"Hello, Gertrude."
"Lady," came the harsh hum of a cynical voice. "Only three people can call me Gertrude, and you sure as hell aren't one of them."
"I'm sorry," the doctor replied calmly. "What do you go by?"
"You can call me by my middle name." The girl leaned back against the worn office chair idly.
"Kirk?" The woman attempted.
"No. "Sir-say." The girl annunciated.
"Okay, Circe."
The doctor notated the preference on the file.
Gertrude C. Cobblepot
Gertrude Circe Nygma-Cobblepot
Age:17
Height: 5'6
Weight: 139 pounds
Eyes: Green
Hair: Brown
Alias: Enigma.
Rumored: Riddler's daughter
Confirmed: Riddler's daughter. Refer to birth certificate.
Aggravated assault, arson, second degree murder, use of explosives, bomb threats, assault with a deadly weapon, use of chemical weapons
Patient is aggressive and highly intelligent. Proceed with caution. Patient often speaks in puzzles or riddles. Patient is unwilling to cooperate during counseling sessions. Patient has been involved in 3 fist fights with other inmates since she has been admitted a week ago…
"What happened? The other lady got scared of me?" Circe quirked a brow. The tip of her foot pressed against the end of the doctor's desk, propelling her chair back just enough for her to balance it right before the tipping point. Circe swayed her chair back and forth with the carefree demeanor of a child.
"No, Dr. Usher is on vacation." The woman said, too cheerfully for her liking.
This was a ruse. This was all a gimmick.
"Mhm." Circe narrowed her eyes. "I turned 18 yesterday, you know." She pointed out while settling back into position.
"Happy birthday." The doctor said while scribbling down a series of notes.
Circe leaned in to tinker with a little figure on the doctor's desk, trying to peek over and read what she had written. This woman didn't seem to be nearly as nervous around as her usual doctor. "So, do I get to leave the kiddie corner?"
"We won't be relocating yet, if that is what you are referring too." The doctor held the same placated smile.
"You don't have to shelter me. I'm not afraid of the loonies. Go ahead, put me on the main floor."
"You will be transitioned in a few weeks Circe." The doctor reassured calmly. Too calmly for Circe's liking. This woman was a courteous robot.
"I want to see my father," she finally said outright.
"We've both been here for 6 weeks and I haven't seen him once."
"I'm afraid that won't be happening, Circe." The doctor furrowed her brow a bit, glancing at her patient sympathetically.
Circe scowled. She didn't need this woman's pity. "Why? Isn't it more of a legal conundrum if I mess up one of the under age brats in here? I can handle myself. You saw what I looked like when I came in here. I'll be fine." Her father was another story.
The doctor laid one hand over the other atop her desk while still regaining the same still expression. Maybe this was why people went mad in here. "Circe, at Arkham we strive to treat our patients and help them recover. Interacting with your father would be counterproductive."
"What the hell does that mean?" Circe shrieked, slamming her hands on the end of the doctor's desk. This was madness. This was cruelty. They could beat her, send waves of electricity through her body, drag her by the hair, but nothing was more tortuous than this separation.
"To allow the two of you to interact would put you in danger-"
"That's fucking ridiculous." She growled, voice low and laden with emotion. "He's my father, for God's sake!"
The doctor glanced down at the file laid out in front of her. "It says in your report that your father shot you three times."
"False accusations!" Circe shrieked, rising from chair, only to be thrust roughly back in place by the wide hands of the guard lingering behind her. She shoved his hands off roughly and regained her seat. "My father would never harm me. He loves me."
The doctor raised her hands, as if she was trying to reason with her. "Circe, the first step to healing is acceptance. You have to open up-"
"If you're trying to get a forced confession, you can talk to my lawyer." Circe crossed her arms and tore her gaze away from the woman, looking at the yellowing ceiling of the office.
"This isn't about legalities. This is a safe space. I won't hold anything you say against you. We're simply here to help you move forward."
"And you people say I'm the psycho-" Circe broke into a fit of laughter. "This isn't an asylum, lady. This a prison; where the extra funding gets embezzled into the pockets of the higher ups. You might think you are here to help me, but you're just as fucked as the rest of us.
The doctored sighed. "Either you are in denial or you are covering for him. Were you threatened, Circe? Are you scared."
"Tch." Circe leaned back again, playing with the ends of her hair idly. "I'm not scared of anyone. You're just playing games. You're trying to tear my family apart, I know. My Daddy said this would happen when I was a little girl. I didn't believe him then."
"This is not-"
"Yeah whatever. If you want to talk to my lawyer, call my Daddy. Who will also tell you that, this accusation is bogus." Circe shrugged, oddly calm after her little outburst.
"Is it Circe? Your father has been deemed clinically insane. "Paranoid schizophrenia, multiple personalities, -"
"Okay, that part may be true. But I'm his protege, his genius, his mischief maker. He loves me, and he'll love me even when all his brain cells are burnt out. So, play your games, doctor." Circe looked the doctor straight in the eye, her eyes a venomous green. Stirring, cracking, dripping straight from the snake's fangs. "But don't forget, I'm very good at games. And I play to win."
