Gotham: Jemma's Diary (v1)

Chapter Twenty Seven - Reborn Again

As we pulled up the drive at Penguin's Mansion, I was unsure I'd be able to carry on as fear started to settle in.

"Vic, wait!" I whispered, grabbing his hand as we got out the car.

He turned to face me as we stood before the concrete steps to the front doors. I was breathing heavily and my eyes were darting all over before looking down as I clutched his hand in mine, "I don't think I can do this..." I admitted.

Seeing Jerome again was all I'd wanted... for the majority of my life. But, I hadn't seen him for six years and I didn't know what to expect...

Victor took hold of my hands in his, bringing them to his face as he placed a gentle kiss on the back of either one, before looking into my eyes and stroking a strand of hair behind my ear, "You can do this."

After receiving a little boost of confidence, I took a deep breath as we walked in together, hand in hand.

I was surprised to see how many people were gathered in the dining room, all seated at the long table.

The room was full of the noise of people chatting and clinking their glasses together before taking a sip of their champagne.

Victor let go of my hand to wander over to some familiar faces of his, and I was left standing there near the doorway, feeling very alone and out of place.
It didn't matter anyway... I was used to being ignored and forgotten about.

My eyes did their own wandering - looking over all the notorious criminals in the room. I didn't hardly recognise anyone, however, I had seen them all briefly on TV once or twice.

Along the table were sat Bridget Piper, aka Firefly - a crazy lady who set her own family on fire.
Victor Fries, aka Mr Freeze as the newspapers had been calling him - I didn't know much about him, other than he was the complete opposite of Firefly; freezing people.
Jervis Tetch, aka... I don't know, mad crazy man with a large hat? - a strong hypnotist who really loved his sister. He was in Arkham with my brother...
Jonathan Crane, aka Scarecrow... which is ironic because I heard that he was afraid of scarecrows or something. Anyway, he killed some people or something, I don't know.
And a few other people were there, too.

"Hello sister!" A voice shouted, breaking me from my thoughts as I turned to see who it was.

And there he was. Standing right in front of me, dressed in a smart tartan attire with bursts of yellow here and there.
My eyes trailed up from his big shiny shoes, up his body to his neck... I already knew who he was, but even if I didn't, I would be able to tell from the noticeable scar on along his throat.
As that's where he was stabbed when he was murdered the first time.

"Ha, speechless!" He chuckled, as I stood there frozen in shock with him standing less than two feet away from me, "Well, I know it's a surprise, Jemma. But say something."

Once my eyes met his, I instantly broke into tears as I fell into his arms, clinging on to him tightly. It felt that if I was to let go, he'd disappear again.

He hugged me strongly, his arms wrapped around me keeping me warm as he rested his chin on my head, "It's okay, sis. I know you've missed me... I've missed you, too." He whispered through his deeply scarred lips.

I continued to sob in his arms, not caring what the other villains would think of me; if they would think I were weak.

"Do you wanna know something funny I heard?" Jerome asked as we finally parted, he rested his hands on my shoulders though, "I heard that you've got a boyfriend..."

I looked away, blushing slightly, as my newly-reborn, again, big brother continued.

"If he lets anyone hurt you, I'll have to kill him." He joked, averting his attention to Victor who was smiling at us from across the room.

I laughed, grinning back at him, "Deal."

"Wonderful!" Jerome cooed, bringing me with him to the dining table as the chatter began to dull, "Let's get along with this meeting, shall we?"