Nygma

Time smoothed over my work life at least, everything seemed to be settling back into the same ol' GCPD routine.

"Nygma, body let's go."
"Nygma, got those results?"
"Whatcha think, Ed?"

I was happy it was back to somewhat of a normal environment, things were starting to get a little crazy. I was going to lose my damn mind if it all didn't settle down.

I was making my rounds around the department as usual when I stopped at the top of the stairs noticing Oswald enter the precinct. I smiled inwardly, wondering why he had come. I chuckled thinking if it would be his usual antics with Gordon. I had to admit it was pleasant to hear the two of them go rounds with one another.

I had given Oswald the antidote to the fear serum I had created, administered it in his arm where he had been injected with the serum in the first place. It seemed to be working, at least if it wasn't he didn't show it.

I looked over to where Jim was sitting with Harvey Bullock at their desks. I aimlessly walked back over to see the exchange between the group of them. These encounters excited me.

Gordon looked up from his desk and rolled his eyes seeing Oswald approaching him.

"What now, Cobblepot?" he grunted.

"Why does it always have to be something? Maybe I just came by to wish my good old friend hello?" came Oswald's response.

The two of them go at it like an old married couple

It made me giddy.

The two of them went at it for a few moments before Bullock looked over to me once spotting me out of the corner if his eye.

"Ed! What the hell do you want?" Bullock asked.

"Oh" I responded shifting my weight to my other foot. "Well I just..." I started but was cut off from a high pitched voice.

"Eddie boy!" came the voice and I whipped my head to the right looking to the front doors of the department.

"Oh there he is, my boy." came the voice again.

The voice belonged to a rather tall woman with bright blonde hair standing at the foot of the stairs. She was just a few inches shorter than I was, wearing a white business skirt and blouse. She was dressed to the nines; the gold jewelery, the expensive heels, and her nails perfectly manicured.

She started up the stairs and passed by the detectives desks and Oswald reaching up and grabbing my cheeks pinching them with a bright smile on her face.

"My beautiful darling, Eddie," she beamed. "It's been too long."

I froze from the moment I laid eyes on her. I wasn't sure if it was from fear, anger, or just shock. My soul died just then, I wanted to run away. I let my eyes fall to not look her in the eyes and challenge her.

"Hello Momma," I whispered weakly gripping the files in my hands so hard I was crunching them.

Riddle me this, riddle me that! Who's afraid of the big bad witch?

"Oh Eddie how have you been?" my mother asked me.

She really had some nerve to show up here, to show her face to me at all. The last time I saw her smug face was when I showed up to my father's funeral too late because she lied to me.

"Fine I guess," I murmured still not looking her in the face.

I was visibly shaking at that point, as she ran her fingers down the side of my face.

"Thought I'd come give my favorite boy a visit." she grinned.

He's your only one

I just nodded weakly. "How long do you plan on staying?" I then asked her.

"Oh I don't know." she shrugged. "But in the mean time why don't you give your mother a tour of this city?"

"I'm at work," I responded dryly.

"No need for the tone Ed." she snapped back but regained her earlier composure. She put on her smile again.

"Sorry mother," I whispered. "I will see you after work okay?" I suggested.

"Good boy." she smiled leaning up and kissing me on the cheek before saying hello to Gordon, Bullock, and Oswald. Once she said hello to them and introduced herself she turned and headed down the stairs and I watched her leave.

I swallowed hardly and avoided everyone's stares as I turned quickly on my heel and hurried for my office. I slipped inside of it and finally let out a soft wail. Tears brimmed in my eyes as I made my way to my desk just sinking into my chair.

The crumpled file folder fell onto the floor next to my chair and I just stared at it.

Damn murmured the voice.

Oswald

I was in the middle of exchanging my usual banter with Detective Gordon when and I heard "Eddie boy!" uttered from across the precinct.

I looked very nervously at Nygma hoping to god that Riddler wasn't about to pop out right here in front of all of the whole precinct.

In hearing the exchange between this woman and Nygma, it seemed civil and that Nygma was the one still in control.

I thought "Eddie" was Riddler's trigger word, but there must be an exception with this woman.

Did I here Nymga say "Mommy"? So this is that bitch! Stay away from him you cold hearted skank! You don't deserve to touch him! You should have just stayed gone! I thought you disowned your own son. Why are you here?

I could tell that this encounter was affecting Nygma. After she took her leave, I snuck away from the detectives and followed Nygma to his office.

