I don't like this monthly updating it feels like I'm abandoning you. I need to do it though since I'm writing 'The Bookworm and the Beast' at the same time and studying for the GRE on top of work...I'm sorry. Aw well here's the next chapter and I hope you enjoy.

Dead. Bullock's words rang in her ears. Alyssa was dead.

No. No. No.

It was impossible. She saw Alyssa alive. She survived the serum. Elizabeth had seen Alyssa survive, had seen her open her eyes. The golden eyes they now shared. Those eyes cannot be closed forever. No, she would not accept it. Alyssa could not be dead.

"Miss Elizabeth." Elizabeth turned her head slowly to look at her lawyer. "Miss Elizabeth I think—"

"Quiet." The soft growl was all that was need to for him to cease his, what were sure to be, pitiable attempts at comfort. She can't be dead. She can't be. Elizabeth's silence was soon broken by the sound of talking from outside the hospital room.

"What were you thinking?" Montoya's muffled voice said.

"What? She wanted to know so I told her."

"You went against orders, Gordon specifically told us not to tell her."

"These freaks don't need to be coddled you've seen what she's done she's a monster."

"You're impossible to work with Bullock! You think you know everything but you ever wonder why your landlord tried to kill you last month?"

"Because he's a freak." Montoya let loose a stifled roar of frustration.

"I have an interview to complete, if she'll even still talk to me after this, so you stay out here before you can reveal that she—"

"I think I should give this to you now." Elizabeth's jaws clenched together as Peterson's voice prevented her from hearing the rest of what Montoya said. "Here."

Elizabeth glanced over at the thing he was now holding. It was a scrap of cloth. Why the hell would she need a scrap of cloth? The lawyer moved forward and placed it on her pillow. Elizabeth turned her head and was greeted by a wave of familiar brown sugar.

"Edward." She said with a strained sigh. Hell, she needed more than just his scent right now.

"There was also a note. 'Elizabeth—"

"Not now." Elizabeth's words came not a second too soon as it was at that moment that Montoya open the door.

"Miss Elizabeth, I am terribly sorry for that, I know this must come as a shock to you but—"

"I would like to get this over as well." Elizabeth's tone was dead. Her finger tips had gone numb and her mouth was dry. "Mr. Peterson if you would be so kind as to fetch me some water."

"Of course." Her lawyer poured a small cup of water for her from the jug by her bedside table. He held it up to her lips and she took a sip. Her mouth was still dry.

"Thank you." She said as though the water had done some good. "Whenever you are ready officer."

"Thank you…after Cuvier told you what he wanted what happened?"

"I told him my theory, that it was my anti-depressive medication that allowed the formula to take effect and that I'd been taking it for a while and so would…anyone else. He told me that I better hope I am right then he had men bind my hands and feet together and they dragged me down into the basement and put me in a cage. They left me down there in the dark for ages. I realized that I wasn't alone that Alyssa was down there too, unconscious." Elizabeth stopped speaking her throat had suddenly gone thick as she remembered what she had told Alyssa. That this was all her fault. That she would get them out. Alyssa's death was all her fault.

"Some more water please." Elizabeth said with a gasp as she felt pinpricks forming in her eyes. Peterson held the cup up to her lips again, when it was lowered Elizabeth continued.

"They took Alyssa away not long after she woke up and I didn't really see her again until it was time to test the serum." She said this very quickly as the pinpricks started to grown into something dangerous.

"We don't need to continue, Miss Elizabeth." Montoya said with genuine concern and pity in her voice.

"No, no, I'm fine." Elizabeth turned her head taking in deep breath of Edward's scent from the cloth. "I'm fine. They took me out of the cage at the same time as Alyssa and put me in some sort of pit or observation theatre. Chained me to the wall so I couldn't move. Then three men were released into the pit with me. Three of Cuvier's thugs. He told me they had failed him and they were scared of me so were no longer of any use. Then some of the other thugs unchained me. I was told that I was to demonstrate my "abilities" and that these men were fighting for their lives. I can't remember the fight. That whole blackout psychotic-break thing happened again but I know that when my consciousness finally returned the men were dead."

"Miss Elizabeth," Peterson warned. She was straying dangerously near a confession of guilt.

Montoya's eyes flickered to Elizabeth's lawyer. "Were there anymore fights like that?"

"You don't have to answer that." Peterson said quickly before Elizabeth had a chance to answer.

