Chapter 4

Stella woke, she was wrapped up warm in her bed and felt a arm under her that was holding her tightly. She turned over, Riddler was sleeping peacefully and she hugged a little more into him and he put his chin on top of her head. His other arm came over her and pulled her in, she laid her face against him and remembered the night. He was so strong and yet completely gentle with her, he found comfort being with her and for the first time in a long time he was not thinking about being smarter than the Batman. The sun was rising, they stayed in the bed for another good hour before Riddler woke

"Good morning"

"Good morning Mr Nigma" Stella replied

He smiled, his eyes still closed and his chin on her head. He moved back a little way so he could look at his lady, her curved and dark hair was spread over her pillow. They shared a little kiss, the sun had found it's way through a small crack in the curtains and Riddler rose from the bed. He stood and stretched out his arms, then turned and saw Stella was sitting on her side of the bed. He quickly figured out which closet had the towels in, he went into the bathroom and started the shower. Stella picked up her night gown, as she put it on the phone rang and she headed towards it as Riddler started to hum a little tune. Stella smiled in the direction of the bathroom, she picked up the phone and answered

"Hello"

"Hi Stell, it's Harley" Harley said down the phone and Stella asked

"Harley? What's wrong?"

"Well I think the Bat was looking for you last night, I saw him poking his pointy nose around where me and you had been a few nights ago" Harley replied

Stella went cold, if the Bat was on her trail that put Riddler in danger of being found and she asked back

"Did you see where he went?"

"No, sent my guys to beat the crap outta him. They came back saying he was gone, then we had a few of Harvey's goon snooping too" Harley told and Stella said back

"Turf war coming to Mr J"

"No Stell, they were looking for The Shadow. Two Face has become a bit obsessed with finding ya, something about his new girl" Harley replied and Stella said back

"I'm not Harvey's girl, I saved him from getting his head really split in two... but I got out of there when Penguin's goons turned up"

"I know, look keep Shadow out of Arkham for a while and the whole idea should die down" Harley recommended and Stella said back

"Okay Harl, with both Two Face and the Bat after me this might be a good time to keep my head down"

"Yeah, see ya round kid"

"You too, bye Harley"

Stella put the phone down, she turned and Riddler was stood in the bathroom door wearing a towel and still slightly wet. He raised an eyebrow and asked

"So you're being hunted, the only thing they can do now is guess at where you are. At least the are so stupid they won't think to find out who Shadow really is"

"Really, you think that they won't. I'd say Bats would try, he already thinks I am targeted by villains and has been here more than once. Jonathan might have told you about the last encounter" Stella said back putting down the phone and Riddler replied

"Yes, something about you giving yourself a shot of his fear toxins to the behind. I was and I can say Crane was impressed"

"What do we do now Edward?"

Stella asked walking to the window and closing the small gap in the curtains, she was worried that they might be being watched. Riddler walked up behind her, he kissed her neck and put his hands on her shoulders. She put her hand on his, then turned around and hugged into him and he said back

"I'll protect you from Dent, he's so stupid he will be misled and find the wrong girl. You'll think of something to take the Bat off your scent"

Stella had a shower herself, made the pair up some breakfast and Riddler was fully dressed and reading the paper she had delivered to her door every morning. He laughed seeing that someone had found the warehouse, the police said that Batman had taken care of it. They had not caught the Riddler, he could be at large in Gotham and as always should be considered dangerous. Stella looked at the paper, the warehouse was apart of the front page but it was more about the wall of Arkham coming down. The latest was that Penguin had tried to blow it up, but was apprehended by the Batman. Stella knew that she had to go to work, so she sat down and said slipping on her shoes

"Okay Eddie, are you going to be here when I get home?"

