A Storm Rising

Chapter 5

Nygma 

I had deemed myself capable of being at my apartment without constant care a couple of days after the shooting. I wouldn't return to work just yet, but I wanted to be in a place of comfort. 

Word had gotten around the precinct of my heroic actions trying to protect Detective Gordon and I had been having surprise visits. The chief had come to see me, as well as the commissioner. 

Gordon never came though, I wasn't sure how to feel about that. I didn't really want to think about it. I was taking care of my wound since I was home, Oswald impressed me with his stitching skills. I had half expected it to be as shoddy as his walk. 

I sat on the couch staring at my empty fireplace, I normally left my television off. I didn't like the background noise. I figured I would go to work in a couple of days, I really needed to keep busy. 

I got up off the couch a bit too quickly and grunted heavily. I made my way over to my bookshelf and started to vigorously dust the shelves. 

I hadn't spent any time cleaning over the last few days and I had frustrations to work out. 

The next morning, I was standing in front of the mirror in my bathroom staring at my face. I was running my finger along my cheekbones and decided I would return to work. 

I dressed in a dark green plaid shirt, black slacks, a black tie which had a white question mark on the wide part by the bottom. I pulled on my grey labcoat and looked at myself in the mirror again. 

My glasses had broken in the gunfight so I was wearing a pair of backups I had. They weren't as nice as my other ones, but they would do for now. I adjusted them slightly and grabbed my bag and headed out of the apartment once I made sure my bandage was secure. 

It felt nice to be going back to work, even though I hated majority of the people who existed in that place. Lately I felt as though the few that I didn't hate were becoming hated. 

I walked into the precinct and took in a breath smiling brightly as I surveyed the place. It felt different, obviously it wasn't, but it did to me. My eyes scanned everyone looking for someone in particular and he was not present. 

I really wondered why Gordon had not come to see me. I feel in my heart that he would have before he had started acting funny around me. After all, even the commissioner came to see me. 

I saw Ms. Kringle at the top of the stairs and she turned to look at me.

I felt my day was about to get really bad, really fast.

Oswald

Why hasn't he returned any of my calls?! That ungrateful son of a bitch! This is some thanks I get for saving his ass and not to mention his life!, I fumed.

It had been a full week since Nygma has checked himself out of "Cobblepot Clinic" and I've heard nothing from him since. I can only assume he's doing okay, but without any communication from him I start to worry.

I pick up my phone and dial his number. What am I doing? This is the fifth time I've called in an hour... I shook my head in disgust at myself, but continued to let the phone ring hoping he'd pick up the phone if only to hear his voice and know that he's still alive and okay. 

"Hi this is Ed..."

Dammit, voicemail again! 

"Neg...it's me, Oswald...again. I haven't heard from you in a while and was just checking up to see how you are doing. If you need anything, don't hesitate to call." I paused I knew what I was going to say next was cheesy, but I knew that it would make him smile.