Quinn POV

I awoke with a splitting headache as I glanced around the room I realized that I wasn't at Jeremiah's bunker any longer. I groaned as I tried to sit up. "Where am I?"

"In a safe place doll face." I heard a familiar voice reply. "I want you to know, that You have disappointed me Quinn. Not only did you not listen to my instructions to wait for me, you ran away after being warned not too."

"I'm not upset about that though. I knew that you'd try and run, despite My warnings. No, what disappointed and hurt me, was that you ran to my brother for protection."

"I wouldn't have minded so much if it had been Detective Gorden or hell even Bruce Wayne, but you had to go to Jeremiah. Tell me, Quinn why would you do that? Why would you go to him of all people?"

"I'm sorry."

"Sorry isn't good enough this time. I want an answer Quinn. Why did you seek shelter from the very person who made my childhood a living hell? Especially knowing that his lies turned my family against me? Why him? He abandoned us. He packed his things like a coward and he abandoned us."

"It was your mother and Uncle who forced him to leave..."

"They only sent him away because he told those lies about me wanting to kill him. I never once tried to hurt him, let alone kill him."

"I know, but that doesn't mean that he wanted to leave."

"Oh he wanted to leave alright. He felt that he was too good for the circus life. What makes me angry isn't the lies he told or that he left and changed his name."

"It's that he left Bella to be abused by our good for nothing Uncle. I just don't understand why you'd turn to him and not your precious Bruce or even Jimbo."

At this, I sighed. "I didn't want to put Bruce or the GCPD in anymore danger. Especially, since you seem obsessed with killing Bruce. I didn't want to give you another reason to hate him and want him dead. As for why I went to Jeremiah, it was because I thought that he was different then from before."

"What do you mean different?"

"I don't know anymore. Everything is backwards and upside down. I thought I knew you, but the Jerome I knew, would never have done the things that you have. What happened to you?"

"A lot. Jeremiah left and never once looked back. After he was gone my mother and Uncle turned against me, poisoned by the lies that he had told. You know, after he was gone, the beatings only got worse. I won't let him turn Bella or you against me. I won't loose you to him like I did my mother."

"You've pushed me away yourself Jerome."

"How?"

"Think about it. You've kidnapped me and held me hostage. Threatened to kill both Bella and I if  you didn't get what you wanted. The Jerome I knew, would never have threatened either his sister or I. Yet, that's exactly what you've done multiple times since your return."

"You've murdered innocent people, and have threatened the lives of those I care about. Not to mention, you have tried to murder Bruce Wayne on multiple occasions and you still plan on murdering him. Why? Out of jealousy and spite. The Jerome I knew, would never have done something like that."

"No One is ever truly innocent.  As for Bruce he's playing you Quinn. He doesn't care about you. He's a spoiled little rich brat, who thinks the world revolves around him. He doesn't care about anyone but himself."

"Always whining about how his parents were murdered and how he's all alone in the world. How it's not fair. Well news flash, Life isn't fair. Besides he's not all alone, he has his butler Alfred and of course Jimbo to look out for him."

"I had no one. Everyone I ever trusted and who I thought care about me betrayed me, in one way or another, even you. As for my threats against both Bella and you, they are just that, empty threats. You and I both know that I'd never really hurt either one of you."

"No Jerome, I don't know that, not anymore. Your actions and words have said otherwise. I don't know who you are anymore, but your not the Jerome Valeska that I knew and loved. As for your comment about betrayal, your one to talk. I begged you on two separate occasions to leave Gotham with me."

"That we could find Bella together and start new lives. You refused. You created the carnival of terror where you kidnapped Bruce and tried to kill him yet again."

"Your crazy followers kidnapped innocent people and forced them to participate in cruel games where they were either badly hurt, maimed or even killed while participating."

"I still have nightmares from that night. What's worse, you brought Bella to the carnival and you forced her to participate in those horrible games after I begged you not too."

At this, Jerome began to laugh. "My dear Quinn everyone of those so called innocent victims hid behind a mask of righteousness. While in reality, they were rapists, murders, spouse and child abusers and much worse. They got away with those crimes until my men brought them to the carnival."

"As for why I took Bella to the carnival, it was so that she could be reunited with the only mother who ever loved her. I have never forced Bella to do anything that she didn't want to do and I never will."

"Right and I like square dancing with Falcone." I replied sarcastically.

