XVIII - Messages in Marker
"A child weaned on poison considers harm a comfort."- Gillian Flynn, Sharp Objects
•••
"No. No! You don't understand, okay? My employee got blown up and I want to know what happened, you get that?"
Bird looked over to where local famed chef Roberto was yelling into the face of one of the uniformed officers on the scene trying to get him to calm down.
A useless feat considering he'd just seen one of his most trusted staff members blown to bits by a car bomb.
The scene outside of the lavish restaurant was a glow in shades of red and blue from all the emergency vehicles that had beat Bird and Jim there.
Bird stood in place next to the passenger side of the car she'd just exited. Her eyes darting back and forth between the crowd that was starting to gather on across the street and the hectic immediate surroundings.
The air smelled of fire. Thick with an electric smell. When the wind blew it carried the scent of gasoline with it.
Feeling a hand on her arm, Bird looked over with an almost dazed look to where Jim was now next to her.
"You okay?" He asked.
Seeming far more concerned about her than anything else in that moment.
"Yeah." She blew out a breath and nodded. Her gaze going over to where the mangled metal bones of Don Falcone's car was still smoking from the explosion, "I think it just hit me that I was supposed to be here-"
"Really?" Jim questioned following her line of sight, "Cause it hit me the moment I got the call about what happened."
When Bullock had phoned to let him know what happened, call him to the scene of the crime, Jim's first thought was that he was thankful Bird had decided to skip the food tasting and for the pre-rehearsal dinner.
Originally it was supposed to be a family affair; but she'd canceled earlier in the day and opted to just have dinner with Jim instead.
"I should find Falcone." Bird breathed out trying not to dwell on the coincidence of it all.
The smoke in the air scratched at her throat, leaving an irritating feeling in her chest.
Like splinters in her lungs.
"Yeah-" Jim started to agree but didn't get much a chance as Bird turned and briskly walked away.
Appearing to recover from the shock quickly.
He nearly had to jog to catch up with her.
They spotted Mario and Lee sitting in the back of an ambulance. From a distance the didn't look too badly injured.
Jim and Bird exchanged looks before starting in their direction, only to be intercepted by Falcone, who said it a hushed but serious tone as he greeted the couple, "We need to talk."
"Is everyone okay?" Jim asked him.
"A few first degree burns, but that's it." The former mafia Don explained before he looked Bird over and added, "I was worried when I couldn't reach you earlier. I thought…"
His voice trailed off.
Bird gave a slight shrug, attempting and failing to lighten the mood when she answered, "Far as I know the only one who currently wants me dead is Captain Barnes."
She shifted her stance when she was met by unamused glances from them both.
"Any idea who might have done this?" Jim questioned once he pulled his eyes from Bird after her comment..
"I've made my share of enemies over the years." Falcone answered in the same deadpan tone of voice that Bird would often use when stating the obvious, "It could be anyone."
"But now?" Bird asked with an arched brow, "You've been back in the city for months now…"
"And my son is days away from getting married." He argued, "When better to settle an old score and take the opportunity to hurt me and my family?"
"Maybe." Jim seemed skeptical too, "Or maybe someone thinks you're coming out of retirement?"
"This was not Oswald." Bird asserted.
"I didn't name any names." Jim argued with her.
"I can read between the lines." Bird didn't back down.
Falcone glanced over his shoulder towards the ambulance where Lee and Mario were still being tended to and then back to where Bird and Jim were arguing between themselves now.
"I'm not coming out of retirement." Falcone raised his voice to interrupt them, "But that doesn't mean I'm going to stand idly by after something like this."
Jim's eyes closed as he let out a deep exhale and rubbed a hand over his face.
He had enough to worry about already without Falcone's men tearing up the city trying to uncover a lead.
He looked over at Bird and was instantly able to read by the expression on her face that she siding with her biological father on this one.
"The captain of police was just indicted for murder and sent to Arkham." His voice was stern but there was a pleading look in his eyes, "The last thing this city needs is you and your men tearing through Gotham looking for revenge."
"I didn't start this." Falcone pointed out.
The ending was already implied and he didn't need to say it.
That while he might not have started this war he'd have no qualms about finishing it either.
"I'll get to the bottom of it." Jim took a step closer to Falcone's imposing stature, "You have my word."
Falcone gave him a hard stare before the looked beside Jim to where Bird was still standing.
He knew his daughter trusted the detective and in all honesty a part of him did too.
Even when they were on opposite sides of the law Jim had been nothing but honest with him.
"I'll give you one day." He gruffly nodded.
It was just moments later that Bullock caught sight of Jim and hollered out for him.
When they were left alone, Falcone moved to stand beside Bird instead of across from her.
"You believe him?"
The question was more of a statement.
"I do." Bird nodded, not looking over to her father as she added, "He'll do everything he can. He always does."
"Yes… within the confines of the law." Falcone voiced.
Bird watched Jim from across the parking lot as he and Bullock spoke with one of the fireman on the scene who'd been one of the very first respondents.
"What are you asking me to do?" Her tone was dry.
"If James Gordon is able to fine the people who did this then you know what you have to do." His tone was every bit as commanding as when she'd worked under him.
Bird's eyes locked with Mario's as he finally spotted them and she wondered if her half-brother had any idea what their father was currently asking of her.
"No." Bird shook her head, peeled her eyes away from Mario's, "When Jim finds the ones who did this… I can't swoop in and take them out. He'll know it was me and it will come back on him. It'll look like he fed the Don's daughter information so we could take care of it."
"No." She repeated, "I won't use him like that."
The scene around them almost seemed to slow and the constant noise muted as Falcone turned his head and looked right at her; his expression silently letting her know she didn't have a choice.
Suddenly she was all too aware of her own beating heart, each thud reverberating from her chest and echoing around in her head.
How was it that years after the fact all it took was one look from him to make her feel like she was still struggling to make a name for herself and willing to do whatever it took to get the Don's approval?
It was almost otherworldly the way she could mentally be catapulted back there so easily.
"I'm not asking you." Falcone explained with an exhale, "I'm offering you to the chance to make sure Gordon doesn't get caught in the crossfire. Which isn't something I'd not be able to guarantee if I sent someone else to do the job."
Crossing her arms over her chest, Bird gave a quick nod rather than a verbal submission and then quickly walked away from him.
••• The next morning •••
"If being captain is such a strain, why do it?" Jim questioned as he watched Bullock pop another antacid that morning.
"I'm the senior guy around here." Bullock tried to shrug it off.
"What about Tuttle?" Jim pointed out.
"Tuttle?" Bullock scoffed, turning his back to his partner and leaning over the railing to survey the rest of the GCPD building below them, "The guy shot a cat last week."
"On purpose?" Jim's forehead lined.