The early morning sunlight filtered through the curtains in soft ribbons of gold, dancing in speckles along the top of Oswald's head. He drew closer to the source of warmth beside him, tucking his cold feet in between Ed's warm ones.
Ed snuggled close, drawing Oswald in and sighing softly. When the tips of their noses brushed together Ed nuzzled Oswald's gently and released a delighted hum.
Oswald let his eyes flutter open. He let his gaze linger on Ed's sleepy face; looking down the steep bridge of his nose, letting his eyes wander over his long brown lashes, soft eyelids, and the loose curls of his hair that framed him face nicely. What a sight to wake up to. A soft thrum inside of his chest warmed his body more than the heavy blanket that laid over them both.
Oswald leaned in to press a quick kiss to Ed's closed lips. He nuzzled closer, wrapping his arms around Ed's torso.
"Morning beautiful," Oswald felt his husband mumble against his cheek.
"Good morning yourself," A little hum of laughter hung on the end of Oswald's words.
Ed tucked his face into Oswald's neck, drawing his arms around him. "I should get up."
Ed had always been one to rise early. But recently Oswald had caught him sleeping in. Rocking a colicky baby at 3am didn't make for a proper night rest.
"No, stay with me a little longer." Oswald whispered into his hair. He pressed a series of soft kisses atop his husband's head. He was getting used to these late mornings and the comfort of his husband's body pressed against his.
"When you put it like that…" Ed shifted, eyes finally fluttering open. He nuzzled the soft skin of Oswald's neck, peppering kisses here and there. "How can I say no?" He managed to mumble between kisses.
Oswald squirmed under the attack, trying his best to suppress his laughter. "No, no no, this is not relaxing." He tried to shove Ed off playfully. A small giggle finally escaped his lips.
Ed rolled on top of him, holding him in place as he placed a trail of butterfly kisses along Oswald's neck and jaw, finally landing on his lips, locking their lips together and moving them slowly into a clumsy rhythm.
Oswald's fingers tangled in Ed's hair. He let himself fall into his embrace, losing himself in the warmth of Ed's body and the soft touch of his lips. When was the last time they had been so carefree together in the midst of life's push and pull? He could hardly remember.
Every moment should be savored, when you have a love like this.
Oswald traced his tongue over Ed's lips, inviting him in. Turning this slow, lazy kiss into a passionate affair. His hands were on Ed's face, he drew him closer. They laid there for several minutes, their bodies flush against each other. Their lips parting every so often, so they could break for air, only to fall together again in rhythm with their heartbeats.
A soft wail that emanated from the baby monitor cause Oswald to pull his head back slowly. He turned to peek into the camera, feeling a wash of relief wash over him when he discovered that his daughter was safe.
It was silly really, to worry about her within the walls of their own home. But she was so small and frail. Helpless.
When he had acquired Martin the boy was already calculating the best strategy to take out his enemies. Yes, he was a child. Yes, he needed to be sheltered. But Martin had potential. Clever and self-sufficient, Oswald knew that it would only take a bit of guidance to shape him into a brilliant little monarch.
But Circe, his fragile, squishy, beautiful little mess. She was something that had to be handmade, created, nurtured. It was new and terrifying…
"There's our alarm clock," Ed mumbled. His eyes fluttered open, his lips painted with a sleepy smile.
Oswald turned to roll off the bed, halted instantly by the light pressure of Ed's hand.
"I'll go." Ed muffled, voice still gravely from waking.
"No, you've gone the last seven times. I think it's my turn." Oswald gently removed his hand and pushed him back to the bed.
"You need to rest," Ed attempted to rise again, propping himself up on his elbows.
"I'm fine. Don't worry." Oswald stressed. He stroked a finger along Ed's jaw and pressed a kiss to his forehead. "Go back to sleep."
"Okay, make sure to mix one-part formula to-"
"Ed, I'll figure it out." Oswald chuckled. "Now, go back to sleep."
Ed finally slumped back against the mattress. "Okay, okay…" he mumbled, letting his eyes flutter close once again.
Ed tore his nose from the book he was reading to watch his husband trudge into the room. Oswald settle beside him on the couch and reclined. He whined unceremoniously and rested his head on Ed's shoulder. "I hate this. I want real coffee."
Ed kissed the top of his head. He closed the book and placed in in his lap. "Soon enough, Oswald. I can make you green tea, if you want."
"No," Oswald whined. "It's disgusting."
"Green tea is actually nutritionally better than coffee promoting-"
Oswald pressed his face into the fabric of Ed's shirt. "I don't care," came a muffled whine.
He lifted his head and peered down into Ed's lap.
"What are you reading? That book again?"
Ed nodded. "The baby book said that it is very important that we get Martin involved in taking care of the baby, once she is here. So, he doesn't feel left out or become jealous. We should ask him to help out by grabbing diapers or baby food. He can help mix the formula or help pick her clothes."
Oswald lifted his head, seeming unsatisfied with their position. He placed a hand on the other side of Ed's head to usher Ed to lay his head on his shoulder. "We can get him involved. That's a good idea. But he isn't going to get jealous of her." He pressed a kiss on Ed's temple when he felt him settle against his side.
