Nygma

I turned before leaving Oswald at the door.

"Look, if Jim doesn't show up for work, every cop will be out there looking for him, so you will need to take care of that."

With that said, I turned and headed down the alley. I lifted the collar of his shirt as I walked and breathed in the scent for a moment.

I shook my head and headed to my apartment, I had lied about going into work. In fact, I didn't start work until a few hours from now. I entered my apartment which was modestly decorated, everything had a place, everything was dust free, and organized. It made me seem neurotic; which wasn't far off from the truth. I enjoyed clean spaces, what could I say?

I dropped my tool bag by the door and just sunk to my knees in the middle of my living room. I then sat down and wrapped my arms around my knees staring into space as I began to rock back and forth. Soon after I clutched patches of hair on my head with my hands and closed my eyes and continued to rock.

After my small episode, I drug myself into the shower and scrubbed myself clean. After the shower, I pulled on a new clean shirt and slacks for work. I was going to miss the green shirt I left behind for Oswald; it was going to be so big on him. I was taller, long armed, where he was not. His shirt looked strange on my form. I put on my tie and fixed my glasses on my face before heading out to the subway.

Cobblepot's shirt lay on the end of my bed.

Oswald

My head drooped and I snapped back awake. I sat straight up in the chair and looked around left and right quickly. No one but me and Jim Gordon lying on the table in front of me. I stood up and hobbled up to the table and stared down at Jim.

His breathing had eased and his face looked so at peace considering the ordeal he had been through in the past 24 hours. His eyelids fluttered. He sat up abruptly eyes wide open. He sucked in a large breath and then held his left side. "Ow, I feel like I was hit by a car." He rubbed the back of his neck with his right hand.

I had jumped back from the table when Jim shot up. I rushed back to him to stop him of moving too quickly. I blocked him with my outstretched arms.

"Jim, my dear friend, we are in a safe place. No need to fear. Please rest here for just a few more minutes. Nygma just stitched you up."

"Nygma did what,Cobblepot?" He asked still adjusting to where he was.

"Jim, you called me last evening. When I arrived, you were in bad shape. You were already passed out. I brought you back here and snuck Nygma here to help fix you up." I replied.

"I need to go." Jim said slow pushing himself off the table grimacing with every moment. He slowly began gathering his effects from the other small side table.

"Goddamn it, Jim! Please listen to me! Fish or someone connected to her nearly killed you last night! You are no fit state to return to the station!" I yelled out in frustration. I stood in front of him attempting to block his path.

"Move, Penguin!" He said through gritted teeth, his face in front of mine.

I stepped aside,"Jim at least let walk you out. This is a maze to keep unwanted persons out." I grabbed his arm and lead him to the front door. "Take care, Jim. Please do take it easy out there until you are back to full health."

"I will." He replied looking over his shoulder as he pushed the door open. As I watched Jim fade into the horizon, I pulled out my cellphone,"Hey Neg, it's me..."

Nygma

I was sitting in my office analyzing blood samples but my mind kept wandering thinking about last night and early this morning.

The police department was awake buzzing with questions of where Detective Gordon was. Though no one would bother to ask me so I didn't involve myself in their discussions.

I heard my phone go off and I picked it up answering it.

"Hello, Oswald."

Oswald

"Neg, not so loud! You don't want to be found interacting with the enemy, do you?"I sneered at him,"I'm just calling to you that Gordon is on his way into work. That stubborn son of a bitch..."

"What?!" he nearly shouted into the phone, so much so that I had to hold the phone away from my ear. "He shouldn't even be walking yet...I mean I just stitched him up...He'll tear his wounds open…"

He then started more medical babble. "Neg, Neg, NYGMA! Calm down!" I tooked a deep breath in and out to bring my voice back to a calm level, "I was calling you so that you could watch over him while he is at work. Let me know of his movements and if you cannot follow him, call me, so I can have some of my men follow and keep him safe, okay?"

Nygma

I had to put aside what happened the night before, so that we could keep Gordon safe. I nodded just pinching the bridge of my nose listening to Oswald speak.

"Yes, yes of course. I can keep an eye on him here, I will go see if he needs any help on the current case the detectives are on." I told him

.

I glanced up from the notepad I was staring at through the office's large windows onto the floor of the precinct. "Here he is now actually."

I watched Gordon's movements closely as the man walked into the department and up the stairs to the desks he and his partner shared.

Oswald

"Good. Keep in touch, Nygma." I flipped the phone close ending the call.

I knew that I had just given Nygma fuel for his petty crush. I still will come out on top in the end. I smiled at the thought of how fulfilling that conquest will be. I began to laugh a big great laugh that began small at first, but rose in volume and echoed all throughout the warehouse I was standing in.

First on my agenda for getting Nygma on my side, having Jim break his heart. A large smile spread across my face as I pushed the front door open and I crossed the threshold to another gray and gloomy day in Gotham.

Nygma

I slipped my phone into my pocket and grabbed the file off my desk and stood up straightening my tie. I ran my hands down my shirt and jacket to make sure everything sat well and headed out of my office.

