Losing it [rp thread for work_with_it]

[take_mychances]

As the mayor smiled in front of the press and told them about the research permits that were being given to Strohman Chemicals, Dalia stood behind him, trying not to look as upset as she felt. When the Strohman representative came forward to tell the press (in vague terms) all the benefits this would bring Gotham City, Dalia couldn't take it any

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[take_mychances]

Dalia didn't bother to knock. Instead, she used her key and went in, expecting to find Nadine puttering about the living room or kitchen.

[knowthenbreak]

The kitchen and living room were both quiet, but the sound of movement could be heard in the master bedroom.

[take_mychances]

Dalia followed the sounds until she reached the bedroom. Not bothering to knock or announce herself, she went in.

[knowthenbreak]

Nadine was seated on the bed, old newspapers open and ancient police reports open in front of her. She'd dragged out everything she had on Jonathan Crane.

[take_mychances]

"Mom." Dalia's tone was only the tip of her anger.

[knowthenbreak]

Nadine raised her head, startled, but she relaxed slightly when she saw Dalia, almost as if she hadn't heard her tone of voice. "Dalia... What are you doing here?"

[take_mychances]

"You went to my job and--and what, tried to scare my boss, tried to-tried to what, Mom?!"

[knowthenbreak]

"I didn't try to scare him," Nadine muttered, turning the page of one file. "I tried to make him see how stupid he's being..."

[take_mychances]

"He's my boss!" Dalia screamed. "You don't get to go tell him how you feel about his decisions! He has advisers and aides - Jesus Christ, do you really think he needs a middle-aged, half-crazy housewife telling him how to run Gotham City?!"

[knowthenbreak]

Nadine looked up, pulled out of her thoughts by the shouting. She opened her mouth to say something, but she lost the thought as everything Dalia was saying sank in. She stared at her daughter, half stunned, half hurt.

[take_mychances]

"What in the goddamn hell possessed you to break into City Hall and pay him a visit?" Dalia kept screaming as she came closer. "Why would you do that? Why?!"

[knowthenbreak]

Nadine got up off the bed, trying to collect herself enough to be able to deal with this. It was hard enough to have adjusted to Dalia moving out, rarely visiting, hardly calling... and then to know that Crane... but this...

Nadine took a step forward, speaking quietly, trying her best not to let her nerves show. "I wanted him to know. To realize what he was doing."

[take_mychances]

"He knows!" Dalia yelled. "He knows and he doesn't care!" She knew the last part was untrue, even as she said it. "Nothing you say matters, Mom. It didn't matter when Dad was the D.A., it doesn't matter now. Gotham eats people alive, spits them back out and we ask for more and in the end none of it matters!" Tears fell down Dalia's cheeks, which were flush with excitement.

[knowthenbreak]

Nadine wasn't sure if she was crying because her daughter was or because she knew the truth in what Dalia was saying. Maybe both. "You... Even he's too young..." She took a step forward, trying to touch Dalia's arm. "To know what that thing can do... And he's let it loose all over again. I had to try something." She needed Dalia to understand-- she needed someone to understand. Harvey wouldn't understand. She knew he'd be furious when he saw these files, saw all her information on Crane back out. So she needed Dalia to understand. "I had to do something!"

[take_mychances]

"He's scared," Dalia said through tears. "He loves Gotham, he doesn't want to die for it." Her shoulders shook as she cried. "He thinks I want him to die for the cause, that I'd only be satisfied if he was killed like his dad. I wouldn't. I love him. I thought--I thought I did..."

[knowthenbreak]

Nadine trembled slightly but pulled her daughter close, if she'd be allowed. She stroked Dalia's hair, rubbing her back slightly. "I know," she whispered. She did her best to control her own tears, trying to be strong for Dalia. "I always wanted you... to be safe... To protect you from... from everything. From Gotham." She sobbed a little, hugging Dalia tighter. "And I couldn't even do that for you. I'm sorry."

It was worthless. Like Dalia had said, nothing she said mattered. More promises she'd failed to keep... further proof that nothing she did helped anything. She pulled Dalia closer and bit her lip as the tears came harder. Dalia didn't need to see her cry like this. "I'm sorry, sweetheart. I'm so sorry you have to face all this," she whispered.