CHAPTER 1: Not Alone

Disguised in a heavy jacket, Eva carefully navigated the streets of Gotham this evening. Making her way into a small corner grocery store, her rough-and-dirty oversized boots thumped heavily on the aged and broken tile flooring. The Greek storeowner looked at her suspiciously as her hood fell just below her brows. Refusing to make much eye contact with the man who once watched her on stage with the dirtiest looks, she quickly made her way around to pick up a few basic food items for her apartment kitchen. Grabbing only what she so desperately needed she swiped her fingerless gloves across her face to dishevel her appearance more to hide her identity to the disgusting bastard.

"What have we here huh?" his gruff voice and sudden question made her look up in fear of his possible discovery. Handing over the goods that took up much of the space in the shopping basket, he took each item as given, scanning them as he continued to eye her as if awaiting her response. "Um yes? I'm just doing my last minute shopping for the night" Eva spoke, keeping her head low while attempting to make herself appear ugly. "Ah I see… but not the best time to be out on these streets hm? Especially a young woman such as yourself". He chuckled mischievously as he would with any young woman. Eva not only had the displeasure of recognizing him as a past guest but hearing stories of his bad reputation with women. Finally bagging the last of her items, she reached over to accept them into her hands. "Yes, well, I am not entirely alone". His thin lips curved into his signature-perverted smile as his heavy brows curved downward. Looking at the screen, "that'll be $25.57". Fishing through her pocket she slammed a twenty-dollar bill along with seven extra dollar bills onto the counter. Refusing to withstand his gazes she moved to turn away until his hand covered hers instantly. Looking back with shock and anger his crooked teeth peeked between his lips, "best be careful at this time…never know if someone might just snatch you uP" emphasizing the last letter with a pop, she tore her hand from beneath his with disgust. "I think I will be just fine and keep the change". Even with her back facing him as she hurried out of the store she could still feel his dark eyes burning into her.

With his words lingering in her head, Eva moved her feet faster, splashing puddle after puddle. The weight of the milk in one bag didn't even faze her as she strived to reach her apartment without any interference from the street thugs and no good doers. Dim streetlights lit the way poorly but regardless; they helped to shine the way back. Preparing herself to pass underneath an underpass, she shifted her bags into one hand as the other took out a closed pocketknife just in case. Hearing some commotion behind her from a street down, her body jumped and looked back to see what was going on. A familiar gang yelling out obscenities to each other caused her to move faster until she suddenly ran into someone.

Ooompf!

"I'm so sorry! I wasn't paying attention!" Eva blurted out afraid of whom she might have run into. The man grunted and shook as a cold breeze swept across the area. Getting a better look at him rather than the heavy knit sweater he was wearing she realized who it was and jumped to hug him instantly. "Oswald! Oh my god! Are you okay!?" With legs badly injured he couldn't bear much of her weight and grimaced at the pain. Making a sound she loosened her hold and stepped back to take a better look at his state. "You're wet and hurt, I know, I heard about what happened, Christ Oswald please come with me back to my apartment". "Eva…" Before he could protest he thought about his predicament. He really couldn't walk any further to his own place and he couldn't let her go anywhere alone so he followed. Moving to hang her arm around side to help him walk he nudged her off easily. "No-no I'm good, thank you…I can make it". Watching him limp made her feel sorry for him. Working for the same boss, they knew each other's pain.

…..

Finally shutting the wooden door and shielding themselves away from the havoc outside, peace and comfort resonated through the small space of her home. It wasn't his first time as guest here. The first was unfortunately due to a bloody nose injury, which she couldn't resist to attend to in her own apartment. After placing the groceries on the counter beside the sink she moved to hang her heavy coat on the rack. Looking her over, he noticed how she appeared much less than what she dressed for Ms. Mooney. Catching his eyes she smiled and asked, "What? The coat?" Making her way down to unlace her boots he too smiled and answered, "Yeah, I'm just so used to the way you doll yourself up for Ms. Mooney that I almost didn't recognize you back there".

"Yea, well, this grungy disguise is what's keepin' me safe from the eyes of the men who watch me on her stage".

His head shook in understanding, expression filled with hatred for the men who thought of doing her harm.

