The one he never forgot

by scorpion22

Oswald had a great love once a woman he never could forget about. A woman he never could stop loving. When he sees he after so long will the spark reignite between them. Will she give him another reason to want power and will the fact that she's married change anything between them. Read and find out. I own nothing and it is rated M for later chapters. Also please review.

5. Memories that heal

Well hello to all my faithful readers, but especially to the one who reviews this story always Lola9309. Again thank you so much for always and I mean always supporting my writing it means so much. I included a song in this chapter, I don't know why, but this particular song was just calling to me when I wrote for this story. I listen to music on my iPod whenever I write and At Last by Etta James would play whenever I wrote for this story. So finally I decided to put it in the story itself because in my mind it is Oswald and Mary's song. I own nothing of course so please read, review, and enjoy. Oh and tell me what you think of the song and the flashbacks again because I want to know what you think.

Chapter 5

Mary's POV…

I sat next to Salvatore at the restaurant, it had seemed like the usual dinner I was forced to attend every night, but it wasn't. I was hoping I would get to be with Oswald tonight, I hadn't been alone with him for almost three weeks, and I desperately wanted to see him.

"I miss him my Oswald," I thought and I did; I missed his kisses, his wonderful kisses, the feel of his arms around me, so loving, so protective and safe, and most of all I just missed him. I missed being at his side close to him; when I was close to him I felt safe and I felt so happy.

"I see him every day here, but it is not the same. It is not the same as when we are alone together then I can tell him I love him. And I do I love him more than anything in this world," I thought picking at the food on my plate as it all went through my mind. He hadn't revealed himself to Maroni yet, he was still Palo to him, and our moments together were few. Part of me was afraid of the day he finally revealed his true identity; I was so afraid Maroni would kill him and if he died I would have to die too. I couldn't live without him my Oswald. But it was our moments together that he assured me everything would be alright. It was those moments when we could whisper our love for each other in the mist of our love making, when we could merely sit there in silence enjoying each other's company, and when we were apart we missed each other. I missed him and he missed me. I loved him; being apart from him for any amount of time was excruciating.

When Salvatore didn't tell me it was time for me to leave I knew he wasn't going to; it was one of those nights. It was one of those nights when Salvatore would want me to go home with him and once we were home he would take me to the bedroom, and then he would tell me to lay on the bed where I would be forced to have sex with him.

"I don't want that man touching me," I thought closing my eyes briefly hoping he wouldn't notice as I did so. I hoped someone somewhere would give me the strength to endure him touching me in a way only Oswald should. And opening my eyes I wanted to look at Oswald in that moment, I hoped he wouldn't hate me for what I was going to have to do because I didn't want to. I was going to have to have sex with my husband and I really didn't want to.

" Please Oswald forgive me for what I will have to do," I thought still picking at my plate as I briefly considered not telling Oswald, but I instantly knew that wasn't an option. Oswald always told me everything, he was honest with me, he trusted me, and I had to show him the same trust and honesty in return. I hoped he would know the truth that I didn't want that man touching me in anyway let alone in that way. Oswald was the only man I wanted like that; I hoped he would believe that that he would know that.

As I sat there silently waiting for that dreaded moment when I would have to go home with my husband I couldn't help, but feel guilty. In a way I was cheating on Oswald. I may not be a willing participant, but willing or not having sex with another man that wasn't Oswald felt so wrong. I felt like I was being unfaithful and I didn't know how to get that feeling to go away because despite knowing the truth deep down in my heart I still felt that guilt. Despite the truth that Oswald was the only one I wanted I felt guilty that I would have to let another man touch me. I only loved and wanted Oswald, but nothing would sooth my guilt.

"He's looking at me," I thought smiling briefly as I felt my Oswald glance at me. I loved feeling his eyes on me; it was that feeling the feeling of his eyes moving over me like a gentle caress that gave me strength to go on until he could take me from it all. Oswald gave me strength and I hoped I gave him strength too. Opening my eyes, I chanced a glance at Oswald, and I knew he knew something was wrong the second he looked into my eyes. Looking away from him, I felt so stupid, I should have known this would happen eventually, I should have known Salvatore would force himself on me like he always did, but I guess I had hoped I would be spared that horror now that I was Oswald's girl again. But still I shouldn't have hoped because the situation we were in was hopeless.

Salvatore hadn't forced himself on me for a very long time; I had thought and hoped maybe he had gotten tired of me. And now that I was Oswald's girl again and he was my guy, I had hoped he would never want me like that again, but it appeared this would be something I would have to endure until Oswald could save me. When Oswald finally got the power he sought I knew he would take me away; I knew we would finally get to be together.

"Oswald will take me away from him someday," I thought smiling for just a moment as I knew in my heart Oswald would get his wish. Oswald would be king of Gotham and when he was he would take me away from Salvatore. I knew someday I would be Mrs. Oswald Cobblepot and I couldn't wait for that day. As I thought of that I knew I would have to endure Maroni's touch tonight and until that day finally came. And to endure that I knew I would have to do what I did before Oswald returned to my life. I smiled then because I knew my memories of Oswald, my thought of Oswald would be the only thing to make it bearable just as they always did. Tonight when my husband forced himself on me it would be Oswald I thought of. I would think of Oswald as he kissed me in the alley, in his hiding place even so long ago in the park. I would think of the way Oswald made love to me, the way it felt to be in his arms to sit in his lap with my head on his shoulder, and it would be those memories of Oswald's voice telling me I was his Mary, telling me that he loved me that made me endure it all. It was those memories that would make it all bearable. And I knew only the memory of what Oswald could do to me, of what Oswald could make me feel would give me the power to fake the moans and screams of pleasure that were really only sounds of pain. Maroni was nothing like Oswald in that area. He made me feel absolutely nothing, but with Oswald I felt everything. Just a simple kiss from my Oswald could light me on fire in the most exquisite breath taking ways and when he made love to me it was indescribable.

