A new update! Yay! I hope you guys enjoy this as much as I enjoy writing it. I feel like myself again after finally getting back into writing. Please, any feedback is welcome. I would love to know of any ways I can improve. I do not own Gotham, nor am I affiliated with DC comics. Enjoy!
I made my way back to the precinct by myself, glad I was able to get to know Jim and Lee a little better. Soon, I was ascending the front steps and heading inside the GCPD, heading towards the stairs. I noticed Ed walking in the lobby, on his way to the Records Annex. I decided to follow him, seeing as how I didn't get to see him much since that morning. I followed him down the small hallway, stopping before I got to the door of the filing room, he had already went in. I heard him telling Ms. Kringle of his intended dinner plans, and decided I could see him after he came back to our office. I turned and quickly made my way back up, feeling deflated. I sat in my chair at my desk, pulling out some things to work on to take my mind away from the tall, handsome man.
Did I just think of Ed as handsome� Oh, my, no. No No No. Salem, he is basically your boss. You can't be crushing on your boss. I chided myself mentally. Shaking my head, I get back to work, filling out the projects I needed to finish for the day. Ed came into the office shortly after I had started. I smiled at him, trying to make sure I didn't look upset. He smiled back before sitting at his own desk to go over some paperwork. He was facing towards the door, reading over his files, and I was just staring. I watched him from my chair, leaning over my papers with a pen in my hand. I shook my head again as I turned back to my desk, trying to focus on my work.
I finally managed to finish my work for the day as 5 o'clock rolled around. I put everything away before I put on my coat and put my bag over my shoulder. I turned to see Ed scurrying out of the room, my shoulders falling slightly. I was hoping I'd have been able to talk with him some more before I made my way home. I made my way out of the GCPD and towards my little 1 bedroom apartment. He only has eyes for little miss perfect, why should I even worry, anyway? I'm supposed to be getting over that piece of human garbage I left in Metropolis. I breathed in through my nose as I walked with a bit of a hurried pace, trying to get home so I could relax for awhile.
I made it to my door in about 20 minutes, and as I was unhooking my keys from my bag, I noticed my door was cracked open slightly. I slowly backed away from the door, holding my keys tightly in my hand so they didn't make any noise. I grabbed my phone from my pocket, and remembering that Lee had given me both hers and Jims numbers, I called hers. I made my way to the end of the hall as I waited for her to answer, going around the corner so that if anyone was still in my apartment, they wouldn't see me standing there. "Lee Thompkins speaking," she said as the phone clicked. I lowered my voice to a whisper as I started talking, trying to keep my breathing calm. "Lee, someone broke into my apartment. I haven't went in, I went back around the corner. Can you and Jim come over here? I'm really scared." She could hear the tremble in my voice even though I had tried to hide it. "Of course, Salem. We will be there soon, ok? Just stay out of the apartment. There is no telling whether anyone is still inside. It'll be ok, we've got you. Ok?" I nodded, then realized she couldn't see me. "Y-yeah, thank you, Lee. It means alot."
I waited out of sight of my apartment door, waiting for Jim and Lee after getting off the phone. I stood there for what seemed like hours, but it had only been a few minutes. I didn't know how badly I was shaking until Lee wrapped her arms around my shoulders. I leaned into her, covering my mouth as I cried quietly. Jim went in, holding his gun up in case someone was inside, Harvey Bullock followed behind. Harvey came back out, letting us know there was no one inside, but that my bedroom window was opened from the outside. "Seems they must have jimmied it open with something. Don't worry Thorne, we will find who broke in and lock 'em up." he told me, gently patting my arm.
I smiled a watery smile, and saw Jim coming out as he dialed a number on his phone. "Hey, it's Gordon, I need forensics at 118 Cross street, 13G. Salem Thorne's apartment, yeah. Thanks." He came over to me, smiling tightly, obviously looking concerned for me. "They should be here soon, so we can see if the perp left anything behind for us." I simply nodded in response, holding onto Lee's jacket as she did her best to console me.
A couple of the other forensic technicians showed up to my apartment, checking everything they could for evidence inside. It took about an hour and 45 minutes before they were finished. Lee had me go inside and pack a bag so I could stay at her apartment. "Really, Lee, I do appreciate it, but I can just get a hotel room." I said, still looking shaken. "You don't need to be alone, Salem. Trust me, I would feel much better if you stayed with us." Jim spoke up. I eventually conceded and walked down to the lobby of my building, going to the property managers office to find him inside. "Hey, Lou? Um, I just wanted to let you know someone broke into my apartment. I'm going to be staying with some friends for a few days."
