Saving Grace

Chapter 3

He was up the next morning by six and, deciding to be proactive, he'd already had a couple of appointments and made several necessary calls by the time Grace got up around nine. He was at the bottom of the stairs, smiling up at her as she came down. In the back of his mind, Oswald wondered if that was creepy.

"Good morning," he said, hands clasped behind his back.

Grace wore the same jeans and sweater that she had the previous evening. She smiled back at him.

"I hope you slept well," he continued.

"I did. Thank you," she replied.

"Breakfast awaits." He gestured to the next room over.

"It smells really good."

The closer she got, the more visible her face became, as well as the large, darkening bruise on her left cheek. Oswald's smile faltered a little upon seeing it, but he made a point not to frown at her. She needed to feel welcome.

He had arranged with Shani earlier that morning to have a large breakfast selection prepared. How his butler managed to have it hot and perfect precisely when Grace was ready he didn't bother asking. There were pancakes, eggs, fresh fruit, bacon, fried ham, biscuits; more than the two of them could hope to eat. Fleetingly, he decided to let Shani deal with the leftovers as she saw fit.

"I hope it's all to your liking," he said as they sat down. He was seated in his usual place at the head of the table. Grace sat to his left. "I didn't know what you would prefer."

Her plate was heaped full with a little bit of everything. "I've never had so much all at once. You're so generous." She smiled at him, but her eyes seemed somewhat anxious, and she didn't start eating right away.

"Is something wrong?"

"Mr.—It was Cobblepot, right?"

He nodded and looked at her attentively.

"Right. Mr. Cobblepot…you've been really generous with me. And I don't want to take advantage. What I mean is, I'd like to pay you back somehow."

"That truly isn't necessary, Miss Ackerman. You haven't asked me for anything. I did all this because I…felt like it.

Is that the only reason I have?

"The thing is…I'm about to ask for something now. I just want you to know that I would never want to cause you any trouble."

Oswald leaned back in his chair. "Well do go on. No need to be nervous."

Grace took a deep breath. "Well, like I told you last night, I have nowhere to go. I've got no family. No money. Not a cent to my name. I'm a nobody. But I feel safe here. You've made me feel safe. And I was wondering…if maybe you were hiring? I can do anything. Or learn to do anything. I'd never make you regret it, I promise." She pointed to herself with her thumb. "This nobody would work really hard for you."

He stroked his chin for a moment, pretending to consider her offer. The truth was, he had already decided what to do in that regard. So he spent this time considering her. She looked at him questioningly, a hopeful uncertainty in her eyes. Her posture was submissive, shoulders hunched, head lowered, but it wasn't in fear. It seemed more akin to respect. That made him feel all the better about his decision.

"You make a convincing case for yourself, Miss Ackerman. It just so happens that I do have a position you could possibly fill."

Her green eyes lit up and begged him to tell her more.

"I run several businesses, you see, which can be quite tiring. Shani manages my household, as you may have gathered, but I've been thinking of taking on a personal assistant. So that I don't have to overwork Shani so much. How do you feel about something like that?"

"I'd be thrilled to be your personal assistant, Mr. Cobblepot! What would I do?" She stabbed a strawberry with her fork and put it in her mouth.

He shrugged. "Be on hand when I need you. Take notes for me. Pour wine. Just see that my needs are met, basically. It's a broad job description, I know, but…I think you'll find I'm a reasonable man to work with."

"Oh, I already know that, sir. I think very highly of you." She ate another strawberry, grinning. "So when do I start?"

Shani stepped in just then and Oswald signaled to her, pointing briefly to Grace and then motioning to his own jaw. "Ice," he said. Half a moment later, the butler returned with an ice pack and handed it to Grace.

"Let's get you back to your full health first, shall we?" he said.

"Thank you," she muttered, pressing the ice to her bruised cheek, "Guess I am pretty unsightly, huh?" She chuckled nervously.

"No, not at all. But at least take another day to recover. It would be a shame if I exhausted you before you were ready."