When I opened the door, I found Nygma in his chair. I picked up the file by his chair and placed it on his desk. Standing behind his chair. I embraced him from behind resting my chin on his right shoulder.

"It's alright Nygma. Everything is going to be alright. I'm here. I'm right here for you. Whatever you need, I'll do it."

Nygma

I just swallowed hardly staring at my desk. When I felt his arms around me, I closed them for a moment trying to get myself together. I reached back stroking the side of his face taking in a rattled breath.

"Why is she here?" I whispered to really no one. "How did she find me?"

"There's got to be a reason. She would never come see me out of the goodness of her heart. She hates me."

If that witch has a heart

I just sat there mumbling to myself for a bit. I glanced to the clock hanging above my door.

I think we should antagonize her suggested the voice. She wants to see the city? Sure. But it's going to be in the company of us, and Oswald.

I sighed shaking my head.

Come on it would be funny.

I sighed weakly and looked to Oswald. "Up for a dinner date tonight?" I asked him.

Oswald

"Do you even need to ask?" I said with a slight edge of humor in my voice as I kissed him on the bottom if his jaw where it met his neck.

"I'm guessing that it will not be a romantic date with just the two of us. I imagine bitch-face mcgee will be coming along...Oh I'll have some words for her!"

I stood up and broke my embrace to shake my fist at an invisible Mrs. Nygma.

"And I thought Miss Kringle was annoying..." I thought out loud.

I turned back towards Nygma as an idea had come to me.

"Hey, Neg, you thought I was going to have some words for your mom...just wait until my mother takes a look at the piece of work that is your mother." I actually got physically giddy at the idea chuckling softly to myself.

"What do you say, Neg...how about having our mothers meet?"

Nygma

I chuckled softly at his words, oh there he was, the Oswald I favored.

Bitch-face McGee laughed the voice in the back of my head.

"No, not just between the two of us...unfortunately," I commented,

My eyes raised at his question, "That would be certainly interesting." I nodded. "Dinner at your club then? Your mother just happens to drop by?"

Oh this is going to be the highlight of my year!

Oswald

"Sure I can arrange that. It doesn't take much of a reason for her to come visit the club especially if her 'dear Ossie boy' asks her to come. Though what pretense are you telling your mother this dinner is? I don't care if I'm introduced as your lover to that cold hearted bitch. Personally, I don't think she deserves to know."

I reached across the table grabbing both of his hands in mine looking him straight in the eye.

"I'll be right beside through all of this. As soon as she's gone, we can celebrate together." I smiled warmly up at him.

"Do not be offended by what I am about to say, but if I had one wish it would be Riddler killing that bitch for making you suffer for so long and even continue to suffer. I know crazy idea..."

Nygma

Oh believe me it's crossed my mind... commented the voice.

"She's still the person who gave me birth to me," I noted quietly. "The only reason I fight him back honestly is for my father."

I looked to his hands gripping my own. "You're the only family I've got."

"I'm going to point blank tell her who you are to me."

"Why thank you for your kind words, Neg," Oswald smiled warmly at me. "I should probably get going so I can prepare the club for tonight's festivities. Are you going to be ok until then?" he asked with a touch of concern, looking deep into my eyes.

Nygma

"Yes," I responded. I smiled gently to him, "I can breathe easier knowing you'll be there."

I leaned up slightly and kissed him, nuzzling his nose as I pulled back.

Ick grunted the voice. You wonder why I give him hell.

After Oswald left I sighed running my fingers through my hair wondering how this was all going to play out. I skipped out of work a bit early, my nerves were getting to me.

I went home and took a long shower before getting dressed. I pulled out one of my best suits. It was a charcoal grey; I really wanted to wear one of my nice green ones but my mother was very particular.

I wore a dark green button up underneath it with a black tie. I combed my hair back neatly, cleaned my glasses, and called my mother. It was amazing I could still remember her phone number, course she never changed it.

I asked my mother to meet me at Oswald's, and gave her the address. I wasn't about to go out of my way to pick her up from her hotel.

I got to the club earlier than when I asked my mother to be there to greet Oswald. I straightened my jacket as I headed inside, I had thought about buying flowers, but I decided against it. My mother didn't deserve anything from me. She was lucky she was getting my company.

Oswald

"Welcome, Nygma dear!" I called to him as he entered my club."Reservation for four tonight!" I winked at him.

"So how much time do we have before the ice queen arrives?"

