Quinn POV

"Quinn I'm concerned that Jerome's followers might start gathering again. So I've arranged for you to stay at a nearby hotel for a few days with guards." Jim was telling me.

"Ok but what about Bella? Aren't you concerned they might come after her? What's to become of her now?" I asked looking over in Bella's direction.

"She will have to go with Sofia. Now I know what your going to say. Please don't make this any harder then it has to be. I don't like it anymore then you, but I can not change the law. The law states that a child without a family must be taken into the custody of the state and placed in the foster care system. Like it or not, Sofia is the only state representative we have at the moment so legally, we have no choice but to place Bella in her care."

"She will go with her over my dead body. Bella ran away in the first place because you were going to take her away from me. Jeremiah can take care of her."

"Actually he can't."

"Excuse me, but why not?" Jeremiah asked with a frown.

"I've heard about older siblings becoming the legal guardians of their younger siblings." I reply.

"True, but you know that's not how things work here in Gotham. There's not a judge in this city that would turn custody of Bella over to Jeremiah."

"Why not? He's her flesh and blood and he's a legal adult. As am I." I reply with a frown.

"Because how do we know that he's not as crazy if not crazier then his brother?" Harvey replied and I saw Jeremiah's gaze grow dark. "The same applies to you. No judge is going to give you custody of Bella knowing that you willingly loved that crazy clown boy brother of hers. They will question your sanity Quinn. Plus, with your upbringing they will question your ability to raise her. You grew up in a home where you were treated as second best by your father. He ignored you and showered your sister with praise. There is that concern that you would resent Bella because she reminds you of your sister. One whom, everyone knows you wish had died instead of your mother. In fact, you blame your sister for your mother's death."

"What's that got to do with anything?"

"Quinn people are going to question your motives. Why have you been searching for Bella for all these years? What could you possible gain from finding her?" Harvey replied.

"Because I knew that her Uncle would abuse her as her mother had. Despite her insistence that he wasn't, I know that he was very abusive to her. As for what can I gain, I'm not doing this for any kind of reward except knowing that Bella is safe."

"The key word in what you just said is the word was. How do you know that his attitude and behavior towards her didn't change after all this time?" Harvey asked.

"You can't be that dumb. People like her Uncle don't change."

"Yes they can." Harvey argued and I rolled my eyes at him.

"I take that back. People like you were dumb enough to believe that Galavan was a hero, so I suppose they might question my motives. I said was, because her good for nothing Uncle is dead."

"Then why do you care so much about what happens to her now? She will be fine. Gotham's foster care system is one of the best in the world." Harvey replied.

"Because, she's the sister of one my two best friends. I grew to care about her too. As for your comment about the foster care system, don't make me laugh. A friend of mine from school was in the foster care system and she was bounced around from home to home like a ping pong ball until she was old enough to get a job and live on her own. So don't tell me that putting her in foster care is for her own good.
I love Bella with all my heart. I have worked too hard to discover Bella's whereabouts to just hand her over to a system where children disappear, and I would NEVER hurt Bella!" I growled.

"They won't take that chance Quinn." Jim replied with a sigh.

"Face it Quinn dear, I've won. I will be taking the child into my custody now. There is nothing you can do to stop me. Unless of course you plan on murdering me in cold blood in front of Jim and Bullock. In which case, you'll be arrested and never see your precious Bella again. Either way, I win. Don't worry, I will take good care of her." Sofia replied with a smirk.

"Like you would have with Martin, if Oswald and I hadn't sent him to my uncle?"

"Ah so that's where you sent the boy. Well that's good to know. As for your comment, that was an entirely different situation. I am an honest citizen and I'm only trying to do my job which is to ensure the safety of this child." Sofia replies pointing to Bella.

At this, Jeremiah rolls his eyes and pretends to  yawn. While placing a quietly sobbing Bella in my arms. I instantly rub circles on her back in an effort to soothe her. "I grow tired of this conversation. Bella is my baby sister and I am within my rights to take her home with me. If you have a problem with that you can contact my attorney through my associate Echo. Come Quinn, let's take Bella home it's getting late."

I smirk at Sofia "you were saying?" Sofia frowns but does not reply. Turning to Alfred and Bruce I smile at them. "Thank you so much for being here. It means more to me then you realize."

"Always happy to help Mrs. Young." Alfred replies with a bow.

"What he said." Bruce replies as he turns to go. He pauses briefly "Hay Quinn, stay safe." With that he and Alfred leave.

"I'm glad to see that Bella is safe." Oswald says as he appears seemingly out of nowhere.

"No thanks to you." Harvey replies.

"Ignore Him Oswald. If it weren't for you bringing Edward along who know what might have happened . Where is he anyway? I want to thank him for his help. We'd never have found Bella if it wasn't for him."

