Chapter Twenty-Five: Safehouses

Author's Note: Thank you for the reviews, lovelies! :P

Josh sat in the passenger seat as Sylvia drove out of Gotham. He was silent for the most part, as was his overall personality. He didn't talk much, and he kept glancing between Sylvia and the windshield. They were heading towards a business, a contracting business of all places. Sylvia hadn't said much of anything to explain why they were going and it didn't seem to be in Josh's interest to ask.

That was until they pulled into a parking lot where an elderly man with gray hair and thick bushy black eyebrows stood just off to the side. Surrounding the area were oil factories and cheap, dime-a-dozen warehouses that focused primarily on cutting wood or making toys. It was a shady part outside of Gotham, just outside of the GCPD's jurisdiction.

"What are we doing?" Josh asked.

"You'll find out."

"I don't have to kill him, do I?" asked Josh fearfully, glancing at the large, stocky man.

"That's sweet," Sylvia cooed. "But no. We're not going to kill him. It's primarily just business."

"Business for what?"

Sylvia said nothing, getting out of the car; Josh quickly followed.

Thanks to her, his appearance had changed over the last couple of weeks. Instead of his homeless clothes he'd acquired after living in the Narrows for most of his life, she'd gotten him a brown jacket which he wore over a white, collared long-sleeve shirt. He wore brown slacks, and was thankful for these were the first pair of pants that didn't have holes in them...or had previously belonged to a dead man. His shoes were a bit of a tight fit for his abnormally large feet, but aside from that, he was comfortable.

He brushed his messy hair back in attempt to look more pristine, comparatively untidy when he stood beside Sylvia who wore a knee-high, black business skirt with a white, long-sleeve shirt; the sleeves were rolled up above her elbows. She looked like a lawyer, especially with her skin-matching hose and black, glossed five-inch heels.

"Good morning," Sylvia greeted the stranger.

The businessman, as he appeared to be, raised both of his eyebrows when he saw who he was meeting. Apparently, this had all been built in secrecy from the ground-up, including the identity of his potential client.

"Mrs. Cobblepot."

He spoke with such a deep voice that the bass could be felt rumbling in Sylvia's chest.

"I didn't realize," he said slowly, "That I was meeting you. I thought I was meeting...well...someone else."

"Yes," said Sylvia, nodding.

"You're not Diana….?"

"That's my middle name," said Sylvia. "And I'm sorry to have led you here under false pretenses, but you can understand the reason for it, I'm sure. A man of your profession..."

Josh leaned forward and whispered, "What is his profession?"

"My boy, I build." He said proudly. "These warehouses...they're of my construction. I not only designed them from the ground up, but I also contracted them, the money, the blueprints, the wiring—all me. What's more, is that I did it in secrecy."

"Not much of a secret," Josh mumbled. "They're standing. They're here, in the open...public."

Sylvia said gently to him, "The buildings are, yes, but the people who contracted these buildings to be built are not public. Their identities are hidden, secret."

Josh eyed the businessman suspiciously, shifting his weight uneasily from one foot to the other.

"Josh," said Sylvia. "This is Mr. Vanderhill. He's a man who gets things done."

"And a man who needs to know just exactly why you, above all people, need to build a house," said Vanderhill. "You're living in the Falcone Mansion—that has all the safety you'd ever need."

"Safety?" Josh said curiously.

"I'm not asking for a house. I need a safehouse," said Sylvia. "I should remind you of the plans I had a year ago…."

"Ah, yes. The safehouse. If you want something just as grand as that mansion you live in, then I will need a lot more money than I was asking for..."

"No," said Sylvia. "I need something small. Something that can be hidden in the woods."

"Why the woods?"

"Would you go searching for me in the woods?" Sylvia asked smartly.

"Darling, I would go searching for you anywhere." Vanderhill said coyly. "A woman like you doesn't disappear off the face of the earth without several people noticing. Just what exactly do you fear will come after you and put your life at risk? After all, you're Mrs. Cobblepot, the Penguin's wife—surely, you don't have any enemies."

"You have an odd sense of humor," said Sylvia.

