Scar woke up to a note on her bedside table. She stretched out before picking it up.

Lunch plans with Penguin. We all need to talk. 147 W Main. 12pm. Don't be late. -VZ

"Great," she muttered, looking down at her watch, "I slept in far too late."

She got up and brushed her hair out while looking over her clothing options. After detangling every last knot from a night of hard rest, she grabbed a pair of grey jeans and a navy sweater to slip on.

I wonder what this is all about…I haven't been here long, by any means. Oswald and I get along now, anyway…right? God, I hope that hasn't changed.

Her footsteps felt heavy as she left the room and started to head downstairs. She flipped open her phone.

C'mon…pick up…

"Did you not see my note?"

"I did, but you didn't exactly give me a lot of details. I just needed to—"

"Look, I'm in the middle of something. I'll see you in less than an hour."

"Okay, I get it, but how do you want me to get there?"

"I don't know, call a cab."

"A cab? Are you serious?" she hissed, "What if I don't get there in time and—"

"I have to go."

"Victor, wait!" She heard the phone go silent. "Hello?" Nothing. "Victor?"

Asshole.

She walked into Oswald's kitchen and frantically started rummaging through the drawers before grabbing a telephone book. After flipping through a bit, she dialed one of the numbers and waited, staring impatiently at her watch. When she got off the phone, she paced the front of the house until she heard the cab honk for her outside.

Clutching the note in her hand, Scar checked that she was at the correct address multiple times. Is he sure? She checked her watch and got out of the car. After cautiously walking up to the building, she pushed through the doors. She locked eyes with Victor, who was suited up and waiting for her in the lobby.

He extended his arm, and she walked up to him.

"Follow my lead," Victor said in a low voice, with one hand on her back. He glanced down and smirked, "Nice outfit."

"I'm way underdressed," she hissed back, "You didn't tell me we'd be meeting at an upscale hotel. You said we'd meet at a restaurant."

"I said we were meeting for lunch. You assumed we were meeting at a restaurant." He checked behind them before stepping into an elevator, guiding her in with him. "Oswald had a business connection here earlier. That's what I was busy with." He stepped into the elevator and hit the top button. "While he doesn't mind meetings at his house, he wanted to avoid it since we haven't quite figured out what to do with you."

"What to do with me? What do you mean?"

"It's nothing bad, if that's what you're thinking. We just need to talk about the future. Just do us a favor, and answer everything we ask honestly. I can tell if you're lying, so don't bother."

"So where are we meeting?" Scar asked.

He scoffed, "You really didn't get out much. At the top of this building is a restaurant. You were right about that much. It's upscale, VIP rooms only." The doors opened and motioned. "After you."

Scar stepped out and Victor put his hand on her back again, nodding at a group of hosts as they passed through. "They know me, obviously," he said in a low voice.

"I figured," she snipped back, "Who doesn't?"

He pushed her towards a glass door, "You first."

She took a deep breath before sliding the door open and pushing past a curtain.

Seated in the middle of a half-moon booth was Oswald, swirling a glass of wine. "Nice of you to join us," he said tilting the glass towards her.

"Sorry she was late," Victor said, sitting on one side of him, "I told her noon sharp, but her watch must be slow."

Scar gawked at him, feeling her face flush, "I-I'm sorry, I just…" she trailed off, sitting on the other side of Oswald. Victor smirked, knowing she was avoiding making eye contact.

"Don't tease the poor girl," Oswald scolded him, killing off every last ounce of his enjoyment, "Our last meeting ran a bit late anyway."

"Yeah, yeah…but we have a lot to get done," Victor said, impatiently.

Oswald nodded, turning towards Scar, "I've contemplated what to do with this situation. Victor told me that you threw off the police, so at least you are not publicly affiliated with him…however—"

A waiter lightly knocked before stepping in, "Are you folks still doing alright?"

Oswald turned to Scar, "Go on. Order whatever you'd like."

She nervously fumbled with the menu in front of her before settling on an appetizer platter and a cocktail. After the other two ordered, the waiter took their menus and smiled, "I'll return momentarily."

After the door slid shut, Victor cleared his throat, "Let's get on with it."

"Now then, where was I…" Oswald regained his composure, "…ah, yes! Affiliation. You're officially cleared of all suspicion by the GCPD, which means that we no longer feel the need to shield you from them."

Scar looked down, "I see…" Why do I feel disappointed? I should be happy.

"That being said," Victor picked up, "we've been talking, and think you could be a potential asset. Oswald is officially running for mayor and could use a staff."

Her face changed, "Mayor? I mean no offense, but…"

"I understand," Oswald chimed in, "but this has been in the making for quite some time. Think of it as a…grand plan."

"A grand plan…right…and…where do I fit in?"

Oswald took a drink of his wine, "I think you would make a great public relations representative. Victor thinks you'd make for a decent informant. So I said…Why not both? I know you need work, so I'm willing to employ you as head of my public relations for this campaign. Most of the tasks would be able to be delegated…which would be perfect, since I want your primary job to be collecting information for Victor here, head of my security. On occasion, if he needs you, you can help him carry out his tasks."

