AN: Another chapter for you guys! I have been planning this chapter since halfway in to season 1 and I am so glad to actually have it typed up for you guys. This is the last chapter for season 1. Enjoy and please review!

Playlist:

M.I.A.-Bad Girls

Lorde-Everybody Wants to Rule the World

RyanDan-Tears of an Angel

M83-Wait

Chapter 34

"Hello fellas," Isabelle said, smiling.

"What's up?" Cat added.

The shock on Jim's, Oswald's, and Harvey's faces were apparent as they looked at the girls. They turned as a door opened and Fish and the rest of her gang walked in.

"I know, I know. It's astonishing. Sometimes I astonish myself. You know what's really astonishing though?" Fish snapped her fingers and Cat and Isabelle walked to her side. Fish wrapped an arm around Isabelle. "This girl right here ended up being kidnapped and taken to the same place as myself. And together, along with the people you see behind me, we escaped. And now," Fish wrapped her other arm around Cat. "These two precious little kittens are all mine."

Isabelle watched as her uncle's lip twitched.

Later Butch arrived and Fish was off to the side talking to him, waiting for a call from Maroni.

Isabelle and Cat were tasked with keeping an eye on the four men after some of the other members tied them up. Isabelle made eye contact with Oswald as he tried to get out of his restraints and Cat shoved him. Isabelle moved in front of her uncle and Cat followed.

"Hey you," Selina spoke.

"Isabelle, Selina, what are you two doing here?"

"Chillin'. How 'bout you?" Selina asked.

"Kind of jammed up. Isabelle," he looked at her.

"Yeah," Selina continued. "That's too bad."

Jim made a motion with his eyes for them to release him.

"Sorry Uncle Jim. We can't do that. At least not right now," Isabelle said.

"Why not? What the hell happened to you Izzy?"

Isabelle shrugged as she looked away from his face although she desperately wanted to hug her uncle, "Just keeping my promises."

"Hello, fellas. Hmmm. Carmine. Penguin. Nothing to share? Well, I have a little something. I just made a sweet deal with Maroni. He just told me I could have all my territories back, and all I have to do in return…is give him Carmine's head."

"Uh, Fish, I-I need to go lie down," Butch said before leaving.

"What did you do to that poor soul, you sadist?" Fish hissed at Oswald.

"I assure you…"

"You will die a slow, painful death on account of Butch. You too Carmine." Fish stood in front of Jim. "You. I wanted to keep it simple but you're okay." She brought up her finger, "But only because of Isabelle."

Jim breathed an audible sigh of relief and looked at his niece, still confused.

Fish moved to Harvey, "And you? We're cool. Any questions?"

"How you gonna kill 'em?" Selina asked from beside Isabelle.

"I love this girl." Fish said coming to wrap an arm around Selina. "Oh, and speaking of keeping promises, Isabelle," Fish looked pointedly at her.

Isabelle nodded before bending down. She pulled a switchblade out of her boot and flicked it open. The four men watched her anxiously as she walked up to Oswald.

"Is-Isabelle…are you-" Oswald started, his voice betraying his fear. Isabelle was resisting the urge t

"I'm not cutting you down Penguin, if that's what you're asking."

Oswald's eyes went wide at her using his nickname so callously.

"You are looking rather…pathetic. You see Fish and I, we had a lot of time to talk and she helped me realize some very important things. You know what my favorite movie is?"

Oswald shook his head.

"The Phantom of the Opera," Jim answered, watching his niece carefully.

"Thank you. The one with Gerard Butler to be exact, and you know Christine's love for Erik, the Phantom, wasn't actual love. It was sympathy. And sympathy isn't love."

"I don't…" Oswald started.

"Tell him Isabelle," Fish crooned.

"I felt sorry for you Oswald. Even though I was the one Falcone's two lackeys had tied up in the backseat of their truck, the minute I laid eyes on you I felt sorry for you."

Isabelle could see Oswald flushing in…embarrassment? Anger? She honestly didn't want to know.

Falcone spoke up. "I didn't send any men after you."

"The guy said-"

"Oh," Isabelle turned to look at Fish. "That was me. Your uncle was meddling you see, I couldn't have that. But you're fine! And when I knew you were in the city I immediately put up that Help Wanted sign and you were the only person I interviewed. It all turned out just fine in the end. I mean, look at you."

Isabelle nodded and hid her surprise at the new knowledge as she turned back to Oswald.

"So I was right? It was you!" Oswald said to Fish.

"Oswald," Isabelle gained his attention again. "I made some promises. One of them was that I'd kill you," she said, her voice apathetic.

Oswald's eyes widened along with Jim's and Harvey's.