When I felt Oswald's eyes caress my skin once more I sighed; now was the time to tell him. It was better that I tell him what was going to happen before it happened rather than after. He might not be as mad if I told him before and looking up at him into his eyes I silently told him I had to speak to him now. The glance we shared was fleeting, but I knew he understood by his slight almost nonexistent nod and looking at my plate I prepared to slink away so I could secretly meet the man I truly loved.

"I'm going to the ladies room darling; I'll be right back," I said making sure Oswald heard me as well as my husband. That was one thing Maroni was adamant about I wasn't allowed to go anywhere when I was with him without telling him. And as I moved out of sight I could feel Salvatore's eyes on me; they made me want to cringe. I hated that I had to tell him everywhere I went; I was practically his slave. I hated it; I hated him. I hated him with every fiber of my being.

Entering the bathroom, I searched each and every stall making sure each was empty; this was the only place we could talk the restrooms were the only rooms in the whole restaurant that Maroni didn't have filled with cameras. And breathing a sigh I waited for Oswald to make his appearance part of me still dreading his reaction when I told him. What would he do? What would he say?

"Oh Oswald hurry up," I breathed as I waited pacing the room without stopping. I paced back and forth so much when he finally appeared I didn't notice until I felt his arms around me making me feel protected and safe as he always did.

"Oswald; my Oswald I have missed you so much. I hope you locked the door," I smiled standing slightly rigid before leaning into the safety of his embrace. I relaxed completely when he answered with a simple nod reveling in the splendor of finally being in his arms even here in the most dangerous of places I loved just being there with him. He was the only thing that really mattered in my life; I loved him. And as he nodded his answer his lips moved along the length of my neck, he didn't have to say it I knew he had missed me too. Slowly I turned in his arms, I looked into his eyes smiling as he looked back at me chills going up my spine, and wrapping my arms around him my body gluing itself to his I kissed him. It felt so good to feel his lips against mine and like he always did one kiss lit a fire in me that just couldn't be tamed; this kiss would make tonight bearable. No one could kiss me like Oswald; he was a damn good kisser.

"Mary…we must be careful here. If we are discovered," breathed Oswald as our lips parted.

"I know, I'm sorry I know this is very risky very dangerous, but I had to tell you something. I had to speak to you and it couldn't wait until later. I need to apologize to you," I exclaimed sliding my hands down his chest looking down at the floor. I loved this man, I only wanted this man, this man was the love of my life, my true love, and I didn't want him to hate me.

At first, my words seemed to confuse him as he simply stared at me, and then he made me look at him holding my face in his hands still looking at me before he finally playfully nipped at my lips making me smile again as he kissed me.

"What could you ever need to apologize for my Mary," whispered Oswald leaning his head against mine. All was silent between us then as I tried to decide how to tell him what I had to tell him, but finally I knew the best way was just to say it.

" I have to have sex with my husband tonight. I'm so sorry Oswald please I hope you can forgive me," I exclaimed my words rushed so rushed I hoped he wouldn't understand, but when I finally got the courage to look at him I knew he had heard every word. The look on Oswald's face spoke volumes, he was looking at me with a mixture of jealousy and anger, the small smile he had worn had completely disappeared, and as I tried to stay calm I hoped this wouldn't be the reason why I lost him again.

"No, no…no. No, no, no, and no that can't happen. I don't want another man touching you let alone him, I especially don't want that man touching you," snapped Oswald tightening his grip on my waist.

"Oswald I don't have a choice; you know that, you know I don't want another man touching me either. Especially him, but I don't have a choice. He is my husband, I am sorry to say it but he is. He is my husband that means he can force himself on me anytime, anywhere, and there is nothing I can do my consent doesn't matter. Whether I consent to it, or not he will force himself on me," I exclaimed looking away from him as I held back my tears.

"Mary please can't you just say no. I love you Mary, he doesn't love you like I do, and because of that I should be the only one allowed to touch you. I should be the only one allowed to kiss you and make love to you. You're mine you said so yourself. I love you; I love you so much I should be your husband not him. You should be mine, you should be my wife, and I don't want him touching you," snapped Oswald pulling me so he held me tight against his chest his eyes holding a wild jealous look within them. And looking at him in that moment I let my tears fall because I wanted that too. I wished I could say no, but I knew what would happen if I did. I wished he were my husband because I was his, I was his girl, his love, and he was the only one I wanted. With those tears in my eyes I wrapped my arms around his neck using one hand to grip the back of his neck. I used my grip on his neck to pull his lips down to mine, and holding him in place I kissed him crying into the kiss my tears making my makeup streak as they ran down my face. After about a minute he kissed me back his arms impossibly tight around me; he was holding me as if he was afraid I would disappear as if he was afraid I would leave him. I guess we both had that fear.