"I mean…" she took a deep breath, "…I'm grateful for the opportunity, but…"

"What?" Victor scoffed, "Not up for it?"

She shot him a look, "It's not that. I just thought the whole point of me dealing with the GCPD was to throw them off. I didn't think either of you wanted them to know that we're affiliated. Not only that, but…again, I mean no offense, Oswald, but you're a known crime boss and Victor…" she looked up at him, then looked back down, "…well, he's…a hitman at the very least. I got caught up with you both by happenstance. I'm not a bad person…again…I really am not trying to be rude, I just…" she inhaled quickly, not realizing how long it'd been since she took a breath.

"Breathe…" Oswald sat and took in what she had to say, "…while that's fair, it wouldn't be the first time you've worked for someone on the GCPD's radar. That isn't a concern of mine. I'm…cured. As far as they're concerned, I was dealt with in Arkham."

Victor rolled his eyes and interjected, "Look, if you don't want to be involved in the public eye, just accept my offer as an informant."

"It's not just that…" she said, hearing her voice start to shake, "…Victor, you know I'm not like that…I don't…condone…any of this…"

Oswald put his hand on her shoulder, "You don't have to make a decision now, but…might I remind you that you pledged loyalty to me."

"Go check on the food, I'll handle it," Victor said getting up, "She just needs some persuasion."

Oswald slid past him and left the room.

Scar hid her face in her hands, "If you're going to shoot me, just get it over with."

"For the last time, I'm not going to shoot you, dammit," Victor groaned, "but you need to take this offer. Again, you need a job. Realistically, we both know you like my protection. You can't get that if you don't take this job."

"I can't," she looked up, feeling her eyes start to water, "I'm not a bad person. I think that, deep down, some part of you isn't…but most of you is certainly not…good, per se. I can't help you hurt people. I just can't. I've been abused all my life. I can't help you to—"

"Relax. It's a basic, lower-level security job. At least my offer. I just want you to spy on people who could potentially be traitors. Got it?"

"Traitors? That term is by your standards, Victor. People who don't like you tend to be decent people. You are a hitman for fuck's sake!"

"You live in such a small box," he groaned, "Other mob bosses and, in your terms, bad guys are also after my head. It has a high price, after all. So does Penguin's. How about this…I only assign you to "legitimate" stakeouts and intel jobs. No civilians. No public officials. Nothing that could get you into trouble by association."

"Forgive my skepticism…" she said, sarcastically.

He looked towards the door then leaned forward and lowered his voice, "I wasn't supposed to tell you this yet, but…this is an all expenses paid venture, so to speak. You'd get your own condo, your own car, and a lot of freedom. If you take his deal, you'd have to work with other people. If you take my deal, you'll work directly under me and only me. Now, if you don't take either offer, you'll likely have a target on your back."

"What?" she took a breath and quietly continued, "Why? I haven't done anything."

"Two words. Barbara. Kean. That bitch doesn't ever forgive or forget. The GCPD would have to forgive you working for Penguin…assuming he wins as mayor. That wouldn't be a problem. I'm practically untouchable. With me, you're safe. If you aren't, I can't guarantee Penguin will be so generous…you wouldn't have me around, or my status. You'd find some drab, busted up apartment where one day, some man of Kean's would follow you home and—"

"Okay stop," Scar held up a hand, "Please, I get the point. I still can't help but feel like you're leaving something out."

A sinister grin crossed his face, "You got me. Look…I'm just trying to help you—"

"Spit it out."

"Relax. Look, I think it's no secret that I'm a bit of a sadist."

"A bit," she mocked.

"A lotta bit," he winked, sending a shiver up her spine, "but you know by now that I've grown fond of you…kind of like a nice pet."

"Oh, fuck, Victor, really?" she hissed.

"Listen, babe, you wanna be part of the crew or not? I don't want to have to kill you, but let's cut to the chase. Your pretty face won't save you if you end up crossing Penguin's path again. Stick with me, you're good. Go on your own, you risk running into Barbara, some other mobster, or yours truly."

"What happened to trust? I thought we were on the same team?"

"That's the spirit," he grinned, "Is that a yes?"

"That's not what I said. What changed? I thought we were cool!"

"Yeah, well…I didn't think things would get smoothed over with the GCPD so quickly, but…here we are." He shrugged, "I don't know what to tell you. The choice is yours."

She looked down, "Hardly…"

Oswald slid the door open and Victor moved over towards Scar, fixing himself in between her and Oswald. She was visibly uncomfortable as the waiter served them their food, politely nodded, then exited the room.

"So…" Oswald smiled, "…have we come to an agreement?"

Victor smiled at Scar as she took her cocktail and quickly downed all of it. She slammed the glass down onto the table and sighed, "Yeah…"

"Do tell."

"I've accepted Victor's deal."