A Little Sane

Chapter 55

"We're just going to march up to his bunker?!"

Jerome stopped and raised his eyebrow.

"You got a better idea?"

Abbe nodded frantically.

"Yes! We go to the GCPD! Isn't James Gordon your friend?!"

Jerome laughed maniacally. He turned to face Abbe.

"Jimbo has never been my friend. He is Mercedes's friend though... but we don't need the police!"

Abbe huffed.

"What about Bruce Wayne?"

Jerome narrowed his eyes and groaned. 

"I hate Bruce. Besides, doesn't he have my kids right now?"

Abbe sighed. Jerome shook his head and loaded his gun. 

"Look, you can stay here if you want."

Abbe grabbed a weapon.

"Are you kidding me?! Mercedes would kill me for letting you do something so dangerous alone."

Jerome chuckled. He grabbed extra bullets and faced Abbe.

"Then let's go."

"Mercedes you need to eat. You did not eat breakfast and now lunch is ready."

Mercedes shook her head. 

"I'm not hungry. You dragged me back to the ballroom... leave me alone..."

Jeremiah sighed.

"What about when we were hanging out...?"

Mercedes gave Jeremiah a sad look.

"Miah... that was just family friendly hanging out..."

Jeremiah looked away.

"Not to me.."

He walked out the living room and towards his study. Mercedes stared at the fire in front of her. It was in that moment that Mercedes decided she had to change. She wanted to be with Jerome. She cared about Jeremiah and did love him, but her heart belonged to Jerome and she was done playing games with it. She knew exactly what she wanted. Jeremiah was nothing more than her brother-in-law. She still didn't want to hurt Jeremiah, but that was unavoidable now. She just wanted to go home. She sighed and got up from the couch. She headed towards Jeremiah's study. Jeremiah looked up, hearing her footsteps. He gave her a weak smile. She let out a slight breath and set on his desk in front of him. She reached out and grabbed Jeremiah's hand, holding it in both of hers. She rubbed the back of his hand with her thumb. Jeremiah gave her a confused stare.

"Miah... I can't do this.. You know I love my husband.. You know I never meant to hurt you."

Jeremiah stared straight through her, almost. He was hurt and heartbroken. 

"Everyone can say what they want about you, but I know you just want me to be happy.."

Jeremiah looked away. Mercedes let go of his hand and gently grabbed his chin. She turned his face back towards her. 

"Please... I can't stand this.. you've always been so kind and loving to me, I love you... I do... but my heart... it just.. it won't let him go."

Jeremiah parted his lips. He let out a slight breath.

"You said.. that if Jerome did not exist..."

A tear fell down her cheek. She gently cupped his face in her hands and cut him off.

"You would be my husband and I would stay here with you forever.. no questions about it."

Jeremiah lifted his hand and gently wiped away her tear. He sighed. 

"I do want you to be happy... I don't want to hurt you.."

Mercedes grabbed his hand off of her cheek and shook her head.

"But you are hurting me.. You're keeping me locked in here.. you want to keep me from my husband.. I haven't seen my kids in hours.. I can't even imagine how they how right now... wondering where I am."

"Jerome.. He was always in the spotlight for something.. Everyone always paid attention to him... His name is huge in this city.. He has everything.. He even go the girl.."

Mercedes sighed.

"You know your brother says the same thing about you.. That you have everything.. You got out of the circus.. You weren't abused... You got a great education.. He cleaned up animal shit all day.. People always said horrible things about him before he ever did anything... No one ever gave him a chance... Someone who was supposed to be by his side was you... His brother.. And you weren't.."

Jeremiah looked away. He stood up from his desk. Mercedes set still. Jeremiah ran his fingers down her cheek. He lifted her face. She stared straight into his eyes. Jeremiah slowly leaned down until his lips pressed into hers. For a moment Mercedes thought about kneeing him in the stomach, but didn't want to face his anger. He pulled away and rested his forehead on hers. 

"I'm sorry... but I can't let you leave.."

Jeremiah walked away from the desk and Mercedes hopped off of it walking after him. 

"Jeremiah you have become obsessed! This is becoming scary! I want to see my kids! I don't want to be stuck in here!"

Jeremiah turned around angry.

"You are fine!"

His yelling caused Mercedes to jump and step back.

"I have been very gracious to you! You take everything I do for granted!"

Mercedes took a step forward.

"We both know the only way you are going to keep me here is if you hurt me to weaken me!"

Jeremiah smirked and stepped forward. He was inches away from her face.

"You could have hurt me with your powers to escape, but you refused, because you love me and do not want to hurt me!"

Mercedes shoved him away. Jeremiah straightened himself angrily. Ecco came into the room.

"Jeremiah. Someone's coming."

Karen beeped.

"Ecco is right Jeremiah."

Jeremiah tilted his head.

"Show me the outside cameras Karen."

Mercedes stood next to Jeremiah. The camera clicked on and Mercedes gasped.

"Jerome!"

Jerome and Abbe were walking towards the door. Jeremiah glared. Jerome cocked his gun in front of the camera. He grinned a wicked grin.

"Hi brother. Let's play a game. Let her out or I will blow up the door to your precious bunker and come in there to kill you."

Abbe stepped into view of the camera.

"Oh, yeah. I have the bomb. Here it is."

Abbe smiled and held up the bomb. Jeremiah groaned and slammed his hands on the table. Mercedes couldn't help but smile to herself.

"He is not blowing up my bunker!"

Mercedes watched Jeremiah pace back and forth.

"Karen, aim directly at Jerome. Please do not miss."

Mercedes jumped and showed Jeremiah. She turned towards the cameras.

"Karen don't do that! Please! Remember we are friends!"

Mercedes turned to see Jerome still standing.

"You have ten minutes broski."

Mercedes let out a sigh of relief as Jerome walked away from the camera. Jeremiah stared at the monitors angrily.