"I love you Oswald no matter what happens that will not change. I wish I could say no to him, but you don't know what he will do. He will hurt me Oswald, he will hurt me in the worst way if I say no, but always remember I don't want him I want you only you. You are the one I love, you are the one I want, and you are my guy, my Oswald. You are mine as I am yours. I only want your touch, your kiss; I only want you on me like that making love to me. I'm so sorry Oswald, but I can't say no he will hurt me you don't know what he did the last time I said no there is nothing I can do. If he forces himself on me like that I must simply lie down and take it. I'm sorry Oswald please don't hate me I love you I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry," I cried wiping at my eyes refusing to look at him then. I tried to move away from him in that moment, but he stopped me his hands gripping my waist, and instead of pushing me away he pulled me closer silently handing me the handkerchief from his pocket.

"Shhhh my Mary, my beautiful Mary; my beautiful girl please don't cry. It's alright I don't hate you; I love you. Please don't cry," whispered Oswald drying my tears watching as more appeared as soon as he had as he held me still. And I couldn't help, but cry in that moment as I remembered the last time I had dared to say no to my husband. That memory made me cry without stopping and Oswald my Oswald only held me in that moment as he attempted to sooth my tears away. When I had cried every tear my body could hold, Oswald made me look at him, and continuing to wipe away my tears he kissed my forehead. I wanted to run away with him then, I wanted him to take me away then, but he couldn't, not yet. And like we always could it was like we could read each other's minds because looking at him I knew he was thinking the same thing. He looked down at me and I looked up at him, we needed each other, and we both knew what we needed in that moment. Ridding me of the last of my tears Oswald kissed my forehead again then both my cheeks before finally he claimed my lips with his own. In that moment I knew exactly who I belonged to; I was Oswald's girl.

"Why did you tell me? I wish you hadn't told me," whispered Oswald holding my face in his hands our foreheads touching.

"I had to tell you we tell each other everything. You're so honest with me how could I not be the same with you. You trust me with all your secrets even the ones that could get you killed; how could I not tell you? And besides that there was a guilt eating away inside of me the second I knew what was going to happen. I feel so guilty for allowing him to touch me like that; only you should touch me like that. I feel like I'm cheating on you for even allowing it to happen; I wish I could say no, but I can't. I feel like a cheating whore for even letting that man touch me in that way. I love you Oswald, I only want you like that. I don't want him touching me that is something sacred between you and me because we love each other. When I am with you like that it isn't just sex, it isn't something cheap and forceful, it is something loving and passionate and filled with heat. It isn't just sex Oswald, no one does the things you do Oswald when you make love to me; what we have that is love. That is love pure, true love because I love you Oswald. You love me, I love you, and we are soulmates that makes it so much more then sex it makes it love, always. And it is because of that that I hope you can forgive me for this, please my Oswald please. Please can you forgive me?" I whispered taking his face in my hands then our noses, our foreheads touching as I told him all of this. Afterward I peered into his eyes, I loved him so much my heart was pounding with my love for him, and looking into his eyes I saw his love for me. I knew if I listened to his heart in that moment that I would hear it pounding too. It would be pounding with his love for me, his beautiful girl; his Mary. I would always be proud to be his.

We stared at each other for a very long time, I don't know how long, but finally his smile returned. I pecked him on the lips then feeling as that smile widened; I knew then everything would be alright between us. He held my face in his hands then his eyes peering into mine still as he held me close; he held me as close as he possibly could.

"I love you Mary. You are mine and mine alone. While the thought of that man forcing himself on you makes me want to kill him with my bare hands I understand you have no choice, but mark my words I will kill him someday very soon. I don't want you feeling guilty anymore, you are not cheating on me, and I want you to always remember you are not cheating on me unless you love him. And I know you don't love him; I know you only love me like I only love you. I love you my Mary; you are my girl from now until the day I die," exclaimed Oswald never moving away from me as his words went straight to my heart. That was one of the many things I loved about Oswald; he had a way with words. I could remember many a time when he swept me off my feet with his words. And this time wasn't any different, he had made my heart swell with love for him, he had left me clinging to him, and pecking him on the lips one last time I hugged him close. I looked up at him then, I knew I had to return to my husband, or he would send someone after me, but I wished I could stay there with him. I wished I could run with him and get as far from Maroni as I could.

"I have to fix my makeup and get back," I whispered as I slipped from his arms. I missed the feel of them around me immediately as I started to fix my makeup until I looked almost the same as before I entered the bathroom. When I was done I looked at him, I smiled a weak smile his way, and as he returned it I knew he had the same wish as me. And looking at him I think we both knew only him and the city of Gotham could makes our wishes come true.

"I should leave first; he'll send someone looking for me soon. He keeps me like his personal whore whenever we're together," I sighed looking at him with a sad smile watching as he came to my side once more. Oswald looked at me a moment before taking my hand bowing over it to kiss it. He made me smile then he could always make me smile; he always tried to make me smile when I was unset. That was another reason why I loved him.

"Yes you should, but you're not going anywhere. Neither of us is leaving this room until I know you are alright. I don't want my girl to be unhappy; I promise you someday soon I will take you away from him. I will take you away from him and you will have nothing to fear," explained Oswald his face serious as he searched my face for every emotion I held inside.

"I'm fine now Oswald. I'm fine as long as you don't hate me for this. I love you Oswald; I love you not him as long as you know that I'm fine. You're the one for me, you're the one I want, you're my Oswald; you're my soulmate. As long as you know that and never forget that I am fine perfectly absolutely fine," I smiled taking his other hand so I held both of his in mine.