Nygma

I smiled as I walked over to him, "not long." I nodded.

I chuckled gently as I reached out and straightened his tie. "Tried a tie on tonight did we?" I asked.

I then smoothed out the lapels of his suit jacket and sighed. "Look. Tonight is going to be weird. It's been about six years since I've seen her. We have a very weird dynamic as mother and son. I want to find out why she's here before the claws come out."

Oswald

"Oh whatever do you mean, Nygma? I am the perfect gentleman." I smirked at him pulling Nygma closer to my side and giving him a passionate kiss. "At least most of the time." I winked at him as my nose nuzzled his.

"I promise that my mother will be on her best behavior as well."

Nygma

"Sometimes." I chuckled gently closing my eyes for a moment. I pulled away hearing the front door open and the air blowing in from outside.

I turned to see my mother enter the place looking around, I'm sure to judge every little detail she saw fit to judge.

"Ed!" she smiled seeing me and coming straight to me.

I faked a smile tugging on my suit jacket a moment. "Hello," I greeted as she kissed both of my cheeks.

"You clean up so well these days." she pointed out looking me over, "too bad you couldn't do that through med school."

Really? Not even here five minutes and we're starting the nagging remarks.

I just rolled my eyes as she turned her attention onto Oswald.

"I remember you from the precinct." she pointed out.

Yay, point one for captain fucking obvious over here

I answered before Oswald could respond. I put my hands in the pockets of my suit pants.

"Mother, this is Oswald Cobblepot, Oswald this is my mother Victoria Nygma." I introduced the two of them.

Owner of this club, head of one of the largest crime families of Gotham, stealer of your boy's innocence rattled the voice.

"Oh, Oswald, hello." Victoria smiled. "You're the owner of this club I'm assuming?"

"Yes, he is." I responded. "He's also my boyfriend."

She blinked at that looking back to me. I just stood there puffing out my chest slightly. However she didn't comment on the fact that I just openly admitted I was gay.

"Don't put your hands in your pockets." she noted.

Oswald

I could see that this was shaping up to be a wonderful night already. And that was an understatement. Before Mrs. Nygma could throw anymore abuse at Nygma, I stepped in between them, holding out my right hand.

"It is a pleasure to meet you in a more formal setting, Ms. Nygma." I smiled my best gentlemanly smile I could muster. "Please sit." I gestured to a table that was set for the three of us. Candles provided more light for the table in my dimly lit club.

"Are we here before business hours or is it just a slow evening?" Ms Nygma commented.

"Oh Ms. Nygma, the club is rented out for a private event tonight." I smiled at her. "Only the best for the mother of the one I love, of course." Nagging whore! Never tell me how to do my job!

Nygma

"Love?" Victoria commented at that. "How long have you and Eddie been dating?" she asked curiously settling herself in the booth.

"We've been dating a while now," I responded not really wanting to get into specifics. "We met at my work actually. Our lead detective Jim Gordon was investigating a case, brought Oswald in as a witness." I smiled.

I was lying of course, but I didn't want my mother to know what Oswald really did. Especially since I did not know the pretenses of why she was even here.

"Oh yes, Detective James Gordon!" she responded as if she remembered the name.

"That's the name of that handsome man on the TV. That's how I saw you actually. A few months ago actually, there was that one case...oh I don't remember...but it got national news coverage. They were filming at the scene of the crime and I remember I saw you walk out of the building with your medical case."

I swallowed at that, of course that's how she knew where I was. Dammit.

Because that's not stalkerish

"Oh I was so excited" Victoria continued on. "I told William, yep there goes my boy Eddie!"

I choked slightly on the sip of water I was taking from my glass. "William?" I asked for clarification.

"Oh yes. William, my fiancee." she responded.

I blinked. "Fiancee?" I asked with a hardness to my tone.

"I am getting re-married. That's why I'm here really, I want to smooth things over with my pride and joy."

What kind of lies has she been telling this idiot?

"You're getting re-married?" I snapped losing my cool for a split second.

"It's been six years since your father's death, Eddie," she responded reaching over and stroking my hand.

"How long have you been with this man?" I asked coldly shaking her hand off of mine.

"Five years," was her reply.

My eyes grew real cold, "Oh so dad dies and you say what the hell and jump into some other rich man's bed?" I accused. "Or were you already sleeping with him while father was in a hospital dying?"