"Well, with a position of yours, your people can turn on you at any given moment," said Vanderhill, shrugging. "A man has to know how you deal with that on a daily basis. Your life is on the line, twenty-four seven, and you seem to get along just fine."

"I grew up with a lawyer for a father and I have a detective for a brother," said Sylvia dully. "My life being on the line has since become a regular, every-day event. Now, will you be contracting this for me or will I need to find someone else?"

"No, no, no," said Vanderhill quickly, smiling with all his white teeth showing. "I'll be more than willing to accommodate. But, may I ask, why did we have to meet here outside of Gotham? Surely, all of this could have been done over the phone."

"I can't trust some people in Gotham," said Sylvia coolly. "And the walls have ears."

"I'm also a man who can keep quiet about this business, if the lady is willing."

Josh frowned saying, "You're not going to touch her." He came forward like a rabid dog, teeth bearing, and eyes blazing, standing protectively in front of Sylvia.

Vanderhill put his hands up quickly: "Whoa, boy, now I didn't mean anything like that! I was talking about money!"

Sylvia tapped Josh on the shoulder and he backed off. Vanderhill put a hand on his forehead, wiping away that sweat that had settled uncomfortably on it. Sylvia handed him an envelope and Vanderhill tested the weight, obviously content with his findings as he pocketed it with a shit-eating grin.

"Your business is safe with me, milady," said Vanderhill. "And I'm certain we won't be meeting for anything else."

"If it all goes to plan," said Sylvia, "you can be rest-assured we won't."

"Do you want anything in particular as far as the exterior goes?"

"Make it inconspicuous, something a person wouldn't look twice at," said Sylvia.

"A trailer, perhaps?"

"That'll work."

"I have just the right look," said Vanderhill. "Should we shake on it?"

Sylvia held out her hand. Vanderhill shook it.

"You have soft hands." Vanderhill noted, smiling at her.

Sylvia didn't respond to that. But Josh gave him a sour look before retreating to the car upon Sylvia's instructions so that they drove back to Gotham.

"I have to wonder...why did you bring me along?" Josh asked, watching Vanderhill wave at the car through the side mirror, glancing at Sylvia only after the man's reflection had long disappeared.

"I figured you'd want to come," said Sylvia. "You like being with me, don't you, Josh?"

"I enjoy your company, yeah."

"What do you think of Vanderhill? Do you think he'll keep his part of the contract?"

"You want my opinion?"

"Of course. That's why I'm asking."

Josh spoke softly, "I think he's a sleazy, devil-twisted rat with a lot of sin on his shoulders, but I think, for you, he'll keep his word."

Sylvia smirked at him: "You know, I was thinking the exact same thing."

"Does Mr. Penguin know about this thing?" asked Josh, glancing behind them in reference to Vanderhill and the secret plan of building a safehouse.

"No."

"Shouldn't he?"

Sylvia smiled at him, saying, "In time."

"So this is where you've been going every morning for the past week?" Josh asked, quirking an eyebrow.

"How do you know what I do every morning?"

"You normally train with Mr. Bell."

It was Sylvia's turn to quirk an eyebrow at him.

Amused, she said, "Joshua, have you been spying on me?"

"I wouldn't call it that."

"What would you call it, then?"

"Observing," Josh commented, smiling sheepishly. "I like watching you fight Mr. Bell. You're pretty quick for an...well..."

Sylvia chuckled, "An 'old' woman?"

"Well..."

"To you, I may be old," said Sylvia, shrugging. "You're a kid. I'm thirty."

"I'm just saying—you move a lot faster than most people," said Josh quietly, his face turning red. "But lately...you haven't been with Mr. Bell. You've been somewhere else. And you don't tell people where you go—I'll be honest, Miss Sylvia. It makes people wonder. But...really, you've been out trying to build safehouses."

"This is the most I've heard you talk," Sylvia said, grinning broadly. "But you're avoiding the question."

Josh said bravely, "Why not tell Mr. Penguin you've been building a safehouse?"

"I don't want to worry him."

"How would that worry him?"

Sylvia smiled gently at him saying, "When you have a spouse and a family of your own, Joshua, you will understand."

"I want to understand now."