Ed sighed, letting himself relax against Oswald. "Well, we've never done this before and we're his first family." A little bit of anxiety slithered its way into Ed's tone. Maybe he wasn't only worried about Martin. This was his first real family, as well.
"He won't. They have a bond. They talk to each other all the time."
Ed glanced upward, entirely confused by this statement.
Oswald smiled in the wake of Ed's puzzled glance. "I'll show you next time."
"Is this mine?" Circe leaned over the desk and snatched the document from the Doctor's desk swiftly to take a peek.
"Circe that is Arkham property!" The doctor raised her voice for the first time. She must have been a confident woman because this time the guards were waiting outside of the door rather than inside of the office.
Circe shifted just out of reach. She let her eyes follow the lettering on the document. "I've never seen my legal birth certificate in person before." She grinned and peered over the document to see the doctor rising from her chair nervously. "It's wrong, though." Circe shrugged and hand the piece of paper back over.
The doctor seemed to relax, perhaps reevaluating her need to call the guards. "What do you mean?" She took the document slowly, carefully away from Circe's waiting hand.
Circe laughed, settling back into the chair. She propped her feet up on the doctor's desk nonchalantly. "I don't have a mother."
Ed swayed softly with the slow rhythm of the song from the old record player. He twirled Oswald, slowing when he noticed that his husband had begun to grow tired.
Oswald looked at him for a moment too long. The gears in his head were clearing turning.
"What is it my love?" Ed coaxed softly.
Oswald looked at him a moment longer lips parting for a split second. He paused for a moment, then finally spoke. "Do I look different?"
"You look dashing," Ed didn't miss a beat. "Very handsome."
"Thank you." Oswald nodded a bit bashfully. He seemed more nervous than usual. So different from the boldly confident man that Edward knew. "But do I look different?"
"I love you, Oswald. You always look the same to me. Breathtaking."
Oswald coursed a hand through his neatly place back locks. "I look different. Even after this is over-" His hissed lowly, his void muddled with paranoia.
Ed placed his hands on Oswald's hips and drew him closer until their bodies touched. He drew a thumb along Oswald's cheek softly. He was very aware of how difficult this was for Oswald. How difficult it had been the last few months. It was not only a stress on his body, but his pride, his persona, his identity itself. "Oswald, we're miles away from Gotham and we're about to have a baby. Don't worry about that right now."
"People are going to know, Ed. When we get back. They'll notice."
Ever since the words tumbled from Oswald's mouth, Ed knew he was going to be a father. He wasn't hesitant with Martin, despite his wariness or the insecurities that squirmed beneath the surface. He was scared then, but now he was more ready than ever. Despite his desire to respect Oswald's ultimate decision, his eyes lit up like Christmas morning the moment he discovered they were pregnant.
But Oswald wasn't as accepting of this change. This wasn't like his decision to raise Martin. This had happened all of a sudden. This mistake. This thing, growing inside of him. Changing him. Mistakes could be remedied.
But then "it" became "her" in Ed's vocabulary. (As if he knew from the very start). And the world began to change for the two of them. Three of them. Four of them.
Eight months later, Oswald was beginning to think that maybe she wasn't a mistake but a gift. A gift he would have to make great sacrifices for. Sacrifices that were undeniably worth it.
Ed placed a hand on Oswald's shoulder and squeezed lightly. "Oswald, six months ago you were throwing up in the bathroom and go got up and still managed to dismantle a band of thugs that were impeding on your territory. You've launched two new underground businesses since then and made an example of the traitors that tried to steal from you. Quite bloody and publicly, might I add." He gave his husband a heart-melting smile. "You haven't changed at all. It's just physical."
Oswald's shoulders dropped, stress sinking away, little by little.
"After you deliver, we'll go to the doctor and put you back on T. Oswald, everything will be fine." Ed rubbed his back slowly. He was so convincing that Oswald had no choice but to believe him. "Everything will be fine." Ed whispered, circling around to wrap his arms around his husband from behind. He placed a kiss on Oswald's neck and placed his chin atop his head, rocking him gently. "Your stress is her stress too, so let go of those thoughts. Come spend the evening with me. We're on vacation, remember?"
"You're right." He whispered solemnly. "I'm not going to let this change me." He gently removed Edward's hands and turned to look up into his eyes. "Thank you for standing by me, as my husband and as my business partner." He took Ed's chin in his hand and gave him a slow kiss.
Both of their eyes fluttered open as they pulled apart. Ed found himself looking into the stormy eyes of the man he married. The Oswald he knew. Strong and fearless. "Of course," Ed whispered.
"Now," Oswald looked up at him, eyes firm and commanding. "Make me a peanut butter sandwich."
Ed rolled his eyes and placed a kiss on Oswald's wrinkled brow. "After this, I never want to look at a jar of peanut butter again."
"Hey! Don't take that tone with me!" Oswald shoved him playfully.
"What's red and runs like hell?"
Circe rested her elbow on the arm of the chair, her cheek was pressed against the back of her hand as she watched the doctor scribble something down hastily.
"A bloody nose!" Circe burst into laughter.
Nothing. It seems like the Arhkam Criminally Insane Juvenile Retention Center Staff had become tired of her riddles. What a horribly long name for a psycho playpen.