"I know that Mary and I promise I won't ever forget. You are mine, I am yours, and we are soulmates that is the only thing I've ever really known for sure. And tonight when he forces himself on you just remember to think of me and remember what you said he can't make you feel what I can. We have love and that's all that matters. I love you more; I love you more than all the power and money Gotham has to offer. I love you Mary," exclaimed Oswald and I knew without a doubt that he meant every word. And I wondered in that moment if he had read my mind before because I had thought those same thoughts. I loved him so much.

"I know no one does what you do to me because no one is you. I will think of you as I always do because to not think of you would be unbearable. I always think of you all of the time; you are my only thought. I love you," I whispered moving to wrap my arms around his waist before I broke away my hand stroking his cheek feeling as he kissed my palm his hand covering mine briefly. I left him then, I moved swiftly through the tables, and with a fake smile on my face I found myself at my husband's side again. And I sat down I looked once again like the picture of happiness, but until Oswald was by my side permanently I would not be truly happy.

Salvatore didn't notice my return, I doubt he noticed I was gone, but I held my breath not breathing until Oswald had safely returned from the bathroom.

Oswald's POV…

After returning from the bathroom I watched Mary out of the corner of my eye all night. I was silently waiting just like I knew she was; we were waiting for the moment when she would have to leave. More than anything in that moment I wanted my power, I wanted to be king; I wanted to be able to protect her. If I had all of that I could protect her; I could put a stop to this. He was going to kiss her, to touch her in the most intimate way; he was going to defile and hurt my beautiful Mary. He was going to do that and there was nothing I could do about it. I hated him more than I had ever hated him before in that moment. Mary was my girl, my love I should be the only one to lay with her in that sacred way. She was all I really had in this world and I swore again that Maroni would die someday by my hand for hurting her. She was mine, mine to love, and mine to protect. She was my girl, she was in my every waking thought, she was in my dreams; she was my dream come true. I don't know what I did to get a woman like her to fall in love with me. And looking at her out of the corner of my eye still I swore to her I would protect her with my life someday and I would make this up to her someday. If it was possible I would make this up to her.

"Someday my love I will lay is corpse at your feet for laying a hand on you I promise," I thought as I watched her, the mental image of her beneath him later tonight as he forced himself on her entering my mind making me nearly overcome with rage. He didn't treat her as she ought to be treated, he treated her like a common whore instead of the queen she was, and remembering her words from before I knew even she was starting to think that about herself. I hated him even more for making her think so low of herself like that.

"Someday she will be my queen, my beautiful wife, and I will make her see what a treasure she is. I will never let her forget what she means to me," I thought watching her still my heart still beating with my deep unending love for her. When I finally got my power, when I could finally take her away from him for good I would never let her forget that I loved her; I would never let her forget that she was my love, my queen. It was then as that thought filled my mind that they stood up from their table; he was taking her home with him. They moved leisurely through the tables, Mary looked the picture of the happy wife, but it didn't reach her eyes. I knew her better than anyone in this would, her eyes were the keys to her soul, and they told me just how much she was hurting inside. And as I helped Mary put her coat on my heart clenched from within my chest; I wanted to save her from having to go home with that monster.

I watched as she stepped into the car with him, all I wanted to do in that moment was open that car door take her hand in mine and drag her from the car, but until I was a man of power I was powerless to do that. And as that car drove away, as that monster drove away with the woman I loved I hoped she would stay strong. She had always been the strongest person I had ever known, but remembering her tears from earlier even I wasn't sure she was this strong. How much would she have to endure before I could take her away? After the restaurant closed that night, I walked back to my hiding place, but as I stood there after walking through the door I knew I couldn't stay there. Removing my suit jacket I threw it on the bed as I looked around the room wishing in that moment that Mary was there with me. And then grabbing the only chair carrying it out into the hall I locked the door to my apartment before carrying it up the stairs to the roof.

I sat in that chair then on the roof of the building then staring out at my home, my city; Gotham city. It was the key to everything, my Mary entered my mind then, and I knew only Gotham could help me save her from Maroni. Gotham was the key; the key to everything. Gotham was the key to my power, Gotham was the key to my happiness; Gotham was the key to me finally having the woman I loved by my side. If I wanted my Mary, my beautiful girl then only the power Gotham held could give her to me. Right now, at that very moment I was powerless, but with that power I could have her. And she was what I wanted more than anything in the world; I wanted my Mary. I wanted her to be my wife and my companion for the rest of my life.

"You will be mine Gotham city. I will be your king just wait and see then she will be truly mine as she already is," I whispered continuing to look out at the city. And then as it always did, the exquisite beauty that was her face, the face of my beautiful Mary filled my mind.

I closed my eyes and I focused on the images of her face as she smiled at me. I remembered all our happy times together both in the past and now. I hoped those memories would give her strength as she said they would. And remembering I remembered her smile after we made love, the way her eyes sparkled when I kissed her, the sounds of her passion as I made love to her, and my favorite sound of all, my name on her lips. Someday when she was far from that man she called her husband I would never let her be unhappy; I would make sure a smile always graced her lips. I would love her forever; I would make her happy. And then in that moment we face left my mind and as a grizzlier sinister image replaced it. It smiled then as I imagined the sweet joy of finally being able to kill Don Maroni with my own hands. I would torture him, I would make him suffer as she had suffered, and I would make him know the pain he had caused m beautiful girl. I would kill him; if it was the last thing I did on this earth I would kill him. The image of him hurting my Mary filled my mind again then and I let my rage loose. I stood up then and bracing my hands on the edge of the building I stared out at Gotham in my anger before I beat my fists against the concrete of the building. And closing my eyes I wanted that image to go away, but it wouldn't. It wouldn't and it was then that I lost my temper. Right at that very moment Maroni was hurting my girl, my girl, and the knowledge of that sent me over the edge as I suddenly screamed my anger into the night. She was mine; I loved her. And in that moment I completely lost control and I went haywire breaking loose from the wall turning around looking for something to throw, or even better yet something to hit.