Sylvia considered her words for a moment. Then, patiently, she said, "He's protecting me to the best of his ability. But ultimately, I'm trying to protect not just him, but us. If I tell him about the safehouse, he'll assume that I doubt his ability to protect me. With things becoming more complicated, it is best if I just keep him safe without him knowing."

"So you've been sneaking out of the mansion for the past week so you can protect the Boss without him knowing you're protecting him?" Josh said. "That's kind of cute."

Sylvia side-glanced him, seeing him grin toothily at her. She rolled her eyes, completely unabashed by the comment.

A beat passed as Sylvia considered something, chewing on the inside of her cheek. She signaled for a right turn, asking, "Do you want to go with me to see my brother?"

"Do you want me to go?"

Sylvia gave him a look and Josh said quickly, "I'd like to come, if you don't mind."

"I don't mind if you come."

"Thanks."

"You're welcome."

A few minutes of silence passed, during which time Sylvia watched the road while Josh glanced out the window. The cars passed them, one by one. A warm feeling filled his heart.

"Thank you," said Josh quietly.

"You said that already."

"No...I mean, yeah, but not for the same reason."

"What do you mean?"

Josh folded his hands nervously together, and said quietly, "You make me feel special, and I've never been happier. You take me places where no one else bothers to, and you ask me stuff that most people don't ask me."

Sylvia side-glanced at him, saying nothing at first.

"I know I haven't known you as long as the others," he mumbled. "But I love you."

Sylvia looked at him, eyes wide.

"Not like that!" Josh said quickly, holding his hands out in front of him. "Nothing like that! I just mean, you know…I like you in a way that a friend could possibly love another, in a way a son loves a mother….that's all I meant."

She smiled a little.

"You know I'm not your mother, right?" Sylvia said gently.

"Yeah, but you're the closest thing to one that I will ever have."

"That's sweet," Sylvia said, patting his shoulder. "You're alright, kid."

Sylvia visited the GCPD. She had no intention of discussing the raid that had taken place; in fact, her visit circled around seeing her brother. Since his impromptu visit to the mansion and interrogation of Oswald, his presence had become scarce. Perhaps it was because Jim knew he wouldn't get anything out of Sylvia regarding the reason behind Oswald's attempt to sabotage the election, or maybe he didn't want to anger Sylvia any further.

Either way, Sylvia was missing her brother. And that was all the reason to go visiting him.

Sylvia offered Josh to come in with her. He happily accepted, feeling a sense of accomplishment that the Boss wanted and liked having him around. In a way, he knew Sylvia could protect herself, handle herself in any case she was attacked; after all, he'd seen her train with Mr. Bell in the backyard.

But despite the aggressive, cool, calm, collected and somewhat abrasive front Sylvia projected to the enemy, there was a vulnerability inside of her...a soft spot for her employees as well as Penguin's own men. It was a side that a lot of them were able to see. She was a mother hen to them, no matter what. And that was something all of Penguin and Sylvia's men (and women) loved about her. It almost made Penguin's temper somewhat tolerable.

And it was this vulnerability that provoked this protective urge inside of Josh. He followed her, not just as a companion but in any case there might be someone amongst the cops that would try to hurt her.

As Josh followed Sylvia inside, her presence was immediately noticed by the Desk Sergeant, who happily greeted her. He was the same sergeant as before, and he didn't look any different...probably a little fatter, but then again, it was Pizza Day.

Josh followed her closely at her heels, only a few inches between them. He remained quiet, more observant of his surroundings than what was permissible. He claimed pride for his observational skills, and it was this that made him worth something. His overall appearance—his bulbous nose, and abnormally large hands and feet—made him appear harmless. And he preferred to be seen that way.

"Looking for Jim?" asked the Desk Sergeant.

Sylvia smirked: "You know me too well."

"Well," he chuckled, "Why else do you come in here?"

"To make small talk with you."

"Now, you're just being charming." The Desk Sergeant chortled, shaking his head. He pointed up at the balcony where Jim usually worked.

"Thank you." Sylvia said, nodding to him. To Josh, she cooed, "Come along, Joshua."

