A/N: So I've been reading fics on this board pretty much since the first episode, but this is my first time writing for it! I've written fics on other sites in the past, mostly Dark Knight universe, so this is going to be interesting portraying the characters while staying true to the Gotham back stories.
I don't want to go about this one that way. So along with what I have planned for my characters and the story, I want to put it out there that I'm more than open to take plot & event suggestions from you guys. So this first chapter takes place either midway or the ending (I ain't telling you which) of the story, it introduces a lot of development before anything even really happens!
I've pretty much have the plot structure and what kind of story I want to convey down, but that doesn't mean I cant include things along the way or even take it a completely different direction :)
Regardless if you're ghosting or contributing, I hope you guys enjoy the read!
The piano notes were softly floating in the background, around the room were elegant cocktail dresses and tailor fitted suits chatting and laughing. The newly opened Iceberg Lounge was highly exclusive and sought after by not only the elite of Gotham, but the highly accredited criminals. The building itself was a restored meat processing plant but you'd never guess by the lavish ballroom in its center; surrounded by three levels of balconies, bars, and rooms lined with dark red carpet and crystal railings and barriers that matched with accents inside the building, giving off a resemblance of ice itself. Cobblepot had really outdone himself with this one… never had she seen so many people from different backgrounds and statuses in one room without someone being shot. She couldn't imagine someone making such a scene in a place where the rich and corrupt go to negotiate and socialize, under the watch of so many of penguins gang.
She made her way over to the bar on the wall across the main floor that was currently flooded with people. Crowds had always made her uneasy, not because she felt unsafe but because she preferred observing from the outside. There was a lot to be studied at an event like this. Propping herself up on the stool at the edge of the bar, she asks the man in the vest for an old-fashioned. While waiting, she took the time to adjust her quickly done outfit change and pulled on the hem of the wine colored dress she was gifted for the night, it was a relatively modest dress with a high scoop-neck and lace detail quarter sleeves. However it hugged her frame tightly… something she wasn't accustomed to after trading in her chef coat and loose pants only moments ago. The tap of the glass being set in front of her took her out of her trance of wondering if her butt was unknowingly peeking out when she was standing. Nicole took a sip, feeling the whiskey burn down her throat before the sweetness followed, truly giving a meaning to self-medication.
She peered over across the bar, observing the socialites, that she had grown to know over the past year since moving here. Gotham was another world compared to Chicago, if she had thought the crime rate back home was bad, Gotham makes no comparison. As a strategist, she was adjusting at a steady pace and had made a quite credible background for herself. Standing next to one of the tall glass tables with a couple wine glasses rested on it, a groomed stocky man in a red tie was frowning at the lanky man who seemed to be entering his personal space. From further inspection, she could tell that they were both speaking low and shooting daggers at each other, she noticed the stocky man had slowly moved his hand to his belt on his hip.
'I suppose the night is still young…' she thought.
Nicole took her glass with her as she swayed over to the two men, choosing to play the role of the young, clumsy, feminine girl. She turned her head and pretended to be laughing and walking away from a conversation before stumbling into the stocky man.
"Oh my… How graceless of me, I'm sorry!" She set her hand empathetically on his shoulder.
The man huffed, annoyed to be taken aback from the matter at hand. You could tell he was close to threatening whatever woman had bumped into him, before looking down and recognizing her face, "Don't worry sweetheart! Say, I was going to tell you; fantastic job on the dinner this evening!"
Both of the men's tension had subsided and were captivated by the talented, beautiful woman. The lanky man, who she had also seen at a few dinners before smiled. "Oh yeah! I really enjoyed the beef ragu, the wine pairing highlighted the depth of the truffle gastrique."
She took another sip of her drink, glad that she could diffuse the situation. It was more often than not that she noticed the signs of conflict before they even happen now days. By now she had really grown on the city and even though she liked to remain impartial with the good and the bad, will stealthily involve herself whether it ended with a good outcome or not. She was never quite the pacifist either.
"Thank you guys so much, I'm glad you enjoyed the menu," she smiled graciously "Hey, if you tell the man in the chef whites over there I said 'spoonblade' he will sneak you some to-go boxes on the way out." She pointed across the room.