"Does it matter?" Bullock exclaimed, "Look, I may not have always seen eye-to-eye with Barnes but he was a good captain, the least I can do is keep his seat warm until they find some kind of cure for this virus."
"Okay." Jim held a hand up in surrender.
"And-" Bullock didn't seem to notice the white flag being waved, "What was that last night? Bringing Bird to an active crime scene?"
"Falcone called her the same time I got the call from you." Jim explained before he added with an raised brow, "But it's comical you think she'd have listened if I'd told her stay at home."
"That one is trouble-" Bullock started up on his timeless warning that Jim never listened to, but Jim cut him off, "This is her family being targeted, remember? Plus she was supposed to have been there last night."
Bullock rubbed his hands over his face and blew out a sigh, "I'm glad she wasn't there for what happened, okay? She's not all bad and I don't want anything to happen to her but as acting captain I can't have her interfering with anything."
"She's not." Jim all but promised, "She went into the office today…"
His voice trailed off as he caught sight of the very person they were speaking about walking through the police station doors.
Turning around Bullock saw what, or more so who, had caught Jim's attention.
Looking back to Jim, he held an arm out to the side in silent question of what the hell she was doing there then.
"Bird?" Jim did his best to smile as she reached the top of the stairs and approached them, "What are you doing here?"
"Just thought I'd drop in and say hi." She smiled and looked between, "Hi."
"Morning." Bullock practically grumbled.
"And I wanted to know what progress had been made with the case from last night." She added.
"Then you're just in time." Lucius piped up as he joined the group with a case file in hand and started to explain, "Results are in. Car bomb used a mercury switch with military grade plastic."
He handed the folder to Jim who looked confused by the news, "That's pretty high end for a mob hit."
"And that's not all." Lucius tucked his hands in his pockets, "The explosive was laced with some kind of accelerant. Made the explosion burn at ten times the heat of standard C-4."
Bullock let out a low whistle at the newly learned information and Bird commented, "They didn't want anything left behind, huh?"
"That was my thought as well." Lucius concurred.
Bullock said he only knew of one person in the city capable of building a bomb like that, stating they needed to track down an ex-military nut-job who went by the name of Fuse.
Once they were left alone with Jim promising he'd meet Bullock at the car in a minute, Bird offered with a hopeful expression, "I could come with you."
"Not a good idea." Jim shook his head, "Look, I know you're worried about Falcone, but I'm going to get to the bottom of this, okay?"
"You don't get it, Jim." Bird's face fell, "Someone came after him and his family. He isn't going to just sit by and -"
"Twenty-four hours." Jim reminded her, "One day. Remember? He agreed to stand down and let me do my job before he took any action himself."
Bird's eyes dropped to the floor.
Of course she remembered Falcone saying that; along with practically ordering her to kill the person or persons responsible.
"I need you to trust me on this-" He started to say but she laughed.
"I do trust you. That's why I'm standing here asking you for an update on the case instead of…" She caught herself, but not early enough that he couldn't guess what she'd say next.
"Instead of reaching out to a contact on the force?" He guessed and then nodded with a sigh, "Yeah, I know there are still people in here who'd report to Carmine if asked to do so."
"True." A single corner of Bird's mouth started to twitch with holding back a smirk, "But I'd be more likely to use one of Oswald's contacts."
Knowing Bullock would be growing inpatient, Jim gave her a quick kiss and said he had to go but would call her with any new information.
"I need you to be careful." She said to the back of his head as he walked past her.
Jim came to a stop and looked back at her echoing the sentiment, "You need to be careful too. If someone is trying to hurt Falcone and his family then you're in danger too."
That wasn't what she meant, but she held her breath and gave a small nod of agreement along with a smile for Jim's sake.
What she didn't say was that Falcone wouldn't settle for the person who did this to be behind bars and what concerned her was Jim winding up in the middle of something he apparently didn't see coming.
•••
"Hey!" Mario called out with a surprised smile as he saw Bird heading towards him, "What are you doing here?"
"Isn't this your lunch hour?" Bird smiled back.
A look of confusion pooled on his face as he came to a stop in the hallway of the hospital and looked at his younger half-sister, "Did we have plans I forgot about?"
"No." She shook her head, "I just thought I'd stop by and check on you."
Mario laughed, "From avoiding me like the Bubonic Plague to checking up on me in the middle of the day? Definitely making progress."
Glancing around them he questioned, "You on lunch too?"
"No." Bird waved a hand through the air, "I took the day off."
His brows lowered in question.
He was pretty sure that in the time he'd been on Gotham she'd taken more days off than had actually made it into work.
"Got any lunch plans?" Bird pushed, catching him even more off guard.
"I guess I do now." He chuckled and motioned with his hand towards the elevator, "I was just on my way to the cafeteria-"
"Hospital food? I'm in." Bird joked.
Once they'd chose their food and taken their seats, Mario kept staring at her.
Clearly she had an ulterior motive for the impromptu lunch date.
She might have warmed up to him a lot in the short time they'd been making an effort to reconnect, but he'd never known to her show up out of the blue just to spend time with him.
Not being as straight forward and blunt as she was when it came to conversing, he started out by asking, "Do you work from home quite a bit?"
When she arched brow and took a drink of her lemonade instead of answering him he continued, "I've noticed you don't seem to make it into the office very often."
"Oh." She nodded in understanding now, "The truth is that the board only brought me on because I was in the public eye at the time -in good standing with most at that. Plus it looks good to have a Wayne working with the company and Bruce is still too young."
Absentmindedly stabbing through the lettuce in her salad with her plastic fork, Bird admitted, "I think everyone who works under me actually prefers it when I don't come in. Seems like the people who held the position before me mainly tossed a bunch of money to various charities and then held dinners with plates over $400 a pop with Gotham's elite so they could pat themselves on the back for all the good they did."
"Wow…" Mario let out a breath, "But you've actually built shelters, right?"
She nodded with a hum and took another bite of the supposed to be chicken and noodles off her hot plate; the flavor was there but the noddles had been cooked so long they'd turned to mush.
"Right now we're focused on a food initiative." Bird seemed to become more animated as she spoke, "Addressing Gotham's food deserts-"
"Food desert?" Mario repeated back the unfamiliar term.
"Basically it's these really low-income areas that don't have any fresh, whole foods available. The supermarkets don't carry much of anything that's nutritious and if they do it's far to expensive for anyone there to afford." Bird explained, "Some of the kids there can't even tell you where a tomato comes from; they've never seen a garden before."
She went on to tell him how her Community Outreach program had even partnered with the Mayor's office to bring more whole foods to those areas by way of hydroponics.
Bird left out how to the idea had only came to fruition due to her jealously over Oswald and Nygma's growing closeness and she'd blurted the idea out to a reporter so her best friend would have no choice but to pledge the Mayor's office involvement in such programs.