Sylvia sat on the edge of Jim's desk, looking at the papers dully. Josh glanced at her curiously as she placed the papers on their front, giving Jim his due privacy. He was a cop and he delved into a great deal of sensitive cases; they weren't for her eyes to see.

"How do you do it?" Josh asked quietly.

"Do what?"

"Be a cop's sister?" Josh said, gesturing to the GCPD station in general. "And be Penguin's wife...how do you do it?"

"I take it one step at a time," said Sylvia.

"You don't feel like you're betraying Penguin when you come here?" Josh asked.

"Why would I?"

"Well...like...I mean, you don't feel like you're betraying Detective Gordon when you're doing stuff for Penguin? How do you keep it all separate?"

Sylvia smiled, saying, "Your relationships don't define you, just as my relationships with my brother and my husband don't define me. My brother doesn't like it that I'm with Penguin."

"And Penguin doesn't like you being with your brother?"

"He doesn't," said Sylvia, "but he won't say it."

"If you know they don't like you being with either, why are you?" Josh asked quietly. "Er….why do they not try to keep you from either?"

"Jim knows he can't stop me from being with Penguin. And Penguin understands the value of family; otherwise, if he didn't value his family, we wouldn't be doing everything Galavan wants because he wouldn't have any leverage on us."

"How long did it take for you to get there?" Josh asked.

"Get where?"

"To knowing all this stuff?" said Josh. "You've must've had a lot of fights."

"More than I care to admit," Sylvia confessed. "But I think we're getting there."

Jim and Lee Thompkins were walking up the stairs. She heard Lee's voice: "Strike Force...I don't like that name."

"I'm not crazy about it either," said Jim, "But he gets things done. He can call it whatever he wants."

"Sylvia!" Lee gasped, smiling widely.

Jim gave Lee a surprised look, taken back by the exclamation but when he lifted his eyes to see Sylvia sitting on his desk, Jim smiled too.

"What a surprise," Jim said, looking at her. He glanced at Josh. "Who are you?"

"This is Josh," said Sylvia, gesturing to him. "He's a friend."

Jim looked at him then to Sylvia saying, "Is he one of Penguin's men?"

"No. One of mine." Sylvia answered. "And, for your information, I didn't come to talk about him."

Lee said optimistically, "I was just wondering about you." (She hugged Sylvia.) "My goodness, how have you been?"

"Well, you're certainly happy to see me," Sylvia noted, smirking.

"Why wouldn't I be?" Lee asked.

"You were calling me 'crazy' because I left you on that spinning wheel back at the Children's Gala," Sylvia recalled. "You know….after I saved your life and everything."

"Well," said Lee lightly, "I think we can all agree that we were all a bit scared. And I never officially thanked you. It could have gone a lot worse if you hadn't been there."

Josh said quietly, "I was kind of worried about that too."

"I know, right?" Lee said, smiling beautifully. "Well, at least it's all in the past."

Jim glanced oddly between Lee and Sylvia. After a moment, Lee turned to Jim, asking, "So, the Strike Force…?"

"They're going on another raid," said Jim.

"So go striking with your Force," said Lee playfully. "What are we doing tonight?"

"Sleeping."

"Uh-uh. It's Date Night, Mister."

Jim noticed that his papers on his desk had been turned face-down and he glanced at Sylvia thankfully before turning to Lee with a bit of shock at the statement. Just as he did, Edward Nygma seemingly popped out of no where, and he had a large grin on his face.

From below the deck, the Desk Sergeant shouted, "PIZZA IS HERE!"

Josh glanced over the balcony, looking eager. He turned to Sylvia, about to ask the obvious. Sylvia tilted her head forward.

"Go 'head," She said.

Josh grinned from ear-to-ear, running down the stairs with the other sergeants as he went to get himself a slice. Jim glanced after Josh, turning to Sylvia.

"You've got him twisted around your finger, don't you?" Jim said suspiciously.

"Mm," Sylvia hummed, shrugging.

"I think it's kind of cute," Lee chirped, smirking. She looked at Ed, who appeared to have ants in his pants because he was moving excitedly, grinning too widely as though he couldn't wait to share his news.

"Good Morning, Ed." Jim greeted.