"You see, in order to let my uncle go I'm supposed to return a, favor of sorts." Isabelle walked up so she was nose to nose with Oswald, thanks to the height of her boots. She pressed a kiss to his lips before unbuttoning his vest. She could feel his warm breath on her skin as she unbuttoned the white shirt underneath the vest. When she was done she pushed the cloth aside to reveal the pale skin over his heart. Isabelle brought up her blade.

"Isabelle!" Jim started.

"Oh don't worry Jim. I'm not about to kill him, not yet, anyway. But, Fish and I came to an agreement. Since I have his name scarred onto my skin, it's only fair he has my name on his as well," she smirked.

Oswald's eyes widened. "Y-y-you're not serious."

Isabelle looked behind her to see Fish watching intently, looking back to Oswald she tilted her head to the side. "Sorry Penguin, but your, what was it? Golubushka? Yeah, she was trying to leave the city actually, but it seems I just can't stay away. Two weeks back and here we are."

"Two weeks? You've been back for two weeks!?" Jim asked. "Why didn't you contact me?"

"I had things to do. People to rough up, you know," Isabelle shrugged.

Jim and Harvey wore expressions of utter disbelief as she turned her attention back to Oswald. Holding up the knife she pressed the tip into Oswald's skin, a small bead of blood blooming against it. Oswald gritted his teeth as she carefully carved her name into his skin. Isabelle looked up at him every now and then. She looked calm on the outside but on the inside she was screaming. She did not want to do this but she had to. She had tried to get away from Fish since they got back but Fish watched her like a hawk. It had been impossible and if she'd tried anything Fish would have killed her. She had no idea how she was going to get out of this.

~O.o~

Oswald was still giving disbelieving glances to Isabelle, his chest aching in a dull throb, when Maroni arrived.

"So, there he is," Fish said.

"Fish, you mysterious, crazy, gorgeous, killer you. I love ya. Come here," Maroni wrapped his arms around Fish in a quick hug.

"Isabelle Gordon?" Maroni asked, spotting her. "I heard you went missing?"

"I did. Ended up with Fish," she shrugged.

"Good to see you're all right and living up to your potential too. I bet that was quite the shock, huh Gordon? Penguin?" Maroni laughed.

Jim gave him a pained smile and Oswald looked on, analyzing the scene before him.

Everyone watched as Maroni went up to Falcone. "This is delicious. Finally. You're hard to kill, old man."

"No," Falcone said. "Your people are second-rate."

"Miss Mooney, if I may, a brief word."

Everyone turned to look at Oswald as he spoke but Isabelle was having a hard time of it. Fish had practically sung while she inspected Isabelle's name, freshly and crudely carved, into his skin. She'd hugged Isabelle then kissed her on the cheek. "You, my girl, if you can do that to him, you are going to go places in my ranks." Isabelle had smiled at Fish's words but on the inside she felt like she was dying. It had been unbearable, Oswald's screams in her face, the tears he could barely control, and the horror-struck look on Harvey's face. Worst of all though, was Jim. He looked to be stricken at first, at her words, but when she started in on Oswald he'd looked away and Isabelle didn't miss the tears that had slipped down his face either.

Jim had lost her. After all those years of helping her through her destructive behavior, of helping her get on the right path. She'd done a 180. He wondered exactly how though. He knew of course it had to do with Fish but how had Fish turned Isabelle into…into whoever the hell this pixie-haired girl was. Empty. That's how she looked to him when he looked at her as she stood by Harvey now, only a few feet behind Fish.

Oswald continued, "I know my life is forfeit. I speak not for my sake, but yours. Because…after all, I still love and respect you. Kill me if you must, but keep Falcone alive. As soon as he's dead, Maroni has no use for you. You are simple a threat. He will kill you."

"Oh!" Maroni exclaimed.

"You think?" Fish asked.

"Why would he need another boss in town? Another rival?" Oswald expounded.

"That's where you're wrong, smart guy," Maroni said. "A) She's not a rival, because she's not a boss. She's an underboss."

Fish didn't seem to like that last word. "An underboss takes orders. I don't take orders."

Selina weaved through Fish's men, getting closer to Isabelle.

"I know that. We're cool. Relax."

"I'm relaxed."

"I don't think you are, babes."

"Please don't call me babes."

"You see? Not relaxed. Babes? Really? It's a term of endearment." He patted Fish on the arm. "It means I like you."

Jim noticed Selina make her way to Isabelle and slip her hand around the older girls arm. Isabelle looked down at her and nodded and he furrowed his brow, wondering at the silent exchange.

"Fine. I misspoke. You're not an underboss and you're not a babe. You tell me what you are."

"What we are, Sal…" Fish stepped forward. "are partners."

"Whatever you want. Partners. I'm partner number one, and you're partner number two. That's the deal, right? I'm number one…and you are…?"

"Number two."

"There you go. Simple math. One, two, babes. Oops. Sorry. That's the last time. I swear."

