AN: Wow I can't believe that the last time I updated this fic was September! I just got so busy with school and then this semester my anxiety was through the roof and on top of that I've been really quite depressed. I literally haven't touched this fic since I wrote a few pages in December, so I apologize for the long delay. I'm still amazed at the response this fic has received, the favorites, follows, and reviews. Just wow. You guys are awesome and thanks for sticking with me! Well here we go, season two! As always, please enjoy and review!
"And a bird without its wings is a low and tragic thing."-James Vincent McMorrow-Ghosts
Chapter 35
Isabelle opened her eyes to see her Uncle Jim and a woman with short dark hair seated by her bed.
'Bed? Why was she even in a bed?' she thought.
"Isabelle?" Jim jumped up from the chair he'd been in and was immediately leaning over the rail of the hospital bed, his eyes full of concern as he looked her over. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm…I don't know, tired?" she said, sounding utterly confused.
"Are you in any pain?"
"I don't think so. My mouths really dry though."
The woman with the short hair brought her a cup of water and as she handed it to Isabelle she smiled warmly at her and Isabelle smiled warily back.
"If you're not in any pain that means the morphine's working. I'm so glad you're okay," Jim said, breathing a small sigh of relief before pressing a kiss to Isabelle's forehead.
Isabelle's brow furrowed.
"What? What is it Isabelle?"
"Why am I in the hospital?" She looked to the woman with the short, dark hair. "Are you a doctor?"
Jim and Lee exchanged worried glances. "Yes, but I'm not yours," Lee said, "I'll go get him for you." Lee gave Jim another quick concerned glance before she left the room.
After the doctor saw Isabelle and decided they would do a few more tests, a skinny, tired, and rather disheveled looking young man appeared in the doorway with a bouquet of purple roses in his hand. His face lit up when Isabelle's eyes met his and she watched blankly as he limped into the room.
"I brought these for you," he smiled as he set the flowers down on the table next to the bed. "I'm so glad you're awake. I was worried I had lost you." His voice faltered and his eyes started to glisten as he looked down at her, smiling with relief.
"Um..." Isabelle bit her lip, her brow knit together. "Do I know you?" She asked when he moved to place a kiss on her cheek and she moved back as far as she could to avoid the unwanted affection.
Oswald had been utterly relieved when he found out she was going to be all right. Jim had told him he didn't have to stay, that he would call him with any news but Oswald refused. At first he was overcome with worry and a desperation to save her, trying to think of anything that could be done besides just sitting there. Oswald kept Isabelle's bracelet in his hands the entire time. After he felt a numbness overcome him he worried a thumb over the cool metal constantly. He would get up and pace the floor then sit and replay in his mind when one of his bullets could have hit her, processing all that had transpired in the past twenty-four hours. His relief at seeing Isabelle was alive and well, then his horror at realizing she was working with Fish. How she'd carved her name into his skin. He didn't even remember that until Lee asked to look at it. He'd though of how it felt to have Isabelle in his arms again and Fish Mooney and Maroni finally gone. The look on her face when she realized something was wrong, her warm blood on his fingers in the backseat as Jim drove, the doctors and nurses rushing her away from him. Now he felt confusion at her rejection.
Realizing what was happening, although not quite accepting it, Jim cut in, "Isabelle, this is Oswald Cobblepot. He's an acquaintance of mine."
"Oh," Isabelle took in the young man before her and for the slightest moment she had the oddest sensation of happiness but it left quickly and she shook it off. "Hello Mr. Cobblepot. It's nice to meet you."
Isabelle didn't understand the look of dawning horror on Oswald Cobblepot's face as Jim led him outside and into the hallway.
~O.o~
Jim leaned over the railing, looking out over the city as the early morning light lit up the sky. Lee came up behind him and placed a reassuring hand on his back.
"She'll be okay Jim. She's awake and talking, eating, she's in very little pain."
"And as long as she doesn't remember Cobblepot, doesn't remember coming to this city at all, I can keep her safe," he resolved, hands gripping the railing even tighter.
"Jim, people that go through traumatic experiences like hers, the memories are likely to resurface after a while. She'll remember him. Everything. You have to let her decide things for herself."
Jim turned around to face Lee. "Yes but we have no idea what she went through on the island she mentioned. I'd like to keep it that way if it means I get the old Isabelle back."
"She's still the same Isabelle," Lee reassured him. "And until she gets those memories back she might not be herself at all."
"What do you mean?"
"Sometimes when the memories try to resurface, it can be difficult. Terrifying even, even more so with what all she's been through. They probably won't even seem real to her, more like nightmares. There will be the good memories as well, of you, and of Oswald I'm sure. She should be here, with you. Not sent off to Wayne Manor under the guise that Alfred's her grandfather when she's able."
"I will be there for her. I'll visit her as much as I can but I'd rather she stay at the manor, not in the city."
"And what happens when her memories resurface? When she realizes what you did? If you're not careful…"
"Whatever it comes to I'll handle with it."