"That is seriously incredible." Mario's tone had a splash of awe in it.
Bird smiled and then admitted with a bit of sadness, "No one ever asks about what I do. I mean, not really, usually they just want numbers to put in their articles of how much money was donated or how many people got assistance through whichever program. But no one really ever wants to know what I'm doing behind the scenes to make it all possible."
"Their loss then." He offered a smile, "Because it's incredible."
"Says the doctor who saves lives every day…" Bird started to tease but then her eyes lit up, "You know we've got some free and low-cost clinics that run a few days a week, we're always in need of doctor's to volunteer their time."
"Definitely." He agreed without a moments hesitation, "We'll touch base once Lee and I back from our honeymoon, see what my schedule looks like and I'm there."
"Finally convinced her to take some time off after the wedding?" Bird's ears perked at the newly learned tidbit of information.
The last she'd been told Lee didn't want to take off and leave anyone hanging while they were still trying to find a cure for the Tetch blood virus.
"After everything that happened with Captain Barnes, she agreed it was for the best to get away for a little while." He said with a sad smile.
He hadn't talked her into taking as much time off for their honeymoon as he'd have liked too, but they'd reached an agreement to get away for a short time at least.
"Yeah." Bird nodded her eyes falling, "I know they were close."
Mario cleared his throat and finally got down to what he'd really been wanting to ask, "So, why the surprise lunch?" Before she could say anything he sternly added, "And I'm not buying that you just wanted to check up on me."
He also pointed out how she seemed to be hyper aware of their surroundings and expressed concern that she might be in trouble.
"Someone tried to blow you into a million pieces last night." Bird flatly stated, "I am here to check on you."
"But…" He waited.
"But…" She sighed in defeat, "I just can't stop thinking how Falcone has been in Gotham for months now and if someone wanted to take him out why wait until now? It just doesn't make much sense to me."
"Dad has made more than his fair share of enemies over the years. I agree the timing is odd, but there are probably dozens of adversaries still waiting for a chance to take him down." Mario reasoned.
"You mean take him out." Bird's head cocked, "That wasn't your average car bomb. GCPD found out it was made from military grade supplies… and that's a lot of effort used for a retired crime boss. Doesn't add up."
"I still don't understand-"
He started to point out that he didn't know why she was there, but then it dawned on him.
"Wait…" He dropped his napkin in the middle of his tray, "You think that bomb was meant for me?"
"I think it's a possibility." She answered.
"Jesus…" He blew out a breath and stared down to the table before asking, "But why? I mean who would do that?"
"That's why I'm here." Bird leaned in some and lowered her voice, "If you've gotten involved in something or I don't know, if anything is going on. You can tell me. I can help you."
"Thank you." With traces of a laugh in his voice he said, "But as far as I know I haven't given anyone reason to try come at me like that. It just isn't plausible."
"Still…" Bird eyed him, "I think I'll hang around for the rest of your shift."
This time a booming laugh came out and he shook his head.
Sliding his chair back from the table he declined, "Again, thank you, but I don't need a bodyguard."
"I'm quiet." Bird beamed a proud smile, "You won't even know I'm here."
"I'll know." He insisted as he walked to the trashcans and tray return area; she was on his heels the entire time. A shadow he couldn't have shaken even if he'd tried.
"This really isn't necessary." They were now crossing the courtyard on the hospital grounds and he hadn't let up the argument for even a second.
The loud sounds of a motorcycle engine revving cut through the peaceful courtyard along with the piercing screams of medical staff who saw a black motorcycle with two leader-clad riders racing down a flight of cement stairs.
The bike headed right for where Bird and Mario were walking. The passenger of the bike wildly waved a machete through the air at them.
Both siblings jumped out of the way and ducked, narrowly avoiding a blow from the blade.
The tires screeched as they slammed on the breaks and turned to head back to their missed target.
The sound echoed around in Bird's head, her ears throbbed.
Without wasting another minute the duo on the bike headed right back towards them.
"Go!" Bird yelled as she roughly pushed Mario back out of the way and pulled the gun from the waistband of her jeans and started firing shots at the motorcycle and people on it.
Stunned from what was happening, Mario stumbled back a few staggering steps and looked around almost in a daze as he saw Jim Gordon running towards them, also shooting at the motorcycle.
Between them both, they'd manage to strike the passenger a few times, but they ultimately got away.
"What hell is going on?" Mario finally yelled when he was able to come back to the present.
"Carmine isn't the target." Jim gruffly answered, "You are."
"You think?" Mario was still struggling to catch his breath, "Yeah, I got that. Bird already told me,"
Jim's eyes focused on Bird and he asked, "How?"
It was only minutes ago that he and Bullock had found Fuse dead in his apartment and located a folder full of surveillance on the intended target; Mario. He didn't know how Bird could possibly have learned that in such a short time.
He'd rushed so fast to the hospital that he hadn't even gotten to call her yet.
"I had a feeling." She dropped her shoulder in a lazy shrug before she concealed her weapon again and explained, "The target being Don Falcone didn't make any sense and I doubt they were after Lee. So… process of elimination."
Jim rubbed a hand over his face and looked around them at all the terrified medical staff who'd been unlucky enough to be crossing the courtyard at the time they were there.
His eyes went back to Bird.
It was a shame, Jim thought, that Bird had turned to the wrong side of the law at such a young age.
With those instincts, skills and bravery -she'd have made a hell of a cop.
"We need to go." Jim shook the thoughts from his head and took a firm hold on Mario's arm before the doctor could protest.
"Where are we going?" Mario demanded to know as Jim practically shoved him into the passenger seat of his car like a criminal under arrest.
"Police station, I'd imagine." Bird answered as she crawled into the back seat and waited for Jim to get into the driver's seat.
•••
Bird dropped one of the black and white surveillance photos back on Jim's desk and looked to Mario who muttered, "This doesn't make any sense."
Jim emerged from Bullock's office and walked up to them, giving a nod to Bird before focusing on Mario and asking, "Can you think of anyone who'd want you dead?"
"You can't be serious." Mario complained.
"Everyone has enemies." Jim pointed out.
"No." Mario side-eyed him, "They don't, Detective."
"I already went over this with him." Bird spoke up, "He doesn't know of anyone who'd be out to kill him."
"Bird." Jim gave her a smile that was all teeth, "I'm trying to do my job here."
When she didn't budge he added, "Can you give us a minute?"
In response her arms crossed over her chest and she hesitated before finally blowing out a breath and sighing, "Fine. I've meaning to say hi to Alvarez anyways. But for the record, I believe Mario."
"Noted. Thanks." Jim strained with the smile still on his face until Bird finally left them alone.
Once she was out of ear-shot, Mario leaned back with his arms now crossed defensively over his own chest.
