Chapter 35

I open the door of my apartment to find Oswald putting on one of my records, his back turned to me. I can't help but smile as I slowly walk toward him, psychopath or not, he's a man of impeccable taste.

"Where did you find these records?" he asks, setting the needle on the record.

"Your mother gave them to me. While you were...away," I explain.

He turns to me, his eyes wide and long lashes giving him a slightly youthful appearance, "I notice you share many similar traits to Mom."

He looks down, folding his hands as he chuckles quietly to himself, "You're both so caring and kind-"

"If this is a ploy to make me do good on my end of the bargain, you're not fooling anyone," I interrupt him, raising my hand to gesture.

He smirks, his smile growing steadily wider, "Oh, no trickery here, and have I ever lied to you?"

I think back through the short time we've known each other, has he ever lied to me?

"Not directly, but a lie of omission is still a lie," I point out.

He laughs through his closed lips, shrugging his shoulders, "Oh Trixie, are you really going to linger on a little technicality like that?"

Closing the space between us, he wraps his arms around my waist, "No matter what happened before, all that matters now is that we're together," his hands wander down lower than they should, "together, in a loving relationship."

Oh...that's what he was after, "Who said this is a relationship?"

"Who says it isn't?"

We kiss, Oswald shuffling his feet so that his body is touching mine. We let go, and I smile.

"That was very sweet Oswald...now give the knife back."

He sighs, reaching into his pocket and pulling out the knife. I place the knife in the back pocket of my jeans. Oswald glances at the dining room table, where several envelopes lie.

"I've been reading some of your letters," he confesses, keeping one arm wrapped around me.

I raise an eyebrow, "You do know reading other peoples' mail is illegal, right?"

"You left them out on the table, I saw it as an open invitation," he reasons, "so...Ed, your friend from school, correct?"

I nod, "Yes. He and I have resumed exchanging letters."

He leads me to the couch, where we sit down, "And is this also the man who was with you in your apartment the day I returned? And I'm also to assume that he works with you at the GCPD?"

"This is not the Spanish Inquisition, Oswald. Yes, I have contacts, why is that such a shock to you?" I counter.

"Speaking of the GCPD, I better write Ed a letter telling him that I'm going to be out of town," I get up, Oswald grasping out for a second.

"Hopefully the letter gets to him before Monday...maybe if I can send it before six tonight…" I think aloud, although I soon realize that's a dangerous thing to do around Oswald.

"What are you going to do on your little vacation?" he asks.

"None of your business," I chastise as I begin opening a drawer for some supplies.

"Everything is my business," he claims, getting up from his seat, "information is power."

I roll my eyes, "And how would this useless piece of information be of any significance to you?"

Oswald laces his arms around my shoulders from behind, "Well, it's possible that you could get into some kind of trouble. I could come to your aid-"

"You? Come to my aid? Right Prince Charming, keep dreaming," I snap back, pulling his arms off of me and sit down to write my letter.

He grimaces, and stiffens his stance, "Fine. But in one week's time, when I've proven myself to you...you'll see, oh, you'll see…"

I swivel around in my chair, crossing my legs, "This bet...has two outcomes. One, you break it and I get you to admit to yourself that you have a major problem. Or, you can skip that step and make good on your promise," I smile sarcastically. "Then...well, then there's hope for you yet."

Oswald presses his fingers against his lips, his arms going into a thinking pose, "Oh...alright. But let's say I fulfill my promise. Would you be willing to uphold your end of the bargain?"

Would I? Although I don't exactly hold my sexuality in high regard, the prospect still scares me. Not to mention I'm heavily relying on him failing the bet, and if he somehow does pull through there's always the nonspecificity clause so…

"Of course," I smile brightly.

He chuckles, "Don't give me that look," he places his hands on my shoulders, slowly massaging them back and forth, "you will make good on your end of our bargain, if not willingly, then you will yield to my desire."

"...are you really suggesting what I think you're suggesting?" I scrunch my eyebrows. "You do realize that I could cancel this bet anytime I want, right? Especially if I feel that my integrity is being compromised."

He crosses his arms, his eyes leering at me in the form of little slits. I sigh, and getting out of my seat, I run my hand through his gelled hair, slightly messing up his half emo, half hipster style. His hostile glare instantly melts away as he wraps his arms around me. I lean against his chest while he strokes my hair. For a moment, I forget that he's a power-hungry killer looking to climb the ranks of organized crime. Perhaps this is wishful thinking, a pipe dream maybe but...it's hard not to give up hope. If only he could be on the other side of the law, they could have something.

"I love you," he whispers.

I tilt my head to the side, "...I love you too."

