Chapter 68

The next few days saw the most panic in the streets since the release of Arkham's 'monsters. So many things happened at once, Ruby had a difficult time keeping up. One of Falcone's men was left in a car that blew up shortly afterwards. Voices were rising that an old enemy of the Don's had orchestrated the attack. People began to grow scared. After all, if the former king of the city could barely evade death, what hope did they have?

The city shivered. Oswald grinned.

Ruby leaned against Oswald's tall mirror, which was framed in voluptuous angels and grinning satyrs. Today's jewels of choice was citrine. No larger than olive pits, they hung from her lobes and graced her collarbone. They varied in shade from juicy lemon to russet. Said to be a protection against snake venom and evil thoughts, they offered their owner a much-needed shroud of comfort.

Oswald, on the other hand, looked like he had no need for citrines. He looked as proud as a father and as confident in his own skin as a model. Ruby watched, worried yet fascinated, as her friend pieced together a fine suit. Trousers and jacket as black as sin, with a tie streaked with blue, turquoise, purple, and white. The zircon stone sat right on the tie's knot, like a pearl within an oyster.

Smirking, Ruby crossed her arms. "Any reason you're so perky today?"

"The people are terrifed." Oswald stated as if this explained everything. Ruby waited for a moment, meeting only silence, before asking, "And?"

Oswald stopped what he was doing - pinching his cheeks in an attempt to give them a rosier hue - and sighed like he was dealing with a small, unintelligent child. Ruby let it slide only because she knew that he didn't mean it. She had been in his head enough times to know. "When people are afraid," Oswald spoke, "they will turn to anyone who offers a solution. I intend to provide that solution, along with Gotham's head families of crime. We will increase the fees on security, ensure that the streets are better guarded...and when the dark times have passed, the people shall remember under whose shield they took shelter." Oswald chuckled. "Adults are no better than children, really: give them what they desire, and they are content."

Ruby looked at Oswald for a long moment. At that beak-like nose. Thin face. Bright blue eyes that analyzed the world. A familiar ache weighed down her heart, along with the knowledge that, should her friend be right, she would never be content.

Oswald turned to her. His professional mask cracked, revealing the man who was more vulnerable than he would ever let on. "You will attend," he said, "right?" The slight tremor in his voice made Ruby want to take him in her arms. But of course she didn't. Instead, she reached out and stroked his cheek. His skin felt slightly greasy, but nevertheless cool and smooth. "You couldn't keep me out if you tried."

Oswald took her hand and brought it to his lips. He had done this many times, but it still sent hot bolts of electricity buzzing up Ruby's spine. Once their contact broke, she felt strangely hollow. Trying to smile, she asked, "So. When will Butch be...well, trialed?"

Oswald, satisfied with his appearance, turned to her. "That is up to Ed, not I. Whatever he wishes to do, I shall support him."

"So will I." Ruby nodded, then hesitated. "Still."

Oswald cocked a thin, ebony brow. "Still?"

"Well..." Ruby sighed. "I know it sounds dumb. But Butch...for a while, he was kind to me. I just...I find it hard to believe he'd kill an innocent woman, even if it was for revenge."

Oswald felt ice pricking the inside of his stomach. Quickly freezing it. Trying to quell his terror before it showed, he took Ruby's hand again. "Ruby, sometimes I fear that you forget what I am capable of, too."

"How can I?" Ruby asked. "I've helped you commit some of those acts."

"Yes," Oswald replied, "but I don't go around stabbing people when we are watching films, or chatting, or reading together before the fireplace. I am just...me. A softer part of me that requires no weapons. I do, however, harbor a darker side that is armed to the teeth. We all need one in this city, if we are to make it past infanthood."

Ruby suddenly froze. Just for a second, she remembered one of her first days in Arkham. Back when she'd still thought that her parents would return. Eventually, an orderly had gotten so fed up of her lamenting that he'd grabbed her by the collar and yelled in her face.

"Look, bitch, there's nothing about you that a parent would want."

"That's not true! They...they said they'd come back!"

"Work it out for yourself. Ever wonder why there's nobody else around who looks like a melting ice cream? Ever wonder why you're so unique in that way? It's because kids born of incest aren't supposed to be, well, born. You're considered crimes against nature. Especially here in Gotham. The weak can't survive anyway, so why wait? We kill things like you as soon as you're born. We don't let you leave the nursery."

"You're lying!"

"The only reason they let you live this long is because they hoped you'd end up looking as gorgeous as they think they are. Guess they were wrong!"

Ruby shook her head, shivering. "Sorry, got...sidetracked for a second. But...yeah, I get it." She sighed again. "I guess I just don't want Butch to get hurt." She gave an ironic laugh. "Funny, huh? Even though Ed's convinced of Butch's guilt...I don't hate the guy."

"Yes, funny." Oswald squeezed her hand without looking her in the eye. If she saw, she'd know.

Ruby sighed. "I guess I'm just a softie."

"You are." Oswald agreed. "But your good heart is a breath of fresh air, admist all this wickedness."

"Ah," Ruby blushed, waving him off, "shut up." Despite her thin smile, deep inside she ached.

A special room was used for the meeting. It was a cold, stuffy chamber deprived of the rest of the mansion's homey, cozy feel. Such was its purpose. Many years ago, the Master had held his own encounters here. That is, until his mother died and he closed himself off from said associates. Simply being here reminded Ruby of him, despite the turf holding none of his belongings. Its walls were as gray as ashes, with the floors covered in soot-colored carpets. There was a large, polished oak table in the center of the den, with a total of twelve chairs pushed against it. A couple of potted orchids sat along the shelves, nestled amongst texts of law and religion. A few portraits had been hung here and there, but their colorful canvases only made the rest of the office seem more drab.

