Chapter 14

Black tea. Green tea. Chamomile. Earl Grey. Different types of tea, but with the same power of calming people down. Particularly cops and a thug. Ruby leaned against the door-frame, smirking as she watched the guests relax. The jabbering had stopped almost as quickly as the tea's arrival. Even Tommy Bones, who had been cuffed to the table and had six shotguns pointed at him, looked almost docile with his flowery cup. He held it out as she passed, two teapots in each hand. "Do ya mind?" He asked. "This is some damn good stuff."

Ruby smiled. "Certainly." She poured. Tommy drank greedily, finishing the steaming liquid almost as quickly as she'd given it. Rolling her eyes, she began to move away. An iron grip around her bicep snapped her back. "Hey." The shotguns crackled as they were lifted. The men behind them were alert. Wide-eyed. Ruby, however, remained stone-faced as she met the man's eyes. "When's your boss gonna show up, anyway? We've been waitin' forever!"

"It's only been half an hour." Ruby replied calmly. "I'm afraid I don't dictate how long it takes him to complete his discussion." Her arm twitched from within his grasp. "Now, if you don't mind..."

Tommy sighed. Let go. The shotguns were lowered. Ruby nodded, moving quickly away. She could already feel the handprint on her arm, burning like a torch, but she acted as though she'd been unaffected.

"Seriously, though!" Tommy called after her. "This is better than the slammer, but I'm still gettin' bored!"

"Oh," A cool voice rose, "the tragedy." All heads turned towards it, Ruby's included. Her heart stopped. Standing in the stain-glass doorway was Oswald Cobblepot in all of his menacing elegance. Gone was the neat, big-eyed innocent; in his place was a gentleman of crime if there had ever been one. His onyx hair was washed and elaborately styled in intricate spikes. He wore a royal-blue suit with shoulder padding, giving him a striking pose. His trousers were of a blue so dark that they were nearly black. Beneath his coat he sported a dark green vest and, below that, a perfectly ironed shirt. A vibrant indigo tie sat snugly beneath his chin. Straightening his posture was a black cane with a wolf's head carved into the handle. To Ruby's surprise, the dark attire was clashed by a single white rose in his breast pocket.

He met her eyes and smiled without moving his face. Then, he turned back to the group. "Hello!" He gave a flourish bow. "I am Oswald Cobblepot. Thank you all for coming on such short notice."

"What is this?" Tommy Bones demanded, quickly overcoming his shock. "I thought you were in the loony bin!"

"Yeah!" A cop called from amidst the crowd. "You were rehabilitated."

"I was actually incarcerated unjustly." Oswald gave the men a smile wrought with pity. "But I am touched by your concern." His cane rhythmically thumped against the hardwood floor. He hobbled to the head of the table. His icy-blue eyes rested on Tommy Bones. A falcon preying on an unsuspecting mouse. "Now," he said, "if you would be so kind as to give us some privacy, gentlemen," he gestured between himself and Bones, "we have business matters to discuss."

"Like hell!"

Oswald turned, jaw set, as a policeman stepped forward. "Bullock's orders were clear: we are not to leave the prisoner alone."

"He won't be alone." Ruby spoke up nervously. When people turned to look at her, that feeling multiplied. Ruby froze, suddenly feeling like the loser kid who had to make a speech before her classmates. She searched the sea of hostile, questioning faces before finding Oswald's. His eyes were shining, his expression encouraging. Swallowing, Ruby resumed. "Um, we'll be here. Os...Mr. Cobblepot and I. If he tries anything, we'll call."

The police didn't look convinced. They murmured amongst themselves, exchanging ideas and asking questions. Tommy Bones just looked bored at this point. He rested his cheek in his palm, drumming his fingers against the armrest. Throughout it all, Ruby and Oswald shared a look. Ruby raised her hands to show that her fingers were crossed. Oswald smirked slightly and nodded with approval. Finally, the cop who had spoken before closed the distance between himself and Ruby. His fist thrust out. From it dangled a whistle. Ruby took it, still slightly confused.

"We'll be just beyond that door." He said. "If this scumfuck tries anything, blow it."