I walked slowly to the desks that the two detectives were sitting at. Watching Gordon just sitting there hunched over the desk made me feel rather warm inside. Part of me pained for him though knowing what he had been through, but still the man came to work, to protect the city. A true hero.

"Good morning Detectives," I smiled widely stopping before their desks.

Oswald

I walked down the road whistling and twirling my umbrella with my right arm. As I came out of Gotham's warehouse district I could feel like I was being followed. I picked up the pace and turned right at the next corner.

The next thing I knew I was grabbed by the collar of my suit jacket and pushed up against the wall roughly. A large man in a neatly tailored suit with light hair was holding me there.

"Butch, I see Fish still has you being her errand boy."I greeted the man smirking.

"No, I just needed him to make sure couldn't run off this time, Penguin." A powerful voice said from behind Butch.

Fish Mooney was now walking towards me in powerful strides. She wore a gold colored dress and large gold hooped earrings.

I swallowed, but I vowed long ago that would never submit to Fish again. She thought she is sly with he plan to take of the Falcone family business, but I am smarter.

I just looked up at her smiling,"To what do I owe the pleasure of this meeting, Fish?"

"You have someone I want." She replied curtly.

"Do we all have someone another person wants?" I replied back briefly thinking of Nygma and his man-crush on Gordon. I could see that my smartass retort angered Fish, so I continued,"Who is it of mine that you so desperately want?"

"I'm looking for Jim Gordon." Another short reply.

"Aren't we all looking for him? I am sorry but I have no idea where he is." That wasn't a total lie since he had left my warehouse this morning. I could guess he was still at the precinct since there had been no word from Nygma.

Butch grabbed me more firmly and again shoved me into the wall. "No need to be rough now. On my honor I'm telling you the truth."

"Oh," Fish let out a laugh,"what honor is that? Time and time again you've lied and betrayed me! What makes you think I'll believe anything that comes out of your mouth, you little sneak?"

"Because this time I do speak the truth. I do not know Jim Gordon's whereabouts. If I may be so bold to ask, why are you looking for him?"

"He took something from me." She replied. I could tell that this answer was a farce. She really wanted to find Gordon to hurt me and my plans for ruling Gotham. She continued," I know Gordon called you lasted night. I have sources telling me that you dragged his nearly dead body out to an abandoned warehouse around here."

"Well I do believe that your sources are wrong, Fish, but you can search the warehouses if you'd like." I pointed back towards the warehouses with my umbrella. "Can you please tell your trained monkey to release me? I have other business to attend to."

"Butch." She snapped her fingers and I started straightening out my suit jacket and tucking in Nygma's large shirt into my suit pants. As I began walking off Fish called out to me,"Penguin, I will find him and next time I'll be sure to kill him."

"Always a pleasure doing business with you, Fish." Waving a hand at her over my shoulder as l began walking away.

I knew that if Fish was looking for Gordon this soon, things were about to shake up. It's time I paid my old friend, Jim Gordon, a visit.

Nygma

"Yes Ed?" Harvey asked looking to me. He looked like death, worse than Jim and he had been beaten half to death.

"I was wondering if you needed any help with this case the Chief briefed us on this morning," came my chipper reply.

"You're not a detective Ed." Responded Harvey bitterly.

My mouth twirked slightly. "I realize that Detective Bullock" my tone was dry.

"Bodies are more my expertise" I added smiling again.

Jim looked to me as he leaned back in his chair. He winced slightly, from pain I assumed. The man was doing his best to hide his injuries, but I knew what he looked like under his suit.

Our eyes met and lingered for a moment before he looked to the file I had laid before him. I knew why he wasn't present for the briefing, I wonder if he knew that I was the one who saved his life.

He should view me as a hero.

"Why are you so keen about this particular case?" Gordon asked simply picking up the file.

"It just intrigues me." I responded.

Honestly it was rather boring. Just a dead prostitute found in some alley. I had already assumed her pimp had taken care of her. Perhaps it was a client, maybe he got a little too rough with her. I wanted to get a little rough with the Detective before me... "Stop!"

I let out a breath and continued to smile.

"Edward Nygma!"

I turned at the sound of my name being called. A blonde woman was standing at the top of the stairs, her hands on her hips. She adjusted her glasses before storming up to me.

"What is this?" She asked sharply thrusting a envelope into my hand forcing me to drop the other book I was holding.

I swallowed looking to the dusty envelope.

"I assume it's the riddle you never responded to Ms. Kringle" I breathed.

I noticed the envelope wasn't even open. There was a question mark on it.

"I don't know why you keep forcing these on me Edward. I am not interested in them, in you, you're so weird. Just stop!"

I was just staring at the envelope and then looked back to her my smile gone. "Would you like to know the answer?"

"NO!" She yelled at me throwing her hands into the air.

Oswald

I stood in front of the police station. I took in a deep breath as the events of the past twenty four hours replayed in my mind. To be honest I was quite exhausted, I had only dozed off for a bit while keeping watch over Jim throughout the night. I had been on edge all night while Jim was unconscious, and the run in with Fish didn't help calm my nerves.

