Oswald

As I looked out at the city from my apartment. I could tell that tonight was going to be a special night. Tonight was Don Falcone's party of goodwill. to honor all of the fallen brothers of both his and Don Maroni's family. Aside from the heads of both crime families other notable guests included Fish Mooney, who had regained some of her status recently, a narcotics cop bribed by the families, Arnold Flass, and Jim Gordon.

Nygma had been very insistent on Gordon being there to ensure that our plan was to be a success. Personally I couldn't see why. It made me more nervous to have him there, but I couldn't argue with Nygma, because it was his serum and he always beat me in chess.

Nygma was also going to be there, but incognito. I hoped that Gordon wouldn't recognize him, or if he knew Nygma was going to be there, Nygma had convinced him why, because Gordon was our unknown in the equation to our plan.

We had run over our plan many times now so many that I can picture the night in my mind. I ran through it once more before leaving my apartment. The Plague lace bottles of wine had a small symbol on them. Both Nygma and I would be responsible for pouring the "honored guests" a glass from those bottles.

As the moon rose in the sky peeking through the clouds, I began my walk to the party whistling to myself. If all went as planned in a few days to a week Gotham would be mine and Nygma's to claim. That is if all went without a hitch.

Nygma

I had convinced Gordon to come to the party that evening, and I would be there as well. Gordon suggested I be there undercover that way the more GCPD there, the better things would go smoothly. Gordon was very concerned about the fact the night would be a huge fight by the end. I was just more concerned about the serum being exposed. Though I knew our plan was solid.

I arrived in my waiter clothing I managed to put together with Gordon's help. I would merely play the role of a waiter. I got there before anyone else to blend in with the other waiters. Gordon arrived somewhat early with Barbara on his arm. He was dressed rather nicely in black, Barbara in a gold floor length gown.

Much to my disappointment Arnold Flass was there with Ms. Kringle on his arm. I honestly had no idea why they were there, but Kringle kept making eye contact from the moment she walked into the place. I kept my distance from her the best I could.

I was very nervous, but kept it under wraps as the night progressed. I made sure I kept careful watch over the bottles of wine we had laced.

Stop fidgeting, it's going to be wonderful! the voice reminded me.

Be a man.

I shook my head as I served water and drinks to everyone, making my rounds around the grand room. I was eying the potential victims Oswald had claimed.

"Looking nice Ed." whispered Gordon with a chuckle as I poured his fiancee a glass of champagne.

"Thank you Detective," I responded with a smile handing Barbara her glass, then pouring Jim one. "You look absolutely gorgeous Barbara, it's a pleasure to meet you."

"Pleasure's mine," the blonde smiled brightly thanking me for her glass and sipping from it.

"Don't be nervous Ed, you're just here for surveillance, I don't trust many people." reminded Jim.

I had no idea when I was promoted from analyst to undercover cop, but I'd take it. Besides, I needed to be with the Plague. It was my baby after all.

Oswald

The party was in full swing, but why wouldn't it be? It was late, the time when the underground world of Gotham really came alive.

I kept a bottle of laced wine close to my person. Nygma and I had both agreed that I needed to serve Don Maroni first. I sought him out and found him at a table with Don Falcone. Luckily Fish was a few tables over. Nygma and I had accounted for this in our plan.

I took a breath before going up to the table.

"Don Maroni, Don Falcone" I bowed to each individually,"I have brought you a bottle of the finest house wine from my club. May I pour you a glass?"

"Ah, my little Penguin, you knew exactly what I was asking for." Don Maroni said to me warmly thrusting his glass towards me. I filled it smiling gently watching the Don take a sip, "I hope you enjoy it, Don Maroni." Because it will very soon be your last!

Don Falcone did not want to give away the fact that I was a double agent working for him so he didn't acknowledge me when I came to the table and waved away my wine.

Perfect, all the better for Nygma to get later.

I walked around until I was within decent eyesight of Nygma and yawned. His cue that Don Maroni had taken the bait.

Nygma

I glanced to Oswald and took his cue, my eyes searching for Maroni. I chuckled internally, this actually excited me.

I had been keeping my eyes on everyone the entire night. My fascination seemed to be on Jim and Barbara though. How they laughed together and Jim would lean in and whisper in her ear and kiss her cheek. It was disgustingly adorable really. Wheels were turning in my mind.

Kill her. directed the voice inside my head. Kill her, make Gordon suffer

No. I couldn't do that.

Yes you can. That man hurt you, broke your heart, destroyed you. Then he almost killed Oswald. Wouldn't it be fabulous to get him right where it hurts too? An eye for an eye...

I shook my head trying to ignore the voice, but it kept talking to me. Kept fueling the fire.

"May I have a glass of that fabulous looking wine?" asked Barbara appearing before me.

I blinked, what wine? Then I glanced to my hand, a bottle of the laced wine was in my hands. When did I grab this? Holy shit.

"Uhh..of course," I nodded. I took her glass and filled it halfway with the wine. "Enjoy Barbara."

"Thank you," she smiled. Then she walked away back to Jim's side who kissed her.

I sighed inwardly, there was no stopping it now.

Ahhh see? Not that hard at all.

I went back to rounds trying to fight the dreading thoughts out of my head.

"Eddie," whispered a voice from behind me.

I whipped around. "Kringle..." I responded darkly.