Lee sighed. "She's your niece. If you think it's what's best."
"I do. You didn't see her Lee. You didn't see what she did in that Warehouse."
~O.o~
As soon as she recovered from the gunshot wound Isabelle was back at Wayne Manor, although she didn't recall being there before. As far as she knew Alfred was her grandfather and Bruce was his young charge. Both Alfred and Bruce were quite happy the day Isabelle moved back in, although they both kept up the guise that they had never met her before.
"So, you're my grandfather?"
"That I am Isabelle."
Isabelle tilted her head a bit. "You're British? I didn't know my dad was British. Not that I've ever known my dad anyway. Well, long lost British grandfather, thank you for letting me stay here. My uncle doesn't feel like the city is a safe place to be. I don't know why he would invite me to live with him in the first place if that's the case."
"You are more than welcome here, Isabelle," Bruce said, smiling at her.
"Thank you Bruce," she smiled back.
Isabelle decided almost immediately that she liked the young man very much. She had the strangest urge to protect him but what for or from what she couldn't place.
"I'll show you to your room," Bruce said and Isabelle followed.
. When Bruce heard what had happened to Isabelle he was terrified of losing her. He had those few people around him he cared very much about and Isabelle was one of them. She had treated him so kindly during her previous stay here and they had grown so close that when Alfred informed him that she had no memory of it, of Gotham, much less him, he had cried. Ultimately he resolved to help her in any way possible and if that meant her staying in his home again he couldn't possibly say no.
Two weeks had passed since she moved in and Isabelle felt quite at home.
Her uncle had insisted she didn't need a job so Isabelle contented herself with reading the hours away and getting to know Alfred and Bruce. Sometimes the two males would share a glance with one another that puzzled Isabelle and sometimes she felt like there was an itching inside her head, similar to the feeling one gets when a word is on the tip of their tongue but they can't quite pull it to the surface. Once those moments passed though Isabelle shrugged them off. Jim came to the Manor several nights a week to eat dinner with them and spend time with Isabelle. He even brought Lee with him once so far. He'd explained to Isabelle that he and Barbara broke up and he was with Lee now. Isabelle had refrained from asking the questions she wanted to about that, feeling that it wasn't really any of her business.
~O.o~
Oswald was busy building his empire. He had men that quietly checked up on Isabelle so he could be certain she was okay. He often replayed in his mind when he saw her in the hospital and the completely blank look she had on her face when he had expected her to be happy to see him there, bringing her her favorite flowers. He currently had a bouquet of said flowers delivered to her at Wayne Manor every Sunday morning, making sure not to leave a note and for no one to let on that they were from him.
Two months had passed since the incident and Isabelle was going into the city to have lunch with her uncle. Isabelle knew she'd lost memories from the past year, her uncle and his new girlfriend told her so. They told her she'd been mugged in the city and that was how she got the bullet wound. When she'd asked about the scars they'd told her she'd done them to herself and that's all they would say. She wanted to ask how she'd managed the one on her back but refrained. She knew they weren't telling her the whole truth and Lee told her it was because it could be hard for her to remember and that she would need time for the memories to resurface, if they ever did.
Isabelle entered the police station dressed in skinny jeans, a dark purple sweater, and black flats. She kept flicking her short, cow-licked bangs out of the way as they came down just above her eyebrows.
~O.o~
"He's gone. Relax."
Edward turned around with a gasp.
"Holy moly, look at you! Everyone's gonna think you're going nuts."
"I get nervous when you talk to me with other people around like that. Stop doing that."
"What?"
"That!" Edward pointed. "Copying me."
"Dude…it's a mirror, that's how they work."
Edward turned on the faucet to wash his hands.
"You know what I think we need? I think that we need…a little more fun." He chuckled. "Some romance."
"Stop. I know where this is going. I told you, leave Miss Kringle alone."
"Oh you know I'm not talking about Miss Kringle. Come on, now. Isabelle Gordon doesn't remember Oswald Cobblepot. She doesn't remember us! It's the perfect chance. We've been vying for her ever since that kiss in our apartment. All we have to do is convince her she was ours before she lost her memories. Imagine her in our arms again, those sweet brown eyes looking up at us, and soft trembling flesh."
"Be quiet!"
~O.o~
Edward spotted her as soon as she entered the station. He'd been to see her when she was in the hospital every few days while she was there. She was asleep the first time so he'd sat and watched her. The next time he'd told her they were friends and he was relieved when she seemed to take his word for it. It was true after all. She apologized for not being able to remember but had said she would like to get to know him again, to which he had smiled at everyone he saw for the rest of the day. He had to admit the short hair was…sassy. He liked it, he liked it a lot.
"We could run our hands through that hair of hers, just imagine her in-"
"Shut. Up," he whispered as Isabelle spotted him.
"Edward," she called out, walking up to him, smiling.