Montoya looked off put that Peterson had denied her an answer but it was a common tactic of lawyers that she was used to. "What else can you remember? Can you describe what happened to you after that?"

Elizabeth breathed in slowly and then out. "I can't remember most of what happened. Days and weeks blur together but every day was the same. Cuvier attempted to push me over my mental limits and force me to physical extremes. On most days I believe he succeeded but as I said I can't really remember. Especially after…after the serum was tested on Alyssa."

"Thank you, one final question and then we can wrap this up. Can you recall and describe the events of the night you were rescued?"

"Yes. Edward saved me and I believe the Batman was there too."

"Anything else, like what happened to Cuvier?"

Elizabeth turned her head slowly so that she was looking Montoya straight in the eyes. She would've thought it impossible given how numb she felt but the reminder of what she had done to Cuvier lit a small spark inside her and Elizabeth smiled. Montoya's chin lifted slightly, a small sign of discomfort. Elizabeth's smiled faded and she turned her head back to the middle of her pillow. "I don't think my lawyer would want me to say, sorry detective. If that's all I think you should go now. I'm not feeling the best."

Montoya stood. "Of course, thank you for your time Miss Elizabeth. If you recall anything else you need only to call."

"Thank you." Montoya left and Elizabeth could hear the heavy footsteps of Bullock heading down the hall as the partners departed.

"Mr. Peterson I think it best if you left as well." Peterson nodded.

"I'll come back tomorrow."

Elizabeth didn't say anything as her lawyer left. The door closed behind him and Elizabeth was alone with her thoughts. Her dangerous, dangerous thoughts.

Peggy Schrader was usually a pleasant woman that was befitting of her position as head nurse of the 4th floor. However, one of her current charges was beginning to get to her. Elizabeth Howard. An insane mass murderer. Oh sure, Miss Howard pretended to be nice but Peggy could tell that just under those hideous golden eyes she was plotting something evil. She shouldn't be here in the hospital she should be locked away. So what if she had been captive for over two months her wounds were healing fine and it was time to send her on her way before something happened.

That's how it always was with these Rogue types. They'd come in with injuries from the Batman and then if they weren't moved out soon enough they'd try and escape. She had several scars across her chest from when Killer Croc tried to slice her open during an escape attempt. Usually the police could stop the Rogue in time but the uniformed officers had been removed from in front of Miss Howard's door. For who knows whatever reason, they said it was because she wasn't dangerous. But they were wrong Miss Howard was very dangerous. Whenever Peggy went to deliver Miss Howard's medicine she could see the evil murderous intent in her eyes, just waiting for the right moment to strike.

Peggy's pager beeped and she looked down to see where she was needed. Room 436, great Miss Howard's room. With a hateful grumble Peggy stopped what she was doing and headed down the hall to Miss Howard's room. When she arrived there was already another nurse standing outside trying to get in.

"What's wrong?" Peggy asked approaching the younger nurse.

"The door is locked."

"This is a hospital the doors don't have locks. Move." The nurse moved and Peggy pushed against the door. There was some give, it wasn't locked but blocked. She must have broken out of her restraints.

"Miss Howard, open up!"

"She doesn't like to be called that." The young plump nurse who usually changed Miss Howard's bandages said.

"Who cares? Miss Howard open up or we are breaking this door down!" From behind the door the nurses heard a growl. Half a face appeared in the small window. Miss Howard was snarling her face scrunched up like a demon, her eyes were bloodshot and her face was streaked with red. The wound above her right eye had reopened and was steadily leaking blood. Miss Howard launched herself away from the window leaving a handprint of blood on the glass.

Peggy sighed, "Time to call security."

The sun had set behind the buildings and still the door to Elizabeth's room was barred. The security team had been unable to get in as Elizabeth had pushed all of the medical equipment against the door. This included the 600 pound hospital bed that, as an extra measure, she had also tipped over. Since getting in seemed impossible the medical staff had decided to wait until Elizabeth got hungry. Unfortunately for them Elizabeth had gone days without food with Cuvier and in her state of emotional distress sustenance was the last thing on her mind.

Currently Elizabeth was curled up the corner of the room farthest from the door. The bleeding above her eye had stopped but there were several new bite marks on her arms. Along the top of the wall the clocked ticked very slowly. Elizabeth had tried to take it stop the annoying sound by throwing things at it but in her rage she missed every time. Now with every tick the clock re-enforced her confused mental state.

There was a rustling by the window. Elizabeth looked up to see Batman entering the room.

"Elizabeth." He said in his usual gravel-like voice.

