Deleted Scenes [BtF Series]

Sabotaged

NOVEL: Calling Cardinal
TIMELINE: Sometime early season 3, I think. This is before Sera and Oswald have met post-resurrection.
WHY IT DIDN'T WORK: Inconsistencies in the timeline. Tabitha/Barbara are never running the Sirens under Oswald's protection at the same time that Ed/Oswald are having issues.

I chase Edward through the empty Sirens' Club, being cautious and careful not to get myself spotted. If he lays eyes on me, all bets are off.

I lunge from my position in the rafters. Nygma shoulders his crowbar and peeks down the staircase. It's time to make my move. I creep out from behind the bar and ready my scream. This skinny punk is going to pay for what he did to my brother.

As I'm about to release my voice, the elevator sounds. Someone's coming to the top floor. I hear Oswald's voice before I see him. He can't see me. Not like this. Not yet.

Edward glances back too. He and I meet eyes. Horror takes a hold of his already pale features.

He sprints down the staircase, but he's no match for my speed. I grab at his collar. Something hard and cold hits me in the back of the head. Edward raises the crowbar over his head one last time for good measure.

I fall to my knees. Dizziness overwhelms me.

"Sorry, Sera. I understand this might not be how you want to meet up, but I can't let him know I'm here."

With one last swing, my face collides with concrete, and I pass out.

I rise from the pained sleep when the bass drops. I'm facedown on some kind of glowing, electric floor. A groan parts my lips. I'm parallel with the back of a bar. Booze, condiments, and glasses sit inches from my face. Heels click on my other side.

Tabitha Galavan stands over me, pouring a drink. She hands it to me as nonchalantly as possible.

"You look like you could use this."

I take the alcohol, listening to her greet new patrons with smiles and coasters.

"Why— why did you do this for me?"

She leans against the silver surface. "Think of it as retribution for what my brother's stupid clan did to you."

"I— thank you." I peek over the top to see Oswald slowly making his way to the bar. He stops to shake hands with guests, but he's definitely coming over here. I hunker back in my spot.

Tabitha notices my odd movement. "Oh, let me guess. He doesn't know you're alive."

I shut my eyes tight. "Please, please don't tell him I'm here."

"Fine," she sighs. "What can I do for you, Penguin?"

He leans against the edge of the bar. I hear the wood cream underneath his weight.

"A Manhattan, please."

Galavan pours the drink and sets it on a coaster.

"Something the matter, Tabitha?"

"Nope," she says. "It's just— whatever happened to her?"

Even without seeing him, I know Oswald's looking up at the ceiling, trying to imagine whoever she may be talking about.

My heart pounds in my chest.

"Who?"

"That girl you were with for so long. What was her name?"

"Sera," he says in defeat. "Her name was Sera, and I'm almost sure I said that I didn't want anyone to mention her to me ever again."

"Ah, yeah. That's it. You know Penguin, with all these monsters walking around, you might stumble upon her—"

He silences Tabitha's thought. "No. No, I don't think so. It's not a thought I even want to entertain. What would Hugo Strange have with resurrecting her? No. I can't even think about it."

"Why?" She glances at me. "Wouldn't you want to see her?"

Oswald sets down his glass, signaling another pour. "Of course. I would give anything, my own life included, to see her again. I just wonder what she would think of what has become of our everchanging empire. What would she think of me, now?"

Galavan shrugs, harmlessly setting down the drink. "Don't we all wonder that?"

"I suppose," he sighs, giving up his nostalgia. "I suppose you're right. You haven't seen her, have you?"

She shakes her head. "Oh, no. Just a thought I had."

"Will you tell me? Would you tell me if you see her? I know a majority of these monsters are mindless and vicious, but would you keep an eye out for her? Just in case."

"Sure, Oswald."

Tabitha nudges me when he's a safe distance away, but my heart feels no easier. I'm going to have to tell him sooner or later. Probably sooner than I'd like.