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chapter eighteen ━ new girl, yet still the same

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❝ little girl ❞

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thirty votes and forty comments for the next chapter!

important author's note at the end!

CARS ZIPPED BY, people walking past her as she casually strolled down the sidewalk. A man with rather expensive looking attire came towards, his wallet sitting in his pocket. She stayed emotionless as she skimmed past him, nabbing the money and continuing on before he noticed. The brunette put it in her pocket, her eyes staring straight ahead, making herself lost in the crowd of citizens. And then there was a shout. He called out, cursing the person who had just stolen his cash and credit cards. Of course, the man did not know who it was. Nor did he know that the culprit was slinking down an alleyway, going through the items she collected.

A person jumped down from the staircase to greet her, giving the girl a sigh and a look. "You have got to stop this. That has got to be the twentieth person this week." There was no reply, only the sound of their shoes hitting the cement. She lashed out her arm, catching her friend and making her stop walking. "When are you going to stop this, Sky?"

Skylar Valeska scoffed, ripping her arm away. "I'm not." Her journey resumed as she made her way up the steps to their shared abandoned apartment. When she entered, the wallet was thrown onto the table, followed by a jacket as she took it off. "There's got to be at least four hundred bucks in here."

Cat stayed behind her friend, frowning. "I meant it. You have got to stop before the cops catch you." There was no response again. "Look, I get it. After what happened... I don't blame you. But you're not alone, Skylar. Not anymore. You have me and you know that. I want you to be okay."

"Well, I'm now okay." Skylar spun to her. "It has been a month since I've seen my mom or Jerome. Jim told them not to let me inside Arkham anymore. Convincing them or bribing them with money clearly didn't work considering that Oswald Cobblepot told them not to let me in either. He doesn't even know me and yet he still said that a child like me shouldn't step foot in that terrible place. So stealing from people is the only escape I got."

Plopping down in the chair at the table, Selina smiled sadly. She knew for a fact that she was one of the few people that could actually get the girl to open up about her feelings and thoughts. And given their circumstances, Skylar trusted her a lot more. During the last month, they learned that Fish had died and Oswald became the King of Gotham, Harvey quit working at the GCPD, Jim was demoted, he and Lee were still together, but they also grew closer as friends. They got to know each other a lot more, spending nearly all day stuck to each other's sides. And it had gotten to a point where Selina could now calm Skylar down during the girl's panic attacks which were less frequent than before.

The two practically sisters, calling themselves the two Musketeers with Bruce as the third. Skylar's training was up to speed with Selina's. She could now jump across roofs and jump down buildings now while still remaining quiet, she could fight a little better with hand-to-hand combat, her knife throwing and attacking skills improved, her stealing abilities were better than Cat's, and she was awfully quick. After Fish died, the two were left once more in a pit of stealing to survive, their old, expensive clothes being of no use anymore. So they had found an abandoned apartment to stay in for the time being.

Selina sat in the other chair. "I get that. But you said so yourself, Jerome and Barbara won't be held up in the loony bin for ling. They will find their way back to you. Besides, I bet they're trying to find a way to you right now."

Another scoff echoed through the room. "Yeah right. Who knew Selina Kyle was an optimist?" Cat shoved her shoulders back with a grin, making the girl smile back. "Kidding, kidding, it's kinda cute." Selina couldn't help but laugh, her friend following after. "Thanks, Selina," she said when they calmed down.

"For what?"

The female Valeska shook her head as if to say she was crazy for not knowing. "For being my friend, silly. You've stuck with me for months now. Everyone else hasn't. Well besides, my brother, my mom, Ed, and possibly Bruce. But you're the one who's put up with my crap for an entire month."

"That's a pretty lengthy list, Sky. No worries though, you put up with mine so it's only fair I put up with yours. Plus, I like your company." Cat got up, taking the wallet and going over to their hidden compartment. Skylar smiled, propping her head up on her chin as she gazed out the window with a sigh of boredom. She truly did miss her mom and her brother.

