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The Penguin and the Raven	By : AsylumWritings Category: DC Verse Comics > Batman Views: 500 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Batman/DC Comics, nor the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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I know it was you I hurt
I didn't mean to hurt you
So much to forgive and forget
Can't take anymore of this hurt
Out in the Cold, Judas Priest
I was rifling through my drawers, looking for a pair of socks, when Molly knocked loudly on my door.
“Hey, Bee? Are you free?” She called.
“Come on in!” I replied, as I finally found it. I sat down on the bed, watching as she walked in.
“How are you doing?” She lifted herself onto my dresser, tapping her feet against it.
I shrugged, tucking my legs under me. I really didn’t know how I was feeling. It wasn’t that Oz had killed my boss. People came and went, lived and died so quickly in Gotham, and Falcone hadn’t been the greatest guy. It was the fact that he knew who I was working for, and didn’t either give me a heads up beforehand, or let me know what he’d done before I turned up for my next shift.
“I don’t know, Mol.” I whispered, with a sigh. “You know I can’t stay mad at someone for very long, so I don’t think I’m angry anymore. But I feel like he used me as an alibi or something, even though he denied it. Ugh, I need a smoke.”
She looked at me curiously. “Fuckface did that too. And no, no you don’t. You’re nearly at a year, don’t give in now.”
“Yes, but he always let me know.” Flopping back onto the bed, I glared at the ceiling.
“Ahh… so it’s about that respect and trust.” I heard her slide off the dresser and walk over. “Honey, you’ve known him for just under a week. Since this isn’t about the fact that he killed our boss, I think you just need to be patient and keep trying. You got really fucked over in your last relationship, and I know it’s made you slow to trust, but I wouldn’t be so quick to write this guy off.”
She was right, as always, and it was frustrating. I looked over at her, sitting up.
“I hate it when you’re right.” I gave her a small smile.
“I know, but I’m gonna keep being right. You’re my best friend, you’ve been there so much when I needed you, so I’m gonna be here for you again. Even if that means giving advice you don’t want to hear.” She slid over, wrapping an arm around me.
“I definitely needed to hear it, even if I didn’t want to. I’m gonna head to the gym. Will you be here when I get back?” I rested my head against hers.
“I’m going to visit Mum and Dad for a week, remember?”
“Oh yeah. Sorry, been wrapped up in my own mind.” I stood up. “Make sure you say hi to them for me.”
“You could come with me. They love seeing you.”
I shook my head. “Nah, I need to deal with everything here. I’ll see you next week.”
Hugging her goodbye, I picked up my gym bag and headed out. There was a big chain gym nearby, but I walked past it, down a little alleyway, to a smaller place. It was usually pretty quiet mid-afternoon, and I was happy to see there was no one there.
I dropped my bag on the floor and pulled out my hand wraps. The punching bag was my go-to stress reliever, helping with my cigarette cravings, and it never took long before my mind was clear and focused.
I punched, over and over, an angry thought leaving my mind every time my fist thudded into the bag. After about ten minutes, I heard the door open, but I was in the zone and wasn’t ready to come out yet.
“What did that poor punching bag ever do to you?” I heard Oz ask, from behind me.
Dropping my fists, I turned to face him. He was leaning against the wall, looking well-dressed in a casual suit jacket over some black jeans and a t-shirt.
“Are you following me now, Oz?” I crossed my arms over my chest.
“Butch gave me a list of places I now have control of, and I thought I would check them out.” He shrugged, walking over. “Finding you here is just a nice coincidence.”
“Well, now you’ve seen the place. Can I exercise in peace?”
“You would do better fighting against someone.” He commented.
“Are you offering?”
He nodded, pulling off his jacket and tossing it aside. Then he lunged at me. I reacted, deflecting his blow with my forearm. He was strong, but I was fast, ducking out of the way. Working harder than I expected, I could feel my chest heave as I tried to catch my breath.
The punching went on, the upper hand going back and forth between us. But I was starting to get tired, and I knew I couldn’t keep punching forever. When he came at me again, I stepped aside, managing to get round behind him. Wrapping my arm around his throat, I pulled him into a choke-hold.
“Clever.” He breathed, reaching back and pulling me over his shoulder.
I landed on my back, hitting the mat hard.
“You’re good, love.” He bent down, his hands on his knees. “But you’re not that good.”
Fury suddenly rushing through me, I swung my legs around, knocking him to the floor beside me. Taking advantage of the moment, I climbed onto his chest, using my knees to hold his arms down.
“Call it.” I whispered, resting my hands on the floor either side of his head.
“No.” He hooked his legs around me, pulling me back just enough to release his hands.
Then he grabbed me, rolling us over so he was sitting on my waist.