"You can take that whistle and-" Bones would have said more if Oswald hadn't shot him such a venomous look. It took him less than a second to turn that frown upside down when facing the police officer. "Of course. Thank you." He gestured to the door with his cane. "Don't worry, gentlemen. We shan't be long." The crowd slowly trickled through the doors, muttering uncertainty and distrust. Ruby fondled the whistle, eyeing it with interest. She chewed on it. "Hmm. Silver mixed with a trace of iron. Not bad." She slipped it around her neck.

"You may keep it afterward, if you wish." Oswald said fondly. "But don't go using it now, please."

Ruby gave him a look that screamed, 'how stupid do you think I am?' Oswald would have been almost hurt had it not been for the playful twinkle in those dark blue eyes. Turning back to Tommy Bones, Oswald straightened. Slipping the mask of professionalism back on. "Hello, Bones." He gave him a look-over. "You have seen better days, I'd wager."

"Go screw yourself." Tommy sneered.

Oswald's cane swung through the air and collided with Tommy's cheek. The impact sent his face crashing against the table. Ruby frowned. Great. She'd just waxed the table an hour ago. She crossed her arms, watching yet ready to intervene. "A word of advice." Oswald leaned closer to Tommy's pressed face. "Do not bite the hand that feeds you." Resuming his posture, he smirked. "Now. This is how the meeting will proceed. I will offer you a deal. If you have any brain cells whatsoever, you will accept. If not, you may go back to being regularly raped in the posterior each time you shower."

Ruby grimaced at the familiar image. Tommy blushed all the way to his roots. He sat back up, rubbing his aching visage. "Yeah?" He asked cockily. "And why should I listen to you, freak? You're nothin'. Less than an umbrella boy now."

Another whack with the cane. This time hitting the other cheek. Tommy's face smacked against the table again. Ruby groaned at the work awaiting her. Oswald, in the meantime, was bubbling beneath his calm exterior. Mostly because Tommy Bones had spoken verily. The Penguin had been dropping down the underworld's ladder ever since he'd been sent to Arkham. His empire had crumbled. His base had been taken over by (ugh) Tabitha Galavan and his once-faithful minion, Butch. All of his former alliances had rotted away.

But anyone can fall. Only those who got back up mattered.

And boy did the Penguin matter. Oswald was about to speak again when a petite hand, filled with rings, seized Tommy's scalp and slammed it against the table. Once. Twice. He stared beyond the hand to its owner, whose face was set in stone. She glared down at Tommy, who looked more than a little drowsy, with a contempt that could melt ice-caps. "Insult him again." She hissed at Tommy. "Do it. I dare you."

"Ruby, calm down." Oswald reached out. His hand rested on the jeweled one upon Tommy's head. "He's not crossed any serious lines yet."

Ruby blushed. Her fingers knitted through his and squeezed. As Oswald pulled away, Ruby rubbed her arm. "Sorry. Got carried away."

Oswald smiled at her before turning back to Tommy. His smile vanished as quickly as it had come. "Now. Are you going to listen?"

Growling softly under his breath, Tommy nodded. Ruby remained behind him, crossing her arms. Oswald beamed. "Excellent. Now," he cleared his throat, "here is my offer. Your gang is among the most prominent ones in Gotham. Their turn will come. But be sure to spread the word." He leaned forward so that his crooked, pointed nose was almost poking Tommy in the eye. "The Penguin is back, and he intends to reclaim his throne." Tommy shuddered. From the vicinity or the words, it was impossible to tell. Oswald straightened once more. "I expect your gang to give me support, forty percent of all of your dealings, and arms if needed. In return, you shall have a position of more elevated privilege than you have ever known before."

Ruby blinked, then frowned. "What about the reduced sentence?"

Oswald started. Grinned at her from ear to ear. "Oh, indeed! I stand corrected, dear! Thank you!" He winked at her, causing a carnelian blush. She smiled and shrugged, as if to say, 'just doing my job'. But on the inside, she was brimming with joy.

Tommy looked up with interest. "Did I hear 'reduced sentence'?"

Oswald slapped his hand against Tommy's shoulderblades as though they were old friends having a beer. "Yes you did, good sir. As my lovely assistant just reminded me," a smiling Ruby looked away, "As an advance to our long collaboration, I am willing to cut your sentence in half, whatever that may be."

Tommy brightened. "I got five years."

