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chapter eleven ━ what he did for her

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❝ memories cut like knives ❞

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HER HEART POUNDED furiously in her chest. As soon as her weary eyes fell on the sign, welcoming everyone to the circus, it winking brightly in the night, Skylar nearly sobbed right on the spot. The circus Lee had tickets to, was Haly's Circus, the one and only place where Skylar's life fell apart. Her brother, her mother, the countless beatings, the endless tears and pain. It was all staring right in front of her. But in the face of the place she hated with every ounce of her being, what Selina told her came rushing back. If Skylar really wanted to show the world they had no effect on her, she'd have to push through everything, no matter how hard it was. So with each step she took, getting closer and closer, the teen forced herself to keep relaxed.

The Flying Graysons were one of many that Jerome despised. Just like every other person in the circus, they picked on the two any chance they got. When Skylar was three, Jerome had gotten her an ice cream cone with some money he stole from a few people during one of the previous acts. She was absolutely thrilled and hugged him to death, clutching his hand as they journeyed through the lines of trailers. Both brothers appeared out of nowhere and threw Skylar to the ground, her ice cream falling in the process. Jerome got so angry that he attempted to punch one of them. He didn't succeed and they went home, Jerome with a bruised eye.

Skylar's eyes twitched as she watched the Grayson family fly through the air with such ease. Jim offered her some popcorn to which she gladly took, surprising him in the process. His daughter usually put up a fight when food was offered. No one in the circus had seen her yet, and if they did, they didn't remember her. She hoped that she could sneak away at one point and go and find Jerome. But that only made her worry that Lila might have thrown him out as well. The thought was hard to deny.

What made the entire experience more difficult to live through was the smiles and affection Jim and Lee showed each other. Skylar felt out of place and awkward. Once again, she remembered how two people showing their adoration for each other was so foreign to her.

Everyone clapped in amazement once the Flying Grayson's act finished. Skylar did not and kept her sticky, sweaty palms in her lap. A scoff of disbelief was held back. The family deserved no appreciation. Her stomach churned as she forced herself to watch as her own father and his girlfriend (she supposed) clapped with the same wonder. Sickening.

Suddenly, a red car came out with clowns. The ringmaster whom she remembered fairly well looked rather puzzled. One clown got out and was drunkenly swaying, his face contorted with fury. It was when the clown stormed up to John Grayson and beat him over the head with a glass bottle when Skylar slipped away. Jim was too focused on the problem at hand to notice, as was Lee.

The girl crept outside and jogged around to the back where all of the trailers lie. Night peered over her, followed by several gusts of wind that made her hair flow back and goosebumps stand up on her arms despite the jacket she wore. Much like Selina mentioned before, her steps were quiet. Skylar kept her arms clutched her jacket to stay warm. Inside, her heart was getting ready to bounce out of her chest. This would be the first time in years since she last saw Jerome. They were both older now.

Realizing something, Skylar stopped. Why had she come out here so quickly? Why was she still walking towards the trailers without any hesitation? Nervousness was to be expected, but hesitation? There wasn't even a sliver and that made her blood run cold. What Jim said came back to her: when he said that she was brave.

The Valeska trailer wasn't all too hard to find. Rather it being farther away from others, it was surrounded by fellow trailers now. She wondered if maybe the beatings had stopped. But then she doubted it. Lila had no reason to stop. Skylar knew for a fact that her biological parent would be in the circus area and not still at her home. Jerome wasn't working the ticket booth, but he could always be somewhere else. So she guessed that if he wasn't here, she'd have to explore the grounds to find him.

No lights were on from what she could see. The curtains were closed, giving the sense of someone not wanting to be seen. Skylar took a measure of two deep breaths before knocking on the metal door. Her hand fell to her sides and she waited. Debating with herself, the teen contemplated if she should flee and go back to Jim. What if Jerome didn't want to see her? What if he didn't care about her like he used to? What if-

A redhead opened the door and peered out before Skylar could let her insecurities win. Every single memory she ever had with her brother came rushing into her mind. Moments where he taught her how to take a bath because Lila was just that horrid of a parent. When he would play hide-n-seek in the blankets, tickling her if he found her. The days when he would bring his little sister to the library and set her on his lap, teaching her how to read. It was almost hard to believe that it was only a few years they spent together before they were separated.