He kisses me one last time on the forehead before backing off, "Have fun on your trip."

I smile and wave as he carefully shuts the door. The moment the door closes I check my back pockets. The knife's gone. Damnit.

The drive down to Central City was painless enough. It's a miracle Amanda could get her hands on a car with a full tank of gas what with the shortage going on. Hopefully the one tank will last. Having never been to Central City before, I don't quite know exactly how far it is from Gotham, and the map I picked up at the travel agency isn't helping much in that department either. It's close enough to not warrant a plane ticket, but maybe Amanda's just being cheap. Well, at least the sun's actually out, that must mean I'm heading in the right direction.

"Thanks for finally allowing me a cell phone Amanda," I thank her from a small outlet mall just off of the highway where I picked up the phone.

"You're in much cooler waters now Natalie. Considering that, I do need you to dispose of the phone upon returning to Gotham."

"Of course," I reply.

"Now, I need you to go to the Frost Cafe where you'll meet my informant. It's adjacent to S.T.A.R. Labs, the large white building in the downtown area, you can't miss it," Amanda instructs as I exit the mall.

"Alright, whom should I be looking for?"

"No need," she explains, "I gave him your description. Just stay in plain sight and he'll come to you."

It's only a couple more miles drive before I reach Central City, which looks like Metropolis without the Daily Planet building. Bright sunlight streams in from seemingly all directions, and the skyscrapers tower without being menacing or claustrophobic. Why haven't I been here before?

I find a secluded parking spot just as the car begins to run out of gas. Leaving the keys in the car, I abandon the vehicle and continue into the city. Identifying the Frost Cafe, which I'd imagined as an arctic-themed eatery but instead is a charming coffee shop with warm hardwood floors, I order a cup of hot tea and sit in one of the outdoor tables. When in Rome…

The empty seat across from me is soon filled as a tall, slender man in a plain black shirt and glasses sits in it. He folds his hands together and sets them on the glass table as he leans in, "Ms. Natalie I presume?"

I set down my beverage and lean in, keeping my voice down, "Yes. And you must be Amanda's guy."

He nods, "That would be correct. Did Ms. Waller mention anything about me?"

"Not really," I confess, "to be honest, I think she goes through so many agents that she can't keep track of all of them."

He laughs, revealing a wide grin of near perfect teeth. Despite him being somewhat older than me, his guy looks less like a government agent and more like a male model. Must make getting information out of others easier than if someone like me were to do the same thing.

He extends his right hand, "Harrison Wells."

Now it's my turn to chuckle, "Please tell me your middle name starts with a G. H.G. Wells, that would be perfect."

"Maybe..." he encourages, smiling. But his smile soon fades as he reaches into his over-the-shoulder backpack and pulls out a file folder, "Now, onto business?"

"Of course."

Author's Note: I want to run some kind of contest this holiday season, basically a scavenger hunt for all the references I've put into the story, but I have no idea what the prize would be. Any suggestions?

Song on the record: "Night and Day" by Cole Porter

jasper-jordan: From what I've observed in the show, killing is just a means to an end for him. He doesn't get some kind of deprived joy from it (with the exception of Frankie's death, and that's another conversation for another day). And while I agree, Natalie might not be thinking straight, she does have something to gain from the bet, although it might be more emotional than practical.

Also, I was trying to be subtle, but the snow globe figurine is suppose to look like the Iceberg Lounge (the discoloring to look like ice, and often more flamboyant portrayals of the Iceberg Lounge resemble the Sydney Opera House). And sorry, I'm not from Australia, I think last chapter I mentioned where I live though.

As for Ed bits, it's kind of hard to include him right now since Natalie will be spending some time in Central City, but once she comes back I've planned something for them, so don't worry! And don't worry about long reviews, I actually prefer them to the short ones, gives me more to think about. Finally, I'd love to read your Gotham fanfic when it's finished, I'll keep an eye out for it :)

Emily: Don't worry, Amanda's got her people keeping an eye on him. If he kills anyone, she'll find out

Fuchsia Grasshopper: It's nice to hear that you like the work bits, because while they're fun to write, historically the readership drops considerably when the chapter's focus isn't romance. And while Mrs. Cobblepot and Natalie have a good relationship right now, that might not always be the case, especially when Oswald comes back into the picture. And don't worry, if this was anything close to work for me, I wouldn't do it. I find time somehow (for example, I am currently writing this as I complete my formula sheet for my Pre-Calculus final)

Guest: Dang, beat me to the punch! Good for you :D I'm planning on introducing some flashback scenes mainly involving Natalie and Ed, with perhaps a small cameo from Oswald. Looking forward to it :)

Thanks! :)