For a moment, Jim was struck at how similar it was to the stance Bird had just been standing in,
"Even I did have enemies." Mario began, "I'd have told Bird before I'd tell you. I mean she did figure this out before you -and this is your job."
Jim's neck tensed at the insult.
He wasn't sure why, but it was clear to see that Mario was trying to get a rise out of him.
"Regardless." Jim did his best to hold it together and keep his tone professional, "You need to lay low for a while. Limit your exposure until I can find out who's behind this."
"How do you propose I do that?" Mario's face creased with anger, "I'm picking up our wedding rings this afternoon. Lee and I are getting married tomorrow."
Before Jim could respond or say anything Mario took a step closer, "Oh, I see. You want me to cancel the wedding?"
"I didn't say that." Jim cut in when he got a chance, "But a big event like that is going to be nearly impossible to secure. You'd be putting yourself and Lee in danger."
Mario's blood was already running hot and he couldn't hear Jim's logical argument.
He hadn't even let Jim finish a sentence before he started in, "I bet you'd love that. I run home to Lee and tell her we need to hide, until Detective Gordon can save the day."
Jim stared at him with a nearly blank expression.
Not sure how Mario was getting any of that from what he'd said.
"This is not a time for ego." Jim said.
The statement was swift and it cut deep.
"Really?" Mario scoffed, his hands fell to his sides and he tucked them into his pockets, using the few inches of height he had over Jim to try and come off as belittling as possible, "How do you know you'll even be able to find him -or that you'll even try."
This time it was Jim who stepped forward and inadvertently let his anger show through.
"You need to trust me." Jim's voice raised, "Whoever is behind this is going to keep coming until they get the job done."
Bird was heading back over to her where her half-brother was standing after she'd had a chat with Alvarez.
She'd checked in to see if he'd made any progress in locating the scared little girl her mother who'd been in earlier that week to find out options for leaving their abusive household.
The answer was no.
Not that she expected anything different, but she was still debating on whether to give the information she had over to GCPD or finding a way to handle it herself.
She felt the hand on her arm before she realized Jim was there with her now.
"He won't tell me anything." Jim said in a low tone, "Keeps insisting he has no idea who'd be targeting him."
Bird's brows furrowed at how aggravated Jim seemed now versus when she left them alone to speak.
"I think he's telling the truth." Bird repeated her earlier sentiment.
"Come on." Jim scoffed, "I know he's your brother but-"
"Whoa!" Bird exclaimed cutting him off, "My judgement doesn't get clouded just because someone is family."
She took a step back, "And it's really insulting that you'd even think that. If I thought he was lying then I would tell you. Hell, I'd tell him that right to his face. Brother or not."
Jim closed his eyes and let out the breath he'd been holding.
This wasn't her fault, not a bit of it - well aside from the added stress of her interfering with his investigation.
"I'm sorry." He stepped closer.
All traces of anger gone from his face.
"I shouldn't be taking this out on you." He continued, "I'm just trying to point out that you don't know him that well."
Bird's expression didn't soften.
Jim might have been right that she hadn't known Mario all that long, but strangely enough she felt like she did.
She felt like she already knew him better than Falcone and in truth she'd been getting along with him easier and better than she was with Bruce.
"I need to step out for a little while." Jim confided, "I'm going to see Carmine. See if he's willing to be more cooperative now that we know his son is the target."
"Good luck." Bird's response sounded rather despondent.
He'd expected her to offer to tag along again and this time he was going to take her up on it; thinking maybe she could get a more truthful answer out of Falcone than he'd be able to.
But she didn't offer.
"What are you doing to do?" He asked.
"Not sure." She shrugged, "Probably stick around and talk to my brother for a while."
Brother.
The word made Jim pause and he watched her closely.
That was the first time he'd ever heard Bird refer to Mario so casually as family.
"Hey…" He tried to add it nonchalantly into the conversation, "When was the last time you saw Bruce?"
"Probably last week?" She tried to think back, "Why?"
"I was just thinking I hadn't heard you mention him in a while." Jim frowned.
It appeared Bird had been spending less and less time with the Wayne side of her family and more with the Falcone side.
Bird nodded. She probably hadn't mentioned Bruce in a while because for days now he hadn't been taking her calls.
The last time she'd spoken to him, she offered to take him out to lunch and he'd rather abruptly declined and then stated he had to go.
Jim took a couple steps away and then stopped and turned back to her; Bird started to ask what he'd forgotten, but then he caught her off guard with a kiss.
Usually she'd have to force public displays of affection out of him, especially at work, and would still be lucky to get a quick kiss out of him.
"What-" She stammered, "What was that for."
"I'll call you if I find anything out." He didn't answer her question before he turned and left.
"Where's Jim going?" Mario asked as Bird met up with him at Jim's desk.
"Tracking down leads." She answered with a half-truth.
It wasn't a lie after all, he was tracking down leads. She just declined to betray the confidence Jim had in her by saying he was going to speak with Falcone.
"Are you okay?" Mario questioned.
"As far as I know-" Her eyes were a little wide, unsure why he'd asked that.
"The way he dismissed you like that -it was uncalled for." Mario said as he reached out and gave her shoulder a gentle, warm squeeze.
"Oh, no…" Bird chuckled and shook her head, "It's not like that at all. Plus, I am was sort of interfering with his case-"
"Well, I didn't like the way he spoke to you." Mario's eyes locked with hers, "You don't need to make excuses for the way he treats you."
Bird's face scrunched up, "The way he treats me?"
"Okay. Hold up." She breathed with an open palm hand in the air to stop him before he said anything else, "We may not always see eye-to-eye. Do we argue? Yeah, every couple fights. But you have no idea what you're talking about right now and I don't think I care for what your implying."
"I'm not trying to pry." Mario held his hands up in surrender. A little surprised quickly she came to Jim's defense. "That's your life. Your relationship. I just… I can't imagine ever acting that way towards Lee, is all."
Bird's posture softened some at the look of concern on his face.
She understood he wasn't trying to hurt her or cause any trouble; he was just worried.
Leaning on the railing of the interior balcony at the GCPD, Bird looked out at the scene of organized chaos below.
"I was in a bad relationship." Bird started to open up, "Not with Jim, but before him."
Mario rested his arms and leaned on the railing beside her.
He watched her but it seemed like she was making a point to speak without turning his way.
"We just weren't good together. For a while he seemed to bring out the best in me and then I brought out the worst in him and we just…" Bird shook her head again, "We tried. Long past the point of where we should have ended it, we tried really hard to make it work, but we just couldn't. Like I said we weren't good for each other. Weren't good together."
"You're saying that things go physical?" Mario carefully asked her.
Bird pulled in another breath.
The only person she'd really ever talked to about this was Barbara, back when they were friends -after Harvey had hit her the first time.
