This takes place post-Absolute Justice.

Chloe was tired.

Emil had told her that knowledge was power, that she had too much of it locked up in her little space that Jimmy had left her. What Emil didn't get was that Chloe was power, was the knowledge that had somehow managed to make her feel lonely and apart from those that were supposed to care for her.

They left when she had needed them the most.

Heaving a deep sigh from the couch, Chloe tipped her head back. Wallowing in self-pity was becoming too much of a common theme. She thought back to the young reporter thirsty for the truth back in high school, always so eager to uncover the truth and deliver it to the unsuspecting masses. What had happened to that girl?

She grew up. Disappointment, heartache, regret. She grew up Sullivan.

The stained glass windows of the Watchtower glowed faintly in the moonlight as she finally climbed to her feet, noted absently the way the blues and yellows seemed to blend into the shallow patches of darkness scattered here and there. Her heels clicked against the stairs and Chloe traced the curve of the railing with her hand, drawing a finger leisurely against the cool metal. Spotting the empty coffee cup next to her personal computer, she frowned and contemplated getting a fresh batch when her screensaver caught her eye.

It was taken almost a year ago, before Jimmy and before Davis. She was sandwiched in between three men. The oldest one had his cap pulled low over his brow and there was no mistaking the affectionate scowl he was sending towards the other three. A tall, lanky man that gave Oliver a run for his money in terms of height had one arm around her shoulder, another with a sturdy build snaking his arm around her waist. And there she was, smack dab in the middle, with a bright genuine smile she hadn't been able to dredge up in ages.

A slice of pain cut through her when she remembered that these people were as much strangers to her now as she was to them. Chloe had contemplated packing her bags and heading off to South Dakota after Jimmy had died. After all there wasn't any point staying in Metropolis now that her band of superheroes had scattered like the wind.

Deserted you in your time of need.

Perhaps that was unfair, Chloe thought to herself. Clark had gone to train with his father. Lois had disappeared into the future. Oliver had sunk into an alcohol-induced bender that spanned borders. The League had uprooted themselves right along with their fearless leader. All she had had left were her computers, the knowledge that they had helped her achieve.

Chloe didn't know when the line between knowledge and herself had become blurred, had come to the point where she found it possible to separate one from the other. Hadn't she spent most of her life thus far utilizing that knowledge to aid in the quest for justice? Sacrificed so much so that she could deliver that power into the hands of people who needed it the most?

The picture onscreen flickered momentarily and Chloe blinked, wanted to reach out and trace the curve of her smile.

But your knowledge couldn't save them. You let everyone down. The three men stared back at her. You let them down too. All that knowledge didn't help one bit, did it?

'Chloe?' She heard Oliver call from below and brushed her fingers against the trackpad to remove another memory.

'Up here,' she called back, her lips actually stretching a bit when she caught sight of the head of Queen Industries. Ever since their last mission with the JSA, there had been a discernable shift in Oliver. It wasn't anything surprising or sudden, just a minute change in priorities that had always been there. He seemed less guarded around people, more…receptive if she had to pick a word. Coffee and cookies last week with J'onn had been fun, she recalled, remembering the almost carefree laugh Oliver and her had allowed themselves to indulge in.

'What's wrong?' Chloe asked, closing her laptop from view.

'You said the same thing the last time I stopped by,' Oliver remarked, hands shoved deep into the pockets of his jeans as she made her way down. Chloe arched a brow.

'That's because the only time I get visitors is when you guys need something,' she answered, trying to sound flippant as she reached for her tablet. Oliver frowned behind her back slightly. Before he could reply something in the security feed caught his eye.

'What the…' He murmured, muscles tensing as he tried to figure out the best way to get Chloe to safety. 'Why haven't any of the security alarms-'

The sound of something smashing against the floor made him realize that Chloe was staring, mouth agape, at the man in the elevator.

'Watchtower,' Oliver prodded. 'You know who that is?'

'It's…It's not possible,' she whispered harshly.

'Chloe I need you to-'

'No.'

'That wasn't a suggestion,' Oliver replied, slipping into his role as leader. 'I don't know who that guy is but-'

'He isn't a threat,' Chloe interrupted and pressed a button on the table beside her to reveal a drawer. 'I need you to let me handle him.'

'What?'

'Ollie,' Chloe said firmly, her tone brooking no argument. 'If I think that's who I think it is, I'm the only one that's going to be able to handle him.'

'What?'

Oliver watched as the man stepped off the elevator and placed his hands firmly on the handles to the double doors that sectioned off the hub from the rest of the building. Oliver saw Chloe unscrew a metal flask.

He wanted to ask her if that was alcohol, and whether she intended on setting the man on the other side on fire.

She didn't.

Instead Chloe splashed something clear and wet onto the intruder's face as soon as he stepped through the door. The man stood there, spitting out what Oliver thought was either vodka or water.

'Sam?' Chloe said the name almost reverently.

'Hey Chlo,' Sam said with a half-smile. 'Look I'll spare you the trouble because I know you hate doing it.' As soon as the words were out Sam dragged a knife across his forearm, looking at Chloe expectantly.

'Christo,' Chloe barked out. Nothing happened.

'It's really you,' Chloe breathed out at Sam.

Then she slapped him.