Skylar was speechless and it seemed like Jerome was trying process what was happening. He began slowly, "Um, is there something I can help you with?"

The girl felt tears leave her eyes. "Jerome... it's me Sk-"

"Skylar!" Jim shouted in relief, running toward her followed by Lee and the ringmaster. Once Jerome heard the name, he froze, staring right at her with wide eyes. Her father reached her side. "Hey, you left I got worried you were kidnapped or something."

She wasn't paying any attention to him. Neither was Jerome. His mouth opened. "Sky?" She nodded and he got out of his trailer and embraced her. "It's really you. You're here." He pulled away, tears reaching his own eyes. "I knew I'd see you again."

Jim and Lee were confused. Of course, being the protective father he was, narrowed his eyes. "How do you two know each other."

The ringmaster was the one who answered due to the two siblings reuniting, Skylar sobbing in Jerome's arms. "Lila had two children, Mr. Gordon. This is Jerome and your daughter is the other child."

Finally understanding, Jim replied, "Oh."

---

Lila was missing. That much was to be believed when Jim questioned Jerome to her whereabouts. Apparently, the fight at the circus was revolving around the disgusting woman herself. Sheba was "distraught" as Jerome put it, leading Jim to command him to let her out. Jerome had hesitated but did it anyway. So now they all followed the snake.

Skylar held onto her brother's warm hand as they journeyed. He had not let her go since they reunited. And he wouldn't be letting her go anytime soon, neither would she. Years of waiting had led up to this moment and it was almost like a dream. For both of them, it felt like a dream. It was very much real. The only thing that would destroy their dream was if Jerome was caught. And he knew that if he was, Skylar would only see him as a monster. That wasn't what he wanted.

He imagined being caught in the murder her committed. Would he have enough time to run? Would he have enough time to grab his sister and go? Would she even want to be by his side? She had to, not after what Lila did to them. Skylar would never stand beside their biological parent. There wasn't even a slice of doubt that she wouldn't go against him. His sister would be by his side. But then that only made him wonder if Skylar would ever look at him the same way. Would she see him as a monster? Or a hero?

The snake slithered into a cart, making them all stop. Jerome tightened his grip on Skylar. He had to be convincing, he had to make it seem like losing Lila was the worst thing in the world. In reality, it was the best. The worst thing in the world to him was losing his sister. However, Skylar had told Jim that she and her brother were beaten by Lila. So he would be a key suspect for the reason that he could be holding a grudge. And just how was he going to get around that?

Jim pulled back the cover to reveal Lila's mutilated body. Skylar gasped and hid her face in Jerome shirt. Following with the plan he made mentally, Jerome collapsed, holding his sister while he sobbed fakely. His sister was in shock, her breathing becoming erratic. There was mumbling though she couldn't hear any of it. And she most certainly didn't notice Jerome's victorious smile that he hid in the crook of her neck.

---

Skylar had fallen asleep on Jerome's lap at the station. He tried to contain a smile and kept his face somber. Jim had already explained that he would have to question Jerome since he was relative of Lila just not Skylar because the girl had not seen her mother in years and any information she had wouldn't be relevant. But what his daughter told him not too long ago said at the surface of his mind. Lila Valeska had beaten her children and years later she threw out her youngest. That was plenty for Jerome to hold a grudge. What held him back was that Skylar finally got to see her brother again. And tearing her away from him would ruin her. If what he thought was true, then Jim would be forced to send Jerome to Arkham. He told himself it was to protect Skylar.

Jerome played with her hair, occasionally casting a glance down at her. She was sleeping so peacefully and that alone gave him proof that over the years she spent away from him, the girl hardly got any sleep. The dark circles under her eyes also gave it away.

Jim Gordon appeared in his line of sight. "You're going to have to wake her up."

He nodded in response, shaking Skylar awake gently. The teen rose her head, rubbing her eyes, yawning. Jerome kissed the top of her head. "I'll be right back, ok?" A frown appeared on her face. She grabbed his hand, fear already swarming in her eyes. Losing Jerome once was enough, and the horror of losing him again... "It'll just be for a few minutes. I promise I'll be back."