I began slowly walking up the steps of the police station and pushed open the door. I scanned the room and saw Jim sitting at his desk with his partner, Harvey. I needed to acquire a private conversation with Gordon. /I guess now is as good a time as any./

I hobbled my way over to his desk. "Hello Jim, old friend, might I request a private word with you?"

He looked up from the case file he was engrossed in at me. He glared at me briefly,"Why would I /need/ to talk with /you/?"

"Oh, Jim don't be so harsh." I chuckled,"I have some information that may be of interest to you."

Harvey now looked up at me,"And why is it that this information is needed to be kept from me?"

"Why, dear Harv? Jim had me run a little errand for him and I wanted to brief him on how it went."

Harvey threw up his hands and shook his head. "Jim call me when you are ready to get to work." He grabbed his coat off his desk chair and placed his hat on his head, and walked away.

"What is it you really want, Cobblepot?" Jim growled at me.

"Two matters is all Jim." I smiled,"The first being that Fish Mooney practically assaulted me trying to find your whereabouts. Which I told her I didn't know of course." I paused. Jim just looked at me with a look that said are you done yet?

I did not know if I share Nygma's little man-crush on Jim with him this early in the game. I always get what I want in the end, so I continued,"The second matter concerns Nygma. I do believe he has quite the crush on you. It's quite cute really." I smiled again.

Jim's face turned to one of shock and disbelief. He was struggling over the words to say. "What?!" He sputtered out.

"Why do you think he always lurks around watching you work? I mean when he saw you lying on that table in the warehouse unconscious, he held you in his arms with tears in his eyes."Jim sat there silently taking in all I was telling him, so I continued,"I not sure if you'll believe me or not, but I just thought you should know. So you can stop it before his harmless crush become not so harmless."

I turned around to start heading somewhere where safe to finally get some undisturbed rest.

"It was nice doing business with you, Jim Gordon, old friend."

Nygma

I sat in my office organizing the new files that were dropped off to my desk. I was quiet as I worked through them. After that I had a few errands to run for the Medical Examiner. I couldn't tear my mind away from the fact Ms. Kringle embarrassed me in front of the entire precinct. I could feel all the officers eyes burning holes in my back as I collected my things and closed myself in my office.

I came back from the ME's office and looked to the envelope on my desk she had thrown at me. I picked it up and studied the question mark she had written on it before just tossing it in the trash. That was the last straw for me.

A knock came from my door and I turned around. I was so tired I was thinking about leaving early. Detective James Gordon was standing there.

"Jim" I smiled getting to my feet.

"Sit Nygma." Came his reply.

I swallowed at the demanding tone of his voice and immediately sat back in my chair resting my hands on the desk in front of me.
"What is it Jim?" I asked.

"Cobblepot told me about stitching me up. I have to admit I was nervous at first..."

"Don't doubt my abilities James." I shook my head. "it was a clean job you will heal nicely. "

"Thank you Ed." He responded. "You saved my life."

With that he turned and walked out.
I smiled as I watched after him, my heart was racing in my chest.

"You are welcome James Gordon. It was my pleasure"

I couldn't get the huge smile off my face, I must have looked like a goof. I looked to the waste basket next to my desk and pulled out the envelope.

I ripped it open. It was a white card with the riddle I had wrote to Ms. Kringle months ago. I guess she wasn't that clever after all.

What's adorable and not really surprising?

Then on the back was the answer

My growing fondness over such a wonderful girl like you

I was now glad she never opened it. That could have been even more embarrassing.

At the end of the day I was beat. I needed to sleep. I grabbed my coat and locked my office climbing the stairs to the main level of the department.

"Hey Ed one more thing!" Called Gordon.

I stopped and looked over to him grabbing his jacket and walking over.

"Yes detective?" I asked smiling to him.

"I obviously can't tell you what to do.." He started and then leaned in closer to me. "Look, just be smart when it comes to Oswald Cobblepot, Nygma. I don't know what business you have with him; but watch your back. He's shady as it gets and there's a storm brewing. Don't get yourself caught in it okay?"

I looked to him as he spoke, my eyes studying the outline of his jaw, the sharp curves of his cheekbones.

"You seem to trust him Gordon" I responded just above a whisper.

He leaned back towards me again.
"One thing I don't do is trust that man. I just know how to play the game, Ed."

He pulled back and Harvey walked by asking him to get a drink with him.

"Hang on detective" I called as Jim walked away.

He stopped and I walked boldly up to him and grabbed his tie in both of my hands adjusting it for him.

"A crooked tie is suspicious," I chuckled.

"...thanks." He nodded before leaving the precinct before me.

I headed towards the subway his words playing in my head. I couldn't focus though, all I could think about what that man being so close to me I could smell his light aftershave.

As I started down the stairs to the subway station, I pulled out my phone to call Oswald and tell him Gordon was leaving with his partner. I received his voice mail.

"Oswald, hello. This is Edward. Detective Gordon left the precinct and is headed out with his partner for drinks I am assuming. I was not invited to the occasion so I am going home for the evening. Good night. "