Disclaimer: I don't own nothing or nobody but Tara.

A.N: Final part of this oneshot. A semi-unrelated note, that finale last night was off the hook! =D Between Fish and Oswald I got all I wanted out of a finale! Especially Fish but we aren't going to get me started on the awesomeness of Fish Mooney!

Part 2:

Tara unlocked the apartment and stepped aside to let Oswald and his mother past. She shut the door behind them and placed her purse on the table. Oswald had not let his mother go ever since the incident earlier. Or perhaps it was that his mother refused to let him go until they were safely in the house.

Only then did she gingerly release him.

Tara started for the kitchen. "I will make tea", she stated.

Oswald nodded once, not taking his eyes off his mother as he maneuvered her into a two-seat couch. Silence rained for the longest time as Gertrud simply breathed. She had long since stop moaning.

It was a silence that Oswald hated. He heard the microwave going but eventually it became background noise as he thought about the day's events. Gertrud kept looking around as if to reassure herself she was in her own house.

It wasn't long before Tara returned with two cups of tea on a tray. She set it down on the table, "I will bid goodnight, mama. Oswald."

The younger man nodded to her as Tara turned to leave. Gertrud reached out and snatched her wrist. Tara looked at her surprised. The older woman looked up, tears glittering in her eyes, "Stay. Please. Tara, my beautiful daughter."

Tara glanced at Oswald who only gave the briefest of nods. She didn't want to intrude as she felt perhaps the two of them should talk without her there. She looked back at the older woman and smiled, taking her hand off her wrist to grasp it, "Of course mama." She kneeled down at Gertrud's side and smiled up at her. She turned and grabbed the teacup. "Perhaps this will soothe your nerves."

"Oh, you are always taking good care of me, Tara." Gertrud murmured taking the cup. Tara helped her steady her shaking hands.

She took a few sips before Tara offered the other cup of tea to Oswald. He gave a small shake of his head, his eyes barely leaving his mother.

Tara only looked at him, "You have had a trying day as well, Oswald. Drink. It will help."

Oswald looked at her then and started to argue but his mother spoke between her sips, "She takes care of you as well, my son. She's so precious." Gertrud gave a loving smile down at Tara who ducked her head.

The man gave a small sigh before smiling and accepting the tea, "Thank you."

After a few sips he realized that Tara did not have a cup. "Oh, where are my manners, Tara?" He raised his cup, "Did you want any tea?"

Said woman looked up at him and gave him a small smile. She shook her head, "No thank you. I am fine."

Oswald peered at her over the edge of his cup making her look back down at her lap. Her hands fidgeted. Oswald absently watched her hands, until Gertrud lowered her cup of tea and put it on the tray. Her shaking had almost cease as she grasped Tara's hand, "When are you going to marry her, Oswald?"

"Mother, please", Oswald begged before he gave a chuckle relieved to see something normal from his mother. After a moment, he started again, "I'm afraid you might have had a little too much drink."

He put his own cup on the tray, "I must apologize, to both of you."

He glanced down at Tara to include her in his next statement. She was looking at him as he gave a light laugh, "Mr. Maroni, he has a strange sense of humor."

"Oswald."

Both started at the growl from the older woman. Oswald glanced at Tara who was still holding his mother's hand.

He blinked, "Y-yes?"

Gertrud looked at him sternly, "I'm not some bumpkin from the country, with hay in my brains!"

"No." Oswald shook his head, as he began to shake. Whatever the tea did for his nerves, it didn't last.

"I am your mother and I will love you no matter what!" here Gertrud paused with a small gasp, "But lie to me now and you will break my heart."

Out the corner of his eyes he saw Tara place a kiss on the back of his mother's hand. Gertrud barely felt the contact, as her eyes fixed on her son. She took a shuddering breath, "Oswald... have you done things...you should not?"

Her voice was so small and unsure that suddenly Oswald felt claustrophobic. He breathed, sure that both women could hear it. He tried hard to think over his rapidly speeding heartbeat, as his throat had gone dry. He glanced at Tara whose large dark eyes gazed at him sympathetically.

He blinked hard.

Oswald's mind whirled as he tried to give an answer. He couldn't tell his mother the truth, she was already on the verge as she looked at him so hopeful.