"If you want me to talk, I'll talk." Circe spoke after several minutes of silence.
The doctor's eyes lit up instantly. "That's wonderful Circe. Why don't we talk about something that makes you comfortable?"
"Hah!" Circe twirled a finger in a circular motion right next to her ear, a silent comment to how crazy that sounded. "Go for it, doc."
"It says here that you are very close to your brother."
Circe sat up instantly, eyes aflame, nerves bristling with agitation. She looked like a wild animal ready to strike. "My brother? Who was wrongfully locked in Blackgate!"
"Circe-" The doctor tried to interject calmly.
"I've never seen anything so despicable!" She pounded a fist against the desk, causing a cup of pencils to rattle. "He didn't deserve that sentence, it was built on lies! My brother is a good person! The justice system is so corrupt!"
"Circe!" The doctor rose her voice. "Your brother was released; the charges were lifted."
Circe stared blankly at the woman. "...What?"
"Your brother has been released."
"Ah! Hahah!" Circe threw her arms up in joy, rising to stand atop of the chair. "That's amazing! I can't believe this!" She leapt from the chair to jump up and down joyously.
"Circe please-" The doctor interjected. "I need you to remain calm. I don't want the guards to come and remove you."
Circe finally simmered down from her high and took a seat. She smiled at the doctor genuinely, wiping a stray tear from her eye. "Thank you. No one ever tells me anything good in this wretched place."
"You're welcome." The doctor smiled at her, this time her face was warm and soothing. "Now, will you tell me a story about your brother?"
Circe couldn't stop from smiling. She was so overcome with joy that she almost forgot how long she would be trapped in this terrible hell hole. But Martin's release had given her hope.
"Yes, of course." Circe took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. "My brother, Martin, aka the most amazing person in the world, is honestly the best brother I could have asked for. To be honest, sometimes he is kind of like my third dad."
Circe set her elbow atop the chair's arm again. Her cheek was pressed to her palm. This time a large smile was plastered across her face and her eyes were lost in a dreamy haze.
"When I was five, the first time that Papa was in Arkham, I cried and cried for days. Oftentimes, Daddy would play with me and read me stories. People can say what they want about my father-"
"Edward?" The doctor interrupted softly.
"No, Oswald." Circe corrected.
"Ah" The woman scribbled something down in the file. "And Edward is papa?"
"Yes, papa like Papa Bear or Papa Gatto. Like in the fairy tales he used to read to me," Circe smiled fondly whilst the memory floated in her head. "Oswald is the first one I saw when I came into the world. He would tell me that when he rocked me at night. So, he's Daddy."
"I see, that seems sensible." The woman nodded to her, while still jotting down notes.
"As I was saying, say what you want about my father, but he is a very loving person. He always took time out of his busy day to play with me and teach me things." She lifted her head from her hand and sat upright.
"But there were times when he was away, and Martin would play with me all day. There was this one time he took me to the carnival and we played all day. We teamed up on all of the games and won a whole pile full of prizes. He said to me, 'Circe, your my partner in crime.' " Circe smiled, tiding back her tears. She wouldn't cry here. In this prison. This was no place to show weakness. "I don't know what I would have done without him."
Martin shoveled a spoonful of cereal into his mouth as he watched his dad take a seat across from him and pour milk into his own bowl.
"Ah, so you're the one who has been eating all of my Lucky Charms!" Ed pointed in Martin's direction accusingly. His lips sporting a amused grin.
Martin smiled sheepishly and stuck his tongue out.
"Hey! That was uncalled for." Ed cried, placing his hand over his heart as if he was wounded by the gesture. The pair broke into hysterics together, sharing the same mirthful twinkle in their eyes.
'I thought you were a frosted flakes man, but I just I was deceived.' Ed signed to his son while shaking his head.
'I am a man of many tastes, father.' Martin joked back.
Ed went to grab a cup of coffee and resumed his seat across from his son. He noticed Martin looking down into the bowl of cereal for a moment.
"Hey buddy, what's wrong?"
Martin sighed and dropped his spoon into the bowl. He finally drew his eyes up to Ed's, a spark of anxiety dancing beneath his brown irises. 'Do you think I'll make a good brother?'
'A good brother?' Ed signed back to his son. 'You are going to make the best brother that anyone has ever had. Allow me to elaborate. You are fun, you are very smart, you have great taste in cereal. Even if you are a cereal thief. You are a great problem solver. And your dad and I can always count on you.'
A little smile crept its way onto the boy's face.
'I don't think a better brother even exists' Ed added. 'I mean, she already likes you more than me.'
Martin grinned brightly and shook his head. 'She likes you a lot too. I can tell.'
'Really?' Ed asked, his playfulness masking most of his genuine insecurity.
'Really' Martin signed back, nodding confidently.
'I have never had a brother or sister before.' Martin admitted. 'There were other children in the orphanage but it's not the same.'
'This is your first sister and my first baby. I think we can figure it out together.' Ed paused his signing to reach across the table and take Martin's hand in his. He squeezed it lightly, a small affectionate gesture of assurance. "Can I count on you?" Ed asked his son while raising a brow.
Martin nodded, a bright smile lighting up his little face. He squeezed Ed's hand back.
