Tea Time { Vicki Vale }

[Deleted]

It was nearly half past three in the afternoon, Jervis was feeling nervous as the seconds ticked by. He had invited perhaps his only dear friend over for tea, Miss Vicki Vale. Their friendship had started off a bit rocky, he was an Arkham inmate and she...Well, not hard to figure out how they came about in meetings.  He felt butterflies fluttering about in his stomach as he set down the pot of freshly brewed tea and two cups.

He then glanced up at the clock and sighed, Was she coming? He hoped so, he so dearly enjoyed Miss Vale's company. Jervis coughed and then adjusted his hat and his vest, perhaps more nervous now then he had ever been in his recollections. His nerves were getting to him lately, he looked at his shaking hands and clenched them into fists to try and stop the shaking.

[Deleted]

As she pulled her car into a vacant parking space across the street from Gotham Towers Apartments, Vicki Vale looked at the clock on her dashboard.  She wasn’t too late for her three o’clock with Jervis Tetch.  The commute from The Gotham Gazette in west Gotham had taken longer than expected, due to an auto collision that had brought traffic to a standstill.  Once a police officer arrived on the scene to direct traffic, everything returned to a slow -- yet steady -- pace.

Vicki was excited to see Jervis again.  She had interviewed him the last time he was placed in Arkham Asylum.  At first, she thought he was just a story piece, but after several visits, Vicki had won Jervis’ trust and began developing a friendship with him.  Soon, he looked forward to her visits every week.  Every time Vicki was in his presence, her influence seemed to calm him.  Upon his release from Arkham this last time (she hoped it would be his last time there), Vicki agreed to continue their friendship.  She also pledged to herself to play a part in Jervis’ rehabilitation into society.  She accepted his dual persona as the Mad Hatter, but she didn’t like it.  Somehow, she would work with him to suppress -- and perhaps, one day, even eliminate -- that side of him forever.  At least, that was her objective.

Vicki had bought a special outfit for tea time with Jervis.  She was dressed in a women’s business suit consisting of a pink jacket, a white collared blouse, and a black skirt.  Her ensemble was completed by black high heels and accessories – large gold hooped earrings, a dainty gold heart pendant necklace, and a white plastic bracelet that she wore on her left wrist.  Her hair was done up in a fancy beehive to give her a more elegant look.  She hoped Jervis liked it.




When she reached his apartment, Vicki knocked gently on the door.  Although she was late, she hoped Jervis would be happy to see her.

[Deleted]

His nerves were getting to him, he got up from his chair and headed into his bathroom to fetch his medication, but then his thoughts were interrupted by a knock at his door. he then smiled and rushed to the door, his heart fluttering as he took a moment to calm himself before grasping the doorknob and opening the door. Jervis' eyes glanced over the lovely outfit Vicky was wearing and blushed faintly as his soft blue eyes met hers and he stuttered a bit," V..Vicky.Y..Y.You look lovely.."

He then side stepped and gestured for her to come inside. He then tipped his hat to her politely, a wide smile on his face and a faint blush in his cheeks. Jervis then closed the door behind her once she stepped inside and bit his bottom lip, partly unsure what else to say.

[Deleted]

When Jervis opened the door, his expression said it all to Vicki.  She appreciated the excitement on his face and in his eyes.  After he complimented her and invited her inside, she walked past him and then stopped and turned, waiting for him to close the door.

Jervis’ gesture of tipping his hat made Vicki giggle.  “You always make our tea time together so much fun,” she told him, giving him a soft kiss on his rosy cheek.  The way he embarrassed so easily was an endearing quality Vicki admired.

Making her way to the loveseat in the living room, Vicki saw the serving tray waiting for them on the coffee table.  “What flavor is our tea today, Jervis?” she inquired as she took a seat.

After she had made herself comfortable, Vicki looked at Jervis and saw how fidgety he was.  Smiling, she reached for his hand.  “Please don’t be nervous,” she said.  “It’s me, your friend.  I’m sorry for worrying you.  I would’ve been here sooner, but traffic didn’t cooperate.”

Vicki hoped her explanation was satisfactory.  She didn’t want Jervis jumping to conclusions and adding to his insecurity.

“You always throw the loveliest tea parties,” she added.  “Thanks for inviting me, Jervis.  I’ve been looking forward to this all day.”

With that, she invited him to sit by patting the empty cushion space beside her.

[Deleted]

His nerves were getting to him, he felt hot under his collar as he followed Vicky. he adjusts his collar to try and relieve the stuffy feeling and ease his nerves. Once she was seated and offered him a spot next to her, he sighed and felt a tingle runt through his fingers before he cleared his throat and began to answer her questions," I...It's ... Rose petals and mint..A rather..r..r..r..romantic...Uhm.." he coughed and avoided looking at Vicky, he admired her beauty, at times he felt that he had found ' Alice ' within Vicky, but also avoided slipping into his delusional state and risk harming her.

[Deleted]

Noticing his nervousness, Vicki tried to put Jervis at ease by focusing on the tea.

“Rose petals and mint?  How lovely, Jervis!  It does sound romantic.  I’ve never had that flavor before.  I’m looking forward to this new experience.   With you.”

Smiling, Vicki began pouring their tea into the cups provided.