"Well, now it is two and a half years." Oswald smiled wickedly. "Of course, you will have to ensure that your gang behaves. Otherwise, I will withdraw the deal - and everything that goes with it - in the time it takes you to blink."

Tommy eyed Oswald critically through his bruises and cuts. Tried to peel him alive with his eyes and see the truth underneath. "Could ya really do that?" He asked.

"I could, and I would." Oswald winked. It was a much less personal one than the one he'd given Ruby. "All you must do is swear your loyalty, and stand as one of my men."

Tommy remained still for a few moments, drumming his fingers against the table. Looking around at his luxurious surroundings. At last, he nodded. "Fine. The Red Xs got your back."

The 'Red X's? Ruby tried not to laugh. It sounded like what a fourteen-year-old emo would name his Metallica cover band. She managed to keep her face impassive as Tommy rose. To her great shock, he gave Oswald a tiny bow. Oswald was brimming with joy beneath his still face, and Ruby felt happy for him. If being a criminal meant serving him and frequently seeing that face, then it would be worth it. Besides, it felt wickedly satisfying to take matters into her own hands. To do things on her terms and not the law's. Today never would have happened if the police had gotten a say in it. But her will had made it happen. That distinction alone shut down whatever guilt or nervousness she might have been harboring.

"Brilliant!" Oswald shook Tommy's hand. "See you soon, Bones. And be sure to keep your little x's under control."

"Sure...boss." Tommy Bones clearly had difficult saying that word, but at least he said it. Oswald turned to Ruby and grinned. Ruby shot him a thumbs-up before holding up the whistle questioningly. Oswald nodded. Ruby blew it. The sound was sharp and silvery, like a metal arrow piercing the air.

Not a second later the cops came bursting in, their shotguns aimed. Dozens of shouts bounced about the walls like boomerangs. Ruby grimaced and quickly retreated to the back of the room. Oswald, on the other hand, took control of the situation as though he'd foreseen it. He most likely had. Grabbing one of the shotguns, he aimed it for the roof and let loose a bullet. Th deep, crunching crash that followed silenced everyone. Smirking, Oswald politely handed the shotgun back to the cop he'd taken it from. "Now that I have your attention," he drawled, "gentlemen, you may escort Mr. Bones back to Blackgate. He has proven very well-behaved." Patting the man's shoulder, he added, "Oh, and be sure to inform the warden that I will be visiting him soon. With a signed cheque." He smirked at Ruby, who couldn't help mirroring his expression.

The cops, on the other hand, exchanged stunned looks. Deciding, however, to seize this opportunity, they collected Bones and herded him out of the room. Tommy twisted around to get one last look at Oswald, who saluted him in response. Seemingly satisfied, Tommy turned back around to face the door. The living room's door closed behind him. Silence reigned. Oswald and Ruby listened as the cops put Bones back into the van before leaving themselves, sirens wailing. Not too long later, reticence fell over the entire estate.

Ruby and Oswald stood there, drinking in what had just happened. The crown suddenly seemed a little less distant. The two looked at each other at the exact same time, as if sharing a telepathic link. Then, without a word, they embraced.

Men in white suits fell. The alarm cried. Professor Strange and Mrs. Peabody watched, captivated as well as horrified. A man rose from the chair that he'd been strapped to. Not long ago, he'd been a mere hunk of cold, lifeless meat. Now, he was raising his arms to the heavens and screaming. "AZRAEL!"

"And...that's the last for today!" Ruby grinned as her pen dragged across a gangster's name. Since the encounter with Bones had gone so smoothly, Oswald had decided to meet with other gang leaders as well - the ones who'd escaped the law for the millionth time. Ruby had refused to let him go alone. Thus, they had spent the entire day going from one hideout to another, negotiating with either bribes or threats. It had amazed Ruby at every turn, how Oswald had been able to remember exactly what would coax an agreement with each leader. With one, it was a chance to see his kids. With another, it was a ton of money. Oswald had known them all, and hit all the right notes. Ruby stood behind him the entire time, making sure no one tried to blow his brains out. At one point, someone tried. They ended up with their throat clogged with the same pistol they'd been holding a second ago. Ruby had barely broken a sweat.