And yet so fragile.

It wasn't so much as she couldn't love if she knew; she just wouldn't be able to handle it if she knew.

His mother would break with the weight of the knowledge.

And he wanted to spare her that.

He owed her that much.

Tara saw the wealth of emotions that flickered over the man's face, never stopping at one. She wanted to reach out and reassure him but held back. Even still, he had to figure out what to tell his mother. She knew that he had probably done things, but she never asked.

Oswald's mouth opened and closed as he tried to come up with a response. He only managed to make a strangle of a sound, "I..."

Looking into his mother's eyes, he knew then he would be her good son.

He would always be her good son.

Oswald gave her a brilliant smile. He had to force the next words out as he tried for a light tone, "Mother, I'm a nightclub owner." He shrugged and hoped his voice didn't pitch an octave higher, "That's all."

He cleared his throat as his voice broke. He kept the smile plastered on his face as he fought the shakes that were currently running through his body. He blinked away the unexpected moisture that had began to well up in his eyes. He gave a small shake of his head absently in hopes of clearing it.

Gertrud exhaled long and hard before she began to give shuddering breaths, her big eyes staring at him. For a brief moment Oswald thought she wouldn't accept his words. He almost fell to his knees pouring out everything with a desperate plea to be forgiven.

His mother blinked then and to everyone's surprise, her big eyes swung down to Tara "And you. You know this?"

"Mother..." Oswald started only to be silence by Gertrud's glare.

He shut up immediately.

A part of him was insulted that his mother felt the need to consult Tara in this. But he pushed away the feelings. If having Tara in her illusion made her happy, what could he say about it? He knew that his mother found the daughter she wanted in Tara.

He would not take that from her.

He only hoped that Tara cared enough for his mother not to take it from her either. It was the only misgiving he had for his mother coming to care for Tara like she did. Oswald did not look forward to, if the day should arrive, that Tara was no longer around for whatever reason.

Not that he was planning on harming the girl, but she had no ties to them. She could move away or just decide one day not to be bothered.

The old woman's eyes softened when she looked back at Tara. "You know this?" she repeated.

Tara was momentarily sidetracked at she glanced at Oswald who looked rattled. His dark eyes bore into her and he seem to cease to breath. Despite her confusion at Gertrud's question, she gave a comforting smile, "That he's a nightclub owner, yes."

Tara heard to the rush of breath from Oswald but her surrogate mother's eyes held her captive. "You support Oswald, don't you?"

Tara blinked before giving a slow nod. "Yes..." she looked at Oswald, "...of course." She looked back at Gertrud.

Gertrud gave a shaky smile, "Then you know, don't you? How good of a son he is?"

Tara gave a big smile then, "Of course, mama. You have a good son."

Quickly she went on, hoping to detour whatever what going through Gertrud's mind as she gave Gertrud's hands a gentle squeeze, "You look weary. Perhaps you should lay down. It's been a trying day. You need your rest."

Oswald looked at his mother. He didn't know why but sometimes Tara had better luck at detouring his mother than he did.

Maybe it was that female bond.

Oswald found he could not be mad at that. There were times that he didn't understand where his mother was coming from or what she was talking about. But since having Tara around there were things she seemed to instinctively understand.

Made his life easier at those times.

Gertrud slowly began to nod. "Yes...yes", she murmured, "That is a good idea." Shaking she turned and looked at her son before she took his hand and kissed it, "I'm tired now."

Tears had began to well up in her eyes, breaking Oswald's heart.

Tara stood with Oswald's mother. "I'm tried", her voice was a bit of a sob then.

"You need assistance?" she asked quietly.

Gertrud ran her aged hand over Tara's cheek as she passed. "N-n-no thank you. I'm just tried." She fought a cry as she meandered out the room.

There was a moment of silence before Tara wordlessly picked up the tray and took it back into the kitchen. Once she was gone, Oswald breathed as he shut his eyes tightly. He bit his lip trying to stifle own heart-breaking cry. He quickly reached up and swiped a hand over his face.

Then he stood and began limping to the kitchen. Tara was finishing up washing the cups as he appeared in the doorway. She noticed him and gave an apologetic smile, "Sorry. I'm just putting this up and then I'll be out of your way."