"What do you want?" She growled.

"You've barricaded yourself in, destroyed hospital property, and hurt yourself."

Elizabeth looked down at her arms. She actually hadn't realized she had bitten herself; it had become a reflex during her time with Cuvier. "So I have." Elizabeth's voice was blank now. Her emotions were swinging from one to another: angry, sad, numb…

"Why didn't you tell me?" She asked softly.

"What?"

Elizabeth's hands clenched. "Why didn't you tell me!?" She screamed standing up and hitting the wall shattering the plaster. "Why didn't you tell me she was dead!? You lied to me! She's dead! She's dead! And it's all my fault…" Tears began running down her face as she slid back down the wall to curl up again in a ball. "It's all my fault."

"I thought it was best not to tell you."

Elizabeth's anger flared up again. "Best? Best!? Best if she doesn't know her best friend is dead? Best if she has false hope that her best friend is alive!?"

"Nygma agreed with me."

"And he's had so much time to tell me since we were separated!" Elizabeth hit the wall.

Batman was silent. He simply stood there and let Elizabeth hit the wall over and over again. Elizabeth's knuckles were starting to bleed by the time she stopped.

"Just get it over with," she said with a sigh.

"What?"

"Just arrest me! Get Gordon down here to properly arrest me! I'm sick of waiting around for them to press charges. Grand theft, murder, property damage, and whatever else you want to stick me with just do it! Do it so I can go to Arkham or Blackgate and get on with my life! So I get out of this limbo where I don't know who is dead and who is alive!" Yet again Batman was silent. He was watching her. Then he moved, with an impressive feat of strength he pulled the hospital bed back on to its feet and calmly rolled it away from the door. Moving the rest of the medical equipment aside he paused with his hand on the door handle.

"Don't blame yourself, Elizabeth." Batman opened the door and a medical team rushed in to subdue her.

Alyssa climbed the stairs to Elizabeth's apartment. She had just arrived in Gotham. Elizabeth was in trouble and Alyssa needed to find her, to help her. It had already been ten hours since Elizabeth had left that message on her phone. Elizabeth may not have said it in her message but she needed help. She needed Alyssa, someone who could comfort her and talk some sense in to her. What did she even mean when she said she had forgotten herself? It was all the Riddler's fault, Alyssa knew it. It had to be his fault somehow he had sunk his claws into Elizabeth and twisted her.

Finally Alyssa reached Elizabeth's new apartment. Alyssa knew Elizabeth wouldn't be here but perhaps there was a clue to where she currently was. Taking the spare key Elizabeth had sent her out Alyssa opened the door. The inside of the room smelt musty. On the counter dirty dishes sat out with a few flies crawling over the bits of rotting food. How long had it been since Elizabeth had been here?

Closing the door behind her Alyssa headed towards Elizabeth's bedroom. She knew Elizabeth and that she would never leave any important information out in the living room for anyone to find. She stopped though when her eye was caught by the answering machine. Perhaps there was a clue on there. Alyssa played back the messages.

"Elizabeth, this is Dr. Grout. I'm calling because you missed your therapy session today. I hope everything is alright. I won't report you this time if you call back to reschedule. Remember these are court assigned, if you miss one again I'll have to tell the police that you're violating the verdict agreement. Please call me back to reschedule you're a good girl Elizabeth I don't want anything to happen to you."

Alyssa stopped the messages. There were several more but she'd listen to them later. She didn't think she could take more than one at a time. What had Elizabeth been doing to miss her court assigned therapy? Alyssa opened the door to Elizabeth's bedroom and breathed in sharply at the sight of the mess. She assumed that Elizabeth had left in a hurry but it looked like the room had been tossed. By the bedside table Alyssa spotted Elizabeth's journal. Elizabeth never went anywhere without her journal. Alyssa picked it up and flipped to the most recent pages and sighed when she saw that they were from before Elizabeth had been interned in Arkham.

She set the book down on the bedside table and looked around the room. Alyssa froze when she heard the front door open.

Mr. Peterson sat next to Elizabeth once again. He was looking down on her disappointed yet at the same time pleased. After Elizabeth's outburst last night it would be a lot easier to make an insanity plea, if that's what she wanted at least. He was disappointed though because now he would have to deal with more charges. Grand theft, multiple homicides, disturbing the public peace, destruction of property, adding and abetting, and those were just the ones he could think of there's no telling what else the GCPD would charge her with.

