The Penguin And His Dove

Birds Of A Feather. Flock Together.

I looked in the bathroom mirror at my smudged makeup. I wiped my face with my sleeve and walked over the the shower. I turned the handle and waited as the warm water began to steam the bathroom. I slipped out of my clothes leaving them in a huddle on the floor. I climbed in to the shower. The hot water hitting my skin and making me feel like I was washing the bad stuff away. I sat on the floor of the shower and cried. How could I let this happen. What I did was stupid. It was my own fault! If I hadn't lead them on like that I wouldn't be in this mess. I heard a knock on the door. But didn't answer.

"Just leave me alone " I whispered as I hugged my legs and stayed sat under the boiling water. It began to burn my skin. I cried quietly. I was to upset to notice the pain on my back. I heard the bathroom door close and didn't take much notice. I just listened to the water as it trickled down the plughole.

"My dear?" I heard a voice say from behind the curtain. My heart raced. Who was that.

"I'll be out in a second" I shouted. 

"Don't rush ma'am. I did knock but you didn't answer I just wanted to make sure you were Ok" It said. I once again ignored him. The hot water now scalding my skin. I felt numb. I felt sick. I felt empty. The shower curtain ripped back and all I could see was Oswald looking down at me through the steam.

"(Y/N)! " He shouted as he saw my reddened skin. He tucked his arms under mine and pulled me from the bath. He turned away so he wasn't looking at my body as he grabbed the towel from the rail and draped it over my body.

"What are you doing. Why did you hurt yourself? Don't let that vulgar man get in your head. Besides its all been taken care of." Oswald said as he hugged me tightly . I sobbed quietly in to his shoulder. Confused by what he meant by taken care of and confused by the feelings I was feeling. I felt safe as he held me , but my belly churned as I thought what could have happened if Oswald didn't come to the rescue when he did. He rubbed his arm up and down my back and I sobbed. 

"Now my dear. We need to get  you in to some fresh clothes and get you home safely" . Oswald said. I was now hugging him  tightly. I couldn't leave go. I felt so safe. The door knocked behind us.

"Boss , I couldn't find anything suitable for the lady so these will have to do" I heard a voice from behind the door. Oswald broke the hug and turned to answer the door. In the doorway was Butch holding a bundle of clothes. Oswald took them from his hands and without a word passed them to me.

"Put these on to keep yourself warm as Butch and myself will be escorting you home" Oswald said. He smiled.

"Ill be behind the door. I am not going anywhere. You are safe. Rest assured."He then closed the door leaving me a blubbering mess with just a towel around me for warmth. I didn't know what clothes Butch had provided and without looking I clothed myself. I opened the door. I wore a baggy t-shirt and some trousers that didn't even fit. I looked a mess. They looked like items from a lost and found bin.

I look awful! Oswald looked me up and down and walked over to me and started to take his suit jacket off. He put it around my arms. He noticed the look on my face as I looked down at my body.

"Nobody cares what you look like my dear. As long as your warm. And if I am not mistaken I think you look lovely." I cracked a smile as he said this. He linked my arm and began to escort me through the dining room. As we were walking through the club, an outline of a man lying on the floor with a white tablecloth draped over was lying on the floor near the storeroom where I was previous. The table cloth was stained red. Was that the man that tried to hurt me ? Is he dead?.I couldn't take my eyes off the bundle and slowed my pace down to stare.

"Ah mam there is no need to be looking over there. Rest assured business is business and when an employee of mine is in anyway mistreated then said person must suffer the consequences" Said Oswald as he tightened his link onto my arm. We climbed in to the limo that was waiting out front. Butch began to drive me safely home. I sat next to Oswald in the back of the car. I couldn't say anything . I was out of it. He put his hand on to my leg and didn't say a word until we drove up to my apartment. Butch opened my door as I stepped out on to the quiet dark street of Gotham. It was night time. Oswald followed Butch and offered his hand as he helped me out of the car. 

"That will be all Butch. I will escort the lady to her apartment. You can wait out here until I am done." Oswald once again linked my arm , hobbling next to me as he walked me all the way up to my apartment . When we got to the apartment door. I began to panic.

"My keys !"I blurted. Oswald smirked. He put his hand in to his trouser pocket and pulled out my apartment key.

"I took the liberty of finding these in your work clothes. " He then began to open my apartment door .

"Ladies first" He said as I slowly walked in to my apartment. Even though I suspected the bodyguard was now dead I didn't feel safe in my own home.

"Oswald can you stay?" I quietly asked. He frowned and then smiled.

"If I wasn't so busy my dear then I would . But unfortunately Gotham needs me and I need to head back. But saying so , I will make sure that Butch patrols your apartment until its time for you to come back to work tomorrow. " My heart fell. I didn't want to be on my own,

"Please " I pleaded. I took his hand in mine. 

"Please would you stay." I asked again. A few seconds passed and he sighed. 

"Ok. Just for this evening. If it makes you feel safe. I don't usually do this for my employees but for you. Your an exception." I smiled. I needed someone here. But asking Penguin did feel like a step to far, I just want to feel safe. The city , the bodyguard , loosing my job. It was all now getting to me and I didn't know what emotions I was feeling. Without another word I clambered on to my bed and pulled the covers straight over me still fully clothed. I felt Oswald climb on to the bed but not pull the cover over him. I had my back to him but I turned to look at him.

"Thank you" I said. He was sat on the bed , back against the headboard and staring at the front door in his white shirt,tie and black trousers. He smiled at me.

"Anything for you" He whispered. And that's the last thing he said as I fell asleep within a matter of minutes.