She didn't see Oswald shake his head. "It's okay." his voice came out a whisper. He cleared his throat before speaking, "I'm sorry about Maroni. Really, he's...a fruitcake." He gave a force laugh trying to keep up the facade. He felt his mask slipping.

"Oh, yea?" Tara kept her tone light, "He's a riot."

Oswald's chuckle was a bit more free this time.

Tara had wiped her hands, "Alright, if that is all, you know where to find me." she turned to him and gave a small smile.

Oswald gave an absent nod but he didn't move from blocking the doorway. Tara only cocked her head and gave him a curious look. "Is there anything else?" she asked after a moment. She couldn't leave until he moved.

Oswald had momentarily checked out and shook himself. He looked away, "He shouldn't have touched you like that. He shouldn't have said those things."

Remembered hurt flashed in Tara's eyes but she shook her head although Oswald was not looking at her, "It's fine."

"No, it's not!"

Both were surprised at his forcefulness. Oswald's eyes darted to hers as he added, "He shouldn't have embarrassed you like that."

Oswald didn't know why he felt the need to explain this to her, "Maroni and I have some business." His eyes darkened, "He's a bitter old man and he hates that I took over the club. He only sought to hurt me my bothering you and mother."

"Oswald."

Said male fully looked at her then. Tara's dark eyes bore into him. She was doing it again, he realized. Reading him, reading his secrets. He could never tell if it annoyed or comforted him.

Tara took a step forward and lowered her voice, "You don't have to pretend with me."

Oswald shook his head once. He felt his mask slipping, under her dark and probing eyes, "I'm not. Maroni..."

"Don't." Tara took another step towards him. Her voice lowered even more, "Your mother will believe you are just a nightclub owner. She believes because she wants to believe."

Oswald twitched at that and opened his mouth to defend his mother but Tara continued, "But I'm not your mother. I'm still here despite everything. I'm still here. So please, don't do me any favors. Save them for mama."

The rising anger Oswald felt dissipated quickly. He swallowed around the lump in his throat. He often wondered at the woman Tara was.

This was one of those times.

Still though, he had to give her an out, didn't he?

"You...you don't know what you are saying." he murmured, his dark eyes probing hers.

"I do know. I knew when my ex disappeared." she muttered, her eyelashes fluttering to conceal her eyes.

Oswald was stunned. How could she have possibly known? He watched her eyelashes flutter once more as they pulled up to reveal her dark orbs. A small smile played on her face.

"If you knew... then why...?" he trailed off not knowing what he wanted to ask her.

Tara shook her head once, "If it wasn't for you, he would still be around. He would still be..." she paused then caught up in the memories. Oswald watched her.

She snapped out of it and shook her head once again, "You saved me, Oswald, plain and simple. And with your mother's help, I was able to continue. Your mother is a ray of light, Oswald. If it wasn't for either of you, I know for a fact I would not be here."

Tara looked away at her admission.

Oswald sucked in a breath at her implication. He reached out once, "Tara..." His hand hung in the air a moment before he absently clutched it and dropped his hand.

Silent reigned for a brief moment.

"I did what I had to. I do only what I ever have to", he spoke, still not understand his feeling the need to explain.

Tara looked back at him, "I know."

"Tara..." What could he say in the face of that? "I..." He sniffed once and looked away to collect himself.

A soft touch on his face, brought his gaze back to meet dark orbs. His eyes searched hers and he was amazed to find no condemnation in them. He breathed once.

"You don't have to tell me anything you don't want to Oswald." she rubbed his cheek gently, "Just know I'm still here. I'm still here", Tara murmured.

"W-why?" Oswald asked his voice a thin thread of a sound. He found he needed to know. He needed to know why this young woman would still be here despite knowing. Why did she feel so at ease in his home suspecting what she did?

Tara's eyes dropped once and he saw a blush creep into her cheeks. She almost whispered, "You know why."

Oswald shook his head once, before reaching up and grabbing her wrist. He pulled her fingers from his cheek and cradled her hand in his. "Tara...you. I don't." He stopped to try to gather his thoughts.

They were a jumble as he tried to sort through them. His eyes lowered to her hand.