Turning around I grabbed the chair I had carried up there throwing it against the wall a ways away with a crash.

"She is mine; she is mine. She is mine; she is mine," I breathed standing near the edge again my hands gripping it as they balled into fists. I couldn't stop it; I kept repeating that over and over without stopping.

Mary's POV…

As we pulled up in front of the house, I sighed I didn't want to go inside, but I knew I had no choice. Stepping out of the car at Salvatore's side I moved up the stairs after entering the house trying not to cringe as he let me straight to our bedroom as I knew he would. I knew there was no stopping this, but I couldn't help, but think would he hurt me still if I tried to delay it just a little.

"I think I'll take a bath before bed," I whispered moving towards the bathroom door. I didn't even reach the door before he grabbed my arm pulling me back to him forcefully pinning my body to his.

"You go where I tell you to go. You are my wife and you will not say no to me when I want you," growled Salvatore his voice so scary as he held my arms in his strong grip, but it wasn't until I tried to speak that he hit me. He slapped me hard across the face nearly making my stumble before he grabbed both my arms again forcing me to look at him; he was going to hurt me. And I knew it then if I didn't know it before I knew it now; he was going to hurt me.

Still holding my arms in his tight grip, Salvatore forced his lips onto mine, and I had no choice I had to act like I liked it. I had to return his kiss, but as my eyes closed as I held back my tears I thought of Oswald. I pretended it was Oswald kissing me, but it was harder now because my Oswald would never kiss me like this. My Oswald would never hurt me like this. The kiss broke when he pushed me onto the bed and I suddenly didn't know if even thinking of Oswald would make this bearable.

Before I knew it he was on top of me on the bed as he held me down my chest pinned against his; he ripped my clothes away and I didn't know if I could endure this. I prayed for the strength to endure this. When his body left mine I breathed a sigh of relief opening my eyes; I hadn't realized until that moment that I had closed them. Salvatore's eyes ran over my naked body and I wanted to cringe. I wanted to cover my body from his lecherous view, but I knew that would only make it worse. I didn't want him looking at me; Oswald was the only man I ever wanted to see me like this. I wanted my Oswald in that moment.

When Salvatore was as naked as I was his body covered mine again and without any warning at all he was inside me.

"Think of Oswald," I thought as he slammed inside me burning my insides as if he were a hot piece of iron making me cry out in pain. He spread my legs as wide as they would go using his knees to keep them spread, I would have bruises tomorrow; I would have lots of bruises tomorrow. And as I cried in the pain he took for pleasure he slammed into me repeatedly his movements so forceful there was no way I could think of Oswald as hard as I was trying. This man was nothing like my Oswald.

"Oswald," I thought his name over and over my eyes closed tight as his face filled my mind like a healing caress. I tried to think of all our times together, of all the love we shared, but this was unbearable. And it was as his face filled my mind that Maroni moved my arms around him; I wanted to run so far away from him then, but I was trapped there until my love could save me.

As it continued I tried to think of Oswald, of the way he loved me, of the way he kissed me, but it was harder the more this agony seemed to last.

" Oswald doesn't hurt me like this; I want my Oswald," I thought crying out as he bit into the skin of my breast making me squeal in pain as he left his teeth marks in my skin. It was in that moment that I felt a hand wrap around my neck then I heard my husband's voice in my ear.

"Open your eyes and look at me," growled Salvatore his grip tight as he held me around the throat.

Bringing my hand to his in an attempt to loosen his grip, I opened my eyed looking into the face of the man I hated so much, and as his grip tightened around my throat I was afraid he would kill me.

"Salvatore…please," I gasped finding it harder to breathe as I looked up at him my gaze pleading him to let me go. But he didn't pay attention to my pleas as he continued to force himself into my body groaning like the mad cow that he was. I was in so much pain then as he continued the hand around my throat keeping the screams from leaving my throat.

"Salvatore," I breathed it was then that I felt lightheaded and I was afraid I would black out. And as it continued I hated this man more than I thought possible; I didn't think I could hate him more than I had, but I could.

Finally I couldn't take it anymore, I had to get him off of me, or he would strangle me. Without a second thought I raised my arm scratching him in the face making him curse as I left bloody red streaks behind. "God damn it Mary," growled Salvatore looking down at me then before his hand left my throat. I couldn't even flinch away before he slapped me in the face once then twice then a third time, and then he grabbed my wrists in one hand holding them to the bed. And as his other hand returned to my throat I cried opening as he resumed his movement inside me. I couldn't be strong then as hard as I tried; I wanted Oswald more than anything in that moment. When he was finally done with me, he flung me aside like a no good whore, and in that moment that's what I felt like. I was no better than a whore.

I don't know how long I laid there for, but when he started to snore I sighed gaining the courage to sneak away. I wished more than anything that I was with Oswald; he would make it all better somehow, someway I knew he would. He would put his arms around me, he would make me feel safe, and he would make me feel loved. I loved him so much; I missed him so much. I slid quietly from the bed moving carefully across the room into the bathroom and closing the door with a sigh I cried silently. I didn't know how long my life would be like this; I didn't know how long I could endure this. I poured water into the tub making sure it was near scolding before I slid into the water reaching for the soap. I would never ever get myself quite clean again.