Isabelle placed her other arm onto Selina's and squeezed it. The conversation they had early that morning came to mind. They'd just had breakfast and Isabelle pulled Selina aside and looked around to be sure no one was close enough to hear her whispers.

"Cat, I need you to listen to me, okay? I've worked for Fish before, under different circumstances."

"I know. Your scars, remember?"

"Believe me, I can't forget. Listen," she looked around them again. "What we're heading into today, it could get dangerous. Very dangerous."

Selina shrugged.

"No, Selina, this isn't a game. Things are going to hit the fan in that warehouse. Fish knows it's where Falcone will be and once Maroni's there, I don't know, but only one boss is going to come out on top, you understand?"

Selina shrugged again, "How do you know?"

"You've got good instincts right? You can feel it, can't you?"

Selina didn't have to answer for Isabelle to tell that she could.

"Tensions are running high. The war in Gotham is coming to a head, today. So, when things go south I want you to get out of there."

"What? I'm not chicken." Cat crossed her arms.

Isabelle sighed in frustration at her question, "I know you're not Cat, but this could be life or death. At the very least stay close to me."

"So…you've got my back?"

Isabelle tilted her head before pulling Cat into a hug, "I promise," she whispered as Cat hugged her back. Isabelle had truly grown to care for Cat during the young girls' short stay at Wayne Manor and she knew she wouldn't forgiver herself, nor would Bruce forgive her either, if something happened to her.

Maroni's voice echoed through the cold warehouse. "Guys! Can you feel the buzz in the air? That's victory. Redemption. Power! When this old man dies," Maroni pointed at Falcone, "a new day begins. We will rule Gotham. We are building a dynasty. We will whip this town like a rented mule. Right, babes?"

Isabelle sucked in a deep breath as the tension thickened even more.

"Oh-ho, just…all right, relax," Maroni chuckled at Fish. "I'm kidding you. Guys, no, seriously. Don't call her 'babes.' Or 'toots' or what have you. It's a woman's lib thing," he smiled, clearly amusing himself.

In the next second Fish raised her gun and shot Maroni in the head. Everyone watched as he hit the ground. "I am relaxed."

"Cat," Isabelle turned to her but before she could say anything else Cat ran.

As the warehouse filled with frantic shouts Isabelle ran towards Jim but she saw that Harvey was already helping him. Jim watched his niece as she freed Oswald's hands.

Oswald stared at her, unsure of her intentions, but froze at the pleading look in her eyes. "You must get out of here Isabelle."

"No, you have to go! Fish will kill you!"

"I can handle Fish," Oswald said confidently and Isabelle once again fought the urge to throw her arms around him then and there.

Isabelle shook her head. "I have to find Selina," She said before turning and heading in the same direction as Cat.

Oswald wanted to yell in frustration at Isabelle. He desperately wanted to know what she was playing at, but he needed to get out of the cuffs that were still bound around his wrists.

~O.o~

Isabelle had been looking for Selina when Fish saw her. "Isabelle! You're still here? Good. I knew I could count on you."

"Of course," Isabelle said, faking a smile. She turned when she saw Cat leading Jim, Harvey, and Falcone back into the building.

"Yes!" Fish said. "Selina. Boys. Bless you."

"Got to hand it to you, Fish. You really know how to stop a show," Harvey said.

"I couldn't help myself, Harvey, the man vexed me. Crazy move. Possibly a good move, too. We'll see. The battlefield is in flux. You could be looking at the new Queen of Gotham."

"Congratulations, my dear," Falcone spoke. "I'm quitting, Fish. I'm out."

"Does this mean I don't have to kill you? You're gonna retire someplace warm, lay back, read your little funny papers?"

"That was the thought."

"Yeah. Nice thought."

Everyone ducked as gunfire went off and then everyone went into action. Isabelle grabbed Cat and pulled her to her as Jim knocked one of Fish's men out. Men were going down left and right as Isabelle pulled Cat with her to find cover. They quickly found a place behind a vehicle just before the gunfire ended. Isabelle looked over to see that Oswald had been the one shooting so erratically. She suddenly felt as if all the air was leaving her lungs as she watched Oswald pick up a gun and kill one more of Fish's men.

"Fish!" Oswald screamed, voice permeating the air. "Where are you?!"

Isabelle watched Oswald head to the stairs.

"Isabelle," Cat started but Isabelle brushed her off. "But-" Cat tried again, tugging on Isabelle's sleeve.

Isabelle finally looked at the young girl. "Get out of here! Now!" she commanded.

"But you-"

Cat didn't finish her sentence as Isabelle had already taken off after Oswald.

~O.o~

"Where's Isabelle?" Jim asked aloud but to no one in particular.

Jim hesitated, the car door open, scanning the faces of the bodies on the floor of the warehouse. Not seeing his niece among them he took a sigh of relief and hoped he'd find Isabelle outside the warehouse somewhere.

