Chapter 129

"Well, I have to say Patrick, I'm impressed," Renee confesses, as the team returns to the hotel room.

Eel/Patrick, with his suit still on, walks on all fours, his arms and legs extending forward to reach the next step, "Gosh, thanks. Never saw myself as the 'save and rescue' type."

"We couldn't have done it without you," I tell Eel/Patrick, closing the door behind me.

Renee and Barbara both cross their arms, and turn to me. Looking into their expressions, I realize what they want.

"Uhm...Ee-I mean, Patrick, could you wait outside for a little bit?" I ask.

He nods, "Ah, I see, girl talk, got it," he opens the door and marches outside, "take your time!"

Once the door closes, Renee sighs, "Patrick seems like a sweet guy, and I understand why you'd want to protect him."

"Thanks, Renee. I know it was wrong to have hidden him from you-"

She cuts me off, "But that's not all. There's still the matter of Cobblepot finding our address. That's on you too."

I clasp my hands onto my face, "I know, I know. But is it really my fault if some psycho-"

"Natalie, you purposely put yourself in harm's way by associating with him," Barbara counters.

Renee takes Barbara's hand, "What we're asking is that you leave, Natalie."

I clench both of my fists, squeezing them until they become red, "I see...okay...y-yes, I understand."

"This doesn't mean we'll stop working with you. Just that you live somewhere else," Barbara clarifies, "look, don't take this too hard. It's nothing personal."

I nod, and without a word, I grab my bag from the bedroom, and exit the hotel room.

Eel/Patrick follows me down the hotel stairs, "Wha-what happened? Did they kick you out of the group?"

I shake my head, "No, just out of the hotel room we'd been living in."

"Why? Did you snore?" he asks, trying to stay whimsical.

"It's complicated. It was my fault and I should have seen it coming."

After a few confused glares from the staff, we exit the hotel.

"So, where are you off to?" I ask Eel/Patrick.

He stretches his arms out, "I think I'll skip town for a little, try to get ahold of my powers. Then I'll come back, and...you know what? I'm gonna give the superhero thing a try."

I chuckle, "Well, if you're going to be a superhero, you're going to need a superhero name."

Eel/Patrick scratches his chin, "Hmph...a superhero name...I know!"

He flexes both arms, and they expand like balloons, "Mr. Fantastic! ...no, I think that's taken."

I burst into laughter, "What kind of superhero names himself 'Mr. Fantastic'?"

"Hey, it's a family name. Anyway, I think I've got it now. I will henceforth, and forever be known as: Plastic Man!" Eel/Patrick confirms, crossing his arms and standing with triumph.

I smile, "Plastic Man wouldn't have been my first choice, but whatever works for you."

Eel/Patrick reaches down with a stretched arm and ruffles my hair, "Awe, good ol' Trix. Well, I'll be off. See you soon!"

I wave as he starts walking in the middle of the street, and leaving his old identity behind, Patrick walks into the sunset.

I smile as I watch him go. Just as Eel's disappeared over the horizon, a sleek, black car drives up toward me. Hoisting up the bag on my shoulder, I start to run for the nearest alleyway. The back window of the car rolls open, as Oswald peeks his head out.

"What's with the bag, Trixie? Going somewhere?"

I turn into the alleyway as he gets out of the car. I pull down a nearby fire escape and start climbing up, but Oswald grabs my foot just in time.

"No, no, come down," he pulls me by my ankle and I'm forced down the ladder.

He wraps his arms around me, but I push him off, "Get away from me!"

Ignoring my plea, Oswald grabs my arm with both hands and pulls me back, "Come here."

He presses me against his chest, and I lean my head against the comforting warmth of his body. Like a concerned parent, he takes my chin and raises it up with his fingers.

"What happened?"

Do I tell him the truth? Would he hurt Barbara and Renee if he knew it was partly due to him? Or would he just blame me?

"N-nothing. There's just been a change of living plans," I tell him, "it was getting a little cramped in there."