The men chuckled and thanked her for the insider tip, both seemed to have forgotten the hot topic from before. Nicole shook their hands and made her way back to the end of the bar, shaking hands and small talking with some of those along the way. She sat back down on the stool, crossed her legs, and took another sip. Events like this she was cordial and respectful to those only as much as she needed to be.
After directing her kitchen in the back to execute the horduerves and small plates out on time, she really just wanted to sit down for a drink and let the stress melt away on her own. She tucked some strands behind her ear and realized that her hair was still tied up in a rather unattractive bun. Nicole let down her pale blonde hair, thankful for curling it ahead of time, and ran her fingers through it, hoping to make it at least a little presentable. She finished off her glass and scooted it over to the edge of the bar. After a while of watching the attendants of the party, her hopes were wavering. She knew he must've been in attendance somewhere; after all he was a major partner alongside Cobbblepot himself.
'Maybe he left already… or something came up.'
She sighed, stood up from the stool, and looked down to adjust her dress. The possibility was passing and she was considering leaving soon. There was about four highly stacked folders waiting on her counter at home and must be reviewed by morning. These past few days had been highly stressful to all the staff at Arkham, as they were trying to recover from the recent events that shook the doctors and put the GCPD on high alert. The files she needed to scan through were extensive to the ex-patient, Gordon was counting on her to be able to find something linking to an explanation of what just took place.
'Alright, one more shot couldn't hurt.'
Nicole signaled for the straight to the bartender and then rested her arms on the bar. Sudden anxiousness washed over her… there was no way he'd be capable of captivating him, right?
The expensive whiskey had a slow burn down her throat, soothing a bit of the anxiety. She reached for her purse and turned back around ready to head back. When she looked up she instantly made eye contact. He was at the front of the room by Penguin's side and a charming smile rose on his face. His fitted dark grey suit paired with a deep green tie looked rather flattering on him, he took a sip from his champagne glass and gave her a subtle wink. Nicole smiled back, relieved that he had made it to the grand opening okay, and gave a little wave. Penguin noticed her as well and nudged the tall man's shoulder and leaned up to whisper something in his ear. Her eyes left his for a moment only to catch the face of a very unexpected guest that was blending in with a dark tailored suit, however well he had cleaned up, there was no mistaking his bright red hair slightly peeking out from the thin lapelled hat on his head.
'What does he think he's doing here…' a wave of trepidation and conflicting solace fell over her.
The bright haired man smiled from across the bar, keeping his head low, was finishing off his drink. His plan would be falling into place soon, he was taking all his strength to hold back laughter... but there was something else he was straining to hold back, at the sight of Nicole, he felt this over whelming feeling he couldn't quite put into words. Fighting this sense of endearment, the flash of vulnerability quickly changed to opposition.
Even though there was a wide grin on his face, the eyes peering over the glass at her were dark and almost… scary. Why was he there? Is he trying to get maimed? Why does he look so angry with her? He calmly set his empty glass on the bar, rose from his seat, and just stood there tall staring back at her with his hands in his pockets and a proud smirk on his face. Nicole's eyes widened and her softly arched brow raised with inquisition and fear for him. Fear of his boldness. Fear for what was to come. Fear for his safety.
She glanced back over across the room to the tall dark haired man who was obviously enthused and making his way through the crowd over to her. The lights were dim and the man with the bright hair kept low, but his eyes never left hers as he coyly dipped through the guests on the path to the woman in the wine colored dress that flaunted all the right curves. His immediate thought was 'Who gave her such an amusing dress? This person must know her body quite…too well.', knowing that Nicole herself would never buy a dress that provocative, little alone one so pricey looking. He knew that she did dress tastefully, but still preferred being comfortable. The man picked up his pace and was zoning in quickly.
As she stood there, frozen and unsure what to do, the tall man had reached her and gently grasped her hip with a bright smile gracing his face.
"Do you approve the dress?" he asked lowly. There was no response. Noticing her gaze, he pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose and chuckled, "Ms. Nicole, I know it's not quite your taste but I wanted to showcase to you that-". Suddenly his gaze met that of what she was staring at, stopping mid-sentence.
Her heart had raced so much in such a little of time by now that she was sure that it had just stopped beating, at least she wished. The face of the fiery man was infuriated but this time wasn't looking into her eyes, but directly into those of the man standing beside her.
"What, aren't you happy to see me?"
She had no idea about what was about to happen, other than hell will be raised, people will die, and that she would be lucky to make it out alive herself.