"But I can start today. It's no trouble. This is nothing." She gestured to her face. "I'm okay."

Oswald couldn't help the pleased look on his face. "If you insist. The rest of my morning happens to be free, so after breakfast we can get you settled in."

"Whatever you say, boss," she said, her smile returned. She began eating in earnest.

He half-smiled as he watched her. Grace's pale, shoulder-length hair was tousled and wavy today. And pink was a nice color on her. She looked…soft. What would it feel like to touch her hair, to gently run his hand down her back? Warmth stirred in his chest and he tried to shake those thoughts away, understanding too well how dangerous they were.

I need to think of her professionally. I've worked with beautiful women before. And what did I learn? They're trouble, always, in some shape or form. I need to keep my head.

They made eye contact again and she smiled at him as she chewed. He sighed inwardly.

Stop being cute and pleasant to be around. It's not going to make having you here any easier.


"First, I should ask," he said as they climbed the stairs together, "do you have any belongings that need to be picked up for you? From your old residence."

Grace paused. "…I think I'd just like a clean start."

He nodded. "I understand."

"And besides," she added, "there probably isn't much left there anyway."

They reached the desired door and Oswald opened it, gesturing for her to enter ahead of him. "This will officially be your room."

Grace's jaw practically came unhinged. It was so spacious, so clean and airy, and all of the furniture was so ornate. The bed was at least a queen size and there was a vanity against the opposite wall.

"It's so beautiful," she breathed, "But…well, shouldn't I be in, like, the servant's quarters? You know, closer to Shani?"

He shrugged. "Since you job is to attend to me, I've decided to keep you nearer my own room. Suppose I get a call in the middle of the night and require something immediately. It will be easier with you just down the hall."

Her eyes betrayed a glimmer of anxiety, so he turned and motioned to the door. "Of course, this door locks from the inside. You'll have your privacy."

The anxious glimmer dissipated. "It's beautiful," she said again. She opened her arms and twirled once. "What am I going to do with all this space?"

"Anything you want," he replied, clasping his hands, "Within reason. Which reminds me, I should tell you the rules of the house if you're going to be staying here."

She nodded and practically stood at attention, her hands folded in front of her.

"Rule number one: anything you see go on in this house or anywhere else regarding my business, you will keep to yourself. And I mean it. Speak to no one about my business. If something troubles you, come directly to me." He raised his eyebrows, asking with his eyes if she understood.

"Yes, sir. No problem."

"Rule number two: no guests. Gentleman callers in particular. I'm sure I don't have to explain to you how inappropriate that would be."

"No worries there, sir. I don't have any friends. And I don't think any guys know I exist."

I know you exist.

"All the better," he said with a smile and a shrug, "The third and final rule is simple: this house is your home now. So treat it well, keep it clean. I'm sure you get the picture."

"I feel like I'm in a palace." She looked around with a whimsical smile. "I promise I'll treat every little thing with respect."

He smiled in turn. "Shani will take you shopping today. In…" He glanced at the clock on the nightstand. "…about half an hour. She'll help you purchase a suitable wardrobe. We must all look professional, after all."

She smiled and nodded, but it quickly faded and the anxiety returned to her eyes once more.

Why does that keep happening?

"…Mr. Cobblepot?"

"Yes, Grace?"

Whatever she wanted to say, she was afraid to say it.

"You can speak freely," he encouraged.

"…I appreciate all of this so much. I owe you everything. I don't know if I'll ever truly be able to repay you…"

"…But?"

"But I just, I have to know…if you're gonna try to collect from me by…" She gestured to herself, not knowing how to put it. "…um…"

He was very nearly embarrassed, but made every effort not to show it.

"By making inappropriate advances towards you," he finished for her.

Did I do something inappropriate without realizing?

She let out a breath and nodded. "I, um, I understand if you wanted to do something like that, but…I can't let you. And I'm sorry."

