A/N: This is a chapter that I am particularly proud of. I hope you like it as much as I do.
As a surrogate mother of two hundred with a small empire to boot, it wasn't surprising that Alyssa's number of adult friends was limited. Even then, the adult friends she had were all male, so Barbara Kean was a breath of fresh air.
It was fun to be able to just gossip without having to worry about Ozzy's plans, or her relationship with Eddie. For once, Alyssa was able to rant without facing worry, or her friends trying to jump in an help. Barbara understood a woman's need to simply vent, and it was a god send for Alyssa.
Even better, Barbara came from a rich background so she was able to appreciate Alyssa's stories about Lex and Oliver. She was also an artist herself, and Alyssa found that working with like-minded eye did wonders for her self-esteem when it came to showing off her work.
And things always worked better for Alyssa when she was in a good mood; business flourished, the kids were all happy – Barbara was brilliant with them – and with the extra help, she was able to have time for dates with Edward, which all went splendidly.
But, to be fair, she was living in Gotham.
Which is why she couldn't say she was all that surprised when she got a call from Harvey Dent saying that the charges had been dropped against Arnold Flass. Sure, she was mad, just not surprised.
Harvey asked if she wanted to go out to lunch, and she agreed. She ran over things with Barbara a hundred times on her way out.
"Oh, and make sure Liam gets his ear medicine! Its in the office fridge!"
"I know, its on the list you left me." she chuckled. "Go, have fun! You don't need to worry."
"I'm sorry, have you met me?" Alyssa raised an eyebrow.
Barbara rolled her eyes. "Fine, worry, but have fun too!"
*Four years ago*
Knock knock knock knock!
Harvey Dent looked up as his office door was knocked on. "Yes? Can I help you?" he asked the woman who had to be around his age, but he didn't recognize her.
"You Harvey Dent?"
"I am. Who are you?"
"My name's Alyssa Connors. Got a job for ya."
"Oh?"
She nodded. "I need some legal things done and I have no idea how to do them. That's where you come in."
He frowned. "Ms. Connors, I'm a district attorney. You need a personal lawyer."
"Mm-mm" she shook her head. "Don't want a yes man in it for the pay check. I like what I've heard about you; you're legit. You genuinely want to clean up Gotham." she shrugged. "Long shot, but I think I know where to start. Trouble is, to pull it off I need to make sure no one can stop me. I've got a plan, and you Harvey Dent, are the key to all of it."
Harvey was silent for a moment. "...And what would this plan be exactly?"
"And now he wants to find Lobe's stock pile; steal the dragon's gold." Harvey took a sip of his coffee.
"Wow. I may not like the boyscout, but even I have to respect his guts." Alyssa chuckled.
"He never gives in, I'll give him that..." he looked down. "I'm sorry about Jerome." he said suddenly.
Alyssa's smile faded quickly at the change in topic. "Yeah. Me too. You put in all that work just for him to end up in Arkham..."
Harvey shook his head. "No, its not that. I liked him, I thought he was a good kid. And I saw from day one how much you cared about him – how much he cared for you." he informed. "I know its a bad situation, but with your help, I genuinely believe he can return to the boy we know and love."
Her smile returned slightly, but it was sad. "You're sweet. Its nice to hear someone understand that there's more to him than what he did." she sighed. "He liked you too, you know. Always it was nice to have someone who didn't give up on him."
His sad smile matched her's. "I know Jerome. I know he's a good person. Lyla just pushed too hard as all; put anyone through what she did to him and they're bound to snap eventually."
"Yeah..." Alyssa looked out the window. The city was bustling as usual, clouds hanging above them threatening rain. "Harv, you ever wanna give up on this place? Just say 'screw it' and move somewhere far far away?"
"Occasionally." he admitted. "But then I'd be giving up on all the people here who need my help. You included."
"This wasn't supposed to be my life." she shook her head. "I had everything I had dreamed of since I was a kid; big brick house, small town, people who brought over cookies for the new neighbors." she had a fond smile of her face as she recalled Smallville. "Even had a room for Jerome just like I promised him. Only reason I came back to this city is because social services caught up with us. I promised J I'd get him back. Not a week after I do, he lands his ginger ass in an asylum; what's that say about me?"
"It says that you got there too late, we both did."