Such pretty hands. Delicate and smaller than his own rougher ones. They laid in his own, trusting. They curled a little every time he ran his other hand over her palm. He repeated the motion.

"You've always been good to my mother and I thank you for that", he finally settled on to say.

"She has been good to me." came the soft reply. A beat, "Thank you for sharing her with me."

Oswald smiled then as he looked up at her. Tara returned it shyly. He gave an absent nod. "Tara...I can't explain. I don't want to put you in any more trouble."

Tara cocked her head to the side, "I don't ask you to."

Oswald found his throat tightened as he felt a bout of shakes begin again. He gave a smile, his eyes blinking rapidly. He found himself pleading as he took a step toward her, "Don't tell mother."

"Of course not", Tara murmured using her other hand to reach up to touch his cheek in reassurance.

Oswald breathed, all at once relieved. He knew that she would not tell his mother, but to invite her into his deception...

He needed to protect his mother first and always.

And he knew that Tara understood that.

But Oswald found he wanted to protect Tara as well. He never felt that way about anyone but his mother.

Oswald sniffed once and gave her hand a final pat before releasing it. "Thank you", his voice was thick with emotion.

His eyes widen when Tara wordlessly placed a kiss on his cheek. His eyes shut once as he enjoyed the feel of her soft lips on his cheek. They remained close a few moments after it was over. When he opened his eyes, he found her looking shyly at him.

"I should go." she murmured.

Oswald nodded once as he step aside to let her through. Tara smiled as she passed him to get her purse.

"Tara, dear are you still here?" came aged voice from the back room.

Oswald smiled once at her as she looked at him apologetically. Turning she duck into Gertrud's room. Oswald heard the muffled voices as he walked back to the loveseat. Expectedly he felt drained after today.

A knock on the door stopped him from sitting. He rolled his eyes once before walking to the door and opening it.

A man stood with a bouquet of flowers. Oswald just looked at him.

"I got a delivery from Gertrud from Sal. Tips not included."

All of a sudden, Oswald felt that anger rush through him, his mind going through everything that Don Maroni did that day. They way he pushed and bullied his poor mother, the way he touched Tara, saying those things about her.

With a small growl, Oswald shot out and grabbed the vase of roses. "Tell Sal it's over. The gun's are brought. The killing room's waiting. He doesn't know it but he's a dead man."

Unable to help himself, he forcefully dropped the vase on the floor before slamming the door. He went to walk away but he turned and snatched open the door at the last minute.

The delivery man was turning to leave but all Oswald saw was red, "On second thought. I'll tell him myself. "

He picked up a shard of glass and lunged forward to slit the man's throat. The man was dead before he even hit the ground. The red haze began to recede as he looked at the dead body. A small twisted smile flittered on Oswald's face as he felt better, his stomach settling.

Turning around he came face to face with Tara.

He froze, his previously settled stomach beginning to work once again. He looked down at the bloodied shard still in his hand before looking back at her. Tara's dark eyes took in the scene and for all intents and purposes she looked calm. However he saw a small hint of fear dash through her features.

And for some reason that bothered him.

He opened his mouth to speak.

"Oswald, who was that?" Gertrud asked from the next room.

Said male froze, unable to process all that was happening at once. Tara turned to look over her shoulder. Her voice had a slight tremble but otherwise was steady, "Mr. Yatsko, from next door, mama."

Oswald caught on then, raising his voice he added, " Y-yes, he needs help taking out some trash." He cleared his throat once.

"Then you help him, please."

"Of course mother", Oswald called back his eyes never leaving Tara. There was a brief moment as Tara looked back at Oswald, her dark eyes probing his own. "I..."

Tara held up her hand, "I will sit with your mother until you..." she waved her hand over the scene. The small dash of fear lingered in her eyes but otherwise she showed no other emotion at their situation.

It took a moment for Oswald to nod his head, "Of course, thank you. I don't want her..."

"Neither do I." Tara turned and briskly started for his mother's room.

"Tara..."

Said woman turned and shook her head once quieting Oswald, "I'm still here. Mm?"

Without waiting for an answer, she gave a brief fleeting smile as she disappeared into Gertrud's room.

And Oswald found that this day wasn't so bad after all.

FIN.