The scolding water soothed the pain that consumed my body; I needed that as I leaned my head against the cold marble of the tub, and closing my eyes I thought of Oswald smiling when I did. Just thinking of him was a balm to my senses; we had shared so many good times together. It was those happy moments that would replace this horrid one. And smiling I thought of one of my favorite memories of us, it was a memory of something that happened a long time ago; it was the memory of our first date.

We were seventeen then and like most of our time together we were walking along the streets of Gotham. Oswald and I had known each other for three almost four years then, we were best friends, but I wanted more with him. I wanted to be his girlfriend; I had been waiting for him to ask me, but he just wasn't. Part of me was afraid to ask him myself, he was my best friend, and what if asking for more made us lose the friendship we had. I didn't want to lose him.

He was walking me home one day his hand in mine like always and when we finally reached my building I turned to look at him gathering all my courage as I prepared to ask him out myself. Oswald still mesmerized me as much then as he does now, he was so handsome, so sweet to me, and I loved him so much even then. I had loved him since the day we met on that rainy day under my umbrella.

"Thank you for walking me home Oswald," I whispered smiling up at him.

"Of course Mary, I love walking you home," smiled Oswald squeezing my hand as he held it in his before bringing it to his lips.

He tried to walk away then, but I grabbed his hand again making him look at me. I couldn't let him leave just as I was gaining the courage to finally ask him out.

"Oswald would you have dinner with me tonight," I exclaimed looking up at him with hope in my eyes. I was so afraid he would say no. Oswald stood there on the sidewalk, he looked so shocked at first I knew he wasn't expecting this, but I still hoped he would say yes.

"I would love that Mary, but would it be a…a. Would it be a," exclaimed Oswald stopping midsentence as he tried to find the right word. He looked as nervous as I felt. I took a step towards him then a wide grinning smile on my face as I took one of his hands in each of mine.

"Would it be a date?" I smiled.

"Yes; would it be a date?" whispered Oswald his cobalt blue eyes giving me chills as he stared down at me.

"Do you want it to be a date?" I asked.

"Yes I do, I do. I want that more than anything," exclaimed Oswald making me practically glow with excitement when I heard that watching as his face suddenly had a wide smile covering it. I moved closer to him then until we were toe to toe and looking into those eyes of his I slowly moved to kiss his cheek.

"Good because that's what I want more than anything too. I'll see you tonight around seven," I smiled kissing him one last time before moving to enter my building. And as I walked inside I couldn't stop smiling; I couldn't wait for tonight. Later that night, I was anxiously waiting for Oswald to arrive, and checking myself in the mirror one more time I prayed for my nerves to disappear.

When a knock finally sounded at the door I nearly jumped out of my skin placing a hand over my heart before slowly approaching the door trying to stay calm. When I opened the door there stood Oswald, he looked incredible in his coal black suit with his cross tie; he always looked so handsome and sexy in my eyes and as my eyes ran over him in appreciation his did the same. I wore a simple knee length black dress with spaghetti straps that showed a hint of cleavage my black stilettos on my feet as my hair ran down around my shoulders.

"You're stunning," smiled Oswald.

"Thank you, you look pretty stunning yourself," I exclaimed as I exited the apartment standing in the hallway with him.

He looked at me then in confusion as I offered him my hand smiling when he took it intertwining our fingers.

"I set everything up on the roof; I thought it would be more romantic that way," I explained beginning to lead him up the stairs that led to the rooftop. Once we were there I watched his face as he took everything in before he finally looked at me smiling. When I saw him smile I smiled too. I had set up a group of boxes putting them together to make a makeshift table along to go with two chairs from the apartment.

Dinner was laid out neatly on our makeshift table; I had made spaghetti and meatballs most because it was all I knew how to cook then. Other than the food there were candles all around their flames flickering as it mixed with the moonlight. Next to the table was my cd player and as we walked closer I hit play smiling with him as music started to play. Oswald pulled my chair out for me, he was always such a gentleman, and sitting down I smiled at him before watching as he did the same.

All was silent as we started to eat; I don't think we knew what to say to each other we were both so nervous, but thankfully Oswald broke the silence.

"Is this the cd I had made for you?" asked Oswald giving me a knowing smirk that made me smile.

"Yes it is. I figured it would go good with this evening. These songs they are so romantic, so perfect. I wanted everything to be perfect," I whispered. And then suddenly I couldn't look at him, I was so nervous, and it wasn't until his hand covered mine that I looked at him.

"Are you alright? You seem really nervous; you don't regret doing this do you?" whispered Oswald bringing my hand to his lips in an attempt to distract me from the worried look in his eyes.

"No, no Oswald of course not I am glad we did this. I'm fine I promise I'm just nervous," I whispered looking at him giving him a reassuring smile.

"Why nothing is different. It's still just you and me except well we're on a date so you're kind of my girlfriend now. I thought that's what you wanted," whispered Oswald.

"It is, I have wanted this for a long time, and I'm glad to be kind of well your girlfriend Oswald. I've wanted to be your girlfriend a long time, but what if this doesn't work out? You're my best friend Oswald; I love you. I have loved you since I met you, but if this doesn't work out I don't want to lose you. I don't want to lose you, you mean so much to me Oswald you' re my very best friend, and what if this doesn't work what happens then. Will we separate and never see each other again; I can't lose you," I exclaimed feeling as the tears gathered in my eyes.