The entire time, Jim had watched the way the redhead interacted with his younger sibling. Everything Jerome did towards her was genuine, kind, and him being an overall protective older brother. Nothing sinister. So Jim only hoped that the theory he had was false.

During the interrogation, Jim had questioned Jerome about Skylar and about how close the two were. The older sibling was honest, passionate even when he spoke of her. He had explained how he took care of her through the years, teaching her how to read for example to which Jim was shocked. And the guilt that the cop had was strong. What if Jerome really did kill Lila for revenge of what he did to Skylar? Because him listening to everything Jerome was saying, he already could tell that the redhead would do anything to protect her and make her happy.

It was over quick and Skylar had her eyes trained on the door the entire time. Once Jerome resurfaced, she jumped up and immediately grabbed his hand, wrapping her arm around his. He went and sat back down with her while Jim nodded to them with a smile, walking away to go and give the Captain the update.

Skylar lied her head on his shoulder, allowing him to play with her hair again. It lulled her and her eyes began to drift closed when Jerome spoke softly. "I've missed you." She looked up at him. "When you were gone I... I had nothing to look forward to. Sky, I don't want to lose you again."

When he said that she sat up, grabbing both of his hands and holding them in hers. "I don't want to lose you either. I have nothing to look forward to. You were my whole world, Jer. I can't live without you, I just can't. Maybe when this is all over we can start over. You can come and live with me and my dad. He's busy most of the time and I've been living at the Wayne Manor-"

"Wayne Manor?" he questioned with surprise.

She nodded to confirm. "But maybe you can live at Wayne Manor too. I can ask my dad I'm sure he wouldn't-"

"You can't be so optimistic," he mumbled with a frown. She tilted her head slightly with a confused look. "Things are different now. I'm different, you're different. We aren't the same kids anymore. And I don't think your dad would want me anywhere near you."

His words sent her on edge. This was her brother. Why in the world would Jerome say something like that? True, he was right in the fact that they were both different now and they weren't the same kids, but that didn't change how close they were. It never would. Jerome was the same towards her as he was years ago. Besides the fact that he seemed a bit more protective (though that was to be expected) nothing had changed between the two of them.

Lee went over to them with a smile. "Hey, guys, sorry to interrupt but it's getting late. Jim thinks it would be best if we turned in for the night. You two will be staying at my place for the night."

Skylar and Jerome stood. The younger one replied, "But my stuff is still at the Manor."

"Alfred is dropping off some of your stuff as we speak." She gestured for them to follow. "Come on."

---

Brushing her teeth in the mirror in the guest bathroom, Skylar looked behind her at Jerome who seemed to be anxiously standing by the window. Jim peeked in his head not too long ago that he and Lee were leaving. That was all they said which led them both to believe they had a led on Lila's murder. She rinsed out her mouth and wiped it on a towel before exiting. The teen stood in the doorway and sighed.

"Jer, what's wrong?" He didn't turn to her and replied with 'nothing'. "Something is wrong, don't lie to me." She stepped further into the room. "What did you mean that Jim wouldn't let you near me?"

Jerome kept his gaze out the window. "Nothing. It was nothing."

Skylar nodded though he couldn't see it. "Ok." If Jerome didn't tell her something, she never pushed him to. In her mind, she believed that her brother knew best. And whatever was going on, he clearly didn't want her involved which was why he wouldn't tell her.

He turned to her after that and sat down. Something was definitely on his mind. "If I ever... did something, something bad, would you still love me?"

The question was odd. Out of all of the things he had ever asked her, why had he asked her that? Yes, she knew that things were different but Jerome was still her brother. At the end of the day, she did not care what he did because he still loved her and she still loved him. "Of course. You're my brother, my best friend. Nothing can ever get between us and we always find a way back to each other." He didn't look at her still. She moved his face so he'd look at her. "Nothing you ever do will make me love you any less. This is the first time in a while that I've felt happy, relaxed. You make me happy Jerome."

Jerome smiled and then hugged her tightly. "I love you too. Nothing will ever come between us, I'll make sure of it." A phone rang suddenly, making Skylar jump. She grabbed her phone from a little bit aways and looked at the text her dad sent her. Jerome peered over. "What is it?"

Skylar looked up. "My dad wants us to go to the station."

