Authors note: this is my first batman fanfic so please keep that in mind. This is set after the events of Arkham Asylum but before Arkham City. There will be brief mentions of the events of Arkham Asylum but I'm really only using the setting. I hope you like it and please enjoy.

An Old Friend

I studied the woman in the full length mirror before me, looking at every angle and curve. She stood at about five foot eight inches tall, with a slim build that was accentuated by the dark skinny jeans, black high heeled boots and close fitting lavender halter necked shirt that she wore. She had an oval shaped face with delicate features and plump rose coloured lips. Her caramel eyes and the healthy glow of her skin complimented well with her long dark wavy hair. Her hair reached the middle of her back and the thick tresses framed her face giving her a memorable look. This woman, of course, is me. Twenty-one year old Iris, that's me.

I turn away from the mirror in my hotel room and look out the window to view the city that is Gotham. It was sunrise and I was nervous. I had read the papers, watched the news, I know the vague details just like everyone else. Only Batman and a few others know exactly what happened in Arkham Asylum mere days ago. It was rumoured that Batman had to go up against Scarecrow, Killer Croc, Harley Quinn, and The Joker, although we all know for certain about the last one. It was The Joker's plan all along and he is Batman's number one enemy. They say that Batman also had to fight Poison Ivy, although I have only ever heard of her as Doctor Pamela Isly. But she's a supervillain now, an eco-warrior and if all went to plan, I would be face to face with her in a few hours.

My Mother was a great fan of her work and owned a sanctuary island before she died and left it to me. However I'm not the best with plants so I came to Gotham hoping to learn but then I discovered that the woman I was hoping to talk to is an inmate in Arkham. Despite my nerves about going into that place, I'm going anyway, to fulfil one of my Mother's last wishes. I'm going to see if Doctor Isly…I mean Poison Ivy will accept one of my Mother's Iris plants. The very plat I was named after. Apparently they had had an email correspondence and had met a few times before she became Poison Ivy and my Mother had always wished that she could visit our island but her professor never let her have the time.

My thoughts are interrupted when my phone rings. "Hello" I say.

"Miss Iris?" the voice on the other end inquired, since I don't have a last name.

"Yes this is Iris."

"This is Doctor Young from Arkham Asylum, you've been cleared to come inside the building with your little flower but it is up to the patient as to whether or not it stays" she tells me.

"I understand that. Do I just drive to the Asylum and wait for you?" I ask, ignoring the comment about the 'little flower'.

"Yes, I'll be waiting to escort you. I'll see you soon."

"Okay, by then" I reply, hanging up.

I can sort of see where Poison Ivy is coming from, in a sense. I share my Mother's love of nature and harmony so when Doctor Young referred to my gift as a 'little flower', it was irritating and a tad insulting.

I walk over to a wooden box that holds the plant in question. It's currently in full bloom and the purple iris flowers are gorgeous. I just hope that Poison Ivy doesn't mind purple. The box itself has the correct light in the lamp, all natural power sources of course, an air and humidity filter, and a water irrigation system so that it can constantly be exposed to its optimum environment.

"Come on sweetie" I say to it, "Let's see if coming this far will get you a new home."

Sitting in the back on the taxi with my precious cargo, I sent a silent prayer that she would accept the gift. The driver pulled up at the gates and Doctor Young walks towards us. I pay the driver and meet her halfway.

"Doctor Young" I greet as politely as I can.

"Miss Iris" she replies, "This way please."

As we enter the building I feel a shiver go down my spine. What happens in here? Do I want to know? No, I don't. I remember reading about Insane Asylums and about what would happen inside their walls. I have no intention of finding out if any are true. We arrive outside a glass cell, a sort of gas seems to be inside but I can see a few plants, this must be her cell. The guard is taking his time with clearing the area, making sure the cell is secure.

"Hey, you look like a sweet little thing. Why aren't you here to see me?" an inmate jeers at me from behind his cell door.

"Get lost you pig" I reply, not even bothering to look at him.

Suddenly, a musical laugh is heard from Poison Ivy's cell. She walks to the glass door, still laughing and I get my first look at her while the guards tell her a bunch of protocols. Her skin is an ivy green, go figure, and she has vines all over her body. The only clothing that she wears is an Arkham shirt and panty like shorts. I doubt that they're really shorts but I'm going to pretend that they are. Her red hair seems to move of its own accord and her eyes have the strangest hue. Despite the obvious differences between the woman in front of me and the woman that my Mother knew, I can still see some things that are the same.

She looks at me, from my hair that drapes around my shoulders, to the box in my hands that I hold close to me, to my boots and back again.

"Who are you sweetheart?" she asks, genuine curiosity in her voice. "You don't look like a new doctor and if you were a new inmate or reporter, you'd be in some sort of protective barrier."

I take a deep breath and remember my Mum's wish as I reply, "My name is Iris Ma'am."

"Ma'am? Hmm you have manners, quite rare these days. Your Mother did well."

I can't help the sad look that comes over my face, "Yes, she did. That's why I'm here, to honour her."

Her expression becomes soft, almost maternal, "Is she gone dear?"

I nod, "I don't think we have ever met before today but you knew my Mum."

"Oh?" she says curiously, studying me more carefully.

