(I used the dialogue from the interaction between Victor Zsasz and Penguin from Season 1, Episode 16. It is one of my favorite Victor Zsasz scenes, and I wanted to include it in the story.)

Hestia rubbed her eyes roughly before leaning back in her chair with a sigh. The formulas scribbled down in her lab book glared up at her, almost mockingly. Her fingernails tapped against the tabletop, her tongue clicking against her teeth. She would need better resources to continue the work she had started, but she wasn't sure yet where to go for them. "And what might this be?" A familiar velvety voice circled around her.

She jolted in her seat, which only caused the man behind her to chuckle deeply. "I'm going to buy you a collar with a little bell if you keep doing that."

Zsasz stepped around her chair to face her. "We already have a collar fo-"

"Victor." Hestia snapped as she glanced around the breakroom. "Not where my staff can hear you."

"Embarrassed?" He leaned down until his nose was almost touching her own. "It's me isn't it?" He gave her a pout.

"I'm not embarrassed of you." She closed the distance with a chaste kiss to his lips. "Is this a social visit or business?"

He straightened out and fixed his jacket. "A bit of both. I have a project that I was working on for Falcone. I need you to examine the final result."

"Project?"

His lips curled as he held out his hand. She gathered her lab book before accepting it. "You'll need your kit."

-{X}-

It had been a couple of months since the last time she had been to Zsasz's house, but nothing had really changed. It was still chilly and surrounded by calm woods. He took her coat for her as they entered his house before hanging it on a hook. "I made you a key." He commented, catching her by surprise. "That way you can visit to your discretion, or should you ever need a safe house."

"You practically live with me, but I will gladly take your key."

He seemed relieved as he pulled the key from his pocket to tuck it into hers. "Unfortunately, we have to make this visit quick. I have to deliver the project this afternoon."

He led her into his basement. The scent of disinfectants wafted up the stairs, and she noted that it was soundproof. The stairs were sturdy which made their descent silent. The lights in the basement were unnaturally bright, and they gave a pale blue hue. Hestia came to a stop mid step as her gaze landed upon a familiar face. Her hands balled into fists from her anger. Even though Butch wasn't the one that had placed Liza into Falcone's life, he had gone along with it. "Son of a bit-"

"Easy now, dear. Butch is our friend." Zsasz said as he rested a hand on her shoulder. "Falcone wants you to make sure he is medically sound."

"Not mentally?" She asked, her eyebrows raising sarcastically.

Zsasz pulled a steel cart towards them for her to set her kit down. "Butch has never been mentally sound, I'm afraid."

Hestia assessed him carefully. Zsasz kept a close eye on Butch as she went through her tests. At the end she pulled her gloves off with a snap. "Aside from a few bruises and scrapes, he's in good health."

"Perfect." Zsasz's voice was almost boastful. "Butch, don't be rude. Tell the nice doctor thank you."

"Thank you, Dr. Zaqar."

She gave a polite nod. "Anytime." She gathered up her supplies quickly. "Shall we get going then?"

-{X}-

"Wait here until I signal for the two of you to come in." Zsasz commanded quietly. "I have a short message for Penguin first." He entered into the club as the notes of a violin travelled out into the room that Hestia awaited with Butch. Butch stared at her with an awkward smile on his face. "Hello Penguin." Zsasz's voice trailed out, just barely audible over the notes of the violin.

"Victor. How nice." Oswald snapped sarcastically. A snap of his fingers brought the violin player to an abrupt halt.

Hestia watched Zsasz through the glass, unsure of what exactly was going on. "Don Falcone thinks you're messing up. You don't know how to run a club. Your numbers...stink." Zsasz paused within arms length of Oswald, his dark gaze sizing up the well dressed man before him.

"With all due respect-"

"I didn't come here to talk." Zsasz bellowed out over the club owner.

Oswald's lower lip twitched, his head tilting slightly to the side. "Good manners cost nothing, you know?"

Zsasz answered with a simple whistle. "That would be our sign, Butch." Hestia clarified as Butch seemed to look towards the door with hesitance. "Go on now, be a good boy." She chuckled lowly before pushing him towards the door. She followed him briskly on his heels.

The dark haired man turned to face the direction Zsasz's attention seemed so focus on, and upon seeing Butch, he sputtered. He stumbled backwards, his frame slamming against a nearby table. Zsasz laughed maniacally at Oswald's confusion while Hestia circled around Butch to take her place at Zsasz's side. She couldn't help but give a light chuckle at her boyfriend's laughter. She shook her head a bit when his gaze drifted towards her momentarily. Zsasz's attention returned towards Oswald, the man still clearly not understanding the situation.

"Relax." Zsasz's face dropped the maniacal open mouthed smile. "He's harmless. Say hi, Butch." Zsasz's gloved hand gestured out towards Butch.

"Hi." Butch spoke on cue, his facial expression devoid of any hesistance.

"Falcone didn't want to throw him away, so I worked on him in my basement for a couple of weeks. Hestia deemed him medically sound, and he's ready for work." Zsasz continued to explain.

Hestia side eyed him. "This is what you cancelled our dates for?"

Without pausing, Zsasz continued, his gaze drifting between Butch and Hestia. "He's a whole new man. Right, Butch?"

Hestia's emerald stare gave Butch a somewhat pitied look. "That's right, Mr. Zsasz." Butch answered proudly.

"Butch knows the club scene up and down. He'll help you out." Zsasz stated before looking towards Oswald. One of Zsasz's hands reached out and squeezed Hestia's to acknowledge her statement, however, he was currently working, and his work took precedence over her questions at the moment.

Oswald seemed even more confused as he looked towards Butch, unsuredly. "But he's…" His head snapped towards Zsasz. "He's Butch Gilzean. He's loyal to Fish Mooney."

Victor's face took on one of pride, a toothy smile spread from ear to ear. "And he'll do exactly what you say."

"Really?"

"Really."

Oswald chuckled nervously before glancing over at Hestia. Her eyebrows raised as she gave a shrug. "Give it a try, Os."

"Hey Butch, dance for me." Oswald said with a bit of confidence from Hestia's coaxing.

Butch started to flail his arms. His foot tapped to an imaginary beat, and Hestia scoffed from the sight. The echoes of Oswald's laughter brought a smug look to Zsasz's face. "I do good work." He said, his arms folding over his chest. The three watched Butch flail about helplessly, his mind not entirely his own anymore. After a few moments passed, Victor turned towards Oswald. "I suggest you follow his guidance. Falcone is a man of business, and business is failing."

Zsasz wrapped his arm around Hestia's waist and pulled her close. "I'll make it up to you, doc." He said in a teasing tone. She answered with a dramatic roll of her eyes followed by a wink. "I'll make dinner. Butch, behave and listen to the Penguin. Have him in bed by nine." Hestia and Zsasz left the club chuckling between themselves. "It's always nice to find a babysitter last minute, wouldn't you say?"

"Hopefully this one doesn't abandon poor Butch like the other did." She joked.