Oswald took a step closer and met her eyes. He spoke calmly, but firmly. "Don't ever apologize for maintaining your dignity. You are…an honorable lady, Grace. I can see that very plainly." He took her hand. "And I would never attempt to sully your good name, or mine-" He put his other hand over his heart. "-by forcing my advances on you. I give you my word on this."

The happiness in her eyes came back in full force. "I'm sorry; I…I just didn't think there were really any kind people left in Gotham. I thought this was all too good to be true." She gave his hand a light squeeze.

This closeness felt really good. Her scent was lovely, and her hand was warm. She was shorter than him. Oswald liked that. It made him feel bigger by comparison. And the way she looked up at him with those innocent green eyes…

"Don't apologize." He held her hand in both of his now. "Believe me when I say I understand."


Oswald sat alone in his study that evening by the fire, absently swirling a decanter of brandy that he had already lost interest in. He had sent Grace to bed early, claiming that she would have to get up before daybreak the next morning. Whether that turned out to be true or not remained to be seen. Honestly, he had just wanted to regroup without the distraction of her constant nearness.

All day, she had been at his heels like an adorable puppy. To say that she wanted to do well in her job was an understatement. She hung on his every word. If he told her to do something, she would nearly break into a run to go and do it. And she was already developing the habit of going above and beyond.

He'd had to run out to deal with something that afternoon—just a petty drug lord who didn't know how to conduct business. Grace had gotten back from her shopping trip before he returned. He had come home to a warm panini and a fresh batch of cookies.

"What's this?" he'd asked.

"It's your lunch, boss." She smiled brightly. "I asked Shani what you liked."

It had thrown him off, this gesture of hers. Sure, it could have been that she'd wanted to prove herself as his new employee. Or she might have hoped that doing things like that would get her a salary increase. But Oswald could read people, and that wasn't what he had felt. No, when he had walked into that kitchen, it was more like she was his doting wife taking care of him after a long day. And that had been a feeling he had both relished and recoiled from.

"Sir?" Shani interrupted his thoughts.

"Yes, what is it?"

"Did you want the list? Of what all we bought today?"

"Yes, fine. Read it to me."

"Three pairs of jeans, twelve blouses, all various styles. Oh and, by the way, a couple of the store owners said to consider the things we chose as their gift to you."

"How thoughtful of them," he said, not really caring.

Shani cleared her throat and continued. "Six dresses in varying degrees of formality. Accessories to match. Two pairs of pajamas. Eight pairs of shoes, four of which are the high-heeled variety. Now, there lies a slight problem. She can't walk in them. She's never owned heels before."

He shrugged. "She'll just have to practice. What else?"

"A makeup kit. Something else she doesn't know what to do with. And we went out to lunch, but that was on me."

"Consider it on me. I know you disapprove." He looked at her pointedly.

She paused and folded her hands. "I like the girl. She's sweet. I was glad to take her out. Spend some time with her. But she's not a good fit for this business, sir."

"She's not doing any of the business, Shani. She's meant to help you around here. To take some of the burden off of you."

"I don't need any help, sir. And we both know that working for you means getting involved with the business."

He sighed. "Was there anything else?"

She sighed in return. "Just miscellaneous things. Feminine hygiene products…"

He blushed a little at that, and was immediately angry at himself for it.

Grow up, Oswald.

"Toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant. Oh, and she wanted some candy."

At that, he smiled.

Shani smirked. "Sir, why not just ask her out? It might be a less expensive way to get her attention."

He jerked his head in her direction. "Just where do you get the nerve to speak so boldly?"

She smiled and held up her hands. "Just a suggestion, sir. It's not my place, of course, but you do like her."

"You're right. It's not your place."

"No, sir. But off the books, as a friend, I do advise you to think of her. I don't know how she'll handle it when you come home covered in someone else's blood."

"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it." She was about to say something else, but he held up a hand and cut her off. "You're dismissed."

Shani gave another small smile and stepped out of the room. "Sleep well, sir."

Oswald frowned and polished off what was left of his brandy.