"Good Morning, Dr. Thompkins, Detective…." Ed acknowledged, glancing at Sylvia, adding, "And Mrs. Cobblepot. As you all very well know, I have started dating Miss Kringle….Kristen."

They nodded, understanding this.

"Well, Kristen mentioned that it would be nice to have dates with other couples as well, so I was wondering if it would be compelling for us to all have a date together," said Ed smoothly, glancing between Lee and Jim.

Simultaneously, Lee said, "We'd love to!"

While Jim said, "We can't."

Confused, Ed looked between them. Lee and Jim glanced at one another, and apparently Jim was convinced to agree.

"Yeah," said Jim. "Sure. No, it'll be great. We'll do it."

Lee added, "I just bought a couple of Fondue pots; we can do it at my house!"

Ed, bright and happy as ever, said, "Oh, excellent! I'll let Kristen know!"

He walked off and Sylvia smirked at them. Lee looked happy as ever while Jim looked discernibly uncomfortable.

"I know, I know," said Lee, "but it was the decent thing to do!"

"Fondue." Jim repeated scornfully.

"Have you ever tried it? It's delicious!" Lee insisted.

"It's at your place. There's no where to go. We'll be stuck there, trapped!" Jim said grumpily.

Lee chuckled, and caressed his face in her hands saying, "Don't be mean! It'll be fun, I promise! A little music, a little lighting..."

"A little bit of depression," Jim added.

"What'd I just say?" Lee said coyly. "Don't be mean!" She kissed his cheek. "Trust me. It'll be fun."

She walked away with a pep in her step. Sylvia chuckled; Jim looked at her.

"You have to come with me," said Jim earnestly.

"To a double date?" Sylvia inquired. "Sorry. No can do."

"Why not?"

"It's a double-date. Four people."

"You can bring Penguin if you want," Jim tried to convince.

"Wow, you really don't want to be with them, do you?" Sylvia said incredulously. "Look, Jimmy. Even if I wanted to come with Oswald, it's impossible. He has an empire to run. Thanks to your raid on the Count House, things are just getting busier."

"I thought you didn't come here to talk about Penguin."

"I didn't," said Sylvia smoothly. She grinned broadly, adding, "But I like how your guilty conscience really sets you up for the same argument. Anyway, the raid isn't why I am here. I just miss you."

"I thought you were still angry with me."

"Oh, I am," said Sylvia. "Barging into my home and yelling at my husband wasn't exactly something I would easily forget. And I'm still holding that little grudge after you failed to show up on what was the most important day of my life..."

Jim grimaced with regret.

"However," said Sylvia, rolling her eyes to the ceiling and smiling at her brother, "Despite all that, you tried to be my brother the other day...'

Jim sat on the corner of his desk, saying, "I hope this is some type of segue that leads up to you telling me who's been threatening you."

"No. I can't tell you. I want to, but I can't."

"You're pretty calm about it," said Jim.

"Well, it's not the first time I've had my life thrown into absolute turmoil, is it?" Sylvia said humorously. "Besides...I've missed you. And if it's worth anything, I am prepared to forgive the fact that you didn't show up to my wedding, or your mistreatment of my family. I'm willing to forgive all of that...if you're willing to forgive me."

Jim stared at her.

"Forgive you for what?"

"I keep telling you that you've not been a good brother," said Sylvia quietly. "But I've not been a very good sister either."

Jim grinned saying, "Well, if it's any consolation, I've not really made it easy for you."

"That, we can both agree on." Sylvia said.

They exchanged humorous smiles. Jim glanced over the balcony, noticing that the sergeants were telling Josh that he looked like a businessman. He was swimming in their praise, beaming.

"So, who's that guy to you?" asked Jim, sizing up Josh. "He looks out of place, even for your kind of work."

"Riff-rat I picked off the streets," said Sylvia. "He's part of my dance number."

"One of the Fire Bugs, huh? Does he tap-dance?"

"Why would he tap dance?"

"He's got the feet for it."

"Don't be mean," Sylvia chastised, but she allowed herself a small smile. "He's good at lifting people when the dance permits it."

"He doesn't look strong."

