AN: So when this episode aired and Oswald was sitting there carving an apple with a knife I was like 'Didn't I write that he used a knife to carve up an apple he ate in my fic!? What!? I'm psychic!' Just kidding, but yeah, it's a funny coincidence that I wrote that and then there he is, doing that very thing. Enjoy!

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The Undisputed Truth-Smiling Faces Sometimes

Chapter 21

When Alfred returned with Bruce and pizza that afternoon Isabelle was looking around the study. She'd been exploring the mansion for the better part of an hour and was now looking at all of the things Bruce had pinned to the wall.

"Isabelle, you're up."

She turned at the sound of Bruce's voice and smiled. "I am. I've been exploring. I hope you don't mind."

"Of course not. My home is your home. We got pizza for dinner."

She gasped and stepped forward. "Bruce, what happened to your eye?"

"A bully at school. Don't worry. We dealt with him."

"Are you all right?"

"Yes, I'm okay, but I'm starving."

She followed them into the dining room where Bruce pulled out her chair for her. "Thank you."

"I hope you like pepperoni," he said as he took the seat next to her and Alfred sat across from her after coming to the table with drinks.

When most of the pizza was gone Bruce took to asking her questions.

"So what happened?" he motioned to her arm, even though it was covered with the sleeve of a black cardigan, it was as if she could feel the letters burning through her skin.

"Master Bruce, that's none of our business."

"It's all right Alfred. I don't mind." She smiled at him before turning back to Bruce's expectant face, "There are terrible people in Gotham, as I'm sure you know."

He nodded.

"I got caught up with some of them, one in particular."

"Who did this?"

"It doesn't matter. It's done."

"Who is Oswald Cobblepot? Gordon mentioned him. This is his fault?"

"No, maybe. I don't know Bruce I just…he's someone I care about deeply."

"But if you care about him then surely he must care about you?"

She nodded.

"Then why would what happened be his fault? If he cared about you why would he let such an awful thing happen?"

"I've asked myself the same question but I'm afraid I don't know the answer. Sometimes we make those we love promises but we don't come through, for whatever reason. Oswald isn't exactly involved in…noble endeavors in Gotham. As far as I know though he doesn't actually know what happened, and I'd like to keep it that way for a bit."

"Why?"

"Like I said, there are terrible people in Gotham."

"Master Bruce, I think that's enough questions. How about you set up the movie?" Alfred suggested.

Bruce rose from his seat. "Of course. What would you like to watch Isabelle?"

She bit her lip before answering. "Um, you choose."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure."

"I'm sorry about that," Alfred apologized when Bruce was out of earshot.

"It's okay. He means well. He's quite the young man isn't he?"

"Yes, I'd say so."

"I like him. He's been through a lot hasn't he? With his parents' deaths?"

"He's a strong lad, although I'm a bit worried with his need to find their killer. You saw the wall?"

She nodded. "When Bruce said 'we' earlier...?"

"Ah, yes. It seems a classmate said something about his mother and when Bruce stood up for himself he was not able to do so well."

"I take it you remedied the situation?"

"Very much so. I suspect Master Bruce won't come home from school with anymore black eyes."

She nodded her approval. "Thank you for earlier Alfred. I'm sorry you had to deal with that, with me."

"You're welcome Miss. Gordon. It's understandable. You've been through quite the ordeal."

"I know you have a lot on your plate, with raising Bruce now."

"Nonsense. You were held against your will Miss. Gordon and tortured to near death. You may break down any time you please."

Isabelle actually chuckled. "Thanks Alfred. I'll try to be clothed next time though."

"Yes, Master Bruce is a bit young to come across what I did this morning."

Isabelle's face flushed with embarrassment but before she could say anything Bruce came back into the room.

~O.o~

Oswald had spent a majority of the last week thinking about Isabelle, trying to figure out why she would leave. At one point he convinced himself that Isabelle left because of him, to get away from him. He admitted that would be smart of her, he was, after all, surrounded by unsavory characters. Such people, if they were anything like him, wouldn't hesitate to use her against him. Then he began to wonder if Gordon had forced her to leave. It would make sense. Oswald knew Gordon despised his niece being in a relationship with him. He'd even worried that one of his worst fears had come true, that Mooney's words were true: "A girl as innocent as her, in Gotham, things…happen." He feared something happened to Isabelle and Mooney was the cause of it. Isabelle could be dead at Mooney's hands, but then why would Jim not tell him that if it were the case? He'd finally decided to have Timothy brought in to get information out of him, not just on Isabelle but for Falcone as well.

He was seated at a table, peeling an apple with a small knife while he waited for some of his men to arrive with Mooney's newest lackey. "Oh, is that Timothy?" he asked cheerfully as he set his apple down.

He rose from his seat and walked up to Timothy. "We met at Fish Mooney's, hmm?" He held up his bandaged hand and pointed to it. "I'm the fellow who used to have your job. I was hoping to ask you a few questions."

"I don't know any…" Oswald shushed Timothy with a finger.

"They'll be time for that. First things first."

As one of his men punched Timothy Oswald picked up his apple and sat down again, slicing into the ripe fruit and putting a piece in his mouth with a smile on his face.

~O.o~

All three of them ended up watching Casa Blanca. She was surprised by Bruce's choice in film but quickly found out that it was one of Alfred's favorite films which is why he picked it.

"Have you seen it before?" Bruce asked her when the film was over and the lights came back on.

"I have. It's one of my favorites too."

"It's sad though, how much they love each other, and then she leaves him at the train station. But I like that they come together again, sort of, until he makes her leave. Is real love like that?"

"Love is an unusual game Bruce. Sometimes both of those in love win, like your parents, who got to have you."

Bruce smiled.

"But sometimes no one wins, as much as they want to and as much as we love someone, sometimes things don't turn out like we hope."