The Beast Within

Chapter Eight: Alliance

The next week was tough on everyone, they all buried Ivy close to a river with lots of pretty flowers that she would have loved, Nyssa and Jerome avoided each other as much as possible and everyone was getting suspicious by their odd and stand-offish behavior towards one another, Lucky and Barbara decided it was time to figure out what was going on, they cornered Jerome first but he just threw lewd comments and cracked jokes to them to avoid their questions so they decided to ask Nyssa, they both sat on her bed waiting for her to leave the bathroom.

She stepped out and smiled "hey guys" she said throwing on a shirt, obviously just getting out of the shower "what's going on with you and Jerome?" Bab's blurted out and she fixed her eyebrows in confusion "what do you mean?" "don't even try playing dumb, you've both been so weird to each other lately, is it because of the kiss?" Lucky said and Nyssa rolled her eyes "no, we both agreed that, that was a mistake and won't ever happen again and it's best if we just stay out of each others way" Barbara's eyes widened quickly catching on to what was really going on "oh my god! you two had sex!" "what!?" Lucky said excitedly and they both turned their full attention to Nyssa "stop it, it was nothing, it was a mistake" she said and both their faces lit up "so you did!" Lucky said jumping off the bed "how did you guys even.? you can hardly walk around with your bullet wound" Bab's said helping Nyssa onto her bed "it doesn't matter how it happened, it just did and we shouldn't have and we're moving past it" "you guys are moving past shit, you're avoiding each other, which will cause more problems, for you both" Lucky said "he's my client and I'm his worker, that's it, I'm out of commission for a bit, but once I'm better I'll be going straight back to my job" "does he even remember that you work for him?" Bab's said and Nyssa thought about it, she had actually forgotten too.

She'd gotten so used to him just being there that she forgot why he was "we have a contract, that's it, nothing else" she said mostly trying to convince herself, she glanced to her bare finger and the two caught it and realized she wasn't wearing her ring "where's your ring?" Bab's asked grabbing her hand "I.. I took it off" she said and they both cocked their eyebrows in surprise "why?" Lucky said suspiciously "because, I can't wear it anymore" "what it doesn't fit? we can get it altered" Bab's said and Nyssa shook her head "no, I don't want to wear it anymore, I betrayed Sara while wearing it, I don't deserve to wear it" she said sharply and they both shared worried looks "did- did you have sex with him while wearing it?" Lucky asked, Nyssa burst into tears and both girls hugged her close "I forgot to take it off" she said sobbing into Lucky's chest, they both felt their hearts aching for their friend who was riddled with guilt "you can't go your whole life feeling guilty over what happened to Sara, yes it was horrible and painful, but it was not your fault and you can't beat yourself up over trying to move on" Lucky said sternly looking into her eyes "I just- I can't help but feel like it was too soon" they nodded their heads in understanding "you don't ever need to feel guilty over trying to fix your broken heart" Barbara said and Nyssa nodded and wiped her tears "you're right, but I also can't have him as a client anymore" they both nodded.

Jerome threw his clothes in a bag then his diary and some pictures, he got a call that he couldn't refuse, his brother that he hated with a passion had called him with a business proposition that really peaked his interest, he knew they'd either come to an agreement or one of them would end up dead, but he was ready to take a chance either way, and he needed to get away from Nyssa as soon as he could, he walked downstairs quietly and made it to the front door when someone cleared their throat behind him and he turned his head and sighed "don't try and stop me" he said and the person shook their head "I wasn't going to, but I'm assuming you haven't said goodbye" he just shrugged "not a hugger rid, you know that" Ed nodded and stepped forward "you know she'll be angry at you" "let her be, I'd rather her hate me than herself" he said and Ed nodded again "so the rumors about you two were true?" "she needed someone there for her, and I just happened to be that person, I don't feel anything for her, it's best I leave and carry on my plans alone" he said keeping out the part that he was going to meet with his twin brother "what am I supposed to tell everyone?" "whatever you want, I won't be coming back to cop the girls shit for fucking then leaving their friend" he said emotionlessly and he had Ed convinced he didn't care for any of them "till next time" Ed said extending his hand and Jerome shook it "might catch you out on the battlefield, I'll try and avoid killing you if I can, HAHAHA" Ed smiled knowing this was Jerome's way of saying he'll somewhat miss him, he left the house without a second thought and Ed took a deep breath and felt guilty knowing he'd have to break the news to the girls.

Jerome strolled into the church Jeremiah stays in and rolled his eyes at the posters of his brother around the place, he stepped into Jeremiah's study space "you're late, brother" Jeremiah said turning around and Jerome rolled his eyes "your pale, make up loving ass is lucky I even showed up" Jeremiah rolled his eyes and took a seat at his desk and Jerome sat on the chair in front on his desk "drink?" Jeremiah said and Jerome nodded "whiskey" Jeremiah called Ecco over and she made both men a drink and left the room "that broad is still around?" he asked looking to Ecco and Jeremiah huffed "she can be useful, sometimes" he said and Jerome nodded his head then pulled out his gun and pointed it at his brother who just rolled his eyes "I didn't call you here as a trick brother, I really do have a business proposition for you" Jerome looked at him intrigued and lowered his gun and Jeremiah smirked slightly "brother, this is my new business partner" a woman stepped into the room and Jerome eyed her up and down hungrily "Talia Al Ghul, handsome" she said extending her hand and he took it and shook it "Jerome Valeska, gorgeous" she smirked and they both turned to Jeremiah to hear what his plans were.