Free Falling: A Gotham "Love" Story

Chapter One: Back Home Again

"Home"

It's a strange word to be said from my lips, especially since it's been three years since I've been able to call a place home. I've been running, as fast as I possibly could. Mainly to forget what's been haunting me for what seems like forever. It ruined me as a person, and who wouldn't want to run from that?
I look around at the city, looking as if it were in flames in the sunrise. Gotham hadn't changed much in the three years I've been gone, which I'm not surprised about. It would take a grand force to turn this city around, and not even the great and powerful could do so. My mother always said that, before it all went down the drain. The Gotham she knew was long gone, the remaining Skelton being one of scum and villainy. Sure we had Batman but he was only one man, no matter what the hopeful believed of him. Unlike them I doubted his true power, just like I doubted the power of the corrupt in the city. Even my friends had limited power. It was the way it had to be.

I decide to climb down from the rooftop and start completing the task list I had made on the trip back home. The first objective being visiting the one person I kept in close contact with while I was gone. Since it was pretty early, I decide to go in through the trapdoor that we had discovered when the building was brought. I managed the small space fairly easily and once I take in the surroundings, I'm blown away. The bar hasn't changed at all, still made out of oak and filled with all of the liquor possible. Burgundy velvet drapes had replaced the navy ones I remember, and the tables were replaced by a variety of booths, the seats a midnight blue that I was surprised by.

Goddammit Oswald, you've outdone yourself.

I hear footsteps behind me and the cock of a gun. Well that was quick of him to show up.

"Who are you and how did you break into my Lounge?" Oswald's familiar ominous tone rang in my ears and I couldn't help but smile. I turn around slowly, taking in the older version of the man I knew three years ago. He somehow managed to keep some of his jet black hair, though it's slightly gray in some areas and his face looked more tired and pale, but he was the same person that I remember from all those years ago. The suit he was wearing was more expensive than I remember, since I couldn't place it at all. His stance were still penguin-like though by his demeanor, he accepted it and even embraced it. He wasn't just Oswald, he was The Penguin. He stares at me for what seems like forever before sighing, giving me a warm smile and putting his weapon down.

"Well that's no way to treat your best friend, Oswald."I say sarcastically before grinning.

"Amelia?! Why didn't you tell me you were coming back into town? Are you trying to get yourself shot?"Oswald says, pulling me in for a quick hug

"It wouldn't be the first time, Ozzy. "I reply, letting go of him before he leads me to one of the booths and gets a random bottle out from the bar

"Amy, you haven't changed at all since you've been gone. Though I see you've decided to keep the red hair. If I'm going to be frank, it's not your color." He says while smirking, causing me to roll my eyes

"Well Grey isn't yours, yet you haven't dyed your hair to prevent that."

"I could have you killed for that, Amy. Don't tempt me. Anyways, why have you returned? Did you decide to come back and face your "demons", because all they've been doing since you left is just their ridiculous antics. Getting themselves locked up at Arkham at least once every four months. They've been destructive, especially towards each other. If it wasn't for the Bat, they would have destroyed Gotham by now. They've been quiet recently. So maybe you can help keep it that way. It's bad for business when they aren't."

"Oswald, that's not why I came back. I left because of them and I plan on avoiding them until my true mission for coming back to Gotham is finished. I don't need them ruining it, so try to keep quiet about my return until I'm done. Okay? Edward and Jonathan are not my responsibility, nor would they ever listen to me."

"Amelia, you know better than I do that you're the only one they listen to. And you know why that is. I know what they did is unforgivable. So fine, I'll keep my mouth shut. What's your mission here anyways?"

"It's very complicated, Ozzy. Aside from those two, I do have other things that have haunted me since I've left."I reply, Oswald's eyebrow raising ever so slightly

"Amy, it's about your father, isn't it?"

"My father is dead. Just like my mother. You know that. It's not about them or any of my family members, I promise you that."

"Alright then. You'll tell me when it's over anyways. Now I have a deal that I have to get to, so if you don't mind escorting yourself out."He says, getting up

"Still a gentleman, Oswald. Still a gentleman. Don't get caught, I don't need you going to Arkham right when I just came back."I say, getting up as well.

"Likewise Amelia." He says, pausing for a bit before bringing me in for a hug

"I've missed you around here."

"I've missed you too, Ozzy. I'll come by later when you're not busy."I say, letting go and walking to the trapdoor.

Once I get outside, I decide to go to my old apartment to try and think about what Oswald said.

"They've been destructive, especially towards each other."
Normally that wouldn't surprise me, but I couldn't get that out of my head. Jonathan and Edward are- or should I say were- best friends before I left. They never fought aside from their plans of how to take down Batman. Could I have been the one to ruin all that? Because they were in love with me?

"-you know better than I do that you're the only one they listen to. And you know why."
They weren't capable of that, of love, which Oswald knows.
Jonathan is only capable of loving fear the same that Edward is only capable of loving himself and his riddles. They're only their alter egos at this point. They're Riddler and Scarecrow, not John and Eddie. And that will never change, they're too set in their ways. They could try but it's too late now, they've changed and so have I.