Backing up Chloe

By ColleenJoy

Every muscle in his body was stretched tight as he strained to get up into Oliver's face. Holding his fists tight down to his sides he barely managed to restrain himself from knocking that smirk off his billion dollar lips. "You let Chloe get hurt!" Bart said, bouncing up on his toes in an attempt to even out the height difference.

"Oh, not you too," groaned Oliver in disgust, "Chloe was fine."

"Chloe was not fine!" roared Bart, his voice breaking a little as he attempted to pitch it deeper. "She was in danger and you were too slow. Even after you got there you were so absorbed watching that leather clad maniac that you let her kick Chloe!"

"Oliver sighed; this was turning into a really bad day. First Clark barged in and told him off and now Bart. "Look, like I told Clark already, it wasn't like the woman really wanted to kill her." He shrugged, "She was just trying to scare her."

"Wait, Clark was here? He wasn't in on this too was he? I can't believe he'd risk Chloe's life like that." Bart settled back on his heels and took a deep breath.

"Yes Clark was here, breathing down my neck just like you're breathing up it," smirked Oliver, looking down at Bart pointedly. "and no, he wasn't in on it. We didn't tell him because Chloe didn't want him to worry." Oliver was getting tired of this. "You know, Chloe wanted to do this. She asked for the job and I paid her well. She knew the risks. Besides, I had her back"

Bart had started to calm down as he listened but Oliver's last line had him back up on his toes. "Chloe is used to Clark having her back. She's used to someone who shows up seconds after she calls. You should have been faster! Better yet, you should have had someone else, someone who is even faster than Clark, watching over her."

Oliver laughed in Bart's face. "Are you volunteering to keep an eye on Chloe? I'm afraid you'd get distracted."

Bart bristled, "Look who's talking, at least I'd be paying attention to Chloe and not some hot psycho chic." he grumbled defensively.

Oliver rolled his eyes, "Do you honestly think you would have been a match for her attacker? Come on Bart, you have some great skills but combat isn't one of them."

"Oh, yeah? Wanna find out what it feels like to be hit at high speed?" offered Bart raising his fist to Oliver's chin.

Oliver looked at him and he could see the younger man trembling with the effort to hold back his anger. Now that he thought about it, being hit at Bart speed would probably hurt pretty badly. "Um, not really, how did you find out Chloe got hurt anyway?" he asked.

"I saw the bruises on her face!" said Bart, swallowing hard as he remembered the sight of the dark bruises shadowing her creamy skin.

Oliver stared at Bart for a moment , "You really care for her don't you? It's not just some silly crush or a chance to flirt."

Bart blushed, "Not that it makes any difference, she's all wrapped up with Jimmy, but yeah, I've always liked Chloe."

"Okay Bart, I'll make you a deal. If Chloe has another dangerous assignment, I'll let you be her back-up," Oliver put his hand up to stop Bart's delighted cheer, "on the condition that you promise not to showboat. You have to take it seriously. Do you understand? Her life may depend on it."

Bart nodded solemnly but couldn't help bouncing a bit, "Okay Boss, I understand. You can count on me, no one will lay a hand on Chloeliscious if I can help it." Then he grinned, "I can't wait for the next mission!"

Oliver rubbed his temples, his head was pounding and Bart's enthusiasm was making it worse. "I'll keep you informed Impulse, now how about you take off for awhile and let your boss have some quiet time to plan."

"Sure thing boss man," Bart turned away, "I wonder if Chloe still likes tulips." and he disappeared so quickly the air barely stirred.

The End