Chapter 42

"State your name for the record," the government worker instructs.

"Trixie Tamaya," I respond coldly. If there's one thing I've learned while working for the CIA, it's that the government is too disorganized in their keeping of civilian records to prove if a name is false or not. Besides, it's not me they're after, it's Fish.

"...Trixie, is that a nickname? I need your official name." the interviewer asks.

He interviews me at one of the many tables in the restaurant area. There's folders set up on the sides of the table to obscure my view as other government workers interview the others.

I shake my head, "Nope. That's my name."

"Okay...Ms. Tamaya, have you at any point in your life, associated with a Communist organization?"

I try my best to not roll my eyes, I know if I anger this government worker, he's just going to drill me longer.

"No, I have not."

The interviewer reaches into a folder by his side and pulls out a large picture, "Ms. Tamaya, does this image look familiar to you?"

Now this is getting interesting. He hands the photo to me, and upon closer examination, I see it is a slightly blurry image taken from an alleyway of a figure in a mostly black suit, but with a bright red cape and details. This must be the mysterious vigilante I'd heard about on the radio. The figure is seen jumping in mid-air from one rooftop to the next, his cape trailing behind him.

"No, but I've heard people talking about this guy. He's the guy who's fighting the mob, right?" I ask, putting the picture down.

"Yes, where have you heard of her?"

Her? Thank you for that information.

I shrug, leaning back in my chair, "Just on the radio."

"And that is the only place where you've heard anything about this person? The radio?" the interviewer clarifies.

"Yes."

"Thank you Ms. Tamaya, that will be all," the government worker puts the picture back into his folder and waves me off.

I get out of my seat and begin walking out of the restaurant. My interview ends around the same time as everyone else, and we all clump as a group as we leave.

"Oh, Liza, Nora!" Fish calls out to them as the government workers begin packing up, "How about I give you two both a ride home? There's some...business affairs I need to discuss with you two. About the job opportunity."

The two girls turn around and follow her out the back door. Ann leans over to me to whisper, "You gotta wonder what sort of 'job opportunity' Ms. Mooney has in mind for those girls. Awfully young, aren't they?"

"Well, whatever it is, there's clearly only one open position if she's taking them on a 'car ride'," I whisper back.

"My money's on Nora. She's the better singer of the two," Ann bets.

I shake my head, "No. I have a feeling there won't be any singing involved, she's probably going to make them fight it out. In that case, my bet's on Liza. Nora seems too nice for that sort of thing."

Ann chuckles, "You never know. It always seems like the nicest ones turn the nastiest when under pressure. You should know."

I lightly slap her on the shoulder, "Hey!"

"Oh c'mon, everyone knows you rated on Oswald because he...you know, tried to impose himself on you."

I grin, "Wow Ann, I'd never thought I'd hear you try to be discreet."

"What are you two talking about?" Jack asks, as he and Timothy approach us.

I smile, "Oh, just girl stuff."

"Yeah, it's all girl talk. You wouldn't understand," Ann reciprocates, before the two of us giggle amongst ourselves.

Jack and Timothy exchange confused glances, they have no idea what we were talking about.

I arrive back at my apartment from Fish Mooney's to find Oswald by the front door, standing proudly in his best suit.

"Hey, I'm home early. Fish is apparently under investigation by the government, so she let us all go after we were interviewed," I explain, shutting the door behind me.

He lowers his head, chuckling, "I know, I'm the one who sent them."

I raise an eyebrow, "...why?"

"Fish may not have Communist ties, but she's hiding something alright," Oswald hints maliciously, "and besides, you and I have plans this evening."

"We do?" I ask.

He grins, before limping toward me, wrapping his arms around my waist, "Of course we do. Dinner reservations at Bamonte's, followed by an art gallery. My treat to you."

I smile, "So this is a date? You sent the government after Fish so we could go on a date?"

"Oh, no, I had other reasons for sending the government after her. I just felt it was appropriate timing, we'll be celebrating my promotion to restaurant manager. Maroni has been gracious enough to provide a reserved table for two."