"Didn't realize Gordon invited you as well." she smiled brightly taking the tray I was holding and sat it down before grabbing my arm and directing me into a closet outside of the main hall.

"What the..." I muttered as she closed the door behind us.

"What do you want?" I asked hardly.

Offer her some wine.

I shook the voice out of my head.

"You have something I need," she responded evenly.

"What would that be Kringle?" I asked inching closer to the door.

She came closer to me and I shrunk back into the wall. She was abrasive, I didn't like it.

I could smell the alcohol on her breath as she grabbed the lapels of the suit jacket I was wearing. I wrenched myself from her grasp and stumbled out of the closet.

I about fell right smack into Arnold Flass.

Kristen followed me out of the closet and gasped seeing her boyfriend.

What happened next I don't quite remember. All I heard was a string of swear words from Flass and his fist connecting with the side of my face. He was a large guy, very strong. I stumbled with a groan into a pillar and tried to keep myself upright.

Oswald

Seeing Gordon being so chummy with Nygma really raised my blood pressure. I was half tempted to pour him a bottle of our special wine, but knew that wouldn't give me the satisfaction I wanted.

As one of the staff of the party it was my job to see how the guests of honor were doing. I sighed and began to make my way to Gordon, making sure to hide the laced wine bottle in a safe spot, swapping it for a champagne bottle.

"Why fancy seeing you here, Detective Gordon? And who might be this lovely lady at your side?" I smiled warmly at the both of them.

"Cobblepot? What are you doing?" was Jim's reply ignoring my questions.

"Jim, you wound me." I grabbed my chest mockingly,"You of all people should know that I am associated with the crime families of Gotham. As it is hosted by one of the largest crime families in Gotham, I would obviously would have an invite. I am curious as to how Gotham's' white knight of justice' was able to obtain one? I mean this isn't really your scene, Jim."

Jim just glared back at me. Barbara could sense the tension between Jim and I, so she decided it was her duty to step in.

"Hi, I'm Barbara. I am pleased to meet a friend of Jim's."

I turned to Barbara and bowed to her. "It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm sorry you have such a rude fiance, that such a beautiful lady as yourself would have to introduce yourself."

The next thing I knew I was up against the wall with Jim's face only a few inches from mine.

"What is your problem, Cobblepot? Do you like constantly fucking with me?"

"Oh no dear friend, I meant no harm by my statements. I merely was commenting on your lack of manners."

I was shoved into wall again Jim's hands on my lapels.

"You do realize that you are in my world right now, Jim." My eyes narrowed at him."If you draw too much attention to yourself, even the law won't save you!" I whispered loudly to him.

He was about to slam me into the wall again, when we heard a loud crashing coming to my right. I saw Nygma being dragged out of the hallway by Arnold Flass, one of the cops we owned.

Nygma's glasses were cracked and broken. A large bruise was forming on the left side of his face. He looked barely conscious.

A rage built inside of me. Gordon had already sprung into action already breaking the fight up. I raced over a bottle of wine in my hand already approached Flass. "We do not allow fighting here. If you continue, you will be asked to leave. Sir have a bit more wine and rest here." I gestured to a table and Jim followed behind making sure Flass did not go after Nygma again.

I'll make sure you'll never hurt, Nygma again!

I poured him a glass of the laced wine, and watched him down it in one large gulp. I turned around smiling. The smile faded as I saw Jim tending to Nygma's wounds.

Nygma

"What the hell Ed," murmured Jim turning my head and looking at the punches Flass had laid on me.

Barbara rushed over holding a handful of cold rags she had dumped into a bowl of ice water. Jim took one from her and was cleaning up my face.

I side glanced to Kringle who was talking to her boyfriend. What an awkward situation I had found myself in.

I sighed weakly. "I don't even know what happened Detective," I whispered. "Kringle was speaking to me and then I was being wailed on."

Gordon looked back to Flass and then left me with Barbara holding a rag to my face. He grabbed Arnold up by the collar dragging him from the room, I suspect to take him outside and have a screaming match.

I hunched back into the couch I was sitting on holding my bleeding lip.

Oswald

I waved over Gabe, my trusted right hand man and told him when the crowd thinned to get Nygma to the 'Cobblepot Clinic.'

"Barbara, go join the party. I'll watch over this lowly staff member and see that he stays out of trouble." I winked back at Nygma.

Barbara got up from Nygma's side and went in search of Jim. I checked the room to see if I was needed. The room was taken care of by the other staff, so I went to Nygma's side.

"Neg, what happened to you? I mean really happened?" I said gently stroking his face. "I made that asshole pay for what he did to you...if you know what I mean."I stared at Nygma, my eyes going over all of his wounds.

"If it works, I'll tend to your wounds myself at the clinic. Gabe will help smuggle you there." I kissed him on the forehead lightly and left to make my rounds again.

Nygma

I just looked after him and sighed heavily, my head was pounding. I let Gabe take me out of the place and to the "clinic" once people started to leave the party.

I sat down on the table in the clean room ripping open a package of triple antibiotic ointment.

"Kringle dragged me back into the closet, I got away from her and Flass was there.."I explained to Oswald once he arrived. I was rubbing alcohol on my busted lip.

"Guess he thought I was...with her." I added.

"What is that dumb bitch up to?" Oswald asked out loud,"She is beginning to become a problem, Neg, if you can't control her, we'll have to take care of her."

I then thought about Oswald's words about how he took care of Flass. Add another unintentional victim to the kill list.