"Isabelle, it's good to see you. How's life at Wayne Manor?"
"Oh, it's great, thank you."
"How…how are you?"
"I'm good, thanks. I was hoping I'd see you here, actually."
"R-really?" Edward asked, very pleased to hear that.
"Yeah, I was thinking maybe we could do something this weekend. You could come by the manor maybe?"
Edward struggled a bit to maintain his glee. "That sounds great."
"Okay, let's say, Sunday?"
"Sure."
"Oh, there's Uncle Jim. See you Sunday." Isabelle waved before turning around and going to meet Jim.
"Yeah, see you," Edward said, absolutely beaming at her back as she walked away.
~O.o~
After Jim had lunch with Isabelle he went to see Oswald.
"Jim! Come on in! My dear old friend."
"We need to talk."
"Oh." Oswald turned to his men, "leave us."
"Hey Selina," Jim greeted her, "movin on up, huh?"
"Tryin'."
"Isn't she darling? It's like having a cat around the house. But no horrid dead mice."
"Have you seen Isabelle?" Jim asked Selina.
"Oh, she sees her all the time," Oswald answered for her.
"You have her spying on Isabelle?" Jim asked, although not the least bit surprised.
"Now, now. Not spying. Watching over her. And she's not the only one. Isabelle is plenty safe I assure you."
"Safe yes. I know about the flowers Oswald. You need to be careful."
"I know Jim, and I am. Lee told me all I needed to know about Isabelle's current situation."
Jim was silent for a moment. "I need a favor. I figure you owe me one."
"I do? I'm always happy to help you, Jim, but I-I, I don't recall…"
"The hospital. I saved you from Maroni's men."
"But I was only there because you arrested me."
"For attempted murder. Remind me again why I let you go? Or should I remind you that my niece nearly bled to death because she was too worried about you."
"Well, let's be thankful she is alive and doing well today. Now, enlightened friendship, I'd call us even, but…let's not quibble. I'm so happy you came to me for help, Jim. The answer is yes. Your wish is granted."
"You don't know what it is yet."
"You want Loeb fired and your old job back, no?"
"Yes."
"For a good friend like you, for Isabelle's beloved uncle, it can be done. If you're sure that's what you want."
"I'm sure."
"May I ask why? Police work in Gotham is such a thankless job."
"Good pension."
"What does Lee think?"
"Who?"
Oswald gave Jim a, 'really' grin. "She was there at the hospital."
"Are you gonna help me or not?"
"Relax. I already said I would help."
Jim rose from the table to leave.
"He is so brusque isn't he?" Oswald asked Selina. "No, thank you. Oh…" he slammed a hand on the table before getting up himself, the noise causing Selina to hop up like a startled cat. "While I think on it, perhaps there's a small favor you could do for me in return. I know how you hate to owe favors. I am having a small business dispute with a friend of mine, Ogden Barker. You have a persuasive personality. Perhaps you could talk to him."
Jim walked back to Oswald. "You want me to collect a debt for you?"
"I want you to prove to me that our friendship is a real one, based on trust and equity."
"That's fair. No. Sorry. Can't help you. Congratulations on all of your success. Be good Selina."
"Always," she answered.
"Speaking of favors," Jim addressed Oswald again." I want you to stop with the flowers. You could be triggering something with her."
"Like what? They're just flowers Jim, harmless," Oswald waved it off.
"She's having nightmares you know. Ones she doesn't even remember having in the morning."
Oswald's eyes darkened as he listened to Jim and his chest felt heavy. "What do you mean?"
"I mean she has them regularly. Bruce is the only one able to calm her down. He's even moved into the bedroom across the hall from her so that he can be there as soon as she starts having them."
"And do you know what these nightmares are about?"
"Memories. Just memories. They're not all nightmares though. Sometimes when she's fallen back to sleep Bruce says she'll speak your name."
"Really?"
"Yes. But like I said, she can't remember any of them after that. I don't want them to get worse, so you need to be careful. I'm not playing around here."
"What are you still doing here Jim? Hmm? Besides torturing me by telling me of how the love of my life is suffering! Trying to make me feel guiltier than I already do?"
"Like you feel guilt."
"I do! I love her Jim! I know you hate that but I do. It was my bullet that shot her, it's my fault she's in the state she is! I promised to protect her and I have failed over and over! First Mooney, and then my appalling behavior at the charity ball, and that damned Island!"
"You actually feel guilt for what's happened to Isabelle? All of that, all that's happened to her is because of you. If you really cared about her you would have stayed away from her a long time ago. That's the best protection you could have given her."
"You think I don't know that! Yes Jim! As unbelievable as it may seem to you, I am a human being capable of a broad range of feelings. Isabelle would not be with me if I were so cold and heartless as you seem to believe I am. Although I admit I've given you good reason to think so. I do love her. Even if she never remembers me, I will always love her."
Jim was walking away already.
"Don't say no to what I asked you Jim. Sleep on it."