Oswald held both of my hands in his then making me look at him when he kissed them sweetly.

"This is going to work Mary because we are best friends. You are the most important person in my life and even if it doesn't you won't lose me because I love you too. I have loved you since that day in the rain; I can't lose you so rest assured you won't lose me. We won't lose each other, we will always be best friends, we will always be in love, and that my Mary is something that will never change," whispered Oswald making me smile just like always. He always knew how to make me feel so much better; no one knew me like him. After we finished eating I found him looking at me a moment before he was by my side.

"Would you dance with me," whispered Oswald offering me his hand.

I nodded smiling as I took hold of the hand he offered letting him pull me into the center of the rooftop one of his hands in mine as another moved around my waist. We moved together to the sound of the music, it was like we were made for dancing with each other as we looked into each other's eyes, and just like I wanted everything in that moment was perfect. And in that moment I loved him so much. The song changed then and it seemed like that song was ours. I don't know why, but it just seemed made for us. He must have thought the same because as that song began he smiled down at me before he moved to tenderly kiss my cheek his arms tight around me as he pulled me closer.

At last
my love has come along
my lonely days are over
and life is like a song

And in that moment as we danced, as he held me in his arms for that first time, and we danced we couldn't have been happier. We were in love. I was finally Oswald's girl and he was my guy; we were together and we were happy. I loved him; he loved me.

Oh yeah yeah
At last

the skies above are blue
my heart was wrapped up in clover
the night I looked at you

"I love you Mary. I have always loved you and I always will. You're my girlfriend now and I want you to know that I love you," whispered Oswald his cheek resting against the side of my head. I wrapped my arms around his neck in that moment, my heart was pounding from within my chest, and as his arms encircled my waist I felt his kiss my head.

"I love you too Oswald, so what did you think of our first date," I asked looking at him.

"It was perfect just perfect; I hope it will be the first of many," exclaimed Oswald making me laugh as he chose that moment to twirl me around before dipping me in our dance.

"Yes so do I, but it's still not over yet. I'm not letting you leave me yet; I wish you never had to leave me," I smiled moving to kiss his throat. We held each other as we moved to the sound of the music and soon before I knew it my head was on his chest. Oswald looked down at me then a smile gracing his lips as he kissed the top of my head.

I found a dream, that I could speak to
A dream that I can call my own
I found a thrill to press my cheek to
A thrill that I have never known

When Oswald started to sing to me in that moment it took my breath away.

"I found a thrill to press my cheek to. A thrill that I have never known," sang Oswald choosing that moment to spin me around in a circle. When he did that I couldn't help, but laugh until I fell into his arms again; god how I loved him he was wonderful.

"Oswald you are amazing do you know that; I love you," I exclaimed wrapping my arms around his waist.

"You are the amazing one," whispered Oswald looking down into my eyes. And in that moment as we continued to dance to our song I couldn't help, but think that I was so lucky to be his girl.

Oh yeah yeah
you smiled, you smiled
Oh and then the spell was cast
and here we are in heaven
for you are mine...

At Last

With the final words of our song I leaned up to kiss his cheek.

"I love you Oswald," I whispered my lips still against his cheek.

Opening my eyes, I found myself still sitting in the bathtub, and sitting up in the now lukewarm water I really wanted Oswald.

"I love you Oswald," I breathed before suddenly there was a knock on the bathroom door.

"Honey, did you fall asleep in there?" said Salvatore knocking on the door again.

"I'm fine Salvatore; I'll be out in a second. Go back to bed," I called to him through the door.

"Ok well I just got a call and I got to go," said Salvatore. I sat up in the water again Oswald was instantly on my mind; I could sneak off to see him now. But first I had to play my part as the angry wife.

"No Salvatore please no. Please don't go; we've haven't even been home that long," I exclaimed acting upset.

"Honey I'm sorry, but I have to go. I'll make it up to you I promise," called Salvatore and I could hear he was already out the door.

I smiled then, he always said he would make it up to me, but he never did. But I didn't really care now that he was gone I could go to see my Oswald. Getting out of the tub, I made sire my husband was gone before I left the bathroom. As I dressed in a simple knee length black skirt and blouse with my stiletto heels I smiled I would have the rest of the night to be with Oswald.

Calling Charlie I had him hurry over with the car, when we arrived at Oswald's hiding place I went up the stairs to his door, and smiling I knocked. I couldn't wait to see the look on his face when he opened the door to find me there. When he didn't answer the door I was instantly worried until I heard a voice behind me.

"Are you looking for the kid with the limp?" asked an old lady a few doors down.

"Yes I am. Do you know where he is?" I asked leaning close to the door as I peered down the hall at her.

"He is on the roof," said the old lady before closing her door with a slam.

Finding the stairs that led to the roof, I moved slowly up them part of me wondering why he was on the roof in the first place. The door was open when I got to the top and standing in the doorway I saw him standing there close to the edge. As I moved closer to him I noticed the chair from his apartment lying against the wall, I noticed he was whispering something over and over again his hands balled into fists as he gripped the edge of the building.

"She's mine; she's mine. She's mine; she's mine," whispered Oswald repeatedly stopping when my arms wrapped around him. Leaning my head against the smooth column of his back I was unable to let him go as I started to kiss up his spine to his neck seeking out his ear.