"Don't you dare Edward," she hissed. "You were halfway across the country while he was dying doing absolutely nothing for him. Don't you accuse me of not being by his bed day and night!"

"HE HAD CANCER, THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD FUCKING DO!" I shouted at her slamming my water glass down and getting out of the booth.

I had to remove myself from the situation before Riddler got any better ideas.

I walked down to Oswald's stage taking in a long deep breath. I put my hands on my waist and paced around a couple of tables cooling off before returning and taking my seat like nothing had happened.

Veronica seemed like she was almost in tears. "I'm sorry Eddie," she whispered reaching out and rubbing my arm. "I didn't mean that, I just felt attacked."

"I'm sorry for my outburst," I responded nodding to her even though I didn't mean my apology anymore than she meant hers.

Oswald

Wow, this bitch is colder than I gave her credit for! I could see that this conversation was escalating to a dangerous level. Pretty soon Riddler might even join the party. I actually might welcome him at this point because I almost wanted to pull out my umbrella gun and shoot her. Mostly the shut her up.

"Oh, Ossie dear!" I smiled hearing a familiar voice call out to me from the back entrance to my club. I waved Gabe to have him escort her in and set a place at the table for her as well.

"What a pleasant surprise, mother! I wasn't expecting you to visit me at work today!" I stood up and kissed my mother on both cheeks lightly before pulling out her chair for her and pushing her in once she sat down.

"Mother, this is Edward's mother, Victoria Nygma."

My mother looked at Nygma's mother sizing her up while holding her hand out. "Gertrud Kapelput."

I could tell by the way that she looked at Ms. Nygma, my mother had hear all of her tirade towards Nygma. Oh this was going to be fun!

"Excuse me for speaking frankly, but I feel that I must ask this. Are you always a cold hearted bitch or is this mood only reserved for your son and his friends?"

Ms. Nygma just looked aghast at my mother's statement. Her mouth opened and closed a few times but was never able to get a hold of her speech.

"I'll take your silence as you have always been this way." A fake look of sadness was plastered on my mother's face before continuing to speak. "I'm soon to hear that you lost your husband." A smile that started out as a solemn on now spread across my mother's face.

"I bet he is dancing in heaven right now. He couldn't wait to die because then he was free from your abuse. He would be greatly saddened to see how you are treating his only son."

"While I do not support all of the decisions that my dear Ossie makes," she paused to glare briefly at Nygma them smiled warmly at him."I still love him. Instead of cutting him down, I try to build him up with support and love. Do you even see how your constant verbal abuse has affected your son? I seriously doubt it..."

My mother's smirk said it all. She was proud of all that she had said. I also couldn't help, but think by the way she defended Nygma that she actually liked him. Not just his Riddler half.

"You are free to do what you want but if you will not respect and honor your son, you have no place at this table." My mother continued and shot Ms. Nygma a glare I only got whenever I was in deep shit.

Oh snap, the claws had come out now! This is the most passionate I'd seen mother about anything in quite a while. I could see where I got my own passionate speeches from. I smiled slightly hearing my mother's words while eyeing Ms. Nygma's reaction.

"Victoria, was it? Your name and appearance reminds me of the hussy that stole my own dear husband away from me. Looking back on it I glad he's gone...for good..." An evil smile crept across my mother's face now.

I got chill down my spine seeing that smile. Oh my god, did she do what I am thinking she did?! ...to my father...

Nygma

Veronica just blinked at Gertrud's outburst. She had been gripping a spoon the entire time but finally released it.

She just smiled after that, "Well you're right, I should definitely be more respectful to my Eddie boy." She reached over and patted the top of my hand.

I knew I liked that woman the voice chuckled at Oswald's mom's rage. I like the way she thinks

I shook my head, "It's fine mother." I murmured taking another drink from my glass of water. I figured I would not drink the hard stuff just yet, in case the Riddler had plans.

My eyes flickered over to Oswald for a moment just resting on his. I really wished it was two of us at that moment.

"Tell me mother," I started up again. "Why are you here really?" I pried.

I honestly think that was part of the Riddler coming out at that moment, because it was so snarky.

Veronica finally sighed looking to me. "Well William wants to meet you, we had a fight about it." she sighed.

"So you want me to be all buddy buddy with you to gain his approval?" I spat back at her.

"I just want you to come visit William and his daughter," she replied

"No," I responded coldly. "You think after all you have put me through, I would just turn around and be happy for you and do whatever you needed me to? No." I snarled getting to my feet.