Edward sat in the corner of he and Oswald's bedroom. His glasses slipping near the end of his nose as he remained lost in the pages of the Iliad's Tales.
Oswald laid lax in their large king size bed. The blankets were tossed about. Martin was curled beside him with his little cheek pressed to the side of Oswald's swollen stomach. Martin lifted his head slowly. He laid one hand atop Oswald's warm skin, then another. He moved his fingers slowly; singing 'hello, little sister.'
Oswald whispered to Edward, ushering him over silently. He did not want to disturb Martin during this intimate moment.
Martin's eyes lit up as he felt a shift under his hand.
"Are you two talking again?" Oswald asked his son. He ruffled Martin's hair softly when the boy nodded his head.
"What is she saying?" Ed murmured. His eye sparkled with wonder as he watched the little exchange.
Martin took Ed's hand and placed it over the spot, so he could feel the baby's movements.
Ed closed his eyes, letting his sense of touch take control. He could feel her shift slowly beneath his palm. His eyes fluttered open and he glanced to Oswald with a loving smile. He gave his husband a quick kiss.
Ed turned back to Martin. "Do you think that she's bored in there?"
Martin shrugged.
"Maybe that is what she is saying." Ed teased.
Martin broke into an amused grin. 'I think she's saying that she really loves peanut butter.'
The two of them broke into laughter.
"Stop it you two!" Oswald chided playfully. Making a point to swat Ed over the head lightly.
Martin pushed the box of Lucky Charms across the yellowing table and cast a soft smile to his father.
Ed's eyes lit up instantly. He could help but laugh, small tears beading in the corner of his eyes. "Thank you, you sure know how to cheer a guy up in here, huh?"
The genuine smile that lit up Ed's face was contagious, spreading slow across Martin's lips.
He reached across the table to take Ed's hand in his, fingers curling together in a friendly, reassuring grip.
"No touching!" The guard behind him boomed. He could have sworn he heard another guard mumble, "this fucking family", under his breath.
Martin released his father's hand and raised his middle finger to the voice without even bothering to glance back.
"Sir, if you cannot follow the rules I am going to have to ask you to leave." The guard growled to him. He raised his hands to his display his compliance, all the while not breaking eye contact with Ed.
'I'm so tired of these fucking savages' Martin signed vigorously while rolling his eyes.
"Language, young man!" Ed chided him.
Martin grinned sheepishly. 'Sorry dad.'
'How are Oswald and Circe?' Ed signed to his son, counting on him to be frank with him.
Oswald was always trying to shelter him, bear the burden on his own. Ever since they had all fallen together, Oswald had always been the staple of the family. Looking out for everyone, caring for everyone, trying to face all of the battles on his own. He and Ed we're a team when it came to raising their children. But Oswald was almost as dedicated to protecting Ed as he was to their son and daughter.
Sometimes it was comforting. But other times, Ed wished that Oswald would allow him to help. It was hard to see someone you love struggling.
Martin's smile didn't fade. He seemed to be pondering something as he signed his reply. 'They are well. I've been spending as much time with Circe as I can, when dad is busy. He drops her off at kindergarten. I pick her up. She'll throw a fit from time to time, but we've been trying to keep her busy. That curiosity of hers does her good. She'll come in from the yard with insects and put them under her microscope.'
Ed's lips curled into a dreamy smile as he let Martin's words dance in pictures and colors within his mind.
'It drives dad crazy' Martin broke into a wide grin.
Ed lifted his chin from the palm of his hand, so he could sign back. 'I can imagine. How is your father? Is he sleeping?'
Martin rolled his eyes, albeit playfully. 'He's stubborn. He should sleep a little more but it's not too bad. He has been drowning himself in work when he's not with Circe. But when he's with Circe and I, he let's go.'
He could have told him that Oswald was struggling with Circe's tantrums. That he stayed up late nights, worrying about Ed. But that would not have done any good. The best way to make it through this was with a strong, positive state of mind.
When came down to it, Martin was, in so many ways, Oswald's son. Fiercely determined to support this family throughout the changing winds.
'That's good. Don't let him work too hard.'
Martin nodded to Ed. 'I won't. Now tell me, are you sleeping?'
'As well as I can. Thank you for the book. The Gallic War has been a great source of serenity in this madhouse.'
'You are welcome. I'll bring you another one during my next visit. Take care, father.'
He took Ed's hands in his quickly, squeezing gently. He let go just quickly, ignoring the roaring voice of the guard.
"Thank you. Take care, Martin. Send your regards to your father and sister."
Martin nodded, rising before he could be ushered out roughly.
The two of them waved good bye, trying to burn each other's image into their memory until they could see each other again.
"Circe, how are you today?" The doctor smiled cheerfully and waited for her patient to take her seat.
"Alright, I guess." Circe shrugged. She took her seat with no hesitation. She scanned the room carefully yet seemed a little less stressed than during her previous sessions.
"That's good to hear." The doctor opened the file in front of her. "Why don't you tell me another story about Martin?"
Circe stood and paced around the office a few times. "I guess I could." She seemed to be pondering her choice for several moments.
She finally came to a halt and took her seat once again.