Pushing some stubborn locks out of her eyes, she admired all of crossed-out names. "Not bad, if I do say so myself. Now, we have the support of the Red Xs, the Heart Eaters, the Glass Men, and the Stone Crows. Which adds up to over two hundred men and-"

"Not too shabby." Oswald smiled through jittering teeth. As night continued to fall, darkening the sky by the second, a cold wind began to blow. Trees bowed to it, and a mix of dead leaves and plastic bags twirled in its breaths. Ruby felt perfectly fine despite having only put on a light jacket. Oswald, on the other hand, was wearing a wool sweater, a thick overcoat, gloves, and a scarf. Yet he shivered. And eyed her with annoyed awe. "How, how, how are you not freezing right now?"

Ruby bit her lip. Simply shrugged. "I...used to live in a very drafty place. I guess I'm just used to it."

"Oh?" Oswald offered her his arm. She gladly took it. They began to walk down the street, watching as the lampposts took turns lighting up. "Did your family not pay the electric bill on time?"

Ruby's face slammed shut like a metal gate. "They did. But I actually didn't live with them for a good chunk of my life."

Oswald stopped. For some reason, her words from the other day echoed in his mind's ear. From that awful afternoon when the truth was discovered.

"I loved that man more than I did my own parents!"

What had she meant by that? Who had her parents been? Had they sent her off to boarding school? It seemed unlikely. If they had been able to afford such a luxury, then their daughter wouldn't be serving others for a living. Just like that, Oswald realized just how little he knew about the young woman he was coming to see as a friend. He didn't know where she'd lived, what her parents were like, if she had any siblings...almost nothing.

Then again, he knew that she was loyal to him, and cared about him. What more did he really need to know?

Still, he was about to ask her when Ruby suddenly stopped walking. Gasping, she tightened her hold on his arm. Staring off in the distance, she began jumping up and down like a kangaroo. "OhmyGodohmyGodohmyGod!" She squealed, pointing.
"What?" Oswald turned towards her forefinger - the one with the malachite ring gleaming in the streetlight - and saw a movie theatre that he hadn't gone to since childhood. The Marlow Theatre, yes! The sign was still painted above the doors in fading green. Blinking lights framed the night's specialties, none of which Oswald recognized: Roundhay Garden Scene, Traffic Crossing Leeds Bridge, Newark Athlete, and Annabelle Serpentine Dance. Sticking to the walls were bleached posters of black-and-white films. Written in red below was the announcement that entrance cost two dollars.

He scoffed. "Oh, please." He tried walking away when Ruby clung to his arm. "Oh, come on! Please?"

Oswald turned and stared at her as though she'd lost her reason. "Are you pulling my leg? It's just a cheap get-together of movies forgotten by Man and God!"

"Not true." Ruby replied. "I love those old movies." She chuckled, but her eyes grew sad. "The Master actually went with me, once, during my day off. He said he'd actually been to a couple when they first came out." Oswald's expression softened slightly at the mention of his father. Just recently, the family's trusted artist had completed Elijiah's portrait and hung it over the fireplace. Now, every time he saw it was a dagger in Oswald's heart.

He looked at her. She looked years younger all of a sudden. Her eyes were alive with excitement, her grin wide. She looked like a kid in a candy store, times a hundred. Thinking about all she'd done for him, especially today, pushed his hand into his pocket. Extracting two dollars, he held them out to Ruby. She stared at them as if clueless about what they were. "Go on." He said gently. Ruby looked up at him with big indigo eyes. He reached down, took her hand, and placed the money in her palm. Curled her fingers around it. "Go on, you've earn it tenfold. Have a wonderful time and join me at the mansion later."

Ruby blinked in understanding before giving a half-smile. "Don't you want to come along?"

Oswald inhaled shakily. "I...haven't been to a movie theatre since I was a child. Each time I went, it was with my mother."

Ruby's expression softened. She rubbed his shoulder comfortingly. It gave him the strength to continue. "I honestly cannot remember her without weeping, and I fear that entering a theatre would do just that."

Ruby squeezed his shoulder before letting go. The spot went cold the moment she did so. "Oswald, I won't force you." She said gently. "But...I never met your mother, so I can't pretend to know what she would have wanted. Still, I think she'd want you to remember her with a smile, not just tears." She took a step back. "But again, if you don't want to, I won't push you. I have no right to."