"There's more to him than what meets the eye," she reassured.

"Does Penguin know you're here?"

Sylvia gave him a look, saying, "Why would he?"

"He seems to keep a closer eye on you these days." Jim noted observationally.

"That, he does."

"Why do I feel like it has something to do with Caulfield's and Hobbs' death?" Jim questioned knowingly. "And...I bet it was Penguin that tried to kill Galavan during the same day. Tell me if I am wrong."

"You know who it was. You don't need me to vindicate your suspicions," said Sylvia. "You have that little witness of yours."

Jim sighed, "You know you'd make my job a lot easier by telling me what's happening."

A hard smile replaced the gentle one, and Sylvia crossed her arms defensively, like she was protecting herself.

"You don't have to say the name," Jim insisted, getting to his feet. "If you're being watched, we can go in my car. Or, hell, just write it on a piece of paper. Here!" He shoved a notepad into her hands and gave her a pencil. "Tell me who's threatening you, Vee. I can help you."

"It bothers you that much, huh?" Sylvia said, grinning a little when she saw just how annoyed Jim was for knowing someone was picking on his little sister.

"You know it does," said Jim, grinding his teeth.

"But you know how these things work," she said, lowering the notepad onto the desk. "This person, Jim...they have people watching us. I don't know who I can trust anymore."

"You trust that kid?" Jim asked, glancing indicatively at Josh who was eating pizza with the Desk Sergeant below.

"How about this," said Sylvia. "You tell me who gave you the news on the Count House. I'll tell you who's threatening my livelihood."

"You know I can't do that," said Jim, frowning. "That's police business."

"And so is this," said Sylvia, raising the notepad, shoulder-level. "Someone's putting the screws to your sister, a cop's sister. If that's not police business, I don't know what is."

"Tell me who it is," Jim said, his voice was strong with passion and earnest. "You can tell me. I just need a name. It doesn't even have to be the whole name! Look, this guy—whoever it is—needs to be brought to justice. If he's doing this kind of thing to you, who knows who else he's gone after, or will go after!"

Sylvia smiled painfully.

"They have someone close to me, Jimmy," Sylvia whispered.

"Who?"

"I can't tell you that." Sylvia said quietly. "But it's someone close to me."

"What is the offender's gender? Male? Female?"

Sylvia mouthed, "Male."

"One step closer," said Jim, more to himself than Sylvia. "What's his alibi? Why is he doing this? What's the end game for him? Tell me any of that."

"He's rich," said Sylvia quietly. "He has the world at his fingertips, and every pawn on the chess board belongs to him. I don't know his end game. I don't know why he's doing any of this. He's told me what he wants to do and why he's doing it, but I don't believe it's the real reason. There's something more to understanding him...to beating him. I just don't know what that is."

"You've been hanging around Nygma," said Jim tiredly. "You're speaking in riddles."

Sylvia chuckled, "Well, unlike you, I love riddles."

"Let's forget about this then, if you won't tell me anything," said Jim, placing the notepad on his desk. "Will you come to the date with me?"

"Lee will be jealous," said Sylvia, chuckling darkly. "Asking another girl on a date."

"Just please come with me. Like, I have nothing to say to Ed or his girlfriend. It's going to be so awkward!" Jim pleaded. "What if I get on my knees, will that persuade you any?"

"Sure." Sylvia said, gesturing to the floor. "Have at it."

Jim grumbled to himself. Why on earth did he have to go and say that? Slowly, but surely, Jim got down on one knee, and begged, "Please come with me to the double date..."

"Both knees, James," said Sylvia sharply.

"Damn it…." Jim mumbled. He knelt down on both knees, and put his hands together. "Please, please, please come with me to this double date!"

"Ask me nicely."

"That is nicely."

"Nope." Sylvia said. "I know you, Jim. You can do a lot better than that."

Jim sighed in defeat, bowing his head. He lied down on his stomach, looking up at her and said, "Please, Queen Sylvia Diana Cobblepot, will you accompany me to this double date that will no doubt be an awkward disaster if you don't come?"

"A little more," Sylvia pried, smirking down at him.

"Because you're the most lovable, awesome, sweetest, most loving sister in the whole wide world..." Jim continued.