"You know I was there, when he confessed. Said he went after her because of what she did to me. Now I hated Lyla, but..." Alyssa shook her head. "Tell me it was her fault, please. If its not her, then its me, and I don't want it to be me, so it has to be her." she said all of this very fast.
"Hey..." Harvey laid his hand on her's across the table. "Of course its not your fault. Jerome was abused for years; it was Lyla's fault, and it was a long time coming." he sighed. "Its not pretty, but its her fault, not your's, okay?"
She nodded. "Thanks Harvey. You're a good friend."
He smiled softly. "Speaking of which, I have something for you." his free hand reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a small key charm that matched the shade of sliver as the charms on Alyssa's wrist. "I know that the charms and the people they represent are a big deal to you, I-I hope I'm not overstepping anything –"
"I like the charm." she cut him off with a smile. "May I ask though, why a key?"
Harvey's cheeks went a dull pink. "When we met, you said I was the key to your plans. I don't know, I wasn't really sure what else to pick."
"You remember that?"
"Of course. I remember everything we've done together. Its hard not to; you are the most remarkable person I've ever known."
"Harvey –"
"Its true. I admire you very much. A-And, I hope you'll except this." he held the charm out to her.
Alyssa smiled and took it from his hand.
"Are you sure about this?" Oswald said, studying the sparkling gymnasts on the stage.
"You'll want to start with something fancy; draw in the crowd. We can vary it as we go along." Alyssa shrugged.
"You're the expert."
They both turned around as the door opened.
"Harvey. Boyscout. What are you doing here?" Alyssa frowned.
"We're gonna steal a stockpile of blackmail." Harvey said with the same look he always got when he was roped into something he thought was nuts. "Wanna help?"
"Commissioner Lobe has a stock of dirt on who the hell knows how many people." Jim informed. "Only ones who would know where he keeps it are him and Don Falcone. That's where he comes in." he pointed to Oswald.
"You do realize what you're asking me to do. If Don Falcone is working with Commissioner Lobe to keep this trove of secrets hidden, and I help you uncover them, I'd be betraying my patron."
"That's right." Jim nodded.
"If he found out he'd –" he chuckled. "Well he'd be very angry to say the least."
"Enough with the himin' and hain'." Harvey cut in. "You gonna help us or not?"
Oswald gave him a hard look, but didn't respond. "Lets say for arguments sake, I could help you. What's in it for me?"
"I'll owe you a favor."
"No questions asked?"
"Jim." Harvey warned.
"Yes."
"Do you know what this is?" Oswald pointed to the bottle of liquor sitting at the table with them. "Madre de dios. A hundred bottles made once a year, by monks in the Italian countryside. Its Don Maroni's favorite."
"What's your point?" Jim raised an eyebrow.
He shrugged. "Just a peace of information that might be useful one day. I like information. If I help you find where Lobe keeps his files, you give Alyssa and I ten minutes alone with them. We take what we want."
"When did I get roped into this?" Alyssa frowned.
"Five minutes. And you don't touch anything that has to do with cops." Jim bargained.
Oswald smiled. "Five minutes with the files, and a favor from Jim Gordon? Done! So who's up for a road trip?"
Alyssa didn't particularly care for the creepy farm house and the old couple. It felt like the setting for a horror movie. Plus something kept rattling – the old man called it raccoons, but it was way to heavy to be an animal.
"Margie pie, that was quick!" he said to the woman who had gone for his keys, but had returned with a shotgun.
The man pulled out a handgun, inducing a fire off between them and the detectives. The two people without guns were quick to duck for cover.
Alyssa wasn't sure how, but she had ended up upstairs. She unlocked the first door she saw and was quick to slam it behind her.
"Oh!" another voice said in surprise, making her eyes snap up to the last thing she expected to see; a young blonde woman in a dress, clearly she had been up here for a while. "I-Is the party over?" she asked. "I-I prepared a song. It includes a dance and everything."
"I'm Alyssa Connors, who the hell are you?" she frowned.
"I-I'm Miriam Lobe. D-Did my father send you?" she asked curiously.
"I uh..."
"Wait did you say Alyssa Connors? I've heard your name on the radio! Oh, you're so sweet for helping all those poor children."
"T-Thank you. Um, some friends of mine are downstairs, they work for your dad. Would it, be alright if they came up?"
"Oh of course!" she nodded with a bright smile.
"Great." Alyssa opened the door and yelled down the hall. "Boyscout! You're gonna wanna see this!"