Oswald looked down. Bit his lip. Indeed. Would his mother really want him to deprive himself of the little joys in life, just because they reminded him of her? His brewing thoughts declared war on each other. Finally, at the genesis of a migraine, one thought prevailed. Oswald smiled shakily. Nodded. "Alright."

Ruby blinked. "For real?"

"Yes." Oswald hobbled towards the cinema, grabbing her hand as he passed her by. "Let's just go before I come to my senses."

Ten minutes passed. Then, sixty. Another hundred minutes passed and neither the Penguin nor the maid noticed. They had left Gotham far behind them. In its place was a fantasy realm where dreams became a reality. Where colors were as bright as children's smiles, and even the black-and-white scheme seemed wonderous. Where sound was forgotten and visuals were everything.
Oswald found himself getting more invested by the minute. He winced alongside the Moon when a rocket hit it in the eye. He gasped alongside the audience when a magician made his assistant disappear, then reveal her skeleton, before showing her alive and well. He let out a little yelp when the Devil himself appeared in his tenebrous mansion. Every so often, Ruby leaned forward and whispered odd facts about the movies they were watching. Oswald drank in every word like sweet mead. He was so captivated by the ontourage of films that he barely realized that he held Ruby's hand for almost the entirety of the marathon. Ruby noticed. She didn't pull her hand away.

Finally, at half-past ten, the screen darkened for good. The lights came back on, shining harshly through a thick screen of cobwebs. Oswald's head snapped up. He felt startled. Back to reality when he'd been so blissful in this dream. He turned to Ruby, still feeling stunned. She was grinning from ear to ear, still staring at the screen as if still seeing images. When she turned and saw his face, she blushed. Her smile dropped by a degree or two out of embarassment. She pushed some wild hair out of her eyes. "Did you like it?" She asked shyly.

"Ruby, I..." His lips moved, but no words came out. There were no words to describe how he felt. He gestured to the screen. "When...how?"

Ruby sniggered. Hugged herself. "My parents..." She paused, wondering how much she should say. "They...didn't like the way I looked, so they'd keep me locked up at home ninety percent of the time."

Oswald said nothing. He just stared. Listening with both his ears and his heart.

"The other ten percent was here." Ruby gave a sad smile. "Because it was dark, and no one could see me. And they always brought me for the late-night shows, so no one would see me even by accident. And these films were the only thing playing at the time." She rubbed her hands up and down her arms, as if she were cold. Oswald didn't hesitate to shrug his overcoat off and drape it over her shoulders. Ruby blinked, momentarily stunned by the gesture, before thanking him with a smile. "I actually didn't mind. I've loved these old movies since forever."

"But why?" Oswald shook his head. "Why were your parents so cruel?"

Ruby gave him a wry look. "You had not one, but two parents who loved you. I wasn't so lucky." She shrugged. "End of chain."

"But what is wrong with the way you look?" Oswald demanded, not satisfied with this answer. "You don't have a hunchback, you have all the right limbs, your skin is fine-"

"Wow, look at the time." Ruby stood up quickly. "We should start heading home."

Oswald looked up at her, stunned. "But-"

"Please." Ruby looked physically pained. "Just please drop it." She looked him right in the eye. Before, she'd looked a decade younger. Now, she seemed so much older. Or maybe she had years' worth of suffering on her shoulders. Just like him. Oswald swallowed down his indignity, his curiousity, and nodded. "Of course. I apologize."

Ruby looked relieved. "You have nothing to apologize for." She offered him her hand. He took it, wincing at the discomfort it caused his leg. Ruby quickly handed him his cane, for which he was grateful. He caught her eye again and smiled softly. "Thank you." He adjusted his tie. "This was the nicest evening I've had since..." He didn't finish that sentence. He didn't need to. They both knew the last few words.

...since Father died.

Ruby looped her arm through his. "Trust me, the pleasure was all mine." Oswald covered her hand with his, at a loss for words. He didn't want to spoil this moment. It felt like one last, sweet moment before returning to the dark world. Once they were outside, though, and the cold rushed out to greet them, he spoke up. "Let's go home."

Ruby allowed herself to lean closer to him. For warmth, she told herself. "I'd love that."

That was when a shadow fell over them. A shadow of metal, insanity, and vengeance.