Riddler was still reading the paper, he had a mouthful of toast and said holding up his hand with the half eaten toast in it

"Yesh, (swallows) I can't really go out at the moment. Those fools won't catch me, I'm going to keep my head down for a while and try to figure out how to trap the Bat"

"I will be home anytime after four, being the boss I make up my own hours. There is plenty of food in the fridge, the balcony windows are on tinted as are the bedroom ones. If you get bored or want something to plan on, there is a load of art supplies and paper in the wardrobe. See you later"

Stella walked out of the apartment, then she froze on the sidewalk and thought about what she had just accepted. She had the Riddler in her home, she had spent the night with him and and was now freely hiding him from the authorities. Something swam around in her head, then she thought about his sweet face and just carried on walking as if there was nothing wrong at all. She walked into the bank, her bank was no longer than main target to the criminal world. The latest to be robbed was the Gotham national bank, she didn't mind that as it was always the more popular one of the five main banks. She entered her office. There was a lot of paperwork to do, since most of her employees were shot by Joker there was plenty of interviews to do. She had the people who were off on the day of the shooting in, it was mainly people who were under her as there was a huge meeting and all managers and such had to be there. Stella had gotten to lunchtime when she was starting to miss her Mystery Man, she picked up the phone and thought something was off. It had not rung all day, normally it was ringing constantly. Stella examined the phone, she looked at the wire and followed it with her eyes and saw nothing wrong. Still not convinced, she twisted the speaker off and found a small device inside. She knew someone had bugged her phone, she knew that it was the Batman's and she said holding down the receiver

"Good afternoon Batman"

The response came about half an hour later, she was typing away at her computer and then looked at the door and saw the Batman was stood there. She smiled sweetly and he said

"Then you know I have been keeping an eye on you"

"Since Crane's attack, of course. I was surprised you didn't just leave a camera in my face" Stella replied and Batman said back

"I would have, but I knew you'd spot anything wrong with your home in an instant. I should have figured you'd be the same about your office"

"I have a keen sense, comes with my blood line you know" Stella replied finishing her work and Batman said back

"You are walking a thin and dangerous line, some criminals will see you as a target and try to get all of the money from the bank... or as a ally with your keen sense"

Stella smiled, but inside she was now panicking and thinking about Riddler. What if he was only using her to get the bank details and then run? What if he was at her home right now taking all she had? Batman was still there so she had to think fast and said back

"Well this was nice, but I intend to sell off the bank. I can live happily for the rest of my life once this place is sold, now I must go for lunch. Good day Batman"

She turned on her last sentence, the window was open and he was gone. She didn't care about that, she rushed out of the room and whistled a taxi down.

Once she was outside of her apartment she heard police sirens outside, she opened the door and Riddler was nowhere to be seen. Stella listened and the sirens went right by, but still Riddler was gone and she hoped and prayed he had not done what she feared. Suddenly the door opened, a strange man came through with a bulbous chin and fat stomach. Stella was stunned and she snarled

"Get out, this is my home"

"I know it is, didn't think you'd be home until gone four" Riddler replied removing his disguise and Stella gasped

"Edward, what are you up too?"

"I went out for a walk, enjoyed the city and sent Harvey a gift" Riddler replied and then she said back

"Really, I had the Batman bug my work phone and visit me once I pulled it out"

Riddler's eyes narrowed, he heard that something different in her voice and tried to read it from her expression. He knew that Batman had said something to make her think about the pair, it infuriated him to think that Batman was influencing her. He sat down and asked

"What did he say to make you doubt me?"

"He said that some criminals would use me to get the bank, I know you wouldn't do that. I'm selling it" Stella said back

Riddler sat there for a moment, he didn't care about that bank of hers and was slightly thrilled that she had decided to sell it. But he was not stupid, he could see she had questioned him even if just for a moment. It hurt, he didn't want to feel hurt. Stella could see his mind ticking, he started to rise and he said putting on his hat

"I'm going back to Arkham for a while"

"Eddie, I... I understand. I came back here to check on you, I am not the type of person to lie. Please come back soon, I'll miss you otherwise" Stella said back

Riddler vanished out the door, Stella felt awful, she sat on her sofa and felt tears well up in her eyes. She hated the fact she had doubted him, he had read it in her and she only had a feeling of needing to escape. A surge over came her and that night she was Shadow again.

She rushed across the roof tops and flew straight into Arkham, she had been watching the changes and knew when to get over. She landed near the steel mill, then walked up to the door and knocked loudly. A thug opened the door, he asked seeing Shadow

"What are you meant to be?"