While with her friends Alyssa doubted she was in any position to judge, Miriam Lobe was creepy. That was only proven when she showed them her 'new hobby.'
"I started making jewelry." she held up a necklace made of bird bones.
"What's it made of?" Harvey asked.
"Bones. Starlings. They land on my windowsill, and you can catch them. If you're really silent and still." she whispered. "And I can be really silent, and still. Silent as a mouse."
"Then what do you do?" Jim asked.
"I, crush the back of their heads. I just press down with my thumb. It makes a kinda, a popping noise." the necklace in her hand was starting to crumble in her grip. "Pop."
"Miriam..." the three of them took their seats again. "Can you tell us about your mother's death?"
"...I'm a good person." she said with tears in her eyes. "Sometimes good people make mistakes. That's what father said."
"Did you make a mistake with your mother?" Alyssa asked, hating how this girl was beginning to sound a lot like Jerome. "Is it like what happens with the birds?"
"No..." Miriam shook her head. "Not like with the birds, silly...I had to use a candlestick on her. She wouldn't stop singing, either! She knew that it was mynight. I was supposed to preform at dinner. Not her..."
"So you hit and she stopped?"
"And your dad covered it up." Alyssa sighed.
"He knew that it was my night!"
They heard a thudding from downstairs and went to go look. Oswlad was laying alone on the floor.
"I'm sorry Jim." he pushed himself up. "They came at me, I tried –" The sound of a car starting up was heard, and Jim ran past him to the window to see the truck leaving. "Did you find what Lobe's hiding?" Oswald asked as Alyssa helped him to his feet. "Is it here?"
"Yes."
"Well a deal's a deal. You have to let me in there."
"Who's he?" Miriam stepped forward. "He looks just like a bird. Oh, I love birds."
"Nyah." Alyssa pulled on Oswald's arm to get him away from her.
Alyssa studied the letter written on Arkham Asylum stationary. Apparently her regular visits were not enough for Jerome and he had taken to writing to her about how much he missed her and Selina. The letter talked about all the fun things they'd done, how grateful he was that she had come into his life...
By all respects, it should have made her smile and brought warmth to her heart. But in reality, all it did was make her feel ill.
"I'm a good person. Sometimes good people make mistakes."
How was it that she was all for locking Miriam Lobe up, but she was still certain Jerome was a good kid? It made her feel like a hypocrite, and there was nothing Alyssa Connors hated more than hypocrites.
She laid her head in her hand and shut her eyes to keep away the tears.
The white tulips blended in perfectly with the snow as she set them on the ground in front of the gravestone.
Alison Nygma
Beloved Mother
Alyssa swallowed the lump in her throat. "I-I really hope you knew that I loved you, and that I appreciated everything you ever did for me. I hope that you didn't die thinking I ran off because of you, or that I was just some stupid street kid..." she looked down. "And, I know I haven't got any right to be here, but...I don't know what to do." her voice cracked. "Things are a lot worse than they were, and I don't think they're going to get any better...I-I just...you always seemed to know how to fix everything...I really wish you were here..." she sighed. "You took me in when I didn't have any place else to go. You were the real Mama Gotham. It all happened because'a you. So thank you. And, I'm sorry, I wasn't there...But, Eddie turned out great." she smiled softly, tears in her eyes. "I know it couldn't have been easy after what I did...I just don't wanna do any more damage." she looked up at the sky. "So if you can hear me...I need some help."
The only answer she got was a face full of snowflakes.
"Yeah...Didn't think so." Alyssa sighed and rubbed at her eyes. She walked past the grave, leaving the flowers where she'd left them.
She was about to leave the grave yard and head home, but she stopped when she spotted a familiar name.
Hamish Johnson
Beloved Father, Grandfather, and Teacher
'So often you find that the students you're trying to inspire are the ones inspiring you.'
"Oh..." she stepped up to the headstone. "Hello Hamish...Long time no see..."
To be honest, Alyssa hadn't thought about the principal in a long time. She felt bad for it now; he had been such a big part of her life so long ago.
She knelt down and studied the quote, running her fingers over the carving.
'So often you find that the students you're trying to inspire are the ones inspiring you.'
"I expect great things from you, Ms. Connors. Very great things."
"You never gave up on me..." Alyssa smiled fondly. "Never once." she stood, seeming much stronger than she had been a minute ago, "I'm not gonna let you down, Hamish. I promise."