Title : Under Your Skin

Author : Madd13

Rating : M for later chapters

Disclaimer : All credit to DC Comics to the creation of all characters involved.

Summery : They've been at it for years, getting under each other's skin. They've finally had enough.

Edward Nygma was not usually fond of asking for favors. He would much rather be cashing them in or even threatening his way into getting what he wanted. He did not like that he had to ask for something from someone he really shouldn't be associating with anymore. It was only the fact that behind all his own psychosis he was brilliant in his own way. Edward sighed and banged roughly on the door, awaiting his host to answer.

Jonathan Crane yanked the door open, a scowl set in place. He seemed a little disheveled, his lab coat hanging off one shoulder in his haste to cease the disturbance. He took in the slender frame of what he supposed he could call a friend. "What do you want?" He asked tersely, not bothering to feign being nice. "A pleasure to see you as well, Doctor," The puzzle master responded and pushed his way in. He took a cursory look over the chemicals and lab equipment strewn everywhere.

Well, it looked like a new batch of toxins were well underway. Fantastic. "Another grand scheme is brewing, I see." He continued further until he found a seat, finally turning to look back at his begrudging host. Crane slammed the door shut, letting only the lights above his bubbling beakers give them something to see by. "Plan on blackmailing me by way of the Bat?" He hissed, one hand lightly brushing over syringes in his pocket. He was never without at least a few on his person just in case.

Edward raised a brow, as if only now considering that option. "It hadn't crossed my mind," He said innocently only to receive a snort of amusement. It was, indeed, a lie, but he really had no intention of being so rude. "I simply wish for a small sample if you would. Just enough for a bit of paranoia. Perhaps the jitters." He glanced back at the equipment, noting all the various stages the chemicals were in. One looked fairly volatile and he would rather not linger too long if that one was going to cause unknown amounts of damage.

Jonathan furrowed his brow. "Why do you want that?" He asked skeptically even as he set to finding something that would do the trick. Edward was out of the villain game so there should be no need for any level of fear toxin. He kept looking back at his "guest", waiting for an answer. "I have an overgrown pest sticking her claws in my business," The genius answered, turning away. He wanted to give Catwoman a reason to back off, more so than he wanted to prove, slippery as she was, she couldn't always squeak past everyone. He was levels above Batman just for the fact that he wasn't willing to let love get in the way.

The Prince of Fear faced the Prince of Puzzles. Hmm, so much royalty for one city. No wonder they fought so much. Crane took a moment to think on what Edward had said. "Catwoman is hanging around you? Why?" The auburn haired man finally made eye contact once more. "I believe we are testing each other in our own way. I'm not certain why or how we began this game, but here we are. I want to win," He answered simply. If he really wanted to, Edward could answer the how and why, but he would rather just focus on being on top.

The good doctor went silent, studying the man before him. While labeled insane, Crane was entirely lucid. He even had his moments when he let his former self peek back out, once more becoming the psychologist he had studied to be. Edward Nygma was not easily ruffled. Doctor Crane was aware of this fact and yet here this man sat, hounded by a cat and uncomfortable with it. "You are enamored with our feline friend." It was a statement. There was no question about this and Crane didn't entirely approve.

Edward's eyes narrowed. How dare he be analyzed without his consent. "I am not and would appreciate it if you kept your own nose out of my business." Seeing that Crane had been useful and found what Edward was after, the green clad man took the vial and walked off without another word.

/

Waiting on Catwoman to move was going to be tedious. She was unpredictable in when she would strike so Edward would have to force it. She was going to be at a very high end jewelry store tonight because he had planned it. The store had a very rare and very large emerald on display. It was beautiful and matched Selina's eyes perfectly. In fact, it matched his eyes, but he wasn't the target.

As expected, Catwoman was making her way through the front door right now. The cameras were out so she couldn't be seen, but the detective knew since the cameras had gone out. She had such a wonderful mind to be able to adapt and grow as security systems became more complex. It was impressive. He listened from the back room for the tell tale signs that she was working on the case that held her prize.

It was silent.

Edward frowned when he didn't hear anything. He knew she was amazing at what she did, but he hadn't known that she was this quiet. In the darkness, he glanced around the door frame to see her progress. She had actually gotten the casing off and was calculating how to get the jewel itself without setting off any alarm attached only to that piece. He studied the feline as she processed the situation, figuring out how to make her move with minimal risk. It was captivating to watch her work as he never had before.

It was a shame it wasn't going to last. She would never complete tonight's mission. As requested, the jitters started, her left hand shaking slightly. She twisted on the spot as if she heard something behind her. A frown appeared, signaling that she realized something was wrong. Something was off with her and she had noticed it happening until just now. Again, she moved to catch movement behind her. Again, there was nothing there. Selina looked down at her hands, seeing them shaking. She had only been shaky once during a heist and that had been her very first one when she was nervous as hell.

What the fuck was wrong with her?

The thief flinched, but tried to ignore the urge to see what was going on around her. She knew there was no one but her there. Batman wasn't there, for sure since she had heard the sirens. He would be checking on whatever situation had arisen and that gave her plenty of time to break in and get out. This was ridiculous. How was she supposed to work in this condition? What had caused this to happen in the first place?

A tap came from the back and she gave in. She turned to face whatever wasn't there only to see she was wrong. She hadn't been alone. Edward stood there, grinning behind the respirator. That vial of toxin he had gotten had been converted to a gas that filled the store. He was fine since the air he was breathing was being filtered. Selina got a face full the moment she opened the door and had been inhaling it the entire time. "What's wrong, kitty? You're not scared, are you?" He growled, clearly pleased with himself.

Selina hissed, crouching down as if she were going to leap on him. "You're dead, Nygma." The leather clad woman was about to attack when the jitters got worse. She straightened from the crouch, wrapping her arms around herself. "What did you do to me?" She growled, trying to figure out what he put into the air. Given the mask he wore, she could only assume it was an air born toxin. Edward started forward, unafraid of attack; she was far too shaky to be much of a threat.

"Just a little something from Doctor Crane," He answered. Catwoman rolled her eyes. Great, she had a night of terrors to look forward to. "Thanks, screaming at shadows is sure to go unnoticed." She heaved a sigh and turned to walk back to the door. She had been leave the scene before she really did start screaming and the police were called. Point to Nygma for tonight. He proved that she can be caught via unscrupulous means.

Thank god Batman never thought of this. She gave a small hiss over her shoulder. Selina wanted to be leaving the auburn haired man behind, but could hear him walking behind her. That annoying tap, tap, tap of the cane on the pavement was grating. Her anger grew as he came down the alley she was trying to disappear down. "Leave me alone!" She snapped, facing him once more. She would have liked to have looked at least a little frightening but she was just frightened. She couldn't stop looking around as if something were going to jump out at her.

Edward took the mask off and let it fall to the ground. There was a small frown on his face as he watched Selina twitch and jump at the barest of sounds. Once she got outside into the fresh air, the effects were supposed to begin wearing off. His tweaks to the toxin had been to dilute it further and make it so only long exposure would cause worsening symptoms. She had been inhaling it for mere minutes. Had the genius miscalculated?

There goes his point.

Moving quickly, Edward hooked his cane on his elbow and scooped the scared Cat into his arms. She squeaked with fright, a noise she despised herself for making. Still, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and buried her face in the crook of his neck. Yes, he had miscalculated terribly. Perhaps he had missed something in the formula that didn't allow for him to properly shift the balance of chemicals. It would be like Crane to find a way to keep his fear toxins tinker-proof.

He had to get her home. Sadly, he didn't think the cats would be all that helpful in her current state.