"I am Shadow, can Harley come out and play?" Shadow asked back

The thug looked Shadow up and down, but he was shot down for being slow by Harley and she said as Shadow leant against the door frame

"What'cha want Shadow?"

"I want to play, lets go and blow things up Harl" Shadow replied

Harley smiled, Joker was in deep planning and he asked as Harley picked up her hammer

"What are you doing?"

"Going out Puddin', I am going to take a few of my men and spray up the police station where Ice boy lives"

Joker waved her on, he really didn't want to be distracted by Harley tonight as his plans were looking promising. Harley walked back out, Shadow was surrounded by thugs but they all started to laugh. Harley realized that Shadow was winning them over with a few jokes. Harley stood on top of a ice cream van, she hit her hammer on the roof and said

"Okay boys, me and my buddy here are taking you lot out for a walk. Kill anything that stands in our way, we're wrecking the Ice man's joint. Good way for you to have some fun Shadow"

Shadow smiled, as the men walked out of the yard and Harley led the pack. Shadow swung into the darkness, she followed from the rooftops and kept a high eye on the group. It was a twenty minute walk to the old Gotham GCPD building. On the last road was a bunch of Two face's men and Harley barked the order to attack. Gunfire filled the air, Harley didn't see the guns from so far but her men were ready. One of Two face's men threw a knife at Harley, but she was quickly swept up by Shadow and one of the men shouted

"Was that the Bat?"

"Oh this will be fun, they think I'm bloody Batman" Shadow laughed from the roof and Harley smiled and said taking out her gun

"I'll fire on them and you show us what'cha got"

Harley started to fire on the men, Shadow had already thrown her grapple and flew along kicking one of the men off the road and into the water below. Harley was laughing while firing manically, Shadow flipped out her newest toy and threw it down at the men. They looked down, it was a ball with bumps all over it and then it exploded... hitting them like a anti riot grenade. Some got it worse than others, Harley was at down behind cover laughing as she had spotted the closest one had been hit in a very painful place. Shadow on the other hand, she was thinking about Riddler and how much more fun it would be if he was there. She had thought about it, she was angry that he had just walked out and not tried to talk about it. She was angry at herself for doubting, but he was a criminal... that she cared for. The fight was moving back by the time she came back to the world, they had ended up on Mr Freeze's turf. Shadow was not to sure about this, she liked Freeze and hoped he had moved or was not at home. She could tell this wish was in vain, the GCPD building was smothered in ice and snow. She swooped down, Two Face's men were starting to retreat and Harley shouted as her boys cheered

"Come on, let's remind the Ice man who runs this place"

Harley threw out green spray paint, some of the men had brought stencils and were spraying Jokers face on the walls. Harley spotted Shadow, she was looking out over the city and the clown princess of crime stood next to Shadow and asked

"What's up?"

Shadow told Harley everything, Harley smiled at the end and Shadow asked seeing her friend smiling away

"What?"

"Bout' time Eddie found himself a girl, you do know he hasn't had much luck with em' being a criminal n' all. He can be a big headed pig though, want me to go and blow one of his balls off?"

Shadow started to laugh, then sprayed a question mark on the wall behind her as a way of showing there was always a bit of him about. But then the door off the GCPD building started to open and the sound of a walking robot was coming out. Harley knew better than to stick around, her men were not to far away when a ice blast hit three of them and froze them to the spot. Harley leaped to the roof and the dived into the water, Shadow on the other hand threw her grapple and soared into the air. She flew just high enough to dodge the first shot of ice, but was not as lucky on the second shot and with the extra weight hit the nearest roof hard. Her feet were frozen together, worse part of it was there were men with guns on this roof. They lifted up their guns hearing the hit, it was even worse when she realized it was Two Face's men and one said

"It's The Shadow"

"No way, boss already got her" the other thug said back and the first one said

"No, no. He said it wasn't her, this is her, I was there that night. Come on, let's get her back to the boss"

The pair started to walk toward Shadow, she hit her feet hard on the ground and saw the start of a spilt but then felt the back of her head sear with pain and then all went black.