would want more, but despite the length of their relationship, Julia hardly knew Lois.  For more details, Chloe would have to ask them directly.  “Yeah, and while you’ve managed to avoid the conversation about yourself on the plane… you’re not getting away with it now.”

But Chloe found herself shrugging, not entirely sure what Julia wanted to know. “You’ve seen my resume.”

That was true, as Julia started to recite what she had figured out about Chloe so far.  “Graduated from Met U, editor for your high school paper, Luthor adversary... " Her voice trailed momentarily before adding, "Those are aspects of yourself, but it’s not you.”

“You hate Lex as much as Oliver, don’t you?”

“In a word... absolutely,” Julia replied, trying not to grit her teeth hard as she turned the car onto the highway.  The speed allowed for her anger to subside momentarily, but in her heart, she would always know the hurt that the Luthors had caused her family.  “But you’re deflecting again.”

Sensing that Julia needed a change in conversation, Chloe thought about it for a minute, wondering what it would take to satisfy her curiosity.  “Lois is the closest thing I have to family, I can’t cook to save my life, and while I am single... I’m not looking to sleep with Oliver either.  Stuff like that?"

“It’s a start," Julia said casually.  It was interesting, as Lois and her would never see eye-to-eye, but already, Julia liked Chloe, making her wonder how on earth the cousins got along so well.  The cooking comment was a throw-away, but the last point of Oliver...Julia believed her.  Sure, she had caught Oliver on the phone with Chloe on more than one occasion, but maybe he was right... maybe it was more of a friendship that bonded them.

However, Julia's lack of further retort, resulting in silence in the car, became too much for Chloe.  “You don’t trust me, do you?”

“Name the last person you trusted within hours of meeting them and with limited conversations at that.”  Turning towards Chloe, Julia knew her point was made. “You think I’m aiming for the sky Chloe, but I’m just getting a feel for your character.  Which is why I think we should spend some time together... see the city.”

Chloe's eyes narrowed, surprised by offer.  “First you’re my pilot, my driver... now a tour guide?” 

Feeling her smile grow, Julia shrugged lightly.  “What can I say?  I am a woman of many skills.  I’ll help you check in... and we’ll see the sights together.”   Her smile twitching towards a sly grin, she added, "Granted, if your stomach can handle it, we may test this baby's engine on the highway for a little bit."

Leaning back in her seat, Chloe looked ahead at the open road.  “Feel free.”

Laughing, Julia started pushing the gas pedal harder.  “For the record Chloe… I think we’re going to get along just fine.”’
 

~0~

A long day of touring the city had culminated in the hotel bar for a couple drinks.  Leaning against the bar, Chloe sipped her drink slowly.  "It really is a beautiful city," she said honestly, glad to get a different sense of Star City. 

Julia had purposely avoided every tourist attraction and took her to all of the little intricate places that often got overlooked.  "It's home," she replied before sipping her drink.  "But you should think about sticking around a little longer.”   Seeing how Chloe immediately looked at her with narrowed eyes, Julia shrugged.  “You’ve won me over, sue me.”  With a sigh, she added, “You probably hate your boss... but I for one am glad he met you.”

Settling her glass back on the table, Chloe's smile faded, as there was something she always wanted to know, but was too afraid to ask Oliver himself.  “Would you mind telling me how much of it is true? Off the record of course.”

Julia's mouth opened to respond, before she looked down at her drink as she swirled it in her hand.  The truth was that more of it was true than she wanted to admit. “I guess the best way to answer that is to say he went through a really dark time where...  I didn’t even recognize him.”

It was a hard time for both of them, but Oliver took it worse than she did.  In fact, he wouldn't even talk to her, to anyone. It took alcohol poisoning and a half-hour screaming match for Oliver to finally break through.  However, even that wasn't enough.  Julia knew there was more to his breakdown, but he hid it now.  In fact, Julia wanted to say that Oliver had forgotten whatever caused him that pain.  “I’m not going to sit here and tell you Oliver Queen is a perfect soul because he’s far from it.  But he is a good man.”

Chloe nodded, remembering all of the things Oliver had done for her already.  “I know.”

Feeling herself yawn, Julia downed the rest of her drink, partly because she was tired, but also because she hated reliving that aspect of her life.  It was clear that she needed to get some sleep though, which meant she had to cut this conversation at an odd point.  “Sorry about that, but I think I better catch a cab and head home.  Do you mind?”

“Not at all," Chloe replied as she watched Julia take off from the bar.  She thought about following Julia to the front, but Chloe figured that she could use her space.  So she took a few extra minutes to finish her drink before deciding it was probably bed time for her too.

Except as she headed towards the elevators, she caught a glimpse of a familiar face.   Narrowing her eyes as she noticed Oliver approaching her with a garment bag... she had a feeling where this was going.

“No,” she said harshly, knowing it was rude, but she had to be clear. “Hospital readings I’ll do but I doubt anything in that bag is in my job description.”

Oliver wasn't one to back down either, so he held out the bag toward her.  “The gala’s for charity.”

Chloe repeated, “No.” 

It was supposed to be the last word, as Chloe attempted to walk around him, but Oliver moved too quickly, catching her arm before she got away.  Not wanting to cause a scene, he quickly let go of it, surprised to see it had stopped Chloe from taking off again.  “If you want to reduce suspicion, you have to face it head on.  Something tells me you’re a big girl and you can handle it.”

Sighing, Chloe turned to face him.  “When is it?”

“Tomorrow night.”

Staring at the bag still in his hand, she asked, “Why didn't you tell me?”

“You never would have come," Oliver replied easily, and from the way Chloe reacted to that comment, he knew he was right.  “And before you ask, Julia was sworn to secrecy."  But hearing that Julia spent time with Chloe voluntarily was a good sign, as it probably meant she would finally back off her theory.  Chloe wasn't using him, as if she had it her way, she would never had been here.  But the fact that she grabbed the dress was a positive sign too.  Smiling, he decided it was best to take his leave.  Bowing his head slightly, he said, “See you tomorrow Chloe,” before turning to walk away.




Chapter 5




Sera’s Scribbles: For some reason, I can’t seem to write an AU’s without original characters.  In case you’re wondering, I casted Stana Katic for Julia (with a little help from poetgirl925), hopefully you enjoy her character.