I was finally able to watch Gotham 5x12 and I have a few complaints about it. One, I like Barbara Kean's natural hair color better, I don't understand why they chose to have Barbara dye it red, aside from the comics, I know Barbara was a red head in the comics, but they changed some things for the show why couldn't they leave it alone? I just don't think Barbara Kean looks like Barbara Kean without her natural blonde hair. Second, when Bruce Wayne left Gotham why did he leave without saying a word to Selina? After everything they've been through together you would've think he would either tell Selina that he's leaving and why or asked her to come with him, I'm sorry but I just feel really bad for Selina. And last but not least, Jeremiah's new Joker look. I know I've mentioned this before, but I still hate his new look and since Jeremiah still sounds the same doesn't help. They said the new look was going to be a nightmare terror, well, he looks like he put on grandma's makeup wrong and it makes him look like he's old. When Jeremiah had his first Joker appearance he looked great, the green hair, pale white face, and a scary smile. Classic Joker. So that's my rant of Gotham 5x12.

Fun Fact: Quinn doesn't like wearing makeup, except for lip balm when her lips feel sore and chap.

Close Friendships Become Love

It was a warm summer day and Haley's Circus was in New York, since kids were out of school there were so many people at the circus the place was crowded than ever. It was a real pain for both Quinn and Jerome, especially since it was difficult for them to spend any time together without involving cleaning up after the animals, especially the elephants.

When it was getting closer to the end of the week, for the circus to pack up and leave. After a long day of many chores, Quinn went to the trailer and collapsed on her bed, as she thought of Jerome.

"Poor Jerome," Quinn said to herself, "It's bad enough he has so many chores to do every day, sometimes more than me, especially the dirty ones, but I hate the way his stupid mother treats him, what kind of mother beats up their own child? I wish I could talk to Mom about this, but she's been so exhausted all week, and she really needs to rest. I wish I could cheer Jerome up somehow, maybe we can do something fun, just the two of us." Then an idea hit her, Quinn thought of a perfect idea.

The next day, everyone was getting ready to leave tomorrow morning their last show was finally over. Then after Quinn got everything set and ready, she went to find Jerome. It didn't take long for her to find him as Jerome was standing outside his trailer. When Quinn got closer, she saw Jerome was holding a handkerchief to his nose and she saw his nose was bleeding and looked bruised.

"Oh my gosh, Jerome," Quinn gasped, clapping a hand to her mouth at the sight before her, "What happened?"

"My mom and her latest love partner," Jerome growled

Jerome suddenly started to laugh like crazy, despite the pain in his nose, holding his sides. Quinn watched him shocked with wide eyes, she never heard him laughing like this before and it was scaring her a little.

Jerome giggled and uttered, "The loving family! It's all just one big joke!"

He burst into a laugh again and Quinn felt crept out by this. It wasn't a nervous and desperate laugh. Jerome really seemed like he was laughing at the idea, which was worrying Quinn, because she had never seen this side of Jerome before. Fear began increasing inside her more, she wanted to run away, but no, she couldn't do that when her best friend needed her most, but lately she has been thinking how she wants to be more than just friends with Jerome, especially after Jeremiah disappeared their relationship became closer than they realized.

Quinn slowly advanced toward Jerome, and the redhead continued: "Come on, Quinn, laugh a little! It's much better if you laugh about it!"

But Quinn didn't laugh instead she put her hands on Jerome's shoulders, pressing them slightly, which was lessening the laugh from Jerome, and then Quinn just pulled him into a hug.

In spite of his confusion, Jerome found himself enjoying it, Quinn had hugged him plenty of times before, but he was enjoying it even more than before, as far as he remembered Quinn had been the only person to hug him like that. Usually, no one would care to help him, it was as if he was beneath those "decent people" and deserved no help, but Jerome always knew Quinn was different. It was actually quite comforting to feel her warmth, her presence, and her breathing. Jerome always enjoyed Quinn hugging him, but he realized lately it was more than usual. For him, it was good to hug each other, to hold her in his arms it made him feel like no one could take her away from him, and that nothing could tear them apart.

"Thanks," Jerome whispered.

Quinn smiled at him and then frowned, "Shoot, I had something planned, but now I don't know if you're up for it."

"What? What is it?" Jerome asked, sounding interested.

"I'll tell you," Quinn promised, "But first, how's your nose?"

Before Jerome could reply, Quinn gently prodded his nose, Jerome hissed in response.

"Come on let's get you an ice cold wet cloth," Quinn said leading him to her trailer.

"Quinn, it's fine, this is nothing," Jerome insisted.

"Not to me," Quinn responded, as they stepped inside.

The first thing Quinn was take a cloth and put it into ice cold water then gave it to Jerome to press against his nose. Then Quinn went to the medicine box and gave Jerome a bottle of Tylenol and a glass of water.

"Take two of these," Quinn told him.

"I'm fine Quinn. Like I told you I'm used to it," Jerome told her.

"Please Jerome I really hate seeing you like this. You shouldn't be used to this, it's not good," Quinn said tearfully, looking as if she was going to cry, which Jerome noticed.

"Alright, I'll take it, if it will make you feel better." Jerome surrendered, taking the Tylenol bottle and the glass of water. "Now what was it you wanted to do?"

"Well I thought that maybe you and I could have a picnic by the harbor docks today, since tomorrow we get back on the road," Quinn said.

Jerome then grabbed his stomach and acted like he had a stomach ache, "Oh, the pain," but when he looked at Quinn he was grinning.

Quinn rolled her eyes, and folded her arms across her chest, "Alright, ginger boy."

"No, no I would love to go," Jerome assured, "I wouldn't want to miss it."

"Are you sure, you feel well enough for it?" Quinn asked with concern still in her voice.

"Yes, absolutely," Jerome assured her, "You really should try smiling more."

"I do smile," Quinn said slightly offended, "I just can't help, but worry about you."

"But I do enjoy seeing you smile," Jerome said, cupping one hand in her cheek.

Quinn smiled at what he said, and then said, "Come on, I have everything ready."

Jerome and Quinn headed down to the docks to enjoy a picnic of fried chicken, potato salad, fruit salad, lemonade, and chocolate brownies. While enjoying their picnic, they looking out towards the river and whether realizing it or not their relationship was becoming closer than they realized.

A few months later, autumn had arrived and Haly's Circus was busy performing. As Jerome and Quinn were feeding the elephants, Jerome realized that tomorrow would be Quinn's 14th birthday and he wanted to do something special for it. Quinn was the only person at the circus, who he wanted to make happy. Jerome didn't really know what to give him, but then his eyes went somewhere and he smiled hugely.

Later that night, after they had birthday cake, which was red velvet, Quinn's favorite, Jerome told Quinn to follow him. Jerome led Quinn to an open deserted parking lot. Quinn gasped in amazement when she saw what was on the ground: fireworks.

"Go ahead, Quinn, do it," Jerome told her.

Giggling with excitement, Quinn took the thread and put it on fire. They watched the lights and fire as the fireworks exploded in the air in different colors. Quinn was smiling wider than ever, which made Jerome very happy to see, out of all the birthday gifts she has gotten this was the most special. They both looked at the lights on the dark sky and they both smiled.

Once it was over, Quinn threw her arms over Jerome and kissed him softly on the lips, and Jerome smiled softly at her, "Happy Birthday, Quinn!"

"Thank you Jerome, this is the best present ever!" Quinn exclaimed.

They left only when some of the circus people came to find who stole their material.