"Yes." She admitted it out loud.
Tucking her hair behind her ears, Bird finally looked over at him and explained, "My point is; that while it's nice you're concerned about me, you don't have to be. Not with Jim. Being with him is the polar opposite of what I had before. I would never end up in another relationship like that again."
"Understood." Mario frowned at the newly learned intel about her and he started, "I'm really sorry you had to go through that."
"What doesn't kill us, right?"
Bird eluded to the saying that those moments end up making you stronger in the end.
"So they say." He side-eyed her as she returned to watching the police station activities before he added, "I shouldn't have brought any of it up. It's just… after speaking with Jim, my nerves were short."
Before Bird could inquire further, he said, "He doesn't want me to marry Lee."
"He said that?" Bird stood up.
"Not in those exact words." Mario stayed leaned down on the railing and didn't make eye contact with her, "He said I needed to postpone the wedding -indefinitely."
"Mario?" Bird asked.
When her half-brother stood up and turned around to face her, Bird took a step forward, "What are you trying to say?"
"It's probably nothing… just I got the feeling it went a little deeper than his worrying about security for the wedding." Mario explained.
"You've got a target on your back." Bird pointed out, "Which means Lee is in danger too-"
Bird tried to reason, but he didn't give her much of a chance.
"Exactly. But it's not his job to worry about her. To try and protect her anymore. It's mine and he wants me to just sit back and let him save the day."
Bird saw the vein in his forehead pulse.
"I've been straight with you and I expect the same back. So what exactly is it that you're trying to say? That Jim doesn't want you to marry Lee -because he's what? Still in love with her or something?" Bird staggered back a few steps, "Is that it?"
"I don't know what to think." Mario tossed his arms up in the air, "And I don't know how to say it without hurting you either."
"Do you trust Lee?" Bird asked.
"Of course."
There wasn't an ounce of hesitation in his response.
"Do you trust Jim?" He fired back at her.
"Implicitly." She answered.
"So it doesn't bother you that he clearly still cares about Lee? About my fiancee?" Mario pushed.
Bird's gaze fell to the floor and she pulled in a deep breath before looking back up to him.
"If we're being honest… yeah, I guess a it does a little bit, but I also understand it." Bird tried to keep her tone level, "You don't get it, Mario. You have no idea what it's like to have the people around you targeted; their lives in danger solely because of their ties to you."
"I do now." He pointed out, brows raised.
"And it's soul-crushing, isn't it?" Bird's brows raised to match his expression.
The truth was that even though she wasn't in love with Harvey anymore, she still cared about him and still carried the weight of worrying someone might come after him due to his ties to her.
"You're right." He conceded.
Pulling in a heavy breath he loosened his tie from around his neck and admitted, "I just keep thinking about that day with Tetch and how close I came to losing Lee. How I should have been able to save her." With a weak laugh he added, "The expression on your face when I tried to shoot him and found out the bullets had been removed from the gun. You had this look on your face like it was such an amateur mistake."
"Well…" Bird chuckled, "You always to want to check your weapons and ammo before your race into battle."
He laughed.
"Lee survived that day because of you." Mario looked at her, "We all walked away from that because of you. She told me that you'd gotten a heads up Tetch was coming for you. You could have ran but you instead came up with a plan, let him take you too."
Bird offered a smile, but didn't state that she'd really only put herself in that position because she didn't much care for the idea of Jim running to Lee's rescue..
"So what would you do?" Mario asked, "If you were in my shoes right now."
"Use myself as bait." Bird admitted.
"Draw them out and finish it?" Mario questioned.
"Before the people I love ended up as collateral damage." She nodded.
"That…" He shook his head and looked around the police station, "That is the smartest thing I've heard all day."
Looking at his watch, Mario said, "I need to make it to the jewelry shop to pick up our wedding rings before they close. What are you doing for the rest of today?"
Bird smile mischievously, "Helping you with some last minute wedding errands."
•••
"Here you go, Dr. Calvi." The woman behind the jewelry store counter smiled as she handed over the rings.
"Thank you." Mario managed a smile back.
Once he was left alone he sat the box down on the glass case and opened it to display his and Lee's wedding bands.
Despite the feeling of danger still very present in the air and the trying day he'd had, he couldn't help but smile.
In close to just twenty-four hours from now he'd be married to the woman of his dreams; the love of his life and he wasn't going to let anything stand in the way.
He'd just returned one of the rings to the box when he felt a strong hand on his arm and Jim gruffly greeted, "Mario."
Before he'd realized who it was, he'd already started to reach for the gun tucked in the waistband of his pants; the gun Bird had given him for the day.
Jim quickly intercepted the move and stopped him, but he didn't miss the sight of the weapon as the doctor's suit jacket flapped open with the movement.
Jim shook his head and gritted his teeth in anger.
He'd made it clear that the safest place for Mario to be was at the GCPD until this was all taken care of. How hard was it to follow a simple request.
"You really think this is a good idea?" Jim asked, "Using yourself as bait."
"As long as those guys are out there Lee isn't safe." Mario quietly answered.
"They're pros!" Jim argued in a whisper-yelled, "You're going to get yourself killed."
"Relax." Mario smiled but it showed as a smirk, "I've got back up."
He nodded across the store and Jim followed his line of sight until he spotted Bird.
Letting out a sigh, Jim shook his head as he watched Bird; who was speaking with one of the workers at the store and surveying a display of their finest quality items offered.
Even in the interior lighting, the sparkle of each piece was distracting from across the room.
The jewels would be blinding in the sunlight.
Jim looked back to where Mario was staring intently at her, waiting for her to notice they had company, but she wasn't aware of Jim's presence.
"She's easily distracted by shiny things." Jim stated.
Looking down he smiled to himself.
She'd changed in many ways since he'd first met her; but her affinity for things that shined brightly and glittered had remained the same.
She used to constantly steal objects that caught her eye.
Sometimes it wasn't even a conscious decision she'd make, more like a compulsion.
As far as Jim knew she at least wasn't doing that any longer; though from time to time he did notice odd glittery trinkets that would show up at the house or pieces of jewelry that didn't look like something she'd buy.
He usually opted to not bring it up.
The longer her watched her, the more Mario realized Jim was right about her being so easily distracted by shiny objects and that she might not be as much help if they were surprised by assassins as he'd hoped she would be.
"Why is someone trying to kill you?" Jim asked him for what felt like the tenth time that day.
Even after meeting with Carmine Falcone, Jim wasn't any closer to the truth.
Mario's father had sworn that his son wasn't anything like him. That he was the single most decent person he'd ever known.
"I have no idea." Mario practically growled at him.