I see. So he wants to gloat, well, I have nothing better to do tonight. I'll let him gloat, if just for tonight.

"Oh, you've been promoted? That's wonderful Oswald, and we should celebrate. I'll get changed, and then we'll leave, okay?" I tell him, pulling out of his arms.

He gets a dopey grin as I walk into my room. I turn around as I lean in my doorway, "And Oswald, you didn't take all of my dresses, right?"

His grin turns into an expression of guilt, and I can't help but chuckle, "I'm sure I'll figure something out. But I'd like those clothes back someday."

I settle on a black dress that matches Oswald's dark suit. It's light and goes up to my knees, but it's also long enough to strap my daggers under just in case Oswald tries to pull any punches. After applying some light makeup, a gold bracelet, and brushing my hair, I slip into a pair of matching heels and open the door.

"I'm ready to go," I announce, stepping out of the doorway.

Oswald sits up from the couch, "Wow...you look...that was...fast. Don't...don't girls usually take a long time to get dressed?"

I glance up at the clock. Getting ready took me about half an hour, isn't that a long time?

I shrug, "Depends on the girl, I guess. How would you know anyway?"

Oswald bows his head as he gaits toward me, "Yes, yes, I suppose that's true," he offers his hand, "shall we?"

I smile, taking his hand, "Let's shall."

We're just walking out the door when I realize something, our bet ends tomorrow. He's warming me up for the "event", and looking at the time, we probably won't be back until midnight, meaning…

Oswald places his hand on my shoulder as we descend the stairs, "Enjoy tonight, and once we hear the chimes at midnight...then, you will be mine."

"And if I'm not?"

He laughs through his crooked smile, "Oh, Trixie, tempt not a desperate man. I will have you, even for just one night."

I lean away from him slightly. I can't tell if he's trying to be creepy on purpose, or if he's trying to genuinely be romantic. Either way, I'll never get use to it.

He kisses me on the cheek, and brushes the side of my neck with his hand. And, by the grace of his bum foot, he loses his balance on the stairs.

"Ah!" he slips and falls toward the ground.

I grab ahold of his other arm and root myself to the floor, catching him just in time. With my other hand, I scoop him back up.

"You should be more careful, that injury still hasn't worn off, has it?" I ask, glad that we're off of the subject of midnight activities.

"At this point it's probably permanent," Oswald concludes, regaining his footing.

"Well, maybe you could get...I don't know, a cane perhaps?"

The manager looks at us from his desk, drugged out as usual, "You two going out on a date?"

Oswald straightens himself out, "That, I'm afraid, is none of your business," he takes my arm, squeezing it tightly, "c'mon along now, my dear."

The manager rolls his eyes and sneers as we stroll out into the Gotham streets. Most of the streetlights are dead, leaving the pavement pitch black and the street in front of us barely visible. Still, I somehow feel safe in Oswald's arms. Realistically, he would never protect me in any sort of situation, physically or otherwise but...the idea is nice.

Author's Note: Happy belated New Year to everyone! Hope you didn't party too hard (or if you're me, stayed home and chatted with friends over Skype)

Fuchsia Grasshopper: Yeah, I was wondering where your review was, I even delayed the posting of the latest chapter by half an hour to see if you'd post. Eh, I post so often it's not a wonder people are bound to miss a few here and there. I was wondering if anyone would recognize that song, as I try to choose either showtunes or songs old/obscure enough that it wouldn't break anyone's immersion (no Taylor Swift to be had here). Admittedly, I've only ever played Space Invaders on emulators, but from what I've gathered from that, I'm pretty terrible at it too. And yeah, four more days till Gotham returns! Although admittedly, that's also the day I go back to school so it's bittersweet for me

Guest: Thanks, we'll be seeing more of Ed in the future!

UndercoverSkeleton: Ah, thanks! I'll soon reveal Natalie's feelings on Kristen, and Nora saying her boyfriend is "Victor" is a reference to Victor Fries, but I also realize that Fries and Zsasz have the same first name so whoops! And yes, nice ringtone. Very "funky" :D

Thanks! :)