With better lighting, Eva looked him up and down, taking in his full appearance. He did indeed went through some kind of hell but nevertheless, she still felt attracted to a young man whose appearance has made him the victim of so much bullying and abuse throughout his childhood. "Oswald, please, have a seat", waving over to one of her tall kitchen counter stools. With his signature shy smile he limped over to the seat and sat with ease. "I'm uh, I'm gonna go and change, I'm rather dirty…would you like anything afterwards? Some hot chocolate, something to fill your stomach you look like you haven't eaten for a while," she asked with great concern. Politely he answered, "That sounds amazing but I don't mind the wait". With a nod, Eva turned on her heels and headed straight down the small hallway to her bedroom. Making her way over to her undergarment drawer she pulled out a thin folded robe and thin short dress that went underneath it. Quickly plucking a clean pair of panties, she balled everything together and went straight for the bathroom. As the doorknob clicked shut, it was most definitely a sign of comfort how she felt no reason to be afraid of getting clean whilst someone was in her apartment. But, Oswald and her were definitely never strangers to each other.

….

Oswald sat at the counter waiting for her to finish. His bright azul eyes looked everywhere familiar with the place for only the second time; focusing on the white brick walls to the old chipped wooden cabinets and then down to his dirty hands. Examining each scrape mapped across his skin his mind replayed all the events that happened thus far. He felt tired, hungry, filthy, and in pain. The injury of his legs shot waves pain up his body with each step he took. Even the slightest had him wincing. So what was he doing here?

He met Eva the day she introduced herself to Fish on stage. He remembers her body decked with shimmery gold and black nylons. Her hair was curled and her lips were bright as blood. He remembers watching her from behind Fish, in the dark as usual. He remembered how mesmerizing her smile was as she did her best to provide reason to become one of Fish's 'classy' performers. Of course, he has seen many women where she stood that night, but none has ever cared about what he thought like she did. He never thought a woman like her would ever give him a second look. A year from then, it was clear she has seen the hell Ms. Mooney ruled and it was this knowledge that kept him attracted to her. They were not so different after all.

Click!

Torn from his thoughts, he turned suddenly to look at the young woman who stood across the room clad in only a robe and clean, bright skin. He couldn't stop staring at the way her tousled hair fell just below her shoulders and how she fixed the bow tied at her waist. His cheeks burned just slightly as she cleared her throat at the silence that fell between them.

"Sorry for taking so long, mm…you know what", she began as she walked over to him until a few inches separated them. "I have a few men's clothes that I use at night, just a pair of sweatpants, an old sweater and a white tank…they're clean…I would like for you to wash up, it will make you feel better".

"That's very kind of you but I wont be here for much longer…I must be going soon", Politely said, he moved to stand up on weak appendages trying his best to prove he could walk. But he failed at that as he stumbled and held onto the chair in the process. Feeling two hands at his side he looked down at her and found her supporting him.

"A man who can barely walk is in no position to go anywhere…especially at this time…Oswald please, please stay here for the night I promise you will recover much better after a wash, some food, and a good rest".

It was quite amusing to him, to see a woman who stood best at 5 foot 1, looking up at him with the darkest eyes and full pink lips telling him to sleep over.

"I don't mean to act like a mother…", "Where shall I rest? I don't mind taking the couch" he interrupted.

Her face turned to look at her small 3-seater couch that in no way could accommodate his long body. Amused she waved her hand at the furniture and told him, "Are you serious? Lying on that thing my feet can barely fit just right without flinging over the armrest, you definitely wont fit".

Oswald looked around searching for another possible resting spot and refused to think of the most obvious place.

"Sleep with me…I mean", it was Eva's turn to blush, "Sleep in my bed, with me, there's nowhere else in this tiny place where you will be able to get a goodnight rest".

"That wont be necessary Eva" he managed to say so politely but still came off utterly stubborn and persistent.

"Oswald Cobblepot!" she sternly spoke with a smile teasing at the corner of her lips. She never used his full name before like this, which made him laugh. She erupted into laughter as well. He ceased as he felt her small hand encase his so gently. His body went tense as they both looked at each for a moment.

"Please stay…I don't want to be alone".

Her plea went straight to his heart. Trying to make his final decision he pulled his hand back to his side and in the end she won. He will stay.

"I will stay", his voice so low and eyes filled with gratitude. Eva's heart fluttered and she jumped to hug him.

Sss Ow!

"Oh! I'm so sorry I forgot, wow okay…" she backed away and showed him the way to the bathroom. Retreating to her bedroom to grab the men's clothes she described earlier, he stood by the sink looking at the dark circles beneath his eyes.