“Speaking of ‘romantic’, I met this wonderful man the other day in the park,” she continued, trying to make conversation.  “His name is Marc.  He’s such a nice man – a darling, just like you!  I’d love for you to meet him sometime, if you’re comfortable with that.  Marc is new to Gotham.  It would be an opportunity for you to make a friend who knows nothing about your past.”

Vicki paused for a moment to let the words register with her friend.  She thought it was a subtle way of telling Jervis about Marc being in her life.

“Would you be open to such a meeting, Jervis?  I would like for two special men in my life to at least acquaint themselves with one another.”

Lifting one of the cups on a saucer, Vicki offered it to Jervis as she waited for him to respond to her question.

[Deleted]

The news about Marc made Jervis feel a bit saddened by it, True he had a fondness for miss Vale, but had been withholding it for fear of not only rejection, but also fear of what may happen... if He should fall into blind madness. He tried to hide his change in feelings, now feeling somewhat awkward being with Miss Vale," Congratulations..I do hope..he makes you happy."

Her second question wasn't one he was really wanted to hear, but he tried to smile and seem like nothing had changed between him and Miss Vale," I...I..I guess there would be no harm in that, Miss Vale.."

[Deleted]

After Vicki had shared her news about Marc, she took Jervis' hand in hers.  "I wanted to tell you about my Marc because I want all my friends to know," she confided in him.  "Please be happy for me.  I still want to play a part in your rehabilitation, Jervis.  That hasn't changed.  Our friendship is not in jeopardy, okay?  Once Marc gets to know you, I hope you two can be good friends also.  You both already have something in common -- me!"

Vicki giggled to ease some of the awkwardness she was feeling.  Then she decided to give Jervis some time to get used to the idea of Marc being a major part of her life.  She was confident everything would be all right, once Jervis accepted it.

"What about you, Jervis?" she asked.  "Have you made any special friends lately?"

Taking her cup and saucer in hand, Vicki sampled the tea.

"Oh, Jervis!" she exclaimed.  "This is delicious!  I'm enjoying the tea as much as I'm enjoying your company!"

 With that, she gave him a smile and a wink, hoping he felt special.

[Deleted]

His heart was still sinking down deeper as the reality of their relationship dashed his small hopes he had. he was greatly attracted to Vicky, but he now felt that he needed to withdraw. It was crushing, He had fallen so for her, she was beautiful, smart.. and he greatly enjoyed her company.

He tried to smile, to hide his broken heart and shattered hopes as he then sipped his tea and starred into it as he replied to her," I.. Haven't found....a..a..anyone..s..s..s...special..." he then coughed," I'm glad you are enjoying tea time, I do...enjoy having you around"

[Deleted]

Vicki sensed a change in Jervis.  It was subtle, but it was there nonetheless.

“Oh, no, you don’t, Jervis Tetch!” she said aloud, placing her cup and saucer on the coffee table.  “Stop that right now!  If you think for one second that we’re not going to be friends anymore, you’re horribly mistaken!”

Vicki confronted Jervis head-on.  Her words were stern, and her tone was harsh, but she felt they needed to be.

“I’m sorry if my news about Marc has upset you,” she apologized.  “You’re the first person I’ve told.  I didn’t mean to alarm you.  I wanted you to know because you’ve become a dear friend.  I hope that makes you feel special, because you are special . . . to me.  And, deep down, I know I’m special to you.  Believe it or not, this is hard for me, too, Jervis.  I’m scared because I can see you distancing yourself from me.  I don’t want that to happen, but if it does, I’ll just have to accept it.”

She took a deep breath to calm herself.

“You may not want to be my friend anymore, but I’m still yours, Jervis.”

[Deleted]

A tingle ran through him, it was fear. he seemed to try to not show it but he seemed to withdraw from her, His deep bright blue eyes shifting downward to the floor. He was hear broken, he had a strong fancy for Vicky Vale and now, Well.. it was like Alice all over again.

Jervis inhaled deeply and let out a sigh before he got up and bowed slightly," I... I have things I must see to, I am glad to hear your news and I do Ch...Cherise our f..f..f..friendship..."

[Deleted]

Vicki watched as Jervis retreated inside himself.  Although it pained her to see him acting this way, she knew there was nothing more she could do or say to him to make things easier for him.  Right now, he needed time to deal with his emotions and sort things out on his own.  When he stood and bowed, she knew that was her cue to leave.  She hadn't meant to shut him down with her news about Marc.

“All right, Jervis,” she sighed, gathering her purse and standing to her feet.  “I’ll leave you to your tasks.  Thank you for inviting me.  It was a lovely tea party.  I hope we can get together again soon.  You have my office number.”

Then Vicki gave Jervis a soft kiss on the cheek.

“Don’t be a stranger, okay?  I’ll see myself out.”

With that, Vicki exited the apartment.  As she closed the door behind her, she was missing her friend already.

[Deleted]

He did his best to smile at her as she left, but once the door was closed, Jervis leaned against it as he felt tears stream down his face. This sort of heartbreak was all to familiar to him, oh how he cursed himself for falling in love with such a creature as Nicky Vale.

He partly wanted to go after her and show her how his true feelings for her were strong, but in his mind flashed a memory...

"Sometimes,Alice.. I think you are the ONLY one who understands me..."

"That's what my boyfriends says to me... I guess i am glad to have two such amazing men in my life..."

He closed his eyes as the knife sank deeper into his heart...