Oswald Bargains with Barnes.

Oswald smiled deferentially.

"I have great ambitions for Jim - and I'm sure you do, too, Captain Barnes." He leaned forward and rested against his cane as he spoke.

He had managed to get an appointment with Barnes, and was now standing facing the GCPD Captain in his office. He hadn't been invited to sit down, and he didn't want to….even though his leg was starting to give him some grief. He cursed the cold weather - it always irritated the damn thing to death! But he had the height advantage, looking down and addressing Barnes's stony face, and so wasn't minded to complain.

The police officers who were in the precinct outside Barnes' office were trying their utmost to pretend that they weren't sneaking a look at the scene that was unfolding inside it. They were failing dismally.

Harvey was nowhere to be seen - otherwise Oswald was sure he would have interfered in some way. He wondered where he was and what he was up to.

"Yes - but I'm sure your hopes and dreams for him are far different from mine…."

"Oh, I wouldn't be so sure - after all, we both want order restored to Gotham, don't we? I can help you with that."

Barnes grunted, but said nothing. He had to admit that Cobblepot was right, in a bizarre kind of way. He hated that thought, but nevertheless….

Cobblepot held a lot of sway in this city, and he would have to be careful how he dealt with him - especially now Jim was involved with him.

Maybe if Jim were to come back, he could use him as a conduit, maybe persuade him to turn State's evidence - appeal to his sense of civic duty, while he still had one?

He was inwardly seething and wishing that he had Cobblepot alone in the interrogation room. He would show him what his hopes and dreams really were! But then again - how would Jim react to that? Not well, he guessed.

He hated the thought of those two being together, and was still reeling from the shock - and the last thing he wanted was one of his best officers being involved with a criminal - but deep down, he had to begrudgingly admire the way Jim had stuck up for Cobblepot. He was fiercely loyal to him, that was clear. He had chosen his side and was sticking to it, for better or for worse. On reflection, Jim had been very brave to stand up to his CO, and to be honest and stand up for Cobblepot the way he had - knowing what his response would be.

"I love Oswald," he'd said, grit and determination all over his face and in his voice. "I don't care what you think and I don't care if that doesn't suit the GCPD either. We are going to get married, with or without your approval, and so I'm resigning."

Barnes was privately so jealous that he had never been subject to that depth of feeling, that level of love and devotion from anyone. And Cobblepot did seem to be genuine in his affection for Jim too. He couldn't understand it. It just didn't make any sense to him - not even in Gotham.

Oswald inwardly smiled with triumph when he saw from Barnes' eyes that he had struck a chord. He now just had to hope that this would work.

He knew that deep down Barnes would love the opportunity to mete out some form of punishment to his person. It was only his association with Jim that was stopping Barnes from doing so, he was sure of it. He would have to make the most of that.

"Does Jim know you've come here to see me?"

"No! No, of course he doesn't!" Oswald spoke indignantly and looked wounded. "He would never agree to me coming here and speaking for him like this. He's….well, far too proud and independent." He paused wistfully for a moment and let that thought sink in. Those were just two of the many things he loved about Jim. And then there were those bewitching looks of bewilderment...his soulful deep blue eyes…..

"But," he continued, pursing up his lips thoughtfully, "Well….I felt I had to, you see. Captain Barnes - as you probably know, Jim only resigned out of loyalty for me. It was a beautiful gesture on his part, but ill-advised. I think we can both agree on that - yes?" He leaned forward emphatically and raised an eyebrow at Barnes.

"He tells me you two are tying the knot," cut in Barnes flatly, avoiding the chance to actually hear himself agree with Oswald's last statement, which he felt would probably stick in his throat.

"We are affianced, yes," confirmed Oswald proudly, bowing solemnly, and glancing down at and flexing his wedding band finger, flashing off the sapphire engagement ring that Jim had put there. "I don't expect that meets with your blessing," he added provocatively.

Barnes caught sight of the flashing sapphire and flinched for a moment. "Well, what you two have decided to do with one another is none of my concern," he replied archly.

("Ouch!" Oswald thought. "That was brutal. It's a good job I don't care one iota about his opinion on the subject.")

"Fair enough," he said aloud, shrugging casually. "But….back to the matter in hand. What I propose is this. You go, in person, and beg - yes, beg - Jim to return to the GCPD, and I guarantee to help the GCPD to cut crime by two thirds within the same number of months."

"Oh? And how do you propose to do that?" replied Barnes acidly.

"Ah well, that's just it." Oswald sighed, with mock deep regret. "I can't tell you. It's very hush-hush." He lowered his voice and tapped the side of his nose to illustrate his point.

"No can do," Barnes growled. "You can go to hell."

"Yes, Captain Barnes - I know I can. There's no need for you to tell me where to go - or give me any directions on how to get there." He paused for effect, tilting his head and smiling meaningfully. He wondered if Barnes would get the hidden message in his choice of words - and his mode of delivery - but he didn't seem to register it.

"But anyway - meanwhile, I believe I - that is, we - really can do some good for this city. I love Gotham, it's my home, and I really want to make it safe again. If only I could make you understand that too!" Oswald's look and tone became gentler and more placating. He tried to appeal to Barnes's softer, more sentimental side - that's if, of course, he actually had one.

Barnes just stared back at him, his expression deadpan. That softly softly act might work on Jim, he thought, but it sure as hell didn't cut any ice with him. He really wanted to take Cobblepot by the collar, escort him from the premises, boot him up the ass and tell him never to come back again - but then he thought of Jim. He knew he needed him back - and it appeared that the only way to persuade him to come back was to go along with Cobblepot's suggestion - at least for now. The mere thought of it almost killed him, but he might not have any real choice. Cobblepot had some hold, some kind of power over Jim that he was sure he couldn't yet break.

He hated to admit it to himself - but he actually kinda envied the son of a bitch for that!

"Well, say if I don't agree to your…. proposal," Barnes said through clenched teeth.

"Then I think we might have a problem, Captain Barnes. I would hate to see the crime rate go up in this city….wouldn't you?"