As always, Ruby stood beside Oswald as he spoke to the heads of the families. Saying nothing. Hardly needing to. Oswald kept his slender hands planted on the table's polished wood, looking equal parts relaxed and dominating. The five paterfamilias sat in their chairs, silent as the art pieces hanging from the walls, listening as Oswald explained the situation. Until, of course, he suggested a fifty-percent increase in protection fees. Then, they laughed. It was the first merriment that the room had heard in a while.

Nor was it alone.

"Sounds a little steep to me."

Heads turned to find the elegant Barbara Kean entering the room, all black leather and dark furs. Her short blonde hair was swept over the side, exposing one very expensive-looking diamond earring. She looked as smiling and cold as an ice sculpture. "What do we have here? A little family reunion?" She tilted her head. "My invitation get lost in the mail?"

Ruby was about to speak diplomatically when Oswald beat her to it. "No. This is a meeting for grown-ups. So, I'm going to have to ask you to leave." A sharp nudge in the ribs had him looking back at Ruby, who shook her head. Of the two, Oswald was the larger lion; but even a smaller feline possesses claws. Barbara smirked before extracting a pistol from her purse. She pointed it at Oswald's face. "Quick question!"

The heads of the families jumped to their feet. Guns clacked as they rose. Ruby, in turn, had her nails grow as long and as sharp as daggers. Her teeth soon followed.

"Is it 'how do I commit suicide'?" Oswald asked tersely, his entire body stiff. "Because that answer is coming."

"Tabitha and Butch are missing. Where are they?" Barbara aimed the gun at Oswald's heart. Ruby quickly moved in front of him. The blonde woman, annoyed, tried to find a gap in which her target resided. Ruby only inflated her form until it was like spotting a pebble behind a boulder. Oswald, however, would never cower behind someone else - not with so many influential people watching. He stepped out from behind Ruby, who quickly shrank back to her normal size. Giving her a quick, grateful smile, he reverted his attention to Barbara. Scowling. "I have no idea. I have not seen Butch since his little summerstalk revival of the Red Hood Gang."

"Let's cut the crap, shall we?" Barbara's smile was as deadly as her weapon. "Tabitha has been helping Butch hide since your little victory celebration. They're an item now. Barf. She's supposed to check in every night, and she hasn't. She's not answering her phone, and no one has seen her."

Ruby closed her eyes. Sighing. So, the time had come.

"And you think I took them." Oswald stated.

"Obviously." Barbara hissed.

"Barbara," the gun moved from Oswald to Ruby, who didn't so much as flinch, "I don't want to do this. I'm sorry that your friends are missing. Really." Her expression hardened. "But if you try to shoot Oswald-"

"Yeah, I get it. You'll defend your little boyfriend to your last freakin' breath." Barbara rolled her eyes. She didn't see Oswald's eyes bug out. "You're wasting your time, sweetie. You could burn his name in the moon and he still wouldn't-"

"Barbara!" Ruby's shout was full of both embarrassment and anger. "I'm not kidding! If you try to shoot, I'll make sure you can never shoot anything again."

Barbara laughed. "Stubborn to the end."

"How about this," Oswald interrupted, his eyes on Barbara, "you lower your gun, beg my forgiveness for this gross insubordination, apologize to Ruby for such a lack of respect, and I may let you walk about of here alive." Barbara glared at Oswald. He glared back. The room stood still. All weapons were raised, as were the stakes. Everyone was ready to kill. Even Oswald, who lacked a weapon, would be more than happy to grab one of the chairs and use it to bash the intruder's head in. Guns were pointed at living flesh. The air froze. Everything lost meaning. Everything except for the fundamental question: who would shoot first?

As luck would have it, the answer was: no one. The squealing of a tray's wheels steadily grew louder until it passed the room's entrance. All heads spun to find Olga, sweet, rotund Olga, pushing in a cart loaded with liquors. Immediately seeing the stand-off, she muttered something in her native tongue that sounded like a question. Barbara looked at her for a second, contemplating, before putting away the gun. She smiled like a pageant queen. "My apologies." She said sweetly. "They must have run off somewhere without telling me."

Ruby's hands returned to normal. But not her teeth. Not yet.

Oswald smiled tightly as the rest of the guns, too, were put away. "Love." He said. "Makes you do crazy things, doesn't it?" As his smile slid off his face like melting snow, he hobbled towards the intruder. She welcomed it. Lowering his voice, Oswald spoke in a stern, yet calm tone. "We have a history, you and I. But if you ever point a gun at me again, Ruby and I shall show you how powerful we can be. And then, Olga will be cleaning your brains off the floor." His eyes became icy slits. "She's a real whiz with stains."

Barbara gave a dark smile. "Bye, Pengy." She spun around. Her curly hair whipped Oswald in the face. She clomped away on her high heels, hips swaying and arms at her sides. Totally at ease. Oswald tried to breathe steadily, even as fury burned inside him like lava. Ruby's arms around him helped douse some of the flames. He could smell her. Wildflowers and almond oil. He closed his eyes, soothing himself with her scent and warmth. "It's okay." She whispered in his ear. "I'd have died before I let her hurt you."

Oswald's hands found hers. "I hope you never do."