"I'm yours; I'm yours. I'm yours; I'm yours," I whispered kissing his ear feeling as he breathed a sigh leaning into my embrace. For a moment we stood like that in silence until finally he turned in my arms. "I wasn't expecting you tonight," breathed Oswald taking my face in his hands running his thumbs over the bruises that would soon mar my face before he kissed me. The kiss was deep, it was healing, it was passionate, and it reminded me of how much I loved him.

"I had the chance to see you so I came to see you. I love you Oswald; I needed to see you. I had to feel your arms around me especially after what that monster did to me tonight," I whispered cringing as I remembered. Oswald looked at me then stroking my cheek before letting his eyes roam the rest of my body taking in every mark I now had. And then he wrapped his arms around me not saying a word as he merely held me as close as possible.

Oswald's POV…

As I wrapped my arms around her feeling as her head came to rest against my chest I hated that that man had touched her, had hurt her, and again I thought that I would someday kill him. I would kill him and I would be the only one to touch her as I should be.

"Are you alright; I know he hurt you so badly, but are you alright?" I exclaimed making her look at me. I watched as she tried to hide her tears, I knew without her saying a word in answer that she wasn't alright, and again I vowed to kill him. She never did answer me, she didn't need to she knew that as I pulled her into my arms again, and kissing the top of her head I only held her pulling her closer as she started to cry.

"I love you Oswald. I don't know what I'd do if you weren't here now. If I didn't have you now I would have slit my wrists by now," exclaimed Mary crying still as she looked at me in that moment.

"Mary no, promise me you'll never do that. Promise me no matter what happens you won't kill yourself. I love you Mary; if you died I'd have to kill myself too that's how much I love you. No power, no other woman could replace you in my heart; you mean more to me then power. I love you," I whispered holding her closer at the thought of losing her.

"As long as I have you I can promise you I'll never do that," whispered Mary wrapping her arms around my neck then attacking my lips with hers.

"Don't worry my beautiful Mary I'm not going anywhere. I love you; you will always have me by your side. We will be together for the rest of our lives," I whispered continuing to kiss the sweet strawberry red of her lips. And looking at her then I looked at the rooftop we stood on and then I remembered the last time we were on a roof together. Suddenly I had the overwhelming urge to dance with her. I kissed her in that moment a smile on my face as I let my hands wonder over her slender curves as I pulled her impossibly close.

"Would you dance with me?" I exclaimed already moving with her to the center of the rooftop the moonlight shining down on us. My hands were already at her waist, hers were already around my neck, and with a smile on both our faces we started to move together in a dance like we did so long ago.

"We don't have any music," breathed Mary letting her fingers glide over the nape of my neck. I smiled at her then as I bent down just slightly to kiss her ruby red lips pulling her so that we were chest to chest.

"No we don't, but I can fix that. I know the perfect song too," I breathed pecking her sweetly on the lips. And it wasn't seconds after those words left my mouth that I started to sing our song.

I had always consider it our song and I think to me it always would be. Even when we were apart whenever I heard that song it always made me think of her; I could never forget her especially when it would fill a room.

"At last, my love has come along. MY lonely days are over and life is like a song," I sang continuing to move in our dance with her. She looked at me then tears forming in her eyes as she gently cupped my cheek.

"Oh Oswald you remembered," breathed Mary tenderly kissing my lips as I nodded before allowing me to continue.

"Of course how could I forget? How could I forget the first time I danced with you, the first time I held you in my arms as my girl, and how could I forget our song? How could I forget a single second of my life spent with you my Mary," I exclaimed deepening the kiss then making her cling to me before it broke as I continued to serenade her.

"At last, the skies above are blue," I sang pulling her closer still my forehead against hers. It was in that same moment that she started to sing with me and then we serenaded each other.

"My heart was wrapped up in clover, the night I looked at you," we sang together little smiles on both our faces. I chose that moment to dip her like I had done that night, I looked down at her in that moment as I held her suspended in my arms, and I did something I wish I had done on our first date. I kissed her. I kissed her deeply passionately on the lips with all my love. Mary placed her hand on my cheek as we shared that kiss as her other arm curled more around my neck as she returned the kiss both of us filling with all our love for each other.

When the kiss broke, we moved together again in our dance both of us smiling our heads still touching, and together we continued to sing our song.

"I found a dream that I could speak to, a dream that I can call my own. I found a thrill to press my cheek to, a thrill that I have never known," we sang and I kissed her cheek then like I did before. And spinning her around in the circle of my arms then I kissed her again with such passion before breaking the kiss to look at her my beautiful Mary with love in my eyes. Mary had the same love for me in her eyes and kissing her one last time I sang her the final lines of our song.

"You smiled, you smiled oh and then the spell was cast. And here we are in heaven, for you are mine…at last," I sang gasping as she pulled my lips to hers as soon as the words were out of my mouth. We kissed then with such passion, with such love and I couldn't help, but think about everything we had been through together. This woman was my soulmate, my love; I loved her as she loved me with my whole heart. And as the last words of the song repeated themselves in my head I knew them to be true; she was mine, at last.

"For you are mine, at last," I sang again looking into her green eyes our heads touching as she took my face in her hands.

"I love you Oswald Cobblepot. I love you more than anything in this whole city; I will always love you," whispered Mary attacking my lips then as I thought the same. She was my future, my destiny, and I loved her. I would always love her; no matter what happened she would have my heart just like I would have hers.