---

Jerome Valeska smirked to himself, jumping into the chair across from Barbara Kean who was sitting and reading from a magazine. The last month for him was rough and long. He had suffered through not seeing so much as a glimpse of his sister, hearing that Jim Gordon was once again keeping her away from him. This only fueled his hate for the former cop. So he was left to his thoughts and the good memories he had with her. Naturally, when he heard of the blonde's arrival, he already knew who she was and aimed to talked to her as a way to somehow reach Skylar even though they both knew it wouldn't happen.

He grinned at her. "Hi, gorgeous. I'm Jerome. But of course, you already knew that."

She flipped past one of the pages. "Keep moving, ginger." Barbara bit back a further reply. She would've brought up Skylar. It was just too difficult thinking about her while being locked up in the prison. She wouldn't be able to be there for her anymore and the thought ate away at her. How would this affect her daughter?

"Just being polite. So, whatcha in for?" Then his eyes narrowed. "You didn't-"

"You're kidding me right?" Barbara scoffed. "No, I would never lay a hand on her. Never have." She flipped past another page. "But if you must know, killing my parents." Her tone only displayed just how bored she was. And from the looks of it, Jerome was as well. Because the only thing he really wanted right now was to cuddle with his baby sister and make her worries disappear. Most likely by killing everyone who wronged her.

He fakely gasped, placing a hand on his chest. "Oh. Me, too. Well... Mom, anyhow which you also know. Liberating, right?" He pulled on the skin beneath his eye. "Oh... what a rush!" She gave him a look and he dropped his smile. "Yeah, all righty, then." He turned around so that his back faced all of the other inmates. "You see the big handsome fella staring at you like you're fried chicken?" Barbara turned her chair around to look at the man he pointed out with his words. "Richard Sionis. He's a millionaire. Mm, got his own airplane. Got a boat with a hot tub on it. And he killed 25 people... just for fun."

Barbara whispered to him like they were sharing secrets. "So what?"

Jerome turned back to face her. "So... he likes you. He wants to be your friend." She had no idea how Skylar put up with him honestly. He was annoying her to no end. Perhaps it was because she wasn't in the best mood but she refrained from choking him right then and there. She told him no and then the redhead leaned closer to her with a look of persuasion. "A girl needs a good friend in here." Her eyes went back to his. "See, the guards, they don't care. They figure bad things happen to bad people. And they happen all the time. All the time. You wouldn't want to die in this place with no way of ever getting back to Sky would you?"

That pushed her over the edge. She turned her chair around to face the other table nearby. "Hey, you. Hello?" She whistled and snapped her fingers. "Baldy! Here, here. Hello, yes." He looked over and she smiled. "Hi. Come here." He immediately stood up, going over to her with a smile.

Barbara got out of the chair, doing a little twirl while looking up at him through her dark lashes. "Hi. My name is Barbara. Would you be my friend?" He agreed. "Hey, if someone here tries to hurt me... would you protect me?" He frowned at the thought and agreed. Jerome watched with a grin. "Thank you so much." She bopped his nose when he smiled. "Cutie." He walked away and she sat back down, grabbing her magazine back. "Now I have a friend."

He dragged a hand down his cheek. "You're bad."

"Yeah, so why don't you go make me a sandwich."

Jerome forced himself to be patient with her even though her sentence gave him bad memories of when Lila would demand him to do the same thing. She would yell at him to make her something to eat all the time. And meanwhile, he'd be bouncing his baby sister up and down while feeding her a bottle of milk, trying to keep her occupied so she didn't cry. "Your friend is a gorilla. My friend runs the joint. And he can get you things that other people can't get you." She looked intrigued, asking him about 'what things'. "Anything you need."

She leaned close to him. "I need a telephone." He grinned at her. Maybe he could get used to her after all. And during their entire conversation, it was an unspoken agreement that they would both help each other stay alive so they could get back to the one person they both cared about deeply. Skylar.