"I'm afraid he had too take his leave. But he leaves you with two riddles to help you get through this difficult time in your life. "I can bring tears to your eyes and resurrect the dead I form in an instant and last a lifetime what am I? Remember this dear Quinn, Jerome maybe gone, but the answer to this riddle will last forever."

"The next few riddles are for you, Jeremiah. I can be broken without being held. Given and then taken away, some people use me to deceive, but when delivered I am the greatest gift of all what am I? A warning I give to thee dear friend, don't ever break the answer or you will lose everything and everyone you hold dear. I can't be bought but I can be stolen with a glance, I'm worthless to one but am priceless to two what am I?"

"Be careful what you do or you might just loose what's priceless to two. What three words are said too much, meant by few, but wanted by all? Don't forget to tell those around you this often or you will wind up regretting it just like your dear departed brother."

"What do those riddles have to do with anything?"

"He's giving me some free advice is all. In case your wondering the answer to the first riddle is making and keeping a promise. The second riddle's answer is love and the answer to the third is the words I love you."

"I still fail to see how those riddles have to do with anything that happened today."

"Never mind detective, it doesn't matter. It's getting late. I'd like to get Bella home before it gets much later." Jeremiah said in irritation.

"Yes. I just have to thank Jim and Harvey and then I'm ready to go."

"Then be quick about it." Jeremiah replied wiping some sweat from his brow revealing a small streak of white underneath.

"Thank you Jim. For everything. I will see you in a little bit."

As we drove off Jeremiah turned to me "don't worry about texting the good detective your location. It won't be necessary Quinn. You'll be staying with Bella in a safe house. Where only I and Echo know the location."

"Wait WHAT?" I felt a small tug on my shirt sleeve and I looked down to see Bella looking at me in curiosity. "You stay wifth me and Miah? You mawwy Miah and be my mommy?" Bella asked but it came out more muffled because she had her thumb in her mouth.

"I... Ummm...."

"Quinn your cheeks are as red a rose. Whatever did Bella say to you that's gotten you so flustered?" Jeremiah asks with a smirk and I can't help but wonder if he had something to do with this.

A little while later, we arrived at the location but I had no clue where we were. Bella looked at me in curiosity once more. "You stay wifth Miah and me?"

"I'm sorry puddin but I can't stay." I reply kissing her on both cheeks and then on her forehead before turning to leave. "I'll see you later alligator."

As I turn to leave Bella grabs my arm "you no go! You stay wifth Miah and me so you be safe."

"Bella, it's not that simple. Your brother made his feelings for me perfectly clear. He doesn't want me here."

At this, Jeremiah shakes his head and smirks at me. "Are you so certain that's what I said?" He asks cocking an eyebrow at me and chuckling. "Echo take Bella inside and put her to bed. It's been a long day and she needs her sleep."

"No! Me no go! Not till Pooh bea pwomises to stay." Bella replied stubbornly.

"Pooh bear?" Jeremiah says cocking an eyebrow at me and stifling a laugh.

"It's not funny and for your information, Jerome taught her to call me that. I can't stay puddin, but I promise I'll come visit ok?"

"No! Miah not mean what he said. You pologise Miah! Pologise wight now!" Bella stomps her feet and crosses her arms irritation written all over her face. For a split second, Jeremiah chuckles his eyes sparkling in amusement. Then it's replaced with a more serious expression.

"I never should have let you hold her. Now this is going to make things so much more difficult then it has to be. Bella go with Echo. NOW!"

At this, Bella whimpers as Echo grabs her hand tightly and drags her inside. Instantly Bella begins to kick and scream and cry. "Want Pooh bea."

"Enough! You will do as Mr. Wilde has instructed or I won't hesitate to punish you little lady."

Upon hearing this, I advance towards the door. "Don't you dare lay a hand on her!" I hiss at her as she slams the door in my face. I go to head to the door but I'm pulled back by Jeremiah.

"Bella's right you know. I didn't mean what I said about not caring about you. I lied about having a girlfriend. I was testing you to see if you are still capable of loving someone after that lunatic's death. I needed to know if you hardened your heart concerning the idea of loving someone."

"Like who?"

"I don't know... Maybe me? In hindsight, perhaps that wasn't the wisest idea."

"Gee, You think? Jeremiah, that was cruel."

"What can I say, I have my twin's sense of humor."

"Yeah well, it wasn't funny. I just lost someone that I loved dearly. I'm not about to loose Bella too. Not after everything that's happened. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to rescue Bella from that woman. I'm not about to let her lay a hand on Bella."

"Echo would never hurt Bella she was just irritated with Bella's irrational behavior."

WC 2061