I gestured to the door. "Out." I demanded.

That's all folks!

Veronica looked up to me and sighed weakly grabbing her clutch. "Well still it was very nice to see you, my love." she whispered before leaving.

I looked after her and sighed looking back to Gertrude and Oswald.

What's got two giraffe legs and is getting the fuck out? That bitch

"I'm sorry," I told the two that remained.

Oswald

I smiled slightly and reaching out for Nygma's hand but my mother beat me to it.

"It's okay, dear. The bad woman is gone now," my mother patted Nygma's arm lightly.

Nygma

Why...is she touching me

I blinked at Gertrude's reaction. I smiled a little and swallowed hardly. I was suddenly nervous, normally I'd be yelled at right about now.

What am I three? The bad woman?

"Thank you Mrs. Kapelput. Your kind warm words are appreciated."

Oswald

I turned to Nygma "I'll be right back. I just want to escort my mother out of the club."

As I took my mother's arm and began walking her out, a few questions were burning in my mind.

"Mother, tonight you were the most impassioned I've seen you in ages. Does this mean that you are up to your old tricks or that you are finally coming around to my choice in love interest?" I asked.

"Oh, Ossie dear, keep dreaming. I still don't approve of your dating choices. I have my standards. At the same time, I am not about to standby while someone else is being abused. That woman was a royal bitch not fit to be a mother. Edward deserves better. He is such a nice boy considering that gold-digging, cold hearted bitch that raised him. Maybe one day, I'll come around to him..." She smiled warmly at me as we reached the door to my club. Gabe was standing there. "Oh, Gabe dear, thank you for escorting me home tonight!" She smiled up at him

"Goodbye, mother. Thank you for stopping by." I kissed each if her cheeks lightly before sending her on her way.

I then return to the table where I had left Nygma.

Nygma

I looked after them quietly still wondering about the events as I overheard them talking. I finished the water in my glass before getting up and moving behind the bar to get myself an actual drink.

Well tonight certainly has been eventful, however I don't think we've seen the last of Momma Nygma.

I smiled gently as Oswald returned. "Will she get home okay?" I asked.

"Yes, Gabe will walk her the rest of the way." Oswald said as he joined me at the bar. He walked up behind the bar. "What can I get you?" he smiled at him pulling out a glass pretending to clean it.

"It's been a rough night, I guess a whiskey on the rocks will do." I murmured quietly.

"Alright one 'forget a bitch' coming right up." Oswald poured a glass for each of us. He stared at me for a while.
"Some crazy night we had...I thought the dinner with my mother was crazy! How are you holding up, love?" He chuckled softly.

"I'm alright," I smiled taking a drink. "though tonight has been eventful"

"Yeah, I know, wasn't it? The most surprising event of the evening for more was my mother chewing your mother out. I suspected that she might, but I wasn't expecting her to come on that strong out of the gate, you know? Even though she doesn't want to admit it, I think she likes you, Edward Nygma." Oswald smiled at me from across the bar.
"So since we have the whole club to ourselves, any particular way you'd like to spend this evening, love?"

Nygma

I smiled at that, "Really?" I asked. "I've never had a mother that would defend me like that it...so it was warming." I noted. I then sighed.

"I feel bad for the girl of this William man, I feel bad for William even. Five years and she's held up her act this long? Though she only really abused me so I guess there's that."

I then looked to him at his next question. "Well you emptied out your club for such an occasion, dance with me." I smiled getting to my feet.

Oswald

"Oh, but we'll need some music first!" I smiled back at him. "I'll be right back."

I went up to the stage at my club where a giant grand piano sat. My fingers began flowing across the keys. The music swelled as the song advanced filling the room with its sound. I continued to play for a few more minutes feeling the music with every fiber of my body.

When the song had finished, I returned to Nygma standing on the open dance floor. I took his outstretched hand and followed his lead never once averting my eyes from his.

When we finished our time on the dance floor, I leaned my head in to his chest.

"I wish we could just stay like this forever, Neg," I whispered to him looking up slightly at him a smile of content on my face.

Nygma

"Me too," I whispered looking down to him. I stroked the side of his face for a moment. "tucked away in this little club of yours, away from the dark and terrible that is Gotham."

I sighed softly holding him close. "But something's brewing out there...something we either have to aim to stop or aim to fuel."

"But for now we can stay like this." Oswald replied breaking our embrace to take my hand as we walked out into the cold evening of Gotham.