"One time in elementary school- I was seven at the time- this terrible boy asked me…"
Circe could remember that day in full color. The temperature on the playground. The falling leaves. The sneer on the idiot's face.
"Aren't you that adopted girl? Heard you have two dads. No wonder you're such a mess." The boy bounced a basketball in her direction. Circe dodged the attack with ease.
"You're so ignorant. I'm not adopted."
"What your daddies told you some bullshit and you believed it? Typical girl." He and his friends broke into a fit of laughter that made Circe's blood boil.
"You can say what you want, I know who I am." Circe raised her nose flippantly
"You're such an idiot. Unless one of your dads is some type of tranny."
A fire must have lit in Circe's eye because the boy almost doubled over laughing. "Oh my god! It's true! Which one of your dads has a dick?"
Circe had curled her fist so tightly that her knuckles were going white. "Which one of your friends has a black eye?" She growled under her breath.
"And, doctor, you can just imagine how that went." Circe's feet were propped up on the doctor's desk again. "But I am very proud of myself. I got out of that mess with nothing but two bruises and a split lip." She grinned proudly, crossing her arms over her chest.
"So here I was thinking that I was going to get busted by Daddy, or Papa. Okay, mostly Daddy.
But luckily when the school called my house Martin answered. He was twenty at the time and whatever schmuck the school had hired accepted him as my legal guardian." Circe grinned fondly while recalling the memory.
"Of course, I had to explain what happened to him. He wasn't mad at me, in fact, he helped me get those suckers back by framing them for vandalizing the school. They were all suspended for months. It was marvelous!" Circe rose her arms for emphasis.
"I seems like the two of you were quite the team." The doctor looked up from her notes to flash Circe and kind smile.
"We were. Partners in crime, after all,"
She passed by a several closed cells, sticking her tongue out when she heard a sultry whistle from one of the inmates. What pigs.
Everything was in position, the floor was charted out, her men were in place, her gun was loaded. Nothing could possibly go wrong.
"Hey lady, you're not on this shift." Came the raspy voice of a mechanic, turning the corner. "The cleaning crew isn't supposed to be here for three hours. Who are you?"
"I'm just here to clean. Heard someone made a real mess in cell 0867.
The man narrowed his eyes at her. "You look awfully young. I'm going to have to take you to-"
Circe tucked her hand beneath the maid's apron. "I'm made of iron. I can only attack when pulled back. What am I?"
"What is this, some sort of-"
She pulled her pistol from pocket and shot the man between the eyes. "A bullet. I guess we're not doing this quietly." He mumbled into her head set.
"What are you doing?" And automated voice chided her from the other side of the headset. "I knew I should have come in there with you."
"I'm fine!" She piped back. "I've got this"
"I'm standing by. I'll keep my eye on you." The automated voice rang in her ear. Circe rolled her eyes and grumbled, stepping over the body hastily.
The alarm was blaring.
Circe turned the corner quickly, she heard gunshots in the background. It's good she ordered back up, if you could call it that. A distraction would take the attention off of her mission.
Almost there...
"Freeze!"
Circe stopped in her tracks, glancing out of a foggy window and then turning slowly to face the trembling man.
He seemed to gain a fierce confidence when he caught sight of her face.
Circe threw her hands up nonchalantly, staring down the barrel of the gun without an ounce of fear. "Drop the gun unless you want your brains blown out."
"Nice try, you psycho." The guard growled. His shoulders were tense as his finger locked on the trigger. "I'm putting back in a cell where you belong."
A little laugh hummed from Circe's closed lips. She shrugged carelessly. "Can't say I didn't warn you. Big brother is watching."
"This isn't 1984, you crazy bitch-"
A crash echoed the hall.
Glass shattered, spilling shards on to the dirty tiled floor. The man's blood left speckles of red on the yellowing walls.
Circe stepped over the corpse, while dusting off her apron. "Okay, I'm sorry. I guess I needed you after all." She sighed into the headset. "Thanks a million. I promise I'll make it up to you this weekend."
She dashed down the hall, tearing off the apron. She reached into the large pocket of the dress to pull out a device and then ripped the fabric away, buttons flying everywhere as the cheap material was torn from her body to reveal her hunter green suit. She quickly tied the black mask over her face. "Alright, Circe. Let's do this." She spoke words of self-encouragement under her breath.
She pressed the device onto the lock of the armored door and open the flap.
She was met with a pair of familiar, puzzled brown eyes. "Circe?"
"Yes, your favorite daughter! Stand back!"
She shut the flap quickly and triggered the bomb. Circe dashed around the corner of the hall for cover.
She heard the loud crash and the shatter of debris. She peeked around the corner when some of the smoke subsided, watching the heavy door fall open and begin to slip from the hinges.
The smoke cleared, and she saw the image of her father. Circe didn't hesitant to dash forward and throw her arms around him. He looked so, tired, damaged and lost. She felt her heart sink.
"Circe?" Ed asked again, still bewildered by the sight of her.
"Yes, it's me, Papa. Who else were you expecting?"
Ed pulled her close, holding her to his body tightly. "I don't know, maybe your father?"
Circe pulled back, looking into his eyes. She smiled from ear to ear. It had been a troubling two months without him. "Yeah well...he doesn't know about this so I'm counting on you to keep it on the down low for the next two hours."
