Mama Gotham

Tell You What I Do Know

*Twelve years ago*

"Oi! Ich sagte Ihnen, nicht anfassen, dass kuchen!" (I told you, don't touch that cake!)

Alyssa jumped and looked up to see Gertrude Kableput with her back to her, stirring the goulash she planned to serve for dinner that night. "Woher wissen Sie das?" she whined. (How'd you know?)

"Eine Mutter weiß es immer." (A mother always knows) She turned around to face her. "Come here girl." Expecting a scolding for going after the sweets before dinner, Alyssa cautiously stepped forward. Gertrude nodded at the vegetables sitting on the cutting board next to the pot. "Chop."

"Huh?"

"My son is hopeless kitchen; I need someone to pass my recipes down too. Chop the vegetables."

Well aware how seriously Mrs. Kableput took her family recipes, Alyssa jumped to do as told. While Edward's mother made spectacular brownies, Oswald's was the best cook Alyssa knew – she had been lucky if her own mother made mac and cheese, so she had always had a stronger appreciation for the home-made meals than her friends.

Speaking of the boys, they had emerged from Oswald's room in the small house in search of her; when she'd told them she was going to try to steal a piece of the chocolate cake Mrs. Kableput had prepared for desert, they had expected her to return with no cake and a slight pout. Instead she had not returned at all.

"What's going on?" Oswald asked when he saw his friend and his mother working together in the kitchen.

"Mrs. K is teaching me to cook!" Alyssa grinned.

"The girl tries to steal my dishes so much, she can make them herself. Carrots." Gertrude ordered with a wave of her spoon. Alyssa obediently tipped the carrots she had chopped into the pot.

Oswald blinked at his mother. She took her family recipes very seriously; he was the only other person who knew them – who was still alive that is – even if he couldn't cook them well. "Mother...are you sure?"

Gertrude smiled and nodded at her son before returning her attention to her cooking partner.

******

"Okay, but did you have to blow the air horn?"

"If you had a better way to get them to listen to me, ya should have said it." Alyssa said as she and Lex slid into the chauffeured car.

He chuckled and shook his head. "Fair enough. I'm proud of you Ali, it sounds like you've got some big plans for this city. Still trying to wrap my head around the fact that you ran for mayor though – let alone won."

"Meh, its Gotham. Folks like Theo Galavan ran for a love of power; I ran on a dare."

"I will never understand this city. But at least you do."

Alyssa gave him a wide, innocent smile. "Thanks for coming to the party with me, Alex."

"Anytime. I always love spending time with you, no matter the venue."

"The feeling's mutual. So, tell me things. What have I missed in Smallville?"

"Dad closed the plant."

"What? But I thought running it was the whole reason he sent you there?"

"Was. He thinks my time in Smallville had served its purpose and wants me to move back to Metropolis. When I said no, he announced that he was going to shut down the plant just so I'd have no reason to stay."