"Now,now, there's no need for sarcasm. I meant what I said wholeheartedly. My little sister needs gentle guidance and someone to protect her from the cruelties of this city, of this world."

"I could do that on my own."

"Is that so? Tell me Quinn, why didn't you ever seek Bella out after I was arrested and then murdered?"

"What makes you think that I didn't?"

"If you had, she wouldn't have still been living with my good for nothing Uncle."

"For your information I did try and seek Bella out."

Flashback

"Dear Quinn an opportunity awaits. To learn more come to this address at 6:00pm this Friday. Make sure you come alone."

When I arrived at the address on the card I was surprised to see that I wasn't alone. Tabitha and Selena stood outside the door. 

We were shocked when we met our host. "Barbara but... you died." Tabitha whispered and Barbara smiled. "How is this possible? I killed you." Tabitha asks in confusion.

"That doesn't matter. All that matters is that I'm back. I want to build a criminal empire selling weapons to crime bosses and other criminals. However, in order to this I will need your help."

"Barbara there is something that I don't understand. Why me? I've never done anything illegal my entire life."

"I've always seen you as the little sister I never had. I knew ever since I met you at the GCPD when you were 18 that we'd do great things together."

"I..."

"Before you say no tell me is there anything that you want? Anything that I no make that we, can help you to obtain that you couldn't otherwise do on your own?"

"Yes. Jerome Valeska has a baby sister.
Years ago before Jerome killed his mother she sold His baby sister for drugs and money."

"Who would sell a child? That's immoral even in the underworld. Do you have any idea who she was sold too?"

"From what I understand it was her Uncle, but I'm not 100% certain if she's still with him or not. I've tried finding out what became of her, but I all I come across are dead ends. I've been so worried about her. Her Uncle is a monster."

"He dipped Jerome's hand in a boiling pot of chicken stock for stealing a cookie. He broke my arm for trying to stop him. I even caught him whipping Jerome a few times."

"I know he loved using his belt to punish the brothers if they "stepped out of line" If she is still with him, I can only imagine how he's been treating Her."

"I'll check my brothers files to see if he had any information concerning her."

"I'll ask people around town if they've heard anything about her ." Selena replied.

"I promise we will find her Quinn." Barbara said with a smile.

"You promised to help me find Jerome's baby sister and remove her from the abusive situation she's in. It's been over a month since I agreed to join you. Have you out found anything? Have you been searching for her at all?"

"No. I only said what I did to get you to join me. The truth is I don't care about finding someone you used to know. You work for me now."

"That has to be your top priority. I can't have you distracted searching for someone who probably won't ever be found." Barbara replied coldly.

Turning to Tabitha I frowned "did you even bother to look through your brother's files to see if he had any information concerning Jerome's baby sister's whereabouts?"

"Sorry. The answer is no. Why should I help someone who assisted in the murder of my brother not once but twice." Tabitha replied with a slight sneer.

Selena gave me look of sympathy. "I've been asking around but so far no leads. If anyone knows anything about Jerome's sister they aren't talking. Those who are want more then I'm willing to pay. I'm sorry Quinn." Selina replies with a sigh.

End of flashback.

"Hello earth to Quinn."

"Huh?"

"Are you alright? You just spaced out in the middle of our conversation."

"Yeah, I'm fine. By the way, where is Bella?"

"I don't think she's ready to meet you yet. She's very shy." Jerome replied and I rolled my eyes.

The next thing I know, Jerome is removing his jacket and crawling into the bed next to me. "Jerome... What are you doing?" I ask trying to shove him off the bed which resulted in him laughing at me his eyes sparkling in delight.

"What does it look like I'm doing? I'm going to bed. It's been a long day and I'm tired."

"We can't sleep in the same bed!"

"Why not?"

"We just can't is all. You know what, I'm too tired to have this fight just respect my wishes and go away!" I turn away from him but am suddenly pulled into his chest. "Jerome...."

"Just let me hold you Quinn. I just want to hold you. I want to be like we use to be at least for tonight." I try to wiggle out of is grasp but he clings to me his embrace tightening. "Why are you being so difficult?

"I don't want to sleep in the same bed as you Jerome. We aren't a couple, we never were."

For a split second I thought I saw Jerome look hurt by my comment. He quickly hides it and flashes me a wide smile. "Now Quinn, we both know that's not true." Jerome replied leaning close to me frustratedly I slapped him across the face.

"Get out!" I hiss at him but he just smiles at me.

"Why don't you make me?" He replied with a smirk.

WC 1930