Once they got back to the GCPD, an officer was standing outside of the interrogation room. He opened the door, allowing them inside. Jim sat on the desk, Lee standing nearby, Mr. Cicero sitting in a chair. They entered and Jim looked serious. This unnerved Skylar. "Hi, Jerome. Take a seat." Jerome looked back at Skylar unsurely to see her worried for him. The redhead knew what was happening. Jim knew. Jim knew what he did. And Skylar was here. Skylar would see what he had become.

"Skylar, sweetheart," Jim said guiding her over to stand by Lee. The teen was awfully puzzled, her eyebrows knitting together. Jim's attention went back to Jerome. "You know Mr. Cicero, from the show."

Her brother confirmed it, adding a "Hello, Mr. Cicero." To which the old man replied with a similar greeting. Jim took his time in sitting down in the chair across from them. An officer, the same one from earlier, stood by the door. Skylar pinched herself, Jerome noticed.

"Do you know why you're here?" Jim questioned her brother.

"Did you find out who killed my mother?" was what Jerome replied with.

The way he spoke fastly, anxiously even made Skylar worried and concerned. Why was Jerome so nervous? He kept glancing over at her. She didn't want to see it but her brother was afraid. But then that only made her question what he was afraid of. Never did she think that the news her father would reveal would tell her why.

"You killed your mother, Jerome."

Skylar - instead of crying like she usually would - glared. "Don't be stupid dad. Jerome didn't kill Lila."

Jim's face told her otherwise. She shook her head, refusing to believe it. The thing she refused was that Jerome - if he did kill Lila - would be sent to Arkham for murder. And she would lose her brother once again. Fury filled her veins. No, Jerome couldn't leave her. They were just reunited and now she was going to lose him again.

Jerome denied Jim's claim, trying so hard not to just kill everyone there (except for Skylar). They were hurting her by telling her all of this. He could've just saved her the pain by killing them all while he had the chance. Jim came back with: "You killed her up on that hill and Mr. Cicero let you clean up in his trailer. He told you to scratch the Satanist stuff on the hatchet and throw it off the bridge. What I don't know is why this man risked so much to help you. I think he's your father."

Lee seemed uncomfortable in the situation. The former Arkham worker saw Skylar's shoulder tense up. Jerome was told when they were younger that his father was a man named Sven Karlsen and he worked on ships. He tragically died at sea. So he told Jim this, but Jim wasn't having it. "We can do a blood test to prove I'm right. It takes only half an hour to get a foolproof result. Isn't that right, Dr. Thompkins?" She nodded and he looked back at Jerome and Mr. Cicero. "Save yourself a needle."

Skylar pinched herself again, forcing her face to remain blank. The teen studied Mr. Cicero as the old man exhaled. "I do hate needles. I'm sorry, Jerome. He's right. I am your father."

A scoff was pushed down her throat. This was extremely hard to believe, and it seemed like Jerome found it hard to believe as well for he replied, "No, you're not. Why would you say that? You're not my father. My mother would never-"

"Your mother was a cruel woman; she was often unkind to me, but she did once love me, in her way. And she loved you and Skylar very much. That's why she gave you two a better father."

Bull. This was complete and utter bull. Skylar couldn't stand where this was going. First Jim accused her brother of murder and now they find out that the old man that told them once that the world didn't love them was Jerome's father. Deep down the brunette knew that there was a huge chance that her brother did what Jim thought he did. After all, Jerome did have a reason. Lila beat them every single day, she gave them a life of pain, and she removed the only person Jerome truly cared about. Skylar. And if there was one thing Jerome never stood for, it was anyone that did his little sister wrong.

The redhead put his head down, sobbing fakely. Lee looked sympathetic while Jim looked pissed. Jerome decided at that moment to stop hiding. His sister would still love him. Right? He was done with people trampling over them like they were nothing but trash underneath their shoes. The years he spent trying to stick up for his baby sister were over because now he wouldn't just try, he would succeed. Even though he knew that his future would be in Arkham, Jerome told himself that he would get out and make everyone pay. Each and every person that ever hurt them would die. They would all feel the suffering they once felt and would never feel again.