Ed could stop the grin from spread in across his face. "Deal!"
"Now come on, we have to get out of here before all of my back up dies."
Circe slammed her foot on the gas.
"Left side, right side, can you make up your mind?" She complained into the headset.
"Who are you talking to?"
"Oh, it's just Martin. Text to Audio. Don't worry, he's remote. But we're going to pick him up."
"Ah, so those team building games we did when you were a kid paid off." Ed nudged her with his elbow.
"You know it." She winked. "I knew I might need genuine back up. He's the only one I can really trust. Besides Daddy, of course. But yeah...he's kind of out of the loop on this one"
"Oh dear, I hope you are ready for an earful." Ed smirked in her direction.
"Something tells me that he'll forgive me."
"We'll see. So, you orchestrated this yourself?" He glanced at her curiosity, a little sparkle lighting up his eyes.
"Yep. Martin did help a little. He wasn't privy to being my backup. He was worried that something would happen, and I would get hurt. It took a hell of a lot for me to convince him not to tell Daddy."
He's your brother. He's going to worry about you, it's his job." Ed paused for a moment to mull over something.
"I know. I'm not complaining. You know, I would have broken you out of Arkham at five if I could. I guess I'm ten years late." She chuckled a little, trying to keep her eyes on the road. Adrenaline was pushing her forth, driving her heartbeat to a new speed. She had never felt this exhilarated before.
"Don't feel bad about that, Circe. Your father got it under control." Ed reassured her calmly. "Somethings have to happen slowly. But I will admit, I'm very impressed."
"Impressed hmm?" Her eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief. "Impressed enough to take me on your next heist?" Circe glanced over to him hopefully.
"Hah, are you kidding? Your father would throw a fit." Ed couldn't wipe the smile from his face, despite himself.
"Maybe so. But having a partner that you could trust could definitely lower the risk of being caught." She nudged him with her elbow.
"The risk of something happening to you, outweighs the risk of getting caught."
She swerved around the corner, causing the both of them to slide to the right.
"Papa please, I can handle myself. And I'm smarter than all of your henchmen put together. Besides, we work so well together."
The cleverly mischievous glint her in her eye brought a smile to his face. How had his brilliant, little troublemaker grown up so fast?
"I'll think about it."
They had switched cars three times and abandoned the last one before finally stumbling through the back door of the Van Dahl mansion.
Circe had tried to guide them through the dark living room quietly.
Suddenly the lights came on.
Oswald was standing in the center of the room, hands on his hips eyes wide with rage "Where have you two been?!" He screeched at his two children, hands flying in the air with no restraint. "I saw it on the news-!"
Oswald stopped dead in his tracks. His eyes widened further as if he had seen a ghost. "...Ed?" Was he hallucinating? Was this a dream?
"Oswald." Ed smiled at him, creases forming in the corners of his dark ringed eyes.
"How…" Oswald was so taken aback he was hardly able to form words.
"Circe rose her arms into a tentative shrug. "Happy Anniversary?"
A large smile spread across Martin's face as he circled an arm around his sister's shoulders.
The two stood back as their parents stepped forward into a tight embrace.
Oswald touched Ed's face as if he was made of glass. "Ed I can't believe this. I was trying to work on a way to get you-" He ran his thumbs over Ed's face to make sure he was real. "I can't believe you're here."
Ed took advantage of Oswald's parted lips, leaning in to give him a soft, sweet little kiss. "Our kids are pretty crafty." He whispered against Oswald's lips.
Oswald rose on his toes to claim another kiss. He took a moment to peer over Ed's shoulder after they parted to shoot a glare at his children. "We'll talk about this later."
"Yeah, yeah, you can ground me later." Circe rolled her eyes at Oswald. "But we kind of have to get out of town."
'Right now!' Martin added.
"We've packed your luggage for your romantic getaway. Martin and I will be on the beach while you two do whatever you want. Daddy-" She glanced at Oswald. "Go make sure Martin packed all of the right shoes. I know you are picky."
Oswald crossed his arms, a little smile finally curling at the ends of his lips.
"Papa-" She winked in Ed's direction. "I packed your handcuffs." Ed gave her a solid thumbs up. Oswald mumbled a flustered "what?" And Martin tossed her the most uneasy glare she had ever seen.
Circe chortled, crossing her arms over her stomach. "Don't ever tell me I'm not a good daughter."
Ed patted her on the back. "You're my favorite, daughter, remember!"
Circe flashed him a knowing smile.
'Okay, now let's move people!' Martin signed frantically, prompting the four of them to scurry upstairs.
Circe brought a cup of coffee up to the study and waited outside the door for several minutes; listening to her father talk to himself over and over in different voices and pitches.
She stood there, back to the door, trying to untangle the exchange and distinguish who was who.
This wasn't the first time. Nor would it be the last time.
She was seven when she had first caught him in one of his fits. He could be stable for weeks, months and fall back into this staticky rhythm again, sometimes for hours, days or weeks.
She remembered Oswald slowly drawing her away, that time. And taking her into a different room. "Papa has different hims, you see. Some of them are kind to him, and others aren't." He explained slowly and whimsically, the best he could to a child.