I walk closer so see can see me better and she smiles.

"My Mum" I begin, having to gulp in order to keep the swell of emotions at bay. "Worked with you many years ago, and had invited you to our island a few times but your professor never let you have the time."

Her face relaxes completely as she figures out who I am, "Oh, you're Alana's daughter."

I nod yes, looking down at my little box, suddenly overcome with emotion.

"When sweetheart and how?" she asks softly. "She was a dear friend and it's honestly shocking to hear that she's no longer with us."

"Sh-sh-she…passed about a month ago…from bleeding on the brain" I manage to choke out. "I'm here to honour her by seeing if I can fulfil one of her last wishes."

"And how can I help with that?" she asks, clearly upset by the loss of an old friend. "Has it got something to do with that box that you're holding so close?"

"Yes it is" I answer, stepping closer. "She wanted you to have one of her iris plants" I say motioning to the box.

She covers her mouth with her hand in silent shock, but she looks honoured at the same time.

"This box" I continue, "has the correct light in the lamp, all natural power sources of course, an air and humidity filter, and a water irrigation system so that it can constantly be exposed to its optimum environment" I say, repeating my own thoughts from earlier today.

I carefully place the box down and clearly show how to open it before reaching in and lifting out the iris plant, it's purple flowers in their full glory, and I hold it up for her to see.

I shyly look at the older woman, "W-w-would you take it?...please?"

She looks into my eyes, the softest expression that I have ever seen on her face. "Oh darling, of course" she says, causing me to breathe a sigh of relief. "I would never turn down an opportunity to have another baby, especially a gift such as this from you and your Mother. You're people who understand why I do what I do more than anyone" she continues before turning to Doctor Young, "Can she bring it to me?"

Doctor Young nods and Ivy steps back so that part of her cell is blocked off so I can enter, although I doubt that she would try and hurt me. They completely clear the gas and I enter carefully, making sure to place the box inside her cell in case she wants to use it.

I look around and I'm mindful of where I step, "I hope I don't hurt anything" I say mostly to myself although I know everyone else has heard me. When I'm two metres away from her, the doors seal and the barrier is removed so that she and I are now in the same space.

Behind me I hear "Good luck kid, hope you don't die" which I thought was highly uncalled for.

I hold out the plant carefully as Ivy steps closer, "I'm not a good gardener, so I hope it's okay" I admit sadly.

I let Ivy take the plant and her eyes dart over it, trying to admire every part of it at once. She breathes in the scent of the flowers and smiles, "Oh it's so beautiful. They don't like to grow in Gotham, thank you."

I smile in return, "So it's alright? It's not been disrupted from the trip?" I confirm.

Ivy delicately caresses a flower petal and smile kindly at my obvious concern, "You've done a wonderful job, it's just fine."

"Thank you Ma'am" I say, relived that I haven't caused the plant stress, yes plants can get stressed.

I hear the guard practically ordering me to leave the cell. I'm so sad to leave because this seems to make my Mother's death final. With tears in my eyes I stroke a leaf and whisper a goodbye to the little plant, my namesake.

I look into her eyes, "Goodbye" I say, trying and failing to smile.

"I'd say come back anytime, but who would want to visit this place" she replies.

"If it was in a visitor room and maybe not your cell, then I would come back" I say honestly. "I mean that, you're the only real link left to my Mum and I would love to be selfish and come and see you, spend entire days with you just talking."

She gives me a motherly smile and cups my cheek in her hand, "I'd like that."

I rest my hand over hers for a few seconds to let her know that I don't mind before dropping my hand. She waves but scowls as I'm practically dragged out of the cell.

"Hey!" I exclaim, "You don't have to be so rude" I growl, yanking my arm out of his grip. I rub my arm, trying to reduce the throbbing from his grip and when I move my hand away, there is a bruise already forming. "Pig" I snarl at him, "Do you treat everybody this way?" I ask as Doctor Young inspects my arm and tries to apologise.

Ivy places her new plant down affectionately before rushing to the door of her cell, "Are you okay darling?" she asks.

"I think so" I respond before wincing, "Okay it kinda hurts" I admit.

Her eyes blaze with fury, "If you have broken something in her arm, I hope that you get sued so that your arse gets fired" she says furiously before looking a little sadistic, "Or better yet, Sharp will make you an inmate and then we will be able to get to you."

Although she's essentially threating his life, I'm touched by her protectiveness. I walk up to her and place my hand on the glass, "Thanks" I smile.

She mimics my action, "Anytime."

I reluctantly let Doctor Young lead me away, not really listening to her mumbles about going to hospital. I look over my shoulder one last time to see Poison Ivy cuddling and talking to the plant that my Mum wanted her to have. I would investigate into what made her become what she is. Was it chemicals or something? Either way, I want to find out. But I know I will be seeing Poison Ivy again. Maybe one day, she'll let me call her just Ivy.

Authors note: so what do you think? I'm very tempted to try and add a few chapters and I've never done that before. So I'll leave it up to you, if at least four people ask me to continue, I will try and write another chapter. I did my best to write the facts but keep in mind that I've never played Arkham Asylum, I've only watched other people play. Please leave me a review, I hope you like it!