Adrenaline coursed through every cell in Isabelle's body as she went up the stairs, following after Oswald.

"Goodbye Fish!" Isabelle heard Oswald yell.

"It's all good," Fish said.

Oswald let out a scream and dove towards Fish; similar to how he'd lunged at Edward weeks before, and wrapped his arms around her middle to bring her down. As Fish desperately clung to the wall Isabelle yelled, "Do it Oswald!"

Isabelle watched as Fish was sent over the edge and she heard Butch cry out.

Oswald climbed the wall and once atop it, proclaimed victoriously with his arms out, "I'm the King of Gotham! I'm the King of Gotham!"

Oswald climbed down and wiped his brow with his sleeve. He looked at Isabelle.

"Oswald," Isabelle breathed out, barely above a whisper.

He stared at her warily, bringing a hand up to touch his chest. "You've done it Oswald," she smiled, although she feared he would push her away after what she did.

He walked forward quickly and pulled her into his arms. "I did it Isabelle! I did it!"

"I know," Isabelle pulled back and as tears rolled down her cheeks she clung to the front of Oswald's still open shirt and jacket. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry I did this to you," she laid a gentle finger on the letters on his skin. "I love you. I'm sorry I said those things. I didn't mean any of it. Fish-"

"I know. I know. I love you too Isabelle, my Queen." He grinned as he brought her face to his to kiss her.

He realized after a moment that she was holding onto him rather tightly and when he pulled back he could see she was paler than moments before.

"Isabelle?" he asked.

He watched as she placed a hand to her side and brought it up to inspect it. It was covered in blood.

"I think I've been shot," she realized.

Oswald's eyes widened as her grip loosened and she slipped from his arms a bit.

"No! I-I've got you! Butch!?" Oswald yelled with panic in his voice.

Butch looked over to him and Isabelle shook her head. "I think it was one of yours."

Oswald's eyes widened even more before he turned his head back to Butch. "I need you to pick Isabelle up and carry her down the stairs. Quickly!"

Butch shook his head, still crying.

Oswald screamed "Fish Mooney is dead! You work for me! Do it!"

This time Butch, with his head still pounding and swimming with confusion, obeyed.

When they got down the steps Jim was getting out of the car. He'd been unable to find her outside the warehouse so he'd dropped Harvey and Falcone off a few blocks down and doubled back.

His heart nearly stopped at the sight of his niece in Butch Gilzean's arms and quickly ran over to them.

"What happened?!" Jim demanded of Oswald.

"She's been shot," Oswald said, his voice frantic.

"I'll take her to the hospital," Jim said, taking her from Butch's arms.

"I'm going too," Oswald insisted.

Jim didn't feel like arguing, nor did he have the time. Jim placed Isabelle in the back seat. "Sit back there with her Oswald, and keep pressure on the wound."

Oswald held Isabelle in his arms as he sat in the backseat. She smiled tenderly up at him from where her head rested in his lap. "I love you," she whispered.

"I love you too," he said.

"Where's Jim?" she asked suddenly, trying to sit up. "I need to see him. I need to tell him I'm still me. I'm still Isabelle. It was all an act."

"I know," Jim said from the front as he maneuvered the car through the streets. For the second time in months Jim was in the car with a wounded Isabelle, rushing her to the hospital, praying for her to be okay.

"Uncle Jim? Is that you?"

"Yeah sweetheart. It's me. I'm here. You're going to be all right."

"Why wouldn't I be all right?"

Jim and Oswald shared a worried glance in the rearview mirror and Oswald returned his gaze to her face, tears forming in his own eyes.

Oswald caressed her face and bent down to press kisses to it, keeping one hand pressed firmly into her side which was still steadily leaking blood. "I love you Oswald." Her hand was sweeping his bangs out of his eyes and Oswald wrapped a hand around her wrist, holding it against his cheek. His heart jumped in his chest when he felt her hand start to go limp.

"What's happening?!" Jim asked as they pulled up outside the emergency room.

"I don't know, she just-"

Jim yanked open the car door and picked his niece up easily. His heart thundered in his chest as he carried her limp form in his arms. He felt for her pulse and thankfully found one, though it was dangerously slow.

Jim burst into the emergency room. He'd thankfully been of mind enough to call ahead and he quickly lay on the gurney and into the care of the doctor and the nurses that were now surrounding the gurney. Oswald had had a hold of her wrist and as they pulled her away he heard the doctor yell, "Let's go! We're going to lose her!"

Oswald shook his head to try and clear it as a buzzing in his ears started that drowned out any other sound. He looked down in what felt like slow motion to see that one of the links in Isabelle's bracelet must have snapped at some point while he'd held her wrist. He stared at the now broken bracelet in his hand.