“You call it.” He took hold of my hands, keeping them against the floor above my head.
My heart was thumping, and I could feel my face flushing, though whether that was from the exercise or embarrassment was beyond me.
“You win.” I whispered, meeting his gaze. “Can you get off me now?”
“Not until you let me apologise. I’m sorry for killing Falcone.”
“Is that what you think this is about?” I gave him an incredulous look. “I don’t care if you kill anyone, let alone my boss. Falcone was kind of a jerk, but he was also the head of the biggest mob in Gotham. It was bound to happen eventually. No, what I’m upset about is the fact that you didn’t give me a heads up when I asked why you were here. Do you know what happens to people like me when a mob is taken over?”
I went silent for a moment, trying to keep my anger in check.
“When there’s a takeover, all of the lower level staff like me get replaced by new staff who are loyal to the new boss. Either by firing or murder. You let me spend over a day wondering if I was going to die or end up on the streets.”
He got off me, holding out his hand to help me up. I didn’t take it, picking myself up off the floor.
“I get it, alright?” I began to unwrap my hands, crouching down to my bag. “We’ve only known each other for a week, and you’re a high-up guy. I wouldn’t think about the small people either.”
“You’re right.” He replied, quietly. “I’m sorry.”
I looked up at him, surprised. “I’m not going to lie and say that an apology will magically make everything better. I want to trust you, but I need to know that you’ll be honest and not keep things from me.”
He nodded, walking over as I stood up. “What can I do?”
“Dinner would be a start.” I pressed a kiss to his cheek. “Call me when you’re ready.”
He paced around his room, thinking about how she’d nearly beaten him at the gym. She was tough, and whatever she was holding inside her was fuelling her anger and strength. He had a chance now, and he wasn’t going to waste it. With his mind focused and his plan now in place, he headed down to watch her.
I fixed my gloves and walked onto the stage. Feeling much more confident this time, I smiled out at the audience.
“It’s good to see you all again.” I spoke smoothly. “I’m Brianna, and tonight I’m going to sing a song called Carry Me.”
As the music began, I closed my eyes, sinking into each note. It was a sweet, beautiful song, and I hoped everyone enjoyed it.
While you sleep, dream of me
I'll be keeping our memories
Living in my heart and soul
Waiting for the day
When we will be together again
A song of lost love and hope, it was one that my dad had taught me when I was young. It had a special place in my heart, and I felt a little emotional singing it to others. At that moment, I suddenly felt that Dad would be proud of me and who I’d become.
Carry me to my love
Ov'r the sea to the clouds above
Where I know he is waiting for me
Carry me to my love
Ov'r the sea to the clouds above
The song came to a soft ending, and I said my goodbyes, leaving the stage. As I got back to the dressing room, I sat down in the chair, taking a few deep breaths. It had hit me harder than I thought, and I was suddenly missing my dad.
A moment later, there was a knock on the door. I got up, shaking off my sadness, and opened it. When I saw that it was Oz, I stepped aside to let him in.
“You didn’t have to come back here.” I shut the door, leaning against it. “I would have met you at the bar.”
“I wish I could stay, but I have to go to a meeting.” He ran his hands through his slicked back hair. “I just wanted to ask if you’re free tomorrow.”
“I am. What do you have in mind?”
“Dinner at mine. I’ll cook.” He touched my arm, running his fingers down to my hand, which he clasped gently.
“I will never say no to home-cooked food. Is 7 okay? Do I need to bring anything?
He nodded, pressing a kiss to the back of my hand. “7 is perfect. You only need to bring yourself.”
I blushed, watching him leave. As I walked home, praying the snow the weatherman said was coming held off until I got there, I rang Molly.
“Hey, Bee. How’s it going with the boss?” She asked, somehow knowing the exact reason I was calling.
I filled her in on the day’s events since she’d left, from the gym to just then. I could just about hear her grin growing as I spoke.
“I believe this is the point where you tell me I was right.” She laughed.
“Yes, Mol. Once again, you are truly the smartest.” I replied, laughing too.
“I know. But seriously, I’m glad you’re happy and I want to hear all about it.”
“I want to make sure you understand this situation.” He said, looking over at the man tied to the chair across from him. “There’s a rumour going around that you’ve been playing both sides in this city. I can’t have that. I need you to either give your complete loyalty or get out of my way.”
The man tried to say something through the tape on his mouth, but all that came out was muffled gibberish.
“I’m sorry, I can’t understand a word you’re saying. I’m going to assume you’re giving excuses, so Butch here will get a proper answer from you.” He stood up, gesturing for Butch to take over.
As he walked away, the sounds of violence began to echo in his ears.
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The Penguin and the Raven