---

"You want to move in with Oswald?" Skylar threw her hands up. "Have you already forgotten the whole 'I'm not allowed to visit Arkham partially because of him' speech?" She glided toward her friend, giving her a sigh. "I don't know Cat."

Selina put her hands up in surrender. "I understand alright. But Penguin's got a nice place for us to stay and that means free food and clothes. There's no need for us to steal if we stay with him." She pouted dramatically. "Please!" No reply. "Please!!!"

"Fine!"

And that's how she got stuck sitting at the slender table at Penguin's home. She and Selina had taken him up on his offer which he was delighted about. They sat next to one another, the female Valeska with her legs kicked up on the table while Cat sat perched almost like an actual cat. Only a few men filled the seats next to them, giving Skylar a bit of anxiety but she relaxed her shoulders, breathing in and out liked she taught herself to do over the last month. Butch was reading down a list of people who owed Falcone previous since Oswald was now in charge. There were two other people in the room: Victor and another man she didn't bother to know the name of.

"Ogden Barker, in for 70 grand, plus two months vig, 250 and change. Says he owes Falcone. Falcone's gone, so his debt's forfeit."

Selina was peering over with curiosity, her eyes full of amusement while Skylar simply twirled her one knife she used during Fish's short fight on the wooden table with her finger. Oswald nodded. "Well, we can't have him saying that." He smiled bitterly. "What if everybody started saying that? There'd be anarchy." A man walked in, drawing their attention. He went over to Penguin. "What is it?" He whispered something to him and suddenly Oswald's attitude changed. "Oh. Splendid." He stood up, making Skylar quirk her eyebrow. "Jim!" The said man entered and she rolled her eyes, glaring at her adoptive father. "Come on in!" He greeted him and smiled at the former cop. "My dear old friend."

When Jim announced that he wanted to talk, Oswald told the other men to leave, and the girls stayed behind. Jim saw his daughter and Selina and nodded. "Hey, Selina. Skylar." She resisted the urge to give him the finger. "You two moving on up, huh?" Penguin sat down at his seat, Jim taking the seat the unnamed man sat in.

"Indeed," came the Valeska's reply, the dagger ceasing its movements so it could point towards him threateningly. Her fingers danced on the hilt.

"Aren't they darling?" Oswald chuckled. "It's like having a cat and a fox around the house. But no horrid dead mice and the fox isn't trying to eat the cat." Both girls couldn't help but smile a bit, giving him a look of arrogance. Selina's nickname was Cat after all, but it was Skylar's new nickname that they found amusing. In a way, the brunette was a fox because like the saying went, she was sly and cunning. Or at least she would be.

Jim stayed quiet for a minute, not commenting on Penguin's comment, before revealing why he was there. "I need a favor. I figure you owe me one."

Oswald made a face. "I do? I'm always happy to help you, Jim, but I-I, I don't recall-"

"The hospital. I saved you from Maroni's men."

Skylar watched the scene as if she were enjoying an episode of a drama series. The two clashed and it was hilarious and entertaining to witness. And even though she was not happy with Jim, she found herself biting back at laugh as Oswald replied, "But I was only there because you arrested me." Then Jim bit back with, "For attempted murder" with a fake smile, making Penguin turn serious. "Remind me again why I let you go."

"Enlightened friendship." Skylar let out a laugh, beginning to twirl her knife again. Oswald glanced at her before continuing. "I'd call us even, but... let's not quibble. I'm so happy you came to me for help, Jim. The answer is yes. Your wish is granted." When the former cop pointed out that he did not know what he wanted yet, Penguin responded, "You want Loeb fired, and your old job back, no?" Jim confirmed it. "For a good friend like you, it can be done. If you're sure that's what you want."

Jim looked thoughtful. "Yes."

"May I ask why? Police work in Gotham is such a thankless job." He told him that it was the pension, which made both Skylar and Selina look at each other. "What does Lee think?"