"Come on. You know the rest."

"This is ridiculous," Jim sighed. "We're not even ten years old anymore."

"But you know it's what I want to hear!" Sylvia said amusedly.

Jim grumbled, "Pretty please, with sugar on top and candy corns, and peppermints…with extra frosting..."

"Don't forget the cherries!"

"...and the chocolate-covered cherries on top…."

"Good enough," said Sylvia.

Jim stood to his feet, grunting, "Man, I'm getting too old for this."

"You should try that begging stuff on Lee," said Sylvia, grinning impishly at him. "She'd love that kind of crap."

"Why on earth would I beg her for?"

Sylvia stared at him saying, "It's pretty much all Vanilla with you, isn't it, James? Doesn't Lee ever ask for like over-the-top stuff?"

"What do you mean?"

"Bring your handcuffs out—"

"That's government property!" Jim chastised.

"Pull her clothes off in the dark," Sylvia offered.

"She bought those clothes last week," Jim stated.

"The fact that you know that and remember is something out of this world," said Sylvia, staring at him. "Look, Jim. If things ever get stale between the two of you, just remember this. Girls love it when guys get dominant and possessive."

Jim stared at her saying, "What are you talking about? Seriously, what are we talking about right now?"

"BDSM," said Sylvia plainly. "Experimentation is a natural part of any relationship. You might just get a kick out of it."

"Why are you telling me this?" Jim asked uncomfortably.

"Because you seem like an innocent little boy who needs to know more about pleasing his woman," said Sylvia. "Trust me. Lee will thank you for it."

"I do just fine in the bedroom—not that you need to know any of that," said Jim.

"Well, get this. Choke her with your cock, and then lay her down over your coffee table—"

"Sylvia, stop—"

"Then make her beg…."

"Sylvia, please stop," Jim muttered. "This entire conversation is making me uncomfortable."

"Oh please, like you haven't thought about shoving her against a wall and cuffing her hands behind her back," said Sylvia mischievously. "You know—pushing her against the wooden table before the wood pushes back."

"What the hell does that even mean?" Jim questioned incredulously.

"You've really gotta get out more."

Jim said shakily, "You need to get out less."

Sylvia smirked, saying, "Well, it's a suggestion."

"I'm all suggestioned out." Jim said quietly. "Are you coming to the house, then, I take it?"

"Sure," said Sylvia, shrugging. "I'll bring a few things. It'll be fun. I might even give Ed some pointers—Kristen will love that."

"You'll make him feel awkward, Vee."

"Eh—who haven't I made awkward?" Sylvia said, cracking her knuckles.

Sylvia started walking away, but Jim caught her arm. She looked at him curiously as she was pulled back slowly. Jim wrapped his arms around her. Sylvia smiled in spite of herself and hugged him back.

"You know you can always come to me," Jim said quietly.

"Always," said Sylvia. She pulled back. "You know, Dad would be happy if he saw us like this. Lord knows he saw us fighting more than anything."

Jim kissed her forehead and Sylvia beamed.

"Sorry to interrupt this moment…."

Sylvia felt her stomach and insides boil as she glanced at the direction of the voice, seeing Galavan. Her body stiffened and Jim glanced at her curiously before turning professionally to him.

"Detective," said Galavan coolly, "Do you have a moment?"

"Of course." Jim said, nodding. He glanced at Sylvia, noticing how quickly her sweet, soft expression had hardened. "Are you okay, Vee?"

Sylvia gulped and nodded.

"I'll bring him back," Galavan promised, smirking at her.

Sylvia glowered at him. Jim gave her a curious look before he accompanied Galavan further away. Sylvia grinded her teeth together and then walked down the stairs, purposely shoving her shoulder against Galavan's. Jim glanced at the odd movement but politely ignored it so he could listen to what Galavan had to say.

Sylvia only listened long enough to learn that Galavan was seeking out Jim for endorsement.

Sylvia strode down the stairs, stopping by the desk sergeant where Josh was still eating the pizza.

"Let's get the fuck out of here," Sylvia growled.

Josh thanked the sergeants for the pizza and quickly headed out after her.