This happens to be my first Gotham story which I had an idea where what if Jerome came back to life and he has no memories of him having a loving relationship with Poppy? And with that Poppy will do everything that she can to bring back her Jerome before it's too late. I wish I was watching Gotham earlier in my high school years, because I definitely fallen for the actor who played Jerome, Cameron Monaghan... which he's known as Ian Gallagher in Shameless and Cal Kestis in Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order...

Anyway, enough with that, let's get on with the story!

I do not own Gotham! The only thing I own is this story and my original characters!


Poppy Canellei was sitting down in a chair with her arms on the table in an interrogation room of Gotham City Police Department. Looking down at her hands and arms which were covered in blood, Poppy can feel that her nerves were rocketed to the top along with her anxiety, knowing that she wouldn't set foot inside of this police station, knowing that it's been a weeks since the station massacre that she, Jerome and the rest of the Maniax taken over.

But tonight was different.

Poppy was surrendering herself.

Hearing the door opening and closing from behind, Poppy kept her head down as she was still looking at her bloody hands and her bomber jacket sleeves that were still drenched in the dark red liquid. When Detective James Gordan sat down in front of her, after placing down a glass of water next to the shaken teenager.

Jim stared at Poppy for a few seconds knowing that she frightened to speak.

But he had to know what happened tonight, because this night was different.

"What happened tonight, Poppy? Why are you covered in blood?" Jim Gordon asked as he kept his eyes on the 16 year old teen.

Gently rubbing her hands, Poppy started to cry quietly before she finally spoke up.

"I… I was kidnapped. A-And… Jerome… He… He got stabbed…" Poppy managed to say, while looking at her clasped fingers before looking down at the princess cut engagement ring that Jerome stole from an expensive jewelry store. "Someone… Someone killed my Jerome!" She cried at the end after looking up at Jim to show her reddened face which came from her crying.


One Year Later…

The cool morning breeze gently blew through Poppy's hair as she reminded herself to wear a beanie hat next time she goes out. Walking through the cemetery plots, Poppy was having the memories flash by her in a blink of an eye as she remembered when she attended Jerome's funeral. She and her family were the only ones who attended, not even people from Haly's Circus or even any familiar faces.

But somehow she got a feeling that a part of him was there when she thought he saw him from a distance who was wearing eyeglasses.

But she believed that it was a ghost.

Finding Jerome's tombstone, Poppy stood in front of it as it was left the same on the day of the funeral.

Holding a bouquet of white roses, she gently held it with both hands before closing her eyes. Opening them once more, Poppy stared up at the greyish sky as she felt tears running down her face until she gently placed the flowers down.

"Hi, babe…" Poppy started to say quietly as she got down on her knees while examining the tombstone that says 'Here Lies Jerome Valeska.'.

"I thought I might come and see you. Even though it's been a year… So what's been going on with my life you might ask me. Since your death, I learned how to accept it. I used to be in therapy sessions thanks to Uncle Jim. He wanted to make sure that I haven't gone insane. He still believed that I was kidnapped when you've escaped from Arkham. I'm a senior in high school now, plus I've been thinking about opening my own business, since my cooking skills have improved when you've always been a good taste tester… I remember all the times you've loved my cooking. Spaghetti and meatballs were always your favorite along with banana bread and red velvet cupcakes." Poppy explained as she had her hands on her knees while she had a smile on her face.

When the cold wind blew through her now shoulder length hair once more, it felt like Jerome listening to her while running his own fingers through her hair.

"Jerome… I don't normally believe in miracles or wishes to be coming true. But my birthday will be tomorrow. My dad suggest on inviting my friends and having a sleepover over at the mansion. Remember our home away from the police? And even away from the city where it was just us after we left Galavan? I had fond memories of that place, but without you near me… I feel like a part of me is empty." Poppy explained quietly before touching the letters on the tombstone. "My wish. My birthday wish is… I want you to be alive. Where you can hold me again. Feeling your warmth makes me smile. Even your kisses. Your smile. Hugs… Everything, J..." She responded quietly, before checking her phone as she noticed that it was getting closer to the curfew time to where all Gothamites must stay safe inside of their homes when the sun set.

"I have to go now, Jerome… I… Be careful up there. If you see your mother up there, slap her for me." Poppy responded as she put away her phone, before she stood up from the grass and wiped it off of her tights.

Walking away from Jerome's tombstone, Poppy left Gotham City Cemetery unaware that there were a few members of Jerome's cult who were stalking her from a distance…


Well... how is that for a first chapter? What do you expect to happen in the next chapter? To tell you the truth, I'm in love with the ginger haired psychopath!