The tea party

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"Wake up James. No time to say goodbye/hello. Time for the tea party."

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James Gordon heard these words, but it took him a minute to get his eyes to focus. Gordon remembered being drugged, the last thing he saw before he passed out was that creep Jervis Tetch. Here he was again, he seemed to be mad as a hatter. Gordon couldn't get up, Tetch had him restrained to a chair, and they weren't alone. There were three women restrained in their own chairs. Barbara, Leslie, and Valerie. All women James Gordon had loved once, and he had screwed up each relationship. Whatever Tetch was planning, he'd done his homework.

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Gordon: What do you want Tetch?

Tetch: I want my sister back, can you do that?

Gordon: No, she's in Heaven now. Safe from you forever.

Tetch: I supposse you're right. So, I just want you to know my pain. I did my research, I know you made love to each of these women. But the question remains as to which of them you actually loved. You were engaged to Barbara, at one point you wanted to spend the rest of your lives together. Then again, you had a child with Leslie. Even though you never got to see your child, that bonds you to her in an irreplaceable way. But let's not overlook Valerie. I like to think that when you find your true love, you cannot love another. Perhaps, if you'd truley loved Leslie or Barbara, you wouldn't be able to make love to Valerie. I'm going to give you a choice. I'm only going to kill one of these women, whichever one you truley love. So, James, who do you love the most?

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James was frozen in fear, he couldn't condemn any of these women to death. But if he didn't choose, Tetch might kill all three of them. Tetch got frustrated, he took his knife and went for Valerie's throat. Before he could kill her the silence was broken.

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Barbara: No! Kill me!

Tetch: Excuse me?

Barbara: I'm the one Jim loves. I'm not going to take second place to these whores. Jim might have been a little confused for awhile, but I'd rather die than hear him say he loves someone else more.

Tetch: If it hurts him, I'm willing to accomodate you.

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Tetch than went to kill Barbara. This time he was stopped by detective Harvey Bullock. Bullock had searched for his old partner, and come just in time to save the girls. Tetch was dead and Bullock untied everyone. The police and paramedics were soon there. They confirmed that Tetch's drugs would soon be out of their systems, although they were all referred to psychiatrists. After they were checked out Gordon spoke to Barbara.

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Gordon: Why did you do that? Was it really because you're insanely jealous? Or was it to save Valerie?

Barbara: Who says I have to choose?

Gordon: I'm sorry. I should have been there for you after Don Falcone kidnapped you, or after what happenned with the ogre. And I could have been more compassionate when you came to me after being released from Arkham.

Barbara: We both made, more than a few mistakes. So, now what?

Gordon: You said once that you wanted to be a better person. Is that still true?

Barbara: Yes. I'm just not sure how.

Gordon: Neither am I. But I don't like who I've become lately. Maybe, we can help each other on that.

Barbara: I'd like that.

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Gordon and Barbara walked off together. Neither were sure what the future held, or even how to do better than before. But they would try together.