Skylar really had to restrain from grinning victoriously. This would be one good way for Lee and Jim to break up. Barbara may have been deemed insane, but she did still love her daughter and she loved Jim, in her own way. After all, maybe she was destined to be how she was now. Jim stayed emotionless. "Are you gonna help me or not?"

"Relax. I already said I would help." He looked over at the girls. "He is so brusque, isn't he?" Skylar nodded with a smirk, mouthing always. Jim got up. "No thank you? Oh..." Oswald jumped up and slammed his hand on the table which made Selina and Skylar get up from their seats in surprise, and Jim turn around to face him. "While I think on it, perhaps there's a small favor you could do for me in return." He began to make his way towards Jim. "I know how you hate to owe favors. I am having a small business dispute with a friend of mine. Ogden Barker. You have a persuasive personality. Perhaps you could talk to him."

Jim went back over to him. "You want me to collect a debt for you?"

Penguin corrected him. "I want you to prove to me that our friendship is a real one, based on trust and equity.

"That's fair." When Oswald smiled triumphantly, he continued on. "No. Sorry. Can't help you." The smile fell instantly. "Congratulations on all your success." He looked at the girls with one sharp nod. "Be good, you two."

Neither of them said anything, watching as Jim left and Oswald called out to him, telling him to sleep on it. Skylar looked over at Selina, giving her a silent look. Over time, they had grown to have a silent communication so she instantly knew what she was getting at and stood up, exiting the room. The female Valeska walked to the edge of the table hear him, arms crossed over her chest. "I want to visit Arkham. I want to see Jerome and my mom."

He turned around, sending her a little teasing smile. "I'm afraid I can't do that. It's my job to keep young kids like you away from that dreadful place."

She scoffed. "I don't care. And it isn't your job. I've been there plenty of times before so why now say that I can't go? You really think you can stop me?" Taking her knife off the table, she got close to him. "You can't control me, Oswald. I am my own person. And if I want something, I'm going to get it whether you like it or not."

Penguin leaned close to her face, growing serious. "Listen here little fox, I'm the boss around here, I make the rules. And I don't like threats."

The brunette smirked slowly. "Oh yeah? Well, guess what? You can shove your rules up your ass. If I want to threaten you, then I'll threaten you. Don't try me." She turned on her heel and walked off, leaving him to his anger.

---

Night fell and Skylar still hadn't returned back Oswald's place. She had walked through the seemingly endless city, completely unaware of the news that a few of the Arkham inmates had been broken out. This meant she didn't know that Jerome was anxiously waiting for Tabitha to retrieve his sister. After checking the Penguin's residence, she began to comb the city to the best of her ability, asking people on the streets if they had seen the girl. Eventually, she had found someone who had seen her, point her in a direction. You see, Skylar Valeska was a key ingredient to Theo's plan. Jerome wouldn't trust him until he gained his trust. And returning the young teen to the redhead was his way of getting that trust.

The said girl finally stopped wandering the streets, plopping down on a bench with a sad sigh. She pulled her knees to her chest, the knife playing in between her fingers. Lucky for Tabitha, another person had seen Skylar, leading her right to where the female currently sat.

Approaching quietly, she stopped a few paces back and called out to her. Skylar looked up, whipping out her weapon. Tabitha put her hands up as if to say she meant no harm. "It's alright. My name is Tabitha. I'm here to take you to Barbar and Jerome." Her knife didn't move.

"Right, like I'm supposed to believe that. They're in Arkham I'm not stupid."

"Not anymore they aren't. My brother and I have them safely in our loft." She smiled gently. "I have come here to take you to them," she repeated, silently praying that the girl would believe her. It proved correct when Skylar moved her knife away, tucking it into her back pocket. "Come on. I'll lead the way and you can keep the knife if it makes you feel safer." Skylar nodded, not responding and followed after Tabitha.