"Because it seems to me that an operation like this doesn't happen for no reason." Jim stepped closer even though Mario already felt like his personal space was violated, "And now it's not just your own life you're endangering-"
"Do we have a problem, Jim?" Mario turned to face him completely.
"You're putting Bird in the cross-hairs now too." Jim didn't back down, "So, yeah. We have a problem."
For someone claiming to not be hiding anything, Mario sure seemed to be going to great lengths to protect a secret that he kept insisting he didn't have.
"Bird can defend herself."
Jim and Mario both looked over to where Bird was standing beside them. Neither of them knew just how long she'd been there.
With a tense smile plastered on her face she looked between then and repeated, "I'm fully capable of watching out for myself. Have been for years now, thank you."
"I know you that." Jim wholeheartedly agreed, "But this is just reckless."
Her lips pursed into a thin line and her grip on the bag containing the item she'd just bought tightened with anger.
"This is smart." Mario disagreed, "A plan that I thought maybe the police would have set up. Especially when I'm willing to be used as bait to put an end to this and ensure Lee's safety."
"Operations like that can take weeks to plan out-" Jim started to argue, but then stopped himself. It was pointless, both Bird and Mario thought this was the best option and they were sitting ducks in the store.
"We need to get out of here." Jim hoped they'd at least be able to agree on that, "Away from bystanders."
As he turned towards the front of the store, Jim caught sight of two black motorcycles parked outside; both bikes donning the skull and crossbones decorative accents he remembered from the bike at the hospital.
"They're here." Jim alerted them.
"What?" Mario asked as he started to turn and see what Jim had saw, but the detective pushed him back and yelled, "Get down!" Just in time to save Mario from being struck by the machete one of the assassins hurled through the air at him.
With near lightening speed, Jim drew his gun and fired several shots, bringing the man wearing all black down.
Bird was more focused on the one who'd just came through the front door and immediately drove his knife through the abdomen of an older man who was unlucky enough to be standing there.
"NO!" A terrified woman who'd been standing next to him shrieked in horror at what she saw before dropping to the ground and curling up in a fetal position.
Bird shot at him, striking the assassin in the shoulder where he stumbled back and knocked into a wood table with a decorative vase of flowers.
One of the women who worked at store was standing nearby, paralyzed, as she watched the fight ensue.
When the vase wobbled and started to roll off the table she caught it and looked around frantically.
With a few more bullets, Bird brought the man completely down.
The shop worker looked at her and opened her mouth to say something -or maybe scream, but no sound came out.
"Go!" Bird screamed at her.
She let out a small squeak of sound falling somewhere between a squeal and a scream before turning and running for the room in the back of the store; still carrying the flowers with her.
Catching sight of something behind her in the reflection from the front windows, Bird dropped down to the floor; narrowly avoiding blow from the blade of the man behind her.
As she hit the floor, her gun tumbled out of her hand and she didn't have time to grab it before she had to jump to the side to avoid another swing of the machete.
Spinning around, she kicked her leg out and tripped the assassin, who also fell to the floor.
Her hand grasped onto the handle of the machete the first attacker she'd brought down had been carrying.
They both scrambled to their feet at nearly the same time, but Bird was just a few seconds faster.
Precious time that allowed her to knock him backwards; her skilled high-kick landing right in the center of his stomach, both throwing him off balance and forcibly knocking the air out of him.
With a grunt of pain the man's back collided with the wall and before he could even attempt to catch his breath, Bird took advantage of his weakened state and swung the blade across the front of his throat; splaying his neck wide open.
Blood spattered across her face and her breathing was labored as she watched the man's body slide to the floor.
Had they been standing any closer, she'd have taken his head clean off.
Jim was fighting for his own breath as he finished handcuffing the attacker he'd been in a fight with.
Standing up, he he wiped the sweat from his forehead and looked around to check on the status of the scene.
Mario was standing with his back to them; shoulders rising and falling rapidly. The assassin who'd attacked him was lying motionless on the floor.
Jim had seen enough death in his time to know that man wasn't getting back up.
He then spun around, needing to find out where Bird was -make sure she was okay.
Jim's eyes widened as he saw her, standing in place with one of the machetes in her hand.
Bright drops of blood bloomed in contrast against her fair skin: standing out like fireworks in the the sky.
When her eyes locked with his, she dropped the blade to the floor and raised her arm trying to wipe the blood from her face but all she managed to do was smear it.
Mario finally turned around to face everyone.
He'd just done the one thing he didn't think he'd ever do; take a life.
His entire career had been based around savings lives and now he was the reason for someone being dead.
He wasn't sure what to feel in that moment; or maybe it was the lack of feeling that left him unsettled.
Remorse was completely absent from the table.
He glanced back at the body on the floor and realized he was glad the son of a bitch was dead.
These people, these monsters had set off a bomb that could have killed Lee and for that he hated them with a rage he'd never felt the likes of before.
•••
Back at the police station; Jim looked through the one-way glass into the interrogation room where the only assassin that had survived the jewellery store attack was seated.
"What happened to the others?" Falcone questioned as he glanced over at Jim, "You said there were multiple assailants.
The retired crime boss had been waiting at the police station when everyone returned.
"Four in total." Jim's voice was dry, "Mario killed one of them."
He side-eyed Falcone as he spoke, remembering just earlier that day when he'd sworn Mario was single most decent person he'd ever known.
"Clearly it was self-defense." Mario turned his head and looked to the other side of his father where Jim was standing.
It was, there was no denying that these people were out to kill him, but it didn't set right with Jim.
The two Bird had killed were in the heat of the moment; in a middle of a fight for her life where it was either her or them.
But the one Mario killed had been strangled. Not only does it take a lot of strength to choke the life out of another human being, but it also takes minutes to do so.
Minutes that the victim is growing weaker and weaker, eyes starting to roll back, they rapidly lose their strength and stop fighting back before they're dead.
There was a point when Mario had to have realized he was killing them, that the other person was so weak he could have stopped an subdued them until Jim could slap cuffs on him; but he didn't.
"The others?" Falcone asked, his eyes focused on the traces of their reflections in the glass.
"They came through the front entrance of the shop, Bird was the closest to them..." Jim answered clearing his throat, "They're dead."
"Of course they are." If the day hadn't been so harrowing he could have smiled, but the look of pride shone in his eyes when he looked at Jim and added, "That's exactly what she's been trained to do."
Mario closed his eyes with a sigh of disappointment.
It was clear from the first lunch they'd had together that Bird was still holding onto some resentment towards their father.
Hearing comments like that he couldn't blame her.
"Hey." Bird greeted a she entered the room. The hairline around her face was still damp from where she'd been washing the rest of the blood off in the bathroom.
Unaware she'd just been the topic of conversation, she added, "Bullock's right behind me."
"Are you okay?" Jim questioned as she stepped up to his side.
She nodded, giving him a soft smile he couldn't bring himself to return.
