Isabella and Oswald Make Plans

"What do I want from you? Hmmm, well, you know what I want, but I guess that's out of the question now," she shrugged. "Unless..well, you're not into girls as well are you?" she added hopefully.

"I shan't dignify that question with a response!" he sniffed.

"Ah, so that means no, then. What a pity!" She sighed.

"Ppft!" he retorted disdainfully. Even if he hadn't been gay he was sure Isabella wouldn't have been his type.

"But….well, I would still like to be close to you. Yes, as long as I can be close to you, I will be happy with that - for now, anyway." She sighed and glanced over him suggestively. He shuddered.

She looked at him meaningfully and smiled sweetly. "Do you have a library in your big old mansion, Mr Mayor?"

"Well, yes, I do actually," he began proudly, forgetting himself. "It's very impressive, lots of old books and….ohhh no...no, no no! You are not coming to work for me…."

Isabella took a big breath in again and prepared to let out the air in a dramatic way. She had strong lungs and clearly wasn't afraid to use them.

"Wait!" He moved forward and clasped his hand over her mouth.

He was tempted to draw out his knife, but this place was too public, despite this being inside a broom cupboard - and that would still be too messy. The Mayor of Gotham couldn't be seen leaving the library covered in blood. It would be far too incriminating, with too many witnesses.

No, he had to think of something better than that. Meanwhile, he had to humour her somehow….

"Well, I suppose I could do with some help," he said reluctantly, and placatingly.

"There you go!" she beamed. "I knew you'd come through for me...Mr Mayor, sir!"

"Erm….so - what about Ed?" he added more tentatively. He felt so bad for him! Isabella had used him. And now she proposed hanging around the mansion, where she knew Ed was bound to be too. "Won't this make things..awkward?" he understated.

"Why, of course not. I shall go on seeing him - it will be the perfect cover for us!""

Oswald rolled his eyes and sighed with exasperation. "Cover - for US? Hello, earth to Isabella - you and I are not a couple! There is NO US! And besides, I won't allow it. You can't deceive Ed like that."

"Me deceive Ed? No, of course I won't! WE will be deceiving him, Oswald. And you will have to allow it. You know you have to."

Oswald bristled. "And how do you suggest I explain to him why I suddenly hired you like that?"

"You will think of something, Mr Mayor. You are very clever - I do know that!" She simpered. "Ah, I know - how about you want to give true love a helping hand?"

"True love?!"

"Yes, Oswald, only, actually it will be my true love for you!"

"Love for me?! If you loved me you'd leave me alone, and Ed too!" he rasped, an angry sob in his voice. "You really are twisted, woman! And now, if you don't mind - I really am leaving!"

"Of course - you know you were always free to leave - Oswald! Just remember to have my contract drawn up, and tell Ed the joyous news!" She smirked. Oswald grimaced.

Oswald turned away and slipped out of the broom cupboard, making sure not there was no-one around to notice him, and then limped out of the library and into the street outside as fast as he could. He needed air. He felt weary. He felt as if he was living in a dreamscape, a place that didn't really exist. A fuzzy grey cloud was hanging around in his head like smog.

Isabella - a femme fatale, and a blackmailer! Infatuated with him! He couldn't have made it up….it was all so unreal….a nightmare! And he could tell Edward nothing about it….her threats had made that plain.

But he had to get his head together..and think what to do about the Isabella Problem….

She had to go. But it had to be planned carefully...with Gabe's help.

It had to look like an accident...it just had to!