They arrived about half an hour later at an expensive looking building. No one was in sight, all of the lights off which notified her that everyone must be sleeping. "Take that hallway," Tabitha said suddenly, pointing in the direction. "Jerome's room is the third door on the right. Goodnight, Skylar. Theo and I will see you in the morning." With that, she was left alone. The female Valeska started down the hall, stopping right in front of the door.

She thought about knocking first. But why would she have to do that? It wasn't like he would mind. Then she put her hand on the doorknob, retracting her hand only seconds later. He wouldn't mind, right? He would be happy to see her, right? And then the realization hit her. This would be the first time she would see her brother for real after he confessed to killing Lila. This would be the first time she would see him for he had become. Would she be scared of him? Would he treat her differently?

He wouldn't though. Not her Jerome. He was different now. But he loved her all the same, still wanted to protect her, if anything he'd want to protect her even more. Everything changed though. Both of them were new people. They were still the Valeska siblings. A deep breath is what she took before placing her hand on the doorknob and then turned it, slowly opening the door.

Flaming red hair peeked out from under the covers, his back facing her as he lied still in the middle of the bed and slept. She entered the room and shut the door. Tiptoeing over to the other side of the mattress so she could see his face, the brunette vaguely saw a gun placed under his pillow. Other than that, he was sleeping in a state between peaceful and tense. Waking him up seemed like a rude way to go. Looking down at her clothes, she realized that she wasn't exactly in the correct attire for sleep. It would have to do.

She tried to be quiet, testing the bed to see if it would squeak under her weight. No sound was made so she got onto the covers and then under them, lying next to him. Her eyes stayed trained on the gun that his one hand held tightly. She suddenly remembered her knife and quickly removed it from her pocket, placing it on the nightstand. He still hadn't stirred at all. Testing her limits, reminding herself that he would never lay a hand on her, she snuggled close to his chest, breathing in the warm scent which told her he had showered not too long ago.

Little did the girl know, he was indeed awake, he had just gotten good at pretending to be over the years. Peeking through his eyes just a tad, he saw her. Jerome opened his eyes fully, seeing his sister next to him. "Sky?"

Opening her eyes back up, she saw him awake. Instantly, tears pooled in her eyes. "Jerome." He grabbed her and pulled her close to his chest, cradling her while he kissed the top of her head repeatedly. The gun was moved to the other nightstand. She started to cry.

"It's okay, it's okay. I'm here." Skylar calmed down quickly, clutching his shirt and digging her head into his chest. "Shhh, it's okay now." Jerome rubbed his hand up and down her back like he used to when she couldn't sleep. And just like that, her eyes began to flutter shut. But for some reason, she fought it. He could tell because she would relax and then tense up. "It's alright, little one. Sleep. I'll be here when you wake up."

"Promise?" came her soft voice.

He hummed, pressing another kiss to the top of her head. "I promise." Skylar finally sleep take her into its arms. And once she fell asleep, Jerome Valeska let himself sleep. They hadn't a care in the world laying there together like they used to when they were kids. If only they knew what the next few days would bring.

---

Alright so for those of you who read the part before this, you know that I'm thinking about deleting/unpublishing this book. So what I've decided is that I will keep this book up and will continue writing it. If I continue to get no support or if I go on for a few more chapters but then lose support again, I will most likely get rid of this book. I love Skylar and her story, which is why I made this choice. So please, don't be a silent reader and vote on each part and comment through the chapter.

Also, I have an idea. I kinda want to make Skylar bisexual because I can see her and Selina maybe crushing on each other. But then ultimately, Skylar would be with Bruce (most likely). Thoughts?

I also got an idea for a name for Skylar later on in the story. So like how Oswald is called Penguin and Ed is The Riddler, I thought Skylar could be called The Fox or The Sly Fox or just Fox. I'm just not too sure which one to pick yet. Thoughts?

I hope you guys have a great day/night and don't forget to vote on this chapter, comment your thoughts, and follow me for updates!