"Ran the guys prints." Bullock got right to business as he entered the room with the latest updates, "Not in the system. Which, considering he's a pro wasn't that hard to believe."
"Still." Jim faced him, "Now that we have him, we should work him. Find out who's behind this."
"Better act quick." Bullock informed him, "Call just came in. They're transferring him to a federal facility upstate."
Jim's face twisted. What could the Feds want with him already? How would they have even gotten word so quickly.
"No, we can't let this guy leave." Jim argued.
"Yeah." Bird agreed, "Can't you just tell them no?"
Bullock blinked at her in disbelief, "It doesn't work that way!"
He wanted to say that he lived in the real world; he couldn't just snap his fingers and have everything bend to his will.
Adjusting his hat he explained, "My hands are tied. If the Feds want him, then they get him,"
"The question is why though." Jim asked.
"Maybe someone wants him out of this precinct. Away from us." Falcone offered up and Bird nodded in agreement. That was the only train of thought that made any sense to her as well.
"I don't know anyone with that kind of pull." Bullock shrugged.
He didn't have any alternate theories, but it would take a hell of a lot of juice to pull something like that off, especially so quickly.
"I'll see if I can buy us some time, but it probably won't do much good." Bullock left the viewing room and Jim followed him with Mario just steps behind, wanting to know what they planned to do next to ensure his and Lee's safety.
Falcone stared at the man who'd refused to say anything in the time they'd had him custody.
The only people he knew with the kind of power Bullock was referring to would be The Court of Owls; which would also explain the fast manner in which the man hired for the bombing, Fuse, had been disposed of.
They never left loose ends.
Still he had to know for sure.
"We have to get in there." Falcone stated.
Turning to face him, Bird displayed the keys she'd lifted from Bullock with his knowing.
"Good work-" Falcone started to compliment but Bird cut him off.
Pushing her hand with the keys towards him she flatly said, "Do your own dirty work."
He took the keys and without another word she turned and left.
"What's Lee doing here?" Bird questioned as she saw Mario leaving the station with his fiancee.
"I called her." Jim admitted as he turned around to face Bird.
There was a beat of silence. The swift sting of betrayal like a sharp jab to the ribs.
"Why?" Bird pushed.
"Because she deserves to know what's going on. That Mario is the real target and not Carmine Falcone." Jim defended.
"Agreed." Bird slowly nodded, "But… it's also not your place to interfere in their relationship."
"Agreed." Jim repeated back with an eyebrow raised in question at her, "But, again, she deserves the truth."
Bird squinted her eyes at him, before she pulled in a deep breath and slowly released it.
Mario had been really upset earlier when he'd been talking to her and she wasn't going to let what he said about Jim not wanting Lee to get married mess with her head.
••• Later that night •••
"Ooh!" Bird exclaimed as she leapt up from the couch to grab a small shopping bag from an decorative end table across the room, "I got you something earlier today."
Ivy's eyes widened with excitement, "What is it?"
Without a verbal answer, Bird held out the bag to her newest friend.
Ivy hesitated; she'd been surprised to get a call from Bird earlier that evening with a dinner invitation; in truth the friendship had started to feel a bit one-sided.
Ivy was always the one reaching out to Bird and even when she agreed to meet up it felt more like Bird was humoring Ivy's idea that they were now the best of friends.
Ivy's eyes fell to Bird's wrist where the friendship bracelet had been since she'd secured it on her; she'd honored her promise that she'd never take it off so far.
And then there was how quickly Bird had sprung into action to come save her when The Whisper Gang had abducted her.
A smile spread over her lips as she accepted the gift.
Her brow arched at some smears of dried blood on the outside of the bag.
Seeing what she was focused on, Bird reminded her, "I told you what happened at the jewelry store earlier today."
Ivy started to nod, but then her eyes doubled in size at the realization that -that must mean the present was something expensive.
She didn't even try to conceal her eagerness as she pulled the velvet coated box out and let the blood stained bag fall to the floor.
Not taking the time to appreciate the feeling of luxury in her hands, she popped the case open so fast it nearly broke the delicate metal hinges.
"Whoa!" Ivy gasped.
Nestled in black satin inside of the box was a bright emerald bracelet with small, delicate looking diamonds faceted between the green stones.
For a moment she wasn't even able to speak; it was the most gorgeous thing she'd ever seen.
"Is this real?" She finally asked before she could stop herself.
Of course it was real, she could have face-palmed, for Bird to drop a lot of money on a single bracelet was nothing.
Bird didn't even justify the question with a response, just let out a small laugh and shook her head.
"I'm never going to take this off. I swear." Ivy stammered out, pulling the bracelet from the case and getting to work on fastening on her wrist right next to the friendship bracelet she'd made that matched Bird's.
"Selina's gonna freak out when I show her this." Ivy continued without pausing for a breath, "When I told her I was your best friend she didn't believe me." Trying to mimic her friend's voice she repeated what Selina had told her, "She's just being nice to you, dummy."
Rolling her eyes, Ivy continued, "I told her that was wrong, cause you're not nice."
Bird's brows lowered and her head cocked to one side as she stared at her.
Ivy was too distracted by the shiny new bracelet to realize in her ramblings she'd just insulted Bird; who shrugged it off. It certainly wasn't the worst thing anyone had ever thought about her.
"Thank you!" Ivy's voice was shrill will excitement as she flung the top half of her body forward on the couch and caught Bird by surprise with a tight hug.
"Welcome." Bird replied, patting the younger woman's back as she waited for Ivy to release her grip.
When Ivy finally let go and moved back to her own cushion on the couch, Bird smiled at her.
As much as Ivy's child-like energy weighed on her nerves sometimes; it was nice to have someone around who was truly excited to spend time with her.
Jim had let her know when she left the GCPD earlier in the day that he'd be working late and would have to take a rain check on their dinner reservations.
It wasn't a lie, she knew that, but she also had a feeling he knew she was the one who'd slipped Falcone the keys to the interrogation room.
In their absence, the former crime boss had gotten in the room with the suspect and worked him over.
She wasn't sure exactly what he'd done to the man, but when Jim and Bullock finally busted into the room the suspect was bleeding heavily from his mouth.
Falcone had then let them know he'd discovered who was behind the attempts on Mario's life.
He didn't go into detail or drop any names; simply stating it was a former associate and he'd take it from there.
Then he walked right out of the police station as if he still owned the city.
Needless to say, Jim wasn't at all happy with the turn of events -leading Bird to believe he more so didn't want to have dinner with her and used the heavy workload as an excuse.
Instead of spending the night sulking and letting their reservations go to waste, she'd invited Ivy to have dinner with her instead. She'd been meaning to speak to her for a few days and seemed had the perfect opportunity now that they were back at Bird's townhouse alone.