"Are you going to say something or what?" Elizabeth finally said after a minute of Mr. Peterson sitting in the room.

"Yes, sorry. How are you feeling today?"

"Well after my outburst last night emotionally I'm feeling considerably better. Other than the fact that I now have confining straps across my chest to hold me down, I am doing as well as to be expected."

"I would loosen them for you but Gordon will be here soon."

"They're okay, just like being hugged by a boa constrictor." Elizabeth laughed but it was hollow and had a touch of pain in it.

"Before the cops arrive I want to ask you something."

"Alright."

"Do you want to file an insanity plea?"

Elizabeth sighed. "I—I don't know, I mean I'm not insane, at least I don't think I am; but I don't want to put in Blackgate."

"Mr. Nygma isn't insane either. You'll have an easier time getting into Arkham than him."

"I don't know if that's a compliment or not…that letter from Edward yesterday, you can read it to me now."

"Alright." Peterson took heavily folded piece of paper out of his pocket and cleared his throat to read.

'Elizabeth,

There is much I want to say but that can all wait until I see you again, I will count the days until we meet again. I know you hate it when I am cheesy so I will leave that for later as well. Peterson here is my personal lawyer and is one of the sleaziest people I have ever met which makes him the best lawyer there is. He will insure you have everything you need until the court date. I would suggest that you take an insanity plea once again, it may be hard to believe but Blackgate is a worse place than Arkham especially for women. No matter what happens though, I will see you soon.

Edward'

Peterson finished reading and tucked the paper back into his pocket.

"I'm rather disappointed that he didn't leave a riddle." Elizabeth said.

"Actually that was written in Morse code, I translated it for you."

"Thanks but next time I can do it myself."

"I'll keep that in mind."

"Is Blackgate really that bad?" Elizabeth asked suddenly.

"Yes. I have several smaller clients there right now all of them begging me to get them transferred."

"I see. Then I want to go to Arkham, let's try an insanity plea."

"Excellent, Mr. Nygma will be very pleased."

There was a knock on the door.

"Come in," Elizabeth called out.

Commissioner Gordon entered followed by two uniformed officers.

"Good Afternoon, Miss Howard, I'm Commissioner Gordon. This is Officer Blake and Officer Xue. How are you today?"

"Well my legs are starting to cramp up but I'm fine. How are you Commissioner?"

"Good, good, thank you. I uh…I want to apologize for Bullock's behavior yesterday and for mine, I had no right to tell them not to inform you of your friend's death."

"That's alright, I understand. You didn't want to put too much stress on me, thank you for the consideration."

"Thank you for understanding…" Gordon reached behind him and took a pair of handcuffs off his belt. "I'm sorry I have to do this Miss Howard but…"

"Its fine Commissioner, I won't resist." Gordon nodded and motioned for the two other officers to unstrap Elizabeth from the bed. As they did so Elizabeth could smell the nervousness in their sweat. When they finished doing the straps Elizabeth sat up slowly stretching her muscles she slid her legs over the edge of the bed a stood up with a final stretch. Then she put her arms down and turned around putting her hands behind her back. Gordon moved around the bed and gently took her wrists sliding the cuffs around them.

"Elizabeth Howard you are under arrest for multiple murders, grand theft, destruction of property, aggravated assault, assault with a deadly weapon, and for participating in an illegal pit fight. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you do or say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney one will be appointed to you. Do you understand these rights as they have been read to you?"

"Yes."

"Understanding each of these rights do you now wish to speak to the police without a lawyer being present?"

"My lawyer is present but no." Gordon's eyes slid over to Peterson sitting in his chair watching proceedings carefully for any slip up.

"Alright let's go then."

So as amazing as it sounds I have run out of the stuff to read, at least on Fanfiction. I usually use other people fanfics as inspiration for my own to get me ready to write after a long day at work but lately I've been subsiding on updates and those aren't coming fast enough. So does anyone have any good Scarecrow or Riddler fanfics they'd like to recommend? (I'll make a list and put them up for others in the next chapter) Doesn't have to be romance btw though preferably something where it's complete or updating semi-regularly.

For you guys I would recommend: 'Mors Et Timor' by Minion and Megamind (Scarecrow), 'Predators of the Night' by ATLAsnaps-fan (Scarecrow), 'Museum Studies' by scribblescribblescribble (Scarecrow and Riddler), 'Care for a Riddle' by Shadowed-Shikyo (Riddler), and 'Costume Shop' by Nightowl445 (Riddler)