Oswald looks back at the luxury hotel, "What? Cramped? In that place? Hmph…"

He lets go of me, and puts his hands in his pockets, "Well, that's perfect then. You can move back in."

"Into where?" I ask.

He chuckles, "Your old apartment of course. Just upstairs from mine, or have you forgotten so quickly?"

I start to shake my head, "I-...I don't think that's a good idea-"

"It's a wonderful idea," Oswald's tone becomes darker, as his eyes begin to widen.

He puts both hands on my shoulders as I turn around, putting my back toward him. Massaging my shoulders, Oswald leans his head down, his long nose rubbing the edge of my ear.

"I still have my men watching the hotel room. I can still give the order," he whispers, sounding both gentle and sinister.

His hands move from my shoulders to my waist, as his back presses against me, "I killed the two men you hired to move your furniture, and I had Gabriel move it all back into your apartment. It would be as if you'd never left."

I step away from him. I shouldn't be surprised at his intrusion of my privacy, but it makes me wonder: what can I hide from him? Could I ever get away? Everyday I feel more trapped, more entangled in his web, or the metaphor he'd use, his cage.

Hands behind his back, Oswald takes a step forward, "All you have to say is yes."

He cups both of his hands under my cheeks, and leans down. We kiss, his warm lips shielding mine from the cold wind. How could I go through with this willingly? Do I even have a choice?

I pull away, and Oswald takes my wrist, "Let's get inside the car."

He pulls me to the black car, opening the back door. I climb in, with Oswald not too far behind. Gabe sits in the driver's seat, in full winter apparel.

"To home, Gabriel," he commands, "then we'll be off to Bamonte's for some business with Don Maroni."

I look up as Oswald puts his hand on my thigh. He holds an innocent smile, but in his eyes there's a twinkle of something more.

"You'll be home when I return, right?" he asks, his hand rubbing the hem of my skirt.

I dare not respond, making promises with him is dangerous business. Instead, I wrap my arms around his right elbow, and lean my head onto his shoulder.

"I just want to enjoy this moment with you, Ozzy," I tell him, hoping to ward him off.

Oswald tilts his head down and kisses me on the forehead, as the car rolls up and stops in front of the familiar apartment building. Taking my hand, Oswald leads me out of the car.

"Everything is exactly where you left it," he promises, placing his hand on top of mine.

I sway my body back and forth, "Ozzy...why, why are you doing all this?"

He smiles, "Because I love you. And I know you love me too, so don't be so ashamed. Be proud that I'm your man."

He kisses me on the cheek, "You'll see, very soon you'll have ample reason."

Getting back in the car, Oswald closes the door as Gabe drives off. Turning toward the apartment building, I walk back up the steps, past the Cobblepot's apartment, and up one more flight to my old apartment. I open the door to find, just as Oswald had promised, all of my furniture right where they'd been when I'd left. It feels almost like a homecoming, but it's also a deary sensation, like I'm back at square one.

I've just put my travel bag in the bedroom when the phone rings. Walking into the living room, I pick up the rotary phone, "Hello?"

"Natalie? It's Captain Essen, I hope you had a good holiday but-...I'm calling all officers back from break early. There's been a breakout at Arkham Asylum and we need everyone we can get," her voice sounds rushed and stressed.

I sit down on the nearby couch, "Alright. When do you want me in?"

"As soon as possible, preferably now," she replies.

"Alright, I'll start heading there now," I promise the captain.

She sighs, "Thank you so much for this Natalie. Over and out."

I hang up the phone as I reach into my travel bag for my police officer's uniform. I'd brought it along with me just in case I'd need it for a Batwoman/Trickstress case, but I never used it. With a heavy sigh I lay the uniform out on the bed. If there's anything that'll help get my mind off of Oswald, it's work that for once doesn't involve him.

Author's Note: It's opening night for my school's production of Seussical! in which I'm Mrs. Mayor, so that's why today's update comes a bit late.

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