"Ivy-" Bird began, "Your dad was abusive, right?"
The bright smile the younger woman had been wearing slid from her face; like icing on a cake that wasn't given the proper time to cool.
"Yeah, so?"
She shook her head.
There was a jolt of attitude in her voice. Something she couldn't control. She hated talking about it.
"If somebody could have stepped in and stopped him when you were little; stopped him from hurting you and your mom, you would have wanted that… right?" Bird pushed; either not reading the reluctance in her tone or not caring.
"I guess." Her arms crossed, clamped tightly over her chest. Physically shutting down, "Your boyfriend killed him anyways, so what does it matter now?"
"Bullock is the one who killed him." Bird corrected, "To save Jim's life -your dad was trying to kill him."
Ivy could have argued that was only because Jim was chasing him.
That her dad hadn't really been the killer they were looking for, but like she'd said minutes before -what did it matter now anyways.
"I get that it's hard to talk about." Bird reached out, her hand landing on Ivy's arm, "I went through some pretty terrible stuff before I was adopted, I get it. And I'm sorry for asking but I need some advice."
Bird gave a soft shrug, her posture slouched forward.
Ivy's hard stare softened as she watched Bird fall backwards against the plush back of the couch.
Tucking her long hair behind her ears, Ivy admitted with an exhale, "No one ever asks me for advice."
"He wasn't all bad." Ivy swallowed hard.
She felt like there was a before and an after in her life.
Before her dad was killed and her mom committed suicide; and then the after.
She didn't like to dwell on the before, it was too painful and after Fish's lackey aged her up she felt like that was another life. A different Ivy.
There were some good memories of the time with her parents. Like when her dad would win big at a card game and they'd go out as a family to celebrate.
Those were the only times she ever remembered her mom bothering to dress up; the only times she remembered seeing her mom really smile. I
f she really focused on the memories she could still hear her dad's laugh that seemed to erupt straight from his belly as they'd talk and laugh at restaurants they usually couldn't even afford to dream of going to.
Living for a night or two like they were on top of the world.
Those memories; those nights were the best.
But the good times were gone as quick as the winnings he'd earned.
Soon enough they were back to barely scraping by.
Back to the screaming and yelling, the glass shattering and holes being punched in walls.
Back to her mom crying in the bathroom, smoking the cigarettes she kept hidden by the small open window and thinking no one could smell the smoke on her when she came out.
Those were the bad memories; the ones she wished she could forget.
The blood, bruises, broken bones and their tiny apartment falling into a state of terror.
In those times she hated her dad.
Closing her eyes and pulling in a deep breath, Ivy said, "He was so mean."
Getting up from the couch, Bird said she'd be right back before disappearing up the stairs.
When she returned she handed Ivy a folded up page from a coloring book.
With a confused look on her face, Ivy unfolded the paper. Laid it on her legs and tried to flatted out the creases.
Ivy's eyes scanned the page, the child's coloring of a bird sitting on a branch; pink and blue shades that didn't go together.
The chunky signature on the blank space at the bottom of the page,
"To: Princess Bird
From: Mary Briggs"
"I was at GCPD the other day and this little girl came up to me." Bird relayed the entire encounter to her.
From the secrete Mary divulged about her dad being abusive and how she wished he'd disappear so he couldn't hurt them anymore.
How Mary's mother was skiddish, spilling one apology after another like she felt her existence was an inconvenience on anyone she crossed paths with.
"This. This is why," Bird poked the coloring page still sitting in Ivy's lap, "I need to know if when you were in her shoes, if you would have wanted someone to step in."
"I had someone track them down." Bird continued, "I know where they live, what school she goes to, where her dad works, the bar he visits nightly…"
Her eyes darted up to the clock on the wall.
"I could pass the information along to the detective Mary's mom was talking to, but they have all these protocols they have to follow, the best we can hope for is CPS removing her from the home, but the foster homes and orphanages in Gotham… some are worse than what she's living in now, but…" Bird's voice trailed off before she admitted, "If I remove her dad from their lives then she and her mom can start over."
"Remove him." Ivy slowly repeated the words back, her head raising to look at Bird, "Kill him?"
"Yes." Bird nodded.
Ivy stared at her before she folded the coloring page back up and handed it to her.
Even though Bird had said she wanted advice on this, Ivy could tell she already had her mind made up -even if she wouldn't admit it out loud.
"I want to come with you." Ivy asserted.
"Ivy, no-" Bird started to argue, but the redhead cut her off, "I've killed someone before."
She told her friend about the man who'd been there when she emerged from the river after Marv had tried to age her up to death but she'd fell after he'd barely touched her.
How the man had taken her to his house, offered her food and water -but couldn't be bothered to look after his house plants.
"He was nice enough at first." Ivy said, "But then he just kept saying how pretty I was…"
She shivered, a chill at remembering how the atmosphere in the house had seemed to changed.
Remembered how her skin prickled with the way he'd watched her so intently. The feeling of danger that rose up inside of her.
And then the relief that followed once he was dead.
When she'd made the decision to make sure he was eliminated before he got the chance to hurt her.
Bird listened to her recount her first kill intently.
"You're the first person I've told." Ivy admitted.
With eyes squinted in curiosity, Bird questioned, "Do you regret it?"
Ivy almost said she did, a reflexive response without thought or meaning behind it.
After all, if you murder someone you're supposed to feel bad about it, right?
But he was killing numerous plants and didn't feel any guilt over that.
"No." Ivy said after thinking it over. Her eyes locked on Bird's and she told the truth, "I don't feel bad about it."
Bird's lips curved up in a smile at the raw honesty of her response.
She'd always been a drawn to people who'd confess their darkest impulses in the light of day.
With Ivy on her heels, Bird walked into the kitchen and stopped at the refrigerator where they kept a small dry-erase board for when she and Jim needed to jot something down for the grocery list -or leave a note for the other.
Picking the magnetized marker up from beside the board, Bird uncapped it and scribbled a quick message for Jim to see when he got home, so he wouldn't worry about her not being there.
'Jim,
Going out with a friend tonight. Be home late. Don't wait up.
Love you'
•••
A/N - I'd like to thanks AGBreads, Shadow knight1121, PsychoFishHead, Havana, Adela, SmellYourScentForMiles, DancingDorisDay and the Guests who took the time to leave a review for the last update.
I hope you all liked the chapter.
And I really appreciate everyone who is still reading and sticking with me now that Gotham has ended and through my sporadic updates. Haha
Sometimes it's tough to find the time to write and stay motivated when I do have free time.
So just know that the support my readers show me means the world!
If you're still reading Bird's story (or new to the madness), please consider taking a few moments to leave a review and let me know what you thought of the chapter.
Your feedback truly goes a long way in helping me stay inspired.
xx