"Here you go, I uh, I even have some clean briefs in there", his brow lifted in question as to why on earth she would possess men's underwear. "They were given to me by a friend of mine as a joke, long ago…well I have them and they're brand new so…" taking the bundled items into his hands he thanked her once again and closed the door. It was a while before she heard the showerhead come on, she wondered if he was trying to tend to wounds elsewhere on his body. Her mind also wondered what his body even looked like bare. Her face flushed hot, as her back rested against the wall outside the room. Moving away, Eva went back into the kitchen and looked inside the cabinets and fridge. Grabbing one of the soft, dark avocados next to the stove and pulling out a packet of chicken breast meat from the freezer she decided to serve up the best sandwich he has had in a long time. A man's gotta eat, and she was willing to get him back into better shape. Preparing the pot with the right amount of oil, it was only a matter of time before the heat would allow her to make exactly what she wanted.

…..

In a swirl, all the dried blood washed down the drain as he wiped his face, arms and chest. It felt refreshing and it felt like freedom to have such an opportunity to wash all the grime off his weak and badly bruised body. Droplets of clean cool water slipped down his sharp nose and hung at the tip only to continuously fall to his feet.

With his mind so noisy with all thoughts running wild with what-ifs and hundreds of questions it made it difficult to shut it completely off and enjoy what little time he had until he had to leave this comforting lifestyle and return to the plan he held for the city outside.

Using the amber colored bar of soap he rubbed his skin until it turned red and for his hair, his fingers scratched his scalp clean. He did his best to bathe properly and hurry to avoid thinking. Turning the shower off, he swung the curtain aside and reached for the bleached white towel left on the toilet for him. Dabbing and rubbing all over, his bare feet fell onto the plush carpet below and walked naked over to stand by the sink. Looking down he could now clearly see his legs…and it was a sight he intended to hide from Eva's eyes. Thankfully for this season and the long pants she presented she will be spared the ugly sight. Once the briefs were slipped on the rest of the clothes slipped on fast and he was out as swift as possible.

…..

As Oswald exited the bathroom the most pleasant smell hit his nose. Walking slowly while using the wall as help, he made his way around to the kitchen to find Eva putting together something so delicious from where he stood. Raising a hand to his head he was in awe at what lengths she went through to make him something so delicious.

"Surprise!" she smiled so brightly, "A tomato, lettuce, avocado, cheese and chicken sandwich!"

Limping forward to the counter he looked down at the white plate holding the most appetizing combination of food he has seen for some time. Moving around to pull his chair back she beckoned him to sit and enjoy what she made for him.

"You made all of this…for me…where is yours?"

"Oh don't worry I already ate earlier…oh I'm sorry I forgot to ask, what would you like to drink?" she asked while going back over to the fridge.

"Water would be just fine, thank you"

Reaching for some ice to fill an empty glass she pushed it against the dispenser and filled it halfway with water. Going back over to him she placed it directly across from his plate. He was eating like he had crossed the desert without any form of nourishment for his body. Pieces of the vegetables fell from his hands down onto the plate as he devoured the bakery bread and everything it encased. Finishing the entire sandwich in such a short amount of time, Eva smiled at his raving appetite. She hoped it was good enough.

Once finished his eyes looked down to see the mess he made. Apologetically he looked at her, "I must apologize for the way I ate…you have no idea how much I needed this", "Oh I think I do", she responded. "Here, I will take everything to the sink for you" standing up he did his best to keep the plate and glass sturdy in his grip while making it to the sink. Achieving what he wanted to do so respectfully he turned to find her looking at him.

The way the clothes fell on him so carelessly and the way his damp hair fell to one side was indeed a much different look for Oswald. His pale skin looked much cleaner and she could never get tired of those aqua bright orbs.

"I'm going to bed…you are more than welcome to stay up longer…but please don't sleep on that couch" she added the last part with humor. Before she turned to leave he began, "I loved the sandwich, you're a great cook" he complimented.

"You're welcome". With that Eva had left him to set up her bed and ready the both of them for the night.

Ooooh! ;) Yes I did just leave you here. Haha wow, I'm so glad to have finished the first chapter to a story I've been dying to post ever since I started watching the show. It has actually been a long time since I posted anything on this wonderful site so please be easy, read to enjoy and don't hesitate to make comments or send messages The next chapter will be up soon and it will not disappoint!