But Circe was a clever child. Ed had raised her that way.
"It's hard for Papa, Circe. So, you have to be patient with him." Circe only nodded her head. "We have to try to understand what he is feeling and comfort him. We cannot try to imagine what he is feeling, because we could be wrong. And you wouldn't want to hurt his feelings would you?"
"No, daddy." She nodded her head to her father. "I will be kind."
And she was, for years. Kind, gentle and supportive. But now she was worried. It seemed like each passing day, Ed was less of himself.
Where was the man who saying her lullabies, taught her riddles and chased her in the park all afternoon? The man who'd helped her with her homework every night, brought her gifts every time he came home from a trip. The man who had helped her through her first heartbreak.
He was here, there, all around her, yet nowhere to be found.
He was a faded moon, falling back into the night sky to be lost forever.
Daddy couldn't see it, wouldn't. But Circe had known for quite some time now.
Oswald had raised Martin in his image, quick, fierce, unrelenting. Ed had raised her in his, clever as the devil and twice as mischievous. Maybe that is why she was the one who knew that he was falling apart.
Circe wandered back downstairs to reheat the coffee.
She caught sight of her father in the living room and took a step back, wandering into the room to sit beside him. Circe laid her head atop Oswald's shoulder and sighed.
"Hello, darling." Oswald folded his newspaper and set his reading glasses aside. He stroked her head gently. "What has you so distraught?" he cooed to her while running his fingers through her soft chestnut locks.
"Daddy...I'm worried..." She chewed her lip. "About Papa. I think he needs help."
Oswald sighed softly. "Circe, we have to be patient. He's just having one of his episodes. He'll come around."
"But what if he doesn't?"
"He will." Oswald murmured to her as he continued to stroke her hair.
She let her eyes flutter close. No matter what she did she could not vanquish this nagging feeling that sunk in the pit of her stomach.
"But maybe we should try and take him to someone." She urged.
Oswald took her chin in his hands. He looked at his daughter's face. She was a chipper 15, as beautiful as the day he had met her. She was not the little girl he used to tuck in at night. She was growing, and her mind was buzzing with questions and a blooming curiosity.
It was all happening too fast for comfort. Oswald wasn't ready to let her go any time soon.
"Circe, my love, we can't push him. If we do, we might lose him forever."
Her father's eyes gleamed with a certain fear that could have only arisen from an unpleasant memory. He had tried this before and the failure had been too frightening to allow a second chance.
Circe nodded silently and curled back into her father's side like she did when she was a girl. It was truly terrifying, to feel so helpless.
She carried the few belongings she was allowed as the guard beside her roughly ushered her forward. This was it, the big move.
Circe would admit that she felt a bit of sadness when she bid her new doctor goodbye. She seemed to be the only kindred soul in this horrible place.
But she kept her head high as she was guided into her new hall. She wasn't scared. She was resilient. Oswald had given her that trait. No matter how many times she was knocked down she could get up.
She could take a punch, a bloody lip, a few electric shocks, if that meant even once chance….
Her feet stopped. Her eyes locked with a pair of brown irises from far across the room.
The guards ushering her looked bewildered. Someone had made a grave mistake.
"Papa!" Circe screamed at the top of her lungs. Frightened inmates around her scurried away.
"Papa, it's me, Circe!" She screamed as she shoved and kicked the men holding her back. Two more guards dashed forward to restrain her.
"Circe?!" She could hear a voice scream from down the hall. His voice.
She elbowed one of the men in the gut and kicked another violently. "Let me see my father, you savages!" She shrieked while trashing violently. She was able to land a solid punch on one men's face before she felt a sharp pain in her scalp that pulled her toward the ground harshly.
All four of her captors lifted her from the ground roughly, bringing her back to her feet. "Let me go!" She cried. She fought with all of her might, tears running down her face unwillingly. "Let me see my father!" Her broken voice echoed down the hall.
But he was gone now.
Circe wiped her face against her shoulder and held her head high.
She would best these beasts, in due time.
Circe tip-toed into the room, re-warmed coffee in her hands. Dark roast with a dash of cream, just like he liked it.
The voices had all subsided. She saw her father sitting at the desk in silence. The light of the lamp left his face aglow.
She left the coffee on his desk and place a kiss on the top of his head.
Ed looked up at her, his weary eyes crinkled in the corners as his mouth twisted into a warm smile. "Thank you, pumpkin."
"What are you working on?" She tried to peek over his shoulder to catch a glance of his work.
"Come, sit," He gestured for her to join him. "I'll show you."
She pulled up a chair and sat beside him. Her eyes sparkled with curiosity as she gazed at the blueprints in front of them.
"I'm planning to steal a painting. This is the staff entrance that should allow me access." He pointed to a spot on the map.
"That looks exciting." She remarked as her eyes followed his finger.
Ed smiled brightly, watching her face for a few seconds. He leaned in and whispered, "Why don't you come with me?"
Circe looked him in the eye, searching his face to determine if this was some type of trick. "Really?" She whispered back.
Ed nodded his head and she couldn't suppress the wide grin that slowly curled across her lips.
"Do I get an alias?"
"Of course. We'll have to think of something good."