Lou is a middle-aged man, short and stubby, with balding brown hair. He looked over at me and nodded, "Yeah, ok. I'll get maintenance up there to change out the locks on the door and windows. Can't have my tenants gettin' hurt. Bad for business." I faked a smile before heading out with Jim and Lee, getting into their car. Jim drove us to one of the nicer areas in Gotham, parking in front of a building and getting out, opening Lee's door before opening mine, taking my bag for me. I'm not helplessā¦Stop it, Salem, he is just being nice after what you just went through. He's just helping. I got out and Lee put her arm around my shoulders as we went inside and up to her apartment.
She led me inside and sat me on the sofa, then went into the kitchen, Jim following behind her. I looked around her apartment, taking note of how nice it was, the way everything seemed to meld together and stand out at the same time. She brought me a cup of warm tea, smiling as she sat down with her own mug. "I have a spare room you can stay in. You can stay as long as you need, Salem. I think of you as a friend, and I would hate for anything to happen to you." she told me earnestly, her hand resting on my arm. "Thank you, Lee. It means so much that you would do this. Both of you. I don't know what happened, or who broke into my place, but at least I know I'll be safe here, with you."
After I drank my tea, Lee showed me to the bathroom, shutting the door behind her after making sure I had everything I needed. I started the water after putting the stopper in the drain, letting it fill up with hot water. I took my pajamas from my bag, getting everything ready as the tub filled up. Once it was at the desired level, I shut it off, pulling my clothes off and putting them on the side of the counter before slowly slipping into the water. I hissed slightly at how hot it was, but soon settled in and sighed as I sat back against the tub. I never thought I would make friends so quickly here, let alone ones who willingly let me stay at their place. I sat for a few minutes, enjoying the hot water as it eased my tired muscles, melting away the stress from my body.
I awoke the next morning to find Lee in the kitchen making coffee. I smiled at her as she handed me a warm mug. "Jim went ahead to work, I figured we could go together." I nodded in agreement as I shrugged on my peacoat, adding some cream to my coffee and drinking it rather quickly. Soon, we started walking to the GCPD. I made my way upstairs to the lab after saying my goodbyes to Lee, opening the door once I got to it. I went to my desk and put up my coat and bag, sitting down and noticing Ed wasn't in yet. I wonder where he is, he doesn't seem the type to be late. I got up, deciding to go look for him. I had a thought to go to the Records Annex, having noticed before how he had told Mr. Kringle to go to dinner with him.
I got to the door of the records room, and seeing it cracked open, I slowly opened it further to see the red haired woman at her desk. I glanced around to see if Ed was inside, and much to my dismay, he wasn't. I was about to shut the door and leave when Ms. Kringle looked up and smiled at me. "Hello, I don't believe I've gotten to meet you, yet." She stood and walked over to me, her heels clicking on the floor. She was taller than me. I could tell she would be even without the high heeled shoes. I actually had to crane my neck slightly to look up at her. "I'm Kristen Kringle, but you can just call me Kristen." she told me as she held her hand out, so I took it gingerly, shaking it.
"Salem Thorne. It's nice to meet you, Kristen." I smiled, though I was mostly faking it. I didn't care much to know her. I got the kind of feeling that she was a bit snooty. Once I let go of her hand, I discreetly wiped my hand on my skinny jeans after she turned to go back to her desk. "I was just looking for Mr. Nygma. He wasn't in the office." She perked up at hearing Ed's name, smiling brighter. "Oh, he might be in Dr. Thompkins office. She lets him use the room for forensic test projects. My Eddie is so smart."
I mentally gagged at the term of endearment, mostly because of how she had said it. It made my skin crawl at how sickly sweet her words sounded coming out of her mouth. I just nodded, faking another smile before thanking her and making my way to the medical examiner's office. I knocked on the door before opening it to look inside. Though, Ed was nowhere to be seen. "Hey, Salem, everything ok?" Lee said as she looked up from her work. I nodded, giving her a genuine smile. "Yeah, just looking for Ed." She frowned slightly, shaking her head. "Haven't seen him yet, I'm afraid. Did you try the Records Annex?"
I nodded and she just shrugged. I closed her door back and headed back up to the lab, sighing to myself as I got inside. I decided to get started on work, turning on the little radio and turning it to one of the stations I listened to when I was feeling less than happy. I worked like a busy little bee for several hours, not paying much attention to anything. I jumped slightly when I heard a knock on the doorframe. I turned around to see a tall short man wearing a very nice suit, gray hair, and a goatee smiling at me. I quickly set down what I was holding and ran to him, my arms wrapping around his waist. "Daddy! What are you doing here?"
