A/N
My habit of late-night uploading is the best. I'm trying to post as much as possible before my May hiatus so this chapter was written today, straight after the first one.
This chapter involves episodes 2 and 3 but after this I may stray away and use like 3 chapters for one episode's worth of time since these first few chapters are just introducing you all to the story and Josephina.
Hopefully you all like this story, I'm trying my best to make it both accurate and entertaining, so please let me know if it's good or if there are some improvements that I need to make. Opinions are welcome here so long as they're put across in a nice way :)
Oswald lie awake, staring at the ceiling that had been adorned with newspaper clippings regarding the city he called home. The past 24 hours had certainly been quite…strenuous for Oswald to say the least and now he found himself alone in a rented trailer, waiting for the right time to return to Gotham. He had many questions spinning around in his mind; like why Fish was able to so easily toss him aside, and why Detective Gordon had chosen to spare his life. Then he thought of Josephina. He knew it was her that had told Fish of his earlier action of snitching to the MCU. He knew how scared the beautiful dancer must have been to help sentence him to death at the hands of the two detectives. However, Oswald just wished that Jo would've shown him one last act of devotion before he was taken away. She'd stood there, frozen, as he was dragged from Mooney's nightclub yet she hadn't shed a single tear. Oh how Oswald wished Jo had ran desperately to his side, pleading with Fish and Falcone to spare his life. She'd cry for him and perhaps even bestow one last tender kiss before letting the hulking men drag her love away forever. Such an ending would've made Oswald's pain all worthwhile.
But Jo was scared; that much was evident. She couldn't have intervened otherwise her own life would've also been over, Oswald completely understood that.
However, for now, he'd have to settle with that single kiss on the cheek that she'd given him that afternoon. Although it didn't matter; as soon as Oswald made his return to Gotham as a leader, Josephina's soft kisses would be regular. She'd be his partner, his lover.
However, since Oswald's death, Jo had felt little remorse for her part in the murder. While she knew that a kind-hearted man had stared down a gun barrel because of her, her reasons were easily-justifiable. Upon learning of his death, Detectives Montoya and Allen had been leading the investigation; thoroughly sifting through any valuable information they could gather. When it was her turn to be interrogated, Jo couldn't help but panic as she entered the grey room and took her seat across from the two detectives.
"Miss Carnell, is it?" Montoya asked, looking over the young woman.
"That's right…good afternoon." She smiled warmly yet avoided any eye contact, thinking over what Fish had told her to say should the detectives ask her about Oswald's snitching.
"You worked with Oswald Cobblepot at Mooney's nightclub correct?" Montoya immediately fired the first question, noticing Jo's unease with the situation. "Did you know him very well?"
"Not really, no. We spoke often but only basic chatter, you know, how's your mother, what're you doing at the weekend…stuff like that."
"And what about Fish Mooney, what's your relationship with her?" Allen said, leaning back in his chair as Jo shifted uncomfortably in hers.
"Ms. Mooney is like a mother to me." Jo stated, her face suddenly deadly serious – it was as if she'd rehearsed everything she was about to say. "She's like a mother to every one of her employees. She loves us all dearly. You don't think she could've had Oswald taken away, do you?"
After she had played her cards right, and shed a crocodile tear or two over Oswald, Josephina strolled out of the interrogation office and headed for the door. However, the performer was stopped by Gordon and Bullock on her way out.
"What can I do for the two of you?"
Harvey chuckled, taking her innocent question as a hidden innuendo. "I don't know, you tell—"
Jim nudged Harvey, silencing him quickly. "We're just inquiring as to what you told the Detectives in there."
"You mean, you want to know what I know?" Jo shrugged, "can't help you Jim."
"…You know who I am." Cautiously, Jim looked over at Harvey, then back to the young woman.
"I do."
"Listen sweetheart, you can quit playing games with us." Harvey interjected, sensing that Jo knew everything.
Jo glanced around her and lowered her voice. "Yes, okay? I know what the two of you did…"
"Cobblepot's murder wasn't down to us. I had no choice." Jim attempted to explain, fearing what the performer would do with this information. It could certainly benefit her if she turned the two detectives in.
After a moment of processing what had just been said, Jo raised an eyebrow. "I was talking about Mario Pepper. About the frame job."
The two detectives exchanged grim looks; they had just unwittingly told the young woman about their part in Oswald's murder – well, Jim's part.
"You killed Oswald? So he's actually dead then…" Jo thought for a moment; was this really such a bad thing? Sure, two detectives that were supposed to protect the city had already aided in the killing of two of Fish Mooney's enemies but, on the other hand, this clarification would be very beneficial for Fish – and Jo herself. With Oswald well and truly gone because of her snitching, Jo could continue her journey into Fish's inner circle – thus gaining further protection for when her boss took over from Falcone. It was going to happen soon, and it truly was inevitable. Even if Josephina had a feeling that she'd somewhat miss Oswald.
Oswald Cobblepot arrived in Gotham the following day. Stepping off the city bus, he realised that crime and debauchery surrounded him. But still, it was home.
Within one hour, he'd already so carelessly silenced a man from turning him over to Fish; although Oswald knew that there were more people that he had to watch out for. And a certain woman whose loyalties he'd have to test. While he was fascinated by Jo, infatuated with her even, Oswald knew that her faithfulness was…unclear at best. Therefore a house call was just what she needed, even if it was extremely risky.