He ceased his crying and began to chuckle. Everyone looked over at him. Skylar froze. Jerome looked up, a twisted smirk on his face. He looked at Mr. Cicero and spoke in a dark and chilling voice. "My mother was a cold-hearted whore who never loved anyone. And she'd never touch a pathetic old creep like you."

"All these years, do you think I was kind to you because I'm such a good man? If I wasn't your father, would I help you as I have, after what you did?"

Skylar kept her eyes on him the entire time. Jerome turned to her, his eyes softening but still full of anger. He wouldn't hurt her, ever. But that didn't mean he wouldn't hurt everyone else. She could see it in his eyes. Her brother wanted them to pay for what they did to her because his love ran that deep. Jerome loved his sister that much. And because Skylar knew that he would never her and because he was her brother, she wasn't afraid of him.

"My father... Hm. I'll be damned." He looked at Jim's and Lee's shocked faces. "Oh, that's very funny." Jerome laughed crazily. Skylar remained unfazed. "Ba-doom-shh! Looks like the bitch got me with a zinger in the end."

With everything he did, he looked at Skylar to see how she was reacting. Her stance was the same beside her body relaxing. Then he saw the look in her eyes. She didn't hate him, she still loved him. His sister still loved him. And that kept him going.

Jim kept a poised expression. "Why did you kill your mother, Jerome?"

He waved it off. "Oh, you know how mothers are. She just kept pushing. And I'm like, fine, mom. Be a whore. Be a drunken whore, even. But don't be a nagging drunken whore. You know?" Jerome suddenly became angry. "Don't come yell at me to do the dishes while I'm trying to feed my one-year-old sister if you've been banging a clown in the next room! Every single day of my life she hurt my little sister.

"I taught my sister everything! I was the one who taught her how to read and write, I was the one who taught her how to walk, I was the one who fed her when she was hungry, I was the one who made sure that she had everything she could ever want! Me! And what did she do? Nothing. She threw her on the streets. What kind of mother does that?!" He slammed his hand on the table, a grin overtaking his face. "You know?"

This was followed by hysterical laughter. Lee and Jim both looked over at Skylar who was staring at her brother. Everything he said was true. Jerome had taught her everything and that gave him a reason to murder Lila Valeska.

Cops rushed in and handcuffed him while he was still laughing. They pulled him outside of the GCPD. The thing was, he did not fight against them until he saw Skylar being held back by Jim because she ran after him. She was kicking and screaming, tears streaming down her face. "Jerome!"

He tried to get back to her but knew that there wasn't a chance. "I will see you again, Skylar. Don't give up. I will make everyone pay!"

Skylar stopped fighting and watched her brother being dragged into a cop car and shoved inside. The car drove off, sirens blaring. In the midst of all of this, she didn't even have a single doubt in her mind that Jerome would do as he said.

---

The teenage girl had stayed hidden by the GCPD. After the car was out of sight, Jim had told her it was for the best and left her there. She was left sitting on the steps with no trace of tears. Not many fell after Jerome left because she told herself that she needed to become strong. And learning to not cry as much was the lesson that she learned that day. Skylar had gone inside for some air, not catching Barbara's entry and then went back outside.

Heels clicked on the steps and then stopped. "Skylar?" The girl stood up and turned around to see her mother, tears falling down her cheeks. "Skylar." Skylar went to her mother and they embraced. "I'm so sorry about everything. I heard about your brother and I thought that you and Jim moving back in might be good for you. But..."

She pulled back. "You saw them together." Barbara nodded. "No matter what happens, you'll always be my mom. Lee never will be. I'm sorry too, mom." Barbara smiled and touched her cheek fondly. "Can we go home."

Barbara nodded, smiling. "Yes. Let's go home."

The two walked away hand in hand. Skylar may have learned one lesson that day but she had also learned who was her family and who wasn't. That day was just one more step towards Skylar becoming the most well-known person in Gotham. And it was just one more step towards her becoming the Princess of Gotham.

---

Honestly, this chapter has got me feeling so many emotions. Skylar and Jerome are honestly the best siblings ever. And I couldn't help but tease the future of this book a bit... I have no shame. What did you think about Jerome and Skylar's relationship? What did you think about Jerome teaching Skylar how to walk, read, etc.? What do you think about Skylar becoming the Princess of Gotham in the future?

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!