Reborn

1. Home Again

       The city of Gotham was buzzing, the sun shining down onto the faces of the working class Gothomites making their way through the city. It was unusually sunny, not a cloud in the sky, and yet, there was an ever present feeling of dread; a collective anxiety, that spread and wove its way through the streets, buildings, cars, and people of Gotham like an invisible ribbon.

Nothing was ever calm or quiet in Gotham for long.

Charlotte Gordon stepped out of the bright yellow taxi cab, thanking the driver before closing the car door and making her way towards the stone steps leading up to the entrance of the Gotham City Police Department.

Her hand grabbed the handle of the giant oak doors that were much too heavy, and she made her way in, determined to find one person.

She stood at the entrance, scanning the room for a familiar head of brown hair. Her eyes landed on a man standing with his back to her, his left hand on his hip. He was on an awning above the main entrance, blue button down tucked in neatly with his sleeves rolled up, talking to a man in a brown fedora and matching trench coat.

A slow smile crept its way onto her face, she pushed the caramel colored glasses on the bridge of her nose up before making her way to the center of the room. It was funny really, no one seemed to notice her, a faceless woman, blending into the crowd of distracted individuals.

"JAMES GORDON!" She shouted at the top of her lungs. Everything in the building came to a standstill. The whir of a desk fan could be heard as a piece of paper swaying back and forth finally made its way to the floor.

The man in the blue shirt whipped his head around to see where the voice came from, and upon his eyes meeting hers, a smile graced his face.

"Lottie?" He grinned, making his way towards the stairs, "You're back in Gotham?" He asked, taking the steps two at a time before he collided with Charlotte in a crushing hug.

"Got here this morning." Charlotte said, returning the hug. "I can see you didn't miss me at all." Her eyes crinkling in the corners.

Jim let go of Charlotte, standing back to get a good look at her. "Look. At. You." Admiration seeping from his tone. "You've definitely grown up since the last time I saw you. What was it? Four? No, five years ago?"

"It was six years ago. Right before I left for law school." Charlotte replied, straightening out her pencil skirt and pushing her glasses back up.

"That's right. So tell me, what brings you back to Gotham?" He asked, leaning his back up against the nearest desk and folding his arms.

"Well, dad doesn't know I'm here," she glanced up at Jim from the top of her glasses as a silent plea for him to not tell her father. "I have my first client. He's an inventor here in Gotham."

"Good for you, your dad will be proud." Jim uncrossed his arms, switching to putting his hands in his pockets instead. "Speaking of which, why haven't you gone to see Frank yet?"

Charlotte smiled and huffed under her breath without any humor. She tucked a piece of honey colored hair behind her ear, turning away from Jim before she spoke. "You know how he is. He didn't want me to ever return to Gotham. He would've preferred I stayed in Metropolis. Working for someone like Lex Luther." Charlotte turned back to face Jim, "That wasn't really my scene."

Jim nodded his head in understanding. Charlotte knew if anyone would understand her decision it would be her cousin Jim. He always was a stead fast staple in her family. Someone who didn't always do what was expected of them.

The man in the brown fedora made his way over to Jim's side, sticking his hand out to shake Charlotte's. "Jimbo, you didn't tell me you were expecting anyone." He smiled genuinely in her direction, sticking his hand out to shake hers.

"Charlotte Gordon. You can call me Lottie. I'm Jim's cousin." She greeted him, clasping her hand with his in greeting.

"Harvey Bullock. I'm Jim's better looking and much smarter half." He gave her a toothy grin.

Charlotte chuckled, "Pleasure to meet you." She turned back to Jim, "Listen, let me know if you want to get lunch or dinner sometime, I'll be around." She went in to hug Jim, closing the gap between them. He released her and she turned to shake Harvey's hand goodbye.

"It's good to see you again, Lottie. We'll be in touch." Jim nodded towards her.

Charlotte turned on her heel to leave. "Oh, and Lottie." She paused, turning back towards her cousin. "Call your dad. I know he wants to see you." Jim told her seriously.

Charlotte nodded, casting her eyes back down to the floor before turning on her heel again and heading back to the entrance of the GCPD. Her Jimmy Choo heels clicking against the stone beneath her.

Once outside, she turned her head up towards the sky above Gotham. Taking in a deep breath, eyes closed, before releasing it. She straightened her back, and made her way back down the steps and onto the pavement.

Charlotte raised her hand to her mouth, whistling to hail a cab.

Tires screech to a health on the sidewalk before her. She made her way to the back of the car, opening the door and stepping inside.

"23rd and 2nd, Washington Irving Street." She stated, plucking her phone out of her purse.

The cabbie nodded in the rearview mirror, pulling out onto the busy street.

Charlotte dialed a number she wasn't necessarily excited to be dialing. Putting the phone up to her ear, she could hear the ring tone echoing in her ear. Her anxiety increasing with each ring.

"Hello?"

"Hey, daddy." She greeted.