That night, Oswald waited outside Mooney's Nightclub, tucked away in the darkest shadows like some predator stalking his one true prey. The rain trickled down from the grey sky calmly, as if to ease the day's tensions and wash away the city's sins – ready for the next day. Its delicate sound was almost soothing to Oswald; as if he could remember his previous occupation as Fish's umbrella boy.
After half an hour, the performers left the club – either alone or with Fish's men – however, Oswald could still make out the familiar, slender silhouette of Josephina's body. She was just standing there; seemingly lost in her own deep thoughts.
Perhaps she regrets what she did. She misses me…
But before Oswald could make a move, he heard the loud cackles of two other dancers emerge from inside the club. "Oh I wish I had an umbrella right about now…" One of the women said, holding her hand out as if she could catch the raindrops.
"We could use that umbrella boy about now, am I right?" The taller girl laughed again, obviously finding amusement in her own words. Oswald believed her name was Angel; a tall red-headed dancer with a habit of gossiping and bitching.
The other dancer, Kitty, joined in, making fun of Oswald also. "I bet you're relieved that Fish's umbrella guy has been bumped off, Jo." She took a puff of her cigarette, "he always gave me the creeps."
"I wouldn't say relieved. He was a sweet guy." Jo replied, straightening her skirt.
"But he totally had a thing for you. He was so…clingy and desperate around you."
"Shut up, Kitty. He did not." Shaking her head in amusement, Jo let out a wry laugh. "Oswald just wanted a friend and I was nice enough to talk to him every now and then."
"Um, have you been in a coma for the last few years? Jo, he'd always wait for you to arrive every day just so he could talk to you." Kitty insisted, her hand on her hip.
"And stare at your…beautiful features…" Angel smirked and snatched the cigarette from Kitty, taking a long drag before continuing. "One time I caught him outside the private rooms. He was, ahem, listening to you and some rich guy going at it. And when I confronted him about it he freaked out. Bless him it was pathetic."
"I'm sure that dirty pervert Gilzean and every other one of Fish's men has done that at least once. Give it a rest guys, jeez." Jo ran a hand through her long ombre hair, tired of her two friends' meaningless chatter. "Besides, like you said, he's dead now so why are we wasting our time going on about Oswald Cobblepot?"
Oswald watched as Jo said that without a care; like it was some simple, trivial fact that everyone knew about, but nobody was interested in. His fears were real – Jo was drifting away from him already. And the two dancers laughing away with her were a significant reason behind this; although Fish Mooney was the key component behind the strange new way that Jo was acting.
With a furrowed brow, Oswald watched as Angel left and Kitty linked her arm in Jo's before strolling down the street with her. "Are you sure you're okay? If you liked him, I won't judge."
Jo let out a chuckle, "Kitty, I did not like Oswald. He was nice but we were never more than friends…no, acquaintances."
"Alright, alright." Kitty grinned, "you need a rich guy anyway, someone with power. How about Don Falcone?" She laughed and Jo just couldn't resist allowing a small smile to appear on her face.
Then she thought of what Fish had told her, her plans to take the city from the old man's hands. "Not for long though…" Jo muttered under her breath, making sure that Kitty couldn't hear her.
Still lurking in the shadows, Oswald followed the two women back to their apartment block; his eyes locked on the carless way in which they strolled down the dimly-lit streets of Gotham. The whole time, he wished that he could be in Kitty's position – with Josephina's arm linked in his and her smile only for him. He'd tell her jokes, anecdotes and she'd laugh softly and listen intently to every word; the hem of her skirt riding a little above the knee because of the gentle breeze while her long hair tumbled freely down her shoulders.
When they reached their home, Oswald could hear the two women exchange their goodnights. It pleased him that they lived in separate apartments; this way, it'd be far easier for Oswald to catch Jo on her own. And since he couldn't bear to wait, tonight would be the night.
After a short wait, Oswald headed up the stairs and jimmied open the lock on Josephina's apartment window, slipping in as quietly as he could, although his bum leg made this more difficult than he'd expected. He heard no sound of movement so knew that the inhabitant was indeed asleep. Wandering around the room, Oswald admired the clean and modest way in which she lived; a small television, basic kitchen appliances and a small sofa that could probably seat only two individuals. Perfect. The performer seemed to leave all of the entertaining at work, clearly not having a lot of spare time to have guests over.
One of her corsets had been left on the sofa and Oswald just couldn't help but pick it up to admire the genius stitching, the way the material perfectly fitted around Jo's chest – hugging her figure. Despite himself, he brought the item to his face and inhaled the familiar scent of her perfume, his senses overwhelmed. Oswald was certainly home.
"Who's there…!" A voice spoke from the other side of the room; although they sounded firm, there was unmistakeably an inch of fear too. However, this voice distinctly belonged to Jo – how could he forget such a soft tone? Even if it was now full of anger and fear. Oswald heard a gun click and turned around towards the bedroom door, facing Jo directly.
For a moment she just stood there, frozen and stunned, before dropping her weapon in shock. "…Oswald? Y-You're dead…"
With a smile, Oswald held out his arms and bowed to her. "I'm right here, Josephina. I'm alive and home."